Saturday, February 6

• Logan Lerman Backpedals on Spider-Man Reboot Casting

  Only one day after Logan Lerman, the star of the upcoming movie Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, told Billy Bush of Access Hollywood that he was in talks for the lead role of Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, in the rebooted franchise, the 18-year-old actor appears to be going back on his words. Or, perhaps, his earlier statements were true, but he's been asked to "zip it" by Sony's reps.

  Either way, his latest comments to MTV about the subject make the news of his involvement with the movie far less intriguing. In the previous interview, he spoke of having a "few discussions" with the studio about playing the role, now he simply says that he is "hoping to be considered" along with "millions of actors out there." And, his comment about wanting to "focus on the human element a little bit more," has been replaced with the very bland statement, "I'm just a huge fan, that's all I can say."

  Can say? Does that mean that Lerman actually does knows more than he's telling, but the studio execs have put the clamp down on him? Watch the video below and decide for yourself.

  
  
  Next Showing: Percy Jackson opens February 12
  

  Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

  Trailer for this fantasy thriller

  Posted 02/06/2010 by BrentJS

  Related: Logan Lerman | Spider-Man | Spider-Man 2 | Spider-Man 3 | Spider-Man 4 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Friday, February 5

• Eight More Clips from Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

  The floodgates really have opened for the son of Poseidon. Just yesterday, we got a batch of video profiles for several characters in Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Now we have eight new clips.

  Some of the footage here has popped up elsewhere before, but a surprising amount of it is new. Even with scenes like Mrs. Dodds morphing into a swooping Fury or the Hydra attack, which had been fairly extensively previewed before, there is more context. And some of the sequences are completely new. The opening clip, for example, which shows Percy (Logan Lerman) in a confrontation on top of a building, is a nice showcase for the more liquid special effects in the movie.

  A signature still from this sequence is also included in a new set of high-res pictures from the movie.

  
  

  Posted 02/05/2010 by Bill

  Related: Logan Lerman | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

• Percy Jackson Star in Talks to Headline Spider-Man Reboot (or Not)

  Who will wear the mask?

  The January 11th news that Sony was scrapping Spider-Man 4 and rebooting the franchise following the departure of director Sam Raimi took nearly everyone by surprise. Even the title star of all three movies, Tobey Maguire, had updated the status of Spider-Man 4 only a few days before saying, "It's all happening right now. It's all sort of coming together."

  In the wake of the news, numerous casting rumors have come bubbling up from the depths of the Internet. So far, none of them have proven to be credible. The latest news, coming out of an interview Billy Bush conducted with Logan Lerman for Access Hollywood, has the star of the upcoming movie Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief in talks for the lead role of Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, in the rebooted franchise.

  There have been a few discussions, it's definitely something I'm looking into.

  It's just, you know, conversations are starting. It's a long process with the studio and the producers and everything. But it's definitely a project that I'm really interested in, of course. I'd love to focus on the human element a little bit more. It'd be such a fun experience.

  Casting the 18-year-old in the lead seems to fit with Sony's decision to take the franchise back to Spider-Man's origin as a geeky high school student who initially abuses his new powers. However, no sooner had the Lerman story broke than popular comic book movie blog HeatVision attempted to debunk the news.

  While a "wide net" is being cast, according to a studio spokesman, "No offers have been made, nor have any business discussions been made with Lerman."

  The actor's camp also confirms no business discussions are being held at this time.

  Admittedly, it does seem unlikely that the star of one burgeoning franchise would be offered the lead role in another. Then again, if it works for Ryan Reynolds with his Deadpool and Green Lantern roles, perhaps Lerman could do the same with Percy Jackson and Spider-Man.

  
  

  Posted 02/05/2010 by BrentJS

  Related: Sam Raimi | Tobey Maguire | Logan Lerman | Spider-Man | Spider-Man 2 | Spider-Man 3 | Spider-Man 4 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Monday, February 1

• Hydra Battle Clip from Percy Jackson and Meet the Cast Interview

  Last Friday, the cast of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief made an appearance in Athens near the Acropolis to answer questions posed by fans online. Among the topics discussed were the amusing challenges Brandon Jackson (who plays Percy's satyr friend Grover Underwood) faced working his goaty legs.

