The Claws Come Out...

Despite some goodwill--The potential for an industry strike remains high...

And if that weren't bad enough...

SAG and AFTRA have begun to squabble amongst themselves....

Although SAG and AFTRA will have to band together soon for tough contract negotiations with studios and nets, internecine warfare has broken out between them over contract poaching, among other issues....

Really, "Can't we all just get along"?

Moving on-- Another of summer '09's big movies gets a release date and a cast member:





Pamela McClintock of Variety:

Twentieth Century Fox is sinking its claws into May 1, 2009, for the release of Hugh Jackman starrer "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," which director Gavin Hood begins shooting later this year.

"Wolverine" is expected to feature many other mutants -- some new to the film franchise and some from one or more of the three "X-Men" films. Liev Schreiber is reportedly in final talks to take on the role of a younger version of nemesis William Stryker, played by Brian Cox in "X2."

This is the first time a title has been confirmed for the next chapter in the lucrative film franchise, based on the Marvel comic strip.

The first weekend in May, pegged as the first official weekend of summer, has become the most lucrative moviegoing weekend of the year. The date has been profitable for Marvel properties: "X2" debuted in the same frame in 2003, grossing a record-breaking $86 million, and Sony's "Spider-Man 3" grossed a record- breaking $151 million in early May this year.

As of now, the only other film staking out the May 1, 2009, date is Disney's toon "G-Force ."

There's been much speculation about the spinoff, which gained speed when the studio finalized deals with Jackman (who reprises the role he played in the three "X-Men" pics), Hood and scribe David Benioff, who penned the script.

Pic explores the claw-wielding character Wolverine's violent and romantic past, and his complex relationship with Victor Creed and the ominous Weapon X program, as well as his encounters with other mutants.

Hood will start shooting in Australia before moving to New Zealand and, later, to New Orleans. Latter location is a clue that the storyline might include New Orleans-based character, Gambit, who is able to make objects explode and was a professional thief before joining the X-Men.

Producing are Lauren Shuler-Donner and Ralph Winter, producers of the "X-Men" movies, along with Jackman and producing partner John Palermo through their shingle Seed Prods. Marvel's Kevin Feige will exec produce.

Together, the trio of "X-Men" pics have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. Fox is pursuing another "X-Men" spinoff, based on the character Magneto...

Schreiber is both a good match as the younger Stryker--and to go toe to toe with Jackman in the film. He has an intensity that can be quite alarming on screen...

Kirk Here?

Actor William Shatner is not in JJ Abrams upcoming Star Trek cinematic reboot of the franchise, right?

Hercules (the big cheese over at Aint It Cool News) claims that, despite all of the talk to the contrary, the Shat is indeed, going to be in the new flick.

During a recent AICN Readers Talkback message board exchange, Herc told everyone not to believe the hype about Shatner not being in movie.

"By the way." He wrote "All publicity about Shatner not playing Old Kirk in the movie is lie. Word to your mother."

In another post, he replied to a skeptical user "I know a whole f#@*& lot about this movie that you do not. Wake up, Trekkie!!!"

Although, I don't have the resources that AICN has to verify such claims. I tend to think this is probably the case. Shatner is too much a part o f the Trek lexicon to be shut out of the new film completely. All involved are either waiting for the right time to announce the news. Or they want to "surprise" us. Yeah good luck with that!

Trekweb points out that AICN was the first site to post the story about the plotline of the film involving Romulans and time travel, and then we find out the villian is a Romulan named Nero so that, the site may indeed have a few inside sources regarding the film.

This is all still just more speculation at this point but the claim of Shatner's appearance has merit.

The original report can be found here.

Glimmers And Shudders

Dave McNary of Variety:

In a dramatic gesture designed to cool off Hollywood's strike fever, studios and networks have backed off their proposal to revamp residuals for writers.

Though both sides remain far apart, Tuesday's move by the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers puts a halt -- for a few days, at least -- to the pervasive gloom and doom that had overtaken the industry in recent weeks. Fears had been growing that a strike would be inevitable once the WGA's contract expires on Oct. 31...

It seems to me as though that taking the incentives issue off the table is pretty significant and is the first positive sign there's been in quite a while...

Meanwhile, my "favorite" actor continues to find work...

Michael Fleming:

[He] will star in "The Vanished" for Focus Features

Pic marks the studio helming debut of Hany Abu-Assad, the Palestinian-born director of "Paradise Now."

