Relativity Media’s romantic military love story “Dear John,” opened to much higher numbers than expected. Despite the winter storm on the East Coast, it still pulled in $13.8M on opening night, heading it on course to bring in $32M over the weekend. This would beat “Avatar’s” expected pull of $23M for this weekend, making it the first film to bump “Avatar” off their 7-week number 1 coveted spot. If they do open to a $32M weekend, then they will beat the previous record for a Super Bowl weekend opening movie record, previously held by “Hannah Montana” at $31.1M.

Other films that rated were Lionsgate’s “From Paris With Love,” coming in 3rd place with $3M debut and “Crazy Heart’s” first national week release.

Below are the top 10:

1. Dear John (Relativity/Sony) NEW [2,969 Theaters]
Friday $13.8M, Est Weekend $32M
2. Avatar (Fox) Week 8 [3,000 Theaters]
Friday $6.1M, Est Weekend $23M, Est Cume $629.0
3. From Paris With Love (Lionsgate) NEW [2,722 Theaters]
Friday $3.0M, Est Weekend $7.5M
4. Edge of Darkness (Alcon/Warner Bros) Week 2 [3,066 Theaters]
Friday $2.3M (-58 from a week ago), Est Weekend $7M, Est Cume $27.3M
5. When in Rome (Disney) Week 2 [2,456 Theaters]
Friday $2.0M (-53), Est Weekend $6.0, Est Cume $21.4M
6. Tooth Fairy (Fox) Week 3 [3,218 Theaters]
Friday $1.6M, Est Weekend $7.0M, Est Cume $34.8M
7. Book of Eli (Warner Bros) Week 4 [2,820 Theaters]
Friday $1.5M, Est Weekend $4.5M, Est Cume $81.8M
8. Crazy Heart (Fox Searchlight) Week 8 [819 Theaters]
Friday $1.07M, Est Weekend $4M, Est Cume $11.5M
9. Legion (Sony) Week 3 [2,339 Theaters]
Friday $1.06M, Est Weekend $3.3M, Est Cume $34.5M
10. Sherlock Holmes (Warner Bros) Week 7 [1,805 Theaters]
Friday $790K, Est Weekend $2.1M, Est Cume $202.1M

It’s now a three-horse race…or four, depending on who you talk to in Hollywood.

The Academy Award nominations are out and an expanded list of 10 films vying for best picture are grabbing the public’s attention….but talk to people who run Oscar campaigns and they’ll tell you that less than a handful of the nominated movies are favored at this point.

The three favorites are James Cameron’s “Avatar,” Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” and Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds.”

Some will tell you that “Up in the Air,” Jason Reitman’s depiction of recessionary America starring George Clooney is a close fourth.

Those straggling behind are “Precious,” “The Blind Side,” “An Education,” “Up,” “District 9″ and “A Serious Man.”

“It’s hot and heavy with those top four titles competing,” said one veteran Oscar consultant. “Just look at the two hottest ones. ‘Avatar’ has already won its place in motion picture history by virtue of its box office and amazing movie-making techniques. That will be highly respected by all the crafts and that’s why it got nine nominations overall.

‘The Hurt Locker’ is coming off wins at the Producers Guild and Directors Guild and various critics awards. I can’t imagine the Academy (giving the Oscar) to ‘Inglourious Basterds.’ It doesn’t smack of best picture. It’s a fantasy world according to Quentin Tarantino. But I think it’s had a good campaign thanks to (Harvey Weinstein). He ran an ad the other day thanking rabbis…for screening the movie. Today’s ad has a Jewish star over the helmet. Pretty clever.

“I think all these movies are worried about each other. From a marketing point of view, and a campaigning point of view, my advice is: don’t let anybody else’s ad be bigger than yours.”

From Paris, With Love (** out of 4)
James Reece (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) holds down a cushy Parisian embassy gig but dreams of scoring an exciting position on the government’s special ops team. Which government? We’re never really sure, and I’m not positive it matters. As part of his audition, James is told he must escort a new partner – loose cannon Charlie Wax (John Travolta) – on a covert mission through Paris’ power corridors and seedy underbellies. Survive the mission, James is told, and he’ll receive that coveted promotion.

Around this time last year, “From Paris, With Love” director Pierre Morel chased Liam Neeson through the French capital as the imposing Irish actor doggedly pursued the thugs who kidnapped his daughter. Lightning doesn’t strike twice as Morel returns to Paris with Travolta in tow, though the chrome-domed A-lister has enough fun with his gonzo performance to fill at least two movies. Travolta relishes the sleaze of his dialogue, plugging into the holier-than-thou lilt that he used on “Pulp Fiction” to help make Quentin Tarantino’s street slang sound so sexy. You have to wonder if Travolta was reminiscing about better days on the “Pulp” set, especially when – in a not so subtle reference – he name drops the infamous “royale with cheese.”

Adi Hasak’s “From Paris” screenplay doesn’t reach QT’s clever levels, however, and could have used at least two more polishes, itself. The vague criminal plot ping-pongs from one motivation to another as we wait (not too long) for the next explosion. Wax and Reece start investigating a cocaine syndicate, shift to a terrorist cell laundering stolen money, and end up exposing an undercover suicide bomber as they race to prevent an attack on visiting U.S. dignitaries. It’s hard to keep score when the movie insists on changing the game plan every couple of scenes. By the end of “From Paris,” we assume we’re witnessing the birth of Hollywood’s newest good cop-bad cop partnership. I can’t say I’m in “Love” with that idea.

Dear John (**1/2 out of 4)
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels have a template, and by golly, Lasse Hallstrom’s “Dear John” follows it to the letter.

John (Channing Tatum) and Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) fall in love during one blissful summer, but put their romance on the shelf once he – a member of the Army’s Special Forces unit – is required to finish his tour of duty overseas. Near the end of John’s stint, however, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 occur, forcing the soldier to choose between fighting alongside is military colleagues or returning to the love of his life.

War might be hell, but it’s not nearly as painful as unrequited love. The first half of “Dear John” bogs down in the sappy archetypes we anticipate with Sparks’ writings. First kisses are shared in torrential rainstorms. Life-altering diseases like autism and cancer are used as plot devices. But the performances grow as the story matures, and Hallstrom eventually pilots “Dear John” to a satisfying – if predictable – denouement.

Movies in Production - Casting News Just Announced Films

Filming news for upcoming theatrical releases, including cast info, production news, and storylines.

"36"
Hot off his successful directing stint on "Casino Royale," Martin Campbell will helm the movie "36."

"The 39 Clues"
DreamWorks Studios announced they've picked up the film rights to Scholastic Media's "The 39 Clues." Steven Spielberg may direct the movie with Deborah Forte, President of Scholastic Media, set to produce.

