OWEN Wilson reprises his miniature character as cowboy Jedediah in the fun-filled family movie “Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian.”
The movie is the sequel to the massively popular 2006 hit, “Night at the Museum” wherein Ben Stiller played a security guard at New York’s Natural History Museum who discovered that the museum comes to life at the end of the day. In “Night at the Museum 2,” Larry Daley (Stiller) is no longer in uniform, he is now a successful entrepreneur but still misses the thrill of his former job. A distress call from his miniature pal Jedediah (Owen Wilson) takes him right back to the museum world and back into uniform. This time he goes to Washington to the Smithsonian Institute where he and his old friends face a villainous plot to stage a coup in the museum complex led by a hilarious Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) and his henchmen: Ivan The Terrible (Christopher Guest), Napoleon, (Alain Chabat) and Al Capone (Jon Bernthal). Speeding to the nation’s capital, Larry will stop at nothing to regain his friends and restore order to the National Mall, from the Lincoln Memorial to the Air and Space Museum, before the stroke of dawn.
“It feels good to be back,” says Owen Wilson, one of the many original stars in Night at the Museum who return for this all new adventure. Wilson reprises the role of Jedediah, the miniature cowboy from the Museum of Natural History’s collection – now being held captive at the Smithsonian.
Wilson continues: “We all had such a good time playing these wonderful characters in the first movie, we all became great friends, and it was exciting to see family audiences respond so well to it. So it was easy to return. This story is a continuation of all the character’s paths, but it’s also a much bigger movie and you can see that Shawn has really grown as a director.”
The actor also confesses that he still has a soft spot for the inches-tall Wild West buckaroo. “He’s just a little cowboy who can barely be heard screaming against the injustices of the world,” muses Wilson. “What’s great is that you can’t be too over-the-top when playing a character this minute.”
Hollywood’s most sought after comedic talent, Owen Wilson is known for his memorable turns in both mainstream films and thought-provoking independents. Wilson has also made his mark as a writer, collaborating frequently with director Wes Anderson. Their work on “The Royal Tenenbaums” earned them an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Wilson’s film credits includes “Marley & Me,” “Wedding Crashers,” “You, Me and Dupree,” Disney's animated blockbuster “Cars” as the voice of McQueen,” “The Darjeeling Limited,” “The Life Aquatic,” “Drillbit Taylor,” “The Cable Guy,” “Armageddon,” “The Minus Man,” “Shanghai Noon,” “Zoolander,” “Behind Enemy Lines,” “I Spy,” “Shanghai Knights” and “Starsky and Hutch.” Wilson also served as associate producer on the Oscar®-winning film As Good As It Gets.
“Night at the Museum 2” opens May 22 (Friday) in theaters nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
AVATAR to Revolutionize Cinema
AVANT-GARDE filmmaker James Cameron who gave us gigantic hits “Titanic,” “True Lies 1 & 2” and “Terminator 1 & 2” will re-define movie experience when “Avatar” finally bows to theaters come December 2009.
Conceived as a potential franchise filmed in 3D for release in the new digital 3D format, “Avatar” is the story of a wounded ex-marine (played by Sam Worthington), thrust unwillingly into an effort to settle and exploit an exotic planet rich in bio-diversity, who eventually crosses over to lead the indigenous race in a battle for survival.
Just as he did with the then little known Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron wanted a new face to portray the lead, Jake Sully. Having searched around the world and screen tested a number of emerging young actors, Cameron has chosen the young Australian Sam Worthington, a rising star who has been recognized by The Australian Film Institute and The Film Critics Circle of Australia in his homeland from such work as “Somersault” and “Dirty Deeds.” Zoe Saldana (“The Terminal,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl”) will portray the local woman Jake first betrays, then loves. The movie also stars Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez and Giovanni Ribisi.
Said Cameron, “For me, as a lifelong fan of science fiction and action, “Avatar” is a dream project. We’re creating an entire world, a complete ecosystem of phantasmagorical plants and creatures, and a native people with a rich culture and language. The story is both epic and emotional. The two things that make this film even possible are pioneering advances in CG effects and performance capture, as well as my 22 year relationship with Fox, since only with great trust can you operate so close to the cutting edge. I plan to honor that relationship by bringing them a winner. And I have the team to do it, the best team of artists and technicians I’ve ever been privileged to work with. This one’s going to be a grand adventure.”
“Every year, our business makes hundreds of films, most of which come and go. But a Jim Cameron film is different,” said Fox executives Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos. “Jim’s movies raise the bar, both in storytelling and use of technology. “Avatar” will do so again. The world he has created is breathtaking and the action breathless. “Avatar” will be a seismic change in the movie going experience.”
