N
E
W
S
Astro Boy Movie and Voice Cast Announced
________ June 16, 2008
It's just been announced that the classic manga comic Astro Boy (I know nothing about it, but apparently it's classic) is going to be made into a movie for 2009 release. CG-animated, the characters will be voiced by Eugene, Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, and Bill Nighy.
"Set in futuristic Metro City, Imagi Studios' Astro Boy is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist to replace the son he has lost. Unable to fulfill the grieving father's expectations, our hero embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before he returns to save Metro City and reconcile with the man who had rejected him."
Whoa snap.
Some articles (they pretty much say the same things):
- SuperheroFlix.com
- Variety
- iStockAnalyst
The Promotion Cameo
________ June 13, 2008
According to this article from nbc10.com, it appears that Eugene makes a bit of a cameo as Seann William Scott's supermarket boss in the new Steve Conrad movie The Promotion. I was already anticipating the slighty-off comedy that stars John C. Reilly, Jenna Fisher (Office love!), and Fred Armison, but this seals the deal.
It's out in theatres already, but you may have to look a bit harder than normal since it's not in full wide release.
News Round-Up; Anti-Smoking PSA
________ May 29, 2008
She lives! Apologies for the lack of updates...I've been busy finishing up a Master's degree. Which I did! Go education!
So, here are the good ol' bullets to fill you in on a few of Eugene's happenings this month.
- The SCTV Reunion was a hit, of course. There's not a whole lot about it online, and there's no word about whether a recording will be released, but here's a couple of links worth looking at:
-Show and after-party review from Dave Pye. (Eugene didn't make it to the party, it seems.)
-Review from thestar.com.
- Nice pics from the GG Awards gala care of macleans.ca, including this one of Eugene and his kids:
- Eugene stars in an anti-smoking PSA that will be shown in movie theatres across Canada. Read the release here and watch the PSA at the Will Rogers Institute website.
- Not sure if this is new or not, but a DVD, Greg The Bunny: Best of the Film Parodies Volume 2 is available. Details here.
Congrats and Reminders
________ May 4, 2008
Eugene with Governor-General Michaëlle Jean at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, May 2.
© Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press c/o globeandmail.com
"I'm feeling pretty damn good," Mr. Levy said at the pre-performance reception. "This is a really big honour and you feel the weight of this honour when you're actually here." (Ottawa Citizen)
Reminders:
- Tomorrow night, May 5th, is the highly anticipated SCTV Benefit of Laughter reunion show.
- National Arts Centre Orchestra's "Music and Humour with Eugene Levy" event is happening on May 10th. Recent info from OttawaStart here.
Also, here's a great interview and article with Eugene from The Candian Jewish News. (Thanks for the advertising, CJN!)
5/5/08 Updates:
- There is a second SCTV show tomorrow night, and some $250 tickets are left!!
- A new portrait by Sarah Lazarovic!
- Levy himself provided a satiric gem of a performance in a mock-doc made for the occasion where he insists, despite the doubts of the interviewer, that this is the third time he has received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Governor General, even claiming that Adrienne Clarkson took a taxi to his house to present one of the previous awards. hahaha
Martin Short reminisces
________ April 26, 2008
Hey all,
Martin Short reminisces over his longtime friendship with Eugene as the GG awards quickly approach! Some nice stories and tidbits in this one from The Windsor Star. (Such as: Martin once dated Eugene's sister Barbara, and Eugene is now a resident of LA right down the street from Martin. BFFs!)
Hope everyone is doing well this spring!
4/30/08 Update:
A lovely article about the upcoming SCTV reunion from The Canadian Press.
Update on GG Awards
________ April 5, 2008
Hey all,
A few updates here on the Governor General's award ceremony. It's been announced that the ceremony will be hosted by entertainer Gregory Charles, and Martin Short will be presenting a tribute to Eugene.
More info: "Ticket prices are $50, $60, $65, $75, $85, $150 available through the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00) located at 53 Elgin Street in Ottawa, and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111, or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. Major credit cards accepted.
