The news dropped like a bombshell early this morning that Sony Pictures has signed Robert Pattinson (Twilight) to replace Tobey Maguire in the titular role in Spider-Man 4.



In the official press release, Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures and Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, announced that Pattinson would not only be assuming the role of Peter Parker and his alter-ego, Spider-Man, in Spider-Man 4, but also in Spider-Man 5 and in a spin-off film to be announced at a later date.

It is no secret that Pascal has been shopping around for an actor to fill the red-and-blue tights for some time. Only a few months ago, negotiations between Sony and Maguire nearly broke down because of the actor's reluctance to return to what he described as a "worn-out concept."

Sam Raimi, the cult film director and mastermind behind the multi-billion dollar Spider-Man franchise, recently blamed the failure of Spider-Man 3 to meet expectations on corporate control interfering with his creative process. Is the Sony Pictures press release another example of the type of control Raimi was referring to or a step toward realizing the director's vision for the franchise?

When asked to comment on the press release, Raimi said:

Decisions like these are always difficult. I know the fans liked Tobey -- and I greatly enjoyed working with him -- but Robert is the future of the franchise.

The press release did not indicate what the spin-off film might be, but recent speculation has focused on Morbius, a mainstay in the Spider-Man comic book mythology. In the comics, Morbius is a "living vampire," a victim of an ill-fated experimental treatment involving vampire bats and shock therapy.

There has been no word from Tobey Maguire's representatives.

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Jake Cuenca continues to earn positive feedback for his performance in the top-rating teleserye Tayong Dalawa, proving how much he has grown as an actor. But amidst all the praises and comments about him deserving an acting award nomination, Jake pointed out that his priority is still to entertain people. “I’ll always lean towards entertaining the people kasi that’s what my job is all about. It would be a dream come true and I’d love to receive an award. I’d really be thankful for that. But when I’m doing a scene, I don’t think about winning an award, but to internalize a character. ‘Yan ‘yung inuuna,” Jake said.

As far as roles are concerned, Jake shared that he is open to doing “challenging” characters, and he does not mind doing a gay role. As a matter of fact, he had an offer to play a gay character in an indie film a few years back, but he had to decline it due to a prior commitment. “I was supposed to do one back then for a Cinema One original. I was supposed to do an indie film pero I wasn’t allowed to kasi I was doing Palos at that time so hindi pa puwede.”

When ABS-CBN.com asked him if was willing to kiss or do intimate scenes with a guy, Jake hesitated and said that he still has to think about it. “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. If the role calls for it and I trust the director and I need to do it, then I will.”

Jake was quick to add though that the role should suit him and test his versatility as an actor. “I’m really looking forward to doing one. Kasi it’s coming out of my box, it’s breaking [down] my walls to do a role like that. I think maybe at the right time [I will]. If it’s the perfect role I’ve been waiting for, then I’ll do it.”

However, Jake is in no rush since he is currently enjoying his work in Tayong Dalawa. “I’m going to give the emotional roller coaster ride they look for when they watch Tayong Dalawa,” he beamed

Breakout star Robert Pattinson was hit in the head by a piece of flying metal while shooting the movie New Moon according to reports.

“During filming of his upcoming flick, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” in Vancouver, Pattinson had just started shooting a scene when a rogue gust of violent wind tore a heavy metal sign from a post. It shot across the location so fast no one even managed to shout a warning at Pattinson, who was just opening his mouth to emote when…WHAM!…the unguided missile smashed into the back of his head,” said Mike Walker, a reporter of National Enquirer.

Walker narrated Pattinson dropped and “then lay deadly still as cast and crew ran to help, sending out a radio call for an ambulance. Finally, Pattinson - looking like he’d had the blood sucked from him - began moving feebly, disoriented, but able to speak. The crew put ice packs on a knot sized lump, and by the time medics arrived, the star was coherent and insisting he was fine. Taking no chances, the director canceled filming. Pattinson was ordered back to his hotel, but returned the next day - sporting a lump.”

The 22-year-old English actor became wildly popular after his Hollywood movie Twilight soared at the box-office worldwide.

According to the box-office report from the festival insider, Star Cinema’s entry to this year’s MMFF - “Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat” - leads 1st day earnings.

Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat is the sequel to the no. 1 all-time box-office hit “Ang Tanging Ina” which was shown in 2003. The movie is topbilled by Ai Ai delas Alas and Eugene Domingo among others and directed by Wenn de Ramas for Star Cinema.

There are early predictions that the Ai Ai delas Alas-starrer will lead the box-office race and it looks like it’s heading to reality as tickets for the Star Cinema movie were sold out in some SM Cinemas. The said comedy film is rated G by the MTRCB for the whole family to enjoy.

Running in second place is Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After. Tito, Vic and Joey reprises their role in the film adaptation of their hit tv sitcom 20 years ago. Directed by Tony Reyes, expect to catch several stars making a cameo in the movie including Bong Revilla Jr., Manny Pacquiao and Sharon Cuneta.

In 3rd place is the 10th installment of the popular horror franchise Shake, Rattle and Roll. The Regal Films entry is topbilled by Gerald Anderson, Kim Chiu and Marian Rivera.

On the other hand, two entries received the highest grade of “A” for excellence in filmmaking from the Cinema Evaluation Board. The Viva Films entry “Baler” and the Jinggoy Estrada-Christopher de Leon starrer “Magkaibigan” will be exempted from paying amusement tax to the government for receiving the “A” grade. Apparently, “Baler” badly needed the tax exemption because according to reports, it is the highest-budgeted film among the 8 entries of the Metro Manila Film Festival this year.

The Awards Night is happening on December 27. Among the 8 entries, Magkaibigan and Baler are expected to haul trophies including Best Picture. Unless, another surprise is in store.

The Metro Manila Film Festival will run from December 25, 2008 to January 7, 2009 in theaters nationwide.

The sequel to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, New Moon may begin filming in March 2009, revealed by Twilight actress, Kristen Stewart, while having an interview with Ryan Seacrest on KiisFM.
Apart from when the shooting may begin, the 18-year-old also gushed about where some of the filming will take place. "A lot of the book takes place in Italy, and I think we're going to get to go to Italy, which is so cool," she said, adding, "For a while there, they were like, 'oh, we don't know if we have the money', but now I think we may have the money!"


"New Moon" is an adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's second novel in her Twilight series. While "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke is rumored to be in talks to return helming the sequel, screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg has been set to come back and pen the script for this second movie. Earlier report has also claimed that both leading actors, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, will earn $12 million each for "New Moon".

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire got out of a rabbit hole, only to be ensnared by a spider's web.

Lindsay-Abaire, who won a Pulitzer in 2007 for his drama "Rabbit Hole," is in final negotiations to write "Spider-Man 4" for Columbia.

Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire are back as director and star, respectively. Kirsten Dunst also is expected to return for the latest movie featuring the Marvel Comics character.

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Plot details are under lock and key. Producer Laura Ziskin had said she would like to aim for a May 2011 release for "Spider-Man 4," nine years after the original movie's debut.

Columbia always has gone off the beaten path during the development process when hiring writers for the "Spider-Man" movies. Alvin Sargent, a veteran scribe best known for 1973's "Paper Moon" and 1980's "Ordinary People," served as a writer on the second and third films. Michael Chabon, another Pulitzer winner, also worked on "Spider-Man 2."

James Vanderbilt previously wrote a draft of "Spider-Man 4."

Lindsay-Abaire's "Rabbit Hole," which starred Cynthia Nixon and Tyne Daly, hit the Broadway stage in 2006 and won four Tonys, including best play. The writer also is known for the play "Fuddy Meers."

Lindsay-Abaire has said in interviews that his plays tend to be "peopled with outsiders in search of clarity," which would put his work on sympathetic terms with Peter Parker, who in his classic incarnation is the perpetual outsider.

The choice of scribe also signals that that filmmakers are intent to focus on character, something that critics said got lost in the third installment.

Lindsay-Abaire, now writing the book and lyrics for the Broadway musical adaptation of "Shrek," has dipped his toe in Tinseltown before, with his adaptation of "Inkheart" due in January. He is also adapting "Rabbit" for 20th Century Fox and Nicole Kidman.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporte