My Blog: November 2010

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Brad Pitt's 'Megamind' Character No 'Cardboard Hero,' Director Says

Pitt 'loved' voicing animated Metro Man, Tom McGrath tells MTV News, as executive producer Ben Stiller jokes they wanted to give A-lister 'a break.'
By Sarah Flanigan, with reporting by Kara Warner

Ben Stiller and Tom McGrath
Photo: MTV News

"Megamind," DreamWorks' latest animated comedy, hits theaters on Friday, with a star-studded Hollywood cast that includes Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller and Brad Pitt. And while funnymen Ferrell and Stiller are no strangers to comedic work, A-list actor Pitt is a bit of a newbie to the genre.

The film tells the story of a super-villain named Megamind, voiced by Ferrell, who has repeatedly attempted — and failed — to conquer Metro City. Instead, the town's studly hero Metro Man (Pitt) has managed to defeat him every time.

Although Pitt has played a multifaceted range of characters onscreen, until the role of Metro Man came along, he had yet to add an animated hero to his résumé. When MTV News caught up with "Megamind" director Tom McGrath and executive producer Stiller, the two men explained what made the part appealing to Pitt.

"He loved the idea. He loved the character and playing that kind of character that has a couple levels to him," McGrath said. "You know, he's not just the cardboard hero, he's got another layer to him — not to give anything away — and he's funny."

Pitt's reputation as one of the most attractive men in the movie business certainly was not a consideration when the decision was made to cast him in the animated flick. Stiller said he thought he would actually be doing Pitt a favor by offering him this kind of role.

"We wanted to give him a break. We felt like he could use a boost right now in his career," Stiller joked. "We figured things aren't really popping with the on-camera work, maybe the voice thing will get him something. So I'm hoping he'll owe us for this one."

What do you think of Brad Pitt flexing his comedic chops in an animated flick? Tell us in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "Megamind."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Minka Kelly

Kanye West Explains Michael Jackson 'Runaway' Scene

MC says he used King of Pop's likeness to represent cult mentality.
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Photo: Def Jam

In a production wrought with powerful imagery, the Michael Jackson procession scene in Kanye West's film debut, "Runaway," is among the most impactful and intriguing.

Around seven minutes into the movie, which centers on the ill-fated romance between West's character, Griffin, and a phoenix played by Selita Ebanks, fireworks herald a parade of a crimson-clad marching band flanked by a mob of followers sporting pointed hoods reminiscent of the garb worn by the Ku Klux Klan. The band surrounds a larger-than-life illuminated bust of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, while Griffin and the phoenix excitedly look on.

When West sat down with MTV News' Sway for a live Q&A session that followed the film's premiere Saturday (October 23) on MTV, he explained that he juxtaposed Jackson's likeness with the hooded marchers to make a comment about the potent pull of cult mentality.

"The hood, what it does represent to me ... in relation to the Michael Jackson thing is not the KKK but the concept of cult, because it's multiple people with this hood on," West explained. "It's me taking [the phoenix] to my world and saying, 'Let me show you what my world is about.' "

West said he invoked the image of the late icon, whose expansive cultural reach was unparalleled, to demonstrate the energy of the pop realm.

"The greatest, biggest pop-cultural figure of all time, arguably bigger than Jesus Christ, is Michael Jackson. You have the band in front of him, marching ... and you have the cult around it," West said, before explaining the scene that precedes the procession, of a young boy in mid-sprint brandishing a flaming baton.

"If you saw the kid in the beginning, he's running and running at top speed holding his torch, and his torch represents his thoughts and ideals. At the end, after he's been cultivated, he has the hood on now and he's walking extremely slow. That's basically how people think," West said. "It's the way society has set people up to be able to control them, slave mentalities."

Yeezy added that coaxing people into social conformity is an effective form of control — assuming the followers don't decide to break away on their own trails.

"[By] just creating this mentality by cultivating the ideals ... you could just make people just stand in their own mental jails," he said. "What happens when someone isn't in a mental jail?"

What do you think of Kanye's explanation of the Michael Jackson "Runaway" scene? Sound off in the comments!

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Photos From Kanye West's 'Runaway' Interview

Woman Solves Wheel Of Fortune Puzzle With Just ONE Letter!

Although she only had one letter in the puzzle, Caitlin Burke uncovered the entire phrase as a contestant on Wheel of Fortune.
And the look on Pat Sajak's face is priceless!
Got get 'em, honey.

Lena Headey Leonor Varela Leslie Bega Leslie Bibb

Beyonce Has An 'Agenda' For New Album, Ne-Yo Says

'She knows exactly what she wants to do,' Ne-Yo says of Bey's Sasha Fierce follow-up.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Tim Kash

Ne-Yo
Photo: MTV News

Beyoncé may have killed off Sasha Fierce for her next album, but that doesn't mean that whatever she turns out won't be just as, dare we say, fierce as her previous effort. And Ne-Yo, who reveals he is working with the megastar on the follow-up to 2008's I Am ... Sasha Fierce, says that it's easy-peasy working with Bey, mostly because she knows exactly what she wants.

"The thing about working with Beyoncé is that she definitely has her own agenda," the "Irreplaceable" songwriter told MTV News about the hush-hush song (or songs) the pair worked on together. "She's an artist that knows exactly what she wants to do."

