Siegel's Family Reclaims Share of Superman Rights

The New York Times reports that Wednesday's ruling, explained below, might affect the Superman Returns sequel and Justice League movie:

A federal judge here on Wednesday ruled that the heirs of Jerome Siegel — who 70 years ago sold the rights to the action hero he created with Joseph Shuster to Detective Comics for $130 — were entitled to claim a share of the United States copyright to the character. The ruling left intact Time Warner's international rights to the character, which it has long owned through its DC Comics unit.

And it reserved for trial questions over how much the company may owe the Siegel heirs for use of the character since 1999, when their ownership is deemed to have been restored. Also to be resolved is whether the heirs are entitled to payments directly from Time Warner's film unit, Warner Brothers, which took in $200 million at the domestic box office with "Superman Returns" in 2006, or only from the DC unit's Superman profits.

Still, the ruling threatened to complicate Warner's plans to make more films featuring Superman, including another sequel and a planned movie based on the DC Comics' "Justice League of America," in which he joins Batman, Wonder Woman and other superheroes to battle evildoers.

You can read more on this here.

Temple of Skulls trailer (way better than Indy)

Yes a movie we all have expected. 'Temple of Skull" Due out - on DVD - just a few weeks shy of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull".
And Guess What this is way Better Than Indiana Jones.

Too good 2 be true. Watch yourself this fantastic trailer.

Seriously now... Am I the only one thinking this Movie rocks?

Radha Mitchell joins Bruce Willis in “The Surrogates”

Australian actress – and all-round beaut girl! I love this chick, she’s so down-to-earth – Radha Mitchell (“Rogue”) will join Bruce Willis for the sci-fi-action-thriller “The Surrogates”, according toComing Soon.

The Jonathan Mostow (“Terminator 3 : Rise of the Machines”) directed movie is set in the near future, where humans live in isolation and interact vicariously through surrogate robots who are better-looking versions of themselves. Willis plays a cop who, through his surrogate, investigates the murders of others’ surrogates. The cop is forced to venture from his own home for the first time in years and unravels a conspiracy.

First Looks at Epitaph

From the studio we have the first two photos for the asian horror Epitaph. EPITAPH begins in the year 1942: the Korean capital of Kyung Sung is occupied by the Japanese and the Anseng Hospital lies in the center of the city, representing the twin glories of Japanese Imperialism and western modernization. But mysterious things are happening at the hospital:

An intern is bound by his parents to marry a girl whom he never met, but instead is romantically drawn to a corpse; A traumatized little girl, the lone survivor of a horrific car crash, is tortured by bloody visions and a married couple, who are doctors, desperately try to manage their colleagues’ behaviors but find themselves investigating a series of brutal murders. But as the stories unfold and obsessive loves are revealed, the hospital and its staff descend into a darker abyss which they may never return from.

Elliott and Rossio to write The Lone Ranger?

Writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, best known for their work on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, are in final negotiations to write a live-action big-screen adaptation of The Lone Ranger for Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

The Hollywood Reporter says the project will be made by Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films in association with Entertainment Rights.

"Ranger," owned by Classic Media, began life as a 1930s radio show. Its popularity led to movie serials, TV shows, comic strips and comic books, toys, novels and more.

The hero's origin story begins with a group of Texas Rangers chasing down a gang of outlaws led by Butch Cavendish. The gang ambushes the Rangers, seemingly killing them all. One survivor is found, however, by an American Indian named Tonto, who nurses him back to health. The Ranger, donning a mask and riding a white stallion named Silver, teams up with Tonto to bring the unscrupulous gang and others of that ilk to justice.

Cast Announces for Legion

Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Tenney, Charles S. Dutton, Lucas Black, Kate Walsh, Adrianne Palicki, Kevin Durand and Willa Holland will join Paul Bettany in Legion, the Screen Gems thriller that marks the feature directing debut of Scott Stewart.

Variety says shooting is about to get under way in New Mexico. David Lancaster and Michel Litvak are producing through their Bold Films, and Gary Michel Walters is executive producer.

Written by Stewart and Peter Schink, the thriller casts Bettany as the archangel Michael, the only one standing between mankind and an apocalypse, after God loses faith in humanity. Man's lone hope rests with a group of strangers who must deliver a baby they realize is Christ in his second coming.

Lionsgate Acquires The Last Equation

Lionsgate has stepped up to make screen scribe Stuart Gibbs' debut novel, "The Last Equation," reports Variety.

An action-thriller, the contemporary story pivots on government agents, a criminal and a math whiz on a quest to find a buried Albert Einstein formula that could harness energy with deadly consequences.

Production will be overseen for Lionsgate by vice president Jim Miller.

National Treasure 3 in 2011?

Jon Turteltaub, director of "National Treasure : Book of Secrets" (or "National Treasue 2 : Book of Secrets" as Disney has renamed it for the DVD), took part in a viral chat with a few online journalists this week (including Monsters and Critics), to discuss the DVD release of the film. Naturally, someone asked a "National Treasure 3" question - or two.

"I'm guessing that we're a few years away", the filmmaker said of a third film. "By the time we come up with a decent idea and develop it into a complicated and intelligent puzzle it's going to be at least 2009. Then to prep it and cast it... it should be three years away."

And where might a third film be set?

"There are still plenty of landmarks left.... both in the US and around the world. The fun of National Treasure is in building on what's real... bringing out the story in the places and things you see every day. From the Golden Gate Bridge to the Great Wall of China, from the Sphinx to the Taj Mahal... there's a lot left."

New The Bangkok Dangerous Poster!

In the Lionsgate release, opening August 22, the life of an anonymous assassin takes an unexpected turn when he travels to Thailand to complete a series of contract killings. Joe (Cage), a remorseless hitman, is in Bangkok to execute four enemies of a ruthless crime boss named Surat. He hires Kong (Shahkrit Yamnarm), a street punk and pickpocket, to run errands for him with the intention of covering his tracks by killing him at the end of the assignment. Strangely, Joe, the ultimate lone wolf, instead finds himself mentoring the young man while simultaneously being drawn into a tentative romance with a local shop girl. As he falls further under the sway of Bangkok's intoxicating beauty, Joe begins to question his isolated existence and let down his guard... just as Surat decides it's time to clean house.

