MTV News |
- Jay-Z And Kanye's 'Otis' Video: Maybach Massacre
- 'Jersey Shore' Cast Promises 'Action-Packed Drama'
- '30 Minutes Or Less' Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know
- Britney Spears' VMA Promo: Go Behind The Scenes!
- 'Jersey Shore' Stars Say 'GTL Was Hard' In Italy
- Pop The Throne: Could Britney And Gaga Team Up Too?
- Royce Da 5'9" Calls <i>Watch The Throne</i> 'Great For Hip-Hop'
- Bruno Mars To Perform At The VMAs
- Gucci Mane 'Can't See' Recording With Young Jeezy Again
- 'Harry Potter' Director, Writer To Adapt 'The Stand'
- Miranda Cosgrove Injured In Bus Accident
- Kristen Stewart Is 'Gorgeous,' Other 'Snow White' Director Says
- Evanescence's 'Never Go Back' Inspired By Japan Tragedy
- A 50 Cent Feud? Grafh Says It's All 'Love'
- Emma Watson 'Perfect' For 'Beauty And The Beast'
- Will <i>Watch The Throne</i> Top Half A Million?
- 'Dirty Dancing' Remake A 'Big Challenge,' Director Says
- Drake Working With The Weeknd On <i>Take Care</i>
- 'Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas' Trailer: Five Key Scenes
- Gym Class Heroes Show Their Mutant Powers In 'Stereo Hearts' Video
| Jay-Z And Kanye's 'Otis' Video: Maybach Massacre Posted: 11 Aug 2011 05:55 AM PDT Subtly swaggadocious video, directed by Spike Jonze, sees the dynamic duo chopping up a Maybach — just for the heck of it.
It would be darn-near impossible for Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Otis" video to match the braggadocious blitz of the song itself, but give them credit for at least coming close. Because while the Spike-Jonze directed clip (which just premiered on MTV and MTV.com) doesn't feature a single Gulfstream G450, Cuban cigar, Hermes clutch or Benz, it is still a subtly swagged-out affair — a cocksure, cool thing in which the dynamic duo take a saber saw to a glistening new Maybach and turn it into a tricked-out "Thunderdome" cruiser, then do doughnuts in a parking lot with a gaggle of models packed in the back. Oh, and there are some fireworks too. And really, on the swag scale, that ranks somewhere between 10 and 30 thousand 100 million, which certainly makes "Otis" one of the more assured videos to come down the pipeline in a long while. And give credit to all parties involved that they realized they really didn't need to do much of anything else in the clip; after all, 'Ye, Hov and Jonze are certainly three of the biggest stars in the world, and their collaboration could've easily devolved into the realm of self-parody (see the late, not-so-great Diddy and Nas team-up "Hate Me Now"). Instead, we get a video that's little more than a couple of dudes (and Aziz Ansari) tooling around in a parking lot — which, really, is all "Otis" needs to be. Because like Watch the Throne, the album from which it comes, the main attraction of "Otis" lies in the fact that it features roughly 50 percent of the biggest rap names in the game (not to say the song isn't also great, because it is). There's a genuine thrill in watching West and Jay hang over each other while delivering their verses or crack up behind the wheel of the Maybach; in a way, it's like we're getting a tiny glimpse into their private world. And that's what makes the video such a treat. What do the critics think of Watch the Throne? Unlike his previous collaborations with West — the maudlin short film "We Were Once a Fairytale" or the deceptively simple "Flashing Lights" — with "Otis," Jonze plays it relatively straight. There are the same tracking shots he's used in old Beastie Boys videos, and the blown-out color palette recalls even earlier work like R.E.M.'s "Crush With Eyeliner" or "Electrolite." He's staying true to his roots, which, given the caliber of everyone involved, is an accomplishment in its own right. So while "Otis" might not be what you were expecting, in a lot of ways, it's even more. There's an unabashed joy to it, and there's no denying the power of its singular image, either: slicing and dicing a Maybach (average sticker price: $380,000) is a bold, ballsy declaration, indeed. One that speaks louder than a million boasts. What did you think of the "Otis" video? Share your thoughts on Facebook or tweet your reactions and videos @MTVNews with the hashtag #MTVOtis! |
| 'Jersey Shore' Cast Promises 'Action-Packed Drama' Posted: 12 Aug 2011 03:53 AM PDT 'It was definitely very wild,' the Situation reveals to MTV News.
We are now two episodes into season four of "Jersey Shore," and we've already seen hookups, drama and GTL take over the streets of Florence, Italy. Yet, the cast of "Jersey Shore" promised MTV News that things are just getting started, and the most shocking things are still to come.
"It makes Miami and last Jersey [season] look like nothing," JWoww revealed. "It looks like 'Sesame Street,' " the Situation added. If you're having trouble picturing how this season could possibly top the previous seasons, the Situation assured fans they're in store for something they've never seen before. "It's like an action-packed drama," he said of the gang's time in Italy. "It was definitely very wild. My new nickname is 'Jean-Claude Van Sitch.' " Yes, "Jean-Claude Van Sitch" certainly packed a punch this season, but he wasn't the only one. It seems that everyone got involved in the drama, which still surprises some of the cast. Regarding the most shocking thing viewers will see this season, Snooki said, "all of the fights." "Even us watching it, we are, 'Oh s---! Really?' " If you tune into "Jersey Shore" for something other than the physical altercations, Vinny promises they've got everything covered. "If you're into physical fights, we got that for you. If you're into sex things, we got that for you," he teased. "A little bit of everything that will shock the hell out of you." So, at the end of "Jersey Shore" season four, what will viewers take away? "I think everyone's gonna be like, 'Wow, they really had a trip,' " Deena said. Don't miss "Jersey Shore" every Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV! Related Photos |
| '30 Minutes Or Less' Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know Posted: 12 Aug 2011 03:53 AM PDT From last year's set visit to this year's early screening, we've been following Jesse Eisenberg and Aziz Ansari's comedy all the way.
