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Mary J. Blige To Star In Nina Simone Biopic

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Film focuses on Simone’s relationship later in life with her assistant. By Kara Warner Mary J. Blige Photo: Getty Images Fresh off her role in Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All by Myself,” Mary J. Blige has signed on to play legendary crooner Nina Simone in a biopic of her life. According to Variety, the film — currently titled “Nina” — focuses on Simone’s relationship later in life with her assistant Clifton Henderson, who will be played by David Oyelowo (“The Last King of Scotland”). Although this will be the first major leading role for the Grammy winner, Blige has been flexing her acting muscles since 1998, when she played Ola Mae on “The Jamie Foxx Show.” Since that appearance, Blige has guest-starred in episodes of “The Ghost Whisperer” and “Strong Medicine,” and her other film credits include “Prison” and “Angel: One More Road to Cross.” Musically, Blige is a fitting choice to play Simone, who was known as “The High Priestess of Soul.” She certainly has the chops to take on the singer/songwriter’s sultry lower register on jazzy songs like “My Baby Just Cares for Me” and “I Put a Spell on You.” If the film does stay focused on the storied singer’s later life, it will be interesting to see how far the filmmakers delve into Simone’s emotional and mental struggles with multiple-personality disorder and schizophrenia. “Nina” is set to begin shooting in September in France. The script is penned and directed by Cynthia Mort, who wrote “The Brave One.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Artists Mary J. Blige

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Kristen Stewart To Star In Film Adaptation Of ‘On The Road’

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I am about to play Marylou in ‘On the Road,’ ‘Twilight’ star says during ‘Oprah’ taping. By Eric Ditzian Kristen Stewart Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images The big Kristen Stewart-related news of the week is that “Breaking Dawn” has, at long last, been gifted with a release date . But a smaller, though no less intriguing, nugget of KStew-y goodness dropped on Wednesday (May 5), when the 20-year-old actress paid a visit to “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Stewart is attached to the long-gestating adaptation of “On the Road,” the seminal 1957 novel by Jack Kerouac that came to define the Beat Generation, according to USA Today . “I am very much attached to a movie that has been trying to get made forever,” she told the paper while in Chicago for the “Oprah” taping. “Not that this is going to help it, but maybe I can just brag a little bit. I am super excited about it, too. I am about to play Marylou in ‘On the Road.’ So that’s a big deal.” Marylou is the wife of Dean Moriarity, the disaffected drifter at the center of Kerouac’s book. “Tron Legacy” star Garrett Hedland is reportedly set to play Moriarity , while little-known British actor Sam Riley will play Sal Paradise, Kerouac’s narrator and Moriarity’s worshipful, cross-country driving buddy. Walter Salles (“The Motorcycle Diaries”) has been tapped as director. USA Today reports that the film is gearing up to start filming this summer, after filmmakers like Gus Van Sant and Francis Ford Coppola have tried for years to adapt Kerouac’s film for the big screen. The summer shoot should end well in advance of the start of filming on “Breaking Dawn” this fall. The final film in the “Twilight” franchise will hit theaters on November 18, 2011. What do you think of Kristen’s new role? Let us know in the comments below! For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com .

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Joaquin Phoenix Mockumentary Is Really Happening

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Casey Affleck-directed film is being shopped to buyers, including Harvey Weinstein. By Eric Ditzian Joaquin Phoenix Photo: Gustavo Caballero/ Getty Images Who could forget Joaquin Phoenix’s epic unraveling on the “Late Show With David Letterman,” when the heavily bearded actor mumbled his way through one of the most awkward appearances in late-night history? Had the guy lost his marbles ? Or was this whole muttering Grizzly Adams thing an elaborate hoax? A hoax it was, and the mockumentary about Phoenix’s transition from Oscar-nominated actor to aspiring rapper is complete and being shopped around to buyers, reports Deadline.com . Directed by Casey Affleck , the film’s details are being keep under lock and key, but it will surely follow Phoenix’s many public, perplexing episodes since word of the project — publicized as a straight documentary — first cropped up in January of 2009. Those episodes included a video of the actor spitting verses at a nightclub, reportedly inking a deal with Diddy, performing at a club in Las Vegas (and falling off the stage), and supposedly posting demo tracks on MySpace. And, of course, there was the “Letterman” interview, which took such a bizarre turn that at the end of the segment, the host memorably said to Phoenix, “I’m sorry you couldn’t be here tonight.” According to the Deadline report, the mockumentary was debuted to buyers last week during a private lunchtime screening at the William Morris Endeavor talent agency. Attendees included Harvey Weinstein. A deal for the film is expected to be completed within a matter of days. There’s still no word about when the public will get a chance to see the film, but the apparent goal is to keep the mockumentary’s details a secret for as long as possible before it debuts. For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .

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‘Iron Man 2’ Director Jon Favreau Says Film Is Better Than Original

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I do prefer this one,’ he says of the sequel. By Larry Carroll, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Jon Favreau Photo: MTV News In the minds of some, Jon Favreau’s “Iron Man” is the greatest superhero movie ever made. It might be surprising to learn, then, that the director considers this week’s “Iron Man 2” to be the better film. “I do prefer this one,” he revealed when we interviewed him recently. With a smile, he admitted, “But I think it’s because I just worked on this one. “That’s the nature of being a filmmaker,” he explained. “They’re each your baby. I’m the worst [to answer questions like this]. “Ask somebody if they have a smart kid,” he said, comparing the experience. ” ‘You have a nice kid, a cute kid, but is he smart?’ Well, I’m not really objective, but I have to say yes. So it’s that type of thing.” The sequel amps up the story line by focusing on Tony Stark’s life after he has revealed himself to be Iron Man, and beefs up the cast substantially with newly added franchise stars Mickey Rourke, Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson. “I really feel like with this one, I’m really proud of what we have been able to do,” Favreau reasoned. “I like the challenge of how we addressed having a successful first film. The way we added new characters and new castmembers. I like the way that even though we have a lot of characters, the story lines slowly weave into each other so by the end of the film, you have two story lines and then you have one big story line and it all ends that way.” Favreau also admitted that he’s particularly proud of how he was able to juggle all that while simultaneously honoring Marvel’s unprecedented request of the filmmaker to help set up several other films that will be made by other directors and writers. “I like the way it sets up what can happen later with ‘Avengers’ and ‘Thor’ and all that stuff,” he added. “I think it balanced out all that needed to happen, and there’s a sense of fun. It’s fun and exciting.” As for the effects and action in “Iron Man 2,” Favreau said it also tops the original. “The film is much more ambitious in the form of sound and visual effects,” he explained. “I have to say I’m very happy now that everything’s done. I want to leave it alone. I think it’s the best version of the film we could have had.” Will you be seeing “Iron Man 2” on opening day? Let us know in the comments below! Check out everything we’ve got on “Iron Man 2.” For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Jon Favreau Related Photos ‘Iron Man 2’ Premieres In Los Angeles

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‘Transformers 3’ Signs Patrick Dempsey, Not Jamie Kennedy

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Previous reports that Kennedy would appear in next ‘Transformers’ film denied by actor’s representation. By Adam Rosenberg Patrick Dempsey Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images “Grey’s Anatomy” star Patrick Dempsey is onboard for “Transformers 3.” Jamie Kennedy is not. Cinema Blend reported earlier this week that both actors were in — the Dempsey news came from a translated interview with a Brazilian outlet and the Kennedy news came from an appearance he made on an Arizona radio station. MTV News reached out to Kennedy’s representation for confirmation, and they replied with the following statement: “This was taken out of context from a radio interview where Jamie mentioned he had auditioned for ‘Transformers 3’ and as a huge fan of the franchise, would love to be a part of it. At this time Jamie is in no way attached to the film.” No other details about Kennedy’s involvement are known, including the part he auditioned for in the first place. The Dempsey news comes from Paramount, via Variety , which is also reporting the studio’s confirmation that shooting will get going on “Transformers 3” sometime this month. Stars Shia LeBeouf and Megan Fox are, of course, returning. Dempsey, who revealed that he’ll play a “dark” character, will fill the role of Fox’s boss. Before he joins director Michael Bay and his fellow “Transformers 3” actors on the set, Dempsey will first fulfill his commitments to the indie comedy “Flypaper.” He stars as a guy who has a crush on a local bank teller (Jessica Biel) and ends up trapped in said bank during two simultaneous robberies. The script for that one comes from “The Hangover” writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .

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Eminem’s ‘Not Afraid’ Enters Billboard Hot 100 At #1

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Recovery track is only 16th single to claim that feat in chart’s 52-year history. By Jayson Rodriguez Eminem Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Add another triumph to the long list of achievements for Eminem . The Detroit lyricist will land atop the Billboard Hot 100 on Thursday, when his latest single, “Not Afraid,” debuts at #1, marking only the 16th time in the chart’s history that a record has premiered in the lead slot. According to Billboard, Eminem has now joined a select group of artists that includes Michael Jackson (“You Are Not Alone”), Whitney Houston (“Exhale [Shoop, Shoop]”), Celine Dion (“My Heart Will Go On”), Lauryn Hill (“Doo Wop [That Thing]”) and Diddy (“I’ll Be Missing You”), among others. Mariah Carey leads the pack with three songs having debuted at #1 on the chart, “Fantasy,” “Honey” and her collaboration with Boyz II Men, “One Sweet Day.” “American Idol” has impacted the charts in a big way in recent years, as tunes by Clay Aiken, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks have also opened in the Hot 100 top spot. And the last artist to accomplish that feat was Britney Spears, whose 2009 hit “3” reached the chart’s summit in its first week. “Not Afraid” is Eminem’s first offering from June 22’s Recovery, the follow-up to last year’s Relapse. Late last month, Eminem announced the single via Twitter, writing simply “I’m Not Afraid.” The song debuted online April 29, and on the track Eminem acknowledged his bumpy comeback after a five-year hiatus, calling his last album “ehh,” before promising better material on the upcoming Recovery. “To the fans, I’ll never let you down again, I’m back/ I promise to never go back on that promise,” Em spits in the second verse. “In fact, let’s be honest/ That last Relapse CD was ‘ehh’/ Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground/ Relax, I ain’t going to do that now.” What do you think about Eminem’s achievement? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Eminem

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Orlando Bloom In Talks For ‘Three Musketeers’

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans and Matthew Macfadyen confirmed for titular roles in Paul W.S. Anderson flick. By Adam Rosenberg Orlando Bloom Photo: Getty Images/ Frederick M. Brown Of Hollywood’s two competing “Three Musketeers” projects — one to be directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the other by Doug Liman — Anderson’s treatment just took a big, galloping lead. A big chunk of cast has been announced as either confirmed or in negotiation, including the parts of the titular musketeers, their pal d’Artagnan and the main villains. The Hollywood Reporter ‘s Heat Vision blog revealed that Ray Stevenson (“The Book of Eli”), Luke Evans (“Clash of the Titans”) and Matthew Macfadyen (“Robin Hood”) are confirmed for the roles of Porthos, Athos and Aramis, respectively, the so-called Three Musketeers. “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” star Logan Lerman is in negotiations for d’Artagnan, the young protagonist of the original Alexandre Dumas novel. On the villains’ side, Anderson has locked in two great ones: “Inglourious Basterds” Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz will play Cardinal Richelieu and “Casino Royale” villain Mads Mikkelsen is locked for Rochefort. The director’s wife, Milla Jovovich, star of Anderson’s “Resident Evil” series, also joined the cast. She’ll play Milady de Winter, a former lover of Musketeer Athos described as a “17th-century ‘Bond’ girl.” As if all of this top-tier casting isn’t enough, there’s also an offer out to Orlando Bloom for the role of the Duke of Buckingham. Anderson, who co-wrote the script with Andrew Davies, is said to be going for a “contemporary” feel while maintaining the period setting in his treatment of the story. The adaptation will also be presented in 3-D, a format that Anderson has been vocal about embracing in all of his future film work. His next effort, “Resident Evil: Afterlife,” is in 3-D and currently set for a September 10 release. What other young Hollywood actor should join the “Musketeers”? Tell us in the comments! For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .

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‘Glee’ Star Lea Michele Tells Ellen She Almost Ran Into Jon Bon Jovi

Posted on May 4, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘He smiled nicely,’ she recalled of the near car crash on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show.’ By Rochell D. Thomas Lea Michele Photo: Getty Images When it comes to covering pop tunes, Lea Michele is a pro. But when it comes to driving, the “Glee” star is in need of some help. It turns out Michele, known adoringly to Gleeks as Rachel Berry, is a terrible driver — or so she said on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Tuesday (May 4) during her appearance to promote the sold-out “Glee” tour. A native of Bronx, New York, Michele moved to Los Angeles to shoot the Fox series. (She shares a place with co-star Dianna Agron, who plays Quinn). And though she has only lived there for little more than a year, she has already had two noteworthy car accidents. In one, she admittedly fled the scene, and in the other, she nearly killed a rock star. The first accident occurred minutes before her final audition for “Glee.” Michele told Ellen that she was “turning into the Fox lot” when she “got into a terrible car crash” in the intersection. No one was injured. But to keep from being late, Michele said she “left my car in the street and ran up the lot for my audition.” Fast-forward to April 2010, and the 23-year-old starlet copped to almost hitting Jon Bon Jovi. “I was reversing on Robertson,” she said of the incident, which happened last week. “I pulled into the intersection and realized I was too late to make a left turn, so I reversed. And my friend was like, ‘Yeah, you almost hit Jon Bon Jovi.’ ” Michele, who made her professional acting debut as an 8-year-old playing Young Cosette in Broadway’s “Les Mis

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Killers Singer Brandon Flowers Preps Solo Debut

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Frontman’s Flamingo is ‘coming soon,’ according to band’s Web site. By Gil Kaufman Brandon Flowers Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/ Getty Images You can take the man out of Las Vegas, but you can’t take Las Vegas out of the man. Leave it to Killers singer Brandon Flowers to find a way to pay homage to his sucker’s-paradise hometown in the announcement of his debut solo album. After a week of Web teases, Flowers announced that he’d be stepping out on the band with a disc called Flamingo, which the band’s official Web site says is “coming soon.” The announcement, in the form of a broken-down neon sign that has the singer’s name and a playing-card club lit up in red, is accompanied by a spare electronic track made up of pinging synth notes and some wordless falsetto vocals. The singer has also set up a parallel site that contains the same synth loop and glowing sign and that will presumably be a source of information about the disc. The Killers teased the news of the Flowers album on Twitter earlier this week, telling their followers to check their official site for “big updates.” While on tour in Australia earlier this year, the band canceled a number of dates following the death of Flowers’ mother and said they would be taking an indefinite break from touring. A spokesperson for the group could not be reached for further details about the album’s release. It appears Flowers isn’t the only Killer taking a break, as drummer Ronnie Vannucci has signed up to perform in a supergroup called Mt. Desolation , featuring members of Keane, Mumford & Sons, Noah and the Whale and the Long Winters. Related Artists The Killers

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Drake Says Jay-Z Wasn’t Immediately Sold On ‘Over’

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Jay likened the Thank Me Later single to a girl who isn’t the cutest but is still sexy. By Jayson Rodriguez Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Drake’s breakout mixtape, So Far Gone, set the bar pretty high for his upcoming debut album, Thank Me Later. His first offering, “Over,” was intensely debated, but DJs co-signed the single almost immediately. One critic, however, wasn’t as quick to deliver praise. According to Drake, Jay-Z had to warm up to the record. “I got a funny e-mail today from Jay-Z about [‘Over’],” Drake said during a conference call for DJs . The Toronto lyricist said Jay offered an analogy to describe the way the track grew on him. He compared the song to “the girl you see at the club, she’s not the cutest,” Drake explained. “But then you speak to her and realize that she’s one of the sexiest women of all time.” Drake premiered his follow-up to “Over” early Thursday morning (April 29), the Kanye West-produced “Find Your Love.” He recently shot a video for the track in Jamaica, and images from the set have leaked online. Two other Thank Me Later tracks, “Fireworks” and “Shut It Down” (featuring The-Dream), have sprung up online. Drake also revealed during the call that he might have a bonus track on his debut album featuring Lupe Fiasco and upstart MC J. Cole. “I think that would be a special moment for hip-hop fans,” he said, before adding a joke. “For people that are disappointed when I drop songs like ‘Find Your Love,’ I think they would appreciate that. Hopefully they’re both willing.” Do you want to hear Drake’s collabo with Lupe and J. Cole? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Drake Jay-Z

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