Country superstar is linked to the role in the film adaptation of Sheila Weller’s book ‘Girls Like Us.’ By Fallon Prinzivalli Taylor Swift Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic It turns out voicing Audrey in “The Lorax” and playing a shallow, high school cheerleader in “Valentine’s Day” were just the opening roles in Taylor Swift ‘s budding acting career. The Grammy-winning artist is linked to the role of Joni Mitchell in the film adaptation of Sheila Weller’s book “Girls Like Us,” Variety reports. The biography maps the lives of three of the most influential female musicians in America: Carole King, Carly Simon and Joni Mitchell. In an attempt to capture the life of women in the 1970s, Weller tells these artists’ three unique stories. King is the daughter of a middle-class New York family, living in one of the city’s outer boroughs. Simon is the product of Manhattan’s intellectual elite. Mitchell’s grandparents were Canadian farmers. When MTV News spoke to Swift in March, she told us acting has always “fascinated” her. The role of Mitchell sounds like a part she would want to take on. “I love the idea that you can tell a story in that way,” the singer gushed. “I’ve been reading scripts for about five years. In my free time, that’s all I do is read scripts.” But she isn’t in a rush to choose just any role. “I just want to make decisions really carefully. I think, with movies, it’s really important that you have to love something so much that you cannot think about anything else,” she continued. “If you’re going to become someone else, that’s a huge deal. That’s a huge commitment, and I would want to have the time and the ability and the love for something and the love for a character to where I could really make that commitment to it.” Swift would certainly have some of the background knowledge it takes to play Mitchell, being a musician herself. While Sony Pictures has not made Swift an official offer, other actresses have already auditioned — including Alison Pill (“Midnight in Paris”) — for the role of King. Variety also reported that Katie Jacobs, executive producer of “House,” is directing the script penned by John Sayles, and Lorenzo di Bonaventura is set to produce. The biopic is still waiting to be green-lit, but the tentative start of production is later this year. For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Artists Taylor Swift
Munn especially loved co-star Matt Bomer’s bum: ‘I just want to make wishes on it, it’s so beautiful.’ By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino Olivia Munn Photo: MTV News There’s so much man meat in the “Magic Mike” trailer that it’s easy to forget that there are actual ladies in the June film. Sure, “Mike” stars Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer and Joe Manganiello — we know, you need a second to catch your breath — but the Steven Soderbergh-directed flick also boasts some talented ladies, including Olivia Munn. When MTV News caught up with the actress — who was being honored by Us Weekly as a “sexy tomboy” at the mag’s Hot Hollywood event — she opened up about being around all those guys and loving each and every minute of it. “I think on set, with all these guys, I’m not a sexy tomboy; I’m not a tomboy; I’m not anything,” she said. “I’m just a voyeur, watching them.” She then recalled hitting the set long before her call time just to gawk at the studs. “I’m on set when I’m not even working for, like, four hours, but I heard they’re dancing and they’re going to be naked, so I’m gonna be here early watching. So that’s what I am on set: more the voyeur watching.” As for all the smooth moves, she shared that the film’s star — Magic Mike himself, Channing Tatum — might be the smoothest. “He’s truly, truly talented, and he’s so fun to watch, and it’s so sexy as well,” she said. “And then the person I was really impressed with was Matt Bomer, ’cause I didn’t know he could dance. He’s got this juicy butt. Like, I just want to make wishes on it, it’s so beautiful.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Magic Mike.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com .
