Kristen Wiig

Director Jorma Taccone Confirms He’s Working on MACGRUBER 2 with Will Forte

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 21st, 2012 at 3:15 pm

In the pantheon of feature films born out of SNL skits, there’s a big hit-and-miss factor; for every Wayne’s World, there’s three It’s Pat’s.  A film version of MacGruber hit theaters in 2010 and any way you slice it, the movie was a disaster at the box office.  Against a budget of $10 million, the film grossed a total of $9.2 million worldwide.  I wasn’t a huge fan of Will Forte’s MacGruber sketch to begin with, so I wasn’t about to go sit through a 90-minute version in theaters.  However, the film hit DVD and I started hearing from trustworthy friends that it was actually good.

After being commanded to watch it multiple times, I finally relented and watched MacGruber myself.  It turns out that the film is actually pretty fantastic.  The jokes are ridiculously out-there, and Forte and director Jorme Taccone got away with making an insane comedy within the studio system.  So it’s with great enthusiasm that I greeted the news today that Taccone and Forte are working on a follow-up to MacGruber that may or may not come to fruition.  Hit the jump for more.

Emily Blunt in Talks to Join Tom Cruise in ALL YOU NEED IS KILL; Is a Top Contender for THE THIN MAN Opposite Johnny Depp

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 16th, 2012 at 12:49 pm

Warner Bros. is close to setting a female lead opposite Tom Cruise in the sci-fi thriller All You Need Is Kill.  Emily Blunt is in talks to pair up with Cruise in the film, which centers on a soldier in a war against aliens who finds himself reliving his last day over and over after being killed.  In the Source Code-ish story, Cruise’s character becomes a better soldier as a result of the time loop, as he’s essentially in an unending series of rounds of Call of Duty multiplayer.  If I’ve learned anything from COD, it’s that lots and lots of practice makes me slightly less sucky.  Hit the jump for more on All You Need Is Kill and the prospects of Blunt teaming up with Johnny Depp.

Casting Call: Cast Locked for Bigfoot Found-Footage Film, EXISTS; Kathryn Hahn Joins Ben Stiller’s THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: April 4th, 2012 at 6:42 pm

We’ve got some new casting updates for you today, including a found-footage film tracking Bigfoot and a new project from Ben Stiller. Here they are at a glance:

• The Blair Witch Project director Eduardo Sanchez has added Dora Madison Burge, Samuel Davis, Roger Edwards, Chris Osborn and Denise Williamson to his Bigfoot found-footage film, Exists.
• Kathryn Hahn (Wanderlust) has joined Stiller’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Hit the jump for more on both projects. [Update: We've been sent the full press release for Exists, which is now included after the jump.]

Contenders to Star Opposite Johnny Depp in THE THIN MAN Include Emma Stone, Kristen Wiig, Emily Blunt and More

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 29th, 2012 at 1:18 pm

It’s time for another shortlist story as apparently every actress in Hollywood is looking to star opposite Johnny Depp in the remake of The Thin Man. Chicago and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides director Rob Marshall is onboard to helm the adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s novel, which itself was turned into a 1934 feature film. The story centers on private detective-turned-socialite Nick Charles and his charming wife Nora as they’re drawn into investigating a murder. Depp is, obviously, set to play the dashing detective, and now Marshall is set to meet with a slew of actresses to cast the lovely Nora. Hit the jump to find out who’s up for the gig.

12 Actors Who Should Be in ANCHORMAN 2

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 29th, 2012 at 1:07 pm

Yesterday came the joyous news that we would finally be getting a sequel to Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.  We know that Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, and Steve Carell will all be reprising their lovably buffoonish character, Adam McKay will return to the director’s chair, and filming is set to begin in February.  If Anchorman 2 returns with only people from the original cast, I have no problem with that.  But sequels usually bring new faces, so I’ve compiled a list of 12 actors who would fit well within the Anchorman universe.  Keep in mind: I have no idea what the plot will be, or if there will be roles for these actors, and how radically McKay will change the look of the first movie.  The Legend of Ron Burgundy has a goofy 70s vibe, but it’s possible they’ll reset the time and place (the first movie ends with Ron and Veronica leaving San Diego to become worldwide news anchors).  Also, I’m not saying that all of these actors should be in the movie.  I’m just saying I can see them fitting into an Anchorman sequel.

Hit the jump for my criteria on making the list and who made the cut.

