Bad news, Charlie Kaufman fans: While some cast members had been hopeful in recent months that Frank or Francis would move ahead, Elizabeth Banks (doing the press rounds for People Like Us ) spilled news to the contrary. “I honestly don’t know where that film is at,” she told AICN. “We were supposed to make it sooner, but it’s been pushed. I think they’re waiting for everybody’s lives to come back together…I don’t really know anything about it.” Speaking with Moviefone, she elaborated that things “fell apart” before the Hollywood satire/musical could move forward into production: “We didn’t get to shoot that movie. It was ready to go, and, as many movies do, it fell apart at the last minute.” UPDATE: Over at The Playlist , the filmmaker’s reps say that the project’s not completely dead — it has just been “postponed.” [ AICN , Moviefone ]
In Tuesday evening’s round up of news briefs, Emily Blunt teased she would consider the second Devil Wears Prada under one condition. Also, the Austin Film Festival added details on its October event while Outfest rounds out its upcoming edition next month. The Avengers passes a domestic high water mark and Catherine Keener is set for role opposite Mark Ruffalo. Austin Film Festival Unveils First Round of Panels D.C. vs. Marvel, Hollywood Horror Stories, Crowd Funding Your Indie Film and Writing for Video games are among the topics that will be discussed at the 19th Austin Film Festival taking place October 18 – 25. Among this year’s participants so far are Shane Black ( Iron Man 3), Paul Feig ( Bridesmaids ), Saca Gervasi ( Anvil: The Story of Anvil ), Michael Green ( The Green Lantern ), and Damon Lindelof ( Prometheus ). For more details, visit the festival’s website . Outfest 2012 Adds to its 30th Edititon Outfest, the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival will screen a never before seen episode of ABC’s comedy Happy Endings with cast members and creators present. Also added to the festival’s line up is Eytan Fox’s acclaimed Israeli film, Yossi , the sequel to the director’s hit Yossi and Jagger . Around the ‘net… Avengers Passes $600M in U.S. The mega-hit crossed the $600 million mark in the domestic box office. It is currently number three in the world in the box office and it has yet to open in Japan, Deadline reports . Catherine Keener Joins Mark Ruffalo in Can a song Save Your Life? Keener will play Mark Ruffalo’s estranged wife in the drama directed by Once filmmaker John Carney. She joins Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld and Adam Levine on board the project, THR reports . Emily Blunt May Be In for Another Devil Wears Prada She said she “might be interested” in another go around playing Miranda Priestly’s spirited assistant Emily Charlton in the sequel to the comes-drama. She noted that Meryl Streep said she’d do it if she didn’t have to lose the “f***king weight,” and agreed. Huff Post reports . Prometheus and The Hunger Games Stars Set for Indie Son of the South Rafe Spall ( Prometheus ) and Jacqueline Emerson ( The Hunger Games ) will star in the new indie drama by Barry Alexander Brown with Spike Lee on board to executive produce. Based on Bob Zellner’s autobiography chronicling the author’s life in Alabama where he grew up as a son of a minister and a grandson of a KKK member before joining the Civil Rights movement, Variety reports .
Chicago rapper reveals the title of his latest project exclusively to MTV News. By Nadeska Alexis Rockie Fresh Photo: Chicago has bred plenty of legendary hip-hop artists, but the city’s youngest crop of rappers are ready to usher in a new era for the Midwest. Among those leading the pack is Rockie Fresh, who will follow up his January mixtape Driving 88 with a new project titled Electric Highway this fall. The 21-year-old Southside native has released several notable mixtapes over the past few years, including 2011’s The Otherside Redux and this year’s Driving 88, which found him collaborating with Casey Veggies and fellow Chi-town rapper King Louie. But Rockie’s confident that current recording sessions will result in his best work yet. “It’s called Electric Highway ,” Rockie told MTV News exclusively, revealing the title. “I always want to do original music even if it’s a mixtape, so it’s definitely a free album, but all of the records are going to be original. With me getting older and seeing different parts of the world, my content is always going to be evolving, so this is going to be the peak of Rockie Fresh. Out of all of the stuff that I’ve done, I think this is going to be my best work and I’m really looking forward to dropping it.” Rockie’s fans will certainly be looking forward to the project, as will a few industry heavyweights who also have their eye on the young rapper. During a visit to New York City’s Hot 97 radio station this week, Maybach Music Group CEO Rick Ross sent a “shout out to the lil’ homie Rockie Fresh,” adding, “I’m a fan of his music.” And even though Rozay confirmed that Rockie hasn’t been signed to MMG “as of now,” they certainly have a good relationship going. “That was crazy,” Rockie told MTV News just hours after the shout-out from Ross. “Me and him, we’ve been talking a lot back and forth. That’s definitely one of my big homies.” While Rockie continues to explore his label options, you’d better believe that he’ll stay buried in his work. While on tour over the past few months, he gave fans the chance to keep up with his everyday grind through the vlog series “Life on the Otherside.” “[It’s] to let people know that sh– is real,” he said matter-of-factly. “A lot of people utilize the Internet to stunt and it kind of gets old after a while. I really want people to see my climb, to really respect the work ethic that goes into it, and even for them just to be motivated by it. [It’s] to let other young artists know that the struggle is something everybody has to go through. It’s not a smooth road, so I just feel like it’s dope to really show people the real picture.”
