weekly movie news

FH · 08-25-2003, 02:50 AM

Tilda Swinton Faces Keanu Reeves in Constantine Source: The Hollywood Reporter Monday, August 25, 2003

Tilda Swinton is in talks to star in Warner Bros. Pictures' Constantine. The adaptation of the DC-Vertigo comic book "Hellblazer" will be directed by Francis Lawrence.

Keanu Reeves stars as John Constantine, a man who dabbles in the occult and teams with a female police officer to fight evil forces. Rachel Weisz will play Angela, the cop who becomes involved with Constantine when her twin sister dies in a mysterious suicide. Swinton would play Gabriel, a rogue angel battling Constantine.

Kevin Brodbin wrote the original script, with a rewrite by Mark Bomback and Frank Cappello.

FH · 08-25-2003, 02:52 AM

Dave Matthews in Wang's Because of Winn-Dixie Source: The Hollywood Reporter Monday, August 25, 2003

Singer Dave Matthews will make his studio debut in Because of Winn-Dixie for director Wayne Wang and 20th Century Fox. Also in talks to join the cast of the dramedy are Jeff Daniels and Eva Marie Saint.

The film, due to start shooting in late September, tells the story of a 10-year-old girl who moves to the small Florida town of Naomi with her preacher father (Daniels). Lonely and friendless, the girl grows close to a big, ugly, suffering dog, Winn-Dixie, whom she names after the supermarket where she finds him. Because of the dog, she winds up meeting and befriending a colorful cast of characters that becomes her extended family, including a drifter (Matthews) and a librarian (Saint).

Joan Singleton adapted the screenplay based on the novel "Because of Winn-Dixie," by Kate Dicamillo.

The Dave Matthews Band front-man will also release his first solo album, "Some Devil", on September 23. The title track from that album has also just been picked to serve as the closing song for the film 21 Grams, starring Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Naomi Watts.

FH · 08-25-2003, 02:53 AM

Details on Early Work Done for Wonder Woman?
Sunday, August 24, 2003 6:27 CDT

'Robert' sent in this new report on the early work that was done for the new Wonder Woman movie...

I got some this scoop from a source (would like to be unnamed) who worked the production in the preliminary visualization stages. (SPOILERS INCLUDED!!):

My source got very rough storyboards for the preliminary shots, in which Wonder Woman's powers revolved mainly around her skills in defeating a gang of thugs in a hand to hand/foot battle scenario. This was set in a cathedral. To see how her super-human acrobatic abilities could be handled.

The shots were choreographed and pre-visualized, gymnasts(!!) re-enacted the major-moves in a green screen, motion-capture environment.. The model at the time definitely looked like Sandra Bullock, my source was as much victim to rumour as anyone else.

One shot had WW flying, WITHOUT the invisible plane!! She was able to actually put her arms out and fly (think of feminine Superman flight. . . much more wrist). Think of it more has hang-gliding with your arms. There was much back and forth on the 'way' she should fly, so there's little doubt that 'the powers that be' are considering it. Bizarre, since she has an invisible plane.

FH · 08-25-2003, 03:24 AM

The Punisher: 'Peel Away' has a pretty interesting report from the set of the currently shooting Marvel comic adaptation - "They shot a scene downtown last Saturday night at the AmSouth building, that had him [The Punisher] doing a cowboy type stand off with two thugs inside the lobby (which is supposed to be baddie Howard Saint's building) and the raw stuff seemed so-so. They threw fake money out a window from a high floor too - I have been inside this building many times and often thought it would be a good location for a film. I'm still not quite sure Thomas Jane can pull this role off, he couldn't even holster his guns properly for about four takes (I thought he was trained by Navy Seals?), but his hair is black so that's cool. He looks very much like the Steve Dillon drawing of Castle - nothing like the older Zeck illustrations, this is the "modern" Garth Ennis style Frank Castle. The director said in a big press conference that Tim Bradstreet's work, and lighting style was going to influence the entire picture. They are still building sets down in the port, and Travolta isn't supposed to be here for a few weeks. I think once he shows up, the mood on set will become more focused and professional - everyone is just finding their place right now. Jonathan Hensliegh is a laid back guy, this is his first directing gig though, but he's a pro - loves the guiness too, so he has to be cool. Tampa has bent over backwards for this production, and they will do that for any production that comes into town. Before this, we couldn't get a film made here, hopefully this will be the start of a film industry in town".

FH · 08-25-2003, 03:25 AM

Bruce Campbell's Next: Radio station WRKR talked with Bruce Campbell yesterday and was asked right up front about rumors of his possible involvement in the "Freddy vs. Jason" sequels. 'Jeremiah' was listening and gives us a report: "He says that right now it's all internet mumbo-jumbo, and there's no sort of truth to any of to the rumors as of yet. He says the cool thing is that with the amount of money that F vs J made this weekend, they're like heroes again. The ultimate thing to do would bring back Ash and kind of finish off the three series. "I'm sure I can outrun hockey-mask man. But Freddy's got the quips, so I'd have to have Sam Raimi write all my lines for me. Cuz, you know, you have to take these guys down before you take them out". Other than that, he touched briefly on his involvement in "Kalamazoo?", and about the fact that he thinks cameos are the best roles. "You can come on screen, say 'Here I am!', and walk off!" Bruce, is of course, a Michigan native, so he has personal interest in the movie".

FH · 08-26-2003, 02:51 AM

Ridley Scott Talks Crusades & Gladiator 2 Source: Latino Review, About.com Monday, August 25, 2003

Director Ridley Scott talked more to Latino Review about his next project, which he says is called Crusades (it has no relation to the project Arnold Schwarzenegger was attached to). Scott says that they are looking for a newcomer to star...

I've been on this idea of Crusades for almost 20 years you know? And I've been developing it for the last 19 months really. The subject has to be dealt with such a delicate fashion. It's one giant misunderstanding. And when you got Saladin [He is considered the greatest leader to ever take on the Crusaders.], probably the whitest of all the Knights in the sense of, the most trust worthy, the most honorable. He is the leader of the Muslims like no Muslim has been since. I think the battle of Hittin was on biggest single defeat of the Christian army by a Muslim. He took back Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, About.com asked him more about Gladiator 2 and what we can expect from the film being written by John Logan. Scott says the project will be about the next generation and there are no plans to bring Maximus (Russell Crowe) back from the dead.

We will just be exploring the subsequent days in Rome. You've got such a colorful dramatic Roman history, Jesus. You go into it and look in detail what they did, what they got up to, that's far more exotic than any racking your brains about what are we going to do next. You just have to take a line. The thing on Gladiator was the only fiction in there was Maximus. Everything else was pretty well on target.

FH · 08-26-2003, 02:54 AM

It first began as a rumor on Dark Horizons and now IGN FilmForce has thrown gasoline on the fire. Is English actor Hugh Darcy close to playing the part of the next BATMAN?

Horizons launched this latest round of Bat-rumors by printing a report that the actor was discussing the possibility of playing the Dark Knight with director Chris Nolan. Nolan, as you recall, is the auteur currently developing BATMAN 5 for Warner Bros. Seeking something substantial to go on, FilmForce contacted representatives for Darcy to find out if there was something to it...and surprisingly, the Darcy camp chose not to comment at all.

And then it gets even curiouser: The Unofficial Christopher Nolan website quotes an informant as telling them "[Darcy] is almost and I quote: 'Signed, Sealed and Delivered'"

So who is this Hugh Darcy? He's currently starring in KING ARTHUR in the part of Galahad. He's also had numerous credits in British dramas including DAVID COPPERFIELD and MADAME BOVARY.

Time will tell the tale.

FH · 08-26-2003, 06:51 AM

Macaulay Culkin as a Young Hannibal Lecter? Source: Bloody-Disgusting, Hot Dog Magazine Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Bloody-Disgusting tells us that an article in Hot Dog Magazine says producer Dino De Laurentiis is interested in casting Macaulay Culkin in The Lecter Variation after seeing his performance in Party Monster.

While this casting has not been confirmed, Lecter's creator, Thomas Harris, is plotting the film which follows the serial killer from his childhood in Lithuania through a period in Paris in his teens to his arrival in the US. De Laurentiis said that four actors will be required to play young Lecter at the ages of 12, 16, 20 and 25.

"Lecter was born into a very rich family but the war destroyed his family and killed his parents," explained De Laurentiis. "He was left with his sister with whom he had a very close relationship."

Universal is likely to again distribute the movie whose title refers to Bach's Goldberg Variations which have been a recurring musical reference in the Lecter saga to date.

FH · 08-26-2003, 11:20 AM

August 25: ESCAPE FROM NY 2-DVD special edition specs

Video trade ads have revealed the details of the long-awaited special-edition two-DVD release of ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, coming from MGM Home Video December 16. The set will include a brand new, high-definition transfer of the John Carpenter science-fiction thriller, with fresh 5.1 audio and a pair of audio commentaries (no details on who’s on ’em, but presumably one will be the highly entertaining Carpenter/Kurt Russell track from the previous ESCAPE laserdisc). The second disc will contain what is likely the most anticipated extra: the full 10-minute deleted bank robbery scene (also with Carpenter/Russell commentary), along with a new featurette on the film and another on the SNAKE PLISSKEN CHRONICLES comic book, trailers, a photo gallery and more. The discs will come in a digipak with liner notes by Carpenter, plus a copy of a special-edition SNAKE PLISSKEN comic. All this for only $30!

FH · 08-27-2003, 02:51 AM

Jessica Biel Starring in Blade: Trinity! Source: The Hollywood Reporter Wednesday, August 27, 2003

Jessica Biel, who stars in New Line Cinema's upcoming remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, has signed to star in the studio's Blade: Trinity.

Biel will play Abigail, the daughter of Whistler (Kris Kristofferson) who inherits the vampire-slaying duties that once belonged to Blade (Wesley Snipes).