So how does it go down when you walk into a studio to find Beyoncé sitting there ready to work? "She's going to give you directions [like] 'Here's where I'm going, so here's where I need you to be,' " Ne-Yo explained. "And, you know, I'm a person that follows direction well. [And she'll be like], 'So this is the sound, this is the vibe; make it happen.' And I write and she likes it or she doesn't. And in this case she did, and there you have it."

Producer Sean Garrett, who wrote Beyoncé hits including "Video Phone" and "Upgrade U," promised Popeater.com that Bey's fourth album is "going to be her biggest album ever. We're going to take it to a whole other level." He told EW.com, "I think we are doing a lot of uptempo records for this one. She's in such a good place right now in life that she is interested in making party music, definitely."

Additionally, producer Jim Jonsin reveals that he has been submitting some tracks and angling to get in the studio to work with Beyoncé on the forthcoming album, noting that he wants to go retro for the record. "I'd like to take it even more Depeche Mode-ish, like '80s electro with just some hard drums," the "Beautiful Nightmare" producer told Rap-Up. "I'd love to go there."

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Monday, November 8, 2010

Coldplay, Led Zeppelin Album Covers Featured On New British Stamps

Album art from Pink Floyd, Blur and David Bowie also included.
By James Montgomery

Coldplay's new British stamps
Photo: Royal Mail

On Thursday (January 7), the U.K.'s Royal Mail unveiled a series of 10 new stamps, honoring the most iconic album covers of the past 40 years.

The albums featured in the new series are the Rolling Stones' Let It Bleed, Led Zeppelin's IV, David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, The Clash's London Calling, New Order's Power, Corruption and Lies, Primal Scream's Screamadelica, Pink Floyd's The Division Bell, Blur's Parklife and — the most recent album on to make the cut — Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head.

Meant to honor "the most potent graphic images of modern times, many of which have provided a visual soundtrack to people's lives," the series is the end result of a lengthy research process by the Royal Mail, who looked through thousands of album covers by British artists before deciding on the final list. And, during a Wednesday night BBC Radio broadcast, it was revealed that the queen herself actually approved each design.

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page — who helped design the cover for IV — was on hand to celebrate the release of the stamps and recalled the mysterious nature of the album's iconic imagery.

"Almost 40 years after the album came out, nobody knows the old man who featured on the cover, nor the artist who painted him," he said. "That sort of sums up what we wanted to achieve with the album cover, which has remained both anonymous and enigmatic at the same time."

Of course, any great honor is befitting of an equally great contest, so, on the same day the stamps were made available to the general public, Coldplay decided to give one of their Rush of Blood stamps away. In a message on their official site, the band held a contest to send one lucky fan "a letter using a Coldplay stamp, postmarked with today's issue date."

"We visited our local post office earlier today and bought some of the Coldplay stamps," the message read. "Very nice they are too."

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Lady Gaga Now Subject Of College Course

Class at the University of South Carolina is called 'Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame.'
By Gil Kaufman

Lady Gaga
Photo: Amy Sussman/ Getty Images

Fame is so hard to define these days. How does a star know when she's truly made it? Is it when the hosts of "Today" dress up as you for Halloween? When you reach 1 billion views on YouTube? Are multiplatinum album sales and sold-out tours still a good barometer?

Or does one only reach true icon status when a college professor decides that person is important enough to base a university-level course around?

If so, welcome to the club, Lady Gaga!

According to the New York Times, University of South Carolina sociology professor Mathieu Deflem is planning to offer a course next semester entitled "Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame."

Deflem plans to delve into what makes a person famous and what it means to be famous in today's society. "The central objective is to unravel some of the sociologically relevant dimensions of the fame of Lady Gaga," Deflem states in the course description for the class, which he says is the first of its kind in the nation.

Deflem said that after being smitten with Gaga during a "Tonight" appearance last January, he attended a concert of hers in Atlanta and went on to catch 28 Gaga shows all over the globe. He's since become a superfan, collecting more than 300 CDs and records and launching the fan site gagafrontrow.net.

He's also met Mother Monster five times. Does that mean she'll swing by for a lecture sometime? "I will get the word out to her that I'm doing the course," he said when asked if he'd like her to drop in. "But it might be logistically too difficult for her to come because she will be on tour for most of the spring semester."

Gaga joins a venerable list of courses that will likely elicit a call from parents asking just what their money is going toward, including Georgetown University's "Philosophy and Star Trek," the University of California-Irvine's "The Science of Superheroes," Frostburg State University's "The Science of Harry Potter" and University of California-Berkeley's "Simpsons and Philosophy."

What do you think of a university teaching a course on Gaga? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

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Photos | Alicia Keys Brings Jay-Z, Beyonce To Her New York Show

Alicia Keys Brings Jay-Z, Beyonce To Her New York Show

TV Ad For Norwegian Deaf Metal

This image, which nicely compliments the video below, is for a 1993 metal comp that featured some pretty ripping bands, including Eucharist, Dissection, Impaler, At the Gates, Pitchshifter and Therion, along with a bunch of groups we've never heard of. Good luck tracking it down. But before you try, check out this Norwegian TV ad [...]

