‘Rock of Ages’ and Diablo Cody’s directorial debut should keep the newly single funnyman busy. By Kara Warner Russell Brand in London on Tuesday Photo: Colin MacFarlane / Splash News Russell Brand’s career has never been short on surprises, but his biggest shock yet might have come last week, when he filed for divorce from his wife of one year, Katy Perry . So what does 2012 hold for the newly single actor/comedian? Brand has several projects lined up in his professional life that might help distract him from the recent rockiness in his personal life. The “Get Him to the Greek” and “Arthur” star has a plum role in the star-studded movie musical “Rock of Ages,” which opens June 1. The film — which is a love story told through the “arena rock” stylings of popular ’80s artists like Journey, Pat Benatar, Bon Jovi, Styx and REO Speedwagon — is based on the popular Broadway show. Brand plays the role of Lonny, the film’s narrator and co-club operator, for which he’ll act and sing with castmates Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Akerman and Julianne Hough. After “Ages,” Brand will jump into writer Diablo Cody’s directorial debut , originally called “Lamb of God” but currently listed on IMDb as “Untitled Diablo Cody Project.” Brand is set to star alongside “Ages” co-star Hough in a story of a young conservative religious woman who decides to go to Vegas and “live the life of a sinner” but ends up rediscovering her faith along the way. Brand has also been suggested as a candidate for the role of Tommy Lee in the movie version of Neil Strauss’ M
In 2011, 21 moved more than 5.6 million copies in the U.S. By Gil Kaufman Adele Photo: Getty Images The music industry has been stuck in a rut for nearly a decade. But every once in a while, it still manages to produce one of those unstoppable hit albums that give everyone that good old feeling. This year’s model is Adele ‘s 21 , which not only sold more copies than any other album in the U.S. in 2011 (more than 5.6 million to date), but which has also moved the most units of any artist since 2004. According to a Reuters report , those gaudy figures (which top 15 million worldwide) make the British songbird the first artist to cross the 5 million mark in one year since Usher did it with his fourth studio album, Confessions , which sold 7.9 million units more than seven years ago. And to think she did it by releasing just two mega singles, “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You,” and barely touring North America due to recurring vocal issues. There have been other big hits along the way to Adele’s mark, including Eminem selling more than 3.4 million copies of his comeback Recovery album last year and Taylor Swift taking the honors in 2009 with Fearless , which sold 3.2 million copies. But none have come as close to Usher’s mark in the interim. There doesn’t seem to be any chance Adele will be surpassed by the end of the year: The closest contenders are Lady Gaga’s Born This Way (2.08 million) and Michael Bubl
The film might not hit theaters until next year, but casting announcements and exclusive interviews got fans worked up for March release. By Kara Warner Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Murray Close For the millions of fans who have been eagerly awaiting a film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-seller “The Hunger Games,” 2011 gave them even more to be eager about as details trickled out about the movie, which is due in March. We at MTV News have been as caught up in the frenzy as everyone else. And along the way, we’ve been able to speak with the major players involved in the “Games,” gleaning the juiciest details from the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson. Back in January, before casting was solidified, Hemsworth told MTV News he’d read the script and that he could actually see himself in the role of Peeta. After Hemsworth won the role of Gale instead, we chatted up his older brother and fellow actor Chris Hemsworth, who revealed that he helped Liam prep for his big audition by reading the role of Katniss. “I did. Swear to God,” he said. “I read that. Put my girly American accent on.” In May, we had our first “Hunger Games”-centric chat with Jennifer Lawrence . She discussed fans’ initial protests over her blond hair , which quieted after she dyed it, along with the intense hours of archery training she went through to become as convincingly handy with a bow and arrow as Katniss is. “It’s lots of training, but the training is actually really fun,” she said. “I’ve done archery for about six weeks, rock climbing, tree climbing and combat and running and vaulting,” she said. “Also yoga and things like that to stay cat-like.” We also caught up with some of the film’s supporting actors. Lenny Kravitz, who is ready to further prove his acting chops in the role of sympathetic District 12 stylist Cinna, said he’s doing his homework by immersing himself in all Collins’ books. Elizabeth Banks was a bit more cagey in revealing any details about her transformation into pink-haired, type-A Effie Trinket, but she did admit that she and co-star Woody Harrelson have chemistry. Harrelson, who plays alcoholic Hunger Games survivor Haymitch Abernathy, praised Lawrence’s portrayal of Katniss and revealed that his character’s hairstyle was inspired by his own brother. “I was like, ‘OK, let’s get a wig. Let’s do the Brett Harrelson hair,’ ” he said of the long and slightly shaggy style. “It’s kind of cool. I really liked the look. It’s a fun character, and I think it’s going to be a good movie.” Fellow supporting player Stanley Tucci , a.k.a. the blue-haired Caesar Flickerman, echoed Harrelson’s sentiments about Lawrence’s performance. “She was amazing,” he said. “They were all amazing. She’s just so good and so mature at such a young