Monday news take - April 7, 2008

 

It's Monday, and although the week has just started, the film news are pouring in already. As far as casting news go, Thandie Newton will star in the next Oliver Stone movie, and Toni Collette has signed on to star in a new Sam Mendes flick. Besides Charlton Heston's death Saturday, we'll give you an update on the first trailer for "The Spirit." Enjoy today's take on movie news.

Charlton Heston, 1924 - 2008
Charlton Heston, an Academy Award-winning actor for his role in the 1959 adventure “Ben-Hur,” died Saturday at his Beverly Hill residence. He was 84.

Some of Heston’s most famous films include “The Agony and the Ecstasy,” “El Cid,” “Ben-Hur” and “The Ten Commandments.” But his popularity was certainly not limited to the movie industry.

In 1998, he became president and spokesperson of the National Rifle Association. The cause of his death remains unknown at this stage.

Toni Collette joins Sam Mendes comedy
Actress Toni Collette has signed on to star in Sam Mendes’ upcoming comedy, according to The Hollywood Reporter. John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph and Cheryl Hines have already joined the untitled movie.

Written by Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, the film focuses on a couple who travel across the U.S. to find the best spot to raise their first child. Collette will jump into the role of the couple’s closest friend.

Filming is set to begin this month. Sam Mendes’ next feature, “Revolutionary Road,” is set to open Dec. 19, 2008. Collette most recently starred in Lajos Koltai’s romantic drama “Evening.”

Thandie Newton, Ioan Gruffudd to star in “W”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Thandie Newton and Ioan Gruffudd are in final negotiations to star in Oliver Stone’s upcoming political drama “W,’ which chronicles the life and presidency of George W. Bush.

Newton will take over the role of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, while Gruffudd is expected to play British Prime Minister Tony Blair. They will join the already cast Josh Brolin (George W.), Elizabeth Banks (Laura Bush), James Cromwell (George Sr.) and Ellen Burstyn (Barbara Bush).

Thandie Newton was last seen in David Schwimmer’s comedy “Run, Fat Boy, Run.” Gruffudd was last seen as Mr. Fantastic in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.”

“Horton Hears a Who!” tops foreign box office
Variety reported earlier today that “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!” topped the international box office for a second straight weekend with $11.7 million.

Other winners at the foreign box office were the French surprise hit comedy “Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis,” which pulled in $7.5 million, and “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” which took home $7 million from ticket sales at 3,477 locations.

“The Spirit” trailer imminent?
A new widget released on the official Web site for Frank Miller’s upcoming action spectacle “The Spirit” points to the release date of a first teaser trailer. As you can see on the widget below, we’re still 12 days away from the premiere.

As for the story line, the film centers on rookie cop Denny Colt (played by Gabriel Macht), who mysteriously returns from the dead to take down crime in Central City.

Check back in 12 days to watch the first trailer for “The Spirit” just below. The film itself won’t hit theaters until Jan. 16, 2009.