Filmmaker pledges help after earthquake
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Filmmaker Peter Jackson has pledged to help those affected by this week's earthquake in his native New Zealand.
Jackson is working on his latest project, "The Hobbit," in the country where officials declared a state of emergency Wednesday. He is to start shooting the two-part prequel to "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy March 21.
Seventy-six people were reported killed in Tuesday's quake and more than 200 were still listed as missing.
"Everyone involved in the production of 'The Hobbit' is shocked and saddened by the earthquake and it's devastating aftermath," Jackson said in a statement issued to The Hollywood Reporter.
Several of the movie's actors and crew members are from Christchurch, the city devastated by the quake.
"We are doing all we can to support them," Jackson said, adding the production has reached out to the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management "to offer practical assistance and stands ready to help in any way we can."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Christchurch and all those affected by this terrible tragedy," Jackson said.
Global film box office breaks record
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The Motion Picture Association of America says global box-office receipts for films reached an all-time high of $31.8 billion in 2010.
The figure marked an increase of 8 percent from 2009.
The U.S.-Canada market repeated its peak performance from last year but remained flat at $10.6 billion, the MPAA said in a news release Wednesday.
International box office increased by 13 percent, with the largest growth in Asia Pacific, which grew by 21 percent.
More than 40 percent of the Asia Pacific box-office growth occurred in China; however, China remains a highly restrictive market for foreign film distribution.
The 3-D market was a key driver at the U.S.-Canada box office, making up 21 percent, or $2.2 billion, of the total, doubling last year's performance, compared with just 2 percent of the box office in 2008, the MPAA noted.
"It was a strong year at the movies in 2010. Despite a weak economy, shifting business models, and the ongoing impact of digital theft, we had another record year at the global box office driven by growth outside the U.S. and Canada. In the United States and Canada, 3-D was the driving force," Bob Pisano, president and interim chief executive officer of the MPAA, said in a statement. "Higher-value entertainment continues to make a significant contribution to box-office revenues."
Pinewood Shepperton going Caribbean
LONDON, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- England's Pinewood Shepperton movie studio has announced plans to open a 35-acre site in the Dominican Republic for Latin American productions.
The BBC said construction on the studio will begin immediately. Set to open early next year, it will include a sound stage, production facilities and a water tank.
Dominican first lady Margarita Cedeno de Fernandez and Foreign Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso attended Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony, which was led by President Leonel Fernandez.
"This represents further progress in Pinewood's strategy to leverage the strength of our brand internationally and specifically to the growing Latino film and television market," the BBC quoted Ivan Dunleavy, chief executive of Pinewood Shepperton, as saying.
Among Pinewood's productions are several James Bond flicks, "Superman," "The Shining," "Batman," "Alien 3," "Eyes Wide Shut," "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Da Vinci Code," "Mamma Mia!" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
Lifetime to air Will and Kate TV movie
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Lifetime Television says it plans to air a movie based on the romance between Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton.
"William & Kate" will star Nico Evers-Swindell and Camilla Luddington in the title roles. It will air April 18.
Immediately following "William & Kate," Lifetime will debut the first of six one-hour episodes of the documentary series "Royal Wedding of a Lifetime," which will examine the history of William and Kate's relationship and run-up to their wedding; comparisons of Kate to Princess Diana, William's late mother; Kate's wedding gown and fashion surrounding the nuptials; cuisine for the high-profile event; a preview of the wedding day and a glimpse into their future together, Lifetime said in a synopsis.
About 1,900 people have been invited to the April 29 wedding at Westminster Abbey in London.
