Diagnosis Not Good For Another Season Of 'Scrubs'

Those who had any hope of a ninth season of "Scrubs" were dealt another blow today.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, John C. McGinley (who plays Dr. Perry Cox) has signed on for a co-starring role in the CBS drama pilot "Back."

Previously, Donald Faison (who plays Turk) booked a slot on the ABC comedy "The Law" for this fall.

Those two departures, coupled with the fact that Judy Reyes (Carla) and Zach Braff (J.D.) already said they wanted to move on, should effectively end any chances of the show coming back.

There were rumblings that the show, which moved to ABC this year after nine seasons on NBC, would transition to focus on a group of new interns who made their debut this season (think "Saved By the Bell: The New Class"). However, the new actors have failed to catch on with the public.

Personally, I found the show's seventh season to be incredibly weak, but the show has been much better this season. Part of me would like to see the show continue to ride this new wave, but, ultimately, I would like to see "Scrubs" go out on a high note.

Could There Really Be a 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' Sequel?

Some movies are ahead of their time. Others are a few years too late. Fittingly, for a movie that managed to blend so many things together, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" somehow managed to be both.

The 2005 comedy, directed by Shane Black, was well-received by critics but ignored by movie audiences.

Black was a few years removed from his screenwriting glory days (the "Lethal Weapon" movies, for example) and the movie was not well-marketed.

In addition, the movie starred a pair of actors -- Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer -- whose best days at the box office were in the rearview mirror.

Had the movie been made a few years earlier, then Black, Downey Jr. and Kilmer likely would have carried the movie to a nice payday at the box office.

Flash forward a few years and Downey Jr. is back on the Hollywood A-List and the movie's female lead, Michelle Monaghan, is a rising star.

If the movie was released this year, with the same cast, again it very well may have been a hit.

As it was, the movie, with an estimated budget of $15 million, pulled in only $4.2 million domestically. Surprisingly, it did better worldwide, where it gathered an additional $11.5 in box office outside the U.S.

Normally, a movie with those kinds of numbers would have no chance of a sequel, right? Well, there is at least one person who apparently wants to see the sequel made -- Val Kilmer.

Last night, via his Twitter page, Kilmer said, "RDJ, Jr and I talked AGAIN about a Kiss Kiss Bang Bang sequel... Now that he is king of all time and space it will happen."

Now, will it happen? I would have to put it down as unlikely at best. The numbers work against it and it's possible Downey Jr. was just being nice.

But should it happen? I would be on board. I enjoyed the first one and I would love to see what would have to be one of the most unlikely sequels ever to get made.

And I will add that if this whole idea seems implausibly strange, you really need to get to know Val Kilmer better.

'New Moon' Logo Confirms Name, Date

Nothing too Earth-shattering here, but the logo for the sequel to "Twilight" has been released.

The sequel, based on the incredibly popular book "New Moon" by Stephanie Meyer, will come out just under a year after its predecessor.

"Twilight, which was released Nov. 21, 2008, has earned $191 million in domestic box office. Much more revenue was expected to stream in starting today when the movie was released on DVD (an unusual move, as DVDs typically are released on Tuesdays.) 

The logo confirms the sequel will arrive in theaters on Nov. 20, 2009 -- six days before Thanksgiving.

In addition, the logo confirms previous reports that the sequel will be called "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," instead of just "New Moon," as the book is called.

George Lucas would be proud of the new name.

Update on Sun, March 22, 2009 by Sean Gerski

According to Summit Entertainment, more than three million "Twilight" DVDs were sold yesterday.

New 'Crank: High Voltage' Poster Debuts on Twitter

As newspapers lay dying and DVRs help people skip commercials more easily than ever, movie studios are forced to discover new ways to market their movies.

Increasingly, this means finding a way to make a mark online, but the question remains of how to do it.

With Twitter's presence reaching critical mass recently, everyone has been wondering how best to utilize the site. Well, those behind the marketing of the movie "Crank: High Voltage" discovered a new method.

The movie, which is a sequel to the 2006 Jason Statham action vehicle "Crank," recently became the first movie to have its poster debuted through Twitter.

By releasing the poster, shown at right, through Twitter instead of through the usual channels, the movie got some buzz as the "Tweet" was "Retweeted" from person to person (if you don't know what I am talking about, I highly suggest you sign up for Twitter, it's a great tool).

As for the movie itself, I enjoyed the original for what it was -- a high-octane action ride (or whatever the original's poster might have said). However, I did not expect a sequel. Well, certainly not a sequel starring Jason Statham, since his character, Chev Chelios, died at the end of the movie following a very long drop from an airplane.

Now, normally, I would post a spoiler warning before I told you his character died, but as you can plainly see at the top of the poster, Chev "was dead ... but he got better."

"Crank: High Voltage" will arrive in theaters April 17.

