New Episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent Pushed Back to 2009 October 29, 2008 7:45 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Cable TV, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, News, Television, USA.add a comment
USA Network has announced that they will be pushing back the launch of new original episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent to the first quarter of 2009. The show was originally scheduled to return with new episodes this November 7th. The network says the move will allow for it to air the series for an uninterrupted run of 16 episodes.Source: USA Network
The CW Exploring New Version of Melrose Place October 29, 2008 7:40 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Television, The CW.add a comment
I guess bringing back 90210 wasn’t enough. The CW and CBS Paramount Network Television are “exploring” the possibility of creating a new version of the successful 1990’s 90210 spinoff Melrose Place. The CBS Paramoutn spokeswoman was quick, however, to stress that talks about reviving the series are still in the early stages, with no writers or showrunners attached.
The CW’s 90210 has been a mild success for the network, becoming the first new fall show of the season to be given a full season.
Source: TV Week
Bonaventura Talks G.I. Joe October 29, 2008 7:28 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in G.I Joe: Rise of the Cobra, GI Joe, Movies, News.add a comment
G.I. Joe executive producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura tells MTV that things are “looking really good” for the Stephen Sommers directed live-action film G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra, which is now in post-production.
“There is going to be two or three really large sequences in it that are really going to blow people away,” revealed di Bonaventura, who also produces the “Transformers” series. “But I think that, more than anything, what differentiates it from a lot of these big movies is that there are eight or nine very well-drawn characters.”
Bonaventura adds that it will be the relationships between the various characters that will take the film into the next level:
“The cross-pollination of these relationships from the comic book is so wild that you really have fully-developed characters in a popcorn movie,” he insisted. “You don’t often get that [complexity] in the eight and ninth character down.”
He also promises that the film will be accessible both to the hard-core fans and the casual general audience that is oh so important when it comes to box office success: “I think the core fan base that read the comic book and watched the animated shows are going to feel like we really honored their experience”.
Source: MTV
G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra hits theaters on August 7, 2009.
Del Toro Says 3-D and IMAX are a Possibility for The Hobbit October 29, 2008 7:14 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, The Hobbit.add a comment
Director Guillermo Del Toro told MTV News that when it comes to The Hobbit being filmed in 3-D IMAX, he’s not ruling anything out just yet:
“IMAX is a fantastic medium. I am a shareholder. I love IMAX. I remember seeing ‘Polar Express,’ and then seeing ‘Polar Express’ in 3-D and IMAX and having my life completely transformed. I think it would be a worthy discussion. But it hasn’t arrived.”
However, the director insists that it’s still too early to be talking about it: “Right now what we have is, you don’t have two filmmakers and two screenplay writers — you have four screenplay writers. We’ll be talking about 3-D, on IMAX — but [not] right now.”
Source: MTV News
New Valkyrie Photos; Trailer to be Released Tomorrow October 29, 2008 6:58 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Photos, Valkyrie.1 comment so far
United Artists has released a batch of four new photos from the Bryan Singer-directed feature Valkyrie, starring Tom Cruise. The studio also announced that a new trailer for the film will debut tomorrow, Thursday, October 30th, at around 11PM ET.
Synopsis
At the absolute height of World War II, German generals hatch a daring plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler and effectively render the German war machine impotent. Directed by Bryan Singer (Superman Returns), Valkyrie stars Tom Cruise and was penned by writing partners Chris McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander.
Valkyrie hits theaters on December 26th.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, October 28, 2008 October 29, 2008 5:54 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
Mark Millar Talks Superman October 29, 2008 2:59 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Superman.add a comment
Shortly before Warner Bros announced their intention to put the Superman Returns sequel on hold and reboot the franchise (click here for related article), comic book writer Mark Millar hinted at the Warner Bros move (read about that here) and revealed that he has a director and producer lined up for the reboot, should WB follow along with him. Now the director is talking a bit more fully about his plan. Empire Magazine scored an interview with Millar in which he talks about how he wants to create an epic 8-hour screen story that will follow the entire life of Kal-El from his birth on Krypton a thousand years ago, until he is the last being left on Earth. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Mark has been working closely with a ‘big-Hollywood action director’ – who he refuses to name at this stage – on a pitch for what he is calling the Magnum Opus of Superman stories. His idea is for an 8-hour saga, split into 3 films to be released a year apart, in a Lord of the Rings fashion. Although several other sources have reported similar conversations with Mark, he went into further detail, fleshing out the story arc a little more.
