Fair-y Tale

Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are back fir this weekend's only new wide release--Shrek the Third (reviews)--but the critical reaction over the sequel is, anything but stellar...No. 1. come Monday? For sure. But the ogre might be in for a hard time of it after that.




Ian Mohr and Dave McNary of Variety

After "Spider-Man 3" kicked off the season with record breaking B.O. tallies, the pressure is on for Paramount and DreamWork's third installment of "Shrek" to deliver.

While "Shrek the Third" -- flooding 4,122 theaters -- will no doubt land at No. 1, it remains to be seen whether the green guy can post numbers to match his last pic's opening of $108 million in 2004.

Third "Shrek" has been tracking so far to open around the $100 million mark. But tracking on CG pics tends to be tricky as data overlooks kiddies' interests.

Though it seems unlikely "Shrek" can break "Spider-man's" first weekend B.O. marks, the ogre has little competish in his way as the frame's only new wide rollout.

Clocking in at just over 80 minutes, "Shrek" will enjoy more runs than longer competish; "Spider-Man" runs 140 minutes.

PG pic is also one of the only family choices in the marketplace currently.

But while "Shrek" is coming off a heady theatrical run -- "Shrek 2" hit a towering $436.7 million in North America alone -- the franchise hit a bump in the road after DreamWorks Animation had to cut financial forecasts in 2005 due to slower than expected DVD sales for the property.

"Shrek" also could take in much of its ticket sales this weekend from underage auds, resulting in less robust first-frame booty than Spidey. (Par and DreamWorks are hoping "Shrek" won't be a "drop-off" pic, where adults unload kids at the mall, but one that will capture the 'rents as well.)

In more limited release, Magnolia will send Hal Hartley's "Fay Grim" to 27 screens, while ThinkFilm runs with Luke Wilson's "The Wendell Baker Story," the Yari Group bets on gambling pic "Even Money" and Fox Searchlight spotlights romantic musical "Once"...

Info about overseas can be found here

Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly says:

The ogre's return should leave competitors -- including ''Spider-Man 3'' -- green with envy...

Next Up: The Pirates get get set to plunder the box office...

Rob And Al--Together Again!

Reporting from Cannes--Alison James and Timothy M. Gray of Variety have, hands down--THE BEST NEWS of the day:



Robert De Niro and Al Pacino [pictured] will team onscreen for just the second time in "Righteous Kill," a $60 million indie production put together by Nu Image/Millenium Films and Emmett/Furla Films

Shooting will begin Aug. 6 in Connecticut, with some work in [New York] to follow. The two stars play cops chasing a serial killer. Jon Avnet will direct and produce and the script is by "Inside Man (2006)" scribe Russell Gewirtz.

Nu Image topper Avi Lerner and Randall Emmett, two of the pic's six producers, did not disclose additional plot details or the source material during a short press briefing Thursday. Rights to all world territories are being shopped in Cannes.

Emmett said the idea for the film originated from the two actors' desire to co-star. "They're friends, and this really all got started from that," he said.

...Lerner went a step farther.

"This is an event in world history," he said. "They were in two scenes in 'Heat.' In this movie, they are in the whole thing together."

"We believe the independent world will do it more effectively, more cost-effectively and with more of the heart," Lerner said. "When we make something, we allow filmmakers to be filmmakers."

Read the entire story here...

I am absolutely giddy over this news! My head is spinning over what this project may offer movie-goers. Heat is a great film--But the idea of having these 2 acting legends share more than two pivotal scenes is just--WOW! To say that I can't wait to see this is just stating the obvious!

Defying The Odds

Pamela McClintock and Michael Fleming of Variety have news of another high powered team-up in the works...



Edward Zwick and [actor] Daniel Craig (pictured) are teaming for World War II action-drama "Defiance," about a band of Jewish resistance fighters

...Zwick is writing, directing and producing. Film -- the next for both of them -- is based on a true story and is set to begin lensing in early September, meaning Craig will shoot "Defiance" before he begins filming the next James Bond installment.

[B]udget is set at around $50 million. Word of the project broke at Cannes...

Zwick, who last directed "Blood Diamond," will produce through his Bedford Falls banner. He began developing "Defiance" 8 years ago after picking up the film rights to Nechama Tec's non-fiction tome of the same name.

