Movie News Mash 34

PREDATORS
20th Century Fox has released another new character featurette from its upcoming film "Predators."

The featurette below focuses on the character "Isabelle" as played by Alice Braga.



"Predators" is due out on July 9, 2010 and stars Topher Grace, Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, Danny Trejo, Laurence Fishburne, Derek Mears, Brian Steele, Walton Goggins. The film is directed by Nimród Antal.

STRETCH ARMSTRONG
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rob Letterman has been signed to direct "Stretch Armstrong." Letterman has previously co-directed "Shark Tale" and "Monsters vs. Aliens" for Dreamworks Animation. His first live-action film is “Gulliver’s Travels,” a comedy starring Jack Black that will be released later this year. Additionally, Nick Stoller — the director of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" — has also been signed to rewrite Steve Oedekerk's original screenplay.

The movie adaptation reportedly features Stretch Armstrong as "an uptight spy" who is accidentally exposed to chemicals that change his body and allow him to stretch to previously unimaginable lengths; effectively giving him a new weapon to fight evil while also causing havoc in his everyday life outside of espionage.

"Twilight" star Taylor Lautner is cast to play the title role of the stretchy hero.
(MTV News)


MEN IN BLACK III
Showbiz411 caught up with "Men in Black" director Barry Sonnenfeld who told them that Smith is already signed on and, somewhat surprisingly, Tommy Lee Jones will be returning for the sequel which, as can be assumed with any upcoming blockbuster, will be in 3D.

While I enjoyed the first "MIB" film, the second one felt forced and had weak comedy. Hopefully Etan Cohen’s ("Tropic Thunder") screenplay for "Men in Black 3" will be a significant improvement over that of "MIB2."

It is noted by Showbiz411 that Sony would really like to have this film out by Memorial Day 2011 since it lost "Spider-Man 4" and could could use a good money-maker to replace it. A third "MIB" film could be just that.
(First Showing)

Taylor Lautner Will Play 'Stretch Armstrong' in 3D

Deadline Hollywood and THR are reporting that Taylor Lautner has been cast as the strethcy superhero in the adaptation of the Hasbro toy "Stretch Armstrong" in development at Universal.

This isn’t just some rumor created by a "Twilight" fan who has a penchant for ripped abs – Lautner has been officially cast in the role of "Stretch Armstrong," proving that status and fame is more important than acting ability.

Here’s what Universal co-chairman, Donna Langley, had to say about the rising star and his casting as Stretch Armstrong:

“In the past two years, Taylor has emerged as a real star at the global box office. He brings the perfect balance of energy and athleticism to the role of an unlikely super hero with a fantastic super power.”

Since Lautner only had a small role to play in the first "Twilight," and his only other role that I can even think of is Sharkboy, they’re really only going on his expanded role in "New Moon" and how teenage girls everywhere swooned over him taking his shirt off every chance he could get…

But nonetheless, Lautner has a slew of other films he will be starring in including the potential franchise "Max Steel." And let’s not forget he’s starring in two more of the "Twilight" movies, "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn."

There aren’t a lot of details on what the plot of "Stretch Armstrong" will be, other than it features, “an uptight spy who stumbles across a stretching formula, which he takes and must now adjust to in everyday life and when fighting crime.”

I think Hollywood really has finally crossed the line with all of these damn toy adaptations. I mean, a "Stretch Armstrong" movie is a bad idea to begin with, but now with Lautner starring in it? I have zero excitement for this project and will be lamenting its eventual release. Oh and, as you probably guessed, it's coming in 3D as well.

That means everything I hate about 3D – i.e. things coming out of the screen at you for no reason – will be in full effect here. In order to accommodate the 3D, the movie is being pushed back from its original May 15, 2011 date to sometime in 2012. On a related note, another Hasbro toy-based movie, "Battleship," has been pushed back from its original date of August 5, 2011, to Memorial Day weekend (May 5) in 2012.

Ron Howard's partner Brian Grazer is producing and screenwriter Steve Oedekerk ("Bruce Almighty," "Evan Almighty") is working on the script.

What do you think of Taylor Lautner being cast as Stretch Armstrong? Is he right for the role or are they just choosing him to piggyback off the success of the whole "Twilight" craze? Do you agree with me about all these toy-based movies?

Expect new toys of Max Steel and Stretch Armstrong to be coming out in the next few years looking like Taylor Lautner...

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, First Showing

Stretch Armstrong the Movie

Executives from Universal Pictures and Hasbro, Inc. announced that the first feature film to be released under Universal and Hasbro's six-year partnership, "Stretch Armstrong," has been dated for theatrical release on April 15, 2011.

They also announced Academy Award(R) winning producer Brian Grazer ("A Beautiful Mind," "American Gangster") will team with Hasbro to bring the iconic action figure to life for the silver screen. Steve Oedekerk ("Bruce Almighty," "Evan Almighty") is writing the screenplay for the fun, action adventure based on the toy that was made popular around the world beginning in the 1970s and re-launched in the 1990's. Hasbro's Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir will also produce.

Stretch Armstrong is an iconic toy that kids around the world enjoyed stretching up to four feet before returning to his original shape. Through the years, the product line stretched into a wide range of toys and supporting characters that built upon the Stretch Armstrong legacy by allowing kids to "stretch their imaginations" with play experiences unique to the inventive Stretch Armstrong brand.

"When Hasbro signed the multi-year strategic partnership with Universal, it was one more powerful example of our commitment to re-imagine, re-invent and re-ignite our incredible brands beyond traditional toys and games," said Brian Goldner, Hasbro's President and CEO. "We are excited that together with Universal, Brian Grazer and Steve Oedekerk, that we can take Stretch Armstrong to new heights as Hasbro's latest great action hero franchise."

"Hasbro is a very important partner to our studio," said Chairman of Universal Pictures Marc Shmuger. "Stretch Armstrong couldn't be in more capable hands than Imagine and Hasbro. We're so excited to bring this iconic property to audiences around the world in April of 2011."

"Stretch Armstrong is a character I have wanted to see on screen for a long time," said Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer. "He's an unconventional kind of super hero with a power that no one would want. It's a story about a guy stretching - if you will - the limits of what is possible to become all that he can be."

Universal Pictures and Hasbro, Inc. formed the partnership in 2008 to produce at least four motion pictures based on some of the world's best-known and beloved brands. Currently in development are "Monopoly," with Ridley Scott set to produce and direct and Pamela Pettler writing the screenplay; "Candyland," with Kevin Lima to direct based on a script from Etan Cohen; Clue, with Gore Verbinski to produce and direct; "Ouija," with Michal Bay to produce; and "Battleship," with Peter Berg to direct from a screenplay by Jon and Erich Hoeber.
(Latino Review)

More awkward movie news to come! Catch ya' later!