“It’s gonna be like Michael Corleone in the Godfather films, the entire story from beginning to end, you see where he starts, how he becomes who he becomes, and where that takes him. The Dark Knight showed you can take a comic book property and make a serious film, and I think the studios are ready to listen to bigger ideas now.”
“I want to start on Krypton, a thousand years ago, and end with Superman alone on Planet Earth, the last being left on the planet, as the yellow sun turns red and starts to supernova, and he loses his powers.”
Click here to read the entire interview.
Source: Empire
Joaquin Phoenix Calls It Quits October 29, 2008 1:07 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Television.1 comment so far
Actor Joaquin Phoenix tells E! Online that he is retiring from the movie business to concentrate on his music. Phoenix’s last movie is the James Gray-directed film Two Lovers, a drama co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Watch the video below.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Lionsgate Searching for New Mad Men Showrunner? October 29, 2008 12:55 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in AMC, Cable, Lionsgate, Mad Men, News, Television.add a comment
It seems like a joke, no? Why would Lionsgate be looking for a new showrunner on a series which just had its best ratings ever (while admittedly still low) and became the first basic cable show to ever win an emmy for best drama? But, apparently that’s exactly what the studio is doing. According to Nikki Finke of Deadline Hollywood Daily, Lionsgate execs are calling around various Hollywood agencies looking for a showrunner to replace Mathew Weiner, the creator of AMC’s Mad Men. The reasoning, according to Finke’s sources, is that they think Weiner’s agents are asking too much money for him. CAA, the agency that represents Weiner, is reportedly asking for Weiner to be paid $10 million a year. He also wants control over promotion and advertising.
While that type of money is common place for hit shows on premium cable, the economics almost never make sense to pay some one that much for a basic cable television show and Lionsgate is balking at the asking price. From DHD:
“The ‘ask’ was insanity,” one insider tells me. “It’s preposterous. AMC is a basic cable network. The economics don’t support this. It’s why Lionsgate is throwing their arms up in the air. And, remember, they got a two-year pickup for the show with or without Matt Weiner.”
When asked by a Lionsgate source about this situation, Finke was told, “We’re negotiating with Matthew Weiner. But we want him back…” If that’s the case, then it seems very odd for them to go out and look for a new showrunner just in case.
As I prefaced earlier, Mad Men just concluded its best season. Sunday’s finale drew 1.75 million total viewers, an improvement of 89% over the first-season finale (926,000). Compared to season one, season two saw an increase of 63% among total viewers (1.5 million vs. 925,000) as well as gains among the key demos adults 18-49 (+109%–705,000 vs. 338,000) and adults 25-54 (+81%–780,000 vs. 430,000).
Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle Sign On for Iron Man 2 and The Avengers October 29, 2008 12:21 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News.add a comment
Marvel Studios has announced that both Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man) and Don Cheadle (replacing Terrence Howard as Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes) have signed on to Iron Man 2 (May 7, 2010) and The Avengers (July 11, 2011). The studio also confirmed that Iron Man/Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau will serve as an executive producer for The Avengers.
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AND JON FAVREAU SUIT UP FOR MARVEL STUDIOS’ THE AVENGERS AND IRON MAN 2
As part of his four picture deal with Marvel Studios, Robert Downey Jr. is appearing as Tony Stark in THE AVENGERS motion picture, as well as reprising his starring role as the larger-than-life leading character in IRON MAN 2. Jon Favreau will return to direct the sequel to the blockbuster IRON MAN, which to date has grossed over $578 million worldwide, as well as executive produce THE AVENGERS.
Academy Award® nominee Downey was most recently seen in the summer comedy blockbuster TROPIC THUNDER starring opposite Ben Stiller and Jack Black. Before Iron Man, he was best known for his film roles in KISS KISS BANG BANG, WONDER BOYS and CHAPLIN, the film for which he was nominated for an Oscar®.
In addition to directing the first IRON MAN, Favreau has previously directed ELF, ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE and MADE. He is also well known for writing and starring in SWINGERS. He will next be seen acting in FOUR CHRISTMASES, I LOVE YOU MAN and COUPLES RETREAT.
DON CHEADLE WILL STAR AS RHODEY IN IRON MAN 2
Marvel Studios is pleased today to confirm that an agreement has been finalized with award-winning actor Don Cheadle to take on the role of Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes in Marvel’s IRON MAN 2 due in theaters on May 7, 2010. In casting Cheadle, Marvel replaces Terrence Howard who appeared in the role of Rhodey in IRON MAN.
Cheadle is also signed on to perform the same role in THE AVENGERS and subsequent installments of the IRON MAN franchise.
