MOVIE GOSSIP
All the latest on the stars and the movies.




Weisz Nabs Catwoman Role?Emily Christianson
17th December 2008
Here kitty, kitty … Batman is calling. Mum’s the word at Warner Brothers, but rumors are swirling that writer/director Christopher Nolan plans to write Catwoman into his third Batman film. And who’s the lucky lady filling the shoes of Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry? Rachel Weisz or at least she’s being considered for the role according to Eonline.com. The site also confirms through inside sources that Nolan and star Christian Bale are “definitely” returning to the franchise despite down playing their involvement in previous interviews. Meanwhile Batman-on-Film reports that Warners is prepping a production office in Chicago so that Nolan and the gang can get work underway.
Naomi & Liev: Baby Makes FourKit Bowen
17th December 2008
Naomi Watts and her significant other Liev Schreiber became parents for the second time. They welcome their second child, a boy, Saturday, according to E! Online. The couple have been together since 2005. Their first son, Alexander Pete, was born July 25, 2007, in Los Angeles. Now you watch, Watts’ best pal Nicole Kidman will probably start working on her second child with hubby Keith Urban.
Hudson Postpones Video Brigid Brown
17th December 2008
Jennifer Hudson has postponed filming on her first music video since the death of her mother, brother and nephew. According to Jennifer's J Records rep, the Dream Girls star was scheduled to shoot the video for 'If It Isn't Love' next week, but has pulled out because she is reportedly not ready to return to work, reports Extra TV. 'The video was set up before the tragedy and she felt like she should finish what she started, but she's realized that she's not ready to go back to work,' a Hudson source reveals to Us Weekly. 'It's too early.' A rep for the Oscar winner tells the magazine that the shoot was never set in stone. 'The video shoot was never confirmed, so there was nothing to cancel. J Records' statement was erroneous.'
Matinee Idol Van Johnson DiesKit Bowen
17th December 2008
Actor Van Johnson, a Hollywood heartthrob during the 1940s and 1950s, died on Friday at age 92. The actor died at Tappan Zee Manor, an assisted living community in Nyack, New York, a spokeswoman for the facility told Reuters. Johnson started his acting career on the Broadway stage but became a WWII film hero, starring in films such as A Guy Named Joe and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. With his burly physique and matinee idol looks, Johnson was also known as a heartthrob starring opposite actresses such as June Allyson, Esther Williams, Judy Garland and Janet Leigh. Johnson was probably best known for starring with Humphrey Bogart and Fred MacMurray in The Caine Mutiny. If you haven’t ever seen this movie, you should rent it. Stellar performances by all.
Jackman Sexes Up OscarsBrigid Brown
17th December 2008
Being voted People's 'Sexiest Man Alive' comes with its perks. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that Hugh Jackman will host the 81st annual Academy Awards. The Academy Awards is getting a makeover with new producers, a new set director and even a new music director for this year's Oscars telecast on Feb. 22. Jackman currenlty stars in the romantic adventure film Australia.
Elvis, Er, Cruise Has Left the BuildingBrigid Brown
17th December 2008
Oh, no, what did Tom Cruise do now? While on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night, Cruise leapt out of his seat and gave the audience his best Elvis Presley impression, breaking into a rendition of The King's hit song, 'Blue Suede Shoes.'He’s added another embarrassing stunt to his repertoire after performing an impromptu Elvis Presley impression for Leno. The actor, , broke into a rendition of The King's hit 'Blue Suede Shoes' in front of Lenoand a live studio audience. And, the millions of people tuning in. Cruise, who, in 2005, famously jumped on Oprah Winfrey's couch to proclaim his love for then-girlfriend Katie Holmes, mimicked the rock 'n' roll legend's hip-shaking moves for Leno's audience on Thursday, Dec. 11. He then confessed that he'd love to follow in the footsteps of his wife Holmes and star in a Broadway play. He told the shocked talk-show host, 'I like making movies, but I'm not saying 'no' to Broadway. I would like to do a musical.' Wait, did we miss something -- was Broadway asking?
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa™ - Video GameCinemas Online
11th December 2008

It's not just in the cinemas that we get to meet up again with the characters of Madagascar. Released in line with the sequel (which can now be seen in cinemas up and down the UK) Activision have developed and released Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa™ - Video Game.