Click the poster for a bigger version!
Source: ComingSoon

Leaked X files 2 trailer

At Wednesday evening's "X Files" panel at the Paleyfest in Hollywood, director Chris Carter gave attendees a first glimpse at the new trailer for 20th Century Fox's The X Files 2, opening in theaters on July 25. You can watch a bootleg version of the trailer below, but the completed trailer is expected to hit theaters with Iron Man on May 2.

New Iron Monger Shots From Iron Man

Yahoo! Movies has debuted three new shots from Iron Man featuring Iron Monger with Iron Man catching the car. Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges, the movie hits theaters on May 2.

Sir Ian McKellen will be Gandalf again

Although most of us knew this had to be the case or else we would have protested the making of The Hobbit, profound British actor Sir Ian McKellen confirms that he most definitely will return as the wonderful wizard Gandalf! yesterday on his official website, McKellen answered numerous fan questions in an E-Post, two of which pertained specifically to The Hobbit. The short of it is that he will be back and he even in fact mentions Guillermo del Toro as the director, but unfortunately there is no signed deal yet and it's still not close to moving into production.

The third question down gets right to the point - will you again be our Gandalf in The Hobbit now that the deal is settled?

"Yes I will, if Peter Jackson and I have anything to do with it, he being the producer and me being, on the whole, a very lucky actor. I've just read your quote out loud - fabulous speech."

The quote he speaks of is one that the questioner took straight from The Hobbit: Shall the dreaming masses with their musty books and their blackened pipes at long last hear those immortal words issued from under that famous nose? "Yes, yes, my dear sir–and I do know your name, Mr. Bilbo Baggins. And you do know my name, though you don't remember that I belong to it. I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me! To think that I should have lived to be good-morninged by Belladonna Took's son, as if I was selling buttons at the door!"

One other question inquired as to whether he had actually be approached by Peter Jackson yet since filming is supposed to commence in 2009. His answer:

"Encouragingly, Peter and Fran Walsh have told me they couldn't imagine The Hobbit without their original Gandalf. Their confidence hasn't yet been confirmed by the director Guillermo del Toro but I am keeping my diary free for 2009!"

Oh thank the heavens! Things are already starting to look up for The Hobbit! I couldn't imagine it without McKellen either and I can say that this is easily the biggest sigh of relief ever to hear him utter those words. Now the next big step is actually getting this off the ground and into production. Unfortunately given that New Line buckled, it's probably going to take even more time for this to actually come together. At least we can sit in confidence knowing that our beloved Gandalf will be back while we wait until Peter Jackson, New Line, and Warner Brothers work out their woes.

New Indiana Jones OfficialWidget

Paramount has just unveiled the brand-new Indiana Jones widget, reminding us all this thing is hitting in under two months and if you're not already set, it's high time you got excited.

The widget includes access to Indiana Jones news, trailers for the film and for the DVD reissues and images to keep you entertained the next 57 days or so.

Spread the word and spread the widget! The grand prize is a trip to Indiana Jones premiere!

Dragonball Movie Wraps Filming

On her official MySpace page, Emmy Rossum confirmed on Saturday that filming wrapped on Friday for 20th Century Fox's Dragonball movie, written and directed by James Wong. Rossum, who plays Bulma, said...

I've been so busy in Mexico finishing up Dragonball but we just wrapped yesterday so I JUST got home and this is my first opportunity in front of my computer to write to you. It's been nuts for about a month and a half working nights (on a schedule of about 5pm-8am) outside, but our spirits have been high and it was such a blast. I've missed writing to you but I've been exhausted after coming home from work early in the morning. I'm finally home (at least for a few weeks) and it's a mixture of happy and sad. Wrapping a movie is kind of like the end of school, you miss all your friends that you've bonded with so much but you are eager for a little rest and a break from all the hard work. I'll be starting work on something else in 3 weeks so I wont have much time to rest...

Adapted from the manga created by Akira Toriyama, the pic also stars Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Jamie Chung, Eriko Tamura, Joon Park, Chow Yun-Fat, Texas Battle, Randall Duk Kim and Ernie Hudson. The studio is planning to release the film on April 3, 2009.

Source:ComingSoon

'Crank 2' Characters and Plot Details Leaked

POSSIBLE SPOILER

Some details have leaked out on the interwebs about the sequel to the over-the-top Jason Statham movie that doesn’t involve Transporting something, Crank 2: High Voltage. The original found Jason’s character Chev injected with a poison that required him to be pumped full of adrenaline in order to survive and track down his killer.

We’re about to spoil the first movie for you, but Chev falls out of a helicopter and makes a long, touching phone call to his girlfriend. Which is where Spoiler TV picks up.

STORY: In spite of having fallen a mile from a helicopter at the end of CRANK, Chev Chelios faces a Chinese mobster who has stolen his nearly indestructible heart and replaced it with a battery-powered ticker that requires regular jolts of electricity to keep working.

Not only that, but the Chinese mobster that steals Chev’s heart has another interesting little twist about him on the casting sheet:

Hu Dong: Chinese Male, 100 years old, this aged gangster is the leader of the Triad gang in Southern California. Rejuvenated after getting Chev’s high-powered heart transplanted into his sunken chest, and horny as a 16 year old, he is lured into Doc Miles’ clutches by the seductive Vanilla

We don’t know who or what “Vanilla” is, but it looks like she’s already been cast.

More importantly than any of this: Nudity!

Pepper: 20s, any ethnicity. This stripper is in the back seat of a patrol car when Chev and Eve steal the car. She’s aroused by Eve’s presence and gives Chev a tip about Johnny Vang’s probable whereabouts. MUST BE OKAY WITH NUDITY

Shine your nipples girls, there’s a part in Crank 2 open for business!

