‘It’s more ‘Rocky’ than it is Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em [Robots],’ director Shawn Levy tells MTV News of early skeptics. By Kara Warner Hugh Jackman in “Real Steal” Photo: DreamWorks For those who’ve been following the comings and goings of “Real Steel,” it’s a pretty well-known fact that when the project was first announced back in late 2009, the Internets lit up with comments and rants against the studio for green-lighting a Rock ‘Em Sock Em Robots movie. And while everyone is entitled to their own opinion, the problem with that perception, according to the stars and director themselves, is that it’s incorrect. “A lot people [say], ‘What is it, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots?’ But it’s got a lot of heart,” Hugh Jackman told MTV News at the film’s premiere. “This movie is really about the relationships of everyone involved, and I think it’s going to surprise people. I saw it with my mother-in-law, my wife and my kids at the same screening, and they all were crying at one point, laughing, and they really got into it.” Director Shawn Levy admitted that he wasn’t bothered so much by the quick critiques as he was amused, because they were analyzing elements of the film they hadn’t seen and a script they obviously hadn’t read. “It’s more ‘Rocky’ than it is Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em. It’s all about the heart, it’s all about the characters,” Levy explained. “The action is great, and if you’re a young guy and you just want to come and watch robots wail on each other, great, you’re going to love it. But if you’re looking for more of an emotional experience, the movie is very much that.” Evangeline Lilly took the emotional aspect of the plot one step further and explained the film’s overall message. “I think the moral message here is: Never give up on yourself. Never sell out. Selling out is such a big thing nowadays, because our culture is so materialistic and money is everything, and in this film, this beautiful little boy played by Dakota [Goyo] will not sell out, and his father wants to, because his father, Hugh Jackman, is kind of pathetic compared to his son,” she explained. “His son is like, ‘Dude, I’m not giving up on myself, I’m not giving up on my robot, I’m not giving up on you.’ It’s beautiful, because it’s supposed to be the inverse; the father is supposed to say that to the son. So it kind of breaks your heart to see a son redeem his father.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Real Steel.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .
‘It’s pretty obvious that what Dr. Dre and N.W.A did for gangsta rap music, I did for romantic music,’ LL tells MTV News. By Rob Markman LL Cool J Photo: MTV News When it comes to hip-hop lotharios, LL Cool J pretty much set the blueprint for romantic rap when he dropped “I Need Love” in 1987. Now, nearly every rap release includes at least one song that pulls on the heart strings of women, and artists like Ja Rule, Fabolous and Drake have dedicated much of their catalog to the fairer sex. For an artist like Drake , his ability to speak to women on songs like “Best I Ever Had,” “Find Your Love,” “Fancy” and “Marvins Room” has earned him an adoring and dedicated female fanbase. The “Mama Said Knock You Out” MC admitted that he enjoyed DJ Khaled’s Drake-featuring “I’m on One,” but outside of that, no one in rap’s newest generation has really caught his attention. “It’s pretty obvious that what Dr. Dre and N.W.A did for gangsta rap music, I did for romantic music and music with females,” Uncle L told MTV News on the black carpet for the BET Hip Hop Awards , where he will be rewarded with the I Am Hip Hop lifetime-achievement award when the show airs next Tuesday. “I basically started a section of a genre and created it and put it out there, and now lots of people are doing it. I think it’s great. The more, the better. It’s better than downing them and telling [women] they ain’t nothing,” LL said before speaking of Drizzy’s catalog specifically. “So I’m happy for him and I’m glad he decided to go that lane, and I wish everybody the best.” Who does romantic rap best? Let us know your picks in the comments! Related Artists Drake LL Cool J
With the clip set to premiere Thursday at 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV, Bigger Than the Sound takes a look at B’s career. By James Montgomery Beyonce in her video for “Countdown” Photo: Columbia A few weeks back, a relative who shall remain nameless was complaining about Beyonc
