May 22, 2008

Apparently, the massive success garnered by "Iron Man" has boosted up Marvel Studios' confidence in bringing more and more of their comic book adaptation to the silver screen. After announcing a list of release dates from their upcoming movies, the production company are planning on making another movie from their comic book "Runaways".

The action adventure film will be scripted by the comic book series co-creator Brian K. Vaughan who is known also for his work in "Y: The Last Man" comic series and script writing part on television series "Lost". Focusing the story on a group of teenagers running away from home after discovering that their parents are super-villains, "Runaways" follows these young band of superheroes as they embark on a journey of finding their roots while trying to make up for the evil deeds their parents have caused.

After managing to convince her record label bosses with her demo songs, Britney Spears moves ahead on her new album's work. The pop singer has already started to record the new materials for the follow up to "Blackout".

Britney not only managed to take the heart of her label's executives, but she has also received praises from two producers she worked with on the upcoming LP, Sean Garrett and J.R. Rotem. Commenting on Britney's effort on the studio, Rotem said, "She's great. She's like a master at what she does. She's a lot more experienced than most people. She just has the 'it' factor that not every artist has. So it's always nice to work with her."

Going against claims that Nicole Kidman is about to pose nude for notable photographer Patrick Demarchelier, her representative has just confirmed the actress isn't posing nude. Put the brake on the false reports, Nicole's representative Catherine Olim insisted, "[Photographer] Patrick Demarchelier has shot her for a magazine cover, fully clothed, anything else is a ridiculous rumor."

New York Daily News previously reported Nicole has hired renowned photographer Patrick Demarchelier to snap photos of her in the nude. A source informed the news media that Nicole is keen for the pictures to be taken when she is nearly ready to give birth, saying "Nicole wants to wait until she looks really pregnant."

After Marvel Entertainment scored big at the box office through their comic adaptation "Iron Man", it seems that many studios are competing to obtain screening rights for other comic adaptation. Following the news about the picking up of "Buck Rogers", it is reported that Sony Pictures have won the bidding war to bring "Flash Gordon" into life.

Based on the classic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond, "Gordon" will be made into a live action movie under the direction of "Sahara" helmer Breck Eisner, who is attached to the project. The action film is about an athlete who is, together with his lover, kidnapped and transported to the planet of Mongo by a mad scientist. In the strange planet, the three encounter adventures as well as dangerous situation as they try to save Earth from destruction done by the planet's evil ruler.

Despite being labeled as a troubled singer and having so many bad media coverages lately, Amy Winehouse's musical quality is still being acknowledged by many people. The latest appreciation for Amy's music comes from the 2008 Glastonbury Festival organizers as they take the British singer as a late addition for the fest.

Amy will be scheduled to play before the main act on the Pyramid Stage, Jay-Z, performs on June 28. Confirming the news, a source from the event said, "She is performing on the Saturday night, she will be the last performer before Jay-Z."

Still preparing the release of his new album "Exit 13", a new song from LL Cool J from the upcoming set has leaked on-line earlier this week. The song is titled "I Cry" and will be one of the songs on the rapper's upcoming LP.

On the song, the singer is collaborating with another rapper Lil' Mo, who has previously worked with Ja Rule. Unfortunately, there is still no confirmation from LL Cool J whether the new song will be the first single from the upcoming set.

Since finishing second to Taylor Hicks in the fifth season of singing competition American Idol, Katharine McPhee has toured with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, released a self-titled debut album and nailed a part in an upcoming comedy movie "The House Bunny". So, what else she could ask for. Apparently, the 24-year-old still has one wish to be made into reality, starring in a Janis Joplin musical biopic.

Talking to MTV about her yet unfulfilled dream, the "Over It" singer confessed that if she gets the chance to portray a particular music legend in a musical movie, she would love to depict the musician that is considered to be one of rock's greatest artists. Though admitting that she doesn't have a rocker voice, the Los Angeles native believes that she is capable of rendering Joplin. "I don't know if I would be the best choice for Janis Joplin just because I don't think I really have that kind of a voice," McPhee confessed. "But I see myself as more of a serious, dramatic person."

New music video from Christian band the Casting Crowns has been premiered via Yahoo!Music on May 21. The clip is made to accompany their new single titled "Slow Fade", which is also featured on the upcoming film "Fireproof".

