News thread.

[andrew r]

Here's a link to a press conference that was in Berlin recently, Christina's on it about half way through. Enjoy! Speed Racer

[andrew r]

The official Speed racer website! here

Another Speed Racer press conference vid: here

And this transcript from the conference, with thanks to frank for this:

MC: Who wants to answer the second part of the question?

CHRISTINA RICCI: Which part? Was that about auditioning?

CHRISTINA RICCI: I was sent the script, which was of course very top secret, so I was sent the script two days before and heard about the project and was very excited because I was a huge fan of the Wachowskis. I had seen Speed Racer cartoons before, but I didn't know that much about Speed Racer, so I watched a few more cartoons and went in [to audition] and Emile was there and read with me. Everybody was just so lovely, the Brothers were great to me and I read, and since then just talking to the Brothers is so exciting because they truly are visionaries. I mean, if you think about what they did with The Matrix, they completely revolutionized that genre. So to be able to do a family film about this story, which is so cool anyway and everyone loves cars, and to think about how they're going to revolutionize this genre as well, it is really exciting to be a part of.

CHRISTINA RICCI: I play Trixie, and I'm Speed's faithful girlfriend, they've been together since grade school. I'm really excited because I just feel that there are so many negative images for little girls out there and she's a very strong willed smart girl who also is super cute and has great clothes, so I'm pretty into it.

PRESS: I probably have the typical Berlin question, because first I would like to know how long are you guys staying in Berlin and I would also like to know what you are planning to do or what you would like to see in Berlin, what do you like here, what are you doing in your spare time and where would you like to go?

CHRISTINA: We're here about four months I think and I'm really excited, I've never been here before and I've been here about a week now. I have heard so much about Berlin being such an amazing cultural centre and so I'm excited to see a lot of the art that's here.

PRESS: What's your own record of speed maximum on the highway and any problems with police?

CHRISTINA: I'm a terrible driver, I'll just admit that right now, and I drive really fast and scare people in the car, my passengers, but I've never gotten a ticket ever, so I can't be that bad.

PRESS: [translator speaking] He's asking Christina Ricci and Emile Hirsch if they know anything about Ji Hoon Jung and what they think about him.

CHRISTINA RICCI: Yes. I think I first heard about him on the internet actually and he's awesome.

I'd love to take a ride with Christina

[andrew r]

Two Christina vids from the Berlin press conference:

1
2

And the Official Penelope website: Here

[Bill5461]

First time I've seen the trailer..That looks like so much fun..thanks Andrew

[andrew r]

I've seen bits 'n' bobs of Penelope, but I've not seen the trailer yet. As it shows virtually the whole film in 30 seconds. A bit like those bunnies....

[andrew r]

A few bits 'n' bobs!

Firstly DVDS! Yes BSM is out on dvd soon in the US and Canada. Here's a review of it: here you can click on the pic to order from Amazon.

The UK version is released on the 17th September! I've pre-ordered my copy from Play.com.

Also there's this to have a look at. Thought about having other people in roles? How about this:

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles
Julian Sands was novelist Anne Rice's choice to play Lestat, but producers wanted a bigger box-office drawcard, hence Tom Cruise was cast. Christian Slater won the role of the interviewer after the death of friend and fellow actor River Phoenix, who had been cast in the role. Kirsten Dunst beat out Christina Ricci for her role.

I didn't think that would have suited her. But the next one would have been weird:

Lolita
This was a pretty volatile role, eventually falling into the path of Dominque Swain. But not before Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina, The Teenage Witch) auditioned, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Claire Danes were both considered, Natalie Portman turned it down due to her feelings about young adult actors/actresses being exposed to sex in films and Christina Ricci Was turned down four times for the role.

Link: here

[andrew r]

I was sent this by Frank:

HIP HOP WEEKLY JOINS AWARD SHOW POOL: Publication announces nods for 1st Annual Hollywood Honors & Hip Hop Movie Awards.

*Hip Hop Weekly has announced nominees in eight categories for its first annual "Hollywood Honors and Hip Hop Movie Awards," which recognizes the top films, filmmakers, actors and actresses among all movies that have a special appeal to the hip hop culture.

"The impact of the hip hop culture on Hollywood is undeniable," said David Mays, co-founder and CEO of Hip Hop Weekly. "Hip hop's Hollywood pioneers such as Will Smith, F. Gary Gray, Ice Cube and John Singleton have already made profound contributions to the film industry; it is time now to establish a proper forum to recognize the increasing impact of the vision and the talent that those from the hip hop culture are having in this key entertainment arena."