Storyline follows four Jewish brothers living in Nazi occupied Poland who escape into the forest, where they join up with Russian resistance fighters in battling the Nazis and trying to save the lives of other Jews.

Craig is next in theaters with "The Invasion," which opens Aug. 17, and "His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass," which bows Dec. 7. He stars opposite Nicole Kidman in both films.

"Bond 22" is eying a winter start date. Release is set for Nov. 7, 2008.

For Zwick, "Defiance" is the first World War II drama he's tackled, although he's directed two other war pics, "Courage Under Fire" and "Glory."...

Zwick is a great director and rarely misfires...As for Graig--Typecast as Bond? Like Pierce Brosnan before him, it seems that playing the superspy, has only enhanced his career...

On Tap

Another 80's film is getting an update...

Michael Fleming of Variety:

Twentieth Century Fox and New Regency will remake "Taps," the 1981 military drama that launched the careers of Tom Cruise, Sean Penn and Timothy Hutton.

Frank E. Flowers will write the screenplay with an eye toward directing...

In the Harold Becker-directed original, a group of loyal cadets seize control of their military academy just as construction crews arrive to tear it down and make room for condos. "The political climate and the psyche of the country make it an exciting time to tell that story," Flowers told Daily Variety. "When you are at war, kids are forced to make decisions normally reserved for adults, like fighting for your country and standing up for what you believe in."

Flowers, who last directed "Haven " and has been readying the Jamaica-set drama "The Gardens," will begin writing immediately.

The original is an above average drama in its own right...Given where we find ourselves in history, at the moment, I can see why a re-make seems attractive though. And who knows? The new version could be another launching pad for some careers--just as the original was over 25 years ago...

Gettin' "Iggy" With It

Another rocker biopic is headed our way...

Patrick Frater of Variety reports from Cannes:

Former Hobbit Elijah Wood (pictured) is to star as Iggy Pop in "The Passenger," a biopic of the legendary rocker.



"Passenger," which follows Pop's (pictured) early years with his band the Stooges, is to be helmed by Nick Gomez ("Drowning Mona") from a script by Eric Schmid.


Pic will lense in next six months and is [scheduled) for delivery by midsummer 2008. The $6 million-$8 million budget is being put together from a combination of pre-sales, a U.S. equity fund and tax credits from Philadelphia.

Pop has "given his blessing" to the project but will not take part in it, according to head of finance and operations [for the production company] Jonathan Page

At the very least, this film has the potential to aide Mr. Wood, in helping him to step out of the long shadow cast by being Frodo in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Castle Of Sand

The Punisher (2004) star Thomas Jane (pictured) told the folks over at AICN in the form of a letter-- that he is dropping out of the proposed sequel:

"I regretfully and painfully had to pull out of P2. I can't tell you how completely broken up I am about it. Punisher fans are already fighting an uphill battle as it is. And I've always felt a responsibility to fight that fight for them and with them so that Frank Castle gets the treatment he deserves" said Jane.

Adding "What I won't do is spend months of my life sweating over a movie that I just don't believe in. I've always loved the Marvel guys, and wish them well. Meanwhile, I'll continue to search for a film that one day might stand with all those films that the fans have asked me to watch."

Click here to read the full letter...

I know I'm probably in the minority here but I really liked the first film--and Jane was a big reason why I thought the film worked. While I respect Jane's discision, I'm disappointed, nonetheless.

If the sequel does indeed move ahead--I hope they really take their time casting the role. Although I can't imagine anyone being as bad in the part as Dolph Lundgren was for that '89 version of The Punisher....

The Sprit Moves Him

Another classic comic book character is headed to the big screen... Allowing an industry maverick the chance to direct his first solo feature film...

Michael Fleming of Variety:

Lionsgate has acquired domestic and U.K. distribution rights to "The Spirit," a live adaptation of the classic Will Eisner comic book series. Frank Miller wrote the script and will direct.

Deal marks the start of a multipicture pact under which Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment will co-finance and co-produce together. Odd Lot partners Gigi Pritzker and Deborah Del Prete are showing a finished script by Miller and will broker overseas territories during Cannes (Tim M. Gray has the 2007 fest kickoff news).

