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Actress says adaptation of Candace Bushnell's 'Carrie Diaries' would be 'kind of freaky.'
By Eric Ditzian
Kristin Davis
Photo: Christopher Peterson/ BuzzFoto/ FilmMagic
That makes two of 'em. First Sarah Jessica Parker let it be known that she doesn't think the idea of a rumored "Sex and the City" prequel is such a hot idea. Now her co-star on the big and small screen, Kristin Davis, has joined her in putting down the rumored project.
"Not so into the prequel movie," she told E! Online. "Because we're us and we've discussed our history in the show already so for all of our fervent fans who listen to what we say, why would we rewrite that? And then have like different people with our names? It's kind of freaky."
Earlier this month, reports suggested that studio execs were discussing an adaptation of "The Carrie Diaries," Candace Bushnell's 2010 novel that follows Carrie Bradshaw before she arrived in the Big Apple. Writer/director Michael Patrick King was said to be eying Blake Lively to take on the Bradshaw role in what was described as not an '80s flashback flick, but a more contemporary vision of the character's younger selves. Lively has since denied she'd be starring in the film.
While the first "Sex and the City" movie became an international smash hit in 2008, grossing over $400 million at the worldwide box office, last summer's follow-up ended up a critical punching bag and failed to cross the $100 million mark domestically. Nonetheless, Parker and Davis are holding out hope for a third film.
"I don't think we can pretend to go back. It's creating two histories," Parker told the Los Angeles Times of the prequel idea, but added of a third film featuring the established cast, "I think there's one more story to tell. I know there is."
Said Davis, "I'm always hopeful, and I always believe there's another story to tell because these are these women's lives, so why wouldn't there be another chapter. [But] I don't know if it will happen."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
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Jon M. Chu says teen star is 'learning how to interact with people.'
By Eric Ditzian
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
MTV News first interviewed Justin Bieber in September of 2009, when the pint-size pop singer was on the cusp of breaking beyond his core audience into mainstream pop stardom. Then 15 years old and relatively new to the national media spotlight, Bieber wasn't nervous so much as generally tentative, a bit clipped and repetitive in his answers.
When Bieber walked into the MTV Newsroom earlier this month to promote the difference in his on-camera demeanor couldn't have been more different: He projected a breezy confidence, at times humorous or eye-on-the-prize focused, and was engaging throughout.
That Bieber has truly matured — not just as an artist, but as a person — isn't apparent only to those who occasionally cross his path. Jon M. Chu, who directed and began working with the singer in August, has noticed the change as well.
"With the movie and going to the Grammys and being respected on so many different levels beyond just his own fanbase, he's really growing up and learning how to interact with people," Chu said.
The director said he noted a great difference in the young star's disposition following the completion of his seven-month, 86-show tour.
"He's just had time to rest," said Chu, who started shooting "Never Say Never" as Bieber was in the midst of that nonstop North American tour. At first, Bieber was standoffish. Only gradually did the two establish a close creative partnership.
"Half of it was just me gaining trust with him because I was in his face with a camera," Chu said. "It was very much like 'Almost Famous,' where I was just on the bus and he didn't really want me there. Once we got past that, we were fine."
Have you noticed a change in Justin Bieber? Tell us below!
Check out everything we've got on "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and Justin Bieber updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
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The 'Director's Fan Cut' teaser captures the teen sensation performing an acoustic version of 'Baby' with a young girl.
By Eric Ditzian
Justin Bieber in the new "Never Say Never" clip
Photo: Paramount
Earlier this week, "Never Say Never" director Jon Chu promised MTV News that his new "Director's Fan Cut" of Justin Bieber's 3-D flick would deliver 40 minutes of fresh footage, including different songs (such as "Favorite Girl"), some more shirtless shots of the teen singer ("Maybe some abs!") and extra scenes of him interacting with fans.
