Funny People - An Inside Look

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Funny People - Featurette - Adam Sandler's return to stand up

Adam Sandler talks with Judd Apatow about his career and his return to stand up comedy after a 10 year break.

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Funny People - Trailer

Over the past few years, writer/director Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up) has shown that nothing—not even losing your virginity or the miracle of childbirth—is sacred. About his third film behind the camera, he says, "I'm trying to make a very serious movie that is twice as funny as my other movies. Wish me luck!" Apatow directs Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann in Funny People, the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience. Adam Sandler, Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman, RZA and newcomer Aubrey Plaza join a cast that reunites Judd Apatow with Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Jonah Hill in their third comedy together.

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George Simmons in Re-Do, Dog's Best Friend and Seyonara Dave

Craig, a workaholic lawyer, never made time for his relationships. Alone and depressed on his 40th birthday, he wonders about the life he could have lead. But be careful what you wish for...you might just find yourself in diapers! When a wizard gives Craig a second chance at his youth, he discovers that sometimes it takes becoming a baby to learn how to be a man.

George Simmons in "Re-Do" from Justin Long

These are a spoof films from Judd Apatow's Funny People. Adam Sandler plays George Simmons the comedian turned actor and the film will feature posters and clips for films he has made. An awful lot of work is going into this film. I just hope it is good.

GeorgeSimmons.com has more info on the fictional star.

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Yo Teach...! Viral for Judd Apatow's Funny People

Upscale Font Part of the viral marketing for Funny People with an electronic press kit of Mark Taylor Jackson (Jason Schwartzman). High school is tough enough without the added distractions of drug abuse, teen pregnancy and anorexia. Fortunately for the colorful underachievers at Jackson High, theres a teacher whos got their back: Mr. Bradford (Mark Taylor Jackson), the wise-cracking mentor of Yo Teach...! Each week, Mr. Bradford tosses his lesson plan to the wind and tackles a new moral dilemma while keeping one step ahead of Principal Andrews and the politically correct PTA.

Written and directed by Judd Apatow
Starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, and Eric Bana

Due out on 31st July 2009

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Funny People - First TV Spot for Judd Apatow's new film.

Some new footage in this TV spot. The film is due out on 31st July.

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The Random - Funny People, Vinnie Jones and Howard Chaykin, Little Fockers, Iron Man 2, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Dr Who, Love Child,

- Video of a young 20-something Adam Sandler making prank phone calls that was shot by his then roommate Judd Apatow will kick off the pair's upcoming comedy Funny People... full details

- Vinnie Jones and Howard Chaykin are teaming for a spy action drama, starring Jones, that is eyed as a U.K.-Canada co-production... full details

- Raven Symone is rumored to be up for the role of the Focker's babysitter in the upcoming third film in the series Little Fockers... full details

- Jon Favreau has confirmed that 'Mad Men' actor John Slattery has a role in the upcoming Iron Man sequel... full details

- Clancy Brown has joined the cast of Platinum Dune's upcoming A Nightmare on Elm Street remake. He will be playing a character named Allan... full details

- Claire Bloom is said to be filming a part for the upcoming Doctor Who specials featuring David Tennant's final stint in the role... full details

- Donald Sutherland, Rossif Sutherland, Rebecca Romijn and Sarah Roemer have joined the romantic comedy Love Child for Myriad Pictures and Alcina Pictures says Variety. The story centers on an ex-con on parole who finds his plan to go straight is thwarted by a loan shark, who reminds him of a hefty debt he has to repay.

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Eric Bana talks about Captain Nero and Star Trek

A great interview by the good people over at Collider with Eric Bana. He plays the big bad in Star Trek, the Romulan, Captain Nero.

As well as Star Trek he talks about Funny People and The Time Travellers Wife.

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The Random - The Lovely Bones, Edgar Allen Poe, District 9, Sherlock Holmes, New Moon, Funny People, Partly Cloudy, Up, Transformers 2, Ayrton Senna

The first two reviews of Peter Jackson's "The Lovely Bones" are up at AICN and offer differing reactions.