The Spirit is a man who fakes his own death so he can fight crime from the shadows of Central City. His nemesis is the Octopus, who kills those unlucky enough to see his face and is looking to wipe out the entire city. Miller, who first got behind the camera to co-direct "Sin City" with Robert Rodriguez, will make "The Spirit" his first solo helming effort. Miller created the graphic novels that were adapted into the films "Sin City" and "300," and the production start of "The Spirit" will be influenced by the start date of ["Sin City 2"] that Miller will make with Rodriguez. [I thought filming on SC2 had already begun?]

"Will was a dear friend, a mentor, and translating his vision to the screen will be a labor of love," Miller said.

"Frank Miller's vision is perfectly matched to that of Eisner," said Lionsgate Theatrical Films [president] Tom Ortenberg.

What a great idea! The Spirit is a very cinematic character, and given Miller's close association with Eisner, I can think of no other person better suited to film this.

I hope Miller is having fun with all of this attention...more of his stuff is making its way to the cineplex--which is a good thing. But just what is the deal with Sin City 2? Have they started filming or not?

High "Rolers"

Pamela McClintock of Variety has news of yet another romantic comedy in the pipeline...



Cameron Diaz (pictured) and Ashton Kutcher are rolling the dice together on romantic comedy "What Happens In Vegas" for 20th Century Fox

Director Julian Farino ("Entourage") is looking to helm from a script by Dana Fox.

Penn Station's Dean Georgaris and Mosaic Media's Michael Aguilar are producing the comedy, which teams Diaz and Kutcher for the first time.

Set in Sin City, story revolves around two people who discover they've gotten married following a night of debauchery, with one of them winning a huge jackpot after playing the other's quarter. Unhappy pair try to undermine each other and get their hands on the money -- falling in love along the way.

Deals aren't yet closed for the two actors, Farino or Fox.

Diaz is in theaters this weekend with "Shrek the Third."



Word of the "Vegas" project came just as Kutcher (pictured) was in [New York] at the ABC upfront plugging midseason comedy "'Miss/Guided " which he exec produces.

Given the talent that is lined up for this film, the flick could actually be a lot fun. Diaz hasn't really been in a good live action comedy since There's Something About Mary....Assuming the script from Fox is above average and there's solid chemistry between the two leads....Kutcher has really tried to step away from his pratfall schtick as well. It would be cool if they were to infuse more humor into the film--so that it won't turn into some predictable piece of genre fluff.

"Point" Of No Return

After a few false starts over the last few years, a cult classic of the 90's, now seems on target to get that sequel...

Patrick Frater of Variety:

"Patriot Games" scripter Peter Iliff is to write and direct "Point Break 2," a 20 years later sequel to the surfing crime thriller that he co-wrote in 1987 and was a hit for Largo Entertainment in 1991.

New pic will be set in Southeast Asia and uncover the fate of the surfers' leader Bodhi who was supposedly killed by a giant wave. Action follows a surfer-turned-SEAL on the trail of a criminal gang. Locations being scouted include Indonesia and Singapore.

Pic is being set up by Singapore-Australian talent management and production firm RGM Entertainment as a $20 million-$30 million independent production. Finance will come largely from Asian sources representing a combo of RGM's own equity, pre-sales and soft money available in increasingly generous Singapore.

Production schedule sees lensing starting by the end of current year with delivery for late 2008. RGM's CEO Devesh Chetty said casting will include English-language and Asian male leads and Asian female love interest.

"It is really important that this film stands on its own two feet and we will be looking for a young male action star at the same stage in his career as Keanu (Reeves) was," Chetty said.

Reeves W/Patrick Swayze As Bodhi In The Original Flick

RGM is also co-financing Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson starrer "Winged Creatures" by its helming client Rowan Woods, Sigourney Weaver drama "The Girl in the Park" and upcoming "Pushing Up Daisies"

But "Point Break 2" is by far the [company's] biggest pic to date...

The original Point Break indeed, belongs in the "guilty pleasure", section of the video store...While I am a fan of the '91 flick---I wonder how much story there is left to tell after so much time has passed since the first film hit the cineplex?

The Tin Tin Team

On the heels of news that Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson were going to collaborate to bring the novel The Lovely Bones to the big screen--comes word today--the pair will also work on another high profile adaptation...

Anne Thompson and Pamela McClintock of Variety:



Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson are teaming to direct and produce three back-to-back features based on Georges Remi's beloved Belgian comic-strip hero Tintin (pictured) for DreamWorks. Pics will be produced in full digital 3-D using WETA Digital’s groundbreaking performance capture technology.

