Film News Roundup – August 2009 – Week 1
Dr. Seuss Book ‘The Lorax’ Coming To A 3-D Screen Near You
Universal and Illumination Entertainment are aiming to make “The Lorax” their next 3-D animated feature, and they’ll be putting a lot of emphasis on its timely themes of conservation. The project, which is being put into production for a March 2, 2012 release. “The Lorax” is an extremely sad story of environmental destruction at the hands of “the Once-ler,” who ignores the warning of the Lorax and chops down the magical Truffula forest in order to produce a goofy garment called “Thneed.” Destruction and pollution rain down on the area, forcing its quirky residents to flee until only the Once-ler’s ruined factories remain.
Movieline Presents the Never-Before-Seen Concept Art For Warner Bros.’ Thundercats
In conjunction with our coverage of Comic-Con 2009, Movieline has obtained O’Flaherty’s never-before-seen Thundercats concept art, demonstrating just how gorgeous and ambitious his vision for this production is. After the jump, you’ll see Thundercats renderings of Lion-O, The Pyramid, Third Earth, and Mutant Attack.
‘NIMH’ adaptation in works
Paramount developing new feature based on the novel
Director Neil Burger (“The Illusionist”) is in talks to write the screenplay. A pic would be the second theatrical go-round for the book, which MGM brought to the screen in 1982 as the animated “The Secret of NIMH,” directed by Don Bluth. Robert C. O’Brien’s “Rats of NIMH” won the Newbery Medal in 1972 and has been a staple in children’s bookstores and libraries since. The story centers on a mouse — the titular Mrs. Frisby, re-named Mrs. Brisby in the MGM movie — faced with a crisis when her son falls ill and she must move her family to escape a farmer’s plow.
Players come together for ‘Lord’s Day’
Robert Mark Kamen, Atlas on board for action thriller
“Taken” writer Robert Mark Kamen and “Get Smart” producer Atlas Entertainment are collaborating on “The Lord’s Day,” an action thriller that’s been set up at Sony. “Day” centers on a hostage takeover of Britain’s House of Lords by terrorists on the first day of a legislative session. The protagonist is Harry Jones, a member of Parliament who is also a former ranking military officer; when Jones attempts to stop the terrorists, he uncovers a more complex and consequential global conspiracy than anyone could have suspected.
Scribe takes on ‘inFAMOUS’
Sheldon Turner to adapt video game for Sony
Screenwriter Sheldon Turner is becoming even more “inFAMOUS.” Sony Pictures has pre-emptively picked up a pitch from Turner to adapt the video game into a feature film. The studio is working out a deal for rights to the game. Avi Arad and Ari Arad will produce. Launched in May, “inFAMOUS” centers on bike messenger Cole MacGrath, who survives an explosion that destroys entire blocks of Empire City only to find he has new electricity-derived super powers.
‘Resident Evil’ duo picks up ‘Warded’
Paul W. S. Anderson to direct fantasy novel adaptation
Filmmaker Paul W. S. Anderson and longtime producing partner Jeremy Bolt, the duo behind the moneymaking “Resident Evil” franchise, have picked up film rights to Peter V. Brett’s debut fantasy novel “The Warded Man.” The book is set in an undetermined future where mankind is beset by nightly attacks from demonkind and has been thrown back into a feudal state. Three young people emerge with the potential power to turn the tide, including the title character, a man who has wards (spells) tattooed on his body.
Lefevre: Wronged or uncooperative?
Press releases debate cause for ‘Twilight’ recasting
The recasting of “Victoria” in the third installment of the “Twilight” franchise either demonstrates that Summit Entertainment is unreasonable or Rachelle Lefevere has “a lack of cooperative spirit.”
‘Tron Legacy’ director into ‘Oblivion’
Joseph Kosinski developing feature, illustrated novel
“Tron Legacy” director Joseph Kosinski is developing “Oblivion,” based on his own concept, as a feature for Radical Pictures. “Oblivion” also will become an illustrated novel, Radical Publishing’s first venture beyond comic books, done in a format featuring 40 fully painted landscape images that will accompany the prose. The story centers on a battle-damaged soldier who, assigned to a desolate planet after a court-martial, patrols the bleak landscape in an effort to destroy the last vestiges of a primitive alien race. When a mysterious traveler arrives unexpectedly, their lives become inextricably linked as they are forced to question everything they know about this world and themselves.