Source: TheBadandUgly.com

Quantum of Solace to Feature Complex FX Shot

DALSA Digital Cinema today announced that the next James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, will feature a complex visual effects shot captured with eight DALSA 4K Origin cameras.The details surrounding the cameras' use are being kept a secret for the time being. However, the company revealed that the technically ambitious visual effects shot featured Craig and actress Olga Kurylenko, and involved simultaneously shooting with eight shutter-synchronized DALSA Origin 4K cameras. Quantum of Solace, the 22nd James Bond film and the second to star Daniel Craig, is scheduled for release on October 31st, 2008 in the UK, and November 7th in the US and internationally.

The decision to go with DALSA was made by Visual Effects Designer, Kevin Tod Haug. Kevin remarked, "The DALSA Origin was the only uncompressed, high-resolution, low-noise camera system we could count on to do what we needed to do. The folks at DALSA were completely supportive of all our complex needs. We could not have done this sequence without them."

DALSA shipped all the camera packages from Los Angeles to Movietech Camera Rentals at Pinewood Studios. Working closely with Movietech, the cameras were all prepped for the complex shoot. The eight DALSA cameras recorded their data to eight CODEX® digital disc recorders. Then, after the successful shoot, the CODEX disc packs were delivered to sohonet® in London for backup, after which the RAW 4K files were delivered to Double Negative in Soho for rendering and final compositing.

David Stump, ASC, the consulting VFX cinematographer, collaborated with Director of Photography Roberto Schaefer, ASC on the shoot. Stump observed, "Working with uncompressed 4K gave us the ability to mine the maximum amount of detail from the scene. The low noise floor of the DALSA enabled us see every nuance of detail from the dark blacks of the clothing."

"We were incredibly excited to be chosen for this complex part of the movie," commented Rob Hummel, President of DALSA Digital Cinema. "It was amazing as we watched all eight cameras shooting and pouring data into the CODEX disc units. In total, we recorded over 3.8 gigabytes of image data every second. After a year of fine tuning the DALSA camera system, we felt we were ready to put the camera to the test. Of course, passing this particularly tough test, with eight cameras synchronized together, was the best outcome I could imagine!"

Visit DALSA's Digital Cinema website for more info.

Source: ComingSoon

Maybee talks X-Files sequel

Spencer Maybee is one of the stars of the forthcoming "X-Files" sequel. In the pic, he plays Blair Finch, the working class father of Sefton, a frail 7-year-old boy with a crooked countenance due to illness,around whom the film’s plot revolves.

Skiewed and Reviewed caught up with the actor to discuss his involvement in the film - naturally, the gun at the lad's head prevented him from saying too much.

"I wasn’t given much background on my character, but Chris Carter attended the callbacks, and Carrie and I actually did a callback together, which kind of worked out like a rehearsal. I didn’t have any scenes with David Duchovny, but I had the pleasure and thrill of working with Gillian Anderson. She was a paragon of professionalism; kind, friendly and really grounded in her character and in the scene. It was a pleasure working with her because, as an actor, you’re working with the other actors to create a world that only exists if you believe in it. It’s really inspiring to work with someone who brings to a scene so much “faith,” if you will, in the world of the story. It’s even more inspiring when you’re surrounded by other actors who are doing the same – Adam Godley, Carrie Ruscheinsky, and young Marco. I really think that this kind of environment really only thrives under a director who encourages and cultivates this belief and makes space for his actors to get into the time and space of the moment."

Director Chris Carter won the boy's praise.

''Chris was really the first director that I’ve worked with who’s been able to make that space for the actors to get into the moment, to wiggle around in it and find some different internal spaces, and he’s the first director I’ve worked with who really seemed to value that. I think how he benefits from that is that he gets a variety of subtle, honest emotional reactions, which I really believe translate to the screen. I guess we’ll be able to put that theory to the test when the movie comes out.''

BluRay Profile 2.0 and BD-Live Discs on the way

In case you live under a rock, BluRay won the Civil War of High Def DVD Formats™. So now you can relax, and go out and get yourself a new toy. But you might want to wait for Profile 2.0 Players for special edition BD-Live discs.

What is BD-Live?? Yahoo News tells us:

The musical spoof “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” and the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi thriller “The 6th Day” will be the studio’s first two BD-Live titles. Their release coincides with the launch of a new software update for Sony’s PlayStation 3 that makes the game console the first Blu-ray player with Internet connectivity, an ability known as “Profile 2.0.”

Ultimately, all Blu-ray players will be Profile 2.0. When the format launched in June 2006, Blu-ray players were of the basic Profile 1.0 kind, meaning they could offer neither picture-in-picture nor Internet connectivity, something the doomed HD DVD rival format offered from Day 1.

I am thankful that this Civil War of High Def DVD Formats™ only lasted about two and a half years instead of its predated Format War between VHS and Beta that arguably lasted 13 years.

Source: TheMovieBlog

The Mist clip

The Mist is going to be coming to DVD March 25th 2008 and we have an exclusive clip called 'Norton Holds Court'. This is easily one of my favorite horror films in quite some time. Scary, thrilling and truly shocking.

An ending to beat all endings! With a genre full of cliche moments, and even more cliche tag lines like 'most shocking ending ever' I am here to say this film does live up to that buzz. a MUST buy movie for fans of horror thrillers.

The story starts following a violent thunderstorm, artist David Drayton and a small town community come under vicious attack from creatures prowling in a thick and unnatural mist. Local rumors point to an experiment called the 'The Arrowhead Project' conducted at a nearby top-secret military base, but questions as to the origins of the deadly vapor are secondary to the group's overall chances for survival.

Retreating to a local supermarket, Drayton and the survivors must face-off against each other before taking a united stand against an enemy they cannot even see! Watch the clip below.

