'The Rite' Captures Friday Box Office

Thriller makes $5.3 million.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

Anthony Hopkins and Marta Gastini in "The Rite"
Photo: Warner Bros.

It appears that audiences are still down to get freaked out by a creepy performance from Anthony Hopkins.

The Oscar-winning actor's latest skin-crawling, onscreen turn, "The Rite," topped the Friday box office. The film, which is based on real-life events and stars Hopkins as an unconventional exorcist, debuted with $5.3 million. When MTV News sat down with Sir Hopkins recently, the veteran star admitted he has a gift for freaking out fans.

"I know how to do those parts," he said. "Not because I'm scary, but because I know how to scare people. ... It's a question of being quiet and not overplaying it," he explained. "You let the script and the audiences do the work for you. You don't have to play evil."

Behind "The Rite" is last week's box-office winner, "No Strings Attached. Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman's portrayal of "sex friends" who shrug off the possibility of a relationship in favor of casual lovin,' scored $4.3 million. Friday's earnings kick the film's total haul to just over $30 million.

Jason Statham's latest firepower-heavy flick ,"The Mechanic," came in third place. The tale of an assassin looking to avenge the killing of his mentor with the help of his son (Ben Foster), debuted with $3.6 million.

"The Green Hornet" took the fourth-place spot at the Friday box office. Moviegoers coughed up $2.9 million to catch Seth Rogen as the classic masked superhero duke it out with Los Angeles-area baddies. The figure kicks the film's total estimated tally to $70 million.

"The King's Speech," the dramatization of the UK's King George VI's struggle to overcome his stammer with the help of an eccentric speech therapist, rounded out the top five. The film, which recently picked up 12 Academy Award nominations, scored $2.8 million. The movie's total estimated haul now stands at around $63 million.

Check out everything we've got on "The Rite," "No Strings Attached" and "The Mechanic."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Oscar Nominee Natalie Portman Praises 'Black Swan' Director

Best Actress nominee says nod is 'a wonderful culmination of the 10-year journey with Darren [Aronofsky].'
By Terri Schwartz, with reporting by Kara Warner

Natalie Portman in "Black Swan"
Photo: Fox Searchlight

For those who've been following the awards season, it's not too big of a surprise that "Black Swan" earned five Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Actress (Natalie Portman), and Best Director (Darren Aronofsky). Portman had already won significant recognition for her role in the ballet thriller at the Golden Globes, the Independent Spirit Awards and 10 regional critics' awards associations. So while her first Best Actress Academy Award nomination may not have been unexpected, the actress says she's humbled by the honor.

"I am so honored and grateful to the Academy for this recognition. It is a wonderful culmination of the 10-year journey with Darren to make this film," Portman told MTV News in a statement. "Making 'Black Swan' is already the most meaningful experience of my career, and the passion shown for the film has completed the process of communication between artists and audience. I am so thankful for the support we have received and I share this honor with the entire cast and crew of the film, especially Darren Aronofsky."

This is also Aronofsky's first Oscar nomination. (His 2008 film "The Wrestler" earned Mickey Rourke the Best Actor award for his performance.) Aronofsky has always seemed to target a niche audience with films like "Pi," "Requiem for a Dream" and "The Fountain," so producer Brian Oliver said he was glad that Aronofsky was getting much-deserved recognition.

"I'm really happy for Darren. Darren is a visionary filmmaker and it's finally nice that they recognized him," Oliver told MTV News. "It's also interesting to see how well the movie is being received internationally and in Europe, with the 12 BAFTA nominations and the box-office success, so it's another kudos to Darren, appealing to a wide audience outside a small niche."

With all of the recognition "Black Swan" has been receiving, it was a bit surprising that the film's impressive range of supporting actresses — Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder and Barbara Hershey — didn't get any nods. (Kunis was nominated for a Supporting Actress Golden Globe, though she didn't win.) Oliver theorized that the actresses may have been overlooked because their performances didn't get enough early praise.