“We are very excited about working with the extraordinarily talented Don Cheadle as we expand the role of Rhodey in Iron Man 2. It has already become apparent as we prep the movie for production, that the dynamic between Robert and Don will take Iron Man 2 to new heights,” said Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.
Cheadle is best known for his Oscar® nominated lead performance in HOTEL RWANDA as well as his role as Basher Tarr in the OCEAN’S franchise, CRASH and SWORDFISH.
Based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero, IRON MAN 2 continues the story of this summer’s box office blockbuster IRON MAN, the first feature film produced independently by Marvel Studios. IRON MAN 2 will be produced by Marvel Studios’ President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, David Maisel and Denis Stewart.
In a movie event, THE AVENGERS will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they’ve ever faced.
The highly anticipated sequel to IRON MAN will be released in theatres on May 7, 2010 and THE AVENGERS will be released July 15, 2011. Both films will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Cheadle is represented by UTA. Downey and Favreau are represented by CAA.
via ComingSoon.net
The Ex List Canceled October 28, 2008 11:38 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, Cancellations, CBS, News, Television, The Ex-List.13 comments
After a run of just four episodes, CBS has decided to cancel its low-rated new drama The Ex List. This Friday’s episode, which will be its fifth, will be the end of the line. Nine episodes are in the pipe, and while the remaining four may be run off some time in the future, CBS has not announced when that might be. In the mean time, repeats of NCIS will fill in the Friday 9pm time slot.
The Ex List is actually the first new drama this season to be canceled and continues CBS’s unfortunate slump of failed TV dramas that don’t involve crime.
Source: Variety
First Look: Angels & Demons October 28, 2008 11:31 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Angels & Demons, Movies, News, Photos.add a comment
USA Today has put up a new feature on The Da Vinci Code prequel, Angels & Demons which includes four new photos. The article also features producer Brian Grazer acknowledging some of the criticisms of the first film, indicating that the prequel will be more free-flowing:
In adapting the hugely successful Da Vinci novel, “I think we may have been too reverential toward it,” Grazer says. “We got all the facts of the book right, but the movie was a little long and stagey.”
In Angels, opening May 15, “Langdon doesn’t stop and give a speech,” Grazer says. “When he speaks, he’s in motion.”
I’ve included the four new photos below. Click here to read the rest of the article. Angels & Demons hits theaters on May 15, 2009.
Source: USA Today
Chelsea Lately Renewed Through 2009 October 28, 2008 11:13 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Chelsea Lately, E!, News, Renewals, Television.add a comment
Chelsea Lately, the late-night talk show on E!, has been renewed by the network through 2009. Hosted by Chelsea Handler, the show has done very well for E!, averaging around 600,000 viewers in its nightly 11:30 p.m. time slot. That performance has boosted the network by 21 percent in the third quarter versus the comparable year-ago period.
“Chelsea Lately is a breakout hit that has significantly grown our late night audience,” said Lisa Berger, E!’s executive vp of original programming and series development. “Our viewers are enamored with Chelsea’s unique comedic approach and hilarious commentary on the world of entertainment. She is truly one of Hollywood’s fastest rising stars and we look forward to having the show on our air through 2009 and many years to come.”
Source: MediaWeek
Broadcast TV Ratings for Monday, October 27, 2008 October 28, 2008 5:19 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, October 26, 2008 October 27, 2008 4:55 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
Nolan’s Return to Batman Contingent on a Good Story October 27, 2008 2:35 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Batman, Movies, News, The Dark Knight.1 comment so far
In the first part of its three-part interview with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan, the LA Times asks Nolan whether he’ll be back for a third film:
Could you see actually yourself not making the third Batman film?
Christopher Nolan: Well … let me think how to put this. There are two things to be said. One is the emphasis on story. What’s the story? Is there a story that’s going to keep me emotionally invested for the couple of years that it will take to make another one? That’s the overriding question. On a more superficial level, I have to ask the question: How many good third movies in a franchise can people name? [Laughs.] At the same time, in taking on the second one, we had the challenge of trying to make a great second movie, and there haven’t been too many of those either. It’s all about the story really. If the story is there, everything is possible. I hope that was a suitably slippery answer.
Earlier in the interview, Nolan was asked for his thoughts on the worldwide box office success of the film, and whether or not he expected such a great reaction to it:
“The Dark Knight” is closing in on $1 billion. How do you get your arms around that kind of success?
