‘It was very tough for them,’ Taylor Kitsch says of photojournalists reliving their pasts. By Kara Warner Taylor Kitsch in “The Bang Bang Club” Photo: Tribeca Film New film “The Bang Bang Club” revolves around the real-life story of four combat photographers — Greg Marinovich, Joao Silva, Kevin Carter and Ken Oosterbroek — who risked their lives to capture the brutality and violence around the first free elections in post-apartheid South Africa in the early ’90s. Taylor Kitsch and Ryan Philippe star as two of the photographers, along with Malin Akerman as Robin Comley, their conflicted newspaper photo editor. When MTV News caught up with Kitsch and Akerman recently, we discussed the topical nature of the film , as well as the emotional aspect involved in meeting the real-life inspirations for the characters they portrayed. “When I first met Greg Marinovich, that was a big one for me, and Joao — obviously playing someone that has taken their own life, it hurts them a lot too,” Kitsch explained of portraying Carter. “It wasn’t that long ago, and obviously these guys went through a lot more than what I have with my best friends. Asking them to talk about that was very hard for them. It turned into quite — it was very tough for them.” Akerman’s meeting with the woman who inspired her character was equally emotionally charged. “I was lucky to have met Robin Comley,” she said. “She’s a fantastic woman, and she actually came to set one day — she tried coming to set and saw some of the characters in costume, and she just lost it. She couldn’t even deal. Like Taylor said, these people, it was like family, so for them to go through this and relive it, I was actually surprised that Greg and Joao were on set pretty much every day reliving everything.” Check out everything we’ve got on “The Bang Bang Club.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .
Common is expanding his film resumé with the upcoming independent film L.U.V. Common will not only star in the film, but he will produce it as well. Common will portray Vincent, a troubled ex-con who strikes up a friendship with his shy, 13-year-old nephew, who is in search of his family. “Vincent is a uniquely conflicted character,” Common said of his character in the film. “I found an appeal in his desire to move past his failures and onto the right track, and the challenges that presents.” Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Michael K. Williams, and Meagan Good are some of the other actors attached to the project. First time director, Sheldon Candis, will direct the film. RELATED: Bilal & Common “Sorrow Tears & Blood” [MUSIC VIDEO] RELATED: Common’s Memoirs Coming To Stores In June of 2011
Documentary peels back the lore to reveal a band unquestionably shaped by its roots. By James Montgomery Kings of Leon’s Caleb Followill in “Talihina Sky” Photo: Phear Creative There is perhaps no band whose backstory has garnered as much attention as the Kings of Leon , and with good reason. They are, after all, the prodigal preacher’s sons (and nephew) who tapped into the rebellious power of rock and roll and rose from the backwoods to the big stage, a journey that — aside from all the sex and drugs and mustaches — is practically ripped from American folklore. So it would seem almost inevitable that their rise would someday be chronicled in a feature film, one that imbues their career with the spirit of the Holy Ghost and doesn’t skimp on the particulars of all that sex and drugs (and ‘staches). And here it is: “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” a far-reaching documentary that premiered Thursday night at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Directed by longtime Kings friend Stephen Mitchell, produced by Casey McGrath and Phear Creative (and executive-produced by the band itself), “Talihina” is a rock doc in the purest sense of the phrase: full of unedited, unwinding (and frequently un-sober) interviews with the Followill boys (frontman Caleb’s bleary-eyed, Jameson-and-marijuana soaked sitdown is a real doozy); tour-bus shouting matches; honest, teary conversations with their family members and friends and, of course, a whole lot of grainy, slightly embarrassing VHS footage of the Kings as kids. It certainly doesn’t hold anything back. And while, at times, it strays a little too close to deifying the band (or at least their voyage to the top of the charts), it strips away everything you’ve probably read about them, and, in the process, provides the clearest glimpse to date into what makes them tick. In that regard, the film is not only a success, but one of the most compelling music documentaries you’ll ever see. Because no matter how hard the media tries to romanticize their early years, “Talihina” doesn’t. We learn that brothers Caleb, Nathan and Matthew grew up poor, the children of a preacher for whom money was an afterthought and a mother who believed in nothing more than the power of religion. We