Director bits from the month of June that made news- that almost slipped by me...
*"Red Dawn" remake director Dan Bradley will helm a supernatural action feature called "Hellified" says The Hollywood Reporter.
*Shrek Forever After's Mike Mitchell will direct the clever sounding live-action fantasy Once Upon a Time ... reports Variety.
*Catherine Hardwicke talked with Movieline about her plans for the Emile Hirsch contemporary version of "Hamlet.
*Bruce A. Evans of Mr. Brooks fame is set to helm the thriller "Diver" says Variety.
*Focus Features has signed a two-year first-look deal with Sam Mendes reports Variety.`
*Screenwriter Stuart Beattie will make his directorial debut on an adaptation of the young-adult novel "Amazon.com: Tomorrow, When the War Began" says The Hollywood Reporter.
*Vacancy director Nimród Antal is apparently the top contender among 7 names to direct the upcoming franchise relaunch "Predators" says Latino Review.
*Speaking with Migros Magazin, director Marc Forster says that the anticipated film adaptation of "World War Z" may take a bit longer to realize.
I Blog About Movies So That You Do Not Have To...Posting industry news opinion our film reviews & trailers. Comments are always welcome and appreciated. Send them to thelastreel@comcast.net
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Mute Button
Having sent Sam Rockwell to the Moon, writer/director Duncan Jones takes on a futuristic thriller mystery entitled "Mute" for his next flick reports Screen Daily.
Set in a future-time Berlin, the story kicks off with the disappearance and possible kidnapping of a woman. Her partner, a mute bartender, must go up against the city's gangsters to find her.
Jones previously stated in interviews that despite the "Blade Runner"-like feel, the film is a very human story about how people "lose their humanity because of the world that they live in."
Jones is therefore not helming the upcoming submarine picture, Escape From The Deep,
Set in a future-time Berlin, the story kicks off with the disappearance and possible kidnapping of a woman. Her partner, a mute bartender, must go up against the city's gangsters to find her.
Jones previously stated in interviews that despite the "Blade Runner"-like feel, the film is a very human story about how people "lose their humanity because of the world that they live in."
Jones is therefore not helming the upcoming submarine picture, Escape From The Deep,
My 2 Dads
Kevin Smith is reuniting with Jason Lee...!
Just as comedian Jim Norton and Michelle Trachtenberg have joined the cast of the action-comedy A Couple of Dicks says Variety.
The story centers on a pair of cops (Bruce Willis Tracy Morgan ) who track down a stolen baseball card, rescue a Mexican beauty and must deal with gangsters and laundered drug money.
Trachtenberg will play the daughter of Willis' character, and Lee will portray her stepfather.
Smith directs from a script by Robb and Mark Cullen.
Just as comedian Jim Norton and Michelle Trachtenberg have joined the cast of the action-comedy A Couple of Dicks says Variety.
The story centers on a pair of cops (Bruce Willis Tracy Morgan ) who track down a stolen baseball card, rescue a Mexican beauty and must deal with gangsters and laundered drug money.
Trachtenberg will play the daughter of Willis' character, and Lee will portray her stepfather.
Smith directs from a script by Robb and Mark Cullen.
Lady Fighter
Amy Adams is in negotiations to join Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg. in "The Fighter" reports THR.The film tells the life tale of boxer Micky Ward (Wahlberg) and trainer-brother Dickie Eklund (Bale), chronicling their early days on the rough streets of Lowell, Massachusetts , through Eklund's battle with drugs and Ward's eventual world championship in London.
Adams will play Charlene, a gritty bartender and former college high-jumper from Massachusetts who ends up dating Mickey.
Adams is a good fit here...
Over the years, some of Hollywood’s top talent, including Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and director Darren Aronofsky have been attached. The writers strike of 18 months ago also slowed things down.
David O. Russell is directing the film which begins production next month in Lowell.
Piercing The Dark
Guy Pearce is in final negotiations to join the supernatural thriller "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" remake says The Hollywood Reporter.Based on the great 1973 telefilm, the new film's story deals with a young girl who moves in with her father and his girlfriend and discovers they are sharing the house with demonic creatures.
Bailee Madison has the lead as the girl. Pearce will play the father, an author frustrated by his daughter's tales of monsters, not believing her even when his girlfriend (Katie Holmes) backs her.
Produced by Guillermo del Toro who also co-wrote the script along with Matthew Robbins
Pearce--a fabulous actor is due for high profile attention ala like he got for L.A. Confidential or Memento
Off The Rails
Tony Scott's new action-thriller "Unstoppable" has been urm...stopped according to Variety.The sudden halt is due to budgeting concerns over the cost of physical production.
The story follows a veteran engineer (Denzel Washington) and a young conductor (Chris Pine) chasing a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals.
Though deals with Pine, Washington and Scott weren't closed, pre-production had begun and shooting was targeted to kick off this August for release next Summer.
In the currently tight financial times though, studios is are paying more attention to budgets and Scott is coming off the disappointing results for The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 - remake currently in theaters--which can't help matters.
Still unlike the recently axed Moneyball, the Steven Soderbergh movie starring Brad Pitt-- it's likely the film will still happen but at a later date.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Animal House
The Devil Wears Prada scripter Aline Brosh McKenna is set to pen the adaptation of "We Bought a Zoo" says The Hollywood Reporter.Based on a memoir by Benjamin Mee, the story looks at how the author and his cancer-battling wife bought an old Zoo in England saving the two-hundred exotic animals housed there.
