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What to Expect When You're Expecting Goes Viral

Summer of 2012 is shaping up to be a fascinating time for movie virals. Filmgoers can follow the investor relations of Weyland Industries , come out either for or against the masked vigilante known as Spider-Man, report paranormal sightings to The Men in Black Suits Are Real or find out your District in the dystopic world of Panem . There's even a Los Angeles-based cult you can join and, just revealed yesterday , a brand new company that can remember it for you, wholesale .

A bit more down to Earth, but nonetheless impressive, Lionsgate has officially launched its viral campaign for their May 18th romantic comedy, What to Expect When You're Expecting .

The film's ensemble cast includes Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker,...

Robert Pattinson Starrer Bel Ami Debuts Poster

The official poster for Declan Donnellan's period drama Bel Ami is now online and can be viewed below.

Starring Robert Pattinson, Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Christina Ricci, the film tells the story of George Duroy (Pattinson), a young journalist who rose from poverty to become one of the most successful men in Paris via the ruthless and calculating bedding of the city's most glamorous and influential women.

Bel Ami will premiere on VOD May 4, 2012 and open in theaters June 8, 2012.

Click on the image below for a larger version in our gallery:

Amanda Peet Joins Identity Thief

Amanda Peet has joined the cast of Universal Pictures' Identity Thief , Variety reports. She'll star opposite Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy in the Seth Gordon comedy.

The film features Bateman's character as the victim of an identity theft by McCarthy's character. Originally written for a male character on the criminal end of things, the script was reportedly rewritten specifically for McCarthy. Steve Conrad ( The Weather Man , The Pursuit of Happyness ) wrote the first draft with subsequent rewrites by Craig Mazin ( The Hangover Part II ).

There's no word yet on what role Peet will play, but check back for updates as they become available and as the production begins production next month, taking advantage of the "Mike & Molly" hiatus.

(Photo Credit:...

Justin Bieber Promises Fire And Ice In 'Boyfriend' Video

'I think people are going to be really surprised,' Bieber tells MTV News on the set of the 'unique' video.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino

Justin Bieber
Photo: MTV News

While much of Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend" video remains top-secret, MTV News scored a visit to the set Thursday night, and the teen superstar offered up some insight into what Beliebers will see when the clip drops.

"The concept of this video, I mean it's not like a steady concept," he explained on the Cali-based set in between shots. "It's not like 'Justin follows this girl to this spot.' No, it's a bunch of amazing scenes: Like a fire scene, we have an ice scene."

He continued that the video will also include some of his very fine dancing skills. "It's kind of like bouncing back and forth," he said. "And then there's scenes of me and just a bunch of girl dancers, and just some great shots, great artistic shots, great shots of me smiling. It's fun."

Bieber and Tilley have worked together several times in the past, including on the VMA-nominated "U Smile," as well as "Never Let You Go," "Fa La La" (with Boyz II Men) and Chris Brown's very cinematic "Next 2 U," which features Bieber.

"The video's really good. Colin has done a great job," he said. "The lighting has been amazing and everything's been so unique and I haven't seen anything like it. So, I think people are going to be really surprised."

"Boyfriend" is the lead single off Believe, expected to drop later this year. The song was co-produced and co-written by Mike Posner and Mason Levy. The album will also feature some production from Timbaland, Diplo and will.i.am.

What are you hoping to see on the "Boyfriend" video? Leave your comment below.

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Justin 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.

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Whitney Houston's Death Left Jordin Sparks In 'Shock'

'American Idol' alum talks to Entertainment Weekly about working with the late legend on their upcoming movie 'Sparkle.'
By Kara Warner

Whitney Houston
Photo: 20th Century Fox/Getty Images

Many people will remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news of Whitney Houston's untimely death in February. And while everyone's experience was memorable in some way, the story of Houston's "Sparkle" co-star Jordin Sparks hearing the news is especially poignant.

The season-six "American Idol" winner was in a L.A. hotel room getting ready to meet Houston at the Beverly Hilton and attend Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy bash when her publicist knocked on her door.

"She said, 'Whitney's gone,' " Sparks told Entertainment Weekly. "I said, 'What do you mean? She's not going to the party?' She said, 'No, she passed.' It was like a movie when you see somebody and they're just shocked and can't move. I literally couldn't say anything. I couldn't feel anything. It was a complete shock. I was just holed up in my hotel room for a few days after that.

"I didn't know her for very long, but it was an intense two months: 12 hours every day spending time with somebody," Sparks recalled. "It was amazing to walk into work and then Whitney is sitting in her chair blasting gospel music and singing. I'm thinking to myself, 'People would give their right arm to just hear some of this. And it's happening every day.' She was really, really great."

"Sparkle" is a remake of the 1976 Irene Cara film about three talented young musicians who struggle with addiction. The new version features the 2007 "American Idol" winner as the titular character Sparkle and Houston, who also served as executive producer after acquiring the rights to the film more than a decade ago, as her mother, Emma.

"It was definitely her baby," Sparks said of Houston's attachment to the project. "You could see the pride on her face when we wrapped. She was so excited that this was finally happening. Even before she passed I wanted to be able to represent this movie in a way that would honor her and respect her, because she worked so hard on it. With her passing, it's definitely been a lot more pressure. We'll see how it goes. I'm sure there will be interviews where it will hit me and I might get emotional, and there's going to be other interviews where I reminisce about how happy and excited she was. I'm really proud of the film. I can't wait for people to see it."

"Sparkle" is scheduled to be released by Sony on August 17.

Check out everything we've got on "Sparkle."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Gerard Butler Could Now Lead Motor City

Gerard Butler is now in talks to play the lead in Albert Hughes' Motor City , Variety reports.

The revenge thriller is being developed through Dark Castle and sees an ex-convict tracking down those that framed him to get revenge.

Butler, who last starred in Machine Gun Preacher , follows both Dominic Cooper and Jake Gyllenhaal, who both were briefly attached to the project before having to leave for scheduling conflicts.

Amber Heard and Gary Oldman remain attached to Motor City , which is expected to enter production soon, prior to Butler's next commitment, Olympus Has Fallen .

(Photo Credit: Brian To / WENN.com)

Justin Bieber Promises Fire And Ice In 'Boyfriend' Video

'I think people are going to be really surprised,' Bieber tells MTV News on the set of the 'unique' video.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino

Justin Bieber
Photo: MTV News

What are you hoping to see on the "Boyfriend" video? Leave your comment below.

