WEEKLY MOVIE NEWS

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Dirty Harry: There's been talk of Rambo, Rocky, Indiana Jones and more coming back from their 80's cinematic graves for one last ride - now you might be able to add one more to the list - 'Dirty' Harry Callahan. 'Scorpio's Bitch' played the submissive to some of Warners execs recently and came up with this juicy little gossip tidbit: ""Mystic River" has done pretty nicely for Warner overall, so they're out to utilize Eastwood. They want him to do another "Dirty Harry" movie and have been talking about it with him for a while. The argument is, Eastwood thinks Harry Callahan is too old - he's probably right - to be chasing criminals, but the studio isn't budging. They want another "Dirty Harry" movie. One option - start afresh with a new Dirty Harry. No idea who they'd get, but that's certainly something that's been discussed in the past, remaking that first one again. Eastwood's a great director and I think he's determined to stay behind the camera, but a new 'Harry' might upset people...tough call for now".

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Jinx: The proposed spin-off movie about Halle Berry's character from the recent Bond movie "Die Another Day" has been cancelled by MGM. Variety reports that despite keen interest from long-standing 007 producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, the lion head studio told the pair's Eon Productions to put the film "on ice" and press ahead with the "Bond 21" project due to shoot and release in 2005. Eon is apparently quite upset about all this. Scribes of the last two 007 movies - Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have been working on the "Jinx" script for a while, and helmer Stephen Frears ("The Grifters", "Dangerous Liasons") was set up to direct the feature which would've seen CIA agent Jacinta Johnson (Berry) taking on her own enemies whilst Brosnan was rumoured to be cameoing as Bond in the film. Yet despite the no from MGM, the production company isn't rushing forward with the project at another studio - thus it looks like the Bond girl curse has struck again.

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Director Martin Campbell on The Mask of Zorro 2 Source: Calgary Sun Monday, October 27, 2003

Director Martin Campbell tells the Calgary Sun that all is looking good for the follow-up to his The Mask of Zorro.

"We're in the final stages of negotiations with Antonio and Catherine Zeta-Jones. If they are both available and everything goes as planned, we could begin shooting in Mexico in April or May for a 2005 release."

"We've rejected several scripts over the past four years, but have a great one now, which is why the project has been green-lit."

He added that "it's a great role for Catherine. Her character will definitely be on a par with Antonio's this time." And it's "much more than your typical sequel. It's a full-out new film that uses the same two central characters."

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A New Phantom Movie in the Works Source: The Hollywood Reporter Monday, October 27, 2003

Crusader Entertainment and Hyde Park have tapped Olympic gold medalist-turned-feature film screenwriter Mel Stewart to write a project based on The Phantom comics.

The comic has been adapted for the screen before. Billy Zane, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kristy Swanson and Treat Williams teamed to star in the Simon Wincer-directed 1996 feature, which grossed $17 million at the box office.

The superhero, clad in a purple suit, has no supernatural powers but appears immortal and fights evil in Africa. It is understood that the updated version will be modernized.

"While I like the comic book franchises of the 1990s, I always wanted to be able to identify with my hero more," Stewart said. "Take all of the technology of 2004, where science fiction is no longer that -- it's science fact. If you had all that technology at your fingerprints, you would be a superhero."

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Is Casting Going on for Watchmen? Source: Ain't-It-Cool-News Sunday, October 26, 2003

Ain't-It-Cool-News reports that casting may be going on for the Watchmen movie.

Persistent evidence indicates the WATCHMEN movie is set up now at Revolution and John Cusack is attached to play Dan/Nite-Owl.

Watchmen was set up at Universal, so we don't know.

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There’s good news for the constantly on-off, fifth “Alien” movie. Director Ridley Scott told paper tz that he and Sigourney Weaver might have worked out a deal to do it. "About six months ago Sigourney Weaver said to me: "I'd like there to be a fifth film because I'd like to make a clean exit. You virtually created me back then, don't you want to kill me?" The 65-year-old director added: "Since then I've been thinking about it. But first of all you need a good story. I can't work without a good script." According to the report – via Ananova – Scott’s now in talks with 20th Century Fox about “Alien 5”. It was previously rumoured that James Cameron might also get involved, but at this stage a Cameron-Weaver reunion is better than most couldv'e hoped for. Good news. At last.

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From <a href="http://www.aintitcoolnews.com" target="_blank">www.aintitcoolnews.com</a>

STAR WARS SPECIAL EDITION print has been enhanced!
Hey folks, Harry here... got this report in on the screening of STAR WARS SPECIAL EDITION that was part of that really cool festival we told you about. Well, not only did Lucasfilm not let them show the original, but technically, the print that was shown has been changed since we last saw it. The light saber thing sounds reasonable... but cg clouds in front of one of the binary sunsets... makes me nervous, I have loved that shot forever... sigh... whatever, maybe next time it screens he can put a flock of toucans flying out there.
Harry,

Today I attended that screening of Star Wars: Special Edition here in L.A. at the City of Angels Film Festival. As you mentioned on your site, this was the Special Edition print, not the original cut. Special Edition or not, it's always cool to see Star Wars on the big screen.

But there was something unusual about this screening.

This was not the Special Edition print that is on VHS. There were changes in this print - specifically, the lightsabers in the Obi/Vader duel were enhanced. This has been a nitpicky thing since the SEs were released: why didn't they fix the rotoscoping on the lightsabers? Well, in this print (which, strangely, was not a new looking print) the sabers WERE fixed. Obi-Wan's saber was brilliant blue and Vader's saber was bright red (not white) in every shot - even in the shot as the blast doors are closing. In the shot where Ben's saber is pointed at the camera (where it suddenly looks like a stick) it was correctly filled in and had a glorious blue glow. I wasn't imagining things because the guy next to me immediately whispered, "Did you see that?!"

