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| J.J. Abrams, Jerry Weintraub 'Westworld' adaptation ordered by HBO Friday, Aug 30, 2013 06:22 PM PDT By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - HBO is taking a run at the classic sci-fi film "Westworld." The premium cable network has given a pilot production commitment to a series adaptation of the 1973 film. The one-hour drama is being executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jerry Weintraub and Bryan Burk. Jonathan Nolan ("Person of Interest") is writing and directing as well as executive producing, with Lisa Joy ("Burn Notice") also writing and executive producing. Kathy Lingg is co-executive producing. ... Full Story | Top |
| Syria Crisis: How the networks are covering Friday, Aug 30, 2013 06:22 PM PDT  By Sara Morrison LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - President Obama addressed the nation on Friday to discuss his plans for the country's intervention in Syria following revelations that the country used chemical weapons on its own citizens. Obama said last year that Syria's usage of chemical weapons would be a "red line," forcing America and other nations to intervene. With evidence that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's administration killed more than 1,400 people and injured thousands more with some kind of chemical weapon, Obama said there would be a response from the United States. ... Full Story | Top |
| Kurt Russell eyed for role in 'Fast & Furious 7' Friday, Aug 30, 2013 04:18 PM PDT  By Jeff Sneider LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Kurt Russell, whose last major movie role was Quentin Tarantino's 2007 thriller "Death Proof," is in negotiations to join James Wan's "Fast and Furious 7," an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap. Russell is a genre fan favorite, having starred in John Carpenter's "Escape from New York," "The Thing" and "Big Trouble in Little China." Russell is repped by CAA. Full Story | Top |
| Roman Polanski book tiptoes around 'Chinatown' director's notorious past Friday, Aug 30, 2013 04:17 PM PDT  By Diane Garrett LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - When Roman Polanski agreed to collaborate with James Greenberg, the author knew he had a problem: How should he address the "Chinatown" and "Pianist" director's messy personal life in the career retrospective? Polanski gave his blessing to the project on the grounds it wouldn't focus on notorious episodes in his past, yet they are inextricably wrapped up on his identity. Greenberg felt he couldn't ignore wife Sharon Tate's grisly murder and Polanski's subsequent sex charges with an underage girl completely. ... Full Story | Top |
| Universal delays 'Dracula,' sets date for comedy 'Search Party' Friday, Aug 30, 2013 04:13 PM PDT By Michael Balderston LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Universal Studios has delayed its "Dracula" pic from next summer to October 2014, while dating comedy "Search Party" for September of next year. "Dracula," staring Luke Evans and directed by Gary Shore, is an origin story of how Dracula became the infamous vampire. The film was originally slated for August 8, 2014, but will now hit screens on October 3, 2014. Michael De Luca produces. Getting a September 12, 2014 release date is the comedy "Search Party. ... Full Story | Top |
| What are the hottest returning TV shows? Let's ask Wikia Friday, Aug 30, 2013 04:11 PM PDT By Tim Molloy LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - You've heard a lot about the new shows getting the buzz this fall - but what about the returning shows? Last season, almost all of television's 30 top-rated shows were in at least their second season. And some old favorites - including "The Big Bang Theory" and "The Bachelor" - made big gains. What returning shows might come back strong this year? According to Wikia, home to a vast archive of wikis about all forms of entertainment, people are eager to read up on CW's "Arrow," CBS's "2 Broke Girls," and Fox's "New Girl. ... Full Story | Top |
| 'The Glades' canceled by A&E Friday, Aug 30, 2013 04:09 PM PDT By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "The Glades" is no more. A&E has canceled the crime drama, which wrapped up its fourth season on Monday. The drama starred Matt Passmore as Jim Longworth, a homicide detective from Chicago who takes a job with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement after being falsely accused of sleeping with his captain's wife. The series drew 3.408 million total viewers with its Monday finale, according to TV By the Numbers - up from previous finales. However, Season 4 as a whole didn't fare as well, averaging 2. ... Full Story | Top |
