"Term" Limits

Forget the prospect for a fourth Terminator flick...A brand new trilogy is on the way...

Michael Fleming of Variety has the details:


In a move that puts three more installments of "Terminator" on a fast track, newly formed The Halcyon Company has bought out all rights to the cyborg franchise from C2 partners Mario Kassar and Andrew Vajna for an undisclosed amount.

Halcyon, a privately funded company...acquired the right to produce films, future merchandising and licensing ventures. They also get any participation that Kassar and Vajna would have been entitled to for licensing the rights in a spinoff deal for "The Sarah Connor Chronicles," a Warner Bros.-produced series that is awaiting pickup by FBC. They also get any future C3 revenues that will come in from "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines."

The beachhead of the venture is "Terminator 4," a project that already has a script by "T3" writers John D. Brancato and Michael Ferris. It has been crafted as the first leg in a trilogy. That project will be spearheaded by its producer, Moritz Borman, the former CEO of Intermedia Films who was exec producer of "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines."....

After the two films directed by creator James Cameron and the last one by Jonathan Mostow -- and a popular 3-D attraction that is a mainstay at the Universal Theme Parks, the obvious question is: how much juice remains in the franchise?

The new backers feel there is plenty, but the pump will be primed by a new film that will attempt to reinvent the franchise with new cast and plotlines, ploys that worked for Batman and James Bond...

"The Terminator franchise represents by far the most popular and successful franchise not owned by a major studio," [Halcyon's Victor] Kubicek said. "We see this global franchise as a cornerstone of Halcyon's future business plans."

Though no director or cast has yet been secured,"Terminator 4" is being earmarked for a summer, 2009 release. No deals have been made for distribution or financing, but there are pre-existing negotiating positions for MGM, Warner Bros., Sony and Japanese distributor Toho Towa, each of whom was involved in "T3," a film which grossed over $430 million worldwide.

That film ended as young John Connor watched from the safety of a bunker as the nuclear apocalypse unfold and war began against the cyborgs. The "T4" script, which has been kept under tight wraps, picks up when Connor in his 30s, and leading what's left of the human race against the machines, sources said. It is unclear whether Arnold Schwarzenegger will return even for a cameo, as the film is likely to go into production while he is still in the Governor's Mansion.

"With T3, we included many incidental details and plot points that, along with the main narrative, set the stage for an entirely new set of inter-related stories covering the future adventures of John Connor and the Terminators," Borman said. "This new Terminator trilogy will build upon the already huge worldwide Terminator fan base, which was both revitalized and expanded with the global success of T3."

A new trilogy--That's quite a bold move for an upstart company to make..I could see them testing the waters with one more go round..Arnold Schwarzenegger was such a big reason for the previous success in the series. Can they really mine a trio of flicks from what's left over in his wake? With a TV show set in that universe also on the way? A new trilogy is a tall order...

Roth Is Da "Bom"

Michael Fleming of Variety has the latest casting news on a superhero sequel:



"The Incredible Hulk" will be matched against the oversized adversary Abomination, and Tim Roth [pictured] will play the villain's alter ego, Emil Blonsky.

Roth joins...the Louis Leterrier-directed drama, which is [set for a] June 13, 2008 [release].

While Roth's deal is still being negotiated, he becomes the latest piece in a reinvention of a franchise, following the self-serious Ang Lee-directed "Hulk."

Blonsky is a KGB agent who deliberately exposes himself to the gamma rays that caused Bruce Banner to morph into the Hulk. Blonsky has upped the dosage, making him larger and stronger than the Hulk, but unable to change back to human form. He blames Banner for his problem, and makes his best efforts to destroy the Hulk...

Roth stars this fall in "Youth Without Youth," the Francis Ford Coppola-directed drama for Sony Pictures Classics. He also stars with Naomi Watts in "Funny Games " for Warner Independent Pictures.

Roth can play bad quite well. Given the character's physical characteristics I hope that Roth's skills aren't lost in elaborate F/X.

Summer Catch

Is the record-busting performance of Spider-Man 3 over the weekend safe from defeat--regardless, of the competition--that's yet to come over the next few months?

And where will you be able to see the summer blockbuster, once its theatrical run is over, after the film makes it to DVD, Pay Per-View and premium cable

Ian Mohr of Variety tries to answer the first question...with a question of his own

In Hollywood's ongoing quest for bigger blockbuster openings, just how wide can a summer pic go?

After "Spider-Man 3" cracked the record for widest release of all time by swinging into 4,252 theaters in its opening weekend, it might follow that an onslaught of summer sequels -- including third installments of the "Shrek" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchises -- would try to top that number.

Since Spidey was the first of the summer tentpoles to hit the multiplexes, however, there won't be as many screens for newer films to occupy.

B.O. records may still fall this summer, but that widest-ever mark probably will hold up until next year, when another tentpole stakes out an early May kickoff.

"Being the first pic out gave Sony carte blanche," said one studio distribution head. "I don't think it's possible now for anyone to go as wide. They won't be able to do it."

Instead, Paramount/DreamWorks' "Shrek the Third" and Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" will likely wind up in more than 4,000 theaters domestically but won't approach the webslinger's location count.

"They had a unique place, and the good news for (Sony) was that there was no movie doing more than $10 million" when the pic came into the market, said Rob Moore, Paramount [president] of worldwide marketing, distribution and operations. "So every theater was fighting to get 'Spider-Man 3,' and to accommodate as many prints as they could."

