In the first truly shocking box office result of the year, Fast & Furious sped away from expectations to gross a humongous $72.5 mil, according to early estimates from Media by Numbers. That result is effectively double what most industry observers had predicted for the debut of the fourth feature in Vin Diesel’s car franchise, and it left in the dust a number of notable records:

* Best April opening ever, beating Anger Management’s $42.2 mil
* Best Universal Pictures opening ever (three-day), beating The Lost World: Jurassic Park’s $72.1 mil
* Best F&F franchise opening ever, beating 2 Fast 2 Furious’ $50.5 mil
* Best opening yet in 2009, easily beating the bows of the more-buzzed-about Monsters vs. Aliens ($59.3 mil) and Watchmen ($55.2 mil)
* Best opening ever for stars Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster, as well as for director Justin Lin

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Us Magazine reports that the Sex and the City sequel has a release date: May 28, 2010.

A few of the stars hinted at what might be coming.  Chris Noth hinted that producers are ‘probably thinking’ about babies for Big and Carrie, while Cynthia Nixon said she’d love to see the characters head off on a ‘madcap adventure’ somewhere.

Sarah Jessica Parker was more tight lipped, however

“In a million years I’m not going to give you an indication,” she said jokingly. “I want someone to show up that first weekend.”

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photo: bauer-griffin

It looks like “Little Fockers” is finally coming of age.

The long-gestating third installment of the comedy franchise, first announced two years ago, is maturing quickly at Universal Pictures — but with new parents behind the camera.

The “Fockers” franchise, which began in 2000 with “Meet the Parents,” stars Ben Stiller as Greg Focker, a liberal, do-no-right husband and Robert De Niro as his conservative, unforgiving father-in-law. “Little Fockers” is expected to revolve around the children of Greg and his wife, Pam (Teri Polo).

Stiller, De Niro and Owen Wilson are in negotiations to star in “Little Fockers.” Owen, who had small parts in the first two pictures, could have an expanded role in the new film.

Jay Roach, who directed the first two films, will produce “Fockers” but not helm the picture. He’s concentrating on the comic romp “Dinner for Schmucks” for DreamWorks.

Among the candidates said to be in the running to direct “Fockers” are comedy veteran Paul Weitz, who wrote and directed “In Good Company” and co-wrote and co-directed “About a Boy”; the quirky-comedy figure David Wain, writer-director of cult pic “Wet Hot American Summer” and the male-buddy hit “Role Models”; and Peyton Reed, who directed the Jim Carrey-starring “Yes Man.”

John Hamburg has been brought on to write the screenplay. Hamburg is a Stiller collaborator who wrote drafts of “Meet the Parents” and 2004’s “Meet the Fockers” and worked with the star on “Along Came Polly.” He also wrote and directed the comedy “I Love You, Man,” set for release next month via Paramount.

The “Fockers” property has provided a reliable cash infusion for Universal, with the first two pics earning more than $800 million worldwide.

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Answers after the jump! (more…)

Universal has decided to abandon those direct-to-video “American Pie” spin-off films in favour of making a third sequel to the original film – one that might possibly pick up on the whereabouts of now-married Jim and Michelle (Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan). Like the other three, it’ll be released theatrically.

The success of the direct-to-video spin-off films (“American Pie : Band Camp”, “American Pie : Naked Mile” and “American Pie : Beta House” – all featuring Eugene Levy) has Uni thinking it might be time to return the series to its roots – alas, it’s back to Jim, Michelle, Finch, Stifler (though personally I doubt Seann William Scott will return) and whoever else can be roped back into the fruity follow-up.

One can only assume that this fourth direct sequel would centre on Jim and Michelle having kids – with token words of advice from the weird and wild father (Eugene Levy), of course – or the duo going through some kind of hiccup in their marriage? Then again, maybe they’ll drop those characters and fix on one of the supporting characters, say Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) or even, Oz (Chris Klein), who didn’t return for the last sequel?

Nobody’s been roped into doing the film yet – but I can’t imagine Jason Biggs would knock it back – but “American Pie 4” is said to be inching forward so expect to hear something officialish soon.

The first “American Pie”, released in 1999, made nearly over $235 million dollars in its run.

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I finally saw a grown up movie!

My girlfriend Lisa and I went last night and saw Australia.  We weren’t sure we could make it through a nearly 3 hour movie at 9:30 last night (we’re old, remember?) but we hit Starbucks, and went for it. And I am so glad we did.  I loved Australia so much more than I thought I would.  Even as the movie started, I wasn’t sure if it was something I would like.  It was very Baz Luhrmann, and so some of it seemed really cheesy to me.  But as the movie went on, I just fell more and more in love with it – and the story.

And then you get sucked into the movie, the characters and love story.  Wow!  Baz definitely hit it out of the ballpark with this one.  I loved it so much.  I love a good cry, and let me tell you – there are several good cries in this movie.  It is the most beautiful story – and beautiful movie to watch.  I don’t think the movie would be as good at home – I think you should see it in a theater to really appreciate the beautiful cinematography.

Let’s just say that Hugh Jackman is one sexy beast.  Dang, he was hot in this movie!! Nicole Kidman usually annoys me, but – wow, she was really amazing in this movie.  You could tell this movie was a labor of love for everyone involved.  The star of the movie had to be thirteen year old Brandon Walters.  He played the young Aboriginal boy.  Every time he says “I’ll sing you to me” there were tears all around.

I love me an epic movie.  I have always loved the classic love/war story.  I think this movie accomplished what Pearl Harbor could not.  When the movie was over, Lisa and I couldn’t get over how amazing it was.  It’s such a good feeling to pay for a movie ($9.50!) and actually have it be worth it.  It was worth the 1:00am bed time.  I’m a bit tired this morning, but I’m so glad I saw the movie.  It was unbelievable.

I’ve heard some people say the movie is too long, but honestly, I can’t imagine a thing they could take out! I feel like it was all necessary!  And I loved every minute, so I’d hate to see anything cut.

Bottom line – I loved it!  I think you should see it quickly – it may be on it’s way out of theaters as we speak!

Jocelyn

Twentieth Century Fox is developing a new version of the Diane Thomas-penned tale of a repressed romance novelist who travels to Colombia to find her kidnapped sister but winds up on an adventure with a swashbuckling American soldier of fortune.

Together the pair must evade the attentions of a local gangster who controls the Colombian police force like a private army, while searching for a huge emerald and trying to rescue the sister.

Eagle Eye writer Daniel McDermott is to write the script for the new version, which does not have a director or cast attached as yet. Thomas’s original, which she wrote while waiting tables in Malibu, turned out to be her only published script – she died in a car crash in 1985, a year after the film was released.

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