'Resident Evil 4' Release Date Shifts to September 2010

Last month it was reported that the upcoming "Resident Evil: Afterlife" had been pushed back to January, 2011 due to the process of making the film in 3D.

"Resident Evil: Afterlife" is being done in 3D by the same team who worked on "Avatar" and apparently the 3D process was taking longer than the studio initially anticipated, so director Paul W.S. Anderson got a bit more time for shooting. The release date originally was September 24, 2010, but the delay pushed it back to January 14, 2011.

In a turn of events, Shock Till You Drop reports that "Afterlife" is not only switching back its release date from 2011 to 2010, but also moving it forward two weeks from September 24 to September 10. On Twitter, Jovovich claimed the delay wasn’t definitive shortly after it was announced and now it appears she was right to say so.

This re-switching of dates will keep the franchise in tradition: the previous two "Resident Evil" movies were both released in the month of September to solid box office openings. The reason for the re-switch is unknown – it could mean that they’ve rushed the 3D process or that the 3D process might not actually take as long for this particular project. Whatever the reason, it means fans of the franchise can see it back in theaters sooner rather than later.

Then again. that is only if they still want to. As a big fan of the "Resident Evil" video game series, the first two films in the franchise entertained me in theaters. Watching the trailer for the third film (which showed the general lack of connection to any of the video games), I did not see the third film until after it was released on DVD. And as I expected, it was really quite terrible. I will have to be extremely wowed by a trailer for "Afterlife" to begin to even think about seeing it at all.

Thoughts on "Resident Evil 4" switching to a September 2010 release date? Do you plan on even seeing it after the disaster that was "Extinction"?

As stated, "Resident Evil: Afterlife" is now set to be released on September 10, 2010.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant

Robert Downey Jr. Leaves 'Cowboys & Aliens'

According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Robert Downey Jr. has left the sci-fi Western “Cowboys & Aliens” behind. However, Jon Favreau ("Iron Man") will remain with the film as the director and production is expected to begin later this year for a summer 2011 release date.

It's not clear yet on the exact reason for Downey’s dropping out but it’s reasonable to assume he may just have too much on his plate going forward. With this holiday’s "Sherlock Holmes" kicking off another franchise, there could be a rush from the studio for a sequel which they spent a lot of time and effort setting up for in this first installment.

He also has at least two other leading roles in Marvel Studios’ franchise as Tony Star/Iron Man after "Iron Man 2" debuts this May. Both "Iron Man 3" and "The Avengers" are expected to come out within the next few years and Downey simply may not have time to dedicate to a third potential franchise.

Downey had been expected to portray Zeke Jackson, a gunslinger who rallies a group of cowboys and Apache Indians when aliens invade Arizona during the mid-19th century.

“Cowboys & Aliens” was originally published in 2006 as a graphic novel. The screenplay — by “Star Trek” and “Transformers” screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci along with “Lost” producer Damon Lindelof — reportedly veers away from the storyline used within the comic book.

Are you disappointed to hear that Downey has left “Cowboys & Aliens”? Who would you like to see replace him in the leading role?

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, MTV News

'Spider-Man 4' Is Scrapped for a Reboot!

In my last post about the troubles of "Spider-Man 4," I mentioned how there were brewings of a reboot of the "Spider-Man" franchise in the works due to problems between the studio and Sam Raimi.

That reboot is now official as Raimi and Tobey Maguire have left the project.

Nikki Finke and Mike Fleming at Deadline Hollywood have confirmed that the cast and director have pulled out entirely and Sony will instead go the route of the reboot with Jamie Vanderbilt’s script.

Raimi was promised creative control over the next film installment after being somewhat of a puppet for the studio on villain selection in "Spider-Man 3." Problems arose between Raimi and Sony about the selection for the villain in "Spider-Man 4" as well and the creative control promise seemed to have disappeared entirely.

According to Finke and Fleming’s sources, Raimi told Sony that he cannot make their scheduled release date. The heads of Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures were not fond of the idea of waiting to replace the director, so they will instead reboot the franchise all together.

When Marvel Studios moved "Thor" into "Spider-Man 4"’s key release date at the opening weekend of summer 2011, we knew "Spider-Man 4" was officially on the move, but it’s a little surprising to see that turn into a full blown cleansing of the slate so to speak.
The studio later confirmed the report in an official announcement (posted in full below) that, along with outlining plans to start over with a teenage Peter Parker, indicated that a new "Spider-Man" movie was still planned for 2012.

"Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios announced today they are moving forward with a film based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on a teenager grappling with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises," reported the studio. "Peter Parker is going back to high school when the next Spider-Man hits theaters in the summer of 2012."

The James Vanderbilt script that they are using is one that will re-tell the origin story of Spidey. This new chapter in the "Spider-Man" franchise will have an entirely new cast and filmmaking team.

Vanderbilt had written the first draft of "Spider-Man 4" but Raimi hadn't embraced his ideas and the studio instead asked the writer to turn them into "Spider-Man 5 and 6," which would probably have served as a reboot of the series. That plan has now been brought forward, with Vanderbilt's ideas becoming the fourth film instead.

"I am so proud of what we accomplished with the Spider-Man franchise over the last decade," Tobey Maguire said. "Beyond the films themselves, I have formed some deep and lasting friendships. I am excited to see the next chapter unfold in this incredible story."

"Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me," Raimi said. "While we were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job."

Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, said: "We have had a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration and friendship with Sam and Tobey and they have given us their best for the better part of the last decade.This is a bittersweet moment for us because while it is hard to imagine 'Spider-Man' in anyone else's hands, I know that this was a day that was inevitable.

"Now everything begins anew, and that's got us all tremendously excited about what comes next. We have a clear vision for the future of 'Spider-Man' and can't wait to share this exciting new direction with audiences in 2012."

EW's Nicole Sperling even brought up "Batman Begins" as an example to describe how the studio is "interested in a more gritty, contemporary redo of the series." A few directorial candidates are tossed around such as "(500) Day of Summer" helmer Marc Webb, "Seabiscuit" director Gary Ross and even Michael Bay (X_x).

While director possibilities are being put out there, Movieline took advantage of the news by posting a list of nine possible actors to take over the role of Peter Parker less than two hours after reporting on the fourth film's demise. Among the names mentioned are Logan Lerman, Zac Efron (X_x), Michael Cera and Daniel Radcliffe.
Everyone ready to learn about how Peter Parker becomes Spider-Man again…
I hear it has something to do with a spider…

But just because it's a reboot doesn't mean it has to be an origin tale! An ideal reboot would be to return to Peter Parker's high school days, with him already established as the wall-crawler, and simply tell a great "Spider-Man" story from that point forward.

Does this news break your heart or make you cry for joy? What do you want to see from the reboot? What will you miss most from Raimi's involvement in the franchise? For me...it's the Bruce Campbell cameos.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: First Showing (1,2), Rope of Silicon (1,2), Screen Rant, Latino Review, MTV News, USA Today, The Geek Files

Full text of the "Spider-Man" movie statement follows:
Spider-Man: Summer 2012

Culver City, CA (January 11, 2010) -- Peter Parker is going back to high school when the next Spider-Man hits theaters in the summer of 2012.

Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios announced today they are moving forward with a film based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on a teenager grappling with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises.

The new chapter in the Spider-Man franchise produced by Columbia, Marvel Studios and Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin, will have a new cast and filmmaking team. Spider-Man 4 was to have been released in 2011, but had not yet gone into production.

“A decade ago we set out on this journey with Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire and together we made three Spider-Man films that set a new bar for the genre. When we began, no one ever imagined that we would make history at the box-office and now we have a rare opportunity to make history once again with this franchise. Peter Parker as an ordinary young adult grappling with extraordinary powers has always been the foundation that has made this character so timeless and compelling for generations of fans. We’re very excited about the creative possibilities that come from returning to Peter's roots and we look forward to working once again with Marvel Studios, Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin on this new beginning,” said Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me. While we were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job,” said Sam Raimi.

“We have had a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration and friendship with Sam and Tobey and they have given us their best for the better part of the last decade.This is a bittersweet moment for us because while it is hard to imagine Spider-Man in anyone else’s hands, I know that this was a day that was inevitable,” said Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, who has served as the studio’s chief production executive since the beginning of the franchise. “Now everything begins anew, and that’s got us all tremendously excited about what comes next. Under the continuing supervision of Avi and Laura, we have a clear vision for the future of Spider-Man and can’t wait to share this exciting new direction with audiences in 2012.”

