Behind the scenes of 'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena'

Starz has released a behind-the-scenes video of the new season of Spartacus. There are interviews with the cast and crew, including a brief one with John Hannah. The series airs on January 21 at 10pm on Starz.

Billy Boyd weds Ali McKinnon

Billy Boyd married Ali McKinnon earlier today and held their wedding ceremony and reception in Glasgow's West End. Billy and Ali have a four year old son named Jack. Actors Dominic Monaghan and Elijah Wood both attended the ceremony. You can check out a couple of wedding photos:

Billy Connolly talks about 'Gulliver's Travels'

Billy Connolly and fellow cast members Jack Black and Emily Blunt recently spoke to the folks over at Bleeding Cool about working on Gulliver's Travels, which opened in the US on Christmas Day. A brief quote is below, and you can read the full interview at the source.

Did Connolly enjoy being a king? He said:

It’s terrific to be the king. I’ve been the king for a long time, it’s a joy. It’s an absolute joy to swan… So little is asked of you. You get the sparkliest uniforms and sword and you just swan around. It’s fabulous. I tried to be a kind of Prince Charlesy king. I think if he was a king he’d be a jolly casual sort of king and so I tried to be him. I rather like him.

Weekly schedule for Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mo 12/27: Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carl Edwards (R 10/8/10)
Tu 12/28: Tom Selleck, Myq Kaplan (R 11/8/10)
We 12/29: Danny DeVito, Brie Larson, Henry Cho (R 10/26/10)
Th 12/30: Dick Van Dyke, Kerry Washington (R 11/4/10)
Fr 12/31: Michael Caine (R 10/28/10)

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New poster from 'Gnomeo and Juliet'

The new poster was released a couple of days ago and the film features the voices of James McAvoy as Gnomeo, Emily Blunt as Juliet, Jason Statham as Tybalt, Maggie Smith as Lady Burberry, Michael Caine as Lord Redbrick, and Patrick Stewart as William Shakespeare.

Dougray Scott campaigns to save Cineworld cinema

Dougray Scott and other celebrities including Joely Richardson and Ralph Fiennes, have reportedly joined a campaign to save a 1930s art deco cinema in London.

...[they] added their voices to the hundreds of Hammersmith residents who are fighting the council's proposed redevelopment of the town hall in King Street.

The Cineworld cinema and a nearby housing complex for people with sight loss would be demolished.

...Fiennes said the cinema should be preserved for future generations and Scott described the loss of low-cost housing as “scandalous”. [Mira Bar-Hillel]

Carlisle United interview with David Tennant

Earlier this month, David Tennant gave an interview for the Carlisle United website during the shooting of United. A clip of the interview is below:

New photo of Ewan McGregor in 'Perfect Sense'

The new photo (via Best of Ewan, @sweetonsigma, and @madlenschnei) with Ewan and his co-star Eva Green is below:

Gerard Butler to start shooting 'Playing the Field' in March

Playing the Field (originally called Slide) is now scheduled to begin production sometime in March. Gerard Butler started out as just producing the film through Evil Twins, but was cast in the lead role a few months ago.

When it was called Slide, the story centered on a ex-professional baseball player who tries to reconnect with his son and ex-wife by coaching the boy's little league team. Now that it's Playing the Field, the action has moved from the baseball field to the soccer field, with Butler attached to play a retired soccer star. Both editions of the story had the ex-player having to fight off the mothers of other kids on his son's team. [Rebecca Murray]

Billy Connolly's appearance on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

The episode aired on Friday, December 17, 2010:

Weekly schedule for Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mo 12/20: Kristin Davis, Dick Cavett
Tu 12/21: Jane Fonda
We 12/22: Michael Clarke Duncan, Grant Imahara
Th 12/23: Kathy Griffin, Ruth Gerson
Fr 12/24: Pre-empted

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Syfy cancels 'Stargate Universe'

Syfy has decided not to renew Stargate Universe for a third season. The show, which starred Robert Carlyle will end next Spring after the remaining ten episodes air.

'Coriolanus' part of Berlinale lineup

Coriolanus, which stars Gerard Butler and Brian Cox, will have its world premiere at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival. The film will screen out of competition, and the festival runs from February 10 to February 20 in Berlin.

