NEWS AND UPDATES

It’s Pop Week here at MTV News, and that means we’re catching up with and getting to know everyone who’s going to make a splash in pop music and culture over the next 12 months. Whether they’re just arriving on the scene or are already the name on everyone’s lips, these are the artists we expect big things from in 2009.

They make girls swoon and hearts beat faster. They’re the guys that girls hang posters of on their bedroom walls. Whether they star in movies, make music or do a little bit of both, these guys aren’t going anywhere in 2009. In fact, girls wouldn’t know what to do with themselves if they did. Quite frankly, they are as nice to look at as they are talented in their various jobs. These are MTV News’ Pop Week Male MVPs, and here’s what 2009 will bring for them.

Chris Brown
In 2008, Chris Brown solidified his reputation as an R&B star, but in 2009 the singer and dancer will focus his efforts on his acting career. He has several films lined up, including “Phenom” and the T.I.-produced film “The Heist.” “I’m playing a killer. I’m not going to give anything else away!” he told MTV News about the role. “It’s a bank-robbing movie, so it’s one of those action-packed films. You get a little different side of me in that movie. It will be very entertaining.”

Read about the others inside.

Robert Pattinson
After making millions of girls want to have a vampire love affair in “Twilight,” English heartthrob Robert Pattinson will reprise his role as Edward Cullen in this year’s “New Moon.” But he also hopes to wow audiences as the young surrealist painter Salvador Dalí in the film “Little Ashes,” which chronicles the early life of the brilliant artist and explores his romantic relationship with poet Federico García Lorca, played by Javier Beltran.

Zac Efron
He may not be playing 17 in anymore “High School Musical” movies, but the 21-year-old will be playing the 17-year-old version of Matthew Perry’s character Mike O’Donnell in “17 Again.” He also recently worked on “Me and Orson Welles” and is confirmed to tackle the “Footloose” remake. “It’s great,” he said. “I couldn’t be more excited [to have Kevin Bacon's blessing]. He’s the man.”

Jonas Brothers
Is there anything these guys can’t do? Last year, they starred in “Camp Rock,” released A Little Bit Longer and just generally made girls scream in delight. This year they are taking it up a notch or two by starring in their own TV show, “J.O.N.A.S.,” starring in their own 3-D concert movie, starring in their own feature film and once again making girls swoon. According to their MySpace page, the boys will also embark on a tour and release a new single for “Tonight.” Did we mention they’re also up for a Grammy? Phew!

Shia LaBeouf
He has quickly transformed himself from “Even Stevens” to action stud. Last year, LaBeouf starred alongside Harrison Ford in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” and this year he’ll be reprising his role as Sam Witwicky in the “Transformers” sequel “Revenge of the Fallen.” On top of that, LaBeouf will star in the smaller film “New York, I Love You,” the sequel to “Paris, Je T’aime.” The film follows relationships in New York.

SOURCE

Thanks again for sending Sharrod.