Harry Potter Set Burns to the Ground, Film Set Back

You all know there are three things in life that make me tingly happy and shine with the light of a thousand fairies. Those gifts from Baby Jesus are Jake Gyllenhaal, Blueberry vodka (aka breakfast in a bottle) and Harry Potter. So when I hear the set for the final Harry Potter film burned to the ground I clutched my pearls and gasped with horror.

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Firefighters (ok, four things in life that make tingly happy) fought with a fire that destroyed the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” Hogwarts set after some pyrotechnics caught the set on fire. Luckily no one was injured.

Six fire engines were spotted racing to the Leavesden Film Studios on Friday. The fire was caused from some explosives stunts gone wrong. *SPOILER ALERT* At the end of the final Potter film, there is a huge battle that nearly destroys Hogwarts as Voldemort and his Death Eaters attack the school. The children of the school rise together to fight back in a war that blows up walls and engulfs the Room of Requirement in flames as battles ensue all around the castle.

“We were shooting the scenes where Hogwarts gets blown up during the battle. But fire managed to catch hold of the set and it went up in flames. It was completely out of control at one point.”

“A fire service spokesman said: “There was a big battle scene involving a lot of pyrotechnics and explosions. There was a mocked-up castle made of timber, steel and plastic and somehow it caught alight.’

Warner Brothers confirmed the fire and insist that production is still going, but didn’t completely rule out another setback in the date for the final Harry Potter film. A rep downplayed the fire despite it taking nearly an hour to extinguish, six fire engines to control, a confirmed $135,000 damage bill and insiders stating it was “out of control.”

Via PopEater:

“It was a big special effects scene. Unfortunately, there was a small fire as a result of that. As a precaution, as we had already mobilized our own in-house fire team who had it under control, the fire brigade was called and it was put out in under an hour. The scene was where the set was being destroyed and then it was to be rebuilt for a new scene, as part of a battle for Deathly Hallows part two.”

I am no genius…but why rebuild a set you could do the before and after scenes in and then destroy versus building it, filming it, destroy it, rebuild it again? So far the release dates of both parts of the film are still November 19, 2010 and July 15, 2011.

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‘Friends’ TV Hit Rumored To Become Movie

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A “Friends” spinoff movie appears to be closer than ever before after comments were made by James Michael-Tyler who played Gunther on the hit tv show, while in London for the launch of a Central Perk themed coffee shop in Soho this past weekend.

Per DailyMail.co.uk:

“‘Friends: The Movie’ is definitely on. I still keep in touch with a lot of the cast and they say that they are really keen. The one thing I can tell you is that I am definitely on board to do the film. I really loved my time on the show and I am looking forward to meeting up with the old gang again. I just hope we can do justice to the show in a film.”

As if you need any reminders, the hit NBC series, which ran for 10 seasons, included ‘friends’ Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer. Supposedly, it was the success of the “Sex and the City” movie has prompted Warner Brothers to produce a movie version of “Friends” and they “are prepared to pay a fortune to the stars.” Warner Brothers has also recruited the show’s creators, David Crane and Marta Kauffman, to write the script and produce the movie, with talk of a summer 2011 release.

So just what has our favorite ‘friends’ been up to since the series ended in 2004? Jennifer Aniston, who played spoiled rich girl Rachel Green, has had lead roles in films such as “Bruce Almighty“, “The Break-Up” and “Marley and Me.” She has her own production company with three films in post production and seven films in development. Courtney Cox, who played the neat freak Monica Gellar-Bing, has a new sitcom, “Cougar Town,” that premiered last week and is doing pretty well in the ratings. It is also being said that she will reprise her role as Gale Weathers in the 4th installment of the “Scream” movies. Lisa Kudrow, who played the weird but lovable Phoebe Buffay, played a mom in Summit Entertainment’s movie “Bandslam.” She is now an executive producer on the US version of “Who Do You Think You Are?” David Schwimmer, who played the 3 times divorced Ross Gellar, has done a bit of London theater after his small role in “Band of Brothers.” He also directed the 2007 British film “Run Fat Boy Run.” Matt LeBlanc, who played dumb ladies man Joey Tribbiani, had that flop of a TV comedy “Joey.” It was cancelled after just two seasons and he’s hardly been seen onscreen since. Matthew Perry, who played funnyman Chandler Bing, starred in “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” but it was canceled after one season. Last time we saw him, he was really good as older Zac Efron in “17 Again.”

So just what would be the plot lines of this story? Would Monica and Chandler still be married? Will Joey and Phoebe eventually hook up? Will Ross and Rachel finally get over his cheating while on a break? Will Janice make a guest appearance? Only time will tell, I guess. But could we ‘be‘ anymore excited!?!

Megan Fox NOT Cast as Catwoman

Professor Whore Whore Face (thanks Michael K) will not be squeezing into pleather and prancing around in a dance of the feline for Batman.

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Rumors running amok yesterday stated that Megan Fox would be the next in line to play Catwoman. The Sun apparently jumped the gun on the announcement as Warner Brothers called them out and said it was all false.

“It’s rumor. It’s not true,” said a studio rep. “There is no script. There is no project to be cast in.”

Rumors of a third “Batman” film have been stewing since the wrap of “The Dark Knight.” Christopher Nolan’s second adaptation grossed over $1 billion in sales on the eve of the Oscars. So it’s no surprise that a third installment. Casting rumors have been floating around for awhile. Johnny Depp was said to be signed on as The Riddler, Philip Seymour Hoffman was set to be the Penguin and (my theory) Maggie Gyllenhaal would reprise in the saga as a reincarnated Catwoman. Gary Oldman, who plays the commissioner for Gotham, hinted at a “Dark Knight” sequel Comic-Con this year stating:

“I think the next ‘Batman’ is next year. We start shooting next year,” he said. Of course, he did go on to add, “You didn’t hear that from me.”

Typically Batman films bore me horizontal. However, these most recent attempts at the superhero films I really enjoyed. (Sans Christian Bale’s odd lisp he develops when speaking as Batman. Am I the only one that bothers?)

Images Via: wenn.com

Sherlock Holmes Gay in Guy Ritchie’s Film

In Guy Ritchie’s upcoming film, super sleuth “Sherlock Holmes” will be portrayed as a gay man. Who knew? The fictional character famous for wearing his deerstalker hat, puffing on a pipe and solving mysteries with his trusted sidekick, will be shown sharing a bed with his very close friend Dr. Watson, in addition to some man-on-man wrestling.

Per Queerstalker:

“We’re two men who happen to be room-mates, wrestle a lot and share a bed. It’s badass.” says Robert Downey Jr. who plays Holmes.

“Guy wanted to make this about the relationship between Watson and Holmes. They’re both mean and complicated.” adds Jude Law, who plays Dr. Watson.

Last week he was ordered to re-shoot his “unrealistic” Sherlock Holmes movie. The 40-year-old ex husband of Madonna was reportedly left fuming after Warner Brothers head honchos told him several scenes didn’t reach their expectations. Ritchie has been forced to call back cast, including Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law to remake five weeks worth of footage.

I’m just wondering where the Sherlock Holmes lifestyle choice is coming from. I’ve read quite a few Sherlock stories and never once have I picked up on anything like this. If this is done right, this could be really interesting and might even be Oscar-worthy! Hope you don’t let us down Ritchie!

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Images Via: Flyent