Suspenders Of Disbelief
Marvel icon and cheerleader Stan Lee is poised to play legendary interviewer Larry King in the upcoming "Iron Man" sequel says the sites Nuke the Fridge and Collider.
As King, Lee will apparently interview Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) on Larry King Live and will question Stark on his latest innovations. Specifically this will include Stark's new "modified 'black' Iron Man suit"
While I am glad that Stan has a larger than usual role for this pic than he has had in any Marvel film to date...Why must he play King? Did the real Larry want to0 much money?
Just sounds a bit weird is all.
Iron Man 2 hits theaters next May.
As King, Lee will apparently interview Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) on Larry King Live and will question Stark on his latest innovations. Specifically this will include Stark's new "modified 'black' Iron Man suit"
While I am glad that Stan has a larger than usual role for this pic than he has had in any Marvel film to date...Why must he play King? Did the real Larry want to0 much money?
Just sounds a bit weird is all.
Iron Man 2 hits theaters next May.
London Flats
Sigh...Another day another remake
This time, it's a do-over of the horror/comedy 1981 classic "An American Werewolf in London"
Bloody Disgusting posts that original writer/director John Landis sold off remake rights to the suits at Dimension Films.
The original followed two American (David Naughton, Griffin Dunne) tourists visiting England are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.
Uh, wasn't the dopey sequel, "An American Werewolf in Paris ", from 1997 proof enough that the original should be left alone?
This time, it's a do-over of the horror/comedy 1981 classic "An American Werewolf in London"
Bloody Disgusting posts that original writer/director John Landis sold off remake rights to the suits at Dimension Films.
The original followed two American (David Naughton, Griffin Dunne) tourists visiting England are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.
Uh, wasn't the dopey sequel, "An American Werewolf in Paris ", from 1997 proof enough that the original should be left alone?
Theory Of
Brandon Camp whose directorial debut "Love Happens" opens Sept. 18, 2009, has been set to direct the family comedy "Relativity" reports Variety.
As a close-knit family that comes together for the parents' 30th wedding anniversary the children discover the family secret - they're all adopted.
Jeremy Miller, Daniel Cohn, and Peter Craig wrote the script.
No release date has been set
As a close-knit family that comes together for the parents' 30th wedding anniversary the children discover the family secret - they're all adopted.
Jeremy Miller, Daniel Cohn, and Peter Craig wrote the script.
No release date has been set
Take A Number
Hot off of the ginormous release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen director Michael Bay will produce and possibly direct 'I Am Number Four says Variety.
Based on six-book science fiction deal, the story follows a group of nine earthbound alien teens who escaped their planet just before it was destroyed by a hostile species. While the high school-aged kids assimilate, the title character discovers that he is being hunted by the enemy that blew up his planet.
James Frey of A Million Little Pieces fame is attached as one of the writers and Steven Spielberg is expected to be involved in a capacity similar to his work behind-the-scenes on Transformers pics.
The premise has a familiar ring to it...Along as Bay gets to blow stuff up--he should be happy...
Based on six-book science fiction deal, the story follows a group of nine earthbound alien teens who escaped their planet just before it was destroyed by a hostile species. While the high school-aged kids assimilate, the title character discovers that he is being hunted by the enemy that blew up his planet.
James Frey of A Million Little Pieces fame is attached as one of the writers and Steven Spielberg is expected to be involved in a capacity similar to his work behind-the-scenes on Transformers pics.
The premise has a familiar ring to it...Along as Bay gets to blow stuff up--he should be happy...
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Bots Take Charge; Make Lots Of Change
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Opened BIG worldwide--giving critics an even bigger raspberry...
Pamela McClintock of Varirty:
Paramount’s sequel “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” grossed an estimated $201.2 million from 4,234 theaters at the domestic box office to score the best five-day haul ever after “The Dark Knight.”
“Transformers 2’s” worldwide cume through Sunday was a massive $387 million, one of the best global deubts of all time.
Domestically, “Transformers 2,” grossed $112 million for the weekend after earning $89.2 million in its first two days (pic opened Wednesday at 12:01 a.m.)
In its first five days, Warner Bros.’ “Dark Knight” grossed $203.8 million. That film opened on a Friday, while “Transformers 2” opened on a Wednesday.
“Dark Knight” and “Transformers 2” are the only two titles to ever jump the $200 million mark in five days at the domestic B.O.
Imax saw its best five-day gross ever as “Transformers 2” opened on 169 Imax screens. Total gross for Imax runs was an estimated $14.4 million, more than double the $7.3 earned by “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” in its first five days on Imax screens.
Elsewhere at the domestic B.O., Warner Bros. and New Line’s drama “My Sister’s Keeper” came in on the low end of expectations, grossing an estimated $12 million from 2,606 theaters to place No. 4 for the frame.
Romance and comedy fared better, with Disney’s Sandra Bullock-Ryan Reynolds rom com “The Proposal” coming in No. 2, and Warners’ sleeper blockbuster “The Hangover” placing third.
“Proposal” held well in its second sesh, declining 45% to an estimated $18.5 million for a domestic cume of $69 million in its first 10 days.
In its fourth frame, “Hangover” dipped 36% to an estimated $17.2 million for a cume of $183.2 million.
Disney-Pixar’s “Up” also continued to shine, grossing an estimated $13 million from 3,487 runs to come in No. 4 in its fifth frame. Domestic cume through Sunday was $250.2 million--surpassing “Star Trek” to become the highest grossing film of the year domestically. “Star Trek’s” cume through Sunday was an estimated $246.2 million...
Nicole Sperling of EW:
Michael Jackson's death may have overshadowed Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen as the top entertainment story of the weekend, but it didn't hamper its box-office performance...
