Matt Goes Green Or No Bourne

While promoting Friday's release of the drama Invictus Matt Damon was asked about director Paul Greengrass' very public departure from the Untitled Jason Bourne sequel/franchise.



He said he's interested in returning to the role during a press conference--But only if Greengrass is coaxed back into the big chair.

"I'll just wait for him and when he wants to do one, we'll do it...I think it'll happen down the road. We just don't have a script yet".

Asked by a reporter to clarify that if that means it's Greengrass or no 'Bourne'? to which he responded "Yeah, I've always said that"

A bit later in a video interview with MTV, he confirmed his statements and seems open to another one but it would be at a time of his and Greengrass' choosing from the sounds of it.

Prison Yard

Mel Gibson is set to make another film in Veracruz next year says The Hollywood Reporter.

Gibson visited Ignacio Allende prison n the Gulf coast state in April 2008 in readiness for the shoot in January, but no details such as a title or story are forthcoming.

Gibson filmed his 2006 Mayan-language epic "Apocalypto" in Veracruz.

All I ask is for Gibby to keep the subtitles to a minimum...

Out There Thataway

30 years ago today Star Trek began its cinematic journey exploring the final frontier with the release of Star Trek: The Motion Picture--10 years after the cancellation of The Original Series...Ironically the film franchise might not have ever left space dock were it not for the blockbuster release of Star Wars in 1977.



A mysterious and immensely powerful alien cloud called approaches Earth, destroying everything in its path, Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) assumes command of his old starship—the USS Enterprise—and his former crew on a mission to save the planet.



Star Trek: TMP received mixed reviews from critics, many of whom noted the film lacked action and relied too much on special effects. The final production cost ballooned to approximately $46 million. The film earned $139 million worldwide, falling short of studio expectations but enough warranting Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan to be made...

TMP may not be the best film in the series But it will always have a special place in my heart as the first piece of Trek I saw and making me a fan thus--The Human Adventure began for me in January 1980 ... After leaving the theater with my sister Karen--I started seeking out the classic episodes and the rest as they say is history...

Director Robert Wise may have been hampered by a weak script without a clear ending until well into production but it didn't show back then--Thanks to the great original cast, a cool starship and production design by the late Harold Michelson and of course composer Jerry Goldsmith's best film score...I was hooked. and will always be grateful to TMP and Trek for giving me a lifetime of memories






Wise was able to improve the film by enhancing the effects and tweaking the pace with the release of Star Trek - The Motion Picture: The Director's Cut....

The Vamps Get Sacked

True life football drama The Blind Side scores a touchdown in its 3rd weekend--New Moon proves it still has bite....The new flicks did suckish...



Pamela McClintock of Variety

Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment's "The Blind Side" sacked the competish at the domestic box office, grossing $20.4 million from 3,326 theaters for a cume of $129.3 million in its third game of the season.

Summit Entertainment's "New Moon" remained a top player also, grossing $15.7 million from 4,124 theaters for a domestic cume of $255.6 million in its third weekend. Vampire romancer took in another $40.7 million overseas for a foreign cume of $314.5 million and massive worldwide total of $570.1 million.

Among new entries at the domestic B.O., Lionsgate and Relativity Media's war drama "Brothers" fared best, grossing $9.7 million from 2,088 theaters to place No. 3for the frame after "Blind Side" and "New Moon," respectively.

"Brothers" toplines Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman.

Sony's actioner "Armored" opened to an estimated $6.6 million from 1,915 locations to tie for No. 6 with Sony's own holdover "2012."

Among specialty openers, Paramount's George Clooney starrer "Up in the Air" scored a lofty per screen average of $79,000 as it grossed $1.2 million from 15 theaters in major markets. Jason Reitman directed...

EW has the top 10 chart and more analysis ....

Up Next: It's awards contender Invictis; The traditional 2-D toon The Princess and the Frog hops onto the big screen; Peter Jackson brings The Lovely Bones novel to cinematic life...

Watching Him Like A Hawke

Following up with Jeremy Renner on the whole Hawkeye/ Avengers chatter that began last week.

