Thursday, March 31, 2011

'Sucker Punch' DVD Will Include R-Rated Footage, Zack Snyder Says

In case you haven't already seen, heard or read enough about Zack Snyder's action-adventure-fantasy "Sucker Punch," MTV News has you covered. In addition to our catch-all guide to the film and secrets revealed, today we bring you more from Snyder regarding the highly technical aspects of the shoot, as well as what fans can expect on the DVD and Blu-ray.

"The train sequences were the hardest technically to shoot only because it's a sequence that's broken up into maybe 120 shots that look like one shot," Snyder revealed. "So you just kind of have to know where the camera's going and where it came from, and put these little camera moves in, and all these shifts that have to happen," he said.

Snyder went on to say that he and his filmmaking team had the same sort of problems with the Samurai fight sequence, but they approached them differently.

"It was a little easier to do, but the thing that challenged us there was, of course, the scale was crazy," he said. "Ryan, who's one of my stuntmen, he would stand on a big piece of scaffolding and he would fight Emily [Browning] with this long stick," he explained. "Because she had to have an eye line to him up there. So he had this kind of flexible stick that he would try to hit her with."

Will we see any of that behind-the-scenes footage on the DVD?

"Yeah, sure," he said. "I think there is coverage of that."

Regarding what else will appear on the home-video-viewing versions of the film, Snyder teased that there will be a lot of action.

"There is about 18 minutes in the Blu-ray that is mostly action, because the MPAA was not ... [there was] a little too much action," he said, adding that taking the film from an R-rating to PG-13 was also a challenge.

"I would say that the very things that they [the MPAA] didn't like were the very things that you needed to see in order for you to understand the content of the scene," he said. "To know how to feel about it, because otherwise you're sort of left in this weird middle ground," he said. "So it's difficult. It's tricky."

Check out everything we've got on "Sucker Punch."

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

Will Weak 'Sucker Punch' Showing Affect Zack Snyder's 'Superman'?

There was a time, after "Dawn of the Dead" and "300," when few might have argued against handing Superman's cape to director Zack Snyder and telling him, "Resurrect this franchise!" Then came his polarizing adaptation of "Watchmen" and a disappointing box-office performance in "Legend of the Guardians," neither of which prevented Warner Bros. from giving Snyder the "Superman" gig last October. Now, though, in the wake of the critical drubbing and weak opening weekend of "Sucker Punch," some industry insiders suspect that the studio and its corporate parent are starting to wonder if Snyder — a director with a keen visual eye but not always the deftest storytelling touch — is truly the right man for the job.

In fact, David Poland of Movie City News even speculated that the director might end up departing the production. "Next month would be the moment when Snyder 'decides to do a more personal project,' if he was being given the heave-ho," the critic told MTV News.

Not that Poland or anyone else is suggesting that Snyder has one foot out the door. Certainly helping matters is that "The Dark Knight Rises" director Christopher Nolan has taken on a much-vaunted "godfather" role on "Superman."

"With Nolan shepherding 'Superman,' Warner Bros. will likely have complete trust in their collective vision as they attempt to reboot one of Hollywood's golden franchises," said Jeff Bock, box-office analyst for entertainment-research firm Exhibitor Relations. "Yes, 'Sucker Punch' is a creative and financial disappointment, and probably the last time in quite a while that Snyder will be given free reign over a film, but he was never going to have that creative autonomy with 'Superman' regardless."

Yet Nolan's guidance is hardly enough to ensure "Superman" success on the level of "Batman Begins" or "The Dark Knight." James Cameron, for instance, took on an executive-producer role on "Sanctum" — one can clearly see his input both in the visuals and the storyline — but no one would argue that the film resides in the same creative universe as "Avatar." What's more, it remains unclear how engaged Nolan will be as he readies production on "The Dark Knight Rises."

"How involved will Nolan really be? His ['Batman'] casting is ahead of 'Superman''s," said Poland. "[Is] Nolan godfathering Snyder or just WB? Is he there to give script notes or to really assert an influence? It's an unknown."

Poland maintains that Snyder's hiring always seemed to be a move spearheaded by Warner Bros. Pictures Group president Jeff Robinov rather than Nolan, since the two directors possess vastly different stylistic vocabularies. In this sense, it may not be that WB is reassessing Snyder so much as that Robinov's higher-ups at Time Warner are.

"[I]t's more about the bosses second-guessing. Will the noise level turn [CEO] Jeff Bewkes' head?" noted Poland. "Could another 'Superman' flop — meaning just $400 million worldwide, hit numbers for most films — change how Jeff Robinov is seen inside the company? ... I do believe that [Snyder] is Robinov's guy and that Robinov's career is on the line here."

It's important to note, however, that Warner Bros. certainly knew what it had in "Sucker Punch" before hiring Snyder — its commercial and critical reception couldn't have come as an inordinate surprise. Nor was its box-office debut ($19 million) especially shocking, according to Gitesh Pandya, editor of BoxOfficeGuru.com. "The opening was only a tad bit below expectations," he said. "If a branded film like 'Watchmen' opened like this, then it would be a big deal. The visuals were impressive and that's a major factor when it comes to a superhero tentpole. Many directors with far less action experience were handed comic-book epics before."

But even action-savvy helmers have faltered with "Superman." Just ask Bryan Singer. The thing is, after Singer's "Superman Returns" failed to resonate with the public in 2006, Warner Bros. can hardly afford to stumble again. According to Bock, WB understands that "it's do or die time," and continues to have confidence that its pairing of Snyder and Nolan was the right choice.

"[T]hey needed Nolan in a godfather capacity, and Snyder to up the hip quotient," Bock said. "Snyder knows how to create a dynamic spectacle on the silver screen, as he has shown with '300' and 'Dawn of the Dead,' and with Nolan guiding the story process, 'Superman' may just be the next big thing — again."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

Robert Pattinson's Not Suiting Up For 'Daredevil' ... Yet

Imagine Robert Pattinson in tights, fighting crime as an iconic character. While the heartthrob would undoubtedly have the Twihards lining up for days to see him play a superhero, he thinks there's one set of moviegoers who wouldn't be nearly as keen on the idea: fanboys!

During Friday's "MTV First: Robert Pattinson," a live, 30-minute chat with the "Water for Elephants" star, RPattz revealed he would, in fact, take on a superhero role if it were presented to him. "I'd love [to] definitely."

But the actor does have some reservations about taking on the genre, including which superhero he would play. "I don't know what superhero you'd do. Is there any left?" he asked.

Robert did, however, admit that there's one character he'd like to suit up for, but he gave pause when he realized what a stir he might cause by even mentioning it.

"I shouldn't even say this stuff, 'cause all the little fanboys will be like, 'No! I'm gonna shoot him!' " he joked.

So, while we may never know which character Robert is "such a big fan" of, we do know that he's not yet in contention for the role of Matt Murdock in "Eclipse" director David Slade's upcoming "Daredevil" reboot.

"I don't know where that one came from at all," Robert said of the rumors that he was lined up to play the comic book vigilante. But, that wasn't the only thing he found confusing about the future remake. When MTV News mentioned another "Daredevil" was in the works, Robert asked, "[That] Ben Affleck movie?"

He then pondered with a laugh about the 2003 flick, "That's weird, didn't that only come out about three years ago?"

The 24-year-old star did have some casting ideas of his own. "Get David Slade to play him," Robert said of his former "Eclipse" director. "Oh no, he should play, who's the bald guy? Bullseye!"

Which superhero would you like to see Robert Pattinson play?

Check out everything we've got on "Water for Elephants."

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

'The Hobbit' Begins Filming

It's been a long, long time coming, but after spending more than 14 years gestating, Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" movie finally started filming on Monday (March 21).

Production is taking place at Stone Street Studios in New Zealand, the same studio where Jackson shot his three "Lord of the Rings" films. Shooting is expected to take around two years to complete, with the anticipated release date of the tentatively titled "There and Back Again" December 19, 2012 and "The Hobbit: An/The Unexpected Journey" sometime in December 2013.

It wasn't until last month that the cast of "The Hobbit" were brought together for the first time, during a press conference in New Zealand. Since then, castmember Ian McKellan has been keeping fans up-to-date on the pre-production process via his blog. Earlier this month, he announced that he had seen Martin Freeman dressed in character as leading man Bilbo Baggins and caught a glimpse of the footage in 3-D.

Production on "The Hobbit" has been rife with its share of problems since Jackson first presented the idea to adapt it back in 1997. From 2005-2007, Jackson and New Line Cinemas were involved in a legal battle that eventually relegated Jackson to executive producer while another director would helm the films. Then director Guillermo del Toro agreed to come onboard to helm the films in 2008, but in May 2010, he said that he couldn't continue his time commitment to the films. And even after Jackson was again confirmed as director on October 15, 2010, there were union disputes in New Zealand that almost forced "The Hobbit" to relocate to a different filming area.

Fortunately everything has been resolved since then. Jackson is directing the flicks, Freeman is starring as Bilbo and "Lord of the Rings" actors McKellan, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett and Orlando Bloom will be returning for the new films. The movies will be shot in digital 3-D, and Howard Shore, who composed the score for the three "Lord of the Rings" films, will be working on these as well.

"We're all very optimistic about it," Freeman said during the New Zealand press conference according to the BBC. "We're ready to go — just as soon as 2015 comes around."

Lucky for us, the filming start date was a bit sooner than that.

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

Emily Browning Talks Auditioning For 'Hunger Games'

The role might have recently gone to Jennifer Lawrence, but there was a point in time when "Sucker Punch" star Emily Browning might have played District 12 champion Katniss Everdeen in the upcoming Lionsgate adaptation of "The Hunger Games."

"I read for ['Hunger Games'] a couple of times, but I've never read the book, to be honest -- which I know is terrible of me," Browning said in an interview with the Playlist. "I was nervous about it."

Despite the fact Browning started out her acting career as one of the leads in an adaptation of a popular children's series, it was that experience that turned her off from moving on to starring in the young-adult genre. She admitted that there was a period of time between when she filmed 2004's "Lemony Snicket's A Series ofUnfortunate Events" and when she agreed to come onboard Friday's "Sucker Punch" that she seriously considered quitting acting altogether.

It was during that time that she found out "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer said she would be the perfect Bella Swan for the upcoming adaptation of the novel, but Browning wasn't ready to commit to a franchise.

