From ComingSoon.net:
"At ShoWest today, Walt Disney Studios announced that they are now releasing the 3D versions of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 together on October 2nd. The double feature will be the first place you'll be able to see the trailer for Toy Story 3 and the only place to see it in 3D!
Also, the 3D version of Beauty and the Beast (of which the studio showed the opening musical number "Belle" in 3D at ShoWest today) is going to be released on February 12, 2010.
Moviegoers are in for twice the fun and triple the thrills as The Walt Disney Studios prepares to debut the Disney Digital 3D(TM) versions of Disney-Pixar's beloved animated features - Toy Story and Toy Story 2 - during a special limited engagement starting on October 2, 2009, it was announced today by Mark Zoradi, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group.
This extraordinary double feature, taking the latest advances in digital 3D technology 'to infinity and beyond,' will play exclusively in 3D. 'Toy Story,' the industry's first ever computer-animated feature and the first feature released by Pixar Animation Studios in 1995, and 'Toy Story 2,' the critically acclaimed sequel that debuted in 1999, were both directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker John Lasseter. Both films have been meticulously re-rendered in 3D from the original digital files using the latest state-of-the-art technology.
Commenting on the announcement, Zoradi said, 'This fantastic double feature will let moviegoers see two of their all-time favorite films from Pixar Animation Studios in a way that they've never seen them before, and all for the price of one movie ticket. John Lasseter and the animation team have truly created a spectacular 3D experience with Buzz, Woody, and all the toy characters in a whole new eye-popping dimension. We're also excited that audiences will soon see a whole new chapter when Toy Story 3 in 3D, directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of Toy Story 2) comes to theaters on June 18, 2010."
Lasseter added, "The 'Toy Story' films and characters will always hold a very special place in our hearts and we're so excited to be bringing these first two films back for audiences to enjoy in a whole new way thanks to the latest in 3D technology. Disney Digital 3D offers lots of great new possibilities for the art of animation and we will continue to use this new technology to push the boundaries in telling our stories. With 'Toy Story 3' shaping up to be another great adventure for Buzz, Woody and the gang from Andy's room, we thought this would be the perfect way to let audiences experience the first two films all over again. To see the movies back to back will be an amazing treat as well. This is certainly nostalgic for me and reminiscent of my youth when double features were the norm."
Originally released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1995, 'Toy Story' went on to receive Oscar® nominations for Original Screenplay, Original Score, and Original Song earning Lasseter a Special Achievement Award 'for his inspired leadership of the Pixar 'Toy Story' Team, resulting in the first feature-length computer-animated film.' 'Toy Story 2' was released in 1999, and reunited voice talents Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, in their roles as Woody and Buzz. The film became one of the most popular animated features of all time, and received an Academy Award® nomination for Original Song."
Neato. This makes much more sense in releasing a movie and its sequel in 3D at the same time rather than in two different years.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Elementary! SHERLOCK HOLMES preview
From ComingSoon.net:
"Sometimes, ShoWest does pull out a few unexpected surprises, and while it was always known that Warner Bros. President and COO Alan Horn would be giving the welcome remarks at the State of the Industry Update, he used his time to also give a preview of some of Warner Bros.' upcoming movies, including showing the first footage of Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams.
An even bigger surprise was the actual presence of Downey, who took a break from preparing for Iron Man II to introduce the footage to the theater owners in the audience. After coming out to applause and being hugged by Horn, Downey Jr. joked that Horn hugs him every time he sees him now though that it wasn't always that way.
Before showing the footage, he told the audience how he came to the project, how after the opening weekend of Iron Man, he was told he probably could do anything he wanted to do 'for the next hour and a half,' so he went to Joel Silver, who gave Downey his first job 25 years ago (Weird Science), and gave him some ideas what he might be interested in doing. He learned about Guy Ritchie's plans to update Sherlock Holmes. Ritchie thought that Downey was too old for the role, but Downey convinced him and then also convinced him that Rachel McAdams wasn't too young to play his love interest. (He made a joke about using 'Benjamin Button'-like CG to minimize their age difference.) Downey claimed that part of the reason Ritchie's movie will be different from the previous incarnation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character is that besides going back to the original source material, the other projects never had the money to do it correctly.
The footage, a pseudo teaser-trailer, that followed had never been shown before including Holmes' bare-knuckle fight and the early fight with Blackwood's henchmen. Otherwise, there was a lot of information going by very fast, as is always the case, so we tried to take notes and remember what we could.
It opens with eerie music and shadowy scenes of Victorian London and we see a shot of Downey's Holmes running down a spiral staircase and another of him smoking his trademark pipe as a voice-over tells Holmes that he needs to 'widen his gaze' because he's underestimating the 'gravity of coming events.' The voiceover tells Holmes that at the dawn of the new day, the world as he knows it would end, to which Holmes responds playfully, 'Well, there isn't any time to waste then' and he jumps out the window.
We get a brief glimpse of Eddie Marsan's Inspector LeStrade saying something about someone seeing Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong's villain in the film) rising from the grave, and Holmes is asked to find and stop him, which Holmes claims will 'take every ounce of my not inconsiderable experience.' To that, LeStrade comes back with a slam about it maybe being a hobby to Holmes, but that he does it for a living. (This confirms what Marsan told us last year about their working relationship not being a particularly friendly one.)
Holmes says that he needs to have someone with him that he can thoroughly trust, at which point we see him greeting Jude Law's Dr. Watson and we get a bit of the rapport between them, as the two of them squabble about the things roommates normally argue over, Law complaining about Holmes playing the violin late at night and his 'lack of hygiene.'
After that, we get a bit of the interaction between Holmes and Rachel McAdams' Irene Adler, as they scuffle, her pulling out an ornament from which sharp blades jut out to threaten Holmes. That interaction ends with him left chained to a bed. Watson finds him in that state and asks, 'Holmes, does your depravity know no bounds?' to which Holmes replies, 'No.' (Later we see Adler in a very sexy outfit, as McAdams' credit is shown.)
Another scene shows Holmes facing a much larger opponent, who looked like Nathan Jones, the giant from the opening of Troy, atop what looked like a clock tower. Jones is wielding an enormous sledgehammer while Holmes is carrying just a standard everyday hammer, which he promptly throws at the giant hoping that would do some damage. (It doesn't, and the giant attacks.) This scene got a huge laugh from the audience.
There was a quick-cut montage of more action scenes before a scene where a maid walks into a room and screams, dropping the tray she was carrying. We cut to Downey chained to a bed naked except for a pillow covering his genitals, and he asks her to remain calm and that under the pillow is the 'key to his release' and the shocked woman runs out screaming.
It was a very funny and exciting first look at what will surely be Guy Ritchie's most high profile film to date, and it got a great reaction from the exhibitors in attendance. It'll be interesting to see where and when this teaser trailer will surface, as it definitely did its job in showing what the movie is all about."
And not one hint of a lovefest between detectives. That sounds great!!
