Category: Rumours

ABBA ‘Thinking About’ Reuniting in 2014

The prospect of a reunion of legendary Swedish pop group ABBA set the U.K. media alight Monday.The web was abuzz with the potential reunion for band members Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad in 2014.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary since the quartet won the Eurovision Song Contest and were catapulted to global stardom.

Band member and singer Faltskog told the German weekly Welt am Sonntag in an interview Sunday that “of course it is something we’re thinking about.”

“There seem to be plans to do something to mark this anniversary in some way. But I can’t say at this point what will come of them,” she said in the interview.

Sky News noted that ABBA was one of the few major global hit-makers not to have reunited. Their last album The Visitors hit the charts in 1982.

Faltskog and Ulvaeus, and Andersson and Lyngstad were both married couples, and both subsequently divorced — although the band that never formally broke up.

The group’s “Waterloo” won the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, England in April 1974 and immediately became a global phenomenon.

The band sold more than 380 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

ABBA posted an unprecedented string of worldwide number one hits such as “Mamma Mia”, “Dancing Queen” and “Super Trouper.”

Since 1982, Faltskog and Lyngstad pursued solo careers and Andersson and Ulvaeus wrote a hit musical Chess and reworked 24 ABBA hits into the musical Mamma Mia, which went on to be made into a box office smash hit film starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan.

Despite intense pressure to regroup, all four members have persistently ruled out doing so in the past.

In July 2008, the four members did reunite for the Swedish premiere of the movie “Mamma Mia,” marking only the second time all of them had appeared together in public since 1986.

At the time, Ulvaeus and Andersson disappointed a generation by declaring there was “simply no motivation to regroup.”

“We would like people to remember us as we were, young, exuberant and full of ambition,” Ulvaeus said.

In her interview with Welt am Sonntag, Faltskog — who recently released a new solo album — said she did not want to spend too much time pondering whether a reunion should take place or not.

“That eats up too much energy. Don’t just think about it, just do it,” she said.

And she warned that time was running out.

“We’re all getting older. I can’t imagine going onto the stage on walking sticks,” Faltskog said.

Duchovny and Anderson say they want more ‘X-Files’

NEW YORK (AP) — After 20 years, it’s possible for the details of a relationship to get fuzzy.

Just ask David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, who first premiered their roles as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully on “The X-Files” two decades ago. The series aired nine seasons and resulted in two feature films.

While the two were unsure where they left their relationship in the show and films, the 53-year-old Duchovny and 45-year-old Anderson both said they’re open to making a third “X-Files” movie.

The actors got together Saturday to mark the 20th Anniversary of the series’ premiere. They participated in a panel discussion for fans at The Paley Center for Media in New York.

When asked where their characters left off, the two weren’t completely clear on the specifics.

“Well they (Mulder and Scully) were married the last movie,” Duchovny said, referring to 2008’s “The X-Files: I Want to Believe.”

“Were we actually married?” Anderson asked.

“I believe so. That was my impression,” he responded.

Their characters did become romantically involved in the TV series and were a couple during the 2008 movie. However, it was not clear whether they were married.

The both are clear, however, about their interest in another “X-Files” film.

“All the principals are on board,” including “X-Files” creator Chris Carter, Duchovny said. “Gillian and I want to do it, so it’s really up to Twentieth Century Fox at this point.”

Anderson said if fans want another film they should let their voices be heard.

“If it takes fan encouragement to get Fox interested in that then I guess that’s what it would be.”

An email message sent to Twentieth Century Fox seeking comment on Saturday was not immediately returned.

For an indefinite future, Duchovny and Anderson spent a lot of time over the weekend promoting the franchise. They appeared at Comic-Con in New York and also took part in a “ask me anything” session on the website Reddit.

Star Wars Episode 7 Rumor: Ewan McGregor Returning as Obi-Wan Kenobi

Latino Review has dished another Star Wars Episode VII rumor that fits in logically in the previous one.

According to three of their sources that are “on the project,” Ewan McGregor is already set to return a galaxy far, far away and will reprise the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi that he held during the prequel trilogy. He would presumably return as a Force Ghost to mentor or instruct someone and guide them toward their destiny, much in the same as a rumors suggest Ian McDiarmid is returning as a Sith Ghost to guide a new apprentice against the Jedi.

Sir Alec Guinness already appeared as a Force Ghost in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi so the character as a ghost surely still exists during the events of Episode VII. So do Yoda and Anakin Skywalker for that matter, which raises the question of how the Obi-Wan Force Ghost will appear.

It would seem silly for J.J. Abrams, Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm to go through the trouble of bringing McGregor back only to alter his appearance to match that of an elder Sir Alec Guiness as seen in the original trilogy. If the Force Ghost is altered to represent a younger Kenobi that looks more like McGregor, that would break the continuity of the Force Ghosts we’ve already seen. I think it could work with McGregor made up to look the age of Sir Alec Guiness when he played the role, but without trying to remove McGregor’s features.