Source: MoviesOnline

MAX and Regal Sign 31-Theater Deal

IMAX Corporation and Regal Cinemas, Inc. today announced a joint-venture agreement to install 31 IMAX® Digital projection systems at Regal locations in 20 major U.S. markets. The theaters will feature IMAX's Digital projection system which is being developed for the IMAX MPX® theatre design. The 31 IMAX® theaters announced today will expand the joint venture partnership between IMAX and Regal Cinemas to 38 theaters, and bring Regal's total number of IMAX theaters to 52 by the end of 2010.
Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, IMAX and Regal Cinemas will share the cost and profitability of the new theaters. The first group of theaters is expected to open in time for "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: The IMAX Experience," which opens on November 21 of this year.

"We are pleased to expand our IMAX relationship with additional sites, and we're excited to introduce IMAX's Digital projection system to Regal audiences in key markets throughout the United States," stated Greg Dunn, President and COO of Regal Entertainment Group. "Greg Foster, Rob Lister and Phil Groves were instrumental in working with Regal's IMAX Team to complete this agreement."

"Regal is one of the best theater operators in the world and they have set a benchmark for marketing and drawing audiences to IMAX theatres, as indicated by the results of our existing theaters in Regal locations," said IMAX's Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs, Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "We are extremely pleased to be expanding our relationship in such a significant way, and we are excited about the new locations in cities throughout the U.S."

The highly anticipated IMAX Digital projection system will further enhance The IMAX Experience® and help to drive profitability for studios, exhibitors and IMAX theaters by virtually eliminating the need for film prints, increasing program flexibility and ultimately increasing the number of movies shown on IMAX screens.

IMAX has already secured important parts of its film slate for 2008, 2009 and 2010 through agreements with major Hollywood studios including: The Spiderwick Chronicles (in theatres now), Shine a Light (April 4, 2008), Speed Racer (May 9, 2008), Kung Fu Panda (June 6, 2008), The Dark Knight (July 19, 2008), Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (November 21, 2008), Under the Sea 3D (February 2009), Monsters vs. Aliens 3D (March 2009), Hubble 3D (working title, February 2010), How to Train Your Dragon 3D (March 2010), and Shrek Goes Fourth 3D (May 2010).

News Horton Stomps on Tyler Perry & Owen Wilson

Easter weekend saw the release of three new movies in wide release, but Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who (20th Century Fox) featuring the voices of Jim Carrey and Steve Carell remained on top for the second weekend, grossing an estimated $25.1 million, a drop of 44% from last week. It has grossed $86.5 million in its first ten days compared to its production budget of $85 million.Coming in second was Tyler Perry's fourth film based on one of his stageplays, Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns starring Angela Bassett, which grossed an estimated $20 million in half as many theaters as "Horton," averaging just under $10 thousand per site. It opened lighter than Perry's last movie Why Did I Get Married? as well as his first two hits Madea's Family Reunion and Diary of a Mad Black Woman.

Third place was a close race between the other two new movies, 20th Century Fox's Asian horror remake Shutter and Owen Wilson's new comedy Drillbit Taylor. The PG-13 horror flick came out slightly ahead of the Judd Apatow produced movie with $10.7 million to the $10.2 million made by Drillbit Taylor in its first three days.

Roland Emmerich's prehistoric epic 10,000 BC (Warner Bros.) dropped to fifth place with $8.7 million, down 48% from last week with a three week gross of $76.1 million.

Summit Entertainment's mixed martial arts drama Never Back Down held up better in its second weekend, grossing an estimated $4.9 million to bring its total to $16.8 million in sixth place.

Dropping to #7, the G-rated Disney road comedy College Road Trip made $4.6 million in its third weekend to bring its total to $32 million.

Jason Statham's crime-drama The Bank Job (Lionsgate) is turning into a real sleeper hit, pulling ahead of the Sony political thriller Vantage Point (Sony) in their third weekend together. For the second week in a row, The Bank Job dropped less than 20% adding another $4.1 million to its take of $19.4 million. Vantage Point pulled in another $3.8 million to bring its total to $65 million.

Fox Searchlight enjoyed a surprise hit with the Hispanic community with Patricia Riggen's Under the Same Moon, which opened in 266 theaters on Wednesday and was able to gross $3.3 million in its first five days, averaging an impressive $9,781 per site over the three-day holiday weekend, which was enough to get it into the Top 10. Produced by America Ferrara, the festival favorite had the second highest per-theater average in the Top 12 right after Tyler Perry's new movie.

Neil Marshall's Doomsday (Universal) dropped 56% and right out of the Top 10 with $2.2 million in its second weekend with a total gross of $8.9 million.

After a weekend where the Top 10 grossed more than the same period last year, things were back to normal with this weekend's offerings down 19% from last year where Warner Bros.' TMNT came out on top of six new wide releases, although they weren't helped or hurt by Easter weekend as this week's offerings may have been.

Source: ComingSoon

The Dark Knight hi-rez pics

Warner Bros. International have released four new high rez images from The Dark Knight.

Yes, we've seen these before, but not in glorious HIGH RESOLUTION!!

Click on the images below to enlarge. Enjoy...

Source: IESB

Alonso is one of Fast & The Furious

Actor Laz Alonso, best known for his roles in “Stomp the Yard” and “This Christmas”, has had his tyres pumped up to do a lap in the new “Fast and the Furious” sequel. He’ll play the pivotal role of ‘Fenix’ in the pic.

Fenix is one of the main chaps transporting goods for the villain, Antonio Braga. Naturally, he also drives a pretty hot car – a Red Daytona.

The sequel, now shooting in L.A, reunites stars Vin Diesel and Paul Walker – the lads responsible for burning a few engines in the original “Fast and the Furious”. Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Wilmer Calderon (TVs “The Shield”) and former Miss Israeli Gal Gadot co-star.

'Chapter 27 ' Poster

I have so much appreciation for actors who go the extra mile to make their performance believable. One of the most notable actors to do this is of course Christian Bale who starved himself for his role in The Machinist. Well Jared Leto has just joined those dedicated actors by gaining 60 pounds to play John Lennons killer Mark Chapman.

