2009 Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations (Film)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: FOCUS, Fox Searchlight, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Period, Political, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Awards, Lists,
Although last January’s Screen Actors Guild Awards were spared from the writers’ dispute, SAG is facing its own strike this year. Regardless, the awards season must go on. Next month’s event - scheduled to air on Sunday, January 25th on both TNT and TBS - will come just three days after the Oscar nominations are announced.
Here are some of the noteworthy mentions from this year’s list of film nominees:
- Doubt led this year’s crop with three nominations. Milk and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button came in second with two nods each.
- Richard Jenkin was honored for The Visitor while Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) was left off.
- Heath Ledger added another nom to his belt. Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr. was nominated for his turn in Tropic Thunder.
- Kate Winslet was named for both The Reader and Revolutionary Road. Leonardo DiCaprio was left empty-handed.
- The Dark Knight, Revolutionary Road and The Reader were all left out of the Best Ensemble categories.
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Is Maguire Gearing Up for Two Spidey Sequels?
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Rumors,
Had you asked me last year whether I saw another Spider-Man in Tobey Maguire‘s future, I would have easily said “No.” Thank goodness, I didn’t put any money down on that.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the chances of Maguire of participating in two more sequels are actually quite strong. Maguire and director Sam Raimi are reportedly very close to sealing new deals with Columbia Pictures.
This news comes months after a premiere date was announced by the studio. Back in June, producer Laura Ziskin said she would like to see a fourth installment in theaters on Memorial Day 2011.
Assuming casting is determined soon, Columbia may opt to schedule back-to-back productions as early as fall 2009.
Hollywood Reporter
Ghostbusters Sequel in the Making
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,
UPDATE: Harold Ramis recently confirmed the sequel news to the Chicago Tribune.
Maybe Bill Murray could use the divorce settlement money? Or maybe Dan Aykroyd could simply use the work? Whatever the reason, it’s looking like a Ghostbusters reunion might soon be possible.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Columbia Pictures is looking to create a third installment for the popular ‘80s franchise. Although the sequel would likely introduce another exterminating crew, it’s hoped the original four cast members - Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson - could be incorporated into the comedy.
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Hollywood Reporter
Quantum of Solace Gets a Date Shift
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Sequels, Comedy, Upcoming Releases,
Who knew Harry Potter’s departure would have such repercussions?
When Entertainment Weekly produced last week’s Fall Movie Preview edition (the one with that bespectacled wizard on the front), I don’t think they anticipated having such outdated information. Unfortunately, Warner Bros.’ decision to move Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to July 2009 has set off a series of schedule changes.
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Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Batman Smokes Pineapple Express
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, New Line, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Musicals, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers,
Pineapple Express’ strong open last week made number crunchers wonder: Would this be the week Batman was finally taken down? Unfortunately, breaking the record for ‘Any Wednesday in August’ doesn’t necessarily mean a movie will succeed on Friday or Saturday or Sunday. And despite Pineapple‘s promising start (the movie grossed $12.1 million on its first day), the comedy found itself smoked by the Caped Crusader.
The Dark Knight‘s recent $26 million take has now pushed the film past $441 million. When the sequel passes Star Wars’ $461 million (which should happen shortly), it will become the #2 film of all time. By staying on top for the fourth weekend in a row, Knight has also accomplished something that hasn’t been done since 2003’s Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.
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Yahoo! Movies
Box Office Breakdown: The Dark Knight Fights Off the Mummy
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Family, Music, Mystery, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
It was a close one. A very close one. But after a tight contest, The Dark Knight once again emerged as the box office winner this weekend.
Although it initially appeared as if The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor was going to bring Batman down, the three-quel lost steam at the end. The film, which grossed $40.4 million over the past three days, narrowly lost out to Knight and wound up being the lowest performer in its series. (The Mummy opened at $43.4 million in 1999 while The Mummy Returns scored $68 million in 2001.)
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Variety
Spider-Man’s Venom Set for Spinoff
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Rumors,
Hero, schmero. Thanks to the popularity of Heath Ledger‘s Joker, Hollywood may soon be looking to exploit the audience’s love for much darker characters.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sony is tossing around the idea of giving Venom his own film. Most probably remember the character as the villain played by Topher Grace in last year’s Spider-Man 3.
As for when we could see the spinoff in theaters is unknown. Right now, the studio is still trying to produce a suitable script. The execs also have to agree on a lead actor. Although Tobey Maguire was given a chance to play the webbed one, those behind the scenes are apparently nervous about Grace’s box office appeal. Fortunately, since Venom is technically a gooey substance and not necessarily a person, they could actually attach any person they want to the project. (Pun intended.)
Whether or not Venom gets off the ground, Sony still intends on producing Spider-Man 4. That installment is expected to debut in 2011.
Hollywood Reporter
Box Office Breakdown: The Dark Knight Hits $300 Million
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Musicals, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Despite the combined forces of Ferrell/Reilly and Duchovny/Anderson, Team Bale/Ledger could not be slowed down.
This past week, The Dark Knight 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, Titanic ($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
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Musicals, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Okay, let’s not beat around the bush. We all know The Dark Knight 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 Spider-Man 3 ($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 Mamma Mia!, 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
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Picturehouse, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Picturehouse, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
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 Meet Dave 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. Hellboy II: The Golden Army 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
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