As always, treat these Star Wars Episode VII rumors with a grain of salt until some more concrete information comes down the pipe.

‘The Book Of Mormon’s Josh Gad To Play Sam Kinison In Larry Charles-Directed Feature

David Permut’s long-in-the-works film about the late comic Sam Kinison has taken form. Larry Charles, who helmed the Sacha Baron Cohen comedies Borat, Bruno and The Dictator, has signed on to direct and Josh Gad is set to play the pentecostal preacher-turned-manic standup comedian. Kinison has a script by xXx scribe Rich Wilkes, based on the book Brother Sam by Bill Kinison. Permut will produce, Tom Shadyac and Bill Kinison will be exec producers, and Steve Longi and Permut Presentations’ Chris Mangano will co-produce.

“There was nothing conventional about Sam Kinison and neither will be the cinematic interpretation of his life,” said Permut. “Larry Charles is the perfect director to bring Rich Wilkes’ incredible script to screen, and Josh Gad’s tremendous ability to morph into a role will bring great depth to Kinison’s larger than life persona.”

The film picks up the Kinison story in the 80s, as he transitions from the family business of Pentecostal preaching and into stand up comedy in Hollywood. Kinison and Charles cracked that racket around the same time, when Kinison was tearing tickets for The Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd and waiting for his chance, while Charles was hustling to sell jokes to the headlining comics long before he became writer/producer of Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage.Once Kinison got his chance, it was like he was shot out of a cannon. Soon after being launched on HBO on a Rodney Dangerfield-hosted young comedians special, Kinison was a headliner and seemed destined for movie stardom after a showy role in the Dangerfield comedy Back To School. Unfortunately, his ascent was interrupted when the preacher’s son took a decadent plunge into drink and drugs, which stunted Kinison’s growth in the feature world. After years of self-abuse, Kinison finally cleaned up his act and conquered his demons. In a cruel irony, the sober Kinison was killed in a head-on collision with a drunken driver in 1992 at age 38.

Much of Kinison’s decadent years we all learned about through his many appearances on Howard Stern’s radio show, and Stern will be among the many characters the producers will cast as they tell his story. The producers are in conversations with a number of stars and stand up comics to populate such roles as evangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and Oral Roberts, as well as comic peers like Richard Pryor.

As for Gad, he will next be seen as computer pioneer Stephen Wozniak opposite Ashton Kutcher in the upcoming Steve Jobs film Jobs, and most recently starred in the sitcom 1600 Penn. Charles is repped by WME and Gad by ICM Partners and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. WME Global and ICM are working on packaging the film and selling domestic distribution rights. Wilkes is repped by Verve and Management 360.

Penelope Cruz to play the oldest Bond girl ever in ‘Bond 24′?

If reports are to be believed, Penelope Cruz could be the latest — and oldest — woman to play a Bond girl in the James Bond film franchise. The actress will reportedly start filming the movie in summer 2014, the same year she turns 40.

“The producers have tried to get Penelope before, but she has never been available because of other commitments. The discussions have been going on for some time and they are working out the contract details now,” a source tells Yahoo! Movies UK of the pregnant actress. “She got back into shape fast after the first baby and will no doubt regain her figure quickly this time. She’ll be a great Bond girl. Bond girls are always brainy as well as sexy, and that’s totally Penelope.”

Cruz will take the title of oldest Bond girl from Honor Blackman, who played “Goldfinger’s” Pussy Galore when she was 39. She similarly will be the first Spanish Bond girl in the franchise’s history. Interestingly, Cruz’ husband Javier Bardem played the villain Silva in 2012’s “Skyfall.”

It was recently revealed that “Skyfall’s” director Sam Mendes is expected to helm the next two “Bond ” movies. The first, dubbed “Bond 24,” will likely hit theaters within the next three years. A script is currently being developed.

Christopher Nolan in talks for Bond 24?

Given his status as the world’s premiere director of large-scale event cinema, it was perhaps inevitable that Christopher Nolan would become linked to the vacant director’s chair on Bond 24, and sure enough, that’s exactly what’s happened.

The Daily Mail’s Baz Bamigboye reports that Nolan is in early talks with Bond bigwigs Barbara Broccoli and Michael G .Wilson, with a view to the director stepping into the position recently vacated by Sam Mendes.

Our instant reaction to this one would be that with Nolan embarking upon pre-production on his forthcoming sci-fi film Interstellar, the likelihood of him jumping straight into another hugely time-consuming property would seem slim.

However, Bamigboye was frequently on the money with his various scoops throughout Skyfall’s life-cycle, so it could well be the case that Broccoli and Wilson have at least sounded Nolan out about his potential availability.

It may be that they’re simply keen to get his take on where the Bond films might go next, with Nolan having previously declared himself a fan of the series.

We’d certainly love to see Nolan take on the franchise at some point in the future, so if Bond 24 turns out to be an episode too soon, hopefully Broccoli and Wilson will be able to pique his interest further down the track.