Thriller, penned by Larysa Kondracki and Eilis Kirwan, concerns a father who goes in search of his college-aged American-born Muslim son, who's missing overseas.

Movie will be produced by Noah Rosen and David Alpert of Circle of Confusion and Tracy Seward. Production is scheduled for the spring.

Abu-Assad drew acclaim for "Paradise Now," an Oscar-nominated 2005 film about two Palestinian youths drafted to become suicide bombers.

[He] first plans to star for director Darren Aronofsky in indie drama "The Wrestler" in January. He jumps right into "The Vanished" in April. Thesp most recently wrapped a remake of "Bangkok Dangerous," as well as the sequel "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," which Disney opens Dec. 21.

While I think the premise of the film is strong--given the state of our world today. I wish another lead actor had signed in the dotted line...

Justice For All

The casting process for Justice League of America has kicked in at super-speed

The Hollywood Reporter:

Some forty actors tested for roles in the JLA over the weekend in Los Angeles for director George Miller.

Names on the list of contenders include--Adam Brody (pictured) Joseph Cross, D.J. Cotrona , Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Michael Angarano, Teresa Palmer (pictured), Max Thieriot, rapper Common, as well as, Friday Night Lights co-stars Minka Kelly, Adrianne Palicki and Scott Porter.






Miller is due to present his findings and opinions to the studio by the middle of the week. Officially. the suits had no comment on the event.

I know all involved want to fast track the flick... I just hope that in their haste--they don't muck this up.

That said: I have to say--I'm pulling for the FNL folks to land roles in the film...

Meanwhile, Obsessed with Film is reporting that the folks at Weta Digital Ltd are set to design super suits for the production. Cinematographer Dean Semler is ready to serve as director of photography for Miller.

Stay Tuned...

Hell -Bent

Variety says Hollywood is looking more and more like a war zone... as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers threatens to sue the Writers Guild...

Meanwhile, another reimaging is on the way...

Michael Fleming:

French filmmakers Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo have scared up the job of writing and directing a remake of Clive Barker's 1987 horror film "Hellraiser" for Dimension Films. Barker will produce.

Dimension, which scored a hit with a redo of "Halloween," has the same hopes for "Hellraiser," the film that hatched a franchise around the pasty-faced Pinhead.

The original film revolved around a couple who move into an old house inhabited by the man's eviscerated half-brother, who escaped hellish torture from the Cenobites but returned shorn of his skin. The Cenobites, who are triggered by a Rubik's Cube-like puzzle device that unlocks the gates of hell, would like another meeting with the man.

Maury and Bustillo most recently directed the French fright film "Inside," released last summer in France.

"Julien and Alex showed their incredible creative talent on 'Inside,' and I'm excited to have them at the helm, working with Clive Barker, to create a fresh, suspenseful and scary reimagining of the classic tale," said Weinstein Co co-chairman Bob Weinstein.

TWC picked up distribution rights to "Inside," a thriller about a pregnant woman who loses her boyfriend in a car crash and is subsequently haunted violently by a mysterious woman.

A remake of Hellraiser already? Pinhead is a great horror character and deserves a comeback--But a reboot 20 years out? I'm glad Barker's involved but if the "success" of Rob Zombie's Halloween (Look for my long awaited review within 2 weeks) is the template the filmmakers plan to follow..."Heaven" help us.

Best Destiny

Kirk is cast!!



Anthony Pascale of TrekMovie.com posts:

Last week news broke that Chris Pine was weighing his options between the role as James T. Kirk in the new Star Trek and a role in 'Joe Carnahan's White Jazz movie. Today on his official blog, Carnahan confirmed that Pine had chosen to go with Trek:

The young man playing Junior Stemmons has opted to ‘go where no man has gone before’ and thus, had to bow out of WHITE JAZZ.

Carnahan continued with some thoughts on Pine’s choice of Kirk over Jazz

I’ve been talking to him this past week and knew how tough the decision had to be for him. I don’t envy ever being in that spot but I gave him my full support, even if it meant he didn’t do JAZZ. I get it. You don’t get opportunities like that often and I told him as long as he could control as much of that process as possible and not get sucked into doing lesser sequels as a result of taking this gig, then good luck and God bless.

Pine likely made his decision over the weekend. Last Thursday TrekMovie.com was told Pine was still “50/50″ and that they may have to be a stand-in to read Kirk’s lines for the rehearsals which start this week. TrekMovie.com has not yet received word from anyone at the studio confirming Pine is in as Kirk...