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'Hunger Games': Why The Box-Office Odds Are In Its Favor

Riding high off its $150 million debut, experts predict that 'Hunger Games' isn't going to slow down anytime soon.
By Fallon Prinzivalli

Jennifer Lawrence in "The Hunger Games"
Photo: Lionsgate

MTV News reported earlier this week that "The Hunger Games" opening-weekend sales surprised box-office experts, and we can see why. They originally projected a $70 million debut for the dystopian film. What actually happened was a $150 million weekend that propelled the film to the third-highest opening weekend ever.

That sparks the question: How will the movie fare its second weekend?

The film's debut dominated the sales of the one movie everyone was comparing it to: "Twilight." The vampire franchise's initial film brought in $69 million its first weekend and quickly declined from there. Will "The Hunger Games" suffer the same fate? Phil Contrino from BoxOffice.com doesn't think so.

" 'Hunger Games' is holding up very well. It's quite clear by now that it's not going to suffer from a sharp decline the way that 'Twilight' did," he said. "The reason for that is the fact that adults are into it and they don't always rush out opening weekend." BoxOffice.com is predicting $72 million this weekend — $2 million above predictions for its debut. Contrino continued, " 'The Hunger Games' definitely has a shot at hitting $400 million domestically. It's a great accomplishment for the first film of a franchise to hit that mark."

Gitesh Pandya from Box Office Guru agrees. "Overall, 'Hunger Games' looks on track to finish its U.S. run with $350 to $400 million, which would be higher than the first 'Twilight' and 'Harry Potter' films." He commented that the movie ended its first full week with about $190 million, which is a new record for a non-sequel. "I expect it to easily hold onto the box-office crown this weekend with sales in the neighborhood of $70 million."

While "Wrath of the Titans" and "Mirror, Mirror" aren't slated to surpass "Hunger Games" this weekend, Contrino thinks next weekend will be more of a race. "It'll be interesting to see whether or not 'Titanic 3D' or 'American Reunion' will take it down. It's going to be close." Pandya disagrees, "The April lineup is not too strong, so 'Hunger Games' may just remain #1 for three or four weeks total." The rest of the year, however, gives them some competition. "It may not end the year as 2012's top-grossing film as both 'The Dark Knight Rises' and 'The Avengers' has the potential to become bigger blockbusters that play to broader audiences."

Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Look At The SKy! The Avengers Take Over A Disney World!

Hulk want ride on monorail or Hulk SMASH!
The Avengers will be taking over a monorail in Disney World as the company gears up for the highly anticipated release of the super superhero movie.
In case you forgot, Disney bought Marvel a few years ago, so we're kind of surprised Captain America and company aren't wondering [...]

'Twins' May Find Long-Lost Triplet In Eddie Murphy

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito may reunite for 'Triplets,' the sequel to the 1988 comedy 'Twins.'
By Gil Kaufman

Eddie Murphy
Photo: Getty Images

Some old movie franchises never die, they just go into the deep freeze for, oh, almost a quarter century. Case in point: "Twins." Surely you remember the hit high-concept 1988 comedy starring then-huge actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his half-sized "brother" Danny DeVito? The goofball premise had the two stumbling through wacky adventures, with the, ahem, intellectual, physically perfect Julius (Arnold) struggling to connect with his long-lost small-time crook fraternal twin bro Vincent (DeVito) after the pair were separated at birth.

Bottom line: The movie grossed more than $200 million worldwide, and now, Universal Pictures is hoping to reboot the franchise nearly 25 years later. There is, of course, a new twist: Not only would the former California governor and the "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star be reprising their roles, but they would find out that the mad scientists who created them also cooked up a third brother.

Cue "Triplets," with third comedic wheel Eddie Murphy. The Hollywood Reporter said no director is connected to the flick yet, but noted that original director Ivan Reitman, would be onboard as a producer through his Montecito Picture Co. banner. The backers are still looking for writers to work up a script, and while the actors are reportedly attached to star, the studios have not yet sat down to discuss the creative aspect of the project.

The film could be a boon for Murphy, who is coming off yet another box-office bomb with the long-delayed "A Thousand Words," while Schwarzenegger is still attempting to revive his acting career after two terms as California governor and a nasty split from his wife, Maria Shriver. DeVito has continued to appear in mostly under-the-radar films for the past five to six years, but has a solid hit on his hands at the moment as the voice of "The Lorax."

'Twins' May Find Long-Lost Triplet In Eddie Murphy

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito may reunite for 'Triplets,' the sequel to the 1988 comedy 'Twins.'
By Gil Kaufman

Eddie Murphy
Photo: Getty Images

Rihanna Talks Filming Battleship And MORE!

What CAN'T this gurl do?!
Rihanna is busy promoting her first foray into the film world with the action flick Battleship, and during a recent interview with ITV 1's Kate Garraway, opened up about the process compared to her career in music, becoming comfortable in her own skin, how her culture helped shape her for a [...]

New Banner for Tim Burton's Dark Shadows

Following the recent photos and character banners , a full new banner for Tim Burton's Dark Shadows has also made its way online and can be viewed below, thanks to The Lebanese Cinema Movie Guide .

Starring Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Bella Heathcote, Chloe Grace Moretz and Gulliver McGrath, the big screen adaptation will hit theaters on May 11. Seth Grahame-Smith wrote the script.

Click the banner for a bigger version!

Who are the Aliens in Marvel's The Avengers ?

The fans on the SuperHeroHype Forums made these animated gifs using the new "Head Count" TV spot for Marvel's The Avengers to give us a good and repeated look at "Loki's Army" in the anticipated May 4 release.

Who do you think these aliens are? Have we seen them before in the comics? Are they something new created for the movie? Are they Michael Bay's Ninja Turtles ? Let us know what you think in the comments!

Friday, 30 March 2012

Justin Bieber Promises Fire And Ice In 'Boyfriend' Video

'I think people are going to be really surprised,' Bieber tells MTV News on the set of the 'unique' video.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino

Justin Bieber
Photo: MTV News

What are you hoping to see on the "Boyfriend" video? Leave your comment below.

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Have You Seen This Yet???

Everyone is talking about THIS!!!
Everyone is talking about THIS!!!
Everyone is talking about THIS!!!
Everyone is talking about THIS!!!

'Game Of Thrones' Season Two: The Reviews Are In!