P.S.: Also, here is a look at the teaser poster for Sherlock Holmes - http://www.comingsoon.net/imageGallery/ShoWest_2009/ShoWest_2009_4.jpg
"Sometimes, ShoWest does pull out a few unexpected surprises, and while it was always known that Warner Bros. President and COO Alan Horn would be giving the welcome remarks at the State of the Industry Update, he used his time to also give a preview of some of Warner Bros.' upcoming movies, including showing the first footage of Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams.
An even bigger surprise was the actual presence of Downey, who took a break from preparing for Iron Man II to introduce the footage to the theater owners in the audience. After coming out to applause and being hugged by Horn, Downey Jr. joked that Horn hugs him every time he sees him now though that it wasn't always that way.
Before showing the footage, he told the audience how he came to the project, how after the opening weekend of Iron Man, he was told he probably could do anything he wanted to do 'for the next hour and a half,' so he went to Joel Silver, who gave Downey his first job 25 years ago (Weird Science), and gave him some ideas what he might be interested in doing. He learned about Guy Ritchie's plans to update Sherlock Holmes. Ritchie thought that Downey was too old for the role, but Downey convinced him and then also convinced him that Rachel McAdams wasn't too young to play his love interest. (He made a joke about using 'Benjamin Button'-like CG to minimize their age difference.) Downey claimed that part of the reason Ritchie's movie will be different from the previous incarnation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character is that besides going back to the original source material, the other projects never had the money to do it correctly.
The footage, a pseudo teaser-trailer, that followed had never been shown before including Holmes' bare-knuckle fight and the early fight with Blackwood's henchmen. Otherwise, there was a lot of information going by very fast, as is always the case, so we tried to take notes and remember what we could.
It opens with eerie music and shadowy scenes of Victorian London and we see a shot of Downey's Holmes running down a spiral staircase and another of him smoking his trademark pipe as a voice-over tells Holmes that he needs to 'widen his gaze' because he's underestimating the 'gravity of coming events.' The voiceover tells Holmes that at the dawn of the new day, the world as he knows it would end, to which Holmes responds playfully, 'Well, there isn't any time to waste then' and he jumps out the window.
We get a brief glimpse of Eddie Marsan's Inspector LeStrade saying something about someone seeing Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong's villain in the film) rising from the grave, and Holmes is asked to find and stop him, which Holmes claims will 'take every ounce of my not inconsiderable experience.' To that, LeStrade comes back with a slam about it maybe being a hobby to Holmes, but that he does it for a living. (This confirms what Marsan told us last year about their working relationship not being a particularly friendly one.)
Holmes says that he needs to have someone with him that he can thoroughly trust, at which point we see him greeting Jude Law's Dr. Watson and we get a bit of the rapport between them, as the two of them squabble about the things roommates normally argue over, Law complaining about Holmes playing the violin late at night and his 'lack of hygiene.'
After that, we get a bit of the interaction between Holmes and Rachel McAdams' Irene Adler, as they scuffle, her pulling out an ornament from which sharp blades jut out to threaten Holmes. That interaction ends with him left chained to a bed. Watson finds him in that state and asks, 'Holmes, does your depravity know no bounds?' to which Holmes replies, 'No.' (Later we see Adler in a very sexy outfit, as McAdams' credit is shown.)
Another scene shows Holmes facing a much larger opponent, who looked like Nathan Jones, the giant from the opening of Troy, atop what looked like a clock tower. Jones is wielding an enormous sledgehammer while Holmes is carrying just a standard everyday hammer, which he promptly throws at the giant hoping that would do some damage. (It doesn't, and the giant attacks.) This scene got a huge laugh from the audience.
There was a quick-cut montage of more action scenes before a scene where a maid walks into a room and screams, dropping the tray she was carrying. We cut to Downey chained to a bed naked except for a pillow covering his genitals, and he asks her to remain calm and that under the pillow is the 'key to his release' and the shocked woman runs out screaming.
It was a very funny and exciting first look at what will surely be Guy Ritchie's most high profile film to date, and it got a great reaction from the exhibitors in attendance. It'll be interesting to see where and when this teaser trailer will surface, as it definitely did its job in showing what the movie is all about."
And not one hint of a lovefest between detectives. That sounds great!!
P.S.: Also, here is a look at the teaser poster for Sherlock Holmes - http://www.comingsoon.net/imageGallery/ShoWest_2009/ShoWest_2009_4.jpg
Sunday, March 29, 2009
KCA results
From IMDB.com:
High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers were among the big winners at the 22nd Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The High School Musical sequel claimed the night's Favorite Movie prize and the film's star, Vanessa Hudgens, took home the Favorite Movie Actress honour. Meanwhile, a shocked Cyrus sobbed through her Favorite Female Singer acceptance speech and her ex-boyfriend, Nick Jonas, and his brothers picked up the Favorite Music Group award.
Other big winners at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion included Selena Gomez (Favorite TV Actress), iCarly (Favorite TV Show), Will Smith (Favorite Movie Actor) and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (Favorite Animated Movie).
A bronzed Leonardo DiCaprio also took home the Kids' Choice Awards' inaugural Big Green Help award for his environmental efforts.
And the Kids' Choice Awards wouldn't be the Kids' Choice Awards without plenty of green slime - Favourite Male Singer prizewinner Jesse McCartney got splattered while chatting to show host Dwayne Johnson and funnyman Will Ferrell (Land of the Lost) threw himself down a slime-filled slip 'n' slide on the UCLA campus.
Hugh Jackman (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Sandra Bullock (The Proposal) were also showered with the green gunk when they opened a briefcase to reveal the winner of the Favorite Book award (Twilight series).
Other highlights included performances from the Pussycat Dolls and the Jonas Brothers, and host Johnson dressing up to look like Cyrus.
More than 90 million online votes were cast for the event - a new record.
The full list of winners:
Favorite Movie - High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Favorite Animated Movie - Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie - Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda)
Favorite Male Movie Star - Will Smith (Hancock)
Favorite Female Movie Star - Vanessa Hudgens
Favorite TV Show - iCarly
Favorite Reality Show - American Idol
Favorite Cartoon - SpongeBob SquarePants
Favorite TV Actress - Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place)
Favorite TV Actor - Dylan Sprouse (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody)
Favorite Song - Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) by Beyonce
Favorite Music Group - Jonas Brothers
Favorite Male Singer - Jesse McCartney
Favorite Female Singer - Miley Cyrus
Favorite Male Athlete - Peyton Manning
Favorite Female Athlete - Candace Parker
Big Green Help Award - Leonardo DiCaprio
Favorite Video Game - Guitar Hero World Tour
Favorite Book - Twilight series
Apparently, Nickelodeon doesn't care about men cross-dressing. Oh, well.
I was hoping that either Dark Knight or Iron Man would take Favorite Movie but then I forgot, it's the KIDS Choice Awards. I don't think Leonardo DiCaprio has been in a KCA since 1999. Surprised to see Will Smith get Favorite Actor. I mean, don't get me wrong, I liked Hancock but still I would've liked to see Jim Carrey on stage.
Great Star Trek TV Spot though.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers were among the big winners at the 22nd Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The High School Musical sequel claimed the night's Favorite Movie prize and the film's star, Vanessa Hudgens, took home the Favorite Movie Actress honour. Meanwhile, a shocked Cyrus sobbed through her Favorite Female Singer acceptance speech and her ex-boyfriend, Nick Jonas, and his brothers picked up the Favorite Music Group award.
