Tag: Ridley Scott

‘Alien’ Reboot Not Just a Rumor

alien4

I read a little about this earlier this morning, and I wanted to push it out of my mind as quickly as possible.   Unfortunately, more and more blogs and movie sites are picking this bit of information up and running with it, so it pains me to bring you this bit of news.   Slowly this news is starting to seep into my brain as if it were acid blood eating its way to my central core.   I want like hell to close my eyes to this news and make it go away, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Granted, this could still end up being nothing but speculation, but, evidently, Michael Costigan, Ridley Scott, and Tony Scott are all on board to produce a new ‘Alien’ film.   That wouldn’t be such bad news, but the words “reboot” and “prequel” are being bandied about.   Along with these men on board to produce, commercial and music video director Carl Erik Rinsch will be at the helm.

The idea is for the new film to, at the very least, go back to the basics and have one alien on board one spaceship.

Of course, if you have been following 20th Century Fox’s track record over the past couple of years, the idea of “rebooting” the ‘Alien’ franchise doesn’t seem that far-fetched.   Just look at all the “wrong” Fox has done lately.

All of this calls to mind the final lines of dialogue from ‘Aliens’:

Newt: Are we gonna sleep all the way home?
Ripley: All the way home.
Newt: Can I dream?
Ripley: Yes, honey. I think we both can.

No, you can’t dream.   It’s not safe.   Fox is currently on duty, and none of us can sleep tight.

Source: Bloody Disgusting

Russell Crowe revealed as ‘Robin Hood’

russellcroewrobinhood

Here it is, folks. Your first look at Russell Crowe, I mean Gladiator, ahh… I mean Robin Hood. Crowe will be taking his turn as the generous thief who steals from the rich and gives to the poor in Ridley Scott’s new film about the legend.

Personally, Crowe not only looks like Crowe but he’s got the whole Gladiator hair style going on and he’s likely to be Crowe as Robin Hood, just as he was Crowe as Maximus, etc. For me, I think it’s going to be tough for Crowe to even match, let alone surpass, Kevin Costner as Robin Hood, despite how good Scott’s overall film ends up being.

[source: USA Today]

William Hurt Joins Ridley Scott’s ‘Robin Hood’ Film

william-hurt

I remember back when this project was first being bandied about. Â  It was called ‘Nottingham,’ it was the Robin Hood story told from the perspective of the Sheriff as if Robin Hood were a villain, it was going to star Russell Crowe, be directed by Ridley Scott, and it was going to be awesome. Â  Now, it just sounds like it’s getting turned into another retread of the same old story.

Anyway, William Hurt has joined the cast of this same old story. Â  He will be playing William Marchall, the Earl of Pembroke, who has been described as the “greatest knight that ever lived.” Â  Whoever said that clearly didn’t see Heath Ledger in ‘A Knight’s Tale.’ Â  He rocked that shit.

Hurt joins a cast that already includes Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Kevin Durand, Scott Grimes, and Alan Doyle. Â  The film, which is as yet untitled, is currently filming in the UK. Â  It is set for a May 14th, 2010 release.

Source: THR

Ridley Scott to shoot ‘The Forever War’ in 3D

forever war book cover

Ridley Scott will be returning to the type of movie that first made him a fan favorite with his adaptation of the science fiction book ‘The Forever War’ by Joe Haldeman. The legendary director of ‘Alien’, ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Legend’ is making another big leap with ‘The Forever War’. Scott revealed that he will join the company of James Cameron by shooting ‘The Forever War’ in 3D.

“I’m filming a book by Joe Haldeman called Forever War. I’ve got a good writer doing it. I’ve seen some of James Cameron’s work, and I’ve got to go 3D. It’s going to be phenomenal.” — Ridley Scott

I haven’t read the ‘The Forever War’, or anything else by Haldeman, but from the title of the book, combined with Scott’s recent string of films and the comments from Scott regarding the story’s timeliness and relevance to current events, I might venture to guess the theme holds similarities to the political climate surrounding our [U.S.] current war(s). Then again, that’s merely my guess from left field.

“I first pursued ‘Forever War’ 25 years ago, and the book has only grown more timely and relevant since,” Scott told Daily Variety. “It’s a science-fiction epic, a bit of ‘The Odyssey’ by way of ‘Blade Runner,’ built upon a brilliant, disorienting premise.”

Book revolves around a soldier who battles an enemy in deep space for only a few months, only to return home to a planet he doesn’t recognize some 20 years later, Scott said. — Variety

forever war concept art

[source: Wharf, Variety]

Cate Blanchett Official for ‘Robin Hood’

cate-blanchett

This is just an update to a previous article we ran, where we gave you the rumor that Cate Blanchett was going to star in Ridley Scott’s ‘Robin Hood’, previously titled ‘Nottingham’.   Word came down today that this news is official.   Cate Blanchett will, in fact, be playing Maid Marian in the new ‘Robin Hood’.

Actor Mark Strong recently spoke with the UK’s The Telegraph where he revealed who may be stepping into Sienna Miller’s role of Maid Marian in the new Ridley Scott film ‘Nottingham’.

“I think Cate Blanchett is set to take the Maid Marian part,” said Strong, who is expected to play Sir Guy of Gisbourne. “She is a wonderful actress and it would make it a much classier film if she was in it.”

Miller was dropped from the project, because she was apparently too slim and youthful for the part.

What do you think?   Is Blanchett a good choice for the part?   Will this end up being a good movie?   Is Sienna Miller really too slim?   Let us now by commenting below!

