After spending four years and five movies playing Bella Swan’s vampire sister-in-law Rosalie Hale in the Twilight series, Nikki Reed understandably has a bittersweet perspective on the billion-dollar franchise coming to a close in this week’s Breaking Dawn Part 2. On the one hand, she won’t miss the hate mail from fans who have taken her character’s onscreen iciness to Kristen Stewart’s heroine to heart for four films. But few of Twilight’s central figures have been as close to the saga as long as Reed has, dating back to even before director Catherine Hardwicke had cast Stewart and Robert Pattinson in the roles that would skyrocket them, the films, and all of their cast, to global fame.
“Catherine called me seven or eight months before it was happening and she was like, ‘Hey, do you like the vampire genre? Because there’s this thing I’m thinking about and there are actually some books, and some fans — I don’t know if you’re into it…’ It was that sort of conversation,” said Reed, who at the time had acted in a handful of indie films including 2003’s Thirteen, which she co-wrote with director Hardwicke.
Tempted by the role of Edward Cullen’s disapproving adopted sister Rosalie, Reed decided against early retirement from acting and took the gig, joining Stewart, Pattinson, and their fellow Twilight cast mates at the film’s Portland shoot — the first and last time the cast would be able to make a Twilight movie in relative anonymity. “We were just kids, and no one knew who anyone was,” Reed remembered. “There were no stars, there was no celebrity. We were just people together.”
Fast forward to 2012: Reed has four non-Twilight films in the…
Full Story »The Twilight world is reeling with the revelation that Kristen Stewart cheated on Robert Pattinson with her Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders, confirmed in a public apology issued by Stewart today. Needless to say, people have questions. What was she thinking? What exactly is going on in those car photos? And, more importantly for the billion-dollar franchise sprouted from KStew and RPattz’s on- and rumored offscreen love: With The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 approaching theaters this November, having capitalized on Stewart and Pattinson’s recent displays of public PDA, how will the box office-boosting faithful react to the news of behind the scenes infidelity and betrayal?
US Weekly’s expose on Stewart’s affair with the married Sanders (who cast his wife, model Liberty Ross, as Stewart’s mother in SWATH) hits newsstands Friday, although damning photographs leaked early prompting Stewart’s admission on Wednesday. The steamy snaps of 22-year-old Stewart and her 41-year-old director were taken just days before Stewart made a fan-pleasing appearance at the Teen Choice Awards alongside Pattinson, with whom she reportedly shares a home.
“I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I’ve caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected,” Stewart said in an apology issued today. “This momentary indiscretion has jeopardized the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob. I love him, I love him, I’m so sorry.”
2008’s Twilight film rose to popularity on the strength of Stephenie Meyer’s book series fanbase, but the chemistry between Stewart and Pattinson gave Summit’s franchise-starter an offscreen hook that launched a record-breaking franchise. The heat between the two that sparked in Pattinson’s Twilight audition in director…
Full Story »Well, that was fast: Just hours after Josh Hutcherson gamely threw his support behind Hunger Games director Gary Ross, Ross has officially announced he’s not directing the franchise sequel, Catching Fire. “I simply don’t have the time I need to write and prep the movie I would have wanted to make,” wrote Ross in a statement. More after the jump.
Whatever happened behind the scenes, Ross and Lionsgate’s joint statements make a point to emphasize that not directing Catching Fire was Ross’s decision, not the studio’s — a nicety that conveys good terms whether or not tough negotiations over salary and the like were had.
Similar sentiments were expressed back in 2008 when, after opening the first Twilight film at number 1 on the way to a $392 million global take, director Catherine Hardwicke and Summit parted ways. Back then, the reason given was that Hardwicke’s desired amount of time to properly develop the sequel was longer than what the studio wanted to allot. “I am sorry that due to timing I will not have the opportunity to direct New Moon,” Hardwicke said in December 2008. “Directing Twilight has been one of the great experiences of my life, and I am grateful to the fans for their passionate support of the film. I wish everyone at Summit the best with the sequel — it is a great story.
