Film News Roundup – December 2009 – Week 2
Peter Jackson talks In Depth about his TEMERAIRE Project
Temeriaire is a series of books written by Naomi Novik which is a reimagining of the epic events of the Napoleonic Wars with an air force of dragons, manned by crews of aviators. Jackson explains: ”I can’t see any degree of common sense in trying to mount them one at a time as feature films. To me the stories, having read the first ones, already work as this continuing, on-going saga, so I’m thinking ‘Is there a marketplace out there yet for a large budget mini-series?’”
Peter Jackson says ‘Hobbit’ casting begins this week
“(These movies) have never been a star-driven vehicle. The star is (author J.R.R.) Tolkien and the world he created. We are not under any pressure. We want to find the right people. Casting someone to portray a hobbit is not as easy as you might imagine. They have to have a particular type of physical appearance and a sensibility. And the same with an elf or a dwarf. These are fantastical characters, but you’ve got to find the right people to play them, the right humans to translate these characters.”
Secret Wachowski Brothers Futuristic War Movie In Production?
Arianna Huffington sent out a bunch of interesting tweets today claiming to be shooting a part in a Wachowskis Brothers film, a movie about the Iraq War, from the perspective of the future. I would normally just write this off as not legit, but Huffington has posted photos from the set, one of which features Wachowski brother turned sister Lana Wachowski. It could be Cloud Atlas, the Wachowski Brothers-produced Tom Tykwer-directed adaptation of the postmodern novel by David Mitchell .
Confirmed: Johnny Depp’s Dark Shadows to begin next year
director Tim Burton and star Johnny Depp are making a feature film version of the classic 1960s gothic TV soap opera Dark Shadows, and producer Graham King now confirms that the film will shoot in the fall, with Depp to play broody vampire Barnabas Collins. “We’re actually going to shoot that film next September/October with Tim Burton and Johnny,” King said.
Summit working on ‘Dracula’ remake
Summit is developing an action-oriented take on the most famous of the fanged: Dracula. The company has picked up “Vlad,” a script by actor Charlie Hunnam (‘Sons of Anarchy’), and is in negotiations with music video and photographer Anthony Mandler to direct the project. Brad Pitt is producing, not acting.. “Vlad” centers on Dracula as a young prince; he is known to history as Vlad the Impaler, the man behind the Dracula myth.
‘War Birds’ film flying at TMU Pictures
Michael Chait set to direct combat action-adventure movie
Michael Chait wrote the original story and will produce and direct the screenplay written by Josh Staman and Bryan Binder. “Birds” follows an Air Force veteran-turned-reckless airshow re-enactment pilot as he gets pulled into the underground culture of illegal, real-life aerial combat. Shooting is scheduled for the summer in Michigan using all real airplanes and aerial sequences, including authentic P-51 Mustangs, P-38 Lightnings, F4U Corsairs and a B-17 Flying Fortress as well as modern military helicopters and jets
Jeff Bridges reveals the secret of his two Tron Legacy roles
“It was challenging, in that I got a little taste of this new technology of acting what they call ‘in the volume’ and making movies without cameras,” Bridges said in a group interview “It’s a completely different deal. That was kind of a challenge. It was great getting back with my old buddy, [original Tron director] Steven Lisberger, and Bruce Boxleitner.” Boxleitner, who played the dual roles of Alan Bradley and Tron in the original film, will appear in the sequel as an age-appropriate Bradley.
Matt Damon Believes Paul Greengrass WILL Return for BOURNE 4; Also Provides Updates on LIBERACE and TRUE GRIT
According to Damon, they’re still waiting on a script for Bourne 4 but that he’s planning to wait for Greengrass and when Greengrass wants to do it, they’ll do it. He also says that he won’t make a fourth Bourne without Greengrass but he’s optimistic that the director will return at some point down the road.
A RECURRING NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
Platinum Dunes’ remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street is engaged in reshoots right now, following a round of test screenings in the Los Angeles area. The reshoots are big enough to require new casting, as laid out on the SpoilerTV site, so it looks like scenes are being added to the story.
Kitano plots gangster pic ‘Outrage’
Japanese director also writes and stars in pic
Japanese helmer Takeshi Kitano (“Zatoichi”) has finally unveiled details of his latest gangster pic — his first in nine years. “Outrage” depicts power struggles among Tokyo gangsters. Kitano not only helms and scripts but also plays the lead, a low-ranking gang boss who does his superiors’ dirty work.
Spielberg abandons ‘Harvey’
Director withdraws from DreamWorks remake
Steven Spielberg has withdrawn from “Harvey.” He spent the past half year developing the pic, his first directing vehicle for the reconstituted DreamWorks. Spielberg’s first choice was Tom Hanks, but the actor who is often regarded as a modern day Stewart wanted no part of taking over a role played by the iconic star. Spielberg and Fox spent several months courting Robert Downey Jr. While the star didn’t commit, he made suggestions on rewrites of the Jonathan Tropper script. He and Spielberg never found themselves in creative sync on the script, and the director finally called the whole thing off.
Imprint Entertainment to remake ‘Phone’
‘Twilight’ company eyes Korean horror hit
Imprint Entertainment, the production company behind “Twilight” and “New Moon,” has inked with South Korea’s Mirovision to remake “The Phone,” a 2002 Korean horror hit by Ahn Byung-ki. “I thought Korean horror films would succeed in Hollywood once Korean directors steer the remake projects, just as ‘The Grudge’ and ‘The Ring’ series were succcessful,” said Ahn, who will helm the remake.
