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Director Christopher Nolan and stars Christian Bale, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gary Oldman will present the footage on Sunday, June 3.
By Kara Warner
Christian Bale in "The Dark Knight Rises"
Photo: Warner Bros.
Not to toot our own horn, but since their inception in 1991 the MTV Movie Awards have proven to be one of the hippest parties in town. Not only is the annual event a major draw for the who's who in Hollywood, via the A-list nominees, presenters and performers, but there are always a few unexpected surprises and special sneak peeks from Hollywood's most anticipated upcoming releases.
We are proud to announce that this year's live broadcast will feature the debut of exclusive new footage from one of the summer's most highly anticipated movies, "The Dark Knight Rises." And if that's not exciting enough, the film's writer/director Christopher Nolan and stars Christian Bale, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gary Oldman will be on hand to introduce the never-before-seen footage. If you've been following the news surrounding Nolan's third and very likely final Batman film, you know that plot details have been kept under lock and key, so any chance to see anything new from the film ahead of its July 20 release is definitely cause for celebration.
MTV also announced Thursday (May 24) that "Magic Mike" stars Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey have been added to the impressive lineup of presenters, which also includes: Adam Sandler, Emma Watson, Andy Samberg, Leighton Meester, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, Emma Stone, Andrew Garfield, Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Mila Kunis and Mark Wahlberg. In addition, chart-topping indie-pop group fun. and rapper Wiz Khalifa are set to perform.
MTV fans hold the "Power of the Popcorn" in their hands, with voting available online via MovieAwards.MTV.com through Saturday, June 2. As always, voting for Movie of the Year will remain open throughout the live show Sunday, June 3.
Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET.
Related Videos Related PhotosPlus, Jon Favreau confirms that he's reprising his role as Tony Stark's driver, Happy Hogan, in 'Iron Man 3.'
By Kevin P. Sullivan
Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man 2"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Although "Men in Black 3" seems poised to knock "The Avengers" out of the top spot at the box office this weekend, Marvel Studios is already well into planning its next movies.
Just last night, the studio announced casting for villains in the upcoming sequels "Thor 2" and "Iron Man 3", while Jon Favreau confirmed he would reprise his role as Tony Stark's driver, Happy Hogan.
In two separate scoops from Variety, the trade paper reported that Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen is in talks to play the villain in the Alan Taylor-directed "Thor" sequel, and that Ashley Hamilton, son of George, could join "Iron Man 3" as the villain Firepower. The identity of Mikkelsen's potential character has yet to be revealed.
And while he won't be returning to direct the third "Iron Man" movie, Jon Favreau will be coming back to reprise his role as Happy Hogan. The actor-turned-director tweeted a photo of his personalized chair from the set of "Iron Man 3."
Favreau had previously turned down an offer to direct his third "Iron Man" film, allowing "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" director Shane Black to take a crack at billionaire playboy and philanthropist Tony Stark. It was unclear whether Favreau would return to play Happy, who had a significantly larger role in "Iron Man 2," but recent word that Favreau would still be largely involved is now confirmed.
Rumors have already begun to circulate about the identity of Mikkelsen's character. The most popular theory involves a character called the Executioner, a rumor started by Bleeding Cool.
"Thor 2" is scheduled to go in front of cameras later this year for a fall 2013 release, while production on "Iron Man 3" is already under way for its summer 2013 bow.
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
Related VideosMTV News rounds up famous folks who put aside their careers to go to college and what they had to say about it.
By Jocelyn Vena
Miranda Cosgrove
Photo: MTV News
Miranda Cosgrove plans to attend college this fall after she wraps up shooting the final season of her hit Nickelodeon show "iCarly." Cosgrove felt that at 19, it's the right time to take on some new experiences and live life as a headlines back in 2009. She eventually left when she realized that her life as a celebrity was very different than that of the other students there. "I was in denial," Watson told Britain's in 2011 shortly after deciding to leave. "I wanted to pretend I wasn't as famous as I was. I was trying to seek out normality, but I kind of have to accept who I am, the position I'm in and what happened."
What do you think of famous actors who go to college after establishing their careers? Tell us in the comments.
Related ArtistsWhile Phillip Phillips' win drew a record 132 million votes, ratings were down 30 percent.
By Gil Kaufman
Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez and Ryan Seacrest on 'American Idol'
Photo: Getty Images
It was the best of times and the worst of times for "American Idol" this week. Yes, a record 132 million votes came in on Tuesday night to help Phillip Phillips take home the top prize. But when the ratings for the finale were tallied up, well, nobody was popping corks or firing up the confetti cannons anymore.
Ponder this, ratings for the season 11 finale were half of what they were during the 2003 season when Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken duked it out in front of 38 million viewers. Half is still 21.5 million, but that number is way down (27 percent) from the 29.3 million who saw Scotty McCreery take home the crown last year.
In fact, according to finale Nielsen Co. figures, Wednesday night's "Idol" viewership is the smallest ever for the show's finale. Not only was the tune-in number all all-time low, but the show's 6.4 rating among the coveted adults 18-49 demographic was down 30 percent from last year as well.
"Idol" can take some solace in easily beating the finale ratings for such up-and-coming rivals as "The Voice" (11.93 million viewers, 4.4 rating) and "X Factor" (12.59 million viewers, 3.8 rating). The ratings decline this year was expected, since season 10 got a bit of a boost when Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler were added into the mix following the departure of former lead judge Simon Cowell.
