Thursday, April 30, 2009
Check This... 'Alive in Joburg'
This weeks check this... is Neill Blomkamp 'Alive in Joburg' the prequel to his soon to be released and much secretive debut feature 'District 9.' Alive in Joburg is short fictional documentary about alien species who have populated a South African shanty town and living an even more outcast life than the villagers themselves. A new kind of apartheid develops between locals and aliens.
Check This... is a weekly feature showcasing what we at Flicks News consider essential short films to watch!
To view past shorts we showcased click here.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Stone To Direct 'Wallstreet' Sequel Starring Douglas & LaBeouf
Oliver Stone has signed on to direct and Michael Douglas has agreed to star in a sequel to 'Wall Street'.Few plot details are known about the new film but previous reports have said the film would be set in the hedge fund era. Shia LaBeouf will play a young worker trying to forge a career in finance.
Douglas told Access Hollywood:
"We're probably going to do a 'Wall Street 2' - maybe towards the end of the summer,"
"It's probably about a week away from announcing it with the elements coming together."
Edward Pressman, the producer of the original Wall Street, has reportedly signed on to produce the sequel. Allan Loeb, who worked on 21, is writing the script.
Flanimals Coming To The Big Screen In 3D
The Flanimals TV show may have been scrapped but that hasn't stopped them evolving and heading for the big screen in a 3D animated adventure.Ricky Gervais who created and wrote the successful series of children's books is working on the script, about a strange world filled with strange creatures, with The Simpsons movie writer Matt Selman, the pair previously worked together on 'The Simpsons' episode Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife back in 2006.
Ricky will voice the character of Puddy, who is a cowardly Puddloflaj.
Gervais says he is keen to procure the vocal talents of Danny DeVito and Samuel L Jackson for the movie.
The new film will be co-produced by Universal's animation house Illumination Entertainment.
Flanimals TV Trailer
Hey You Guys...Goonies Reunite!
Steven Spielberg reunited the Goonies for his guest editor spot on Empire 20th anniversary issue this month. Watch the video below to see the gang reunite with director Richard Donner and Goonies producer Spielberg!Head over to Empire to read more!
Also check this making of featurette out:
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Christian Bale Talks Terminator Salvation And Batman
Total film scored a cool 2 part interview with Batman himself Christian Bale were they talked about why he chose to play John Connor, Heath Ledger and Batman 3:On why he chose Terminator Salvation…
“I love making very varied movies.
"Sometimes I want to be in a rollercoaster of a movie with lots of screaming and shouting and a feeling of unity with the people you’re watching the movie with and other times I want to do movies where it’s very much like sitting reading a book by yourself or listening to a real personal piece of music.
"I would get very bored if I did the same kind of movies all the time.
“They just give me variety so I don’t feel like I’m stuck in a rut of banging out the same thing all the time and I get to work with very different personalities and people who are driven by very different excitements about movie-making and I like taking that risk and challenge.
“So many times with different movies which I’ve personally really liked, people have said, ‘What the hell are you doing that for?’ and Terminator again was a film where people looked and said, ‘Why the hell would you make another Terminator?
"But in my head I could very well see why and what I would like to see and it spurs me on when people are telling me that I’m being a little bit stupid and a little bit crazy to want to embark on that endeavour.”
On the apocalyptic imagery of Terminator Salvation, the summer’s darkest blockbuster…“Well it’s a little far fetched, but certainly I like the imagery and I like the dystopia – the fact the human species is on its way out and a new form of life is dominating.”
On bumping into Arnie in a car park…“He’s got bodyguards and they were all shouting at me and I was going, ‘Hold on, hold on, I’ve met him before!’ but they were getting very worried as I walked toward him.
"But we chatted a bit. He had questions about Terminator Salvation, he didn’t know the script at all but I hear apparently he’s now seen the movie… I’ll wait to hear what his reaction is…"
Heath Ledger’s Oscar win, The Dark Knight’s academy snub and the prospects for a third Bat-flick...
“Heath winning Best Supporting Actor was fantastic. I had dinner with his family a couple of nights before the awards and liked very much they were the people who were picking it up for him. Of course I was really delighted that it did go that way.
