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."

Next NARNIA film sails away on a trailer!

From ComingSoon.net:

"Fox Walden has released the first trailer for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, opening in 3D and 2D theaters on December 10. Directed by Michael Apted, the third film in the franchise stars Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Ben Barnes, Will Poulter, Gary Sweet, Bruce Spence, Arthur Angel, Shane Rangi and Liam Neeson.

This time around – Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their pesky cousin Eustace Scrubb – find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to a fantastic Narnian ship headed for the very edges of the world.

Joining forces once again with their royal friend Prince Caspian and the warrior mouse Reepicheep, they are whisked away on a mysterious mission to the Lone Islands, and beyond. On this bewitching voyage that will test their hearts and spirits, the trio will face magical Dufflepuds, sinister slave traders, roaring dragons and enchanted merfolk. Only an entirely uncharted journey to Aslan's Country – a voyage of destiny and transformation for each of those aboard the Dawn Treader – can save Narnia, and all the astonishing creatures in it, from an unfathomable fate."

Jack Black goes on GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

From ComingSoon.net:

"20th Century Fox has brought online the trailer for Gulliver's Travels, starring Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Jason Segel, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly, James Gorden, Catherine Tate and Chris O'Dowd. Opening in 3D and 2D theaters on December 22, the fantasy action adventure is directed by Rob Letterman from a script by Nicholas Stoller and Joe Stillman.

In the contemporary re–imagining of the classic tale, Black stars as Gulliver, a big–talking mailroom clerk who, after he's mistakenly assigned a travel piece on the Bermuda Triangle, suddenly finds himself a giant among men when he washes ashore on the hidden island of Lilliput, home to a population of very tiny people. At first enslaved by the diminutive and industrious Liliputians, and later declared their hero, Gulliver comes to learn that it's how big you are on the inside that counts."



Okay, it's not that bad of a kids' movie. Great Star Wars references (we're that much closer to a 3D Star Wars)! Jack Black is definitely going back to the School of Rock crowd.

UPDATE:

Fox takes FLIGHT

From ComingSoon.net:

"Variety is reporting that 20th Century Fox is buying the film rights to 'Taking Flight: The Hunt for a Young Outlaw,' for Rough House Pictures to produce. The project is based on a proposal by Bob Friel.

The trade says the story 'centers on Colton Harris-Moore -- the teenager who's stolen cars, boats and planes and taught himself how to fly in order to evade local police, Homeland Security and the FBI. He's still at large and has a massive Facebook following.'

Harris-Moore, dubbed 'The Barefoot Burglar,' is a suspect in more than 100 crimes, mostly felonies, in the Pacific Northwest since escaping from a juvenile facility in 2008.

The movie could possibly be a directing vehicle for Rough House principal David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express)."

This actually sounds like it could be funny, like a comedic version of The Fugitive, except it's based on a true story.

Who knows what lurks in the hearts of 20th Century Fox?

From ComingSoon.net:

"Latino Review is reporting that the new version of The Shadow is no longer at Sony Pictures. According to the site, 20th Century Fox has picked up the property with Sam Raimi still attached to produce.

The site says the studio is eyeing David Slade to direct the film. Slade's credits include Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night (produced by Raimi) and upcoming The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Universal Pictures previously brought the character to the big screen in 1994 when Alec Baldwin played the title role in the Russell Mulcahy-directed The Shadow."

Actually, The Shadow got voted least-worst superhero movie. It was also when Alec Baldwin wasn't the brain-sucking alien from Hulu.

Hugh Jackman is AVON MAN

From ComingSoon.net:

"Kevin Lima (Enchanted, Tarzan) will direct Hugh Jackman in the 20th Century Fox comedy Avon Man.

The film, written by Kevin Bisch (Hitch), follows men laid off from an auto dealership. One is reluctantly recruited into becoming an Avon salesman, and while the experience is initially emasculating, he uses his charm and good looks to become a top seller. The car salesman sets out to save his financially strapped family and town by conscripting his buddies into the makeup business to win a regional contest.

Filming is scheduled to start this April in Atlanta."

Funny! Hugh Jackman as a makeup salesman. "If you don't buy my product, I'm gonna cut you up, bub."

McG declares WAR

From ComingSoon.net:

"McG is in negotiations to direct romantic comedy This Means War for Twentieth Century Fox.

Bradley Cooper and Reese Witherspoon are attached to star in the story of two best friends, inseparable since childhood, who fall in love with the same woman (Witherspoon). The two men's bond disintegrates and their ensuing battle escalates to mammoth proportions, with New York City demolished in their wake.

