MOS: One Of The Best Films Of 2013?

According to their trusted scooper, JoBlo says that  Zack Snyder's big budget reboot Superman: Man of Steel is completed save for its 3D post-conversion which is underway. He also gave a bullet point
list:

- Imagine a Nolan story with Snyder effects/action.
- There's TONS of action with Superman kicking all kinds of ass in his suit.
- The cape is CG'd most of the time so it can look awesome.
- They have intentionally left out most of the the Super action in trailers to save it.
- It's not nearly as dour and serious as the Trailers suggest.

They also claim the film will be high on many people's best films of the year list which  hopefully this means it will be a winner.

A recent screening of the film for Warner Bros. folks is said to have gone very well.

MOS stars Henry Cavill Amy Adams Michael Shannon Kevin Costner Diane Lane Antje Traue Christopher Meloni Harry Lennix Laurence Fishburne Russell Crowe and Ayelet Zurer. Bradley Cooper is said to be in talks to make a cameo appearance as Lex Luthor as a set-up for sequels. But that's not been confirmed. Emmy-winning actor Richard Schiff will play Dr. Hamilton. Cooper Timberline and Dylan Sprayberry both play young Clark Kent at various ages in the film. Jadin Gould is a young Lana Lang.

David S. Goyer wrote the first screenplay draft based on a story he concocted with Christopher Nolan. His bro Jonah Nolan taking a crack at the task as well Kurt Johnstad did rewrites

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas Deborah Snyder, and Nolan will be producers on the film.

MOS flies into theaters June 14th 2013

Cooper Is Norman Osborn In Spidey Sequel

Chris Cooper has been cast as Norman Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. says The Hollywood Reporter

Andrew Garfield is already set to return as Peter Parker and Emma Stone is in talks to reprise her role as Gwen Stacy.

Norman Osborn was refered to in the last movie and said to be dying. In the comics he becomes Spidey's number one foe--The Green Goblin--The character was played previously by Willem Dafoe. Given that this film is already jammed packed with story arcs and characters--It's doubtful that we will see that full transformation--then again...Whenever we see Gobby I hope the filmakers take the character cues from the comic book and forgo the metal suit seen in the 2002 film

Shailene Woodley has won the role of Mary Jane Watson, the perennial red-headed love interest of Pater Parker in the Spidey comics. The role was previously played by Kirsten Dunst in director Sam Raimi's Spider-Man Trilogy. Dane DeHaan ("Chronicle") has won the role of Harry Osborn Osborn of course is Peter Parker's best friend and eventual enemy who was played by James Franco previously.Jamie Foxx will be playing bad guy Electro . Paul Giamatti is set to play the villain, the Rhino in the upcoming sequel Felicity Jones (Like Crazy), is in talks for an undisclosed role in the film.

Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner are writing the script based on a previous draft by James Vanderbilt.

The Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb will be back calling action.

Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach will produce.

The new film is now in production to meet its May 2nd 2014 release date.

Look: Video Of Pics From Spidey 2

A video montage of new photos from the set of "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" has gone online The peek confirms the new costume design.

Andrew Garfield is already set to return as Peter Parker and Emma Stone is in talks to reprise her role as Gwen Stacy.

Shailene Woodley has won the role of Mary Jane Watson, the perennial red-headed love interest of Pater Parker in the Spidey comics. The role was previously played by Kirsten Dunst in director Sam Raimi's Spider-Man Trilogy. Dane DeHaan ("Chronicle") has won the role of Harry Osborn Osborn of course is Peter Parker's best friend and eventual enemy who was played by James Franco previously.Jamie Foxx will be playing bad guy Electro . Paul Giamatti is set to play the villain, the Rhino in the upcoming sequel Felicity Jones (Like Crazy), is in talks for an undisclosed role in the film.

Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner are writing the script based on a previous draft by James Vanderbilt.

The Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb will be back calling action.

Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach will produce.

The new film is now in production to meet its May 2nd 2014 release date.