But assuming this is true, then J.J. Abrams only needs to nail down Karl Urban as his McCoy and he will have whole ‘new’ original crew. TrekMovie.com will report any updates to this breaking news.

UPDATE: A source has confirmed that Pine has signed on as Kirk

Carnahan's spilling of the beans is good enough for me....Since I last posted my thoughts on Pine as Kirk, I have ti say the idea of him playing JTK, has kinda grown on me...

As for Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard McCoy...I'm not quite there. Not really seeing it...




Assuming Urban is on board though...Rehearsals...And then filming begins!

Ranch Dressing

The latest on the strike threat...

Manwhile, after an eight year abscence in a leading role...one of my favorites is set to return in a big way...


Michael Fleming of Variety:

Taylor Hackford will direct Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci in "Love Ranch," a drama about a couple who opened the first legal brothel in Nevada and the violence that resulted when their relationship was tested by infidelity.

Capitol Films will fully finance. Filming begins in late January in Albuquerque, N.M., and Hackford will look for a domestic distributor after the movie is complete. He hopes to have it ready in time to be submitted for the Toronto Film Festival .

Hackford last directed "Ray."

Mark Jacobson, whose New York magazine article formed the basis for "American Gangster," wrote the "Love Ranch" screenplay. Hackford, Lou DiBella, Capitol's David Bergstein and Marty Katz will produce.

Hackford said the drama is inspired by the story of Sally and Joe Conforte, proprietors of the Mustang Ranch, the first legalized house of prostitution in Nevada.

Boxer Oscar Bonavena was gunned down at the ranch in 1976, suspected of having an affair with the madam Sally.

Pic will reteam the director with Mirren, his wife, for the first time since they did 1985's "White Nights."

"I've developed this project for a long time, and one of the things that excited me most was the chance to work again with my wife, Hackford said. "I had to beg; she's a very busy girl. We'd wanted to work together for some time, but she wouldn't agree unless it was a great role, and this is a great role."

Hackford was also glad to coax back Pesci, who played a small role in "The Good Shepherd" but hasn't starred in a movie since "Lethal Weapon 4" in 1999.

"Joe didn't have any desire to work, but he was the first person I had in mind to play the husband, this former cab driver who dreamed of making prostitution legal and carved out a tiny county and convinced the local politicians," Hackford said. "He's playing the godfather of legalized prostitution, and it convinced Joe to jump back into the fire"...

I'm sooo glad Pesci's getting back to work--and in a role that's right up his alley. He has ben missed.

Imagine how weird and wonderful it must be for Hackford to able to direct his wife on a flick.

Why Oh My!

Tyler Perry has another hit on his hands as Why Did I Get Married? beat out some heavy competition to win the top spot...

Brandon Gray of BOM:

Why Did I Get Married burst onto the scene with an estimated $21.5 million, spicing up a gloomy weekend that included middling starts for Michael Clayton and We Own the Night…





Pamela McClinmtock of Variety:

Tyler Perry's urban romantic comedy "Why Did I Get Married?" made a strong debut at the box office in easily winning Lionsgate the weekend, while holdover "The Game Plan" beat out star-packed new entries "Michael Clayton" and "We Own the Night" for No. 2 in a fourth-quarter upset.

"Married" grossed an estimated $21.5 million from 2,011 locations. Out of Perry's four films, three have now opened at No. 1.

Disney's family title "Game Plan," continuing to display strong legs and toplining Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, declined 30% in its third frame to gross an estimated $11.5 million from 3,128 locations for a cume of $59.4 million, according to Rentrak.

Warner Bros.' George Clooney starrer "Michael Clayton" grossed an estimated $11,010 million as it expanded from exclusive runs in Los Angeles and Gotham to 2,511 runs nationwide.

That gave "Clayton" a narrow lead over Sony's Mark Whalberg-Joaquin Phoenix crime drama "We Own the Night," which grossed an estimated $11 million even as it debuted in 2,362 theaters.

Universal's sequel "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," starring Cate Blanchett, came in below expectations in grossing an estimated $6.2 million from 2,001 locations. Pic placed No. 6.

Yari Film Group's sports drama "The Final Season" failed to rally, grossing an estimated $665,000 from 1,011 theaters...

Click here for the complete article

Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly:

Tyler Perry's new film elopes with the gold, while The Rock's ''Game Plan'' continues its strong run..

Splice As Nice

Some recent and random flix news:

-Director Matthew Vaughn tells the U.K.'s Guardian:

The "Thor" script he handed in to Marvel was budgeted upwards of a staggering $300 million! Consequently, he's been asked to cut that in half.

