New Writer For The Lost Symbol

Dan Brown 3 gets an overhaulAngels And Demons didn't do as well, box office-wise, as The Da Vinci Code (presumably because many of its potential audience had seen The Da Vinci Code), but still, half a billion dollars in ticket sales is not to be sniffed at. Sony remain determined to crack the screenplay for Dan Brown's third Robert Langdon conspiracy epic The Lost Symbol, and Danny Strong is the latest man for the job.Strong's task will be to overhaul the script already attempted by Brown himself and Steven Knight (Eastern Promises, the new Rebecca). He's faced with a story set after The Da Vinci Code, taking place this time entirely on American soil, involving a huge secret plot about freemasonry. Langdon will decipher clues, and will explain what he's doing the entire time, whether there's anyone there to talk to or not.Strong wrote the upcoming Sarah Palin film Game Change for HBO, so he at least has a feel for the unlikely already.Ron Howard isn't directing The Lost Symbol (as he did The Da VinciCode and Angels &Demons), and Deadline seem reasonably confident that, as previously reported, Mark Romanek is still on board. Tom Hanks is expected to come back, and Howard is still producing, along with his regular cohort Brian Grazer.The Lost Symbol is the fastest-selling adult novel of all time. It's 2012 and the world is ending.

Intrigued by NBC's Dream-y Double Existence Drama Awake? You Need To Be! Here's The Way It Works

[SPOILER ALERT: The following story unveils the champion of Top Chef Season 9. Read in the own risk.]After trekking through Texas and lengthy lasting more all-nighters and meat challenges than imaginable, Paul Qui and Sarah Grueneberg faced off throughout the final time for your Top Chef Season 9 title. Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Top ChefChris CraryGrayson SchmitzHeather TerhuneKeith RhodesLindsay AutryNyesha ArringtonPaul QuiSarah GruenebergTy-lor BoringTyler StoneTom ColicchioPadma Lakshmi

Five 2012 Blockbusters Waiting for Oscar Gold

Following the Academy of movement Picture Arts and Sciences broadened its Best Picture list beyond five nominees, the doorway opened up for large-budget Hollywood blockbusters to attain a exclusive Best Picture nomination. When I authored this past year, it had been likely the Academy extended the very best Picture candidate after Christopher Nolans opus, The Dark Dark night, was cruelly snubbed in '09. Since that time, Avatar and Nolans own Beginning have handled to attain Best Pic nods. This season, all eyes were on Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, because the film was the ultimate inside a significantly acclaimed series which had never accomplished the nomination before. Regrettably, it wasn't to become, because the film only gained technical nods and ultimately walked from last night's Academy awards completely empty-handed. However, 2012s line-from large budget popcorn fare appears like it could once more yield some love in the Academy awards. Which of the years blockbusters might score an Oscar Best Picture jerk the coming year? Take a look at five possible challengers following the jump! "The Dark Dark night Increases" To state that anticipation are full of the 3rd and final film of Christopher Nolans much beloved Batman trilogy is much like stating that Rhianna comes with an interesting style. In the end, like weve stated, it had been the snub of significantly and publically acclaimed The Dark Dark night that likely triggered the Academy awards committee to grow the very best Picture list. Were gonna seem like fans, but we dont genuinely have question the Dark Dark night Increases is going to be epic. So, happens is placed for any The Dark Dark night Increases Best Picture jerk. "The Hobbit: An Unpredicted Journey" In almost any other year, we'd have confidence in stating that The Dark Dark night Increases would take that certain blockbuster nominee place. But, this year, we've Peter Jacksons go back to Middle Earth after The almighty from the Rings: The Return from the King, which only won all 11 (!) Academy awards, including Best Picture, it was nominated for. The Hobbit: An Unpredicted Journey may be the to begin an organized two-parter, so its more likely the Hobbit: There and Again will score a jerk. Still, the Academy clearly loves Middle Earth and also the teaser trailer looks reassuringly familiar, so don't count out this giant. "Prometheus" Talking about impressive pedigree, Prometheus certainly isn't any slouch within this department. The film was created like a prequel towards the legendary 1979 film, Alien, and it has been over-blown like a go back to form for director Ridley Scott. That it is a sci-fi-horror genre film (Oscar voters typically dont go for your kind of factor) holds back its Oscar chances, but when Scott and the acclaimed cast of Charlize Theron, Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender do bring their A-game (the evocative teaser trailer looks promising), only then do we wouldnt be amazed when the film handles to scare its method to a nomination. "The Avengers" Mix Iron Guy, Captain America, Thor and a variety of other Marvel superheroes along with "Buffy" and "Firefly" creator Joss Whedon and exactly what do you receive? A nerds dream become a reality, obviously, but the chance of a really amazing Marvel comics movie. Typically, Marvel films are exciting, enjoyable summer time fare which are forgotten come honours season, however with Whedon getting written and directed The Avengers, were crossing our fingers he has produced something that possibly Oscar voters will require to too. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning Part II" Its fair to state that twilighting isn't the most loved movie franchise among experts, especially when comparing it contemporaries like Harry Potter. Still, considering that "Breaking Beginning Part II" may be the final film from the series, were expecting that director Bill Condon and stars Billy Burke, Taylor Lautner and Rachelle Lefervre will up their game and possibly surprise everybody having a great film. Which 2012 large-budget blockbuster do you consider will score a Best Picture Oscar nomination? Inform us what you believe within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Ratings: American Idol Plunges, But Still Wins; Survivor Hits Series Low

