New Badass Max Payne Promo Photos!

These are definitely a sweet compliment to the trailer yesterday and should hold us over until the marketing machine really picks up again. In case you didn't know (and who doesn't?!), Max Payne is an adaptation of a very popular video game franchise. These photos are a true homage to the visual style from the game and definitely look great. Although they're not as impressive as the trailer itself, I definitely suggest any and all Max Payne fans take a look at these. Hope you guys enjoy these photos!

Vishal mentioned that these photos are from the official website but haven't actually been released just yet - so take a look at them now before they get removed. They'll eventually be added in higher resolution at some point in the future, but for now these should hold you over. Badass?

Max Payne is directed by Irish filmmaker John Moore, of Behind Enemy Lines, Flight of the Phoenix, and The Omen previously, with a screenplay written by first-time writer Beau Thorne. The film is based on the popular Max Payne series of third-person-shooter video games that first arrived in 2001. Fox is debuting Max Payne in theaters on October 17th just before Halloween. I'll be there!

Robert Downey Jr. is Sherlock Holmes!

Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) is set to star in Sherlock Holmes, the drama that Guy Ritchie will direct for Warner Bros. Pictures, says Variety.

Downey has committed to the film, which begins shooting in October, after Ritchie turned in a polish of the latest version of the script, written by Anthony Peckham.

Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin are producing.

The trade says that Sherlock Holmes will take advantage of Downey Jr.'s physical skills as the character displays brawn as well as brains.

The basis for the film is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tales, but also the comic book "Sherlock Holmes."

With Downey aboard, the film will go into production before a comedy that just coalesced at Columbia Pictures, with Sacha Baron Cohen playing Holmes, and Will Ferrell playing his crime-fighting partner Dr. Watson.

Russian Poster for Babylon A.D.

Those Russians always seem to get the best shit! If you need a reminder, Babylon A.D. is the badass French sci-fi film starring Vin Diesel (in case you couldn't tell that was him on the poster). First Showing shared recently a few awesome trailers and now we're just tapping our foot, patiently waiting for Fox to release this beauty. While we wait, the Russians have snagged an awesome new poster for our amusement. Enjoy the sleek new look below!

Thanks to the guys at Filmz.ru for debuting this. This one is a vast improvement over the Blade Runner ripoff version previously - I dig the look quite a bit. In agreement with my assessment on this?

In the Mathieu Kassovitz-directed film, a veteran-turned-mercenary (Vin Diesel) agrees to escort a woman from Russia to Germany, not realizing that she's the host for an organism that a cult wants to harvest into a genetically-modified Messiah. Opening in North America on August 29, the movie co-stars Gérard Depardieu, Michelle Yeoh, Charlotte Rampling, Mark Strong, Radek Bruna, Melanie Thierry and Lambert Wilson.

Babylon A.D. is directed by French filmmaker Mathieu Kassovitz, who also directed 2003's Gothika and a French film from 2000 titled The Crimson Rivers as well as a few other French flicks. Babylon A.D. is currently set to arrive in theaters on August 29th from Fox.

First Max PayneTrailer Hits

The first trailer for John Moore's adaptation of the video game Max Payne has finally arrived. After months and months of waiting and immense early praise, we finally have our first look at what to expect in this upcoming video game adaptation. Honestly, I'm impressed, very impressed, by this trailer. It won't be what you expect, but it might leave you quite excited. I really love the visual style and this time I think Mark Wahlberg will kick ass. I have no clue what that angel was at the end and if there is a dark fantasy or paranormal element to this, but that scene was pretty intense. I've been looking forward to this since I first heard about it and now I'm truly excited to see it.

This is an international trailer courtesy of Filmweb.pl. We expect there to be a different American version that might hit theaters soon as well. Although this looks much different from the games, it still looks very entertaining. Does the trailer live up to all of your expectations?

