NBC To Broadcast Muppets Christmas Special September 10, 2008 3:52 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Television.add a comment
NBC will be televising a new Muppets special that will star Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Sirico and Steve Schirripa from The Sopranos, Richard Griffiths and Madison Pettis, alongside Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo, Miss Piggy and the rest of the Jim Henson muppets gang. The movie is entitled Letters to Santa — A Muppets Christmas and according to THR will be set on Christmas Eve when “Kermit and company mistakenly avert three letters en route to Santa Claus, which triggers a race against time to bring a happy Christmas to the kids whose wishes were lost in the mail.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Production on “24” Halted Again September 10, 2008 3:45 pm
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This can’t be good. Fox’s hit drama 24 is taking yet another break from filming. EW is reporting that production has shutdown on the new season for more than two weeks because the writers need more time to “reshape the upcoming season’s creative direction.” One can argue, quite effectively I might add, that the writers and producers have had plenty of time, but I guess that’s not the case. Howard Gordon says that they “just couldn’t get this direction to work” so they’ve “found another one” and “wound up retooling it”.
In other 24 news, Michael Ausiello is reporting that Elisha Cuthbert has signed on to reprise her role as Jack Bauer’s daughter.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
Raimi and Maguire Signed for “Spider-Man 4” (and maybe 5) + Venom Spinoff News September 10, 2008 3:33 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 4, Spider-Man 5, Venom.1 comment so far
Nikki Finke of Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that Sony has signed both Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire for Spider-Man 4. DHD further notes that while Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane) hasn’t been signed yet, her character is in the film and Sony “would never recast her”. Sony is also happy with the script turned in by James Vanderbilt which leaves open the possibility for moving directly into a fifth film so they are hoping that Raimi and Maguire are willing to shoot the two films back-to-back.
Additionally, Finke reports that there is no interest in Sony in pursuing a darker tone, ala The Dark Knight, with her source saying “Spider-Man is its own thing” and unlike Batman “Peter Parker has no dark side himself”, instead “Peter Parker’s struggle is about sacrifice.” Also, Finke’s source talked about the villains in the film and hinted that “once you find out who the villain is, you’ll know who’s playing it”. Meanwhile on the Venom spin-off front, Sony is apparently interest in keeping Topher Grace (who played the character in Spider-Man 3) despite his demise in the film because the “likeable actor could be a sympathetic evildoer”.
The news has also been confirmed via the trades.
Sources: Deadline Hollywood Daily and Variety
ABC Developing New Sci-Fi Drama September 10, 2008 3:23 pm
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ABC has announced that they’re developing a new Sci-Fi series from Star Trek alumns Rene Echevarria and Greg Berlanti. The series, called The Return, will focus on a group of extra-terrestrials who land on earth.
Echevarria has worked on other Sci-Fi shows, including Fox’s Dark Angel, USA Network’s The 4400 and NBC’s Medium. Berlanti’s most recent work includes the ABC series Eli Stone.
Source: Variety
Moore’s “Slacker Uprising” Will Be Released Online for Free September 10, 2008 3:18 pm
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Michael Moore’s latest film, Slacker Uprising, will be made available as a free download on the internet for three weeks beginning on September 23rd. The documentary chronicles Moore’s attempts at rallying young voters during the 2004 presidential election. According to Moore, the film–which cost just $2 million to make–was never intended to be released commercially:
This is being done entirely as a gift to my fans. The only return any of us are hoping for is the largest turnout of young voters ever at the polls in November. I think Slacker Uprising will inspire (millions) to get off the couch and give voting a chance.
The download will be available on BlipTV. Then after three weeks are up, you’ll be able to purchase the DVD through Amazon and Netflix.
Source: CNet
Live-Action/Hybrid TMNT Film in the Works September 10, 2008 3:15 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.add a comment
Alright, so this whole will there or won’t there be a new TMNT film, and will it or won’t it be live-action has really been heavy in the news over the last several days. Apparently, the truth lies somewhere in between. TMNT co-creator Peter Laird confirmed to MTV that he has had “several meetings with very interested people” for a live-action/hybrid Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film.
The story is still in the very early stages and Laird even admits that they haven’t targeted a villain yet: “It would be fun to do something with the Shredder, but I am also excited about the possibility of creating some new characters for the movie.”
We’ll see where this takes us over the coming months and years.
Source: MTV
“Ghostbusters III” Writers Signed September 10, 2008 3:10 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters III, Movies, News.add a comment
The trades are reporting that Sony is moving forward with a third installment in the Ghostbusters franchise. Columbia Pictures has just signed The Office co-executive producers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky to write the script for the film. Plans are in place to bring back the original cast of Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson, although the focus of the new film will be on a new cast of Ghostbusters. Ivan Reitman, who directed the first two films, is also involved in this film’s development.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter and Variety
Showtime Developing “BiCoastal” September 10, 2008 3:05 pm
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Mike Kelly, creator of the CBS summer series Swingtown, a drama about partner-swapping couples living in 1970s suburbia, is developing BiCoastal for Showtime, another show that will explore relationships, marriage and sexuality. The show will center on a successful man who struggles to find balance between family life with his kids in Los Angeleles as he falls in love with a man in New York.