Hollywood Will Soon Offer "Proof Of Heaven"

Universal Pictures and Disruption Entertainment have nabbed the film rights to Dr Eben Alexander's recent bestselling non-fiction work "Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife" says Deadline.

Alexander is a Harvard Medical School neurosurgeon and scientist.  He is a Christian, but did not believe in religious theories of the afterlife.

Several years ago he contracted a rare bacterial Meningitis that penetrated his cerebro-spinal fluid and attacked his brain. Comatose for seven days in 2008, he awoke with a clear recollection of what he described as a journey to heaven.

Ryan Knighton ("Thick As Thieves") will write the adapted script.

Mary Parent and Cale Boyter will produce the film

Holtz Is Crazy For "The Curse of Downers Grove".

Variety reports that Zane Holtz has joined the indie thriller "The Curse of Downers Grove".

Based on author Michael Hornburg 2001 novel, the story centers on a paranoid high school senior (Bella Heathcote) who's worried about an apparent curse that takes the life of one student every year at the school.

"Hick" director Derick Martini calls action from a script he co-wrote with author Bret Easton Ellis.
.
Aimee Teegarden, Jill Hennessy Lucas Till ("X-Men: First Class") Penelope Mitchell and Kevin Zegers also star.

Holtz is playing a meth-crazed sidekick to Zegers character.

Oren Segal, Jason Dubin and Chiara Trento are producing the picture.

Production aims to begin this spring.

Prom Night remake director Nelson McCormick and stars Hayden Panettiere, Nikki Reed and Rebecca De Mornay were set to work on this in 2010.

"Personal Demons" Film In The Works

The film rights to author Lisa Desrochers' young adult novel trilogy that begins with "Personal Demons" have been purchased says THR.

The stories center on a teen girl with a special ability. She is caught in the midst of a love triangle between an angel and a demon, each of whom are competing to “tag” her soul for heaven and hell, respectively.

"Original Sin" and "Last Rite" make up the other two books in the series.

Oplev Circles "Flatliners" Remake

"Dead Man Down" and the original Swedish "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" director Niels Arden Oplev is attached to helm the contemporary remake of Joel Schumacher’s 1990 afterlife film "Flatliners" in development says Bloody Disgusting.

The original pic centered on five medical students played by Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin and Oliver Platt,- who subject themselves to near-death expierments in order to see if anything lies beyond. After being revived they soon find themselves struggling to determine fantasy from reality as physical manifestations of childhood sins revisit them.

Ben Ripley ("Source Code") wrote the new screenplay from Peter Filardi's work

Laurence Mark, who produced the original Flatliners, will produce the new version.

Oplev recently wrapped work directing the pilot for the CBS TV Series adaptation of Stephen King's "Under The Dome".

TWC Says "Southpaw" Worth The Fight

The Weinstein Company has picked up the rights to the troubled boxing drama "Southpaw" says The L.A. Times.

Originally rapper  Eminem was ready to play a welterweight boxer on the rise who brawls his way to the title, only to see his world crash down around him due to a tragedy. He then must begin his fight to reclaim past glory for himself and his young daughter.

Antoine Fuqua was due to direct from a script by Sons of Anarchy creator/exec producer Kurt Sutter.

Then DreamWorks Studios backed out. MGM and Sony Pictures stepped up to take over, only to put the film into turnaround.

Fuqua is still attached to direct, but it's unclear if this will be his next pic after he finishes with Olympus Has Fallen. Eminem is no longer involved in the film.

Negahban Says Words Sees Pictures

Navid Negahban, best known for playing the terrorist Abu Nazir in the cable series "Homeland", has joined the indie drama "Words and Pictures" says THR.

In the story Negahban will play the headmaster at a New England prep school where a charismatic English teacher (Clive Owen) and a guarded art teacher (Juliette Binoche) form an unlikely bond, that is later complicated by romance.

Gerald Di Pago wrote the screenplay from which Fred Schepisi will direct.

Curtis Burch will produce.

Production begins in mid-March in Vancouver.

Binoche Eyed For "Godzilla" Reboot

Juliette Binoche is in talks to join the "Godzilla" reboot says Variety.

