Ever since Cloverfield came out about a year ago, fans have asked J.J. Abrams at every last opportunity whether or not we'll ever one day see a sequel. He's always had the same answer - if there is a good story that they come up with, they'll do it, but they're not going to be forced to make one just for money. In essence, he'll let us know when he comes up with a good story, and no, there isn't a secret sequel in development. Well, at WonderCon yesterday, another fan brought up the topic of Cloverfield 2 again and Abrams' answer, while pretty much the same, might finally be an indication that he does have an idea. Abrams actually said a lot of important things, so here's his full response to the question yesterday:
"We're actually working on an idea right now… The key obviously at doing any kind of sequel, certainly this film included, is that it better not be a business decision. If you're going to do something, it should be because you're really inspired to do it. It doesn't really have to mean anything, doesn't mean it will work, but it means we did it because we cared, not because we thought we could get the bucks."
"We have an idea that we thought was pretty cool that we're playing with, which means there will be something that's connected to Cloverfield, but I hope it happens sooner than later because the idea is pretty sweet."
Again, don't read too much into his response, but it sounds like they have an idea and, as he says, they want to do it "sooner than later" because it could be pretty damn good. I'm not one of those Cloverfield fanatics who is foaming at the mouth for a sequel, but I enjoyed the first one, and would love to see a sequel that ups the ante in some way, rather than just re-uses the monster. I have more confidence in J.J. Abrams than I do most filmmakers out there, so if he claims he's got a good idea, then I'm all for it. Let's hope there is some truth to this update and Abrams isn't just stirring the Cloverfield pot yet again, just to appease the fans.
What happens when you get a few of the stars from The Dark Knight on the red carpet at the Golden Globes? Well, you bombard them with sequel questions, of course. And even though Aaron Eckhart has previously said that the character of Harvey Dent/Two Face was "Dead as a door nail," the man has apparently had a change of heart (or should we say he's become a bit two-faced?). While speaking to MTV at the Globes last night, Eckhart had this to say about his character: "I think Harvey - if he's not dead - is in a serious coma ... and I'm not sure he's coming out. They might pull the plug on him."
The folks over at Total Film give us this: The Dark Knight producer Chuck Roven has claimed that people need to “separate the actors from the role,” in response to a question regarding The Joker and Heath Ledger. When asked by MTV whether the filmmakers would have done anything different had they known Ledger wouldn’t be reprising the role, Roven claimed that the character wasn’t tied to the actor.
“On a personal level, Heath was a friend of mine,” he said at the People’s Choice Awards. “We had worked together before The Dark Knight, but I still think that The Dark Knight is its own thing, and we have to separate them.”
I celebrate this news IF it indeed turns out to be true.
Ever since the official title, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, was first announced back in June, fans have been speculating that "the Fallen" is actually a nasty new robot that is set to appear in the film as the villain. Obviously Paramount and Michael Bay have kept things under lock and key, so no one knows whether this is indeed true or not. However, some weird blog (via Latino Review) has posted what they're claiming are photos from the set of Transformers 2 that show the curled up remains of "a new robot" found inside a hidden cave behind a painting. Is this really The Fallen or just some random fake photos?
I've added all four of the photos below (click to see them bigger) because I can't really make out the remains. Maybe I'm just missing it and someone needs to point them out. I thought putting them closer together might help? All I see are the legs of a Cloverfield monster, not a Transformers robot. Thoughts?
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is again directed by action film superstar Michael Bay of Bad Boys, The Rock, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, The Island, and Transformers previously. The story and screenplay for the sequel was written by Transformers writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci as well as Ehren Kruger (The Ring, The Brothers Grimm, Blood and Chocolate). Paramount is unleashing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in both IMAX and regular theaters on June 26th this summer.
Terry Rossio, co-screenwriter of the first three "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, has debunked the various rumors that are going around about Pirates of the Caribbean 4. They ranged from Johnny Depp getting $56 million for the fourth movie to Tim Burton directing to Sacha Baron Cohen and Russell Brand co-starring. Rossio writes:
“there are still plans for a World of Warcraft movie” and that “the script is being written but if they say anything more than that they will be shot”.
In other words, it ain't coming anytime soon - but they'd still like to do it.
Though no director has been set for the movie, the film is said to be set a year before the events of the game and fix on an all-new hero.
Kotaku spoke with Saito at a press conference for Metal Gear Solid 4, due out this summer, and received an update on the production. Saito is the guy who is handling the film negotiations for Konami, which would make him the right guy to know exactly what's going on. Apparently Saito actually fully said "Paul Thomas Anderson" and not just "Paul Anderson," which is enough confirmation for us to believe that PTA is legitimately being pursued as the director of the film. Saito also spoke briefly about the current state of the project and their concern for preventing this from becoming another video game flop.