The summer '09 box office season reaches the mid-way mark with Wednesday openings of the period gangster flick Public Enemies and the CGI animated 3-D sequel Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs.
Pamela McClintock of Varirty:
Paramount’s sequel “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” grossed an estimated $201.2 million from 4,234 theaters at the domestic box office to score the best five-day haul ever after “The Dark Knight.”
“Transformers 2’s” worldwide cume through Sunday was a massive $387 million, one of the best global deubts of all time.
Domestically, “Transformers 2,” grossed $112 million for the weekend after earning $89.2 million in its first two days (pic opened Wednesday at 12:01 a.m.)
In its first five days, Warner Bros.’ “Dark Knight” grossed $203.8 million. That film opened on a Friday, while “Transformers 2” opened on a Wednesday.
“Dark Knight” and “Transformers 2” are the only two titles to ever jump the $200 million mark in five days at the domestic B.O.
Imax saw its best five-day gross ever as “Transformers 2” opened on 169 Imax screens. Total gross for Imax runs was an estimated $14.4 million, more than double the $7.3 earned by “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” in its first five days on Imax screens.
Elsewhere at the domestic B.O., Warner Bros. and New Line’s drama “My Sister’s Keeper” came in on the low end of expectations, grossing an estimated $12 million from 2,606 theaters to place No. 4 for the frame.
Romance and comedy fared better, with Disney’s Sandra Bullock-Ryan Reynolds rom com “The Proposal” coming in No. 2, and Warners’ sleeper blockbuster “The Hangover” placing third.
“Proposal” held well in its second sesh, declining 45% to an estimated $18.5 million for a domestic cume of $69 million in its first 10 days.
In its fourth frame, “Hangover” dipped 36% to an estimated $17.2 million for a cume of $183.2 million.
Disney-Pixar’s “Up” also continued to shine, grossing an estimated $13 million from 3,487 runs to come in No. 4 in its fifth frame. Domestic cume through Sunday was $250.2 million--surpassing “Star Trek” to become the highest grossing film of the year domestically. “Star Trek’s” cume through Sunday was an estimated $246.2 million...
Nicole Sperling of EW:
Michael Jackson's death may have overshadowed Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen as the top entertainment story of the weekend, but it didn't hamper its box-office performance...
The summer '09 box office season reaches the mid-way mark with Wednesday openings of the period gangster flick Public Enemies and the CGI animated 3-D sequel Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs.
Temperature Gage
STYD caught up with director Frank Darabont at the 35th annual Saturn Awards (list of winners) where he said that that his film adaptation of "Fahrenheit 451" is still on hist of things to do. But..
"That's been a bit of a struggle. Hollywood doesn't trust smart material... I actually had a studio head read that script and say: "Wow, that's the best and smartest script that I've read since running this studio but I can't possibly greenlight it." I asked why and he says "How am I going to get 13-year-olds to show up at the theater?"."
A film version of 451 has been discussed forever--Studios should consider that folks of any age will go and see a movie that's well made...If Darabont makes this one on the cheap as well it should have no problem turning a profit...
Speaking of keeping costs down...
And then the subject turned to an adaptation of Stephen King's "The Long Walk"
"'It's going to be coming up I think pretty shortly. But I'll be making it, I'm sure, even more cheaply than The Mist because I don't want to blow the material out of proportion. It's such a very simple, weird, almost art film-like approach to telling a story"
"That's been a bit of a struggle. Hollywood doesn't trust smart material... I actually had a studio head read that script and say: "Wow, that's the best and smartest script that I've read since running this studio but I can't possibly greenlight it." I asked why and he says "How am I going to get 13-year-olds to show up at the theater?"."
A film version of 451 has been discussed forever--Studios should consider that folks of any age will go and see a movie that's well made...If Darabont makes this one on the cheap as well it should have no problem turning a profit...
Speaking of keeping costs down...
And then the subject turned to an adaptation of Stephen King's "The Long Walk"
"'It's going to be coming up I think pretty shortly. But I'll be making it, I'm sure, even more cheaply than The Mist because I don't want to blow the material out of proportion. It's such a very simple, weird, almost art film-like approach to telling a story"
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The 20 Year Old Mistake
ItsJustSomeRandomGuy latest video is here!
This time the comic book heroes take on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen....
This time the comic book heroes take on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen....
Penmanship
Flix Bits From The Writers Corner Of The Industry
*John Grisham's 1999 novel The Testament is ready to become a film says Variety.
It's the story of a billionaire who defies his greedy relatives and leaves his $11 billion fortune to a mysterious illegitimate daughter doing charity work in the Brazilian wetlands. A down-and-out lawyer helps her battle her relatives over the fortune.
*Michael Ross will rewrite the action thriller "Disavowed" says The Hollywood Reporter.
*The Tom Trueheart children's book trilogy is the latest series to become a live-action film franchise says The Hollywood Reporter.
*David Johnson will write the remake of the recent Australian indie horror feature Lake Mungo says The Hollywood Reporter.
*Kyle Ward is writing a sequel to the Hitman film adaptation say the folks over at the IESB.
*Cameron Fay has been hired to rewrite the long in development comedy "Don't Send Help" says The Hollywood Reporter.
*Universal Pictures has won the screen rights to Larry Doyle's upcoming teen comedy/adventure novel "Go Mutants!" says Variety.
*John Grisham's 1999 novel The Testament is ready to become a film says Variety.
