The Weinstein Company has debuted a new trailer for John Hillcoat's "The Road." This movie's release date has bounced around several times, but a date has finally been settled on and the movie will be hitting theaters in less than a month.
Based on Cormac McCarthy's beloved, best-selling and Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Academy Award nominee Viggo Mortensen leads an all-star cast in the big screen adaptation of "The Road," the epic post-apocalyptic tale of a journey taken by a father (Viggo Mortensen) and his young son (newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee) across a barren landscape that was blasted by an unnamed cataclysm that destroyed civilization and most life on earth.
"The Road" hits theaters on November 25.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: First Showing, Latino Review
Friday, October 30, 2009
'Men in Black 3' Moving Forward
It's been several months since we last heard about a new "MIB" and more than seven years since the last "Men in Black" film hit theaters. Columbia Pictures is now moving forward with a sequel, greenlighting "Men In Black III" for development just in time for nostalgia to kick in.Variety reports that Etan Cohen, the screenwriter behind "Tropic Thunder," has been hired to handle scripting chores for the franchise's pending third installment.
There's been no confirmation of Will Smith or Tommy Lee Jones' official involvement, but it's unlikely Columbia would risk a property known for producing summer blockbusters without their participation. And so far, the studio hasn't commented on the project's pending plot, cast or general tone.
Ed Solomon wrote the script for the first "Men in Black," which hit in 1997, and Robert Gordon and Barry Fanaro wrote the second, which hit in 2002. Combined, those two earned around $1.1 billion worldwide. Apparently Etan Cohen is "deep into his draft," which THR is saying implies that the studio still wants to "continue the franchise's top-tier status."
Why wouldn't they? Anyway, I loved the first one, didn't really like the second one much, but will say I am looking forward to a third one. As long as the story is better, funnier and still holds true to the concept of the original movie (and comic book that it's based on), I'm all for it.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: MTV News, Rope of Silicon, First Showing
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Anthony Hopkins in Talks to Play Odin in 'Thor'
According to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins is in negotiations to play Odin, the father of Thor, who rules the Norse gods in Asgard.Unlike the rumors of big names like Robert De Niro and Jude Law joining the cast of Thor, this star is confirmed to be in negotiations for the role. Also joining the cast earlier this month is the talented Stellan Skarsgård in addition to the report of Dominic Cooper possibly playing Fandral.
Odin of course is the ruler of Asgard and father of the lead, Thor, the God of Thunder.
The role of Thor is being played by Chris Hemsworth in a story where the god of thunder, a powerful but arrogant warrior, recklessly re-ignite an ancient war. As punishment, Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans. Once here, he learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends dark forces of Asgard to invade Earth. Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Colm Feore and Jaimie Alexander round out the cast.
Director Kenneth Branagh as added another huge name and talented actor to his cast of awesomeness. I am pumped.
What do you think of Anthony Hopkins as Odin?
"Thor" opens in theaters May 20, 2011.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, Rope of Silicon, MTV News
J.J. Abrams Not Directing 'M:I4'
In an interview with MTV News, "Star Trek" rebooter J.J. Abrams said that he would not return to direct the fourth "Mission Impossible" movie.
"I'm producing with Tom," he said recently. "My guess is, given other things, that I will not be directing the movie."
So it seems a new director will have to step up — the fourth in as many films. But Abrams didn't really address rumors claiming that Tom Cruise would not star in this new chapter.
While the Hollywood star has been agent Ethan Hunt since the first "Mission" in 1996, rumors have been floating around that a younger actor — or even an ensemble — might take over for Cruise as the focus of the franchise.
What is known is that Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec are penning the screenplay, and the whole thing came together because Cruise wanted to reunite with Abrams.
"Tom asked if I'd be interested in working with him again," Abrams said. "I didn't have a sense of what the story would be, but very quickly this idea came to mind, and Tom reacted to it in a way that got me excited, and then we got André and Josh to come onboard, and they began developing the idea with us."
Given Abrams' commitment to the "Star Trek" franchise, it seems as if his likely decision to skip directorial duties on "Mission" means audiences could see the fourth film in a shorter timeframe than if he were helming the movie. Shooting could even start soon.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: Latino Review, MTV News
"I'm producing with Tom," he said recently. "My guess is, given other things, that I will not be directing the movie."
So it seems a new director will have to step up — the fourth in as many films. But Abrams didn't really address rumors claiming that Tom Cruise would not star in this new chapter.
While the Hollywood star has been agent Ethan Hunt since the first "Mission" in 1996, rumors have been floating around that a younger actor — or even an ensemble — might take over for Cruise as the focus of the franchise.
What is known is that Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec are penning the screenplay, and the whole thing came together because Cruise wanted to reunite with Abrams.
"Tom asked if I'd be interested in working with him again," Abrams said. "I didn't have a sense of what the story would be, but very quickly this idea came to mind, and Tom reacted to it in a way that got me excited, and then we got André and Josh to come onboard, and they began developing the idea with us."
Given Abrams' commitment to the "Star Trek" franchise, it seems as if his likely decision to skip directorial duties on "Mission" means audiences could see the fourth film in a shorter timeframe than if he were helming the movie. Shooting could even start soon.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: Latino Review, MTV News
New 'A Christmas Carol' Clips
Ever since Comic Con, Disney has been pushing their Robert Zemeckis-directed version of the Charles Dickens’ classic story "A Christmas Carol." They’ve done everything they can to ensure that as many people as possible know about the film and go see it. Of course, that is the whole point of marketing but I fear they may be over doing it a touch. The 7-month-long "A Christmas Carol" train journey was almost overdoing it but now I think they are showing way too much of the film two weeks before its release.
Below you can watch six new clips of the film that Collider assembled into one 5 minute video. The audio doesn’t seem to be all that impressive but hopefully it will be better in theaters.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: Screen Rant
Below you can watch six new clips of the film that Collider assembled into one 5 minute video. The audio doesn’t seem to be all that impressive but hopefully it will be better in theaters.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: Screen Rant
Watch the New 'Avatar' Trailer Now!
Fox has finally debuted the epic 3 ½ minute trailer for James Cameron's "Avatar" online. This trailer finally shows that there's more to "Avatar" than just giant blue Na'vi aliens, that it's a story about love and survival and the importance of life. And it looks absolutely incredible. I think this could be one of the best trailers of the entire year. The visuals don't just blow my mind but so does the sound. The music is totally engrossing.
"Avatar" is the upcoming 3-D fantasy epic telling the story of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people.
And just because I adore all you readers so much and know that you want more "Avatar" footage, below you can watch a behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of "Avatar" which gives some further insight on the film.
Sources: Rope of Silicon, First Showing
"Avatar" is the upcoming 3-D fantasy epic telling the story of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people.
And just because I adore all you readers so much and know that you want more "Avatar" footage, below you can watch a behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of "Avatar" which gives some further insight on the film.
Sources: Rope of Silicon, First Showing
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
'True Grit' Remake Cast Updates
Variety is reporting that Matt Damon and Josh Brolin are in talks to star in Joel and Ethan Coen's "True Grit," the remake of the 1969 film that earned John Wayne his only Oscar. They will be joining the previously announced Jeff Bridges, who will step into The Duke's shoes and play U.S. marshal Rooster Cogburn. On top of directing, the Coens have also written the script (as they do with virtually all their films) which is said to be more faithful to the original Charles Portis novel than the 1969 film.
IGN asked Joel and Ethan Coen about their "True Grit" remake. The directors confirmed Matt Damon and Josh Brolin’s attachment to the film. They also gave more info on the plot, particularly emphasizing how it differs from the John Wayne original movie and is keeping more with the Charles Portis novel.
Here’s what the filmmaking duo had to say:
“Yes. Jeff, Matt and Josh, that’s true - something that you read in the trades that actually turns out to be true!”