More on "The 39 Clues"
DreamWorks picked up the film rights to Scholastic Media's "The 39 Clues" in June and now they've found a writer to bring it to life on the screen.

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo"
McG will direct the family movie "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo" for Disney.

"The A-Team"
Bruce Feirstein will write the script for the movie "The A-Team," for 20th Century Fox. "A-Team" creator Stephen J. Cannell will produce the "The A-Team" movie.

"A-Team"
(Jan 2009) Variety reports Joe Carnahan will direct the "A-Team" movie that has been stalled for years.

Abraham Lincoln Biopic
Director Steven Spielberg is preparing to make his long-awaited Abraham Lincoln biopic, with rumors floating around that Liam Neeson will play Lincoln.

"Addicted"
Lionsgate has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to the erotically charged thriller, "Addicted," written by Zane.

"Against All Enemies"
Paul Haggis is considering directing the dramatic movie "Against All Enemies" for Columbia Pictures.

"The Alchemist"
Paulo Coelho's novel "The Alchemist" to be made into a movie by the Weinstein Company. Laurence Fishburne will direct, produce and act in the Alchemist movie.

"Another Bullshit Night in Suck City"
Paul Weitz will write and direct "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City," the film adaptation of Nick Flynn's bestselling book.

"Area 51"
Paramount Pictures announces an agreement to acquire worldwide film rights to Midway Games' action-thriller "AREA 51."

"Army of the Dead"
Matthijs van Heijningen will direct the action horror movie "Army of the Dead" based on a story by Zack Snyder.

"Atlantis Rising"
DreamWorks Studios announced it has picked up film rights to Platinum Studios Inc.’s comic book "Atlantis Rising." The five-part mini series was created by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, with part five set to hit stores later this month, and features the emergence of an underground civilization at war with Earth.

"Atlas Shrugged"
Lionsgate has acquired the film rights to "Atlas Shrugged," with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt rumored to be interested in starring in the film.

"August: Osage County"
The Weinstein Company has snatched up the rights to make a movie based on the 5-time Tony Award-winning play "August: Osage County."

"Backyard Resistance"
Daniel Clowes will write the script for "Backyard Resistance," the story of three kids who did a remake of "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

"The Bad Seed"
Writer/director Eli Roth is set to direct "The Bad Seed" remake for Warner Bros.

"Bakugan Battle Brawlers"
Universal Pictures and Spin Master Ltd have come to terms on a deal which will bring the game/anime series Bakugan Battle Brawlers to the big screen as a full-length feature film.

"Barbarella"
Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez will direct the new "Barbarella" movie for Universal Pictures.

"Battle Angel"
James Cameron is preparing to direct "Battle Angel," a sci-fi thriller for 20th Century Fox.

"Battle of the Network Stars"
The TV series "Battle of the Network Stars" is going to be made into movie. Yes, a movie based on "Battle of the Network Stars."

"Baywatch"
DreamWorks has obtained the rights to make a "Baywatch" movie, based on the hit "Baywatch" TV series which starred David Hasselhoff.

"Beezus and Ramona"
Selena Gomez and Joey King will play the lead roles in "Beezus and Ramona," a movie based on the popular "Ramona" books.

"The Big Biazarro"
Leonard Wise's novel "The Big Biazarro" is heading to the big screen with Pierce Brosnan and Beau St Clair's Irish DreamTime Productions and Maloof Motion Pictures producing the movie adaptation.

"Billy Dead"
Director Keith Gordon talks about financing his upcoming movie "Billy Dead," through a public offering of stock.

"The Birds" and "Friday the 13th" Remakes
Producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form talk about "The Birds" and "Friday the 13th" movies.

"The Blob"
Paramount Pictures and Scott Rudin will remake the movie "The Blob," the classic 1958 horror/comedy.

"The Boston Stranglers"
Brian De Palma has committed to directing "The Boston Stranglers" based on the book by Susan Kelly. The story examines Henry DeSalvo's confession and the possibility more than one person was the Boston Strangler.

"Bronze God"
Will Ferrell will play a lifeguard whose dreams come true when he gets a shot at entering a beach volleyball tournament.

"Car Wars"
Dax Shepherd and Dustin Hoffman star in the movie "Car Wars," for Warner Bros. Pictures.

"Castlevania"
Rogue Pictures is taking on the movie "Castlevania," based on the video game and directed by Paul W S Anderson.

"Cell"
Director Eli Roth discusses signing on to direct "Cell."

"Cell"
Eli Roth discusses the upcoming movie "Cell" based on Stephen King's bestselling novel.

"CHiPs"
"That 70s Show" star Wilmer Valderrama is set to star in the movie version of "CHiPs," the classic TV series about California Highway Patrol officers.

"Chocky"
Steven Spielberg has picked up the rights to "Chocky," a novel by John Wyndham, and may direct the sci-fi movie.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"
Director Michael Apted will helm the third "Narnia" movie, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."

"Cleo"
Variety broke the news Steven Soderbergh will direct "Cleo," a 3-D Cleopatra movie.

"Colossus"
Brian Grazer will produce and Ron Howard may direct a remake of the 1970 sci-fi film "Colossus: The Forbin Project". The original was directed by Joseph Sargent and starred Eric Braeden, George Stanford Brown, and Susan Clark.

"Conan"
Boaz Yakin has been hired by Warner Bros Pictures to write the script for the Conan movie, based on the Conan the Barbarian character created by Robert E Howard.

"Cougar"
Sharon Stone stars as a wealthy woman in her 40s who can't resist the charms of younger guys. In the film, Stone falls for a 27 year-old who needs her help getting his business started.

"Cowboys & Aliens"
DreamWorks Studios and Universal Pictures are teaming up to bring the graphic novel "Cowboys & Aliens" to the big screen as a live-action feature film.

"Creepshow"
Warner Bros is going to remake the movie "Creepshow," the 1982 horror film from writer Stephen King and director George A Romero.

"Crood Awakening"
DreamWorks and Aardman team up for the movie "Crood Awakening," written by John Cleese and Kirk DeMicco.

"The Crowded Room"
Follows a disturbed Billy Milligan who, after being arrested for rape, was discovered to have 24 separate personalities.

"Dad Knap"
Comedian Dane Cook will star in and produce the comedy movie "Dad Knap" for Walt Disney Pictures.

"Dallas"
Remaining faithful to what made the television series so addictive, "Dallas" the movie will have all the backstabbings and wicked fun of the TV series.

More on "Dallas"
Robert Luketic dropped out of the "Dallas" movie and may be replaced by "Bend It Like Beckham" director Gurinder Chadha.

"Dark Crystal" Sequel
Jim Henson Co. has announced plans to go forward with a sequel to "The Dark Crystal" titled "The Power of the Dark Crystal."

"Dark Tower"
Author Stephen King may be teaming up with J J Abrams ("Lost") to work on a "Dark Tower" series of films.