Jon Hamm and Kristen Wiig Talk FRIENDS WITH KIDS

by Jordan Hoffman    Posted: March 7th, 2012 at 8:17 pm

Holy crap John Hamm is handsome. We’ve been around a lot of mega celebrities but, woah, this guy is made from some sort of interplanetary comet dust that just looks like skin but has mystical properties.

Despite our desires to, we didn’t just gaze into his eyes when we had the good fortune to speak to Kristen Wiig and he this week.  They play one of the side couples in Jennifer Westfeldt‘s very funny and very touching relationship comedy Friends With Kids.  In fact, the “can’t keep their hands off one another” to “drinking and slamming doors” character arc is some of the best (and, alas, truest) stuff in the film.  In the video after the jump you can hear them talk about their characters, making this film post-Bridesmaids and what Kristin Wiig really wants to see on the next season of Mad Men.  Hit the jump to watch and look for more cast interviews later this week.

Jay Baruchel Talks JAY AND SETH VS THE APOCALYPSE and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Sequel and TV Series

by Christina Radish    Posted: March 1st, 2012 at 10:35 pm

At today’s press day for the hockey comedy Goon, currently available in VOD and arriving in theaters on March 30^th, Collider was able to talk to the film’s producer/co-writer/actor Jay Baruchel after the roundtables and get quick updates on Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse, and the How to Train Your Dragon sequel and Cartoon Network animated series. For his responses about each, check out what he had to say after the jump.

7 Clips from FRIENDS WITH KIDS Starring Adam Scott, Jon Hamm, Megan Fox, Kristen Wiig, Jennifer Westfeldt and Maya Rudolph

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: March 1st, 2012 at 10:53 am

With writer-director Jennifer Westfeldt’s (Kissing Jessica Stein) Friends with Kids opening March 9, we’ve been provided with seven clips from the very funny comedy.  Boasting an incredible cast featuring Westfeldt, Adam Scott, Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Chris O’Dowd, Megan Fox and Edward Burns, Friends With Kids centers on a pair of thirtysomething best friends (Scott and Westfeldt) who observe the toll that having kids has taken on the couples they know and resolve to bypass that stress by having a child and then date other people.

Right after the film premiered at last year’s Toronto Film Festival, I landed exclusive interviews with Megan Fox, Jon Hamm and Adam Scott.  Just click the links to read or listen to them.  Hit the jump to watch the clips.

Kristen Wiig Attached to Star in Action-Comedy by THE DESCENDANTS Writers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: February 28th, 2012 at 7:31 pm

Fresh off their Oscar win for The Descendants in the Best Adapted Screenplay category, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash have sold an original action-comedy pitch to Indian Paintbrush.  Variety reports that Kristen Wiig—a nominee herself in the Best Original Screenplay section with Bridesmaids—is attached to star.  Details are scarce, but that is already a very talented roster if the deals come together.  Faxon, Rash, and Wiig are all graduates of the Los Angeles improv troupe The Groundlings, so the comedic rapport should come naturally.  But I am curious to hear more about this “action” element.

We are surely in the midst of a Faxon/Rash breakout.  The duo will shoot their directorial debut The Way, Way Back this summer with Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney.  Rash will continue appearing on Community once it returns on March 15, and as long as it can cling to the airwaves.  Additionally, The Live Feed reports Faxon has just signed on to the Fox pilot Ned Fox Is My Manny.  He plays a brother who moves in with his sister (Abby Elliot), a single mother, to help her raise her baby.

Full List of 2012 Oscar Presenters Includes Christian Bale, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis and the Cast of BRIDESMAIDS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 23rd, 2012 at 2:22 pm

We’re only a few short days away from the 84th Academy Awards, which means all that prognosticating and “fake controversy” business will finally come to an end on Monday morning. Until next year, that is. Nevertheless, a number of presenters have been announced over the past few weeks and we figured we’d bring you a full list of all the pretty celebrities scheduled to appear during Sunday night’s telecast. Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Emma Stone, The Muppets and the leading ladies from Bridesmaids will (hopefully) be bringing the funny, and today the Academy announced that last year’s winners in the acting categories will return to present. I really, really liked the way the awards were given out a few years back with past winners speaking directly to each of the nominees, so I’m hoping Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Natalie Portman, and Colin Firth will be doing something similar.

Hit the jump to read the full list of presenters and performers, and be sure to check back this weekend to see how yours truly and Matt Goldberg think the awards will stack up in our predictions feature. Billy Crystal hosts the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, February 26th.

