Anil Kapoor Wishes Freida “All the Very Best”

Actor Anil Kapoor, who superbly bonded with the cast of Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire, has nothing but good wishes and expectations from Freida Pinto’s much acclaimed Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

The actor, who won the admiration of his Hollywood team and led the forefront at Slumdog‘s Oscar success in Hollywood, is reportedly still very good friends with Freida Pinto and is keen to see her in the recently released Planet of the Apes reboot, which also stars James Franco. When talking about Freida Pinto, Kapoor said:

“I’m so happy to see Freida’s career go from strength to strength. She has worked with some of Hollywood’s best directors in roles that were truly challenging. In doing so she has effortlessly and gracefully made her mark in Hollywood. There has been a lot of anticipation from her film Rise of the Planet of the Apes. I wish her all the very best and look forward to watching the film!”

Source: BollywoodTrade.com

‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ Opens to $54 Million!

Fantastic news! 20th Century Fox’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes opened to $54 million at the domestic box office—$20 million more than the best forecast, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The pic easily placed No. 1. Overseas, the prequel also exceeded expectations, grossing a stellar $23.4 million from 25 territories, including only four major markets, Australia, Spain, Russia and Taiwan, where it came in No. 1. The worldwide total is already $77.4 million after just one weekend in theatres!

Rise of the Apes is particularly drawing notice for its photo-realistic apes, which were created by Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital using advanced performance capture technology. Andy Serkis plays the ape Caesar, and is the movie’s lead character.

“The combination of never-before-seen special effects combined with a powerful, emotional story made for a supremely satisfying epxerience at the movies,” Fox senior vice president of domestic distribution Chris Aronson said.

Directed by Rupert Wyatt, Rise of the Apes successfully relaunches the cult sci-fi franchise, and is a big win for the filmmakers and Fox’s marketing operation. Heading into the weekend, tracking suggested that the movie—also starring James Franco, Frida Pinto and John Lithgow–would open to $30 million to $35 million, tops. But the movie took on a life of its own when receiving an A- CinemaScore, in addition to rave reviews. Exit polls showed the movie appealing to all age groups, including younger audience members who don’t remember the franchise. More women than expected turned out, making up 46 percent of the audience. The origins pic was down 2% from Friday to Saturday, pointing to the pic’s growing buzz.

Rise of the Apes also is a big win for Peter Chernin and Dylan Clark’s Chernin Entertainment, since it’s the company’s first title. “We’re thrilled to launch Chernin Entertainment with a film that so positively resonated with audiences We’re proud of the artistic achievement of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, as it is a testament to a smart script, great direction by Rupert Wyatt, stellar actor performances, the amazing visual effects created by the Weta team and the passion and dedication of the entire crew and our partners at 20th Century Fox,” Chernin and Clark said in a statement.

Huge congratulations to the cast and crew for, first of all, making a great movie, but also the huge success!

‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ for $53 Million Opening

According to the always-reliable The Hollywood Reporter, moviegoers continued to flock to 20th Century Fox’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes on Saturday, guaranteeing a better-than-expected opening of $53 million at the domestic box office!

The origins pic — headlining Andy Serkis as the ape Caesar — was down only 3% from Friday for a gross of $19.2 million, indicating strong word of mouth.

Rise of the Apes is exceeding all expectations, and breathes new life into the cult sci-fi franchise. Heading into the weekend, tracking suggested that the movie would open to $30 million to $35 million, tops. But the movie received an A- CinemaScore, in addition to garnering rave reviews, and is appealing to all age groups. More women than expected turned out, making up 44 percent of the audience, according to exit polls.

Directed by Rupert Wyatt and also starring James Franco, Freida Pinto and John Lithgow, Apes is especially whipping up buzz for the photo-realistic apes, which were created by Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital using advanced performance capture technology. The film, made for $93 million, was co-financed by Fox, Dune Entertainment and Ingenious.

The weekend’s other new offering, Universal’s R-rated Ryan Reynods-Jason Bateman comedy The Change-Up, isn’t faring as well, and looks to gross a soft $14 million for the weekend, notably less than the summer’s other raunchy comedies.

