Hot Momma Celebrity Gossip Blog

[HMG] – Warner’s new movie, Valentine’s Day proves once again that only the clueless suits who run Hollywood could put Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Anne Hathaway, Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, Ashton Kutcher and Emma Roberts in one movie…and still make it a snoozer.

And then order a sequel before it debuts.

Already panned by the critics for being ‘as gooey and lacking in protein as a chocolate bonbon,’ ‘Valentine’s does not even open until Friday, but Deadline says Warners are so mesmerized by the cash-cow potential of cramming a movie with so many names that as many as three people could turn up at the theater, they’ve already ordered a second installment.

And the fact ‘Valentine’s cost below $50-million means it’s unlikely they’ll stop at just two.

Katherine Fugate, who wrote the original [there's a word you don't hear much these days,] has already given Warners a draft script for the new chapter, which would move the whole scene from February in LA to New Years Eve in New York…in what we might need to call a ‘tribute’ to ‘When Harry Met Sally.’

Valentine’s director, Garry Marshall [who also helmed 'Pretty Woman'] is booked to direct the new film as well, and most of the ‘Valentine’s cast are in talks to reappear.

There’s no date for release yet, but if Valentine’s grosses more than $10,000 you can bet there’ll be one.

Meanwhile, we here at Hot Momma Towers are taking bets on the dumbest excuse Warners could use for part three. What gets your vote – Groundhog Day, Arbor Day, Labor Day…Billie Holiday?

Let’s hear some suggestions…

(HMG) – Not so long ago studio bosses thought it might be a ’stretch’ for Taylor Lautner to return as the Native American werewolf Jacob Black in ‘New Moon’ but look at him now.  All bulked up he not only totally filled the role, but he’s been called on to play an action hero of sorts.  Taylor has signed on to star in “Stretch Armstrong,” Universal’s movie based on the Hasbro toy.  Universal co-chairman Donna Langley said Taylor got the part because he brings the perfect balance of energy and athleticism to the role of an unlikely super hero with a fantastic super power.”  Hollywood Reporter says the movie, which is being produced by Imagine and Hasbro, will portray Taylor as an uptight spy who stumbles across a stretching formula, which he takes and must now adjust to in everyday life and when fighting crime.

Taylor Lautner has signed on to star in “Stretch Armstrong,” Universal’s movie based on the Hasbro toy.

(HMG) – As a former Marvel and DC comic collector I am a sucker for super hero movies. But in being a fan I want to see super hero movies that are entertaining for those that don’t have Comic-Con’s circled on their event calendar. Lately there is a movie project in motion for about every decent super hero in the Marvel and DC stable, which has me fearing that there will be more Hulk like films, versus Iron Man and Batman.

Deadline Hollywood reports there is a Daredevil reboot underway, which on first blush doesn’t sound so bad. But it appears the motivation for the film is based on a business situation and not on new inspiration. It seems that Hollywood studios which did the first Daredevil movie with Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Colin Farrell, in conjunction with Marvel needs to keep reinventing these Marvel movie franchises or the rights revert back to Disney-based Marvel. It’s also disheartening to me that screenwriter David Scarpa, who scripted the very disappointing remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still, has been tasked with writing the script for the Daredevil reboot. Who knows the final product might turn out to exceed the sum of its parts, but it will have to do so exponentially I think in this case.

(HMG) – Years ago getting out of Dodge was more than just a saying.  But the job of Dodge City peacekeeper is proving to be one of the most desirable Hollywood roles around.  You see CBS Films’ is working on a big-screen adaptation of the classic Western television show “Gunsmoke” that starred James Arnes for 20 years on the small screen, and several top-flight actors (the usual suspects) are vying to play Marshal Matt Dillon.

But complicating the situation is the fact that a director has not signed on yet, though Gregory Poirier, who  wrote “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” has written a draft of the “Gunsmoke” feature script, which the studio is said to like.  Brad Pitt has emerged as a top contender for the role, with Ryan Reynolds also at the top of the list for the juicy, gunslinging part. Still until a director is named it seems unlikely any actor will sign on as this is not one of those rare instances in which a star drives a project forward.

Source

[HMG] – Ever since Richard Dreyfus scared half the planet in Jaws back in ‘75, movie studios have loved the idea of making money with sharks. And now Dennis Quaid, Carrie Underwood and Helen Hunt are joining the trail.

Making her big-screen debut, Carrie, 26, joins the others to star in ‘Soul Surfer,’ a new independent production based on the life story of teen-surfing champion Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm to a 14ft Tiger shark when she was only 13 but went on to win gold in professional contests – Scoring her first win just 19-months later.

AnnaSophia Robb [who starred as Violet Beauregarde  in Johnny Depp's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'] has been cast as Beth, Dennis and Helen will be her parents, and Carrie will appear as a youth leader at Bethany’s church.

Sean McNamara [a producer on 'That's So Raven'] co-wrote and will direct the new flick, and Carrie will now join the cast in Hawaii to start production this week. Variety lists no date for release, but we’ll let you know.

Meantime, good luck with getting the sound of that cello out of your head…

[HMG] – In Hollywood’s ongoing quest to make money for nothing, their plans to remake ‘A Star is Born’ are nearing completion, and Russell Crowe and Beyoncé are in line as the leads.

Warners plans for a do-over on the title [which has already been a movie three times] have been bubbling for years, with no less than four screenwriters attempting to re-tell the story. But Nick Cassavetes [who directed 'The Notebook' in 2004] is now in talks to direct, so this time it could actually happen.

Sean Penn and Robert Downey Jr. were among several names the studio wanted as the male star, but 45-year old Russell is now said to be their main target. And he’s reportedly keen to accept.

Beyoncé, meanwhile, has been the main choice as the female lead for quite a while, according to the Times. And if she lands it, that would give Warners the first interracial romance since Whitney Houston smooched Kevin Costner in 1992’s ‘The Bodyguard’ – which they also produced.

In this fourth re-tread of the tale, Russ would play an aging, alcoholic musician who becomes a mentor to – and learns a great deal from – a far younger female star. And at the fade-out, they end up in love.

For now, Russell’s next outing is Ridley Scott’s version of Robin Hood – due to open in May – where he takes on the challenge of trying to act in the luminous presence of Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian without losing his mind.

No actor’s that good.

There’s no date for release, or even production of ‘Star’ yet, and even the contracts have not been signed. But if Warners ever gets to actually roll film on this thing, we’ll bring you the news…