Daniel Radcliffe Was ‘OK’ With Being A Shorter ‘Harry Potter’
June 30, 2010
'As long as Emma and Rupert weren't shooting up too quickly either,' star tells MTV News of falling few inches shy of Harry's height in books.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Daniel Radcliffe and Josh Horowitz
Photo: MTV News
In J.K. Rowling's universe, Harry Potter isn't a giant but he's eventually described as slightly taller than average as the series progresses. So what did the actor who's become synonymous with the wizard think of playing a character whose proportions don't quite match his own? Daniel Radcliffe tells MTV News he wasn't too concerned — but with some conditions.
"I didn't get particularly worried because as long as Emma [Watson] and Rupert [Grint] weren't shooting up too quickly either, I'd look [fine]," he told us earlier this month at the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. "We'd all look relatively [the same height]. It was all going to be OK," Radcliffe added.
Still, Radcliffe admitted he wouldn't mind adding a few inches to his real-life frame.
"I was worried on a personal level because I wanted to be slightly taller than I am, ideally," he explained. "But I've now accepted it. Basically, I've came to the conclusion a while ago that you can either be really bitter about it or you can make loads of funny jokes."
What kinds of jokes, we asked.
"When I meet people now and they all say, 'God you're so much shorter than I expected!' I always say, 'No! I'm actually slightly further away than you think,' " he smiled, adding, "Which confuses them."
Can you imagine anyone besides Daniel Radcliffe playing Harry? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Check out everything we've got on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos Related Photos‘Paranormal Activity 2′: Everything We Know So Far
June 30, 2010
We track the progress of 'Paranormal Activity' sequel, from first film's debut to new teaser trailer.
By Josh Wigler
"Paranormal Activity"
Photo: DreamWorks Pictures
You thought the cameras were off. You thought the ghosts were gone. You thought the nightmare was over.
You were wrong.
The first teaser trailer for "Paranormal Activity 2" premiered online on Wednesday (June 30), offering a startling way to start the day for working stiffs across the country. But even though it feels like the horror sequel is emerging completely out of left field — indeed, it was less than a year ago that the lucrative cult phenomenon first hit theaters — there have actually been several moves behind the scenes to bring "Paranormal 2" to the big screen.
The real surprise with "Paranormal Activity 2" is the fact that the film even exists. The original Oren Peli-directed film was nothing short of an astonishing Cinderella story, filmed on a shoestring budget of $15,000 and going on to make close to $200 million worldwide. "Paranormal Activity" caused such a stir that ancillary merchandising unspooled almost immediately after the film's release, with talk of a sequel following shortly thereafter.
Of course, getting the "Paranormal" sequel off the ground wasn't without some false starts. The sequel was first announced with Michael R. Perry tackling the script and Kevin Greutert directing the film, while original director Oren Peli moved on to film a new horror film, "Area 51." But Greutert was soon removed from "Paranormal 2" due to his contractual obligations to direct "Saw VII 3-D." Rumors ran rampant regarding Greutert's successor, with "Scarface" director Brian De Palma connected to the job at one point. Ultimately, Tod "Kip" Williams won the role.
The director's chair wasn't the only vacant position that needed filling — the "Paranormal" sequel needed stars, too. Actress Katie Featherston, who was nominated for an MTV Movie Award this year for her "Paranormal" performance, expressed some skepticism about returning for the sequel when she spoke with MTV in May.
"I don't know. I'm waiting to hear," Featherston said. "If they had a way to put me in there in a way that would be reasonable and make sense — I don't know how they'd do that — I'd definitely be down for it. If I get that phone call, I will be there. I will be scared or happy or whatever they want me to be."
Actor Micah Sloat seemed to know much more about the status of "Paranormal 2" than his co-star, despite his character's tragic fate at the conclusion of the first film. "I know a lot I can't tell you," Sloat told MTV News in March. "All I can tell you is I'm very excited for the project, it's really cool, it's gonna be really interesting and it's not gonna suck, which most horror sequels ... would. This is gonna be good."
Sloat touched on a key difference between the two "Paranormal" films: While the first movie was filmed cheaply as a necessity, "Paranormal Activity 2" has access to a far greater budget thanks to its predecessor's success. "We have money now, but we're staying true to the heart of the movie, to the spirit of it, to the vision," he said at the time.