‘Phil Collins,’ ‘Lucky One’ star deadpans to MTV News. By Kara Warner Zac Efron Photo: MTV News In a discussion of the finer aspects of the recently released romantic drama “The Lucky One” with stars Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling, one of the most entertaining subjects to come up revolved around prolific romance author Nicholas Sparks, author of the novel upon which the film is based . Specifically, we wondered whether Efron and Schilling had ever experienced any Sparks-like fantasy romance scenarios in real life. “I’m sure I’ve said some of those lines,” Efron admitted to MTV News. “They’re probably worse — not as good as the ones [Sparks has] written, but they were excellent in the moment.” “I’m sure they were great,” Schilling offered. “I’m sure they worked in the moment.” “I feel like they were good,” Efron said with a smile. “It’s about the right moment,” Schilling added, referring to the fact that there’s a perfect time and place for romantic gestures. “There have been a few sweeping gestures [in my life] but what means the most to me are the little things from the heart. There have been a few notes and well-timed flowers that mean more than anything else.” “Every once in a while when you look into each other’s eyes and that music starts playing, I love that,” Efron joked, which prompted us to ask a follow-up question about which song you should play when trying to set the mood. “That’s a good question. What would be your song that you would play?” Schilling asked Efron. “I have no answer.” “Phil Collins,” Efron deadpanned, which sent his co-star into a fit of giggles. “That’s great!” she said, laughing. “That’s a good blanket artist. It’s a great answer.” “I think so,” Efron said. We can just picture it now, Efron and a very lucky lady about to lock lips with Collins’ classics “In the Air Tonight” or “Against All Odds” playing in the background. Check out everything we’ve got on “The Lucky One.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘The Lucky One’
‘I had 11 million followers and I hope they will wait for me,’ Minaj says, hinting at a return to the site. By Nadeska Alexis Nicki Minaj in her video for “Beez In The Trap” Photo: UMG As of Friday afternoon (April 20), Nicki Minaj has been absent from Twitter for five days, keeping the Barbz on a sharp lookout for her return. Minaj temporarily deleted the account in a fit of frustration on Sunday, but during her current press run in the U.K., she admits that she’s still pondering if or when she will get back on the social media site. In an interview with Graham Norton, Nicki explained that one of the many personalities in her head — we’re assuming it wasn’t Roman this time — told her to quit Twitter. “A voice in my head told me to delete my Twitter and that’s what I did,” she said, adding, “I had 11 million followers and I hope they will wait for me.” Norton specifically asked when she planned to get back on her timeline, but she wouldn’t confirm anything, telling him, “I don’t know yet, I’m thinking about it. I miss my Barbz, please bear with me.” Nicki disappeared from Twitter over the weekend after getting into a spat with one of her fan sites, NickiDaily , which she took issue with for posting leaked music from her Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded album. “Like seriously, it’s but so much a person can take. Good f—ing bye,” she wrote before signing off indefinitely. The leak was Nicki’s breaking point, but it’s very possible that she was also getting fed up with some of the feedback she’s been receiving since she dropped Roman Reloaded. For now, Barbz shouldn’t be too worried about Nicki being permanently absent from Twitter. She will be able to reactivate her account even after several weeks of inactivity, and thanks to her verified status, no one will be allowed to inherit her @NickiMinaj handle without the permission of Twitter employees. Do you think Nicki should reactivate her Twitter account? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos The Evolution Of Nicki Minaj Related Artists Nicki Minaj
Fan-directed video stars grade schooler rapping lyrics to West song. By Gil Kaufman A scene from Ashley Smith’s “Way Too Cold” video Photo: Ashley Smith Films Sometimes there’s no reason to wait for the real thing. We have no idea if Kanye West is planning on shooting an official video for his Kim-Kardashian-crush note “Way Too Cold” (originally titled “Theraflu”) . In the meantime, director Ashley Smith has jumped into the breach, posting an unofficial clip for the song on her Vimeo page on Thursday that, well, just kills it. The can’t-look-away video stars a ridiculously cute half-pint reportedly named Caleb as Kanye and the kid is a star. As he struts the streets with his leggy blonde companion (holding her hand at first, awwww), mini ‘Ye rips the song’s lyrics, yes, even the four-and five-letter ones in a video that is the viral opposite of one of West’s typically high-concept, arty pieces. His swagger is unmistakable as he moves through Manhattan past some of Yeezy’s favorite luxury New York outlets while his companion shakes it for him. All the while, Caleb keeps it cool behind some shades and a mini leather jacket, aping the lyrics by throwing up the Roc to prove his allegiance. And, then, for reasons known only to Smith, actors wearing Donald Trump, Condoleezza Rice, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and Sarah Palin masks pop up, posing menacingly on the street, that is when they’re not grinding on each other. How ridiculous is the kid? At one point he pulls off a flawless split, his hand triumphantly up in the air before breaking into a coughing fit as Theraflu pours out into a measuring cup. The good news is that Smith might have plenty more material to choose from, since DJ Khaled recently told MTV News that he and Kanye have plenty more tracks cooking . “Me and Kanye West went back in the lab and we made another record and got some features on there too,” Khaled said, without revealing too much about the next tune. “I can’t really talk about it, so expect another monstrous earthquake to hit the streets.” Related Artists Kanye West
