'Avatar' Defeats 'Sherlock Holmes' At Record-Breaking Holiday Box Office

The Box-Office Top Five

#1 "Avatar" ($75 million)
#2 "Sherlock Holmes" ($65.4 million)
#3 "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" ($50.2 million)
#4 "It's Complicated" ($22.1 million)
#5 "Up in the Air" ($11.8 million)

Despite his brilliant deductive reasoning and combat proficiency, Sherlock Holmes proved no match for the Na'vi of Pandora as James Cameron's "Avatar" won first place at the box office for the second weekend in a row. Still, victory wasn't entirely effortless for the 3-D science-fiction epic, as "Avatar" surrendered Wednesday night to the debut of "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" and also succumbed to "Sherlock Holmes" on Friday.

But a closer look at the numbers reveals that "Avatar" never had much to worry about, as the film lost to "Alvin" on Wednesday by a mere $2.4 million and an even smaller margin of $1.4 million against "Sherlock" on Friday. Those leads proved too small for the 10-foot alien warriors of "Avatar," which ultimately finished at first place with $75 million. The result was nearly $10 million more than "Sherlock" and $25 million more than "Alvin," proving that even if Cameron's latest isn't the king of the world, it's certainly the king of the box office right now.

Given current trends, "Avatar" should continue to enjoy plenty of success. The movie experienced a small 2.6 percent drop in ticket sales from last weekend's $77 million total, dipping to a low of $11.3 million on Christmas Eve and a high of $28.5 million on Saturday. The total "Avatar" intake currently stands at $212.2 million domestically and $615.2 million worldwide. With yet another holiday weekend looming — without any new major releases, mind you — it's very likely that "Avatar" will continue to top the competition.

Even though "Sherlock" and "Alvin" lost to "Avatar," both films still performed very well at $65.4 million and $50.2 million, respectively. "It's Complicated," the weekend's other newcomer starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, earned $22.1 million, a respectable outcome given the stiff competition. Meanwhile, Jason Reitman's "Up in the Air" expanded by nearly 2,000 theaters, resulting in a fifth-place finish worth $11.8 million. Even smaller releases performed admirably, with Heath Ledger's final film, "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," producing the weekend's highest per-screen average of $32,500 across only four theaters.

But the most important result of the holiday weekend went far beyond any one movie. The combined efforts of "Avatar," "Sherlock Holmes" and other competitors yielded not only the single best Christmas box-office performance of all time, but also the domestic box-office's biggest weekend ever with an estimated $285 million total, trumping the $260 million opening weekend of "The Dark Knight" in July 2008. Clearly, Santa Claus had the film industry on his "nice list" this year.

Upcoming Releases

Another holiday weekend looms, this time without any new major releases to speak of. With the same competitors in the field, is it possible that the first weekend of 2010 will top the massive success of 2009's final box-office battle?

Check out everything we've got on "Avatar" and "Sherlock Holmes".

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Madness to headline Camp Bestival‘Avatar’ Dominates At Box Office

'It's Complicated' Stars Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin Discuss Plastic Surgery

In "It's Complicated," Jane Adler's husband leaves her after 20 years of marriage for a girl young enough to be their daughter. That's the sort of relationship screw job that will futz with your head. Which might explain how Jane, played by Meryl Streep in a Golden Globe-nominated performance, ends up in the offices of a plastic surgeon for a consultation.

Does she go through with it? No spoilers here. You can find out yourself when the film arrives in theaters on Christmas Day. What you can find out now is the "Complicated" stars' opinions about getting lifted and lipo'd in real life, because we asked them during a recent interview.

"I think there's a clichй of how people look when they have it done," explained Steve Martin, who plays an architect who starts falling for Jane. "I don't have anything against it theoretically if you don't end up looking weird, like a non-person."

Streep herself didn't divulge her personal plastic surgery thoughts, but she neatly encapsulated Jane's feelings on the issue. "I think she was just terrified of it," Streep laughed.

Where does Alec Baldwin fall on the issue of artificially enhanced beauty? (He plays Jane's ex, who begins to think he made a mistake when he left his wife for his young mistress and soon begins an affair with Jane.) The actor's fine with it, as long as you don't go overboard.

When that happens, Baldwin laughed, you can end up looking "like a tranny." He's cool with plastic surgery, he continued, as long as "your goal is not to look like a tranny."

Baldwin was quick to add that he has nothing whatsoever against transvestites. More power to them! "I'm not saying 'tranny' in the pejorative sense," he said. "I mean in the descriptive sense."

Check out everything we've got on "It's Complicated."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Shooting Stars christmas song takes offSAG Awards Nominations Led By ‘Up In The Air,’ ‘Precious’

'Sherlock Holmes' Stars Robert Downey Jr. And Jude Law On Bromance And Sequel Talk

When MTV News was invited in February to the New York set of "Sherlock Holmes," we witnessed the blossoming of a relationship more than 120 years in the making: the kindhearted bromance between Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick in crime-solving, Jude Law's Dr. Watson.

Ten months later, on Christmas Day in fact, their adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective tales is set to arrive in theaters. And the affectionate rapport — and the drama — between these two 19th-century sleuths is very much at the center of the picture. Sure, a vixen named Irene (Rachel McAdams) shows up from time to time, as does snaggle-tooth baddie Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), but the alternately bickering and bonding Holmes and Watson are what drives "Sherlock."

In a recent conversation, Downey and Law discussed their on- and off-screen relationship, rumors that Brad Pitt might play the villain Moriarty in a "Sherlock" sequel, and just what these stars would like to see if another film is made.

MTV: Sherlock, Dr. Watson, a pleasure. When I saw you guys on set, it was clear there was a love affair. Irene's lovely and all, but this is about you two gentlemen. Who's the girl in the relationship?

Jude Law: Whoa! Straight to the point!

Robert Downey Jr.: It is right out of the books. It is completely about their relationship.

MTV: You didn't answer the question.

Downey: But then that's labeling us. Who's the top, who's the bottom. We don't play it like that.

Law: The great thing about this partnership and about the heart of the film, as Robert said, is these two characters are very much two parts of the same piece. They pick each other up where the other falls, as indeed any schizophrenic will tell you, that can drive oneself mad. And me too.

MTV: In terms of you guys personally, do you approach work, life, relationships in a similar way?

Downey: I think that one plus one equals three. For instance, there were days when I would be exhausted and Jude would lead the charge and we'd try to infuse it with a bit of fun. Other times he'd be rehearsing "Hamlet" [for a run on Broadway] and we'd been off shooting other stuff, and he'd come in and say, "Where's the rhythm at now?" and we were always picking up each other's slack and driving each other to become this third thing, which is Holmes and Watson.

MTV: There was all this talk during filming and since about Moriarty. Have you ever talked to Brad Pitt about this? What's up with that rumor?

Downey: We're not the casting directors and he's kept purposely out of the narrative in the story and, should we be fortunate enough to go forward again, then we'll probably make casting announcements and that stuff.

MTV: I know a script for a sequel is being written. Have you guys weighed in with what you want to see?

Downey: Have we yet?

Law: I haven't.

Downey: Wait till he does. He's got great ideas.

Check out everything we've got on "Sherlock Holmes."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

‘Sherlock Holmes’ Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To KnowKate Hudson dumped by Alex Rodriguez for attention seeking

Ted DiBiase Jr. Plays A 'Totally Different Marine' In 'Marine 2'

It's no wonder that WWE superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. is a natural in the wrestling ring. His grandparents (yeah, his grandmother fought as well) were feared squared-circle competitors, and his father, "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, is a WWE Hall of Famer. The elder Ted's rйsumй is legendary. So when Ted Jr. came to prominence as a member of the Legacy faction last year (the trio is led by Randy Orton, son of Hall of Famer "Cowboy" Bob Orton, and Cody Rhodes, son of Hall of Famer "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes), it was really no surprise. Ted Jr. won the tag-team titles in his first match for the WWE.

Now Ted DiBiase Jr. is stepping into a whole new arena, and it's not one of the many venues that house WWE events all year round. The WWE is promoting DiBiase's acting chops in the film "The Marine 2," out on DVD Tuesday (December 29). The 27-year-old says the chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment, Vince McMahon, one of the producers of the film, had every confidence he could carry his own movie despite having no prior acting experience.

"Vince saw something that not even I saw," Ted explained on a recent visit to MTV News. "I know the WWE is really starting to push this younger generation and crop of new talent. Shawn Michaels and Undertaker and even [John] Cena, these guys have been there for a while. They've gotta pass the torch. You've got a whole new generation of young kids coming up. Our product has gone PG and you've got families coming to the show. This generation of young kids have to have heroes too. It's gonna be the new guys: myself, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger ... all young guys coming up. Very talented individuals. I know that had a lot to do with it. They said I looked the part and I guess I was a natural."

