Michael Arndt News

Tony Award nominee WILL SWENSON (Priscilla: Queen of the Desert; Hair) will play the role of Richard Hoover in the upcoming off-Broadway musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, with book and direction by Tony Award-Winner JAMES LAPINE and music and lyrics by Tony Award Winner WILLIAM FINN. Mr. Swenson replaces the previously announced Will Chase.

According to the usually spot-on Latino Review, the pair have been brought in by Disney to read for the lead roles in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII, set to be directed by J.J. Abrams with a script by Michael Arndt.

According to a new report by Badass Digest, Lucasfilm and Disney might be breaking the WARS mold, eyeing a mid-December 2015 release date for J.J. Abrams' upcoming installment in the franchise. All other films in the series have been released in May. =

While promoting her new film 'Kick-Ass 2' on MTV News, actress Chloe Grace Moretz revealed that she would love to be part of the upcoming STAR WARS: EPISODE VII.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced additional cast members for its upcoming new musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. JOSH LAMON (Hair, Elf), Tony Award-Nominee RORY O'MALLEY (The Book of Mormon, 2ST's current Nobody Loves You), DAVID RASCHE (2ST's Warrior Class), LOGAN ROWLAND (The Addams Family), JENNIFER SANCHEZ (West Side Story), and WESLEY TAYLOR ('Smash,' Rock of Ages) will join previously announced cast members STEPHANIE J. BLOCK, WILL CHASE, and nine-year old HANNAH ROSE NORDBERG in the new musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. With book and direction by Tony Award-Winner JAMES LAPINE and music and lyrics by Tony Award-Winner WILLIAM FINN, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE kicks off Second Stage Theatre's 35th anniversary season on October 15 and will officially open in mid-November.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has found its LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. Nine-year old HANNAH ROSE NORDBERG will play Olive Hoover, who aspires to the coveted title of 'Little Miss Sunshine,' in this new musical comedy from Tony Award winners JAMES LAPINE (book/direction) and WILLIAM FINN (music and lyrics).

The New York Times Arts Blog reports that Stephanie J. Block and Will Chase will star in the Second Stage Theater's upcoming production of the new musical LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. The actors recently received Tony nominations for their co-starring roles in Broadway's 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood.'

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced that the new musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, with book and direction by James Lapine and music and lyrics by William Finn, will kick off the theatre's 35th anniversary season this fall. James Lapine and William Finn return to Second Stage Theatre where they most recently collaborated on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Previews for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE begin October 15, 2013 with an official opening in mid- November. Casting, full creative team, and opening night date will be announced at a later date.

According to the New York Times, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, which premiered at La Jolla Playhouse in 2011 and has long been buzzed about for a New York Transfer, will open at Second Stage Theatre in October 2013. Composed by William Finn and written by James Lapine, the show currently has no plans for a Broadway run after playing at Second Stage but a transfer is a 'possibility, given the talents involved.' Previews are set to begin on October 15.

According to Comingsoon.net Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm announced at today's CinemaCon in Las Vegas that they will offer a new STAR WARS film every summer beginning with 2015's STAR WARS: EPISODE VII. The studios will alternate these films with 'standalone' films which will focus on individual franchise characters.

Tom Cruise stopped by last night's THE DAILY SHOW to chat about his upcoming action adventure 'Oblivion.' Check out the appearance below!

A new featurette has been released for the upcoming film OBLIVION. Check it out!

A new international trailer for the sci-fi film OBLIVION starring Tom Cruise has just been released. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film hits IMAX theaters on April 12th and April 19th in theaters. Get a first look below!

In a recent interview with E! Online, newly-appointed STAR WARS: EPISODE VII director J.J. Abrams spoke about what it meant to him to take on the upcoming project. 'It really is an incredible thing, It's wildly surreal,' he shared.

After days of rumors, Disney and Lucasfilms have confirmed that J.J. Abrams will officially be directing the upcoming STAR WARS: EPISODE VII. The studios confirmed it today via press release, check out their full statements below:

Universal Pictures has released a new TV spot for OBLIVION, starring Tom Cruise. The film will be coming to theaters exclusively on IMAX on April 12 and will go wide on April 19. Check out the commercial preview below!

At today's TCA winter press tour stop, ABC President Paul Lee spoke to Entertainment Weekly, confirming that the network was eyeing a potential live-action STAR WARS TV series, following the the successful acquirement of Lucasfilms.

George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy's discussion on the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney, as well as new developments for the Star Wars movie franchise, has been released in five parts. Watch them all below!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, J.J. Abrams reportedly declined an offer to helm the upcoming STAR WARS; EPISODE VII film. In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, the director reveals that while he discussed the possibility with Lucasfilm, he decided in the end that he would 'rather be in the audience.'

The first official trailer for OBLIVION, starring Tom Cruise, has been released. The film will be coming to theaters exclusively on IMAX on April 12 and will go wide on April 19. Check it out below!