Movie File: Samaire Armstrong, Zach Braff, 'Jurassic 4,' LL Cool J, 'Casino Royale' & More
Samaire Armstrong, a former resident of "The O.C.," is making her move to the big screen with four upcoming films, including "Just My Luck," a romantic comedy due May 12. "That was a lot of fun -- we were hard to keep quiet on set," she said of the New Orleans shoot that found Armstrong and Bree Turner ("The Wedding Planner") painting the town red with Lindsay Lohan. "We were always gossiping and went out dancing and had a lot of fun together." Armstrong said "Luck" was Lohan's first real adult role: "She works, she has a job and an apartment and responsibilities. She's not in high school." In the film, Lohan's Ashley discovers that she's lost her good luck to a mysterious one-night stand. With the help of her friends, she sets out to find him. "We all grew up together and we're best friends," Armstrong said of the characters. "Bree and I, our characters live in the same apartment, and we're Lindsay's support system." Laughing, she added that at least one ticket to the flick had already been sold. "My dad said, 'I'd watch that movie.' " ...
After shining the spotlight on an underground dance sensation with 2004's "You Got Served," 25-year-old Meagan Good is dusting off her dancing shoes for another upcoming film. "Step Show," for which R&B singer Ne-Yo has also been cast, deals with a rhythmic art form born at black colleges and based on African traditions. "It's about this kid who is in some way responsible for the death of his younger brother, so he goes to live in Atlanta with his aunts and uncles," she said. "Basically, it's the story of how he tries to get his life back together as he falls in love with stepping." Asked about her role in the film, Good said, "He falls in love with my character, and [I see] the different struggles he goes through as far as being out of place, dealing with the death that he feels is his fault and finding his true passion." ...
Sebastien Foucan gained stardom throughout much of the world when the gymnastics enthusiast helped invent freerunning, a gravity-defying sport that received exposure in the U.S. via a series of Nike commercials. Now Foucan will employ his high-jumping, obstacle-evading abilities while engaging the new James Bond in one of the most ambitious chase sequences in the history of the action series. Foucan will make his acting debut as Mollaka, a terrorist targeted by Daniel Craig's Bond during an early sequence in November's 21st Bond film, "Casino Royale." When a surveillance operation goes awry, Bond is forced to chase Mollaka on foot, risking life and limb as they scurry through a shantytown and across a dangerous construction site. Currently filming in the Bahamas, "Royale" is based on Ian Fleming's first Bond novel -- it will portray some prequel-like moments, including Bond's completion of his first two professional assassinations, which earns him his "00" status. ...
Philosophers and fortune cookies alike recommend that you don't count your chickens before they hatch, but Zach Braff is. Asked if he expects to make a sequel to last year's "Chicken Little," Braff revealed that another go-round is very likely. "I would think so," the "Garden State" writer/director said. "It's a very good chance. The movie did really well, people loved it and it's doing incredibly well internationally, so I hope so." Braff didn't offer any timetable for his return to the animation world. ...
The good news for superproducer Frank Marshall is that he has two high-profile franchises at his disposal, and they both will likely make the increasingly common jump from trilogy to four-part series. The bad news is that he faces fan inquiries about them every day. " 'Jurassic Park 4' is coming to life," he proudly reported. "There's a script, we're getting a director and we're going to get going probably toward the end of this year." Referring to the director of "Park 3," Marshall added that "Joe Johnston could be back. We want to get the script right before we go forward, which is exactly what's [happening with what] your next question is going to be about, 'Indy 4.' " OK then, Frank: What is going on with the next Indiana Jones movie? "We're getting the script right, we're working on it. It's not one of those things that's on the back burner." Grinning, Marshall added that he might try to get both films made by simply combining them. "Indiana Jones goes to the island," he said. "Indy versus the raptors. Get him with that whip." ...
LL Cool J is developing a quasi-remake described as an urban "Fatal Attraction," but he refused to reveal whether he'll play the stalker or the stalked. "I won't say, but I'm definitely an interesting character in it," he said of the untitled film, which will also give him a role behind the camera. "I did a deal with Lions Gate Films to produce movies, and it's the first project I'm producing. It's like a combination of 'Fatal Attraction' and 'Basic Instinct.' " The rapper/actor isn't sure when it will start filming, but he promises that the flick is coming along: "I have a great writer on the job right now, and it feels good," he said. "It feels pretty interesting." ...
The low-budget quirkfest "Napoleon Dynamite" may have spawned a cultural phenomenon and a wide array of catchphrases, but, according to the actress who played LaFawnduh, one thing it will never give birth to is a sequel. "No, I don't think we are going to do one; we've all moved on," said Shondrella Avery, who revealed that her post-"Napoleon" plans include an upcoming flick opposite Vince Vaughn. "Why mess with something so good? It's a cult classic -- let's leave it that way."