DiBiase says he didn't read the script for the film until a day prior to auditioning, and the producers didn't give him too much insight into his part. He had no idea he'd be reading for the lead — he thought he would be making a cameo appearance in a John Cena film. Ironically, "The Marine 2" is a sequel of sorts to Cena's 2006 debut film "The Marine." DiBiase explains, however, that although his character and Cena's role from the first film share the same profession, they are two different heroes.

"It's a totally new Marine," DiBiase said. "The story is somewhat similar in that it's a Marine on temporary leave. This guy goes on vacation with his wife. She's a PR exec. It's a business vacation. She's helping open up a five-star resort on this tropical island. It's a beautiful resort. I got to spend six weeks in Coquet, Thailand. [While we're] on vacation, I find myself in a situation where I have to use my military expertise and survival skills to go save my wife. Not just my wife, in this movie, I got to save a group of hostages too. I think it told a better story. The last one was action packed. It was action, action, action ... a little drama in between. In this new one, we try to tell the story in the beginning in building the relationship between 'Joe' and 'Robin,' and there's a real chemistry there."

DiBiase says he's also proud of the onscreen rapport he was able to display with his costar Michael Rooker, who plays the Marine's friend Church. Temuera Morrison, who played Jango Fett in "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones," is the film's villain, Damo. "We had a great cast and a great time doing it," DiBiase said.

Even in the scenes where he was "blown up."

The wrestling star has had to nurse injuries such as a torn MCL, torn cartilage in his shoulder, a bruised sternum, broken fingers and a tooth that was pushed through his lip. And during the filming of "Marine 2," he had to persevere with a broken rib. And that injury occurred on the very first day of shooting.

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

The Spice Girls musical will be called ‘Viva Forever’Sam Worthington Says ‘Avatar’ Is ‘In The Hands Of The Gods’

What's Next For 'Avatar' Star Sam Worthington?

Now that "Avatar" star Sam Worthington has returned from the distant star system in which the planet Pandora resides, bringing back with him a $77 million opening weekend for the sci-fi action flick, where will the Australian actor go from here? What will 2010 and beyond look like for one of the year's breakout stars?

"Clash of the Titans"After the holidays, Worthington will head back to Britain for reshoots on this remake of the low-tech 1981 flick based on the Greek legend of Perseus. MTV News got a first look at the production when we visited the set this past summer. There, the actor promised us the film would take the original's action sequences and "raise the Richter scale to 11." Early trailers, teeming with sword battles, explosions and a giant scorpion, seem to confirm that promise. The film is set for release in March of next year.

"The Tourist"After sharing the screen with Zoe Saldana in "Avatar," Worthington will step in front of the camera with Angelina Jolie. His role was originally slated to go to Tom Cruise, while Jolie's part was to be occupied by Charlize Theron. A remake of a 2005 French thriller, "Tourist" will see Jolie play an Interpol agent who pulls an innocent American tourist played by Worthington into a plot to nab a criminal. Production has been tentatively set to ramp up in early 2010.

"Last Days of American Crime"In November, Worthington signed on to produce and star in this adaptation of a comic book miniseries. The actor will play Kevin Cash, a dodgy lunatic roped into some wild criminal activity. The project is still in its infancy, but "American Crime" creator Rick Remender knows Worthington is the right man for the job. "He's a scene-stealer, made up in equal parts charm and intelligence," Remender said. "Seeing him play violent sociopath safecracker Kevin Cash will be a treat all the world will enjoy."

The "Avatar" sequelAt some point down the road, Worthington will return to Pandora. Director James Cameron insists he'll direct another film before swinging back around to "Avatar" territory. No script has been written, but Worthington has some pretty funny ideas about how to pick up the love story between his character Jake and his alien love interest Neytiri (Saldana).

"I've said to Jim, 'I want Jake to be fat and up in the new home tree, kicking it back, couple of kids coming around — typical family — telling Neytiri to go get me a beer,' " he laughed during a recent interview. "Neytiri then shoots me with an arrow!"

Check out everything we've got on "Avatar."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Zoe Saldana Reveals The Secrets Behind Her ‘Avatar’ Alien50 Cent talks of sex with Angelina Jolie

Brittany Murphy Remembered By Dakota Fanning, Michael Urie, More

Brittany Murphy has been remembered by many of her friends, family and colleagues after her unexpected death on Sunday. Friends like former flame Ashton Kutcher and co-stars Alicia Silverstone and Donald Faison all mourned the loss of the 32-year-old actress, with others remembering her talent and upbeat demeanor.

"I got to know Brittany when we made the film 'Uptown Girls'," "New Moon" star Dakota Fanning told E! News in a statement. "We became great friends despite the fact we were many years apart in age. Brittany had such a warm childlike spirit that drew people to her. With her goes a piece of my heart and I will miss her terribly. I know how strong Brittany's love was for her family and my heart goes out to all of them, especially her mother Sharon. I love you Brittany."

"Ugly Betty" star Michael Urie, who also starred with Murphy and Fanning in "Uptown Girls," posted on his Twitter, "RIP Britt, worked with her on my first prof gig. So sweet."

"Clueless" director Amy Heckerling spoke to Scott Feinberg, remembering the actress as "sweet." "She was sweet and playful and fun, and a very lovable girl ... I'm so sorry for her family, and her mother, who she was so close to. I just can't imagine what she's going through."

Stacey Dash, who starred alongside Murphy in "Clueless," tweeted, "I am deeply saddened by [Brittany's] death. She was a bright shining light and I am sorry that we will not get to watch her grow. As an actress she was an inspiration. So good. I will always remember her laugh, it was infectious."

Wilmer Valderrama starred with Murphy in "Summer Catch" in 2001. The actor tweeted, "Brittany your light, your heart, your spirit ... your humble charm to disarm while inspiring anyone to be better. I'll remember and miss."

Brittany Murphy, Ashton Kutcher Discuss Love In 2002Nicole Richie to become comedy star

'Sherlock Holmes': Action Man, By Kurt Loder

Director Guy Ritchie calls his new movie "Sherlock Holmes," but surely he's kidding. The title of this picture should be changed immediately to "Robert Downey Jr." Ritchie's revisionist take on "the world's greatest consulting detective" may be a good thing, in a way (Downey is always entertaining), but it's a bad thing in several other ways.

Holmes buffs will be taken aback by how little the movie derives from the Holmes canon — the four novels and dozens of short stories that Arthur Conan Doyle began publishing in 1887. Doyle's Sherlock was a supercilious egghead with little use for firearms and none at all for women. Downey's rendition of the celebrated sleuth — whom he plays with ripe, fruity intonations that often suggest an English accent — is an action man: a disheveled bohemian who packs a revolver, dabbles in bare-knuckle boxing and has a definite eye for the ladies.

Well, one lady. Doyle's Holmes was chastely obsessed with the mysterious adventuress Irene Adler, the only person who ever outfoxed him. Here, played by Rachel McAdams, Adler is the hot love of Holmes' life. Then there's Dr. Watson, Holmes' Boswell, the chronicler of most of his adventures. In the books, Watson is an affable muddler; in the movie, played with great good humor by Jude Law, he's as much of a kickass crime-fighter as Downey's Sherlock. There are some wisps of vintage Holmes lore tucked in around the edges of the story (the bored detective idly shooting holes in the wall of his room, a passing reference Watson's war experience in Afghanistan), and a few jokey riffs (Holmes smokes a pipe here, but it's pointedly not a fat, curvy meerschaum; and when he whips out a magnifying glass, it's but a wee small thing). In every other respect, though, this is a whole new Holmes world.

The story is also a departure. Sherlock's adversary this time out is the newly-invented Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), an adept of the dark arts who is conniving to bring down the British government and install a satanic new order. At the film's beginning we find Holmes and Watson intervening in one of Blackwood's occult rituals, which involves a torch-lit basement, a gathering of hooded devotees and a young woman stretched out on a sacrificial altar. Blackwood is arrested, tried for practicing black magic and dispatched on the gallows. In a matter of mere movie moments, though, he's back from the dead and up to no good again.

Can Holmes somehow stop this supernatural blackguard? Can he lure Watson away from dallying with his own lady love (Kelly Reilly) to provide backup? And what about Irene Adler? She claims to want to help, but then we learn that she's actually in the employ of a sinister "professor." (Guess who, Holmes fans.) We never really see this character, but then his only purpose in the proceedings is to set up a sequel.

Soon Holmes and Watson are beset by louts, and there's much chasing about and brawling in shipyards and slaughterhouses and other grimy locales. This being a Ritchie film, some of the action is incoherent (as is some of the plot — I spent half the movie trying to figure out who the "ginger midget" was). And while Downey and Law are a crack team, and bring a lot of personality to the picture, they're frequently eclipsed by the endless uproar.

