Here's a very quick teaser for the July 30, 2010. fantasy romance flick Beastly
A modern take on the classic tale of "Beauty and the Beast", the movie follows Kyle Kingson (Alex Pettyfer), a handsome rich kid with a mean streak. His life is turned upside down when a curse, which is placed upon him after he ditches a date (Mary-Kate Olsen), turns him into everything he hates. Now, he is left with the seemingly impossible task of finding true love to break the ugly spell.
Vanessa Hudgens also stars.
Daniel Barnz directed the pic
The next Twilight? The vibe is certainly what the filmmakers are going for.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
HSM China Style
As the High School Musical film series lies dormant in the U.S. (for now anyway)--the winning fornula is going East.Disney has started production on a Chinese version of the franchise for release in theaters next Summer.
"Disney High School Musical: China" tells the story of a new student who meets a gifted young man with whom she shares a secret passion for singing. With the help of their friends they overcome the odds to win an inter-school singing competition, and discover their true calling in the process.
Jason Reed, general manager of Walt Disney Studios international production: "We wrote an original screenplay from the ground up. This is inspired by the spirit of the first one. The young stars are not as well known as they will be soon. The key for us was that they could sing and dance and whether they had the energy and charisma needed."
Filming is underway in Shanghai and features six new young stars drawn from across China
Expanding the brand is a smart business move by the Mouse House....
Extra HSM related tidbit Former BMOC Zac Efron told Time that he 'Would Love To Try An Action Film"
What? Jonny Quest doesn't count as an action film...??
The 'Tar Push Picks Up
We are now just weeks away from the long awaited debut of James Cameron's sci-fi epic "Avatar" takes on the worldwide cinema--starting with its big premiere in London on December 10th...
It's everywhere.
The film and Cameron were profiled by TV newsmag 60 Minutes show last night...
Producer Jon Landau told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday that production crews are working around the clock to finish up basic elements from color and sound mixing to more complicated visual effects shots on the 30 minutes of the film that remain incomplete.
Cutting it close eh?
Last minute work is driving the film's cost up with the budget looking to go over the $300 million mark.
The running time--Cameron is known for making long films and early buzz had 'tar's tally up to three hours.
The Hollywood Reporter says that due to limits imposed by the IMAX conversion, the film's theatrical release will be kept to 150 minutes before credits.
The pic will be getting a ten-week run in IMAX theatres though, unlike most films who are limited to a three-week run for their releases.
Meantime, Market Saw says that New Zealand-based Weta Digital, one of around eight digital effects houses working on the project, had finished their commissioned work for the film.
The push picks up faster im the coming weeks
It's everywhere.
The film and Cameron were profiled by TV newsmag 60 Minutes show last night...
Producer Jon Landau told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday that production crews are working around the clock to finish up basic elements from color and sound mixing to more complicated visual effects shots on the 30 minutes of the film that remain incomplete.
Cutting it close eh?
Last minute work is driving the film's cost up with the budget looking to go over the $300 million mark.
The running time--Cameron is known for making long films and early buzz had 'tar's tally up to three hours.
The Hollywood Reporter says that due to limits imposed by the IMAX conversion, the film's theatrical release will be kept to 150 minutes before credits.
The pic will be getting a ten-week run in IMAX theatres though, unlike most films who are limited to a three-week run for their releases.
Meantime, Market Saw says that New Zealand-based Weta Digital, one of around eight digital effects houses working on the project, had finished their commissioned work for the film.
The push picks up faster im the coming weeks
Charting A New Course
Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer are set to write the film adaptation of the hit PlayStation video game series Uncharted reports Latino Review
The film will be based on the first game in the series, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the story follows treasure hunter Nate Drake who believes he has learned the whereabouts of El Dorado, the fabled South American golden city, from a cursed golden statue.
The search becomes competitive when a rival hunter joins the fray, then is ratcheted up several notches when creatures -- actually mutated descendants of Spaniards and Nazis -- begin attacking those hoping to learn the treasure's true secrets.
The first game was the most acclaimed 'launch title' for the platform. Its sequel, Among Thieves™, (pictured) was just released recently and is likely to make many 'Game of the Year' lists for '09.
Kyle Ward ("Hitman 2" ) was charged as the film's writer over the summer, but the deal apparently fell apart.
The film will be based on the first game in the series, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the story follows treasure hunter Nate Drake who believes he has learned the whereabouts of El Dorado, the fabled South American golden city, from a cursed golden statue.
The search becomes competitive when a rival hunter joins the fray, then is ratcheted up several notches when creatures -- actually mutated descendants of Spaniards and Nazis -- begin attacking those hoping to learn the treasure's true secrets.
The first game was the most acclaimed 'launch title' for the platform. Its sequel, Among Thieves™, (pictured) was just released recently and is likely to make many 'Game of the Year' lists for '09.
Kyle Ward ("Hitman 2" ) was charged as the film's writer over the summer, but the deal apparently fell apart.
Howling Foul
Hollywood operates in trends..Case in point:Producers Joel Kastelberg and Etchie Stroh will reboot the The Howling franchise with "The Howling: Reborn" reports Variety.
Joe Dante directed the 1981 original that starred Dee Wallace and itelf spawned six sequels.
Story details on the remake/reboot are being kept under wraps. Joe Nimziki makes his feature film directorial debut from his own script.
Shooting kicks off in February for a release next Halloween.
The original pic is a fun and yes imperfect film-- limited mostly by budget and ultimately overshadowed by the '81 wolf comedy, An American Werewolf in London.
