Poots Needs "Speed"

Imogen Poots ("Fright Night") is in talks to play the female lead in the film adaptation of Electronic Arts best-selling video game franchise "Need for Speed" says THR.

George and John Gatins are writing the script from which Scott Waugh ("Act of Valor") would call action.

Poots will play a savvy exotic car dealer who connects the wealthy with high-end supercars.

Breaking Bad co-star Aaron Paul plays the male lead.

As a rival to the "Fast and Furious" film series, 'Need' has sold over 100 million copies of the eighteen games in the series, making it the most successful racing video game series in the world.

At last report, Taylor Kitsch had reportedly been offered the lead role. Actors Brenton Thwaites and Luke Bracey, both former stars of Aussie soap "Home and Away", were also being tested for roles in film

John Gatins and EA will produce the film.

Sorting Out Disney/Lucasfilm Deal

That much talked about Disney/Lucasfilm sale does NOT include rights to the first 6 "Star Wars" films...

Disney will own and release all future films in the series, the deal does NOT include the distribution rights to the pre-existing pics says THR

Fox owns distribution rights to the original 1977 film in perpetuity in all media worldwide.

It also has theatrical, non-theatrical and home video rights worldwide to the other five films in the series through May 2020.

This means Disney can't issue a 'complete saga' set unless a deal with Fox is made. It also means fan hopes for quality Blu-ray editions of the theatrical cuts of the original trilogy are highly unlikely.

Shrewd Uncle George--Uluimately it will benefit both companies (and the fans) if a side deal is made for a super disc set...

Fox still plans for prequels "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" and "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith"  to get back-to-back 3D theatrical re-releases early next Fall. 'Clones' hits theaters on September 20th 2013 with 'Sith' to follow three weeks later on October 11th 2013.

Star Wars Fans 'Cautiously Optimistic' About Disney-Lucas Deal

'Star Wars' Superfan Kevin Smith Is 'All For' Disney Trilogy

Hollywood Stars React To The Return Of 'Star Wars'

Witch Takes Center Stage In "Oz" One Sheet

Yahoo Movies has put up a new one-sheet teaser poster for Sam Raimi's The Wizard of Oz prequel Oz: The Great and Powerful.

The poster is the first of a three-part image, this one giving us a look at rather bustier than expected Wicked Witch of the West.

The story has The Wizard (James Franco) as a “snake-oil salesman” who enters the Technicolor world of Oz after escaping the vengeful husband of his latest sexual conquest. Once in Oz, he lies to the natives, claiming to be a wizard. This deceitful Casanova soon falls for Glinda the Good Witch (Michelle Williams), and spurns Theodora (Mila Kunis) prompting her to becomes a bad witch and team up with the downright evil Evanora (Rachel Weisz) to destroy Oz.

Zach Braff will play the role of Frank, the loyal but under-appreciated assistant to Oz. Abigail Spencer will play a young woman who is a willing subject of Oz’s magic tricks while Joey King will play China Girl in the pic.

Oz is written by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire, and will be produced by Joe Roth.

Disney is planning a release date set for March 8th, 2013.

Riddick Rated "R"

The Motion Picture Association of America has given the long awaited action sequel from  David Twohy called Riddick--an R rating.  The rating was given for "strong violence, language and some sexual content/nudity."

Picking up where the PG-13 rated  The Chronicles of Riddick left off, the sequel has the anti-hero (Vin Diesel) left for dead on a harsh planet with three moons, populated with nasty creatures like trisons and mud demons, being hunted by at least two ships populated by mercenaries.

Karl Urban, Katee Sackhoff Jordi Molla Matt Nable, Bokeem Woodbine, Conrad Pla, Raoul Trujillo, Nolan Funk Keri Hilson and WWE wrestler Dave Bautista co-star.

The film hits theaters next year.

Craig On 2 Part Bond Storytelling

The news last week that Bond 24 and Bond 25 will be the first 2 part James Bond story in the series that  will be written by Skyfall co-writer John Logan

Current 007 Daniel Craig  nixed the notion of 2 part story-telling. He told Filmstarts:

"No, I don't know where that's come from. It's impossible to do a two parter, I heard that someone was talking about that we're doing a two-parter, but that's the first I've heard about it. We can only do them one at a time, they take six months to shoot. You can't write one movie thinking about the next. All we're trying to do is get the next one sorted out and it'll stand on its own and if I'm able I'll do another one after that."

The next Bond film is due to begin production next Fall for release late 2014.

Freeman And Owen Are "Last Knights"

Morgan Freeman and Clive Owen  are attached to star in the actioner "The Last Knights Of Ako" says Screen Daily.

The story centers on a band of warriors who seek to avenge the loss of their master at the hands of a corrupt emperor.

Kazuaki Kiriya will direct from a screenplay by Michael Konyves.

Production hopes to begin by early November in the Czech Republic.

Cusack Gets Good "Cell" Reception

John Cusack is attached to star in the film adaptation of Stephen King's psychological thriller novel "Cell" says Screen Daily.

The story follows a father who sets out to find his wife and son in the wake of a catastrophic pulse transmitted via mobile phones.

King co-wrote the adapted screenplay with The Last House On The Left screenwriter Adam Alleca. The pic is currently out to directors.

Richard Saperstein, Brian Witten and Shara Kay will produce the film

Cusack previously starred in the 2007 film "1408," another adaptation of a King work

Malco Helps The Old Guys In "Last Vegas"

Romany Malco ("Weeds," "Blades of Glory") will co-star in the comedy "Last Vegas" says Deadline.

Described as a senior's version of The Hangover meets Grumpy Old Men, Dan Fogelman's script sees four estranged male childhood friends (Kevin Kline Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Michael Douglas) who reunite in Vegas to finally marry off the lifelong unmarried playboy of the group.

Tensions flare when two of the group - said playboy Billy (Douglas) and the widower of the group Paddy (De Niro) both vie for the affections of the same lounge singer (Mary Steenburgen)

Jerry Ferrara ("Entourage") has joined the cast as a young punk who antagonizes the older characters.

Jon Turteltaub ("National Treasure") will direct Vegas

Malco will play Lonnie, the concierge at the The Palms where the key four pals are staying

Peter Chelsom was attached to direct at one point

Laurence Mark will produce. Nathan Kahane will executive produce.

Shooting kicks off  for soon its scheduled December 20, 2013 release.

There's a "Tween" version of the story with Josh Hutcherson and Logan Lerman that's from Jonathan Dillon  called "The Bluff" in the works.

From "Heroes" To "Gods"

Lionsgate suits have hired Aron Eli Coleite ("The End," "Trooper") to write the adaptation of author Rick Yancey's sci-fi short story "When First We Were Gods" says Deadline

The story is set in a near future where immortality is available only to the extraordinarily wealthy. In this setting, a man conspires to murder his immortal wife so that his mortal mistress can take her place (and her immortality).

Music video and commercials director Daniel Askill will make his feature directorial debut on the film.

Trio Carry A "Bone Tomahawk"

Industry writer S. Craig Zahler ("The Brigands of Rattleborge ") will make his film directorial debut on the brutal, character-driven horror western "Bone Tomahawk" says Variety.

The story follows a sheriff (Kurt Russell), a gunslinger, a befuddled oldster (Richard Jenkins) and a cowboy (Peter Sarsgaard) as they attempt to rescue a group of captives (including Jennifer Carpenter) from a band of cannibalistic troglodytes.

Zahler wrote the script

Dallas Sonnier and Jack Heller are producing the film.

Production hopes to kick off in the Spring in New Mexico.

Wilde Steinfeld & Beharie Occupy "The Keeping Room"

Olivia Wilde ("Tron: Legacy"), Hailee Steinfeld ("True Grit"), and Nicole Beharie ("Shame") are teaming to star in Daniel Barber's period thriller "The Keeping Room" says THR.

Julia Hart wrote the script that follows two Southern sisters (Wilde, Steinfeld) and a slave (Beharie) left alone in the closing days of the American Civil War. The trio are soon forced to defend their home from the onslaught of a band of soldiers who have broken off from the fast approaching Union Army.

Jordan Horowitz, Matt Williams, David McFadzean, Judd Payne and Dete Meserve will produce.

Production kicks off in March in North Carolina.

Wood, Cusack Get Films From Synchronicity

Synchronicity Entertainment announced two projects at the American Film Market says THR.

"Saw" writer Leigh Whannell and "Glee" co-creator Ian Brennan penned "Cooties" about a mysterious virus infecting an isolated elementary school, transforming the kids into a feral swarm of savages. An unlikely hero must led a motley band of teachers in the fight of their lives.

Elijah Wood is set to star as that hero and will produce for his new production company

Ace Norton direct the horror thriller that will begin shooting in April.

The other film that is part of the deal is the thriller "Due Process"

Paul Currie helms the story of two big city bankers who head to a farm to foreclose it. They get more than they bargained for when the farmer John Cusack) is not willing to hand it over.

