Nachmanoff Snatches Abduction

Jeffrey Nachmanoff (The Day After Tomorrow, Traitor) has been hired to to pen the latest script draft of the action thriller Abduction, says Risky Business

Taylor Lautner plays a young man who ends up on the run once he discovers that his parents aren't his parents

Shawn Christensen wrote the original script

Lily Collins co-stars as Taylor's on screen gal--with John Singleton calling the shots for a 2012 bow

Off And Acting

Sean Astin is set to star in the indie horse racing comedy And They're Off says Variety.

Alan Grossbard's script has Astin playing a failed horse trainer who wants to get back in the game.

Martin Mull, Mark Moses, Gigi Rice, Lil' Jj, Peter Jacobson, Cheri Oteri Mo Collins, Alex Rocco, Luis Chavez and Kevin Nealon co-star.

TV sit com directing veteran on "The King of Queens" Rob Schiller is behind the camera as the flick starts filming this week in LA

Joining The Firm

From almost a superhero to a Lawyer...

Ryan Phillippe and William H. Macy have been cast in the film adaptation of the The Lincoln Lawyer says Variety

Michael Connelly's book follows a low-level criminal defense attorney (Matthew McConaughey) who ends up representing a wealthy client with ties to a previous murder case he handled.

Marisa Tomei Trace Adkins John Leguizamo and Katherine Moennig also star

Brad Furman (The Take) will direct the pic from John Romano (Intolerable Cruelty's adapted screenplay.

A July production start is being targeted

Actor Tommy Lee Jones was set to direct and co-star in the pic but left last year over disagreements

Cheatin' Heart

Jennifer Connelly has been offered the role of Vince Vaughn's partner in the untitled comedy refered to as Cheaters says Deadline

Connelly's character is torn on whether to tell Vaughn's best pal (Kevin James) that his wife (Winona Ryder) is cheating on him.

Ron Howard will direct while Allan Loeb wrote the script.

Brian Grazer is producing the pic with Vaughn

Connelly worked with Howard and Grazer before on A Beautiful Mind

Ring-Ugh!

Back in 2002 Gore Verbinski's (Pirates of the Caribbean film trilogy) The Ring kicked off a wave of Asian horror movie remakes-topping $100 million at the box office

Now plans are moving forward with a 3-D third installment in the supernatural horror franchise reports Heat Vision.

The original thriller "The Ring", based on Hideo Nakata's 1998 Japanese horror mystery called "Ringu" starring Naomi Watts .

The script will be written by David Loucka which will be more 'teen-centric' and will serve as more of a reboot/reinvention of the premise

Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, who produced the previous two films, are in talks to return to produce this film as well No director is yet set-nor has casting been announced.

Be The Captain

Chris Evans told ScreenStar that playing the role of s The First Avenger: Captain America is "intimidating. It's a big responsibility and you want to do your best work."

Evans said that the decision to accept the role was not easy. "It was a challenging process for me, trying to decide whether or not to do it. I came down on the side of going for it because I really think Marvel is doing some great things these days, the script is great and it's going to be a fun character to play," .

Evans says Cap is "a wonderful character, just as a man, aside from the comic hero background. If it was just a story about the man, Steve Rogers, I'd be really interested. He's an incredibly noble, honest, selfless man, and those are qualities that I think people can aspire to and look up to."

The actor will be shooting Captain America and The Avengers back-to-back, and knows that it will be a very time-consuming process for both shoots as will the press tours that follow.

Meanwhile, Marvel chief Kevin Feige. told Movieweb that Evans initially "wasn't on the radar" for the role of Cap because of his past association with Marvel's Fantastic Four films, but that he warmed to the idea after watching him in Sunshine and speaking with Scott Pilgrim vs. the World helmer Edgar Wright about how much Evans has evolved as an actor since FF

"As you start to see more of Chris and where he is growing as an actor it's into a much more Steve Rodgers type place," Feige said.

"He's in England now; he got on one of the first flights after the volcano nonsense went away. He's over there now prepping and rehearsing and the pictures that are coming back and the costume tests are pretty stunning."

Feige also had lots to say about other Marvel movies in the pipeline while promoting Iron Man 2....

A Small Victory

Samuel Bayer who directed Friday's remake of A Nightmare On Elm Street has become one of my cinematic heroes of sorts...

He tells the LA Times that although he discussed it with the studio he refused to let the new 'Elm Street' undergo the all too typical 3-D conversion process proclaiming "this was shot in 2-D and was meant to be shown in 2-D"

For the second time today I say "bravo!" it's about time someone pushed back a bit on the industry's obsession with 3-D.

I wish more folks would do the same...

Of course since stars Jackiie Earle Haley and Rooney Mara are already signed for a sequel (if it were to be greenlit), the format may be an unavoidable part of any future film

The Queen's Playlist

Lizzy Caplan and Ron Livingston ("Office Space") will headline the indie comedy "Queens of Country" says Variety.

