Weekly Entertainment & Movie News(Return of the King DVD Release Announced)

[FH]

The Return of the King Hits DVD & VHS on May 25
Source: Coming Soon!
The King makes his return in filmmaker Peter Jackson's stunning conclusion to "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy, arriving on DVD and VHS on May 25, 2004. The home video debut of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King will follow the groundbreaking success of the multi-tiered platform releases of both "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers," and will be available on a two-disc DVD and VHS for $29.95 and $24.97, respectively. A special extended edition of "The Return of the King" will follow as planned in time for the holidays.

Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure of good versus evil, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King will be released separately in both widescreen and fullscreen versions, each including a second disc offering hours of additional content. Disc Two will feature behind-the-scenes specials, featurettes, theatrical trailers, TV spots, "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy supertrailer, a preview of the upcoming "The Lord of the Rings" based video game from Electronic Arts and a link to exclusive online content about the motion picture trilogy.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the crowning glory of a truly unparalleled filmmaking achievement," said Stephen Einhorn, president and chief operating officer of New Line Home Entertainment. "The two-DVD edition includes the award-winning theatrical epic as well as hours of behind-the-scenes bonus materials."

With current domestic and worldwide box office receipts at more than $364.1 million and $1 billion and rising, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the most successful box office film of the trilogy. Arriving on 7,205 North American screens and 7,403 screens in 28 territories internationally on December 17, 2003, "The Return of the King" set numerous box office records, achieving the all-time biggest openings in the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland and New Zealand. A global phenomenon, "The Return of the King" smashed the international five-day box office record, earning more than $250 million during its opening weekend. The film, moreover, currently ranks as the second highest- grossing worldwide theatrical release of all time, becoming the second film ever to earn more than $1 billion and the first to hit this mark in only ten weeks.

Domestically, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King set box office records for the biggest December opening ($72.6 million, Friday-Sunday) and the highest Wednesday opening ($34.5 million) of all time. In addition, it took in $100 million in just four days, $200 million in 11 days and broke the $300 million barrier in just 24 days. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King currently ranks sixth on the list of all-time biggest domestic motion picture box office hits.

[FH]

Gary Sinise a Frontrunner for CSI: New York
Source:Coming Soon!

Gary Sinise is being courted for the lead role in the second spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation that CBS is planning for next season.

The prospect of the Emmy-winning actor signing on to star in the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced CSI: New York seemed dim at the start of last week, but the talks picked up again Thursday and Friday, says The Hollywood Reporter.

CBS needs to nail down the casting for the show soon because it intends to introduce the CSI: New York main characters in this season's second-to-last episode of CSI: Miami, to air in May.

[FH]

Bryan Singer seeks sanctuary with LOGAN`S RUN remake
X-MEN director to return to story's roots with novel
Source: Cinescape

X-MEN director Bryan Singer has agreed to helm a remake of LOGAN'S RUN, with MATRIX producer Joel Silver collaborating with Singer. Singer is going back to the original source material, that being the novel by William Nolan, for a new take on the concept of a future uptopia society where no one ever grows old because they are killed. In the 1976 movie which starred Michael York as Logan-5 and Jenny Agutter as Jessica-6, the citizens in Logan's domed city sought a chance at renewal through a gruesome event called Carousel. In Nolan's book the citizens of the city don't make it past the age of 21. Singer wants to lower the age of principal characters to reflect the 21-years-old termination date.

Scribes Ethan Gross and Paul Todisco are writing the screenplay with Singer. Warner Bros. wants to release the film in 2005. X2 production designer Guy Dyas has already commenced designing the world of Logan.


Nolan continued the story of Logan and Jessica in two sequel novels, LOGAN'S WORLD and LOGAN'S SEARCH.

[FH]

NIRVANA: 'The Chosen Rejects' Book Due In April
Source: Blabbermouth
The much-anticipated new book "Nirvana: The Chosen Rejects" will be published on April 1 St. via Martin's Press. Dubbed "the ultimate NIRVANA fan book," "Nirvana: The Chosen Rejects" was written and compiled by independent filmmaker Kurt St. Thomas and rock radio veteran Troy Smith. In "Nirvana, the Chosen Rejects", a wealth of sources, including the authors' personal interviews with Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, were used to reconstruct NIRVANA's meteoric rise and the subsequent fall of their troubled lead singer. The result is a front-row perspective of the musical influences that helped nurture NIRVANA's seminal sound, the stories about the creation of their albums, and the ideas that shaped their songs. "Nirvana, The Chosen Rejects" also contains a comprehensive discography and an A-Z listing of every NIRVANA song officially released.

