The Movie Blog

Gears Of War Movie To Be District 9 Style?

Francisco — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:53:55 +0000

The Gears of War franchise is one of the top-selling video game franchises in history. It’s been said for a while now, that a movie adaptation will happen. Most people expect a GOW movie to be a $200 million plus budget manifestation on screen. Today, we get news that those plans and expectations can be scratched.

IGN reports:

Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski recently appeared at San Diego Comic-Con Cinema Blend about the long-gestating game-to-film adaptation, where he said that due to budget cuts by New Line Cinema the project is being retooled as a lower-budget sci-fi film along the lines of District 9.

This jives with recent updates that revealed the film’s $150 million budget had been slashed, original director Len Wiseman had walked away from it, and that the project had “gone back to the drawing board.”

Disctrict 9 is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi movies. It was an original story, with great action and awesome looking special effects. It even got some Oscar nominations, including Best Picture in 2009. The cost of doing D9? Around some $30 million. How much did it make? About $210 worldwide. So can GOW be done D9 style (low budget), and be successful? Yes it can. As long as the story adaptation is strong, and the effects are well done like in D9, GOW can be successful. I believe it would make more money than D9, since it’s got a huge video game following and plenty of marketing strong points to exploit. And if going low-buget is what it takes for this film to be finally get done, then they should do it already.

What do you think? GOW going D9 style, a better option, than say, going Avatar style?

Len Wiseman To Direct Total Recall Remake

Francisco — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:33:58 +0000

A director has been found to helm a Total Recall remake. Yup, you might know of him as being Kate Beckinsale’s husband, or the guy who directed/produced the Underworld movies. He also directed Bruce Willis in Live Free or Die Hard.

JoBlo reports:

Columbia has anointed Len Wiseman to helm the project, which looks to be an Arnold-free reimagining of the Philip K. Dick story. “Len has an incredible love of the genre and a great gift for action. He’ll bring a contemporary feel to the film while taking care with everything we love about Philip K. Dick’s original story.”

Moritz said, “I have been trying for years to work with Len and fortunately we finally found a great project that he loves as much as we do. Len is terrifically talented and we know he is the right director to re-imagine Total Recall for a new generation of fans.”

Wiseman added, “I’ve always been fascinated with Philip K. Dick’s short story, and I’m excited at that prospect of diving even deeper into the type of world it evokes and the questions it asks. I love that the most crucial mystery our character is trying to solve is the one of his own soul.”

I don’t know, Total Recall is one of those films that shouldn’t be touched. I mean, it’s considered one of the best sci-fi movies ever. But, since everything old is making the money now, it was bound to happen. Maybe, I’d feel more comfortable if they do a totally different take on Philip K. Dick’s short story. Regarding Wiseman, I don’t believe he is a great director, nor a horrible director. I’m surprised the studio wouldn’t want a greater director tackling this remake.

What do you guys think? You want them to touch Total Recall? Who should’ve been named director then?

Warner Bros. Seriously Considering John Hamm as Superman?

Francisco — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:38:16 +0000

Like promised, the rumor mill is spinning like crazy as to who will be the next Superman. We all know the script is written (Nolan/Goyer), but we’ve still haven’t gotten any confirmation or real news about the future film. We’ve heard that Brandon Routh would love to come back. We’ve heard that Chuck’s Zachary Levi was being considered for the role (rumor already shot down). So, today we’ve got news that WB Bros. is seriously considering Jon Hamm.

ScreenRant reports:

According to our friends at Think Mcfly Think, one candidate for the gig is fan-favorite Jon Hamm of Mad Men fame.

TMT’s source claims that Warner Bros. has “seriously considered” Hamm for the role but the actor is 39 years of age, a tough sell if they want to make a franchise out of this (which they do).
As any other rumor, let's talk about the possibility for a while, before it's shot down, or it really sticks in the end. Jon Hamm is an excellent actor; he's really good in Mad Men, and I also enjoyed him doing some comedy in 30 Rock, alongside Tina Fey. I have no doubt that he would be make an awesome Superman. My only concern is that he's almost 40; and if WB plans to make a franchise a la Nolan's Batman, the age factor hurts a little bit. On the other side, maybe Nolan's Superman story, has an already established older Superman going about his role in the world, before all hell breaks loose. Taking this into consideration, getting Hamm to be Superman, would be an perfect decision. I guess we'll find out.

