Filed under: Action, Casting, MGM, James Bond, Remakes and Sequels, Daniel Craig

Well I guess MGM president Harry Sloan and Daniel Craig have a lot to talk about. MI6 is reporting that Craig has denied earlier reports that he committed to doing four more Bond films before his time as the super-spy was up. Sloan had told The Hollywood Reporter that the Bond franchise was one of MGM’s most profitable franchises and that was why they “signed Daniel Craig to do four more James Bond films”.

Well, that was in in October, and during a round table press event for The Golden Compass, Craig cleared up a few misconceptions regarding his involvement in the classic franchise. He says, “Well, that’s what’s been said, it’s not that it’s not true, because I haven’t signed up. What I’ve done is I’ve signed up on the next movie [Bond 22], after that we’ll see. That’s the way I’m doing it, and certainly it’s not four more - that’s the truth. It’s certainly not four more”. Craig has been relatively chatty lately about the film. It was only a couple of days ago that he finally put fans minds at ease and admitted he had just been yanking our chains a little with that whole “comedy Bond” routine.

Well, I’m sure I’m not the only one who is more than a little relieved that Craig will not be mugging for the cameras this time around, but I am a tad disappointed that he might not return for more films. Especially since I thought Craig was one of the best Bonds in the bunch (how’s that for an alliteration?). Bond 22 (and just as a side note: am I the only one who hopes this film gets a proper title soon? Bond 22 is just not doing it for me) is set for release on November 7th, 2008. So let the wild speculation begin — who do you think would make a good Bond if Craig decides not to return?

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Filed under: Drama, Sports, Casting, Celebrities and Controversy, Scripts, Home Entertainment, HBO Films

Variety reports that HBO Films will bring the Barry Bonds story to their network. San Francisco Giant Bonds recently broke baseball’s all-time home run record, “allegedly” lied to a jury under oath concerning his use of performance-enhancing drugs, and was indicted on federal charges. Say it ain’t so, Barry! HBO has purchased the rights to Game of Shadows: Barry Bonds, BALCO and the Steroids Scandal That Rocked Professional Sports, which is said to paint Bonds as “a gifted player who made a Faustian bargain to increase his power.” Ron Shelton will adapt the book with John Norville (co-writer of Shelton’s Tin Cup) after the WGA Strike. Shelton is also set to direct.

Ron Shelton is a terrific writer/director of sports movies when he’s on, but he doesn’t have the greatest batting average. Bull Durham, White Men Can’t Jump, and Tin Cup are classics of baseball, basketball, and golf film, respectively. But Cobb? Play it to the Bone? The dreadful Hollywood Homicide (not a sports film I realize, but so bad I had to mention it)? Hopefully the Bonds film will be one of his “hits.” I always find it interesting when movies are made about figures who are not only still alive, but still going strong. It just seems like it’d be…awkward for all involved. Who do you think should play Barry Bonds? Shelton regular Kevin Costner? I kid, I kid. Do you think they should get a newcomer or go for a star? And which star?

Continue reading Barry Bonds Gets an Indictment and His Own HBO Film

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Filed under: Comedy, Casting, Deals, RumorMonger, Fandom, DIY/Filmmaking, Remakes and Sequels

For those of you who are already sick to death of all the big-screen TV adaptations, you’re not gonna like this latest news. According to an interview over at MoviePictureFilm.com with Shawn Wayans, the guys who brought you Scary Movie, White Chicks and Little Man are gearing up to bring The Munsters back to life up on the big screen. Yup, The Munsters. Ya know, the 1960s television show that starred the late Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster, the father of a family of friendly monsters. Al Lewis played Grandpa? Butch Patrick was young Eddie? Remember? Wayans says, “We’re contemporizing it … something I want to clear up is that we’re not going to be in it. We’re just writing and producing it. We’re going to get some white people and paint them green.” Might I start off by suggesting you cast the winners of Cinematical’s Halloween costume contest. Different characters, but they certainly have the whole green thing down.

