Top Story: Nemo Dives Into DVD
Walt Disney Pictures is planning a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign for the DVD release of their smash hit Finding Nemo, which will come out on a two-disc collector’s set Nov. 4. Variety reports the DVD edition of the highest grossing Disney/Pixar computer-animated film will include virtual aquariums that allow viewers to turn their TVs into fish tanks with swimming fish and sound effects. Other extras will include the CGI-short Knick Knack, which ran before the film in theaters, an educational featurette about Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, filmmakers’ commentary, deleted scenes, recording sessions, a making-of documentary and a tour of Pixar Animation Studios.
Lane Sues Movie Company
Oscar-nominated actress Diane Lane has filed a lawsuit against Intermedia Film Equities USA, claiming the production company failed to finance a film she was to star in as well as sign up co-star Bruce Willis, The Associated Press reports. Lane, who signed a pay or play deal with Intermedia to do the film Me Again for $3.5 million, was sent only three payments in June and is asking for the remaining balance of about $2.7 million to be paid to her.
Will He or Won’t He?
Arnold Schwarzenegger has still not made up his mind whether he’ll be running for governor of California, despite a report on Fox News Monday that said the Austrian-born actor would not seek the position after all, Reuters reports. “There are reports in the media that Arnold Schwarzenegger has decided not to run in the California recall election. These reports are incorrect,” Schwarzenegger‘s political adviser George Gorton said in a statement. The Terminator trilogy star has let it be known he’d be interested in running if the unprecedented recall effort against California’s Democratic Governor Gray Davis went forward. “[Arnold] has made no decision at this time [but] will continue to weigh the pros and cons with his family and will continue to seek the counsel of supporters and colleagues,” Gorton said.
Campbell Hurt in Accident
Actor Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, Army of Darkness) suffered minor injuries in a car accident in Oregon Saturday, AP reports. The 45-year-old actor was struck by a Jeep whose driver was cited for driving under the influence. Campbell was treated at a local hospital and released.
Spielberg Tackles Western Series for TNT
Yee-haw! Steven Spielberg will co-executive produce a 12-hour as-yet-untitled miniseries for TNT set in the great American West. Variety reports the story follows a pair of families, one white and one Native American, whose lives parallel the settlement of the American West in the 19th century.
Morgan Leaves SNL For Primetime
After seven seasons, comedian Tracy Morgan has left Saturday Night Live to star in The Tracy Morgan Show, a proposed sitcom not yet slated for NBC’s fall schedule, AP reports. His new TV persona will be a hardworking family man. “This character gets to show people in the public that I’m a dad. They get to see the struggle,” Morgan said at the Television Critics Association last week.
Williams Signs Up for Boomtown
Vanessa Williams will be the newest cast member on the NBC show Boomtown. AP reports the actress has signed on to play Det. Katherine Pierce and will appear in 10 of the season’s first 13 episodes this fall.
Britney, Blige Kick Off NFL Season
Pop princess Britney Spears and hip-hop diva Mary J. Blige are signed up to give a free concert at the National Mall in Washington D.C. to kick off the 2002 National Football League season’s first game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Jets on Sept. 4, Billboard.com reports. Organizers are also looking to add more acts, including Kid Rock and Aerosmith, for the show that will air on ABC before the game.
Role Call: Artisan Picks Up Dummy
Artisan Pictures has picked up the rights to the indie film Dummy starring the Oscar-winning Adrien Brody. Variety reports the film centers around a socially retarded young man (Brody) who breaks away from his dysfunctional family to live out his dream as a ventriloquist. Also stars Milla Jovovich and Illeana Douglas. Artisan plans to release the film in September.
