Nick Jonas Takes on New Broadway Role

“It’s Official,” the youngest JoBro tweeted today, “I’m coming back to Broadway.”   He’ll be replacing Daniel Radcliffe in playing the role of J. Pierrepont Finch in “How to Succeed in the Business Without Really Trying.”  Nick already has a long list of credentials, including a long history in musical theater and those “Camp Rock” movies (It’s [...]

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Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers

'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll


Mary J. Blige
Photo: MTV News

You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.

In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.

But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.

"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."

Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.

"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633563/mary-j-blige-dishes-on-her-crazy-led-zeppelin-covers.jhtml

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Justin Bieber Unhurt In Minor Car Accident

Singer surrounded by paparazzi after his Ferrari was dinged.
By Gil Kaufman


Justin Bieber
Photo: WireImage

Just two days after taking home a Moonman at the VMAs, Justin Bieber chalked up another young pop star rite of passage: his first paparazzi-witnessed fender bender.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Bieber was in a minor auto accident on Tuesday in the San Fernando Valley, caused by a Honda Civic that collided with his black Ferrari. "No one was injured and there was no damage to either vehicle," the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement.   Of course, when LAPD officers rolled up, they were the second ones to arrive on the scene, trailing a horde of photographers who were eagerly snapping away at the 17-year-old singer, who was driving the car. The accident reportedly occurred in an underground parking structure, when the Civic driver attempted to drive around Bieber's luxury ride and its front side clipped the left rear side of the "Baby" singer's car, according to E! Online.

Check out backstage photos of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez at the VMAs.

There was an unidentified passenger in the car believed to be Bieber's assistant. No police report was taken, as there was no visible damage to either car.

The crash came less than 48 hours after Bieber scooped up the Best Male Video award at the VMAs for his "U Smile" video, and surprised viewers by showing up to the big show toting his snake ("Johnson"), not to mention planting a kiss on the cheek of his lady love, VMA pre-show host Selena Gomez.

The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards have wrapped, but the real action is just getting started! Stick with MTV News for winners, fashion pics, video and behind-the-scenes stories about everything that went down. Visit VMA.MTV.com for the latest.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1670024/justin-bieber-car-accident-minor.jhtml

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Sarah Jessica Parker Time Travels For 'Sex And The City' Sequel (But Not Really)

Much of the recent "Sex and the City" sequel talk has focused on the so-called adaptation of "The Carrie Diaries," but don't be so quick to dismiss a third theatrical outing for Carrie Bradshaw and her merry band of New York socialites! It just so happens that we've got exclusive intel on what's set to go [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/09/07/sarah-jessica-parker-time-travels-for-sex-and-the-city-sequel-but-not-really/

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Katie Holmes and Suri Bring Their Street Style Out in NYC

Katie Holmes dressed up her spandex with a sweater and boots on her way into Soul Cycle in NYC today. She's been hitting the gym since arriving on the East Coast earlier this week and was spotted after a solo workout just yesterday. Suri made her own fashion statement on the streets of Manhattan with her nanny this morning following another stylish outing with Katie this week. Katie and Suri both wore heels during a day at Chelsea Piers, where Suri later changed into a leotard for gymnastics class. The duo didn't participate in any Fashion's Night Out events despite being in the perfect location, but there were plenty of other stars spotted celebrating around the world.

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'Muppets' Brings Out The 'Puppet Geek' In Jason Segel

Co-writer and star recalls cast's 'wild love of the Muppets' on set, in MTV News' Fall Movie Preview.
By Kara Warner


Fozzie the Bear, Kermit the Frog, Jason Segel and Miss Piggy in "The Muppets"
Photo: Walt Disney

For those of us who grew up with Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and the rest of the fun, furry gang known as the Muppets, their upcoming return to the big screen is one of the most anticipated of the year. And they're coming back with a bang: Their first feature film in more than a decade features an A-list cast, a killer marketing campaign, a hit soundtrack and a slew of celeb cameos.

Click for exclusive photos from fall's biggest flicks.

MTV News recently caught up with "The Muppets" co-writer and star Jason Segel to find out who is the funniest and most fun Muppet to hang out with, why people act differently around puppets and what's generally in store for Muppet lovers old and new.

MTV: We know it's like picking a favorite child, but who is your favorite Muppet?

Jason Segel: I must say Walter is going to be a new favorite. You haven't gotten to know him that well yet, but he sort of represents the point of view of the audience. He's just a crazy Muppets fan, and he reminds me a lot of Kermit before Kermit became Kermit. He's wildly hopeful and believes in goodness and friendship, so I have a real affinity for Walter.

MTV : Who is Walter's favorite Muppet?

Segel: Kermit. He is a wild, wild, wild Kermit fan. He has Kermit on his watch. Walter grew up with me in the city of normal people. He's the only puppet where he grew up, so when he saw "The Muppet Show" for the first time, he sort of felt like, "Oh my gosh, there are other people out there like me."

