Avatar sells first ticket – four months in advance
According to a report from Movietickets.com, James Cameron’s “Avatar” sold its first ticket on the site August 18. That’s exactly four months prior to its Dec. 18 opening in theaters.
According to the site, that’s the earliest a ticket has been sold prior to its release in MovieTickets.com’s nine-year history.
“Tickets being put on sale for a film four months in advance is unheard of, and the fact that tickets have already been sold really speaks to the tremendous buzz the film has already created and the power of James Cameron at the box office,” said Joel Cohen, executive vice president and general manager of MovieTickets.com, in a release.
Movie fans, what do you think? Are you already pumped for “Avatar”? Have any Nerdage readers already bought their tickets? Let me know.
- Matt Price
Batman makes it a three-peat atop GameFly Top 10
Batman: Arkham Asylum remains at the top of the GameFly top 10 list for the third straight week. Wolfenstein 3D at moves up a spot to No. 2, knocking Madden 10 to No. 3. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 switches places from last week with Halo 3: ODST. Ultimate Alliance is now in the No. 5 slot, with Halo 3: ODST at No. 4.
The GameFly Top 10 List reflects gamers’ choice from more than 6,000 titles for the Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and PSP consoles.
Most Popular Games Cross-Platform:
1. Batman: Arkham AsylumPS3, Xbox 360Action AdventureEidos
2. WolfensteinPS3, Xbox 360ShooterActivision
3. Madden NFL 10PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP Games, PS2SportsElectronic Arts
4. Halo 3: ODSTXbox 360ShooterMicrosoft
5. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PSP Games, PS2RPGActivision
6. Wii Sports ResortWiiSportsNintendo
7. Guitar Hero 5PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2Arcade/PuzzleActivision
8. Call of Juarez: Bound in BloodPS3, Xbox 360ShooterUbisoft
9. Section 8Xbox 360ShooterSouth Peak Interactive
10. PrototypePS3, Xbox 360Action AdventureActivision
More lists after the break
Megan Fox in almost certainly untrue Catwoman rumor
Actress Megan Fox poses backstage at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009 in Universal City, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Popeater shares a report from a British newspaper that Transformers 2 star Megan Fox might suit up as Catwoman in an upcoming Batman flick.
It’s not the wildest rumor that’s floated about the as-yet-untitled Batman movie — that would probably be the “Cher as Catwoman” rumor — but I don’t see that this one is any more substantial than that one, at this point.
I think people are just hungry for news on a new Bat-film and will take what rumors they can get until something is officially happening.
UPDATE: People confirms that this is false.
“It’s rumor. It’s not true,” said a studio rep. “There is no script. There is no project to be cast in.”
- Matt Price
Cassidy Freeman’s Tess Mercer brings complexities to Smallville Season 8 DVD
The eighth season of the CW series “Smallville” comes to DVD today, featuring Clark Kent’s battle with Doomsday, the character that in the comics, killed Superman.
Season 8 of “Smallville” introduced another villain to the mythos – Tess Mercer, played by Cassidy Freeman. Freeman has an Oklahoma connection – her grandmother lives in Tulsa, and Freeman visits the state frequently.
Freeman provides commentary on episode 7 of “Smallville” Season 8 for the DVD, along with director Mairzee Almas and executive producer Brian Peterson.
It’s Freeman’s first DVD commentary, though she said she often provides commentary during “Smallville” watch parties with her and her brother.
“We watch as much as we can in real time,” Freeman said in a phone interview. While some actors don’t like to watch their performances, Freeman finds it helpful.
“You want to learn from everything you’re doing,” she said, saying that sometimes she’ll notice something new watching a scene again on television.
Freeman had nothing but praise for the work of the “Smallville” cast, which includes Tom Welling (Clark Kent), Erica Durance (Lois Lane) and Justin Hartley (Green Arrow).
“They really did a good job of getting quality people,” Freeman said.
Freeman knew Hartley before joining the cast of “Smallville,” from working on a CW pilot called “Austin Golden Hour.” When that fell through, she moved over to “Smallville,” as Tess. In Season 8, Tess is running Lex Luthor’s company, as Luthor was presumed dead.
Tess Mercer is a new character, though she has some similarities in her name to two former Luthor assistants, Miss Tessmacher from “Superman: The Movie” and Mercy from the comic books and “Superman: The Animated Series.” But Tess’ story is uniquely part of “Smallville.”
“It lends itself to a lot more complexities,” Freeman said. “It’s more fun to play the passionate person. I get to do good and bad things depending on how I feel, on my passion and what drives me. And that’s human, and that’s more interesting than playing what’s already been written.”