Critics are raving about new season, with one reviewer describing HBO fantasy series as 'spiritual heir' to 'The Sopranos.'
By Josh Wigler

Carice Van Houten as Melisandre in "Game of Thrones"
Photo: HBO

Winter is behind us in real life, but in the brutal realm of Westeros, it's just days away.

When "Game of Thrones" returns Sunday for its second season, the days of Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell will be behind us, with the reign of Tyrion Lannister (and another Emmy-worthy performance from Peter Dinklage) in our future. Based on the second novel in George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, "A Clash of Kings," season two of "Thrones" promises even more political intrigue, warfare, sex and violence than ever before — and given the show in question, that's certainly saying something!

Several critics have already seen the first episode of the new season of "Thrones," and with very few exceptions, their reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Here's a taste of the reviews:

The Story "It's a pleasure to see that 'Game of Thrones' hasn't lost a grip on its ability to tell a vast, interconnected story without slowing down the pace. What's truly impressive is that as life is breathed into these storylines, 'Game of Thrones' just gets better and more fulfilling as a top-tier television series. The intrigue of the plot and the keenly drawn characters — plus the sense instilled in Season 1 that absolutely anything can happen and no one is safe — makes the show all the more compelling." — Tim Goodman, The Hollywood Reporter

Accessibility for Non-Readers "I had read the first volume of George R.R. Martin's saga 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (the source material for this series) before I watched the first season of 'GoT' so I would be familiar with the vast array of characters and plots that would develop. But I intentionally did not read the epic's second volume, 'A Clash of Kings,' before watching the start of 'GoT' season 2, because I wanted to see if I'd have trouble following the new intricacies. And I'm here to report that my lack of homework in no way prevented me from becoming enthralled with this series all over again. That's a testament to what adapters David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have accomplished in whittling down and reshaping Martin's novels for weekly TV. It's difficult enough to hook a viewer like me, who resists sprawling, noncontemporary narratives; it's another level of pop culture wizardry to make such storytelling seem so vivid, so vital, and just plain fun." — Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly

Blood and Boobs " 'Thrones' creates such a rich visual feast — replete with plenty of gratuitous nudity and blood-letting — as to almost obscure its fundamental storytelling pleasures, which are as much a mob drama as anything else, having traded bullets for broadswords. By that measure, this really might [be] the closest spiritual heir to 'The Sopranos' HBO has delivered since the show's notorious whiteout." — Brian Lowry, Variety

The New Guys in Town "Even though I'm a fan of Martin's novels, I must confess that I always found the Stannis retainer Davos Seaworth fairly bland and boring, but Liam Cunningham, like Emilia Clarke, ably brings to life a character who could seem rather remote on the page. Several other smaller roles have been filled with lively specificity, but I have to wonder if we'll get enough time with each of these people. Will the plight of Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), a stoic warrior who nurtures an unrequited love for royal contender Renly Baratheon, be as sadly evocative as it was in the books? Will there be time for the show to do more than lightly sketch the dilemmas of minor but interesting characters like her?" — Maureen Ryan, Huffington Post

The Bottom Line "As with the novels, this 'Game of Thrones' is breathtakingly ambitious, an ever-unfurling tapestry that threatens, at times, to overwhelm its frame. That it does not is a testament to the power of piecework — art is not defined by the space it occupies but by its details, the truth it captures. Many heads bend over this adaptation, each belonging to a master of his or her craft, and what emerges is a truly new, and miraculously accurate, definition of epic television." — Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times

Are you excited for more "Thrones" action? Tell us in the comments section or hit me up on Twitter @roundhoward!

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Fox Renews Bones for Eighth Season

Fox has renewed the hit series "Bones" for its upcoming eighth season, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

"Over the past seven seasons, Hart Hanson, Stephen Nathan and the incredible 'Bones' cast and crew have redefined the traditional crime procedural with an irreverent and adventurous sensibility and I'm really happy to have this distinctive, fan-favorite on our schedule for another season," Reilly said.

"Bones" returns with seven in a row, all-new episodes on a new night and at a new time beginning Monday, April 2 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). In the first of these episodes, "The Prisoner in the Pipe," the remains of an escaped convict are found in a residential sewer, but an...

Exclusive TV Spot for The Cabin in the Woods

ComingSoon.net's ShockTillYouDrop.com has your exclusive first look at a new TV spot for Lionsgate's The Cabin in the Woods , hitting theaters on April 13.

Directed by Drew Goddard from a script by Joss Whedon and Goddard, the anticipated film stars Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford. In the film, five friends go to a remote cabin in the woods. Bad things happen. If you think you know this story, think again.

You can watch the TV spot by clicking here !

Usher's Looking For Myself Due June 11

Singer announces that he's teamed up with Salaam Remi, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin and Max Martin for his latest album.
By Jocelyn Vena

Usher
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images

On his Diplo-produced slow jam, Usher took fans to the "Climax" and gave them and a sensually searing tease to his upcoming album, Looking for Myself.

On Friday (March 30), Usher announced that along with Diplo, he also teamed up with Salaam Remi, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin and Max Martin on the album, due June 11. He's expected to release both a standard and deluxe version of the album.

Looking for Myself is the follow-up to 2010's Raymond v. Raymond, which launched mega-singles like the ubiquitous will.i.am-produced "OMG," as well as "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)," "Lil Freak," "There Goes My Baby" and "More." He also maintained radio presence thanks to his inescapable collaboration with David Guetta, "Without You," in 2011.

"He has very specific ideas of where he wants to go musically and sound-wise," "Without You" collaborator Taio Cruz told MTV News about Usher's next release. "He always wants there to be the soul in there. 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.' So we try to match those two worlds together: being soulful and, at the same time, catchy,"

Given their work on "Without You," that may give fans an idea of what the twosome have up their sleeves for Looking For Myself. "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," Usher said about that song and how it relates to his musical philosophy. "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."

What do you hope to hear on Looking for Myself.? Leave your comment below!

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'Hip Hop Squares': New Game Show Coming To MTV2!

Nick Cannon, Mac Miller and Fat Joe will help put fresh spin on iconic 'Hollywood Squares' with new show, set to premiere May 22.
By Rob Markman

Photo: MTV2

Hip-hop is going Hollywood — or is it the other way around? On May 22, MTV2 will premiere "Hip Hop Squares", a fresh new take on the iconic tic-tac-toe game show "Hollywood Squares."

