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By Larry Yepez Jr.

Walt Disney Pictures and Johnny Depp's Infinitum Nihil production company are developing two new films: a remake of The Night Stalker and a movie about Paul Revere's midnight ride.  Disney loves Johnny Depp, and with good reason. Who wouldn't love a man ho brings home over 4.5 billion dollars?

The Night Stalker is based on the 1972 ABC-TV movie that turned into the series "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." It was about a newspaper reporter in Chicago who investigated mysterious deaths, often with a supernatural  or sci-fi twist.

The Paul Revere movie is based on the revolution hero and his famous 1775 midnight ride to warn the colonist of a British invasion. Paul Revere was recently brought to light again after former Alaska Governor and vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, blabbered out wrong information on the Revere story.

Lee and Janet Batchler (Batman Forever) will write that movie. No writer has been attached to Night Stalker yet.

It seems that Disney and Depp united is a nonstop money-making machine. Depp is responsible for Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean saga having grossed over $3.5 billion at the worldwide box office. With Alice in Wonderland, Johnny brought Disney another $1 billion and is sure to make much more with the upcoming film The Lone Rager and perhaps a fifth Pirates flick in the future.

What do you think of the Disney-Depp collaborations?

Tags Alice in Wonderland, Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, johnny depp, Night Stalker, Paul Revere, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lone Rager, Walt Disney Pictures

By Michael Lopez

Let's hope that Penelope Cruz negotiated some royalty payments in her Pirates of the Caribbean contract. Disney's swashbuckling sequel is now close to amassing a worldwide total of $1 billion.

Since its release back in May, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has earned $211 million in the states and a whopping $695 million overseas. It is now the fourth highest-grossing movie of all-time at the foreign box office, narrowly trailing smashes like The Lord Of The Rings and Avatar.

Even the Pirates of the Caribbean LEGO game is doing gangbusters. The video cartridge is currently dominating the Nintendo Wii and 3DS charts. So does that mean that yet another sequel could be in the works?

If it were up to the Disney executives, we're sure the answer would be yes. But convincing star Johnny Depp to throw on the boots and buckles again may not be as easy. When recently asked about a possible Pirates 5, he said,

"We should hold off for a bit. They should be special, just like they are special to me."

Would you like to see Johnny and Penelope return for Pirates 5? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, johnny depp, Movies & CineMás, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, video games

By Michael Lopez

Last year, many hardcore Jack Sparrow fans were divided after hearing the announcement about Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The previous trilogy of films wrapped up the story nicely and many wondered if Johnny Depp could still make his iconic character interesting. Plus, a new director and the loss of key actors Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley didn't help matters. But we're happy to say that Pirates 4 has surpassed the expectations and is a worthy addition to the beloved franchise.

To be honest, the one character we would have really hated to lose was Geoffrey Rush's Captain Barbossa. A true scene stealer and an awesome sparring companion for Captain Jack, having Rush on board is a major boost for Stranger Tides. And we can wholeheartedly say that Geoffrey does a fantastic job with his over-the-top pirate caricature, right down to the wooden peg leg!

Speaking of great pirate caricatures, the Stranger Tides ensemble has added a real life legend of the seven seas. Ian McShane's portrayal of Blackbeard is just as vicious and iconic as those historical stories you've heard about. Sporting a zombie crew and insanely large sword (which looks great in 3D), this bad guy is just as memorable as old squidface from the last set of sequels.

Another new addition to the cast is Angelica, played by Blogamole regular Penelope Cruz. Though we hate to say it, Penelope is probably the least interesting part of the movie. Though she does have some fun scenes with Johnny Depp, her character never really gels with the overall storyline and the romantic subplot between Captain Jack and Angelica seems to fizzle before the third act.

But with so much sword fighting, fiery explosions, and epic shipwrecks happening in between, it's not like you'll even notice. Pirates 4 never tries too hard to meld itself into a love story (though there is an interesting mermaid romance thrown in). It's obvious the creators know that fans love the movie series' trademark comedy, action, and fantasy and you can bet Stranger Tides delivers on that promise!

Johnny Depp slips into Captain Jack's boots flawlessly. So much so, it hardly seems like he ever stepped away from the character. Plus the supernatural storyline involving the fountain of youth is actually rather interesting and leads to a great bombastic finale. There is no doubt that On Stranger Tides is destined to be a summer smash, and thankfully it's well deserved!

Bottom line: One of the great things about Stranger Tides is that you don't have to be a fan of the series to "get it." This is a movie that definitely stands on its own, but still offers plenty of winks and nudges for die-hard fans (including a nice homage to the Disneyland ride). Plus, the 3D aspect gives Johnny and company a fresh new perspective. But be sure you take care of your bathroom breaks before the movie starts. At two hours and change, you won't want to leave your seat for quite a long time!

