Do you like epic combats or fairy-tale romances? This weekend, Wrath of the Titans star Sam Worthington faces off with Mirror Mirror's Armie Hammer at the box office. And while both stars are seriously sexy -- you can only pick one as your dream date!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
- Director: Jake Nava
- Album: What's on My Mind?
Ke$ha Out For Vengeance In Musical March Madness
'I'm getting ready as we speak,' she tells MTV News of this year's tournament, tipping off Monday.
By James Montgomery
<P>Last year, based mainly on her attitude, the fact that she <a href="/news/articles/1644961/keha-tries-to-shock-the-world-at-casio-launch.jhtml">plays an AK-47 shaped guitar</a> and the presence of photos like <a href="http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/03/13/1226020/684522-ke-ha-drinks-blood.jpg" target="_blank">this</a>, Ke$ha was given an 11 seed in MTV's Musical March Madness tournament — and promptly <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/03/15/march-madness-u2-kesha-green-day-adam-lambert/">lost by a huge margin to U2</a> in the opening round. </P><P> </P><P><CENTER><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:747290/cp~vid%3D747290%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A747290" width="430" height="242" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></CENTER> </P><P> </P><P>Of course, she's spent the past 12 months fuming over that early exit, and now, she's going to get her shot at redemption. Not only is Ke$ha <i>back</i> in the 2012 MMM tournament — which kicks off Monday — but she's beefed up her rock credentials: working with the likes of <a href="http://www.billboard.com/news/alice-cooper-welcomes-ke-ha-to-his-nightmare-1005326082.story#/news/alice-cooper-welcomes-ke-ha-to-his-nightmare-1005326082.story" target="_blank">Alice Cooper</a>, channeling the <a href="/news/articles/1663946/kesha-new-album.jhtml">"sexiness" of '70s rock</a> on her new album, recording a (genuinely pretty great) <a href="/news/articles/1676260/kesha-bob-dylan-cover.jhtml">cover of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright"</a> and spending time <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/keshasuxx/status/160937170826313728" target="_blank">snorting Tums</a> with Wayne Coyne. </P><P> </P><P>So, yeah, this year, she's ready to knock off the field of 63 other acts gunning for the MMM trophy — a brimming bracket that includes <a href="/news/articles/1661353/musical-march-madness-winner-green-day.jhtml">defending champions Green Day</LINK>, upstarts <link type="content" id="1680595">Fun.</a> and <a href="/news/articles/1678693/black-keys-kesha.jhtml">good pals the Black Keys</a>, to name just a few — and reign supreme. But just in case all that rock-and-roll prep work isn't enough to put her over the top, well, Ke$ha has another secret weapon at the ready: an incredibly toned pelvic floor. </P><P> </P><P>"I'm getting ready as we speak. I'm doing Kegels," she told MTV News, while throwing phantom punches at an unsuspecting cameraman. "Vote for me!" </P><P> </P><P><b>MTV's 2012 Musical March Madness tournament begins Monday, March 12, when we'll unveil the full field of 64 bands that will battle for this year's championship. Winners are determined by fan votes, so if your favorite act made the cut, it will be up to you to guide them to glory. You can rally the troops on Twitter using the hashtag #MMM — but get ready, it's gonna be a war.</b> </P><P> </P><P><CENTER><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:746346/cp~vid%3D746346%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A746346" width="430" height="242" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></CENTER></p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsJustin Bieber, 'Watch Your Back': Carly Rae Jepsen Loves Pranks Too!
'I'm going to give him a run for his money,' Bieber protégé tells MTV News of recent 'Punk'd' mastermind.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Carly Rae Jepsen
Photo: MTV News
"Punk'd" kicked off in a big way Thursday night. Justin Bieber was enlisted to host the premiere episode of the new season, and he didn't shy away from pulling fast ones on his A-list friends.
Bieber made Taylor Swift believe she ruined a wedding, leaving her in tears. And when he pranked MTV's own Rob Dyrdek, he caught on and ended up joining forces with the Biebs to get Sean Kingston instead; the stunned singer stood up for an angry assistant who drove her boss' car into a restaurant. Bieber also double-crossed Miley Cyrus, who thought she was pranking him, but he ended up fighting the kids she sent out to poke fun of him. She definitely wasn't expecting that and ended up pretty shocked by the reverse prank.
Bieber is a known prankster in real life, and his pal and label signee Carly Rae Jepsen opened up to MTV News about his punker side — and proudly said she's ready to take him on anytime.
"I haven't seen that side of him myself yet, but I heard he's a bit of a prankster, which is good. I like that," she told MTV News. "I'm going to give him a run for his money. I enjoy a prank or two myself. It's on! Watch your back!"
Cyrus will be back for more "Punk'd" fun later this season, when she hosts her own episode. She'll punk beau Liam Hemsworth and pal Khloé Kardashian. Demi Lovato, the Wanted and more will also get "Punk'd" later this season.
Don't miss "Punk'd" every Thursday at 10 p.m. on MTV. For continuing "Punk'd" coverage, be sure to check in with MTV's Remote Control blog.
Links for 2007-10-16 [del.icio.us]
- Kim Kardashian playboy nude photo leaked
BREAKING NEWS!
A photo of Kim Kardashian?s playboy photoshoot has been leaked. The photoshoot wasn?t supposed to appear to viewers until December. It is rumored that this will be the biggest playboy spread ever?..
'Wrath Of The Titans': The Reviews Are In!