"Hollywood has great respect for Mr. Kojima. They want to meet with him. Kojima will be acting as a producer, but we don't know how involved he'll be as a producer. Often Hollywood adaptations have the original game creator involved at the beginning, but somewhere along the line they fall out of view. This is why it's very important for us to carefully pick the studio for this project."
It appears that Hideo Kojima, the game's original creator and designer, won't be directing but instead will be producing. Everyone knows that Kojima's involvement is integral with this adaptation and it sounds like Konami actually understands the film's potential. They're really turning this into a truly high profile project, and now with the mention of Paul Thomas Anderson, they've solidified my speculation that it is definitely going to be something extraordinary. While nothing is confirmed, and Sony especially isn't talking, it sounds realistically like PTA is actually one of the directors they're pursuing.
Wow. I don't know what to say to this. It's like a dream come true. After watching There Will Be Blood multiple times, I've come to realize that anything Paul Thomas Anderson touches will instantly become solid gold. If he actually takes on this gig, I believe we'll see one of the greatest video adaptations of all-time. Everyone who is already a fan of the Metal Gear Solid video game series knows how cinematic and incredible that game naturally is, but in the hands of PTA, it could only grow even further. Even if you weren't the biggest fan of There Will Be Blood, I don't think anyone can deny that PTA is a brilliant filmmaker. It's just a question of how he exactly would tackle the futuristic world of Metal Gear Solid.
Update! Apparently Collider called up one of their friends involved in the production and asked them how true this rumor was. The answer: "completely false and ridiculous." We're still going to hold out and hope to god Saito and Kotaku were right, but for now it seems all hope is lost. At least it was an awesome rumor while it lasted!
Is this not some of the best movie news you've heard all month?!
Say it ain't so! Hot on the heels of Marvel's announcement yesterday of a Captain America movie for 2011, a scoop from Cinema Blend names Matthew McConaughey is one of the actors in the running for the lead role. Please tell me this is all just a big phoney rumor like Hayden Christensen as Superman! It would easily be the biggest travesty in all of Marvel history if McConaughey was cast as Captain America. The scoop says that although the film is still three years out from release, they're currently searching for their star and he is one of the few that is being considered. I really hate talking about rumors like this, but everyone is hungry for something to chew on after Marvel's announcement and here it is.
While Cinema Blend claims their source is reliable, this whole idea is not only a bit far fetched, but a final decision won't be made for quite some time. In case you're not familiar with Captain America, he is (typically) the altar ego of Steve Rogers, a sickly young man who was enhanced to the peak of human perfection by an experimental serum in order to aid the United States war effort. He can be identified by his American flag-like uniform and indestructible shield that can be thrown as a weapon. In the most recent comics, he has become the leader of The Avengers, which seems like the direction Marvel is going in with the movies: The First Avenger: Captain America and The Avengers both in 2011.
The real question regarding the upcoming The First Avenger: Captain America is how they're going to turn him into a character that can actually be appreciated in today's day and age. Captain America was originally created in the 1940's as patriotic government propaganda in order to help encourage even more animosity towards the Nazis. Matthew McConaughey is not only a piss poor actor to begin with, but he really doesn't seem to find the iconic Captain America that I envision. Not only does the right person need to be a very commanding actor, but the character needs to really be adapted into modern times and given the right story to succeed in a world where patriotism isn't the biggest focus anymore.
I'm pretty sure I know that everyone is on the same level of me in my distaste for McConaughey as Captain America. Instead, I'm curious to hear what people really think about the character and who might be a better choice consideration the aspects of him. Leave your thoughts below!
He could assemble any three household items (and some duct tape, of course) and instantly manufacture a jetski, disarm a bomb or sexually satisfy any female viewer. Does MACGYVER also have the necessary skills to survive on the big screen?