My problem with this particular remake plan though has more to do with the fact that Hollywood's got New Moon making a mint in theaters right now, The Wolfman on the way in February of 2010 and now this project.
Vampires are everywhere and now it's time for werewolves to saturate the entertainment landscape.
Hollywood operates in trends...
S.H.A.D.O. Knows
Fringe star Joshua Jackson is inked to headline a new film adaptation of the cult 70's British sci-fi TV series "UFO" reports Variety.Jackson will star as Paul Foster, a test pilot who joins S.H.A.D.O. (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Organization), a covert organization built under a Hollywood studio that defends Earth against a race of aliens who have been abducting humans and using the body parts.
Gerry Anderson who also created the cult marionette shows like "Thunderbirds" and ""Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons" went live-action with the original "UFO" show which ran for a single season of twenty-six episodes from 1970 to 1971.
A second series was initially commissioned but later cancelled, with much of the development work done on it incorporated into Anderson's more well-known mid-70's program "Space: 1999"
Ryan Gaudet and Joseph Kanarek are writing the screenplay
Iron Man and Shutter Island visual effects supervisor Matthew Gratzner is set to make his directorial debut on the pic.
Filming kicks off this Spring in the UK.
As a fan of Anderson's cult TV classics since childhood I'm jazzed over the possibilities here. Nice to see that Jackson not afraid to leave the genre once Fringe wraps its 2nd season.
Mulling Kull
A new film adaptation of Robert E. Howard' fantasy hero "Kull" is is on the way says Fantasy.fr.Howard created the adventure hero in 1929 and would use the character as inspiration for his more famous follow-up creation "Conan the Barbarian".
Kull grows up with his family in Tiger Valley Atlantis until a flood wipes his clan out.
Another clan bring him up, but he stands up for a woman destined to burn alive and ends up banned from Atlantis.
He sails for the continent and take up the mercenary way. He'll become king, just as Conan will do thousands of years later. Under his influence, Valusia ends up as the most powerful kingdom of the time.
The character's first big screen go was 1997's critically-panned "Kull the Conqueror" starring Kevin Sorbo (pictured)
The Conan films were at least campy fun while Kull was just a bad film. Will the Kull redo be watchable?
Lawn Doctor
After the boffo box office debut of New Moon over the weekend director Chris Weitz has announced that he will helm"The Gardener" for Summit Entertainment reports Variety.
Eric Eason's script follows a hard-working Mexican gardener who lives in Los Angeles and his efforts to protect his son. Filming kicks off in March or April.
Weitz also says talk of his retirment from filmmaking was overblown saying the quote was lifted from an interview he did after "The Golden Compass" on which he got a rough treatment from the Summit suits.
He says he's been reinvigorated by the work on "Moon".
Anyone's career would reinvigorated... You would think twice about quitting your job if your work made a bazillion bucks as well.
Eric Eason's script follows a hard-working Mexican gardener who lives in Los Angeles and his efforts to protect his son. Filming kicks off in March or April.
Weitz also says talk of his retirment from filmmaking was overblown saying the quote was lifted from an interview he did after "The Golden Compass" on which he got a rough treatment from the Summit suits.
He says he's been reinvigorated by the work on "Moon".
Anyone's career would reinvigorated... You would think twice about quitting your job if your work made a bazillion bucks as well.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Hair Removal
The problems for the February 12th thriller The Wolfman continue...
Variety reports - that editor Dennis Virkler has been replaced.
Walter Murch and Mark Goldblatt will recut Joe Johnston's monster movie.
Between them-the pair have done some great work--Goldblatt Armageddon, the Bad Boys pics Pearl Harbor, and the first 2 Terminator films; Murch handling slightly more dramatic stuff like Cold Mountain and The English Patient. The two editors will likely be cutting together footage from six weeks of reshoots completed over the summer, supervised by second unit director Vic Armstrong.
The release date, director spot and composer have all changed at some point in the process...
Variety reports - that editor Dennis Virkler has been replaced.
Walter Murch and Mark Goldblatt will recut Joe Johnston's monster movie.
Between them-the pair have done some great work--Goldblatt Armageddon, the Bad Boys pics Pearl Harbor, and the first 2 Terminator films; Murch handling slightly more dramatic stuff like Cold Mountain and The English Patient. The two editors will likely be cutting together footage from six weeks of reshoots completed over the summer, supervised by second unit director Vic Armstrong.
The release date, director spot and composer have all changed at some point in the process...
Lunar Cycle
No surprise here--and despite lackluster reviews--New Moon beats opening day record of comic book flick The Dark Knight going on to take in over 140 million including midnight screenings...
Pamela McClintock of Variety:
Marking the third best weekend opening of all time, Summit Entertainment's sequel "New Moon" grossed an estimated $140.7 million from 4,024 screens at the domestic B.O., according to insiders close to the numbers.
Not only that, "New Moon" led what's expected to be the second-best weekend ever at the domestic B.O. in terms of overall ticket sales, trailing only the weekend that Warner Bros.' "The Dark Knight" opened, and that was in summer.
Helping the this weekend's boom was Warner Bros.' sports drama "The Blind Side," which far overperformed in opening to an estimated $34.5 million from 3,110 screens.
"New Moon's" boffo opening trails only Warners' "The Dark Knight" ($167.2 million) and Sony's "Spider-Man 3" ($151.1 million). "New Moon" bumped Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" ($135.6 million) from the No. 3 spot in terms of top opening for a three-day weekend.
