The Newsdesk 03.09.09 - Fanning's in New Moon; Everyone Watches Watchmen
• Watchmen topped the box office with $55.7 million. The movie fell short of expectations that it would score in the $60 million-plus range. But it didn't disappoint in the "naked blue man" rankings, forever topping that chart.
• MGM and WWE Films are coproducing a remake of the Chuck Norris action epic Missing in Action. Unless it's Norris teaming up with Hulk Hogan to hunt down Osama Bin Laden, we'll pass.
• Dakota Fanning will play Jane in New Moon, the second film the Twilight franchise.
• The producers of Terminator Salvation are embroiled in a lawsuit over compensation and other issues. Please, we geeks can't handle another lawsuit. That Watchmen hold-up nearly gave us a collective ulcer.
• Julia Roberts is reteaming with the director of her upcoming film Fireflies in the Garden for the comedy Jesus Henry Christ. Somebody please tell Roberts to start choosing better movie titles if she ever wants to be America's sweetheart again.
• John Woo is developing a sequel to his beloved action movie Hard Boiled.
• New photos have been released of Jake Gyllenhaal in the video game movie Prince of Persia.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 3/9/09
BIZ
Nielsen IAG Product Placement Activity Report
from Advertising Age - Madison+Vine
NEW YORK -- "American Idol" was the highest-scoring show and Coca-Cola the top brand in the latest Nielsen IAG product-placement activity report.
Economy Accelerates Shift Away From Upfront Buying
from Advertising Age - MediaWorks
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- With the economy flailing, it
doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that TV-ad sales for next fall's
prime-time schedule are primed to droop. Behind the scenes, however, lies
something potentially more drastic. The dreary financial climate could trigger
a permanent transformation in how shows such as "Lost" and
"American Idol" are bought and sold.
'Terminator' producers in legal battle
Film News: Moritz Borman sues Halcyon duo for fraud -- A lawsuit has been filed over the "shady" background of two "Terminator: Salvation" producers.
Market Plunge a Cautionary Tale for Media Companies
from Advertising Age - MediaWorks
Last week kicked off with a stock-market plunge that
returned the Dow Jones Industrial Average to 1997 levels. Newspapers, of
course, would be lucky to regain their stock prices from the 1990s.
Networks condemn Busch ad directive
from Hollywood Reporter by By Anthony Crupi, Mediaweek
Ad sales execs are defying an Anheuser-Busch InBev directive
that would have them wait as many as 120 days to be reimbursed for airtime,
telling the brewing giant to stick its ultimatum where the zon don't schijnen.
Lionsgate And Icahn Talking Board Seats
from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily by Nikki Finke
No surprise there, since corporate raider/shareholder activist Carl Icahn made clear in an SEC filing February 23rd that he was going to add and/or subtract directors from Lionsgate's board now that he owns almost 15% of the company.
Movies with 'legs' keep industry running strong
More hold up past debuts, helping box office race past last
year. Hollywood is witnessing a phenomenon it hasn't seen in more than a
decade -- movies with legs.
Endeavor And WMA Meeting Over Merger
from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily by Nikki Finke
There continue to be conversations, as recently as Thursday.
FESTIVALS
SXSW festival unfazed by economic woes
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
AUSTIN, Texas, March 8 (UPI) -- The 2009 SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas, has not been significantly impacted by the recession, a South by Southwest organizer says.
Kings of Leon among Lollapalooza acts
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
CHICAGO, March 8 (UPI) -- The Kings of Leon will perform when the Lollapalooza music festival hits Chicago this summer, an industry source says.
Beasties, Jane's Addiction, Depeche Mode Set for Lolla?
from Pitchfork Media - Today by Tom Breihan
Earlier this afternoon, the Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot reported three of the headliners for this year's Lollapalooza Festival: the Beastie Boys, Depeche Mode, and Jane's Addiction. Reps for the festival and the bands wouldn't confirm Kot's info, which Kot claims he got from "multiple sources inside the industry." What can we say? The man is connected.
The 2009 Pitchfork Music Festival Starting Lineup!
from Pitchfork Media - Today by Tom Breihan
Last week, we announced that the fourth annual Pitchfork Music Festival would jump off at Chicago's lovely Union Park July 17-19. If the mere fact that our festival is happening again wasn't enough to convince you to save the date and book any necessary flights, this should.
Music News: Event to run April through July in So. California -- The second annual Festival of New American Musicals will run April through July in venues across Southern California.