Like a bomb indestructibly attached to an anxious pizza delivery boy's chest, "30 Minutes or Less" hasn't been able to shake MTV News off itself. From the early news updates (Jesse Eisenberg as that unfortunate pie-slinger, "Zombieland" helmer Ruben Fleischer in the director's chair) to the exclusive first look at the Michigan set to an MTV Sneak Peek Week public screening of the action-comedy and beyond, we've been all over this movie. And now that it's finally hit theaters, we're not letting go quite yet. So slip on our "30 Minutes" cheat sheet for everything you need to know before heading to the multiplex this weekend.
Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock "They're kind of simple dudes," Swardson later explained to us. "They're not very learned. But they're not like robots. At the core, they are actually very nice people. They believe in friendship and things like that." "They just want to be loved," added McBride, "whether it takes a bomb or a bank robbery to get there." Filming kicked off that summer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. MTV News was invited to check out the action in August, when the production settled into a dusty junkyard to shoot McBride and Swardson blowing up watermelons and kidnapping Eisenberg. Fun! But we had to keep the whole thing under wraps for months, until well after the F-bomb-laden, red-band trailer hit the Web this past spring. Light 'Em Up! In his defense, there is something dangerous and subversive about the whole movie, as further clips would make clear. In one exclusive MTV News debuted, Eisenberg, newly sporting a bomb on his chest, heads straight to the elementary school where Ansari teaches, because hey, where else would a bomb-carrying pizza boy go other than a school filled with young children? "Jesse, to his credit, is a great improviser," Fleischer told us. "Both in 'Zombieland' and in this movie, he is responsible for so many funny lines, and he can kind of roll. I don't think that's his most comfortable gear, but when it's pushed up, he can give back as good as anybody." Added Ansari, "What was really fun about the movie, and Ruben did such a good job putting the cast together, we all kind of have different energies that play off well with one another." Almost Out of Time "He's in it!" Ansari joked, before admitting the truth. "I read that somewhere. I was like, 'I didn't know about that.' ... Let's start that rumor. People like him, right? Just say he's in the movie. 'That Lautner cameo is dope, man! You gotta see that movie with Taylor Lautner!' " There are far more reasons than a "Twilight" star, though, to merit checking out the film in all its ridiculousness. Just peep some footage from the set, when McBride and Swardson blow those watermelons to smithereens. Those guys are, in the best buddy-comedy tradition, total freaking idiots. Their real-life counterparts kind of are too. "Just point to the bank," Swardson said when we asked what it'd take for him to rob a bank. "Give me a good mask and a loaded weapon, I'm on," McBride added. Check out everything we've got on "30 Seconds or Less." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| Britney Spears' VMA Promo: Go Behind The Scenes! Posted: 11 Aug 2011 05:13 AM PDT Promo reflects on Brit's career and inspirations while looking ahead to August 28 awards show.
On Thursday (August 11), Britney Spears took over MTV when her Video Music Awards promo made its debut and MTV News was there when she filmed it. The 30-second promo interlaces Spears' latest hit "I Wanna Go" with her own "Slave 4 U," Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" and Madonna's "Everybody" as dancers dressed in Brit's most-famous outfits crowd around her. There's also a nod to Michael Jackson, with a poster on the wall that says "Billy Jean," in reference to MJ's hit "Billie Jean," and a dancer who mimics the late King of Pop's iconic moves. At the end of the promo, Spears stands in front of a wall that cryptically reads "A Tribute to Britney Spears" before the date of the VMAs — 8.28 — flashes on the screen. Stay tuned to see what it all means ...
Spears, whose "Till the World Ends" is nominated for Best Pop Video and Best Choreography, filmed the promo last month in Miami, and MTV News was on the set for a behind-the-scenes look. "The general concept of what we are going for is basically called 'The Muse Factory,' " director Jahai Brightly explained. "It's where all your favorite artists that are going to be at the Video Music Awards this year meet and explore their influences and inspirations." The promo pulls from Spears' own musical influences from over the years, which is portrayed through the set design, wardrobe and, of course, through Brit herself. In the promo, Spears pays homage to Madonna, Michael and Janet, whom she calls "the people I've grown up listening to and totally inspire [me]."
The promo doesn't just show the pop star's own musical icons; it also reminds us of what a musical force Spears is as well. "We are going to be exploring her past styles," Brightly said of Spears' classic looks. "In particular, past six styles that represent each of her albums, with the seventh one being the current incarnation." Spears, whose outfit was designed to represent her current style, is dressed in a custom-made studded leather jacket, a shredded black T-shirt and her signature cutoff jean shorts. The promo begins with Spears paying homage to her latest album, Femme Fatale. "I did the opening segment, where I'm at the mirror and I'm representing how many albums I've done, which is number seven," Spears said. Spears then begins her journey down memory lane, where she is surrounded by dancers dressed up in some of her signature video looks, such as the flight-attendant costume in "Toxic" and her infamous red catsuit in "Oops! ... I Did It Again." "I'm walking down a hallway and I'm seeing memorabilia of all my performances that I've done in the past," Spears said. "All my dancers are dressed up in my old outfits, which it's really cool." What do you think of Britney's VMA promo? Let us know in the comments! The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com. Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Jersey Shore' Stars Say 'GTL Was Hard' In Italy Posted: 11 Aug 2011 01:57 AM PDT 'Basic amenities that we are used to over here, like walking to the store and buying a Gatorade, you can't do that there,' Vinny tells MTV News.
Just because the stars of "Jersey Shore" didn't have any luck finding love in Italy doesn't mean they didn't have an unforgettable time.
