As the song says, this is the end. With the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on Friday at 12 a.m., the most lucrative film franchise falls to a close. All that’s left now is the armchair quarterbacking, specifically: where do the film’s young stars go from here? Good question! Ahead, Movieline runs down the future career prospects of Potter ‘s young cast, and offers up one movie star whose career they would be wise to follow.
Actor would join cast featuring Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz. By Terri Schwartz Edward Norton Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/ Getty Images After months of silence, “The Bourne Legacy” casting news returns with a bang with the announcement that “Incredible Hulk” star Edward Norton is in negotiations with Universal to play the villain in the upcoming action thriller. Variety broke the story, reporting that Norton will likely return to his dark side in the upcoming installment of the “Bourne” series. The actor is no stranger to bad-guy roles, having made a name for himself playing antiheroes in “Primal Fear,” “Fight Club” and “American History X.” If negotiations come to fruition, Norton will be playing opposite new leading man Jeremy Renner in the film, written and directed by Tony Gilroy. Renner will be following in Matt Damon’s footsteps as a more dangerous assassin than Jason Bourne who was trained by the same outfit. Rachel Weisz has also joined the cast, though details of her character and the movie’s plot are being kept under wraps. “The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal,” Gilroy said of his story for “Bourne Legacy.” “Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he’s very much alive. What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I’m building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy. … The world we’re making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne’s return [down the road].” The trio has never worked together in the past, though had Norton remained in the Marvel film universe, he and Renner would have been co-stars in 2012’s “The Avengers.” Now the three critically acclaimed actors will meet on set for the first time in anticipation of the film’s intended September production start date. Norton is currently filming the Wes Anderson movie “Moonrise Kingdom” with Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Owen Wilson, Harvey Keitel and Tilda Swinton. Check out everything we’ve got on “The Bourne Legacy.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .
‘They’re gonna see a whole different Taylor Lautner from what Jacob is in the ‘Twilight’ pictures,’ John Singleton promises. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf Taylor Lautner in “Abduction” Photo: Lionsgate Taylor Lautner will surprise people in his forthcoming film “Abduction,” according to John Singleton. The renowned director says that Lautner has abandoned his onscreen “Twilight” werewolf alter ego to play a butt-kicking teen in the film, due out in September. “I put him through his paces and I can say this to the MTV audience: They’re gonna see a whole different Taylor Lautner from what Jacob is in the ‘Twilight’ pictures,” Singleton told MTV News. “My goal as a director was to work with him as an actor, for him to have something that’s a different character.” So, what did Singleton draw out of his actor? Singleton said he wanted Lautner’s character to be “strong and charismatic. I’ve done some stuff that I’m sure all the young ladies will really love … and it’s beyond taking his shirt off. It’s about him having a different kind of swag than he does as Jacob. In this movie, he’s Nathan Harper and he’s a kickass dude in this movie.” The director explained that while Lautner plays tough in the flick, he was quite the softie on set, taking the time out to thank his fans for stopping by to watch him in action. “Taylor’s the most famous actor I’ve ever worked with in my whole career,” Singleton said. “When we were shooting this movie, we had 500 to 600 girls and their mothers off the set, trying to get on the set, trying to be around, which was cool.” Singleton said that the star handled all the attention like the seasoned pro that he is. “It was really funny because, you know, after we worked all these hours, he’d go out and he’d graciously shake peoples’ hands and sign autographs,” he said. “He’s phenomenal. I call him a trooper; he’s a real soldier.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Abduction.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com .
