Scott’s News Roundup – April 2009 – Week 2
The Weather Is Warming Up And It’s Time To Get Out The Tentpoles.
Awards season is over, most of the festivals are gearing down and now the Studios are going to roll out the Summer Blockbusters! We’re about to be engulfed in the media blitz for Star Trek, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Terminator: Salvation and X-Men Origins: Wolverine [not that great, btw... or so I've heard...].
You know, Looking at that list can we call this the “2009: Summer of the Subtitle”?!
Let’s get on with the news:
Film News
Michael Sheen cast in ‘New Moon’
Actor set for Summit sequel to ‘Twilight’
British thesp Michael Sheen has joined the cast of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” which began shooting last month in Vancouver. Sheen, known for his roles in “Frost/Nixon” and “The Queen,” will portray the leader of the Volturi, an Italy-based coven of vampires, in the “Twilight” sequel. Sheen has played a werewolf in all three “Underworld” films.
Alex O’Loughlin eyes ‘Back-Up Plan’
Jennifer Lopez stars in CBS Films’ rom-com
Alex O’Loughlin, who starred in the cult vampire TV show “Moonlight,” is in negotiations to nab the romantic male lead role opposite Jennifer Lopez in “The Back-Up Plan.” The rom-com centers on a single woman who turns to artificial insemination and her backup plan turned on its side when the man of her dreams shows up on the same day that her pregnancy test results come back positive.
Trio joins ‘London Boulevard’
Cast set for Knightley-Farrell drama
Ray Winstone, David Thewlis and Anna Friel are set to join Keira Knightley and Colin Farrell in “London Boulevard.”
Al Pacino set to play Napoleon
Actor joins film adaptation of ‘Betsy and the Emperor’
Al Pacino, who has long been interested in tackling the character of Napoleon, is on tap to play the French emperor in a screen adaptation of Staton Rabin’s children’s book “Betsy and the Emperor.
Virginia Madsen to defy ‘Gravity’
Actress teaming up for female ski jumper doc
Virginia Madsen is producing “Fighting Gravity,” a documentary about women ski jumpers’ ongoing battle for the right to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics through her Title IX Prods. shingle. Madsen launched Title IX in March 2008. Projects in development include a screen adaptation of author Martha O’Connor’s debut novel “The Bitch Posse” and a remake of the 1984 film “Electric Dreams.”
‘Semi-Pro’ helmer climbing into ‘Treehouse’
Kent Alterman attached to direct, develop adventure tale
Kent Alterman is attached to direct and develop “Treehouse Gang,” based on Timothy Dowling’s spec, which centers on a group of six childhood friends who get together in their late twenties for a treasure hunt that echoes the hunts of their youth, in the process exploring longtime friendships and grudges. Those familiar with the project have described it as a grown-up version of “The Goonies.”
Keaton, Goldblum join ‘Glory’
Comedy stars Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams
Diane Keaton and Jeff Goldblum have signed on to the comedy “Morning Glory” for Paramount Pictures. The film centers on an aspiring news producer (McAdams) who tries to save a failing morning show by getting control of its feuding anchors.
Brittany Murphy cast in ‘Expendables’
David Zayas also joins Sylvester Stallone’s action film
Brittany Murphy and David Zayas have joined the all-star cast of “The Expendables,” which counts Stallone, Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture among its cast. The story follows a team of mercenaries who head to South America on a mission to overthrow a dictator.
Wahlberg, Franco join ‘Date Night’
Actors added to Steve Carrell, Tina Fey film
Mark Wahlberg and James Franco are set to crash Steve Carell and Tina Fey’s “Date Night.” The comedy revolves around a married couple who find themselves in harm’s way after their routine date night goes horribly awry.
‘Year One’ rating changed to PG-13
Cuts made to Jack Black comedy after it initially gets an R
Sony’s “Year One,” the new Jack Black comedy from producer Judd Apatow and director Harold Ramis, has been rated PG-13 after the filmmakers made some cuts to the film. Apatow and Ramis appeared before the board to argue for a more lenient rating, but the appeals board still opted for the R.
Overture acquires ‘Paper Heart’
Charlyne Yi, Michael Cera co-star in hybrid film
“Heart” (2009 Sundance winner) follows Yi (“Cloverfield,” “Knocked Up”) as she embarks across America to film a docu about love. Cera (“Superbad,” “Juno”) becomes the object of her affection along the way. Both actors play characters based on themselves.
