Will Smith is still trying to get his Hurricane Katrina film "American Can" off the ground for Columbia Pictures, but Denzel Washington might take over starring duties to help it all happen sooner rather than later.In an online report posted late Tuesday (June 28) on the blog Vulture, which is the online entertainment arm of New York magazine, movie "insiders" are quoted as saying Smith's decision to star in M. Night Shyamalan's "One Thousand A.E." meant he would have to further delay "American Can" -- or find a new leading man.
Enter Washington, who has been offering notes on the project and, assuming Smith and the suits at Columbia Pictures agree it's "a good match," could assume the lead role, Vulture reports.
Smith would remain a producer on the film, which is being developed through his Overbrook Entertainment shingle.
Read more about "American Can" at NOLA.com
"Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer got a taste of Lousiana when Summit Entertainment set up shop in Baton Rouge late last year to shoot the two-part " The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn." Here's hoping she liked what she saw -- because it appears she's coming back. In a news release yesterday (June 27) announcing its acquisition of the big-screen adaptation of Meyers' non-"Twlight" tale "The Host," fledgling distributor Open Road Films revealed that the film will shoot in Louisiana and New Mexico starting in February. Chris Stelly of the state's office of film and video confirmed late today that his office has, indeed, been contacted by the production, but he said it's unclear where exactly the film would shoot, adding that it has yet to file an application with the state's tax-incentive program for filmmaking. The Host, published in 2008, was Meyer's highly anticipated follow-up to her "Twilight" series, which as a film series has grossed over $1.4 billion in worldwide box office ticket sales to date. Continue reading at NOLA.com
 Thursday night (June 23) on "Late Show with David Letterman," Segel revealed that he dropped some significant weight recently. The impetus: His extended time in New Orleans last summer to shoot the Duplass brothers film "Jeff Who Lives at Home."
While in town, he put on some serious weight, getting as heavy as 245 pounds, he said. To prove it he brought along a particuarly embarrassing photo to show Letterman.
"My lowest point (came when) I shot a movie in New Orleans. New Orleans has, like, the best food and booze anywhere," Segel said, drawing applause from the "Late Show" studio audience. "Just amazing. Well, I really took advantage of it. And unfortunately my assistant had, like, a key to my room in case I overslept. And she came in one morning to wake me up and she took a bunch of pictures of what I had become."
He then proceeded to show a photo of himself, sprawling out on his hotel bed, asleep -- and with Taco Bell wrappers covering his chest.
Now, you know you have a problem when you fall asleep mid-meal. But when you come to New Orleans and eat yourself comatose on Taco Bell? That right there is what you call intervention time.
"Honest to God, Jason, this looks like a crime scene," Letterman says.
Continue reading at NOLA.com
 Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez After shooting "The Expendables" and "The Mechanic" back-to-back in New Orleans in 2009, it looks as if Jason Statham will be making a return trip to New Orleans this summer -- and possibly with "American Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez in tow.Statham is slated to star in director Taylor Hackford's "Parker" -- named after the hard-boiled career crimal at the center of Donald Westlake's long-running book series -- and this week, word emerged online that Lopez is in negotiations to play the female lead.
The film's New Orleans shoot has been rumored for weeks, but an email to Hackford's office went unanswered. Then, this morning (June 23), the state film office revealed that the film will shoot for seven weeks in New Orleans starting July 18th.