With the recut movie hitting theaters on Friday (February 25), Paramount Pictures has released a clip showing just that: the Biebs hanging out with some of his young fanatical followers. The 71-second promo shows Bieber — pre-haircut, of course — at an intimate gathering in Phoenix. While the pop star gives an acoustic performance on a small stage, his fans beg him to play "Baby," but he jokes, "I don't know that song."
He then declares to a very young fan, "I'll only sing 'Baby' if you come up here and sing it with me." Cue the cuteness. The girl sits on his lap and together they belt out the hit single.
This isn't the first time we've seen Bieber show off an easy, breezy way with his youngest fans. Last year, he popped up on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" to surprise a 3-year-old Belieber named Cody who'd become an Internet sensation after her sister posted a video of her crying over the teen heartthrob on YouTube. As he tweeted later, "Makin faces with Cody!"
The re-released "Never Say Never" represents an effort both to goose box-office receipts three weeks after the film's initial opening and to feed the Beliebers' seemingly insatiable appetite for anything and everything connected to the star.
"We originally had a two-and-a-half-hour version of the movie, which we obviously couldn't release," Chu explained to us. "So we started to think about putting stuff back in that didn't have to do with our story but that we knew people would love."
Are you planning to go see the "Director's Fan Cut" of "Never Say Never"? Let us know in the comments.
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Shawntel Newton?s natural beauty and sparkling personality took her all the way to the final four on The Bachelor. But when it came time for Brad Womack to choose the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with, Shawntel?s career as an embalmer and funeral director was too much for Brad to handle. Kate Hudson Noureen DeWulf Cheryl Burke Vanessa Minnillo Monica Potter
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Diane Kruger and January Jones say actor's 'body of work and gravitas as an actor' add a new layer to action films.
By Shawn Adler, with reporting by Kara Warner
Diane Kruger and January Jones
Photo: MTV News
He may have broken in with roles in sword-and-sorcery flicks like "Excalibur" and "Krull," but how in the world did the Oscar-nominated man best known for his quiet, dramatic work in films like "Schindler's List," "Nell" and "Kinsey" suddenly become film's most believable, in-demand 60-year-old badass?
It's precisely because of his previous work, "Unknown" co-stars Diane Kruger and January Jones insisted to MTV News.
"I wanted to be in this movie because of Liam really," Kruger said. "Especially this kind of film. ... I think because of his age and because of his body of work and his gravitas as an actor, I think it brings a whole other layer of depth to this kind of film. It feels fresh. It feels like, yes, it's entertaining and it's light, but there's a whole other layer of emotions and character work going on."
Two years after Neeson rocked audiences as a super-talented assassin out to save his daughter in "Taken," the Irish thesp is back to kick butt and take names in "Unknown," a neo-Hitchcockian thriller about a man bereft of an identity after a car accident leaves him unsure of who he really is. While unquestionably dangerous and capable, here Neeson also has to play fragile and flustered.
It's a dichotomy that doesn't just show up in his film roles, January Jones argued, but in the man himself.
"He's such a perfect casting choice for this movie, because you could be intimidated by him physically because he is fit and could cause you harm," the future Emma Frost told MTV News. "But at the same time there's something so vulnerable about him in certain things he says and certain things he does that makes you want to take care of him, there's both sides of that. You could believe that he could be a bad guy, but you could also want him to succeed."
Check out everything we've got on "Unknown."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Diane Kruger and January Jones say actor's 'body of work and gravitas as an actor' add a new layer to action films.
By Shawn Adler, with reporting by Kara Warner
Diane Kruger and January Jones
Photo: MTV News
He may have broken in with roles in sword-and-sorcery flicks like "Excalibur" and "Krull," but how in the world did the Oscar-nominated man best known for his quiet, dramatic work in films like "Schindler's List," "Nell" and "Kinsey" suddenly become film's most believable, in-demand 60-year-old badass?
It's precisely because of his previous work, "Unknown" co-stars Diane Kruger and January Jones insisted to MTV News.
