Category: Franchises

Tobey Maguire Could Be Partying at the Shire

tobey maguire

I have not idea why (it could be the years of brain cell damage catching up with me), but there was a period a few years back where I was having a difficult time differentiating between Tobey Maguire and Elijah Wood.   It’s stupid, I know, especially when you consider what I do, but, even now, if someone gives me a film either of them are in (THE ICE STORM, Go!), I have to think for a split second before giving my definitive answer.   It’s Maguire in that one, by the way.

This news, if it ends up being true and coming to fruition, will probably not do me any favors in this difficult department I face each time I watch SIN CITY.   According to Latino Review, the SPIDER-MAN star, is in negotiations to play the lead role, that of Bilbo Baggins, in Guillermo Del Toro’s two-part adaptation of THE HOBBIT.

Nothing is official, but Latino Review confirmed with agency sources who divulged that talks are going on between the producers of the film and CAA.   Latino Review also uncovered the fact that, despite popular belief, SPIDER-MAN 4 and 5 will not be shooting back-to-back.   There could be time between the two sequels to fit in THE HOBBIT films.   The coming auction on MGM’s properties (it owns half of THE HOBBIT films) will also be a deciding factor on who gets cast in the lead role.

Again, for now, nothing is official.   However there are talks to bring Tobey Maguire in.   What do you think?   Is he the right choice to play Bilbo?   If not, who is?   Do you, like me, have trouble differentiating between two, well-known actors or actresses?   If so, shoot us a comment in the section below.

THE HOBBIT PART 1 is set to begin filming mid-Summer 2010.

Sigourney Weaver Drops Some GHOSTBUSTERS 3 Bombs

sigourney weaver ghostbusters

Another week, another rumor going around about what to expect from the possible GHOSTBUSTERS 3.   There were early talks that Chris Farley would be in the film.   That is how far back these rumors go.   I think, at this point, it’s just the staples of the first two films (Bill Murray, Ivan Reitman, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, even Ernie Hudson) all dragging this out seeing how far they can string us (and Dan Aykroyd, who genuinely thinks it’s going to happen soon) along.

Today’s unobtainable carrot bit of information comes from Weaver herself, who was doing interviews promoting AVATAR.   She sat down with Channel 4, and the subject of a third GHOSTBUSTERS film was broached.   What she had to say was pretty startling and gives some serious spoilers as to what the direction for the next film might be.

Here is the gist.   Note, if this does end up becoming true, these could be considered major spoilers for the new film.   You were warned.

  • She hopes people are excited for it.
  • She is not officially involved, but she has had some offers to read the script.
  • Her son from GHOSTBUSTERS 2 is likely going to be a Ghostbuster in the new film.
  • Bill Murray’s character, Peter Venkman, is going to be a ghost.

In all honesty, at this point, I could care less if there is another GHOSTBUSTERS film.   The first one is a classic.   The second one is funny in parts but, overall, a let-down from the first one.   We will always have THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS episodes and the new video game to keep us company.   We really don’t need another film, and these plot points, if they are true, don’t do much to sway me the other direction.

What do you think?   Should another GHOSTBUSTERS film be put on the fast track?   How much do you think Weaver is really giving away in her comments here?   Are you, like me, under the impression that this is all a big, decades-long April Fool’s joke on Aykroyd?   Let us know by commenting below.

In case you wanted to see it, here is the video clip from Channel 4 where Weaver makes these comments:

Peter Jackson Talks Returning LOTR Characters for THE HOBBIT

lord of the rings

Peter Jackson is making the rounds hyping up THE HOBBIT almost six months before the film even begins production.  This time around, he stepped up to MTV, where he confirmed a couple of LORD OF THE RING characters we might see returning.

Gandalf, being a 2,000-year-old wizard, is still around and plays a major role in THE HOBBIT, and we’re having Ian McKellen reprise.  There’s a couple of other characters: Elrond, who was played by Hugo Weaving [in the original films], and there’s a possibility of Galadriel, who was played by Cate Blanchett.

Jackson was quick to point out the time difference between THE HOBBIT and the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy.  The new film is a prequel that takes place 60 years before the trio of epic stories, so actors like Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom and Sean Astin won’t be making a return.  Jackson did confirm McKellen’s, official involvement in the film, and he has no worries about bringing Weaving and Blanchett back into the series.

They are elves, so once again, in the realm of Middle-earth, they’re immortal, they don’t age.  We have a process that would start with showing them the script. We’re not [beginning] any official process until we have the ‘official’ script that they can read.

Production is set to begin sometime early to middle of next year with the first film released in December of 2011.  Part two will hit theaters in December of 2012.