David Chase and Paramount Team Up on a Feature Film
Multi-Emmy Award winning writer and producer David Chase will be stepping behind the camera to direct his first feature film at Paramount Pictures.

"Dead I Well May Be"
John Lee Hancock has been chosen to write and direct "Dead I Well May Be" for Universal Pictures.

"The Dive"
Director James Cameron is set to direct the movie "The Dive," based on the true story of divers Francisco Pipin Ferreras and Audrey Mestre.

"The Dive" Update
Jim Cameron has hired Laeta Kalogridis to write "The Dive" movie, based on the story of freediver Francisco Pipin Ferraras and Audrey Mestre.

"Dracula Year Zero"
Universal Pictures has tapped Alex Proyas to direct "Dracula Year Zero," an origin story about Vlad the Impaler.

"Dune"
Peter Berg will direct "Dune" for Paramount Pictures, according to Variety.

Dusty Springfield Biopic
Kristin Chenoweth will portray soul singer Dusty Springfield in a movie based on Springfield's life.

"Dynomite"
Rogue Pictures' co-presidents Andrew Karpen and Andrew Rona announced the studio has picked up the rights to the Wayans Brothers original comic book series Super Bad James Dynomite. Rogue Pictures also acquired the Dynomite, the Wayan Bros action film currently in pre-production.

"Eclipse"
Summit Entertainment has jumped on the June 30, 2010 date for releasing "Eclipse," the third film of the "Twilight" movie series.

"Eloise in Paris"
HandMade Films announced they're found the star of their upcoming "Eloise in Paris" live-action movie. 9-year-old Australian Jordana Beatty has nabbed the lead role of Eloise in the feature film to be directed by Charles Shyer from a screenplay he adapted with his daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer and Larry Spencer.

"The Emperor's Children"
Ron Howard is set to direct "The Emperor's Children" for Universal Pictures based upon Claire Messud's novel.

"Eucalyptus"
Set on a eucalyptus plantation in Australia, a father is holding a bizarre contest for gentlemen interested in wedding his gorgeous daughter. In order to win his daughter's hand in marriage, the suitor must correctly name every species of gum trees on the estate.

"Eucalyptus" Movie Postponed
Production on the movie "Eucalyptus," set to star Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, has been postponed to give the filmmakers time to work on the script.

"The Evil Dead"
Sam Raimi is set to remake the cult classic "The Evil Dead."

"The Executioner's Game"
"The Executioner's Game" focuses on an operative for a top secret government organization who is given the job of assassinating his former mentor.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox"
Wes Anderson will write and direct the movie version of "Fantastic Mr. Fox," the Roald Dahl book.

"Fantastic Voyage"
Roland Emmerich is set to direct "Fantastic Voyage" for 20th Century Fox.

"Fantasy Island"
Eddie Murphy will star in the movie "Fantasy Island," based on the long-running TV series.

"Father Knows Less"
Director Shawn Levy will be in charge of the comedy movie "Father Knows Less," for New Line Cinema.

"Final Orbit"
Gale Ann Hurd's Valhalla Motion Pictures and Platinum Studios Partner are teaming up for a "Final Orbit" movie, based on the comic book.

"First Avenger: Captain America"
Joe Johnston has signed on to direct the "Captain America" movie, "First Avenger: Captain America," for Marvel Studios.

"The Flash"
David Goyer will write, produce and direct a movie about the DC Comics hero, The Flash.

"Footloose"
Zac Efron will star in a remake of "Footloose," the movie musical that starred Kevin Bacon as a rebellious teen.

"Forbidden Planet"
J Michael Straczynski will write the "Forbidden Planet" remake script.

"Fraggle Rock"
The Jim Henson Company has responded to fan demands with the announcement of a movie based on the TV series, "Fraggle Rock."

"Gears of War"
New Line Cinema and Epic Games are teaming up on a "Gears of War" movie, based on the bestselling video game.

"Gemini Man"
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer hired David Benioff to write the script for "Gemini Man," set up at Walt Disney Pictures.

"The Gilmores of Beverly Hills"
Chris Rock wrote and will star in the comedy movie "The Gilmores of Beverly Hills," to be produced by Adam Sandler and his Happy Madison production company.

"Give Us a Kiss"
Anjelica Huston will direct and executive produce the movie "Give Us a Kiss" based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell.

"The Giver"
Vadim Perelman will direct the movie "The Giver" for 20th Century Fox and Walden Media.

"Gnomeo and Juliet"
Miramax and Elton John's Rocket Pictures will team up for the animated movie "Gnomeo and Juliet," based on the classic Shakespeare tale "Romeo and Juliet."

"Gone Like the Wind"
Universal Pictures has tapped Peter Berg to direct "Gone Like the Wind," the story of Barbaro the racehorse.

"Goners"
Universal Pictures has snatched up Joss Whedon's "Goners," a spec script described as a fantasy thriller.

"The Good Sailor"
JJ Abrams will direct "The Good Sailor," a movie about the USS Indianapolis written by Brent Hanley.

"Good Times"
Creative Production Group secures the movie rights to the TV series "Good Times."

"Ghostbusters 3"
Columbia is preparing to bring back "Ghostbusters," with "The Office" writers/producers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky working on a script for "Ghostbusters 3."

"The Grudge 3"
Toby Wilkins has been tapped to direct "The Grudge 3" set to begin filming in early 2008.

"Guerrilla Photographer"
Dax Shepard's script "Guerrilla Photographer" has been picked up by Revolution Studios.

"Hall Pass"
Peter and Bobby Farrelly will produce the comedy movie "Hall Pass," based on a spec script by Pete Jones.

"Halo"
Universal and Fox will work together on a movie version of the hit videogame, "Halo," to hit theaters in 2007.

Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh Join "Halo" Team
"Lord of the Rings'" Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh have agreed to produce the movie version of "Halo," the popular video game.

"Halo"
Neill Blomkamp has been tapped to direct "Halo," the movie version of the popular video game.

"Harbinger"
Paramount has chosen Brett Ratner to direct the movie version of "Harbinger" based on the Valiant comic book series.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"
Warner Bros will split the final "Harry Potter" book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," into two movies to be released within six months of each other.

"Have Gun Will Travel"
Rapper Eminem will return to feature films with a starring role in the movie "Have Gun Will Travel," based on the CBS TV series.

"Hawaii Five-O" (2006)
Warner Bros. Pictures gets the remake rights to "Hawaii Five-O," the classic TV show.

"He-Man"
Director John Woo will helm the live action movie "He-Man," based on characters from the Masters of the Universe action figure series.

He-Man Movie - "Masters of the Universe"
Warner Bros is bringing He-Man to the big screen as a live-action movie called "Masters of the Universe."

