Enterprise boldly launches at world premiere
The new cast of “Star Trek” has launched the starship Enterprise on its maiden voyage.
The 11th big-screen film in the sci-fi series had its world premiere Tuesday at the Sydney Opera House in Australia in advance of its debut in theaters May 8.
Among the stars on hand: Chris Pine, who takes on William Shatner’s old role as James Kirk; Zachary Quinto, who inherits Leonard Nimoy’s Mr. Spock; Karl Urban, filling the shoes of DeForest Kelley’s Dr. McCoy; and Eric Bana, who plays a villainous Romulan.
Directed by J.J. Abrams (TV’s “Lost” and “Alias”), “Star Trek” is a prequel to the 1960s TV series and the subsequent movies, relating how Capt. Kirk, best buddy Spock and their Enterprise crew mates first came together.
New ‘Iron’ in the fire
Robert Downey Jr. is officially back in the superhero business.
Production started Wednesday on “Iron Man 2,” the sequel to the 2008 blockbuster about the Marvel Comics character. Downey reprises his role as a billionaire genius who fights bad guys in a high-tech metal suit that’s loaded with gadgets. “Iron Man 2” reunites him with co-star Gwyneth Paltrow and also features Don Cheadle, who replaces Terrence Howard as the superhero’s military ally.
Mickey Rourke is signed on to play a villain, and the cast also includes Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson, who had a cameo at the end of the first “Iron Man.”
Jon Favreau is back directing for the sequel that hits theaters May 7, 2010.
Jackman the ripped-off
Hugh Jackman says he’s “heartbroken” that his new film, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” was leaked online a month before its official release.
The movie, which focuses on the beginnings of Jackman’s clawed Marvel superhero, is not scheduled for release in the U.S. until May 1, but a work print of the film began appearing online last week.
20th Century Fox said the FBI and Motion Picture Association of America were investigating and promised to prosecute those responsible.
“It’s a serious crime and there’s no doubt it’s very disappointing — I was heartbroken by it,” Jackman said. “Obviously people are seeing an unfinished film. It’s like a Ferrari without a paint job.”