The 3-D may be a step up from 'Clash of the Titans,' but critics are panning the sequel as 'relentlessly mechanical.'
By Kevin P. Sullivan
Sam Worthington in "Wrath of the Titans"
Photo: Warner Bros.
If you've read any Greek mythology, you know that after the Titans' clash comes their wrath. Two years have passed (10 years in movie time), and Sam Worthington is back as Perseus to once again save humanity from the gods who would destroy it.
The makers of the Greek sequel (Greequel?) have cleaned up the messy 3-D from "Clash of the Titans," but according to most critics, "Wrath of the Titans" doesn't do much else to improve upon the original.
Here is our roundup of what the critics are saying about "Wrath of the Titans."
The Story
"Now widowed, Perseus is living as a fisherman and raising his son, Helius (John Bell). But upheaval lurks when he's approached by Zeus for help. Apparently, humanity isn't as devoted to worshiping the gods as they were, and the pantheon is in danger of losing its immortality. Armageddon looms. Perseus initially avoids entering the fray, but soon he's thrust into a struggle involving Hades and Ares, who have joined forces and captured Zeus, aiming to siphon off his godly powers." — Claudia Puig, USA Today
Sam Worthington
"Maybe it's just my imagination, but Sam Worthington seems to be getting slightly less stiff as an actor. He now smiles occasionally, and he's at least risen to the soulful inexpressiveness of the young Ryan O'Neal. For a movie like 'Wrath of the Titans,' which is basically 'Gladiator' crossed with 'Lord of the Rings' crossed with a special-effects demo reel (call it 'Lord of the Rinky-Dink'), he's the perfect actor. And that's because he never threatens to overshadow all that fire." — Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
The Action
"But this is a movie in which whole sequences consist of nothing but guys fighting stiff computer images. Such scenes would be boring even were they done well, but these scenes aren't done well. There's an elaborate sequence inside a labyrinth-like cave, in which the stone walls and floors are constantly shifting. But even this has no impact, because we can practically see it on a computer screen." — Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
The 3-D
"I should have added that the movie is in 3-D. This is not a help. 'Wrath of the Titans' is to begin with a dusty, murky pictorial confusion, not helped by dim underworld scenes, and although I'm sure the focus must be excellent, it had an imprecise feeling to me. Then the 3-D glasses did their bit to reduce the light level from the screen, and unlimited clouds of smoke, dust and sand were generated by the explosions." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The Final Word
"Serving up more action and better visual effects and 3-D than the 2010 'Clash of the Titans,' along with a barely-there screenplay that merely functions to notify Perseus which enemy or monster he should hack or skewer next, this is a relentlessly mechanical piece of work that will not or cannot take the imaginative leaps to yield even fleeting moments of awe, wonder or charm." — Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter
Check out everything we've got on "Wrath of the Titans."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Will Black Keys Team Up With Ke$ha? First They Want Jim Nabors
The duo sat down with MTV News in Berlin to discuss a pair of unlikely collaborations.
By James Montgomery
<P>Theirs is a relationship that has spanned time and Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/keshasuxx/status/77286418598211584" target="_blank">seafood</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/keshasuxx/status/157523381602889728" target="_blank">shaving</a>, but over the years, the unlikely bond between the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/black_keys/artist.jhtml">Black Keys</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/id_3213641/artist.jhtml">Ke$ha</a> has grown to become something <i>more</i>: a genuine friendship, marked with the occasional trespassing charge. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Would The Black Keys Ever Collaborate With Ke$ha?" id="vid:731631.id:1678505" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>"We're friends with her, we've known her since way before she was famous, before she was even a singer, I guess," Keys drummer Patrick Carney told MTV News. "When she was 16 years old, she used to sneak into our shows. We kind of became friends with her by kicking her out of our backstage room, over and over again. She actually has snuck into shows in L.A., San Diego, Coachella ..." </P><P> </P><P>"She snuck in and [got] kicked out of one show, like, <i>five</i> times," frontman Dan Auerbach added. "[She] snuck in through the kitchen. I don't know if she's such a big fan; she just likes breaking the rules." </P><P> </P><P>So, when MTV News sat down with the 'Keys in Berlin during the premiere of their <a href="/news/articles/1678662/black-keys-gold-on-the-ceiling-music-video.jhtml">"Gold on the Ceiling"</a> video, we had to ask if their friendship with Ke$ha would take the next step: an actual musical collaboration. It's not all that far-fetched, considering both Ke$h and Auerbach live in Nashville ("I see her every once in a while flying by in her T-Top [convertible]," Auerbach laughed), and recently, the glittery one has logged studio time with <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/keshasuxx/status/160846424609787906" target="_blank">the Flaming Lips</a>. So, could we see a team-up on the next Black Keys album? </P><P> </P><P>"I guess, I don't know," Carney said. "We don't really do that many collaborations, really." </P><P> </P><P>OK, so if a Ke$ha collabo isn't in the cards, just who would the 'Keys like to work with next? Well, as it turns out, they've got their eyes set on landing a very big star for the next record ... even if they mistakenly believe he's deceased. </P><P> </P><P>"We both want to work with Jim Nabors very badly, but apparently he's not with us anymore," Carney said. </P><P>Oh, <a href="http://www.jimnabors.com/" target="_blank">but he is.</a> Which means that, much like Nabors, the dream is alive. The Ke$ha collabo? Eh, probably not so much. </P><P> </P><P><i>Should the Black Keys hit the studio with Ke$ha? Leave your comment below!</i></p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsFriday, March 30, 2012
Kony 2012 Campaign Catches Eyes Of Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga
Campaign aims to bring African militia leader Joseph Kony to justice for war crimes and for enlisting children as soldiers.
