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Shrek stars Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy have agreed to voice the sequel to last year’s animation mega-blockbuster, according to Reuters. And while we’ll most likely have to wait until 2004 to see the ogre, Princess Fiona and Donkey in Shrek 2, we’ve learned one thing from its $900 million predecessor: green ogres rake in the green stuff.
In Movies
Walt Disney Pictures announced Thursday that its major holiday animation film Treasure Planet will be released simultaneously in 35mm and IMAX Theaters on Nov. 27. Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, this futuristic space adventure follows a boy pirate in search of the “loot of a thousand worlds.” Emma Thompson, David Hyde Pierce and Martin Short will voice the characters.
Robert Redford‘s not the “Sundance Kid” for nothing. According to the Associated Press, Academy President Frank Pierson announced Friday that Redford, the actor/director/producer/creator of Sundance, will receive an honorary Oscar in March for having an “enormously positive impact on the motion picture industry” through his “dedication to independent filmmaking.”
Speaking of “indie flicks,” William Shatner and Harry Hamlin were in the Twin Cities Friday promoting their new low-budget flick, “Shoot or Be Shot,” AP reports. Although this one probably won’t get wide distribution, Hamlin said they took on the project because “we love the story, and we love the characters.” (At least he’s busy again; Hamlin‘s last notable role was on TV drama L.A. Law which ended in 1994).
Marisa Tomei and Ted Danson will announce the nominees for the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Tuesday, according to Ananova.com. The awards are given to both film and TV actors, and the winners will be announced March 10.
In Music
Mariah Carey may be back in the recording studio sooner than later. After a disappointing broken contract with EMI, the singer is rumored to be in negotiations with hip-hop label Def Jam, according to Sky News. Nothing has been finalized to date.
Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Phil Collins, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder are all set take part in Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee, a live concert honoring the queen’s 50-year U.K. reign, Reuters reports. The BBC is scheduled to air the concert live June 3.
The Michael Jackson Internet Fan Club will be closing its doors Thursday, according to a message the MJIFC Team left on its site that read, “We are now ready to move on to other tasks in our lives.” ABC News.com reports the site had been online for seven years.
PBS is celebrating 40 years of R&B classics in “Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular,” Reuters reports. While no date is set, the artists highlighted will include the Isley Brothers, Percy Sledge, Eddie Holman, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes and others. Dionne Warwick will co-host the program with Jerry Butler and Sam Moore.
What’s your favorite flavor? The Dave Matthews Band has a new one. It’s called One Sweet Whirled, and it’s named after their song “One Sweet World,” according to MTV. Here’s the scoop: it’s one of several new Ben & Jerry’s ice creams, combing coffee ice cream with caramel and marshmallow swirls.
Now for an ’80s flashback. Pop band Bananarama will reunite at London’s Astoria for a special 20th anniversary concert next month, Ananova.com reports. All three of the band’s original members–Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward and Siobhan Fahey–will perform.
In general
Playboy magazine is giving reality TV a shot, according to Sky News. Twelve contestants, who will be featured in the June issue of Playboy, will live with one another for two weeks while competing to become the July Playmate. Hugh Hefner will pick the winner for the show that’s expected to be titled Who Wants To Be a Playboy Playmate?