Though it came into the season with the bragging rights as the #1 show on TV, "Idol" shed nearly 25 percent of its audience this year, falling below 20 million viewers for the first time since 2003. According to reports, the steepest drop-off was among viewers 18-49, the most sought-after demographic among networks.
The other shoe to drop on Thursday was that for the first time in eight years, "Idol" will not finish the season as the top-rated primetime program. According to The Hollywood Reporter, NBC's "Sunday Night Football" finished the 2011-2012 season as the dominant primetime program in total viewers and in all key audience demographics. "Football" averaged 20.7 million viewers this season and an 8.0 rating in the 28-49 demo.
The Wednesday night "Idol" performance broadcasts averaged 19.7 million viewers and 18.3 million on Thursday for the season, along with a 6.2 rating on Wednesday's.
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
'While I'd be turned here directing Josh Brolin, Will Smith would be punching me in my kidneys,' 'MIB3' director Barry Sonnenfeld says.
By Kara Warner
Will Smith in "Men in Black 3"
Photo: Columbia Pictures
No matter what you love most about the "Men in Black" franchise, the most compelling aspect of the sci-fi/action films — despite all their otherworldly and impressive visual effects — is the charm of its star and all-around likable actor Will Smith as Agent J. The former "Fresh Prince" is known for being a ball of excitable, positive energy on set, but according to "Men in Black 3" director Barry Sonnenfeld, sometimes that energy can get a little dangerous.
"Usually, while I'd be turned here directing Josh Brolin, Will Smith would be punching me in my kidneys," he told MTV News recently. "In fact, at the end of this movie, I went into the hospital because Will had torn my rotator cuff. On 'Wild Wild West' he broke my hand in five places, so Will's gotta have his energy harnessed a little bit, at least when he's working with me. I don't think he ever went around punching Michael Mann [who directed Smith in 2001's 'Ali'], let me just say that."
We then asked Sonnenfeld if there were any repercussions for Smith with all this on-set abuse.
"I told him that if he didn't stop hitting me that I would direct 'Men in Black 4' and hire his son to play young Agent J," Sonnenfeld joked. "So maybe that will make him calm down a little bit."
It should also be known that Smith's acting skills were a little rusty when he arrived on set to begin work on "MIB 3," which required some lighthearted finessing from Sonnenfeld and extra practice from Smith.
"On the first day of photography, we filmed Will on a blue-screen stage having to jump down [from the top of the Chrysler building], and what was great about it was that he hadn't acted in three years and was really bad," Sonnenfeld recalled of one of his favorite moments during filming. "Luckily, we cut out the bad stuff, but that first take we did after he hadn't acted in three years, I was sweating because he was no good. After I yelled, 'Cut!' Will said, 'Baz, I can do better! I'm really terrible. I haven't acted in three years, I'm really rusty!' And within a day or two, it all worked out fine. But man, it was interesting. You know how they say 'Once you learn how to ride a bicycle, you never forget?' Well, Will forgot how to act for the first day or two. Luckily he wasn't acting with other actors or it would have been really embarrassing."
Check out everything we've got on "Men in Black 3."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos'I think it's important ... for people to not think people in my position are perfect,' Perry tells MTV News.
By Christina Garibaldi
Katy Perry
Photo: MTV News
Katy Perry is not looking to hold anything back when she releases her 3-D concert movie, "Part of Me," in July. Shot throughout 2011, the film takes fans backstage on her California Dreams Tour, into the studio with the singer and on set for her videos, giving audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work involved in being a pop star.
Yet, with so many moments captured for this movie, Perry admits it's hard to narrow down the one scene that all fans will be talking about.
"There's lots of moments," Perry told MTV News at the Pepsi Fleet Week Katy Perry "Part of Me" Concert. "I love making music videos and I like them to be jam-packed visually, and I want there to not be a dull moment in this film. There's really high-energy moments. Of course, there's the concert. If some people didn't see the show — which a lot of people haven't seen the show because really I've done 124 shows — but a lot of people couldn't get a ticket or they just couldn't make it out that night, so I cut together the best of the show."
But there is much more to this film than the dazzling onstage performances. The singer is out to show all her Katy Cats the real Katy Perry. The film delves into Perry's struggle with making it as a singer, her strict Christian upbringing and, of course, her much publicized divorce from Russell Brand.
"There's a lot of background of how I got to where I am, but such a huge emotional palette in the movie, and it's going to be really exciting," Perry said. "It's the most intimate I've ever been. I mean that in a non-sexual way ... I mean it in a vulnerable way. And so I'm not scared of it because I think it's important for me, and important these days, for people to not think people in my position are perfect and that if they want to achieve this type of dream or achieve a goal that they have to be flawless, they don't."
And Perry admits she is far from flawless in this film, revealing to her fans that even though she may be one of the biggest pop stars in the world, she is still just a normal girl.
"What you see in the movie is all the mechanics of the operation," Perry said. "And there's a lot of me bloated, with zits, fat, not shaded, not carved, not snatched, just normal."
The "Katy Perry: Part of Me" concert film hits theaters July 5.
Are you excited for Katy Perry's 3-D flick? Let us know in the comments.
Related Artists
British boy band talks to MTV News about their 'incredible' Stateside tour experience and their 'Up All Night' DVD dropping Tuesday.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Wigler
One Direction
Photo: Getty Images
One Direction are in the first week of their headlining U.S. tour. And, according to the guys themselves, they've gotten as much love from fans in the States as they did abroad.