Mark Holder, Christine Holder and Mark Williams will produce.

Trio Admitted to JFK Themed "Parkland"

Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton and Jacki Weaver have joined "Parkland"--about President John F. Kennedy's assassination says THR.

The title refers to the hospital where JFK was pronounced dead, his assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, died two days later, and Oswald's killer Jack Ruby died several years after that.

There's no word on the roles that the trio of actors will play

Writer Peter Landesman is set to make his directorial debut on the film which chronicles the fateful day and private citizen Abraham Zapruder's famous film of the event. Landesman also penned the adapted screenplay from a book by the famed Vincent Bugliosi

Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman are set to produce the pic.

The project will film in Austin, Texas soon for release next year in time for the 50th anniversary of the shooting.

Smulders, Jackson In Cap 2

Cobie Smulders will reprise her role of Maria Hill in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" says Variety. She joins her boss in The Avengers co-star Samuel L. Jackson for the film.

The story is expected to follow the acclaimed comic storyline The Winter Soldier in which Captain America's (Chris Evans) sidekick Bucky (Sebastian Stan) is resurrected as a brainwashed super-assassin known as the Winter Solider.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead seemingly "has the most traction" for the role of the female lead that follows that Peggy Carter's (played by Hayley Atwell in Captain America: The First Avenger) niece Sharon meets Cap.

Anthony Mackie is poised to play Harlem crime fighter Falcon, one of mainstream comics' first black superheroes. Falcon, aka. Sam Wilson, can telepathically talk to birds and has a suit that allows him to fly and enhances his strength. Frank Grillo ("The Grey," "Warrior") is set to play baddie Crossbones Scarlett Johansson will also show up as Black Widow in the film. How big a role she'll play is also unknown.

Joe Russo and Anthony Russo will direct the sequel, using a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

Production is starting come March in Cleveland.

The sequel will hit theaters April 4, 2014.

Singer Returns For X-Men: Days Of Future Past

His name was mentioned a few days ago and now it's confirmed--Bryan Singer will direct X-Men: Days of Future Past, says Deadline--Singer--the man who started the X-Men films in the first place.

He takes over for "X-Men: First Class" director Matthew Vaughn who opted out of directing the comic book sequel. Vaughn is instead expected to do another film for Fox most likely the film adaptation of Mark Milar's comic Secret Service

After directing X2: X-Men United in 2003, Singer chose to pass on X-Men: The Last Stand instead rebooting the Man of Steel with 2006's Superman Returns

Singer penned the treatment and produced 'First Class' which was directed by Vaughn. Now, their roles will be completely reversed for this sequel with Singer helming the film while Vaughn wrote the treatment and will produce with Lauren Shuler Donner and writer Simon Kinberg.

The sequel is based on a -2 issue story arc in the 'X-Men' comics published in 1981. Kinberg (Sherlock Holmes) is on board to pen the screenplay which will include New Mutants. Magneto and his relationship with Charles X. Xavier will be front and center as well.

The entire cast is set to reprise their roles, including James McAvoy (Professor X), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), and Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), Rose Byrne (Moira MacTaggert), January Jones (Emma Frost) and Nicholas Hoult (Beast).

Scheduled to begin shooting early next year, "X-Men: Days Of Future Past" hits screens July 18th 2014.

Duhamel's Circles "Not You" Role

Josh Duhamel is in negotiations to star in George C. Wolfe's film adaptation of author Michelle Wildgen's novel"You're Not You" says THR.

Emmy Rossum plays an aimless and self-absorbed college student whose life is changed when she takes a part-time job caring for a woman (Hilary Swank) with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Duhamel's role is not yet known

Jordan Roberts and Shana Feste wrote the adapted screenplay

Swank, Molly Smith, Denise Di Novi and Alison Greenspan are producing

31 Days Of Horror Day 31: Carpenter's Halloween & Halloween II

Director Jason Christopher ends this special month long event celebrating horror on a VERY high note rightly talking about John Carpenter’s Halloween from 1978 and its 1981 sequel Halloween II...

The mother of all scary movies and it really isn’t because it is taking place on the best holiday ever. John Carpenter put out one of the best horror movies in general, scaring millions of people. The best part is there was not that much blood and gore used to scare the people. It was more old-fashioned horror: lighting, music, and tone.

On a black and unholy Halloween night years ago, little Michael Myers brutally slaughtered his sister in cold blood. But for the last fifteen years, town residents have rested easy, knowing that he was safely locked away in a mental hospital…until tonight. Tonight, Michael returns to the same quiet neighborhood to relive his grisly murder again…and again…and again. For this is a night of evil.

Young filmmakers that set off on a life long career for them made this little independent movie. This movie even jump-started the scream queen’s career, Jamie Lee Curtis.

I don’t recall the first time seeing this movie but I assume it was on TV. I feel like Rob Zombie enjoyed that version too and motivated him more to write the origin of who Michael is. I remember the first time I watched it on VHS though and of course I was terrified at such a young age. Later getting the holographic DVD for a birthday present. I later kicked the DVD and bought this on Blu Ray, which looks great.

Last night I had the pleasure of finally seeing the movie in the theater. It was real amazing to see it on the big screen in the pitch black dark with the sound cranked! Watching people jump and laugh at the right moments means that the great movie continues work.

I love Halloween 2! I love Halloween 2 so much I watch this movie more than the original and I honestly don’t know why I enjoy Halloween 2 more than the original. I would LOVE to see this movie on the big screen. I saw someone tweeted the other day that, I believe, was The New Beverly screened this movie last weekend on 35mm! Ugh!!!

Picking up exactly where the first film left off, Halloween 2 follows the same ill-fated characters as they once again encounter the knife-wielding maniac they thought had been left for dead. It seems the inhuman Michael Myers is still very much alive and out for more revenge as he stalks the deserted halls of the Haddonfield Memorial Hospital. As he gets closer to his main target, Dr. Loomis discovers the chilling mystery behind the crazed psychopath’s actions.

This movie has probably one of the tensest scenes in it, the ending where Laurie is running away from Myers in and around the hospital.

This movie did lack in the music department. I really wish they used the original score but they didn’t. Carpenter must’ve wanted to fit in with the 80’s style music. This one also focuses more on the bloody aspect of horror, which I don’t mind. Like the kid with the razor in his mouth? That’s some rough stuff there. I love the part when Myers’ lifts up the nurse by the scalpel. Loved it so much that I bit off the piece in my own flick. All in all I really enjoy Halloween 2.

This was also one of those things where I saw the TV version before actually seeing the real version. Then I saw it on VHS followed by Goodtime’s DVD release, which was awful. Then Universal put it on Blu Ray and I was pretty stoked about that until the Scream Factory Blu Ray release. F the Universal release. Scream Factory released an amazing Blu-ray. TONS of special features, commentaries, the whole nine yards. They even put the TV version on a DVD as a bonus feature and my lord it’s so silly. The editing itself made me shut it off. Can’t believe this is what I saw that turned me onto the flick in the first place.

The first two Halloween’s are really good. Then they went off and produced a ton of others, rake in that money! Halloween 3 is actually really enjoyable but would’ve been better if it stood alone and was titled something else.

Halloween 4 was the return of Michael Myers and the introduction to Danielle Harris. Which it was okay, nothing to jump for. Halloween 5 was the same boat as its predecessor.

Halloween 6 was the last one for Donald Pleasence, he died shortly after filming. Halloween H20 is actually really enjoyable and definitely my third favorite out of the franchise. Then you got Halloween Resurrection…this is where it just ended, thankfully.

All in all they’re all fun movies and entertaining to watch. Hopefully everyone is watching them today!

That concludes my 31 horror reviews on all sorts of movies! Maybe I’ll come back and do my favorite Jean-Claude Van Damme movies……hmmmmmm

Happy Halloween.

-Jay

Thanks Jay It was FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucasfilm And Disney

The headline says it all---Disney to Buy Lucasfilm for $4.05 Billion; New 'Star Wars' Movie Set for 2015...

Disney buys Lucasfilm and a new "Star Wars" film in less than 3 years...

"For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next. It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment and consumer products.”

Lucas says he will serve as a "creative consultant" on the new Star Wars films

Deadline reports that the 2015 Disney film will be Star Wars: Episode 7 and that Episode 8 and Episode 9 will appear in two- to three-year intervals. Disney has acquired a detailed treatment for the next three films in the series, which would, theoretically, begin sometime after "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi". 

Regular readers know that I have been very critical of uncle George and all his tinkering with his beloved space saga---I am kinda jazzed by this news, and think that Lucas did fans a solid with this sale...

EW's PopWatch has started speculation on who might be chosen to take over the saga--Christopher Nolan, who rebooted the Batman films franchise? Or Star Trek rebooter guru J.J. Abrams? Or Joss Whedon, riding high after this year’s The Avengers?



Whatever happens it's gonna be fun to see what happens next here...

Presto! A Magic Castle Film Will Appear

Radar Pictures will make a feature film about Hollywood's famed private magic club Magic Castle says Risky Biz Blog.