Other big winners at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion included Selena Gomez (Favorite TV Actress), iCarly (Favorite TV Show), Will Smith (Favorite Movie Actor) and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (Favorite Animated Movie).
A bronzed Leonardo DiCaprio also took home the Kids' Choice Awards' inaugural Big Green Help award for his environmental efforts.
And the Kids' Choice Awards wouldn't be the Kids' Choice Awards without plenty of green slime - Favourite Male Singer prizewinner Jesse McCartney got splattered while chatting to show host Dwayne Johnson and funnyman Will Ferrell (Land of the Lost) threw himself down a slime-filled slip 'n' slide on the UCLA campus.
Hugh Jackman (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Sandra Bullock (The Proposal) were also showered with the green gunk when they opened a briefcase to reveal the winner of the Favorite Book award (Twilight series).
Other highlights included performances from the Pussycat Dolls and the Jonas Brothers, and host Johnson dressing up to look like Cyrus.
More than 90 million online votes were cast for the event - a new record.
The full list of winners:
Favorite Movie - High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Favorite Animated Movie - Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie - Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda)
Favorite Male Movie Star - Will Smith (Hancock)
Favorite Female Movie Star - Vanessa Hudgens
Favorite TV Show - iCarly
Favorite Reality Show - American Idol
Favorite Cartoon - SpongeBob SquarePants
Favorite TV Actress - Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place)
Favorite TV Actor - Dylan Sprouse (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody)
Favorite Song - Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) by Beyonce
Favorite Music Group - Jonas Brothers
Favorite Male Singer - Jesse McCartney
Favorite Female Singer - Miley Cyrus
Favorite Male Athlete - Peyton Manning
Favorite Female Athlete - Candace Parker
Big Green Help Award - Leonardo DiCaprio
Favorite Video Game - Guitar Hero World Tour
Favorite Book - Twilight series
Apparently, Nickelodeon doesn't care about men cross-dressing. Oh, well.
I was hoping that either Dark Knight or Iron Man would take Favorite Movie but then I forgot, it's the KIDS Choice Awards. I don't think Leonardo DiCaprio has been in a KCA since 1999. Surprised to see Will Smith get Favorite Actor. I mean, don't get me wrong, I liked Hancock but still I would've liked to see Jim Carrey on stage.
Great Star Trek TV Spot though.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A Magical First Look at THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE
From ComingSoon.net:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=54042
"Walt Disney Pictures filming The Sorcerer's Apprentice in a New York City subway on Thursday and Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel and Terese Palmer were spotted on the set of the big screen adaptation. The film takes place in contemporary New York, where a wizard (Cage) searches for an apprentice (Baruchel). Jerry Bruckheimer is producing."
They look really good but Nicolas Cage looks nothing like Yensid from the Fantasia short.
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=54042
"Walt Disney Pictures filming The Sorcerer's Apprentice in a New York City subway on Thursday and Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel and Terese Palmer were spotted on the set of the big screen adaptation. The film takes place in contemporary New York, where a wizard (Cage) searches for an apprentice (Baruchel). Jerry Bruckheimer is producing."
They look really good but Nicolas Cage looks nothing like Yensid from the Fantasia short.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Nyuck! Nyuck! Nyuck! THE THREE STOOGES is cast!
From ComingSoon.net:
"MGM and the Farrelly brothers are closing in on their cast for The Three Stooges, reports Variety. The studio has set Oscar-winner Sean Penn (Milk) to play Larry, and negotiations are underway with Jim Carrey to play Curly, with the actor already making plans to gain 40 pounds to approximate the physical dimensions of Jerome "Curly" Howard.The studio is zeroing in on Benicio Del Toro to play Moe.
The film is a comedy built around the antics of the three characters that Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Howard played in the Columbia Pictures shorts.
Production will begin in early fall for a release sometime in 2010. The Farrellys, who wrote the script, are producing with their Conundrum partner Bradley Thomas, and Charlie Wessler."
Now, this is going to be interesting.
"MGM and the Farrelly brothers are closing in on their cast for The Three Stooges, reports Variety. The studio has set Oscar-winner Sean Penn (Milk) to play Larry, and negotiations are underway with Jim Carrey to play Curly, with the actor already making plans to gain 40 pounds to approximate the physical dimensions of Jerome "Curly" Howard.The studio is zeroing in on Benicio Del Toro to play Moe.
The film is a comedy built around the antics of the three characters that Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Howard played in the Columbia Pictures shorts.
Production will begin in early fall for a release sometime in 2010. The Farrellys, who wrote the script, are producing with their Conundrum partner Bradley Thomas, and Charlie Wessler."
Now, this is going to be interesting.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
THE GREEN HORNET Updates
If there ever was a bigger sigh of relief that I've ever given, this is bigger. And much, much better.
From AintItCool.com:
"The Observe & Report junket was held this morning in Los Angeles, which means Seth Rogen's been answering Green Hornet and Funny People questions since he rolled out of bed. According to Collider's Steve Weintraub, he was extremely forthcoming with regards to the former - which, despite acquiring a new director, could be going before cameras in June. Most interestingly, it sounds like Green Hornet director Michel Gondry will be muting his signature handmade aesthetic in order to, presumably, deliver a more studio-friendly summer film. Here's what Rogen told the junketeers:
'Me and Evan have actually approached him with ideas, like maybe... you could do some of your weird people made out of string and s*** like that. He’s like, 'No, I don’t want to any of that. The fact that you think I want to do that drives me crazy and makes me never want to do anything like that again.'
It also sounds like they'll be doing an origin story as well. Stephen Chow is still part of the team. Rogen mentioned meeting with him and Gondry the previous week. The fact that Chow is still around and interested after stepping down as director is a good sign."
Now I'm most definitely 100% looking forward to The Green Hornet. It will be released June 25, 2010.
From AintItCool.com:
"The Observe & Report junket was held this morning in Los Angeles, which means Seth Rogen's been answering Green Hornet and Funny People questions since he rolled out of bed. According to Collider's Steve Weintraub, he was extremely forthcoming with regards to the former - which, despite acquiring a new director, could be going before cameras in June. Most interestingly, it sounds like Green Hornet director Michel Gondry will be muting his signature handmade aesthetic in order to, presumably, deliver a more studio-friendly summer film. Here's what Rogen told the junketeers:
'Me and Evan have actually approached him with ideas, like maybe... you could do some of your weird people made out of string and s*** like that. He’s like, 'No, I don’t want to any of that. The fact that you think I want to do that drives me crazy and makes me never want to do anything like that again.'
It also sounds like they'll be doing an origin story as well. Stephen Chow is still part of the team. Rogen mentioned meeting with him and Gondry the previous week. The fact that Chow is still around and interested after stepping down as director is a good sign."
Now I'm most definitely 100% looking forward to The Green Hornet. It will be released June 25, 2010.
Friday, March 20, 2009
From Starfleet to the Green Lantern Corps?
From AintItCool.com:
"If this casting rumor from IESB pans out, Chris Pine is about to become a two-franchise man.
