ENJOY THE SHOW
Video Interview: 'Burt Wonderstone' Writers on Magic, Sequels & More
Despite hearing good things about it, I never found time to see Horrible Bosses back in 2011. I finally caught up with it a few weeks ago, and was pleased to discover a solid comedy with a strong cast and an original premise: a rare trifecta in Hollywood's current state of making movies from board games. Since that film was released, writing partners John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein have become one of the most buzzed-about up and coming comedy duos in the industry. I recently had an opportunity to sit down with them in Los Angeles to discuss their writing process, their upcoming directorial debut and plenty more.
'Don Jon's Addiction' Gets Title Change, JGL Explains Reasons Why
After having a hell of a 2012 starring in Looper, Lincoln, Premium Rush and The Dark Knight Rises, Joseph Gordon-Levitt kicked off 2013 with the Sundance premiere of his directorial debut, Don Jon's Addiction. The film received rave reviews, but because the main character is addicted to pornography, JGL has decided to shorten the title to the more simple Don Jon in order to take some of the controversy away from the film. In a new Facebook post, which revealed the first production still of co-star Tony Danza (seen above), Gordon-Levitt explains to his fans exactly why he thought the title needed to be changed. Read on!
› Posted March 8 in Indies, Movie News | Comments
'Wreck-It Ralph' & 'King of Kong' Collide in Faux Documentary Short
Wreck-It Ralph (now on Blu-Ray and DVD) was one of my favorite movies of 2012, and though talks of a sequel have been brewing ever since its release, Disney is continuing the story in a more unique way first. They've released a thirty minute short online called Garlan Hulse: Where Potential Lives," a fake King of Kong-style documentary about the kid who once held the high score on the arcade version of Fix-It Felix Jr. game before it was overtaken by a Billy Mitchell-type rival. Ralph director Rich Moore hosts this live action tale, and if you're a fan of both Wreck-It Ralph and King of Kong, this is a must-watch. Watch it!
› Posted March 8 in Docs, Short Film, To Watch | Comments
Kickstart This: 'Mastodon' Film Explores Growing Up After a Tragedy
Welcome back to another edition of Kickstart This, FirstShowing's weekly column dedicated to spreading the word about cool indie projects that need your help to become a reality. Today, we're shining a light on a new film project called Mastodon, a movie that involves a tragedy that befalls a trio of friends and examines themes of friendship, growing up, and the relentless nature of time in the wake of that defining event. It's a personal story about the consequences of getting stuck in the past, and should be a compelling tale if it gets funded. Take a look at the pitch video below, and don't forget to donate if you can. Watch this!
› Posted March 8 in Indies, Kickstart This | Comments
Sofia Vergara Joining Jason Statham in Remake of Goldman's 'Heat'
While it certainly hasn't made anyone's list of most anticipated films, the remake of the 1986 Burt Reynolds action film Heat is a fascinating prospect in Hollywood right now. Legendary writer William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Princess Bride) wrote the original novel, the '86 screenplay, and the screenplay for the new remake, and while Brian De Palma was originally attached to direct, those duties have transferred to The Expendables 2 helmer Simon West. Now Variety reports that "Modern Family" and Machete Kills star Sofia Vergara will play the female lead opposite badass Jason Statham. More below!
› Posted March 8 in Casting, Movie News | Comments
Excl: 'Burt Wonderstone' Writers on the Challenges of a New 'Vacation'
With The Incredible Burt Wonderstone coming to theaters on March 15th, we had an opportunity to sit down with the writers of that movie, Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, to talk about the magician comedy. But our conversation spanned a variety of topics, including their upcoming directorial debut on the new Vacation movie with Ed Helms playing an older Rusty Griswold. Below, you can find their comments about their plans for the movie, the challenges of bringing a new Vacation movie to modern audiences, and their thoughts on bringing Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo back into the mix. Read on!
› Posted March 7 in Development, Movie News | Comments
Watch: Amusing Casino Promo Ad for 'Incredible Burt Wonderstone'
It's been a few years since The Prestige and The Illusionist brought magic to the box office in 2006, but we're about to get a new dose of prestidigitation when The Incredible Burt Wonderstone hits theaters next Friday. In anticipation of the film's release, Warner Bros. has released a new fake ad for Balley's Resort and Casino featuring magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) doing some ridiculous tricks and having a female audience member "feel the heat of their magical wands." Complete with cheesy voiceover, this does a good job of capturing the same outdated tone as their show.