“It’s partly a question of point-of-view. The book is entirely in the voice of the 14-year-old girl. That sort of tips the feeling of it over a certain way. I think [the book is] much funnier than the movie was so I think, unfortunately, they lost a lot of humor in both the situations and in her voice.”
“Another way in which it’s a little bit different from the movie - and maybe this is just because of the time the movie was made - is that it’s a lot tougher and more violent than the movie reflects. Which is part of what’s interesting about it.”
“I [Joel] don’t actually remember the movie too well, but I do remember it as being much more of a standard western, and the book is just an oddity. It’s a very odd book.”
Damon will play the lawman (called La Boeuf in the original, played by Glen Campbell) who teams up with Cogburn, while Brolin will play the man who kills a 14-year old girl’s father. The girl has yet to be cast but it's a role that brought Kim Darby some serious attention as she stood toe-to-toe with Wayne.
Adding to writing and directing duties, the Coens will also produce "True Grit" alongside Steven Spielberg and Scott Rudin. Paramount is set to put the film into production next March for a release late next year.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: First Showing, Rope of Silicon, Screen Rant
Trailers and Clips Galore!
A whole slew of trailers and clips have come out in the past day, so I am going to jam them all in this one post so you can enjoy all of them in one sitting.
"Shutter Island"
The first trailer for this film came out back in June, but sadly the movie's release date moved from October 2 this year to February 19 next year. A second trailer appeared last month and now we have a new trailer you can watch below. The creepy factor for this movie has escalated in every trailer, but do you think we are seeing too much of the plot?
"Alice in Wonderland"
The original teaser trailer for this film came out in July, and this new trailer is basically the exact same thing but edited differently and being a second or two longer. Can't wait for a real trailer to come out for this film already.
Alice in Wonderland - Extended Trailer
"Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day"
While the movie right now is only a limited release, you can catch the first five minutes of the film in the video below. Want to see the rest of the movie now?
"Green Zone"
Matt Damon teams up with "Bourne" director Paul Greengrass again to brings us another action movie. It is loosely-based on Rajiv Chandrasekaran's non-fiction book The Imperial Life in Emerald City.
"Invictus"
Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial effort, entitled "Invictus" (which is Latin for “unconquered”) stars Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, a Rugby player for South Africa. The film centers on when Mandela campaigned, “to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup event as an opportunity to unite his countrymen.” Will this be an Oscar contender?
Yeah, we have two Matt Damon trailers here. Got a problem with that?
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
"Shutter Island"
The first trailer for this film came out back in June, but sadly the movie's release date moved from October 2 this year to February 19 next year. A second trailer appeared last month and now we have a new trailer you can watch below. The creepy factor for this movie has escalated in every trailer, but do you think we are seeing too much of the plot?
"Alice in Wonderland"
The original teaser trailer for this film came out in July, and this new trailer is basically the exact same thing but edited differently and being a second or two longer. Can't wait for a real trailer to come out for this film already.
Alice in Wonderland - Extended Trailer
"Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day"
While the movie right now is only a limited release, you can catch the first five minutes of the film in the video below. Want to see the rest of the movie now?
"Green Zone"
Matt Damon teams up with "Bourne" director Paul Greengrass again to brings us another action movie. It is loosely-based on Rajiv Chandrasekaran's non-fiction book The Imperial Life in Emerald City.
"Invictus"
Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial effort, entitled "Invictus" (which is Latin for “unconquered”) stars Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, a Rugby player for South Africa. The film centers on when Mandela campaigned, “to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup event as an opportunity to unite his countrymen.” Will this be an Oscar contender?
Yeah, we have two Matt Damon trailers here. Got a problem with that?
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
'Conan' Casting Breakdown
Since Marcus Nispel was announced as the director of the new "Conan" film in June, fans have been waiting to hear who will play the barbarian warrior.We now know no actors have yet been hired, as the producers have just put out a casting call for all the key characters in the run-up to the start of filming on February 15 in Bulgaria.
The casting breakdown, revealed on Moviehole, contains spoilers and includes the title role of the Cimmerian hero, asking for an actor "in his 20s to early 30s, Caucasian, powerfully built, broad-shouldered, sun-browned skin lined with scars. Piercing blue eyes and square-cut black mane, tall."
It adds: "He is a savage killer that has matured into the refinement his father tried to teach him when he was young. Conan is very smart, almost inhumanly strong, and very cunning.
"His entire life, from the moment of his birth, has been shaped by violence. Being the last of his tribe and having to watch his father die a cruel death, he is determined avenge his peoples slaughter by killing all those who led the attack on the Cimmerians, including the all-powerful Khalar Singh.
"He is prepared to die in order to accomplish his goal. What Conan did not expect, was to find a reason to live."
Actors are also sought for the roles of the young Conan; Khalar Singh, a warlord whose quest is to find the Queen of Acheron so he can build a hellish empire to protect against master sorcerer Thoth-Amon; Tamara, who teams up with Conan to find Khalar Singh; Conan's father Corin; Khalar's son Fariq and second-in-command Ukafa; and a number of others including a narrator with a 'storyteller's voice of old.'
Based on that information and the various plot details revealed in the breakdowns, "Conan" is shaping up to be a sizable fantasy epic. What do you make of the "Conan" character breakdowns?
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: The Geek Files, MTV News
'Short Circuit' Remake Gets 'Paul Blart' Director
News on the "Short Circuit" remake has been dead the past few months, so I thought that there might be a chance that it wasn't going to happen. Sadly the remake/reboot has a director and it doesn't make me anymore excited to see this film.
Variety reports that Steve Carr, who directed the 2009 surprise hit "Paul Blart: Mall Cop," has been chosen to direct the "Short Circuit" remake, but there is no word on when production will begin.
It was announced back in June that Dan Milano ("Robot Chicken") would be scripting the film. He plans to give it a "subversive edge" similar to his Adult Swim work.
Variety says what we can expect of the script: "Built by the military to be a highly sophisticated weapon, Johnny 5 develops a conscience and personality after being hit by lightning. He befriends a lonely boy and his fractured family."
So now the remake of the 1986 film will deviate from the original by having Johnny 5 befriend a little boy instead of Ally Sheedy (goth chick from "The Breakfast Club").
But why a lonely boy and his fractured family? Why must every family story in Hollywood include a messed up kid and their messed up family? What was wrong with the original story that was a comedy with a love story subplot?
David Foster, producer of the original film and of the remake, told Variety, "We're bringing Number 5 into the 21st Century and taking advantage of the improvements in robotics that are so massive that robots are now performing heart surgeries in hospitals."
So are we getting a CGI Johnny 5 that will wind up being voiced by some celebrity? Contrast that enthusiasm with what Foster thinks about the film "WALL-E."
"We think of 'Wall-E' as an extended trailer for our film, because it's the same face," Foster said.
I'm officially off this project. Normally I'd like to be optimistic and say that maybe it has a chance of being fun, but this time I've just got to accept reality.
"No disassemble!"
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Cinematical (1,2), First Showing, Screen Rant, Rope of Silicon
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Box Office Results and Weekly Movie News
Movies coming out this week!
This Is It - A compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.
Gentlemen Broncos - Soon after his latest work is published, science-fiction author Ronald Chevalier (Clement) faces charges of plagiarism from aspiring teenage writer Benjamin Purvis (Angarano).
Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day - The MacManus brothers, who are living a quiet life on the family farm in Ireland, return to Boston to exact their unique form of revenge on the mob forces who have framed the brothers for the murder of a local priest.
The House of the Devil - A broke college student (Donahue) is lured to a Victorian mansion deep in the woods for what she thinks is a lucrative babysitting job, though she soon realizes her creepy clients have nightmarish plans for her.
Movies coming out on DVD and Blu-ray!
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Whatever Works
Orphan
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
Nothing Like the Holidays
Box Office results for the weekend!