Still, Sony's rivals are applauding Spidey's latest success, saying that any time a big B.O. season kicks off with a mammoth hit, it typically helps lift the turnout for other titles. Studios also were riding "Spider-Man 3" to get leverage on their own pics: Par played trailers for "Shrek the Third" before "Spider-Man 3" reels. The studio will place attractions for "Transformers" before its own "Shrek" as well as Disney's latest "Pirates."

"All these three movies ('Spider-Man,' 'Shrek' and 'Pirates') will wind up in a similar location count, at over 4,000," said another studio exec.

Theater counts can change marginally up to the last minute as exhibs gauge what's working on their screens, but a movie's release plan usually varies by only 100-200 prints as its release date looms.

"We had very good opportunities in different ways (by opening first)," said Sony distrib [president] Rory Bruer. It's certainly possible, he said, that a pic could open wider this summer, "but it wouldn't be easy. It's amazing when a film is (so highly anticipated) that theaters seem to make room. They find a way to maximize."

Spidey 3 may end up with the widest roll out of the summer, but I think it's still possible for some other film to overtake it's the number of Tix sold that matters. When I saw the superhero flick last Saturday, a 10:00 AM show--the theater was only about 50% full. Maybe Transformers can over-take the spider?

Meanwhile, John Dempsey of Variety has the answer to that second question:

FX has elbowed out TNT/TBS, USA. and Spike to land exclusive rights to "Spider-Man 3," which could end up funneling more than $40 million into the Sony coffers for the network window.

The final license fee depends on how much money "Spider-Man 3" chalks up in U.S. theaters.

If the domestic gross shoots up to $400 million or more, FX could pay up to $33 million. In addition, FX's five-year deal allows Sony to carve out three separate windows within the FX license term to sell the picture to one or more broadcast networks, which could pony up another $7 million to $10 million for "Spider-Man 3." Sony and FX declined to comment on the deal.

FX gets its first batch of "Spider-Man 3" runs in 2009. FX previously locked up exclusive network-window rights to "Spider-Man 2," which harvested more than 1-million people 18 to 49 when the network ran it in primetime on April 30. (TNT and its TBS sibling own the original "Spider-Man")

The pickup of "Spider-Man 3" adds to a formidable lineup of FX exclusives through the end of the decade and beyond. Among FX's titles are "Night At The Museum," "X-Men: The Last Stand ," "The Departed," "Superman Returns" and "Click." FX has also bought a second window, following TNT's, to "The Da Vinci Code."

By relying on movies and original scripted series, FX has rocketed to fourth place in primetime among all ad-supported networks in the first quarter ....

The complete article can be found here...

I wonder if this means we'll see "extra" footage ala Spider-Man 2.1 (Extended Cut)?...

Jet-Setter Or Land Owner?

It seems director Robert Rodriguez [pictured] has 2 film projects buzzing around him...

Garth Franklin of Dark Horizons asks: ...what's more interesting to him - space or dinosaurs?

As rumoured yesterday, Rodriguez is in very early talks to direct a live-action feature version of futuristic 1960s cartoon "The Jetsons" for Warner Bros. Pictures.

Rodriguez himself confirmed to AICN that Warners offered him several projects with 'The Jetsons looking the most interesting, but it will depend upon the script - the latest draft of which is being [written] by Adam Goldberg ("Fanboys").

In the same interview he mentioned that there was something else on the horizon for him, but wouldn't elaborate. That project could be the film version of the 1970s Sid and Marty Krofft fantasy TV series "Land of the Lost."

Today's trades report that Rodriguez met with Will Ferrell and Universal execs for helming duties on 'Land' - but again it was early talk, no official offers or discussions have been made or entered into so far.

Though not a member of the Directors Guild, Rodriguez could direct a studio movie if he declared himself under "financial core" status with the DGA.

Clearly, Rodriguez is well-suited to handle either property--thanks in part, to his experience helming the effects heavy Spy Kids trilogy and the green screen photography of Sin City...

I grew up watching both series as a kid. Were I in charge of things--I would prefer that Rodriguez tackle the Jetsons over that of LOTL--just as a matter making the decision for him. I think he is better suited to take us forward in time as opposed to going back in time...

Incidentally filming on Sin City 2 is (finally) well underway...Smokin' Aces' writer/director Joe Carnahan says he's Seen 'Sin City 2' Teaser...

Flock Locked

Disturbia's three week run as the #1 movie in the land is paying out some dividends for one of the film's writers...

Pamela McClintock of Variety:




Fresh off the success of "Disturbia," scribe Christopher B. Landon [pictured] is set to pen psychological thriller "The Flock" for Warner Independent Pictures. Jason Blum's Blumhouse is producing.

Studio specialty arm picked up the project based on Landon's pitch.

Set in contemporary times, story revolves around three teens accused of practicing witchcraft. Girls endure terrifying consequences as a result of the ensuing hysteria and scapegoating.

Blum is producer. Steven Schneider is exec producing.

Landon penned "Disturbia" with Carl Ellsworth based on a story by Landon. The DreamWorks thriller has done strong business at the box office, earning $60.1 million...

Landon's past writing credits include "Another Day in Paradise."...

This project is not to be confused with this 2007 flick of the same name...

Considering Landon's (he is the son of the late Michael Landon) brief resume--this is quite a feat--based on a pitch no less. As for the premise...It's been some 11 years since the witches of The Craft hit theaters...I hope the Flock is a lot more exciting than that '96 flick turned out to be.

Records Are Made To Be Broken

The success of Spider-Man 3 over the weekend, has caused the release date for another summer blockbuster, to be moved up ever so slightly...

Dave McNary of Variety:

With no fanfare, Disney has nudged forward the opening of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" by a few hours to the evening of May 24.

