The franchise marks one of Hollywood's rarities: A series that spawns a half-dozen films and makes more money the longer it plays.

LOS ANGELES — One would never know it from the Memorial Day weekend box-office results, but at one point the Fast/Furious franchise was speeding toward a dead end.
The series got off to a blistering start with 2001'sThe Fast and the Furious but sputtered with 2003's 2 Fast 2 Furious, earning the scorn of critics and just $127 million, well below the original's $145 million. There was talk of sending the third film, Tokyo Drift, straight to home video in 2006.
Hoping to buoy ticket sales, Universal Pictures approached the star of the first movie, Vin Diesel, with an unusual request: return to a franchise he left after the first film. Diesel, who says he disliked the script to 2 Fast 2 Furious, was reluctant until he spoke with director Justin Lin.
"He said he was going to return to the theme of outsiders" with Drift, Diesel recalls. "That was always at the heart of the original story, so I said yes."
While Drift would become the series' poorest performer at $62 million, Diesel's uncredited cameo at the finale had fans buzzing. And, ultimately, dropping cash.

The 2009 follow-up, Fast & Furious, would do $155 million, and Fast Five followed with $210 million in 2011. Then, this weekend, Fast & Furious 6 opened to $120 million, the fourth-highest debut in history for a Memorial Day weekend movie.
Even stars are puzzled by the franchise's midstream turnaround, a rarity among franchises that churn out a half-dozen movies.
"I still can't believe what's happened," says star Jordana Brewster. "But it seemed like once we started focusing on family, we got even bigger."

Indeed, F&F 6 — whose tagline is "You don't turn your back on family even when they turn their backs on you'' — not only lapped the U.S. competition this weekend, it was the No. 1 movie in 59 international markets. And with a sequel slated for July 11, 2014, the series shows no sign of losing its muscle.
"It's easy to downplay movies like Fast and Furious," says Lin, who has helmed every film since Drift. "But that's not fair, to say it's just fast cars and hot people. If it were that easy, every studio would do it. I think we hit upon a culture."
The multi-ethnic cast "broke the stereotypes people were used to seeing in the movies," says star Michelle Rodriguez. "These weren't a bunch of Hispanic and Asian kids selling drugs or being pimps. We were just trying to show a diverse community, not sell it overseas."
But that's what happened. "I'll admit, I was wrong about how much people connected," says star Paul Walker.
Walker says that when Universal Pictures approached him about returning for the fourth film in 2009, "I asked, 'Do people still care about this?' I'll never ask that again."
Today, Diesel says, "We don't look at doing just the next film. We look two or three movies down the road and make sure the family element is consistent. That's what gives the story its emotional integrity. That's what keeps us consistent with the story, with the fans. That doesn't happen a lot in Hollywood."
power by : www.usatoday.com

Suki Waterhouse Stuns in French Connection Ads.

 

Suki Waterhouse looks stunning all in white for French Connection.

The British model is the face of the label's new White Lies collection, a 15-piece line focusing solely on the colour of the moment.

The 20-year-old strikes a pose in the campaign photos, showing off smart shirts, tailored trousers and slouchy, soft sweaters.

Also featuring in the all-white line-up is a pretty ruffled dress that will surely be big news for summer parties.

The blonde model wears her hair slicked back and loose as she looks longingly into the distance, wearing the frilly frock.

The collection will be available from April 29 and Suki has also given a sneak peek at what's to come in a short clip for French Connection and Grazia magazine.

The video shows the gorgeous star striking her poses and also laughing as she enjoys herself during the shoot.

White was big news on the Spring/Summer 13 catwalk for labels like Louis Vuitton and can easily be incorporated into every new-season wardrobe.

Whereas it might seem like a tricky colour to pull off, team with black and go for a monochrome approach if you prefer.

Suki, who is currently dating Hollywood hunk Bradley Cooper, is also keeping busy with other projects.

The model recently teased she will be making an appearance on the silver screen soon.

'I’ve got an acting project coming up that I’m starting really soon and I’m so excited,' she divulged to British newspaper The Telegraph.

