MOVIE NEWS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TIME-TRAVEL

'The Hollywood Reporter' says Gareth Carrivick is directing the movie, which will be a 'Picturehouse' release in association with 'BBC Films' and 'HBO Films'.

The Jamie Mathieson script follows three social outcasts (two geeks and a cynic) as they attempt to navigate a time-travel conundrum in the middle of a British pub. Faris plays a girl from the future that sets the adventure in motion.

THE HOBBIT

Wood: "If [Peter] ultimately doesn't come back because of what 'New Line' has done I think it would be a great tragedy."

"I think it's ultimately quite foolish for 'New Line' to move forward assuming they can create an equally wonderful film without Peter... and I think for that for fans that's tragic. For a long time I never kind of imagined that these movies would ever be made, so if they do get made I think they should be made by Peter."

In related news, unconfirmed rumours suggest 'New Line' have courted Sam Raimi (Spider-Man) to tackle The Hobbit.

STARSHIP TROOPERS III

The original writer, Ed Neumeier (RoboCop) is also back, saying: "-Looks like - fingers crossed -- 'Sony' is moving forward."

"Plans are afoot to shoot next year. Casper Van Dien will be back as Colonel John Rico. There'll be a new bug or two. Also draft riots. Religion makes a comeback. And the Federation has a new weapon."

Neumeier will also direct.

US TOP 10 (CINEMA)

All figures are weekend box-office gross, including Sunday estimates (at the time of posting):

• 1. Happy Feet ($37.0m) (total to date: $99.3m)
• 2. Casino Royale (2006) ($30.8m) (total to date: $94.1m)
• 3. Deja Vu ($20.6m)
• 4. Deck the Halls ($12.0m)
• 5. Borat ($10.3m)
• 6. The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause ($9.93m)
• 7. Flushed Away ($5.76m)
• 8. Stranger Than Fiction ($5.73m)
• 9. Bobby ($4.86m)
• 10. The Fountain ($3.77m)

UK TOP 10 (CINEMA)

• 1. Casino Royale (2006) (£8.54m)
• 2. Borat (£1.47m)
• 3. The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (£1.27m)
• 4. Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny (£0.92m)
• 5. Jackass Number Two (£0.73m)
• 6. Dhoom 2 (£0.41m)
• 7. The Prestige (£0.32m)
• 8. El Labertino del Fauno (£0.29m)
• 9. Step Up (£0.16m)
• 10. Saw III (£0.10m) <

OBITUARIES

Robert Altman: 1925-2006

Legendary director Robert Altman has died at the age of 81, due to complications following cancer. He leaves behind a legacy of classic films such as: M*A*S*H, Gosford Park, Short Cuts, The Player and Nashville.

In his career he was nominated 5 times for Academy Awards and won numerous times at the Cannes Film Festival.

He is survived by his wife Kathryn Reed Altman; six children, Christine Westphal, Michael Altman, Stephen Altman, Connie Corriere, Robert Reed Altman and Matthew Altman; twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.