Although this is an estimate, I am surprised that Four Christmases came in first. For some reason, I thought the film didn’t have appeal. I guess I was mistaken. I am happy to see Bolt at number two spot on its second leg with Twilight not too far behind. 

Other notable contenders like Australia, Transporter 3 and Milk are in the top ten but start at fifth position.  

November 28, 2008 - November 30, 2008 (*millions)

Superherohype carries confirmation from 20th Century Fox that the very first trailer for Wolverine will hit theaters with the studio’s The Day the Earth Stood Still on December 12. The trailer won’t be released online or on television until sometime later, so you’ll need to pay to watch Keanu Reeve’s wooden acting to watch the trailer.

Wolverine is due out May 1, 2009 and stars Hugh Jackman as the titular character, as well as Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Will.i.am and many more. The film will serve as a prequel, exploring the famous X-Men character’s life, the Weapon X program and events which lead up to the first X-Men movie.

It appears faded ‘80s star Steve Guttenberg will be hitting the big-screens soon as he told The Sun that sequels are in the works to the films that were his biggest franchises – Police Academy and Three Men and a Baby.

Apparently, everyone connected to the Police Academy movies have been asked back. "So far it is really great, everyone from the original movies who is still around will return,” revealed Guttenberg. “I know Kim and Sharon have been asked but they haven’t said yes yet. It would be really great to have them onboard.”

Guttenberg also noted that the two main co-starts of the Baby franchise are also keen on teaming up once again. The script is “pretty much written” and Guttenberg is hopeful that the studio will make it.

While talking to Entertainment Weekly about the upcoming sequel to last year’s hit musical movie, Hairspray director Adam Shankman revealed that the gang in the film will check out the “next era of music” – the late ‘60s.

"That period was superpolitical, it was a time of serious change,” he noted. “We’re trying to track, in a comedic way, the historical elements."

Shankman added that they have got an outline and “ideas from John Waters,” with which they are reaching out to writers. A July 2010 release is planned.

CHUD is reporting that a new film in the Planet of the Apes franchise is in development, noting that it will be a remake of the fourth film – Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.

The site points out that after the original film aired the other night on the Fox Movie Channel, Fox’s production chief Tom Rothman came on-screen to reveal that they are “very close on a new Apes script – this one a kind of prequel story before the first story, with a return to the social schematics that mark the first one, but with an entirely contemporary setting – Earth 2009.”

As expected, nothing more is known about the film. However, it can be pointed out that this move comes just as the original series hit Blu-ray, which has reportedly been selling well.

This year already saw the tole on the film and TV industry when the Writers Guild of America went on strike, forcing the delay of many a TV show, weakening the slate of film releases this year and next, and causing enough scheduling problems to sink a few worth projects. And it looks possible that after months of negotiations, another strike could happen next year, with this time the actors of the US outratged.

It’s again the same issue of concern: residuals. Actors Unions feel outraged that actors are getting little or nothing for the broadcast of their work on new media, such as online screenings, ipod downloads, etc, while the distributors and studios rake in the money. It’s a fair point, especially when actors on the bottom rung of Hollywood need everything they can get. Discussions with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers broke down last week, and now all members of the Guild have been contacted to let them know a vote on “strike authorisation” (authorising the governing body to call a strike if necessary) will be taking place.

The AMPTP has criticised the SAG’s actions for being foolhardy, and potentially causing actors more financial damage than they would potentially gain from new media broadcasts. They also criticised the SAG for wanting a deal far beyond what other professions in the industry have, to which the SAG claim their needs are different. That’s a difficult claim to quantify, but the SAG do have the right to question residuals from DVD sales based on an agreement made over 20 years ago, before VHS became far more widespread and profitable than expected.

Hopefully both bodies can learn from the lessons of this year’s strike and prevent further losses in this precarious economic climate. For more, read here.

Jim Carrey plays Carl Allen, who  is challenged to say “yes” to everything that comes his way in his life for one whole year, leading to a series of comic events. A true part for Jim Carrey based on a biography by Danny Wallace.

Alejandro Amenabar, the director of The Others and Open Your Eyes, has been working on a closed set for the movie Agora. Over at Twitch, it has been reported that the film managed to run entirely under the radar for the majority of its production cycle even though it’s a high-budget film.  

Now, a bit of information is leaking out. This still photograph of Amenabar working with Rachel Weiz is a bit.  Here is the official synopsis:

A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hopes of pursuing freedom while also falling in love with his master, the famous female philosophy professor and atheist Hypatia of Alexandria.

Something else interesting about the production of Agora, which is not in post, the is one huge set built neat Malta.

I found it very interesting that James McAvoy was casted in this film as the hero; definitely against type yet he has a certain everyman quality that makes the character genuine.

Don’t for get about Screenhead’s sponsored giveaway: Wanted 2-Disc Special Edition DVD. The DVD includes a digital copy of the film, which you can download with iTunes Windows Media.

Randy Travis’ “Christmas on the Pecos” DVD is in stores today. This is the multiple GRAMMY Award winner’s third Christmas release and features the singer’s favorite songs including “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” and “Rock Of Ages.” The DVD also features a making of the concert at the Carlsbad Caverns, NM and a liver version of the hit “Three Wooden Crosses”.

Post your name and Screenhead will pick the winner of Randy Travis “Christmas on the Pecos” DVD on Friday, December 12, 2008.