TOY STORY 3 makes a billion!

From ComingSoon.net:

"The Walt Disney Studios announced today that Toy Story 3 will surpass the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office today. It marks the first time a studio will have two $1 billion movies in one year:

Two weeks after becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time, Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3 will cross the $1 billion mark at the global box office today, joining Alice in Wonderland as the second $1 billion film this year from The Walt Disney Studios – the first studio in history to accomplish this feat. Disney first crossed the $1 billion threshold with Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest in 2006. Toy Story 3 becomes the only animated film to reach this milestone and the seventh title in industry history.


'It's been an incredible year as we saw the Pixar team bring Buzz and Woody back to the big screen and watched Tim Burton's vision for Alice in Wonderland take the world by storm,' said Rich Ross, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. 'These box office triumphs prove that creative storytelling brought to life by imaginative, inspired and talented professionals is something audiences respond to the world over.'

As of Thursday (8/26/10), Toy Story 3 tallied more than $592.9 million internationally, Disney's largest international animated release. Latin American audiences have contributed $138 million making Toy Story 3 the highest grossing Disney film ever released in the region. Toy Story 3 is the most successful UK release in Disney history and currently stands as the fourth biggest title in territory history with $102.4 million in box office receipts so far. In Japan, the film has taken in $111.2 million and spent five consecutive weeks as the #1 movie. Toy Story 3 currently ranks as the #7 film in global box office history and domestically ranks #9 with $404.6 million in receipts to date.

Alice in Wonderland began setting records during its opening weekend (March 5-7), becoming the biggest March opening in industry history, the highest 3D opening ever and The Walt Disney Studios' biggest opening for a non-sequel film. Internationally, the film went on to tally more than $690 million, becoming Disney's biggest overseas release of all time and the fourth biggest title ever released overseas. Worldwide, the film took in $1.0243 billion, ranking it as the #5 film in global box office history."

Let's hope Tron: Legacy makes a billion!!!

From KUNG FU to KARATE

From ComingSoon.net:

"Cyrus Voris and Ethan Reiff, who wrote the Kung Fu Panda story, have been hired to write the sequel to The Karate Kid.

The first film, starring Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith and Taraji P. Henson, cost about $40 million to make and has earned an impressive $299.7 million worldwide. It was directed by Harald Zwart.

Columbia Pictures has not revealed the setting or the plot of the sequel. Will Smith is again producing with Overbrook Entertainment partners James Lassiter and Ken Stovitz."

Interesting. Both Kung Fu Panda and The Karate Kid star Jackie Chan.

If you have not seen The Karate Kid, it is a fantastic movie. I highly recommend it.

Jeremy Renner accepts MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE IV

From ComingSoon.net:

"Jeremy Renner has signed to star alongside Tom Cruise in Paramount Pictures' Mission: Impossible IV.

It is the second big part Renner has landed after his role in the Oscar-winning The Hurt Locker. He's also set to play Hawkeye in Marvel Studios and Paramount's The Avengers, coming to theaters on May 4, 2012.

Production on the fourth installment of the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise is scheduled to begin this fall under the direction of Brad Bird. J.J. Abrams is producing the December 16, 2011 release with Cruise."

This is a good way to introduce Renner to mainstream audiences months before The Avengers.

Marvel clenches their IRON FIST

From ComingSoon.net:

"An Iron Fist film is moving into the scripting stage, says a report at Deadline.


Marvel Studios has brought aboard Rich Wilkes (the XXX film series) to write the screenplay, which will adapt the story of Danny Rand, the Marvel martial arts superhero created in the 1970's.

In the Marvel Universe, Rand is the son of a wealthy explorer who trains in the mystical arts and eventually gains the power of the legendary Iron Fist, a magical fighting power that gives him indestructible fists. First using the power after his father's death, Rand continued to bear the mantle in the fight against evil. Later, Iron Fist popularly teamed with Luke Cage (Power Man), who allegedly has his own film in development.