Aaron Johnson is still currently the frontrunner to play the lead--All three actors have no deals in place yet, or even close to being inked; and is await "The Shawshank Redemption" director Frank Darabont's draft of the script. The same goes for both Elizabeth Olsen, and Bryan Cranston Character deets are being kept under wraps.

David Callahan, David Goyer Drew Pearce and Max Borenstein have all worked on previous drafts of the screenplay.

The film has been in the pipeline for several years, but picked up steam recently - after a proof of concept trailer screened twice during Comic-Con 2012 and got great reaction. The project will "return the character to its epic roots with a gritty, realistic actioner".

The film will be directed by Gareth Edwards ("Monsters").

In a chat with io9, in January Darabont said that both he and director Edwards' goal is to deliver a much more grounded interpretation, one much like the original 1954 film.

Goyer, Borenstein, Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni will produce.

Roy Lee, Dan Lin Brian Rogers. Alex Garcia Patricia WhitcherDoug Davison, Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira will serve as executive producers.

The film will get a 3-D release, but it's unclear if it is being shot that way or converted in post production

 
Production kicks off next month to meet a May 16th 2014 release.

Nobody Gets Out Alive: The Parents Speak...

Following yesterday's very personal post about Image Entertainment's official release of writer/director  Jason Christopher's throwback horror film Nobody Gets Out Alive....I thought it was  high time that you heard from the parents of Jay and and producer Deven Lobascio. To that end I invited them to share their thoughts about the occasion .....

Big D's parents are up first:

October 20,2011, anxiously awaiting.....Friends, family and even a few unknowns fill the Voorhees Ritz Theater to its capacity. Tonight is the premiere of an independent horror film "Down The Road". Could this be the the same film that our son and nephew were working on together in 2010? Is this film what is causing all of this hype and attraction?

During 18 and 20 hour days of filming, under not so great weather conditions and the occasional dispute, Deven and Jason both knew that nothing was going to interfere with their determination to make this film a reality. Along with a great cast and crew, DOWN THE ROAD was written and directed and produced by two cousins Jason Christopher and Deven Lobascio.  Meeting their goal is proof that with hard work anything is possible.

Fast Forward.....Two years later on Feb. 26,2013 we gather together once again. This time we are celebrating the release of the newly titled film NOBODY GETS OUT ALIVE....AKA DOWN THE ROAD along with the birthday of the The Friendly Driver. (played by Deven's Dad)

As proud parents we have watched the growth of two ambitious young men. We saw their passion for film taken to a different level. Along with their time and effort (and lots of family support), it has become a reality.....dreams do come true!

Our best wishes to Deven and Jason. That many more achievements will happen for them during their careers as they head down the road.

Jay's Mom is up next...

Looking back now its easy to see that Jason was destined to be right where he is. As a toddler he was fascinated with our VCR.. his favorite movie was  Uncle Buck with John Candy. He would cry when it ended and would watch it repeatedly . He soon learned how to master working the VCR himself.

As a child he would stay in his room and read book after book.. (The Hardy Boys).

In the second grade he would write short stories and then read them to the Kindergarten classes in his school. Soon after he took our video camera and was filming little skits that he would put together directing his friends and family. Than came the jackass skits (before j.a.was around). Our poor neighbors! Jason then started writing songs and soon formed a band. This was his outlet for awhile. And then it was back to more jackass stuff hard core.

In high school Jason directed a music video that he was entering into a collage film festival...enter operation nightmare!! Long story short, it was brought to the attention of school officials ... they were disturbed by the content of the video, They said that it looked too real and was too advanced for someone his age!..(are they kidding!!).  He was suspended from school  pending further evaluations.

During that same week at age 17, came the sudden death of his father--overcome with mixed feelings of sadness, loss, anger, hate and fear. the script for ....Nobody gets out alive came to be!!!!!

 With the help of childhood friend and cousin Deven Lobascio, the two turned the script into the flick!!!! So awesomely proud of the two kids from South Jersey who became two modest young men that didn't allow anything to stand in their way of their dreams and will continue to do amazing things in the crazy world of making movies!!!

