Ice Age 3: We’re number one!! For a day!! 

Going into this weekend, the prevailing wisdom was that “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” was going to steamroll its way to another first place finish–and that’s still quite a good possibility. But for at least one day, though, there was something more powerful than those mighty robots: cute, animated sort of prehistoric creatures. With its Wednesday debut, “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” took in $13.8 million, beating out “Transformers: ROTF,” which earned $10.9 million for the day (numbers courtesy of Variety). Granted, this “Transformers 2″ second week of release, but remember, it was still expected to best everything.

So what does this tell us about movie audiences? It tells us that a lot of kids haven’t left for camp yet, and parents were pretty glad to take them to a new movie. Again, “Transformers” may still win the weekend, but it’s a great start for “Ice Age,” and a sign that the franchise hasn’t yet worn out its welcome.

As for the other Wednesday release, “Public Enemies” did well with $8.2 million, which seems to be a bit better than studio expectations. The film opened to mixed-to-positive reviews. It’s not expected to be a blockbuster of the type that will threater “Transformers” or “Ice Age,” so as long as it keeps up this opening pace, it should be fine.

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote should really have been made in 2000. Work on it was well underway until a spate of accidents and mishaps forced director Terry Gilliam to abandon it. But that wasn’t the end of the project, and Gilliam made known his intention to start work on the film once more in August 2008.

January 2009 saw Gilliam stay true to his word and start rewriting the script. Clearly not a man to look a gift horse in the mouth, Gilliam claimed the seven-year break between the first attempt at making the movie and the second could actually be a blessing in disguise due to it having matured in that time.

The only question remaining was whether Johnny Depp, the original star of the movie, would be back for the second attempt. That question remains but Gilliam has confirmed that although Depp remains the number one choice for the role, the film will be happening with or without him.

He told MTV Movies:

“I’m about to sit down this evening with Tony Grisoni and see if all the bits we’ve been doing in this last couple of weeks are enough to keep us happy and say that’s it. Basically, we are pretty much there on the script and then Jeremy Thomas and I have been moving ahead on different deals.”

“Neither Jeremy nor myself feel we can wait until Johnny’s available. Nevertheless, he gets first choice, and we’ll see if anything changes on his dance card.”

Gilliam maintains shooting on The Man Who Killed Don Quixote will begin in 2010, and his recent decision to pull the plug on The Zero Theorem makes this possible. Which means Depp is unlikely to appear this time around because his current schedule is pretty packed. And that’s a shame for a project that has already has more than its fair share of disappointments.

I just hope, whoever ends up starring, this film is worth the wait, money, and effort Gilliam and others have poured into it.

What is it with all the celebrity deaths at the moment? First it was Farrah Fawcett, then Michael Jackson, then Billy Mays, and then Jeff Goldblum popped his clogs. Oh wait a minute, no he didn’t, that was just an unfunny Internet prank. However, another Hollywood legend has sadly passed away.

Karl Malden died peacefully of natural causes in his Los Angeles home at the ripe old age of 97. Which is an innings I’m sure all of us would be happy with, especially with a successful career behind us. And Malden had a very successful career, most notably winning a ‘Best Supporting Actor’ Oscar for his part in A Streetcar Named Desire.

The craggy-faced actor made his big screen debut in They Knew What They Wanted in 1940 before going on to star in more than 50 films. Apart from Streetcar, he’s best remembered for playing a priest in On The Waterfront, the warden in The Birdman of Alcatraz, and General Omar Bradley in Patton.

Other work included roles on TV such as Detective Mike Stone in The Streets of San Francisco alongside Michael Douglas. And many people will remember Malden as the pitchman for American Express in a 21-year run of commercials where he uttered the immortal phrase, “Don’t leave home without it!”

Rest In Peace Karl Malden: 1912 - 2009.

The Game, surely practicing his BA “Bad Attitude” Baracus look.

ComingSoon relays a report from BlackFilm that the Game is the frontrunner for the role of BA Baracus in “The A Team” movie. Baracus is the role on the ’80s TV series that made Mr. T a household name. Yes, his character had a name; Mr. T did not play “Mr. T” on the show. Though let’s be honest, it’s not like there was a world of difference between Mr. T and Baracus.

Common, another rapper who is building a movie resume, had previously been associated with the role. It’s not clear whether that was serious with the film’s producers or whether it was just one of those blog suggestions that morphs into accepted fact. Real or not, Common may have put himself out of the running due to schedule problems; he’s set to star opposite Queen Latifah in “Just Right” and that may not finish in time for him to join the “Team.”

The Game isn’t locked into the role either, yet. The only casting that is close to confirmed is Liam Neeson as Hannibal Smith (the old George Peppard role) and Bradley Cooper as Face (played by Dirk Benedict on the TV show). Joe Carnahan is directing.