In the current comic book continuity, Iron Fist is member of the New Avengers, a team that includes Cage, Jessica Jones, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, Mockingbird and The Thing (of the Fantastic Four). Studio rights preclude several of those characters from appearing on the big screen together for the time being, but a Power Man and Iron Fist crossover is certainly possible."

I've heard this could be the first Marvel/Disney film. They gotta put some years between The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Dr. Strange.

Dustin Hoffman's a FOCKER again

From ComingSoon.net:

"Despite initially being written out of Little Fockers, Dustin Hoffman will indeed be reprising his role in the sequel. His scenes will come from a series of pickup shots Universal Pictures is adding to the film, including some opposite onscreen wife Barbra Streisand.


Opening in theaters on December 22, the Paul Weitz-directed film also stars Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner, Jessica Alba, Laura Dern, Harvey Keitel and Teri Polo."

Maybe he'll make the movie better. I've heard this movie is disasterous compared to the original two films.

Jessica Alba becomes a mother to SPY KIDS

From ComingSoon.net:

"Jessica Alba is reteaming with Robert Rodriguez a third time for Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World. She has previously starred in Sin City, co-directed by Rodriguez, and has a role in the helmer's September 3 release Machete.

Heat Vision says the new Spy Kids film is a reboot of sorts. Alba will play a retired spy who has been reactivated. Her character is the mother of a baby and two preteen stepchildren.

The actors cast in the preteen roles will be the new Spy Kids. Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara played the Spy Kids in the first three films, that also starred Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino as their superspy parents.

The trade adds that other roles seeking to be filled include Alba's husband, 'a slightly nerdy investigative reporter, and the villain, known as the Time Keeper, whose goal it is to stop time.'

Banderas, Vega and Sabara are expected to return in supporting roles. Shooting is scheduled to start on the 3D film next month."

Good to see Jessica Alba doing a slightly less-serious movie. And also good to see the original Spy Kids and their dad coming back.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS plot points revealed!

I've read this and I will say there aren't that many spoilers. If any, they are mild.

From ComingSoon.net:

"Several details from next summer's X-Men: First Class have been revealed thanks to an informal phone interview AICN conducted with the film's producer (and director of the first two X-Men films) Bryan Singer.

First Class is said to take place in the 1960's and will heavily play with the style of the day. Audiences will see John F. Kennedy as President and the parallel storyline of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X will play in the background. Overall, the look is said to emulate the original X-Men costumes far more than previous films have, though the film's chronology pre-dates the First Class story in the comics, meaning that many of the expected characters (Cyclops and Marvel Girl are listed by name) will not appear.

The villain of the film is, as rumored, Sebastian Shaw (played by Kevin Bacon). January Jones's Emma Frost will appear as the Hellfire Club's White Queen as well.

The central focus of the film is the friendship between Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Eric Lensherr (Michael Fassbender) and how it falls apart. Xavier will not be depicted as bald or in a wheelchair for the majority of the film, though we will learn what cripples him.

AICN's article makes frequent James Bond comparisons, nothing that that film will heavily play up the 60's style, but with retro future technology with a setting that spans the globe. Russia, specifically, is mentioned.

X-Men: First Class is slated to hit theaters on June 3, 2011."

Neville Page, monster maker, working on SUPER 8

From ComingSoon.net:

"Neville Page, the conceptual artist responsible for designs in Star Trek, Cloverfield, Piranha 3D, [Avatar] and the upcoming TRON: Legacy, teased information to Wired about the creature design in his next big project, Super 8.

Though he's light on details, Page does reveal that he was tasked with designing the creature after the teaser trailer was created and that J.J. Abrams showed him the footage to help get him excited.

'When that door blows open,' he says, 'it's the ultimate reveal. It's Elvis or something.'

What's more, Page hints that Abrams won't resort entirely to computer animation to bring the monster to life and that the writer/director will rely on some classic special effect work.