  In conjunction with the chat, a new clip from the movie was released as well. Here we get an extended look at how Percy (Logan Lerman) puts some of his new-found powers to work fighting off the many-headed fire-breathing Hydra. When the monster first appears, it does so in human form as a line of rather odd-looking security guards. The transformation comes as a bit of a surprise for Percy and his companions, and they have to really scramble to mount an effective response. It's in situations like this that Percy discovers how good it really is to be the son of Poseidon.

  
  

  Posted 02/01/2010 by Bill

  Related: Brandon T. Jackson | Logan Lerman | Jake Abel | Alexandra Daddario | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Monday, January 25

• Which A-List Star Inspired Logan Lehrman's Percy Jackson Performance?

  Would you believe it was Jim Carrey? The two worked together on 2007's The Number 23. We've got the details in our exclusive interview with Logan Lerman, tomorrow on Hollywood Dailies.

  Lerman also highlights the coolest parts about playing the half-blood son of Poseiden, which include Percy's ever-trusty Riptide, learning to scuba dive, and working with a star-studded cast.

  The interview premieres tomorrow at 7 PM ET. Find out where you can watch ReelzChannel TV in your area.

  
  

  Posted 01/25/2010 by reelz

  Related: Logan Lerman | Jim Carrey | The Number 23 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Friday, January 15

• Three More Percy Jackson Character Posters Released

  As the release date of director Chris Columbus' new movie Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief draws near, more and more video clips, teaser posters, and promotional images are emerging.

  Only a week after six character posters were released, three more have emerged, different in style and composition than the previous set. The new posters feature Logan Lerman as the title character, Percy Jackson; Alexandra Daddario as Annabeth Chase; and Brandon T. Jackson as Grover.

  Based on the novel series by Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief was adapted for the screen by Craig Titley. Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan, and Luke Camilleri also star.

  For more information about the main characters, check out Meet the Cast of Percy Jackson.

  
  
  Next Showing: Percy Jackson opens February 12
  

  Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

  From the director of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

  Posted 01/15/2010 by BrentJS

  Related: Chris Columbus | Brandon T. Jackson | Logan Lerman | Craig Titley | Alexandra Daddario | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Thursday, January 7

• Six New Percy Jackson Character Posters Released

  Six new character posters have just been released for director Chris Columbus's new movie, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, the first in a planned series of movies based on the book series by Rick Riordan.

  The posters feature Logan Lerman as the title character, the "Son of Poseidon"; Alexandra Daddario as Annabeth Chase, the "Daughter of Athena"; Uma Thurman as Medusa, the "Fatal Beauty"; Pierce Brosnan as Chiron, the centaur "Warrior Guide"; Brandon T. Jackson as Grover, Percy's sayter "Protector"; and Luke Camilleri as Dionysus, "The Exterminator."

  For more information about the movie's leads, check out Meet the Cast of Percy Jackson.

  
  
  Next Showing: Percy Jackson opens February 12
  

  Percy Jackson And The Olympians: The Lightning T

  A fantasy film

  Posted 01/07/2010 by BrentJS

  Related: Chris Columbus | Pierce Brosnan | Uma Thurman | Brandon T. Jackson | Logan Lerman | Alexandra Daddario | Luke Camilleri | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Tuesday, January 5

• The 10 Breakout Stars of 2010

  

  Looking back at our first-annual "Breakout Stars" predictions (2009), we hit only about .300. Chris Pine, Channing Tatum, and 3-D were hits. Jody Hill, Saoirse Ronan, and Rian Johnson were misses, as was Ayelet Zurer, the Israeli stunner who we thought would finally catch on with American audiences as Tom Hanks' co-star in Angels and Demons. Damn.

  This year we're looking to improve our batting average with these 10 new predictions &mdash and we didn't even include Rosamund Pike, who looks to be darn near a sure thing with four movies set for release in 2010. Check out our list of The 10 Breakout Stars of 2010.