This poster shows exactly what I am talking about. Leto is nearly unrecognizable. It's amazing what length some actors will go to for these types of roles. Especially taking steps like this that may have caused irreversible damage. Amazing.. check out the poster below courtesy of ImpAwards. Chapter 27 will be in limited theaters on March 28th.

Source: Moviesonline

Craig Brewer Set to Direct Gang Leader for a Day

After taking us on intense journeys into the deep south in both Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan, filmmaker Craig Brewer will next take us onto the streets of Chicago and into the lives of the Black Kings. Brewer has been set to adapt the non-fiction book Gang Leader for a Day, written by Columbia University sociology professor Sudhir Venkatesh. Screenwriter Michael Caleo, known most for "The Sopranos" and "Rescue Me", will write the script for this adaptation.

Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets recalls the years Venkatesh spent chronicling a crack-dealing gang in Chicago for a research project. He befriended the Black Kings and their leader and was invited to observe close up. Venkatesh found a close-knit group whose corporate culture was much like that of a successful legitimate business. Venkatesh was given the job of calling the shots of the criminal enterprise for a day.

"Gang Leader for a Day is not another voyeuristic look into the supposedly tawdry, disorganized life of the black poor. Venkatesh entered the Chicago gang world at the height of the crack epidemic and what he found was a tightly organized community, held together by friendship and compassion as well as force. I couldn't stop reading, and ended up loving this brave, reckless young scholar, as well as the gang leader J.T., who has to be one of the greatest characters ever to emerge from something that could be called sociological research." By Barbara Ehrenreich via Amazon.com.

Brewer will be teaming again with his producing partner Stephanie Allain and will be directing for Paramount Vantage. As intriguing as the story sounds, I'm worried that they'll over-adapt this into something too stylized. But then again, Brewer has really done a great job with his last two films - Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan. I just hope that Venkatesh is intricately involved in the production so that it maintains the grit and realism that was emphasized in the brief review of the book above.

Source: FirstShowing

Will Smith, The Last Pharaoh?

Sun Media talked to screenwriter Chris Hauty (Never Back Down), who is polishing a script by Carl Franklin (Devil in a Blue Dress) called The Last Pharaoh, which is at Will Smith's Overbrook Entertaiment production company.

The film centers on Taharqa, who was king of Egypt (from 690 BC to 664 BC) and a member of the Nubian or 25th dynasty of Egypt. He was the son of Piye, the Nubian king of Napata who had first conquered Egypt, and the younger brother and successor of Shebitku. The story is about Ethiopians battling Assyrians for the throne of Amun-Ra.

"It's an open writing assignment from Will's company. It's something he's taken a big interest in," Hauty said.

The actual "last Pharaoh" was Cleopatra VII, of course.

Source: Comingsoon

Jessica Lucas Dragged to Hell

ShockTillYouDrop.com reports that Jessica Lucas (Cloverfield, upcoming Amusement) has landed a role in director Sam Raimi's thriller Drag Me to Hell, which starts shooting on March 31.The Universal Pictures release was written by Sam and his brother, Ivan Raimi. It is a morality tale about the unwitting recipient of a supernatural curse.Alison Lohman and Justin Long were previously-announced as starring in the film.Lohman replaced Ellen Page in the lead role, as Page had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.

Source: ComingSoon

The Forbidden Kingdom! Clip

On April 18, Jackie Chan and Jet Li will appear together in a movie for the first time as Lionsgate releases The Forbidden Kingdom. I have found up 2 new recently releaseds new clips from the Rob Minkoff-directed film, which also stars Michael Angarano, Collin Chou, Crystal Liu Yi Fei and Li Bing Bing.

In the movie, American teenager Jason (Angarano) is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kungfu classics and finds an antique Chinese staff in a pawn shop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King (Li). With the lost relic in hand, Jason unexpectedly finds himself transported back to ancient China.

There, he meets the drunken kungfu master, Lu Yan (Chan); an enigmatic and skillful Silent Monk (Li); and a vengeance-bent kungfu beauty, Golden Sparrow, who lead him on his quest to return the staff to its rightful owner, the Monkey King - imprisoned in stone by the evil Jade Warlord for five hundred years.

UPDATES: 2 MORE CLIPS









Source: ComingSoon

The Jonah Hex Script is Complete

ShockTillYouDrop.com talked to Brian Taylor, who with Mark Neveldine will be co-directing Warner Bros.' Jonah Hex, based on the DC Comics title that combines western and supernatural elements. Hex, known for having the right side of his face disfigured and wearing a Confederate army uniform, was a rough-and-tumble gunslinger and part-time bounty hunter whose adventures always ended in blood.

Click the poster to enlarge

Taylor told the site that the script he wrote with Neveldine is complete. You can read his comments on the movie here!

Thomas Sangster Cast as Tintin?

17-year-old Thomas Sangster (Nanny McPhee, Love Actually) has been cast to play comic book hero Tintin in the trilogy of performance capture films to be directed by Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson, according to the Daily Mail.

Sangster, from South London, has already been to Los Angeles to work on pre-production test sequences with both directors.

He'll be joining Andy Serkis, who has been cast as Tintin's sidekick Captain Haddock.

Filming on the first story involving Tintin begins in the fall, with Spielberg directing. Peter Jackson will direct the second movie.

At the end of this month, Sangster begins working with Oscar-winning director Jane Campion on her film Bright Star, a love story with Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish portraying John Keats and his lover Fanny Brawne.

New Indiana Jones Featurette Online

The official website for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has been updated with a new featurette in which you can see Shia LaBeouf in action on the set. In the May 22 opener, directed by Steven Spielberg, Shia stars with Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, Karen Allen, John Hurt and Jim Broadbent.

You can watch the clip directly here.

Source: DexterMorganFan12

Terminator 4 : The Phantom Menace?

