Love or hate his shtick, Kevin Smith dropped some amusingly candid real talk on Larry King Now as he explained to the media kingpin why it is he’s retiring from moviemaking after his forthcoming hockey film, Hit Somebody. “If I can’t bring anything new to the game, and I assure you I cannot, there’s no point in stepping up to the plate,” said Smith, who also charmingly compared his 20 years behind the camera to getting an unexpected blow job.
Well, Clerks and the success that followed wasn’t just like any blow job. “It was like hoping for a kiss and getting the most amazing blow job you’ve ever had in your life,” he explained to King, who nearly choked as he nodded in recognition. Somebody here knows what you’re talkin’ about, Mr. Smith.
Hit Somebody was previously said to star Red State cast members Kyle Gallner, Nicholas Braun, and Michael Angarano, although the project has yet to begin filming. Meanwhile, Smith’s not going anywhere; he may be moving out of the director’s chair but he’s got his multimedia interests (SModcast podcast, books, live shows, Spoilers on Hulu, AMC’s Comic Book Men, Twitter).
[Larry King Now via Joblo]
Does getting power fucked into a neck brace sound like a good time to you? If it does, then please call up David Cronenberg, because I’m sure he’ll want to turn your sucio fantasies into a movie. Then, take advice of those crazies at PETA and get with a vegan, because only grazing on grass turns a trick into a whiplash-giving, pussy-chaffing, crotch-breaking, concussion-inflicting violent hump machine.
Oh, PETA, if you’re trying to make us miss the Photoshopped titties of E-listers in your ads, then it’s working.
via ONTD
The first trailer for the action sequel Wrath of the Titans just hit, and — what’s that? You forgot this movie existed entirely? And you’re tired of replaying the new Dark Knight Rises trailer over and over again just to make out Bane’s muffled dialogue? I’m pretty sure he’s growling something along the lines of, “Geez, didja see the new Wrath of the Titans trailer? They really did a number on poor Sam Worthington’s hair, amirite?” Holy Greek demigods, people — he’s like Kenny Powers in sandals. Curls will rise, and then some. Watch the CG spectacular after the jump.
First thought: What does this have to do with the last time Worthington stepped out in terrible, terrible 3-D?
Second thought: Wait, what was the first Clash of the Titans even about again?
Third thought: Eh, it doesn’t matter. Beardy Liam Neeson needs Curls McGee to sharpen his swords for some reason involving Titans escaping and the gods losing their power. I’m pretty sure Tarsem covered this in Immortals, but sure. Bring on the killer Siamese twin murder monsters! Release the lava giant! Bring an apple for the Pegasus! Etc., etc.
Between the sword-n-sandal element, the abundance of CG, and the use of Marilyn Manson’s “edgy” “Sweet Dreams” cover in the trailer — not to mention Wrath of the Titans’ March 2012 release date — it feels like someone (cough Legendary/WB cough) is attempting to follow the 300 formula of success. There’s no indication yet on how how much director Jonathan Liebesman (Battle: Los Angeles)…
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Now, in addition to Goonies, Newsies, Carrie and Rocky, Hollywood is adapting Diner into a Broadway musical. If it works out, Diner could be the next Billy Elliott or Hairspray! And if not, it could be the next Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark. Scheduled for a fall 2012 premiere, the adaptation of Barry Levinson’s directorial debut will revive the saga of high school buddies played by Steve Guttenberg, Daniel Stern, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Tim Daly and Paul Reiser. Oh, and did I mention that Sheryl Crow is involved?
The Grammy-winning artist will write the music and lyrics for Diner, the Broadway musical, which will follow the same characters, who in the 1982 film, reunited for the wedding of one of their friends. Levinson will pen the book and Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, The Pajama Game) will direct and choreograph.
In a press release announcing the project, Levinson added, “I’m excited to be embarking on this stage version [of Diner], which affords me the opportunity as a storyteller to expand on my original vision and let the characters express their innermost feeling and thoughts through song.”
Levinson also attempted to revive his Diner characters in an ill-fated 1983 CBS television plot which starred Paul Reiser, Michael Madsen and James Spader.
· Barry Levinson Books ‘Diner’ For Broadway Bow, Sheryl Crow To Write Music [Deadline]
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That awesome Bring It On musical about to hit Los Angeles for a preview run? It might not happen — at least if the film’s original screenwriter Jessica Bendinger has any say. Bendinger, through the Writers Guild of America, has filed a claim that states Bring It On: The Musical production company Beacon Communications Corp. is exploiting Bendinger’s rights without her consent. Said the screenwriter, who has been left out in the cold like a Clover from the home video Bring It On sequels as well: “Imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery. Compensation is.” Beacon’s counsel says the claim is without merit. [THR/Hollywood, Esq.]
“One simply has to maximize your appeal. Bring out all your qualities. Make you look and sound like the leader that you could be,” says one political advisor to an off-screen Meryl Streep-as-Margaret Thatcher in the first teaser for The Iron Lady. “You’ve got it in you to go the whole distance,” says another. The men are talking about Thatcher’s political aspirations, of course, but they might as well be talking about Oscar season. Is this Streep’s best chance to get off the Academy Award schneid?
Perhaps. Since the first image of Meryl-as-Maggie surfaced online, the chattering class has heralded her as an Oscar front-runner — which would be nice, since Streep hasn’t won the little gold man since 1983 despite 12 nominations. Judging Streep’s performance or the film based on 63 seconds of footage is totally ridiculous, but there is something playful and terrifying about the way her eyes sparkle when dressing-down those conservative muckety-mucks. If that’s the tone director Phyllida Lloyd wants to strike with Streep’s performance, maybe the advanced hype will turn out right.
VERDICT: And the winner is…
[via The Guardian]
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