Ritchie's pandering to the action audience (an agenda no doubt reinforced by knock-'em-dead producer Joel Silver) strips Holmes' world of its style. The director and his production designer, Sarah Greenwood, have taken considerable pains to conjure the dark cobbled streets and plush interiors of Victorian London — as shot by Philippe Rousselot, this is often a great-looking movie. But the sense of prickly wit and gracious restraint that was translated to the screen so well by the old Holmes films — with their indelible performances by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Holmes and Watson — is buried in the over-amped frenzy of this new picture. The only real mystery here is how anyone involved could have thought that trashing such a classic would be a cool idea.

Check out everything we've got on "Sherlock Holmes."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more -- updated around the clock -- visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Rolling Stones to go on new world tour‘Sherlock Holmes’ Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know

Nicole Kidman Calls Role In 'Nine' A 'Lovely Surprise'

In 2001 Nicole Kidman sang her way to a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination for "Moulin Rouge!" It was, at the time, the most critically lauded performance of her career. Strangely enough, though, the offers to star in more big-screen musicals didn't pour in.

"I think because once you've done one, people are like, 'OK, we want to find somebody else to do the next one, ' " Kidman told MTV News.

In any case, the actress didn't exactly need to repeat the same old song and dance, as she went on to win an Oscar the next year for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in "The Hours." And when she did decide to return to musical territory, as she has in "Nine," she did so simply because she was itching to work with the other talents involved in the project, including director Rob Marshall and co-star Daniel Day-Lewis.

"I wanted to work with Rob so much, and I've always wanted to work with Daniel," she explained. "It was actually a lovely surprise. I remember my agent calling me, saying that Rob wanted to sit down and discuss one of the roles. I was like, 'Yes, please!' "

In fact, Marshall wanted to chat about the role because screenwriter Anthony Minghella felt that only she could take on the part of Claudia Jenssen, a Swedish film star.

"[He] apparently wrote the role for me," she said.

Minghella died in March 2008 at the age of 54. But Kidman said the cast and crew kept his spirit alive as they moved into production on "Nine."

As with "Moulin Rouge!" before it, "Nine" is now garnering awards-season buzz, reeling in five Globe nominations earlier this month. Will Kidman dive back into a movie musical soon? Could she ever see herself taking the stage for an actual theatrical production.? Not likely.

"I was recently offered a musical, but I have so much fear," she confessed. "I know you shouldn't not do things because of fear, but I'm still working through that!"

Check out everything we've got on href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/343623/moviemain.jhtml">"Nine."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Nicole Richie to become comedy starGeorge Clooney? ‘Precious’? We Preview The 2010 Golden Globe Nods

'Sherlock Holmes' Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know

Before Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes gets into a brawl — and man oh man, does he get into a lot of 'em — the ace detective takes a moment to think through all possible eventualities and brainstorm the most viciously efficient plan of attack. This Christmas, moviegoers might leave the theater singing, "Four ribs a-breaking, three toes a-snapping, two balls a-stomping ..."

Welcome to Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes," where the brilliant sleuth cracks as many skulls as he does cases. Alongside his buddy Dr. Watson (Jude Law), Holmes must get to the bottom of a conundrum — how did evil Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) seemingly rise from the grave? — in time to save the British Empire from the bad guy's devilish plan to utterly destroy it. MTV News has been conducting its own investigation into this project since the beginning and now presents to you our "Sherlock Holmes" cheat sheet.

The Stars
Downey joined the production in July of 2008. A few months later, Rachel McAdams signed on to play Holmes' love interest, Irene Adler. Finally, in October, Ritchie himself confirmed that Law would become Watson.

A couple weeks later, we got our first look at the cast on-set: Downey and McAdams in their 19th-century costumes and a stunt double performing a nifty action sequence.

Visiting Baker Street
In January 2009, MTV News was invited to the "Sherlock" set for an exclusive visit. Ritchie talked about bringing out the martial artist in Holmes, Downey walked us through his character's badass mind-set and Law reveled in the "complicated" relationship between the two main characters. We got our first look at what they'd been planning when the first trailer dropped in May, bringing with it bare-knuckle boxing, gunfights and McAdams in some frilly lingerie.

The Brad Pitt Question
This summer, rumors started to pop up that Brad Pitt would be making a cameo appearance as Sherlock adversary Professor Moriarty. Ritchie told us that Moriarty does in fact appear in the film, but that he is not played by Pitt — a statement we can now confirm after catching an early screening. But there's a distinct possibility the actor might turn up in a sequel. Just watch the way Ritchie squirmed when we asked him recently about casting Pitt.

The Clues Keep Coming
We got a first look at an oily Lord Blackwood in August, followed by a picture of Holmes and Watson at work. By October, a new poster had arrived. A month later, another trailer popped up on the Web, this one even more action-packed than the previous one. Finally a few weeks ago, we brought you an exclusive clip featuring a Sherlock-vs.-giant-Frenchman throwdown.

We also sat down to talk with Ritchie and his cast, who pondered the possibility that "Holmes" will become an enduring action franchise and addressed the bromance between Holmes and Watson without exactly confirming if the two buddies ever became more than friends.

"That's labeling us," Downey said. "Who's the top, who's the bottom. We don't play it like that."

Check out everything we've got on "Sherlock Holmes."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

50 Cent talks of sex with Angelina JolieBrad Pitt In A ‘Sherlock Holmes’ Sequel? Guy Ritchie, Cast Weigh In

Terry Gilliam Didn't Know 'How To Deal' With Heath Ledger's Death

"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" will forever be known as Heath Ledger's final film. In January of 2008, with less than half of the shoot complete, the 28-year-old actor died in his New York apartment. Refusing to recast Ledger's part, director Terry Gilliam enlisted the help of three A-list actors: Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law. Together they stepped into the role of Tony, a mysterious man who joins a fantastical theater troupe led by the immortal Parnassus and his mirror, which allows audience members to travel into a psychedelic realm of their own thoughts.

The film opens on Christmas Day. In a wide-ranging interview with our own Kurt Loder, Gilliam spoke about his earliest memories of Ledger, the agonizing days following his death and the difficulties of making movies in Hollywood.

MTV: In trying to make movies, these works of real imagination, do you have a lot of trouble getting them financed? Let me guess ...

Terry Gilliam: I've been running to Hollywood for a million years and every time I go, the story gets longer each time. "Oh Terry, we love all your films, and the last one, and the one before that, and the list gets longer and longer, they are all fantastic, we've been fans since we were kids. But this new project, it doesn't quite seem to work for me." And I'm like, "Jesus!"

MTV: How different is the finished "Imaginarium" than when you first started pitching it. Is it radically different?

Gilliam: No, I mean, it's exactly what is there. That's what I keep having to reassure people. We didn't rewrite the film. We added little bits and pieces. What you see in the final film was all there at the beginning.

MTV: There were always three other Tonys?

Gilliam: No, there was only one person playing all the characters, but when Heath died, we hadn't got the stuff on the other side of the mirror done. But the principle was already there: If you go through the mirror with somebody else — their imagination being stronger than yours — then you might start looking different. I just took that to an extreme. It's Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law replacing Heath, but as far as the ideas, the dialogues — it was all there from the start. There is a scene that Johnny has where he's talking about Princess Diana and Valentino and James Dean dying young. People think it's a eulogy for Heath written after he died and it wasn't. It was always there.

MTV: When did you first become aware of Heath as an actor?

Gilliam: I think I just saw him in "The Patriot" and couldn't remember. But the way that it came about was by a film called "Sin Eater." I think when it finally came out it was called ["The Order"] — Brian Helgaland wrote and directed — and it was the film Heath did before "The Brothers Grimm." My cinematographer, Nicola Pecorini, was working on ["Order"], and he calls me up and said, "There's this kid. He is fantastic, he's like Johnny [Depp]. He's fearless. He can do anything." And then I met Heath when we were casting "Brothers Grimm," and I just loved him, and that was it.

MTV: And when did you hear how he had died?

Gilliam: Well, we had finished shooting in London on a Saturday night, and that morning Heath goes to New York and I was in Vancouver and then two days later he was dead, which makes no sense. It's not possible. When you hear that you just don't know how to deal with it. He was so full of life and vitality and energy, and — it stops. I laid down on the floor for a couple days and didn't move, and my immediate reaction is, "The film is over." The middle of the film, the star dies, you don't finish. I didn't want to finish. My daughter was one of the producers and also Nicola and they kept kicking me on the floor until I got up. They said, "You cannot let Heath's last work disappear. You have to find a solution."

MTV: Did you think it was going to be difficult to pull this off?

Gilliam: I thought it was going to be impossible. And we did all the shooting with Johnny and Colin and Jude with no real confidence that this was going to work. It was only when we got back to London and did a rough assembly and showed it to people and they just assumed that it had been written like that — to have four people playing the same character. I mean, it works brilliantly. It's seamless, everybody says. When I try to think what would it have been like to have Heath playing all the way through, we'll never know. There are so many possibilities.

MTV: How did you come to cast Lily Cole as Parnassus' daughter Valentina in this movie?

