Well, that’s it for Dick Cook, the head of the filmmaking arm of the Walt Disney studios. Apparently the massive amount of bank Cook brought in following such successes as the Pirates of the Caribbean series and National Treasure was scarce enough for Disney, who booted Cook to the curb in a “mutual decision” (yeah, as in “you’re going to agree to leave or we’re going to agree to throw you out”) following catastrophes resulting in losses like G-Force, Bedtime Stories and Confessions of a Shopaholic.
Oh, and an industry-wide downturn in DVD sales.
I think it’s a low blow, myself–you can’t blame Cook for the sales slump in the DVD sector. And you can’t blame him for Bedtime Stories, either–an Adam Sandler comedy almost always cleans up. Granted, the gerbil spy network and the bubbleheaded shopholic should’ve been avoided like the plague but anyone can drop a ball or two every so often. That’s just human nature.
Hopefully Cook can find better work elsewhere.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Bye Bye Birdie is in for a remake boost by Adam Shankman after his fairy tale hit Bedtime Stories.
Perhaps, movie folks didn’t know that Shankman is a musical veteran, who will take on Birdie. The musical centers on Conrad Birdie, a popular singer whose character is based loosely on Elvis Presley. He’s about to be shipped off to the army, but as part of a publicity stunt, he agrees to one last encounter with a fan before he goes to war.
According to Hollywood Reporter, the 1958 musical has had several screen adaptations, including an Ann-Margret and Dick Van Dyke version in 1963 and a television movie starring Jason Alexander in 1995.
Columbia has been creating a remake for quite some time, even developing a logline re-imagining the title character as a hip-hop star. Such notable names as John Chu (Step Up 2 the Streets) and Tina Fey (SNL) has been attached to write new versions.
Shankman will easily manage Birdie as a veteran choreographer who reinforced his musical repertoire by producing and directing the Hairspray remake in 2007. He is filling is dance card rather quickly with two other projects, taking on as director for Bob: The Musical for Disney and The 8th Voyage of Sinbad for Columbia.
Popularity: unranked [?]
The box office weekend estimate came in this morning with the help of Variety. Marley and Me hit the top with Bedtime Stories, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Valkyrie, respectively. I am not surprised that two family films are at the top. The holidays are definitely a time for families to be together.
December 26, 2008 - December 28, 2008 (*millions)
| |
FILM |
GROSS |
| 1 |
Marley And Me |
$37,000,000 |
| 2 |
Bedtime Stories |
$28,069,000 |
| 3 |
Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, The |
$27,200,000 |
| 4 |
Valkyrie |
$21,531,000 |
| 5 |
Yes Man |
$16,450,000 |
| 6 |
Seven Pounds |
$13,400,000 |
| 7 |
Tale Of Despereaux, The |
$9,367,605 |
| 8 |
Day The Earth Stood Still, The |
$7,900,000 |
| 9 |
Spirit, The |
$6,510,000 |
| 10 |
Doubt |
$5,675,000 |
Popularity: unranked [?]
Check out this newly released theater poster of Adam Sandler’s new pic, Bedtime Stories. This fantasy comedy film is directed by Adam Shankman and will star Adam Sandler. Sandler’s production company Happy Madison and Andrew Gunn’s company Gunn Films will produce the film, and Walt Disney Pictures will distribute the film.
In the film, Sandler plays Skeeter Bronson, a hotel handyman whose life is changed forever when the bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to mysteriously come true. He attempts to take advantage of the phenomenon, incorporating his own aspirations into one outlandish tale after another, but it’s the kids’ unexpected contributions that turn Skeeter’s life upside down. In here, you will see Sandler play a gladiator, knight, adventurer, and handyman.
Popularity: 1% [?]