"Spider-Man will always be an important franchise for Sony Pictures and a fresh start like this is a responsibility that we all take very seriously," said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures. "We have always believed that story comes first and story guides the direction of these films. As we move onto the next chapter, we will stay true to that principle and will do so with the highest respect for the source material and the fans and moviegoers who deserve nothing but the best when it comes to bringing these stories and characters to life on the big screen."

The studio will have more news about Spider-Man in 2012 in the coming weeks as it prepares for production of the film.

John Malkovich Replaces John C. Reilly In ‘Red’

John Malkovich's status as the latest "Spider-Man" villain isn't entirely clear yet, but the actor does have some official news on the comic book front — he's joining the cast of "Red."

According to Variety, Malkovich has signed aboard the ensemble cast of "Red," Summit Entertainment's upcoming adaptation of the DC Comics/WildStorm Productions miniseries written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Cully Hamner.

Malkovich isn't just a new addition, however, as he is actually replacing former cast member John C. Reilly, who has departed the production for unknown reasons.

Even at the expense of Reilly's departure, Malkovich's enlistment to the "Red" cast only furthers the continually exciting line-up of big name actors attached to the project. In addition to Malkovich, the cast of "Red" consists of Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker, James Remar, Julian McMahon, Ernest Borgine, Richard Dreyfuss and Brian Cox.

The story centers on a former CIA agent (Bruce Willis) who has to fight off hi-tech assassins sent to kill him. Malkovich plays a fellow retired agent who is "erratic and paranoid" and teams up with Willis's character.

"Red" is set to start principal photography this week in Toronto, and is scheduled to hit theaters on October 22, 2010.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: MTV News, The Geek Files, Screen Rant

'Jonah Hex Reshoots This Month

As reported last month, Director Jimmy Hayward’s adaptation of the classic DC Comics Western hero, “Jonah Hex” is going back before the cameras for additional material.

Much of the cast, including Josh Brolin, John Malkovich and Megan Fox, are returning to the Los Angeles area for a roughly 10-day shoot, beginning at month's end.

Although no test screenings have taken place, the studio has decided to work on story and action during the shoots, working in 12 pages of additional script mixed in with some re-shoots.

It was rumored that Francis Lawrence, director of "I Am Legend," would be taking over as director for the reshoots. But The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Hayward remains in the director's chair. Lawrence was brought in to act as a consultant and will only help with the reshoots (not take them over).

THR also cites rumors that the new scenes are intended to “fix certain problems with the movie” while also suggesting that the added budget is intended to help the film to compete with the other summer blockbuster films.

Do you think that adding new material will ultimately make “Jonah Hex” a stronger film? If they're adding in more Megan Fox, I don't think it will get any better. It could possibly get worse...But who knows? We have yet to even see a trailer for the film.

“Jonah Hex” is scheduled to be released on June 18, 2010.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Latino Review, MTV News

'Metal Gear Solid' Movie Not Happening

I'm sorry to have to report this, especially for those who are big fans of the video game, but it looks like a "Metal Gear Solid" movie won't be happening for a long time. Collider caught up with producer Michael De Luca recently and asked him about the film's status and he didn't have any good news.

According to De Luca, things are seemingly on hold for the time being as not everyone’s fully on board, mainly the video game company. In this case, the developer is Konami and it looks like they maybe fearful of letting a Hollywood studio adapt their prized property considering the history of quality in video game movies.

“I don’t think it’s going to move forward because I got the sense that there may not be enough of a coordinated will at this point on the side of certain parties to see a movie get made," De Luca said to Collider. "And I get it because the problem with a lot of these adaptations is it’s such a huge franchise for the video game company. A movie can only hurt. If the movie’s great, you’re probably not going to sell more games. It’s such a separate thing. The franchise being as big as it kind of helps the movie…I’m not sure the movie does the same thing for the game.”

Collider went on to mention the onslaught of video game licenses being picked up everywhere to be made into films in the near future and pointed out that the common thought would be that "Metal Gear Solid" would definitely be one of them.

“I think there’s some things…the video game companies are very protective of their property and there are certain things a studio requires freedom-wise to market and distribute a movie effectively in a global marketplace and sometimes getting those two things to match up is really hard. And in the case of 'Metal Gear Solid,' the agendas just….not because the parties weren’t amicable, it was just kind of impossible to get the agendas to match up.”