Multiple Sources Say Chris Pine Has Been Offered Green Lantern

A photo manipulation of Chris Pine as Green Lantern as created by Zedin of BlueTights.net.Apparently, actor Chris Pine has been offered the role of Hal Jordan/Green Lantern and now it is up to him whether to accept or decline the role.

Pine, who basically is an unknown commodity to most movie-goers, is due to hit theaters in May as James T. Kirk in J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" movie.

If the movie hits big, Pine could potentially have a wide array of roles from which to select. However, if the movie flops or if Pine is not well received, Pine could see his choices shrivel up.

It is common knowledge in Hollywood that a smart actor has his next movie lined up before his current movie hits the theater. 

For Pine, taking "Green Lantern" would be the right move. Headlining two franchises gives Pine a shot at avoiding being known as just one character. For Harrison Ford, getting cast as Indiana Jones allowed him to avoid being typecast as Han Solo. Unfortunately for Mark Hammill, no such second role materialized and he never really escaped Luke Skywalker's shadow (outstanding vocal career aside). And if Pine wants to look even closer to home, William Shatner never really escaped being typecast as James T. Kirk.

Anyway, IESB.net claims that word out of the Warner Brother's halls is Pine sits atop a short list for the Hal Jordan role.

IESB.net wrote: "Word is WB is looking for a man's man under 30. Names like Jon Hamm and Nathan Fillion have popped up, but again they are looking for under 30. I think Hamm would be a fantastic choice but by the time a sequel rolls around he'd be pushing 40 (which I think would only make him sexier and more distinguished). Sam Worthington's name has also been floating around but Chris Pine seems to be the top choice."

Soon after, Latino Review's "elmayimbe" wrote the following on Twitter: "I just confirmed w/my sources that THE OFFICIAL OFFER is out to Pine, but he has has not accepted/declined yet."

For now, it seems, Warner Bros. is on bended knee, offering Pine the ring. He just has to accept.

Update on Thu, March 19, 2009 by Sean Gerski

Corona Coming Attractions also is confirming the information through its source:
"A deep cover source contacted us mere moments ago to say that Warner Bros. has made an offer to Chris Pine to play Green Lantern. Pine is about to hit the big leagues when Paramount's Star Trek opens in May."

'Green Lantern' To Start Filming In September

According to Production Weekly, filming on "Green Lantern" is going to start mid-September in Australia.

Production Weekly previously reported that "Green Lantern" has set up production offices at the Tribeca West complex in West Los Angeles.

Yesterday, a "spy" for Aint It Cool News sent a submission telling them Ngila Dickson will provide costumes for the movie.
"Best known for her incomparable work on 'Lord of the Rings,' Dickson is a good choice for the film, should this rumour pan out," wrote Aint It Cool News. "And even if it shouldn't pan out, she'd still be a good choice. GL begins pre-production in Sydney next month."

Screen Hub said the filmmakers had been scouting in Australia and that Sydney and Melbourne were in the running for the production. A few days ago, Screen Hub wrote, "blue chip production 'The Green Lantern' is a confirm for Sydney."

Screen Hub also put the movie's budget at $150 million in U.S. currency.

As far as casting the lead character, producer Donald De Line talked to ComingSoon.net last week and they asked him to address the rumors about going very young with Hal Jordan. De Line responded that Jordan would be "late 20s, early 30s."

De Line also confirmed that the movie has a production designer and a costume designer, but he did not specify who they are.

Update on Thu, March 19, 2009 by Sean Gerski

In an interview with DarkHorizons.com yesterday, De Line confirmed a few details.
"The status is, funnily enough, we are leaving for Australia Wednesday night with Martin Campbell, our director, to go scout in Sydney and Melbourne, and we plan on starting to shoot mid-September in Australia," said De Line, adding "we don’t have a soul cast" and reiterating that the story is "the Hal Jordan version of the Green Lantern."

Two CBS Shows Receive Multi-Year Extensions

CBS announced today that two of its Monday night sitcoms, "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men," will be around for a few more seasons.

"Two and a Half Men" is oft-maligned for its quality, but there is little doubt about its popularity. The show, now in its sixth season, is TV's highest-rated comedy with 15.1 million viewers. It also is the top-rated show among adults 18-49, with a 5.1 rating. Honestly, I find the numbers kind of amazing, as I don't know anyone who actually watches it (or at least anyone who will admit to it).

Conversely, "The Big Bang Theory" is a show few people seem to really love or really hate. However, the sophomore series is up 20 percent this year in viewership, topping the 10 million viewer mark. In its second season, the show has found firmer comedic footing by focusing more on the Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) characters, and less on Leonard (Johnny Galecki).

According to HitFix.com, the shows were paired together in the renewal process by Warner Bros. Television and Chuck Lorre Productions. A three-year renewal will carry "Two and a Half Men" through the 2011-12 season, and a two-year extension will take "The Big Bang Theory" to the 2010-11 season.

