Weekly Movie and Music News

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McGregor Heads for Michael Bay's Island
Source: ComingSoon!

Ewan McGregor (Star Wars: Episode III - Return of the Sith) will star in The Island for director Michael Bay, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The trade says that the DreamWorks' sci-fi project follows a "harvested being" who makes a bid to escape the utopian facility where he is being kept.

The studio is eyeing a fall start for filming. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (The Legend of Zorro) are on board to write the script, which originated as a spec by Caspian Tredwell-Owen.

McGregor just arrived in New York last Thursday, July 29th, marking the end of a 20,000-mile round the world motorbike journey. Accompanied by best friend Charley Boorman, the actor spent three months on the road completing the journey on a pair of 1,150cc bikes.

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Schut Writing Criminal Macabre
Source:The Hollywood Reporter


Bragi Schut (The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Season of the Witch) will write the comic book property Criminal Macabre for MGM.

Based on the graphic novel by Steve Niles, the story revolves around Cal McDonald, a hard-drinking, impetuous detective who takes on the supernatural in a decidedly low-tech, film noir style.

Niles did a first draft of the project and Schut will do an entirely new take.

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Collateral Cruises
Tom Cruise made a killing this weekend.
Source: E!

The superstar's hit-man thriller Collateral debuted in the top slot on the movie charts this weekend, with an estimated three-day haul of $24.4 million.

It was a solid, if not spectacular opening for the Michael Mann-helmed film in which Cruise turns bad as a contract killer who hijacks Jamie Foxx's cab for a murder spree across Los Angeles.

Limited somewhat by its R rating, the favorably reviewed DreamWorks release, reportedly budgeted at around $65 million, scored nowhere the gross of Cruise's PG-13 Mission: Impossible hits. In summer 1996, the first M: I earned $45.4 million its opening weekend, and in summer 2000, M:I-2 hauled in $57.8 million its first three days. Collateral also failed to beat the $25 million opening in December 2001 of Cruise's quirky R-rated mystery Vanilla Sky and only just appears to have beaten last December's R-rated historical epic The Last Samurai, which debuted with a disappointing $24.3 million.

However, Collateral did attract a quarter of the audience buying tickets over the weekend and averaged a fairly solid $7,654 at 3,188 sites. Its appeal was chiefly to more mature audiences, with 60 percent over 25, and it was a personal success for stylish director Mann, whose previous top opener had been Ali's $14.7 million in 2001.

Jim Tharp, DreamWorks head of distribution, told the Associated Press that given the strong reviews and good word of mouth, interest in the movie should hold up: "This one has the opportunity to continue to play. I don't think there's direction competition, especially for the older audience, until late September."

The weekend's other wide new release, Little Black Book, dogged by bad reviews, bombed in with just $7 million in fifth place. Sony's PG-13 rated romantic comedy, starring Brittany Murphy nosing through her boyfriend's personal files and misinterpreting the results, was only checked out by 7 percent of ticket buyers and averaged just $2,863 at 2,445 sites.

The weekend's top per-site average belonged to a limited release film with no-name stars but plenty of buzz. Open Water, Lions Gate's low-budget R-rated Sundance hit starring Daniel Travis and Blanchard Ryan as a couple of abandoned divers turned into shark bait, averaged a meaty $22,021 at just 47 sites for just over $1 million. Not bad for a film that cost about $100,000 to make.

Also in limited release, Code 46, an R-rated United Artists release starring Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton in a futuristic tale of unlikely romance in the era of cloning, averaged $7,333 at three sites for a total of $22,000.

Last week's number one, Disney's The Village virtually turned into a ghost town. M. Night Shyamalan's spooky tale lost its grip on audience imagination, dropping a huge 67 percent to earn just $16.5 million in second place, bringing its two-week total to $85.7 million. Dropping less sharply--only 46 percent from third place to fourth--was Paramount's political thriller The Manchurian Candidate, which earned $10.8 million to bring its two-week total to $38.5 million.