1 Paranormal Activity $22.0 M
2 Saw VI $14.8 M
3 Where the Wild Things Are $14.4 M
4 Law Abiding Citizen $12.7 M
5 Couples Retreat $11.0 M
6 Astro Boy $7.0 M
7 The Stepfather $6.5 M
8 Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant$6.3 M
9 Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs $5.6 M
10 Zombieland $4.3 M
Wow. This is the fifth week that "Paranormal Activity" has been out in movie theaters and it finally got the No. 1 spot (something that "Blair Witch" never did). "Saw VI got owned, but if it wasn't for "Paranormal," it might have done as well as the other films in the franchise. Still expect a "Saw VII" next year though.
There were a couple bombs this weekend. "Astro Boy" failed along with "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" and "Amelia" (which is only a little behind "Zombieland" at No. 11).
Can "Paranormal" keep next weekend or will Michael Jackson's return from the dead win it all?
This Is It - A compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.
Gentlemen Broncos - Soon after his latest work is published, science-fiction author Ronald Chevalier (Clement) faces charges of plagiarism from aspiring teenage writer Benjamin Purvis (Angarano).
Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day - The MacManus brothers, who are living a quiet life on the family farm in Ireland, return to Boston to exact their unique form of revenge on the mob forces who have framed the brothers for the murder of a local priest.
The House of the Devil - A broke college student (Donahue) is lured to a Victorian mansion deep in the woods for what she thinks is a lucrative babysitting job, though she soon realizes her creepy clients have nightmarish plans for her.
Movies coming out on DVD and Blu-ray!
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Whatever Works
Orphan
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
Nothing Like the Holidays
Box Office results for the weekend!
1 Paranormal Activity $22.0 M
2 Saw VI $14.8 M
3 Where the Wild Things Are $14.4 M
4 Law Abiding Citizen $12.7 M
5 Couples Retreat $11.0 M
6 Astro Boy $7.0 M
7 The Stepfather $6.5 M
8 Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant$6.3 M
9 Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs $5.6 M
10 Zombieland $4.3 M
Wow. This is the fifth week that "Paranormal Activity" has been out in movie theaters and it finally got the No. 1 spot (something that "Blair Witch" never did). "Saw VI got owned, but if it wasn't for "Paranormal," it might have done as well as the other films in the franchise. Still expect a "Saw VII" next year though.
There were a couple bombs this weekend. "Astro Boy" failed along with "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" and "Amelia" (which is only a little behind "Zombieland" at No. 11).
Can "Paranormal" keep next weekend or will Michael Jackson's return from the dead win it all?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Even More Trailer Mash-Ups
When the "Terminator" franchise merges with the "Transformers," all robots become our enemies.
What if there was more to the "Back to the Future" franchise? Like...if it was bordering on a "Brokeback Mountain" relationship between Doc and Marty?
"The Ten Commandments." Possibly one of the greatest comedies of all time about high school conflicts in biblical proportions. 'Nuff said.
What if there was more to the "Back to the Future" franchise? Like...if it was bordering on a "Brokeback Mountain" relationship between Doc and Marty?
"The Ten Commandments." Possibly one of the greatest comedies of all time about high school conflicts in biblical proportions. 'Nuff said.
'Mad Max 4' Confirmed
If you're a fan of the post-apocalyptic "Mad Max" trilogy that boosted Mel Gibson into stardom, you may either love or hate the news that "Mad Max 4" is now officially in the works.While George Miller (director of the original films) was talking about possibly making the film into an animated feature, it is now going to be live-action with a possible large budget.
THR published a story confirming that "Mad Max 4," now officially titled "Fury Road," is actually already ready to go into production in Sydney and in New South Wales next year. They did not confirm any of the actors, but did mention that the budget would be close to $100 million, despite having no studio funding or backing for the project.
One of the local papers has a few quotes from Miller saying that "Fury Road" will put New South Wales back on the map as a filmmaking destination.
"The 'Mad Max' films are iconic," NSW Premier Rees said. "In the hands of director George Miller, we will see one of the largest and most ambitious live-action films ever made in Australia. This is a clear vote of confidence in Australian expertise. This proves that Sydney is an international contender for major film production."
On the casting front, Mel Gibson will not return as the iconic character but instead will be replaced by a new actor. Rumors have come out of E! Online stating that Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy are director George Miller's top choices to star in "Mad Max 4."
According to E!, this is all early in development anyway: "the studio has yet to sign off on Miller's choices, and no formal offers have been made," meaning it could all change at a moment's notice.
Later in the day another rumor hit, this time coming from ABC News out of Australia. It claims that Sam Worthington is rumored to be playing the lead, not Tom Hardy.
There's always the chance that both of them could end up being in "Fury Road," with Hardy playing a villain or sidekick.
I'm excited to see this project get underway and I hope we get confirmed casting news soon, as I'm anxiously awaiting to see who George Miller has lined up in place of Mel Gibson, since he was the one who made the original movies so great.
George Miller talks about the project in a video which is included below...
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: First Showing (1,2), The Geek Files
Friday, October 23, 2009
More YouTube Trailer Mash-Ups
What happen when "The Matrix" meets "Fight Club"?
The "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" become "Reservoir Dogs."
"Wizard of Oz" dances it up and serves "You Got Served."
The "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" become "Reservoir Dogs."
"Wizard of Oz" dances it up and serves "You Got Served."
'Ghost in the Shell'
A live-action adaptation of Masamune Shirow's "Ghost in the Shell" has been in the works for some time, but it finally looks like the film is moving forward.According to a Variety report, DreamWorks has hired Laeta Kalogridis to write the screenplay. Jamie Moss was originally hired as screenwriter when DreamWorks bought the property last year.
Kalogridis wrote and executive produced Martin Scorsese's upcoming thriller "Shutter Island," which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and hits theaters in February.
The producers behind the planned 3-D film include Steven Paul, Avi Arad and Steven Spielberg, whose personal interest in the story reportedly helped DreamWorks land the rights.
"'Ghost in the Shell' is one of my favorite stories," Spielberg explained last year. "It's a genre that has arrived, and we enthusiastically welcome it to DreamWorks."
“Ghost in the Shell” follows the exploits of Motoko Kusanagi, a covert operative who works for a counter-terrorist organization called Public Security Section 9 in a futuristic, cyberpunk Japan. Her cyborg nature causes her to question her humanity while she hunts down terrorists. It is widely considered to be one of the most influential manga of the last thirty years.
Since it was first published in 1989, “Ghost in the Shell” has been adapted into an animated TV series, three video games and three animated movies.
The forthcoming DreamWorks live action adaptation is tentatively scheduled for 2011.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: First Showing, The Geek Files, MTV News
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Dr. Curt Connors Confirmed For 'Spider-Man 4'
When it comes to "Spider-Man 4," the upcoming superhero sequel directed by Sam Raimi, all eyes are on figuring out who the film's villains are going to be.Many fans are hoping that the fourth "Spider-Man" outing finally focuses on The Lizard, Dr. Curt Connors' reptilian alter-ego that's been teased over the past three films.
Connors eventually turns into The Lizard because he becomes obsessed with figuring out how to grow his arm back after losing it years ago in the war. He develops an experimental serum made from reptilian DNA but the experiment goes wrong and he turns into a human-sized lizard.
Even though the Lizard's involvement still isn't a certainty, actor Dylan Baker—who played Connors in previous "Spider-Man" films—will indeed reprise his role in "Spider-Man 4," offering hope to fans of Spidey's scaly-skinned nemesis.
According to UGO Movie Blog, Baker confirmed his involvement in the fourth "Spider-Man" film during a question and answer session following a screening of horror movie "Trick 'r Treat" in New York City.
Some confusion arose, however, when the film's director Michael Dougherty joked that Baker would essentially remain a background character—an assessment that Baker acknowledged as likely.
It's unclear whether Dougherty and Baker were joking about the actor's level of importance in "Spider-Man 4" or if they were simply trying to throw the audience off the scent. The "Trick 'r Treat" filmmaker even referred to Baker's continued role as Connors as a "c---tease for another year"
Regardless, Baker's attachment to "Spider-Man 4" means that The Lizard is at least a possible contender for the film's villainous role, if not the current frontrunner.
