Warner Bros is reportedly "furious" after being forced to buy out several showings of Daniel Radcliffe's Broadway show in order to secure his appearance at the final Harry Potter premiere.
New York Post reports that the actor, who is starring in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying until at least November, would not have been given a release for the London premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 on July 7.
According to the newspaper, a "bitter" negotiation took place between Warner Bros and the play's producers, which resulted in the studio paying $500,000 (£306,206) to free Radcliffe from his role for five nights.
A source said: "Warner Bros is furious that Radcliffe committed to Broadway when he should be promoting Harry Potter.
"This is the final film, so it's a big deal. A grand world premiere is being planned as well as a US premiere and a press tour. They absolutely couldn't do it without their big star.
"But the theatre producers dug their heels in and said they wouldn't release Radcliffe unless Warner bought out the entire theatre for the nights they need him."
Blade Runner is a milestone in science-fiction filmmaking. We all know that. But sadly even it isn’t safe from a Hollywood still suffering from a severe and lingering case of sequelitis.
Almost 30 years after Ridley Scott’s 1982 masterpiece made its cinematic bow, the WB’s Alcon Entertainment division are in the final stages of acquiring the film and TV rights to Blade Runner.
If they successfully close the deal, they’d have the power to create as many sequels, prequels, TV shows or ‘ancillary’ products as they see fit. Though, happily, their deal means they’re not allowed to remake the original.
Alcon co-founders/co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove said this in a statement:
“We are honoured and excited to be in business with Bud Yorkin. This is a major acquisition for our company, and a personal favourite film for both of us.
“We recognise the responsibility we have to do justice to the memory of the original with any prequel or sequel we produce. We have long-term goals for the franchise, and are exploring multi-platform concepts, not just limiting ourselves to one medium only.”
It’s probably about time now to realise that absolutely nothing in Hollywood is sacred anymore. What next, a follow-up to Casablanca? Best not give them ideas, eh?
Lucasfilm and Twentieth Century Fox have announced a released date for the 3D theatrical opening of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
The 3D version of the first Star Wars prequel will arrive in cinemas on February 10, 2012.
George Lucas previously announced that he plans to convert all six Star Wars films to 3D and re-release them in theatres in the epic story's chronological order.
The Phantom Menace was originally released in cinemas in 1999 and grossed more than $924 million at the worldwide box office.
Mark Wahlberg has revealed that he us working on a sequel to The Fighter.
Speaking to Extra on the Academy Awards red carpet, Wahlberg said that he hopes to make a follow-up revolving around boxer Mickey Ward's trilogy of fights with fierce rival Arturo Gatti.
"Now we're going to talk about doing number two," he said. "We're going to do the Ward/Gatti trilogy and make it real."
Wahlberg's co-stars Christian Bale and Melissa Leo scooped the 'Supporting Actor' and 'Supporting Actress' accolades at Sunday's Oscars ceremony.
Renee Zellweger is reportedly set to confirm that she will reprise the role of Bridget Jones for a third film.
However, the actress is said to have told producers that she will only do the role if she can keep her current weight, according to The Sun.
The tabloid claims that the opening scene of the film will show Bridget stepping smugly onto some scales in order to show the audience that she is no longer curvy.
A source told the publication: "Renee had no reservations about saying yes once she found out she wouldn't have to get fat.
"She hated having to do that in the last two films."
Colin Firth has already said that he is keen to sign up after taking on a heavyweight leading role in the Oscar-winningThe King's Speech.
