CELEBRITY INTERVIEW: JASON SEGEL

Jason Segel talks about his new film 'I Love You, Man'

Rafer Guzmán

Newsday

March 15, 2009

Bleary-eyed and bedraggled, Jason Segel entered a room in Manhattan's Parker Meridien hotel last Sunday for the final interview of a five-day, six-city media blitz in support of his new buddy comedy, "I Love You, Man," opening Friday. In the film, directed and co-written by John Hamburg, Segel plays a freewheeling layabout who teaches a wimpy metrosexual (Paul Rudd) how to become a bona fide dude.

Segel, like Rudd, Seth Rogen and, to some extent, James Franco, comes from what he calls the Judd Apatow "factory for comedy." In Apatow's 1999-2000 teen series, "Freaks and Geeks," Segel played Nick Andopolis, the wannabe rock drummer. Apatow produced " Forgetting Sarah Marshall," which Segal starred in and wrote. And it was while shooting Apatow's 2007 hit comedy, "Knocked Up," that Segel first acted with Rudd.

Though laid-back and affable in person (he uses "bro" as a greeting), Segel may be hiding a Type A personality. He worked 20-hour days to shoot "I Love You, Man" while also starring in the CBS sitcom " How I Met Your Mother." He's co-writing two more scripts, one for Apatow called "The Five Year Engagement," and another for the Muppets. And next month he leaves for London to shoot "Gulliver's Travels" with Jack Black. Keeping a much-needed mug of coffee close at hand, Segel spoke to Newsday's Rafer Guzmán.

You started out as a television actor. Was it always your goal to be a movie actor?

I don't really differentiate between TV and movie acting, except that the schedule and life of a movie actor is much nicer. The TV schedule is great, but it makes it impossible to do more than one movie a year. You should theoretically have a couple months off after you finish shooting a movie, but I usually finish a movie the day before I start doing "How I Met Your Mother."

During "Freaks and Geeks," did you ever think: This guy Apatow might be good to know in the future?

I thought he was a good guy to know because I like him a lot. I'm surprised and honored and thrilled that he turned out to be the most loyal man I've ever met. He's looked after us. I didn't go to college so I could do "Freaks and Geeks," and some people got plucked out of high school to do it. And I think when the show got canceled, he may have felt a sense of responsibility for these kids who didn't have college educations! But he should certainly be guilt-free - he's been so kind to all of us.

Your "Freaks and Geeks" character, Nick, was a Rush fan. And this new character is also a Rush fan. Coincidence?

As a matter of fact, in John's original script, he had me drum " The Spirit of Radio." And Paul and I both looked at him, like: You know I did this in "Freaks and Geeks"? This exact scene? He claims it was a total coincidence, but I think it was one of those memories that was in his subconscious.

How much of this movie is improvised?

There are some scenes that are entirely improvised. For example, our first man date - there was no scripted dialogue. We went to the restaurant, and John set up something called simultaneous overs, so you don't have to re-create things later. He set up these shots and said, "All right, for the next few hours your job is to just act like you are enjoying each other's company and getting to know each other." And they just kept bringing us out fish tacos and fake beer.

Actors like you and Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen - is there some particular quality you guys share that creates a camaraderie on screen?

What it might be is a pridelessness about working with each other. It's sort of like a great basketball team: You have to be willing to be the guy that throws the pass. Paul Rudd was excited to come do a part in "Sarah Marshall," and in the next movie he's the lead. I played a small part in "Knocked Up," then was the lead in "Sarah Marshall," and now I'm a supporting actor in this. If any one of us became too egotistical, they'd be knocked down so quickly - they'd be thrown off the Apatow Wheel of Talent.

Copyright © 2009, Newsday Inc.

