Already sick of next year’s April Fools’ Day? Renew your faith with this Funny or Die preview for Rebecca Black’s “Friday” film adaptation, Sunday Comes Afterwards , which sounds like a delightful Tennessee Williams tale. Unfortunately, it’s an apocalyptic thriller. The lack of Auto-Tune during Rebecca’s triumphant call of “I don’t want this world to ennnnnd ” is a cinematic touchstone for the ages.
It looks like we might have a pair of winners in the Movieline-approved battle royale for the male leads in Hunger Games . Deadline reports that Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson are the front-runners to play Gale and Peeta in the Gary Ross-directed film. “I love Peeta,” Hutcherson told EW last month . “The character is so much who I am — self deprecating, a people person. And he’d be such a great character to play! Like in the third book? Oh my God.” Developing… [ Deadline ]
‘Sucker Punch’ star also opens up about declining ‘Twilight’ audition. By Terri Schwartz Emily Browning Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images The role might have recently gone to Jennifer Lawrence , but there was a point in time when “Sucker Punch” star Emily Browning might have played District 12 champion Katniss Everdeen in the upcoming Lionsgate adaptation of “The Hunger Games.” “I read for [‘Hunger Games’] a couple of times, but I’ve never read the book, to be honest — which I know is terrible of me,” Browning said in an interview with the Playlist . “I was nervous about it.” Despite the fact Browning started out her acting career as one of the leads in an adaptation of a popular children’s series, it was that experience that turned her off from moving on to starring in the young-adult genre. She admitted that there was a period of time between when she filmed 2004’s “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” and when she agreed to come onboard Friday’s “Sucker Punch” that she seriously considered quitting acting altogether. It was during that time that she found out “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer said she would be the perfect Bella Swan for the upcoming adaptation of the novel, but Browning wasn’t ready to commit to a franchise. “I was just exhausted, and I was like, ‘I’m sorry, but I just can’t sign onto a trilogy right now,’ ” Browning told MTV News in 2009, after she finished “The Uninvited.” “To be honest, if I had gone on to do the film straight after ‘The Uninvited,’ I would not have been a good Bella . and I’m hoping people realize that now.” But it was the fact that she was vilified for reportedly turning down the “Twilight” role that caused Browning to remain so hush-hush about trying out for “Hunger Games.” “It’s always hard for me to talk about these kinds of things, because I know there was a big deal with ‘Twilight’ and my involvement with people wanting me to do ‘Twilight,’ so I’m always like, ‘Oh, people love this book so much, I don’t want to get involved, I don’t want to talk about it!’ ” Browning explained. “I read for [‘Hunger Games’] a couple of times, but I think every single girl in Hollywood read for it a couple of times, to be honest.” Would you have liked to see Emily Browning play Katniss Everdeen or Bella Swan? Sound off below! For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .
‘In ‘Winter’s Bone,’ you can see that she can handle anything that’s thrown at her,’ Down With the Capitol’s Theresa Morgan tells MTV News. By Amy Wilkinson Jennifer Lawrence Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images On Thursday, MTV News exclusively revealed that Jennifer Lawrence had landed the highly coveted role of Katniss Everdeen in the big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ dystopian thriller “The Hunger Games.” The announcement capped months of speculation regarding who would enter the arena as District 12’s female tribute. It seemed nearly every actress under the age of 25 had auditioned for the role, including fellow Oscar nominees Hailee Steinfeld and Abigail Breslin. Now that fans know Jennifer will carry Katniss’ bow and arrow, reactions — largely mixed — have been flooding the internet. The chief gripe from some is that the tall, blond 20-year-old doesn’t resemble the novel’s scrappy 16-year-old heroine described as olive-skinned and dark-haired. “People are like, ‘She shouldn’t be Katniss because she looks wrong,’ ” said Mockingjay.net administrator Kimmy West. “Other people are telling them, ‘Hey, acting is more important, and she’s an amazing actress, so we should keep our minds open for the movie.’ ” To wit, many Jennifer supporters cite the actress’ performance in the Oscar-nominated “Winter’s Bone” as reason enough for her to take up residence in Panem. “She’s extremely talented,” said Down With the Capitol administrator Theresa Morgan. “In ‘Winter’s Bone,’ you can see that she can handle anything that’s thrown at her.” Age is also a factor working in Jennifer’s favor. Though she’s four years older than the novel’s heroine, The Hob administrator Megan Scott said an older actress is needed to portray the older-than-her-years Katniss. “Some people don’t like it that she’s a little bit older. Personally, I think it’s great,” Scott said. “I think she needs to bring maturity to the role.” The fact that the novel’s author gave Jennifer her seal of approval has assured many fans that the fate of “The Hunger Games” is in good hands. “Jennifer’s just an incredible actress,” Collins said. “So powerful, vulnerable, beautiful, unforgiving and brave. I never thought we’d find somebody this perfect for the role. And I can’t wait for everyone to see her play it.” And, as many YA enthusiasts may recall, fans were initially hesitant to accept Robert Pattinson in the role of “Twilight” leading man Edward Cullen, and now Twilighters can’t imagine anyone else as their vampire hero. The true test will come when “The Hunger Games” hits theaters March 23, 2012. What do you think about Jennifer playing Katniss in “The Hunger Games”? Tell us in the comments below! For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Photos Meet Katniss From ‘Hunger Games’: Jennifer Lawrence
Evan Glodell’s nihilist love story/vengeance tale Bellflower is a dangerous piece of must-see American indie filmmaking for Mad Max fans and, in a way, the same crowd who can’t wait to see Quentin Dupieux’s killer tire flick Rubber . After premiering at Sundance, where Oscilliscope snapped it up for a summer 2011 release, Bellflower blazed a diesel-fueled trail through SXSW treating attendees to a glimpse of the heavily modified Buick Skylark that Glodell transformed into the flame-throwing beast known as the Mother Medusa.