age. It was really fun. Really fun. And [director] Gary Ross, he’s great.” We didn’t have to take Tucci’s word for it, as we also sat down with Ross for an exclusive interview surrounding our debut of the “Games” teaser trailer back in August. The “Seabiscuit” and “Pleasantville” helmer took us through his detailed plans for the film and the challenges of filming. And we finally stole a few moments with Peeta Mellark himself, Josh Hutcherson . who took us through his grueling audition process and the anxious wait for the news of his casting, why he was “so right” for Peeta and his excitement for the fans to see the finished product. “It’s exciting to hear people are that interested in something you’re doing, so it’s a little nerve-racking, but I’m onboard,” he said. “The fans for ‘The Hunger Games,’ they’re die-hard. They’re the best fans in the world, so I’m really excited for them to see the movie.” 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 ‘The Hunger Games’: 2011 In Review
In this week’s Hobnobbing, we reflect on the movie’s milestones from the past year. By Amy Wilkinson Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Murray Close If any film caught Internet fire this year, it was most certainly the big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ young-adult novel ” The Hunger Games .” Though the film had been optioned by Lionsgate way back in 2009, 2011 was the year fans finally saw all the pieces come together, from casting the titular tournament’s 24 tributes to a teaser tidbit and full-length trailer. As such, MTV News is taking a look back at all things “Hunger Games” with a list of the franchise’s best moments from 2011 (in chronological order). Let the Games begin! X Marks the Release Date The year began with a bang when Lionsgate announced in late January that “The Hunger Games” would swoop into theaters March 23, 2012 . Lionsgate set that particular date in its crosshairs hoping to capitalize on spring breaks and Easter weekend for the (mostly) family-friendly release. Jennifer Lawrence Is Katniss Everdeen The Reaping then began in earnest, with seemingly every young Hollywood actress vying for the coveted role of District 12’s female tribute. Would it be Hailee Steinfeld? Kaya Scodelario? Abigail Breslin? In the end, MTV News had the pleasure of revealing that then-20-year-old Jennifer Lawrence, who nabbed an Oscar nomination for her work in 2010’s “Winter’s Bone,” would enter the arena as the much-loved heroine. But Who Will Play Peeta and Gale? Similar speculation followed the casting of Katniss’ two love interests — fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark and hunting buddy Gale Hawthorne. Nine young actors were reportedly in contention for one of the two roles, including “Weeds” star Hunter Parrish and “Wizards of Waverly Place” actor David Henrie, but, ultimately, Josh Hutcherson landed the role of Peeta while Liam Hemsworth won Gale. First Look at Lawrence as Katniss Salivating fans didn’t have to wait too long for their first taste of Lawrence as Katniss, as she posed for the cover of Entertainment Weekly, flaunting the tribute’s soon-to-be-iconic uniform . The styled snap quieted many critics who’d said the actress was too blond, too tall, too pretty or too whatever for the role. Cinna Will Rock There were no shortage of casting announcements in spring 2011, but none seemed to catch watchful fans off guard more than that of Lenny Kravitz landing the role of Katniss’ stylist Cinna. But, really, it made a lot of sense, considering the musician’s fondness for fashion. “I like clothes, and I like playing with clothes. Every now and again, you go south. It’s all good. I enjoy fashion as an art,” he told MTV News . The Mockingjay Catches Fire In a nifty bit of promotion, Lionsgate released the first “Hunger Games” poster in July, and it was literally on fire. Well, sorta. The one-sheet depicted Katniss’ infamous talisman — a mockingjay pin — wreathed in glowing flames. The eye-catching motion poster definitely gave fans something to chew on while they waited for more first looks. We Spy Two “Hunger Games” Hotties Following in co-star Lawrence’s footsteps, the men of “The Hunger Games” landed their own EW cover story , in which Hutcherson took the opportunity to quiet a few nagging concerns about his stature.”Jennifer’s not 2 feet taller than me!” he told the magazine. “If anything, maybe she’s a half-inch taller.” November 2013 Is “Catching Fire” We hadn’t even seen a frame of the first film yet, yet Lionsgate announced a November 22, 2013, release date for the follow-up, “Catching Fire.” With “The Twilight Saga” taking its final winter bow in 2012, it looks like “The Hunger Games” is poised to be the new holiday tentpole. A Tasty Tease All those cover images and promotional stills went only so far to sate fans’ appetites. A cinematic preview was in order, and we at MTV were happy to deliver. During the closing moments of this year’s Video Music Awards, viewers were treated to a 30-second sneak peek , following Katniss as she sprinted through the arena’s blazing forest, with Gale’s words of encouragement resounding in her ears. Sure, the bite was short, but it was still satisfying. First Full-Length Trailer Nearly three lean months followed before the first full-length trailer made its entrance into the arena. And boy, was it worth the wait. From the tearful reaping to the Games’ taut opening moments, the clip was one of our top teases of the year , offering a promise of the big-screen awesomeness to follow. What were your favorite “Hunger Games” moments this year? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @hollywoodcrush 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 Reactions To The First ‘Hunger Games’ Trailer
