Posts by Larry Carroll

Official ‘Twilight’ Synopsis Sadly Lacking In ‘OME!’ Exclamations

Whew, it sure has been a busy week for “Twilight” fans, with the new poster, new trailer, and all of those fan reaction videos. As if that weren’t enough, studio Summit Entertainment has released a new plot synopsis, which was just sent out to critics nationwide to help put the phenomenon on their collective radar.

To give you a peek behind the scenes, we’ve posted it after the jump. Give it a read, Twilighters, and then let us know how you’d summarize 500 beloved pages of text into a paragraph. Would you do it differently? Read more…

Beyonce’s Etta James Portrayal The ‘Cadillac’ Of Biopic Roles, Says Co-Star

BeyonceFor decades, it’s been a wedding staple no self-respecting DJ can serenade a bride and groom without. Now, “At Last,” Etta James seems to be inspiring a new performance and song that could become just as iconic.

Although details are sketchy on whether Beyonce and Jay-Z danced to the 1961 ballad at their own nuptials earlier this month, the singer/actress has spent her recent non-wedding-planning days portraying James in the upcoming flick “Cadillac Records.”

“She did an amazing job in this,” insisted her co-star Cedric the Entertainer, cast as blues musician/songwriter/record producer Willie Dixon in the film about the influential American label Chess Records, which launched the careers of everyone from Howlin’ Wolf to Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and James. Read more…

EXCLUSIVE: First ‘G.I. Joe’ Photo Of Channing Tatum Unveils His Kung-Fu Grip

When we were little kids, each of us shared that one common dream: shrinking down to the size of your action figures, jumping onto a playset, and joining He-Man, Han Solo, and all the rest in their adventures. On Monday, the dream actually came true, as I found myself standing in the middle of the massive “G.I. Joe” soundstage in Downey, CA.

What you’re looking at below is the first official photo of Channing Tatum, who plays Duke in the 2009 release. It’ll give you an idea of what I was looking at as I toured the G.I. Joe submarine, the Docking Bay, Destro’s MARS headquarters, an ice glacier set that looked like it belonged on the planet Hoth, the evil doctor’s lab, and The Pit itself. Also, be sure to take note of that scar on Tatum’s right cheek – its origin is a major plot point in the film.

Channing Tatum as Duke in 'G.I. Joe'

In addition to the high-stepping heartthrob, I interviewed Sienna Miller (The Baroness), Ray Park (Snake Eyes) and super-producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, who’s such a cool guy he even drove us around in his own personal golf cart while enduring geeky questions about Tomax and Xamot. Unfortunately, the cart wasn’t dressed up to look like a H.I.S.S. tank. Read more…

‘Transformers 2’ Producer Talks Casting, Sinks Aircraft Carrier Rumors

'Transformers'Recently, the news broke that Jonah Hill won’t be rolling out in “Transformers 2” after all. It’s sad, sad news for movie fans hoping the sequel would get a legitimate comedic-sidekick injection rather than, say, filling the role with Dax Shepard.

According to series producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the movie has had to move on without the “Superbad” star – but we can still expect some big announcements over the next several weeks.

“No, no,” he said of Hill’s reported casting. “Ultimately, we’ll have a couple casting surprises for everybody soon.”

Director Michael Bay and returning stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and Jon Voight are reportedly on board to return, and Bonaventura confirmed plans to start shooting the movie in Philadelphia and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania next month. Read more…

You Know What’s Interesting About Matthew Fox? This…

We all remember the classic scene from “Knocked Up” where Katherine Heigl’s celebrity reporter informs her boyfriend/baby daddy Seth Rogen that she’s about to go interview the hunky star of “Lost” Matthew Fox, and his deadpan response.

“You know what’s interesting about him?” Rogen’s character asks. “Nothing!”