That's the rumor -- the popular TV show's creator Lee David Zlotoff attended the invention-focused Maker Faire and mentioned that he has plans to bring his the resourceful gadget craftsman back in a MACGYVER feature film. No word on whether Richard Dean Anderson and his Swiss Army Knife survived 43 seasons of STARGATE to return to the franchise. Source: Gizmodo
Its the weekend, so there's nobody with an 'All Access Pass' around to verify this in phone distance, but MovieHole heard an unconfirmed whisper today that Rick Yune may have left "Street Fighter - The Legend of Chun-Li" and Robin Shou, of "Mortal Kombat" fame, may have replaced him. About Gen Wikipedia says: He was a master assassin and friend of Chun-Li's father; he briefly trained her in her youth. However, he was forced to kill another assassin in front of the young girl, and blamed himself for what he saw as the violent path her life had taken since then. He swore never to assassinate again, and instead settled down in Hong Kong, opening his Genhanten restaurant and continuing to perfect his fighting skills, using them on Shadaloo punks whenever possible. Gen's Ansatsuken incorporated various Kung fu styles, such as Mantis, Crane, Bear, and Tiger. He has refined his strikes to target an adversary's vital parts to deliver quick, deadly blows. Gen entered the first World Warrior tournament alongside his friend Lee, hoping to find a worthy opponent. Dissatisfied, he returned to Hong Kong. Gen then took on the responsibility of raising Lees nephews, Yang and Yun Lee, and trained them in martial arts.
Sometime during the tournament Gen discovered he had developed leukemia and had to withdraw from the tournament. Not wanting to die on a death bed he started to search for fighters to give him a "deathmatch". The only opponent Gen had ever considered to be truly worthy of one was Akuma. When the two fought, however, Gen withstood Akuma's most brutal technique, the Shun Goku Satsu, by emptying his own heart and mind. He then struck back with his Zan'ei shadow fist attack, but Akuma was also unaffected (When Gen encounters Akuma during Street Fighter Alpha 3, the match begins with a reenactment of this battle). After a grueling match Akuma was in position to deliver a fatal blow but he left after discovering Gen had leukemia. Disappointed that he did not get his deathmatch, Gen went on a search to find Akuma. Once Gen tracked Akuma down they battled once more, the results of which are unclear, but either he died fighting Akuma or died after the fight as he has not been in the continuity since.
So Shou as GEN, hey?
I think there's some truth in this. Why? Firstly, Yune's name is no longer listed as part of the official production blog for the film that kicked off this week - everyone else in the cast is listed there; Kristin Kreuk, Chris Klein, Michael Clarke Duncan, Vega, and so on - and secondly, at the bottom of that same blog, the webmaster notes that "One [role] that’s not mentioned in the cast breakdown but one who’s surely an integral part of the film" has not been mentioned on the site yet. "And so now, for your first exclusive scoop, allow me to present you faithful readers with some brand spankin’ new casting you’re surely not aware of. The integral role of GEN will be played by none other than……tune in next week to find out!".
The choice is yours - either wait for the big reveal, or believe this bit of gossip.
Source: MovieHole
I hate to be the bearer of even more bad news, but this time its affecting one of our most anticipated movies - The Dark Knight. Reports have started to spread on the internet of a particular scene, involving Heath Ledger as The Joker, being cut from the film due to Ledger's tragic death in January. While details are sketchy, this seems to have all stemmed from a Portuguese review of The Dark Knight written a few days ago (that we are not going to link to) - one that I hardly believe. It's a really rough review and doesn't seem all that legit, which is why I'm not too sure this entire rumor is real to begin with. However, whatever the case may be it's worth bring up just in case.
As Cinema Blend reports, the "scene involves Ledger's Joker character pretending to be dead and being pictured in a body bag. Apparently the aftershocks of Ledger's unfortunate death are such that many in the screening reacted rather badly to this moment and now execs are considering excising the scene altogether." I completely agree with Stuart Wood - this is an atrocity of the utmost proportions and (despite Where the Wild Things Are and I Am Legend) not something I would expect Warner Brothers to do!
If this turns out to be true, it would be disastrous decision on the part of Warner Brothers. It's entirely unnecessary to cut scenes from a movie just because of a few overly sensitive screening attendees. This is all part of why I don't believe the screening process works that well anyway! The countless fans and supporters of The Dark Knight will understand the true vision of the film and the importance of every last scene that Christopher Nolan put in. Apparently the early screening reports also claim that The Dark Knight is a more superior film than Batman Begins and that Ledger's role is as profound (and even Oscar worthy) as originally thought. Don't risk screwing that up Warner Brothers!
It seems one of the biggest problems in Hollywood nowadays is studios taking control of a movie and changing it to their liking, despite what the original filmmaker had created. This is why there is a small movement in support of "keeping true to the vision" of the filmmaker. It's art - the studios should know what they're getting into when they hire certain screenwriters and directors. If you get Spike Jonze, you're going to get a Spike Jonze movie. If you get Christopher Nolan and Heath Ledger, you're going to get a brilliant movie. And don't change The Dark Knight just because of some emotional complainers! This is Christopher Nolan's true vision!