Gilliam: Well, I wanted an extraordinary daughter for Parnassus. She looks exactly like a 19th-century porcelain doll. The shape of her head, her huge eyes — on this body that is incredibly long and tall, with bumps in all the right places. The casting director had done little things in a film with her and thought she had real talent. She has a real sense of herself. I did her a screen test, and she wasn't terrible, so I said, "Let's gamble," and that's what I did. When we first started shooting I was terrified. And she slowly gained confidence, and I think everyone was really supportive of her, Heath in particular. He just brought it out of her, he drew it out of her, and she was just fabulous.

MTV: How's the situation with getting distribution for a movie like this — do you have to battle tooth and claw for it?

Gilliam: We couldn't get money out of America when we started this process. You're dealing with studio people, and this was in 2007. We talked about how in the summer of 2008, there'd be the Joker, "The Dark Knight," Heath is going to be the biggest actor on the planet, and then "Imaginarium" will come out a couple months later. This concept they couldn't even begin to leap towards. We made the film with no American money. It was all U.K., Canadian, French, German. Then we get it all done, we show it to the buyers, and they are, "It's not like anything before." Luckily in the end Sony Classics got it. They are smart. It's frightening how frightened Hollywood is, how close-minded. What's happening now, especially with the credit crunch, is that all the talented people who have some sense of movies, they are just being laid off, and what is left are the bureaucrats and the accountants all trying to hold on to the last minute. As the ship goes down they will be the last ones.

Check out everything we've got on "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

George Michael admits to drug use‘Up In The Air’ Director Jason Reitman Reveals The Real George Clooney

Brittany Murphy, Ashton Kutcher Discuss Love In 2002

Back in 2002, Brittany Murphy, who died suddenly on Sunday, joined her "Just Married" co-star Ashton Kutcher for an interview with MTV News. The pair, who were reportedly dating at the time, eagerly discussed the film and each other.

During their sit-down with SuChin Pak, Murphy gushed over the chance to work with Kutcher, who said he helped her get the role because, being a "gigantic" fan of the "Clueless" star, he wanted to work with her. "There's always challenging days, but overall this was definitely the happiest, most delightful experience I ever had," Murphy said. "He makes me so happy. ... I couldn't possibly have had a better partner in crime."

To promote their rom-com, the pair also discussed their own rules for a successful marriage. Murphy noted that she felt honesty was a key part of any healthy relationship. "I think that's important to a successful life," she explained. "I have a problem with dishonestly in general. [Ashton and I are] both almost honest to an absurd extent. When you're a very, very honest person, they think that you're not honest. They almost think you're phony."

The actress added that she felt that being compatible in the bedroom is another important element of any good relationship. "I mean, to have a healthy sexual relationship with your partner, I think that's important," she said.

After news broke of Murphy's passing on Sunday, Kutcher expressed his sadness on Twitter, writing, "Today the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon. See you on the other side, kid."

George Michael admits to drug useFoul Play Not Suspected In Brittany Murphy’s Death

Amy Poehler, Christina Applegate Get Sassy For 'Squeakquel'

BEVERLY HILLS, California — You'd be hard-pressed to find three more fun, bubbly, beautiful blondes than Anna Faris, Amy Poehler and Christina Applegate. This week, millions will go and see their new movie, but not actually see them. Or really hear them — at least not their God-given voices.

The ladies, who play the Chipettes in "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," say the film is a unique opportunity for an actor to infuse a character solely with personality, unencumbered by the usual limitations of voice and physicality. Such lofty thoughts, however, went right out the window when we recently sat down with Poehler and Applegate, two good friends who could barely contain their laughter long enough to give us their thoughts on the sexiest Chipmunk, their old-timey listening habits and why the Chipettes need to cover a dirty Prince song.

MTV: I saw the movie last night. One of the coolest things was when I came out, I saw a little kid singing the old-school Chipmunks theme.

Amy Poehler: You mean, "Christmas, Christmas time is near... "? That one?

MTV: No, the '80s theme song, from the cartoon show.

Poehler: Well, you see, I think we're a little older than you. Because we used to listen to the Chipmunks on a record player.

Christina Applegate: A wind-up!

Poehler: Yes, an old man on a player piano would perform it. We'd go down to the speakeasy and put hot potatoes in our pockets so we'd be warm as we walked home.

MTV: Is that how you first became aware of the Chipmunks, through the Christmas song?

Applegate: It was for me. I don't remember my childhood so much. [ Laughs. ]

Poehler: I remember your childhood. And it was because of that song.

MTV: Were you fans of the Chipettes?

Applegate: They came later, didn't they? They came when we were already getting in trouble. [ To Poehler ] I love how I keep bringing you up like you're 400 years old. I don't even know how old you are.

Poehler: I'm 38.

Applegate: The same age? We're the same age.

MTV: I can remember coming to the first "Alvin and The Chipmunks" junket and everyone was saying how bad they wanted the Chipettes for the sequel.

Applegate: Oh, really? Well, here we are.

Poehler: I'm hoping people will really respond. The characters are cute and sweet, and there's a whole sense of fun in them. It was great to work with Christina and Anna [Faris]. It was a blast, even though we never got to see each other. But it was great to work with them in theory.

Applegate: I did it because when they told me those other two were doing it I was like, "Well, I have to!" Also because it's iconic and it's for kids. I haven't done that. Look at my career — you can't really show too much of that to kids.

MTV: Was it flattering when they came to you and said, "We want your voices, but we're going to speed them up so much —

Applegate: — that you can't tell who's who?" [ Laughs. ] Yeah, but I think we each bring something that's unique to it. Without Justin [Long] doing Alvin and without the people who do these voices, it would be different.

MTV: The Chipettes each have their own designated Chipmunk that they love. But we wanted to ask you guys: Which is the cutest Chipmunk of all?

Applegate: Well, I'm always drawn to a bad boy, so ... Theodore.

Poehler: [ Laughs. ] Yeah, Theodore is my favorite. And Eleanor's favorite too. I like how he looks. As I get older, I like a gentleman who is kinda shy. But I know that he's a chipmunk; he's not a man.

Applegate: It's fake, Amy. It's just CGI.

MTV: If you could have the Chipettes cover one song in the next movie, what would it be?

Applegate: [ Singing ] I'm back! I'm back in the saddle again!

MTV: You'd have them cover Aerosmith's "Back in the Saddle"?

Applegate: Yeah, they need to rock out a little bit!

Poehler: How about "Darling Nikki" by Prince? No? Is that not appropriate?

Applegate: Ooh, that's a good one!

Poehler: How about Beatles songs?

Applegate: Sure, those are easy rights to get.

Check out everything we've got on "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Christina Milian is ‘nervous’ about giving birth‘Avatar’ Dominates At Box Office

Brittany Murphy's Forthcoming Movies: A Status Report

From the quotable "Clueless" to the hard-bitten "8 Mile," Brittany Murphy has left behind a legacy of remarkable onscreen roles. But before her sudden death on Sunday, the 32-year-old actress also completed work on several films and was getting set to begin another in January. Not much is known about these low-profile projects, so MTV News got in touch with various producers and reps connected to the films to figure out their status and when audiences might have the chance to see the actress at work in the future.

"Abandoned"
Before her passing, Murphy completed work on this psychological thriller in which she plays a woman with a history of psychiatric issues who accompanies her boyfriend (Dean Cain) to the hospital for surgery, only to have him disappear without a trace. Hospital staff claim to have no record of him on file and suggest the entire scenario is a manifestation of her damaged psyche. It soon becomes clear, however, that darker forces are at work, as the film becomes an examination of theft and betrayal.

 

 

 

 

 

 Brittany Murphy: A Career Retrospective 

 

Executive producer Wood Dickenson of Renegade Pictures told MTV News that post-production on the film is complete, and a nearly final edit is set to be completed this week or next. Renegade's original distribution plan was to premiere the film on a major cable network, followed by a DVD release, but Murphy's passing has disrupted those plans. The Kansas-based Dickenson said he's waiting to talk with his partners in California about a new roll-out plan, possibly getting the picture out to audiences sooner than originally scheduled.

"Something Wicked"
In June, Murphy joined the cast of "Something Wicked," another psychological thriller, which tells the story of two recent high school grads whose plans for a happy life together are shattered by parents who don't want them to be together. Murphy plays the prominent role of psychiatrist Susan Webb.

Executive producer Scott Chambers told MTV News that the film has been conceived as a theatrical release and is still in the process of being edited. A final version was supposed to be completed in May. But the filmmakers were set to begin audio editing in January, and without Murphy's participation to record any needed dialogue, those plans are now up in the air. Chambers said it's too soon to tell how Murphy's passing will affect their distribution plan.

"The Expendables"
Though she was cast in Sylvester Stallone's "The Expendables" as Mickey Rourke's singer girlfriend in April, her part was eventually cut in the script stage. Stallone's rep confirmed to MTV News that Murphy never shot anything for the film.