learn that the boys hated all of those facts, that they suffered when their parents divorced and that they felt betrayed when they learned that their father — the man they viewed as an infallible totem of morality — was just another man, one who had demons of his own. To combat that, they turned to their extensive family — no less than six uncles are interviewed in the film, some of whom may not even be their uncles at all — and the solace of annual retreats in Talihina, Oklahoma … long, boozy weekends filled with horseshoe games and crawfish grabbing in ruddy creeks. In the grand American tradition, this is where they learned to be men, or at least learned to approximate what they felt a man should be. Of course, they also found solace in recreational drug use and Pixies records and, from there, the roots of the band took hold. We learn very little about their formation, instead, we’re quickly whisked away to England, where the Kings became overnight sensations (and media curio cases), partying hard, sleeping around and, really, also learning how to be men. That duality makes up the core of not just the film, but the band itself. On one hand, the Kings have never left their roots behind, as evidenced by footage of them attending later Talihina weekends, mixing it up with shirtless cousins and sagging uncles, but on the other, they seem driven to distance themselves from their past. Watching footage of the band recording their breakthrough Only By the Night album, you can’t help but notice just how hard they’re trying to become the hugest rock band on the planet, and in interviews throughout the film, the Kings talk about their past in reverent, yet weary, tones. And yet, they can never escape their history, no matter how hard they try. In a lot of ways, that struggle is what ultimately makes the film so compelling … and what makes you understand the Kings of Leon just a little bit more. They’re down-home boys who are seemingly never home, rock stars whose sentiments have moved millions, despite the fact those sentiments are derived from a place whose population is just 1,200. They have toured the world and lived the life and yet, whether they want to or not, they are eternally drawn back to Talihina. So, really, they’re not folk heroes (or, as Caleb jokes, “I’m not Captain America”), they’re just small-town kids who inexplicably made it big, boys forced to become men because life conspired to make them so, brothers eternally trying to escape the shadow of their parents. They’re just like you or I, if you think about it. Did you check out the Kings’ documentary? Share your reviews in the comments! For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Artists Kings Of Leon
From Robert Pattinson’s hairdo to his love scenes with Reese Witherspoon, MTV News has you covered. By Eric Ditzian Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon in “Water for Elephants” Photo: 20th Century Fox The question for Robert Pattinson wasn’t if he would make the leap from “Twilight” vamp to major-studio player but when. The answer came in January 2010, when news broke that the British actor was eyeing a role in Fox’s “Water for Elephants.” Ever since, MTV News has been following anything and everything connected to the film, an adaptation of Sara Gruen’s best-selling novel. Now the movie is set to hit theaters and we’re gathering all our coverage into one place for a “Water for Elephants” cheat sheet. Training When word broke of Pattinson’s intention to play a veterinary student named Jacob in “WFE,” Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon was already signed on to play Marlena, a beautiful circus performer who’s married yet falls in love with Jacob when he joins the troupe. Sean Penn was originally eyeing the role of Marlena’s husband, but the part eventually went to another Oscar winner, . With Pattinson’s new part came a new haircut: Goodbye, Edward Cullen’s messy locks , hello Jacob’s cropped do. The first shot of Pattinson in action arrived in June, when a photo of him climbing a train popped up online. More pics followed, including looks at Reese and Rob sharing a smooch . Paparazzi weren’t the only ones paying attention to the production. Fans were everywhere, too. “The only thing I can compare it to is when Leo was in ‘Titanic,’ ” Witherspoon told MTV News in December. “It was that kind of fervor about a person. The women lining up outside the set — it was just unbelievable — till 5 o’clock in the morning waiting to just glimpse him.” Rehearsal Shortly after our chat with Reese, Fox released the first “Watermfor Elephants” trailer , highlighting the film’s story of a circus-centered love triangle between Jacob, Marlena and Marlena’s cruel husband, August/. That, and Rob’s many smoldering looks . A second trailer debuted in March, showing a darker tone and, perhaps to lighten the mood, Reese and Rob’s kiss. As the film’s release date neared, MTV News announced a live-stream event