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).

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G. Verbinski Wants a "Hard R" for BioShock

 

I didn't catch this when it first hit, but I thought it was good news anyway. IGN talked with filmmaker Gore Verbinski last week and got a quick update on the status of the BioShock movie, but more importantly he spoke about how it "has to be R, a hard R." A video game movie that's hard R? I don't think Universal will ever make this movie (they already canceled Verbinski's original version due to budget constraints) especially after the mediocre performance of the video game movie Prince of Persia.

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Damon Lindelof to Start Writing Star Trek 2

Thanks to a Twitter by Damon Lindelof, we are now told that he is sitting down to start writing the sequel to last year’s reboot success story Star Trek.

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Jovovich Working in the Clock Tower

Resident Evil" franchise star Milla Jovovich is committing herself to another video game adaptation: Clock Tower. The actress will play Alyssa Barron and join Brittany Snow and Alyssa Jayne Hale.

Martin Weisz is bringing this long-mooted project to life for Senator Entertainment and The Weinstein Company.

Eric Poppen's screenplay is said to take its cue from the second installment of the "Clock Tower" series which finds the heroine locked up in a psychiatric hospital trying to escape the curse that has haunted her family for generations.

Shooting begins in November.

Ridley Scott to Film The Forever War

Fox 2000 has acquired rights to Joe Haldeman’s 1974 novel "The Forever War," and Ridley Scott is planning to make it into his first science fiction film since he delivered back-to-back classics with "Blade Runner" and "Alien."

Scott intended to follow those films with "The Forever War," but rights complications delayed his plans for more than two decades.

The film will be produced by Scott Free. Vince Gerardis and Ralph Vicinanza will exec produce. Their company, Created By, reps Haldeman and spent the last decade trying to get back the rights.

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

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

"The Forever War" rights were acquired right after publication by f/x titan Richard Edlund, who spent $400,000 of his own money and intended to make the book his directorial debut. The book became an iconic sci-fi title but Edlund, who won two Oscars — including one for visual effects on "Raiders of the Lost Ark" — never got "The Forever War" off the ground. After a Sci Fi Channel miniseries stalled, Scott became interested again and Edlund was ready to make a deal. It took six months to secure all the rights.

Scott Free and Fox 2000’s Elizabeth Gabler and Rodney Ferrell will hire a writer immediately. Scott, whose "Body of Lies" was released Friday, next plans to direct "Nottingham," starring Russell Crowe. He has several other projects percolating that include the thriller "Child 44," for which Richard Price just penned a script, and "Gucci," about the internecine squabbles within the fashion family that led to the murder of Maurizio Gucci. That Fox 2000 pic has a new draft by Charles Randolph.

Pitt and DiCaprio for Inglorious Bastards

Tarantino has been shopping around for someone to pay for his Inglorious Bastards, and now that he has had some promising sit downs with one potential star and plans on another bigger star, the guys with the cash are lining up.

ComingSoon says:

The director met with Brad Pitt in France on Tuesday to talk about the possibility of Pitt playing the key role of Aldo Raine. Tarantino also plans to meet with Leonardo DiCaprio for another lead role, that of Hans Landa, on Thursday.

Now I really like Brad Pitt, so I am game for just about anything he is in. But that statement goes DOUBLY strong when DiCaprio is involved.

This gets me interested in this film, and I am already tired of Tarantino, and I have no idea what this movie is about having never been exposed to the material. So getting these guys involved might have the same effect on others who don’t list Tarantino as their cup of tea.

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!

Screenwriters Confirm Soundwave in Transformers 2!

With Transformers 2 slated to start shooting within the next few weeks, we're finally starting to see a few details trickle out. The latest news to hit comes from two sources: screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci as well as actor Tyrese Gibson. Unfortunately, Tyrese doesn't say too much, but Kurtzman and Orci do reveal some exciting news for hardcore TransformersSoundwave! Not only that, but apparently Ravage will show up, too! Kurtzman and Orci speak further on how this second one builds and Tyrese also chimes in on how Michael Bay is planning to take this to the next level. fans. When asked if there was a character they just had to feature in the sequel, they gave an answer I know most fans will love:

The bit about Soundwave comes from IGN, where they have a brief interview with KurtzmanOrci on both Transformers 2 and J.J. Abrams' upcoming Star Trek. "You know, we had Ravage in an early draft of the first movie and Soundwave, and we couldn't do it right and I think this time hopefully we'll have the ability to do it." That definitely means Soundwave will show up, but in what capacity - well we'll have to wait until June 26th, 2009 to see. As for more veiled hype, Roberto Orci speaks on how they've built upon the first Transformers - both for fans of the original cartoon and toys and for fans of the movie. and

"We want to follow some of our lead characters which we thought were so successful. Shia's character; where is he two years later? His girlfriend, where is she two years later? But for fans, I guess I'll address this more for the fans, because I think if you didn't know Transformers at all and you came in and you liked the first movie, you'll like the second one."

