01.05.09: New Year's catch-up edition

JACKMAN JUMPS CLEO SHIP

Hugh Jackman, presumably realizing that his career coffin doesn't need any new nails, has abandoned Cleo, the live-action Cleopatra musical helmed by Steven Soderbergh.  The official reason is "scheduling conflicts" but, as Variety subtly and humorously points out, "it is not clear what other project is on his plate".  As previously discussed, Hugh Jackman is super-talented but has an image problem – namely, the "Sexiest Man Alive" lacks the "danger" element that catapulted the likes of fellow Ozzies Mel Gibson and Russell Crowe into the fame stratosphere. Dancing and singing and reminding people that he had anything whatsoever to do with Viva Laughlin is probably a fast route to non-Wolverine obscurity, so while Cleo sounds interesting, Jackman is probably making the best decision for the longevity of his career.

CONFIRMING THE OBVIOUS

Whom do "theatre owners and film buyers... believe generated the most box-office revenue for their theatres during (2008)"?  Why none other than the One True Movie Star, Will Smith! Loyal readers will know this surprises us not at all (although Seven Pounds isn't helping his chances for a repeat in 2009).  This is all according to the Quigley Publishing Company's annual poll, conducted since 1932. Smith is only the second African American in the poll's history to top the list, after Sidney Poitier in 1968.

PAT HINGLE, R.I.P.

Pat Hingle, best known to film fans 30-something and below as Commissioner Gordon in the Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher series of Batman films, has passed away at age 84. Variety recaps his extensive career, which spanned 7 decades and included such diverse fare as Talledega Nights, The Grifters, Maximum Overdrive (Stephen King's sole directorial effort), Bloody Mama, and countless TV guest star appearances.

ODDS AND ENDS

• Tarantino fiends, synchronize watches: Inglorious Basterds will be released nationwide on August 21, 2009. (The Playlist)

• This year's Superbowl broadcast, while sadly not featuring the Miami Dolphins, will include the largest 3D commercial telecast in history courtesy of DreamWorks Animation's trailer for Monsters vs. Aliens.  You'll be able to pick up 3-D glasses at more than 28,000 Pepsi/SoBe Life Water displays around the country. (The AP via Latino Review)

• Hugos Jackman and Weaving are among the actors lending their vocal talents to yet another children's fantasy book series adaptation, Guardians of Ga'Hoole. The magical tale tells of a battle between good and evil... owls.  (Because penguins are so passé.)  (The Daily Telegraph via /Film)

• Iron Man is set in a "realistic" fictional universe. Thor is rumored to take place almost entirely in a fantastical Asgard complete with battling gods. How will these two conflicting approaches blend in The Avengers, which features Iron Man, Thor, and a host of other Marvel characters? IESB explains.  Warning: for comic geeks only.

• The promising but stagnant Keira Knightly is doing YET ANOTHER PERIOD DRAMA, The Beautiful Damned.  The story "concerns the turbulent marriage of alcoholic writer F. Scott Fitzgerald and his mercurial wife Zelda Sayre, who was schizophrenic. The tempestuous relationship, which unfolded in the high society of the Roaring '20s, inspired some of the novelist's works." (Variety)

• Are these the "Top 50 movie special effects shots"? (via Gizmodo)

• Is James Dean's death Porsche cursed? Or should you simply remember to check out a used car's history before purchase? Jalopnik gives us the spooky details.

--JB

Comments

[Mer]

In the case of Cleo, Mr. Jackman's scheduling conflict is real. It is due to X-Men Origins: Wolverine; the worldwide press junket for that film begins in earnest during April, which is when Mr. Soderbergh intended to begin filming Cleo. Mr. Jackman never "abandoned" Cleo. No formal talks ever took place on that project with Mr. Jackman, by Mr. Soderbergh's own admission during his MTV interview.

No one who appreciates Mr. Jackman's ultra-versatile talent believes he has an "image problem". The problem leis with both the Hollywood filmmakers who attempt to trap actors into pigeonholed roles and with actors like Gibson and Crowe who allow themselves to become bigger than their onscreen roles. Gibson's and Crowe's most recent work hasn't exactly been awe-inspiring, by the way.

Despite what industry "image makers" think, audiences who really appreciate acting and filmmaking want actors who disappear into their roles without their public lives intruding on the filmgoing illusion and actors who can do it all. In that respect, Mr. Jackman will have a longer and more varied career ultimately than either of those two gentleman you cite for comparison precisely because he can move seamlessly among several genres and mediums and become the character each time without imposing a very public persona on the role.