MOVIES
Weekend Box Office: March 6-8, 2009
from Box Office Mojo - Current Box Office Results
Watchmen tops the box office with an estimated $55.7 million
'Watchmen' rules overseas boxoffice
from Hollywood Reporter by By Frank Segers
It was all "Watchmen" on the international circuit
during the weekend as director Zack Snyder's sci-fi fantasy, launching
simultaneously with its domestic debut, grossed an estimated $27.5 million from
5,097 screens in 45 markets, easily finishing No. 1 overall.
'Watchmen': Political lightning rod?
from EW.com: Movies
Ken Tucker notes audience reaction to themes in Zack Snyder's film, and thinks it's bound to set pundits off.
Elisabeth Moss assists 'Morgans' film
from Hollywood Reporter by By Borys Kit
"Mad Men" co-star Elisabeth Moss has been cast opposite Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant in the romantic comedy "Did You Hear About the Morgans?"
Two join Chris Rock for 'Funeral'
from Hollywood Reporter by By Borys Kit
Tracy Morgan and Martin Lawrence are joining Chris Rock in Screen Gems and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment's remake of "Death at a Funeral."
'Twilight': Dakota Fanning will star in 'New Moon'
from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider by Joshua Rich
Dakota Fanning is set to star in the Twilight sequel New Moon, EW has confirmed. The actress will play Jane, a member of Italy's evil Volturi, in the anticipated movie, which opens in November.
Kristen Stewart: The Truth About Twilight, Rob Pattinson and
the Fans
Good news, fanggirls: Kristen Stewart says there will be a fourth Twilight movie.
Newsweek: Is Julia Roberts' box-office reign over?
from MSNBC.com: Movies
Julia is still the biggest female star of all time; her films have grossed $2.3 billion in the United States, with 10 hits topping $100 million. But the multiplex is a different beast now, dominated by 3,000 screens of dude movies like "Friday the 13th" and "Paul Blart: Mall Cop." As audiences fall out of love with the romantic comedy, some in Hollywood are wondering, is Julia Roberts over?
Julia Roberts On Home Life And "Duplicity"
from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post News Team
"Not many paparazzi follow me now," she laughed, ensconced in a suite at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Julia Roberts finds 'Christ' comedy
from Hollywood Reporter by By Borys Kit
Julia Roberts is reteaming with her "Fireflies in the
Garden" director for "Jesus Henry Christ," a feature comedy
Roberts will produce via her Red Om Films.
Rita Wilson cast in Nancy Meyers pic
from Hollywood Reporter by Staff report
Rita Wilson has been cast in Universal's untitled Nancy
Meyers project, which stars Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin.
N.W.A. biopic, 'Straight Outta Compton,' in development
from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider by Christine Spines
Rap is finally getting the Ray treatment. New Line is developing Straight Outta Compton, an urban drama about N.W.A. the hip hop group that helped pioneer the gangsta rap movement in the '80s and early '90s.
Alan Doyle Cast as Allan A'Dayle in Ridley Scott's Robin Hood
from /Film
Do you remember the musical rooster with a lute in the Disney Robin Hood toon? That was Alan-a-Dale, the narrator-sidekick and a character who has had a fairly minor role, if any role at all, in most versions of the legend. He's going to turn up in the new Ridley Scott rendition, however, and the part has just been cast.
Oscilloscope Tunes in "Burma VJ" for the U.S.
from indieWIRE News
Oscilloscope Laboratories has picked up U.S. distribution rights IDFA and Sundance '09 doc "Burma VJ" by Danish director Anders Ostergaard.
'Role Models' Director David Wain Confirms He's In Discussions
to Helm 'Little Fockers'
from MTV Movies Blog by Eric Ditzian
After much delay and at least one abandoned script, "Little Fockers" looks to be moving forward.
Film News: Duo reunite to produce romantic drama -- Christine Vachon of Killer Films is reteaming with her fellow "Far From Heaven" producer Jean-Charles Levy to produce "Lullaby for Pi."
DreamWorks grabs college comedy
Film News: Script penned by newcomer Chris McCoy -- DreamWorks has acquired an untitled college-set comedy script by newcomer scribe Chris McCoy.
Akerman, Phillippe set for 'Bang'
Film News: Duo to star in indie drama -- "Watchmen" star Malin Akerman and Ryan Phillippe will star in indie drama "The Bang Bang Club," set in apartheid-era South Africa.
TELEVISION
from EW.com: Today's Latest Headlines by Ken Tucker
Ken Tucker: Season 2, premiering tonight, is a doozy of dysfunction, and Bryan Cranston is man of the moment
Bryan Cranston of 'Breaking Bad': On the Set
from L.A. Times - TV News
He has an Emmy to show for his painstaking work playing poor Walter White on the well-regarded AMC series.