Disney confirmed the move Monday, a day after Sony's "Spider-Man 3" demolished the domestic opening weekend record in $151 million [figure adjusted since Monday] in North America -- $15 million more than last July's $135.6 million launch for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

As is often the case with tentpoles, the new Spidey record included early showings -- in this case, screenings of at midnight and 3 a.m. on opening day, last Friday. Disney said it began asking exhibitors last week to schedule the first screenings of "At World's End" for 8 p.m. on May 24 -- a Thursday that ushers in Memorial Day weekend. With anticipation sky-high for the third "Pirates," Disney could conceivably regain bragging rights for the top opening frame.

Summer tentpole "Shrek the Third," by contrast, isn't budging from its opening on Friday, May 18, according to Jim Tharp, Paramount Pictures [president] of domestic distribution. The core "Shrek" aud will still be in school, giving Par less motive to go earlier.

"Shrek 2" opened with $108 million after launching on a Wednesday three years ago in what is still the fifth-highest debut weekend on record.

I'm sure the only reason Disney is making this move is, as the story says, for those bragging rights. I'm sure the folks behind Pirates would like nothing more than to take a swat at the Spider--who would have only held its title record for 3 weeks.

Stuffed Spider

Before the release of Spider-Man 3, I thought the film series was among the most consistent in the comic book genre. Does this latest chapter continue with that trend? Read On...



As the film opens, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), finds life finally going his way His relationship with girlfriend Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) is so great, in fact, that he's ready to ask her to marry him. And as superhero,--Spider-Man, he is much beloved by the city of New York, for all of his daring doo...

But the celebration is short-lived. The webslinger soon finds himself facing multiple threats...Former pal Harry Osborn (James Franco) still blames Spidey for the death of his father and wants revenge; After a small meteor falls to earth, an alien organism attaches itself to his costume enhancing his powers, transforming our hero as well bringing out the vengeful side of his personality. Under the influence of the suit, Peter becomes overconfident and starts to neglect the people who care for him most. Forced to choose between the seductive power and the compassionate hero he used to be, Peter must overcome his personal demons in order to defeat two new enemies: Sandman (Thomas Haden Church) and Venom (Topher Grace)



As the final credits for the film began to roll--I couldn't help but think of last summer's Superman Returns... While I think Spider-Man 3 is a better movie overall, I think some of the same issues that hampered SR, also plagued this film...Specifics in a bit..

Under Sam Raimi's direction, Spidey 3 offers us a lot to like: Some of the best battle scenes of the series. My favorite though, is by far, the face off between Harry as the new Goblin, and Peter. Wow! Great Stuff. Speaking of Harry, I thought Franco had the film's best performance, coming a long way since the first film. More visual high points include the birth of the Sandman and most of the Venom stuff... After 3 films, Maguire is quite comfy in the dual role, but obviously had a lot of fun exploring his dark side. Dunst spends most of her arc either bemoaning her character's stalled career or her relationship with a superhero...

As to those issues: The screenplay by Raimi, his brother Ivan, and Alvin Sargent (Spider-Man 2) has so much going on in it, that the film seems to go all over the place at times-juggling one too many plot lines really affecting the narrative. There's also a scene between Harry and his butler that left me saying--that should have happened in the the second film... With all of this going on--some of the characters really get short-changed. I love Rosemary Harris as Aunt May and J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson--but both really don't have that much screen time here--I also wanted to find out more about Grace's Eddie Brock and Church's Sandman-who formed a villain alliance after a 30 second encounter in an alley...Since there are so many arcs to service the editing of the film is quite uneven--rushed in some spots, yet somehow long in others. Some of this stuff could have waited until the next installment...



The final battle is a spectacular piece of filmmaking--That said, the emotional impact of the ending is lost in a sea of predictability.

I liked Spidey 3 a lot--it's a must see--all of those "issues" aside...But in my opinion, the sequel would have been better served by cuttong the fat.

No Bones About It

Two industry giants are set to team up for the first time:

Pamela McClintock and Michael Fleming of Variety have the story:

Peter Jackson will make his next movie at DreamWorks.

Committing at least $65 million, DreamWorks, in association with Film 4, has won the bidding for Jackson's big screen adaptation of Alice Sebold's bestselling 2002 tome "The Lovely Bones."

Announcement came early Friday evening, capping a week long auction that had three other majors -- Warner Bros. Online Pictures, Universal and Sony Pictures -- vying for Jackson's project as well.

DreamWorks was a natural fit -- DreamWorks fought hard for the film rights to Sebold's book for several years ago before the rights went to Jackson. Also, Steven Spielberg has long wanted to work with Jackson.

And Jackson made his last movie, "King Kong," with DreamWorks CEO-co-chair Stacey Snider when [she] was still running Universal.

Jackson is set to begin lensing in October in Pennsylvania and New Zealand from a script he co-wrote with "Lord of the Rings" collaborators Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh...

"Bones," with its heart-wrenching storyline, is closer in tone to Jackson's 1994 pic "Heavenly Creatures". Sebold's book tells the story of a 14-year-old who has been raped and killed and now watches over her family and killer.

"When you read an emotionally magical story that cries out to be turned into a major motion picture, you hope its winding path can find its way to the door of your own company," DreamWorks' Steven Spielberg said...

You can find out more here...

It will be interesting to see what Jackson will do with this intimate story...After spending his last 4 films, in very grand, larger than life settings..With this news, does it mean that Jackson is definitely out of the running to helm The Hobbit?

Webbed Feat

Spider-Man 3 caught audiences in it's web this past weekend--leaving nearly every previous record holder in its wake.