"The Caller"
Murphy was rumored to have been fired in November from "The Caller," a horror film co-staring Stephen Moyer ("True Blood"). Former "Twilight" star Rachelle Lefevre replaced her on the Puerto Rico set. Murphy's publicist denied her client was fired, saying she and the production mutually parted ways.

"Shrinking Charlotte"
Murphy was slated to play the title character in this romantic comedy about a woman who falls for her shrink. The production was supposed to begin filming in January, though executive producer Michael Gordon told MTV News that he had had second thoughts about casting the actress after hearing inside accounts about what happened on the set of "The Caller." He was moving forward with plans to replace Murphy until the actress changed his mind with a call last week.

"She said she wanted to do it," Gordon said. "She said she was looking forward to it."

Murphy explained to Gordon that the "Caller" recasting was a result of a situation involving her husband — he was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital in November &#8212 and the director decided to keep her on. He reasoned that an actress clearly on a "downhill skid" couldn't afford to be dropped from a second straight film and thus would do what was necessary to get the job done.

Following Murphy's passing, Gordon said "Shrinking Charlotte" is on hold while he and his investors figure out whether or not to replace Murphy and move forward with the film.

The Human League to headline GuilFest 2010Taylor Lautner Cast In Action Flick ‘Cancun’

'Avatar' Director James Cameron Talks Future Projects

The $73 million, blizzard-affected box office haul of "Avatar" has confirmed what we've long expected: James Cameron will get a chance to make a sequel to his alien-love-story-meets-kick-ass action flick. But it won't be the next film he takes on. What will? In numerous conversations, the director walked us through the projects he's contemplating with an eye toward what might be his next big-screen effort.

"Battle Angel Alita"
Cameron almost moved forward on this adaptation of Yukito Kishiro's popular manga instead of "Avatar," but ultimately chose to go with his big blue aliens — turns out that the "Avatar" practice could pay big "Battle Angel" dividends.

"Now we see it's good to have done 'Avatar' first before 'Battle Angel,' because the tricky scenes are where you're blending live-action photography, stereoscopic photography and CG," he told MTV News.

So could this be next for Cameron? "We're not that far down the line," he added. "We have a very good script and we've done a lot of production design. We've done about a year of production design and we've put together an art reel that shows the arc of the film."

"Forbidden Planet"
A reworking of this 1950s classic been rumored to be on Cameron's cinematic wish-list since last year. Earlier this month, word began to circulate that he went gaga over a script from "Babylon 5" creator J. Michael Straczynski, who described it as neither a remake, nor a reimagining, nor exactly a prequel. Was this true? Would Cameron direct or just produce?

"That's a project that I'm actively involved in, but I haven't made any decisions about it yet," Cameron told us, adding "I love 'Forbidden Planet.' "

"The Dive"
Might Cameron return to the murky depths he explored in 1989's "The Abyss"? "Dive" is the true story of a Cuban free diver who trains and falls in love with a French woman who breaks a bunch of world records before dying during a competition. Cameron suggested he might go for a smaller film after "Avatar," and as he put it to MTV, "By comparison to 'Avatar', ['Dive' is] quite a modestly budgeted film."

The film also recalls another of Cameron's tales, that little picture called "Titanic." This time, though, the action would be presented in 3-D. "It's a tragic story," he said. "This is a film about a three-way relationship. There's a man, a woman, and the ocean and they both have very different relationships with the ocean."

Superheroes
Cameron has previously said that he'd be interested in directing a "Spider-Man" film. But with Sam Raimi locked in for at least one more movie about the web-slinging boy wonder, that property won't be free for a while. Might there be another comic out there ripe for the plucking?

Doesn't seem that way. Cameron told MTV News in December that Spidey is the only superhero that gets his creative juices flowing.

"I feel there are too many superhero movies right now," Cameron explained. "I think Hollywood's in a bit of a rut. They've done the good ones and they're starting to get down to the second and third tier of superheroes — the guys that would not be asked to speak at the annual superhero dinner."

Check out everything we've got on "Avatar."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

50 Cent talks of sex with Angelina Jolie‘Avatar’: The Early Reviews Are In!

Foul Play Not Suspected In Brittany Murphy's Death

Details have begun to emerge about Sunday's shocking death of actress Brittany Murphy, 32, which the Los Angeles County coroner's office said appears to have been from natural causes, but an autopsy is expected to be performed within the next couple of days — TMZ reported late Monday morning (December 21) that the autopsy is already under way.

Late Sunday evening, L.A. County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter held a press conference outside the star's home. "It appears to be natural at this time," he told "Access Hollywood," adding that foul play is not suspected. "We do understand she had a bit of medical history."

Winter confirmed reports that Murphy had been found collapsed in her bathroom on Sunday morning. According to TMZ, Murphy's mother told paramedics that her daughter had a history of diabetes.

Murphy's family is being "very cooperative" with the investigation, Winter said. "The family is very distraught."

The family issued late Sunday evening, saying, "The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy. She was our daughter, our wife, our love and a shining star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this time."

TMZ reported that sources said the actress was very ill in the hours before she went into cardiac arrest and that she had been taking prescription medications for flu-like symptoms for several days. Murphy reportedly began vomiting early Sunday morning, and collapsed in the shower. TMZ's sources also said that "a lot" of prescription drugs were found in her house (some written for her mother and husband), and it is possible that the medication coupled with her diabetes may have triggered cardiac arrest. However, these reports had not been confirmed at press time.

[This story was originally published at 9:14 am E.T. on 12.21.2009]

Westlife to hit the road again‘New Moon’ Co-Star Thinks ‘Breaking Dawn’ Green Light Is Imminent

'Avatar' Dominates At Box Office

The Box-Office Top Five
#1 "Avatar" ($77.3 million)
#2 "The Princess and the Frog" ($12.2 million)
#3 "The Blind Side" ($10 million)
#4 "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" ($7 million)
#5 "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" ($4.4 million)

The mysterious world of Pandora is as beautiful as it is dangerous, and it's that very combination that helped draw the masses to James Cameron's "Avatar," the director's first feature film in over a decade.

It's hardly surprising that the fantasy epic debuted in first place this weekend, dominating the closest competitor by more than $60 million. The 3-D flick was originally estimated to have pulled in $73 million over the weekend, but on Monday (December 21), Variety reported that the tally had been revised to $77.3 million. That gives "Avatar" the highest-grossing December debut in history, surpassing Will Smith's "I Am Legend," which took in $77.2 in its opening weekend.

As "Avatar" has been receiving glowing praise from viewers and critics alike, it likely could have had an even bigger opening weeking. But the big blue film's debut was softened by a ferocious snowstorm that hit the eastern portion of the United States and likely caused many would-be moviegoers to stay inside rather than head out to theaters. Despite the weather woes, "Avatar" still managed a $232.2 million worldwide total, a result that Variety states is "the best global launch ever for a non-sequel."

The movie was hardly cheap to make, with a budget rumored to range between $300 and $500 million. With any luck, the film's strong buzz and the upcoming back-to-back holiday weekends will go a long way towards helping "Avatar" earn its budget back.

While attention is understandably on Cameron's return to feature filmmaking, "Avatar" wasn't the only newcomer in theaters this weekend. The other new wide release was "Did You Hear About the Morgans?," Sony's romantic comedy starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant. The film's meager fourth-place opening has been blamed on a variety of factors, including the tumultuous weather and lackluster reviews.

Of the weekend's limited releases, Rob Marshall's "Nine" performed the best, earning $247,000 from only four theaters. The musical, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, also managed to put forth the best per-screen average of any film this weekend at $61,750 per theater.

Upcoming Releases:"Avatar" faces some stiff competition next holiday weekend with the release of "Sherlock Holmes," starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law and directed by Guy Ritchie; Meryl Streep's romantic comedy "It's Complicated"; and the family-friendly "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel."

Check out everything we've got on "Avatar."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

The Human League to headline GuilFest 2010Sam Worthington Says ‘Avatar’ Is ‘In The Hands Of The Gods’

'Avatar' Fans Rave About Film After Midnight Screening

"Avatar" opened in midnight screenings early Friday, and fans leaving those screenings generally seemed to agree that the movie was worth the wait, the epic runtime and the massive budget.

One fan raved to MTV News after catching a midnight screening in New York City, saying, "The imagination that James Cameron brought about was well worth the 15 years that he put into it."

Justin admitted that the film really had him captivated from beginning to the very end. "The budget showed. It was really good," he said. "Definitely by the end of the movie you were engaged. So, I think that's the sign of a good movie."

Another fan heralded the movie as the start of a new era in filmmaking. "I feel like this is when movies are going to start changing. I feel like this is a revolution," she said.

Discussing the planet depicted in the film, one fan said, "That's the best part of it. You were on Pandora." Referring to the third dimension's ability to bring Pandora to life, he explains, "You never really leave the whole thing until the movie's over. You're a part of it."

One moviegoer pointed out the intense romance between the film's main characters, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), as another appealing part of the flick. Another fan took it a step further by admitting his love for Neytiri. "Honestly, I think I might be in love. I know it's kind of weird, she's 10 feet tall. ... I'm like 5'5'' right now — I can grow," he joked. "I can grow for her."

Check out everything we've got on "Avatar."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Miley Cyrus teaches nine-year-old sister sister to dirty danceZoe Saldana Reveals The Secrets Behind Her ‘Avatar’ Alien

Emily Blunt Brings An Old Queen Into A New Era

BRENTWOOD, California — Born in London, Emily Blunt was discovered by an agent at 16, overcame a stuttering problem to make her stage debut at 20, won a Golden Globe at 24 and has had high-profile relationships with Michael Bublй and current fiancй John Krasinski. Also born in London, Queen Victoria ascended to the throne at 18, overcame multiple attempts to take her birthright away, reigned over England for 63 years and married her husband and soul mate at 21.

Despite nearly 100 years of separation, there are some links between the 19th-century monarch and the 21st-century Hollywood star. So when Emily Blunt set out to make her new film "The Young Victoria," she was determined to give the character a modern-day interpretation. And based on the Golden Globe nomination she received earlier this week, Blunt is clearly doing something right.

"[Stuffy period films] are not up your street, I get it," Blunt recently explained. "That's not what we were trying to make. We didn't want people to be rolling their eyes at the opulence of the costumes, [which] swallows up any sort of accessibility. We didn't want that, and I certainly did not want that for her."

"I tried to approach it as the girl rather than the queen," she said of her portrayal of the historical figure as a fun-loving teen who is legitimately scared of the people (including her own mother) planning to usurp her power. "Reading so much about her, you really see the human side of that person who's just a girl completely in love, and in a job where she feels overwhelmed.

"That's how I approached it," continued the actress, who broke out in the U.S. when "The Devil Wears Prada" made her a household name. "Hopefully you can identify with [my Victoria], and it has a contemporary flair to it."

As you can see in this scene, which has her proposing to Andrew (played by Rupert Friend), Victoria was ahead of her time and determined to do things her own way. The flick, directed by Jean-Marc Vallйe, similarly breaks boundaries with slick editing, a fast-paced script and plenty of drama.

"Can you imagine at 18, having to share a room with your mom?" Blunt marveled at some of the amazing things we learn about the teenage queen, who was so coddled that she wasn't even allowed to walk down a flight of stairs without someone holding her hand for safety. "I mean, there's nothing worse. I think she was remarkable to have that steely resilience to overcome that, and not become such a screw-up from all of that."

Produced by real-life Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson and Martin Scorsese, the film provides something for history buffs, movie lovers and teenagers to enjoy, which is no easy feat. And if she does win that Golden Globe and builds a career as long and memorable as that of the Queen, Blunt joked that she might be willing to return and star in "The Old Victoria." But not for a really, really long time.

"I'd like for you to give me, like, 20-odd years before I'm ready to be seen having nine children," she said of Victoria , who lived to be 81 years old. "I'm going to just hold off on that for now."

Check out everything we've got on "The Young Victoria."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Queen and The Muppets’ ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to be released for Christmas!George Clooney? ‘Precious’? We Preview The 2010 Golden Globe Nods

Taylor Lautner Cast In Action Flick 'Cancun'

Taylor Lautner got his start in the world of martial arts long before finding fame as a werewolf in the "Twilight Saga," and now the 17-year-old will get to display his combat skills in the action flick "Cancun," according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The film, produced by "New Moon" studio Summit Entertainment in conjunction with Lautner's production company, Tailor Made, is being described as "Taken" meets "Die Hard," Variety reports. Tailor Made was formed by the actor and his dad, Dan Lautner, with Temple Hill partners Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen.

Lautner is a fan of 2008's "Taken," starring Liam Neeson, and wanted to make a similar film. And the project provides Lautner the opportunity to display his skills in extreme martial arts. "We wanted to continue working with Taylor and feel he's got the chops to become a big action star," Godfrey said, adding that he expects the film to go into production by June 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 The Evolution Of: Taylor Lautner 

 

"Cancun" centers on a teen whose injury prevents him from becoming an elite soldier. Rather than pursuing that line of work, he goes to college, meets a girl and goes on spring break in Cancun. While there, his friends are kidnapped and held for ransom in exchange for the release of a drug cartel leader who's about to be extradited. Lautner's character uses his martial arts training to save them.

Next up for Lautner is the release of "Valentine's Day" in February and "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" in June. He will most likely shoot the final film in the "Twilight" saga, "Breaking Dawn," later in 2010. Lautner is also reportedly considering a superhero role in a film based on a comic book called "Max Steel."

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Chris Weitz Responds To Negative ‘New Moon’ ReviewsThe Spice Girls musical will be called ‘Viva Forever’

'Avatar': Pass The Kool-Aid, By Kurt Loder

James Cameron's "Avatar" is the most amazing ... no, wait: the most staggeringly amazing, jaw-droppingly triple-awesome unbelievable movie ever made. That's the feeling among the reviewers aggregated at Rotten Tomatoes, anyway. I quote:

"An overwhelming feast of visual artistry unlike anything you have ever seen before."

"Much more than a film. It's a prescribed cinematic experience."

"An entertainment to be not just seen but absorbed on a molecular level."

"Cameron has achieved no less than a rebirth of cinema."

"Make sure you can say you were there when the future of cinema began."

What, are we all techno-fanboys now? Or just unpaid studio publicists? "Avatar" without question represents a new high point in motion-capture technology — the digital technique whereby the movements of human actors are used as the armature for animating fanciful characters. (Peter Jackson's Gollum in "Lord of the Rings" was the breakthrough in this area.) And the movie offers deep 3-D panoramas of computer-generated imagery that really are stunning. (For the first two hours, anyway — at which point there are still 40-some minutes left to go.)

But all of this expensive tech has been put at the service of a story so triflingly generic, you wonder why anyone would bother to tell it. Briefly: Paraplegic ex-Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) gets selected to participate in the Avatar program, a sort of military-industrial project engaged in plundering the natural resources of the faraway planet of Pandora. Of particular interest is a mineral called "unobtainium" (yes, really), which could be the solution to the apparently eternal energy crisis back on Earth. Unfortunately, Pandora's inhabitants, the Na'vi — who are bright blue and 10 feet tall, with long, whippy tails — are settled on a vast field of this stuff, and they don't want to move. The humans are of two minds about this problem. Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), who heads the science team to which Jake has been assigned, wants to befriend the Na'vi and negotiate with them. To this end, "avatars" have been created — Na'vi-like figures fabricated out of human and Na'vi DNA that can be remotely powered by human "drivers" in the base headquarters and sent out among the natives to make friends and learn their language and their charmingly primitive ways.

On the other hand, the project's snarling security chief, Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), and resident corporate greedhead Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi) would just as soon exterminate the Na'vi ("fly-bitten savages who live in trees," as Selfridge puts it) and seize their land. To this end, Quaritch secretly recruits Jake to bring back useful military intel from his nice-making science explorations among the Na'vi. Jake is okay with this at first, until he really gets to know the locals — especially a Na'vi princess called Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). So the plot boils down to this: Can Jake win Neytiri's heart (or whatever) and foil his fellow humans' plan for corporate conquest? Even as the movie's long, unhurried opening sequences are laying out all the relevant info, you can hear those questions answering themselves.

Fortunately, Cameron is a great action director. There's a lot to look at here: the luminescent glow of the jungle in which the Na'vi live, the ancient Tree of Souls with which they commune, a spectacular range of mountains hanging high in the sky up above Pandora — and there's a lot going on. The director and his battalion of digital technicians have cooked up a fantastical bestiary of Pandoran creatures — futuristic hammerhead rhinos; dogfighting battle dragons; and, in one virtuoso sequence, a vicious six-legged thingy that chases Jake through the jungle and off the edge of a cliff (see trailer). The meticulous detail in which these creatures have been rendered, and the complexity with which they're arrayed in the film's exotic environments, are undeniable marvels of moviemaking art.

Unfortunately, whenever the action lets up and we're returned to the piddling story, the picture slumps like a failed soufflй. It's also heavily laced with political instruction of a most familiar sort. Cameron, who's now 55, is a self-acknowledged aging hippie, and his boomer worldview is strictly by-the-numbers. Quaritch and Selfridge are evil Americans despoiling the Na'vi's idyllic planet in exactly the same way that the humans have (we're told) trashed their own native orb. The invaders are armed with deplorable corporate technology (an odd animosity in a major-studio movie that reportedly cost more than $200 million to make), and they speak the familiar — and here rather anachronistic — language of contemporary American warmongering. ("We will fight terror with terror!" "It's some kind of shock-and-awe campaign!")

The Na'vi, on the other hand, with their bows and arrows and long braided hair, are stand-ins for every spiritually astute and ecologically conscientious indigenous population ever ground down under the heel of rampaging Western imperialism. They appear to have no warlike impulses themselves, and they live in complete harmony with their environment. (They even talk to trees.) Why, the movie asks, as if the question were new, can't we be more like them ?