  
  

  Posted 01/05/2010 by reelz

  Related: Jeremy Renner | Anna Kendrick | Matthew Goode | Logan Lerman | Chloe Moretz | Mary Winstead | Mia Wasikowska | Quinton "Rampage'' Jackson | Olivia Munn

Sunday, January 3

• Alexandra Daddario on Percy Jackson's Olympians

  Director Chris Columbus's latest movie, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, may feature gods and demi-gods with incredible powers, but according to actress Alexandra Daddario, it's their human qualities that make them interesting.

  Greek gods are so human in so many ways — they love and they hate and they get jealous — and that's what makes the stories about them so exciting.

  Based on the book series by Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief tells the story of Percy Jackson (played by Logan Lerman), a boy who discovers he is the descendant of the Greek god Poseidon. Daddario plays Annabeth Chase, the daughter of the Greek goddess Athena, a role that required her to learn archery and fencing.

  Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan, Brandon T. Jackson, and Rosario Dawson also star in supporting roles. See Meet the Cast of Percy Jackson for more details about the lead cast.

  
  
  Next Showing: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief opens February 12
  

  Percy Jackson And The Olympians: The Lightning T

  Directed by Chris Columbus

  Posted 01/03/2010 by BrentJS

  Related: Chris Columbus | Logan Lerman | Alexandra Daddario | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Friday, December 18

• A Few More Peeks at Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

  With Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief set to hit theaters February 12, 2010, the promotional campaign for the movie has cranked into higher gear a bit with a new international trailer.

  Not all that much new footage here, but we do get our first good look at the more horsey half of Pierce Brosnan as Chiron, the centaur who is Percy's teacher and mentor.

  This scene is also included in a new TV spot for the film, but the latest poster instead spotlights some of the impressive water-wielding powers that Percy (Logan Lerman) has acquired by virtue of being the son of Poseidon.

  
  

  Posted 12/18/2009 by Bill

  Related: Pierce Brosnan | Logan Lerman | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Wednesday, November 18

• Medusa Unveiled in New Percy Jackson Trailer

  The international trailer for Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is out, and it shows the storyline in a much more coherent way than earlier teasers — and displays at least one plot change from the book and an older Percy. (Logan Lerman is clearly not 12 in this clip.)

  It also offers a pretty cool preview of some of the movie's creature designs. Highlights include glimpses of the watery powers that Percy inherited from his sea god father Poseidon (Kevin McKidd), a very cool sequence in which his teacher Mrs. Dodds (Maria Olsen) transforms into a bat-winged Fury, and a first look at Uma Thurman as Medusa. Sporting a head full of snakes and a come-hither attitude, she tries to entice our young hero out from behind his iPod to "sneak a peek," with all the horrible consequences that would entail.

  See Meet the Cast of Percy Jackson to learn more about the movie's half-bloods, Greek gods, monsters, and occasional mortals.

  
  

  Posted 11/18/2009 by Bill

  Related: Uma Thurman | Kevin McKidd | Logan Lerman | Maria Olsen | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Friday, November 13

• Meet the Cast of Meet the Cast of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

  A boy shielded from knowledge of his birth and extraordinary powers until adolescence, when he's sent to a special school and discovers a world of fantastical creatures and two best friends (a somewhat clueless guy and a smart girl). A book series that's sold millions worldwide and, despite its young adult category, has legions of devoted fans of all ages. A big-budget movie adaptation of the first book helmed by Chris Columbus. Sound familiar?

  On the surface, Percy Jackson and the Olympians could be seen as Harry Potter 2.0, and that's a comparison the studio is certainly not shying away from. Heck, a lightening bolt (in the hero's hand rather than on his forehead) figures prominently in the first poster. And from the cast list, it's clear that Columbus has taken a page from Harry Potter, selecting an A-List cast for the adult roles and relative unknowns for the students.

  But here the universe is half-bloods, Greek gods, monsters, and a few mortals. Find out who's playing the main characters in Meet the Cast of Percy Jackson.

  
  

  Posted 11/13/2009 by reelz

  Related: Catherine Keener | Chris Columbus | Joe Pantoliano | Pierce Brosnan | Brandon T. Jackson | Logan Lerman | Jake Abel | Alexandra Daddario | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Friday, October 30

• New Posters, Lightning Billboard for Percy Jackson Movie

  The new poster for Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief has the young hero Percy hip-deep in water and brandishing a lightning bolt. Not a good idea — unless you just happen to be a demi-god and the son of Poseidon. Then everybody else had better watch out.