"I wanted to be in this movie because of Liam really," Kruger said. "Especially this kind of film. ... I think because of his age and because of his body of work and his gravitas as an actor, I think it brings a whole other layer of depth to this kind of film. It feels fresh. It feels like, yes, it's entertaining and it's light, but there's a whole other layer of emotions and character work going on."
Two years after Neeson rocked audiences as a super-talented assassin out to save his daughter in "Taken," the Irish thesp is back to kick butt and take names in "Unknown," a neo-Hitchcockian thriller about a man bereft of an identity after a car accident leaves him unsure of who he really is. While unquestionably dangerous and capable, here Neeson also has to play fragile and flustered.
It's a dichotomy that doesn't just show up in his film roles, January Jones argued, but in the man himself.
"He's such a perfect casting choice for this movie, because you could be intimidated by him physically because he is fit and could cause you harm," the future Emma Frost told MTV News. "But at the same time there's something so vulnerable about him in certain things he says and certain things he does that makes you want to take care of him, there's both sides of that. You could believe that he could be a bad guy, but you could also want him to succeed."
Check out everything we've got on "Unknown."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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She?s already had about five celebratory nights out to celebrate her engagement and now the model is deciding what to do for her all-important hen do.
Suffice to say Kate ? who we spotted heading for a meeting earlier ? has got her sights set on a big one, and her old pal Sir Phillip Green is going to help her out to organise it.
He?s lending her his private jet so that she can fly her, plus 50 pals, to the Ritz in Paris.
And to make the evening extra um, special, the forward thinking model has already managed to convince the owners of the hotel to let her and her nicotine loving friends smoke inside. A source said:
?They?ll allow her to smoke inside. Hotel bosses have also told her they will organise everything.?
Phew! Well thank god she sorted that one out otherwise she would've been in a real pickle...
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Still, she didn?t kick him out straight away so it couldn?t have gone too badly. Although after spending four days at Cheryl?s pad, Derek jetted home to the States earlier today with a very moody look on his face.
We?ll try not to read too much into it ? oh, but we just can?t help ourselves!
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'I realized I had an embarrassment of riches,' director Jon Chu says.
By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber in "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
After watching "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," did you leave the theater thinking there was even more Justin Bieber film footage that you wanted to see? Well, your wish has been granted. A new version of the movie, dubbed "Director's Fan Cut," is about to hit theaters this week for an exclusive one-week run.
The extended version will hit theaters on Friday. According to a press release, it will include "more of Justin's friends and hometown life, new songs and performances, and special footage shot at fan premieres across the country."
"I realized I had an embarrassment of riches when I was I in the cutting room," director Jon Chu said in a statement. "This cut allows me to retain some of the best scenes from the original movie, while incorporating previously unseen footage and new material I shot during our extensive promotional tour on behalf of the movie. Justin's dedication to his fanbase is unwavering and I was inspired as a filmmaker to attempt to provide them a unique experience that showed even more of his world."
The film originally opened on February 11 and features a behind-the-scenes look into the rise of Bieber's career. It also includes concert footage shot at various shows during his tour, including his stop at Madison Square Garden last summer.
"It is a testament to the professionalism and tenacity of Jon and the production team for turning around this new version of 'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' director's fan cut in only a few months," Adam Goodman, President Paramount Film Group said. "Giving fans an even deeper look into Justin's life." (MTV's parent company, Viacom, also owns Paramount.)
Do you plan to check out " 'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' Director's Fan Cut"? Tell us in the comments.
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The 21-year-old said, ?I read about this person and I?m like, ?Who is this girl? Who are you, because you?re not me and you?re really king of obnoxious.?? - Hurrah! Finally, we?re all on the same page, she took her bloody time to catch up eh! So does this mean Peaches is going to change into a delightful young lady and we're all going to start to like her? Nah, probably not.
She explained, ?Sometimes it?s difficult, because I feel like a vampire. Like, with people my own age, sometimes I feel like Edward Cullen, only less good-looking. A less good-looking, slightly fatter Edward Cullen!?