MTV : You have a lot of celeb Muppet fans in the film. Who geeked out the most with the Muppets?

Segel: I must say, there is something intrinsic of anyone who grew up with the Muppets, they have a wild love for the Muppets that comes out as soon as they come to set. Almost everybody legitimately freaked out. I think the thing that was the coolest was seeing Academy Award winner Chris Cooper — he's not a cameo; he's our villain — but this guy is one of the best actors alive, and to see him talking to these Muppets, looking them straight in the eye and laughing, there's a puppeteer right next to the Muppet, operating the puppet, but he looks straight at the puppet, and to see that that even happens to someone like Chris Cooper, it reaffirmed everything that I was working for.

MTV : There's something about puppets ...

Segel: There is something else. ... You can never touch an animated character; you could never actually be friends with it in its world. But with puppets, they exist in our world, and you can interact with them and touch them and feel like they're your friends, and I think that, viscerally, there's a different reaction to that. Sorry, I'm a total puppet geek. I could talk about this for hours. There was a little girl who came to set, and she got to meet Kermit. The puppeteers are always so gracious about meeting children when they come to set, and then the family was sitting behind the monitors and Kermit was doing a scene, and she said, out loud, in the middle of the scene, "I'm friends with him!" It just confirmed exactly what I believe that there's been something missing in that the Muppets haven't been at the forefront like what we had when we were kids.

MTV : So these are the Muppets we've known and loved, not a modern, raunchy version?

Segel: Never raunchy. The Muppets have always been subversive. They're all over the first season of "Saturday Night Live," and the first Jim Henson special was called ["The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence"]; it was very adult. The Muppets were always geared toward adult audiences, but they still managed to do that without ever being mean. It's so easy to get laughs making fun of people, and the Muppets never did that. They took maybe the harder route of being actually funny.

MTV : Who in your opinion is the funniest Muppet?

Segel: They're all so different and they all represent different facets of humor. But I love a good pun, and Fozzie Bear is just the pun master. There's a comic philosophy on puns that it's the lowest form of humor, and it's also supposed to be incredibly antisocial, because it stops the conversation; there's no response to a pun. But I'll tell you, there's something so endearing about Fozzie Bear just punning his little heart out. He's also, he's totally undaunted by the lack of response from his audience. He just keeps on going. Fozzie has a totally unfounded confidence, which is a quality that I think is just awesome.

MTV : Which Muppet did you get to know that surprised you most?

Segel: Well, Rowlf is really pleasant to be around. He's incredibly, incredibly calm, which we make fun of a lot during the movie. Rowlf, of all the Muppets, Rowlf just loves a nice nap.

MTV : What will grab people most? What is your goal with the film? Do you want to make sequels?

Segel: I try not to think beyond this one at this point, because I'm superstitious, but I will say that for lovers of "The Muppet Show," not just the movies but the actual show, the final act of the movie is as close to a re-creation of "The Muppet Show" as was possible. That was a thrill, because at the end of the movie, the Muppets put on a telethon based very much on an episode of "The Muppet Show," so we recorded [a version of] the original theme song for the first time since 1979. We made an almost exact replica of the original Muppet Theater as well. Walking into that was unbelievable, and not just for me; I must say I saw it on the faces of some of the puppeteers as well. Some of the ones who had worked on the original "Muppet Show" walked in and were like, 'Wow, this is what we did for a few years." It was pretty cool.

From "Abduction" to "Muppets, "Moneyball" to "Breaking Dawn," the MTV Movies team is delving into the hottest upcoming flicks in our 2011 Fall Movie Preview. Check back daily for exclusive clips, photos and interviews with the films' biggest stars.

Check out everything we've got on "The Muppets."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1670332/muppets-movie-jason-segel-puppets.jhtml

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Alexander Skarsgard: Hard at Work in NYC

Continuing work on his latest project, Alexander Skarsgard was spotted on the set of ?What Maise Knew? today (September 9).

The ?Straw Dogs? hunk was joined by costars Julianne Moore and Joanna Vanderham as he filmed scenes in the Chinatown neighborhood of Downtown Manhattan.

In a recent interview, Alex?s father Stellan Skarsgard sang his praises regarding his vampire abilities in ?True Blood.?

"I think [True Blood] is very well done and he's great in it. I don't give him any advice at all, because for my kids, from the age of 16 their lives are their responsibility. If he had the feeling that it was thanks to me that he had any of his success, it would just be half a success. He owes everything to himself."

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/what-maisie-knew/alexander-skarsgard-hard-work-nyc-541763

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'Three Musketeers' Director Promises 'Goosed Up' Action

'We're making a 21st-century 'Three Musketeers,' ' Paul W.S. Anderson tells MTV News in our Fall Movie Preview.
By Kara Warner


Milla Jovovich in "Three Musketeers"
Photo: Summit Entertainment

Paul W.S. Anderson fans know his films to be intense, action-packed and not exactly family friendly (see: "Death Race" or any films in the "Resident Evil" franchise). All that changes October 21, when his retelling of Alexandre Dumas' "The Three Musketeers" hits theaters.