"Highlander"
Summit Entertainment is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with and now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the poduction company is looking to make a new "Highlander" movie.

"The History of Love"
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" director Alfonso Cuaron has been tapped to direct "The History of Love" for Warner Bros. Pictures.

"The Hobbit"
The director of the "Lord of the Rings" movies may not be back to direct "The Hobbit" film because of a quarrel between the filmmaker and New Line Cinema over accounting procedures.

"The Hobbit"
(Aug 2008) Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro have added "The Hobbit" writing duties to their list of projects.

"The Hobbit"
Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct two "Hobbit" movies for New Line and MGM.

"The Hobbit"
Peter Jackson will executive produce "The Hobbit" and a sequel to "The Hobbit" after reaching a deal with New Line Cinema and MGM.

"Hot Wheels"
Director McG says what he hopes to do with the Hot Wheels theme is "create a timeless story that will work for everyone -- a charismatic young hero, great stakes and jeopardy, and a fantastic love story."

"The Husband"
Focus Features will make a movie based on Dean Koontz' latest novel "The Husband."

"I Hate Valentine's Day"
James Purefoy may join Nia Vardalos for the romantic comedy movie "I Hate Valentine's Day."

"The Illustrated Man"
"300" director Zack Snyder will direct "The Illustrated Man" for Warner Bros Pictures.

"The Immortalist"
"Capote" director Bennett Miller will helm the film "The Immortalist" for Paramount Vantage.

"The Incredible Shrinking Man"
Brett Ratner is in talks to direct "The Incredible Shrinking Man" for Universal Pictures.

"The Invention of Hugo Cabret"
Warner Bros picked up movie rights to Brian Selznick's novel "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" with Martin Scorsese possibly set to direct.

"It Takes a Thief"
Will Smith will star in the movie "It Takes a Thief" for Universal Pictures.

"The Ivy Chronicles"
"Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker may star in "The Ivy Chronicles" based on the book by Karen Quinn.

James Cameron's Set to Produce a 3-D Film for Rogue Pictures
Gary Johnstone will direct and James Cameron will produce a 3-D adventure thriller for Rogue Pictures, according to an announcement made by the studio's co-presidents Andrew Karpen and Andrew Rona.

Jason McElwain Story
Columbia Pictures will make a movie based on the life of Jason McElwain, an autistic teenager who catapulted to fame after entering a basketball game and hitting six three pointers in the game's last four minutes.

"Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse"
"Undeclared" buddies Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogen are set to star in the comedy movie "Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse" based on an idea by Evan Goldberg and Jason Stone.

"Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell"
New Line has acquired the rights to "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell," the bestselling fantasy novel by Susanna Clarke.

"Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" News
New Line Cinema has hired Oscar-winning screenwriter Christopher Hampton to adapt the bestselling British fantasy novel "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" for the big screen.

"Justice League of America"
George Miller might sign on to direct the "Justice League of America" movie set up at Warner Bros Pictures.

"Justice League of America"
The Hollywood Reporter is reporting director George Miller has been in Los Angeles looking for a group of young actors to take on the roles of superheroes Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and The Flash in "Justice League of America."

Kevin Smith Sci Fi Movie
Writer/director Kevin Smith's venturing into unchartered territory with a sci-fi comedy.

"Kids in America"
Topher Grace will star in the movie "Kids in America" to be directed by Michael Dowse.

"Killing Yourself to Live"
New Line Cinema purchased the rights to the Chuck Klosterman novel, "Killing Yourself to Live: 85% A True Story."

"Knight Rider"
The Weinstein Company is preparing to make a "Knight Rider" movie based on the classic 1980s TV series starring David Hasselhoff.

"Kung Fu"
Legendary Pictures acquired the film rights to the 1970s TV series, "Kung Fu," which starred David Carradine.

"Lara Croft" #3
The Hollywood Reporter says Warner Bros is moving forward with another "Lara Croft" movie.

"The Lions of Al-Rassan"
Warner Bros. Pictures has hired Ed Zwick to direct the movie "The Lions of Al-Rassan," based on the Guy Gavriel Kay book.

"Logan's Run"
Variety is reporting Bryan Singer may have to bow out of directing "Logan's Run" due to scheduling conflicts.

"Logan's Run" Remake News
First time feature film director will helm the "Logan's Run" remake set up at Warner Bros Pictures and produced by Joel Silver.

"Lovelace"
Rocker/actress Courtney Love will star in a movie based on the life of "Deep Throat" star Linda Lovelace.

"Magdalena"
Jenna Dewan ("Step Up") and Luke Goss ("Hellboy 2") will star in "Magdalena" based on the Top Cow comic character.

"Magic Kingdom for Sale"
Universal Pictures has signed Stephen Sommers to direct the movie version of "Magic Kingdom for Sale," a series of books from Terry Brooks.

"Magnum PI"
Rawson Marshall Thurber will direct the movie version of the classic TV series, "Magnum PI," which starred Tom Selleck in the title role.

Joshua Marston Project
Writer/director Joshua Marston will follow up his "Maria Full of Grace" feature film debut with a movie about American truckers who drive goods through Iraqi War zones.

"Mary Queen of Scots"
Bryce Dallas Howard will star in "Mary Queen of Scots" for Warner Independent Pictures.

"The Mayor of Castro Street"
Director Bryan Singer will follow up "Superman Returns" with the movie "The Mayor of Castro Street," a film about the life and death of San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk.

"Me and Orson Welles"
Zac Efron will star in "Me and Orson Welles," the movie adaptation of Robert Kaplow's novel.

"Meg"
Tsunami Books re-releases "Meg" as New Line Cinema starts work on a movie version of the Steve Alten best-selling novel.

"The Monkey Wrench Gang"
Catherine Hardwicke will direct the movie "The Monkey Wrench Gang" based on the classic Edward Abbey novel for Columbia Pictures.

"Monopoly"
Ridley Scott's adding yet another project to his list of things to do.

"Monster Hunter"
King of Queens star Kevin James has signed on to star in the family movie, "Monster Hunter," to be produced by Will Smith and Overbrook Entertainment.

"Mr Peabody & Sherman"
DreamWorks Animation will be doing a movie based on the cartoon series, "Mr Peabody and Sherman."

"Mrs. Doubtfire 2"
Robin Williams may be getting into drag again for "Mrs. Doubtfire 2," a sequel to the 1994 comedy.

"The Munsters"
The Wayan Bros. are preparing to bring "The Munsters" to life on the big screen with a new Munsters movie.

Muppet Movie News
Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller are moving forward with a Muppets movie, based on their pitch to Jim Henson Productions.

"My Fair Lady"
Keira Knightley may star in a new "My Fair Lady" film set up at Columbia Pictures/CBS Films.

"My One and Only"
Kevin Bacon has join the cast of "My One and Only" based on the life of actor George Hamilton. Bacon joins Logan Lerman and Renee Zellweger in "My One and Only."