"[It's going] good, great," Louis Tomlinson explained to MTV News. "We did the first show [Tuesday and] it was amazing."
Liam Payne still hasn't gotten over the scope of the shows they are playing here in the States, adding, "[It's] incredible. It's the biggest show we've done as a band so far, biggest audience for our own tour. So, it's amazing, absolutely amazing, incredible."
For fans who weren't able to nab tickets to the show, or have seen it and want to relive it, the band will drop their concert DVD, "Up All Night: The Live Tour" on Tuesday. And, Niall Horan explained how it all came together. "It was a show of our U.K. tour we did in January and we shot one of the shows for people who couldn't get tickets to the show," he said. "And we're actually touring that show now in the U.S., so everyone's going to get to see it at some stage."
"Up All Night: The Live Tour" is 73 minutes of 1D goodness, filled with campfire sing-alongs, quick shots of the guys shirtless during costume changes and even the fellas all done up in sleek suits as they close out the show with "I Want."
Once the band wraps up their tour here in July, One Direction will come back to the States in 2013 as a part of their massive world tour.
Are you planning on seeing One Direction on tour? Leave your comment below!
'American Idol' champ had eight surgeries while he was on 'Idol.'
By Gil Kaufman
Phillip Phillips
Photo: Getty Images
It was impressive enough that Phillip Phillips skated to the season 11 crown on "American Idol" without ever landing in the bottom three, or enduring much negative criticism from the judges. But following his coronation on Wednesday it was revealed that the 21-year-old Georgia pawn shop worker had eight different surgeries during his run on "Idol" to deal with chronic kidney problems.
The emotional singer's dad, also named Phillip Phillips, told People magazine, "He's been doing [well], but it's just grueling hours and it's just amazing what he's done through the journey ... Eight operations since we started 'American Idol' ... He's hitting 50 percent, but he's still up there swinging away."
The "Idol" champ, who was briefly hospitalized during his run, has a recurring build-up of kidney stones and the surgeries during the show were to remove them. But when he goes under the knife in the next few weeks he will have to have his kidneys reconstructed. The magazine said he is expected to recover in time to join his fellow top 10 singers on the "Idol" tour when it kicks off on July 6 in Detroit.
"The recovery's probably two to four weeks," said his father. "He's healthy, he's good. His kidneys are good. I can't wait for America and the whole world to see him [after his surgery], because he's a big cut-up. He's going to have some fun."
Speaking to reporters, Phillips said it was a difficult ride during the show -- he was allowed to sit out the weekly Ford videos in order to rest -- but he was helped by his team of physicians. "I'm going to get some surgery done, so I'm going to get all better for the tour," he said. "It was very tough [getting through the season]. I had great doctors and great people surrounding me [who] really helped out, so it's just a blessing to be here."
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
'When she says 'I don't give a f---,' she means that,' the 'Snow White and the Huntsman' actress tells MTV News.
By Fallon Prinzivalli, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Charlize Theron
Photo: MTV News
For two people who seem so different, Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron have great offscreen chemistry. In our "MTV First: Snow White and the Huntsman," they made each other laugh with their comments and played off each other's answers — like when Stewart described Theron in three words, saying, "I want you," and Theron replied, "You got it," and spread her legs apart.
When MTV News' Josh Horowitz caught up with the "Young Adult" actress, she chalked up their friendship to the age-old "opposites attract" phenomenon, saying that what specifically attracts her to Stewart is her genuine personality.
"The first thing I noticed about her was when she says 'I don't give a f---,' she means that," Theron said. "She's not just trying to be cool. She's not trying to be edgy. She's very, very authentic, and that's what I like about her."
The two actresses star in an original adaptation of the classic fairy tale "Snow White," which follows the princess as she fights alongside the Huntsman to reclaim her kingdom from the evil Queen Ravenna. The film hits theaters June 1, and Theron got to know Stewart as they worked on the project together.
"I think that there's an incredible girl there," Theron said. "And I like that she's so different because I think that it's authentic — and there's nothing I despise more than people trying to be something that they're not. And all these, kind of, quirks that she has, they're authentic to who she is and she's not putting it on, she's not trying to do it. She's just really who she is."
While the "Twilight" actress has received bad press in the past when people mistook her timid nature for rudeness or conceit, her co-star had nothing but praise for her character.
"You know, a lot of people at that age can still be [finding themselves]. And of course she's still going to be finding herself in certain [ways], but I'm pretty impressed with where she is already at her very young age," Theron said. "And I have so much respect for someone who can just authentically be themselves."
Check out everything we've got on "Snow White and the Huntsman."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos Related Photos
Third film in the franchise sees Agents K and J time-traveling to 1969, but is it worth a trip to the theater?
By Kara Warner
Will Smith in "Men in Black 3"
Photo: Columbia Pictures
Can you believe it's already been 15 years since we first met Agents K (Tommy Lee Jones) and new-recruit-turned-agent J (Will Smith)? Time flies, even when the subject of fictional time travel is at play. "Men in Black" debuted to rave reviews back in 1997 and its filmmakers and stars are hoping for the same warm welcome at the box office this weekend when "Men in Black 3" rolls into theaters.