When does frozen mousse trump perfectly cooked halibut? When you're on Top Chef! Despite her nearly inedible, ice-hard confection, Sarah - with some major backing from Tom Colicchio - made it to the finale with Paul over her pal Lindsay Autry, whose error-free, albeit less creative, dish sent her packing. "I think they were really nitpicking at that point and it came down to doing something risky like what she did against me being great, but not risky enough," Lindsay tells TVGuide.com. "I know I didn't make any mistakes, but I guess they wanted to see more." Was she surprised that her well-made dish lost to such shoddy execution? Find out below. Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Tom ColicchioTop ChefGail SimmonsPadma LakshmiBeverly KimEdward LeeGrayson SchmitzLindsay AutryNyesha ArringtonPaul QuiSarah Grueneberg

Last Chance! Submit Your Hunger Games Haiku to Win Tickets towards the Premiere

Hunger Games fans, here is your opportunity to be one of the primary to determine Lionsgate's long awaited YA novel adaptation -- Movieline is offering a set of tickets towards the La premiere from the Hunger Games, starring Jennifer Lawrence as teen warrior Katniss Everdeen, in line with the books by Suzanne Collins. To determine our champion, we are holding a Cornucopia of words: A Hunger Games Haiku contest! Funnel your inner mockingjay and obtain to creating within the comments below. [UPDATE: Just one day left to go in, consider getting your entry in now!] To celebrate the 50-day countdown towards the Hunger Games countrywide release on March 23 (Twitter hashtag #HUNGERGAMES50), Movieline's Hunger Games Haiku contest will close Feb 22 at 5pm PT/8pm ET, so make certain to go in together with your best, most inspired Hunger Games-designed haiku. Those who win is going to be introduced on Feb 29. [Browse Movieline's Hunger Games cast gallery here] To be able to be qualified, records are required to follow these recommendations: - Haiku records are required to follow the five-7-5 syllable format (otherwise that ain't a haiku, duh). - Records should be original documents. Write it in Katniss's voice! Being an ode towards the series! Compose a ditty about pretty baker's sons! Go wild by using it! - Newcomers should be 18 years old and should have the ability to attend the premiere in La in the Nokia Survive March 12, 2012. - Newcomers must register using their current email address to be able to be approached if selected. - Just one entry per person. Now remember, candidates: Records is going to be judged by Movieline's editors so place your best haiku forward! Elegance, wit, and razor-sharp concision are key, together with a proper dose of Hunger Games understanding. Wow us, so that as always -- may the chances be ever to your benefit. For additional info on the Hunger Games movie and premiere info, mind to Facebook. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