It's the story of a billionaire who defies his greedy relatives and leaves his $11 billion fortune to a mysterious illegitimate daughter doing charity work in the Brazilian wetlands. A down-and-out lawyer helps her battle her relatives over the fortune.
*Michael Ross will rewrite the action thriller "Disavowed" says The Hollywood Reporter.
*The Tom Trueheart children's book trilogy is the latest series to become a live-action film franchise says The Hollywood Reporter.
*David Johnson will write the remake of the recent Australian indie horror feature Lake Mungo says The Hollywood Reporter.
*Kyle Ward is writing a sequel to the Hitman film adaptation say the folks over at the IESB.
*Cameron Fay has been hired to rewrite the long in development comedy "Don't Send Help" says The Hollywood Reporter.
*Universal Pictures has won the screen rights to Larry Doyle's upcoming teen comedy/adventure novel "Go Mutants!" says Variety.
Miller's Mission
Promoting the July 21st Watchmen Director's Cut and "300: The Complete Experience Blu-ray" (pictured) DVD and Blu-ray releases, director Zack Snyder chatted with Coming Soon about a 300 Sequel.
"I know for a fact that [Frank Miller] is writing right now. [He's] drawing away and seems to be knee-deep in it. I think he's going to head back to Greece again and do another reconnaissance."
Snyder adds - "I think we would use the same technology... I don't want it to look too Star Wars-ian... Just from what [Miller] told me, it would be bigger as far as landscape and terrain. We're going to see Athens and the Aegean and other places. There would be an opportunity for bigger visions, though I'd hope for the same aesthetic. The tech we used for '300' was not a revolution. It's basically what the weatherman has."
Snyder also talked to MTV about the recent Oscar news and How it Impacts Comic-Book Films -
"I know for a fact that [Frank Miller] is writing right now. [He's] drawing away and seems to be knee-deep in it. I think he's going to head back to Greece again and do another reconnaissance."
Snyder adds - "I think we would use the same technology... I don't want it to look too Star Wars-ian... Just from what [Miller] told me, it would be bigger as far as landscape and terrain. We're going to see Athens and the Aegean and other places. There would be an opportunity for bigger visions, though I'd hope for the same aesthetic. The tech we used for '300' was not a revolution. It's basically what the weatherman has."
Snyder also talked to MTV about the recent Oscar news and How it Impacts Comic-Book Films -
Friday, June 26, 2009
Grace Period W/ Emma & Julia
Topher Grace, Emma Roberts and Hector Elizondo have signed on for the star --studded Garry Marshall-directed romantic comedy Valentine's Day says The Hollywood Reporter.
The flick centers on five slightly interconnecting stories playing out on Valentine's Day in Los Angeles,
Grace plays a mail room worker in the town's biggest agency who's dating Anne Hathaway's character. Roberts plays a teen who wants to lose her virginity to her boyfriend. Elizondo will play the husband of Shirley MacLaine's character.
Emma's Aunt Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Bradley Cooper and Ashton Kutcher also star.
Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein wrote the latest draft of the script.
Bad Timing
As the world learned of the sudden death of Michael Jackson yesterday...It was announced that sister Janet Jackson would reprise her role in Tyler Perry's comedy sequel "Why Did I Get Married Too" via Variety.The actress played Patricia, a successful author and psychologist who prefers to analyze other folks and their relationship problems rather than deal with her failing marriage.
The original 2007 film followed a group of college friends who go on vacation and start questioning their relationships when one couple’s infidelity is discovered.
The passing of her brother is sure to impact Jackson's involvement in the pic. Jackson is flying to Los Angeles from London to grieve with her family according to her management.
Perry's films tend to turnaround very quickly and thus he would have to either recast or postpone. I expect a delay and that Perry would give her whatever time she needed.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
RIP Farrah Fawcett (1947 2009)
Farrah Fawcet-who rocketed to fame as one of TV's "Charlie's Angels" has lost her three battle with cancer. She was 62.Angel's her signature role of course where she spent one season playing Jill Munroe....Just prior to that though Fawcett appeared in 1976's science fiction classic Logan's Run. She had starring roles in Somebody Killed Her Husband Sunburn (1979), and Saturn 3 in which she did a topless scene), She next appeared in the Burt Reynolds goofy chase comedy The Cannonball Run in 1981
And then her career stalled...
Fawcett scored a major comeback when she starred in the 1984 true TV movie about a battered wife in The Burning Bed. It garnered a very large audience, and critics gave her the best reviews she had ever received for her heartfelt performance
An interesting piece of trivia for you.. She was offered the Goldie Hawn role of Gloria in the comedic thriller Foul Play...
More than just a pin-up: A tribute to actress Farrah Fawcett; Farrah Fawcett: Jaclyn Smith, Fellow 'Charlie's Angel,' Pays Tribute...
Compton Gets Punked
Scout Taylor-Compton has joined the cast of the in production flick "The Runaways" says Variety.Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning also star.
The film is based on the true story of the all-girl punk band in the 1970s with Compton playing Lita Ford.
Floria Sigismondi wrote and directs the biopic which is shooting in LA for relese next year.
Burial Plot
Ryan Reynolds is set to star in the thriller "Buried" says Variety.
The Proposal star will play a civilian contractor who's kidnapped in Iraq and awakens buried in a coffin in the desert, armed only with a cell phone, a candle and a knife.
Chris Sparling wrote what Rodrigo Cortés will direct
I like the premise...a lot and Reynolds will make it an even better flick
Shooting begins this month in Barcelona.
The Proposal star will play a civilian contractor who's kidnapped in Iraq and awakens buried in a coffin in the desert, armed only with a cell phone, a candle and a knife.