The film is currently sitting pretty at a 65 percent "Fresh" rating over at Rotten Tomatoes, complemented by an enthusiastic 95 percent of the audience rating it as a "Want to See It" movie this weekend. So without further ado, let's blast off through the "Men in Black 3" reviews!
Everything Old Is New Again ... and Put Through the Ringer "Perhaps the best that can be said for the years-in-the-works 'Men in Black 3' is that its prolonged, difficult development rarely leaves visible scars on the finished product. This is no small compliment, as subjecting the franchise's zippy cornball energy to committee rethink and patchwork solutions could have been toxic, and the sequel survives with the original's spirit largely intact. ... There are a number of conflicting points to consider in assessing the pic's commercial potential. In Will Smith, it toplines one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, albeit one who hasn't made a single film in four years. Moreover, the film is part of a property that grossed more than $350 million at the U.S. box office alone, yet 10 years have passed since the last installment — the limp "Men in Black II" — and it's unclear just how strong the interest is for an encore. But that's all ultimately a problem for Sony's marketing department. For their parts, director Barry Sonnenfeld and scripter Etan Cohen approach the material in a strangely low-key manner, as though this were merely a midseason episode of a long-running series, rather than a comeback after a decade away. This serves the movie well, however, as it's clear the filmmakers aren't simply expecting to coast on audience goodwill." — Andrew Barker, Variety
The Time-Space Continuum "To move forward, the story jumps backwards — to the summer of 1969, when the Mets were destined to win the World Series and astronauts were preparing to walk on the moon. The first time 1969 came around, K put the Mad Max-ish alien known as Boris the Animal (a tasty role for Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement) in prison. Now, some 40 years later, Boris has busted out of the clink — on the moon, by the way — and slipped through the space-time continuum back to 1969, intent on killing K. So MIB's present-day chief, O (Emma Thompson), dispatches Agent J to do a quick job of tinkering with history, safeguarding the world, and rescuing his partner, all without getting trapped in 1969 for good. This is a winning plan for a lot of reasons, beginning with the axiom that, as the crew of the USS Enterprise demonstrated in 'Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home' back in ancient 1986, it's always fun when fancy folks from the sci-fi future are forced to fumble with the less elegant technology of the past. Working with a model screenplay by Etan Cohen (who co-wrote the brilliant 'Tropic Thunder'), MIB's auteur director Barry Sonnenfeld captures the nostalgic hopefulness of the era." — Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Brolin as Tommy Lee Jones "Brolin's [performance] is a feat of egolessness in which one actor completely subsumes himself into the style and sound of another. The performance works as an optical illusion: Our eye sees Brolin, but our brain is fooled into seeing Agent K and, through him, the craggy, beloved Jones made youthful again. 'Men in Black 3' is essentially a bait-and-switch — a movie that promises one star and delivers another — but because the imposture is so well-crafted, so serenely inventive, we accept the bargain. As far as the studio sees it, everybody wins: Tommy Lee Jones gets a paycheck and a vacation, while the young audiences of America are spared the horror of spending 106 minutes with an old person." — Ty Burr, The Boston Globe
The Final Word, Pro-Con-Pro Style "Apart from the urgent necessity of reminding us that Will Smith is a movie star (and the usual need to wring a few more dollars out of a profitable franchise), 'Men in Black 3' arrives in the multiplexes of the world with no particular agenda. Which may be part of the reason it turns out to be so much fun. You don't need to study up on the previous installments or master a body of bogus fanboy lore to enjoy this movie for the breezy pop throwaway it is. Your expectations may be pleasantly low, and you may therefore be pleasantly surprised when they are exceeded. ... The first two 'Men in Black' movies did some spoofing of the conventions of the black and white, cross-generational buddy picture, but the third one finds its way back to the heart of the genre. It manages, in the end, to be touching as well as hectic and whimsical, and to send a few interesting thematic bubbles into the air, having to do with lost fathers, obscure regrets and racial reconciliation." — A.O. Scott, The New York Times
"As good as Brolin is, though, the novelty wears off quickly, and we're once again left with the realization that there's no substance to the script (credited, for the record, to Etan Cohen). And all the familiar and rather flat comic elements lead up to a revelatory climax that comes out of nowhere and in no way earns the sort of heartrending emotion it aims to evoke from its audience. But the most disappointing part of all: Frank the talking pug is nowhere to be found. The movie is a dog anyway without him." — Christy Lemire, The Associated Press
"Let me say that although I liked the first 'MiB' movie, I wasn't particularly looking forward to this belated sequel. But I had fun. It has an ingenious plot, bizarre monsters, audacious cliff-hanging, and you know what? A closing scene that adds a new and sort of touching dimension to the characters of J and K." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times
Check out everything we've got on "Men in Black 3."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
In the clip for their first LIVING THINGS single, which debuted Thursday on MTV, the band gets intimate ... with fiery results.
By James Montgomery
Linkin Park's "Burn It Down"
Photo: Warner Bros. Records
On the upcoming LIVING THINGS album, Linkin Park veer away from the political territory they explored on Minutes to Midnight and A Thousand Suns, and instead mine decidedly personal topics — relationships crumbling, trust eroding, faith failing. In a lot of ways, it is perhaps the most aptly titled record in recent history.
As proof, look no further than the first single, "BURN IT DOWN," which is full of lines like "I played the soldier, you played the king/ Struck me down, when I kissed that ring," none of which are about empire building or military service. Instead, the song is very much about the give/take dynamics of a relationship, and what happens when it all falls apart.