If he is the one, The Game will be fine in this role. He’s got some action credits with “Street Kings” and “Waist Deep.” The only real challenge here for whoever is cast it to just concentrate on playing BA Baracus, not Mr. T. Doing a Mr. T imitation will be the road to ruin.

This is Asteroids.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Universal Pictures has won a bidding war for the film rights to the ancient Atari video game “Asteroids.” Matthew Lopez wrote the script.

Asteroids made its debut as an arcade game in 1979. It’s pretty simple. The player controls a spaceship which shoots at falling asteroids while trying not to get hit by them. I know, you see that and think, “Now THAT’S a movie!!” Well, I think it’s safe to say it won’t be a complex psychological drama, but rather an effects-heavy action adventure. Okay. Congratulations to Universal and Mr. Lopez for finding another item with some name recognition that they can attach a plot to. Why make a movie called “Asteroids” about people fighting asteroids if you can’t associate it with a brand? Granted, there are some game-into-movie projects out there that make sense–Ouija and Battleship, for example. But this feels just kind of thin and lame. I’m sure it will be a huge hit.

ComingSoon posted an “unofficial” version of the game to try out if you’re interested. Nothing wrong with the game, which is fine in a “I’m passing time on the train playing BrickBreaker” kind of way.” I’m just tired of the cynicism and brand grabbing of the studios. Are people really so dull-witted that a movie can’t get their attention unless it has something familiar associated with it? Probably.

I really like Johnny Depp. As an actor, and as a person, he seems like a gem hidden in amongst the often-obnoxious world of Hollywood and celebrity culture. Do I love him? No, but he would perhaps be the one man able to tempt me into experimenting. I kid, I kid. Maybe.

Why am I talking about Johnny Depp in such reverential terms? Because he deserves it, having recently shown how he’s willing and able to spread the love around himself. While out and about doing publicity for Public Enemies, his latest film, also starring Christian Bale, Depp has expressed his love for a couple of other gems in the industry.

On his friend and favorite director Tim Burton:

“The most special thing is that he very luckily has given me about seven jobs. That’s the most amazing thing. I’m looking forward to the eighth and ninth. There’s no real definition other than there is some kind of connection, some sort of understanding that Tim and I have that is at most times unspoken.”

“Most people when they hear Tim give me direction or we’re talking about the character or something on the set, people are baffled. They don’t know what we’re talking about. It’s just one of those things that you don’t question, but I sure love him.”

I don’t know what it is about Burton and Depp’s working relationship but it works time and time again. The only person who can compete for Burton’s attention seems to be his wife Helena Bonham-Carter, and Burton deals with that by giving her a role in all of his movies. Depp gets the parts on merit.

On his Public Enemies co-star Stephen Graham:

“I think he’s magnificent. Stephen Graham - one of my favorite actors of all time. What he did in This Is England absolutely destroyed me.”

“What he did and what Tomo [Thomas Turgoose] did in that film of Shane Meadows’, took me to my knees. He’s someone I’m going to fight to get. I’m going to force him to be in almost every film I do. Even at gunpoint!”

I only saw This Is England the other day and I must admit to also having been blown away by Graham’s performance. It’s nice to see a British actor getting the recognition he deserves and landing bigger and better roles as a result. I just hope he makes a better job of it than Jason Statham.

As for Johnny Depp, he can be safe in the knowledge that we all love him as much as he seems to love others. Even I, as a heterosexual male love him. Just not in a gay way. Much.

Sure, Angelina Jolie looked great in “Wanted,” but was it a success because of her?

The Hollywood Reporter relays Forbes magazine’s list of Hollywood’s top ten female money earners during the last years. First place goes to Angelina Jolie, and second to Jennifer Aniston. For you gossip page readers, yes, that is the current and former Mrs. Brad Pitt.

The list is based on money earned by the stars from June 2008 to June of this year. THR says Forbes based its list on discussions with agents, managers, producers and lawyers, but the discussion mostly seems to revolve around how much money each woman was paid.

Jolie’s take during the year was $27 million, a figure that comes from her salaries on “Wanted” and the upcoming “Salt.” Aniston earned $25 million from her salaries on ”Marley & Me” and the upcoming “The Baster.”  She also has money coming in from “Friends” on a regular basis, and some endorsement deals.

The interesting thing, though, is that you’ll notice both of these actresses got paid for movies that made a lot of money but weren’t reliant on their names for their success. People didn’t see “Wanted” because it was an “Angelina Jolie movie” but because it was an action-adventure summer movie based on a comic book; “Marley & Me” was a hit because it was based on a major bestseller, not because it was a “Jennifer Aniston movie.” Now the presence of these actresses didn’t hurt the movies’ box office, and maybe nudged a few ticket buyers over the edge who might have been on the fence, but the point remains that they didn’t open these movie. So do their names justify their salaries? Let’s take a look at the rest of the list.

