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Latest Video: FilmCrunch 067: Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, Premonition reviewed

Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, and Premonition in this episode of FilmCrunch.
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William Shatner Denies Being Offered Star Trek Role

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Paramount, Science Fiction, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

William Shatner as James T. Kirk

So was William Shatner’s omission from the upcoming Star Trek movie a choice J.J. Abrams made...or was it ultimately Shatner’s decision? Well, the answer differs depending on who you ask.

Last year, the actor admitted he was bothered by his exclusion from the highly-anticipated prequel.

“I couldn’t believe it. I’m not in the movie at all. Leonard [Nimoy], God bless his heart, is in, but not me. I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office. It didn’t seem to be a wise business decision.”

Click to continue reading William Shatner Denies Being Offered Star Trek Role

Read More | Los Angeles Times

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Kung Fu Panda Released with Companion Piece

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, Paramount, Animation, Family, Home Entertainment

Kung Fu PandaThe upcoming home video release of will break against two long-standing traditions.

Those planning to buy either the DVD or Blu-ray version of the Dreamworks hit have the opportunity to get a brand new companion piece as well. While it’s not a surprise to see direct-to-video sequels of an animated film, those creations are typically produced at a later time. A purchase of the “Pandamonium Double Pack” will give fans an extra disc titled “Secrets of the Furious Five.” This feature will expand on the characters’ backgrounds and will also include the voices of and Dustin Hoffman.

Although Tuesdays are typically reserved for new releases, Paramount Home Entertainment will release this two-disc set (and a single-disc version) on Sunday, November 9th.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Tommy Lee Jones Sues Paramount For $10 Million

Posted by Kathleen Kane
Categories: Paramount, Action, Adventure, Drama, Noir, Thrillers, Box Office, Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Controversy, Corporate Shakeups, Rumors

Tommy Lee Jones goes after Paramount

While Fox and Warner Bros. are dealing with their battles, Paramount now has to deal with one of their own, thanks to a $10 million dollar lawsuit compliments of Tommy Lee Jones.

The veteran actor is seeking payment that he claims is rightfully owed to him for the services he provided for the 2007 Coen Brothers’ hit, No Country For Old Men.

Although both Paramount and Jones declined to comment, the actor’s publicist simply pointed to the lawsuit, which notes a contract N.M. Classics (a subsidiary of Paramount’s) that promises Jones “significant box-office bonuses and ‘back-end’ compensation.”

Click to continue reading Tommy Lee Jones Sues Paramount For $10 Million

Read More | San Antonio Express-News

Casting Corner: Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Jennifer Lopez

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Paramount, Yari Film Group Releasing, Adaptation, Drama, Romance, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

Mark Wahlberg

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

Former Rolling Stone journalist Evan Wright is currently working with Paramount to bring his next project to the big screen. Wright’s 2004 book, Generation Kill, is currently airing on as a mini-series. Now Evan has signed a deal to adapt something he is still writing.

Cocaine Cowboys - not to be confused with the 2006 documentary by the same name - will tell the story of Jon Roberts, a real-life drug trafficker who wound up working with the Medellin drug cartel. Interestingly enough, has signed on to star and co-produce the adaptation. Those familiar with Entourage - a show Mark created - may remember that Vincent Chase fought hard to get the lead role in the movie Medellin.

Director (Hancock) has been tapped to helm the project. 

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Jennifer Lopez

Read More | Variety

Sequel News: Hairspray, Anchorman, School of Rock

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, New Line, Paramount, Musicals, Sequels, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Hairspray

Here’s the latest scoop on the sequel buzz spreading across Hollywood:

The film that inspired a Broadway show and an update may soon spawn another creation: a sequel. New Line Cinema, obviously encouraged by the success of the High School Musical franchise (and last week’s debut of Mamma Mia!), has asked John Waters to begin writing a treatment for a follow to .

According to Variety, the studio hopes to reunite members of last year’s cast in time for a 2010 release. The story would again be set in the 60’s, just where the Turnblad family left off.

While no actors have yet been lined up, most of the musical’s key players - including director/choreography - are scheduled to return.