[FH]

VELVET REVOLVER: Judge Denies WEILAND's Request To Join Bandmates For Video Shoot
Source: Blabbermouth

MTV.com reports: "VELVET REVOLVER were all set to shoot their first video, 'Slither', on Sunday in Los Angeles with Kevin Kerslake slated to direct. But during Scott Weiland's probation progress report hearing on Friday (March 5), a Pasadena judge denied the singer's request to join his bandmates for the shoot, which has since been postponed. Weiland is due back in court March 23 for another progress report. He's also due back in court March 15 to face charges of driving under the influence of drugs."

VELVET REVOLVER's much-anticipated debut album, "Contraband", is due on May 18 through RCA Records.

[FH]

JERRY CANTRELL Calls ALICE IN CHAINS Reunion 'Imminent'
Source: Blabbermouth

Ex-ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell has confirmed to Launch Radio Networks that he recently jammed separately with his former bandmates, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney.

Although all three have not played together in the same room yet, Cantrell told Launch that he feels confident some sort of reunion will happen.

"I'm sure at some point not too far in the future, we'll end up doing something like that, and, you know, just take it a step at a time," he said. "You know, we're still all healing up from the loss of (vocalist) Layne (Staley) and the final chapter of the band, so to speak, and so we're just taking things slow. But I would say that most definitely a hundred percent chance of us playing in the future is imminent."

Cantrell also confirmed the formation of his new band with former THE CULT axeman Billy Duffy. The as-yet-unnamed project is expected to feature a revolving cast of players and special guests and will play mostly cover tunes, plus selected material from THE CULT and ALICE IN CHAINS.

Cantrell, who has seven songs completed for his third solo album, is currently without a record deal, having severed his ties with the Roadrunner label after the 2002 release of his sophomore solo effort, "Degradation Trip".

[FH]

Creed's Scott Stapp Eyeing Solo Debut
Source: Billboard




As tipped here in November, Creed frontman Scott Stapp is at work on his solo debut, which he tells Billboard will most likely be out later this year via Wind-Up. The artist says that after a decade together, it was time for the members of Creed to take a break. "We all committed 10 years to each other, and then we would work on some other stuff we had going on," he says. "We hit 10 years in mid-January."

Stapp is working with producer 7 Aurelius, best known for his work with such hip-hop heavyweights as Nelly and Ja Rule). "It's Creed meets Zeppelin meets Doors with 7's [influence]," Stapp reveals. "So it's going to have some thump in the back and rock over the top of it -- but I'm not going to rap," he adds with a laugh. "I'm going to sing."

In addition to working on the album, Stapp says he is pursuing an acting career: "I'm reading through scripts right now. I want something people wouldn't expect from me. I don't want to be stereotyped as a musician."

Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti is also in the early stages of his own solo debut, which will be issued by Wind-Up. The label is prepping a Creed retrospective for release at some point this year, featuring hits and previously unreleased material.


-- Melinda Newman, L.A.

[TopJimmy78]

[ QUOTE ]
FH said:
The Return of the King Hits DVD & VHS on May 25
Source: Coming Soon!
The King makes his return in filmmaker Peter Jackson's stunning conclusion to "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy, arriving on DVD and VHS on May 25, 2004. The home video debut of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King will follow the groundbreaking success of the multi-tiered platform releases of both "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers," and will be available on a two-disc DVD and VHS for $29.95 and $24.97, respectively. A special extended edition of "The Return of the King" will follow as planned in time for the holidays.

Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure of good versus evil, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King will be released separately in both widescreen and fullscreen versions, each including a second disc offering hours of additional content. Disc Two will feature behind-the-scenes specials, featurettes, theatrical trailers, TV spots, "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy supertrailer, a preview of the upcoming "The Lord of the Rings" based video game from Electronic Arts and a link to exclusive online content about the motion picture trilogy.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the crowning glory of a truly unparalleled filmmaking achievement," said Stephen Einhorn, president and chief operating officer of New Line Home Entertainment. "The two-DVD edition includes the award-winning theatrical epic as well as hours of behind-the-scenes bonus materials."

