My 1st Blog

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Emma Stone Cast In 'Spider-Man' Reboot As Gwen Stacy

Actress was rumored to be up for the part of Mary Jane Watson.
By Kara Warner

Emma Stone
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

This week is shaping up to be a big one for comic book movie news. First, Zack Snyder was announced as the "Superman" reboot director, and now Emma Stone has been confirmed in a leading role alongside "The Social Network" actor Andrew Garfield in Marc Webb's reimagining of "Spider-Man" — albeit with a bit of bait and switch.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Stone had been offered the role of Spidey's love interest Mary Jane Watson, but Sony announced Tuesday (October 5) that the "Easy A" actress will be playing the web-slinger's other love interest, Gwen Stacy.

The Mary Jane Watson role seemed a perfect fit, if only because both MJ and Stone are redheads (at least that is Stone's current hair color). However, according to a statement from Webb, it seems Stone has more in common with Gwen Stacy than we originally thought.

"The chemistry between Andrew and Emma was stunning and made Emma the clear choice," Webb said. "At the heart of the story of Peter Parker is not only the amazing Spider-Man, but also an ordinary teenager who is wondering what he has to do to get the girl. Andrew and Emma will bring everything audiences expect to these roles, but also make them their own," he explained. "Much to my surprise, it was fun to find out that our choice for Gwen (Emma) is also a natural blonde."

Now all eyes and ears will be tuned in to see who will be cast as Mary Jane, a role most recently occupied by Kirsten Dunst in the Tobey Maguire/ Sam Raimi adaptation. Perhaps the ladies who were reportedly up for the role of Gwen might also be considered for MJ: Dianna Agron ("Glee"), Mia Wasikowska ("Alice in Wonderland"), Georgina Haig ("Wasted on the Young") or Dominique McElligott (indie hit "Moon").

"Spider-Man" will reportedly begin production in December and will be released in theaters nationwide in 3-D on July 3, 2012.

Check out everything we've got on "Spider-Man."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

B.o.B, Ke$ha, More L.A. Gigs Kick-Start VMA Weekend

Jason Derülo, Sean Kingston will also perform prior to Sunday's big show.
By Kara Warner

B.o.B
Photo: MTV News

Although the MTV Video Music Awards aren't until Sunday, a slew of VMA-themed concerts featuring Ke$ha, B.o.B and others will take over Los Angeles in the days leading up to the big show.

Sean Kingston kicks things off Thursday night (September 9) with the Verizon Club Night Concert Event at Hollywood's Playhouse, where Jermaine Dupri will also be spinning. On Friday night, Jason Derülo and Never Shout Never will take the Music Box stage at a concert sponsored by Taco Bell and Feed the Beat.

On Saturday night, "Rock Band 3" and FreeCreditScore.com will present the 2010 MTV VMA Concert to Benefit Lifebeat — The Music Industry Fights AIDS, featuring VMA nominees Ke$ha and B.o.B. The "Tik Tok" singer said she is honored to play a show benefiting such an important cause. "It's really awesome that MTV can bring together incredible musicians over VMA weekend, not only to entertain, but to make a difference," she said. "The world of celebrity is a funny game, although it's a great feeling to have the opportunity to use my fame for a good cause helping those in need."

B.o.B is equally excited to perform for a good cause: "The road to the VMAs has been a wild one. I'm glad to be taking time the night before the big show to support a great organization. Lifebeat's message of HIV prevention is an important one for young people, and I am honored to join them in the fight."

Tickets for the Ke$ha and B.o.B event, with all proceeds going to Lifebeat, are available at Lifebeat.org.

The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday.

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Led Zeppelin - Heartbreaker

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Label: Atlantic
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Britney Spears 'Glee' Episode Takes On '... Baby One More Time'

Lea Michele dons Brit's naughty schoolgirl look for a faithful cover of the 1998 hit.
By Aly Semigran

Lea Michele performs "... Baby One More Time" on "Glee" on Tuesday
Photo: FOX

It was the song that launched the career of one of the most beloved, albeit troubled, pop stars of the past decade. Its iconic video spawned a modern-day "Lolita" and earned the title of #1 first favorite video on "TRL." So, of course, Britney Spears' 1998 smash "... Baby One More Time" was an obvious choice for Tuesday night's episode of "Glee."

While general-anesthesia-induced hallucinations had another Brittany (Heather Morris) tackling "Me Against the Music" and "I'm a Slave 4 U," star Lea Michele took on the timelessly catchy "...Baby One More Time." As Michele mimicked Spears' naughty schoolgirl look, the instantly recognizable opening notes pounded on the piano (though the "Glee" version had a slight change of key). With her throaty "Oh bay-buh, bay-buh," Michele effortlessly channeled the song (surprisingly enough, she sounded downright restrained) that made the former "Mickey Mouse Club" member a superstar.

It's fitting that "Glee" paid homage to the song that is but a few weeks away from celebrating its 12th anniversary. (Go on and take a moment to absorb that information.) "... Baby One More Time," the first single of Spears' debut album of the same name, was released in the United States in late October 1998.

Of course, it could have all sounded very different if writer Max Martin had followed through with his original plan to have R&B heavyweights TLC sing the track. The song was also originally titled "Hit Me Baby One More Time" but was changed due to concerns about it being misinterpreted.

In Spears' capable 16-year-old pigtails, the single went on to sell over 9 million copies, garnered Spears her first Grammy nomination (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, which she lost to Sarah McLachlan for "I Will Remember You") and reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The rest of the album featured other Spears hits, including "(You Drive Me) Crazy" and "Sometimes," but neither of those songs left quite the same impact.

Spears told Blender — which placed the track at the #9 spot on its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" — that the song wasn't an easy undertaking for her at first (of course, neither was the immense fame that followed). Spears revealed, "I didn't do well at all the first day in the studio. I was just too nervous. So I went out that night and had some fun. The next day I was completely relaxed and nailed it. You gotta be relaxed singing '... Baby One More Time.' "

Spears looked more than at ease during awards show appearances that followed, namely the 1999 VMAs, in which the leather-clad pop princess took the stage alongside her tourmates 'NSYNC for a "... Baby One More Time"/ "Tearin' Up My Heart" showstopper.

Of course, long before the folks at "Glee" took "... Baby One More Time" out for a spin, countless other musicians had already had at it. From punk rock (Simple Plan) to acoustic (Travis), Spears' song has been refashioned (albeit, sometimes ironically) in many genres. Take, for instance, Bowling for Soup's cover of the ditty, which wound up on Bowling for Soup Goes to the Movies. And even Jamie Lee Curtis and Chad Michael Murray took a crack at it in the 2003 film "Freaky Friday."

What did you think of the "Glee" covers of Britney's songs? Share your reviews in the comments.

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