"I was just exhausted, and I was like, 'I'm sorry, but I just can't sign onto a trilogy right now,' " Browning told MTV News in 2009, after she finished "The Uninvited." "To be honest, if I had gone on to do the film straight after 'The Uninvited,' I would not have been a good Bella . and I'm hoping people realize that now."

But it was the fact that she was vilified for reportedly turning down the "Twilight" role that caused Browning to remain so hush-hush about trying out for "Hunger Games."

"It's always hard for me to talk about these kinds of things, because I know there was a big deal with 'Twilight' and my involvement with people wanting me to do 'Twilight,' so I'm always like, 'Oh, people love this book so much, I don't want to get involved, I don't want to talk about it!' " Browning explained. "I read for ['Hunger Games'] a couple of times, but I think every single girl in Hollywood read for it a couple of times, to be honest."

Would you have liked to see Emily Browning play Katniss Everdeen or Bella Swan? Sound off below!

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

Taylor Lautner, Justin Timberlake Vie For 'Best Line' MTV Movie Award Nods

New MTV Movie Award categories come and go. Best Kiss has been around since the beginning ("My Girl" co-star Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin were the inaugural winners in 1992), while Sexiest Performance and Best Virtual Performance lasted just a year (congrats, Jessica Alba and Gollum!).

For the 2011 show, one new category joins the field: Best Line From a Movie. Folks like Justin Timberlake ("Social Network"), Taylor Lautner ("Eclipse") and Leonardo DiCaprio ("Inception") will compete to make the final list of nominees.

We should add, however, that we've seen something like this before. For two years at the turn of the millennium, we presented a category called Best Line. Robert De Niro won that first year for asking Ben Stiller in "Meet the Parents," "Are you a pothead, Focker?" The next year, "Legally Blonde" star Reese Witherspoon triumphed for delivering this line to Selma Blair: "Oh, I like your outfit too, except when I dress up as a frigid bitch, I try not to look so constipated."

While comedic movie lines won twice in the past, there's no telling what's going to happen this year. Potential nominees are both young ("Grown Ups" star Alexys Nycole Sanchez: "I want to get chocolate wasted!") and, well, not as young ("Tron: Legacy" star Jeff Bridges: "You're really ruining my Zen thing"). There are laugh lines ("With no power, comes no responsibility," Aaron Johnson said in "Kick Ass") and deadly serious ones ("If you guys were the inventors of Facebook, you'd have invented Facebook," Jesse Eisenberg declared in "The Social Network"). A few quotes are a little too dirty to print in full ("It's in the shape of a giant co--," cracks Chloë Moretz in "Kick Ass"). And then there are two "Eclipse" quotes facing off against each other: Lautner ("Let's face it, I'm hotter than you") versus Robert Pattinson ("Doesn't he own a shirt?").

Which lines will make the final list of nominees? It's up to you, and voting is already under way at MovieAwards.MTV.com. Polls for Best Line From a Movie and the rest of the categories will stay open through April 5. After the final nominees are announced, another round of voting will kick off on May 3 and run through June 4. But voting for Best Movie will remain open during the awards show itself.

The 20th annual MTV Movie Awards will air live on Sunday, June 5, at 9 p.m. ET from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California.

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

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A Tribe Called Quest 'Encourage' Fans To See 'Beats, Rhymes & Life'

Although A Tribe Called Quest felt some of the business behind Michael Rapaport's documentary on the group was Industry Rule #4080 (read: shady), they still want fans to go see the film. "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest" is a window into not only the career of one of hip-hop's most influential acts, they said, but also the culture itself.

"I encourage everybody still to see this film," Q-Tip told MTV News. "Not only because it's about us, but it's really about the hip-hop movement, man. It really, really is, that's on everything. It's a celebration not only of Tribe, but of the culture. Of what goes into making records: the ups, the downs, the switching of the times. It's a beautiful story about hip-hop. He really did a great job, and I commend him for it, still. He really did an amazing job."

According to Q-Tip, he and Tribe just want to get the story totally correct.

"Again, this is just another warning shot ... a flare coming from the cannon so that they can get this thing right," Q-Tip said.

The MC also expressed the necessity for seminal rap artists and groups to tell their stories on their own terms. "Everybody out there in hip-hop who's crossed that threshold, who's done work, who has a history — whether it be Queen Latifah or Rakim or Wu-Tang or Jay-Z or Nas or Ice Cube or N.W.A — yo, tell y'all own stories," Q-Tip said, looking into the camera for emphasis. "Be in charge of your own stories, you hear me?"

The Queens MC then likened rappers to griots : West African storytellers who share their tales via oral tradition.

"We gotta pass our own stories on," Q-Tip continued. "This is part of our tradition as African-Americans predominantly. Let's tell our own stories. We can let everybody come in and participate with us in this, but don't fall for the Hollywood, nobody's ever done this before. We hip-hop, man. This is a hip-hop nation. We crack the mold, we break the rules. We define this culture that we in right now, this Western culture, the sh-- that's moving around the world, whether it be Tribe to Lil Wayne, Drake to Kanye, I don't care. This hip-hop sh-- is our sh--, and when we start moving in, control your stories, man. Tell your stories — that's what I learned from this."

Will you check out the Tribe documentary? Let us know in the comments.



Kanye West’s ‘Runaway’ Is About ‘Remaking,’ Performance Artist Says

Robert Pattinson Says He And Kristen Stewart 'Have Different Ways Of Thinking'

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart clearly have a connection: From their onscreen chemistry in the "Twilight" saga to their real-life romance, the two stars undoubtedly see eye-to-eye on a lot of things. That is, however, except for how they approach their careers as performers.

During his live 30-minute chat with us for "MTV First: Robert Pattinson," the actor discussed the differences between his outlook on the acting process compared to KStew's.

"We just have different ways of thinking," Pattinson explained. "I like the kind of cerebral aspect of things, and she has kind of an immediate emotional response to stuff every single time."

In fact, their approach to things in real life often reflects their decision-making as actors. "She can be thrown by something someone says and notices much more about people, whereas I just want to see the meaning of something," the 24-year-old star of "Water for Elephants" explained.

So, how does RPattz's more-mental approach to acting bode with KStew's responsiveness? Not too well, actually. While Pattinson admitted he's someone who can't take on a project until he entirely gets it , Stewart will be the first to point out what there is to "get" is actually right there in front of him.

"She's like, 'Why can't you understand? It's obvious . You don't know, you shouldn't be an actor!' " RPattz described with a laugh.

But, then again, his approach to his acting career is very much rooted in instinct. "I don't want to just act for the sake of acting," he told us. "If I'm not doing kind-of cool stuff, then I don't want to be in front of people."

The star, who confessed he doesn't even like having his picture taken, added, "All I want to do is make movies that I want to see. I've always tried to go for that and ... you've got to go through lots of different hurdles to go to that level."

While he will continue to look for projects that challenge and interest him, he fully admitted he's not the type of actor who has a deep-rooted passion for the craft.

"I don't know what that feeling is," he said of the desire to act. "It's like, 'What do you want to do?' 'I want to read someone else's lines right now! I want someone to film me saying something!' It's, like, really weird."

Are you surprised to hear Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart differ so much in their approach to acting?

Check out everything we've got on "Water for Elephants."

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



‘Breaking Dawn’ Star Mackenzie Foy Gets Props From Onscreen Grandmother

'Limitless' Beats Down 'Battle: Los Angeles' At Weekend Box Office

The weekend's box-office receipts proved that Bradley Cooper doesn't need his "Hangover" or "A-Team" buddies to open a movie, Matthew McConaughey can impress the critics when he skips the easy romantic comedy cash, and the pair responsible for "Shaun of the Dead" have yet to exhaust their well of genre love letters as "Limitless," "The Lincoln Lawyer" and "Paul" hit theaters.

Cooper's "Limitless" was the #1 movie in America with a $19 million debut, according to studio estimates. It's the first flick to depend on Cooper's star power since the heartthrob actor hit it big in "The Hangover," the ensemble buddy romp that became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy ever. Overall, the box office was down 10 percent from last year, but this wasn't a bad debut.

Matthew McConaughey, known for going shirtless in several poorly reviewed but hugely successful romantic comedies, told the Toronto Star he took a pay cut to play an attorney reduced to living in his car in "The Lincoln Lawyer," and that move certainly paid off. "The Lincoln Lawyer" debuted at #4 with $13.4 million, and perhaps better still for the 41-year-old actor, it boasted an 81 percent critical average according to Rotten Tomatoes. By comparison, his "Fool's Gold" mustered a mere 10 percent with critics just a couple of years ago.

Lionsgate Films paid theaters the difference for 40,000 tickets that were redeemed through a Groupon promotion, where subscribers to the discount email service were able to pick up tickets to "The Lincoln Lawyer" for just $6. The studio reported that 190,000 tickets were sold this way, which means many folks will likely continue to redeem them throughout the film's run in theaters.

"Paul," the weekend's other new wide release, was #5 with $13.2 million. Written by and starring Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, "Paul" is a road trip movie about an alien that is as much a comedic love letter to classic sci-fi films like "E.T." and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" as their previous movies "Hot Fuzz" and "Shaun of the Dead" paid homage to the action and zombie genres, respectively (and respectfully, for that matter). With a production budget of $40 million and worldwide appeal, the movie is sure to do fine for co-distributors Relativity and Universal.

Seth Rogen voices the namesake alien in "Paul" and the film's opening was stronger than that of his "Observe and Report" and his Kevin Smith-directed "Zack and Miri Make a Porno." It easily outdid "Hot Fuzz" as well, which debuted with $5.8 million in 2007 and went on to gross $23.6 million in the U.S. While 71 percent of critics enjoyed "Paul," it does bear the unfortunate distinction of being the worst reviewed of the Frost/Pegg collaborations next to the 91 percent earned by both "Fuzz" and "Shaun."

"Limitless" was the only new release that was able to beat "Rango." The blockbuster animated movie starring the voice talent of Johnny Depp as a lizard-turned-sheriff was #2 over the weekend with another $15 million in receipts for a $92 million total.

"Battle: Los Angeles" was #3 with $14.6 million for a $60.6 million total. "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke's gothic take on "Red Riding Hood" was #6 with $7.2 million for a two-week total of just $25.9 million. The movie's critical rating came in at just 11 percent.