Click to continue reading Sequel News: Hairspray, Anchorman, School of Rock

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Record-Breaking Weekend for The Dark Knight

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Musicals, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight

Okay, let’s not beat around the bush. We all know was huge. But how big exactly was it? Let’s break the numbers down:

  • The film grossed approximately $158.3 million, beating the record set by ($151.1 million) last year. The total already comes within reach of Tim Burton’s Batman. (The $251.2 million grosser has been the best earner in the franchise so far.)
  • Knight pulled in $18.5 million during its Friday midnight screenings alone. The previous record holder was 2005’s Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith ($16.9 million).
  • The movie had the best Friday total ever: $67.8 million.
  • The sequel earned $6.2 million from IMAX showings alone. That number, again, beat Spider-Man 3 ($4.7 million).
  • In one weekend, The Dark Knight grossed more than the last three Batman installments made in their opening weekends combined.
  • The Christopher Nolan feature, along with the strong performance from , helped the industry attain the best box office weekend ever. Mamma‘s $27.6 million outperformed last year’s Hairspray ($27.5 million) to become the biggest musical opener ever.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Record-Breaking Weekend for The Dark Knight

Read More | Variety

Justin Theroux to Pen Iron Man 2

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Filmmaking, Scripts, Upcoming Releases

Justin TherouxMarvel Studios is just about to place its highly-anticipated sequel in the hands of a relative newcomer. At least a newcomer to writing, that is.

Although he’s probably better known for his dark roles (Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle) and fare (Mulholland Drive, Six Feet Under), the past year has been one of creative change for Justin Theroux. In 2007, the actor directed his first movie, Dedication, starring Billy Crudup and Mandy Moore. And for next month’s , Justin’s name will be listed in the writing, producing and acting categories.

Now he’s being asked to write .

Strong early screenings of the Ben Stiller comedy reportedly brought Theroux to the negotiating table with . Meanwhile, the studio is still working on sealing deals with Robert Downey Jr. (also in Tropic) and director Jon Favreau.

If all goes as planned, Iron Man 2 should hit theaters on April 30, 2010.

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Army Raises Hell

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Picturehouse, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Picturehouse, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Apparently moviegoers were simply not interested in meeting anyone named Dave.

This past weekend, Eddie Murphy’s latest effort debuted in a disappointing 7th place. Fox’s pulled in only $5.2 million, the third worst opening total for the comedian. (Holy Man pulled in $5.1 million in 1998; The Adventures of Pluto Nash scraped up $2.2 million in 2002.)

Dave‘s poor performance gave two other entries plenty of room at the top of the charts. earned approximately $11 million more than the original 2004 film. The sequel’s $34.5 million haul also narrowly edged out last week’s winner, Hancock, and gave director Guillermo del Toro a first place berth. Meanwhile, the Journey to the Center of the Earth‘s $21 million was good enough for third place.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Army Raises Hell

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Hancock Soars to #1

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Picturehouse, Columbia Pictures, Disney, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Hancock

For theatergoers, the Fourth of July holiday has come to mean fireworks, barbecues....and now . This past weekend, the powerhouse’s latest blockbuster, , took in over $62 million giving Smith his eighth straight #1 debut. In total, the Sony Pictures production grossed nearly $104 million during a 5 1/2 day period.

In addition to being Will’s second-best opener ever ( set his record), Hancock was the actor’s fifth movie to reach first place over the same holiday weekend. (Men in Black, Men in Black II, Independence Day and Wild Wild West were the other four.) The Peter Berg film also became the third best July 4th grosser behind Transformers and Spider-Man 2.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Hancock Soars to #1

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Wall-E and Wanted Both Winners

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Wall-E

Although we haven’t yet reached the 4th of July weekend, theatergoers apparently had plenty of time and money to spend over the past three days. And while a cute robot had the honor of placing first, also came out a winner herself.

When the final numbers were tallied, Wall-E and each wound up grossing over $50 million since Friday. The Disney/Pixar film edged out the action flick by nearly $13 million dollars, but the comic book adaptation had the best per screen average for any entry in the Top Ten ($16,040). Meanwhile, both films forced a few rewrites in the history books.

  • had the third largest debut for a Pixar film. It’s total fell behind The Incredibles ($70.5 million) and Finding Nemo ($70.2 million).
  • The animated comedy also had the best Friday open for any Pixar release.
  • The James McAvoy feature topped all R-rated premieres during the month of June.
  • Wanted also gave Jolie her largest first weekend ever.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Wall-E and Wanted Both Winners

Read More | Variety

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