"The Mysteries of Pittsburgh"
Peter Sarsgaard and Sienna Miller may star in the movie "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh," based on the 1988 Michael Chabon novel.

"Napoleon and Betsy"
Emma Watson has signed on to star in the period drama "Napoleon and Betsy" from writer/director Benjamin Ross.

"Neanderthals"
Jon Favreau will write and produce the animated movie "Neanderthals" for Sony Pictures Animation.

"Nerveracker"
Robert Rodriguez will write and direct "Nerveracker" for Dimension Films. Nerveracker is described as a futuristic action thriller and is set for release in 2010.

"No Woman No Cry"
The Weinstein Company is bringing Rita Marley's "No Woman No Cry," the story of Bob Marley, to the big screen as a feature film.

"Ollie the Otter"
Popular childrens book "Ollie the Otter" will be made into a CGI animated movie.

"On the Road"
Walter Salles will direct the movie "On the Road," based on the classic Jack Kerouac book.

"Open Hearts"
"Scrubs" star Zach Braff will direct the movie "Open Hearts," based on the 2002 Danish film.

"Outsourced"
Two workers who lose their jobs when their company leaves America to set up shop in Mexico.

"Paddington Bear"
A new generation of fans are about to be introduced to the lovable bear named Paddington. Warner Bros Pictures just announced they be bringing "Paddington Bear" to the big screen as a live-action film.

"Painkillers"
David Cronenberg will follow up "A History of Violence" with the movie "Painkillers," from his original screenplay.

"Paradise Lost"
John Milton's classic poem "Paradise Lost" is being made into a live-action movie.

"The Perfect Sleep"
Roselyn Sanchez, Patrick Bauchau, Tony Amendola, Isaac Singleton, Peter Lucas and Anton Pardoe have joined the cast of the movie "The Perfect Sleep," for first-time director Jeremy Alter.

"Phantasm"
New Line Cinema has struck a deal with filmmaker Don Coscarelli to bring a new version of his cult horror film "Phantasm" to the big screen.

Pixar and Disney Animation Reveal Their Upcoming Movies
Pixar and Disney Studios released their movie schedule through 2012 with "Cars 2, "Toy Story 3," "Bolt," "Up," "newt," "Rapunzel," "The Bear and the Bow," and "King of the Elves" hitting theaters in the next few years.

"Playing for Pizza"
Adam Shankman has signed on to direct "Playing for Pizza" based on the book by John Grisham.

"Pompeii"
Roman Polanski is set to direct "Pompeii," a movie based on the novel by Robert Harris.

"The Post-Grad Survival Guide"
Carol Burnett, Michael Keaton, Zach Gilford and Rodrigo Santoro have joined the cast of "The Post-Grad Survival Guide" with Alexis Bledel.

"Power of the Dark Crystal"
Genndy Tartakovsky will direct the sequel to the movie "The Dark Crystal" for The Jim Henson Company.

"A Princess of Mars"
Ehren Kruger will write the script and Kerry Conran will direct "A Princess of Mars."

"Punk Farm"
DreamWorks will bring Jarrett J. Krosoczka's popular children's book "Punk Farm" to the big screen as a CGI animated movie.

"Puss in Boots"
Puss in Boots from "Shrek 2" is going to get his own movie.

"Red Sonja"
It's official - Rose McGowan will star in "Red Sonja." Presented by Robert Rodriguez but directed by Douglas Aarniokoski, "Red Sonja" is set to begin filming in October 2008.

"Red Tails"
George Lucas' "Red Tails" movie moves forward with Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr.

"Revenge of the Nerds"
Info on the remake of the movie "Revenge of the Nerds," produced by McG and Adam Brody.

Richard Pryor Biopic
Actor Mike Epps will star in a movie based on the life of Richard Pryor.

"Ronin"
Frank Miller's "Ronin" is heading to the big screen with Warner Bros Pictures obtaining the rights to Miller's graphic novel.

"Rosemary's Baby"
Michael Bay will be producing a remake of "Rosemary's Baby," the classic horror film starring Mia Farrow and based on Ira Levin's novel.

"Run"
Renny Harlin will direct the movie "Run," a thriller set in Rome.

"Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life"
"Shaun of the Dead" writer/director is in negotiations to direct the movie "Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life" for Universal Pictures.

"Scott Pilgrim vs the World"
Mary Elizabeth Winstead joined the cast of "Scott Pilgrim vs the World" (formerly known as "Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life").

"The Serpent and the Eagle"
Director Ron Howard will helm "The Serpent and the Eagle" for Paramount Pictures.

"Shadow Divers"
Ridley Scott will direct the movie adaptation of Robert Kurson's bestseller, "Shadow Divers."

"Shantaram"
Director Peter Weir has stepped down as the director of the movie "Shantaram," set to star Johnny Depp.

"Sharky's Machine"
Phil Joanou will direct the remake of the Burt Reynolds movie, "Sharky's Machine."

"Shazam!"
Peter Segal will direct the movie "Shazam!" for New Line Cinema.

"Shazam!"
John August has been tapped to write the script for the "Shazam!" movie to be directed by Peter Segal.

"Shell Game"
Director Len Wiseman will helm the movie "Shell Game," a detective thriller for Lakeshore and Columbia Pictures.

"Shiver"
Michael Cuesta will direct the movie "Shiver," based on true events, from a screenplay by Mikey Wigart.

"Six Million Dollar Man"
"The Six Million Dollar Man" will be based on the popular 70's TV show THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN. The show, which starred Lee Majors as Astronaut, Cornel Steve Austin, followed the adventures of government agent who was half man, half machine as he solved crimes across the globe.

"Smurfs"
Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation announced they've made a deal with Lafig Belgium S.A. to create a "Smurfs" movie.

"Snow and the Seven"
Michael Chabon will write the script for "Snow and the Seven," based on the classic story, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

"The Sophomore"
Rumer Willis has joined her dad Bruce in the comedy movie "The Sophomore" to be directed by Brett Simon.

Steven Spielberg Movie
Steven Spielberg and Paramount Pictures are working on a space travel film centering around a group who travel through a worm hole.

"Splinter Cell"
Peter Berg will write and direct the movie version of "Splinter Cell," a Tom Clancy videogame.

"Spy Hunter"
Paul W S Anderson has signed on to direct the movie "Spy Hunter" for Universal Pictures.

"Sub-Mariner"
Chris Columbus will direct the movie "Sub-Mariner," based on the Marvel Comics superhero for Universal Pictures.

"Sub-Mariner" Update
Chris Columbus is out and Jonathan Mostow is in as the director of the movie "Sub-Mariner" based on the Marvel Comics character.

"Sugar Kings"
Universal has hired Jodie Foster to direct the movie "Sugar Kings," written by Ned Zeman and Daniel Barnz.

