Fans kick-start Braff ‘Garden State’ sequel
Zach Braff has met his goal on Kickstarter, raising $2 million in three days to fund his follow-up to “Garden State.”
The actor-director’s crowd-funding campaign follows Rob Thomas’ wildly successful use of Kickstarter to finance a movie of the defunct TV series “Veronica Mars.” Thomas pulled in $2 million in less than a day, eventually gathering more than $5.7 million in 30 days.
But some observers have criticized Hollywood stars for using the Kickstarter website to dip into the pockets of their loyal fans. Braff has said this is the only way for him to direct his first film since “Garden State” with final cut and his desired casting.
After passing his goal Saturday, the “Scrubs” star said on Twitter: “I will not let you down. Let’s go make a killer movie.”
Eastwood not ready to slow down
Clint Eastwood may be 82 years old, but he dreams of making films for two more decades.
In a wide-ranging conversation Saturday about the art of film directing at the Tribeca Film Festival, Eastwood expressed admiration for 104-year-old Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira.
“It would be great to be 105 and still making films,” Eastwood said. Chuckling, he called such a hope “the ultimate optimism.”
Eastwood last directed 2011’s “J. Edgar,” a biopic of the FBI head J. Edgar Hoover. After acting in last year’s baseball drama “Trouble With the Curve,” he has several films in development.
The “Million Dollar Baby” and “Unforgiven” director joined fellow filmmaker Darren Aronofsky on stage following a screening of the documentary “Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story” by Richard Schickel.
Stolen ‘Pulp Fiction’ convertible found
Authorities say the classic Chevrolet convertible featured in the film “Pulp Fiction” has been found nearly two decades after it was stolen.
The San Bernardino County Sun reports movie director Quentin Tarantino’s 1964 Chevelle Malibu was recovered in the San Francisco Bay Area earlier this week.
John Travolta’s character drove the cherry red car in the movie.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Albert Anolin said an investigation into an old Malibu in the desert city of Victorville on April 18 led detectives to another Malibu in the Oakland area. They then confirmed that vehicle belonged to Tarantino and was reported stolen in 1994.
Authorities say the car’s current owner is not believed to be involved in its theft and is considered to be a victim of a fraud.
The birthday bunch
Author Harper Lee is 87. Actress-singer Ann-Margret is 72. “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno is 63. Actress Bridget Moynahan is 42. Actress Penelope Cruz is 39. Actress Jessica Alba is 32.