Jennifer Hudson to Play Mandela’s Wife

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Biopics, Drama, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases

Jennifer Hudson has signed on to star in Winnie, a biopic about Nelson Mandela’s former wife.

The film will follow her whole life, and Hudson will be singing the movie’s theme song as well.

“I was compelled and moved when I read the script,” the Academy Award winner recently said. “Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I’m honored to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told.”

Production begins May 30. With Hudson in the lead, the flick already sounds like Oscar material.

Read More | Vote for the Worst

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In Theaters This Weekend: November 13, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, FOCUS, IFC Films, Sony, Action, Animation, Biopics, Documentary, Drama, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

• 2012 (PG-13): starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor (directed by Roland Emmerich)
• Pirate Radio (R): starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans (directed by Richard Curtis)
• Dare* (R): starring Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Ashleigh Springer (directed by Adam Salky)
• The End of Poverty?* (NR): starring Martin Sheen (directed by Philippe Diaz)
• Fantastic Mr. Fox* (PG): starring George Clooney, Jason Schwartzman, Meryl Streep (directed by Wes Anderson)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: November 13, 2009

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Casting Corner: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gwyneth Paltrow and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Sony, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Animation, Biopics, Drama, Family, Independent, Period, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Casting, Celeb News, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

Jake Gyllenhaal: The Jarhead star may be prepping to play another military man in Source Code, a sci-fi thriller. The movie, which will be directed by Duncan Jones (Moon), centers on a soldier who wakes up as a commuter on a train. The passenger is forced to relive the experience again and again until the mystery behind a bombing is determined. Shooting should start in early 2010.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gwyneth Paltrow and More

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In Theaters This Weekend: November 6, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Lionsgate, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Animation, Biopics, Documentary, Drama, Independent, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

• The Box (PG-13): starring James Marsden, Cameron Diaz, Frank Langella (directed by Richard Kelly)
• Disney’s A Christmas Carol (PG): starring Jim Carrey, John Cleese, Gary Oldman (directed by Robert Zemeckis)
• The Fourth Kind (PG-13): starring Milla Jovovich, Elias Koteas, Will Patton (directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi)
• The Men Who Stare at Goats (R): starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges (directed by Grant Heslov)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: November 6, 2009

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Box Office Breakdown: That Was It for Paranormal Activity

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Biopics, Documentary, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Period, Remakes, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

Based on the numbers from the past week, it looks like This Is It should remain in theaters longer than two weeks. Oh wait - it will.

Since opening late Tuesday night, the concert film has generated a total of $34.4 million domestically - $23.2 million just over the weekend - and approximately $101 worldwide. Although Michael Jackson technically didn’t beat the opener for Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour (that entry earned more over 5 days), This Is It had the best international debut ever for any concert film.

Sony’s win meant a short victory for Paranormal Activity. After a steady climb, and only 1 week at the top, the horror film slipped down to second place. Of course, the word-of-mouth hit has nothing to complain about. Not only has the movie grossed $84.6 million to date, it also had the best per screen average of any Top 10 charter.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: That Was It for Paranormal Activity

Read More | Variety

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In Theaters This Weekend: October 30, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Fox Searchlight, Magnolia, Sony, Adaptation, Biopics, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign, Horror, Independent, Music, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

• Michael Jackson’s This Is It (PG): starring Michael Jackson (directed by Kenny Ortega)  **in theaters now**
• Aladin* (NR): starring Ritesh Deshmukh, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt (directed by Sujoy Ghosh)
• The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day* (R): starring Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, Billy Connolly (directed by Troy Duffy)
• The Fall* (NR): starring Benny Ciaramello, Scott Kinworthy, Erica Shaffer (directed by John Krueger)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: October 30, 2009

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In Theaters This Weekend: October 23, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: IFC Films, Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Universal, Adventure, Animation, Biopics, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign, Foreign Language, Horror, Independent, Period, Sequels, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

• Amelia (PG): starring Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor (directed by Mira Nair)
• Astro Boy (PG): starring Nicolas Cage, Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell (directed by David Bowers)
• Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (PG-13): starring John C. Reilly, Ken Watanabe, Josh Hutcherson (directed by Paul Weitz)
• Saw VI (R): starring Costas Mandylor, Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith (directed by Kevin Greutert)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: October 23, 2009

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Getting Into Character: Emily Blunt as Queen Victoria

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Biopics, Drama, Period, Romance, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

From bowing down to the royal editor Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, newly engaged Emily Blunt will now reign over England as a young Queen Victoria in the upcoming film, The Young Victoria.

The period biopic will focus on Victoria’s first ruling years, as well as her torrid relationship with Prince Albert, portrayed by Rupert Friend. Paul Bettany and Miranda Richardson also star.

Directed by newcomer Jean-Marc Vallée, the film is scheduled for limited release in the states on December 18th.

Read More | People

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Casting Corner: Kristen Bell, Justin Long and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Disney, Universal, Action, Biopics, Classics, Drama, Independent, Musicals, Period, Remakes, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

Kristen Bell: Who knew Veronica Mars was a dancer? Kristen Bell has just been added to the cast of Burlesque, a film that will see Christina Aguilera playing a small-town girl working at a cabaret-esque club in Los Angeles. The film, which stars Cher as the establishment’s owner, will feature Bell as the soon-to-be former lead dancer. Dancing with the Stars’ Julianne Hough will also do what she does best.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Kristen Bell, Justin Long and More

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Ozzy Osbourne Would Like Johnny Depp in His Shoes

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Biopics, Casting, Celebrity Gossip

Could Johnny Depp be biting off doves’ heads someday?

Black Sabbath rocker Ozzy Osbourne has just released his autobiography, I Am Ozzy, and says one of his few remaining ambitions is to see the tome turned into a film, with the Pirates of the Caribbean actor in the lead role.

“What’s left to wish for? A number one album would be good. And to have a movie made of the book, maybe with Johnny Depp playing me - I’d like that,” he revealed. “But really, I’d like to go back in time and make better choices. Still, I know now that there is no such place as Utopia. Even if I do make it to heaven, you can bet your life the toilet will stink.”

As well as career plans, Ozzy is also thinking about returning to his native UK with wife Sharon. “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in California. There’s so much bulls**t out here and the reality is, I’m English,” he said.

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