“I’m not surprised by The Dark Knight not getting more Oscars though. I’m not really surprised by anything to do with awards. Hey listen, awards or not it’s a wonderful movie. Chris Nolan did such a fantastic job of it and you look back at the history of the Oscars – some of the best movies never got shit."
"Will we do a third movie? It's got to be the right story. You can't make something like The Dark Knight and then come out with something disappointing."I would like it if people say, 'You'll never make a good third movie.' I say, 'OK, let's make a third movie in that case, let's prove them wrong. But that's just me. The fact is, I have to! I've signed up! Chris doesn't. So I'm in a bit of a fix if he says he doesn't want to!"
“With technology, there’s a balance with everything. In The Dark Knight, the triangulation and the mobile phones, when Batman asks Lucius to use it, Lucius says, ‘After this I will quit. I will not have anything to do with this.’
“It’s like the eavesdropping, the illegal wire tapping going on at the NSA. There are limits… It is technology. But as with anything, it should all be in moderation…”
Russell Brand To Star In 'Drop Dead Fred' Remake
THR reports that Universal is resurrecting "Drop Dead Fred," this time as a starring vehicle for Russell Brand.Dennis McNicholas, one of the writers of Universal's upcoming "Land of the Lost," will pen the remake. Marc Platt is producing via his studio-based Marc Platt Prods. along with Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.
The 1991 original starred Phoebe Cates as a wallflower who loses her job and husband during the course of a lunch hour. Forced to live back home, she's reunited with her childhood imaginary friend (Brit actor Rik Mayall), who promises to help but causes more havoc.
Drop Dead Fred Original Trailer
Ridley Scott To Return To Alien?
20th Century Fox head Tom Rothman has revealed to IESB, that there is talk of an 'Alien Prequel' with a possibility of Ridley Scott returning to redeem the franchise, Tom had to say this:"There's been some talk. Ridley Scott, Ridley is right now working on Robin Hood, but I think he's toying with the idea and that would be great for us. I mean, it's always been a matter of, really, if you can get the originator to do it that would be the greatest thing, so I've got my fingers crossed, all of them."He also discussed other franchises such as 'Predator's' calling Robert Rodriguez the "godfather" of the film.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
'Bioshock' On Hold
Variety have revealed that Universal Pictures has put 'Bioshock' on hold, the Gore Verbinski-directed live action adaptation of the bestselling Take-Two Interactive vidgame. The picture was in pre-production, but the studio has halted that effort--and let some production staff go--as Universal and Verbinski figure out a way to make the film at a more reasonable budget.Sources said that the John Logan-scripted picture was gearing up to shoot in Los Angeles, but that changed when the budget rose to the vicinity of $160 million. U and Verbinski are looking at alternatives like shooting in London as a way to pare costs.
Bioshock 2 Footage
Robert Rodriguez Talks 'Predators'
AICN caught up with Robert Rodriguez to talk about 'Predators' in which he reaved that he would like to produce the project and shoot it at Troublemaker Studios so he can be hands on, heres what he had to say:1. Quite some time ago you created a treatment called PREDATORS, which was about Arnold's characters being shipped to the Predator home world where they were put into an alien menagerie.
Now that you're producing a PREDATOR movie, is there any hope that it'll be called PREDATORS and be based upon your original treatment? And if not, what direction are you taking this and does it have a title?
Robert Rodriguez: Way back before I did Desperado, I had taken a writing assignment for a sequel to Predator.
With a nod toward Cameron's ALIENS I decided to call it PREDATORS. I set it on a jungle-like Predator planet. It was just a writing assignment, so I didn't have to worry about budget constraints or how the movie would actually get made with the technology that existed back then, so I just wrote any cool thing I could come up with.
Fast forward 15 years to when I got a call from Alex Young over at Fox, who had been digging around and found my original treatment. He was eager to get it made and re-invent the Predator franchise using the treatment as a guide. So he contacted me to see if I'd be interested in being involved, and it seemed like the perfect project for us over at Troublemaker Studios.
I've built up an amazing team over the years at Troublemaker, and they're all huge PREDATOR fans. (I know this because Predator model kits litter our offices and workstations.) So the next stage is finding a writer and director to come in and work with us to bring it to life. Whether or not it will ultimately be based on the treatment or not is still unknown at this time.
