"The Birds" Remake Flies Again...Ugh!

The long in development remake of director Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic "The Birds" has new found new life as filmmaker Diederik Van Rooijen ("Penoza") is tipped to helm the project says Heat Vision.

Van Rooijen is replacing previously attached directors Martin Campbell and Dennis Iliadis.

The new film is expected to be a much closer adaptation of the short story by author Daphne du Maurier than Hitchcock's movie was.

Tippi Hedren  starred as Melanie Daniels, a modern rich socialite is part of a jet-set who always gets what she wants. When lawyer Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) sees her in a pet shop, he plays something of a practical joke on her, and she decides to return the favor. She drives about an hour north of San Francisco to Bodega Bay, where Mitch spends the weekends with his mother Lydia (Jessica Tandy) and younger sister Cathy (Veronica Cartwright). Soon after her arrival, however, the birds in the area begin to act strangely. A seagull attacks Melanie as she is crossing the bay in a small boat, and then, Lydia finds her neighbor dead, obviously the victim of a bird attack. The vicious birds continue to terrorize the small town.

Numerous writers have worked on the remake's adapted screenplay over the years--therefore it's unknown what direction  the project will go.

Michael Bay Andrew Form Brad Fuller Peter Guber and David Zelon will produce.

D'Onofrio Goes Bad In "Jurassic World"

Deadline reports that Vincent D'Onofrio will play the villain in the sequel "Jurassic World".

Irrfan Khan has landed an unspecified role in the project  as well.

The events are said to take place Isla Nublar, the site of John Hammond's (Richard Attenborough) Jurassic Park theme park, rather than Isla Sorna of the two previous sequels.

Chris Pratt will play a rugged ex-military man, who spars with Bryce Dallas Howard's corporate scientist.  Melissa & Joey and The Kings of Summer star Nick Robinson is poised to play the older brother of Ty Simpkins, the 12-year-old actor that befriended Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man 3".The boys are in turn Howard’s nephews. Josh Brolin was first in line for Pratt's role but a deal could not be reached.

"New Girl" and "Drinking Buddies" star Jake Johnson also may star. "Pacific Rim" and "Luther" star Idris Elba came up in a casting notice recently. Jason Schwartzman is rumored for a role in the sequel. David Oyelowo is said to had a meeting about the flick as well. There's nothing official just yet though.

Originally slated for June 2014, the sequel was delayed due to further work being need on the super secret script by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)--not to mention an already too tight schedule. Safety Not Guaranteed director Colin Trevorrow will call action on the feature.

Trevorrow wrote the revised screenplay with Derek Connolly. 

Steven Spielberg, who directed Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World: Jurassic Park, will executive produce here. Jurassic Park III was brought to the screen by Joe Johnston.

Filming on the new "Jurassic Park" is slated to begin this Spring. Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Pat Crowley will produce the dino sequel set to hit theaters on June 12, 2015.

A New Matrix Trilogy?...Really?

Lana and Andy Wachowski are reportedly developing a brand new trilogy for The Matrix franchise according to Latino Review. The filmmakers seemingly already turned in outlines and treatments to the studio who wants the first movie ready by 2017.

 It isn't clear what direction the new trilogy will take, though an early outline indicates that the project will be a prequel exploring how The Matrix was created. Previous tie-in material such as "The Animatrix" will NOT have any impact on the new film's story arc.

It's unknown if any of the original trilogy's cast will return, it also isn't known if the Wachowskis will actually direct, but I doubt that they would not want to call action.

Nothing has been confirmed by Warner Bros.

Three years ago there was chatter about a revival of the series with 2 films - but it stalled out.

Bah! I loved "The Matrix" but he two sequels that followed – The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions –collapsed leaving me bored..got a long way to go before I jump down that rabbit hole...

DA's "Noah" Gets A Special Addition

The Wrap reports that if you plan to see director Darren Aronofsky's upcoming Biblical epic "Noah" there is an "explanatory message" that has been added at the request of Dr. Jerry A. Johnson, President and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters

The message highlights that "artistic license" has been taken for this film and it's NOT a line-by-line retelling of the Noah's Ark tale

 Here's the message in full:

"The film is inspired by the story of Noah. While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values, and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis."