Nolan: I can’t get my arms around it, to be quite frank. It’s mystifying. It’s terrific but at the same time it’s a little abstract, the numbers are so big. The biggest thrill for me would be, with the number of people who have gone to see the film, how “The Dark Knight” stood on the shoulders of the first film, how we were able to build the audience up and build the story up from the first film. That was really exciting to see. We were all pretty happy with the performance of the first film but so we really didn’t know, “Where does it go from there?” For it to become such a phenomenon is extraordinarily gratifying. I mean, I’ve spent now like six years or something working on Batman films. It becomes an important part of your life; you become very obsessive about it, and it’s pretty fun when there are other people sharing your obsession and going to see the film a dozen times or whatever.Wrapping your arms around the scale of the success, as you ask, I don’t find that possible really. There’s something liberating in knowing that my next film, whatever it is, isn’t going to make as much money [laughter]. I don’t have to try for years.
Read the rest of the first part of the interview here.
Source: LA Times
Fanboys Pushed to 2009 October 27, 2008 12:27 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Crossing Over, Fanboys, Killshot, Movies, News, Shanghai.add a comment
In addition to several other properties, Weinstein Co. has decided to push back its long-delayed Star Wars-themed comedy Fanboys, which was suppose to finally hit theaters next month, to February 6, 2009. That puts the film in competition with Summit’s Sci-Fi superhero film Push, the comedy Pink Panther 2 and the Jennifer Aniston comedy He’s Just Not That Into You. The studio also pushed back three other films into 2009, they are: John Madden’s action thriller Killshot (January 23, 2009), the Harrison Ford/Sean Penn drama Crossing Over and MikaelHåfström’s Shanghai, which haven’t yet been given an exact slot.
Here’s how Harvey Weinstein explained the moves to the LA Times blog The Big Picture:
Fanboys: Harvey says the movie has been moved to January “so we can do a major promotion with Comcast, who’s arranging for a big advertising tie-in for us on the film.”
Crossing Over: “We’re moving it to January. The market is just too crowded. Every week there are five more movies coming out. It’s too crazy. Spring is much better–there are a lot more wide-open dates. The most important thing is to do well by the movie. Having it out in January gives us the opportunity to play the film at the Sundance and Berlin film festivals, which will be a big help to the movie.”
Killshot: “Everyone has said that Mickey Rourke is amazing in ‘The Wrestler’ and will be up for all sorts of awards, so we decided to move ‘Killshot’ to a date a few weeks before the Oscars. That way we can capitalize on all the heat that’s going to be around Mickey.”
Shanghai: “It just couldn’t be ready in time. The movie wasn’t finished shooting until August and the director, Mikael Hafstrom, doesn’t even deliver his cut until early November. He doesn’t want it out now and neither do we. He needs time to make it as great as possible.”
Source: LA Times
Whedon Talks “Dollhouse” October 27, 2008 12:01 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Dollhouse, Fox, News, Television.add a comment
It’s been quite some time since Joss Whedon updated fans on the status of the upcoming Fox show, Dollhouse, but that’s just what he did yesterday in a post over at Whedonesque. Whedon discusses various aspects of the show, including the shut down of production and some other behind-the-scenes tidbits. Here are some highlights from the post:
Yes, we’ve had to make adjustments. Yes, it’s been hard and I’ve been depressing to be around for awhile. Basically, the Network and I had different ideas about what the tone of the show would be. They bought something somewhat different than what I was selling them, which is not that uncommon in this business. Their desires were not surprising: up the stakes, make the episodes more stand-alone, stop talking about relationships and cut to the chase. Oh, and add a chase. That you can cut to. Nothing I hadn’t heard before on my other shows (apparently my learning curve has no bendy part) but frustrating as hell given our circumstances – a pilot shot, scripts written, everybody marching together/gainfully employed… and then a shutdown. Glad I was for the breathing room, but it’s hardly auspicious. So back into the writer cave I went, wondering why I put up with this when I can make literally dozens of dollars making internet movies.
As for what’s been changed, well, some things I obviously can’t tell you. Some I can, for the record: The original pilot was in fact thrown out. Again, at my behest. Once it became clear what paradigm the Network was shooting for, it just didn’t fit at all, even after I’d reshot more than half of it (see above re: despair). To get a sense of how completely turned around I was during this process, you should know there was a scene with Eliza and the astonishing Ashley Johnson that I wrote and shot completely differently three different times, with different characters in different places (actually I wrote it closer to eight times), and none of it will ever see air. Which is as it should be (though I’m determined to get Ms. Johnson back in the future). The scene just didn’t belong anymore. Similarly, the character of November has fallen out of the mix, because the show simply moves too fast now for me to do what I wanted with her. Season three, anyone…? Happily, Miracle Laurie is still with us in a new role, playing against (and pining for) Tahmoh’s character, Paul Ballard. Their chemistry is deeply nifty. The only other major cast shift is that the Dollhouse head of security, Laurence Dominic (played by Reed Diamond), who was written just for the now-defunct first ep, has stuck like fly-paper, and Reed is very much in the family for the present. (Most of my problems seem to involve my actors making themselves indispensable. This is the good problem kind.)