Robert Simonds is producing."

Sorta sounds like Keeping the Faith mixed with Die Hard (but without the religious aspects and Bruce Willis).

The concept's okay, a bit weird for McG (who just got kicked out of Disney before he had a chance to do 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo) (and considering his previous directing efforts - both Charlie's Angels films, We Are Marshall and Terminator Salvation) but with the right cast, the right director and the right effects, this could be a genre-bending romantic comedy (not just a cookie-cutter one). Apparently this film was once written for Martin Lawrence.

UPDATE:

"Entertainment Weekly reports that Bradley Cooper (The Hangover, upcoming The A-Team) has dropped out of the McG-directed romantic comedy This Means War. He was set to star with Reese Witherspoon.

The magazine says that 20th Century Fox was hoping to shoot the film in July.

This Means War is the story of two best friends, inseparable since childhood, who fall in love with the same woman (Witherspoon). The two men's bond disintegrates and their ensuing battle escalates to mammoth proportions, with New York City demolished in their wake.

Cooper is expected to film The Hangover 2 this fall for a May 26, 2011 release."

UPDATE 2:

From EmpireOnline:

"They’re both in demand actors right now, so it’s only logical that the producers of 20th Century Fox’s Reese Witherspoon comedy This Means War would be targeting both Seth Rogen and Chris Pine to co-star with her.

McG, probably hoping for less of a rant-filled shoot than he experienced on Terminator Salvation, is behind the camera for the film, which sees a pair of best-friend roommates battle over a woman (Witherspoon) who rents the spare bedroom in their New York apartment. Thing is, it’s no ordinary squabble, since one of the friends is a secret agent, and the fight starts getting increasingly destructive.

Fox has been trying to wrangle this thing into shape since buying the script back in 1998, and has been through several casting choices looking for the right team. The Wrap reports that James Franco passed and while Bradley Cooper signed on, he then ditched the flick, either for scheduling reasons or that he just didn’t like it.

Role Models co-writer Tim Dowling is trying to get the screenplay sorted and Fox will have it shooting just as soon as a few good leading men can actually be convinced to stay on board."

Oh, that's a threesome (no bad pun intended) that I'd love to see in a movie together!

AVATAR is now #1 of all!

From ComingSoon.net:

"After just 39 days in theaters, James Cameron's Avatar surpassed Cameron's own Titanic on Monday, January 25th at the worldwide (U.S., Canada and international) box office to become the highest-grossing film of all time.

Avatar has reached $1,858,866,889 while Titanic earned $1,843,201,268 total.

The theatrical run of Avatar continues in 122 countries around the world on over 16,000 screens with 72% of the box office, or $1.35 billion, coming from 3D screens thus far. The domestic (U.S. and Canada) total now stands at $554,981,691, which still trails Titanic's $600,788,188, but probably not for long. Internationally (outside of US and Canada), the film has reached $1,303,885,198 compared to Titanic's $1,242,413,080.

'We are deeply gratified that so many millions of people around the globe have embraced Avatar,' said Fox in a statement. 'Its success results from the efforts of literally thousands of people, who, over the course of several years, worked to bring James Cameron's vision of Pandora to life. The themes of protecting the environment, respecting life, and yearning for a peaceful planet have united moviegoers worldwide. We're very proud of, and grateful to, James Cameron, his amazing and dedicated team, and all the many people at Fox, who worked so long and so hard to achieve this milestone.'"

Hoo-rah! Somebody has finally sunk Titanic! And who better than the man who made it?

Also, from Slashfilm:

'Over the course of the weekend, James Cameron’s Avatar was on track to beat Titanic’s record and become the top-grossing film of all time. The numbers have been verified, and Avatar’s worldwide gross stands at over $1.292 billion dollars, which tops Titanic’s $1.242 billion. The domestic record hasn’t yet fallen — by Sunday Avatar was still about $50m shy of Titanic’s $600.8m US gross. About 70% of Avatar’s revenue comes from foreign markets, compared to Titanic’s 67%. High 3D ticket prices have helped Avatar reach that total, without a doubt. But so have Russia and China, which weren’t nearly as powerful movie markets for US films when Titanic was in theaters. Avatar is the biggest-grossing film of all time in those markets, as well as the highest-grossing American film ever to play in India. Chances that anyone will ever again doubt James Cameron have fallen significantly. Not an Avatar fan? Take comfort in the fact that, when adjusted for inflation, Gone With the Wind is still the box office champ, with a $400m worldwide gross in 1939 translating to $6b today. Titanic’s 1997 gross would be worth $2.5b total."