It’s one of many funny moments in the high-grossing flick, and everybody remembers it as some good-natured ribbing, right? Well, maybe not everyone. Read more…

‘Twilight’ Poster Photographer To Continue Working On Franchise

Like Edward Cullen eyeballing a deer in the middle of the woods, you can be forgiven if you drool a bit while looking at the first official “Twilight” poster. It’s an MTV exclusive, it’s a thing of beauty, and it was photographed by 18-year-old wunderkind Joey Lawrence.

You can read our interview with Joey over on the MTV Movies page, but here’s an extra-juicy bit of news: Lawrence has signed on to shoot all the posters for “Twilight.” When I was on the set recently, virtually everyone I spoke with brought up plans for sequels, and if those dreams come true Joey would likely return as well. (Click the poster for the high-rez version!)

poster_exclusive.jpg

“Yeah,” he told us recently, swinging by our Santa Monica offices. “I’ll be doing all the next movies.” Read more…

Witherspoon, Vaughn Eager To Unwrap ‘Four Christmases’

Article by Ramsey Boeckholt

When Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon team up for a Christmas flick, they’re not looking to remake “The Santa Clause.” As such, this November’s “Four Christmases” isn’t a cookie-cutter flick about rounding up the entire family on Christmas day and watching the excitement and hilarity that ensues. No, it’s about an ever-worsening trend in American culture: Divorce.

“The movie is all about family,” Witherspoon told us recently of the currently filming flick. “It’s about the connection with your mother and your father, and those dynamics, so I really think people are going to relate to it.”

“It’s going great. It’s very funny, and I’m having a lot of fun doing it,” Vaughn said of the film, which follows a married couple struggling on Christmas day to visit each of their four divorced parents. Read more…

‘Narnia’ Star William Moseley Reflects On Nearly Becoming Harry Potter

William MoseleyThere was a time when everything was “Star Wars” vs. “Star Trek.” If you wanted to be a knowledgeable geek, you studied up on your Boba Fetts and your Nyota Uhuras, knew the difference between a Stormtrooper and a Klingon, and you were good to go.

Then the next generation of geekdom came along, and made life good for young actors like William Moseley. “I was up for Harry Potter way, way back,” remembered the 20-year-old. “But I don’t quite fit the bill, I think.”

Instead, Moseley would later land the role of Peter Pevensie, one of the British children who were transported to a magical land in 2005’s “The Chronicles of Narnia,” and returned home with $300 million in domestic box-office money. And although Moseley will return to Narnia again next month with the sequel “Prince Caspian,” he admitted to us that he’ll always wonder what life would’ve been like behind eyeglasses and a lightning-bolt scar. Read more…

Will ‘Twilight’ Make You Go, Go, Go To ‘Speed Racer’?

The cast of 'Twilight'Quick, when I say “Wing Commander” and “Meet Joe Black,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

If it’s “two crappy movies, starring Freddie Prinze and Brad Pitt,” you must have actually had a life back in the primitive Internet age of 1998-1999. The rest of us have fond memories of buying tickets to those movies, getting a glimpse at early “Star Wars: Episode I” trailers, and then sneaking out of the theater to go see something else.

Now, the phenomenon might repeat itself some ten years later, as news has broken that “Speed Racer” will hit theaters next Friday with the highly-anticipated “Twilight” teaser attached. That’s right, kids, fork over your $10 and you’ll get a two-minute glimpse of Edward and Bella on the big-screen. Read more…

Angarano Promises ‘Stink’ & ‘Thunder’ From Flick By ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ Director

Michael AngaranoIn casting his previous films, director Jared Hess has shown an impeccable ability to choose leading men who can really bring the funny: Jon Heder in “Napoleon Dynamite” and Jack Black in “Nacho Libre.”

For the next film he co-wrote with wife Jerusha to direct, curiously entitled “Gentlemen Broncos,” Hess has cast boyish Michael Angarano as an aspiring author who attends a writing camp, where he discovers his idea for a story has been stolen by an acclaimed novelist.