Meanwhile, Kevin McKidd, who stars in the new TV series Journeyman, spoke with Empire Online--and confirmed that he won't be playing the title character in that film, but he could play the villain Loki.

It's A Wrap!

--On Tuesday, October 9, 2007, Todd Gilchrist & Eric Moro of IGN, joined other media outlets on a visit to Universal Pictures in Hollywood, Calif. to interview director Steven Spielberg.

As you might image the subject of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull came up... At that time the film was just two days out of wrapping principle photography!

According to Spielberg, he is shooting Indy IV on film instead of using digital video, despite producer George Lucas' encouragement to use the newer technology. The reason for this, Spielberg said, was because he wanted the film to remain true not only to its predecessors in the series but also to the original serials which inspired Indiana Jones' initial creation. Additionally, he said that the effects work was approximately 70 percent practical and 30 percent CGI, although the computer-generated work will be obvious (presumably backdrops and large set pieces).

Spielberg also confirmed that the Russians are the villains in The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which he said is accurate given the film's 1950s time period. He said that from the film's opening shot you can immediately tell who these villains are and why.

When asked about actor Shia LaBeouf taking over the mantle of action hero from his co-star Harrison Ford, Spielberg coyly said that LaBeouf has a lot of big things in his future. At the same time, he indicated that LaBeouf has to make multiple Transformers movies before he can move over and take on the fedora and bullwhip of Indiana Jones.

Bravo to Spielberg on sticking to his guns on how Indy 4 was shot! It's a good thing that moved into the post production phase as moviegoers vote Indy IV the most anticipated film of 2008.

Speaking of Ford: At the age of 65, reports are that he did his own stunts for the film....

Meanwhile--On the subject of TF2:

Transformers 2 is rapidly being prepared for production. Spielberg, who executive-produced the first film, said that the story will be going out within the next 30 days.

Spielberg said that the producers want to get the film going before the possible [industry] strike occurs.

-- Sean Astin informs MTV's Movieblog that as far as he knows, "The Goonies 2" is an "absolute certainty".

--Variety has famed Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) director Tobe Hooper set to helm the feature film adaptation of Stephen King's novel "From a Buick 8"

The story centers on a mysterious Buick stored in a state trooper barracks. After one of the troopers dies, his son becomes obsessed with the mysterious vintage automobile.

Actor-writer Johnathon Schaech and Richard Chizmar penned the script-Frequent King adapter Mick Garris will co-produce the flick.

-- Variety also has news that Frank Langella will join Cameron Diaz in director Richard Kelly's adaptation of the horror tale The Box.

Kelly wrote the screenplay which is based on short story from Richard Matheson called "Button, Button". Langella will play a stranger who presents a mysterious box to a woman.

The film starts production in mid-November as soon as Langella wraps the film version of the Broadway play "Frost/Nixon"

--The team of behind 300-- Zack Snyder and co- screenwriter Kurt Johnstad plan to reunite for the drama "The Last Photograph" as reported in Variety.

Based on an original idea by Snyder, the story involves a photograph becoming the catalyst for a two man journey through war-torn Afghanistan.

Johnstad will write the script as a potential directing gig for after Snyder completes Watchmen.

That's all the news for now...

--After last week's huge win against the Green Bay Packers., the Bears hope to build some momentum versus the Vikings...

USA Today has a preview...

Sudden Death

For those folks following "Hollywood Strike" story, Dave McNary of Variety has a written a great article that outlines where things stand--laying out the different scenarios of how things could play out:

Midnight on Nov. 1 marks the entertainment industry's zero hour, the moment when the Writers Guild contract expires, and scribes, studios and the rest of Hollywood are in limbo.

But no one can tell you with any kind of certainty what exactly will happen then.

All of the saber rattling, lack of progress at the negotiating table and studio scrambling is convincing enough that there will be a strike on that date -- which was not viewed as a very real possibility until a few weeks ago.

But that is just one outcome, as several other scenarios, equally unpredictable, have been floating around recently.

The writers strike on Nov. 1 (or thereabouts)

Simply put, writing would stop.

Features headed for the starting gate would have to rely on directors and producers to revise scripts -- but since so many pics have been greenlit, it's possible a few of the lower-cost projects may get shelved if they don't contain pay-or-play provisions for actors.

Damage could be heavy in the TV arena. Though execs have insisted they've always been ready for an early strike, shows that haven't been bringing in high ratings could be forced to halt production before being able to fill the initial order of 13 episodes -- precluding international revenues.

