Based on the current #1 New York Times Bestselling series (30 weeks and counting) with over 5.5 million books in print by Stephenie Meyer, TWILIGHT is a cultural phenomenon, with a dedicated fanbase that eagerly awaits this movie.  There are over 100 fan sites devoted to Twilight, and it has been chosen as the New York Times Editor’s Choice, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Amazon’s “Best Book of the Decade…So Far”, Teen People’s “Hot List” Pick, The American Library Association’s “Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults” and “Top Ten Books for Reluctant Readers” and has been translated into 20 languages.   Critically acclaimed director Catherine Hardwicke brings to life this modern, visual, and visceral Romeo & Juliet story of the ultimate forbidden love affair – between vampire and mortal. 

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 ”Queen of the South,” a Jonathan Jakubowicz’s drug-trafficking drama, is set with the major roles filled: Eva Mendes, Josh Hartnett and Ben Kingsley.

The film is based on Spanish writer Arturo Perez-Reverte’s novel about a Mexican woman turned Spanish drug lord (Mendes) out to avenge her boyfriend’s murder. Hartnett plays a Marine who gets involved in her business, and Kingsley plays a Russian businessman, according to Hollywood Reporter.

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The nationwide release of comic adaptation “The Spirit” — written and directed by Frank Miller - has been moved to Dec. 25.

The film, based on the comic book series created by the late Will Eisner, was formerly schedule to open Jan. 16, 2009.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, of the move, Lionsgate president of theatrical films Tom Ortenberg said: “Comic-Con fans (in New York in March) resoundingly confirmed what we felt in our bones about ‘The Spirit’: this is a great film and an irresistible piece of entertainment. … For all of us, it was an easy decision.”

“The Spirit” stars Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes, Sarah Paulson, Stana Katic, Dan Lauria, Jaime King, Paz Vega and Louis Lombardi. Odd Lot Entertainment and Lionsgate are production partners.

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There are no bounds for English literature. Ellen Page has decided to play one of its most famous characters, Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre.“

Bronte’s classic 19th century romance is a story of a mousy governess who softens the heart of her surly employer Mr. Rochester, only to discover that he’s hiding a terrible secret.

I am sure we all know that “Jane Eyre” is one of the most adapted novels in English literature, with at least 20 previous film or TV versions. Most recently, the BBC made it into a miniseries that won three Emmys last year. The last bigscreen adaptation, in 1996, was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starred Charlotte Gainsbourg.  

I am sure one more “Jane Eyre” won’t hurt.  The character is quite different from Ellen Page’s “Juno.”

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A&E Network has announced the launch of  THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, a highly interactive, robust, animated minisite created in conjunction with award-winning interactive agency Big Spaceship. The site launch comes six weeks in advance of A&E’s four-hour original television event, THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, which infects the airwaves when it premieres in High Definition on Monday, May 26 from 9-11 PM ET/PT and Tuesday, May 27 from 9-11 PM ET/PT.

A key component of the minisite is a four-week long serial game, that brings users into the top secret Wildfire bio-defense labs, where they must investigate, treat and contain unknown biological threats before they become global catastrophes. The game features four levels, with a new virus revealed each week starting May 5. In order to unlock the final level- The Andromeda Strain itself - on May 27, players must answer three questions correctly, based on clues found in the first night’s premiere. Also featured on web site are online photos and bios, downloadable wallpapers, AIM avatars and movie posters, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast members and film makers. Based on the best-selling novel from Michael Crichton, the miniseries stars Benjamin Bratt, Eric McCormack, Ricky Schroder, Andre Braugher, Christa Miller, Daniel Dae Kim and Viola Davis.

In THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, a U.S. military satellite crashes in a small town and unleashes a deadly plague killing all but two survivors. As the military quarantines the area, a team of highly specialized scientists is assembled to find a cure to the pathogen code-named “Andromeda,” and a reporter investigates a government conspiracy only to discover what he is chasing wants him silenced.

Don’t forget to enter Screenheads’ THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN contest as well.