"Spider-Man 4" begins filming in March and is set for release in May 2011.
Source: MTV News, The Geek Files, First Showing
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Willem Dafoe Talks 'John Carter of Mars'
We've known that Willem Dafoe had been cast in Andrew Stanton's "John Carter of Mars" since July, so that's not the news here today, but the actor talked with both AICN and MTV News recently and revealed a lot of interesting details about his character and the project. The story in "John Carter of Mars" centers on a civil war veteran who finds himself mysteriously transported to Mars, where his involvement with warring races of the dying planet force him to rediscover his humanity.
Dafoe will be playing the role of Tars Tarkas, a big green Martian who eventually befriends John Carter (played by Taylor Kitsch) after an unfriendly beginning to their relationship. Tarkas is a warrior and leader of his people and a very unique one at that because he, against the laws and norms of his society, shows compassion and sympathy, and even had a child secretly with the woman he loved (child bearing is a major criminal offense of hispeople) - he actually believes war isn’t the answer for his kind.
"John Carter of Mars" is currently scheduled to start shooting next January, so Dafoe doesn't know much about it yet, but he is "very excited" and he has "seen renderings" of his character.
"I've seen a lot of the designs and things, and I've just started to do prep work now… But I'm starting doing [CGI] scans and things like that, but it's going to be a real full-on… Well, I'm nine feet tall with four arms, but, just from the scheduling, I'm going to do the stuff.
"Also, they'll use my face, but they'll enhance it in a way–both after and before–in a way that I may not be recognizable. But, I'm good with that. It's particularly cool, because he's a creature, but he's got this huge range of character. And, he does cool things in the movies."
In the interview with AICN, Dafoe was also asked if he had worked out a voice for the martian yet.
"No," Dafoe said, "but there's a whole period where we're going to work with the language and the movement, and find out how I'm going to be nine feet tall, and all that stuff… like, a long period of time where we're going to go to Thark school, you know what I mean? We're going to create our culture. So, it's going to be very cool. These guys know how to do this, and they've got great people. And, the designs and things are just mind-blowing."
Lastly, one area of this project that's been unclear since it was first announced is whether it will be completely CGI or live-action or some hybrid mix of both. Dafoe gave a vague answer to the question. "Andrew Stanton comes out of Pixar and the amount of research and development that they do on this stuff is incredible. And I'll be involved in part of that," he told MTV News.
Stanton previously said that John Carter will be the "perfect definition of a hybrid movie," integrating live-action and computer-based animation in a way similar to what James Cameron has done with his eagerly anticipated "Avatar." With Disney and Pixar behind the project and the promise of a series of movies on the same scale of "Pirates of the Caribbean," I have high hopes for "John Carter of Mars" and what it will eventually look like on screen.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, First Showing
Marvel's Joe Quesada Says 'Captain America' Will Rock
The 2011 release date for "The First Avenger: Captain America" inches ever closer as 2009 enters its home stretch, and the key release for Marvel's "Avengers" film franchise looks like it has editor-in-chief Joe Quesada's approval. He offered his initial impression of the script at Big Apple Comic Con last weekend."I've seen a couple of outlines and an initial screenplay, and it's going to rock everyone's socks off," he told his panel's audience, according to Comic Book Resources. "It's very unexpected, the kind of movie it is."
The comics industry veteran didn't defy any expectations himself by revealing what kind of movie "The First Avenger" will be, but he did say that the film would set up "The Avengers" in "a fantastic way." Quesada wouldn't reveal which actors are in line to play Captain America, but confirmed that Marvel has a shortlist of candidates for the title role.
That actor who picks up the part will have a tall order ahead, starring alongside Robert Downey Jr. ("Iron Man") and hopefully Edward Norton ("Incredible Hulk") in a leadership role for the team when he moves on to the fated "Avengers" crossover in 2012. It will also have to be someone with an open calendar for a couple of years to make those back-to-back releases.
"Captain America" is set for release on July 22, 2011 with Joe Johnston ("The Wolfman") directing.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: MTV News
Nickelodeon Now Owns the 'TMNT'
It has been announced that Nickelodeon has acquired global rights to the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" franchise from The Mirage Group / 4Kids Entertainment for roughly $60 million. Nickelodeon also announced plans to develop a new CG-animated television series based on the popular superhero franchise, anticipated to premiere in 2012. Additionally, in partnership with Viacom's Paramount Pictures, a release of a new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" feature film is also planned for 2012. New Line previously released the originally three live-action TMNT films and Warner Brothers released the recent CGI movie from 2007.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a property that maintains a very passionate global fan base, is rich with opportunity for a tentpole movie, and is exactly the right property for us to work together with Nickelodeon," said Adam Goodman, President, Paramount Pictures.
This is great news and I'm glad to see a very strong studio like Paramount behind the upcoming live-action movie. As we already know via previous updates from Comic-Con, the new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie is being written by John Fusco and produced by Scott Mednick, Galen Walker, and original "TMNT" director Steve Barron.
It's supposed to be a "Batman Begins"-like look at the origin of the Turtles. I assume these producers will still maintain creative control over the movie. Not that I don't trust Paramount, I just think it's best to leave it up to those guys!
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: First Showing
'Green Lantern' Glows in New Orleans
Warner Bros. has chosen New Orleans as the new location for filming "The Green Lantern."
An official at New Orleans' newly-constructed Second Line Stages has revealed he has been contacted by producers and says "Green Lantern" production offices could be set up in town as early as this week.
"The rumors are correct," said Kevin Murphy, the manager of studio operations at the facility. "We are working out the details, and we have a nonrefundable contract to rent stage space to the production."
"It would be: paint dries on one day, they're moving in the next," he told The Times-Picayune. "It's an awesome opportunity."
The revelation follows recent confirmation that production for the superhero movie is moving out of Sydney because of the strengthening Australian dollar adding $20 million to the budget.
Production crews would move into the New Orleans facility in December and begin building sets. Filming would now start in March and continue into July or August.
If this is true, this would be Warner Bros. and D.C. Comics' second collaboration in New Orleans in less than a year. This past summer, the supernatural Western "Jonah Hex" shot there, with Josh Brolin playing the title role of a disfigured Civil War-era gunslinger. Megan Fox, John Malkovich and Michael Shannon helped round out the cast of the film which is slated for release on June 18, 2010.
It's unclear if that experience helped Warner Bros. settle on Louisiana for "The Green Lantern," but it probably didn't hurt: On the set in the closing days of that earlier shoot, "Jonah Hex" producer Andrew Lazar and executive producer Ravi D. Mehta had only positive things to say about their time in Louisiana.
Other locations would also be used for shooting, but nothing has been confirmed. Ryan Reynolds is in the title role but no other cast members have yet been named. Martin Campbell ("Casino Royale") is set to direct the movie, due out on June 17, 2011.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: The Geek Files, NOLA
An official at New Orleans' newly-constructed Second Line Stages has revealed he has been contacted by producers and says "Green Lantern" production offices could be set up in town as early as this week.
"The rumors are correct," said Kevin Murphy, the manager of studio operations at the facility. "We are working out the details, and we have a nonrefundable contract to rent stage space to the production."
"It would be: paint dries on one day, they're moving in the next," he told The Times-Picayune. "It's an awesome opportunity."
The revelation follows recent confirmation that production for the superhero movie is moving out of Sydney because of the strengthening Australian dollar adding $20 million to the budget.
Production crews would move into the New Orleans facility in December and begin building sets. Filming would now start in March and continue into July or August.
If this is true, this would be Warner Bros. and D.C. Comics' second collaboration in New Orleans in less than a year. This past summer, the supernatural Western "Jonah Hex" shot there, with Josh Brolin playing the title role of a disfigured Civil War-era gunslinger. Megan Fox, John Malkovich and Michael Shannon helped round out the cast of the film which is slated for release on June 18, 2010.
