High School Musical 3 Sets UK Presale Record

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Disney, Musicals, Sequels, Box Office

Who knew Troy Bolton was bigger than Harry Potter?

In light of UK’s early response to High School Musical 3, don’t be surprised to see another HSM installment in the theaters soon. Even though the movie won’t open for another 3 weeks, the musical has already set overseas presale records.

As of October 1, Odeon Cinemas - UK’s biggest theater chain - has already made £245,205 ($432,504) in advance ticket sales. That figure surpasses the record set by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The fourth wizard film raised £227,000 ($400,393) back in 2005.

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Read More | BBC News

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Johnny Depp Attached to More Disney Projects

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Disney, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

Johnny Depp has just now officially sold his soul to the Mouse.

After starring in several blockbusters for Disney, the Oscar-nominated actor is ready to go back for more. The studio has just announced that the money maker will be starring in not one...not two...but three more projects for them.

In addition to reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow (yes, there will be a fourth Pirates of the Caribbean installment), Depp will be taking on the character of Tonto in an adaptation of The Lone Ranger.

Johnny will also - surprise! - appear in yet another Tim Burton film. Although it was already suspected that he would participate in Alice in Wonderland, his signature was only recently placed on the dotted line. Depp will now be joining Mia Wasikowska as the Mad Hatter.

Alice - which will use the same technology implemented in Beowulf - is slated to hit theaters in 2010.

Read More | Variety

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Box Office Breakdown: Burn After Reading Smokes Past Competition

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, FOCUS, Lionsgate, Picturehouse, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Around this same time last year, Tyler Perry was beating George Clooney in a battle at the box office. Now the Sexiest Man Alive is having his day.

This past weekend, cineplexes were kept busy with a handful of new releases. Although each film had a chance of reaching #1, Burn After Reading - starring Clooney, Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand - emerged as the eventual winner. But the news wasn’t so bad for the other three contenders. Theatergoers clearly starving for fresh material placed all four wide release entries into the chart’s four top slots.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Burn After Reading Smokes Past Competition

Read More | Variety

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New Quantum of Solace Trailer

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: MGM, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Sequels, Trailers, Upcoming Releases

Back in June, the Quantum of Solace producers gave us our first glimpse of the next 007 installment. Several months later, our interest is renewed.

This new clip moves past the original trailer’s dark and emotional tone and dives right into the series’ nuts and bolts: the bad guys and the Bond women.

Quantum of Solace - originally scheduled to open on November 7 - will now debut one week later (Nov. 14).

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Box Office Breakdown: Bangkok Dangerous Tops Dismal Weekend

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Musicals, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists

Eek. And I thought a $14 million weekend was bad.

Seven days ago, Tropic Thunder reached the #1 spot despite an unimpressive box office turnout. This week, Bangkok Dangerous accomplished that same achievement—with only $7.7 million dollars.

While number crunchers weren’t expecting stellar numbers (kids are back in school, football’s back gone), the underwhelming response to Nicolas Cage’s latest film was a bit surprising. Not only did the film industry have its worst weekend of 2008, Bangkok had the lowest take for any first-placed flick in five years. (Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star topped with $6.6 million in 2003.)

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Read More | Variety

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Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau Talk Iron Man 2

Posted by Kathleen Kane
Categories: Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Political, Thrillers, Celeb News, Corporate Shakeups, Distribution, Filmmaking, Rumors, Scripts, Upcoming Releases

UPDATE: Thanks to one of those smarter people who actually brought a camera, The Game Jerk has posted a video of the Q&A that you can check out after the jump.

Although I have continuously kicked myself repeatedly for not bringing a camera last night, I was still at least able to mentally hold on to the great moments witnessed last night at a special screening of Iron Man. While the director was already scheduled to appear for a live commentary at Santa Monica’s Aero Theater, fans of Marvel’s first self-financed film were in for an even better treat when Tony Stark himself, Robert Downey Jr., showed up at the last moment.

Because of the fact that he had not recorded a commentary for the upcoming DVD, director Jon Favreau was quite exuberant over the fact that he was able to do so in person (also because he was not obligated to be politically correct).

Click to continue reading Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau Talk Iron Man 2

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Is Maguire Gearing Up for Two Spidey Sequels?

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Rumors

Had you asked me last year whether I saw another Spider-Man in Tobey Maguire’s future, I would have easily said “No.” Thank goodness, I didn’t put any money down on that.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the chances of Maguire of participating in two more sequels are actually quite strong. Maguire and director Sam Raimi are reportedly very close to sealing new deals with Columbia Pictures.

This news comes months after a premiere date was announced by the studio. Back in June, producer Laura Ziskin said she would like to see a fourth installment in theaters on Memorial Day 2011.

Assuming casting is determined soon, Columbia may opt to schedule back-to-back productions as early as fall 2009.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

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Ghostbusters Sequel in the Making

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

UPDATE: Harold Ramis recently confirmed the sequel news to the Chicago Tribune.

Maybe Bill Murray could use the divorce settlement money? Or maybe Dan Aykroyd could simply use the work? Whatever the reason, it’s looking like a Ghostbusters reunion might soon be possible.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Columbia Pictures is looking to create a third installment for the popular ‘80s franchise. Although the sequel would likely introduce another exterminating crew, it’s hoped the original four cast members - Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson - could be incorporated into the comedy.

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Read More | Hollywood Reporter

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Box Office Breakdown: Tropic Thunder Makes It Three for Three

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Musicals, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

At any other time of the year, a $14 million take would probably get you a decent ranking in the Top Ten. This holiday weekend, that box office total was enough to put Tropic Thunder into first place. Again.

Despite a new Vin Diesel entry, the Ben Stiller comedy led the top of the pack for the third weekend in a row. (If it reaches that mark a fourth time, it will have officially reached Dark Knight territory.) Meanwhile, Babylon A.D. settled for second place with only $11.5 million in ticket sales. I’m guessing the sci fi film’s reviews - in particular, the one from the movie’s own director - might have had something to do with the disappointing turnout.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Tropic Thunder Makes It Three for Three

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

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Rogue Pictures Seeking Strangers Sequel

Posted by Kathleen Kane
Categories: FOCUS, Universal, Horror, Mystery, Thrillers, Box Office, Casting, Filmmaking, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Having domestically grossed $54 with a modest $9 million budget, The Strangers was a tremendous hit for Rogue Pictures. Of course, we all unfortunately know what follows any amount of success in Hollywood these days: sequels.

Hoping that they have a new horror franchise on their hands, producers over at the Universal Pictures subsidary have their greedy hearts set on Liv Tyler’s return, as well as the rest of the original villains (just admit how much you loved seeing Gemma Ward as the creepy psycho girl).

Click to continue reading Rogue Pictures Seeking Strangers Sequel

Read More | Variety

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