In an official statement, Paramount Pictures Vice Chairman Rob Moore says:

"We are deeply appreciative of Dr. Johnson's efforts to bring this idea to us. Our goal has been to take every measure we can to ensure moviegoers have the information they need before deciding to buy a ticket to see the film. We are very proud of Darren Aronofsky's Noah. We think audiences all over the world will enjoy this epic film."

Russell Crowe stars as the man who must build an Ark to save all of creation from a coming flood.

Saoirse Ronan, Douglas Booth, Logan Lerman, Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Durand Icelandic actors Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson Arnar Dan Mark Margolis Nick Nolte and Emma Watson also star.

Aronofsky & Ari Handel, wrote the original script for "Noah," but they eventually handed re-writing duties to John Logan (The Last Samurai, Gladiator).

Aronofsky, Mary Parent and Scott Franklin are producing the pic.

The film has a March 28th U.S. release

Joel Edgerton Comes Back As Hardy Leaves "Black Mass"

Warner Bros purchased the distribution rights to the the crime biopic "Black Mass" starring Johnny Depp says Deadline.

The story follows South Boston criminal James "Whitey" Bulger (Depp) who was betrayed by the FBI after he became an informant to bring down a rival crime family. Bulger was captured in June 2011 in Santa Monica following a 16-year manhunt.

A few weeks ago Tom Hardy was in talks to co-star as FBI handler John Connolly who was also a childhood friend of Bulger. In the 1970s, the pair joined forces with Bulger turning in his rivals to consolidate his power while Connolly scored the professional benefits of being the man who helped dismantle the mob. Eventually, Connolly was convicted of racketeering, obstruction of justice, and second-degree murder.

Australian actor Joel Edgerton was attached to play Connolly at first. Now, Hardy isn't involved and Edgerton has come back to the role.

The film is based on the book by Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill.Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth. worked on  the adapted the screenplay, before Russell Gewirtz took over. Cooper is said to be working on a rewrite of the script

Brian Oliver, Tyler Thompson, Nigel Sinclair, Tobin Armbrust, John Lesher and Christi Dembrowski will produce the pic.

Production will take place in Boston starting late April to meet its just announced  October 2015 release date.

Sin City 2: Fresh Photos

EW has posted the first peek at a trio of characters from the upcoming "Sin City" sequel--AKA "Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For".

The characters of Nancy Callahan (Jessica Alba), Bruce Willis is reprising his role of Hartigan and Marv (Mickey Rourke) will indeed return, Nancy's mini-story will act as a bridge for both the other stories in this film as well as those in the first film-Rosario Dawson is back as well. The stories told in the sequel take place before and after the events in the first film.

Jaime King, who played Goldie and Wendy in Sin City, is officially set to reprise her role as Wendy. She will be joined by Jamie Chung, who will be taking over the role of deadly little Miho, previously played by Devon Aoki. Eva Green has been cast in the role of Ava Lord. Stacy Keach ("Prison Break," "The Bourne Legacy") has signed to play mob boss Wallenquist, described by Miller as "the one man who can't be redeemed in Sin City. He is pure evil."

While Clive Owen is expected to come back. However, since his character undergoes a radical face change, Josh Brolin is playing Dwight Dennis Haysbert will play Manute in the film The role was previously played by Michael Clarke Duncan, who unfortunately passed away. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is poised to play a smooth talking gambler named Johnny, a role which was originally offered to Johnny Depp. Christopher Meloni plays a brutish cop. Julia Garner (Martha Marcy May Marlene) will play a young stripper opposite JGL's Johnny. Ray Liotta, Juno Temple and Jeremy Piven also star.

Robert Rodriguez is co-directing the film with Frank Miller using their adapted screenplay written with William Monahan.

Rodriguez says Nancy's is now "out for revenge. She is sick of being treated, as she puts it, 'as a piece of ass'. You see a little girl in that first film. By the end of this, she's the avenging angel."

Rodriguez also talked about JGL's character: "He beat the wrong guy at poker. [His character] is completely new and fresh. [This movie] lends itself very well to 3D, because the images are so stripped down and abstract."
 
The film will open on August 22nd 2014

Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg Building "Brooklyn Castle"

Deadline reports that Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are gonna to produce an adaptation of the 2012 documentary "Brooklyn Castle".

 
Katie Dellamaggiore's film centers on a team of dominant chess champions who hail from the inner-city Brooklyn school I.S. 318, as budget cuts threaten to take the team away from these students.

Will Reiser is writing the adapted script from which Jonathan Levine is attached to direct.