| Ethan Hawke/Selena Gomez 'Getaway' avoids worst-reviewed status with 1 'fresh' on Rotten Tomatoes Friday, Aug 30, 2013 04:08 PM PDT  By Josh Dickey LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "Getaway" got away from the dubious distinction of 0% on Rotten Tomatoes with a positive review from Norman Wilner of Now Toronto, who praised the film's quick pace and pared-down story to save it from a potential record-worst. As TheWrap previously reported, the Ethan Hawke/Selena Gomez car-chase thriller was speeding toward a spot in Rotten Tomatoes' worst-of-all-time list with 55 green splats - all of them harshly negative - as of Thursday night. But Wilner's thumbs-up, posted sometime overnight Friday, stopped the bleeding. ... Full Story | Top |
| Jay-Z documentary 'Made in America' lands with Showtime Friday, Aug 30, 2013 04:06 PM PDT  By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - It's Showtime for Jay Z, Kanye West and Pearl Jam. Cable network Showtime has acquired the documentary "Made in America," which interweaves performances from last Labor Day weekend's Budweiser "Made in America" music festival in Philadelphia with inspirational stories. The film, which makes its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, will premiere on Showtime on October 11 at 9 p.m. ... Full Story | Top |
| Why aren't Jennifer Hudson & Adam Lambert good enough for 'American Idol'? Friday, Aug 30, 2013 03:39 PM PDT  By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - It's widely known that Fox's "American Idol" has been in constant flux in the time since Season 12 wrapped. Shrinking ratings has led to all but one judge, Keith Urban, moving on and both founding executive producers fired and replaced. And as one after another artist turns down the gig (Kelly Clarkson, Will.I.Am, Dr. Luke, etc.), it begs the question of why it has decided to pass over alums Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert - both having expressed a desire to join the show. ... Full Story | Top |
| 'One Direction: This Is Us' shooting for No. 1 with $2.7 million at Thursday box office Friday, Aug 30, 2013 03:38 PM PDT  By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "One Direction: This Is Us" kicked off the Labor Day weekend box office on a high note, debuting to a strong $2.7 million opening on Thursday. The concert film will roll out in roughly 2,500 theaters nationwide over the holiday and is on track to be the top grossing film of the weekend. Analysts predict the documentary about the hunky British five-some will draw north of $20 million at the box office while inciting mass hysteria among pre-teen girls. Sony, which is distributing the film, may be joining in the shrieks of ecstasy. ... Full Story | Top |
| 'Big Brother' ousts proud Aryan Aaryn Friday, Aug 30, 2013 03:36 PM PDT By Tim Molloy NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - CBS's "Big Brother" has evicted Aaryn Gries, whose outer beauty was inversely proportional to the ugliness of the things she said. "Big Brother" host Julie Chen tried to make a teaching moment of Gries' eviction, replaying some of her racist and homophobic comments during her time in the house. Gries defended herself by saying she was joking, and didn't mean to offend. Gries' comments have included calling one contestant a "queer" and doing an extended impersonation of an Asian American nail salon worker. ... Full Story | Top |
| Word from Telluride: Jason Reitman's earnest 'Labor Day' gets split reactions Friday, Aug 30, 2013 03:35 PM PDT  By Chris Willman LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Speaking before the world premiere of his new film "Labor Day" at the Telluride Film Festival's opening screening, writer-director Jason Reitman felt inclined to point out that certain ironies shouldn't be lost. "This is going to be a very tricky transition for you," he told the audience at a patrons-only showing Friday afternoon. "You're going to have to somehow step out of this beautiful town on Labor Day weekend, and walk into beautiful town ... on Labor Day weekend. ... Full Story | Top |
| Bobcat Goldthwait named President of 20th Oldenburg Film Festival jury Friday, Aug 30, 2013 03:21 PM PDT By Tony Maglio LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Bobcat Goldthwait was named President of the next month's 20th Oldenburg Film Festival jury on Friday. Goldthwait, who started his career as a stand-up comic and became an actor ("Police Academy"), transitioned to the director of films such as "Windy City Heat" and "World's Greatest Dad" (starring Robin Williams), as well as TV shows including "Chappelle's Show" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" A tribute to his work, including a screener of his 2006 film "Sleeping Dogs Lie," will be shown at the festival. ... Full Story | Top |
| Rupert Murdoch's pay dips by $1 million in 2013 Friday, Aug 30, 2013 03:20 PM PDT  By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Rupert Murdoch's wallet got a little lighter this year. The media baron took a $1.1 million paycut in 2013, earning $28.9 million in salary, bonuses and other compensation, according to SEC filings for 21st Century Fox. That's less than the $30 million Murdoch earned in 2012 and the $33.3 million in total compensation he received in 2011. The year was an eventful one for Murdoch. Not only did he begin the process of divorcing his third wife, Wendi Deng Murdoch, but he also saw News Corp. split into two separate, publicly traded companies. ... Full Story | Top |