- by Matthew Price
From Tuesday’s The Oklahoman
Scarlett Johansson suits up as Black Widow in Iron Man 2
SAN DIEGO – Although she was excited to join the “Iron Man” franchise as the Black Widow, actress Scarlett Johansson admitted it was intimidating to see the skintight costume.
“I had a freak-out moment, but then it only lasted about a half a day, and then it’s like, ‘Suck it up,’” said Johansson, promoting the film at Comic-Con.
She said in “Iron Man 2,” the Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow character is “a bit of a shape shifter.”
One side is demure and covert, while the other is aggressive and tough. “She does have a dark past, and I think that she is very seductive,” Johansson said.
Johansson wasn’t sorry to see the slinky cat-suit go at the end of filming, but said she looks forward to getting a chance to wear it again, perhaps bringing the character back in future installments.
“The character remains quite mysterious in this film,” Johansson said. “This movie is not about dealing with the Black Widow identity. Hopefully, if the character continues on, whether that be through ‘Avengers’ or something like that, we’ll be able to explore more of her past.”
In the comics, “The Avengers” is a team of superheroes including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and others. Black Widow has been a member of “The Avengers” in the comics, and Marvel currently has an “Avengers” film scheduled for 2012. Jon Favreau, director of “Iron Man 2,” is attached to “The Avengers” as an executive producer, and Robert Downey Jr., star of “Iron Man” and “Iron Man 2,” is likely to reprise his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man in “The Avengers” film. All of those are positive reasons for Johansson to return, she said.
“I loved making the film (Iron Man 2),” Johansson said. “I loved working with Jon. I loved working with Robert … so for me to be able to bring something like this back and kind of develop the character is exciting,” she said.
- by Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Monday movie quote challenge #42
“It’s King Edmund, actually. Just King though. Peter’s the High King. I know, it’s confusing.”
Identify who said the above quote in what film in the comments!
Inglourious Basterds tops box office
According to the AP, Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds topped the box office this weekend with $37.6 million. It’s the highest-ever debut for a Tarantino film. “District 9″ slipped to the No. 2 position with $18.9 million.
“GI Joe,” “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and “Julie and Julia” rounded out the top 5. Robert Rodriguez’s family film, “Shorts,” debuted at No. 6.
- Matt Price
Christmas Carol train in Oklahoma City
The train tour for “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” will be at Oklahoma City Santa Fe Depot until 7 tonight and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m . and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The free family event includes a 3-D sneak peek from the movie, a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the making of the film, carolers, holiday decor, “snow” and, housed in real train cars, artifacts from the Charles Dickens Museum in London and character designs.
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- The Walt Disney’s ” A Christmas Carol ” promotional train tour that offers the visitors artifacts from the Charles Dickens Museum in London, interactive games and to morph their faces into characters from the movie, the train sits on train tracks in New Orleans Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. ( AP Photo/Judi Bottoni)
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- Max Kriegel, 7, Oklahoma City, looking at a portrait of “Tiny Tim” and a case of items from the Charles Dickens Museum in London on display inside one of the cars for Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” train tour at the Oklahoma City Santa Fe Depot in downtown Oklahoma City Friday, August 21, 2009.
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- Items from the Charles Dickens Museum in London, England, on display inside one of the cars of Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” train tour at the Oklahoma City Santa Fe Depot in downtown Oklahoma City Friday, August 21, 2009. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
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- Michael Carrier, president of the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, looking at an exhibit of clay character heads inside one of the cars of the Disney’ “A Christmas Carol” train tour at the Oklahoma City Santa Fe Depot in downtown Oklahoma City Friday, August 21, 2009.
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- Ghost of Marley movie mock-up on display in Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” train tour at the Oklahoma City Santa Fe Depot in downtown Oklahoma City Friday, August 21, 2009. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
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- One of the cars for Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” train tour at the Oklahoma City Santa Fe Depot in downtown Oklahoma City Friday, August 21, 2009. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
NewsOK Comics Podcast: Supergirl 44, X-Men Legacy 227, Wolverine Weapon X 4 and Archie 600
Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss how you can’t always judge a comic book by its cover, as they review Supergirl 44, X-Men Legacy 227, Wolverine Weapon X 4 and Archie 600.
Michael Jackson ‘This is It’ film moves up release by 2 days
The Michael Jackson “This is It” film, featuring a behind-the-scenes look at Jackson’s preparations for the planned concert series in London, has moved its release date up by two days, to Oct. 28. Tickets will go on sale in most cities on Sunday, Sept. 27. The film is scheduled to play for two weeks only. See the full release after the break.
