We all know what the Muppets did for Joe Biden, but what might a wincingly cute monster doll do for the new thriller Splice? How about making it the most adorable bloodthirsty genetic freak in movie history? Seriously, as evinced by actress Delphine Chanéac at this week's Los Angeles premiere, nothing beats a well-placed plush mutant -- particularly one that grows up to become perhaps a little too intimate with its creators/default parents. Even Robert Downey Jr. showed up, and he was the second cuddliest creature on the carpet. OK -- third cuddliest, after Joel Silver and Dren the Plush Monster. Where's mine, Warners? [IMDB]
In this crowded movie season with global premieres almost every day, how can a star make sure his own arrival stands out? By arriving in a wacky vehicle, of course! Bradley Cooper's tank entrance to the A-Team premiere last night is only the latest example of the lengths that an actor must go to in order to make a splash, though the results are often more dorky than over-the-top macho. Here are five of the best examples.
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After two seasons, HBO has pulled the plug on The Life & Times of Tim. But hope isn't lost for fans of the animated series: Producing company MRC is rumored to have shopped the series to Comedy Central, Adult Swim and TBS. If any HBO cartoon deserves a second life, it's this one -- and I hope the folks at the overrated The Ricky Gervais Show know it. [Deadline]
I remember January 15, 2009, like it was yesterday -- the first day of the Sundance Film Festival, where filmmakers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa had just checked in at fest headquarters and seated themselves in the industry lounge for a morning snack. They had brought with them their directorial debut and arguably Sundance's biggest bidding-war candidate, I Love You Phillip Morris. I watched them field one phone call, then another, then depart almost as quickly as they arrived, thinking the filmmakers were at the hectic beginning of everyone's festival dream. Instead, as a new court ruling suggests, it was the first day of their worst nightmare.
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Looks like Sexy Cowgirl will never get her chance to be a hero. The world reacted with bemused cheers the other day when Avatar director James Cameron met with the EPA to brainstorm methods to stop BP's oil-gushing leak. What he didn't reveal until now? BP itself turned down his offers of help. (Just picture Paul Reiser delivering this news to Cameron with sleazy faux-regretfulness after trying to put an alien parasite down Newt's throat.)
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After comparing the paparazzi habit of hunting her down and harassing her until they get a picture to rape, Kristen Stewart has been hunted down and harassed by the public until they get an apology. "I've made stupid remarks before, and I've always reasoned: 'Whatever. They can think what they want,'" she told People before admitting, "People thinking that I'm insensitive about this subject rips my guts out. I made a big mistake." [People]
Hollywood has a new cute couple! Last night, at the Lakers/Celtics game in Los Angeles, the May/December union of Dustin Hoffman, 72, and Jason Bateman, 41, was revealed for all the world when a kiss-cam landed on the two actors and they decided to go for it with gusto. What cutesy nickname shall we give this new union? Hoff...man? Bate...man? Dammit. [Towleroad]
Since Hollywood is running out of 1980s television series to pillage and plunder for big screen glory, why not turn to the 1780s next? Fresh off the success of Alice in Wonderland, studios are already planning reboots of Cinderella and The Great and Powerful Oz -- and now comes word of Snow White getting the makeover treatment. But before you take a bite out of that forbidden apple and end it all, just remember: This isn't your grandfather's Snow White. Right, producer Brett Ratner?
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Nothing warms the heart quite like a note from Tyler Perry to his fans, who this morning took a break from pursuing his credit-card hackers to get the lowdown on his sumptuous island getaway with an unnamed "very special friend." ("We're sunbathing and swimming, I'm flying my RC planes.") A sumptuous island getaway which, by the way, Mariah Carey happened to cut short when she suddenly dropped out of his film For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf less than a week before shooting.
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No wonder Shrek is green. McDonald's is being forced to recall 12 million Shrek Forever After-themed drinking glasses because the painted design -- which the AP story hilariously calls "cheap" -- contains the toxic metal cadmium. And -- wouldn't you know it -- cadmium is a known carcinogen that can cause bone softening and severe kidney problems. Good job, everyone! Do you want fries with that? [MSNBC]
· Blomkvist. Mikael Blomkvist. Daniel Craig is in talks with Columbia Pictures to star in David Fincher's eagerly awaited adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. If he signs on, Craig would play journalist-turned-detective Mikael Blomkvist, a part originally ear-marked for Brad Pitt. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is another possible franchise for Craig, as the other two books in Stieg Larsson's Millennium series could be turned into feature films as well -- and as is customary nowadays, shot back-to-back. Between this and Cowboys & Aliens it looks like somebody is preparing for the next James Bond to be delayed for quite some time -- if it happens at all. [Deadline]
Jeremy Renner gets his own codpiece, more Marvel casting and the rest of Hollywood Ink after the jump.
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Welcome back to Movieline Attractions, your regular guide to everything new, noteworthy and/or utterly debauched at the movies. And this week that debauchery comes in many forms -- from the genre nasties to the rock-and-roll crazies to the tentpole uglies, you are covered, friends. So let's hop over the electric fence and see if we can't get into some trouble.
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· Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth were on The View today, and wouldn't you know it, the Newsweek controversy came up! When asked how he felt about Ramin Setoodeh's assertion that he wasn't believable playing a straight person, Hayes called the argument "asinine" and eventually compared his ability to do so to Tobey Maguire's ability to play Spider-Man. Don't rub salt in poor Tobey's wound, Sean. Video after the jump. [Towleroad]
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The year-ago death of David Carradine inspired explorations into lady-boys and autoerotic asphyxiation, but the actor's wife has added another strange chapter to the story. According to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ, she's alleging that the director of Carradine's final film is responsible for his death because he snubbed the actor when Carradine was late to a dinner date, which naturally would lead a person to choke himself to death while masturbating. Case closed! [TMZ]
Broadway vets-cum-Glee stars Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele will perform at the 2010 Tony Awards on June 13 at Radio City Music Hall. Perhaps they'll chirp "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" under a giant screen with Sue Sylvester on it. I'd settle for that, since a full-choir rendition of "We Will F*ck You" seems like a bit of a long shot. [Zap2It]
