No official description from ComingSoon.net or Slashfilm so here's the synopsis:
"In the Oregon wilderness, a real estate developer's new housing subdivision faces a unique group of protesters, local woodland creatures who don't want their homes disturbed."
The film stars Brendan Fraser, Brooke Shields, Dick Van Dyke and Samantha Bee.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
More Updates on the Future of 3D: ROBIN HOOD, STAR WARS, T2?
From Slashfilm:
"We’ve heard rumors before that George Lucas is working up a 3D version of the original Star Wars films, and those rumors are back again. This time, though, they’ve brought some friends - new rumors of Terminator 2 getting dimensionalised, and a claim that Ridley Scott is 'breathing down the neck of executives at Universal to get them to approve making a 3D version of his new $200 million epic, Robin Hood'.
Studio Canal owns the rights to Terminator 2 and it’s reportedly their plan to have a re-release in 3D. It all depends on two factors...: how hungry the exhibitors are for 3D material, and how quickly home 3D systems are adopted. If there’s a 3D T2 but nowhere to screen it, because everybody is still ‘flat’ at home and the 3D screens are filled with new pictures, then it won’t matter how reasonably priced the process is.
According to a report in The Wrap, the T2 status is that “a deal is in the works… to fast-track making the 3D version”. They also put forward the claim that “George Lucas is exploring a 3D version of Star Wars“, thought they don’t even hint at a source for that claim.
It’s on the Robin Hood front that they have what might be more solid information.
One knowledgeable executive told me that it would cost only an additional $7 to $8 million to create a 3D version of Robin Hood. The question is - what will that add to the box-office total?
Well, a darn sight more than $7 to $8 million I can promise you.
Ridley Scott has gone on the record about his love for 3D and has promised already that his film of Forever War will be shot in stereovision. Indeed, here’s his quote after he’d seen some of Avatar way back at the start of the year:
'I’ve seen some of James Cameron’s work, and I’ve got to go 3D. It’s going to be phenomenal.'
Sharon Waxman’s article inevitably discusses Steven Spielberg and his excited reaction to Avatar. What she doesn’t mention, curiously, is that Spielberg’s first 3D picture, Tintin, is already into post production.
'And one can only imagine what Steven Spielberg - whose reported comment that Avatar was the best film he’d ever seen has been repeated to me by no fewer than four awestruck colleagues - has planned for Jurassic Park.'
Okay… except we don’t even know if he has any plans for Jurassic Park."
"We’ve heard rumors before that George Lucas is working up a 3D version of the original Star Wars films, and those rumors are back again. This time, though, they’ve brought some friends - new rumors of Terminator 2 getting dimensionalised, and a claim that Ridley Scott is 'breathing down the neck of executives at Universal to get them to approve making a 3D version of his new $200 million epic, Robin Hood'.
Studio Canal owns the rights to Terminator 2 and it’s reportedly their plan to have a re-release in 3D. It all depends on two factors...: how hungry the exhibitors are for 3D material, and how quickly home 3D systems are adopted. If there’s a 3D T2 but nowhere to screen it, because everybody is still ‘flat’ at home and the 3D screens are filled with new pictures, then it won’t matter how reasonably priced the process is.
According to a report in The Wrap, the T2 status is that “a deal is in the works… to fast-track making the 3D version”. They also put forward the claim that “George Lucas is exploring a 3D version of Star Wars“, thought they don’t even hint at a source for that claim.
It’s on the Robin Hood front that they have what might be more solid information.
One knowledgeable executive told me that it would cost only an additional $7 to $8 million to create a 3D version of Robin Hood. The question is - what will that add to the box-office total?
Well, a darn sight more than $7 to $8 million I can promise you.
Ridley Scott has gone on the record about his love for 3D and has promised already that his film of Forever War will be shot in stereovision. Indeed, here’s his quote after he’d seen some of Avatar way back at the start of the year:
'I’ve seen some of James Cameron’s work, and I’ve got to go 3D. It’s going to be phenomenal.'
Sharon Waxman’s article inevitably discusses Steven Spielberg and his excited reaction to Avatar. What she doesn’t mention, curiously, is that Spielberg’s first 3D picture, Tintin, is already into post production.
'And one can only imagine what Steven Spielberg - whose reported comment that Avatar was the best film he’d ever seen has been repeated to me by no fewer than four awestruck colleagues - has planned for Jurassic Park.'
Okay… except we don’t even know if he has any plans for Jurassic Park."
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Peter Jackson fixing up MORTAL ENGINES?
From ComingSoon.net:
"New Zealand's The Dominion Post is reporting that Peter Jackson may be adapting Philip Reeve's fantasy novels 'Mortal Engines' for the big screen.
The newspaper says that Weta Workshops is believed to be working on designs for the science fiction series, which features giant mobile cities.
A spokesman for Jackson did not deny the project was on the books yesterday, but said 'any comment should come from Peter'.
The books are set in a post-apocalyptic world where cities have become giant vehicles and must consume each other to survive. 'Mortal Engines' is the first book in the series."
Sounds neat. I just want him to do The Adventures of Tintin 2 and 3 (the third one co-directed by Steven Spielberg!)
"New Zealand's The Dominion Post is reporting that Peter Jackson may be adapting Philip Reeve's fantasy novels 'Mortal Engines' for the big screen.
The newspaper says that Weta Workshops is believed to be working on designs for the science fiction series, which features giant mobile cities.
A spokesman for Jackson did not deny the project was on the books yesterday, but said 'any comment should come from Peter'.
The books are set in a post-apocalyptic world where cities have become giant vehicles and must consume each other to survive. 'Mortal Engines' is the first book in the series."
Sounds neat. I just want him to do The Adventures of Tintin 2 and 3 (the third one co-directed by Steven Spielberg!)
Leonard Nimoy is Spock in Star Trek Online
From ComingSoon.net:
"Atari, Inc. and MMO developer Cryptic Studios announced today that Leonard Nimoy, the actor who originated the legendary and beloved Star Trek character of Spock more than 40 years ago, has joined the cast of 'Star Trek Online', the first massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) ever set in the Star Trek universe.
Nimoy, who recently reprised his role as Spock in 2009's Star Trek movie, will voice the introduction for 'Star Trek Online'. Nimoy's voice, known to millions of fans all over the world, will also be heard during key scenes and events in-game.
'I am happy to be involved with 'Star Trek Online'. In this game, the essence of Star Trek – exploration and adventure – lives long and prospers,' said Nimoy. 'I'm pleased that a whole new generation of fans will be able to discover new frontiers in the Star Trek universe.'
'Mr. Nimoy's participation in 'Star Trek Online' brings the game to a whole new level,' said Jim Wilson, President and CEO of Atari, Inc. 'When Star Trek fans hear his voice they will know that 'Star Trek Online' truly is part of the Star Trek universe."
Set in the year 2409, 'Star Trek Online' boasts extraordinary features and lets fans both new and old experience unparalleled adventures. Offering space and ground game play, players will have the opportunity to become a high-ranking Starfleet officer and will participate in missions that will take them into the depths of space, across exotic planets, and even inside other starships. 'Star Trek Online' offers total customization where every ship player's command can be customized, from color to construction. Additionally, anyone can create their own species in 'Star Trek Online', as well as customize the look of their avatar's uniform."
Okay, technically it's not movie news. So sue me.
"Atari, Inc. and MMO developer Cryptic Studios announced today that Leonard Nimoy, the actor who originated the legendary and beloved Star Trek character of Spock more than 40 years ago, has joined the cast of 'Star Trek Online', the first massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) ever set in the Star Trek universe.
Nimoy, who recently reprised his role as Spock in 2009's Star Trek movie, will voice the introduction for 'Star Trek Online'. Nimoy's voice, known to millions of fans all over the world, will also be heard during key scenes and events in-game.
'I am happy to be involved with 'Star Trek Online'. In this game, the essence of Star Trek – exploration and adventure – lives long and prospers,' said Nimoy. 'I'm pleased that a whole new generation of fans will be able to discover new frontiers in the Star Trek universe.'
'Mr. Nimoy's participation in 'Star Trek Online' brings the game to a whole new level,' said Jim Wilson, President and CEO of Atari, Inc. 'When Star Trek fans hear his voice they will know that 'Star Trek Online' truly is part of the Star Trek universe."
Set in the year 2409, 'Star Trek Online' boasts extraordinary features and lets fans both new and old experience unparalleled adventures. Offering space and ground game play, players will have the opportunity to become a high-ranking Starfleet officer and will participate in missions that will take them into the depths of space, across exotic planets, and even inside other starships. 'Star Trek Online' offers total customization where every ship player's command can be customized, from color to construction. Additionally, anyone can create their own species in 'Star Trek Online', as well as customize the look of their avatar's uniform."
Okay, technically it's not movie news. So sue me.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Brittany Murphy has passed...
From ComingSoon.net:
"Various news sites have picked up a report from the tabloid site TMZ that actress Brittany Murphy died early Sunday morning after going into full cardiac arrest and being declared dead on arrival after being rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. The former child actress who first gained attention at the age of 18 with a key role in the comedy Clueless was only 32 years old.Years after her breakthrough in Clueless, Murphy got attention for her role in the 2001 thriller Don't Say a Word, leading to key roles in Eminem's 8 Mile and starring roles in the comedies Just Married with then-boyfriend Ashton Kutcher, Uptown Girls with Dakota Fanning and Little Black Book. In a tragic bit of irony, Murphy received the most critical praise for her role in the 2006 indie drama The Dead Girl, released the same year as her voice could be heard as the penguin Gloria in George Miller's Oscar-winning animated film Happy Feet. She also appeared in Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller's Sin City in 2005."
This is unbelievable. My parents just got through watching Little Black Book.
So this means that the sequels to Happy Feet and Sin City will have some tribute to her in some way.
I also want to post Ashton Kutcher's words on Twitter, "2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany’s family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon."
Alex Zamm Leads MARVIN THE MARTIAN
From ComingSoon.net:
"According to the L.A. Times, Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment have signed director Alex Zamm to helm Marvin the Martian, the big screen feature film based around the Bugs Bunny nemesis introduced in the 1948 cartoon short 'Haredevil Hare'. Television vets Paul Kaplan and Mark Tosgrove have also been signed to write the screenplay for the movie based around the premise that Marvin plans to destroy earth on Christmas Day but ends up being wrapped up as a Christmas present instead. Marvin will be CG but surrounded by live actors similar to Alvin and the Chipmunks, Stuart Little, Garfield and yes, Looney Tunes: Back in Action.
The piece speculates one of the voices we might hear as Marvin is none other than Shrek himself, comedian Mike Myers, and that the producers have already spoken to him and others for the role.
Zamm has also signed up to make a movie based on Hanna Barbera's cartoon character Hong Kong Phooey although presumably that won't happen until after the completion of Marvin. Currently, Marvin the Martian is on the release schedule for October 7, 2011, but one would expect this will move back a month or two to take advantage of the movie's holiday themes."
Well, let's hope Marvin the Martian doesn't blow Hong Kong Phooey's chances of getting his own movie. I'm more partial to Hong Kong Phooey.
Mike Myers playing Marvin the Martian. Doesn't surprise me. Sounds neat.
"According to the L.A. Times, Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment have signed director Alex Zamm to helm Marvin the Martian, the big screen feature film based around the Bugs Bunny nemesis introduced in the 1948 cartoon short 'Haredevil Hare'. Television vets Paul Kaplan and Mark Tosgrove have also been signed to write the screenplay for the movie based around the premise that Marvin plans to destroy earth on Christmas Day but ends up being wrapped up as a Christmas present instead. Marvin will be CG but surrounded by live actors similar to Alvin and the Chipmunks, Stuart Little, Garfield and yes, Looney Tunes: Back in Action.
The piece speculates one of the voices we might hear as Marvin is none other than Shrek himself, comedian Mike Myers, and that the producers have already spoken to him and others for the role.
Zamm has also signed up to make a movie based on Hanna Barbera's cartoon character Hong Kong Phooey although presumably that won't happen until after the completion of Marvin. Currently, Marvin the Martian is on the release schedule for October 7, 2011, but one would expect this will move back a month or two to take advantage of the movie's holiday themes."
Well, let's hope Marvin the Martian doesn't blow Hong Kong Phooey's chances of getting his own movie. I'm more partial to Hong Kong Phooey.
Mike Myers playing Marvin the Martian. Doesn't surprise me. Sounds neat.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
IRON MAN 2 gets a trailer
From ComingSoon.net:
"Apple has posted the first trailer for the highly-anticipated Iron Man 2, opening in theaters on May 7. Directed by Jon Favreau, the sequel stars Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Jon Favreau, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Garry Shandling, John Slattery, Kate Mara, Clark Gregg and Olivia Munn."
"Good to be back"? Good to have you back, Tony!
UPDATE:
NEW TRAILER -
"Apple has posted the first trailer for the highly-anticipated Iron Man 2, opening in theaters on May 7. Directed by Jon Favreau, the sequel stars Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Jon Favreau, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Garry Shandling, John Slattery, Kate Mara, Clark Gregg and Olivia Munn."
"Good to be back"? Good to have you back, Tony!
UPDATE:
NEW TRAILER -
SHREK FOREVER AFTER swings itself a trailer
From ComingSoon.net:
"Apple has posted the teaser trailer for DreamWorks Animation's Shrek Forever After, opening in 3D theaters and IMAX 3D on May 21.
In the fourth film, Shrek [(voiced by Mike Myers)] is feeling over-domesticated. He has lost his roar. It used to send villagers running away in terror. Now they run to him and ask him to sign their pitchforks and torches. To regain his ogre mojo, he strikes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin. The pact goes awry and Shrek must confront what life would be like in Far Far Away if he had never existed. That translates into Donkey [(voiced by Eddie Murphy)] being forced into cart-pulling duty, fat and lazy Puss in Boots [(voiced by Antonio Banderas)] trading his sword for a pink bow and the underhanded Rumpelstiltskin ruling the kingdom."
This actually doesn't look that bad. Getting back to the good ol' original Shrek days. And a fat Puss in Boots is hilarious!
UPDATE:
"Apple has posted the teaser trailer for DreamWorks Animation's Shrek Forever After, opening in 3D theaters and IMAX 3D on May 21.
In the fourth film, Shrek [(voiced by Mike Myers)] is feeling over-domesticated. He has lost his roar. It used to send villagers running away in terror. Now they run to him and ask him to sign their pitchforks and torches. To regain his ogre mojo, he strikes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin. The pact goes awry and Shrek must confront what life would be like in Far Far Away if he had never existed. That translates into Donkey [(voiced by Eddie Murphy)] being forced into cart-pulling duty, fat and lazy Puss in Boots [(voiced by Antonio Banderas)] trading his sword for a pink bow and the underhanded Rumpelstiltskin ruling the kingdom."
This actually doesn't look that bad. Getting back to the good ol' original Shrek days. And a fat Puss in Boots is hilarious!
UPDATE:
Mark Strong joins JOHN CARTER OF MARS
From ComingSoon.net:
"Cinema Blend got on the phone today with actor Mark Strong (upcoming Sherlock Holmes and Robin Hood) and was able to learn more about his character in Andrew Stanton's John Carter of Mars.
It was previously announced that Strong would play Matai Shang, the ruler of the Thems with godlike status.
'There's some filming in Utah, but most of it is in a studio outside of London,' Strong said. My character doesn't actually get involved in any of the motion-capture stuff. All the stuff is live action. Although I can shift my shape, so I have to be photographed by a 360-degree camera. I can adapt into anything. That's going to be my particular talent.'
The site asked what he can transform into, and Strong said that it's mostly other human beings.
Scheduled for a summer 2012 release, the adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'A Princess of Mars' stars Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton, Dominic West, Polly Walker, Thomas Haden Church, James Purefoy and Strong."
"Cinema Blend got on the phone today with actor Mark Strong (upcoming Sherlock Holmes and Robin Hood) and was able to learn more about his character in Andrew Stanton's John Carter of Mars.