with Pattinson . The star debuted a new clip from the film and stuck around for a 30-minute chat, touching on everything from cursing on the set of “Breaking Dawn” to an awkward “WFE” love scene with Reese. “The love scene in this, I was doing it when I had a really bad cold,” Pattinson explained . “I’m not generally that awkward doing stuff apart from when I’ve got my belly coming out. But my nose is running all over the place and it was in one of the additional photography scenes, and Reese had this wig on, and literally, I was wiping my nose on her wig.” Performance The live chat wouldn’t be our only chance to talk with Rob and the rest of the cast. We met back up with him at a press event a few weeks later. This time around, Pattinson discussed love at first sight (he believes in it) and his preferred circus job (manual labor). “I find it very satisfying. I like stacking boxes and stuff like that,” he said. “And also I looked at all the background guys who were putting up a tent as a part of a scene and they were doing this stuff, like in ‘Dumbo,’ and it looked like something appealing about that, being a part of this team that creates this town in two days, and it’s quite cool. And I like the idea of being the absolute everyman as well.” And, just in case you didn’t get enough of RPattz, MTV News presented a live stream from the “Water for Elephants” red carpet in New York. Turns out, Rob barely made it to the event. “It was a mad rush to get here!” Pattinson said of trying to leave the set of “Breaking Dawn,” which wrapped production hours before the premiere. “I was leaving at, like, one o’clock in the morning. They’re like, ‘C’mon, we need one more shot!’ and you’ve got three people pulling you from either side!” Check out everything we’ve got on “Water for Elephants.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos ‘Water For Elephants’ Red Carpet Premiere MTV Rough Cut: Reese Witherspoon Related Photos ‘Water For Elephants’ Robert And Reese Shine At The ‘Water For Elephants’ Premiere
Actor says his angry rants were recorded during ‘one terribly awful moment in time.’ By Gil Kaufman Mel Gibson Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images For much of the past year, the only times we’ve heard Mel Gibson’s voice in public were when new snippets of his now-infamous rant tapes were released by Radar Online. You might recall the racist, sexist explosion of rage at Gibson’s ex and mother of his infant daughter, Oksana Grigorieva, on the recordings, which were leaked by an unknown source to the site and revealed a dark, disturbing side to the actor whose biggest movies have often been laced with a sadistic streak. Gibson finally broke his silence on the matter this week, sitting down with a reporter from Deadline Hollywood and explaining that the tapes were made in “one terribly awful moment in time, said to one person in the span of one day, and doesn’t represent what I truly believe or how I’ve treated people my entire life.” After the tape scandal, as well as Gibson’s anti-Semitic rant during a drunken driving arrest in 2006, the actor said he realized people might not want to see him in movies again. But with the long-delayed film “The Beaver” slated to hit screens next month and another film in the works, Gibson is resigned to his box-office fate. “I could easily not act again. It’s not a problem,” he said. He admitted that, “of course” he regrets what he said on the recordings — which included threats on Grigorieva’s life — and that he was angry at himself for what he’d said, but that no one ever expressed any anger toward him about the scandal. And even though he’s been a public figure for three decades, Gibson said he was shocked when the tapes ended up online for the world to hear. “Who anticipates being recorded? Who anticipates that?” he said. “Who could anticipate such a personal betrayal?” But when asked how people are supposed to feel about the racist, sexist slurs he used, Gibson denied ever discriminating against anyone. “I’ve never treated anyone badly or in a discriminatory way based on their gender, race, religion or sexuality — period,” he said. “I don’t blame some people for thinking that though, from the garbage they heard on those leaked tapes, which have been edited. You have to put it all in the proper context of being in an irrationally, heated discussion at the height of a breakdown, trying to get out of a really unhealthy relationship.” The reporter also asked about the dust-up over his scotched cameo in “The Hangover II,” which reportedly was pulled after cast members complained about working with the tainted star. “You have to let that go,” he said, responding to the rumors for the first time. “I sat here and talked to [director] Todd [Phillips] about it. I like Todd. How could you not like Todd? He’s smart and he’s gifted and so are the other people in the film. It’s okay. You just have to let that go.” While some longtime friends such as