Finally, Fahrenheit 9/11 dropped out of the top 10 to 11th place, where the controversial Bush-bashing documentary earned another $2 million at 1,009 sites, bringing its seven-week gross to $113.4 million.

Overall it was a down weekend. The top 12 films grossed just $97.6 million, down 31 percent from last weekend, and 23 percent from this time last year when S.W.A.T headlined the chart.

Here's a recap of the top 10 films based on studio estimates compiled by Exhibitor Relations; final figures will be released Monday:

1. Collateral, $24.4 million
2. The Village, $16.5 million
3. The Bourne Supremacy, $14.1 million
4. The Manchurian Candidate, $10.8 million
5. Little Black Book, $7 million
6. I, Robot, $6.3 million
7. Spider-Man 2 , $5.5 million
8. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, $3.2 million
9. A Cinderella Story, $3 million
10. Catwoman, $2.9 million

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The Latest Superman Gossip
Source: DarkHorizons

'The Doc' is back after a brief respite with a response to Friday's rumours about "Smallville" boy Tom Welling being considered for the Supes role:

"Thought I'd drop by some info on everyone's favorite superhero and what's going on at Warner Bros. As you know I've had some dealings with the studio and can put straight some recent rumors. Tom Welling has not been offered Superman by Bryan Singer. Singer wants an unknown in the lead role. Trust me when I say Tom Welling will not be the next Superman. I'm not sure how that rumor came about but it's bogus.

My agency got a casting call last week for Superman. Actors are going to get put on tape starting next week. Singer and his team will then meet actors, sort through the tapes and decide which actors they want to come to Burbank for a final screen test. Word is Superman might be cast as early as September. The search is apparently all over North America. I guess they'll have casting directors in LA, NY and Canada.

Another interesting bit. Warners are apparently going to rent the Fox studios for the next 2 years. I don't know what that means. Maybe they're shooting two Superman movies back to back, maybe they're just keeping it for the inevitable Superman sequel, maybe Green Lantern is gearing up, hell, it could be Scooby Doo 3! I honestly don't know, but look for a big Warner production to be in Sydney after Superman".

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It's Vin vs. Rocky
Source: DarkHorizons

The Vin Diesel Experience reports that the muscle-bound star of "The Chronicles of Riddick" might be up for playing the opponent in the attempted restart of the "Rocky" franchise:

"Katzenberg is in talks with Sylvester Stallone to bring Rocky over to Dreamworks. The company is quite happy with what Sly's doing for 'The Contender' and are apparently dotting i's, crossing t's, to see that Balboa can safely set up shop at the Shrek stable.

Sylvester and Sage Stallone are apparently the duo negotiating the deal (both plan to star in the film, playing father and son). The only casting rumor thats surfaced is Vin Diesel playing the new opponent. I assume he'd be playing some kind of new hot shot, because the script reeportedly revolves around Balboa's big comeback and a new hot-shot that he has to bring back down to earth".

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Jack Black is Not Green Lantern
Source: SuperheroHype!
Newsarama says that, according to this week's Entertainment Weekly, the rumors of actor Jack Black starring as Green Lantern, were just that – rumors.

"I took a meeting with someone who has the rights, but there's no [Green Lantern] script," Black told EW. "I'd be interested if there was a really good writer attached, but it's far from a [done deal]."

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BLACK CROWES Reunion In The Works?
Source: Blabbermouth
Chris and Rich Robinson are rumored to be in discussions about reforming the BLACK CROWES, according to Billboard. It is presently unclear which, if any, other former members may take part in the reunion if the brothers Robinson decide to bring the group back to life.

Chris and Rich, who performed together for the first time since the CROWES' 2002 split in March at the at the Jammy Awards in New York, brothers recently held meetings with the band's former manager, Pete Angelus.

