Disney and Marvel Entertainment

Disney has spent $4 billion to take over the comic-book giant Marvel Entertainment. This surprise announcement have left many speculate about the upcoming releases of Disney. After this deal Disney will now have access to Marvel’s huge volumes of super heroes, which include Spider-Man, Iron Man, the X-Men, Captain America, Thor and the Fantastic Four and about 4,995 other comic-book characters.

The former executive of Marvel and a co-creator of Spider-Man, Stan Lee has said, “I couldn’t be happier with this agreement. It’s a great move for Disney, for Marvel and for my company Pow! Entertainment since Pow! has a first-look deal with Disney. From every possible point of view, the merger of Disney and Marvel is a match made in heaven. Just imagine, with this deal Marvel gives Disney a library of literally hundreds of unique and colorful characters that have the potential to make great, high-concept movies and long-lasting franchises — and nobody knows how to play in that ball park better than Disney. This is a great day for the two companies and for the entertainment community as a whole. To sum it up as simply as possible, when you combine the best with the best, everyone wins!”

One of the rival studio chief has been quoted as saying, “The real difference maker with Marvel is that it makes movies where the parents are just as excited to see the film as their kids. That’s the difference between a movie barely making $100 million — like a lot of Disney’s homegrown products — and a movie making $300 or $400 million. It’s a whole different playing field”.

The deal will now allow Disney to diversify its brand. It can now embrace all types of production from “High School Musical” to “Pirates of the Caribbean” to “Toy Story” to “Spider-Man”.

Vanessa Hudgens

Another round of nude photos of Vanessa Hudgens has hit the cyber world. This certainly proves that the 20 year old High School Musical star hasn’t learnt from her mistakes in the past.

The pictures that have been leaked are not new. They look apparently from the lot taken before her first naked photo controversy that surfaced nearly two years ago. A source close to the actor mentioned, “She learned her lesson. She hasn’t done anything like that since the first ones came out. These new ones are actually old”.

Images showing Vanessa nude popped up in net for the first time in 2007. At that time the actor had explained, “I’m a private person and for something like that to happen, it’s so mean”.

The new photos of Vanessa are most likely taken with a camera phone. Some sources have also mentioned the Disney actor took the photos herself for Zac Efron, her boyfriend. But it’s very unfortunate now that the whole world has become a witness to it now.

It is now obvious that some one close to the young actor must have stolen the pictures from Vanessa’s phone and have been selling it to various web sites. “This was a photo which was taken privately. It is a personal matter and it is unfortunate that this has become public”, said Vanessa’s representative reported to a news source.

Hudgens will be attending the red carpet premiere of her new movie, Bandslam tomorrow night. She would most likely have to face and answer numerous questions shot at her by the whole army of press on her latest nude photo leaking controversy. A source close to the actor said, “she’s not going to answer any questions about them there either. She said what she had to say about taking nude photos”.

Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens has faced a nude photo scandal in her past. And now the High School Musical actress says that she is bold enough to bare it all – for the right role.

“I will show nudity in a film when the time is right,” said 20 year old Hudgens who is reportedly going steady with her High School Musical co-star, Zac Efron. “Right now, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing it“, the actress also added in an interview with E! Online.

So girl what would really make you feel comfortable enough to shed all your clothes? “When the time’s right, if it’s an amazing movie that I’m really passionate about and that’s what it calls for, then we’ll see“, said Hudgens.

But if thats the plan for the “High School Musical” star then she will have to wait to film a nude scene it seems. The star has more family-friendly fare in her future. Hudgens is currently working in a film called “Beastly,” billed as a modern day “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Sucker Punch” about a young girl institutionalized by a wicked stepfather.

Zac Efron

The huge success of “17 Again” has taken Zac Efron a few steps beyond the “High School Musical” franchise. With this past weekend’s $23.7 million opening of the film, Efron has now successfully established himself as a solo star.

So now, after the grand success of his last release, 17 Again, Efron has become very careful about choosing his next move in the career. “I’m looking very carefully at the movies being offered. It’s about taking my fan base with me but then doing movies that open me up to a broader level”, Efron said.

Raving reviews of 17 Again has proved that the young heartthrob is on the verge of taking Hollywood in his stride and becoming a young leading man. The industries all leading men are either in their 40s like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp or in their 30s like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Therefore Zac certainly has a strong chance to prove his talent in the industry.

Zac began his career with small roles like “Pizza Delivery Guy” in the short-lived NBC series “Heist“. But with his appearance in Disney’s successful television series High School Musical, Efron won over the heart of millions across the globe. Questions like how far can he take his career and can his singing and dancing abilities drive him to a full-fledged career like John Travolta are being raised. Claudia Puig have stated in a newspaper article, “Though Efron’s acting range is limited, he has a genial charm and decent comic timing. Ae appears not to be hung up on his looks — he talks and moves like a guy who knows he’s had an extraordinary stroke of good luck and nothing more”.