Now, Gone with the Wind in 3D would make people's heads explode. Not just in 3D, but the sheer length of it! The film actually has a built-in INTERMISSION!

UPDATE:

From ComingSoon.net:

"James Cameron's Avatar passed up the filmmaker's own Titanic at the domestic box office on Tuesday to claim that crown as well. Avatar reached $601,141,551 after 47 days to pass up the $600,788,188 that Titanic earned its entire run.

Internationally, Avatar had already passed up Titanic's $1,242,413,080, and now stands at $1,446,989,293.

Worldwide, Avatar has brought in $2,048,130,844 so far, while Titanic earned $1,843,201,268 total."

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."

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?)

MOSES: The Movie? Like 300?

From ComingSoon.net:

"20th Century Fox will develop a retelling of the story of Moses, from his near death as an infant to his adoption into the Egyptian royal family, his defiance of the Pharaoh and deliverance of the Hebrews from enslavement.

The script will be written by Adam Cooper and Bill Collage, who recently completed a scripted retelling of Herman Melville's Moby Dick for director Timur Bekmambetov at Universal.

Moby Dick was pitched as a 300-like reimagining of the Melville story as a visually stunning action piece, and the story of Moses is conceived similarly.

The trade adds that the goal is to give a Braveheart feel to a story most famously captured in Cecil B. DeMille's 1956 film The Ten Commandments. Peter Chernin will produce with Dylan Clark."

Huh?

Bryan Singer wants to come back to X-MEN

From ComingSoon.net:

"Bryan Singer said Sunday he's interested in making another X-Men movie and has discussed the possibility with 20th Century Fox.

'I'm still looking to possibly returning to the X-Men franchise. I've been talking to Fox about it,' the X-Men and X2: X-Men United director said at South Korea's Pusan International Film Festival. 'I love Hugh Jackman. I love the cast.'

Singer said the X-Men series is about tolerance and social structures. He said he likes to 'trick audiences into thinking they're seeing fireworks, but they're learning about themselves and listening to what I have to say.'

'The excitement about working in science fiction and fantasy is — the stories, if they are good, are about the human condition,' he added."

Okay. Finish up Jack the Giant-Killer while Hugh Jackman starts Wolverine 2 and Ryan Reynolds plays Deadpool then we'll talk.

FANTASTIC FOUR gets a reboot!

From ComingSoon.net:

"20th Century Fox has begun overhauling the Fantastic Four movie franchise to take the Marvel property beyond the two already made.

Akiva Goldsman has been hired to oversee the reboot as producer. Michael Green, the co-executive producer of TV's 'Heroes' who co-wrote Green Lantern, will write the script for the new Fantastic Four film.

The 2005 Fantastic Four and 2007 sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer were directed by Tim Story and starred Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis. Since the deals for the reboot are just getting made, it is unclear if any of them will return.

Fox controls the Fantastic Four in perpetuity--as long as it continues to make the films. Marvel is a producer and financial participant through a licensing agreement."

Huh. I hope the cast comes back. I like Chris Evans. He's funny.

Back to the FUTURAMA?

From ComingSoon.net:

"20th Century Fox Television, the animation powerhouse that brought 'Family Guy' back from the dead five years ago, has done it again: Matt Groening and David X. Cohen's brilliantly subversive animated sci-fi comedy 'Futurama' will return to production on 26 new half-hour episodes more than six years after the series aired its last original episode. The move comes on the heels of the series' blockbuster performance on DVD and on Comedy Central.

'Futurama' was a staple of Fox's Sunday night animation block from 1999 to 2003 before ceasing production on original episodes. In June 2006, Comedy Central acquired the rights to the existing 72 episodes of the series, which the channel began airing in January 2008, and four recently-produced extended length 'Futurama' adventures: Bender's Big Score, The Beast with a Billion Backs, Bender's Game and Into the Wild Green Yonder which enjoyed enormous success both on Comedy Central and in DVD release. This new deal marks the show's return to episodic series production on original episodes. "Futurama" becomes only the second series in the history of the medium to go back into production based on the strength of its DVD sales and repeat airings on cable.