Nick Cannon, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Mac Miller and Machine Gun Kelly will be featured as contestants. "Jackass" crewmember Bam Margera, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley and Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah also will appear on the show, hosted by New York radio DJ Peter Rosenberg.

" 'Hip Hop Squares' is a great representation of MTV2's new brand filter to deliver smart, funny and relevant content that speaks directly to male Millennials, or 'Malennials,' as we call them," said Paul Ricci, head of programming for MTV2. "The show will refresh an iconic format and create a fun, dynamic series that's unpredictable, heavy on personality and much more 'party' than 'game show.' "

If the new incarnation of "Squares" stays true to the original, two contestants (one representing "X," and the other representing "O") will compete for prizes in a trivia-styled game where the show's stars are situated on a giant tic-tac-toe board.

The contestants strategically select which square they wish to capture and ask the star seated there a trivia question. After the question is answered, the contestant can choose whether to agree or disagree. If the contestant is right, they capture the square; if he or she is wrong, their opponent wins the square. The first contestant to line up three squares in a row wins the game.

"They cross the spectrum from musicians and celebrities to athletes and casual fans of hip-hop," Paul Ricci, MTV2′s programming chief said. "The show will refresh an iconic format and create a fun, dynamic series that's unpredictable, heavy on personality and much more 'party' than 'game show'."

Sounds like a ball.

Tune into the premiere of "Hip Hop Squares" at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Tuesday, May 22, on MTV2!

Kristin Cavallari's Fam Loses Laguna Beach Home!

Oh shiz!!!
Seems like the family home of Kristin Cavallari has been foreclosed!!!
Whomp, whomp! Guess even being a reality landmark couldn't save this piece of property!
The 5 bedroom, 5 bath beach house was featured on Laguna Beach, the show that made Kristin a reality TV star.
The massive mansion was sold at a public auction for $6.11 [...]

Robert Pattinson Starrer Bel Ami Debuts Poster

Exclusive Character Posters for Bernie

Millennium Entertainment has provided ComingSoon.net with exclusive character posters from Richard Linklater's upcoming dark comedy Bernie , reuniting the filmmaker with Jack Black for the first time since they made School of Rock together back in 2003.

It's based on the true story of Bernie Tiede, an affable 39-year-old mortician in a small Texas town, played by Black, who befriends an elderly widow (Shirley MacLaine) after the death of her millionaire husband. When she vanishes and Bernie seems to have more money than usual, the local authorities start to get suspicious. The screenplay, co-written by Linklater, is based on an article by Skip Hollandsworth published in Texas Monthly in 1998 called "Midnight in the Garden of East Texas," which tells the incredible...

No Joke: 'American Idol' Loses Heejun Han

Resident jokester joined by Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine in bottom three.
By Adam Graham

Heejun Han on "American Idol" Thursday
Photo: Fox

The laughs are over for Heejun Han, as this season's court jester was voted off "American Idol" on Thursday (March 29).

Han, who with his goofball demeanor and off-center sense of humor was criticized heavily for not taking the competition seriously enough, ended up at the bottom of America's votes following Wednesday's performance episode, despite earning a standing ovation from the judges for his performance of Donny Hathaway's "A Song for You." He reprised the song for the judges in an effort to get them to use their one save for the season on him, but the judges let him go.

"Let the record show that you knew this was coming yourself, you saw it come this week," Steven Tyler told him. "Unfortunately after talking, we're gonna have to let you go, man."

Just 24 hours earlier, Tyler had praised Han for turning himself around in the competition, and Jennifer Lopez reaffirmed his talents, telling him, "You didn't make it this far by mistake." Randy Jackson welcomed him back to the competition, telling him, "Finally, the Heejun that we selected came back to us tonight!"

But the 22-year-old from Flushing, New York's fate may have been sealed following his performance of Billy Joel's "My Life" the week prior, which was met by a stinging critique from "Idol" mentor Jimmy Iovine. "He came out and disrespected the entire process. His performance was more like four minutes of a bad Adam Sandler movie that goes straight to DVD," Iovine said, referring to it as a "stunt gone wrong." "At the end of the day, Interscope has to spend a lot of money on somebody who wins this show, and that's not it."

At the time, Han — who landed in second to last place following the performance — defended himself by saying, "I'm not trying to be a star, I'm just really happy where I am."

Han was in the bottom three Thursday with Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine. Laine was sent back to safety first, and was followed by Cavanagh. It was the first time in the bottom three for both Laine and Cavanagh.

Also on the show, Eric Benet came out to surprise DeAndre Brackensick, who performed his song "Sometimes I Cry" on Wednesday's show.

Meanwhile, last year's "Idol" champ Scotty McCreery performed his latest single, "Water Tower Town," and was presented with a platinum sales plaque by Iovine, signifying 1 million sales of his debut album, Clear as Day.

Nicki Minaj appeared and performed "Starships" and made a pitch to do a guest-judging bid on the show. "J. Lo, can you scoot over a little bit?" she asked, to which Lopez replied, "I don't know if there's enough room for both of us up here!"

What did you think of Thursday's "Idol"? Did Heejun Han go home too soon? Let us know in the comments!

Trayvon Martin's Death 'An Assassination,' Killer Mike Says

'He was killed by a terrorist,' Atlanta MC declares on 'RapFix Live,' while Prodigy adds, '[Zimmerman] murdered that kid for no reason.'
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Killer Mike on "RapFix Live"
Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News

Speculation over what happened the night of February 26 when 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was tragically shot dead continues to run rampant. On Wednesday, police surveillance video emerged showing the gunman, George Zimmerman, in handcuffs. The fact that he wasn't charged with a crime that night and was release has fueled a public outcry for justice.

Among the outraged are rappers Killer Mike and Mobb Deep's Prodigy, who both appeared on Wednesday's "RapFix Live" to discuss Trayvon's death.

Killer Mike called the shooting "an assassination." "He was killed by a terrorist; there is no other way to put it," Mike said, as he and "RapFix" host Sway wore hooded sweatshirts in a symbolic show of support for the teen, who died wearing a similar article of clothing.

Via Skype, Prodigy said, "It's definitely a murder, that dude just murdered him in cold blood. The dude, Zimmerman, I don't know what he thought he was doing, but he murdered that kid for no reason."