Rachel McAdams Joins Cameron Crowe’s New Romance

Rachel McAdams really should have become America’s sweetheart years ago…especially since she is Canadian, and we rule!! She has made charming turns in everything from Wedding Crashers to The Vow to Terrence Malick’s new film To The Wonder, she’s proven endlessly versatile and appealing (even when she’s playing the baddie, like in Mean Girls and Midnight in Paris, she’s tons of fun). Another thing working in her favor? She consistently picks great directors to work with, and now has found yet another one who ought to put her into the bigger spotlight she deserves.

According to Deadline McAdams is in talks to join Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone in the next film from Cameron Crowe. The plot details are being kept vague, but McAdams will play a former lover of Cooper’s character, and Deadline dishes that the part is “great,” and that “the movie is funny and romantic, with a tone similar to past Crowe films Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous.” Of course, that’s what you can say about nearly all of Crowe’s films, even the duds like We Bought A Zoo and Elizabethtown.

When Cooper was cast opposite Stone I complained that it was another in a long string of age-inappropriate relationships for Cooper onscreen, coming just after he romanced 15-years-younger Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook. McAdams, on the other hand, is only three years younger than Cooper, which makes it much more the kind of matchup we can get behind. Of course, given that McAdams is reportedly playing the ex it’s clear that age is just a number here, but it’s a step at least.

J.J. Abrams Set to Direct Next ‘Star Wars’ Film

J.J. Abrams will direct the next “Star Wars” film for Disney, taking stewardship of one of Hollywood’s most iconic and lucrative film franchises, an individual with knowledge of the production told TheWrap.

“Argo” director Ben Affleck was also in contention, another individual with knowledge of the talks told TheWrap.

Ever since Disney bought Lucasfilm last year and announced it would make new “Star Wars” films, fans, members of the media and industry executives have speculated about which director would take the job. Abrams’ name always came up, but he told Entertainment Weekly in November that he wasn’t going to take the job.

He did say “Star Wars” was the first movie that “blew my mind” in terms of special effects.

Lucasfilm Chief Kathleen Kennedy has been courting Abrams, one of the most successful directors and producers in Hollywood — and a man beloved by fanboys. He runs one of the industry’s top production companies, Bad Robot, and created or co-created television franchises like “Lost,” “Fringe” and “Alias.” He has also directed film spectacles “Mission: Impossible III,” “Star Trek” and “Super 8.”

The lure of the Jedi was too strong, and it will no doubt complicate his relationship with Paramount, where Bad Robot is a top supplier. Abrams has been feverishly working on “Star Trek Into Darkness,” his second Star Trek film since he rebooted the franchise in 2009. “Into Darkness,” still in post-production, opens May 18.

Though he has several producing jobs in front of him, Abrams had been uncommitted as a director. He will have to jump right into “Star Wars,” which Disney has slated for a 2015 release. “Little Miss Sunshine” screenwriter Michael Arndt is penning the script.

Reached by TheWrap, Lynne Hale, spokeswoman for Lucasfilm, declined to comment immediately. Neither CAA, which represents Abrams, nor Bad Robot immediately responded to requests for comment.

Ninth “Harry Potter” movie being filmed in secret – report

If you thought “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” was your last chance to see the Potter franchise on the big screen, think again. “Harry Potter” cast members have been secretly filming scenes for a ninth movie installment at the Potter studios in Hertfordshire, UK.

The Sun reports Helena Bonham Carter is one of the actors reprising their roles for a “mini movie” to be played at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park attraction at Universal Orlando in Florida.

The movie will also be shown at Potter theme park attractions, which are yet to be built, in California and Japan.

Beyoncé nabs Super Bowl halftime gig: source

All the single ladies will be watching the upcoming Super Bowl along with football lovers. That’s because Beyoncé is the halftime show performer.

A source familiar with Super Bowl XLVII told The Associated Press the Grammy-winning diva will take the stage at the halftime show on Feb. 3, 2013, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because that person wasn’t authorized to publicly reveal the information.

The official announcement is expected Wednesday, the source said.

Beyoncé, whose pop and R&B hits include Crazy in Love, Irreplaceable and Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), has won 16 Grammy Awards. The 31-year-old sang the national anthem at Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 in her hometown of Houston when the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers.

Madonna performed at halftime at this year’s Super Bowl in February with guests CeeLo Green, Nicki Minaj, LMFAO and M.I.A. The New York Giants beat the New England Patriots in a thrilling rematch of the contest four years earlier. Her performance was seen by 114 million people, a higher average than the game itself, which was seen by an estimated 111.3 million people, according to the Nielsen Co.

If Beyoncé’s performance at the Pepsi NFL Halftime Show features collaborations, it could likely include husband-rapper Jay-Z and her Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.

New Orleans last hosted a Super Bowl in 2002, making next year’s game the first NFL championship in the city since Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of the Louisiana Superdome in 2005. Pepsi is returning as the sponsor for the halftime show since doing so in 2007 when Prince performed.

Others recent halftime acts have included The Black Eyed Peas, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Paul McCartney.