It was previously announced that Strong would play Matai Shang, the ruler of the Thems with godlike status.
'There's some filming in Utah, but most of it is in a studio outside of London,' Strong said. My character doesn't actually get involved in any of the motion-capture stuff. All the stuff is live action. Although I can shift my shape, so I have to be photographed by a 360-degree camera. I can adapt into anything. That's going to be my particular talent.'
The site asked what he can transform into, and Strong said that it's mostly other human beings.
Scheduled for a summer 2012 release, the adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'A Princess of Mars' stars Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton, Dominic West, Polly Walker, Thomas Haden Church, James Purefoy and Strong."
Nicolas Cage will DRIVE ANGRY in 3D
From ComingSoon.net:
"According to The Hollywood Reporter, Summit Entertainment has picked up the North American distribution rights to the Patrick (My Bloody Valentine) Lussier-directed 3D revenge flick Drive Angry, setting February 11, 2011 as its release date.
Having already had success with Cage's sci-fi thriller Knowing earlier this year with a worldwide gross of $183 million, Summit has gotten on board the movie which is now in pre-production.
In the movie Cage plays a man chasing after the people responsible for killing his daughter and taking her baby, a rescue attempt that gets out of control and quite bloody as he leaves bodies in his trail.
It will be Cage's first 3D live action movie (not including Disney's G-Force in which he voiced a mole.)"
"According to The Hollywood Reporter, Summit Entertainment has picked up the North American distribution rights to the Patrick (My Bloody Valentine) Lussier-directed 3D revenge flick Drive Angry, setting February 11, 2011 as its release date.
Having already had success with Cage's sci-fi thriller Knowing earlier this year with a worldwide gross of $183 million, Summit has gotten on board the movie which is now in pre-production.
In the movie Cage plays a man chasing after the people responsible for killing his daughter and taking her baby, a rescue attempt that gets out of control and quite bloody as he leaves bodies in his trail.
It will be Cage's first 3D live action movie (not including Disney's G-Force in which he voiced a mole.)"
First Look at MARMADUKE
From ComingSoon.net:
"USA Today has posted a first look at the Great Dane in 20th Century Fox's Marmaduke, opening in theaters on June 4. 
Directed by Tom Dey, the big screen adaptation stars Owen Wilson, Emma Stone, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Ron Perlman, Judy Greer, Anjelah Johnson, Lee Pace, Steve Coogan, William H. Macy, George Lopez, Stacy Ferguson, Damon Wayans Jr., David Walliams, Amanda Seyfried and Jeremy Piven.
Brad Anderson created the decades-running newspaper comic strip, about a mischievous Great Dane who lives with the Winslow family, in 1954."
"USA Today has posted a first look at the Great Dane in 20th Century Fox's Marmaduke, opening in theaters on June 4.
Directed by Tom Dey, the big screen adaptation stars Owen Wilson, Emma Stone, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Ron Perlman, Judy Greer, Anjelah Johnson, Lee Pace, Steve Coogan, William H. Macy, George Lopez, Stacy Ferguson, Damon Wayans Jr., David Walliams, Amanda Seyfried and Jeremy Piven.
Brad Anderson created the decades-running newspaper comic strip, about a mischievous Great Dane who lives with the Winslow family, in 1954."
WILD HOGS 2 rides off into the sunset
From ComingSoon.net:
"Variety reports that Wild Hogs 2: Bachelor Ride is the third high-profile that Disney has scrapped since Rich Ross took over at the studio, joining Captain Nemo: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Wedding Banned on the halted list.
The trade says the sequel was targeting a production start next summer, with Walt Becker back as director, and John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy reprising their roles.
Original screenwriter Brad Copeland had written the sequel script, and new writers were in the process of being hired. That ended this week, when word came down that the picture wasn't going to get made."
Thank you Old Dogs, for killing a potential sequel. At least, Wedding Banned still has a potential pulse.
Here's the deal on Wedding Banned
"After halting Captain Nemo: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea last month, new Walt Disney chief Rich Ross has also dropped the romantic comedy Wedding Banned from its slate. The film was to have starred Robin Williams, Anna Faris and Diane Keaton.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio has put the project into turnaround, and the production company, Mandevile Films, is free to shop it around town.
The movie centers on a long-divorced couple (Williams and Keaton) who kidnap their daughter (Faris) on her wedding day to prevent her from making the same mistakes they did. The parents rekindle their relationship as they elude cops and the angry groom.
The movie was in development for a shoot next year."
"Variety reports that Wild Hogs 2: Bachelor Ride is the third high-profile that Disney has scrapped since Rich Ross took over at the studio, joining Captain Nemo: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Wedding Banned on the halted list.
The trade says the sequel was targeting a production start next summer, with Walt Becker back as director, and John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy reprising their roles.
Original screenwriter Brad Copeland had written the sequel script, and new writers were in the process of being hired. That ended this week, when word came down that the picture wasn't going to get made."
Thank you Old Dogs, for killing a potential sequel. At least, Wedding Banned still has a potential pulse.
Here's the deal on Wedding Banned
"After halting Captain Nemo: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea last month, new Walt Disney chief Rich Ross has also dropped the romantic comedy Wedding Banned from its slate. The film was to have starred Robin Williams, Anna Faris and Diane Keaton.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio has put the project into turnaround, and the production company, Mandevile Films, is free to shop it around town.
The movie centers on a long-divorced couple (Williams and Keaton) who kidnap their daughter (Faris) on her wedding day to prevent her from making the same mistakes they did. The parents rekindle their relationship as they elude cops and the angry groom.
The movie was in development for a shoot next year."
Bryan Singer IS returning to X-MEN
From ComingSoon.net:
"One of the people [at the Los Angeles premiere of Avatar] was director Bryan Singer, who directed X-Men and X2: X-Men United for Avatar distributor 20th Century Fox at the start of the decade. In recent interviews, Singer has been asked about possibly directing the planned prequel X-Men: First Class, and he always seemed interested, but earlier this evening he let slip that he has in fact just signed the deal with Fox to direct the next 'Origins' film, which will reportedly look at the early days of Cyclops, Jean Grey and others at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.
He told the interviewers without any hesitation and complete seriousness: 'I'm ramping up to do a movie called Jack the Giant Killer at Warner Bros, and I just yesterday signed a deal to do an X-Men: First Class [Origins] picture, which is kind of cool. I'm very excited.'"
"One of the people [at the Los Angeles premiere of Avatar] was director Bryan Singer, who directed X-Men and X2: X-Men United for Avatar distributor 20th Century Fox at the start of the decade. In recent interviews, Singer has been asked about possibly directing the planned prequel X-Men: First Class, and he always seemed interested, but earlier this evening he let slip that he has in fact just signed the deal with Fox to direct the next 'Origins' film, which will reportedly look at the early days of Cyclops, Jean Grey and others at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.
He told the interviewers without any hesitation and complete seriousness: 'I'm ramping up to do a movie called Jack the Giant Killer at Warner Bros, and I just yesterday signed a deal to do an X-Men: First Class [Origins] picture, which is kind of cool. I'm very excited.'"
It's ALL FRIGHT tonight
From ComingSoon.net:
"DreamWorks Animation has hired Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris to write Gil's All Fright Diner, an adaptation of the A. Lee Martinez novel that has Barry Sonnenfeld attached to direct.
Gil's All Fright Diner revolves around a vampire and a werewolf. They are mismatched partners who battle zombies and try to save the world, after they stop in a diner in the desert that is a conduit for the supernatural.
Kirk De Micco was the first writer on the film.
Reiff and Voris' credits include Kung Fu Panda and the upcoming Robin Hood."
Huh. Seems like two movies with two different writing styles. If the vampire's name is Edward and the werewolf's name is Jacob, I'll pass.
"DreamWorks Animation has hired Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris to write Gil's All Fright Diner, an adaptation of the A. Lee Martinez novel that has Barry Sonnenfeld attached to direct.
Gil's All Fright Diner revolves around a vampire and a werewolf. They are mismatched partners who battle zombies and try to save the world, after they stop in a diner in the desert that is a conduit for the supernatural.
Kirk De Micco was the first writer on the film.
Reiff and Voris' credits include Kung Fu Panda and the upcoming Robin Hood."
Huh. Seems like two movies with two different writing styles. If the vampire's name is Edward and the werewolf's name is Jacob, I'll pass.
Roy Disney has passed...
From ComingSoon.net:
"The Walt Disney Company has announced that Roy E. Disney has passed away at the age of 79 after a year-long battle with stomach cancer. The company released the following statement:
Roy Edward Disney, son of Disney Studios co-founder Roy O. Disney, and nephew of Walt Disney, passed away [12/16/09] at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California, following a year-long battle with stomach cancer. He was 79 years old. Disney was a successful businessman, philanthropist, filmmaker, and award-winning sailor, who played a key role in the revitalization of The Walt Disney Company and Disney's animation legacy. He was associated with the Company over a 56-year period, and from 1984 - 2003, served as vice chairman of the Company's board of directors, and chairman of the Studio's Animation Department. In recent years, he held the title of director emeritus and consultant for the Company.
As head of Disney Animation, Disney helped to guide the Studio to a new golden age of animation with an unprecedented string of artistic and box office successes that included The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. He personally executive produced Fantasia/2000, a sequel to the 1940 Disney classic, and served in a similar capacity on a number of recent animated shorts, including the 2004 Oscar®-nominated Destino, based on storyboards and original art by the iconic artist Salvador Dali. In the area of live-action films, Disney and his wife, Leslie DeMeuse Disney, most recently executive produced the 2008 feature documentary, Morning Light, which followed a group of young sailors as they competed in the grueling Transpac race from Los Angeles to Honolulu.
His philanthropic activities included sponsorship of the Roy E. Disney Center for the Performing Arts at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, part of Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, is scheduled to open in spring, 2010.
Commenting on the announcement, Bob Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said, 'On behalf of everyone at Disney, we are saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague Roy E. Disney. He was much more than a valued 56-year Company veteran – Roy's true passion and focus were preserving and building upon the amazing legacy of Disney animation that was started by his father and uncle. Roy's commitment to the art of animation was unparalleled and will always remain his personal legacy and one of his greatest contributions to Disney's past, present and future.'
John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, added, 'I first met Roy when I was still an animation student at CalArts. Not only did I consider him a personal friend, but he was a great man who believed deeply in the art of animation. He put his heart and soul into preserving Disney's legendary past, while helping to move the art of animation into the modern age by embracing new technology. Roy was a visionary and passionate supporter of the art form, and he was all about quality. I was always impressed that he would make time for someone like me when I was fresh out of college, and he continued to support and encourage me throughout my career.'
Stanley Gold, president, Shamrock Holdings, said, 'Roy and I enjoyed a 35-year friendship and partnership that was simply special. We faced many business challenges together, had fun in the process, and enjoyed a wide variety of professional successes. Roy was a man who was steadfastly loyal to his principles and to his friends. He was a gracious, humble gentleman who could make the tough decisions life sometimes requires. He carried the torch high and proud, and the world is a better place for his tireless efforts. I will miss him greatly.'
Roy Edward Disney was born in Los Angeles on January 10, 1930 to Roy O. Disney and Edna Francis Disney. His father and his uncle, Walt Disney, co-founded the Disney entertainment business in 1923.
After attending Harvard School and Pomona College, Disney launched his entertainment industry career in 1952, working as an assistant film editor on the 'Dragnet' TV series.
He joined The Walt Disney Studios in 1953 as an assistant film editor, where his credits included the landmark Academy Award®-winning True-Life Adventures features, The Living Desert and The Vanishing Prairie. As a writer and production associate, he received Oscar® nominations for his work on the short subject, Mysteries of the Deep in 1959, and in 2003 for his work as executive producer for Destino.
Disney produced and directed some 35 other TV and theatrical production, including the landmark 1968 documentary, 'Varda, the Peregrine Falcon', before leaving in 1977 to become an independent producer and investor.
In 1978, Disney founded Shamrock Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned family enterprise headquartered in Burbank, California, which specializes in private equity, real estate, and public equities investing. He served as chairman of the company, which has approximately $1.5 billion of capital committed to funds.
An avid competitive sailor, Disney holds several elapsed-time records for offshore races in the Pacific Ocean, including multiple wins in the 2,225-mile Transpac.
Among his many professional and philanthropic activities, Disney served on the board of trustees of California Institute of the Arts, the advisory board of St. Joseph Medical Center, and the board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, Inc. Additionally, he was an advisory member of the board of directors of the United States Committee for UNICEF, chairman emeritus of the board of directors of the Peregrine Fund, a member of the board of trustees of Ronald McDonald House charities, and a member of the board of trustees of the American Ireland Fund.
In 1993, he received the Winsor McCay Award (a special 'Annie Award') from ASIFA-Hollywood (The International Animated Film Society). The McCay Award is for lifetime achievement in animation. In 1997, Disney was awarded the first 'Mort Walker Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Cartoon Industry,' by the Boca Raton International Museum of Cartoon Art.
Disney received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from his alma mater Pomona College in 1998. In 2002, he received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Mercy College in New York. The following year, he was presented with the Trustees' Award and honorary Doctor of the Arts degree from CalArts.
Among his other honors, Disney was named a recipient of the 1999 National Catholic Education Association Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to children and education. In April 1999, Disney received the Henry Bergh Humane Award from the ASPCA, and in spring 2000, he was awarded the Inaugural Environmental Leadership Award from the Audubon Society.
Disney is survived by his wife, Leslie, and four children from his marriage to Patricia Dailey Disney – Tim Disney, Roy Patrick Disney, Abigail Disney, and Susan Disney Lord. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren."
"The Walt Disney Company has announced that Roy E. Disney has passed away at the age of 79 after a year-long battle with stomach cancer. The company released the following statement:
Roy Edward Disney, son of Disney Studios co-founder Roy O. Disney, and nephew of Walt Disney, passed away [12/16/09] at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California, following a year-long battle with stomach cancer. He was 79 years old. Disney was a successful businessman, philanthropist, filmmaker, and award-winning sailor, who played a key role in the revitalization of The Walt Disney Company and Disney's animation legacy. He was associated with the Company over a 56-year period, and from 1984 - 2003, served as vice chairman of the Company's board of directors, and chairman of the Studio's Animation Department. In recent years, he held the title of director emeritus and consultant for the Company.
As head of Disney Animation, Disney helped to guide the Studio to a new golden age of animation with an unprecedented string of artistic and box office successes that included The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. He personally executive produced Fantasia/2000, a sequel to the 1940 Disney classic, and served in a similar capacity on a number of recent animated shorts, including the 2004 Oscar®-nominated Destino, based on storyboards and original art by the iconic artist Salvador Dali. In the area of live-action films, Disney and his wife, Leslie DeMeuse Disney, most recently executive produced the 2008 feature documentary, Morning Light, which followed a group of young sailors as they competed in the grueling Transpac race from Los Angeles to Honolulu.
His philanthropic activities included sponsorship of the Roy E. Disney Center for the Performing Arts at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, part of Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, is scheduled to open in spring, 2010.
Commenting on the announcement, Bob Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said, 'On behalf of everyone at Disney, we are saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague Roy E. Disney. He was much more than a valued 56-year Company veteran – Roy's true passion and focus were preserving and building upon the amazing legacy of Disney animation that was started by his father and uncle. Roy's commitment to the art of animation was unparalleled and will always remain his personal legacy and one of his greatest contributions to Disney's past, present and future.'
John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, added, 'I first met Roy when I was still an animation student at CalArts. Not only did I consider him a personal friend, but he was a great man who believed deeply in the art of animation. He put his heart and soul into preserving Disney's legendary past, while helping to move the art of animation into the modern age by embracing new technology. Roy was a visionary and passionate supporter of the art form, and he was all about quality. I was always impressed that he would make time for someone like me when I was fresh out of college, and he continued to support and encourage me throughout my career.'