That's assuming the new Captain Kirk wouldn't turn down an offer to play Hal Jordan in Martin Campbell's Green Lantern - which, per producer Donald DeLine, will begin shooting this September in Australia (in order to make a December 17, 2010 release date). According to IESB's source (and Patrick Sauriol has evidently heard likewise), Pine is at the top of a list of potential 'under 30s' Jordans. This makes much more sense than previous rumors, which sounded like total fanboy inventions (especially Nathan Fillion)."
I was just talking about these two movies with a good friend of mine. Weird. But I can see Chris Pine holding up that ring and saying, "In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight Let those who worship evil's might, Beware my power... Green Lantern's light!"
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Great Early Review of MONSTERS VS. ALIENS 3D
From AintItCool.com, written by Capone:
"One of the biggest corners of my heart is held in reserve for old (usually black-and-white) sci-fi films. I'm talking ginormous man-in-suit monsters, slow-moving aliens with tentacles and either one or 50 eyes, or regular-sized animals that are made to look humongous as they ize poor citizens like us. Watch any of them repeatedly and you notice one thing almost without fail: they are about 85 percent chatter and 15 percent actual creature feature…if you were lucky. The philosophies and theories bandied about were pretty hilarious, and were usually just an excuse to keep the cameras rolling to get that running time to at least 75 minutes. Now imagine taking the best parts of these alien invasion flicks, these giant spider films, these creeping menace pictures, and these home-grown mutated abominations of nature movies and tossing them all into one big 3-D animated work, and you have some idea of just how much fun Monsters vs. Aliens was for me.
In a way, you could look at Monsters vs. Aliens as the ultimate superhero team movie. A colossal alien robot lands on earth carrying a message from one Gallaxhar (voiced with pure maniacal splendor by Rainn Wilson), who tells the President of the United States (the inspired casting of Stephen Colbert in this role is enough to recommend it) that he's essentially going to destroy the world. Fair enough. In his very Dr. Strangelove-like War Room, the President listens to his advisors list the options on how to handle this situation. But only Gen. W.R. Monger (Kiefer Sutherland, complete with gravelly Southern accent) has a solution that seems like it might work--to unleash a group of captured 'monsters' that the government has hidden in a secret facility on the alien invader in exchange for their freedom.
The film actually opens with a wedding. Susan Murphy (Reese Witherspoon) is about to wed weatherman Derek Dietl (Paul Rudd). But just before the wedding, a meteorite falls from the sky and lands on Susan. She miraculously survives, but during the ceremony she grows to 49-feet 11.5-inches tall (I guess rounding up would have been a copyright violation). Her cowardly husband-to-be leaves her at the alter--actually she destroys the church, so the alter is pretty much kindling at this point--and Susan is quickly ed up by Monger's team and she's placed in a giant holding cell.
So who makes up the world's only defense against alien destruction? Seth Rogen voices B.O.B., a gelatinous creature who has no brain and is virtually indestructible; Hugh Laurie is the mad scientist Dr. Cockroach Ph.D., a play off of The Fly; Will Arnett is the cocky Missing Link, a big of a cross between The Creature from the Black Lagoon and Bigfoot; and an oversized slug/caterpillar thing called Insectasaurus. Susan is given the code name Ginormica, and the team sets off to deal with the powerful alien robot.
There's no doubt in my mind that B.O.B. is going to be the fan favorite of the bunch. Aside from being just plain funny, B.O.B. is basically the stoner creature--he's easily distracted, giggles at everything, and, you know, he's a blob of a guy. It's great to hear Laurie's British accent return to add a bit of gravitas to Cockroach's ravings. And although Witherspoon basically sounds like herself, she has the toughest job. She's our entry point into this story and these characters. She's scared, has no idea exactly what the limits of her powers are, and she called upon to perform this weighty task at a time in her life when the bride-to-be Susan didn't now what direction her life was going to take after getting married. I've heard the complaint often that there are no strong female lead characters in animated films anymore (Coraline aside). Complain no more--Susan is your , ur, woman. And she fills out a nearly 50-ft. black jumpsuit rather nicely.
One of the fun things about the film is also that there are guest voices tucked away in some very small roles. Listen carefully for the likes of Jeffrey Tambor, Amy Poehler, Ed Helms, Renee Zellweger, and John Krasinski. No joking, some of these people have one or two lines tops. But the best thing about Monsters vs. Aliens is that it takes its cues from science fiction films of old. Gallaxhar isn't some play one particular alien from another film; he's every alien enemy rolled into one. These are details in the camera work, the music, and the story that you will absolutely love if you have an affection for these types of classic genre works.
And I haven't even talked about the unbelievable 3-D. I've seen a lot of 3-D in recent months, but this has got to be the best 3-D I've seen in an animated film. There's something about having the giant creatures interacting with smaller people that makes the 3-D pop off the screen, and without tossing stuff at the camera every five minutes. There's a scale and depth to this 3-D work that is unrivaled. One of the sequences the crowd at BNAT X saw was a fight scene on the Golden Gate Bridge. Holy crap, that is the absolute best scene in the movie. And seeing it a second time in the context of the completed film, I was even more impressed with it. Your jaw will collect bugs from being open for so long.
Now please understand, this movie is rated PG, which means it's aimed directly at the younger sect. But honestly, I had as much fun watching this as the kids in my audience. And being able to understand the clandestine humor and the sight gags and more overt stuff, I may have even enjoyed it a little more than the youngsters. Co-director (along with Rob Letterman) Conrad Vernon was also a director on Shrek 2, probably the best melding of evergreen jokes, modern references, and innuendo in a animated work allegedly more for children. He knows where all the lines are drawn and exactly how far over them he can put his big toe. Sure the film is sweet and charming most of the time, but it's when things get a little ornery and mischievous that things really start to cook. There's a devilish undercurrent that props Monsters vs. Aliens up and makes it something special. In case you couldn't tell, I had a blast watching this movie."
"One of the biggest corners of my heart is held in reserve for old (usually black-and-white) sci-fi films. I'm talking ginormous man-in-suit monsters, slow-moving aliens with tentacles and either one or 50 eyes, or regular-sized animals that are made to look humongous as they ize poor citizens like us. Watch any of them repeatedly and you notice one thing almost without fail: they are about 85 percent chatter and 15 percent actual creature feature…if you were lucky. The philosophies and theories bandied about were pretty hilarious, and were usually just an excuse to keep the cameras rolling to get that running time to at least 75 minutes. Now imagine taking the best parts of these alien invasion flicks, these giant spider films, these creeping menace pictures, and these home-grown mutated abominations of nature movies and tossing them all into one big 3-D animated work, and you have some idea of just how much fun Monsters vs. Aliens was for me.
In a way, you could look at Monsters vs. Aliens as the ultimate superhero team movie. A colossal alien robot lands on earth carrying a message from one Gallaxhar (voiced with pure maniacal splendor by Rainn Wilson), who tells the President of the United States (the inspired casting of Stephen Colbert in this role is enough to recommend it) that he's essentially going to destroy the world. Fair enough. In his very Dr. Strangelove-like War Room, the President listens to his advisors list the options on how to handle this situation. But only Gen. W.R. Monger (Kiefer Sutherland, complete with gravelly Southern accent) has a solution that seems like it might work--to unleash a group of captured 'monsters' that the government has hidden in a secret facility on the alien invader in exchange for their freedom.