By Gil Kaufman
<P>A campaign to stop the nearly 30-year, brutal rule of African militia leader Joseph Kony became a viral sensation this week. <a href="http://kony2012.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com" target="_blank">"Kony 2012,"</a> started by the group Invisible Children, aims to make Kony's face so famous that authorities will finally be able to arrest him and try him for his crimes. </P><P> </P><P>A 30-minute <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc" target="_blank">documentary</a> released on Monday is one of the keys to the campaign, and as of Thursday it had gotten more than 26 million views. The video details the atrocities carried out by Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army. The campaign appears to be working, as at one point on Wednesday, Invisible Children and #stopkony were trending higher on Twitter than Peyton Manning or the new iPad. </P><P> </P><P>Since 1987, human rights officials say Kony has forcefully abducted more than 60,000 children to be soldiers in his army and reportedly raped, mutilated and killed civilians in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan and displaced more than 2 million people. The leader is wanted for committing atrocities by the International Criminal Court and is being hunted down by 100 U.S. Special Forces advisers and local troops in four Central African nations, according to the <a href="http://bit.ly/AyrDyz"><I>Associated Press.</I></a> </P><P> </P><P>Kony 2012 is an effort to capture Kony and disarm the LRA before a reported window of opportunity closes. One way it plans to do that is by encouraging users to directly message a variety of stars to make use of their Twitter ubiquity to get the word out. Among those listed on the site are: Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Jay-Z, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Ryan Seacrest and Ellen DeGeneres, along with a number of major policymakers. </P><P> </P><P>When users click on the celebs' photos, a tweet pops up that reads: Help us end #LRA violence. Visit kony2012.com to find out why and how. @timtebow Join us for #KONY2012. </P><P> </P><P><a href="http://act.mtv.com/posts/invisible-children-video-joseph-kony/">Get More on Invisible Children at ACT.MTV.com.</a></p>
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Will Black Keys Team Up With Ke$ha? First They Want Jim Nabors
The duo sat down with MTV News in Berlin to discuss a pair of unlikely collaborations.
By James Montgomery
<P>Theirs is a relationship that has spanned time and Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/keshasuxx/status/77286418598211584" target="_blank">seafood</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/keshasuxx/status/157523381602889728" target="_blank">shaving</a>, but over the years, the unlikely bond between the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/black_keys/artist.jhtml">Black Keys</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/id_3213641/artist.jhtml">Ke$ha</a> has grown to become something <i>more</i>: a genuine friendship, marked with the occasional trespassing charge. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Would The Black Keys Ever Collaborate With Ke$ha?" id="vid:731631.id:1678505" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>"We're friends with her, we've known her since way before she was famous, before she was even a singer, I guess," Keys drummer Patrick Carney told MTV News. "When she was 16 years old, she used to sneak into our shows. We kind of became friends with her by kicking her out of our backstage room, over and over again. She actually has snuck into shows in L.A., San Diego, Coachella ..." </P><P> </P><P>"She snuck in and [got] kicked out of one show, like, <i>five</i> times," frontman Dan Auerbach added. "[She] snuck in through the kitchen. I don't know if she's such a big fan; she just likes breaking the rules." </P><P> </P><P>So, when MTV News sat down with the 'Keys in Berlin during the premiere of their <a href="/news/articles/1678662/black-keys-gold-on-the-ceiling-music-video.jhtml">"Gold on the Ceiling"</a> video, we had to ask if their friendship with Ke$ha would take the next step: an actual musical collaboration. It's not all that far-fetched, considering both Ke$h and Auerbach live in Nashville ("I see her every once in a while flying by in her T-Top [convertible]," Auerbach laughed), and recently, the glittery one has logged studio time with <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/keshasuxx/status/160846424609787906" target="_blank">the Flaming Lips</a>. So, could we see a team-up on the next Black Keys album? </P><P> </P><P>"I guess, I don't know," Carney said. "We don't really do that many collaborations, really." </P><P> </P><P>OK, so if a Ke$ha collabo isn't in the cards, just who would the 'Keys like to work with next? Well, as it turns out, they've got their eyes set on landing a very big star for the next record ... even if they mistakenly believe he's deceased. </P><P> </P><P>"We both want to work with Jim Nabors very badly, but apparently he's not with us anymore," Carney said. </P><P>Oh, <a href="http://www.jimnabors.com/" target="_blank">but he is.</a> Which means that, much like Nabors, the dream is alive. The Ke$ha collabo? Eh, probably not so much. </P><P> </P><P><i>Should the Black Keys hit the studio with Ke$ha? Leave your comment below!</i></p>
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Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, John Paul Jones Unveil Supergroup
Them Crooked Vultures make their debut with a post-Lollapalooza set.