‘J. Cole’s success is testament to amazing artist development and Cole’s hard work,’ Roc Nation boss says in statement to MTV News. By Rob Markman J. Cole Photo: C Brandon/ Redferns Cole’s world just got a lot brighter. After news officially broke that J. Cole ‘s Cole World: The Sideline Story snagged the #1 spot on this week’s Billboard 200, his Roc nation boss, Jay-Z , gave the rookie MC a big pat on the back. “J. Cole’s success is testament to amazing artist development and Cole’s hard work,” Hov said in a press release issued to MTV News. “I want to congratulate him on a #1 album and more importantly a great body of work.” The Fayetteville, North Carolina, MC/producer moved more than 217,000 copies of his debut in its first week of release, beating out Blink 182’s long-awaited Neighborhoods album. “J. Cole personifies humility and grace with edge and depth. As an MC, his point of view speaks to and represents me. I’m proud and blessed to be a part of his journey!” Mark Pitts, president of urban music at Sony /JIVE and CEO of Bystorm Entertainment, said in the statement. Cole first attracted a buzz in 2007 with The Come Up mixtape. In 2009, he quietly signed to Jay-Z’s label before releasing his Warm Up tape. The rapper is a former XXL Freshmen cover subject, and along with appearing on his boss Hov’s Blueprint III, he also toured with Rihanna this year. But even with all of his accomplishments, Cole’s debut went through a series of starts and stops before dropping on September 27. On the strength of his singles “Work Out,” “Can’t Get Enough” (with Trey Songz) and “In the Morning” (with Drake), Cole built anticipation for his first album. In an interview with MTV2’s Sucker Free, Cole spoke about the excitement he would feel to have his LP in stores: “I can remember going to get so many albums and just the fact that mines is one of those. Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With J. Cole Related Artists Jay-Z J. Cole
Rozay debuts pair of singles from December 13 LP, including Nicki Minaj collabo, on New York radio. By Rob Markman Rick Ross Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/ Getty Images It remains to be seen if there’s truth to DJ Khaled and Drake ‘s declaration that Rick Ross’s upcoming album , God Forgives, I Don’t, is a classic-in-the-making. And while fans will have to wait until the December 13 release date to make that determination, on Tuesday night, they got a head-start after the Bawse dropped two promising singles. Rozay gave fans just a taste of his fifth solo LP last night when he visited New York radio disc jockey Funkmaster Flex and premiered “I Love My Bitches” and the Nicki Minaj-assisted “You the Boss” on Hot 97 . “I wanted to most definitely go to another level and make sure my sound continued to evolve and take people somewhere different,” Ross told Flex . “I wanted to collaborate with Nicki in another way, her breaking down and just letting us hear her beautiful voice.” The syrupy slow “You the Boss” has a 1980s soul vibe. Ross starts the record off with one of his patented grunts and then whispers sweet nothing’s before telling the object of his affection, “I deserve you!” Nicki’s complementary hook channels a loyal lover who will do anything for her “boss” Ricky Ross. It’s a more romantic tone for the Maybach Music CEO, who has grown into an unlikely sex symbol, and “You the Boss,” with its promises of lavish shopping sprees and companionship, may only raise his stock. The Just Blaze-produced “I Love My Bitches,” while also aimed at women, is dramatically different. Over a sped-up soul sample, the Teflon Don is far less gentlemanly as he laments, “Awww, man, I love my bitches.” Lyrically, Ross aims the record at the streets, mixing more tales of lavish sprees with stories of selling bricks of cocaine. With little to no regard for continuity, he goes back and forth in his verses, seducing women and talking to his boys about daily dealings in the same breath. It’s clear on “My Bitches” that Ross feels like he’s on top of the world as he spits lines like, “Living life to the fullest, what’s the emphasis/ Making love to Mary J’s ‘Reminisce.’ ” Interestingly enough, Mary J. Blige also appears on God Forgives, I Don’t. While Rozay isn’t sure that the song will be a single just yet, he holds it in high regard. “That’s the Queen. I can just tell you about the experience,” he told MTV News of working with MJB. “We made some magic.” “Me making my album is just a real tedious process that I go through,” Rozay added. “The response from the people that I did play a few records for, the feedback is incredible.” Share your reviews of the brand-new Ross singles in the comments! Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Rick Ross And Maybach Music Group Related Artists Rick Ross