James Weaver, Scott Rudin and Eli Bush will also produce.

Box Office Preview: A Higher Power

It's all about having faith this Academy Awards weekend at the box office...

Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore board Jaume Collet-Serra's Non-Stop (reviews) flight of trouble; Just in time for Lent the Son of God (reviews) arrives.

Pamela McClintock of  THR:

Faith-based audiences will play a starring role at the North American box office this weekend as 20th Century Fox debuts Son of God, the first of several biblical epics scheduled for 2014.

The film opens exactly a decade after Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ became an instant hit, opening to a massive $83.8 million on its way to earning $612 million worldwide. Son of God, lacking the controversy that Passion of the Christ sparked, isn't expected to match those numbers.

Son of God is an unusual offering. The movie, chronicling the life of Jesus Christ, was made using footage from Mark Burnett and Roma Downey's hit 10-hour television miniseries The Bible (the married couple are devout Christians). Deleted scenes from the miniseries also are featured.

Generally, Hollywood studios can use pre-release tracking to predict a film's opening, or at least provide a range. However, Christian films aren't as easy to track, hence Son of God could open anywhere between $14 million and $30 million, according to box-office observers. If it comes in on the high end, it could beat Oscar weekend's other new entry, Liam Neeson action-thriller Non-Stop (Neeson also lends his voice to holdover The Lego Movie, which could feasibly beat both new films).

Of any film, Son of God is arguably the most immune to Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony, which can take a substantial bite out of the box office.

No Anchorman 3 Says McKay

Speaking with Empire, director Adam McKay says that "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is the last sequel he will ever make:

"It's done. I think that's it. It was great to do it and it was so fun to work with those guys again, but I think that's it for Ron Burgundy. No, that's the last sequel we're gonna do. There's nothing more fun to me than new characters and a new world. And now we're releasing this alt cut:version, we're totally satisfied. No Anchorman 3."

Is there a chance even a decade from now?

"I'm going to say definitely no. I'll actually say it in this case!"

"Anchorman 2" made $125 million at the domestic box office, but even with a costly and all-cylinders promotional tour the film only made $44 million in international territories.

The  R-Rated cut of 'Anchorman 2' hits theaters tomorrow.

Fast & Furious 7 Resumes This Spring

THR reports that production is set to resume on James Wan's Fast & Furious 7 in early April following the tragic Nov. 30 2013 car-crash death of star Paul Walker.

Walker's character, Brian O'Conner, will not be killed off in the film, now set for release April 10, 2015.

Instead, the plan is to "retire" the character in a way that the studio hopes will satisfy fans of the franchise and make use of the existing footage of Walker, who died about halfway through the Fast 7 shoot.

This will allow the film series to continue......

The 7th film will see Jason Statham's Ian Shaw character out for revenge against Dominic and Brian (Vin Diesel and Walker).

Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson will be back in action as well. "The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift" star Lucas Black will reprise his role as Sean Boswell. Universal has plans for the character since Black has in fact signed on for Fast & Furious 8 and 9.  Kurt Russell's role is the father of Chad Lindberg's Jesse from the first film. Jesse was shot in a drive-by shooting moments after pleading with Dominic to help protect him.

Mixed Martial Arts fighter Ronda Rousey and Thai martial arts superstar and Ong-bak star Tony Jaa will make his American film debut in the next installment of the action film franchise. Nathalie Emmanuel--who starred as Daenery's new servant Missandei in the past season of Game of Thrones, plays a "significant" new member of  Diesel and Walker's team. Djimon Hounsou also stars.

Wan is calling action using Chris Morgan's script. Both of them have gone through the footage that was already shot and tweaked the script

Spidey Helmer Charts Spy Comedy

"The Amazing Spider-Man" director Marc Webb is attached to call the shots "Cold Comfort," an adaptation of the upcoming book "How to Catch a Russian Spy" says THR.

The book chronicles the true story of an American civilian who became a self-taught spy and helped bring down a Russian agent operating on American soil. Despite the serious sounding subject matter, the film is actually seen as a vehicle for a comedic actor.

Journalist and FNC contributor Ellis Henican wrote the book with a real-life civilian-turned-spy, who will reveal their true identity upon the book's publication. No writer is attached to write the adapted screenplay as yet.

Bard Dorros Michael Sugar and Webb are producing the film.

