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'I am not officially signed onto any other projects,' model tweets following reports that she will star in 'Dogs in Pocketbooks.'
By Terri Schwartz
Lydia Hearst Shaw
Photo: Michael Kovac/FilmMagic
Lydia Hearst Shaw is doing her best to separate herself from the controversy building around the upcoming film "Dogs in Pocketbooks." Screenwriter Charles Casillo announced Monday that he had hired Hearst Shaw as the lead in his satire on the life of Lindsay Lohan (and, apparently, other starlets). But after Lohan's mother Dina lashed out and threatened to sue over the project, Shaw took to her Twitter to clarify that she is not involved in the film.
"Just so we are all clear.. My hair is Red because I am the new face of Schwarzkopf color. I am a model. I dyed my hair to front the campaign," she tweeted. "As for any theatrical roles I am currently filming Two Jacks directed by Bernard Rose. My next project is Catwalk by Tony Hickox.. Thank you all for your messages of encouragement during my transition to acting. I truly love and appreciate it. At this time I am not officially signed onto any other projects."
The role Shaw would have played was that of a "bratty movie goddess in and out of rehab, in trouble with the law, and hounded by greedy agents, predatory paparazzi, off-the-wall stalkers and crazed media." Though Casillo had originally compared the character to Lohan by saying it was "in no way mean-spirited toward Lindsay," he retracted his statement Tuesday (December 28) and said the comparison was "totally blown out of proportion." Instead, the character is allegedly an amalgamation of Lohan, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Marilyn Monroe and Jean Harlow.
When announcing he had chosen Hearst Shaw as the lead, Casillo said, "She's one of the few supermodels who can actually act. She's smart, well-read, charming and very beautiful. We looked at a lot of actresses for this role, and I was really knocked out." But now it looks like he will have to go back to some of those other actresses for his leading lady and see if any of them are still interested.
Dina Lohan threatened to take legal action against the project, like she did E-Trade, and when TMZ spoke with Lohan family lawyer Stephanie Ovadia, she said the family has a "very strong case."
"They are again using [Lindsay's] likeness without her being compensated," Ovadia said. "Not only that, but they are advertising the fact they are using her likeness. Anyone bringing negativity will be dealt with accordingly."
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'Fockers' won a meager first-place prize, while 'True Grit' blasted its way to second place.
By Josh Wigler
Ben Stiller in "Little Fockers"
Photo: Universal Studios/DW Studios
'Tis the season to be jolly, but while the holiday spirit was present in millions of households this past weekend, it wasn't felt with nearly as much fanfare at the movies.
It was a fairly quiet weekend at the box office this holiday season, with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro's "Little Fockers" leading the pack with an estimated $34 million from Friday through Sunday and a five-day total of $48.3 million. But while Jack still has his eye on Greg, few people entered the circle of trust this go-around, as "Fockers," the second sequel to the critically acclaimed "Meet the Parents," failed to match the success of its predecessor "Meet the Fockers," which earned $70.5 million in its first five days in 2004.
Indeed, the second-place showing for "True Grit" was more impressive than the first-place "Fockers" in many respects. For one, the Jeff Bridges-starring Western drew $36.8 million since opening on Wednesday of last week, nearly crushing its entire $38 million production budget in a single session. "True Grit" also marked the single-best opening for any Coen brothers movie to date, easily surpassing the $19.1 million "Burn After Reading" earned in 2008.
"Tron Legacy" remained on the gaming grid this weekend with a third-place finish worth $25.6 million. The movie suffered a steep 54 percent drop from its opening performance last weekend, leaving some to wonder whether Disney's decision to revitalize the science-fiction franchise was a sound one.
The weekend's biggest disappointment was Jack Black's "Gulliver's Travels," which debuted Saturday and ended the weekend in seventh place with $7.2 million. Releasing the film on Christmas Day was a risky gamble on Fox's part, and despite the message that "Gulliver" has to offer, size really does matter when it comes to business, and unfortunately for the studio, the opening numbers on "Gulliver" are simply too small to consider the film anything but a flop.