Renner tells Superhero Hype:

"I haven't heard anything since I talked to them three weeks ago. The last I knew is that they still have to find their director for 'The Avengers' that's where he's really going to show up. They were just talking, 'Like maybe we should consider maybe hiring Hawkeye now' but there's no director on 'Avengers' so they don't really want to force-feed the director, 'Here's the whole cast.' It's a big role so they didn't want to do that to the director, so I think they might wait. I know they're interested, I'm interested, so we'll see if it works out."

MTV ruminates on Renner as well as other actors who could play the role...

Since there has not been a director on the team up pic for quite some time--I have no problem with Marvel taking charge--but they need to find someone to call action before too long...

2 Guys And A Superhero

Ryan Reynolds spoke to MTV this week about Green Lantern...



He told them that the 'Lantern' origin story will be dealt with quickly in the film.

"It is [an origin story] to a certain degree, but it's not a labored origin story, where the movie [truly] begins in the third act... We find out Hal is the guy fairly early on, and the adventure begins".

Despite action and major special effects, Reynolds says much of the film's best moments are "moments where the guy's not in the suit".

And now a GL shocker! Regular readers of the blog already know that I'm not exactly the biggest Quentin Tarantino fan...

Tarantino recently revealed to MTV that he was once offered the chance to direct the big screen adaptation of the ring bearer.

"I was offered the 'Green Lantern...Not since it's been a script, but just like, 'Hey we own the 'Green Lantern.' Would you like it?'"

Tarantino (thankfully) said no and "Lantern" joined the list of other franchises, like "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," that he was offered but never ended up taking on.

"Green Lantern," of course, is now being helmed by Martin Campbell...

Big sigh of relief there...Whew Thank you movie gods!

MAX-imum Effect

It's all about the Abs.

Taylor Lautner is currently at the head of the line to play the title role in the film adaptation of Max Steel according to The Los Angeles Times.

Based on the toy line, the 17-year-old would play a 19-year-old extreme sports junkie recruited by a secret agency after an accident infects his body with nanobots, making him superhuman.

J.P. Lavin & Chad Damiani are adapting the movie script. The duo are also attached to write two superhero movies based on comics by Rob Liefeld “Capeshooters” and “Youngblood.”

Mattel introduced the character in the U.S. in 1999 as an action figure followed that up with an animated series from 2000-2002.

I guess you could say the best thing Lautner ever did for his young career thus far was make sure he bulked up for New Moon--otherwise he might not be at the front of that line as Max.

Film Oddity

Rob Lieber ("Septimus Heap: Magyk") will adapt children's author David Elliott book "Jeremy Cabbage and the Living Museum of Human Oddballs" reports Variety.

The story centers on Jeremy Cabbage, a young orphan stuck at Harpwitch's Home for Mean Dogs, Ugly Cats, and Stray Children, where the canines are treated better than the kids.

Jeremy's only chance is a good adoption, and when that fails, he finds himself on an outrageous adventure out on the city streets.

Karen Rosenfelt will produce the film adaptation

Gun Laws

Producers Gabe Polsky and Alan Polsky have optioned the film rights to author Jonathan Lethem's 1994 cult novel "Gun, With Occasional Music: says The Hollywood Reporter.

The kitchy sci-fi noir tale follows a private eye through Oakland and San Francisco as he looks into the murder of a prominent urologist.

The story has among plot super-smart children called "baby-heads," erotic nerve swapping, debit cards holding one's karma and a menacing kangaroo that works for the mob.

Might the Polsky boys recruit their Bad Lieutenant Port Of Call New Orleans lead Nicolas Cage to star--Just a thought...

Birds Of A Feather

With Martin Campbell preparing Green Lantern, I thought we would have been spared the long gestating totally unnecessary remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic The Birds--not so Pajiba reports.



The site says Campbell wanted a PG-13 release for the project but as "The Green Lantern" has shaped up, his interest in the pic was not a priority.

Thus he has been replaced by Dennis Iliadis who remade Last House on the Left, and has more horror-toned and R-rated plans that will require a rewrite of a script that has already seen numerous scribes take a shot at it.