It looks like for once, a casting rumor may be true. According to “an individual with knowledge of the deal,” Gary Ross and the producers decided that Oscar-nominated Jennifer Lawrence had the right combination of strength and emaciation to play Katniss in the upcoming Hunger Games film, and her deal to star in the film is now confirmed per The Wrap. (Neither Lionsgate nor Lawrence’s reps have spoken officially about this report yet.) Obviously, we have our our own ideas about this, but chime in with your reactions. [ The Wrap ]
Has The Hunger Games found its Peeta Mellark? Sources tell E! News that Weeds star Hunter Parrish is in serious negotiations to take on the male lead in this anticipated movie franchise. He confirmed to the site last night that he has “met the producers” and would be “grateful” for the opportunity. Parrish hasn’t seen a script for the film based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel trilogy yet, but it’s one of the most sought after roles in Hollywood. (Alex Pettyfer is also under consideration to play Peeta.) Jennifer Lawrence is the leading contender to portray Katniss Everdeen. Said Parrish of the outpouring of support he’s received on Twitter: “You don’t get much better than that. The true fans of the book. So regardless of whether I’m a part of the film or not, I feel honored to just sort of be thought of.” What do you think? Would this 23-year star be a good fit as Mellark? [Photo: WENN.com]
With The Hunger Games casting rumor mill spinning wildly – Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss ? – a young actress on a hit show wants to make it clear: she’ll take the lead role! “Katniss is such an incredible character,” Troian Bellisario told E! News this week.”She is in such a creatively beautiful world and such dire circumstances, but she’s also such a strong girl that’s becoming a woman and I would love to play that.” The Pretty Little Liars star hasn’t auditioned, but says: “I know that we’ve been talking to the people about at least getting me in the room. And the fans have been really supportive in my lust for that role and I just hope that they keep voicing their opinions.” What do you think of Bellisario as Katniss? Would she be a good choice?
No decision has been made yet, but sources report that Mel Gibson is likely to be charged with domestic violence in an alleged attack on Oksana Grigorieva. At the same time, Oksana, who Mel alleges tried to bilk him out of millions by lording his taped rants over his head, is likely to be off the hook for extortion. The question complicating an already confusing, drawn-out mess of a case is whether L.A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley should even be involved. Is the D.A. biased by a connection to Oksana’s lawyer? The D.A.’s office will soon decide the fate of Oksana and Mel, but critics are pointing to fundraisers he attended on his own behalf as questionable. Why? The lawyer who negotiated Oksana’s $15 million settlement – which she left on the table, and is at the core of the extortion investigation – is Eric George. George, a prominent Beverly Hills civil lawyer, hosted both campaign fundraisers last year, while the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department was investigating. George contributed more than $8,000 to Cooley in 2010 …
The Twilight Saga just started filming its final two movies. Harry Potter and company will say goodbye this fall. Don’t worry, though, there’s a new movie franchise on the way to take the place of these iconic adventures: The Hunger Games , the first book in a trilogy about young men and women who fight to the death in front of a worldwide audience, will hit the big screen next year. Casting is underway for this sci-fi, futuristic thriller, with fans chiming in on their ideal choice for the story’s heroine, Katniss Everdeen. The leading contender, according to E! News and other sources? Jennifer Lawrence . The studio is reportedly “very interested” in the recent Oscar nominee. Other actresses under consideration include Dakota Fanning and Chloe Moretz. What do you think, Hunger Games fans? Would Lawrence make a believable Katniss, provided she dyed her blonde hair dark, of course?