Max Payne is directed by Irish filmmaker John Moore, of Behind Enemy Lines, Flight of the Phoenix, and The Omen previously, with a screenplay written by first-time writer Beau Thorne. The film is based on the popular Max Payne series of third-person-shooter video games that first arrived in 2001. Fox is debuting Max Payne in theaters on October 17th just before Halloween.

International Tropic Thunder trailer

An international trailer for Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder has come online at the official UK site!

Don't forget to check out the official website for even more laughs: tropicthunder.com.

Tropic Thunder is directed by Ben Stiller (Zoolander) and written by Etan Cohen ("King of the Hill", Idiocracy) and well-known actor Justin Theroux (who also stars in the film). The movie stars Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Brandon T. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, and Steve Coogan. Tropic Thunder arrives in theaters everywhere on August 15th this summer.

There's not much else to say about this one -- watch it for yourself and tell me it doesn't look out of control. Stiller worries me sometimes because he could be a little too "stupid," but with Downey Jr., Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte, Bill Hader, Justin Theroux, Jay Baruchel and Jack Black in there, I think we'll be okay.

Eli Roth Joins The RZA

Last week some reports were circulating that RZA was going to direct a new martial arts movie called “The Man With the Iron Fist”. Apparently RZA had been talking to Quentin Tarantino about the project for quite some time and Tarantino told him to go for it.

So where does Eli Roth fit in? Well he was also in the mix wanting to help RZA bring his vision to the screen and jumped on board as producer. This was all rumor until CHUD got in contact with Roth in which he replied back:

“Yes, it is true. RZA’s script is amazing. He has been studying directing with Tarantino for years. and he’s really ready to get behind the camera. His impact on rap music and hip hop culture cannot be measured, and he’s ready to add his own unique style and vision to the world of film. This movie will have everything martial arts fans could want, combined with RZA’s superb musical talent. This project has been his dream for years, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.

i am extremely curious about this picture. Kung Fu films rule in my books, and if we can get an outlandish classic from RZA - I would pump my iron fist with delight!

Transformers Concept Art - Aircraft Carrier That Never Was

Concept artist Tim Flattery recently posted a few examples of his work from Transformers on his official website. Let me tell you that this work is so beautiful that I'm considering ordering it in high resolution and framing it above my bed to stare at all night long. No not really, that's just a joke, but I might considering something like that. Realistically this concept art kicks some serious ass and the best part is two of them feature the rumored aircraft carrier transformer that never saw the light of day. Apparently the idea of this robot was mentioned by Michael Bay last year as potentially showing up in a sequel, but was denied recently by producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. We can still dream…

A few examples of Flattery's work can be seen below. A total of 15 images can be found on his website.

Last year when Bay first mentioned that an aircraft carrier transformer was one that he wanted to include in the film, rumors quickly spread saying that the cost was too high to make it happen for the first one, but that it might show up in a sequel. After you look at this concept art you might understand how expensive that would be and now, of course, it's not going to show up in the sequel either. But don't fear, I'm sure we're going to see a plethora of other equally awesome robots like Jetfire the SR-71 Blackbird. Doesn't this make you even more excited for the Revenge of the Fallen next summer?

American Gangster Too

Here’s one we missed yesterday - Universal are developing a sequel to the 2007 hooligan riff “American Gangster”.

I know what you’re all thinking: “Great. Finally, they’ll tell the rest of the story – they’ll get to the good stuff. Here comes the film they should’ve told first-time around – the one where the ex-cop defends the ex-crook” (After working as a prosecutor, cop Ritchie Roberts became a criminal defense attorney, and still works as one today. Ironically, the first person he defended was Frank Lucas, for the same crime for which he prosecuted him.).

Doubtful we’ll get any of that “good stuff” here, folkidorians. Word is, “AG 2” is likely a direct-to-DVD offering, and based on who CHUD says is starring in it - salsa singer Domingo Quiñones - it’s unlikely we’re going to be treated to a sequel featuring the same characters (sure-as-shit Crowe and Washington won’t be back for it) as the first film, but more so a film that shares similarities with Ridley Scott’s film, but for the most part is just thieving it’s name (Think “Carlito’s Way : Rise to Power” or “American Pie : The Naked Mile”). It’s all the rage, ya know?

