Call it another casualty of the Great Recession, folks, but MGM is weighing its options in the face of horrendous losses.
As much as we’d all like to blame their lone theatrical release for the year (Fame! Nobody cared about it…nobody watched this crap! Fame! Go ahead, sing along! It’s fun.) for being the millstone around MGM’s neck, as it turns out, it was weak DVD sales that brought down the beast. MGM had a monster library of titles, weighing in at over four thousand titles, and now it’s all up for bids. Also up for sale is the James Bond franchise, and even the roaring lion logo.
Interestingly, though, it may not be as up for sale as we think–seems that MGM’s creditors are taking a pass on collection action for a while, and meanwhile, MGM’s pumping all the cash it can scrounge into its upcoming movies Red Dawn, the Hot Tub Time Machine and The Zookeeper.
Oh, sure, they’re pretty fair releases…a remake and two good comedies featuring solid comedy actors…but enough to save the studio? Scuse my lack of conviction on that one.
But only time will tell if MGM will still be selling off all its assets or if this year will turn it around.
I am not sure if I like Fame yet. The plot is not coming through on all their trailers, and now the music video is cool to watch, but where’s the story?
Much, Much, Much better trailer for the remake of Fame compared to the Teaser Trailer. This trailer is a story in itself. I am excited about the movie coming out in the fall. We get to see the entire cast that includes the teachers: Kherington Payne, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Paul McGill, Asher Book and Kelsey Grammer.
Check it out at Yahoo with a special clip to meet the cast.
I like these four Fame posters because they hit all the buzz of the film. My favorite is “I am going to live forever.”
The remake of Fame is a reinvention of the original Oscar-winning hit film. Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a diverse, creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame…the kind that comes only from talent, dedication, and hard work.
In an incredibly competitive atmosphere, plagued by self-doubt, each student’s passion will be put to the test. In addition to their artistic goals, they have to deal with everything else that goes along with high school, a tumultuous time full of schoolwork, deep friendships, budding romance, and self-discovery.
As each student strives for his or her moment in the spotlight, they’ll discover who among them has the innate talent and necessary discipline to succeed. With the love and support of their friends and fellow artists, they’ll find out who amongst them will achieve Fame…
The cast includes Asher Book as Marco, Kristy Flores as Rosie, Paul Iacono as Neil, Paul McGill as Kevin, Naturi Naughton as Denise, Kay Panabaker as Jenny, Kherington Payne as Alice, Collins Pennie as Malik, Walter Perez as Victor, and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle as Joy. Their instructors include Debbie Allen as Principal Simms, Charles S. Dutton as Alvin Dowd, Kelsey Grammer as Joel Cranston, Megan Mullally as Fran Rowan, and Bebe Neuwirth as Lynn Kraft.
Fame’s first trailer is on the Internet and I just love this young woman who performs the song. Several unknowns are in this remake with Debbie Allen returning. Kelsey Grammar is also starring in the musical. The movie opens in September, so we will be hearing more about Fame in the months to come.
MGM’s remake of the film Fame school faculty members have been casted with Debbie Allen, Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally and Bebe Neuwirth. Production begins Wednesday, with Kevin Tancharoen directing the film set for release September 25, 2009.Â
Like the original 1980 film, the remake focuses on the dancers, singers, actors and artists from auditions to graduation at the New York City High School of Performing Arts.
Variety reported the following casting of Mullally, who in real life is a graduate of the School of American Ballet, will portray a voice instructor; Grammer, who attended Juilliard, will play an orchestra maestro; Dutton, a graduate of Yale School of Drama, will portray an acting teacher; Neuwirth, a Tony winner, will play a dance instructor. Allen, who made her feature debut in the original Fame, has been cast as the school’s principal.
Fame, the remake of the 1980 musical, starts filming in late November to make its September 25, 2009 release date.
MGM has gather most of the lead cast:  Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Naturi Naughton, Kay Panabaker, Kherington Payne, Collins Pennie, Walter Perez and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle. Â
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Debbie Allen, who played Lydia in the original, is rumored to be in line for a cameo, yet not as the same character. Thomas Dekker of “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” is in negotiations to play one of the remaining leads. The studio is seeking actors for the adult roles.
Fame will be directed by choreographer Kevin Tancharoen.
Similar to the Oscar-winning original, directed by Alan Parker, the story follows the failures and fortunes of super-ambitious young performers and their teachers as they deal with a school year at the prestigious High School for the Performing Arts in New York.
Call it another casualty of the Great Recession, folks, but MGM is weighing its options in the face of horrendous losses.