Seems Cinemablend.com and TheArnoldFans.com have some fresh "Terminator 4" (or whatever the heck they end up calling it) news. The latter has confirmation that Stan Winston will resume his role as the robot builder on the sequel, whilst Cinema Blend has some interesting plot details about the film :

A scooper tells the site that the character of Kyle Reese will be a central character in the next three films and that his relationship with John Connor will be similar to that of Anakin and Obi-Wan in the "Star Wars" prequels. saying “Just like the Star Wars prequels when it was the relationship between Anakin and Obi Wan that drove the three films, that's the concept for the new Terminator films when its between the relationship of Kyle and John, who is really father and son but with the moral dilemma with John knowing what has to be done in order for him to be born.”

Visit the site for more potential plot points for the film, including a link to TVs "Terminator : Sarah Connor Chronicles".

Source:MovieHole

DiCaprio circling the script “The Low Dweller”

Leonardo DiCaprio is circling the script “The Low Dweller”, which a young 27-year-old Pennsylvania native sold last week for near a million bucks, says Variety.

The script, by Brad Ingelsby (who last week was working for his father’s insurance business), is a dark drama set in 1986 in Indiana. The plan is for DiCaprio to play Slim, a man who gets released after serving years in prison for murder, and wants only to follow through on his promise to marry his long-suffering girlfriend. That is, until he discovers that his loser brother has been murdered after getting involved in a seedy midwestern gambling racket. While Slim did time for a murder he couldn’t avoid, he decides he can’t skip out on his obligation to avenge his brother’s murder.

Not a bad catch getting Leo DiCaprio attached to star in what’s your first sold script. But even better? Getting Ridley Scott’s interest to direct.

Ingelsby, who spent two years studying screenwriting at the American Film Institute before returning home to write on the side, learned his good fortune when his agents rang the phone at his parents house. He owes a thank you to Focus Features creative exec Michael Pruss, an acquaintance of Ingelsby who read “The Low Dweller” in January and loved it so much that he circulated it among agents. WMA quickly signed Ingelsby, then tied in Scott Free. Soon, DiCaprio’s Appian Way came aboard, with both shingles producing with Relativity’s Ryan Kavanaugh.

Source: MovieHole

Fantastic Four Franchise Dead?

I will be honest and say I never got the chance to watch any of the Fantastic Four movies. I was never much for the comic book and the word on the street was that none of the films were ever that good. However I am still gonna check them out eventually if its just to check out Jessica Alba in tight leather.

At first it seemed like they may be doing a Fantastic Four 3. Both Jessica Alba and Michael Chiklis had offered up ideas for the next film. But Chris Evans who portrayed Johnny Storm has just put the brakes on all of that talk. The MTV Movie Blog caught up with the actor who told them, “I’m pretty sure we won’t do [another] one. I’m assuming that one is a closed book.”

“After the first one was released we got wind of potential titles and plots [almost immediately], and I’ve heard nothing from anyone at Fox [yet],” he grumbled. “We had all planned on doing [another] one but if there were going to be a third I think a week after the second one was released we would have heard.”

Now even though Fantastic Four 3 is an unlikely project he didn't turn down the possiblity of playing Johnny Storm once again. When asked if he would ever like to do a cameo in a film like Hulk, Spider-Man or Iron Man he responded, “Absolutely, If Johnny Storm wanted to make a pop in appearance in one of those movies that would be a treat.”

First Look At Snake Eyes in 'G.I. Joe!'

Just a couple days ago the announcement was made that G.I. Joe had finally began filming. Well that didn't happen without Destro being recast. After that messy affair was over they finally got rolling. The images below come courtesy of Cinematical and USA Today. Of course they are of Ray Park playing Snake Eyes. I have to say it is extremely accurate and I am definitely excited about whats to come. Check it out..

The cast includes Dennis Quaid (General Hawk), Channing Tatum (Duke Hauser), Arnold Vosloo (Zartan), Chris Eccleston (Destro), Karolína Isela Kurková (Cover Girl), Sienna Miller (The Baroness), Ray Park (Snake Eyes), Rachel Nichols (Scarlett), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Heavy Duty), Said Taghmaoui (Breaker), Marlon Wayans (Ripcord), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Rex) and Byung-hun Lee (Storm Shadow). The live action G.I Joe film is being directed by Stephen Sommers and is set to be released August 7, 2009.

Rambo 5 to film in Bulgaria

Sylvester Stallone really is doing another "Rambo" movie - I thought that was just spin to remind people he's still fit enough to do action movies?

According to Screen Daily, "Rambo 5" looks to be shot in Bulgaria, using a massive new shingle - that they're building 10 new stages for - in Sofia. It is apparently one of the first films booked in to use the new stages.

Knowing it's going to be filmed in Bulgaria essentially voids most people's predictions that the next film would see Stallone back on home soil - USA.

Source:MoviesOnline

Emmerich Named New Line President & COO

Toby Emmerich has been named President & COO, New Line Cinema and will lead its reorganization to become a stand-alone production entity as part of Warner Bros. Entertainment, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, and Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros.

New Line will continue to maintain its own development, creative and production teams. In addition, New Line's marketing, publicity, distribution, business and legal affairs and physical production will report to Emmerich, but will closely coordinate with their Warner Bros. counterparts.

Emmerich will report directly to Horn. He will also work closely with Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, as New Line will utilize WBPG's existing infrastructure to reduce costs and take advantage of Warner Bros.' industry-leading scale.

"There isn't a better person than Toby to help us keep New Line vibrant, relevant and a key asset for Warner Bros.," said Meyer. "We are thrilled that he and New Line are now part of our family."

"Toby has played a major part in New Line's success over the last decade and helped define the company's taste and style in movies," said Horn. "Quite simply, he's a great film executive. He's highly respected, and he has solid relationships across the industry. Toby and New Line are both great additions to our Studio."

