Water for Elephants

Credit: Lionsgate; Inset: PictureGroup

Francis Lawrence to Direct Hunger Games Sequel: Report

Originally posted 04/20/2012 09:50AM

There's a new Head Gamemaker in town.

Director Francis Lawrence reportedly has been tapped to helm Catching Fire, the sequel to reigning box-office blockbuster The Hunger Games.

Lawrence, who last directed Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon in 2011's Water for Elephants, won the job after Games director Gary Ross dropped out, citing time constraints due to the sequel's "fixed and tight production schedule."

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Filed Under: Catching Fire, Water for Elephants, The Hunger Games, Movie News, Francis Lawrence, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

Credit: Twentieth Century FOX

PEOPLE's Review: Water for Elephants

Originally posted 04/22/2011 07:00AM

Water for Elephants' most compelling star is gorgeous, nails her scenes, and pretty much runs away with the movie – not too shabby for an elephant competing for screen time with two of Hollywood's biggest names.

Based on Sara Gruen's enormously popular novel, the movie is ostensibly about the love between two people: former veterinary student Jacob (Robert Pattinson), a stowaway on the Benzini Brothers traveling circus, and Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), the show's headliner. But with sluggish action and a patent lack of chemistry, the two-legged actors just can't compete with the pachyderm's charms.

Water (rated PG-13) is, for its faults, beautiful to watch. The actors are gorgeous, of course, and the sets and costumes artfully recreate the wonder of a Depression-era circus. Fact is, it might all be too pretty, missing the grime and grit that added to the book's sense that all was not right aboard the Benzini Brothers train.

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Filed Under: Water for Elephants, Water for Elephants, Movie News, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson

Credit: Dave Allocca/Startraks

UpdatePosted 04/18/2011 09:00AM

Reese Witherspoon Dazzles at First Post-Wedding Premiere

Originally posted 04/17/2011 09:00PM

Here comes the bride!

Newlywed Reese Witherspoon just returned from her honeymoon, but she's already back to work and looking glamorous at her first public event since her wedding day.

Witherspoon, 35, posed with costar Robert Pattinson, wearing her new wedding ring and dazzling in a white Jason Wu cocktail dress accented with black beading. The newlywed says being referred to as Mrs. Toth now is simply "great."

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Filed Under: Water for Elephants, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson

Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty

UpdatePosted 04/03/2011 11:00PM

Reese Witherspoon Gets Back to Work with Robert Pattinson After Her Wedding

Originally posted 04/03/2011 06:10PM

Looks like marriage really suits Reese Witherspoon.

After her March 26 nuptials to agent Jim Toth at her Ojai, Calif., ranch, the A-list Oscar winner went straight back to work, promoting her upcoming drama, Water for Elephants, due in theaters April 22.

At Sunday afternoon's press junket at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif., Witherspoon was relaxed and all smiles as she answered questions alongside costars Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz – and the film's director, Francis Lawrence.

Looking the picture of understated elegance, Witherspoon, 35, wore a classic black dress and cardigan, her blonde hair slightly shorter than usual. But her best accessory was her pavé diamond wedding band.