WGA Makes Deal with United Artists
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: MGM, Filmmaking, Scripts,
Tom Cruise may not have a beard, but he does now share something in common with David Letterman: working writers.
Days after the talk show host welcomed back his writing staff, United Artists reached its own agreement with the WGA. The studio is partially owned the actor and his production partner, Paula Wagner; Lions for Lambs was the first movie released since Cruise became involved with the company.
The deal will not only allow projects to be taken off hold, it will help films currently in production (like Tom Cruise’s Valkyrie) to finish on time.
It is expected that the interim agreement - which does not extend to UA’s parent company (MGM) - could spark a series of deals made by other independent studios.
Variety
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Tom Cruise: No Longer a Hot Ticket
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Drama, Box Office, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases,
Tom Cruise has been steadily losing the favor of public opinion. All the couch-jumping, weird Scientology associations and media hype about his marriage with Katie Holmes is starting to have an effect on his box office power, once a mighty thing. The much-hyped Lions for Lambs did not bring in the expected sales, and in Hollywood you’re only as good as your last picture.
According to MSNBC, insiders are losing faith in Cruise’s once-guaranteed popularity. His high salary, coupled with sluggish movie sales, are helping to hammer home the fact that the fans are just no longer interested in Cruise – unless, of course, he’s being featured in a tabloid. Valkyrie, an upcoming flick featuring Cruise, is already getting bad press. A trailer was “leaked” on the Internet, and instead of being met with hopeful buzz, it has suffered a much more negative fate.
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Box Office Breakdown: Fred Claus No Match for Jerry Seinfeld
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, MGM, Lionsgate, New Line, Sony, Touchstone, Universal, Warner Bros, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Political, Romance, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
In a shocking turn of events, Bee Movie came buzzing back to life this weekend stealing the #1 spot from recent victor, American Gangster. Bee’s $25 million take also embarrassed the newest comedic entry, Fred Claus.
Although fellow ‘Frat Packer’ Will Ferrell rang bells with November 2003’s Elf, Vince Vaughn couldn’t come close to matching his friend’s $31.1 million debut. The news was especially surprising given Vaughn and director David Dobkin’s recent collaboration on 2005’s Wedding Crashers. Could this mean Vaughn’s only appealing when he’s part of a larger comedic team?
Also noteworthy this weekend was the disappointing performance of Lions for Lambs. Lions wasn’t expected to take in Mission Impossible-esque numbers, but the film did still boast Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep and actor/director Robert Redford. As it was, the movie grossed less than any other Cruise-attached wide release in more than 20 years. At least Streep can say this topical film debuted higher than her last attempt (Rendition).
P2, the only other new Top Ten entry, racked up ninth place.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Fred Claus No Match for Jerry Seinfeld
In Theaters This Weekend (11/9)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: MGM, Sony, Warner Bros, Warner Independant Films, Adaptation, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign, Independent, Music, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases,
Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:
- Fred Claus (PG): starring Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Miranda Richardson (directed by David Dobkin)
- Lions for Lambs (R): starring Tom Cruise, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep (directed by Robert Redford)
- P2 (R): starring Alexandre Aja, Franck Khalfoun, Grégory Levasseur (directed by Franck Khalfoun)
Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend (11/9)
Will Redford Bring A Lion or Lamb to the Box Office?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: MGM, Drama, Political, Box Office, Casting, Upcoming Releases,
Watch a Democratic presidential debate, and you’ll see it’s common for campaigners to malign George W. Bush. Turn on the TV, and you’ll find shows (like Comedy Central‘s Lil’ Bush) that revel in poking fun at the White House. But that doesn’t necessarily mean America is ready to tackle tricky issues when they’re enjoying a night at the movies.
Robert Redford’s ambitious Lions for Lambs features a star-studded cast and the prestige of his own name, but handles sticky subject matter. Viewers will be treated to arguments both for and against America’s military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the film makes it clear where the makers, themselves, stand. Movies that deal with America’s political problems haven’t performed well at the box office in the past…will Lions be different?
Click to continue reading Will Redford Bring A Lion or Lamb to the Box Office?
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| Hollywood Reporter
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