Zac Efrom to star in "Me and Orson Welles"

Although the Disney Star has not been making as much headlines as Twilight’s Robert Pattinson in the past couple of months, yet those astonishingly blue eyes admittedly keeps striking in our mind time and again. The “High School Musical” heartthrob, Zac Efron will be starring in “Me and Orson Welles”.

Efron pauses several times when he is asked what appealed to him about playing Richard Samuels, the teen in “Orson Welles”. He begins with, “It was the only opportunity that I had at the time that was . . .” and then continues, “I don’t know, it didn’t feel like . . .”.

The young actor seems to be enjoying his new role a lot. Out of the High School kid image he would now be seen as an adam.

“I have no control over the 15 dudes outside”. Efron shrugs and pauses to take a sip of tea. “They can do anything they want. It’s the law. Maybe you could call me paranoid, but I have become a very private person. I imagine there are people who can thrive in this scenario, who can be the center of attention, but I just get overwhelmed”.

Don’t consider the 22 year old as just a young cute face. His high school grades are excellent to fetch him admissions in the top universities in Los Angeles, UCLA and USC. He is self-composed and thoughtful while he talks. Efron follows the careers and films of male stars a generation or two older than he is, Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Tom Cruise. They, too, were once teen idols.

“I’m rewatching Leo’s transition, from my perspective”. Efron says. “He is the best barometer for me. It’s amazing to see actors who have been able to sustain this for so long and keep positive, still focused on the work, still trying to make their best film”.

Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

The Twilighters have more reasons to celebrate the Thanksgiving whole heartedly. There is something more than they expected from their favorite stars.

No brownie points for guessing really. Fans contributed millions of box office bucks for the recent release of New Moon to mint. And now its time for the New Mooners to pay them back on the Turkey Day.

What could have been better than a couple of Tweets from the stars themselves? Dream come true? Yes, that’s what many of the fans feel. The official Summit Twitter page reflected Tweets from Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner. Now that must be an unforgettable early holiday treat for Twi-hards around the world.

The most handsome vampire onscreen, Robert Pattinson wrote, “Thank you for making NEW MOON #1. It’s very exciting to be a part of something embraced by so many people. I hope you are looking forward to ECLIPSE as much as I am”.

Launter too continued the Thanksgiving spirit. His tweet went on like, “Your passion for The Twilight Saga is the sole reason we’re #1 across the world!”

And in case if you are a Stewart fan and feeling a little left out then don’t be. The most heartwarming sentiments went out from her as a holiday miracle! “You all have proven you’re the most amazing fans in the world once again. I feel so lucky to be a part of The Twilight Saga and thank you for making us #1!”, Stewart tweeted.

“Yes, I twittered. Or twitted..tweeted? I dunno, but thank you sooo much anyway..!”, she added trying bring that Thanksgiving smile on her fan’s face.

With New Moon creating box office records of all time, there could have been no better Thanksgiving gift ever for the Twilight fans. Edward, Bella and Jacob let the real-life shout-outs keep flowing.

New Moon Stars

You could just be one of those who helped “New Moon” break all box office records by milking worldwide ticket sales worth $258.8 million in over the past weekend. May be you are one of those crazy Twilight fans who broke into the book store to grab each part of Stephanie Meyer’s gripping vampire series as soon as it hit the store. May be you have gulped down each and every word from the whole series and adopted it wholly. May be the wolfs and vampires have become a part of your everyday life by now and you might have started considering it as not just a form of entertainment but a mindset and a way of life.

Or you could be just one of those unfortunate who is wondering what all the fuss is about.

Let me now get to the point straight. Either way, it reflects your curiosity towards the film. It shows that you want to know more about the story and more importantly the

Either way, you’re probably curious to learn more about the actors and actresses who turned Stephanie Meyer’s tale of vampire felt everywhere around you. So lets stir you up a bit.

Let me introduce you to some of the gumptious “New Moon” stars:

Robert Pattinson: Edward Cullen

Robert Pattinson’s towering fame left everyone intoxicated. As Edward Cullen, the 23 year old star exhibited power over the vampire sect. His sex appeal made him the biggest heartthrob in no time at all and even before he could realize this British star was ruling the real world too with his charm. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, last week, Rob said that a female fan “frantically started taking her clothes off” after he joked to a crowd of autograph seekers that stripping was a definite way to grab his attention. The coveted hero is surely seeked like vampires crave blood.