Click here to read the rest of the post. Dollhouse is still scheduled to air on Fox this January.
Source: Whedonesque
Singleton Exits A-Team Movie October 27, 2008 1:20 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, The A-Team.2 comments
John Singleton, who was attached to 20th Century Fox’s big screen adaptation of The A-Team has exited the project. Variety reports that the project has gone through various rewrites and Fox doesn’t think it’s ready for production just yet. The delay has caused Singleton to conclude it’s time to move on. Originally scheduled for a June 2009 release, the film likely now won’t hit theaters for at least a year later.
Source: Variety
SCI FI Greenlights New Ghost Hunters Spinoff October 27, 2008 12:56 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters: College Edition, News, Sci Fi, Television.add a comment
The SCI FI Channel has given a green light to yet another spinoff of its popular Ghost Hunters franchise. The network ordered a pilot of the new show, titled Ghost Hunters: College Edition (working title). The series will feature a group of college students, led by seasoned investigators, searching for the paranormal in haunted hot spots around the country and world.
Ghost Hunters remains as strong as ever for SCI FI and is currently celebrating its best season ever. The show will air its third-annual live investigation on Halloween night this year at the historic Fort Delaware from 7 pm ot 2am ET.
Ghost Hunters International premiered this past January and aired a successful run of seven episodes.
Source: SCI FI Wire
Doctor Who Preview Will Be Shown During Children in Need Special October 27, 2008 12:49 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in BBC, Doctor Who, News, Sci Fi, Television.add a comment
The yearly charity event Children In Need will have a special treat for viewers this year. The first two minutes of the Doctor Who Christmas special, titled “The Next Doctor”, will be shown on the BBC special this November 14th.
Source: BBC
“Lost” Season Five Trailer October 27, 2008 12:37 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in ABC, Lost, News, Television, Trailers.add a comment
A trailer for the fifth seaosn of the ABC series Lost has been found online. Check it out below.
Lost returns to the air in 2009.
McG Updates Terminator Salvation October 27, 2008 12:35 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Terminator Salvation.add a comment
Terminator Salvation director McG wrote a new blog posting over at the film’s official website. Here are some highlights:
- Principal photograph has wrapped. They’re currently in post-production.
- Christian Bale and Sam Worthington have been shown early cuts and “seem pleased with where the film is headed”.
- McG says the crew feels the responsibility of showcasing amazing special effects. To that end, VFX supervisor Charlie Gibson is working with ILM and Asylum every day and making revisions to the finest detail.
- They want the machines to be “dirty and heavy and perfectly realistic”. That’s why they built so much practically with Stan Winston.
- On the VFX: “There’s one sequence in particular where we’re trying to achieve something that’s never been done before. I don’t want to talk about it because we haven’t been successful yet…, McG said, adding “But we’re working on it”.
- On Bale and Worthington and the story: They “bring power to the rolls of John Connor and Marcus Wright. This is a story of two destinies colliding. Connor is part of a resistance comprised of the ethnicities that make up the globe. This film is so much more that just Los Angeles. It reflects the global crisis of man, all of man versus machine.”
Read the rest of the post here.
Source: Warner Bros.
Watchmen, Friday the 13th and Twilight Footage from SCREAM 2008 October 27, 2008 12:24 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Friday the 13th, Movies, News, Twilight, Videos, Watchmen.add a comment
The following footage was shown during last week’s SCREAM 2008 Awards on Spike TV. Watchmen was definitley the highlight. Man, I can’t wait for that film!
Watchmen (3/6/2009)
Friday the 13th (2/13/2009)
Twilight (11/21/2008)
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” Continues in December October 27, 2008 12:17 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO, News, Television.add a comment
Finally. After being off the air for nearly a year (the last episode aired on November 11, 2007) HBO’s has announced that Curb Your Enthusiasm will resume production on 10 all-new episodes this December. The new episodes will premiere sometime in 2009.
I guess HBO gets a kick out of extremely long hiatuses.
Source: Variety
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