The film’s new image-based process of facial performance capture gets all the subtle nuances of the actors’ performances. The virtual camera system also allows Cameron to work intimately with the cast while seeing in real-time, as each scene evolves, the computer generated worlds and characters. This revolutionary approach allows Cameron to direct scenes with CG characters and environments exactly as he would on a live action set.
The edited performances and scenes, incorporating Cameron’s hands-on camera moves, will be turned over to Peter Jackson’s Oscar-winning visual effects house Weta Digital (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy). Weta’s artists will incorporate new intuitive CGI technologies to transform the environments and characters into photorealistic 3D imagery that will transport the audience into the alien world rich with imaginative vistas, creatures and characters.
“Avatar” is the latest creative partnership between Cameron and Twentieth Century Fox, one of the most successful filmmaker-studio alliances in motion picture history. Cameron and Fox first joined forces in 1985 for “Aliens,” which became a sci-fi classic. Next came “The Abyss,” which revolutionized visual effects technology; and “True Lies,” a blockbuster starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 1996, Fox greenlighted Cameron’s “Titanic,” which became the most successful film in history, and won a record-breaking eleven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
One of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, Fox Filmed Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of FFE: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox Animation.
Conceived as a potential franchise filmed in 3D for release in the new digital 3D format, “Avatar” is the story of a wounded ex-marine (played by Sam Worthington), thrust unwillingly into an effort to settle and exploit an exotic planet rich in bio-diversity, who eventually crosses over to lead the indigenous race in a battle for survival.
Just as he did with the then little known Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron wanted a new face to portray the lead, Jake Sully. Having searched around the world and screen tested a number of emerging young actors, Cameron has chosen the young Australian Sam Worthington, a rising star who has been recognized by The Australian Film Institute and The Film Critics Circle of Australia in his homeland from such work as “Somersault” and “Dirty Deeds.” Zoe Saldana (“The Terminal,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl”) will portray the local woman Jake first betrays, then loves. The movie also stars Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez and Giovanni Ribisi.
Said Cameron, “For me, as a lifelong fan of science fiction and action, “Avatar” is a dream project. We’re creating an entire world, a complete ecosystem of phantasmagorical plants and creatures, and a native people with a rich culture and language. The story is both epic and emotional. The two things that make this film even possible are pioneering advances in CG effects and performance capture, as well as my 22 year relationship with Fox, since only with great trust can you operate so close to the cutting edge. I plan to honor that relationship by bringing them a winner. And I have the team to do it, the best team of artists and technicians I’ve ever been privileged to work with. This one’s going to be a grand adventure.”
“Every year, our business makes hundreds of films, most of which come and go. But a Jim Cameron film is different,” said Fox executives Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos. “Jim’s movies raise the bar, both in storytelling and use of technology. “Avatar” will do so again. The world he has created is breathtaking and the action breathless. “Avatar” will be a seismic change in the movie going experience.”
The film’s new image-based process of facial performance capture gets all the subtle nuances of the actors’ performances. The virtual camera system also allows Cameron to work intimately with the cast while seeing in real-time, as each scene evolves, the computer generated worlds and characters. This revolutionary approach allows Cameron to direct scenes with CG characters and environments exactly as he would on a live action set.
The edited performances and scenes, incorporating Cameron’s hands-on camera moves, will be turned over to Peter Jackson’s Oscar-winning visual effects house Weta Digital (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy). Weta’s artists will incorporate new intuitive CGI technologies to transform the environments and characters into photorealistic 3D imagery that will transport the audience into the alien world rich with imaginative vistas, creatures and characters.
“Avatar” is the latest creative partnership between Cameron and Twentieth Century Fox, one of the most successful filmmaker-studio alliances in motion picture history. Cameron and Fox first joined forces in 1985 for “Aliens,” which became a sci-fi classic. Next came “The Abyss,” which revolutionized visual effects technology; and “True Lies,” a blockbuster starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 1996, Fox greenlighted Cameron’s “Titanic,” which became the most successful film in history, and won a record-breaking eleven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
One of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, Fox Filmed Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of FFE: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox Animation.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Night at the Museum 2: Twice the Fun
HUGELY entertaining adventure unfolds in the upcoming sequel (now entitled) “Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian” which stars funny man Ben Stiller as he reprises his role as Larry Daley which is directed by Shawn Levy (“Cheaper by the Dozen,” “Night at the Museum 1”).
This time, the stakes are higher as Daley (Stiller) is once again embroiled in an astonishing adventure with a host of enthralling historical figures who have come to life. In the sequel, Daley is no longer working the night shift as a security guard at the Natural History Museum. He is now a successful entrepreneur and has left the world of presidents, dinosaurs, cowboys and Neanderthals behind him. But he has lost his way, something is missing from his life and he finds himself returning to the familiar personalities he befriended from ancient and modern history.