Kristen Stewart: Bella Swan

Bella Swan, the girl who belongs to Cullen and only Cullen, is also linked to him in real life. The onscreen couple had been making headlines with romancing rumors. Stewart plays Bella, in the “Twilight” franchise, a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire.  Like her growing popularity in the Twilight series in real life as well Stewart continues to be on the top. She recapitulates the role of Bella in Twilight’s 3rd installment, “Eclipse”, and is preparing to play rocker Joan Jett in “The Runaways”.

Taylor Lautner: Jacob Black

The 17 year old Taylor Launter surprised everyone beyond belief with his role as Jacob Black. Launter plays a childhood friend of Bella who lends her great support after Edward leaves in “New Moon”. He is then changed into a warewolf. “The thing is, I love this character, I love this story, and putting on the weight and not wearing much clothing was required by the role. A year from now, if I love a story and I love a character that requires me to lose 40 pounds, I’m ready to do it”, Launter was quoted as saying to Film.com.

Dakota Fanning: Jane

Dakota Fanning handled the spot lights and attention with elan. The 15 year old most promising child star froze the audience first with her performance in 2001’s “I Am Sam”. Fanning plays the role of Jane, who is a part of Volturi trained on to torture the cult’s enemies. “It’s really kind of one of the first times I’ve played the bad character, the villain figure in a movie. It was just really great to get to have the red contact lenses and the vampire makeup and get to have an evil persona, a creepy persona”, Fanning told Ellen DeGeneres in an interview mentioning how thoroughly she enjoys her evil role.

Nikki Reed: Rosalie Hale

Rosalie Hale, played by Nikki Reed, is a Cullen family member who scorns Bella. In an interview with MTv, during the making of “New Moon”, Reed said “My hair fell out”, since she had to dye her brunette hair blond for the role in “Twilight”. “It took 36 hours initially to make me blond, and every other day, I was bleaching my head and my skin. This time around, we are testing out different wigs and stuff”, she added.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

It was speculated something such and the makers of the vampire saga were not let down. “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” wolfed $140.7 million in its opening weekend. On the first three days the movie minted total $258.8 million worldwide as per reports of studio estimates on Sunday.

A year back “Twilight”, the first installment of Stephenie Meyer’s popular vampire series, grossed $69.6 million haul over the same weekend. A year after the picture was completely changed. The No. 1 domestic debut for Summit Entertainment’s “New Moon” was more than twice.

“Obviously, with the success of ‘Twilight’ itself, sequels being what they are will generate X-number of dollars more, particularly if it’s a satisfying sequel”, Richie Fay, head of distribution for Summit, was quoted as saying.

“New Moon” ranked third on the all-time domestic chart, with Batman blockbuster “The Dark Knight” ranking 1st with a gross of $158.4 million opening weekend and “Spider-Man 3″ ranking 2nd with a gross of $151.1 million. On the opening day itself, “New Moon” earned $72.7 million, which is an all time domestic high for opening day. This surpassed the previous record of $67.2 million by last year’s “The Dark Knight”. “New Moon” is also the second-biggest non-holiday weekend ever in Hollywood, the top being none other than the July 18, 2008 release of “The Dark Knight”.

Outside “New Moon” debuted in 25 countries and took in $118.1 million over the first weekend. There was no doubt that “New Moon” would emerge this big.

The third installment of Meyer’s next “Twilight” chapter, “Eclipse,” arrives in the heart of summer, next June 30 and is expected to do as big as this.

Twilight had showcased the supernatural teen romance between a school girl and a vampire (Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson) and New Moon adds a love triangle with a werewolf (Taylor Lautner) to the plot. Both the films have been hot favorite among female fans resulting to around 80% of the audience for “New Moon” being female. The “Twilight” franchise “taps into something primal and visceral that drives women crazy, and they’re willing to pay for the privilege” commented Dergarabedian. The viewers for the film were mostly young who apparently left to chance to fall in love with vampire and werewolf heartthrobs.

