After making just $30 in its initial limited release theatrical run in 2006, Leo Grillo’s indie noir Zyzzyx Road — which starred an on-the-cusp Katherine Heigl and an in-decline Tom Sizemore and also managed to misspell the California desert locale it was named for , unless that was intentional — will be released digitally this summer by the intrepid folks at GoDigital. “We love the story behind this film and are thrilled to be part of what we believe will be a happy ending, I am confident it will make us more than $30,” said GoDigital Director of Marketing Barry Daffurn of the distribution coup. Ba-dum ching! Oh, humor. What’s not funny: Actually watching any part of Zyzzyx Road . Here’s the trailer, see for yourself! Every time you curse Heigl for making yet another inane chick flick , just remember: She’s already paid her penance in advance. Zyzzyx Road will be available digitally via GoDigital this summer. [Press release]
Mattel has unveiled the first look at their Hunger Games -themed Katniss Everdeen Barbie doll ($29.95), available for pre-order today and on shelves in August, and the result is… kinda close to what I envisioned when I read Suzanne Collins’ novels. Not that District 12’s underfed hunter gal ever hewed that close to Barbie’s usual unattainably bosomy dimensions in most readers’ minds, but something in Katniss-Barbie’s face is appropriately feline, with just the merest hint of the full-lipped pout that Jennifer Lawrence brought to the screen. Still, I had to laugh at creator Bill Greening’s explanation (via EW) for how Katniss-Barbie, clad in her Games survival gear, was designed: “Hopefully Hunger Games fans can appreciate the attention to detail. The doll’s minimalistic style and details — such as her loosely braided hair and makeup-free look — also really embody the heroic character Katniss.” Adding eyeshadow, mascara and eyeliner to Katniss’s pre-bloodbath look isn’t exactly what I’d call “make-up free,” but at least Greening kept from sexifying Katniss up when it came to her outfit. Pure Eddie Bauer chic, modeled on her getup from the movie. (I’m sure Katniss’s flamboyant Capitol dresses are also en route to shelves for maximum styling options.) What’s more satisfying at first glance is seeing that Katniss-Barbie looks more like the Katniss I’d imagined when reading the books. Lawrence does stellar work in the role and is arguably one the best actresses of her generation who might’ve been up for it, but I’d always had a more ethnic-looking Katniss in mind. And while Mattel’s design is just ethnically-ambiguous enough, I’d say it runs closer to Katniss’s description on paper than the one captured onscreen in the film adaptation. Thoughts? [ EW , Barbie Collector ]
Despite last week’s report to the contrary , it’s not especially surprising to hear that Gary Ross is not quite out as the director of the Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire : Various sources have followed up initial word of Ross’s franchise departure with news of predictable-enough salary disputes over ridiculously large sums of money that would push any spin machine into overdrive. So buckle up — first for Deadline’s counterattack explaining why Ross has logical reason to leave the blockbuster series : The Seabiscuit director knows the benefit of riding in a winner and not switching horses midstream. Ross lobbied hard to get The Hunger Games and turned it into the biggest hit of his directing career. Before that, he developed several serious historical dramatic projects under his deal at Universal that didn’t get off the ground. Staying for a sure-fire hit and a sequel that audiences actually want to see makes a lot of sense for Ross, particularly given how active the filmmaker has been in the construction of Catching Fire . Hmm. OK? I mean, of course Ross reportedly backed out on creative and professional terms (whatever), which, if we were to take at face value, would imply that the Catching Fire upside isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But since we don’t take things at face value — particularly after a third consecutive number-one weekend at the box office — let David Poland walk you through the prospective, dizzying economics of it all: [F]or the director/co-writer of four films to be paid, at best, 2.5% of the NET revenues on a franchise like this does not seem excessive or abusively demanding. And if Gary Ross has