The two filmmakers will each direct at least one of the movies; studio wouldn't say which director would helm the third. Kathleen Kennedy joins Spielberg and Jackson as a producer on the three films, which might be released through DreamWorks Animation.

Tintin has long been a passion project for Spielberg; he and Kennedy have held various film rights to the comedic adventure book series off and on for more than 25 years. With the rights in place, Spielberg, Jackson and DreamWorks began quietly developing the project. Jackson has also long been a fan of the comic books.

Jackson's New Zealand-based Weta Digital Ltd, the f/x house behind "The Lord of the Rings" franchise, produced a 20-minute test reel bringing to life the characters created by Remi, who wrote under the pen name of Herge.

"Herge's characters have been reborn as living beings, expressing emotion and a soul which goes far beyond anything we've seen to date with computer animated characters," Spielberg said.

"We want Tintin's adventures to have the reality of a live-action film, and yet Peter and I felt that shooting them in a traditional live-action format would simply not honor the distinctive look of the characters and world that Herge created," Spielberg continued.

Read the entire story here...

Growing up, I was certainly aware of the characters, but I was never really a huge fan. That said, it will be interesting to see what Spielberg and Jackson come up with, to bring that unique universe to life on the big screen.

Brendan's "New" Wife

Michael Fleming of Variety has some casting news for a high profile sequel:



Maria Bello (pictured) will replace Rachel Weisz in the third installment of "The Mummy."

She joins...[director] Rob Cohen [in the sequel] for Universal Pictures.

Bello will play Evelyn Carnahan O'Connell, the adventuress played in the first two films by Weisz. After Weisz declined to reprise, Cohen and the studio cast a wide net for a replacement.

...Most recently seen in "A History of Violence " and "Flicka," Bello next stars in "The Jane Austen Book Club"...and "Butterfly On A Wheel,", which...will release in August

Hmm...While I like Bello as an actress...She is not someone that I even thought of for the film--Let alone to actually play Weisz's character. I wonder if Bello will adopt a british accent in keeping with the character? Will she turn her blonde locks brown?

The Chicago Way

The "best" actor ever to grace the the big screen continues to find work:

Michael Fleming and Pamela McClintock of Variety:

Nicolas Cage [pictured] is negotiating to star in Brian De Palma's prequel "The Untouchables: Capone Rising" for Relativity Media and Paramount Pictures.

Art Linson, who produced De Palma's original "The Untouchables [film]," is producing. All sides stressed that discussions with Cage are ongoing.

Brian Koppelman and David Levien penned the script, which follows Chicago mob boss Al Capone's rise to power and his relationship with police detective and nemesis Jimmy Malone.

Relativity is helping to finance the $70 million prequel, which Par would distribute domestically. Project is being shopped at Cannes.

Cage, who is in theaters with "Next," is shooting the Disney sequel "National Treasure: Book of Secrets."

Forgetting that Cage is attached to the film for a sec, I can't help but think of this project as an attempt to recapture past glory. Don't get me wrong, the original film is worthy of the "classic" moniker-but do we really need to fill in the backstory of these characters? Think Carlito's Way: Rise to Power--A direct to video prequel of, ironically enough, another De Palma flick-Carlito's Way...Totally unnecessary in my opinion. As for Cage--I can't see him being able to fill Robert De Niro shoes as a younger Capone--Ugh--Snake Eyes revisited...

Highs And Lohan

Spider-Man 3 is still on top... But the drop in tix sold was bigger than I expected it to be...

Brandon Gray of Box Office Mojo:

In its second weekend, Spider-Man 3 fell 60 percent to an estimated $60 million, while new movies were soft...


Ian Mohr of Variety:

Sony's friendly neighborhood "Spider-Man" stuck another $60 million in his web over the weekend, sending the third chapter in the Marvel superhero franchise soaring to more than $242 million.

"Spider-Man 3" dipped a hefty 60% in its second North American frame, but the drop was in line with expectations after the pic posted the biggest opening ever, both in North America and abroad, last weekend.

"When you consider how huge our opening was, and the terrific midnight and late shows we had, (this drop) is realistic," said Rory Bruer, Sony distribution topper.

Third Peter Parker tale took in another $85.5 million from international markets to top $622 million worldwide over the weekend, according to studio estimates.

The previous record holder for biggest ever domestic opening, Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," dropped 54% in its second weekend last year.

