Disney's "Oz" prequel scores box office gold
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - There was no place like "Oz" at the weekend box office. Walt Disney Co's big-budget 3D movie "Oz the Great and Powerful" amassed $80.3 million in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales, the biggest domestic debut of 2013. The prequel starring James Franco added $69.9 million in international markets, Disney said, for a combined $150.2 million opening around the world.
Warner Bros. finds someone to take George Clooney's "Batman" mask
By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - The good news for the Smithsonian? It's getting some Batman-related memorabilia.
Beatles' secretary, "Good Ol' Freda," breaks silence in film
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - For Freda Kelly, secretary to the Beatles and head of the band's fan club, work sometimes involved trailing the Fab Four to the barber shop, sweeping their locks from the floor and mailing strands of hair to adoring female fans. Kelly, one of the Beatles' longest-serving employees, worked for the British band for more than a decade but had never shared her stories publicly until now.
'Star Trek' rifle, Green Hornet's car lead Hollywood auction
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A futuristic prop "Star Trek" rifle, Superman's suit and Green Hornet's car are the top-billed items in a Hollywood auction next month, when fans and collectors will have a chance to own memorabilia from film sets and actor closets. The one-of-a-kind Phaser laser rifle carried by actor William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk in the second pilot for "Star Trek" from 1966 is expected to fetch between $50,000 and $70,000, Julien's Auctions said on Monday.
Jim Carrey, Steve Carell bring "Burt Wonderstone" magic to SXSW
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Comedians Jim Carrey and Steve Carell brought a touch of magic to the opening day of the South by Southwest Conferences & Festivals in Austin, Texas on Friday, with the premiere of their new film "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone." "Burt Wonderstone," out in U.S. theaters on March 15, tells the tale of childhood friends Burt (Carell) and Anton (Steve Buscemi) who bond over their love of magic, growing up to become a world-famous magician duo.
Kevin Smith begins writing "Clerks III"
By Greg Gilman LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Dante Hicks and Randal Graves' last theatrical adventure has begun. Kevin Smith started writing "Clerks III" at 4:20 a.m. on Friday morning and presented photographic evidence to prove it.
Batman mask, Superman cape donated to Smithsonian by Warner Bros
(Reuters) - Batman's mask, Superman's cape and Catwoman's suit will be taking up permanent residence at the Smithsonian museum after being donated by Warner Bros. Pictures, the U.S. national museum said on Friday. The iconic Batman mask and cowl worn by George Clooney in the 1997 "Batman & Robin" film was one of more than 30 movie items presented by Warner Bros. Chairman Barry Meyer to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar" will be jointly distributed by Paramount, Warner Bros
By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Christopher Nolan's upcoming "Interstellar" is a picture so big it's going to take two studios to release it.
Rhythm & Hues selects stalking-horse bidder
By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Rhythm & Hues Studios, the bankrupt visual-effects company behind "Life of Pi" and "Babe," has found a stalking horse bidder, a spokeswoman told TheWrap.
"Oz the Great and Powerful": What critics think of Sam Raimi's emerald city update
By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "Oz the Great and Powerful" cannot match the wonder and magic of the 1939 film classic "The Wizard of Oz" - at least in the estimation of America's top critics.