The Box-Office Top Five
#1 "Little Fockers" ($34 million)
#2 "True Grit" ($25.6 million)
#3 "Tron Legacy" ($20.1 million)
#4 "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" ($10.8 million)
#5 "Yogi Bear" ($8.8 million)
Upcoming Releases
It's going to be another quiet weekend at the box office next week, with smaller-budget dramas "Another Year" and "Blue Valentine" sneaking in as the weekend's only new releases with a combined total of 10 theaters between the two of them.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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'For me, it's always exciting to come to work with Mr. DeNiro,' Ben Stiller says of his co-star.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Eric Ditzian
Ben Stiller and Robert DeNiro
Photo: MTV News
It's hard to believe that it's been six years since audiences were treated to a Fockers film. "Meet the Fockers," the sequel to "Meet the Parents," was released in 2004. Even more difficult to believe is that it's been a full decade since the original opened in 2000. With the arrival of the third installment in the franchise, "Little Fockers," opening Wednesday (December 22), we wanted to know what the castmembers missed most about each other during their long six years away from the Focker and Byrnes families.
"Cuddling," Dustin Hoffman, who plays Ben Stiller's father Bernie Focker, joked. "We hadn't cuddled for six years."
"Cuddling, that was a good one," Owen Wilson agreed. "There's something about this guy, I can't keep my eyes off him ... my hands off him. You just want to hug him."
"Owen and I work very similarly together," Hoffman explained of their affection for one another. "And we yearn for the time when we can have an entire film together."
"That would be nice," Wilson said. But when asked about the long hiatus between films, Hoffman seemed to enjoy the break.
"I kind of like the blessed relief of not having to do another 'Fockers' for six years," he said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, I think it is nice to let it percolate," Wilson added.
The actresses who play onscreen mother and daughter noted that the passage of time has been met with many milestones, both in the film and in real life.
"Now we have children," Blythe Danner said. Gesturing to co-star Teri Polo, Danner continued, "She didn't have children in real life when we started 10 years ago. I didn't have grandchildren 10 years ago in real life. So we're mature women now. We've all matured, in positive and negative ways."
"Speak for yourself!" Polo joked about the "mature women" comment. "There's a dance, a familiarity, a dance, a rhythm, a song that you just fall back into," she said of coming back to work with her "Focker" castmates. "When you walk onto the set for the first time after five years and see Robert DeNiro, it's just awesome. Believe it or not, he's a warm man," Polo added. "He's a man of few words but very warm." Speaking of DeNiro, Stiller insisted his legendary co-star was happy for time away from him.
"He didn't miss me," Stiller said. "For me, it's always exciting to come to work with Mr. DeNiro. I feel like after 10 years I finally feel OK calling you 'Bob.' I finally feel like I'm not forcing that," he said. "It's always great to have a chance to work together, the whole cast, it's always fun to see everybody."
Check out everything we've got on "Little Fockers."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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'An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team,' Julie Taymor says in statement.
By Terri Schwartz
Julie Taymor
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ WireImage
There's been a lot of negative press about Julie Taymor's Broadway musical "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark," after a fourth castmember, aerialist and stunt double Christopher Tierney, was injured during a preview performance on Monday. A spokesperson for the show made a statement on Tuesday and the Actors' Equity Association spoke to MTV News about the show's streak of injuries. And now Taymor has commented about the show's continued bad luck.
"An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team and, of course, to me personally," Taymor said in her statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "I am so thankful that Chris is going to be alright and is in great spirits. Nothing is more important than the safety of our 'Spider-Man' family and we'll continue to do everything in our power to protect the cast and crew."
Tierney's injury spurred the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Actors' Equity Association and New York State Department of Labor to meet with the "Spider-man" company on Tuesday and institute additional safety measures to prevent further injuries. But some other Broadway stars took to their social networking accounts to demand Taymor stop production on the $65 million musical.
"SPIDERMAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND EMBARRASSING TO WORKING ACTORS EVERYWHERE," Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ripley tweeted on Tuesday. "DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE? WHERE IS THE LINE FOR THE DECISION MAKERS, I AM CURIOUS."
"Rent" star Adam Pascal took to his Facebook page Tuesday and said, "I have to weigh in on Spiderman. They should put Julie Taymor in jail for assault! I know what it's like to fall and get hurt in front of 2,000 people. It's no fun, but at least it was the one time it happened. I hope whoever was hurt is ok and sues the sh-- out of Julie, Bono, Edge and every other a--hole who invested in that steaming pile of actor crippling sh--!"
Pascal toned down his anger and clarified his comments on Wednesday (December 22): "I think some of you missed the intended humor in my post, although my anger is real, I don't think anyone should sue Bono and the Edge you dummy! Or put Julie Taymor in jail you double dummy. I was making a point."
As of now, "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark" preview performances are proceeding as planned, and the official Broadway opening date has been pushed back from January 11 to February 7. Wednesday's matinee was the only performance canceled due to Tierney's injury.
Do you think "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark" should be canceled due to the danger involved? Tell us in the comments.
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Screenwriter Charles Casillo has hired heiress Lydia Hearst Shaw to star as a 'bratty movie goddess ... in trouble with the law.'
By Terri Schwartz
Lindsay Lohan
Photo: Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images
Lindsay Lohan's troubled life and recent scandals don't necessarily seem particularly funny, but screenwriter Charles Casillo apparently is aiming to put a comedic spin on the actress's trials in the new film "Dogs in Pocketbooks." The New York Post reports that Casillo has chosen heiress Lydia Hearst Shaw, in her first Hollywood film role, to play the Lohan-esque character at the center of his movie.
The writer told the Post that Shaw will portray a "bratty movie goddess in and out of rehab, in trouble with the law, and hounded by greedy agents, predatory paparazzi, off-the-wall stalkers and crazed media." TMZ pointed out that the only Lohan-related aspect missing from this picture are "scheming, sponging parents whose lives derail their child," although that might take away from some of the flick's comedic value. The film is set to start shooting in New York and Los Angeles in February.
Casillo emphasized to the Post that "Dogs in Pocketbooks" is "in no way mean-spirited toward Lindsay," adding, "It's the kind of thing she has spoofed about herself in the past. It's more of a satire about the crazy people around her and the situations they generate. It satirizes the obsession with modern celebrity."
Though Shaw has not acted in a feature film before, she is well known for her modeling career — including campaigns for Bottega Veneta, Escada and Lord & Taylor — and dating Jeff Goldblum. She also is the daughter of famous 1970s kidnapping victim Patty Hearst. Casillo said he spent a lot of time trying to find the right woman to play the big-screen version of Lohan, and that Shaw is perfect for the part.
"She's one of the few supermodels who can actually act," he insisted. "She's smart, well-read, charming and very beautiful. We looked at a lot of actresses for this role, and I was really knocked out." The fact that she knows what it's like to be a pursued celebrity probably only helped as well, considering she is the heir to the William Randolph Hearst fortune.
The film also has already cast "Dynasty" actress Joan Collins as the main character's agent. The veteran star told the Post, "The script is a hoot — a satire on the crazed hysteria surrounding show-biz celebrities. I'm playing an aggressive, sexy, powerful woman. For a change."
This month, Lohan has been involved in a scandal where a woman who worked at the rehab facility at which the actress was staying accused her of assault, though charges have now been dropped. She also was recently replaced by Malin Akerman as the star of the Linda Lovelace biopic "Inferno" because Lohan was not going to be out of rehab in time to shoot the movie.
What do you think about "Dogs in Pocketbooks"? Share your opinion in the comments.