Universal are currently working on a few direct-to-DVD sequels - “Without a Paddle 2″, a new “Beethoven” pic, etc - so wouldn’t surprise me at all if Blockbuster will be where this thing makes its debut.

According to CHUD’s scooper, the salsa singer will be playing an undercover Mexican cop in the film. The scenes in which he participates in will be shot in Puerto Rico in a few months.

Stay Tuned for more on “American Gangster : Assignment Miami Beach” – or whatever tag they award it – as it comes to hand.

The Day the Earth Stood Still Teaser Trailer

Why do I still get the feeling that Keanu Reeves is going to make a lackluster Klaatu in the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still? For some reason I just don’t buy him as an alien lifeform sent to warn us of Earth’s impending destruction — there is something just too nonchalant about him. Either way, he is in it, and the first trailer, which is currently playing in front of Hancock, has hit the web via Filmweb.pl. Check it out below.

Watch the teaser for The Day the Earth Stood Still:

Aside from the Keanu Reeves factor that I mentioned earlier, this film looks very interesting. I must say that while I remain skeptical, as any fan of the 1951 version should be, I will say that the potential for an awesome modern remake is there. This is one of those classics that could be enhanced by updated special effects. As well, it could very well have a relevant message. But we shall see how it goes — I don’t want to jump the gun and say that it looks like a winner just yet.

The Day the Earth Stood Still is directed by Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) and stars Keanu Reeves as Klaatu, a mysterious man from another world, sent to warn Earth’s population that their destructive ways could lead to an attack from civilizations on other planets. As the government tries to sort things out, a woman (Jennifer Connelly) and her step-son (Jaden Smith) get caught up in the mission and ultimately learn the ramifications of this so-called “friend to Earth.” It will hit theaters on December 12, 2008.

Full Trailer for Fernando Meirelles' Blindness

Another new full trailer for Fernando Meirelles' Blindness has finally debuted online. The trailer has been playing in front of Wanted this weekend and is a vast improvement over the first teaser trailer. I've been waiting for Meirelles to show me something even somewhat reminiscent of City of God (one of my all-time personal favorites), in terms of brilliance not necessarily subject matter, but I haven't seen it yet. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that Blindness is it. This latest full trailer finally shows me that this might have the potential to be that good. I love the music, even though we're all familiar with it, but it adds such an uneasy tone to the ending and allows us to somewhat feel the fear that all of these blind people have. If you haven't seen it yet, make sure you watch this trailer for Blindness today.

A doctor's wife becomes the only person with the ability to see in a town where everyone is struck with a mysterious case of sudden blindness. She feigns illness in order to take care of her husband as her surrounding community breaks down into chaos and disorder. I'm guessing there is a lot more to the story then what's written in that brief synopsis. However, I prefer to go into this completely blind and with as little knowledge as possible - I think there will be much more to take away from it going in that way.

Blindness is directed by legendary Brazilian filmmaker Fernando Meirelles of City of God and The Constant Gardener previously. The film is based on a novel by Nobel Prize winning author Jose Saramago with a script written by actor-writer Don McKellar, of Highway 61, Last Night, and The Red Violin. Blindness is currently set to open in theaters on September 19th. The latest poster is featured below.

Cohen is Sherlock Holmes, Ferrell to Play Watson!

Columbia Pictures has set an untitled comedy that will star Sacha Baron Cohen as master detective Sherlock Holmes and Will Ferrell as Watson, his crime-solving partner, reports Variety.

Etan Cohen (Tropic Thunder) is writing the script, and Judd Apatow and Jimmy Miller will produce.

The comedy is inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes tales. Though the thrust is different, the Baron Cohen-Ferrell pairing is the second major studio project featuring the supersleuth, as Warner Bros. is prepping the Anthony Peckham-scripted drama Sherlock Holmes with director Guy Ritchie.