2011 Golden Globe nominations; includes 'How to Train Your Dragon', 'The Good Wife'

The Golden Globe nominations were announced earlier today and includes nods for Burlesque (starring Alan Cumming), The Good Wife (Alan Cumming), How to Train Your Dragon (with the voices of Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, and David Tennant), The Pillars of the Earth (Tony Curran), Sons of Anarchy (Tommy Flanagan) and Red (Brian Cox).

The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony airs on January 16, 2011. The partial list of nominees is below and you can get the full list here.

Best Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical
Alice in Wonderland
Burlesque
The Kids Are All Right
Red
The Tourist

Best Animated Feature Film
Despicable Me
How To Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
Tangled
Toy Story 3

Best Original Song - Motion Picture
“BOUND TO YOU” — BURLESQUE Music by: Samuel Dixon; Lyrics by: Christina Aguilera, Sia Furler
“COMING HOME” — COUNTRY STRONG Music & Lyrics by: Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey, Troy Verges
“I SEE THE LIGHT” — TANGLED Music by: Alan Menken; Lyrics by: Glenn Slater
“THERE’S A PLACE FOR US” — CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER Music & Lyrics by: Carrie Underwood, David Hodges, Hillary Lindsey
“YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE LAST OF ME” — BURLESQUE Music & Lyrics by: Diane Warren

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
JULIANNA MARGULIES THE GOOD WIFE
ELISABETH MOSS MAD MEN
PIPER PERABO COVERT AFFAIRS
KATEY SAGAL SONS OF ANARCHY
KYRA SEDGWICK THE CLOSER

BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
CARLOS (SUNDANCE CHANNEL)
THE PACIFIC (HBO)
PILLARS OF THE EARTH (STARZ)
TEMPLE GRANDIN (HBO)
YOU DON’T KNOW JACK (HBO)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
HAYLEY ATWELL PILLARS OF THE EARTH
CLAIRE DANES TEMPLE GRANDIN
JUDI DENCH RETURN TO CRANFORD
ROMOLA GARAI EMMA
JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT THE CLIENT LIST

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
IDRIS ELBA LUTHER
IAN MCSHANE PILLARS OF THE EARTH
AL PACINO YOU DON’T KNOW JACK
DENNIS QUAID THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
EDGAR RAMIREZ CARLOS

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
SCOTT CAAN HAWAII FIVE-O
CHRIS COLFER GLEE
CHRIS NOTH THE GOOD WIFE
ERIC STONESTREET MODERN FAMILY
DAVID STRATHAIRN TEMPLE GRANDIN

Angus MacFadyen to join 'We Bought a Zoo'?

Angus MacFadyen is reportedly in talks to join cast of Cameron Crowe's We Bought a Zoo alongside Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, and Elle Fanning. He's in talks to play the head zookeeper. The film is scheduled to open on December 23, 2011.

The comedy-drama, based on the memoir by Benjamin Mee, with a script from “The Devil Wears Prada” writer Aline Brosh McKenna, follows Mee (Matt Damon) as a single father who attempts to fulfil his late wife’s wish of moving their family to the titular animal sanctuary. Damon’s joined by the likes of Scarlett Johansson, as love interest Kelly, Thomas Haden Church, as Damon’s brother, and Elle Fanning and Patrick Fugit as other zoo employees. [Oliver Lyttelton]

3rd year anniversary

The truth is, the real blog anniversary was on December 8, but I lost track of time. This happens a lot this time of year.

I just wanted to say thank you to all the people who have made this year, and the years before it so wonderful and memorable. Thank you to everyone for leaving comments, sends e-mails, clicking the like button on Facebook, and Tweeting. I'm so grateful for your tips, photos, and suggestions.

Thanks especially to Kathy, Melinda, Rose, Ross, Dan, Swpnil, Mandy, and Hannele for their help this year.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Weekly schedule for Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mo 12/13: Tom Arnold, Alison Becker, Erica Hill, Chris Wragge, Jeff Glor, Marysol Castro
Tu 12/14: Kirsten Dunst, Greg Proops
We 12/15: Nick Lachey, Jamy Ian Swiss
Th 12/16: Seth Green, Lena Dunham, Ruth Gerson
Fr 12/17: Billy Connolly, Maria Bamford

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Ewan McGregor briefly discusses 'I Love You Phillip Morris'

After an extended delay, I Love You Phillip Morris finally opened in limited release in the US last Friday; Ewan McGregor recently talked about the film's release with the Chicago Sun-Times:

“I don’t pay attention to these matters,” McGregor says with a sigh. “I’m not in control of release dates. All I know is that I had a lovely time working with Jim Carrey and I want everyone to actually see what we did together. I think the ultimate judge is the audience.”