The third installment of the Marvel Comics-based franchise is being written and directed by David Goyer. The project is scheduled for a September start in Vancouver. Jessica Biel is best known for her role in The WB's long-running 7th Heaven.

FH · 08-27-2003, 02:58 AM

Lee & Davison Updating Invasion of the Body Snatchers Source: Variety Wednesday, August 27, 2003

Producers Roy Lee and Doug Davison, who executive produced The Ring for DreamWorks, will produce an updated version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers for Warner Bros. Pictures. Warner Bros. owns the remake rights to pic after making the 1993 film Body Snatchers.

Though as yet no screenwriter is attached, the new version is expected to center on a female protagonist who uncovers a conspiracy in a small town where the inhabitants' personalities seem to be changing.

Don Siegel's original 1956 sci-fi/horror pic, based on Jack Finney's serial story, centers on a hysteria that spreads through a small California town after which townspeople appear to their relatives and friends as strangers while retaining their outward appearances.

FH · 08-27-2003, 03:00 AM

One of the former gigs for comic book writer Warren Ellis was working on Vertigo's HELLBLAZER, the comic that's the basis for Warner Bros. upcoming CONSTANTINE movie starring Keanu Reeves. Ellis publishes a e-newsletter to his fans, BAD SIGNAL, and this week he talked about a chance meeting with one of the film's stars as well as what he thinks about the choice of Reeves for the title role.

Ellis had a chance meeting with actress Tilda Swinton who is contemplating taking the role of the archangel Gabriel in the picture. The two of them began discussing the movie, the comic series and the character Swinton may be playing. "She said something I found fascinating: in an America where a president again invokes the term Evil in public statements, there's the potential to say something very interesting in a major-studio film about Biblical good and evil," comments Ellis in his newsletter. "To present the angel Gabriel as a figure of horror; there's space to say something that in the mainstream of American culture is certainly subversive. She characterised Reeves as an intelligent, 'spiritual' man, and thinks there might be the possibility, with Reeves there, to do something challenging."

"This, by the way, is the answer to the almost-daily emails asking what I think of Keanu Reeves cast as Constantine," continues the writer. "First; the film is never going to be the same as the comic. American or English, the film will succeed if it's true to the core of the man, because that's what hooks people into the book. Nicolas Cage, I maintain, would have made a good Constantine because he can do the ravaged, shattered side of the man. I think Reeves is an interesting choice because he can get at the other part of Constantine, the part that demands social justice and exists in ethical turmoil."

CONSTANTINE begins lensing next month for a September 2004 release.

FH · 08-27-2003, 05:11 AM

Keira Knightley Eyed for James Bond 21? Source: LDJW Films Wednesday, August 27, 2003

LDJW Films reports the unconfirmed news that Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl star Keira Knightley is being looked at for the female lead role in the 21st James Bond film which is due for release in 2005.

The site says Knightley became talk after Bond producers ended talks with Clive Owen who she co-stars with in the upcoming Jerry Bruckheimer produced King Arthur. Owen is the first contender for the Bond role after Pierce Brosnan leaves the series after the making of Bond 21.

The site recently reported that Knightley will also star in Jurassic Park 4.

FH · 08-28-2003, 02:49 AM

Tim Burton's Big Fish Pushed Back Source: The Hollywood Reporter Wednesday, August 27, 2003

Director Tim Burton's Big Fish, about a man coming to terms with his dying father, is being held back from wide release by two months to give the marketing campaign more time.

The film had originally been set for a wide release November 26 to take advantage of the Thanksgiving holiday, but Sony Pictures now plans a platform release in New York, Los Angeles and Toronto beginning December 18. It will eventually go into wide release in 2,500 theaters January 23.

Because the film bows on a Thursday, it will be sandwiched between the scheduled December 17 opening of New Line The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King the day before and Mona Lisa Smile the day after.

FH · 08-28-2003, 05:46 AM

Is Captain Kirk Ready to Return to Star Trek? Source: Calgary Sun Thursday, August 28, 2003

The Calgary Sun has published an interesting interview with actor William Shatner, who says he has a concept which would see him return to the Star Trek franchise, but as a producer not an actor. He's just not ready to share it yet.

"For the last many years, I've been writing (Star Trek) books that were very successful. I had an idea that I thought would work if they gave it a shot," Shatner tells the Sun from his Los Angeles office.

A lot has been written lately about Trek's waning fortunes and its place in popular culture -- the last movie Nemesis bombed and the fifth series, Enterprise, is sputtering at nowhere near warp speed in the ratings. But Shatner, also a producer and businessman, is holding off jumping on-board.

"The problem is Paramount owns the rights to everything Star Trek, so even if it was a good idea, I still wouldn't own it. Why bother giving them a good idea when they're going to own it?"

Still Shatner -- who has been identified with his star-hopping alter ego for nearly four decades -- admits he and Paramount may still find a middle ground.

"It's just a beginning. Or they may very well resurrect it on their own."