The Columbia project reteams Baron Cohen and Ferrell, who played rival racecar drivers in Columbia's 2006 hit comedy "Talladega Nights," which Apatow and Miller also produced.

Red Band Trailer for Alexandre Aja's Mirrors!

A brand new red band trailer has debuted courtesy of IGN and damn does it give this film some much needed perspective. There is some ridiculously creepy and insanely scary stuff in this red band trailer, so if you can't handle that sort of horror, I suggest you stay far, far away. But if you're looking for some fresh new thrills with none other than Jack Bauer starring in the lead, then you may want to give this new trailer for Mirrors a shot. It definitely impressed me the second time around and now I'm really wondering whether this could be good!

You can also watch the red band Mirrors trailer in High Definition on IGN

Mirrors is directed by French filmmaker Alexandre Aja, of High Tension, The Hills Have Eyes, and the upcoming Piranha 3-D. The screenplay was written by Aja and his writing partner Grégory Levasseur. The film is actually a remake of a 2003 Korean horror film titled Into the Mirrors directed by Kim Sung-ho. Fox is releasing Mirrors in theaters on August 15th this summer.

Source: FirstShowing.net

McCarthy on Board for 2012

Thomas McCarthy, the writer and director of The Visitor, will star in Roland Emmerich's 2012.

McCarthy joins an ensemble cast led by John Cusack that includes Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover and Oliver Platt.

The Hollywood Reporter says McCarthy will play the boyfriend of Peet, who is the ex-wife of Cusack's character.

2012 is set to shoot in August in Vancouver. McCarthy also will begin working on a new script that he intends to direct.

Source: ComingSoon

Warner Bros is "Hiding in Time"

Warner Bros has picked up the Image Shadowline comic book series "Hiding in Time" for Dan Lin to produce, reports Variety.

Beau Thorne (upcoming Max Payne) will tackle the Christopher Long-created property, in which the Witness Protection Program uses time travel to relocate high-profile witnesses. When the program is compromised, a government scientist must travel back through the greatest moments in history to help a master thief rescue his old crew from the assassins sent back by their former employer.

Lin Pictures will produce the film, with Jon Silk, who brought the project into the company, serving as co-producer.

Lin is executive producing Terminator Salvation, the Robert Rodriguez-directed Shorts and the Ricky Gervais comedy This Side of the Truth. He's also producing Justice League for WB and Richard Kelly-directed Cameron Diaz thriller The Box.

Resident Evil 4 on the way????

Like the undead themselves, modern zombie movies keep coming and coming. Get ready for at least one more, Paul W.S. Anderson told MTV News.

Well, maybe.

“Resident Evil: Extinction,” the third video-game to big screen adaptation in the popular series will likely not be the last, Anderson said, although talks for a fourth film are still in the very earliest stages of development.

“I’m just starting to talk to Sony about it,” Anderson confessed. “I don’t even know if anything will come of it, but there’s a possibility it might happen.”

It would seem like a sure thing given the ending of “Extinction,” which saw Alice (Milla Jovovich) beside herself with rage — literally, thanks to hundreds of perfect clones - promising to travel to the Umbrella Corporation’s headquarters in Japan. But Anderson, who scripted the first three films, says a concrete story hasn’t yet been decided upon. In fact, it’s coming up with a plausible, kick-ass story that’s momentarily holding him up.

“I love the ‘Resident Evil’ franchise and we always try to make the best possible movie we can. If we could find a good ‘Resident Evil 4’ to make, then we would do it,” he said. “But I wouldn’t just do it for the sake of it, that’s for sure.”

So now we’re throwing it out to you: Think “Resident Evil 4” should be made? And, if so, tell us what you think the story should be. Sound off below.

New The Dark Knight Poster

The viral marketing for The Dark Knight revealed this new poster today for the anticipated July 18 release. You can click on it for a hi-res version!