Red Band Trailer for FRIENDS WITH KIDS Starring Adam Scott, Jon Hamm, and Kristen Wiig

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 16th, 2012 at 2:03 pm

A red band trailer for the comedy Friends with Kids has gone online. Written and directed by Jennifer Westfeldt, the story centers on two best friends (Westfeldt and Adam Scott) who decide to have a baby together without being in a relationship. The cast is fantastic (Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Edward Burns, Megan Fox, and Chris O’Dowd), and I’m excited to see Scott take on his first leading role. This trailer delves more deeply into the plot and, as it’s red band, there are a few more off-color jokes (who doesn’t like masturbation humor?). The jokes work, and I really like the chemistry between Scott and Westfedlt. I’m looking forward to checking the full film out. You can read Matt’s review here.

Hit the jump to watch the red band trailer. Friends with Kids opens March 9th.

2012 Oscar Nominations Announced; HUGO and THE ARTIST Lead the Pack

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 24th, 2012 at 6:05 am

The nominations for the 84th Annual Academy Awards have finally been unveiled. Many of the categories have fallen in line just as most have predicted (I fared alright with my predictions, but not great), with Hugo scoring 11 nods, followed closely by The Artist with 10. The biggest surprises are War Horse and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close getting in for Best Picture, the exclusion of The Adventures of Tintin from Best Animated Feature, and The Tree of Life nabbing Best Picture and Best Director nods (hooray!). On the snub side of things, despite landing the most precursor critics awards of any other actor in the race thus far, Albert Brooks was denied a Best Supporting Actor nod for his stellar work in Drive (boo). Additionally, Tilda Swinton was overlooked for giving the best performance of the year in We Need to Talk About Kevin, and AMPAS has no love for Michael Fassbender‘s haunting work in Shame.

There’s still plenty to be happy about, as Gary Oldman has his first ever Oscar Nomination (yes, that’s right) and Melissa McCarthy is a Best Supporting Actress nominee. Hit the jump to check out the full list of nominees. The 84th Academy Awards will be presented by Billy Crystal on February 26th.

Oscars 2012: Adam Predicts the Nominees

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 21st, 2012 at 2:38 pm

As I’ve been covering awards season pretty extensively here on the site over the past few months, I figured it would be appropriate to (foolishly) try to predict the upcoming Oscar nominations. It’s been a fairly tame year, as a few frontrunners were singled out early in the race and have held their ground throughout the grueling awards season. We haven’t been without a few surprises, as Steven Spielberg’s War Horse took a massive tumble following snubs from most of the major guilds, and David Fincher has surged back into the race bringing his adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with him.

Though there are plenty of safe bets when it comes to the 2012 Oscar nominations, there are still a few wildcards and tricky categories. I’ve put on my prognosticating cap (those interested can purchase one of these nifty hats at your local Target) and compiled a list of who and what I think will make the cut. Hit the jump to see how I think the nods will stack up when they’re announced on January 24th.

Kristen Wiig in Talks to Star in Ben Stiller’s Remake of THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 19th, 2012 at 1:48 pm

While she’s currently being fielded with hundreds of questions about the non-existent Bridesmaids sequel, Kristen Wiig is firming up plans for her summer hiatus from SNL. We already know that she’s starring in the Sean Penn-directed character drama The Comedian alongside Robert De Niro, and now comes word that she may join yet another actor-turned-director’s project. THR reports that Wiig is in talks to star opposite Ben Stiller in the remake of the 1947 fantasy comedy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Stiller will also direct the pic, which centers on a magazine proofreader who, incapable of standing up for himself in the real world, retreats to a fantasy where he becomes his poised, confident opposite.

We recently reported that Shirley MacLaine is in talks to star as Stiller’s mother in the film, and Wiig would make an excellent addition to the cast. The Bridesmaids star would play Stiller’s co-worker and the girl of his fantasies (originally played by Virginia Mayo). Production on Walter Mitty is set to begin in April in New York and Iceland, and it’s assumed that Wiig will move on to The Comedian directly after Stiller’s film.

Kristen Wiig Not Planning to Do BRIDESMAIDS Sequel

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 18th, 2012 at 11:06 am

Earlier this month, we reported that Universal was considering a Bridesmaids sequel, and would do it whether co-writer and star Kristen Wiig was on board or not.  Wiig has not expressed interest in doing a sequel and said she was currently at work writing another film with her Bridesmaids co-writer Annie Mumolo.  However, Bridesmaids co-star Wendi McLendon-Covey said that Wiig may do the sequel, and had never turned it down flat.  The truth, it turns out, is somewhere in between.

Hit the jump for what Wiig had to say about Bridesmaids 2.

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