You don’t have to be a New England Patriots/Tom Brady/Bill Belichick fan to enjoy listening to a new a cappella version of Queen’s “We Are The Champions.” Jimmy Fallon recruited a few of his famous singer friends to deliver a “We Are The Champions” music video in honor of the 2015 Super Bowl.
Fallon and The Roots lead the a cappella version, with Carrie Underwood, Sam Smith, Ariana Grande, Blake Shelton, Usher, Meghan Trainor, One Direction, and Christina Aguilera all lending their voices to the Queen anthem.
Director Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) has started shooting Ben-Hur set up at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Paramount Pictures and heading to theaters on February 26, 2016. The new Ben-Hur stars Jack Huston as Judah Ben-Hur, Morgan Freeman as Ilderim, Toby Kebbell as Messala, and Nazanin Boniadi as Esther.
The cast also includes Rodrigo Santoro as Jesus Christ, Sofia Black D’Elia as Tirzah, Ayelet Zurer as Naomi, Moises Arias as Gestas, and Pilou Asbæk as Pontius Pilate.
Keith Clarke and John Ridley adapted Lew Wallace’s Ben-Hur: A Tale of The Christ for the screen and will serve as executive producers with Roma Downey and Jason Brown. Sean Daniel, Mark Burnett, Joni Levin, and Duncan Henderson are producing.
According to MGM and Paramount, Ben-Hur will shoot in Rome and Matera, Italy. “You could not have imagined a more perfect location to shoot this epic than Italy. We can’t wait to get started,” said Bekmambetov.
The original Ben-Hur film starring Charlton Heston and directed by William Wyler was released in 1959 and won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor.
The Plot:
The film returns to the heart of Lew Wallace’s epic novel focusing on the nature of faith. The story follows a falsely accused nobleman who survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his best friend who betrayed him. Both must come to choose between retribution or forgiveness.
Writer/director Joe Swanberg’s Digging for Fire has found a North American distributor following its premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. The Orchard has picked up the film but hasn’t yet set a theatrical release date.
Swanberg’s Digging for Fire was co-written by Jake Johnson (New Girl) and stars Johnson, Rosemarie DeWitt, Orlando Bloom, Brie Larson, Sam Rockwell, Anna Kendrick and Mike Birbiglia. Sam Elliot, Judith Light, Ron Livingston, Melanie Lynskey, Jenny Slate, Tim Simons, and Jane Adams also are featured in Swanberg’s new dramatic film.
“I came to Sundance to find the company that loved my film the most, and would do the smartest and most aggressive job releasing it,” said Swanberg. “I have found that company in The Orchard and can’t wait to start this new relationship.”
Digging for Fire centers around “the discovery of a bone and a gun which sends a husband and wife – each full of doubts about their future and anxiety about the present – on separate adventures over the course of a weekend.”
“After admiring Joe’s films for a long time, it’s a dream for us to have the opportunity to work with him,” commented The Orchard’s SVP of Film & TV, Paul Davidson. “We think audiences will flock to Digging for Fire for its engaging and comedic look at adult relationships and we’re excited to work with Joe, Jake and Alicia to make that a reality.”
While millions tuned in to see the New England Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks following a decision by the Seahawks’ coach to call for a passing play instead of going into Beast Mode – a play call that resulted in an interception and opened the door for a Patriots win – American Sniper was busy setting another record in theaters. American Sniper added biggest box office take on a Super Bowl weekend to its list of accomplishments, ringing up $31.85 million and moving ahead of Hannah Montana‘s $31.1 million Super Bowl record.
American Sniper‘s domestic box office total is now $248 million and it’s currently number six on the list of 2014’s biggest box office earners.
Directed by Clint Eastwood, American Sniper stars Bradley Cooper as the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history, Chris Kyle. Sienna Miller co-stars as Chris’ wife, Taya. The cast also includes Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kyle Gallner, and Luke Grimes.
The Plot:
U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname “Legend.” However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world.
Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the SEAL creed to “leave no man behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya Renae Kyle (Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.
Budweiser captured the top spot for the second year in a row, with visitors to Hulu’s Toyota AdZone choosing “Lost Dog” as the overall best ad that aired during Super Bowl XLIX as well as the best ad featuring an animal. Super Bowl viewers also voted Fiat’s “Pill” ad (featuring a lost Viagra pill) as the funniest ad to air during the big game and Esurance’s “Sorta Pharmacy” with Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston as the best celebrity cameo. And Furious 7 snagged the top spot in the movie trailer category while Coca-Cola’s “MakeItHappy” was selected as the ad that moved audiences the most.
The ASIFA-Hollywood announced the winners of the 2015 Annie Awards, which recognized the best in animated productions released in 2014, and DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon 2 took home top honors in the Best Animated Feature category. The Annie Awards were held on January 31, 2015 and 36 awards were handed out in categories including Animated Short Subject, Animated Video Game, and Best Student Film.
“Our industry waits all year for this event and it never disappoints,” said ASIFA-Hollywood Executive Director, Frank Gladstone. “This was a terrific night with something for everyone. It was fun to take a look back at our history, celebrate and honor what we have accomplished over the past year, and even look forward a little to what is in store for 2015 and beyond.”
