The Daily Dish: May 29

- DreamWorks ramps up their Animation plan. While many studios are making massive cuts to production and schedules, DreamWorks CEO Jeffery Katzenberg made the big announcement that the studio intends to increase production right through to 2012. The lofty plans include sequels to existing successful franchises (Shrek, Kung-Fu Panda, Madagascar) as well as one new film per calendar year – all of which will be produced in 3D. The first of the outlined original movies is next year’s Oobermind. Based on a story from Ben Stiller’s production company, the film follows a supervillain as he pines for the good old days after finally defeating his arch nemesis. Sounds a bit like the last 5 minutes of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog to me but, as if he knew I was second-guessing his choice, Katzenberg also announced the film will star Robert Downey Jr. (as the villain) as well as the hysterical Tina Fey. Well played, Mr. Katz, now I’m invested.

- Phil Spector sentenced to 19 years in prison. Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler assigned the legendary music producer a term of 15 years to life for the second-degree murder of actress Lana Clarkson and added a second term of 4 years to be served additionally for the personal use of a gun. The judge also ordered that Spector, 69, pay thousands of dollars in funeral expenses as well as other fees and contributions related to a state victims restitution fund. Throughout the sentencing hearing Spector, dressed in his usual uniform of dark suit and bright red tie, looked straight forward and showed no emotion even as he was led out of the courtroom by bailiffs to be transferred from the county jail to an as yet unnamed state facility.

- Girls Just Want to...Be Remade? Alternatively: More news out of Hollywood that might suggest they are plum out of ideas. Variety reports that Twentieth Century Fox and Lakeshore Entertainment have plans to remake Girls Just Want to Have Fun as a potential vehicle for massively popular teen star Miley Cyrus. The original movie, released in 1985 starring Helen Hunt and Sarah Jessica Parker, centered around two girls obsessing over a show called “Dance TV”. With the success of the recent network TV dance shows, it shouldn’t perhaps come as a shock that studios are looking to capitalize on an existing (and vocal) fan base. While they do have a writer signed on, the cast is still up in the air. If the production goes ahead, who would you like to see in the main two roles?