'I can’t wait.'

arabia.msn.com

Jennie Garth ‘More Confident Than Ever’

Jennie Garth is apparently feeling more confident about her bikini body than she has done in years.
The former Beverly Hills, 90210 actress recently celebrated her 41st birthday with a trip to Mexico. Jennie turned heads while enjoying the balmy climate, showing off her impressively toned physique in a series of pretty bikinis. Those close to the blonde star say she is slowly rebuilding her self-esteem following her marriage breakdown last year.
'She’s said she hasn’t felt this confident in years,' a source told British magazine Closer.
Jennie and Twilight star Peter Facinelli announced they were divorcing after 11 years of marriage in March last year. The actress lost around 30lbs. while going through the painful break-up.
However, the busy mother-of-three is now embracing a healthy eating and exercise regime and is looking and feeling great.
During her birthday vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Jennie hit the headlines after being photographed in a skimpy hot pink ruffled two-piece swimsuit. As well as enjoying a swim in the sea with her children, Jennie kept active by paddle-boarding, kayaking, hiking and zip-lining.
'Jennie is in the gym every day, plus she drinks loads of veggie smoothies with protein powder,' a source explained.
Jennie recently revealed that positive thinking had been a huge help in rebuilding her confidence.
'There's no room for negative self talk. None. Just ban it from your vocabulary,' she advised.
http://arabia.msn.com

Eddie Murphy Is Hollywood's Most Overpaid Actor (INFOGRAPHIC)

 

Did you see "A Thousand Words"? Not many people did. Eddie Murphy's past three movies generated only $2.30 at the box office for every dollar of his salary, making him the most overpaid actor in Hollywood last year, according to a Forbes survey (via Statista).

Katherine Heigl came in second, bringing in only $3.40 for every dollar of her pay. Her latest crime thriller, "One For the Money," made back less than its $40-million budget at the box office worldwide.

Better luck next time? Heigl stars alongside Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton and Amanda Seyfried in the big-screen romantic comedy "The Big Wedding," in theaters later this month. Next up for Murphy: reprising his role in the 1984 classic film "Beverly Hills Cop" for a TV version.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Jackie Chan wins Best Director trophy

KARACHI: Jackie Chan beat competition away and was selected as the Best Director at the 9th Huading Awards, held at the Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre for his superhit “Chinese Zodiac.”

Hollywood’s beloved Hong Kong superstar has received many shiny trophies and accolades around the world in his decades of acting, such as multiple People’s Choice Awards. But the actor was all smiles at the event because this is his first ever best director award in Hong Kong. The award is all the more special because Chinese Zodiac is the action star’s 100^th movie.

“Mr. Nice Guy” reportedly said he probably got lucky because the award doesn’t come easy. Media outlets also quote him as having said that he does not intend to direct again because he finds it too difficult and that “Project A” (1983) took seven years and he does not know how many more years he may have.

Last year, the “Rush Hour” star reportedly said Chinese Zodiac would be his last action movie, because he now wants to explore other genres.

The best film award went to “Cold War”, while Nicholas Tse was selected Best Actor for "The Bullet Vanishes." Fan Bingbing, who will reportedly also appear in “Iron Man 3” won Best Actress award for “Double Exposure.”

                Jim Carrey signs up for 'Ricky Stanicky'

 

 

THE Hollywood Reporter has announced that Jim Carrey will play an unemployed actor who is hired by three lying friends in a comedy by Summit Entertainment.

Thanks to Carrey's participation, a project that began three years ago with James Franco in the lead role is back on track. "Ricky Stanicky" will focus on three good friends whose wives unexpectedly ask them to finally meet their famous friend, Ricky.

But Ricky doesn't exist: he is the trio's imaginary scapegoat and alibi.

"Ricky Stanicky" will be directed by Steve Oedekerk, who directed Jim Carrey in "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" (1995). He was also responsible for the screenplay of "Bruce Almighty" (2003), in which Carrey also played the lead. Filming is set for summer.
power by : http://www.mmail.com.my