Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tim Burton declares a MONSTERPOCALYPSE
"Last month, it was reported that John August was in talks with Dreamworks to pen a big screen adaptation of the Monsterpocalypse board game which has been described as 'part strategy, part Kaiju Big Battel, and part Rampage!, all played out with miniatures on a tabletop'. At the time, it was speculated that the involvement of Burton’s regular collaborator might mean that Tim Burton was developing the project to direct. We now have a confirmation and more information on the project.
* John August is writing the screenplay right now, consulting with the game’s creator Matt Wilson (who is also a co-producer)
* Tim Burton is developing the project to direct
* Being developed as a 3D movie
* It could hit theaters by the end of 2012
* Will not feature other properties like Voltron
* The plot involves giant monsters who attack earth. After the humans fight back, the monsters retreat, but it is quickly discovered that they didn’t leave, but instead burrowed underground and are sending some sort of signal into space. The humans prepare for a possible future attach and developed giant robots that will fight the monsters if and when they return.
* Most of the movie is going to be during that battle between the giant robots and the giant monsters.
* Tim Burton is developing the look for the monsters with Ken Ralston, four time Academy Award winner who has been involved with the visual effects on films such as Forrest Gump, Death Becomes Her, Back to the Future series, Who Framed Roger Rabbit... Star Wars trilogy
* The monsters and robots are each the size of a very tall building.
* The robots are controlled by a crew inside of each one of these robots, and we’ll be seeing the battles from the inside of the bridge and the outside."
Cool. Looks like Tim Burton is going back to doing a movie like Mars Attacks!. Could we see an all-star cast that rivals those of Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Pierce Brosnan, Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Michael J. Fox, Natalie Portman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tom Jones, Christina Applegate and Jack Black? And maybe (for once) not even Johnny Depp?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
From ALICE to MALEFICENT?
"Heat Vision has confirmed a report that said Tim Burton is interested in making a live-action feature based on Maleficent from Disney's 1959 adaptation of the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.
The trade Blog adds that Alice in Wonderland screenwriter Linda Woolverton will write the script for Disney. Maleficent might reunite Woolverton with Burton, but it's not a done deal as the movie is one of a handful of projects the filmmaker is circling.
The movie would tell the classic fairy tale from the point of view of the self-proclaimed 'Mistress of All Evil.'
Woolverton's credits also include Disney's Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King."
Cue Helena Bonham Carter as Maleficent.
UPDATE:
"Now the Los Angeles Times adds that actress Angelina Jolie had been rumored to be circling the long gestating project last spring and is still 'keen on the film and would like to sign on to play the titular villain.'"
That'll be interesting seeing Angelina Jolie doing a Disney movie (considering the closest things she's down to family-friendly movies are Shark Tale and Kung Fu Panda).
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tim Burton starting work on FRANKENWEENIE?
"Last week there was some confusion when a Deadline report suggested that Tim Burton would shortly begin work on a stop-motion animated film based on The Addams Family. That report was quickly denied by Burton’s publicist (in a way that still leaves us wondering if it is a film that will happen) but there’s another animated movie that Burton has been gearing up to make: an update of his early short Frankenweenie. Now, word from SXSW is that Burton is ready to go with that update.
AICN caught Waking Sleeping Beauty director Don Hahn at a SXSW Q&A session, where he said that 'the puppets are ready, the script is done and now that Tim Burton is clear of Alice in Wonderland… he’s set to helm Frankenweenie in 3D.' (Quote is from Harry Knowles at AICN, who was paraphrasing Hahn.) Hahn is executive producer of Frankenweenie 3D, so is in a position to know where that film stands. Besides, there was word about voice casting last December, so we knew that things were happening on the movie.
That’s pretty telling info, and in any world other than one where Alice in Wonderland was a monster hit [one would] figure it means that, yes, Burton is going right into Frankenweenie. But he may be in a position now that is stronger than any post-opening he’s seen in his career. When you’re riding the wave of something like Alice, even with grosses inflated by 3D, is the logical next move to update a short film made when you were just starting out? Then again, if Burton is really the 'true to his dreams' counterculture guy fans would like to think he is, this is exactly the logical move to make.
The original Frankenweenie was a black and white short made in 1984. Disney shelved the film at the time, thinking it wasn’t quite right for children, but finally released it years later. The deal to make a feature-length version of Frankenweenie came up at the same time Burton made a deal with Disney to do Alice in Wonderland, and always seemed a bit like the director playing with the studio. Essentially, 'OK, I’ll make this one for you, but I want some cash to re-do the movie you screwed me on 25 years ago.'
But perhaps this is just going to be a quick bit of fun for Burton — at least, quick as far as stop-motion goes. He’s said before that this one would be really low budget, and despite being bumped up to feature length, it could be something he directs while prepping another live-action feature."
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tim Burton joins THE ADDAMS FAMILY
"Tim Burton is going to keep his love for stop-motion animation and going...
Coming off the success of Alice in Wonderland for Disney, he's aligning himself with Universal's Illumination Entertainment and producer Chris Meledandri to resurrect The Addams Family.
The goal is to create a stop-motion animated film in 3D, similar to what Burton is doing with Frankenweenie right now. A writer for The Addams Family is currently being sought (the rights were recently purchased so the deal is still fresh) and... it will hold no relation to the television series or the two feature films starring Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston.
Burton will provide the visual palette for the picture which will invoke creator Charles Addams' original drawings. The director is also developing Dark Shadows with Johnny Depp."
Well, he's missing out on this (but I suppose if anybody can do The Addams Family, it's Tim Burton):
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER?
"Tim Burton (Alice in Wonderland), Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) and Jim Lemley are teaming to produce a big screen adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith's new book 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter', which was released in stores today. Burton, Bekmambetov and Jim Lemley produced Focus Features' 9 together as well.
Lionsgate previously picked up the film rights to the author's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which Natalie Portman is attached to star in and David O.Russell is circling to direct."
Here is the synopsis of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter:
"Seth Grahame-Smith inserts a grandiose and gratuitous struggle with vampires into Abraham Lincoln’s life. Lincoln learns at an early age that his mother was killed by a supernatural predator. This provokes his bloody but curiously undocumented lifelong vendetta against vampires and their slave-owning allies. The author’s decision to reduce slavery to a mere contrivance of the vampires is unfortunate bordering on repellent, but at least it does distract the reader from the central question of why the president never saw fit to inform the public of the supernatural menace."
What I want to know, are these going to be comedies? Cause the idea of Abraham Lincoln as a hero in a horror movie is hilarious to me. If it is a comedy, I will buy tickets to it; if not, eh.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Super Bowl Time in WONDERLAND
From ComingSoon.net:
"Walt Disney Pictures has announced that exclusive first looks at Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland will air on ABC, ESPN and ABC Family starting on January 31st and a spot will air during the Super Bowl on February 7th:
'Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures is teaming up with sister networks ABC, ESPN and ABC FAMILY for a week-long, cross-network extravaganza that will send viewers straight down the rabbit hole with Alice in Wonderland. The stunt provides 60-second first-looks customized for each network, all of which will air between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6, 2010. Featuring exclusive, never-before-seen footage from visionary director Tim Burton’s 3D theatrical motion-picture event, the first looks will culminate with a spectacular Super Bowl spot on Feb. 7, 2010. Entitled 'Tick-Tock,' this action-packed spot features intense imagery and a few surprises from Burton’s Wonderland.
'We wanted to kick off our television campaign for Alice in Wonderland in a big way,' says David Singh, executive vice president of worldwide marketing for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. 'With Tim Burton at the helm and a cast that includes Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and rising star Mia Wasikowska, the film already has a passionate following. Fans are eager to step into the incredible 3D Wonderland that Burton has created and get a glimpse at what he’s done with these brilliant characters, and we’re ready to give it to them.'
FIRST LOOK SCHEDULE:
ABC
'Desperate Housewives' Jan. 31, 8c
'The Bachelor' Feb. 1, 8/7c
ESPN
2010 NFL Pro Bowl, Jan. 31, 7:20ET
NBA NUGGETS/LAKERS game, Feb. 5, 10:30ET
ABC FAMILY
'Greek' Feb. 1, 9c
The Parent Trap Feb. 6, 7c
Cross-network promo spots for the stunt begin on Jan. 26, 2010. The campaign will be supported, and the creative maximized on the studio’s online/social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Disney.com and more.
The other confirmed movie Super Bowl TV spots so far are for Paramount's Shutter Island, Iron Man 2 and The Last Airbender."
The only real family programming that these spots are going to appear on is The Parent Trap. Other than that, they are gonna appear on non-family programming. Why? It's not like 10 year olds watch "Desperate Housewives"!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tim Burton weaves the tale of MALEFICENT?
