- Twilight's First Official Photo and Why I'm Passing
- Rumor: Matthew McConaughey Possibly Captain America - Blasphemy!
- Sound Off: Iron Man - What Did You Think?
- Must Watch: Second Full Trailer for The Dark Knight!
- V for Vendetta Director, James McTeigue, Takes on Revelation (May 9, 2008)
- Donnie Darko Getting an Unnecessary Sequel?! (May 9, 2008)
- Pirates' Gore Verbinski to Direct BioShock Movie! (May 9, 2008)
- Frank Miller Bringing Buck Rogers Back? (May 9, 2008)
| Speed Racer | 8/10 |
| Iron Man | 10/10 |
| Iron Man | 9/10 |
| Baby Mama | 7.5/10 |
V for Vendetta Director, James McTeigue, Takes on Revelation
Seasoned sci-fi'er and upcoming director James McTeigue has signed on to helm a new thriller, titled Revelation. Judging from his directorial debut, V for Vendetta, and his involvement with the Matrix trilogy and last year's The Invasion, I have to say this is pretty happy news for a Friday. V for Vendetta is actually one of my all-time favorite films, so I'm excited at the prospect of such sensibilities carrying over. I'd be through the roof, however, if Hugo Weaving was involved.
Donnie Darko Getting an Unnecessary Sequel?!
When I wrote about the rumor of Matthew McConaughey being considered as Captain America a few days ago, I really thought there was nothing worse that I could ever report. I was wrong. Today we've come across some news courtesy of Screen Daily announcing the development of a sequel to Donnie Darko titled just S. Darko. Why is this so bad? The original films creator, Richard Kelly, is not involved in any way, shape, or form, and it's being developed entirely on its own by a completely new creative team. While I wouldn't have a minded a sequel if Kelly were to be doing it, this is a disaster in the making. There is really no way anything good can come of this! Right?!
Pirates' Gore Verbinski to Direct BioShock Movie!
In a very exciting announcement today, Universal Pictures has officially signed on Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy director Gore Verbinski to direct and produce an adaptation of the video game BioShock. We've talked about it a lot before, including mention of Guillermo del Toro's interest, but now the movie has ended up in the hands of Gore himself. I can't even begin to tell you how overjoyed I am to hear this news! It is believed to be the biggest Hollywood deal for a video game movie since the Halo adaptation fell apart a few years ago. Be prepared to see the city of Rapture come to life soon enough. This is definitely going to be a defining moment for video game movies!
Frank Miller Bringing Buck Rogers Back?
Although I've never actually seen anything with the character, Buck Rogers is a name that I'm inherently already familiar with. Buck is a fictional character who first appeared in 1928 as a venerable pilot who awakens in the 25th Century and battles evil. IGN initially broke the news that the classic character was getting a live action revamp from Nu Image/Millennium Films, the same company that revived Rambo and Conan. While it was later confirmed as unofficial news, their original report stated that Frank Miller was in considerations to direct - although officially the studio is still considering other directors, too. However, it was confirmed that a live action Buck Rogers revival is definitely in the works.
Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouse Shut Down!
As we all know, New Line Cinema folded in under Warner Brothers back in February, which also meant the converging of both of the studios' independent divisions: Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouse. In a "surprising move" today, Warner Brothers president and COO Alan Horn announced that it was shutting down both WIP and Picturehouse instead of combining them under one banner. This is definitely a sad day for everyone at both indie studios, especially since I have a good friend who works at WIP. The status of films in development and set for release from both studios has yet to be decided, but initial speculation shows that they may just get distributed by Warner Brothers on a whole. It sounds like to me WB is becoming the real powerhouse in Hollywood now.
John Waters is Back - Directing Fruitcake with Johnny Knoxville!
Legendary quirky director John Waters is returning to the director's chair! Waters hasn't directed a film since 2004's NC-17 rated A Dirty Shame, but will be returning this year with a film called Fruitcake. Get this - not only does it have a wacky concept (see below), but it's Christmas children's movie! Both Johnny Knoxville and Parker Posey have joined the cast, but not too much else has been revealed. While I'm not a closet John Waters fan by any means, it is actually intriguing to see him return… I think? I've got to ask - is he still a good director or did he just have a few good one-timers and that's it? Because I think you need to hear the concept for this new Fruitcake movie and decide for yourself what to make of it.
