New Releases at Home? But There's A Catch

Pact bumps pay 3.5% but nixes bucks for online reruns

(NEWSER) - A two-year contract narrowly approved by the board of the Screen Actors Guild board would boost pay 3.5% a year, but dodges payment for most online reruns. The pact, which would cover film and TV actors, was passed by just 53% of the newly elected moderate board, and now faces a full membership vote, the Los Angeles Times reports. The issue over Internet residuals has split the membership, but the contract is expected to pass. More»

High-quality copy has been downloaded 75,000 times

(NEWSER) - An almost-done, high-quality rip of X-Men Origins: Wolverine has been leaked online and downloaded 75,000 times a month before its scheduled release, the BBC reports. 20th Century Fox hasn’t said how its summer blockbuster, starring Hugh Jackman, got out, but there’s at least some solace: “The CGI is missing and the movie looks horrible without it,” comments a disappointed viewer. More»

(NEWSER) - Former film and TV heartthrob Van Johnson died today in New York of natural causes, Variety reports. He was 92. Johnson starred in many movies in the 1940s and 1950s, and was later nominated for an Emmy for his appearance on the TV show Rich Man, Poor Man. Dubbed the "non-singing Sinatra," the wholesome star married only once—a union that ended in what he called "the ugliest divorce in Hollywood history." More»

Gun that killed JFK assassin, Superman suit among items slated for Vegas auction

(NEWSER) - Indiana Jones' whip. The gun that killed JFK's assassin. Madonna's Like a Virgin wedding dress. All are up for grabs at a massive memorabilia auction scheduled for March 15-16 in Las Vegas, Reuters reports. Billed as the best pop-culture collection ever assembled, the 850-lot treasure trove could fetch more than $5 million, says the president of the auction house. More»

Advance in contract talks may mean tentative deal next week

(NEWSER) - Hollywood writers and studios made a breakthrough in contract talks yesterday and may forge an agreement to end the 4-month-old writers strike next week, the New York Times reports. The sides agreed on tricky issues regarding Internet compensation, but still need to work out details and let the guild's 10,000 members vote on the agreement. More»