The notion is make the film version even further away from both the previous Hitchcock adaptation and original short story by Daphne du Maurier, both of which kept the level of gore to a minimum.

It doen't matter who calls action--I say fowl--er foul

It Takes A Villa

The Sexiest Man Alive. in '09 Johnny Depp is in advanced negotiations to star as Mexican revolutionary hero Pancho Villa in the Spanish-language biopic "Seven Friends of Pancho Villa and the Woman with Six Fingers" reports Variety.



Based on James Carlos Blake's biographical novel , the story follows the early 20th-century bandit who became a guerilla fighter and a hero to the poor and later an iconic historical figure.
Depp will act in Spanish in the film, as will Salma Hayek who is also in advanced talks to co-star

Goran Milic adapted the script for Serbian director Emir Kusturica to helm, but filming won't begin until 2011 due to Depp's busy schedule.

Off The Hopper

Variety reports that Steven Spielberg has walked away from his own remake of Harvey.

He had committed to the project, an adaptation of Mary Coyle Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a man who befriends a six and a half foot tall invisible rabbit, back in August.

Fox and Dreamworks entered a co-financing deal and soundstages were put aside on the Fox lot for the project which was headed for an early 2010 start.

The difficulty apparently came with finding a star - Tom Hanks was his first choice but the actor turned it down

Robert Downey Jr. was then next in line to step into a role made famous by Jimmy Stewart but he and Spielberg never found themselves agreeing on Jonathan Tropper's script.

Spielberg has now called off his whole involvement in the project, leaving Fox to continue development on its own of the film for someone else.

Given the Classic status of the original 50's pic and this news I think the project should just quietly go away.

Leo's On Guard Duty

Leonardo DiCaprio makes his animated feature film debut, lending his voice to "The Guardians" says Variety.



Based on the upcoming books "The Guardians of Childhood" by William Joyce, the story is about an evil spirit named Pitch who becomes bent upon taking over the world by inspiring fear in the hearts of kids everywhere.

Soon, a group of our greatest heroes -- Santa, Jack Frost (DiCaprio), the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Sandman -- band together for the first time and combine their special powers in order to protect the world from Pitch's campaign of fear.

Peter Ramsey calls action on playwright David Lindsay-Abaire's screenplay

The project is scheduled for a November 2nd 2012 release.

Crop Chopper

Will any of these new wide releases unseat New Moon-taking over cinema's top spot?

Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal play war-torn Brothers (reviews) in the remake of the Danish pic Brødre: Columbus Short, Matt Dillon and Laurence Fishburne take the Armored (reviews) car for a spin; And the Italian pic Stanno tutti bene makes its way to America as Robert De Niro makes sure Everybody's Fine (reviews) in the family And it's anti-vampire spoof Transylmania (reviews)





Pamela McClintock of Variety:

A mix of wide releases debut at the domestic B.O. this weekend, but eclipsing holdovers "New Moon" and "The Blind Side" will be a tough task.

Lionsgate opens Jim Sheridan's "Brothers," starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire, in 2,088 theaters. "Brothers" was fully financed and produced by Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity Media, which has an output deal with Lionsgate.

The year-end specialty push continues with Paramount's George Clooney topliner "Up in the Air," which was named best pic of the year Thursday by the National Board of Review. Directed by Jason Reitman, the film opens in 14 theaters in markets including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, D.C., Dallas and Seattle.

Sony's Screen Gems goes after the action crowd with crime-thriller "Armored," toplining Matt Dillon, Jean Reno and Laurence Fishburne. Pic opens in 1,915.

The weekend also sees the final title from the Daniel Battsek-era Miramax: Robert De Niro-Drew Barrymore comedy "Everybody's Fine." Miramax co-financed the film, a remake of Giuseppe Tornatore's 1990 pic, with Radar Pictures. Film opens in 2,133 theaters.

The fourth new wide release is vampire spoof "Transylmania," which Full Circle Releasing takes out in 1,055.

The domestic B.O. is running at record levels and enjoyed the best Thanksgiving holiday ever, led by Summit Entertainment's "New Moon" and Sandra Bullock sports drama "Blind Side."...

Nicole Sperling of EW expects the underdog Sandra Bullock hit to hold off ''New Moon'' to finish No. 1

The Blind Side over Moon? Hmmm Says something about this week's new flicks doesn't it?

Thank You For Being A Friend

Charles Shyer--who directed the poorly recieved Alfie renake is set to helm the $20 million female buddy comedy "BFF" says The Hollywood Reporter.

The story follows childhood best friends who reunite years later in Manhattan and discover that one has become successful while the other remains stalled in their small hometown.

The script was originally written by Vanessa Parise and Robin Dunne and is now being rewritten by Ellen Greenberg

Matt Williams and Judd Payne Chris Cowles Chris Fenton and Shyer will produce. Shooting kicks off in the spring.

Shyer has nixed track record, Even with the fine 90's Father of the Bride films he's got I Love Trouble on his resume as well

Piper Dreams

A film adaptation of Zenescope Entertainment comic "The Piper" is on the way says THR.

The pic will take a dark look at the fable centering on a much-bullied high school band student who unintentionally channels the spirit of the mysterious Pied Piper and triggers terrifying consequences of his actions beyond his control.

The search is on for writers to adapt the material

Faith Based Initiative

Philip Seymour Hoffman is set to star in a 1950's drama pic as the founder of a new religion for director Paul Thomas Anderson (''There Will Be Blood'') reports Variety.



Playing "the Master," as in "master of ceremonies," Hoffman is a charismatic intellectual who hatches a faith-based organization that begins to catch on in America in 1952. The story will focus on the relationship between the Master and Freddie, a 20-something drifter who becomes the leader's lieutenant. As the faith begins to gain a fervent following, Freddie finds himself questioning the belief system he has embraced, and his mentor.

Hoffman appeared in Anderson's debut flick Hard Eight--This will mark their 5th team up.

The media says the film will skewer both Scientology and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) And I say it sounds like the film's putting the whole idea of faith under the microscope.

The $35 million project has yet to be officially greenlit though as Anderson has yet to deliver a finished script....It's just a matter of time.

Harry's Hungry

Harold Perrineau joins the cast of the dramatic thriller "The Hungry Rabbit Jumps" says Variety.

The film finds a high school chemistry teacher (Nicolas Cage) whose wife is the victim of a brutal crime joining an underground vigilante organization.

Perrineau will play Cage's friend and boss, an ex-cop turned high school principal whose loyalties are tested.

Guy Pearce and January Jones as Cage's wife also star.

Roger Donaldson is directing from a script by Robert Tannen.

Actor Tobey Maguire is co--producing, (but not acting here) with Ram Bergman and James D. Stern.

Filming is happening even as this posts

Tim Finds A Gal "Pal"

Gwyneth Paltrow, singer/sometime actor Tim McGraw, "Tron Legacy"'s Garrett Hedlund and Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester have joined the country singing drama "Love Don't Let Me Down" says Variety.





In the pic Hedlund plays a young rising singer-songwriter who becomes involved with a fallen country singer played by Paltrow.

They embark on a career resurrection tour with her husband-manager (McGraw) and a beauty queen-turned-singer (Meester).

Romantic entanglements and old demons threaten to derail them all.

Shana Feste wrote the script and will direct.

Actor Tobey Maguire is producing with Jenno Topping

McGraw is stepping up his acting game just off The Blind Side and once again opposite top talent.

Shooting kicks off January 2010 in Nashville.

Riddick Ready?

Actor Vin Diesel says via his Facebook page "the Riddick team is in New Zealand location scouting already... that's exciting..."



David Twohy has finished the script for the third film featuring the character.

Diesel first played the sliver-eyed anti-hero Riddick in the well-received cult hit "Pitch Black " in 2000. Four years later he reprised the role in 2004's generally panned big-budget flop "The Chronicles of Riddick.