The film actually opens with a wedding. Susan Murphy (Reese Witherspoon) is about to wed weatherman Derek Dietl (Paul Rudd). But just before the wedding, a meteorite falls from the sky and lands on Susan. She miraculously survives, but during the ceremony she grows to 49-feet 11.5-inches tall (I guess rounding up would have been a copyright violation). Her cowardly husband-to-be leaves her at the alter--actually she destroys the church, so the alter is pretty much kindling at this point--and Susan is quickly ed up by Monger's team and she's placed in a giant holding cell.
So who makes up the world's only defense against alien destruction? Seth Rogen voices B.O.B., a gelatinous creature who has no brain and is virtually indestructible; Hugh Laurie is the mad scientist Dr. Cockroach Ph.D., a play off of The Fly; Will Arnett is the cocky Missing Link, a big of a cross between The Creature from the Black Lagoon and Bigfoot; and an oversized slug/caterpillar thing called Insectasaurus. Susan is given the code name Ginormica, and the team sets off to deal with the powerful alien robot.
There's no doubt in my mind that B.O.B. is going to be the fan favorite of the bunch. Aside from being just plain funny, B.O.B. is basically the stoner creature--he's easily distracted, giggles at everything, and, you know, he's a blob of a guy. It's great to hear Laurie's British accent return to add a bit of gravitas to Cockroach's ravings. And although Witherspoon basically sounds like herself, she has the toughest job. She's our entry point into this story and these characters. She's scared, has no idea exactly what the limits of her powers are, and she called upon to perform this weighty task at a time in her life when the bride-to-be Susan didn't now what direction her life was going to take after getting married. I've heard the complaint often that there are no strong female lead characters in animated films anymore (Coraline aside). Complain no more--Susan is your , ur, woman. And she fills out a nearly 50-ft. black jumpsuit rather nicely.
One of the fun things about the film is also that there are guest voices tucked away in some very small roles. Listen carefully for the likes of Jeffrey Tambor, Amy Poehler, Ed Helms, Renee Zellweger, and John Krasinski. No joking, some of these people have one or two lines tops. But the best thing about Monsters vs. Aliens is that it takes its cues from science fiction films of old. Gallaxhar isn't some play one particular alien from another film; he's every alien enemy rolled into one. These are details in the camera work, the music, and the story that you will absolutely love if you have an affection for these types of classic genre works.
And I haven't even talked about the unbelievable 3-D. I've seen a lot of 3-D in recent months, but this has got to be the best 3-D I've seen in an animated film. There's something about having the giant creatures interacting with smaller people that makes the 3-D pop off the screen, and without tossing stuff at the camera every five minutes. There's a scale and depth to this 3-D work that is unrivaled. One of the sequences the crowd at BNAT X saw was a fight scene on the Golden Gate Bridge. Holy crap, that is the absolute best scene in the movie. And seeing it a second time in the context of the completed film, I was even more impressed with it. Your jaw will collect bugs from being open for so long.
Now please understand, this movie is rated PG, which means it's aimed directly at the younger sect. But honestly, I had as much fun watching this as the kids in my audience. And being able to understand the clandestine humor and the sight gags and more overt stuff, I may have even enjoyed it a little more than the youngsters. Co-director (along with Rob Letterman) Conrad Vernon was also a director on Shrek 2, probably the best melding of evergreen jokes, modern references, and innuendo in a animated work allegedly more for children. He knows where all the lines are drawn and exactly how far over them he can put his big toe. Sure the film is sweet and charming most of the time, but it's when things get a little ornery and mischievous that things really start to cook. There's a devilish undercurrent that props Monsters vs. Aliens up and makes it something special. In case you couldn't tell, I had a blast watching this movie."
Thor Than Meets the 3
From ComingSoon.net:
"Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures have set a July 4, 2012 release date for Transformers 3.
Transformers opened July 2, 2007; Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen debuts on June 24, 2009.
Paramount also has moved up the release of Marvel Studios' Thor from June 17, 2011 to May 20, 2011. This move sets the release for Thor just two weeks after Spider-Man 4 opens on May 6, 2011."
Apparently the first time this message was sent Michael Bay got extremely angry and sent Paramount Pictures this message:
"UPDATE: Michael Bay has posted a message on his forums which indicates that he meant for Paramount to schedule the third film for 2012, not 2011!
I said I was taking off a year from Transformers. Paramount made a mistake in dating Transformers 3 - they asked me on the phone - I said yes to July 4 - but for 2012 - whoops! Not 2011!!! That would mean I would have to start prep in September. No way. My brain needs a break from fighting robots. -- Michael"
I already can't wait for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and now I know when Transformers 3's coming out and that Micheal Bay confirms he's doing it -- to quote Syndrome from The Incredibles, "Oh, man! I'm still geeking out about it!"
"Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures have set a July 4, 2012 release date for Transformers 3.
Transformers opened July 2, 2007; Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen debuts on June 24, 2009.
Paramount also has moved up the release of Marvel Studios' Thor from June 17, 2011 to May 20, 2011. This move sets the release for Thor just two weeks after Spider-Man 4 opens on May 6, 2011."
Apparently the first time this message was sent Michael Bay got extremely angry and sent Paramount Pictures this message:
"UPDATE: Michael Bay has posted a message on his forums which indicates that he meant for Paramount to schedule the third film for 2012, not 2011!
I said I was taking off a year from Transformers. Paramount made a mistake in dating Transformers 3 - they asked me on the phone - I said yes to July 4 - but for 2012 - whoops! Not 2011!!! That would mean I would have to start prep in September. No way. My brain needs a break from fighting robots. -- Michael"
I already can't wait for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and now I know when Transformers 3's coming out and that Micheal Bay confirms he's doing it -- to quote Syndrome from The Incredibles, "Oh, man! I'm still geeking out about it!"
Monday, March 16, 2009
Dakota Fanning Confirmed for NEW MOON
Just for you Twilight fans out there... "Still kinda harpin' on that, huh? Well you know this little movie right here's pretty lucrative, ya know. Come on, hop in, star wherever. I know ya do that."
From ComingSoon.net:
"In January, Dakota Fanning said she was in talks to play Jane in the Summit Entertainment sequel The Twilight Saga's New Moon.
Now, People has confirmed that she is officially on board.
The 15-year-old actress is set to star as a sinister vampire with an angelic exterior who works for the Volturi.
Filming of the Twilight sequel is set to begin in Vancouver later this month. The movie hits theaters on November 20, 2009.
'We did just get a script. We're the rest of the films back to back,' said Nikki Reed, who plays Rosalie Hale in the film."
This is the one that was in that Steven Spielberg alien movie, right?
From ComingSoon.net:
"In January, Dakota Fanning said she was in talks to play Jane in the Summit Entertainment sequel The Twilight Saga's New Moon.
Now, People has confirmed that she is officially on board.