With current domestic and worldwide box office receipts at more than $364.1 million and $1 billion and rising, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the most successful box office film of the trilogy. Arriving on 7,205 North American screens and 7,403 screens in 28 territories internationally on December 17, 2003, "The Return of the King" set numerous box office records, achieving the all-time biggest openings in the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland and New Zealand. A global phenomenon, "The Return of the King" smashed the international five-day box office record, earning more than $250 million during its opening weekend. The film, moreover, currently ranks as the second highest- grossing worldwide theatrical release of all time, becoming the second film ever to earn more than $1 billion and the first to hit this mark in only ten weeks.

Domestically, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King set box office records for the biggest December opening ($72.6 million, Friday-Sunday) and the highest Wednesday opening ($34.5 million) of all time. In addition, it took in $100 million in just four days, $200 million in 11 days and broke the $300 million barrier in just 24 days. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King currently ranks sixth on the list of all-time biggest domestic motion picture box office hits.

[/ QUOTE ]



Sweet, I can't wait ! [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img] I was thinking we would have to wait until August like we did with the other two movies so a May release date is cool! [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_dance.gif[/img]

[FH]

LIVE AID Concert Featuring SABBATH, PRIEST, ZEPPELIN To Be Released On DVD

The historic Live Aid concert, featuring performances by BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST, QUEEN, THE WHO and LED ZEPPELIN, will be released on DVD after chief organizer Bob Geldof discovered pirate copies were being sold on the Internet, according to the Scotsman.

The 1985 event, which was held in London's Wembley Stadium and the JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, and instantly raised £50 million (approx. $92 million) — eventually climbing to £80 million (approx. $148 million) — for African famine victims.

Organizers have now decided to auction the rights to release the DVD of Live Aid, which has never come out on CD, video or DVD.

The successful bidder will have to get the permission of all performing artists, which included U2, MADONNA and ELTON JOHN.

Founding Band Aid trustee John Kennedy told BBC News Online: "We don't expect any of them to be anything other than co-operative."

Geldof tipped police off after pirated DVDs were found on sale on the Internet for £110 (approx. $203) for a 10-disc set.

Among the selections performed during the Live Aid concert were the following:

BLACK SABBATH:

01. Children Of The Grave [04:18]
02. Iron Man [07:44]
03. Paranoid [03:18]

JUDAS PRIEST:

01. Living After Midnight [04:01]
02. The Green Manalishi [03:42]
03. You've Got Another Thing Comin' [07:16]

QUEEN:

01. Bohemian Rhapsody [02:22]
02. Radio Ga Ga [04:00]
03. Hammer To Fall [04:46]
04. Crazy Little Thing Called Love [03:37]
05. We Will Rock You [01:16]
06. We Are The Champions [03:41]

LED ZEPPELIN:

01. Rock & Roll [04:43]
02. Whole Lotta Love [05:20]
03. Stairway To Heaven [09:19]

THE WHO:

01. My Generation [01:40]
02. Pinball Wizard [03:02]
03. Love Reign O'er Me [04:47]
04. Won't Get Fooled Again [09:25]

[FH]

Daredevil 2
Source: Dark Horizons.
Guillermo Del Toro is rumoured to be circling a sequel to the recent "Daredevil" movie, this time the project to be based on Frank Miller's acclaimed "Born Again" story and would only have DD in his costume for a very short time in the film.

[FH]

Universal Green Lights Fast and the Furious 3
Source: Coming Soon!
Universal Pictures is developing a third installment of The Fast and the Furious and is hoping to put Vin Diesel back in the driver's seat of the Neal Moritz-produced franchise, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Universal, which will release Diesel starrer The Chronicles of Riddick on June 11, has begun to rev up the "Fast" team by hiring Chris Morgan to pen a script that would accommodate Diesel's return to the street-racing franchise.

The studio said no deal is in place with the actor, adding that it is "looking to bring back certain elements from the first two films." While reps for Diesel said he is interested in the project, pending completion of the screenplay, Walker's reps said he is not currently committed to a third movie.

