weekly movie news

[FH]

Sarah Michelle Gellar to Hold a Grudge Source: Variety Monday, December 15, 2003

Sarah Michelle Gellar will topline The Grudge, the English-language remake of the Japanese horror thriller Ju-On. Columbia Pictures has secured domestic distribution rights for the film, which is being produced by Ghost House Pictures, a genre division of Senator Intl. launched with Sam Raimi.

Shooting will begin at Tokyo's Toho Studios in late January. Takashi Shimizu, who wrote and directed the original film, will helm the remake.

The Grudge is about a murderous supernatural curse born of a grudge held by someone who dies angry. The curse passes like a virus to its victims.

Gellar recently wrapped Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed for Warner Bros. and is gearing up for Romantic Comedy, a spoof on the cliches of the romantic comedy genre at MGM.

[FH]

Spider-Man 2 Teaser Trailer Now Online! Source: Sony Pictures Monday, December 15, 2003

It's here, your first look at Spider-Man 2! Sony Pictures has unleashed the new teaser trailer for the highly-anticipated sequel, opening July 2, in high-quality Macromedia Flash format.

You can check it out for yourself by clicking here!

[TopJimmy78]

[ QUOTE ]
FH said:
Spider-Man 2 Teaser Trailer Now Online! Source: Sony Pictures Monday, December 15, 2003

It's here, your first look at Spider-Man 2! Sony Pictures has unleashed the new teaser trailer for the highly-anticipated sequel, opening July 2, in high-quality Macromedia Flash format.

You can check it out for yourself by clicking here!

[/ QUOTE ]


Awesome, that is the best way I can describe it, I can't wait for July 2! [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img] Spidey Rules!! [img]images/smilies/rock.gif[/img]

That looks awesome. Can't wait till Jully now. [img]images/smilies/rock.gif[/img]

[FH]

Super producer Lauren-Shuler Donner ("X-Men" 1 & 2) is hard at work on a variety of projects as of late including the Keanu Reeves-led adaptation of "Constantine" and took a little time out of her schedule to talk with DH and a few others about what's going on with a third "X-Men" movie.

Are you getting many X3 questions?

Sure, mostly which character would you want to see in X3? [From others] I'm getting Beast, I'm getting Gambit - I have a great idea for Gambit but I can't say what it is.

When do you think it'll start shooting?

Ideally I would love to come out Summer of 2005 which means we'd better get going, but it's going to take a while to make the deals and all that.

What about writers?

Writers we're going to use Dan Harris & Mike Dougherty (the writers for "X2"), and then we're also going to develop a "Wolverine" movie at the same time but it won't come out until after "X3"

Are any of the actors signed on like Anna?

Some of our younger cast are. Shawn [Ashmore, aka. Iceman]...Anna [Paquin] is not. What we did was made everybody two-picture deals, so anybody who was in the first two are not but Shawn is and Colossus and Kitty Pride...

Will Colossus have a bigger role?

We'll see, probably.

Will the Dark Phoenix storyline be used?

We have to, we kind of left that out there so we have to follow that thread along with some other stories.

Ian McKellan told us he's keen on doing X3?

I can't imagine doing it without him or Patrick [Stewart] or any of the main cast...and Halle [Berry]. We have to make sure that she's used well and we have a great great storyline for her, or maybe we do a Storm movie...who knows.

[FH]

Is The Reaper a Batman Villain? Source: sjets Monday, December 15, 2003

New scooper 'sjets' sent this in about the possible Batman villian...

I have just received a call from a friend who works for DC Marketing. Take this with a grain of salt, as he admitted that the rumours he hears early are not always accurate, but the main villain in the next Batman movie is the Reaper. Apparently, this is the dark and not-so-cartoony villian that Chris Nolan really likes. While I don't like to believe everything I hear, this is the same guy who told me about Matthew Bomer being a contender for Superman long before I read it anywhere online.

While this should be taken with a grain of salt for now, in the comics, Judson Caspian was The Reaper and his daugther's name was Rachel. Katie Holmes was recently announced as playing Rachel in the film, which could be the same character. Cillian Murphy is playing "a" villain in the film, but he would be too young to be Holmes' father.


***Also, Chris Cooper is being eyed for the role of Gordon!

[FH]

Chronicles of Riddick Trailer Online (Sequel to Pitch Black)

[FH]

MGM & Dimension Pacting on Amityville Remake Source: Variety Wednesday, December 17, 2003

MGM and Dimension films have pacted to partner on a single remake of The Amityville Horror instead of making a separate film each. MGM owned rights to the title of the 1979 horror hit. After Platinum Dunes scored a hit on its first project, a remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, MGM moved quickly to bestow the title on the production company headed by Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form.

Dimension co-chairman Bob Weinstein then got into the game by acquiring a rival project script that was being developed by producers Randall Emmett and George Furla. He also landed rights and cooperation from George Lutz, who lived in the fabled Long Island house when it was supposedly haunted by ghosts.

MGM will take the lead on production and distribute in domestic territories, while Dimension distributes overseas. Dimension's project will be folded into the mix, and might serve as sequel material.

The two studios will also co-produce True Believers, the MGM-developed film that will mark the Hollywood directing debut of Hideo Nakata (Ringu). Dimension will take the creative lead and handle domestic territories on the film, an adaptation of the Doug Richardson novel about the intersecting paths of a senator with White House aspirations and a woman who wants to have a child with a death- row inmate who claims to be a messiah.

