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CGI 'Popeye' movie in development

A computer-generated movie version of Popeye has undergone development.

Marvel studio head Avi Arad revealed that he has secured the rights to the character and plans to reboot the famed sailor in a feature-length film utilising computer technology, Variety reports.

Created by Elzie Crisler Segar, Popeye was first introduced to the public in the 1929 King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre.

The character was adapted by Max and Dave Fleischer for a series of theatrical cartoons during the 1930s. Paramount continued production on the animated shorts through the 1950s. He was also resurrected for animated TV series, comic books, animated games and advertisements.

In 1980, Robert Altman directed a live-action Popeye movie, which starred Robin Williams as the titular character and Shelley Duvall as his sweetheart Olive Oyl.

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Neve Campbell back for 'Scream 4'

Neve Campbell will return to the Scream franchise, Dimension Films has announced.

Dimension founder Bob Weinstein also confirmed that Courteney Cox and David Arquette will be back for the latest Scream, and director Wes Craven is engaged in talks to shoot Kevin Williamson's script.

It had been thought that Campbell, who played Sidney Prescott in the first three instalments of the horror series, would not be back for the fourth go-around after helmer Craven hinted at a predominantly fresh cast.

Williamson previously stated on his Twitter page that he was considering killing off Campbell's heroine in the new film, which will take place ten years after the events of Scream 3.

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Paranormal' helmer heads to 'Area 51'

Oren Peli has signed up to direct thriller Area 51, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Peli, whose first feature was the low-budget horror Paranormal Activity, will next take the helm of the science fiction project. The film will unfold as if watching "found footage" uncovered at the Nevada location that allegedly houses UFOs.

Paranormal Activity hit the headlines recently when it was reported that Steven Spielberg's home became haunted after he watched a screener disc for the movie.

Production on Area 51 is expected to begin soon in Utah.

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Potter' climax 'still to be filmed'

Evanna Lynch has revealed that the cast are yet to film the final battle in the Harry Potter movies.

The actress, who plays Luna Lovegood in the series, said that she was happy that some of the larger scenes had been held back in the two-part Deathly Hallows shooting schedule.

Lynch told the BBC: "The big stuff is still to come. I like that because if it's all at the start it's a bit of an anti-climax, but they're keeping that bit until the end."

Co-star Matthew Lewis, who plays Neville Longbottom, added of the shoot: "I've done a few days which went fantastically.

"You wouldn't be able to tell it was the last in the series because the atmosphere is electric - everybody is having such a great time."

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Beyoncé for 'A Star Is Born' remake?

Beyoncé is reportedly circling the lead role in Warner Bros's remake of A Star Is Born.

The studio has enlisted Will Fetters to write the script for the film, about an up-and-coming starlet who becomes romantically involved with a well-known male star, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The new Star will be the fourth version of the story, the most famous of which was released in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in the lead roles.

Like the Streisand offering, the new movie will take place in the record industry but reflect rolling celebrity news coverage. Previous big screen incarnations took place in Hollywood.

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'Bond', 'Hobbit' studio MGM faces bankruptcy?

Hollywood studio MGM reportedly needs $170 million to get through to the end of the year.

The company requires a $20 million short-term cash injection to cover overhead and $150 million to start shooting on Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro's The Hobbit.

The news emerged from a heated MGM conference call, in which bondholders became "loud and very upset", reports Deadline Hollywood.

"The implication was that it's teetering on bankruptcy," a source told the website.

The conference call was made to ask creditors to forgo interest payments on MGM's $3.5 billion debt until next February, freeing up cash that the studio can spend on putting movies into production.

MGM fears that bankruptcy will mean losing the rights to the James Bond franchise, which it regained control of from Sony after the latter's two-film deal expired with the release of Quantum Of Solace. MGM executives are reportedly concerned that the studio will not be able to support itself without the 007 films.

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50 Cent 'inspired by Danny Dyer'

50 Cent has revealed that he was convinced to sign up for new film Dead Man Running after hearing that it featured Danny Dyer.

The rapper plays a loan shark in the upcoming crime thriller who threatens an ex-con (Dyer) to pay back a £100,000 debt in 24 hours.

"What made me secure about going into the project was I'd watched those other actors like Danny," he told BBC Newsbeat.

"I watched Layer Cake, I watched UK films while I was travelling. I knew I would be in a secure space surrounded by this sort of cast."

Dead Man Running reaches UK cinemas on October 30.

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Hudgens "bored" of schoolgirl roles

Vanessa Hudgens has reportedly claimed that she is "bored" of playing a schoolgirl.

The High School Musical actress revealed that she is afraid of being typecast and is looking for opportunities to play a radically different character.

