Dimension Nabs "Nowhere" Remake Rights

Dimension Films has won the rights to an English-language remake of writer/director Jeong-beom Lee's 2010 South Korean action hit The Man From Nowhere says Deadline.

The story follows a quiet pawnshop owner (Bin Won) with a violent past who takes on a drug and organ-trafficking ring to save the child who is his only friend.

Shawn Christensen ("Abduction") has been hired to pen the script for the remake.

"We have always been huge action and martial arts fans and are getting back into the genre in a big way with The Man from Nowhere," said studio co-chief Bob Weinstein, "It's a slick, fast-paced action thriller anchored by a strong emotional relationship that audiences are going to love."

Mars Attacks The Lorax

This weekend at the box office it's really all about whether Taylor Kitsch as John Carter (reviews) can take the top spot from the CG toon of the Classic Dr. Seuss tale The Lorax or not...

Since Eddie Murphy can only say A Thousand Words (reviews) in his (long delayed) comedy--Can he stage a comeback with it?

The question was rhetorical...Remember when Eddie seemed invincible at the cineplex?

This as Elizabeth Olsen is trapped in the Silent House (reviews)

Pamela McClintock of THR:

Andrew Stanton's John Carter could now open north of $30 million at the domestic box office this weekend, but that's likely not enough to put Disney's $250 million-plus sci-fi epic on solid ground financially.

Nor may it be enough to wrest the weekend crown from holdover Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, which opened to a stellar $70.2 million last weekend. The Universal and Illumination Entertainment film is expected to gross $35 million to $40 million in its second outing, putting its domestic cume north of $100 million in just 10 days.

The other big question mark is John Carter's international potential. Often, a 3D Hollywood tentpole that underperforms domestically can make up ground overseas. John Carter -- headlining Taylor Kitsch as a Civil War hero transported to Mars -- opens this weekend in virtually every foreign territory save China and Japan. It bows next week in China and in Japan on April 13.

John Carter needs to do substantial business worldwide to make up for its $250 million-plus budget.

The movie will play in select midnight runs Thursday before upping its North American theater count Friday to north of 3,500, including 290 Imax screens. Fanboys are huge fans of Imax, so John Carter should do especially well in those locations.

According to tracking, older males are by far the most interested in seeing John Carter, which marks Stanton's live-action directorial debut after turning out Pixar hits including Finding Nemo and WALL-E. Younger men are the second-most interested demo, followed by younger females and older females.

Tracking has improved slightly across all demos on the eve of the film's release, but box-office observers still believe the film will have a hard time opening much north of $30 million.

Two other films open wide at the domestic box office this weekend: the Eddie Murphy comedy A Thousand Words and horror pic Silent House, starring Elizabeth Olson.

A Thousand Words was made by DreamWorks before its split with Paramount and has been sitting on the shelf for four years. The comedy, which remained with Paramount, is expected to open in the $5 million range, underscoring Murphy's troubled box-office standing.

Open Road Films is distributing Silent House for Liddell Entertainment, which acquired the film at Sundance in 2011. It's expected to open at $6 million to $7 million.

There's significant action at the specialty box office this weekend with the opening of Jennifer Westfeldt's directorial debut Friends With Kids, which opens in 375 theaters domestically. Roadside Attractions acquired the comedy at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

Friends With Kids enjoys a Bridesmaids glow because of stars Kristin Wiig and Maya Rudolph. Westfeldt also stars in the film, as does Adam Scott and Westfeldt's longtime partner, Jon Hamm.

CBS Films opens Lasse Hallstrom's Ewan McGregor-Emily Blunt romantic adventure Salmon Fishing in the Yemen -- another 2011 Toronto title -- in 15 theaters in seven top markets, including New York and Los Angeles.

Sony Pictures Classics debuts the Israeli drama Footnote in two theaters in New York. The movie was Israel's official selection for the foreign-language film Oscar.

Chronicle 2 On The Way

"Chronicle" writer Max Landis will pen a sequel to the superhero meets found-footage film says Deadline

The pic boasted strong reviews and made $105 million at the box office worldwide in just over a month in theatrical release. The story followed three Portland teens (Dane DeHaan, Michael B. Jordan and Alex Russell) after they develop strange powers from exposure to a mysterious substance.