[FH]

New Alien vs. Predator Internet-Only Trailer!
Source: Superhero Hype!
Apple has posted a cool new, internet-only trailer for Alien vs. Predator in high-quality QuickTime format. The 20th Century Fox action film hits theaters on August 13.

Check it out in three different sizes at this link.

[FH]

DREAM THEATER: New Batch Of 'Official Bootlegs' Now Available
- Mar. 8, 2004

Ytsejam Records is now accepting pre-orders for the second installment of the DREAM THEATER "official bootlegs", which include: "When Day and Dream Unite Demos 1987-1989" (Demo Series), "Tokyo, Japan 10/28/95" (Live Series), and "Master of Puppets" (Covers Series). Pre-orders are expected to begin shipping the week of March 22. Orders will ship in the order in which they were received.

The complete track listing for the latest batch of "official bootlegs" is as follows:

"When Day and Dream Unite Demos 1987-1989"
CD1:
Instrumental Demos 1987

01. Afterlife (5:24)
02. The Killing Hand (8:04)
03. The Ones Who Help To Set The Sun (7:27)
04. Ytse Jam (5:51)
05. Cry For Freedom (6:45)
06. Resurrection Of Ernie (6:42)
07. Drum Solo (1:52)
08. A Fortune In Lies (4:31)
09. Only A Matter Of Time (6:26)

Early Charlie Demos 1987

10. A Fortune In Lies (5:21)
11. Afterlife (5:41)
12. The Ones Who Help To Set The Sun (7:29)

CD2:
"When Day and Dream Unite" Pre-Production Demos 1988

01. A Fortune In Lies (5:20)
02. Afterlife (5:40)
03. Ytse Jam (5:50)
04. Only A Matter Of Time (6:52)
05. The Ones Who Help To Set The Sun (7:33)
06. The Killing Hand (8:23)
07. Light Fuse And Get Away (Instrumental version) (7:52)

Xmas Demos 1988

08. To Live Forever (4:29)
09. Mission: Impossible (1:23)
10. Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End (6:11)
11. O Holy Night (4:12)
12. A Vision '89 (8:01)

"Tokyo, Japan 10/28/95"
CD1:

01. Intro (1:06)
02. Under A Glass Moon (7:41)
03. The Mirror (6:52)
04. Lie (6:53)
05. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream (8:21)
06. Instrumental Mini Medley (7:14)
- The Rover
- Killers
- Damage, Inc.
- In The Flesh
- Heart Of The Sunrise
07. Innocence Faded (5:36)
08. A Change Of Seasons (23:10)

CD2:

01. Lost Without You (4:41)
02. Surrounded (6:00)
03. Keyboard Solo (4:33)
04. Erotomania (1:47)
05. Drum Solo (4:02)
06. Erotomania (cont.) (5:11)
07. Voices (9:42)
08. The Silent Man (5:10)
09. Pull Me Under (8:51)

1st Encore:
10. Perfect Strangers (6:37)

2nd Encore:
11. Wait For Sleep (acoustic version) (3:24)
12. Learning To Live (13:22)

"Master Of Puppets"
01. Battery (5:15)
02. Master Of Puppets (8:45)
03. The Thing That Should Not Be (7:04)
04. Welcome Home (Sanitarium) (6:43)
05. Disposable Heroes (8:11)
06. Leper Messiah (5:58)
07. Orion (9:20)
08. Damage, Inc. (6:45)

For more information, go to www.ytsejamrecords.com.

[FH]

'Idol' Reject Hung Has Recording Deal
Source: Launch

Who needs "American Idol"? William Hung doesn't — he already has a recording contract.

The singer, who became a fan favorite — but not a judges' favorite — during open auditions for the Fox series with his spirited version of Ricky Martin 's "She Bangs," has signed a deal with Fuse Music Network and Koch Records.

His debut album, tentatively titled "The True Idol," is scheduled for release April 6, it was announced Monday. It will contain "She Bangs," along with another Martin hit, "Shake Your Bon Bon," and a cover of Elton John 's "Rocket Man," which Hung sang recently on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

And for those of you hankering for more Hung, the disc will include a 40-minute DVD with behind-the-scenes footage from his studio recording sessions and fan questions and answers.