2. The original John McTiernan PREDATOR is a brilliant action/ science fiction film. What is it that you're hoping to bring to fans of that film that will revive the franchise?
RR: PREDATOR is a masterpiece of the action/science fiction genre. Its been borrowed from so much in other movies and even video games (that will now probably be turned into movies themselves) that I liked the idea that we could have PREDATORS made relatively quickly. What I'd like to do with it is expand on ideas I dreamt up back in the original treatment, that had really expanded on the universe both the Predators and other species live in. We'd create new otherworldly characters while not taking away from the draw our main Predator has. I think another reason I called it Predators was to mark it as a project that should be taken seriously by a filmmaker to make a worthy follow up to a classic, much in the way Cameron made Aliens a compelling work on its own, following Ridley Scott's Alien.
Alex is passionate about re-inventing the series to a new and exciting level, and as a fan myself I'm all for it.
3. Will you work to get the Governor involved somehow in your new PREDATOR production?
RR: This is still the early stages, so we haven't approached him about taking part. As things develop further, we'll keep you posted, because this is obviously a fan favorite.
4. Are you going to make this a badass R-rated Predator movie?
RR: We haven't discussed rating yet, but my treatment was very “R.”
5. What is coming up next for you as director and is there any chance that you'd take the reins on PREDATORS?
RR: The idea is that I'd produce PREDATORS here at Troublemaker Studios, so that I can feel free to walk to the PREDATORS soundstage, pick up a camera and co-shoot the coolest scenes.
Directing wise, next up will be NERVERACKER for the Weinstein Company.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Michael Caine Joins 'Inception'
Michael Caine has told incontention.com that he will have a role in Christoper Nolan upcoming film 'Inception,' saying:I have a little part in it, yes. Just a tiny part. Chris and I are very good friends so I’ll do that little part. I think I’ll work about three days. It’ll be extraordinary, wait until you see this one. I think if I say another word he’s going to kill me!
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Joins Christopher Nolan's 'Inception'
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has signed on to replace James Franco in Christopher Nolan's 'Inception'. Franco had to bow out due to scheduling issues. Gordon-Levitt will play an associate of Leonardo DiCaprio's character, a CEO-type in the contemporary sci-fi action tale.Michael Caine has also revealed today he will be involved with the film as he has “a little part in it.”
'Machete' To Start Filming In June
Robert Rodriguez has set a June start date for 'Machete' which will star Danny Trejo in the lead and be filmed in Austin, Texas. Rodriguez who wrote the script will direct the film with Ethan Maniquis, his longtime assistant editor.Machete is a Mexican ex-Federale with a gift for wielding a blade, who hides out as a day laborer, who is double-crossed by a corrupt state senator.The film is the first non-studio movie that Rodriguez has directed since his debut motion picture 'El Mariachi'. The film is financed and by Overnight Productions and is being produced by Rodriguez, Rick Schwartz of Overnight Productions and Aaron Kaufman."This time, they fucked with the wrong Mexican."
Machete Trailer
Robert Rodriguez Will Produce Predator Reboot
Robert Rodriguez confirmed today he will be producing a Predator reboot entitled Predators as well as announcing his own upcoming film slate at an official news conference from his Troublemaker Studios in which a signing of a new planned Texas state film incentive took place.“I’m going to be able to shoot my upcoming Machete here, a sci-fi action film called Nervewrackers, a re-boot of the Predator series called Predators, and a couple of smaller movies called Sin City 2 and The Jetsons.”
Thursday, April 23, 2009
'Straw Dogs' Remake? With James Marsden In The Lead
Bloody-disgusting.com have news that James Marsden will star in Sony Screen Gems' remake of Sam Peckinpah's Straw Dogs, he will play the Dustin Hoffman character in the remake which is currently being written and directed by Rod Lurie.
The original is a downright classic with Dustin Hoffman giving a surperb performance as David Sumner, the new "Straw Dogs" follows Los Angeles screenwriter David Sumner (Marsden), who moves with his wife to her hometown in the deep South. Once there, tensions build in their marriage and old conflicts re-emerge with the locals, leading to a violent confrontation.
