Lionsgate has already booked a November 2013 release date for the wildly-anticipated sequel to The Hunger Games , Catching Fire . But might the studio have trouble meeting this deadline? The question arises because negotiations aren’t going smoothly with director Gary Ross, who executives want to return based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews for the first installment of the franchise. Ross earned $3 million for The Hunger Games – plus back-end profits – and, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter, is angling for a major sequel raise . All other major players have signed on for both Catching Fire and Mockingjay – from Jennifer Lawrence to Liam Hemsworth – so the only real hold-up at the moment is Ross. The film could always take on a new director, of course, but an insider sees that as unlikely. “Ultimately, it will be difficult, and yet everybody will do the sane thing, which is to work it out. Everybody will end up unhappy in their own way. It’s just the nature of the beast.”
It’s safe to say Gregg Williams will never coach in the NFL ever again. Already suspended indefinitely by Commissioner Roger Goodell – due to his role in a New Orleans Saints bounty program , in which players under his control pooled money and offered it was a reward for debilitating hits – Williams is in the spotlight again this week because audio of a speech he delivered prior to a 2012 playoff game against the 49ers has been leaked. And it isn’t pretty. Gregg Williams Locker Room Speech: Hit the Head! As you can hear in the video above, Williams encourages his players to “kill the head” and “the body will die.” Referring to San Francisco running back Frank Gore, Williams tells his charges: “We’ve got to do everything in the world to make sure we kill Frank Gore’s head. We want him running sideways. We want his head sideways.” At other points, he screams at the Saints to take out receiver Michael Crabtree’s ACL and to focus on receiver Kyle Williams’ head because he has a history of concussions. The speech was recorded and released by documentary filmmaker Sean Pamphilon, who was filming in the locker room for a special he plans to produce on Saints special-teams player Steve Gleason, who is battling ALS.
In her upcoming ‘Unplugged’ special, airing Sunday at 11 p.m. ET on MTV, Florence Welch gets both personal and passionate. By James Montgomery Florence Welch There are definitely two Florence Welches. One is the quiet, slightly awkward woman you meet backstage, in dressing rooms strewn with flowers and fabrics. In conversation, she’s eternally, empirically British, reserved to the point of distance, whispering and always folding herself inward, as if she’s trying to reach into that formidable set of lungs to find the right words. If it wasn’t for her flame-red hair and striking, alabaster skin, she’d almost disappear into the background. And you get the feeling that she’d probably like to. The other Welch is the one you see onstage: ethereal, epic, seemingly channeling something from another place. There are moments, when she’s really blowing and she opens her eyes wide, that you get the sense even she can’t fathom the power she’s channeling or the places she’s letting it take her. She is a great singer, from a different era — and not just, like, the 1940s. Maybe the 1800s. Or medieval Europe. There would be flowered wreaths involved. The phrase “madrigal” comes to mind. You know. It’s not uncommon for performers to completely transform the minute they step beneath the spotlight; it’s practically a necessity. Singing is, by its very nature, a rather unnatural endeavor, and singing before an audience of people, well, that’s about as much of an out-of-body experience as there is. Going to that other place is less of a coping mechanism as it is a flat-out survival skill, it would seem. But it’s rare that you see two sides of the same person during one performance. Last December, at New York’s Angel Orensanz Center (a perfect venue), was one of those times. Welch was both the damsel and the demigod during her taping of MTV’s “Unplugged,” whispering her way through between-song banter one minute, belting so hard she lifted the rafters the next. Maybe it was the intimate nature of the show — surely having Kanye West sitting 10 feet from you would have an effect of some sort — or perhaps she was summoning the spirit of the place, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more perfect Florence and the Machine performance. Of course, Florence the Former, being the church mouse she is, summed it up thusly: “It was really wonderful. But what to say in between? I got so bashful. I was so grateful to be there, and I was trying to express that, and it just went into this weird, stilted speech. Singing is fine. Talking, not so much. ” She’s not kidding, either. Before taking on Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness” — which, you’re probably aware, Kanye sampled on the Watch the Throne standout “Otis” — she turned to West and muttered, “This is my favorite song … I think … um, yeah, hopefully it won’t go as well.” Speech is not her strong suit. But singing definitely is. And it’s readily apparent in “Unplugged,” which premieres Sunday at 11 p.m. ET on MTV. From the hushed, chill-inducing “Tenderness” (one of two covers she does; the other is a rather tidy little duet with Josh Homme on “Jackson”) to stirring, stripped-back takes on newer tunes like “Never Let Me Go” and “Only If for the Night” and set-closing hit “Dog Days Are Over,” Welch’s lofty range is on display throughout. And so is that ability to seize emotion from thin air. You will get goose bumps, that much is sure. And yet, that’s usually the case with a Machine performance. But on “Unplugged,” backed by a choir and strings, in a space first consecrated in 1850, it’s all taken to another level (no wonder it’s being released as a standalone album). Even if you weren’t lucky enough to be in the room that night, you get the sense that you’re truly witnessing something special. And when you throw in her fabulously furrowed banter (Welch definitely leads the league in “Ums”), well, then you get the other side of the coin too. Which is what makes it perhaps the definitive Florence set. Or at least the most personal. She truly was made for “Unplugged,” even if half her personality wouldn’t agree with that assessment. Then again, that duality is what makes all the great ones great. Welch never gets down and dirty the way singers like Nina Simone or Etta James did (it’s something you feel in your gut), mostly because it’s not in her wheelhouse. Instead, she floats above it all, goes higher (and subsequently deeper) than you’d think possible. And it’s fitting. After all, on this night, she was singing in a synagogue. And as we know, Welch is most definitely a proper girl. Some of the time, anyway. Don’t miss Florence and the Machine’s “Unplugged” on Sunday at 11 p.m. ET on MTV. Related Videos Unplugged: Florence + The Machine Related Artists Florence + the Machine
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough may not have turned in the best routine on Monday’s Dancing With the Stars ( Katherine Jenkins and William Levy both edged them on the scoreboard), or the most emotional ( Donald Driver wins there). Their rumba was hands down the steamiest, however. Somewhere between rumba and racy, Maria and Derek ended up panting on the floor. The tandem may have shared more than choreography, or something: Maria Menounos & Derek Hough – Rumba (DWTS Week 3) It sure looked like they kissed, and let’s face it, these two are a great fit for the obligatory DWTS dating rumor mill. Their physical chemistry is palpable. Of course, Maria and Derek played it cool when chatting with Brooke Burke, opting not to answer the obvious question: Did they or didn’t they kiss? But will they stick around after tonight? That’s a definite yes.
Dear residents of Canada: We are very, very sorry. Due to the popularity of The Real Housewives… franchise on Bravo, the Canadian network Slice will debut The Real Housewives of Vancouver tomorrow night, piggybacking on the ratings success of cat-fighting, table-flipping and script-reading in the United States. Check out a trailer for the series below and then meet the cast: The Real Housewives of Vancouver Promo Reiko MacKenzie : Married to a venture capitalist, has two children and a fleet of high-end cars that include a Ferraris 599 GTO and a 458 Italia valued together at $1 million. Cristina Kiesel : A double divorcee, has visited over 30 countries in the last four years, considered the show’s party gal. Ronnie Seterdahl Negus : Owns four houses, side-by-side, in the same neighborhood; along with a yacht and a 200-acre vineyard; married with four children ranging in age from 5 to 23. Jody Claman : Clothing store owner, single mom who refers to herself as “Martha Stewart on acid.” Mary Zilba : A successful singer earlier in life, now a single mom with three children; former Miss Ohio; looking to return to the spotlight/business world.