"Italy was awesome," JWoww told MTV News. "We got to experience a different culture, different lifestyle and amazing architecture." Of course, being overseas, the cast had to adapt to a new way of life, which proved to be difficult in some cases. "It was different than I thought," Pauly D said. "The normal stuff like GTL was hard to do, but we had a great time." Vinny added: "Basic amenities that we are used to over here, like walking to the store and buying a Gatorade, you can't do that there. If you want to get a cappuccino and sit down for a four-course meal, you can do that." Italy isn't just known for decadent meals; it's also known for wine — which Snooki became very accustomed to. "The wine was phenomenal there," Snooki said. "All we did was drink wine. The meatballs love the wine." But they couldn't drink too much of it, since Florence's famous cobblestone streets proved to be a bit of challenge for the girls. "The wine, cobblestones and heels — not a good combination," Snooki said. "Meatballs rolling in Italy." We all know when you go on vacation, you have to bring home a souvenir. So what did the Situation bring back from Florence? "I was able to take home some of the language, which is important to me, 'cause my grandparents are from Italy and I am 100 percent Italiano," the Situation said. "It just so happens I have green eyes and a six-pack; I was born that way." Don't miss "Jersey Shore" every Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV! Related Photos |
| Pop The Throne: Could Britney And Gaga Team Up Too? Posted: 11 Aug 2011 02:22 AM PDT MTV News asks pop-music experts to weigh in on the likelihood of a joint album between pop divas, à la Jay and Kanye.
With so much talk about the epic matchup of Jay-Z and Kanye West on the just-released Watch the Throne, we wondered whether something similar could ever exist in the pop world. Sure, the New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys managed to rekindle our love of boy bands with their joint tour this summer, but could two pop divas get together and drop an album in the way Hova and Yeezy have?
There have been hints of Throne-like pop collabos over the past decade thanks to ladies like Madonna and Britney Spears, and Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, but nothing as extensive as a full-length album like WTT. So, could something like that ever happen? Well, it would take the right combination of factors. Us Weekly Senior Music Editor Ian Drew noted that history is important. "You've got to understand that the reason this is happening is because this is a very, very long friendship — they're like brothers," Drew said of Jay and Kanye. "We've gotten tastes of this all along. This is a deep personal friendship and a labor of love between two people. I think that needs to exist first." Perez Hilton, however, said it doesn't have to be that deep. But there does have to be a certain something between the two artists to make it work. "I don't know if there has to be a friendship, but there definitely has to be a mutual respect, admiration and history of kind words for each other," the entertainment blogger said. "It needs to make sense and it needs to happen at the right time in their careers." Kyle Anderson, a staff writer at Entertainment Weekly, said the only obstacle to a pop version of WTT would be the logistics of getting two pop stars, like Britney and Gaga for example, in the same place at the same time. "Hip-hop lends itself more to collaboration because it's part of the culture," Anderson said. "Jay and Kanye have known each other for quite a while. They've had a friendship that is both professional and personal," he added. "[Pop stars'] camps would also cause a weird logistical problem ... there's so many elements" needed to make this happen. What do the critics think of Watch the Throne? So, who would Perez like to see try their hand at a joint album? "Someone like a Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera could probably do something like that together because they're well into their careers and that collaboration would make sense," he said. "You can't just throw any two people together. Another collaboration like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga would make sense, but I don't think that Gaga is at a point in her career yet where she would want [to]." Like Perez, Anderson thinks a Gaga/Beyoncé album is the most likely pairing. Why? "Their aesthetics sort of mesh, they both kind of work, so I would be very interested to hear that," he said. "I think they could really put a concept together. To them, it's a two-person planet and they're the only two people on it." Which pop stars would you like to see team up for a joint album? Share your wish list in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Royce Da 5'9" Calls <i>Watch The Throne</i> 'Great For Hip-Hop' Posted: 11 Aug 2011 05:22 AM PDT Eminem collaborator tells 'RapFix Live' Jay-Z and Kanye West's joint album shows that 'it's cool to be lyrical.'
Hip-hop tandems are nothing new. In 2009, KRS-One and Buckshot collaborated on Survival Skills, and that same year Canibus and Keith Murray got together and put out their Undergods album. But in 2011, the idea of two solo MCs getting together seems to be more popular than ever. In June, Royce da 5'9" and Eminem dropped their collaborative EP, Hell: The Sequel, as Bad Meets Evil, then on Monday, Jay-Z and Kanye West released their get-together, Watch the Throne. On the very next day, Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame emerged with their Ferrari Boyz album.