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD

There's no word as to what direction the sequel would go considering what happened with 2 of the main characters at the end of the movie. Will the new film use the found footage format to tell its story? The answer to that question is not known. 

Landis is quite busy with numerous projects in development including an as yet "Untitled Frankenstein Project," "Pied Piper," "Good Time Gang" and "Amnesty" and more.

The first film's director Josh Trank was linked to call action on the comic book spin-off film "Venom" yesterday.

Hi-yo! First Look At Pic Of Lone Ranger & Tonto

Disney has released the first official photo from of Gore Verbinski's big-budget re-telling of "The Lone Ranger"

The iconic Ranger is among a group of Texas Rangers chasing down a gang of outlaws led by Butch Cavendish. The gang ambushes the Rangers, seemingly killing them all. One survivor (The Social Network's Armie Hammer) is found, however, by an American Indian named Tonto (Johnny Depp), who nurses him back to health.

The Ranger, wearing a mask and riding a white stallion named Silver, teams up with Tonto to bring the unscrupulous gang and others of that ilk to justice.

The character began as a 1930s radio show before becoming a star is several movie serials, TV shows, comic strips comic books, toys, novels and more.

The Pic Showcases Tonto And Ranger:

That certainly is an interesting look for Depp as Tonto and not at all what expected the character to look like--Of course his appearance may change during the film--I don't hate it though just different. Even Ranger's outfit is a bit darker than I thought it was gonna be...Considering the film's many financial issues over the last months It's amazing that cameras have started to roll let alone at all....

Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road) Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio wrote the script.

Helena Bonham Carter, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale Tom Wilkinson James Frain Harry Treadaway, Matt O'Leary, W. Earl Brown Leon Rippy Ruth Wilson  and William Fichtner as the villain co-star

Jerry Bruckheimer produces the pic.

The Lone Ranger hits theaters on May 13th, 2013.

Ricardo de Montreuil May Leave His Mark On Zorro Reborn

Peruvian filmmaker Ricardo de Montreuil now finds himself at the front of the line to call action on the sci-fi re-imagining film "Zorro Reborn" says Variety.

This film takes the legend of Zorro from the Spanish colonial era in California to a future world The character will be driven more by vengeance rather than justice in the story. The masked hero of the people will go up against an evil tyrant and his gang of mercenaries

De Montreuil will have a screen test with Zorro's likely leading man Gael Garcia Bernal, but his directing deal is not yet a sure thing.

"Harker" scribes Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy wrote the most recent script draft.

Mark Amin, Cami Winikoff and David Higgins will produce the film.

Aja To Chart An Undying Love

"Piranha 3D" director Alexandre Aja is in talks to helm a film adaptation of the comic book
"Undying Love" says Deadline.

The story revolves around an ex-solider who falls for a vampire, though in order to be with her he must take on her creator - a being protected by an army of monsters in the Hong Kong underworld.

Comic creators Tomm Coker and Daniel Freedman wrote the adapted script.

Michael De Luca, Stephen L'Heureux and Benderspink's Chris Bender, Jc Spink will produce the pic.

Braun, Jackson Graduate To Get A Job

Nicholas Braun and Brandon T. Jackson have joined the cast of the comedy "Get A Job" according to Yahoo!.

The film centers on a college graduate named Will (Miles Teller) and his friends who have to lower their expectations as they enter the real world during a recession.

Braun, Jackson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse will play Will's three friends.

Anna Kendrick plays Will's hard-charging girlfriend and Bryan Cranston is his father who is also looking for a job at the same time his son is. Alison Brie also stars as a sharp-toungued co-worker, and Jay Pharoah plays a guy starting what he thinks is a recession-proof business.

Kyle Pennekamp and Scott Turpel wrote the script that "Roger Dodger" filmmaker Dylan Kidd is set to direct.

Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher are producing.

The film starts production in Los Angeles on March 12.

