“My early experiences as an agent honed the ‘me against the world’ edge that was always nascent within me, and it served me well: I grew to see everyone, other than my clients, as enemies… When you sign a client, it is almost gladiatorial in that you’re taking away the livelihood of your competitor: It is very visceral and gratifying in a primordial way, not unlike biting into the flesh of an animal you’ve hunted.” [ NY Magazine ]
Jennifer Aniston is reportedly cutting back on her acting schedule amid the latest round of rumors that – you guessed it – the 42-year-old is pregnant. The actress, who is dating Justin Theroux, has decided not to take on any more movies for the foreseeable future, according to the UK’s Daily Mail . She is still doing promotional work for her new comedy Wanderlust – she and Justin met on set – but Jen told her agent she wants a break afterward. HMM. “She wants to focus on herself and hopefully becoming a mother,” says a source to the British paper, succinctly, with no evidence to support that whatsoever. Of course, there is also an alleged professional reason: “She is thinking of launching her own fashion line which would allow her to spend more time at home.” Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux recently went on vacation to Colorado, where they reportedly spent every night in together. You know what THAT means. It means if nothing else, tabloids will have a field day, given that Brad Pitt just got Angelina Jolie pregnant with #7 recently … according to nonsense sources. AH, good times. Nice to see Brangelina and Anistoux powering the gossip rumor mill early and often to ensure 2012 is off to a rousing, absurd start. [Photo: WENN.com]
You won’t see a film all year that holds you like David Fincher’s thriller. By Eric Ditzian Roonie Mara in “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” Photo: Columbia TriStar It was our fault for underestimating David Fincher. Honestly, though, we weren’t the only ones going, “Wait, really?” when the Oscar-nominated helmer (who got straight-up robbed by the Academy last year in the Best Director category) cast his sweet, dimpled, couldn’t-even-really-intimidate-a-tech-nerd “Social Network” actress Rooney Mara as hard-edge hacker Lisbeth Salander in his adaptation of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” Then, this past January, we got our first look at Mara in character : She was Salander. And we were wrong, wrong, wrong. How do you say “mea culpa” in Swedish? Maybe like this: “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” is MTV’s Best Movie of 2011 ! The movie hasn’t even hit theaters yet (that’ll happen on December 20), but trust our panel of experts on this one, OK? For all the sizzling cool of “Drive” and all the 3-D majesty of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” you won’t see a film all year that holds you — that’ll haunt you — like “Dragon Tattoo.” Based on Stieg Larsson’s international best-selling crime thriller (you know, the one half the people in any subway car in any city in the world are reading at any given moment), Fincher’s film followed up on the Swedish original, a critical and fan fave in its own right. What these three fictional treatments have in common, of course, is the story: Mikael Blomkvist, a disgraced journalist, is hired to investigate a decades-old missing-persons case. He convinces Salander, a motorcycle-driving ward of the state who’s not adverse to violent confrontations with anyone who crosses her, to assist in the search. Where Fincher separates and ultimately distinguishes his picture, then, is not in plot particulars (though he and writer Steven Zaillian do take a few liberties, especially with the ending), but in how he unfurls the story. Moviegoers might never need to travel to Sweden after watching his “Dragon Tattoo,” so fully does Fincher immerse viewers in an atmosphere of foggy Nordic islands and gritty Stockholm back alleys. There’s really no sense arguing: David Fincher is the finest working director in Hollywood. He’s also one hell of a casting director. There could be no other English-language choice for Blomkvist than Daniel Craig . Fincher fought for Mara against the wishes of his studio, even as A-listers like Scarlett Johansson competed for the role. To say Mara transformed herself to play Salander doesn’t quite capture the enormity of what the actress pulled off — butchering her hair, piercing her body, shedding weight, picking up a Swedish accent and almost re-sequencing her DNA to create the character. We’d say she came as close to becoming Salander as anyone born outside of Scandinavia could possibly be, if we hadn’t already seen Noomi Rapace’s impressive performance in the Swedish original and been sure Mara’s is the more absorbing portrayal. “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” is by no means a prefect film. It drags at times. It’s probably confusing to anyone who hasn’t read the book and committed the names of the huge cast of characters to memory. The ending, regardless of Fincher’s tweaks, remains a letdown. But these are quibbles. Let the Oscars and Globes anoint a silent black-and-white film as their favorite of the year. MTV knows “Dragon Tattoo” is the Best Movie of 2011. See for yourself on December 20. Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2011 , including the top Artists , Songs , Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year. Check out everything we’ve got on “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos Best Movies Of 2011 Debate
