As expected: 'Transformers 3' reaches $1 billion

Ever since the stunning opening of Michael Bay's 3D spectacle "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," it was only a matter of time until the third film the series hit $1 billion. As Paramount Pictures just annouced, "Dark of the Moon" reached the mark this week.

Domestically, the movie has pulled in $338 million. Internationally, it has grossed $663 million. It's also important to point out that "Dark of the Moon" is the first billion dollar grossing movie in the history of Paramount Pictures.

“We are grateful for the extraordinary work of  Michael Bay and his film-making team, executive producer Steven Spielberg, and everyone at Paramount around the globe...," said Brad Grey, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Paramount Pictures.

The prices of 3D tickets obviously helped "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" to reach $1 billion that fast, but the solid performance proves fans were indeed ready to give Bay another shot, especially after the negative response generated by "Revenge of the Fallen."

Warren Beatty to direct new film from Paramount Pictures

Since 1998’s "Bulworth," Warren Beatty hasn’t spent any time behind the camera. This will soon change as he has committed to both direct and star in an upcoming comedy for Paramount Pictures. If that isn't enough, Beatty's also set to pen the script and produce.  

The deal was announced by Paramount’s CEO, Brad Grey, who said, “It is our privilege to have one of the great artists in the history of the film industry come home to Paramount.” (via Deadline)

Beatty helped make both “Heaven Can Wait” and “Reds” for Paramount, collecting 21 Oscar nominations between the two of them. Beatty brought home the best director award for “Reds.” 

'Jackass' star Ryan Dunn passes away at 34

Think what you will of the "Jackass" series, but they are a surefire success at the box-office. A shameless display of bodily abuse that audiences eat up helping after helping. So much so that Paramount pumps out straight-to-DVD releases like "Jackass 3.5" between films in order to satisfy the craving of eager fans.

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't at least gotten one hearty chuckle from the series. With that said, we regret to inform fans of the series that one of the its stars Ryan Dunn was the victim of a fatal car crash this morning.

Authorities are pointing to alcohol as being a big factor in the death as he posted a picture of himself drinking on Twitter a few hours before the crash.There are pictures of the wreck and other things of that nature floating around the internet.

We will not be posting those on here since we do not wish to emulate TMZ, but rather inform fans of the star's passing. 

J.J. Abrams discusses sequel to 'Star Trek'

As fans will finally be treated to the much anticipated "Super 8" this week, director J.J. Abrams recently gave his fans another special piece of news. In a press junket for "Super 8," Abrams stated “The next thing we’re working on, and hopefully we’ll be able to pass information out sooner or later, is the next 'Star Trek.'”

This means that fans of Abrams' highly successful 2009 reboot will finally get to see the next installment of the series in the near future. However, the question still remains as to when it will finally hit screens. 

Although Paramount has the film set to be released on June 29, 2012, Abrams did not confirm the date. When asked about it, he stated "I care much more that it be good than it be ready. I’m obviously doing everything I can to make sure that schedules don’t get screwed up. But I don’t think anyone wants a movie on time that’s not worth your time.”

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Scorsese considers Liz Taylor, Richard Burton biopic

Famed director Martin Scorsese might be adding another project to his already loaded schedule. On top of releasing his first 3D film "Hugo Cabret" later this year, the director is now considering a film about actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Because of the recent death of Taylor, Paramount has optioned a biography regarding Taylor's on-and-off screen relationship with actor Richard Burton, and the studio has Scorsese in mind to direct. The producers of the film have already reached an agreement with Burton's estate and hope to get the same kind of cooperation from Taylor's as well.

For those who know little about the relationship between Taylor and Burton, it was was quite an explosive one and should make for an interesting piece of cinema. One could consider them the "Brangelina"of the 1960/1970s, as their romance created quite a lot of fodder for tabloids. (via The Guardian)

'Paranormal Activity 2' bags $6.3 million already

Paramount Pictures is in for a successful weekend, because "Paranormal Activity 2" is en route to generate close to $30 million. The horror sequel already bagged $6.3 million from midnight screenings.

The Tod Williams-directed "Activity 2" showed at 1,800 screens late Thursday and early Friday, and screenings started as early as 10 p.m. The "Paranormal Activity" sequel is now playing at 3,216 locations.

You can my review of the sequel here. The first film, directed by Oren Peli, scored $107 million. 

'Deadliest Warrior' coming to big screen

Paramount today announced it will develop a big-screen version of Spike TV's television series "Deadliest Warrior." The show just wrapped its second season and has already been renewed for a third one.

“Spike has some of the most innovative and forward-thinking content on television today, 'Deadliest Warrior' being no exception," said Adam Goodman, president of the Paramount Film Group.

The show pits history's greatest warriors against one another to determine who reigns supreme. It enlists top fighters, historians and weapons experts to provide insight into the history of these combatants.

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Jeremy Renner cast in 'Mission: Impossible IV'

"Mission:Impossible IV" is still on track to shoot very soon, and now we also know who will parnter up with Tom Cruise in the fourth installment of the action series: Jeremy Renner, star of "The Hurt Locker."

Paramount Pics has been looking for a younger dude to star as a new agent joing Ethan Hunt on his missions, and Renner seems to be the perfect guy to carry the franchise if Cruise fails to pull audiences.

For now though, both will appear in "Mission: Impossible IV," which Brad Bird is directing and J.J. Abrams is producing. Word is Simon Pegg will also return. Story details are still unknown at this point.

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Jon Chu will direct that Justin Bieber movie

Why don't we fill these morning hours with some Justin Bieber news? Like it or not, but Paramount's Bieber biopic is still happening (unfortunately), and Jon Chu is the guy who will direct the 3D movie.

Davis Guggenheim was supposed to helm the untitled project, but he's too busy right now promoting "Waiting for Superman," according to Deadline. So Chu won the race for a job he's probably the best for.

Chu, of course, directed "Step Up 3D," but no matter how much he knows about 3D and dancing and stuff, I think it's a truth universally acknowledged he won't be able to turn this bad idea into a masterpiece.

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Disturbing: 3D Justin Bieber biopic coming

The world really is coming to an end. Oh, and I now dislike Paramount, because the studio has decided to develop a 3D biopic of... Justin Bieber. Wait, Bieber is already getting a biopic? And it's in 3D????

Declare this a day of mourning. Davis Guggenheim, the dude behind "An Inconvenient Truth," is in talks to direct the film that will have a bunch of crazy teenagers run to theaters. Release will be Feb. 11, 2011.

Deadline reports a lot of footage will be from his current tour. I honestly still cannot believe this news, and it's shocking to see that something as unnecessary as this will go 3D. And how old is this dude?