The central question that "Avatar" poses, however, is whether expensively advanced filmmaking technology is enough in itself to carry a whole film. The story here is a simple mash-up of every old cowboys-and-Indians and jungle-adventure movie of the 1930s and '40s. And while Saldana manages to project shadings of emotion through her digital carapace, and Worthington and Joel David Moore (as a friendly biologist) bring nice-guy appeal to their roles, the characters are blandly conceived. We watch them go about their business advancing the predictable plot and uttering Cameron's sometimes clunky dialogue ("The sky people have sent us a message!" "This land is our land!"), and we wonder when the battle-dragons will come swooping back in to break the tedium. In the story, the machines don't win, of course; but in the tech-centric scheme of the movie, they conquer all.

Check out everything we've got on "Avatar."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Sam Worthington Says ‘Avatar’ Is ‘In The Hands Of The Gods’The Spice Girls musical will be called ‘Viva Forever’

SAG Awards Nominations Led By 'Up In The Air,' 'Precious'

Thursday morning's nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards have confirmed what has become increasingly clear since the Golden Globe noms two days earlier: Films like "Up in the Air" and "Precious" are the indisputable favorites heading into the peak of awards season.

Both of those films, as well as Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds," racked up three nods each, followed by the likes of "The Hurt Locker" and "Nine," each with two. With just five motion picture categories — including an Outstanding Performance by a Cast in place of the more traditional recognition for best film — no one movie dominated the results.

The films recognized for their casts are "An Education," "Hurt Locker," "Basterds," "Nine" and "Precious." Save for "Education," all of these films were recognized in a Best Motion Picture category at the Globes. James Cameron's "Avatar," meanwhile, which nabbed four Globe noms, was shut out entirely from the SAGs.

The category of Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role largely mirrored the Globes, except with the entrance of Jeremy Renner ("Hurt Locker"), who had been enjoying a highly successful awards season until his Globes snub. Other nominees include Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart"), George Clooney ("Up in the Air"), Colin Firth ("A Single Man") and Morgan Freeman ("Invictus").

Similarly, the top lead female category followed the Globes example: Sandra Bullock ("The Blind Side"), Helen Mirren ("The Last Station"), Carey Mulligan ("An Education"), Gabourey Sidibe ("Precious") and Meryl Streep ("Julie & Julia").

Whereas HBO dominated the Globe television nominations, the pay channel received seven nods at the SAGs, one less than NBC. "30 Rock," "The Closer" and "Dexter" tied for the most nominations with three. "Glee," the big winner at the Globes, garnered only one honor.

Nominees for top ensemble in a comedy are "30 Rock," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Glee," "Modern Family" and "The Office." Ensemble nominees in the drama category are "The Closer," "Dexter," "The Good Wife," "Mad Men" and "True Blood."

For Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series, Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") snuck in a nomination, joining others that had been recognized at the Globes: Simon Baker ("The Mentalist"), Michael C. Hall ("Dexter"), Jon Hamm ("Mad Men") and Hugh Laurie ("House").

On the top lead female in a drama side, the nominations diverged more widely from the Globes. In addition to Glenn Close ("Damages") and Kyra Sedgwick ("The Closer"), the category welcomed Patricia Arquette ("Medium"), Mariska Hartgitay (Law & Order: SVU") and Holly Hunter ("Saving Grace").

Nominees for lead actor in a comedy were Alec Baldwin ("30 Rock"), Steve Carell ("The Office"), Larry David ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"), Tony Shalhoub ("Monk") and Charlie Sheen ("Two and a Half Men").

The Screen Actors Guild Awards air live on TBS on Saturday, January 23, almost a week after the Globes and more than a month before the Oscars on March 7.

Madness to headline Camp BestivalGeorge Clooney? ‘Precious’? We Preview The 2010 Golden Globe Nods

New 'Iron Man 2' Trailer Features Whiplash, Black Widow, War Machine

As originally envisioned within the pages of Marvel Comics, Iron Man is a high-tech creation that captures the imagination of all those he encounters, soars high above most superheroes and is impervious to virtually any attack. Now, a new trailer for "Iron Man 2" is reminding fans once again that little has been lost in the comic-to-film translation.

The clip contains several tantalizing new shots from the upcoming Robert Downey Jr.-starring flick, particularly those capitalizing on Tony Stark's public revelation at the end of the film that he is, indeed, the man in the yellow-and-red superhero suit. At one point, he stands ready to dive out of a plane, asking Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) for a "smooch for good luck" (the spitfire secretary sarcastically kisses the helmet). We also see the billionaire playboy at the Stark Expo, emerging from the suit to a roaring crowd and exclaiming, "It's good to be back!"

Following a series of leaked photos and posters that contained clues for next summer's blockbuster, a fan named "Mirko P from Houston" pieced the hints together and unlocked the Web site StarkSecretConfessionRevealed.com at approximately 3:08 p.m. PT Wednesday. For the next 60 minutes, the site displayed a countdown indicating that the launch of a brand-new trailer had been initiated. At 4:08 p.m., the site began forwarding viewers to iTunes Movie Trailers, where the footage could be viewed.

The trailer is also notable for giving fans their best look yet at Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke's villain, a Russian named Ivan Vanko, a.k.a. Whiplash. "You come from a family of thieves and butchers," he says at one point in a thick accent, presumably addressing Stark. "And now, like all guilty men, you're trying to rewrite your own history."

Other notable moments include new, quick shots of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Scarlett Johansson kicking ass as Black Widow and Iron Man going back-to-back with Don Cheadle as the armed-to-the-teeth War Machine. "Iron Man 2" hits theaters May 7.

Check out everything we've got on "Iron Man 2."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more from the world of comic books and comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

‘New Moon,’ ‘Watchmen’ Among Our Favorite 2009 TrailersMySpace Music platform launches today

Paul Rudd And Steve Carell Invite You To 'Dinner For Schmucks'

Look up the word "schmuck" in the dictionary and you'll learn that it comes from the Yiddish "shmok," meaning "A clumsy or stupid person; an oaf" or — more literally — male genitalia. It probably goes without saying that you wouldn't want to break bread with a bunch of them.

Look up "Dinner for Schmucks," and you'll see it's an upcoming film starring Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and "Hangover" breakout Zach Galifianakis. In essence, three funny dudes who anybody would be lucky to sit down to a meal with. And when we visited the set recently, we got an appetizing tease of what promises to be a tasty meal.

"I play this guy Tim, who is trying to get into the upper echelon of his company and gets invited to join the ranks [of upper management] — the final test is a dinner the boss holds every month," Rudd explained of the flick, directed by "Austin Powers" and "Meet the Parents" mastermind Jay Roach. "And the idea is that each person that works for this company — they're all jerky guys — have to invite the biggest idiot they can find, or moron or schmuck. I'm a little morally on the fence — but then I get handed on a silver platter Steve, who plays Barry."

"He likes to make dioramas with dead mice, and he will dress them up in historical outfits — he will dress them up as they look in famous paintings," Carell revealed of his schmucky character. "It's a hobby; it's something that is an outlet for him.

"We have a fortuitous meeting, and it becomes apparent all too quickly that I am a perfect candidate for this dinner," the "Office" star continued, explaining their modern remake of the 1998 French comedy "Le Diner de Cons," or "The Dinner of Dumbasses" in literal translation. "And the trouble that ensues is my character complicates [Tim's] personal life, his life with his girlfriend, his life with his boss, any potential business clients.

"I make it much, much worse than it already had been," Carell grinned.

"In the span of 24 hours," Rudd agreed, "he destroys my life."

In films like "Anchorman," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Role Models," both Carell and Rudd have played their fair share of schmucks. But in real life, the two longtime friends insisted that their dumbass ways are just a clever faзade.

"You can't take [being cast as a schmuck] personally, because a lot of what I do in my real life, I try to be cool," Carell insisted. "I try to exude a real steady charm and sort of a slyness. Yet people take away that I'm just a fool and an idiot. So it's hurtful, but frankly, it's a job."

" 'Jerky' is just openly hostile," Rudd explained, insisting that he preferred to be remembered by that adjective. "As for 'schmuck,' there seems to be something lovable in schmuck."

With the film due out next July, Carell and Rudd hope fans will find it every bit as lovable. But as for which one of them turns out to be the endearing one, well, they said we'll just have to wait and find out.

"People who are perceived to be fools, especially in this movie, what you think is not necessarily the truth," Carell insisted. "What the perception is can be vastly different from the truth."

"Who's the real schmuck in this?" Rudd asked. "You might have to see the film."

