Wednesday, June 1, 2011
'X-Men: First Class' Stars Talk 'Humanizing' The Mutants
'You take all of the effects out of the movie, you still have the basis for an entertaining story,' Kevin Bacon tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Eric Ditzian
Nicholas Hoult in "X-Men: First Class"
Photo: 20th Century Fox
The summer movie season of 2011 is poised to be one full of superheroes. Things have already been kicked off by the mighty God of Thunder, "Thor," but following quickly in his path are not one, but a whole pack of mutants-turned-superheroes in "X-Men: First Class."
When MTV News caught up with two of the actors who make up the mutant-tastic movie, January Jones and Kevin Bacon, we asked them to explain what separates this latest "X-Men" film from the rest of the DC and Marvel-based movies slated to open in the coming months.
"To me, I think it's the emotional content of the movie," Bacon said. "There's a lot of emphasis on humanizing these mutants. They're falling in love, they're having sex, they're angry with each other, they're getting drunk, they're acting childish and grown-up and learning things," he explained of the younger characters in the film. "You take all of the effects out of the movie, you still have the basis for an entertaining story."
Speaking specifically about the look and feel of their characters, who are inspired by a rich and lengthy history, Jones, who plays telepath Emma Frost, revealed she was happy to jump into the world of comic books, even if it meant wearing a bikini for most of the film.
"I was aware [of the costume]," she said. "I read the comics, I did my research. I'm more dressed in the movie than she is in the comics," she pointed out. "So I was actually quite relieved."
With regard to Bacon's character, the villainous Sebastian Shaw, we wondered if his nuanced performance might have been influenced by the evildoers in the James Bond franchise.
"No, I really didn't [draw from any of those films]," he said. "This was the first that I've even thought about Bond, but it's come up quite a bit. I love those movies," he revealed. "I grew up with those movies. They were very, very influential on me as a kid. My son, when he was about 10, he became a huge fan. We went back and watched them all again. If something feels Bond-ian, it was subconscious."
Check out everything we've got on "X-Men: First Class."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
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?Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows ? Part 2? Releases A Severus Snape Poster
Earlier today we got our first look at the new Draco Malfoy poster released to promote the final Harry Potter film The Deathly Hallows – Part 2. As soon as I shared the poster, a few Pink reader were wondering when we might see the character poster for Severus Snape … and as if the [...]
Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
- Director: Jake Nava
- Album: Circus
Snooki: Neck Brace and Gaga Glasses Fashion Fail!
Snooki is already causing drama on season four of the Jersey Shore. It looks like it will be one hell of a season, and I can’t wait! Snooki is already starting dram and the season has just started. My favorite jersey Shore cast member looks fantastic this season, girlfriend has lost weight, and is trying to remain healthy. So how did she make my fashion fail post? Well, she smashed into a cop car – cops that were he escorts! This caused some problems and she was seen walking around with a neck brace! Combine that with those Gagaish sunglasses, and those hideous fur boots and we have a MAJOR fashion fail. Snooki needs to take after Pauly – hire a freakin’ cab (the cabs are here!), lose the glasses and boots, and call it a day. I adore these Shore gals, but they are setting some scary fashion trends! Photos: www.wenn.com/Alex Jackson
Michael Jackson Estate Rakes In $310 Million To Date
Singer left behind more than $400 million in debt.
Michael Jackson
Photo: Time Life Pictures/DMI/Time Life Pictures/Getty Im
Between album sales, movie profits, licensing arrangements and lucrative deals for Cirque du Soleil shows, the estate of late King of Pop Michael Jackson has raked in more than $300 million since the singer's shocking death in June 2009.
According to TMZ, legal documents released on Thursday reveal that executors of MJ's estate have managed to make a major dent in the more than $400 million in debt that Jackson owed at the time of his death.
The first accounting from the executors shows that they have already spent around $159 million paying back various debts, income taxes and other expenses, which include providing support for the pop star's mother, Katherine Jackson, as well as his three young children.
"Although there remain unresolved creditor claims, pending litigation and additional challenging business, tax and legal issues, and the estate is not yet in a condition to be closed, the executors have made substantial progress in reducing the estate's debt," the documents state, according to a Reuters report. Two of Jackson's longtime confidants, attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain, were named as administrators in a will sign by the pop icon.
In addition to paying to make "substantial improvements" to the Jackson family's Havenhurst estate in Encino, California, the executors also spent an undetermined amount of money on "last illness and funeral and memorial service expenses." Those costs included a $900,000 payment to the Forest Lawn Memorial cemetery where Jackson is buried and $35,000 on expenses described as "costume for memorial."
TMZ reported that not only did the famously cash-strapped Jackson have more than $400 million in debt, but his estate also owed more than $40 million to concert promoter AEG tied to the scuttled This Is It Tour, for which MJ was rehearsing when he died unexpectedly. They've also paid $27.2 million in taxes and $4 million in mortgage payments on Jackson's properties.
Despite the solid sales of the Michael album and millions of units of the singer's back catalog being sold, as well as the box office of the "This Is It" movie and DVD sales, the estate is not nearly out of the woods. TMZ noted that the administrators have received more than 65 creditors' claims, some of which are subject to "extremely high" interest rates, and there are several outstanding lawsuits against the estate in several countries.
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