Details on New JACK RYAN FILM Emerge

chris pine

At a press junket for INVICTUS on Friday, producer Mace Neufield, who has been involved in the Jack Ryan films since 1990’s THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, divulged some details about the forthcoming entry into the franchise.  Thanks to Collider for providing this information.  For one, STAR TREK breakout Chris Pine is confirmed as the fourth man to step into Ryan’s shoes.  He follows Alec Baldwin (who, in my humble opinion, was the best Jack Ryan out there), Harrison Ford, and Ben Affleck.

While the new Jack Ryan Film, as yet untitled, will feature a younger lead character, it will not be an origin story.  The origin story, according to Neufield, was already done with THE SUM OF ALL FEARS.  This film, instead, will feature Jack Ryan on Wall Street.

From the Jack Ryan entry on Wikipedia, we get this information that could explain the setting for the new film:

After finishing The Basic School his military career was cut short at the age of 23, when his platoon’s helicopter, a CH-46 Sea Knight, crashed during a NATO exercise over the Greek island of Crete. Ryan’s back was badly injured in the crash. Navy surgeons at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda made inadequate repairs to his back. This led to a lengthy recovery process (during which he was nearly addicted to pain medications) after which, complete with a permanent disability and wearing a back brace, he left the Marine Corps. He passed his stock broker‘s exam and took a position with the Baltimore office of the Wall Street investment firm Merrill Lynch.

This event was briefly spoken about in the film version of THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, and we may very well get the opportunity in the next film to see it.

According to Neufield, the new film is an original screenplay begin written by Adam Koxac with draft work being done by Hassan Amini.  Neufield also went on to talk about how Jack Ryan-centric stories are essentially “thinking man’s thrillers” and that they have never been about the action.

We will be sure to bring more word to you about the new Jack Ryan film as soon as a story is revealed and a director attached.

McG Talks TERMINATOR 5

mcg terminator

Joseph McGinty Nichol, otherwise known as McG for those of you who still like to refer to him as that, participated in a BD-Live chat yesterday for TERMINATOR SALVATION.  Among the many points that came up during the chat (McG putting down TERMINATOR 3, saying he only watched one episode of THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, and Hitler…yes, Hitler was mentioned at some point) was the possibility of TERMINATOR 5.  McG is still  adamant  that a TERMINATOR 5 and TERMINATOR 6 are still happening and that he is the director on duty for both of them.

We’ll see how this ultimately plays out considering the rights are still up in the air and could fall into anyone’s arms at this point.  Halcyon said this past week that the auction could come to a conclusion on February 1st.  I would like to point out how disheartening it is the thought that in 5 to 10 years we could have more TERMINATOR films that have been directed by McG than those directed by James Cameron.

He did claim on the BD-Live chat that Sarah Connor would be making an appearance in the next film and that there was a chance Robert Patrick may make an appearance as a scientist who becomes the model for the T-1000.

Seriously, though, take all of this with a big, heaping spoonful of salt, because once these rights issues are sorted out, there is no telling what direction the TERMINATOR franchise may take.  For now, though, it seems McG is ready and willing to take on a fifth and sixth film.

Two Pics From Some HARRY POTTER Movie

deathly hallows 2

Okay, I’m going to take a page out of Devin Faraci’s book here and make the claim that if you would have told me these two photos from HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1, brought to us by Yahoo! Movies, were from any, other post-2004 HARRY POTTER movie, I probably would have believed you.   Being the first part of a two-part finale that’s been in the works for nearly ten years, you would think our first, official glimpses would be a little more exciting.   Harry’s got a wand.   Harry, Ron, and Hermione looking stoically on as they walk down a corridor.   There’s nothing here that cries out DEATHLY HALLOWS.

Here’s the second photo:

deathly hallows 1

Nonetheless, as little as these photos have to offer, I am quite curious and almost excited to see how this final book plays out over two films.   There is a lot to wrap up in two films, especially if the pacing on them is anything like the last, two films, but I still have faith in David Yates that he can pull it off.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 hits theaters on November 19th, 2010.   FYI, PART 2 hits theaters on July 15th, 2011.

No BOURNE 4 for Greengrass

greengrass bourne

Paul Greengrass has left the building.   The BOURNE building, that is, and, hopefully, it’s only temporary.   According to The Playlist, who cites sources and friends close to the project, Greengrass walked away from the project more than a week ago, and there has been trouble surrounding the fourth film in the BOURNE franchise since its inception.

Evidently, Universal opted to bring in a screenwriter to pen a “parallel” script to the one already written by BOURNE 3 and THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU scribe George Nolfi.   THE INFILTRATOR writer Josh Zetumer was brought in without any consultation with Greengrass on the matter.   According to The Playlist, though Greengrass was furious that Universal brought in a second writer without discussing with him, no one is very pleased with what Nolfi has crafted.