Following the success of the 2005 blockbuster hit and #1 kid’s movie game Madagascar™ comes an all-new wacky adventure in the Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Video Game. Based on the upcoming feature film from DreamWorks Animation, the four famous zoo animals – Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo – and their entire madcap Madagascar crew takes you on a whole new action-packed journey to help save the African savannah. You must work through 12 distinct levels featuring a variety of wild adventures and fun mini-games. In addition to the diverse single-player gameplay, the Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Video Game delivers an enhanced multiplayer tournament mode allowing gamers to participate in outlandish competitions alongside or against friends and family.

Experience the hilarious antics, characters and environments from the film whilst discovering all-new game exclusive adventures. Make use of Alex the Lions jumping skill, Marty’s ultra fast zebra speed or fly like a helicopter with Melman the Giraffe. You can even play as those crafty penguins! The Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa video game provides an African adventure world for all ages to enjoy.

The Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa video game will be available November 28, 2008 on Xbox 360™, Nintendo Wii™, PS2™, PS3™, PC Windows™, and Nintendo DS™.

For your chance to see what is “crack-a-lacking” and download the demo of the game, visit www.madagascarthegame.com

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (cert U) is at cinemas everywhere from December 5. To find out more about this wild movie and for cool downloads visit www.madagascar-themovie.co.uk.
Liev Schreiber Talks Sabretooth, WolverineEmily Christianson
11th December 2008
Liev Schreiber goes psycho this spring in his new role as Sabretooth in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and he’s finally opening up about his violent character. He calls Sabretooth’s alter-ego Victor Creed “incredibly brutal and feral, has blood-lust unlike any other character I've ever played. This guy is a real killer.” Luckily he has the help of his longtime friend Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) to play off of in those vicious brawls. “To do fight scenes with Hugh was really terrific, because as a dancer, he has that kind of discipline and choreography,” he told SuperheroHype.com. “And I always studied to be a fight choreographer, and always wanted to be a dancer too, but didn't quite have the feet for it. But we had some remarkable fight scenes together, and I'm looking forward to people seeing those.” Schreiber is a longtime fan of the comic books and says he wanted to make the film because he doesn’t “think men really mature intellectually and emotionally beyond 22.” “I just loved the character of Wolverine,” he explained. “I always have. That sort of deeply ironic and very urban sensibility in a superhero was something that I thought was really groundbreaking. And the style of writing was… particularly the very sort of editorial style. I just always loved it. And I think that we were able to capture some of that darkness in this movie, so I’m very proud of it.” Jackman helped him along, advising him to “lift weights.” Schreiber confessed, “I did. I lifted weights, and I ate an army of chickens.”
What items would you save on the day the earth stands still?20th Century Fox
28th November 2008
Earth’s Vital List poses the question, If the earth was under attack what would you save?

Here's a chance to build your own “Vital List” of 12 items (people, places or things) to save on “the day the earth stands still.” Vital lists can be shared with friends for feedback and votes on which items are truly vital.

The world’s most vital items will be tabulated on a global microsite, at www.earthvitallist.com. The site also provides visitors with a view on how items are being ranked around the globe. A countdown to the film’s US release (12/12/08) will coincide with a special reveal of the world’s 1,212 most prized possessions on MySpace.com/earthvitallist.com.