"People think of me as the High School Musical girl," she told Allure. "There's nothing wrong with that. My character was a great role model, but I get so bored doing the same thing. I want to grow like everybody else."

Hudgens's next part is in action movie Sucker Punch, in which she portrays a girl in a mental institute. Producer Zack Snyder recently suggested that fans of the star will be stunned by her transformation, saying: "You’re going to see her shooting machine guns, fighting, beating the s**t out of people."

Sucker Punch is scheduled for release in 2011.

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Bateman: 'Extract' role similar to 'Arrested'

Jason Bateman has admitted that his role in forthcoming movie Extract resembles the character that he played in Arrested Development.

The actor portrays the part of Joel in director Mike Judge's new comedy, following his three-year stint as Michael Bluth in the now-deceased US sitcom.

He told Rolling Stone: "[Extract] has me playing pretty much the same type of character [as Arrested Development] in that I'm the straight man - the joke guy, the protagonist. I like doing that."

Bateman also spoke about the long-awaited Arrested film, which is scheduled for release sometime next year. "Mitch Hurwitz is writing it, he's halfway through it," the Juno star added.

Extract is in US cinemas now. A UK release date is yet to be announced.

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Gervais praises "fun" cameos in 'Lying'

Ricky Gervais has claimed that his directorial debut The Invention Of Lying felt like a "day off" for its star-studded cast.

The comedian's new movie is set in an alternative reality where his Mark Bellison character is the first person to tell a lie. The film's actors include Tina Fey, Jeffrey Tambor and Christopher Guest, as well as Edward Norton and Philip Seymour Hoffman in cameo roles.

Gervais told The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien: "Ed Norton [is] this crazed traffic cop who's got a strange perversion... I think it's like a day off for them, it's just fun for them. It is the comedy cast of the decade, it's incredible.

"I still know how lucky I am that these people want to work with me, maybe cause they like The Office or Extras or something."

Originally titled This Side Of The Truth, Gervais also co-wrote the script with Matthew Robinson.

He added: "It's more com than rom. It's a high-concept film set in a world where the human race hasn't evolved a gene for lying and so everyone says exactly what's on their minds."

The Invention Of Lying is released in UK and US cinemas on October 2.

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Vaughn: 'Retreat' is different rom-com'

Couples Retreat star Vince Vaughn has said that the forthcoming movie differs from other rom-coms.

The Break-Up actor, who reunited with Swingers writer Jon Favreau to pen the project, claimed that its focus on couples rather than a set relationship is what makes it unique.

Vaughn told The Jay Leno Show: "I've always done some writing on the movies that I've done, though this was the first time I took credit for it. But Jon Favreau wrote the first draft, it was an idea that I had. This I thought was fun because it is about couples, not just about a relationship.

"It's about the girl, the group you hang out with and all that dynamic... The expression 'Happily in marriage', which I think can exist together, that's sort of the point of the movie."

The film, about four couples who go on vacation together, is set on the tropical island of Bora Bora. "I think the line that Favreau wrote in the movie is, 'This place looks like a screensaver', which is true. The place is beautiful," Vaughn added.

Couples Retreat is out in the UK on October 16 and in the US on October 9.

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Cyrus confirmed for 'Sex And The City 2'

Miley Cyrus will appear in the Sex And The City sequel, reports say.

Recent rumours claimed that Cyrus would be in the film, but her representative denied the speculation.

However, Gossip Cop reports that in the current script, Cyrus will appear in one scene with Kim Cattrall.

Cyrus, who will be seen wearing the same dress as Cattrall, does not currently have any lines.

The Hannah Montana star was initially unavailable for the film because of her touring schedule, but sources have now said that both sides are working to arrange the appearance.

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Charlize Theron 'eyeing Catwoman role'

Charlize Theron has revealed that she would be thrilled to play Catwoman in the follow-up to The Dark Knight.

The Burning Plain actress, who is rumoured to be in the running to star in the upcoming Batman sequel, has praised director Christopher Nolan as a "genius" and has said that she would not pass on the opportunity to portray Catwoman, reports STV.

Theron said: "It's news to me, but that's kick-ass news. I like that... I think that what has happened to that franchise is amazing, and director Chris Nolan is a genius. So I would be an idiot to not consider that."

If Theron were offered the role, the 34-year-old Oscar winner would follow in the footsteps of Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry, who have both worn the leather cat-suit on the silver screen.

Warner Bros has insisted that no casting decisions have been made and have denied reports that 23-year-old actress Megan Fox was offered the role of Catwoman.

Other actresses rumoured to be attached to the role are Angelina Jolie and Rachel Weisz.