“It has a lot of the watermarks of things I love to write about — people with secrets and high-stakes love lives,” Kelley said.
It’s unclear what this means for Swingtown, which CBS has yet to make a decision about. In comparison to that show, however, which was based on Kelley’s childhood memories of his parents and their swinger friends, he says that BiCoastal will have a “bit of a harder edge and heightened sense of drama.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
“The Closer” Spinoff in the Works at TNT September 10, 2008 2:58 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Television, The Closer, TNT.1 comment so far
Given how common spinoffs have been as of late, the news that TNT is developing their own spinoff from The Closer isn’t all that surprising. The Closer is cable’s #1 drama and has even attracted Emmy attention so you can hardly fault the network for trying to capitilize on that exposure.
The spinoff is being headed by creator/executive producer James Duff, and TNT has confirmed that it has handed out a script order for the spinoff but has declined to comment any further. Duff is co-writing the story with his Closer co-executive producer Adam Belanoff and Michael Berchem.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Synder, Del Toro and Verbinski to Direct “Heavy Metal” September 10, 2008 2:44 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Heavy Metal, Movies, News.add a comment
In an interview with rgbFILTER, Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, revealed that directors Zack Snyder, Guillermo Del Toro and Gore Verbinksi have all expressed interest in joining executive producer David Fincher to direct some of the segments of the upcoming Heavy Metal animated film. The film is expected to include eight or nine segments in total.
Source: rgbFILTER.com (via /Film)
SCI FI Channel Records Best-Ever Summer September 10, 2008 2:38 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Eureka, Ghost Hunters International, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Scare Tactics, Sci Fi, Television.1 comment so far
NBC Universal has announced via press release that the SCI FI Channel has recorded its most-watched summer ever. Over the summer, the network broke records for total viewers (1 million), young adults aged 18-34 (253,000), men 18-34 (143,000) and among the women demos of 18-34 (110,000), 18-49 (278,000) and 25-54 (310,000).
Leading the way in terms of individual programming were Eureka with an average audience of 3.1 million viewers thus far, Ghost Hunters International (2.6 million), Scare Tactics (2 million) and Saturday Night Original Movies (2 million).
The full press release follows after the jump.
“Gossip Girl: Season One”: DVD Review September 9, 2008 10:22 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in DVD Review, Gossip Girl, Television.2 comments
Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling book series by Cecily von Ziegesar, Gossip Girl is a one-hour drama based on the lives of privileged Manhattan prep school teens. The students first learn that Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively), once the Upper East Side’s most notorious party girl, is back in town the way they learn all the important news in their lives — from the blog of the all-knowing, albeit ultra-secretive, Gossip Girl. No one knows Gossip Girl’s identity, but everyone in this exclusive and complicated vicious circle relies on her website and text messages for the latest scoop. Even Serena’s closest friend, Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), is surprised to find that Serena has suddenly ended her self-imposed exile to boarding school and returned to Manhattan. Keeping track of the shifting friendships, jealousies and turmoil in this wealthy and complex world isn’t easy, but it’s what Gossip Girl does best!
Read my review of the complete first season DVD after the jump.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Monday, September 8, 2008 September 9, 2008 5:10 pm
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Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, September 7, 2008 September 8, 2008 6:17 pm
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A complete breakdown of the night’s ratings follows after the jump.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Saturday, September 6, 2008 September 7, 2008 10:51 pm
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Broadcast TV Ratings for Friday, September 5, 2008 September 6, 2008 5:56 pm
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Broadcast TV Ratings for Thursday, September 4, 2008 September 5, 2008 7:23 pm
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Broadcast TV Ratings for Wednesday, September 3, 2008 September 4, 2008 3:15 pm
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New “City of Ember” Poster September 3, 2008 8:25 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in City of Ember, Movie Posters, Movies.add a comment
A new poster for City of Ember has been released. Check it out on the right.
Synopsis
Oscar-winning Monster House director Gil Kenan takes the helm for this children’s fantasy concerning two teens who attempt to solve an ancient mystery in time to prevent their illuminated city from being swallowed by darkness. The cast includes Bill Murray, Toby Jones, Saoirse Ronan, Tim Robbins, and Martin Landau, with a script by Tim Burton collaborator Caroline Thompson from a book by Jeanne DuPrau.
City of Ember hits theaters on October 10, 2008.
Source: IMPAwards
Sommers Replacing Del Toro on “Tarzan” September 3, 2008 8:07 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, Tarzan.add a comment
Director Stephen Sommers has replaced Guillermo del Toro in directing a live action adaptation of Tarzan for Warner Bros, according to Variety. The trade further reports that Stuart Beattie will co-write the project alongwith Sommers. The studio began negotiating with Del Toro to direct the project about two years ago, but his commitment to The Hobbit and other projects has forced him off the project.
Source: Variety
“Zack And Miri Make A Porno” Trailer and Canadian Poster September 3, 2008 7:42 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movie Posters, Movie Trailer, Movies, News, Zack and Miri Make A Porno.1 comment so far
It didn’t get a pass from the MPAA, but this poster (pictured right–click to enlarge) of Kevin Smith’s Zack and Miri Make A Porno will be seen in Canada. A new red-band trailer for the film has also been released. Check it out below.
New “Dragonball” Poster and Trailer Screenshots September 3, 2008 7:34 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Dragonball, Movie Posters, Movies, Photos.add a comment
A new Dragonball poster featuring the character Bulma (Emmy Rossum) has been leaked. Click the poster on right for a closer look. Nerdoroma also got their hands on some screenshots from the film’s first trailer (which will be attached to Max Payne on October 17th). Check those out after the jump.
Synopsis
James Wong adapts the rich mythos of the Dragonball series that grew from a manga into various popular animated series with this 20th Century Fox production starring Justin Chatwin. The plot revolves around Goku (Chatwin), Earth’s greatest champion, who must defend the planet against an invading race of alien warriors hell-bent on dominating the universe. Wong directs from his own script, with Kung Fu Hustle’s Stephen Chow producing. Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s James Marsters co-stars as the film’s villain, Piccolo, with Jamie Chung playing Chi Chi and Emmy Rossum portraying Bulma. Hong Kong legend Chow Yun-Fat rounds out the cast as Master Roshi, Goku’s mentor in the film.
Dragonball hits theaters on April 10, 2009.
Live-Action ‘TMNT’ Movie Planned September 3, 2008 7:25 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Teenage Mutant Chronicles, Television.2 comments
Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle franchise, posted the following message on the Heavy Metal forum confirming rumors about a possible live-action TMNT film:
“Yes, it is true. Although the CGI film did well enough to warrant a sequel, there has been much talk between Imagi and Warners to do a better “re-invention” (newest Hollywood buzzword) of the TMNT’s, in a live action film–like what was done with Batman. Back to basics, back to the origin and the intro of the Shredder, etc…there have been talks, trips to Northampton to talk to Mr Laird, and discussions with the original “first” TMNT film director Steve Barron to come back and do it right–but no official word yet…will keep you posted.”
TMNT‘s gross was just shy of $100M ($95.01M), drawing $54.15M domestically and $40.86M from overseas markets. It had a relatively low-end budget of $34M.
Source: ComingSoon.net
Five NBC Shows Premiering Online September 3, 2008 7:19 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 30 Rock, Chuck, Hulu, Knight Rider, Life, Lipstick Jungle, NBC, News, Television.add a comment
NBC has announced that they’ll be premiering five shows online on the newly formed service Hulu before their TV premiere. The five shows are Knight Rider, 30 Rock, Lipstick Jungle, Life and Chuck. The episodes will air a week prior to their broadcast premiere.
The shows will likely appear on NBC.com as well, though that hasn’t been announced yet.
Lipstick Jungle
Hulu: Wednesday, September 17th, NBC: September 24th
Knight Rider
Hulu: Wednesday, September 17th, NBC: September 24th
Life
Hulu: Monday, September 22nd, NBC: September 29th
Chuck
Hulu: Monday, September 22nd, NBC: September 29th
30 Rock
Hulu: Thursday, October 23rd, NBC: October 30th
Source: Hulu
Mark Millar Talks Possible “Superman” Trilogy September 3, 2008 6:56 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Superman.add a comment
Turns out Mark Millar wasn’t just blowing smoke when he revealed that he had a director and producer in mind for a new Superman project, and revealed that things were happening behind-the-scenes in regards to the Superman Returns sequel Man of Steel (which happened to be true).
In an interview with G4, Millar revealed his plans for a new trilogy of Superman films, which he wants to be shot back-to-back:
“A director approached me about three months ago,” Millar said. “and he said ‘look, [Bryan Singer’s] The Man Of Steel might not be happening. If that doesn’t happen, it has been spoken about the possibility of me coming in, would you like to write it?’ And I was like Yeah.”
“I’ve had this plan for like 10 years for a big three-picture Superman thing, like a big Lord of the Rings epic, starting over from scratch again with a seven-hour Superman story. And hopefully release them one year after another,” continued Millar. “If it works out, we’ll have to start shooting next summer.”
Millar also talked up his upcoming independently financed adaptation of the comic book Kick-Ass, revealing that the film will have a farely hefty $70M budget. Click here to watch the interview.
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