"I'm very excited to lead the next chapter in New Line's history and am looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead," said Emmerich. "This change is bittersweet, as so much of the company I've worked at for the past 16 years is being reconceived, but I'm committed to maintaining New Line's corporate DNA as a creative, aggressive entity. I plan to continue New Line's long and productive history as a company that can create hits in new niches—whether it's expanding the horror genre with films like 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'Freddy vs. Jason,' or turning an R-rated comedy like 'Wedding Crashers' into a blockbuster. I want to thank Bob [Shaye] and Michael [Lynne] for the opportunities and support they generously provided through the years, and I'd also like to thank Barry, Alan and Jeff for their collaboration and already making me feel welcome."

"Toby has a great track record, terrific instincts and is one of those people who really gets the film business," said Robinov. "He's a great new voice for our film group, and New Line's slate is a perfect complement to our existing lineup."

New Line's upcoming films include Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (being released April 25), Sex and the City (May 30), Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D (July 11) and Four Christmases (November 26).

New Line's recent hits include the R-rated comedy Wedding Crashers in 2005. The company is also known for the iconic Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. (It was recently announced that Michael Bay will produce a re-imagining of this classic.) Under Emmerich's leadership, New Line released the successful Freddy vs. Jason, has begun production on Final Destination 4 in digital 3D and has reunited The Texas Chainsaw Massacre team to recreate the original Friday the 13th.

Emmerich most recently served as President of Production for New Line Cinema. He was named to that post in January 2001 and oversaw production during the most successful period in the company's history, which included the release of such hits as the Academy Award-winning blockbuster The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Wedding Crashers (2005's highest-grossing comedy), Monster-in-Law, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Elf, The Notebook, Hairspray and “About Schmidt, which starred Jack Nicholson in a Golden Globe-winning performance.

Emmerich joined the company in 1992 as a dual development and music executive. In his position as President of Music, he oversaw the development of Platinum and Gold-selling soundtracks such as Elf, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Boogie Nights, Love & Basketball, The Mask, Don Juan DeMarco, Friday, Dumb and Dumber, Now and Then, Mortal Kombat, I Am Sam and Seven, among others.

He attended the Calhoun School and Wesleyan University, from which he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1985, with honors in English and concentrations in classics and film.

More Street Fighter Cast Details

Capcom Co., Ltd. today confirmed the main cast for its live-action Street Fighter movie based on the popular video game series.

The story revolves around Chun-Li, who will be portrayed by actress Kristen Kreuk ("Smallville"). Michael Clark Duncan plays Balrog, Neal McDonough is M. Bison, Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas is Vega, Chris Klein plays Charlie Nash, and Rick Yune is the mystical Gen.The film will be made in conjunction with Hyde Park Films, and will be distributed by 20th Century Fox for a scheduled 2009 worldwide release.
The Street Fighter movie is only one of many projects Capcom has planned to celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Street Fighter." Summer 2008 will see the Japanese arcade release of the much-anticipated "Street Fighter IV."

"Street Fighter" was first released in 1987 to critical acclaim for its innovative features. This was followed up in 1991 with the smash hit "Street Fighter II," which broke records by being available in 500 thousand arcade cabinets and selling over 25 million units on home systems. These records cemented "Street Fighter's" reputation as one of the most popular fighting game series of all time, and ensured that the fighting genre would become a staple of the gaming world.

Moon Bloodgood, Edmund Chen, Cheng Pei Pei and Josie Ho also star.

.::QUICKS::.

First Look at The Wolfman!

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Entertainment Weekly has a first look at Benicio Del Toro as The Wolfman in director Joe Johnston's new film, which Universal Pictures will release on February 13, 2009. Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving co-star in the horror pic in which a man (Del Toro) gets bitten by a werewolf and begins a hairy moonlight existence.

The magazine also talked to FX maestro Rick Baker about his lycanthrope makeup for the film. You can view two photos and read the interview by clicking on the pic below. The direct link to the second pic is here.

Official Monsters vs. Aliens Site Online

Source: DreamWorks SKG Fansite

DreamWorks Animation has launched an official teaser website for Monsters vs. Aliens, coming to theaters in Ultimate 3-D on March 27, 2009. The animated pic features the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert, Kiefer Sutherland and Paul Rudd.


A Slew of Twilight Set Photos

Source: ShockTillYouDrop.com

ShockTillYouDrop.com has pointed us to this spot where you can check out a slew of new photos from the set of Summit's Twilight adaptation, coming to theaters on December 12.

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, the big screen version of Stephenie Meyer's series of books stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Justin Chon, Anna Kendrick, Rachelle Lefevre, Nikki Reed, Cam Cigandet, Michael Welch, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz and Christian Serratos.


Quantum of Solace Gets Early U.K. Release

Source: Variety

In the age of piracy, this is a pretty odd announcement, but Sony Pictures Releasing confirmed this morning that James Bond pic Quantum of Solace will open in the U.K. on Oct. 31, a week before its debut in North America on Nov. 7.

Other European territories getting their 007 fix ahead of the U.S. are France and Belgium, where the film will be released on Nov. 5., and the Netherlands and Germany, which get the pic on Nov. 6. It launches in Spain and Italy on Nov. 7


Four More Join Gervais' Truth

Source:ComingSoon

Ricky Gervais has revealed on his Blog for This Side of the Truth that John Hodgman ("The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"), Tina Fey ("30 Rock," "Saturday Night Live"), Christopher Guest (Best in Show) and Jeffrey Tambor (Hellboy II: The Golden Army, "Arrested Development") have joined the cast of his new comedy at Warner Bros. Pictures.

They join the previously announced Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill, Louis C.K. and Gervais in the cast.

The film is set in a contemporary world where no one has ever lied. Gervais will play a performer who tells the first lie and harnesses its power for personal gain.

Gervais and Matt Robinson wrote the script.

New 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' pic!

You'll have to excuse the blur in the photo above; it's a scanned version of a photo that's popped up in the new issue of Nick Magazine, and has surfaced over at a Brazilian Harry Potter fansite called Oculemencia. Here, we get our first look at Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) as they sit around in the Gryffindor Common Room. Hermione seems to be reading a paper of some kind, and Ron is just hanging out, staring at the two as if to say, "Can we just, like, go see Horton Hears a Who or something?"