Chris Sparling wrote what Rodrigo Cortés will direct
I like the premise...a lot and Reynolds will make it an even better flick
Shooting begins this month in Barcelona.
Free Fallen
Variety reports that the sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen made an estimated $16 million in tix sales from 3,000 midnight screenings Wednesday.
The sequel is the third-best midnight debut ever in the box-office figure, behind "The Dark Knight" which scored $18 million for its midnight run last summer and "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" which made $16.9 million in 2005. While "Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix" held the previous record for a Tuesday midnight opening with $12 million in 2007.
By this Sunday, 'Fallen' is expected to have a first five-day haul not far off from the $203 million take that 'Knight' scored last Summer.
Reviews are just abysmal...
Rotten Tomatoes says that, the first "Transformers" had a decent 57% approval rating and 5.8/10 average score. 'Fallen' however is in the 20% range with a3.9/10 average.
Yikes!
By way of comparison Metacritic put the original at 61/100, 'Fallen' sits at just 40/100.
Fear not though--the film still made $55 Million in its first full day...
Movies from Michael Bay tend to follow the same mathematical formula--loud and mindless + bad reviews x hot babes = lots of cash...
The sequel is the third-best midnight debut ever in the box-office figure, behind "The Dark Knight" which scored $18 million for its midnight run last summer and "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" which made $16.9 million in 2005. While "Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix" held the previous record for a Tuesday midnight opening with $12 million in 2007.
By this Sunday, 'Fallen' is expected to have a first five-day haul not far off from the $203 million take that 'Knight' scored last Summer.
Reviews are just abysmal...
Rotten Tomatoes says that, the first "Transformers" had a decent 57% approval rating and 5.8/10 average score. 'Fallen' however is in the 20% range with a3.9/10 average.
Yikes!
By way of comparison Metacritic put the original at 61/100, 'Fallen' sits at just 40/100.
Fear not though--the film still made $55 Million in its first full day...
Movies from Michael Bay tend to follow the same mathematical formula--loud and mindless + bad reviews x hot babes = lots of cash...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sex Ed
Zac Efron has signed on to headline and serve as Executive Producer on an untitled 'sexy' thriller according to The Hollywood Reporter.Leslie Dixon., who wrote the remakes The Thomas Crown Affair, Freaky Friday and Hairspray is keeping details on this script under wraps.
I realize Efron wants to shed the squeaky clean image by taking on more dramatic adult projects--but a Basic Instinct-type flick?
The jury is still out on that one...
We're Gonna Need A Bigger Envelope
In a move designed to increase anticipation and competition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis announced that the Best Picture category at next year's Oscars will be expanded from five to TEN nominees.From 1932 to 1943-the category included ten films but was pared down to five in 1944.
This will "allow academy voters to recognize and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories, but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize" Ganis told The Envelope...
Let's hope this will allow for some crowd-pleasers to be nominated--IE movies that mainstream audiences went to see...
The nominations will be announced February 2nd 2010.
Social Butterfly
David Fincher is in advanced talks to direct the Facebook movie "The Social Network,"according to Variety.The Aaron Sorkin-scripted film will focus on the evolution of Facebook from its 2004 creation by Harvard sophomore Mark Zuckerberg and his roommates Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes to a juggernaut with more than 200 million members.
As the helmer of Seven, Fight Club and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" Fincher seems like an odd fit for this rags to riches tale.
Shooting aims to kick off later this year.
Housing Start
Daniel Craig is circling the psychological thriller "Dream House" says The Hollywood Reporter.In the David Loucka (The Dream Team, Eddie) written script, Craig would play a father who moves his family to a house that is haunted by the people who used to live there.
Jim Sheridan directs the pic.
The haunted house film has some competition as Craig is also considering the period piece "The Eagle of the Ninth" adaptation.
Father's Children
Craig Robinson, Heather Graham (pictured), Johnny Knoxville and Camilla Belle have joined the cast of Father Of Invention an indie ensemble comedy says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story follows a humble inventor-turned-ego maniacal billionaire (Kevin Spacey) who spends eight years in prison when one of his inventions goes awry. Upon release, he is seeks to rebuild his reputation and fortune but finds that easier than salvaging his relationship with his family.
Trent Cooper is directing from a script he wrote with Jonathan Krane and Nichole Beattie.
Spacey also co- produces as filming kicks off this week in New Orleans.
The story follows a humble inventor-turned-ego maniacal billionaire (Kevin Spacey) who spends eight years in prison when one of his inventions goes awry. Upon release, he is seeks to rebuild his reputation and fortune but finds that easier than salvaging his relationship with his family.
Trent Cooper is directing from a script he wrote with Jonathan Krane and Nichole Beattie.
Spacey also co- produces as filming kicks off this week in New Orleans.
Life's Work
Katherine Heigl will both star in and executive produce the romantic drama "Life As We Know It" says Variety.
Written by Ian Deitchman and Kristin Rusk Robinson, the story follows two unattached adults whose worlds are turned upside down when their mutual best friends die in an accident and name them as caregivers for their orphaned daughter.
The film will be directed by noted TV guy Greg Berlanti.
Sounds a bit like No Reservations doesn't it?
Heigl has been very film-centric lately she will next be seen in July 24th's rom-com "The Ugly Truth." and she is currently filming "Five Killers" for Robert Luketic.
Written by Ian Deitchman and Kristin Rusk Robinson, the story follows two unattached adults whose worlds are turned upside down when their mutual best friends die in an accident and name them as caregivers for their orphaned daughter.