"As we saw the race went on, all of our supporting actresses' names were moving up the list, and maybe the recognition started a little too late for Barbara but she definitely ended up being a contender. She did an amazing job. I think if we had another few weeks before nominations, she would have gotten it and maybe Mila as well," the producer said. "Maybe the argument too is we split votes. I think a lot of people voted for Mila, a lot of people voted for Barbara, which is great, it's another testament to Darren, but it probably split their chances."

Check out everything we've got on "Black Swan."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Drake In Talks To Star With Al Pacino In 'Arbitrage'

Movie would mark rapper's first starring film role.
By Gil Kaufman

Drake
Photo: John Parra/ WireImage

Drake has already conquered the charts and the road, but now the former "Degrassi: The Next Generation" star is in talks to headline his first movie.

A spokesperson for producer Johnny Lin's Filmula company confirmed Monday that Drake is in negotiations to join the financial thriller "Arbitrage." The Wrap reported that the Young Money rapper is considering joining the cast of the indie film, which will be written and directed by Nicholas Jarecki ("The Outsider").

According to the site, the movie follows the path of a hedge-fund magnate who is in over his head and desperate to complete the sale of his shady trading empire to a major bank before his fraud is revealed. But then an "unexpected, bloody error" forces him to turn to an unlikely source for protection.

Susan Sarandon and "Casino Royale" star Eva Green have already signed on to play the wife and art-dealer mistress, respectively. The movie is slated to begin filming in March in New York and will feature a reunion of Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino and Sarandon, who co-starred in HBO's Jack Kevorkian biopic "You Don't Know Jack." Pacino will play the lead role; it was not known at press time what Drake's part would be.

It wouldn't be the first time Drake (born Aubrey Graham), 24, has made the jump from TV to films, following up on his small role in 2007's "Charlie Bartlett."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Geri Halliwell stuns as she launches her new swimwear range?

[Images: Mr Paparazzi/Big Pictures Words: Laura Perks]

Considering the Arctic-like temperatures outside today, we suspect the last thing on anybody?s mind at the moment is bikinis. Nevertheless that?s exactly what Geri Halliwell was promoting in central London earlier today.

The former Spice Girl rubbed her sun-kissed complexion in our face when she launched her swimwear range for NEXT. Gezza had two models by her side to show off the collection, however she decided not to slip into a bikini herself for the occassion. Shame.

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Stars are seeing red

Fashion Week is just around the corner, and the buzz is already building for The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection Celebrity Fashion Show on February 9. Each year, stars strut their stuff down the runway in red designer gowns to promote heart health, and now, you can be a part of the action! Just click clothesoffourback.org to bid on a pair of tickets now.

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Jessica Simpson's biggest fan - nephew Bronx!

His parents, Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, are both musicians, but little Bronx prefers to rock out to his aunt Jessica Simpson's tunes. According to proud pop Pete, the 2-year-old tot can't get enough of Jessica's 2010 holiday album, Happy Christmas. "His current favorite record is his aunt's Christmas record. He likes that a lot! I'm not sure if he totally connects to Jessica, but that's his favorite," Pete told In Touch at the grand opening of his bar, Angels & Kings, at the Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago on January 20, where the rocker performed with his new band, Black Cards. With his mom, dad and aunt already big music industry acts, could Bronx be a future star? "I don't think I'd ever push him to do it," Pete added, "but if he wanted to do it, sure!"

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Anthony Hopkins On 'The Rite': 'I Know How To Scare People'

In new film, Oscar-winner plays unorthodox exorcist Father Lucas.
By Kara Warner

Anthony Hopkins
Photo: MTV News

If Anthony Hopkins fans know anything, it's the fact that the Oscar-winner knows how to scare the pants off of moviegoers. The obvious, most-famous example is his award-winning turn as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs" and the subsequent sequels. It's been awhile since we've seen Sir Hopkins play dark and devious, but with the release of exorcism thriller "The Rite" on Friday (January 28), fans can reacquaint themselves with a bit of Hopkins' tricks and treats.

In the film, which is based on real-life events, Hopkins plays unorthodox exorcist Father Lucas. Without delving into spoiler territory — no more than what the creepy promotional posters give away — when MTV News caught up with the actor recently, we asked him to take us through his process of playing possessed.