This photo will now be added to the first one that was released back in December. It also follows the recent news that the final Harry Potter flick, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be split into two films. David Yates is expected to direct. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will arrive in theaters on November 21.

Wachowski Brothers Developing Kung-Fu Flick With Collin Chou

The Wachowski brothers exploded onto the movie scene with The Matrix… but one can’t help but wonder if they were a 1 trick pony. Most people hated the last 2 Matrix movies (for the record, I really like the second Matrix movie… but thought the third one was a total crap fest), and now their first directoral outing since the Matrix films, Speed Racer, looks like a giant sack of shit in the making.

But I can’t help but be interested by this news. Our friends over at MTV are saying that the Wachowski brothers are looking at developing a movie with Collin Chou (He played Seraph in the last 2 Matrix flicks).

The high-kicking Chou will soon be seen opposite Jackie Chan and Jet Li, appearing as the villainous Jade War Lord in April 18’s damn fine kung fu flick “The Forbidden Kingdom.” Following that film’s release, Chou will continue talking with the Wachowskis as they develop their unnamed script with him in mind. The inclusion of Chou, a veteran of more than thirty martial arts films, would seem to indicate that the Wachowskis are hoping to get back to the stylized fighting and wire work that made “Matrix” a powerhouse sci-fi series.

Now this could be very interesting. I think most of us saw Chou as a potential leading guy, and the notion of the Wachowski brothers getting back to something martial arts related is intriguing. Sign me up if this actually happens!

Gary Busey Apologizes To Jennifer Garner

Today the folks over at the Movie Blog discovered that Gary Busey has officially apologized for the whole thing. Here is what he had to say about the whole incident:

“I meant no disrespect to Ms. Jennifer Garner when I met her at the Oscars and apologize if I made her uncomfortable,” the 63-year-old actor said in a statement e-mailed Monday by a publicist for his attorney, Vicki Roberts. “I simply greeted both actresses with joy and open arms, which is the way I would greet anyone I’m happy to meet,” Busey said. “Everyone has experienced a handshake or hug which has turned awkward, and this was no different.”

It was definitely one of the most memorable moments during the Oscars this year. But the biggest question for me that still has not been answered is what the hell was Busey doing there anyway? Promoting The Gingerdead Man 2: The Passion of the Crust. Seriously. But I do have my own theory about how he gets around.

I think Gary Busey is some kind of drunken ninja. Yea, I know it sounds crazy but you have to remember we are talking about Gary Busey here. Nothing is impossible. The man is everywhere and is always obviously seriously drunk or on some mind altering drugs. If he is a ninja that easily explains how he gets everywhere so fast. He could have some serious ninja skills. Then again.. he could just be the Hunter S. Thompson of actors...

Sourece: Moviesonline

News First Look at Woolard as Notorious

As was previously announced, Jamal Woolard will star as the lead in Notorious, the screen version of the life of rapper Christopher Wallace a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G. This first look of Jamal as B.I.G. was revealed by producer Wayne Barrow on his official Blog.

Tropic Thunder New trailer

DreamWorks/Paramount has updated the official website for Tropic Thunder with the new trailer for the anticipated comedy. Directed by Stiller, the August 15 release stars Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Nick Nolte, Danny McBride, Brandon Jackson and Jay Baruchel

Jennifer Coolidge joins Gentlemen Broncos

It looks like Stiffler’s mom is going to be another MILF in the upcoming comedy Gentlemen Broncos. Says comingsoon:

Jennifer Coolidge (”American Pie” films) is joining the cast of Gentlemen Broncos, Jared Hess’ comedy being produced by Mike White and Ben LeClair’s Ripcord. Michael Angarano, Sam Rockwell and Jemaine Clement are starring in the movie, which follows a high school outcast who attends a camp for writers. There, his story gets ripped off by a legendary fantasy novelist. Coolidge is playing the mother of the teen (Angarano).

Coolidge is a funny lady, and plays a sultry, whorish cougar. She fits the mother role perfectly for a comedy and her addition to the cast is wise. I like the synopsis for Gentlemen Broncos. A few months ago, news of this production welled up interest within me. Dueling fantasy writers has hilarious potential for a film and I certainly am looking forward to trailers, set shots and updates. The addition of Coolidge has stoked my interest and we will see how this one plays out.

A Third Batman? Christian Bale Says 'Wait and See"

Christian Bale was on hand at ShoWest to promote some footage from The Dark Knight, and gave a revealing interview to Entertainment Weekly. The magazine immediately pumped him for Batman information, and Bale was forthcoming -- but noncommittal.

When asked if there would be a third installment, Bale wouldn't confirm or deny. "Um, look, let's wait and see." When the magazine "mistakenly" referred to it as a sixth installment, Bale was quick to correct them, and elaborate on the possibilities of a trilogy. "No, no, no, no, no. Part 3 is what I'd consider it, yeah, I don't say part 6. Batman Begins - that was the beginning there, with all due respect to the others. We are re-creating this. You know, obviously the decision is out of my hands. I would, knowing the Dark Knight story, I would like very much to complete a trilogy. And I think that knowing the story of The Dark Knight, it leaves you anticipating something that really can get very, very interesting for a third. Now, the question would be: Is Chris going to be doing it? Because to me I find it tricky to imagine working on it without it being a collaboration with Chris."

So, can we safely assume that Heath Ledger's premature death does not affect the trilogy's storyline? That has been the biggest question on everyone's mind. If you combine this interview with Aaron Eckhart's latest, I am still of the belief that Joker ends up in Arkham, and Two-Face could be the main villain in a third film. I can't imagine they didn't leave Joker's fate open ended, considering the villain's place in Batman's world, but no one from the film seems to feel the storyline cannot continue. Perhaps a bigger question is why Nolan isn't confirmed to continue the series.

Source: Cinematical