Hugh Jackman Drops Out of Broadway’s ‘Houdini’

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Biopics, Musicals, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,

Hugh Jackman has dropped out of the upcoming Broadway production Houdini.

The 45-year-old Australian actor was due to take on the leading role as the legendary escape artist, Harry Houdini, in the eagerly anticipated show in New York City next year but will not longer be taking to the stage because of his busy schedule. "I have greatly enjoyed the collaborative process on Houdini. Ultimately, though, I wasn't able to commit to the time this role will require," the Wolverine star issued a statement.

The actor, who won a Tony Award for best actor in a musical in 2004 for The Boy from Oz, in which he performed for a year, added, "I have tremendous respect and admiration for the creative team and I wish everyone the best. I know they're well on their way to making something extraordinary."

Hugh signed on to star in the project in January 2012, but just weeks later The Newsroom creator, Aaron Sorkin, who was also due to work on the production, dropped out.

Click to continue reading Hugh Jackman Drops Out of Broadway’s ‘Houdini’

Guillermo Del Toro Exits The Hobbit

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: MGM, New Line, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction, Thrillers, Filmmaking, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,

Will The Hobbit ever be made? Just when Andy Serkis reports that filming will be delayed until the end of the year, director Guillermo Del Toro calls it quits. Thankfully, however, Del Toro will be sticking around to finish co-writing the screenplays.

“In light of ongoing delays in the setting of a start date for filming The Hobbit, I am faced with the hardest decision of my life. After nearly two years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkien’s Middle Earth, I must, with great regret, take leave from helming these wonderful pictures. Both as a co-writer and as a director, I wish the production nothing but the very best of luck and I will be first in line to see the finished product. I remain an ally to it and its makers, present and future, and fully support a smooth transition to a new director.”

No word yet as to who is to take over Del Toro’s job, but executive producer Peter Jackson revealed the reasoning behind Del Toro’s decision: “[Del Toro] has compromised his commitment to other long term projects… The bottom line is that Guillermo just didn’t feel he could commit six years to living in New Zealand, exclusively making these films, when his original commitment was for three years.”

The film, which is to be released as two separate movies, is still expected to hit theaters in December 2012 and December 2013.

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: January 12, 2010

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Magnolia, MGM, Lionsgate, Action, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Foreign Language, Music, Political, Remakes, Science Fiction, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, Lists, New Releases,

Here are some of the DVD and Blu-ray options available this Tuesday:

• 8 1/2: Blu-ray
• Amreeka: DVD
• Big Fan: DVD
• Billy Jack: Blu-ray
• Brothers at War: DVD
• The Brothers Bloom: DVD, Blu-ray
• The Burning Plain: DVD, Blu-ray
• Cliffhanger: Blu-ray
• Departures: DVD
• Downloading Nancy: DVD
• Fame: DVD, Blu-ray
• Halloween II: DVD, Blu-ray
• The Hurt Locker: DVD, Blu-ray
• I Can Do Bad All By Myself: DVD, Blu-ray

Click to continue reading This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: January 12, 2010

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In Theaters This Weekend: May 29, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, IFC Films, Universal, Yari Film Group Releasing, Adventure, Animation, Documentary, Family, Foreign, Horror, Independent, Comedy, Lists, New Releases,

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

• Drag Me to Hell (PG-13): starring Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver (directed by Sam Raimi)
• Up (PG): starring Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai (directed by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson)
• The Brothers Bloom** (PG-13): starring Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Weisz (directed by Rian Johnson)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: May 29, 2009

The 2009 Academy Awards: Live Commentary

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards,

After a year away from live Oscars coverage, I’m thrilled to be back for the 2009 Academy Awards.

Even though Dark Knight‘s snub will probably keep a number of viewers away (how many can honestly say they’ve seen The Reader?), I’m eagerly anticipating several moments from this evening’s broadcast.

Will Heath Ledger’s family bring the house to tears? Is Mickey Rourke going to make the producers wince? Will the cameras pan to Brangelina after Jennifer Aniston’s presentation? Are Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron really (really?) going to do a song and dance number?

To find out if this will be the year of the Slumdog or the underdog, stay tuned here for the live results!

Click to continue reading The 2009 Academy Awards: Live Commentary

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