By James Montgomery
<P>Officially, <a href="/news/articles/1617945/janes-addiction-killers-turn-up-heat-on-lollapaloozas-last-day.jhtml">Lollapalooza ended Sunday night</a> in Chicago's Grant Park, with dueling sets from <a href="/music/artist/killers_the/artist.jhtml">the Killers</a> and <a href="/music/artist/janes_addiction/artist.jhtml">Jane's Addiction</a>. Unofficially, it ended <i>very</i> early Monday morning, across town at venerable rock club the Metro, with a surprise show by Them Crooked Vultures. </P><P> </P><P>To the unfamiliar, the Vultures might seem like an odd choice to close out Lolla weekend ... until you realize that they're made up of <a href="/music/artist/foo_fighters/artist.jhtml">Foo Fighters</a> frontman/ former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, <a href="/music/artist/queens_stone_age/artist.jhtml">Queens of the Stone Age</a> mastermind Josh Homme and <a href="/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a> legend John Paul Jones. And their gig at the Metro was their world premiere. </P><P> </P><P>According to <a href="http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/2009/08/them_crooked_vultures_at_metro.html" target="_blank">some reports</a>, the Vultures actually turned <i>down</i> Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell's request to replace the Beastie Boys as headliners at the festival, opting to debut in front of some 1,100 super-psyched fans at the Metro, rather than 75,000 in Grant Park (tickets for the gig were announced via Foo Fighter/ QOTSA fan clubs). Meaning that, in a lot of ways, this was the most sought-after ticket in town. </P><P> </P><P>Taking the stage just after midnight, the Vultures — Grohl on drums (of course), Homme on guitar and vocals, Jones on bass and keys and frequent QOTSA contributor Alain Johannes on guitar — ripped through 12 songs in 80 minutes, all taken from their upcoming debut, which may or may not be called <i>Never Deserved the Future,</i> and may or may not be hitting stores on October 23 (early "promo" videos touting both those facts were revealed over the weekend to be hoaxes perpetrated by QOTSA fans). </P><P> </P><P>The songs, with appropriately Homme-ian titles like "Scumbag Blues," "Mind Eraser (No Chaser)," "Caligulove" and "Interlude w/Ludes," sounded pretty much how you'd expect, given the band's pedigree. They rocked, hard — <a href="http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2009/08/concert-review-them-crooked-vultures-at-metro.html" target="_blank"><i>Chicago Tribune</i></a> critic Greg Kot described them as "fresh, invigorating and just plain nasty" — delving off into psychedelic, reverb-filled excursions and exploring proggy territory, "both of the old-school Yes variety, and the more modern Tool flavor," according to the <i>Chicago Sun-Times'</i> Jim DeRogatis. </P><P> </P><P>It's not known if Monday's Metro performance was a one-off event for the Vultures — there have been whispers of a full-blown tour, but a spokesperson for Homme had not responded to MTV News' request for comment at press time. Nor was it clear whether or not they'll have an album out in October. </P><P> </P><P>Early Monday, a <a href="http://twitter.com/crookedvultures" target="_blank">Crooked Vultures Twitter account</a>, which had previously posted links to the band's <a href="http://www.themcrookedvultures.com/" target="_blank">official-looking Web site</a> and the Metro's online ticketing site — posted a link to what appears to be the group's first bit of official merchandise: a <i>Deserve the Future</i> T-shirt. Cost: $30.</p>
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsMichael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray Files Appeal
Murray will represent himself as he contests involuntary manslaughter conviction for which he faces up to four years in state prison.
By Kara Warner
<P>As expected, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jackson_michael/artist.jhtml">Michael Jackson</a>'s former doctor <a href="/news/articles/1673957/conrad-murray-appeal-verdict-michael-jackson.jhtml">Conrad Murray has filed an appeal</a> to challenge his involuntary manslaughter conviction. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Michael Jackson's Former Doctor Guilty Of Involuntary Manslaughter" id="vid:708788.id:1673923" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>According to <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2011/12/02/conrad-murray-files-appeal-involuntary-manslaughter" target="_blank">TMZ</a>, Murray filed the petition in pro per, which means he has decided to forego hiring legal representation and represent himself. He reportedly listed "Men's Central Jail" and his booking number in the space on the appeal document where a lawyer would normally list a firm's name or contact information. </P><P> </P><P>TMZ also reported that although Murray seems to be without a lawyer, he is still in communication with Nareg Gourjian, one of the attorneys who represented him during his manslaughter trial. </P><P> </P><P>"This case presents a gold mine of issues for any appellate lawyer," Gourjian told TMZ. "Dr. Murray is confident that the Court of Appeal will vindicate him." </P><P> </P><P>Following the guilty verdict, Murray's lead defense lawyer Ed Chernoff told CNN, "What matters most right now is trying to keep Dr. Murray from taking up a prison cell in this community. That's what we're focusing on right now, and we'll deal with an appeal after that." </P><P> </P><P><a href="/news/articles/1675062/conrad-murray-sentence.jhtml">Murray was sentenced to four years</a> in jail Tuesday, but due to overcrowding, he's unlikely to serve his full term. </p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsThursday, March 29, 2012
Lady Gaga Ponders Motherhood With Oprah Winfrey
'Yes, I want kids, I want a soccer team and I want a husband,' singer tells the talk show maven.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> has never come across a topic that she won't open up about. And in a new, candid interview with Oprah Winfrey on her show "<a href="http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahs-next-chapter/Sneak-Preview-Oprah-Interviews-Lady-Gaga-and-Her-Mother-Video" target="_blank">Oprah's Next Chapter</a>," Mother Monster chats about someday actually becoming a mother. </P><P> </P><P>"Yes, I want kids, I want a soccer team and I want a husband," she said in the special, which airs Sunday on Winfrey's OWN cable network. "Yeah, I do. Well, you know, I'm being superfluous. I don't want to have one kid. I want to have a few." </P><P> </P><P><center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:749701/cp~vid%3D749701%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A749701" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></center> </P><P> </P><P>Gaga, who is currently planning her <a href="/news/articles/1678676/lady-gaga-born-this-way-stage.jhtml"><i>Born This Way</i> world tour</a>, noted that her plan to be a mom won't happen anytime soon. "I want to experience that," she said making a baby bump with her hands and laughing, "[but] not yet." </P><P> </P><P>Most of the special was filmed in Gaga's native New York City, but part was also filmed at Harvard University last month. The singer and the talk show host were on hand at the prestigious college to launch Gaga's <a href="/news/articles/1680176/lady-gaga-launches-born-this-way-foundation-harvard.jhtml"><i>Born This Way</i> Foundation</a>. </P><P> </P><P>"I just have one thing to say before we get started: We got Oprah! ... Thank you from all of us — from my entire team, from my mother, from the bottom of the hearts of so many people who believe in what we're doing today," Gaga said at the launch. She explained that the foundation seeks to empower the youth of America, adding, "How can we inspire young people to know they have the power to be brave?"</p>
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Lady Gaga Surpasses 20 Million Followers On Twitter
Pop star extends her record-breaking Twitter dominance over second-place holder Justin Bieber.
