The Real Housewives of New Jersey kicked off season four last night, and very little looked or sounded different to veteran viewers of this franchise. Main case in point: Melissa Gorga is still have problems with Teresa Giudice, especially after the latter claimed – during the premiere – that Gorga would leave Teresa’s husband, Joe, if a “richer man” came along. “I’m trying everything I can to bite my tongue and give a pass here and there, but [her comments] hurt because that’s family,” Gorga told Us Weekly after the episode aired. “What she said [about Joe and I] made no sense. She had no rhyme or reason to say it. It’s very obvious it’s not the case and not true.” Why would Teresa make such statement? Her sibling had a theory, which he expressed on the opening installment. “I believe that she’s living a rough life with her husband, she’s unhappy and misery loves company,” Joe Gorga said.
As Gary Ross’ ‘Hunger Games’ future becomes uncertain, Hobnobbing scopes out other directors well-suited for the film. By Amy Wilkinson Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate Gary Ross’ future with “The Hunger Games” sequel, “Catching Fire,” seemed a foregone conclusion — so much so that the helmer felt comfortable discussing his preliminary vision for the follow-up with MTV News recently. So it was a rude awakening for fans when The Hollywood Reporter reported on Wednesday that Ross was embroiled in “tough negotiations” with Lionsgate regarding his contract, and that the studio might opt to go the way of “Twilight” and “Harry Potter” and have a different director oversee follow-ups. It’s evident from interviews that Ross has a strong passion and deep insight into Suzanne Collins’ source material, so it would be a shame to see him go — a sentiment many fans share, according to a poll on MTV’s Hollywood Crush. But, if the franchise does lose Ross, which directors would be well-suited for “Catching Fire”? We have a few ideas: Steven Soderbergh The “Contagion” director is already acquainted with the world of Panem, having served as a second-unit director, creating the vision for the emotionally wrought District 11 rebellion. Soderbergh is adept at action sequences (see: “Haywire”) and boasts a flair for the stylized (see: “Ocean’s Eleven”) — important qualities for both the arena and the Capitol. Debra Granik Granik has ample experience guiding Jennifer Lawrence in a gritty tale of survival: She helmed the harrowing “Winter’s Bone,” which garnered Lawrence her first Oscar nomination. Why not extend this fruitful relationship? And though the film doesn’t require a woman director to convey Katniss’ viewpoint, it might be nice. David Yates Yates took over the “Harry Potter” franchise with “Order of the Phoenix,” going on to deliver a satisfying finale with “Deathly Hallows, Part 2.” He’s clearly comfortable picking up where previous directors left off, and has a mastery of epic, franchise filmmaking. Kathryn Bigelow To be fair, Bigelow’s work directing the war-torn drama “The Hurt Locker” makes her more qualified for the conflict-heavy “Mockingjay,” but why not get an early start setting up the events of the final installment? Plus, the woman’s got an Oscar, for Effie’s sake! Christopher Nolan If we’re gonna dream, why not dream big? Nolan’s earned a reputation for awe-inspiring aesthetics (see: “Inception,” anything he’s done involving a crime-fighting bat), so we can’t even begin to imagine what the Capitol and the jungle-themed arena would look like in his visionary hands. Would you be disappointed to see Gary Ross go? Who do you think would be capable of taking over the franchise? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns! Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Jennifer Lawrence MTV Rough Cut: Josh Hutcherson MTV Rough Cut: Gary Ross
The rumors of Camille Grammer’s departure have been made an official reality: this controversial Bravo star will not return to the franchise for season three. “She’s been in discussions and at the end decided she wasn’t willing to expose her personal life anymore,” a source tells People . “She’s at peace with her decision.”
Exciting news today from the mockbuster mavens at The Asylum : The B-movie specialists have announced their next creature feature, Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark , a sequel to 2009’s Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus and its 2010 follow-up Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus . This time around the hardy Mega Shark faces the ultimate enemy: Mecha Shark, “her mechanical doppelganger.” Contain yourselves! “The fan response to the Mega Shark franchise has been rabid,” said The Asylum partner Paul Bales in a statement. “In addition to a very persuasive online petition, we found that Mega Shark has taken on a life of her own. We’ve received photos of Mega Shark cakes, toys and games on a near-daily basis, and we thought it was high time she did battle with an iconic Mecha monster.” If you’ve been resistant to the charms of the Asylum’s brand of so bad they’re good genre pics and blockbuster knock-offs, now’s the time to come to terms with the truth: This is the closest cinema has come to replicating Gojira and its kaiju brethren since the golden years of Toho. What’s more, Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark will mark The Asylum’s first-ever trilogy. High five, guys! Let’s have a toast to the franchise contributions of Debbie Gibson and Jaleel White! Someone get me a Mega Shark cake! Take a look back at Mega Shark’s greatest hits and brainstorm: Which former ’80s/’90s idol will lead the cast this time around? Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus : Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus :
Kermit the Frog and new Muppet Walter join MTV News as co-hosts of this week’s ‘Talk Nerdy.’ By Josh Wigler Walter and Kermit Photo: MTV News Want a surefire way to cease all productivity in your workplace? Bring in the Muppets. It works every time. Kermit the Frog and newly-minted man-of-a-Muppet Walter graced MTV News with their presence earlier this week, catching the attention of everyone passing through our newsroom at the time. As you might expect, the “Muppets” stars are quite the charming duo in real life. It’s one thing to see their antics on the big screen; watching them come alive right before you, however, is another experience entirely. The effect they have on even the most serious of grown adults (though, admittedly, we don’t have many of those around these parts) is astounding: Within seconds of laying eyes on Kermit and Walter, years of growth and maturity immediately fade away, leaving you in a temporary state of childlike wonder. In short, I fully recommend meeting Muppets if you ever have the chance. Of course, Kermit and Walter weren’t at MTV News headquarters purely out of the kindness of their hearts, kind though their hearts may be: They were here to promote “The Muppets,” arriving on Blu-ray and DVD on March 20. We were happy to chat with them about the awesome home-video release — it has an intermission feature, everybody! An intermission feature! — but Kermit and Walter had more than just their own movie on their minds: They also wanted to talk about superheroes, vampires, deadly tournaments and more. As such, Kermit and Walter were perfect candidates to fill in as special guest co-hosts on “Talk Nerdy” this week. It’s always fun to geek out with fellow nerds about Captain America and Katniss Everdeen, but hitting those subjects with two of the most popular Muppets out there? Priceless. Here’s a quick list of some of the things I learned from Kermit and Walter’s “Nerdy” appearance.
