Big Screen Roundup: 1/26/08 Edition

The January 13, 2008 edition of the Los Angeles Times featured a large advertisement for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Included in the ad’s artwork was a first look at the character of Reepicheep, voiced by Eddie Izzard. NarniaWeb has a scan of the image.

Dark Horizons looks at The Sun Online which suggests that Johnny Depp may step in for Heath Ledger on The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, following the young actor’s tragic passing this week.

Coming Soon has video coverage of Sony Pictures’ press event for the latest James Bond feature, Quantum of Solace. The festivities, held at British film studio Pinewood Studios, contained B-roll footage, a press conference and interviews.

Quint at Ain’t It Cool News chats with Ari Gold, Shoshannah Stern and Adrian Grenier about their work on Adventures of Power. The film’s synopsis reads, “In his quest to become the world’s greatest air-drummer, a small-town dreamer must overcome obstacles and ridicule to save the day.”

Such brands as McDonald’s, General Mills, Lego and Target are gearing up to promote the Wachowskis’ Speed Racer, writes Variety. Helping the film collect such backing is that it will be going for a G rating.

In other movie marketing news, Variety investigates the rising trend of Hollywood studios having to promote their films without the help of retail chains, fast-food franchises, cell-phone companies, automakers and packaged-good firms.

DVDActive spreads the details for the upcoming home entertainment releases of Sleuth, The Golden Compass, No Country for Old Men and The Sasquatch Gang.

Ultimate Disney has the lowdown on what to expect when National Treasure: Book of Secrets hits stores with two DVD editions and a Blu-ray release.

As noted by AOL’s Black Voices, Cedric the Entertainer revealed to BlackFilm.com that Beyoncé Knowles has been cast as famed singer Etta James for his next film, Cadillac Records.

Variety indicates that the Writers Guild of America has signed another interim deal, this one being with RKO Pictures. The announcement comes a day after it was reported that the WGA has signed similar pacts with Lionsgate and Marvel.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Anchor Bay Entertainment has picked up U.S. distribution rights the Jon Knautz horror comedy Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer. The mid-six-figure deal came with a theatrical commitment.

Actress Emmy Rossum has been posting continuously at her official MySpace blog, in between filming scenes for Dragonball. Dragon Ball Movie Blog summarizes some of the newsworthy info she has provided.

William H. Macy talks with Coming Soon about Wild Hogs 2 and his directorial debut, Keep Coming Back. The site also had the opportunity to speak with The Wackness stars Josh Peck and Sir Ben Kingsley.

New posters for The Wackness and Dolphins and Whales 3D: Tribes of the Ocean are available to view at the Internet Movie Poster Awards.

26Jan2008 | Josh E Armstrong | Continued