By John Mitchell
<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> is known for her prolific Internet presence, and now she can lay claim to another achievement: She's the first person to pass 20 million followers on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ladygaga" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. </P><P> </P><P>Mother Monster has yet to acknowledge the feat on her social network of choice, but, on February 9, when she noticed her number of followers eclipsed 19 million, she good-naturedly <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ladygaga/status/167686723906703360" target="_blank">tweeted</a>, "19 Million Followers!!! HOLY HOOKER!!! *goes back to work*" </P><P> </P><P>Like many celebrities, Gaga has used Twitter to forge a closer relationship with her fans as well as make announcements about her career and respond to criticism, as she recently did when British music magazine <i>NME</i> named her hit album <i>Born This Way</i> the <a href="/news/articles/1679839/lady-gaga-most-pretentious-albums-born-this-way.jhtml">Most Pretentious Album Ever</a>. </P><P> </P><P>Gaga has been the most followed person on Twitter since August 2010, when she blasted past <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> for the title when she reached 5.6 million followers. </P><P> </P><P>Spears now enjoys 13.6 million followers, making her the seventh most-followed person on the network. Currently in third place is Katy Perry with 15.7 million followers. Shakira (14.5 million) and Rihanna (14.5 million) are not far behind. </P><P> </P><P>The only person within spitting distance of Gaga on Twitter is <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a>. The recent <a href="/news/articles/1680248/justin-bieber-birthday-gifts.jhtml">birthday boy</a> has just over 18 million followers. He is, however, a far more prolific tweeter than Gaga; the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-lady-gaga-20-million-followers-twitter-20120305,0,4076491.story" target="_blank"><i>Los Angeles Times</i></a> notes that he has sent out 10 times as many tweets as the "Born This Way" diva. </P><P> </P><P>Gaga also enjoys a massive following on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ladygaga" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, where she's been "liked" by nearly 49 million people. But Mother Monster cannot claim being the boss on Facebook. That title belongs to <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna</a>, who has been liked by nearly 53 million individuals.</p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsUsher's Next Album 'Soulful, Catchy,' Taio Cruz Teases
'He always wants there to be the soul in there,' Cruz tells MTV News about his 'Without You' collaborator.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias
<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a> is hard at work on his next album. Set to work with fellow hitmaker <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/cruz__taio/artist.jhtml">Taio Cruz</a>, the two already cooked up some magic with their <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/guetta_david/artist.jhtml">David Guetta</a> anthem <a href="/news/articles/1670301/usher-david-guetta-without-you.jhtml">"Without You,"</a> and it seems they are hoping to recapture that spirit for Usher's follow-up to 2010's <i>Raymond v. Raymond</i>. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Taio Cruz's Collabo With Usher Is A 'Secret'" id="vid:717257" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>"I saw Usher a few times, but I spoke to him at length at David [Guetta]'s house when we were in Ibiza [Spain]," he told MTV News in L.A. after his Jingle Ball set. "He has very specific ideas of where he wants to go musically and sound-wise." </P><P> </P><P>Given that Usher has never shied away from exposing a bit of himself in his music, while also keeping the party going, Cruz wants to make sure they can connect the mind, body and soul for this next release. "He always wants there to be the soul in there," he explained. "I'm kind of, not the opposite, but I'm always like, 'Let's get straight to the point and be really clear with the message and be simple.' </P><P> </P><P>"So we try to match those two worlds together: being soulful and, at the same time, catchy," he added. </P><P> </P><P>Cruz can't yet discuss what they're working on: Besides "Without You," he said, "Everything else is secret." </P><P> </P><P>Usher said he was drawn to the <a href="/news/articles/1674782/usher-david-guetta-without-you.jhtml">Guetta hit</a> because he connected to it emotionally, explaining to MTV News recently what an important part that plays in his musical philosophy. "I think the world wanted a record like that. That [song] really spoke to the journey that I've actually been on in the last three years," he said. "Traveling all around the world, music sounds different. There's many different genres, and when you see R&B and pop and house, as well as electronic, come together, that's the reality of what music is." </P><P> </P><P><div style="background-color:#000000;width:428px;"><div style="padding:4px;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:713197/cp~vid%3D713197%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A713197" width="420" height="236" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed></div></div></p>
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Hilary Duff Adjusts to New Sleep Schedule
"Luca fed! Mamma fed! Time to do it all again in 2 hours!" the new mom to week-old son Luca Cruz Tweeted on Monday. "Oh how life has changed! In such a wonderful way."