Brandon Gray of Box Office Mojo: Spider-Man 3 shatters every opening record with its estimated $148 million weekend....

Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) Prepares To Suit Up

Ian Mohr of Variety:

Spider-Man 3" spun a wide B.O. web over the weekend, riding a record 4,252 theater count to $148 million -- shattering the record for biggest opening weekend at the North American B.O.
Sony's third pic based on the Marvel superhero character also leapt easily over several other major box office records, including biggest opening day of all time, with $59 million, and biggest worldwide opening weekend, with $375 million.

The exuberance of Sony brass was evident Sunday morning, as they trumpeted the likelihood of not just another sequel but multiple sequels.

"There'll be a fourth and a fifth and sixth and a seventh," Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chair Amy Pascal told Daily Variety. "As many stories as Peter Parker has to tell, we'll do sequels."

"Spider-Man 3" easily surpassed the previous record holder for biggest domestic opening day and weekend, Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," which raked in $55.8 million in a single day when it bowed last July for a three-day tally of $135.6 million.

"Spider-Man 3" pushed total B.O. from the top 10 pics on the weekend combined up to $174 million, according to B.O. data service Rentrak, from just $93.9 million over the same frame a year ago, when "Mission: Impossible 3" debuted to an underwhelming $47.7 million.

Pic resonated globally as well, as Spidey stuck $227 million in his web from 107 overseas launches over the weekend, according to estimates. Movie saw the biggest-ever opening weekend in at least 26 of its world launches, Sony estimated, including Japan, Italy and Mexico, and its $375 million worldwide tally smashed the previous world launch record, held by Fox's "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith," which collected $303 million in 2005. Sony's aggressive move into 4,252 North American theaters for "Spider-Man 3" marked the widest opening ever, and it paid off with an eye-popping per-location average of $34,807. (Marking yet another record, that was the biggest per-theater average ever for a wide release, beating out the $33,296 for "X-Men: The Last Stand" last year.)

Pic posted its strong tallies, the studio hypothesized, by appealing to wider demos than the previous Spidey installment, bringing in the family and date crowds. Exit polls revealed that 63% of opening weekend auds domestically were under 25, while 54% were male. And the movie succeeded without the benefit of the critical support enjoyed by the first two entries in the series.

Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman-CEO Michael Lynton said he saw this pic as "more of a family film" vs. "Spider-Man 2," which "had more scenes that were scarier" to young [audiences]

Among other impressive stats posted by the webslinger:

Pic was the second ever to cross $100 million in two days, after "Dead Man's Chest," according to Nielsen EDI.

It scored the highest single Saturday take ever, with $51 million, beating out "Shrek 2," which drew $44.8 million two years ago. "Spider-Man 3" was also was on track to reap the biggest ever Sunday take, too.

Movie saw the biggest Imax opening ever, with $4.8 million off 84 runs, beating out the pumped-up numbers for recent action epic "300."

The film also outpaced the previous two pics in the "Spider-Man" franchise: The last entry had an opening frame take of $88.1 million, and the first film swung to $114.8 million over three days back in 2002.

You can find the entire story here...

Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly has this headline:

Spidey sets new box office standard in almost every category

Spider-Man 4 will be put on the fast track...look for principal casting, and final decisions concerning the future, from Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and director Sam Raimi in a few months time...

Meanwhile--the weekend's other wide release 'Lucky' strikes out at box office

Pumping "Iron"

Even as I begin to put my together my thoughts on Spider-Man 3, for my review of the superhero blockbuster, I was jazzed by this "First Look" article in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly concerning a big film due next year:

Jeff Jensen has An exclusive look at the robo-suit that will turn Robert Downey Jr. into a comic-book legend in 2008...



Iron Man is the latest Marvel Comics superhero to jump from splash page to big screen. (The film is due May 2008.) Director Jon Favreau (Elf ) began shooting in March with star Robert Downey Jr. — in his first comic-book role — as the man inside the cybernetic Mark III suit (pictured) and Gwyneth Paltrow as his trusted assistant.

In the film, Downey plays Tony Stark, a playboy industrialist who decides to don high-tech armor to fight baddies after suffering a life-threatening heart injury in war-torn Afghanistan. ''This is a decidedly adult superhero story,'' says Favreau. (Fanboy FYI: Look for Stark's legendary drinking problem to pop up in possible sequels.)

Faithful to the comics and constructed by Oscar-winning F/X maestro Stan Winston the Iron Man togs — a far cry from Stark's normal black-tie attire — are robo-cool but make for restrictive, sweaty duds. ''Robert was very bullish on wearing the suit whenever possible,'' says Favreau of his star, who bulked up for the role. ''Now I don't know if he's such a fan of that idea.''

Faithful to the comics indeed. I am thrilled to know that Winston is working on this flick--He and his team are the BEST at what they do. The stuff that was accomplished on another Cyber movie, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), for example--still dazzles to this day. Can't wait!

Green Piece

A pivotal role has been cast in The Incredible Hulk...and the film's writer gets very chatty about the antagonist, the use of CGI, casting and more..




Liv Tyler (pictured) will star with Edward Norton in the flick, signing on to play Betty Ross, the longtime love interest of Dr. Bruce Banner/the Hulk says The Hollywood Reporter.

The movie finds Ross estranged from Banner , but with the pursuit of the Hulk heating up and Banner on the run trying to cure his condition, Ross finds herself swept back into his life. . .

While Tyler looks like Betty, to be sure, Jennifer Connelly (who played her in the first film) would seem better suited to play her again, opposite Norton...