William Hurt jousting for Robin Hood role
Actor set to play William Marshall in Russell Crowe starrer
William Hurt has joined the cast of Universal and Imagine’s untitled Robin Hood film being directed by Ridley Scott. Russell Crowe toplines the movie, which is billed as a retelling of the origins of the legend’s key characters. Cate Blanchett is on board as Maid Marian, and also includes Scott Grimes, Kevin Durand and Alan Doyle as the Merry Men. Hurt plays William Marshall, the Earl of Pembroke, a historical figure who was one of the most powerful men in Europe.
Disney on ‘Horse’ with Bruckheimer
Duo acquire rights to Stanton book ‘Soldiers’
Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer have acquired screen rights to Doug Stanton’s upcoming book “Horse Soldiers.” Story revolves around a band of elite special forces and CIA operatives who secretly invaded Afghanistan post-9/11 on horseback and helped Afghan fighters capture the city of Mazar-i-Sharif and topple the Taliban.
Chan goes big on ‘Big Soldier’
Actor unveils details of his $25 million film
“The film is set during the Warring States Period,” Chan told a news conference on Tuesday. “I play a big soldier, and Lee Hom plays a junior soldier. It’s an action picture with black humor plus a bit of romance.”
McG has big-screen ‘Spring Awakening’
Filmmaker in talks to turn rock musical into feature
McG is in talks to bring the Broadway rock musical “Spring Awakening” to the big screen. Set in 19th-century Germany, the coming-of-age story follows a group of teens discovering their sexuality and dealing with high-wire topics like masturbation, abortion, rape and suicide.
Larry Charles to direct ‘Discontent’
‘Borat,’ ‘Bruno’ helmer boards Columbia comedy
Larry Charles is set to take on geriatric sex in his next project. Charles is in final negotiations to helm Columbia Pictures comedy “Winter’s Discontent,” which centers on a sexually frustrated widower who moves into a retirement community with his best buddy — looking to get laid.
Kyle Gallner moves to ‘Elm Street’
‘Haunting’ actor set for new ‘Nightmare’
Kyle Gallner is moving from “The Haunting in Connecticut” to “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” New Line and Platinum Dune’s reboot of the long-running horror franchise. Gallner will play Quentin, one of the lead teens in the pic.
Ralph Fiennes in talks for ‘Titans’
Actor may play Hades in Louis Leterrier film
Ralph Fiennes is in advanced negotiations to star as Hades, the lord of the underworld, in “Clash of the Titans” for Warner Bros. Fiennes would join a cast that already includes, in addition to Liam Neeson as Zeus, Gemma Arterton, Mads Mikkelsen, Alexa Davalos and Sam Worthington in the reimagining of the Greek myth of Perseus.
Television News
Showtime renews ‘The Tudors’
Historical drama to return for fourth season
Showtime has reupped “The Tudors” for a fourth season, allowing the historical drama to complete the saga of King Henry VIII. The fourth season will include 10 one-hour episodes and bow in spring 2010.
Showtime passes on all pilot orders
After taking a hard look at four pilots for possible series order over the past month, Showtime has passed on all of them. “Possible Side Effects,” a family drama themed around the pharmaceutical biz, the comedy “Ronna and Beverly,” “The L Word” spinoff “The Farm,” and dark comedy “The End of Steve.”
HBO renews ‘Eastbound & Down’
Network ups dark comedy for second season
Second season will consist of at least six episodes, possibly more, but details are being worked out around McBride’s shooting sked for a number of feature projects. Production is expected to begin in the fall.
Turner does not renew ‘Trust Me’
Eric McCormack already booked for ABC comedy
Turner will not renew ad-agency-set drama “Trust Me” for a second season. McCormack has already been booked for the lead in an ABC comedy produced by Tad Quill.
Fox cuts short ‘Dollhouse’ (sort of)
Fox has scheduled the season finale of Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse, but some sharp-eyed fans have noticed that there’s something missing: the show’s 13th episode.
Donal Logue rides with HBO’s ’1%’
Actor to play ‘Misfit’ in biker pilot
Donal Logue (“The Knights of Prosperity”) has joined the cast of the HBO biker pilot “1%.” “1%” revolves around the world of biker gangs.
Two actors added to HBO’s ‘Maladys’ pilot
Adam Scott, Zak Orth join Sarah Michelle Gellar comedy
HBO’s comedy pilot “The Wonderful Maladys” starring Sarah Michelle Gellar is a single-camera comedy is set in New York and revolves around the dysfunctional lives of three siblings, Alice (Gellar), Mary (Molly Parker) and Neil (Nate Corddry), who lost their parents at a young age.
‘Skellig’ leads BSkyB programming
British newtork beefs up dramatic content
Sky One will devote a big chunk of its April 12 primetime schedule to Tim Roth starrer “Skellig,” a pricey adaptation of the bestselling children’s book by Brit author David Almond.
Lake Bell joins HBO’s ‘How to Make It’
Ed Quinn added to network’s drama series ‘True Blood’
Bell guest-starred on the pilot for “How to Make It In America,” which revolves around Ben (Bryan Greenberg) and his friend Cam (Victor Rasuk), enterprising twentysomethings who hustle their way through New York determined to achieve the American dream.
A&E on hunt for ‘Fugitive’
Nine-episode series blends scripted, unscripted genres
“Fugitive Chronicles” will chronicle in detail some of the most compelling fugitive captures in the past 20 years. The stories will be told from the perspective of the hunter and the hunted. At the heart of each episode will be a cinematic reconstruction of the events in a style similar to the verite technique used by Paul Greengrass in “United 93″ and “The Bourne Ultimatum.”
Comic Book Movie/TV/Stage
WOLVERINE WATCH: Hugh Jackman talks pic leak, tax incentives
Actor was ‘heartbroken’ over online copy of ‘Wolverine’
“It’s a serious crime, and there’s no doubt it’s very disappointing. I was heartbroken by it,” Jackman said. “Obviously, people are seeing an unfinished film. It’s like a Ferrari without a paint job.”
WOLVERINE WATCH: Reynolds likes ‘ugly’ violence
You’re not going to see Kill Bill-style blood geysering up from severed heads! But I think you’re going to see a kind of violence that’s a little more brutal, rugged and ugly. Which is one of the things I liked about it.”
WOLVERINE WATCH: Five new character profile videos debut
Brian Austin Green Wants to be Green Lantern
The actor best known for his TV work on the original “Beverly Hills 90210″ and most recently as Derek Reese on “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” is actively campaigning for the role of Hal Jordan, and he wants to gage fans’ excitement and earn their approval.
“Green Lantern: First Flight” Trailer
Enjoy the animated goodness.
Don Cheadle and the future of a War Machine Spin-off!
“It would be great to have a character that you could take off with. If it was Rhodey that would be interesting but I have young children. If it meant spending monthsand months away from home, it’s not worth that. You’ve caught me at a very ambivalent moment. I’m gonna be a good soldier, I know that!”
Iron Man 2: Behind the scenes footage from last Tuesday’s shoot
It’s underwhelming.
“Iron Man: Armored Adventures” Blasts Off on Nicktoons Network on April 24, 2009
The new half-hour animated series will follow a teenaged Tony Stark trying to balance his life with his responsibilites as the armored superhero Iron Man. Fans can log in to www.tonyssecretlab.com for a sneak peek of the series and a free digital comic book from Marvel.
Sci Fi casts ‘Riverworld,’ ‘The Phantom’
Trio join RHI movies being eyed as possible new series
Battlestar Galactica” veteran Tahmoh Penikett and “Smallville” supergirl Laura Vandervoort will star in “Riverworld,” and Ryan Carnes (“Doctor Who”) has been cast as the Phantom.
SCI FI’s The Phantom
Here it is: the orginal article that sparked Q-Dog’s opinion piece. Suffice to say, he and I have some differences on the topics that we could debate at some point in time. Enjoy (or don’t) the concept art.
Mandalay nabs rights to ‘Full Metal Panic’
Japanese manga series blends action, comedy
The property derives from writer Shoji Gatoh’s series about a teenage anti-terrorist commando named Sousuke Sagara who is given the mission to protect a high-school girl with mystical powers.
Jonah Hex Casting Info and Set Pics
Scooper ‘Chris’ sent in some casting info for Warner Bros. Pictures’ Jonah Hex, the Jimmy Hayward-directed comic book adaptation starring Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, Megan Fox, Will Arnett and Michael Shannon. With a link to pics of Megan Fox on set.
Direct link to Megan Fox pics: http://tinyurl.com/cavqqs
Michael Caine Explains Last Year’s ‘Batman 3′ Depp/Hoffman Casting Rumor
“I read it in the newspaper and then I got told off,” Caine told MTV News. “It was in the newspaper in Toronto about The Riddler and all that, and I thought, ‘Well, they announced it.’ And then I met this reporter who asked me about it, and the sh- hit the fan.”
Seth Rogen talks Green Hornet with AICN
“There’s a very real possibility that [Stephen Chow] will end up being Kato and there’s a slight possibility it won’t work out, but honestly we just aren’t 100% sure right now, because he does his thing… He’s the king of the world in Hong Kong, he doesn’t need us!”
No ‘Thor’ For Channing Tatum, Studio Looking For Someone ‘More Nordic-Looking’
“I think they’re looking for someone more Nordic-looking,” Tatum told MTV News during a press. However, Tatum confirmed that he had indeed been interested in the part, and even met with director Kenneth Branagh.
Reese and Wernick on the Venom Spin-Off
“Venom is something that we’re very fired up to be writing,” Reese told us. “We have turned in a draft and are waiting to hear back, so it’s early in the process. But it’s a thrill to be writing ‘Venom’ for obvious reasons.”
Also: http://tinyurl.com/c96rsn
Sam Raimi talks Spidey (and Evil Dead 4 and Drag Me To Hell) with AICN
“No one’s talked to me about making part 5 at this moment. Right now I’m hoping to make part 4.”
‘Jonny Quest’ gets Zac Efron but loses its name?
Now it looks like the rumors are true and that the plum role is going to Zac Efron. (Dwayne Johnson is circling the project as well and would be the brawny version of pilot and man-of-action Race Bannon.) Warner Bros. are thinking of jettisoning the name Johnny Quest altogether. The thinking is that the vintage animation roots of “Quest” will somehow pair it in the public mind with “Speed Racer,” which was a major Warners pile-up as blockbuster films go, considering the investment, expectations and critical reception.
‘Watchmen’ scribe taking on ‘Battling Boy’
Alex Tse set to adapt graphic novel for Plan B, Paramount
Brad Pitt’s production company picked up rights to the forthcoming graphic novel written and illustrated by Paul Pope in November. The story line follows the son of a god who comes down from the top of a mountain at his father’s urging to rid the giant, continent-sized city of Monstropolis of a plague of beasts.
Jolie talks resume for Sin City 2
Angelina Jolie is now in “serious talks” – as opposed to merely being mentioned as a possibility, or having a casual coffee with the filmmakers to suss out her interest – to star in director Robert Rodroguez’s “Sin City 2″.
Universal to make ‘Academy’ film
Studio, Dark Horse Comics team on adaptation
Universal Pictures is planning to make “Umbrella Academy” the first project to come out of its three-year production pact with Dark Horse Comics. Created by Gerard Way, the lead singer of band My Chemical Romance, “Umbrella Academy,” which bowed in 2007 and spawned a second series, revolves around a disbanded group of seven superheroes who reunite after the death of their adoptive father, an alien disguised as a famous entrepreneur, and carry out his plan to save the world.
Shout! Factory inks Hasbro deal
Animated ‘Transformers,’ ‘G.I. Joe’ to get DVD treatment
Shout! Factory has signed a multiyear agreement with toymaker Hasbro to bring to DVD several animated properties based on the company’s toy lines. The deal includes episodes of 1980s animated series “The Transformers” and “G.I. Joe.”
Signs of the Apocalypse
‘Pirate Hunters’ sets sail at Spike
Pilot spotlights Navy’s antipiracy operations
Spike TV has greenlit a pilot for “Pirate Hunters: USN,” a docu series that will focus on the U.S. Navy’s antipiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
Layoffs get the reality TV treatment
Fox picks up ‘Someone’s Gotta Go’
The network has picked up the reality “Someone’s Gotta Go,” which enters real businesses across the country and gives employees the power to decide which one of them will be terminated.
Business of the Business
Buscemi, Tucci seal Lionsgate deal
Olive Prods. to develop scripted TV
The veteran indie film and TV stars, Steve Buscemi and Stanley Tucci, who have known each other for 20 years, have sealed a first-look TV deal with Lionsgate for their new shingle, Olive Prods.
L.A. film production down 56% in first quarter
TV shoots rebound after 2008′s strike-induced stoppage
Film location work in Los Angeles fell by 56.3% when compared to the first quarter of last year. Television filming, however, rebounded by 76.4% against first quarter 2008, when the WGA strike shut down TV production. As a result — after factoring in a 34.2% drop in recession-battered commercial shoots — first-quarter location filming in L.A. was virtually stagnant, increasing by 0.7% year-over-year.
With just 903 permitted shooting days during the quarter, feature film production registered its lowest quarterly tally since tracking began in 1993.
While TV shoots appeared to soar, that was only in comparison to 2008′s shutdown. Within TV, dramas shot back up 191% to 1,554 permit days, but that was in line with pre-strike averages. Sitcom shoots jumped 48.8% to 250. Reality TV, which comprises 54.3% of all TV shoots, dominated the category, rising 68.7% to 3,407 permit days.
Planet of the Odd
Kal Penn joins White House team
Actor to work as a.d. in office of public liaison
Penn will be working to forge alliances with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities and the arts community, mirroring some of his efforts as a relentless campaigner for Barack Obama before the election.
The Naked Truth
Allure asked five celebrities to bare it all for the camera.
Padma Lakshmi (“Top Chef”), Lynn Collins (“True Blood,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”), Sharon Leal (“Private Practice”), Chelsea Handler (“Reno 911!”) and Eliza Dushku (“Dollhouse”) bare it all for the camera. Learn what they had to say about self-esteem, their bodies, and stripping down.
‘Heroes’ cast artwork up for auction
Event to benefit Autism Speaks
Artwork created by cast and crew members on NBC’s “Heroes” will be auctioned off April 19 at a benefit for Autism Speaks to be held at the Avalon in Hollywood.
Phil Spector guilty in murder case
Music producer convicted in 2003 shooting
Phil Spector was found guilty on Monday of killing actress Lana Clarkson at his home in 2003. Spector faces at least 18 years in prison when he is sentenced.
Report: Farrah Fawcett out of hospital
Cancer-stricken actress was treated for bleeding
Fawcett, 62, suffered light bleeding in one of the muscles of her abdomen after arriving in Los Angeles from Germany late last week and checked into an unidentified hospital. Fawcett, who suffers from anal cancer, was released from the hospital Thursday, following treatment
Porn star Marilyn Chambers dies
Former soap model found dead in L.A. home
Adult film star Marilyn Chambers, star of hit film “Behind the Green Door,” was found dead Sunday at her home in Canyon Country in northern Los Angeles County. She was 56.
Confirmed: Fox fires Roger Friedman
‘Wolverine’ review caused major controversy
Entertainment blogger Roger Friedman has parted company with Fox News after a controversial post in which he reviewed a leaked, incomplete version of 20th Century Fox’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”
Britney Spears halts Vancouver concert
Smokey conditions force 30-minute delay
The new and improved Britney Spears apparently isn’t a fan of cigarette smoke – or any other kind of smoke, for that matter – while she’s performing. The 27-year-old pop star left the stage for about 30 minutes during a concert in Vancouver on Wednesday night, apparently because of smoke in the audience.
The Fine Print
This is by no means meant to be a comprehensive roundup of the entire weeks’ news. All stories are chosen by me for no other reason than that they got my attention and might capture yours. If something you think is more important is not here, drop a line and I’m sure someone will read it. Bruce? Quinnie? Chris? Dion?
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Looper – Podcast Review
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Skyfall – Podcast Review
Seven Psychopaths – Podcast Review
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Priest – Cam Gigandet WonderCon Roundtable
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Weird Al Yankovic – The Interview
Dr Who Season 7 – TV Trailer
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 – Animated Movie Trailer
Skyfall – Domestic and International Movie Trailers
Cloud Atlas – Movie Trailer
Oz the Great and Powerful – Movie Trailer
Seriously Scott.
How do you find time to do anything else?
Once again, expansive and informative. Excellent work my friend.