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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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Disney to Pay $4 Billion for Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment characters

has just added 5,000 characters to its arsenal.

In a deal announced today, The Walt Disney Company says it intends to purchase comic book giant . The acquisition is worth a whopping $4 billion.

“This transaction combines Marvel’s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney’s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories,” Robert A. Iger, Walt Disney Company’s President and CEO, said in a press release.

Click to continue reading Disney to Pay $4 Billion for Marvel Entertainment

Read More | Comix 411

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Spider-Man 4 Script Still Being Rewritten

SpidermanThe script for the fourth film in the franchise is being rewritten…again. Originally penned by James Vanderbilt and then rewritten by David Lindsay-Abaire, the pages are now in the hands of Gary Ross.

In his career, Ross has directed Seabiscuit and Pleasantville. Both films, interestingly, starred , who plays the title role in the Spidey movies.

The fourth film is scheduled to go into production early next year…provided, of course, there’s a finished script by that time.

Read More | Variety

Movies Turned Musicals: Heathers, Sleepless in Seattle and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Action, Musicals, Romance, Comedy

Heathers

The lights may be dimming on many Broadway shows, but that won’t keep the productions from coming:

Heathers: The dark comedy about Heather Chandler, Heather Duke, Heather McNamara and Veronica will be resurrected for the stage. The 1988 film, which starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, is being developed by director Andy Fickman (Race to Witch Mountain) and scored by Tony nominee Larry O’Keefe (Legally Blonde).

It’s still unclear at this time which actors will star in the final presentation, but Christian Campbell has been in readings for the role of J.D. while Veronica Mars has tried out Veronica (natch). Look for Heathers to start out as a regional production sometime in 2010.

Click to continue reading Movies Turned Musicals: Heathers, Sleepless in Seattle and More

Read More | E! Online

Sequel News: Spider-Man 4, Center of the Earth and More

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Journey to the Center of the Earth: Last year’s 3-D hit has spawned a second installment from New Line. The original film, which was based on a Jules Verne novel, earned over $100 million domestically ($140 internationally) after its release last July. Both Brendan Fraser (Prof. Trevor Anderson) and Josh Hutcherson (Sean Anderson) are expected to reprise their roles in the sequel.

Click to continue reading Sequel News: Spider-Man 4, Center of the Earth and More

Read More | E! Online

Is Maguire Gearing Up for Two Spidey Sequels?

Tobey MaguireHad you asked me last year whether I saw another Spider-Man in ‘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 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

Spider-Man’s Venom Set for Spinoff

VenomHero, schmero. Thanks to the popularity of ‘s Joker, Hollywood may soon be looking to exploit the audience’s love for much darker characters.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sony is tossing around the idea of giving Venom his own film. Most probably remember the character as the villain played by in last year’s Spider-Man 3.

As for when we could see the spinoff in theaters is unknown. Right now, the studio is still trying to produce a suitable script. The execs also have to agree on a lead actor. Although was given a chance to play the webbed one, those behind the scenes are apparently nervous about Grace’s box office appeal. Fortunately, since Venom is technically a gooey substance and not necessarily a person, they could actually attach any person they want to the project. (Pun intended.)

Whether or not Venom gets off the ground, Sony still intends on producing Spider-Man 4. That installment is expected to debut in 2011.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Projected Spider-Man 4 Release Date

Spider-Man and Sandman

Even though the main characters appeared disinterested during their interviews last year, the buzz about another sequel has already begun.

According to E!, the franchise’s producer has already informed theater owners that a fourth installment could happen…though it would be 2011 before anyone would see it. (Apparently you need a script, a willing actor and an interested director before you can get the ball rolling on these big-budget flicks.)

Click to continue reading Projected Spider-Man 4 Release Date

Read More | TV Guide

This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: October 30, 2007

Spiderman Blu-ray TrilogyThis past fortnight, the HD DVD release of Transformers made high-definition history with over 100,000 units sold in the first day—a record that supplanted day-one sales across both formats. But this week Sony will inevitably pull the warring robots off their high horses—likely with a quick tug on some carefully aimed webbing.

The hugely profitable but ambivalently received Spider-Man 3 releases Tuesday and will undoubtedly be a smash hit for Blu-ray. And for those who can’t justify said purchase, the film will also release in a high-def trilogy.

Universal and Warner also have some decent contributions this week, but the real content explosion comes from DVD International and their HDScape series. Finally, I can sit in my tiny condominium and watch a high-definition fireplace, an exotic aquarium, or the slow but steady thaw of Antarctica.

Check the full list of high-def releases after the jump.

Click to continue reading This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: October 30, 2007


Tobey Maguire’s Hawaii Wedding

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip

Tobey Maguire Wedding actor was recently married in Hawaii to Jennifer Meyer. Meyer is the mother of Maguire’s baby girl. The couple has been together since 2003, and their daughter Ruby was born last November. Maguire’s rep told reporters the wedding took place on Monday. Jennifer Meyer is the daughter of Ron Meyer, who is the current president and chief operating officer of Universal Studios. Maguire will soon be headed off to begin production on the next Spidey flick, as the franchise will only expand over the next few years. The principle actors in the films will all return for the next installment, which won’t be released until at least 2008.

Read More | AOL News

Box Office Breakdown:  Silver Surfer Scores the Gold

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories:

Silver Surfer

Like Ocean’s Thirteen, critics rated Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer better than its predecessor.  And like Ocean’s, Fantastic found its way on top of the ever-revolving box office heap.  With help from a more family-friendly rating (down from PG-13 to a PG), the superhero clan raked in $2 million more in its opening weekend than its 2005 turnout.

But it takes more than just a PG to win viewers over—it apparently takes Jessica Alba in a skin-tight outfit…and the prim and proper Nancy Drew had to learn that the hard way.  The latest incarnation of the beloved character only placed 7th despite the numerous times Julia Roberts’ name had been dropped these past few weeks.  BTW—I feel incredibly bad that daddy Eric Roberts has been continuously trumped by his more famous sister.  Emma is HIS daughter after all.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown:  Silver Surfer Scores the Gold


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