Judging by the recently released trailer, it's clear what Sloat meant in terms of staying true to the vision: The franchise's unique camera perspectives remain intact, if evolved. The scares are sure to deliver as well. Certainly, there are several key details remaining to be filled when it comes to "Paranormal Activity 2," but there's one thing that requires no explanation: The sequel's very existence owes everything to the first film's outpouring of fan support.
"If our fans didn't go online and 'demand' that the movie expand to their own cities, it wouldn't have gone anywhere. If you didn't spread the word on Twitter and Facebook, and tell your friends and family they had to see it for themselves, no one would have cared. It was because of you that 'Paranormal Activity' expanded from city to city, and eventually — when a MILLION of you demanded that it open nationwide — it finally got the wide release we'd been dreaming about for years," director Oren Peli said in a statement released to MTV earlier this year. "Looking back on everything, I can truly say that it was your passion and enthusiasm that made it all possible."
Are you excited for "Paranormal Activity 2"? Sound off in the comments below!
Drake And Chris Brown Hit The Studio Together
June 30, 2010
'I was actually in the studio with Chris Brown for a little bit,' Drake tells 'Extra'
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Drake
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage
With T-Pain keeping a relatively low profile and Lil Wayne midway through his yearlong incarceration, Drake has stepped up over the past year as the king of collabos: He's dropped bars on records by everyone from Jay-Z and Timbaland to Mary J. Blige and Trey Songz. The Toronto MC shows no signs of slowing down either, as the star recently disclosed that he's been "studio hopping" and even jumped in the lab with Chris Brown.
"Tonight, I've just been in the studio. I was actually in the studio with Chris Brown for a little bit," Drake told "Extra" on Tuesday. Fresh off of a big night for both stars at Sunday's 2010 BET Awards, it appears Drizzy and Breezy were not content to bask in the buzz and headed straight for the studio shortly after.
Drake didn't mention what, if anything, he and Breezy were cooking up but he did say that he went on the hunt for other possible collaborations. "Then I was studio hopping, seeing where I could lend my hand to whoever's project since I've done mine."
The studio session is not the first time that Drizzy and Breezy have crossed paths. Brown's ex Rihanna was once rumored to have rebounded with Drake following the pop couple's highly publicized split; a report that Brown once addressed in song and that Drizzy denied was true. However, Brown and Drake have also publicly appeared cool with each other, with Breezy showing up to Drake's Thank Me Later listening event earlier this year and briefly filling in for Drizzy during a 2009 Young Money tour date in Virginia.
What do you think a Drake/ Chris Brown collaboration might sound like? Let us know in the comments below!
Related Artists‘Jersey Shore’ Trailer Previews A Season’s Worth Of Craziness
June 30, 2010
Season two premieres on Thursday, July 29, at 10 p.m.!
By Eric Ditzian
Cast of "Jersey Shore"
Photo: MTV
"We're ready to come out and destroy this place!," Snooki says in the brand-new trailer for the second season of "Jersey Shore," which premieres on July 29. And from the looks of this footage, it seems these reality-show stars accomplished that goal in Miami.
There's the Situation and his boys fist-pumping in a strobe-light-filled club. There's Snooki and JWoww doing the robot in their private booth. There's Ronnie in a hot tub filled with scantily clad ladies. Punches are thrown, curses are unleashed — and what the heck is Snooki doing wearing a floppy sombrero on her head?
Who knows? The "Jersey" crew may be spending part of their second season in the sweat-soaked beaches and clubs of Miami, but their shenanigans are the same never-know-what's-gonna-happen-next stuff we came to love during the show's first season. And the only way to keep up with what's going on with everyone is to tune in for the second season premiere on Thursday, July 29, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
This trailer promises that you won't want to miss what happens. Ronnie and Sammi have fallen into a tension-filled pseudo-relationship, with the muscle-bound dude calling Sammi his girlfriend one minute and making out with two girls the next. But as Pauly D says, "I love single Ronnie!"
The cast seems to have less love for Angelina, who dubbed herself the Kim Kardashian of Staten Island last season before bailing on the show. Now she's back, and at least at the start, no one is pleased. "You're the kryptonite to my f---ing tan," declares Snooki.
What else? Well, there are hookups, there are fights, there are family bonds, there are the Situation's abs. It's sure to be a crazy season. But no one can sum it up better than Snickers herself ...
"Pretty much every night it's a party," she declares. "You better buckle yourself in!"