Located just above Hollywood and more than a century-old, the building is run by the non-profit Academy of Magical Arts. The organization is devoted to the advancement of the ancient art of prestidigitation (magic tricks and illusion).

The academy boasts a membership of nearly 5,000 people and its president is none other than actor Neil Patrick Harris.

The film is likely to explore the club's Hollywood landmark and  historical signifigance.

Ted Field is producing the film.

Haley Bennett Is "Kristy"

"The Haunting of Molly Hartley" star Haley Bennett has won the lead role in the suspense thriller "Kristy" says Variety.

The story follows a college student who, remaining on campus over Thanksgiving break, becomes the target of a violent gang.

Anthony Jaswinski (Vanishing on 7th Street) wrote the most recent draft of the screenplay, which was originally written by Scott Rosenberg and Gary Fleder.

The film will be directed by Oliver Blackburn.

Jamie Patricof Lynette Howell David Kirschner and Corey Sienega.

No production schedule was given.

West's The Sacrament Gets Going

Joe Swanberg, Aj Bowen, Kentucker Audley, Amy Seimetz and Gene Jones have been cast in The Sacrament, the newest film from The House of the Devil and The Innkeepers writer/director Ti West says Screen Daily.

Produced by Eli Roth Christopher Woodrow Molly Conners Jacob Jaffke and Peter Phok, the film's plot is being kept under waps.

The film has been shooting for three weeks in Savannah, Georgia.

"The Wolverine" Chat Stream & Poster

Hugh Jackman and director James Mangold participated in a 22 minute online live-stream Q&A about "The Wolverine" on Monday and in process releaed a nifty new teaser poster for the film.

The script initially written by Christopher McQuarrie--then reworked by Mark Bomback--is set mostly in Japan and based on the great mini-series by Frank Miller and Chris Claremont. The sequel will find our steel clawed hero (star Hugh Jackman) going toe to toe with the Silver Samurai.

Will Yun Lee will play Harada, aka. The Silver Samurai - a crime lord's illegitimate son with an electrified suit of armor. Brian Tee ("Grimm") is Noburo Mori, a corrupt justice minister about to marry the crime lord's daughter (who is Logan's love interest).Also cast are Hiroyuki Sanada ("Lost," "The Last Samurai") as Shingen, Hal Yamanouchi ("Push") as Yashida, and Tao Okamoto and Rila Fukushima as Mariko and Yukio. Svetlana Khodchenkova ("Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy") plays 'The Viper' Famke Janssen will cameo as Jean Grey-A role she played in the first 3 films in the X-Men film series.

Production wraps in a few days

The Wolverine has a July 26th 2013 release date.

31 Days Of Horror Day 30: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Despite the wrath of Frankenstorm Hurricane Sandy--I think director Jason Christopher is more scared of Leatherface--as this special month long event celebrating horror hears the buzzzzzzzzzz!!

Yes, the original, the one that shocked audiences! 1974 was the year of my favorite horror movie, Black Christmas, and this gem cane out too! A movie inspired by the sick crimes of Serial Killer Edward Gein. Tobe Hooper brings you The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Sally and her brother Franklin travel with their friends to go visit their grandfather’s house to commit grave robbery and other acts of vandalism . They soon stop by a broken home and come across the most gruesome scene.

I enjoy this low budget flick. A crew working out of the van that’s used in the movie and a hungry unknown cast; everyone put together this amazing flick. The best piece of info was apparently the movie was financed by the mob so no one could really get any residual checks. That’s how the story goes anyway.

I remember watching this flick for the first time and jumping out of my bed right when Leatherface attacks one character! Also, nothing beats when the door swipes open and Leatherface uses a sledgehammer knocking a character out, amazing!

The re-release of the DVD comes with a making of documentary and it’s pretty damn good. I love those, especially with older movies. The movie wound up coming out with a few sequels that I could care less about (although the Matthew McConaughey one was kind of funny). The remake that Michael Bay put together starring Jessica Biel was pretty entertaining. I didn’t mind that. I also didn’t mind the prequel Platinum Dunes put together as either. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning was put together pretty well and showed how our little Thomas Hewitt became a menace in Texas.

Definitely check out the original but not the random sequels that were produced and check out the remakes too! I believe January is when The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D comes out…we’ll see how that one goes...

1 day till Halloween.

-Jay

SIN CITY 2 UNDERWAY!!!!!!!!

Yes!! YES!! YES!!!!!! THR says Sin City 2, began shooting on today in Austin Texas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The characters of Nancy Callahan (Jessica Alba) and Marv (Mickey Rourke) will indeed return, Nancy's mini-story will act as a bridge for both the other stories in this film as well as those in the first film-Rosario Dawson is back as well. The stories told in the sequel take place before and after the events in the first film.

Jaime King, who played Goldie and Wendy in Sin City, is officially set to reprise her role as Wendy in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For. She will be joined by Jamie Chung, who will be taking over the role of deadly little Miho, previously played by Devon Aoki. While Clive Owen stated earlier this year that he had yet to hear about a return, the trade says he is expected to come back. However, since his character undergoes a radical face change, another actor is said to be joining him to play Dwight.

Meanwhile, the character of Ava -- written in the hopes that Angelina Jolie would do it still needs to be cast as does the newly created gambler Johnny.

Robert Rodriguez is co-directing the film with Frank Miller using their adapted screenplay written with William Monahan

The movie is set to be released on October 4th 2013!

Vardalos Shares Her "Leftovers"

Nia Vardalos ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") is working with Paramount on the ensemble anti-romantic comedy "Leftovers" says Variety.

Details on the story are being kept under wraps.

Vardalos will star in, write and produce the film with Mike Karz and Josie Rosen.

RZA Helms 2 More Films

Rapper/actor/director RZA AKA Robert Diggs has Man With the Iron Fists in theaters Friday--but is already moving on with two more films in the works says Heat Vision.

First up, he's signed on to direct the John Milius long in development epic biopic  about the ruler of the largest empire the world has ever seen -Genghis Khan.The story will be told from the point of view of the early 13th century Mongol conqueror's son and grandson.

 Milius wrote the script and is executive producing the film.

Andre Morgan and Peter Lam are producing that film

Production aims to begin in China next year.

Before that, RZA is expected to direct No Man’s Land. The script comes from David Klass (and Trey Ellis (Good Fences), and takes place over one night, described as having the vibe of Walter Hill’s cult classic, The Warriors. It tells the story of a man who steals a powerful criminal's diamond that soon proves to be far more valuable than initially thought. With the help of a dancer, he attempts to stay alive and cash in on the jewel.

The film is set entirely across one night.

Bill Mechanic and Reginald Hudlin will produce.

Trapero Tracks "Six Suspects"

Argentine filmmaker Pablo Trapero is attached to direct the India-set crime drama "Six Suspects" says Screen Daily.

This, Trapero's first English-language feature, is based on author Vikas Swarup's movel which screenwriter John Hodge ("The Beach," "Trainspotting") is adapting. The story revolves around six guests at a party who are accused of killing the son of an Indian cabinet minister.

Paul Raphael will produce the film.

Ptoduction hopes to get underway next Fall.

Swarup’s novel Q & A was the basis for Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire".

Craig Among “The Monuments Men" For Clooney

Daniel Craig, John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville and Bob Balaban have joined the historical drama “The Monuments Men" says Deadline.

The story follows a group of men and women who chased down the stolen art of Europe during World War II .

George Clooney directs, will produce and will co-write the screenplay with Grant Heslov from the Robert M Edsel written novel. He also stars as George Stout, a U.S. Army officer and leading art conservationist, who repatriated tens of thousands of pieces of art from the Nazis.

Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett and Jean Dujardin ("The Artist") co-star.

Much of the same crew for Ben Affleck's award season contender hopeful Argo which Clooney also produced, will serve in the same capacities here. 

Production kicks off March 1st in Europe.

31 Days Of Horror Day 29: The Shining

Heeeeeeeere's director Jason Christopher on the 1980 masterpiece The Shining as this special month long event celebrating horror hunkers down for a long Winter season.

I really didn’t want to put this movie on the list because it’s so expected. But, hot damn, this movie really is perfect. In 1980, Stanley Kubrick came out with The Shining. The movie changed the face of filmmaking. NOW, I don’t really like considering this movie a horror. To me, the movie is a horror movie but it’s shot like a drama. It’s fantastic the way Kubrick put this movie together.

Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) comes to the elegant, isolated Overlook Hotel as its new off-season caretaker with his wife (Shelly Duvall) and son (Danny Loyyd). Jack has never been there before – or has he? The answer lies in a ghostly time warp of madness and murder.

The movie has this slow eerie pace to it but you love it. You can’t do anything but stay focused on this story. For a horror movie, the flick runs 144 minutes, lots of story going on here.