"Ain't It Cool News is reporting that Alice in Wonderland director Tim Burton might be adapting another classic tale soon, but this time from the point of view of the villain.
The site says that Burton is interested in making a live action feature based on Maleficent from Disney's 1959 adaptation of the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. Burton's Dark Shadows is 'stumbling', according to AICN, so Maleficent could possibly be his next project."
Wow, there's one out of left field. She is, however, one of Disney's greatest and well-known villains. Although the one that scares me the most is the Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Other D23 Expo Info
"Among a bevy of surprise guests at today's D23 Expo presentation, Tim Burton offered attendees a look at the 3D teaser for Alice in Wonderland (the same version currently available online) and confirmed that he'll be following it up with Frankenweenie, a full stop-motion adaptation of his original live-action short film that tells the story of a dog brought back to life by a mad scientist kid. Also confirmed was a 2011 release date."
"Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook officially named Summer 2012 as the release date for Pixar's John Carter of Mars, claiming that the film will, indeed, be live-action with intense special effects.
Following the announcement, Johnny Depp appeared in full Jack Sparrow costume, taking the stage and announcing a Summer 2011 release date for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the new title for the fourth installment!

Speculation has already begun that the subtitle On Stranger Tides refers to author Tim Powers' novel with the same name. The following is the official description of the book:
'Puppeteer John Chandagnac, who was sailing to Jamaica to get revenge on the uncle who had stolen his father's inheritance, has no choice but to join the buccaneers who have taken him prisoner--and soon, known now as the pirate Jack Shandy, he finds himself learning to survive in a treacherous new world of cutlass-fights, sea-battles, and voodoo magic on sun-blinded tropical islands. The legendary Blackbeard is assembling a ruthless navy of pirates living and undead to voyage to the fabled Fountain of Youth, and Jack Shandy must use magic, swordsmanship, and even his puppeteer skills to free himself and the girl he has fallen in love with from Blackbeard's deadly supernatural domination.'
At the end of the third Pirates movie, it is shown that both Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) are next eyeing the Fountain of Youth. Barbossa has 'stolen' the Black Pearl back from Sparrow, but Sparrow has cut out the most important part of Barbossa's map to the Fountain of Youth.
If they will be adapting the book, will Sparrow and Barbossa have to team up again against Blackbeard? We'll have to wait and see how it will turn out."
"Roaring applause from Disney fans filled the Anaheim Convention Center Arena as the Muppets took the stage, performing a song and dance number live on-stage. At the conclusion of the performance, Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook officially announced that the upcoming Muppet film (written by Jason Segel) will be titled The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made.
This title references an old title, developed Jim Henson in 1985 but never produced that would have featured Gonzo directing a Hollywood film and quickly blowing the project's budget. Though unconfirmed, it is likely that this new film will mirror the same storyline."
All interesting happenings! Can't wait for new developments!!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
ALICE IN WONDERLAND teaser trailer premieres
"From Walt Disney Pictures and visionary director Tim Burton comes an epic 3D fantasy adventure Alice in Wonderland, a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. Johnny Depp stars as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as 19-year-old Alice, who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, reuniting with her childhood friends: the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course, the Mad Hatter. Alice embarks ona a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen's reign of terror. The all-star cast also includes Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonahm Carter and Crispin Glover."
Here's the first teaser trailer:
Does this not totally bend your mind?
UPDATE:
More mind-bending madness!!
Monday, June 22, 2009
New look at ALICE IN WONDERLAND
"USA Today has published new images from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland featuring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen.... The article explains that the March 5, 2010 release, co-starring Michael Sheen, Mia Wasikowska, Matt Lucas, Crispin Glover, Stephen Fry and Alan Rickman, is almost like a sequel to the original story: The traditional tale has been freshened with a blast of girl power, courtesy of writer Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast). Alice, 17, attends a party at a Victorian estate only to find she is about to be proposed to in front of hundreds of snooty society types. Off she runs, following a white rabbit into a hole and ending up in Wonderland, a place she visited 10 years before yet doesn't remember."

Looking just as lovely is the shrunken Alice played by Mia Wasikowska

WHAT THE HECK?! It's Tweedledee and Tweedledum looking like a monster out of Van Helsing!
Monday, March 16, 2009
First Look at ALICE IN WONDERLAND
"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.