"The Big Bang Theory" airs at 8 p.m. ET on Mondays and "Two and a Half Men" airs at 9 p.m. that same night. Sandwiched in between is "How I Met Your Mother," which has yet to be renewed. Unlike previous seasons, however, "How I Met Your Mother" should have an easy time getting renewed for the following season. It's averaging more than 11 million viewers and the show's creators signed a lucrative syndication deal with Lifetime last September.

According to Variety, Lifetime outbid TBS, ABC Family, FX and Comedy Central for exclusive cable TV rights for "How I Met Your Mother" at a cost of $82.5 million (or about $750,000 an episode multiplied by 110 half hours). In fact, it was the second biggest license fee ever paid out by a cable network for a sitcom in the first cycle, bested only by the $800,000 an episode FX paid for "Two and a Half Men."

Will Kevin James Become a 'King' at the Box Office?

How much of a box office draw is Kevin James?
In 2005, "Hitch" made $177 million in the U.S. But all of the credit -- and probably deservedly so -- went to Will Smith.
In 2007, "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry" collected $119 million in the U.S. But even though James was the co-star, it was billed -- for all intents and purposes -- as an Adam Sandler movie.
However, in 2009, a comedy with a poor premise, no proven co-star and a terrible name is closing in on $140 million in the U.S. And for this, there can only be one reason: Kevin James.

In what is admittedly a small poll, I have talked to several people who have seen "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" and every one of them told me they went for the same reason: they just like Kevin James.
Next year, the newly-minted box office attraction will attempt to show "Paul Blart" wasn't a fluke with "The Zookeeper." In that flick, the animals at a zoo decide to break their code of silence in order to help their zookeeper gain the attention of one particular woman.
Unless it is absolutely terrible (and really, even if it is), I'm betting "The Zookeeper" will do big business. James in a family-friendly comedy seems like a good recipe for success right about now.

First up for James, however, is a project that has a lot of people talking -- and not all of that talk is positive.
Due out March 10, 2010, is a movie currently referred to officially as "Untitled Adam Sandler Project."
Unofficially, it is being labeled as "that movie with all of the people from 'Saturday Night Live' who used to be funny." Ouch.

Joining Adam Sandler and Kevin James in the lead roles will be Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and David Spade. In the movie, five friends reunite for a Fourth of July holiday weekend 30 years after their high school graduation.
Cameras are set to roll this summer on the movie, which also will feature Salma Hayek and ex-SNLers Maya Rudolph and Colin Quinn.

Honestly, I don't care whether the movie is good, bad or ugly -- I would love to have a piece of it financially. It's going to be a hit.
But, I have read a lot of snide comments about the movie so far, and what's interesting is that if the movie simply featured Adam Sandler and Kevin James, there would be far less insults. It's the inclusion of Rock, Schneider and Spade that have people deriding the movie.

It will be an interesting test to see whether James and Sandler can lift the movie up at the box office or whether Rock, Schneider and Spade will drag it down. At one point, the box office prospects for the SNLers from the early- to mid-'90s looked promising. Since then, however, they have been passed by the Frat Pack (Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, the Wilsons, etc.) and then again by the Apatow Crew (Jason Segal, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, etc.).

For Rock, Schneider and Spade, a big hit next spring could be the career resuscitation they desperately need. Most likely, though, it will be the former star of a different TV show who will benefit en route to becoming a new "King" at the box office.

'Where The Wild Things Are' Poster Arrives, Trailer Is Next

After a long wait, a new movie version of the book "Where The Wild Things Are" is finally a reality.

First up is a brand new teaser poster for the movie, which will be directed, fittingly, by Spike Jonze.

"Where The Wild Things Are" is an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story. It is the story of Max -- a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper. Max creates his own world inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.

Max will be played by the aptly-named Max Records. In various ways, the movie also will make use of the talents of Forest Whitaker, Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini and Catherine O'Hara.

A full three-minute trailer for the movie is slated to appear before "Monsters vs. Aliens" in two weeks. The trailer will feature music by the band Arcade Fire.

"Where The Wild Things Are" is scheduled to be released Oct. 16.

'Smallville' Plot Thickens

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

From left, Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) and Davis Bloome (Sam Witwer) talk in a morgue. Will one -- or both -- of them be back in the morgue after 'Smallville' has had its season finale?

Earlier this month, Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello wrote that two characters are slated to die in the "Smallville" season finale.

Today, Ausiello posted some follow-up information that may shed a little light on who might not be sticking around for next season:

• Smallville
  Number of deaths: 2
  Time frame: Season finale
  The scoop: One of the deceased is a long-running character. The other isn't. One is a man. The other...

 So, at least one of the two characters is male, apparently. Therefore, it can't be Chloe and Tess. It seems to me like it will be Chloe and Davis. Anyone have a different guess?

Oh, and for what it's worth, Ausiello includes a picture of Allison Mack, who plays Chloe, with his article. Is that a clue or a red herring?