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Sequel News: Mission Impossible, Haunting in Connecticut and More

Mission Impossible 3

Here’s the latest scoop on the sequel buzz spreading across Hollywood:

Mission Impossible: Even though he could do just about anything he wants these days, Star Trek‘s J.J. Abrams will be returning to familiar territory. Three years after the debut of MI:3, the director has agreed to reteam with Tom Cruise on a fourth installment. (Apparently the actor wasn’t listening when I said he should stay away from this project.) Although they are both only listed as producers at this point, things could change for the busy men once a script is finalized. Paramount is currently aiming for a 2011 release.

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Read More | Variety

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Casting Corner: Simon Baker, James McAvoy, Christina Aguilera and More

Simon BakerChristina Aguilera

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

Simon Baker: The Mentalist hunk has been added to an adaptation of a Jim Thompson novel. The Killer Inside Me, a tale about a sheriff turned murderer, will feature Baker as a attorney on the hunt for the killer (Casey Affleck). Jessica Alba will star as a prostitute while Kate Hudson will play Affleck’s girlfriend.

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Dominic Monaghan Talks About the Lord of the Rings Prequels


While he’s quick to point out that The Hobbit is “not Lord of the Rings,” told MTV that he is open to joining the upcoming adaptations.

Monaghan, who played Merry in the three LOTR films, said neither the fans nor his former coworkers should worry about their popular trilogy being diluted. “It’s being produced by Peter Jackson, who obviously made the first films, and his special-effects company are making it,” he explained. “It’s directed by Guillermo del Toro, who I think, outside of , would be the number-one person to give this any amount of the tenderness that it deserves. Obviously, Ian McKellen’s going to be back for it, and Andy Serkis is going to be back for it.”

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Read More | MTV Movies

Remake News: The Karate Kid, Oldboy, Pinocchio and More

The Karate Kid

Fame: The previously announced remake has just secured its administrative lineup. The film, an update of the 1980 original, will once again follow the lives of students at New York High School of Performing Arts. Those guiding the talented crop include Megan Mullaley, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelsey Grammar and Charles S. Dutton. Debbie Allen - a veteran of the first film - will also join the cast as Principal Simms, an entirely new character.

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Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: The Dark Knight Hits $300 Million

The Dark Knight

Despite the combined forces of Ferrell/Reilly and Duchovny/Anderson, Team Bale/Ledger could not be slowed down.

This past week, added a few more records to the franchise’s box office mantle:

  • The film became the fastest movie ever to surpass the $300 million mark. (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest crossed that line in 16 days; Knight did it in 10.)
  • The sequel is now predicted to break $400 million in approximately 18 days. Shrek 2 took 43 days to the same in 2004.
  • IMAX theaters also continue to benefit from the blockbuster’s success. Another $4.6 million was grossed over the weekend.
  • It’s now believed the latest Batman installment could soar to $500 million - making it only the second movie to do so. Domestically, ($601 million) still reigns as the box office champ. (The original Star Wars pocketed $461 million while Shrek 2 earned $436 million.)

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Variety


Box Office Breakdown: Record-Breaking Weekend for The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight

Okay, let’s not beat around the bush. We all know was huge. But how big exactly was it? Let’s break the numbers down:

  • The film grossed approximately $158.3 million, beating the record set by ($151.1 million) last year. The total already comes within reach of Tim Burton’s Batman. (The $251.2 million grosser has been the best earner in the franchise so far.)
  • Knight pulled in $18.5 million during its Friday midnight screenings alone. The previous record holder was 2005’s Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith ($16.9 million).
  • The movie had the best Friday total ever: $67.8 million.
  • The sequel earned $6.2 million from IMAX showings alone. That number, again, beat Spider-Man 3 ($4.7 million).
  • In one weekend, The Dark Knight grossed more than the last three Batman installments made in their opening weekends combined.
  • The Christopher Nolan feature, along with the strong performance from , helped the industry attain the best box office weekend ever. Mamma‘s $27.6 million outperformed last year’s Hairspray ($27.5 million) to become the biggest musical opener ever.

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Variety


Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Army Raises Hell

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Apparently moviegoers were simply not interested in meeting anyone named Dave.

This past weekend, Eddie Murphy’s latest effort debuted in a disappointing 7th place. Fox’s pulled in only $5.2 million, the third worst opening total for the comedian. (Holy Man pulled in $5.1 million in 1998; The Adventures of Pluto Nash scraped up $2.2 million in 2002.)

Dave‘s poor performance gave two other entries plenty of room at the top of the charts. earned approximately $11 million more than the original 2004 film. The sequel’s $34.5 million haul also narrowly edged out last week’s winner, Hancock, and gave director Guillermo del Toro a first place berth. Meanwhile, the Journey to the Center of the Earth‘s $21 million was good enough for third place.

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Variety


In Theaters This Weekend: July 11, 2008

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

Will Ian McKellen Return to The Hobbit?

Ian McKellen, GandalfIf you were hoping to see Ian McKellen in the future adaptation of The Hobbit, you can rest comfortably.  The actor is more than willing to participate in the project.  Now it’s just a matter of him being asked.

On his personal website, the veteran of the Lord of the Rings trilogy expressed a desire to once again travel back in time and resurrect his Oscar-nominated role.  And if has any say, he will.  But the two scheduled prequels are now in the hands of an entirely new director (Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth), and he has yet to give McKellen the greenlight.

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MTV


FilmCrunch 032: Dreamgirls, Pan’s Labyrinth, Employee of the Month, The Illusionist

Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep are back with another full episode of FilmCrunch. This time they review the theatrical releases of Dreamgirls and Pans Labyrinth, as well as the DVD releases of Employee of the Month, and The Illusionist.

Now we want to hear from you - hit the forums and let us know what you think, what you want us to watch next, and any other recommendations you have for the show.


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