‘Total Recall’ Theatrical Trailer

Everything you thought you know might not be what it seems. That’s both true in the world of Total Recall and regarding your previous thoughts on the movie. Sony just released a brand new trailer for the Len Wiseman directed August 3 remake starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel and it’s filled with so many epic looking action scenes, set pieces and special effects, it might actually get you pumped up for the film. The story is almost beat for beat the same as Paul Verhoeven’s 1990 original (which in turn was based on a Phillip K. Dick short story) but Wiseman’s budget definitely makes this, at least look like, a remake that’ll be worth seeing.

Check out the trailer after the jump.

READ MORE

Len Wiseman to Direct Contemporary Remake of Total Recall

Len Wiseman (Live Free or Die Hard, "Underworld" films) is in final negotiations to direct Columbia Pictures' Total Recall, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, presidents of Columbia Pictures. The film will be a new, contemporized adaptation of Total Recall, which was based on the story, "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale" by Philip K. Dick. Kurt Wimmer is writing the screenplay. Neal H. Moritz will produce through his Original Film banner.

READ MORE

Jet Li Reunites With Tsui Hark

It's eighteen years since the two last collaborated, but Tsui Hark and Jet Li are set to re-team for the 3D action-fest New Dragon Gate Inn, according to China Radio International (well-spotted JoBlo).

READ MORE

Disney Converting Lion King to 3D

 

Disney is definitely on their way to becoming the top studio again. There are hundreds of projects they're working on, but two of them get some time in the spotlight today. Empire caught up with Disney producer Don Hahn, who directed the great Waking Sleeping Beauty documentary and is working on Tim Burton's Frankenweenie, and talked about a few different projects at Disney, since he still is working on other things besides telling the inside story of Disney. They're starting work on a 3D conversion of The Lion King as well.

READ MORE

Michael Myers Mask from Rob Zombie's H2

The photo comes from Zombie's own MySpace blog, where he mentions that make-up artist Wayne Toth is "back on the case working the greatest Michael ever." The photo at the top is from Zombie's original Halloween to reference any changes. It doesn't look like that much of a modification, but then again, I'm not a big Halloween fan so I'm not able to pick out all the minor differences.

Note: While it doesn't officially say that this is only a maquette, I'm guessing that this is just an early sculpt of the mask and that it obviously won't be orange and it will have hair in the end. Thoughts?

Rob Zombie is both writing and directing H2: Halloween 2 which is already slated for release on August 28th later this year. Are there enough fans of Rob Zombie's reboot to keep this franchise going? And those of you that are hardcore Halloween fans — what do you think of this new mask? Good or bad?

Steven Spielberg and Will Smith Remaking Oldboy?!

Steven Spielberg and Will Smith are in early discussions to collaborate on a remake of Chan Wook-park's "Oldboy." DreamWorks is in the process of securing the remake rights, and the new pic will be distributed by Universal.

In the 2003 Korean original, a man gets kidnapped and held in a shabby cell for 15 years without explanation. Suddenly, he's released and given money, a cell phone and clothes and is set on a path to discover who destroyed his life so he can take revenge. Spielberg had been looking for an opportunity to make a film with Smith, who would play the kidnapped man if all the pieces fall into place. Spielberg is looking for a writer to begin the development process. The film was originally set at U and then found its way to Mandate.

Theron Joining Cruise in The Tourist

We have word today that princess Theron will be teaming up with commander cruise in The Tourist. We get the following scoop from our friends at the movieweb:

Charlize Theron is in talks to star with Tom Cruise in The Tourist, director Bharat Nalluri’s remake of the 2005 French thriller Anthony Zimmer.

According to Variety, the Julian Fellowes-scripted drama centers on a female Interpol agent who uses an American tourist in an attempt to flush out an elusive criminal with whom she once had an affair.

Spies falling in love is nice drama, but something I could never really get on board. In order to get the the level where they let you be a spy, I would think that you would have to be a master of your own emotions. Falling in love is something a spy does after retirement. Until then every love is a liability or a target.