Jason ,you will rock them!! Love you to heaven and back!

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Thanks so much for doing this and sharing your thoughts. With support like this the boys were winners long before cameras rolled....

The slasher Nobody Gets Out Alive has been released to the masses via multiple platforms stores, Redbox, Amazon.com, VOD etc You can order the DVD And please go LIKE the Facebook Page to help spread the word!

Until Next Time...

Muschietti Opens A "Bird Box"

"Mama" director Andrés Muschietti will call action on the action thriller "Bird Box" says THR

Universal Pictures has optioned the rights to The High Strung frontman Josh Malerman's manuscript that centers on a blindfolded threesome—a woman and two children as they make their way down a river in a seemingly post-apocalyptic setting.

The book is set to publish in 2014.

Chris Morgan, Barbara Muschietti and Scott Stuber will produce the film

Ryan Lewis is negotiating to executive produce.

Grahame-Smith Doing A Script Pass On FF Reboot

Seth Grahame-Smith will polish the script for the "Fantastic Four" reboot says THR.

The comic book series is about four individuals-- Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Sue Storm (The Invisible Girl), her brother Johnny Storm (The Human Torch), and Ben Grimm (The Thing).who gained superpowers after exposure to cosmic rays during a scientific mission to outer space.

Jeremy Slater was hired to pen the most recent script draft. Michael Green ("Green Lantern") also  wrote a draft as well.

"Chronicle" director Josh Trank is set to helm.

"X-Men: First Class" and "Kick-Ass" director Matthew Vaughn recently signed on to produce the reset

The first Fantastic Four in 2005 and its sequel 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer in 2007--both helmed by Tim Story--grossed $620 million despite awful reviews (I liked em both!).  Fox wants to restore some credibility and quality to the property, that is currently targeting a Spring 2015 release.

Grahame-Smith wrote the script for Tim Burton's take on Dark Shadows which bombed at the box office

The Coen Brothers Are "Unbroken"

Joel and Joel Coen are teaming up with director Angelina Jolie on "Unbroken," as writers says THR

Based on author Laura Hillenbrand's 2010 bestselling biography, that chronicles the life of Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini . He was captured by the Japanese navy and detained at a P.O.W. camp. That came AFTER he survived both a near-fatal plane crash and being stuck on a raft for 47 days.

"Les Miserables" writer William Nicholson penned the latest script draft for the pic. Richard Lagravenese worked on the script before that, but with Jolie now in the big chair a new draft was needed and she managed to convince the Coens to do it.

Jolie came onboard as director in December, replacing the previously linked Francis Lawrence.

Matthew Baer ("The Replacement Killers") and Erwin Stoff ("The Blind Side") are producing with Jolie.

Nobody Gets Out Alive Arrives & A Personal Story

The day is here!!! Image Entertainment officially releases Jason Christopher's throwback horror film Nobody Gets Out Alive....

The action follows a group of young folks who believe that the local legend of Hunter Isth, a man who vanished after his daughter was killed by a drunk driver, is just a myth. They soon find out how wrong they are.

Jen Dance, Shaun Paul Costello, Chelsey Garner, Chris Ready, Brian Gallagher and genre fave Clint Howard star.

I saw the film--This is the real deal folks! Gallagher gives Isth something extra that is fairly unique to the Genre...Showed the film to someone who HATES horror films and she liked it a lot! Inventive kills also hallmark the film.

A festival award-winner, Nobody Gets Out Alive is presented on DVD in anamorphic widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound: Also includes

• Audio Commentary
• Outtakes
• “Lost Here Forever” music video by Hello Cleveland

The slasher is being released to the masses via multiple platforms stores, Redbox, Amazon.com, VOD etc You can order the DVD And please go LIKE the Facebook Page to help spread the word!