The film will be directed by noted TV guy Greg Berlanti.
Sounds a bit like No Reservations doesn't it?
Heigl has been very film-centric lately she will next be seen in July 24th's rom-com "The Ugly Truth." and she is currently filming "Five Killers" for Robert Luketic.
Of Metal And Mettle
A "little" summer movie called Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (reviews) opened at 12:01 AM this morning...
Pamela McClintock of Variety:
Paramount's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" pushes the pedal to the metal Wednesday as it opens day and date around the globe, looking to transform into an instant blockbuster and guarantee a future for the toy line-turned-film franchise.
The summer's highest-profile action tentpole...Pic goes out in 4,226 theaters domestically. Of those, 169 are Imax theaters.
"Transformers 2" was expected to do north of $10 million in midnight shows alone, with many of those runs selling out.
Online movie ticketing site Fandango said Monday that pre-sales for "Revenge of the Fallen" were the biggest for any movie so far this year.
Overseas, pic will bow in every territory save for Italy and India.
It got off to an impressive start in the U.K. and Japan last weekend, grossing $19.6 million from 833 runs. Movie took north of $14 million from 517 runs in the U.K., far ahead of the original "Transformers" and coming within 3% of "The Dark Knight's" opening weekend gross.
Stateside, box office observers believe "Revenge of the Fallen" will have no trouble scoring the best five-day opening ever for a film debuting on a Wednesday. (Current record-holder is Sony's "Spider-Man 2" at $152.4 million.)
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is the record-holder for best opening day for a Wednesday release at $44.2 million.
Original "Transformers" opened on a Monday night, grossed $155.4 million through the following Sunday. Pic cumed $319 million domestic and $389 million overseas for a worldwide tally of $708.3 million.
Sequel reteams director Michael Bay with stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. Scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci ("Star Trek") likewise returned to pen the script. Steven Spielberg exec produced both films, while Lorenzo di Bonaventura is a producer.
"Revenge of the Fallen" is receiving less-than-glowing reviews in North America, but even rival studios believe the tentpole is largely immune to bad notices.
Pic doesn't have direct competition until Par's "G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra" opens in early August--[And even at that G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra may be in trouble...T] That's because other studios with action event pics wanted to steer clear of the "Transformers" sequel...
...Warner Bros. will look to fill the gender gap with "My Sister's Keeper," (reviews) starring Abigail Breslin and Cameron Diaz. Pic opens nationwide Friday.
The reviews for the sequel may be mixed but that will not matter--it's review proof...
Pamela McClintock of Variety:
Paramount's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" pushes the pedal to the metal Wednesday as it opens day and date around the globe, looking to transform into an instant blockbuster and guarantee a future for the toy line-turned-film franchise.
The summer's highest-profile action tentpole...Pic goes out in 4,226 theaters domestically. Of those, 169 are Imax theaters.
"Transformers 2" was expected to do north of $10 million in midnight shows alone, with many of those runs selling out.
Online movie ticketing site Fandango said Monday that pre-sales for "Revenge of the Fallen" were the biggest for any movie so far this year.
Overseas, pic will bow in every territory save for Italy and India.
It got off to an impressive start in the U.K. and Japan last weekend, grossing $19.6 million from 833 runs. Movie took north of $14 million from 517 runs in the U.K., far ahead of the original "Transformers" and coming within 3% of "The Dark Knight's" opening weekend gross.
Stateside, box office observers believe "Revenge of the Fallen" will have no trouble scoring the best five-day opening ever for a film debuting on a Wednesday. (Current record-holder is Sony's "Spider-Man 2" at $152.4 million.)
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is the record-holder for best opening day for a Wednesday release at $44.2 million.
Original "Transformers" opened on a Monday night, grossed $155.4 million through the following Sunday. Pic cumed $319 million domestic and $389 million overseas for a worldwide tally of $708.3 million.
Sequel reteams director Michael Bay with stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. Scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci ("Star Trek") likewise returned to pen the script. Steven Spielberg exec produced both films, while Lorenzo di Bonaventura is a producer.
"Revenge of the Fallen" is receiving less-than-glowing reviews in North America, but even rival studios believe the tentpole is largely immune to bad notices.
Pic doesn't have direct competition until Par's "G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra" opens in early August--[And even at that G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra may be in trouble...T] That's because other studios with action event pics wanted to steer clear of the "Transformers" sequel...
...Warner Bros. will look to fill the gender gap with "My Sister's Keeper," (reviews) starring Abigail Breslin and Cameron Diaz. Pic opens nationwide Friday.
The reviews for the sequel may be mixed but that will not matter--it's review proof...
Special Replacement
Richard Loncraine has replaced Peter Morgan as director of " The Special Relationship" says the Hollywood Reporter.
Morgan penned the script about the unique and sometimes turbulent political relationship between newly installed British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President Bill.Clinton in the late 1990s.
Dennis Quaid is set to play Clinton and Michael Sheen will play Blair. Julianne Moore and Helen McCrory will play their spouses.
Morgan will remain "integrally involved in every aspect of the production" in his role as a writer/executive producer said a spokesperson.
Reasons for Morgan not directing were not disclosed, though he's been tagged to co-pen the next James Bond movie.
Shooting on Special is slated to begin July 20th in London.
Morgan penned the script about the unique and sometimes turbulent political relationship between newly installed British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President Bill.Clinton in the late 1990s.
Dennis Quaid is set to play Clinton and Michael Sheen will play Blair. Julianne Moore and Helen McCrory will play their spouses.