"It's a trend," Royce da 5'9" said when he visited "RapFix Live" on Wednesday. "I don't know who did it first, but it's definitely a trend. I think my group — without tooting our own horns — I think my group Slaughterhouse started that four-man trend, that group trend. As far as the tandem thing, me and Em were working on the EP for a long time." Royce doesn't take full credit for setting things off with Bad Meets Evil; he said he believes great minds think alike. "I think it's a good thing that people are teaming up doing that because it's something new in hip-hop and something that will continue the art form growing. If it stays the same for long periods of time, it starts to feel like it could fade away — which it can." The Detroit rapper, who dropped his fifth solo album, Success is Certain, earlier this week, admits that he's only heard WTT in its entirety once — but so far, so good. "I think it's good," Nickel Nine commented. "It sounds like they went in and did what they wanted to do, which I can respect. That's exactly what me and Marshall did: We went in and did the type of music that we wanted to do. "They wanted to go in and make an album; that's what they did. We wanted to go in and just be lyrical and box, go back and forth, and we not thinking about making an album." The success of both Watch the Throne and Hell: The Sequel leaves Royce optimistic about hip-hop's future. "I think the fact that both of those projects are out and they are doing well, it's great for hip-hop because both of them are lyrical projects, and it was one time in hip-hop when it wasn't really cool to be lyrical," he said. "So you got these big guns going in and showing these kids of today that it's cool to be lyrical." Share your thoughts about the joint album trend in the comments section below! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Bruno Mars To Perform At The VMAs Posted: 11 Aug 2011 07:01 AM PDT Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Rick Ross and Odd Future will present on August 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Bruno Mars could have a very, very big night at the MTV Video Music Awards. Not only is he up for Video of the Year for "Grenade," he's also joining the star-studded roster of performers on the big show. Mars will return to the VMA stage for the August 28 broadcast after taking it by storm in 2010 during a medley with B.o.B and Paramore's Hayley Williams. He'll join a list of acts that already includes Lil Wayne, Adele, Chris Brown and up-and-coming rockers Young the Giant. The initial slate of VMA presenters has also been revealed, and it includes Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Selena Gomez, Seth Rogen, Kim Kardashian and Odd Future. Mars, who recently jumped onstage with Eminem at Lollapalooza, is up for Best Male Video and Best Pop Video for "Grenade," and he'll face off against some pretty major competition for Video of the Year, including Katy Perry ("Firework"), Adele ("Rolling in the Deep"), Tyler, the Creator ("Yonkers") and the Beastie Boys ("Make Some Noise"). "I grew up watching VMAs. I know every performance," singer, musician, songwriter and producer Mars recently told MTV News. "Ever since I was a kid, I've been watching MTV VMAs, and when we got the phone call saying that my video was up for Video of the Year, that's the big-boy award." In addition to competing for Moonmen for the "Grenade" video, Mars is also battling it out for Best Choreography for his less-angsty "The Lazy Song." "You know what I'm excited for? As much as I put blood, sweat and tears into 'Grenade,' I'm excited for 'The Lazy Song,' Best Choreography," he said. "That is amazing ... and I think that would be the coolest thing ever if I went home and saw a Moonman that said, 'Best Choreography, Bruno Mars, "The Lazy Song." ' " The performance caps a year in which Mars' debut, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, went multi-platinum, launching his own hit singles "Just the Way You Are" and "The Lazy Song," and he co-wrote, produced and performed on B.o.B's "Nothin' on You," Travie McCoy's "Billionaire," and Cee Lo Green's "F--- You." "We're thrilled to have Bruno Mars bring his exceptional talent to the VMA stage," said Amy Doyle, executive producer of the 2011 VMAs and MTV's EVP of music and talent. "He is one of the most exciting live performers today, and with his artistic versatility, he will undoubtedly deliver a standout performance." The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Gucci Mane 'Can't See' Recording With Young Jeezy Again Posted: 11 Aug 2011 01:34 AM PDT During 'RapFix Live,' Royce Da 5'9" also shares his thoughts on hip-hop beefs.
Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy have squashed their beef again, but don't expect any new music from the Atlanta rappers.
MTV News' "RapFix Live" caught up with Gucci Mane for his first on-camera interview since his release from prison, and the "Lemonade" rapper confirmed to Sway Calloway that he and his longtime rival decided to squelch any further altercations between their respective teams. "On the strength of [the fact that] anything could have happened between not just me and him [but] between our camps, we just came to a sit-down of just respecting the fact that somebody can get hurt, and it ain't going to be us," Gucci said. "That's what made us do that." Although the two trap stars came to rap prominence almost simultaneously — Jeezy was featured on Gucci's early hit "So Icey" — they began feuding soon after. Things quickly went from words on wax to real violence. In 2005, five men who were allegedly party of Jeezy's camp, stormed into a home where Gucci was visiting a woman. One of those men, who was thought to be affiliated with Jeezy (which he has vehemently denied), was later found dead. Barbs were traded in song thereafter, with occasional confrontations between the two factions. However, during a 2009 radio interview with DJ Drama, Gucci — calling in from jail — and Jeezy said they were squashing their differences and mentioned the possibility of collaborating. But Mr. La Flare, who just dropped his Ferrari Boyz collaboration with Waka Flocka Flame, offered an "I don't think so" when asked about the possibility of him and Jeezy creating music together again, adding, "We started the conversation, but I can't see it happening." Royce Da 5'9", also a guest on Wednesday's edition of "RapFix Live," who famously feuded with D12 years ago, is no stranger to rap beefs and offered his own insight on the matter. "People need to realize that a lot of these beefs that stem from rap or stem from other things, it doesn't mean you have to make a song just because you squashed the beef," Nickel Nine said. "People should just appreciate that they're not beefing anymore; that's great in itself. They can stop there, and it's OK." Fortunately for rap fans, the Detroit lyricist has recorded with a number of individuals he, at one point, wasn't on good terms with. Notable among them is Eminem, with the pair releasing Hell: The Sequel as Bad Meets Evil last June. Before Royce finally met up with Slim Shady again — the two had stopped speaking in 2003 — he first ended his beef with the late Proof and then the rest of D12. Sometime after, word got back to Eminem that there were no longer any issues between the MCs, and he called Royce. The phone call put in perspective how inconsequential all the previous back-and-forth was. "I answered the phone. He said, 'Royce, it's Marshall,' " Royce recalled. "I said, 'What's up, Marshall?' And then we just started laughing. It's like embarrassing. It's so childish. That's what happens when you in your 20s: You grow out of that." Do you think we'll ever hear music from Gucci and Jeezy again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Related Videos Related Artists |
| 'Harry Potter' Director, Writer To Adapt 'The Stand' Posted: 11 Aug 2011 03:55 AM PDT Director David Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves are 'the right team' to bring Stephen King's novel to the screen, expert tells MTV News.
Hot off the success of the "Harry Potter" franchise, director David Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves are teaming up again to adapt another major literary property: Stephen King's "The Stand," for Warner Bros. For the uninitiated, "The Stand" is a post-apocalyptic novel that follows a group of survivors after 99.4 percent of the human race is wiped out by the effects of a biological weapon. The remaining survivors break off into two camps, one based in Boulder, Colorado, which represents good, and the other in Las Vegas, which represents evil. The two camps eventually face off in a stand that determines the future of mankind.