2 Get In The Ring With The Challenger

Michael Clarke Duncan and S. Epatha Merkerson have signed on for Kent Moran’s upcoming boxing drama "The Challenger" says Deadline.

The film focuses on Jaden Miller (Moran), a Bronx mechanic who – along with his adopted mother (Merkerson) – have to find somewhere else to live after being evicted. Thus, Miller gets involved in a lifestyle he hoped to avoid – fighting. He tries everything to stop his family from living on the streets, even taking up help from famous fighting trainer, played by Duncan.

Justin Hartley, Ernie Sabella and Lindsay Hartley also star in the film.

Moran not only stars but also wrote the script and will direct the film

Production began this month in New York

Genesis Rodriguez Works "Hours" With Walker

Genesis Rodriguez is in talks to join the indie thriller "Hours" says Deadline.

Set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Paul Walker would play a father trying to keep his newborn daughter alive in a New Orleans hospital.

The deets of the character Rodriguez will be playing in the film are unknown.

A Nightmare on Elm Street and Final Destination 5 scribe Eric Heisserer will direct from his own original screenplay

Peter Safran will produce the pic

A production start is unknown for the pic

Evil Dead Redux Gets 2 More Gals

Jessica Lucas is in talks to join while Elizabeth Blackmore is set for The Evil Dead remake reports Heat Vision.

Fede Alvarez directs the pic and like the 1981classic, the story centers on five friends who journey up to a remote cabin where they discover the Book of the Dead and unwittingly unleash demonic forces.

Suburgatory's Jane Levy replaced Lily Collins who was tipped at one time for the lead role of Mia who is ecovering from a recent overdose, and is in a particularly vulnerable place--Collins backed out over her busy schedule. Shiloh Fernandez nabbed the male lead. Lou Taylor Pucci will play an academic whose intellectual curiosity gets them into trouble.

Lucas will play Mia's best pal who is also a nurse. Blackmore is playing the fiancée of Fernandez's character and is new to the group.

Alvarez, Rodolfo Sayagues, and Diablo Cody worked on the script.

This new version will NOT feature a character called Ash, the lead role played by Bruce Campbell in the original. Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Campbell will produce.

The redux will begin production shortly in New Zealand. The film is set for an April 12th 2013 release

Metallica 3-D Film Nabs Director

The Heavy Metal band Metallica picked Nimród Antal ("Predators," "Kontroll") to direct an upcoming 3D feature film about the group reports Market Wire.

The pic will combine narrative and concert footage starring the band and their fans.

Charlotte Huggins will produce the pic.

Antal says "we are going to harness the powerful and almighty energy of Metallica's live shows, inject a narrative into it, and shoot it in 3D to elevate the entire experience."

Filming starts this August for a release next Summer.

Gyllenhaal Reved For Motor City

Jake Gyllenhaal is now tipped to replace Dominic Cooper in the Albert Hughes revenge thriller "Motor City" says Variety.

The story follows a small time crook (Gyllenhaal) who is framed and sent to jail, only to go after those who put him there after he is released wanting to get back the woman he loves (Amber Heard).

Gary Oldman will play a kingpin in Motor City who has his hooks into the woman.

Cooper left the film due to a scheduling issue with Roger Donaldson's international thriller "Cities"

Chad St. John’s screenplay is unique in that it only has but one line of dialogue and made it on to Hollywood’s Black List back in 2009, the list of the year’s best unproduced scripts

Joel Silver and Andrew Rona will produce the picture

Production kicks off in April in Berlin

Katy Perry Wants "Elves" To Helm Her 3-D Doc

Reality TV producers Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz, aka Magical Elves are in talks to direct the as yet Untitled 3D concert-documentary for singer Katy Perry says The Hollywood Reporter.

The film will show Perry’s life on-stage and off-stage and give a fan’s perspective on the pop singer.

Previous online reports incorrectly said that Nanette Burnstein was going to direct.

Aside from their TV gigs the Elves also produced last year's concert docu-film "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never".

Byrne & Faris Join "Year"

Rose Byrne and Anna Faris are joining the romantic comedy "I Give It a Year" says Variety.

