FTW: Eddie Murphy’s Head Entertains L.A. Commuters. Meet Dave to Out-Suck Love Guru?
Doc’s De Lorean. KITT. Tony Stark’s Audi R8. Eddie Murphy’s Head. Dream Vehicles. In a Hail Mary for the ages, 20th Century Fox has that thing above cruising around the West Coast in hopes that it will make people pay to see Murphy in next month’s mini-alien bonanza, Meet Dave. I saw the trailer for this $100 million movie a couple nights ago while sunburnt/drunk, and convinced myself without any trouble that it was the sequel to The Adventures of Pluto Nash. Potential Epic FAIL brewing: Love Guru, prepare to be the catcher. Sidenote: I’m not a fan of nightmarish car crashes, but the images filling my head right now are worthy of eight Shane Black clones.
A studio rep nicely justified its existence today to an elated Nikki Finke…
“Yeah, but it’s a lot cheaper and greener than flying Eddie around on a private jet for a press tour.”
Bidding War Brews for Borat’s Bruno
First comes Borat, then comes Bruno, then comes the big bucks.
Sacha Baron Cohen has reportedly sparked a studio frenzy with the announcement that he will follow up his highly anticipated big-screen portrayal of the Jew-hating, incest-friendly, homophobic Borat with the equally brash, though slightly more palatable fashion reporter Bruno.
Here's hoping Austria has a better sense of humor than Kazakhstan.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Universal Pictures has leaped to the forefront of the bidding war over Cohen's next flick, offering more than $42 million for the worldwide distribution rights. The studio's bid reportedly puts it ahead of DreamWorks, Sony, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros., all of which are vying for the comedy.
Apparently, timing really is everything.
The studios are making their wagers based solely on the presumption that Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, out Nov. 3, will be such a success that moviegoers will be clamoring for more from the English comedian.
Which, if the film's early buzz is any indication, they will be.
As of now, Bruno exists in theory only: There's no script, no director and no start date, though the Reporter says that Cohen is eyeing a summer 2007 production.
Like Borat, and Cohen's other comic alter ego, Ali G, Bruno was originally conceived on Da Ali G Show and will be the series' final character to make the jump to the big screen.
Though Bruno is much more likely to toast his new deal with a sip from an appletini than a chug of fermented horse's urine.
For those who don't know, Bruno is a leather-clad, faux-hawked and otherwise over-the-top gay fashionista who is endlessly on assignment and who fancies himself the "voice of Austrian youth TV."
One of his most popular segments from Da Ali G Show featured Bruno interviewing a Southern Baptist pastor who specializes in converting homosexuals. Bruno peppers the "gay-saver" with questions about what is acceptable manly behavior (approved with a hearty "ach-ya") and what is not (dismissed with a condescending "nish-nish").
Showering with men, eating brunch, watching Will & Grace and just generally "being fabulous," all are deemed "nish-nish" by the pastor.
Some of Bruno's other memorable reports include an investigation into wrestling in Daytona Beach and his fashion industry-skewering trend reports from New York and Los Angeles Fashion Weeks.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Borat producer Jay Roach will produce Bruno.
Jason Bateman to develop TV series
Jason Bateman is keeping himself busy. Hot off his pilot directing debut with Do Not Disturb, he has signed a deal with 20th Century Fox for a first-look at the new series. Obviously, he doesn’t hold a grudge from the network’s shoddy treatment of Arrested Development.
The new series will be developed under the banner of Bateman’s company, F A Productions. Do Not Disturb stars Jerry O’Connell and it was the only live-action comedy pilot Fox picked up as a new series for next season.
“He did an excellent job on the pilot visually, brought great energy and enthusiasm to it and, as an actor, he really understands how to talk to and motivate actors,” said Gary Newman, 20th TV co-chairman. Bateman is also scheduled to lend his voice to the Fox animated series Sit Down, Shut Up which is scheduled to begin in the fall.
Jason Bateman has come a long way since Silver Spoons. I’m still eagerly waiting for the new season of It’s Your Move.
Quinton Rampage Jackson joining the A-Team?
It looks like we have a potential candidate for the B.A. Baracus role in the movie adaptation of the 80’s television show The A-Team. UFC fighter Quinton Rampage Jackson mentioned on The Jimmy Kimmel Show that he was in the running for the role made famous by Mr. T.
Looking at the photo, it’s easy to see why he’s in the running. He’s already got the pecks and the chain. If you check out the video after the link, he’s even got the attitude. Just give him a mohawk and he’ll be set.
The planned release for the feature film is June 12, 2009. It will be produced by 20th Century Fox and Universal Studios and is to be directed by John Singleton (Boyz In The Hood, Shaft, 2 Fast 2 Furious).
The question is: can the UFC fighter act? And if he can’t act, then can he at least act like Mr. T.?
[Thanks, Ryan!]