Tag Archives: jj abrams

Dorothy’s ‘Oz’ Dress Goes For $480K; James McAvoy Eyes WikiLeaks Pic: Biz Break

Also in Monday’s early round-up of news briefs: Cloud Atlas may have had a slow start in North America, but it is possibly proving to be a big hit overseas; The Weinstein Company is grabbing a thriller starring Chris Evans , Jamie Bell and Octavia Spencer for theaters; And Chasing Ice tops out the Specialty Box Office over the weekend. The Weinstein Company Nabs Bong Joon Ho’s Snowpiercer The thriller stars Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, John Hurt, Ed Harris, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, Ewen Bremner and Alison Pill and set in the future. After a failed experiment to stop global warming, an Ice Age kills off all life on the planet except for the inhabitants of the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe and is powered by a sacred perpetual-motion engine. A class system evolves on the train but a revolution brews. TWC picked up rights in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Around the ‘net… Dorothy’s Oz Dress Goes for $480K Judy Garland wore the blue gingham when she was whisked away by a tornado landing her in Oz with her dog Toto. The wholesome frock was mismatched with a sparkling pair of ruby-red slippers which caught the eire of that wicked old witch. The dress sold for $480,000 at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills this weekend. Also selling, Steve McQueen’s racing jacket ($50K) and a prop watch worn by John Belushi in The Blues Brothers ($15K), Deadline reports . James McAvoy Eyes WikiLeaks Pic The Last King of Scotland director wil join Benedict Cumberbatch in the untitled project about the website that released classified information online. Cumberbatch will play WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange while McAvoy is in talks to play Daniel Domscheit-Berg, the German “technology activist” who was Assange’s associate at the site for three years, The Guardian reports . Specialty B.O.: Chasing Ice Sizzles; Royal Affair , The Comedy , Starlet So-So Chasing Ice froze out the specialty competition among newcomers on Skyfall . The documentary released by sales company Submarine’s distribution label grossed $21,000 in a single theater, NYC’s Cinema Village. Magnolia’s Royal Affair averaged $5,714 in 7 locations, while Music Box’s Starlet  averaged $2,670 from 6. Kino Lorber’s Isabella Huppert-starrer In Another Country debuted in a single location with $3,500, and Tribeca Film’s The Comedy took in $6K at one cinema, Deadline reports . Cloud Atlas Poised for Int’l Comeback The drama by Lana and Andy Wachowski and German helmer Tom Tykwer grossed $9.7 million in Russia and Ukraine over the weekend, the first two territories on its international release. The two territories combined to out-perform Cloud Atlas ‘ release in North America, where the Warner Bros. title earned about $9.6 million on its opening weekend, THR reports .

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Dorothy’s ‘Oz’ Dress Goes For $480K; James McAvoy Eyes WikiLeaks Pic: Biz Break

Will J.J. Abrams Or Jon Favreau Direct ‘Star Wars: Episode VII?’