The story follows a mismatched couple (Byrne and Rafe Spall) as they struggle to survive their first year of marriage.

Faris and Simon Baker will play strong supporting characters.

Dan Mazer's written the script and will call action.

Kris Thykier, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce the film

Filming begins this spring in London. 

Getzinger Gets Some (More) Girls

Emily Watson Zoe Kazan Jennifer Morrison and Mia Maestro will all join the indie "Some Girl(s)" according to  THR .

'Girls' is based on the play by Neil Labute, and follows a successful writer (Adam Brody) who, before getting married, decides to travel across the country to meet his five ex-girlfriends in a series of hotel rooms.

Watson will play Lindsay, a vengeful married college professor who had an affair with Brody, who then leaves town. The other ex roles and their character deets are not yet known

Kristen Bell was just cast yesterday as Bobbi, a smart, articulate woman he bailed on years before without a word, leaving her without respect or love for him

Jennifer Getzinger directs with a script Labute adapted.

Labute Patty West, Chris Schwartz, and Andrew Carlberg are producing

Production kicks off in Los Angeles in April.

Bling Ring Movie Manns Up

Leslie Mann and Israel Broussard have joined the cast of Sofia Coppola’s crime drama "The Bling Ring" says The Hollywood Reporter.

The film is based on the true story of a group of Los Angeles teenagers who robbed the Hollywood Hills homes of several celebrities in 2008 and 2009-- the film written and directed by Coppola.

Mann will play a mom of two of the girls, Broussard nabbed the male lead

Emma Watson and Taissa Farmiga also star in the film.

Youree Henley and Sophia's brother Roman Coppola will co produce the pic with her.

Writers Casting Round-Up

Lily Collins, Logan Lerman, Nat Wolff, Liana Liberato, and Kristen Bell have all joined the cast of writer/director Josh Boone's indie comedy-drama "Writers" says Deadline.

In the pic Greg Kinnear will play a successful novelist and Jennifer Connelly his ex-wife as the film explores the relationship with each other and their kids as members of the Borgens family.

Collins and Wolff play the couple's children, who are both romantically involved with a classmate (Lerman) and a first love (Liberato), respectively. Rounding out the cast is Kristen Bell, playing Tricia, Kinnear's casual hook-up attempting to aid him through his destructive feelings.

Real life author Stephen King will cameo in the film!

The film is being produced by Informant Media's Judy Cairo (Crazy Heart).

Production begins next week in North Carolina

Whitaker Up For Daniels' Butler

Forest Whitaker is in talks for the lead role in "Precious" director Lee Daniels' biopic "The Butler" says Variety.

The film follows the true story of Eugene Allen, a black man who served as a White House butler for 34 years starting in 1952. He ended up serving eight presidents and had a unique front row seat as political and racial history was being made.

Danny Strong wrote the script which was rewritten by Daniels and is based on a Washington Post article by Wil Haygood

Allen’s wife died the day before the 2008 election and was buried on the same day that the article was published. Eugene died in 2010

Daniels is reportedly after "The Help" actor David Oyelowo for the role of Allen's son. He also wants former talk show queen Oprah Winfrey to play Allen’s wife. Hugh Jackman, Mila Kunis and John Cusack have all emerged as potential cast members in the film with Kunis up to play Jacqueline Kennedy and Cusack to play President Richard M. Nixon. Liam Neeson is reportedly being lined up to play President Lyndon B. Johnson

Pamela Williams is producing the film.

Woody Allen Acts Like A Gigolo

Woody Allen and Sofia Vergara are set to join the indie comedy "Fading Gigolo"  says Variety.

John Turturro wrote, will direct and stars in the film in which he and Allen play cash-strapped best friends who decide to go into the gigolo business together - Allen pimping out Turturro's character. They subsequently attract the suspicion of the Hasidic Jewish community in which they live.

Sharon Stone also stars as Allen's dermatologist who hires Turturro to sleep with her, Vergara is tipped to play another wealthy client who's bored with her marriage and wants a threesome with Turturro and Stone.

Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte will produce the pic

Production kicks off in New York next month. 

Fading will mark the first film in over a decade that Allen has acted in which he hasn't directed himself.