Charlize and Tom is a quality team up for a film like this however. The Theron is a talented, delicious actress that I enjoy seeing in anything, up to and including pants. Tommy has had trouble with his PR the past few years because of his insanity, but now he seems to be making the most of it and is quickly becoming the beloved crazy guy instead of the scary crazy guy.

Production on this film is slotted for March and we will be certain to fill you in on all of the updates and details.

Live Action Mulan

Xinhua Media Entertainment has announced a $30 million live-action adaptation of Mulan, based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan (the same legend that was adapted into a 1998 Disney animated film). First written about in a 6th century poem, Hua Mulan was a woman who disguised herself as a man to take her elderly father’s place in an all-male army. It is unknown id the poem was based on an actual person or is just an allegory. The Hollywood-China co-production will begin shooting in China this spring.

$30 million is a big chunk of change for a Chinese production. I’m guessing that Xinhua’s Mulan will be a more traditional period costume drama. And I understand that this is an adaptation of the original legend, and not the Disney film that popularized the legend, but is anyone really that interested to see this story retold in live-action? I know I would never be interested in seeing a live-action Snow White. And the only reason Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland seems appealing is his unique sense of style. And even that is a hybrid production. But then again, I also hated the idea of del Toro directing Tarzan.

source: Hollywood Reporter

Eva Mendes eyes 'Bad Lieutenant'

I'm not sure what to think of this Bad Lieutenant remake (or re-imagining) since the first one was so ridiculously off the charts that when news first broke about a re-do, most folks gave a look like they just stepped on a cockroach and the thing was still squirming around all half-squashed and whatnot. Translation: "Yuck ... really? They're remaking THAT film?" Nevertheless, if anyone can make this sucker shine, it's Werner Herzog, and Variety now tells us that Eva Mendes is eying a role opposite the already-cast Nicolas Cage.

Apparently they're straying quite a bit from the original, so all we know at this point is that Cage will play a corrupt cop who likes to play dirty. In the original, Harvey Keitel starred as a corrupt cop investigating a nun's rape, though there's no word on whether that storyline will remain in this new version. If so, will Mendes play the nun (originally played by Frankie Thorn)? Mendes and Cage last worked together on Ghost Rider aka Crap Rider, which I have seen and I wont comment(what?!? I'm speechless)... However, I've been waiting to see Mendes get a little nutty on screen since she usually plays it safe. This should be an interesting one to watch, whaddya think?

John Moore Reimagining NASA's Capricorn One

Filmmaker John Moore, of Behind Enemy Lines, Flight of the Phoenix, The Omen, and Max Payne, has been attached to direct a remake of Capricorn One. The original film is a 1978 sci-fi thriller about a group of astronauts who were supposed to be sent on NASA's first manned mission to Mars. When their rocket's life support fails last minute, NASA pulls them and the ship is launched unmanned, but NASA requires them to fake the landing and stay in hiding to prevent public humiliation. Elliott Gould and James Brolin starred in the original. Moore's version is described as an updated, reimagining written by Eragon and Jurassic Park III writer Peter Buchman. Not much more is known, but it sounds like a fun project.

Although I'm not at all familiar with the original film, I usually take an interest in anything sci-fi given my love for the genre. The premise sounds promising and I'm curious whether Moore will be better at sci-fi than anything else. So far he's been rather mediocre when it comes to war (Behind Enemy Lines), action (Flight of the Phoenix), and horror (The Omen). Hopefully he didn't get caught up in the video game movie stigma with Max Payne either. The idea sounds so cool that I want this to be good, but right now I'm just not sold on Moore. He needs to really show me he is actually capable of making something entertaining. Until then, I'll wait and hope that he learns some tips from Ridley Scott.