Now under the guiding force of Disney , Star Wars ‘ next director is becoming a source of intrigue. Last week one major rumored contender – Steven Spielberg – said he is a no-go and now two other front-running prospects have weighed in with their interest. The studio, which recently nabbed Star Wars creator George Lucas ‘ Lucas Films recently for $4.05 billion and tapped Arndt to lead the way on Star Wars: Episode VII , which is set for 2015. Spielberg, JJ Abrams and Brad Bird were reportedly sent extended treatments written for all three planned Star Wars installments. He is in talks to write Star Wars: Episode VII , which will go into production in time for its 2015 target release. But the initial batch of front-running possible directors seem to be whittling down on their own volition, though the talk-downs may always be more about containing expectations than actual intent. But on the surface, J.J. Abrams appears to be bowing out, while another contender, Jon Favreau , is being less resigned to the prospect of taking on the reboot. “I frankly feel that – I almost feel that, in a weird way, the opportunity for whomever it is to direct that movie, it comes with the burden of being that kind of iconic movie and series…,” said Abrams to HollywoodLife. “I am looking forward more then anyone to the next iterations of Star Wars, but I believe I will be going as a paying moviegoer!” Favreau, however, walked the fence, noting that he’s worked on the Skywalker Ranch with Lucas on Clone Wars and Iron Man to great success, adding to HollywoodLife: “I am just giddy, first and foremost as a fan, to see what happens with it. I think there is a lot of question marks of how they are going to do it, and who they are going to do it with, and what the story is going to be about; but to say that I am not excited about it is definitely an understatement. We’ll see.” Spielberg said last week that Star Wars isn’t his thing, telling Access Hollywood at the L.A. premiere of Lincoln , “No, no! It’s not my genre. It’s my best friend George’s genre.” Arndt actually was brought into the mix by Lucasfilm before Disney took over. Part of the sale included the “pretty extensive and detailed treatment for what would be the next three movies – the trilogy,” noted Disney’s Jay Rasulo, according to Deadline. Speculation has mounted that the franchise’s original stars, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher will reprise their roles as Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. In addition to his Oscar-winning screenplay for Little Miss Sunshine and nomination for Toy Story 3 , Arndt has written the screenplays for the upcoming Hunger Games: Catching Fire and a Pixar project dubbed “Untitled Pixar Movie That Takes You Inside the Mind” for director Pete Docter. [ Who do you think would be a great ‘Star Wars’ director? ] [ Source: HollywoodLife ]

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Will J.J. Abrams Or Jon Favreau Direct ‘Star Wars: Episode VII?’

30-Year-Old E.T. Will Return Home (To Theaters) For One Night In October

In honor of its 30th anniversary (and to promote the upcoming Blu-ray release, ka-ching!), Steven Spielberg’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial will return to theaters in October for a one-night only special engagement in October, via Fathom Events. As a bonus, the digitally-remastered film will be accompanied by making-of materials and a remembrance by Drew Barrymore — Gertie! — and, probably, buckets full of Reese’s Pieces. From Universal Pictures: “TCM Presents ‘E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial’ 30th Anniversary Event” will take place Wednesday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m. local time, with special matinee screenings in select theaters at 2:00 p.m. local time. Presented by NCM® Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and Universal Pictures as part of the studio’s 100th Anniversary celebration, the event features the all-new, digitally remastered feature film, as well as a special taped introduction by TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, who will take audiences through the making of this modern classic. Fans will discover how Spielberg came up with the idea for “E.T.” and learn what working on the film was like for the film’s three young stars. As an added treat, Drew Barrymore, who plays Gertie in the film and who currently co-hosts TCM’s “The Essentials” showcase, shares what the film means to her 30 years later.” I’m not a huge fan of these simultaneous digital projection events, but it could be a very special big screen first-viewing for parents with tots of their own. I mean, it’s E.T. ! Tickets and more info here .

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30-Year-Old E.T. Will Return Home (To Theaters) For One Night In October

Star Trek 2 Gets A Title: Where Does It Rank In The Franchise?

What’s in a name? J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot sequel finally has one (per Deadline ) and despite my deepest, nerdiest hopes that early reports were on some crazy tip it’s been confirmed so I guess we’re stuck with it. I hope you’re ready for — drumroll please… Star Trek Into Darkness . Star Trek into what now !? I’m sure it was tough to come up with a naming convention that deviated from the original Trek movies’ Roman numeral + subtitle formula, or the TNG -era Trek s’ annoying penchant for terribly vague one-word descriptors (“Nemesis”? “Generations”?). At least those made more sense once you saw the movie. But Star Trek Into Darkness ? For starters, it sounds like Step Into Liquid and Step Up 2 The Streets , which makes me think Chris Pine and Co. are headed for a dance-off with outer space surfers to the music of a British glam rock band. On top of that, dropping the colon forces us to comprehend “Trek” as both a noun and a verb, which makes my brain hurt. Who wants to go Star Trekkin’ with J.J. Abrams? [*Commenter Elijah Sarkesian is right: Maybe someone just forgot the colon. If that’s the case then I forgive Abrams and will move Star Trek: Into Darkness into #10 right under Star Trek: Insurrection , because “insurrection” is at least an interesting vocabulary word.] Maybe I’m being too harsh on poor Star Trek 2 . Looking back on the Trek films, they weren’t all winners. Here’s how I’d rank the 12 franchise titles, from awesome ( KHAAAAAAAN! ) to turrible. 1. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan 2. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock 3. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home 4. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier 5. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country 6. Star Trek: The Motion Picture 7. Star Trek: First Contact 8. Star Trek 9. Star Trek: Insurrection 10. Star Trek: Nemesis 11. Star Trek: Generations 12. Star Trek Into Darkness Yep. Still not working. Sound off below. Together we can get through this, guys. Star Trek 2 is in theaters May 17, 2013. [ TrekMovie.com , Deadline ]

