Friday, January 28, 2011

Beyonce, Leonardo DiCaprio Lead Flurry Of Movie Remakes

Russell Brand, Willow Smith, Jonah Hill are just a few stars looking to revamp film and TV classics like 'Arthur', 'Annie' and '21 Jump Street.'
By Terri Schwartz


Beyoncé
Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

What do Willow Smith and Beyoncé have in common with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Kenny Wormald? They're all starring (or in talks to star) in the latest round of remakes of beloved films and TV shows coming down the pike.

On Thursday, news broke that Beyoncé would be starring in a Clint Eastwood-directed remake of the 1976 Barbra Streisand classic "A Star Is Born" (which was a remake of a 1954 movie that remade a 1937 film). In the meantime, Will Smith is reportedly petitioning Sony to remake "Annie" (the 1982 movie and 1977 musical) starring his 10-year-old daughter, Willow, best known for whipping her hair.

In October it was announced that Leonardo DiCaprio and best bud Tobey Maguire would be starring in Baz Luhrmann's 3-D retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby," with Carey Mulligan joining as Daisy Buchanan.

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum have been working on bringing the '80s Johnny Depp-starring television series "21 Jump Street" to the big screen since 2008, and they might even get Depp to cameo in it in time for the film's March 16, 2012, release date.

And let's not forget the long hunt for a Ren McCormack (the character Kevin Bacon made famous in 1984), after Zac Efron and Chace Crawford dropped out of the planned "Footloose" remake that finally landed dancer Kenny Wormald the role of his life.

Then there's "Arthur," the Russell Brand-starring remake of the 1981 screwball comedy about a happily drunk millionaire who risks everything for love. The film has tapped everyone from Helen Mirren to Greta Gerwig and Nick Nolte.

Two recently announced remakes are "Lethal Weapon" and "The Wizard of Oz," which are still in early development and without stars attached. Warner Bros. announced their plans to reboot the Mel Gibson-starring franchise on Thursday and tapped writer Will Beall to pen the script with completely new characters. And director Robert Zemeckis announced back in November that he planned on remaking the 1939 Technicolor classic using the script from the original film, with Warner Bros. hoping Robert Downey Jr. will play Oz.

Just this past year, films from "Clash of the Titans" to "The Karate Kid" to "A Nightmare on Elm Street" were remade for the big screen and were well-received by audiences. "Alice in Wonderland" and "Clash of the Titans" went on to become two of the top 10 highest-grossing films of 2010, while "Piranha 3D" and "The A-Team" also went on to strong successes, proving that there definitely is a market for these kinds of remakes.

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

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Ryan Seacrest, Josh Duhamel In Talks For 'New Year's Eve' Movie

Ice Cube has also been named as possible addition to all-star cast for Garry Marshall flick.
By Jocelyn Vena


Ryan Seacrest
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Who would have thought that Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Sienna Miller, Hilary Swank and Sofia Vergara wouldn't be enough Hollywood star power for one movie? Well, it seems that the brains behind the forthcoming movie "New Year's Eve" are looking to add even more high-profile talent to the lineup.

"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, Ice Cube and Josh Duhamel all are in talks to appear in the star-studded flick, which follows New Yorkers over the course of, you guessed it, New Year's Eve, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Seacrest would play himself in the movie, Duhamel would play a man looking to get to New York to reconnect with a mystery woman he met the year before, and Cube would play an NYPD cop who works with Swank, who will play the director of the Times Square New Year's Eve party. The flick is set to begin filming next month.

Earlier this week, "SNL" funnyman Seth Meyers and rocker Jon Bon Jovi signed on for roles in the Garry Marshall film, the sequel to 2010's "Valentine's Day." And at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this month, Efron confirmed his role in the movie to MTV News.

"I'm starting a movie in a couple of weeks called 'New Year's Eve,' with Garry Marshall. It's got a great cast," he shared. "My scenes are with Michelle Pfeiffer. Yeah, not a bad co-star."

Last year, Marshall spoke to MTV News about the film, which was then in its early stages, and had one other megastar in mind for the film. "Already they're mentioning Justin Bieber," he said. "Perhaps I'd better see who he is, so when he arrives on set, possibly [we can talk]. So we'll see."

Check out everything we've got on "New Year's Eve."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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What Will Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Video Look Like?

'Fans are really, really looking forward to her busting out moves,' one Spears expert tells MTV News.
By Nuzhat Naoreen, with additional reporting by Kimberly Reynolds


Britney Spears
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

The first time Kayla Brackson got a glimpse of Britney Spears' "I'm a Slave 4 U" video, she knew she had to learn the dance. So Kayla, who was only in middle school at the time and not allowed to watch anything Britney-related, grabbed her Walkman, snuck out to the tree house in her backyard and secretly practiced the steps over and over again.

"It just made me want to move. It was exciting," said Brackson, who is now 21. "It felt rebellious to do the dance because it was Britney."