OFFICIAL NOMINATIONS

Best Picture
Stomp The Yard
The Pursuit Of Happyness
Black Snake Moan
ATL

Best Actor
T.I., ATL
Will Smith, The Pursuit Of Happyness
Samuel L. Jackson, Black Snake Moan
Tyrese, Waist Deep

Best Actress
Beyonce Knowles, Dreamgirls
Gabrielle Union, Daddy's Little Girls
Meagan Good, Stomp The Yard
Christina Ricci, Black Snake Moan

full nominations

Fingers crossed she can win Nice to see recognition for the role already

[andrew r]

It seems that Speed Racer is now at the centre of chimp biting row, where the live chimpanzee used in the film allegedly bit an actor. But that's not all.

Christina Ricci's latest film has sparked outrage following allegations a chimpanzee was beaten on set.

The chimp is said to have bitten an actor on the set of 'Speed Racer', which reportedly resulted in the animal being hit.

PETA has written to producer Joel Silver urging him to stop using live animals in his movies.

The animal rights campaign group said in a statement: "We've received several troubling complaints from people who have been on the 'Speed Racer' set and report the main chimpanzee 'actor' has been beaten and has bitten one of the human actors. We urge you to stop using live animals and switch to animatronics."

However, movie studio Warner Bros insist they will continue to use live animals wherever necessary.

A spokeswoman said: "We appreciate the concerns of PETA. We also respect the vision and choices of the filmmakers with which we work. Every option on a film is carefully weighed, and for this production, the decision was made to use live animals."

The spokeswoman admitted the chimpanzee did bite a young actor, but denied the animal was beaten and instead was allowed to rest and calm down.

She was also adamant that no animals have been abused on the set.

PETA remains unconvinced, fuming: "No humane representative is closely monitoring those animals while off-set or during pre-production training, the very places where abuse is most likely to occur. So, we regret to say the assurances offered are meaningless."

link 1

Also this article:

Chimp Beaten On Christina Ricci Film Set?
PETA calls for ban on using live animals...

Animal rights activists are calling for a ban on live animals being used in films following claims that a chimp was beaten up on the set of Christina Ricci’s new film.The stories allege that the chimp was beaten after biting an actor on the Speed Racer set.

A PETA spokesperson said: “We’ve received several troubling complaints from people who have been on the Speed Racer set.

The campaign group has now written to producer Joel Schumacher urging him to stop using live animals.

A spokesperson for Warner Bros, the studio behind the film, admits that the chimp had bitten an actor but denied that it was beaten.

link 2

I wonder if this has caused Christina to turn up at LAX on the 1st July?

[andrew r]

Christina's back in Germany as she recently attended Berlin's Fashon Week. For pics see the related thread!

[andrew r]

Bit of bad news. Penelope's been put back until next year. Find out why read on and look at the link:

At IFC Films, "Penelope" Shift Points To A Change in Focus; Company Emphasizing First Take Slate

by Eugene Hernandez (August 14, 2007)

Less than a year ago, IFC Entertainment publicly touted a strategic change within the company, saying that IFC Films' preemptive acquisition of John Dahl's "You Kill Me" in Toronto marked a move to release bigger-budget movies. Now, the company is calling that move an experiment and instead pushing a different segment of their business. It has all but abandoned plans to acquire and distribute bigger movies. A theatrical release of Mark Palansky's "Penelope," the Toronto '06 premiere starring Reese Witherspoon which had been scheduled to open this Friday, was recently dropped. With no larger-budget releases on its longterm slate, IFC is instead focusing on its emerging IFC First Take label that simultaneously releases independent and foreign language films in theaters and via cable TV video-on-demand services.

Acquired jointly by IFC Films and The Weinstein Company out of Toronto last year (with IFC handling North American theatrical distribution and TWC taking home video), "Penelope" was initially slated for a wide release in April but ten days before opening day, IFC publicly announced that the film had been bumped to August 17th. A Type A Films production that was financed and produced by Stone Village Pictures, the film was written by Leslie Caveny and also stars James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara and Peter Dinklage.