MOVIE NEWS: FOX DEVELOPING WOLVERINE SPINOFF FEATURING DEADPOOL

HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS MARVEL/X-MEN/WOLVERINE/DEADPOOL FANS, THERE’S BREAKING NEWS FROM HEADQUARTERS: FOX IS DEVELOPING A DEADPOOL MOVIE AS A WOLVERINE: ORIGINS SPINOFF. I’M A FAN OF REYNOLDS, WHO SEEMS LIKE A RIGHTEOUS BROTHER ALL AROUND, SOMEONE I COULD CHILL WITH & LAUGH IT UP, SO I’M HAPPY FOR HIM. KEEP IT PUSHING BROSKI. ENJOY

'Deadpool' spinoff in works at Fox Ryan Reynolds to reprise role in "Wolverine" spinoff By Borys Kit Fresh off the muscular performance of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the boxoffice, Fox has thrown into development a spinoff featuring Deadpool, the wise-cracking mercenary played in the film by Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds is attached to reprise the character for what for now is simply being called "Deadpool." Lauren Shuler Donner and Marvel Studios would act as producers. Deadpool is known as "the merc with a mouth," a character that under Reynolds lived up to his billing in "Wolverine" until the end, when the movie deviated from the comic book persona, imbuing him with several superpowers and sewing his mouth shut. It is understood that Reynolds would regain the ability to mouth off, with the movie going back to the roots of the character known for his slapstick tone and propensity to break the fourth wall. The character also was disfigured in "Wolverine," though it's unclear at this time how much the studio would want to mess with Reynolds' handsome mug. The project is out to writers. Fox considered a "Deadpool" spinoff early in "Wolverine's" development process, which is why it cast Reynolds. The actor was brought back in the month before the movie's release to shoot one of two "Easter egg" scenes that appeared after the end credits. The scene showed Deadpool alive, though when last audiences saw him, he appeared to be dead. UTA-repped Reynolds next stars opposite Sandra Bullock in Disney's romantic comedy "The Proposal."

Find this article at: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i605e3e8798d54f48f94931da65c7b144

CELEBRITY NEWS: CHRISTINA AGUILERA TO MAKE FILM DEBUT

WELL WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE? ANOTHER MUSIC SUPERSTAR IS FORAYING INTO THE MAGICAL WORLD OF FILM. WHO IS THIS YOU ASK? 2 HINTS: SHE LIKES TO GET DIRTY, & SHE’S LIKE FINE WINE. I’M TALKING ABOUT MS. AGUILERA, CHRISTINA AGUILERA TO BE EXACT. CAN ANYONE GUESS WHAT HER ROLE WILL BE? HAHA. CHECK OUT THE POST, & LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS

Christina Aguilera will play a stripper in a new musical. The "Candyman" singer has signed on to make her film debut in "Burlesque," a film about a shy American girl whose life changes when she takes a job at a Los Angeles strip club.

Clint Culpepper - from Screen Gems, the studio making the film - said: "I couldn't be more excited, as this was a project written with her in mind."

This is the first time Christina, 28, has appeared in a film, though she voiced a character in the 2004 animation "Shark Tale."

"Burlesque" - which is reportedly based on Bob Fosse's iconic musical "Cabaret" - was written by Pussycat Dolls producer Steven Antin, who will also direct the project.

It will be produced by Donald De Line, who previously worked on "I Love You Man."

Filming will start in September and the movie is due for release late next year.

This is not the first time Screen Gems has worked with a chart-topping diva. Beyonce Knowles stars in new thriller "Obsessed.

SOURCE: EXPOSAY

ACTOR SPOTLIGHT: ANNE HATHAWAY

FAN FAVORITE, HOLLYWOOD FAVORITE, ALL AROUND NICE WOMAN, AT LEAST FROM WHAT I’VE SEEN, ANNE HATHAWAY’S CAREER IS TAKING OFF, LEAPS & BOUNDS ABOVE MANY PEOPLE’S ESTIMATION. ENJOY THIS PROFILE ON HER. GET ACQUAINTED WITH HER. SHE’S GOING TO BE HERE FOR A LONG TIME

Age: 26 years old

Birthday: November 12, 1982

Height: 5' 8"

Nickname: Annie

Birth Name: Anne Jacqueline Hathaway

Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY

Anne Hathaway shot to stardom opposite Meryl Streep in the 2006 hit "The Devil Wears Prada." Anne Hathaway was most recently seen starring as Agent 99 in Warner Bros.' feature film version of "Get Smart," opposite Steve Carell, and in the title role of Jane Austen in the biopic "Becoming Jane," starring opposite Maggie Smith and James McAvoy.