The story follows "a beauty queen and line dancing champion who stumbles upon an Apple - iPod filled with her favorite country songstresses in a local truck stop bathroom - and upends her world to track down the man of her dreams".

Joe Lo Truglio ("Superbad"), Matt Walsh ("The Hangover") and Maynard James Keenan also star.

Christopher Pomerenke and Ryan Page are calling action

Shooting kicks off May 3rd

Dead Is Dead

Despite rumors writer Kevin Williamson has dismissed the notion that actor Jamie Kennedy would reprise his role of Randy in Scream 4

Bravo Kevin!

He tells Fear Net that "We're not that movie. We're not that universe where you can bring people back from the dead. That would be just a cheat. It's such a disservice. Everyone's like, "When's Randy coming back?" I'm like, "You know what? I would love nothing more than to have Jamie Kennedy in the film. However to have Randy in the film, it sort of just takes it... I mean Scream 2 was a lie, you know? It's a false move. So I just won't do it. I can't do that. I just won't do it."

Williamson also confirmed that this upcoming film is the first in a potential trilogy:

"There's three. I am contracted for 4, 5 and 6, but the deal for 6 is not done. I mean I pitched three films. The story is about returning to Woodsboro".

Any story deets?

"5 will be a continuation of 4, but 4 is its own movie. It has a beginning, a middle and its own ending, which will be satisfying hopefully. It has a beginning, middle and end and 5 has a beginning, middle and end; it's just a continuation of the lives of all the people that live in 4. I can't start giving 5 away - that gives up too much of 4" he says.

"Scream 4" is scheduled to begin production this Summer with franchise helmer Wes Craven calling action for release by April 15th of next year.

Legion Of Doonby

John Schneider has signed on for the lead role in the indie fantasy/drama Doonby according to Reuters.

Described as a cross between "It's a Wonderful Life" meets "Crazy Heart", British filmmaker Peter Mackenzie wrote and will direct the story of a mysterious, happy-go-lucky drifter who moves into a small Texas town where he becomes a singing bartender.

The drifter soon becomes the envy of the town as he is strangely immune to misfortune that's sweeping the rest of the townsfolk, and yet he always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Robert Davi will portray he town sheriff.

Filming will take place near Austin, Texas.

Groban Acts?

Marisa Tome and singer Josh Groban have joined the cast of the still Untitled Marital Crisis Comedy says Variety.

Steve Carell-plays a loving husband whose wife (Julianne Moore) threatens to divorce him. As a result he hires a slick life coach (Ryan Gosling) to try and help him save his marriage.

Tomei will play the first woman Carell encounters after picking up tips on how to meet women. Groban will play the boyfriend of one of his daughters (Emma Stone). Kevin Bacon also stars as a lascivious co-worker of his wife.

John Requa and Glenn Ficarra ("Bad Santa) will direct the film which begins shooting soon.

Home Bodies

Susan Sarandon and Judy Greer have joined the cast of the comedy Jeff Who Lives at Home reports Variety.

The story follows two brothers, one (Jason Segel) who lives with their mother (Sarandon) and the other (Ed Helms) who suspects his wife (Greer) is cheating on him. They both set out to spy on the wife which itself has unintended consequences.

Mark and Jay Duplass wrote and direct the film. Production will take place in Louisiana shortly.

Jason Reitman and John Malkovich will produce the pic.

Fantastic Format

Producer Jon Landau told Sci-Fi Wire that talks with director Paul Greengrass about him doing the 3-D remake of 1960s sci-fi movie "Fantastic Voyage" are going well

"We had a very good conversation with Paul yesterday. We're still progressing along that..."

Greengrass is planning on using his shaky shooting style with him - "I think for certain scenes [he will use hand held cameras]. What Paul likes about the movie is that it gives him an opportunity to do something that he hasn't really done that much of, designing this world and playing to that."

That's interesting because Greengrass' often incoherent camera work and rapid editing style may make for uncomfortable 3-D viewing

Will the 3-D tech be nixed then or will Greengrass adjust his personal style to fit the industry obsession?

Long Shot?

Ghost Rider 2 may be moving ahead without star Nicolas Cage says Vulture

Cage will most likely bypass the comic book pic in favor of appearing in National Treasure 3

Writers Scott Gimple and Seth Hoffman worked with David Goyer on the script, while the studio's apparently working on a shortlist of directors taking over for Mark Steven Johnson



The first Rider suffered from Cage's "unique" acting skills--Recasting the lead may make a better film--Why not cast Matt Long who played the younger version of Johnny Blaze in the first flick? Sure he's younger than Cage but I would bet Long would do a solid job.