Robert Downey Jr. says that he's very impressed with Sylvester Stallone's script for the Edgar Allen Poe biopic - could he be playing the poet?... (full details)

Hans Zimmer ("The Dark Knight," "Gladiator") has signed on to score Guy Ritchie’s reimagining of Sherlock Holmes while French composer Alexandre Desplat ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Queen") will be scoring "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" and actor Jason Schwartzman will score Judd Apatow's "Funny People"... (full details)

Peter Sohn talks about directing his first Pixar short, "Partly Cloudy", which premieres next month with "Up"... (full details)

Paramount Pictures will be premiering the new trailer for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in 20 select markets on April 29th, attached to a one-time screening of Michael Bay’s 2007 film Transformers. The film will be presented in IMAX in the five top markets: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Toronto... (full details)

Working Title is revving up a feature-length documentary on legendary Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna. Asif Kapadia (“Far North”) will direct the doc, which goes into production next month... (full details)

The trailer for Neill Blomkamp's "District 9" will play before screenings of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" this Friday... (full details)

Principal photography began Monday on Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures' epic action adventure Clash of the Titans, being directed by Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk). The film stars Sam Worthington (upcoming Terminator Salvation and Avatar) and Academy Award® nominees Liam Neeson (Taken, Schindler's List) and Ralph Fiennes (the "Harry Potter" films, The English Patient)

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The Seth Rogen Sponge

Afflicted by Seth Rogen oversaturation? Try our product that we don't explain but rely on hype to sell! - Peter Coffin

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UPDATED: Oscars Movie Previews

UPDATED: Here is a slightly better quality version of the special Oscars Preview. The movies previewed include Sherlock Holmes, Funny People, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Public Enemies, Julie & Julia, The Soloist, Up, Fame, Terminator Salvation, 500 Days of Summer, Amelia, Whatever Works, Inglourious Basterds, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Monsters vs. Aliens, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Angels & Demons, Old Dogs, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, The Boat That Rocked, An Education, State of Play, Imagine That and G-Force.

Which of them do you fancy seeing this year?
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Funny People - Trailer for Judd Apatow's latest starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen

Judd Apatow directs Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann in Funny People, the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience.

Adam Sandler, Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman, RZA and newcomer Aubrey Plaza join a cast that reunites Judd Apatow with Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Jonah Hill in their third comedy together.

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USA Network and Universal in 9-Figure Film Deal

USA Network inked a nine-figure deal for the basic cable and broadcast premiere rights to two dozen of Universal Pictures' films, including Will Ferrell-led Land of the Lost and Borat sequel Bruno.

The deal, which covers mostly pre-buys of theatricals to be released throughout 2009, could be worth north of $200 million, depending on how the titles perform at the box office. If the slate were to underperform in theaters, the package would cost USA about half that.

Cable deals for theatricals are generally paid on a 10%-13% sliding scale of box office returns, depending on performance. This deal is constructed that way, sources say.

Despite massive job losses nationwide in January 2009, the U.S. box office tally was the best ever for a January: $1.030 billion, according to Media by Numbers. The returns marked a 19% year-to-year increase over 2008.

What's more, basic cable networks across the board rely heavily on theatricals during the daytime and on weekends, and use them as a platform to lead viewers into original programming, the only genre that tends to outperform theatricals in cable ratings.

“We knew we would have to go in aggressively and pay what it takes to get [the films], and we knew what they wanted to make from it,” says Jane Blaney, executive VP of programming, acquisitions and scheduling for USA.

FX bought the rights to much of Universal's 2008 slate last year in what the studio claimed was a “groundbreaking deal.” That agreement covered 15 films, and was estimated to be worth about $100 million when it was signed.

In addition to Land of the Lost and Bruno, the USA agreement includes State of Play, with Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe; Duplicity, starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen; Fast & Furious, with Vin Diesel; Public Enemies, with Johnny Depp; Funny People, with Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen; The Wolfman, starring Benicio Del Toro; and already released titles such as Milk and Frost/Nixon. Other movies in the package star Philip Seymour Hoffman, Matt Damon and Jennifer Aniston.

“This is one of the biggest slate deals that you would see, across the board in term of volume,” says Frances Manfredi, executive VP and general sales manager for cable and non-theatrical sales at NBC Universal Television Distribution. “USA put a killer deal on the table, they were very aggressive, and very wisely aggressive. We think this will serve them very well.”

USA will get to air some of the movies starting in 2010, with most heading to the network in 2011, following a premium cable window on HBO.

Source: B&C
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Funny People - Poster for Judd Apatow's latest

Adam Sandler plays a 42-year old comic named George Simmons. He’s had a good run, and even had a nice movie career. He has everything you could want: an expensive car, a big house, and a great sense of humor. The women want him and the guys want to be his friend. He knows a lot of people but has no close friends, probably because he’s a very miserable and self-involved person. One day he learns that he has a rare untreatable blood disorder, and only has six months to a year left to live. This is the the beginning of the film.