3. Meryl Streep ($24 million)
4. Sarah Jessica Parker ($23 million)
5. Cameron Diaz ($20 million)
6. Sandra Bullock and Reese Witherspoon ($15 million each)
8. Nicole Kidman and Drew Barrymore ($12 million each)
10. Renee Zellweger ($10 million).

Out of all the women on this list, possibly the only one you could even come close to saying was really responsible for the success of the film (or films) that gave her that paycheck was Sarah Jessica Parker, and that’s more because she is so heavily identified with “Sex and the City.” That movie wouldn’t have been a success without her, but she certainly wouldn’t have had a huge worldwide hit in just any romantic comedy.

So I guess what we’re saying is that while stars can add to a movie’s success, they’re rarely the main draw. If you’re a producer, you’re better off paying a lot of money for the rights to a bestseller than a big paycheck to a movie star.

The Goonies remains, for me, one of the best movies ever made. I know it’s no Godfather or Gone With The Wind, but for my generation (30-somethings) it was THE film of our childhood. But that was 25 years ago, too long to even consider making a sequel set in the present day?

It would seem not. There have been various rumors about Goonies projects over the years, including remakes, sequels, and animated series. None of which have actually got anywhere. So I’m still wholly unconvinced the latest mutterings and speculation will actually lead to anything.

In April, the surviving cast and crew of the 1985 original met up again for an Empire photo shoot. The subject of a sequel came up, with Richard Donner claiming there was “no chance.” Sean Astin, bless him, wasn’t so quick to give in however, stating he remained convinced it would happen one day.

Now, speaking to Sci-Fi Wire, Chris Columbus gives his side of the story. It seems there is some hope left.

“[Pantoliano] said that Richard Donner talked to him about six months ago about the sequel. I think the only way it could be done is if the kids are now the parents, and their kids have become the Goonies. I still think the two brothers are still alive and well, so they could still be in the movie. So it’s a matter of whether or not they could re-create that concept.”

I’ve never been keen on the idea of remakes but a true sequel to The Goonies? That’s another matter entirely. I like Columbus’ twist on the story, with a new generation of Goonies setting off on an adventure. Why not? I won’t believe this is happening until shooting starts, and that’s a long way off. If indeed it ever happens.

Seth Rogen, surely bemused by the ways of studio schedulers. 

Are you up-to-date on your 2010 movie release calendar? Maybe you are…and maybe you’re not. ComingSoon reports that “The Green Hornet” has had its release date moved from June 25, 2010 to July 9, 2010.

“The Green Hornet” will be directed by Michael Gondry. Seth Rogen stars at the titular hero, with Stephen Chow as his sidekick Kato. Rogen and Evan Goldberg wrote the screenplay.

As always, the move is due to studio anxiety about making sure all their films have the optimum release dates with the right kind (that is, weak) competition. Keeping two releases from the same studio out of each other’s way is another concern, and that’s the case here. Columbia Pictures, the studio behind “Hornet,” decided to move its comedy “Grown Ups” from March 12th to June 25th. “Grown Ups” is the SNL alum and friends comedy starring Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, David Spade and Kevin James. The movie is about a reunion of old friends over a 4th of July weekend, so why it wasn’t slotted with a summer spot from the start is puzzling, but far be it from me to challenge the wisdom of movie studio schedulers.

Anyway, I hope this change doesn’t affect your 2010 vacation plans too much. Book your flights accordingly.

Can Michael Cera’s Oscar vote be bought? Everyone has a price… 

People often complain that the Oscars go to movies no one sees rather than big box office hits because the Academy is made up of old, uncool people who don’t understand the value of a good summer blockbuster. Not so, my friends! The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited a group of new members, and most of them (at least) cannot be described as old and uncool (well, those terms are relative, of course–in Hollywood no one is really allowed to get old, and cool can disappear in a second). Here are the actors who will get to vote next year on things like “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” vs. “The Hurt Locker”:

Casey Affleck, Emily Blunt, Michael Cera, James Franco, Brendan Gleeson, Taraji Henson, Emile Hirsch, Hugh Jackman (this year’s Oscar host), Melissa Leo, Jane Lynch, Eddie Marsan, James McAvoy, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Amy Ryan, Michael Shannon, Michelle Williams and Jeffrey Wright.

Non-acting invitees (they may not be as pretty as actors, but they’re still important) include the directors Danny Boyle, David Frankel, Rod Lurie and Tyler Perry, among others, along with the executives Daniel Battsek and Claudia Lewis and the producers Russell Smith and Paula Wagner.

So with people like Seth Rogen, James Franco, Michael Cera, and Paul Rudd voting, can we hope that a comedy will have a shot at a best picture award? Oh, I guess someone will have to make a really good comedy first. And that’s the hardest thing to do in movies.