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Tyler: 'Friends' movie is definitely on'

A Friends star has claimed that a movie version of the hit sitcom is in the works.

James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther in the series, told the News of the World that Friends: The Movie is "definitely on".

"I still keep in touch with a lot of the cast and they say that they are really keen," he added.

The programme's creators David Crane and Marta Kauffmann have reportedly agreed to write and produce the film, which will be shown in cinemas in 2011.

"The cast haven't set the world alight since the show finished," a source said. "But this film could relight some of their careers in a big way.

"Everyone knew the story had to be right and well-written. Getting the creators on board was a massive step forward for the production.

"The show did lose its shine in the last few seasons, but with the actors all in their forties it would be a real interest to see how their characters have developed."

Tyler added: "The one thing I can tell you is I am definitely on board to do the film. I really loved my time on the show and I am looking forward to meeting up with the old gang again.

"I just hope we can do justice to the show in a film."

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Jamie Foxx 'struggled to learn the cello'

Jamie Foxx reportedly had difficulty learning how to play the cello for his movie The Soloist.

The Hollywood actor struggled to play the instrument until he realised he could impress women with his knowledge, reports Female First.

Foxx was requested to acquire the skill for his role in the film as homeless schizophrenic musician Nathaniel Ayers.

Director Joe Wright said: "He learnt how to play the cello and he practised for six months.

"He was not fully committed for the first few weeks and then he discovered that girls quite like it when fellas play classical musical instruments and that upped his game."

The Soloist, starring Foxx and Robert Downey Jr, is currently in cinemas in the UK.

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'Friends' stars 'dismiss movie rumours'

Reports that a movie version of Friends is being developed have been refuted by three of the show's ex-stars.

James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther in the series, recently claimed that the programme is to be made into a feature film.

However, representatives for former castmembers Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow have moved to dismiss the speculation, says Gossip Cop.

Each issued statements saying: "We are not aware of any plans for a Friends movie."

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DiCaprio attached to 'Deep Blue Goodbye'

Leonardo DiCaprio will star as Travis McGee in The Deep Blue Goodbye, an adaptation of John D. MacDonald's novel series.

McGee, a Florida bachelor living on a houseboat, tracks down property and money for his clients and pockets half their value in return. Deep Blue Goodbye is the first of 21 books in MacDonald's series and sees the character search for hidden treasure buried by a World War II soldier.

Dana Stevens adapted the crime story for the screen, which Peter Chernin, DiCaprio (through his Appian Way firm) and Jennifer Davisson Killoran will produce for 20th Century Fox, says Variety.

Fox believes the series of McGee books can be turned into a film franchise.

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'Terminator' rights to go up for auction

Terminator producers Derek Anderson and Victor Kubicek are selling their rights to the science fiction franchise.

According to the Los Angeles Times, companies owned by the pair are bankrupt and FTI Capital Advisors have been hired to "evaluate strategic alternatives".

The duo's Halcyon Holding Group's most valuable asset is the Terminator series rights, which they purchased in 2007 for around $25 million.

"We're going to be contacting a variety of studios and independent companies," said FTI senior managing director Kevin Shultz. "We think the values are considerably in excess of the purchase price."

Earlier bankruptcy court filings have the rights pegged at a $60 million valuation based on the box office performance of Terminator Salvation and its forthcoming DVD and Blu-ray release.

Anderson has claimed that Sony Pictures expressed an interest in purchasing Terminator outright, but the studio has declined to comment.

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'House' star Wilde joins 'Next Three Days'

House actress Olivia Wilde will star in Russell Crowe thriller The Next Three Days.

Wilde has been cast as a young mother who befriends Crowe's character, a teacher who attempts to free his wife (Elizabeth Banks) from prison after she is found guilty of a crime she didn't commit.

Jonathan Tucker has also been tapped for a role, that of a street thug running a meth lab, says The Hollywood Reporter.

A remake of the Diane Kruger French-language film Anything For Her, production begins on the Paul Haggis-directed thriller this week in Pittsburgh.

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Disney 'won't replace Depp in Pirates 4'

Johnny Depp will not be replaced in the fourth instalment of the Pirates Of Caribbean franchise, according to a studio spokesperson.

Rumours had surfaced that the role of Captain Jack Sparrow could be recast after Depp admitted to losing some enthusiasm for the project following the departure of Dick Cook from Disney.

He had hinted to the Los Angeles Times that he only accepted the fourth movie offer because of his friendship with Cook.

However, a representative for Disney has told Radar Online that the speculation is "completely unfounded" and that the role will not be recast.

The fourth instalment, tentatively titled Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, is scheduled for release in 2011.

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