The Bunny reigned supreme again as Hop grabbed the top spot for a second weekend, but at the expense of Russell Brand's other comedy, Arthur, which could only muster a distant second place finish. In fact, when final number come rolling in tomorrow, it may be beaten out by Hanna, which notched a very close third place, followed by inspirational stump film Soul Surfer. And poor Your Highness came in at 6th, proving perhaps that a little Danny McBride goes a long way. Your weekend receipts are here.
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The late filmmaker Sidney Lumet leaves behind a half-century's worth of masterpieces (12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Network, The Verdict), misfires (The Wiz, Gloria, Guilty as Sin), and enduring curios (Last of the Mobile Hot Shots, The Group, The Offense). Among that body of work are a few vital lessons any moviegoer would do well to take to heart.
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When last we checked in on the Colin Farrell-led remake of Total Recall, Bryan Cranston had been cast as baddie Vilos Cohaagen (as in "Gif de peeple der ahhr, Cohaagen") and the movie would actually have precious little to do with Mars, centering instead on "Euromerica." Well, the worm has turned, Mars could be back in play and Jessica Biel may join the merry crew.
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Man, all that time in Thailand for nothing. Director Todd Phillips has revealed that Liam Neeson's tattoo artist cameo in The Hangover 2 has been cut from the film. No, Zack Galifianakis didn't organize another protest; this time the culprit was Clash of the Titans 2. Neeson was too busy reprising his role as Zeus to join reshoots of his tattoo parlor scene, so actor Nick Cassavettes has filled in for the bit role. I'm sorry if you were hoping for the phone to ring, Mel Gibson. [E!]
We might be so over James Franco, but like a Kleenex box filled with soulful, squinty-eyed hipsters, there's another one to pop up and take his place. Yes, brother Dave Franco has just been cast in the 21 Jump Street movie, joining the already-cast undercover narcs Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill.
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Shades of Jude Law! Audiences this Friday had their choice of unfunny Russell Brand comedies this weekend, but the bulk of them chose to stay with last weekend's champ, Hop, pushing Arthur to the number two slot. The strong, independent ladies of Hanna and Soul Surfer came in at four and five, respectively, while the dungeons 'n stoners comedy Your Highness got no higher than number five. Your Friday box office is here.
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Sidney Lumet, the filmmaker whose sincere, sensitive work with a stunning cross-section of actors and writers yielded some of the most enduring films of the last 50 years, died this morning at his home in New York City. He was 86.
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As in: Here, let me get the door, and let us flee this week for the fresh air of the weekend. It's been a good one, though, right? I mean, so much Helen Mirren! Let Movieline's Week in Review jog your memory, and drop by Saturday and Sunday for the artisanal verbal handiwork of weekend editor Dixon Gaines. Have a good one!
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Josh Pence, better known as the actor who was shafted in The Social Network when producers superimposed Armie Hammer's visage on his, has been cast in The Dark Knight Rises. The actor will play a young Ra's Al Ghul (Batman's mentor-turned-enemy) in flashback scenes. Here's to hoping that the actor gets, quite literally, the face time he deserves. [THR]
Here's some exciting casting news to end the week with: Tobey Maguire has joined the cast of Ang Lee's 3D adaptation of the bestselling novel Life of Pi. The former Spider-man will play a writer who interviews the main character (played as an adult by Slumdog Millionaire's Irfan Khan) about his experience aboard a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. Gerard Depardieu and Adil Hussain round out the cast. Maguire previously worked with Lee on The Ice Storm and Ride With the Devil. [Variety]
Scream 4 promises to be one of the scariest Hayden Panettiere movies ever, but it didn't occur without setback (as Wes Craven, who doesn't sound thrilled with the process, can attest). Screenwriter Kevin Williamson is finally revealing the details about his fight with Bob Weinstein over creative differences and explains that he never abandoned the series. But you can blame vampires for the confusion!
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Deadline reports that visual effects veteran Tim Miller (X-Men, X2, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) has graduated to the helm of Fox's Deadpool, which is currently being written by Zombieland scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. But with its star currently carrying another studio's comic book tent pole (Green Lantern), how soon will Deadpool happen with Reynolds -- and will it be the Deadpool movie that Reynolds wants to make?
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Upright Citizens Brigade co-founder Matt Walsh (Outsourced) called on a dozen of his fellow comedians to act in his directorial debut High Road, an improvised film about a weed dealer (James F. Pumphrey) torn between his "career," his musical aspirations, and his pregnant girlfriend (Abby Elliott). Hit the trailer after the jump and see how many of your favorite comedy players, including veterans of The State, Saturday Night Live, and Walsh's short-lived series Players show up in the lo-fi indie comedy. (Well hello, Horatio Sanz!)
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This weekend brings us Soul Surfer, the inspirational true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who continued pursuing the sport even after a shark made off with one of her arms. And while the latest in CG effects allow actress AnnaSophia Robb to appear to be missing a limb for most of the film's running time, Hollywood's fascination with amputees predates such elaborate digital trickery. Check out our favorite limb-lacking characters after the jump, and add your own suggestions in the comments.
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Movieline's favorite purveyor of black stereotypes, Tyler Perry, has secured himself a place in heaven this week by tackling his own real-life house of pain project. The prolific writer/director/playwright rebuilt and furnished a home for an 88-year-old woman who lost her Georgia house in a fire a week before Christmas. After hearing about the story, Perry vowed to reconstruct the dwelling for her and her seven grand- and great-grandchildren who live with her. Perry and the family celebrated the finished product with a ceremony today in Coweta County. Congratulations. [AP]