Hopkins explained that most of his performances come from extensive preparation. For "The Rite," he learned Latin and Italian for certain scenes, and spent a lot of time alone in his hotel room going over the script.

"I would be there in my den, my man's cave, going over and over [the] script," Hopkins said. "Gradually, as you go through it over and over, all these voices and interpretations come to you," he explained, adding that by the time he was ready to film the key possession sequences, he knew the material so well he was open to improvisation.

"I put all kinds of very suggestive sexual stuff into it which they cut out, but stuff that would provoke people. I knew that the response was good because [director] Mikael Håfström's said, 'You're crazy.' "

Hopkins went on to say, with a smile, that he just knows how to "get people."

"I know how to do those parts," he said. "Not because I'm scary, but because I know how to scare people. ... It's a question of being quiet and not overplaying it," he explained. "You let the script and the audiences do the work for you. You don't have to play evil."

Check out everything we've got on "The Rite."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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'Hobbit' Filming Postponed After Peter Jackson Hospitalized

Movie's director was admitted to the hospital after suffering a perforated ulcer.
By Gil Kaufman

Peter Jackson
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Perhaps director Peter Jackson should consider tinkering with the title of his upcoming "Lord of the Rings" two-part prequel. Instead of just "The Hobbit," might we suggest "The Curse of the Hobbit" or perhaps "The Haunted Hobbit"?

The star-crossed road to filming the movies, for which Jackson is director, executive producer and screenwriter, hit another roadblock this week when the start of filming was pushed back after Jackson was hospitalized. Deadline Hollywood reported that Jackson was admitted to a hospital in Wellington, New Zealand, on Wednesday with acute stomach pains and underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer.

"Sir Peter is currently resting comfortably and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery. Sir Peter's surgery is not expected to impact on his directing commitment to 'The Hobbit' beyond a slight delay to the start of filming," read a statement from the movie's production company.

It's just the latest setback for the films, which were put in limbo for a while when studio MGM froze production while it went into bankruptcy, and then dealt another major blow last summer when director Guillermo del Toro announced he was dropping out after nearly two years of prep work. Then there was a dustup with the New Zealand actors union that almost caused the production to pick up stakes and move elsewhere.

When Jackson is ready to begin again, his cast for the 3-D prequel will be ready to go. Elijah Wood's recent deal to reprise his "Lord of the Rings" role as Frodo was accompanied by news that Andy Serkis has signed on to once again play Gollum, and it's looking like Ian McKellen is poised to reprise the part of Gandalf in what's being called "a major role" in the new films. Cate Blanchett has already signed on to play Galadriel, Christopher Lee is in talks for Saruman, and Ian Holm is in talks for the elder Bilbo Baggins, whose younger version will be played by Martin Freeman. There's no word yet if Orlando Bloom, who portrayed Legolas in "LOTR," will return for "The Hobbit."

Check out everything we've got on "The Hobbit."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Live Lounge: Adele cover?s Cheryl Cole? Wow, just wow.

[Images:]

Adele took over the Radio One Live Lounge this morning and during her six-song set she covered Cheryl Cole?s hit single, Promise This.

Now we must admit, we?ve never really been a huge fan of this particular Chezza track and if we?re totally honest we find the 'alouette-uette-uette' down right annoying, so we didn?t have high hopes for Adele?s rendition.

That being said, we couldn?t believe our ears when the Chasing Pavements songstress started singing, it was incredible and we loved every minute.

Meanwhile, Adele has a massive cause for celebration this week. Not only is her new album currently number one in 16 different countries, we?ve just heard she's currently outselling the entire top ten in the UK. Wow, that?s mental.

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Oscar-Nominated 'Fighter' Actors, Producers 'Screaming' Over Nods

'They're just as happy if the other one wins,' producer Ryan Kavanaugh says of Amy Adams' and Melissa Leo's Best Supporting Actress noms.
By Kara Warner

Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg
Photo: John Sciulli/ Getty Images

While the teams behind "The Social Network" and "The King's Speech" are toasting their Oscar noms, another group of folks is also celebrating Tuesday morning's (January 25) Academy Award nominations announcement. The cast and crew of "The Fighter" earned seven nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director (David O. Russell), Best Supporting Actor (Christian Bale), and two Best Supporting Actress nods for Amy Adams and Melissa Leo.

