By Maurice Bobb

Disney discovered a new formula for success with the release of its recent blockbuster, “Maleficent,” which grossed north of $170 million worldwide in its opening weekend, so they’ve already greenlit their next live-action fairytale adaptation.

Variety reports that Bill Condon (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 & 2”) has officially been tapped to direct the live-action reboot of “Beauty and the Beast.”

While plot details are currently unknown, Evan Spiliotopoulos is penning the script for the Mandeville Films production.

Back in 1991, audiences propelled the animated version of “Beauty and the Beast” to the top of the box office with a $375 million worldwide gross. The film was the first animated features to nab a Best Picture Oscar nomination and went on to become a Broadway play.

Condon, who won an Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published for 1998’s “Gods and Monsters, is best known for for helming the hit musical film, “Dreamgirls.”

Based on his track record, he’ll definitely be expected to bring his music-based experience to his new Disney project.

MTV News Staff

In a series of consistently good movies, it’s safe to say that the general consensus that “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is the best film adaptation of the books by J.K. Rowling. Directed by future Oscar-winner Alfonso Cuarón, the third movie introduced the darker aesthetic that would define the following five films.

Now, on the tenth anniversary of the theatrical release of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” we’ve set out to decide once and for all whether it deserves its presumed status of the best Harry Potter movie.

Which ‘Harry Potter’ Movie Is The Best?

Kevin P. Sullivan: I think before we get underway, it should be said: There isn’t a bad Harry Potter film. We can at least agree on that, right?

Kase Wickman: I mean, the first two are a little hard to watch, but you’re right: No such thing as a bad Harry Potter movie. But there’s no denying that not all Harry Potter movies were created equal. And, Kevin, I don’t think we’re betting on the same horse in this case.

KS: Like you said, the films aren’t all equal, and that means there’s a best one. And that movie is “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” directed by His Majesty Alfonso Cuarón.

KW: That’s where you’re wrong, sir! That honor belongs to “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1,” but instead of me waving my hands around about the emotional experience of that film for half an hour (again), let’s talk ...

By Maurice Bobb

Lil Scrappy was nowhere to be found in the latest episode of “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta,” but Momma Dee kept his presence alive while holding court in the streets, refereeing between his girlfriend Bambi and “friend” Erica Pinkett. After Scrappy’s ladies’ club fight disrupted her prince’s “Dirty 30” birthday party last week, Momma was determined to get her “palace” in order.

Erica Pinkett warned Momma Dee that “a king should not be walking with a peasant” before the latter set up an ill-fated meet-and-greet between the two pugilists to resolve their issues and learn “their position.”

“An even swap won’t be a swindle,” Momma Dee said.

Wait, what?

A quick Google search revealed that the correct colloquialism, “a fair exchange ain’t no robbery and an even swap ain’t no swindle,” means that one party will do an equal action to or for the other in exchange for an equal action. No idea how that adage applies in any way shape or form here.

Momma Dee’s old-fashioned sit-down blew up in her face, though, when a seemingly calm Erica heard the bell ring and tried to bum-rush the Bambi with a flurry of fists — payback for getting sucker-punched by Bambi.

Luckily, the show’s security stepped in to diffuse the situation while somehow managing to reveal that Erica was wearing fake Christian Louboutins. Momma Dee’s meddling ways were the final straw for Bambi, who declared that she no longer cared for her son and ...

By Maurice Bobb

Meek Mill had words with his artist Louie V Gutta over Twitter Monday (June 2) and things got pretty volatile.

After video of a Slowbucks affiliate getting his chain snatched during 50 Cent’s Summer Jam performance surfaced, Gutta, who is signed to Meek’s Dreamchasers imprint, tweeted about karma.

“what goes around comes around…karma,” he wrote.

The MMG rapper didn’t waste time responding to the rapper — whom he’s collaborated with on such songs as “We Ain’t The Same” and “Clique” — saying that Gutta had his chain stolen as well.

“Slow got the chain back u got took chill bro u drawing!” he wrote.

Things got heated, though, after Gudda fired back at Meek while explaining his own incident.

“And u outta pocket tweetin me some sh– when u can call me @MeekMill that’s nut sh–! call me,” he wrote. “and Idc how G a n—a is…if a n—a got the drop on you…and they strapped ain’t shit u can do! f–k y’all want me to box a bullet?”

