First Look at H2 February 26, 2009 3:53 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, Photos.Tags: H2, Rob Zombie
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The first photo from the set of Rob Zombie’s Halloween sequel, H2, has been released. The film has been shooting in Georgia for three days. The photo (pictured above–click to enlarge) features Scout Taylor’s Laurie Strode being taken into an operating room.
Zombie wrote the following on his blog:
“Well, we made it through the first three days. Everything is going great. This film is going to blow away my last trip to Haddonfield. Ultra gritty, ultra intense and very real. Here is a sneak peek of Laurie moments after being wheel in to the ER.”
H2 hits theaters on August 28, 2009.
Principal Photography Starts For Dead of Night February 26, 2009 3:46 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Platinum Studios.Tags: Dead of Night
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Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment Group and Platinum Studios Inc. have announced that principal photography on Dead of Night has begun. The film is based on the best-selling Italian comic book series, Dylan Dog, created Tiziano Sclavi and published by Italy’s Sergio Bonelli Editore.
The comic book has sold more than 56 million units worldwide and has been translated into 17 languages since its debut in 1986. Principal photography is taking place in New Orleans, Louisiana.
via ComingSoon.net
Michael Rady First To Be Cast in Melrose Place February 26, 2009 3:40 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Television, The CW.Tags: Melrose Place, Michael Rady
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Michael Rady (Swingtown) has become the first actor to board the new Melrose Place pilot for The CW. THR reports that the actor landed the job on Wednesday morning, a day after The CW officially greenlit the pilot for the update, which will be directed by David Guggenheim.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Wednesday, February 25, 2009 February 26, 2009 1:18 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.Tags: Broadcast TV Ratings, Wednesday
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Fox’s two-hour edition of American Idol blew away the competition, with its average audience of 24.25 million viewers beating the combined audience of its next three competitors (CBS, ABC and NBC — 24.07M) and nearly all four of the remaining major networks (including The CW it barely lost out 24.81M vs. 24.25M).
Now that’s what you call a dominant performance.
Despite being very far back in second, CBS’s two original programs, Criminal Minds at 9:00pm and CSI: NY at 10:00pm, managed to either stay firm against the ‘Idol’ competition (in the case of Criminal Minds which dipped just 4% from last week’s total audience) or improve slightly against its aired competition (CSI: NY was up single digits and the most-watched program at 10:00pm).
ABC was hurt most on a week-to-week basis with the added competition at the 9:00pm hour by way of American Idol. Lost, which hit season high’s last week, dipped back down by double-digits (although its ratings may change some when the finals are released–UPDATE below). Life on Mars was flat from the week prior (but again, we won’t really know the show’s true performance until the final nationals are released).
Note: Finals put Lost at a 5.9/9 HH rating/share, 10.05M viewers and a 4.4/11 A18-49 rating/share. That’s better than the fast affiliates, but not by too much. The finals for Life on Mars were a 3.2/5 HH rating/share, 4.88M viewers and a 1.7/5 A18-49 rating/share. That was much worse than the fast affiliates.
Over on NBC, the network made the correct call in airing an hour of what normally would have been the second hour of Tuesday night’s Biggest Loser at 8:00pm. While the show was below average, it proved to be a solid secondary option against American Idol and improved upon last week’s time slot performance (an original episode of Knight Rider) by 64% among viewers and a whopping 120% in the demo, yet another indication at the poor performance of Knight Rider.
Biggest Loser led into an original episode of struggling Life. The show failed to reach 5 million viewers, but, surprisingly, showed some week-to-week growth among A18-49 (+13%). It’s performance in the demo was still weak (a 1.7 rating), but it’s certainly worth noting that the show is up 31% in the demo over the last three weeks.
Rounding out the evening, The CW aired low-performing repeats of Privileged and 90210, with neither show managing to top 1 million viewers. Yes, that’s pathetic.
Full ratings and breakdown’s, including week-to-week comparisons, etc., follow after the jump.
Three New Up Character Posters February 26, 2009 3:28 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movie Posters, Movies.Tags: Up
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Three new character posters from Disney/Pixar’s Up have been released. The three, pictured above, come from ComingSoon.net, AICN and /Film. Click the links to check out high-res versions of the posters.
Up hits conventional and Disney 3D theaters on May 29, 2009.