In recent weeks, it became clear that IFC would not be releasing "Penelope" and indieWIRE has confirmed that the film's producers are planning a February 2008 release with another company. The IFC decision to abandon larger releases came ahead of their opening Dahl's "You Kill Me" on June 22nd, according to insiders. The company never expanded the "You Kill Me" release beyond about 250 screens and the film, on 26 screens this past weekend, has earned almost $2.4 million at the box office. Upcoming IFC Films releases include a pair of documentaries, next week's "Deep Water" and Jessica Yu's "Protagonist."

Continues: Here

What annoys me here is the fact they don't mention Christina, who's the title character!

[andrew r]

Dunno if this is 'proper' news, but this is odd I think. With thanks to Frank fopr this link. Check out who's the author...

Here

[andrew r]

Good news and bad news on the Penelope release date! Bad news is that it'll be out next year. Good news is that it's a confirmed date of the first of Feb 2008! Check the link for full details Here

[andrew r]

From Vogue.co.uk:

A RICCI PALETTE: CALVIN KLEIN INC will launch its new makeup line, which is produced under license by Markwins International, during Milan Fashion Week. Christina Ricci will unveil the new line at a glitzy cocktail party on September 27.

I'm hoping for new pics

Link: Here

[andrew r]

This has been going on for a bit. But there's a rumour of Christina dating someone new, a guy called Kick Gurry. Aparently they met on the Speed racer set. Here's a link to pics (watermarked) of her being out with him recently. I thought Adam was the guy for her. Guess I'm wrong.

here

[Bill5461]

Well we all know who the number one guy is for Christina!! But I also thought Adam was a great number two.

[andrew r]

Who's the number one guy then?

[Bill5461]

[andrew r]

Is it me?

[andrew r]

I was emailed this interview from my freind Frank, I thought that you all might want to read it:

Talkin' Trixie with Christina Ricci
Source: Heather Newgen
December 17, 2007


At the L.A. press junket for the long-delayed indie fantasy Penelope, Christina Ricci, sporting very short blonde hair, gave ComingSoon.net/Superhero Hype! a few tidbits about playing Trixie in the anticipated Wachowski brothers' live action movie Speed Racer.

ComingSoon.net: Is the blonde hair for a project or just a new look?
Christina Ricci: For "Speed Racer" it was cut into a very extreme bob, and it was black and then I came home and wanted to grow it out, and felt like I just looked a little too... I don't know. It just made me feel weird. So, I thought putting it back to brown might be better, and I softened it up a little bit because it was a little extreme.

CS: Were you nervous at all, to cut your hair so short?
Ricci: Yes. I had spent the entire year growing it out, of course, which is what always happens, and I kept calling my manager's office and saying to them, "Will you call and tell them that, if they're going to make a wig for me, wink wink, they should probably get my measurements, or something, and start making it now?" Everyone was like, "No, no, no, it's going to be fine. They're not going to do anything weird to your hair." And then, of course, I got some drawings of what the costumes are going to look like, and there were drawings of what she was going to look like and of course, it was a short hair-cut bob thing. So, I just decided to embrace it and go with it. It was the Wachowskis. It's "Speed Racer." I can always ask for a wig on the second one. [Laughs] You feel like, if you do it once, then you're justified in saying, "Okay, I did it, and I don't want to anymore."

CS: Is "Speed Racer" very physical for you, or will all of that be done using CGI?
Ricci: No, "Speed Racer" was the most fun ever. That's another example of a great role model character for girls because she's smart, she's funny and she does all the things the boys do. She kung fu fights, she drives a car, she races and she flies a helicopter, but she has a specific outfit that she wears when she flies the helicopter, and her lipstick always matches something she's wearing. She gets to be everything. She's celebrated as a girl and a woman, but she's also not treated any differently than the male characters are. So it was so much fun in that respect. I like being dressed up and I like doing stunts.

CS: Even with all the green screen, it was still that much fun?
Ricci: But that made it hilarious. We'd walk on set and there would be half a helicopter, and then the rest of the thing was just green, and it's an ensemble piece, so there's a lot of other actors to look at and just say, "What the hell is that? What scene are we shooting?" So it just made it funny. We would just walk around and be like, "All right, so the mountain's over there, and what is that? Oh, that's the edge of the cliff. Okay, well, I shouldn't be over there." It was just funny. It made it all really hilarious and then towards the end of the day, the green would start to make you feel like you were tripping, so that was also, at times, enjoyable. [Laughs]

CS: Have you seen any of the final footage?
Ricci: The brothers showed us 15 minutes, and it's just amazing. It looks like nothing you've ever seen before. All the driving stuff is really exciting and thrilling, and then, it has this emotional element that's actually really quite moving. A lot of guys were crying at the end of the 15 minutes because there's this real guy sad thing. [Laughs] But, also, every character in it is a very specific, funny character. Mom (Susan Sarandon) is always going to have her apron on, and Sparky (Kick Gurry) is going to always be Chaplin-esque and funny, and Mr. Royalton (Roger Allam) will always be evil. It's just fun. Everything about the movie makes it feel like an event movie, so that's exciting.