Meanwhile, Greengrass has, evidently, been spending Universal’s money like it is going out of fashion on the Matt Damon-starring Iraqi actioner, GREEN ZONE.   The budget for that film has swelled to $150 million while reshoots and time spent in the editing room abound.   Universal isn’t happy this much time and money is going into a film that was supposed to be a “smaller” film between BOURNE projects, and Greengrass feels he has made the company enough scratch from the BOURNE films to give him a little leeway.   Regardless, “creative differences” are what are being touted as the reasoning for Greengrass stepping away from the film.

BOURNE 4 was prepping to shoot in the fall of 2010.   With no set script in hand and director whose attachment is flimsy at best (there are rumors that this “stepping away” is so “Paul”), this start date seems less and less likely.   Damon, who is very loyal to Greengrass, probably wouldn’t be returning to the franchise without the director, anyway.   If Universal wants to get this film made and with Damon in the spotlight seat, they had better works towards getting Greengrass in a happier mood.

SHREK FOREVER AFTER Gets First Shot/Synopsis

shrek forever after

SHREK FOREVER AFTER just seems like an act in overkill.   Many (those who actually appreciated the humor found in the first, two films, anyway) believed the franchise fell off a cliff with SHREK THE THIRD.   We’ll see if this fourth film can redeem the series.   We’ll leave the judgment up to you based on this synopsis:

After fathering triplets, Shrek feels a bit over-domesticated.   He strikes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin to get his ogre mojo back.   Something goes horribly wrong, and Shrek must experience what life in Far Far Away would have been like had he never existed.

This synopsis and the first, official shot of the film you see above come to us courtesy of USA Today.   Okay, the idea of bringing the “mojo” concept in from the AUSTIN POWERS films is a bit intriguing.   Head of creative production at DreamWorks, Bill Damaschke and director Mike Mitchell are making the claim that this will be the final film in the series, but we’ll see how that goes after it makes about $300 million domestic.

Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and Antonio Banderas all reprise their roles.   SHREK FOREVER AFTER’s head of story, Walt Dohrn, is providing the voice for Rumpelstiltskin.   Also coming on board are Kathy Griffin and Kristin Schaal as ogre-hunting witches, and Jon Hamm as the ogre leader of an underground resistance group.

SHREK FOREVER AFTER is set to hit theaters in 3-D (didn’t see that one coming, did you?) on May 21st, 2010.   Look for the film’s first trailer to hit in front of copies of AVATAR on December 18th.

Father Spiderman?

BabySpidey

SpoilerTV (the self-dubbed “Home For Spoiler Junkies”) has word on an official casting call for the upcoming SPIDERMAN 4. The casting call, below:

Spider-Man 4 – Official Casting Call for Baby Boy with Red Hair

[TODDLER BOY]

2 or 3 year old boy to play 2 year old, Caucasian with RED HAIR, an adorable toddler with an engaging personality, on set experience preferred. IDENTICAL TWINS ONLY

Now, many people are saying things regarding this child being the offspring of Peter and Mary Jane, hinting that the timeline of this film may be several years post-SPIDERMAN 3. Others are saying it could be Mary Jane’s child yet with another man. Either way, interesting news regarding a potential crucial plot point for the film. Reminds me a bit of this season of DEXTER, where the title character (Michael C. Hall) is faced with a double life of being a father and also maintaining his serial killing ways.

It could make for an interesting dynamic! What do you guys think?

Source: /Film

Del Toro To Be A Creature In THE HOBBIT

Deltorocreature

World famous LOTR fansite The One Ring.net was recently graced by THE HOBBIT director and creature die-hard Guillermo Del Toro. He posted something very special in their forums and they were quick to spread the word. Guillermo will be donning prosthetics and make-up in order to play a creature in the upcoming film. The official quote from TOR.net below:

I had a hand on the design of the creature and I will personally sculpt the appliances that will be applied on my face and hands. I used to sculpt the creatures for NECROPIA (my FX company) and I miss it a bit.

I will have a line or two and die quickly.

G

I am so excited to see this. Many will remember LOTR dir. Peter Jackson’s various cameos throughout the trilogy (brownie points with me if you can tell me them), so it should be quite fun to see Del Toro follow suit with something he loves (pardon the pun). Anyone who has seen any of the special feature to Del Toro’s films knows that the man absolutely adores creatures and monsters. This must be his ultimate geek fantasy then to appear in one of the greatest fantasy stories of all time as one of its beloved monsters.

Other news from TOR.net states that the first six months of the film will be completely shot in studio as opposed to on location. This is also very intriguing, one, because it shows the difference in direction methods between Del Toro and Jackson, but two, it preserves the secrecy of the look and feel of the picture. It’s pretty tough to get into a studio uninvited as a press member, so this will definitely work towards the film’s success (in my opinion of course).

I need this film now. Don’t you?