weekly movie news

FH · 11-24-2003, 02:51 AM

What is Weta Digital Working on for King Kong? Source: Los Angeles Times Sunday, November 23, 2003

The L.A. Times reports that some of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy crew at Peter Jackson's New Zealand visual effects shop Weta Digital are already at work on King Kong.

Company executives acknowledge they will ramp down the Weta Digital facility. They say they are scrambling to keep much of their staff busy until 2005, when Jackson begins filming his next potential blockbuster, a remake of the 1933 film "King Kong." Moran began bidding on other post-"Rings" film and television projects nearly a year ago — a car commercial here, a sequence of effects for a smaller film there.

Some workers who have wrapped up their part on the trilogy already are working on "King Kong." Artists with the prop and physical effects side of Weta are developing sketches and models of the enormous gorilla and the estimated 30 dinosaurs that will be featured in the film.

Universal Pictures is currently targeting King Kong for a December 14, 2005 release.

FH · 11-24-2003, 02:53 AM

Fox to Show You How to Handle Chicks Source: Variety Monday, November 24, 2003

Fox is developing a half-hour comedy based on the bestselling book The Complete A**hole's Guide to Handling Chicks. Scribe Rob Cohen (Just Shoot Me, The Jamie Kennedy eXperiment) will write and executive produce the 20th Century Fox TV half-hour show.

The TV take on the book will be a sort of buddy comedy, with a lead "*sshole" tutoring a younger man in the proper way to succeed in life, particularly with women.

"It's not about being crass, it's more about having a set of rules, an M.O. that you're always working," Fox comedy chief Jeremy Gold told Variety. "The show's about a group of guys who are happy with how their lives are, even though they're selling toner at a copy store."

"The book, which is simply hilarious in a so-wrong-it's-right sort of way, goes way beyond what the title connotes," Gold added. "It's about being very happy in how you are in your life."

FH · 11-24-2003, 02:55 AM

Superhero Movie Spots on the Super Bowl? Source: FilmJerk Monday, November 24, 2003

FilmJerk alerted us that they have posted an article talking about the studios that are eyeing TV spot for the February 1 Super Bowl. Possible superhero films (though not confirmed) mentioned are Spider-Man 2, Hellboy and Catwoman...

80 percent of the ad slots have already been bought and we run down the studios that have been confirmed as buying time and those we are likely to see, although this may change as there are a little less than 70 days left until the game. Among those that have bought time include Columbia, Warner Bros., Disney and Universal and we've had words of others.

FH · 11-24-2003, 02:56 AM

David Goyer Talks Blade: Trinity Source: Wizard Magazine Saturday, November 22, 2003

After writing the first two Blade films (as well as the in-production Batman: Intimidation Game), David Goyer is pulling double duty with Blade: Trinity as writer and director of the final installment of the trilogy starring Wesley Snipes. He wasn't expecting to direct, but when one of the producers suggested it, Goyer said he "would have to see how it turned out before I said yes or no. After I finished it, I was really pleased - and I thought, 'Hell yes, I'm gonna direct this!'"

"I just wanted to make sure that this was going to be the best script," Goyer told Wizard magazine. "And I wanted to make sure that New Line would commit enough money to the budget. Fortunately, the budget for this film is significantly higher that the last two, which gave me confidence that we'd have the tools to actually film all the insanity that I wrote."

The film will see all-out war between the vampire clans and Blade's loose band of warriors. "This will probably be the last 'Blade' film," reveals Goyer. "We're definitely building towards a definite ending for the series. Given that this was the third film, I felt we had to shake things up. In the first movie, Whistler [Kris Kristofferson] talks about the war between the humans and the vampires - how it sometimes spills over into the real world - and I was interested in depicting that. The collision between Blade's world and the world that we, the audience, live in. What would happen, for instance, if Blade were actually captured by the authorities? How would they respond to his belief in vampires?

Goyer added that "In this film, Blade teams up with a younger group of vampire hunters, the Nightstalkers. [Hannibal] King (Ryan Reynolds) is one of the leaders. He was bitten by a vampire, spent five years as one of them, and was recently freed by another hunter, Abigail (Jessica Biel). King functions as a counter-part to Blade. His methods and attitude are entirely different."

FH · 11-24-2003, 03:11 AM

Apparently the plan for the next “Batman” film was for it to be a series restart, and not have any links to the previous movies. How things quickly change. A scooper for Batman On Film tells us not to be surprised if Michael Gough and Pat Hingle return to reprise their roles as Alfred the Butler and Commissioner Gorodn, respectively. “Remember when I told you that this film wouldn't scream restart? That is looking more and more the case. If people want to go view this film as a sequel, they can. If they want to go watch the movie and believe that they are seeing a restart, they can do that as well. The film is going to look different than the previous four, no doubt. But it is my opinion that fans will be able to view this either way. There won't be a big disclaimer at the beginning saying "This is a restart" or "This is a sequel." It's just going to be Nolan's Batman film.” This is getting interesting.