| TheWrap's ShortList Audience Award: Meet 'Voice Over' director Martín Rosete Friday, Aug 30, 2013 03:12 PM PDT By Greg Gilman LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Hey, Hollywood. Meet Martín Rosete. He may be the next big name in filmmaking. His visually-stunning 10-minute short film, "Voice Over," was named the Audience Award winner during the TheWrap's "ShortList" Online Film Festival ceremony in Santa Monica on Thursday. The Spanish Academy Award-nominated live-action short weaves together three suspenseful life and death scenarios into one narrative held together by a voice over. ... Full Story | Top |
| Showtime bets 'Ray Donovan' will be summer success for years Friday, Aug 30, 2013 02:57 PM PDT  By Mary Milliken LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - From the FBI agent tripping on acid to the action film star marrying a transsexual, the Sunday night Showtime drama "Ray Donovan" has served up its share of bizarre twists. In the tale of a ruthless yet morally conflicted Hollywood "fixer" played by Liev Schreiber, "you never know where it is going to go," executive producer Mark Gordon says. What the premium cable network does know is that "Ray Donovan" - now heading into the final three episodes - will be its biggest show in its first season. ... Full Story | Top |
| Hugh Jackman to receive Zurich Film Festival's Golden Icon Award Friday, Aug 30, 2013 02:46 PM PDT  By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Wolverine better brush off the tux. Hugh Jackman will receive the Golden Icon Award at this year's Zurich Film Festival in recognition of his achievements on stage and screen. In addition to being feted, Jackman will present his latest film, the awards-hopeful "Prisoners" in the Gala Premieres section of the festival. Directed by Denis Villeneuve and co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis, the movie follows a father's desperate search for his 6-year old daughter after she goes missing. The festival will take place in Switzerland from Sep. ... Full Story | Top |
| Sex in an Egyptian cafe during the revolution: Meet TheWrap's ShortList industry prize winner Friday, Aug 30, 2013 02:26 PM PDT By Sharon Waxman LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - In the middle of the Egyptian revolution in 2011, Indian filmmaker Ritesh Batra decided to venture into the excitement and chaos of Cairo. "It was inspiring to me to be there," he explained to TheWrap. "It was a heady time, there was a lot of hope. (President Hosni) Mubarak had stepped down three months before that." He met a young Egyptian actor (Alaa Ezzat) and a female novelist (Mai Abozeed) and they made a short about sex, set in a café in Cairo, which won the Industry Prize in TheWrap's online ShortList Festival on Thursday. ... Full Story | Top |
| Bravo's 'Eat, Drink, Love' star Kat Odell blames editing for 'unprofessional' portrayal Friday, Aug 30, 2013 02:23 PM PDT By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "Eat, Drink, Love" castmember Kat Odell says it's TV editing - not unprofessional behavior - that's led to the firestorm of controversy over her portrayal on the Bravo foodie series. One L.A. Weekly writer called the show "bad for women" and spent several paragraphs discussing an apparent lack of journalism ethics on the part of Odell, who's also an editor at Eater LA. Odell tells TheWrap that the show doesn't air the full story. "Going into an experience like this, you know it's television and it's edited," Odell told TheWrap. ... Full Story | Top |
| Dr. Phil to guest-host 'The View' during premiere week Friday, Aug 30, 2013 02:21 PM PDT By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "The View" will be getting some down-to-earth advice wrapped in a Southern drawl when it returns in September. Dr. Phil McGraw has been tapped to guest co-host "The View" on Sept 12, ABC said Thursday. The daytime talk show, which returns September 9 with new co-host Jenny McCarthy - who's taking Joy Behar's place - will employ a rotating guest hosts while it continues to search for a replacement for Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who left to join Fox News. ... Full Story | Top |
| Artist Hockney's assistant died after drinking acid: inquest Friday, Aug 30, 2013 12:27 PM PDT LONDON (Reuters) - An assistant to British artist David Hockney died after drinking drain cleaner at the painter's home following a drug and alcohol binge, a coroner ruled on Friday. Dominic Elliott, 23, was the subject of a number of portraits by Hockney, one of Britain's most influential living artists famous for colorful landscapes and portraits. Hockney, 76, said in a statement on Friday that he was asleep and unaware that Elliott had drunk the liquid after taking cocaine, ecstasy, alcohol and cannabis with his partner John Fitzherbert. ... Full Story | Top |