Monika Kramlik Moon Bloodgood Mýa Nadine Velazquez

Photos | Jay-Z, Beyonce, Bieber And More Nominated For 2010 BET Awards

Jay-Z, Beyonce, Bieber And More Nominated For 2010 BET Awards

Beyoncé - Halo

Halo

Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Philip Andelman
Album: I Am... Sasha Fierce

Nicollette Sheridan Nikki Cox Nikki Reed Lauren German

Russell Brand & Katy Perry Make First Post-Wedding Appearance

Fresh off their lavish wedding and honeymoon, newlyweds Russell Brand and Katy Perry hit the red carpet Sunday night at MTV's European Music Awards in Madrid.

Dressed in a sparkly red dress, the new Mrs. Brand posed with her hubby for photographers, before heading backstage to prepare for her performance. Still in awe of his wife, Brand reportedly told MTV staffers, "I'm not worthy," after a crew member praised Perry's good looks.

The couple, who met at the MTV Video Music Awards, when Brand hosted in 2009, tied the knot in India on Oct. 23.

"The relationship is very important to me," Brand said. "It means growing up. Love between two people is the most spectacular, but ordinary, thing in the world."

Do you think Katy Perry and Russell Brand make a good couple? Chime in below!

Leslie Bibb Lil Kim Lily Allen Lindsay Lohan

'Today' Show Hosts Dress As Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber For Halloween

Segment also featured cameos from Will Ferrell and Tina Fey as their 'Megamind' characters.
By Jocelyn Vena

Meredith Vieira as Lady Gaga on the "Today" show
Photo: NBC

This year's "Today" show Halloween segment may have been short on Matt Lauer, but the show made up for it thanks to cameos from Will Ferrell and Tina Fey as their "Megamind" characters. But even those superstars were upstaged by some crafty costumes worn by the "Today" show hosts Friday morning (October 29).

In what turned out to be one complex segment, the Halloween fun started with Lauer and Roker looking at "Megamind" footage in a pretaped segment. Then the story went a bit zany. As Roker escorted a Clark Kent-looking Lauer out of the building, Lauer used his highly sensitive hearing to sense that Fey was in trouble.

In order to become Superman, he entered a phone booth to call Ferrell's Megamind to meet up with him, and out came Roker, in Lauer's place, as Superman. Ferrell and Roker then rushed to the side of Fey (dressed as "Megamind" reporter Roxanne Ritchi) to save her and toss to an old-timey newsreel, in which Ann Curry made her entrance as Amelia Earhart, who apparently had been hiding out in 30 Rock for the better part of a century.

Once she reemerged in the modern world, Earhart said she'd noticed that a lot has changed. Like what? Well, music. With that, Natalie Morales came out playing a convincing Justin Bieber, all the way down to the dance moves during "Baby."

But it was Meredith Vieira as the "monster of all monsters," Lady Gaga, dressed in the Armani orbit gown the singer wore to the Grammy Awards earlier this year, that really upped the production value. She sang the pop star's hit "Bad Romance," complete with backup dancers.

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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Ke$ha Works On Her 'Psychic Abilities'

Singer tells Seventeen about touring with spiritual healer: 'We center our chakras before every show.'
By Jocelyn Vena

Ke$ha on the November cover of <i>Seventeen</i>
Photo: Hearst Communication, Inc.

Ke$ha is a party monster who sings about cute boys and dancing the night away. She regularly paints herself in body glitter and is about as outspoken as they come, so it might come as a surprise to her fans that the "Tik Tok" singer brings a spiritual healer with her when she hits the road.

"I have a spiritual healer on tour with me, and we center our chakras before every show," the Seventeen magazine November cover girl reveals. "We meditate and try to hone in on my psychic abilities, and go to acupuncture, and eat super organic."

But, as she promises in so many of her tunes off Animal, she is also a big-time party girl. "I could party in a cardboard box with people who are funny and don't care," she explains. "For me, it's really about who I surround myself with, so I just try to always be with hilarious people."

And even though she has topped the charts with rollicking party anthems, there are still those who criticize the singer.

"I accidentally read a review, and it was really positive, but at the end it said, 'We don't really know if she has the best voice,' which is bullsh--!" she says. "That's the one thing I'm most confident about. I don't have the best body in the world, but I know for a fact that I have a really good voice.

"It really bummed me out that somebody didn't see that, and then I got upset. But it just made me realize that this is an unveiling process; it's just going to take time. I'm just proving myself to people."

As much as she is known for her songs, she is also known for her interesting fashion choices, which include body paint, feathers, fur, boots and just about anything you might find in a gypsy's suitcase.

"I just like playing with makeup and clothes — so I really don't feel like there are rules, and if there are rules, then I think it's up to you to break them," she says. "That's why I'm wearing blue lipstick right now, because most people would probably say it's not a good color for your lips, but I'm here to show them that it is.

"I love wearing the exact same thing all the time because I think it makes you like a cartoon character," she confesses. "They always wear the same outfit, and everybody always remembers them for it, so I feel like I should do the same thing."

Are you surprised to hear about Ke$ha's spiritual side? Tell us in the comments!

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Lady Gaga Now Subject Of College Course

Class at the University of South Carolina is called 'Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame.'
By Gil Kaufman

Lady Gaga
Photo: Amy Sussman/ Getty Images

Or does one only reach true icon status when a college professor decides that person is important enough to base a university-level course around?

If so, welcome to the club, Lady Gaga!

According to the New York Times, University of South Carolina sociology professor Mathieu Deflem is planning to offer a course next semester entitled "Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame."