How this will fit in with Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man 3 commitment is unknown at this time.

Marvel Cinematic Universe Gets A TV Special

EW reports that the ABC television network will air a special called: Marvel Studios: Assembling A Universe on Tuesday March 18th.

The program will offer peeks of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier", Joss Whedon's "The Avengers: Age of Ultron", and James Gunn's film adaptation of "Guardians Of The Galaxy". I am sure they will take the opportunity to promote their Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. series as well.

"Captain America 2" launches first in the UK and parts of Europe on March 26th ahead of a major global release (including the U.S.) the following week on April 3rd & 4th.

The Guardians arrive on August 1, 2014.

Ultron gets here on May 1, 2015.

Patrick Wilson Hovers Around "Ant-Man"

Watchmen and The Conjuring star Patrick Wilson is in talks to join Edgar Wright's superhero film "Ant-Man" for Marvel says Deadline. Wilson  scored the last major role in the film, but details of that role are unknown.

In the comics, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) is a scientist who invents a substance that allows him to change his size. Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) steals the original Ant-Man Pym's equipment and uses it to commit crimes but ultimately becomes a hero.

Former "Lost" star Evangeline Lilly is in talks to play the female lead. It is unclear who Lilly would play, however the character would appear in more than just this film. Rumors had Rashida Jones and Bryce Dallas Howard up for the part as well.

Though he lost out on a role to Michael Pena, actor Clifton Collins, Jr. he is still in the film. The "Pacific Rim" and "Star Trek" actor, did a cameo as a vegan police officer in Wright's "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," and has reportedly been cast in a unspecified role. Pena's role is thought to be that of a tough Latino character who has a lot of physical action scenes in the movie.

Rudd and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were both considered for the Lang role, but the latter is now doing an adaptation of author Neil Gaiman's  popular comic book series Sandman, with "Man Of Steel" writer David S. Goyer. Rudd is considered a more natural fit by the suits.

Wright and Joe Cornish co-wrote the script from which Wright calls action.

 Production is scheduled to begin in April in Georgia. Marvel pegged the release date for July 17, 2015

Dougray Scott Enters The "Tiger House"

The Hollywood Reporter says that Mission: Impossible II villain Dougray Scott has joined the thriller Tiger House.

The story follows Kelly (Kaya Scodelario) a young injured gymnast taking on a gang of armed robbers who break in to her boyfriend's home and take him and his family captive. 

Scott's character is pegged as a "badass"

Ed Skrein, Langley Kirkwood, Brandon Auret, Daniel Boyd, Julie Summers and Andrew Brent also star.

Tom Daley is directing the film from a script penned by Simon Lewis.

Richard Mansell (Only Lovers Left Alive) Tarquin Glass, Ronnie Apteker are producing the film.

Production is currently underway in Cape Town, South Africa

Craig T. Nelson Set For "Get Hard"

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Parenthood star Craig T. Nelson is joining the comedy Get Hard.

Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart are attached to star in the story of an investment banker who, after being wrongly sentenced to prison, asks the guy who washes his car to help him prepare to do hard time.

Nelson will play Ferrell’s boss at Barrow Funds and the dad of his fiancée.

Ian Roberts and Jay Martel wrote the script from which industry scribe  Etan Cohen ("Tropic Thunder," "Men in Black 3") will make his directorial debut

Ferrell and Adam McKay are producing.

MOS 2: Kevin Spacey On Eisenberg's Lex Luthor

Chatting with Empire, House of Cards star Kevin Spacey was asked for his thoughts on the casting of 30-year-old Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor in Zack Snyder's upcoming Superman/Batman team-up Man of Steel Sequel.

Spacey played the the bald criminal mastermind in director Bryan Singer's "Superman Returns" in 2006.

He said:

"First of all, I think [Eisenberg] is a remarkable actor. He's just going to f**king own it. I think it's a great idea and I wish him the best with it."

Spacey's Luthor was a version tied to Gene Hackman's portrayal of Lex as seen in 1978's Superman: The Movie directed by Richard Donner.

There were reports that suggested that the chatter about former "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston was playing Lex in the upcoming movie were true were denied by the actor. In fact he and fellow early frontrunner Mark Strong were never offered the role. Tom Hanks was internally discussed but an offer was never made.

Instead, they stuck with a next generation' mandate. We were told that Joaquin Phoenix came up as a contender for Lex. The trade says that he passed.