When it comes to bringing a beloved novel to the big screen, Yates and Kloves certainly seem like the go-to pair, but "The Stand" is a different beast than "Harry Potter" in many ways. For one, the adult-oriented material is much darker than "Potter." Drew McWeeny of HitFix, who broke the news, told MTV News he thinks the way Yates and Kloves treated the darker aspects of the "Potter" movies is a mark in their favor as they gear up for the "Stand" collaboration. "I think they've demonstrated as a team that they are capable of making extreme darkness palatable and ably depicting the struggle between good and evil," McWeeny said. "It might not have been the first team I thought of to adapt that book, but it's a damn good team." MTV Movies Blog editor and "The Stand" fan Josh Wigler doesn't think the movie can be made with anything less than an R rating. Similarly, McWeeny said the film won't be an easy project for Warner Bros. to move through the studio. When McWeeny first broke the story, he said it didn't make sense to bring "The Stand" to the screen again if it didn't expand upon the 1994 TV miniseries — and he offered that the new element should be the very disturbing material that made the novel a hit. The novel, which features a massive cast of characters, is divided into three "books," and the assumption is that Yates and Kloves wouldn't attempt to adapt the story into just one movie. The larger question is whether Warner Bros. would make two movies or a trilogy out of "The Stand." McWeeny thinks it could go either way. "I've been hearing that three is the magic number, creatively, and they want a trilogy," he said. "[But] two films may just make better economic sense for them. I do think there's a way to pull it off in two films, but that's when you really start cutting this to the bone and that may not be best for the story itself." With Universal having passed on Ron Howard's ambitious attempt to adapt another King classic, "The Dark Tower," it seems fair to presume that Yates and Kloves may worry about making "The Stand" too big. But there are many elements of "The Stand" that make it more adaptable than "Dark Tower" ever was, McWeeny said. "Even though ['The Stand' is] very big and has a ton of characters, there is a much more linear storytelling shape, and a simple film trilogy is something that Hollywood understands," he explained. "Coming off the final 'Potter' film, I think Yates and Kloves are the right team to get almost anything made." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Photos |
| Miranda Cosgrove Injured In Bus Accident Posted: 10 Aug 2011 11:00 PM PDT 'iCarly' star postpones tour dates after breaking her ankle early Thursday morning.
"iCarly" star Miranda Cosgrove was injured in a bus accident early on Thursday (August 11), her rep confirmed to MTV News. The 18-year-old actress/singer, who is currently on her summer tour, was not seriously injured but did suffer a broken ankle. "Miranda Cosgrove's tour bus was involved in an accident early this morning in Illinois on I-70, just outside of Vandalia," her rep said in a statement. Cosgrove had been traveling from a Wednesday night show in Ohio to Kansas for her Friday stop on the Dancing Crazy Tour. "There were five passengers on the bus, and Miranda suffered a broken ankle. At this time, we are told everyone will be fine. "Because of this, her tour is postponed until further notice," the statement concludes. "Miranda thanks everyone for their understanding and support." The tour had dates slated through October, when it was going to wrap up in Arizona. She was about halfway through the jaunt, which kicked off in Ohio last month. Cosgrove recently appeared in the Best Coast video for the track "Our Deal." The '50s-themed clip features some of Hollywood's biggest up-and-comers like Cosgrove, Chloë Moretz, Tyler Posey and Donald Glover, and was directed by someone else who understands the transition from child star to adult A-lister, Drew Barrymore. "I had a great time," Cosgrove said. "I've been watching Drew Barrymore movies ever since I was really little, so I was nervous to meet her." Leave your well-wishes for Miranda Cosgrove in the comments below! Related Artists |
| Kristen Stewart Is 'Gorgeous,' Other 'Snow White' Director Says Posted: 11 Aug 2011 12:34 AM PDT 'Nobody's backed off,' Tarsem tells MTV News of competing 'Snow White' projects.
In one corner of the fairy tale-meets-Hollywood world, there is Kristen Stewart and mighty Universal Pictures. In the other, there is Julia Roberts and upstart Relativity Pictures. Both sides are pushing forward with "Snow White" adaptations. Only one can boast of having, in Stewart, one of the biggest young names in the business.
But the director of the other "Snow White," Tarsem, not only isn't worried, but paid Stewart a high compliment when we caught up with him at San Diego Comic-Con. "She's gorgeous," he told us, adding that he'd only seen her onscreen work in David Fincher's "Panic Room." "She's great." For his Snow White, Tarsem cast up-and-comer Lily Collins, looping her into a production that has already kicked off and which will hit theaters months ahead of Stewart's in 2012. "For me, when I looked at it, I thought there's only room for one of these," he explained of the two competing films. "And it looks like there's more. Nobody's backed off. I just know that we were ready so much earlier. And thank God for Julia, because when she came in, I got everything my way." While we have seen photos of Stewart, as well as co-stars Liam Hemsworth and Charlize Theron, in "Snow White and the Huntsman," thus far from Tarsem's film, we've only seen Collins in character. So what type of evil queen will Roberts end up being? "A mixed-up queen," Tarsem told us. "I don't know how to do for the 'now you shall' kind of person. For me, [it's] the personality of a person who looks into the mirror and does all the evil deeds she needs to do. Like serial killers, you outsource your evil: The devil made me do it or I hear voices. It's kind of one of those people. She does what she does, but she thinks it comes from a place where the person in the mirror tells it to her." Check out everything we've got on "The Brothers Grimm: Snow White." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. |
| Evanescence's 'Never Go Back' Inspired By Japan Tragedy Posted: 10 Aug 2011 11:45 PM PDT 'We were all just totally glued to paying attention to it, all these incredibly heartbreaking images,' Amy Lee tells MTV News.