FH · 11-24-2003, 05:38 AM

Burton on Chocolate Factory & Planet of the Apes 2 Source: Calgary Sun Monday, November 24, 2003

The Calgary Sun talked to director Tim Burton who says he's unsure when Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will start.

"I have no idea when we'll begin on Willy. It will all depend on the script. I won't be tied down to a release date ever again." Burton says he chose Depp over actors like Michael Keaton because "he's always surprising and funny and right now he's a big star."

"Chocolate Factory" is being written by John August, who also wrote the screenplay for Burton's Big Fish.

Burton says he won't be involved in any sequel to his Planet of the Apes, which starred Mark Wahlberg. "No, no, no, never. After having made Batman Returns, I realized it's not a good idea for me to do sequels."

FH · 11-25-2003, 02:46 AM

News on the Bat front today of both the confirmed and unconfirmed nature with two Oscar-winning veterans of the UK acting industry poised for roles when shooting begins early next year in London.

First up the confirmed and today's The Hollywood Reporter reports that whilst details are still being finalised, Caine has agreed to play the role of Bruce Wayne's (Christian Bale) dryly humoured but loving and trusted butler Alfred Pennyworth in the Christopher Nolan directed new entry in the "Batman" film franchise. The role was previously played by Alfred Gough in the four live-action films.

On the more speculative front, Batman on Film has a report today about who might be up to play the film's main villian Ra's Al-Ghul - none other than the semi-retired Daniel Day-Lewis: "One name I've heard more than once associated with Ra's is Daniel Day-Lewis; but please take this as strictly rumor right now. But yep, I've heard his name from more than one source".

FH · 11-25-2003, 02:48 AM

Romero & Hartley Reviving Diamond Dead Source: Variety Tuesday, November 25, 2003

In his first rock 'n' roll picture project since The Rocky Horror Picture Show, composer Richard Hartley has enlisted to write the music for Diamond Dead, a black comedy about an '80s-style rock band that comes back from the dead.

Hartley is being joined by Night of the Living Dead director George Romero, who will direct and has completed a rewrite of a script by Brian Cooper, who wrote lyrics to songs in the film.

The story revolves around a subpar garage band and an aspiring female singer who wants to sing with the guys, who are on the brink of breaking. Unfortunately, she dashes her own hopes when she accidentally wipes out the entire band.

"She makes a deal with Death to bring them back, but they return as zombies, which wasn't what she was banking on," Romero told Variety. "To make it more humorous, Death has a sick sense of humor and arranged it so that they are magically a smash-hit popular band. Whatever problems with things like decay doesn't mean they can't still play a mean lick."

FH · 11-25-2003, 03:00 AM

"Spider-Man 2" trailer-description from Ain't It Cool News
The teaser begins with a dialogue between Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. They are in a coffee shop and she asks him if he loves her. He says "no", trembling. "Okay, if you don't love me, give me a kiss", she says and leans forward. "I would like to see something". You can notice he's very nervous. Just when they're about to kiss he ducks in slow motion and pushes her to the floor. We see a full size car smashing through the coffee shop window and nearly hitting them. In slow motion one of the car wheels almost peels Toby's face off.

Then, right through the broken entrance comes Doc Ock, walking with his tentacles, never touching the ground, like a metal spider. We cut to a series of rapid shots of Alfred Molina, showing off his tentacles (they're attached to his back like a metal backpack) before an audience. Then shots of Spidey swinging in the city. Then James Franco with his eyes open in astonishment.

Then some shots of Spidey and Ock fighting. Actually Doc Ock grabbing Spidey with one of his tentacles and shaking him and tossing him around. Finally, Doc climbing like Spidey a building but with his tentacles until he reaches the top and stand there in full supervillain pose. We pull back and the Doc Ock image fills the eye of Spidey and the letters appear: 2 - July 2004. Notice that, like the poster, they never say it's Spider-Man 2, just "2".

FH · 11-25-2003, 03:03 AM

A few readers have tipped us off to some new rumours of a “Back to the Future 4” [oh, not again]. Scriptwriter Michel Labbé told readers on the Official Back to the Future website’s forum, that he has written a script for fourth film and plans to show it to producers after Christmas. Whether or not it’ll be used for toilet paper or not, the scribe says the film “I would like you to know that I have invested more than five years developing an original scenario which will not only satisfy the cravings of the Trilogy fans, but which will also enthrall a vast new audience of all ages. My scenario respects the spirit and continuity of the Trilogy while adding a new dimension to the present storyline: an alternate future in 2135. The story begins after an enormous disaster has occured where Hill Valley & Hill Dale used to be. This area is now known as Hill Brook where there lives a Californian community that has the Mcfly, Tannen and Strickland families in common geneology.” And who does he think would be a great replacement for Michael J.Fox as Marty? Um, Breckin Meyer [“Clueless”] anyone?

FH · 11-25-2003, 03:36 AM

The New York Post reports that Ashton Kutcher's leaving of Cameron Crowe's new flick "Elizabethtown" may not be as innocent as it seemed.

When it was announced earlier this month that Crowe pushed back his film's production to sometime in the early Spring, Kutcher quietly dropped the project citing scheduling conflict.