Stanley Gold, president, Shamrock Holdings, said, 'Roy and I enjoyed a 35-year friendship and partnership that was simply special. We faced many business challenges together, had fun in the process, and enjoyed a wide variety of professional successes. Roy was a man who was steadfastly loyal to his principles and to his friends. He was a gracious, humble gentleman who could make the tough decisions life sometimes requires. He carried the torch high and proud, and the world is a better place for his tireless efforts. I will miss him greatly.'
Roy Edward Disney was born in Los Angeles on January 10, 1930 to Roy O. Disney and Edna Francis Disney. His father and his uncle, Walt Disney, co-founded the Disney entertainment business in 1923.
After attending Harvard School and Pomona College, Disney launched his entertainment industry career in 1952, working as an assistant film editor on the 'Dragnet' TV series.
He joined The Walt Disney Studios in 1953 as an assistant film editor, where his credits included the landmark Academy Award®-winning True-Life Adventures features, The Living Desert and The Vanishing Prairie. As a writer and production associate, he received Oscar® nominations for his work on the short subject, Mysteries of the Deep in 1959, and in 2003 for his work as executive producer for Destino.
Disney produced and directed some 35 other TV and theatrical production, including the landmark 1968 documentary, 'Varda, the Peregrine Falcon', before leaving in 1977 to become an independent producer and investor.
In 1978, Disney founded Shamrock Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned family enterprise headquartered in Burbank, California, which specializes in private equity, real estate, and public equities investing. He served as chairman of the company, which has approximately $1.5 billion of capital committed to funds.
An avid competitive sailor, Disney holds several elapsed-time records for offshore races in the Pacific Ocean, including multiple wins in the 2,225-mile Transpac.
Among his many professional and philanthropic activities, Disney served on the board of trustees of California Institute of the Arts, the advisory board of St. Joseph Medical Center, and the board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, Inc. Additionally, he was an advisory member of the board of directors of the United States Committee for UNICEF, chairman emeritus of the board of directors of the Peregrine Fund, a member of the board of trustees of Ronald McDonald House charities, and a member of the board of trustees of the American Ireland Fund.
In 1993, he received the Winsor McCay Award (a special 'Annie Award') from ASIFA-Hollywood (The International Animated Film Society). The McCay Award is for lifetime achievement in animation. In 1997, Disney was awarded the first 'Mort Walker Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Cartoon Industry,' by the Boca Raton International Museum of Cartoon Art.
Disney received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from his alma mater Pomona College in 1998. In 2002, he received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Mercy College in New York. The following year, he was presented with the Trustees' Award and honorary Doctor of the Arts degree from CalArts.
Among his other honors, Disney was named a recipient of the 1999 National Catholic Education Association Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to children and education. In April 1999, Disney received the Henry Bergh Humane Award from the ASPCA, and in spring 2000, he was awarded the Inaugural Environmental Leadership Award from the Audubon Society.
Disney is survived by his wife, Leslie, and four children from his marriage to Patricia Dailey Disney – Tim Disney, Roy Patrick Disney, Abigail Disney, and Susan Disney Lord. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren."
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
ROBIN HOOD strings up a trailer
From ComingSoon.net:
"The trailer for director Ridley Scott's Robin Hood is now online. The action-adventure, coming to theaters on May 14, stars Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Matthew Macfadyen, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac, Lea Seydoux, Scott Grimes, Kevin Durand, Alan Doyle, Danny Huston and Max von Sydow."
Robin Hood chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self-preservation, from his service in King Richard's army against the French. Upon Richard's death, Robin travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marion, a woman skeptical of the identity and motivations of this crusader from the forest. Hoping to earn the hand of Maid Marion and salvage the village, Robin assembles a gang whose lethal mercenary skills are matched only by its appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct injustices under the sheriff.
"The trailer for director Ridley Scott's Robin Hood is now online. The action-adventure, coming to theaters on May 14, stars Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Matthew Macfadyen, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac, Lea Seydoux, Scott Grimes, Kevin Durand, Alan Doyle, Danny Huston and Max von Sydow."
Robin Hood chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self-preservation, from his service in King Richard's army against the French. Upon Richard's death, Robin travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marion, a woman skeptical of the identity and motivations of this crusader from the forest. Hoping to earn the hand of Maid Marion and salvage the village, Robin assembles a gang whose lethal mercenary skills are matched only by its appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct injustices under the sheriff.
J.J. Abrams' Next Movie?
From Slashfilm:
"We’ve known that Paramount would be making new Star Trek and Mission: Impossible movies at some point, and that JJ Abrams, director of the last installment in each franchise, would likely be involved as producer, though possibly not as director. We also knew that the studio had picked up a couple of other options for Abrams to produce and possibly direct. Now a cryptic statement by Paramount chief Brad Grey suggests that the next film for Abrams will indeed not be Trek or M:I, but something else altogether.
The New York Times has a small profile on Grey and his vision for Paramount, which boils down to: 'make fewer movies that make more money'. Grey describes the mood at the studio as ‘wildly ambitious’, which to me doesn’t jibe at all with shutting down Paramount Vantage and focusing entirely on a smaller slate of films that all have tentpole potential.
Regardless, Abrams has been a big part of Paramount’s recent success, though a much greater share of the load has been shouldered by DreamWorks projects like the two Transformers movies. But after Trek opened huge this year, no doubt the studio is giving Abrams another big movie to play with. As the NYT reports:
'As for J. J. Abrams, a producer and the director of Star Trek, Mr. Grey is looking for Star Trek 2. And Mission: Impossible IV. And possibly before either, what he called another 'tentpole' film to be directed by Mr. Abrams, and yet to be announced.'
So what is the film? There are a couple of easy guesses to make. With the studio happy to hand the reigns of old franchises to Abrams, one possibility is the new Jack Ryan film. That’s also an obvious guess based on the fact that Star Trek’s Chris Pine has been cast as Ryan. Grey says the film is an unannounced tentpole. The Ryan film fits the latter condition, and as it currently has no title or formal green light, it could fit the former as well.
Abrams has talked up his possible producing gig with Micronauts, and hopeful fans might want that to be his next diretorial project, but that’s now a Hasbro property and therefore could end up Universal, which signed a six-year, four-picture deal with the toy company. So while that would be a lot of fun, it’s not the most likely.
What about Mystery on Fifth Avenue, based on the NYT article Paramount optioned for Abrams to produce that told of a Manhattan house reworked to be packed full of wild puzzles? It seems like an unlikely tentpole, but position the film as basically a cross between Home Alone and Night at the Museum and it could be as close to a family hit as Paramount and Abrams are likely to come up with."
I like the sound of Mystery on Fifth Avenue.
"We’ve known that Paramount would be making new Star Trek and Mission: Impossible movies at some point, and that JJ Abrams, director of the last installment in each franchise, would likely be involved as producer, though possibly not as director. We also knew that the studio had picked up a couple of other options for Abrams to produce and possibly direct. Now a cryptic statement by Paramount chief Brad Grey suggests that the next film for Abrams will indeed not be Trek or M:I, but something else altogether.
The New York Times has a small profile on Grey and his vision for Paramount, which boils down to: 'make fewer movies that make more money'. Grey describes the mood at the studio as ‘wildly ambitious’, which to me doesn’t jibe at all with shutting down Paramount Vantage and focusing entirely on a smaller slate of films that all have tentpole potential.
Regardless, Abrams has been a big part of Paramount’s recent success, though a much greater share of the load has been shouldered by DreamWorks projects like the two Transformers movies. But after Trek opened huge this year, no doubt the studio is giving Abrams another big movie to play with. As the NYT reports:
'As for J. J. Abrams, a producer and the director of Star Trek, Mr. Grey is looking for Star Trek 2. And Mission: Impossible IV. And possibly before either, what he called another 'tentpole' film to be directed by Mr. Abrams, and yet to be announced.'
So what is the film? There are a couple of easy guesses to make. With the studio happy to hand the reigns of old franchises to Abrams, one possibility is the new Jack Ryan film. That’s also an obvious guess based on the fact that Star Trek’s Chris Pine has been cast as Ryan. Grey says the film is an unannounced tentpole. The Ryan film fits the latter condition, and as it currently has no title or formal green light, it could fit the former as well.
Abrams has talked up his possible producing gig with Micronauts, and hopeful fans might want that to be his next diretorial project, but that’s now a Hasbro property and therefore could end up Universal, which signed a six-year, four-picture deal with the toy company. So while that would be a lot of fun, it’s not the most likely.
What about Mystery on Fifth Avenue, based on the NYT article Paramount optioned for Abrams to produce that told of a Manhattan house reworked to be packed full of wild puzzles? It seems like an unlikely tentpole, but position the film as basically a cross between Home Alone and Night at the Museum and it could be as close to a family hit as Paramount and Abrams are likely to come up with."
I like the sound of Mystery on Fifth Avenue.
Golden Globes 2010 Nominations
From ComingSoon.net:
"The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the nominations for 'The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards' this morning which you can view below. The awards presentation, hosted by Ricky Gervais, will be broadcast live on Sunday, January 17 at 8pm ET on NBC.
BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Avatar (20th Century Fox)
The Hurt Locker (Summit Entertainment)
Inglourious Basterds (The Weinstein Company)
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire (Lionsgate)
Up in the Air (Paramount Pictures)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Emily Blunt - The Young Victoria
Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side
Helen Mirren - The Last Station
Carey Mulligan - An Education
Gabourey Sidibe - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
George Clooney - Up in the Air
Colin Firth - A Single Man
Morgan Freeman - Invictus
Tobey Maguire - Brothers
BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
(500) Days of Summer (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
The Hangover (Warner Bros. Pictures)
It's Complicated (Universal Pictures)
Julie & Julia (Columbia Pictures)
Nine (The Weinstein Company)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Sandra Bullock - The Proposal
Marion Cotillard - Nine
Julia Roberts - Duplicity
Meryl Streep - It's Complicated
Meryl Streep - Julie & Julia
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Matt Damon - The Informant!
Daniel Day-Lewis - Nine
Robert Downey Jr. - Sherlock Holmes
Joseph Gordon-Levitt - (500) Days of Summer
Michael Stuhlbarg - A Serious Man
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Sony Pictures Animation)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Coraline (Focus Features)
The Princess and the Frog (Walt Disney Pictures)
Up (Disney•Pixar)
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Baaria (Italy)
Broken Embraces (Spain)
The Maid (Chile)
A Prophet (France)
The White Ribbon (Germany)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Penelope Cruz - Nine
Vera Farmiga - Up in the Air
Anna Kendrick - Up in the Air
Mo'Nique - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
Julianne Moore - A Single Man
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Matt Damon - Invictus
Woody Harrelson - The Messenger
Christopher Plummer - The Last Station
Stanley Tucci - The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds
BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE
Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker
James Cameron - Avatar
Clint Eastwood - Invictus
Jason Reitman - Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino - Inglourious Basterds
BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE
Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell - District 9
Mark Boal - The Hurt Locker
Nancy Meyers - It's Complicated
Jason Reitman - Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino - Inglourious Basterds
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE
Michael Giacchino - Up
Marvin Hamlisch - The Informant!
James Horner - Avatar
Abel Korzeniowski - A Single Man
Karen O and Carter Burwell - Where the Wild Things Are
BEST ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE
'Cinema Italiano'; Mysic & Lyrics by Mary Yeston - Nine
'I Want to Come Home'; Music & Lyrics by Paul McCartney - Everybody's Fine
'I See You'; Music by James Horner and Simon Franglen, Lyrics by James Horner, Sion Franglen and Kuk Harrell - Avatar
'The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)'; Music & Lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett - Crazy Heart
'Winter'; Music by U2, Lyrics by Bono - Brothers"
Okay, here's the rundown -
My Picks
BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Avatar (20th Century Fox)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
The Hangover (Warner Bros. Pictures)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Sandra Bullock - The Proposal
(is it fair to have Meryl Streep nominated twice in the same category?)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Robert Downey Jr. - Sherlock Holmes
(good to hear Sherlock Holmes is a true blue comedy)
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Up (Disney•Pixar)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Penelope Cruz - Nine
(she's the only one I've heard of and she won an Oscar this year)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Stanley Tucci - The Lovely Bones
(even though he plays a creepy child molester and murderer)
BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE
James Cameron - Avatar
BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE
Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell - District 9
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE
Michael Giacchino - Up
BEST ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE
'I See You'; Music by James Horner and Simon Franglen, Lyrics by James Horner, Sion Franglen and Kuk Harrell - Avatar
"The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the nominations for 'The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards' this morning which you can view below. The awards presentation, hosted by Ricky Gervais, will be broadcast live on Sunday, January 17 at 8pm ET on NBC.
BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Avatar (20th Century Fox)
The Hurt Locker (Summit Entertainment)
Inglourious Basterds (The Weinstein Company)
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire (Lionsgate)
Up in the Air (Paramount Pictures)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Emily Blunt - The Young Victoria
Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side
Helen Mirren - The Last Station
Carey Mulligan - An Education
Gabourey Sidibe - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
George Clooney - Up in the Air
Colin Firth - A Single Man
Morgan Freeman - Invictus
Tobey Maguire - Brothers
BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
(500) Days of Summer (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
The Hangover (Warner Bros. Pictures)
It's Complicated (Universal Pictures)
Julie & Julia (Columbia Pictures)
Nine (The Weinstein Company)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Sandra Bullock - The Proposal
Marion Cotillard - Nine
Julia Roberts - Duplicity
Meryl Streep - It's Complicated
Meryl Streep - Julie & Julia
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Matt Damon - The Informant!
Daniel Day-Lewis - Nine
Robert Downey Jr. - Sherlock Holmes
Joseph Gordon-Levitt - (500) Days of Summer
Michael Stuhlbarg - A Serious Man
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Sony Pictures Animation)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Coraline (Focus Features)
The Princess and the Frog (Walt Disney Pictures)
Up (Disney•Pixar)
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Baaria (Italy)
Broken Embraces (Spain)
The Maid (Chile)
A Prophet (France)
The White Ribbon (Germany)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Penelope Cruz - Nine
Vera Farmiga - Up in the Air
Anna Kendrick - Up in the Air
Mo'Nique - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
Julianne Moore - A Single Man
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Matt Damon - Invictus
Woody Harrelson - The Messenger
Christopher Plummer - The Last Station
Stanley Tucci - The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds
BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE
Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker
James Cameron - Avatar
Clint Eastwood - Invictus
Jason Reitman - Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino - Inglourious Basterds
BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE
Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell - District 9
Mark Boal - The Hurt Locker
Nancy Meyers - It's Complicated
Jason Reitman - Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino - Inglourious Basterds
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE
Michael Giacchino - Up
Marvin Hamlisch - The Informant!
James Horner - Avatar
Abel Korzeniowski - A Single Man
Karen O and Carter Burwell - Where the Wild Things Are
BEST ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE
'Cinema Italiano'; Mysic & Lyrics by Mary Yeston - Nine
'I Want to Come Home'; Music & Lyrics by Paul McCartney - Everybody's Fine
'I See You'; Music by James Horner and Simon Franglen, Lyrics by James Horner, Sion Franglen and Kuk Harrell - Avatar
'The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)'; Music & Lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett - Crazy Heart
'Winter'; Music by U2, Lyrics by Bono - Brothers"
Okay, here's the rundown -
My Picks
BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Avatar (20th Century Fox)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
The Hangover (Warner Bros. Pictures)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Sandra Bullock - The Proposal
(is it fair to have Meryl Streep nominated twice in the same category?)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Robert Downey Jr. - Sherlock Holmes
(good to hear Sherlock Holmes is a true blue comedy)
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Up (Disney•Pixar)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Penelope Cruz - Nine
(she's the only one I've heard of and she won an Oscar this year)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Stanley Tucci - The Lovely Bones
(even though he plays a creepy child molester and murderer)
BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE
James Cameron - Avatar
BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE
Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell - District 9
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE
Michael Giacchino - Up
BEST ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE
'I See You'; Music by James Horner and Simon Franglen, Lyrics by James Horner, Sion Franglen and Kuk Harrell - Avatar
Friday, December 11, 2009
The Visual Effects Are...