What do you think of a university teaching a course on Gaga? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

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Natalie Portman Natalie Zea Natasha Bedingfield Natassia Malthe

Beyonce Could Release New Single In Next Few Weeks

'Listening to New B record Dream wrote ... Y'all C in 3 weeks!' producer Los Da Mystro tweeted Wednesday.
By Jocelyn Vena

Beyoncé
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ Getty Images

Fans are slowly but surely getting more and more details about Beyoncé's next album. And the latest word is that the singer could release her first single from the album within the next three weeks. While the name of the song is still unknown, it appears that Lady B is well on her way to releasing new music off her follow-up disc to 2008's I Am ... Sasha Fierce.

"Listening to New B record Dream wrote ... F---INg INSANE! WOw!! She About to Kill the game again! Had to Listen again!! Y'all C in 3 weeks!" producer Los Da Mystro, a frequent collaborator of The-Dream, who worked with Tricky Stewart on Beyoncé's hit "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," tweeted. "Thats what they sayn now.. But it is the music Business. could b sooner r lata."

MTV News hadn't received comment by Beyoncé's label by press time.

However, the producers and songwriters she's been working with on the album have been dropping hints about what fans might expect on Beyoncé's fourth studio album. So far Ne-Yo, Jim Jonsin and Sean Garrett have all opened up about penning tracks for the album. And with the tweet from Los Da Mystro, it's evident that she's once again working with The-Dream and Stewart.

B's last album spawned the hits "Single Ladies," "If I Were a Boy," her Gaga-collabo "Video Phone" and "Halo." And while it is unknown what direction this next album will take, Ne-Yo has pointed out that Beyoncé has an "agenda" all her own.

"She's an artist that knows exactly what she wants to do," he told MTV News. "She's going to give you directions [like], 'Here's where I'm going, so here's where I need you to be.' And, you know, I'm a person that follows direction well. [And she'll be like], 'So this is the sound, this is the vibe; make it happen.' And I write and she likes it or she doesn't. And in this case she did, and there you have it."

Since she killed off her alter-ego Sasha Fierce for her next album, this record will be all Beyoncé. Producer Jim Jonsin recently noted that while he wants to go even more '80s than the pair did on "Sweet Dreams," he's also looking to try out some other genres with the singer. "Even some sexy mid-tempos, see if she likes that and I'll try that too," Jonsin said.

Whatever the album ends up sounding like, Garrett promised that it won't be a rehash of previous material. He explained, "We're working on some really incredible music. We're going to stretch a little bit — take it to a whole new level, if Beyoncé can go to a whole new level. ... It's going to be her biggest album ever. We're going to take it to a whole other level."

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Monica Potter Monika Kramlik Moon Bloodgood Mýa

Usher - Trading Places

Trading Places

Artist: Usher
Label: Zomba/LaFace Records
Director: Chris Robinson
Album: Here I Stand

Mýa Nadine Velazquez Naomi Watts Natalie Imbruglia

Katy Perry and Russell Brand: 2010 MTV EMA Lovers

Ready for a fun-filled evening, Katy Perry and Russell Brand were side-by-side for the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 in Madrid, Spain on Sunday (November 7).

Held at the La Caja Magica, the recently married couple made their grand entrance ahead of the evening festivities, with Katy donning a sparkly red ticket stud frock.

As for the show, the 2010 installment of the EMAs is being hosted by Eva Longoria with a digital host appearance by Justin Bieber.

Meanwhile, performers gracing the stage during the annual ceremony include B.o.B., Miley Cyrus, Ke$ha, Shakira and Linkin Park, among many others.

For those interested in checking out the action, the two-hour show premieres 9PM ET/PT tonight (November 7) on MTV2.

Nicollette Sheridan Nikki Cox Nikki Reed Lauren German

Best Name For A Wireless Network

Prevents that awkward talk with your neighbor in the hallway.

Monica Keena Monica Potter Monika Kramlik Moon Bloodgood

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Sexy Brad Pitt Photos

As the actor voices a role in the animated film <I>Megamind,</I> we offer up sizzling photos of the sexy star

Lindsay Lohan Lindsay Price Lisa Marie Lisa Snowdon

Beyoncé - Ego

Ego

Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Beyonce, Frank Gatson, Sheryl Murakami
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce [Deluxe Edition]

Nikki Reed Lauren German LeAnn Rimes Leeann Tweeden

Photos | Ke$ha Leaves Bathhouse Bar In London

Ke$ha Leaves Bathhouse Bar In London

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TV Ad For Norwegian Deaf Metal

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Photos | A 'Today' Show Halloween

A 'Today' Show Halloween

Donald Glover Relives Awkward Prom Night On 'When I Was 17'

'Community' actor recalls father slipping him a condom in front of his date, on episode airing Saturday.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

Donald Glover
Photo: MTV

When Donald Glover was a teen, his chances of scoring some post-prom action were destroyed before he even got to the party — by his own father.

On the latest episode of "When I Was 17," which also features stories from Akon and Kerry Washington and premieres at 11 a.m. Saturday on MTV, Glover recalls how his dad's safe-sex message ruined his son's chances for actually getting laid.

"I did go to my prom when I was 17. I asked this girl out that I really liked, and it was more like she was taking me, because I didn't have a car," Glover recalls. "She came and picked me up in her car. We're about to go, and my dad grabs me, and he pulls out a condom and puts it in my pocket — in front of her."

