The Weekly Ketchup: "Borat" Great Success, A New Sarah Connor, "Transformers" Travails, And More!
In this week’s Ketchup, "Borat" blows away the box office competition, a new Sarah Connor is set for the small screen "Terminator," and Shia LaBoeuf describes life working for Michael Bay on "Transformers."
Also, "Casino Royale" impresses folks in the British press, and Heath Ledger talks about his role as The Joker in "The Dark Knight." Read on for more.
This Week’s Most Popular News:
Box Office Wrapup: Great Success! "Borat" #1 in U. S. and A.
America fell in love with "Borat" this weekend as the underdog movie-film about a TV journalist from Kazakhstan shocked the film industry by opening at number one, despite playing in a fraction of the theaters as Hollywood’s other new offerings.
We Have a New Sarah Connor!
Remember when we told you that some folks were turning the "Terminator" series into a weekly TV show? Well, they still are — and they hired a really attractive actress to play Sarah Connor.
Shia Labeouf Suffers for "Transformers" Movie
Shia LaBeouf, who plays a teen involved with giant robots in the upcoming "Transformers" movie, told Rotten Tomatoes that it wasn’t all fun and games making the Michael Bay epic.
British Critics Dig the New Bond
Looks like the early responses to "Casino Royale" are surprisingly strong — and you’d expect the British film experts to be particularly finicky about this specific series.
Heath Ledger Talks "Joker"
So now that we’ve all had time to digest the idea of "Heath Ledger = The Joker," the "Dark Knight" actor has chimed in with a few insights on how he’ll approach the iconic character.
In Other News:
- Keira Knightley has indicated that "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End" will be her last appearance as Elizabeth Swann in the hugely successful franchise.
- The trailer for "The Simpsons Movie" will premiere during this Sunday’s "Simpsons" episode on FOX.
- Brian Cox, Anna Paquin, Dylan Baker and Leslie Bibb have joined the cast of "Trick ‘r Treat," a horror film being produced by Bryan Singer.
- Lionsgate Films will distribute "Bratz: The Movie," the first feature film based on the popular toy franchise.
- Clive Barker will remake "Hellraiser," which first hit screens in 1987 and spawned a lucrative franchise.
- Chris Palmer will direct "A Spell for Chameleon," based on the Piers Anthony novel with Wolfgang Petersen producing.
- Paramount Pictures has acquired rights to "Moonwalking With Einstein," the novel by Joshua Foer which will be adapted for the screen by Mike White ("Nacho Libre").
- Universal has acquired rights to "Suite Francaise," the novel by Irene Nemirovsky, with Ronald Harwood ("The Pianist") adapting the screenplay.
- The Weinstein Company will distribute the romantic comedy "My Blueberry Nights," director Wong Kar-Wai‘s English-language film debut. The film stars Rachel Weisz, Natalie Portman, David Strathairn, and singer Norah Jones.
- Alan Arkin is close to joining the cast of Gavin Hood‘s "Rendition," which already stars Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal.
- "The Nativity Story" will premiere at The Vatican on November 26, followed by a December 1 release in the U.S.
- Gary Fleder ("Runaway Jury," "Kiss the Girls") is set to direct "The Express," a sports biopic about the late football great Ernie Davis.
- Martin Scorsese has inked a four-year deal with Paramount Pictures, which will include DVD and television projects in addition to feature films.
- Ashley Judd has purchased the rights to Robin Morgan’s novel "The Burning Time," and will adapt the screenplay.
- Roger Corman and John Davison will produce the sci-fi action film "Space 3001."
- Meg Ryan, Lisa Kudrow, Anne Hathaway and Candice Bergen are set to star in "The Women," a remake of the 1939 George Cukor film, with Diane English making her directorial debut.
- Finally, RT would like to remember those notable figures in entertainment and media that have passed away this week: newsman Ed Bradley, composer Basil Poledouris, R&B crooner Gerald Levert, and actor Jack Palance.
Jack Palance