Compare that with Ross’s statement and let the wild speculation roll as to why Ross is truly out — and, more importantly, who’ll step in to fill his director’s chair on the rapidly approaching Catching Fire, said to be slated to begin filming as early as this August.
Despite recent speculation
…
Full Story »Well, that was fast: Just hours after Josh Hutcherson gamely threw his support behind Hunger Games director Gary Ross, Ross has officially announced he’s not directing the franchise sequel, Catching Fire. “I simply don’t have the time I need to write and prep the movie I would have wanted to make,” wrote Ross in a statement. More after the jump.
Whatever happened behind the scenes, Ross and Lionsgate’s joint statements make a point to emphasize that not directing Catching Fire was Ross’s decision, not the studio’s — a nicety that conveys good terms whether or not tough negotiations over salary and the like were had.
Similar sentiments were expressed back in 2008 when, after opening the first Twilight film at number 1 on the way to a $392 million global take, director Catherine Hardwicke and Summit parted ways. Back then, the reason given was that Hardwicke’s desired amount of time to properly develop the sequel was longer than what the studio wanted to allot. “I am sorry that due to timing I will not have the opportunity to direct New Moon,” Hardwicke said in December 2008. “Directing Twilight has been one of the great experiences of my life, and I am grateful to the fans for their passionate support of the film. I wish everyone at Summit the best with the sequel — it is a great story.
Compare that with Ross’s statement and let the wild speculation roll as to why Ross is truly out — and, more importantly, who’ll step in to fill his director’s chair on the rapidly approaching Catching Fire, said to be slated to begin filming as early as this August.
Despite recent speculation
…
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Promoting his indie genre-bender Detention today in Los Angeles (in theaters Friday), Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson found himself in the line of questioning about the much-discussed ambiguity surrounding director Gary Ross’s potential return to the franchise. “I think Gary’s the man,” he diplomatically told The Hollywood Reporter. “Gary is in my mind is the only one that could ever direct the second one. That’s what I’m sticking to.” (UPDATE: Looks like Hutcherson’ll have to readjust his thinking – Ross is officially out of the running for Catching Fire.)
Also speaking with ComingSoon, the erstwhile Peeta Mellark stood his ground on Team Ross. “He killed the first one, absolutely knocked it out of the park. Everyone loved him. Myself, Jennifer and the others loved him. I couldn’t imagine making another movie without him, so that’s what I have to say about that.”
Ross is still reportedly hashing out the Catching Fire gig with Lionsgate despite suggestions that the two had reached an impasse in negotiations. For the time being, the studio isn’t quite ready to pull a Catherine Hardwicke and announce the search for a new franchise director. But the clock is still ticking, especially if the next book in Suzanne Collins’ bestselling Hunger Games series is set to begin filming later this summer…
[THR, ComingSoon]
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Promoting his indie genre-bender Detention today in Los Angeles (in theaters Friday), Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson found himself in the line of questioning about the much-discussed ambiguity surrounding director Gary Ross’s potential return to the franchise. “I think Gary’s the man,” he diplomatically told The Hollywood Reporter. “Gary is in my mind is the only one that could ever direct the second one. That’s what I’m sticking to.”
Also speaking with ComingSoon, the erstwhile Peeta Mellark stood his ground on Team Ross. “He killed the first one, absolutely knocked it out of the park. Everyone loved him. Myself, Jennifer and the others loved him. I couldn’t imagine making another movie without him, so that’s what I have to say about that.”
Ross is still reportedly hashing out the Catching Fire gig with Lionsgate despite suggestions that the two had reached an impasse in negotiations. For the time being, the studio isn’t quite ready to pull a Catherine Hardwicke and announce the search for a new franchise director. But the clock is still ticking, especially if the next book in Suzanne Collins’ bestselling Hunger Games series is set to begin filming later this summer…
[THR, ComingSoon]
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Swedish actress Noomi Rapace was first introduced to American audiences as the vengeful, goth-like titular character in the European Girl With the Dragon Tattoo film franchise, and now, Rapace will switch modes entirely to play a ’60s Swedish pop singer in Catherine Hardwicke’s upcoming Anita Lindblom biopic. More details on the project, which co-stars Rapace’s real-life ex-husband, ahead.