[FH]

Tim Allen to Star in The Shaggy Dog Remake Source: Variety Wednesday, December 17, 2003

Disney has set a July start date for its remake of The Shaggy Dog, and the studio has asked Brian Robbins (The Perfect Score) to direct Tim Allen as a man who occasionally changes into a sheepdog.

The studio reportedly had many screenwriters try to figure out how to turn the 1959 film into a suitable vehicle for Allen, who has toplined the first two "Santa Clause" films for the studio and is in development on a third.

The new version will be based on the storyline from The Shaggy D.A., a sequel to the original film. Allen will play a lawyer whose devotion to his career comes at the expense of his family. His transformation into a dog hampers his career, but teaches him to be a better father and husband.

Allen is next starring in the Joe Roth-directed Skipping Christmas, Revolution's adaptation of the John Grisham book. He'll follow with The Shaggy Dog and move to either the third installment of The Santa Clause or the Revolution comedy In the Pink.

[FH]

Christopher Reeve to Direct New Animated Film Source: IDT Entertainment Wednesday, December 17, 2003

IDT Entertainment today announced that it has engaged Christopher Reeve to direct an original feature length animated film. Mr. Reeve is well known for his portrayal of Superman in 4 feature films and for starring roles in The Bostonians, Somewhere in Time and The Remains of the Day. In addition, Mr. Reeve is a distinguished writer, producer and director. In 1997 he was nominated for an Emmy for directing the HBO film In The Gloaming. IDT Entertainment is a subsidiary of IDT Corporation, a multinational carrier, telephone and technology company.

"Christopher Reeve is a man I deeply admire. His 'can do' attitude is inspiring," said Howard Jonas, IDT's Founder and Chairman. "Without question, he is a true American superhero. His courage, integrity and professional accomplishments are not the stuff of fiction - they're real life."

Digital Production Solutions (DPS), IDT Entertainment's animation unit, will provide complete production services on the film. Mr. Reeve will oversee the entire production process, from character development, casting and set design through animation, lighting, texturing and postproduction.

"This agreement writes a new chapter in IDT's ongoing success story," said Jim Courter, CEO of IDT Corporation. "IDT revolutionized Telecom, now we're doing the same for high quality, 3-D Computer Generated (CG) animation. We're pleased that Christopher Reeve shares our vision and that he's put his stamp of approval on this film."

"Many projects cross my desk but only a few are truly captivating," said Christopher Reeve. "With the perfect blend of warmth and wit, this is a story with universal appeal that both children and their parents will love."

The film is an urban fable set in the 1930's, and is expected to be completed in early 2005.

"This project required a director with a combination of experience and creativity," said Morris Berger, CEO of IDT Entertainment. "Christopher Reeve was our first choice. We're thrilled that he will shape and guide this film from concept to completion."

[FH]

Lion, Witch and Wardrobe a Go for Early 2004 Source: NZPA Thursday, December 18, 2003

Stuff.co.nz reports that The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, based on the popular book in The Chronicles of Narnia, is a go for production in New Zealand, Industry Development Minister Jim Anderton said in a statement today.

The film will be directed by Andrew Adamson, a New Zealander best known as the co-director of the Oscar-winning computer-animated feature Shrek.

The movie is expected to start preparations, including obtaining stage space and personnel, in Auckland early in 2004. "We are extremely happy and excited to be starting work on the film in New Zealand," Adamson said.

The production in New Zealand of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, a significant proportion of which is expected to be filmed in the South Island, is expected to qualify for expense grants under the LBSPG scheme.

[FH]

Shyamalan's The Village Teaser Trailer to Debut Source: Touchstone Pictures Thursday, December 18, 2003

Tune in this Friday night, December 19, for the exclusive broadcast premiere of M. Night Shyamalan's The Village. Access Hollywood will debut the teaser from the Academy Award-nominated creator of The Sixth Sense and Signs.

The Village is the chilling tale of a close-knit community that lives with the frightening knowledge that creatures reside in the woods around them and the courage of one young man who challenges the unknown. Check your local listings for the correct channel and time!

On December 24, you can watch the teaser trailer again at www.TheVillage.Movies.com.

[FH]

Disney Adapting The Three Pigs Source: Variety Friday, December 19, 2003

Writers Grant Calof and Greg Lee have been signed by Disney Feature Animation to adapt the children's book The Three Pigs. The film is expected to combine computer and traditional animation.

The award-winning book, written by David Wiesner, updates the traditional tale and follows the pigs' adventures into other fairy-tale worlds.

Calof and Lee are currently rewriting the comedy Blind Sided as a starring vehicle for Rob Schneider. That film concerns a man who regains his sight after being blind most of his life only to find out the world is a very different place from what he had imagined.

[FH]

Fantastic Four vs. Indiana Jones 4 on July 1, 2005 Source: ComingSoon.net Thursday, December 18, 2003

You're never going to believe this fans, but Fox has just put Marvel's Fantastic Four in the July 1, 2005 spot. At the current time, Paramount has "Indiana Jones 4" scheduled for that date and it was rumored that Warner Bros. was eyeing that date for Batman: Intimidation as well.

Will one of projects blink and move to another date? This is some serious competition,

[FH]

JANE'S ADDICTION Singer Cites 'Exhaustion' As Reason For Tour Cancellation - Dec. 19, 2003

JANE'S ADDICTION frontman Perry Farrell has issued a statement citing "exhaustion brought on by a rigorous tour schedule" as the reason for the cancellation of the group's co-headlining tour with MARILYN MANSON. According to Pollstar, however, there is speculation that "less-than-enthusiastic" ticket sales were to blame for the change in plans.

Only a handful of high-profile shows were planned, including a New Year's Eve bash at New York City's Madison Square Garden.