Those who do write would face public approbation. The WGA recently drafted strike rules for its members, even threatening sanctions against those who work in feature animation and new-media platforms. That's a particularly aggressive stance, since both areas aren't yet covered by the guild.

Count on the WGA to launch an active campaign once it strikes. WGA West exec director David Young is a veteran of organizing hotel and garment workers, so the guild probably will hold plenty of pickets, rallies and demonstrations -- all aimed at embarrassing studios, networks and producers.

Not striking early would also be humbling to the WGA leaders, now that they've managed to convince the town they will pull the plug soon. "It would be an admission that they really don't have enough clout to scare the companies into giving them a better deal," one producer notes.

Expect the DGA negotiations to begin right away should the writers strike in early November. One rumor circulating recently is that the directors won't start negotiations until the AMPTP pulls its proposal to revamp residuals off the table. That's a particularly hard-line position for the DGA.

Companies lock out the writers on Nov. 1 (or thereabouts)

It sounds harsh. Studios and networks would no longer employ writers. They invoke "force majeure" clauses to dump poorly performing producers with term deals and even clean out executive suites.

The idea has gained some traction in recent weeks, even if it is a tactic that has not been employed in Hollywood in recent memory.

This scenario is rated a longshot, since it would be a potential PR nightmare.

"You are almost playing into the WGA's hands by allowing them to paint you as being interested in nothing but the bottom line," one agent notes.

It would be especially trying for the more moderate among the companies.

"That's a very high price to pay for the benefits of getting rid of people that you don't like," one observer notes. Studio execs often say they'd like to produce fewer titles anyway, and this would certainly be a way to achieve that.

The WGA and AMPTP settle on Halloween.

This scenario's rated a longshot, too. The venomous rhetoric has taken a toll; voices of moderation don't seem to be making any kind of impression on leaders.

Still, the WGA and AMPTP eventually will have to make a deal. "Right now, they're acting as if they're negotiating a divorce, even though they have a pre-nup," one producer notes.

One development that could spur a settlement would be if the WGA's strike authorization vote isn't a particularly impressive figure when it's revealed on Oct. 19. Should the "yes" vote be less than 75%, it would indicate guild members -- even unemployed ones -- are having second thoughts about the hardline path taken by their leaders.

Perhaps it's only wishful thinking, but speculation has emerged that there may be a white knight out on the horizon that both sides could agree on.

"There's so much hostility at this point that the only way you can resolve it is by getting someone who's an elder statesman and respected by both sides to mediate," one leading agent mused.

Names that have been tossed around include former Warner Bros. chief Bob Daly, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The thinking goes that Daly has got the temperament for the task; the Governator has the flair for the grand gesture; and Villaraigosa's record as a union supporter, who at the same time has the motivation to keep Hollywood humming, may make him the most palatable candidate.

Writers keep working under an expired contract.

Hollywood wouldn't feel much different in November and December than it has over the past few months: In other words, lots of anxiety.

Writers would be allowed to continue to work under the terms and conditions of the expired contact, but there would still be the possibility of a Screen Actors Guild strike when its contract expires on June 30. In fact, there's a school of thought that the WGA can actually create more damage by waiting until the spring -- once the networks have approved pilots for new shows. And a spring strike would be designed to give SAG more leverage at the bargaining table if it hasn't made a deal.

Studios would still be scrambling to get projects into production by March, but one agent predicted the frenzy of feature writing would slow down -- since no one would be completely certain that the WGA wouldn't suddenly pull the strike trigger. Studios already have frozen hiring on script polishes and punch-ups.

Three years ago, the WGA opted to work under an expired contract for more than five months -- essentially passing the ball to the DGA to work out a deal with companies, and then incorporating those gains into its new contract.

This time, the presumption had been that the WGA would wait until the DGA and SAG made their deals before returning to the bargaining table. But writers fired their executive director, John McLean, for following that course two years ago.

If there's no fall strike, the TV side would get a reprieve from having to revamp its winter schedule and begin replacing series with reality, sports and news.

Says the agent, "Until there's some real clarity on what's going to happen, it's going to be a mess.

It seems like it's gonna come down to a matter of who blinks first here---Stay Tuned...

The Search For Scott And Sulu Ends

Two more key characters for the Star Trek reboot have been officially cast...Both actors are more well known for their comedic talents--but that didn't dampen my enthusiasm for the choices:

Simon Pegg (pictured) has been cast as Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott "Scotty" in the film, while Harold & Kumar and American Pie alum John Cho (pictured below) has been cast as helmsman Hikaru Sulu.