"Swiss Family Robinson"
Director Jonathan Mostow will be in charge of the new "Swiss Family Robinson" movie for Walt Disney Pictures.

"T.J. Hooker"
"T.J. Hooker," the 1980s TV series which starred William Shatner in the title role, is being made into a feature film.

"The Thomas Crown Affair 2"
Director Paul Verhoeven will direct "The Thomas Crown Affair 2" starring Pierce Brosnan.

"Thor"
(Feb 2009) Kenneth Branagh will direct "Thor" for Marvel Studios with a target release date of July 16, 2010.

"Thor"
Matthew Vaughn will direct the superhero movie "Thor" for Marvel Studios.

"Tintin"
Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg will produce and direct three movies based on the comic strip hero Tintin.

"The Topkapi Affair"
Pierce Brosnan will star in the sequel to "The Thomas Crown Affair:" "The Topkapi Affair."

"Torso"
David Fincher will direct the movie "Torso," to be produced by Todd McFarlane.

"Toy Story 3"
Disney is ready to give the go-ahead to "Toy Story 3," the animated follow-up to their successful "Toy Story" movies.

"The Untouchables: Capone Rising"
David Levien and Brian Koppelman have been signed to write "The Untouchables: Capone Rising," for director Antoine Fuqua.

"Untouchables" Prequel - Updated News
[June 2005] Brian De Palma and producer Art Linson are actively working on the idea of doing a prequel to "The Untouchables," "The Untouchables: Capone Rising.

"Used Guys"
Fox has stopped production on the comedy movie "Used Guys" set to star Ben Stiller and Jim Carrey.

"Warcraft"
Legendary Pictures and Blizzard Entertainment made a deal to create a live-action movie based on the Warcraft video games.

"The Warriors"
Terence Winter has been chosen to write the screenplay for Tony Scott's remake of "The Warriors," originally directed by Walter Hill.

"The Way Back"
"Night at the Museum" director Shawn Levy will helm the comedy/drama, "The Way Back," for Fox Searchlight.

"We're the Millers"
New Line announced Steve Buscemi will star in the movie "We're the Millers," a comedy to be directed by Peter Cattaneo.

"The Wee Free Men"
"Spider-Man" director Sam Raimi will direct the movie "The Wee Free Men," based on Terry Pratchett's young-adult novel.

"When Worlds Collide"
Steven Spielberg will produce the remake of the sci-fi movie "When Worlds Collide."

"Whitebread"
Marcus Raboy has signed on to direct the comedy movie, "Whitebread," for New Line Cinema.

"A Wilderness of Monkeys"
"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" star Nia Vardalos is reuniting with Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman from Playtone to star in the film adaptation of a Laura Zigman book.

"The Winged Boy"
Director Luis Mandoki has signed on to direct the family movie, "The Winged Boy," based on a story by Mary Hayley Bell.

"Witchblade"
Michael Rymer ("Battlestar Galactica") will direct "Witchblade" for Platinum Studios.

'Untitled Bernard Kerik Story"
This project focuses on Kerik’s time spent as a fearless narcotics detective; a time when he went undercover to buy drugs in Harlem, seized millions of dollars of cocaine from the druglords of the Cali cartel, and was awarded the Police Department's Medal of Valor for saving the life of a fellow officer.

Johnny Depp announces new ‘Pirates’ film

‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ is slated for summer of 2011

It's a special day in American Idol land. Even though auditions officially began in Boston two months ago, Aug. 6 marks the start of filming for next season's actual audition episodes. It's the first time that the cameras will roll and the judges will be on hand to bolster hopes or crush dreams.

The recent news that Paula Abdul has left the show for good means that a lot of things are suddenly up in the air. With the chemistry of the judges' table dramatically altered, now is as gooda time as any for the show's remaining stars to reflect and make some much-needed changes.

Screen Actors Guild Members Overwhelmingly Ratify TV/Theatrical Agreements

Los Angeles, (June 9, 2009) – Screen Actors Guild announced today that members have voted overwhelmingly to approve its TV/Theatrical contracts by a vote of 78 percent to 22 percent.
 
The two-year successor agreement covers film and digital television programs, motion pictures and new media productions. The pact becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. June 10, 2009 and expires June 30, 2011.
 
The contracts provide more than $105 million in wages, increased pension contributions, and other gains and establishes a template for SAG coverage of new media formats.
 
Approximately 110,000 SAG members received ballots of which 35.26 percent returned them – a return that is above average compared with typical referenda on Screen Actors Guild contracts. Integrity Voting Systems of Everett, WA, provided election services and tonight certified the final vote tally upon completion of the tabulation.
 
The vote count in the Hollywood Division was 70.70 percent to 29.30 percent in favor. In the New York Division, the vote count was 85.74 percent to 14.26 percent in favor. And in the Regional Branch Division, the vote count was 89.06 percent to 10.94 percent in favor.
 
Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg said, "The membership has spoken and has decided to work under the terms of this contract that many of us, who have been involved in these negotiations from the beginning, believe to be devastatingly unsatisfactory. Tomorrow morning I will be contacting the elected leadership of the other talent unions with the hope of beginning a series of pre-negotiation summit meetings in preparation for 2011. I call upon all SAG members to begin to ready themselves for the battle ahead,” Rosenberg added.
 
Screen Actors Guild Interim National Executive Director David White said, “This decisive vote gets our members back to work with immediate pay raises and puts SAG in a strong position for the future. Preparation for the next round of negotiations begins now. Our members can expect more positive changes in the coming months as we organize new work opportunities, repair and reinvigorate our relationships with our sister unions and industry partners, and continue to improve the Guild’s operations.”
 
Screen Actors Guild Chief Negotiator John McGuire said, "I want to thank the SAG members and staff who dedicated their time to the negotiations process. We emerged with a solid deal that the members have now voted up. The negotiating team worked tirelessly, building on the work of the first negotiating committee, to deliver these improvements to members.”
 
Screen Actors Guild began talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on April 15, 2008.  Guild Chief Negotiator John McGuire, Interim National Executive Director David White, and Deputy National Executive Director for Contracts Ray Rodriguez, working with a 10-person negotiating task force comprised of Screen Actors Guild board members and officers representing the three divisions, reached the tentative agreement on April 16, 2009 after 12 months of periodic negotiations with the motion picture studios and television networks.
 
For further information on the new contract, including the full text and a summary of the agreement, click here. 

ACTORS RESPOND TO CONTRACT RATIFICATION

Tony Shalhoub, actor
“This is a great decision for SAG and I’m so appreciative of everything the new leadership is doing to put the Guild back on track. They’ve obviously got the right ideas for making SAG stronger.”

