Tom Cruise/Cameron Diaz starrer off to good start

By ANDREW STEWART

wentieth Century Fox’s action caper “Knight and Day” scored an estimated $3.8 million Wednesday at 3,043 locations, repping a solid jump start for the Tom Cruise-Cameron Diaz starrer.

Fox said it hopes word of mouth, coupled with last weekend’s sneaks, will translate through the weekend among older auds. Wednesday’s figures rep a considerable start for “Knight” given that the film’s targeted adult demo typically shy away from mid-week screenings.

Still, comparable adult summer titles released on Wednesday, including last year’s R-rated Universal pic “Public Enemies,” earned $8.2 million opening day. Paramount-DreamWorks’ “Tropic Thunder,” in which Cruise appeared in a cameo role, debuted with $6.5 million in August 2008. Opening three-day totals for “Public Enemies” reached a muted $25.3 million, while “Tropic Thunder” grossed $25.8 million during its inaugural frame.

Overseas prospects for “Knight” look promising as Cruise usually draws top coin in some major markets. Pic launched day and date with the U.S. in 12 markets, including Russia and South Korea.

“Knight” will expand to some 50 more Stateside engagements Friday when it will compete for adult auds with Sony’s wide release “Grown Ups,” which launches at 3,533.

Source: Variety

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The event was hosted by another musical vet, Hugh Jackman. Also in attendance was Catherine Zeta-Jones Joel Grey and James Marsden.

Knight & Day Stills

According to the official synopsis, Roy Milner (Cruise) is a secret agent who goes on a blind date with unlucky-in-love June Havens (Diaz), and ends up pulling her into a journey to protect a powerful battery that holds the key to an infinite power source.

During their glamorous, globetrotting and sometimes deadly adventure, nothing and no one – even the now fugitive couple – are what they seem.

Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the world with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth versus trust.

Also in the action-comedy, directed by James Mangold ((3:10 to Yuma, Walk the Line, Girl, Interrupted) are Peter Sarsgaard, Maggie Grace, Paul Dano, Marc Blucas, Viola Davis and Jordi Mollà.

Knight and Day was shot across the world in locations including Massachusetts, Spain, Austria and Jamaica.

The certificate and running time are to be confirmed. The film was previously set for release on July 2.

Cruise and Diaz previously co-starred in 2001′s Vanilla Sky.

A trailer for Knight and Day is included below. [SOURCE]

One can’t imagine a film ever being made about the life of Louis Theroux. Are his Weird Weekends quite enough for the nation’s television archives? Just in case, Theroux has let it be known that he’d like Tom Cruise to play him. “He’s very intense and I don’t feel I am so I’d like to see him bring his intensity to my lack of intensity. Plus I like it when Americans try to do British accents,” the Daily Express reported. [SOURCE]

“Knight & Day” Movie Stills

Tom Cruise, 47, has launched a seemingly impossible mission – finding a director.

The star of three Mission: Impossible movies is casting around for a director for M:I-4, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Cruise, who recently appeared in Knight and Day with Cameron Diaz, is said to have settled on Brad Bird, the 52-year-old director and writer of The Incredibles in 2004.

Cruise will reprise the role of Ethan Hunt as well as produce the project, with a view to a May 2011 release date.

Cruise and co-producer J.J. Abrams have held talks with film-makers new and old, including Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer and Edgar Wright, who helmed Shaun of the Dead.

Bird, who has never directed an action thriller, seems an odd choice but he is said to be keen on the project. THR reports he is well known for storytelling and staging thrilling action set pieces.

Film website Cinematical also reports Bird is well-known for his desire to enter the action movie arena since a San Fransisco earthquake movie titled 1906 stalled at Warner Bros.
[SOURCE]

The last time Reese Witherspoon played a country singer, the actress took home the Oscar for best actress. It looks like Witherspoon knows what’s good for her as The Los Angeles Times reports that the actress is expected to take on another country singing role in the long anticipated Paper Wings. Furthermore, it looks like Tom Cruise will most likely star alongside her in the film.

At the center of the film’s premise is a rodeo love story. A cowboy champ falls in love with a country singer on the edge of stardom.

Although the film is currently in production with Sony, its first home was supposed to be with New Line Cinema. Overbrook Entertainment, which is owned by Tom Cruise’s friend Will Smith, is currently set to produce the film.

Among the candidates for director is Gabriele Muccino, who previously directed the Will Smith led films Seven Pounds and his Oscar nominated performance in The Pursuit of Happyness.

[SOURCE]