Continue reading at NOLA.com
The 1st Annual Louisiana Film Festival December 30th, 2011 Manship Theatre at the Shaw Center for the Arts The mission of the first annual Louisiana Film Festival is to encourage, foster, and promote Louisiana's talented independent filmmakers by providing a public venue to showcase their artistry. It is these artists who will a play a critical role in the future of Louisiana’s Film Industry. This festival will showcase the work of select talented Louisiana independent film makers. By encouraging Louisiana Filmmakers to continue in their fields, we will help build “experience that makes filming here even more attractive to the television and movie industry” (Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden, 2009.) The Louisiana Film Festival will help strengthen the foundation of the Louisiana Film Industry, with hopes to propel Louisiana to the number one spot for total film productions in America. With Louisiana dubbed as Hollywood of the South, we are quickly earning its' place as a top tier filming location. Louisiana is currently ranked 3rd in the nation for total number of film productions (Louisiana Entertainment Office, 2010) Continue reading at 225alive.com
Ryan and Blake, you guys were in Louisiana, which were pretty desolate where you were filming. So could you tell me what you guys did in your spare time? I know Blake, you did a lot of baking. And for Mark and Peter, you guys are very unrecognizable. Could you explain talk about the heavy duty prosthetics on yourselves? Full article at ComicBookMovie.com
Reynolds: First off, let me defend New Orleans as far from a desolate place. New Orleans is one of the most exciting, incredible communities in the world. There’s such a rich culture and history, and there are innumerable things to do. It was actually the exact worst place you want to bring a bunch of never-do-well actors to shoot a big-budget movie.
Thankfully, everybody reeled it in and kept it contained. For me, any time you step outside of your house in New Orleans, you’re going to see something incredible. You’re going to hear some of the best jazz music, eat some of the best food, and see some of the best entertainment in the world. That’s a city that keeps getting knocked down, but they just keep getting back up. There’s a real spirit there that amazes me to this day.
The New Orleans Film Society and the Consulate General of France present the French Film Festival of New Orleans. Presented at the Prytania Theater from July 8 to July 14, 2011, it will propose an eclectic program of 9 films with 2 classics, which are premieres in Louisiana, broadcast in French with English subtitles.
Prytania Theater
5339 Prytania Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
Click here for a list of films!
 Joe and Jim Hanna MANDEVILLE, La — Joe Hanna, owner of Hanna Brothers Film & Event Catering and his brother Jim Hanna, a former New Orleans Saints Football Player, built a 10,000 square foot commissary facility as their home base for their film catering business in Slidell, La in 2004. In 1997, they purchased some older equipment and bid low on jobs, until they were able to develop relationships and grow their reputation in the film industry to what it is in Louisiana today. “We will stay here indefinitely, unless they take the tax credit away, it would cripple the industry,” said Jim Hanna. The tax incentives are a win, win situation for both the State of Louisiana, as well as all in the film industry who have come here to benefit, said Jim Hanna. “The Legislation is doing a good thing, tax incentives make it worth while for production companies to come here. Major studios have to crunch numbers in this economy, and find that they can do it for less in Louisiana,” said Jim Hanna Continue reading here.
 'Green Lantern' Extras in Harahan NEW ORLEANS — Over 100 extras gathered to watch Green Lantern at the AMC Elmwood Palace 20 in Harahan, La Saturday June 18. The group was comprised of background talent who worked several months on the film shot in New Orleans in the summer of 2010. The event was organized by one of the background talent, Michael Arnona, who had planned several other events during the shooting. During shooting there were many talks among the extras that when the film came out they would arrange to see it together, said Arnona “As the date approached no one else took the initiative so I went ahead and started planning it,” said Arnona. He was surprised by just how large the response was, said Arnona. There were in total over 3000 extras during the New Orleans filming, said Robin Batherson, of Batherson casting who came to show her support. “I had a great group of people that were with us as extras and they are going to come with me to the next movie as well,” said Batherson. Continue reading here.
The New Orleans Film Society has staked out the dates for its 22nd annual New Orleans Film Festival: Oct. 14 to Oct. 20.As usual, the 2011 edition of the festival will include film screenings, panel discussions, workshops, receptions, awards presentations, opening and closing night events, "and numerous opportunities for learning, networking and celebrating the finest in cinema, with a special focus on Louisiana-produced films," the release said.Tickets and passes will go on sale in late September or early October. New Orleans Film Society members will be able to purchase advance tickets and will receive discounts on all events.Continue reading at NOLA.comFor more information, visit the NOFS website.
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