It has been reported that Zimmerman called 911 on the night of February 26 after he saw Trayvon, who was wearing hoodie, walking through the Sanford, Florida, gated community where he lived and served as a neighborhood watchman. The police dispatcher instructed Zimmerman not to pursue the teen, but he reportedly ignored those instructions. What happened then is unclear, but when Sanford police arrived on the scene, Trayvon was dead. Zimmerman claimed Trayvon attacked him and he acted in self-defense, and police didn't charge him with a crime.

Critics who have watched the police-surveillance footage said Zimmerman doesn't appear to have injuries consistent with his beating account, but the footage is grainy.

Prodigy believes Sanford police should have immediately charged Zimmerman. "The burden of proof is on the person that's claiming self-defense," he said.

The case has tremendous racial undertones: Zimmerman is a white man of Hispanic origin, and Trayvon was black. Killer Mike said he's particularly concerned with the "Stand Your Ground" law, Florida legislation that allows a person to kill in cases of self-defense. The Atlanta MC believes that young black men should be armed to protect themselves under the confines of the law. "If you live below the Mason-Dixon line, gun laws allow you to arm yourself; you should be armed," Killer Mike urged. "Because we live in a state where we are hunted, we live in a state that allows the conditions of black men to walk around in fear."

Prodigy believes that if Zimmerman isn't charged, similar incidents might occur. "What the police department out there is doing is they're gonna start a trend of people that's just gonna go out there and think they're neighborhood watch or whatever, and they're just gonna clap whoever they feel like clappin'," he said.

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Julianne Moore in Talks for Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Directorial Debut

Julianne Moore is in negotiations to star in Joseph Gordon-Levitt's feature writing and directing debut. Variety reports that Moore would star opposite Gordon-Levitt and the previously attached Scarlett Johansson.

The film, still untitled, will tell the tale of a present-day Don Juan and his quest to become a better person.

Moore most recently portrayed Sarah Palin in the Jay Roach television movie Game Change and appeared on the big screen in Being Flynn . She's currently shooting the Warner Bros. fantasy Seventh Son , set for release on February 15, 2013.

(Photo Credit: Andres Otero / WENN.com)

Curren$y Nabs Pharrell, 2 Chainz For The Stoned Immaculate

Wale, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Daz will also appear on forthcoming album, Spitta tells MTV News
By Rob Markman

Curren$y
Photo: MTV News

Throughout his career, Curren$y has kept his collaborations organic, bypassing flavor-of-the-month rap features. And on his upcoming Warner Bros. album The Stoned Immaculate, he will continue to do so, even if the names in the LP's credits get a little bigger.

When the NOLA MC drops his next album later this year, fans can look forward to beats from Pharrell, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, DJ Toomp and Virginia producer Bink, who famously crafted a number of tracks for Jay-Z's 2001 classic The Blueprint.

"This is a different look than anything I've usually done," Curren$y told MTV News. "Usually I work with one person, or try to keep it to just, like, two producers on a project."

On 2010's Pilot Talk and Pilot Talk 2, Curren$y worked mostly with Ski Beatz, and on his 2011 Weekend at Burnie's, he tapped Monsta Beatz to take the production helm. Now Curren$y is ready to branch out.

"Bink produced 'What It Look Like,' " Curren$y said in reference to The Stoned Immaculate's first single, featuring Wale. "Pharrell produced a joint for me. Daz did two joints and rapped on one of them for me.

"It's a mutual thing. I only work with people who I have a real conversation with and nothing is forced," he continued.

Curren$y's not only recruiting big-name producers for his next LP, he also hooked up with some pretty notable MCs. "I got 2 Chainz on my album," he revealed, noting that he was friends with the Atlanta star back when he used to go by his original rap name in the early 2000s. "Me and 2 Chainz been cool since it was me and Tity Boi was cool."

Now that Curren$y is the head of his own record company, Jet Life Recordings, he feels he has to use his relationships to his advantage. "It's not that I did different and reached out, I kinda cashed in on my friendships," he said. "I'm trying to get more attention towards my crew ... I have to draw more eyes and play ball to make it easier for everybody else."

Which collaborations do you anticipate most on Curren$y's The Stoned Immaculate? Tell us in the comments

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Julianne Moore Joins Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Directorial Debut!!

Julianne Moore is joining Joseph Gordon-Levitt in his untitled directorial debut!!!
Joseph took his excitement to the only place someone can properly exclaim things to the word — on top of a mountain TWITTER!
Here's what he said:
?I?m incredibly happy to have the brilliant Julianne Moore on board! #pinchme"
Can he be any more adorable than [...]

Sony Picks Up White House Down and The Royal Honours Society

Sony Pictures has closed deals to acquire action script White House Down and the literary-themed action-adventure pitch The Royal Honours Society , according to Variety and Heat Vision .

White House Down , from The Amazing Spider-Man screenwriter James Vanderbilt, is described as Die Hard meets Air Force One . Vanderbilt will also produce with his Mythology Entertainment partners Bradley Fischer and Laeta Kalogridis.

The Royal Honours Society , meanwhile, comes from Ernest Lupinacci and will be produced by Joe Roth and Palak Patel. According to the trade, the movie is "described as the iconic stories of some of England's greatest writers from the late 19th century - among them H.G. Wells (The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man), Jules Verne (20,000 Leagues...

Thursday, 29 March 2012

New Stills from The Cabin in the Woods Have Arrived!

Three brand-new stills from Drew Goddard's The Cabin in the Woods are now online and you can check them out below.

Written by Goddard and Joss Whedon, The Cabin in the Woods stars Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford and hits theaters on April 13th. The film is officially described as follows:

Five friends go to a remote cabin in the woods. Bad things happen.

If you think you know this story, think again. From fan favorites Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard comes "The Cabin in the Woods," a mind blowing horror film that turns the genre inside out.

Click on any of the images below for larger versions in our gallery:

Joe Budden Arrested In New York City

The Slaughterhouse MC was arrested on an outstanding warrant over traffic charges dating back to 2007.

Photo: MTV News

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Ryan Tedder Finds His 'Calling' With Sebastian Ingrosso, Alesso

Team-ups with Tommy Trash and Steve Angello and solo originals will follow Miami Music Week favorite 'Calling (Lose My Mind).'
By Akshay Bhansali

Ryan Tedder
Photo: Getty Images

"Calling (Lose My Mind)" — the vocal version of "Calling" by rising star Alesso and Swedish House Mafia's Sebastian Ingrosso — was released weeks before Miami Music Week and has become one of the most popular anthems from the annual EDM get-together in Florida.

