Box Office Breakdown: The Wild Things Are #1

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, Technology

Who knew a 10-sentence long story could do so well?

It may have taken over three years for Where the Wild Things Are to officially debut, but the long journey was apparently worth the wait. The Spike Jonze project, which was once rumored to be too scary for children, finally unfolded over the weekend and soared to first place. The Maurice Sendak adaptation, which earned approximately $32.7 million, also gave Warner Bros. its best October open ever.

Even though Gerard Butler didn’t bother to promote Law Abiding Citizen during his recent Saturday Night Live stint, the film managed to survive on its own. The actioner, which also starred Jamie Foxx, raked in just over $21 million and won a close race for 2nd place. Meanwhile, word-of-mouth hit Paranormal Activity grossed another $19.6 million and moved up one rung to the third spot.

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Read More | Variety

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Sequel News: X-Men, Vacation, Kill Bill and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, Disney, Miramax, New Line, Paramount, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Family, Horror, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Rumors, Scripts, Technology, Upcoming Releases

X-Men: Although it’s been six years since X2, Bryan Singer says he may not be done with the comic book franchise. The director recently revealed that he’s entertaining the thought of another installment. “I’m still looking to possibly returning to the X-Men franchise. I’ve been talking to Fox about it,” Singer said. “I love Hugh Jackman. I love the cast,” he admitted. Brett Ratner was at the helm for 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand while Gavin Hood directed 2009’s Wolverine.

Click to continue reading Sequel News: X-Men, Vacation, Kill Bill and More

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Sequel News: Hancock, Vampire Chronicles and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Horror, Period, Science Fiction, Sequels, Thrillers, Casting, Rumors, Scripts, Technology, Upcoming Releases

Hancock: Will Smith’s reluctant superhero will be dragged into the spotlight once again. Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara (both writers on The Shield) have just been recruited to pen the Hancock sequel for returning director Peter Berg. It’s not known if Charlize Theron or Jason Bateman will also appear in the next feature.

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Remake News: Yellow Submarine, Poltergeist, Gunsmoke and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, MGM, Lionsgate, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Horror, Musicals, Remakes, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Filmmaking, Scripts, Technology, Upcoming Releases

Yellow Submarine: Robert Zemeckis’ experience using 3-D performance-capture technology (The Polar Express, Beowulf) will soon come in handy on his remake of Yellow Submarine. Disney is reportedly working to get clearance on a list of Beatles songs for the project. (The 1968 animated film followed “Old Fred” and the Beatles as they traveled in their yellow submersible to Pepperland.) The goal is to have the film produced in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

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Create Your Own Whip It Roller Derby Name

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Fox Searchlight, Action, Comedy, Technology

Just because you’re too scared to attempt roller derby doesn’t mean you can’t sound bad ass.

For the upcoming release of Whip It, Fox Searchlight has created a tool that will let you create your own derby persona. The results generated are meant to fall in line with the names used in the movie (Smashley Simpson, Dinah Might, Malice in Wonderland, Bloody Holly, Eva Destruction).

What title was randomly selected for me? Whiskey Terror. (Although I’m personally not a fan of the drink, I’m pleased with the outcome.) To build your own alter ego, just click here.

Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut premieres on October 9.

Read More | Fox Searchlight

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The Colorful Characters from Burton’s Alice in Wonderland

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Adaptation, Adventure, Family, Technology, Upcoming Releases

No matter how you feel about Tim Burton‘s uneven work (Mars Attacks? Planet of the Apes?), there’s one thing that cannot be denied: His films are a visual treat.

Next year, the director will introduce Alice in Wonderland, an adaptation of the Lewis Carroll story. The movie, which uses live action and performance-capture technology, will be offered in 3-D.

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Read More | ScreenCrave

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IMAX Delay for Half-Blood Prince

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Science Fiction, Technology, Upcoming Releases

Warner Bros. may be sticking firm to its third Half-Blood Prince release date, but that won’t prevent delays for the film.

Due to a conflict with a previously scheduled blockbuster, most IMAX theaters (aside from one in New York in one in LA) will not be able to show Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince until July 29. That equates to a two-week delay from the July 15 premiere.

What will be occupying those theaters up until that point? Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The Paramount feature has a month-long commitment starting with its June 26 debut.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

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Schwarzenegger Makes Digital Cameo in Terminator Salvation

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Warner Bros, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Technology, Upcoming Releases

Although Arnold Schwarzenegger seemed unsure about the future of the Terminator franchise, California’s govenor knows one thing for sure: a paycheck is a paycheck.

After months of speculation, it turns out the former action star will be included in the upcoming sequel after all. But unlike his recent work for The Expendables, this gig will not require any time away from his day job. According to Variety, all that he needed to do was put a thumb up. Director McG has incorporated Schwarzenegger’s image using a body mold that was cast in a previous installment. The final digital result will appear as a live actor.

Arnold won’t be the only veteran included in next month’s blockbuster. It was previously announced that Linda Hamilton will provide a short voice over as well.

Terminator Salvation premieres on May 21.

Read More | Variety

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Beauty and the Beast to Go 3-D

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Animation, Classics, Family, Musicals, Technology

As hard as it is to believe, it’s already been 17 years since Beauty and the Beast first premiered. And though it’s still nice to still along with Gaston and Lumiere via the DVD, we will soon have a new way to experience the movie all over again.

Come 2010, Disney will rerelease the Oscar-nominated film - it was the first full-length animated movie to be up for Best Picture - as a new 3-D theatrical feature. This update is just one of several reissues the studio has in store. Plans for a revamped Toy Story and Toy Story 2 have already been in the works.

In addition to this weekend’s release of Bolt, upcoming 3-D titles for Disney include the Jonas Brothers 3-D Concert Movie, Toy Story 3, Up, G-Force, Alice in Wonderland and Rapunzel.

Read More | Variety

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Disney Titles Coming to Blu-ray

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Animation, Classics, Family, Home Entertainment, Technology

This fall, Disney will be releasing its first Platinum Collection title on Blu-ray. Now we’re being told of five other films that will eventually get the same treatment.

• Pinocchio - available Spring 2009
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - available 2009
• Fantasia - available 2010
• Fantasia 2000 - available 2010
• Beauty and the Beast - available Fall 2010

The animated classics - with all their extra bells and whistles - will be available for a limited time only. (As if Disney would have it any other way.)

Sleeping Beauty hits the shelves on October 7.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

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