'I'll bet you anything there's going to be a rubber something or other at some point,' says Page."

So if they're using a rubber monster, they're really serious about making this an old-school movie. Can't wait to see and/or hear more.

Jim Carrey takes care of MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS

From ComingSoon.net:

"Jim Carrey has signed on to play the lead in Mr. Popper's Penguins.


The project, announced for development earlier this year, is based on the storybook by Richard & Florence Atwater, a perennial children's classic since 1938. The story tells of Mr. Popper, a house painter whose letter to one of his heroes, an Arctic explorer, results in the gift of a dozen penguins that arrive on his doorstep.

Earlier plans were to have Noah Baumbach direct with Ben Stiller in the lead, but it was subsequently suggested that Mark Waters would helm, a report that the latest news seems to confirm."

Jim Carrey? Penguins? A comedy?

Color me interested!!!! Now if only he'd come back to Twitter.

More from MTV.com:

"The last time Jim Carrey lit up the big screen, he did so as four different CGI characters in Disney's animated A Christmas Carol. Now, in addition to the recently announced project Pierre, Pierre, with "Bruno" director Larry Charles, Deadline reports that 20th Century Fox has lined up the funnyman to star in Mr. Popper's Penguins, based on the classic children's book of the same name.

The film adaptation is said to be an upscale spin on the book, with Carrey in the role of the titular Mr. Popper, now a high-powered businessman who suddenly inherits six penguins. As Popper becomes increasingly attached to his feathered friends, his life unravels and you guessed it wackiness ensues. According to the script synopsis, Popper's swanky apartment turns into a winter wonderland, and he almost lands in jail.

'But thanks to his new charges,' the logline reads, 'Popper comes to understand the importance of family human and otherwise.'

Fans of the book, written by Richard and Florence Atwater, will note that this proposed film version is a departure from the 1938 original, in which Popper is a poor housepainter who receives the surprise gift of a penguin by mail after writing into a radio broadcast hosted by Antarctic explorer Admiral Drake. Eventually, one penguin turns into 12, and in order to support their expansive brood, the Poppers train the penguins to perform.

Perhaps Carrey can convince the filmmakers to reintroduce the painter aspect of Popper's character, given the actor's newfound passion for painting, which he has been chronicling via his Twitter account. No word on when production is scheduled to begin, but Mark Waters (Mean Girls and The Spiderwick Chronicles) is set to direct."

DreamWorks Animations makes IMAGINARY ENEMIES

From ComingSoon.net:

"Married screenwriters Joe Syracuse and Lisa Addario are penning Imaginary Enemies for DreamWorks Animation. Mike Mitchell (Shrek Forever After) is developing the project with the writers, but he is not on board to direct at the moment.

... The project 'will be told from the point of view of the imaginary friends who had long been used as scapegoats by unscrupulous children looking for someone else to blame for their misdeeds. Eventually fed up, those imaginary people come looking for some payback when the kids are grown up.'

According to the trade, discussions are taking place about a possible live-action/animation hybrid that would represent the split worlds of the imaginary and the real."

"Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends" brought back to life?



NEXT!!!

Seth Rogen turns into a ghost?

From ComingSoon.net:

"Seth Rogen has signed on for Boo U, according to Heat Vision.

The animated film (from Igor director Tony Leondis) is being developed by DreamWorks Animation for release in 3D. Rogen will play a ghost who is forced to return to ghost school and improve his haunting skills.

The studio is eyeing a 2012 release for the film."

Seth Rogen has previously done films from DreamWorks Animations - Shrek the Third, Kung Fu Panda (and its upcoming sequel), Monsters vs. Aliens.


So can this be an interesting combination of Casper and Monsters, Inc.?

7 MINUTES IN HEAVEN... 2 hour movie

From ComingSoon.net:

"Jack Bender [one of the lead directors of the TV show "Lost", including the infamous series finale] has signed on direct 7 Minutes in Heaven for Paramount.