  This theme is carried over in what's being touted as the "world's first electronic lightning billboard." The movie's stars came out as they turned on the billboard's juice. Logan Lerman (Percy), Kevin McKidd (Poseidon), and Alexandra Daddario (Annabeth, daughter of Athena) were all on hand for autographs and interviews at the event.

  Talking with ET, they were all clearly charged up about the movie, and Lerman offered his own summary of what the whole thing is about:

  The movie takes place in the modern day. And Greek mythology is real. Basically, Zeus has lost his master lightning bolt, and the world is going to come to an end because there's gonna be this huge war between the gods. Everybody's pointing their fingers at Percy, the son of Poseidon. And he doesn't even know that he is a demi-god, half human, half god. And he goes on this huge journey to try to save his mom, find who the lightning thief really is, and save the world.

  Still want more Percy? An Italian website has gotten ahold of a neat set of character banners, including a first look at Daddario as the daughter of Athena and Brandon T. Jackson as the undercover satyr Grover Underwood.

  
  

  Posted 10/30/2009 by Bill

  Related: Kevin McKidd | Brandon T. Jackson | Logan Lerman | Alexandra Daddario | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Thursday, September 17

• Flashes of Adventure in New Trailer for Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

  In the first teaser for Chris Columbus' adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief we got taken on an elevator ride to Olympus. The latest trailer offers a bit more of the story in brief flashes.

  A school tour of a museum introduces us to the pantheon of Greek gods and the half-human consequences of their dalliances with mortals — consequences not limited to myth or ancient times, as young Percy (Logan Lerman) soon discovers.

  
  

  Posted 09/17/2009 by Bill

  Related: Chris Columbus | Logan Lerman | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Tuesday, August 18

• Ludacris Plays an All-Seeing Brother in Latest Gamer Clip

  Gamer's dystopian future is full of exploitation, where reluctant recruits are manipulated into combat and sex for the pleasure of an idle elite. But it's not all fun and games, even for the master gamers, who are apparently under rather thorough supervision themselves.

  In a new clip from the movie, Simon (Logan Lerman), the top gamer, gets an unexpected visit from TV land. The giant flickering head of Humanez Brother (rapper and actor Ludacris) pops up to offer a few choice words of advice about what was presumed to be a private conversation. He comes off as some kind of weird cross between Max Headroom and George Orwell's Big Brother, but he's apparently here to help.

  
  

  Posted 08/18/2009 by Bill

  Related: Logan Lerman | Ludacris | Gamer

Wednesday, July 15

• First Trailer for Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief Opens the Doors to Olympus

  The first teaser trailer is out for the movie adaptation of the wildly popular novel Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. It's the first in a series of books recounting the adventures of a modern-day boy who discovers that he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon, with all of the attendant powers and perils that auspicious lineage implies.

  No real action or dialogue here, but we do get a first glimpse of Percy (Logan Lerman), a pretty cool elevator ride up to Olympus, and the tag line "Some heros are made ... and some are born ... of the gods." Although director Chris Columbus says that he is trying to avoid any of the obvious similarities to the Harry Potter series, the studio clearly recognizes that this is too big a draw to be ignored. The movie is being advertised front and center as "From the director of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets."

  
  

  Posted 07/15/2009 by Bill

  Related: Chris Columbus | Logan Lerman | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Thursday, June 4

• New Photo Highlights the Gaming in Gamer

  A new still from Gamer shows off the faint holographic controls that the wealthy gaming elite use to control their real-life puppets in this futuristic update of first-person-shooter video games.

  We see cyber-gladiator Kable (Gerard Butler) in the thrall of Simon (Logan Lerman). For Kable the penalty for failure is real death. The reward for success is getting to be played again and, eventually perhaps, if he is whole lot luckier than any who have gone before him, freedom.

  
  

  Posted 06/04/2009 by Bill

  Related: Logan Lerman | Gamer