The 15-year-old actress is set to star as a sinister vampire with an angelic exterior who works for the Volturi.
Filming of the Twilight sequel is set to begin in Vancouver later this month. The movie hits theaters on November 20, 2009.
'We did just get a script. We're the rest of the films back to back,' said Nikki Reed, who plays Rosalie Hale in the film."
This is the one that was in that Steven Spielberg alien movie, right?
Sony and Marvel Studios Set New Release Dates!
From ComingSoon.net:
"Paving the way for the production and release of its multi-character superhero film, The Avengers, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. announced today an adjusted release pipeline for its self-produced feature film properties that reflects the first time individual Super Hero characters and story arcs will be inter-woven and culminate in a multi-character motion picture. Separately, Marvel Studios confirmed today that Sony Pictures Entertainment will release Spider-Man 4 on May 6, 2011. Additionally, Marvel Studios has revised the release dates for Thor and The First Avenger: Captain America as part of its release strategy for an uninterrupted road to The Avengers, now debuting May 4, 2012.
A Marvel character-based film will now launch the summer box office season for three years in a row, from 2010 through 2012.
'This new schedule strongly sequences Marvel's movie debut dates, big screen character introductions and momentum. It maximizes the visibility of our single character-focused films, leading to the highly anticipated release of the multi-character 'The Avengers' film in 2012,' said David Maisel, Chairman, Marvel Studios.
Sony Pictures' and Marvel Studios' Spider-Man 4 is slated for May 6, 2011. To date, all three motion pictures in the phenomenally successful 'Spider-Man' franchise have generated nearly $2.5 billion worldwide theatrically.
Below is Marvel Studios' 2010-2012 updated release schedule for its slate of self-produced and financed feature films:
Marvel Studios Feature Film Pipeline
Film/Character - Prior Release Date - Current Release Date
Iron Man II - May 7, 2010 - May 7, 2010
Thor - July 16, 2010 - June 17, 2011
The First Avenger: Captain America - May 6, 2011 - July 22, 2011
The Avengers - July 15, 2011 - May 4, 2012
The release date for Iron Man II remains unchanged on May 7, 2010. Iron Man II is the sequel to the blockbuster film, Iron Man, which has grossed nearly $600 million worldwide."
2012?! 2012?! Are they serious?! We'll all be in 2012! I still believe we'll reach 2015 so I can get my hoverboard ;)
"Paving the way for the production and release of its multi-character superhero film, The Avengers, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. announced today an adjusted release pipeline for its self-produced feature film properties that reflects the first time individual Super Hero characters and story arcs will be inter-woven and culminate in a multi-character motion picture. Separately, Marvel Studios confirmed today that Sony Pictures Entertainment will release Spider-Man 4 on May 6, 2011. Additionally, Marvel Studios has revised the release dates for Thor and The First Avenger: Captain America as part of its release strategy for an uninterrupted road to The Avengers, now debuting May 4, 2012.
A Marvel character-based film will now launch the summer box office season for three years in a row, from 2010 through 2012.
'This new schedule strongly sequences Marvel's movie debut dates, big screen character introductions and momentum. It maximizes the visibility of our single character-focused films, leading to the highly anticipated release of the multi-character 'The Avengers' film in 2012,' said David Maisel, Chairman, Marvel Studios.
Sony Pictures' and Marvel Studios' Spider-Man 4 is slated for May 6, 2011. To date, all three motion pictures in the phenomenally successful 'Spider-Man' franchise have generated nearly $2.5 billion worldwide theatrically.
Below is Marvel Studios' 2010-2012 updated release schedule for its slate of self-produced and financed feature films:
Marvel Studios Feature Film Pipeline
Film/Character - Prior Release Date - Current Release Date
Iron Man II - May 7, 2010 - May 7, 2010
Thor - July 16, 2010 - June 17, 2011
The First Avenger: Captain America - May 6, 2011 - July 22, 2011
The Avengers - July 15, 2011 - May 4, 2012
The release date for Iron Man II remains unchanged on May 7, 2010. Iron Man II is the sequel to the blockbuster film, Iron Man, which has grossed nearly $600 million worldwide."
2012?! 2012?! Are they serious?! We'll all be in 2012! I still believe we'll reach 2015 so I can get my hoverboard ;)
More Join THE LAST AIRBENDER
Aasif Mandvi, Shaun Toub and Cliff Curtis have joined the cast of M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender for Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies. Shyamalan, Sam Mercer and Frank Marshall are producing with principal photography to begin mid-March 2009.
They join a cast headed by Noah Ringer, who plays the title role, Nicola Peltz, who plays the Waterbender Katara, Jackson Rathbone, in the role of Katara's brother Sokka, and Dev Patel, who plays Prince Zuko, prince of the Fire Nation.
Mandvi is set to play the role of Commander Zhao, an ambitious and hot-tempered Fire Nation commander. A regular correspondent on Comedy Central's hit show, 'The Daily Show,' Mandvi is repped by Endeavor and Lillian LaSalle at Sweet 180 Management. He will next be seen opposite Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in Disney's The Proposal, and recently wrapped production on 7 to the Palace, his feature co-writing debut in which he also stars.
Toub, last seen in Iron Man and The Kite Runner, is cast as Uncle Iroh, the retired Fire Nation general and devoted surrogate parent to Dev Patel's character Zuko. He is represented by Abrams Artists Agency.
Curtis is set to play the ruthless ruler Fire Lord Ozai. Represented by Abrams Artists Agency, he most recently appeared in Crossing Over with Harrison Ford and will next appear in the Paramount film A Thousand Words with Eddie Murphy.
In addition, Keong Sim has been cast in the role of Earthbending Father. He is represented by Judy Boals in New York.
Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world.
Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film The Last Airbender is the opening chapter in Aang's struggle to survive."
Well, at least Jesse McCartney's not playing Zuko like originally thought. But tell me, can you hear it now?
"Water... Earth... Fire... Air. Long ago, the 4 nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all 4 elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years passed and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. And although his airbending skills are great, he still has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. But I believe Aang can save the world." - Opening to "Avatar: The Last Airbender"
They join a cast headed by Noah Ringer, who plays the title role, Nicola Peltz, who plays the Waterbender Katara, Jackson Rathbone, in the role of Katara's brother Sokka, and Dev Patel, who plays Prince Zuko, prince of the Fire Nation.
Mandvi is set to play the role of Commander Zhao, an ambitious and hot-tempered Fire Nation commander. A regular correspondent on Comedy Central's hit show, 'The Daily Show,' Mandvi is repped by Endeavor and Lillian LaSalle at Sweet 180 Management. He will next be seen opposite Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in Disney's The Proposal, and recently wrapped production on 7 to the Palace, his feature co-writing debut in which he also stars.
Toub, last seen in Iron Man and The Kite Runner, is cast as Uncle Iroh, the retired Fire Nation general and devoted surrogate parent to Dev Patel's character Zuko. He is represented by Abrams Artists Agency.
Curtis is set to play the ruthless ruler Fire Lord Ozai. Represented by Abrams Artists Agency, he most recently appeared in Crossing Over with Harrison Ford and will next appear in the Paramount film A Thousand Words with Eddie Murphy.
