Category: General News

WAMG First Look: Ridley Scott Upcoming Projects

Ridley Scott

Ridley Scottis in the process of finishing, working on, and starting  three different films that he’ll be personally helming as director. We won’t get into the EIGHT other projects he is producing.

Body of Lies (Releasing 10/10)

In this Spy/Drama Scott pairs Leonardo DiCaprio  & Russel Crowe who form an uneasy alliance. Leo plays Roger Ferris, a former journalist who is  recruited into the CIA to track a high-ranking member of Al Qaeda in Jordan. Crowe, is Ed Hoffman, Head of Jordan’s Covert Operations, which lead the two to  clash over  their cultural, and moral differences. Based on a book of the same name by David Ignatius.

Nottingham (2009)

Russell Crowe again teaming with Scott  for this unique spin on the  classic, and well-known  tale of Robin Hood. In this Crowe is   Sir Robert Tornham, The Sheriff of Nottingham, but not the evil villain we have come to expect from that title. This Sheriff is much more a noble gentleman than dirty scoundrel. We see a love triangle formed between Robin Hood, The Sheriff, and of course our Maid Marion. Sounds like a fun idea.

Blood Meridian (2009)

With a story from  novelist Cormac McCarthy (No Country for Old) adapted for film by William Monahan (The Departed, Body of Lies) This seems to be a can’t miss. Blood Meridian  though based on historical fact is the fictional tale of (Billy?) the Kid joining up with the notorious Glanton gang  as they carve a violent, and bloody path through a late 1840’s Texas/Mexico border. Said to be a very realistic portrayal of early American expansion, and depravity.  

  Three films with powerhouse possibilities. I’m looking forward to seeing all of them.

WAMG First Look & (a little) Who is that guy?

Nelson McCormick is stepping out of the television box, and on to the Big Screen with not one, but two remakes of Cult Classics “Prom Night” (1980) & “The Stepfather“(1987) both of which delivered numerous sequels.

Synopsis from Shocktillyoudrop:  Ã‚  

Prom Night Prom Night

(Opening 4/11)

Donna’s senior prom is supposed to be the best night of her life, one of magic, beauty, and love. Surrounded by her best friends, she should be safe from the horrors of her past. But when the night turns from magic to murder there is only one man who could be responsible…the man she thought was gone forever. Now, Donna and her friends must find a way to escape the sadistic rampage of a killer, and survive their Prom Night.

The Stepfather

David Harris, very much a “family values” man, mysteriously comes into the lives of single mothers with children and becomes the dream man they always wanted. When he woos Susan Harding and eventually moves in with her family, her teenage son Michael begins to suspect that David is not quite the dream man he pretends to be. Along with his girlfriend Kelly and Susan’s friends they slowly start to piece together the mystery of the man who is set to become their stepfather, but they may be too late in getting to the truth.

If you are unfamiliar with Nelson McCormick’s body of work, he’s been directing some of America’s favorite television shows. McCormick’s credits include episodes of Prison Break, Nip/Tuck, ER, The West Wing, Cold Case, Third Watch, CSI, CSI:NY, House M.D., NYPD Blue, along with Sheena: The Series, and V.I.P. starring Pamela Anderson. Which make me wonder a little.  

So, it will be interesting to see how well, given his history,  his abilities will translate when he jumps into a big screen situation.

Universal signs exclusive deal with Dark Horse

Dark Horse Comics Universal Pictures just made a deal with Dark Horse Comics to become their exclusive partner for worldwide production and distribution. Dark Horse is the largest independent comic book label and the third largest label overall, after Marvel and DC. Several Dark Horse titles have already been made into films, including The Mask, Barb Wire, Mystery Men and the hugely popular Hellboy. Now Universal with have dibs on any and all existing or future characters, titles and story-lines available from the Dark Horse library. That is a fairly large pool of material, as Dark Horse is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Check out Dark Horse Comics at their website.

Len Wiseman attached to direct ‘Shell Game’

Len Wiseman directs Kate Beckinsale

Lakeshore Entertainment and Columbia Pictures are teaming to produce the  science-fiction film Shell Game. The project now has a director in Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard) who claims he has a special passion for making this movie. In an interview with Variety, Wiseman has the following to say about his next project:

“I’ve been wanting to make this film for the past five years, but it’s a huge film and has always been too expensive to make at the level I’ve wanted to make it at,” Wiseman said. “Now I’m finally getting a chance to do it at that level.”

[Set in the future, the sci-fi action thriller follows a detective who is faced with a moral dilemma as he investigates the dangerous black-market business of immortality.] — Variety

Rights optioned for Clifford Meth’s ‘Snaked’

Clifford Meth’s ‘Snaked’ The film rights to Clifford Meth’s Snaked have been optioned by producer Richard Saperstein. The comic book series  centers around a government employee that has  serpentine supernatural abilities and  was originally released by IDW Publishing, the same company that released the 30 Days of Night comic book.

Saperstein is no stranger to this genre, having produced films like Se7en, The Long Kiss Goodnight, 1408 and The Mist. Saperstein is currently producing the Hellraiser remake and is behind  Hancock, the new Will Smith flick  due out this year. Clifford Meth will write the screenplay for the movie adaptation.

[“The political arena forms the perfect backdrop for Clifford Meth’s heady mix of horror, sex and mayhem,” said Saperstein, former prexy of production at Dimension Films.] — Variety.com