‘She’s an alcoholic psychiatrist, so I hadn’t played that before,’ actress tells MTV News. By John Mitchell Helena Bonham Carter Photo: WireImage We’re still waiting for a teaser trailer for the hottest vampire movie that doesn’t sparkle in the sun. Details about “Dark Shadows” have been scant, but one of the film’s stars is finally talking about her role and what inspired director Tim Burton to take on the project. At this week’s BAFTA Britannia Awards, MTV News spoke to two-time Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter about “Shadows,” her role in the film and what made her real-life love Burton want to director the vampire epic, which is set to hit theaters May 11, 2012. “I love ‘Dark Shadows.’ It’s very original. It’s uncategorizable,” Bonham Carter said. “It’s going to be impossible to sell, frankly, because it’s just so … it’s a soap opera but it’s very, very subtle. It’s a ghost story but then it’s an unhappy vampire story. It’s a mixture of so many different things and a real ensemble piece. And hopefully it will be funny.” Bonham Carter plays Dr. Julia Hoffman. In the late-’60s television soap opera on which the movie is based, Hoffman specialized in psychology and rare blood disorders and eventually tried to cure Barnabas Collins (played in the film by Burton regular Johnny Depp ) of his vampirism by injecting him with a vaccine made of healthy plasma to counteract the destruction of his own blood cells by the vampire cells. (Got that?) Whether that’s part of the film’s plot remains to be seen, but Bonham Carter did have a colorful response for MTV News when asked about playing Hoffman. “I did love playing her. I mean, she’s an alcoholic psychiatrist, so I hadn’t played that before,” she said. “And she’s got a secret. They all have secrets.” She also explained that “Shadows” has long been something of a passion project for Burton, with whom she has two children, because the quirky director was a huge fan of the TV show as a child. “This was a thing that he raced home to see when he was about age 10,” she told MTV. “So it was returning to his childhood roots of what he loved watching.” The always outrageous actress was also pretty frank about her own feelings about the campy soap, saying, “It’s actually a really bad, hilariously bad soap opera. And because it’s so bad, [Burton] felt he had to make a hugely expensive movie.” Are you excited to see Helena Bonham Carter bring new life to quirky psychologist Julia Hoffman in the big-screen adaptation of “Dark Shadows”? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me at @JohnMitchell83 with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns! Check out everything we’ve got on “Dark Shadows.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .
‘I had never read a character that was more like who I am as a person,’ he tells MTV News of playing Peeta. By Kara Warner Josh Hutcherson in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate All right, “Hunger Games” fans, are you ready for a little exclusive interview with soon-to-be superstar Josh Hutcherson? We’ve been hinting about it ever since we named Hutcherson “Most Likely to Play a Superhero” as part of our New Class , and the time has finally come to unveil this nifty bit of footage that will have you convinced (if you weren’t already) he’s one to watch in 2012. For those unfamiliar with the talented 18-year-old, he made a splash in Hollywood last year with his buzzed-about performance in the award-season darling “The Kids Are All Right,” and now he’s embodying the pivotal and beloved role of Peeta Mellark in the highly anticipated big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ dystopian best-seller “The Hunger Games.” MTV News was very lucky to catch up with Hutcherson recently, when he discussed the importance of landing the role, what Peeta means to him and his favorite scene to film. MTV News : Talk to us about what the role of Peeta means to you and why you love him. Josh Hutcherson : It’s so crazy. When I read the books, I had never read a character that was more like who I am as a person and had kind of my core values and what I believe in. So it kind of drove me crazy in a way, because I felt like I was so right for it, then I had to go through this crazy audition process. So to finally be making the movie and now we’re finished, it’s like, somebody please pinch me, because I still don’t believe this is actually happening. For me, it’s just an honor to be a part of such a great story. Gary Ross is such an amazing director, and Jennifer Lawrence is perfect, and everyone else we cast was really great. MTV : What was the audition process like? Did you do specific scene work? Hutcherson : For the audition process, I came in the first time and read a few scenes for Gary Ross and [author] Suzanne Collins and some of the other producers involved. Then maybe about a week or so, maybe two weeks later, I came in and did a screen test with Jennifer, where I actually read the scenes with her so they could see how the chemistry worked. Both of them felt really great, but as an actor, you just pick apart every single thing that you do, so for me, I was on pins and needles waiting to find out. And then when I finally found out, my jaw hit the floor. I was so excited. MTV : What were your favorite scenes to film? Hutcherson : It’s very similar to the book. Probably my favorite scenes are all the scenes with myself and Katniss in the cave, because they’re really emotional and you get to see a lot of their relationship develop there, so for me as an actor, I liked that a lot. And then of course all the physical running through the forest — that was really fun as well. MTV : Did you guys get a lot of bumps and bruises from all that stunt work? Hutcherson : There were tons of bumps and bruises, yeah. It was pretty intense. 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 .