Reruns and Reality Derail TV's Dramas, Sitcoms
from Advertising Age - MediaWorks
MINNEAPOLIS (AdAge.com) -- Based on internet buzz, radio
chat and water-cooler talk, many were upset after "Bachelor" Jason
Mesnick -- who toted his tot to work his way into contestants' and viewers'
hearts -- jilted his first choice, Melissa Rycroft, in favor of his newfound
flame, Molly Malaney. And all on national TV. Now they all know how TV writers
feel.
Ashlee Simpson joining 'Melrose'
from EW.com: Today's Latest Headlines by Michael Ausiello
Michael Ausiello: She'll play small-town girl/sex kitten in CW's reboot; Heather Locklear/Mischa Barton next?
TV Ratings: USA spy thriller hits series high -- USA Network spy thriller "Burn Notice" is now the hottest show on cable. The skein finished its second season Thursday with two series highs: 6.1 million total viewers and 2.7 million adults 18-49.
Peter Bart: NBC's Conan manuever triggers uncertainty -- In retrospect, this was a lousy time for the networks to mess around with the world of latenight TV.
U.S. pork producers brace for HBO special on cruelty
from Reuters: Entertainment News
DALLAS (Reuters) - U.S. pork producers, already worried that high prices for their product may chase pinched shoppers to the chicken section, are facing another possible hit - an HBO special on animal cruelty in factory farming.
TV Ratings: Show enjoys most-watched season yet -- Last year's presidential election was a boon for cable news networks, but it also proved to be quite a windfall for daytime's hottest show -- "The View." Talker is enjoying easily its most-watched season to date: Its average aud of 4.2 million viewers is well ahead of last year's 3.5 million.
Kanye West booked with Clarkson on `American Idol'
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
NEW YORK (AP) -- "American Idol" is about to get a double dose of star power: Kanye West and Kelly Clarkson.
Spurned "Bachelor" Fiancee Melissa To Join
"Dancing With The Stars"
from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post
News Team
Jilted by Jason Mesnick on the season finale of The Bachelor, Melissa Rycroft
will rebound nicely -- on Dancing With the Stars, PEOPLE has learned.
Nate Corddry, Molly Parker cure 'Maladys'
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Nate Corddry and Molly Parker have been tapped to play Sarah
Michelle Gellar's siblings in the HBO comedy pilot "The Wonderful
Maladys."
The CW bets its future on young women viewers
Struggling network hopes to build identity based on teen angst.
MUSIC
Rock Hall of Fame puts focus on Springsteen
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By M.R. KROPKO
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Seeking something fresh and exciting to complement its upcoming induction ceremony, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has gotten its fondest wish - the cooperation of 1999 inductee Bruce Springsteen in launching a new exhibit solely dedicated to the Boss.
Spears visits Miami hospital during tour
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
MIAMI, March 8 (UPI) -- Pop star Britney Spears took a break from her Circus tour to visit with sick children at a Miami hospital, a hospital representative says.
U2 to begin world tour in Barcelona on June 30
from Reuters: Entertainment News
NASHVILLE (Billboard) - U2 will kick off its world tour in Barcelona on June 30, and will begin the North American leg at Chicago's Soldier Field on September 12, sources told Billboard.
New wavers Devo to perform 1978 album in London
from Reuters: Entertainment News
LONDON (Reuters) - American new wave band Devo will perform their debut 1978 album "Are We Not Men?" in full for the first time at a concert in London in May, their publicist said on Friday.
Interpol "Feel Like a New Band," Start Work on Fourth Album
from Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily by Daniel Kreps
The big news: the band is working on new songs. Interpol tell fans that after a break to get their personal lives in order, they've reconvened and gotten down to business.
Former 'Idol' Kelly Clarkson has all she ever wanted
from USATODAY.com Life - Top Stories
Kelly Clarkson can't stop saying she's sorry. Having shown up 10 minutes late for a morning interview she had trouble dozing ...
ETC...
DiCaprio heads up celebrity cycling jaunt
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
NEW YORK, March 8 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Leonardo DiCaprio and three of his celebrity friends took time to go on an "un-cool" bike ride through New York, a witness says.
'Retraining' New York Times Reporters: A Raw Deal
from The Wrap RSS by admin
The New York Times, my former mother-ship, is offering to "retrain" its
reporters and turn them into new media whiz-kids. Only one problem with that.
Nobody wants to do it.
Stars throw one 'Enchanted' event for Kennedy's birthday
from USATODAY.com Life - Top Stories
Sen. Ted Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer, was in high spirits at a star-studded birthday celebration in his honor Sunday
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