"However, some of the die hard fans, which we were a member of that group, felt, well, maybe it's a little light. Maybe it wasn't science fictiony enough. And I think the second one will deliver on a true Transformers story. You know, the first one, we had a limited budget for what it was. Every second of Transformer time is a million dollars or whatever the heck it is, so this time, because we were able to prove through the whole thing that it's a viable live-action movie, we have a little more freedom this time to actually learn about the Transformers, see them, hear them. It's a better balance between the humans and the Transformers."

If you need some clarification on who Soundwave is, then we'll be glad to give it to you. Soundwave is a Transformer whose allegiances lie with the Decepticons. He transformers into a cassette player and has the ability to detect and jam radio transmissions as well as the ability to monitor electrical impulses within brain circuitry. In his robotic mode, the cassette compartment is located in his chest and stores many smaller cassette robots - smaller spy robots that are also powerful enemies. He is easily one of the biggest fan favorites alongside of Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Over at ComingSoon, they spoke briefly with Tyrese Gibson, who starred in the first film as Tech Sergeant Epps. He confirms that he will return and elaborates not only on how his character will evolve, but how Michael Bay is trying to step up above-and-beyond the first one.

"Well, I can't spill any of the beans though that was a smooth transition. But I just talked to Shia [LaBeouf] and left Jon Voight [a message] about fifteen minutes ago. I'm excited. Michael Bay is really going to try and up the ante on round two and take it to a whole other level. I can't go into any detail, but it's going to be some real one-of-a-kind things going on in this movie that no one has ever visually seen in their life. Michael Bay is really fired up and trying to outdo what he did on the first round and I'm just honored to be a part of it."

Source: slashfilm.com,

New Line Hires Badass

New Line has bought Chad Kultgen's spec script Dan Mintner: Badass for Hire and set up the project with Beau Flynn and Mason Novick producing, reports Variety.

The purchase is the first for New Line since the mini-major was scaled down and absorbed into Warner Bros.

The story centers on a man who's earned every military award and discovers that his billionaire mentor and father figure has been kidnapped.

Source: Variety

Michael Imperioli Directing Hungry Ghosts

"The Sopranos" actor Michael Imperioli will make his feature directorial debut with his script The Hungry Ghosts. Variety says the ensemble drama begins filming May 19 in New York with a projected budget under $1 million for the 24-day shoot.

The film stars "Sopranos" pals Steve Schirripa and Sharon Angela, Nick Sandow (The Lovebirds) and Aunjanue Ellis (Freedomland). Interwoven plotlines involve divorcees Schirripa and Angela trying to keep their troubled son off the streets and ex-lovers Sandow and Ellis negotiating a push-pull relationship.

Imperioli next stars opposite Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz in helmer Peter Jackson's upcoming The Lovely Bones.

Source: Variety

Judge to Direct Bateman in Extract

Mike Judge will direct and Jason Bateman will star in the comedy Extract, the first project to be produced under Judge's new company, Ternion Productions, which he formed with writer/producers John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky.

Written by Judge, Extract explores what it's like to be the boss when everything seems to be shifting around you.

Miramax will distribute in North America. Altschuler is producing alongside Michael Rotenberg. Tom Lassally and Krinsky executive produce.

MRC has also preemptively acquired Altschuler and Krinsky's spec script Brigadier Gerard. The comedy is set in the Napoleonic era and is based on a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle. Ternion is attaching a director to shoot in 2009.

Judge, who wrote and directed Office Space, is the creator of "Beavis and Butthead" and "King of the Hill," which he produced with Altschuler and Krinsky.

Altschuler and Krinsky wrote Blades of Glory and are penning Brothers of Invention in addition to finishing work on The Jetsons.

Harland Williams: From acting to directing

Serial support actor Harland Williams (“Sorority Boys”, “Bachelor Party 2”) will make the transition from acting to directing with “Wing Man”, a new $10 million dollar comedy from Producers Justin L. Levine and HowieCo, we were informed today.

The production shingle behind the flick, Stardust, had just worked with Williams on the comics’ comedy special ‘Wild Child’ in Toronto.

"Wing Man" shoots Summer 2008 in Toronto.

Nothing else is known about the project at this stage.

Source: MovieHole

Disney and Stan Lee Team on Three Pics

Variety reports that Walt Disney Pictures and Stan Lee have set three projects that will be executive produced by Lee and Gill Champion and their POW! Entertainment.

The three projects will each be based on a story by Lee.

Nick Ratchet will be written and directed by Richard LaGravenese. Larry Jacobson and Sonny Grosso are in talks to produce.

Blaze will be written by Gary Goldman.