Pop star joins new campaign to encourage fans to download PhoneGuard app that locks smartphone when car is in motion. By Gil Kaufman Justin Bieber Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Justin Bieber likely spends way more time on private jets and international flights than behind the wheel of a car. But the teen pop sensation knows one thing about driving: You shouldn’t text when you’re behind the wheel. That’s why Bieber, 17, has signed on to a campaign urging his fans to lay off the smartphone while they drive as part of his ongoing anti-texting-while-driving campaign. “We need to change the attitudes in our society toward texting and driving and I am making it one of my personal goals to make this happen,” said Bieber in a statement released as part of his endorsement of PhoneGuard ‘s Drive Safe software, which disables the texting, email and keyboard functions of mobile phones while a car is in motion. “Every night we perform, we have a banner that goes up that says ‘Don’t Text and Drive’ so it really means a lot to me,” he said. Bieber has been pushing his fans to give up texting while driving since earlier this year when he made a surprise appearance on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to promote the efforts of Wellman, Texas’ Brown family, who have been raising awareness about the dangers of the practice since their daughter, Alex, was killed in a texting-while-driving incident. Bieber’s anti-texting campaign will provide some funds to the Remember Alex Brown Foundation charity. The singer joins a number of other major figures who’ve been working to get the word out about the dangerous practice, including the Jonas Brothers, who have been outspoken advocates with Allstate’s “X the Text” campaign. Others who’ve signed on for that effort include former “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks and “Camp Rock” star Meaghan Martin. “Glee” actress Jane Lynch has also filmed public service announcements, as her TV alter ego Sue Sylvester, on behalf of LG Mobile Phones to highlight the dangers of texting while driving. Among the biggest names to endorse the end of the practice is Oprah Winfrey, who has been asking her followers to take the No Phone Zone Pledge since 2009, in which more than 423,000 people to date have vowed not to text while behind the wheel. Related Artists Justin Bieber
Debris rains down what appear to be crumbling Gotham City buildings in first poster from Christopher Nolan’s Batman threequel. By Eric Ditzian “The Dark Knight Rises” teaser poster Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures In December 2009, a teaser poster for Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” hit the Web. It featured a row of skyscrapers looming above disastrous floodwaters and the promise that the sci-fi flick was the brainchild of “the director of ‘The Dark Knight.’ ” That image, it seems, became something of an inspiration for the brand-new teaser poster for Nolan’s third “Batman” film, “The Dark Knight Rises.” The new poster focuses on another collection of buildings, presumably in Bruce Wayne’s hometown, Gotham City. And once again, there is an ominous air of destruction in the urban environment: The buildings appear to be crumbling, debris raining downward — a stark visual contrast to the film title’s single tweak since the previous installment: the addition of the word “rises.” None of this is to suggest the “Dark Knight Rises” poster is some “Inception” knock-off; Nolan’s beloved “Batman” films hardly need to draft off his Oscar-nominated 2010 dream-heist flick. There are, of course, as many differences as there are similarities between the two. First and foremost, in the “Dark Knight Rises” poster, the tops of the buildings outline the unmistakable form of Batman’s symbol. And whereas Leonardo DiCaprio is front and center in the “Inception” poster (and up to his knees in flood waters), Christian Bale as Batman or Bruce Wayne is nowhere to be seen in the new poster. For now, the only person we’ve officially seen in character is Tom Hardy as Bane . In May, a photo of Bane — shot from behind, a menacing mask over his head — popped up online after Warner Bros. launched a viral marketing campaign. The poster debut comes just days before we’re reportedly set to get our first glimpse of the “Dark Knight Rises” teaser trailer, which is supposed to debut in front of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” when it opens on Friday. With a reported running time of one minute and 33 seconds, hopefully, there will be peeks not only at Bane in motion, but Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle (and possibly in full Catwoman gear). But who knows? Production only kicked off in May, so it’s anybody’s guess how much footage Nolan will deliver in the trailer. If the first “Inception” trailer is any indication, we’ll peep a lot of footage, but likely remain clueless as to what the whole freaking thing is about. And that’s just how we like it. Check out everything we’ve got on “The Dark Knight Rises.” For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com .
Just when you thought you’d never think about Oksana Grigorieva’s damning tapes of Mel Gibson’s pyromaniacal requests for oral sex again, the Braveheart star’s brother is here to echo Jodie Foster and Whoopi Goldberg : Mel’s not a racist, y’all! He’s not even racist. Or aggressive. Or a litterer. Here, let’s allow Andrew Gibson to explain it all.
Last month, Fox News host Glenn Beck retired the cable television iteration of his talk show and left the airwaves, promising his fans a two-hour online show on GBTV — his subscription-based Internet network — and other vague, “exciting” projects that he could not yet discuss. Today, the polarizing figure (and surprising Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark fan ) revealed that those mysterious projects involve film, TV and radio studios that he is constructing in Dallas, Texas. Cue the sinister organ music or Kool & the Gang depending on your mood!
Last month, Fox News host Glenn Beck retired the cable television iteration of his talk show and left the airwaves, promising his fans a two-hour online show on GBTV — his subscription-based Internet network — and other vague, “exciting” projects that he could not yet discuss. Today, the polarizing figure (and surprising Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark fan ) revealed that those mysterious projects involve film, TV and radio studios that he is constructing in Dallas, Texas. Cue the sinister organ music or Kool & the Gang depending on your mood!
Actress Qi Wei#39;s part in “Hui Ma Qiang” has been completely removed after she refused to go on a trip with a rich business man in exchange for her film#39;s sponsorship, according to a report by May Daily website. An insider reportedly said that a famous brand#39;s president had offered to sponsor the promotion of the film up to 5 million Yuan (US $773,000). On the eve of signing the deal, however, the company#39;s boss allegedly demanded one of the film#39;s leading actresses, Qi Wei, to a
The next James Bond movie will hit theaters in November 9, 2012. Who will join Daniel Craig in 007’s next adventure? Sources now confirm that Naomie Harris ( 28 Days Later , Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides ) will come on board as the classic character of Moneypenny, M’s assistant at MI6. She’s appeared in over 20 installments of this franchise. Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes have also booked roles in the film. The former will portray Bond’s nemesis, while insiders simply say Fiennes will take on a “darkly complex” character. He’s had some practice with that as Voldemort in the Harry Potter movies. [Photos: WENN.com, Fame Pictures]