Last month, Amy Lee invited MTV News down to Nashville, where Evanescence were putting the finishing touches on their first album in nearly five years. While we were down there, she played a handful of tracks for our cameras — including first single "What You Want" and the ethereal "Lost In Paradise" — plus some songs that weren't quite ready for broadcast, chief among them a rather epic bit of rock that was (at the time) called "Orange."
Much like "What You Want," the song was a definite departure for the band: a big, bold ballad that pushed their sound further than it's ever been pushed before (Lee described it as "beautiful [and] epic ... about loss from the perspective of someone losing someone in a tragedy"). Of course, unlike "Want," it wasn't quite finished yet, which was why the band was hesitant to let fans hear it. Of course, fast-forward roughly a month — to the premiere of "What You Want" — and things have changed. Not only is "Orange" completed, but it's taken on a new name too: "Never Go Back." But the song's message, and the events that inspired it, remain the same, as Lee told MTV News. "It wasn't about my life so much. ... When we first got into pre-production, the earthquakes and tsunami happened in Japan, and we were all just totally glued to paying attention to it, all these incredibly heartbreaking images, and we just [thought], 'Wow,' " she said. "And I was thinking about it a lot. It was consuming my mind, and we were working on that song at the same time. I was kind of working on lyrics at night; we'd practice all day, and I'd go home at night and be working on lyrics by myself. And I came in the next day and was like, 'Guys, I'm going to make this song about the tsunami.' " And in writing about the natural disasters in Japan, Lee discovered a depth she didn't know she had — one that not only instills "Never Go Back" with true power, but helped push Evanescence's self-titled album to new heights. "I was singing it to [my bandmates] in the car, and everyone was like, 'I got goose bumps,' " Lee said. "I'm feeling this human connection with [the Japan tragedy]; obviously, I haven't experienced it, but it was cool to write about something a little bit outside myself, that isn't what I usually do. And I love that song." What do you think of Evanescence's new music so far? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| A 50 Cent Feud? Grafh Says It's All 'Love' Posted: 11 Aug 2011 12:24 AM PDT MC opens up to Mixtape Daily about rumors that G-Unit mogul has been 'blackballing' him because of his association with Chaz 'Slim' Williams.
Celebrity Favorites: Grafh But the Jamaica, Queens, rapper's longtime affiliation with Black Hand Entertainment has spawned rumors that he was being blackballed by 50 Cent due to the G-Unit honcho's rift with Black Hand's Chaz "Slim" Williams. Grafh recently left the Black Hand fold, but insisted it's still all good between him and Williams.
"We have a mutual respect for each other, we're like family," Grafh told Mixtape Daily of his and Chaz's decision to separate on the business front. "It was never a thing where he don't want to see me succeed. I have his blessing. He was like, 'Go make your money, do what you do.' Really, if he can't do what I need done, then he's like, 'Go get it done.' " As for 50's role in the mix, Chaz was the "In Da Club" rapper's manager back when he was signed to Columbia Records. But Fif left shortly after he was infamously shot nine times in 2000. Since then, the two have not been on the friendliest of terms. "I can't really speak on the situation too much 'cause I was young," Grafh said. "I was around but not in they business. I know Chaz was managing 50 before he was managing me. After the shooting, when 50 got shot, I guess he felt Chaz could have stopped that maybe 'cause Chaz got a lot of power in the 'hood. However Chaz involvement may have been, I don't even want to speak on none of that 'cause that ain't any of my business." The "power" in the 'hood that Grafh alluded to is Williams' reputation as an OG on the streets. Williams' former life as a bank robber was the subject of an episode of "Notorious" on the Biography channel. In 50's street classic "Many Men," he refers directly to what he believes is a betrayal by his ex-manager: "Slim switched sides on me, let n---as ride on me/ I thought we was cool, why you want me to die, homey?" Despite 50 and Williams falling out, Grafh insisted that the latter still has respect for 50. Grafh just hopes that their lingering issues won't pose a problem for his own hip-hop ambitions. "All I know is Chaz's part, and Chaz speaks very highly of that man," Grafh insisted. "He's a fan of [50's] music and a fan of 50 Cent and speaks highly of his character. Whatever feelings they may have ain't got to do with me 'cause I wasn't around for that [conflict]. So if any blackballing is occurring, I'm like, 'Easy, bro. Easy, Joe, just let me get my money. I ain't got nothing to do with nothing.' [That's] why I don't even want to entertain that in the interview, if there is any blackballing going on — which it feels like that 'cause every record I got, it's shot out the goddamn sky — then pick it up, so I can eat," the rapper said of the tendency of his records to lose steam after gaining street buzz. Grafh also told Mixtape Daily he would be down to work with 50 Cent if the opportunity presented itself. Despite any Black Hand vs. G-Unit drama, the former Epic Records artist said he is above any beef since he knows plenty of Unit members, including Lloyd Banks, having personally come up with them in Queens too. In fact, at one point, Grafh was so tired of all the blackballing rumors that he dropped in for an impromptu meeting with 50 at the mogul's New York City offices. "The tension is thick in the room," Grafh recalled, describing what it was like waiting in the lobby of the G-Unit offices to see whether 50 would take a meeting with him. "I see them looking out the window, they treating me like I got a bomb on me. I'm like, 'It's love on my side, homey. I just want to holla at the homey and let him know it's love, and I want it to be love, if it can be.' "They did what they supposed to do. His man came at me like, 'What you doing up here, young?' " Grafh said he responded, " 'I just want to holla at the homey. It's love and it's no problem.' If I could talk to him, I would like to 'cause he was there." However, 50 never did accept Grafh's offer to chat that day. "I was hoping he was going to come out and holla at me, but he didn't," he said. "So if you see this interview, holla at your boy." Grafh's EP, The Rule, features a collaboration with Joe Budden and is set to drop soon. For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Artists |
| Emma Watson 'Perfect' For 'Beauty And The Beast' Posted: 10 Aug 2011 11:53 PM PDT Guillermo del Toro tells MTV News he'd rather direct the retelling than just produce.
