Mariah Carey, Singer of the Next Horrible Bond Song
According to Dark Horizons, Mariah Carey is in talks to sing the theme song for the next James Bond movie. However, Mariah is supposedly demanding a cameo in the film, a la Madonna's pointless role in DIE ANOTHER DAY. Let's hope Mariah's theme song isn't as terrible as Madonna's was.
Newell to Direct New Harry Potter Movie
LONDON - The British director of "Four Weddings and A Funeral" will direct the fourth Harry Potter movie, Warner Bros. Pictures announced Sunday.
Mike Newell will begin work on "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" in April, the company said.
American Chris Columbus directed the first two movie versions of J.K. Rowling's hugely successful series on the boy wizard.
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the third film in the series, is currently being filmed under the direction of Alfonso Cuaron, and the studio said that as the two productions will overlap, it was not feasible for him to direct both.
Producer David Heyman said Newell was the "perfect choice" for the new film. "He has worked with children, made us laugh, and had us sitting on the edge of our seats, he is great with actors and imbues all his characters, all his films, with great humanity. I'm thrilled," Heyman said.
Newell, 61, also has directed "Donnie Brasco," with Al Pacino, and has recently completed "Mona Lisa Smile" with Julia Roberts.
'S.W.A.T.' Takes Top Spot at Box Office
LOS ANGELES - Calling in the SWAT team proved good business for Hollywood.
Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell's "S.W.A.T.", adapted from the 1970s TV cop show, slapped the cuffs on enough movie-goers to debut as the weekend's top movie with $37 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Another movie with 1970s roots, a remake of the mother-daughter comedy "Freaky Friday," opened in second place with $22.3 million, pushing its total since opening Wednesday to $33.2 million. The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as a squabbling mom and teenage daughter who magically switch bodies.
"What's old is new again, I guess," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "The '70s had a really bad rap for a while ... But stuff always comes back."
Last weekend's top movie, "American Wedding," slipped to third place with $15.1 million, bringing its 10-day total to $64.9 million.
"S.W.A.T." stars Jackson as a veteran special weapons and tactics leader in Los Angeles, who trains a new police team that includes Farrell, LL Cool J and Michelle Rodriguez.
The movie revolves around the SWAT team's mission to prevent the escape of a crime kingpin, who has offered a $100 million reward to anyone able to spring him from custody.
Jackson, along with the nostalgia factor for those who recall the TV show, helped "S.W.A.T." draw solidly among older crowds, with 45 percent of the audience older than 25.
"The movie's fun and fresh and has a hot cast," said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony, which released "S.W.A.T." "It's the sort of cast that's really kind of accessible to everyone."
"Freaky Friday" updates the 1976 comedy that starred Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris. While audiences initially may have viewed "Freaky Friday" as a campy remake, solid reviews and a successful round of sneak-peek early screenings helped build solid buzz on the movie.
"Whatever the attitude going in, people coming out of this movie are absolutely loving it," said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney, which released "Freaky Friday."
Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts' romantic comedy "Le Divorce" opened strongly in limited release, taking in $533,000 in 34 theaters. From the filmmaking team of director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant, "Le Divorce" follows the romantic misadventures of two American sisters in Paris.
"Le Divorce" expands to wide release over the next few weekends.
The surfing documentary "Step Into Liquid" also opened well, taking in $135,000 at just five theaters in New York City, Los Angeles and Honolulu. The movie will be playing in the top 25 to 30 domestic markets by Aug. 22.
Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "S.W.A.T.," $37 million.
2. "Freaky Friday," $22.3 million.
3. "American Wedding," $15.1 million.
4. "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," $13.1 million.
5. "Seabiscuit," $11.9 million.
6. "Spy Kids 3-D: Gave Over," $10.1 million.
7. "Bad Boys II," $6 million.
8. "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider — The Cradle of Life," $5.2 million.
9. "Finding Nemo," $2.5 million.
10. "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," $1.6 million.
SUMMER TOTALS TO DATE
Finding Nemo ....................... $324.9 million
Pirates of the Caribbean ........... $232.8 million
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines . $146.0 million
Bad Boys II......................... $123.1 million
Spy Kids 3D: Game Over.............. $ 87.4 million
Seabiscuit.......................... $ 69.5 million
Lara Croft Tomb Raider.............. $ 53.7 million
American Wedding ................... $ 64.9 million
S.W.A.T. ........................... $ 37.0 million
Freaky Friday ...................... $ 33.2 million
Candidate Arnold Could Set California Wealth Record
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger disclosed on Sunday that whatever shortcomings he might have as potential governor of California, personal wealth is not among them -- he made more than $50 million in two years.
Schwarzenegger's tax returns, made public at a news conference, showed he earned $31 million in 2000 and paid more than $10 million in state and federal taxes. Income dipped slightly in 2001 to $26.1 million, with $9.3 million paid in taxes.