Source: FirstShowing.net

Nicolas Cage is The Bad Lieutenant

Nicolas Cage will star in an updated version of 1992's The Bad Lieutenant with Werner Herzog directing, Edward R. Pressman producing and Avi Lerner's Nu Image/Millenium Films financing, reports Variety.

The original film, also produced by Pressman, starred Harvey Keitel and was directed by Abel Ferrara from a screenplay by Ferrara and Zoe Lund. That film received an NC-17 rating with the depraved title character heavily involved in drugs, gambling, sex and stealing while a New York police officer.

The new script's written by Billy Finkelstein, a TV writer with credits on "Murder One," "Law & Order" and "NYPD Blue."

Variety

The Creature from the Black Lagoon Remake On the Way

Refreshingly, the latest news in the world of remakes isn't coming from the '80s. Instead, we get word of some needed wind in the sails of the long-discussed update of the 1954 classic, The Creature from the Black Lagoon. The project has floated around for more than 10 years now and passed through the hands of such greats at Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro. STYD brings us news that not only is the project on a solid path towards release next year, but good headway has already been made on the production.

"The Creature has been designed, we've spent six months designing him," director Breck Eisner told STYD. An Amazonian location has also already been chosen. too. "There's this place called the Forest of Mirrors, because there are so many lagoons on a thousand mile green carpet river, and we found the lagoon we're going to shoot in." Joining Eisner is Gary Ross as the screenwriter, who is son to one of the original authors, Arthur Ross.

This is all seemingly great news for the project, but I wonder what the end result will be. Aside from the whole inescapable dodginess associated with remakes, you have to admit that it's not an easy challenge to scare audiences nowadays, especially with a landscape that has been traversed many times since the '50s. Everything from Anaconda to Primeval has tried its hand at the doomed-jungle-creature-expedition with very mixed results. This is only to say that we're a bit familiar with the material from the start, so it feels like Ross and Eisner have some work ahead of them to avoid getting caught in the same mundaneness created by those others

First teaser trailer for Quarantine

The first teaser trailer for Quarantine has launched and it's pretty damn thrilling. Quarantine is an American remake of the Spanish horror movie [Rec] and stars Jennifer Carpenter, Jay Hernandez and Jonathan Shaech. The movie is about a hazmat team that goes in to investigate an apartment complex that was shutdown and quarantined in LA. Let me be the first to say - this gave me some genuine chills. Yes, it's a bit like Blair Witch, but I feel there's something more to it. While we're arguing that the horror genre is in decline - this is the kind of movie that I feel could bring it back around. Take a look for yourself.

Another note: in March we posted a viral video from YouTube called Case 1017. It turns out this was 100% in connection with Quarantine - you can see by comparing the two CDC trucks in the videos. Thanks to UGO for originally debuting this trailer.

Wicker Man sequel cancelled due to finance difficulties

The long-planned sequel- though it's more of a remake - to "The Wicker Man", "Cowboys for Christ", based on a screenplay written by the director of the original 1973 horror Robin Hardy, has been scrapped. They just couldn't get the money together.

According to STV.TV, a statement from Dumfries and Galloway council confirmed producers had cancelled the shoot due to last minute difficulties with finance.

Councillor Gill Dykes described the news as "bitterly disappointing", adding that around 90 crew and cast had already booked into local accommodation for the four-week shoot.

The film was set to star Christopher Lee, Joan Collins and Paul Wesley. In it, young Christians Beth and Steve, a gospel singer and her cowboy boyfriend, leave Texas to preach door-to-door in Scotland . When, after initial abuse, they are welcomed with joy and elation to Tressock, the border fiefdom of Sir Lachlan Morrison, they assume their hosts simply want to hear more about Jesus. Not so.

Source: Moviehole

Short Circuit Remake

Dimension Films has acquired rights to remake the 1986 film, Short Circuit, reports Variety.The original introduced Number 5, a robot built by the military to be a highly sophisticated weapon. It developed a conscience and a personality after being hit by lightning, and then needed the help of humans after it was targeted for destruction by its makers, once it became a peacenik.S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock, who created the characters and wrote both "Short Circuit" films, have been hired to write the remake.David Foster and Ryan E. Heppe will produce with John Hyde.