The Matt Damon vehicle "The Adjustment Bureau" was #7 with $5.9 million for a $48.7 million total. Disney's "Mars Needs Moms," one of the biggest flops in recent memory, was #8 with just $5.3 million for a $15.4 million total against an estimated $150 million production budget. "Beastly," which had a release date close behind Alex Pettyfer's other teen-friendly flick, "I Am Number Four," was #9 with $3.3 million for a $22.2 million total. The comedy "Hall Pass" rounded out the top 10 with $2.6 million for a $39.5 million total.

Check out everything we've got on "Limitless,""The Lincoln Lawyer" and "Paul."

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



‘Megamind’ Halts ‘Unstoppable’ At Weekend Box-Office

Robert Pattinson Reflects On His Hair Evolution

In his upcoming film, the 1930s period drama "Water for Elephants," based on Sara Gruen's best-selling novel of the same name, Robert Pattinson begins to show new depth and range as an actor. Plus, his hair looks really, really different.

Much like his career, RPattz's hair is evolving. So, when MTV News sat down with the star for "MTV First: Robert Pattinson," it seemed like the perfect time to reflect on the diverse coifs that have sent his follicle-obsessed fans into a frenzy.

From his "Twilight"-appropriate 'dos such as "The Wavy Forest" and "The Cullen Pouf" to the self-explanatory "Windswept 'What the F---' " to the more subdued and serious looks like "Controlled Chaos" and "Clean & Cut but Hold the Shave," Pattinson took a trip down memory lane of the many haircuts he's rocked.

"I always like ... the 'Forest' thing," he said. Turns out, that particular hair style carried him through what he describes as the "unemployable" phase of his career. While attending the Los Angeles premiere of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" in 2007, Pattinson admitted to looking rather, well, unkempt.

"I walked down Hollywood Boulevard to Grauman's [Chinese Theater] and had to walk through the crowd and stuff," recalled the 24-year-old star who was not yet famous, adding, "I was so hungover and so bloated, and some of the pictures are just so funny. It literally looks like someone just found a homeless person and just put them on [the red carpet]. ... It was so ridiculous."

So, what is it that helps the star maintain that tousled, albeit sometimes homeless-looking hair? Courtesy of his "Twilight" co-star Ashley Greene, we asked RPattz what brand of shampoo he uses: "I use dog shampoo," he joked. In reality, he, like so many other sexy slacker types before him, simply uses, "Whatever is around."

But, the question remained: Would Pattinson ever rock the oh-so-sought-after Justin Bieber 'do? Despite rumors that he and his fellow heartthrob had discussed their hair together ("I never met this guy!" Pattinson told MTV), the actor was somewhat willing to take on the side-swept style. After laughing about the idea of sporting "The Bieber," RPattz quipped that instead he'd wear "a Bieber hat."

Which Robert Pattinson hairstyle is your favorite? Sound off in the comments below!

Check out everything we've got on "Water for Elephants."

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



Robert Pattinson To Talk ‘Water For Elephants’ On ‘MTV First’ Live Stream!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Robert Pattinson To Talk 'Water For Elephants' On 'MTV First' Live Stream!

Calling all Robert Pattinson fans! MTV News has a very special treat for all of you next Friday, March 18, when we'll present an exclusive sit-down interview with Robert Pattinson and premiere a previously-unseen clip from his new movie, "Water for Elephants."

Hosted by MTV News' Josh Horowitz, "MTV First: Robert Pattinson" airs next Friday at 8:56 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com. Fans can tune in to see RPattz introduce the new clip, followed immediately by a live 30-minute interview with Josh on MTV.com, during which the "Twilight" heartthrob will answer a few questions from fans.

Fans can begin submitting their pressing queries on Friday (March 11) on MTV.com or via Twitter (using @MTVNews/ hashtag #AskRob).

In order to properly prepare for this exclusive, must-see event, MTV News will also be pulling from its extensive Robert Pattinson library — dating back to the first "Twilight" flick — during a five-day countdown of our favorite MTV moments with the star. Fans should check in every day to see and comment on the latest clips!

Pattinson's eagerly anticipated "Water for Elephants" is based on the acclaimed best-seller by Sara Gruen. The story revolves around a veterinary school student Jacob (Pattinson), who meets and falls in love with Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), a star performer in a circus around the time of the Great Depression. They discover beauty amidst the world of the Big Top and connect over their compassion for a special elephant. Against all odds — including the wrath of Marlena's charismatic but dangerous husband, August (Christoph Waltz) — Jacob and Marlena pursue lasting love.

"Water for Elephants" hits theaters on April 22.

Check out everything we've got on "Water For Elephants."

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



‘Breaking Dawn’ To Film In Louisiana And Vancouver

'Red Riding Hood' Star Amanda Seyfried Shoots Down Comparisons to 'Twilight'

Mythical folklore. Catherine Hardwicke. A steamy, young love triangle involving a pretty girl and two cute guys, one of whom may be a wolf.

There was no doubt that when the formula used to create the revamped fairy tale "Red Riding Hood" was revealed, "Twilight" comparisons were bound to be made. It's a roadblock that Amanda Seyfried, who plays the film's scarlet-caped protagonist, is entirely aware of.

MTV News caught up with Seyfried to discuss the film, which opens in theaters this Friday, and why moviegoers shouldn't go in expecting another "Twilight."