‘I had never read a character that was more like who I am as a person,’ he tells MTV News of playing Peeta. By Kara Warner Josh Hutcherson in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate All right, “Hunger Games” fans, are you ready for a little exclusive interview with soon-to-be superstar Josh Hutcherson? We’ve been hinting about it ever since we named Hutcherson “Most Likely to Play a Superhero” as part of our New Class , and the time has finally come to unveil this nifty bit of footage that will have you convinced (if you weren’t already) he’s one to watch in 2012. For those unfamiliar with the talented 18-year-old, he made a splash in Hollywood last year with his buzzed-about performance in the award-season darling “The Kids Are All Right,” and now he’s embodying the pivotal and beloved role of Peeta Mellark in the highly anticipated big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ dystopian best-seller “The Hunger Games.” MTV News was very lucky to catch up with Hutcherson recently, when he discussed the importance of landing the role, what Peeta means to him and his favorite scene to film. MTV News : Talk to us about what the role of Peeta means to you and why you love him. Josh Hutcherson : It’s so crazy. When I read the books, I had never read a character that was more like who I am as a person and had kind of my core values and what I believe in. So it kind of drove me crazy in a way, because I felt like I was so right for it, then I had to go through this crazy audition process. So to finally be making the movie and now we’re finished, it’s like, somebody please pinch me, because I still don’t believe this is actually happening. For me, it’s just an honor to be a part of such a great story. Gary Ross is such an amazing director, and Jennifer Lawrence is perfect, and everyone else we cast was really great. MTV : What was the audition process like? Did you do specific scene work? Hutcherson : For the audition process, I came in the first time and read a few scenes for Gary Ross and [author] Suzanne Collins and some of the other producers involved. Then maybe about a week or so, maybe two weeks later, I came in and did a screen test with Jennifer, where I actually read the scenes with her so they could see how the chemistry worked. Both of them felt really great, but as an actor, you just pick apart every single thing that you do, so for me, I was on pins and needles waiting to find out. And then when I finally found out, my jaw hit the floor. I was so excited. MTV : What were your favorite scenes to film? Hutcherson : It’s very similar to the book. Probably my favorite scenes are all the scenes with myself and Katniss in the cave, because they’re really emotional and you get to see a lot of their relationship develop there, so for me as an actor, I liked that a lot. And then of course all the physical running through the forest — that was really fun as well. MTV : Did you guys get a lot of bumps and bruises from all that stunt work? Hutcherson : There were tons of bumps and bruises, yeah. It was pretty intense. 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 .
We can’t imagine why so many actresses have been attached to the role of Linda Lovelace in the upcoming biopic Lovelace – after all, it’s not every day you get offered the role of (literally) the biggest cocksucker in history. Nevertheless, it’s been a regular revolving door over at the offices of Lovelace, LLC. First Kate Hudson dropped out to have a baby, and then Olivia Wilde dropped out, apparently for no particular reason, after it was widely reported she would be playing the role. (Meanwhile, Swedish star Malin Akerman remains attached to a rival project, Inferno: The Linda Lovelace Story ). Now Olivia’s nude Alpha Dog (2006) co-star Amanda Seyfried has begun negotiations to play the skinfamous porn star, which is slappy news for skin fans. Amanda may be young, but she’s already proven herself more than willing to strip down on screen, even winning an Anatomy Award for Best Lesbian Scene for her cougar/kitten encounter with Julianne Moore in Chloe (2009). Let’s just hope that, like the floors of a porno theater, this one sticks. Bone up on your skinema history with Linda Lovelace and Deep Throat (1972) right here at MrSkin.com!