The pairing of Guillermo del Toro and Emma Watson on a "Beauty and the Beast" remake seems almost too good to be true, but the director confirmed to MTV News that the project is indeed in the works.
"It's one of those landmarks, one of those holy grails, and I really hope to do it," del Toro said. "We're just starting the process." Originally, it was reported that del Toro would be producing the flick alongside "Crazy, Stupid, Love" producer Denise Di Novi, but he shared with MTV News that he would rather direct the movie. He said he's starting to write the story line for it now while putting his alien movie "Pacific Rim" through production. Instead of a modernized take like this year's "Beastly," consider del Toro's movie to be a classic retelling of the tale as old as time. He confirmed that his version will take place in the same period setting as the fairy tale; we're hoping that means it will include some of the stylized visuals he's become known for with "Pan's Labyrinth" and the "Hellboy" movies. Del Toro didn't have a timeline yet for when his first draft on "Beauty and the Beast" would be done, but he said it should be within the next few years. After all, he'd need it to be done by then for leading lady Watson to still be a prime choice for the role of the titular beauty. "It's a movie that you have to make in the next few years for Emma to be perfect for the part," he said. "I think she is the perfect character to do that movie." Watson recently wrapped filming on "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and, barring her potential involvement in Taylor Lautner's "Incarceron," has a free schedule for now. For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Videos |
| Will <i>Watch The Throne</i> Top Half A Million? Posted: 11 Aug 2011 08:49 AM PDT Jay-Z and Kanye West's collaboration is getting some big first-week estimates from the experts.
There is little doubt that when Watch the Throne debuts on the Billboard albums chart next week, Jay-Z and Kanye West will snag the #1 spot. The real question is: How much will the superstar duo actually sell when the smoke clears and the first-week retail registers are tallied?
"I'm gonna say, ladies and gentlemen: 450,000," Shade 45's DJ Wonder said on Wednesday's "RapFix Live." Statik Selektah and Hot 97's DJ Kast One predicted similar numbers. Kast guessed the duo would sell anywhere from 350,000 to 400,000 thousand copies of their new LP, while Statik, who spins on Shade 45's "Showoff Radio" show on Thursday nights, thought the Throne would hit the 500,000 sales mark and earn themselves a gold plaque in the first week. On Monday, the day of Watch the Throne's exclusive iTunes release, Billboard.biz predicted that the mega-collaboration would sell anywhere between 400,000 and 500,000 units. But the very next day, the site reported that based on the first day of sales, WTT was projected to go upwards of 500,000 in week one. Estimates may be adjusted again once the physical copy of the album is released to retailers on Friday, but as of now, Vibe editorial director Datwon Thomas' guess is on pace with current projections. "I'm going just north of half-a-mil, only because of the fact that they're coming out so unorthodox," he said of Watch the Throne's rollout, which as of now has produced no crossover single, just the boom-bap affair, "Otis." "I don't know if Middle America has latched onto the concept of just throwing out a hot record that can just carry through urban areas and not lift off with the traditional hook that they're used to from a Jay or Kanye." Some wondered if superstars like Hov and Yeezy were actually capable of selling a million copies in one week. Rap Radar founder and Respect magazine editor in chief Elliot Wilson didn't rule out the romanticized sales figure, though he feels it may be unobtainable at this point. "I think they'd love to sell a million records in the first week and show that you could still do something like that," he said. "I think it's possible. Is it probable? Probably not, but I think it will do big-boy numbers first week. I think it will do at least 400k or something like that." What do the critics think of Watch the Throne? No one has ever entertained the thought that Watch the Throne could tank. Even though fans had only heard two songs leading up to the album's drop ("H.A.M." and "Otis"), Jay-Z and Kanye's respective legacies were enough to ensure the Throne's sales success. The real question was whether it would meet critical expectations. "I don't think [Kanye and Jay] really care what the sales look like," Wilson said. "I think it's more about people saying the album's dope and the peer group props that come with it, and the influence and the impact and the fact that, 'Damn we really did do it. We really did get it out there. Now we're gonna go on tour, and it's a celebration.' " What are you expecting from the "Otis" video? Join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #MTVOtis. |
| 'Dirty Dancing' Remake A 'Big Challenge,' Director Says Posted: 10 Aug 2011 11:19 PM PDT 'I hope we can bring something unique and original to help change the naysayers' minds about the film,' Kenny Ortega tells 'The Insider.'