From Hitflix:
"The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the 15 semi-finalists for the Achievement in Visual Effects for the 82nd Academy Awards today. The contenders are as follows:
Angels & Demons
Avatar
Coraline
Disney’s A Christmas Carol
District 9
G-Force
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Sherlock Holmes
Star Trek
Terminator Salvation
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
2012
Watchmen
Where the Wild Things Are
According to the Academy, the members of the Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee, who selected the semifinalists, will narrow the list to seven early next month. At that point, all members of the Visual Effects Branch will be invited to view 15-minute excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films on Thursday, January 21. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate three films for final Oscar consideration. "
Okay, three? As painful as it is, here goes -
Avatar
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Follow-ups?
Disney's A Christmas Carol
District 9
Sherlock Holmes
Terminator Salvation
2012
Watchmen
Where the Wild Things Are
UPDATE:
Here's the seven finalists:
Avatar
District 9
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Star Trek
Terminator Salvation
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
2012
"The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the 15 semi-finalists for the Achievement in Visual Effects for the 82nd Academy Awards today. The contenders are as follows:
Angels & Demons
Avatar
Coraline
Disney’s A Christmas Carol
District 9
G-Force
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Sherlock Holmes
Star Trek
Terminator Salvation
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
2012
Watchmen
Where the Wild Things Are
According to the Academy, the members of the Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee, who selected the semifinalists, will narrow the list to seven early next month. At that point, all members of the Visual Effects Branch will be invited to view 15-minute excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films on Thursday, January 21. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate three films for final Oscar consideration. "
Okay, three? As painful as it is, here goes -
Avatar
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Follow-ups?
Disney's A Christmas Carol
District 9
Sherlock Holmes
Terminator Salvation
2012
Watchmen
Where the Wild Things Are
UPDATE:
Here's the seven finalists:
Avatar
District 9
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Star Trek
Terminator Salvation
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
2012
Sigourney Weaver talks GHOSTBUSTERS III?
From ComingSoon.net:
"We're not sure just how big these possible spoilers for Ghostbusters III are, but we wanted to caution readers that they might not want to know the following yet.
In an interview with Channel 4, Avatar star Sigourney Weaver was asked about possibly appearing in Ghostbusters III.
'I'm afraid to say that it *is* happening, I hope people are excited about that,' she said. 'I don't know if I'm going to be in it, I have gotten a couple of calls asking 'would you read the script?'.
'I know that my little son, Oscar – who was kidnapped from me – I think he has grown up to be a Ghostbuster,' she added before spilling another, even bigger bit...
'I might be in it and I see nothing wrong with being in it, although I don't think I will have a big part in it. I think Bill Murray has a little more to do with it - he might be a ghost.'
'The Office' co-executive producers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky are writing the screenplay.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! BILL MURRAY CAN'T BE A GHOST!!! HE HAS TO BE PETER VENKMAN, ALIVE AND WELL!!
Otherwise, I'm still fine with Sigourney Weaver being in the movie.
"We're not sure just how big these possible spoilers for Ghostbusters III are, but we wanted to caution readers that they might not want to know the following yet.
In an interview with Channel 4, Avatar star Sigourney Weaver was asked about possibly appearing in Ghostbusters III.
'I'm afraid to say that it *is* happening, I hope people are excited about that,' she said. 'I don't know if I'm going to be in it, I have gotten a couple of calls asking 'would you read the script?'.
'I know that my little son, Oscar – who was kidnapped from me – I think he has grown up to be a Ghostbuster,' she added before spilling another, even bigger bit...
'I might be in it and I see nothing wrong with being in it, although I don't think I will have a big part in it. I think Bill Murray has a little more to do with it - he might be a ghost.'
'The Office' co-executive producers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky are writing the screenplay.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! BILL MURRAY CAN'T BE A GHOST!!! HE HAS TO BE PETER VENKMAN, ALIVE AND WELL!!
Otherwise, I'm still fine with Sigourney Weaver being in the movie.
James Cameron takes audiences on a FANTASTIC VOYAGE
No, not Avatar. He's done with that. I think.
From Slashfilm:
"Yesterday there was news that James Cameron is developing 'a Shane Salerno-scripted sci-fi action script for Fox, described as an ‘event’ film set in the future.' At the time no one knew anything else about the picture, but Salerno’s involvement led some to speculate that this was Doomsday Protocol, a script Salerno sold to Fox, announced last year.
That isn’t the case, however, based on a red carpet interview given by Cameron last night at the London premiere of Avatar. The film is actually a 3D remake of Fantastic Voyage, and Cameron is only producing, not directing. MTV talked to Cameron and his producer Jon Landau, and they reportedly gave up the details.
The original film was released in 1966 and featured a Soviet scientist who discovers the key to miniaturizing things without danger of them reverting to their original size after a period of time. But an assassination attempt leaves him in a coma with a blood clot engangering his brain. A US team is miniaturized and sent into his bloodstream to destroy the clot and save his life. But they’re relying upon outmoded technology, and only have an hour to work before they begin to revert to original size, and are targeted by his immune system.
Because Cameron is reportedly producing this film, that leaves the gates open for speculation about his next directorial effort. It could still be the long-gestating Battle Angel, oceanic drama The Dive, or a segment for Heavy Metal, for which he’s been said to be a contributor. Or it could be something else entirely."
From Slashfilm:
"Yesterday there was news that James Cameron is developing 'a Shane Salerno-scripted sci-fi action script for Fox, described as an ‘event’ film set in the future.' At the time no one knew anything else about the picture, but Salerno’s involvement led some to speculate that this was Doomsday Protocol, a script Salerno sold to Fox, announced last year.
That isn’t the case, however, based on a red carpet interview given by Cameron last night at the London premiere of Avatar. The film is actually a 3D remake of Fantastic Voyage, and Cameron is only producing, not directing. MTV talked to Cameron and his producer Jon Landau, and they reportedly gave up the details.
The original film was released in 1966 and featured a Soviet scientist who discovers the key to miniaturizing things without danger of them reverting to their original size after a period of time. But an assassination attempt leaves him in a coma with a blood clot engangering his brain. A US team is miniaturized and sent into his bloodstream to destroy the clot and save his life. But they’re relying upon outmoded technology, and only have an hour to work before they begin to revert to original size, and are targeted by his immune system.
Because Cameron is reportedly producing this film, that leaves the gates open for speculation about his next directorial effort. It could still be the long-gestating Battle Angel, oceanic drama The Dive, or a segment for Heavy Metal, for which he’s been said to be a contributor. Or it could be something else entirely."
Natalie Portman kills ZOMBIES while staying prim and proper
From ComingSoon.net:
"Natalie Portman will star in and produce Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a film that is based on the best-selling book written by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen.... Lionsgate will finance and distribute.
Described as an expanded version of the Austen classic, the book tells the timeless story of a woman's quest for love and independence amid the outbreak of a deadly virus that turns the undead into vicious killers.
Portman will play feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet, who is distracted from her quest to eradicate the zombie menace by the arrival of the arrogant Mr. Darcy."
*softly crying* Shut up. You had me at Natalie Portman and zombies. You had me at Natalie Portman and zombies. 
"Natalie Portman will star in and produce Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a film that is based on the best-selling book written by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen.... Lionsgate will finance and distribute.Described as an expanded version of the Austen classic, the book tells the timeless story of a woman's quest for love and independence amid the outbreak of a deadly virus that turns the undead into vicious killers.
Portman will play feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet, who is distracted from her quest to eradicate the zombie menace by the arrival of the arrogant Mr. Darcy."
*softly crying* Shut up. You had me at Natalie Portman and zombies. You had me at Natalie Portman and zombies.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Josh Brolin is the next Man IN BLACK?
From ComingSoon.net:
"The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Columbia Pictures is considering bringing on Josh Brolin for Men in Black III.
Who he will play is not known:
'He could play a new single-monikered government agent, with Tommy Lee Jones' Agent K passing the baton to Brolin's character. Or he could play Agent K as a young man. Or something else entirely.'
Will Smith is expected to return for the third installment, written by Etan Cohen, but will Jones? Barry Sonnenfeld may also come back to direct.
Brolin's upcoming projects include Jonah Hex and Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps."
"The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Columbia Pictures is considering bringing on Josh Brolin for Men in Black III.
Who he will play is not known:
'He could play a new single-monikered government agent, with Tommy Lee Jones' Agent K passing the baton to Brolin's character. Or he could play Agent K as a young man. Or something else entirely.'
Will Smith is expected to return for the third installment, written by Etan Cohen, but will Jones? Barry Sonnenfeld may also come back to direct.
Brolin's upcoming projects include Jonah Hex and Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps."
THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE conjures up a trailer!
From ComingSoon.net:
"[Disney] has debuted the first trailer for The Sorcerer's Apprentice, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Jon Turteltaub. Opening in theaters on July 16, the adventure film stars Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer, Monica Bellucci and Toby Kebbell.
In The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Balthazar Blake (Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Molina). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice'".
UPDATE:
New trailer!
"[Disney] has debuted the first trailer for The Sorcerer's Apprentice, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Jon Turteltaub. Opening in theaters on July 16, the adventure film stars Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer, Monica Bellucci and Toby Kebbell.
In The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Balthazar Blake (Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Molina). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice'".
UPDATE:
New trailer!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Man, HANCOCK 2 ain't happening... yet.
From CinemaBlend:
"After tons of buzz, it looks like Hancock 2 isn’t happening after all. Just two months ago director Peter Berg expressed his excitement to reunite with the cast of Hancock to make a sequel. Well, that was before we got word that Berg was hired to direct Battleship.
Apparently Will Smith is keeping out of the spotlight, hanging out with his family and watching his kids’ film careers grow. On top of that, producers James Lassiter, Akiva Goldsmith and Michael Mann are busy with projects of their own. 'To get us all in the same room where we can talk and then agree on anything? You'll never meet a group of people who will have a harder time agreeing on anything. It's like the Israeli peace process times a thousand in how tough it is for us all. But I think it will happen, we just all have to get in the same room with some consistency.'
Yes, Berg, expresses a glimmer of hope, but when asked if Hancock 2 could be next in line after Battleship, he says he plans to work on the adaptation of Marcus Luttrell’s fiction novel Lone Survivor next, which Berg explains is about '17 SEALs that were killed in one gunfight in Afghanistan. One survived.' Then there’s Berg’s everlasting hope to reunite with Dwayne Johnson to make The Rundown 2. “I love The Rundown. I don't know if the audience was quite ready to accept Dwayne [at the time]. We had a certain amount of resistance.' As for Johnson, Berg says 'He'd love it' and that 'We always joke 'When are we gonna do it?' But sometimes it's just a question of timing and getting all the stars to line up. There is no reason why we wouldn’t.'"
Well, good! It'd give a chance for Johnson to stop doing so many family movies and get back to action. A few are okay, but he's doing too much! I, personally, like The Rundown better than Hancock. It's funnier, and doesn't delve down into drama.
"After tons of buzz, it looks like Hancock 2 isn’t happening after all. Just two months ago director Peter Berg expressed his excitement to reunite with the cast of Hancock to make a sequel. Well, that was before we got word that Berg was hired to direct Battleship.
Apparently Will Smith is keeping out of the spotlight, hanging out with his family and watching his kids’ film careers grow. On top of that, producers James Lassiter, Akiva Goldsmith and Michael Mann are busy with projects of their own. 'To get us all in the same room where we can talk and then agree on anything? You'll never meet a group of people who will have a harder time agreeing on anything. It's like the Israeli peace process times a thousand in how tough it is for us all. But I think it will happen, we just all have to get in the same room with some consistency.'
Yes, Berg, expresses a glimmer of hope, but when asked if Hancock 2 could be next in line after Battleship, he says he plans to work on the adaptation of Marcus Luttrell’s fiction novel Lone Survivor next, which Berg explains is about '17 SEALs that were killed in one gunfight in Afghanistan. One survived.' Then there’s Berg’s everlasting hope to reunite with Dwayne Johnson to make The Rundown 2. “I love The Rundown. I don't know if the audience was quite ready to accept Dwayne [at the time]. We had a certain amount of resistance.' As for Johnson, Berg says 'He'd love it' and that 'We always joke 'When are we gonna do it?' But sometimes it's just a question of timing and getting all the stars to line up. There is no reason why we wouldn’t.'"
Well, good! It'd give a chance for Johnson to stop doing so many family movies and get back to action. A few are okay, but he's doing too much! I, personally, like The Rundown better than Hancock. It's funnier, and doesn't delve down into drama.
Excelsior! Stan Lee's in THOR!
From ComingSoon.net:
"Stan Lee confirmed today via his Twitter account that he will have a cameo role in Thor. You can read his amusing tweets below...
'Hey, I got an email from the multu-talented director of Thor, Kenneth Branagh. Not enough space left to tell what he said-- stay tuned--'
'Kenneth Branagh (of course I call him 'Ken!') said my cameo's set for the upcoming Thor movie. --To him, it's a cameo, to me-- it's a ROLE!'
'I went easy on Ken Branagh when we discussed my role in Thor. Told him I wouldn't insist on my name above the title, I think he was grateful'
'Yeah, I mentioned Ken Banagh a few times, but I warned you I was a name driopper. Seriously tho', with him directing, Thor's a sure winner.'
'Of course, my previous tweet revealed the extent of my innate modesty. I really wanted to add 'With me doing a cameo, Thor's a sure winner.''
'Can't tweet anymore. Due to Thor, I must start rehearsing my thee's and thou's. So, if thou objecteth not, I wish thee well! 'Nuff saideth.'
Auditions are starting this week for the movie, with filming to start in January. Opening in theaters on May 20, 2011, the adaptation stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skarsgard, Stuart Townsend, Ray Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba and Kat Dennings."
"Stan Lee confirmed today via his Twitter account that he will have a cameo role in Thor. You can read his amusing tweets below...
'Hey, I got an email from the multu-talented director of Thor, Kenneth Branagh. Not enough space left to tell what he said-- stay tuned--'
'Kenneth Branagh (of course I call him 'Ken!') said my cameo's set for the upcoming Thor movie. --To him, it's a cameo, to me-- it's a ROLE!'
'I went easy on Ken Branagh when we discussed my role in Thor. Told him I wouldn't insist on my name above the title, I think he was grateful'
'Yeah, I mentioned Ken Banagh a few times, but I warned you I was a name driopper. Seriously tho', with him directing, Thor's a sure winner.'
'Of course, my previous tweet revealed the extent of my innate modesty. I really wanted to add 'With me doing a cameo, Thor's a sure winner.''
'Can't tweet anymore. Due to Thor, I must start rehearsing my thee's and thou's. So, if thou objecteth not, I wish thee well! 'Nuff saideth.'
Auditions are starting this week for the movie, with filming to start in January. Opening in theaters on May 20, 2011, the adaptation stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skarsgard, Stuart Townsend, Ray Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba and Kat Dennings."
PICTURES OF YOU developing
From ComingSoon.net:
"David Permut (Youth in Revolt), Dave Gross and Jesse Shapira will produce the romantic teen comedy Pictures of You, written by Joshua Friedlander.
The story, set in a Florida resort town, centers on a teenage boy who finds a lost camera on the beach. After developing the film, he ends up on a quest to find the girl of his dreams, whose picture was discovered inside the camera.
Variety says that Pictures of You was on the 2007 Black List of top unproduced screenplays."
Ah, man! That sounds like something I'd write. I'd see it though.
"David Permut (Youth in Revolt), Dave Gross and Jesse Shapira will produce the romantic teen comedy Pictures of You, written by Joshua Friedlander.
The story, set in a Florida resort town, centers on a teenage boy who finds a lost camera on the beach. After developing the film, he ends up on a quest to find the girl of his dreams, whose picture was discovered inside the camera.