And the video for the song — which premiered Thursday (May 24) on MTV — follows in the same vein: There are no sweeping shots of battlefields or wretched politicians ... instead, it is a decidedly human thing: just the band, in a room, sweating their collective asses off and pouring their hearts into the music. It is a performance video pushed to the limit, and sure, there are a lot of digital effects added for good measure, but they're used only to highlight the personal flourishes of that performance — the intimately tight close-ups, the pained attention to details — shoot, even when they burst into flames at the end, you have to at least wonder whether they didn't just spontaneously combust ... it's that intense (and intensely personal) of a thing.
So after spending the better part of five years exploring the outer boundaries of what a massively popular rock band can get away with, Linkin Park return home with "BURN IT DOWN" and LIVING THINGS (due June 26), shifting the focus eternally inward. Not only is that bound to make their diehard fans happy, but it makes for a truly interesting new chapter in this increasingly fascinating band's career.
What do you think of the "BURN IT DOWN" video? Leave your comment below!
Related Videos
Season nine gets off to a unique start during the first round of auditions in New York and Texas.
By Natasha Chandel
Hampton Williams on "So You Think You Can Dance"
Photo: Fox
"So You Think You Can Dance" is back and kicking — literally. Limbs flew left, right, center and even behind the head, as season nine of the dance competition premiered Thursday night (May 24) with the first round of auditions in New York and Texas. Dancers from all over the world auditioned for a golden ticket to Sin City, showcasing a dynamic range of artists, styles and emotional stories.
Both cities delivered a plethora of highly skilled, highly entertaining and highly ridiculous talent. The highlight of the first auditions was not the usual crowd-pleasing contemporary and hip-hop styles, but rather, unique and inventive forms of dance, including animation, lyrical freestyle and ... exorcism?
Standouts Chehon Wespi-Tschopp from Switzerland dazzled the judges with a stoic contemporary routine showing off his immense strength and a chiseled body that judge Mary Murphy made sure to squeeze extra hard as Wespi-Tschopp came over to graciously hug the panel for his Vegas pass. But the real standout of the night, by far, was Texan Hampton Williams, creator of his own style of dance titled "exorcist style." The grimly angelic performance saw Williams pop and lock every single muscle in his body, like never before seen on the show. He brought not only Murphy to tears, but many members of the audience as well, and received a unanimous standing ovation through the theater. "I think you could be a genius," judge Nigel Lythgoe told the young man before offering to pay for Williams' Vegas ticket himself if the other judges did not put him through.
Gut Wrenchers Being the soulful art form that dance is, "SYTYCD" is notorious for exposing its contestants' gut-wrenching tales of adversity, and tonight's premiere was full of such stories. Whether it was Jarell Rochelle's need to succeed before his mother went blind to Sam Shefler's battle with autism, the uniting factor was simple: a love for dance. Although Shefler did not move forward with his lyrical freestyle, he received a standing ovation for his courage and was advised never to stop dancing.
Feel-Good Moments Mother of two Bree Hafen, from Texas, won the judges' hearts and had her golden ticket delivered by her young son. The real kicker came when her daughter, also an aspiring dancer, chimed "my turn" after her mom performed a remarkably fluid contemporary routine. She immediately went into a relevé and started gliding her legs like a little ballerina.
Stand Nots Of course, no reality show is complete without the flops. Austin Freeman (New Jersey), pioneer of the "Mr. Wiggles" style of dance, shook his butt (and we use the term loosely) with no rhythm and no technique. He kept it real, though, admitting he was there because he hoped "to be a celebrity." Von Kipper, on the other hand, kept it a bit too real. He exchanged some choice words with the judges after criticizing the show's selection of dancers, calling out earlier contestant Shefler's inclusion. Guest judge Lil' C advised the dancer to keep his focus on the dance, instead of his bad attitude. Neither Freeman nor Kipper received a ticket to move forward.
Keeping its bar as high as ever, the premiere of "So You Think You Can Dance" proved it still had something to offer after nine seasons.
What did you think of the "So You Think You Can Dance" premiere? Share your comments below!
Spears goes head to head with Demi Lovato after a young male contestant performs in the first auditions.
By Emily Blake
Britney Spears arrives for the first round of 'X Factor' auditions in Austin, Texas
Photo: Splash News
When "The X Factor" producers announced that they were adding Britney Spears to the judges' panel, experts and viewers wondered whether she would have what it takes to sit alongside Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid to dole out advice to bright-eyed singers. But from the sounds of audio leaked to TMZ from the first round of auditions, it seems that the audience thinks Spears will do just fine.
After months of speculation, Spears was officially added to the "X Factor" judges' panel in May for a cool $15 million per season. While the show doesn't premiere until September, audio leaked Thursday (May 24) from auditions in Austin, Texas, give us a taste of what we'll be in for come fall. In the clip, Spears and fellow newbie Demi Lovato give differing critiques to a young male contestant.
"I think that you have a great voice and your tone was great," 19-year-old Lovato told the contestant. "But, I don't really know where you fit. I don't know what's going to set you apart from other musicians who are boys. So, I think you just have to find out what makes you special and what separates you from all the other teenage boys in this industry."
Britney, on the other hand, had a some kinder words for the amateur singer. "I think you can be bigger than the next Justin Bieber," Spears said, eliciting a rambunctious response from the crowd.