The new episodes will be available in mid 2010 to be shown on Comedy Central. Twentieth Century Fox Television retains the option to license the original runs of the new episodes to a broadcast network. 'We are excited to continue our relationship with Matt, David and 20th Century Fox TV and to be able to offer Comedy Central viewers the first opportunity to see new episodes of 'Futurama,' said Bernath. 'As evidenced by the strong performance of the extended length epics, there remains a deep and passionate fan base for this intelligent and very funny show that matches perfectly with our audience. It's fantastic that we can add brand-new installments of Leela, Fry and Bender's adventures to our existing library.' Quipped Matt Groening, 'We're thrilled 'Futurama' is coming back. We now have only 25,766 episodes to make before we catch up with Bender and Fry in the year 3000.' Added David X. Cohen, 'We're excited and amazed that the show is coming back, perhaps due to some sort of mysterious time loop. We look forward to working with Comedy Central and 20th Television to make this the best iteration of the loop yet!'

'When we brought back 'Family Guy' several years ago, everyone said that it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing - that canceled series stay canceled and cannot be revived,' commented 20th Century Fox TV Chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden. 'But 'Futurama' was another series that fans simply demanded we bring back, and we couldn't have been happier when Matt and David agreed that there were many more stories yet to tell.'"

I've seen 3/4 of the 4 direct-to-DVDs when they aired on TV. They were interesting but not laugh-out-loud, crying funny. It was mostly "the continuing adventures..." If I had to pick a favorite I would pick Bender's Big Score. Glad to hear the series is back in action. As Professor Farnsworth would say, "Good news everyone! Those asinine morons who canceled us were themselves fired for incompetence. And not just fired, but beaten up, too... and pretty badly. In fact, most of them died from their injuries."

WATCHMEN has been saved!

According to ComingSoon.net:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=51975

Warner Bros. and Twentieth Century Fox have resolved their dispute regarding the rights to the upcoming motion picture Watchmen in a confidential settlement. Warner Bros acknowledges that Fox acted in good faith in bringing its claims, which were asserted prior to the start of principal photography. Fox acknowledges that Warner Bros. acted in good faith in defending against those claims Warner Bros. and Fox, like all Watchmen fans, look forward with great anticipation to this film's March 6 release in theatres.

Good show, guys.

Who Watches the Watchmen? Fox apparently.

From nytimes.com:

“LOS ANGELES — In a surprise ruling, a federal judge in Los Angeles said he intended to grant 20th Century Fox’s claim that it owns a copyright interest in the Watchmen, a movie shot by Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures and set for release in March.

The decision was disclosed in a five-page written order issued on Wednesday. Gary A. Feess, a judge in the United States District Court for Central California, said he would provide a more detailed order soon.

Fox has been seeking to prevent Warner from releasing the film. The superhero adventure, based on the ‘Watchmen’ graphic novel, is being directed by Zack Snyder (who also directed 300) and has shaped up as one of most eagerly anticipated releases for next year.

At an earlier hearing, the judge said he believed that issues in the case could be settled only at a trial, which was scheduled for late January. On Wednesday, however, Judge Feess said he had reconsidered and concluded that Fox should prevail on crucial issues.

‘Fox owns a copyright interest consisting of, at the very least, the right to distribute the Watchmen motion picture,’ the ruling said.

Fox acquired rights to the ‘Watchmen’ graphic novel in the late 1980s for the producer Lawrence Gordon, but eventually dropped its own plan to make a movie from its story, about the underside of life for superbeings.

Mr. Gordon later pursued the project with Universal Pictures, and then with Paramount Pictures, before shooting it with Warner and Legendary under an arrangement that allows Paramount to distribute the film abroad.

In ruling on Wednesday, Judge Feess advised both Fox and Warner to look toward a settlement or an appeal.”

Huh. Last time I checked:

"Watchmen" graphic novel = DC Comics
DC Comics = Warner Bros.

Apparently now, some California judge says:

"Watchmen" graphic novel = DC Comics
DC Comics = 20th Century Fox + Warnerz teh suck biznatch!

UPDATE: Yay Fox for screwing with the fans and not getting into a settlement with Warner Bros. and throwing the March 6th date into doubt.

For more info on this recent development:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=51577

UPDATE 2: Maybe Fox got the fear of... Rorshach in them because ComingSoon reports that Watchman release date talks are "productive". Don't make us have to go after Wolverine, FOX! Cause we will...if we have to.

For more info on this recent development:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=51840

UPDATE 3: Maybe they've finally put things together.

For more info on this recent development:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=51975