In the film, a renowned scientist (Jennifer Connelly) finds herself face to face with an alien called Klaatu (Keanu Reeves), who has travelled across the universe to warn of an impending global crisis. She quickly discovers the deadly ramifications of Klaatu’s claim that he is “a friend to the Earth.” Now she must find a way to convince the entity who was sent to destroy us that mankind is worth saving – but it may be too late.
THE GREAT WALL OF WALL-EDisney
24th November 2008
Children's TV star Neil Buchanan is to return to his hometown to create his biggest ever 'Big Picture', made entirely from rubbish.
On 24 November the Liverpudlian, who hosted 19 series of Art Attack on CiTV - will produce a 35x20ft outdoor aerial collage of WALL-E, the much loved robot from Disney Pixar's critically acclaimed animation, to mark the film's launch on Blu-ray and DVD that day.
Just like the hero of the film, Neil is getting inventive in his recycling for his biggest ever 'Big Picture' creation.
From hubcaps and vacuum cleaners to old road cones and tyres – all will be used to recreate the new space age hero who spends his life clearing up after humans on a post-apocalyptic planet earth in the film. The giant collage will only viewable from the air – perfect for space dwellers just like WALL-E.
Said Neil: 'I'm a big fan of the film and what convinced me to return home for one more big picture were the epic scenes in which the hero systematically attempts to clean up the planet after mankind has immigrated to space. In doing so, WALL-E creates epic towers of scrap, which is what we'll be doing next Monday!'
'We've designed this Big Picture from scrap materials and key props from the film to welcome WALL-E home and give him a fitting send off to mark the DVD release,' says Buchanan, who produced over 180 Big Pictures in 19 series of Art Attack over 18 years.
'I've spent my television career encouraging children to get inspired by art, and it's fitting to take inspiration from a Disney Pixar film for my biggest Big Picture yet.
It is no coincidence that Neil has chosen his home city Liverpool to produce his biggest and most impactful picture yet after wrapping his final series of Art Attack, and helping him with his biggest picture yet will be a class of children from a local school, as an educational exercise around the Capital of Culture 2008 celebrations.
Sarah Hogarth, Liverpool Culture Company's Creative Schools Producer, said: 'It's great that Neil is marking our culture year with a fantastic piece of art which sends out a positive recycling message.
'Capital of Culture's legacy year is the Year of the Environment, so it's fitting for Liverpool to be the venue for a massive picture of WALL-E.'
Ever since it was announced that Art Attack would leave our screens after 18 years on CiTV, there have been countless petitions to encourage Neil to build a Big Picture in Liverpool around the Capital of Culture celebrations.
This includes a Facebook group entitled 'Get Neil Buchanan to do a big Art Attack for Liverpool 2008' which has over 2,500 members as well as a further 50 groups dedicated to Neil and Art Attack set up this year.
Bringing Fresh Young Stories to LightBlank Slate UK
6th November 2008
Got an idea for a short film? The UK-wide search is on.....
B3 Media are looking to fund up to five of the freshest and hottest short film projects by some of the UK’s best black and minority ethnic filmmaking talent. If selected, you’ll get training, funding and support to make your vision a reality.
Blank Slate isn’t simply handing over a cheque and waiting for the premiere. You’ll get to learn from experienced industry professionals as you develop your script for the big screen. Blank Slate UK kicks off with a screening programme touring the UK where you can sample Blank Slate film screenings, workshops and panel events. For more details of these events in Leicester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, London, Manchester and Bristol visit: here. To apply for tickets email: tickets@b3media.net To find out more and to apply for the programme, click here
Closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 24th November so you will have to move fast. Now in its sixth year, Blank Slate supports the next generation of black and minority ethnic film-making talent in the production of digital short films. Blank Slate is part of the UK Film Council's UK-wide Digital Shorts Initiative and is funded through the New Cinema Fund, B3 Media and the Arts Council England.
QUANTUM OF SOLACE SHATTERS BOX OFFICE RECORDS WITH £4.94 MILLION OPENINGSony Pictures
3rd November 2008
QUANTUM OF SOLACE, the 22nd James Bond adventure, has made Box Office history on its opening day in the UK, taking a staggering £4.94m and making it the biggest Friday opening of all time. This shatters the previous record held by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which took £4.025m.
QUANTUM OF SOLACE, the latest installment from the longest running franchise in film history, has also beaten the opening day figure for the last Bond movie, Casino Royale, which took £2.9m on its opening day.
QUANTUM OF SOLACE opened in 542 cinemas in the UK and Ireland on Friday 31st October and will release in the US on November 14th.