More rumors ran recently that Girls co-star Adam Driver was the frontrunner to play the character of Dick Grayson, the post-Robin Nightwing incarnation in the film. The original story mentioned that two other actors are in the mix for the role. Less than 24 hours later "Gossip Girl" and "Easy A" star Penn Badgley and "The Perks of Being A Wallflower" and "We Need To Talk About Kevin" star Ezra Miller were said to be in mix for the part. Driver denied any such talk...With good reason since he was really up for Lex. He turned it down due to scheduling conflicts.

Denzel Washington was also among a list potentials for Lex generated by Thinkmcflythink as were Idris Elba and Colin Salmon.

A recent report over at Latino Review claims that:

• Lex Luthor will be bald. (Shaved bald, not follicly challenged bald.)
• He’s way into tattoos and has a sleeve of the Metropolis skyline.
• He’s the richest man in the world – a tech genius and ruthless businessman – and became a self-made billionaire at age 18.
• In his teens, Lex was a “street tough” and the head of a street gang (hopefully, we’ll see flashbacks of him and his buddies with their sleeves rolled up, switchblades in-hand).
• Apparently, Bruce Wayne – sometime in the past – called Lex an “amoral, arrogant brat,” so they don’t like each other; Lex also resents that Wayne was born into wealth.
• Bruce Wayne comes to town to help rebuild Metropolis after the battle in the last film; he wants Wayne Enterprises to pool its resources with LexCorp. Lex agrees.
• Lex thinks of Superman as an “alien,” a “trespasser” on Earth; Bruce Wayne thinks of Superman as an “impressive specimen.” Whereas Lex believes Superman can (and presumably should) be killed, Bruce Wayne thinks they can resolve their problems peacefully.
• The report also heavily implies that Luthor guesses that Bruce Wayne is Batman.

Latino Review also goes into detail about our first encounter with Lex in the movie. There's a disclaimer with the report that says the script is currently being re-written and therefore everything noted above is subject to change.

MOS 2 will see the return of Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck will play Bruce Wayne/Batman amid lots of fallout--while Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane are set to reprise their roles as Lois Lane, Perry White and Martha Kent."Fast Five" star Gal Gadot appears as Wonder Woman. Jeremy Irons has been cast as Wayne's butler Alfred Pennyworth

How big Gadot's role as WW is, is unknown at this point. Godot beat out Olga Kurylenko and Elodie Yung for the role. Thor: The Dark World" actress is Jaimie Alexander was also linked.

Some time ago there was noise that the production was seeking is a love interest for the Dark Knight in the film. The Type? A woman in their late 20s of any ethnicity.  Adding that she be tall and "possess physicality".

The notice DID NOT give a name for the character, which led to speculation that it was anyone from Vicki Vale to Wonder Woman. A leaked casting call had fanboys thinking that the Amazon warrior was in the pic.

A love interest for Bats suggests that he will have a larger part in the film than expected.

Australian actor Callan Mulvey ("Zero Dark Thirty) was being eyed for the role of the (unnamed) villain in the film. Speculation is that Jason Momoa is up for the bad guy--say perhaps Doomsday or Metallo. Or another notion is that he might play alien hero Martian Manhunter who also happens to like Oreo Cookies. The imposing actor denies that he's up for a role

Singer Justin Bieber uploaded a photo on his Instagram account showing him holding up what appeared to be a personalized script for the film with the hashtag "#Robin" but it turned out to be a prop for a Funny or Die skit.

The speedster The Flash is said to be in the script. 

Meantime: The star of The CW's popular Arrow TV series Stephen Amell posted a "Justice League" comic image on his official Facebook page.  We already know that Flash (Grant Gustin) did show up there for a few eps before he gets his own show in Fall 2014 Could more of DC Entertainment's "Justice League" be coming to "Arrow"? For now the DC Cinematic Universe will NOT co-exist with the TV heroics...There are rumors about where the films might go as well as the  TV side of things...

These hero introductions would make sense if Warners is ever gonna make a "Justice League" movie.

"Man Of Steel" writer David S. Goyer was back on the keyboard but now--THR reports that  Chris Terrio, who won an Oscar for writing Affleck's “Argo,” has been hired to write the latest draft of the MOS 2 script. 