Season two of "Jersey Shore" premieres Thursday, July 29, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Be there!
Related Videos Related Photos‘Eclipse’ Fans Swarm Midnight Screenings Across Globe
June 30, 2010
Theaters from Finland to the Philippines held early screenings of 'Twilight' movie.
By Eric Ditzian
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "Eclipse"
Photo: Summit
The wait ended at midnight, and as MTV News can attest, the lines fans eager to see "Eclipse" snaked around theaters in New York and Los Angeles.
Those two metropolises weren't the only places beset by "Twilight" fervor. Deadline Hollywood reports that theaters in Boston, Washington D.C., Detroit, Cleveland, Denver and Salt Lake City were mobbed at midnight. So too were the theaters holding early screenings in countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Hungary and Finland.
At this point, "Eclipse" ranks as the widest domestic release in history as it opens in 4,416 theaters in North America — besting the record set by "Iron Man 2" earlier this year. Four thousand of those theaters held midnight screenings, Deadline reported, and several theater chains also had 3 a.m. screenings to meet public demand. IMAX was expected to hold 3 a.m. screenings in 120 of its theaters.
In the run-up to release, fans were also taking precautions against widespread sellouts, as "Eclipse" pre-sales spiked. Fandango reported that the vampire flick accounted for 91 percent of ticket sales on Tuesday, after staying in the site's top five since the pre-sale started in mid-May.
By the end of the weekend, "Eclipse" should have a staggering box-office haul. Early tracking suggests a three-day-weekend gross of as much as $140 million, with a six-day purse of up to $180 million.
Those are monster numbers, no doubt, but when you listen to how excited fans are, it's really not that surprising at all.
"I'm really excited," Oladayo Idowu, told MTV News outside a theater in New York. "I'm here for [the midnight showing], so I'm surprised my mom even let me out! I've been waiting for this movie since I saw 'Twilight.' I'm going to see it again and again and again."
Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Related Videos Related Photos50 Cent And Floyd Mayweather Talk Friendship, Manny Pacquiao Fight
June 30, 2010
50 is 'surrounded by a lot of controversy like myself,' fighter tells Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Tim Kash
50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather
Photo: MTV News
Celebrity Favorites: 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather
50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather are as cool as Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. The lethal combination recently hung out in Los Angeles and sat down with MTV News. Their friendship is so genuine that a lot of times, when they have a conversation, they cut each other off before a sentence can be completed.
"MTV should be actually paying me for this," 50 smiled, sitting next to Money May.
"50 Cent is one of my best friends," Mayweather said. "He's a great person, great guy. He's very controversial. He's surrounded by a lot of controversy like myself. In the rap game he's taking on all comers. In the fight game, I'm taking on all comers."
"All comers!" 50 added. "You know what people mistake about Floyd? When he says 'money.' When he makes reference to money, it's not like he doesn't have a passion for the actual art form of boxing or the skill, because he's obviously the best fighter out there. And they still can't find anybody out there who can beat him."
One man many boxing experts and fans feel can give Floyd a run for his money is Manny Pacquiao. They came close to fighting earlier this year, but the fight was canceled because the fighters couldn't agree on the drug testing. Mayweather has demanded Olympic-style drug testing for the fight and Pacquiao says no. All boxing fans, including 50 Cent, are hoping they can come to some sort of resolution.
"The thing about that situation is this," Mayweather began before 50 chimed in.
"We gon' beat him up. He gon' beat him up!" the Queens MC exclaimed.
"If we don't take the test, if the athlete is cheating, then we're cheating the fans," Mayweather said.
"Why would that [drug testing] be a problem if you wasn't cheating?" 50 opined. "I smell something dirty."
"If you clean, then take the test," Mayweather said. "I'm a clean athlete. [Sugar] Mosley stood up, he took the test. So of course we want him to stand up and take the test. You do your homework on him. I wish him nothing but the best. Me, myself, I'm living my life. I'm comfortable, I'm happy."
For the record, Floyd says his "next fight is life." As for what Mayweather is listening to right now, we defer right back to the G-Unit camp. The champ says he's a fan of Lloyd Banks' "Beamer, Benz or Bentley."
"That's the hottest record out right now," Mayweather insisted. "Something different. It made me go out and buy the Supersport Bentley."
This holiday weekend in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Mayweather is hosting an All White Celebration with Vibe magazine.