Scott Collura of IGN

Writer-director Zak Penn [attended] the Tribeca Film Festival in New York [last] week to promote his new movie The Grand , but during his visit the man who helped write such films as X-2 and X-3 also proved willing to talk a bit about his various upcoming superhero movies. First off, he acknowledged [on Friday] that rumors placing the Abomination as the villain in the next Hulk film are true… sort of.

"On The Hulk, one of the big discussions has been -- God, I hope I don't get in trouble for this -- the villain is going to be this character from the comics, the Abomination, who will not be called the Abomination out loud in the film because it's a silly, silly name," laughs Penn, who wrote the film. "It just is; it's so hard to work in. 'Hey, what should we call that guy?' 'He's an abomination!'"

In classic Marvel Comics continuity, the character was an Eastern Bloc spy who, like the Hulk, was transformed into a green-skinned, ultra-strong monster after getting a blast of radiation. Penn is fairly tight lipped about details regarding the film version of the character, but he does reveal a bit about the film's technical approach to him.

"It's definitely not all CGI," he says of the character. "Marvel will release casting when it happens. I don't even actually know right now. I'm sure it will come out soon. … But one of the things we talked about with the effects people, who had done X3 as well, is that when this guy transforms, he's not used to having these properties. Like he's much heavier, and we talked about how when he walks down the sidewalk, his weight destroys the sidewalk and he's tripping. [It's all about] the humanization of these kinds of superhero characters, showing the effects physics may actually have on [them]."

Penn says that he just finished his third draft of the script a couple of weeks ago for director Louis Leterrier (The Transporter) and star Norton and that the production end of things is more or less "off and running." And as for comparisons to Ang Lee's Hulk film from 2003? Penn seems fairly frank on that matter.

"I think that Ang Lee is a fantastic director and there's incredible, incredible stuff in the first movie, but I don't think that it captured the things that are interesting about the Hulk," says Penn. "One of the things that appealed to me as kid about reading The Hulk is in no way is the Hulk a superhero story. It is simply not. Spider-Man is a superhero. He puts on a costume and he fights crime. The Hulk is a Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein horror comic. That's what it is, period. He's a man cursed with turning into his repressed id, that's it. And to me, that's a very powerful idea. [David] Cronenberg's The Fly is one of my favorite movies ever made, literally I think it's a fantastic film. And to me, that [Hulk] film was not made -- the first Hulk was not that film. It was not about the torment of being a person who cannot afford to feel anxiety in modern culture, which is to me the strength and power of The Hulk movie. Other things were done, they did some cool s--t, whatever, great in its own way. But we didn't make that movie and Marvel wanted to make that movie and they still want to make that movie and now we are."

The casting of Norton as Banner has Penn as excited as many fans, apparently.

"Ed Norton playing that role," laughs Penn. "Fight Club is kind of about a guy who's a lot like Bruce Banner. So I think that's the goal, to go back and make that Hulk movie that didn't get made. And as to why now as opposed to later … it has more to do with Marvel as a company and the fact that they started their own studio, etc., etc. I think

At least, at this point, the filmmakers seem to be taking the right approacch as far as the CGI is concrned. I loved how Penn tied the Hulk character to that of Norton's work in Fight Club...He seems to have things well in hand...

Sitting Pretty

Winning an Oscar usually means that actors have projects lined up almost overnight--one right after another--not so for the 2005 best actress, who's been pretty quiet, that is, until now.

Steven Zeitchik of Variety has the story:

Reese Witherspoon' [pictured]'s Type A Films [production company] is developing "Under the Bridge" based on Rebecca Godfrey 's true-crime account of a brutal high school murder.

"Thirteen" helmer Catherine Hardwicke is in talks to direct the pic.

There's no word yet on whether Witherspoon will star in "Bridge," which will chronicle the 1997 killing of high school student Reena Virk in a small British Columbia town and the ensuing investigation and prosecution.

Godfrey, who's from the same area, returned to her hometown to research the eight high schoolers who were charged in the case, investigating the cliques at the group's well-off school as well as the life of Virk, the daughter of Indian immigrants. Two of the students were convicted in 2005.

Type A has bought both film rights to the book and life rights to Godfrey's story, with the possibility of the author herself becoming a character in the pic.

Witherspoon is aboard to star in horror pic "Our Family Trouble," which Type A is producing. It's set up at Universal

Hardwicke most recently directed "The Nativity Story" for New Line....

I can't imagine Whitherspoon not taking the lead in "Bridge" The material seems right up her alley...Hardwicke's "Thirteen" is a stark gut wrencher about teen girls. She makes a good fit to be the one calling the shits on this crime drama.

"I Just Miss The Reagan Years That's All..."

Before I head out the door to see Spider-Man 3 later this morning, I wanted to be sure and post these hilarious videos from ItsJustSomeRandomGuy via YouTube. What follows are a series of parodies on those witty Mac VS. PC Ads starring Justin Long and John Hodgman. Instead of competing computer operating systems though, it's superhero film franchises that are targeted--with Superman getting bested by Spider-Man... Batman and The Hulk show up as well. Great Stuff! Enjoy! Each one of them is worth the click...But my personal fave is by far #3...











Special tip 'O the hat goes to my buddy Joe for telling me about the first vid in the series...

...I hope to have my review of Spidey 3 posted in the next couple of days...One more thing I just learned that, the film captured an estimated $59 million on its first day...

Spider-Bytes

Summer '07 starts off with a "small movie" called Spider-Man 3 (reviews)...The critics like the sequel overall, to be sure, but they certainly have more issues with this chapter, than they did with its predecessors..The only other wide release this weekend has Drew Barrymore and Eric Bana staring in Curtis Hanson's dramedy Lucky You (reviews) The counter-programing strategy has worked well in the past--think The Devil Wears Prada going up against Superman Returns last year. In it's opening weekend, "Prada" wasn't number 1, but given the hype and built in audience SR had going in--it still did better than anyone expected...