Total Recall Remake In the Works February 26, 2009 3:18 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News.Tags: Total Recall
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THR is reporting that Neal H. Moritz and his Original Films banner are in final negotiations to develop and produce a contemporary version of Total Recall, the 1990 sci-fi action movie from director Paul Verhoeven and star Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Warner Bros. Remaking The NeverEnding Story February 26, 2009 3:12 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Warner Brothers.Tags: The EverEnding Story
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The Kennedy/Marshall Co. (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way company are currently in discussions with Warner Bros. to remake the 25-year-old franchise The NeverEnding Story. The studio recently acquired the rights to the property clearing the way for the potential remake.
According to THR, the new film, which returns original producer Dieter Geissler, will examine the more nuanced details of the book the 1984 film was based on. When released, the original film, directed by Wolfgang Peterson, grossed a then-respectable $20.2 million. Its sequel, directed by George Miller, came out in 1990 and grossed $17.4 million. A third film was released in 1996, but quickly went to video.
President Obama Draws 52.37 Million Viewers February 25, 2009 7:41 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.Tags: Broadcast TV Ratings, Cable TV Ratings, President Barack Obama
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President Obama’s address to congress last night drew a total audience of 52.37 million viewers on 10 networks (broadcast and cable). While well below President Clinton’s first address to congress in 1993 (66.9 million), it’s a good deal above both President Bush’s first (39.79M) and last (37.52M) address’s.
It’s also 6% above the audience tune-in for the President’s first press conference last week (49.46M).
Samuel L. Jackson Signs Nine-Film Deal to Play Nick Fury February 25, 2009 7:24 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Marvel, Movies, News.Tags: Iron Man 2, Samuel L. Jackson, Shield, The Avengers, The First Avenger: Captain America, Thor
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Samuel L. Jackson, who just weeks ago looked to be on the outs with Marvel Studios, has signed an extensive deal (for up to nine films) to reprise his role as Nick Fury, the Marvel Comics character. The movies include Iron Man 2, Thor, The First Avenger: Captain America, The Avengers and its sequels, as well as the possibility of toplining a S.H.I.E.L.D. movie.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, February 24, 2009 February 25, 2009 7:18 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.Tags: Broadcast TV Ratings, Tuesday
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President Obama’s address to congress — which aired from 9:00 pm to a little past 10:00 pm ET — was far and away the most watched program on the night. The address drew a 21.4 HH rating, 33.62 million viewers and a 9.9 A18-49 rating on the four major broadcast nets ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. When Univision is added into the mix, the total viewership rises to 37.11 million viewers and a 11.3 A18-49 rating for the 9-10pm time period.
The remaining minutes of the address, post-address analysis and the Republican response drew an average 19.5 HH rating, 31.31M viewers and a 9.1 A18-49 rating from 10:00-10:30pm on ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC.
In terms of original programming, both CBS and NBC led the way at 8:00pm, with CBS’s NCIS drawing the most viewers and NBC’s Biggest Loser the most viewers in the A18-49 demo.
Click through the jump to see the rest of the night’s results. (more…)
Lifetime Gives Early Fourth Season Renewal to Army Wives February 25, 2009 5:30 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Lifetime, News, Renewals, Television.Tags: Army Wives
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Lifetime has ordered a fourth season of their highly successful original series, Army Wives. 18 episodes will air for season four, which will premiere on the network in 2010.
The show has been the network’s most successful series to date, with the second season finale drawing the network’s highest ratings ever in the A18-34 demo and is cable’s most-watched drama among women A18-49. The renewal comes ahead of the show’s third season premiere this June.
“This early pick-up – even prior to the Season 3 premiere – is a true testament to our commitment and support of this great show,” said JoAnn Alfano, Executive Vice President, Lifetime Networks, who announced the pickup.
Source: Broadcasting & Cable
Cate Blanchett Confirmed For Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood February 25, 2009 5:22 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News.Tags: Cate Blanchett, Robin Hood
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Variety has confirmed The Telegraph’s report from earlier in the month that Cate Blanchett will play Maid Marian opposite Russell Crowe in Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood.
The film has a budget of $130 million and enters production in early April. Producer Brian Grazer is producing alongside Ridley Scott and says that Blanchett was a strong match for Crowe:
“They are both highly accomplished dramatic actors who are taken seriously playing rich characters in period pieces, but each has the ability to show you fun,” Grazer said.
WB Sets Release Dates for Green Lantern, ‘Deathly Hallows: Part II’, Jonah Hex and More February 25, 2009 5:11 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Release Dates, Warner Brothers.Tags: Clash of the Titans, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, Inception, Jonah Hex, Sherlock Holmes, Sucker Punch, The Green Lantern
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Warner Brothers has announced box office release dates (and changes) for several of their upcoming films.
