· Fresh off defying gravity for what seemed like an eternity in Inception, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was photographed on the set of Premium Rush hoping to defy New York City taxicabs, pedestrians, and charley horses. In the film, JoGo plays a bike messenger on the run from a crooked cop (Michael Shannon). He also eats a banana. That pic plus more Buzz Break after the jump.
Some movies are going into this year's Comic-Con as returning heroes (like Tron Legacy, which has been shown off to great effect for two years running) or sure things (like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, which could have been conceived in a Comic-Con test tube), but there are several big films that have a lot to prove at the Con -- and a lot to lose. Here are six properties that could go either way:
It's probably a good thing that Scream 4 hasn't been in the news lately, since the last time it was, director Wes Craven and star co-star Hayden Panettiere were not-so-subtly complaining about the production. But what a difference a few weeks makes! Or, at least that's what Panettiere would have you believe. Warning: Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
The conversation about whether or not Mel Gibson's mainstream movie career is done for got even less complicated today: The actor-producer-director's sixth published rant at Oksana Grigorieva explicitly invokes the act of both woman- and child-hitting, Gibson's not-so-reassuring response to which you'll find in the NSFW audio after the jump. Be warned: It's bad.
I guess if you're 87-year-old Sumner Redstone, there's a certain aloof magic that accompanies your self-appointment-for-life as Viacom kingpin. Not that his public boldness is anything especially new (ask everyone from his daughter to Tom Cruise), but his latest pickle offers a unique new perspective on his megapower's dark side. Why? It's all on tape! Click through and listen in.
How close are Jenna Fischer and Jeff Probst? Apparently, the Thursday night staples have been BFFs for years, so much so that Probst recently interrupted a Survivor hosting stint in Nicaragua to officiate Fischer's wedding to writer Lee Kirk. I hope he then opened up the wedding to include bitter, butt-hurt questions from a jury of their rejected peers. [People]
If you happen to be among Movieline's overheated New York readership, I know a place where A/C, fine film, and scintillating conversation will coalesce this evening in a sweet summer respite. And you are invited! Like, obviously. Meanwhile, we'll bring the stars. Intrigued? Read on!
OK, so maybe Inception will gross more than Salt. After taking in perfectly solid $62 million over the weekend, the Christopher Nolan film pulled down a whopping $10 million on Monday. To put that in perspective, box office phenom Toy Story 3 grabbed $15 million on its first Monday. So, great. If it keeps up this pace throughout the week Inception could hit $100 million by Friday. The word of mouth is strong with this one, kids. [Box Office]
A lot of Web commentators will no doubt spin entire hypothetical stories, subplots and other random determinations from Monday night's press release confirming Hansel and Gretel, a 3D adaptation of the Grimms' forest-bound fairy tale to be co-produced by Michael Bay. But I think this calls for a more enlightening, interactive approach. In other words: You tell everyone else what to expect -- and do it in 10 words or less.
Sam Raimi might have just set his dance card for the next decade... Rob Lowe hits the hard stuff... Keenen Ivory Wayans strikes again... This and more as Hollywood Ink continues after the jump.
· We were going to post a video of a multiplex audience groaning at the Devil trailer when M. Night Shyalaman's name appeared, but because NBC blocked that, we're settling for second best: footage of M. Night Shyamalan with Jackson Rathbone telling an admittedly rude reporter at a Mexico City press conference, "If I thought like you, I'd kill myself." [ONTD]
Ordinary subway patrons may love it when Darth Vader shows up unannounced, but Lucasfilm representatives aren't as keen on the idea. In fact, they've gone and banned the man who played Darth Vader from an upcoming Star Wars get-together.
DirecTV is ending this long, hot Monday on a high note. The company has announced that it is rescuing Damages from cancellation by offering a two-season run to the FX series, which has garnered Glenn Close back-to-back Emmys. What's more, unlike Friday Night Lights (where DirecTV partnered with NBC), Damages will not have a second run on a broadcast network. Now, if only DirecTV could save Party Down... [NYT]
All eight boardwalk brawlers on Jersey Shore -- from The Situation to Sammi -- are reported to earn close to $30,000 an episode for the filming of season "2.5," which is set to begin shooting this week. The cast members secured the raise after they went on strike yesterday, but honestly, the big bucks should go to the best parts of the show: DJ Pauly D, JWOWW, and the "grenades." [THR]
It's not really "news" that Harry Connick Jr. is a contestant favorite to replace Simon Cowell on American Idol. But I just like to throw my own quick endorsement his way, if only for his admirable, riot-sparking work last year on the Aussie talent show Hey Hey It's Saturday. Only an honest man can enliven the flagging franchise, and besides Cowell, only Connick has the proven ability to really torpedo an act on national television. I say yes, yes, a hundred times yes. Yes? [Zap2It]
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