I understand the fear and hesitation from some video game companies to let filmmakers adapt their property especially when they tend to deviate so much from the key elements which made the games so successful in the first place. Pretty much every film based on a video game is terrible with a few being decent (can really only think of the first "Mortal Kombat" and first "Tomb Raider").

Of course, that doesn't mean there will never be a "Metal Gear Solid" movie, just that, at present, the two companies aren't moving forward with the project. So when both Konami and the studio are ready to have "Metal Gear Solid" make the jump to the silver screen, then it might get done.

What do you make of this news? Would you even want to see a "Metal Gear Solid" movie? If so, who would make the perfect Solid Snake?

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

Stuart Townsend Replaced For 'Thor' Right Before Shooting Starts

Stuart Townsend, who was cast as one of “The Warriors Three” in Kenneth Branagh’s production of "Thor" for Marvel Studios, has left due to creative differences. Replacing Townsend (left) as Fandral the Dashing will be relative unknown Joshua Dallas (right) according to two anonymous inside sources.

The change is very last minute with principal photography set to begin this week and I wonder what sort of creative dispute would make Stuart bail on such a high profile project. According to AICN, he apparently showed up six hours late to a screen test...so the term "creative differences" can just mean he was fired.

This is the first hiccup we’ve seen on the production of "Thor" as everything leading up to this point has been on the up and up for what has become an amazingly talented cast and crew.

Joshua Dallas played a prominent role in "The Descent: Part 2" and plays a secondary character in George Lucas’ "Red Tails." I’m not familiar with his acting myself, but I have faith in the team’s casting decision at picking budding stars as they did with the title character casting of Chris Hemsworth as the God of Thunder.

Irish actor Townsend, best known as the boyfriend of Academy Award winner Charlize Theron, starred in “Queen of the Damned.” He lost a previous fantasy role as Aragorn in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. He was replaced at the last minute by Viggo Mortensen. No complaints there as Viggo was perfection as every one's favorite ranger of the North.

Joshua Dallas gets his big break here as part of "The Warriors Three" where he’ll fight as Fandral the Dashing along side Ray Stevenson’s Volstagg and Tadanobu Asano’s Hogun.

What do you think of this news?
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, Live for Films

Box Office Results and Weekly Movie News

Movies coming out this week!

The Spy Next Door - Former CIA spy Bob Ho (Chan) takes on his toughest assignment to date: looking after his girlfriend's three kids, who haven't exactly warmed to their mom's beau. And when one of the youngsters accidentally downloads a top-secret formula, Bob's longtime nemesis, a Russian terrorist, pays a visit to the family.

The Book of Eli - In a post-apocalyptic United States, a lone man (Washington) fights his way across the country in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.

The Lovely Bones - Young Susie Salmon (Ronan) watches over her family from "the in-between" as they deal with the aftermath of her brutal rape and murder.

Movies coming out on DVD and Blu-ray!

Halloween II
The Hurt Locker
Fame
In The Loop
Moon

Box Office results for the weekend!

1 Avatar$48.5 M

2 Sherlock Holmes$16.6 M

3 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel $16.3 M

4 Daybreakers$15.0 M

5 It's Complicated $11.0 M

6 Leap Year $9.1 M

7 The Blind Side $7.7 M

8 Up in the Air $7.1 M

9 Youth in Revolt $7.0 M

10 The Princess and the Frog $4.7 M

The winnings of "Avatar" finally begin to drop as the film earned less than $50 million this weekend. Considering it is now the second-highest grossing film of all time now, that really doesn't matter. But if "Avatar" wins next weekend as well, it will be the first film since "The Sixth Sense" be to at No. 1 for five weeks (and that film came out over 10 years ago).

And "Avatar" is really the only film to make money this past weekend. "Sherlock Holmes" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks" dropped a lot as did other films that hadn't just opened.

As for the films that did open, they didn't do well at all. Apparently "Youth in Revolt" and "Leap Year" had little to no audience while "Daybreakers" at least got the horror fans into theaters. I hear it is a pretty cool vampire film as well (as compared to other recent....vampire films).

Will "Avatar" take its fifth weekend in a row or will a new film reach the top?
More news to come! Catch ya' later!