EW posts the complete top 10 chart and has more analysis.
Holidays '09 are here...Coming to theaters on Wednesday: Robin Williams and John Travolta are just a couple of Old Dogs trying to learn new tricks: The Ninja Assassin will kick your butt; John Hillcoat puts Cormac McCarthy's sci-fi tale The Road on the big screen--bringing award buzz with it...
Pamela McClintock of Variety:
Marking the third best weekend opening of all time, Summit Entertainment's sequel "New Moon" grossed an estimated $140.7 million from 4,024 screens at the domestic B.O., according to insiders close to the numbers.
Not only that, "New Moon" led what's expected to be the second-best weekend ever at the domestic B.O. in terms of overall ticket sales, trailing only the weekend that Warner Bros.' "The Dark Knight" opened, and that was in summer.
Helping the this weekend's boom was Warner Bros.' sports drama "The Blind Side," which far overperformed in opening to an estimated $34.5 million from 3,110 screens.
"New Moon's" boffo opening trails only Warners' "The Dark Knight" ($167.2 million) and Sony's "Spider-Man 3" ($151.1 million). "New Moon" bumped Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" ($135.6 million) from the No. 3 spot in terms of top opening for a three-day weekend.
EW posts the complete top 10 chart and has more analysis.
Holidays '09 are here...Coming to theaters on Wednesday: Robin Williams and John Travolta are just a couple of Old Dogs trying to learn new tricks: The Ninja Assassin will kick your butt; John Hillcoat puts Cormac McCarthy's sci-fi tale The Road on the big screen--bringing award buzz with it...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Twi-Knight
Even as The Twilight Saga New Moon makes news in its first full day of release.:
'New Moon' sets midnight showing record...
New Moon Spreading Like a Virus...Literally...
Uh-Oh! New Moon Should Have Been Better...
An "event" movie like NM also means that it's ripe for parody as ItsJustSomeRandomGuy proves
'New Moon' sets midnight showing record...
New Moon Spreading Like a Virus...Literally...
Uh-Oh! New Moon Should Have Been Better...
An "event" movie like NM also means that it's ripe for parody as ItsJustSomeRandomGuy proves
Friday, November 20, 2009
Property Values
Books and video games are always being made into movies--A fresh batch:
*Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Shooter) will direct a big screen adaptation of the french graphic novel "Miss: Better Living Through Crime says Variety.
Nola and Slim are two unlikely partners in crime in the early 1900s in New York. Nola is a poor white girl who has learned to survive since being expelled from an orphanage. Slim is a black pimp with an uncertain past, trying to keep one foot out of the grave. They soon forge a partnership as killers for hire.
John Ridley, who recently wrote George Lucas' Red Tails is adapting the script and Spike Lee will be executive producing.
*A film version of Scott O B Brown's 2007 graphic novel "Nightfall" is headed for the big screen reports Variety.
The story centers on a man who finds out just how bad life can get when he discovers that the prison he just entered is controlled by vampires.
*Mark Sable's comic book "Unthinkable" is on its way to cinemas as well reports the Heat Vision blog.
The action thriller centres on a brilliant man who was recruited just after the September 11 attacks of 2001 into a government think tank consisting of America's most imaginative minds and tasked with dreaming up wild scenarios for possible attacks on U.S. soil. Years after the think tank was disbanded, the attacks the man concocted begin to occur, and he becomes the only one who can stop them. But the government has become his pursuer.
*Scottish actor Kevin McKidd tells The New York Post that "there are talks of a feature film" based on the hit video game series "Call of Duty".
Mckidd, who provides the the voice for Captain "Soap" McTavish character in both the 'Modern Warfare' entries in the series, adds that he'd definitely consider tackling his character in the flesh - "if the script is good, and Gerard [Butler] isn't available, then absolutely."
The latest game in the series, "Modern Warfare 2" was released across all platforms last week worldwide and took in $310 million in North America and the U.K. alone on its first day.
*Lauren McLaughlin's young-adult book series "Cycler" has been optioned for the big screen says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story follows Jill, a suburban teenager who for four days each month turns into Jack, complete with male anatomy and 17-year-old-boy fantasies. Jill has maintained her life of ordinary teenage worries, such as going to the prom and dealing with crush, but that changes when Jack, tired of being locked in his room, begins to escape, causing damage to her social life.
*Lorenzo di Bonaventura will produce films based on Michael Scott's six-part fantasy novel series "The Immortal Nicholas Flamel" reports Variety.
The story follows fifteen-year-old twins Sophie and Josh as they adventure across several continents with the immortal alchemyst of the title, Nicholas Flamel. They soon find themselves caught up in an age-old battle between good and evil as they race across America learning the ancient ways of magic.
"Kyle XY" creator Eric Bress adapted the script. The fourth book in the series, The Necromancer hits stores next year.
*Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Shooter) will direct a big screen adaptation of the french graphic novel "Miss: Better Living Through Crime says Variety.
Nola and Slim are two unlikely partners in crime in the early 1900s in New York. Nola is a poor white girl who has learned to survive since being expelled from an orphanage. Slim is a black pimp with an uncertain past, trying to keep one foot out of the grave. They soon forge a partnership as killers for hire.
John Ridley, who recently wrote George Lucas' Red Tails is adapting the script and Spike Lee will be executive producing.
*A film version of Scott O B Brown's 2007 graphic novel "Nightfall" is headed for the big screen reports Variety.