Spidey has had two open weekends to rack up ticket sales before the competish gets much more fierce, as "Shrek the Third" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" ready to set sail.

Though the weekend competish didn't stand a chance against Spidey, the pic bolstered overall B.O.: Top 10 pics, according to numbers crunchers Rentrak, hit $94.1 million combined. A year ago, with "Mission: Impossible III" in the lead, the top 10 comprised just $80.8 million.

"Spider-Man 3" stayed strong in 4,252 theaters -- the widest release of all time -- with a second weekend per-location average of $14,111. Pic is handily beating out the past two "Spider-Man" pics. (In its second frame, "Spider-Man" stood at $223 million, while the second Spidey pic had cumed $225 million.)

...Fox Atomic's "28 Weeks Later," the zombie sequel, scared up $10 million from 2,303 locations in its debut as a distant No. 2.

Pic, however, did open comparably to Searchlight's previous "28 Days Later," which bowed to $10.1 million in 2003. That film wound up with $45.1 million, according to Nielsen EDI data.

Among other new releases, Universal's "Georgia Rule" -- starring Jane Fonda and Lindsay Lohan -- bowed in the No. 3 slot with $5.8 million from 2,523 theaters. Pic made headlines during production for Lohan's off-screen antics.

Lionsgate's "Delta Farce" -- a military comedy -- shot down $3.5 from 1,931 locations.

And MGM's release of the Weinstein Co.'s "The Ex" -- previously known as "Fast Track" -- bowed in 11th place, with $1.3 million....

Read the entire article here...

Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly sums up the weekend this way:

The webslinger stayed aloft at No. 1, but was down a surprising 60 percent this weekend...

It will be interesting to see where the wall-crawler will land on next week's chart--once the real competition starts coming in...

The "Direct" Approach

Who will (or should) helm The Hobbit?

Stax of IGN:

Just days after Peter Weir was rumored as a contender to direct The Hobbit -- should reported frontrunner Sam Raimi opt not to -- comes a claim that New Line Cinema is considering four other helmers as well.

Ain't It Cool News, which first reported the Weir rumor, now claims that there are a few more directors who are being eyed by New Line but who have not yet been approached.

"(They) may never be approached should Raimi or Weir sign on. This is simply a 'a hit list', if you will. A 'wish list'," the site says.

The four purported contenders are Stephen Sommers, Michael Bay, Brad Silberling and Bill Condon.

AICN does stress, however, that fans should take all these latest Hobbit director rumors with "grains of salt."

Indeed. Were I to choose from that list if four though-- Silberling gets my vote--thanks to a resume that includes genre fare along the lines of the Hobbit...Stay Tuned.

...And on this Mother's Day 2007...

Movie Memories With Mom

Daddy Henry And Uncle George

Paul Davidson of IGN offers up a status report on the latest Indiana Jones adventure...Saying that a quick rewrite may be in order if Henry Jones Sr declines to appear in the film. He also details why it took so long to get this party started...

The current script [for Indiana Jones 4 that] is expected to go into production, still includes a part for Henry Jones Sr, played by Sir Sean Connery... Executive producer George Lucas himself confirmed the news recently during the San Francisco Film Festival, but added that Connery has not yet signed on to reprise his role. Since the character depends entirely on Connery's availability, it might yet be written out.

"We have a script with him in it," said Lucas, according to Cinematical. "If he doesn't do it, we'll do a quick rewrite." It's assumed that since Connery's part could be eliminated with a "quick" rewrite, it's not essential to the film. It would, however, be a major draw for fans and a wonderful way to end the franchise.

Although it was widely reported in 2004 and 2005 that Connery would be retiring from acting, the actor continues to consider film roles and has not ruled out a second Indiana Jones appearance. As he told The Scotsman in January, it all depends on whether the screenplay is worthwhile. "At the moment there's nothing decided," said Connery at the time. "I haven't got the script. Everything depends on the script."

Determining his participation based on the quality of the material sounds like a smart move when one considers that his last feature film, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, has hardly been a fitting finish to a remarkable career. However, does anyone really think that another Indy movie under Steven Spielberg's [direction] could be anything less than great?

Will My Dad Be Tagging Along?