Does anybody else understand what she?s going on about? No? Okay cool, so it?s not just us then.
So anyway, if for some strange reason you?d like to read more of Peaches Geldof?s ramblings pick up a copy of heat, on sale today.
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Instead of joining them, the When We Collide hitmaker spent the afternoon signing copies of his book, Matt Cardle: My Story at WHSmith in Milton Keynes.
The X Factor champ released his autobiography shortly after he won the show ? just in time for Christmas ? but he was so busy with all the post win hoopla that he didn?t have time to promote it, so he?s making up for it now.
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Just last week we spotted Ms Hurley arriving at the airport after a brief trip to Australia ? a brief trip she reportedly cut short after a newspaper alleged her cricketer boyfriend Shane Warne had bedded a porn star ? and she?s clearly been getting itchy feet since she?s already off again.
This time Elizabeth was joined by her young son Damian and the pair were jetting off to an exotic island for a half term break.
Wow, she?s certainly clocking up those air miles eh!
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A source told The People, ?Alex?s demand for her to pay him �6 million as part of a divorce settlement has left her staggered.
?She can?t help but think Alex is a very deluded man indeed.?
Apparently Katie has offered Alex �700,000, which includes a �500,000 property and as far as she?s concerned that?s ?a fair and decent offer? considering they were married for less than a year.
Oh well, you can?t blame the guy for trying?
FIND US ON >> Facebook... Bebo... MySpace... Twitter...Movie was caught up in lawsuits between producers and Tupac's mom, Afeni Shakur.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Tupac Shakur
Photo: Ron Galella/ WireImage
Filming for the much-ballyhooed Tupac Shakur biopic can finally begin.
The producers of the movie and the late rapper's mother have reached a settlement over their creative differences that will allow the production to begin, according to Reuters.
For two years, Afeni Shakur and Morgan Creek Productions have been tangled in litigation as each side accused the other of sabotaging the project.
In 2009, Morgan Creek filed a lawsuit against Shakur claiming she agreed to terms with the company but was using the terms "as a floor to pursue further negotiations" with other parties. Shakur countersued, alleging producers were interfering with negotiations as she and Morgan Creek had not reached final terms.
Prior to reaching a settlement, sources said Shakur met with the project's director, Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day"), and he assured the rapper's mother — who oversees the Tupac Shakur estate — his vision aligns with hers. Reportedly, as a part of the settlement Afeni Shakur will receive an executive-producer credit, a share of the film's profits and a flat fee for agreeing to the deal.
Casting for the lead role is set to begin immediately. As was the case with "Notorious," the biopic of Shakur friend-turned-rival Notorious B.I.G., Fuqua will hold a national call for actors to play the fiery rapper.
Last year, the director said in an interview that he felt an unknown actor should take on the role. "That's the goal, I want to discover someone new," Fuqua explained. "I want to discover a lot of new people if I can. Obviously I'm going to have to put some people in it that you know, just because actors have different skills. I want to go to the streets and find him anywhere he might be in the world."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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30-minute film premiered at Berlin Film Festival this week.
By Eric Ditzian
The Arcade Fire's Win Butler
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/ Getty Images
Arcade Fire has showed off snippets of their Spike Jonze-directed short film, "Scenes from the Suburbs," on oversize screens during their summer tour shows and in a five-minute music video in November. Finally, this week, the band got to display the full 30-minute film at the Berlin Film Festival, which frontman Win Butler hopes will become part of the group's "visual legacy," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"So that 30 years from now, when a computer virus crashed all the computers, and people have to look at DVDs to see what life was like in the early 2000s, there is some record of what we were thinking visually," he explained at the festival. "And we didn't want that to get completely lost just because of the times that we live in."
The short continues the band's exploration of their experiences growing up within the often staid confines of the suburbs, which, as their tour collaborator Terry Gilliam has told us, is a "place that if you're creative, you just need to get away from." The film, however, spins suburban life into an impressionistic portrait of a group of teens living in an alternate reality where different towns go to war against one another.