Goyer is in the midst of developing several projects including an adaptation of author Neil Gaiman's  popular comic book series Sandman, which he’ll produce with Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven return to executive produce the multi-hero film.

Sources say the new movie is going for the tone of the relationship and fight seen in Frank Miller’s 1980s ground-breaking mini-series The Dark Knight Returns.

The release has been delayed a full 10 months for a number of reasons. As a result, the original release date of July 17th 2015 is no longer doable. Now, the studio is targeting a May 6th 2016 release. They quickly inserted the fantasy Pan into that original slot.

Kate Beckinsale, Others, Will Do "Absolutely Anything"

Kate Beckinsale Simon Pegg, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley and Sanjeev Bhaskar have joined the comedy "Absolutely Anything" says Deadline.

In the film Pegg will play Neil, a school teacher granted supernatural powers by a group of aliens. The powers give him the ability to do anything he desires, as the aliens watch from afar. He turns to his trusty dog Dennis (voiced by Robin Williams) for help, but after a string of mishaps, Neil is forced to choose between his pooch and the woman he wants, Catherine (Beckinsale).

No details were given on Izzard, Lumley and Bhaskar's characters.

Most of the Monty Python alumni are involved in the film which is being directed by Terry Jones and features the vocal talents of Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and John Cleese.

Jones co-wrote the film with Gavin Scott.

Ben Timlett and Bill Jones are producing the film.

Production begins in late March in the UK

The Sandman Flick Nabs A Writer

Empire reports that Jack Thorne ("A Long Way Down," "How I Live Now")is set to pen the adapted screenplay for the big screen version of author Neil Gaiman's  popular comic book series Sandman for Warner Bros.

"Man Of Steel" writer David S. Goyer is said to have pitched the treatment to the suits and will now co-produce

The 75-issue comic follows Dream (aka. Morpheus), the Lord of the dream world who is held captive for seven decades by an occult ritual. Having escaped, his kingdom has fallen into disrepair in his absence and he sets about changing his old ways - hard for a being who has been around for billions of years.

DC Entertainment's film guru Geoff Johns was said to be high on Goyer's take.

Both big and small screen adaptations of Gaiman's comic have been in development, but none of them have ever really gotten anywhere despite some major names being mentioned. The story format would also be tricky to adapt - the elaborate story arcs too complicated and lengthy to play out on film, while the dense and rich visual world is too expensive to produce as a TV series.

The series features various elements of mythology, horror, historical events and absurdist humor. Characters include Dream's siblings such as his gothic punk rocker looking sister Death, his talking animal assistants, and The Corinthian who has two mouths for eyes and who is immortal

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is attached to produce the project but could also star and direct the movie as well.

Masters Of The Universe Remake: New Set Of Director Potentials

Variety reporter Justin Kroll indicates that Mike Cahill ("Another Earth") and Jeff Wadlow ("Kick-Ass 2") are reportedly on the new short list to direct the new long-in-development live-action film reboot of the toy line "Masters Of The Universe".

 
The Wrap adds that Harald Zwart ("The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones") and "The Lego Movie" editor Chris McKay are also in contention but McKay is said to have "the most momentum".

These folks contradict last month's 'short list' of contenders that included Rian Johnson ("Looper"), Joe Cornish ("Attack the Block"),  Andrés Muschietti Phil Lord and Chris Miller ("Lego Movie") and Kirk De Micco and Chris Sanders ("The Croods").

The final decision about who gets the gig is said to be announced next week.

"G.I. Joe: Retaliation" director Jon M.Chu's commitment to G.I. Joe 3 and to making the series better, forced him to vacate the  big chair last October.

The toys and the cartoon "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" series followed He-Man, a prince who transforms into a warrior and becomes the last hope for a magical world that has been ravaged by the sinister Skeletor.

Dolph Lundgren played He-Man in the 1987 live-action film version opposite Frank Langella as the evil Skeletor.

Attempts have been made over the years to revive the "Masters" film, but the film picked up steam thanks to a script by Alex Litvak and Mike Finch called "Grayskull" (that title can no longer be used).  Richard Wenk perform rewrites on the screenplay. Terry Rossio was hired to work on the script late last year;

Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch are producing the film.

Star Wars: Adam Driver Is On The Dark Side?

Variety is reporting that the Girls co-star Adam Driver is nearing a deal to play the villain in J.J. Abrams' upcoming "Star Wars: Episode VII"

If Driver signs, he'd be the first official cast member announced. Michael Fassbender and Hugo Weaving were also rumored for the same role.