Trio in the trenches for ‘Battle: L.A.’
Rodriguez, Pena, Moynahan join Eckhart in cast
Michelle Rodriguez, Michael Pena and Bridget Moynahan have been recruited to join Columbia’s “Battle: Los Angeles.” The sci-fi actioner, directed by Jonathan Liebesman, stars Aaron Eckhart and is set to begin production in the fall. “Battle” revolves around a Marine staff sergeant (Eckhart) and his new platoon’s battle against an alien invasion on the streets of Los Angeles. Rodriguez will play Crpl. Adriana Santos, a member of a radio battalion. Pena plays the father of a boy the Marines find along the way, and Moynahan plays a veterinarian.
Rob Marshall eyes ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’
Choreographer-turned-director in talks to helm next film
Choreographer-turned-director Rob Marshall is in talks to take the wheel of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise from director Gore Verbinski. Disney and series producer Jerry Bruckheimer have been eager to set sail on a fourth installment with star Johnny Depp back in his bandana as Sparrow as early as next year.
Universal sets new date for ‘Wolfman’
Reboot of monster franchise moves to 2010
The horror pic, which stars Benicio Del Toro as the hairy shape-shifter, will now be released Feb. 12 and serve as counterprogramming to New Line’s romantic comedy “Valentine’s Day,” the Summit drama “Remember Me,” with “Twilight’s” Robert Pattinson toplining, and Disney’s 3-D re-release of “Beauty and the Beast.” It’s the fourth date for “Wolfman” after roaming from Feb. 13 to April 3 and then Nov. 6 this year.
Spierigs out for WB’s ‘Blood’
Brownlow to update swashbuckler pirate classic
Warner Bros. has set Michael and Peter Spierig to direct and John Brownlow to write a new version of “Captain Blood,” the 1935 swashbuckler pirate classic that starred Errol Flynn as a wrongly imprisoned British doctor who escapes to become a pirate in the Caribbean. The Spierig brothers got hired because of their innovative idea to set the pirate film in space.
‘Alien’ prequel takes off
Ridley Scott attached to return as director
Twentieth Century Fox is resuscitating its “Alien” franchise. The studio has hired Jon Spaihts to write a prequel that has Ridley Scott attached to return as director. Spaihts got the job after pitching the studio and Scott Free, which will produce the film. The film is set up to be a prequel to the groundbreaking 1979 film that Scott directed. It will precede that film, in which the crew of a commercial towing ship returning to Earth is awakened and sent to respond to a distress signal from a nearby planetoid. The crew discovers too late that the signal generated by an empty ship was meant to warn them.
Harlin gets serious about war
Director to tackle Russia-Georgia conflict
Renny Harlin has been set to direct an untitled drama based on actual events that took place during the five-day Russia-Georgia conflict. The short war began Aug. 8, 2008, when Georgian forces attacked the border territory in South Ossetia. Russia recognized the territory’s independence and subsequently routed Georgian forces; tensions have remained high ever since. Harlin will shoot the film in areas near the conflict. Pre-production is already under way, as is casting, for a mid-September shoot. Harlin said the plot specifics are being kept under wraps for security reasons, but the drama involves an American journalist and his cameraman who get caught in the crossfire in Georgia and then have to deal with their obligation to be impartial journalists.
Hugh Jackman to star in ‘Showman’
Actor to play P.T. Barnum in Fox musical
Twentieth Century Fox has attached Hugh Jackman to play American showman P.T. Barnum in “The Greatest Showman on Earth,” an original contemporary musical to be scripted by Jenny Bicks (“Sex and the City”). Jackman will play the showman with a penchant for hoaxing a gullible public as he creates the three-ring circus that made him famous. The musical also focuses on his infatuation with singer Jenny Lind — the so-called Swedish Nightingale. Pic will have a contemporary musical score, and the studio is in talks with British singer-songwriter Mika to write music and lyrics.
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 – Featurette
The Losers – Movie Trailer
Tron Legacy – Full Trailer
Iron Man 2 – Trailer 2
Legend of the Guardians – Movie Trailer
