Lena Horne, the first black star to sign a major contract with a Hollywood studio, passed away over the weekend. She was 92. She was primarily known for her singing and stage work, but in the film world, she’s also known for her role as Glinda the Good in The Wiz. Rest in Peace, Ms. Horne. (NYT)
In “SNL” news, the Betty White-hosted edition over the weekend garnered the show’s highest ratings in 18 months, an 8.8 household share, which hasn’t been seen since the week before the presidential election. (TV by the Numbers)
Speaking of “SNL,” next week’s season finale is expected to feature an appearance from Justin Timberlake, likely in another digital short. (New York Post)
It’s official now: Doug Liman (Mr. and Mrs. Smith) has signed on to direct one of the two Three Musketeers movies in development. The other comes from Paul W.S. Anderson (A Series of Very Bad Video-Game Movies). Both will be in 3D.
Hayden Christensen, who is a lot like Charming Potato without any of the charm (Wooden Potato?), has signed on to David R. Ellis’ (Cellular) The Genesis Code, based on the John Case novel. I think this is the middle of the end of Christensen’s career. Assuming this doesn’t take off (and with David R. Ellis at the helm, it seems unlikely), I’d say the next stop for Christensen is failed television drama. (Slashfilm)
Anthony Hopkins will play the villain, Pharotu, in Arabian Nights, a Chuck Russell (The Scorpion King) epic movie about a young commander (Liam Hemsworth) who, after his king is murdered in a coup, joins forces with Sinbad, Ali Baba, and the Genie from the magic lamp to rescue the queen, Scheherazade. (THR)
Mr. Eko officially will not be returning to “Lost” before it signs off in three weeks. (EW)
However, in other “Lost” news, on Jimmy Kimmel’s show, which will air a half hour after the “Lost” finale, the alternate endings to “Lost” will be aired. I’m not crazy about this idea (or alternate endings in movies) as I like to think that there’s only one ending. I don’t like knowing that there are other possibilities out there. (Slashfilm)
Finally, for those interested in some of the details of the Casey Affleck-directed mockumentary on Joaquin Phoenix’s rapping career, I think we’re in for something truly messed up. Potential buyers who screened the film (and still don’t know if it’s a joke) leaked some of the details, one of which was this nugget:
Several buyers said the film overflowed with Hollywood debauchery, including more male frontal nudity than you’d find in some gay porn films and a stomach-turning sequence in which someone feuding with Phoenix defecates on the actor while he’s asleep.
Joaquin Phoenix's mockumentary details don't even phase me.
Constantly exposing himself? Of course.
People shitting on his unconscious body? It'd be pretty ridiculous without it.
Getting sunburns just so he can peel and eat his own skin? It makes him immortal. Don't be dense.
Telling people he's qutting acting while acting in an actumentary? Yep.
Injecting bleach into his tonsils? Where else is gonna put it?!
Posted by: Kballs at May 10, 2010 11:48 AM
Someone in Hollywood clearly has a deep-seated desire to watch Frenchmen in big coats and feathered hats prance about in 3-D. Because he can't get close enough to the real thing.
No, Hayden Christensen is no potato. At least if you bake a potato, it can be delicious. Hayden is akin to the deliciousness of hay, which is to say he posses not even a modicum of deliciousness. I think you should christen (HA!) him Haystack Cinderblock, because not only is he completely devoid of flavor, he's got the energy of compressed cement. Dude makes plywood seem engaging.
Also, I heard that that one of the alternate endings for Lost consists of footage of Lindelof and Cuse dancing around naked with "All the answers, bitches!" written on their asses.
Sorry, I'm bitter that I fell out after serious crunch work in college a few seasons back and now I'm waiting to catch up on DVD.
Posted by: Kayanne at May 10, 2010 12:09 PM
I lost my coffee there Kballs. No easy feat. (Psst - Figgy!)
Posted by: replica at May 10, 2010 12:21 PM
It's time SNL did an all-female episode.
Posted by: laredo at May 10, 2010 12:35 PM
"...Arabian Nights, an epic movie about a young commander who, after his king is murdered in a coup, joins forces with Sinbad (the Sailor), Ali Baba (& the 40 Theives), and the Genie from the magic lamp to rescue the queen, Scheherazade."
- So...basically this is going to be the Middle Eastern version of "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", am I right? And will Robin Williams be in it as the Genie? Why don't they just throw in Jake Gyllenhaal's Price of Persia and Arnold Vosloo as In-Ho-Tep the Mummy and get the complete "Justice League of Arabia" vibe going?
Who wants to place a bet some fruitbat places a fatwah on Hollywood when this comes out? Double or nothing if they put Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride" in the trailer.
Posted by: bleujayone at May 10, 2010 12:38 PM
"Double or nothing if they put Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride" in the trailer."
Is it wrong that I find that idea absolutely AWESOME?
Posted by: The Other Agent Johnson at May 10, 2010 3:44 PM
I love you Dustin, and find it interesting you didn't feel like pointing out that Sarah Palin's visit to SNL was the last time SNL got huge ratings.
Joaquin Phoenix's mockumentary details don't even phase me.
Constantly exposing himself? Of course.
People shitting on his unconscious body? It'd be pretty ridiculous without it.
Getting sunburns just so he can peel and eat his own skin? It makes him immortal. Don't be dense.
Telling people he's qutting acting while acting in an actumentary? Yep.
Injecting bleach into his tonsils? Where else is gonna put it?!