The action takes place in Washington D.C.’s Smithsonian Institute, where the former museum security guard falls for aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) and joins together his old pal, the miniature cowboy Jedediah (Owen Wilson) and others including Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams) and Albert Einstein (Eugene Levy) to defeat a group of notorious villains who are plotting a dastardly takeover of the museum.
Director Levy recounts how “Night at the Museum” changed his career and how they doubled the fun and adventure in the sequel “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” in the following q&a:
Q: Have you expected that “Night at the Museum” will be such a worldwide hit?
A: “We knew while we were filming the first Night at the Museum that we were onto
something, but no one anticipated the film would be embraced the way it was by audiences worldwide. We had a feeling it was going to do something, but you don’t expect like $585 million. It certainly changed my career – and it’s been really fun.”
Q: Where is the storyline of the sequel based this time?
A: “Screenwriters Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon are expanding on what made the first film such a success. “We start by going to the Smithsonian, which is the biggest museum in the world. And it involves aircrafts and various historical figures. It has 18 museums and I’ll just say that in this movie, they leave the museum. So it’s not just inside; they bust out into the world. The scale of the visuals is very different. But what is more important is that we have a great story, great characters and genius actors.
Q: How did you reinvent the adventure shooting in the Smithsonian?
A: “The script is better, the cast is bigger, the action’s bigger, so we’re feeling pretty good. I’m here telling you, I don’t think anyone’s going to be disappointed. “Everybody…literally everybody is back. And we got Amy Adams playing Amelia Earhart. We got a number of other really cool pieces of casting, so it’s all good.”
Q: How is it working with Ben Stiller again?
A: “Ben Stiller has a brilliant comedic mind and there is a level of trust and comfort between us now that works really well.
Following success on television with efforts for The Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, Levy has eased into a filmmaker with youthful vigor and a penchant for lightweight, family-friendly comedies. Included in his roster of age-defining television works are “The Secret World of Alex Mack,” “The Journey of Allen Strange and The Famous Jett Jackson” (which the highest-rated movie to that point for The Disney Channel). He then stepped into the big leagues with the feature “Big Fat Liar,” “Just Married,” “Cheaper by the Dozen” and “The Pink Panther.”
24/7 fun and adventure for the whole family when “Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian” opens on May 22 in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.
This time, the stakes are higher as Daley (Stiller) is once again embroiled in an astonishing adventure with a host of enthralling historical figures who have come to life. In the sequel, Daley is no longer working the night shift as a security guard at the Natural History Museum. He is now a successful entrepreneur and has left the world of presidents, dinosaurs, cowboys and Neanderthals behind him. But he has lost his way, something is missing from his life and he finds himself returning to the familiar personalities he befriended from ancient and modern history.
The action takes place in Washington D.C.’s Smithsonian Institute, where the former museum security guard falls for aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) and joins together his old pal, the miniature cowboy Jedediah (Owen Wilson) and others including Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams) and Albert Einstein (Eugene Levy) to defeat a group of notorious villains who are plotting a dastardly takeover of the museum.
Director Levy recounts how “Night at the Museum” changed his career and how they doubled the fun and adventure in the sequel “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” in the following q&a:
Q: Have you expected that “Night at the Museum” will be such a worldwide hit?
A: “We knew while we were filming the first Night at the Museum that we were onto
something, but no one anticipated the film would be embraced the way it was by audiences worldwide. We had a feeling it was going to do something, but you don’t expect like $585 million. It certainly changed my career – and it’s been really fun.”
Q: Where is the storyline of the sequel based this time?
A: “Screenwriters Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon are expanding on what made the first film such a success. “We start by going to the Smithsonian, which is the biggest museum in the world. And it involves aircrafts and various historical figures. It has 18 museums and I’ll just say that in this movie, they leave the museum. So it’s not just inside; they bust out into the world. The scale of the visuals is very different. But what is more important is that we have a great story, great characters and genius actors.
Q: How did you reinvent the adventure shooting in the Smithsonian?
A: “The script is better, the cast is bigger, the action’s bigger, so we’re feeling pretty good. I’m here telling you, I don’t think anyone’s going to be disappointed. “Everybody…literally everybody is back. And we got Amy Adams playing Amelia Earhart. We got a number of other really cool pieces of casting, so it’s all good.”
Q: How is it working with Ben Stiller again?
A: “Ben Stiller has a brilliant comedic mind and there is a level of trust and comfort between us now that works really well.
Following success on television with efforts for The Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, Levy has eased into a filmmaker with youthful vigor and a penchant for lightweight, family-friendly comedies. Included in his roster of age-defining television works are “The Secret World of Alex Mack,” “The Journey of Allen Strange and The Famous Jett Jackson” (which the highest-rated movie to that point for The Disney Channel). He then stepped into the big leagues with the feature “Big Fat Liar,” “Just Married,” “Cheaper by the Dozen” and “The Pink Panther.”
24/7 fun and adventure for the whole family when “Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian” opens on May 22 in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.
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