Cohen Is A Scout Troop Leader

Industry writer Etan Cohen ("Tropic Thunder") is in talks to make his directorial debut on the horror-comedy "Boy Scouts vs. Zombies" says Heat Vision.

The story follows a troop that must save a group of girl scouts from a pack of zombies who have designs on ruining their camping trip.

Carrie Evans and Emi Mochizuki wrote the script which made the 2010 Black List.

Cohen will oversee the writing of a new draft by Lona Williams ("Drop Dead Gorgeous").

D Of P Pfister Takes The Next Step

Oscar-winning cinematographer Wally Pfister giving a memorable look to films like "The Dark Knight," "Inception" and "Moneyball", is set make his feature film directorial debut on an untitled pic says Deadline.

Jack Paglen wrote the script with the storyline being hushed for now.

Pfister has directed commercials for several years and has been the D.O.P. for most of Chris Nolan's movies.

Marisa Polvino, Kate Cohen, Annie Marter, Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove will produce

Production will kick off in early Fall.

Trank Chronicles Venom Movie?

Sony Pictures is in talks with "Chronicle" director Josh Trank to call action on a spin-off film "Venom" reports The Los Angeles Times.

Very little is known about the film A few years ago, "Zombieland" scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick took a crack at a script, before writer/director Gary Ross got in line.

The character got its start as a popular villian in Marvel comics and appeared in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3, played by Topher Grace (who won't be returning for the new pic).

Plans for a "Venom" film have been in the works for almost five years now.

Jacob Aaron Estes wrote the previous draft of the script but a new writer and script will be used.

A few months ago Trank's mame came up to helm the Fantastic Four film series reboot. Talk that Trank quickly nixed.

Party On For Project X Sequel

Project X co-writer Michael Bacall is said to be already penning a treatment for a sequel says The Hollywood Reporter.

Work got quietly going on the follow-up a few weeks ago, before the teen comedy opened to a strong $21 million over this past weekend.

Whether Bacall's treatment becomes a full script for the pic depends on the producers Todd Phillips and Joel Silver.

It's also unknown if the films stars- Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper and Jonathan Brown - will be back though it's likely that deals will be made

Journey Sequel Being Prepped

As Journey 2 pases $275 million at the global box-office, New Line Cinema is moving ahead with a third movie in the series reports Heat Vision.

The sequel's director Brad Peyton and writers Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn have all signed deals to return for another film .

No deals have been made with any cast members yet. Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson and Charlotte Huggins will produce Journey 3.

The pic is being fast tracked to be in theatres by 2014

Landesman Scribes The Galton Case

Peter Landesman has been hired to pen the script for a film adaptation of late authour Ross Macdonald's 1959 book "The Galton Case" says Deadline.

What hopes to be the launch of a film noir franchise begining with this eighth book in the series that centers on private detective Lew Archer--who cracks dangerous cases in Southern California in the 1950s and 60s. In 'Galton' has him hired to track down the lost heir to a family fortune - putting him on a trail of murder, deception and secrets.

Paul Newman played the character twice - in 1966's "Harper" and 1975's "The Drowning Pool".

Landesman most recently scripted "The Mission"---a film about former FBI man William Mark Felt, Sr., AKA Deep Throat of the Watergate scandal.

Bell Is One Of Some Girl & Frozen

Kristen Bell has landed 2 film roles--The indie "Some Girls" and the upcoming CG animated flick "Frozen" says The Hollywood Reporter.

'Girls' is based on the play by Neil Labute, and follows a successful writer (Adam Brody) who, before getting married, decides to travel across the country to meet his five ex-girlfriends in a series of hotel rooms.

Bell plays Bobbi, a smart, articulate woman he bailed on years before without a word, leaving her without respect or love for him

Jennifer Getzinger directs with a script Labute adapted.

Labute Patty West, Chris Schwartz, and Andrew Carlberg are producing

Production kicks off in Los Angeles in April.

Bell will also use her vocal talents for the speaking and singing as the lead in "Frozen"

Chris Buck (Surf's Up) is directing the pic, that John Lasseter and Peter Del Vecho will produce.