‘I think a lot of you are already surprised by this and you’re going to be even more surprised when you hear it,’ Carey says in video message. By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images After much speculation, Justin Bieber confirmed that the Queen of the Christmas song, Mariah Carey , will appear on his holiday album, Under the Mistletoe . And to make it even more special, the pair re-recorded her classic track “All I Want for Christmas” for the album. In the lead-up to the announcement of the collabo, Bieber kept his Twitter followers guessing about who the special guest for the album — which is already filled with a number of big names — might be. “Oh yeah …didn’t I promise everyone I would tell them who my last special guest is on my christmas album #UnderTheMistletoe ??? #nov1st I mean we know we got my big bro @UsherRaymondIV and @thebandperry and @BusaBusss and @BoyzIIMen on the album … but who is the last guest??” he teased his loyal followers. “Who is the living legend that I got on the album???? #UnderTheMistletoe #Nov1st.” After his followers offered their guesses, Bieber offered this hint: “I mean, the fact that I might be singing with one of the greatest voices ever, one of the greatest songs of christmas ever …… #NOV1st.” Before the big reveal, he tweeted out a link to a video message from the singer, then added, “Well like I said … #UnderTheMistletoe is not your normal christmas album. right @mariahcarey. #NOV1st.” In the video message, while being her usual over-the-top diva self, Carey said, “I’m very excited about it. I think a lot of you are already surprised by this and you’re going to be even more surprised when you hear it.” A full track list for Bieber’s Under the Mistletoe also hit the Net. The album will include “Only Thing I Ever Get for Christmas,” the first single, “Mistletoe,” “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” featuring Usher, “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “Fa La La” featuring Boyz II Men , “Christmas Love,” “All I Want for Christmas Is You” with Mariah Carey, “Little Drummer Boy” featuring Busta Rhymes, “All I Want Is You,” “Christmas Eve” and “Home This Christmas” featuring the Band Perry. The deluxe edition will include an a cappella version of “Fa La La,” as well as “Silent Night,” “Pray” and “Someday at Christmas.” Tricky Stewart, who produced the album, shared with MTV News the one song he felt needed to make it on the record. “For me, I knew I wanted ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,’ ” he said. “That’s one of those that makes everyone feel good. So we did it and I think it’s a really cool version of it.” The first single from Under the Mistletoe, “Mistletoe,” drops October 18, with the album due November 1. Related Artists Justin Bieber Mariah Carey
Producer Tricky Stewart reveals that singer is in studio working on leftovers from their Teenage Dream sessions. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf Katy Perry Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage She may still be releasing tracks off Teenage Dream thanks to her latest single, “The One That Got Away,” but Katy Perry is already hard at work on some other super-special, top-secret musical project. Producer Tricky Stewart, who worked with Perry on three Teenage Dream songs, is back at work with the California Gurl herself, prepping some music with the singer. “Katy and I went into [the studio] just to address some issues with records that we had done in the past that didn’t end up going on Teenage Dream, ” he told MTV News. “So we are in the process of just listening and freshening up things and getting ready for something special she has going on.” What is it that she is readying? Well, Stewart doesn’t exactly know, or maybe he just doesn’t want to say. “I don’t know what it is, but I know she has something going on because she wants to be in the studio,” he said. “So that’s good. … I can tell you that Katy likes the studio again; that’s always a good thing.” While he couldn’t shed much light on the project itself, he did reveal the name of the song. “This song is really special. It’s called ‘Dressing Up,’ so it’s going to be a big record, I think,” he said. “It definitely fits. It’s right there in what her sensibilities are as a musician and a songwriter. She doesn’t change much. She has a very keen musical taste. It’ll be really good.” The music they are working on is using some leftovers from their Teenage Dream sessions. And they hope to finally put that magic out into the world. “We always knew that the records we created were special [and] at the time it was more contractual obligation [that they didn’t make the record],” he explained, noting all the success the singer has experienced with the record, which includes five #1 songs . “I can only have so many songs produced by me on the record. She didn’t need to have extra songs at the same time.” Related Photos The Evolution Of: Katy Perry