It serves as a prelude to a collection of new material fans can expect soon courtesy of the Swedish gents. What makes "Calling (Lose My Mind)" extra special is the addition of an A-list vocal by songwriter to the stars and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder. Tedder wrote and sent over a hook intended for another artist to sing, but what Seb and Alesso heard was too good to replace.

Ingrosso leaned on his friends in the business to arrange some one-on-one Tedder time.

"I called a friend of mine who works for Interscope, Dave Rene," Sebastian told MTV News. "He is Mr. Magic when it comes to those kinds of things. I'm like, 'It's going to be a long shot. Do you think that Ryan Tedder could do it?' We sent the track. [Ryan] was like, 'OK. I have 45 minutes in between the American Music Awards.' We ran to the studio, because I live around the corner. Boom. Recorded. Boom. Done."

Having arguably the most sought-after songwriter in the business — Tedder has worked with Beyoncé, B.o.B and Kelly Clarkson, to name just a few — has proven quite successful. This week, the song sits at #2 on Beatport's top 10.

"Ryan Tedder has that voice that everybody likes," Sebastian continued. "You can have his voice in your home, and he's a very nice guy. I think he's one of the most talented songwriters in the world. He does stuff for Adele, so for us, it's a huge honor even to be working with him."

The release of Alesso's next single, the melodious and summery "Years" (Interscope artist Matthew Koma is on the vocal version) is on the way, as well as a banger cut from the cloth of his more sinister hit from last year, "Nillionaire." "He hasn't named it yet," Seb revealed. "I'm dying to release it. I play it all the time. It's one of my favorite tracks at the moment. It's really edgy."

Fans can also expect a Sebastian Ingrosso collab with Tommy Trash, a new solo original, and an Alesso, Steve Angello and Seb team-up on "Why Am I Doing This?" all dropping in the coming months.

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CS Video: Wrath of the Titans ' Toby Kebbell

British actor Toby Kebbell hasn't been seen on the big screen for that long but he always tends to make an impact with the characters he plays, whether it's the title character in Guy Ritchie's RocknRolla or playing Joy Division manager Rob Gretton in Anton Corbijn's Control . Two years ago, Kebbell starred in a couple big movies for Jerry Bruckheimer and Walt Disney Pictures, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time and The Sorcerer's Apprentice , and then last year, he acted in a pivotal scene in Steven Spielberg's War Horse .

In Jonathan Liebesman's Greek Gods epic Wrath of the Titans , out this Friday, Kebbell plays Agenor, son of Poseidon, who joins the latest quest by Sam Worthington's Perseus, this time trying to save his father Zeus (Liam Neeson) from imprisonment by his...

Bones Breaks Through To Season 8!

Rattle 'em bones in all your excitement!
We still weren?t sure if Bones would be renewed for an epic 8th season…BUT it seems the show has an adamantium-like skeleton, ’cause it totally will be!
After a long hiatus due to Emily Deschanel?s new born babe, we had doubts as to whether FOX?s hit forensic anthropology based dramedy [...]

Check out a New Behind-the-Scenes Battleship Featurette

A new featurette on Universal's Battleship has debuted at iTunes Movie Trailers , offering a behind-the-scenes look at the May 18th blockbuster. Check it out in the player below!

Based on Hasbro's classic naval combat game, the Peter Berg release stars Taylor Kitsch as Hopper, a Naval officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones; Brooklyn Decker as Sam, a physical therapist and Hopper's fianc�e; Alexander Skarsg�rd as Hopper's older brother, Commanding Officer Stone of the USS Samson; Rihanna as Lt. Raikes, Hopper's crewmate and a weapons specialist on the USS John Paul Jones; and international superstar Liam Neeson as Hopper and Stone's superior (and Sam's father), Admiral Shane.

The Wanted Taking Their U.S. Invasion To 'American Idol'

Boy band set to appear on the show next week in support of their forthcoming self-titled album.
By Jocelyn Vena

The Wanted
Photo: Steve Thorne/ Redferns

The boy-band bonanza continues! The Wanted have just landed a spot on next week's "American Idol." The guys confirmed the long-teased news on Twitter. "And now for our big news ... we are excited to announce we will be performing on American Idol on 5th of April!! #TheWantedOnIdol," they shared late Wednesday, prompting a Twitter spree from fans excited to see them on the Fox competition show.

"5th of April ... be there #TheWantedOnIdol. Greatest fans on the planet. Love the #TWFanmily#TheWantedonIdol," they added.

The guys are currently appearing all over the States to promote their self-titled debut U.S. album, which will hit shelves April 24. Riding high off their first single, the cheeky "Glad You Came," the guys are set to release their next single, "Chasing the Sun," in the very near future.

The fivesome sat down with MTV News recently and shared that they are looking to "Glad You Came" as the inspiration for the other tunes that make it onto the album.

"You know, I think from the start when we were in the U.K., we got our first single, which was 'All Time Low,' and it set itself up," Tom Parker told MTV News about the band's control over their music and the direction they are hoping to go in. "And we all agree on a certain sound, and 'Glad You Came' was probably as [far as] we went in terms of difference in sound, but we all kind of come to an agreement to keep it upbeat, usually."

As for the super-warm U.S. reception, Parker's bandmate Siva Kaneswaran couldn't be more excited by the American enthusiasm for the band. "To be in the U.S. is amazing," he said. "But just as long as we go out there and be ourselves and the U.S. takes us as we are, we're just coming over here to have a laugh."

Are you looking forward to the Wanted's appearance on "Idol" next week? Tell us in the comments.

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A&E Eyes Rosario Dawson's O.C.T.: Occult Crimes Taskforce

Originally published by 12 Gauge Comics and later by Image Comics, "O.C.T.: Occult Crimes Taskforce" is being prepped for the small screen. The Hollywood Reporter has word that the series, created by actress Rosario Dawson, writer David Atchison and illustrator Tony Shasteen is being developed by "The Walking Dead" producer Gale Anne Hurd for A&E.

The first issue of the series, which was released in 2006, is officially described as follows:

When N.Y.P.D. detective Sophia Ortiz (modeled after Rosario Dawson) stumbles upon a bizarre murder scene, she is quickly brushed aside by a covert police unit - - the Occult Crimes Taskforce. Versed in the black arts and equipped with mystical weaponry, the O.C.T. keeps the streets of Manhattan safe from the unholy...