Beyonce & Blue Ivy's Late Night Doctor's Office Visit
Doing her best to shield her precious cargo from the flashing cameras, Beyonce Knowles cradled baby Blue Ivy in her arms while out in New York City on Wednesday (March 28).
The 30-year-old singer/actress was clad in a thick grey sweater and black leather pants as she and her 11-week-old daughter were joined by Tina Knowles as the trio exited a doctor's office on the Upper East Side.
And while Beyonce has remained mostly mum on her bundle of joy, her sister, Solange Knowles, recently gushed about Blue Ivy in an interview with Britain's Rollacoaster magazine.
Of her newfound role as an aunt, Solange dished, "[Being an aunt is] very different to being a mother, but there's still that sort of love that you can't even put [into] words to describe."
The 25-year-old little sister of Beyonce added, "It's really special to have a niece because I have a son [Julez, 7], so I get to have a little girl too!"
Christina Aguilera Christina Applegate Christina DaRe Christina Milian
Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, John Paul Jones Unveil Supergroup
Them Crooked Vultures make their debut with a post-Lollapalooza set.
By James Montgomery
<P>Officially, <a href="/news/articles/1617945/janes-addiction-killers-turn-up-heat-on-lollapaloozas-last-day.jhtml">Lollapalooza ended Sunday night</a> in Chicago's Grant Park, with dueling sets from <a href="/music/artist/killers_the/artist.jhtml">the Killers</a> and <a href="/music/artist/janes_addiction/artist.jhtml">Jane's Addiction</a>. Unofficially, it ended <i>very</i> early Monday morning, across town at venerable rock club the Metro, with a surprise show by Them Crooked Vultures. </P><P> </P><P>To the unfamiliar, the Vultures might seem like an odd choice to close out Lolla weekend ... until you realize that they're made up of <a href="/music/artist/foo_fighters/artist.jhtml">Foo Fighters</a> frontman/ former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, <a href="/music/artist/queens_stone_age/artist.jhtml">Queens of the Stone Age</a> mastermind Josh Homme and <a href="/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a> legend John Paul Jones. And their gig at the Metro was their world premiere. </P><P> </P><P>According to <a href="http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/2009/08/them_crooked_vultures_at_metro.html" target="_blank">some reports</a>, the Vultures actually turned <i>down</i> Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell's request to replace the Beastie Boys as headliners at the festival, opting to debut in front of some 1,100 super-psyched fans at the Metro, rather than 75,000 in Grant Park (tickets for the gig were announced via Foo Fighter/ QOTSA fan clubs). Meaning that, in a lot of ways, this was the most sought-after ticket in town. </P><P> </P><P>Taking the stage just after midnight, the Vultures — Grohl on drums (of course), Homme on guitar and vocals, Jones on bass and keys and frequent QOTSA contributor Alain Johannes on guitar — ripped through 12 songs in 80 minutes, all taken from their upcoming debut, which may or may not be called <i>Never Deserved the Future,</i> and may or may not be hitting stores on October 23 (early "promo" videos touting both those facts were revealed over the weekend to be hoaxes perpetrated by QOTSA fans). </P><P> </P><P>The songs, with appropriately Homme-ian titles like "Scumbag Blues," "Mind Eraser (No Chaser)," "Caligulove" and "Interlude w/Ludes," sounded pretty much how you'd expect, given the band's pedigree. They rocked, hard — <a href="http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2009/08/concert-review-them-crooked-vultures-at-metro.html" target="_blank"><i>Chicago Tribune</i></a> critic Greg Kot described them as "fresh, invigorating and just plain nasty" — delving off into psychedelic, reverb-filled excursions and exploring proggy territory, "both of the old-school Yes variety, and the more modern Tool flavor," according to the <i>Chicago Sun-Times'</i> Jim DeRogatis. </P><P> </P><P>It's not known if Monday's Metro performance was a one-off event for the Vultures — there have been whispers of a full-blown tour, but a spokesperson for Homme had not responded to MTV News' request for comment at press time. Nor was it clear whether or not they'll have an album out in October. </P><P> </P><P>Early Monday, a <a href="http://twitter.com/crookedvultures" target="_blank">Crooked Vultures Twitter account</a>, which had previously posted links to the band's <a href="http://www.themcrookedvultures.com/" target="_blank">official-looking Web site</a> and the Metro's online ticketing site — posted a link to what appears to be the group's first bit of official merchandise: a <i>Deserve the Future</i> T-shirt. Cost: $30.</p>
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsWednesday, March 28, 2012
Happy Birthday, Lady Gaga! 26 Letters For 26 Years
For Mother Monster's big day, here's an A-to-Z guide for all things Gaga.
By Vaughn Trudeau Schoonmaker
<P><a href="/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> turned 26 years young on Wednesday (March 28), and to help celebrate, MTV News drew up a handy A-to-Z guide touching on some of the most exciting things to come from Mother Monster. Read on and share your birthday wishes for the pop princess!<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>A:</b></span> April 27. On that day, Gaga will launch what's sure to be one of the year's most spectacular spectacles at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, Korea, which brings us to ...<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>B:</b></span> ... <a href="/news/articles/1658379/lady-gaga-atlantic-city.jhtml"><i>Born This Way</i> Ball</a>! We were there when Gaga announced the name of the tour in Atlantic City, New Jersey, last year, and it has been hinted that we can expect an <a href="/news/articles/1675649/lady-gaga-born-this-way-tour.jhtml">"electro pop opera."</a> She had us at "opera."<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>C:</b></span> Castle. Mother Monster tweeted an image of the <a href="/news/articles/1678676/lady-gaga-born-this-way-stage.jhtml">stage design</a> for the tour, and the elaborate gothic castle has us excited.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>D:</b></span> "Dark." Gaga's former creative director, Laurieann Gibson, opened up just last week about why she parted ways with the pop star, telling <a href="http://www.etonline.com/music/120256_Lady_Gaga_s_Former_Choreographer_Laurieann_Gibson_Details_Split/index.html" target="_blank">"ET Canada"</a> that Gaga's ideas "got a little dark for me creatively."<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>E:</b></span> <a href="/news/articles/1674731/lady-gaga-elton-john-duet.jhtml">Elton John</a>. The godmother to John's adopted son, Gaga has teased a duet with the "Rocket Man" singer for her next album.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>F:</b></span> <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/717202/lady-gaga-has-the-title-and-concept-for-her-next-album.jhtml">Fernando Garibay</a>. The musical director behind <i>Born This Way</i> told MTV News that the new album already has a title and concept.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>G:</b></span> Gothic. Veils, brooches and lots of black: Gaga has adopted a gothic theme for her tour, but also in her fashion choices.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>H:</b></span> "Heavy Metal Lover." This jam has been begging for radio play; at the very least, the <i>BTW</i> cut should make it to the tour set list.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>I:</b></span> Inez & Vinoodh. The Dutch photography duo were heavily involved in the spectacle surrounding Gaga's "Yoü and I" video, crafting awesome fashion clips after the official music video.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>J:</b></span> Joanne. Lady Gaga's parents recently opened this Italian trattoria, named for Gaga's late aunt, on New York City's Upper West Side.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>K:</b></span> Kinney, as in Taylor Kinney. The beautiful man who played Gaga's love interest in the "Yoü and I" video is rumored to be her real-life love interest too.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>L:</b></span> Luc Carl. Gaga must still be on good terms with her ex-BF, because she recently tweeted a shout-out to him when he published his new book, "The Drunk Diet."<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>M:</b></span> Monster Pit. The special enclosed space within the <i>Born This Way</i> Ball stage where lucky Monsters who line up for hours, even days, before the show will be able to take in the concerts.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>N:</b></span> Nicola Formichetti. The singer's new creative director will be her co-HBIC for the foreseeable future.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>O:</b></span> Oprah. The talk-show queen is Gaga's new BFF, pretty much. She even tapped the OWN network boss to interview her not long after they launched Gaga's anti-bullying-focused <a href="/news/articles/1681289/lady-gaga-oprah.jhtml">Born This Way Foundation</a> together.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>P:</b></span> Piano. One of the best parts of the Monster Ball was when Gaga would slow things down, chatting with the crowd and showing off her raw talent at the piano.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Q:</b></span> Quinceañera. Gaga's one-word Twitter response to a Little Monster who asked how she would celebrate her 26th birthday this year, never mind that it's the kind of party reserved for 15-year-olds. They grow up so fast.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>R:</b></span> Red Wine. Widely known to be Mother Monster's alcoholic beverage of choice, alongside whiskey and beer.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>S:</b></span> "Stuck on F---in' You." This unreleased and unedited track was leaked by Gaga herself as a Christmas gift to her Little Monsters. She recorded the naughty song on her tour bus last go-round. Can we get another?<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>T:</b></span> Tea. Gaga's non-alcoholic beverage of choice, about which she recently tweeted a lesson she learned: #KettlesAreForTeaNotFashion.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>U:</b></span> Unicorns. The mythical creatures may not exist, but Gaga swoons for them, and why not? Fantasy is as important to her as reality.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>V:</b></span> Video Music Awards. Is it too early to begin the campaign for her to blow our minds again at the 2012 VMAs? We'd even settle for <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/686557/the-born-this-way-vma-win-means-the-most-to-lady-gaga.jhtml#id=1669870">Jo Calderone</a> again.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>W:</b></span> Wigs. Her supply is never-ending and will likely continue to fascinate us right on through her 26th year.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>X:</b></span> <a href="http://www.ladygagaxterryrichardsonthebook.com" target="_blank">"Lady Gaga X Terry Richardson."</a> Amazing photo book. Seriously, check it out.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Y:</b></span> Yuyi. Will the mermaid join Gaga on tour this year? As long as the tour bus is sea-creature-friendly.<br><br> </P><P> </P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Z:</b></span> Z100 Jingle Ball. In December, Gaga performed a short-but-captivating set at New York City's Madison Square Garden that gave us a peek at what's to come on the <i>Born This Way</i> Ball.</p>
Related Photos Related ArtistsKe$ha - My First Kiss
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Emmanuelle Vaugier Emmy Rossum Erica Leerhsen Erika Christensen
Which 'Twilight' Character Would Win Hunger Games?
For 'Twilight' Tuesday, we imagine the vampires and wolves in a battle to the death.
By Kara Warner
Taylor Lautner in "Breaking Dawn"
Photo: Summit
Like most of our fellow "Twilight" fans, we spend a lot of time thinking about and overanalyzing the mythical world Stephenie Meyer created and the record-breaking film franchise it spawned. And even though we still have too many months to wait to see "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2," the wait was made slightly less painful this week due to a couple of new trailer teases.
