Film News Roundup – September 2009 – Week 4
Battleship Film is Still Afloat
Originally the Battleship-based movie announcement was tied into news that Universal was also looking to adapt everything from Stretch Armstrong and Candyland to Monopoly into feature films. Now comes word that Universal has set July 1, 2011 as the release date for its movie Battleship, naming Peter Berg (Hancock) as director. Berg is promising “a contemporary story of an international five-ship fleet engaged in a very dynamic, violent and intense battle.”
Transformers 3, Pain & Gain, Bad Boys 3
Straight from the (beating a dead) horse’s mouth, so to speak: “[Michael Bay] will be meeting later this week with Steven Spielberg, and Ehren Kruger to discuss ideas for Transformers 3. By the end of the week he should have an idea if Transformers 3 will hit your local cineplex in the summer of 2011 or 2012. In the meantime “Pain & Gain” is looking very possible as is … Bad Boys 3. Either film coming to a theater near you before or after Transformers 3.”
Jessica Biel, Sharlto Copley in negotiations for ‘A-Team’
Copley and Biel will join Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson to round out the special forces team convicted of a crime they didn’t commit and on the run from government forces. Joe Carnahan is directing the adaptation of the 1980s television show, while Ridley and Tony Scott produce. Biel would play the former love of Faceman (Cooper), an Army general who is now pursuing the team. “A-Team” begins production later this fall in Vancouver.
Starfleet goes Guantanamo? ‘Star Trek’ team hints that the next film will reflect contemporary war issues
“We haven’t decided anything but we’re starting to circle around some ideas. We got a lot of fan response from the first one and a considerable amount of critical response and one of the things we heard was, ‘Make sure the next one deals with modern-day issues.’ We’re trying to keep it as up-to-date and as reflective of what’s going on today as possible. So that’s one thing, to make it reflect the things that we are all dealing with today,” said screenwriter Robert Orci.
‘Dune’ Remake Will Have ‘Hard PG-13′ Rating With Franchise Potential, Reveals Peter Berg
“My experience with the book was different than David Lynch’s experience or the people behind the Sci Fi Channel’s experience. I found it to be more of an adventure tale, more of a muscular action/adventure story. I think that’s my approach, not as an R-rated film, but as a pretty hard PG-13 film about a young man dealing with issues of vengeance over the death of his father and wanting some payback and having to come to terms with his destiny along the way.”
Giamatti crowned King John in ‘Ironclad’
Medieval-era action begins production next month
Paul Giamatti has committed to play the tyrant King John in “Ironclad,” a medieval-era action that will begin production in Wales next month. Jonathan English (“Minotaur”) is set to direct and James Purefoy to star. The drama pits a member of the formidable Knights Templar (Purefoy) and his “Magnificent Seven” cohorts who defend Rochester Castle against King John and his army in 13th century England.
Is Jack Sparrow jumping ship?
Johnny Depp said his enthusiasm for a fourth “Pirates” movie has waned with the news of studio chief Dick Cook’s exit from Disney. The actor said it was because of Cook that he ended up working with Disney in the first place. Cook had been trying woo Depp for years. “He said, ‘We’re thinking about doing this ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movie,’” Depp recalled. “I said I was in. This was before there was a script or anything.” Depp said one of the reasons he committed to the movie was because he trusted Cook.
Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon at it again
Director and actor reteam for thriller ‘Hereafter’
Having just worked together on “Invictus,” which will be released later this year, Clint Eastwood and Matt Damon are reteaming for “Hereafter.” Eastwood will direct the original supernatural thriller by Peter Morgan, with Damon stepping in to the lead role; filming is set to begin this fall.
Sherlock Holmes on a new case
Warners working on sequel; Brad Pitt in talks for Moriarty
A “Sherlock Holmes” sequel is afoot. Three months ahead of the release of its Robert Downey Jr. action pic, Warners is developing a new installment. The studio is poised to bring on Kieran and Michele Mulroney, the scribes who are penning its “Justice League: Mortal” tentpole, to pen a draft of the new tale. Brad Pitt has had discussions with producers to star as Holmes’ nemesis Moriarty in the new pic, say people familiar with the project, though there is no deal in place for him to take the part.
John Logan runs to ‘Passage’
Fox 2000 bites vampire tale
In a seven-figure deal, John Logan has been set by Fox 2000 to adapt “The Passage,” the Justin Cronin vampire novel being developed for Ridley Scott to potentially direct. It marks the first time that Logan and Scott have collaborated since the Oscar-winning “Gladiator.”
Universal makes ‘Wicked’ deal
Thompson to adapt first book in Marr’s series
Universal Pictures has acquired screen rights to “Wicked Lovely,” the bestselling first book in a fantasy series written by Melissa Marr that will see its fourth installment published next year by Harper Collins. The protagonist is a 17-year-old girl who can see fairies, and must fend off the advances of a fairy king determined to marry her to save the planet from his vengeful mother.
Hemingway’s ‘Feast’ heads to screen
Mariel Hemingway captures film, TV rights
Ernest Hemingway’s memoir “A Moveable Feast” is moving toward the screen for the first time, with the late author’s granddaughter, Mariel Hemingway, leading the charge. Hemingway has captured the film and TV rights to the book from the author’s estate and has teamed with John Goldstone to produce. They will begin shopping the project immediately. Mariel Hemingway is the granddaughter of the author and his first wife, Elizabeth Hadley Richardson, whose marital breakup is described in vivid detail in the memoir.
Helmer’s ‘Shotgun’ is loaded
Chandrasekhar to direct ‘Wedding’
Cult comedy fave Jay Chandrasekhar will next direct comedy “Shotgun Wedding.” Script, co-written by the “Super Troopers” and “Beerfest” helmer and David Gilcreast, concerns an avowed bachelor who suddenly calls his friends to join him on a weekend trip for his wedding. Shoot is planned for a November start in New Orleans.
Spiritual ‘Way’ is a family affair
Estevez’s fourth feature stars father, Martin Sheen
“The Way,” Emilio Estevez’s fourth feature as a writer-director, begins at the Camino de Santiago’s start, in St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port, below the often-snowbound Route de Napoleon over the Pyrenees. Starring Martin Sheen, Estevez’s father, it takes in Galicia’s improbable-looking Santiago de Compostela, a huge piece of medieval real estate topped by a jaw-dropping cathedral. Sheen plays Tom, an American widower who’s in St.-Jean to reclaim the body of his estranged son, who died, lost on the Route de Napoleon. Tom cremates the remains, puts them in his son’s backpack and starts off to complete the young man’s journey.
Michael Sheen talks TRON LEGACY, TWILIGHT NEW MOON, ALICE IN WONDERLAND and UNDERWORLD 4
“Everyone has an inner white fluffy animal. It’s such an iconic character that I didn’t feel like I should break the mold too much. I sort of just went with it. It’s a great character and a great story. “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan”were the first stories growing up that had a huge impact on me and have stayed with me ever since. So to be part of Tim Burton’s version is just a dream come true.”
Bits and Pieces
- J.J. Abrams reveals Fringe, Trek 2 and MI4 news
- MAMMA MIA 2 Update: Colin Firth Says They May Use Another Band’s Music.
- Zach Galifianakis eyes ‘It’s Kind of a Funny Story’
- Sony Pictures picks up Woody Harrelson’s ‘Defendor’
- Plans For a Third ‘REC’ Underway!
- Michelle Monaghan set for ‘Due Date’ alongside Robert Downey Jr.
- 6 ways to reinvent Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Keanu Reeves?
- Darren Aronofsky Developing World’s Biggest Heist Movie
- Dick Cook leaves Disney after serving 38 years
- IFC picks up ‘Valhalla Rising’
- Rebecca Hall joins Richard Linklater dramedy
- Dylan Walsh, John Malkovich, Scott Glenn sign on for ‘Secretariat’
- Shawn Levy in for ‘bots of ‘Real Steel’
- Focus Features and Sam Mendes lands ‘Netherland’
- Gael Garcia Bernal in talks for ‘Earthbound’ with Kate Hudson
- Chazz Palminteri jazzed by indie mob drama
- LeBron James to star in ‘Fantasy Basketball Camp’ pic
- Weinstein Co. delays ‘Youth In Revolt’
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.
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