"He may not be the next American Idol, but he is definitely a star and inspiration to everyone who sings in the shower," said Marc Juris, president of Fuse, which will exclusively air his "She Bangs" video.

Koch Records general manager Alan Grunblatt was even more effusive: "He is the new Elvis!"

Hung, a 21-year-old Hong Kong native and civil engineering student at the University of California, Berkeley, has inspired fan clubs and Web sites that sing his praises.

Meanwhile, back at "American Idol," eight of the 12 finalists have been chosen. The remaining four will be announced this week when "wild card" singers — those who didn't get enough votes the first time — come back for a second chance.

[FH]

Sting, Annie Lennox Pairing For Tour
Source: Billboard

As expected, Sting has rolled out plans for a summer tour of North American amphitheaters. Annie Lennox and another act yet to be named will support on all dates, beginning June 27 in Camden, N.J., pausing July 29-Sept. 1, and wrapping Oct. 12 in Calgary, Alberta.

Beforehand, Sting will complete a run of North American dates through late March, followed by a previously announced April 21 benefit for the Rainforest Foundation at New York's Carnegie Hall. A European swing begins April 28 in Helsinki and wrapping June 20 in Munich.

All of the roadwork comes in support of his latest A&M/Interscope album, "Sacred Love," which debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 1 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Members of Sting's fan club will have early access to tickets, some of which went on sale today (March 8).

The outing will be Lennox's first since brief tours in the United States and Europe last spring behind her 2003 J Records debut, "Bare. " Her first album since 1995, the set bowed at No. 4 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 743,000 copies. Lennox recently won the Oscar for best song from a motion picture for "Into the West," from "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King."

Here are Sting/Annie Lennox's tour dates:

June 27: Camden, N.J. (Tweeter Center)
June 28: Mansfield, Mass. (Tweeter Center)
July 1: Wantagh, N.Y. (Jones Beach)
July 4: Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Saratoga PAC)
July 5: Uncasville, Conn. (Mohegan Sun)
July 7: Holmdel, N.J. (PNC Bank Arts Center)
July 9: Bristow, Va. (Nissan Pavilion)
July 10: Burgettstown, Pa. (Post-Gazette Pavilion)
July 11: Darien Center, N.Y. (Darien Lake Six Flags PAC)
July 13: Montreal (Bell Centre)
July 14: Toronto (Air Canada Centre)
July 16: Auburn Hills, Mich. (Palace of Auburn Hills)
July 17: Milwaukee (Marcus Amphitheatre)
July 18: Tinley Park, Ill. (Tweeter Center)
July 20: Minneapolis (Target Center)
July 21: Bonner Springs, Kan. (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
July 23: Noblesville, Ind. (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
July 24: Maryland Heights, Mo. (UMB Bank Pavilion)
July 25: Cincinnati (Riverbend Music Center)
July 27: Columbus, Ohio (Germain Amphitheatre)
July 28: Hershey, Pa. (Hersheypark Stadium)
Sept. 2: Atlanta (Philips Arena)
Sept. 3: Charlotte, N.C. (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
Sept. 4: Raleigh, N.C. (Alltel Pavilion)
Sept. 6: Antioch, Tenn. (Starwood Amphitheatre)
Sept. 8: West Palm Beach, Fla. (Sound Advice Amphitheatre)
Sept. 9: Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Bay Amphitheatre)
Sept. 17: Selma, Texas (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
Sept. 18: Woodlands, Texas (C.W. Mitchell Pavilion)
Sept. 19: Dallas (Smirnoff Music Centre)
Sept. 22: Denver (Pepsi Center)
Sept. 24: Las Vegas (MGM Grand)
Sept. 25: Phoenix (Cricket Pavilion)
Sept. 26: Chula Vista, Calif. (Coors Amphitheatre)
Oct. 1: Irvine, Calif. (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
Oct. 2: Mountain View, Calif. (Shoreline Amphitheatre)
Oct. 3: Concord, Calif. (Chronicle Pavilion)
Oct. 5: Marysville, Calif. (Sleep Train Amphitheatre)
Oct. 8: Auburn, Wash. (White River Amphitheatre)
Oct. 9: Vancouver (GM Place)
Oct. 11: Edmonton, Alberta (Rexall Place)
Oct. 12: Calgary, Alberta (Pengrowth Saddledome)


-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.