Movie News
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Russell Brand: 'I Was Very Happy To Be Married' To Katy Perry
road when it comes to his divorce from Katy Perry.
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UCLA Film Festival honors "Hugo" and "Walking Dead" makers
"The Walking Dead" producer Gale Anne Hurd and "Hugo" screenwriter John Logan are among those who will be honored at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Film Festival this year. Hurd and Logan will be joined by fellow honoree Julie Dash, director of "Daughters of the Dust" and "The Rosa Parks Story." Dash, a UCLA MFA '85 graduate, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award during the festival's opening night on June 8 at the James Bridges Theater. ... -
Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine reunite in "Wild Oats"
Jack Black must have really enjoyed working with Shirley MacLaine on the recent indie comedy "Bernie," because he's already planning a cinematic reunion with his brassy co-star. The "School of Rock" funnyman is in talks to join MacLaine in "Wild Oats" for director Howard Deutch ("Pretty in Pink"). The film's cast also includes Jacki Weaver, who earned an Oscar nomination for her villainous turn in "Animal Kingdom," and Academy Award winner Alan Arkin ("Little Miss Sunshine"). "Wild Oats" is billed as a cross between "Sideways" and "Thelma and Louise. ... -
Jane Lynch Talks Glee Pregnancy: 'I Would Rather Not Give Birth' On TV
is hoping she won't have to film a labor and delivery scene.
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Andy Garcia joins Anchor Bay for "Admissions"
Anchor Bay Film has partnered with Andy Garcia's CineSon productions for the upcoming romantic comedy "Admissions." Garcia and Vera Farmiga will star as two strangers who develop an extraordinary relationship in the course of a day. Farmiga portrays Edith, a mom accompanying her daughter on a college tour, while Garcia is George, joining his son on the same tour. Anchor Bay and CineSon released "City Island," which Garcia starred in and produced. ... -
Philip Seymour Hoffman to star in "A Most Wanted Man"
Philip Seymour Hoffman will star in a film adaption of John Le Carre's "A Most Wanted Man." The Oscar winner and Tony nominee will play the leader of a covert Germany spy group looking into the case of Issa, a tortured part-Chechen, part-Russian with a claim to his family's fortune. While a series of people, including a banker and a female lawyer, try to help Issa, assorted intelligence agencies begin to dig into his true identity. Hoffman is currently performing on Broadway in "Death of a Salesman. ... -
Peter Berg discusses bringing "Battleship" to film
Peter Berg parlayed successful acting work on TV shows like medical drama "Chicago Hope" to an even greater directing career of movies such as "Friday Night Lights," which later became a TV series, and the Will Smith action flick "Hancock." On Friday, Berg's latest film, alien-invasion actioner "Battleship," steams into theaters. It takes its title from the Hasbro board game in which two players engage in a guessing game to see who can sink the other's naval ships. ... -
Second Travolta accuser drops suit, hires celebrity attorney
The second masseur who accused John Travolta of sexual battery dropped his lawsuit against the Hollywood star on Thursday and hired celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, who said she may file a new complaint in a different court. Allred now represents the Atlanta-based man, known as John Doe No. 2, as well as the original Travolta sexual battery accuser, a Texas masseur known as John Doe No. 1. "We believe that the lawsuit should be filed in another court and, therefore, the lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice," Allred said in a statement. ...
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Jane Lynch to Republicans: "Money To be Made in Gay Marriage"
Jane Lynch has a message for Republicans and it's all about dollars and cents. On "The Rachel Maddow Show" Wednesday night, the "Glee" star said that the GOP should embrace gay marriage, as President Barack Obama did last week, not just because she believes it's the right thing to do, but because it offers an economic opportunity. ... -
Philip Roth's "American Pastoral" to be movie
a grouping that also includes "I Married a Communist" and "The Human Stain. ... -
SXSW hit "See Girl Run" gets North American distribution
Phase 4 Films has acquired the North American rights to "See Girl Run," the romantic drama starring Adam Scott and Robin Tunney. The film made its debut at South by Southwest and will be released in theaters and on VOD later this year. Tunney stars as a 30-something who becomes preoccupied with missed opportunities and unaccomplished dreams. She decides to revisit past relationships to try and enlighten her life. Nate Meyer wrote and directed the film. ... -
"Prometheus" writer teases possible sequels
There is a thick veil of secrecy surrounding "Prometheus," but co-writer Damon Lindelof hinted to fans this week that the upcoming science-fiction chiller may lead to sequels. The indication that more deep-space terrors could await even after the final credits roll on the film came during a studio-sponsored question-and-answer session on Twitter Wednesday. In response to a question about a possible "Prometheus" franchise, Lindelof replied, "If you like it and want more, there is TOTALLY a design for this story to continue in cool and unexpected ways. ... -
Michael Rapaport to star in "My Man Is A Loser"
Michael Rapaport will star with Bryan Callen of "The Hangover" in "My Man is a Loser." The comedy, written and directed by Mike Young, starts production this June in New York. It follows two married man who try to be better husbands by using their "playboy buddy." Of course, those attempts backfire. David Goldin and Eric Bamberger of Step One of Many Entertainment are producing with Michael Becker of Imprint Entertainment. Imprint recently acquired a biography of Pam Grier to adapt and is in post-production on "Pawn," starring Forest Whitaker and Ray Liotta. ... -
Travolta accuser hires celebrity lawyer Allred
The masseur whose $2 million sexual battery lawsuit against Hollywood actor John Travolta was dismissed earlier this week hired celebrity attorney Gloria Allred on Wednesday and could file a new claim. Allred, who numerous high-profile cases over the years have included representing women involved in the Tiger Woods sex scandal, said on Wednesday that she is now the attorney for "John Doe No. 1" and will be consulting with the masseur on his next steps in the case that has made headlines worldwide. "Mr. ...