Stephen Collins, actor
"This contract passed because members knew it was time to take advantage of the gains our negotiators won and get back to work. On top of that, they understood that risking our ability to negotiate alongside AFTRA and the other unions in the 2011 negotiations would have been a huge mistake.  It's a great day for SAG."

Sam Freed, actor, 2nd National Vice President
“This decision by the membership marks the end of a very long process.  We can now move forward with a new sense of certainty.”

Sue-Anne Morrow, actor, National Board Member representing New York
"This is a good deal with good gains. SAG's members clearly agree. It's about time we got a raise. I'm so pleased that SAG's members exercised their right to be heard and said 'Yes!'."

Mike Hodge, actor, National Board Member representing New York
“I am extremely pleased that we have finally come to the close of a long, unproductive period. I am hopeful that we can heal our wounds and really start the work to become a unified, national union.”

Nancy Duerr, actor, National Board Member representing SAG Florida Branch
"This is a victory for SAG performers across our region. Stalled and delayed productions can now get underway, boosting our local economies. This contract not only puts more money in members' pockets, it preserves the high standards of working conditions our members have come to expect."

Todd Hissong, actor, Chicago Branch President, National Board Member
"By passing this referendum, Chicago members have sent a clear message that we want to get back to work. Screen Actors Guild members across the country have yet again demonstrated our grasp of the issues, the importance of unionism, and our need to stand together with our sister unions to make deals that benefit us all.”

David Hartley-Margolin, Colorado actor, SAG 3rd Vice President
“The membership always has the last word when it comes to contract matters. They have spoken. Their endorsement of the deal with the AMPTP ends the uncertainty that has been hovering over us and allows Screen Actors Guild and the industry to move forward together.”

Follow SAG Communications on Twitter and Facebook! http://twitter.com/pgreenwalt and http://fblink.com/ScreenActorsGuild

About SAG
Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents nearly 120,000 actors who work in film and digital television programs, motion pictures, commercials, video games, music videos, industrials and all new media formats. The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. Headquartered in Los Angeles, you can visit SAG online at www.sag.org.

SIMPLY put, André Morris knows what he's about. And these days the budding actor, model and writer is living his dreams without inhibitions, ready to ride a tidal wave he hopes will lead to the pinnacle of success. Already, he is reaping the fruits of his labour.

He has scored lead roles in productions by the Area Youth Foundation, enviable runway time with Pulse International and recently, the 24-year-old swept the JCDC National Speech Finals copping six trophies and the highly coveted Louise Bennett Award for Best Overall Performer in the 2008 festival (for his self-penned Memoirs Of A Slave Ship/Belly Woman). Now he's ready for more. And though there have been countless bumps in the road, he says he's enjoying the journey, refusing to be pigeon-holed in anyone's box or 'cast' in a specific stereotype.

Sunday Entertainment sat down with the multi-talented performer to find out his success secrets, how he plans to broaden his horizons and why Obama had better watch his back.

Sunday Entertainment: You're quite the quadruple threat: actor, model, dancer and budding playwright. What gives?
Morris: (Laughs) My thing is entertainment and through the arts, you can pursue several different things. Singing and dancing came along quite early for me and the others have simply been spin-off effects of being in the industry. Of course, I had some raw edges that needed some training but it's been all good. I'm just trying to use up my talents as best as I can.

SE: Indeed. Why was it important for you to write the provocative play, Boxed In, staged in June at the UTech Centre for the Arts?
Morris: I just wanted to explore the cliché about 'pretty pickney' in the family always getting the better opportunities to shine. So I decided to write the play looking at two sisters and how envy and jealousy can tear a family apart - but how love conquers all in the end. These are the kind of issues I want to speak about in my work.

SE: Most people know you as an actor on the rise but not many are familiar with your work as a fashion model via Pulse. What's the experience been like?

Morris: It's been great and I really enjoy the exposure I get through events like Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW). I've been enjoying the experience so much that this year I hope to further expand my horizons outside of Jamaica by getting some overseas contracts. My publicist and I have been looking at possible opportunities in New York and Canada. I'm grateful to Pulse for discovering me and putting me on the international runway for overseas agencies to see me.

SE: Considering your latest achievements, what has your evolution process been like?
Morris: I think I've evolved over the years through perseverance and the impact that college education had on my life. College really matures you as an individual. It helped me find who I am. After all the hardships and struggles I've been through, I found my true self in the arts. That's why I want to inspire and motivate others. We all have a role to play in the development of the youth especially at this time in our country.

SE: Speaking of motivation, I hear you're actively involved in inner-city mentorship.
Morris: I have been using my craft to give motivational speeches through workshops organised by Youth Opportunities Unlimited. So far, we have done workshops with kids in Kencot and Arnett Gardens in a bid to help stop the violence. We all have to raise our voices and spread positive messages in our communities.

SE: Who are the people who have always inspired you?
Morris: My mother, Paula Hendricks; Bob Marley, his energy and message in his music always appeal to me, Marcus Garvey and Martin Luther King Jr. There are influential people in the local theatre industry like Winston Bell and Karl Williams who I also look up to.

SE: So how do you feel about Barack Obama's progress on his journey to The White House?
Morris: I feel very hopeful but also fearful because I think he might be assassinated. But I think being a Black man about to become the leader of a powerhouse country like the United States is a great achievement for the Black race. I really want him to succeed because it would be a big accomplishment for Blacks.

SE: Have you ever considered getting into film to further broaden your scope as an artist?
Morris: Definitely. That's like making the ultimate step in one's acting career. My plan is to do a Masters of Fine Arts degree and then try and get into the film industry. We have some Jamaicans who have broken the barrier already so I intend to follow that trend and maybe even head to Broadway. As long as you stay true to your craft and commit yourself to it, big things can happen.

Tom Cruise's son playing young Will Smith

Oscars 2008:
 Daniel Day-Lewis wins best actor

Writers strike leaves winners and losers

1 day ago

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Hollywood writers scored a historic victory in their three-month long strike but the dispute came at a devastating cost for small businesses caught in the cross-fire, analysts said Monday.

Determined to avoid the mistakes of a 1988 deal relating to home videos, writers successfully negotiated a contract that gives them a slice of profits from new media and Internet sales, where previously they received nothing.

The new deal -- which is set to be approved by Writers Guild of America members later this month -- was described as a "groundbreaking" achievement by University of Southern California film industry expert Jason Squire.

"Establishing the principle that the WGA has jurisdiction over Internet and new media is a groundbreaking step forward," said Squire, a lecturer at USC's School of Cinematic Arts and editor of "The Movie Business."

Industry analysts predict that traditional DVD and home video sales and rentals will eventually be rendered obsolete as technology allowing for content bought online to be viewed on television becomes more widespread.

"People are going to be their own programmers, picking and choosing what they want to watch and when they want to watch it. This deal anticipates that new reality," Squire said.