It's unclear if that experience helped Warner Bros. settle on Louisiana for "The Green Lantern," but it probably didn't hurt: On the set in the closing days of that earlier shoot, "Jonah Hex" producer Andrew Lazar and executive producer Ravi D. Mehta had only positive things to say about their time in Louisiana.
Other locations would also be used for shooting, but nothing has been confirmed. Ryan Reynolds is in the title role but no other cast members have yet been named. Martin Campbell ("Casino Royale") is set to direct the movie, due out on June 17, 2011.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: The Geek Files, NOLA
'The Crow' Remake Moving Forward
It's been nearly a year since it was officially announced that Stephen Norrington would be returning to directing after some 5 years to remake Alex Proyas' "The Crow." Considering how much of a cult hit that film has become, fans were in an uproar, but Norrington insisted it was his passion project. We haven't heard anything since then, but Mania.com has an update from a "source close to the production" who tells them that Norrington has turned in a script to Relativity Media and that it was "very well received." With that approval, it's now moving forward into the casting stage.
Back in December, Norrington described what he hoped to bring to the franchise in terms of sharpening its tone for 21st century audiences. "Whereas [Alex] Proyas’ original was gloriously gothic and stylized, the new movie will be realistic, hard-edged and mysterious, almost documentary-style."
If this update is accurate, it looks like we'll actually be getting a "Crow" remake, reboot or whatever you want to call it, whether you like it or not.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: First Showing, Mania
New 'Wolfman' Trailer
Universal has debuted a second trailer for Joe Johnston's "The Wolfman," a remake of the classic 1941 monster movie.
"The Wolfman" stars Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving and Emily Blunt.
Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro), a haunted nobleman, is lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. When his brother’s fiancée, Gwen Conliffe (Blunt), pleads for Lawrence to help find her missing love, Talbot join the search. Reunited with his estranged father (Hopkins), Talbot sets out to find his brother and learns that something with brute strength and insatiable bloodlust has been killing the villagers, and that a suspicious Scotland Yard inspector named Aberline (Weaving) has come to investigate.
Obviously it is a werewolf that is killing people and Talbot gets bitten and becomes one of the creatures himself. Do you think he will live at the end of the movie or be a sympathetic monster who gets shot down by a silver bullet?
"The Wolfman" will finally be released February 12, 2010 after being delayed several times.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Rope of Silicon, Screen Rant
"The Wolfman" stars Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving and Emily Blunt.
Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro), a haunted nobleman, is lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. When his brother’s fiancée, Gwen Conliffe (Blunt), pleads for Lawrence to help find her missing love, Talbot join the search. Reunited with his estranged father (Hopkins), Talbot sets out to find his brother and learns that something with brute strength and insatiable bloodlust has been killing the villagers, and that a suspicious Scotland Yard inspector named Aberline (Weaving) has come to investigate.
Obviously it is a werewolf that is killing people and Talbot gets bitten and becomes one of the creatures himself. Do you think he will live at the end of the movie or be a sympathetic monster who gets shot down by a silver bullet?
"The Wolfman" will finally be released February 12, 2010 after being delayed several times.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Rope of Silicon, Screen Rant
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Producers Update on 'Hitman 2,' 'Hack/Slash' and 'Kane & Lynch'
At the red carpet for the 2009 Scream Awards, Collider was able to speak with producers Adrian Askarieh and Daniel Alter about three of their upcoming projects: “Hitman 2″, “Kane & Lynch” and “Hack/Slash”.
Watch the video interview below to hear all the exciting news!
"Hitman 2" will be a sequel to 2007's "Hitman" that starred Timothy Olyphant as the infamous assassin Agent 47.
"Hack/Slash" is based on a comic book series that focuses on Cassie Hack, a young woman who symbolizes the lone girl who survives at the end of every horror movie. Hack not only survived but also got over her fear and travels to small towns across the country hunting homicidal maniacs and serial killers.
"Kane & Lynch" is based off of the video game of the same name about two men who must work together to find lost loot. Kane was the one who originally stole the money and will die either way (but the people who hired him say they will spare his family if he helps). Lynch (who is demented and schizophrenic) will get to join the people who hired him if he watches over Kane on the adventure.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Watch the video interview below to hear all the exciting news!
"Hitman 2" will be a sequel to 2007's "Hitman" that starred Timothy Olyphant as the infamous assassin Agent 47.
"Hack/Slash" is based on a comic book series that focuses on Cassie Hack, a young woman who symbolizes the lone girl who survives at the end of every horror movie. Hack not only survived but also got over her fear and travels to small towns across the country hunting homicidal maniacs and serial killers.
"Kane & Lynch" is based off of the video game of the same name about two men who must work together to find lost loot. Kane was the one who originally stole the money and will die either way (but the people who hired him say they will spare his family if he helps). Lynch (who is demented and schizophrenic) will get to join the people who hired him if he watches over Kane on the adventure.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Stan Lee on 'Iron Man 2' and 'Thor' Cameos
Stan Lee is known as the godfather of many of the silver age comic book characters for Marvel. Luckily, the people behind the movies based on his characters respect him enough to give him cameos in some of the movies. One of the fun points in the each of the Marvel films is finding Lee's cameo..
Starting way back in 2000 with "X-Men," he’s appeared in majority of the Marvel Comics-based movies(he was notably missing from "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" though). Collider had a great interview with him at Scream Fest, where Stan explains that he likes doing the cameos but that they weren’t his idea and doesn’t do them if he has to travel far. Since "Wolverine" was filmed in Australia, that would explain his absence.
He explains his cameo for "Iron Man 2" and then goes into how he is planned to have one in "Thor" as well.
Someone on YouTube has put together all of Lee’s cameos in a video that you can watch below. One thing you will notice is a progression from background cameos to speaking parts and more foreground cameos.
Are you excited to see more of Stan Lee in Marvel movies?
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: Screen Rant
Starting way back in 2000 with "X-Men," he’s appeared in majority of the Marvel Comics-based movies(he was notably missing from "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" though). Collider had a great interview with him at Scream Fest, where Stan explains that he likes doing the cameos but that they weren’t his idea and doesn’t do them if he has to travel far. Since "Wolverine" was filmed in Australia, that would explain his absence.
He explains his cameo for "Iron Man 2" and then goes into how he is planned to have one in "Thor" as well.
Someone on YouTube has put together all of Lee’s cameos in a video that you can watch below. One thing you will notice is a progression from background cameos to speaking parts and more foreground cameos.
Are you excited to see more of Stan Lee in Marvel movies?
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: Screen Rant
'New Moon' Clip
I have no idea what is happening in this clip, but I admit the wolf effects are really awesome. Will they make me see the movie? Eh...
After the events of "Twilight," Edward leaves Bella who then forms a relationship with childhood friend Jacob. But there is something about Jacob that she doesn't know (I think you pretty much know what it is from the clip above).
Summit will be releasing "New Moon" on November 20.
After the events of "Twilight," Edward leaves Bella who then forms a relationship with childhood friend Jacob. But there is something about Jacob that she doesn't know (I think you pretty much know what it is from the clip above).
Summit will be releasing "New Moon" on November 20.
New 'Sherlock Holmes' TV Trailer
At first I thought this was a real trailer because it is two minutes long, but it is only being shown on television. But finally, some new footage of the upcoming "Sherlock Holmes" since its original trailer came out in May. The closer we get to December, the more excited I get for this. The movie looks like it has a great mix of action and intensity as well as comedy. Warner Brothers may have the next "Pirates of the Caribbean" on their hands!
Detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his stalwart partner Dr. Watson (Jude Law) engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a mystical nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.
"Sherlock Holmes" is directed by British filmmaker Guy Ritchie and is based on the Arthur Conan Doyle's characters that were first introduced in 1887.
Warner Brothers is bringing "Sherlock Holmes" to theaters on Christmas Day, December 25.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: First Showing
Detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his stalwart partner Dr. Watson (Jude Law) engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a mystical nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.