‘Jersey Shore’ star, who just wrapped up his own spin-off, says there is no rivalry among the cast. By Jocelyn Vena Pauly D Photo: Don’t expect there to be any tension among the “Jersey Shore” crew as they film the next season of their hit show. According to the cast, there are no hard feelings between since they fully support one another’s spin-offs. Pauly D just wrapped up his own MTV series, “The Pauly D Project,” just in time for the network to welcome “Snooki & JWoww” to its lineup. The show, which premiered Thursday, will follow the girls as they have one final fling before Snooki welcomes her first child into the world. Before it even kicked off, Mr. Delvecchio himself expressed his excitement about the show. “Oh, no way [is there any rivalry]. No way!’ he told MTV News back in April at the network’s upfront. “I’m actually dying to see their show. I want to see it ’cause we’ve all been through this together too, so were experiencing all the spin-offs together.” The love goes both ways, with the mama-to-be also agreeing that no matter what anyone in the crew does, whether it be a TV show or any other project, the “JS” family will always have one another’s backs. “Every time something happens with any of us we’re always happy for each other,” Snooki said. “We’re never like ‘Ugh, they got that.’ We’re very genuine about it.” But just because the cast only shares love, doesn’t mean that sometimes they won’t get into an argument or two . “We have a couple fights, it’s pretty amusing now that we’re over them,” JWoww told MTV News in June about her new show. “It’s just typical relationship … me and him are hotheads. We go from zero to sixty, and he’s the first boyfriend that I’ve ever had that won’t back down … Roger’s like ‘you’re out of your mind.’ You kinda saw it last season when I tried to give him sh– and he was like, ‘I don’t know who you think you’re talking to.’ ” Related Videos Snooki & JWOWW | Ep. 1 | Sorry Neighbors, Cause These Bitches Are Moving In MTV News Extended Play: Snooki And JWoww Related Photos Snooki & JWOWW | Cast Photos
‘Jersey Shore’ star, who just wrapped up his own spin-off, says there is no rivalry among the cast. By Jocelyn Vena Pauly D Photo: Don’t expect there to be any tension among the “Jersey Shore” crew as they film the next season of their hit show. According to the cast, there are no hard feelings between since they fully support one another’s spin-offs. Pauly D just wrapped up his own MTV series, “The Pauly D Project,” just in time for the network to welcome “Snooki & JWoww” to its lineup. The show, which premiered Thursday, will follow the girls as they have one final fling before Snooki welcomes her first child into the world. Before it even kicked off, Mr. Delvecchio himself expressed his excitement about the show. “Oh, no way [is there any rivalry]. No way!’ he told MTV News back in April at the network’s upfront. “I’m actually dying to see their show. I want to see it ’cause we’ve all been through this together too, so were experiencing all the spin-offs together.” The love goes both ways, with the mama-to-be also agreeing that no matter what anyone in the crew does, whether it be a TV show or any other project, the “JS” family will always have one another’s backs. “Every time something happens with any of us we’re always happy for each other,” Snooki said. “We’re never like ‘Ugh, they got that.’ We’re very genuine about it.” But just because the cast only shares love, doesn’t mean that sometimes they won’t get into an argument or two . “We have a couple fights, it’s pretty amusing now that we’re over them,” JWoww told MTV News in June about her new show. “It’s just typical relationship … me and him are hotheads. We go from zero to sixty, and he’s the first boyfriend that I’ve ever had that won’t back down … Roger’s like ‘you’re out of your mind.’ You kinda saw it last season when I tried to give him sh– and he was like, ‘I don’t know who you think you’re talking to.’ ” Related Videos Snooki & JWOWW | Ep. 1 | Sorry Neighbors, Cause These Bitches Are Moving In MTV News Extended Play: Snooki And JWoww Related Photos Snooki & JWOWW | Cast Photos
Another day, another pit bull attack! Harlem Girl Hospitalized After Being Attacked By Pit Bull Loose In Project Hallway Two men were arrested after their pit bull mauled a 7-year-old girl who was attacked by the dog in the hallway while eating a popsicle: A 7-year-old girl was hospitalized after being mauled by a pit bull in Manhattan on Monday, police and witnesses said. The girl was attacked in the Lincoln Houses on Madison Ave. in East Harlem about 3:20 p.m., cops said. She was with her older brother picking up a younger brother from daycare when she encountered the loose dog in the hallway, neighbors said. The child was eating a frozen treat when the pit bull, named Big Blue, tore into her arm trying to get at the sugary snack, witnesses said. “The dog jumped on her to get