The couple started dating in 2009 while Trawick was still Britney’s agent. By Jocelyn Vena Jason Trawick and Britney Spears Photo: WireImage Months ago, rumors began circulating that Britney Spears and longtime boyfriend Jason Trawick were going to tie the knot. And on Friday (December 16), sources close to the pair and a mysterious tweet from the star herself confirmed that the couple is engaged . Trawick had already been working with the star as her agent at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment when they began dating in 2009. They went public with their romance when they showed up hand-in-hand to the 2010 Grammy Awards. That May, the two decided to separate their business and personal relationships, and it was confirmed that Trawick would no longer be representing Spears . The pair have always been pretty low-key. In an interview with Ryan Seacrest this March, the pop star opened up about their life together. “We’re really normal,” she said. “We just like to watch movies; we work out a lot; we take walks.” In May, Spears told Harper’s Bazaar, “I’ve thought about both [marriage and kids],” saying that tying the knot with Trawick could happen “if the timing was right.” And in an interview with Us Weekly in April, Spears gushed about life with Trawick. “We have such a great time together! He makes me laugh, and we are so comfortable being ourselves,” she said. “Maybe [I’ll marry again]. Never say never!” In August, Spears and Trawick walked the red carpet at the 2011 MTV VMAs, and Britney later thanked Trawick when she took the stage to accept her Moonman for Best Pop Video for “Till the World Ends.” While the two have remained relatively private, they gave fans a peek at their personal life when they played the lead roles in Britney’s “Criminal” video . The video focuses on a fictional love affair between their characters, who go on a crime spree that leads to a steamy encounter. Director Chris Marrs Piliero said Trawick “killed it.” This will be Britney’s third marriage. She was married to Jason Alexander for 55 hours in 2004. Later that year, she married back-up dancer Kevin Federline; the two divorced in 2006. Federline and Spears have two sons, Jayden James and Sean Preston. A rep for the singer has yet to confirm the news of this latest engagement to MTV News. Send your well-wishes to Britney and Jason in the comments. Related Artists Britney Spears
After Drake dumped his management team, it is now reported that he’s trying to leave Lil Wayne’s Young Money to join Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. If the rumors are true, it’s goin’ down! Drake was repped by Hip Hop Since 1976, the same team that manages Lil Wayne. Drizzy also detached himself from J Prince, the Houston executive who helped him link up with YMCMB, and parted ways with his agent ICM to join the William Morris Agency. This rumor sounds crazy since Drake has done so well with Young Money. But the tweet below from Lil Wayne makes it seem like he might be talking to Drake if this rumor is true, although why would Weezy be calling Drake “sweetheart?” Get the rest of the story at MTO . RELATED: Drake: “The First Time He [Wayne] Listened To My Album Was Last Night” Drake Breaks Silence On Ludacris Diss Record Did Lil Wayne Get Married? Ludacris On His Drake & Big Sean Diss Track: “I Don’t Start These Things, I Finish Them” [AUDIO] Drake Feat. Lil Wayne “The Motto” [NEW MUSIC]
Wilson Ramos is safe and sound. The Washington Nationals catcher, who was kidnapped earlier this week at gunpoint in his native Venezuela, was discovered by local authorities yesterday and has reconciled with his family, The Washington Post reports. “It’s a special moment for his family,” Ramos’ agent, Gustavo Mercado, said in a statement to the newspaper. “We’re all happy. We’re grateful.” FBI Agent Chris Voss confirmed the incident took place due to the “money [Ramos] could produce,” while five people have been arrested for the abduction. “I don’t know who those people were,” Ramos said. “I know they’re Colombians by their accent. Three guys grabbed me there in front of my house, they took me to another SUV and from there they took me into the mountains… thanks to God, everything turned out well.” The ballplayer also thanked the police and National Guard commandos who rescued him, saying “the boys did a great job.”
