'Magdalena' Screenwriter Interview

Last we heard about the film "Magdalena," the upcoming adaptation of the Top Cow property, it had landed "Midnight Meat Train" director Ryûhei Kitamura to helm the project, with "The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations" writer Holly Brix penning the screenplay.

Chronicling the adventures of a direct descendant of Mary Magdalene who protects the world against evil using a variety of supernatural powers, "Magdalena" already has its stars in "Step Up" actress Jenna Dewan (playing the heroine, Patience) and "Hellboy II" actor Luke Goss (playing Patience's mentor, Kristof).

MTV News had the chance to interview Brix about the current status of the script.
Here are some highlights:

Is there a particular storyline you have in mind for the film? Is there a certain arc you’ve identified for adapting?

Obviously, I read all the comics and we talked about different versions of the story, but the one I found most compelling was Patience—her arc in becoming the Magdalena. We decided to focus the movie on her. It’s the transfer of power from her mother’s reign as the Magdalena to hers.

The comparison everyone’s making with the film is that it’s a mix of “The DaVinci Code” and various action movies like “Wanted.” Is that a fair comparison for what you’re planning?

I do. It’s definitely a supernatural action movie, so I think ‘DaVinci Code’ is a good reference as far as all the Catholicism in it. But in addition to that story, it’s also a really straightforward action movie.

There’s not a lot of secret codes to unlock and that sort of thing.

Magdalena made more than a few cameos in other Top Cow comics, and various Top Cow characters made cameos in her stories. Any of that happening in the movie?

You never know. At this point, we haven’t worked that in, but we’re certainly adding a lot of elements that weren’t in the source material. I know in the Top Cow universe, she appears in the other comics and vice versa, so I think there could be an opportunity for that. But right now, nothing is set in stone.

Action movies with female leads have had a rough time finding an audience in the past. Are you worried about that with “Magdalena”?

The movie’s never really been a female action movie, because of Kristof. It’s more of a two-hander. He’s a huge character in it. He’s definitely her mentor and fights right alongside her and teaches her everything she knows.

They go the whole movie together. He doesn’t drop out somewhere along the way.

We always envisioned it as a two-hander. she’s the one with the superpowers—the supernatural element of the story is her—but he’s definitely right there alongside her the whole film, so it could easily be considered his film as well.
So is it more of a “buddy cop”-style film?

Well, there’s not really a romantic storyline. They’re pursuing the same objective, and I don’t want to say it’s like ‘48 Hours,’ but it is sort of like that. They both have arcs, they’re both right in the foreground, and I consider the story both of theirs.

We’re definitely trying to set it apart from some of the other movies where they haven’t had that compelling male lead, too.

So do you have an ETA for the script and when production might start?

We’ll probably have a draft done within six weeks, and then hopefully we’ll get financing pretty quickly and can start setting a date for when we can shoot this. I think everyone’s committed to having a quick turnaround.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: MTV News

'Magdalena' Now Has a Director

Top Cow CEO Marc Silvestri, executive producer of "Wanted," seems to have found a new niche in Hollywood production. He will repeat that role on his company's next movie adaptation "Magdalena" with newly announced director Ryûhei Kitamura.

Valhalla Motion Pictures and Platinum Studios signed Kitamura, who most recently directed Clive Barker's "Midnight Meat Train." Also new to the "Magdalena" team is "The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations" writer Holly Brix.

Silverstri's production team for the religious history-inspired action tale includes Gale Anne Hurd ("Incredible Hulk," "Punisher: War Zone," "Terminator 2") Platinum Studios head Scott Mitchell Rosenberg and Top Cow president Matt Hawkins, according to Variety.

The movie, slated to star Jenna Dewan and Luke Goss, follows Top Cow's original title character, a descendant from Jesus Christ's bloodline via Mary Magdalene. Endowed with the ability to look into human hearts and show evil-doers the errors of their ways, Magdalena uses her powers to protect the Roman Catholic Church.

Top Cow is going to see if they can use it to replicate the success of "Wanted," which grossed over $130 million domestically, it could be a property ripe for resurrection.

Do you think Ryûhei Kitamura will be a good pick to direct "Magdalena"? Do you think Valhalla and Platinum Studios chose wisely with writer Holly Blix?

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: MTV News

Gale Anne Hurd Interview

Latino Review got to sit down with producer Gale Ann Hurd ("Terminator," "The Incredible Hulk" and "Punisher: War Zone") to talk about some of her current projects.

Here are some cool clips from the interview.

In regard to the previous two 'Punishers', what do you think this film does right that the others didn't do?

Hurd: There are a few things. The first is that the film is set in New York City with a great nemesis. Regardless of whether you thought he was over the top a little he was taken directly from the comic book and the film is populated with characters from the comic books and the look of the comic book is there with Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle. He honestly looks like he came out of a Tim Bradstreet cover.

Tim Blake Nelson talked about wanting to play The Leader in 'The Hulk'. Have there been sequel talks?