CROWES guitarist Audley Freed is now part of Chris Robinson's band NEW EARTH MUD, while CROWES keyboardist Eddie Harsch guests on Rich's upcoming solo debut, "Paper", due August 24 via Key Hole Records. Late-era bassist Andy Hess is now a member of GOV'T MULE.


Manager Denies Quotes On Crowes Board
Source:Billboard
Speculation is running rampant that Chris and Rich Robinson may reform the Black Crowes, based on meetings the famously feuding brothers recently held with former Crowes manager Pete Angelus. In March at the Jammy Awards in New York, the siblings performed together for the first since the Crowes' 20002 split.

Angelus had no comment on the possible reunion. [Editor's note: recent quotes attributed to Angelus on the BlackCrowes.org message board about a forthcoming announcement, contained in an earlier version of this story, are fraudulent. Billboard.com regrets the error.]

If the Crowes reunite, it is unknown which, if any, other former members may jump back on board. Crowes guitarist Audley Freed is now part of Chris Robinson's band New Earth Mud, while Crowes keyboardist Eddie Harsch guests on Rich's upcoming solo debut, "Paper," due Aug. 24 via Key Hole Records. Late-era bassist Andy Hess is now a member of Gov't Mule.

Rich told Billboard in 2003 that the Crowes were "in a severe state of limbo. We don't have any plans to get back together and we don't have any plans not to get back together. Nothing has changed in the past year [since the hiatus was announced]." He added that after a lifetime of bouncing ideas off his brother, he had no involvement whatsoever in Chris' 2002 solo debut, "New Earth Mud."

"I told him, make your solo record and make it completely solo," he said. "Not being a d*ck, but it's like, do it exactly how you want! I think he really needed to do it. He had been talking about it since [the Crowes' 1994 album] 'Amorica.'"

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David Goyer Speaks About Blade 4, Batman Begins, Iron Man, and Even Lobo!

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Seth Green on Austin Powers 4
Source: ComingSoon!
The Chicago Sun-Times talked to Without a Paddle star Seth Green about the possibility of another "Austin Powers" film. In the three films, Green played Scott Evil who had some trouble getting close to his father Dr. Evil, also played by Mike Myers.

Green said the popular franchise is not kaput. "Mike Myers hasn't ever told me that."

"Here's the great thing," he adds. "No one who has anything officially to do with any of the Austin Powers movies has ever said anything about anything when it comes to another film. All these rumors about yes or no are perpetuated by people who are not involved."

Having said that, he doesn't think there will be a fourth. "I kind of felt like the trilogy was wrapped up pretty well. No one is looking for more." No shit.

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Universal Pictures Gets Airborn
Source: ComingSoon!

Ruddy Morgan principals Albert Ruddy and Andre Morgan have partnered with filmmaker Steve Sommers and his producing partner Bob Ducsey to produce Airborn, a fantasy adventure for Universal Pictures, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Based on a children's book by Kenneth Oppel, the film tells the tale of a 15-year-old boy who works on a luxury airship that is part dirigible, part passenger cruise ship. When air pirates attack the airship, the boy, along with a female partner, embark on an adventure that includes strange flying creatures, secret lairs, nasty villains and uncharted volcanic islands.

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Wes Craven Catches the Red Eye
Source: ComingSoon!

Director Wes Craven, who just finished shooting Cursed, will helm the thriller Red Eye for DreamWorks.

The film centers on a woman held captive by a stranger on an airliner who threatens to kill her father unless she helps him arrange the assassination of a wealthy businessman.

Carl Ellsworth wrote the screenplay for the project.

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Riddick gets three DVD CHRONICLES
One will be an unrated director's cut with seven additional minutes of footage
Source: Cinescape


Universal Home Video has scheduled the home video release of THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK for November 16, 2004. Surprisingly, the studio will make three different DVD versions available for this sequel to PITCH BLACK that failed to succeed at theaters.

