Author Archives: Sarah Sommer

About Sarah Sommer

Sarah is a journalist and an artist who lives in the city. She loves movies and television. She reads early and often. Sarah also helps out over at BSCkids.com and our other sites!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Surpasses $500M Worldwide

It is no surprise that Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated adaptation, The Hobbit: An Unexpected has faired extremely well in the box office. As of date, the film has officially surpassed the $500 million benchmark at the worldwide box office.

Domestically, the film has earned an estimated $179.7 million. Also the film had a record-breaking release in Australia — the biggest Boxing Day opening of all time. So far it has grossed an estimated $344 million internationally, for a global total of $523.7 million.

The joint announcement was made today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema; Gary Barber, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios; Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures; and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

A production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Pictures, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the acclaimed first film in Oscar®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson’s epic “The Hobbit Trilogy,” based on the timeless novel by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The First Four Minutes of Warm Bodies Revealed

With Twilight (finally) over, Summit Entertainment is preparing to release its next supernatural tale of love, Warm Bodies. The film, based on the novel of the same name written by Isaac Marion, has officially released the first four minutes of the film to audiences.

In the clip, you’ll meet the zombie known as “R” (Nicholas Hoult). After a zombie epidemic, R (a highly unusual zombie) encounters Julie (a human survivor), and rescues her from a zombie attack. Julie sees that R is different from the other zombies, and as the two form a special relationship in their struggle for survival, R becomes increasingly more human – setting off an exciting, romantic, and often comical chain of events that begins to transform the other zombies and maybe even the whole lifeless world.

Warm Bodies is set to hit theaters on February 1st. The first four minutes of the film can be seen below.

The cast of the big screen adaptation includes:

Teresa Palmer as Julie Grigio
Nicholas Hoult as R
Dave Franco as Perry Kelvin
John Malkovich as General Grigio
Analeigh Tipton as Nora
Cory Hardrict as Kevin
Rob Corddry as M
Patrick Sabongui as Hunting Zombie
Justin Bradley as Unknown
Tod Fennell as Armed Patrol

Constantin Films to Adapt Sci-Fi Novel Unwind

It was announced yesterday that Constantin Films has acquired the film rights to the bestselling Neal Shusterman sic-fi novel, “Unwind.”

The novel was originally published in 2007 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, “Unwind” is described as a thought-provoking tale that blurs the line between life and death while challenging ideas about what it means to be alive. “Unwind” is set in a dystopian future in which parents of teens can choose to have their child “unwound” — a process in which the teen’s organs are transplanted into different donors.

Robert Kulzer, co-prexy of Constantin Film in Los Angeles, brought the project to the company and will serve as producer on “Unwind” alongside Marc Benardout, Catherine Kimmel, Julian Stone and Charlotte Stoudt, who will produce for Stay Whole Prods. Constantin board member Martin Moszkowicz, who is responsible for film and TV, will exec produce.

Kulzer and Moszkowicz are also producing and exec producing, respectively, Constantin’s adaptation of “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones,” which Screen Gems will release next summer.

Shusterman is the author of many young adult novels, including the recently published sequel to “Unwind,” entitled “Unwholly,” as well as “The Skinjacker Trilogy” and “Downsiders.” Shusterman also writes scripts for film and television, including shows such as “Animorphs” and “Goosebumps.” He’s currently working on the third book in the “Unwind” trilogy. Shusterman is repped by APA and Underground.

Angelina Jolie Will Direct Unbroken Adaptation

It was announced this week by Universal Pictures and Walden Media that actress turned director and producer Angelina Jolie is in talks to direct an upcoming big screen adaption of the New York Times bestselling novel “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand (“Seabiscuit: An American Legend”).

The novel was originally published in 2012 and follows the incredible life story of Olympian and war hero Louis Zamperini who, along with two other crewmen, survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII only to be caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner of war camp. The book has sat atop the New York Timesbestseller list for more than 108 consecutive weeks, fourteen of those at number one. It was also the winner of the Los Angeles Times Book of the Year Award for Nonfiction.

“In her life and in her work, Angelina has embraced stories and causes involving great struggle and triumph over tremendous odds and the basic human condition,” said Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman Donna Langley. “She has a real ability to illustrate the strength in human spirit which will be essential in telling Lou’s story of survival and great heroism.”

Walden Media Chief Executive Officer, Michael Bostick echoed their sentiment and said,

“We’re thrilled that Angelina will bring this epic story to the big screen. Lou’s is one of history’s most incredible and inspiring stories, and we are excited to partner with such a passionate filmmaker to share it with audiences all over the world.”

Unbroken will mark Jolie’s second time as director and producer following her critically acclaimed directorial debut in 2011’s In the Land of Blood and Honey, and her first time directing a major studio film.

“I read Laura Hillenbrand’s brilliant book, and I was so moved by Louie Zamperini’s heroic story, I immediately began to fight for the opportunity to make this film,” said Jolie. “Louie is a true hero and a man of immense humanity, faith and courage. I am deeply honored to have the chance to tell his inspiring story.”

Unbroken is being co-financed and co-produced by Universal and Walden Media. There is no word yet on who is expected to star in the adaptation or a projected release date.

New Line of Beer Inspired By Game Of Thrones To Be Released

Ale and beer and wine are some of the most often mentioned items in all of the “Game of Thrones” universe and soon you can enjoy the series with a cold class of themed beer for yourself! (Anyone who knows me, knows my penchant for themed things so you can only imagine my excitement). HBO and Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown N.Y.are teaming up to create a line of beers based on the hit TV series.

The beers will be belgian style and will be based on themes and characters from the HBO series. The first in the series is named Iron Throne Blonde Ale after the throne on which the King of Westeros sits, and will be released nationwide in the U.S. in late March in time to watch the premiere of Season 3 of “Game of Thrones” on March 31.

Three more themed beers are expected to follow the first one with the second one expected to be released next fall. They have not released what the other flavors will be called but if they don’t have a “Winter is Coming” winter ale, then they are doing something wrong.

Ommegang Brewery, a Belgian-style brewery, is known for its popular Ommegang abbey ale, Rare Vos amber ale and Three Philosophers.

Season 3 of “Game of Thrones” will premiere on HBO on March 31, 2013 and will follow the first half of the novel, “A Storm of Swords.”

The Hobbit Sets New December Opening Weekend Record

Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey officially hit theaters this past weekend and has set a new December opening weekend record. The film surpassed the $77.2 million earned by Will Smith-starrer I Am Legend the same weekend in 2007. The Peter Jackson film debuted in 4,045 theaters in which it averaged a strong $20,958 per location.

The film received an A CinemaScore from moviegoers. 58% of the audience was over the ages of 25 and males made up 57% of the audience. $10.1 million of the domestic total came from the 326 IMAX theaters the film opened in this weekend. That’s an average of $31,000 per screen. Internationally, the picture broke an IMAX December record grossing $5 million in 126 IMAX locations (an average of $40,000). The IMAX locations which showed the film in 48 fps were quite strong, generating $44,000 per screen domestically and $57,000 per screen internationally. IMAX’s global weekend total for “The Hobbit” is an estimated $15+ million, which is a record for December.

Other films playing over the weekend also did very well. DreamWorks Animation’s Rise of the Guardians remained in second place with $7.4 million for a four-week total of $71.4 million. DreamWorks Pictures’ Lincoln climbed a spot to third with $7.2 million. The $65 million Steven Spielberg film has earned $107.9 million after six weeks in theaters.

Skyfall drastically dropped from first place to fourth. Worldwide, the film has earned $951 million to date.

Life of Pi sits at the fifth spot with $5.4 million its fourth weekend. The Twentieth Century Fox Film release has collected $69.6 million after four weeks.

Dylan McDermott Joins Stephen King Adaptation Mercy

“American Horror Story” actor Dylan McDermott has announced that he has joined the cast of the upcoming Stephen King adaptation entitled, Mercy. McDermott is no stranger to the horror genre as he appeared in season one of FX’s “American Horror Story” and will appear in the season 2 as well.

