FILM/ HUGH JACKMAN EYES "LES MISERABLES": Hugh Jackman is in talks to star Universal and Working Title’s big-screen musical adaptation of "Les Miserables" to be directed by :The King’s Speech" director Tom Hooper. If a deal is made, Jackman would play Jean Valjean, the man who steals bread to feed his sister and spends the ensuing years in prison, or trying to escape it, while also becoming the guardian of a young woman named Cosette, all against the backdrop of a 19th century French rebellion. William Nicholson wrote the script. The story is based on the Victor Hugo book but best known to millions as one of the longest-running musicals around. "Les Miz," as it’s lovably known, would be the 1st time that Jackman, a singer and dancer with a Tony Award for his role in "The Boy from Oz," would perform on the big screen. The actor was scheduled to reprise his role as Wolverine in a sequel that was to have shot later this year, but the lack of a director on the project has thrown doubt that the film will be made any time soon.
Kate Winslet is in negotiations to star in "Labor Day," the latest Jason Reitman project that will shoot next year. Winslet will join Josh Brolin, who committed to the project months ago, in what is described as a coming of age drama being produced by Reitman. The movie is an adaptation of a Joyce Maynard book set during a Labor Day weekend in a small New Hampshire town. A mother (Winslet) and an awkward and isolated young boy meet a stranger and offer him a ride. The man turns out to be an escaped convict and ends up teaching the boy life lessons. Next up for Winslet, is "Contagion," the Steven Soderbergh medical thriller, that recently wrapped.
Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" has become the studio's biggest release of all time at the international box office, grossing $695.9 million overseas. It's also the 4th biggest earner of all time at the foreign box office, bested only by "Avatar" ($2 billion), "Titanic" ($1.2 billion) and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King "($742.1 million), which it's on track to surpass. Just as impressive, "On Stranger Tides" has now jumped the $900 million mark globally, with a cume of $907.4 million through Tuesday, easily making it the top film of 2011, so far. "On Stranger Tides" has played far better overseas, where 3D is booming in markets including Russia, China and Brazil. The movie's domestic gross is $211.5 million. There's agreement that "On Stranger Tides" will hit $1 billion in global grosses, a rare feat that only a handful of films have achieved. In terms of the "Pirates" franchise, only "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" crossed $1 billion in global grosses, earning $1.1 billion. "On Stranger Tides" was directed by Rob Marshall and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.
The change in the Oscars' best picture nominating procedures wasn't the only shakeup instituted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday, there's a switch in the animation race too. In the past, if between 8 and 15 animated films were released in a year, the group would nominate up to 3 pictures for best animated film; if 16 were released, the category could be expanded to 5 nominees. Last year, there were 15 releases and 3 nominees: "Toy Story 3," pictured, "How to Train Your Dragon" and "The Illusionist". Under the new rules, in any year when there are 8 to 12 animated features released, either 2 or 3 may be nominated. When 13 to 15 films are released during the calendar year, a maximum of 4 may be nominated. And when 16 or more animated films are in the marketplace, a maximum of 5 may be nominated.
MUSIC/ MADONNA HEADING BACK INTO STUDIO FOR NEW ALBUM: Madonna is heading back to the studio to start work on a new album, just months after she suggested she had abandoned her music career because she doesn't have the "time or energy" to sing. The superstar is without a record deal but her manager said she'll be back in the studio next month, after she finalizes her film project "W.E.". "Madonna goes into the recording studio next month to begin work on (her) new album," her manager tweeted. "She has a good idea which producers she will be working with... There is nothing to report in regards to (a) tour. You guys know how this works... first comes the album and next comes the (tour)". Madonna put her music career on the backburner while working on the film "W.E.," which she has directed. The film stars Australian actress Abbie Cornish. She said earlier this year that she doesn't know how she will distribute her next album, adding she is "going to have to reinvent the wheel" with her next release.
TV/ GOLDIE HAWN BOOKS HBO SERIES PILOT: HBO and Darren Star have teamed up for the new series "The Viagra Diaries," a comedy project based on the book by Barbara Rose Brooker. Star, the "Sex and the City "creator/executive producer is writing the script for the comedy project, which would star Goldie Hawn as a woman, who after her husband has a midlife crisis at 65 and leaves her, struggles with being single for the 1st time in 35 years. Aaron Kaplan, Wendy, Peter and Alan Riche will executive produce alongside Star and Hawn. Should the project be picked up to series, the role would mark Hawn's 1st regular TV series gig since 1970. "Viagra Diaries" marks Hawn’s 1st acting project since 2002’s "The Banger Sisters". Kaplan and Star also are collaborating on ABC’s Kristin Chenoweth/Leslie Bibb Texas-set drama "Good Christian Belles," which will bow midseason.