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FilmDistrict acquires horror film "Oculus"
Do you believe in haunted mirrors? Film District will try to make you. The financing and distribution company has acquired Intrepid Pictures' horror flick "Oculus," which is based on Mike Flanagan's short film of the same name. Flanagan will direct from a script he co-wrote with Jeff Howard with production starting later this summer. Trevor Macy and Marc D. Evans will both produce and finance the project. Focus Features International is shopping its international rights at Cannes. ... -
Stealth Media Group co-producing "The Devil's Banker"
Stealth Media Group will co-produce the thriller "The Devil's Banker," the London-based company said at the Cannes Film Festival. Stealth will also structure financing, as well as package and sell the $30 million film to international buyers. "The Devil's Banker" depicts a political scandal that involves both the Mafia and the Catholic Church. These powerful institutions cause headaches for a British police Inspector investigating a murder in Rome. ... -
Joel Edgerton writing and starring in "Felony"
The Aussie up-and-comer is taking matters into his own hands by writing "Felony," a new thriller in which he will also take a starring role. Edgerton isn't a household name on this continent yet, but he's racked up some high profile roles since his acclaimed turn in last year's "Warrior." He will be seen opposite Jennifer Garner in this summer's family drama "The Odd Life of Timothy Green," and will appear with Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan in "The Great Gatsby," which hits theaters later this year. ... -
Sony Pictures Classics nabs "Love Is All You Need"
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all North American rights to Susanne Bier's "Love is All You Need" from Scandinavian sales company TrustNordisk. The latest film from the Oscar-winning Danish director stars Pierce Brosnan, far removed from his James Bond alter-ego. Set in Sorrento, Italy, "Love is All You Need" focuses on a group of people all seeking love, passion and happiness, with varying degrees of success. Bier's most recent effort, "In a Better World," was also released by Sony Pictures Classics and picked up an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language ... -
Fortissimo Films acquires Davies' "Sunset Song"
Fortissimo Films has acquired the international rights to "Sunset Song," from British filmmaker Terence Davies. Davies recently scored a critical triumph with his moody re-imagining of Terence Rattigan's play "The Deep Blue Sea." He has also received acclaim for prior films like "The House of Mirth" and "Of Time in the City." "Sunset Song" is an adaptation of the 1932 novel of the same name by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. Like "The Deep Blue Sea," it indirectly addresses World War II. ... -
"Terminator 3" star Nick Stahl reported missing
"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" star Nick Stahl has been reported missing by his wife Rose, who says she hasn't seen the former child star since May 9. Los Angeles police confirmed to TheWrap that a missing persons report was filed on Stahl. Rose Stahl filed the missing persons report on Monday, according to TMZ.com, which first reported the news about the actor. Reps for Stahl did not immediately respond to TheWrap's request for comment. ... -
John Woo directing remake of Japanese mob movie
John Woo, the Hong Kong action maestro, will bring his stylistic flare to a remake of "Day of the Beast." Woo will direct the English-language update of Seijun Suzuki's 1963 Japanese film, as well as co-produce. "Day of the Beast" centers on a turf war involving Cold War Russian gangsters and the Yakuza, the Japanese mob. Woo made a big splash in the United States in the late 1990s and early aughts, translating his balletic action sequences to mainstream Hollywood productions like "Mission: Impossible II" (2000) and "Face/Off" (1997). ... -
J.Lo topples Gaga to lead Forbes celebrity power list
Jennifer Lopez has topped the annual Forbes list of the 100 most powerful celebrities in the world, taking over from fellow pop singer Lady Gaga and beating out media mogul Oprah Winfrey. The 42-year-old singer, actress and dancer, who rose up through the entertainment world ranks from her humble birthplace of the Bronx, New York, surprisingly jumped from 50th place on last year's list that measures power by entertainment related earnings, media visibility and social media popularity. ...
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Regret but no surprise Cannes lacks women directors
The absence of female directors from the 22-strong competition in Cannes this year is a "great pity", but reflects a global problem rather than sexism specific to the world's biggest film festival, jury member Andrea Arnold said on Wednesday. The British film maker, who has won acclaim in Cannes for "Red Road" and "Fish Tank", is one of nine jurors who will decide which movie wins the coveted Palme d'Or for best picture at the end of this year's festival. ...