Anne Hathaway will next be seen in several vastly different films: the drama "Passengers," with co-star Patrick Wilson, directed by Rodrigo Garcia; the Jonathan Demme comedy "Dancing with Shiva," with co-star Debra Winger; and the romantic comedy "Bride Wars," with Kate Hudson, directed by Gary Winick and set for a 2009 release.

Anne Hathaway's prior film credits include a role in Ang Lee's drama "Brokeback Mountain," opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams, for which she shared a 2005 IFP Gotham Award for Best Cast Ensemble, as well as a 2006 Screen Actors Guild nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. The film and its director and cast garnered numerous additional accolades, including seven Golden Globe and eight Academy Award nominations, the most received by any film that year.

Anne Hathaway also lent her voice to the highly successful animated feature "Hoodwinked," with fellow cast mates Glenn Close, Andy Dick, Anthony Anderson and Jim Belushi. Anne Hathaway earned a 2002 Teen Choice Award nomination for her starring role in Garry Marshall's "The Princess Diaries" and reprised the role in its much anticipated sequel, "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement." Anne Hathaway's additional film credits include the independent drama "Havoc," directed by Barbara Kopple; "Ella Enchanted," based on Gail Carson Levine's celebrated novel and directed by Tommy O'Haver; "Nicholas Nickleby," directed by Douglas McGrath; and "The Other Side of Heaven," directed by Mitch Davis.

In January 2005, Anne Hathaway traveled to Cambodia on behalf of the documentary "A Moment in the World," directed by Angelina Jolie, which premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. Additionally, she has dedicated time and effort to community service on this side of the globe. Anne Hathaway has been involved with the Step Up Women's Network, created to strengthen community resources for women and girls, served as host for the group's inaugural Inspirational Awards in April 2007 and was honored by them in June. Anne Hathaway is also on the advisory board for Lollipop Theater Network, an organization that screens movies in hospitals for pediatric patients suffering from chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

Anne Hathaway first gained Hollywood's attention for her acclaimed turn in the series "Get Real," for which she was nominated for a 2000 Teen Choice Award for Best Actress in a Drama. Anne Hathaway studied acting at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey and at the award-winning Barrow Group in New York City, where she was the first and only teen ever admitted to their intensive acting program. In April 2005, Anne Hathaway was honored for her achievements by the Barrow Group. Anne Hathaway also studied in the musical theater program with the Collaborative Arts Project, CAP 21, affiliated with New York University. In high school, Anne Hathaway was nominated for the Rising Star Award, sponsored by the Paper Mill Playhouse, for the best high school performance by an actress in the state of New Jersey.

Anne Hathaway's theater credits include the Lincoln Center Encore series presentation of "Carnival," for which she won the prestigious 57th Annual Clarence Derwent Award; Andrew Lloyd Webber's workshop of "Woman in White"; and "Forever Your Child." In 2004-2005, she participated in the Encores Concert Gala as well as the Stephen Sondheim Birthday Gala.

Anne Hathaway is also an accomplished dancer who studied at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Additionally, she is a first soprano and has performed in two concerts at Carnegie Hall as a member of the All-Eastern U.S. High School Honors Chorus.

As the new face of Lancome, Anne Hathaway will front an advertising campaign by the cosmetics giant for a new fragrance to be launched this year.