So will the boys go raunchy with their new, updated Munsters look? Wayans says the flick will be PG-13, partly because their R-rated movies weren’t making a lot of money; they claim audiences were seeing them, but kids were buying tickets for other movies and sneaking into theirs. Hence, they’d like to lower the rating to allow more people to gain access. And when The Munsters crashes and burns (and it should), they’ll probably blame the theater employees for giving away the wrong tickets. And then they’ll blame us for “accidentally” going to see the wrong movie. But Wayans, who wanted to make it clear that his family was not at all involved with Scary Movie 3, 4 or the upcoming part crap 5, did get one thing right: That once they left the Scary Movie franchise, things went downhill.

When asked about the spoof sequels, Wayans replied, “Yeah, they sucked. Scary Movie 2 was better than both of them and it wasn’t our best one, we know that, we were rushed to do that movie…the studio that was doing them (pauses) … [interviewer asks, “The Weinsteins?”] … “Yeah (sighs) that’s all I have to say. Don’t worry though, we got some more R rated movies coming.” In the meantime, Moviehole (who turned us on to this story) claims Sophie Monk has joined Scary Movie 5, and she’ll be playing Anna Faris’ evil twin sister. Additionally, Hulk Hogan is rumored to be up for a part as well. Oh boy — The Munsters and Scary Movie 5! If sh*t could talk, I think it would say: “Get ready for one helluva 2008 people!”

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Filed under: Comedy, Casting, Disney, Scripts, Family Films

Variety is reporting that Keri Russell will follow in the footsteps of such beautiful actresses as Drew Barrymore, Winona Ryder, and Jessica Biel. In Disney’s Bedtime Stories, Russell will romance Adam Sandler. She’ll play “a potential love interest for Sandler’s character, a harried real estate developer whose life is suddenly turned upside down when the lavish bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew become real.” Adam Shankman, a director who totally underwhelmed me until Hairspray, will direct. Matt Lopez (the upcoming Witch Mountain) wrote the script.

It might not be the most challenging role Russell could tackle — women in Sandler comedies historically don’t have much to do other than laugh at the star. But I’ll be thrilled if appearing in the film bumps Russell into the stardom that has bafflingly eluded her all these years. I was a big Felicity fan, I’ve enjoyed her in pretty much everything else, and she was just wonderful in this year’s Waitress, now on DVD. Her lovely performance in Adrienne Shelly’s romantic comedy just might snag her an Academy Award nomination. And here’s hoping this gets Sandler comedy back on track. I’m not expecting another Happy Gilmore, but I can’t sit through another Click. Get ready for your Bedtime Stories next year at Christmas.

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Filed under: Other Drama Shows, Other Sci-Fi/Supernatural Shows, Celebrities

Jennifer Love Hewitt, the crush of many a young man the past decade or more, is getting hitched. UsMagazine.com tells us her lucky beau is Scottish actor Ross McCall, 32, and that they are currently vacationing in Hawaii. Look for reports of them getting hit by a drunk driving Lost actor anytime now. Hewitt rocketed to fame on FOX’s Party of Five where her voluptuous beauty and aura of innocence made her a television pinup sensation.

She is currently starring in CBS’ Ghost Whisperer, which has turned into quite a hit for the network on Friday nights. Especially after they discovered one of the great mathematical certainties in life. Lower Love necklines equals higher ratings among young men. Now the fact that it took them more than a season to figure this out means they haven’t been watching her career very well. As the interwebs have known for years, young men Love low necklines.

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Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Project Runway, Episode Reviews

(S04E03) I know we’re only three episodes in and I know I’ve brought this up in all my other Project Runway reviews for this cycle, but… I am so disappointed. I mean, I am actually bored at this point. Don’t get me wrong, the producers have picked people to fit all the reality show character roles. We’ve got the over-confident newcomer, the crazy person, the older woman who acts like she’s a lot younger than she really is, and so on and so on. Somewhere along the line, they forgot to look for the superstars. Everything is covered in a sickly shade of mediocre, and I can’t help but yawn while looking at it.

I hope they have some better things in store for us. None of the designers truly excite me and I don’t have a particular person I’m looking forward to seeing every week. Even the special guest judges (two in three episodes? Really?) haven’t been able to save the blandness. Spice it up, designers, or — or — I’ll turn off the TV and read… or something. Don’t make me do it, Bravo. It’s a lose-lose.

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Continue reading Project Runway: Fashion Giant

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Filed under: OpEd, The Simpsons, Animation, Celebrities, Futurama

Not enough credit is given to the voice actors and actresses who gave audio life to our favorite cartoon characters. Fortunately, blogs like mental floss are trying to pick up the slack.

