I apologize to married titans Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, who also share birthdays on September 25, but Will Smith turns the big 4-3 today, and I’m already jiving to the Wild, Wild West theme with my best Carlton dance. You can’t not celebrate his birth. What’s your favorite Will Smith moment on the big screen?
The “Circle of Life” remains unturned as The Lion King (in 3D) topped Moneyball to win the weekend receipt war for a second week in a row. Brad Pitt has nothing to be ashamed of, though, as his passion project notched the highest opening weekend for any baseball movie ever. In fact, a couple of big records were set this weekend. After the jump, we’ll count down the biggest earners and lament the plight of Taylor Lautner.
Academy Award-winner Cliff Robertson passed away on Saturday just a day after his 88th birthday, but the dependable actor (and underrated, in terms of ’60s Oscar winners — right up there with my girl Sandy Dennis !) enjoyed roles in more than 100 films. As we say goodbye to his great talent, here’s an exciting quintet of films to help you admire his versatile appeal.
‘I feel vindicated for having guilt on my shoulders for the second movie,’ he tells MTV News of blockbuster ‘Dark of the Moon.’ By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Shia LaBeouf at the New York premiere of “Transformers: Dark Of The Moon” on June 28, 2011 Photo: Jamie McCarthy/ WireImage In the run up to the release of “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” Shia LaBeouf was adamant about two things: the second chapter of his alien robot franchise honestly wasn’t very good at all and the newest sequel would blow everyone away. “It is the best movie we’ve made, I’m serious,” LaBeouf told MTV News in June. “It’s not a joke. I’m dead honest, man. I get myself in trouble all the time, but this is our best installment.” He’s probably right. “Dark of the Moon” is the top-grossing film in the series ($1.1 billion) and received an “A” CinemaScore from audiences, according to Paramount. Having announced that the third “Transformers” film will be his last, LaBeouf recently told us that he’s leaving the franchise on a high note. “For me, I feel vindicated for having guilt on my shoulders for the second movie,” he said. “There is vindication in this one being successful and people enjoying it.” Since finishing up the international press tour for “Dark of the Moon,” LaBeouf has been collaborating on a music video with Marilyn Manson and doing postproduction work on John Hillcoat’s “The Wettest County in the World,” a drama about Prohibition-era bootleggers. “That’s probably the biggest, coolest opportunity I’ve been allotted so far,” LaBeouf said of Hillcoat’s follow-up to “The Road.” “It’s the most colorful character I’ve been able to play, the most depth I’ve been able to show as an actor.” At the same time, the actor has been prepping for work on “The Company You Keep,” a political thriller that Robert Redford will direct and star in. “I’ve been in Redford’s office doing read-throughs,” LaBeouf said. “He’s very efficient with his time. He’s a master at juggling his time and his attention span. When his attention span is focused in your direction, he’s laser-beam focused. He knows exactly what he wants. He’s very specific. He’s hilarious and fun and vibrant and everything you’d want in a director. I’m very excited to see a man direct himself. I’ve never seen that happen on a set. I know how intense and tough that’s going to be. I’m showing up more as an audience member.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Transformers: Dark Of The Moon’ Related Photos ‘Transformers: Dark Of The Moon’ Crashes Into New York City ‘Transformers: Dark Of The Moon’
Here’s some big casting news to spice up this particularly slow news day: Julie Christie, Susan Sarandon and Richard Jenkins will star in The Company You Keep , the drama which Robert Redford will direct and star in alongside Shia LaBeouf, Nick Nolte and Brit Marling. The film is being adapted from Neil Gordon’s novel about “an ex-Weather Underground militant wanted by the FBI for 30 years, who must go on the run when his true identity is exposed by a young, ambitious reporter.” Production begins in Vancouver next month. [ Deadline ]
Variety has it that Shia LaBeouf, who may or may not be the new Michael J. Fox , is set to co-star with Robert Redford in The Company You Keep , a political action thriller adapted from Neil Gordon’s novel that Redford will direct. LaBeouf will play a young journalist out to expose an ex-Weather Underground radical in hiding (Redford) and make a name for himself. If this combines the journalistic cred of All the President’s Men and the sinister air of Disturbia , I’ll be pleased. Hopefully it doesn’t combine the length of Out of Africa with the senselessness of Eagle Eye . [ Variety ]
Robert Redford’s reemergence in film will involve the very sport he highlighted in The Natural , which is a welcome surprise, wouldn’t you say? The 74-year-old Sundance king says he will play Branch Rickey , the executive who signed Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, in an as-yet-untitled film written and directed by Brian Helgeland ( L.A. Confidential , Mystic River ). But does Redford’s first quote about the project shed a dubious light on his reasons for joining?
Over 25 years after getting a tryout with the Chicago Cubs as a pitcher in The Natural , Robert Redford visited Wrigley Field on Friday to throw the first pitch at the team’s home opener. (Sure, he was in town to promote The Conspirator , but still, it was special .) See how the left-handed legend fared in video ahead.
First time director Cindy Meehl brought the capacity audience at Austin’s Paramount Theater to its feet with her crowd-pleasing documentary Buck , about Buck Brannaman, the gentleman cowboy-horse whose life and work partially inspired Robert Redford’s The Horse Whisperer . After the film, Brannaman and the filmmakers walked onstage to a rousing standing ovation for a Q&A filled with horsemanship advice, behind-the-scenes details, and a shout out to the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan.
First time director Cindy Meehl brought the capacity audience at Austin’s Paramount Theater to its feet with her crowd-pleasing documentary Buck , about Buck Brannaman, the gentleman cowboy-horse whose life and work partially inspired Robert Redford’s The Horse Whisperer . After the film, Brannaman and the filmmakers walked onstage to a rousing standing ovation for a Q&A filled with horsemanship advice, behind-the-scenes details, and a shout out to the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan.