FROM MTV.COM: Ryan Reynolds might want to quit while he's ahead. How else can the man top 2009, when he starred in two of the 10 highest-grossing movies of the year ("X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and "The Proposal"), as well as the critically lauded indie "Adventureland"?

Then again, the 33-year-old can't go into hiding anytime soon. This year, he signed on to two big-budget franchise flicks, "Deadpool" and "Green Lantern." Lucky for him, fanboys couldn't be more excited to see his takes on both iconic comic book characters. As Thanksgiving approaches and we dole out gratitude to our favorite actors and filmmakers of the year, MTV News is delighted to dub Ryan Reynolds as the guy we're most thankful for in 2009.

In an exclusive chat, the man himself discussed reworking an iconic comic book character in "Wolverine," making the biggest rom-com in history with "Proposal," and what the future is going to look like now that he's becoming both Deadpool and Green Lantern.

Continue reading Ryan Reynolds Is The Actor We're Most Thankful For In 2009

In the long, long (loooooooong) lead-in to the release of J.J. Abrams' reboot of the "Star Trek" franchise, a lot of rumors surfaced concerning who would be joining the cast. At one point, Gary Sinise, Adrien Brody and Matt Damon were even said to be playing the legendary threesome of Dr. McCoy, Spock and Captain James T. Kirk.

Well recently, MTV's Josh Horowitz had the opportunity to speak with Abrams, and his "Trek" star Chris Pine, in an exclusive interview pegged to the fact that, in 2009, these two guys rank among those that we movies fans are most thankful for. And a decision was made to find out exactly what truth lies behind those years-old casting rumors. Given how well "Trek" worked with a cast that was relatively devoid of big-name superstars, one has to wonder if Abrams ever really did call Damon up to talk about the Kirk role. Read more...

FROM HOLLYWOOD CRUSH: Whether he's slaying vampires with stakes or slaying audiences with laughter, there's one thing that everybody can agree upon when it comes to actor Ryan Reynolds — he's pretty awesome.

The Canadian-born actor, recently seen in this summer's "The Proposal" and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," turned 33 years-old today, prompting the crew here at Birthday Bash — which mostly consists of me, but I like referring to myself as a team — to wish the erstwhile Van Wilder a very happy birthday!

If you're not as convinced as I am that Reynolds is a fantastic Hollywood icon worth celebrating, then please indulge me as I run down five reasons we should all be thankful for the actor's continually evolving career.

Continue reading Canada's Finest Ryan Reynolds Turns 33 Today, So We Celebrate His Career!

Some of the best comedies are about guys dressing up as girls. But for every "Some Like It Hot" and "Tootsie" there are a lot of dumb, unfunny drag movies like "Sorority Boys" and "Juwanna Mann." It's therefore easy to assume that any new cross-dressing comedy is going to not only be unfunny but potentially also offensively backwards in terms of gender jokes.

So what hope can I have for a "dude-in-drag romantic comedy" pitch that, according to Variety, just sold to Working Title for around $1 million after a heated bidding war? Despite the apparent popularity of the premise, my expectations are actually quite low. Even if the production company does manage to cast rising star Ryan Reynolds in the temporary transvestite role as planned. Read more...

Director Sam Raimi made a name for himself (and boyhood friend Bruce Campbell) with a series of low-budget horror films that began in 1978 with "Within the Woods," a short college project that would chart the rest of his career. While that particular movie remains little seen, it led directly to the cult classic "Evil Dead" and its two sequels, "Evil Dead II" and "Army of Darkness," and forever cemented Sam Raimi as a bonafide member of the horror club.

So it was with some regret among his fans that -- as his career progressed -- Raimi drifted into other areas of cinema, most notably the billion dollar blockbuster "Spider-Man" franchise, and seemingly left his chainsaw and boomstick behind. That was until 2009, when he came roaring out of the gate with "Drag Me to Hell," the veteran filmmaker's return to the genre that made him a legend. The film stars Alison Lohman as a young bank officer who is hexed at the decrepit hands of a vengeful gypsie. Like most of Raimi's works, it's mixed with his personal flair and imbued with a sense of humor, while remaining throughout a very scary movie. "Drag Me To Hell" arrives on Blu-ray and DVD with only one true special feature -- that the "Production Video Diaries," a half-hour look at the making of the film. It's unfortunate that Raimi couldn't be persuaded to record a commentary, as it's always a treat getting inside his head. Read more...

