Gossip Teen

Logan Lerman is getting used to Daniel Radcliffe comparisons. The actor is the star of Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief due in theaters in February, and the similarities to Radcliffe’s popular role (the title character to a very popular series of hero quest books turned into films,) Lerman is trying to differentiate the two:

“I’m being compared to Daniel Radcliffe a lot these days,” says Lerman. “Honestly, my character doesn’t have much in common with Harry Potter besides the fact that he’s an unlikely hero who’s thrown into a huge situation.”

The actor, who is costarring with some of Hollywood’s biggest talent (Pierce Brosnan, Uma Thurman)  says he is focused on his character but would be up for the massive fame that is potential with this movie.

“I’ve been studying mythology for months, reading about Perseus, Poseidon, Apollo, Medusa,” Logan says. “I don’t know if the movie will reach Twilight levels of obsession, but if it does, I’m ready for it!”

I hope this movie does well. The books are enjoyable and the trailer looks like it will do justice to the novels by Rick Riordan.

The movie hits theaters February 12, 2010. Anyone else looking forward to this?

[image: Teen Vogue]

Author LJ Smith wrote the trilogy of books The Vampire Diaries, back in 1991. Thanks in part to the success of Twilight, these vampires have made it to television as a weekly show. Unlike Summit Entertainment Studios relationship with Twilight’s author Stephanie Meyer, Smith has had “minimal” input into the CW Network’s TV show of her work. So what does Smith think of the small screen adaptation of her work?

“I think they have done an incredible job of interpreting it, especially presenting it for a teen audience,” she said. “I love the music. I love the cinematography, I think the cast is fabulous. I especially like Damon. Ian Somerhalder does very well. But I really, really like the Elena that they picked, Nina Dobrev. Even though she’s brunette, and not blond, which took some getting used to for me because in the book she’s blond, she’s a great actress. And I love the Stefan [Paul Wesley] that they’ve picked.”

While she has been uncertain how some plot points would work out, she has been watching and is pleased with the results so far. Smith must be relieved to actually like the work. So often in Hollywood, an author is left out in the cold while studios change characters and plots at their whim and the author is left unhappy. Nice to hear someone is getting it right. I enjoy The Vampire Diaries - especially Ian Somerhalder, but I might have mentioned that a few times already…

Famous for her Twilight series of novels that are now movie phenomenons, author Stephanie Meyer will have her other book tuned into a movie as well. Three producers have purchased the screen rights to her novel, The Host and Andrew Niccol is attached to direct and write the screenplay. For those who don’t know the basic plot of her non-Twilight book here is a summary:

Meyer’s novel is a love story set in the near future on Earth, which has been assimilated by an alien species of benevolent parasites that call themselves “Souls.” One such soul, the Wanderer, is fused with a dying human named Melanie Stryder, in an attempt to locate the last pocket of surviving humans on Earth.

Obviously still in it’s early stages, no casting or release date is ready yet.

Triwizard Tournament Dragon Challenges, Flight of the Hippogriff, Olivander’s Wand Shoppe, Quidditch gear and butterbeer from Hogsmead village – that and more will be new at Universal Studios Orlando adventure park opening in the spring of 2010. The Florida theme park will present The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as part of it’s Island of Adventure property and visitors will be allowed to tour Hogwarts, have fun on different roller coaster rides and purchase Harry Potter themed items based on author JK Rowling’s imaginative tale.

The estimated cost? $265 million dollars. Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmead Village will be recreated for fans and there will three rides central to the park. One ride is still super secret – “a high-tech experience inside the castle called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey that involves the likenesses of the heroes from the films.”

In between filming the final two installments of the Harry Potter movies, Tom Felton has peeked at the upcoming park. The Draco Malfoy actor told the NY Times how he felt about the future home of Hogwarts:

“We always say on set, ‘If this place was real, it would be absolutely fantastic,’ ” he said in a telephone interview. “To actually walk into this world and be able to touch it and taste it and smell it — well, it’s just going to be fantastic.”

Now fans worldwide will be able to interact with the beloved characters, long after the films have come and gone in theaters.

Author Stephanie Meyer is involved in a new ‘Twilight’ spin-off project: a graphic novel rendition of the much-loved series.

For those of you who can’t get enough Edward and Bella, EW can announce — exclusively — that Yen Press will be publishing Twilight in graphic-novel form, publication date still to be determined. Though Korean artist Young Kim is creating the art, Meyer herself is deeply immersed in the project, reviewing every panel.

Graphic novels are amazing and this could be the perfect chance for Meyer to have some true control over the final look and image of her story. I wish more authors would choose this route – it really can bring a narrative to another level with fantastic visuals.

Miley Cyrus is ready to break into the movie business in a big way. The ‘Hannah Montana’ star is set to be the lead in the upcoming movie ‘The Last Song’  from author Nicholas Sparks. Disney has now cast newcomer Liam Hemsworth opposite Cyrus, as the cool guy she meets and falls for in the romantic drama. Hemsworth is an Austrailian actor who was part of the long running Aussie show Neighbours and recently was in the American film Knowing, with Nicholas Cage.

Sparks’ novel-turned-movie, ‘The Notebook’ was a huge success for Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams and Disney is counting on the chemistry between Cyrus and Hemsworth to have the same money making affect. This will be a huge turning point for Cyrus to succeed outside of the Hannah Montana world of acting. Hopefully she will do well and be able to continue with movies if that’s what she chooses.

Yep it’s official. Stephanie Meyer, the author of the mega successful ‘Twilight’ series has confirmed on her website that actor Taylor Lautner will be reprising his role as Jacob the Werewolf for the second installment in the series. ‘New Moon’ director, Chris Weitz and Meyer have this to say:

Good news about New Moon from director Chris Weitz:

I’m very happy to announce that Taylor Lautner will be playing Jacob Black in New Moon and that he’s doing so with the enthusiastic support of Summit Entertainment, the producers, and Stephenie Meyer.

The characters in Stephenie’s books go through extraordinary changes of circumstance and also appearance; so it is not surprising that there has been speculation about whether the same actor would portray a character who changes in so many surprising ways throughout the series. But it was my first instinct that Taylor was, is, and should be Jacob, and that the books would be best served by the actor who is emotionally right for the part. I think that fans of Twilight the book and the movie will be surprised by the Jacob Black that Taylor will bring to the screen in New Moon; and I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the cast in realizing the film.

very best

Chris Weitz

I’d just like to add that I was very much a part of this decision. My first priority was always what was best for New Moon—what was going to give us the best possible movie. I’m truly thrilled that Taylor was the one who proved to the director, to Summit, and to me that he is the best possible Jacob we could have. And I’m very much looking forward to seeing what he’s going to bring to Jacob’s character this year.

- Steph

So finally, we have an answer. Team Lautner wins! He must be pleased that all his hard work has paid off. Congratulations Taylor! Michael Copon will just have to find other film roles.