Since we've had the series on the brain more than usual this week, along with the countless stories about "The Hunger Games" reaching "Twilight"-level numbers, I've decided to philosophize my way through this week's "Twilight" Tuesday with the question: If the Cullens and the wolf pack were featured in a "Hunger Games"-style, fight-to-the-death tournament organized by the Volturi (of course), who would come out a victor?
The first thing to address is who would be reaped into the tournament? And how many? If we go with 24, the ranks are difficult to fill out due to a lack of named weres. Nevertheless, here are the contenders (including a few of those who don't live through the end of the series): Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, Jacob Black, Carlisle Cullen, Esme Cullen, Alice Cullen, Emmett Cullen, Rosalie Hale, Jasper Hale, Renesmee Cullen, Sam Uley, Quil Ateara V, Embry Call, Paul Lahote, Jared Cameron, Leah Clearwater, Seth Clearwater, Collin Littlesea, Brady Fuller, James, Victoria, Laurent, Riley Biers and one of the unnamed wolves from the end of "Breaking Dawn" who show up as part of Sam's pack. Whew.
Now, who will be defeated and how? My colleague Katie Byrne makes the very astute point that the Cullens are total pacifists and will not kill each other, no matter what. I say that Jasper might be the one to crack, since he doesn't always have total control over his actions, but the rest of the Cullens will probably rein him in and quarantine him or something. Also, as much as it pains me to admit it, the vampires will likely outlast the werewolves (confession: I prefer wolves to vamps), particularly the Cullens with their supernatural abilities. But again, would the Cullens allow the seemingly needless fights-to-the-death to happen? This is a Volturi-created death match after all, so they might make like the end of "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" and save everyone. Except for James, Victoria, Laurent and Riley, of course.
Ms. Byrne argues that if the Volturi did somehow succeed in making the tournament end in death and destruction, the Cullens would all join hands, eat a few handfuls of nightlock (assuming that the poisonous berry also works on non-humans), and end the "Games" with a civilized, non-bloody mass suicide. Or the Volturi might recognize the Cullens' value (just like the Gamemakers did) and let them live — under the constant threat of death and destruction, that is.
Who do you think would win the "Twilight" Hunger Games? Share your thoughts in the comments or tweet me @karawarner with your theories!
Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
'Raid' Director Gareth Evans Teases Sequel Plans
So, while the world was busy devouring "The Hunger Games" this weekend, I imagine that at least a few of you feasted your eyes on "The Raid: Redemption." Director Gareth Evans' latest is truly one of the greatest action movies to come along in years. We said as much in our "Raid" review, which you [...]
Jennifer Gimenez Jennifer Love Hewitt Jennifer Morrison Jennifer ODell
'Hunger Games' Ignites Box Office: Experts Weigh In
One box-office watcher tells MTV News the book adaptation was 'the hottest party around and nobody wanted to be left out.'
By Kevin P. Sullivan
Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane in "The Hunger Games"
Photo: Lionsgate
We all knew "The Hunger Games" would debut to enormous opening-weekend numbers, but few could have predicted just how quickly the fire would spread.
The YA adaptation opened to an incredible $155 million weekend, passing up "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" and "Spider-Man 3" to have the third-highest opening weekend behind "The Dark Knight" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2."
Early predictions had "The Hunger Games" opening at a respectable $70 million, not even half the actual total and in range of this year's "The Lorax," another recent box-office surprise. As the release drew nearer, analysts bumped up the predicted total to a range of $125 million to $130 million. The reason for the initially low prediction lies with another YA series, according to Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations.
"Many people were comparing this to the original 'Twilight' film, which grossed $69 million its opening weekend," Bock said. "Even though the book series was a huge success, many other young adult novels have been translated to film recently and failed to produce the next 'Harry Potter' or 'Twilight,' so, as an unproven commodity, expectations were tempered a bit with 'The Hunger Games.' Even Lionsgate was estimating that the film would debut with a three-day weekend gross of $75 million earlier in the week; they certainly didn't expect it to nearly eclipse that number on opening day."
Wanna win a Hunger Games special edition HP laptop from MTV News? Click here to enter!
The strong push out of the gate came from a combination of an aggressive marketing campaign by Lionsgate and groundswell created by fans of Suzanne Collins' best-selling books. Gitesh Pandya of Box Office Guru said it was a precise combination of those key factors that led to such an explosive opening weekend.
"The record opening was driven by the loyal fanbase, which is humongous, along with a carefully crafted marketing push that intrigued them and also drew in new audiences in time for the movie's release," Pandya said. "Marketing was a key component to the massive debut, as the film wasn't over-promoted to the point of repelling people. Lionsgate turned the opening weekend of 'Hunger Games' into the hottest party around and nobody wanted to be left out."
Lionsgate is certainly not wasting any time in trying to repeat the magic of their biggest hit to date. Production on the sequel, "Catching Fire," is scheduled to begin this summer with a release tentatively set for November 2013. Pandya believes the next adventure of Katniss Everdeen could even go bigger.
"Studios knew to stay out of the way of 'Hunger Games,' which is why no other film opened wide this weekend. But now they know how big of a juggernaut it is, and if history is any indicator, the opening of 'Catching Fire' will be even bigger in November 2013," Pandya said. "And unless Disney changes its superhero date, we're going to see a big-brother battle as Liam Hemsworth's 'Catching Fire' will open just one week after Chris Hemsworth's 'Thor 2.' "
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