Asked if the Austrian-born star would be the richest California governor yet, campaign legal counsel Colleen McAndrews said his wealth far surpassed that of past governors Jerry Brown, George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson and of incumbent Gray Davis. "I don't think any of them have had substantial wealth," she said.
The "Terminator" actor owns stock in, among other companies, Starbucks, PepsiCo, Coca Cola and Roto Rooter and has millions of dollars in municipal bonds and real estate investments.
In his campaign appearances in the run-up to the unprecedented recall vote on Oct. 7, the Austrian-born Republican has insisted he is so rich he cannot be bought.
All 190-plus candidates seeking to replace Davis, a Democrat whose popularity has plummeted due to the state's energy crisis two years ago and a burgeoning budget deficit now, were required to file financial disclosure statements.
Other hopefuls like columnist Arianna Huffington, businessman Bill Simon and porn publisher Larry Flynt cited investments or holdings in the millions.
Candidates for public office routinely make their tax returns public to show voters they have nothing to hide. Simon was criticized for being reluctant to do so when he ran and lost against Davis two years ago.
Schwarzenegger's qualifications for the California job were the hot topic of Sunday talk shows.
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California's senior senator, told NBC's "Meet the Press" she believed Davis could still win the vote now less than two months away.
"I think the governor has a good opportunity to defeat this recall," said Feinstein, herself a Democrat. "My view is that this recall should be defeated. It's bad for California."
Former Republican Gov. Wilson, Davis's predecessor, said on CBS's "Face the Nation" he thought Davis will be recalled and that Schwarzenegger will be elected governor.
A Time/CNN poll released Saturday found Schwarzenegger would win 25 percent of the vote if the election were held now, 10 points ahead of his closest competitor, the Democratic lieutenant governor, Cruz Bustamante.
Former Democratic Gov. Brown, currently the mayor of Oakland, told CNN he opposed recalling Davis.
Nonetheless, he said: "If Schwarzenegger has an answer to the (state's) revenue crisis and he can get the damn criminals off the streets of Oakland, hell, I may vote for him."
Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, who himself followed an unlikely trajectory into politics from professional wrestling, advised Schwarzenegger: "Forget agents and studio bosses -- now you're dealing with real predators."
Some politicians have questioned Schwarzenegger's abilities due to his ducking of detailed questions about key issues.
San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, a Democrat, predicted tough times ahead. "(Schwarzenegger's) not going to get a free ride," Brown told CBS. "He's not going to be on The Tonight show. He's going to have to go man-to-man with Gray Davis."
More details have emerged from Lucasfilm on the Indiana Jones DVDs.
They are indeed streeting on October 21 now. We also have more specific information on the bonus disc contents. Here's what to expect, direct from the official press release:
Indiana Jones: Making the Trilogy - Documentarians raided the Lucasfilm archives for an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at movie-making history. More than two dozen new interviews were conducted with the talented cast and crew of the Indiana Jones trilogy - some of whom were interviewed for the first time since the films were originally released. Making the Trilogy is a completely unique tour through the rough-and-tumble world of the films’ creation. Complete with never-before-seen footage, outtakes, screen tests, production drawings and photographs direct from the Lucasfilm archives, it's the most detailed exploration of these classic films ever produced.
The Light and Magic of Indiana Jones - The visual effects wizards from Industrial Light and Magic bring new insight into how they created the unique world of Indiana Jones. Their groundbreaking techniques in visual and mechanical effects came in an era before computer-generated effects existed, offering unique challenges and spectacular results. ILM technicians explain how miniatures, matte paintings, morphing and more made Indy's spectacular quests and supernatural adventures into unforgettable film experiences.
Taking an in-depth adventure in sound, The Sound of Indiana Jones joins Academy Award®-winning sound designer Ben Burtt as he reveals the crucial role that sound effects and editing playedin the Indiana Jones films, while also providing an aural history behind some of the most talked-about scenes.
The Stunts of Indiana Jones goes behind the scenes to witness the intense coordination required by the entire production team to make certain a death-defying scene looks convincing on film. This documentary reveals how the Indy films paid homage to the past and were pivotal to the future of heart-stopping, perilous movie stunts.
Venture on a musical journey with John Williams as he reminisces about his collaboration with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas and The Music of Indiana Jones. Viewers will learn how one of the most iconic movie themes of all-time, The Raiders March, was conceived and gain insight into how the music uniquely compliments the theme and mood of each adventure.
Original theatrical teasers and trailers for the Indiana Jones movies, along with a trailer for the Indiana Jones and The Emperor's Tomb video game from LucasArts.
Exclusive DVD-ROM access to exclusive Indiana Jones content, available through a special DVD-ROM web site. An additional link to the Indianajones.com web site (the official site for Indiana Jones fans) will offer daily features and updates on the upcoming Indiana Jones 4.