In addition, Keong Sim has been cast in the role of Earthbending Father. He is represented by Judy Boals in New York.
Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world.
Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film The Last Airbender is the opening chapter in Aang's struggle to survive."
Well, at least Jesse McCartney's not playing Zuko like originally thought. But tell me, can you hear it now?
"Water... Earth... Fire... Air. Long ago, the 4 nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all 4 elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years passed and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. And although his airbending skills are great, he still has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. But I believe Aang can save the world." - Opening to "Avatar: The Last Airbender"
JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH Sequel on the Way
From ComingSoon.net:
"New Line is reteaming with Walden Media and ContraFilm for a sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth, reports Variety.
The sequel is based on Richard Outten's script Mysterious Travels: The Lost Map of Treasure Island, in which Prof. Trevor Anderson and his nephew embark on a journey to a mysterious island that was the subject of three classic novels (Jules Verne's 'Mysterious Island,' Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island' and Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels').
Journey to the Center of the Earth, starring Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson and Anita Briem, earned $101 million domestically and another $140 million overseas this summer.
Eric Brevig, who directed 'Journey' but has not yet committed to helm 'Mysterious Travels,' is working with Outten to develop the script for the sequel."
'Bout dang time! I've been waiting on a sequel to this great 3D movie. But where's Hannah from the original movie...? And what about Jack Black's Gulliver's Travels?
"New Line is reteaming with Walden Media and ContraFilm for a sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth, reports Variety.
The sequel is based on Richard Outten's script Mysterious Travels: The Lost Map of Treasure Island, in which Prof. Trevor Anderson and his nephew embark on a journey to a mysterious island that was the subject of three classic novels (Jules Verne's 'Mysterious Island,' Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island' and Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels').
Journey to the Center of the Earth, starring Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson and Anita Briem, earned $101 million domestically and another $140 million overseas this summer.
Eric Brevig, who directed 'Journey' but has not yet committed to helm 'Mysterious Travels,' is working with Outten to develop the script for the sequel."
'Bout dang time! I've been waiting on a sequel to this great 3D movie. But where's Hannah from the original movie...? And what about Jack Black's Gulliver's Travels?
First Look at ALICE IN WONDERLAND
From ComingSoon.net:
"Disney has launched its new magazine, Disney twenty-three, this week and included is a preview of Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND, coming to theaters on March 5, 2010. Posters at The Tim Burton Collective have scanned the article which features a new photo and concept art from the film, starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Sheen, Mia Wasikowska, Matt Lucas, Crispin Glover, Stephen Fry and Alan Rickman."
available at - http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=53661
First off, let me say that Mia Waskikowska should change her name to Mia Wowwowwowska! :) Nice lookin' Alice, if I say so myself. This is going to be Tim Burton's next big thing like CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY was in 2005.
"Disney has launched its new magazine, Disney twenty-three, this week and included is a preview of Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND, coming to theaters on March 5, 2010. Posters at The Tim Burton Collective have scanned the article which features a new photo and concept art from the film, starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Sheen, Mia Wasikowska, Matt Lucas, Crispin Glover, Stephen Fry and Alan Rickman."
available at - http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=53661
First off, let me say that Mia Waskikowska should change her name to Mia Wowwowwowska! :) Nice lookin' Alice, if I say so myself. This is going to be Tim Burton's next big thing like CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY was in 2005.
Zac Efron Talks Jonny Quest Movie
From ComingSoon.net:
"HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL franchise star Zac Efron talked to Moviehole about possibly starring in a live-action adaptation of 'Jonny Quest' at Warner Bros. Pictures. RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN director Andy Fick and star Dwayne Johnson are circling the project as well.
Efron would play the title role, while Johnson would play Race Bannon. The popular 1960s animated Hanna-Barbera TV series revolved around a young boy who travels the world with his scientist father, adopted brother from India, Bandit the bulldog, and a government agent (Bannon) assigned to protect them as they go on their adventures investigating scientific mysteries.
Efron says the project is in its early stages. 'It's a long, long process. It's so hard when people start leaking titbits. They're very, very early on [with it] – not that it won't happen happen, it's just early.'
A few weeks ago, Johnson commented on the script. 'I don't know if you've read the latest [draft] but it's awesome and it's badass... I hadn't read an action script like that in a LONG time. And that action was unbelievable. That will happen.'
The show, which is owned by Warner Bros. Animation, aired during primetime on ABC in 1964, lasting only one season. It was updated in the late '80s and '90s as 'The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest' on the Cartoon Network. The property has also been spun off as a comic book from DC."
Huh. Dwayne Johnson - From RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN to Race Bannon. Hehe. I like the irony. Anywho, EFRON - DO. NOT. SCREW. THIS. UP.
"HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL franchise star Zac Efron talked to Moviehole about possibly starring in a live-action adaptation of 'Jonny Quest' at Warner Bros. Pictures. RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN director Andy Fick and star Dwayne Johnson are circling the project as well.
Efron would play the title role, while Johnson would play Race Bannon. The popular 1960s animated Hanna-Barbera TV series revolved around a young boy who travels the world with his scientist father, adopted brother from India, Bandit the bulldog, and a government agent (Bannon) assigned to protect them as they go on their adventures investigating scientific mysteries.
Efron says the project is in its early stages. 'It's a long, long process. It's so hard when people start leaking titbits. They're very, very early on [with it] – not that it won't happen happen, it's just early.'
A few weeks ago, Johnson commented on the script. 'I don't know if you've read the latest [draft] but it's awesome and it's badass... I hadn't read an action script like that in a LONG time. And that action was unbelievable. That will happen.'
The show, which is owned by Warner Bros. Animation, aired during primetime on ABC in 1964, lasting only one season. It was updated in the late '80s and '90s as 'The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest' on the Cartoon Network. The property has also been spun off as a comic book from DC."
Huh. Dwayne Johnson - From RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN to Race Bannon. Hehe. I like the irony. Anywho, EFRON - DO. NOT. SCREW. THIS. UP.
Sam Raimi talks SPIDER-MAN 4
Both MTV and IGN talked to director Sam Raimi on Sunday about SPIDER-MAN 4, which just received a release date of May 6, 2011 last week.
Raimi says that he and the production team are 'in the earliest stages of working with the writer, trying to work out a story.' He added that they are just working on the fourth installment and not also a fifth film. Previous reports had claimed that Sony Pictures would be making the fourth and fifth movies at the same time, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
The helmer said that they are closing in on Spider-Man's adversary or adversaries for the fourth pic. 'All the characters or villains or villains, whatever we decide to do will be from Stan Lee's creations or those that came after him,' he said.
And will Kirsten Dunst return as Mary Jane Watson? If it was up to Raimi, definitely: 'I’m hoping she'll be in it and I'm planning on having a story with her in it... It wouldn't be the Spider-Man series without her.'
Raimi says that he and the production team are 'in the earliest stages of working with the writer, trying to work out a story.' He added that they are just working on the fourth installment and not also a fifth film. Previous reports had claimed that Sony Pictures would be making the fourth and fifth movies at the same time, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
The helmer said that they are closing in on Spider-Man's adversary or adversaries for the fourth pic. 'All the characters or villains or villains, whatever we decide to do will be from Stan Lee's creations or those that came after him,' he said.