West explains his Fashion Week debut in Paris. By James Montgomery Kanye West at the Dw by Kanye West show during Paris Fashion Week Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/ Getty Images Reviews of his Fashion Week debut may have been mixed, but Kanye West isn’t letting the critics slow him down … because, really, why would he start now? That was the takeaway from West’s speech at the afterparty for his show on Saturday night, in which proudly proclaimed that he poured his heart and soul into his debut collection. For a detailed account of all the looks, check out the MTV Style blog, which kept a running diary of West’s fashion debut. “Thank you for anybody that didn’t believe, because they motivated us to break our boundaries,” West told the celeb-packed crowd at Parisian hot spot Club Silencio, according to Women’s Wear Daily . “We don’t know what the reviews will be, we don’t know what they will say, but I got a chance to go to Italy and feel those fabrics. “I begged Louis Vuitton to let me do more shoes after my shoes sold out in two weeks, and they did not,” he continued. “I begged Nike, I begged this company to let me do it. And I took out motherf—ing loans to get the best models, to get the best designers, to get the best venue. I gave you everything that I had.” West then turned his attention to the fashion critics, some of whom seemed to focus less on his collection and more on his celebrity. “This is my first collection. Please be easy. Please give me a chance to grow. This is not some celebrity sh–. I don’t f— with celebrities. I f— with the creatives in this room, the amazing people who spend every day of their life trying to make the world a more beautiful place,” he said. West reportedly then wrapped up by once again thanking those in attendance and promised that there were only big things ahead … both for him and his rapidly expanding fashion empire. “I thank anybody who came to this party, everybody who supported, everybody who believed, because people thought it was a joke, and maybe people still do,” he said. “But I can only grow from this point.” Related Photos Kanye West Debuts ‘Dw’ Line At Paris Fashion Week Related Artists Kanye West
‘All of my adult life has been economic downturn,’ a young activist tells MTV News about corporate greed, unemployment, social injustice. By Uptin Saiidi, with additional reporting by Akshay Bhansali Occupy Wall Street protests in New York City Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images NEW YORK — What started as just a dozen college students camping overnight on Wall Street three weeks ago has mushroomed into thousands of protesters and Street-inspired gatherings across the country, from Los Angeles to Boston. On Monday, a number of protesters dressed up as zombies, holding Monopoly money in their mouths in a gesture to financial workers. The crowd was especially energized after more than 700 of them were arrested over the weekend by New York City Police Department officers, who claimed they were blocking traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge. Thousands marched from the “base camp” at Zuccotti Park, a plaza near the city’s financial center, chanting, “Take the bridge!” Even as the number of protesters continues to fluctuate, the gatherings have remained relatively small by New York City standards. The longevity of the unrest, however, is far from normal. MTV News recently headed downtown and caught up with some of the young protesters to see what exactly was on their minds. Mike Chrisemer, a 24-year-old graduate student at the City University of New York, said he got involved on the second day of the protest and doesn’t plan to abandon the cause. “The general feeling is that the top 1 percent of people is ruling over the rest of us, the 99 percent, and it’s not the status quo that we want to see anymore.” Sympathetic supporters have been donating food to the “occupiers,” and those who camp overnight at the park rely on portable gas for laptop energy. Social media networks like Twitter have, of course, helped spark interest in the cause and serve as a vehicle to spread its message. For those who cannot get to NYC, a live stream is available at the Occupy Wall Street website . Celebrity involvement has also helped stoke media attention. Lupe Fiasco , Susan Sarandon, Mark Ruffalo and filmmaker Michael Moore made appearances in the past week, while “30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin has expressed support over his Twitter At around 1 p.m. ET last Friday, an online rumor began to spread that Radiohead would be giving a surprise performance that afternoon in support of the protest. The buzz was put to rest when the band’s rep later denied the group would perform, but it’s likely that many curious onlookers (and Radiohead fans) had headed to the park anticipating the event. By 4:30 p.m., a statement was posted on the