MTV News spoke with "Fighter" producer and Relativity Media CEO Ryan Kavanaugh (Relativity fully produced and financed the film) just after he heard the big news.

"When I got the news, I was on the phone with David O. Russell and [Mark] Wahlberg and myself, kinda watching and I think you could hear screaming through each house," he said of their reactions. "The person I'm most excited for is David O. Russell because he really deserved it, he really delivered this package. He's obviously had his ups and downs in his career, as many people have. He really came through on this movie and it's nice that the Academy noticed that for him."

Kavanaugh's fellow producer and the star of the film, Mark Wahlberg, also praised the director and his co-stars in a statement: "It has been such an incredible journey with 'The Fighter' and one that I am grateful to share with David O. Russell, Christian, Melissa, Amy, my fellow producers and the Ward and Eklund families, who are the heart and soul of the film. Thank you to the Academy for this tremendous honor."

Regarding Adams' and Leo's dual nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category, the Relativity Media CEO said the actresses won't be thinking about competition at all.

"It's funny because I think Amy and Melissa, they're just as happy if the other one wins," he said. "They are competing against each other but at the same time, I think they're both really happy for the other one."

Kavanaugh went on to say that although he'd like to go back to bed — Oscar nominations were announced at 5:30 a.m. on the West Coast — he has a long day of work and, later, congratulating to do.

"I've got a pretty full day coming up. I'll stop by Mark's house, I'll stop by David's house, give 'em both a big hug," he said. "[I'll] try and stop by Christian's house although he's probably holed up and won't even turn on the TV until 10 a.m."

Check out everything we've got on "The Fighter."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Jewel having a baby boy!

Singer Jewel and her husband, Ty Murray, revealed they are having a baby boy! "We would have been happy either way, of course, but we are so excited to be having a little boy," she announced today. Rodeo champ Ty, on the other hand, seems like he has gotten his wish! "I have to admit, I was doing a little dance on our way out of the doctor's office when we found out!" The happily married couple, who eloped to the Bahamas in 2008, can finally start on the baby's room since they had been waiting to find out before they started decorating the guest room-turned-nursery in their Texas ranch. The country crooner reportedly had been trying for years to get pregnant and will finally be able to sing her famous lullabies to her new bundle of joy, due this summer. She is currently working on her second children's album, a follow up to Lullaby.

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'Hobbit' Filming Postponed After Peter Jackson Hospitalized

Movie's director was admitted to the hospital after suffering a perforated ulcer.
By Gil Kaufman

Peter Jackson
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Perhaps director Peter Jackson should consider tinkering with the title of his upcoming "Lord of the Rings" two-part prequel. Instead of just "The Hobbit," might we suggest "The Curse of the Hobbit" or perhaps "The Haunted Hobbit"?

The star-crossed road to filming the movies, for which Jackson is director, executive producer and screenwriter, hit another roadblock this week when the start of filming was pushed back after Jackson was hospitalized. Deadline Hollywood reported that Jackson was admitted to a hospital in Wellington, New Zealand, on Wednesday with acute stomach pains and underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer.

"Sir Peter is currently resting comfortably and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery. Sir Peter's surgery is not expected to impact on his directing commitment to 'The Hobbit' beyond a slight delay to the start of filming," read a statement from the movie's production company.

It's just the latest setback for the films, which were put in limbo for a while when studio MGM froze production while it went into bankruptcy, and then dealt another major blow last summer when director Guillermo del Toro announced he was dropping out after nearly two years of prep work. Then there was a dustup with the New Zealand actors union that almost caused the production to pick up stakes and move elsewhere.

