WEEKLY MOVIE NEWS

FH · 09-29-2003, 02:52 AM

Lance Henriksen Aboard Alien vs. Predator Source: Variety Monday, September 29, 2003

Veteran actor Lance Henriksen has become the first actor cast in Alien vs. Predator, Fox's upcoming matchup between two cult characters. Henriksen played Bishop in the previous "Alien" films.

Henriksen will portray a billionaire industrialist who finances an expedition to the Antarctic to uncover an ancient pyramid and insists on joining the scientists on the journey. When they arrive, they discover two alien races engaged in the ultimate battle.

Paul W.S. Anderson is helming the film written by Shane Salerno and Anderson. Shooting begins late October in Prague.

FH · 09-29-2003, 02:53 AM

Kalogridis Adapting DC Comics' Wonder Woman Source: Variety Monday, September 29, 2003

Laeta Kalogridis has signed on to write a new version of the script for DC Comics' Wonder Woman, for producer Joel Silver, Leonard Goldberg and Warner Bros. Pictures. The live-action feature adaptation has no start date yet.

Kalogridis will write a story that goes back to the roots of the famed comic books but set in the present day.

She is currently completing Something Wicked This Way Comes for Disney. Kalogridis' other credits include a rewrite on Scream 3 and the creation of the WB series Birds of Prey.

FH · 09-29-2003, 02:55 AM

Len Wiseman Talks Underworld 2 Source: Cinema Confidential Sunday, September 28, 2003

Cinema Confidential tells us they talked to Underworld about the sequel and the franchise.

Len Wiseman revealed that there's a lot of story to be told in UNDERWORLD 2:

"There’s actually a sequel and a prequel that was mapped out when we sold this film. [Co-writer] Danny McBride and myself – there was so much that we wanted to tell in this story that it was getting a bit confusing for us to map out all the history and the wars. We said, 'You know what? Let's map out a long story that would maybe span out three films and let's then be able to tell our film in the middle.' But we had to kind of map out the whole thing to get to the point where we are now because it does have a lot of layers in it. But we do want to tell a lot of that back story and I'm obsessed with going back to the Dark Ages and showing the war when it was legions of werewolves fighting an army of vampires on horseback, invading their castle. I think that would be insane visuals! So that's a bit of what the sequel is. We are already in the deal for the sequel and the studio's incredibly excited about it. I think the 15 minutes [of the sequel] will be a prequel for the sequel, much like an 'Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade' type of situation."

Wiseman also revealed that the two leads, Kate and Scott Speedman, are interested in returning as well. "We all had a really good time, the actors and myself, that Kate and Scott are all for it."

FH · 09-29-2003, 02:57 AM

They might wanna go ahead and retitle this "The Fantastic Fuck-Up!"

The Word on Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four! Source: Greg Sunday, September 28, 2003

'Greg' from Greg's Previews of Upcoming Movies writes us with some the latest on the Fantastic Four production....

I've got a fairly major scoop about one of the changes being made to one of the Fantastic Four members to keep him more credible as a live-action character. Johnny Storm will only "flame on"... his fingers, actually making the "human torch" description *more* appropriate in a way!

FH · 09-29-2003, 03:00 AM

Spider-Man 2 Story Scoop! Source: Cinescoop Saturday, September 27, 2003

Last night it was The Punisher which we received major spoilers for, now we received the following from 'cinescoop' who claims to be in the know about Spider-Man 2. Possible big SPOILERS ahead...

Havent' mailed you in a while, but I just found out some info on Spider-Man 2 that might be of interest to you. It should pretty much be considered spoiler material, so be warned:

Seems Harry Osbourne is not only back as Peter's side-kick/buddy, but his craving for revenge on our favorite friendly neighborhood spiderman is kicking into overdrive, prompting him to get quite involved in fighting yours truly. At some point throughout the film, he hands Spidey over to Doc Ock and towards the end of the film, he hears and sees his late dad talk to him through a mirror. Enraged, he subsequently smashes it only to find the Goblin's lair behind it, filled with all his toys: bombs, glider, suit, etc. I believe it pretty much ends there, but it certainly sets the stage nicely for a possible intro of the Hob-Goblin at a later point, n'est pas? All of this info was obtained directly from a guy who is closely involved with the flic, so, while taking it with the proverbial grain of salt, I do assume that that's how it'll go down (and must add that I'm quite pleased with that idea - hopefully they'll discard the MM Power Rangers outfit this time around and finally build the cool version of the GG suit).