"I feel like your runs are amazing," she added. "And I do feel like with a little more training, you could actually [inaudible] better presentation, but I see what's there. And you're very gifted. Thank you."
Do you think that Britney Spears and Demi Lovato have what it takes to be a judge on "The X Factor"? Leave your comment below!
With 'Battleship' sinking at the box office, the role of Finnick Odair could serve as the actor's life raft.
By Amy Wilkinson
Taylor Kitsch
Photo: Getty Images
Forget those Robert Pattinson rumors. I have a winning first-round draft pick for Adonis-like District 4 tribute Finnick Odair: former "Friday Night Lights" star Taylor Kitsch.
To be sure, Kitsch's name isn't a new one in the frenzied speculation over who should play the "Catching Fire" hunk. For months, he's been mentioned in the same breath as fan favorites like Armie Hammer and Garrett Hedlund, but with the less-than-stellar performance of "Battleship," Kitsch needs one in the win column, and "The Hunger Games" sequel could be it.
When the MTV Movies staff sat down at the end of the year to compile our 2012 wish list, my deepest desire was to see the erstwhile Tim Riggins make good on the big screen. He's had a couple opportunities so far, starting with Disney's sci-fi adventure "John Carter." The adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel reportedly cost the studio $350 million to produce, but opened to a disappointing $30.6 million domestically. Likewise, last weekend's board-game-inspired actioner fell $15 million short of box-office experts' modest $40 million projections.
Kitsch has one more 2012 film yet to bow — the Oliver Stone-directed "Savages" — but he needs a high-profile role in a box-office barnburner to really introduce him to the masses and secure a spot as a go-to leading man. Hence, Finnick Odair.
I'll be the first to admit Kitsch doesn't perfectly fit my mental image of the trident-wielding tribute; he isn't blond, nor is he very tall (though have you seen him without a shirt on?). Abs aside, what matters more is that he's able to effectively capture the essence of this surprisingly multifaceted character. Which, if you watched the dearly departed "Friday Night Lights," you know Kitsch can do. After all, Finnick is really just the Tim Riggins of Panem. He's clearly damaged yet still has the capacity to nurture and love — in other words, just two bad boys with big hearts.
After the first film's boffo box office (returns are currently around the $400 million mark), the sequel's success is basically a foregone conclusion. So, Taylor, as you ponder your next career step, why not take a look at the "Catching Fire" script (if you haven't already) and see if you're up for the arena? This could be the blazing hot role you've been looking for.
Do you think Taylor Kitsch would make a good Finnick? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns!
Earlier "Hunger Games" columns: » 'Hunger Games' At The Movie Awards: Dos And Don'ts » "Catching Fire" Countdown: What to Watch While You Wait » Francis Lawrence's "Catching Fire" To-Do List » "Fifty Shades Of Grey": What's In It For "Hunger Games" Fans? » "Catching Fire": Five Reasons to be Stoked
Check out everything we've got on "Hunger Games: Catching Fire."
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'I just think it's fun and the action's great,' Louis Tomlinson tells MTV News on the red carpet.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Wigler and Fallon Prinzivalli
One Direction
Photo: MTV News
NEW YORK — Armed with Nerf guns, the five guys of One Direction hit up the "Men in Black 3" premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre, ready to face any kind of challenges.
The fivesome, who kicked off their headlining U.S. tour on Tuesday night, took a break from the road to catch the film. They also chatted with MTV News on the red carpet about why they felt they needed a line of defense for the fete.
"We're safe [with them and we'll use them on] anyone who gets brave," Louis Tomlinson joked about their Nerf guns. But the fellas did have a real reason for wanting to catch the film: They are big fans of the "Men in Black" franchise and have been for quite some time.
"[They are] great films, aren't they?" Tomlinson added. "I just think it's fun and the action's great. We were young when the first came out, so we kind of grew up with them."
Once inside the theater, instead of having to fend off anyone who might have gotten in their way, they gave the guns away to a few young fans who ran up to them. While security did their best to keep fans away from the boy banders, one young girl managed to get to the floppy-haired Harry Styles. All five guys agreed to give the girl their autograph. Before the film started, they hung out in their seats, munching on popcorn while adoring fans and their moms checked the guys out.
Later on, at the after-party held on the USS Intrepid, fans followed the band as they made their way around the bash, including down several flights of stairs to the bathrooms. They didn't stop for anyone, but they smiled and waved occasionally.
The guys won't have too much time to hit up more movie premieres since they are back to playing Thursday night (May 24) in Virginia. One Direction will continue on their summer tour through July. Meanwhile, "Men in Black 3" opens Friday.
Check out everything we've got on "Men in Black 3."
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Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsLee Daniels-directed film, also starring Zac Efron and Matthew McConaughey, has met with decidedly mixed reception.
By Kara Warner
Nicole Kidman in "The Paperboy"
Photo: Lee Daniels Entertainment
Much ado is made over the glitz and glamour that surrounds the exotic Cannes Film Festival each year. A lot of what brings so many celebrities and so much attention to the international film fest is its location. Who doesn't want to travel to the sandy shores of the French Riviera for "work"? The other big draw, of course, is the opportunity to see movies of all genres, budgets, origin, etc., many of which can get an early jump into awards-season consideration with positive reviews from the notoriously hard-to-please Cannes audiences.
