Keira Knightley Aims For Fair Lady Role

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Columbia Pictures, Adaptation, Classics, Musicals, Romance, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors

A fan of period pieces, Keira Knightley has been tipped to star in a new version of My Fair Lady.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actress is reportedly in negotiations to play Eliza Doolittle in Emma Thompson’s adaptation of the classic rags-to-riches tale.

Anne Hathaway and Scarlett Johansson are also being considered for the role, which was originally played by Audrey Hepburn. An insider said, “Keira and Scarlett are the only two real contenders, and Keira’s the favorite. She’s the most natural Eliza people have seen. She has worked on her singing voice for a year and will get better and better.”

The film’s director Danny Boyle, who won an Academy Award for Slumdog Millionaire earlier this year, is also believed to want Keira to get the part.

The 24-year-old actress is said to be “scared” about taking on such an iconic role, but excited about the challenge it would present. Filming is expected to start late next year.

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Casting Corner: Zach Galifianakis, Connor Cruise and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, MGM, Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Horror, Remakes, Sequels, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

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

Zach Galifianakis: The Hangover scene stealer has been invited to have Dinner for Schmucks. The comedy focuses on the “most pathetic” person to ever be included in a weekly dinner. Galifianakis will sit alongside Steve Carell and Paul Rudd in this Jay Roach-directed film.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Zach Galifianakis, Connor Cruise and More

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Hugh Jackman Going to the Circus

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: 20th Century Fox, Musicals, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

The man best known as Wolverine will soon bring P.T. Barnum back to life in a brand new movie musical. That’s right - Hugh Jackman is going to sing, dance and make viewers want to run away to the circus.

Showman will revolve around the life of P.T. Barnum, whose known for his hand in creating Barnum and Bailey Circus. Barnum is behind such innovations as the three-ring circus set up that’s still used today. Writers of the script are hoping to get Anne Hathaway to play the female lead in the movie. Contemporary songs will help bring this period piece into the modern era.

P.T. Barnum died in 1891. He was born in Connecticut and during his long career in entertainment wrote several books. He was a celebrated promoter and showman through most of his life.

Read More | E! Online

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First Look: Alice in Wonderland’s Teaser Trailer

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

Thanks to Where the Wild Things Are and now Alice in Wonderland, children everywhere will soon be searching for magical lands of their own.

In this teaser trailer for Tim Burton’s latest creation, we see what can happen when young ladies fall down mysterious holes and drink things from unlabeled bottles. We also get brief glimpses of a number of characters including The White Queen (Anne Hathaway), The Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), The Cheshire Cat (Michael Sheen) and Tweedledum/Tweedledee (Matt Lucas). Mia Wasikowska stars as Alice while Johnny Depp portrays The Mad Hatter.

Alice in Wonderland premieres on March 5, 2010

Read More | Rope of Silicon

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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.

Click to continue reading The Colorful Characters from Burton’s Alice in Wonderland

Read More | ScreenCrave

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Casting Corner: Simon Baker, James McAvoy, Christina Aguilera and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Miramax, New Line, Universal, Adaptation, Drama, Horror, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

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

Simon Baker: The Mentalist hunk has been added to an adaptation of a Jim Thompson novel. The Killer Inside Me, a tale about a sheriff turned murderer, will feature Baker as a attorney on the hunt for the killer (Casey Affleck). Jessica Alba will star as a prostitute while Kate Hudson will play Affleck’s girlfriend.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Simon Baker, James McAvoy, Christina Aguilera and More

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: April 28, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Period, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment

Here are some of the DVD and Blu-ray options available this Tuesday:

• Bride Wars: DVD, Blu-ray
• Brideshead Revisited: Blu-ray
• The Da Vinci Code: Blu-ray
• Hotel for Dogs: DVD, Blu-ray
• JCVD: Blu-ray
• Jetsons: The Movie: DVD
• The Reader: Blu-ray
• The Uninvited: DVD, Blu-ray
• What Doesn’t Kill You: DVD, Blu-ray

Click here to see the TV-on-DVD options for this week.

Read More | Amazon

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Box Office Breakdown: New Life for Oscar Contenders

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Family, Horror, Music, Period, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers

Nominations? Clint Eastwood doesn’t need any stinkin’ nominations…

Although the 78-year-old was recently overlooked by the Academy, the actor/director still got some respect from the paying public. This past weekend, Gran Torino landed softly into third place and, most importantly, topped the actual Best Picture contenders.

But that’s not to say a nomination is pointless. Last week’s #10, Slumdog Millionaire, jumped 5 positions this week after nabbing 10 nods on Thursday. (It also bested Torino’s per screen average.) Meanwhile, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - thanks to 13 nominations - found itself reentering the Top Ten.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: New Life for Oscar Contenders

Read More | Variety

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2009 Academy Award Nominations

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

Despite no major wins for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at Jan. 11’s Golden Globes, the film lead all entries at this morning’s Academy Award nominations. The Brad Pitt feature will go into next month’s ceremony with 13 opportunities to walk away with at least one statue. (Slumdog Millionaire will have 10 chances.)

Here are some of the noteworthy mentions from today’s press conference:

• Kate Winslet (The Reader) - a double-winner just a few weeks ago - only received one nomination this morning. Meryl Streep will only get one chance as well for her role in Doubt.
• Although it wasn’t represented at the Globes, Frozen River was recognized several times today.
• Heath Ledger‘s nomination (on the anniversary of his death!) was expected; The Dark Knight‘s omission was a disappointment.
• Four acting nods for Doubt didn’t equate to an honor for the film.
• Several pleasant announcements in the Best Actor/Supporting Actor categories: Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) and Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder). Shannon got the only major nom for his picture.

Click to continue reading 2009 Academy Award Nominations

Read More | Oscars

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Box Office Breakdown: Mall Cop Rolls Over Clint Eastwood

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Period, Romance, Comedy, Box Office, Lists

Mall Cop? Mall Cop?

As strange as it may sound, Kevin James just took down Clint Eastwood, Notorious B.I.G. and a serial killer to become the current box office champ. Paul Blart: Mall Cop‘s $40 million take was the second biggest ever for a January opener. (Cloverfield took in $46.1 million at this same time last year.) The comedy was also partially responsible for giving the industry its largest MLK weekend of all time.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Mall Cop Rolls Over Clint Eastwood

Read More | Yahoo! Box Office

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