On the big screen: Oblivion, starring Tom Cruise, which was shot in Baton Rouge earlier this year, will be released a week earlier than previously announced, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Universal-backed sci-fi thriller will now open on April 19, 2013. An IMAX-only sneak peek will mark an even earlier release on April 12. While some shooting took place in New Orleans for Oblivion, which also co-stars Morgan Freeman, the bulk of the shooting from March through May was done in Baton Rouge.
Sidelined: New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt says running back Darren Sproles will not play in the next preseason game against Jacksonville on Friday night because of knee soreness. Sproles was one of several players who sat out today’s practice, the first since the Saints played at New England on Thursday night. Also missing practice were defensive end Turk McBride and defensive tackle Tom Johnson. Vitt says they both have ankle injuries and also are not expected to play Friday night.
Aloha: A gas company is seeking federal approval to import liquefied natural gas to Hawaii from the mainland. Hawaii Gas says it filed an application last week with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The gas is being shipped from the mainland in insulated intermodal containers and will be used for emergency backup to supplement feedstock supply in case of damage or disruption to existing sources. Hawaii has no naturally occurring fossil fuel resources and relies on imported petroleum to meet energy needs; it aims to achieve 70% clean energy by 2030.