Disney Not Developing Any Hand-Drawn Animated Films Right Now
If Walt Disney emerged from cryo-slumber and heard what Disney CEO Bob Iger just said at the company's shareholder's meeting, we're guessing he'd be pretty disappointed. Iger revealed today that the Walt Disney Company - including Pixar, Disney Animation, and Disney Toons - is currently not in development on any hand-drawn feature films. That's awfully sad news for fans of the classic Disney animation aesthetic, and it's particularly sad to hear that news coming from the studio that first proved hand-drawn animation could be a viable method of making movies by releasing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. Read on.
› Posted March 6 in Animation, Development, Movie News | Comments
'Guardians of the Galaxy' to Feature Space Cops Called Nova Corps
Just in case you were thinking that Marvel wasn't going far enough out there by greenlighting a Guardians of the Galaxy film that features a talking raccoon, walking tree, an alien assassin, and a guy named "Star Lord," not to mention the movie being set 95% in space, here comes another announcement that proves that the studio truly is going all out when it comes to James Gunn's film. AICN received a tip from a source who reveals that a group of space police called the Nova Corps will also appear in this movie. They're pretty much like the Marvel Universe's equivalent to the DC Comics Universe's Green Lantern Corps. more below!
› Posted March 6 in Hype, Marvel, Movie News | Comments
'Narnia' & 'Son of Rambow' Star Will Poulter May Be 'Maze Runner'
In a few years, the name James Dashner could be as well-known as J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, or Suzanne Collins. That's because his young adult novel The Maze Runner is getting the feature film treatment soon, directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Wes Ball and featuring the same post-apocalyptic vibe that - much like Hansel in Zoolander - is so hot right now. As for the next Daniel Radcliffe, Josh Hutcherson, or Liam Hemsworth, that name just might be 20-year-old Will Poulter, the Son of Rambow and Chronicles of Narnia star who, according to Deadline, has just been offered the lead role. More below!
› Posted March 6 in Casting, Movie News | Comments
Jessica Chastain Top Choice for Jane in David Yates' New 'Tarzan'
Over the past few years, film studios have collectively shifted to a conservative approach when it comes to what movies they choose to make, and having recognizable and marketable properties is what it's all about these days. Warner Bros. has been developing a new spin on Tarzan for a couple of years now, starting with Hustle & Flow director Craig Brewer's take, and ultimately ending up with a script by John August and Adam Cozad for Harry Potter director David Yates to helm. Alexander Skarsgard is the top choice for the title role, and now the New York Post reports Zero Dark Thirty star Jessica Chastian could be his Jane.
› Posted March 6 in Casting, Movie News | Comments
Will Gluck to Direct Stylized Biopic of Crime Novelist Agatha Christie
Author Agatha Christie was one of the most famous writers in history, writing over 60 detective novels, a handful of short stories, and a few plays from the 1920s until her death in 1976. Her work has been translated into over 30 films, including Midnight on the Orient Express, Ten Little Indians, and Witness for the Prosecution. Deadline reports that Paramount has just purchased a spec script from writer Allison Schroeder called Agatha, which offers an action adventure take on what happened during the eleven days when the real Christie actually went missing in 1926 and, Easy A director Will Gluck is attached to direct.
› Posted March 5 in Development, Movie News | Comments
Anna Kendrick & Craig Robinson in Red Band 'Rapturepalooza' Trailer
The Rapture is a Biblical prophesy in which Jesus Christ returns to Earth to take all of His followers into heaven, leaving unbelievers behind in an apocalyptic wasteland as the Antichrist tries to take over the world. It's been featured in a few films already, most famously the Left Behind series (which is getting a reboot starring Nicolas Cage), but now it looks like the religious event is going to be fodder for a comedy, as a red band trailer for Rapturepalooza has surfaced online, starring Anna Kendrick, John Francis Daley, and Craig Robinson as the Antichrist. It looks like the worst end of days comedy coming this year. Watch?
'Watchmen' Star Jeffrey Dean Morgan & Anthony Hopkins Take 'Solace'
After playing The Comedian in Zack Synder's film adaptation of Watchmen, it looked like Jeffrey Dean Morgan was poised for breakout success. But starring in a series of disappointing movies like The Losers, The Possession, and Red Dawn hasn't done much to convince the public that he's more than a poor man's American version of Javier Bardem. But hopefully this next project will put him back on the rise, as THR reports Morgan is joining Anthony Hopkins and Colin Farrell in a supernatural thriller called Solace. The film marks the English language debut of Brazilian director Afonso Poyart (Two Rabbits). Read on!
› Posted March 4 in Casting, Movie News | Comments
FEATURED POSTS
GET MORE NEWS
Follow our main profile on
:For the news posts only, follow this one:
Be first to spread news using ‹Spread.us›
for interviews 
RECENT COMMENTS
NEWEST PODCAST
FACEBOOK + LINKS