‘We were like mates,’ model Dudley O’Shaughnessy says of his connection to Rihanna. By James Montgomery Rihanna on the set of “We Found Love” Photo: Photopress Belfast/Splash News If the onscreen chemistry between Rihanna and her “We Found Love” co-star , boxer-turned-model Dudley O’Shaughnessy, seemed real, well, that’s because it was. That’s what O’Shaughnessy is saying in a new interview with London’s Evening Standard newspaper, in which he gushes about his connection with the pop star, and admits that after three days on “We Found Love” shoot, he “didn’t want it to end.” “I loved it,” he said. “Not just because it was ‘a certain person’s’ video, but just because I love being on set. “I wasn’t star-struck at all … she’s just a nice girl. It’s not like just because she’s achieved so much that she thinks her sh– don’t stink,” O’Shaughnessy continued. “She’s such a humble, down-to-earth girl and that made it even better for me because I didn’t feel intimidated or anything. We just got along. We were just like mates.” O’Shaughnessy added that, before being cast in “We Found Love,” he had given up his dreams of becoming a professional boxer and was even contemplating quitting modeling, thinking, “I’m going to have to get a normal job now. I’ll have to be a plumber or something,” but, after his agency supplied his headshots to Rihanna’s camp, she personally picked him for the video. “The director, everyone, loved him,” his agent told the Standard. “Obviously, Rihanna loved him.” Of course, O’Shaughnessy played it coy when asked about rumors that his and Rihanna’s on-set relationship carried over into their off-set lives. Asked how he handled those steamy sex scenes, the model said, “You’ve just got to get into it,” he said, adding that despite what you may read, he is still very much single. “It’s not that I’m looking [for a girlfriend],” he said. “I don’t want to say I want a girlfriend or I don’t. If it happens, it happens.” Related Artists Rihanna
We break down the super sneak peek, from explosions to Tony Stark’s quips. By Kara Warner Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. in “Avengers” Photo: Marvel Now that the “Avengers” trailer has finally premiered, we can spend the next few hours, days and weeks overanalyzing it and trying to decipher the many messages director Joss Whedon chose to tease in that preview’s action-packed one minute and 45 seconds. After multiple, careful viewings, here’s a closer look at a few interesting things that stand out, by the numbers: 12+ : Explosions in the first 25 seconds. The FX team did not discriminate here, as we see cars, a few city blocks, Grand Central Station, a plane, an unidentified Avengers hangout and buildings go up in smoke. 3 : Gratuitous “suiting-up” shots, wherein we see Cap/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) checking out his new uniform and then trying out his new shield; Thor (Chris Hemsworth) getting ready with a grip on his trusty hammer Mjolnir; and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) checking into his fancy Iron Man suit. 13+ : Number of “looking coolly off into the distance or deeply into someone’s eyes” moments. Whether lost in thought or in someone else’s gaze, the trailer is packed with meaningful looks. 6 : Avengers-in-action moments. Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) shoots arrows! Cap runs and leaps over debris! Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) pulls off an impressive face-kick/flip maneuver! Iron Man flies during the day and at night! Thor wields his mighty hammer! Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) fires a rocket launcher! 1.5 : The number of Loki leaps. The aspiring supervillain, who looks even more menacing/unseemly with the longer, scraggly black hair, executes an angry-but-impressive jump thrust at the beginning of the trailer, then a half-jump toward the end when he uses his staff to fire a powerful bolt to destroy more cars and cement. 2 : The number of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents featured. “Iron Man” and “Thor” scene-stealer Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) is shown giving his new recruits a tour, watching a crisis unfold and making plans with his boss, Nick Fury, who also gets a few scenes to himself. 0 : Skrull sightings. The consensus among the Internet peanut gallery is that the God of Mischief can’t be causing all this destruction by his lonesome and must therefore be getting help from someone or something. All signs have so far pointed to shape-changing aliens the Skrulls , but alas, Whedon hasn’t offered confirmation yet. 2.5 : The number of times Tony Stark says something sassy. First, to Captain America: “No offense, I don’t play well with others.” Cap to Stark: “Who are you without that iron suit?” Stark’s response: “A genius billionaire playboy philanthropist.” To Bruce Banner/ the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo): “Dr. Banner, your work is unparalleled and I’m a huge fan of the way you lose control and turn into an enormous green rage monster.” 