For more information visit the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Web site at www.nac-cna.ca/2008_ggawards/index.html or www.bce.ca/ggawards."
- Enter a drawing to win tickets here!
- Eugene's page on the GG website
Governor General's Award; Guest-Levy Work on Broadway!
________ March 13, 2008
It's been announced, Eugene will recieve an honor for Lifetime Artistic Achievement as part of Canada's annual Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. He'll be presented with the award at Rideau Hall on Friday, May 2 by Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean. (May's shaping up to be a busy month for Eugene...a national honor, SCTV reunion, and orchestra show all planned for about a week's time!) The whole affair will actually last three days, including a ceremony, dinner, and a performance gala (gotta love the galas).
This year, the others receiving the Gov. Gen. awards are: pianist Anton Kuerti, director and choreographer Brian Macdonald, playwright and arts advocate John Murrell, documentary filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin and Quebec rock star Michel Pagliaro. The award includes $25,000 and a commemorative medallion struck by the Royal Canadian Mint.
Levy's thoughts? "'I firmly believe my best work is still ahead of me so I'm not sure what this means,' he said in a telephone interview with The Canadian Press from his California home." (That is indeed good to hear.) "I think once the awards start rolling out your way, people are trying to tell you something possibly, but I'm not ready for retirement right now."
Hats off to you, sir!
NOTE!: "Tickets for the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala on Saturday, May 3 go on sale to the general public as of March 17, 2008 at the NAC Box Office and through Ticketmaster, (613) 755-1111 or www.ticketmaster.ca."
links:
- National Post, with this exciting news: "It's a tough time in the industry because there are fewer movies being made. But Chris [Guest] and I are working on adapting one of our movies into a Broadway play, which is gratifying, and it's a direction that's really intriguing to both of us." !!! Which one are you hoping for?!
- thestar.com...a particularly interetsing interview with his thoughts on the awards, missing John Candy at the upcoming SCTV reunion, comedy films, Jack Benny, Gooby (he plays the villain), and the performance industry; check it out!
- cbc.ca
- Canadian news release
- canada.com
SCTV Live Reunion !!
________ March 6, 2008
This is Earl Camembert-worthy news, folks...for the first time in 24 years, the cast of SCTV is reuniting live on the Second City stage in Toronto! You read that correctly!
The event, titled "The Benefit of Laughter," is scheduled for one night only, on Monday, May 5th at 8 pm. Eugene, Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Joe Flaherty and Dave Thomas are set to be there, while Rick Moranis and Harold Ramis are attempting to find time as well. Women Fully Clothed and Colin Mochrie will also be part of the show.
Tickets aren't cheap--going for $250 (it's been mentioned these appear to be sold out already) or $500 (which includes an invitation to the cast reception)--but the money's going somewhere useful...and it is going to be an amazing show. The event will benefit the Alumni Fund, which helps Second City cast and crew alumni with health and/or money difficulties. (Second City will be holding similar events in the future in other SC cities, so keep an eye out if you're interested!)
"'I am thrilled to have this wonderful collection of Second City alums come home and support their colleagues and friends who may be experiencing some difficulties in their lives,' said executive producer Andrew Alexander."
Tickets are available online or through the Second City box office at 416-343-0011.
EDIT: It looks like it's already waitlist only. Call to be put on!
sources:
- globeandmail.com, SCTV players to reunite for Toronto benefit
- torontoist, SCTV Is On The Stage
- thestar.com, SCTV reuniting for a good cause
- The Second City - offical news
The Pie franchise...
________ January 27, 2008
Some cast continuity from movie to movie is important, Mr. Kornblau said, which is why the "American Pie" DVD spinoffs all feature Eugene Levy as a father figure -- even though the character’s son stopped appearing after the series ended its run in theaters.