The single is taken from their latest album "The Altar and the Door" and being set as the second single from the record. Previously, the band have already released "East to West" as the lead single.

Rock music fans are preparing to get a special treat from VH1.com, as on their upcoming annual show "Rock Honors" the music channel will tap Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and The Flaming Lips to perform at the show. Those bands will give a tribute to The Who, which have been chosen as the artist to be honored for this year's edition of the show.

Beside being a tribute show for The Who, the upcoming event is also being set as a charity event. The benefit that comes from the concert will be given to support the likes of The Teenage Cancer Trust, the Double O Charity, VH1 Save The Music Foundation and select VH1 Classic Rock Autism organizations.

Since "The Hobbit" is another adaptation movie coming from J.R.R. Tolkien, it is difficult to separate the new movie from the earlier Tolkien's blockbuster adaptation movies, "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Hence, it is obvious if director Guillermo del Toro wants some of the "Lord of the Rings" actors to come back reprising their role in this film.

The latest news coming from the upcoming adventure fantasy film suggested that three of "LOTR" actors have been contacted to live up their characters once again were Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen and Andy Serkis. The three were depicting key characters in the successful trilogy playing Gandalf, Aragon and Gollum respectively. Though reports claimed that the talks with the actors still worked as early contact, both McKellen and Serkis have confirmed their involvement in the two-part film.

Her break up with longtime girlfriend Cydney Bernard has made media headlines since it was first exposed last week. New claim surfaced by the hour that Jodie Foster dumped the film producer for another woman who happened to be screenwriter Cindy Mort.

The Oscar-winning actress met and fell for Cindy on the set of 2007 film "The Brave One." It was since then that the affair has gotten more serious, even though Jodie still lives with Cydney. "Although she and Cydney remain under the same roof at the moment, the relationship has been shattered," a source told The National Enquirer. "They'll continue to raise the boys together and try to keep a loving family unit despite their breakup. The love is gone."

When the movie about a failed rocker turning a bunch of talented kids into a real rock band, "The School of Rock", hit the big screen back in 2003, it garnered rave reviews and even better gold from the ticket sales. Despite the success it surprisingly achieved, sequel rumor didn't come out to follow. However, it seems that recently the idea of a follow-up film popped out.

Talking at the Cannes Film Festival, the comedy film's star Jack Black revealed that he and the people behind the first film are considering on bringing the sequel to the big screen. "I'd really like to do it, the last one was great," so claimed Ben Stiller's co-star in upcoming "Tropic Thunder". "We are seriously thinking about it, there's already a script. In a few weeks we have to decide if we go through with the project or not." Though noting that the development of the sequel has been put in mind, Black didn't mention whether or not director Richard Linklater and screenwriter Mike White will be back to work on the second movie.

Musicians and music lovers are preparing to mark February 8, 2009 as a special date, after it has been announced as the day for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards to be staged on. The event is set to be aired on CBS Live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles starting from 8 P.M.

The news was announced on May 21 by Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow and CBS Executive Vice President of Specials, Music and Live Events Jack Sussman. Commenting about the decision to pick Staples Center as the venue, Neil said, "The next 50 is here, and we are delighted to be in our hometown." Meanwhile, Jack also added, "The GRAMMY Awards are unique for their once-in-a-lifetime musical surprises. What better place to host Music's Biggest Night than the Staples Center right in the heart of the great city of Los Angeles."

New couple alert as Star magazine finds out the close relationship Winona Ryder is embarking with actor Keanu Reeves, her co-star in the upcoming comedy-drama flick "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee." Both '80s icons are said to have been acting like a couple on the movie set.

They got really cozy, Star claimed adding that "they are also always hugging on the set". It's been claimed that "the chemistry is really electric."

It was a very top secret wedding when Jessica Alba and Cash Warren tied the knot Monday, May 19. No guests attended the ceremony. But, it has been claimed that the pregnant actress is planning to hold another wedding for her family and friends to celebrate.

Alba and Cash applied for a marriage license in the Beverly Hills courthouse at about 11:30 A.M. on Monday. They waited for about 40 minutes for the paperwork to be processed before then were married by a staff member from the courthouse.

After dissing each other recently through their songs and statements in the media, T.I. and Shawty Lo will now have the chance to meet each other face to face. The two rappers have been invited to hit the stage together at a concert called the "Birthday Bash".

The upcoming gig is being staged by the initiative of a local radio in Atlanta, U.S., Atlanta's Hot 107.9,. The concert will take the Philip's Arena in Atlanta as its venue and will be held on June 14.

Staying true to their comic book stories' original piece apparently is the one thing that may set Marvel Entertainment apart when adapting the superhero stories into the silver screen. On Wednesday, May 21, Kevin Feige, the Marvel Studios President of Production, explained that "The First Avenger: Captain America" will be set during World War II.

Feige unveiled that in bringing Captain America to the big screen, the studio plan to stick on the conventional and original story of the patriotic superhero. It is further believed that the decision on making the film a period piece is taken to do the story justice. So, it is save to say that this tidbit is going to focus on the background story of Captain America meaning the plot will involve Steve Rogers volunteering to be a test subject that eventually makes him a superhero.

No plans for a lavish wedding, Mariah Carey insisted. The songbird has laughed off reports that she and her husband Nick Cannon are planning to stage a $4 million wedding ceremony in New York this summer.

On Monday, May 19, MSNBC reported that the newlyweds will stage a $4 million wedding ceremony in New York when they renew their vows later this summer. A source close to Mariah was quoted as saying, "It's going to be held in New York City in the next six weeks. Picture a wedding on the scale of Liza Minnelli's (to David Gest) and you'll be on the right track."

An innocent young man has been framed. He is chased by the FBI and he is targeted to be killed by the terrorist. And now, amidst the chaos surrounding him and his own confusion over the matter, he has to do everything he could to prove his chastity and save his life, even if that means jumping off a building. The intense situation is exactly what "Eagle Eye" teaser trailer wants to deliver.

Though actually there are two main characters in this thriller movie, this first compilation of clips focuses only on Shia LaBeouf's character and leaving Michelle Monaghan's literally out of the teaser. Further, aside from exposing parts of the film's gripping sequences, it does not share any plot details of the movie. Still, the video footage seems to bear little resemblance to "The Matrix" movie in which Neo is guided to avoid the agents looking for him through a telephone call.

Aerosmith lead singer, Steven Tyler, has checked himself into a rehab facility, TMZ reports. The rock star has checked himself into Las Encinas Hospital drug rehabilitation clinic, seeking treatment for substance abuse.

Tyler's representative had no comment on the rehab reports. Though so, various reports mentioned Tyler is currently undergoing treatment for undisclosed substance abuse at the mentioned drug rehabilitation clinic.

Finally, the battle of the Davids on the seventh season of American Idol was won by a rocker. David Cook successfully sucked in a larger number of votes than David Archuletta, a 17-year-old Utah native. Cook took the winning, which was announced on Wednesday, May 21, with a weep and disbelief.

Host Ryan Seacrest said that the votes for Cook and Archuleta was not even close. The finale drew in a total of 97.5 million votes from phone lines and text but Cook himself owns 56 per cent of it while Archuleta took the remaining 44 per cent.

Usher's new music video for his single "Moving Mountains" has finally got its premiere on May 21. The story of the new video, which has been shot earlier this month, was the follow up of his first clip for "Love In This Club". The video sees the club in the previous clip has burnt down in front of him.

The single is the second from his upcoming new LP "Here I Stand" after releasing "Love In This Club" as the first one. Unlike on his first single where he teamed up with Young Jeezy, on the new song Usher didn't do any collaboration with other artists. Meanwhile, his new album will hit the stores on May 27.

The first photos from Ashlee Simpson's marriage to Pete Wentz, which was held Saturday evening, May 17 at the Encino home of the bride's parents, have hit the net Wednesday morning, May 21. It was People magazine which first made public the images from the hush hush wedding.

The forthcoming issue of People, which hits the newsstands Friday, May 23, sees the newlyweds pose in wedding dress, all smile, alongside the Fall Out Boy bassist's English bulldog Hemingway which during the secret nuptials served as the ring-bearer. "EXCLUSIVE! Ashlee Simpson & Pete Wentz FANTASY WEDDING!," the cover of the magazine read.