Whoopi Goldberg and “Beaver” co-star Jodie Foster spoke out on Gibson’s behalf, they were in the minority, and the interviewer wondered how the lack of public support from his peers made Gibson feel. “That doesn’t bother me,” he said. “Why would anyone want to speak publicly and drag themselves through this crap? It seems to add fuel to the fire. Very many people are supportive, of course, but you find out who your friends are. I have many friends, and they’ve been great.” Though legally barred from discussing his custody proceedings with Grigorieva, Gibson did talk about the plea deal he took in the assault case against his ex, which allowed him to avoid jail time. “I was allowed to end the case and still maintain my innocence. It’s called a West plea, and it’s not something that prosecutors normally allow,” he said. “But in my case, the prosecutors and the judge agreed that it was the right thing to do. I could have continued to fight this for years, and it probably would have come out fine. But I ended it for my children and my family. This was going to be such a circus. You don’t drag other people in your life through this sewer needlessly, so I’ll take the hit and move on.” Gibson also declined to talk about his divorce from his wife of 28 years, Robyn, citing the lack of privacy in his life due to his fame, but he did say the tape scandal may be the worst thing he’s put his family through. “The main thing is that it was terribly humiliating and painful for my family, all my kids,” he said. “I had to speak to them with everyone, but my youngest who is blissfully unaware, thank God. Well, she may be aware of it one day, and at that time, I guess I’ll just address that. I spent 30 years keeping them away from this kind of thing and I was quite successful. So why should I start now dragging them through that stuff? You try to manage that.” Related Photos Celebrity Mug Shots
Actor says his angry rants were recorded during ‘one terribly awful moment in time.’ By Gil Kaufman Mel Gibson Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images For much of the past year, the only times we’ve heard Mel Gibson’s voice in public were when new snippets of his now-infamous rant tapes were released by Radar Online. You might recall the racist, sexist explosion of rage at Gibson’s ex and mother of his infant daughter, Oksana Grigorieva, on the recordings, which were leaked by an unknown source to the site and revealed a dark, disturbing side to the actor whose biggest movies have often been laced with a sadistic streak. Gibson finally broke his silence on the matter this week, sitting down with a reporter from Deadline Hollywood and explaining that the tapes were made in “one terribly awful moment in time, said to one person in the span of one day, and doesn’t represent what I truly believe or how I’ve treated people my entire life.” After the tape scandal, as well as Gibson’s anti-Semitic rant during a drunken driving arrest in 2006, the actor said he realized people might not want to see him in movies again. But with the long-delayed film “The Beaver” slated to hit screens next month and another film in the works, Gibson is resigned to his box-office fate. “I could easily not act again. It’s not a problem,” he said. He admitted that, “of course” he regrets what he said on the recordings — which included threats on Grigorieva’s life — and that he was angry at himself for what he’d said, but that no one ever expressed any anger toward him about the scandal. And even though he’s been a public figure for three decades, Gibson said he was shocked when the tapes ended up online for the world to hear. “Who anticipates being recorded? Who anticipates that?” he said. “Who could anticipate such a personal betrayal?” But when asked how people are supposed to feel about the racist, sexist slurs he used, Gibson denied ever discriminating against anyone. “I’ve never treated anyone badly or in a discriminatory way based on their gender, race, religion or sexuality — period,” he said. “I don’t blame some people for thinking that though, from the garbage they heard on those leaked tapes, which have been edited. You have to put it all in the proper context of being in an irrationally, heated discussion at the height of a breakdown, trying to get out of a really unhealthy relationship.” The reporter also asked about the dust-up over his scotched cameo in “The Hangover II,” which reportedly was pulled after cast members complained about working with the tainted star. “You have to let that go,” he said, responding to the rumors for the first time. “I sat here and talked to [director] Todd [Phillips] about it. I like Todd. How could you not like Todd? He’s smart and he’s gifted and so are the other people in the film. It’s okay. You just have to let that go.” While some longtime friends such as Whoopi Goldberg and “Beaver” co-star Jodie Foster spoke out on Gibson’s behalf, they were in the minority, and the interviewer