the ice,” said neighbor Tonya James, 37. “The girl was screaming.” Owner Vincent Evans tried to rescue the girl, witnesses said. The struggle lasted two terrifying minutes. She was rushed to Harlem Hospital with tissue damage to her arm and is in stable condition, cops said. Evans, 30, was charged with reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child and obstructing governmental administration. His brother Vincent Evans, 28, who was in the apartment during the attack, was charged with two violations. Big Blue was taken by Animal Care & Control for evaluation. SMH. It’s prolly a wrap for Big Blue, but that poor lil girl will likely be scarred for life from that attack. People please keep your dangerous pets under your control at all times. Peep a photo of the owner and his brother who were arrested below: Source Photo Credit: Andrew Savulich
Glenn Beck gave a speech on Friday at the Faith & Freedom Coalition conference and made two very simple points: Glee is destroying America; and he knows how to fix it. The former Fox News anchor told attendees that he and his wife watched a recent episode of the Fox hit and could not believe it dared to address topics such as homosexuality and bullying. “It’s horrifying some of the things that they’re teaching high schoolers,” Beck said of Glee . “But it’s brilliantly done. It’s produced, brilliantly. Its music, brilliant. Its acting, brilliant. Its cinematography, brilliant. All of it!” Glenn Beck Hates on Glee So what is a conservative pundit to do in the face of such disgusting propaganda? Come up with a counter alternative, of course. Beck won’t reveal what he has in mind, but told the crowd he has “spent about a year now trying to put together a push-back [to Glee ] with artists, with music. But not the stereotypical conservative Lee Greenwood music.” He has named the mysterious initiative his “Oedipus Project” because “the left will be making out with me and they’ll never see it coming.” All Beck has said about the project is that it will somehow involve a rapper and more information will be revealed at his three-day “Restoring Love” event July 28 at Cowboy Stadium in Dallas. Really, that’s a thing. This is not the first time Beck has gone off on Glee . Last year, he referred to the show as a “nightmare” that centered on “self-gratification.” Choose a side now in this feud:
‘She’s got her confidence up. Once people give her a chance, I think people are really going to get her,’ Cowell says of new judge. By John Mitchell Britney Spears arrives for the first round of “X Factor” auditions in Austin Photo: Simon Cowell is clearly feeling better — after missing “The X Factor” auditions in Kansas City, Missouri, due to a bout of bronchitis — and he’s talking Britney Spears . Cameramen from X17 caught up with Cowell while he was riding in his town car in Beverly Hills, and they found the oft-testy reality-show judge and music executive to be in a particularly good mood. Cowell addressed a variety of tabloid rumors regarding Spears — namely that she’s had some issues on set and that she’s shaping up to be one of the tougher judges. When a cameraman asked whether “Britney’s too unstable” to judge “X Factor,” Cowell responded, “No, she’s not unstable. I’m the one who’s unstable! She’s working out great. All these reports that we’ve fallen out are nonsense. She’s doing a great job.” Cowell’s car then pulls away, but again comes to a stop in traffic, allowing the paparazzi to continue his questioning. Asked whether Spears was his favorite judge, Cowell said, “There’s only two girls,” referring to Demi Lovato, and went on to jokingly admit that he is his own favorite of all time. “Yeah, I’d say Simon Cowell is a great guy,” he quipped. “Very good looking.” Pressed further about Spears, Cowell offered more praise for the pop singer. “Like I said, she’s been amazing. She’s really taking time to learn how to do this,” he continued. “She’s got her confidence up. Once people give her a chance, I think people are really going to get her. It will be a big surprise. She’s a tough judge.” As tough as the famously direct Cowell? “I’m a pussycat,” he said playfully as his car pulled away. We guess all that talk that Spears has been “incredibly tough” on contestants might not be far from the truth. For her part, Spears responded to those rumors herself, taking to Twitter to say, “It’s all tough love … I promise!” Share your thoughts about Britney Spears judging “X Factor” in the comments below! Related Artists Britney Spears