--Terry Gilliam is getting back to his work on the man of La Mancha, Don Quixote. The filmmaker's seemingly cursed efforts at bringing the mad knight to the silver screen seem to have finally paid off, likely thanks to the goodwill his work on the soon-to-be-released "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" has fostered. Said Gilliam of "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote": "We're up and running again, we've rewritten the script and finally got it back, the budget's come in... and I think we've found our Quixote! But who's it going to be? Well, I'm not going to tell you, but it'll start next Spring." (Empire Online)

--Accomplished filmmaker Paul Schrader (he wrote "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull"!) is coming back to Hollywood. Halfway at least. In a joint Hollywood/Bollywood production, Schrader will direct "Xtrme City," which follows a U.S. ranger and an Indian commando as they comb the Mumbai underworld for the Yank's kidnapped sister-in-law. (Variety) Read more...

Brad Pitt has been the subject of a whirlwind of internet rumors that would mystify Sherlock Holmes himself. The "Inglourious Basterds" star was pegged for a cameo as the nefarious Moriarty, the titular master detective's arch-nemesis, in the Guy Ritchie-directed "Sherlock Holmes," but denials from Warner Bros. and other official parties effectively squashed that rumor.

Do you think the real Moriarty would reveal his identity so easily? No, he'd confuse his pursuers with misdirection and false leads. But just like legends, a good rumor never dies. Read more...

“Adventureland” is a great little movie that came out last April, got strong reviews, and then, for reasons that call into question the whole concept of justice, sank from sight after taking in a pathetic $16 million. Happily, the film was released on DVD today, and so those who missed it or ignored it or otherwise showed it no love now have a chance to make things right.

It’s a movie about young love, youthful confusion and dumb summer jobs. This doesn’t begin to sum it up, but then neither did the film’s trailer (which may have been part of the original problem). Kristen Stewart gives a performance in this picture that outclasses anything she’s yet been called upon to do in the vampire franchise with which she’s currently involved. And she’s ideally teamed with Jesse Eisenberg, at his skittery, hyper-intelligent best; and Ryan Reynolds as a predatory older guy with enough of a soul left to realize what a scumball he is. Read more...

It's the last week of summer, so how is Hollywood celebrating? By releasing a home video slate of some of the most under-appreciated films of the year. From bickering spies to reluctant amusement park workers, August 25th brings together indie darlings and big-budget gems, and we're breaking it all down in today's DVD Report.

Let's kick it off with one of my favorite films of the year, Tony Gilroy's "Duplicity." The director's sophomore follow-up to "Michael Clayton," the Julia Roberts-Clive Owen spy yarn brings together two of the brightest and most expressive voices working today for a crafty globe-trotting adventure. Filled with twists and turns and superb acting, "Duplicity" wasn't exactly a smash hit at the cineplex, but it's more than worth your time. Sadly, if there's one thing worth griping about here, it's the rather lackluster bonus features...or should we say bonus feature. Both the Blu-ray and DVD feature a lone extra: audio commentary from Gilroy and his brother, who co-produced the pic. Come on Universal, you couldn't dig up any deleted scenes? Read more...

-- Along with Summit Entertainment's announcement that "Eclipse," the third movie in the "Twilight" series, has started shooting comes confirmation that Jodelle Ferland will play Bree and Julia Jones will play Leah. (Hollywood Crush)

-- Rosario Dawson has joined the cast of Tony Scott's "Unstoppable," joining Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. The story of an out-of-control train loaded with toxic chemicals is currently set for a Fall 2010 release. Also, Heather Graham will star in Harold Becker's "Vengeance: A Love Story." (Production Weekly Twitter feed, via ComingSoon) Read more...