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Baron Cohen's Dictator storms Cannes, camel in tow
It took no less than a live camel strolling the promenade in Cannes to steal the show on the film festival's opening day, a feat that comedian Sacha Baron Cohen pulled off with chutzpah on Wednesday. The British satirist, star of "Borat" and "Bruno," used the novel public relations stunt to draw attention to the U.S. opening of his new film "The Dictator," in which he plays fictitious despot General Aladeen of the made-up North African country Wadiya. ...
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Cannes festival opens with quirky comedy and a camel
The Cannes film festival kicked off on Wednesday with quirky U.S. comedy "Moonrise Kingdom", Wes Anderson's exploration of childhood and young love centered around two 12-year-olds who fall in love and run away together. The touching tale, set in 1965 on an island off the coast of New England, was a popular opening movie in the French Riviera resort, drawing laughs and warm applause at a press screening ahead of the official evening world premiere. ...
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A Minute With: Lopez, Banks on expectations when 'Expecting'
stars of this Friday's baby comedy movie "What to Expect When You're Expecting" are two Hollywood moms who could not be more different. Lopez is a newly divorced, singer and actress with twin toddlers, Max and Emme, whose busy schedule includes being a judge on TV's "American Idol" and releasing top 40 pop singles. Banks, on the other hand, has had steady career on TV and in films such as recent blockbuster "The Hunger Games." Fourteen months ago, she and her husband Max Handelman welcomed their first child, Felix. ...
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Aaron Sorkin to pen screenplay for Steve Jobs film
Steve Jobs' life will be brought to the big screen by Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin in a movie based on Walter Isaacson's best-selling biography of the enigmatic co-founder of Apple, maker of iPods and iPads. Sony Pictures Entertainment on Tuesday unveiled plans to put Sorkin, who wrote Facebook film "The Social Network," behind the screenplay of what will be a major release for the movie studio. ...
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Public search Saturday for Fox executive Gavin Smith
The family of Gavin Smith, the 20th Century Fox executive who went missing on May 1, is enlisting the public's help in a search for the 57-year-old Smith this weekend. The search, which will take place Saturday, is being undertaken at the suggestion of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, family spokesman Howard Bragman told TheWrap. Members of Smith's family will be coming in from out of town to help the effort as well, Bragman said. Details are still being solidified but will be announced on FindGavinSmith.com, which was set up by his family. ... -
Warner Bros. passes $1 billion at international box office
Warner Bros. surpassed $1 billion at the overseas box office in less than five months, setting a new studio record and marking the 12th straight year it has hit that number. The biggest contributor was "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," which drew $257 million of its $357 million overseas haul in 2012. "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" and "Wrath of the Titans" also passed the $200 million mark this year. ... -
For women in 2011's top movies, it's quantity over quality
Thanks to "Twilight"s' Bella Swan and the women from "The Help," it looks like Hollywood's glass ceiling for actresses is starting to show some cracks. There were more females in the top 100 domestic grossing films of 2011 than there were a decade ago, according to a new report by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University. But before women in the movie business start popping the champagne, they should know that the roles that actresses get a chance to play are not of the same caliber as their male counterparts. ... -
Cohen up to satirical tricks again in "Dictator"
As the Arab Spring resulted in the deaths of thousands and the ousting of Middle Eastern leaders last year, comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, disguised by a fake beard and accent, was filming his latest movie portraying a hated North African dictator. Was it sheer Hollywood happenstance, calculated irony or comic genius? His co-stars, including Sir Ben Kingsley think the latter, and audiences can decide for themselves on Wednesday when "The Dictator," debuts in U.S. theaters. Cohen plays fictional General Aladeen, the dictator of a made-up North African country, Wadiya. ...
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CBS films nabs U.S. rights to "Ends of the Earth"
CBS Films has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the action thriller "Ends of the Earth," the studio said Tuesday. The film follows two best friends on a trip around the world that takes an unexpected supernatural detour. The film was written and directed by first-time feature filmmakers Derek Lee and Clif Prowse. Chris Ferguson and Zach Lipovsky produced the film with backing by Telefilm Canada. IM Global's Stuart Ford, Automatik's Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Alliance's Charles Layton are on board as executive producers. ... -
Pierce Brosnan's production company signs deal for thrillers
Pierce Brosnan's production company Irish Dreamtime has partnered with The Solution Entertainment Group for a multi-picture financing and distribution deal announced on Tuesday. "November Man," starring Brosnan and Dominic Cooper, will be the first film as part of the deal. Roger Donaldson will direct the action thriller, adapted from the espionage novel "There Are No Spies" by Michael Finch. ... -
Laughs keep "The Dictator"'s shaky regime afloat
"The Dictator" tells a fish-out-of-water story about a Middle Eastern despot forced to live among New York's common folk after an assassination attempt, and Sasha Baron Cohen is swimming in new shallows himself. This time out, though, the writer-performer has created a full-on narrative, rather than foisting creations like Borat and Brno onto unsuspecting civilians in a mockumentary. As it turns out, a scripted Baron Cohen isn't quite as fun to watch as one who's madly improvising in potentially dangerous situations. ...