A New Still Reveals a Bloodied Ryan Gosling in Only God Forgives

A new photo from the set of Nicolas Winding Refn's Only God Forgives is now online, courtesy of Yahoo! Movies , and features a bloodied and beaten Ryan Gosling. Check it out below!

The crime thriller reunites Gosling and Refn, following their teaming on last year's Drive . Kristin Scott Thomas ( Sarah's Key ) and Tom Burke ( Cheri ) co-star.

The film features Gosling as Julian, a former kickboxer and gangster living in Bangkok. When his brother is murdered by a ruthless Thai police lieutenant, Julian is forced to seek vengeance or risk his own death.

Hunger Games Soundtrack Debuts At Number One!

First, it takes over the box office, now Hunger Games is taking over the charts!
The soundtrack to the flick that made $214 BAJILLION million this weekend debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart.
Boosted by artists like Taylor Swift, the Civil Wars, Arcade Fire, Maroon 5 and Miranda Lambert, the album sold 175K units, beating out Adele's [...]

The New Motion Poster and Viral Site for Total Recall

Following the banner artwork posted earlier, Columbia Pictures has now provided us with the motion poster and full poster for Total Recall featuring the same artwork. You can check them out below.

In case you missed yesterday's teaser for the upcoming full trailer, you can still watch that here as well.

The studio has also launched a viral site for the film called Total Rekall where you can currently enter your phone number to receive a message about your 'vacation package'.

Opening in theaters on August 3rd, the Len Wiseman-directed action thriller stars Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, John Cho and Bill Nighy.

Click the poster for a bigger version!

Azealia Banks Dropping 1991 EP In April

GQ gives Harlem MC a splashy look in next month's Style issue, where Banks talks meeting Kanye and getting money.
By Rebecca Thomas

Azealia Banks in <i>GQ</i>
Photo: Matt Irwin/ GQ

Don't be fooled by her Twitter tussles with rap vets: Azealia Banks is on her grind. The Harlem MC didn't let expulsion from this year's XXL Freshman Class keep her down. Instead, she's kept up her buzz up, at a noise level guaranteed to pick up a few decibels when she drops a new EP next month.

Banks confirmed via tweet this week that 1991 is due April 17 and will include the title track, plus "Grand Prix." The project's title is a nod to the year that gave us seminal albums like Nirvana's Nevermind, and artists like the 20-year-old Banks.

As for sonic expectations, we're hoping her brand-new "F--- Up the Fun" is a hint at what's to come. On the Diplo-produced number, the "212" rapper channels another New York femcee — Bedford-Stuyvesant's Foxy Brown — spitting rapid-fire over a relentless bass line. (Still no word on the whereabouts of her promised 212 EP, though, as Pitchfork pointed out.)

And while Banks took issue with fellow upstart Iggy Azalea landing a prime spot on the aforementioned XXL cover, the Aussie rapper can't yet claim a full page in men's bible GQ. The potty-mouthed Yung Rapunzel gets glossy revenge in the magazine's April "Style" issue, where they styled the cocoa beauty in a striped tank and petal-shaped yellow shorts; her smile is sly and her locks wind-blown.

After breaking through on last fall's viral smash "212," Banks is at work on her Interscope debut, due in September. She's tapped A-list U.K. producer Paul Epworth (Florence and the Machine, Foster the People) for an assist on Broke With Expensive Taste. In the accompanying GQ interview, Azealia spouts off about being an Internet sensation, Kanye West and who inspires her musically ("Azealia Banks") — all with that unmistakable Uptown 'tude.

"It's cool," she says of meeting bold-face fans like Yeezy. "But they're just people. The skies don't part and glow orange." Are you looking forward to Azealia's EP? Tell us in the comments!

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New Stills from The Cabin in the Woods Have Arrived!

Ridley Scott on the Prometheus Rating and More

One thing being called into question about Ridley Scott's Prometheus is the rating. There were rumors long ago that the film would hit theaters with a PG-13. Naturally, fans cringed.

In an interview with Empire recently, Scott said: "The question is, do you go for the PG-13, [which] financially makes quite a difference, or do you go for what it should be, which is R? Essentially, it's kinda R. It's not just about the blood, it's about ideas that are very stressful. I'm not an idiot, but I'll do everything I can to get the most aggressive film I can."

Continuing his conversation with the outlet, Scott revealed why he was interested in revisiting the universe of Alien :

"I always wondered when they did [Aliens] 2,3 and 4 why they hadn't touched upon...

Rihanna Not Dating Ashton Kutcher

'I'm happy and I'm single,' singer tells reporters at a press conference in London.
By Jocelyn Vena

Rihanna
Photo: Jon Furniss/ WireImage

Rihanna had been romantically linked to Ashton Kutcher last week, when a report surfaced that she had headed over to the actor's house late one night and stayed there for several hours.

At a London press conference for "Battleship," a reporter used her one question with the pop star to ask about the alleged rendezvous. After meandering around about Ri's fans and their love for her, she eventually got to her point: Would she get any visits from Kutcher while out promoting the film?

The singer's response? Well, she wasn't amused. "Wow, how disappointing was that question," she said in a video posted on the website. "I'm happy and I'm single, if that's what you're really asking."

While in London, the singer took some time to visit her pal Drake, who was in town performing at the O2 arena earlier this week. The singer was spotted riding the Tube to the show on Tuesday night. Wearing her hair blond and shaggy, she was decked out in thigh-high boots, a leather jacket and a flame-embossed T-shirt over barely there denim shorts. The only way she disguised herself was with a pair of sunglasses.

"There's so much traffic. It's approximately an hour and a half to the O2 every time. ... I hate waking up early and I'm always late, so the tube is like 10 minutes," she told interviewer Jonathan Ross recently about her love for public transportation. Post-show she and Drake headed to Low nightclub to hang out with pals.

Ri is currently out promoting the May release of "Battleship," but she recently shot a trio of music videos. Fans should keep a lookout for her clip with Drake for "Take Care," as well as videos for her collabo with Coldplay on "Princess of China" and her own video for "Where Have You Been."

Do you believe Rihanna? Leave your comment below!

