What a week it’s been for the entertainment industry. More of the top headlines:
“You’re returning to the big screen, Mr. Grinch”. Universal and Illumination Entertainment (the studio behind “Despicable Me” and 2012’s smash hit “The Lorax”) are developing an animated remake of another Dr. Seuss classic – “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Of course, Jim Carrey starred in the 2000 live-action version (which earned him a Golden Globe nomination). Just as I felt when Universal announced an animated adaptation of “The Cat in the Hat”, I don’t think this new “Grinch” necessary.
Another surprise: the revival of a franchise that I thought (along with everyone else) was over: “Night at the Museum 3” is set to be released on Christmas Day 2014. Ben Stiller will return, along with director Shawn Levy, who helmed the first two films in the series. Interesting that it’ll be five and a half years since “Battle of the Smithsonian” when “NATM 3” opens. That exact gap length has worked for some series (2011’s “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” crushed 06’s “M:I3” at the box office). And we’ll find out this week how “A Good Day to Die Hard” does…just over five and a half years after the somewhat successful “Live Free or Die Hard”.
And speaking of movies opening next week, “Escape From Planet Earth” will no longer come out on Thursday the 14th, but a day later on Friday the 15th. The Weinstein Company must’ve finally realized that Valentine’s Day is not a school holiday and kids don’t begin President’s Week vacations until Friday.