Written by Swedish scribe Peter Birro, the still-untitled film centers on Lindblom’s well-publicized romance with boxer Högberg, who will be played by Rapace’s real-life ex-husband Ola Rapace. Rapace has reportedly been training as a boxer for four years in anticipation of this project.
Hardwicke (Thirteen, Twilight) told Screen Daily today that she was drawn to the script because “it throws us back into Swedish celebrity culture of the 1960s, where the name is more important than the person.”
Shooting is scheduled to begin this fall. In the meantime, here’s a video of the Swedish pop singer/actress singing her biggest hit “SÃ¥nt är livet” or in English, “Such Is Life.”
· Hardwicke to direct Noomi Rapace in Anita Lindblom story [Screen Daily via ToH]
Full Story »· “I finished 2 paintings this weekend,” David Arquette wrote on Twitter. “This one is of The Dali [sic] Lama.” Well, then! Click through to see Arquette’s artistic side — hopefully there’s room to hang this one in his crazy-cool office — and then stick around for more Buzz Break.
[via davidarquette]
· Guess what, friends? They put out another poster for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II. Amazing. Click through to check it out. [EW]
· Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke says she may auction off the bed that Edward and Bella first kissed on, with proceeds going to Step Up Women’s Network. Squeeee! [Hollywood Life]
· Super 8 director J.J. Abrams has seen some footage from the Brad Bird-directed Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. “It’s going great. And the IMAX footage in particular is looking INSANE,” Abrams said. Noted. [/Film]
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Following the disappointing fantasy dud Red Riding Hood, Catherine Hardwicke will direct an adaptation that’s perhaps more in her wheelhouse: the angsty female friendship drama The Bitch Posse. Martha O’Conner’s 2006 novel follows three damaged heroines from their senior year of high school into their 30s, divided by a terrible secret that tears them apart. Sex, drugs, cutting — what three young actresses could take on this material? Get to fantasy casting, Movieliners!
Rennie: The smart one who sleeps with her teacher and becomes a failed novelist.
Amy: The goody-goody with alcoholic parents who winds up stuck in a loveless marriage.
Cherry: The one who loses it and winds up in a mental hospital after a fateful, life-changing event all three friends share.
Glamour UK compared the book to Heathers, and the novel itself comes with a label warning: “You Have Now Entered a Chick-Lit-Free Zone.” Thank. Goodness. Here’s hoping Hardwicke takes the opportunity to tap into the raw teen emotions of Thirteen and delivers all the torment, self-destruction, and no-holds barred grittiness this project promises.
· ‘Twilight’ Helmer Catherine Hardwicke Takes On ‘The Bitch Posse’ [Deadline]
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If Catherine Hardwicke’s comments regarding why she was never asked to direct The Fighter didn’t point enough to Hollywood’s celluloid ceiling, Jodie Foster’s explanation in the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday adds psychological reasons to the issue. Why do female directors only account for 7 percent of Hollywood movies? Is there a specific resistance from executives? The two-time Oscar-winner lays it out.
Said Foster, who was promoting her movie The Beaver, the dearth of lady directors has to do with a pervasive (and shallow) executive idea of “risk aversion.”
“I don’t think it’s a plot and these guys sat around and said let’s keep these women out,” Foster said. “I think it’s like race psychology. When a producer hires a director, you’re hiring away your control completely. You’re bringing on somebody that will change everything. When you give that amount of power up, you want them to look like you and talk like you and think like you and it’s scary when they don’t, because what’s gonna happen? I’m gonna hand over $60 million to somebody I don’t know. I hope they look like me.”
When it was mentioned that many studio executives do, in fact, look like her — a 48-year-old white female veteran of the industry, Foster nodded. “And name the lists that come out of the female studio executives: guy, guy, guy, guy,” she said. “Their job is to be as risk-averse as possible. They see female directors as a risk.”
This is the kind of news that makes me extra-excited for director Lorene Scafaria’s upcoming comedy with Steve Carell, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, and angrier about Sigourney Weaver’s offhand remark that The Hurt…
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