Mercy is based on the short story, “Gramma” written by King in 1985 for the short story anthology “Skeleton Crew.” The short story was inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft.

The story was previously adapted for the small screen in an episode of “The New Twilight Zone” (written by Harlan Ellison), Mercy is the chilling tale, two young boys go with their single mother to visit their elderly, senile grandmother, whose name is Mercy. As events unravel; however; they learn that Gramma Mercy is a witch. Her powers are fueled by a pact with the Ancient Ones.

The Haunting in Connecticut’s Peter Cornwell will direct with Matt Greenberg providing the screenplay.

Jason Blum will produce via his Blumhouse Productions. That’s the same studio behind current hits, Paranormal Activity 4 and Sinister. Peter Cornwell of The Haunting in Connecticut will direct Mercy using a script from Matt Greenberg, whose previous work includes 1408.

Australian actress, Frances O’Connor is also attached to star. Chandler Riggs, most known for his role on AMC’s “The Walking Dead” has also been rumored to have signed on to play the main role of George Bruckner.

Gillian Anderson Joins NBC Series “Hannibal”

The premiere of NBC’s upcoming series based on the infamous character of Hannibal Lector is looming closer and with that new cast members are being confirmed. The new series aptly entitled, “Hannibal” is set to star “The X-Files” star Gillian Anderson in the role of psychiatrist to Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen).

Bryan Fuller, genius behind to soon cancelled series “Pushing Daisies” and “Dead Like Me,” will be the showrunner for the new series. With Fuller at the helm this stands to have a good chance at being pure awesome.

“Hannibal” will also star Hugh Dancy and Lawrence Fishburne. The official plot description is as follows:

One of the most fascinating literary characters comes to life on television for the first time: psychiatrist-turned-serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. In this new drama from Bryan Fuller, based on the characters from Thomas Harris’ classic novels, we see where this incredible story began.

Will Graham is a gifted criminal profiler who is on the hunt for a serial killer with the FBI. Graham’s unique way of thinking gives him the astonishing ability to empathize with anyone – even psychopaths. He seems to know what makes them tick. But when the mind of the twisted killer he’s pursuing is too complicated for even Will to comprehend, he enlists the help of Dr. Lecter, one of the premier psychiatric minds in the country. Armed with the uncanny expertise of the brilliant doctor, Will and Hannibal (known as a serial killer only to the audience) form a brilliant partnership and it seems there’s no villain they can’t catch. If Will only knew…

“Hannibal” is expected to debut sometime in 2013.

Reboot Adaptation Hires ScreenWriter

Lindsay Devlin, previously a development executive, has been hired to adapt “Reboot,” Fox 2000’s adaptation of an upcoming YA novel penned by Amy Tintera.

Chernin Entertainment announced they would be producing the adaptation of the YA story that is set after the world becomes infected with a deadly virus and killer slave soldiers are created from dead teenagers. Two re-animated teens decide to band together to fight the organization responsible.

Following the lead of several other studios, Fox 2000 acquired the film rights for the novel before it had been published official. Fox 2000 picked up with film rights this past February. “Reboot” is due to be published by HarperTeen in May. The studio must have felt the project would fair well in a sea of YA supernatural/sci fi drama’s flooding the entertainment industry.

This will be the first studio job for Devlin who began as an assistant at CAA before moving on to development jobs at Kerner Entertainment Co. (The Smurfs) and other shingles. Her horror spec Nocturne shot her out of the corporate world, and she slowly building is a name for herself in the mostly male-dominated world of genre writing.

There is no word on a projected release date for the project, or who is expected to star in the YA drama.

Alice in Wonderland Sequel Planned By Disney

Disney recently announced that they have begun planning a sequel to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. The film, which was released in 2010, starred Mia Wasikowska as Alice and Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. The 3D film went on to earn $1 billion worldwide and scored Oscars for art direction and costume design. Continue reading →

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