The powers that be of course had no comment.

Last year Driver was rumored to play the character of Dick Grayson, the post-Robin Nightwing incarnation in the character as well as Lex Luthor in Zack Snyder's upcoming Superman/Batman team-up Man of Steel Sequel
 
The script Abrams wrote with Lawrence Kasdan for the Episode VII is complete. Oscar winner Michael Arndt ("Toy Story 3," "Little Miss Sunshine") vacated his job scripting the next film--after disagreements over which characters the film will focus on.

The script is said to include Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo in their later years. A source for Market Saw told them:

"...Ultimately it's about twins, and which will take a path towards darkness and which will follow in their fathers footsteps, or at least that is what it used to be, that may come later as I think changes are being undertaken to bring the original cast into the forefront of the story leading to ramifications that lead up to the next generation of Skywalkers."

No official word yet if Mark Hamill could be tempted to return as Luke Skywalker but he is interested... Carrie Fisher had all but confirmed that she would be back in the role of Princess Leia--but then her rep told CNN that she 'was joking' . At first Harrison Ford was interested...but had since walked that back--Now his deal to appear as Han Solo is not only done but seemingly goes beyond Ep VII

Abrams also confirmed that Jesse Plemons had indeed auditioned for a role but wouldn't say whether Plemons actually scored the role.

Additionally Total Film suggests that legendary actress Dame Judi Dench is up for role of the elderly version of Mon Mothma, the senator who co-ordinates the Rebel Alliance briefing in "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi". Caroline Blakiston played the role in the original, a 30-second scene, while Genevieve O'Reilly played a young version of the character in a small role in "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith". The character has had a larger presence in non-canon books, cartoons and comics.

Actor Gary Oldman told  Sky Movies recently that he has been contacted about doing the film in an unspecified role

Franchise creator George Lucas told Bloomberg Businessweek that he begun talks with original stars to have them return to for its new films -- before he had even begun the process of the ultimately $2 billion deal between Disney/Lucasfilm. It's been said that Lucas' actually spent about a year planning the franchise's future  before handing the reigns of Lucasfilm over to Disney.

Fellow Original cast mates Billy Dee Williams and Anthony Daniels say that they are keen on returning to that "galaxy far, far, away". Earlier in July actor Ray Park said that he would be interested in playing Darth Maul again as well. Back in May LR said that "The Tudors" and future Dracula TV series star Jonathan Rhys Meyers was having his "name thrown around a lot" in connection with the movie. The actor says the talk is not true. David Oyelowo has seemingly been tagged for a role, while Michael B. Jordan reportedly met with Abrams personally about the film. Sullivan Stapleton and Daniel Day Lewis were hovering around the film as well

It's rumored that Ewan McGregor will return as the Force Ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi McGregor played the Jedi Master in The Prequel Trilogy while Alec Guinness portrayed the Force Ghost version of Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Original Trilogy. The Force Ghost is much the same way that actor Ian McDiarmid  could return as Emperor Palpatine. The character met his end in the final reel of "Return of the Jedi"...

This photo indicates that Astro-Droid R2 D2 is in the film. Yahoo reported that the film's crew has constructed a full scale Millennium Falcon to be used during the filming. An inside source for JediNews hints that the film may take us to the Sith home world of Korriban At the same time the site also suggests that that Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage), Alexis Dziena (Fool's Gold) and Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story) are up for roles in the film.

It was rumored recently that Alex Pettyfer ("Magic Mike," "I Am Number Four) likely auditioned for the role of Luke Skywalker’s son. Rachel Hurd-Wood reportedly went in for an audition to play the daughter of Princess Leia in the sequel. Latino Review claims they "got it confirmed via representation and other solid sources". Noise that Sherlock and "Star Trek Into Darkness" star Benedict Cumberbatch was poised to reunite with JJ were squashed but persist nonetheless. Saoirse Ronan is in there too. She even confirmed to Sky News that she auditioned for the film, but added "so has everyone". Former "Spartacus" star Liam McIntyre has reportedly read for the part of a Jedi role, while Ksenia Solo ("Black Swan") is apparently in contention for the role of Leia and Han Solo's daughter. "Transformers: Age Of Extinction" and and "What Richard Did" star Jack Reynor has reportedly landed an unspecified role.
 