How Much $$ Can A Superhero In Disguise Make In One Weekend?

Ian Mohr and Dave McNary of Variety:

There's no question about which movie will be No. 1 at the B.O. this weekend...but just how much will "Spider-Man 3" make?

After shattering records across Asia and Europe in its midweek openings so far, and beating tallies for the last two pics in the franchise, third Peter Parker tale is on track to do the same at home.

Sony is making the pic the widest domestic opening weekend ever by booking 4,252 theaters. ("Shrek 2" opened in 4,163 in 2004.)

On its first day in 2004 "Spider-Man 2" opened to $40.4 million domestically and hit an opening weekend tally of $88.1 million.

First pic in the franchise, which passed $400 million domestically in 2002, had an opening day take of $39.4 million and a $114.8 million first weekend, according to B.O. service Rentrak.

According to ticket sales service Fandango, more than 100 "Spider-Man 3" midnight shows on Friday were sold out, and Sony added further runs at 3 a.m. to accommodate demand.

Site also reported that the pic is selling tickets at six times the rate of "Spider-Man 2" ahead of its opening weekend. Another site, Movietickets.com, also said that the third pic is well outpacing ticket sales for "Spider-Man 2."

So the runway has been cleared for "Spider-Man 3" after a dismal three days at the domestic box office last weekend.

That's good news for the pic, which must swing to big-time numbers fast...

Read the complete story here...

Sure, Spidey 3 will open huge...Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly wonders if the flick will = Biggest opening ever?

Next Up: The horror film 28 Weeks Later (sequel to the great 28 Days Later...from 2002 will try and scare up some biz before Shrek the Third arrives on the 18th...

Someone I Know Talks To Someone Famous

William N. Stape, a frequent contributor for the Associated Content website, (he interviewed me in February of this year about The Last Reel) recently spoke with actor/stand-up comedian Patton Oswalt on a number of interesting topics--including his new CGI animated summer flick, Ratatouille (June 29th), and his nine year run on the sit-com The King of Queens...

As you may know, Oswalt is a pretty big Star Trek fan, and was among those yuksters who attended the Roast Of William Shatner, a few months back...

The interview reveals a very interesting possible casting tid-bit that he has heard about for Star Trek XI: Who else may want to play Captain Kirk in the flick besides the front-runner Matt Damon? Though, as with most things regarding Trek XI, the guy he mentions is PURE RUMOR at this point--Mr. G. wouldn't be bad in the part either....That said--I'm still rooting for Damon...

Congrats on a fine interview William and continued success....

Affairs Of The "Hart"

Josh Hartnett (pictured) will star in "I Come with the Rain," a drama that will shoot in Hong Kong in June, according to Michael Fleming of Variety.

Anh Hung Tran ("The Scent of Green Papaya") will direct from a script he wrote.

Hartnett will play a private detective who, haunted by a past encounter with a serial killer, heads for the Far East to search for a missing heir who has the power to heal with his touch. Tran Nu Yen-Khe also stars.

... Hartnett is in production on "August," and next will be seen opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the Rod Lurie -directed "Resurrecting the Champ" and in the David Slade-directed "30 Days of Night"

Harnett's been in some solid stuff recently. I am a big fan of the twisty revenge flick Lucky Number Slevin I also thought The Black Dahlia was much better than most folks gave it credit for.

He certainly is keeping busy with three additional films in deck in 2007. "Rain" has an intriguing enough premise...

...In unrelated news: 'Spider-Man 3' breaks Euro records...I purchased my tix to see Spider-Man 3 on Saturday...

Busy-Work

Could actor Leonardo DiCaprio have any more projects in the pipeline?

Michael Fleming of Variety tells us about yet two more films with his name on them...

Michael Mann has delivered to studio execs what he hopes will be his next directing effort, a star vehicle for Leonardo DiCaprio.

Scripted by John Logan, the project is an untitled noir drama that takes place on the old MGM lot in the 1930s. DiCaprio is poised to play the kind of private detective studios once relied on to clean up the scandals created by its stars. He's hired to investigate whether a starlet murdered her husband.

The script was delivered by CAA to studios late last week, and sources said that a deal was expected to happen quickly. New Line made a bid of around $100 million, said sources, which falls below a projected pricetag of around $120 million.

Sources said the script is strong and the film has a period feel reminiscent of "L.A. Confidential." Studios were weighing that and DiCaprio's heat against the large budget, but other bids were expected before a deal is closed.

Aside from a budget, the film has a February start date. It will shoot mostly on soundstages, and it works in classic figures like Judy Garland and Bugsy Siegel The latter is the centerpiece of a shootout scene that unfolds in the Trocadero nightclub on Sunset Boulevard.

Mann, who'll produce under his Forward Pass banner, has been quietly developing the script with Logan since September. DiCaprio has also been in the mix for several months. The trio last worked together on "The Aviator". Mann produced that film...

...If a deal closes, DiCaprio would finally find himself before Mann's camera lens, after years of attempts. Aside from "The Aviator," they tried to team on a James Dean biopic and the fact-based drama ["The Insider"].

Let's see--Dicaprio's working on a movie about the CIA, the Stock Market, and has a reunion film with Kate Winslet...Whew! I'm tired just thinking about that schedule. The film that I'm the most excited to see, among all of these is actually, this latest addition. Mann can do great things with the material, as long as Logan's script delivers the goods...