Brittany, a pal of the NBC show "Community" actor, also remembers that night. "Donald's dad was cool, but he never had the 'birds and the bees' kind-of talk," she recounts. "He flat out handed him the condom in front of Donald and his date. How embarrassing!"

Glover says the gesture was awkward for both him and his date.

"She saw it, and she wasn't mortified as much as ... [felt] like, 'Why did that happen in front of me? Isn't that supposed to not happen in front of me?' " Glover says.

By handing his son a prophylactic — a well-meaning, if presumptuous move — the elder Glover instantly killed any mood that might have led to use of the condom.

"We got in the car, and you might as well have had an elephant in the backseat 'cause it was like this big thing unspoken," Glover remembers. "Then I was like, 'We're not gonna...,' she's like, 'No, we're not.'

"I was like... 'Why do I even have this?' "

"When I Was 17" — this week featuring Akon, Kerry Washington and Donald Glover — premieres Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV.

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'The Social Network' Scribe Writing Broadway Musical For Hugh Jackman

Aaron Sorkin is writing the story for 'Houdini,' starring Jackman and featuring music by composer Danny Elfman.
By Josh Wigler

Aaron Sorkin
Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage

If you thought that writing a movie about Facebook was a bit of a stretch for acclaimed scribe Aaron Sorkin, just wait until you hear about his latest project.

Sorkin, the screenwriter responsible for "The Social Network," is currently writing the story for "Houdini," a developing Broadway musical starring "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" actor Hugh Jackman and with music by celebrated composer Danny Elfman. Elfman confirmed the news in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, saying that Sorkin is already hard at work on the stage adaptation of famed magician Harry Houdini's life.

"Right now, Aaron Sorkin is writing," said Elfman. "He's writing away, and we all have high hopes that Aaron's going to come through and do some good stuff."

Elfman revealed that development on "Houdini" has been going on for the past two years. The composer, best known for his work on film scores such as "Beetlejuice," "Spider-Man" and "Alice in Wonderland," said that the transition from scoring motion pictures to a Broadway musical hasn't been without its challenges.

"I'm just trying to go with it and learn," he said. "It's such a different process [from my film-scoring work]. For me, it's taking forever. But other people say, 'Oh, no, you've only been on that a couple of years, that's nothing!' "

There's even a chance that "Houdini" won't materialize onstage at all. "Hopefully [the show] will happen, but I know that there are so many things that need to still happen, and reasons why it may or may not. I just try to take an attitude of, 'If it happens, great, and if it doesn't, I'll have learned what it's like working on a Broadway musical,' " Elfman explained.

Although Elfman is a newcomer to the world of Broadway, both Sorkin and Jackman are seasoned veterans. Sorkin has written numerous plays including "A Few Good Men" and "The Farnsworth Invention," while Jackman famously played Australian songwriter and entertainer Peter Allen in "The Boy From Oz" from 2003 to 2004. Jackman's performance earned him a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical in 2004.

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Nicky Hilton Nicole Richie Nicole Scherzinger Nicollette Sheridan

Usher - Moving Mountains

Moving Mountains

Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records/Zomba Label Group
Director: The Brothers Strauss
Album: Here I Stand

Melissa Joan Hart Melissa Rycroft Melissa Sagemiller Mena Suvari

Friday, November 5, 2010

Photos | Justin Bieber Brings His My World Tour To NYC

Justin Bieber Brings His My World Tour To NYC

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Justin Bieber Greets Excited Fans At L.A. Book Event

'I wanted to, you know, give them my perspective of my life,' Bieber says of why he wrote 'Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever.'
By Kelly Marino

Justin Bieber at his book signing on Sunday
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Halloween was a bit more exciting this year for some lucky Justin Bieber fans in Los Angeles. Aside from the traditional trick-or-treating, haunted houses and costume parties, Beliebers were able to celebrate on Sunday by personally meeting the Canadian chart topper.

Following the October 15 release of his autobiography, "Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever," the pop sensation paid a visit to the Grove mall Barnes & Noble bookstore to thank his fans for purchasing his first literary release. Over a thousand fans received a limited number of wristbands on Friday, allowing them access to meet the singer, take a picture with him and pick up a signed copy of the book.

As Bieber tunes played over the speakers in a sectioned-off area on the third floor, security took their place and fans of all ages began lining up shortly after 2 p.m. In the spirit of Halloween, some fans arrived in costume, while others just brought screams of excitement and tears in their eyes, as they tried to contain themselves upon meeting the teen star.

The autobiography features over 200 pages of exclusive pictures and personal stories, giving fans an insight into Bieber's world. The book documents the singer's rise from Canadian obscurity to taking over the pop world while sharing stories about his family, his first dating disaster, his love for Xbox and his everyday life.

"I was inspired [to write] this book because there are so many fake books out there about my life, and there are so many other people who are writing about my life, and a lot of it is not true," Bieber explained to MTV News at the event. "So, I wanted to, you know, give them my perspective of my life and, you know, basically how I got here and basically just stuff about what I'm going through."

The book is yet another addition to the ever-growing Bieber franchise. The Biebs will also be taking over retail stores this holiday season with an upcoming line of dolls, an exclusive line of One Less Lonely Girl nail polish, a My World unisex fragrance and an acoustic album. His highly anticipated 3-D flick, "Never Say Never," is due out on Valentine's Day weekend.