Variety says that Pictures of You was on the 2007 Black List of top unproduced screenplays."
Ah, man! That sounds like something I'd write. I'd see it though.
McG says, "I'll be back."
From ComingSoon.net:
"Director McG participated in a BD-Live chat for the Terminator Salvation Blu-ray yesterday and said that he is still planning on directing the fifth and sixth Terminator movies.
We're not sure how he knows this considering that the Halcyon group just this week said that they expect their auction for the franchise rights to conclude by February 1st, which means that the current owners of Terminator won't have any say in upcoming films.
'Over the past few weeks, Halcyon and its professionals have engaged in in-depth discussions and negotiations with numerous serious potential buyers, including several major movie studios,' Halcyon said.
Also, Salvation didn't exactly earn big numbers at the box office. The movie carried a production budget of about $200 million, not counting advertising, and made only $371.4 million worldwide. That's $125.3 million domestically and $246 million internationally."
Better have some form of humor (ala T2)
"Director McG participated in a BD-Live chat for the Terminator Salvation Blu-ray yesterday and said that he is still planning on directing the fifth and sixth Terminator movies.
We're not sure how he knows this considering that the Halcyon group just this week said that they expect their auction for the franchise rights to conclude by February 1st, which means that the current owners of Terminator won't have any say in upcoming films.
'Over the past few weeks, Halcyon and its professionals have engaged in in-depth discussions and negotiations with numerous serious potential buyers, including several major movie studios,' Halcyon said.
Also, Salvation didn't exactly earn big numbers at the box office. The movie carried a production budget of about $200 million, not counting advertising, and made only $371.4 million worldwide. That's $125.3 million domestically and $246 million internationally."
Better have some form of humor (ala T2)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Steven Spielberg no longer sees HARVEY
From ComingSoon.net:
"Steven Spielberg will no longer direct the Harvey remake at 20th Century Fox, reports Variety.
The studio was preparing an early 2010 start for the film, an adaptation of Mary Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a man who befriends a six and a half foot tall invisible rabbit.
The trade says the project has been a challenge to pull together since Spielberg committed last August. One of the biggest challenges has been setting a star to play Elwood P. Dowd, the character played by James Stewart in the 1950 film. Spielberg's first choice was Tom Hanks, but he didn't want to take over a role played by Stewart. Spielberg and Fox also courted Robert Downey Jr. who never committed but did make suggestions on rewrites.
It it unknown what Spielberg may direct instead."
Well, here's a few options -
Interstellar (A space travel story about a group of explorers who travel through a wormhole into another dimension.)
Abraham Lincoln (a biopic of the 16th President of the United States, played by Liam Neeson)
The 39 Clues (The story revolves around the Cahills - the most powerful family the world has ever known - the source of whose power is a mystery that can only be unraveled by assembling 39 clues hidden around the world throughout history.)
The Adventures of Tintin 3 (somebody please convince Spielberg and Peter Jackson to do this movie TOGETHER!)
Indiana Jones V (the fifth adventure of the most famous adventurer in film history)
Jurassic Park IV (anything's possible, right?)
"Steven Spielberg will no longer direct the Harvey remake at 20th Century Fox, reports Variety.
The studio was preparing an early 2010 start for the film, an adaptation of Mary Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a man who befriends a six and a half foot tall invisible rabbit.
The trade says the project has been a challenge to pull together since Spielberg committed last August. One of the biggest challenges has been setting a star to play Elwood P. Dowd, the character played by James Stewart in the 1950 film. Spielberg's first choice was Tom Hanks, but he didn't want to take over a role played by Stewart. Spielberg and Fox also courted Robert Downey Jr. who never committed but did make suggestions on rewrites.
It it unknown what Spielberg may direct instead."
Well, here's a few options -
Interstellar (A space travel story about a group of explorers who travel through a wormhole into another dimension.)
Abraham Lincoln (a biopic of the 16th President of the United States, played by Liam Neeson)
The 39 Clues (The story revolves around the Cahills - the most powerful family the world has ever known - the source of whose power is a mystery that can only be unraveled by assembling 39 clues hidden around the world throughout history.)
The Adventures of Tintin 3 (somebody please convince Spielberg and Peter Jackson to do this movie TOGETHER!)
Indiana Jones V (the fifth adventure of the most famous adventurer in film history)
Jurassic Park IV (anything's possible, right?)
Taylor Lautner is MAX STEEL
From ComingSoon.net:
"Variety has confirmed that Twilight franchise star Taylor Lautner may be the frontrunner to play the title role in Paramount's Max Steel, based on Mattel's action figure toy line.
The 17-year-old will play a 19-year-old extreme sports junkie recruited by a secret agency after an experiment infects his body with nanobots, making him superhuman.
Mattel introduced the character in the U.S. in 1999 as an action figure, and soon after in an animated series that ran from 2000-2002.
The newspaper adds that J.P. Lavin and Chad Damiani are writing the script for the film."
UPDATE:
From ComingSoon.net:
"Vulture is reporting that The Twilight Saga star Taylor Lautner has dropped out of Mattel's Max Steel so that he can concentrate on Hasbro's Stretch Armstrong instead.
He had originally been signed to do both projects, but according to the site, 'in the weeks after signing on to play Steel, Lautner became increasingly convinced that Hasbro was playing its hand better than Mattel. Thanks to WME, Hasbro was moving with far greater speed through Hollywood's development maze than Mattel, not only setting up projects, but quickly moving them forward.'
Vulture adds that Universal began conversations earlier this month with Rob Letterman (Monsters vs. Aliens, upcoming Gulliver's Travels) about directing Stretch Armstrong for a 2012 release."
"Variety has confirmed that Twilight franchise star Taylor Lautner may be the frontrunner to play the title role in Paramount's Max Steel, based on Mattel's action figure toy line.
The 17-year-old will play a 19-year-old extreme sports junkie recruited by a secret agency after an experiment infects his body with nanobots, making him superhuman.
Mattel introduced the character in the U.S. in 1999 as an action figure, and soon after in an animated series that ran from 2000-2002.
The newspaper adds that J.P. Lavin and Chad Damiani are writing the script for the film."
UPDATE:
From ComingSoon.net:
"Vulture is reporting that The Twilight Saga star Taylor Lautner has dropped out of Mattel's Max Steel so that he can concentrate on Hasbro's Stretch Armstrong instead.
He had originally been signed to do both projects, but according to the site, 'in the weeks after signing on to play Steel, Lautner became increasingly convinced that Hasbro was playing its hand better than Mattel. Thanks to WME, Hasbro was moving with far greater speed through Hollywood's development maze than Mattel, not only setting up projects, but quickly moving them forward.'
Vulture adds that Universal began conversations earlier this month with Rob Letterman (Monsters vs. Aliens, upcoming Gulliver's Travels) about directing Stretch Armstrong for a 2012 release."
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Jeff Bridges talks TRON LEGACY
From SciFiWire.com:
"Jeff Bridges likened playing Kevin Flynn in the original 1982 Tron to being a kid again, playing pretend, so it's appropriate that he literally becomes a kid again in the upcoming 3D sequel film, Tron Legacy, in which he plays dual roles.
Though the movie's storyline is closely held, we know that Bridges will play an older version of his original character, Kevin Flynn, as well as [Flynn's digital alter-ego, Clu] whose appearance is that of Bridges 27 years ago.
The film will use of the same computer technology employed to age and de-age Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
'It was challenging, in that I got a little taste of this new technology of acting what they call 'in the volume' and making movies without cameras,' Bridges said in a group interview Wednesday in Beverly Hills, Calif., where he was promoting the drama Crazy Heart. 'It's a completely different deal. That was kind of a challenge. It was great getting back with my old buddy, [original Tron director] Steven Lisberger, and Bruce Boxleitner." Boxleitner, who played the dual roles of Alan Bradley and Tron in the original film, will appear in the sequel as an age-appropriate Bradley.
Fans got a taste of Bridges' mysterious dual role in the original teaser for Tron Legacy, which screened two Comic-Cons ago. The teaser gives a sense of how they've updated familiar Tron effects, such as the light cycles and flying discs, but Bridges said that's only the beginning of what's in store for Tron Legacy.
'All that technology that we were going to use in the movie itself is used in the trailer,' Bridges continued. 'It wasn't as highly polished as the movie is going to be, but it gives you a little peek into what you might find. That teaser was something they do kind of often with movies, and I think it's a good idea. The Coen brothers told me they did it with making Blood Simple. Before they even shoot the movie at all, they shoot the trailer of the movie, as if it was already made, and then they use that to entice the financiers. So, even though it was a Disney property, Disney wanted them to shoot this pretty expensive trailer. I don't know how much it cost, but it was pretty expensive.' The teaser footage was actually test footage that won't likely appear in the finished movie.
In Tron Legacy, Kevin Flynn's son, Sam (Garrett Hedlund), goes back into the digital world to find his lost father. Olivia Wilde and Michael Sheen co-star as programs living in the world of computer programs. Boxleitner also reprises his role from the original Tron. Lisberger collaborates as a producer. Joseph Kosinski directs the new vision of Tron.
'I used to love to pretend when I was a kid,' Bridges said. 'Here's a movie that they say, 'You get to play a guy who gets sucked inside a computer.' Ooh, yeah. Use all the modern technology that's available today, [and] the same goes with the sequel, except all the technology that we're using in that makes the old one look like an old black-and-white TV show or something. Gosh, it's amazing what they've got going on this. I can't wait to see it all pasted together.'
Tron Legacy has completed principal photography but will not be finished with post-production effects until its release, currently slated for December 2010."
Good to see Jeff still holds a place in his heart for Tron.
Speaking of Jeff Bridges news, here's one that's not being covered by major movie news but here!
From GoMemphis.com:
"The Coen brothers -- the Academy Award-winning filmmakers responsible for such modern classics as No Country for Old Men, Fargo and The Big Lebowski -- are looking for a Memphis girl with 'steely nerves,' a 'straightforward manner' and, yes, true grit.
An open casting call will be held from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the East Memphis Hilton at 939 Ridge Lake Blvd., for the potentially star-making role of spunky young Mattie Ross, a lead character in the Coens' upcoming remake of the famous 1969 western, True Grit.
According to a release from the casting office, the filmmakers are looking for 'a 12 to 16-year-old Caucasian girl who is tough, strong and tells it like it is. They are open to all looks, so come give it a try. No acting experience is necessary.'
Writer-directors Joel and Ethan Coen 'would love, love, love to find somebody unknown,' said casting director Rachel Tenner, who worked with the Coens on A Serious Man, Burn After Reading and No Country for Old Men, which won the Best Picture Oscar in 2008. 'Any girls with an instinct to try should come and give it a shot.'"
"Jeff Bridges likened playing Kevin Flynn in the original 1982 Tron to being a kid again, playing pretend, so it's appropriate that he literally becomes a kid again in the upcoming 3D sequel film, Tron Legacy, in which he plays dual roles.
Though the movie's storyline is closely held, we know that Bridges will play an older version of his original character, Kevin Flynn, as well as [Flynn's digital alter-ego, Clu] whose appearance is that of Bridges 27 years ago.
The film will use of the same computer technology employed to age and de-age Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
'It was challenging, in that I got a little taste of this new technology of acting what they call 'in the volume' and making movies without cameras,' Bridges said in a group interview Wednesday in Beverly Hills, Calif., where he was promoting the drama Crazy Heart. 'It's a completely different deal. That was kind of a challenge. It was great getting back with my old buddy, [original Tron director] Steven Lisberger, and Bruce Boxleitner." Boxleitner, who played the dual roles of Alan Bradley and Tron in the original film, will appear in the sequel as an age-appropriate Bradley.
Fans got a taste of Bridges' mysterious dual role in the original teaser for Tron Legacy, which screened two Comic-Cons ago. The teaser gives a sense of how they've updated familiar Tron effects, such as the light cycles and flying discs, but Bridges said that's only the beginning of what's in store for Tron Legacy.
'All that technology that we were going to use in the movie itself is used in the trailer,' Bridges continued. 'It wasn't as highly polished as the movie is going to be, but it gives you a little peek into what you might find. That teaser was something they do kind of often with movies, and I think it's a good idea. The Coen brothers told me they did it with making Blood Simple. Before they even shoot the movie at all, they shoot the trailer of the movie, as if it was already made, and then they use that to entice the financiers. So, even though it was a Disney property, Disney wanted them to shoot this pretty expensive trailer. I don't know how much it cost, but it was pretty expensive.' The teaser footage was actually test footage that won't likely appear in the finished movie.
In Tron Legacy, Kevin Flynn's son, Sam (Garrett Hedlund), goes back into the digital world to find his lost father. Olivia Wilde and Michael Sheen co-star as programs living in the world of computer programs. Boxleitner also reprises his role from the original Tron. Lisberger collaborates as a producer. Joseph Kosinski directs the new vision of Tron.
'I used to love to pretend when I was a kid,' Bridges said. 'Here's a movie that they say, 'You get to play a guy who gets sucked inside a computer.' Ooh, yeah. Use all the modern technology that's available today, [and] the same goes with the sequel, except all the technology that we're using in that makes the old one look like an old black-and-white TV show or something. Gosh, it's amazing what they've got going on this. I can't wait to see it all pasted together.'
Tron Legacy has completed principal photography but will not be finished with post-production effects until its release, currently slated for December 2010."
Good to see Jeff still holds a place in his heart for Tron.
Speaking of Jeff Bridges news, here's one that's not being covered by major movie news but here!
From GoMemphis.com:
"The Coen brothers -- the Academy Award-winning filmmakers responsible for such modern classics as No Country for Old Men, Fargo and The Big Lebowski -- are looking for a Memphis girl with 'steely nerves,' a 'straightforward manner' and, yes, true grit.
An open casting call will be held from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the East Memphis Hilton at 939 Ridge Lake Blvd., for the potentially star-making role of spunky young Mattie Ross, a lead character in the Coens' upcoming remake of the famous 1969 western, True Grit.
According to a release from the casting office, the filmmakers are looking for 'a 12 to 16-year-old Caucasian girl who is tough, strong and tells it like it is. They are open to all looks, so come give it a try. No acting experience is necessary.'
Writer-directors Joel and Ethan Coen 'would love, love, love to find somebody unknown,' said casting director Rachel Tenner, who worked with the Coens on A Serious Man, Burn After Reading and No Country for Old Men, which won the Best Picture Oscar in 2008. 'Any girls with an instinct to try should come and give it a shot.'"
Wish they were shooting the movie in Memphis!!
Leonardo DiCaprio is Jack Frost
From ComingSoon.net:
"DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. announced today that Leonardo DiCaprio will make his animated feature film debut when he headlines the cast of the studio's November 2, 2012 release, The Guardians (working title) as Jack Frost.
DiCaprio is the first actor announced for The Guardians, which is produced by Christina Steinberg and Nancy Bernstein, and directed by Peter Ramsey.
When an evil spirit called Pitch becomes bent upon taking over the world by inspiring fear in the hearts of kids everywhere, a group of our greatest heroes -- Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman and Jack Frost -- band together for the first time, determined to stand in Pitch's way. More than a collection of storybook subjects, 'The Guardians' are also a band of superheroes, who possess their own special powers. Now joined in opposition of a common foe, the Guardians heed the call and combine their powers to defeat Pitch and protect the world from his campaign of fear.
The film is based on 'The Guardians of Childhood,' a series of highly anticipated books by William Joyce."
I guess I can buy this. Bout time Leo decided to do something funny. Let's hope his Jack Frost doesn't come out looking like Martin Short in The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause:
"DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. announced today that Leonardo DiCaprio will make his animated feature film debut when he headlines the cast of the studio's November 2, 2012 release, The Guardians (working title) as Jack Frost.
DiCaprio is the first actor announced for The Guardians, which is produced by Christina Steinberg and Nancy Bernstein, and directed by Peter Ramsey.