Elite And Greet

Clive Owen is set to star in action-thriller The Killer Elite says Variety

Based on the Sir Ranulph Fiennes novel 'The Feather Men', where he will play the leader of a vigilante group fighting to protect the families of Sas agents

Owen will star alongside Jason Statham who will play a former Navy Seal.in the movie from Irish director Gary McKendry, who is making his directing debut with the pic

Michael Boughen Steve Chasman and Joni Sighvatsson will produce

The film was originally planned to shoot late last year, but issues have pushed it to a spring/summer shoot this year.

Owen just left the action-thriller Protection

Alien Legacy

The folks at Collider spoke with Ridley Scott-who is stumping for his May 14th Robin Hood pic about his dual Alien Prequel plans

Last week Scott spoke with MTV and revealed a lot of details on the story and such, which he says is in its “fourth draft.” He also told them the film will take place in 2085, about 30 years before Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) encounters the creatures.

Now he’s thinking about two prequels...!!??

“At the moment I’m just trying to get the first one out,” he said. Scott will also be shooting the first one in 3-D.

Hmmm...

Destination Unknown?

Eric Heisserer, the writer of the upcoming prequel to The Thing has been hired to write the 5th Final Destination film says the Heat Vision Blog

The goal of the newest installment is , according to the trade, "trying to break out of the repetition of the first four movies". And the only thing we know of the plan for Final Destination 5 is that "one scene involves a character undergoing laser-eye surgery".

Ouch!

The plan is to release the film in 3-D like The Final Destination (pictured) and to have ready for a 2011 release.

As I have said before the series is guilty pleasure of mine and let's face it since most of the characters end up dead--the studio gets off cheap not having to bump up anyone's sequel salary. Breaking the formula of the series will be tough since that's part of the reason it's one of my guilty pleasures.

2 Reasons To See Saw 7

The LIONSGATE publicity suits have released the final cast list and official plot synopsis for Saw VII

After a legal battle and years of fan demanding his return, Cary Elwes will indeed reprise his role as Dr. Gordon from the first Saw film. Gordon's return has been rumored for years. Fans will recall that Dr. Gordon is the physician who diagnosed John "Jigsaw" Kramer (Tobin Bell,) with cancer, and who later had to amputate his own leg to escape from Jigsaw's trap. The ultimate fate of Gordon has remained unknown.

In reality Elwes sued his own management firm, which also produced Saw, in 2005 for alleged breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

Costas Mandylor, and Betsy Russell will also be back

Also joining the Saw VII cast is , Gina Holden, Chad Donella, Naomi Snieckus, and Sean Patrick Flanery.playing Bobby Dagen.



Here's the film's official plot synopsis to tell us more:

"As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw's brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror...".

Saw VII is the first theatrical feature to be shot exclusively on the cutting-edge SI-3D digital camera system

Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan penned the script, which Kevin Greutert will call action on

With Elwes back and Flanery cast--this "final" Saw should be fun

The film is slated for an October 22 release.

The L Word

Wow! Who would have that a film starring Jennifer Lopez--The Back-up Plan ... And a star packed comic book adaptation of The Losers would both lose the weekend box office race to the CGI animated juggernaut How To Train Your Dragon which has been out for a month...




The AP:

"How to Train Your Dragon" continues to breathe fire at the box office, while newer releases are mostly blowing smoke.

The animated adventure took in $15 million to reclaim the No. 1 spot a month after its debut. "How to Dragon Your Dragon" opened in first place in late March, then dropped back into the pack. But it has held up strongly and climbed to the top again amid a flurry of so-so new releases.

Premiering at No. 2 with $12.3 million is Jennifer Lopez's romantic comedy "The Back-Up Plan."

Among the weekend's other newcomers, the action flick "The Losers" debuted at No. 4 with $9.6 million.

Disney's nature film "Oceans" had a solid opening for a documentary, coming in at No. 8 with $6 million.

Nicole Sperling of EW:

'Dragon' tops tepid frame: 'Back-Up Plan' and 'The Losers' underwhelm....

Next Up--A week before the Summer 2010 blockbuster onslaught begins--Brendan Fraser gets a taste of Furry Vengeance when animals attack and Freddy Krueger kills a new generation of victims in the reboot of A Nightmare On Elm Street

Bottle-Necked No More?

The long-gestating I Dream of Jeannie big-screen adaptation is moving again with Sheila Callaghan having been hired to write the script according to The Los Angeles Times.

Created by Sidney Sheldon in 1965 to compete against "Bewitched" , the series starred Barbara Eden, as a 2000-year-old female 'genie' and actor Larry Hagman as an astronaut who becomes her master and eventual wife

Bill Daily and Hayden Rorke co-starred as episodic directors Gene Nelson, Hal Cooper and Claudio Guzman called action for its 5 year run.

The difficulty with any modern film version of any classic sitcom of that time is that it was very much a series of its time and is very hard to update.

Witness the Nora Ephron-directed Bewitched film that starred Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell, (totally miscast) that tried its own post-modern approach to the premise and was a critical bomb and box-office disappointment.

No further dates or involvement from cast or crew for Dream are yet known.