‘Those judges suck, but Jennifer is awesome,’ latest ‘American Idol’ castoff laughs to MTV News. By James Montgomery, with reporting by Kelly Marino Heejun Han Photo: MTV News No joke: Heejun Han got the boot on Thursday night’s “American Idol,” bringing his odd, occasionally hilarious run to an end. And while his exit didn’t come as a shock to most, it was rather odd that it came on the heels of his best performance, a smooth take on Donny Hathaway’s “A Song for You,” which earned him praise from the judges and a standing ovation from the studio audience. But if you think Han is taking all this personally, well, then you probably haven’t been paying attention to his antics. Because after his exit, he was all smiles, as MTV News found out firsthand. “I would be sad if I were to go home when I was [in the] top nine, top seven, top six — I would be so sad anyways,” he said. “But, you know, I’m just happy, because I finished really great, and I feel like I proved a lot of things to the world, so I’m kind of in an excited place, actually.” In typical Han fashion, he was still making the most of his time in the spotlight, using our microphone to praise his paramour, Jennifer Lopez — who seemed to be the lone judge determined to save him after he was voted off — and take a few joking swipes at frequent nemesis, mentor Jimmy Iovine. “Jennifer actually came up to me and said, ‘I really, really tried to save you, but they wouldn’t listen to me!’ and I said, ‘It’s OK, baby, it happens all the time.’ Those judges suck, but Jennifer is awesome,” he laughed. “[And] Jimmy Iovine needs to get himself a new pair of glasses and new hat, because he’s been wearing that for a fricking long time. No, Jimmy was a great mentor, I respect him a lot. I [just] hope I don’t see him anytime soon, because I’ve been talking a lot of crap about him.” While Han is slightly sad that his time on “Idol” is over, he said he has no regrets about anything he did on the show, mostly because he only auditioned to prove a point: that anyone can accomplish their goals if they put their mind to it. And he’ll continue spreading that message. “I started off this competition to prove to the world that, if you really believe in yourself, you can become someone regardless of who you are … and that’s what I did, that’s what I proved,” he said. “I never thought I could be a star or anything like that, and I’m not yet, but I want to take this chance to make something out of it, to prove to more people that you can become someone.” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
Good news! Those annoying extra ticket price surcharges you’ve been paying to see movies in the third dimension could wane in the coming year, predicts Spotlight Theatres CEO Joe Paletta. Oh wait, there’s bad news too: Regular old 2-D prices will rise to even things out. “Among the bigger changes will [sic] probably see the 3-D upcharge disappear,” he writes . “3-D charges will help increase the overall ticket-price but, as an industry, I think we’ll see a blend begin to emerge in 2012, where patrons will have a single price for both 2-D and 3-D films. 2-D prices will increase and 3-D prices will decrease.” By my calculation this only benefits 3-D enthusiasts, and punishes anyone who doesn’t want to subject themselves to the stereoscopic experience. And what of the stereo-blind ?? Ready your pocketbooks accordingly. [ Screen Trade via Movie City News ]
‘My brain’s not really there right now,’ Fergie tells MTV News of her musical hiatus. By Christina Garibaldi Fergie of Black Eyed Peas Photo: MTV News The Black Eyed Peas have certainly been enjoying their much-deserved break. Back in November, BEP announced they were going on an indefinite hiatus following three years on the road in support of their albums The Beginning and The E.N.D. MTV News caught up with Fergie on Thursday (March 22) in New York, and she couldn’t be happier being off the road and spending some time at home. “I love being on break. I’m getting to do things I really didn’t have the capacity to do on tour,” Fergie said at the Voli Light Vodka Brunch. “I get more structure at home, I get more time with family, with my husband, with my dogs. I’m still cleaning out my closet, getting to decorate my house, just nesting. I love it.” Fergie has been keeping herself busy, though. Even though she won’t be a judge on “The X Factor,” the singer is set to release her third fragrance and is working on her shoe line. “I’m more focusing on my other things, like my shoe line, I’m designing for that. I’m really getting to work from home, and I’m loving it,” Fergie said. “Having all these creative juices flowing into more girly things and visual and things like that for me.” The last time the Peas took a break, Fergie released her first solo album, The Dutchess. The album produced three #1 singles: “London Bridge,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Glamorous.” Yet this time around, Fergie isn’t very eager to have the spotlight all to herself. “I’m always writing, but there’s no current plans for a solo record or a Black Eyed Peas record. I was on tour for eight years. My brain’s not really there right now,” Fergie said. “It’s kind of just a machine that kept on moving with no signs of stopping. Finally, it’s break time.” The other members of the Black Eyed Peas have been keeping busy on personal projects as well, will.i.am is continuing to work on his next solo album, #WillPower, and will make an appearance on Justin Bieber ‘s upcoming album, Believe. Taboo is working on his own solo project and heading overseas for the Ultramagnetic DJ Experience tour, and apl.de.ap will reportedly focus on being an education ambassador in the Philippines. Do you want Fergie to release a solo album? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Fergie
Facebook.com – Become a Fan! Twitter.com – Follow Us! Mischa Barton hosted the grand opening of Growze, a new fashion boutique for the Japanese fashion brand Growze. Mischa was back in the spotlight tonight in a sheer polka dot blouse and leather trousers, and she looks amazing!
Facebook.com – Become a Fan! Twitter.com – Follow Us! Tara Reid was spotted leaving Mr Chow in Beverly Hills, with what appears to be a new date. She stops to sign a few autographs before speeding off.