When an evil spirit called Pitch becomes bent upon taking over the world by inspiring fear in the hearts of kids everywhere, a group of our greatest heroes -- Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman and Jack Frost -- band together for the first time, determined to stand in Pitch's way. More than a collection of storybook subjects, 'The Guardians' are also a band of superheroes, who possess their own special powers. Now joined in opposition of a common foe, the Guardians heed the call and combine their powers to defeat Pitch and protect the world from his campaign of fear.
The film is based on 'The Guardians of Childhood,' a series of highly anticipated books by William Joyce."
I guess I can buy this. Bout time Leo decided to do something funny. Let's hope his Jack Frost doesn't come out looking like Martin Short in The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause:
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
ZOMBIELAND 2 in 3D?
From Slashfilm:
"Sony hasn’t yet announced the development of a Zombieland sequel, but with a worldwide budget of over $85 million, it is likely only a matter of time. Moviehole has an interview with Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer, who revealed that not only is Sony interested in a sequel, but if they can 'crack' the story for a sequel, it will probably be shot in 3D. Fleischer believes that 'the genre really lends itself to [3D]', and is convinced the technology is now there. And who wouldn’t want to see a fun 3D zombie film?
"Sony hasn’t yet announced the development of a Zombieland sequel, but with a worldwide budget of over $85 million, it is likely only a matter of time. Moviehole has an interview with Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer, who revealed that not only is Sony interested in a sequel, but if they can 'crack' the story for a sequel, it will probably be shot in 3D. Fleischer believes that 'the genre really lends itself to [3D]', and is convinced the technology is now there. And who wouldn’t want to see a fun 3D zombie film?
As for the sequel, who knows when it might get off the ground. Fleischer has a bunch of potential projects lined up, and the screenplay hasn’t even been written, although there are plenty of ideas. As you probably know by now, Zombieland was conceived as a television pilot, and was rewritten to fill a feature film. Screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick told io9 in October that they already planned a '23 episode season' out, 'So divided by two that’s about 12 movies in our head swimming around.' … 'And we’ll take what we intended to be episode three of the television show and start movie number two.'"
AWESOME!! I'd love to see a Zombieland 2 in 3D!! Although a few of my friends won't. The Zombieland DVD comes out on Feburary 2nd (on Bill Murray's Groundhog Day).
What if... William Shatner was in STAR TREK?
Yes, of course he was in the TV show and seven feature films of 'Star Trek', the franchise, but what about the new movie?
From TrekMovie:
"Most fans can remember that one of the biggest debates around J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movie was about if it would (or should) include William Shatner. The film makers spoke of how they tried to find a way, but in the end felt it wouldn’t work. However, J.J. Abrams revealed that Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman did write a scene for Shatner, and today we have that scene for you to read.
Putting Shatner into Star Trek
TrekMovie received the scene below from one of our trusted sources and it has been verified to be the scene written for Shatner (but never shown to Shatner). The 'Alternate Scene B' actually creates alternative versions two scenes from the end of the movie: the moment between Spock Prime (Nimoy) and Spock (Quinto) in the hangar, plus the award ceremony with Kirk (Pine), Pike (Greenwood) and the Commandant (Tyler Perry).
Shatner would have played Kirk, but would have appeared as a recording. The timing of the recording is not stated, but would have have been before Star Trek Generations and therefore not violate the canon that Kirk was killed in Generations. J.J. Abrams has often noted that dealing with Kirk’s death was one of the hindrances of including him in the new Star Trek.
The Scene
Here it is…
—————————
ALTERNATE SCENE B
SPOCK PRIME
Then I ask that you do yourself a
favor… put away logic, and do what
feels right. The world you’ve inherited
lives in the shadow of incalculable
devastation… but there’s no reason you
must face it alone.
And from around his neck, he removes the PENDANT that
until now, we’ve only caught glimpses of. Places it on
the table beside his younger self. The feeling in his
eyes is profound…
SPOCK PRIME (CONT’D)
This was a gift to me. Representing…
a dream. One we were unable to fulfill.
(softly)
The way you can now.
And moves to the door. Stops. Offers the VULCAN SALUTE:
SPOCK PRIME (CONT’D)
As my customary farewell would appear
oddly self serving, I will simply say…
good luck.
Their eyes hold. Spock turns, disappearing into the
corridor. Young Spock stares at the empty doorway a
beat, his mind a jumble of thoughts. Looks to the
pendant… and realizes it’s a HOLO-EMITTER. After
considering a beat, he hits an activation button and a
MOVING HOLOGRAPHIC MESSAGE materializes before him:
CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK. WILLIAM SHATNER. As always,
brash, wry, confident — and SINGING:
KIRK/ SHATNER
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to
you…
(stops, grins)
I know I know, it’s illogical to
celebrate something you had nothing to do
with, but I haven’t had the chance to
congratulate you on your appointment to
the ambassadorship so I thought I’d seize
the occasion… Bravo, Spock — they tell
me your first mission may take you away
for awhile, so I’ll be the first to wish
you luck… and to say…
(beat, emotional)
I miss you, old friend.
… and we’re PUSHING IN on Young Spock, taking in the
image of Kirk’s future self, the message, but above all —
the clear, unquestionable friendship these two men had…
INT. CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS
As Spock Prime walks off down the corridor, he passes
right by a man conferring with a nurse — the man pauses,
turns… it’s SAREK. Suddenly overcome by a feeling that
the stranger who’s just passed him is… oddly familiar.
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I suppose I’d always imagined us…
outgrowing Starfleet together. Watching
life swing us into our Emeritus years…
INT. STARBASE ONE – HANGAR – ETERNAL NIGHT
MUSIC BUILDING — glass walls reveal THE ENTERPRISE at
dock, UTILITY CRAFTS floating around it, repairing.
Standing at attention in rows, THE ENTERPRISE CREW —
over four hundred of them wearing DRESS UNIFORMS — TRACK
DOWN the faces, all proud:
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I look around at the new cadets now and
can’t help thinking… has it really been
so long? Wasn’t it only yesterday we
stepped onto the Enterprise as boys?
That I had to prove to the crew I
deserved command… and their respect?
And we STOP ON YOUNG KIRK. Composed, focused, proud. A
man. And to every fan’s delight, finally wearing his
YELLOW SHIRT. The FEDERATION COMMANDANT stands at a
podium:
COMMANDANT
This assembly calls Captain James
Tiberius Kirk…
Kirk breaks from formation, pivots, marches down the
hangar — past UHURA… SULU… CHEKOV… SCOTTY. All
Beaming. Notably absent, is Spock. Kirk ascends the
stairs, snaps to attention:
COMMANDANT (CONT’D)
Your inspirational valor and supreme
dedication to your comrades are in
keeping with the highest traditions of
service and reflect utmost credit to
yourself, your crew, and the Federation.
By Starfleet Order 28455, you are hereby
directed to report to Commanding Officer,
USS Enterprise, for duty as his relief.
Kirk turns. Walks to… PIKE. In a wheelchair now,
wearing an ADMIRAL’S UNIFORM. Overnight, his hair’s
turned totally grey — but despite his trauma, his
pride’s overwhelming. They SALUTE each other:
KIRK
I relieve you, Sir.
PIKE
… I am relieved.
He opens a BOX in his lap — glorious in repose, a MEDAL:
PIKE (CONT’D)
And as Fleet Admiral, for your… unique
solution to the Kobayashi Maru, it’s my
honor to award you with a commendation
for original thinking.
Pike containing a smirk, pins the medal to Kirk’s
chest…
PIKE (CONT’D)
(a touch choked)
Congratulations, Captain.
KIRK
Thank you, Sir.
Kirk turns to the crowd. Eyes shining. WILD APPLAUSE.
OUR MUSIC SOARS. Bones leans in to Sulu, rolling his
eyes:
BONES
… Same ship, different day.
As Kirk rejoins his crew for hugs and congratulations, we
go to the BACK of the hangar… SPOCK PRIME. Watching.
Moved beyond words. He turns and leaves them to it… as
he goes…
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I know what you’d say — ‘It’s their turn
now, Jim…’ And of course you’re
right… but it got me thinking:
INT. STARFLEET HOSPITAL – EARTH – DAY
Our montage comes full circle as we END on Kirk’s
transmission:
KIRK/SHATNER
Who’s to say we can’t go one more round?
By the last tally, only twenty five
percent of the galaxy’s been chartered…
I’d call that negligent. Criminal even —
an invitation. You once said being a
starship captain was my first, best
destiny… if that’s true, then yours is
to be by my side. If there’s any true
logic to the universe… we’ll end up on
that bridge again someday.
Stops, grins. Because this is the part he needs to say
most…
KIRK/SHATNER
Admit it, Spock. For people like us, the
journey itself… is home.
Young Spock’s face. Lost in feelings that flood through
him.
—————————
But would Bill have done it?
Even if the Abrams team had decided to go ahead with this scene, there is no guarantee that Shatner would have done it. He had stated he 'does not do cameos' and the above scene appears to fall into the cameo category. Abrams had also stated that this 'no cameos' position of Shatner’s was part of their decision process not to include him in the film. Now that the scene is public, maybe Bill will make another one of his video blogs about it. One thing is for sure, this is not the last word on Shatner and the new Star Trek… there is still the sequel."
'No cameos'? Huh? What about Showtime and Fanboys? You're telling me those are starring roles?
From TrekMovie:
"Most fans can remember that one of the biggest debates around J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movie was about if it would (or should) include William Shatner. The film makers spoke of how they tried to find a way, but in the end felt it wouldn’t work. However, J.J. Abrams revealed that Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman did write a scene for Shatner, and today we have that scene for you to read.
Putting Shatner into Star Trek
TrekMovie received the scene below from one of our trusted sources and it has been verified to be the scene written for Shatner (but never shown to Shatner). The 'Alternate Scene B' actually creates alternative versions two scenes from the end of the movie: the moment between Spock Prime (Nimoy) and Spock (Quinto) in the hangar, plus the award ceremony with Kirk (Pine), Pike (Greenwood) and the Commandant (Tyler Perry).
Shatner would have played Kirk, but would have appeared as a recording. The timing of the recording is not stated, but would have have been before Star Trek Generations and therefore not violate the canon that Kirk was killed in Generations. J.J. Abrams has often noted that dealing with Kirk’s death was one of the hindrances of including him in the new Star Trek.
The Scene
Here it is…
—————————
ALTERNATE SCENE B
SPOCK PRIME
Then I ask that you do yourself a
favor… put away logic, and do what
feels right. The world you’ve inherited
lives in the shadow of incalculable
devastation… but there’s no reason you
must face it alone.
And from around his neck, he removes the PENDANT that
until now, we’ve only caught glimpses of. Places it on
the table beside his younger self. The feeling in his
eyes is profound…
SPOCK PRIME (CONT’D)
This was a gift to me. Representing…
a dream. One we were unable to fulfill.
(softly)
The way you can now.
And moves to the door. Stops. Offers the VULCAN SALUTE:
SPOCK PRIME (CONT’D)
As my customary farewell would appear
oddly self serving, I will simply say…
good luck.
Their eyes hold. Spock turns, disappearing into the
corridor. Young Spock stares at the empty doorway a
beat, his mind a jumble of thoughts. Looks to the
pendant… and realizes it’s a HOLO-EMITTER. After
considering a beat, he hits an activation button and a
MOVING HOLOGRAPHIC MESSAGE materializes before him:
CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK. WILLIAM SHATNER. As always,
brash, wry, confident — and SINGING:
KIRK/ SHATNER
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to
you…
(stops, grins)
I know I know, it’s illogical to
celebrate something you had nothing to do
with, but I haven’t had the chance to
congratulate you on your appointment to
the ambassadorship so I thought I’d seize
the occasion… Bravo, Spock — they tell
me your first mission may take you away
for awhile, so I’ll be the first to wish
you luck… and to say…
(beat, emotional)
I miss you, old friend.
… and we’re PUSHING IN on Young Spock, taking in the
image of Kirk’s future self, the message, but above all —
the clear, unquestionable friendship these two men had…
INT. CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS
As Spock Prime walks off down the corridor, he passes
right by a man conferring with a nurse — the man pauses,
turns… it’s SAREK. Suddenly overcome by a feeling that
the stranger who’s just passed him is… oddly familiar.
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I suppose I’d always imagined us…
outgrowing Starfleet together. Watching
life swing us into our Emeritus years…
INT. STARBASE ONE – HANGAR – ETERNAL NIGHT
MUSIC BUILDING — glass walls reveal THE ENTERPRISE at
dock, UTILITY CRAFTS floating around it, repairing.
Standing at attention in rows, THE ENTERPRISE CREW —
over four hundred of them wearing DRESS UNIFORMS — TRACK
DOWN the faces, all proud:
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I look around at the new cadets now and
can’t help thinking… has it really been
so long? Wasn’t it only yesterday we
stepped onto the Enterprise as boys?
That I had to prove to the crew I
deserved command… and their respect?
And we STOP ON YOUNG KIRK. Composed, focused, proud. A
man. And to every fan’s delight, finally wearing his
YELLOW SHIRT. The FEDERATION COMMANDANT stands at a
podium:
COMMANDANT
This assembly calls Captain James
Tiberius Kirk…
Kirk breaks from formation, pivots, marches down the
hangar — past UHURA… SULU… CHEKOV… SCOTTY. All
Beaming. Notably absent, is Spock. Kirk ascends the
stairs, snaps to attention:
COMMANDANT (CONT’D)
Your inspirational valor and supreme
dedication to your comrades are in
keeping with the highest traditions of
service and reflect utmost credit to
yourself, your crew, and the Federation.
By Starfleet Order 28455, you are hereby
directed to report to Commanding Officer,
USS Enterprise, for duty as his relief.
Kirk turns. Walks to… PIKE. In a wheelchair now,
wearing an ADMIRAL’S UNIFORM. Overnight, his hair’s
turned totally grey — but despite his trauma, his
pride’s overwhelming. They SALUTE each other:
KIRK
I relieve you, Sir.
PIKE
… I am relieved.
He opens a BOX in his lap — glorious in repose, a MEDAL:
PIKE (CONT’D)
And as Fleet Admiral, for your… unique
solution to the Kobayashi Maru, it’s my
honor to award you with a commendation
for original thinking.
Pike containing a smirk, pins the medal to Kirk’s
chest…
PIKE (CONT’D)
(a touch choked)
Congratulations, Captain.
KIRK
Thank you, Sir.
Kirk turns to the crowd. Eyes shining. WILD APPLAUSE.
OUR MUSIC SOARS. Bones leans in to Sulu, rolling his
eyes:
BONES
… Same ship, different day.
As Kirk rejoins his crew for hugs and congratulations, we
go to the BACK of the hangar… SPOCK PRIME. Watching.
Moved beyond words. He turns and leaves them to it… as
he goes…
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I know what you’d say — ‘It’s their turn
now, Jim…’ And of course you’re
right… but it got me thinking:
INT. STARFLEET HOSPITAL – EARTH – DAY
Our montage comes full circle as we END on Kirk’s
transmission:
KIRK/SHATNER
Who’s to say we can’t go one more round?
By the last tally, only twenty five
percent of the galaxy’s been chartered…
I’d call that negligent. Criminal even —
an invitation. You once said being a
starship captain was my first, best
destiny… if that’s true, then yours is
to be by my side. If there’s any true
logic to the universe… we’ll end up on
that bridge again someday.
Stops, grins. Because this is the part he needs to say
most…
KIRK/SHATNER
Admit it, Spock. For people like us, the
journey itself… is home.
Young Spock’s face. Lost in feelings that flood through
him.
—————————
But would Bill have done it?
Even if the Abrams team had decided to go ahead with this scene, there is no guarantee that Shatner would have done it. He had stated he 'does not do cameos' and the above scene appears to fall into the cameo category. Abrams had also stated that this 'no cameos' position of Shatner’s was part of their decision process not to include him in the film. Now that the scene is public, maybe Bill will make another one of his video blogs about it. One thing is for sure, this is not the last word on Shatner and the new Star Trek… there is still the sequel."