‘I was never going to shoot this video if I couldn’t do choreography,’ Rihanna says in behind-the-scenes video montage. By James Dinh Rihanna Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/DCP Rihanna has never been known as a dancer, but she’s ready to step her game up for her upcoming “Where Have You Been” video. In an almost three-minute-long behind-the-scenes montage clip that surfaced on Thursday, the megastar takes her Navy to the dance studio, where she’s seen practicing a routine for the upcoming clip alongside a crew of dancers. Rocking some appropriate rehearsal attire and simple sneaks, Ri turns to the camera at one point to admit that a dance routine was necessary for the hard dance track’s video, saying, “I was never going to shoot this video if I couldn’t do choreography, ’cause it would be pretty pointless. It would be disappointing.” As with the foot skills she performed in clips like “Rude Boy” and old-school joint “If It’s Lovin’ That You Want,” choreographer Hi-Hat helped keep Rihanna’s moves in line with the singer’s comfort and style, while still showing off the most choreography we’ve ever seen her do. As one of the world’s biggest pop stars, the recent Billboard Music Awards nominee also revealed that devoting time to performance skills for videos is rare. “My schedule has always been so busy, it never really allowed for us to spend time rehearsing and making up dance moves,” she said. Just last week, Rihanna took to her Facebook to tease a dazzling black-and-white shot from the clip, where she’s seen exposing her midriff and kneeling before forest-like scenery. No word on when the video will be released, but with a recently announced musical guest gig on “Saturday Night Live,” “Where Have You Been” is likely to be one of the singer’s performance sets on the May 5 show. This will mark her third appearance on the late-night sketch comedy show, which will be hosted by New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. What do you think of Rihanna’s fancy footwork? Sound off below. Related Photos Rihanna’s Vacation In Hawaii Related Artists Rihanna
New York dancer gives MTV News his professional opinion on how authentic the ‘Magic Mike’ trailer is. By Jocelyn Vena Channing Tatum in “Magic Mike” Photo: Warner Bros Bachelorette parties, beefy dudes and dollar bills — oh my! It must mean that the “Magic Mike” trailer dropped. And, yes, the trailer is filled with lots of Channing Tatum goodness — read goodness as: he’s shirtless, a lot — as well as cameos from fellow hunks Matthew McConaughey and Alex Pettyfer. The trailer follows the story of Tatum’s character, Magic Mike, as he tries to balance his life as a stripper with a budding romance and his dreams of designing furniture. It seems that the Steven Soderbergh-directed flick, which opens in June, will have lots of heart and lots of laughs. Now, after watching the trailer several (hundred) times, MTV News decided to track down a real-life male stripper to rate just how authentic it really is. Here’s what we learned. The bachelorette party “The bachelorette party, the whole thing is totally legit,” New York-based dancer Steve Stanulis, who goes by the stage name Steve Savage, told MTV News about the trailer’s opening scene. “I mean, with the guys coming in as cops and the girls, like, getting all nervous. So, that’s pretty authentic. It looks pretty good.” The money “The whole thing with the singles? The funny thing is when I used to go to the bank, they’d be like ‘Oh, my god. Why do you have $500 in singles?’ ” Savage, who runs Savage Men and helped create “Stripped, The Play,” recalled of hitting the bank after a night of dancing like Magic Mike. “And that would be like the ongoing joke.” The dancing “Also, the show looks pretty good, the guys dancing and the whole shtick with each guy coming out with a different routine,” he said of several teased strip-club scenes that feature McConaughey and Tatum getting their shirtless grooves on. “They’re a little overly elaborate, with all the smoke and spinning, but again that’s not something you would really see. I mean we’re not going to see Fosse. I mean, they did a great job. All the guys look great as well. They’re totally believable as dancers.” The relationships “The whole rigmarole, as far as being in a relationship and being a stripper, 95 percent of the comments of the girlfriends or the significant others give are like, ‘When are you gonna give this up? When are you gonna get a real job?’ Or what have you,” he said of Tatum’s relationship with on-screen love, played by Cody Horn. “So, they really captured that as well, which is really funny.” The ambition “I also like the fact that he’s talking about being an entrepreneur because all these guys, well most of these guys, are not just strippers, they’re doing other things,” he explained of Tatum’s dream to make furniture for a living. The bottom line So, will Savage see the flick? “I would definitely go see it,” he said. “I would def recommend it. It looks good.” Are you excited to see “Magic Mike”? Let us know in the comments!
