It looks like 2012 could be the year of Mischa Barton’s comeback, and I’ll be the first to say, “Finally!” Ever since I watched Fox’s The O.C., I’ve envied Barton’s ability to wear cute, casual looks without treading into adolescent territory. “When I was younger, I tended to dress much more sophisticated than the average teen since I was fortunate enough to have some of the world’s top designers willing to dress me,” said Barton.“I’ve become a bit more playful in my style as I’ve matured.”

The British-born actress has flown under the radar for the past few years, but little did we know that Barton has been expanding on her eponymous handbag line that she launched last fall. “Accessorizing has always been my favorite means of sprucing up an ensemble, which is one of the reasons I’ve launched my own handbag line,” said Barton. “It’ll culminate in my own boutique in London this spring that also includes clothes and make-up”

Barton is also wrapping up two new films, “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” and “Apartment 1303 3D”, so she admits she hasn’t had time to plan for her 26th birthday this Tuesday. “I haven’t put much thought into how I’ll celebrate, but I imagine it will be with a close-knit party of family and friends. Each year, people approach me with fantastic getaways or Vegas experiences, which can surely be fun,” said Barton. “But for me, it’s more about who I’m celebrating with rather than how or where, so I tend to prefer a low-key dinner at a favorite restaurant.”

While Barton celebrates her birthday, we asked her to share her thoughts on a few outfits from the past nine years. Check out her commentary in the captions, and tell us, which look is your favorite?

Source: Stylelist

Also, make sure to visit the Stylelist page to view the photo gallery of some of Mischa’s looks which also features brief commentary from Mischa herself.

We already know this as Mischa is currently on set filming, but nevertheless, here is the first official press outline (aside from the original French story).

Mischa Barton to star in Mark Robinson indie thriller

Zero Gravity Films has set up indie thriller “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” with Castlight Pictures on board to finance and Mischa Barton set to star.

Leah Pipes, Ryan Eggold and Jaz Martin are also attached with Mark Robinson set to helm from a script he penned about a girl who’s severely depressed after the deaths of both her parents. Convinced that the afterlife is mere oblivion, she retreats within herself, only to be drawn out of her depressive funk by an unexpected romance. When her new love disappears, she pursues him — even if it means walking across the threshold into death.

Christine Holder, Mark Holder and Danny Roth are producing. David C. Robinson and Mark Darling are exec producing.

Barton is repped by Domain Talent.

Source: Variety

Fabulous Magazine have posted an interview with Mischa that was done a while ago. I’m not sure why it has taken so long to surface, especially since it is a complete waste of time. Mischa was clearly annoyed being there since every question is based on tabloid sensationalism. I’m annoyed just reading it with the ridiculous tone and added snarky comments. Click here to read for yourself.

They did however add this little gem from Mischa at the bottom of the article:
Times Mischa said: “Shall we pretend we’re having fun?” Once (yes, really)

I’m happy to see Mischa is well aware when someone is insulting her and trying to cover it under the guise of a “chit-chat.” Great job Fabulous Magazine, truly clever work.

Mischa Barton has a new gig: shop owner.

Gossip Cop looked into recent reports that suggested the actress may be opening her own clothing store in London… and can confirm it’s true!

While Barton’s rep tells Gossip Cop the details of the actress’ new business haven’t been finalized, a plan to open a store next year is indeed in the works.

“The O.C.” star, who previously collaborated with designers on lines of handbags and headbands, is actually from England, but was primarily raised in the United States.

What do you think of Barton’s new business venture?

Source: Gossip Cop

This story actually leaked a little while ago but was oddly pulled off the internet by the original source (which was a UK tabloid). This is round two of the story, but this time, Gossip Cop is claiming they have confirmation from Mischa’s rep. That automatically adds credence to what had started off as a run-of-the-mill rumour. Hopefully we get some additional news soon.

According to the original tabloid report, the store will be named Mischa’s Closet. Click this link to read the original info.