Are you looking forward to Stranger Tides? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Geoffrey Rush, Hot Stuff, Ian McShane, johnny depp, Movie Reviews, Movies & CineMás, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

By Michael Lopez

You know you’ve hit blockbuster territory when your movie premiere gets thrown at California’s Disneyland theme park. This weekend, Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, and a host of famous faces took over “The Happiest Place On Earth” for the kickoff of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Blogamole was there to capture every moment of it.

To celebrate the fourth installment of the hugely popular Pirates franchise, Disneyland workers covered its trademark Main Street USA with skulls, cannon balls, and a 3,000-foot long "black carpet" stretching out to the park’s Rivers of America. From there, guests were able to watch the 3D film on a 90-foot screen and experience Pirates-themed fireworks at the grand finale.

Needless to say, it was southern California’s hottest ticket on Saturday night. In addition to all of the celebs who attended the event, several park goers had the chance to watch it too. But their admission price was not cheap. Disney sold exclusive premiere tickets for $1,000 a pop, with proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Our cameras made sure to capture every exciting moment of the event. Before the celebs arrived, spectators were treated to juggling pirate demonstrations, festive live music, and several Jack Sparrow lookalikes. Even a Pirate-themed Mickey Mouse danced and posed for the crowd!

Once the famous faces rolled in, it was clear that they were thrilled by the ambiance. Eva Longoria was seen hugging Pirate Mickey, Johnny Depp smiled and signed dozens of fan autographs, and BEP’s Taboo seemed very amused by “Jack the Monkey,” who actually appears in the film.

We had a moment to catch up with Ian McShane, who plays Stranger Tides’ resident baddie. When discussing his portrayal of the notorious character Blackbeard, the 68-year old actor said,

"It was organic. You’re never too old to be a pirate!"

The Losers' Óscar Jaenada, who plays a Spanish captain in the movie, also spoke to Blogamole about what it took to suit up for the swashbuckling film series,

"We rehearsed for three months. The sword fighting was intense."

He went on to say that shoots would last up to 15 hours a day for some of the movie’s more intricate sword fighting sequences. But, in the end, it was clear that all of the hard work paid off. On Stranger Tides does a fantastic job of continuing Jack Sparrow’s legacy. Be sure to keep checking Blogamole in the next two weeks, for our exclusive movie review!

Are you excited to see Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Óscar Jaenada, Celebrities, Disneyland, Eva Longoria, Hot Stuff, Ian McShane, johnny depp, Movie Premieres, Movies & CineMás, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stanger Tides, Premieres, Tr3s Exclusives

By Michael Lopez

It sure is fun watching Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz sword-fight their way through the new Pirates Of The Caribbean trailer. And now, TT Games is ready to let you actually take part in the action with a brand new LEGO Pirates video game that spans all four movies. And in case you missed the first word of the title, yes, all of the simulated swashbucklers will be made of LEGO parts.

Believe it or not, in a sea filled with realistic Call of Duty and Red Dead Redemption shooters, there is still a high demand for cute lighthearted LEGO video games. In the past five years, LEGO adaptations of the Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and Batman franchises have gone on to sell tens of millions of copies.

Penelope Cruz’s Angelica character design exudes confidence and even some LEGO sex appeal. Dressed in a dark captain's hat, a green vest, and black pants, her video game description actually reveals a few interesting plot points about the upcoming movie. For one thing, the LEGO site claims Angelica is (Spoiler Alert!!!!) the daughter of Blackbeard, which will make for some very interesting encounters onscreen.

Obviously bringing Depp’s Jack Sparrow into the snap-and-click world was a no-brainer. His Pirates movies have pitted him against ghostly sea captains, squid-faced Davy Jones, and now the legendary Blackbeard. So you can imagine the type of button mashing excitement having them all in one cartridge will bring.

In addition to Angelica and Captain Jack Sparrow, you can control Geoffrey Rush’s notorious Barbossa character (in human and skeleton form), and several mermaids and zombies. There will also be a cooperative two-player mode and the opportunity battle your friends, which will make for some great online swordplay.

Plus, in the game's Story Mode you can pick up ancient treasures and unlock cool Easter Eggs, including secret characters you know and love from the films. Best of all, in addition to the Xbox, Wii, and PS3, LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean will be available for the new Nintendo 3DS system, utilizing its unique three-dimensional technology. Look for it in stores this coming May.

Are you excited about the new LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean game? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Hot Stuff, johnny depp, LEGO, Lego Pirates Of The Caribbean, Nintendo 3DS, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean, video games

By Michael Lopez

Spring is in the air, which means warmer weather, blooming flowers and longer days. Of course, none of that matters to the hardcore gamers, many of whom will be nestled indoors and glued to their TV screens, controllers in hand. Why? Because spring also promises an onslaught of highly-anticipated video games!

The EA golf game Tiger Woods PGA 12, set to hit stores March 29, may not feature its namesake on the cover, but the simulated Masters tourney will offer plenty of new online capabilities.