The story centers on a man who finds out just how bad life can get when he discovers that the prison he just entered is controlled by vampires.
*Mark Sable's comic book "Unthinkable" is on its way to cinemas as well reports the Heat Vision blog.
The action thriller centres on a brilliant man who was recruited just after the September 11 attacks of 2001 into a government think tank consisting of America's most imaginative minds and tasked with dreaming up wild scenarios for possible attacks on U.S. soil. Years after the think tank was disbanded, the attacks the man concocted begin to occur, and he becomes the only one who can stop them. But the government has become his pursuer.
*Scottish actor Kevin McKidd tells The New York Post that "there are talks of a feature film" based on the hit video game series "Call of Duty".
Mckidd, who provides the the voice for Captain "Soap" McTavish character in both the 'Modern Warfare' entries in the series, adds that he'd definitely consider tackling his character in the flesh - "if the script is good, and Gerard [Butler] isn't available, then absolutely."
The latest game in the series, "Modern Warfare 2" was released across all platforms last week worldwide and took in $310 million in North America and the U.K. alone on its first day.
*Lauren McLaughlin's young-adult book series "Cycler" has been optioned for the big screen says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story follows Jill, a suburban teenager who for four days each month turns into Jack, complete with male anatomy and 17-year-old-boy fantasies. Jill has maintained her life of ordinary teenage worries, such as going to the prom and dealing with crush, but that changes when Jack, tired of being locked in his room, begins to escape, causing damage to her social life.
*Lorenzo di Bonaventura will produce films based on Michael Scott's six-part fantasy novel series "The Immortal Nicholas Flamel" reports Variety.
The story follows fifteen-year-old twins Sophie and Josh as they adventure across several continents with the immortal alchemyst of the title, Nicholas Flamel. They soon find themselves caught up in an age-old battle between good and evil as they race across America learning the ancient ways of magic.
"Kyle XY" creator Eric Bress adapted the script. The fourth book in the series, The Necromancer hits stores next year.
Pitt Goes Into The Void
The video game Dark Void™ does not hit stores till January--but a film adaptation is already being prep ed says Variety.Brad Pitt will produce and possibly star in the game adaptation which follows the exploits of a pilot who crash lands in the Bermuda Triangle and finds himself in a mysterious alternate reality where aliens are planning to take over civilization.
No production schedule for the film has been set.
Mon Ami
Robert Pattinson has 2 new co-stars to work with in his next film Bel Ami says The Hollywood Reporter.
Uma Thurman (taking the role that Nicole Kidman was rumored to have but then quickly denied) Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient).
Author Guy de Maupassant's "Ami" follows George Duroy (Pattinson), a young journalist who rose from poverty to become one of the most successful men in Paris via the ruthless and calculating bedding of the city's most glamorous and influential women.
Thurman plays the wife of Duroy's friend, a woman who is extremely involved and connected in the goings-on of Parisian society. She helps Duroy in his ascent, later becoming his wife.
Thomas plays a socialite who falls for Duroy, becoming clingy in the process.
Stage director Declan Donnellan makes his directorial debut on the project which Uberto Pasolini is producing. Filming kicking off next year in Paris....
As an added Pattinson bonus--here's the trailer for his first post- Twilight film--Remember Me from helmer Allen Coulter due for debut on March 12th 2010.
Uma Thurman (taking the role that Nicole Kidman was rumored to have but then quickly denied) Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient).
Author Guy de Maupassant's "Ami" follows George Duroy (Pattinson), a young journalist who rose from poverty to become one of the most successful men in Paris via the ruthless and calculating bedding of the city's most glamorous and influential women.
Thurman plays the wife of Duroy's friend, a woman who is extremely involved and connected in the goings-on of Parisian society. She helps Duroy in his ascent, later becoming his wife.
Thomas plays a socialite who falls for Duroy, becoming clingy in the process.
Stage director Declan Donnellan makes his directorial debut on the project which Uberto Pasolini is producing. Filming kicking off next year in Paris....
As an added Pattinson bonus--here's the trailer for his first post- Twilight film--Remember Me from helmer Allen Coulter due for debut on March 12th 2010.
Mia, Michael, and Jane
Mia Wasikowska ("Alice in Wonderland") and Michael Fassbender ("Jonah Hex," "Inglourious Basterds") are in talks to join Jane Eyre says Variety.Based on Charlotte Brontë's classic novel the new adaptation emphasizes the gothic elements of the story about Jane (Wasikowska), a demure governess who discovers her surly employer Rochester (Fassbender) is harboring a dark secret.
Cary Fukunaga, who recently won the Best Director award at Sundance for his debut feature, Sin Nombre is calling action from a script by Moira Buffini.
The new version of Eyre is scheduled to be released sometime in 2011.
Focker Flap
Dustin Hoffman probably won't return for third installment in the Meet the Parents franchise--Little Fockers reports Entertainment Weekly.
A brief cameo for Hoffman's character Bernie Focker, father of Ben Stiller's Greg, but Hoffman was reportedly unhappy with the size of his role. Some scheduling difficulties and salary issues, means Hoffman may essentially opt out of the film.
Barbra Streisand will make a return as his wife Roz with a more prominent role in the film.
The studio and Hoffman's peeps declined to comment.
The sequel is already very top heavy with high priced actors--something or someone had to give.
A brief cameo for Hoffman's character Bernie Focker, father of Ben Stiller's Greg, but Hoffman was reportedly unhappy with the size of his role. Some scheduling difficulties and salary issues, means Hoffman may essentially opt out of the film.
Barbra Streisand will make a return as his wife Roz with a more prominent role in the film.
The studio and Hoffman's peeps declined to comment.
The sequel is already very top heavy with high priced actors--something or someone had to give.
Over Under
Writer John Hlavin (who worked on TV's The Shield) will pen the Underworld 4 script says the Heat Vision Blog.
While Hlavin won't give away details on the storyline, he confirms it's not a prequel and it should "introduce fresh elements" the filmmakers after all don't want to redo the first three films.
Len Wiseman, who directed the first two films in the vampire-werewolf saga, is producing number 4 with Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg and Richard Wright.
Kate Beckinsale, who starred in the first two movies, has no deal yet in place to return to the series
No director is attached to call action yet either.
I'm so over this film franchise after 2 poor sequels following the great first Underworld pic
While Hlavin won't give away details on the storyline, he confirms it's not a prequel and it should "introduce fresh elements" the filmmakers after all don't want to redo the first three films.
Len Wiseman, who directed the first two films in the vampire-werewolf saga, is producing number 4 with Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg and Richard Wright.
Kate Beckinsale, who starred in the first two movies, has no deal yet in place to return to the series
No director is attached to call action yet either.
I'm so over this film franchise after 2 poor sequels following the great first Underworld pic
From Loser To Defender
Idris Elba has joined the cast of the comic book flick “Thor"...Elba will play Heimdall, the guardian of Asgard, says the Heat Vision blog.
Heimdall stands on the BiFrost Bridge ready to defend the city from intruders.
He joins the already cast Chris Hemsworth (as Thor), Anthony Hopkins (Odin), and Natalie Portman, as The Warriors Three, Ray Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano, and Stuart Townsend-- Jamie Alexander, Colm Feore, Samuel L. Jackson, and Stellan Skarsgard .
The Kenneth Branagh directed film is due to hit on May 20th 2011. Shooting kicks off mid-January in Manhattan Beach.
This is Elba's second comics inspired film--he will be seen in 2010's Sylvain White pic The Losers.
Fess Up
Producer-turned-actor/director Larry Fessenden has (sorta) left the upcoming remake of 2007 Spanish supernatural thriller The Orphanage says Arrow in the Head.
Fessenden, who has been attached to direct since August, was at work on the English version's script with producer Guillermo Del Toro.which Fessenden calls "a very exciting experience"
He then talked about the exit:
"I got into a casting miasma and that's where the thing is; I think they're gonna do it another way, actually. So I think I'm out of it. Hopefully they'll still use my script, but I'm not sure I'm directing it anymore."
If he isn't calling action on the pic he says that there are three other projects he'd like to do but is cautious "after you get bitten once, you're just a little more wary."
Fessenden, who has been attached to direct since August, was at work on the English version's script with producer Guillermo Del Toro.which Fessenden calls "a very exciting experience"
He then talked about the exit:
"I got into a casting miasma and that's where the thing is; I think they're gonna do it another way, actually. So I think I'm out of it. Hopefully they'll still use my script, but I'm not sure I'm directing it anymore."
If he isn't calling action on the pic he says that there are three other projects he'd like to do but is cautious "after you get bitten once, you're just a little more wary."
Moon Rise
The vampires! The wolf Pack! And Kristen Stewart's caught in the middle in New Moon (reviews); The CGI animated family toon Planet 51 (reviews) blasts off with Dwayne Johnson leading the voice cast;Sandra Bullock's becomes a blonde in the real-life football pic The Blind Side (reviews).
Pamela McClintock and Elsa Keslassy of Variety:
Thanks to Summit Entertainment's sequel "New Moon" and a crop of other films, the weekend is likely to bring record revenues at the domestic B.O., according to box office observers.
Without a doubt, "New Moon" will be a monster. It's already gotten off to a boffo start at the international B.O., where it opened Wednesday in France to $4.4 million -- nearly four times the $1.2 million earned there on the first day by "Twilight."
"New Moon" may be sucking up nearly all the oxygen, but there's notable business to be had by other titles.
Domestically, Warner Bros. is seeing strong tracking for Sandra Bullock-Quinton Aaron football drama "The Blind Side" among older women, and male football fans of all ages. Film, which tells the story of rookie Baltimore Ravens player Michael Oher, opens in 3,110 theaters.
Going after tots is Sony's toon "Planet 51," which the studio acquired from Spanish producers Ilion Animation. It goes out in 3,035 theaters.
Sony holdover "2012," the disaster pic from Roland Emmerich, should continue to rack up significant grosses, after opening to $65.2 million last weekend. "Blind Side" and "2012" could help make up for a possible soft opening from "Planet 51," which has only so-so tracking....
Can 'New Moon' cross $100 million in 3 days?
Nicole Sperling of EW:
$85 million would make it a solid smash, but she's willing to bet it'll go higher
I'm just glad Moon is finally here--so that the hoopla will get a chance to subside at least until The Twilight Saga: Eclipse arrives next year--Yikes!
Pamela McClintock and Elsa Keslassy of Variety:
Thanks to Summit Entertainment's sequel "New Moon" and a crop of other films, the weekend is likely to bring record revenues at the domestic B.O., according to box office observers.
Without a doubt, "New Moon" will be a monster. It's already gotten off to a boffo start at the international B.O., where it opened Wednesday in France to $4.4 million -- nearly four times the $1.2 million earned there on the first day by "Twilight."
"New Moon" may be sucking up nearly all the oxygen, but there's notable business to be had by other titles.