Hurd: Just 'Avengers'. But yes, the more that the online community says, 'We want to see a sequel –' the more likely it is that it'll happen.

So it'd be Hulk as a part of The Avengers? Will Hulk be the villain, or part of the team then become a villain?

Hurd: I don't know and if I did I couldn't tell you.

But as far as a sequel for 'The Hulk' would you like to see the same cast?

Hurd: I'd love to.

'Gearhead' was just announced.

Hurd: Yes. It is very cool.

What's it about basically?

Hurd: It's a lawless America sometime in a future, an alternate America in which the outcasts are living outside of society and regular society is run by some pretty villainous superheroes. Once again I love the idea of the outcast.

It's a female lead too, right?

Hurd: It is a female. Yes, she is.

What about 'Magdalena'?

Hurd: That's the Top Cow comic 'Magdalena'. We have a writer onboard.

Is it a Biblical story?

Hurd: No. I mean, it's inspired by the Lion of the Magdalena. She is a descendant. Her weapon is the spirit destiny. It's kind of cool. Imagine 'Da Vinci Code' meets 'Wanted'.


All very interesting. Go to Latino Review to read the rest of the interview!
More news to come! catch ya' later!

Luke Goss on Magdalena

Luke Goss, most recently known as Prince Nuada from "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," spoke to MTV News about his upcoming role in the film "Magdalena."

"Magdalena" is about a holy warrior protagonist named Patience, who will be played by Jenna Dewan.
Dewan breaks down the story of "Magdalena" in this interview clip.

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"Basically, I had a meeting with Gale [Gale Ann Hurd, producer of the movie], and Gale said, ‘You’re the guy for me,’” Goss said. “You know you’re in good hands with her. She’s wonderful. And she was adamant about bringing in a screenwriter who was going to bring a rich story to it. We’re not going to hold back. We’re going to make it a rich mythology. People realized with Downey [in "Iron Man"] that when you put a story behind a superhero, it’s actually quite irresistible.”

The film will also deal with religious content that is a heavy part of the plot form the comics.

“For me, it’s almost like ‘Da Vinci Code’ with substance, and more action,” he said. “And I don’t think she’s going to shy away from that religious foundation. It’s not a religious movie at all, but she’s not going to shy away from that content.”

Goss said that by the time they start filming — “I was told the first third of next year” — he needs to be pretty fit to play Kristof, Patience’s mentor/trainer. “It’s a two-hander,” he said. “For me, there’s going to be a lot of physicality. So it’s a case of, I’ll get a little bigger, put on 20-25 pounds, get fit and strong, and learn some new techniques.”

Goss also wants to spend time developing his chemistry with Dewan, since their characters’ interaction is a big part of the film. “She gets handed this responsibility,” he said, “and as great as she is, she still needs to evolve, and I’m going to be there for that.”

More interesting clips from Dewan! On her sexy super heroine outfit.

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On story lines for possible sequels. "Witchblade" crossover will be a possibility!

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"Magdalena" is set to come out sometime in 2010. More news to come! Catch ya' later!

Magdalena

Producer Gale Ann Hurd (producer of the "Hulk" franchise, "Terminator" franchise and "Punisher" franchise) talked about the upcoming film "Magdalena" with MTV News.

“We’re in the early script phase at the moment,” explained Hurd. “There should be some [casting announcements] within the next month and a half on this.”

According to MTV News, "So far, the only actors cast in “Magdalena” are Jenna Dewan (“Step Up”) and Luke Goss (“Hellboy II”), with more on the way. Based on the Top Cow comic, the flick will tell the story of Patience (Dewan), a tough warrior who can trace her lineage back to Mary Magdalene. This being a comic, the character’s path has sometimes crossed with “Witchblade,” but the producer could neither confirm nor deny that the movie would have a similar crossover.

“I can’t speak to that,” she insisted. “That would be something for a Top Cow or Platinum Studio person.”

Hurd was eager, however, to address the rampant rumors that her film would be forced to trim back religious aspects of the comic to appease mainstream audiences. “I don’t think you can separate ‘Magdalena’ completely from the legacy of her descent or the fear of destiny or many things that are connected with her as part of the comic book franchise,” she explained. “But at the same time, it’s not a religious movie in that respect. We’re not going to disregard it, but if you’re familiar [with the comic] it is not a movie that examines religion per se, but it’s a character who comes from a religious tradition.”

Taking things a step further, Hurd compared the film to “The Da Vinci Code” franchise in that religion is present, but mainly in the background to set up story. “That’s a perfect analogy,” she said. “Same thing with ‘The Omen,’ or films like that. It’s a jumping off point. It is not untrue to its background, but that’s not what the story is about.”

Hurd said that Dewan is about to undergo some serious training, so she can continue the producer’s impressive history of giving us strong, no-nonsense cinematic heroines. “Being a dancer, she’s in great shape already, and she’s done quite a lot of action training in the past so I think she’ll pick it up very quickly,” the producer explained. “I’ll tell ya, Jenna is all for it. She is ready to get in there and kick some butt.”