A lot of the work of Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, is mentioned, but I bet none of her other gigs pay as well as Bart. I’m actually a bit of a fan of Billy West and love his work on Futurama.

While I find the list impressive, I do note some glaring omissions. Where is Mel Blanc, the man who gave the most immortal rendition of Bugs Bunny (although he didn’t even originate the character)?

Continue reading Mental Floss lists nine legendary cartoon voices

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Filed under: Late Night, TV Royalty, Programming, Celebrities, Talk Show

Here’s who’s sitting down on the couch on the late night shows tonight.

• Charlie Rose: Jann Wenner, and a discussion about Rudolf Nureyev
• The Daily Show: Claire Danes (repeat)
• The Colbert Report: Salman Rushdie and Jane Fonda (repeat)
• The Late Show with David Letterman: Bruce Willis and Jason Randal (repeat)
• Jay Leno: Matt Damon, Selma Blair, and Third Eye Blind (repeat)
• Jimmy Kimmel Live: TBA (repeat)
• Tavis Smiley: Seal
• Late Night with Conan O’Brien: Seth Myers, Bret Michaels, and Jose Gonzalez (repeat)
• The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson: Chris Isaak and Cory Kahaney (repeat)
• Last Call with Carson Daly: Bill Bellamy and Hellogoodbye (repeat)

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Filed under: Casting, Celebrities and Controversy, Home Entertainment

My, how actors can fall. It might have been painful to watch Jeff Conaway — aka Kenickie in Grease — sing a little bit of Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now in Jawbreaker, but now we’ll get to see him try to get clean on reality television. While he doesn’t get the gossip numbers of someone like La Lohan, he’s had his own share of turmoil. After he got kicked from his last reality show to enter rehab back in 2005, things must have gotten rough once again, because he’s going to be one of the stars of VH1’s latest reality trip — Celebrity Rehab.

This latest foray into celeb mockery stars Dr. Drew as the man who will set the stars straight — including actors Conaway, Brigitte Nielsen, and Daniel Baldwin, according to A Socialite’s Life, plus Tom Sizemore and Andy Dick, according to IMDb. I don’t know what’s their “reality,” and whether any are recreations, but in that link above you can see some snorting and toilet kissing screencaps from ET. Lovely, eh? Is there any barrier that won’t be crossed by reality television? My guess is that we’ll soon get movies-behind-the-scenes, where films get made with people who are feuding, who have short tempers, drug addictions, or have a tendency to hop into bed with their co-stars. After that, maybe Celebrity Dick — a skilled private eye digs up dirt on your favorite celebrities?

But it does put things into perspective. There’s actors who get mocked for personal tidbits that get leaked to the press, and then there’s those who choose to deal with them for the enjoyment of the public. Poor Kenickie. Maybe he can get a job with Michelle Pfieffer in Grease 3?

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Filed under: Comedy, Casting

Those rough mornings when the sleep is still in Zac Efron’s eyes, when he has to get up early, wash up, and then spend the day at work singing and dancing — do you think that he imagines himself growing up into Matthew Perry? Not to knock Mr. Perry. He had his own share of teen work. He was the teen paramour in an episode of Just the Ten of Us, and he took a Monkeys daughter to the prom in She’s Out of Control. But he was never a teen heartthrob, wallpapering the bedroom walls of young girls all over the country. Nevertheless, The Hollywood Reporter has posted that he’ll play the adult Zac Efron in the upcoming Big-like comedy, 17.

As you might remember from our previous coverage of the film, the whole thing focuses on a middle-aged guy (Perry) who wakes up one day and discovers that he’s 17 again. Not 17 in mind, but 17 in body — Zac Efron’s body, to be exact. As THR describes: “In order to be close to his children, he enrolls in the same school as them.” You can imagine how that’ll work. I wonder if he’ll then go to a dance and start busting out the dance moves of the ’80s. That could be sweet. What I don’t get is how he knows exactly what age he is. If that happened to me, I wouldn’t know if I was 16, 17, or 18. Can you spot your 17-year-old face from the years that surround it? Maybe going back in physical time also allows one to inherently know how old they are. However it works, production begins next month, so we’ll have more Efron in no time.

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