Domestically, Warner Bros. is seeing strong tracking for Sandra Bullock-Quinton Aaron football drama "The Blind Side" among older women, and male football fans of all ages. Film, which tells the story of rookie Baltimore Ravens player Michael Oher, opens in 3,110 theaters.
Going after tots is Sony's toon "Planet 51," which the studio acquired from Spanish producers Ilion Animation. It goes out in 3,035 theaters.
Sony holdover "2012," the disaster pic from Roland Emmerich, should continue to rack up significant grosses, after opening to $65.2 million last weekend. "Blind Side" and "2012" could help make up for a possible soft opening from "Planet 51," which has only so-so tracking....
Can 'New Moon' cross $100 million in 3 days?
Nicole Sperling of EW:
$85 million would make it a solid smash, but she's willing to bet it'll go higher
I'm just glad Moon is finally here--so that the hoopla will get a chance to subside at least until The Twilight Saga: Eclipse arrives next year--Yikes!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Baker Takes A Deep Breath
Actor Simon Baker and producer Mark Johnson have scooped up the film rights to Tim Winton's novel "Breath" reports Variety.The story is set in a small town in Western Australia where two 16-year-old boys take up surfing under the tutelage of an enigmatic surfer named Sando (Baker) and his mysterious wife. Spurred on by their mentor, the boys test the limits of courage and recklessness as they try to escape their mundane lives.
Baker and Johnson will also co-produce the pic
Life Of Crime
Sam Worthington's star continues to get bigger as he is set to headline a film version of the comic book mini-series "The Last Days of American Crime" reports Mania.
Rick Remender created the saga and will adapt the script.
In the near future, as a final response to terrorism and crime, the U.S. government plans in secret to broadcast a signal making it impossible for anyone to knowingly commit unlawful acts. To keep this from the public, the government creates a distraction, installing a new currency system using digital charge cards.
Graham, an unsuccessful career criminal intends to steal one of the charging stations, leave the country and live off unlimited funds for the rest of his life.
The media leaks news of the anti-crime signal one week before it was to go live...and now Graham and his team have just a few days to turn the crime of the century into the last crime in American history.
No helmer has been found yet.
Worthington was good in Terminator Salvation--even as the pic ultimately missed the mark--and then he has his leading performances in Avatar and Clash of the Titans. Crime seems like a good fit.
Rick Remender created the saga and will adapt the script.
In the near future, as a final response to terrorism and crime, the U.S. government plans in secret to broadcast a signal making it impossible for anyone to knowingly commit unlawful acts. To keep this from the public, the government creates a distraction, installing a new currency system using digital charge cards.
Graham, an unsuccessful career criminal intends to steal one of the charging stations, leave the country and live off unlimited funds for the rest of his life.
The media leaks news of the anti-crime signal one week before it was to go live...and now Graham and his team have just a few days to turn the crime of the century into the last crime in American history.
No helmer has been found yet.
Worthington was good in Terminator Salvation--even as the pic ultimately missed the mark--and then he has his leading performances in Avatar and Clash of the Titans. Crime seems like a good fit.
Back Up Plan
Now that Jason Lee's TV comedy My Name is Earl has come to an end and he's done talking to CGI critters for now in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel--he's about to make his directing debut says The Hollywood Reporter.Get Back tells the story of of two music-obsessed friends who time travel to 1966 London, where one gets caught in a love triangle between The Beatles' John Lennon and Yoko Ono .
What an intriguing premise! Hoping that Lee will be able to mine a lot of laughs from this pic.
Caller ID
Stephen Moyer and Brittany Murphy are set to star in the thriller "The Caller" says The Hollywood Reporter.Penned by Sergio Casci, the movie sees Murphy as troubled divorcee, Mary Kee, who begins to receive mysterious phone calls from an unknown caller. She quickly feels haunted in her own home. When she discovers that the person is calling from the past, Mary realizes that she will have to kill her in order to survive but how do you kill someone living in the past and what will happen if she fails.
The film begins shooting in Puerto Rico tomorrow under the direction of Matthew Parkhill.
Sounds like a cross between When a Stranger Calls and The Invisible....
That's F'd Up
Eddie Murphy talked to animals in the family friendly Doctor Dolittle films. Now he may chat with them again using mote adult words.
He is attached to produce and potentially star in the buddy comedy "The Misadventures of Fluffy" says The Risky Biz Blog.
The project is described as a road trip pic through New York featuring talking animals, with an element of social comedy reminiscent of Murphy’s 1980’s hit “Trading Places.”.
Sam Pitman and Adam Cole-Kelly sold the pitch as an R-rated comedy.
Murphy is also still developing the more adult Beverly Hills Cop IV as well.
I have said for a while now that Murphy needed to step away from the family stuff to get a career boost. And I hope the tactic works.
He is attached to produce and potentially star in the buddy comedy "The Misadventures of Fluffy" says The Risky Biz Blog.
The project is described as a road trip pic through New York featuring talking animals, with an element of social comedy reminiscent of Murphy’s 1980’s hit “Trading Places.”.
Sam Pitman and Adam Cole-Kelly sold the pitch as an R-rated comedy.
Murphy is also still developing the more adult Beverly Hills Cop IV as well.
I have said for a while now that Murphy needed to step away from the family stuff to get a career boost. And I hope the tactic works.