First up, the studio announced the official release date for The Green Lantern. The DC Comics adaptation will hit theaters on December 17, 2010. Other notable films include the final Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II on July 15, 2011. That’s the exact same weekend as Marvel’s The Avengers. The studio also announced a new date for Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes which will be moving up to Christmas day from its previous November 13, 2009 release date.
The remake of Clash of the Titans, from director Louis Leterrier has been set for March 26, 2010, Jonah Hex, from director Jimmy Hayward, has been set for a August 6, 2010 release and Christopher Nolan’s original sci-fi picture Inception will be released on July 16, 2010. And finally, Zack Snyder’s next film, Sucker Punch, will be released on October 8, 2010.
Here’s the release schedule:
December 25, 2009
Sherlock Holmes
March 26, 2010
Clash of the Titans
July 16, 2010
Inception
August 6, 2010
Jonah Hex
October 8, 2010
Sucker Punch
December 17, 2010
The Green Lantern
July 15, 2011
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II
Source: ERC BoxOffice
New Terminator Salvation Promo Image February 25, 2009 4:09 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Images, Movies, Warner Brothers.Tags: Terminator Salvation
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Empire Online has a new promo image from Warner Bros’ upcoming Terminator Salvation. The image will grace the cover of Empire Magazine’s newest issue, out on newstands, in the U.K. of course, this Thursday.
Terminator Salvation hits theaters on Thursday, May 21, 2009.
The CW Announces Early Pickups Of Six Series February 25, 2009 3:58 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Renewals, Television, The CW.Tags: 90210, America's Next Top Model, Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Smallville, Supernatural
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The CW today announced that they’ve given early pickups to six of its series, five dramas and reality hit America’s Next Top Model, all of which will return in the fall 2009.
The five other shows are Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, 90210, Smallville and Supernatural.
“As we continue to build The CW Network as a destination for young women, these six shows have clearly contributed to strengthening our schedule and our brand identity,” said Dawn Ostroff, President, Entertainment, The CW. “By securing these signature hits for next season, we’re furthering our commitment to deliver high-quality, original programming to our viewers, advertisers and affiliates.”
You can read the full press release in full after the jump. (more…)
LL Cool J Cast as Lead in NCIS Spin-Off February 25, 2009 3:51 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, CBS, News, Television.Tags: LL Cool J, NCIS, NCIS Spin-off
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Variety is reporting that rapper/actor LL Cool J has been set to star in CBS’s planned NCIS spin-off. He’ll play a tough but charming former Navy SEAL who works undercover for the NCIS unit in L.A. and is an expert on the Middle East. The spin-off will air as one half of a two-part episode of the CBS drama NCIS later this season. NCIS showrunner Shane Brennan created the still-untitled spin-off and will executive produce for CBS Paramount.
Lindsay Price Joins ABC’s Eastwick February 25, 2009 3:33 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in ABC, Casting, News, Television.Tags: Eastwick, Lindsay Price
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Lindsay Price (of NBC’s Lipstick Jungle, which actually yet be officially canceled) has joined the cast of ABC’s Eastwick, the network’s drama pilot based on the 1987 feature-film The Witches of Eastwick. Price will play Joanna, one of the three young witches in the series. Joanna is described as a hardworking, shy reporter for the local newspaper. She joins Jaime Ray Newman, who was recently cast as a fellow witch.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Lou Diamond Philips, Three Others, Added to Cast of SGU: Stargate Universe February 25, 2009 3:25 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, News, Press Releases, Sci Fi, Television.Tags: Alaina Huffman, Elyse Levesque, Lou Diamond Philips, Ming-Na, SGU: Stargate Universe
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The cast for SCI FI’s new Stargate original series is expanding. SCI FI has announced that Lou Diamond Philips, Ming-Na, Elyse Levesque and Alaina Huffman have been added to the cast of the new series, SGU: Stargate Universe.
SGU follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The desperate survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship, which is locked on an unknown course and unable to return to Earth. Faced with meeting the most basic needs of food, water and air, the group must unlock the secrets of the ship’s Stargate to survive. The danger, adventure and hope they find on board the Destiny will reveal the heroes and villains among them.
Lou Diamond Phillips (Che, La Bamba) is Colonel Telford, a proud lifelong military man, who puts his faith in the chain of command. Stubbornly confident, he’s highly regarded by his superiors. He is the chosen leader of the ill-fated expedition.
