Warner Bros. traded South Park and Friday the 13th for Interstellar stake
Film properties aren't like baseball cards or Pokemon, but I guess word didn't get to Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures. Christopher Nolan's upcoming film, Interstellar (which I talked about a bit awhile back), is set to be a huge blockbusting, money-making machine when it hits theaters in 2014. Interestingly, the film is being co-produced by Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures, two rival studios that don't normally work together. In fact, it's practically unheard of for two different studios to co-produce films, especially films with the level of magnitude that Interstellar has.
Today, The Hollywood Reporter found out exactly what happened that allowed such a move to be made. When Paramount distributed Friday the 13th domestically, Warner Bros. handled international distribution, which complicated who exactly held the rights for the franchise. Freddy vs. Jason, however, was purchased by Warner Bros, but Paramount still had a 50% stake due to the initial Friday the 13th film rights. Something similar took place with South Park, as Comedy Central used to be co-owned by Time Warner and Viacom, Paramount's parent company. When Viacom split its TV networks from Time Warner, WB still possessed rights to the South Park film, handling international distribution.
Because of these joint ventures, each studio had a claim in the franchises, complicating future projects. Paramount, trusting in both Nolan's talents and Interstellar's box office potential, offered to let Warner Bros. get a percentage of the return if they relinquished their hold on future Friday the 13th and South Park films. However, if Paramount doesn't produce a sequel for the films within the next five years, co-ownership will return to WB.
It's all complicated Hollywood business deals, but money talks, and in the case of Interstellar, it's doing more than just talking. This news also brings the prospect of big screen returns for Stan, Kenny, Kyle, Cartman, and Jason Voorhees, which should be great news for both horror and South Park fans.
[via The Hollywood Reporter]
Viacom and Amazon enter multi-year agreement, spurning Netflix in the process
Today, Viacom and Amazon announced their multi-year agreement to stream Viacom TV shows exclusively on Amazon's Prime Instant Video service. Viacom is one of the largest media conglomerates in the world, comprised of a large number of TV networks including MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central. The agreement also comes at Netflix's expense whose own agreement with Viacom recently expired.
It's a huge blow for Netflix subscribers, as shows broadcast on any of the aforementioned networks (like South Park, Rocko's Modern Life, Workaholics, Teen Mom, etc.) will be unavailable to them. At the same time, it's a huge gain for Amazon, as Prime Instant Video hasn't had access to worthwhile content. Does this mean Netflix, who's experienced a bit of a subscription bump with exclusive series like Arrested Development premiering, will lose a large number of its 20-something demographic with this huge exodus of shows? We'll see. I know one thing: I finally have a good reason to actually use my Prime Instant Video subscription.
[via Deadline]
Farmville crops dry up as Zynga lays off large number of staff
Does anybody still play FarmVille? I remember when the craze took over Facebook, resulting in a seemingly endless amount of hourly game requests to water plants and harvest crops. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Zynga, the company that popularized (and somewhat legitimized) Facebook social gaming has recently fired more than 500 employees in an attempt to save up to $80 million. The rollout, which should be finalized by the end of August, was deemed a necessary business strategy to ensure the company stays alive for an extra while longer.
It's an unfortunate move for everybody who lost their jobs, but the once seemingly gigantic gaming company have fell upon hard times as of late. As part of the massive layoffs, Zynga has also closed down its offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas. Originally driven by in-game purchases, the company has relied on advertisements to bring in money. Realistically, it was only a matter of time before people realized buying extra energy or rare sheep wouldn't be worth it.
This news doesn't have a direct effect on its catalog of games, so those still finding truffles with pigs should feel good knowing their farms won't be disappearing... for now.
[via The Verge]
Benicio del Toro cast in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Whoa! Huge news out of the Disney and Marvel camps as Deadline is reporting that Benicio del Toro (Traffic) has been cast for Marvel's upcoming space epic, Guardians of the Galaxy. The James Gunn (Super) film is shaping up to be Marvel Studios' next big ensemble film. Just this weekend, Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan was cast for a villain role in the action-comedy about a group of space superheroes.
While there's no word on which role del Toro will portray, he's joining a pool of ridiculously talented actors, such as Glenn Close (Damages), Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation), Zoe Saldana (Avatar), John C. Reilly (Chicago), Lee Pace (The Hobbit), and others. Further news also have del Toro penning a multi-film deal, which will set him up for future film appearances along other notable Marvel stars as Robert Downey, Jr, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Natalie Portman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Cobie Smulders (amongst others, of course).
As if Marvel didn't already have a large handle on superhero film adaptations, del Toro's casting helps cement their status. Looks like Warner Bros. and DC will have to do a lot if they want to get even close to Marvel Studio's pedigree.
[via Deadline]
Vine has been added to Android
The new social media trend, Vine, has finally spread its wings and flown from its iPhone nest into the waiting arms of its Android brethren. For those that haven't jumped on board with the new app, Vine is a video sharing social network where users can shoot 6-second clips that run into a continuous loop. With Twitter and Facebook integration, the network has attracted 13 million users.
Vine for Android is lacking some of the basic features found on iPhones like hashtags and direct mentions, it does offer the ability to zoom, which is notably lacking on iPhones. As the updates continue to roll out, these features will begin to fill out. There are also plans to include some Android-exclusive features, as well.