| Camel trek makes Australian actress Wasikowska yearn for home Friday, Aug 30, 2013 12:02 PM PDT  By Isla Binnie VENICE (Reuters) - Trekking in Australia's desert with four camels for a movie based on a real-life voyage of discovery has prompted actress Mia Wasikowska to look for a flat in her native country and to put down roots there again for the first time since she was 17. Wasikowska, 23, decided while filming director John Curran's "Tracks", which had its world premiere this week at the Venice Film Festival, to "commit" to living in Australia and working there again. ... Full Story | Top |
| Ted Nugent's wife could face felony charge for airport gun bust Friday, Aug 30, 2013 11:56 AM PDT By Karen Brooks AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The wife of rock guitarist Ted Nugent could face a felony weapons charge in North Texas after airport police caught her going through a security line at a Dallas-area airport with a loaded pistol, according to a police report released on Friday. Shemane Nugent, 51, told authorities that she forgot that the Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver, packed in its case with 10 extra rounds, was in her bag when she prepared to board a flight Thursday morning to Fort Lauderdale from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas. ... Full Story | Top |
| UK asked N.Y. Times to destroy Snowden material Friday, Aug 30, 2013 10:54 AM PDT  By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The British government has asked the New York Times to destroy copies of documents leaked by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden related to the operations of the U.S. spy agency and its British partner, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), people familiar with the matter said. The British request, made to Times executive editor Jill Abramson by a senior official at the British Embassy in Washington D.C., was greeted by Abramson with silence, according to the sources. ... Full Story | Top |
| Poverty and recession infuse Venice movies Friday, Aug 30, 2013 09:17 AM PDT  By Michael Roddy VENICE (Reuters) - Nicolas Cage reinhabits a low-life version of his "Leaving Las Vegas" alcoholic in the Southern gothic "Joe" screened on Friday at the Venice Film Festival while a German film explores the dark issue of wife beating in the latest competition offerings. Poverty, and the effects of the 2008 economic crash on people and society, as well as the film industry, were emerging themes at this year's festival, which opened on Wednesday and will conclude on September 7 with the awarding of the Golden Lion trophy for best film. ... Full Story | Top |
| Summer festivals highlight Lebanese resilience in shadow of war Friday, Aug 30, 2013 08:43 AM PDT  By Stephen Kalin BEIRUT (Reuters) - Hours after bombs ripped through the Lebanese city of Tripoli this month, concertgoers gathered for the opening performance of the Baalbek music festival. But it wasn't in Baalbek, and the planned star didn't come. Instead, Brazilian jazz vocalist Eliane Elias serenaded the crowd of 1,000 in an open-air theatre on the northern outskirts of the capital Beirut, far from the internationally renowned music festival's historic venue among Roman ruins in the Bekaa Valley. It was neither the planned location for the festival nor its scheduled opening act. ... Full Story | Top |
| Ireland mourns 'keeper of language' poet Seamus Heaney Friday, Aug 30, 2013 07:22 AM PDT  By Sam Cage DUBLIN (Reuters) - Seamus Heaney, one of the world's best-known poets and winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize for literature, died on Friday after a short illness at the age of 74, his family said. The Northern Ireland-born Heaney's poems evoke an Irish country childhood, with images of potato diggers and peat bog cutters, and echo the deep political splits that have divided the island. His works include the 1966 debut "Death of a Naturalist", "The Spirit Level", "District and Circle" and an acclaimed translation of the old English epic poem "Beowulf". ... Full Story | Top |
| U.S. cinema chain AMC Entertainment files for $400 million IPO Friday, Aug 30, 2013 06:48 AM PDT (Reuters) - U.S. cinema chain AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc filed with regulators for an initial public offering up to $400 million, roughly a year after being acquired by China's Wanda Group. AMC had first filed to go public in 2007, before withdrawing its filing a year later. It again filed to go public in 2010, but was bought by Wanda for $2.6 billion in a deal that closed last September. AMC plans to list its Class A stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AMC", the company said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday. ... Full Story | Top |
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