The five films that grossed highest during last weekend are:

1. “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” ($140.7 million)
2. “The Blind Side” ($34.5 million)
3. “2012″ ($26.5 million)
4. “Planet 51″ ($12.6 million)
5. “A Christmas Carol” ($12.2 million)

Oprah Winfrey

According to recent reports by reliable sources, Oprah Winfrey will end her talk show in 2011. The queen of the television had to take such a decision to bring an end to the most popular talk show on television, the Oprah Winfrey Show, since her current contract with the channel is running out.

The Oprah Winfrey Show, which is now on its 25th year featuring Winfrey as host of the talk show, is scheduled to end on September 9th, 2011. Running since 1984, the format of the show was changed a number of times only to increase its popularity and viewers. Its a dream for every celebrity to appear at least once in their lifetime on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

After the current contract runs out, the age old popular talk show will come to end. The official announcement by the television queen will be made on her show on Friday and will be telecast on every television channel that carry her the Oprah Winfrey Show. Although her show does not need an added attraction to pull the audience, yet it seems the Friday episode will bump ratings once again with such an announcement to be made. It is also expected that after this the show will get an ultimate opportunity remain at the top till its last episode.

According to reports, even after the ratings went down this year, the Oprah Winfrey Show is still continues to be the most watched talk show on television. The report also suggest that over seven million people watch her show every day. Such a huge number of audience has helped her to secure the #1 spot for quite some time.

After Winfrey takes a retirement, Rachael Ray and Ellen DeGeneres seems to be the most appropriate successors on television. Although nothing has been decided as yet.

Johnny Depp: the "Sexiest Man Alive"

Johnny Depp has been irresistible, not only for his fans but also for the People Magazine, it seems. The 46 year old actor is People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for the second time.

Upsetting quite a large number of teenage beauties, Depp overtook the Twilight hunk Rob Pattinson to win the People magazine’s sought after title. Like Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Richard Gere, the other double winners of the coveted endorsement, Depp had bagged the title earlier in 2003.

The senior editor at People, Kate Coyne, explained the reason behind choosing Depp for the title on CBS’ Early Show Wednesday by adding, “Johnny Depp was someone who was sexy 10 years ago. He’ll be sexy 10 years from now. He appeals to multiple generations of women — and for many different reasons to different kinds of women”.

People magazine also described the flamboyantly adventurous “Pirates of the Caribbean” star as “the king of cool with the killer cheekbones”. The 46 year old Depp, succeeded the 2008 winner Hugh Jackman this year.

Depp was seen ruling the screen with roles like 1930s gangster John Dillinger in “Public Enemies” and the murderous London barber “Sweeney Todd” in the recent past. In his forthcoming film, “Alice in Wonderland”, the actor will be seen in the role of the Mad Hatter. The film, directed by Tim Burton, is due for release in March 2010.

An overwhelmed Coyne said, “He’s sort of everything. He’s a guy’s guy, kind of a bad boy, he’s a respected artist and actor. You know, he’s got a little bit of everything”.

The previous winners of People’s sexiest man alive title include Matt Damon (2007), Matthew McConaughey (2005), Jude Law (2004) and Ben Affleck (2002).

People’s sexiest men alive issue featuring the 2009 winner, Johnny Depp, hits newsstands on Friday.

Angelina Jolie in Salt

The trailer of upcoming film “Salt” simply floored millions across the globe. A look at the very hot and sizzling Angelina Jolie stole the mind and hearts of all her fans.

The Oscar nominated actress is back and she looks as sexy as ever. Trailers of Angelina Jolie’s forthcoming film, “Salt” was posted on the internet this week. The mother of 6 looks as appealing as ever. Jolie and Brad Pitt parents three adopted children and three biological. Right before the filing of Salt began Jolie gave birth to twins.

Salt, which stars Jolie as Evelyn Salt, who is a CIA officer accused of being a Russian sleeper spy out to prove her innocence, is directed by Phillip Noyce. Fans are critics are still wondering how Jolie got back in shape in such a short period of time right after giving birth to twins.