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A source close to the TV host, who?s been busy trying to launch his career Stateside, said:
?Vernon is desperate to make it back and see his wife Tess and the kids but his chances aren?t looking good. Tess is in a complete panic about the whole thing and is in a right state.
?She?s been planning a big Christmas for his return for the past three months and is absolutely gutted.?
Well Tess can now breathe a sigh of relief, because her hubby had a big fat ?I?m pleased to be home? grim plastered across his face when he touched down in London last night - Phew! Panic over.
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So, here we are staring at pictures of Paris Hilton having a grand old time while in Hawaii yesterday. The heiress has jetted to Maui for a family holiday over the Christmas period and while strolling along the beach with her boyfriend Cy Watts yesterday she Tweeted:
"Just had a nice walk on the beach with my parents and Cy. I love that they love him as much as I do. Such a nice feeling. :)"
We hate her quite a lot right now you know.
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'I don't think he would ever do it, but he's genius,' she tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Gwyneth Paltrow
Photo: MTV News
We know that Gwyneth Paltrow has the singing chops to portray a down-on-her-luck Nashville star in "Country Strong." But what MTV News didn't know was whether her husband, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, has what it takes to venture into the world of acting.
So we went straight to Paltrow and asked: Does Martin have acting skills as stellar as her singing talents?
"Definitely," Paltrow said of Martin's acting potential. "I don't think he would ever do it, but he's genius. Did you ever see him in 'Extras'?" Paltrow offered as proof. In his episode of the short-lived Ricky Gervais show, Martin guest-starred as an arrogant, exaggeratedly self-absorbed version of himself who tries to sneak a mention of a new Coldplay album into a public-service announcement about the need for clean drinking water.
Well, if Martin won't consider acting, might Paltrow consider doing a cover of a Coldplay song?
"Me? God no," Paltrow said. "No. We just can't, like, merge. His career is there and mine is there."
Don't count Paltrow out of the singing game yet, however. She did put some thought into what type of music she'd sing on an album of her own.
"I think if I was going to make a country record, it would be, like, a super-bare, kind of stripped-back kind of country," Paltrow explained. "Like a little bit of bluegrass-influenced kind of thing."
But Paltrow said she wouldn't necessarily limit herself to one genre, saying she really loved singing Cee Lo's "Forget You" on "Glee." "I also love singing '40s standards and stuff like that," she added.
Go for it, Gwyneth! And get your hubby to do some more acting while you're at it.
What would you prefer: a Gwyneth Paltrow album or Chris Martin acting? Tell us in the comments!
Check out everything we've got on "Country Strong."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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A source close to the TV host, who?s been busy trying to launch his career Stateside, said:
?Vernon is desperate to make it back and see his wife Tess and the kids but his chances aren?t looking good. Tess is in a complete panic about the whole thing and is in a right state.
?She?s been planning a big Christmas for his return for the past three months and is absolutely gutted.?
Well Tess can now breathe a sigh of relief, because her hubby had a big fat ?I?m pleased to be home? grim plastered across his face when he touched down in London last night - Phew! Panic over.
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'An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team,' Julie Taymor says in statement.
By Terri Schwartz
Julie Taymor
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ WireImage
There's been a lot of negative press about Julie Taymor's Broadway musical "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark," after a fourth castmember, aerialist and stunt double Christopher Tierney, was injured during a preview performance on Monday. A spokesperson for the show made a statement on Tuesday and the Actors' Equity Association spoke to MTV News about the show's streak of injuries. And now Taymor has commented about the show's continued bad luck.
"An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team and, of course, to me personally," Taymor said in her statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "I am so thankful that Chris is going to be alright and is in great spirits. Nothing is more important than the safety of our 'Spider-Man' family and we'll continue to do everything in our power to protect the cast and crew."
Tierney's injury spurred the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Actors' Equity Association and New York State Department of Labor to meet with the "Spider-man" company on Tuesday and institute additional safety measures to prevent further injuries. But some other Broadway stars took to their social networking accounts to demand Taymor stop production on the $65 million musical.
"SPIDERMAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND EMBARRASSING TO WORKING ACTORS EVERYWHERE," Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ripley tweeted on Tuesday. "DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE? WHERE IS THE LINE FOR THE DECISION MAKERS, I AM CURIOUS."
"Rent" star Adam Pascal took to his Facebook page Tuesday and said, "I have to weigh in on Spiderman. They should put Julie Taymor in jail for assault! I know what it's like to fall and get hurt in front of 2,000 people. It's no fun, but at least it was the one time it happened. I hope whoever was hurt is ok and sues the sh-- out of Julie, Bono, Edge and every other a--hole who invested in that steaming pile of actor crippling sh--!"
Pascal toned down his anger and clarified his comments on Wednesday (December 22): "I think some of you missed the intended humor in my post, although my anger is real, I don't think anyone should sue Bono and the Edge you dummy! Or put Julie Taymor in jail you double dummy. I was making a point."
As of now, "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark" preview performances are proceeding as planned, and the official Broadway opening date has been pushed back from January 11 to February 7. Wednesday's matinee was the only performance canceled due to Tierney's injury.
Do you think "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark" should be canceled due to the danger involved? Tell us in the comments.
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Actor behind Jake Sully tells MTV News he talks to James Cameron 'all the time,' and expects more details in 2011.
By Kara Warner
Sam Worthington
Photo: MTV News
At this time last year, most movie talk revolved around "Avatar" and its record-shattering box-office numbers on its way to being anointed the most successful film of all time. This year, however, all the discussion has revolved around the inevitable "Avatar" sequels
Fox has announced there will be two and that director James Cameron will shoot at least one of them partially underwater. When MTV News caught up with star Sam Worthington on the set of his new thriller "Man on a Ledge," the in-demand actor (seriously, check out his IMDb lineup for proof) said he's been in close contact with Cameron about follow-ups but that specifics will start to take shape next year.
"I talk to [Cameron] all the time," Worthington said. "I talked to him last week. I think at the moment he's still doing the ['Avatar'] bible, the book, and I think the book will then inspire where he wants to take it," the "Clash of the Titans" star explained. "He's got great ideas; what he told me about, where he wants to set it, things he wants to explore. We'll probably talk next year, and then he can fill us in on where, personally, he wants to take it, where emotionally he wants to take it."
Regarding the sequel's underwater setting, Worthington said only some of the action will take place in the water.
"[Cameron] is going to explore that [underwater] world," he said. "It won't fully take place underwater but he's definitely going to explore — same as the mountains, he can explore more, outer space [as well] — it's up to him," Worthington added. "He created the world."
And finally, we asked Worthington about the future of Jake Sully, specifically whether audiences will ever see his human form onscreen again. Worthington said he had "no idea."
What do you want to see in the "Avatar" sequels? Tell us in the comments!
Check out everything we've got on "Avatar."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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X Factor runner-up Olly Murs had the fright of his life when the car he was travelling home in, spun out of control and smashed into another car ? Was that dramatic enough for you?
After the crash the singer Tweeted, ? had a car accident tonight in Essex. I?m absolutely fine and no-one else was hurt. Just please be careful on roads guys, still very icy!?
However, after saying nobody had been hurt the following day he Tweeted, ?Arm is sore today after crash.... struggling!!!? ? Aw, get well soon Olly.
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'I don't think he would ever do it, but he's genius,' she tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Gwyneth Paltrow
Photo: MTV News
We know that Gwyneth Paltrow has the singing chops to portray a down-on-her-luck Nashville star in "Country Strong." But what MTV News didn't know was whether her husband, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, has what it takes to venture into the world of acting.
So we went straight to Paltrow and asked: Does Martin have acting skills as stellar as her singing talents?
"Definitely," Paltrow said of Martin's acting potential. "I don't think he would ever do it, but he's genius. Did you ever see him in 'Extras'?" Paltrow offered as proof. In his episode of the short-lived Ricky Gervais show, Martin guest-starred as an arrogant, exaggeratedly self-absorbed version of himself who tries to sneak a mention of a new Coldplay album into a public-service announcement about the need for clean drinking water.