TV/ CBS ORDER MORE "RACE": CBS’ Emmy winning "The Amazing Race" will return for a 20th cycle. The network announced today that the 7 time Emmy winning reality series will return for its 19th installment this fall, with its 20th run set for spring 2012. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, "Race" completed its 18th edition in May, which saw sisters LaKisha Hoffman and Jennifer Hoffman top Harlem Globetrotters Herb Lang and Nate Lofton. During "Race’s" past 2 editions, the reality competition series averaged 11.19 million viewers with a 3.4/9 in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic. The 19th edition returns this fall on Sundays on CBS.
THEATRE/ "FOLLIES" TO MOVE TO BROADWAY: The Kennedy Center's critically-acclaimed production of James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning musical "Follies" will transfer to Broadway this summer for a limited engagement at the Marquis Theatre. Dates, Broadway casting and ticket information will be announced soon. According to media reports, the New York production will also feature a 28 piece orchestra and will likely run through the winter holidays. The starry $7.3 million Kennedy Center production, which continues through June 19, is headed by 2 time Tony winner Bernadette Peters as Sally Durant Plummer, 4 time Tony nominee Jan Maxwell as Phyllis Rogers Stone, 2 time Tony nominee Danny Burstein as Buddy Plummer, Ron Raines as Benjamin Stone and Olivier Award winner Elaine Paige as Carlotta Campion. "Follies" concerns a group of former "Follies" stars who return to the site of their former glory, the Weismann Theatre, which is about to be demolished. Old wounds resurface as 2 Follies stars and their husbands reassess their lives and what could have been. "Follies," with songs by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Goldman, was originally directed by Harold Prince on Broadway in 1971. Since then, it has received a legendary star-filled concert at Lincoln Center in 1985, a Roundabout revival on Broadway directed by Matthew Warchus in 2001, a City Center Encores! production in 2007 and numerous regional mountings.
"Other Desert Cities," Jon Robin Baitz's drama about a wealthy Republican family attempting to kick sand over its past, will arrive on Broadway at the Booth Theatre this fall. Lincoln Center Theater produced the premiere of Baitz's play to acclaim Off-Broadway last winter at the Mitzie E. Newhouse Theater. As previously reported, a lack of available Broadway theatres made an immediate Broadway transfer impossible this spring, leaving LCT to aim for a fall bow. One of the plays most well-reviewed stars, Tony-winning actress Linda Lavin, who originated the role of acidic alcoholic aunt Silda Grauman in the Off-Broadway production, will not be part of the Broadway cast. Lavin is currently appearing in the Kennedy Center revival of "Follies," which is transferring to Broadway this summer (also without her). Lavin will instead appear in the world premiere of "Nicky" Off-Broadway. LCT has not announced if other members of "Other Desert Cities" will reunite for the Broadway production. Tony Award winner Joe Mantello directed a cast that included Tony Award winner Stockard Channing and Golden Globe winner Stacy Keach. "Other Desert Cities" centers on a shamed Republican family who buries a crime committed by their eldest son, only to have their daughter return home with news of an explosive memoir.
Blair Underwood will make his Broadway debut as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire," to be directed by Emily Mann. "Streetcar" will premiere on Broadway in the spring 2012. The theater has yet to be announced. "Streetcar" is set in New Orleans' French Quarter, revolving around an ex-teacher and socialite Blanche DuBois, who moves in with her sister Stella and her husband Stanley (Underwood). The play was last on Broadway in 2005 with Natasha Richardson, Amy Ryan and John C. Reilly. Underwood's theater credits include the 2004 workshop of one-man show "IM4: From the Mountaintop to Hip Hop," which he created and was written by his brother Frank. He has also starred in the New York revival of "Purlie" opposite Anika Noni Rose, "Measure for Measure" and "Love Letters" with Alfre Woodard. He has been nominated for a Golden Globes for his roles in HBO's "In Treatment" and "L.A. Law". Underwood next appears in Fox Searchlight's "The Art of Getting By," starring Emma Roberts and Freddie Highmore, out Friday.
The producers of the new musical comedy "Nice Work If You Can Get It," boasting a score by George and Ira Gershwin, book by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro and direction and choreography by Tony winner Kathleen Marshall, announced today that Tony winner Matthew Broderick would headline the show for a Broadway premiere in spring 2012. Marshall is a 3 time Tony winner for her choreography for "Anything Goes," "The Pajama Game" and "Wonderful Town". Broderick, pictured left, is a 2 time Tony winner for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and a nominee for "The Producers". DiPietro is a 2 time Tony Award winner for his score and book to last season's Tony Award-winning Best Musical "Memphis". According to the first official Broadway announcement of "Nice Work If You Can Get It," the show "features some of George and Ira Gershwin's most beloved songs as well as some unknown gems in the Gershwin catalog. This screwball romantic comedy takes place in the 1920s and centers around a wealthy playboy who gets mixed up with a hilarious trio of bootleggers".
No comments:
Post a Comment