The Pink Panther (2006) News

A bumbling French inspector proved strong enough to break horror's chokehold on the 2006 box office, as "The Pink Panther" opened ahead of the strong-performing "Final Destination 3." And between the frame's smaller openings, a little monkey outdrew Harrison Ford. Sony and MGM's delayed opening of "The Pink Panther" worked out well, as the franchise restart bowed to an impressive $21.7 million at 3,477 theaters, averaging $6,241 per play. Though it wasn't No. 1, New Line's "Final Destination 3" continued the year's strong run of scary pics, bowing with $20.1 million. Proving kids will still turn out for a non-CGI toon, "Curious George" opened to a better-than-expected $15.3 million. And finally, "Firewall" continued a recent string of weak openings for Harrison Ford starrers. WB actioner grossed $13.8 million in fourth place, in line with expectations.

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"The Pink Panther" is back on the summer schedule, set for an Aug. 5 release. First dated for July 22, late last year MGM pushed the remake's release back to Sept. 23. The move to return it to summer comes just as MGM's acquisition by Sony closes today."We looked at the picture again, and it screened very well," MGM distribution president Erik Lomis said. "We saw an opportunity to get it back into the summer where all age groups are available seven days a week, so we took it."

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Kenneth Branagh will direct Kevin Kline and Bryce Dallas Howard in a film adaptation of Shakespeare's "As You Like It," and is mulling playing the small role of Touchstone, the comic relief in the film. "As You Like It" marks the fifth Shakespeare adaptation Branagh has done for the screen, including his directing debut "Twelfth Night." He also directed "Much Ado About Nothing," "Love's Labour's Lost," "Hamlet" and "Henry V."

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Adam Shankman, the director of "Bringing Down the House," will direct 20th Century Fox's sequel to "Cheaper by the Dozen," reuniting with him with star Steve Martin. This time, the story will follow the 12-kid family on vacation and in a head-to-head competition with a rival neighborhood family of eight kids. Other stars expected to return include Bonnie Hunt and Piper Perabo, although Hilary Duff's participation remains uncertain.

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MGM's summer will no longer be pink. Studio moved back the release date of its "The Pink Panther" pic from July 22 to Sept. 23. Prompting the move was Sony's decision to shift "Mask of Zorro" off the September date, which in turn was a response to Pixar and Disney moving "Cars" to summer 2006. "Zorro" will now be released on Nov. 4, the date on which "Cars" was previously to bow.

MGM is in talks with Beyonce Knowles to play the chief suspect in a diamond heist in "The Pink Panther" and has selected French star Jean Reno ("Ronin") to play Inspector Clouseau's traveling companion. Reno will play driver Ponton, who's secretly an undercover cop assigned by the boss to keep an eye on Clouseau. Knowles is eyeing the role of Xania, a pop singer whose suddenly dead boyfriend owned the rock.

Steve Martin has agreed to become the new Inspector Clouseau in MGM's "Birth of the Pink Panther." The prequel has the bumbling Clouseau attempting to solve the murder of the nation's soccer team coach, while also investigating the disappearance of the Pink Panther diamond, national treasure of the nation of Lugash.

MGM has offered Steve Martin the lead role in "Birth of the Pink Panther," hoping that Martin will spearhead the rebirth of the comic franchise originated by Peter Sellers. Sources close to Martin aren't as convinced, because the actor-turned-author is unsure if he wants to tackle such a well-formed and famous character, made famous by Sellers. But a big payday would be in the offing.

Mike Myers is getting a $20 million offer from MGM to reprise the Peter Sellers role of Inspector Clouseau in a remake of "The Pink Panther.

Some news content provided by Variety.com.
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