'No cameos'? Huh? What about Showtime and Fanboys? You're telling me those are starring roles?
Anyways, this would've been a poignent scene, if Shatner had shot it. Not that the actual ending of the movie is not as good or better. I think the one you see is better, faster and leaves the viewer (especially non-Trek fans) wanting more (ala Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home).
The Original Faceman is back in THE A-TEAM
From ComingSoon.net:
"We received word earlier this month that Dwight Schultz looks to have a cameo in The A-Team movie, and now Dirk Benedict Central says that the actor, who played Templeton 'Faceman' Peck in the series, has a cameo as well:
'Dirk has just announced to this website that he has two projects in the works beginning with a cameo appearance in the new The A-Team film, which is currently shooting in Vancouver Canada.'
Opening in theaters on June 11, the 20th Century Fox release also stars Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton Jackson and Yul Vazquez. Joe Carnahan is directing the film."
"We received word earlier this month that Dwight Schultz looks to have a cameo in The A-Team movie, and now Dirk Benedict Central says that the actor, who played Templeton 'Faceman' Peck in the series, has a cameo as well:
'Dirk has just announced to this website that he has two projects in the works beginning with a cameo appearance in the new The A-Team film, which is currently shooting in Vancouver Canada.'
Opening in theaters on June 11, the 20th Century Fox release also stars Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton Jackson and Yul Vazquez. Joe Carnahan is directing the film."
Hugh Jackman gets some STEEL
From ComingSoon.net:
"DreamWorks Pictures principals Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider have greenlit the Rocky-esque robot tale Real Steel starring Hugh Jackman. Filming will start in June.
The Shawn Levy-directed futuristic film, budgeted at about $80 million, is based on a short story by Richard Matheson that was adapted into an original 'Twilight Zone' episode.
Jackman will play an ex-fighter who becomes a promoter when human boxing is outlawed for being too violent. The new gladiators are 2,000-pound robots with human qualities. The ex-fighter's access to sub-standard robot parts hampers his hopes for glory in Robot Boxing, until he discovers a discarded robot that always seems to win. The ex-fighter has also discovered he's the father of a 13-year old son, and they bond as the robot brawls its way toward the top.
Levy describes the film as a 'rousing sports movie' with Jackman's character 'a former boxer who can no longer do the only job he's good at, and one particular robot that may be his return to grace.'"
"DreamWorks Pictures principals Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider have greenlit the Rocky-esque robot tale Real Steel starring Hugh Jackman. Filming will start in June.
The Shawn Levy-directed futuristic film, budgeted at about $80 million, is based on a short story by Richard Matheson that was adapted into an original 'Twilight Zone' episode.
Jackman will play an ex-fighter who becomes a promoter when human boxing is outlawed for being too violent. The new gladiators are 2,000-pound robots with human qualities. The ex-fighter's access to sub-standard robot parts hampers his hopes for glory in Robot Boxing, until he discovers a discarded robot that always seems to win. The ex-fighter has also discovered he's the father of a 13-year old son, and they bond as the robot brawls its way toward the top.
Levy describes the film as a 'rousing sports movie' with Jackman's character 'a former boxer who can no longer do the only job he's good at, and one particular robot that may be his return to grace.'"
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY invades DVD
From ComingSoon.net:
"Paramount Home Entertainment has announced that Paranormal Activity, which cost less than $15,000 to make but grossed $106.1 million in theaters, will hit DVD... on December 29.
Written and directed by Oren Peli, the film follows a young, middle-class couple who become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic, but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially while they sleep.
The DVD... include the original theatrical version of the film, plus an Unrated Version with a shocking alternate ending not seen in theaters."
"Paramount Home Entertainment has announced that Paranormal Activity, which cost less than $15,000 to make but grossed $106.1 million in theaters, will hit DVD... on December 29.
Written and directed by Oren Peli, the film follows a young, middle-class couple who become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic, but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially while they sleep.
The DVD... include the original theatrical version of the film, plus an Unrated Version with a shocking alternate ending not seen in theaters."
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Kat Dennings joins THOR
From Superhero Hype:
"Natalie Portman revealed to MTV this weekend that Kat Dennings (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist) will have a role in director Kenneth Branagh's Thor. Dennings will play Darcy, who works with Natalie Portman's character, Jane Foster.
Dennings is joining a cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skarsgard, Stuart Townsend, Ray Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano and Idris Elba. The Marvel Studios adaptation will be released in theaters by Paramount Pictures on May 20, 2011."
I can just see this. "So your boyfriend's the God of Thunder. That's cool." HAHAHA She's gorgeous! 
"Natalie Portman revealed to MTV this weekend that Kat Dennings (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist) will have a role in director Kenneth Branagh's Thor. Dennings will play Darcy, who works with Natalie Portman's character, Jane Foster.
Dennings is joining a cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skarsgard, Stuart Townsend, Ray Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano and Idris Elba. The Marvel Studios adaptation will be released in theaters by Paramount Pictures on May 20, 2011."
I can just see this. "So your boyfriend's the God of Thunder. That's cool." HAHAHA She's gorgeous!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Be the Beatles
From Slashfilm:
"This weekend, the 28th and 29th of November, there’s a huge Beatles convention taking place in Stamford, Connecticut. Amongst all of the merchandise sales and other such typical expo shenanigans, there’s also set to be an open audition for Beatlemaniacs wanting to try out for casting in what they’re calling 'The Fab Four'. Of course, that the film 'will be shot as a motion-capture feature like the current Disney release of A Christmas Carol' tells us everything we need to know - this is Robert Zemeckis' remake of Yellow Submarine.
There’s already some suspicion, though, that this casting call is nothing more than a publicity stunt. Zemeckis has already talked about the possibility of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr playing themselves in the film, there’s been a number of previous auditions, and even stories of name actors being up for the roles, perhaps even cast in them already.
Jim Hill had the details on the Stamford Event, including a link to the Showfax page where one can purchase audition sides from the film. The sides have been given interesting titles - Buckingham Palace Scene, Help - Bar Scene and John, Paul, George and Ringo. There’s no Buckingham Palace Scene per se in the original film, though the building does make a brief cameo appearance.... Neither is there a bar scene in the original Yellow Submarine, nor any use of the song Help. It’s now pretty clear that Zemeckis' remake is taking some liberties with the original material, and I’m thinking that’s a really good thing. We already have the old Yellow Submarine, now it’s time for something new.
The only other scene we can pretty much lock down so far is a press conference. There’s a whole host of video reference supplied on a blogspot page set up to promote the auditions, including one headed JOHN LENNON - #1 VIDEO REFERENCE FOR NEWS CONFERENCE SCENE.
Also note that the mannerism references are clips from Richard Lester’s A Hard Day’s Night in which the Beatles played versions of themselves.
A report on The Examiner claimed that auditions, for the John Lennon role in particular, took place on October 12th. These do not appear to have been publicly announced, suggesting that they were peopled with jobbing actors and not mo-topped hopefuls from the great unwashed.
A new story from the UK’s Sun newspaper... claimed that Stephen Graham had been given the role of Ringo. Again, this is a far from routinely dependable source but this rumour seems esoteric enough to bear some consideration."
"This weekend, the 28th and 29th of November, there’s a huge Beatles convention taking place in Stamford, Connecticut. Amongst all of the merchandise sales and other such typical expo shenanigans, there’s also set to be an open audition for Beatlemaniacs wanting to try out for casting in what they’re calling 'The Fab Four'. Of course, that the film 'will be shot as a motion-capture feature like the current Disney release of A Christmas Carol' tells us everything we need to know - this is Robert Zemeckis' remake of Yellow Submarine.
There’s already some suspicion, though, that this casting call is nothing more than a publicity stunt. Zemeckis has already talked about the possibility of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr playing themselves in the film, there’s been a number of previous auditions, and even stories of name actors being up for the roles, perhaps even cast in them already.
Jim Hill had the details on the Stamford Event, including a link to the Showfax page where one can purchase audition sides from the film. The sides have been given interesting titles - Buckingham Palace Scene, Help - Bar Scene and John, Paul, George and Ringo. There’s no Buckingham Palace Scene per se in the original film, though the building does make a brief cameo appearance.... Neither is there a bar scene in the original Yellow Submarine, nor any use of the song Help. It’s now pretty clear that Zemeckis' remake is taking some liberties with the original material, and I’m thinking that’s a really good thing. We already have the old Yellow Submarine, now it’s time for something new.
The only other scene we can pretty much lock down so far is a press conference. There’s a whole host of video reference supplied on a blogspot page set up to promote the auditions, including one headed JOHN LENNON - #1 VIDEO REFERENCE FOR NEWS CONFERENCE SCENE.
Also note that the mannerism references are clips from Richard Lester’s A Hard Day’s Night in which the Beatles played versions of themselves.
A report on The Examiner claimed that auditions, for the John Lennon role in particular, took place on October 12th. These do not appear to have been publicly announced, suggesting that they were peopled with jobbing actors and not mo-topped hopefuls from the great unwashed.
A new story from the UK’s Sun newspaper... claimed that Stephen Graham had been given the role of Ringo. Again, this is a far from routinely dependable source but this rumour seems esoteric enough to bear some consideration."
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Megan Fox "safe" for TRANSFORMERS III
From Slashfilm:
"Michael Bay has been hanging around at the launch of a Victoria’s Secret Show, with the excuse that he directs their commercials, and discussing his supposed nemesis in lipgloss, Megan Fox. And what does he have to say about her?
'I love her.'
Er… okay, Mike. He did also discuss the role he’s creating for her in the third Transformers film. 'She’s got a great part in Transformers III' he promised. So he’s not going to kill her off? 'No, no, no. She gets enough of that already.' Okay… whatever that means.
USA Today had Andrea Mandell on the scene, who got Bay to discuss the crazy hurtful things that Fox has said about him. Here’s their version of what he said:
'She called me [after the Hitler comment] and goes, ‘It’s all [BS], Mike.’ The press, they just like to prey, and stalk, and pounce and find a good little juicy thing. But she’s always wanted to do these crazy comments. That’s just her. She’s great.'
How dare the press pounce on her cute little Hitler comment like that. There was nothing offensive about it at all, not to anybody.
Okay, the only news here, really is that Bay is promising a big role for Fox in the next Transformers film. I don’t believe him when he says she won’t be killed off because I don’t really believe when he says anything he seems to be lying so often, but he does seem to be operating from the assumption that she’ll figure in the film in some sort of substantial capacity.
Well, as substantial as anything has ever been in a Michael Bay picture."
"Michael Bay has been hanging around at the launch of a Victoria’s Secret Show, with the excuse that he directs their commercials, and discussing his supposed nemesis in lipgloss, Megan Fox. And what does he have to say about her?
'I love her.'
Er… okay, Mike. He did also discuss the role he’s creating for her in the third Transformers film. 'She’s got a great part in Transformers III' he promised. So he’s not going to kill her off? 'No, no, no. She gets enough of that already.' Okay… whatever that means.
USA Today had Andrea Mandell on the scene, who got Bay to discuss the crazy hurtful things that Fox has said about him. Here’s their version of what he said:
'She called me [after the Hitler comment] and goes, ‘It’s all [BS], Mike.’ The press, they just like to prey, and stalk, and pounce and find a good little juicy thing. But she’s always wanted to do these crazy comments. That’s just her. She’s great.'
How dare the press pounce on her cute little Hitler comment like that. There was nothing offensive about it at all, not to anybody.
Okay, the only news here, really is that Bay is promising a big role for Fox in the next Transformers film. I don’t believe him when he says she won’t be killed off because I don’t really believe when he says anything he seems to be lying so often, but he does seem to be operating from the assumption that she’ll figure in the film in some sort of substantial capacity.
Well, as substantial as anything has ever been in a Michael Bay picture."
Friday, November 20, 2009
CYCLER transforms from a book to the big screen
From ComingSoon.net:
"Don Murphy and Susan Montford's Angryfilms has optioned Lauren McLaughlin's young-adult book series Cycler.
The novels tell the story of 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.
Random House for Young Readers published the book last year and followed it with a sequel, 'Re-Cycler'; more are on the way."
Haha! Sounds awesome and hilariously funny. If girls get What Guys Want (a gnder-swapped remake of What Women Want which starred Mel Gibson, which featured a man suddenly developing the power to read women's minds; the remake will star Selena Gomez - oh, joy. This will only make guys look so bad), guys should get Cycler.
"Don Murphy and Susan Montford's Angryfilms has optioned Lauren McLaughlin's young-adult book series Cycler.
The novels tell the story of 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.
Random House for Young Readers published the book last year and followed it with a sequel, 'Re-Cycler'; more are on the way."
Haha! Sounds awesome and hilariously funny. If girls get What Guys Want (a gnder-swapped remake of What Women Want which starred Mel Gibson, which featured a man suddenly developing the power to read women's minds; the remake will star Selena Gomez - oh, joy. This will only make guys look so bad), guys should get Cycler.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Nautilus.... decommissioned?
From ComingSoon.net:
"Walt Disney Pictures has halted Captain Nemo: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Production was tentatively scheduled to begin in February, but director McG is no longer on board.
Disney's next big water-based shoot will likely be Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, with filming expected to start in May under the direction of Rob Marshall. Johnny Depp is returning as Captain Jack Sparrow.
McG will concentrate on other projects that include Dead Spy Running, a Warner Bros. drama that Stephen Gaghan is writing."
Aw, and this could've been such a good movie!
"Walt Disney Pictures has halted Captain Nemo: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Production was tentatively scheduled to begin in February, but director McG is no longer on board.
Disney's next big water-based shoot will likely be Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, with filming expected to start in May under the direction of Rob Marshall. Johnny Depp is returning as Captain Jack Sparrow.
McG will concentrate on other projects that include Dead Spy Running, a Warner Bros. drama that Stephen Gaghan is writing."
Aw, and this could've been such a good movie!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Shawn Levy updates on REAL STEEL
From SciFiWire.com:
"Director Shawn Levy confirmed that Wolverine star Hugh Jackman is a front-runner to star in Real Steel, a sci-fi movie based on a story by Richard Matheson, which Levy describes as 'a father/son action drama set in the near future, surrounding the sport of robot boxing.'
"Director Shawn Levy confirmed that Wolverine star Hugh Jackman is a front-runner to star in Real Steel, a sci-fi movie based on a story by Richard Matheson, which Levy describes as 'a father/son action drama set in the near future, surrounding the sport of robot boxing.'
In a world where robot boxing has replaced the human version, Jackman would play a Rocky-esque character looking for one last shot. 'Hugh Jackman plays a former boxer who can therefore no longer do the only thing he was ever good at and has to make his way in this new world,' Levy said in an exclusive interview Tuesday in Los Angeles....'It's faithful to the story in that that story was very much about a down-on-his-luck, slightly desperate journeyman who works in this robot boxing sport and who is desperately needing redemption and one last shot. The movie is more Rocky than Transformers.'
Levy has not cast the main character's son yet but has a good idea about the robots. 'They are most definitely not Transformers, not Terminators, definitely not WALL-Es, either,' Levy said. 'Unlike a lot of these others, these are human-built, human-scale fighting machines. They are built for human spectacle. People in this movie have gotten bored with human carnage and human violence. So in the quest for more, more, more, this sport has evolved to this.'
Producer Steven Spielberg offered the project to Levy, the director of such family fantasies and comedies as Night at the Museum, The Pink Panther and Cheaper by the Dozen. Levy saw Real Steel as an opportunity to stretch his muscles.
'When I sat down with Steven, I had a very, very specific vision of this movie, one that really puts the emphasis on the story and the sports-movie aspect as much as on the machinery,' Levy said. 'Real Steel is my first non-comedy. I will likely come back to comedy. It's certainly been very, very good to me. But like anyone who does anything, freshness and new experience is what keeps you interested. So when Steven called and said, 'Hey, you want to do this thing?' I was like, '[Heck] yeah, I'm looking for a different experience.'