"I'm a Slave 4 U" was just one of Spears' many iconic videos that resonated with fans and dance enthusiasts alike. Now, in anticipation of the upcoming video for her chart-topping single "Hold It Against Me," experts and fans are looking back at the dance videos that impacted them most and what they're expecting from her latest clip.

"She's such a phenomenal performer," said Robert Baker, owner and director of Millennium Dance Complex in North Hollywood, California, where Britney learned much of the choreography for many of her early videos. "She kind of draws you into her world, and that's what a great dancer does. They have a unique ability to speak through movement."

Baker listed "I'm a Slave 4 U," "Circus" and "Toxic" as some of Britney's most powerful dance videos, but said it was " ... Baby One More Time" that really set off a phenomenon.

"I think across the country and across the world, the same thing happened — this huge run to 'let's go learn that dance,' " he said, adding that his academy received a flood of requests after the premiere of the video from people wanting to pick up the routine.

Baker said Britney has been able to adapt to the times, and he has high expectations for the "Hold It Against Me" video, which is being choreographed by Brian Friedman. "What I'm hearing, one of the early things is that this new video is going to be phenomenal."

Aaron Mix, who runs the @britneysarmy Twitter account, got hooked on Britney after watching her " ... Baby One More Time" clip when he was 5 years old, and he's already planning to learn the dance moves for "Hold It Against Me."

"I think this one's going to be her biggest video yet," he predicted.

Jordan Miller, who runs the Britney fan site BreatheHeavy.com, said he hopes the upcoming video will go back to Britney's dance-heavy roots.

"Fans are really, really looking forward to her busting out moves," Miller said, naming "Overprotected (The Darkchild Remix)" as one of his favorite Britney dance videos.

Miller, who started his site six years ago, said Britney's choreography is what sets her apart from other pop stars. "People aren't looking at what she's wearing or the aesthetics of it; they're looking at her moves," he said. "She's so solid that anything she does is going to be imitated or mimicked."

JaQuel Knight, one of the choreographers for Britney's 2009 Circus Tour, as well as Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" video, shared a similar sentiment.

"Britney definitely has her own lane, and she shaped that lane 10 years ago," he said, adding that he's very excited about her latest project. "I want Britney to do a 5, 6, 7 and 8. I'm ready to see Britney dance."

Check out the embedded video to get a look at Britney's best dance moves throughout the years set against her latest single, "Hold It Against Me." And let us know what you're expecting from the "HIAM" clip in the comments below!

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Beyonce's Mom Says Daughter's Style Has Always Been 'Edgy'

'It's just a result of her constantly evolving,' Tina Knowles says of the fashion in Beyonce's "I Am ... World Tour" DVD concert special.
By Jocelyn Vena


Beyoncé
Photo: Paul Warner/ WireImage

Beyoncé has never been shy about hitting the stage in stunning costumes. Her appearance has always been a mixture of showgirl sparkle and pop star razzle-dazzle. And her style is on full display in her new DVD concert special, "I Am ... World Tour."

Her mom and stylist, Tina Knowles, said that while the looks may seem a bit edgier than what fans have seen from the singer in the past, she thinks that her superstar daughter has always been ahead of the style curve.

"Well, the wonderful Thierry Mugler designed the costumes, and I actually worked on some of the dancers and the band, and it was just amazing to work with him because he is so creative," Knowles told MTV News at a New York screening of the special. "So it's just a result of her constantly evolving, but she's been edgy. It's funny for people to say she went more edgy, but she's been wearing body suits and that type of thing."

And while Knowles may act as her daughter's stylist and costume designer, she says that Bey's style decisions are all her own. "Well, we discussed her working with Thierry Mugler, and I'm the biggest fan. And so she had seen some of the fashions and she loved it," she said. "So we always discuss things, but it's her decision, it's her career."

Beyoncé, who also directed the concert special , said it gave her a better understanding of the filmmaking process. "It was hard work," she said. "I learned so much. I have a new respect for directors and I think I would like to do more of it. ... Well, I've done some co-directing for music videos [but] this was definitely a big step for me, and I'm so thrilled."

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Thursday, January 27, 2011

Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Muse Added To Grammy Show

Usher, Jaden Smith, B.o.B, Janelle Monae and Lady Antebellum will also perform on February 13.
By Gil Kaufman


Justin Bieber and Usher
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

While Willow Smith is the one who made music headlines with "Whip My Hair" last year, it's her brother, "Karate Kid" actor Jaden Smith, who will take the stage at the upcoming 53rd Grammy Awards in a special performance alongside Usher and Justin Bieber, with whom he collaborated on the song "Never Say Never" last summer.