Spielberg, Jackson Talk More ‘Tintin’
While Spielberg has finished the first Tintin film, Peter Jackson says that he hasn’t even fully decided on which story will be the base for the second, which he is directing. Talking to Le Monde, Jackson says that while he’s leaning towards the South America-set The Seven Crystal Balls/Prisoners of the Sun, “the choice is not final. I will read all the albums of Tintin again over Christmas and will make a decision before the New Year.”
Terry Gilliam Wants Robert Duvall to Play Don Quixote de la Mancha!
I may work with Terry Gilliam next – if they get the money – to play Don Quixote de la Mancha. In Europe. In Spain. Totally amazing to work with Terry Gilliam. But, once again, the money. It’s so difficult to get the money. He saw me play a Cuban barber one time with Richard Harris and that’s what gave him the idea to cast me as Don Quixote.
FIGHT THE SHIP: PETER BERG TALKS BATTLESHIP
he aliens aren’t on Earth to take over or destroy us. They have a goal on Earth – a goal Berg wouldn’t explain beyond saying they’re building something (he showed us concept art of this, and all I can really tell you is it looks like they’re building a huge bivouac) – and that goal brings the aliens into conflict with a five ship fleet. Berg: I would actually say it’s more A Bridge Over the River Kwai. They’re trying to build something because they’re in trouble, and they need a power source. They’re trying to get something completed, and they’re not particularly concerned with any life that [gets in their way]. They don’t have anything against you, but if you interfere with their agenda, they’ll kill you.
The Cutting Room Floor
- Disney’s Upcoming Hand-Drawn Movies Revealed, Including The Snow Queen
- U.K.’s Artificial Eye prebuys Tilda Swinton’s ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin
- Eli Roth Looking To Commercial And Music Video Directors For ‘Invasion’
- Eli Roth Tweaking ‘Endangered Species’ Script After Notes From Quentin Tarantino, Will Shoot Next Year
- Overture nabs rights to Robert De Niro, Edward Norton thriller ‘Stone’
- Rumor control: Resident Evil IV pushed back to 2011?
- Mel Gibson to film in Mexico
- Rumor control: McG directing Terminator 5 and 6?
- Pregnant Amy Adams Won’t Enter THE PROMISED LAND; Comments on ENCHANTED Sequel and THE FIGHTER
- Peter Jackson Talks LOTR Blu-ray, Says THE HOBBIT is Still 2011
- Peter Jackson clears up Hobbit rumors
- Jack Black’s ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ reimagining hits theaters
- ‘Hangover’ director Todd Phillips talks ‘The Hangover 2′
- ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2′ director moves to film for ‘Frost Road’
- Harlan Ellison wants J.J. Abrams to hire him for Trek 2
- Producers develop romantic teen comedy ‘Pictures of You’
- The David Lynch-presented ‘Interview Project’ gets NYC premiere
- Q&A: Robert Downey Jr.
- New Line to take a crack at re-imagining ‘Nutcracker’
- Jack Black animates film pitch
- Rejoice! Alone in the Dark II on DVD in January
- Taylor Lautner to star in ‘Max Steel’
- ‘Capote’ helmer Bennett Miller to direct ‘Moneyball’
- MTV’s Live ‘Avatar’ Q&A Is Online
- Interview: Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman On Invictus
- ‘Bad Lieutenant 2′ producers option sci-fi noir hybrid cult novel ‘Gun, With Occasional Music’
- Producer Mace Neufeld Talks Next Jack Ryan Film Starring Chris Pine
- New Images and the Synopsis from Remake of A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
- Paul Greengrass not directing ‘Bourne 4′
- Steve McQueen to direct ‘Fela’ feature
- Kjell Sundvall to direct Swedish thriller ‘Hunters 2′
- Frank Langella joins Dark Castle thriller ‘Unknown White Male’
- Actress-writer Andrea Savage set for ‘Dinner for Schmucks’
- A LOOK AT NEXT YEAR’S MOTHER’S DAY REMAKE
- Angryfilms, Bellport Pictures to make ‘Slide’
- Rob Lieber to adapt ‘Jeremy Cabbage and the Living Museum of Human Oddballs and Quadruped Delights’
- Terminator Auction of rights should be complete by February
- An Update on ‘The Birds’ Remake
- U.K. Optimum Releasing goes on spending spree, buys nine pics
- U.K. Disney ups animation production, seven toons a year
- Interview: Sam Rockwell for ‘Everybody’s Fine’
- Interview: Jeff Bridges on Tron Legacy and Crazy Heart
- TOXIC AVENGER 5 ANNOUNCED!
- Universal Pictures Intl. Spain has acquired 2 pics based on H.P. Lovecraft
- Johnny Depp eyes Pancho Villa role
- Paul Thomas Anderson Casts Philip Seymour Hoffman In His Next Movie
- Harold Perrineau joins ‘Hungry Rabbit Jumps’
- Three actors join the ‘Delta Blues’
- Charles Shyer to helm ‘BFF’ pic
- Russel Crowe’s ultimate Robin Hood film
- YOU WOKE UP IN THE ALTERNATE REALITY WHERE RIDDICK 3 IS HAPPENING
- ‘Zombieland,’ ‘Jackass’ 3D sequels planned
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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