50 Cent is continuing to work on new music.
Related Videos Related Artists‘Eclipse’ Fans Love Movie’s Tent Scene, Faster Pace
June 30, 2010
Twilighters at the movie's midnight screening call this the best of the three 'Twilight' movies.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Damian Vaca
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in "Eclipse"
Photo: Summit
We're not sure if you've heard, but "Eclipse" is out now. Fans all across the U.S.A were already lining up for midnight screenings on Tuesday night to be some of the first to catch the third film in the "Twilight Saga." MTV News caught up with New York City Twi-hards before the show, and we were also on hand to talk to Los Angeles fans as they streamed out of the theater.
The consensus among the West Coast Twilighters we spoke to is that David Slade's take on the vampire tale rocked.
"Best movie! It was actually the whole tent scene. Love the tent scene; it was a battle between Edward and Jacob. It was amazing! I loved it," Elisse Mendez raved to MTV News. "I would actually have to say this is one of the top films that has come out so far. 'Twilight' was good. 'New Moon' was good, but I think this was better. Jacob — this time around he was such an amazing actor."
Patrick Seitz said he had been hoping Slade would bring his prior vampire expertise to the film, and he wasn't disappointed. "I actually surprisingly liked it. I think this is the best of the bunch. I did [like the end], although I feel bad for Jacob because every time he does stuff, I know what's coming," he said. "I like the love triangle. I like the tension. I thought it was a good ending."
Morgan Jones admitted that the end made her cry. Her pal Heather Jones added, "Loved it. This one's so much better! I wish I could watch it again right now. The acting was better, the writing was better. There weren't so many long pauses. It was like it moved. It was an action film."
Fans named the long awaited tent scene and the film's conclusion as highlights. "The ending of the movie was really great," Carissa Odenberg said. "I want to see 'Breaking Dawn.' It makes you want to see the next one."
Her friend Anthony Ortiz continued, "It had a lot of action. Best movie so far of the 'Twilight Saga.' I like the details. All the detail was good. I really enjoyed it."
"It was awesome," Cary Lockwood said. "It was better than I thought it was going to be."
Angie Llorena added, "It was better than the first two combined. It got my adrenaline pumping. It was very cool, exciting."
Did you see "Eclipse" yet? Share your reviews in the comments!
Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Related Videos Related Photos- 'Eclipse' Stars In New York
- "Eclipse" Premieres In Los Angeles
- 'Eclipse' Premieres Around The World
- 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse'
‘Eclipse’ Moviegoers Get Pumped Up Outside NYC Midnight Screening
June 30, 2010
'I'm going to see it again and again and again,' one eager Twilighter tells MTV News.
By Josh Wigler
"The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"
Photo: Summit
Only eight months have passed since "New Moon" hit theaters, but fans of "The Twilight Saga" have still waited anxiously for "Eclipse" to finally arrive. Thankfully, the waiting ends at midnight. "Eclipse" is officially here, bringing Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner back to the big screen once again. MTV News hit a New York movie theater to gauge fan excitement over the release of "Eclipse," and unsurprisingly, the masses proved quite anxious for the movie's first frames.
"I'm really excited," Hortencia Caires said. "I've read all of the series, all of the books, and I've watched all of the movies. I'm pretty darn stoked! I'm excited for Bella to finally make her choice. People portray Jacob as the guy she wants, but technically, I think she's always wanted Edward. This is the right choice for her."
Indeed, the merit of Team Edward vs. Team Jacob was a hot-button issue among the many Twilighters we spoke with. "I'm Team Edward, duh!" Oladayo Idowu exclaimed proudly. "First, I was Jacob, and then I was Edward, because he's best for [Bella]."
"I'm on Team Jacob because he's cute," Cecilia Le said. "I don't know. There are a lot of reasons!"
Even fellow fans and friends Ellie Miltner and Amanda Lawrence couldn't agree between Edward and Jacob. "I personally just like the vampire thing," Amanda said, while Ellie declared: "I'm a werewolf kind of girl!"
The two friends could agree on one thing: their most anticipated scene. "I'm most looking forward to the scene in the tent where Edward and Jacob are there together," Ellie said, a notion Amanda agreed with. "They said it was really fun to film, so we're excited about that, and he's naked, so that's the best part!"
Other fans were excited to watch the highly touted action scenes, courtesy of acclaimed horror director David Slade. "I'm most excited for the scene where the vampires come out of the water and the big battle begins," Stacey Harris said.