Kenny Ortega has been tasked with remaking the 1987 classic "Dirty Dancing," and he knows you aren't happy about it. The announcement earlier this week was met with seemingly universal backlash, especially in MTV News' comment section. Commenter lisha.16 lashed out against Hollywood's continued dependence on remakes, while Valerie Anne Devine pointed out that "Dirty Dancing" is "not broken therefore does not require a makeover." In an interview with "The Insider," Ortega said he was initially in the same boat. "Saying yes to this project was a really tough decision for me, and one that I wrestled with for a long time," said the "This Is It" director, who was a choreographer on the original "Dirty Dancing." "I had to be won over too." So far, there's no script or casting ideas set, just the idea to remake the movie first made famous by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. But "Dirty Dancing" is no stranger to reinvention. The movie inspired a successful Broadway musical as well as the 2004 box-office flop "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights." Ortega said his first step in creating this remake is to not try to top anything the original movie did. "We have a big challenge and a long road ahead of us," Ortega said. "All I can say is that I hope we can bring something unique and original to help change the naysayers' minds about the film." That starts with not trying to find a way to replace Swayze and Grey. "They're one of a kind, and they deserve to be called that," he said. Ortega said he has been impressed with "So You Think You Can Dance" finalist Melanie Moore's skills and told her live on the air that she has a role waiting for her in the film if she wants it. He also said that he would love to find a role for Grey in the remake if she'd want to be part of it. As for who should play male lead Johnny Castle, MTV's Hollywood Crush blog suggested Ryan Gosling could be a pretty good choice. Ortega is no stranger to fans rebelling against remakes of '80s dance flicks. He was originally attached to direct the upcoming "Footloose" remake before dropping out because he didn't like the tone Paramount wanted for their modernized take. It will be interesting to see whether Ortega's "Dirty Dancing" also gets updated to the present day with current popular dancing or if it maintains the 1960s setting and styles that the original had. For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. |
| Drake Working With The Weeknd On <i>Take Care</i> Posted: 10 Aug 2011 10:40 PM PDT 'He's one of the greatest artists I've ever heard,' Drake tells Billboard of budding soul star.
It seems Drake's Take Care will have no shortage of features. While Drizzy has said that he's worked with Southern rap pioneers 8Ball & MJG and the U.K.'s Florence and the Machine, it remains to be seen whether they will make the final track list. The YMCMB soldier also confirmed in August that Stevie Wonder would appear on his sophomore album, which drops October 24, and now it has been revealed that newcomer the Weeknd will also contribute to TC. "He's one of the greatest artists I've ever heard, and he's on my album a lot. We really collaborated a lot on this album," Drake told Billboard of the Weeknd. "Not only did he inspire me to get out there and try and sing better onstage, but he inspired me just writing-wise, music-wise, just to better my product. To hear someone else with an incredible body of work is very rare, so it's very inspiring." Back in March, Abel Tesfaye, a.k.a. the Weeknd, released House of Balloons, his nine-song debut R&B album, via his website and has garnered rave reviews. The album's standout "Wicked Games" is a slow-and-sultry affair in which the 20-year-old singer/songwriter sings of heartbreak and infidelity with equal passion. On March 6, two weeks before the album was released, Drake tweeted a line from the song — "Bring your love baby I could bring you shame" — then linked back to his October's Very Own blog, where he posted the song. On August 1, Drake invited Wonder, Lil Wayne, Nas, Rick Ross and the Weeknd to perform at his OVO Fest in Toronto. Next, fans can catch the Weeknd singing on Take Care, but Drake said that he and the budding soul star have formed more than just a working bond, but a real friendship as well: "I'm just proud, I'm proud of him. He works really hard. He's just an incredible person. He's become a really close friend to me." What do you think of Drake collaborating with the Weeknd? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists |
| 'Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas' Trailer: Five Key Scenes Posted: 10 Aug 2011 10:32 PM PDT Third installment of the stoner-comedy franchise has something to do with the holidays ... and we sniff out a few other details.
In a way, "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas" is the most high-concept installment in the stoner-comedy franchise. The titles of both "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" and "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" told you everything you needed to know about the films. But the latest addition? Well, it's in 3-D and has something to do with the holiday season, yet it can all get a little confusing for the series' munchies-having, navel-gazing fanbase. The first "3D Christmas" trailer, which hit Yahoo! on Wednesday evening, should clear up most of that duuuuude-what's-it-all-about confusion. And MTV News' picks for the five key scenes should wipe away any remaining brain fog. The Santa Formula The Comedy Equation Claymazing! "Avatarted" NPH Check out everything we've got on "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Photos |
| Gym Class Heroes Show Their Mutant Powers In 'Stereo Hearts' Video Posted: 10 Aug 2011 10:32 PM PDT The brand-new clip, from the upcoming Papercut Chronicles II album, is a definite departure for the band.
The Gym Class Heroes' brand-new "Stereo Hearts" video is a rather subdued affair — for them, at least — eschewing the hyperkinetic pacing and hyper-colored palette of previous clips like "Clothes Off" or "Cookie Jar" in favor of some good-old-fashioned shadow play and a decidedly (dare we say it) "mature" vibe.
It's a definite departure for the band, in just about every conceivable way. And when MTV News spoke with the Gym Class Heroes on the set of the video back in June, they let it be known that, while "Hearts" might be different, it's just a natural progression for the band. After all, with their upcoming The Papercut Chronicles II album, they've grown up, in more ways than one. "Here we are, almost in our 30s. We started off as kids in a van, and now we're grown men, with families, and the same fans are still with us, and they have families," frontman Travie McCoy said. "It's amazing to sit back and see how far we've come over the years ... back [in 2005, when the band released the first Papercut Chronicles album] I couldn't even count [musical] bars. We were definitely amateur musicians; we've all grown as musicians and songwriters. So to attack this album with a whole new, I guess, set of skills and, dare I say, mutant powers, have a firmer grip on what we want to do musically."
So while "Stereo Hearts" (which features Maroon 5's Adam Levine on the hook), may find GCH exploring new territory, McCoy wants it to be known that the band hasn't forgotten their roots. If anything, they've just expanded on them. "We worked with Benny Blanco on this single, and the chorus kind of jumped out at me, the whole metaphor for your heart being a stereo, lyrically, I played off that, just, um, kind of imagining my heart being inanimate objects like dusty records and old-school boom boxes and whatnot," he said. "The title Papercut Chronicles, it actually came from a mixtape that I made for an ex-girlfriend of mine. But it definitely went much deeper for me, because the first album chronicled about three or four years in my life that were some of the darkest years I've experienced; a lot of those songs touch on the things I was going through during those times. So, for me, titling this record The Papercut Chronicles II, in a sense, it chronicles what's gone on since we put that album out." Related Artists |
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