From the outside looking in, "The Paperboy" is one of the films at the festival that has major awards-buzz potential because of its director, Oscar nominee Lee Daniels ("Precious"), and its cast: Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey and John Cusack. Judging from the initial reactions to the small-town, sexed-up murder mystery, however, the reception has been decidedly mixed.
"Daniels wants to show us realities that other movies don't, and I truly think that he's got the talent and drive to do it. But there's a major downside to that impulse," wrote . "If what happens on screen is in any way odd or exaggerated or, even worse, if it defies common sense, the clang of falseness is going to be deafening.
"The line on this movie in Cannes is the same one that a lot of critics, including me, took on Daniels' 'Shadowboxer': that it's so luridly overripe it's nuts — or, at the very least, high camp," Gleiberman continued. "Certainly, you're going to have that feeling during the scene when Kidman, at the beach, saves Efron from a jellyfish sting by urinating on him — which is an anti-jellyfish home remedy, but the way the scene is shot, I think Daniels had something else in mind. The wrong notes, the extremeness, just piles up from there."
Efron and Kidman spoke to the film's extremes during a press conference Thursday (May 24). "I don't think I was supposed to feel comfortable," Efron said. "It's like life. This character is supposed to be learning the ways of the world, and that can be very uncomfortable. But it's also exciting."
"I'd been looking as an actor for something raw and something dangerous," Kidman said. "I may be uncomfortable watching the movie. But that's my job — it's my job to give over to something, not to censor it, not to put my own judgments of how I feel as Nicole playing the character. I am there to portray a truth."
And no matter the discomfort surrounding the onscreen nudity, sex or the pee scene, Efron said he loved the experience of making the movie.
"I've been in love with her for a long time, since 'Moulin Rouge,' "the actor said of Kidman. "It was the loveliest time in the world for me."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
'They shouldn't be beefin'. They both comin' up; they need to get along,' Rocky tells 'RapFix Live' of the bickering rap ladies.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway
A$AP Rocky on "RapFix Live"
Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News
Seems like no one wants to get in between Iggy Azalea and Azealia Banks. T.I. took the high road when he appeared on "RapFix Live" last week, and on Wednesday's episode A$AP Rocky did the same when host Sway Calloway asked him about the beefing hip-hop ladies.
"I don't really got nothin' to say about that situation, that ain't got nothin' to do with me," Rocky said laughing. "I know both of 'em, that's all I do is know both of 'em."
Banks and Rocky both hail from Harlem, New York, and he and Iggy have been linked romantically, though neither will confirm a relationship. "I know both of 'em, and I feel like they shouldn't be beefin'. They both comin' up; they need to get along," Rock said. "I think they'd make a dope song together, personally."
Banks launched a Twitter attack on Iggy after the Grand Hustle's rap rookie landed a spot on the 2012 XXL Freshman cover earlier this year. The "212" rapper took exception to Iggy's rhymes on her song "Drugs," where she says, "When the relay starts, I'm a runaway slave master."
"Iggy Azalea on the XXL freshman list is all wrong," Banks tweeted back in February. "How can you endorse a white woman who called herself a 'runaway slave master.' "
The feud then led to Banks blasting T.I. for his comments on the matter, but the King of the South quickly backed out, labeling the tiff "bitch sh--" during a Chicago radio interview back in April. Ultimately Rocky feels a similar way, though he didn't quite use the same language that T.I. did. "I ain't got nothing to do with that," he said. "I don't get involved in female stuff."
Do you think Iggy Azalea and Azealia Banks should make a song together? Leave your comment below!
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'Naked Chef' Jamie Oliver Explains How Cooking Makes You 'Good-Looking'Thu, 24 May 2012 06:28:32 EDT
Oliver talks to MTV News about the important role the youth play in reversing poor eating habits.
By Christina Garibaldi
Jamie Oliver
Photo: MTV News
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has made a name for himself with his hit television show "The Naked Chef" and his best selling cookbooks, but the British restaurateur has also made it his mission to get people on the fast-track to healthy eating.
Just last week, Jamie Oliver launched the first-ever, global Food Revolution Day, which took place in about 60 countries urging people to focus on food education and to fight obesity. When Oliver sat down with MTV as part of our Pioneers Speaker Series, he told us that young people are the ones who have the power to make a positive change toward healthy eating.
"I think the youth are really important customers, really important. If the youth could come up with something for the youth, I think that would be incredible," Oliver said. "I've worked with so many kids in school and I think they are frustrated whether it's with their own school food or whether it's stuff they get out. I think they are all waiting for something brilliant and when it happens, I think they will buy into it."
With Americans losing the war against obesity and children growing up overweight, Oliver is determined to implement a healthy lifestyle by getting people back into their kitchens, having nutritious meals at school and encouraging communities to plan health-conscious events. But Oliver admits that in order to do this, people have to do their own homework and educate themselves.
"For me, it's about being street wise about food, it's about not getting mugged, and mugged means not getting ripped off it you know about food," Oliver said. "You know where to shop, you know what to avoid, you know what you can do."
And once you have that knowledge, not only can you make a delicious meal, but according to Oliver, you'll probably reap some other benefits, too.
"If you got two good-looking fellas and one can cook and one cant, it's the one that can cook that's getting the look and vice versa for the girls," Oliver admitted. "So all I'm trying to say is cooking is really fun, you're saving money and it will be with you for the rest of your life."