Some creativity can be utilized for Vine videos, such as some inventive stop-motion animation videos. My personal favorite Vine so far has been of a dog touching a Super Mario mushroom for a power up. I personally have been using Vine for live shows, like this sneak peek at ShowYouSuck's live remix of "The Return of Headbanger's Ball" at SXSW this past March. If you haven't yet, follow Ruby Hornet on Vine for future updates.
[iframe id="https://vine.co/v/bdzQM1xWtrO/embed/simple"]
[via IGN]
Penelope Cruz is Bond 24's girl
After all of the shenanigans that surrounded the director possibilities for the next James Bond film, from Christopher Nolan being offered to a multitude of interesting choices to Sam Mendes officially returning to the franchise, the stage is setting for 007. We already knew that Daniel Craig would be returning as the secret agent, but now his femme fatale counterpart has been found.
Yahoo! Movies UK is reporting that the Spanish bombshell Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) will be the Bond girl in the next film. This should be a great step in the right direction for the franchise, considering Cruz's acting versatility should mesh well with Craig's. It's also interesting to note that Cruz will become the oldest "Bond Girl" as she'll be turning 40 by the start of production. Of course, age is just a number, especially when it comes to Penelope. Bond producers must love keeping it in the family, as Cruz's husband, Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men), was the antagonist for the most recent Bond film, Skyfall.
[via Yahoo! Movies UK]
The Weekly Swarm: 5/27 - 6/1
We had a steady influx of music drops this week, didn't we? Shintendo64 dropped TERRABYTZ, De la Soul made their video return with "Get Away," Vic Mensa teased and dropped the "Orange Soda" video, Sir Michael Rocks finally released While You Wait..., GhostWridah got into the mixtape fun with Flu Game, and Sulaiman and Vic Spencer dropped their collaborative EP, We're Still Disappointed, and ShowYouSuck debuted a new sound with "Watching Walking Dead" (with some pretty amazing artwork, right?). We also had a collection of great movie trailers debut, including Machete Kills, This is the End, and Prisoners.
Needless to say, it was a busy week, so if you missed out on every post we put up, you can easily check down the list below.
Movie News
New Directors Added into the James Bond 24 Mix
Sam Mendes Will Direct Bond 24 After All
[Video] Much Ado About Nothing "I am an Ass" Clip
Michael Bay Woke Up in a New Bugatti for New Transformers 4 Car Models
[Trailer] Machete Kills
[Trailer] This is the End
[Trailer] Prisoners
Nicolas Cage, Jackie Chan, Milla Jovovich, and Wesley Snipes Become Not So Expendable for The Expendables 3
Forest Whitaker Will Have a Dream as Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis
Green Lantern Screenwriter Hired to Ruin Blade Runner Sequel
New Alamo Drafthouse "Don't Talk" PSA features Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke
Music News
Schoolboy Q: "Hell Of A Night"
Roman Flowrs: "RainFore$t" (Instrumental)
Blu: “Summertime” (feat. Arima Ederra)
[Mixtape] ShowYouSuck: "The Essentials"
[Podcast] Closed Sessions Radio 5.24.13
Disclosure: "You & Me" (feat. Eliza Doolittle) (Toro y Moi Remix)
WHITE-OWL: "WAX TRAP VOL. 3 (TURNT UP EDITION)"
LIZ: "Horoscope"
Lil Bibby & Lil Herb: "Know They Role" (prod. by C-Sick)
[Mixtape] Shintendo64: "TERRABYTZ"
[Video] Alex Wiley: "Earfucked"
Spring Awakening Schedule and Daily Tickets Available
Craig Robinson: "Take Yo Panties Off" (feat. Snoop Dogg)
[Video] Wonda: "Please Don’t Listen To This Song"
[Video] Saba: "Gurlfran"
[Video] Lucki Eck$: "Everything Out$ide"
Manny P: "This Is Where" (prod. by Savier)
[Video] De La Soul: "Get Away" (feat. The Spirit of Wu Tang)
[Mixtape] Sir Michael Rocks: "While You Wait..."
More Artists Added to North Coast Music Festival Lineup
[Mixtape] GhostWridah: "Flu Game"
Martin $ky: "Rapture" SNIPPET (prod. by Saba)
[Video] Vic Mensa: "Orange Soda"
Hodgy Beats: "Years"
J. Cole: "N***az Know"
[Mixtape] Sulaiman x Vic Spencer: "We're Still Disappointed"
[Video] YP: "I Like That In You"
[Video] L.atasha A.lcindor: "Down to Earth Thoughts"
Mick Jenkins: "BOB" (feat. Dally Auston) (Prod. by OnGaud)
ShowYouSuck: "Watching Walking Dead" (feat. Chris LeSage) (prod. by MikeJaxx)
Roman Flowrs: "Rock With Me"
Photography
[RH Photos] Anamanaguchi (Live at Lincoln Hall 5/25/2013)
[RH Photos] Jambalaya Fest Austin (5/24/2013)
[RH Photos] Impolite Society (Live at Double Door 5/24/2013)
Tech News
Google Adds New Video Features to YouTube Videos