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Gossip Girl Premiere More WTF? Than OMG!

Emma Renda — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:49:10 +0000

The cast of Gossip Girl spent the summer on extravagant vacations (in both TV-land and reality), but it seems the rest of the world isn’t too interested in their homecoming.

Thursday’s premiere finished with a 36 per cent decrease in viewers, compared to the 2008 premiere. It’s a shocking drop for a show whose cast spent their time off in the spotlight, generating a real-time version of gossip.

Leighton Meester made the music press recording a single with Cobra Starship and launching her personal MySpace with plans for a debut solo album.

Chace Crawford was voted this summer’s hottest bachelor by People Magazine, beating out the smouldering Robert Pattinson and, unexpectedly, Dwayne Johnson (better known as The Rock).

Then there was the somewhat misleading reports of Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass on GG) getting some male affection from his new co-star Neal Bledsoe, in a spoiler leak that reveals the two in an on-screen liplock.

A show that never skimps on budget, Gossip Girl also picked up mainstream guest-stars Hilary Duff, Tyra Banks and Sonic Youth, carrying on last season’s trend that picked up the likes of No Doubt and cast Michelle Trachtenberg in a permanent role.

You’d think that kind of clout would be enough to draw all of last year’s viewers, not to mention anyone who paid attention to this summer’s celebrity gossip.

It may take a few episodes to remind people GG has routinely been one of the more shocking, OMFG-inducing shows on television. Then again, its loyal viewers could have been seduced by this year’s vampire fetish, True Blood, a series coming fast on the heels of Twilight-mania.

Or it could be that we are getting our fill of the Gossip Girls via their real-life antics in which case Cecily von Ziegesar (author of the original novels) should be pissed.

Former Disney Star To Join ‘Gossip Girl’

Ilan Mester — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:36:18 +0000

“Lizzie McGuire” star Hillary Duff is set to join the cast of “Gossip Girl” for a multi-episode arc, according to EW.com.

According to reports, Duff will play Olivia Burk, a movie star enrolled in New York University to get the college experience. She ends up rooming with Vanessa (played by Jessica Szohr) at NYU, the same University attended by characters Blair (Leighton Meester) and Dan (Penn Badgley).

In December, Duff said to E! News she’d become a fan of the show, adding that her favourite character was Chuck Bass. “I don’t know why, because he’s so bad and terrible,” she said. “He is so sad that I feel bad for him,” she admitted.

The former Disney star was developing “Barely Legal,” her own pilot for NBC, but after the network passed on her comedy pilot, “Gossip Girl” producers found a spot for her on the show.

Expect to see Duff spreading rumours on the show during the season’s fourth episode which is slated to air on Oct. 5.

It’s Official, Chace Crawford Has Been Cast In Footloose

Ilan Mester — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:22:18 +0000

There have been countless rumours regarding who would replace Zac Efron in the upcoming “Footloose” remake but according to PEOPLE, Paramount Pictures has announced that Crawford will be reprising the role of Ren McCormack, previously played by Kevin Bacon.

“High School Musical” star Zac Efron dropped out of the film to pursue different roles, but Paramount released a statement saying the studio was still committed to the remake.

A statement from Paramount at the time said, ” ‘Footloose’ is a project we’ve longed to see re-booted for a new generation. While Zac is no longer attached, we remain excited and committed to the collective brain trust of Kenny Ortega, [producers] Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, who will reinvigorate the franchise.”

Crawford is currently in New York filming “Twelve,” co-starring “24’s” Kiefer Sutherland, Emma Roberts, Ellen Barkin and rapper 50 Cent.

Cast Revealed For Twilight Sequel New Moon

Ilan Mester — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:15:46 +0000

After months of rumours over who will play such and such character in the second film of the “Twilight” saga “New Moon”, Summit Entertainment has finally released an official cast announcement.

“New cast members include the legendary Volturi, a venerable coven of vampires who weigh and impose the laws of the vampire world, as well as two new members of the Quileute Indian Nation,” read the press release posted on April 15 on Summit Entertainment’s website. ”The Volturi include Charlie Bewley as Demetri, Jamie Campbell Bower as Caius, Daniel Cudmore as Felix, Christopher Heyerdahl as Marcus, all Volturi enforcers. Dakota Fanning plays Jane, a high-ranking and powerful Volturi member, and Cameron Bright is Alec, her brother. Noot Seear plays Volturi member Heidi. Michael Sheen plays Aro, the Volturi leader. Graham Greene appears as Harry Clearwater, Quileute tribal leader and old friend of Bella’s father Charlie. Tinsel Korey is Emily, the fiancée of Sam Uley.”