‘What’s kind of lost in a lot of the Lindsay discussions is the fact that Lindsay is a very talented actress,’ Braxton Pope tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena Lindsay Lohan Photo: Lindsay Lohan is in the midst of filming her Elizabeth Taylor biopic for Lifetime, “Liz & Dick,” and then she’s expected to begin work on her next film, the sexy, L.A.-based drama “The Canyons.” While her casting isn’t set in stone just yet, the film’s producer said it’s certainly on the right track. “She wants to do it. We want her to do it. I would just say we have not worked out the specifics of her deal yet,” Braxton Pope told MTV News. “Her participation in ‘Liz & Dick,’ I would just say we’re very aware of. We told her in the first meeting that we would be in touch with the producer of ‘Liz & Dick’ to see how that shoot was going and to get intel. And she gave us all that information, so she was very comfortable with us reaching out and getting that information, and that was how we decided to proceed.” With production expected to begin early next month, Pope is aware of the outside perceptions of Lohan and he and his team — consisting of screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis and director Paul Schrader — are more focused on her ability as an actor than her tabloid drama. “What’s kind of lost in a lot of the Lindsay discussions is the fact that Lindsay is a very talented actress,” he said. “She’s very charismatic and she has a lot of acting skills. So her lifestyle and some of the things that she’s gone through have tended to kind of overwhelm the fact, but Lindsay has kind of real talent. So for this part, we felt that she was really the right actor for a host of different reasons.” While they had been eyeing Lohan for a different role, she expressed interest in the female lead, and Pope said her enthusiasm for the part “resonated with us. … With Lindsay we felt she was the best actress for that role.” The role will not only remind fans of Lohan’s skills as an actress, but also introduce moviegoers to James Deen, as he transitions out of the world of adult films. “I’ve met with James many times, and I feel like I have a good sense of who and what he is. We mentioned, obviously, James to Lindsay, and that wasn’t an issue for her,” he explained, noting that “we have not put them together yet” and he’s interested to see what their chemistry will be like, since they are not only the film’s leads, but also play lovers. “He’s a very interesting guy. … He’s entering the mainstream, and this is the biggest step in that direction,” Pope added. “So he’s definitely excited, and he is preparing very diligently for the role. And he’s taken it very seriously. We’ve been pleased with everything about his approach to the project, for sure. He’s always very natural, and the guy was extremely prepared. It was very smooth.” According to a poster for the film, the tagline is “It’s not ‘The Hills,’ ” a reference to the popular MTV reality show that followed the glamorous lives of Lauren Conrad and her pals. This is expected to be a grittier take on young people and their struggles in Hollywood. Deen’s Christian is a “trust fund kid, power player and major manipulator, who is a film producer that enjoys filming his own three-way sex sessions.” Meanwhile, Lohan’s ex-model character, Tara, is his girlfriend who “has sold her pride for the material comforts Christian can provide.” Three other roles remain uncast: bartender and wannabe actor Ryan, Ryan’s employee and fellow actor Gina, and former actress/yoga instructor Lindsay, who is carrying on an affair with Christian. Pope said casting decisions for those roles should be made in the next week. Related Photos The Highs And Lows Of Lindsay Lohan Related Artists Lindsay Lohan
‘We bit off more than we could chew,’ Van Halen guitarist tells USA Today. By Kara Warner Eddie Van Halen Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images So what’s the real story behind those canceled Van Halen concerts? Fans have been speculating about the band’s cryptic announcement about the postponed dates last month , and thanks to Eddie Van Halen’s recent interview with USA Today, we have an answer. “We bit off more than we could chew,” Eddie Van Halen told the newspaper frankly. “This record took a lot out of us. And we went on tour earlier than we wanted to so we could play Madison Square Garden [in March, before the venue’s scheduled renovation], and that threw the schedule out of whack.” Van Halen said a lot of the canceled dates on their A Different Kind of Truth Tour were in cities they’d already played. “So in November, we’ll hit Japan, and in the New Year, we’ll possibly do something special,” he teased. “But I can’t talk about it.” Something he could talk about were rumors that the band had to cancel their concert dates because their members, particularly fiery frontman David Lee Roth, were fighting again, which Van Halen straight-up denied. “Dave’s the same as he’s always been, funny, witty,” Van Halen said of Roth. “Sometimes I can only take that in small doses, because he just goes on and on,” he added with a laugh. “But Dave always lands on his feet.” The reunion tour with Roth and Van Halen’s 21-year-old son Wolfgang kicked off February 18 and will play a total of 40 shows on this leg. Related Artists Van Halen