Diesel has also voiced the character in the animated short The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury and the video games The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and this year's The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

Back in August Twohy said that he'd sketched out two possible ideas for continuing the films and was working to get the third film in front of the cameras in 2010.

"At the studio level, it would have to be a PG-13 movie again and we don't want to do that again," he explained to Bloody D.

"We want an R, so we are looking at the possibility of setting it up as an independent movie and selling it territory by territory and thereby keeping an ownership stake in the movie. But we're trying to see what that would yield in this unsafe market".

Regardless how far the team takes this on their own--They have a long way to go to get rid of the stink left by Chronicles '04.

Arms And Hammer

Chatting with Dark Horizons about Friday's "Everybody's Fine", actor Sam Rockwell discussed his role as Justin Hammer in Jon Favreau's upcoming superhero sequel "Iron Man 2".



"I’m a rival to Tony Stark. (Robert Downey Jr.) I’m a weapons dealer" says Rockwell who doesn't label Hammer as a secondary villain-although potential is there for that to happen down the road-"He’s kind of more of the plucky comic relief, but he’s got a little bit of an edge. He’s a little pissed off... [actually] he's little more [like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's rival]Antonio Salieri than he is the plucky comic relief. Mickey Rourke is really the bad guy."

Adding: I’m more of a cross between the agent character in Entourage and Salieri and maybe Bill Murray in Kingpin."

Interesting cross character description

Iron Man 2 hits theaters May 7, 2010.

Edward And Bella Split?

With Twilight and its direct sequel New Moon making a mint...Plans are underway to extend the film franchise...

Variety reports that Summit Entertainment is indeed quite interested in splitting The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn film in two and shooting them back to back--ala Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II.

Deals with the cast would have to be re-negotiated for that to happen though (which would mean BIG pay raises for them), and the studio is said to be hoping for "New Moon" director Chris Weitz to come back and shoot the films.

The catch is there's a deal ready for Weitz to do "The Gardener” (also at Summit). and his next project, but they won't close it yet wanting to try and get him back for Dawn.

Wild Rumors are also around that Robert Pattinson may be coming back for Twilight TV‎ Yeah Right....

Outta The Spy Game?

News that The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum director Paul Greengrass was leaving the next Jason Bourne film, led to lots of online chatter...



Universal Pictures confirmed his departure to Variety and released the following statement from the director:

"I will always be grateful to have been the caretaker to Jason Bourne over the course of The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. I'm very proud of those films and feel they express everything I most passionately believe about the possibility of making quality movies in the mainstream. My decision to not return a third time as director is simply about feeling the call for a different challenge. There's been no disagreement with Universal Pictures. The opportunity to work with the Bourne family again is a difficult thing to pass up, but we have discussed this together and they have been incredibly understanding and supportive. I've been lucky enough to have made four films for Universal, and our relationship continues. Jason Bourne existed before me and will continue, and I hope to remain involved in some capacity as the series moves on."

Greengrass made nice with the studio so as not to burn bridges for future pics....

The article also posits two 'Bourne' writers as potential replacements - Tony Gilroy and George Nolfi who is currently directing "The Adjustment Bureau" with 'Bourne' star Matt Damon.

Stay Tuned Folks....

Summit Gets Custody Of The Twins

Summit Entertainment has won the film rights to the Top Cow comic "Alibi" reports Variety.

The story centers on a well-known socialite whose public presence establishes a perfect alibi for the covert activity of his secret twin brother, a government assassin.

John Hlavin writes the adapted script.

Getting Frosty

Variety says that Modern Warfare 2 video game director Keith Arem will make his feature film debut calling action on a movie called Frost Road.

The thriller is about a young man who awakens from a car wreck to discover he’s one of the few survivors of a devastating outbreak which has hit a small East Coast town. He’s immune and so he sets about trying to save people and keep the contagion from spreading and wiping out humanity on a global scale.

"[I'm] thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the skills I've honed in the game industry to the big screen," said Arem--who will also work on the script that he plans on developing the project as a graphic novel too.

"There's an incredible talent pool currently working in the game industry, and I hope that the success of Frost Road will give other creators the chance to show what they can do on a wider canvas."