Old school gamers are in for a major treat with the new version of Mortal Kombat. Now with 3D graphics, online play and numerous new “fatalities,” it mixes the classic fighter format with plenty of fresh twists. Available exclusively for the Xbox 360 and PS3, expect to see it fly off the shelves on April 19.

And what fun is gaming without a few movie tie-ins? This May, expect to see digitized versions of Penelope Cruz and Johnny Depp in Lego Pirates Of The Caribbean. Encompassing all four Pirates movies, it offers 2-player cooperative play and plenty of cute interpretations of Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl.

Dig The Sims much? Fans of this series have been able to control virtual people and build up intricate faux communities. Now EA is pushing the concept even further with The Sims: Medieval. Yup, your favorite 2D humans are now donning armor, crowns and jester outfits in the Middle Ages. Could there be virtual dragons to slay? You’ll have to pick up the game to find out.

And though it may not be a game per say, spring’s biggest electronic import is bound to be the Nintendo 3DS. Announced last year, the innovative handheld will become available in U.S. stores on March 27. Featuring groundbreaking technology that lets you experience 3D without wearing glasses, the pocket-sized device is expected to launch alongside three-dimensional Street Fighter and Nintendogs games.

Which upcoming video games are you most excited about? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Hot Stuff, Lego Pirates Of The Caribbean, Mortal Kombat, Nintendo 3DS, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Sims, The Sims: Medieval, Tiger Woods PGA 12, video games

By Michael Lopez

Don’t be surprised if you see a robotic Penelope Cruz the next time you board Pirates Of The Caribbean at Disneyland. Her character in the new On Stranger Tides movie seems to be attracting a lot of attention. So much so, that she got her own swashbuckling poster!

This week, Latino Review unveiled the new Pirates Penelope artwork and it’s enough to make you want to buy your ticket two months in advance. Featuring Cruz in one her more serious poses, it’s got long knives, burning ships, and treacherous waters underneath a gritty sky.

Don’t worry ladies, Johnny Depp's got his own hunky poster too. Released last week, the Captain Jack version has even more subtle tidbits about the film buried inside it. Look closely and you’ll see mermaids, a shipwreck, and some serious pistols packed within Johnny’s belt.

Unfortunately, neither one has given us any more info on Penelope’s mysterious character, Angelica. The scenes from the trailer seem to hint that her and Jack Sparrow shared a romance and may very well share one again. Hopefully as the May 20 release date draws closer, we’ll get more information and more Penelope merchandise!

What do you think about Penelope’s Pirates poster? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Hot Stuff, johnny depp, Movies & CineMás, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Tags johnny depp, Movies, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

By Michael Lopez

It looks like the Harry Potter franchise is about to get a run for its money. HitFix.com announced last Friday that Disney plans to film two more Pirates Of The Caribbean movies after On Stranger Tides is released next summer. That would make a total of six Pirates films and plenty of potential opportunities to catch a glimpse of Penelope Cruz.

Of course, we still don't know anything about her character, Angelica, or if Penelope is committed to the next batch of sequels. But from what we’ve heard about her onscreen chemistry with Johnny Depp, signing her should be a no-brainer.

Few details have been revealed about the next two Pirates movies, other than that they would be filmed back-to-back and connect to some larger plotline. Jack Sparrow meets the Shark Week megamouths? The Black Pearl crash lands on Lost island? Oh yeah, we’ve got TONS of ideas.

All kidding aside, we’re sure the execs behind the next Pirates flicks are already assembling a top-notch team. Rumors are flying that its original writers, Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott, could be brought back. And even if Penelope’s baby bump looks more like a Butterball when cameras start rolling, we know the perfect substitute for her swashbuckling role.

Source: [HitFix]

Do you plan to see the next Pirates films? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags johnny depp, Movies, Movies & CineMás, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

By Michael Lopez

What do you do when your leading lady’s baby bump is starting to show through her costume? Hire her lookalike sister as a stand-in. That’s exactly what the production team behind Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides are doing to help with Penelope Cruz’ tight swashbuckling costumes.

Image : Getty Images

Any fan of Penelope knows that her sister Monica could easily pass for a twin. Even though they’re three years apart, the hermanas can even confuse the paparazzi when they make appearances together. That’s why Monica became the perfect solution for Penelope’s ‘growing’ problem on Pirates 4.

It seems Mrs. Bardem’s character, Angelica, is supposed to be a daredevil single gal (who may even steal Johnny Depp’s heart), not an expectant bride. But now at five months along, Penelope looks great for the close-ups, but not so much in the tight corsets.

The solution? Call up Monica Cruz! Monica actually has a lengthy acting resume herself and would only be needed for long shots and action sequences. We, for one, think it’s a great idea and will make watching the movie a lot more fun. Think you’ll be able to tell them apart?

Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is set to be released in May 2011.

Source: [Monsters and Critics]

Which Cruz sister are you a bigger fan of? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Celebrities, Monica Cruz, Movies, Movies & CineMás, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean