Film News Roundup – June 2009 – Week 3
This Trailer Might Get Loud
a documentary about a trio of the most famous guitarists of all time jamming together. Tracking the history of the electric guitar, it shows us a day when three generations of guitarists (Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, The Edge from U2, and Jack White from The White Stripes) met up to play together, talk about their experiences and share their styles.
Mission Impossible 4 – JJ Abrams Returns as Producer
According to Abrams, Tom and I have come up with a really cool idea we are pursuing. Here is a scan from the latest TV Guide where JJ Abrams says he was “honored” that Tom Cruise asked him to be Producer.
Robert Rodriguez Says His Live-Action ËœJetsons’ Movie Will Begin Filming Next Year
Rodriguez’s updated take on the futuristic Ëœ60s-era cartoon has been rumored for awhile, but with all of the other films that Rodriguez is attempting to undertake it seemed quite possible that an ambitious new Jetsons would remain on the backburner. Not so. I’ve been developing [The Jetsons] for awhile, Rodriguez said, adding that he’s hoping to start shooting next year.
Alien ‘Prequel’ Growing Pains: Fox Wants Ridley Scott To Direct Not Carl Erik Rinsch
The filmmakers and Fox, the studio that owns the rights to the franchise, seem to have conflicting ideas about who should direct. Scott plans to produce and had handpicked commercial director Carl Erik. Rinsch’s selection is complicated by the rumor that he’s romantically involved with Scott’s daughter, Jordan, also a commercial helmer. Sources at Fox, however, tell EW that the studio is not interested in greenlighting a prequel unless Scott himself directs.
B-Four, Red Giant seek ‘Immortality’
Duo team for feature adaptation of ‘Factor’
Sci-fi writer Ben Bova’s B-Four Prods. has teamed up with Red Giant Media to develop Bova’s own “The Immortality Factor” for feature adaptation. “Factor” follows two brothers, one a scientist and one a medical doctor, divided over stem-cell research but united by the need to save the life of a woman they both love.
Liam Neeson in talks for ‘A-Team’
Actor negotiating for ‘Hannibal’ role in Fox film
Liam Neeson is in negotiations with 20th Century Fox to star in its long-gestating bigscreen adaptation of “The A-Team” as Col. John “Hannibal” Smith. Bradley Cooper is in early talks to play Lt. Templeton “Faceman” Peck. Ridley Scott is producing with Jules Daly and series creator Stephen J. Cannell, with Tony Scott exec producing through Scott Free. Carnahan and Brian Bloom polished a script by Skip Woods, whose recent script credits include “G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra” and “Wolverine.”
Chow to produce ‘CJ-7′ animation
Toe Yuen directs sequel to hit sci-fi comedy
Stephen Chow is gearing up to make his first animated film, a toon sequel to his hit 2008 sci-fi comedy “CJ-7.” The animated version of “CJ-7″ will feature the same characters as the original movie, but with a completely new story.
Cohen gets ‘Medieval’ for New Regency
Director passes on Vin Diesel’s ‘XXX’
Director Rob Cohen has backed out of reteaming with Vin Diesel on “XXX: The Return of Xander Cage” for Sony. Instead, he has signed a deal to helm an event-sized action film that Cohen calls “The Magnificent Seven” in the Middle Ages.
Simon Cowell to remake Saturday Night Fever
He has been in negotiations for weeks with legendary film producer ROBERT STIGWOOD, who owns the rights to the screenplay.
Marcus Nispel will direct Conan the Barbarian.
The company still wanted to shoot as early as this summer, but without a director or a star things looked rough for the production. Now that Nispel is on board things can get back to moving forward. Nispel stepping in on Conan means his Dracula midquel, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, is getting back burnered.
Kitsch, Collins to star in ‘John Carter of Mars’
Andrew Stanton helming Disney’s fantasy epic
Walt Disney Pictures has set Wolverine stars Taylor Kitsch (Gambit) and Lynn Collins ()Silverfox) to star in John Carter of Mars. Kitsch will play the title character, a damaged Civil War veteran who finds himself mysteriously transported to Mars, where his involvements with warring races of the dying planet lead him to rediscover his humanity. Collins will play Dejah Thoris, the Princess of Mars.
Bond begins anew with scribe trio
Morgan, Purvis and Wade to write the script
Frost/Nixon scribe Peter Morgan will join James Bond alums Neal Purvis and Robert Wade to pen the script for the next 007 installment. Purvis and Wade most recently worked on Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale. Morgan wrote the play and screen adaptation of Frost/Nixon, as well as The Last King of Scotland and The Queen.
‘Gulliver’s Travels’ gets its bad guy
Chris O’Dowd joins cast of adaptation
Chris O’Dowd has been cast in the Fox comedy “Gulliver’s Travels.” The actor joins Jack Black, Jason Segel, Amanda Peet and Emily Blunt in the big-budget adaptation of the classic Jonathan Swift story. The modern version is about the adventures of travel writer Lemuel Gulliver, who while on a Bermuda Triangle assignment gets sidetracked to the secret island of Lilliput. O’Dowd will play Edward, Black’s Lilliputian nemesis.
Helmer hooked on new ‘Mr. Limpet’
Kevin Lima will direct an update of the 1964 film
The “Enchanted” director is attached to helm Warner Bros.’ update of “The Incredible Mr. Limpet,” a story about a man who turns into a talking fish. Don Knotts starred in the studio’s 1964 original, which centered on the title character, an otherwise bland sort who after his transformation becomes a World War II hero when he helps spot and thwart enemy warships for the Allies. The new project, which also will be a live-animated blend, has been through several iterations, with Robin Williams and Jim Carrey among the stars for whom it previously had been developed. Mike Judge was at one point attached to direct.
Leonardo DiCaprio set for Par poker pic
Actor to star in film from Koppelman, Levien
Paramount has picked up an untitled pitch from Brian Koppelman and David Levien that takes place in the world of Costa Rica-based online casinos. Leonardo DiCaprio is attached to star, and his Appian Way cohort Jennifer Davisson Killoran is producing.
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 chime in on the feedback; we’d love to hear comments and have a conversation about it.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
The Great Movie Never Made – Podcast Special
Rare Unsigned Copy – Book Review
Universal Soldier: Regeneration – Podcast Review
The Big Racket – Movie Review
The Men Who Stare At Goats – CSW Podcast Review
Slice Of Life – Book Review
Games Roundup – Week Three, March 2010
Signs of the Apocalypse Roundup – March 2010 – Week 1
Comic News Roundup – March 2010 – Week 1
TV News Roundup – March 2010 – Week 1
The Top and Bottom 5 films of 2009 – A (Cool) Shite Poll
The (official unofficial) Top 5 Video Games of 2009!
Australia’s R18+ Discussion Paper and Submissions – The Great Debate
Separation City – Paul Middleditch Interview
Kick Ass: Aaron Johnson – Interview
Planet Hulk: Josh Fine – Interview
Star Chicks – Interview
Van Diemen’s Land: Jonathan auf der Heide – Interview
Predators – Movie Trailer
Predators – Featurette
The Losers – Movie Trailer
Tron Legacy – Full Trailer
Iron Man 2 – Trailer 2