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 ”Living Proof,” an original movie for Lifetime, is starring Harry Connick Jr., Zellweger’s co-star in the upcoming feature “Chilled in Miami.”

“Proof,” from Sony Pictures TV, focuses on the true story of Denny Slamon (Connick), a UCLA doctor who developed the breast cancer drug Herceptin 2, and his relentless battle to keep the drug trials afloat and save the lives of thousands of women. It’s based on a book by NBC medical correspondent Robert Bazell.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the caliber of talent involved in the film represents the evolution of network’s original-movie strategy under Lifetime Networks president and CEO Andrea Wong and president of entertainment Susanne Daniels.

Daniels said that when she joined the network in September 2005, she became aware of the “loyalty and passion” viewers had for the network’s original films.

Stars of recent and upcoming Lifetime movies include Emily Watson, Kim Basinger, Dermot Mulroney and Shirley MacLaine.

“Proof,” which will be shot in Connick’s hometown of New Orleans, is set to air in October as the “programming centerpiece” of Lifetime’s 14th annual public awareness campaign “Stop Breast Cancer for Life.”

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Looks like comedian Demetri Martin is in negotiations for the starring role in Ang Lee’s next project, “Taking Woodstock.”

Film is based on Elliot Tiber’s memoir, who wrote the book — which was published last year — with Tom Monte.

According to Variety, Martin will star as Tiber, an in-the-closet gay man working at his parents’ motel in the Catskills, who inadvertently sets in motion the generation-defining concert in the summer of 1969.

Martin’s upcoming films include Fox Atomic’s “The Rocker” and Universal’s “Kids in America.” He also wrote and is attached to star in DreamWorks’ “Will,” which Scot Armstrong is producing.

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Brazilian filmmaker Fernando Meirelles’ “Blindness” is the opening film for the Cannes Film Festival on May 14^th.   I just saw the trailer at Hollywood Reporter and it eerie.  

“Blindness,” the English-language adaptation of Jose Saramago’s best-selling mystery novel, stars Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Danny Glover and Gael Garcia Bernal in a story about a city struck by a strange blindness epidemic.

Here’s what else is lined up for the festival. Also added to the festival lineup was pair of Competition titles. Laurent Cantet’s “Entre Les Murs” will be the third Gallic title in the section, while James Gray’s “Two Lovers,” starring Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow, also will vie for this year’s Palme d’Or.

Cantet’s “Murs” is an adaptation of prolific French author Francois Begaudeau’s novel about a French teacher at a secondary school in a rough neighborhood.

Barry Levinson’s “What Just Happened,” starring Robert De Niro, will close the festival May 25.

De Niro will serve double duty on closing night. In addition to presenting the Levinson film, the actor will bestow the Palme d’Or on the festival’s top film.

Rounding out the Sean Penn-chaired jury are two new members: French actress Jeanne Balibar and Marjane Satrapi, the Iranian author and director of last year’s animated Cannes hit “Persepolis.”

Steve McQueen’s “Hunger” will open Un Certain Regard on May 15.

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Take a look at Hollywood Reporter’s review of “Iron Man” by Kirk Honeycutt. The movie is looking even better. 

“Iron Man,” the first self-financed production from Marvel Studios, should catch boxoffice lightning in a bottle, thanks to hiring longtime Marvel Comics reader Jon Favreau as director and the supersmart casting of Robert Downey Jr. as the conflicted protagonist.

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Here is an awesome review of the highly-anticipated movie “Iron Man.”  I have seen the trailer, the movie is an ideal summer hit.

“Finally, someone’s found a sure-fire way to make money with a modern Middle East war movie: Just send a Marvel superhero into the fray to kick some insurgent butt. The powerhouse comicbook-inspired actioner “Iron Man” isn’t principally about this fantasy, but it won’t hurt at least American audiences’ enjoyment of this expansively entertaining special effects extravaganza. Having an actor as supercharged as Robert Downey Jr. at the center of such a tech-oriented enterprise reps a huge plus, and Paramount should reap big B.O. rewards by getting out ahead of the summer tentpole pack with such a classy refitting of an overworked format.”

Here is the rest of the review at Variety!

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