Morgan will remain "integrally involved in every aspect of the production" in his role as a writer/executive producer said a spokesperson.
Reasons for Morgan not directing were not disclosed, though he's been tagged to co-pen the next James Bond movie.
Shooting on Special is slated to begin July 20th in London.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Older By The Day
Jon Amiel will direct a comedy with the working title "Old Timers" says The Hollywood Reporter.
Based upon the Noah Haidle play, the story deals with two retired hitmen who enjoy a night living it up before one of them faces a deadly decision.
Filming aims to begin later in the year.
Based upon the Noah Haidle play, the story deals with two retired hitmen who enjoy a night living it up before one of them faces a deadly decision.
Filming aims to begin later in the year.
Taking On Two
Cher and Christina Aguilera will be seen together on screen in the contemporary musical "Burlesque" according to Variety.
Aguilera plays an ambitious small-town Iowa girl with a big voice who comes of age in a neo-burlesque club on Sunset Boulevard that's run by Tess (Cher), a former dancer who struggles to keep the club open and gives the young girl a chance to shine.
Steven Antin, brother of choreographer Robin Antin, who founded the burlesque troupe-turned-girl band The Pussycat Dolls will direct from a script he wrote that was eventually revised by Susannah Grant.
Shooting in that project begins in November.
Meanwhile, Cher will also join Adam Sandler , Jon Favreau, Sylvester Stallone and Judd Apatow in providing voices for the animals in the live-action comedy "The Zookeeper" says Variety.
Sandler will voice a monkey, Cher's voicing a giraffe, Favreau a bear, Stallone a lion and Apatow an elephant.
Kevin James plays the title role.
Aguilera plays an ambitious small-town Iowa girl with a big voice who comes of age in a neo-burlesque club on Sunset Boulevard that's run by Tess (Cher), a former dancer who struggles to keep the club open and gives the young girl a chance to shine.
Steven Antin, brother of choreographer Robin Antin, who founded the burlesque troupe-turned-girl band The Pussycat Dolls will direct from a script he wrote that was eventually revised by Susannah Grant.
Shooting in that project begins in November.
Meanwhile, Cher will also join Adam Sandler , Jon Favreau, Sylvester Stallone and Judd Apatow in providing voices for the animals in the live-action comedy "The Zookeeper" says Variety.
Sandler will voice a monkey, Cher's voicing a giraffe, Favreau a bear, Stallone a lion and Apatow an elephant.
Kevin James plays the title role.
Inside Edition
Jessica Alba is teaming up with her Sin City director Robert Rodriguez. on another comic book adaptation. The pair have optioned Jean-Claude Bartoll's French spy thriller series Insiders reports French Premiere via ICv2.
The multi-volume story revolves around Najah Cruz, a Colombian operative working for the White House who must infiltrate and help bring down a corporate-backed international crime syndicate.
As long as Alba wears more skimpy outfits ala "Nancy" I'm there.
The multi-volume story revolves around Najah Cruz, a Colombian operative working for the White House who must infiltrate and help bring down a corporate-backed international crime syndicate.
As long as Alba wears more skimpy outfits ala "Nancy" I'm there.
Frank Further
Kevin Lima, the director of Enchanted, has signed on to direct the romantic comedy Frank says Variety.
The story centers on a teenage prodigy who's on the cutting edge of cell research in medical school--She is encouraged by her guidance counselor to take a break from the lab and make some friends. After several unsuccessful attempts at socializing with her peers, she decides to use her scientific prowess and piece together a friend out of the med school's instructional cadavers.
As the title implies the film is inspired by Frankenstein...
Karey Kirkpatrick penned the script.
Lima has also lined up to remake The Incredible Mr. Limpet, a hybrid live action and animated classic from 1964 that starred the late Don Knotts.
The story centers on a teenage prodigy who's on the cutting edge of cell research in medical school--She is encouraged by her guidance counselor to take a break from the lab and make some friends. After several unsuccessful attempts at socializing with her peers, she decides to use her scientific prowess and piece together a friend out of the med school's instructional cadavers.
As the title implies the film is inspired by Frankenstein...
Karey Kirkpatrick penned the script.
Lima has also lined up to remake The Incredible Mr. Limpet, a hybrid live action and animated classic from 1964 that starred the late Don Knotts.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Speaking Up
4 bits about films this blog is following...
*Despite Shia LaBeouf's recent comments, producer Frank Marshall tells /Film that a fifth Indy film is still a long way off - "It's really about the script. Once we see that, we'll see. We're not going to wait another 20 years. We'd all love to make another one... Until there's a script, nothing's definite."...
*LaBeouf's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen co-star Megan Fox has done an interview with Collider about, and given a video apology to, the guy in the infamous photo who is trying to hand her a rose at a recent 'Revenge" premiere...
*The Green Lantern film writer Marc Guggenheim told Sci-fi Wire don't believe any of the casting talk yet - "They’re all false insofar as we haven't chosen anyone yet. They’re still in the negotiations, you know? There’s a lot of names being talked about, and there’s a lot of people being met, and a lot of … actors reading the script"...
*Star Trek writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman tell Collider they're currently trying to decide whether the next film's antagonist will be either "the exploration sci-fi plot where the unknown and nature itself is somehow an adversary or the villain model We have had discussions about the debate of the exploration sci-fi plot where the unknown and nature itself is somehow an adversary or the villain model. That’s an active discussion we’re having right now. In terms of thinking about more than one movie, we want the movie to be self-contained in a way, but we’re discussing the idea of having a couple of threads... [to lead into a 3rd movie]"
*Despite Shia LaBeouf's recent comments, producer Frank Marshall tells /Film that a fifth Indy film is still a long way off - "It's really about the script. Once we see that, we'll see. We're not going to wait another 20 years. We'd all love to make another one... Until there's a script, nothing's definite."...
