These days, Hollywood studios are parting with their money more cautiously than ever and it’s even become difficult to get the go ahead for sequels to movies that have already proven themselves. Ben Stiller was unsuccessful in his attempt to resurrectZoolander and it looks like the creators of Anchorman have given up their hopes of creating a sequel to the 2004 cult hit which starred Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd and Steve Carell. Despite the fact that Paramount has passed on the project, The Office star recently told Empire Online that he is still interested in filming a sequel:
I selfishly want to do it again just for the fun of it. And I think it could be as playful and as fun as the original. Read more…
Paramount’s release of Iron Man 2 in all overseas markets last week in order to drum up big business before the World Cup starts to dominate the pop culture landscape was a success. So far, the much anticipated sequel has grossed over $120 million in ticket sales worldwide. The only hitch in Paramount’s plan has been the flood of leaked copies of the film that are now being downloaded, pirated and viewed on streaming sites. It’s a familiar story by now, after Fox went through the same ordeal a year ago with the release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, when an unfinished work print of the film leaked online. Fox’s reaction was severe. At the height of the much ballyhooed controversy Read more…
When cartoon characters are used for sexually provacative material, the effect is usually an incongruous mess like Cool World, the 1992 film which featured Kim Basinger as an animated vixen who seduces Brad Pitt. Thethree Shrek movies have steered clear of that strange animated territory, which makes Paramount’s decision to allow the characters to be used for a sexually provocative Calvin Klein-like photo spread in the latest issue of VMan magazine all the more bizarre. The controversial photo shoot, that was done to promote the upcoming fourth installment, Shrek Forever After, has, so far, garnered Read more…
An Australian Federal Court has ruled against many of the major Hollywood studios in their lawsuit against internet service provider iiNet. Universal Pictures, Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox and Disney banded together to sue the company, claiming that it should be held responsible for customers who illegally download movies online. Judge Dennis Cowdry said in his ruling:
While I find that iiNet had knowledge of infringements occurring, and did not act to stop them, such findings do not necessitate a finding of authorization.
Filmmaker Oren Peli, who directed the ultra low budget horror hit, Paranormal Activity, that cost $15,000 and went on to become one of the most profitable movies of all time, has opted out of directing the sequel. Paramount has been quick to get it on the fast track to production since the original became a cultural phenomenon last October, one that’s only equaled by its precursor Read more…
After selling out all of its midnight shows in only a handful of cities, the indie chiller that took Sundance by storm, Paranormal Activity, will be getting a wider release tomorrow. Executives at Paramount are thrilled that good word-of-mouth has carried this movie so far. And we have yet to see how Paranormal will play out this weekend when it will be shown, not just at midnight, but at all times of the day in multiplexes across the country. It could be another Blair Witch! Full DH story here.