Check out everything we've got on "Dinner for Schmucks."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.>

Cerys Matthews gives birth‘The Lovely Bones’ Director Peter Jackson Creates A Beautiful Purgatory

Sam Worthington Enjoys Life Among The Na'vi In Exclusive 'Avatar' Clip

Jake Sully's mission is clear: Use his big blue mind-controlled avatar to infiltrate the native Na'vi people of Pandora, become one of them, then bring back his findings so the human colonizers can clear the territory and exploit its valuable natural resources. Things get complicated in James Cameron's "Avatar" when Sully (Sam Worthington) begins to feel affection for the Na'vi in general and a princess named Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), specifically.

Sully feels a lot more natural flying through the air as an alien warrior — rather than being confined to a wheelchair as an injured ex-Marine — as an exclusive new "Avatar" clip that debuted during MTV News' "Behind the Screen" show makes clear.

Sully and Neytiri soar through the sky on Pandoran banshees, winged creatures whose nervous systems they hook into via tendrils extending from their ponytails. Thusly connected and fully in control of these beasts, the blue aliens go for a ride that is part joy and part business.

"I was a stone-cold aerial hunter," Sully says in voiceover. "Death from above. Only problem is, you're not the only one."

That shadow floating above them? It's trouble: a Leonopteryx, which is like a banshee, only bigger, meaner and hungrier. This yellow, red and black beastie decides these two sinewy bipeds and their flying modes of transportation would make a delicious afternoon snack.

The Leonopteryx, it should be noted, is not some purely evil creature in the minds of the Na'vi. On the rarest of occasions, a Na'vi has been known to domesticate one of these colorful animals, allowing him to fly and hunt with it as one would a banshee. Only the chosen, though, can hope to accomplish such a near-mystical feat, and on this particular day, Sully and Neytiri's only chance of survival is to flee.

They dive down into the forest, hoping they'll be more agile than their aggressor among the trees, branches and foliage. The strategy pays off, and the Leonopteryx flies off with a frustrated roar. Sully and Neytiri land safely on a nearby tree and stare at each other, beginning to laugh. That was a perilously close call, and it won't be long before they're once again hunting and joyriding through these luminous alien skies.

Check out everything we've got on "Avatar."For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Fields Of The Nephilim reveal new releaseZoe Saldana Reveals The Secrets Behind Her ‘Avatar’ Alien

Brad Pitt In A 'Sherlock Holmes' Sequel? Guy Ritchie, Cast Weigh In

Brad Pitt and Robert Downey Jr. going head-to-head onscreen. That's a tantalizing cinematic throwdown, which explains why even the possibility of such a face-off — in a sequel to a film that has not even opened yet — has been churning through the rumor mill. If Downey's "Sherlock Holmes" becomes a box-office hit following its Christmas Day opening, could we eventually see the actor's Holmes joined in a sequel by Brad Pitt as the wily detective's nemesis James Moriarty?

That's been the gossip for months. In August there were rumors that Pitt was on the "Holmes" set, and The Hollywood Reporter dished in September that the A-lister was in discussions to take on the role. And now we know — spoiler alert! — that Moriarty does in fact pop up in "Holmes," albeit swathed in shadows and with a voice not recognizably Pitt's. So when MTV News had a chance to chat with director Guy Ritchie and his cast, we had to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Had Ritchie talked with Pitt about playing Moriarty? "I can't tell you that," the director said, glancing a bit nervously at his publicist. "Maybe Moriarty will surface again .... I'm not allowed to say anything."

Why be so tight-lipped about something that is not even a possibility? His answers will only fuel the Pitt-as-Moriarty fire. "I'm a big fan of Brad and I'd love to work with Brad," said Ritchie, who directed Pitt in 2000's "Snatch." "Everything he's done, I'm a big fan of."

When we put the Pitt questions to Downey, the actor declined to answer or speculate. "We're not the casting directors and [Moriarty's] kept purposely out of the narrative in the story and, should we be fortunate enough to go forward again, then we'll probably make casting announcements and that stuff."

"Holmes" star Mark Strong was a little more forthcoming in our interview, saying he never saw Pitt on set, but that Pitt and Ritchie have a strong creative bond. "I never met [Pitt], but I know that Guy and he are friends, obviously, because they've worked together and I know they'd love to get someone of his caliber to play a character of the depth and weight of Moriarty. I know they've probably talked about it."

Rachel McAdams' character, Irene Adler, actually interacts with the mysterious Moriarty in the film. Did the actress perform alongside Pitt?

"No Brad Pitt sightings," McAdams said with a laugh, adding sometimes she wasn't even on camera with another actor. "I was just talking to a dark void."

Check out everything we've got on "Sherlock Holmes."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

50 Cent talks of sex with Angelina JolieGeorge Clooney? ‘Precious’? We Preview The 2010 Golden Globe Nods

Anna Kendrick Nominated For Supporting Actress Golden Globe

On Tuesday (December 15), it was announced that Anna Kendrick was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for her work in the George Clooney movie "Up in the Air." Even before starring in that movie (which received the most Globe nominations this year) or playing chatterbox Jessica in the "Twilight" franchise, the 26-year-old actress has been receiving accolades for her work.

A musical-theater veteran, Kendrick has been nominated for a number of awards including a Tony nod in 1998 for her work in "High Society," in which she played Dinah. At the time, she was the third-youngest person ever to get nominated for a Tony.

In addition to a number of stage productions, the actress appeared on TV shows like the short-lived "Viva Laughlin," produced by Hugh Jackman, and smaller flicks like 2007's "Rocket Science," which is what caught the eye of "Up in the Air" director Jason Reitman.

 

 

 

 

 

 2010 Golden Globe Nominees 

 

"When I saw her in that movie, I just thought, 'This girl has a different voice from everyone of her generation,' " Reitman said. "She oddly talks like someone from the 1940s, and she's so witty and smart and sharp. And I needed a girl who could go toe-to-toe with George Clooney. She was the one. This was Anna's role. I wrote this for Anna. As soon as I saw 'Rocket Science' and I recognized her voice, I started writing for her."

Kendrick, who currently stars as Bella's human friend Jessica in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," recently shared that she was happy without the level of fame that Robert Pattinson endures these days. But with a Golden Globe nomination under her belt, she is bound to have a larger audience wondering who she is.

"I would have gone insane at this point!" she told MTV News of how she'd feel if she were as famous as Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. "They're so levelheaded. They've handled it so gracefully."

Kendrick also thinks that "Up in the Air," though very different in tone from her work in "New Moon," could still find a place in the hearts of Twilighters everywhere thanks to its message. "It's a movie that appeals to everybody. It's a timeless story. It's a romance, but it's also about people who are trying to figure out what they want in their lives. Everybody goes through that," she explained. " 'Twilight' is more of a fairy tale, but this is a story about real people. And everybody likes that."

Kendrick's roles in 2010 include the eagerly anticipated movies "Twilight Saga: Eclipse" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." But she said that she has other, less lofty ambitions on her mind. "I want to learn to play pool. I don't want to be one of those chicks in a bar that needs her boyfriend to set up a shot for her," she said. "That would be a life goal."

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" and "Up in the Air."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

50 Cent talks of sex with Angelina Jolie‘Up In The Air’ Director Raves About Anna Kendrick: ‘I Wrote This Role For Her’

Sarah Jessica Parker Impressed By Miley Cyrus' Height, Professionalism

Sarah Jessica Parker and Miley Cyrus don't appear onscreen together in "Sex and the City 2," in theaters next year, but Parker did spend enough time on set with the 17-year-old singer/actress to learn one big thing about her: She's a rather tall girl.

"I had very little [time] with Miley, but I was astounded by her height," Parker told MTV News while promoting her flick, "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" "Did you know that she's tall? She's like a Viking. I had no idea!"

And while Cyrus filmed her brief cameo as herself for "SATC 2," Parker noticed that the teen's stature (which much be higher than her last reported 5-foot-4) was matched by her professional attitude.

"She's a beautiful young lady and very self-possessed," she said. "I literally was not in the scene with her. I was in the scene, but we were not [onscreen] together. But she was lovely and on time and prompt and professional, very sweet. She worked two hours and she was in and out."

Someone who may or may not be in and out of the flick is John Corbett, who was spotted in Morocco around the same time "SATC 2" was on location there. Parker said she "can't confirm nor deny" that her former co-star, who played Aiden on the show, is in the movie. "It might have just been coincidental that he was traveling," she said cryptically.

"I can confirm that there is no Jennifer Hudson," she added of the singer who played Carrie's assistant in the first movie.

Parker said the sequel is intended to be a lighthearted "caper," unlike the first movie, which took a dark turn when Big got cold feet at his wedding to Carrie. "It had a lot of sadness in it," she said. "It was bleak — intentionally so — and I thought rather bold.

"And this is really like the antidote, [like those] black-and-white road movies, or that's what we hope," she added. "We're hoping that it's fun and light. It feels like a soufflй. We've traveled a great distance to film it, and I think we have beautiful cinematic images and pictures, and I think everybody else is really good in it. I'm probably not, but I've enjoyed doing it."

Check out everything we've got on "Sex and the City 2."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

‘Avatar’ Director James Cameron Says Fan Pressure Inspires Him