FH · 09-29-2003, 03:20 AM

What Will Happen in Kidman's Bewitched? Source: Greg's Previews Saturday, September 27, 2003

Greg's Previews of Upcoming Movies has received word which direction the Bewitched adaptation will be headed.

According to the site, Nora Ephron's script has Samantha (Nicole Kidman) as a witch from another magical world who comes to Earth to escape the bother of her family. Once here, she gets a job as an actress and lands a job on a TV sitcom about a witch who falls in love with a mortal man, Darrin Stephens.

FH · 09-29-2003, 05:40 AM

Don Rhymer Rewriting Paramount's Honeymooners Source: The Hollywood Reporter Monday, September 29, 2003

Don Rhymer has been hired to rewrite Paramount Pictures/Deep River Prods.' feature film The Honeymooners, an urban version of the classic TV series with Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps toplining in the Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton roles, respectively.

The studio hired Rhymer to retool the script in an attempt to bring the film's original $35 million budget down to a range of $25 million-$30 million.

The move, which will push the film's start date from December to early next year, is said to come on the heels of what the studio deems a disappointing boxoffice performance of its most recent urban feature, The Fighting Temptations, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Beyonce Knowles and Epps.

FH · 09-29-2003, 09:58 AM

X3: Aussie boy Hugh Jackman might be growing the sideburns twice more if an exclusive report from X3 Movie is accurate. According to the site, 20th Century Fox is looking to sign a two-picture deal with the actor - the only original "X-Men" cast member to have been offered a new deal for two films for his character (the others confirmed for "X3" like Marsden & Cumming are already signed but for just that film). Salary wise its expected to net around $20 million for Hugh, the deal would include either further "X-Men" sequels and/or a potential "Wolverine" spin-off film. Fox is apparently already developing the spin-off with Hugh, Kelly Hu and Tyler Mane apparently on the list to reprise their characters. It all depends of course on scheduling and covering the costs of bringing all these big actors together again. An internal FOX source says "X3, right now is quiet. No meetings have taken place, regarding the third film, but may begin in 2004. A Wolverine film, is also on our to-do list, but is in the same boat, as X3".

FH · 09-30-2003, 02:49 AM

Farrelly Bros. Three Stooges Feature Film Greenlit Source: Variety Tuesday, September 30, 2003

Peter and Bobby Farrelly's revisiting of the Three Stooges films has been officially greenlit at Warner Bros. The Three Stooges is expected to start shooting early next year for a summer 2005 release.

The new movie will be an adventure that revolves around the Stooges characters originated by Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Jerome "Curly" Howard in the classic Columbia Picture films.

Sony originally had the feature rights to the project but let them exmpire, allowing Warner Bros. to step in. The Farrellys spent last winter and spring writing with Mike Cerrone a contemporized script featuring the Moe, Larry and Curly characters.

FH · 09-30-2003, 02:51 AM

Columbia Puts Fat Man on a Diet Source: Variety Tuesday, September 30, 2003

Columbia Pictures has acquired the Mike Reiss spec script Fat Man, about an 800-pound man who drops 600 pounds with the help of a nurse he finds more appealing than a Happy Meal. Adam Sandler's Happy Madison production company will produce the project which is on the fast-track.

Reiss is an Emmy-winning scribe from The Simpsons and creator of the Showtime cartoon Queer Duck. For Fat Man he has written a film considered a strong vehicle for a male actor. Sandler is expected to only produce.