Produced for EON Productions by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, QUANTUM OF SOLACE is directed by Marc Forster and stars Daniel Craig as the legendary secret agent, James Bond. With a screenplay by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Oscar® winner Paul Haggis, the film picks up the storyline just one hour after the end of CASINO ROYALE, marking the first direct sequel produced by EON Productions.
Sleeping Beauty’s 50th AnniversaryWalt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
28th October 2008
To celebrate Sleeping Beauty’s 50th Anniversary, and to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, zavvi Piccadilly and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment are this week encouraging people all over London to get a much needed Beauty Sleep! Anyone visiting zavvi Piccadilly this Tuesday (28 Oct) will be invited to recreate the magical scene, in which Princess Aurora is cast into deep sleep by the evil Maleficent. Customers will be able to have their picture taken lying upon a stunning recreation of Aurora’s fairytale bed. The images will feature, alongside a wealth of celebrity images, as part of a giant mosaic image of Disney’s iconic Sleeping Beauty. This amazing mosaic, which will feature the likes of Lorraine Kelly, Neil Fox, Ben Shepherd, Ricky Gervais and the original Sleeping Beauty Mary Costa, will then go on to be auctioned off for charity, with the proceeds going to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. The inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty mosaic was the staggering findings of a global survey that this week reveals Brits are the world’s worst sleepers, taking far longer to drop off at night, experiencing higher levels of insomnia, often waking up during the night, snoring and falling out of bed more than any nationality!
UPDATE: Hudson Thanks Fans, Asks for Prayers Kit Bowen
27th October 2008
Jennifer Hudson has posted a message on her MySpace page, thanking fans and friends for their words of support and appealing for help to find her missing 7-year-old nephew, according to TMZ. Julian King was reported missing Friday from the family's home, where Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, 57 and brother, Jason Hudson, 29, died of multiple gunshot wounds. Hudson reached out to her fans in an online message, accompanied by a picture of Julian King, who is believed to have been abducted at the time of the murder. The message reads, 'Thank you all for your prayers and your calls. Please keep praying for our family and that we get Julian King back home safely. If anyone has any information about his whereabouts please contact the authorities immediately. Here is a picture of Julian and what he was last seen wearing. Once again thank you all for being there for us through this tough time.' Yesterday, Julia Hudson, the 31-year-old sister of the actress made a public plea at a Chicago church for the return of her son, AP reports. Hudson’s sister spoke from the podium at Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church alongside the boy's father, Greg King, AP reports. She says her son 'doesn't deserve this.' The Oscar-winning actress' brother-in-law William Balfour has been arrested over the double murder, and is currently being questioned by the police, but no charges have been filed. He is being held by the Illinois Department of Corrections, however, due to breaking the terms of his parole. A source tells TMZ, the 'homicide investigation is still active and ongoing.' Balfour's mother told police that Darnell Donerson had thrown Balfour out of the house last winter. She denied that her son had anything to do with the slayings.Hudson -- who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her tremendous performance in Dreamgirls, and whose song “Spotlight” has hit the top of the R&B charts -- credits her mother and family for keeping her grounded. In a recent interview with AP, Hudson said: 'My faith in God and my family, they're very realistic and very normal, they're not into the whole limelight kind of thing, so when I go home to Chicago that's just another place that's home. I stand in line with everybody else, or, when I go home to my mom I'm just Jennifer, (so she says), 'You get up and you take care of your own stuff.' And I love that; I don't like when people tell you everything you want to hear — I want to hear the truth, you know what I mean?'
Z-J a 3-D Cleopatra?Nancy Tartaglione-Vialatte
27th October 2008
Steven Soderbergh is reportedly gearing up for a 3-D live-action rock 'n' roll musical about Cleopatra. The trades today say that the director is looking at Catherine Zeta-Jones to star as the Egyptian queen with Hugh Jackman as her lover Marc Antony. The $30 million Cleo will be set in the 1920s with music from indie rock band Guided by Voices. Soderbergh is about to release the Benicio Del Toro starrer Che and recently wrapped Matt Damon starrer The Informant. He is also readying a Liberace film with Zeta-Jones’ husband Michael Douglas attached to play the entertainer and Damon to play his companion. Zeta-Jones and Jackman have both won praise for their song and dance talents -- she won an Oscar for her turn in big screen musical Chicago and Jackman won a Tony for his turn as Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz.Joseph Mankiewicz directed the legendary 1963 Cleopatra that starred Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It was hugely expensive and considered a flop but ultimately won four Oscars.






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