Heavyweight champ, “Iron” Mike Tyson has confirmed to 50 Cent, (who has been a hell of an instigator by the way) by phone that he will in fact be training Chris Brown for the upcoming fight again Soulja Boy which is set to be a MGM Grand in March. Sign Up For Our Newsletter! “Soulja Boy […]
Heavyweight champ, “Iron” Mike Tyson has confirmed to 50 Cent, (who has been a hell of an instigator by the way) by phone that he will in fact be training Chris Brown for the upcoming fight again Soulja Boy which is set to be a MGM Grand in March. Sign Up For Our Newsletter! “Soulja Boy […]
The 2015 Billboard Music Awards took place tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Taylor Swift led the pack with 14 award nominations and…
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are reportedly gearing up for cameo appearances in the upcoming Zoolander 2 movie, all thanks to Will Ferrell. According to…
The Real Deal former Undisputed World Champion in both the cruiser-weight and heavy-weight division, Evander Holyfield stopped by Big Tigger’s live broadcast from MGM Grand…
You can tell that MGM is super happy about its recent surprise resurrection (thanks in no small part to the global success of Skyfall and The Hobbit ), because they’re planning to celebrate by remaking one of the most successful biblical epics ever produced, the swords and sandals epic Ben-Hur . The symbolism could not be more perfect. Not only does Ben-Hur heavily feature noted coming-back-from-the-dead practitioner Jesus Christ as a supporting character, but the last theatrical adaptation, the lavish 1959 version starring Charleton Heston as Ben-Hur, netted MGM a record 11 Academy Awards in 1960 (the studio also produced a silent version in 1925 that is also awesome). MGM clearly hopes that magic will strike twice, as they well should because a story of this scope and scale won’t come cheaply. Originally an 1880 novel by former Civil War Union general Lew Wallace, Ben-Hur (originally titled: Ben-Hur: A tale of The Christ ) follows the life of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who grows up in the shadow of Roman domination of Judea. After being betrayed by his childhood best friend, the Roman patrician Messala, Ben-Hur is sold into slavery. From here, he manages to be freed after he saves the life of a Roman consul during a battle with pirates, and is adopted into the consul’s family, and distinguishes himself as an expert chariot racer, until he leaves Rome and returns to Judea to track down Messala and exact revenge for his betrayal. Throughout the novel, Jesus makes several appearances until, at the end, Ben-Hur witnesses the crucifixion and becomes an early Christian convert. So yeah, a lot happens, and it happens amid some of the most spectacular excesses in ancient Rome. To get it right, MGM has turned to a script by Keith Clarke, noted for scripting the 2010 Colin Farrell film The Way Back , as well as several documentaries. His take apparently places greater emphasis on the childhood of Ben-Hur and Messala, but it also preserves the books religious themes. And believe me, if you haven’t read the book or seen any of the filmic adaptations, it HEAVILY evangelizes for Christianity on a level that many will feel is aggressive and discomforting by today’s standards. Incidentally, I am an atheist, and thus I’m immune to all the stuff at the end in which miracles start happening. So I’m happy to report that the 1959 version of Ben-Hur is one of my favorite films of all time, a truly staggering epic featuring some of the greatest scenes ever filmed (watch the famous chariot racing scene and marvel at the fact that they couldn’t do that using special effects during the 1950s.) Best of all, Charlton Heston is the Aristotelean perfection of movie hamminess. I’d love to see a new version of Ben-Hur , and as far as I’m concerned, if they’re going to do it, they need to do it right and leave all the Jesus stuff in. Removing the religion would be like taking the Force out of Star Wars . Of course, it’s going to require a deft touch not to end up freaking a big section of the potential audience out. Here’s hoping Clarke has what it takes. [Source: Deadline .] Ross Lincoln is a LA-based freelance writer from Oklahoma with an unhealthy obsession with comics, movies, video games, ancient history, Gore Vidal, and wine. Follow Ross Lincoln on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter .
Also in this week-ending, Friday afternoon edition of Biz Break: MGM gets into the Ray Bradbury business, how Obama lost Hollywood, and more… Alec Baldwin to Rejoin Woody Allen and Russell Brand — Separately The busy actor, who will reportedly play himself in a film shooting next week at Cannes, is in line to re-team with both his To Rome, With Love director Woody Allen and his Rock of Ages co-star Russell Brand — on separate projects, alas, including Allen’s upcoming, untitled San Francisco-set film and the New Line comedy Man That Rocks The Cradle , respectively. Deadline reports . Catherine Zeta-Jones Signs on to RED 2 The Oscar-winner joins Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren and Mary-Louise Parker, all of whom appeared in the original 2010 action-comedy about a group of middle-aged contract killers reunited for a mission. Dean Parisot takes over directing duties for Robert Schwentke. THR reports . Dark Shadows Starts Soft at Midnight The poorly reviewed Tim Burton/Johnny Depp collaboration earned a very light $550,000 from midnight screenings early Friday and expects to end the weekend with a disappointing $30 million (or less) haul. Deadline reports . MGM bites the Dust The studio has picked up the rights to Ray Bradbury’s 2002 story collection From the Dust Returned , about “a mortal boy named Timothy who is adopted into a family of benevolent ghouls.” Deadline reports . Sam Claflin gets Quiet for Hammer The hot young actor, soon to be seen in Snow White and the Hunstsman , is set to join the Hammer Films production The Quiet Ones , co-starring Jared Harris. THR reports . Despite Starmegeddon , has Barack Obama lost the Hollywood left? A new report from Buzzfeed underscores the problems facing the president as he lobbies for reelection among a constituency that helped push him to victory in 2008.
This outfit is doing THEE most! Here is everyone’s favorite retired athlete, Dennis Rodman hosting a St. Patricks Day bash at TABU Utra Lounge inside the MGM Grand in Vegas rockin a sparkly top, ripped & splatter painted jeans, a purse, a scarf, some other floofy rainbow trinket type fabric, and some white Nike’s. Are you feelin his get up??? WENN More On Bossip! Underrated Cakes: The Ladies With The Backs You Might’ve Mistakenly Missed Out On! Forbidden Fruit: A List Of Celebrities Who Were Spotted Playing Freaky Kissy Face With Family Members Nicki Minaj Flossin’ Her Cakes In A Pink ‘Kini On The Beaches Of Hawaii For New Music Video Solange Knowles Keeps Her Natural Hair, Vintage, Hippy, Hella Colorful Steez Alive On The Cover Of Time Out New York Magazine
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