Pegg was side-splittingly funny in the zombie spoof Shaun of the Dead...but did get somewhat serious in the JJ Abrams-directed Mission: Impossible III...

I also have positive vibes about Cho, who's always done great work in everything I've seen him in.

Both of these guys came out of nowhere in terms of names being mentioned for these roles. But I think both of them can fill some very big shoes left by the original Scott James Doohan and Sulu, George Takei.

They are also pretty well known performers who can help put the uninitiated in those theater seats.

The Hollywood Reporter's Borys Kit adds that Captian James T. Kirk's parents will also be characters in the film and are yet to be cast--As will Christopher Pike, the Enterprise captain before Kirk.

That leaves us with a Dr. McCoy and Kirk yet to be cast....Keep those phasers handy for any more Trek casting news.

Drama-Rama

With award season right around the corner--things get serious at the cineplex this weekend...



Joaquin Phoenix (pictured) and Mark Wahlberg team up in James Gray's crime drama We Own The Nght (reviews); Michael Clayton (reviews) goes wide; Cate Blanchett wears some elaborate wardrobe to play Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) during The Golden Age; Sean Astin returns to The inspirational real life sports drama genre for the Final Season (reviews) as it targets the family; and Tyler Perry returns to theaters to ask the question--Why Did I Get Married?--with Janet Jackson.


Dave McNary and Ben Fritz of Variety:

Another crowded fall weekend will see four new titles, none of which have major B.O. potential, battling it out for the No. 1 spot.

"Elizabeth: The Golden Age," "Michael Clayton," "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?" and "We Own the Night" will all be released or expanded at 2,000-plus theaters and are expected to gross in the low- to mid-teens.

Studio sources uniformly agreed that the weekend looks like a toss-up, with any of the four debuts having the potential to break out.

The four bows are aiming at somewhat different auds, leading studios to hope they can co-exist peacefully.

Universal is releasing Working Title's "Golden Age" at 2,001 theaters. Though it has thus far garnered mostly weak reviews, U is hoping star Cate Blanchett and marketing that has positioned it as a romantic thriller will draw a sizable adult female aud.

Original "Elizabeth" grossed more than $30 million domestically in 1998 despite never going into wide release.

WB's "Michael Clayton" is going wide with very strong reviews and a boffo first week's gross of more than $1 million at just 15 locations. George Clooney starrer, which has thus far drawn a diverse adult aud, is expanding to 2,511 locations.

"Why Did I Get Married?" is the fourth Tyler Perry film distribbed by Lionsgate and, as with his previous pics, should draw a mostly African-American aud as it opens at 2,011 locations. Multi-hyphenate's previous pic, "Daddy's Little Girls," took in $16.9 million over its opening five-day weekend in February.

Sony's crime drama "We Own the Night," meanwhile, will hit 2,362 locations. Mark Wahlberg starrer will likely draw more of a male aud.

The Rock starrer "Game Plan" declined only 28% last weekend, to $16.6 million. It's unlikely to be No. 1 for the third frame in a row, but a similarly slight drop could easily put it ahead of any of the openers that underperform a bit.

Yari Film Group is also opening basketball drama "The Final Season" at 1,011.

After four weeks in limited, Sony is significantly expanding Revolution's Beatles musical "Across the Universe" from 364 to 954 theaters.

In limited release, Sony Pictures Classics opens Kenneth Branagh-helmed remake "Sleuth" at nine playdates in Gotham and L.A. MGM opens quirky Ryan Gosling starrer "Lars and the Real Girl" at seven. Magnolia's doc "Terror Advocate" hits three theaters. Joy Division docu "Control" is being opened by the Weinstein Co. at a single play in New York...

Here's The Complete Variety Preview...

Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly:

''Michael Clayton,'' Tyler Perry, ''Elizabeth,'' and even the Rock in his third week will keep the box office race supertight...

Next Up: Ben Affleck's directorial debut Gone Baby, Gone debuts, Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon take on the controversy of torture and interrogation in Rendition, and the comedy The Comebacks tries to make you laugh.

Bullding An "Empire"

Yet another high-powered reunion is in the works...

Michael Fleming of Variety:

In a seven-figure pitch deal, Columbia Pictures has acquired "Empire," a drama that John Logan will write for Michael Mann to direct and Will Smith to topline.