There was one other minor change as well. In the first binary sunset shot as Luke is walking out of the homestead, the lower right sun had CG clouds passing in front of it. I came home and checked my VHS copy -- no clouds. It seems a few changes were slipped into this print since the initial release.

Perhaps this seems like minor stuff, but the lightsabers have bothered me for years. I'm happy to report they HAVE been fixed. Hopefully soon, everyone else will get a chance to see it on DVD.

If you use this, call me Darklighter.

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Underworld Hits DVD &amp; Video on January 6 Source: Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment Monday, October 27, 2003

Underworld, the highly-stylized and high-kicking story of forbidden love starring Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman, premieres on DVD and Video January 6, 2004 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

In the Underworld, Vampires are a secret clan of modern aristocratic sophisticates whose mortal enemies are the Lycans (werewolves), a shrewd gang of street thugs who prowl the city's underbelly. No one knows the origin of their bitter blood feud, but the balance of power between them turns even bloodier when a beautiful young Vampire warrior and a newly-turned Lycan with a mysterious past fall in love in this modern-day, action-packed tale of ruthless intrigue and forbidden passion -- all set against the dazzling backdrop of a timeless, Gothic metropolis.

Underworld will be available from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment on DVD for the SLP of $28.95 and VHS rental. The DVD will be loaded with features including widescreen presentation, director and writer commentary, technical commentary, several featurettes including the Sights and Sounds of Underworld, Creature Effects, Stunts as well as a "Making of" featurette. See below for a complete listing of the DVD features.

The DVD Special Features Include:

- Digitally Mastered Audio &amp; Anamorphic Video
- Widescreen Presentation
- Director and Writer Commentary
- Technical Commentary
- Sights and Sounds of Underworld Featurette
- Creature Effects Featurette
- "Making of" Featurette
- Stunts Featurette
- Music Video: Finch - "Worms of the Earth"
- Storyboard Comparisons
- Audio: English 5.1 (Dolby Digital) French 5.1
- Subtitles: English, French and Spanish
- Theatrical Trailers: TV Spots

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The Punisher &amp; Man-Thing Studio Bought by Lions Gate Source: ComingSoon.net Monday, October 27, 2003

ComingSoon.net reports that Artisan, who together with Marvel is making The Punisher and Man-Thing movies, is being bought by Lions Gate...

Lions Gate Entertainment said Monday that it agreed to acquire Artisan Entertainment, a private independent film producer and distributor, for $160 million cash, plus the assumption of debt.

The proposed acquisition will create a company with more than 8,000 entertainment titles, the companies said.

"We enter 2004 with our strongest theatrical slate ever with franchise properties like 'Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights' (co-produced with Miramax Films) and Marvel's incredible comic book legend 'The Punisher'," said Artisan Chief Executive Amir.

No word on whether or not the Artisan logo will still be with The Punisher and Man-Thing when the films hit theaters, or whether they will be labeled as Lions Gate features.

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Spike Jonze Knows Where the Wild Things Are Source: Variety Tuesday, October 28, 2003

Universal has hired Spike Jonze to direct the Playtone-produced adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are, the classic children's book by Maurice Sendak. Playtone's Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman will produce with John Carls and Sendak.

The Adaptation and Being John Malkovich director will helm the live-action film, which was originally developed as a CGI project.

Published in 1963, it's the story about a mischievous boy who is sent to bed without supper. In his room, Max uses his imagination to conjure up a forest populated by the wild things, exotic monsters who embrace Max as their ruler.

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Universal Pictures Adapting The Psycho Source: Variety Tuesday, October 28, 2003

Universal Pictures has optioned DC Comics' The Psycho, with Circle of Confusion attached to produce.

Written by James Hudnall and drawn by Dan Brereton, The Psycho was originally published in 1991 as a three-comic miniseries.

The comic book tells the story of a man forced to become what he hates most, a superhuman agent who serves the government, in order to prove himself innocent of a crime he didn't commit.

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Pretty Cool Interview with George Romero at this link

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The Rock to Star as Johnny Bravo? Source: Variety Friday, October 31, 2003

Warner Bros. Pictures has hired the writing team of Matthew Berry and Eric Abrams to pen the live-action feature adaptation of Cartoon Network's Johnny Bravo, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson attached to star.

The film will have Bravo looking for his long-lost father in a coming-of-age action-comedy. It marks the first time WB has teamed with sister company Cartoon Network on a live-action feature.

Berry and Abrams previously wrote spec Undercover Elvis and the New Muppet Show pilot for Team Todd and the Henson Co. at Fox Broadcasting last year.

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Batman Casting Rumors Source: Mike Healy Thursday, October 30, 2003

Ain't-It-Cool-News has an interesting update regarding the casting for Christopher Nolan's upcoming Batman movie. They say it's reliable info...

The producers are looking at a few high level actors for a few of the supporting roles. It looks like they are focused on Morgan Freeman for a "Dr./Scientist" role. What this role is, I don't know for sure...but it's possibly one of the main villian roles. And get this.....they are considering Anthony Hopkins for "Alfred". Looks like they are cleaning house and not letting anyone (ie: Michael Gough) from the past 2 crapfests near this baby...This much is certain from my source...this is a fresh start for the Caped Crusader!