Freida on the Cover of In Style (UK)’s September Issue

Even more great news this weekend: Freida Pinto is on the cover of British In Style magazine’s September issue! Thanks to the great honeycombchild at The Fashion Spot, we have a preview of the cover. Freida looks gorgeous sitting in a black lace-dress in the picture, which you can see below.

As soon as I get my hands on a copy of the magazine I’ll add HQ scans to the gallery, so keep checking back for that. In the meantime, here’s a preview of the cover:

‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ Friday Box Office Report

Awesome news, everyone! According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rise of the Planet of the Apes was on course to gross $18 million on Friday in a sizeable start for the origins pic. The opening day performance means the movie — headlining Andy Serkis as the ape Casesar — should open in the mid $40 million (!) range at the domestic box office, successfully relaunching the classic sci-fi franchise.

Rise of the Apes was playing well across the country, including among various ethnic groups.

Directed by Rupert Wyatt and also starring James Franco, Freida Pinto and John Lithgow is drawing rave reviews, particularly for the photo-realistic apes, which were created by Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital using advanced performance capture technology.

Moviegoers agreed with critics in liking the movie, and gave it an A- CinemaScore, according to Friday night exit polls. Tracking had been soft among women, but interest picked up noticeably late this week. It showed at Friday’s box office, with females making up 44% of the audience. The movie skewed older, with 59% of the audience over the age of 25.

The film, made for $93 million, was produced by Peter Chernin and Dylan Clark’s Chernin Enertainment and co-financed by Fox, Dune Entertainment and Ingenious.

Rise of the Apes earned $1.3 million in midnight runs, nearly double the $700,000 earned in midnight grosses last week by Cowboys & Aliens.

Elsewhere at the domestic box office, Universal’s R-rated body switching comedy The Change-Up, starring Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman, underperformed, grossing around $4.5 million. Directed by David Dobkin, the comedy is expected to only open in the low to mid teens for the weekend.

Return later for more box office reports for this exciting opening weekend!

‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ in Theatres Today!

It’s finally here: Rise of the Planet of the Apes is unleashed in US theatres today! The movie, directed by Rupert Wyatt, stars James Franco, Freida Pinto, Tom Felton, John Lithgow, Brian Cox and Andy Serkis as Caesar. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a reality-based cautionary tale, a science fiction/science fact blend, where man’s own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy.

The movie has been given rave reviews so far, with a certified fresh-rating of 81% on RottenTomatoes.com! I’ve included a few reviews from various magazines below.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to see this movie! Not only for Freida Pinto, but it actually seems to be such an interesting and great film. And the fact that it’s been praised by the critics doesn’t get me less psyched to see it! So be sure to visit your local cinema this weekend and watch Rise of the Planet of the Apes! It seems to be way worth your time – and money.

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes does it right. Smart, fun and thoroughly enjoyable, it’s a model summer diversion that entertains without insulting your intelligence.”
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

“Strong action, special effects and by far the most credible ape “performances” yet seen will spell box office to inspire chest-thumping in all markets.”
Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter

“This movie is a worthy claimant to the simian throne and the rare summer blockbuster that gets more, not less, fun as it goes along.”
Dana Stevens, Slate

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes is this summer’s best popcorn flick.”
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

“Rises above its dramatic deficits, boosts the collective IQ of this summer’s movies and swings into flights of kinetic fantasy that blow the collective mind.”
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes is first-class entertainment, packed with clever, unsettling and even inspired ideas.”
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

HD Screen Captures from ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’

Here are the screen captures of Freida Pinto on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon that I promised to add! They’re all in HD (is there a better way to view a photo of Freida!?) for your viewing pleasure. I absolutely love this interview, Freida’s awesome talking about Small Wonders, the “heat wave” (really? said Freida) in New York and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Click on the previews below to see all the captures in HD.

Speaking of talk shows, Freida Pinto will appear on The View along with James Franco and Andy Serkis today! Check back to Freida Pinto Fan later for coverage.

Scans from the August Issue of Total Film (UK)

I have added scans from British magazine Total Film‘s August issue to the gallery. It is a 6-page feature with Freida Pinto, Tom Felton and James Franco about Rise of the Planet of the Apes. There are a few interesting interviews in there, with a picture of Freida from the 2009 Glamour-photoshoot. Thanks to ebook30.com for the scans! Be sure to click on the previews below to see all the scans in full size.