Ga'hoole Pool
The voice cast for Zack Snyder's animated film Guardians of Ga'hoole has been assembled and it's niftyGeoffrey Rush, Sam Neill, Hugo Weaving David Wenham Rachael Taylor, Emily Barclay, Jay Laga'aia, Abbie Cornish, Emilie de Ravin, Ryan Kwanten, Miriam Margolyes, Helen Mirren and Jim Sturgess will all be heard in film based on the books by Kathryn Lasky
It's been rumored that Hugh Jackman might also lend his voice to the film..but nothing about that has ever sure....
The story follows Soren, a young owl enthralled by his father’s epic stories of the Guardians of Ga’Hoole, a mythic band of winged warriors who had fought a great battle to save all of owlkind from the evil Pure Ones.
While Soren dreams of someday joining his heroes, his older brother, Kludd, scoffs at the notion, and yearns to hunt, fly and steal his father’s favour from his younger sibling. But Kludd’s jealousy has terrible consequences—causing both owlets to fall from their treetop home and right into the talons of the Pure Ones.
Ga'Hoole is scheduled to open September 24, 2010.
Getting Railroaded
Douglas Tait (Freddy vs. Jason and the long faced bar alien in the Star Trek reboot), Tony Todd (Candyman), and Sally Kirkland will star in the horror film "One by One" says The Hollywood Reporter.Kimberly Seilhamer wrote and calls the shots on the story about a bus filled with teens crashing on a deserted highway and being terrorised by a villain named Railroad Jack the Reaper and his carnival of destruction.
Both Todd and Tait (pictured) have experience playing horror baddies--But Tony's creepy voice gives him the genre edge
Filming kicks off this weekend in the Mojave Desert.
2 For 10
Josh Klausner will adapt Adena Halpern's novel The Ten Best Days of My Life--as a starring vehicle for Amy Adams with her Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian pal Shawn Levy perhaps calling action says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story focuses on a woman who dies and then goes to the top of the afterlife echelon known as Seventh Heaven. However, she is in danger of being sent to a lower level unless she can prove that she "lived a worthwhile life by recounting her 10 best days."
The story focuses on a woman who dies and then goes to the top of the afterlife echelon known as Seventh Heaven. However, she is in danger of being sent to a lower level unless she can prove that she "lived a worthwhile life by recounting her 10 best days."
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Roaming To Ronin
Commercial helmer Carl Rinsch, who at one time was being eyed as a potential director on the Alien prequel, is now set to direct the big-budget samurai epic "The 47 Ronin" says The Hollywood Reporter.
The true story centers on a group of 18th century samurai who set out to avenge the death of their master and sacrifice everything to make sure of its success. The tone will mix fantastical elements and battle scenes to deliver a "Gladiator" meets 300 style feel.
Six Asian film adaptations of the story have been done before, but most English speaking audiences will be most familiar with the story from John Frankenheimer's 1998 Ronin.
Keanu Reeves is attached to star in the movie from Chris Morgan's script.
The true story centers on a group of 18th century samurai who set out to avenge the death of their master and sacrifice everything to make sure of its success. The tone will mix fantastical elements and battle scenes to deliver a "Gladiator" meets 300 style feel.
Six Asian film adaptations of the story have been done before, but most English speaking audiences will be most familiar with the story from John Frankenheimer's 1998 Ronin.
Keanu Reeves is attached to star in the movie from Chris Morgan's script.
Mandela Mandate
Jennifer Hudson has landed the role of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela--the former wife of South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela. in the biopic "Winnie" says Variety
Unlike her ex-husband who is loved the world over, Winnie is a more complex figure. A controversial activist who was a key component in the anti-apartheid struggle, she later fell out of favor due to her hard-line approach and later was convicted of charges in relation to the torture and murder of a 14-year old police informer by one of her bodyguards.
Darrell Roodt directs from a script he co-wrote with Andre Pieterse and Paul L. Johnson using the book Winnie Mandela: A Life by Anne Mare du Preez Bezdrob as its blueprint.
Hudson is expected to sing the film’s theme song,
She won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for "Dreamgirls" in 2007, and nabbing this pic makes her a strong contender for another big win
Shooting begins May 30th throughout South Africa
Unlike her ex-husband who is loved the world over, Winnie is a more complex figure. A controversial activist who was a key component in the anti-apartheid struggle, she later fell out of favor due to her hard-line approach and later was convicted of charges in relation to the torture and murder of a 14-year old police informer by one of her bodyguards.
Darrell Roodt directs from a script he co-wrote with Andre Pieterse and Paul L. Johnson using the book Winnie Mandela: A Life by Anne Mare du Preez Bezdrob as its blueprint.
Hudson is expected to sing the film’s theme song,
She won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for "Dreamgirls" in 2007, and nabbing this pic makes her a strong contender for another big win
Shooting begins May 30th throughout South Africa
Of Good Bichir
Demián Bichir has signed on to star in Mexican film "Hidalgo-Moliere" says The Hollywood Reporter.The story focuses on Hidalgo's early years in the theater and his rise to leading the Mexican War of Independence in the early 1800s.
Antonio Serrano calls action and Ana de la Reguera (Nacho Libre) co-stars.
Shooting begins today in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Bichir is also in talks for a key role in a pic about Leona Sanchez, a young Colombian woman who rises to power as the leader of a South Florida gang, Los Curramberos.
Bichir would play Pedro, the gang leader who takes Leona as his girlfriend without realizing the scope of her ambition.
The Sanchez project--currently titled Lady Scarface is being directed by Ernest Dickerson from a screenplay by Tony Puryear and Susannah Grant.