Source: The Telegraph

Verbinksi to Direct ‘Clue’

clue

Anyone who knows me for any extended period of time knows that the strangest film in my all-time top 10 favorite films is the 1985 adaptation of ‘Clue’ starring Tim Curry and Madeline Kahn. Â  You’d think I’d be pissed that Gore Verbinski is directing a remake/new version of the popular board game. Â  I couldn’t be more ecstatic about this news.

The project comes as part of a partnership between Universal and Hasbro to develop iconic board games into movies. A number of other properties have big names attached to them, including ‘Candyland,’ which has Kevin Lima attached to direct and Etan Cohen to write, and ‘Ouija Board,’ which Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes is producing. Ridley Scott is on board to produce and possibly direct ‘Monopoly.’

Apparently this is the new wave of film adaptations, and we’re just going to have to sit back and enjoy it. Â  Who knows? Â  It could result in some decent films. Â  Verbinski certainly is not slouch when it comes to sitting in the director’s chair.

Now the question if whether ‘Clue’ will be a comedy a la the original film or if it will just be a straight drama. Â  If there is a God who still looks over Hollywood, he will have Verbinski shoot three separate endings to be released randomly in theaters. Â  This is what made the 1985 version of the film such a cult hit.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Ridley Scott’s ‘Nottingham’ Goes Through Some Major Changes

ridley-scott-russell-crowe

Ridley Scott spoke with MTV last week where he revealed some interesting changes regarding his long in development film ‘Nottingham’. Â  First of all, it’s not called ‘Nottingham’ any more.

I think we are just going to call it ‘Robin Hood’,† Scott revealed. “We start in almost 2 months.†

Scott also explained that the idea of casting Russell Crowe in multiple roles had been scrapped long ago.

“[Crowe as both Robin and the Sheriff of Nottingham] was an idea so far back, way back when at the time I had this proposed to me, and I read it and thought, ‘I don’t really know what it does for it, but it’s alright’,† Scott recalled of the now-abandoned idea. “It is better to simply have the evolution of a character called Robin Hood, who will come out of a point in the Crusades which is the end.†

Because of this, the role of the Sheriff will be a much less important role than previously believed. Â  The real villain of the film, then, will be the entire country of France.

“It is from France. It is the French,† he insisted. “The villain is much bigger in that sense; much more important, and much more dangerous.†

“[In] 1066 Harold II went against William the Conqueror. Harold took an arrow in his eye, and William the Conqueror took over England, and so France owned everything right through,† Scott explained of the turmoil of that age. “Even to the extent of changing the architecture of the churches from Anglo-Saxon to Roman, that’s French; they changed the arches in the churches.†

Scott also went into the rumors that Crowe wouldn’t be physically fit to play the role.

“Oh that is silly; all that stuff is bullsh-t,† Scott insisted. “He is going to be totally fit. That is not a problem at all.†

“And he’s been working on his bow and arrow for about 4 months,† Scott revealed. “He sends me tapes of him hitting targets at about 45 meters. He’s pretty good!†

What do you think? Â  Are you excited to see what Crowe and Scott have up their sleeves for ‘Robin Hood’? Â  Did you think it was more interesting when the film was going to be from the perspective of the Sheriff? Â  Do you think Crowe will be going in and out of his English accent just for nostalgia? Â  Let us know by commenting below!

Source: MTV

Is Cate Blanchett Set to play Maid Marian?

cate-blanchett

Actor Mark Strong recently spoke with the UK’s The Telegraph where he revealed who may be stepping into Sienna Miller’s role of Maid Marian in the new Ridley Scott film ‘Nottingham’.

“I think Cate Blanchett is set to take the Maid Marian part,” said Strong, who is expected to play Sir Guy of Gisbourne. “She is a wonderful actress and it would make it a much classier film if she was in it.”

Miller was dropped from the project, because she was apparently too slim and youthful for the part.

What do you think?   Is Blanchett a good choice for the part?   Will this end up being a good movie?   Is Sienna Miller really too slim?   Let us now by commenting below!

Source: The Telegraph

An ‘Alien’ Sequel without ALIENS?

It’s been talked about and speculated on for years, but what is the likelihood of another ‘Alien’ sequel being made? Many are cynical and others have simply become resigned to the possibility, but Josh Horowitz apparently got some interesting bits from one Sigourney Weaver while doing an interview.

So, Weaver apparently confirmed during the interview that she and director Ridley Scott have been in talks over the possibility of making a fifth ‘Alien’ installment. However, what is really interesting is that they’re not only rethinking the alien concept, but are actually considering the possibility of exploring a different sci-fi adventure that Ripley may have encountered during her multiple lives. Hmm…?

One thing’s for sure… Weaver is very smart and has the right idea regarding the state of the franchise. Here is a quote from the interview I found very eye-opening:

She asked aloud “whether there’s unchartered territory for a creature who’s become somewhat debased by this computer generated thing. I haven’t seen [“Alien Vs. Predator”] but I just think if you overexpose the creature, that’s a mistake.†

[source: MTV Movies Blog]

‘Monopoly’ gets Ridley Scott !!!

Now I don’t know about you but it seems like everywhere you turn a movie is being made off an old idea. This is a prime example, the board game Monopoly   is becoming a movie, yes a movie. To add even more to this new movie famous director Ridley Scott, Black Hawk down, Body of Lies, and American Gangster, has been officially signed on to not only producer but direct as well.   “Monopoly” marks the latest Hasbro property to look to pass go and head to the big screen. Board games and branded properties have become more attractive as studios look to mitigate risk by finding built-in audiences.