Speaking of the Indy 4 screenplay, several of the writers who've worked hard on it — only to see their work rejected by Lucas — recently gave voice to their feelings. Frank Darabont, who developed much of Lucas's Young Indiana Jones series, worked for an entire year with Spielberg on a draft for the new film, only to have his story scrapped by Lucas. Speaking with MTV.com, Darabont called it one of his career's few bad experiences:

"Indy is definitely in [the 'bad experience'] category, topping the list. It showed me how badly things can go. I spent a year of very determined effort on something I was very excited about, working very closely with Steven Spielberg and coming up with a result that I and he felt was terrific. He wanted to direct it as his next movie, and then suddenly the whole thing goes down in flames because George Lucas doesn't like the script.

"It was a tremendous disappointment and a waste of a year."

Jeff Nathanson... also spent a year on a screenplay for Indiana Jones — after Darabont's was tossed out. He was a little more philosophical on the experience when interviewed by the L.A. Times: "When you're working on a blockbuster-sized film, it's always a struggle. It really is like moving mountains. And if it were easy to move mountains, the Swiss Alps would be in Westwood and all the agents would ski at lunch."

Nathanson's story remains somewhat intact, but the latest script has been reworked by Spielberg's pal David Koepp....

Darabont sounds mighty bitter about the way he was treated by Uncle George...And while I have great respect for Koepp, knowing what he brings to the table. I'm more than a little curious to know why Lucas rejected Darabont's take in total. How bad could it have been if he was working off of a story idea from Lucas, right?

Then again, Lucas is a true motion picture genius, isn't he? He has a knack for always knowing what will work and what won't...

Check out this excerpt from Fox News. Com's Roger Friedman 411 column on Wednesday (I'm sure ya heard about this...):

[Lucas] told me he has seen all the summer movies since his production company, Industrial Light and Magic, does most of the special effects. The only one they didn't work on was "Spider-Man 3." What did he think of it?

"It's silly. It's a silly movie," he said. "There just isn't much there. Once you take it all apart, there's not much story, is there?"

"Well, it's not "Star Wars."

"People thought 'Star Wars' was silly, too," he added, with a wink. "But it wasn't."

Spidey 3 has it's problems, yes, but it's far from silly....Uh, George--Here's what's truly silly...Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Jake Lloyd in the role of a young Anakin Skywalker, just about every line of dialogue between Padme (Natalie Portman) and the adult Anakin (Hayden Christensen) for both Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, and the ultimate in silliness 1986's Howard the Duck, which you so thankfully helped develop for the big screen--Inspired by the Marvel Comics characters, the film almost completely ignored their source material...Yeah there's a bright idea. Develop a comic book film and then alienate fans by changing everything...Silly indeed.

Go With The (Lava) Flow

A couple of months ago, director Roman Polanski announced plans to direct a big-budget disaster epic about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. and its destruction of the nearby Pompeii.

The folks over at Omelete.Br, now report that Orlando Bloom and the lovely Scarlett Johansson are in early talks about taking lead roles on the $130 million dollar production.

Bloom would play Marcus Attilius Primus, a young engineer charged with repairing the greatest aqueduct in the Roman Empire...bringing water to 250,000 people on the Bay of Naples.

Primus starts the film out by taking on the corrupt political forces to get the job done, soon finds himself facing an even greater threat - Mother Nature...

One would assume that Johansson will probably be Bloom's love interest in the flick...

Bloom, (pictured locking lips w/Diane Kruger) of course, wore sandals 3 years ago, for another historical drama...I hope he has better luck with Polanski than he did with Wolfgang Petersen...

I also hope the film turns out better than 2 other Volcano films...both from '97-the self-titled Volcano and Dante's Peak...

Shooting is scheduled to begin sometime in August.

Superheroes Have Feelings Too Ya Know

While Spider-Man 3 may have broken all of those records, and made a ton 'o cash since its debut last Friday...It seems though, that the web-head is having trouble coping with some of the negatives, now being discussed about this latest installment...

Fortunately, Spidey has a decent support system, to help him through the tough times...



...More fun, clever stuff from ItsJustSomeRandomGuy on YouTube... This vid is some of his best work!

Rock Solid

Forget those March rumors about Jake Gyllenhaal playing Shazam! in the upcoming movie...There may be a much better choice for the role on the horizon...

IGN spoke with wrestler-turned actor [Dwayne Johnson aka "The Rock" (pictured) on Wednesday], who acknowledged that he has indeed been approached about playing Captain Marvel in the long-in-development Shazam! movie. Shazam! will be directed by Peter Segal, who is currently shooting Get Smart with The Rock.



