As some of you might know, the “Across the Universe” DVD was released on February 8. Thanks to the great Mycah I can provide you all with screencaptures from the movie, its extras as well as clips from both the aforementioned! I’ve also updated the gallery with the posters and two official stills from the movie, where Salma plays five(!) very sexy singing nurses.

If you haven’t seen “Across the Universe” yet, be sure to get yourself a copy or rent it since it’s really a fantastic movie both visually and the story itself. It was directed by Julie Taymor (who also directed the amazing “Frida”) and stars Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood in the lead roles. Click on the previews or links below to see all the new updates!

Also, I’ve updated the video archive with a “brand new” look! It was very much inspired by the one in the gallery, except for the fact that the video-one is “silver” instead of “gold”. Visit the video archive and you’ll see what I mean. ;)

Video Link
• Across the Universe (2007)

ABC has become the latest network forced to slash its pilot season development slate for lack of delivered scripts, even as the writers’ union resumes talks with studio execs.

ABC axed about 40 scripts, more than twice the number of rivals Fox, CBS and The CW, all of whom have already trimmed their slates as a result of the 12-week-old Hollywood writers’ strike.

“The ongoing strike has caused us to re-evaluate our development needs, and we’ve made the difficult decision to reduce the number of scripts under consideration,” said ABC.

Most of the terminated projects, most of them dramas, were being developed by ABC Studios. They include the Salma Hayek-produced pilot for Get Out, as well as One Big Happy, from The War at Home scribe Rob Lotterstein, and an untitled script being developed by non-writing producing duo Nina Wass and Gene Stein, whose overall contract with ABC Studios was an earlier casualty of strike-related cutbacks.

Earlier this week, the Writers’ Guild of America announced that it would head back to the negotiating table for the first time since talks with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers broke down on December 7. A media blackout on those proceedings is in place.

Source: C21Media.net

According to Variety.com, Ken Watanabe has signed on to join John C. Reilly and Salma Hayek in Universal Pictures vampire pic “Cirque du Freak.” He will portray Mr. Tall, the barker for the Cirque.

Paul Weitz is helming the film, which is based on the bestselling 12-book children’s series by Darren Shan. Brian Helgeland (”Mystic River”) penned the screenplay.

Reilly will play a vampire who drafts a 14-year-old to serve as his assistant. The youth is turned into a half-vampire and becomes the catalyst in a battle between vampires and the rival Vampanese. Hayek will play Madame Truska, the bearded lady.

Shooting is set to start next month.

According to several reliable sources (Variety.com for an example), Salma has signed on to star opposite John C. Reilly in Universal Pictures’ horror drama “Cirque du Freak” which will mark her first acting role since her maternity leave with production to begin next month.

Paul Weitz is directing the film, which is based on the bestselling 12-book children’s series by Darren Shan.

Reilly will play a vampire who drafts a 14-year-old to serve as his assistant. The youth is turned into a half-vampire and becomes the catalyst in a battle between vampires and the rival Vampanese. Hayek will play Madame Truska, the bearded lady.

I don’t have any idea how this will interfere with the shooting of “Keep Coming Back”, which is to be filmed next month as well.

The nominations for the 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards have been revealed today, and “Across the Universe” was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. The movie, coming to DVD in February next year, has Salma as a singing nurse in a quick cameo, and she’s singing back-up on a song in the soundtrack as well.

America Ferrera, the star of Salma’s “Ugly Betty” also recieved a nomination, for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Unfortunately the show itself was overlooked this year, and no other cast-mates were nominated either.

The winners will be announced Sunday, January 13th (in exactly one month), next year.