Occupy Wall Street site apologizing for the miscommunication; they further explained that an email from Radiohead’s manager turned out to be a fake and cited the challenges of verifying information in an open-source movement. The band’s no-show didn’t slow down momentum though. Late Friday afternoon, an influx of curious spectators wandered the park, many admitting they came after hearing the concert rumors. “That probably brought a lot of these people here, but they’re still here. It’s not just about Radiohead, it’s not a pop culture movement, it’s a real movement to challenge the status quo,” Chrisemer told us. The protests come at a time when the unemployment rate among American youths under 25 is at 18 percent compared to the national rate of 9 percent. Nearly half of young Americans are underemployed, and the amount of student loan debt has recently surpassed credit card debt. Tim Payne, a 20-year-old New York University undergrad, said he had been coming to the park between classes to hold signs and participate in the protest. “College tuition keeps going up and the top 400 people have more wealth than the lowest 125 million. I have all these loans out and they’re profiting off that, and I don’t think that’s fair.” Some reports have been critical of the protesters for reportedly failing to deliver a clear message about their grievances. Instead, critics say, the rally has become a gathering place for anyone dissatisfied with, well, just about anything. When MTV News spoke with some of the young activists on Friday, their cardboard signs had messages that varied from dissatisfaction with financial corruption, NYPD police brutality, discrimination against Muslims and workers’ rights. “People have so much frustration with government and media, and they’re taking this out as an outlet in different ways,” NYU student Payne explained. It’s still unclear whether the protests will succeed in channeling frustration into a lasting movement similar to the Tea Party’s conservative movement, which was started in 2009 by a group of Americans fed up with the status quo for different reasons. Occupy Wall Street protesters seem to be hopeful that they will have a voice that continues to be heard and gains momentum into the 2012 elections. “It’s more than just Wall Street,” Payne added. “It’s the fact that all of my adult life has been economic downturn. And I heard a quote once: it was ‘When did the future change from a promise to a threat?’ I feel like the people here still have faith in the future and are trying to change it.” Share your thoughts on the ongoing Wall Street protests in the comments below! Related Artists Lupe Fiasco
‘You really do feel what it’s like to be a contestant on one of these shows,’ he tells MTV News. By James Montgomery, with reporting by Jim Cantiello Simon Cowell Photo: MTV News As if early episodes — and folks like Brian Bradley , 2Squar’d and that dude who ripped off Prince —l; haven’t already proven the point, “X Factor” has been working overtime to prove that it’s nothing like “American Idol.” And if for some reason you’re still not seeing the differences, well, just wait until the “Factor” kicks off its Boot Camp on Wednesday night’s show. Because, as judge Simon Cowell told MTV News, unlike the high-gloss “Idol” Hollywood Week, Boot Camp will be, well, real. “I’ve seen them all and I’ve made a ton of them, [and] what I do know, because obviously I was there, [was] that I wanted to show the viewers what actually happened,” he said. “So the first cut you get is the producer’s cut, where everything’s fantastic and I’m hilarious, whatever, whatever. But that was not the week I saw. Just show the process — the good, the bad, the terrible. Let the audience make their own mind up. “I mean, it’s quite uncomfortable,” Cowell continued. “[And] I haven’t seen the finished cut yet, but it’s a lot, lot better, and you really do feel you know what it’s like now to be a contestant on one of these shows and what we felt; we were under pressure as well.” Highlighting that pressure is the added emphasis on choreography, which really comes to the forefront during Boot Camp — for better or worse. But, as Cowell said, viewers will get to see it all, because that’s what auditioning for a singing competition is really like. “It wasn’t a test. We didn’t judge them on it. We just said that if you wanted to be a star today, you’re going to have to be on a stage in front of lots of people, and sometimes you’re going to have to learn how to dance,” he said. “Certain people just flatly refused to do it, other people tried and failed miserably, and then other people we were kind of drawn to because we thought, ‘You should try it … we’re looking at you.’ ” Are you looking forward to Boot Camp on “X Factor”? Let us know in the comments!