“I think that, more so than ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ and ‘Nacho Libre,’ this is a more realistic story,” Angarano mused, speculating about how “Broncos” might differ from the unconventional filmmaker’s previous projects. So should we expect the “quirk factor” to be toned down this time around? “These characters are pretty out there,” Angarano assured, “but the story is what drives the movie.” Read more…

Hugh Jackman Looks Towards ‘Batman Begins’ For ‘Wolverine’ Inspiration, Talks Sequels

Hugh Jackman as WolverineAt the moment, you’re likely drooling with anticipation to watch “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk” and “The Dark Knight” over the next few months. Heck, maybe you’ll even go see “Punisher: War Zone.”

But once these thrills have come and gone, what comic book movies will come next? It’s a question we’re all dying to know, and vague promises of “Captain America” and “Thor” movies aren’t cutting it. So instead, we hold out hope for a new take on a familiar hero.

“It feels different,” Hugh Jackman told us recently about “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” which he’s currently shooting with eyes towards a May 2009 release. “But I don’t think its going be night and day.” Read more…

Matt Reeves Puts ‘Cloverfield’ Sequel On Back Burner, Eager To Get ‘Invisible’

Matt ReevesIn my mind, anybody who writes “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory” deserves mad props. Eric Bogosian is the bomb, yo!

Others, however, may find Matt Reeves more notable for having directed the monstrous hit “Cloverfield.” I recently interviewed him on the topic of spoilers and sequels, and we also touched on his next film, which unfortunately will not involve either 30-foot-tall monsters nor Steven Seagal.

“I am directing a movie called ‘The Invisible Woman,’” he explained, distancing the flick from anything involving Chevy Chase, trenchcoats and floating sunglasses. “And it’s not like a sci-fi movie, even though the title seems to apply.” Read more…

Robert Pattinson Composing ‘Bella’s Lullaby’ For ‘Twilight’ Movie

Robert PattinsonIn the Stephenie Meyer novel “Twilight,” many scenes compete for the most romantic moment, but many agree that the winner is when Edward Cullen sits down at a piano and plays a heartfelt song written for his love Bella.

With the film version on its way, an army of fans have been lobbying Meyer and director Catherine Hardwicke on the songs they think should be used as “Bella’s Lullaby.” Now, we finally have an answer – and as life imitates art, it should get Twilighters squealing in anticipation.

“Yes, it does exist in the movie,” Kristen Stewart told me while I was interviewing her and Robert for the article that just went live here, on the topic of “Bella’s Lullaby.” “And cutely enough, Rob is writing it on the piano as we speak.” Read more…

EXCLUSIVE: New ‘Twilight’ Footage Goes Behind The Scenes, Fulfills Dreams

'Twilight'“This looks just right.”

Our friends at Summit Entertainment premiered a mind-blowing new “Twilight” clip for the lucky crowds at New York’s Comic-Con this weekend, featuring that quote from a set-visiting Stephenie Meyer. Quite frankly, we’re inclined to agree.

Now, we’re passing the clip on to you, along with a warning: For all of you who’ve memorized every line of the novels, hungered for each tidbit of info you can find on our site, and cursed every month between now and December, please make sure you’re sitting down as you press play. Also, a crash helmet might come in handy. (CLICK HERE TO PLAY IT, AND RETURN TO READ THE REST…) Read more…

Alexis Bledel Wonders If She’ll Ever Visit ‘Sin City’ Again

Alexis BledelNormally, we go to the big stars to get movie info that we can then deliver to you. But when we recently brought up the topic of “Sin City 2″ to Alexis Bledel, she turned the table and started asking us the questions.

“Are they still planning to do that?” she asked incredulously. “You’re the first one telling me about it.”

Last month, an article in “The Hollywood Reporter” reinforced that the highly-anticipated sequel is still scheduled to hit theaters sometime in 2009. With all the CGI involved, one would think they’d have to begin shooting soon — but such principal talents as Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez are otherwise occupied, and actors like Bledel report that their phones haven’t rung. Read more…

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