Johnson Pumped For Ciudad & Hercules Films

Dwayne Johnson has signed on to star in Joe Russo and Anthony Russo's action thriller "Ciudad" according to Deadline.

Based on the Graphic Novel the action is set in one of the most dangerous and corrupt cities in the world, the story will see Johnson star as a black market mercenary hired by a Brazilian drug lord to rescue his kidnapped daughter.

Joe Russo will adapt the script from the graphic novel they co-wrote with Ande Parks.

Eric Gitter, Peter Schwerin, Randall Emmett and George Furla will produce. 

The Russo's directed the comedy You, Me and Dupree and have more recently been calling action on TV sitcoms.

Johnson has also been confirmed by Variety to have officially accepted the title role as Hercules in a new film called Hercules: The Thracian Wars.

An adaptation of Steve Moore penned comic, the story follows Hercules years after he carried out his twelve tasks and has turned his back on the Gods.

Now he and six friends have become mercenaries who've been hired by the King of Thrace to train his men into becoming an army every bit as ruthless as they are.

Ryan Condal wrote the adapted script

Brett Ratner is set to direct for producer Avi Lerner.

Uni Takes Ouija Back As A Low Budget Film

After dumping the project last August, Universal Pictures has started work again on their Untitled Ouija film-an adaptation of the board game reports Variety.

This new version will be quite different from the way it was originally intended as a big-budget action-adventure pic with McG attached to direct.

Now it will be a scaled down genre film with a budget of just $5 million

The story will still revolving use the board game that lets players communicate with the spirit world as its premise. McG has moved on.

Since its initial development folks like "Fright Night" remake writer Marti Noxon--who got her start working on the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV series, Simon Kinberg. Evan Spiliotopoulos and Tron Legacy writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz have worked on the script---No word who will take over those duties for the revamped film

Producers Brian Goldner, Bennett Schneir, Andrew Form Michael Bay and Brad Fuller will remain involved, while Jason Blum's climbing on board as well.

Production aims to get underway this year for release in 2013.

Saldana, Affleck Stoke The "Furnace"

Zoe Saldana and Casey Affleck are in line to join Scott Cooper's Out Of The Furnace, aka The Low Dweller says Vulture.

The story is based on a spec script by Brad Ingelsby and centers on Slim (Christian Bale), an Indiana native who has just been freed from prison in 1986. Although he initially has plans to marry his girlfriend, Slim's brother (Affleck) is soon found to be murdered after falling in with a dangerous gambling racket. This eventually leads to Slim's quest for revenge.

Robert Duvall, is the top contender to play the hero’s uncle, while Viggo Mortensen is being mentioned for the bad guy...Affleck was in contention with Channing Tatum Garrett Hedlund, and Taylor Kitsch for brother role.

Saldana would play Bale's ex-wife who is married to the town's sherriff.

Back in 2008 the script was highly sought after attracting directors like Rupert Sanders and Ridley Scott as well as actor Mark Wahlberg.

Scott his brother Tony Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran will produce, with Brooklyn Weaver is executive producing.

Mann Is A "Beautiful" Magician

Project X star Thomas Mann is in talks to join the cast of the supernatural love story Beautiful Creatures reports Variety.

The story is based on the first in a trilogy of novels by authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. In the first book, high-school student Ethan Wate (Jack O'Connell) meets and becomes bewitched by Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert), a 16-year-old whose family has moved to the small South Carolina town where he lives. The two must confront a curse that has haunted her family for generations as she comes to grips with her powers.

Mann would play O'Connell's best friend Link who has a thing for both music and magic, which Emmy Rossum's witch character named Ridley, who is also Englert's cousin.

Oscar-nominated "The Help" actress Viola Davis plays a librarian and friend of the teen boy's deceased mother who loves him like a son and will do whatever she can to protect him. Emma Thompson will play the complex role of Mrs. Lincoln, who is a small town religious leader, who is also possessed by a dark witch named Sarafine

Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You and Freedom Writers) wrote the script and directs.