First Look: Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks as Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bush!
We already talked about the casting announcements and shared the comparison photos with you, but now it's time to actually see Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks as Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bush. The two are the frontrunners in Oliver Stone's biopic on on our 43rd President title simply W. I'm still baffled that we're even seeing this movie get made when Stone himself makes statements like this: "Bush may turn out to be the worst president in history. I think history is going to be very tough on him. But that doesn't mean he isn't a great story." Are you daring enough to take a glimpse at the newly reformed Brolin and Banks?
Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt Starring in 500 Days of Summer Together
Two of my favorite actors joining a romantic comedy together - what a joyous occasion! Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt will star together in an upcoming independent movie titled 500 Days of Summer for Fox Searchlight. Not much has been revealed yet: the story centers on Gordon-Levitt who falls hopelessly in love with Deschanel, a girl who doesn't believe in love. Music video director Marc Webb is making his feature film debut with a screenplay by newcomers Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber (who's only other work was on the upcoming Pink Panther 2). Shooting starts next Tuesday in Los Angeles and I'll be sure to keep my eye on this.
Official First Look: Sean Penn as Harvey Milk
Well, it's not exactly the very first look - there has been many quick citizen photographers in San Francisco - but moreso the first official photo of Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay big city official that was elected in 1977 and then assassinated in 1978. Milk's story is being adapted for the big screen by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester), titled just Milk, which just finished filming and is due out November 26th later this year. Here's the photo straight from EW.com with a few more new details.
Ellen Page Cast as Jane Eyre Next
As many know, I love me some Ellen Page, ever since she surprised audiences as the adorable little psycho in Hard Candy. Her role in Juno was equally impressive, but obviously on the other end of the spectrum. As for Smart People, she seemed to channel her Juno performance a bit, which is to say she delivered the familiar beyond-her-years intelligence and jokes. So I've started to wonder whether she's in fear of typecasting, since she plays the whip-smart young adult with a surprising degree of confidence and sophisticated humor so naturally. Page's recently announced project puts those fears to rest a bit, but now I wonder how well she'll pull this off. Producers of The Other Boleyn Girl are working with the BBC on yet another adaptation of Jane Eyre for which Page will play the lead.
Frank Miller's The Spirit Slides to Christmas Day
Lionsgate has decided to movie the release date of Frank Miller's adaptation of Will Eisner's The Spirit up from January 16th next year to December 25th - Christmas Day - this year. While this news normally isn't too exciting, this time I think it's actually an interesting choice that's worth discussing. By now we've all seen the first teaser trailer for The Spirit. Lionsgate's president Tom Ortenberg decided to change the release date after they saw the reaction at the New York Comic Con, where the trailer officially debuted. All I know is that the reaction I typically hear when the trailer plays is along the lines of "is this Sin City 2?"
Classic Action: One More Reason Why Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Will Be Amazing
Although he's one of the most well-known actors and impossible to actually talk with, Harrison Ford seems like a great interview. He's been doing a few interviews with major newspapers recently, including this great one with USA Today, but in this recent one with The Australian, he mentions a few noteworthy things regarding Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. After watching Raiders of the Lost Ark again last night and being reminded why I love the Indiana Jones series so much, hearing statements like the ones Ford makes below are the kind that are making me even more excited for Indy's return. There is so much doubt surrounding whether this movie will be as defined as the original three, but I'm pretty damn sure it will live up to their excellence in every way.
Hancock is a Darker Blockbuster Than You Might Imagine
This year's big 4th of July film is one starring the one-and-only Will Smith, who usually resides in that spot anyway. Although I may have a bit of disdain for Hancock, the talent involved is undeniably strong: Peter Berg (The Rundown, The Kingdom) directing, Akiva Goldsman (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, I Am Legend) and Michael Mann (Ali, Collateral, Miami Vice) producing, and of course Will Smith. However, an interesting tidbit about the darker, more violent nature of the film has recently been revealed in a New York Times article. In it, Berg speaks about the more adult undertones related to the character of Hancock, as originally created by first-time writer Vincent Ngo. It seems this isn't the light-hearted comedic blockbuster that we've all imagined it would be.