Just a quick post to highlight a comment from Phoebe Tonkin, one of The Secret Circle’s breakout stars:

During our chat with the Australian beauty—who plays the coven’s bad girl Faye with equal measures of mean-girl malice and teenage vulnerability—she revealed her inner couch potato, telling us she’s currently obsessed with New Girl and Revenge. “I just want to be Zooey Deschanel,” she tells us. “She’s just the best!” As if that weren’t enough to make us adore her, Tonkin later tells us Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) is her all-time favorite TV character. “I’ve been watching the whole O.C. and I just love it!” she says.

Thanks to Chris for the tip! Quote via Watch with Kristin.

Martin Sheen and Mischa Barton’s ‘Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain’, that was shot partly in the city, may release next year

Ravi Kumar, the director of “Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain” was inspired by “many wonderful books and documentaries” on the Bhopal gas tragedy when he decided to make a feature film on it. In 2009, Kumar got US actors Martin Sheen and Mischa Barton on board for the movie, through which he wanted to tell the story of “corporate greed and the hypocrisy of multinationals in dealing with the third world”. He says it was relatively easy to convince the renowned actors to be part of the project since they responded well to this universal theme.

Kumar shot with Sheen, Barton, Indian actress Tannishtha Chatterjee and several others at that time, and since he had to re-create the 1984 period of Bhopal, he shot the film in Hyderabad and Mumbai on sets and factory locations, and only a few critical scenes were shot in Bhopal. The “life-changing” experience was like a roller coaster ride for the director, who says that three years after the first shot, he is finally reaching the “end of this long journey”.

He told us recently, “We have been invited to some major film festivals where it will be premiered. The release dates will be decided by the distributor all over the world according to their plans.”

However, after the shoot, the director had come under attack from some local NGOs, which claimed that the movie was misrepresenting reality. But ask him about it now, and he says, “For us, there are no issues. The script that they objected to, is not relevant as it was an older version. You have to remember, 95 per cent of the film, crew and cast is Indian, our producer Ravi Walia is Indian… hundreds of them came on board as they believed in the script. Anyone who has seen the rough edit is proud to be associated with this epic and moving story made by Indians.” As far as the delay in the release is concerned (from 2010 to tentatively 2012), he says, “The film has been edited carefully, some scenes re-shot, as this is a historical document and people expect the story to be authentic and genuine. It’s been worthwhile fine-tuning the story as this kind of films have a long shelf life. ”

Right now, the film is with some very senior editors, and music composers from London and LA are working on it, says Kumar. While he does admit that the whole journey of making the movie has been difficult, he adds, “This is not a commercial project, but I’m glad to say that the finished film feels more suited for mainstream audience worldwide, thanks to the universal theme and the US actors playing crucial roles.”

Times of India

Announcement. Delays. More delays. That’s unfortunately been the gist since we heard that Mischa was attached to star in Apartment 1303 3D. If you’re following this website on Twitter, then you’ll already know that the new production start date is set for November. I thought I’d make a post about it here with some more official time frames as shared by ACTRA Montreal.

Apartment 1303
(Feature Film)
1303 Productions Inc.
Director: Daniel Fridell
Production Manager: Jean-Francois Roesler
Casting: Bruno Rosato Casting
Stunt Coordinator: Jean Frenette
Pre-production ‘til: November 9, 2011
Shooting ’til: December 5, 2011

The above dates support the information that was posted by the storyboard artist via his blog. So now we just have to keep our fingers crossed that the November date actually happens.

I also stumbled upon an interview with Kasimir Lehto, who appears to be involved with the 3D elements of the movie. As this will be Mischa’s first 3D project, I’m thrilled to see this kind of talk regarding the potential of the technical aspects of the movie.

And how about your plans, what new projects are you working on and what do you hope to do next?
I am hoping to work more and more as a cinematographer on 3D films, as well as being responsible for the stereoscopic aspects of productions. The next big film I’m attached to is called Apartment 1303 – it’s an innovative, independent horror film and will hopefully start shooting in Canada in a month’s time. I am very excited about the project, we have a great vibe with the producer and director of the project and I feel it will be a great opportunity to push the boundaries of 3D creatively and technically. In general, I think it’s the independent, smaller scale projects that will push the language of 3D forward – the bigger studio pictures are quite conservative in their use of 3D and it is unlikely that innovation will come from that direction.
Source: Stereoscape