SOURCE: POPTOWER

CELEBRITY NEWS: REAL ESTATE

YOU CAN SKIP THIS POST IF YOU’RE AT ALL TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT THE OBSCENE WEALTH OF HOLLYWOOD CELEBS. I POSTED THIS BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE AUTHOR OF THE ARTICLE WAS INTERESTING IN HER PERSPECTIVE. SHE’S APPARENTLY NOT A FAN OF OBSCENE WEALTH EITHER. LOL. ENJOY

Last week Dermot Mulroney listed his Los Angeles home, and in their enduring plot to confuse people, Dylan McDermott announced this week he's also selling his Brentwood Spanish-style hacienda for $6.9 million.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner brought Brian Grazer's Cliff May-designed ranch home for $27.5 million. Gregory Peck lived in the home until 1952, and shot a sweet Pabst Blue Ribbon ad with his wife in the home's den.

Although we were certain Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon would be moving into the Saperstein estate in Holmby Hills, the couple has apparently purchased some five-bedroom dump in Bel Air for $7,000,000 instead.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin are renting a house in Los Angeles, which may have a rat problem. Regardless, she is better than you.

Someone finally saved Jewel's soul and bought the Hollywood Hills home she's been trying to unload since October.

--Elizabeth Thompson

TV NEWS: SNAKES ON A PLANE- FX TV EDIT

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT SNAKES ON A PLANE COULDN’T GET ANYMORE RIDICULOUSLY HILARIOUS THAN IT ALREADY WAS, FX HAS GONE OUT OF ITS WAY TO PROVE ME MISINFORMED. I STUMBLED UPON THIS CLIP ON YOUTUBE OF THE FX TV EDIT OF THE FAMOUS “I’M TIRED OF THE M**** F**** SNAKES ON THIS M***** F***** PLANE” SCENE. THE CLIP IS SHORT, AT 22 SECONDS LONG, BUT THE HILARITY WILL STAY WITH ME FOR MUCH LONGER, ESPECIALLY WITH PLAYBACK. LOL. BELOW IS THE url link FOR THE VID. CHECK IT OUT, & THANK ME AFTERWARDS.

LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4t6zNZ-b0A

CELEBRITY COUPLE

Slumdog millionaire costars dev patel & freida pinto, the lovely freida pinto, who I’ve been trying to get an interview with, are confirmed as a freaking couple. Excuse my disappointment & tone, lol, but I’m a tad salty. 1^st salma hayek, then FREIDA. IT’S A BIT MUCH TO TAKE IN THE SAME WEEK. I KNOW SALMA HAS BEEN ENGAGED FOR A MINUTE NOW, BUT UNTIL THE VOWS ARE EXXCHANGED THERE’S STILL A CHANCE. HELL, IN TODAY’S SOCIETY OF MINUTE MARRIAGES, I’LL JUST BIDE MY TIME, & SEE WHAT HAPPENS. HAHA. I DO WISH THEM THE BEST THOUGH, IN ALL HONESTY. BACK TO PATEL & PINTO. CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE & LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

After much speculation about the nature of the relationship involving Slumdog Millionaire stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, Patel's mother Anita has confirmed to a British newspaper that the pair are very much a couple.

"First it was the film and now everything else seems to have slotted into place," Mrs. Patel is quoted as saying in Monday's Daily Mirror.

"Life can't get any better for him. Freida is really beautiful, and I am really happy for them."

Her comments come just days after Patel, 19, jetted to Israel to spend a whirlwind date with the Mumbai beauty, 24. "Yes, we knew he was flying to Israel to see her," said Patel's mother.

The pair rendezvoused in Tel Aviv as Pinto took time off from filming her latest movie in Jerusalem. The couple spent a few hours together in a hotel before emerging for a stroll around the harbor and an early champagne dinner at a seaside restaurant.

Onlookers said Pinto couldn't keep her hands off Patel. The couple spent their time at the table smooching and holding hands to the delight of a group of Japanese tourists who happened to pass by.