"Sherlock Holmes" is directed by British filmmaker Guy Ritchie and is based on the Arthur Conan Doyle's characters that were first introduced in 1887.
Warner Brothers is bringing "Sherlock Holmes" to theaters on Christmas Day, December 25.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: First Showing
Monday, October 19, 2009
Two New 'Astro Boy' Clips
"Astro Boy" arrives in theaters this Friday, and the studio tag-team behind it have begun releasing a variety of images from the film and new clips to whet fans' appetites for the adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's classic character.
Below are two clips from the film showcasing Astro fighting in a robot gladiator match and taking on a skyscraper-sized robot (and learning he has guns in his butt).
"Astro Boy" comes out this weekend.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: MTV News
Below are two clips from the film showcasing Astro fighting in a robot gladiator match and taking on a skyscraper-sized robot (and learning he has guns in his butt).
"Astro Boy" comes out this weekend.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: MTV News
UPDATE: Movie News Mash 28
THis is gonna have to be real quick, but most of this news is pretty much given without explanation. So enjoy it. I have to go take some tests. Bah!
SPIDER-MAN 4
Sam Raimi told MTV News that Bruce Campbell will have an unknown, but meaty, role in the next "Spider-Man" film.
COWBOYS AND ALIENS
Jon Favreau lets MTV News know that he isn't officially set to direct "Cowboys and Aliens" but he has been in talks about it.
PREDATORS
Derek Mears has joined the cast of "Predators," the Fox reboot of the franchise being produced by Robert Rodriguez and directed by Nimrod Antal.
Dread Central reports that the 37-year-old actor, best known for playing masked serial killer Jason Voorhees in the remake of "Friday the 13th," confirmed his "Predators" role at the Rock and Shock convention in Massachusetts.
Mears said: "People were talking for a couple of weeks but I wasn't able to confirm. I kept assuring the filmmakers that I was not the leak. Now it's out there, but I'm still not saying who I play."
Also cast are Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, Danny Trejo, Walt Goggins, Oleg Taktarov, Topher Grace, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali and Louiz Ozawa.
The story centerss on a group of elite soldiers being hunted on the aliens' jungle planet and is set for release on July 9, 2010.
(The Geek Files)
THOR
If you weren’t excited about the cast of Kenneth Branagh's "Thor" movie so far, which includes Chris Hemsworth as the title character, Tom Hiddleston as his nemesis, Natalie Portman, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore and possibly Brian Blessed as Odin, then you might be more excited now with the following two names possibly added to the cast.
Robert De Niro and Jude Law have reportedly joined the cast.
Ain't It Cool News says it received a tip-off about an interview with actor Matthias Schweighofer in the November edition of GQ magazine in Germany.
In it, the 28-year-old actor apparently says he is in the running for a part in "Thor" and reveals that De Niro and Law have already been cast in the film, which is set for release in May 2011.
At present, this is all unconfirmed and their roles are unspecified. The article is not on the Web site for German GQ, nor is it mentioned in the media interviews section on Matthias Schweighofer's official Web site.
Schweighofer starred with Branagh in Bryan Singer's "Valkyrie." De Niro was in the Branagh-directed "Frankenstein," Law in Branagh's "Sleuth."
(The Geek Files, Screen Rant)
UPDATE: Gossip Cop apparently got in touch with a representative of Jude Law who said there’s no truth to his involvement with the upcoming Marvel Studios production of "Thor." They also claim that after making some calls, De Niro is not involved at all.
SPIDER-MAN 4
Sam Raimi told MTV News that Bruce Campbell will have an unknown, but meaty, role in the next "Spider-Man" film.
COWBOYS AND ALIENS
Jon Favreau lets MTV News know that he isn't officially set to direct "Cowboys and Aliens" but he has been in talks about it.
PREDATORS
Derek Mears has joined the cast of "Predators," the Fox reboot of the franchise being produced by Robert Rodriguez and directed by Nimrod Antal.
Dread Central reports that the 37-year-old actor, best known for playing masked serial killer Jason Voorhees in the remake of "Friday the 13th," confirmed his "Predators" role at the Rock and Shock convention in Massachusetts.
Mears said: "People were talking for a couple of weeks but I wasn't able to confirm. I kept assuring the filmmakers that I was not the leak. Now it's out there, but I'm still not saying who I play."
Also cast are Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, Danny Trejo, Walt Goggins, Oleg Taktarov, Topher Grace, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali and Louiz Ozawa.
The story centerss on a group of elite soldiers being hunted on the aliens' jungle planet and is set for release on July 9, 2010.
(The Geek Files)
THOR
If you weren’t excited about the cast of Kenneth Branagh's "Thor" movie so far, which includes Chris Hemsworth as the title character, Tom Hiddleston as his nemesis, Natalie Portman, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore and possibly Brian Blessed as Odin, then you might be more excited now with the following two names possibly added to the cast.
Robert De Niro and Jude Law have reportedly joined the cast.
Ain't It Cool News says it received a tip-off about an interview with actor Matthias Schweighofer in the November edition of GQ magazine in Germany.
In it, the 28-year-old actor apparently says he is in the running for a part in "Thor" and reveals that De Niro and Law have already been cast in the film, which is set for release in May 2011.
At present, this is all unconfirmed and their roles are unspecified. The article is not on the Web site for German GQ, nor is it mentioned in the media interviews section on Matthias Schweighofer's official Web site.
Schweighofer starred with Branagh in Bryan Singer's "Valkyrie." De Niro was in the Branagh-directed "Frankenstein," Law in Branagh's "Sleuth."
(The Geek Files, Screen Rant)
UPDATE: Gossip Cop apparently got in touch with a representative of Jude Law who said there’s no truth to his involvement with the upcoming Marvel Studios production of "Thor." They also claim that after making some calls, De Niro is not involved at all.
UPDATE: 'Black Lightning' Trailer
I can tell this is a movie that has come out of nowhere because I cannot even find it listed on IMDB.
"Black Lightning" is a Russian film produced by "Wanted" director Timur Bekmambetov. The film is about a Moscow University student who becomes the owner of a flying car. Not only will he be able to avoid traffic, but he unexpectedly finds himself the city's defender against evil.
Timur apparently said at one point that this is the "Russian response [to] Transformers and Batman," which means this should be very interesting to see. Now thanks to Quiet Earth the first full-length trailer has arrived, unfortunately in Russian. But damn is it intense and looks great, especially for a Russian feature.
Flying car battles? I'm there.
"Black Lightning" will hit theaters in Russia on December 31, but doesn't have a US distributor yet. Hopefully it will make its way to the states sometime next year if an American distributor picks it up.
UPDATE:
The trailer has been taken down. The teaser trailer is still online and you can watch it below. It is nowhere near as awesome as the real trailer though. To watch the official trailer, head here (I can't embed the video on this site).
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: Latino Review, First Showing
"Black Lightning" is a Russian film produced by "Wanted" director Timur Bekmambetov. The film is about a Moscow University student who becomes the owner of a flying car. Not only will he be able to avoid traffic, but he unexpectedly finds himself the city's defender against evil.
Timur apparently said at one point that this is the "Russian response [to] Transformers and Batman," which means this should be very interesting to see. Now thanks to Quiet Earth the first full-length trailer has arrived, unfortunately in Russian. But damn is it intense and looks great, especially for a Russian feature.
Flying car battles? I'm there.
"Black Lightning" will hit theaters in Russia on December 31, but doesn't have a US distributor yet. Hopefully it will make its way to the states sometime next year if an American distributor picks it up.
UPDATE:
The trailer has been taken down. The teaser trailer is still online and you can watch it below. It is nowhere near as awesome as the real trailer though. To watch the official trailer, head here (I can't embed the video on this site).
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: Latino Review, First Showing
Box Office Results and Weekly Movie News
Movies coming out this week!
Saw VI - Special Agent Strahm is dead, and Detective Hoffman has emerged as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw's legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he is forced to set a game into motion, and Jigsaw's grand scheme is finally understood.