"You start from a feeling and it's not necessarily the plot points of a song," Butler said. "To me the film is very much about trying to talk about the relationships and the feelings of that age."
"We were trying to show the emotion and the emotional links without necessarily getting deep into the plot," he added, citing influences ranging from Gilliam's films to B movies. "It's inspired by watching the first half of films and not having to figure out how to resolve them."
The Berlin premiere capped off a pretty stellar week for Arcade Fire. On Sunday, the band pulled off a shocking Album of the Year upset at the Grammys, then quickly jetted to London for the Brit Awards, winning Best International Album and Best International Group. And yet, for all this musical success, Butler suggested that perhaps a visual medium is where the group's true artistic talents lie.
"I think we would have been a band of moviemakers if making movies wasn't 140 times more expensive than making records," he said.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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D.J. Caruso and stars Alex Pettyfer and Timothy Olyphant discuss which is the better fantasy character.
By Kara Warner
Alex Pettyfer and Teresa Palmer in "I Am Number Four"
Photo: DreamWorks
If one were to pinpoint a particular fantasy character that has dominated pop culture over the past few years, most people would agree that vampires have taken center stage as the mythological figure of the moment.
However, with extreme popularity often comes a point of overexposure. Not that we've reached that point yet with the fang fixation, but there are other creatures waiting in the wings. Take the new alien-adventure movie "I Am Number Four," for example, which showcases a sexy new take on the stereotypical green Marvin the Martian-type aliens.
When MTV News caught up with the film's director, D.J. Caruso, and stars Alex Pettyfer and Timothy Olyphant recently, we posed them an important question: Are aliens the new vampires?
"I didn't notice aliens kind of going in and out of fashion," said Olyphant, who plays mentor Henri to Pettyfer's Number Four (John Smith). "Where vampires kind of come and go, aliens, in general, it's a broader palette, so they've been around," he explained.
Caruso said: "I'd take aliens over vampires any day. Aliens are much more intriguing."
The "Disturbia" director agreed with Olyphant's sentiments about extra-terrestrial longevity. "Aliens have always been around," he said. "Vampires: They're wearing out."
Plus, while vampire stories are based in fiction, we can't say for certain whether life exists on other planets or in other galaxies.
On the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe, Pettyfer said, "There's got to be something out there — one way or another."
Caruso agreed: "I think there's something else out there. I can't imagine that God's just allowing this one planet to function; I think he's got a bunch of experiments floating around."
Check out everything we've got on " I Am Number Four."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Director Zack Snyder says actor exuded 'crazy-calm confidence.'
By Eric Ditzian
Henry Cavill
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Less than three weeks after Henry Cavill was tapped to be the latest actor to pull on Superman's tights in Warner Bros.' rebooted take on the iconic hero, the 27-year-old actor is stepping into the public eye as the face of the franchise.
Cavill graces the upcoming issue of Entertainment Weekly, not suited up like the Man of Steel but wearing a faded "S shield" T-shirt underneath a leather jacket. Of course, he did have to don Superman's duds to win the role. In fact, according to director Zack Snyder, the tights he tried on were a replica of the ones worn by former Superman Christopher Reeve.
"If you can put on that suit and pull it off, that's an awesome achievement," Snyder said.
While Cavill had packed on muscle for Tarsem Singh's action-fantasy, "Immortals," he had to shed the weight for his latest gig — a starring role opposite Bruce Willis in "The Cold Light of Day" — and the prospect of trying on Superman's costume had him feeling more than a little anxious.
"All I could think was: Oh, god. They're going to look at me and go, 'He's not Superman. Not a chance,' " Cavill admitted. "The actor inside me was going: 'You're not ready! You're not ready!' "
Cavill could certainly be excused for his apprehension. The Brit had numerous close calls with major franchises. He was previously attached to a role as Superman, but lost out after McG exited the project and Bryan Singer eventually signed on to direct. Cavill also was reportedly considered to play Batman, James Bond and Green Lantern, but was passed up each time.