"We think he is crucial to this franchise because his character represents the heart of the movie," Mr. Kornblau said. "His presence reminds fans that we are maintaining the integrity of the franchise." (Mr. Levy declined to be interviewed.)
more from the Times here
Orchestral Humor in Ottawa
________ January 13, 2008
This summer, Eugene's going to be part of a family music show as part of the National Arts Centre Orchestra's children's concert series. The concert, scheduled for May 10, 2008 in Ottawa, will feature Eugene as the host, conductor Boris Brott, and the Les Sortilèges dance company. The show promises "a romp through the funny side of music," and who doesn't love a good romp? There'll be two hour-long showings (both bilingual, even), and there's going to be fun stuff to do if you show up 45 minutes before the concert starts.
Read more and grab some tickets (which aren't more than $20, btw!):
- NAC: Music and Humour with Eugene Levy
- The Ottawa Citizen: More about the concert series
In other news, Eugene's name in Gooby (which has recently wrapped filming) has been upgraded from "Mr. Fish" to "Mr. Nerdlinger." Muuuuch better.
(P.S. The site's been reorganized a bit, so take a refamiliarizing look around!)
Bids, Beta, and Birthday
________ December 14, 2007
- Bids on a LA lunch date with Eugene end TODAY...so hurry over if you have about $900 and you're interested.
- Bids on Eugene's crystal star for the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada close on Monday, the 17th.
- Beta House will be out on DVD on Sunday, Dec. 23th. (A Region 2 version has apparently already been release in the UK on the 10th.) Try to win copy of Beta House, or a PSP system, by entering here by Dec. 31st.
Happy early birthday wishes to Eugene, who will be 61 on Monday, Dec. 17th!!!
Get a sandwich with Eugene in LA
________ December 8, 2007
Popping in quickly to let you know about Eugene's latest charity opportunity. If you've got an extra $500 or so, bid and see if you can win a lunch date with the man himself! It's gotta be in LA, and the bidding ends on December 14th.
The money from the auction will go to Band of Parents, a nonprofit organization that raises money for research of neuroblastoma, "an aggressive cancer that forms in immature nerve cells and is diagnosed in about 650 children every year." (Article here.)
(By the way, Beta House's coming out on DVD soon.)
11/23/06 Late Show Apperance - Thanksgiving repeat
________ November 21, 2007
Just a heads up. Eugene's becoming a U.S. Thanksgiving tradition on late night: if you missed Eugene's interview with Dave Letterman on CBS's Late Show last year--which was on Thanksgiving--you can enjoy a rerun of it this year, tomorrow on Thanksgiving night (Nov. 22nd). The interview was during the For Your Consideration publicity stuff. (Has it really been a year? Wow.)
Holiday Decoration a la Eugene
________ November 19, 2007
News from CNW in time for the upcoming holiday season...the Toronto Eaton Centre is teaming up with Swarovski Canada, a fine maker of all things crystal, and some local celebrities to raise money for the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.
"On November 22 at 6 p.m., host Justin Trudeau along with 2006 Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, Santa Claus and a host of carolers will kick-off the festivities by revealing the third annual Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree, a one-of-a kind 35' (10.6 m) high and 20' (6.1 m) wide rotating tree adorned with 10,000 brilliant crystals." Go check it out! Apparently there are "a variety of activities designed to dazzle and delight" being planned. You know you want to be dazzled.
And twelve celebs, including our own Eugene (and even William Shatner, score!) are getting in on the good cause: "giant stars along with the celebrities' autographed headshot and signature card, including a holiday message, will be on display until December 17th. After which the stars will go to the highest bidder with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to benefit The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada."
Read more about the festivities here!
and if you win the auction for Eugene's star, I expect a photo of it proudly showcased on your front lawn. That'll show that stupid neighbor of yours with the blow-up lighted snowman.
P.S. Eugene's character in Gooby? Named "Mr. Fish."
Check out the News Archive for past info!
All original content copyright 2006-2008 Jenny V. All other content copyright its respective owners. See Site Info for credits.
Visitors: