WEEKLY MOVIE NEWS

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Terminator 3 DVD Set for November 11 Release Source: Variety Sunday, August 17, 2003

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is set for release November 11 on an extras-loaded two-disc DVD set and on a single no-frills videocassette.

Schwarzenegger recorded a commentary for the DVD, priced at $19.95. The release also includes a commentary by director Jonathan Mostow, new footage, an on-set gag reel, four visual effects labs that allow viewers to build their own action scene, the HBO "First Look" featurette, a SkyNet personnel/weapons database, storyboards and a costume/production design gallery.

Warner Home Video should release more details about the features shortly, stay tuned for those.

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Blaustein & Sheffield Writing Honemooners Feature Source: Variety Monday, August 18, 2003

Paramount Pictures has hired the writing team of Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield to script its contemporary version of The Honeymooners.

Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps have been cast in the Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton roles, respectively, with John Schultz (Like Mike) directing.

Blaustein and Sheffield, who first hooked up on Saturday Night Live, are best known for scripting a quartet of Eddie Murphy comedies including both "Nutty Professor" pics, Boomerang and Coming to America. Danny Jacobson wrote the original script, and Saladin Patterson (The Fighting Temptations) did a rewrite.

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Rob Zombie Says Next 'House' Will Be 'A Lot More Violent'

Hollywood is hassling Rob Zombie again. Only this time, the studio behind the singer's sequel to "House of 1000 Corpses" is breathing down his neck for different reasons.

Universal Pictures bankrolled Zombie's directorial debut a couple of years ago, only to pass on releasing it after executives found a grisly rough cut too disturbing. Lions Gate Films, the distributor behind the similarly violent "American Psycho," eventually snapped up the picture after a potential deal with MGM was derailed by a joke Zombie made in the press (see "Rob Zombie Finds Resting Place For His
'Corpses' ").

"[Making the movie] is totally different this time," Zombie happily reported recently. "With Lions Gate, they came to the rescue. And they really believe in the project. It's more like the opposite [of making the last one]. This time they are wishing me to move faster, so it's kind of funny."

When the original "House of 1000 Corpses" finally hit theaters, it didn't exactly burn up the box office. But the low-budget shocker's more-than-profitable $12.5 million haul was enough to justify a return visit to the creepy "House" (see "Rob Zombie Digging Up 'Corpses' Sequel, Producing Comedy LP").

"I started [writing] the sequel before I knew that I had a deal, because I just kind of function that way," Zombie explained. "It's almost done. Most of the script is completed, and if all goes well, we should start shooting in the fall."

Drawing loosely from Zombie favorites like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "Last House on the Left," the first "Corpses" introduced a twisted family of cannibals who terrorized two lost couples. Characters like Capt. Spaulding and Dr. Satan quickly became popular with horror movie fans.

"The fan reaction has been amazing, and that's all you can hope for, really," Zombie said. "Without getting too specific, what I want to do with the second one, I don't want to re-create the first one and just put a '2' on the end of it. [It takes place] a week later, and [it deals with] the repercussions of what happened in the first film.

"At this point I kind of know what everybody loves, and that's all the bad characters, obviously," he added. "So it's just them going off on other things. But it's going to be totally different than anyone expects. And it will probably be a lot more violent."

In addition to the "Corpses" sequel, Zombie has a number of other projects in the works, including the Halloween launch of his "Spookshow International" comic, a Dark Horse-distributed team-up with "30 Days of Night" scribe Steve Niles called "The Nail," a comedy album he's producing for "Corpses" star Chris Hardwick, and of course the inevitable DVD release of the first "House of 1000 Corpses."

"It used to be everyone [would ask], 'When's the movie coming out?' " Zombie said with a laugh. "We answered that question, so now it's, 'When's the unrated movie coming out?' That's all anyone cares about. You just can't give these kids enough blood!"

"[The answer is] it doesn’t exist yet," he explained. "I have to create it. Then it will be ready to come out."

According to Lions Gate, "House of 1000 Corpses" will hit DVD on August 12 with commentary from Zombie, trailers, screen tests and featurettes specifically designed for the DVD.

from MTV.com

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Robert Englund Talks Elm Street: The First Murders Source: Chicago Sun-Times Monday, August 18, 2003

In Austin a week or so ago, Freddy vs. Jason star Robert Englund said there was a Freddy Krueger prequel script floating around at New Line titled Elm Street: The First Murders. Now, the Chicago Sun-Times has more on this.

"It takes a look at the crimes that caused the townspeople to burn Freddy alive in the first place. It intrigues me because I'm fascinated by the lives and motivations of serial killers," he tells the paper.

"Plus, I'd get to do the Freddy movie without the makeup," adds Englund.

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The Official Terminator 3 DVD & VHS Announcement Source: Warner Home Video Monday, August 18, 2003

On November 11, Warner Home Video brings the battle against the world of machines home on DVD and VHS with the release of the $150 million U.S. box-office smash Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Arnold Schwarzenegger "is back" in his signature role as the Terminator sent to save the human race from a cyborg revolution in this adrenaline-pumping adventure. From director Jonathan Mostow and featuring a cast that includes Nick Stahl, Kristanna Loken and Claire Danes, the DVD is action-packed with technologically sophisticated special features including the following:



Two Commentaries with the Stars and Director Including Jonathan Mostow, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Claire Danes and Kristanna Loken.

Introduction by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Revealing New Footage.

On-Set Gag Reel.

T3 Visual Effects Lab: Four Interactive Effects Labs That Let Viewers Build Their Own Rip-Roaring Action Scene.

Skynet Database: Integrated Profiles That Contain Original Written Material and Behind the Scenes Profiles Mixed with Visual Effects to Create a Stylized Dossier.

Terminator Timeline.

HBO First Look Documentary.

The Making of the Video Game

Galleries of Storyboards, Dressed to Kill Costume/Production Designs, and Posters.

Toys In Action

Film Trailers - Alternate and International Trailers.

Video Game Trailer - Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines from Atari.
PC Game Trailer.

Enhanced features for the DVD-ROM PC include an explosive Terminator 3 game demo and a link to the Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines website.

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"Daredevil" Director Mark Steven Johnson recently paid a quick visit to Superhero Hype and revealed some small details of an extended version of the superhero flick - "The Director's Cut has no release date as of yet but will definitely be released and will either be rated R or Unrated. It's not only interesting to see what's added (which is over 30 minutes of story) but what has been deleted as well (i.e. no love scene, no confessionals--both for very good reasons which you'll see)".

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Val Kilmer Chasing Tom Cruise in Collateral Source: The Hollywood Reporter Tuesday, August 19, 2003

Val Kilmer is in talks to join Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx in the Michael Mann-directed Collateral. The DreamWorks Pictures/Paramount Pictures co-production will start filming in October.

The project, written by Stuart Beattie, stars Foxx as a Los Angeles cab driver forced to serve as a chauffeur to a contract killer on a string of hits. Kilmer will star as a detective on the trail of Cruise's character.

Kilmer has an incredible seven projects in the can awaiting release, including Wonderland, Blind Horizon, Stateside, Mindhunters, The Missing, Delgo and Spartan.

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Johnny Depp Continues Talks for Chocolate Source: Variety Wednesday, August 20, 2003

Johnny Depp will be meeting for a third time with director Tim Burton for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Warner Bros. adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic in which he has been offered the role of Willy Wonka.

Depp and Burton, who previously made Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood together, came away from their meeting sparked to make the film and talks are expected to begin shortly. If everything goes ahead, the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl star could be filming the movie next year.

The studio is eager to revive 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, about a mysterious chocolate maker's attempt to find a worthy successor. Scott Frank wrote a draft of the script, followed by Gwyn Lurie, and Pamela Pettler was hired to write the latest version.

Pettler wrote The Corpse Bride, the Mike Johnson-directed stop-motion animation film for Warner Bros. about a man who inadvertently marries a corpse. Burton produces that film as well.

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Freddy vs. Jason 2: Well one rumour has been shot down before it even began. Last week the first fanboy talk sprung up about "Evil Dead" hero Ash appearing in a potential sequel - now that talk has just been scrapped (and in style) by the man himself. 'Richter' has the scoop: "I recently had an e-mail talk with Mr. Bruce Campbell about rumors flying around revolving his possible involvment in a sequal to Freddy v Jason, which is being called Freddy v Jason v Evil Dead. This rumor is not true, but his exact words were,"If you believe that, I've got some ocean front property outside of Phoenix you might be interested in...".

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Richard Donner Directing Shazam!?
Wednesday, August 20, 2003 11:41 CDT

Scooper 'Johnson' sent in this bit heard on BBC's Talking Movies. Is Superman director Richard Donner taking on Shazam!?

Richard Donner has been talking up Timeline over here on this side of the pond to BBC's Talk Movies. He also goes on to talk a bit about his career, and everything was pretty much covered from The Omen, Superman, The Goonies and the Lethal Weapon series. He was asked by the presenter how he felt, in effect being the grandfather of modern superhero cinema, after revolutionizing the genre with the first two Superman movies. He was also asked if he felt there where too many superhero movies to which he replied "that would be like saying there is too many teen movies, or too many horror movies, as long as there is an audience out there for them, there should always be Superhero movies".