Tigress will be written by Zoe Green. State Street Pictures' Robert Teitel and George Tillman will

Source: Variety

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.

Metal Gear Solid Movie in the Works - Kurt Wimmer Being Confronted

I still haven't seen a quality video game movie yet, which is unfortunately disheartening because there are so many great video games out there. Jerry Bruckheimer's Prince of Persia is one of a few coming up in the next few years that could finally break that mold. One of the other ones that everyone has their sights on is Metal Gear Solid, Konami's best-selling video game about the adventures of elite US special ops solider Solid Snake. ComingSoon recently caught up with producer Michael De Luca, who confirmed that they're trying to get the movie back in gear and are talking to Equilibrium director Kurt Wimmer.

De Luca confirms that they're now trying to move forward on the project now that the writer's strike is over. The first step is obviously getting a script written, but unfortunately no writers have been mentioned yet. However, De Luca said that "they hope to meet with [Kurt] Wimmer in the next few weeks to talk about him writing the script (and presumably directing)." While we can expect more official announcements in the near future, at least a movie is in the works and De Luca is pushing to try and get the ball rolling again.

Kurt Wimmer is a filmmaker who made one hell of a directorial debut with the cult classic sci-fi film Equilibrium in 2002. Before that he only wrote the scripts for movies like The Wolves, Sphere, and The Thomas Crown Affair. Wimmer went on to write and direct Ultraviolet in 2006 and also wrote the script for the upcoming Street Kings.

Initially Wimmer was the guy that "fans wanted" to direct a Metal Gear Solid movie after Equilibrium had hit. Unfortunately I don't think he'd turn out a great script because of how bad Ultraviolet was. As much as I loved Equilibrium, that was his first movie and I really didn't like the story or script, only the fighting and visuals. And all in the same, this isn't confirmed - De Luca is only talking to him, and it could end up that he has absolutely nothing to do with the film.

Hers a sample of the game

I'm curious whether a Metal Gear Solid movie could actually turn into something good. I feel like there is hardly anyone out there that could actually churn out a good script for a movie, unless they call Hideo Kojima (producer and writer of MGS series) but I may be wrong. Thoughts?

Source: FirstShowing

Spielberg to direct first TinTin, Jackson Second

Peter Jackson and Steven Speilberg have announced that their TinTin Trilogy project is well underway and they have announced their choice for directors. Each other.

Cinematical says:

As you may remember, Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson are collaborating to bring the popular Tintin series to life. Now comes the news, from a recent Andy Serkis interview, that Spielberg intends to tackle the first film and Jackson the second. No one yet knows who might be directing the third film./blockquote>I was never a fan of TinTin, but it still registered on my radar. I had no idea it had enough of a following to justify a movie with such big names behind it.

Are you looking forward to this because Spielberg and Jackson are directing the first two chapters?
Or are you looking forward to it because it is a TinTin Movie?

Or did you just Google TinTin to find out what it is all about?

Source: TheMovieBlog

Jason Lee Gets Thicker Starting in May

Feverpitch Pictures announced today its plans to produce Thicker, written and directed by Terry Nemeroff, with principal photography scheduled to begin in May 2008.

The film will star "My Name is Earl's" Jason Lee. Christopher Lloyd along with Leslie Zemeckis (Beowulf, A Christmas Carol), Peter Facinelli ("Six Feet Under," Riding in Cars with Boys, The Scorpion King), and John Gries (Napoleon Dynamite, Men in Black, Get Shorty) will also star.

Thicker will be produced by Jeffrey D. Erb and Joe Nicolo of Feverpitch along with Leslie Zemeckis, who's one-woman burlesque show "Staar" has gotten critical acclaim.

Thicker is described as a twisted, wicked black comedy of lethal greed and even deadlier desire.

Source: Comingsoon

Wolfgang Petersen Confirmed for Uprising

A project first revealed way back in September on the writers pre-strike memo, Variety has now confirmed that Wolfgang Petersen is indeed directing the sci-fi thriller Uprising for Columbia Pictures.

Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher (Gladiator) are producing through their Sony-based Red Wagon shingle.

The story revolves around the resistance efforts of some citizens after Earth has been occupied by a powerful alien race.

Charles Leavitt (Blood Diamond) is writing the screenplay..



Source: ComingSoon

Stallone writing Rambo 5

From the sounds of it, "Rambo 5" will be what "Rambo 4" should have been - a film dissimilar from the previous films in the franchise, and somewhat of a character journey (or, like the latest one, it could be simply 'the same old shit').

In an interview with Metro Magazine, Sly said he's already begun work on "Rambo 5".

"I would like to take Rambo to another genre,experiment a little with the character.It would definitely not be another warmovie, cuz I can't go any further with that than what I've already done. What it's going to be like I'm not going to reveal at this point. But I'm already halfway though writing the manuscript".

Souce:Moviehole