When Jackson is ready to begin again, his cast for the 3-D prequel will be ready to go. Elijah Wood's recent deal to reprise his "Lord of the Rings" role as Frodo was accompanied by news that Andy Serkis has signed on to once again play Gollum, and it's looking like Ian McKellen is poised to reprise the part of Gandalf in what's being called "a major role" in the new films. Cate Blanchett has already signed on to play Galadriel, Christopher Lee is in talks for Saruman, and Ian Holm is in talks for the elder Bilbo Baggins, whose younger version will be played by Martin Freeman. There's no word yet if Orlando Bloom, who portrayed Legolas in "LOTR," will return for "The Hobbit."

Check out everything we've got on "The Hobbit."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Warrant Issued For Former American Idol Contestant's Arrest!

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It's pretty exciting for a young (busy) actor like James Franco to be asked to host the Oscars, but that doesn't mean he's necessarily going to look to his elders for advice. Well, at least not when his elder is Ricky Gervais. When MTV News caught up with Franco at the Sundance Film Festival, we [...]

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Oscar Nominee James Franco Set To Direct 'As I Lay Dying'

The '127 Hours' star and Oscar host tells MTV News he'll helm movie based on William Faulkner's novel this summer.
By Aly Semigran, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

James Franco
Photo: MTV News

James Franco may very well be Hollywood's ultimate Renaissance man. In addition to his already busy 2011 schedule, which includes attending the 83rd Annual Academy Awards, both as first-time host and Best Actor nominee (for "127 Hours"), the actor/writer/student will also tackle directing duties.

Over the weekend, MTV News managed to catch a minute with Franco at the Sundance Film Festival, where he revealed to us yet another impressive future endeavor. The star spilled, "This summer I'm going to direct a movie based on William Faulkner's novel 'As I Lay Dying.' "

Franco, who has in the past done some work behind the camera, explained, "I shoot a test of the whole movie before I make a movie. So we just shot a test."

Despite working from a lengthy script (160 pages, to be exact), Franco did an entire pre-shoot with actors in North Carolina on New Year's Day. And in keeping with his already unorthodox methods, the 32-year-old noted that the actors he used for the test filming won't necessarily be the ones he works with on the final product.

While Franco says he "might" appear in his adaptation of "As I Lay Dying," he has his sights set on his favorite actor, "Boardwalk Empire" and "Revolutionary Road" star Michael Shannon, whom he has worked with twice before. The cast already includes Paul Dano ("Little Miss Sunshine," "There Will Be Blood") and, if all works out for Franco, Richard Jenkins ("The Visitor," "Six Feet Under") and Joaquin Phoenix will be onboard as well.

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Oscar Reaction Wrap-Up: The Good, The Dull And The OMG-Totally-Over-It!

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It's pretty exciting for a young (busy) actor like James Franco to be asked to host the Oscars, but that doesn't mean he's necessarily going to look to his elders for advice. Well, at least not when his elder is Ricky Gervais. When MTV News caught up with Franco at the Sundance Film Festival, we [...]

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'Social Network' Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin Calls Oscar Noms 'Cherry On Top'

'It's a great way to start the morning,' Sorkin says of film's eight nominations.
By Jocelyn Vena

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"The Social Network" has been friended by the Academy. On Tuesday when the Oscar nominations were announced, the David Fincher-directed, Aaron Sorkin-penned movie received eight nods from the Academy.

"It's a great way to start the morning," Sorkin told "Good Morning America" moments after he learned of his own nomination for Adapted Screenplay. "I love 'The King's Speech.' It was a great year for movies. It was the year for the screenplay too. I'm so happy for everyone involved. My recommendation for anyone who wants an Oscar nomination: Work with David Fincher."

The film is nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actor in a leading role for Jesse Eisenberg, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in directing for David Fincher, Achievement in Film Editing, Original Score for Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Sorkin's own nomination for Adapted Screenplay.

Calling all the accolades "a triumph," Sorkin added, "I think it was the people I got to sit in the room with. I love the way audiences responded to this movie. They came out and saw it and they loved it. It's a special cherry on top."

When asked about future projects, Sorkin said, "This morning is about 'The Social Network.' I'm so happy. It's a great reward."

Sorkin is up against Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy for "127 Hours"; Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich for "Toy Story 3"; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for "True Grit"; and Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini for "Winter's Bone."

Check out everything we've got on "The Social Network."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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