The trio joins a list of new performers added to the show on Thursday (January 20) that will also include another power trifecta made up of B.o.B, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe, according to a press release from the Recording Academy announcing the additions to the February 13 telecast from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Also taking the stage next month will be nominees Muse and Lady Antebellum. They will join a roster of previously announced performers that includes Eminem, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, Cee Lo Green and Miranda Lambert. It will be the first time on the Grammy performance stage for Bieber, B.o.B, Lambert, Mars, Monáe, Muse and Smith. Eminem, Green, Gaga, Perry, Usher and Lady Antebellum will be making return visits for the occasion.

While 11-time Grammy winner Eminem leads the pack in nominations this year (with 10 nods), Mars has seven nominations, and Gaga and Lady Antebellum are not far behind with six nods each. B.o.B has notched five, Perry and Green are each up for four, and Arcade Fire and Lambert are vying for three awards. Bieber, Muse, Usher and Monáe are each nominated for two Grammys.

No details of the collaborative performances were released, but the Grammy announcement promised a rare, never-before-seen event for the Mars, B.o.B and Monáe segment.

With the addition of Antebellum, all five Album of the Year nominees (Eminem, Arcade Fire, Gaga, Perry) are now scheduled to perform on the show. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.

Which Grammy performance are you most looking forward to? Talk about it in the comments!

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Usher 'Got A Good Laugh' From Fan Kicking Him In The Face

'It looked worse than it actually was,' the 'OMG' singer laughs about accidental blow during concert serenade.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Usher
Photo: Jordan Strauss/ Getty Images

Usher's club-rattling jam "OMG" may "kill it every night" according to tourmate Miguel, but when the Atlanta crooner hit Madison Square Garden earlier this week, he was almost taken out by a clumsy fan.

When the singer touched down in New York on Monday, he indulged a super amped fan's fantasy by pulling her onstage for an intimate flirty serenade of "Trading Places." As Usher and the concertgoer got cozy on a recliner, she swiveled around to face the crooner — knocking him squarely in his mug with her foot. She began apologizing profusely as Usher briefly paused to collect himself. But the superstar took the strike in stride, quipping, "We play rough in the bed. We kick each other in the face and all type of good stuff."

Although Usher brushed off the blow, the moment did make an impression on him.

"In all my years, this is one of the most interesting experiences. I got a kick out of it!" he told Us Weekly. The singer assured fans that the knock wasn't that bad. "It looked worse than it actually was. My audience and I got a good laugh."

As for the fan, the "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love" star maintained everything is all good on that front too. "Wherever you are baby, don't feel bad," Usher said. "No hard feelings."

As Miguel has noted, Usher isn't one dwell on drama, whether it's cranking out another hit album or weathering an unexpected hit from a fan.

"He's such a tremendous example of perseverance and determination," Miguel recently told MTV News. "I was there throughout this album, so I've seen the adversity that he's had to overcome perception-wise."

What do you think of Usher's response to getting knocked in the head by a fan? Tell us in the comments!

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Neil Diamond Turns 70, Ready For Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction

Wow. Neil Diamond is 70 today. The singer/songwriter has spent 50 of those 70 years in the entertainment business, cranking out a hefty collection of big hits and classic tunes. And then there’s the�sequin-adorned shirts.
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Today, the heavy metal world lost a true legend. Ronnie James Dio, who most recently fronted the Black Sabbath-without-Ozzy band Heaven & Hell, lost his battle with stomach cancer at 7:45 a.m. PST. He was 67.
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Katy Perry Unveils Artwork For New Single, 'E.T.'

'Stay tuned for a new music video,' Teenage Dream singer teases.
By Jocelyn Vena


Artwork for Katy Perry's "E.T."
Photo: Capitol Records/ EMI

As expected, Katy Perry is set to release the track "E.T." as her next Teenage Dream single. It follows in the footsteps of smashes like "California Gurls," "Teenage Dream" and "Firework."

Perry made the announcement on her Facebook page, releasing artwork for the single. In the black-and-white photograph, Perry sports blunt bangs, a heavy cat eye and a top that appears to be made of pleather and fish-scale sequins.

"Here's a sneak peek of the artwork for 'E.T.,' the next single off 'Teenage Dream'!" the message says. "Stay tuned for a new music video and remixes coming soon."

While little else is known about the video, Perry has made it her mission to keep releasing memorable clips. "I'm looking forward to making music videos on this new album," she said late last year about Teenage Dream. "There's a story to the songs. ... I'm really excited about ... making those music videos that are going to be larger than life."

Perry has been playing "E.T." live recently. Last month at Z-100's Jingle Ball, the spirited singer joked about the spacey dance track, telling the crowd, "This next song is about falling in love with a foreigner, like far away ... not even in England."

In addition to prepping her next single, Perry has been busy tweeting up a storm about her Grammy performance and California Dreams Tour, which kicks off next month. "Cotton Candy angel is working up a treat you'll NEVER forget for GRAMMY'S & TOUR!" she wrote earlier this week.

Is "E.T." a good choice for Katy Perry's next single? Sound off below!

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