Lil Wayne and LMFAO are also double-digit contenders for the May 20th show. By Gil Kaufman Adele Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Following her Grammy triumph in February, May 20 could be another big night for Adele , as the British siren is a finalist in 18 award categories at the Billboard Music Awards. According to Billboard , Adele is leading in categories including Top Artist, Top Female Artist and Top Billboard 200 Artist. Her breakthrough hit, “Rolling in the Deep,” is a contender in seven different categories. Adele has plenty of female companionship, as and Lady Gaga are also finalists in a number of categories, with 13 for Rih Rih and 10 for Lady Gaga. Lil Wayne is also up for 10 categories, while party rockers LMFAO are finalists in 17. The awards are based on Billboard’s chart rankings, and combine data from album sales and downloads, track downloads, radio airplay and touring in addition to streaming and social interactions with fans on Facebook, Twitter, Vevo, YouTube, Spotify and other popular online music services. The show will take place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand and be broadcast live on ABC on May 20. Among the leading categories: Top Artist : Adele, Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Katy Perry, Rihanna. Top New Artist : Bad Meets Evil, Big Sean, Foster the People, Scotty McCreery and Wiz Khalifa. Top Male Artist : Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Drake, Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars. Top Female Artist : Adele, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Rihanna. Top Duo/Group : Black Eyed Peas, Coldplay, Lady Antebellum, LMFAO and Maroon 5. Top Billboard 200 Album : Adele 21 , Michael Buble Christmas , Drake Take Care , Lady Gaga Born This Way and Lil Wayne Tha Carter IV . Top Pop Album : Adele 19 , Adele 21 , Michael Buble Christmas , Lady Gaga Born This Way and Justin Bieber Under the Mistletoe . Top R&B Album : Beyonc
Director Len Wiseman tells MTV News about Kate Beckinsale going bad and Bryan Cranston’s complex villain. By Kara Warner Colin Farrell in “Total Recall” Photo: Sony Pictures We still have a while to wait for the August 3 release of the new “Total Recall,” but now that we’ve seen and obsessed over the official full-length trailer , we have a better idea of what to expect from Len Wiseman’s re-telling of the classic Philip K. Dick story, as well as how it compares to the 1990 cult favorite starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and directed by Paul Verhoeven. In addition to providing MTV News with his expert commentary about the well-received trailer , Wiseman also gave us some in-depth insight into how he’s handled the precedents and expectations set by Verhoeven’s film, how closely the 2012 film sticks to Dick’s original story, as well as what fans can appreciate and expect from stars Colin Farrell and a villainous Kate Beckinsale . MTV : How much fun has incorporating all the new technology been? Wiseman : It’s great. And, I will be honest: It’s a blessing and a curse for me, because I’m so of a school of practical effects and practical stunts. And when you develop a movie like this, which is an entire world you’re creating, you can only build so much, and then you go into your effects world. And actually, there’s a lot of practical elements in here that people assume are CG, because CG is used so often. In the trailer, we did this really complicated shot of Colin doing a fight sequence shootout. The camera is spinning around, it’s 100 percent practical. And it’s funny when I really kicked the “how much time and how expensive” nightmare kind of math in to figure that all out and everything to put in, and what surprised me is a lot of people think that is CG. I think because you maybe don’t immediately process how that’s being done. But it’s funny, because I look at that and go, “That’s actually the shot that’s entirely 100 percent practical.” So I really do find it a blessing and a curse, because I started as a prop guy. I actually started building models initially and then went into the prop department, and I’m so much of a practical mind. But then you get into a point where, “OK, now we have to build a world that is 100 and some odd years in the future.” And your construction budget, that’s a surprise. MTV : How will fans be impressed by Colin’s performance? Wiseman : I think they’re absolutely going to love him. It’s a very different take on the character. It’s much more of the internal struggle that he’s faced with, and he did such a great job with this mystery of his own soul, really. It’s such a mystery, this film. It’s got the action and sci-fi, everything hovering on the perimeter of what makes it feel like a big action film. But in its core, it’s a mystery, and it’s a mystery of himself. And I just think people will be really captivated by following his journey. He really does allow you to be him. So I really think they’ll be excited by him. MTV : What about seeing Kate Beckinsale playing a villain? Wiseman : It’s fun for us as well. She’s