Rumor: Matthew McConaughey Possibly Captain America - Blasphemy!
Say it ain't so! Hot on the heels of Marvel's announcement yesterday of a Captain America movie for 2011, a scoop from Cinema Blend names Matthew McConaughey is one of the actors in the running for the lead role. Please tell me this is all just a big phoney rumor like Hayden Christensen as Superman! It would easily be the biggest travesty in all of Marvel history if McConaughey was cast as Captain America. The scoop says that although the film is still three years out from release, they're currently searching for their star and he is one of the few that is being considered. I really hate talking about rumors like this, but everyone is hungry for something to chew on after Marvel's announcement and here it is.
The Knights Templar? Vampires? Timur Bekmambetov? I'm In!
After bringing us both Night Watch and Day Watch and now debuting Wanted this June, Timur Bekmambetov will be producing a Middle Ages vampire horror flick next. Titled The Knights Templar, the film puts a horror spin on the famed organization of fighters from the Middle Ages, with the Knights Templar, fresh from the Crusades, forced to fend off an invading vampire army set on destroying the Holy Grail. Universal picked up the film as a spec script from newcomers Adam Torchia, as his first feature film, and Justin Stanley, of The Shadow Men and Beneath Loch Ness. The catch - Timur isn't directing, only producing, but this was way too cool of a concept to pass up as news.
Confirmed: Anchorman News Team Definitely Returning!
After initially reporting a rumor back in February that Will Ferrell wanted to bring back Ron Burgundy in an Anchorman sequel, we now have some confirmation. Collider recently caught up with Will Ferrell's friend and collaborator Adam McKay, who directed Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and the upcoming Step Brothers. McKay told him that they're definitely going to do Anchorman 2, but probably not for another two years. Hell yes! I don't mind the wait - just bring Ron Burgundy back! He's one of the greatest characters Will Ferrell has ever created and the other members who make up the news team are some of the best comedians around.
Marvel Announces Next Four Films - Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Avengers!
In connection with the official earnings announcement for Iron Man, Marvel has announced its next four upcoming films after 2009 and spilled a few more details on additional projects in the works. The huge success of Iron Man this past weekend has instantly greenlit the sequel, now set for this same weekend in 2010. Following that will be Thor in June of 2010. And then 2011 is the year where we'll see it all begin - Captain America and The Avengers will finally make their debut. Some additional details were also mentioned on a few other projects. One thing is clear - Marvel is really starting to build an interconnected universe of superheroes and we'll start to see all of their movies connecting over the next few years.
The Creature from the Black Lagoon Remake Has Legs
Refreshingly, the latest news in the world of remakes isn't coming from the '80s. Instead, we get word of some needed wind in the sails of the long-discussed update of the 1954 classic, The Creature from the Black Lagoon. The project has floated around for more than 10 years now and passed through the hands of such greats at Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro. STYD brings us news that not only is the project on a solid path towards release next year, but good headway has already been made on the production.
Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins Announced as PG-13
The Halcyon Company made an official announcement today stating that the upcoming Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins will be officially rated PG-13. I'm not entirely sure why they made such an effort to make sure the rating was this well known, especially when they haven't even really started filming, but it's a topic worth discussing. The important thing to note: all three of the past Terminator films have been rated R. This is the very first time any Terminator movie will be PG-13. This is similar to Live Free or Die Hard last year, which was the first Die Hard movie to be rated PG-13. Is this a concern?
Eli Roth Clarifies Untrue Details About His Future
A few weeks ago, news hit regarding one of Hostel creator Eli Roth's future projects. Although our headline didn't play it off this way, the original source's headline said that Eli Roth was "ditching horror" in favor of a new PG-13 science fiction project that was inspired by Cloverfield and Transformers. Roth recently clarified the situation on his official blog, saying that the headline was "not only untrue," but that it made it "seem like I'm like spitting in the face of everyone who's ever supported me." He also went on to explain how the reporter actually came up with the idea that the project was inspired by those two aforementioned movies when in reality he was simply referring to both them for the sake of explaining the PG-13 rating. This is an interesting case of a journalistic spin gone wrong.