Kris Jenner stops by Sway’s Shade 45 morning show to talk about daughter’s divorce from Kris Humphries. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian Photo: Denise Truscello/ WireImage Kim Kardashian’s siblings have already spoken out about her split from Kris Humphries , and now mom and manager Kris Jenner is weighing in on the very public divorce. “Kim obviously had to make a really tough decision yesterday, and it’s been really, really hard on her, for sure,” Jenner told MTV News’ Sway Calloway when she stopped by his “Sway in the Morning” radio show on SiriusXM’s Shade 45. “But as her mom, she knows me and she knows her family well enough to know that no matter what, I’m there, we’re all there for her through thick and thin. I told her: You have to follow your heart.” While the family is weathering the breakup storm, Kris had one message for the haters out there: Kim married for love, not profit. “The misconception that’s so annoying in the media and the press is that the wedding was a sham and she did it for the money,” Kris said. “Kim didn’t make any money off of this wedding. No. She didn’t make five cents off of the wedding. “She spent millions of dollars of her own money on a wedding,” she continued. “And you know our network was very generous and filmed the show and obviously gave her a salary, all of us our shooting fees and all that, but it’s not like we walked away with millions of dollars jingling in our pockets; absolutely not. … It’s tough when you have all the haters who have these licenses to say whatever they want and people don’t know the facts. … And people don’t know the facts. So get your facts straight, people, before you start judging.” Kim’s Cover Up: How The Tabloids Got It Right While the divorce has seen its fair share of criticism, Kris noted that Kim’s fans have stuck by their girl through her darkest hours. “We have an intimate relationship with our fans and viewers that we really respect and love, and so many people have been so amazing and supportive,” she said. So will Kris J. miss Kris H., who has vowed that he’s “willing to do whatever it takes to make it work”? “Well, he’s a great guy,” she shared. “I like Kris, and he’s a good person, and they needed to do what they needed to do. So we’ll see what happens.” Tick Tock: The Shortest Celebrity Marriages Ever The bottom line, according to Mama Kardashian, is that, in the end, everything will work out for her little girl. “I told Kim: You’re not the first person who’s ever gotten a divorce, and guess what? You’re not going to be the last,” she said. “Unfortunately, this was short, and we feel bad, but, you know, she’s going to be OK.” Catch MTV News’ Sway Calloway on “Sway in the Morning,” on SiriusXM Radio’s Shade 45 , Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon ET. Related Photos Kim Kardashian And Kris Humphries: A Whirlwind Romance
We’re counting down your favorite ‘Twilight Saga’ moments before Rob, Kristen and Taylor join us live Thursday at 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV! By Jocelyn Vena Taylor Lautner, as Jacob Black, shows off his abs in “New Moon” Photo: Summit Twilighters are just days away from the premiere of “MTV First: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” , which goes live Thursday on MTV at 7:56 p.m. ET with Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner unveiling a previously unreleased clip from the fourth installment of the “Twilight” franchise. Following MTV’s special, the three stars will sit down for an exclusive Q&A on MTV.com. Of course, in anticipation of Thursday’s MTV premiere, devoted Bella, Edward and Jacob followers are one step closer to learning what might be the #1 fan-voted “Twilight” moment . We already know that the “Eclipse” tent scene , showing the friendly rivalry between Edward and Jacob, sits at #5, and a particularly sexy scene stands out as our next fan favorite. So, what made the cut at #4? Well, it happens to be Lautner’s reveal of his very cut abs in “New Moon.” Long before that scene was captured on film, there had been fan chatter about whether a teenage Lautner could beef up enough to keep his part of werewolf Jacob Black in the second installment of the “Twilight Saga.” Determined to prove to naysayers that he had the muscle for the role, Lautner hit the gym and showed that he had the ambition, drive and physical bulk to keep the role. “I have been working out,” Lautner told MTV News in December 2008. “I’ve been working out since the day we stopped filming ‘Twilight.’ I just weighed myself today; put on 19 pounds [and] guaranteeing [director Chris] Weitz 10 more by filming.” All the promises and hard work paid off. The reveal of his admirable physique in the movie remains a fan favorite as our voters revealed. And, four movies in, it’s just as fun (and sexy) to watch the chivalrous Jacob strip off his shirt, just to assist an injured Bella. Be sure to tune in to “MTV First: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” which kicks off Thursday, November 3, on MTV at 7:56 p.m. ET, followed by a Q&A with Kristen, Rob and Taylor on MTV.com! Check out everything we’ve got on “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos Top Five Favorite Moments From The ‘Twilight Saga’
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