“I think every once in awhile, a game-changer comes along, and I think Zac is a game-changer“, said  Adam Shankman, who has worked with Efron in Hairspray as a director and have produced 17 Again. “The dailies were the impetus for this movie. We saw them and started calling New Line saying, ‘We need to develop a movie for this kid, he’s a star’”, said Jennifer Gibgot, the co-producer of 17 Again.

Zac Efron

What is that one thing, which is not on the card for the “High School Musical” star right now? If there is anything that Zac Efron does not want to do now it marriage, so says the star himself. Efron, whose latest film 17 Again, would hit the screens today, said that he doesn’t wish to screw up his Hollywood dream and wants to focus on his career right now.

Good boy Zac also says no to heroin. The star has been quoted recently saying in an interview to the GQ magazine that he has no plans to tie knots any time in the next two decades or so. “I’m definitely not getting married. In this business, you’re either getting married or they want you to be pregnant. I’m not getting married until I’m 40. If ever”, said the 17 Again actor. This has really upset his girlfriend and High School Musical co-star, Vanessa Hudgens.

Zac has also added that he has been receiving advice of career plan from Leonardo DiCaprio, who rose from a  teen heartthrob to a very successful actor. To keep the career graph rising and his life afloat, Zac said Leo had asked him to keep away from some particular vice. “He said, ‘There’s one way that you can really (expletive) this all up. Just do heroin. If you steer clear of that — the other obstacles you’ll be able to navigate.’ And that makes sense, dude”, added Efron while talking about what he had been advised by Leo.

Zac also revealed that he was unlikely to be releasing an album very soon. He said, “I’ve always been a fan of music. I love it. It’s my life, but at the same time, it’s not necessarily my passion to an extent where I want to create it and put it out there”.

Zac Efron in '17 Again'

To play a grown man trapped in a teenage boy’s body is not easy. But, it was delightful for 21-year-old Zac Efron in his new film ‘”17 Again” which is to be released this Friday.

The light-hearted comedy is about Mike O’Donnell, a popular student and star athlete who is on his way to winning a college scholarship. But, he gives it all up and marries his high-school sweetheart . Twenty years later, the adult Mike (Matthew Perry) finds his life all topsy-turvy. He is separating from his wife (Leslie Mann), living with his best friend (Thomas Lennon), is estranged from his teenage kids, and has a boring job. Overall, Mike is thoroughly dissatisfied. Then comes a twist. Through some kind of magic, Mike is 17 again and back in high school. But, the year is 2009, which means he is in high school with his own children! And not just that, he is expected to dress cool, know new gadgets, and take classes with his kids. Its difficult for the 37-year-old Mike to be a 17-year-old high school student again, as he struggles to survive the ultra-modern school life. The consequences are hilarious and a treat for the audience.

Scenes where Efron’s character has adult talks with his kids made the actor recall his own childhood memories which he used for inspiration. “I thought about how my dad tried to have those talks with me and my little brother.  He was always passionate and energetic and he delivered it like a champ,” says Efron. When it came to slapstick, Efron stated (in context to a  scene where actresses had to slap him) “It was amazing watching everybody have so much fun that night. They had a stunt coordinator there that day and he was instructing everyone how to slap, and he goes ‘you really have to sell it! You really have to slap him!’ And I’m sitting there like ‘they’re slapping me!“

The “High School Musical¨”and “Hairspray” star has experienced the wisdom that has been depicted in “17 Again” through serious issues such as regret, life lessons learned etc. He said “When you’re 17, you have the social awareness of an adult, but that doesn’ really apply in high school because everyone is young and stupid. You take it too seriously. I’d go back to tell myself to chill out.”

Efron has made a smart career move by playing the complicated character of Mike in “17 Again.” As he moves on to play more mature and challenging characters, Efron allows his huge fan base to grow with him. The teen heartthrob has his career focus clearly fixed at the present. He says “This is the best job in the world. I’m having the time of my life. I wake up every day with a new challenge, whether it’s acting, learning a new skill set, or doing press. It’s always fun.“

On being asked whether he would like to be 17 again, in real life, Efron said “The number one question I’ve been asked about this movie is, ‘’f you could be 17 all over again, would you go down this road?’ I’m like, ‘Absolutely.’ “

Matthew Morrison and Lea Michelle in Glee

Glee will be telecast on Fox from 19th May. The show will be a huge as many viewers have already said that they cant wait to watch the premier of the the show. Glee is an upcoming musical comedy television series that will air on FOX. It focuses on a high school glee club.