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Lisa Marie Lisa Snowdon Liz Phair Lokelani McMichael

Johnny Depp Sinking His Teeth Into Vampire Role For Tim Burton's 'Dark Shadows'

The eighth time is the charm. At long last, Deadline is confirming that Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton will be teaming up for the big-screen adaptation of the '60s vampire-themed TV show "Dark Shadows" that both have been tentatively attached to for a while. And, as an added bonus, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" writer [...]

Leighton Meester Leila Arcieri Lena Headey Leonor Varela

'Spider-Man' Musical May Miss Opening Preview Date

Concerns over stunt safety could block show's November 14 performance.
By Kyle Anderson

Spider-Man
Photo: Sony

Some musical projects are just cursed. Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy. The Beach Boys' Smile. And now the beleaguered Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" — with music by Bono and the Edge of U2 — seems like the next candidate for that list. The latest setback: It will likely miss its first preview performance on November 14 because of concerns raised by the New York State Department of Labor.

According to the New York Times, inspectors from the DOL visited the production on Wednesday (November 3) but were only shown a handful of the two dozen aerial stunts and maneuvers that are executed over the course of the show. One of those stunts — which launches an actor from the back of the stage and over the audience — has already injured two performers, one of whom broke both of his wrists after crashing onto the stage.

Because the DOL must approve all of the stunts before the show is allowed to be shown to the public, the inspectors will have to schedule another visit. That visit is not likely to occur by the show's first scheduled preview.

"We made it clear that we need to see every maneuver before they are legally allowed to hold their first performance," explained Department of Labor spokesman Leo Rosales. "This is a unique production, with an unprecedented amount of activity going on directly above audiences, so we want to see each one of those activities demonstrated."

"Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" has been something of a boondoggle from the start. Production has been shut down twice due to budget concerns, and an original launch date of February 2010 had to be scrapped when funds dried up. All told, the musical is said to have cost a cool $60 million — more than twice the previous record for the most expensive Broadway show ever produced.

Are you planning on seeing the "Spider-Man" musical? Let us know in the comments!

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

Lindsay Lohan Lindsay Price Lisa Marie Lisa Snowdon

Sally Field And Martin Sheen In Negotiations To Play Aunt May And Uncle Ben In New Spider-Man!

We still think this reboot is so unnecessary, but we can seriously get behind these casting choices!
Sally Field and Martin Sheen are reportedly in negotiations to portray Aunt May and Uncle Ben in the Spider-Man franchise relaunch, directed by Marc Webb!
Wow! They're pulling out the big guns for the supporting cast, aren't they?
We're impressed! [...]

Marisa Tomei Marla Sokoloff Marley Shelton Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Danny Boyle Capitalized On 'Slumdog Millionaire' To Make '127 Hours'

'We obviously had a short, small window in which to strike,' director recalls of his Oscar-winning glory.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

James Franco in "127 Hours"

Given the intense, harrowing story line of "127 Hours" — the upcoming film from "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle and starring James Franco — it stands to reason that the film's production was just as challenging.

Based on the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston, who was pinned beneath a boulder in Utah and freed himself by amputating his own arm, "127 Hours" wasn't a particularly easy sell with the major film studios.

"We obviously had a short, small window in which to strike, when people really believe in you for all sorts of reasons," Boyle told MTV News of pitching the project and capitalizing on his "Slumdog" success. "We used it to try and make this film, obviously. It was an amazing challenge. I'd always wanted to make it. I've always been fascinated by the idea of trapping someone. In a medium that's all about movement and change, constant vibration of images, I thought it would be wonderful to challenge that and see if we could make an action movie where the hero doesn't move."

That's where Franco's performance came in, a feat he said he accomplished with varying degrees of frustration and perseverance. "You could write [in a screenplay] that he tries to tie the pulley and then he gets frustrated, you can do that moment, but actually trying to do [that while] being trapped, and doing it with my left hand, and doing that for like 15 minutes, I remember yelling out [the F-word] a couple of times," Franco told MTV News of his experience. "That was like the character and me blurring at that moment.

"For me, that really showed how parts of the way we approached this performance are authentic on a real level," Franco added. "[We're] blurring the line between acting and experiencing, giving yourself physical tasks and trying to really complete them in a way."

Check out everything we've got on "127 Hours."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Photos | Family & Friends Say Goodbye To Michael Jackson

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This might sound crazy but...

I blew off my shrink appointment this morning because it was raining outside and I didn't want to get out bed, so I'm just going to show up tomorrow at the same time and pretend they got the day wrong.

Mariah Carey Mariah OBrien Marika Dominczyk Marisa Coughlan

Thursday, November 4, 2010

What's Next For Demi Lovato?

The Disney star is seeking care for personal issues, but she has a slate of TV and music projects in the works once she recovers.
By Jocelyn Vena

Demi Lovato
Photo: Jason LaVeris/ FilmMagic

Demi Lovato is seeking treatment for what has been described as "emotional and physical issues," but the Disney star will have a number of high-profile gigs waiting for her once she recovers.

Lovato, who turned 18 in August, has always had a full docket of projects, between her music and acting careers. More episodes of the Disney Channel's "Sonny With a Chance" are headed down the pipeline, including a holiday episode set to air later this month that features a very special cameo from onetime tourmate and ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas.

But Lovato has also been focusing on her music, including an in-the-works third album. She's admitted that she wants to step away from her love of rock music and try out a more "radio-friendly" sound. She revealed some unexpected cameo ideas, too, when she spoke to MTV News this past summer.