Cary Brokaw and Steven L'Heureux will produce.

I think it's a cool switcheroo given how noteworthy Arem's VG work has been and how cinematic game play has become. But another mysterious outbreak tale?...

Head Of Esteem

Brent Forrester and Mindy Kaling ("The Office") have sold their romantic comedy pitch "The Low Self Esteem of Lizzie Gillespie" says Variety.

The film centers on a woman whose lack of self-worth has limited her choice in men to losers. Just as she is about to hit the bottom of the barrel, her life takes an unexpected turn when she is pursued by the hottest guy ever.

Kaling will play a supporting role in the pic.

Actor John Malkovich will co-produce.

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

Peter Jackson recently indicated that filming on the The Hobbit had been pushed back from March to mid-Summer 2010.

Now it seems that delay could affect the film's release.

The Wrap says that while the first film's December 2011 release date is still official, "it looks more likely to be 2012" according to an unnamed executive close to the film.

No word on how of if that would affect Part 2's release

Rugged Prince

Planet Disney offers up a brand new character poster for May 28th's video game inspired Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time flick.



The film stars a tough looking Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley and Alfred Molina.

FYI The next ‎video game in the series is out in 2010 as well.

Hangover Cure

Director Todd Phillips talked about The Hangover sequel with Entertainment Weekly.



The setting change: "What people loved about The Hangover was not Las Vegas or the bachelor party but these three characters. I think you can take those characters and put them in other situations, and you don’t need the sell of Vegas and a bachelor party and all that other stuff."

Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis are returning. The plot of the new script which is halfway written is being kept under wraps for now.

Once Phillips is is done with the currently filming comedy "Due Date" he's expected to move right into The Hangover 2.

The first film hits DVD on December 15th

Playing Fair

John Madden, of Shakespeare in Love, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Proof, and Killshot fame is in talks to direct the remake of the musical "My Fair Lady" says Variety.



Actress Emma Thompson is adapting the script which is expected to be more faithful to George Bernard Shaw's original play "Pygmalion" than the 50's Lerner and Loewe musical which served as the basis for the 1964 classic film.

Keira Knightley and her Atonement pal director Joe Wright. were linked to the project, which Wright quickly denied saying the film was something he briefly considered doing before he declined.

Knightley is not bound to play Eliza--and so Madden will likely begin a new search for his leading lady sometime after the new year...and makes a great choice to take the helm here.

Oh Beautiful

Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's five-novel fantasy series "Beautiful Creatures" is being put on film reports Variety.

The story follows Ethan Wate, a popular high school student who hates living in a small town in South Carolina where nothing happens— until he os bewitched by Lena Duchanne, a 16-year old whose family has moved back to town and who wishes for a mundane life. The star-crossed couple has to confront an age old curse that has haunted her family for generations, as she comes to grips with her powers.

Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You and Freedom Writers) will write the script and direct.

Imagine that?! Someone else wants to try for Twilight sized success...

Back To Black

Tron Legacy director Joseph Kosinski producer Sean Bailey and screenwriter Travis Beacham (Clash of the Titans) are planning a remake/reboot of Disney 1979 sci-fi epic "The Black Hole" according to the Heat Vision Blog.



The original followed a group of space explorers aboard the USS Palomino who come across a lost ship, the USS Cygnus, hovering outside a black hole. Inside the Cygnus, the explorers meet a scientist, commanding an army of faceless robots, who explains his crew deserted him as he planned to go through the black hole. The explorers soon discover that the robots are the remnants of the former crew and that the scientist has no intention of letting them leave.

'Hole' was at the time the company's first PG-rated production and the most expensive film the studio ever produced at $26 million.

The trade points out, that the new "Hole" is one of the first projects undertaken by new Mouse House chief Rich Ross who put a 20000 Leagues Under the Sea redo on hold last month.

The new film will include the red robot Maximilian and be much more grounded in real science about black holes. Other details are being kept secret.

Harry Gets Risque?

USA Today spoke with helmer David Yates about the November 19th 2010 sequel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I" saying it will be "a road movie" that is much more grounded in reality.