Ming-Na (ER, Vanished) is Camile Wray, a human resources executive with the international oversight committee that governs the Stargate program. Now the highest ranking member of that division left stranded on the ship, she carries herself with a misguided sense of superiority over the other military and civilian survivors.
Elyse Levesque (Smallville, Men in Trees) stars as Chloe Armstrong, the daughter and aid of a U.S. Senator. Politically savvy, but with a wild side, she is considering following in her father’s footsteps, until she finds herself trapped on the ship. As tensions rise, her character will be tested and her place among the group revealed.
Alaina Huffman (Smallville, Painkiller Jane) portrays MSGT. Tamara Johansen. Unable to afford medical school, the Air Force was the best option for the strong-willed field medic. Faced with the mounting pressure and a lack of in-depth experience, she will be forced to rise to the extraordinary occasion of needing to treat the seriously wounded.
SGU: Stargate Universe launches this October with a two-part opening episode directed by Andy Mikita. The full press release announcing the new additions, can be read in full after the jump. (more…)
Gore Verbinski To Direct Clue February 25, 2009 3:10 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Universal Pictures.Tags: Clue, Gore Verbinski
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Variety’s Risky Biz Blog is reporting that Gore Verbinski has been tapped by Universal Pictures to direct and produce a feature-film version of the hit boardgame Clue. The project is part of a partnership between Universal and Hasbro to develop several of their iconic board games into movies. Other properties already in production include Candyland, Ouija Board and Monopoly.
Michael Cera Finally On Board for Arrested Development Movie February 25, 2009 3:04 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Fox, Fox Searchlight, Movies, News, Television.Tags: Arrested Development, Michael Cera
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Awesome. After months of indicating he wasn’t interested in doing a feature-length version of the hilarious, if not successful, Fox comedy Arrested Development, E! Online’s Kristin reports that Michael Cera has apparently buckled to pressure and agreed to board the project. Kristin further reports that the movie may go into production as early as the end of the year. Series creator Mitchell Hurwitz is writing and directing the script. Fox Searchlight is the studio.
A later update has a reaction from one of the series’ star, Portia de Rossi, who when asked why there was such a hold up with Cera’s casting replied: “I don’t know, I honestly don’t. I spoke to Jason Bateman and Will Arnett; I think it was just a matter of timing. I don’t know.”
Michel Gondry Tapped to Direct Seth Rogen’s Green Hornet February 25, 2009 2:51 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Columbia Pictures, Movies, News.Tags: Michel Gondry, The Green Hornet
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The Green Hornet has a new director. Variety is reporting that Columbia Pictures has set Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) to direct the film, which the studio is still targeting for a June 25, 2010 release. Seth Rogen, who plays the title character, wrote the script along with Evan Goldberg. Stephen Chow, who was originally tapped to direct, is still attached to play sidekick, Kato.
Crank: High Voltage U.K. Trailer February 25, 2009 2:43 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movie Trailers, Movies.Tags: Crank: High Voltage
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Empire Online has debuted a new U.K. trailer for Lionsgates’ upcoming sequel Crank: High Voltage. Jason Statham returns for the sequel, reprising his role as hitman Chev Chelios. It was co-directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Watch the trailer after the jump.
Crank: High Voltage is a direct sequel to Crank which was released in 2006 and grossed $44.8 million worldwide, a respective tally given the film’s very modest production budget of $12 million.
Extended Watchmen Rorschach Clips February 25, 2009 2:30 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, Video Clips.Tags: Watchmen
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Two extended clips from Zack Snyder’s upcoming graphic novel adaptation of Watchmen are now online. The two clips feature Rorschach (played by Jackie Earle Haley) and are introduced by Snyder. Words cannot accurately express how psyched I am to check out this movie. Early reviews are coming in strong and its currently sitting at a very solid 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. Watch the two-clip video after the jump. (more…)
Melrose Gets Greenlight February 25, 2009 2:20 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Television.Tags: Melrose Place, The CW
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The CW has given an official pilot order to the network’s update of Melrose Place. THR reports that Oscar-winner Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) has come on board the project to direct. The series, produced by CBS Paramount, is a remake of the hit ’90s series about a group of twentysomethings living in the trendy Melrose neighborhood of Las Angeles. The pilot was written by Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin (Smallville), who also serve as executive producers/showrunners.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Monday, February 23, 2009 February 24, 2009 7:31 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.Tags: Broadcast TV Ratings, Monday
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