"I would love for Drake to be on the album," Lovato shared. "It's kind of like a pipe dream. I would also like to do a song with Trey Songz. It would be hot! Yeah, it would be really good."

The singer added that she wanted to show off her big voice on the upcoming record. "It's really nice to embrace it," she said. "I grew up singing R&B and then I grew up listening to rock, so it was kind of weird. But I'm kind of learning how to incorporate the two and I'm having a good time with it."

Lovato has said she's open to following up the first two smash "Camp Rock" flicks with a third, maybe even on the big screen.

"We don't know! It could be. It could be the end," she teased MTV News about a "Camp Rock 3." "It could be the next chapter! I would love to see another 'Camp Rock' movie happen. That could be a really cool step. It might come to a point where we're all doing our own things or maybe it doesn't work because 'Camp Rock' is now closed. You never know, so you'll just have to find out," she revealed. "Maybe I'm just trying to throw you off."

Share your well-wishes for Demi in the comments.

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Photos | Who Are The Landmarks Of The VMAs?

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Jonah Hill Says '21 Jump Street' Will Be His Next Movie

Funnyman also gives MTV News updates on 'Zoolander 2' and R-rated animated comedy 'Sausage Party.'
By Josh Wigler, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Jonah Hill
Photo: MTV News

Jonah Hill is a busy, busy man. The comedian is currently in the midst of shooting "The Sitter," an R-rated comedy from director David Gordon Green about the misadventures of three kids and their filthy-mouthed babysitter, played by Hill. But there's much more on the "Superbad" actor's plate in the near future, starting, thankfully, with "21 Jump Street."

"That should be shooting early next year," Hill told MTV News of his planned remake of the 1980s cop series. "It will be my next movie. I won't do another movie before that movie as of right now."

Hill's "21 Jump Street" revival has been in development for more than two years now, but according to the actor and screenwriter, production should be kicking off soon — and in case you were wondering, he still has a role for former "21 Jump Street" star Johnny Depp if the actor wants it.

"Hopefully, he does it. It would be awesome if he did it," Hill said, before offering a direct message to Depp himself: "Just do it, dude. Don't be an a--hole. Just be in the movie."

Hill's kidding, of course, and while he certainly has his fingers crossed on the Depp front, he also has "some cool, fun stuff planned" whether or not the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star appears in the film. But while the Depp campaign is well-documented, Hill was considerably less vocal about recent rumors of his "Superbad" co-star Emma Stone appearing in the film.

"I can't say anything to the negative or the positive of that," he said of Stone's possible casting, adding: "I think we'll have some cool casting announcements to make very, very soon."

Even as Hill puts the wheels in motion on "21 Jump Street," he has a potential role in Ben Stiller and Justin Theroux's developing "Zoolander" sequel to look forward to as well. As a longtime "Zoolander" fan who says he can quote every single line from the original film, Hill is understandably flattered that he's being sought after for the sequel.

"If Ben Stiller wants me to be in 'Zoolander,' I just say, 'Thanks for wanting me to be in the movie,' " he said. "I talked with Ben and Justin, and they had an idea of who they wanted me to play, and I kind of riffed on that idea and gave them some other ideas. I'd love to be a part of it whenever they get it together."

That's not to say there aren't some nerves involved in making "Zoolander 2," and Hill said he doesn't feel he could ever live up to the evil comedic genius represented by Mugatu, played in the first film by Will Ferrell.

"Mugatu, those are some pretty big shoes to fill that I could never fill," Hill said. "But I think I read that he's in [the sequel] as well. Thank God, because I'd beat myself up — I'd never be as funny as Mugatu!"

Between "The Sitter," "21 Jump Street" and "Zoolander 2," Hill has no shortage of projects to juggle — but wait, there's more! He recently wrapped filming on "Moneyball" opposite Brad Pitt, and he's supplying his voice to a new Fox cartoon series called "Allen Gregory" as well. The animated adventures don't end there, either, as Hill is developing a computer-animated comedy called "Sausage Party" alongside collaborators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

"It's a 3-D animated movie," Hill said of the "Sausage Party" premise. "Imagine if 'Shrek' was R-rated, a very hard and aggressive R. It takes place in a supermarket. I don't know if I'm giving away too much, but that's something we're working on. It's pretty hysterical!"

Which one of Hill's projects are you most looking forward to? Let us know what you think in the comments section!

Check out everything we've got on "21 Jump Street" and "Moneyball."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Leila Arcieri Lena Headey Leonor Varela Leslie Bega

Photos | Rihanna and Ke$ha Perform At Madison Square Garden

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Blowing Leaves

So, how cool is being a kid?

My brother-in-law was blowing leaves this weekend and Jack and Nora thought it was the greatest thing ever. I love this photo because they don't have a care in the world. Very lucky kids.

(For the record, Jack doesn't run around in leggings; he had them on underneath his Halloween costume.)

One more favorite:

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Beyonce Says She's 'A Feminist, In A Way'

Singer also talks about retiring alter ego Sasha Fierce and starting a family, in You magazine.
By James Dinh

Beyoncé
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ Getty Images

Whether it's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" or the Destiny's Child classic "Independent Women," most of Beyoncé's catalog consists of strong female-empowerment anthems. So it's no surprise that the singer considers herself to be a feminist.