WB has said that The Man Of Steel would probably be out on December 2012, just after Batman 3 that summer. If I where them, I would start moving already, just like Marvel is going about The Avengers (2012). Please WB, give us the director already at least. Then move on towards who's going to be Superman. Wouldn't it be awesome for them to reference or hint at Superman or Batman in The Green Lantern (2011)? C'mon WB/DC get you stuff together!

What do you guys think? Routh or Hamm? Anyone else on your mind for Supes?

Wouldn't Jon Hamm, with shades of gray/white hair, be an awesome Superman for THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS? Damn.

Tina Fey Joins Meryl Streep In Mommy And Me

Francisco — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:57:05 +0000

Tina Fey is currently one of the most hard working, powerful, and successful women in the entertainment business. After her last film, Date Night, alongside Steve Carrell, made around $150 million worldwide, it appears Fey has found her next project.

JoBlo reports:

The film would star Fey and Streep as a mother and daughter while the film “spotlights the thorny and funny sides of mother-daughter relationships.” I don’t doubt that there’s humor to be mined from such relationships but perhaps I’m looking for something more in the vein of the absurdist “30 Rock” humor than a familial comedy-drama.

Stanley Tucci, who recently co-starred with Streep in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and JULIE & JULIA, has signed on to direct the film for Sony Pictures, who just picked up the rights to the film. Steve Buscemi, yes that Steve Buscemi, is producing the film.

I love Fey’s work in SNL and 30 Rock. I’ve also enjoyed her in the movies she’s been involved; Mean Girls, Baby Mama and Date Night. Although the premise seem pretty simple, I’m sure we’ll have a good time watching Fey and Streep go at it onscreen. Looking forward to this combination, even if it’s for a couple of laughs.

What do you guys think? You like this combination? What would you like the comedy to touch on?

Also, is it just me, or Tina Fey somehow/sometimes seems hot to me. Am I alone on this? Hopefully not.

Let Me In Redband Trailer Online

Rodney — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:58:23 +0000

A Redband Trailer for Let Me In, the remake of the Swedish Let the Right One In is online. I don’t know exactly what is Redband about it, but that’s what they are calling it.

For those not following the transition from the critically acclaimed Let the Right One In, the film is about Abby, a mysterious 12-year old girl, who moves next door to Owen. Owen is a social outcast who is viciously bullied at school and in his loneliness, forms a profound bond with his new neighbor. Owen can’t help noticing that Abby is like no one he has ever met before. As a string of grisly murders occupy the town, Owen has to confront the reality that this seemingly innocent girl is really a savage vampire.

While the description makes eyes roll as “yet another vampire movie” groans follow, the original is more of a drama that focuses more on the relationship of these two young people and the vampire thing is very secondary to the plot.

Its very well done, and a fresh look at a vampire story. I hope this remake does it justice.

The trailer has a similar but still different feel than the original film.

And Chloe Moretz is playing Abby. This young actress is phenomenal and I feel like we may never see the end of her career.

Most Expensive Porn Movie Ever Made will be in 3D

Rodney — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:34:55 +0000

The addage that art imitates life is a circular logic as life often imitates art.

But not wanting to be outdone in this day and age, we get art imitating life imitating art that imitates art! And in the high art of pornography, we get exactly that.

In Zack and Miri make a Porno we get a look at the ambitions of a slacker setting out to spoof pop culture in porn, and while he isn’t the first to suggest it, one particular pornographer is making his mark on the industry with Batman XXX and This Aint Star Trek XXX.

And now Axel Braun announces he will produce the most expensive porn film ever made. Star Wars XXX.

In 3D!

Geekscape shares:

At today’s signing at the Geekscape booth, director Axel Braun, who we saw in a recent episode promoting his Batman XXX (and the director of This Aint Glee), revealed official plans for Star Wars XXX 3D, from Vivid Video! And according to Axel, this will be the “most expensive porn film ever made… likely to become the highest grossing too.”

In addition to a full press release, Axel gave Geekscape one major piece of news: “yes, Chewbacca WILL fuck”!

Oh my.

You know there is going to be at least one scene where Slave Leia is going to get some and finally put to screen that decades old fantasy that even present day Carrie Fisher cannot jog from my memory.

Chewbacca might be a bit disturbing though. The only love he ever showed in the movie was towards Han and I am not going there.

Guillermo Del Toro and James Cameron Making At The Mountains of Madness in 3D

Joseph — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:34:47 +0000

Guillermo Del Toro has put his name on a few projects since his very public departure from The Hobbit, but it is now certain that his next project will be a 3D version of At The Mountains Of Madness for Universal, with James Cameron as producer.

Deadline has the exclusive:

I’m hearing he will next direct At The Mountains Of Madness, an adaptation of the HP Lovecraft tale that will be shot as a 3D film for Universal Pictures. The big surprise is that Avatar director James Cameron will come aboard as a producer. Del Toro was non-committal when I asked him about the prospect of Mountains days ago as we discussed the Comic-Con reaction to Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. But when del Toro announced at Comic-Con he’d cowrite and produce Haunted Mansion, he told the crowd he’d set his next film shortly, and that it would be scary. At the Mountains of Madness fits that bill, even for del Toro and Universal. The film will be a big ticket item, shot in 3D where Cameron’s expertise can really help. Cameron has said he won’t put his name on many future movies outside of the 3D reboot of Fantastic Voyage at Fox, but I’ve heard he’s making an exception for del Toro. Cameron’s presence helped win over the studio. I’m told the film will begin pre-production in the next few weeks, and shoot next summer.

This is the my favorite piece of film news so far this year. Del Toro has spoken about doing At the Mountains Of Madness for some time, in fact I was upset he left the project to do The Hobbit. Lovecraft’s work is a cornerstone of horror, but has never been well translated to the big screen. I cannot think of a more appropriate man to bring us a (hopefully) good adaptation of Lovecraft’s work.

James Cameron only makes everything that much more exciting, especially considering the film will be in 3D. Can you imagine Avatar-level 3D images designed with Del Toro’s nuanced sense of the macabre floating past your eyes?

Neither can I, but I want it!

I’m also glad that Del Toro’s strengthening his relationship with Universal, who seem to be the only major studio producing good horror recently (Drag Me To Hell, anyone?). They should be commended for supporting such an ambitious and risky project.

Is anyone else nearly as pumped about this as I am?

New Legend of the Guardians Poster Online

Rodney — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:07:37 +0000

A new poster for the Legend of the Guardians is online. Visually spectacular, but still doesn’t make me want to see it.

Something about Owls in Armour just doesn’t sit right with me. I keep trying to figure out how an owl forged a steel helmet.

I think it has something to do with just how REAL these owls look. The animation is superb and lifelike and that doesn’t lend well to the suspension of disbelief required to see these as “people” and relate.

They are owls.

Via

The Thing to be Completely CG In Fantastic Four Reborn

Rodney — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:01:04 +0000

I didn’t hate the latest incarnation of Fantastic Four on film. For at least half of them I thought the roles were cast well. Susan Storm was terrible and Doom could have been more intimidating. And lets not talk about Galactus the little black raincloud. Johnny Storm and Reed were perfectly cast, as was Chiklis for The Thing. His gruff demeanor was perfect for the character. But physically I just thought he wasn’t exactly what The Thing should have been. This guy was supposed to be Hulk Scale.

Seems Fox’s people in charge of the reboot feel the same way and are going with a completely CG Thing in the reboot.

Worst Previews shares:

now comes word from Fox’s SFX department (via ScreenRant) that The Thing will be 100% CG in the upcoming “Fantastic Four” reboot, called “Fantastic Four Reborn.”

I really like the idea that they would make Thing CG as it gives him a bigger presence. They will not be limited by the measly stature of a man to illustrate the monstrosity that the Thing has become.

I have a feeling that we will look back on the existing Fantastic Four movies and the once impressive Chiklis Thing will look pathetic in comparison.

I just hope the effects of the other three are as impressive.

Fox wont start working on the FF reboot until after X-Men First Class is done. First Class starts filming this fall.

Extended Thor Trailer Online

Rodney — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:33:08 +0000

ComicCon gave its attendees a look at the extended Thor Trailer, but it took until now for those greedy bastards to put it online for the rest of us peons to see. But thank Odin it is done.

Update! The link seems to have been taken down, again. I am sure it will resurface somewhere.

Love Colson interogating him at the beginning. Where did you receive this training?

I was waiting for him to say “Asgard!”

Looks pretty cool. I am pretty psyched to see this!