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Will Ferrell is the ‘Muhammad Ali of Improv’

Will FerrellWill Ferrell is the "Muhammad Ali of improv."

The comedian stars in Matt Piedmont's Casa de mi Padre, a Spanish language Mexican telenovela, and although the motion picture was a huge challenge for Will, the director says he rose to the occasion beautifully.

"For Will it was surely a Heart of Darkness in that he pulled off something almost impossible that surely caused him night sweats: having to act in a very specific Northern Mexican accent in a language he does not speak. He is the Muhammad Ali of improv and we tied one hand behind his back and threw him to the lions covered in barbeque sauce. For me it was pure joy and a grand psychedelic trip down a crazy rabbit hole, like being strapped to a rocket ship of love made of liquid lightning."

Will stars as the brother who must save his family's ranch from an evil, cigarette-smoking drug lord (Gael Garcia Bernal), and rescue his brother (Diego Luna) from a life of crime and Matt revealed he was delighted his feature film directorial debut was an R rated Spanish language satire.

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Jim Sturgess Set for Maleficent

Jim SturgessJim Sturgess wants to appear in Maleficent. The One Day actor is reportedly keen to take on the role of Diaval - a love interest for the titular villainous fairy, who will be played by Angelina Jolie - in Disney's forthcoming live action reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty tale.

"Diaval is an Irish man with black hair, dark eyes and a slight Irish accent. When he's first seen in the movie, he's not a human, but a bird. Angie's character, Maleficent, turns him into a man. Then they become lovers," an insider told Life&Style.

However, Jim faces competition for the role from another star. "Gael Garcia Bernal has shown interest, too," the source added. Jude Law is also being lined up for a role in the film. Bosses are said to be keen for the British actor to play half-human half-fairy Stefan, the father of Aurora, who is also known as Sleeping Beauty. "The role has been offered to Jude," a source said.

Elle Fanning has previously been linked to the role of Aurora, while Patrick Stewart is rumored to have been approached to play King Henry and both Judi Dench and Emma Thompson for Flittle. Shooting is slated to start in June.


Gael Garcia Bernal to Play Zorro

Gael Garcia BernalGael Garcia Bernal is to play Zorro in a new re-imagining of the franchise.

The Motorcycle Diaries actor will play the Spanish swordsman as a masked vigilante on the hunt for revenge in Zorro Reborn, which is described as having Western themes and a "futuristic reboot" of the story. Unlike previous movies, it will not be set in California or Mexico, but a ruined "world of tomorrow."

Studio 20th Century Fox are still seeking a director for the project, which has been written by Glenn Gers, Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy.

The character of Zorro was last seen in The Legend of Zorro in 2005 - the second time Antonio Banderas portrayed the secret swashbuckler. Sony, who released The Mask of Zorro and The Legend of Zorro, are currently working on their own film about the character. They are developing an origin story based on Isabel Allende's 2005 novel Zorro.


Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Get to the Greek…and Shrek

Get Him to the Greek

Ashton Kutcher may have more Twitter followers than Diddy and Russell Brand combined - but that achievement wasn’t reflected at the box office this weekend.

Despite pirating the first 13 minutes of Killers, Kutcher was unable to generate enough interest to earn more than third place. The film - Katherine Heigl’s first since leaving Grey’s Anatomy - only rounded up a mere $15.8 million. (In other words, Ashton got about $3 from each of his Tweeps.)

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Box Office Breakdown: Theatergoers Choose Shrek Over Sex

Sex and the City 2

Shrek - not cosmopolitans - was what fans were buying this weekend.

Despite competition from two heavily-promoted features, an aging green ogre was able to hang on to his title for two weeks in a row. raised an additional $57 million during the Memorial Day frame to bring its domestic total to $146.8 million.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. proved that people can get tired of sex. Sex and the City 2 - which featured the return of Aidan Shaw (John Corbett) - couldn’t get past the bad reviews to even match the first film’s numbers. (Sex and the City opened to $56.8 million in May 2008.) The lovely ladies also couldn’t overpower Jake Gyllenhaal’s four-day haul. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time wound up snagging second place with a $37.8 million debut.

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Box Office Breakdown: MacGruber IS a Bomb

MacGruber

Disappointment can come in all shapes and box office sizes.

may have earned nearly three times as much than its nearest competitor, but it wasn’t exactly a winner for Paramount or Dreamworks. The film, which grossed $70.8 million in ticket sales, become the first sequel in the Shrek franchise to open below the $100 million mark (and that’s with the help of higher 3-D prices). The comedy did, though, place fourth on the all-time animated debuts list behind Shrek the Third ($121.6 million), Shrek 2 ($108 million)  and The Simpsons Movie ($74 million).

Meanwhile, it appears will last just as long in theaters as he does in Will Forte’s sketches. Although the character is (supposedly) known for diffusing bombs, he actually helped deliver one this weekend. The latest Saturday Night Live-based comedy - also starring Kristen Wiig and Ryan Phillippe - generated a mere $4 million this weekend. While that number seems (understandably) dismal, there is one positive thing to note: the film only cost approximately $10 million to make.

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Box Office Breakdown: Iron Man Fights Off Robin Hood

Robin Hood

‘s excellent aim couldn’t keep Robert Downey Jr. off target.

Despite increased competition in its second week of release, remained firm at the box office. Paramount’s sequel generated another $52 million between Friday-Sunday and vaulted over the $200 million mark domestically.

Meanwhile, ‘s arrow was sharp enough for a $36 million bounty, but a bit too dull for a first place finish. The film did, though, earn approximately $74 million in foreign dollars. That topped the $43.1 million overseas debut for 2000’s Gladiator - another Crowe/Ridley Scott production.

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Gael Garcia Bernal Defends His Character

Gael Garcia Bernal with Amanda Seyfried on set‘s character in Letters to Juliet is not unloving.

The 31-year-old actor claims his character in the romantic movie is not a “jerk,” and says he never morally judges any role he takes on.

“I wouldn’t call him a jerk. My character, I think, is actually very concentrated on the things he likes and the thing is, right now, his girlfriend is not able to follow him and share with him that excitement.”

The actor - who plays Victor in the movie alongside Mamma Mia! star - also admits to having a great time filming in Italy for the romantic drama: “I did the film just to have fun ... to enjoy working with the group of actors that were here. To spend some time in Italy!”

And despite the fact his character isn’t the best chef in the film, Bernal thinks he gets away with it. He told MTV News, “He knows a lot about what he’s doing, more than any of us know about cooking, and the Italian culture. I wouldn’t judge him. I don’t like judging characters at all morally.”

Letters to Juliet - which also stars - will be released this Friday, May 14.


In Theaters This Weekend: May 14, 2010


Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

  • Just Wright (PG): starring Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton (directed by Sanaa Hamri)
  • Letters to Juliet (PG): starring Amanda Seyfried, Vanessa Redgrave, Gael Garcia Bernal (directed by Gary Winick)
  • Robin Hood (PG-13): starring Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong (directed by Ridley Scott)

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In Theaters This Weekend: November 20, 2009

The Blind Side

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

  • The Blind Side (PG-13): starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron (directed by John Lee Hancock)
  • New Moon (PG-13): starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner (directed by Chris Weitz)
  • Planet 51 (PG): starring Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, Jessica Biel (directed by Jorge Blanco, Javier Abad)

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