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Wednesday, 28 March 2012

Trayvon Martin's Death Hits Hip-Hop Community Hard

'His legacy can become something that helps change things,' Nas tells MTV News of late Florida teen.
By Rob Markman, with additional MTV News staff reporting

Trayvon Martin
Photo: AP

The tragic shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin has led to a public outcry for justice, which many feel has not yet begun to be served.

George Zimmerman, the 28-year-old who claims he shot Martin in self-defense, has yet to be arrested or charged with a crime. Demonstrators have taken to the streets, lawmakers have protested on Capitol Hill and even President Obama has spoken out in support of Martin and his family.

The hip-hop community has also been vocal about the delicate matter, which has overwhelming racial implications. "It's something very near and dear to me, because my son is around his age," Young Jeezy told MTV News last week. "He looks like an innocent kid. I understand the situation as far as dude wanting to be [on] neighborhood watch, but everybody that's black and young ain't up to no good."

On February 26, Martin was shot dead by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman as he walked through a gated Sanford, Florida, community. Zimmerman believed Martin — who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt — looked suspicious, so he called 911. The police dispatcher advised Zimmerman not to pursue the teen, but he reportedly ignored those instructions. By the time police arrived on the scene, Martin was dead. Although Zimmerman admitted to the shooting, police declined to arrest him citing the state's "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows a person to kill in cases of self-defense.

Mobb Deep's Prodigy doesn't understand why local authorities didn't take Zimmerman into custody. "To me, it's up to the police department out there in Sanford to handle that the right way," he said. "They were supposed to arrest him."

"It's unfortunate any time things like that happen, and I don't know exactly what the motivation of the man who actually killed him was, but it doesn't feel positive," 50 Cent said. "For any circumstances when someone's killed and there's a person there that we know did it, regardless of their intentions at that point, there's right and wrong. And I think that it's obvious who's wrong in this actual situation."

Over the past week, there have been rallies calling for the arrest of Zimmerman in New York City, Chicago and Trayvon's native Sanford, Florida. During a March 23 press conference, President Obama said if he had a son "he'd look like Trayvon," and on Wednesday (March 28), Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush was removed from the House floor after he gave a speech in support of Martin while wearing sunglasses and a hooded sweatshirt in a symbolic show of solidarity.

Game believes Trayvon's death is another example of racial injustice in America. "For some reason, people don't think that they need any excuse to kill us, beat us, hit us, run us over, disrespect us or anything like that," he said. "This is just another reminder that stupidity still exists."

Killer Mike took a militant stance, expressing his frustration with the so-called Stand Your Ground law. "If we're not gonna change the laws, then we have to change our mentality," he said, urging young black men to arm themselves as long as they operate within the confines of their state's gun laws.

Trying to make sense of a senseless act, Nas hopes that young Trayvon didn't die in vain. "Maybe he thought in football he'd have a legacy," Nas reasoned, "but now his legacy can become something that helps change things, hopefully."

Share your condolences for Trayvon Martin's friends and family in the comments below.

Marvel's The Avengers to Close 2012 Tribeca Film Festival

The Tribeca Film Festival announced today that Marvel's The Avengers will close the festival on Saturday, April 28th. Here is the press release:

The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by American Express, announced today that Marvel's The Avengers, presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures, will close its 11th edition on Saturday, April 28. Closing night will take place at Tribeca BMCC PAC and is sponsored by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE��Gin.

Honoring the spirit of the Tribeca Film Festival, the screening will allow the opportunity for Marvel's The Avengers to celebrate everyday heroes from police agencies, fire departments, first responders and various branches of the U.S. military.� These local heroes will have an opportunity to attend the screening and...

Former Batman Cast Member Reprises Role in The Dark Knight Rises

We mentioned earlier this year that Liam Neeson, who played Ra's al Ghul in Batman Begins , had filmed a scene for The Dark Knight Rises , but there were still many doubts.

Now, with Wrath of the Titans coming out this Friday, Warner Bros. Pictures themselves have confirmed that he'll be seen again in Christopher Nolan's final Batman movie. The production notes for that movie say: "Neeson next appears in Peter Berg's actioner "Battleship," and he also will be seen in Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated action thriller "The Dark Knight Rises." We have included Neeson's full bio from the production notes below so you can see for yourself.

Opening in theaters on July 20, the film stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman,...

Rebel Wilson Takes Pain and Gain

Rebel Wilson has joined the cast of Michael Bay's Pain and Gain , EW reports. She'll star opposite Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry, Tony Shalhoub and Bar Paly in the dark comedy.

Based on a true story, Pain and Gain follows a group of bodybuilders who engaged in a campaign of kidnapping, extortion and murder in Florida.

Wilson, best known for her role as Kristen Wiig's roommate in last year's Bridesmaids , will star as Ramona Eldridge, one of the players in the true-to-life extortion scheme. She can also be seen on the big screen in the upcoming What to Expect When You're Expecting .

(Photo Credit: Starbux / WENN.com)

'Smash' Star Megan Hilty Lands Record Deal

Singer/actress will join co-star Katharine McPhee on Sony imprint Masterworks.
By Jocelyn Vena

Megan Hilty
Photo: Getty Images

"Smash" has been renewed up for a second season, and now one of its stars has landed a record deal.

Megan Hilty is joining "Smash" co-star Katharine McPhee on Sony imprint Masterworks, also home to Wilson Phillips and Kristin Chenoweth. The Hollywood Reporter noted that while no release date has been set for Hilty's first album, she is currently working on demos.

Hilty told MTV News last month that she would love to pattern her career after now-labelmate Chenoweth, who has transitioned from Broadway sensation to actress and singer. "I look at the people's careers who I want to emulate, like Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters," Hilty said. "They've all found the key to longevity in this business, and that is diversifying, doing as many things as possible to keep yourself relevant, and so hopefully I'm on the same track as all those amazing women."

While these days she's burning up the small screen, Hilty has put in plenty of work on the stage as well, acting in "Wicked" (like Chenoweth) and "9 to 5." Before landing a lead role on "Smash," Hilty appeared on "Desperate Housewives," "Ugly Betty" and the Disney series "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody."

"It was something that I never really thought was possible," Hilty said of her starring role on the show, which also includes Anjelica Huston and Debra Messing. "I always thought Broadway's the goal, and then I moved out to L.A. with 'Wicked' and started doing guest-star spots and little recurring things, and I was like, 'Well, this is pretty great, I'm kind of digging this.' "

Will you check out Megan Hilty's recording career? Let us know in the comments!