The score for this movie is real chilling. All the original music was by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind but featuring one of my favorite artists: Krzysztof Penderecki. Really enjoy this guys music, utterly haunting and amazing. I love his work. You can hear his work as well in The Exorcist, Shutter Island, and plenty more.

Kubrick brings his A game for this movie. Who can top his own movie every time? This guy. From the Killing to Lolita, Dr. Strangelove to 2001, A Clockwork Orange to The Shining.  And the dude just kept getting better and better! The scenery in this movie, the tracking shots,  the score, and the editing…amazing!

I’m sure you’ve seen The Shining already but if you haven’t yet…please get the hell up and go buy this movie! It’s great for the Halloween season and any other time of the year.

2 days till Halloween.

-Jay

Cooper For "Supercrooks"?

Comic creator Mark Millar says via Digital Spy that the filmmakers involved in Nacho Vigalondo's comic book film adaptation Supercrooks want Bradley Cooper for the lead role.

The story follows a group of supervillains who band together to pull off a heist in Spain where there are no heroes to stop them, only for it to go horribly wrong.

"I am literally calling up his guys tomorrow and want to secure him as Johnny Bolt. It's about Time he did a super-movie and having him as a likeable super-villain in a super-heist flick sounds about perfect."

Kodjoe "Addicted" To Role

Boris Kodjoe has joined the cast of "Addicted" says Heat Vision.

The story is based on Zane's novel and follows a Zoe, a woman in a perfectly good marriage. The couple is busy raising three kids while devoted to their careers. However, it’s not enough to fulfill her basic needs as she soon finds herself satisfying her addiction to sex by sleeping with other men, which leads her down a dangerous path.

There are no details as to Kodjoe's role. The part of Zoe has not been cast, despite early reports from other outlets that Nia Long and Tasha Smith have also joined the film – Long is reportedly slated to play the lead role of Zoe but nothing's official.

Bille Woodruff (Honey) is set to direct. Christina Welsh wrote the adapted screenplay.

Paul Hall is producing while the pic will be executive produced by Charisse Nesbit.

Wilson Gets "Splintered"

Meeting Evil star Luke Wilson will join the indie anti-romantic comedy "A Many Splintered Thing" says Deadline.

The story follows a young man (Chris Evans) disillusioned by love who meets a breathtaking but engaged young woman (Michelle Monaghan) at a charity dinner where he is pretending to be a philanthropist. Spurred on by his eclectic group of friends, he feigns a platonic relationship in order to keep seeing her as he tries to conquer her heart.

No details were revealed about Wilson’s character.

Topher Grace, Anthony Mackie, Aubrey Plaza, Giovanni Ribisi and Philip Baker Hall co-star.

Chris Shafer & Paul Vicknair penned the script which made the Black List and was a finalist in the 2011 Nicholl Fellowships

Justin Reardon is set to helm

Nicolas Chartier, Craig J. Flores, McG and Mary Viola will produce.

Production begins November 3 in Los Angeles.

Townsend Is Playin' for Love

Robert Townsend is set to direct and produce the basketball-themed romantic comedy Playin' for Love says THR.

The story follows a high school's head coach and a single mother who helps turn the teams fortunes around.

Both the City of Miami and their team Miami Heat will finance the project which will use local talent from the Florida city.

Hinshaw Takes "Deserted Cities" & "Goodbye"

Chronicle" actress Ashley Hinshaw has scored roles in Roberto Sneider's "Deserted Cities" and Angus MacLachlan's "Goodbye to All That" says Variety

'Cities' is based on José Agustín's novel and follows a female Mexican writer fleeing her home to attend an international workshop in the U.S. leaving her husband behind in Mexico.

Hinshaw plays a women who works at the writer's workshop. Gael Garcia Bernal also stars.

Meantime-"Junebug" scribe Angus MacLachlan penned the "Goodbye" screenplay and is going to make his directorial debut.

Paul Schneider, Judy Greer and Kathryn Hahn star.

Mindy Goldberg and Anne Carey will produce.

Production kicks off shortly

Box Office Update: Scared Senseless

The awards season hoprful ARGO scared away the Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski Lana Wachowski epic Cloud Atlas sidelined Silent Hill: Revelation 3D and decimated Chasing Mavericks and Fun Size to take the top spot at the cineplex.

Pamela McClintock of THR:

Ben Affleck's Argo rose to No. 1 in its third weekend of play at the domestic box office as four new films -- including big-budget epic Cloud Atlas -- turned in dismal performances.

Argo grossed $12.4 million for a dazzling North American total of $60.8 million. The film, from Warner Bros., only dropped 25 percent and is the first movie since The Blind Side to come in No. 1 for the first time in its third weekend.

