First Trailer for Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones Released Today

The first trailer for The Lovely Bones, the newest film from the team of Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, can now be viewed online.

The big screen adaptation of the best-selling novel by Alice Sebold tells the story of a young teenage girl, Susie Salmon, who is brutally attacked and murdered. Salmon then watches from heaven as her family struggles to cope in the aftermath of her death and her killer continues to evade justice.

The Lovely Bones boasts an award-winning, star-studded cast including Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) as Susie Salmon, along with Rachel Weisz, Mark Wahlberg, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci. The film opens in the US on December 11, 2009.  A complete list of international release dates is available here.

Click here to view the new trailer for The Lovely Bones with a brief introduction from Peter Jackson.

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Theater News: Spidey Gets Its Mary Jane & Green Goblin, Avenue Q Shutters This Fall

- Evan Rachel Wood and Alan Cumming have been cast as Mary Jane Watson and Norman Osborn (aka the Green Goblin), respectively, in the upcoming Broadway musical Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark. Directed by The Lion King's Julie Taymor, Spider-Man features music by Bono and The Edge. Previews for the new show will begin at the Hilton Theatre on February 25, 2010. Tickets go on sale to the general public on September 12. [Playbill]

- Avenue Q, the Tony Award-winning musical that stars a cast of people and puppets, will end its six-year run on September 13. [Associated Press via MSN]

- Film veteran Jerry Lewis will direct a Broadway musical version of The Nutty Professor with the legendary Marvin Hamlisch and Rupert Holmes penning the songs.  Lewis co-wrote and starred in the 1963 Nutty Professor film, which is one of his best-known roles. Lewis has appeared on Broadway before, but this will be his first foray into directing a Broadway musical.  The Nutty Professor is expected to open during the 2010-2011 season. [Variety]

- After headlining a production of Parade in Los Angeles, T.R. Knight (the erstwhile Dr. George O'Malley from Grey's Anatomy) will head to Broadway to star in the Stanley Tucci-directed revival of Lend Me a Tenor.  The production is scheduled to open in February 2010. [Entertainment Weekly]

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