‘Despicable Me 2’ is Universal’s Most Profitable Film

‘Despicable Me 2’ is Universal’s Most Profitable Film
David Lieberman - Deadline

NBCUniversal chief Steve Burke made his observations this morning in Comcast‘s Q2 conference call with analysts as he discussed his company’s approach to films following its new production and finance partnership with Legendary Entertainment. Burke noted that NBCU is delighted with its animation alliance with Illumination. The partners’ Despicable Me 2 will become “the single most profitable film in the 100 year history of Universal Studios.”

That’s just sad. What is the world coming to?

‘Sharknado’ Coming to Theaters

‘Sharknado’ Coming to Theaters
Margaret Lyons - Vulture

Not that many people actually watched Internet touchstone Sharknado, even from the presumable comforts of their own homes, but Regal Cinemas is hoping a tsunami of irony will carry people to its theaters for a midnight screening of the Syfy movie on Friday, August 2. If you thought those “special” effects looked crummy on your television, just imagine how they’ll look on a movie screen! (Like they were made in Claris Works? Just guessing.)

I think I just threw up…

Eddie Murphy in ‘Beverly Hills Cop 4’ - I think I Just Died

Eddie Murphy in ‘Beverly Hills Cop 4’ - I think I Just Died
Kevin Jagernauth - The Playlist

Late last week you might have missed the news that the “Beverly Hills Cop” TV pilot wasn’t picked up — despite it testing apparently very, very well — but that the gears were turning once again on a new movie, thanks to the response to the TV show. This is no mere idle chatter, as Paramount are once again turning the gears on what we presume will be “Beverly Hills Cop 4,” and they’ve rounded up the star and some writers to making it happen.

Yes, at 52 years old, Eddie Murphy will still be working the beat as he’s now attached to the new “Beverly Hills Cop” movie, which will get a fresh…

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‘Wizard of Oz’ Remained by Timur Bekmambetov for SyFy

‘Wizard of Oz’ Remained by Timur Bekmambetov for SyFy
Jason McDonald - The Playlist

The network, who has already produced a number of “Wizard of Oz” adaptations, is working with Bekmambetov to create a mini-series entitled “Warriors of Oz.” Deadline broke the news yesterday and revealed that the story will follow a “a warrior from present day Earth [who] is transported to a post-apocalyptic future Oz where he must team up with three other warriors, Heartless, Brainless, and Coward, in order to defeat the evil Wizard who has enslaved the land.”

I don’t even…

‘Independence Day 2’ Does Not Feature Will Smith

‘Independence Day 2’ Does Not Feature Will Smith
ComingSoon.net

Following word this week of an official July 3, 2015 release date for 20th Century Fox’s Independence Day 2, director Roland Emmerich has dropped a few hints about what to expect from the much-anticipated sequel.

Will Smith cannot come back because he’s too expensive,” Emmerich told NY Daily News while promoting his latest, White House Down“but he’d also be too much of a marquee name. It would be too much.”

I smell a box office bomb in the making… why do they do this? WHY? If you can’t get the band back together, go make something new! Blurgh.

Well, I suppose there is…

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Some Cable Providers Not Allowing HBO Go on Apple TV

Some Cable Providers Not Allowing HBO Go on Apple TV
Appleinsider.com

In response, a few cable and satellite companies that already carry HBO and ESPN are refusing to authenticate mobile or set-top boxes for streaming. According to the publication, Charter Communications doesn’t authenticate HBO Go for Apple TV, while Dish won’t authenticate ESPN. Other providers like Comcast have similar restrictions for Roku.

One person with knowledge of the situation said, “Affiliates are always initially hesitant about things connected to the TV. They were nervous.”

Placing restrictions on your customers, not meeting their needs, making enemies of them always works…

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Preaching About Superman

Preaching About Superman
Eric Marrapodi - CNN

As the new Superman movie takes flight this weekend, filmmakers are hoping the Man of Steel lands not only in theaters, but also in pulpits.

Warner Bros. Studios is aggressively marketing “Man of Steel” to Christian pastors, inviting them to early screenings, creating Father’s Day discussion guides and producing special film trailers that focus on the faith-friendly angles of the movie.

The movie studio even asked a theologian to provide sermon notes for pastors who want to preach about Superman on Sunday. Titled “Jesus: The Original Superhero,” the notes run nine pages.

Excuse me…

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‘Man of Steel’ Universe Will “Reboot” Batman

‘Man of Steel’ Universe Will “Reboot” Batman
Jon Lyus - HeyUGuys

Talking to David Goyer, screenwriter for Man of Steel:

When pushed on the possibility of the Justice League movie following on directly from Man of Steel he elaborated,

It would be disingenuous to say Warner Bros doesn’t hope that this would be the starting point for a shared universe. And Zack has said that Bruce Wayne exists in this universe. It would be a different Bruce Wayne from Chris’ [Nolan] Dark Knight trilogy, and it would be disingenuous to say that Zack and I haven’t had various conversations on set, around ‘what if’ and ‘moving forward’.

That having been said, it’s all…

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Help Save Podcasting

Help Save Podcasting
Daniel Nazer

A couple of months ago we wrote that podcasting was under threat from a patent troll. At that time, a patent troll named Personal Audio LLC had sued three podcasters and sent demand letters to a number of others. Since then, Personal Audio has filed two new lawsuits—this time against CBS and NBC. It has also sent additional demand letters to small podcasting operations. We’ve written often in the past about how patent trolls are a drain on innovation, and this latest troll is no exception. Since many podcasters barely make a profit, or simply do it for love, a shakedown from a patent troll…

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Evangeline Lilly As a Hobbit

Evangeline Lilly As a Hobbit
Derrick Deane - Fandango.com

“She’s a very, very young elf,” Lilly said. “She’s only 600 years old, unlike Legolas (Orlando Bloom’s character), who’s like, 1,900 years old and Thranduil who’s about 3,000 years old. She doesn’t have quite the wisdom and pose that those two boys do; she’s a little more… gritty. A little more spontanteous, passionate perhaps.”

Lilly added that “to play this character I need to have a certain amount of grace. But I’m also supposed to be an absolutely ruthless, deadly killer.”

Tauriel does not appear in the original book by J.R.R. Tolkien and was created by Jackson. Her name means,…

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