wondered how the lack of public support from his peers made Gibson feel. “That doesn’t bother me,” he said. “Why would anyone want to speak publicly and drag themselves through this crap? It seems to add fuel to the fire. Very many people are supportive, of course, but you find out who your friends are. I have many friends, and they’ve been great.” Though legally barred from discussing his custody proceedings with Grigorieva, Gibson did talk about the plea deal he took in the assault case against his ex, which allowed him to avoid jail time. “I was allowed to end the case and still maintain my innocence. It’s called a West plea, and it’s not something that prosecutors normally allow,” he said. “But in my case, the prosecutors and the judge agreed that it was the right thing to do. I could have continued to fight this for years, and it probably would have come out fine. But I ended it for my children and my family. This was going to be such a circus. You don’t drag other people in your life through this sewer needlessly, so I’ll take the hit and move on.” Gibson also declined to talk about his divorce from his wife of 28 years, Robyn, citing the lack of privacy in his life due to his fame, but he did say the tape scandal may be the worst thing he’s put his family through. “The main thing is that it was terribly humiliating and painful for my family, all my kids,” he said. “I had to speak to them with everyone, but my youngest who is blissfully unaware, thank God. Well, she may be aware of it one day, and at that time, I guess I’ll just address that. I spent 30 years keeping them away from this kind of thing and I was quite successful. So why should I start now dragging them through that stuff? You try to manage that.” Related Photos Celebrity Mug Shots
Film is not set to include Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne. By Kara Warner Jeremy Renner Photo: Getty Images After months of speculation, Universal has officially named actor Jeremy Renner as the star of “The Bourne Legacy.” According to Deadline , the two-time Oscar nominee (for “The Hurt Locker” and “The Town”) is expected to “sign on quickly” to play a new character in the spin-off film written and directed by “Bourne” screenwriter Tony Gilroy. Renner will reportedly play an operative from a covert government program that is even more dangerous than the Treadstone brainwashing program that hatched Jason Bourne, memorably played by Matt Damon in the first three hit films. For those who have been following the ups and downs of the “Bourne” saga, Renner’s casting is not at all a surprise, given reports that leaked earlier this month saying he had been offered the role. The actor beat out a slew of talented and buzzworthy contenders, which reportedly included Alex Pettyfer, Taylor Kitsch, Dominic Cooper, Garrett Hedlund and Luke Evans. Gilroy has previously stated that although Damon’s Bourne will not be a part of “Legacy,” he has left the door open for future Bourne-centric films down the road. “The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal,” Gilroy said of his story for “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].” Production is said to begin in September. 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 .
Catherine Zeta-Jones appeared to be all smiles Wednesday on the Shreveport, Louisiana, set of the comedy Playing the Field, which also stars Jessica Biel and Gerard Butler. Catherine Zeta-Jones is back in action and looking great. The actress, 41, who revealed that she#39;d been diagnosed with and treated for bipolar II disorder, is already back to work – and beaming. She#39;s also already lined up her next project: Zeta-Jones has signed on to star in the film version of Rock of Ages, us conf
We’ve got a sneak peek at the trailer for the Sundance favorite formerly known as ‘Homework.’ By Eric Ditzian Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts in “The Art of Getting By” Photo: Fox Searchlight Back in January, when it was still called “Homework,” Emma Roberts’ indie coming-of-age tale became one of the Sundance festival’s most buzzy films, selling to Fox Searchlight for reportedly more than $3 million on the same day of its premiere. “That was our dream!” Roberts said when we caught up with her at Sundance. “I can’t believe it happened the day it premiered. I got the call and I freaked out.”
Ernie Hudson says he hasn’t been offered a role in the 3rd installment in the Ghostbusters franchise despite reports that the film is actually happening. Hudson starred as Winston Zeddemore in the first two Ghostbusters films. “I haven’t seen anybody with any money, but I hear it’s happening,” Hudson told TMZ . “I’ve been reading all of the press stuff and the fans have been telling me that it’s on so we’ll see. I’m not waiting for it, but I’d love to see it happen.” RELATED: Could “Ghostbusters 3″ Start Filming This Winter?! RELATED: Ice Cube & Disney Partner Up For “Chrome & Paint”