Zac Efron and Ryan Gosling were rumored to be in the running for the eagerly awaited next film with Gosling in particular being talked about for the role of Luke Skywalker's son. Zac told MTV that "I just went and met with [producers]. So I don't know. It would be cool. I love [the Star Wars movies], I love them, but... who knows?" Leonardo DiCaprio is said to have passed on an offer to appear. Pretty wild...

Kasdan ("The Empire Strikes Back," "Raiders of the Lost Ark") and Simon Kinberg ("Sherlock Holmes," "X-Men: Days of Future Past") have reportedly closed deals to pen the final two installments of the new "Star Wars" trilogy. Kasdan and Kinberg are also indeed developing stand alone/origin  Star Wars features. Current franchise chief, Kathleen Kennedy spoke to Yahoo about the stand-alone films saying that they will NOT affect the main narrative of the Episodes.

The series MVP composer John Williams is set to score Episode VII, Episode VIII and Episode IX.

Kasdan and Kinberg would also join the projects as producers with Kennedy.

The film now has a confirmed release date of December 18, 2015.

David Fincher Circles Official Steve Jobs Film

Variety reports that “The Social Network” director David Fincher is in early talks to call action on the authorized biopic about late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

 "The West Wing" creator and "The Social Network" writer Aaron Sorkin's adapted script of author  Walter Isaacson's authorized biography will give the film a unique narrative.

Talking at the Hero Summit  he says "this entire movie is going to be three scenes, and three scenes only, that all take place in real time."

All three thirty-minute scenes will be "set right before three major product launches." Those three products? The original Macintosh computer in 1984, the NeXT Cube in 1990, and the first generation iPod in 2001. Sorkin finished the script earlier this year.

Mark Gordon, Scott Rudin and Guymon Casady will be producing the as yet uncast film being called Steve Jobs for now.

Barkhad Abdi Runs To "The Place That Hits The Sun"

Oscar nominee Barkhad Abdi ("Captain Phillips") is in talks to star in the historical sports drama "The Place That Hits The Sun" says THR.

The story follows famous South African marathoner Willie Mtolo a Zulu warrior, who competed in the 1992 New York Marathon and befriended Ray de Vries, a Caucasian South African bar owner.

Jim O'Hanlon will direct

Noel Pearson (My Left Foot) will produce the film.

Sin City 2 Finished; Miller Wants Part Three

Dimension Films has tweaked the title of the "Sin City" sequel--the film will now go by the official name of "Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For".

The characters of Nancy Callahan (Jessica Alba), Bruce Willis is reprising his role of Hartigan and Marv (Mickey Rourke) will indeed return, Nancy's mini-story will act as a bridge for both the other stories in this film as well as those in the first film-Rosario Dawson is back as well. The stories told in the sequel take place before and after the events in the first film.

Jaime King, who played Goldie and Wendy in Sin City, is officially set to reprise her role as Wendy. She will be joined by Jamie Chung, who will be taking over the role of deadly little Miho, previously played by Devon Aoki. Eva Green has been cast in the role of Ava Lord. Stacy Keach ("Prison Break," "The Bourne Legacy") has signed to play mob boss Wallenquist, described by Miller as "the one man who can't be redeemed in Sin City. He is pure evil."

While Clive Owen is expected to come back. However, since his character undergoes a radical face change, Josh Brolin is playing Dwight Dennis Haysbert will play Manute in the film The role was previously played by Michael Clarke Duncan, who unfortunately passed away. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is poised to play a smooth talking gambler named Johnny, a role which was originally offered to Johnny Depp. Christopher Meloni plays a brutish cop. Julia Garner (Martha Marcy May Marlene) will play a young stripper opposite JGL's Johnny. Ray Liotta, Juno Temple and Jeremy Piven also star.

Robert Rodriguez is co-directing the film with Frank Miller using their adapted screenplay written with William Monahan.

Rodriguez told Collider that the second film is all but finished and Miller is already looking forward to a third installment:

"Yeah - the second Sin City– I was just here with Frank Miller last night and we were watching it last night. [We] finished the cut, effects are being done, it will come out in August. He [Miller] watched Part 2 - he watched it last night with me and then at the end he said, he didn't have any comments, he was very happy with it. And he said, now about part three. Started telling me how he's going to do part three. So he's already there on part three."

The film will open on August 22nd 2014