42nd Annual Annie Awards Winners
Best Animated Feature How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
Best Animated Special Production Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey – Voyager Pictures LLC
Best Animated Short Subject Feast – Walt Disney Animation Studios
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial Flight of the Stories – Aardman Animations
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children Tumble Leaf – Amazon Studios and Bix Pix Entertainment
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Children’s Audience Gravity Falls – Disney Television Animation
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production The Simpsons – Gracie Films in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Best Animated Video Game Valiant Hearts: The Great War – Ubisoft Montpellier
Best Student Film My Big Brother – Jason Rayner
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in an Animated Production
Michael Kaschalk, Peter DeMund, David Hutchins, Henrik Falt, John Kosnik – Big Hero 6 – Walt Disney Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in a Live Action Production
Steve Avoujageli, Atsushi Ikarashi, Pawel Grochola, Paul Waggoner, Viktor Lundqvist – Edge of Tomorrow – Warner Bros./Village Roadshow Pictures
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Justin Nichols – Wander Over Yonder – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Feature Production
Fabio Lignini – How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Live Action Production
Daniel Barrett, Paul Story, Eteuati Tema, Alessandro Bonora, Dejan Momcilovic – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – Chernin Entertainment/Ingenious Media/TSG Entertainment
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Video Game
Mike Mennillo – Assassin’s Creed Unity – Ubisoft Montreal
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Benjamin Balistreri – Wander Over Yonder – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
Paul Sullivan, Sandra Equihua, Jorge R. Gutierrez – The Book of Life – Reel FX Animation Studios/Twentieth Century Fox
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Aaron Springer – Disney Mickey Mouse – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature Production
Dean DeBlois – How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Christopher Willis – Disney Mickey Mouse – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production
John Powell, Jónsi – How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Narina Sokolova – Mickey Shorts – Disney
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
Paul Lasaine, Tom McClure & August Hall – The Boxtrolls – Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Joaquim Dos Santos – Legend of Korra – Nickelodeon
Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
Truong “Tron” Son Mai – How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Bill Farmer as the voices of Goofy and Grandma – Disney Mickey Mouse – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
Sir Ben Kingsley as the voice of Archibald Snatcher – The Boxtrolls – Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Darrick Bachman – Disney Mickey Mouse – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated Feature Production
Phil Lord & Christopher Miller – The LEGO Movie – Warner Bros. Pictures
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Illya Owens – Disney Mickey Mouse – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated Feature Production
John K. Carr – How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
Miranda Lambert leads the 50th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards nominees list with eight followed by Dierks Bentley with seven and Florida Georgia Line with five. Lambert’s nominations include her ninth nomination in the Female Vocalist of the Year category and her fourth in the Entertainer of the Year category. Bentley’s seven nominations include nods in the Male Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year categories.
This year’s Country music celebration will be hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton and will air live on Sunday, April 19, 2015 on CBS. And to celebrate the awards show’s 50th year, the broadcast has been extended by half an hour and will run from 8-11:30pm ET (delayed on the West Coast).
Fans are once again helping to select the Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year winners, with voting opening on April 8th at 3pm ET for the Entertainer of the Year and closing during the third hour of the show. Voting in the first round of the New Artist of the Year category nominees will be open from February 10th at 6pm ET.
2015 Academy of Country Music Awards Nominees
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Miranda Lambert
Florida Georgia Line
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR [TIE]
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Brandy Clark
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
The Swon Brothers
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Old Boots, New Dirt – Jason Aldean Pain Killer – Little Big Town Platinum – Miranda Lambert Riser – Dierks Bentley The Outsiders – Eric Church
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR
American Kids – Kenny Chesney
Automatic – Miranda Lambert
Dirt – Florida Georgia Line
Drunk On A Plane – Dierks Bentley
I Don’t Dance – Lee Brice
SONG OF THE YEAR [TIE]
American Kids – Kenny Chesney, Songwriters: Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally
Automatic – Miranda Lambert, Songwriters: Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert
Drink A Beer – Luke Bryan, Songwriters: Jim Beavers, Chris Stapleton
Follow Your Arrow – Kacey Musgraves, Songwriters: Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
Give Me Back My Hometown – Eric Church, Songwriters: Eric Church, Luke Laird
I Hold On – Dierks Bentley, Songwriters: Dierks Bentley, Brett James
The Super Bowl trailer for Fifty Shades of Grey offered a new look at Christian (played by Jamie Dornan) leading Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) to his ‘playroom’ and Anastasia responding by asking if that’s where he keeps his X-box and stuff. Yeah, not quite…actually, not even close. And, the new trailer also features clips from the elevator scene.
“Books Sold: Over 100 million. Trailer Views: Over 250 million. Fantasies Provoked: Countless.”
Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, the supporting cast includes Luke Grimes, Victor Rasuk, Eloise Mumford, Marcia Gay Harden, Rita Ora, Max Martini, Callum Keith Rennie, Jennifer Ehle, and Dylan Neal. Fifty Shades of Grey arrives in theaters on February 13, 2015.
Chris Pratt apparently has raptors under his control in the upcoming Jurassic Park sequel, Jurassic World. While raptors were fearsome creatures who wreaked havoc on the human population of Isla Nublar in 1993’s Jurassic Park, in 2015’s Jurassic World they’re working with Pratt to save the park and the island from a brand new genetically enhanced dinosaur that’s “killing for sport.”
Colin Trevorrow directs with Steven Spielberg executive producing and Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley producing. The cast also includes Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, BD Wong, and Judy Greer.
Universal’s Fast and Furious franchise continues with Furious 7 starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, and Michelle Rodriguez. The official trailer for the action film debuted during the 2015 Super Bowl and featured over-the-top stunts including a car shooting out of one high rise and smashing through another. Logic plays no part in the Fast and Furious franchise – it’s all about crazy stunts and super-fast cars – and this trailer proves F&F fans can expect even more insane action scenes.
Directed by James Wan, the cast of this latest F&F film also features Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Elsa Pataky, Lucas Black, Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey and Kurt Russell.