McGregor calls the film “a wonderful romance between two men stuck in prison. I play a guy who forgot to return a car and finds himself in jail. That’s where he meets Jim.”

Along the way, he shows some skin. “There’s a brief moment — please focus on the word brief — when I shuck off my robe and climb into bed,” McGregor says. “I have to laugh when I read about my big nude scene. Don’t people have better things to discuss than the idea that you see my naked arse for about 10 seconds? Of course, the Internet turned that into this rumor that I’m naked throughout half of the movie. Absolutely not true! ” [Cindy Pearlman]

David Tennant at ICAP's charity event

David Tennant was among the celebrities who took part in ICAP'S 18th annual global Charity Day earlier today. All of the profits will be donated to international charities. A couple of photos (via David Tennant on Twitter) from the event are below.

Teaser trailer for 'Arthur Christmas' unveiled

Yesterday, Sony released a the first teaser trailer for 3D animated film Arthur Christmas. James McAvoy is the voice of Arthur, with Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, and Bill Nighy included in the cast. The film will be released November 23, 2011.

Ewan McGregor wins European Film Award

Ewan McGregor was named (Best of Ewan) Best European Actor at Saturday's European Film Awards for his role in The Ghost Writer. The Ghost Writer also received awards for Best European Film, Best European Director, Best European Screenplay, Best European Composer, and Best European Production Designer.

First look at the Georgia set of 'X-Men: First Class'

Melinda from Georgia has graciously decided to share some photos of the preparations on the X-Men: First Class set on Jekyll Island. The photos were taken several days ago, and I believe shooting on Jekyll Island will start this week. Thank you so much for sharing your photos Melinda.

Billy Connolly will be a guest on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Billy Connolly is scheduled to be on the Late Late Show on Friday, December 17, 2010 to promote Gulliver's Travels.

Weekly schedule for Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mo 12/6: Katie Couric, Al Madrigal
Tu 12/7: Carrie Fisher, Dennis Lehane
We 12/8: Russell Brand, Richard Wolffe
Th 12/9: Lucy Liu, Jody Williams
Fr 12/10: Neil Patrick Harris, Nellie McKay

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Ewan McGregor update: talk show cancellations + 2011 Sundance lineup

Ewan McGregor had been rescheduled to be on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson this Friday (December 3) to promote I Love You Phillip Morris after his original appearance was canceled. Unfortunately it looks like this rescheduled appearance has been canceled too. He wasn't on today's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show either. Ewan was reportedly trapped in Thailand last week because of monsoons, so that could be the reason for the cancellations. I hope everyone in the region stays safe.

The Sundance Film Festival announced more of its 2011 lineup earlier today and revealed the Premieres, Documentary Premieres, Next, Spotlight, Park City at Midnight and New Frontier sections. David Mackenzie's Perfect Sense (formerly titled The Last Word) will make its world premiere at the festival. Sundance begins on January 20 and closes on January 30 in Park City Utah. A couple of new photos from Perfect Sense have also been released, including one featuring Ewan and fellow Scottish actor Ewen Bremner.




Finally, The Ghost Writer was named one of the Top Ten Independent Films of 2010 by the National Board Of Review.

Craig Ferguson, Grammy nominee

The 53rd annual Grammy nominations were announced last night, and Craig Ferguson was nominated in the best spoken word category:

Craig Ferguson thought his Grammy nomination was a joke at first. Ferguson got the news from LL Cool J, who was hosting the Grammy nominations special and Ferguson kept asking him if he was kidding. When he realized he really was a nominee and he was competing for best spoken word against Carol Burnett, Woody Allen, Michael J. Fox, Sarah Silverman and Jon Stewart, Ferguson declared himself "the crappiest person" in the race. [Larry Riggs]

Thanks to Les for sharing the news.

'Bunraku' part of Dubai Film Festival lineup

Bunraku, featuring Kevin McKidd, will premiere at the 7th annual Dubai International Film Festival on December 16. The festival runs from December 12 to December 19. Tickets are available at the DIFF 2010 box offices in Mall of the Emirates, Souk Madinat Jumeirah and the CNN Building in Dubai Media City, or at the DIFF official website.