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

'Pirates of the Caribbean 4' for 2011

The fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" film is definitely happening, according to a scoopster for Aint it Cool News.

The best news? It ain't gonna be anything like the over-bloated snore-inducing "Dead Man's Chest" or "At World's End". More precisely, it'll "indications suggest the film's story would be far more contained than its predecessors, allowing for a budget-friendly downsizing. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there's been unsubstantiated talk that a fourth film would go the other way completely...think in terms of ultra fantastical (dinosaurs, Jules Verne-esque floating fortresses, etc.)''

I'm taking bets now - who else thinks Johnny Depp will be a no-show?

In addition, the same scooper says new sequels to "Cars" and "National Treasure" are on the way, as well as a 3D remake of "Tron".

Where are we going with this?

Cant they make new stories? By the way, I cant wait to see 'Rambo 18' (Stallone will rock on this one)

Hugo Weaving join 'The Wolfmal'

Hugo Weaving will join Benicio Del Toro and Emily Blunt in Universal's upcoming redo of "The Wolfman."

Weaving, best known for his appearances in "The Matrix" movies, will play Det. Aberline. Del Toro will play the hirsute title character and Anthony Hopkins his dad. Blunt has been cast as the female lead in the project, which Joe Johnston will direct.

Lensing begins next month in London.

David Self did a rewrite of Andrew Kevin Walker's script. Pic's produced by Scott Stuber, Mary Parent, Sean Daniel and Rick Yorn.

Remake is slated for a Feb. 13 release.

Source: Variety

Hellraiser Remake Screenwriters

ShockTillYouDrop.com has broken the news that Feast, Saw IV and Saw V screenwriters Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton will pen The Weinstein Company's Clive Barker Presents: Hellraiser, scheduled for a January 9, 2009 release.

First released in 1987, Hellraiser centers on a man who finds he is given more than he bargains for when he solves the puzzle of the Lament Configuration - a doorway to hell. But his ex-lover has found a way of bringing him back, and his niece, Kirsty Lawrence, finds herself bargaining with the Cenobites, angels to some, demons to others, whose greatest pleasure is the greatest pain


Source: Comingsoon

MORTAL KOMBAT REMAKE

We have news today that a Mortal Kombat re-envisioning is in the works?! We get the skinny this afternoon from moviesonline:

Today Clint Morris from Moviehole spoke with the new director behind the “re-envisioning” of the film, mink (Yea his name is really mink). Anyway he revealed that the Producers are working everything out at this point with the studio. He went on to talk about the project a little more:

“Todays audience is a savvy involved group so the film must be A plus plus in every area in order to capture the magic of the first film. It is taking the entire concept to the next level across the board in every area visual design, story, cast, FX, photography and most importantly the fighting scenes. The original Mortal Kombat game was born a child of many visual loves by the creators at midway so this latest version borrows heavily from that pioneering spirit and must be thought out and executed at the highest level in order for it succeed in today’s market place. This is no overnight task.”

I dislike Mortal Kombat. Other than the fatalities, nothing about the game excites me. The playability is horrible, the animation is strange and I just never got into the game. The first Motal Kombat film was bad, but was enjoyable in a “this is so bad” kind of way. The soundtrack was pretty good, it included a song by Napalm Death and i will certainly give them props for that.

I don’t think Mortal Kombat is a film that needs to be remade, and I am not certain that a Mortal Kombat movie would even draw people anymore. But if they told the story as a tournament style film, that would be the best possible option, and I would certainly gain interest. The elimination fighting tournament makes for very easy, and enjoyable action plot lines. Don’t clutter up the film with side stories, just stick to the tournament and have the film end with a champion. We will keep you posted on the news as the story develops.

Source:The Movies Blog