3/24 ETonline - Movies

Liam Neeson Joins Disney Cast March 23, 2009 at 6:12 pm Actor Liam Neeson will be joining the likes of Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Cate Blanchett, Lily Tomlin, Betty White and Cloris Leachman in the new Walt Disney Pictures animated movie, 'Ponyo.' The film is inspired by 'The Little Mermaid' fairy tale and follows an overeager goldfish named Ponyo that is determined to become a human. The character Liam will be voicing in the film has yet to be announced. Anne Hathaway to Play Judy Garland March 23, 2009 at 3:55 pm ET confirms Oscar nominee Anne Hathaway is taking on yet another challenging role as reports say she is set to play renowned actress Judy Garland. Author Gerald Clark's bio of Garland, titled Get Happy, is being adapted by the Weinstein Company. Harvey Weinstein told ET in a statement that the bio "is particularly outstanding because of its exclusive details from her own writings." Weinstein also commented on Hathaway's role in the movie, saying she "will be a true class act in this challenging role." Robin Williams Expected to Make 'Full Recovery' March 23, 2009 at 1:36 pm Comedian Robin Williams is recovering well after successful heart surgery and his doctors say he was making them laugh hours after the operation. "Mr. Williams' operation went extremely well and we expect him to make a full recovery," said surgeon A. Marc Gillinov, about the funnyman's surgery March 13 at the world renowned Cleveland Clinic. The three-and-a-half-hour operation was conducted to replace an aortic valve, repair a mitral valve and correct an irregular heartbeat. "His heart is strong and he will have normal heart function in the coming weeks with no limitations on what he'll be able to do," Gillinov said. He added: "A couple of hours after surgery, he was entertaining the medical team and making us all laugh." Source: Zac Efron No Longer Fancy & 'Footloose' March 23, 2009 at 12:45 pm It seems Zac Efron isn't ready to put his dancing shoes back on just yet. A source tells ET that the tween heartthrob has pulled out of 'Footloose,' a remake of the 80's classic about a newcomer who rails against anti-music laws and teaches a town to dance. The updated version was planned to be helmed by Kenny Ortega, who directed Zac in all three "High School Musical" productions. Sneak Peek: Kristen Stewart in 'Adventureland' March 23, 2009 at 12:00 pm 'Twilight' star Kristen Stewart creates sparks with 'The Squid and the Whale' star Jesse Eisenberg in the retro-summer comedy 'Adventureland' -- and we've got an exclusive sneak peek! In theaters everywhere April 3, 'Adventureland' takes place in the summer of 1987. Jesse plays an uptight recent college grad looking to escape on his dream tour of Europe. But when his parents (Wendie Malick and Jack Gilpin) break the news that they can't afford to pay for his trip, he's forced to pick up a job at the local amusement park, Adventureland. What first looks like a miserable summer full of angry parents, stuffed pandas, puke and screaming kids high on cotton candy turns out to be a blessing in disguise when Jesse falls for captivating co-worker Kristen. Stars Find Inner Child Making 'Monsters vs. Aliens' March 23, 2009 at 9:50 am ET was there for the Los Angeles premiere of the new animated blockbuster 'Monsters vs. Aliens' and presented the stars with fashionably sparkling 3-D glasses. The event coincided with Reese Witherspoon's birthday and the star said she especially had a blast doing the movie since she has two kids of her own. She says her children even helped her pick out her outfit for the big debut. Co-star Rainn Wilson reveals his ultimate birthday gift for Reese. Watch the video for star Seth Rogen's thoughts on the movie and hear how Kiefer Sutherland perfected the voices for his role. Hugh Laurie explains that his involvement in the movie unleashed "an inner crazy person" and Will Arnett called the experience "amazing." Reese Witherspoon's Surprise Birthday Present March 23, 2009 at 6:22 am ET's Kevin Frazier surprised birthday girl Reese Witherspoon on Saturday as she was promoting her new animated film 'Monsters vs. Aliens.' "I'm old enough now to know I don't know anything," the actress told ET. Reese turned 33-years-old on Sunday. The film, which also features the voices of Kiefer Sutherland, Seth Rogen and Hugh Laurie, is a story about a young girl who is struck by a meteorite from outer space, which turns her into a giant monster that helps fight off a subsequent alien invasion. 'Angels & Demons': Exclusive New Scenes! March 23, 2009 at 3:00 am The countdown to the May 15 release of 'Angels & Demons' has begun, and ET has exclusive new scenes from the movie starring Tom Hanks! Read on to find out why the Vatican may not want you to see this movie… The follow-up to the hit phenomenon 'The Da Vinci Code' from Oscar-winning team Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, 'Angels & Demons' finds Tom's Robert Langdon character on the hunt for The Illuminati, a group who believes that faith can be disproved by science. "The Illuminati have resurfaced," explains Ron, "and are using cutting edge science to threaten to destroy the Vatican. … Centuries ago the Catholic Church did persecute scientists who were developing ideas that they thought were progressive and that the church found threatening." Update: Family & Friends Gather for Natasha Richardson's Funeral March 22, 2009 at 1:30 pm Loved ones of actress Natasha Richardson assembled for a private funeral service near her family estate in upstate New York. Richardson's husband Liam Neeson was one of the pallbearers who carried his wife's casket into St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Millbrook, NY. Among the celebrities spotted in the crowd were Ralph Fiennes, Holly Hunter, Uma Thurman and Laura Linney. A burial ceremony was then held under a tent constructed at the nearby St. Peter's Cemetery, where Richardson was laid to rest. Family members attending the service included mother Vanessa Redgrave, sister Joely Richardson and Natasha's two sons with Lesson, Micheal and Daniel. Bruce Willis Marries Actress Girlfriend March 22, 2009 at 12:39 pm ET confirms that actor Bruce Willis has married his girlfriend of a year, model/actress Emma Heming. A small, private wedding ceremony took place on Saturday at Willis' home in Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos, a rep said. In attendance were the 54-year-old actor's first wife, Demi Moore, and her husband Ashton Kutcher, as well as his daughters Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah Belle. The couple plans to hold a civil ceremony when they return to California. Nicolas Cage's 'Knowing' Tops Box Office March 22, 2009 at 12:35 pm The mystery thriller 'Knowing' starring Nicolas Cage took the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office with $24.8 million, studio estimates showed. Coming in second was the romantic comedy 'I Love You, Man,' starring Paul Rudd, Jason Segal and Rashida Jones, which earned an estimated $18 million. At No. 3 was Julia Robert's crime thriller 'Duplicity' -- also starring Clive Owen -- which brought in $14.4 million.