The two Philly natives volleyed back and forth, with each one challenging and insulting the other.

“I ain’t calling nothing n—a! @LouieVGutta I ain’t never outta pocket n—a! Ima b home tonight,” Meek wrote, before continuing to air out his frenemy.

MTV News Staff

There is one undeniable fact about Mariah Carey: her voice is a wonderland. It has been for, like, well, ever. From the first time we met her in 1990 until her just-released 14th studio album, Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse, Carey has always mesmerized us with her incredible five-ocatve range.

Back in 1993 when she was promoting her third album, Music Box, MTV News sat down with Carey to discuss her signature upper range, you know, the one that makes your dog’s ears perk up and leaves you saying, “wow.”

For Mariah, though, that rare high register is, well, just how she does it. “It’s just a part of my voice,” she said at the time. “Some people like it, some people don’t like it. I enjoy singing in that register and it’s totally a part of me and it’s something that I’ve always done.” She hadn’t busted glass with it at that point, but she did open a garage door with her vocals. So that’s not nothin’.

Head over to Mariah‘s MTV Artist page for more classic interview clips.

MTV News Staff

By Maurice Bobb

Diddy and Meek Mill need that love from hip-hop, and they’re out to get it on the Bad Boy CEO’s new single, “I Want the Love,” released Friday (May 30).

The percussion-heavy track, which is likely on Diddy’s upcoming new LP, Money Making Mitch, finds the Harlem native cloaked in his signature hubris, rapping lines like, “I’m a rich n—a I don’t get mad, I just get paper/I don’t catch feelings, I catch flights, that’s brick paper.”

The chorus, infused with kinetic energy by Meek, punctuates the song with anthemic potential, “I want the love, cause all I know is gettin’ money, knocking at the door I’m like ‘who is it bitch’ I tell you I want the love!”

The pummeling drums take each boastful line up a notch until the Dreams and Nightmares MC explodes on the track for his verse like a crate of unplugged grenades.

“Wanted the money and wanted the love, wanted them bitches that wanted the drugs/ That wanted the Molly and wanted the weed, I walk in the building, get love in the club, love in the streets,” he raps with rapid-fire delivery.

MTV News Staff

By Maurice Bobb

You don’t have to holler to hear what the upcoming Tupac Shakur musical, “Holler If Ya Hear Me,” sounds like.

All you need to do is press play.

Three of the Broadway musical’s songs, which include the title track, “California Love” and “Unconditional Love,” were released Friday (May 30).

While the trio of ‘Pac’s hits feature his indelible lyrics, they are delivered by the actors in the Kenny Leon-directed production, which include the talented multi-hyphenate Saul Williams in the starring role.

Williams is best known for his seminal work as embattled poet Raymond Joshua in the independent film “Slam,” which won the Grand Jury Prize for a Dramatic Film at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. With that same passion, Williams spits Dr. Dre’s opening verse a capella on “California Love,” before the beat and harmonizing voices of his co-stars kick in to deliver the late rapper’s closer.

While the new show is inspired by the All Eyez On Me MC and his sonic legacy, it tells a non-biographical story of friendship, love, family and hope.

“Holler If Ya Hear Me” begins preview performance at the Palace Theatre on June 2.

MTV News Staff

MTV’s latest “True Life” explored the stories of two couples whose relationships were at risk because the ladies wanted to change their men. We had an opportunity to check in with Carmen and Kim to find out what they’ve been up to since filming wrapped — take a look at the follow-up Q&As below.

CARMEN
How has Justin been doing with his transition from dancing to mainstream modeling?
Justin has been diligently working toward being able to leave dancing for good. Although he has been working harder than ever to be able to fully transition from dancing, he hasn’t been able to quit just yet, but we’re both excited that a complete transition is in sight.

How has your relationship with Justin changed since the deadline? Do you see wedding bells in your future?
My relationship with Justin gets stronger every day. The show gave us a way to really confront some of our concerns within our relationship and within ourselves. Having been able to grow together through that experience has really been valuable to us as a couple. Justin has declared his intentions of marriage for our future, so we’ll see how it goes and when he decides to make that happen.

What was it like to share your story with us?
Sharing our story with MTV was such a unique experience. At times it was fun to take the show with us on our journey, but there were also times when it was difficult and uncomfortable. Having to be so ...