Real Steel is due in 2011."
WON'T THERE AT LEAST BE SOME HUMOR?! Come on, Shawn, it's what you do best!! Anyways, still sounds good. If Steven Spielberg offers you a project, you'd best take it!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Story of MONOPOLY: The Movie
From ComingSoon.net:
"Producer/author Frank Beddor ('The Looking Glass Wars') revealed details of the story he pitched for the Monopoly movie that got Ridley Scott interested in directing. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Beddor gave a lot of info on what you can expect. Here's an excerpt:
'I created a comedic, lovable loser who lives in Manhattan and works at a real estate company and he’s not very good at his job but he’s great at playing Monopoly. And the world record for playing is 70 straight days – over 1,600 hours – and he wanted to try to convince his friends to help him break that world record. They think he is crazy. They kid him about this girl and they're playing the game and there’s this big fight. And he’s holding a Chance card and after they’ve left he says, ‘Damn, I wanted to use that Chance card,’ and he throws it down. He falls asleep and then he wakes up in the morning and he’s holding the Chance card, and he thinks, ‘That’s odd.’
He’s all groggy and he goes down to buy some coffee and he reaches into his pocket and all he has is Monopoly money. All this Monopoly money pours out. He’s confused and embarrassed and the girl reaches across the counter and says, ‘That’s OK.’ And she gives him change in Monopoly money. He walks outside and he’s in this very vibrant place, Monopoly City, and he’s just come out of a Chance Shop. As it goes on, he takes on the evil Parker Brothers in the game of Monopoly.
It tries to incorporate all the iconic imageries -- a sports car pulls up, there's someone on a horse, someone pushing a wheelbarrow -- and rich Uncle Pennybags, you're going to see him as the maître d' at the restaurant and he's the buggy driver and the local eccentric and the doorman at the opera. There's all these sight gags.'
The idea of a human dropping down into the logic and universe of the board game (not unlike Jumanji) might work as a film, but how did Scott end up as an interested 'player'? 'Well it was that pitch, that's where Sir Ridley got excited. After I pitched it to him, he put out his hand and said, 'What do I have to [do] to be a part of this movie?'
Beddor still sounded surprised as he recounted this part. 'So I said, 'Do you mean you want to direct it?' And he said, 'Yeah, and I will tell you why – it’s all the things you just said and the fact that I had these epic Monopoly battles with my family when I was young.''"
Wow! Not as bad as I thought it would be. Sounds really funny! Let's just hope they get somebody like Leslie Nielson to play Uncle Moneybags. I thought Ridley Scott didn't do comedies (except for A Good Year).
"Producer/author Frank Beddor ('The Looking Glass Wars') revealed details of the story he pitched for the Monopoly movie that got Ridley Scott interested in directing. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Beddor gave a lot of info on what you can expect. Here's an excerpt:
'I created a comedic, lovable loser who lives in Manhattan and works at a real estate company and he’s not very good at his job but he’s great at playing Monopoly. And the world record for playing is 70 straight days – over 1,600 hours – and he wanted to try to convince his friends to help him break that world record. They think he is crazy. They kid him about this girl and they're playing the game and there’s this big fight. And he’s holding a Chance card and after they’ve left he says, ‘Damn, I wanted to use that Chance card,’ and he throws it down. He falls asleep and then he wakes up in the morning and he’s holding the Chance card, and he thinks, ‘That’s odd.’
He’s all groggy and he goes down to buy some coffee and he reaches into his pocket and all he has is Monopoly money. All this Monopoly money pours out. He’s confused and embarrassed and the girl reaches across the counter and says, ‘That’s OK.’ And she gives him change in Monopoly money. He walks outside and he’s in this very vibrant place, Monopoly City, and he’s just come out of a Chance Shop. As it goes on, he takes on the evil Parker Brothers in the game of Monopoly.
It tries to incorporate all the iconic imageries -- a sports car pulls up, there's someone on a horse, someone pushing a wheelbarrow -- and rich Uncle Pennybags, you're going to see him as the maître d' at the restaurant and he's the buggy driver and the local eccentric and the doorman at the opera. There's all these sight gags.'
The idea of a human dropping down into the logic and universe of the board game (not unlike Jumanji) might work as a film, but how did Scott end up as an interested 'player'? 'Well it was that pitch, that's where Sir Ridley got excited. After I pitched it to him, he put out his hand and said, 'What do I have to [do] to be a part of this movie?'
Beddor still sounded surprised as he recounted this part. 'So I said, 'Do you mean you want to direct it?' And he said, 'Yeah, and I will tell you why – it’s all the things you just said and the fact that I had these epic Monopoly battles with my family when I was young.''"
Wow! Not as bad as I thought it would be. Sounds really funny! Let's just hope they get somebody like Leslie Nielson to play Uncle Moneybags. I thought Ridley Scott didn't do comedies (except for A Good Year).
The Animated Features Are...
From ComingSoon.net:
"20 features have been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 82nd Academy Awards®.
The 20 submitted features are:
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Astro Boy
Battle for Terra
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Disney's A Christmas Carol
The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Mary and Max
The Missing Lynx
Monsters vs. Aliens
9
Planet 51
Ponyo
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
A Town Called Panic
Up
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Planet 51, The Princess and the Frog, The Secret of Kells and A Town Called Panic have not yet had their required Los Angeles qualifying run. Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements and meet all of the category's other qualifying rules before they can advance in the voting process.
Under the rules for this category, a maximum of 5 features can be nominated in a year in which the field of eligible entries numbers at least 16.
Films submitted in the Animated Feature Film category also may qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture, provided they meet the requirements for those categories.
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide."
My predictions:
Up
The Princess and the Frog
Ponyo
Disney's A Christmas Carol
Fantastic Mr. Fox
I don't see why Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakuel is up there - it's half live-action. If Up is as insanely popular with Oscar judges as people are saying it is, and it does get a Best Picture (never say never - remember, Beauty and the Beast) then my runner-up would be Coraline.
"20 features have been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 82nd Academy Awards®.
The 20 submitted features are:
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Astro Boy
Battle for Terra
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Disney's A Christmas Carol
The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Mary and Max
The Missing Lynx
Monsters vs. Aliens
9
Planet 51
Ponyo
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
A Town Called Panic
Up
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Planet 51, The Princess and the Frog, The Secret of Kells and A Town Called Panic have not yet had their required Los Angeles qualifying run. Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements and meet all of the category's other qualifying rules before they can advance in the voting process.
Under the rules for this category, a maximum of 5 features can be nominated in a year in which the field of eligible entries numbers at least 16.
Films submitted in the Animated Feature Film category also may qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture, provided they meet the requirements for those categories.
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide."
My predictions:
Up
The Princess and the Frog
Ponyo
Disney's A Christmas Carol
Fantastic Mr. Fox
I don't see why Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakuel is up there - it's half live-action. If Up is as insanely popular with Oscar judges as people are saying it is, and it does get a Best Picture (never say never - remember, Beauty and the Beast) then my runner-up would be Coraline.
From Ghosts to Aliens?
From ComingSoon.net:
"Oren Peli's follow-up to Paranormal Activity is already shooting, but details on Area 51 have been kept top secret. All we've known thus far is that the story centers around three teenagers whose curiosity leads them to the legendary and mysterious Area 51 Air Force base deep in the Nevada desert. Now, Latino Review have discovered a shooting script/outline draft dated 9/24/09.
So what's the verdict? Is it Paranormal Activity with aliens instead of ghosts? Here's an excerpt:
'The 'script' for Area 51 reads much like I imagine the 'script' for Paranormal Activity did. It's basically a scene-by-scene breakdown with a list of various props, actors, and the general interactions between the actors and their surroundings. There is no written dialogue, but within the action descriptions are general ideas that the actors will be using to improvise their lines with on set. Unlike Paranormal Activity's single location, Area 51 is far more expansive in its setting.'
The cast for the flick consists of all relatively unknown actors, Reid Warner, Darrin Bragg and Ben Rovner."
"Oren Peli's follow-up to Paranormal Activity is already shooting, but details on Area 51 have been kept top secret. All we've known thus far is that the story centers around three teenagers whose curiosity leads them to the legendary and mysterious Area 51 Air Force base deep in the Nevada desert. Now, Latino Review have discovered a shooting script/outline draft dated 9/24/09.
So what's the verdict? Is it Paranormal Activity with aliens instead of ghosts? Here's an excerpt:
'The 'script' for Area 51 reads much like I imagine the 'script' for Paranormal Activity did. It's basically a scene-by-scene breakdown with a list of various props, actors, and the general interactions between the actors and their surroundings. There is no written dialogue, but within the action descriptions are general ideas that the actors will be using to improvise their lines with on set. Unlike Paranormal Activity's single location, Area 51 is far more expansive in its setting.'
The cast for the flick consists of all relatively unknown actors, Reid Warner, Darrin Bragg and Ben Rovner."
DATE NIGHT laughs up a trailer!
From ComingSoon.net:
"20th Century Fox has brought online the trailer for the Shawn Levy-directed Date Night, opening in theaters on April 9th. The comedy stars Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Leighton Meester, Common, Taraji Henson, Kristen Wiig, Ray Liotta, Mila Kunis, Mark Ruffalo, William Fichtner and Olivia Munn.
In the film, Steve Carell and Tina Fey play a married couple who find their routine date night becomes much more than just dinner and a movie. Wahlberg plays a successful and crazily buff securities expert who flirts with Fey's character. Franco portrays a not-too-bright con man and petty criminal."
OH MAN THIS IS HILARIOUS!!
"20th Century Fox has brought online the trailer for the Shawn Levy-directed Date Night, opening in theaters on April 9th. The comedy stars Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Leighton Meester, Common, Taraji Henson, Kristen Wiig, Ray Liotta, Mila Kunis, Mark Ruffalo, William Fichtner and Olivia Munn.
In the film, Steve Carell and Tina Fey play a married couple who find their routine date night becomes much more than just dinner and a movie. Wahlberg plays a successful and crazily buff securities expert who flirts with Fey's character. Franco portrays a not-too-bright con man and petty criminal."
OH MAN THIS IS HILARIOUS!!
EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES diagnoses a trailer
From ComingSoon.net:
"Yahoo! Movies has debuted the trailer for Extraordinary Measures, starring Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, Keri Russell and Courtney B. Vance.
The Tom Vaughan-directed drama is inspired by the true story of John Crowley, a man who defied conventional wisdom and great odds, and risked his family's future to pursue a cure for his children's life threatening disease.
From his working class roots, John Crowley (Fraser) has finally begun to taste success in corporate America. Supported by his beautiful wife Aileen (Russell) and their three children, John is on the fast track. But just as his career is taking off, Crowley walks away from it all when his two youngest children, Megan and Patrick, are diagnosed with a fatal disease. With Aileen by his side, harnessing all of his skill and determination, Crowley teams up with a brilliant, but unappreciated and unconventional scientist, Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford). Together they form a bio-tech company focused on developing a life-saving drug. One driven to prove himself and his theories, the other by a chance to save his children, this unlikely alliance eventually develops into mutual respect as they battle the medical and business establishments in a fight against the system – and time."
"Yahoo! Movies has debuted the trailer for Extraordinary Measures, starring Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, Keri Russell and Courtney B. Vance.
The Tom Vaughan-directed drama is inspired by the true story of John Crowley, a man who defied conventional wisdom and great odds, and risked his family's future to pursue a cure for his children's life threatening disease.
From his working class roots, John Crowley (Fraser) has finally begun to taste success in corporate America. Supported by his beautiful wife Aileen (Russell) and their three children, John is on the fast track. But just as his career is taking off, Crowley walks away from it all when his two youngest children, Megan and Patrick, are diagnosed with a fatal disease. With Aileen by his side, harnessing all of his skill and determination, Crowley teams up with a brilliant, but unappreciated and unconventional scientist, Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford). Together they form a bio-tech company focused on developing a life-saving drug. One driven to prove himself and his theories, the other by a chance to save his children, this unlikely alliance eventually develops into mutual respect as they battle the medical and business establishments in a fight against the system – and time."
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Black Cat in SPIDER-MAN 4?
From ComingSoon.net:
"Early last month, director Sam Raimi said that they were about to start casting for Spider-Man 4, but we have yet to hear any official announcements of new talent coming on board. We knew Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst were going to be back, and since then, Dylan Baker revealed that he'll return as Dr. Curt Connors.
Now, according to Mania, actresses are auditioning for the role of villain Felicia Hardy/Black Cat, and the site says that Rachel McAdams (upcoming Sherlock Holmes) is a frontrunner for the role. Mania adds that they are also casting for a male villain, which would mean we're looking at two villains for the fourth installment. None of this is confirmed, of course.
In the meantime, fans pointed us to The Observer where actress Romola Garai (Atonement) has a column in which she wrote the following:
''Love is at the root of everything good that has ever happened and will happen.' This phrase swam into focus as I moved up the escalator at Oxford Circus tube on Tuesday morning on my way to put myself 'on tape' for a part in Spider-Man 4. This is the acting equivalent of the London Marathon in that it's important to try your best as long as you understand that you aren't going to win.'
Might she also be going for the Felicia Hardy role? We won't know for sure until we start hearing official casting news from Sony.
Spider-Man 4 is coming to theaters on May 5, 2011."
Personally I think the Prowler should be in the movie.
"Early last month, director Sam Raimi said that they were about to start casting for Spider-Man 4, but we have yet to hear any official announcements of new talent coming on board. We knew Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst were going to be back, and since then, Dylan Baker revealed that he'll return as Dr. Curt Connors.
Now, according to Mania, actresses are auditioning for the role of villain Felicia Hardy/Black Cat, and the site says that Rachel McAdams (upcoming Sherlock Holmes) is a frontrunner for the role. Mania adds that they are also casting for a male villain, which would mean we're looking at two villains for the fourth installment. None of this is confirmed, of course.
In the meantime, fans pointed us to The Observer where actress Romola Garai (Atonement) has a column in which she wrote the following:
''Love is at the root of everything good that has ever happened and will happen.' This phrase swam into focus as I moved up the escalator at Oxford Circus tube on Tuesday morning on my way to put myself 'on tape' for a part in Spider-Man 4. This is the acting equivalent of the London Marathon in that it's important to try your best as long as you understand that you aren't going to win.'
Might she also be going for the Felicia Hardy role? We won't know for sure until we start hearing official casting news from Sony.
Spider-Man 4 is coming to theaters on May 5, 2011."
Personally I think the Prowler should be in the movie.
The Original Murdock is back in THE A-TEAM
From ComingSoon.net:
"The Official Dwight Schultz Fansite says that the actor will have a cameo role in director Joe Carnahan's The A-Team. The site says:
'We are pleased to inform you all that Dwight has actually already been working in Vancouver, where he has played a cameo role in The A-Team movie. Sharlto Copley, the South African actor who plays Murdock, is according to Dwight: 'brilliant beyond words'. Dwight has seen his screen test and he stated: 'that honestly, if Sharlto is given an opportunity to do what I saw in that test, 'Murdock' will be better than ever!' Sharlto has been very kind to him on the set and Dwight must say that he has been treated very well.'
Opening in theaters on June 11, the 20th Century Fox release also stars Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton Jackson and Yul Vazquez."
"The Official Dwight Schultz Fansite says that the actor will have a cameo role in director Joe Carnahan's The A-Team. The site says:
'We are pleased to inform you all that Dwight has actually already been working in Vancouver, where he has played a cameo role in The A-Team movie. Sharlto Copley, the South African actor who plays Murdock, is according to Dwight: 'brilliant beyond words'. Dwight has seen his screen test and he stated: 'that honestly, if Sharlto is given an opportunity to do what I saw in that test, 'Murdock' will be better than ever!' Sharlto has been very kind to him on the set and Dwight must say that he has been treated very well.'
Opening in theaters on June 11, the 20th Century Fox release also stars Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton Jackson and Yul Vazquez."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