In an interview with the U.K.'s You magazine, the pop star opens up about the importance of female companionship, not needing to hide behind Sasha Fierce and her much-talked-about baby plans.

"I think I am a feminist, in a way. It's not something I consciously decided I was going to be; perhaps it's because I grew up in a singing group with other women, and that was so helpful to me," she told the magazine. "It kept me out of so much trouble and out of bad relationships. My friendships with my girls are just so much a part of me that there are things I am never going to do that would upset that bond. I never want to betray that friendship, because I love being a woman and I love being a friend to other women."

Most recently, Beyoncé has certainly made her share of female friends in the industry. In the past year, the singer has collaborated with Lady Gaga ("Video Phone" and "Telephone") and Alicia Keys ("Put It in a Love Song").

While the singer might always have female besties, there's one thing she's cut out of the picture: alter ego Sasha Fierce. Earlier this year, the pop star revealed that she "killed" Sasha, and now she said the alter-ego absence is due to her newfound self-awareness.

"I don't need Sasha so much anymore, because these days, I know who I am. It takes time to figure out who you are, and I am still discovering different things about myself. As I am exposed to different experiences, I think, 'Oh, I like this. I didn't know I liked this,' " she explained. "That's the journey of life that is so exciting. More and more, I know who I am, I know what I like, I know what I want, and that makes me feel so free."

In fact, B already has her eye on some personal life goals. "My ambition is to continue to learn about the world and to eventually have a family," she said. And while Beyoncé remained coy about when she and husband Jay-Z will expand the Carter family, she hinted that there's really "no dates, no times" to motherhood. "It will happen when I am ready."

What is your favorite Beyoncé female-empowerment anthem? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Lori Heuring Lorri Bagley Lucy Liu Luján Fernández

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Same Sex Pair on Israel's Dancing With the Stars

Nov. 3 - Sports presenter Gili Shem-Tov reveals why she decided to dance with another woman - professional dance partner Dorit Milman - on Israel's version of 'Dancing with the Stars.'

Melissa Sagemiller Mena Suvari Mia Kirshner Mía Maestro

Adam Lambert's 'Whole Lotta Love': The Story Behind The Cover

Glam rocker tackled the legendary 1970 Led Zeppelin song for 'American Idol' rock night.
By Gil Kaufman

Adam Lambert performs "Whole Lotta Love" on "American Idol" on Tuesday
Photo: R. Mickshaw/Getty Images/ Fox

Imagine a freight train speeding toward you at midnight. Or a rockslide barreling down a hill as you try to outrace it. That's the feeling of the ominous, chugging Jimmy Page riff that kicks off Led Zeppelin's 1970 Stonehenge of rock, "Whole Lotta Love." And that's before singer Robert Plant leans into one of the nastiest, ecstatic rock screams this side of the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again."

That's the song Adam Lambert chose to sing on "American Idol" rock night Tuesday (May 5), and, needless to say, it was a challenge that the eyeliner-loving Los Angeles stage veteran was more than up for, hitting a series of high notes and rock screams that would have made Plant proud. It was a risky maneuver that paid off for Lambert, who chose a tune that came in at #75 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004.

The legendary British rock act recorded the tribute to Chicago blues icon Willie Dixon during their second U.S. tour after working it out in their live show, including it on their 1969 classic album Led Zeppelin II. Like many of the songs Zeppelin performed early in their career, "Love" was a blues standard turned on its head with a heavy dose of crunching psychedelic guitar and thundering drums, courtesy of late drummer John Bonham. The song was based on a 1962 tune by another blues forefather, Muddy Waters, called "You Need Love," which was penned by Dixon.

For Zeppelin's version, Plant customized the lyrics by adding some lyrical quotes from a few other songs Dixon wrote for Howlin' Wolf, "Back Door Man" and "Shake For Me," nailing the tricky vocal in a single take. It was also inspired by 1966's "You Need Loving" from the British rock group the Small Faces, for whom Zeppelin had great affection, but they also did not credit Dixon for his part in writing the original lyrics. The song became Zeppelin's first U.S. single and their only U.S. top 10 hit. Though their manager would not let them release singles in the U.K. because he thought it cannibalized album sales, the song was finally released as the band's only British single in 1997.

Dixon sued Zeppelin over the song in 1985, claiming it borrowed too heavily from his "You Need Love," and Zeppelin reached an agreement with him, with Dixon using the money he received to set up a program that provided musical instruments for schools. A cornerstone of heavy rock, the tune -- which was the theme song for the long-running British countdown show "Top of the Pops" in the 1970s and '80s -- has been covered by dozens of artists over the years, from Tina Turner and Ben Harper to Prince, Slash, Leona Lewis, Train's Pat Monahan, the London Symphony Orchestra and Jane's Addiction.

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Russell Simmons Apologizes For Calling Courtney Love A Crackhead

This industry is tough enough. No need to turn on your own kind.
Recently, Courtney Love accidentally uploaded nude pictures of herself to Twitter. While most people just let it slide, Russell Simmons decided to call C Love out on it and tweeted that she was a "crackhead" for screwing up.
Obviously, the media quickly called him [...]

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George Bush Vs. Kanye West

When being interviewed by Matt Lauer about his book Decision Points, former President George W. Bush was asked what the low point of his presidency was - and surprisingly it involved Kanye West.
Here are some interview HIGHlights:
MATT LAUER: About a week after the storm hit NBC aired a telethon asking for help for [...]

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