The studio has also confirmed that Nikki Reed, Ashley Greene, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone, Edi Gathegi and Rachelle Lefevre will be reprising their “Twilight” roles in “New Moon.” And of course, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner will be returning in the vapire flick.

The “Twilight” sequel is currently being filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia and Tuscany, Italy, and is set for release on November 20.

Matthew McConaughey Cast In Legal Thriller

Eva Lam — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 06:48:34 +0000

Matthew McConaughey, who had a breakout role as a lawyer in 1996’s “A Time to Kill,” is returning to the courtroom for his latest project.

Variety reports that the actor is attached to star in “The Lincoln Lawyer,” a legal thriller based on the 2005 Michael Connelly best-seller.

The Lakeshore Entertainment movie will revolve around a low-level criminal defense attorney named Mickey Haller who is hired by a Beverly Hills playboy, his first high-paying client in years. What appears to be a slam-dunk case takes a turn for the dangerous when someone close to Haller is murdered and the attorney’s own life is threatened.

McConaughey’s other movie credits include “Failure to Launch,” “Fool’s Gold” and, most recently, a supporting role in the comedy “Tropic Thunder.”

He next stars opposite Jennifer Garner in “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.” Directed by “Mean Girls” helmer Mark Waters, the romantic comedy opens in theatres May 1.

Nicole Kidman Joins New Woody Allen Movie

Eva Lam — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:06:32 +0000

Woody Allen has added Nicole Kidman to the all-star cast of his latest film, which will begin shooting in London this summer.

According to Variety, the actress joins a cast that includes Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts and Freida Pinto of “Slumdog Millionaire” fame.

No plot details have been released for the as-yet-untitled project.

Meanwhile, acclaimed director Allen will release his already-completed film, “Whatever Works,” into theatres on June 19. The movie, which stars Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood, will premiere at next month’s Tribeca Film Festival.

Kidman, who most recently starred in the epic romance “Australia,” will next appear in “Nine.” The Rob Marshall-directed musical will hit theatres in November.

The Academy Award-winning actress was one of four Australian stars – alongside Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush – honoured last month with special edition stamps by their country’s post office.

Seth Green and Brecking Meyer Join ‘Heroes?’

andPOP Staff — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:56:57 +0000

Seth Green and Breckin Meyer may be joining the cast of “Heroes.”

The real life best friends and production partners would play “Atlanta-based comic book nerds aficionados who cross paths with (and perhaps serve as advisors to) one of the Heroes,” reports Entertainment Weekly.

With most of the cast returning and more and more stars being signed to the show, this season’s talent will be almost as exciting as the show’s plotlines.

Green and Meyer currently work together on “Robot Chicken.”

Mike Tyson Plans Own Biopic, Casts Jamie Foxx

andPOP Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:30:47 +0000

The World Entertainment News Network reports that Mike Tyson is planning to produce a biopic about his life, and has already hand-picked Jamie Foxx for the part.

The two-time boxing heavyweight champion has certainly experienced enough drama in the last two decades to make the film interesting. He was convicted of raping a beauty pageant contestant in 1992, bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997, declared bankruptcy in 2003, and was jailed last year for a DUI and possession of cocaine.

Of his struggles with substance abuse, Tyson said that he is now clean. “Even when I was training for a fight, there were no drugs, but I would drink. I had never been clean and sober my whole life. This is the first time. I’m tired of losing. I lost the trust of my family, my five kids. I didn’t like that way of life and decided to change. I saw the devil and didn’t want that.”

‘Dancing With The Stars’ Cast Announced

andPOP Staff — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:09:09 +0000

The eclectic new cast of “Dancing With The Stars” was announced yesterday, featuring everyone from young R&B artists to infamous figure skaters.

The men in the running are comedian Adam Carolla, Chilean actor Cristian de la Fuente, “Police Academy” star Steve Guttenberg, 21-year-old Grammy nominee Mario, illusionist Penn Jillette and NFL star player Jason Taylor. Lovely ladies Priscilla Presley, “American Pie” actress Shannon Elizabeth, Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, the original “Tracy Turnblad” Marissa Jaret Winokur, tennis champ Monica Seles and Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin will also tear it up on the dance floor.

Stars will be paired up with their professional dancer partners this morning, and fans will get to see them in action on March 17. They’ll have to prove themselves right away, as the March 25 episode will be a double elimination – the first in “Dancing with the Stars” history.