Shortly afterwards, Patel hopped a taxi to the airport to fly back to London, while Pinto returned to her base at the American Colony Hotel in East Jerusalem.

Source: people magazine

POP CULTURE

Check out these hush hush, recently spilled secrets from some of hollywood’s stars . some are juicy, others mundane, but all are true. I’ll give you one a day for the next few days. Stay tuned.

Jennifer Coolidge: Because I'm big, it doesn't look like I can run fast. But I can run really fast. When I was a waitress, and this guy ran out on my tab, and I had all the drinks in my hand, I ran with all the drinks and caught him and he couldn't believe it. He's like, "that fat girl just...!" he couldn't believe that I caught him. And also, I'm a slob. When I valet my car I'm just really embarrassed about all the crap in my car.

SOURCE: PEOPLE MAGAZINE

MOVIE PREVIEW

Let me just say that I’m far from being a trekkie, probably the farthest away, actually, lol, but I am, & I’m not afraid to say so, absolutely geeked up about seeing the new incarnation of Star Trek. For all of you who don’t yet know, the storyline is follwing a new mythology, so you don’t, I repeat, DON’T have to be a trekkie to enjoy it. And for all of the trekkies out there, harden not your heart, & fret not, because I’m sure there will be plenty of nostalgia mixed in with the new plotlines. Read the preview below for an overview of what you can expecgt. Make sure you check this flick out. And no the studio behind this movie is not paying me, though soon I will be paid for these posts. But that’s a pony of a different hue.

From J.J. Abrams ("Mission: Impossible III," "Fringe," "Lost" and "Alias"), producer Damon Lindelof and executive producers Bryan Burk and Jeffrey Chernov and screenwriters and executive producers Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman ("Transformers," "MI: III") comes a new vision of the greatest adventure of all time, "Star Trek," featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no one has gone before. "Star Trek" opens nationally on May 8, 2009.

Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment Present a Bad Robot Production "Star Trek" starring John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, Eric Bana and Leonard Nimoy. The film is directed by J.J. Abrams ("Mission Impossible III," "Lost," "Alias"), written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman ("MI: III," "Transformers").

Based upon "Star Trek" Created by Gene Roddenberry. The film is produced by J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof. The executive producers are Bryan Burk, Jeffrey Chernov, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. The director of photography is Dan Mindel, ASC. The production designer is Scott Chambliss. "Star Trek" is edited by Maryann Brandon, A.C.E. and Mary Jo Markey, A.C.E. The costume designer is Michael Kaplan. The visual effects & animation are by Industrial Light and Magic. The music is by Michael Giacchino. This film has not yet been rated.

Genre: Science Fiction

Runtime: 126 mins.

Release Date: May 8, 2009

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Production Companies:

Bad Robot

Paramount Pictures

Spyglass Entertainment

POP CULTURE

iTunes to offer feature films in HD 'Twilight,' 'Quantum' among upcoming titles By Paul Bond The iTunes store has begun selling HD movies for the first time, Apple said Thursday. Titles available immediately include "Transporter 3" and "Punisher: War Zone," while more popular titles, like "Quantum of Solace" and "Twilight," can be preordered. Apple had already been renting movies in HD, but Thursday marked the first day consumers could buy them, for $19.99 per download. Standard-definition titles are sold at prices ranging from $9.99-$14.99. Television content in HD was made available five months ago. Apple vp Internet services Eddy Cue said that when TV shows are available in both standard-definition and HD, more than half choose the HD version. Apple said Thursday that it has sold more than 250 million TV episodes through iTunes, and 33 million movie titles have been rented or purchased. Of 5,000 movie titles, more than 1,200 are available for rent in HD. ITunes rents movies for $2.99 for library titles and $3.99 for new releases and an extra dollar for HD versions. The company sells TV episodes for $1.99 apiece $2.99 for HD. It does not rent TV shows.

Find this article at: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i96c9409405ac66a3630c848c306336c9