Thompson on Hollywood

Universal Celebrates 100th Anniversary with 25-Film DVD & Blu-Ray Set, from 'To Kill a Mockingbird' to 'Bourne'

News

As Universal's centennial celebration continues, the studio announces the release of the "100th Anniversary Collection" on Blu-ray and DVD. The 25-film box set includes...

By Beth Hanna
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August 17, 2012 12:12 PM
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Studios Rethink Tentpole Strategy Amid Reshoots and Postponements, from 'World War Z' to '47 Ronin'

News

Is Hollywood ready to change its tentpole strategy? I'm hearing that yes, studio heads are realizing that placing too many big bets on too few potential tentpoles--which when they work, do return the most money--is a foolish strategy. The conventional wisdom was always that you spread your risk over a diverse slate of projects, from low-budget comedies and genre fare to high-cost holiday sequels and potential blockbusters. The studios are returning to that approach.

By Anne Thompson and Beth Hanna
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August 15, 2012 4:27 PM
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Universal Sets Release Date for 'Kick Ass 2,' Bumps Back '47 Ronin,' Moves Up 'Jurassic Park 3-D'

News

Universal has been moving around its release slots. We already detailed changes on the release dates for Ron Howard's Chris Hemsworth NASCAR vehicle "Rush," Tom Cruise in sci-fi epic "Oblivion," and Guillermo del Toro's horrific "Mama" here. Now the studio is giving "Kick Ass 2" a release date of June 28, 2013, right in time for the fanboy summer movie glut.

By Beth Hanna
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August 15, 2012 1:37 PM
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Trailer Watch: Judd Apatow's Fear-Mongering 'This Is 40'

Video

It's hard to determine whether we are meant to be depressed or uplifted watching the trailer for Judd Apatow's "This Is 40." Regardless, the film goes back to the "Knocked Up" characters Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann, the best part of "Knocked Up" by a mile) as they descend into the fearful decade of being 40-something. Joining them are "Bridesmaids" star Melissa McCarthy, token hot girl Megan Fox and someone who has actually survived their forties, John Lithgow.

By Sophia Savage
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August 7, 2012 3:20 PM
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Review: Gilroy's 'The Bourne Legacy' Delivers, Thanks to Renner

Reviews

I was looking forward to "The Bourne Legacy" more than most studio sequels that have lost their signature director and star. That's because Universal turned to writer-director Tony Gilroy to reinvent the "Bourne" franchise without Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon, who became a movie star playing the title character originated by Robert Ludlum.

By Anne Thompson
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August 6, 2012 1:40 PM
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Tarantino Presents RZA's 'The Man with the Iron Fists' on November 2, Starring Crowe, Liu & Grier [Trailer]

News

Universal announces the gory kung fu actioner "The Man with the Iron Fists" will be released November 2. The film is a Quentin Tarantino presentation and the directorial debut of longtime Tarantino collaborator, RZA...

By Beth Hanna
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July 13, 2012 3:05 PM
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Edgar Wright's 'World's End' Greenlight at Universal, Third in 'Shaun' & 'Hot Fuzz' Trilogy

News

Edgar Wright's "The World's End," the third film in his loose trilogy of comedies including "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz," has been officially greenlit by Universal. The film is currently in pre-production and will begin shooting this October in the UK...

By Beth Hanna
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July 13, 2012 2:56 PM
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Universal's Animation Whiz Chris Meledandri Supplies a Hit Big Enough for It's Own Ride: 'Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem' Opens at Orlando

News

You know you've made a successful family film if it gets its own theme park ride. Universal's Chris Meledandri, who headed the animation for hits "Despicable Me" and "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax," today gets to see the opening of Universal Orlando's Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem.

By Beth Hanna
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July 2, 2012 3:25 PM
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'Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection': Universal Continues to Celebrate 100 with 15-Film Box Set

News

Well, this is exciting. To continue Universal's year-long 100th anniversary celebration, the studio is releasing "Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection." The box set has a whopping fifteen of the Hitch's films, with thirteen newly and never before on Blu-ray...

By Beth Hanna
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June 22, 2012 12:23 PM
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In the Works: Duplass Bros. to Remake 1978's 'Same Time, Next Year' with Universal, Rudin Set to Produce

News

The ever-busy Duplass brothers have signed with Universal to remake the 1978 film "Same Time, Next Year," with Scott Rudin set to produce, along with original producer, nonagenarian Walter Mirisch.