Thompson on Hollywood

American Cinematheque Ball: Downey Asks Industry to Forgive Gibson His Trespasses

Robert Downey, Jr. and a posse of pals celebrated his American Cinematheque achievement award Friday night at the Beverly Hilton. Downey took advantage of the occasion to plead with the crowd on behalf of his surprise presenter, Mel Gibson (video below), who sat during the show at a table with Iron Man director Jon Favreau, Justin Theroux, Gary Shandling and Jodie Foster, to "forgive my friend his trespasses" as they had forgiven Downey his. "Allow him to continue his great and ongoing contribution to our collective art without shame, he has hugged the cactus long enough." The two men, visibly moved, hugged.

By Anne Thompson
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October 15, 2011 12:35 PM
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Stars Line Up to Fete Robert Downey Jr.at 25th American Cinematheque Awards on October 14

On October 14 the American Cinematheque will present Robert Downey, Jr. with its 25th annual award at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The event serves as a benefit for the Cinematheque's non-profit operations, and often function as a roast. Tributes to the actor will be given by Jack Black, Michael Douglas, Robert Downey Sr., Jon Favreau, Jodie Foster, Jamie Foxx, Anthony Michael Hall, Jared Harris, Joel Silver and Robin Wright. Past winners include Matt Damon (2010), Al Pacino (2005), Nicole Kidman (2003) and many others. Chairman Rick Nicita says: "The pleasure that we receive from his charismatic and nuanced performances is matched only by the respect that he has earned for his personal and professional journey,..While we have been enjoying him for years, it seems that he's just getting started all over again. The Cinematheque is thrilled to mark this milestone in the flourishing career of Robert Downey, Jr."

By Sophia Savage
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October 6, 2011 6:12 AM
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Robert Downey Jr. Developing Perry Mason for the Big Screen; Listen & Watch Past Incarnations

Yet another TV brand heads to the movies. Will they never learn? But the casting is choice in this case: Robert Downey Jr. may bring Perry Mason to the big screen through Warner Bros. and Team Downey. Like the original Erle Stanley Gardner books--there are 82; Downey and producer David Gambino are looking for a writer to adapt their own original story based on the character--the film would be set in 1930s Los Angeles and would follow defense attorney Mason, his secretary Della Street, private investigator Paul Drake and courtroom adversary Hamilton Burger.

By Sophia Savage
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October 5, 2011 5:17 AM
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The Avengers Cover EW; Their Mighty Powers Still Won't Match B.O. Power of Dark Knight Rises

On newsstands tomorrow, EW's The Avengers issue banks on the star power of not just one, but three existing Marvel superhero franchise movies. Iron Man's Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Thor's Chris Hemsworth, and Captain America's Chris Evans join up with new Hulk Mark Ruffalo to defeat uber-villain Loki (Thor's Tom Hiddleston), who told TOH his powers have increased a thousand-fold. It's the superhero franchise movie to end them all.

By Sophia Savage
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September 29, 2011 4:54 AM
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D23 Expo Adds Two New Pixar Pics on Dinosaurs and the Inner Mind, Promos John Carter, The Avengers

The warmth in the Anaheim Convention Center Hall at D23 for Pixar and Disney animation czar John Lasseter was expressed, loudly, with a standing ovation. Also getting one was Billy Crystal (make him Oscar host already!), who's back with John Goodman in Disney/Pixar sequel Monsters University (2013). Borrowing a few pages from Comic-Con, Disney is using its direct relationship with fans and marketing synergy to promote its characters and products at its huge three-day D23. Not getting as warm a welcome as Lasseter was Disney chairman Rich Ross, who still seemed stiff in front of the teleprompters, even when he cried, "cupcakes for everyone!"

By Anne Thompson
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August 21, 2011 1:48 AM
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This is What Money Looks Like II: Hollywood's Best-Paid Actors; DiCaprio King of World

In the last year (May 2010 through May 2011) the top-earning actors (and sometime producers) were Leonardo DiCaprio ($77 million), Johnny Depp ($50 million), Adam Sandler ($40 million), Will Smith ($36 Million), Tom Hanks ($35 million), Ben Stiller ($34 Million), Robert Downey Jr. ($31 million), Mark Wahlberg ($28 million), Tim Allen ($22 million), Tom Cruise ($22 million), Jim Carrey ($20 million), Daniel Craig ($20 million), Robert Pattinson ($20 million), Brad Pitt ($20 million) and Matt Damon ($18 million).

By Sophia Savage
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August 2, 2011 7:13 AM
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Hero Complex Fest: Captain America, Favreau, Downey, Iron Man, Cowboys & Aliens, Avengers, Comic-Con

Geoff Boucher has a good gig. His Hero Complex print/blog combo gets first crack--along with EW and MTV Movies--at the best access to the top genre movies, including set visits and early interviews. The guy's a strong reporter--he's been at the LAT for some 20 years--and his enthusiasm for the Comic-Con universe is genuine. The LAT has been promoing his second annual Hero Complex Film Festival, which took place last weekend.

By Anne Thompson
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June 13, 2011 11:01 AM
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Robert Downey, Jr. Lands American Cinematheque Award: Should Be Fun Fete

Congratulations to Robert Downey, Jr. The 25th American Cinematheque Award will be his. Downey Jr. will be honored at the annual benefit gala on October 14 at the Beverly Hilton. This event could be one of the more entertaining of these award shows, as Downey will lure some of the funniest talent in town to pay him tribute, as Matt Damon did last year: his was more of a roast. Ben Stiller, Jon Favreau, Jaime Foxx, Jude Law, Zach Galifianakis, Steve Coogan, Jeremy Renner, and recent award-winner Samuel Jackson come to mind. Any other likely cronies?

By Anne Thompson and Sophia Savage
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May 5, 2011 4:26 AM
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MTV Movie Awards Nominates Twilight and Harry Potter Stars, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, Portman

On June 5, Jason Sudeikis will host the MTV Movie Awards, the show guaranteed to recognize the power of celebrity and shrieking teenage girls. EW reports the nominees for Best Female and Male performance, from Oscar-winner Natalie Portman (Black Swan) to Jennifer Aniston (Just Go With It) and Jessie Eisenberg (The Social Network) to Zac Efron (Charlie St. Cloud). Yes, really. The nominees for Best Line from a Movie are also announced, and listed below:

By Sophia Savage
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May 3, 2011 4:47 AM
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Harry Potter Producer David Heyman Talks Deathly Hallows, Tentpoles, Gravity

As the seventh and penultimate Harry Potter installment was breaking records for the series, producer David Heyman reflected on producing the mighty franchise. He talked to Anthony D'Alessandro:Most producers can only dream about churning out $24 million from 3,700 midnight showings or $61.15 million in one day. But that’s what Harry Potter producer David Heyman experiences every time he opens a new chapter in the $5.48 billion Harry Potter franchise: Breaking a new record. The opening day for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 set a record for the series, ranking the fifth best first day bow among all films. Once an indie producer on such offbeat Parker Posey comedies as 1996’s The Daytrippers, which launched director Greg Mottola (Superbad), Heyman’s producing career took a 180 when he optioned an unpublished manuscript by author J.K. Rowling. On Hallows opening day, he took time out to give us some insight on how the Harry Potter franchise has impacted his career and the film industry.