‘I got to play this character that I love, and then whatever I didn’t like, I can fix next year,’ ‘Hunger Games’ star tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Jennifer Lawrence Photo: MTV News “The Hunger Games.” has yet to hit theaters, but preparations for the next flick in the series, “Catching Fire,” are already in the works. Still, the franchise’s leading lady, Jennifer Lawrence, is just trying to catch her breath for the first film, out March 23, before she can catch fire. “It’s kind of like when we’re there, let’s talk about it. But until then I’m sick of hearing about myself as Katniss,” she laughed to MTV News when asked how she feels about having to hit the set for the next film. “And also we’ve been focusing on getting this one out so much that we haven’t really had time to talk about the second one. I’m sure they’ve had time.” “Catching Fire” picks up where the first novel/movie leaves off. (Warning: Minor spoilers ahead!) With the latest round of the Hunger Games over and Katniss and her pal, Peeta, standing victorious, there’s rebellion under way against the Capitol. But that’s not the only upheaval. There’s a special edition of the Hunger Games announced that will up the stakes once again for the two friends and everyone they know. “I think one and three are my favorites [in the franchise],” she said of her favorite novels in the Suzanne Collins-penned trilogy. “But ‘Catching Fire,’ I’m looking forward to shooting ’cause it kind of becomes more of a war movie.” While some actors might not be ready to commit to a multiple film franchise, the Oscar nominee saw it as a chance to create the Katniss character in a fully realized way. “That was definitely something to take into consideration. But then I was like, I’m an actor so I would be doing a film, at least a movie a year anyway,” she explained. “And then the opportunity to play a character that you love and something you’re really passionate about, that happens rarely, if at all, in somebody’s life. So now it’s a blessing ’cause I got to play this character that I love this year and then whatever I didn’t like, I can fix next year.” Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Jennifer Lawrence Related Photos ‘Hunger Games’ Blazes Into U.K. ‘Hunger Games’ World Premiere Red Carpet The Hunger Games
With the March 23 release of The Hunger Games – a film that has set box office records for advanced ticket sales – Jennifer Lawrence is about to become a global sensation. But don’t tell that to the actress. “I look at Kristen Stewart now and I think, ‘I’d never want to be that famous,'” Lawrence tells the latest issue of Glamour UK . “”I can’t imagine how I’d feel if all of a sudden my life was pandemonium.” With such anticipation for The Hunger Games , though, and with two more films in the franchise beyond that, Lawrence – and British boyfriend Nicholas Hoult – should prepare for a paparazzi onslaught. Not that the actress is really causing a stink. “In some ways, it’s a hard life, but it’s a great professional life,” she says. “I’m doing what I love, and then I get months and months of rest. I have a lot of money for a 21-year-old. I can’t stand it when actors complain.” Amen, Jennifer.
First day advance ticket sales (i.e. sales on the first day tickets are made available) for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse had held the number one spot in Fandango history until this week, when the YA adaptation The Hunger Games took the crown . You hear that? It’s the sound of Lionsgate execs exhaling a month ahead of their franchise-starter’s March 23 debut. The Hunger Games could still drop off considerably after its first week of release, but this is a great early sign for Katniss & Co. [ Deadline ]
Kobe Bryant, already the leading scorer in Los Angeles Lakers franchise history, passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for another franchise record on Sunday night, battling the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minnesota.
We’re down to the final four in the NFL. On Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens do battle with the New England Patriots, while the New York Giants head to San Francisco to face the 49ers. Which teams will be featured in a Super Bowl that also includes a mostly naked David Beckham ? We break down the key categories of the first match up below… CONNECTION TO GOD : Ravens: Middle linebacker Ray Lewis is an ordained minster. Patriots: Blew away Tim Tebow and the Broncos last week, 45-10. Edge: Patriots UNIVERSITY STARTING QUARTERBACK ATTENDED : Ravens: Delaware Patriots: Michigan Edge: Ravens RECORDS BROKEN BY STARTING QUARTERBACKS : Ravens: Worst facial hair Patriots: Most touchdown passes in a single season Edge: Patriots MASCOT REPRESENTS: Ravens: The most widely distributed of all corvids Patriots: A patriotic freedom fighter Edge: Patriots TYPICAL FAN : Ravens: Unclear Patriots: Drunk Masshole Edge: Ravens THE VERDICT: The Patriots pull it out, three categories to two. Blame Joe Flacco’s Fu Manchu, as well as his poor passing ability, for the inevitable loss by the Ravens. WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN?