Amanda Scully agreed with Stacey: "The scene where they fight at the end. It's action-packed, and I like the action!"
Even if fans had trouble agreeing on their favorite characters and scenes, they all shared the same infectious enthusiasm for the "Twilight" franchise. One fan even drove all the way to New York from Pennsylvania just to make sure her first viewing of "Eclipse" was extra special.
"I live in Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh, and I wanted to come to an IMAX theater," Erika Abad said. "I've never been to one."
"I'm really excited," Oladayo said. "I'm here for [the midnight showing], so I'm surprised my mom even let me out! I've been waiting for this movie since I saw 'Twilight.' I'm going to see it again and again and again."
Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Related PhotosLandon Donovan Says ‘Finality’ Is Hardest Part Of Losing World Cup
June 30, 2010
USA soccer star talks about the importance of volunteering at New York conference.
By Kyle Anderson, with reporting by Akshay Bhansali
Landon Donovan
Photo: MTV News
If Tuesday night's forum for the National Conference on Volunteering and Service had happened a month ago, undoubtedly the biggest audience response would have gone to former first daughter Barbara Bush or Ben Nemtin from MTV's "The Buried Life." But then Landon Donovan's 2010 FIFA World Cup heroics happened and captivated a suddenly soccer-loving American public, which meant that he scored the biggest and most prolonged cheers from the crowd of students and young people gathered in the spirit of spreading the word about giving back.
Donovan talked about the importance of public service, something he said he got from his parents. "I come from a background with teachers everywhere, and my mom taught special ed for 29 years, so if there's a definition of giving and service to a community, I think being a special-ed teacher is way up there," he told MTV News after speaking to the group.
The soccer star doesn't just talk the talk, either. He has been active in a number of different charities and service organizations that he has managed to help through his participation on the U.S. national soccer squad. Most recently, the Los Angeles Galaxy player has been working with a group to try to stamp out malaria in Africa.
"The people from United Against Malaria approached me and asked me if I wanted to be a part of their campaign, and for me it was perfect," Donovan said. "No better way to get awareness than a World Cup. Everybody was watching — the first World Cup in Africa. Ten dollars buys a net that literally saves a family's lives. The biggest thing is getting awareness out there. Not just awareness in other countries but also awareness in Africa — letting people know it's as simple as going out and buying a net to help save yourself."
Donovan also shared his musical obsessions (he digs hip-hop but tends to listen to more laid-back stuff like the Fray before games) and talked about how he dealt with the United States' elimination from the tournament at the hands of Ghana in the round of 16 last Saturday.
"We've all lost plenty of games in our lives, but when you lose in a World Cup, it's different and it's more disappointing," he explained. "The finality of it all is the hard part. You realize that everything you've put in for so long is gone and you have to wait another four years. That's the part that's most difficult to take."
Britney Spears To Design Clothing For Candie’s
June 30, 2010
Line features skinny jeans, black skirts, motorcycle jackets.
By Jocelyn Vena
Britney Spears
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Britney Spears has already appeared in ads for the Candie's for Kohl's campaign, dancing around in cute little dresses and skimpy bikinis. And now the star is adding clothing designer to her résumé by co-designing her own line of clothing and accessories for Candie's. The line will hit Kohl's stores starting on July 1 and will be available for a limited time. It features skinny jeans, casual striped sweaters, little black skirts and motorcycle jackets.
In an interview with InStyle.com, Spears explains how she came up with the ideas for the line. "First, I met with the Candie's designers and told them what my favorite styles are. Then, we sketched the items together," she explained. "I loved it when I saw the samples for the first time."
So which piece in the collection does Spears like best? "I love the black trench coat. You can wear it over your outfit or as a dress. There's also an amazing studded skirt that's perfect for going out," she said, adding that studs are a big part of her line.
"I used a lot of studs and lace, because I wanted to make the clothes cool and edgy yet girly. I also love jeans, so I had to make sure there were some great pairs in the collection. And I love jewelry so there are a lot of fun pieces," she continued. "There are great necklaces and big earrings."
The line mimics the clothes that the singer loves to wear in her real life. "My personal style is a mix of comfortable and flirty," she said. "I love cute little dresses but I also love comfy sweaters and jeans."
What do you think of Spears' clothes? Tell us in the comments!
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