He then dropped the following bombshell, telling the interviewer "Mank and i, Tom Mankiewicz and i have spoken over the years about doing another together, because Superman was such a great time in my life, in both our lives. But the material has never been right for it. At one point i was involved with X-men, but that wouldn't have been right, maybe twenty years ago, god. Anyhow, New Line Cinema have just came in with an offer for me to do Shazam! wich is a movie about Captain Marvel, and man, when i was a kid, there was Captain Marvel, there was Superman and Batman and that was it the three big guns. I loved them, but Superman and Captain Marvel where always my favourite, so me and Tom could start work on Shazam! sometime next year in England".

We haven't been able to confirm that Donner made an appearance on the show (the online listing of guests is still from last week), so if anyone can confirm that would help.

Two-time Oscar winner William Goldman is adapting DC Comics' character for New Line Cinema. Shazam! is the story of Billy Batson, who transforms into Captain Marvel, the world's mightiest mortal, when he says the name of ancient wizard Shazam. The studio is targeting a summer, 2005 release.

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Sharon Stone the Female Villain in Catwoman! Source: The Hollywood Reporter Wednesday, August 20, 2003

Warner Bros. Pictures has offered Sharon Stone a starring role as the female villain in Catwoman. The part would pit her against Halle Berry, who's set for the title role. Stone is expected to sign on to the film, which is being directed by French helmer Pitof.

If Stone does accept, she would play Laurel, who is both the public face of a cosmetics company as well as the brains behind an evil operation she runs with her husband.

The production also has its eye on Josh Lucas for the role of Detective Lone, Catwoman's love interest.

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Ryan Reynolds & Possibly Ashley Scott in Blade: Trinity Source: Variety Wednesday, August 20, 2003

Ryan Reynolds is in talks to join Wesley Snipes in Blade: Trinity, for writer/director David Goyer at New Line.

Reynolds will play Hannibal, a vampire hunter. The film calls for the Hannibal character to team closely with a female vampire hunter. New Line is reportedly circling Ashley Scott, who starred in the series Birds of Prey and recently wrapped the Walking Tall remake.

The pairing could lead to a spinoff film.

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Rachel Weisz Joining Reeves in Constantine Source: FilmJerk.com Wednesday, August 20, 2003

FilmJerk.com has broken the news that "The Mummy" series star Rachel Weisz will reunite with her Chain Reaction co-star Keanu Reeves in the Warner Bros. "Hellblazer" comic book adaptation Constantine.

FilmJerk.com has learned that Rachel Weisz has been cast in Warner Bros.' "Constantine," an adaptation of the DC Comic comic book "Hellblazer." Weisz, who was last seen in "The Shape of Things" and "Confidence" – as well as the upcoming fall films "Envy" and "the Runaway Jury" – will be playing Angela, the lead female role.

As we initially reported in June, producers were looking to cast an actress for a role described as a "beautiful, intelligent and strong detective in her mid 20's to mid 30's, imbued with more than just instinct and seems to be in the right place at the right time where her perps are concerned. She serves as the foil to John Constantine (played by Keanu Reeves), a world-traveling man with occult powers who investigates supernatural mysteries, often walking a thin line between evil and good.

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Keira Knightley Signed for Jurassic Park 4? Source: LDJW Films , Latino Review Thursday, August 21, 2003

LDJW Films reports that Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl star Keira Knightley has signed to star in Jurassic Park IV, set for a summer 2005 release.

The third sequel is written by William Monahan and producer Kathleen Kennedy previously said, "Let's just say it takes place someplace else. It will not be green. We will not go back to the jungle."

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Exclusive Catwoman Movie Secrets!
Thursday, August 21, 2003 9:07 CDT

With the casting of Sharon Stone as the female villain lead in Catwoman (see here), the project looks to be going into overdrive. Superhero Hype! has learned some additional secrets about the movie, starring Halle Berry in the title role.

This ain't the Catwoman/Selina Kyle as played by Michelle Pfeiffer in 1992's Batman Returns. That is clear now. Our sources are telling us that Catwoman will likely have some extra powers that you haven't seen before. The superhero may have eyes that actually change into cat eyes and she'll be able to jump further than before!

And while they probably won't be revealed for a while, Halle Berry is said to be donning two different Catwoman costumes in the film - why, we don't know, but stay tuned for more!