Nqsj Disney back in the frame for the Jim Henson Company
Despite the hype, New Line s Snakes On A Plane had a disappointing opening weekend inNorth
stanley cup America, taking $13.85m on 3,555 screens in three days and $15.25mincluding 10pm shows on Thursday night.Over the three days, without previews, the film was actuallybeaten by Sony s Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby in its third weekend which took $14.1m on3,741 sites.Snakes On A Planestarted well with a $7.53m gross from Thursday late night previews and Fridayas enthusiasts who had generated the internet excitement over the film rushedout to see it. But ultimately the buzz failed to turn into across-the-board boxoffice for the action flick
stanley cup starring Samuel L Jackson on Saturday and Sunday.Its per-site average was an okay $4,290.Directed by David Ellis, a New Line regular with creditsincluding Cellular and FinalDestination 2, Snakes On A Plane had become such an internet favourite, principallybecause of its title, that New Line shot more action scenes to soup it up. Thestudio opted not to screen it to critics, so that no preconceptions weredamaged. Still, for a film which cost under $40m, the opening is fine.Talladega Nights strode past the $100m mark for a total to date of $114.7m. It isstar Will Ferrell s third leading man picture to break $100m after Elf in 2003 and Anchorman: The Legend OfRon Burgundy in 2004.The weekend s other wide opener Universal comedy Accepted opened on $10.1m from 2,914 theatres, scoring ascreen average of $3,470. Produce
stanley cup d by Tom Shadyac and Michael Zpug Eric Christenson to head sales for Hollywood Studios International
Mobile communications company Orangehas announced the five nominees for its new Orange Rising Star Award, to bepresented at the 2006 BAFTAs. The five actorsnominated are Gael Garcia Bernal, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, James McAvoy,and Michelle Williams. BAFTA announced that the new award will be dedicated to thework of Mary Selway, the BAFTA-winning castingdirector who died in 2004. Mary left a legacy that s impossible to beat, saidDavid Parfitt, chair of BAFTA sfilm committee.The long list of 25 potential nomineeswere the most popular submissions from BAFTA members and UKdistributors. Eligible nominees had to appear in a film released in UKtheatres during the BAFTA eligibility period. At least two of the five nomineesare required to be British. A jury of industry exp
stanley cup erts including actress Cate Blanchett and director AlanParker selected the five nominees, and members of the public will vote on thewinner via the orange website orange.co.uk/bafta or via text message. Voting closes February 16 and the winner will be announcedat the BAFTA ceremony on February 19.Parfitt noted that the prize is not intended as a true beginners award, nothing that nominees will be over 18years old and have appeared in several films. This prize replaces the Orange Fil
stanley cup m of the Year award, whichwas also voted on by the public and had past winners including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabana
stanley cup nd Lord of the Rings: The Return of theKing. Orange is thetitle sponsor of the BAFTAs.