Based on the beloved and familiar tale of adventure, intrigue and that famous "All for one and one for all" motto, the film features an ensemble cast: Logan Lerman, Christoph Waltz, Milla Jovovich, Orlando Bloom, Ray Stevenson, Matthew Macfadyen, Luke Evans, Juno Temple, James Corden and Mads Mikkelsen.

Click for photos from fall's biggest flicks!

But don't let the PG-13 rating fool you: Anderson told MTV News that what his film lacks in bloodletting, it makes up for with airships and swashbuckling. And everyone knows that anytime the word swashbuckling is involved, you're in for a good time.

MTV News: What made you want to retell this story, and how is your version different?

Paul W.S. Anderson : I'm a huge fan of "The Three Musketeers," the book I read at school. I grew up watching the Richard Lester adaptation of the novel, and I love the core story of the book, and that's pretty much what we've stayed true to: the basic story of D'Artagnan leaving Gascony, coming to Paris to seek his fortune and wanting to be a Musketeer and meeting the Musketeers. All that has stayed entirely true to the book in terms of character and narrative. The only thing we've goosed up is the action part of the movie to up the ante, considering we're making a 21st-century "Three Musketeers."

MTV: What can you tell us about those intriguing airships in the trailer?

Anderson: One of the things I found a little repetitive in the book is when the Musketeers returned from London with the diamonds, because they had to fight their way out of France to get the diamonds back and then they had to ride back, it kind of felt like a part of the book that had very little incidents because they're covering the same grounds, only less happens. I always thought that was something maybe we could add some action to, and that's where the idea for the airships came from. It's based upon the theory ... Da Vinci drew these fantastic designs of war machines. Some of these got built, a lot of which didn't, his flying machine, his tank. In addition to being a great artist, he was a great military thinker and designer of military hardware. We have this idea that in the movie one of his great inventions is kind of brought to life, that's where the airships come from. They're probably in reality, a hundred years too early, but Da Vinci was so far ahead of time we're using that to justify the intro of the airships. What that allowed me to do as a filmmaker was have some fresh, spectacular action at the tail end of the movie.

MTV: We've seen your lovely wife, Milla Jovovich, in a lot of your movies. What new sides of Milla will we see in this film?

Anderson: It was one of my attractions for making the movie. I'd always wanted to see Milla in a period film. I always felt that she would look awesome in the dresses, and she's got a kind of period face as well. I always knew that she would fit well into the 17th century. One of the big attractions to making and seeing the movie is seeing these opulent costumes and also the fact that it features M'lady De Winter, who's one of the original really bad girls in literature and bad girls in movies. Milla does quite a lot of action, but in real 17th-century dress, in the corsets and skirts flying. It's pretty exciting and unique. I've never seen anything done like that before.

MTV: We've seen that she can handle big action scenes.

Anderson: She can, but I have to say: Having to do a swordfight in a corset and a huge heavy skirt was incredibly demanding. She had to train wearing the corset while she was doing the stunt training for the film, because it altered your body weight completely. Also, the corsets are designed to look attractive rather than allow you to do action scenes. They're quite restrictive on your breathing, so some things she had to train very, very hard for, but she was insistent that she wanted to do a big action scene wearing the period costume. She was already a good martial artist, but she became an excellent swordswoman. She trained very hard to do the sword fighting. In the movie, in the trailer, even when the swords hit, there are all these sparks that come off them, and I'm sure people are going to think that was computer-generated, but the fact is those were real metal blades. ... The actors got their bruises and rapped knuckles and black eyes and bloody fingers, so I hope everyone appreciates the sword fighting, knowing that it's them doing it.

MTV: With all the fight sequences you've filmed, have you picked up any skills yourself?

Anderson: I'm not a world-class martial artist, but whenever we block a scene with the actors, I always put myself in the scene. Obviously, I'm not as flexible as Milla and my high kicks aren't as high, and I don't have as much stamina, but I'll block through the whole fight being her to show her what I want. I'll do that with every actor. I get in there whether its 17th-century pistols or machine guns if we're doing a "Resident Evil" movie. In that regard I'm kind of a method director. I would never ask an actor to do anything that I wouldn't be willing to do, whether it's walk on a really high building or fall off something. Anything I'm asking an actor to do, I would be prepared to do as well. I would do it badly, of course. That's why they're actors and getting paid all that money. It's a good thing I'm stuck behind the camera.

From "Abduction" to "Muppets, "Moneyball" to "Breaking Dawn," the MTV Movies team is delving into the hottest upcoming flicks in our 2011 Fall Movie Preview. Check back daily for exclusive clips, photos and interviews with the films' biggest stars.

Check out everything we've got on "The Three Musketeers."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Related Videos Related Photos

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1670471/three-musketeers-director-action.jhtml

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