Whether this is true or not, I hope that the impact these articles have is enough to convince Warner Brothers to not even try. Like we did with both Where the Wild Things Are and I Am Legend before, its time we get all of your support. Voice your opinion below if you're in support of keeping the film the way it is!
Source: FirstShowing
Blue Sky Studios has made quite a formidable dent in the animation genre since they arrived on the scene in 2002. Their first big feature, Ice Age, was a huge success and they've since followed it up with two more Ice Age sequels, Robots, and Horton Hears a Who. Peter over at SlashFilm has picked up an unconfirmed scoop regarding another one of their future projects - an adaptation of Bruce Zick's small press book The Anubis Tapestry. Apparently Zick was also recently hired by Blue Sky to "develop several of their future film concepts," which makes this seem oddly coincidental and all the more legitimate. Zick's illustrations are incredibly cool and would definitely be great inspiration for an animated film - take a look at some of his work below.
When a mummy's curse condemns Dr. George Henry's spirit to the Egyptian Underworld, his son Chance must try to free him. But Chance risks becoming a mummy himself when he binds himself in the wrappings of the mysterious Anubis Tapestry. Led by a comical creature named Blixx, Chance plumbs the depths of the Underworld and encounters a variety of horrible monsters. If Chance can't return by twilight, he and Blixx will be trapped forever in the dead's domain! You can pick up a copy of the book over at Amazon.com.
Bruce Zick has been a conceptual artist for countless films, including Finding Nemo, Titan A.E., A Bug's Life, The Lion King, and Wall-E. He's a very capable illustrator and I can only imagine his book is as wildly imaginative as his drawings are. Chris Wedge, the director of Blue Sky's Ice Age and Robots, wrote this quote which appears on the cover of The Anubis Tapestry. "Bruce Zick lives in a rich world of fantasy. Fortunately there is a portal into it — his effortless drawing style and his thoughtful, descriptive prose."
Blue Sky is currently finishing Ice Age 3, set for the summer of 2009, as well as The Fantastic Mr. Fox, due out in late 2009. If this rumor turns out to be true, it's likely that this is one of Blue Sky's 2010 films.
If you take a look at some of the drawings from the book, it's definitely obvious that this could easily be adapted into something fun. I hope Blue Sky studios doesn't turn this into a big pile of mush (I didn't like Robots at all), but I'm expecting with Zick involved, it won't go that way. You can see more examples of Zick's work at SlashFilm or check out the one I've included below.
Source: Firts
It's about that time of year. That time where for the next six to eight months while Michael Bay and company work on Transformers 2, we'll be hearing nothing but rumors, rumors, and more rumors about who is in it, what takes place, exactly how many explosions there will be, and every other last detail imaginable. IESB has the first of these rumors and while typically we probably wouldn't go about posting things like this, it's just too good to pass up. If you're a Transformers fan, once you read the rumor below, you'll agree - this was an awesome one that needed to be mentioned! Autobots roll out!
Robert over at IESB claims that the Constructicons - specifically Scrapper, Bonecrusher, Scavenger, Mixmaster, Hook and Long Haul - will join the Decepticon team in their fight for supremacy or the all spark or whatever it is this time. You heard that right, Devastator is coming to the big screen! This robot is frickin' HUGE. A fan art photo created by Rise Studio has been included below to spark your imagination. This massive bot is a fan favorite among many for his combined destructive power and enormous size. If this is true, this is going to make for some insane battles - that's for sure!
Of course, some of the names will have to be changed. Bonecrusher was the Buffalo H Mine-Protected vehicle that got demolished by Optimus Prime in the highway fight, and Devastator was the M1 Abrams tank that also got its ass kicked in the final fight. We'll see what they come up with.
Also included in their post is a list of possible character listings which include Chuck, Sam's conspiracy theory-obsessed roommate at Princeton; Professor Colan, Sam's physics teacher; the CEO of Massive Dynamic; an FBI director, a CNN reporter, a bunch of military personnel and a few more. It's all the standard fare and I've always believed casting charts really don't tell us much. It's best we hold out until we hear some solid details from Bay or someone else intricately involved in the production.
I think the great thing about this sequel is that Michael Bay already proved that he was the perfect director to bring Transformers to the big screen (at least most people agree) and now the door is open for almost anything. What I mean is that the question has changed from "can Bay actually do a good job translating our beloved 80's toy line to the big screen?" into "what awesome robots can we look forward to seeing next?" Transformers 2, being directed again by Michael Bay, is currently slated for release on June 26th, 2009 next summer and will begin production this July.