Well, if Martin won't consider acting, might Paltrow consider doing a cover of a Coldplay song?
"Me? God no," Paltrow said. "No. We just can't, like, merge. His career is there and mine is there."
Don't count Paltrow out of the singing game yet, however. She did put some thought into what type of music she'd sing on an album of her own.
"I think if I was going to make a country record, it would be, like, a super-bare, kind of stripped-back kind of country," Paltrow explained. "Like a little bit of bluegrass-influenced kind of thing."
But Paltrow said she wouldn't necessarily limit herself to one genre, saying she really loved singing Cee Lo's "Forget You" on "Glee." "I also love singing '40s standards and stuff like that," she added.
Go for it, Gwyneth! And get your hubby to do some more acting while you're at it.
What would you prefer: a Gwyneth Paltrow album or Chris Martin acting? Tell us in the comments!
Check out everything we've got on "Country Strong."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Jack Black, Jason Segel and Emily Blunt star in film, coming Saturday.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Jack Black in "Gulliver's Travels"
Photo: 20th Century Fox
In discussing the important subject matter involved in "Gulliver's Travels" — the film (coming to theaters Saturday) based on the classic Jonathan Swift tale, and starring Jack Black, Jason Segel and Emily Blunt — MTV News thought it prudent to ask the cast members a hard-hitting, yet totally appropriate question: Would you rather be 2 feet taller or 2 feet shorter?
Black, who plays the titular curious explorer (in this case, a curious travel writer), had to think long and hard about it.
"Wait a minute, 7' 7" or 3' 7"? That's an amazing question," he replied. "Hmm ... I'm going to go short. I'm going to go 3' 7"," he decided. "Because some of the greats are shorties. There are some great tall-y tall-ies, but I think the life expectancy is longer for the shorties," Black philosophized. "I think those super tall-ies are breakable."
Blunt decided to take a different track. "Two feet taller, not 2 feet shorter," she responded. "I wouldn't like to be that small."
The "Devil Wears Prada" star went on to say that she would prefer the power that comes with being taller. "They would stare at me if I was small as well," Blunt said. "At least if I was tall, I could crush people if they stare at me."
Segel, who is already 6' 4", unsurprisingly selected the same option as Black.
"So, I'm either 8' 4" or I'm 4' 4"?" he said. "I guess I'll go with 4' 4" because there are people of that height, they're managing, and there's things that are made for them," he reasoned. "8'4" is rough. And everybody — well, I guess they're staring at you either way — [but] they might not see you if you're 4'4"," he added. "They're definitely going to see you if you're 8'4". OK, so I'm going to go with 4'4"."
Would you choose to be two feet taller or two feet shorter? Tell us in the comments!
Check out everything we've got on "Gulliver's Travels."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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'An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team,' Julie Taymor says in statement.
By Terri Schwartz
Julie Taymor
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ WireImage
There's been a lot of negative press about Julie Taymor's Broadway musical "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark," after a fourth castmember, aerialist and stunt double Christopher Tierney, was injured during a preview performance on Monday. A spokesperson for the show made a statement on Tuesday and the Actors' Equity Association spoke to MTV News about the show's streak of injuries. And now Taymor has commented about the show's continued bad luck.
"An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team and, of course, to me personally," Taymor said in her statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "I am so thankful that Chris is going to be alright and is in great spirits. Nothing is more important than the safety of our 'Spider-Man' family and we'll continue to do everything in our power to protect the cast and crew."
Tierney's injury spurred the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Actors' Equity Association and New York State Department of Labor to meet with the "Spider-man" company on Tuesday and institute additional safety measures to prevent further injuries. But some other Broadway stars took to their social networking accounts to demand Taymor stop production on the $65 million musical.
"SPIDERMAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND EMBARRASSING TO WORKING ACTORS EVERYWHERE," Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ripley tweeted on Tuesday. "DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE? WHERE IS THE LINE FOR THE DECISION MAKERS, I AM CURIOUS."
"Rent" star Adam Pascal took to his Facebook page Tuesday and said, "I have to weigh in on Spiderman. They should put Julie Taymor in jail for assault! I know what it's like to fall and get hurt in front of 2,000 people. It's no fun, but at least it was the one time it happened. I hope whoever was hurt is ok and sues the sh-- out of Julie, Bono, Edge and every other a--hole who invested in that steaming pile of actor crippling sh--!"
Pascal toned down his anger and clarified his comments on Wednesday (December 22): "I think some of you missed the intended humor in my post, although my anger is real, I don't think anyone should sue Bono and the Edge you dummy! Or put Julie Taymor in jail you double dummy. I was making a point."
As of now, "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark" preview performances are proceeding as planned, and the official Broadway opening date has been pushed back from January 11 to February 7. Wednesday's matinee was the only performance canceled due to Tierney's injury.
Do you think "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark" should be canceled due to the danger involved? Tell us in the comments.
Jennifer Garner Susie Castillo Sunny Mabrey Tina Fey Yvonne Strzechowski
Disney's relaunch of 1980s sci-fi classic soars, while 'Yogi Bear' feasts on modest second-place snack.
By Josh Wigler
Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde in "Tron Legacy"
Photo: Disney
Twenty-eight years after the first film's release, the "Tron" franchise is officially back on the gaming grid. Walt Disney Pictures has poured a lot of time, money and effort behind "Tron Legacy," and it shows: The visceral techno-punk ride relies strongly on big-budget effects and a bass-heavy score from Daft Punk, all of which work on a surface level, but the question remains was it a commercial success?
Monetarily, "Legacy" was the weekend's clear winner, taking home a first-place prize worth $43.6 million. But some have been hesitant to call the result a flat-out victory, given the fact that it cost a reported $170 million to produce the Jeff Bridges and Olivia Wilde-starring reboot. That price tag doesn't even account for the various marketing and promotional efforts, which had more to do with "Tron" as a brand and less with the actual movie itself. With so much riding on solid box-office returns, the opening-weekend performance of "Legacy" wasn't exactly stellar.
In comparison, just a year ago James Cameron's "Avatar" debuted in theaters to a relatively lackluster $77 million opening weekend before going on to rule the box office for several weeks on a successful quest to become the world's highest-grossing movie of all time. It's not likely that "Legacy" will meet that same level of success, but with the Christmas holiday season in full effect as of next weekend, the "Tron" sequel could be saved if it shows some serious staying power.
Even if "Tron" didn't set the box office fully ablaze, it was easily the leader of the pack amongst new competition. "Yogi Bear" broke into the picnic basket and came up with a mere $16.7 million, not a surprising turnout given the mostly negative reviews thrown in the family film's direction. James L. Brooks' last week's box-office champ sunk to third place with a relatively disappointing $12.4 million take.
Awards-season favorites "The Fighter" and "Black Swan" expanded locations this weekend, and it showed in the numbers: The Mark Wahlberg-starring boxing drama punched out $12.2 million for fourth place while Natalie Portman's ballet thriller danced up $8.3 million to land in seventh place.
The Box-Office Top Five
#1 "Tron Legacy" ($43.6 million)
#2 "Yogi Bear" ($16.7 million)
#3 "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" ($12.4 million)
#4 "The Fighter" ($12.2 million)
#5 "The Tourist" ($8.7 million)
Upcoming Releases
It's Christmas time at the box office next weekend, an occasion marked by the arrival of Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro's "Little Fockers" on Wednesday alongside the Coen brothers' latest western, "True Grit." The competition blows up on Saturday when Jack Black sails onto screens with "Gulliver's Travels."
Check out everything we've got on "Tron Legacy," "Yogi Bear" and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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