Shooting kicks off on that pic early next year in Spain.
Pretty Boy
He makes gals hearts go all flutter on TV's Grey's Anatomy, now star Eric Dane will surely use some of those natural skills for his next film role--having joined the cast of Steve Antin's musical drama "Burlesque" says Variety.
The story centers on the journey of Ali, an ambitious small-town girl (Christina Aguilera) with a big-town voice who finds love and success in a Los Angeles neo-burlesque club.
Dane is playing the role of a charming, highly successful businessman who offers to buy the burlesque club from its owner Tess (Cher) and vies for Ali's heart.
Stanley Tucci, Cam Gigandet, Kristen Bell and Alan Cumming co-star. Production began on the film this week to meet a Thanksgiving 2010 release.
The story centers on the journey of Ali, an ambitious small-town girl (Christina Aguilera) with a big-town voice who finds love and success in a Los Angeles neo-burlesque club.
Dane is playing the role of a charming, highly successful businessman who offers to buy the burlesque club from its owner Tess (Cher) and vies for Ali's heart.
Stanley Tucci, Cam Gigandet, Kristen Bell and Alan Cumming co-star. Production began on the film this week to meet a Thanksgiving 2010 release.
History To Overcome
Amid his current wild success with Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, Lee Daniels is in negotiations to direct the drama "Selma," says Variety.
Paul Webb wrote the much talked about script about the historic Selma to Montgomery march of 1965 in the Alabama town that marked the political and emotional peak of the Civil Rights Movement.
The cast and budget are being worked on as this posts.
Christian Colson ("Slumdog Millionaire") will produce with filming kicking off in early Spring.
Paul Webb wrote the much talked about script about the historic Selma to Montgomery march of 1965 in the Alabama town that marked the political and emotional peak of the Civil Rights Movement.
The cast and budget are being worked on as this posts.
Christian Colson ("Slumdog Millionaire") will produce with filming kicking off in early Spring.
Taking Up Space
Justin Theroux will pen the script for the astronaut romantic comedy "Space Invader" says The Hollywood Reporter.The story centers on a man who decides to go to space after he suspects that his longtime girlfriend, an astronaut, is cheating on him with another space partner.
Will Arnett is attached to star.
Mike Lisbe and Nate Reger sold the initial premise.
Theroux may direct as well.
Golden Vocals
The Hollywood Reporter says Dame Shirley Bassey and retired acting legend Sir Sean Connery are both a part of the indie CG animated pic "Sir Billi"
The story centers on a retired, skateboarding veterinarian who lives in a remote Scottish village and who spearheads the rescue of an illegal fugitive who also happens to be a beaver.
Connery will provide the voice of the lead role while Bassey will sing the title song "Guardian of the Highlands".
Alan Cumming, Miriam Margolyes, Ruby Wax, Alex Norton, Ford Kiernan, Greg Hempill, Barbara Rafferty, Larry Sullivan and newcomer Chris Jai Alex also lend voices to the movie.
Bassey sung the opening credits songs for three films in the James Bond series, two of which starred Connery as 007 - 1964's "Goldfinger" and 1971's "Diamonds Are Forever". The third was Moonraker with Sir Roger Moore as 007.
"Goldfinger" has become a classic, often cited as the quintessential 007 movie, and the theme is both one of cinema's most memorable and nearly fifty years on remains Bassey's signature tune.
The husband-and-wife team Sascha and Tessa Hartmann direct the project which is in post-production and will be completed sometime next year.
This is good news not just because of the "reunion" and all but also it ensures that 2003’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen will not be Connery's last film credit!!
The story centers on a retired, skateboarding veterinarian who lives in a remote Scottish village and who spearheads the rescue of an illegal fugitive who also happens to be a beaver.
Connery will provide the voice of the lead role while Bassey will sing the title song "Guardian of the Highlands".
Alan Cumming, Miriam Margolyes, Ruby Wax, Alex Norton, Ford Kiernan, Greg Hempill, Barbara Rafferty, Larry Sullivan and newcomer Chris Jai Alex also lend voices to the movie.
Bassey sung the opening credits songs for three films in the James Bond series, two of which starred Connery as 007 - 1964's "Goldfinger" and 1971's "Diamonds Are Forever". The third was Moonraker with Sir Roger Moore as 007.
"Goldfinger" has become a classic, often cited as the quintessential 007 movie, and the theme is both one of cinema's most memorable and nearly fifty years on remains Bassey's signature tune.
The husband-and-wife team Sascha and Tessa Hartmann direct the project which is in post-production and will be completed sometime next year.
This is good news not just because of the "reunion" and all but also it ensures that 2003’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen will not be Connery's last film credit!!
Laying Tracks
Grammy Award-nominee Leona Lewis will sing the title song, ‘I See You’, for James Cameron's December 18th sci-fi epic "Avatar".
The song will be included on the official soundtrack featuring James Horner's score. The soundtrack will be released on December 15th and can be pre-ordered over at Avatar Score.
Clearly going for Titanic's My Heart Will Go On/Céline Dion vibe. Lewis is talented..but ballads always seem out of place to me when put into sci-fi/action films for some reason.
The song will be included on the official soundtrack featuring James Horner's score. The soundtrack will be released on December 15th and can be pre-ordered over at Avatar Score.
Clearly going for Titanic's My Heart Will Go On/Céline Dion vibe. Lewis is talented..but ballads always seem out of place to me when put into sci-fi/action films for some reason.
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