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Johnny Depp’s Divorce from Amber Heard Cost Him $7 Mil Plus A Whole $170 Mil Movie

Roger Friedman
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Johnny Depp’s Divorce from Amber Heard Cost Him $7 Mil Plus A Whole $170 Mil Movie

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have settled their divorce. Reports are it cost Depp $7 million and a fingertip.

But the divorce, timed impeccably by Heard, also cost Depp a $170 million movie called “Through the Looking Glass.” Released as the divorce allegations flew, “Looking Glass” made just $76 million in the U.S.

Including foreign countries, the total take was $292 million. But most of that was in foreign countries where a) a movie star in almost anything will sell, and b) those people hadn’t “HEARD’ all the bad things Amber said about Johnny.

Depp has now gone 5 years without starring in a movie that’s gotten close to $100 million at the box office. And the last one was “Pirates of the Caribbean: Who Cares?” back in 2011. The Lone Ranger, Black Mass, Transcendence, Mortdecai, Dark Shadows, Rum Diary– all flops. “Into the Woods” did ok, but it was an ensemble piece and Depp was barely in it.

Is he still a movie star? Or did Amber Heard finish him off? You tell me.

 

Kirk Kerkorian-Backed “The Promise” with Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac Set for Toronto Film Fest

Roger Friedman
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Kirk Kerkorian-Backed “The Promise” with Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac Set for Toronto Film Fest

I told you a year and a half ago exclusively that 97 year old billionaire Kirk Kerkorian was backing a major movie about the Armenian genocide.

And so it has to come pass: Terry George’s “The Promise” will debut next month as a gala at the Toronto Film Festival. Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac vie for the attentions of Charlotte LeBon in a love story set against the genocide. The movie was shot in Spain, filling in for Turkey.

George is the director of “Hotel Rwanda,” one of the great films of all time, and writer of Jim Sheridan’s classics “In the Name of the Father” and “The Boxer.” We’re crossing our fingers on this one. “The Promise” should be catnip for studios in search of a big Oscar release at Christmas.

Kerkorian died 13 months ago, but his vision has been fulfilled.

The other gala announced by TIFF today is “Norman,” directed by Joseph Cedar, and starring Richard Gere and Steve Buscemi.

Robin Swicord wrote the screenplay with George, but Swicord also has a movie he directed debuting in Toronto. It’s called “Wakefield,” starring Bryan Cranston and Jennifer Garner. I have to concentrate on Swicord. He’s not Robin Colcord, from “Cheers.” And “Wakefield” is not about Dan Wakefield.

TIFF looks very promising this fall.

 

“Make A Wish” Gets New Meaning as Title of Film About Dying 14 Year Old’s Search for First Time Sex

Roger Friedman
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“Make A Wish” Gets New Meaning as Title of Film About Dying 14 Year Old’s Search for First Time Sex

The Make-A-Wish Foundation gives dying kids all kinds of wonderful opportunities, from trips around the world to meetings with celebrities, adventures in unusual places.

But “Make a Wish” is about to have yet again a new meaning in the lexicon. A new movie called “Make A Wish” is about one we don’t hear about on the Today Show or “Ellen.”

The Paramount film is about a 14 year old boy who blackmails a recently disgraced (arrested for DUI) NFL player into helping him, er, “get laid.” Indeed. (I would bet this title is not sanctioned by that illustrious organization.)

The player will be played by the great Anthony Mackie. The kid is being cast right now, age 14 to 18, “a man trapped in a boy’s body…who knows his time is running out…”

There should be a lot of double entendres in this film– along the lines of scoring. The kid is described as terminally ill, so we know he’s going to die at the end of the film, having discovered friendship is more important than after glow. (So many jokes here– he’ll be able to have a post-coital cigarette since he’s already on the way out, etc.)

One of the best “mentoring” films in this mode was “Rodger Dodger” with Campbell Scott and introducing Jesse Eisenberg. Of course, no one died in that film.

Director is Justin Simien, who made the Sundance hit “Dear White People.” Unclear so far if the NFL will put up some dough for branding. Kids may start faking being sick just to get into this program. (That’s the sequel.)

Broadway: Tony Shalhoub, John Turturro, Jessica Hecht Coming in Arthur Miller’s “The Price”

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: Tony Shalhoub, John Turturro, Jessica Hecht Coming in Arthur Miller’s “The Price”

We’re going to have a busy Broadway winter season, with lots of stars, that’s for sure.

Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub is starring in Arthur Miller’s “The Price,” directed by Terry Kinney and co-starring John Turturro and Jessica Hecht. Whew! Performances begin Feburary 17th and the play opens March 17th. That’s three Tony nominations right there.

Kinney, a Steppenwolf alum, directed Neil Labute’s hit “Reasons to be Pretty,” plus many other shows. He’s also a well regarded actor, from “thirtysomething” right up through “Billions.”

Shalhoub, Turturro, and Hecht are all A listers. Hecht will be wrapping up her run as Golde in the “Fiddler on the Roof” revival. Turturro is involved in HBO’s hit drama “The Night Of.” Shalhoub is coming from the weird CBS summer dramedy “BrainDead.”

Also announced: Julie Taymor directing a revival of “M. Butterfly.” The original hit play starred John Lithgow and B.D. Wong. They’re casting now for the two principals.

Books: “Powerhouse,” the Untold Story of CAA Lands With a Thud in Bookstores, Etc

Roger Friedman
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Books: “Powerhouse,” the Untold Story of CAA Lands With a Thud in Bookstores, Etc

You think the public wants Hollywood gossip. But they want it in a straightforward way, not mixed with bland recollections of Hollywood agents.