However, while writers were right to stick to their guns during the strike, Squire said, the impact of the dispute upon businesses who indirectly rely on the entertainment industry had been devastating.

"There have been very significant losses for companies that rely on seasonal work. They have lost 14 weeks worth of business," Squire said. "That is a dreadful and damaging impact for smaller companies."

The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) estimates that the strike's total cost may be in the region of 2 billion dollars -- most of it coming from service sector industries.

According to LAEDC figures, the strike cost an estimated 733 million dollars in lost film and television production spending.

But LAEDC said an estimated 1.3 billion was lost by companies such as caterers, hoteliers and limousine rental firms that rely heavily on the entertainment industry for business.

Alan Shanedling, president of the Greater California Livery Association, a collective of limousine rental companies, said his firm had lost around 200,000 dollars in January as the strike hit Hollywood award shows.

Total industry losses arising from the cancellation of the Golden Globes alone would run into several hundred thousand dollars, Shanedling told AFP.

"If you look at the Golden Globes there would have been 800 to 1,000 cars rented for eight to 10-hours minimum each, at 50 to 100 dollars hour. That is a very significant amount of money however you look at it," Shanedling said.

Mark Deo, director of the Small Business Advisory Network, told the Hollywood Reporter that businesses hit by the strike would in the future seek to diversify their base instead of relying on a handful of television productions.

Deo cited the example of a husband-and-wife catering firm that closed during the strike with the intention of re-opening once the dispute was over.

"No one is saying, 'I'm outta here for good,' but when they do come back they'll be operating differently."

Studios are also expected to alter past procedures in the post-strike climate, with analysts predicting that writers will increasingly be hired on a job-by-job basis rather than be given lucrative long-term contracts.

Several studios had already fired writers on such contracts during the strike under force majeure clauses, allowing them to make savings of millions of dollars in salaries.

NEW YORK - Jessica Alba and her boyfriend, producer Cash Warren, are expecting a baby. "I can confirm that Jessica and Cash are expecting a baby in late spring/early summer," Alba's publicist, Brad Cafarelli, said Wednesday in an e-mail to The Associated Press.  
The couple met on the set of "The Fantastic Four." Alba co-starred in the 2005 film and Warren was a director's assistant, according to People magazine, which first reported Alba's pregnancy on its Web site.

Alba, 26, stars in the new thriller "Awake," and recently appeared in "Good Luck Chuck" and "The Ten." The sex symbol first gained fame as an action star on TV's "Dark Angel," then in films including "Fantastic Four" and "Sin City."

Cate Blanchett returns to the throne

SHE might be firmly established as a member of Hollywood royalty, but Cate Blanchett admits she was nervous about returning to the throne for her latest screen role.

Nearly 10 years after her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I helped propel her to international stardom, the 38-year-old Australian actress is reprising her role as the British monarch, in Elizabeth: The Golden Age, opening in Australia next month.

It is the latest stop on a career that has seen Blanchett emerge as one the most versatile actresses of her generation, whether it's a daring portrayal of Bob Dylan in a biopic or the latest Indiana Jones blockbuster.

Blanchett's performance in Indian director Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth opened the door to superstardom, earning her the first of four Academy Award nominations and landing her a Golden Globe statuette.

Yet even though Blanchett might have been born to play Elizabeth, the actress says she was nervous about re-teaming with Kapur and fellow Australian Geoffrey Rush for the sequel.

"It was very daunting, and I was a bit nervous about returning to a character that had allowed me to walk through a door into an international film career," Blanchett told reporters in Beverly Hills.

"You don't ever want to feel like you're going backwards. But once I'd perceived that I could progress forwards by playing it then I could proceed with it."

Whereas the first film focused on Elizabeth's ascent to the throne, The Golden Age uses the conflict with Spain as its backdrop and imagines a love triangle involving the queen and British explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.

Blanchett says the plotlines of the story persuaded her to revisit the character.

"I found that the notion of the love triangle, the structure of the narrative was quite different," she said.

"I always said that if I did another one, Elizabeth shouldn't be the central character and because it's an unabashedly romantic film, I think was quite different. So it didn't feel like treading the same ground."

While the stories of the two movies are distinct, they remain similar in one respect: both take numerous liberties with history. There is for example, no record of a romantic element to Elizabeth and Raleigh's relationship.

Blanchett however remains unapologetic for the use of artistic license in The Golden Age.

"In the end when you only have a couple of hours to tell an incredibly dense period of history, by a process of selection you're automatically telescoping the events," she says. "It's never going to be like reading the letters and the court documents, or reading a biography of Elizabeth. It's not the same experience, and going to see a film shouldn't be.

"You're being told a fable, and a fable through the eyes of that director. So hopefully the film has a contemporary quality.

"Like all good stories you're able to connect to the current collective unconscious, what we're all thinking about, about what it means to be female now and what it meant to be female then."

And speculating on the desires that may have driven Elizabeth is half of the fun, she adds.

"There were a lot of male courtiers that Elizabeth had strong connections with, and I think she was fascinated by the freedom that was afforded to, not only an adventurer like Raleigh, but men who were able to travel. She never left the shores of England," she said.

While Blanchett's portrayal of Elizabeth has become the gold standard for all future portrayals, the actress believes Hollywood's fascination with the monarch will endure.

"There's a long and glorious legacy of actresses who've played Elizabeth I, from Flora Robson, Glenda Jackson, Bette Davis, to Helen Mirren.

"She's ripe for reinvention because she's such an enigma and also when you think about the Elizabethan age, when so much of English culture was crystalised, it's a fascinating period of history.

"So I think there will be many more Elizabeths, long after this film."

Blanchett, who won an Academy Award in 2005 for her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in Martin Scorsese's The Aviator, is already attracting Oscar buzz for her performance as Dylan in Todd Haynes' I'm Not There, which earned her a best actress prize at the Venice film festival in September.

The prospect of playing a man was impossible to turn down, Blanchett revealed.

"I run 100 miles an hour away from projects all the time and in the end the ones that stick are the ones that pursue you, that you can't say no to," she said. "And the idea of playing Bob Dylan was just so utterly ludicrous - I had to say yes."

Meanwhile, Blanchett has recently been on set with Steven Spielberg for work on the fourth Indiana Jones film, which will see Harrison Ford return as the whip-cracking archeologist next year after a 19-year absence.

Working on the film - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - had been a fantastic but surreal experience, Blanchett said.

"It's such an iconic franchise, one in which I grew up with. On the first day of shooting it was extremely surreal," she said.

"I was watching the monitor as Steven set up the frame and I knew the iconography of the frame. It was instantly recognisable to me - I knew the trucks, I knew the layout, I knew the way these things were lit.

"And then I was supposed to enter the frame. It's been fantastic, so much fun. And my boys have had an absolute ball."

AFP