Remember "Jumper"? Early 2008 sci-fi release directed by Doug Liman? Hayden Christensen stars as a young man who, thanks to a genetic hiccup, is gifted with the ability to teleport himself anywhere in an instant. Hunting Christensen is Samuel L. Jackson, who believes that only the Lord Almighty should be able to be everywhere at [...]
08/18/2010
Andrew Morton's Angelina Biography? Total Puff Job
We know Brangelina aren't reading Andrew Morton's newest unauthorized biography?or so they say?but we did. We weren't the, uh, biggest fans of his "exposé" on...
08/17/2010
James Cameron Discusses Sending 3-D Cameras (And People) To Mars
'I want to make films about this and get people excited about [space] exploration,' the 'Avatar' director says.
By Kara Warner
James Cameron
Photo: MTV News
For Oscar-winning director James Cameron, whose box-office clout at this point seems unmatchable, making mega-blockbusters like "Avatar" and "Titanic" might not be enough. So next year, Cameron is taking his filmmaking expertise to the final frontier.
In April, it was announced that Cameron had partnered with NASA to help build a 3-D camera mounted atop the Mars rover Curiosity for a mission planned for launch next year. When MTV News caught up with the filmmaker, we asked if, in addition to sending 3-D cameras to Mars, he's thinking about how to send humans there.
"Oh, yeah, I've been thinking about the issues of sending human beings to Mars for a long time," he admitted during a press day for the re-release of "Avatar." "I started 11 years ago working on a Mars project that led me to doing a lot of research, meeting a lot of people at NASA, getting involved with people, and then at a certain point, a couple years ago, they said, 'Wait a minute, this guy knows a lot about Mars, he knows a lot about 3-D cameras, zoom lenses, motion photography, all the things we're incorporating into this new camera system. Why don't we bring him in?' "
Cameron said one thing led to another, and suddenly, a partnership was born. "I'm actually on the team developing the new camera for the Mars Science Laboratory, which launches next year," he said, adding that if all goes well, we could see 3-D photos of the red planet in the very near future.
"Theoretically, we will have a motion-image stereoscopic camera on the surface of Mars in 2011, and it will be making the first 3-D movie on Mars — well, it's not a movie, but we'll be taking 3-D shots."
As for humans making the trip, Cameron added that it will require a couple of things — namely, a shift in our national interest.
"The public has to want it — that's number one — because it has to be paid for. I think commercial, new, lean enterprises like [PayPal co-founder] Elon Musk's company SpaceX, which is going to be creating human transportation to the space station. They're a good candidate to build the systems that could get us to Mars, for example," he said. "But it still requires the national will, and right now, that national will, quite frankly, isn't up to the task. People don't care about it enough, which is why I want to make films about this and get people excited about exploration."
Cameron ended his thoughts with a question for the public: "Frankly, what would you rather spend your money on: pointless wars in the Middle East to support our oil addiction or going to another planet?"
What do you think about Cameron's involvement with NASA and space exploration? Let us know in the comments!
Check out everything we've got on "Avatar."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Britney Spears Tweets Music News
Britney Spears reveals she's busy recording again!
"What's uuupppp tweethearts? Spending the day in the studio recording," she tweeted Thursday afternoon.
Britney's last chart-topping album, Circus, came out in late '08, and most recently, it was announced that the hit FOX show "Glee" will have an episode dedicated to the pop star.
08/13/2010
08/12/2010
Bristol Palin Reacts to Levi Johnston's Mayoral Run
Levi Johnston is going after Sarah Palin's old job as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, and his former fiancee Bristol Palin is reacting to his venture into politics.
"I never knew he had political aspirations," Bristol told Us magazine. Levi's rep confirmed to the publication that the 19-year-old is "going to take political college courses" and "really deal with the issues."
Bristol told Us of the news, "I'm glad that Levi has not given up on completing his education and is looking for steady employment."
08/11/2010
'Arrested Development' Film Has A 'Good Part' For Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman Says
The actor says he plans to suggest a role for Aniston in the much-anticipated project.
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Kara Warner
Jason Bateman
Photo: MTV News
Editor's note: After this article was published, Jason Bateman tweeted that he was just "thinking out loud" when he suggested Aniston for a role in the "Arrested Development" movie.
If it were up to Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston would appear in the much-anticipated big-screen adaptation of a popular television show. But, the actor isn't thinking of sending the "Friends" actress back to Central Perk. Bateman said he plans to rope Aniston into the "Arrested Development" flick.
"Yeah, actually, there's a real good part for her in the 'Arrested Development' movie," Bateman told MTV News on Saturday (August 7). Aniston and Bateman have been spending a lot of time together as co-stars in both "The Switch," a rom-com about a sperm donor mix-up, and the upcoming flick, "Horrible Bosses." Even though Bateman thinks Aniston would fit right in among the delightfully absurd "Development" crew, he said the A-lister will have to prove herself to get the part.
"There's no offers on this one. She's gonna have to sing for her supper," Bateman said. "I don't know, we'll see if she's available. She's busy. She's pretty famous; I don't know if you've heard of her. She's pretty backed up. Hopefully the guy who's in charge will like her for that part because I'm going to suggest her."
Bateman didn't give up any other details about the role, but all of this casting talk means the "Arrested Development" movie is definitely a go, right? Even though he's scheming to get Aniston onboard, Bateman said several things still need to fall into place before production can get under way.
"The truth is that there's really no significant update beyond ... what [creator] Mitch Hurwitz said a couple weeks ago, which was he's got half the script written. He's gotta finish the second half and then the studio's gotta love it and the cast's gotta love it and we all have to ... have time to do it," Bateman explained. However, after years of speculation and doubts that "Development" will ever get off the ground, Bateman assured fans that the flick will hit theaters: "It's happening," he said.
Check out everything we've got on "The Switch."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Daisy Fuentes Dania Ramirez Danica Patrick