Speed Racer is scheduled to open May 9, 2008, but you can read more about Ricci's long-delayed movie Penelope before it opens on February 29, 2008.

The Penelope release date must be for North America. I read also that release date for Speed Racer is a world wide one. Can't wait to see Christina do a bit of action!

Link

[andrew r]

Two articles, both a bit short. One's about a site called 'Flaming Hobbit' and a revieers selection for film and actress of the year (2007) and Christina's visit to Australia over the past month when she went to visit her boyfriends parents in Sydney.

From Flaming Hobbit (film):

Rafe: Every once in a while I like to completely mess with people and give a different movie here than I list in my year-end Top Ten. If I was to pick a different movie, Sicko would probably be it. It’s irrelevant, however, because I’m not picking it. Moore’s argument be damned, Black Snake Moan was more to my liking in 2007. You’ll notice a trend in the following categories because of how much the Samuel L. Jackson film blew me away. Why? Easy – I like stories about redemptive characters, and Black Snake Moan is about redemption. Can a cuckolded man and a trampy girl – direct opposites of what each character is looking for - help each other find salvation? Even better, the movie doesn’t quite answer the question. Even as the credits roll, the audience is left wondering whether either character will truly find happiness. Not that I desire a sequel, but it might be cool seeing Jackson and Ricci play these characters again in another decade, something like Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, only in the deep south.

Actress:

Rafe: I agree with you on the difficulty trying to pick out a key female role. We’ve really had a dearth of superior female characters this year. In fact, I can’t honestly say any performances really stuck out to me. Very few of my top ten movies this year feature any kind of decent female performance. Fortunately my favorite movie for the year, Black Snake Moan had Christina Ricci showing off what she can do. No, I’m not talking about just showing off her hot boy in daisy dukes and clothes that practically fall off, although that wasn’t terrible (don’t tell my wife either). Instead I’m talking about an actress reaching the potential I’ve seen since she played Wednesday Adams in those big screen Adams Family adaptations. Actually, Ricci’s acting skills almost nullify the near nudity, as she builds the character to a point that you realize how damaged she is, and how her sexuality is a manifestation of that damage. From that point on, Rae’s advances and desires stop being so sexy. Only a really talented actress can take a young, hot appearance, and transform it into something undesirable.

From Couriermail.au:

Ricci gushes over Harbour City
AFTER spending a summer of love with her Aussie actor beau Kick Gurry in Sydney, it may only be a matter of time before Hollywood actress Christina Ricci shacks up in his lavish Darling Point home for good.

The pair, who met in September while starring in the Hollywood blockbuster Speedracer, spent the festive season soaking up the sun together, with Ricci hinting to film writer Erin McWhirter things could be hotting up on the domestic front.

On the promo trail for her new flick Penelope yesterday, the 27-year-old turned super spruiker for the Harbour City.

"Sydney is probably my favourite city ever. After three days here I was like, 'This is the best city I have ever been in'. There are places like Rome or Paris, but you can't imagine living there. This seems like the most wonderful, liveable city in the world. It's been the best start to the New Year."

While she remained tight-lipped on the intimate details of life with Gurry, it appears his laid-back Aussie attitude has rubbed off on her and their romance.

"I have definitely grown out of thinking jaded is cool," Ricci said.

"I used to have a real problem with sincerity, I was always sarcastic, but I think now I am confident enough within myself to be sincere."

Now happily head-over-heels, the actress who once struggled with anorexia said she is now content, making relationships easier.

"You have to learn to love yourself and you have to learn to stick with yourself because no one is going to make you perfect," she said.

"You are not going to meet the kind of person you are going to fall in love with until you are the best person you can be."

Ricci, who flew out of Australia last night, plays the lead role in her latest romantic fairytale film, due for release here in April.

I guess I should take some of what she said to heart there...