"It's a bummer that that's what's happening," Seyfried said of the inevitable "Twilight" association. The 25-year-old actress, who admitted she doesn't like when "an audience has [certain] expectations," recognized that a lot of it certainly has to do with "Red Riding Hood" director Catherine Hardwicke, who was at the helm of the first "Twilight Saga" movie. "That's her movie," Seyfried acknowledged.

Adding even more fuel to the "Twilight" fire is Seyfried's "Red Riding Hood" co-star Billy Burke, who plays her father in the film and who is known to Twi-hards as Bella Swan's dad. "Can't forget about that," she said with a smile, regarding Burke's involvement with both projects.

Still, she and her castmates, including her onscreen love interests Max Irons and Shiloh Fernandez, couldn't help but poke fun at the situation on set. "We'd make jokes about [Hardwicke] calling us Kristen [Stewart] and Rob [Pattinson] and Taylor [Lautner]," Seyfried told MTV. Interestingly enough, Fernandez was one of the actors originally considered for the role of brooding vampire Edward Cullen in "Twilight."

But Seyfried remains adamant about audiences being able to distinguish the difference between this film and the "Twilight Saga." "Red Riding Hood" is a new take on the classic fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood" that follows a young woman named Valerie, who is torn between choosing from two men, all while her small village is terrorized by a mysterious wolf.

"Yeah, I mean it does surround a girl coming of age in a love triangle, but that's a lot of movies," Seyfried said. "The truth is, it's an entirely different story.

"I think audiences are going to be really surprised when they end up seeing this movie because ... there's so many elements and there's so much going on," she assured, giving her own synopsis of the PG-13 chiller: "It's a murder mystery as well as a coming-of-age movie, and there's a lot of tension and it's scary. All those elements combine to be thrilling, I think."

Do you think "Red Riding Hood" will be able to set itself apart from "Twilight"? Tell us in the comments.

Check out everything we've got on "Red Riding Hood."

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



On Taylor Lautner’s 19th Birthday, Let’s Take A Look Ahead!

Julianne Moore To Play Sarah Palin In HBO's 'Game Change'

Television audiences are no strangers to seeing former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

From Tina Fey's dead-on impression on "Saturday Night Live" to the TLC reality show "Sarah Palin's Alaska" to becoming a pundit on Fox News, Palin (and her family, including daughter Bristol Palin who was a "Dancing With the Stars" contestant) has been nothing short of a mainstay in TV entertainment over the past few years.

Now, Oscar-nominated actress Julianne Moore ("Children of Men," "Boogie Nights") will be the next to take on the former Alaskan governor. People magazine confirms that "The Kids Are All Right" star will play Palin in HBO's upcoming movie "Game Change."

The movie is based on John Heilemann and Mark Halperin's best-selling book of the same name, which was a scathing exposé on the 2008 presidential campaign, including revealing stories about Palin and Senator John McCain (particularly how and why he chose Palin as his running mate and her behavior on the campaign trail), President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, President Bill Clinton, Senator Hilary Clinton and Senator John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth Edwards (who died in December after a battle with breast cancer.)

While Moore, 50, is set to play the 47-year-old Palin, other pivotal roles, including Obama, Clinton and McCain, have not yet been cast. "Game Change" will reteam director Jay Roach ("Meet the Parents," "Dinner for Schmucks") and actor/screenwriter Danny Strong, who directed and penned, respectively, HBO's 2008 Emmy-winning film about the controversial Bush/Gore election in 2000, "Recount."

What do you think of Julianne Moore being cast as Sarah Palin? Let us know in the comments section!

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



Taylor Lautner Joined By Elisabeth Rohm In ‘Abduction’

Madonna's Daughter's Role In 'W.E.' Is Revealed

Madonna wrapped production on "W.E.," her second directorial effort, in October, and now reports are suggesting she's looking to premiere the movie at the Venice Film Festival, which takes place from August 31 to September 10.

The film's co-star, Abbie Cornish, not only confirmed the possibility of a Venice debut to MTV News, but also revealed the mysterious role Madonna's daughter, Lourdes, will be playing.

"I heard yesterday," Cornish told us about Venice, while promoting her upcoming thriller, "Limitless.""That'd be amazing."

"W.E" follows a "Julie & Julia"-esque dual story line, one featuring Cornish as a contemporary woman obsessed with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and another focusing on the royal couple itself. News that Lourdes would appear in a small role surfaced last fall, when photos of the teen in a schoolgirl's uniform popped up online, but until now the nature of her part was unclear. Cornish's character, it turns out, has a deep connection to that of Lourdes.

"She actually plays a younger version of my character," Cornish said, adding that because they portray the same person, they never got to share actual screen time. "She's a super-cute, younger version of my character."

"W.E." marks Madonna's second feature following "Filth and Wisdom," which hit only a handful of theaters in 2008. The new project, the pop star turned filmmaker said last year, has been an obsession of hers even before "Filth and Wisdom" and took her two-and-a-half years to write. "I made 'Filth and Wisdom' because I realized that I didn't really have a right to make a bigger film until I made a smaller film — and learned how to make a film," she said.

According to Cornish, though, the Queen of Pop is a born filmmaker. "Madonna is a natural director," the actress told us. "It's in her nature. She's a Leo and she really represents the Leos very well. She's a very smart woman, very well read. She really absorbs a lot about whatever she's involved in. I think she really loves learning. It was interesting to see her evolve throughout the filmmaking process. She's such a cool woman."

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



Rosario Dawson Wanted ‘Unstoppable’ Character To Be ‘Composed’

'Super 8' Trailer Reveals 'Close Encounter' With Characters

Though the title "Super 8" might reference an old school video camera, the first full-length trailer for the film, which was posted on the movie's Twitter feed early Friday morning (March 11), finally shows us that J.J. Abrams' latest is going to be about much more than just a mysterious event accidentally caught on film.

Plot details have been scarce since "Super 8" was first announced, but the latest full-length trailer shows that Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg are ready to give us some context for the film. If the teaser trailer and Super Bowl ad were all about the mysterious story, this latest look at the flick is about introducing us to the characters.

Enter the young children at the center of the film, led by newcomer Joel Courtney. The sparse plot details previously released about "Super 8" told us that the movie would follow these kids after they accidentally capture footage on their Super 8 camera of a mysterious "something" escaping a train crash. The new trailer sets this up pretty blatantly, but with a larger look at the setting for the film.

In addition to Courtney, Elle Fanning is introduced in the trailer as the object of the young boy's affections, and "Friday Night Lights" star Kyle Chandler is shown as Courtney's concerned father, who doesn't want him to hang around too much with his young filmmaking friends as they make a zombie movie. Turns out Chandler also is the police chief in town, and when whatever was in the train escapes, he is the one forced to deal with it as he gradually realizes that the government is hiding something from all of them.

Comparisons have already been drawn between "Super 8" and "E.T.," "War of the Worlds" and "The Goonies," but this trailer hearkens back mostly to Spielberg's 1977 classic, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." In the same way that the "Close Encounters" aliens were something to be revered and not despised, the "Super 8" creature could possibly be more magical than evil — then again, how to explain all the missing dogs?

Abrams has proven with his previous projects like "Cloverfield" and "Lost" that he is the master of creating five questions by answering one, and the same can be said about this latest, more plot-driven sneak peek. The second half of the trailer raises about a million more questions about the plot of the film. What exactly was released during the train crash? Why is it having a strange effect on the townspeople? And is it really as dangerous as the government would lead the characters to believe?

Unfortunately, we have to wait until June 10 to find out.

Check out everything we've got on "Super 8."

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



‘Justin Bieber: Never Say Never’: Everything You Need To Know

Jason Bateman Calls 'Arrested Development' Movie Plot 'Incredible'

Despite David Cross' hilariously pessimistic outlook on the possibility of an "Arrested Development" movie, exec producer Ron Howard wasn't kidding when he told MTV News that an adaptation of the TV series is "a real priority" for creator Mitch Hurwitz.

How do we know? Well, aside from just really, really hoping he wasn't kidding, Jason Bateman recently tossed us some info that indicates Hurwitz is very much plowing forward with a script — five years after the show's cancellation.

"For the very first time, [Hurwitz] sat me down last week to talk about what he's got and where he's going and what do I think," Bateman told us while promoting his upcoming comedy "Paul." "As a fan of the show, I was vibrating with excitement that he was pulling me behind the curtain."

Mind you, Bateman still hasn't seen a single page of a script, but the mere fact that he had a meeting about the project was enough to encourage the actor that, at long last, an "Arrested" movie will actually become a reality.

"I can confirm what his update was, which was that he is very deep into the work on it," Bateman said. "The odds of him getting it done before the end of the year, as he says he wants to, are good."

So, um, what did Hurwitz actually dish about the story line? Bateman didn't let any details slip out other than to say the concept is "incredible." "It's everything you would want it to be and more," he added. "I really hope he finishes soon so we have a shot at doing it before the end of the year."

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

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



Nicolas Cage Says ‘Ghost Rider’ Sequel Will Offer A ‘Very Fresh Take’

Saturday, March 5, 2011

'Rango' Leads Friday Box Office

He's a chameleon able to blend in seamlessly against any background, but Rango's latest transformation might be his best yet: box office champ.

Led by Johnny Depp and an all-star cast of voice actors, "Rango" topped all comers at the Friday night box office with an estimated $9.75 million from 3,917 screens. Should form hold, the Gore Verbinski animated western about a chameleon who finds himself leading the small desert town of Dirt as sheriff will corral upwards of $40 million for the weekend and another number one opening from the team behind the first three "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies.

The secret to the film's success? There's a little Rango in all of us, Depp told MTV News.

"What I saw early on with the character, and something that Gore and I talked about, is that it is in sort of all of us, in a way," Depp explained. "There is a chameleonic side to all of us in which we find ourselves in certain situations that you have to adapt to."

Trailing in second place, "The Adjustment Bureau" managed to nab $6.6 from 2,840 theaters. Based on a story by acclaimed author Philip K. Dick, the Matt Damon and Emily Blunt actioner was no doubt buoyed by a largely positive response from critics.

But while "Rango" and "The Adjustment Bureau" soared, two new releases aimed at the young adult market languished. A modern day update of the classic fairy tale about the ultimate "opposites attract" couple, "Beastly" managed just $3.5 million to wind up in third place. The Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens starring flick should wind up with approximately $10 million for the weekend.

After languishing on the shelf for years, "Take Me Home," meanwhile, scored just $1.2 million on Friday. Starring Topher Grace and Anna Faris, the flick might slip out of the top ten come Monday.

Rounding out the top five, "Hall Pass" and "Just Go With It" managed $2.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively. Among other films in the top ten, "The King's Speech" followed up its four wins at the Academy Awards with a $1.6 million Friday.



‘Chronicles Of Narnia’ Journeys To Top Of Friday Box Office

Tyler Perry, 'For Colored Girls,' Win Big at NAACP Image Awards

Tyler Perry has yet to crack the Oscar ceiling, but the multi-hyphenate took home the gold at the NAACP Image Awards Friday night (March 4), winning Best Director and Best Picture for his "For Colored Girls. The flick also nabbed a statue for co-star Kimberly Elise, who won for Best Supporting Actress.

Based on Ntozake Shange's 1974 Broadway hit "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf," Perry's film follows the lives of nine black women in and around Harlem, all of whom are confronted with an interpersonal crisis.

While ostensibly about trouble and heartbreak, the flick is really about "basic human love and regard for one another," Elise told MTV News.

"[It's a] great statement on sisterhood and community," Elise said of the movie. "I think you do leave the film feeling like, 'I am woman, I can do this, I can stand on top of this pain and especially with my sisters around me.'"

To nab the award, Elise had to best three of her co-stars from the ensemble flick, Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad, and Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg. The fifth nominee, Jill Scott, was also singled out for her performance in a Perry flick, "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?"

Among other film winners, double Oscar winner Denzel Washington took the trophy as Best Actor for "The Book of Eli," Halle Berry won Best Actress for "Frankie & Alice," and Samuel L. Jackson nabbed Best Supporting Actor for his turn in "Mother and Child."

In the musical categories, Usher, who recently agreed to donate to charity all proceeds from an appearance at a New Year's Eve concert linked to Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, won Best Male Artist and Mary J. Blige won for Best Female Artist.

Presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the NAACP Image Awards celebrate "the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts," according to their website.



Dino De Laurentiis, Oscar-Winning Film Producer, Dies At 91

Liam Neeson As Hollywood's Newest Badass: 'Unknown' Co-Stars Explain

He may have broken in with roles in sword-and-sorcery flicks like "Excalibur" and "Krull," but how in the world did the Oscar-nominated man best known for his quiet, dramatic work in films like "Schindler's List," "Nell" and "Kinsey" suddenly become film's most believable, in-demand 60-year-old badass?

It's precisely because of his previous work, "Unknown" co-stars Diane Kruger and January Jones insisted to MTV News.

"I wanted to be in this movie because of Liam really," Kruger said. "Especially this kind of film. ... I think because of his age and because of his body of work and his gravitas as an actor, I think it brings a whole other layer of depth to this kind of film. It feels fresh. It feels like, yes, it's entertaining and it's light, but there's a whole other layer of emotions and character work going on."

Two years after Neeson rocked audiences as a super-talented assassin out to save his daughter in "Taken," the Irish thesp is back to kick butt and take names in "Unknown," a neo-Hitchcockian thriller about a man bereft of an identity after a car accident leaves him unsure of who he really is. While unquestionably dangerous and capable, here Neeson also has to play fragile and flustered.

It's a dichotomy that doesn't just show up in his film roles, January Jones argued, but in the man himself.

"He's such a perfect casting choice for this movie, because you could be intimidated by him physically because he is fit and could cause you harm," the future Emma Frost told MTV News. "But at the same time there's something so vulnerable about him in certain things he says and certain things he does that makes you want to take care of him, there's both sides of that. You could believe that he could be a bad guy, but you could also want him to succeed."

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

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



Taylor Lautner Joined By Elisabeth Rohm In ‘Abduction’

Kevin Costner Will Be 'Pa' In 'Superman,' Sources Reveal

Kevin Costner is a man of interest for the Man of Steel, with director Zack Snyder and team keen to cast the "Bull Durham" and "Dances With Wolves" star in their Superman reboot, according to a Deadline report.

Citing "well-placed sources," Latino Review reported that Costner will play Jonathan "Pa" Kent, Kal-El's adoptive Earth father. With the film shrouded in secrecy, though, it might take Brainiac himself to figure out exactly for what role Costner is being courted. But, given Costner's screen history in films like "Field of Dreams," the role of "Pa," played by Glenn Ford in Richard Donner's 1978 "Superman," seems likely.

What little is known about the film suggests Costner also could play the role of Perry White, editor-in-chief of Metropolis mega-paper The Daily Planet , or General Zod, hinted as a companion to a rumored fellow Kryptonian villain. It's possible Costner might even step into the shoes of fellow Oscar-winners Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey to play archenemy Lex Luthor.

Whoever he plays, Costner would be alongside Brit Henry Cavill, pegged to wear the Man of Steel tights in Snyder's re-imagining. Fans recently got their first glimpse of "The Tudors" star on the cover of Entertainment Weekly sporting a T-shirt with the iconic Superman shield.

Would you prefer to see Costner play a good guy or a villain? Sound off in the comments!

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock —, visit SplashPage.MTV.com.



Superman Timeline: From Bryan Singer To Zack Snyder