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Star Trek 2 Gets A Title: Where Does It Rank In The Franchise?

Celebrities remember 9/11

http://www.youtube.com/v/5RxAB249RUw?f=user_uploads&app=youtube_gdata

Hollywood Stars remember 9/11. JJ Abrams, Joey McIntyre, Sarah Chalke, and Quinton Aaron share their memories of 9/11/2001.

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Celebrities remember 9/11

Scott Speedman on Good Neighbors, Hollywood’s Unfortunate Vampire Trend, and Fake Tanning

Of all the characters who share the same Montreal apartment building in Jacob Tierney’s dark crime comedy Good Neighbors , Scott Speedman plays the absolute worst. His Spencer is an acrimonious widower/invalid who toys with his neighbors (played by Emily Hampshire and Jay Baruchel) for sport while hiding a twisted nocturnal alter ego as a serial killer terrorizes the nearby area. If you need evidence that Speedman — still best known for his work on Felicity and the Underworld series — has graduated from playing the sensitive, brooding, NYU student type, you’ll certainly find it here.

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Scott Speedman on Good Neighbors, Hollywood’s Unfortunate Vampire Trend, and Fake Tanning

Weekend Receipts: Super 8, Super Debut

Surprise! (?) After all that speculation and hand-wringing over Super 8 ‘s prospects, the underexposed tribute to summer glories past emerged as something of a summer glory itself. Meanwhile the cluster of blockbuster veterans around it held on in the top five, and at least one wipeout was had by a young lady named Judy Moody. Your Weekend Receipts are here.

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Weekend Receipts: Super 8, Super Debut

New Super 8 Stills: The Kids Are Alright

June 8th creeps ever closer and with it comes Super 8 , one of the most anticipated movie of the summer (at least one of my most anticipated). To help whet our 80s-born appetites, Paramount has released two new stills showing the kids of Super 8 both pre and post alien encounters. Can you caption the look of wonderment on their faces, or, failing that, pick out which one will be doing a quarter up in the clink in 10 years ?

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New Super 8 Stills: The Kids Are Alright

J.J. Abrams and Author Doug Dorst to Collaborate on Novel

J.J. Abrams can be cagey about his new projects (unless he’s discussing his longtime dream of writing a theatrical tribute to Edith Head ), but this new one is intriguing: The Super 8 writer/director will work with author Doug Dorst on a novel. Dorst wrote the supernatural crime novel Alive in Necropolis , and he happens to be a three-time Jeopardy! champion. I guess Alex Trebek’s blessing can help introduce you to some amazing people . [ NYT /ArtsBeat ]

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J.J. Abrams and Author Doug Dorst to Collaborate on Novel

The Inception Exception: Super 8 is This Year’s Blockbuster Best Picture Nominee, Right?

The response to this morning’s Super 8 trailer debut has been sweeping and overwhelmingly positive. One look, and you can see why: Standard-issue marketing voodoo aside, J.J. Abrams’s latest portends a rare harmony of sweetness and ambition, homage and envelope-pusher, sincerity and mastery. Believe the hype or not, at least one thing seems clear: At least one Best Picture nomination next year is spoken for, right?

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The Inception Exception: Super 8 is This Year’s Blockbuster Best Picture Nominee, Right?