Seth Rogen plays Ira, a 25-year-old deli counter worker and aspiring stand-up comedian who performs for free at a small LA stand-up club. He’s yet to figure out his stage persona, and his friends don’t even come to his shows for support. His jokes are pretty much what you might expect. Imagine what Seth Rogen would sound like if he were a stand-up comedian.

Ira lives with two roommates, an aspiring comedian who has just been accepted to become an Improv regular named Leo (Jonah Hill) , and a sitcom star who likes to gloat about his newfound salary named Mark (Jason Schwartzman).

One night Ira gets bumped when George shows up unannounced at his club, pushing Ira’s performance. Ira ends up bombing, but Simmons sees something in the young comedian and hires him to write jokes and be his semi-personal assistant. George becomes a quasi-mentor to Ira, basically playing him $6000 a month for his company/friendship. George also gives Ira an opportunity to open up for him at various gigs.

This is the meat of the film, a story of two people connecting with each other - an aspiring young comedian and a dying middle aged comedian who now has the power of hindsight. But does George learn anything from his near death experience and newfound friendship with Ira or is he still his old self-centered self?

George confides in Ira that he’s dying, and Ira eventually convinces George to tell people about his illness. I’ve heard that Norm Macdonald has a cameo as one of George’s old Comedian friends.

And there is Laura (played by Apatow’s wife Leslie Mann), the love of his life, now in her late 30’s, married with two kids. Laura broke up with George over a decade earlier when she learned that he was cheating on her. Once an actress, Laura has become a full-time bored and some-what depressed mother, living in a ranch home in a small town. Laura and George reconnect when she learns of his illness.

Much fuss was made of Eric Bana’s comedy past when the casting announcement was first made, but Bana actually doesn’t have a comic role in the film. Bana plays Laura’s successful husband Clarke, who is always traveling to China on business. It is also worth noting that Bana doesn’t appear until late into the film. You can probably see where that storyline might be heading, so I’ll say no more.

Meanwhile, Ira meets a young alternative comic named Daisy (Aubrey Plaza), who also lives in his apartment building. He asks her out on a date but before it happens, Ira makes a discovery that could be detrimental to their possible relationship. It feels like Apatow is trying to inject some Kevin Smith into the story, but it’s not developed enough. Daisy is one-dimensional, and the relationship seems a bit forced and unnecessary.

There are twists and turns, a confrontation between Ira and his roommates, and a climax set as far outside the world of stand-up comedy as you can get. Funny People is very different tonally than anything Apatow has done before. For example, there is a moment where Ira and George have a conversation, which ends with both of them in tears. The film will probably better classified as a dramedy than a full out comedy. Apatow might have a shot at Academy Award consideration if he does this right.

Source: /film
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The Random

Posters for Body of Lies, Passengers, An American Carol, The Transporter 3, Saw V, He's Just Not That Into You, Che, The Haunting of Molly Hartley

What's the plot of Judd Apatow's upcoming comedy "Funny People"? "What if a very successful comedian thinks he's dying and then finds out he's not?"

With the upcoming "The Incredible Hulk" DVDs, there are 13 minutes of cut scenes on the standard DVD, 29 minutes on 3-disc special edition, and 44 minutes on the Blu-ray version. Director Louis Leterrier admits that he cut 70 minutes out of the film in total. Andy D mentioned this weeks ago.

Cameron Hood and Kyle Jefferson are no longer directing Dreamworks Animation's "MasterMind", the pair having left the project months ago.

Video of the Long Beach shoot on "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" is up. There's a parade of vehicles here, footage of a major explosion here, and pics of the vehicles here.

An interesting piece explaining the lawsuit between Fox and 20th Century and the battle over "Watchmen". Also the film's characters appeared on four special covers for the Brazillian magazine Set this week, check them out here.

"Red Sonja" director Douglas Aarniokoski hints that a sequel is already being planned, and a cameo by other stars from the previous films set in the "Conan" universe may happen.

Hip-hop artist Nic Nac is apparently in Atlanta filming a third film in the "Van Wilder" franchise, sounds like it'll be direct-to-DVD.

The first artwork for "Naumón", a thriller about a reality show set on a prison ship, is up. Spanish director Isidro Ortiz ("Eskalofrio") helms the project and Asia Argento is rumored to star.

One of my most anticipated films of the Fall, the Bill Maher-led comedy doco "Religulous", has put up some not so convincing viral marketing it would seem with some religious group calling a boycott.

Actor and "Choke" filmmaker Clark Gregg says he'd like to return as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson in the "Iron Man" sequel.

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