Tekkonkinkreet, Persepolis submitted for Oscar nominations
Anime News Network reports that Tekkonkinkreet and Persepolis are among the 12 films submitted for nomination in the Best Animated Feature category of the Academy Awards.
That list will be whittled down to three actual nominees.
Other works up for consideration include TMNT and Beowulf. The nominations will be announced on Jan. 22.
Tekkonkinkreet is based on Taiyo Matsumoto’s manga. Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud’s animated adaptation of Satrapi’s graphic novels.
Strike: Whedon’s Dollhouse on hold; agents fret about option deals
Just last week Joss Whedon was announcing his return to television with Dollhouse, a new series starring Eliza Dushku.
But this week, as he joins the picket line, Whedon reveals the new show has been put on hold because of the Writers Guild of America strike.
“I have no conflict about this,” he tells Variety‘s strike blog. “It’s not hard for me. The issues we’re talking about are so crucial.”
Meanwhile, The Los Angeles Times reports book agents are worrying the strike could lead to the cancellation of many option deals. One literary agent tells the newspaper she’s already receiving letters citing the force majeure contract provisions, which allow studios and production companies to cancel or revise deals in the event of an unforeseen development.
Apparently, the WGA strike qualifies.
The article also notes that New York publishers are preparing for an influx of book proposals from screenwriters.
Ryder to play Spock’s mom in Star Trek
Winona Ryder has been cast as the mother of the young Spock in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek.
Variety reports that Ryder will play Vulcan mother of Spock (Zachary Quinto), but I’m pretty sure that’s wrong. In Gene Roddenberry’s TV series, Spock’s mother was human; his father was Vulcan.
The movie, set during the Starfleet Academy days of the Enterprise crew, stars Chris Pine as Capt. Kirk, Karl Urban as Dr. McCoy, and Simon Pegg as Mr. Scott. Yesterday, Paramount announced Bruce Greenwood will play Christopher Pike, the original captain of the Enterprise.
Tommy Lee Jones surprised to learn Two-Face is alive
Yesterday, I posted something about Jack Nicholson apparently being upset that he wasn’t asked to reprise the role of The Joker in The Dark Knight. I say “apparently” because I think he was kidding, even if some outlets say differently.
On the heels of Nicholson’s “outrage,” MTV’s Movies Blog turns to Tommy Lee Jones. Surely he, too, is “furious” that he wasn’t asked to return as Two-Face. Well, apparently he isn’t.
“Really? I thought he died,” Jones responded when told Harvey Dent is returning in The Dark Knight. Asked if he’d like to play the character again, Jones simply said, “No.”