Neither the studio nor the principals would elaborate on the plot, but sources said that Smith will play a contemporary global media mogul.

Smith and James Lassiter's Overbrook Entertainment will produce with Mann's Forward Pass.

"Empire" puts the director back in the ring with Smith for the first time since "Ali."

Mann has been working as producer with Smith, Lassiter and Akiva Goldsman on "Hancock" (formerly "Tonight, He Comes"), the Peter Berg-directed Columbia Pictures drama that stars Smith as a disaffected superhero.

Mann, who just produced "The Kingdom" with Scott Stuber for Universal is in the process of locking down a film he'll direct early next year.

"Empire" reteams Mann's with "Gladiator" scribe Logan. They developed "The Aviator" together when Mann planned to direct that picture before handing it to Martin Scorsese to helm and producing the drama...

All three men are very talented in their respective fields--making very few stinkers...This film should be solid entertainment...

The Stage Is Set

The latest strike news via Variety:

The WGA clearly wants to send a signal. The guild has formulated strike rules that would impose an exceptionally aggressive stance on its 12,000 members...

Meanwhile, film deals move forward...

Michael Fleming:

Warner Bros.. is developing a screen version of Beau Willimon's play "Farragut North," with Leonardo DiCaprio attached to star and George Clooney eyeing the project as director.




DiCaprio's Appian Way will produce with Clooney and Grant Heslov's Smoke House [production company]

Willimon is writing the script. Appian Way and Smoke House both sparked to the play after reading it, and a marriage was made at WB, where both Smokehouse and Appian Way have first-look deals. Clooney is considering taking an onscreen role.

[DiCaprio] is a young communications director for a fast-rising presidential candidate. During the course of the campaign, the idealistic young man falls prey to the backstabbing and other dirty trickery of seasoned rivals.

The play is headed for Broadway next year, with Mike Nichols reportedly in line to direct Jake Gyllenhaal in the thesp's Broadway debut.

Willimon worked for Howard Dean's 2004 presidential run, an experience that informed the play. While "Farragut North " has yet to be seen, the script has been circulating around Hollywood, leading to a quick transition to screenwriting for Willimon.

Aside from the WB pic adaptation, Willimon was tapped last week by director Marc Forster to adapt the 2002 British miniseries "The Jury" into a feature for Fox 2000. The director sought out the writer after reading "Farragut."

Timing of the screen version of the play hasn't been determined...

Find out what else DiCaprio and Clooney are up to here...

It was only a matter of time, I suppose, that 2 of Hollywood's most politically active stars would team up on a politic flick

With Gyllenhaal on stage with the play next year...Will the film version be here by 2009? Or are they waiting to see what happens with the strke...?

On Pines And Needles

Hot on the heels of this Trek casting news, another name has surfaced as a possible contender to play James T. Kirk in the new Star Trek flick

Chris Pine (pictured) of Smokin' Aces is reportedly in negotiations to play the intergalactic captain

Mike Vogel was the last actor said to be the front runner for the role. And then he was quickly put on the back-burner, a few days later.

The Hollywood Reporter has the news about Pine, 27, playing Kirk, and adds that the actor is also set to re-team with Aces director Joe Carnahan in White Jazz (2009)--opposite George Clooney.

Don't get too excited though. Pine's casting may not be a sure thing ...

THR: "The biggest stumbling block to getting both roles at this point might be scheduling. Sources said Trek will shoot from November through March, while Jazz has a mid-January start. Although both sides are trying to sort out the date puzzle, it is possible that Pine and his camp could be forced to choose which role to take. Paramount is not sitting idle while negotiations are under way, with sources saying that the studio is looking for backup actors to have on deck".

I'm afraid I have the same reaction to the Pine possibility, as I had with Vogel...Meh. Pine's solid enough. He was fine in "Smokin'"...

Pine sorta already has a connection to the franchise though. His father, actor Robert Pine, best known for his role on the 70's TV series CHiPs, has appeared in episodes of the latter spin-off series. The elder Pine's co-star on CHiPs was none other than Star Trek: The Next Generation's resident Klingon actor, Michael Dorn.

Maybe daddy Pine can give the younger Pine some pointers on acting in Trek?

--In other Trek movie news: Co-screenwriter Roberto Orci spoke extensively with TrekMovie.com--prior to Bana/Pine stuff--about the new film...It's a-ahem-"facinating" discussion--filled with all kinds of neat stuff.

Here's the first part...and the second part--It's worth the double click...