Erwin Stoff, Broderick Johnson Andrew Kosove and Molly Smith will produce the pic

Production kicks off in April in New Orleans.

Bullet Bulliten

Late last month the suits at Warner Bros.pulled the planned April 13th release of the action pic Headshot aka "Bullet to the Head" less than two months before release....

Then yesterday report by Twitchfilm added a new wrinkle saying that star Sylvester Stallone is now personally overseeing a new cut of the film, the new edit seemingly being done without director Walter Hill's involvement.  The film is now looking at a potential November release date.

Wait...what?

Very soon after both Hill and the studio issued an official response to AICN denying the story.  It reads:

"Contrary to recent inaccurate and unfounded reports that Sylvester Stallone had taken over the editing of "Bullet to the Head", director Walter Hill continues his editing of the movie. Walter Hill said today, “I’m currently finishing up and locking reels on the movie — as to the content and style of the film, Sly and I are in perfect sync. I’m delighted with the way the film is turning out and hopefully so will the audience."

Still--All this fuss begs the question--Just what is going on with this pic....?

Based on the graphic novel "Bullet to the Head" in which Stallone plays a New Orleans hit man who teams with a Gotham cop to take down the killers of their respective partners. Christian Slater is a local handler who acts as a middleman, Holt McCallany is a dirty cop who's partners with Sung Kang. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is the villain, a powerful attorney who's trying to cover up his scam to exploit poor neighborhoods that have been ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Jason Momoa has been cast in the bad guy role of Keegan Sarah Shahi will play Sly's Daughter.

Alessandro Camon ("The Messenger") adapted the material into a script.

Joel Silver and Andrew Rona will produce the pic

Film Bits A-Popping

The latest batch of film industry bits from the last few weeks that I couldn't get to....

-Katy Perry has been approached to star in a new movie about British opera singer Paul Potts who found fame after winning "Britain's Got Talent" in 2007. Producer Harvey Weinstein confirmed to Take 40 that he wants Perry or Adele to play Potts' wife, and that Katy seemed "genuinely interested" in the job.

-"Y Tu Mama Tambien" and "Casa de mi Padre" stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna are set to produce and executive produce respectively the indie drama "Napa" for Mexican studio Canana says Variety.

-Stephen Shiu, the producer behind the 2011 Hong Kong 3-D erotic hit Sex & Zen: Extreme Ecstasy tells Daily Chilli (via The Hollywood Reporter) that a sequel is in the works and plans to top the previous film are in place. The follow up is going 4D. Vibrating seats will be placed into Hong Kong theaters for the film's sequel "4D Sex and Zen: Slayer of a Thousand from the Mysterious East".

-Paramount Pictures has plans to release a second "SpongeBob SquarePants" movie in late 2014, ten years after the first one says The Hollywood Reporter.

-Nearly two decades after they shook up the art house cinema world with cult classics "My Dinner With André" and "Vanya on 42nd Street", creators Wallace Shawn and André Gregory are re-teaming for a new project which Jonathan Demme will direct reports The New York Times.

-"The Vow" director Michael Sucsy is in negotiations to helm an untitled musical set to the music of The Beach Boys for Fox 2000 reports Variety.

-Sony Pictures has acquired an untitled new pitch from "Machine Gun Preacher" and "Mirror Mirror" scribe Jason Keller described as a period origin story on the Dracula mythology reports Deadline. This is one of several Dracula themed films in the works.

-Warner Bros. is still keen to make film adaptations of manga stories with their proposed flick of  Tite Kubo's "Bleach" moving ahead. Variety reports that "Wrath of the Titans" writer Dan Mazeau has been hired to pen the script.

-Van Robichaux and Evan Susser have been hired to rewrite the script for the live-action film of the animated classic "The Jetsons" reports Variety.

-RCR has optioned feature film rights to the Dennis Tafoya crime novel "The Wolves of Fairmount Park" reports Variety.

-Universal Pictures has acquired film rights to Andrew Pyper's upcoming novel "Demonologist" reports Deadline.

-British filmmaker Terence Davies ("The Deep Blue Dea," "The House of Mirth") is developing a film adaptation of Richard McCann's 2005 novel "Mother of Sorrows" reports World Screen.