never done anything like that. So to be able to have some fun with playing a villain — and she had fun doing it too, because she’s always like, “You have to be so earnest when you’re saving the world. Wow, you can actually just loosen up and just, the bad guys have more fun.” I would love to get, I’ll probably put this out on the DVD, but these girls are just kicking each other’s asses and really brutal. We wanted to attack it. It was just a really vicious brawl, and in between the cuts, they both get so girly. Right on “cut.” There’s plenty of times when Kate actually just nicked Jessica [Biel]’s nose or same thing with Jessica, and they immediately just go from these vicious badass lethal killers to immediately very apologetic and very polite and girly. It’s great to see. MTV : Will we see Mars? Wiseman : We won’t see Mars. And I got to say, it’s one of the things that attracted me to the script, because I really, I along with a lot of other people, I really loved the Verhoeven film. I was very skeptical on just the reboot, just the idea. And until I read the script, with a lot of speculation going, it takes it in such a different direction from that film. Because it didn’t go to Mars, funny enough, is why I was interested. And it’s also just like I said: It plays a little bit into the threat of what the Philip K. Dick story had of, much more of bringing the threat back, really Doug’s mission to save Earth, not Mars. MTV : What can you tell us about getting Bryan Cranston? Wiseman : He’s got one really fun personality. I think a lot of people, if you’ve seen him in his prior TV show, I’m sure, I happened to be introduced to him through films and then “Breaking Bad” as well. I’ve never seen “Malcolm in the Middle,” and I was taken by how fun and charming and funny the guy is. I probably came late to that game. That’s no surprise to anyone else. He really has a balance of evil and charming, which I really like. He plays off great [with Colin]. I wish they actually had more scenes together. It’s a bit of a weird structure, where the villain is kind of split between Kate and Cranston. So when they’re together, though, it’s great. He’s really got a good balance there, where when there’s a pure tendency that a lot of people have to play just very villainous, he has a little bit more passion for what he’s doing, where you actually believe it is the right thing, rather than twirling your mustache a bit too much. It’s Summer Movie Preview Week, and MTV News will be bringing you exclusive interviews, clips and photos for the most anticipated summer movies . Get ready to gorge on inside looks at “The Avengers,” Robert Pattinson’s “Bel Ami,” Kristen Stewart’s “Snow White,” “The Amazing Spider-Man” and more! Related Videos Summer Movie Preview 2012 ‘Total Recall’ Trailer Breakdown Related Photos Get Psyched For 2012’s Summer Movies!
One Direction, ‘NSYNC, Boyz II Men just a few who’ll duke it out for MTV’s coveted title of Greatest Boy Band of All Time. Voting begins Monday! By Christina Garibaldi MTV News’ Battle of the Boy Bands Photo: MTV News Given the undeniable popularity of British bands One Direction and the Wanted , it’s safe to say that boy bands are back, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! In celebration of their triumphant return, MTV News decided to pose the question: Who’s the greatest boy band of all time? Sounds impossible, right? Well, you, the fans, are going to help us answer that question as we officially kick off our Battle of the Boy Bands! Beginning on Monday, April 23, 32 groups — they span several decades and have all released music Stateside — will battle it out in our interactive bracket to determine the big winner. The first round of voting kicks off on Monday and ends on Thursday, April 26, when 32 bands will be narrowed down to 16. You can help your favorite band advance to the second round by voting as many times as you wish and by spreading the message on Twitter using the hashtag #BBB. But you won’t be the only ones fighting for your favorite band. The groups will be soliciting your votes with their own campaign videos urging fans to grant them the title of Greatest Boy Band of All Time. Will newcomers the Wanted and One Direction make it to the finals? Or will veteran acts like the Backstreet Boys , ‘NSYNC and New Kids on the Block stake their claim as the ultimate boy band? Do they even stand a chance against the first-ever U.K. boy-band sensations, the Beatles ? It’s up to you to decide. Find out if your favorite band made the bracket on Monday and to cast your votes early and often. The winner of the Battle of the Boy Bands will be announced Monday, May 7, so be sure to check back with MTV News for daily updates as we narrow the pool of 32 to a final champion. Voting in round one of MTV’s Battle of the Boy Bands begins Monday, April 23, at 7 a.m. ET and runs until noon ET on Thursday, April 26. Winners are determined by fan votes, so if your favorite band made the cut, make sure you keep voting. Spread the word on Twitter using the hashtag #BBB and like us on Facebook for updates!