And then there's this:

Warner Independent Pictures has scooped up domestic distribution rights to Leonardo DiCaprio's environmentally minded docu, with Warner Bros. Pictures Intl. taking overseas rights.

DiCaprio produced and narrated "11th Hour," which [premieres] at the Cannes Film Festival later this month. He penned it with Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners, who together directed.

Warner Independent and Warners Intl. are eying a fall release.

Docu explores what it will take for humans to make a difference ecologically before it is too late.

A variety of leading scientists, thinkers and leaders are interviewed in the film, including Stephen Hawking, former CIA [chief] James Woolsey and former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev...

Find out more about the docu here..

To be honest, I'm not a big believer in the whole Global Warming narrative...There are just as many respected scientists who say that global warming occurs naturally--as there are who endorse the other side..What? An Inconvenient Truth wasn't enough to sway the issue...DiCaprio is entitled to believe what he wants but I hate it when stars tell me how to live--Sheesh!

RIP Tom Poston (1921-2007)

One of the most beloved comic talents and sidekicks is gone...

Veteran character actor Tom Poston has passed away following a brief illness. He was 85 years old. Poston, who died at his Los Angeles home, is best known for his comedic appearances on TV programs The Bob Newhart Show, To Tell The Truth, Mork & Mindy and Newhart.

As a young man, Poston enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and served in England for four years during World War II.

In a career that spanned more than 50 years, he alternated between appearing on the Broadway stage and acting on TV and in films.

Poston turned up in numerous shows including That 70's Show, ER, Cosby, and Will & Grace. He also voiced characters on The Simpsons and King Of The Hill.

He may be more well known for his TV work, but Poston did have some notable big screen roles too...including parts in The City That Never Sleeps, Cold Turkey, and The Story Of Us. He is survived by his third wife, his former sit-com co-star Suzanne Pleshette, whom Poston married in 2001, and his three children.

I grew up watching Mr. Poston do his thing...He will be missed.

Show Buzz has more on Poston's life and career...

Spidey Rules The World...(For Now)

Spider-Man 3 is still a few days away from opening here in the United States...But that hasn't stopped the web-slinging sequel from breaking records world-wide.

Ian Mohr of Variety has the numbers:

Sony's "Spider-Man 3" set records Tuesday in every one of the eight Asian territories in which it bowed. Pic opens in dozens of other territories in the next few days, culminating Friday in its domestic launch on 4,253 theaters, the widest North American opening of all time.

Pic launched Tuesday in more than a dozen key territories, including Japan, France, Germany, Italy and South Korea. Another eight go today, with 30 more on Thursday (including China, Australia and Russia) and an additional 30 on Friday (including the U.K. and India).

Euro markets should report their initial tallies today. In its opening day Tuesday, Sony estimated that the pic hit ¥415 million ($3.47 million in U.S. dollars) in Japan, beating "Spider-Man 2's" ¥410 million.

In Korea, latest pic also beat out one-day marks for its predecessors, taking in 3.2 billion won ($3.44 million), Sony honcho Jeff Blake said.

In Hong Kong, Spidey saw the biggest opening day of all time, with $HK7.5 million ($958,984), besting previous record holder "Kung Fu Hustle."

Pic also drew the biggest ever opening day of any film in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. In Taiwan, it saw the biggest weekday opening ever.

The list of domestic engagements could be tweaked by a few screens more or less but should comfortably beat the 4,163 locations in which DreamWorks bowed "Shrek 2" [3] years ago.

Sony launched "Spider-Man 2" at 4,152 in 2004....

Now Hiring...

...At the U.S. [post-premiere] party in [New York City on Monday night] , Sony Corp. chairman-CEO Howard Stringer wondered whether the studio should have rolled out "Spider-Man" in North America last weekend, when overall biz was way down, giving Peter Parker even more of a chance to make his money grab.

But either way, the exec was confident, saying that this installment in the series is "more of a date movie" than the first two in the franchise and thus has the potential to draw even wider demographics.

"It's not just spills and thrills," Stringer said.

"Spider-Man 3" will be the first of a number of hotly anticipated summer sequels to swing into theaters, and the pic has two weekends with no true competish before having to grapple with Paramount/DreamWorks' "Shrek the Third" on May 18. Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" sets sail the following weekend....


Speaking of "Spider-Man's" imminent launch, a Sony distribution honcho declared, "This is a great way to start the summer. Box office for the past few weeks has been lackluster, and audiences seem very ready for summer."

Sony has been adding 12:01 Friday [AM] shows in North America to meet demand on the pic

For more on 'Spider-Man 3's record-setting start...

Looks like the wall-crawler might have to hire some more cash counters to keep up with all that dough expected to roll in...As for me, family matters preclude me from seeing the flick on opening day. But plans to contribute to the cause, are taking shape, for Saturday May 5th instead.

Meantime--Another review: Owen Gleiberman, chief film critic for Entertainment Weekly offers his take on this dark new chapter of the franchise. You can read read it here...

Miller's Next Payout

Breaking late today: Comic book industry maverick and icon Frank Miller is about to see another one of his great stories adapted for the big screen...

Michael Fleming of Variety has the preliminary details...

After turning the Frank Miller graphic novel "300" into a hit, Warner Bros. has optioned the rights to Miller's "Ronin:" for a live action feature that will be directed by Sylvain White ("Stomp The Yard").

The title character is a disgraced samurai from the 13th Century who is reborn in New York circa 2064.

There, he must destroy a demon who has also been unleashed in [the city], one that carries a sword with mystical powers.

The graphic novel was published by DC Comics.

