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.Play Video
Footloose Looking for New Director
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Musicals, Remakes, Rumors, Upcoming Releases
The Footloose remake has temporarily been grounded.
Although Paramount’s had already lined up a new Ren McCormick (Chace Crawford) and Ariel Moore (Julianne Hough) for its planned update, the studio is now without a director.
Up until last week, Kenny Ortega (High School Musical, This Is It) was the man helming the project. Unfortunately, creative and budget differences lead to his exit. According to reports, Ortega wanted $30 million for a musical extravaganza while Paramount was looking at $25 million for something a bit edgier.
A statement from Ortega’s reps, though, claims his recent project was to blame for his departure. “Coming off the extraordinary project, Michael Jackson’s This is It, director Kenny Ortega has decided it is premature for him to commit to his next film and will not be moving forward with Footloose as previously reported.”
It’s believed Paramount will still try to keep to its March production start date.
Read More 
| Variety
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Julianne Hough About to Go Footloose
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Musicals, Remakes, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases
Julianne Hough‘s tackled both the dancing world and country music, now she’s moving on to the next phase: acting.
Provided she has room in her busy schedule, Julianne will be the Chace Crawford’s leading lady in the remake of Footloose. Dancing with the Stars’ two-time winner will be taking on the Ariel Moore role originated by Lori Singer.
Hough’s selection came after several other young stars - including Hayden Panettiere and Miley Cyrus - were rumored for the part. Although this wouldn’t be the 20-year-old’s first appearance on the big screen, this would be her first major role.
Director Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) told E! Online that he has much love for Julianne. “I adore her. I’m a big fan of hers. Not only how beautiful but how deep her talent goes.”
Production is set to begin in March.
Read More | Variety
Chace Crawford set to play Ren McCormack in Footloose remake
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Paramount, Musicals, Remakes, Casting, Rumors, Upcoming Releases
Chace Crawford has landed the lead role of Footloose, grabbing the spot that Zac Efron turned down. Paramount Pictures has confirmed that Chace, a Gossip Girl star, has signed on to play Ren McCormack (originally played by Kevin Bacon) in the forthcoming musical remake, following weeks of speculation. As we noted, Zac Efron originally had the part, but turned it down because he didn’t want to be permanently typecast as someone who could only act in musicals. No other casting info has been officially announced, but rumor has it that Miley Cyrus is in the running to land the female lead of Ariel Moore, originally played by Lori Singer. Amanda Bynes and Hayden Panettiere have also auditioned for the lead female spot. Footloose is scheduled to hit theaters in July 2010.
Hayden Panettiere the New Heroine of Footloose?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Paramount, Adaptation, Music, Musicals, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors, Upcoming Releases
Rumor has it that Heroes cheerleader Hayden Panettiere has auditioned for the upcoming remake of Footloose, the project formerly dropped by Zac Efron (and possibly picked up by Chace Crawford).
An unnamed source says that Panettiere’s pipes left nothing to be desired when she bellowed out a tryout tune for the singing role in the flick. In case you didn’t know, the new Footloose movie is going Broadway - that means big musical numbers and all.
Hayden Panettiere has flexed her singing stylings in the past. She released “Wake Up Call,” in 2007 and has appeared on several soundtracks.
Chace Crawford, notably of Gossip Girl fame, isn’t officially on board with the movie, but the press has already given him the starring role. Neither Panettiere or Crawford’s rep was available for comment.
Read More | E! Online
This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: February 24, 2009
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories:
Here are some of the DVD and Blu-ray options available this Tuesday:
- Akira: Blu-ray
- The Fog: Blu-ray
- The French Connection: Blu-ray
- French Connection II: Blu-ray
- Friday the 13th: Part 2: Blu-ray
- Friday the 13th: Part 3: Blu-ray
- The Haunting of Molly Hartley: DVD
- Hounddog: Blu-ray
- Ironweed: DVD
- Sex Drive: DVD, Blu-ray
- Vanishing Point: Blu-ray
- What Just Happened?: DVD, Blu-ray
- Zulu: Blu-ray
Click here to see the TV-on-DVD options for this week.
Read More | Amazon
Box Office Breakdown: Record Showing for 007
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases
In the battle of Bond vs. Bourne, Jason won out this time…though not by much.
Although it was initially believed Quantum of Solace would break the $70 million mark, the final numbers for the Sony/MGM film came up slightly short. The 22nd Bond installment hauled in $67.5 million this weekend, just under $2 million shy of the debut for The Bourne Ultimatum. (The 2007 premiered to $69.3 million.)
But don’t feeling sorry for Daniel Craig. The actor has helped to revitalize the franchise in a big way. Quantum officially just became the best opener of all the 007 films. (Die Another Day grossed $47.1 million back in 2002.) The movie is also on pace to to beat the theatrical run record set by Casino Royale. (The 2006 film eventually pocketed $167.4 million domestically.)
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Record Showing for 007
Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Ticket Buyers Escape to Madagascar 2
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Lionsgate, Paramount, Universal, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists
Move over High School Musical 3. Another family-friendly movie is taking over.
This past weekend, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa stormed into theaters in a big way. The animated sequel took in a whopping $63.1 million, making it second biggest debuter this year. (The Dark Knight pulled in $75.2 million in July.) The film - which topped its 2005 predecessor by $2.1 million - also had the 7th best opening for a cartoon ever.
In other noteworthy news, last week’s #2 was pushed aside for another R-rated comedy. Role Models, starring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, surpassed expectations to rake in an impressive $19.2 million. That amount nearly doubled what Zack and Miri - this week’s #5 - earned during its first three days. Meanwhile, a movie that was critically-panned did fairly well in its limited release. Repo! The Genetic Opera - the wannabe cult musical featuring Paris Hilton - averaged $6,711 over 8 theaters. That’s a number most of the movies in the Top Ten couldn’t match.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Ticket Buyers Escape to Madagascar 2
Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: High School Musical Makes it Two for Two
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Picturehouse, Universal, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Family, Horror, Musicals, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists
This past weekend, moviegoers showed very little interest in Halloween-themed fare. Despite several horror options, ticket buyers put a G-rated film on top once again.
Although Friday night was slow for cineplexes everywhere, theater attendance thankfully picked up by Saturday. And while there was tight battle for 2nd place, High School Musical 3 had an easy fight for #1. One week after its $42 million debut, the Disney feature added another $15.3 million to the bundle.
Coming in second was a movie on the opposite end of the wholesome spectrum. Zack and Miri Make a Porno - a movie that narrowly escaped an NC-17 rating - pulled in just over $10 million during the past three days. That turnout placed the raunchy comedy amongst Kevin Smith’s highest debuters. (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back earned $11.1 million in 2001 while 2006’s Clerks II raked in $10.1 million.)
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: High School Musical Makes it Two for Two
Read More | Variety
In Theaters this Weekend: October 31, 2008
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: MGM, Universal, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Horror, Independent, Period, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases
Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:
- The Haunting of Molly Hartley (PG-13): starring Haley Bennett, Jake Weber, Chace Crawford (directed by Mickey Liddell)
- Zack and Miri Make a Porno (R): starring Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Mewes (directed by Kevin Smith)
- Changeling** (R): starring Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan (directed by Clint Eastwood)
- Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father* (NR): starring Kurt Kuenne, David Bagby, Kathleen Bagby (directed by Kurt Kuenne)
Click to continue reading In Theaters this Weekend: October 31, 2008
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