This time, however, Snyder took one look at Cavill in the Super-suit and knew he could play the Man of Steel. "He walked out, and no one laughed," the director said. "Other actors put that suit on, and it's a joke, even if they're great actors. Henry put it on, and he exuded this kind of crazy-calm confidence that just made me go, 'Wow.' OK: This was Superman."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
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Palmer tells MTV News how she gave her alien character equal mix of sex appeal and swagger.
By Kara Warner
Teresa Palmer in "I Am Number Four"
Photo: DreamWorks
Yes, Hollywood actresses can rely on teams of stylists, makeup artists and lighting technicians to keep them looking glamorous onscreen. But even offscreen, these starlets always seem so put-together. How do they do it? MTV News set out to find some answers when we caught up with rising star Teresa Palmer, who has two films on the way, this week's alien adventure "I Am Number Four" and next month's "Take Me Home Tonight."
In "I Am Number Four," Palmer plays the very kick-ass, smoldering alien warrior Number Six. Palmer's character, along with Number Four (Alex Pettyfer), are two of nine extraordinarily gifted aliens sent to Earth from their dying planet, Lorien. Unfortunately the evil beings that destroyed Lorien, called Mogodorians, have come to Earth to hunt them. In the film, Palmer has a series of intense battle sequences and, one in particular involves her character walking away from a house she's just set on fire, as it explodes behind her.
We asked Palmer about the technicalities of filming that scene and, more important, how she managed to look so calm, cool and sexy while doing it.
"There was a real explosion," Palmer revealed. "How we did it was I walked out of a house, and had to do this sort of sexy swagger as I walked out," she recalled. "I did like a hair flip, had my aviator sunglasses on, and then there would be two guys running behind me with a big green screen running and putting it in. And then we'd call cut and we'd move away and then they'd blow up the house," she said. "Then they composited it together so it looked like I was walking away from the fire."
Movie magic at work! We also wondered whether the Aussie actress had channeled anyone or listened to any particular songs to pull off that swagger.
"Not really for that walk in particular. I mean, that was very difficult compared to how it looks onscreen," she admitted. "I had to do that about 12 times because I'm walking in these really high combat boots, and I'm walking on sand and I'm trying to make it look sexy and do the whole like head thing and sunglasses, and they kept falling down," she explained. "Then I would fall over, so it just wasn't fluid at all! I think that was the only usable take that they got, [the one] in the movie."
Palmer added that she did use music to get into Number Six's combat mood.
"In terms of getting into my character, I would listen to a lot of underground rap and hip-hop like Masta Ace, Mobb Deep. Very badass stuff," Palmer said with a smile.
Check out everything we've got on "I Am Number Four."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Veteran screenwriter could take over franchise from departed Jon Favreau.
By Eric Ditzian
Shane Black
Photo: SGranitz/WireImage
One week after news first broke that Shane Black was a top candidate to helm "Iron Man 3" in the wake of Jon Favreau's departure from the franchise, another report suggests the director is now in final negotiations to win the job.
Deadline reports that Black is essentially set to direct Robert Downey Jr. in the third "Iron Man" flick but that it's unclear whether he'll also pen the script. "That's not figured out," an unnamed source told the website.
A rep handling the film declined to comment, while Black's rep hadn't returned MTV News' requests for comment by press time.
Black only has one directorial credit on his résumé, but it's a potent one: He helmed 2005's "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," in which Downey starred and during which the two were said to strike up a close creative partnership.
Previously, Black was said to be in contention with other filmmakers also being eyed for the gig. What's more, it was reported that he'd also get a shot to pen a draft of the script. But according to Deadline, the screenwriting portion of Black's deal has not yet been hammered out.