As most of you know by now Christopher and producer Deven Lobascio have been very important to me both personally and professionally for the last few years...Sometime after the duo began this journey--I was asked by Deven's mom Kathy--if I wouldn't mind profiling them on TLR. I agreed. But I wanted to meet with them first just  to get a sense of things, see what their mindset was. The rest as they say is history...

Throughout the process Kathy and the rest of the 2 families have been constantly telling me how grateful all of them are for my help--While I appreciate the kudos--I don't think I did all that much really. What I did do was so worth it. What no one knows though is what Jay and Deven have done for me far outweighs anything I did for them.

Let me explain.

Around the time that I was finishing my own short film--I found myself falling into a very dark place personally that had nothing to do the film I saw no way out. I spent so much time in this place--friends did not know how to approach me. The positive attitude that I am known for was replaced with enough negativity for a dozen folks. It got pretty bad. The plans that my writer/producer Matt and I had to put the film out there had fallen apart. I had no hope at all about life let alone starting a film career. Our film--something Matt worked sooo hard on--became a casualty when I fell into the pit. I will never be able to apologize enough to Matt for how it all ended up...I take full responsibility and thank him for all that he did  in sticking by me.

A small circle of folks did the same but I still lost quite a bit along the way...I was horrible. It was a struggle to make my way out--Thanks to some very loyal folks and my own determination--I slowly clawed my way out to rejoin the living my positive nature came back,,,The lesson I learned--no matter how bad things may get--there's always hope ALWAYS...

You are asking how does Deven and Jay fit in?...read on a bit further...

Part of my long trip back included a career shift to a place where I am quite content and have little regret. Jay and Deven showed me that movie making is still hard yes---but could be fun and well worth the effort--something that I had forgotten. Helping them even in a very small way that I have allowed me the chance to give back in some respect--which is part of what life is all about. Something Deven and discussed a few days ago over the phone in fact...

Thanks boys! Wherever the path of life takes you remember I will always be grateful to you both. Good luck Enjoy Today!! I am proud of you!

You'll recall that I am related to one of them Until today though I have kept my last name off TLR--more over privacy concerns than anything else. However, as the blog's following grows via @TheLastReel on Twitter and it's Facebook page my identity has been revealed...yes my friends I am Tom Lobascio--Deven and I share a last name...

Happy Birthday to Deven's Dad Chris! What a great way to celebrate!!!

Until next time...

Browning Needs Saving In "Pompeii"

Emily Browning ("Sucker Punch") is set to join the Titanic-style epic Pompeii says PeliBlog & WP.

The story is set around Pompeii in 79 A.D. and folllows Milo ("Game of Thrones" star Kit Harington), a slave whose plans to marry the daughter (Browning) of his shipping tycoon master (Harris) are dashed when he is sold to another owner in Naples. When Mount Vesuvius erupts, he flees back to Pompeii to rescue his lover and his best friend, a gladiator trapped in the coliseum.

Janet Scott Batchler and Lee Batchler wrote the original screenplay-then Downton Abbey
creator Julian Fellowes wrote the most recent script revision.

Paul W.S. Anderson will direct and co-produce with Jeremy Bolt, Robert Kulzer and Martin Moszkowicz.

No production schedule was given.

McAvoy Is The Latest Person To Fly To The "Crow"

James McAvoy ("Atonement," "X-Men: First Class") is reportedly circling the-long in development reboot of The Crow says  Bloody Disgusting.

The report warns though that McAvoy’s work in "X-Men: Days of Future Past" might interfere with his ability to take the role.

Writer Jesse Wigutow was hired to pen the latest script--starting from scratch from which F. Javier Gutierrez ("Before the Fall") will helm.

James O'Barr's Gothic comic book series and the 1994 film from Alex Proyas-which became more known for the on set death of its star Brandon Lee, follows rock musician Eric Draven who is murdered while trying to save his fiancee from thugs. He is resurrected by supernatural forces and seeks revenge. That film spawned three sequels, The Crow: City of Angels, The Crow: Salvation, and The Crow: Wicked Prayer, as well as a short-lived TV series The Crow: Stairway to Heaven starring Mark Dacascos.

Director Stephen Norrington was slated to helm the reboot at first from a script by Nick Cave At that point Mark Wahlberg was rumoured to be interested in taking the lead role. Both Norrington and Cave left, replaced by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and Alex Tse respectively

Actor Bradley Cooper actually signed on to play the title character. Then Cooper left due to scheduling conflicts with the now delayed "Paradise Lost" and  Oscar contender The Silver Linings Playbook Wahlberg was linked a 2nd time but had 2 Guns and Broken City in his sights; Channing Tatum (who seems all wrong for the role IMHO) was also mentioned at one point recently and then came the legal tussel

Ed Pressman, Jeff Most, Ryan Kavanaugh, Enrique López Lavigne and Belén Atienza will produce

Schoenaerts Joins "Animal Rescue"

César Award winner Matthias Schoenaerts ("Rust and Bone") has landed a supporting role in Michael R. Roskam's film adaptation of author Dennis Lehane's short story "Animal Rescue".

Schoenaerts tells The Playlist: "I'll be shooting in New York with Michael Roskam, we're shooting his first American feature film. I have a supporting role in that, and I really look forward"

The pair worked on Bullhead together

The crime thriller follows a lonely Boston bartender (Tom Hardy) who rescues a puppy from a garbage can and becomes the target of the dog's abusive and mentally unstable former owner. At the same time he becomes caught up in the middle of a criminal conspiracy playing out in his mob-controlled bar.

Noomi Rapace ("Prometheus") plays  Nadia, a woman with a massive neck scar who crosses paths with Hardy when he finds a wounded puppy outside her home.

Neil Burger was previously attached to direct but dropped out to helm "Divergent" instead

Lehane adapted the script from his own short story.

Peter Chernin, Dylan Clark, Jenno Topping and Mike Larocca are producing the film.

Production happens in the spring

DeHaan Talks Osborn Prep; Spidey Costume Peek?

Actor Dane DeHaan ("Chronicle") tells The New York Times that he has been working out a lot in preparation to play Harry Osborn in  "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" Osborn of course is Peter Parker's best friend and eventual enemy who was played by James Franco previously.

"I’ve been preparing. Right now it’s just about getting all my work done and bulking up a little bit. I’ll start shooting fairly soon in New York. I work out incredibly intensely six days a week and I eat every two hours. Mostly proteins and veggies. I consume at least 3,000 calories a day. I’ve already gained seven pounds in six weeks!"

Andrew Garfield is already set to return as Peter Parker and Emma Stone is in talks to reprise her role as Gwen Stacy.

Shailene Woodley has won the role of Mary Jane Watson, the perennial red-headed love interest of Pater Parker in the Spidey comics. The role was previously played by Kirsten Dunst in director Sam Raimi's Spider-Man Trilogy. Jamie Foxx will be playing bad guy Electro . Paul Giamatti is set to play the villain, the Rhino in the upcoming sequel  Felicity Jones (Like Crazy), is in talks for an undisclosed role in the film.

Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner are writing the script based on a previous draft by James Vanderbilt.

The Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb will be back calling action.

Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach will produce.

Meantime Coming Soon claims to have an exclusive first look at the new costume Garfield's Peter Parker will be donning in the sequel.

After last year's reboot deliberately slipped Garfield into a costume stylistically different from the Raimi version, this one seems similar to the costume that Tobey Maguire wore.

The new film is now in production  to meet its May 2nd 2014 release date.

Quvenzhané Wallis Is "Annie"

Oscar nominee Quvenzhané Wallis ("Beasts of the Southern Wild") was rumored last month, but now is confirmed to be starring in the remake of "Annie " says Screen Daily.

Wallis will star as the iconic big-hearted orphan in this contemporary update of the classic Musical and Comic Strip

Will Gluck will direct the project and is currently revising the screenplay by Emma Thompson and Aline Brosh McKenna.

James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Jay Z, Jay Brown and Tyran 'Ty-Ty' Smith
will produce the film.

A late 2014 release is planned.

At one time Will and Jada's daughter Willow was considered