Two of the DVD versions of CHRONICLES will be of the theatrically released cut of the film, available in either a full-frame or anamorphic widescreen version. The third version will be an anamorphic widescreen unrated director's cut that will include seven additional minutes not seen in the R-rated cut of the picture. Each DVD version will feature the movie in Dolby Digital 5.1 and be priced at $29.95.


Universal did indicate that additional bonus features will come with the DVD release of the film, but at this present time chose not to release their specs. These details should be made available in the near future.

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A PERFECT CIRCLE: Live DVD And Remix Album To Be Packaged Together
Source: Blabbermouth

A PERFECT CIRCLE's upcoming live DVD and remix album will be packaged together and released as one item in November, according to APerfectCircle.net. In other news, guitarist James Iha's (ex-SMASHING PUMPKINS) remix of "Blue" has been made available for purchase on the iTunes music store, as well as some other online music stores. In addition, some promotional singles have started to show up on eBay; these radio promos have both the album version and the remix version of "Blue", both of which have reportedly been heard on some radio stations already. It is not presently clear if "Blue" will be released as a commercially available single.

As previously reported, A PERFECT CIRCLE frontman Maynard James Keenan announced on stage at last month's "Axis Of Justice" event in Hollywood, California that the group are in the process of recording a collection of political songs, which they hope to release by November this year. The band's former bass player, Paz Lenchantin, will be contributing to the album by recording both violin and piano parts, although she will not be returning to the group as a full-time member.

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MARILYN MANSON: Greatest-Hits Track Listing Revealed
Source: Blabbermouth

Canada's ChartAttack.com has revealed the full track listing for the upcoming MARILYN MANSON "greatest hits" collection, due this fall. The 18-song best-of CD will reportedly feature rare photos and artwork by Manson himself. An accompanying DVD will boast "the entire video catalog," including the previously unreleased uncensored clip for "(s)AINT", directed by Italian actress Asia Argento.

Here's a track listing for MARILYN MANSON's upcoming greatest-hits album:

01. Personal Jesus
02. The Love Song
03. Mob Scene
04. The Fight Song
05. Tainted Love
06. The Dope Show
07. This is The New Shit
08. Disposable Teens
09. Sweet Dreams
10. Lunch Box
11. Tourniquet
12. Rock Is Dead
13. Get Your Gunn
14. The Nobodies
15. Long Hard Road Out Of Hell
16. The Beautiful People
17. The Deflecting God
18. (S)aint

MANSON's most recent album, "The Golden Age of Grotesque", debuted in May 2003 at No. 1 on The Billboard 200.

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KORN: 'Greatest Hits' Track Listing Revealed
Source: Blabbermouth
KORN have revealed the track listing for their forthcoming "best of" collection, "Greatest Hits Vol. 1", due October 19 via Immortal/Epic.

In addition to such KORN favorites as "A.D.I.D.A.S.", "Falling Away From Me" and "Here To Stay", the 19-track disc will include covers of CAMEO's 1986 top 10 hit "Word Up" and PINK FLOYD's "Another Brick in the Wall, Parts 1, 2, 3". "Word Up" will serve as the first single from "Greatest Hits Vol. 1".

"Freak on a Leash", a single that reached No. 6 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart and No. 10 on Mainstream Rock Tracks tally in 1999, appears twice on the set. Along with the original album version, a Dante Ross (EVERLAST, SANTANA) remix is included as a bonus track, according to Billboard.com.

"Greatest Hits Vol. 1" track listing:

01. Word Up (CAMEO cover)
02. Another Brick in the Wall, Parts 1, 2, 3 (PINK FLOYD cover)
03. Y'All Want a Single
04. Right Now
05. Did My Time
06. Alone I Break
07. Here To Stay
08. Trash
09. Somebody Someone
10. Make Me Bad
11. Falling Away From Me
12. Got the Life
13. Freak on a Leash
14. Twist
15. A.D.I.D.A.S.
16. Clown
17. Shoots and Ladders
18. Blind
19. Freak on a Leash (Dante Ross Remix) (bonus)