For more details--click here...

Given 300's success, I'm not at all surprised by this news, really..That said White makes for an inspired choice to call the shots here. As is the case with any work by Miller--it will present the filmmakers with some unique challenges as they bring the story to life. Stay Tuned...

With An Eye Towards The Future

Michael Fleming of Variety has some recent casting news for The Mummy 3:

Universal Pictures and director Rob Cohen have set Luke Ford [pictured] to star in the third installment of "The Mummy," in a move that potentially sets the franchise up for future films.

The 26-year-old Australian actor was cast with the expectation that he will eventually carry the franchise.

"We may spin off into a complete father-son direction with Brendan (Fraser, who played the adventurer who battled the monster in the first two installments), but by getting an actor who is in his 20s and not a teenager, we can also put the future on his shoulders," Cohen told Daily Variety. "He tested against four much more established actors, and he was magic when he read with Brendan.".

In "The Mummy" sequel, Ford will play Alex O'Connell, the 20ish son of adventurer Rick O'Connell (Fraser), who journeys into the forbidden tombs of China and into the Himalayas, where they run into a new shape-shifting mummy, a former Chinese emperor who was cursed by a female wizard.

Jet Li plays the mummy, Michelle Yeoh the wizard. The studio has tested six actresses to replace Rachel Weisz in the role of Evelyn Carnahan O'Connell after she declined to reprise.

Shooting will begin in Montreal on July 27, and then move to China. Pic will open in July 2008, just before the Olympics begin in Beijing.

Ford just finished starring with Toni Collette in the Elissa Down-directed "The Black Balloon," and has appeared in "Kokoda" and [the telefilm] "Junction Boys".

I haven't seen any of Ford's work, therefore, it's difficult to get excited either way on this news. But if the suits have hope that Ford will carry the series--He'd better be more than good...

I find it much more interesting that six actresses have tested for the Weisz role...

The "let's bring in new blood" to an existing franchise--with the hopes of continuing the cash cow--without having to write big star paychecks, is the "in" thing for Hollywood, right now.

-Shia LaBeouf may be playing the son of Indiana Jones in the fourth installment of that franchise, (although no one is being specific on that point--I think it's a safe bet).

--Fox recently just announced that David Goyer is set to develop the Sheldon Turner-scripted Magneto film, an X-Men spin-off, that focuses on a young Magneto and Professor Xavier.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Theater

Spider-Man 3 had its gala premiere in New York City last evening. And from the sound of things, there was as much movie-style excitement for fans, before the screening--than during the film itself.

Star Maguire Greets Fans In NYC Last Night

Dade Hayes of Variety takes us there...

Movie premieres don't always follow the usual script.

Sometimes, the venue is so unorthodox, the concept so ambitious, the movie itself such a draw that the night becomes one of those you-had-to-be-there spectacles.

Monday night's U.S. [premiere] of "Spider-Man 3" for a crowd 3,000 strong joined that short list, though not in quite the same way as other mega-events in New York -- "X-Men" on Ellis Island, "Godzilla" at Madison Square Park or "King Kong (2005)" in Times Square. Those were established settings compared with the unlikely one for this bash: a 14-screen Regal multiplex in Astoria, Queens, roughly the East Coast equivalent of Van Nuys.

Why Astoria, land of car dealerships and Archie Bunker? Two main reasons: It's the hometown of Spidey alter-ego Peter Parker, and the Tribeca Film Festival's endless quest to bring movies to the masses.

After a parade of stars, marching bands and balloons wound its way to the theater, a line of several hundred people started wrapping around the complex as the 7:30 start time came and went. They were separated by metal police barricades from the neighborhood's modest homes, used furniture stores and auto body shops. Staff from Sony was around the corner and mostly inside the front doors. Out on the street, it wasn't at all clear whether the line would be moving.

Would some of the 14 screens start the movie? Would they reach capacity? No one outside had any information. "I dunno, do we have room for a couple theaters more in there?" one of the lone headsetted staffers asked someone inside. Suddenly, it was Blackberries at 10 paces. "Hi, is she in?" impatient attendees asked, phoning offices of people who might know people who could allow a VIP to cut this DMV-like line. Guests huddled to see if a wiser move would be to cut bait and go have dinner. The limo was warming up around the corner. Which way to Manhattan again? The time was 7:55.

The line miraculously moved. "If you have actual tickets, enter this way!" one staffer announced periodically. All but a few people kept shuffling along, gritting whitened teeth. The doors were finally in sight, across from a modest set of bleachers occupied by a few dozen hardy stargazers.

Inside, it was barely controlled chaos. Concession stands quickly ran out of supplies. "Everybody take your seats, please, the movie is about to start!" one employee called out, sounding like that rube in "Animal House" crying out "All is well!" The time was 8:15.

Finally, the lights went down. It was 8:30, an hour late. When the expensive, shimmering summer popcorn action had let up, it was time for the crowd to head down the block, to another line, past chain stores and a school bearing the proud sign "this is a drug-free school zone!" for the vibrant, red-bedecked after-party at the fabled Kaufman-Astoria Studios.

Once curiosity and appetite were sated, the final quest: finding the way back across the East River past midnight. The security personnel were not completely sure of directions to the subway. "Maybe follow those people?" one suggested. "I think it's 34th," another offered. "No, 31st. No, 33rd." Right on cue, a taxi appeared.

Sounds like fun eh? The biggest flick of the summer--starts an hour late on premiere night--Due to underestimating the demand for tix. I'll let you decide what kind of omen that is for the film.

Meanwhile, be sure to read Variety's review of 'Spider-Man 3'