And so “Powerhouse: The Untold Story of Creative Artists Agency” is a hit at dinner, and broken up into news bits. But as a book, it’s a dud. It’s number 209 at Amazon, 408 on Barnes and Noble in hardcover, and number 1,001 on Amazon Kindle.

The public, it seems, isn’t so interested in a long Premiere magazine type oral history of a talent agency. Mike Ovitz’s memories and critiques were not clamored for summer reading.

In Malibu and East Hampton? Maybe. But in the summer of Trump, and police demonstrations, and Pokemon Go, not so much in 48 states.

Perhaps a version of “Powerhouse” just with anecdotes from movie stars, or about them. The ones I extracted about Cher and David Letterman were very readable. There was one I didn’t even use about Goldie Hawn wanting to be in “Thelma and Louise.” But otherwise, the machinations of Ovitz, and who liked who and who hated who, and whose mansion was built on what property– didn’t strike a note in the homeland. Or the Bread Basket.

But for entertainment press, and people who work in showbiz, or knew Jay Moloney, the tragic prince of CAA, “Powerhouse” is still a great read.

Rudy Giuliani Thinks September 11th Didn’t Happen, Or George W. Bush Wasn’t President

Roger Friedman
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Rudy Giuliani Thinks September 11th Didn’t Happen, Or George W. Bush Wasn’t President

This will be the video seen around the world. Via Mashable: Rudy Giuliani thinks terrorist attacks in the US happened only while Clinton or Obama were president. He has forgotten that George W. Bush was president when the Twin Towers were attacked on September 11, 2001– when Giuliani was mayor of New York. Poor Rudy. And he’s Trump’s big speaker.

Exclusive: “The View” Gets New Theme Song from Mary J. Blige Written by Emmy Nominee Diane Warren

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: “The View” Gets New Theme Song from Mary J. Blige Written by Emmy Nominee Diane Warren

EXCLUSIVE The View is getting a new theme song when it returns on September 6th.

“World’s Gone Crazy” is the name of the song, and the fiery Mary J. Blige has recorded it according to my music sources who o-Bliged my requests.

It turns out the writer of the song is none other than Diane Warren, whose “Til it Happens to You” is nominated for an Emmy award right now from the movie “The Hunting Ground.”

This is funny– Warren’s song was nominated for a Grammy and an Oscar as well, with Lady Gaga as co-writer. They didn’t win, which was a crime and a surprise. But now it could win– and should–at the Emmys. This time, due to a technicality, Gaga is not nominated. But she’s THRILLED– we actually discussed this at the Tony Bennett birthday party. She said: “Please write it’s the only song that’s been nominated for all three awards. I’m so proud of it.”

Whoopi Goldberg returns for a 20th season moderating “The View,” with my pal Joy Behar and some other people. I’ll watch the show just for the two of them, frankly. Raven-Symone is returning (maybe, who knows). No one asked me, but those ABC producers should get someone like actress Tamara Tunie, a smart, articulate, adult black woman on there in addition to R-S.

Anyway, can’t wait to hear the new song, and maybe Mary J will appear and sing it live during the opening week.

David Letterman– A Hoosier Like Mike Pence– Implicitly Endorses Hillary with Commercial

Roger Friedman
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David Letterman– A Hoosier Like Mike Pence– Implicitly Endorses Hillary with Commercial

You know how much we all miss Dave Letterman. I hadn’t realized until just now that he has implicitly endorsed Hillary Clinton. Letterman has licensed a clip from his show in which he — in 2012– sandbagged Donald Trump over the manufacturing of his shirts and ties. It’s brilliant on many levels. Remember, Dave hails from Indiana, home of Trump VP running mate Mike Pence.

Dave, even the beard is forgiven now. Watch Trump’s face as Dave announces the shirts were made in Bangla Desh and the ties are made in China.

Just in case you’re wondering, Dave’s company Worldwide Pants had to license that clip to the Clinton campaign.

Adele Tells Concert Fans “I’m not doing the Super Bowl…It’s not about Music, that show”

Roger Friedman
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Adele Tells Concert Fans “I’m not doing the Super Bowl…It’s not about Music, that show”

Adele has been so successful she can turn the Super Bowl. She told fans at a concert that she was offered the gig but turned it down. “That show is not about music,” she said. Good for her!

Box Office: “Suicide Squad” Narrowly Grills “Sausage Party,” Meryl Sings Up $6.5 Mil

Roger Friedman
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0
Box Office: “Suicide Squad” Narrowly Grills “Sausage Party,” Meryl Sings Up $6.5 Mil

The big news on Friday was that Seth Rogen’s “Sausage Party” might cook “Suicide Squad” for the weekend. But in the end, the talking deli meats fell to the super heroes, even though they still registered on hot coals.

“Suicide Squad” took $43.7 mil for a US total so far of $222 million. The saucissons scored a record for an R rated animated movie opening in August with spicy mustard for $33.6 million.

Meanwhile, back among movies that aren’t animated or feature comic book characters: “Florence Foster Jenkins” with Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant is in semi-wide release and took in $6.8 million. That’s a solid beginning, because it’s almost impossible now to get adults to theaters even if something is well reviewed. Look at “Cafe Society,” which took off strong but is slowing down considerably. How about second rounds of publicity for these films, or some new ads?

In this category there’s also “Captain Fantastic,” which may not hit $5 million and should have done twice as much. Are these distributors simply going to cede ground to Netflix and Amazon, et al? And then there’s Steven Spielberg’s badly handled “The BFG,” which will end its run at $53 million US and worldwide total $127 million. Spielberg must be fuming.

PS It’s August 14th, and only one of the movies in this week’s top 10– “Florence Foster Jenkins”– will register any mention at the Oscars this year, maybe. Keep that in mind.

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