Meanwhile, director J.J. Abrams shows no signs of slowing down once he's done with Trek, he's got another sci-fi series headed our way that sounds pretty cool.

"Lost" Cause

Dave McNary of Variety today's strike update...

Meanwhile, another TV show of my childhood is moving further along towards its big screen treatment.

Diane Garrett and Michael Fleming of Variety:

Universal is pushing the button on "Land of the Lost" for a March start.

Decision to green light Will Ferrell (pictured) project surprised observers, who are aware that U had a rough ride with its $160 million comedy "Evan Almighty."

Studio sources suggest the budget of "Land of the Lost," described as an event comedy, was re calibrated from $125 million to $100 million in order to earn its start date.





Brad Silberling will helm the big screen adaptation of Sid and Marty Krofft's children's [TV show] of the same name. Jimmy Miller is producing along with the Kroffts; Julie Wixson Darmody and Daniel Lupi exec produce.

Decision to move ahead effectively removes Ferrell from availability for other pre-strike projects on the cusp, such as "Himelfarb" for Warner Bros . The comedian has been attached to "Land of the Lost" for several years. Miller reps Ferrell and the Kroffts, who have long tried to get a big screen adaptation of their show made.

Adaptation by Chris Henchy and Dennis McNicholas revolves around a disgraced paleontologist, his assistant and a macho tour guide who find themselves in a strange world inhabited by dinosaurs, monkey people and reptilian Sleestaks.

Donna Langley spearheaded the effort to obtain rights from the Kroffts, who also produced and created small screen [shows] such as "H.R. Pufnstuf" "Lidsville" and "Donny and Marie.

I loved watching "Land" as a kid. I'm not a big fan of Ferrell's though, therefore, my enthusiasm for the project is tempered. That said, the series original kookiness is ripe for comedy gold on the silver screen--including my favorite character, cave boy Chaka!

Waging War

The latest on the Terminator franchise...



Michael Fleming of Variety:

Warner Bros. has acquired North American distrib rights to "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins," triggering an early 2008 production start for a film that seeks to reinvent the cyborg saga with a storyline to be told over a three-pic span.

WB plans to distribute "Terminator Salvation" in summer 2009.

The Warner deal dashes MGM's hopes of corralling distribution rights to the film. The Lion planned to pepper its slate with tentpoles such as "The Hobbit (2009)" and "Terminator," but neither project has worked out for the distributor.

Halcyon sued MGM in July in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming the distrib was interfering with its distribution plans on the fourth "Terminator" film on the basis of an MGM claim that it had acquired an exclusive 30-day negotiating window.

The "Terminator" pic franchise got a new lease on life in spring, when privately funded Halcyon and its co-CEOs Victor Kubicek and Derek Anderson teamed with "Terminator 3" exec producer Moritz Borman to acquire film, merchandising and licensing rights from ex-Carolco partners Andy Vajna and Mario Kassar. Kubicek, Anderson and Borman are producing the new film, with Peter D. Graves as exec producer.

WB had first right of negotiation for domestic theatrical and TV distribution rights because the studio played the same role on 2003's Jonathan Mostow-directed "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines." That pic posted a domestic gross of $150 million and a worldwide total of $427 million.

The producers said that the new film will carry the size and scale of "Terminator 3," and will have an event-sized budget. It will likely be less than the $200 million price tag of "Terminator 3," which was saddled with extravagant costs that included above the line payouts, rights payments and heavy fees incurred through a complex financial structure...

The complete article can found here

As I said before, a new full-on trilogy is a risk--what if the first flick tanks--especially without Arnold Schwarzenegger in the mix...

However, if the forthcoming franchise inspired TV series,"The Sarah Connor Chronicles", takes off early next year--That will help to give life beyond "Salvation"'s first film.

So "Nero" And Yet So Far

Forget all those Russell Crowe casting rumors for a certain sci-fi flick...Another Aussie actor has taken the role...

StarTrek.com has announced that villain in the new Star Trek film will be played by Eric Bana (pictured).
According to the site, the 38 year-old Aussie will be playing a character called ‘Nero,’ but no other details were provided.

However, a source tells Trek movie.com that Nero is a Romulan. The name fits with Trek’s tradition of portraying the Romulan Empire as a futuristic version of ancient Rome.

Wow! Bana came out of nowhere. He makes for a good choice to play the villain...

Now--if they could just let us know who's going to play Kirk, McCoy Scotty, and Sulu, I'd be a happy Trekker

The story in Variety...