However Hollywood insiders are saying the real reason was that Crowe was unhappy with Kutcher's level of talent: "Cameron was unhappy with his read-throughs. Ashton did several and each one was worse and worse. Cameron even postponed production because he thought the readings would get better but they didn't. At one point, Cameron suggested that Ashton take acting lessons. Soon after that, they both decided it would be best if Ashton was not in the movie".

Crowe's reps responded to the allegations saying "I am not aware of any of this. Schedules changed but I don't know what transpired between [Crowe and Kutcher]".

Ashton however ain't missing out it seems. Moviehole reports that Demi Moore’s production company is making a live-action “Barbie” movie. A source of their's was contacted for background info and was told both Ethan Hawke and – not surprisingly – Ashton Kutcher are Demi’s choices for ‘Ken’.

No word on Demi starring as Barbie yet.

FH · 11-25-2003, 05:24 AM

Lauren Shuler Donner on Constantine & X-Men 3! Source: Variety Tuesday, November 25, 2003

Variety has published an excellent interview with producer Lauren Shuler Donner about the X-Men franchise and more. Here's a clip about Constantine and X-Men 3...

Fans also have been vocal about "Constantine," whose comicbook premise of a chain-smoking, hard-drinking con artist and occultist with real magical knowledge is about as far removed from superheroes as you can get. Aficionados' foremost concern is the recasting of the comics' very English John Constantine as an American.

But Shuler Donner, who believes fans will be happy with Reeves, says the character's bad attitude and irreverence has survived intact. "It's extremely close in spirit. John Constantine is a really unique character because he walks the line between good and bad, between hell and heaven. He doesn't care if he's liked."

After "Constantine," Shuler Donner plans a short break from comics to do the drama "The Secret Life of Bees" and then is back for "X3." For the third installment, she wants to include a loquacious, blue-furred scientist called the Beast and a sequence in the "X-Men's" training center, the Danger Room.

FH · 11-25-2003, 07:16 AM

Sam Raimi to Produce & Direct American Gothic? Source: Moviehole Tuesday, November 25, 2003

Moviehole sent us this update on the American Gothic, which has been long in the works.

Fathom Pictures have been trying continuously to get an "American Gothic" movie off the ground. For those that don't recall, the series starred Gary Cole as a small-town Sheriff, who might also be the Devil. Many said it wouldn't happen – the remake that is – but 'Craig' from the studio dropped in today with an encouraging update, signalling that, well, the movie may be happening.

"Little Magic Films, a company known more for their distribution efforts in Japan, are going to be the financial partners with Fathom on 'American Gothic', assuming we can get the final approvals from Universal. Kiki Miyake is the President (and American representative for the company). The big hold-up right now is the pending sale of Universal to NBC. They are anticipating it to be done with by Christmas, but other think it will be longer. The question that holds us in limbo is personnel. Are the people that we are dealing with now still going to be here when the deal is done, or do we have to do it again with new faces? They are hesitant to make any decisions based on that. I anticipate something to solidly pan out by Spring. Everything else is still the same."

Fathom's plans are to do a new film version of the Sam Raimi exec. produced series, which much of the same cast. Raimi is in talks to Direct and Produce, with Brenda Bakke, Lucas Black and Jake Weber attached to star.

Other projects on the studios slate include "The Sign", to star Harry Connick Jr and Jake Weber, about a Jewish professor who is kidnapped by a cult, and "Vegas Wings", to be directed by Christopher Cain, which John Travolta is in talks to star in as a small town crop duster who gets recruited to fly with the big wigs.

FH · 11-26-2003, 02:45 AM

Spider-Man 2 Trailer Online December 15! Source: Sony Pictures Tuesday, November 25, 2003

Sony Pictures has just confirmed that your first look at the Spider-Man 2 trailer in theaters will be with The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on December 17. It will hit the official website two days earlier!

We're excited to announce that your first look at the Spider-Man 2 teaser trailer is coming next month. The first theatrical target is The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on December 17th, so many theaters will be showing the Spider-Man 2 trailer during the previews before that movie. But the experience begins on the web - starting December 15th, you'll be able to watch the preview exclusively online! Visit sony.com/Spider-Man to watch.

Stay tuned for when the trailer goes up!

FH · 11-26-2003, 02:47 AM

Possible Indiana Jones 4 Production Status Source: The Indy Experience Tuesday, November 25, 2003

'Aaron' writes in from The Indy Experience with an update on the Indiana Jones 4 production.

-The current rumor going around is that pre-production has indeed begun on the 4th Indiana Jones film.
-Artists have begun work on story boards and concept artwork for Indy IV.
-Vic Armstrong has been contacted about Indy IV, but so far no word on if he has taken a job on the film or not.
-Harrison Ford is going to begin training for Indiana Jones IV at the beginning of 2004.
-Ford has also been very anxious to begin work on Indy IV. (Wonderful to hear!)
-Filming of Indy IV will begin sometime in 2004, either in June or late summer.
-And finally, the latest word on the release date of Indy IV has it set to release between May of 2005 - December of 2005.