2 : The number of Avengers who get tossed out of glass windows and fall to the ground below. Captain America and Tony Stark get the honors here, both seemingly at the hand of Loki. 114 : Seconds we have to wait until seeing the Hulk. Check out everything we’ve got on “The Avengers.” For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com . Related Videos First ‘Avengers’ Trailer: Dissected
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth make their big superhero debut as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. By Josh Wigler Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. in “Avengers” Photo: Marvel In 2008, during the final moments of “Iron Man,” the world at large became aware of a phenomenon that comic book readers have known about for years when Samuel L. Jackson, dressed eye to toe in S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury’s black leather garb, introduced the concept of “the ‘Avengers’ initiative.” Fast-forward almost four full years later, and we’re nearly there: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are on the cusp of assembling for “Marvel’s ‘The Avengers,’ ” and today (October 11), true believers across the globe are getting their first glimpse at the superhero blockbuster’s all-star roster in action. Directed by Joss Whedon and featuring all of your favorite Marvel heroes including Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and ol’ Shellhead himself (Robert Downey Jr.), “The Avengers” is poised to be the biggest comic book movie of all time … and the trailer certainly helps to sell that epic scope. The “Avengers” trailer , which debuted online at Apple.com , begins with a menacing monologue from familiar adversary Loki, last seen at the end of “Thor” falling into a cosmic abyss. “You were made to be ruled,” he whispers cruelly as shots of carnage and chaos flood the screen, “and in the end, it will be every man for himself.” A quick cut of scenes brings us to Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) and his boss, Fury, putting their heads together about how best to solve this unknown, ongoing crisis hatched by Loki and his devious plotting. “There was an idea,” Fury says, “to bring together a group of remarkable people, so that when we needed them, they could fight the battles that we never could.” Cue those remarkable people: the Asgardian hero Thor, the time-displaced Steve Rogers, the easily enraged Bruce Banner, the eagle-eyed Clint Barton, the deadly Black Widow and, of course, the eternally arrogant Tony Stark. We see these heroes on the battlefield fighting both alongside each other and against one another, showing just how difficult it’s going to be for these superpowered warriors to get along. But even if they can’t settle their differences, Stark is looking on the bright side: “If we can’t protect the Earth, you can be damned sure that we’ll avenge it.” Between Nick Fury launching a bazooka at an unseen assailant and Banner transforming into “an enormous green rage monster,” we’d say most of our “Avengers” trailer wishes have been fulfilled. The movie assembles in theaters on May 4, 2012. Check out everything we’ve got on “Marvel’s ‘The Avengers.’ ” For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Chris Evans MTV Rough Cut: Chris Hemsworth
Earlier this summer, we told you how despite banking millions during their heyday as professional, annoying celebrities, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are broke. Well, according to Us Weekly , this is still the case ! Pratt, in particular, is so unpopular that his own agent won’t even answer his calls! That’s pretty bad, although you need to get a client work in order to get commission. That’s not happening, so just let it go to voicemail, are we wrong? Unemployed mountain man Spencer Pratt is very much at sea. Speaking of which, Spencer owes his former agency “hundreds of thousands of dollars in commissions” from the coin he banked back when the gettin’ was good. That money, of course, is long gone, having been blown on Heidi’s “music” career, up there with Enron and Worldcom among the worst investments of all time. The whole spiritual/healing crystal thing never really panned out either. A source adds that Pratt, despite being persona non grata in L.A., calls his agent up to 30 times a day. “They just laugh or pick up and hang up,” the source said.