The latest film sees Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) on the run to looking for horcruxes, which hold the key to destroying Harry’s nemesis, Lord Voldemort

"It's going to feel very real. We're going for a vérité approach. Being away from Hogwarts, they're like these three refugees on the run. They're out in the big bad world, facing real danger, unguarded by those wonderful benign wizards at Hogwarts. They don't have a home to go to. We're kind of pulling away from the magic a bit and bringing more reality to it" said Yates.

Though I have not personally read any books in the series --Wanting to capitalize on his young star's appeal Yates talks possible Potter nudity! Oh my!

Readers recall 'The Silver Doe' chapter from the book in which Harry strips down to his undies to retrieve a sword from the bottom of a lake.

He further indicates he may be bare as Ron sees nightmarish visions produced by a horcrux trying to defend itself.

In another chat Yates tells Video Business (via Coming Soon) that one vision "shows Hermione and Harry embracing and kissing. It's something intriguing and sensual for Rupert to react to, and Dan will be bare for that."

Radcliffe's been nude before...but I doubt this will go that far and risk losing out on its PG-13 target audience.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II is currently filming for 2011.

A Walk In The Park

Actor Tom Cavanagh has been signed to play Ranger Smith in the live-action film Yogi Bear says Variety.

Cavanagh is the male lead and romantic interest of a documentary filmmaker (Anna Faris) who comes to Jellystone Park to shoot a nature film.

Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake provide voices for the title character and his sidekick Boo-Boo in the pic based upon the The Yogi Bear Show cartoon.

Eric Brevig directs film from a script by Brad Copeland who rewrote Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia.

Shooting is underway in New Zealand. The film is slated for a December 17, 2010 release.

I Wish It Were Summer Already!

Take a look at the nifty first official movie poster for Jon Favreau's "Iron Man 2" over at Yahoo showing off the hero's updated suit and a over the shoulder glimpse at War Machine.



The first trailer for the much anticipated sequel is expected to debut in theaters with Sherlock Holmes this month.

Greener Pastures

Director Paul Greengrass has walked away from calling action on the Untitled Jason Bourne 4 film says The Playlist.

Two separate scripts were being written at the same time by two different writers - George Nolfi, who co-wrote "The Bourne Ultimatum" and upcoming thriller " The Adjustment Bureau and Joshua Zetumer wrote another one, but no one consulted Greengrass--and so he is unhappy with that, while Nolfi's script is generally being dismissed.

Another factor is "Green Zone"the Iraq-set thriller re-teaming Greengrass and Bourne pal star Matt Damon.

Originally slated to be a small project but, the budget has ballooned due to numerous reshoots and delays to a rumored $150 million (considering the poor performance of Iraq-themed films...).

Then of course there's the two 'Bourne' sequels that Greengrass did. 'Ultimatum' cost a pretty penny and saw similar reshoots and budget overspending due to Greengrass' style of starting without a finished screenplay and 'finding the film' in the editing room.

Domestically the trilogy was a major hit, but globally the films don't do anywhere near as well as the rival James Bond franchise.

Given current environment, Universal Pictures is feeling skittish about proceeding without a locked down script and budgetary limitations, while Greengrass is more than happy with his style of filming and doesn't feel a need to change it - especially considering how successful he's made the Bourne franchise for the studio.

Greengrass and Damon are tight yo, putting Damon's involvement in question now.

The site admits that this 'walk off' could be a negotiating tactic and the man could be back on the project in a few months. In the meantime-- several other names may pop up as potential replacements.

If this is a tactic--It's one hell of a way to negotiate.

Stay Tuned....

Amother Invasion Flick

Summit Entertainment purchased Benjamin Magid's sci-fi spec script "Invasion" reports STYD.

The story follows the survivors of a subway accident under Los Angeles. Climbing out the tunnels, they emerge into a ruined city littered in some kind of snow, bodies, panic-fueled mobs and a strange goo with acidic properties.

Eli Roth and Eric Newman will produce the Cloverfield like pic

Magid was one of several writers who adapted the Hack/Slash script