And will Kirsten Dunst return as Mary Jane Watson? If it was up to Raimi, definitely: 'I’m hoping she'll be in it and I'm planning on having a story with her in it... It wouldn't be the Spider-Man series without her.'
MACGYVER invents its way onto the Big Screen
From ComingSoon.net:
The Hollywood Reporter says that New Line Cinema is bringing MACGYVER to the big screen.
Raffaella De Laurentiis, daughter of Dino De Laurentiis, is producing through her Raffaella Productions along with Martha De Laurentiis and series creator Lee Zlotoff. Dino De Laurentiis is executive producing.
'MacGyver' ran on ABC from 1985-92. Richard Dean Anderson, later of 'Stargate: Atlantis' and 'SG-1' fame, starred as an incredibly resourceful secret agent for the Phoenix Foundation who frequently would escape from dangerous situations with ingenious and lightning-quick engineering trickery.
No writer is attached, but the studio hopes to find a script that can acknowledge how the concept has staked a place into pop culture yet still makes for a serious and fun adventure movie.
'We think we're a stick of chewing gum, a paper clip and an A-list writer away from a global franchise,' said New Line's Richard Brener."
Can't wait to see this movie. That's all I got to say. AND BESIDES...watch this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77ar1WjNCHg
The Hollywood Reporter says that New Line Cinema is bringing MACGYVER to the big screen.
Raffaella De Laurentiis, daughter of Dino De Laurentiis, is producing through her Raffaella Productions along with Martha De Laurentiis and series creator Lee Zlotoff. Dino De Laurentiis is executive producing.
'MacGyver' ran on ABC from 1985-92. Richard Dean Anderson, later of 'Stargate: Atlantis' and 'SG-1' fame, starred as an incredibly resourceful secret agent for the Phoenix Foundation who frequently would escape from dangerous situations with ingenious and lightning-quick engineering trickery.
No writer is attached, but the studio hopes to find a script that can acknowledge how the concept has staked a place into pop culture yet still makes for a serious and fun adventure movie.
'We think we're a stick of chewing gum, a paper clip and an A-list writer away from a global franchise,' said New Line's Richard Brener."
Can't wait to see this movie. That's all I got to say. AND BESIDES...watch this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77ar1WjNCHg
Disney Picks Up WOULDN'T IT BE NICE
From ComingSoon.net:
"Disney has picked up WOULDN'T IT BE NICE, a family comedy pitch from writing-directing team Barry Blaustein and Jason Hefter, says The Hollywood Reporter. Andrew Gunn is producing via his studio-based Gunn Films.
The story follows a teenage couple who, just before they plan to run away together and pursue their dreams, are magically zapped 20 years into the future only to discover that their lives didn't necessarily turn out as expected. In their mid-30s but with teenage minds -- and dealing with three kids and everyday worries -- they learn that maybe they weren't as grown up as they once thought.
Gunn Films' Ann Marie Sanderlin will executive produce."
Here's hoping the great Beach Boys song will be in there with them.
"Disney has picked up WOULDN'T IT BE NICE, a family comedy pitch from writing-directing team Barry Blaustein and Jason Hefter, says The Hollywood Reporter. Andrew Gunn is producing via his studio-based Gunn Films.
The story follows a teenage couple who, just before they plan to run away together and pursue their dreams, are magically zapped 20 years into the future only to discover that their lives didn't necessarily turn out as expected. In their mid-30s but with teenage minds -- and dealing with three kids and everyday worries -- they learn that maybe they weren't as grown up as they once thought.
Gunn Films' Ann Marie Sanderlin will executive produce."
Here's hoping the great Beach Boys song will be in there with them.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Bond Girl Jennifer Aniston?
From IMDB.com:
"Jennifer Aniston is determined to land herself an action role now she's turned 40 - and dreams of starring opposite Daniel Craig as a Bond girl.
The former 'Friends' actress, who reached the landmark age last month, has featured in a string of romantic comedies on the big screen.
Now she is desperate to test her action movie credentials - and insists her ideal part would be a feisty femme fatale alongside Craig in 007's next outing.
She tells Elle magazine, "I get offered funny, quirky, pretty roles. I'd love to do an action movie. James Bond. Glamour. Daniel Craig... loads of fun."
None of Jennifer Aniston's action/thriller movies have done well at the box office. Jennifer, I know you mean well, but stick to what people love you for. And to quote the Ask A Ninja (http://www.askaninja.com) Ninja - "I respect your hair."
"Jennifer Aniston is determined to land herself an action role now she's turned 40 - and dreams of starring opposite Daniel Craig as a Bond girl.
The former 'Friends' actress, who reached the landmark age last month, has featured in a string of romantic comedies on the big screen.
Now she is desperate to test her action movie credentials - and insists her ideal part would be a feisty femme fatale alongside Craig in 007's next outing.
She tells Elle magazine, "I get offered funny, quirky, pretty roles. I'd love to do an action movie. James Bond. Glamour. Daniel Craig... loads of fun."
None of Jennifer Aniston's action/thriller movies have done well at the box office. Jennifer, I know you mean well, but stick to what people love you for. And to quote the Ask A Ninja (http://www.askaninja.com) Ninja - "I respect your hair."
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Paul Harvey has passed...
It's not really upcoming movie news but to me, it's important. This is truly sad. One of the greats has left us.
From IMDB.com:
"Legendary U.S. radio broadcaster Paul Harvey has died, aged 90. The star passed away in a hospital near his home in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday. The cause of death is yet to be released, but the star had suffered various illnesses - as well as the death of his wife Lynne 'Angel' Harvey - in the past year. Harvey's programmes were aired on more than 1,200 radio stations and his commentary appeared in 300 newspapers over his seven-decade career. At the height of his fame, Harvey had an estimated 22 million listeners tuning in to hear his twice-daily broadcasts, in which he discussed current affairs and his observations on life. ABC Radio Networks president Jim Robinson says, "Even after the passing of his loving wife Angel in May 2008, Paul would not slip quietly into retirement as he continued to take the microphone and reach out to his audience. 'We will miss our dear friend tremendously and are grateful for the many years we were so fortunate to have known him.'"
From IMDB.com:
"Legendary U.S. radio broadcaster Paul Harvey has died, aged 90. The star passed away in a hospital near his home in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday. The cause of death is yet to be released, but the star had suffered various illnesses - as well as the death of his wife Lynne 'Angel' Harvey - in the past year. Harvey's programmes were aired on more than 1,200 radio stations and his commentary appeared in 300 newspapers over his seven-decade career. At the height of his fame, Harvey had an estimated 22 million listeners tuning in to hear his twice-daily broadcasts, in which he discussed current affairs and his observations on life. ABC Radio Networks president Jim Robinson says, "Even after the passing of his loving wife Angel in May 2008, Paul would not slip quietly into retirement as he continued to take the microphone and reach out to his audience. 'We will miss our dear friend tremendously and are grateful for the many years we were so fortunate to have known him.'"
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