Pineapple Express Movie Posters

Firstshowing uncovered two new hilarious posters for the film that feature both Seth Rogen and James Franco in the same vein as Judd Apatow's previous one-sheets (for 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up). You should already know that this film is entirely about two stoners who get wrapped up in a mob murder, which is why it's so wonderfully perfect to see posters with Rogen and Franco stoned out of their minds! We already know Rogen is a hilarious actor, but Franco looks like he's going to surprise everyone with just how ridiculously funny he is. The summer season definitely looks like it'll end with some awesome comedies!

Thanks to our friends at the IMPAwards for debuting these two great new posters. If you haven't already seen the red band trailer that first hit back in February, make sure to go check that out, too!

Lazy stoner Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) has only one reason to visit his equally lazy dealer Saul Silver (James Franco): to purchase weed, specifically, a rare new strain called Pineapple Express. But when Dale becomes the only witness to a murder by a crooked cop (Rosie Perez) and the city's most dangerous drug lord (Gary Cole), he panics and dumps his roach of Pineapple Express at the scene. Dale now has another reason to visit Saul: to find out if the weed is so rare that it can be traced back to him. And it is. As Dale and Saul run for their lives, they quickly discover that they're not suffering from weed-fueled paranoia; incredibly, the bad guys really are hot on their trail and trying to figure out the fastest way to kill them both. All aboard the Pineapple Express.

Pineapple Express is directed by David Gordon Green (of Snow Angels, Undertow, All the Real Girls) and written by the trio of Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Judd Apatow (naturally). Express follows Rogen and Franco as they get stoned, run from cops, crash cars and fire guns. No further explanation needed. The stoner revival begins this summer on August 8th.

Next Batman villain revealed?

The original plan – and I don’t think this is giving anything anyway, since we all know how inexorable the killer clown is – was for Heath Ledger to return as The Joker in one more ‘’Batman’’ flick – after this month’s “The Dark Knight”.

It goes without saying that Ledger won’t be back – and according to series’ star Gary Oldman (Jim Gordon), neither will the purple-jacketed villain.

The actor – who sounds about as pleased as piss to be back playing Gordon in the ‘’Batman Begins’’ sequel, and I say that acerbically - tells MovieWeb that The Riddler could be the Rogue Batman faces in sequel number two.

Be interesting to see Chris Nolan’s interpretation of that character – to many, The Ridller’s a zany nimrod that Jim Carrey played in ‘’Batman Forever’’. He was about as threatening as a sprayed fly. No doubt the new ‘Riddler’ will still wear some kind of question-marked costume, but he’ll be a tad more menacing than Ace Ventura’s incarnation. Maybe Paul Bettany? Hey… what about Johnny Depp? Heck, I’ll do it.. if the costume doesn’t ride up my ass!

Hellboy II: The Golden Army TV spot

What happens when you pair up two unlikely government agents? You get an evening of snacks, video games and delusions of grandeur. In a choice bit of marketing for Hellboy II: The Golden Army, you'll find below a TV spot featuring Chuck's Zachary Levi and HB.

You can watch the commercial using the below player.

Tekken Movie "R" rated??

We learn today that the Tekken movie may be getting a restricted rating. We get wind of this news from our friends at firstshowing:

While at the press junket for Hellboy II today in Los Angeles, Luke Goss said that he “thinks” the Tekken movie in the works will end being rated R. Like Street Fighter, Tekken is a live-action adaptation of a very popular platform fighting video game from Namco. The film is being directed by Dwight H. Little, of Rapid Fire, Free Willy 2, “Prison Break”, and “Bones”, and has a script penned by Alan B. McElroy, of Spawn, Wrong Turn, and The Marine. Not the most talented individuals involved unfortunately. Is the prospect of an R-rated Tekken more interesting than a PG-13 rated Street Fighter?

To answer Alex’s question - I would say in theory yes. In a movie where violence is a large part of the story, you have much more freedom with an R rating. Even if the film ends up getting a PG rating - I think you should film it anticipating that you may get an R. When your ceiling is higher, you are able to take risks; I can’t imagine the PG - 13 rating being very conducive to quality violence. Awesome violence is what these films should be all about - because that is what made the games great in the first place.