There was more bad news for Cloud Atlas, starring Tom Hanks and Halle Berry. It was also beat by holdover Hotel Transylvania, which narrowly claimed the No. 2 spot with $9.5 milllion in its fifth weekend for a domestic total of $130.4 million (the best gross on record for a Sony Pictures Animation title).

The $100 million Cloud Atlas came in No. 3 with $9.4 million, notably less than the $12 million to $15 million that Warners was hoping for. The ambitious film, hurt by a C+ CinemaScore and mixed reviews, will need to make a strong showing internationally.

Cloud Atlas was independently financed, with Warners picking up domestic distribution rights. The dreamy epic, based on the 2004 novel by David Mitchell, was directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski and Tom Tywker.

New Halloween horror pic Silent Hill: Revelation 3D was also beat by holdovers; in this case Paranormal Activity 4, which placed No. 4 in its second weekend with $8.7 million for a 10-day domestic total of $42.6 million.

Revelation opened to $8 million, tying with holdover Taken 2 for No. 5.

Matters were even worse for Victoria Justice teen comedy Fun Size and Gerard Butler surfing drama Chasing Mavericks, the weekend's two other new films. Both opened outside the top 10, as well as landing high on the list of all-time worst studio openings.

Paramount and Nickelodeon's Fun Size, the first feature directed by television showrunner Josh Schwartz, placed No. 11 with $4.1 million.

Fox and Walden Media's Chasing Mavericks, starring Gerard Butler as legendary surfer Jay Moriarty, came in No. 13 with $2.2 million.

Minimizing the damage, Fun Size ($14 million), Chasing Mavericks ($20 million) and Revelation ($20 million) were modestly budgeted.

Moviegoing was down 12 percent from a year ago, with some markets in the Southeast impacted by Hurricane Sandy. However, a bigger factor across the country were early Halloween festivities, box office observers say. But even that doesn't explain away the poor showing by new titles

Next Up: The CG animated Wreck-It Ralph says "Game On!"; Denzel Washington captain's Director Robert Zemeckis drama "Flight"; And Meet The Man With the Iron Fists.

"Olympus Has Fallen" Before "White House Down"

The battle for The White House is heating up--and no, I am not talking about the 2012 United States Presidential Eection...

An article in THR says that Film District will release the action thriller "Olympus Has Fallen" nationwide on  April 5, 2013.-- nearly three months before Sony Pictures opens a rival project with the similar action-thriller White House Down on June 28, 2013.

Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt wrote the script for "Olympus" that follows a Secret Service agent (Gerard Butler) who becomes America's only hope when the 1600 Pennsylvania Ave is taken over by North Korean terrorists.

Angela Bassett will play the head of the Secret Service protecting Aaron Eckhart ("The Dark Knight") who has been cast as the U.S. President Dylan McDermott will play a Secret Service agent. Radha Mitchell will play “Leah” the wife of Butler‘s. Cole Hauser will play a fellow Secret Service agent. Melissa Leo would portray a tough Secretary of Defense who cracks when tortured. Rick Yune plays the villain, a sociopathic North Korean posing as a South Korean ministerial aide. Ashley Judd will play the first lady, while Robert Forster will play a high-ranking General. Tory Kittles will play a member of the President’s security detail.

Antoine Fuqua's calling action

Sony, who paid $3 million for the script, the highest amount for a spec script sale so far this year, had moved up the release of "Down" from its November 1, 2013 release date to June 2013 late last Summer.

James Vanderbilt wrote the script for "Down" that sees a paramilitary takeover of The White House. Channing Tatum will star as a single father and Secret Service agent.

Maggie Gyllenhaal would play a fellow Secret Service agent. Jamie Foxx is set to play the president of the United States in the film. James Woods is in talks to play the head of the Secret Service. Joey King will play Tatum's young daughter. Jason Clarke will play Stenz, the leader of the mercenaries. Lance Reddick will play Colonel Janowitz, who serves as the handle for the Speaker of the House (Richard Jenkins) who trails the Vice President (Michael Murphy) in America's presidential line of succession. Garcelle Beauvais is the First Lady. Rachelle Lefevre will play the ex-wife of Tatum.

Roland Emmerich directs.

Emmerich, Vanderbilt, Harald Kloser, Bradley Fischer and Laeta Kalogridis will produce.

This is the same scenario that occurred earlier this year with rival "Snow White" films "Mirror Mirror" and "Snow White and the Huntsman". The Difference: those films were aimed at entirely different audiences and showcased completely diff tones.