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant - A traveling freak show's most mysterious attraction recruits teenager Darren Shan as his assistant, though the young man soon finds himself used as a pawn in a battle between vampires and their deadlier counterparts.
Amelia - A look at the life of Amelia Earhart (Swank), the American pilot who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 on her history-making flight around the world.
Astro Boy - Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy (voiced by Highmore) is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist (voiced by Cage) in the image of the son he has lost. Unable to fulfill the grieving man's expectations, our hero embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before he returns to save Metro City and reconcile with the father who had rejected him.
Movies coming out on DVD and Blu-ray!
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Blood: The Last Vampire
Cheri
Waterworld
Easy Rider
Box Office results for the weekend!
1 Where the Wild Things Are$32.4 M
2 Law Abiding Citizen $21.2 M
3 Paranormal Activity $20.1 M
4 Couples Retreat $17.9 M
5 The Stepfather $12.3 M
6 Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs $8.1 M
7 Zombieland $7.8 M
8 Toy Story / Toy Story 2 (3-D) $3.0 M
9 Surrogates $1.9 M
10 The Invention of Lying $1.9 M
"Where the Wild Things" are won the weekend, though I expect it to fall once parents start figuring out the movie may be too frightening for younger children.
"Law Abiding Citizen" opened well, making a million dollars more than "Paranormal Activity." But the latter film opened in 760 screens while the former opened in 2,890 screens. Imagine if "Paranormal Activity" gets more theaters this upcoming month (especially for Halloween).
Really, a lot of these movies will be falling down the list due to many movies coming out next weekend (including an Oscar contender and a new kids film). I'm hoping "Zombieland" can stay in the Top 10 as it is a really good movie compared to others on that list.
Saw VI - Special Agent Strahm is dead, and Detective Hoffman has emerged as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw's legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he is forced to set a game into motion, and Jigsaw's grand scheme is finally understood.
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant - A traveling freak show's most mysterious attraction recruits teenager Darren Shan as his assistant, though the young man soon finds himself used as a pawn in a battle between vampires and their deadlier counterparts.
Amelia - A look at the life of Amelia Earhart (Swank), the American pilot who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 on her history-making flight around the world.
Astro Boy - Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy (voiced by Highmore) is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist (voiced by Cage) in the image of the son he has lost. Unable to fulfill the grieving man's expectations, our hero embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before he returns to save Metro City and reconcile with the father who had rejected him.
Movies coming out on DVD and Blu-ray!
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Blood: The Last Vampire
Cheri
Waterworld
Easy Rider
Box Office results for the weekend!
1 Where the Wild Things Are$32.4 M
2 Law Abiding Citizen $21.2 M
3 Paranormal Activity $20.1 M
4 Couples Retreat $17.9 M
5 The Stepfather $12.3 M
6 Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs $8.1 M
7 Zombieland $7.8 M
8 Toy Story / Toy Story 2 (3-D) $3.0 M
9 Surrogates $1.9 M
10 The Invention of Lying $1.9 M
"Where the Wild Things" are won the weekend, though I expect it to fall once parents start figuring out the movie may be too frightening for younger children.
"Law Abiding Citizen" opened well, making a million dollars more than "Paranormal Activity." But the latter film opened in 760 screens while the former opened in 2,890 screens. Imagine if "Paranormal Activity" gets more theaters this upcoming month (especially for Halloween).
Really, a lot of these movies will be falling down the list due to many movies coming out next weekend (including an Oscar contender and a new kids film). I'm hoping "Zombieland" can stay in the Top 10 as it is a really good movie compared to others on that list.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Producer Updates on 'X-Men' Franchise
In an interview with Empire Online, producer Lauren Shuler Donner has shed further light on upcoming films in the "X-Men" franchise.
Although the interview doesn't give us any more detail on the "X-Men 4" and "New Mutants" projects that Donner had previously mentioned, it does talk about "Wolverine 2," "X-Men Origins: Magneto," "X-Men: First Class" and "Deadpool."
As teased at the end of "Wolverine" and widely rumored directly after its release, "Wolverine 2" will take place in Japan as Logan learns to control some of his more beast-like tendencies. It is the furthest along of all the possible "X-Men" films and will actual be made in Japan.
Says Donner:
"It's actually the story we wanted to use for the first Wolverine film, but [Fox head honcho] Tom Rothman preferred to set the character up with an origin story first. This movie will really focus on the relationship between Wolverine and Mariko, the daughter of a Japanese crime lord, and what happens to him in Japan. We're very fortunate to have a story mostly outlined for us [from the comic book arc co-written by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller]. And we wanted an A+ writer, so we want to Chris McQuarrie (Valkyrie, The Usual Suspects). He came in and has tightened the story and got really immersed in the whole thing - he's in Japan in his head!
What's cool about this part of the saga is that Wolverine will be fighting in a different style to what we've seen before. Mariko's father has this stick-like weapon, so Wolverine will have to fight against that. There'll be samurai, ninja, katana blades, different forms of martial arts - mano-a-mano, extreme fighting. We're going to come up with a new style of fighting. It's going to be awesome."
Deadpool was pretty disrespected in "Wolverine," but the good news is that the solo-"Deadpool" flick starring Ryan Reynolds will be a re-launch of the character's mojo. As in: breaking the fourth wall and starting over without having his mouth sewn shut.
Says Donner:
"We're right in the thick of talking to writers right now, and hopefully by November we'll have decided who's going to do it. We need someone really imaginative because we want to do some really innovative, ambitious stuff. Ryan's mentioned this in an interview already but there are parts where he's going to break the fourth wall and talk directly to the audience in the cinema. We have to work out how to do that. I don't know that Fox will agree with all our decisions, but we'll see!"
"X-Men: First Class" is teased at the end of "Wolverine" when Professor X makes a cameo, and according to Donnor will be the X-Men Universe by the way of "Harry Potter." As in: lots of hormone-charged kids with superpowers fighting evil and each other.
Says Donner: "Right now the script is not done -we're not where we want to be yet. We have to be careful that we don't tread on familiar territory, that people don't say, 'Oh, I've seen that, been there.' But (screenwriter) Josh Schwartz has a great young pulse and he's doing an amazing job bringing the characters to life. We want to make this a franchise, following these kids at the school, so the casting of the child actors will be all-important."
At first it looked like "Magneto" would launch a series of "Origins" stories, but Wolverine and Hugh Jackman proved to be a better vehicle for fan service. Now, "Magneto" is at the end of the line out of all the possible "X-Men" films.
Says Donner:
"David Goyer has written a brilliant script. It starts in the concentration camps and has Magneto coming out of there. But you know, I'm not sure that film is going to be made. The studio has a wealth of potential stories, and they have to stand back and decide which ones to make. And Magneto, I think, is at the back of the queue. Maybe it'll get made in five years - who knows?"
What are your thoughts on "Wolverine 2" going full steam ahead while "Magneto" is on the backburner? Are the "Deadpool" and "First Class" plans to your liking?
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: The Geek Files, Latino Review
Although the interview doesn't give us any more detail on the "X-Men 4" and "New Mutants" projects that Donner had previously mentioned, it does talk about "Wolverine 2," "X-Men Origins: Magneto," "X-Men: First Class" and "Deadpool."
As teased at the end of "Wolverine" and widely rumored directly after its release, "Wolverine 2" will take place in Japan as Logan learns to control some of his more beast-like tendencies. It is the furthest along of all the possible "X-Men" films and will actual be made in Japan.
Says Donner:
"It's actually the story we wanted to use for the first Wolverine film, but [Fox head honcho] Tom Rothman preferred to set the character up with an origin story first. This movie will really focus on the relationship between Wolverine and Mariko, the daughter of a Japanese crime lord, and what happens to him in Japan. We're very fortunate to have a story mostly outlined for us [from the comic book arc co-written by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller]. And we wanted an A+ writer, so we want to Chris McQuarrie (Valkyrie, The Usual Suspects). He came in and has tightened the story and got really immersed in the whole thing - he's in Japan in his head!