Matthew Morrison, the Director of Glee had to make a choice in his early life between sports and theater. He was a great soccer player who had the ability to even form an Olympic team. At the same time he had the potential to work on Broadway as a singer. “It was probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. But I’m here talking to you now, so I’m happy“, Mathew states. And finally he became the Broadway star and Tony nominee.

With Glee, Morrison will make his television series debut. The director thinks that his show will entertain the American Idol audience as much as it does now. Glee has been a perfect transition for Mathew from stage to screen. “If I could have written a show, this would have been it. It’s a dream job for me“, he said.

Zac Efron in 17 Again

This is a big leap for Zac Efron from being a part of supporting players in “High School Musical” to become a lead actor in “17 Again”. But this doesn’t mean that Efron will stop playing his role in Disney’s popular TV series “High School Musical”.

Efron was quoted saying that the movie was written keeping him in mind and it gave him a chance to show his talent. “It does take place in high school and a high school setting, but it’s not a very high school character. And that’s what I want to do more of”, the 17 Again actor said.

While filming for 17 Again, Efron had to undergo an emergency appendicectomy. Burr Steers, the director of the film said, “He was kind of green for the court scenes. I asked if everything was OK and he said, ‘Fine.’ The next morning he was in the hospital. But he was back on set a week later and he refused a stunt double for a leap off a balcony”.

The 21 year old actor, who has not traveled much away from his teens said in an interview, “The number one question I’ve been asked about this movie is, ‘If you could be 17 all over again, would you go down this road?’ I’m like, ‘Absolutely’. This is the best job in the world. It’s always interesting. It’s always a challenge. I’m very happy with my life right now”.

The movie, 17 Again revolves around the life of a 37 year old Mike O’Donnell (played by Matthew Perry). Mike, who is separated from his wife Scarlett (played by Leslie Mann), stays with his friend Ned (played by Thomas Lennon). He is transformed into a 17 year old (played by Zac Efron) and eventually gets to know his teenage children more. Mike joins the high school and becomes the classmate of his turbulent daughter (played by Michelle Trachtenberg) and ill mannered son (played by Sterling Knight).

Efron, who recently left his role in upcoming “Footloose” remake said, “I did not dance at all before ‘High School Musical’. That was a skill set that I acquired for those movies. Although I do love it, there are many more things out there to try. I want to be well-rounded, kind of a renaissance man. That’s what I’m trying to go for. That’s what I want to be”.

Zac Efron

´High School Musical´ heartthrob Zac Efron has got used to fan attacks. Now he knows how to deal with that.

Screaming girls and red carpet events have become an inherent part of Zac Efron´s life since his coming to fame. Fans attack him wherever he goes. Once, an over-enthusiastic female admirer of his caught hold of him and did not let him go till her nail got stuck in his skin. She had left behind a remembrance- a nail embedded in Zac Efron´s skin.

The star says ¨I was at a premiere when a barrier broke. Fans came rushing over and grabbed me. The security guards stopped the commotion and no one was hurt, but later that night I found a fingernail stuck in my back. You have to have a sense of humor about it.¨

Zac Efron has realized that the best way to avoid a commotion is to be himself. He adds: “I make a half-a**ed attempt at disguise, but sometimes no disguise is best because, if you wear shades inside a shop, everyone thinks, ‘Who’s that?’. The best thing is to look normal and avoid eye contact. But I do have to sneak around and hide when I go to the supermarket. It’s ridiculous.¨

Zac Efron

Zac Efron is reportedly not in “Footloose” remake anymore. Just a few days before it was reported that the High School Musical star will supposedly star in the remake of Paramount’s “Footloose”. Effron’s attachment to this film was surely a proof that the Disney’s child actor was growing up. The stodio has not yet confirmed Efron’s drop out from the film. But close sources have not only confirmed the report but have also said that  it’s just part of an image revamp for Efron.

“Zac wants to be in the business a long time — doing more musicals isn’t good for him long-term”, a close source mentioned about Zac Efron. The star is still listed as  playing “Footloose” lead Ren McCormack in some websites and his publicist was not present to comment anything on the star’s departure from the film.

In the original film, which was released in 1984, Kevin Bacon played the role of  Ren McCormack. He was glad when he learned about Efron’s part in the film. “Yeah, they’re making another (version)” said Bacon and also showed his excitement about the young star re-creating his role.

Paramount Pictures were recently quoted saying, “Footloose is a project we’ve longed to see rebooted for a new generation. While Zac in no longer attached, we remain excited and committed to the collective brain trust of [HSM turned Footloose director] Kenny Ortega, Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, who will reinvigorate the franchise. Their fresh take on the film will undoubtedly be filled with the same kind of breakout performances that we’ve come to expect from them”.

Efron hasn’t yet publicly announced his departure from the film.