We asked The Rock if Segal had talked to him about playing Captain Marvel. "He did. Listen, John August is writing the script. He's a tremendous writer and [I'll] wait for the script to come in. But I would love to work with Pete [Segal] again, and certainly I've loved everything John August has written so it's a strong possibility."

When asked by another outlet whether Captain Marvel would be a "man in tights" or if he would be updated, The Rock said, "Well, knowing Pete he would update [it]." He added, "[Segal]'s very excited about the project and understandably so, and he talks about it with passion. Pete also understands the importance of making sure to get that right. He's a big comic book fan. I don't know if you know that

The Rock was first rumored for the role of Captain Marvel back in June 2003.

What a great idea! I think he could do the suit proud...I hope it can be worked out...Stay Tuned!

Where There's Smoke...

The Motion Picture Association of America is tinkering with the ratings guidelines again:

William Triplett of Variety:

Smoking will now affect movie ratings.



Responding to years of criticism from child advocacy groups and health organization, the Motion Picture Assn. of America announced Thursday it is expanding its current consideration of teen smoking to all smoking when evaluating and assigning a movie rating.

"In the past, illegal teen smoking has been a factor in the rating of films, alongside other parental concerns such as sex, violence and adult language," MPAA said in a statement. "Now, all smoking will be considered and depictions that glamorize smoking or movies that feature pervasive smoking outside of an historic or other mitigating context may receive a higher rating."

While I'm not a smoker, hate that it's so addictive, and would never endorse any young person start the nasty puffing habit--I have to say, this news is just picking at nits. Does this mean that if Casablanca (1942) been released today, as is, (without any language or sexual content concerns) would be rated PG-13 or R? Most likely, films released with smokers in them already have Language, Violence, or Sexual situations in them anyway--supposedly keeping kids away...The idea sounds good in theory, but as I say, this is just pointing out the ridiculous--Jeebus!

On a totally unrelated matter: One of my favorite new TV shows of this season is coming back for another year...Whoo-hoo and Yippee!!

Spider Crawl

Can any one of these new wide releases de-throne Spider-Man 3 as box office champ this weekend?... The folks who watch this stuff closely think not..

Juan Carlos Fresnadillo takes on the apocalyptic horror film 28 Weeks Later (reviews); Garry Marshall directs Jane Fonda, Lindsay Lohan, and Felicity Huffman in the generational chick flick Georgia Rule (reviews); Larry The Cable Guy gets another chance to make you laugh on the big screen in Delta Farce (reviews); While Zach Braff, Amanda Peet, and Jason Bateman star together in the romantic comedy The Ex (reviews)...

Ian Mohr and Dave McNary of Variety:

As "Spider-Man 3" swings into the multiplexes for its second weekend, there's one record that the B.O.- shattering pic looks unlikely to break: Biggest opening week ever.

As of Wednesday, "Spider-Man 3" was riding at an estimated $176.1 million. But last year, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" sailed in its first week of release to $196 million.

That gives the wallcrawler precious little time to make up ground after handily snatching "Pirates"' other major records, including biggest domestic and worldwide opening weekend.

But whether the webslinger is able to crack that biggest week number, he's sure to leave the competish in the dust again after eviscerating last weekend's only other wide opener "Lucky You."

Attempting to enter the multiplexes sticky web this weekend will be Universal's dramedy "Georgia Rule" -- in a wide 2,523 theaters -- as well as Fox's sci-fi sequel "28 Weeks Later," opening in 2,303.

Spidey has just one more weekend with such little competish before "Shrek the Third," from Paramount and DreamWorks, rolls.

Lionsgate has decided to go less wide this weekend with comedy "Delta Farce," booking the pic into 1,800 locations, and MGM goes with the Weinstein Co.'s "The Ex," starring Zach Braff and formerly known as "Fast Track" and briefly released last year.

In limited release, Samuel Goldwyn heads out with "Blind Dating" and ThinkFilm rolls with "The Hip Hop Project."...

Find out what's happening overseas here...

Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly says:

There's no doubt ''Spidey 3'' will dominate this movie weekend. The question is, how steep will its drop-off be in week 2?

Next Up: The green ogre returns in Shrek the Third ..Read the Variety Review by Todd McCarthy...