*LaBeouf's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen co-star Megan Fox has done an interview with Collider about, and given a video apology to, the guy in the infamous photo who is trying to hand her a rose at a recent 'Revenge" premiere...
*The Green Lantern film writer Marc Guggenheim told Sci-fi Wire don't believe any of the casting talk yet - "They’re all false insofar as we haven't chosen anyone yet. They’re still in the negotiations, you know? There’s a lot of names being talked about, and there’s a lot of people being met, and a lot of … actors reading the script"...
*Star Trek writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman tell Collider they're currently trying to decide whether the next film's antagonist will be either "the exploration sci-fi plot where the unknown and nature itself is somehow an adversary or the villain model We have had discussions about the debate of the exploration sci-fi plot where the unknown and nature itself is somehow an adversary or the villain model. That’s an active discussion we’re having right now. In terms of thinking about more than one movie, we want the movie to be self-contained in a way, but we’re discussing the idea of having a couple of threads... [to lead into a 3rd movie]"
Tugger
From The OC Register comes a story that made me feel both uplifted and sad at the same time:
The Pixar folks granted a very sick little girl's final wish that meant everything to her.
After being diagnosed with Peripheral Vascular Cancer three years ago, it became apparent that 10-year-old Colby Curtin would not live long enough to see UP in the theater, a movie she had been excited to see since she saw the preview.
When Colby became too ill to be moved to a cinema, a family friend made calls to Pixar. A representative of the company then flew out with a DVD copy of the movie in hand to show to Colby. When asked if she enjoyed the movie, she nodded.
Colby died just seven hours after seeing the movie...
The Pixar folks granted a very sick little girl's final wish that meant everything to her.
After being diagnosed with Peripheral Vascular Cancer three years ago, it became apparent that 10-year-old Colby Curtin would not live long enough to see UP in the theater, a movie she had been excited to see since she saw the preview.
When Colby became too ill to be moved to a cinema, a family friend made calls to Pixar. A representative of the company then flew out with a DVD copy of the movie in hand to show to Colby. When asked if she enjoyed the movie, she nodded.
Colby died just seven hours after seeing the movie...
All The Wonder
USA Today has posted the first character one-shots and artwork from Tim Burton's upcoming 3-D version of Alice in Wonderland...
The photos include peeks of Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen.
The story also confirms rumors that the film is a sequel to the Lewis Carroll tale Alice's Adventures in Wonderland rather than another flick adaptation.
Scripted by Linda Woolverton-the story has a 17 year old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) attending a party at a Victorian estate only to find she is about to be proposed to in front of hundreds of snooty society types. Off she runs, following a white rabbit into a hole and ending up in Wonderland, a place she visited 10 years before but doesn't remember.
Typical Burton quirkiness will ensue...
It opens March 5, 2010.
The photos include peeks of Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen.
The story also confirms rumors that the film is a sequel to the Lewis Carroll tale Alice's Adventures in Wonderland rather than another flick adaptation.
Scripted by Linda Woolverton-the story has a 17 year old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) attending a party at a Victorian estate only to find she is about to be proposed to in front of hundreds of snooty society types. Off she runs, following a white rabbit into a hole and ending up in Wonderland, a place she visited 10 years before but doesn't remember.
Typical Burton quirkiness will ensue...
It opens March 5, 2010.
Chabat Is Dubbed A Buddy
French actor Alain Chabat is attached for the lead role in the buddy comedy "The Dubber" according to Variety.The film is about a man who provides the French dubbing voice for a top Hollywood star. When the A-lister has an on-set meltdown and goes missing, the dubber travels to the U.S. to help find him.
The premise is from former Los Angeles Film Festival director Richard Raddon and filmmaker Marina Zenovich. A script was then written by David Gilcreast and writer-director Jay Chandrasekhar, with a second draft by Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass...
Chabat has a role in this summer's Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.
Chuck's Pet
Effects wizard Charles Gibson and son of actor Henry Gibson-will make his directorial debut on the family comedy "The Goblin" says Variety.The story revolves around a suburban family that moves into its new home only to find a curmudgeonly goblin who doesn't want them there.
Geoff Rodkey wrote the script.
Co-producer Matt Williams: "It's about creating a goblin that will appeal to audiences of all ages,"
Gibson has worked as a visual effects artist and second unit director on this Summer's "T-4: won Oscars for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, it's follow-up Dead Man's Chest and "Babe".
Sounds a bit like Harry and the Hendersons from 1987--in reverse...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Sink Or "Sid"
The Net was all a buzz on Friday that original "Scream" star Neve Campbell turned down a role in the upcoming Scream 4 after writer Kevin Williamson left a tweet saying "trying to figure out a Sid-less scenario, this sucks" via his Twitter account...The New York Post's PopWrap contacted Williamson to explain his tweet, here's how he responded: "I've had numerous conversations with Neve. She's a friend. Nicest girl on the planet. It just ain't workin' out and it sucks for me. It was no cameo. I'd never play Sid out that way :) And I ain't got no Sid-less scenario. So, I don't know yet what to do. Hate all the wrong info circulating. My fault. There's a learning curve with Twitter."
It's probably a matter of $$$ that keeps Campbell from picking the project up.-especially if this kiks off a new trilogy..I can't believe Williamson doesn't have a back up plan---Was he that sure everyone would agree to return?