And Oliver says the perfect ingredient when putting together a healthy meal is of course, music. Oliver listens to a different array of songs while preparing his dish.
"I'm split between sort of like ... [the Red Hot] Chili Peppers, Killers, Strokes, sort of mix it up that sort of way and then old, brilliant, miserable British indie music," Oliver said. "But I'm quite eclectic, I like a bit of everything."
'I've learned so much about song structure from Dream,' G.O.O.D. Music MC tells MTV News from his studio.
By Nadeska Alexis, with reporting by Rahman Dukes
The-Dream and Pusha T
Photo: MTV News
Pusha T is laser-focused on his debut album at the moment, trying to craft a cohesive musical project. But if you thought the G.O.O.D. Music signee would hole up in the studio with his boss, Kanye West, think again.
Over the weekend, MTV News caught up with Pusha in Atlanta, where he was in the studio working closely with The-Dream. The two first linked up when producer RicoBeats sent one of Push's tracks to Dream for a feature and eventually collaborated on a few more things. In addition to lending his vocals to the album, The-Dream has been guiding Pusha through the recording process, helping him take his work to a new level.
"It really started with this beat [from] Rico. We were like, 'Yo, Dream would just sound amazing on the record, period.' So we sent it out and it came back so quick. Dream was like, 'Man this is one of the ones,' " Pusha recalled. "Personally, I never thought the record was going to come back that quickly. I was in New Orleans somewhere and Rico was like, 'Aye! Dream did it — he on the phone!" I thought, "OK, wait a minute this might really be something."
Pusha wouldn't reveal exactly how many tracks the two had banked together, but he explained why the R&B singer/producer is the perfect fit for this album.
"Musicality, to me in general, is missing, but [Dream] is a musician, he's a fundamentalist. I've really taken on the student role," Pusha continued. "I feel like I'm in with the best of the best. You've got Dream on one end, you've got Kanye on another end, and you can learn so much. I really look at myself as just a rapper's rapper, but I've learned so much about song structure from Dream.
'This is the most I've ever rewritten," he added. "I wrote the 'Automatic' record, sent it to Dream, and he was like, 'Aye, you rapping too damn much,' and I'm like, 'OK.' How [would you not] listen to the writer of everything? How [would you not] listen to the producer of everything?"
The-Dream was just as enthusiastic about working with Pusha on the album. "I always personally felt like he was one of the best at what he did, period," Dream said. [There's] lots of guys that are great from a rap standpoint, but in songs they're not as great. Sometimes [you need to say], 'Hey, move this part here and this is your hook,' or 'Let's write about this, or let's tap that emotion and let's not rap past the emotion of where it is.' "
For the producer, who has banked countless hits for stars like Rihanna and Beyoncé, it all comes down to focus on proper songwriting and structure. "Compare it to great people, whether it's the B.I.G., whether it's Tupac," Dream explained. "I remember in '96 ... when 'All Eyez on Me' dropped, I wanted to see the credits, and I seen DeVante [Swing's] name — I seen this R&B guy do it. If you really notice, R&B guys actually did always make the best rap records."
Luckily for Pusha, he's got the R&B maestro on his side.
"It's a lot of pressure now, I think, for Pusha to do exactly what I knew he was gonna do, which is write a song," Dream said. "Like write it as a song, not as, 'I have to battle you guys. I'm going to say the hottest line next.' "
Pusha's album is sure to make a splash when it finally drops. On Wednesday, he released the RicoBeats-produced "Exodus 23:1," which seemed to take some subliminal shots at YMCMB. Lil Wayne tweeted one simple message after hearing the song: "F--- pusha t and anybody that love em."
Are you excited to hear what Pusha T's album will sound like? Tell us in the comments!
Related ArtistsFans unlocked three new posters of Bella, Edward and Jacob after an Internet scavenger hunt.
By Kara Warner
Bella's "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" poster
Photo: Summit Entertainment
"Twilight" fans received an early Christmas gift Thursday (May 24) in the form of three brand-new posters for "Breaking Dawn - Part 2." Even better, the creative forces at Summit Entertainment released the posters through a scavenger hunt that required fans to visit their favorite fan sites.
Fans were tasked with finding clues within the text, which led to another web site with a scrambled word that had to be unscrambled in order to unlock the posters. Unsurprisingly, the dedicated and Internet-savvy fans were quick to acquire the "keys" to unlocking the posters.
Each poster features a close-up, artsy photo of one of the franchise's three biggest stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Pictured in character, they all stare fiercely into the camera. The only word on the posters is "Forever," which seems to be a direct nod to the final words in Stephenie Meyer's conclusion to her Twilight Saga.
Fans seem most delighted to see Bella's new vampire eyes, which are almost blood-red in the pic, a nice contrast to the amber color of Edward's eyes. Here is a collection of the expectedly ecstatic reactions on the official Twilight Facebook page:
"Love them!" commented fan Tweedy Sita Mahe. "And I love how they have their own poster. CAN WE HAVE A TRAILER NOW ? PLEASE !"
"So can't wait to see the movie. It is going to be awesome," wrote Lindsey Henderson. "Just wish we didn't have to wait forever. 6 months ugh."
"He's sexier now that he's married & a dad," tweeted a dedicated Team Edward fan Cat Galeano. "DILF."
What do you think of the new "Breaking Dawn" posters? Leave your comment below!
Check out everything we've got on "Breaking Dawn - Part 2."
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