-"Downton Abbey" episode director Brian Percival has been hired to direct "The Book Thief" says Deadline.

-Neil Cross, the creator behind the acclaimed Idris Elba-led BBC series "Luther", has been hired to pen a new adaptation of the sci-fi classic "The Day of the Triffids" reports Heat Vision.

-Mark Wahlberg wants to be a part of the remake the Norwegian film adaptation of Jo Nesbo's "Headhunters" says The Shortlist

-Robert Redford and Diane Keaton are circling the ensemble holiday comedy "The Most Wonderful Time" says Deadline. The Christmas time tale features multiple storylines that intersect. Jessie Nelson ("I Am Sam") directs from a script by Steven Rogers ("Kate & Leopold," "Stepmom") while Brian Grazer will produce.

-Angelina Jolie has reportedly rejected Kurt Wimmer's script for a "Salt" sequel says Moviehole. Wimmer is currently working on a revision of the script that will make the actress happy.

-"Deadpool will actually have no connection to the one that I was in ['X-Men Origins: Wolverine']" actor Ryan Reynolds told IGN Movies about the upcoming "Deadpool" spin-off flick . He adds that it will be very much an R-rated film.

That's it for now.....

MOS: Supes, Lois & The Millitary

The site NuketheFridge has posted photos from the set of  Zack Snyder's still filming-but almost done big budget reboot Superman: Man of Steel...

Not much there but stilll neat to see...I guess

In them we see Henry Cavill Amy Adams and Christopher Meloni (as Colonel Hardy) for scenes shot at Edwards Air Force Base--Along with the pix here's a breakdown of the scene.

MOS also stars Michael Shannon Kevin Costner Diane Lane Antje Traue Harry Lennix Laurence Fishburne Russell Crowe and Ayelet Zurer. Bradley Cooper is said to be in talks to make a cameo appearance as Lex Luthor as a set-up for sequels. But that's not been confirmed. Emmy-winning actor Richard Schiff will play Dr. Hamilton. Jadin Gould is a young Lana Lang. Dylan Sprayberry plays yonng Clark a bit older than also 11-year-old actor Cooper Timberline in the film.

David S. Goyer wrote the first screenplay draft based on a story he concocted with Christopher Nolan with bro Jonah Nolan taking a crack at the task as well Kurt Johnstad did rewrites

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas Deborah Snyder, and Nolan will be producers on the film.

MOS flies into theaters June 14th 2013.

New Uni Logo Celebrates Centennial

Universal Pictures unveiled its new logo that celebrates its 100th anniversary in front of the CGI toon of The Classic Dr. Seuss tale The Lorax...

I have to say it's pretty snazzy--I'm so glad that the powers that be decided to retain the theme for the company composed by the late great Jerry Goldsmith--Despite the nature of the event and new owner Comcast

Segel Moves On From The Muppets Sequel

News broke last week that there would indeed be a sequel to the last year's relaunch of The Muppets-Now one of the human co-stars in the film--Jason Segel told Collider that he will not be involved.

"It’s true but it’s totally amicable," Segel says. "My goal was to bring The Muppets back. I did what I set out to do, and now I wanna pursue more human-related projects. All I wanted to do was to set the stage for them to do whatever they wanted. I'm sure I'll return in some capacity here and there, but that was half a decade of my life, five years of hard work. I'm ready for a little puppet break"

Director James Bobin and co-writer Nicholas Stoller will write the script for the sequel. 

John Carter Peek--The Backside Of Hell

An extended 10 minute peek for the sci-fi adventure John Carter has been released...

The film is an adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter of Mars--The story follows Civil War veteran John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) who becomes a great hero on Mars.

The footage showcases earth-bound action that puts the events of the film in motion...

Andrew Stanton directed the CG/live action hybrid from a script he wrote with Michael Chabon

Mark Strong, Willem Dafoe, Ciarán Hinds, Bryan Cranston, Dominic West, Polly Walker, Thomas Haden Church and Lynn Collins co star.

"John Carter" hits theaters this Friday March 9th