Robin Williams had been attached to star in the “Mrs. Doubtfire 2,” the long-gestating sequel to the late comedian’s 1993 hit. Sources say that though no decision has been made on the future of the project, written by David Berenbaum, it most likely won’t go ahead after the actor was found dead Monday.
Chris Columbus was set to return as director for Fox 2000. “His performances were unlike anything any of us had ever seen, they came from some spiritual and otherworldly place. He truly was one of the few people who deserved the title of “genius”,” Columbus said in a statement. “We were friends for 21 years. Our children grew up together, he inspired us to spend our lives in San Francisco and I loved him like a brother. The world was a better place with Robin in it. And his beautiful legacy will live on forever.”
Berenbaum had reportedly met with Williams in recent months and was working on a second draft of the script.
Williams’ sudden death casts an obvious shadow of doubt on the potential “Mrs. Doubtfire” sequel, but Hollywood often likes to ‘reboot’ hit movie franchises or proceed with sequels without the original stars. Just ask Batman, “Speed 2″ or even Professor Dumbledore from the “Harry Potter” series.
The original “Mrs. Doubtfire,” based on the Anne Fine book, followed Williams’ struggling actor and divorced father who disguises himself as an elderly housekeeper in order to see his kids while his ex-wife has custody. Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan also starred.
Co-starring Sally Fields and Pierce Brosnan, the pic was a smash at the box office, taking in more than $400 million worldwide and Fox has tried to get a sequel into production ever since. Elizabeth Gabler and Marisa Paiva were overseeing for Fox 2000. “Mrs. Doubtfire” has been the most frequently played movie on basic cable and is therefore well-known both to those who saw it when it was released and to the millennials who caught up with it on cable.
Williams had already wrapped on “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” in which he reprises his role as Teddy Roosevelt for the third time. It opens Dec. 19.
He also starred in the Dito Montiel drama “Boulevard,” which screened at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival but has not found a distributor.
Also wrapped but not yet released is “Merry Friggin’ Christmas,” in which he stars with Candice Bergen and Lauren Graham. Phase 4 Films will release the holiday comedy on Nov. 7. Williams also provided the voice of Dennis the Dog in British live-action comedy “Absolutely Anything,” set to be released next year.
Source: Variety
Actor-comic Mike Epps has emerged as the front-runner to star as Richard Pryor in Lee Daniels' upcoming biopic about the comedian at The Weinstein Company.
Daniels reportedly auditioned the likes of Epps, Michael B. Jordan, Marlon Wayans, and Nick Cannon for the role. Both Epps and Wayans were previously set to play Pryor in previous incarnations of the film that didn't take off.
No final decision had been reached but Epps reportedly delivered a smashing audition which has put him in front-runner position, however Wayans is not out of the running.
Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway are being floated about as potential actresses to play Pryor's widow, Jennifer Lee Pryor.
Source: Deadline
Sony SPHE has just released Masters Of Sex on DVD.
In 1956, former nightclub singer and single mother Virginia Johnson becomes the assistant to renowned OBGYN William Masters. They embark on their pioneering study in human sexuality while trying to navigate their personal feelings for each other. Masters' wife Libby tries to conceive a child to save her marriage. Dr. Ethan Haas chafes under the supervision of Dr. Masters and deals with a changing society. University Provost Barton Scully struggles to support his protege William Masters while dealing with a long-held personal secret.
DUTCH VERSION
Masters of Sex is gebaseerd op het waargebeurde verhaal van dokter William Masters en Virginia Johnson, de grote wetenschappelijke pioniers op het gebied van seksualiteit. In de serie zie je hun bijzondere leven, romance en de popcultuur waarin ze verkeerden. De onderzoeken van Masters en Johnson hadden grote gevolgen voor hun familie en collega’s. Door hun studie kwam het eenvoudige ziekenhuis in St. Louis met een klap op de cover van Time Magazine terecht. Ze waren de eerste die diepgaand onderzoek deden naar het vrouwelijk orgasme en daar zijn we hen dankbaar voor. Wie moeten we dankbaar zijn voor hun taboe doorbrekend gedrag en of baanbrekend onderzoek? Wij hebben een fijn lijstje voor je gemaakt.
De TV-serie Masters of Sex is sinds 6 augustus uit op DVD.
PRIMETIME, spell it one word, not two. Unlike their name, this London based four piece never stick to one thing but a multitude of noise, voices and musings. Driven by off kilter chords, booming drums and bellowing English accents the PRIMETIME sound harkens back to the era of music that bore The Raincoats and The Slits, retaining the same sense of individuality and DIY spirit that those groups portrayed.
On their self-titled 7” EP, just released via La Vida Es Un Mus Records, they harness this energy into four tales of low life London. Their calling card, 'Tied Down', is an ode to the filthier side of human relations that slinks along to a jerky melody that you'll be humming for the rest of the day. As Good Throb guitarist Bryony Benyon writes of the song, "Lyrics evoke the dark sadism and admirable self-interest of fictional dream girl gang punks with an undeniable almost girl group-esque hook." Watch the video below, directed by Roxanne Clifford of Veronica Falls:
The other tracks on the EP reflect this same ambivalence between teenage fantasy and the realities of adult life. The menacing guitar grind of 'Right Track' is offset by a dissonant bass line that together sound out the teetering tightrope walk between want and need. 'Last Night' is a stripped down call and response song that summons a Jonathan Richman-esque guitars and sentiment. Slushy is a murky strut from the Job Centre to the train tracks, vocals part poet, part shoplifter.
Fearless to have fun making a mess, PRIMETIME are a band searching for splendour in the grit and urging listeners to do the same. As Sean Forbes of Rough Trade exclaims "You can't help but fall in love with this band after just one listen."
Upcoming Shows
AUG 14TH – EP LAUNCH PARTY! THE MACBETH w/ Personnel, Quango, Monotony - LONDON
AUG 29TH - POWERLUNCHES w/ Straight Arrows, Primitive Parts, Angie - LONDON
AUG 30TH - SEABRIGHT ARMS w/ Blue Minkies, Daskinsey4 - LONDON
OCT 29TH - 100 CLUB w/ Greys - LONDON
NOV 16TH - PRINCE ALBERT w/ The Coathangers - BRIGHTON
Editors present brilliant dark animation video to accompany their new single ‘What Is This Thing Called Love’
Editors Frontman Tom Smith wrote this breakup ballad after betting he could write a tune for a former X Factor contestant. The unnamed singer got dropped and Smith kept the song for band. “I like writing about things that are darker than what's in or anywhere near the charts. I just try to find interesting ways about writing around the topic of love. They're the most straightforward lyrics I've ever written."
The video for 'What Is This Thing Called Love' was conceived and animated by Ania Leszczynska who was shortlisted for the 2012 British Animation Awards and previous to that nominated for a New Talent Award in the Scottish BAFTA’s in 2010.