VIDEO: Joan Rivers on Whitney Houston Jokes: You won't want to Get It Done Once Somebody's Dead

The Colbert Report suddenly shut lower production on Wednesday and Thursday of the week for "unforeseen conditions," and also the NY Publish reviews that required the break to look after his ailing 91-year-old mother in Sc. "They're a really private family," a resource told the Publish. "You will find that he didn't want anybody to be aware what happening.Inch Colbert Report removed the environment because of "unforeseen conditions" Just before Wednesday's tape, audience people received a final-minute email stating that their bookings needed to be canceled. No further particulars were provided. Comedy Central informs the Publish the Colbert Report will air repeats until further notice, but tend to return as soon as in a few days.

Berlinale Dispatch: Uneasy Robert Pattinson Gets Dressed for Dinner in Bel Ami

Poor Robert Pattinson: The weight of proving himself, in a movie that doesnt have the words Twilight and Saga in the title, is shaping up to be heavier than a vampires curse. In last years Water for Elephants, he had a charming naivete, a seemingly natural shyness that was wholly inoffensive, if not exactly memorable. And as social schemer Georges Duroy in Bel Ami, playing here at the Berlinale out of competition on the festivals next-to-last day, he works harder to redeem himself than any actor should have to: He applies a scowl from Column A with an eyebrow furrow from Column B to express displeasure; Smirk No. 4 denotes a moment of extreme hubris. The effect is like watching an athlete trying not to break a sweat you might want to root for him, but theres a part of you that just wants him to let it all out already. What is it about the guy? Under the direction of first-time filmmakers Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod, who have directed mostly for the London stage, Pattinson isnt half-bad. He doesnt overreach, which perhaps saves him from embarrassment. But he expends so much energy in his desire to be subtle that hes the exact opposite of subtle - yet he doesnt just go all the way and take the performance over the top. Duroy is a fellow of modest means, rattling around Paris bedding the women of influential men to increase his own wealth and power. (The movie was adapted, by Rachel Bennette, from Guy de Maupaussants second novel, and its a foamy - if somewhat snoozy - bit of picturesque entertainment.) The problem may be that the women around Pattinson run circles around him. Theyre the ones you remember, from Uma Thurmans politically astute Madeleine Forestier, to Kristin Scott Thomass mouselike, aging skinny-minny Virginie Walters, to Christina Riccis Belle poch sexpot Clotilde de Marelle. Pattinson, despite the fact that his character is trying to dominate these women, looks a little afraid of them: Perhaps paradoxically, he has more erotic wattage when hes playing wan Victorian valentine Edward Cullen, his character in the Twilight movies. Here, in his stiff collars and glossy top-hats, he looks like a very lean bird dressed up for dinner, only hes the one on the plate. Im wondering how an actor like Pattinson, a guy whos had so much teenage longing projected onto him hes practically a walking piece of fan fiction, can ever unravel the tight knots of his own self-consciousness. Or if he can. Watching him in Bel Ami, I found myself hoping hed rally, looking for subtle glimmers of awareness that might suggest he knows hes supposed to make us believe hes a cad, not just act like one. Hes trying so hard - why cant he use those lizardlike eyes, that cat-that-ate-the-canary smile, in the service of making us forget who he is? Maybe its because he cant forget who he is. And thats the stiffest, tightest collar any young actor can wear. * * * This is my last post from Berlinale 2012, and here at the tail end of my 10 days here, Im looking back on all the pictures I wanted to see and didnt: Bunches of critics were shut out of the crowd-funded Nazis-in-space spoof Iron Sky when it screened late last week; I also missed the much-lauded Marley, directed by Kevin MacDonald, which I hear is an elaborate and involving portrait of the late singer and musicians life. But theres no use lamenting the ones that got away. If I can rally for a 10:30 p.m. screening tonight, I might be able to catch Tsui Harks Flying Swords of Dragon Gate. Saying good-bye to Berlin with a bit of 3-D craziness doesnt sound like a bad idea at all. Read all of Movieline's coverage of Berlinale 2012 here. Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.