The film, based on an original idea from Bender, tells the story of two teenagers who, upon returning from a round of the titular game, find all of their friends dead.

J.J. Abrams will produce through Bad Robot, now at the stage of finding a writer to move the idea towards a full script."

If this is anything like Disturbia, this film will work. I know J.J. Abrams won't be involved in anything but the best.

Hugh Jackman is not AVON MAN

From ComingSoon.net:

"Hugh Jackman has opted not to appear in the upcoming Avon Man.

The film (an original script from Hitch writer Kevin Bisch with a current rewrite from The Switch's Allan Loeb) tells the comedic story of a man who, after being laid off from his job at a car dealership, is forced to become an Avon representative to make ends meet.

Jackman will remain involved as a producer through his company, Seed Productions with an eye towards an October start date.

The article mentions that Jackman will instead start getting in shape in late fall to reprise his role as Logan in Wolverine 2, written by Christopher McQuarrie and concentrating on the samurai storyline originated in the comic series."

"I'll Be Back..." as a Cartoon?

Fronm ComingSoon.net:

"Hannover House, the entertainment distribution division of Target Development Group, Inc., has entered into a feature film development venture with Vancouver-based Red Bear Entertainment, for Terminator 3000, envisioned as a $70-million dollar budgeted, 3D animated feature film based on the characters and situations introduced in the original Terminator feature. Hannover House C.E.O. Eric Parkinson previously served as C.E.O. of Hemdale Home Video, Inc. and Hemdale Communications, Inc., and handled the distribution of the original Terminator feature.

Story details for Terminator 3000 are being kept under close wraps, but the writers and production team have a stated goal of minimizing violence in order to obtain a PG-13 level of material.

Hemdale produced and distributed director James Cameron's original Terminator feature, but released the sequel rights in 1990 to Carolco, which later transferred the rights to ultimately end up under the control of Halcyon Media. Santa Barbara based Pacificor, LLC prevailed in the most recent auction and transfer of rights to the franchise in January, and retains approval and licensing authority over the proposed Terminator 3000 project.

Hannover House and Red Bear Entertainment will release details of the production timing, financing and principal production personnel later this year, in advance of a proposed January, 2011 start."

McG's gonna be mad.

Maybe this is a good way to get Arnold Schwarzenegger back as the Terminator. He's too old to play the Terminator in a live-action movie, but he's still got the voice.



UPDATE:

From ComingSoon.net:

Maybe the news about the $70 million computer-animated film was premature because now Deadline is reporting that Pacificor, the company that owns the rights to the Terminator franchise have sent a cease and desist letter to Hannover House following the announcement earlier today. Hannover House CEO Eric Parkinson, former head of the Home Video division of Hemdale, who made the original Terminator, claims that he owns the animation rights to the property which weren't included in the sale to Carolco."

BUGS BUNNY to return to the big screen

From ComingSoon.net:

"Warner Bros. is planning to bring Bugs Bunny to the big screen in a live-action film.

David Berenbaum, the screenwriter of Elf and The Spiderwick Chronicles has been hired to draft the film which, like the studio's upcoming Yogi Bear, will blend live action with computer animation.



Bugs Bunny, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday, has not appeared on the big screen since 2003's Looney Tunes: Back in Action. Other 'Looney Tunes' characters [Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner] recently made a theatrical resurgence with a CGI short before Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore. Two more [3D] shorts are planned before WB family films [(Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole and Yogi Bear)] later this year."

If they do this right, this will work. If not, Warner Bros. will ruin Bugs Bunny like Disney ruined Herbie the Love Bug! The Love Bug was the highest-grossing film of 1969! And they stuck him with a dumb redhead who can't keep herself out of jail! (not to assume all redheads are dumb - see Emma Stone).

By the way, Looney Tunes: Back in Action wasn't all bad. It was okay, Brendan Fraser did fine. The animation should've been 2D like Who Framed Roger Rabbit?.