to settle for 5 years of his professional life going for $20 million… $25 million… well… ya know… he’d have a legacy… he might improve as a director (he’s a decent director, but still a writer first)… he’d have the career lesson of a steady, defined gig, and the money doesn’t exactly suck. In an industry of few sure things, one thing is sure. We know that [Lionsgate] is NOT going to lose money on paying Gary Ross $40 million for the next 3 films. Step up. Stop being greedy pigs. Do it like the grown up studios. And get on with it already. Yeah! Like, now , because as you might have heard , Jennifer Lawrence has an X-Men sequel to shoot: [S]ources say the filmmaker is concerned about an ambitious production schedule that would require shooting to begin in August so that star Jennifer Lawrence can complete her work before she is due to start filming a sequel to Fox’s X-Men: First Class in January. Since Fox’s deal with Lawrence predates her contract for Hunger Games , X-Men is in a priority position. With the script for the second Hunger Games not yet locked, that means all preparations for a sequel would have to be done in four months — a tough schedule to meet. What ever will happen? (Hint: Ross will get paid, and happy fans will go on to push The Hunger Games franchise into a $3 billion juggernaut.) Stay tuned… [ Deadline , The Hot Blog , THR ] Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
Mmm-hmm : “‘I am not being Harvey Weinstein, showman,’ he said in a separate interview on Friday. ‘I am not using the ratings system for publicity . Yes, I’ve done it in the past . Mea culpa for that.’ But, he said of Bully , ‘this is completely out of passion.'” [ NYT ]
An eagle-eyed reader of Warner Bros.’ exhibitors site passes along word today that The Dark Knight Rises has earned — wait for it — a PG-13 from the MPAA ratings board for “intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality, and language.” Sensuality! I knew Batman and Bane were going to get close, but not that close. [ Nolanfans via Collider ]
Deadline reports that Paula Patton is in talks to star with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg in 2 Guns , a crime pic directed by Contraband ‘s Baltasar Kormakur based on the graphic novel by Stephen Grant “about a DEA agent and an undercover naval intelligence officer who unwittingly investigate each other as each steals mob money.” Patton will play Washington’s love interest, though I feel like they’ve already been here before… or maybe I just have DEJA VU . HONK! Yeeeeah . Sigh. [ Deadline ]
It took a little while to get out, but this young man’s lightning-round riff on all 75 Best Supporting Actress Oscar-winners is the textbook definition of better late than never. Guess who: “I’m only in this movie for four minutes and you gave me an Oscar!” And his Cloris Leachman is pretty dead-on, actually. [via The Lost Boy ]
Besides William Forsythe , that is: “Director Martin Guigui is currently scouting for: YOUNG JAKE LAMOTTA . To play 14-20 years old, and already a tough bare knuckles fighter. He takes his father’s frequent beatings without a sound and makes money fighting much bigger opponents in back alley fights set up by his drunken, abusive father. Please submit over 18 to play younger OR emancipated. GUISSEPE [ sic ] LAMOTTA . Portrays 40s-70s, Jake’s father, a tough-looking Italian man, he’s a mean drunk who handcuffs and beats his son. He sets up the back alley fights with Jake and much older, stronger opponents. Later he refuses to help the grown-up Jake when he asks for money. Late in life, a frail old man, he reconciles with Jake just before his death. STAR NAME ONLY.” Good luck, Mickey Rourke! [ Moviehole via The Playlist ]
For some reason a remake of the 1987 comedy classic Summer School has been in development hell for years, and it may finally come to fruition under Adam Sandler ‘s Happy Madison banner. Though Sandler hasn’t yet threatened to star as the slacker high school gym teacher forced to start caring about education — a role played with Hawaiian-shirted panache by one Mr. Mark Harmon, and don’t you forget it — the possibility certainly looms over this project, as THR reports that Happy Madison is negotiating to produce. Take a trip down memory lane with the original trailer and decide: If not Sandler, who could fill Harmon’s sockless shoes? (And will there be a part for Kirstie Alley?) [ THR ]