Well, if you watch the trailer thoroghly your doubts will be cleared. In a particular scene, featuring Jolie in her underwear, her taut stomach is clearly displayed.

Intially the lead role for Salt was offered to Tom Cruise. But when the actor turned it down the role was rewritten for Jolie. The movie will hit the theaters on July 23rd, 2010.

Taylor Launter, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

The “Twilight: New Moon” stars, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Launter finally landed in Tokyo for the promotion of the film. New Moon will hit the theaters on November 20th. The stars have been recently all over from Vancouver to Los Angeles to Sao Paulo, Brazil and finally to Tokyo promoting their film. And all these in less than a week’s time. Well, it almost requires a vampires sleeping habit to carry on with such a routine.

Rob, Stewart and Launter arrived in Japan early Tuesday morning. The photographs of the stars soon were all over the internet. The most handsome vampire on screen arrived at the press conference in a sharp dark suit. The 23 year old actor spoke about their forthcoming release, New Moon, at the event sponsored by Volvo. Rob was later joined by Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, who arrived straight from Brazil.

All the three tried too look less tired but it seems that they only get to sleep once in a “New Moon”. Rob, Stewart and Launter have been really busy with their last minute promotion of Twilight’s first sequel to be released on 20th November.

Pattinson, the heartthrob of millions across the globe, wore a charcoal suit, a deep chocolate shirt, brown striped skinny tie and fit brown shoes. Ahem! Rob is a perfect Englishman, no doubt about that! Kristen Stewart flaunted a short black leather-esque number with a fitted bodice, barely-there straps and a jagged ivory hem. Bella surely looked romantic and sensuous! Taylor Lautner simply stole the hearts of all those present all in black.

Abigail Breslin

Abigail Breslin, the teenage actress will be playing the role of Helen Keller in her debut on Broadway next year. Breslin was nominated for n Oscar for her role in the movie comedy “Little Miss Sunshine”.

Breslin will be seen as Keller in the William Gibson play, “The Miracle Worker”. David Richenthal, the producer of the play, announced on Wednesday the production of would start on February 12 next year at the Circle in the Square Theater with the opening set for March 3. Alison Pill will be playing the role of Keller’s teacher Annie Sullivan. Pill was earlier seen in the movie “Milk” as well as a list of Broadway shows.

The story of “The Miracle Worker” is set in the South in the 1880s. It speaks about the real life story of Medal of Freedom winner Helen Keller. Keller was born as deaf and blind. But with the help of his remarkable supportive teacher, Annie Sullivan, she learnt to communicate with the world. The play was earlier produced on Broadway 50 years ago starring Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke.

Breslin, who is 13 years old now, appeared first on screen when she was 5. She appeared in M. Night Shyamalan’s 2002 film “Signs”. The teen star also received an Oscar nomination in the best supporting actress category for playing the title role in the comedy film “Little Miss Sunshine”. The various other popular films she worked in are “Raising Helen,” “No Reservations,” “Definitely Maybe,” “Nim’s Island,” “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,” “My Sister’s Keeper” and the recent release, “Zombieland”.

Christian Bale

It was recently revealed by the director of “American Psycho” in an interview that the inspiration for Christian Bale’s portrayal of the lead character is Tom Cruise. Bale played the role of Patrick Bateman, who is the protagonist of the film.

In a recent interview with the Black Book magazine, Mary Harron, who co-starred Bale in the movie, was quoted as saying how “Martian-like” Bateman was, “how he was looking at the world like somebody from another planet, watching what people did and trying to work out the right way to behave”.

Harron also added, “And then one day [Bale] called me and he had been watching Tom Cruise on David Letterman, and he just had this very intense friendliness with nothing behind the eyes, and he was really taken with this energy”.

Bale was quoted as saying in a 2000 interview with Barnes&Noble.com, that he had complete faith on Bret Easton Ellis, the author of American Psycho, to have included agonizingly detailed violence in his book. This, the actor believed, was required to highlight the fact that Bateman’s “obsession with details” was the source of his insanity.

“That’s what I see about Bateman – his fixation on minutiae, and absolutely needing to get an answer for every little tiny thing, even though all the things he’s interested in are completely shallow,” Bale said.