Early Star Trek Reviews Are In
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Drama, Science Fiction, Sequels, Upcoming Releases,
Although Star Trek doesn’t open stateside until May 9, audiences in London were able to preview the long-anticipated prequel last night. Based on the early reviews, J.J. Abrams has a bona fide hit in his hands:
Times Online: “Just when you thought that the Star Trek phenomenon had truly run its course, along comes J.J. Abrams’s stunning prequel to resuscitate the most enduring franchise in sci-fi history…Abrams’s film is a rollicking space adventure that makes you fall in love with the original series all over again.”
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Star Trek Movie Franchise, Version 2.09
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Paramount, Action, Adventure, Family, Science Fiction, New Releases, Upcoming Releases,
After much delay and many false starts, the new Star Trek movie is slated to arrive in theaters on May 8. With a new cast and a new take on the Trek universe, the movie’s goal is to convert a whole new generation into a world of Trekkies. Paramount is so sure of the movie’s success, in fact, they’ve already ordered a second helping.
Director J.J. Abrams and the Trek writing staff are already on board with the second movie project, which is aiming for a tentative release in the summer of 2011.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture was released in 1979 by Paramount Pictures, featuring the main cast members from the original television series Star Trek. Five subsequent movies featuring the same cast followed; a seventh mixed William Shatner with cast member from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Three movies featuring this “new” cast followed.
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| E! Online
Zac Efron Drops Out of Footloose
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Musicals, Casting, Celeb News,
Getting tired of seeing Zac Efron in musicals? Well, you’re not alone.
Although he had been previously set to star in a musical update of Footloose, Zac Efron has decided to set aside his dancing shoes. According to TheWrap, the 21-year-old bailed out of the movie fearing he’d be typecast. (Uhh - couldn’t he have figured that out before?).
Paramount chose to fast-track the film when Efron became attached to the project last fall. Unfortunately, Zac announced his departure just last week. (Production had been planned to start sometime this spring.) Because the actor was given script approval, a screenplay rewrite allowed him to take advantage of the exit clause.
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Read More | TheWrap
Transformers 3 a Sure Thing
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: DreamWorks, Paramount, Action, Adventure, Sequels, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,
**UPDATE: Michael Bay now claims the movie will come out in 2012, not 2011.**
Transformers 3 has been given a release date and officially put on a time table - the robotic movie will be coming to a theater near you on July 1, 2011. According to reports, however, that’s the only thing that’s official.
So far, Paramount and DreamWorks have nothing on paper with director Michael Bay or leading man and lady Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. They haven’t even hired a scriptwriter. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the second installment to the franchise, will be released on June 24, 2009.
Read More | Variety
Star Trek Finally Coming to Blu-ray
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Drama, Science Fiction, Sequels, Home Entertainment, Upcoming Releases,
To promote the upcoming premiere of Star Trek, Paramount Home Entertainment will catch up with the technological times.
Beginning April 28, a series of Trek-related offerings will be finally be rolled out on Blu-ray. Star Trek: The Original Series—Season One is first on that list. In addition to the 29 episodes, the seven-disc set will allow viewers to choose between the original television or remastered versions.
On May 12 (a few days after the film’s premiere), the studio will issue two Blu-ray boxed sets: Star Trek Original Motion Picture Collection and Star Trek Motion Picture Trilogy. The “collection” will include the six films - from 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture to 1991’s Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country - featuring the show’s original cast. Meanwhile, the “trilogy” will only include The Wrath of Khan, The Search for Spock and The Voyage Home.
The 2009 version of Star Trek premieres on May 8.
Read More | Hollywood Reporter
William Shatner Denies Being Offered Star Trek Role
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Science Fiction, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,
So was William Shatner’s omission from the upcoming Star Trek movie a choice J.J. Abrams made…or was it ultimately Shatner’s decision? Well, the answer differs depending on who you ask.
Last year, the actor admitted he was bothered by his exclusion from the highly-anticipated prequel.
“I couldn’t believe it. I’m not in the movie at all. Leonard [Nimoy], God bless his heart, is in, but not me. I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office. It didn’t seem to be a wise business decision.”
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Los Angeles Times
Kung Fu Panda Released with Companion Piece
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Paramount, Animation, Family, Home Entertainment,
The upcoming home video release of Kung Fu Panda will break against two long-standing traditions.
Those planning to buy either the DVD or Blu-ray version of the Dreamworks hit have the opportunity to get a brand new companion piece as well. While it’s not a surprise to see direct-to-video sequels of an animated film, those creations are typically produced at a later time. A purchase of the “Pandamonium Double Pack” will give fans an extra disc titled “Secrets of the Furious Five.” This feature will expand on the characters’ backgrounds and will also include the voices of Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman.
Although Tuesdays are typically reserved for new releases, Paramount Home Entertainment will release this two-disc set (and a single-disc version) on Sunday, November 9th.
Hollywood Reporter
Tommy Lee Jones Sues Paramount For $10 Million
Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Paramount, Action, Adventure, Drama, Noir, Thrillers, Box Office, Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Controversy, Corporate Shakeups, Rumors,
While Fox and Warner Bros. are dealing with their battles, Paramount now has to deal with one of their own, thanks to a $10 million dollar lawsuit compliments of Tommy Lee Jones.
The veteran actor is seeking payment that he claims is rightfully owed to him for the services he provided for the 2007 Coen Brothers’ hit, No Country For Old Men.
Although both Paramount and Jones declined to comment, the actor’s publicist simply pointed to the lawsuit, which notes a contract N.M. Classics (a subsidiary of Paramount’s) that promises Jones “significant box-office bonuses and ‘back-end’ compensation.”
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San Antonio Express-News
Casting Corner: Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Jennifer Lopez
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Yari Film Group Releasing, Adaptation, Drama, Romance, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,
Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:
Former Rolling Stone journalist Evan Wright is currently working with Paramount to bring his next project to the big screen. Wright’s 2004 book, Generation Kill, is currently airing on HBO as a mini-series. Now Evan has signed a deal to adapt something he is still writing.
Cocaine Cowboys - not to be confused with the 2006 documentary by the same name - will tell the story of Jon Roberts, a real-life drug trafficker who wound up working with the Medellin drug cartel. Interestingly enough, Mark Wahlberg has signed on to star and co-produce the adaptation. Those familiar with Entourage - a show Mark created - may remember that Vincent Chase fought hard to get the lead role in the movie Medellin.
Director Peter Berg (Hancock) has been tapped to helm the project.
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Variety
Sequel News: Hairspray, Anchorman, School of Rock
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, New Line, Paramount, Musicals, Sequels, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,
Here’s the latest scoop on the sequel buzz spreading across Hollywood:
The film that inspired a Broadway show and an update may soon spawn another creation: a sequel. New Line Cinema, obviously encouraged by the success of the High School Musical franchise (and last week’s debut of Mamma Mia!), has asked John Waters to begin writing a treatment for a follow to Hairspray.
According to Variety, the studio hopes to reunite members of last year’s cast in time for a 2010 release. The story would again be set in the 60’s, just where the Turnblad family left off.
While no actors have yet been lined up, most of the musical’s key players - including director/choreography Adam Shankman - are scheduled to return.
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Variety
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