What's cool about this part of the saga is that Wolverine will be fighting in a different style to what we've seen before. Mariko's father has this stick-like weapon, so Wolverine will have to fight against that. There'll be samurai, ninja, katana blades, different forms of martial arts - mano-a-mano, extreme fighting. We're going to come up with a new style of fighting. It's going to be awesome."
Deadpool was pretty disrespected in "Wolverine," but the good news is that the solo-"Deadpool" flick starring Ryan Reynolds will be a re-launch of the character's mojo. As in: breaking the fourth wall and starting over without having his mouth sewn shut.
Says Donner:
"We're right in the thick of talking to writers right now, and hopefully by November we'll have decided who's going to do it. We need someone really imaginative because we want to do some really innovative, ambitious stuff. Ryan's mentioned this in an interview already but there are parts where he's going to break the fourth wall and talk directly to the audience in the cinema. We have to work out how to do that. I don't know that Fox will agree with all our decisions, but we'll see!"
"X-Men: First Class" is teased at the end of "Wolverine" when Professor X makes a cameo, and according to Donnor will be the X-Men Universe by the way of "Harry Potter." As in: lots of hormone-charged kids with superpowers fighting evil and each other.
Says Donner: "Right now the script is not done -we're not where we want to be yet. We have to be careful that we don't tread on familiar territory, that people don't say, 'Oh, I've seen that, been there.' But (screenwriter) Josh Schwartz has a great young pulse and he's doing an amazing job bringing the characters to life. We want to make this a franchise, following these kids at the school, so the casting of the child actors will be all-important."
At first it looked like "Magneto" would launch a series of "Origins" stories, but Wolverine and Hugh Jackman proved to be a better vehicle for fan service. Now, "Magneto" is at the end of the line out of all the possible "X-Men" films.
Says Donner:
"David Goyer has written a brilliant script. It starts in the concentration camps and has Magneto coming out of there. But you know, I'm not sure that film is going to be made. The studio has a wealth of potential stories, and they have to stand back and decide which ones to make. And Magneto, I think, is at the back of the queue. Maybe it'll get made in five years - who knows?"
What are your thoughts on "Wolverine 2" going full steam ahead while "Magneto" is on the backburner? Are the "Deadpool" and "First Class" plans to your liking?
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: The Geek Files, Latino Review
'Green Lantern' Updates: Locations and Villain Casting
It was recently claimed that production of Warner Bros superhero movie "Green Lantern" was to move from Sydney because of the rising value of the Australian dollar.According to The Hollywood Reporter, this is now definitely happening. It reports that a statement from the studio says the move is being forced by "the current global economic situation, including fluctuations in currency valuation and overall costs."
On Friday, the Australian dollar hit a 27-year high against the US dollar and the costs of filming "Green Lantern" have now increased by more than $2 0million. The Aussie dollar is being tipped to rise further and may reach parity with the US dollar in the coming weeks.
"Green Lantern" - starring Ryan Reynolds - is likely to end up shooting in Mexico or Canada. New Orleans has also been mentioned as an alternative location for the film, which is set for release on June 17, 2011.
This is bad news for Australia because there are already a number of films shooting there including the "The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader" and two animated full-length features are being produced there including "Happy Feet 2."
It’s not a total loss for the Australian movie industry though, as Spike Jonze filmed "Where the Wild Things Are" there this past year in Victoria and I’m sure that brought in a hefty sum to their local economy.
As for casting on the villain of the film, Ain't It Cool News reported a rumor that Jackie Earle Haley (the new Freddy in "Nightmare on Elm Street") will be playing the role of Sinestro.
Sinestro is the former mentor of Hal Jordan and the arch-nemesis of the entire Green Lantern Corps (of which Ryan Reynolds is a part of). Sinestro was banished from the Corps for using the power of the Green Lantern to instill fear rather than combat it and was given a yellow ring and the power of the Yellow Lanterns, the enemy of the Green Lanterns, instead.
The same day this rumor hit, Collider was able to talk with Jackie Earle Haley on the red carpet of the Scream Awards, and he confirmed that it's not true. Watch the video below to hear his response.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, The Geek Files, First Showing
New 'A Christmas Carol' Featurette
A new featurette just hit the web today for Robert Zemeckis' new 3-D animated film "A Christmas Carol." The featurette not only includes a lot of great new footage in it, but also includes some interviews with Jim Carrey and Robert Zemeckis. It's not truly a behind-the-scenes featurette per se, because it doesn't show us how this made, but instead features the two talking about their collaboration in bringing the Charles Dickens' tale to life.
"A Christmas Carol" is both written and directed by Robert Zemeckis ("Back to the Future" "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "Forrest Gump"). It's based on Charles Dickens' classic story. Jim Carrey stars as at least four different characters in the film, alongside of Gary Oldman, Robin Wright Penn, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes, and Bob Hoskins.
Disney will debut "A Christmas Carol" in theaters on November 6.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: First Showing
"A Christmas Carol" is both written and directed by Robert Zemeckis ("Back to the Future" "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "Forrest Gump"). It's based on Charles Dickens' classic story. Jim Carrey stars as at least four different characters in the film, alongside of Gary Oldman, Robin Wright Penn, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes, and Bob Hoskins.
Disney will debut "A Christmas Carol" in theaters on November 6.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: First Showing
Friday, October 16, 2009
Sam Raimi Promises Spider-Man 4 Will Be Better (Again)
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has spun quite a large web over the movie industry.We've had three films so far, the fourth begins filming in March, and screenwriter James Vanderbilt has been hired to work on the fifth and sixth installments.
For fans the main worry is that the next film won't learn from the mistakes of the third movie, which juggled three villains (Sandman, New Goblin, Venom) and is regarded as the weakest installment even though it brought in $891 million at the global box office.
Raimi spoke about the comic book movie franchise in the print edition of DVD & Blu-ray Review. When asked about complaints that there were too many bad guys in "Spider-Man 3," he responded: "I think having so many villains detracted from the experience. I would agree with the criticism."
So it sounds like there will be fewer foes in the next film. Raimi said he had learned some new lessons and storytelling tricks from his recent horror flick "Drag Me to Hell" which was a smaller and more intimate production.
He said: "I think I've learned about the importance of getting to the point and the importance of having limitations, and I'm hoping to take that into a production where I'm actually allowed to explore with more of the tools to pull it off with a little more splendor.
"I hope I don't lose that edge that I've just found. That would be my approach to 'Spider-Man 4': to get back to the basics."Apart from that, we don't yet know much about the story of "Spider-Man 4" - Raimi says they are in the process of working out who the villains will be - and we know even less about the fifth and sixth films at this stage. There's talk that they could be a reboot with new actors and a new director, but that's unsubstantiated.
Raimi was asked by MTV News if he'd return to direct "Spider-Man 5 and 6" but with those films so far away at this point, he has no definite answer. He said: "Every time I make one of the 'Spider-Man' movies, I have to ask myself, is the character still intriguing to me? Do I love the character? Am I dying to tell the next story of Peter Parker and Spider-Man? And so far the answer has been yes.
"I've got to be super-excited about it. If I can't reach that level of commitment and excitement, I think then there'd be somebody else better to do justice to the story. You have to ask me in two-and-half years."
He was also asked by DVD & Blu-ray Review whether he'd like to adapt any other comic book crimefighters into films. He told the magazine: "I've always loved the 'Shadow.' I tried to get the chance to direct the movie years ago but they wouldn't hire me. I read a few of the pulp novels that they had and the character was very mysterious. I liked the intensity with which he dealt with his foes. It was uncompromising."
This links with the upcoming remake of "The Shadow" mentioned by executive producer Michael Uslan. During a speech where he was talking about the success of "The Dark Knight" he said he was teaming up with Raimi to bring a new "Shadow" film back to the big screen.
Source: The Geek Files
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