Black, after all, is primarily known for his talents as a screenwriter. In the mid-'80s, he penned the script for "Lethal Weapon" and went on to write "The Last Boy Scout" and "The Long Kiss Goodnight," among other scripts. He's recently been hired to write "Death Note," an adaptation of a manga series, and a film based on the Doc Savage pulp novels.
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'It was quite frightening, actually,' Oscar winner says of his amateur boxing days.
By Kara Warner
Liam Neeson
Photo: MTV News
Liam Neeson's performance in "Taken" accomplished several impressive feats. One of them is a $145 million haul at the box office, and the other is that Neeson, previously known for more dramatic, actor-type roles, can seriously kick ass onscreen.
In his new movie "Unknown," Neeson plays Dr. Martin Harris, an American man who has traveled to Berlin, Germany, to participate in an international conference. Almost immediately upon arrival, he is involved in a car accident and wakes up in a hospital with no memory of who he is or why he is in the foreign city. As his memory slowly returns, he starts to uncover oddities about his true identity.
When MTV News caught up with the Oscar winner recently, we found that Neeson hasn't just played someone who suffered memory loss, he experienced it firsthand during his younger years as an amateur boxer.
"It was quite frightening, actually," Neeson recalled. "I was about 16 or 17 and it was actually a fight I won on points. And I remember coming out and my father saying, 'Get your clothes on,' and I remember thinking, 'Clothes? What do you mean clothes?' 'Dressing room,' they were alien words to me," he explained. "And after about three minutes, I gradually came back and thought, 'Whoops, I don't like this, I better get out of this game.' "
Regarding the physical demands of "Unknown," as well as "Taken" for that matter, Neeson said that despite many people being surprised at the impressive physicality he displays on film, he's always kept himself in fighting form.
"Oh yeah, for many, many years, I've always done that. I just never advertised it," he said. "Everybody seems to advertise it now, you know? 'How many hours did ya do at the gym?' 'Oh I just did the five [hours].' 'Oh, I did five and a half.' Its sort of like, well f---."
"It's all over, it's a whole cult thing now," he said of fitness fanatics. "But I do it in my own quiet way. I just get on with it and do it."
Check out everything we've got on "Unknown."
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Director Zack Snyder says actor exuded 'crazy-calm confidence.'
By Eric Ditzian
Henry Cavill
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Less than three weeks after Henry Cavill was tapped to be the latest actor to pull on Superman's tights in Warner Bros.' rebooted take on the iconic hero, the 27-year-old actor is stepping into the public eye as the face of the franchise.
Cavill graces the upcoming issue of Entertainment Weekly, not suited up like the Man of Steel but wearing a faded "S shield" T-shirt underneath a leather jacket. Of course, he did have to don Superman's duds to win the role. In fact, according to director Zack Snyder, the tights he tried on were a replica of the ones worn by former Superman Christopher Reeve.
"If you can put on that suit and pull it off, that's an awesome achievement," Snyder said.
While Cavill had packed on muscle for Tarsem Singh's action-fantasy, "Immortals," he had to shed the weight for his latest gig — a starring role opposite Bruce Willis in "The Cold Light of Day" — and the prospect of trying on Superman's costume had him feeling more than a little anxious.
"All I could think was: Oh, god. They're going to look at me and go, 'He's not Superman. Not a chance,' " Cavill admitted. "The actor inside me was going: 'You're not ready! You're not ready!' "
Cavill could certainly be excused for his apprehension. The Brit had numerous close calls with major franchises. He was previously attached to a role as Superman, but lost out after McG exited the project and Bryan Singer eventually signed on to direct. Cavill also was reportedly considered to play Batman, James Bond and Green Lantern, but was passed up each time.
This time, however, Snyder took one look at Cavill in the Super-suit and knew he could play the Man of Steel. "He walked out, and no one laughed," the director said. "Other actors put that suit on, and it's a joke, even if they're great actors. Henry put it on, and he exuded this kind of crazy-calm confidence that just made me go, 'Wow.' OK: This was Superman."
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