The overweight man is a bright but bitter and bed-ridden guy whose infatuation with the nurse prompts him to drop weight. As he sheds the pounds, the man faces a king-sized dilemma: What if she doesn't fall in love with him?

FH · 09-30-2003, 03:20 AM

Never again will we be able to say that they only make sequels to popular movies, with news from Dark Horizons that “Weekend at Bernies 3” has slipped through the barrier and onto the production slate. According to the site, Jonathan Silverman and Andrew McCarthy [anyone else feel sorry for this guy?] have signed to make a third in the drag-the-dead-boss around comedy series, with filming set to take place in Las Vegas this Spring or Summer. In this one, the two guys go to Las Vegas for a Bachelor Party where they end up meeting Bernie's identical twin brother, Ernie, a mafia boss. Naturally, he dies and they have to start lumping him around making out he’s still alive. Terry Kiser is likely to reprise the role of Bernie, um, Ernie, whilst Vincent Pastore [“The Sopranos’] is also touted for a role. Wake me up when it’s time to re-enter reality…

FH · 09-30-2003, 03:22 AM

His name has been branded about for quite a time, but according to the IMDB, Clive Owen is set to be announced as the new 007 next year. Pierce Brosnan is reportedly planning to announce the next Bond film will be his last in a press conference in January or February. According to British tabloid the Daily Record, movie bosses are expected to announce Clive, 38, will take over the role - after being recommended by 50-year- old Pierce. An insider says, "Clive's the one. There have been rumors about Clive, but these rumors are getting louder and louder now. No one at the top will come out and admit it, but the claims it's Clive are coming from different sources within EON, who make the Bond films. Seeing Clive in Croupier brought him to the Bond maker's attention. He looks good in a tuxedo and has that edge which makes him attractive to the ladies, but liked by the guys. He's not hugely known, but has done some good films and is at least a name people recognize."

FH · 09-30-2003, 03:23 AM

Guy Pearce passed on “Batman” – that seems to be the story. Seems yesterday’s titbit was spot on. Christian Bale may have got the nod, but the Australian actor was offered the part, possibly first. According to ‘The Huntress’, Pearce had met with Director Chris Nolan who flat out offered him the lead in “Batman: Intimidation Game” but at the end of the day, Pearce turned it down for another project. Funnily enough, the Australian film “The Proposition”, a bushranger western written by Nick Cave was more up his alley. “Asides from the whole typecasting thing, Guy wanted to do John Hillcoat’s movie. He might have been great as Batman, but he’s much more an actor than that”, says the scooper. “I think Christian Bale was someone they’ve always talked about, but the studio bought his name up again once Guy decided he didn’t want to do it”. “Batman: Intimidation Game” would have been the second film Pearce and Director Nolan would have worked on together. They previously starred together in “Memento”.

FH · 10-01-2003, 02:59 AM

Freddy vs. Jason DVD on January 13? Source: Bloody-Disgusting Tuesday, September 30, 2003

'Zeebo' alerted us to an article on Bloody-Disgusting which reports that the Freddy vs. Jason DVD will be available on January 13.

The movie debuts January 13, 2004 on VHS and DVD, or, to be more specific, a two-disc Platinum Series release. This package will include audio commentaries, deleted/alternate scenes, documentaries including featurettes on the visual FX and stunts/fights, music videos and more.

FH · 10-01-2003, 03:00 AM

Orlando Bloom Frontrunner for Scott's Kingdom of Heaven Source: Variety Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Ridley Scott (Gladiator) and 20th Century Fox are preparing the Crusades-era epic Kingdom of Heaven for a January production start in Morocco. The film will be Scott's next directorial effort and the first since he and brother Tony set their Scott Free banner to an overall Fox deal. Scott will also produce the William Monahan-scripted film.

Set in the 12th century, the drama focuses on a young blacksmith who becomes a knight and helps defend Jerusalem against the Crusaders. There is also a love story, as the young knight falls in love with a princess. Scott is actively casting and word is that "Lord of the Rings" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" star Orlando Bloom is atop the list.

The film will carry a budget of more than $100 million.