The Original Straw Dogs Trailer
Live Action 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Prequel Movie Announced
Today is the 25th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. To coincide with the anniversary it has just been announced that the Mirage Group, which owns the property, is moving forward with a live action film focusing on the origins of the heroes in a half-shell.TMNT creator Peter Laird said the film will remain true to the spirit of the original comic books and added that the film may employ face replacement technology, which would allow the turtles to be much more expressive.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trailer
Sin City 2: Frank Miller's Estate Shopping 'Sin City' Rights Round Hollywood Studios
A few week backs it was reported that The Weinstein Company had lost the rights to the follow up to Frank Miller's Sin City, which was later debunked with a response by The Weinstein Company who said the rights to produce sequels to Sin City remain intact as they always have been. Any suggestion to the contrary is complete hogwash.THR is now reporting that Sin City 2's rights are being shopped around Hollywood, in what appears to be a sign that TWC alternate label Dimension Films has actually lost rights to the property and representatives for Frank Miller's estate are actively seeking a new studio to set up a potential follow-up.
UPDATE: Robert Rodriguez confirmed he will be directing Sin City 2!
'Da Vinci Code' Sequel 'The Lost Symbol' Given The Green Light
Dan Brown’s upcoming novel 'The Lost Symbol' has already been given the green light and picked up by Columbia Pictures, which made 'The Da Vinci Code' and the upcoming prequel 'Angels & DemonsThe sequel to the Da Vinci Code which once again follows the adventures of academic Robert Langdon is due to hit book shelves in September, but the studio wanted to lock in a deal to acquire the rights and get pre-production in motion.
David Slade To Direct 'Eclipse' The 3rd Installment Of The Twilight Film Series
Summit Entertainment has announced that 'Hard Candy' and '30 Days of Night' director David Slade will helm the third installment of the Twilight film series 'Eclipse' which has a screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg.Muse: New Born, Directed By David Slade
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Terminator Salvation: He'll Be Back
Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed to the Los Angeles Times that he does indeed have a small cameo in the up coming 'Terminator Salvation' plus there is room for a bigger role in the franchise for him if he decides to get back into acting saying:Schwarzenegger told blogger Bill Bradley, who asked some questions of his own and others submitted via Twitter, that he had met with the director and agreed to be in the movie as long as he didn’t have to perform.
“I made it very clear that I don’t have the time to do the movie,” he said. “I said that I would be willing to be in the movie if they get the technology together, and so they are working on that right now.” In the film, a prequel to the original, Schwarzenegger would be in a brief scene in which the main character encounters him as a “future Terminator,” according to the governor. “I think it’s cool to continue on with the franchise ... in case I want to jump over again and get into the acting after I’m through here,” he said. The governor said he did not yet know what other opportunities might present themselves after he completes his term in less than two years, but he also suggested that he might write a book about his time in office.
Sam Raimi To Meet With Kirsten Dunst About Spider-Man 4
Talking with Scifiwire.com, Sam Raimi revealed that he will meet with Kirsten Dunst soon to talk about her reprising the role of Mary Jane Watson for Spider-Man 4 saying:
"I'm hoping that she is going to come aboard, and I've got a meeting coming up with her," Raimi said in a group interview last week in Beverly Hills, Calif., where he was promoting his upcoming horror film Drag Me to Hell. "I think she would like to. But I don't want to speak on behalf of her."The site also posted an interview were they got to ask Sam about Spider-Man 4:
With the advent of The Dark Knight and Watchmen, do you expect that Spider-Man 4 will be a little darker and edgier, too?
Raimi: Whatever it is, I think will be a direct result of the best style to bring about our writer's screenplay. And as soon as I read that, I will know what that is. Edgy could be a direction, but I don't think it will be applied without really understanding the character's journey from the inside out first and then figuring out the best way to bring that about.
And then, as far as the other influences, making it different from the other films, ... I hope we don't react to these very good and sometimes bad superhero movies around us. I hope that we just [look] ever deeper into the truth of who Peter Parker really is—as a human being and the unique character, and that we celebrate that, which is a lot of the reason I want to make this next picture. I still believe I have an understanding of Peter Parker as the character that I have not quite put onto the screen yet.
I'm not talking about Tobey Maguire's performance, which I very much love; I'm talking about my understanding of the character. I feel like sometimes a kid at the piano recital. And I know this piece really well. I know it by heart. And I sometimes get it right, and sometimes I don't. But I want a chance to really play it the way I feel it. So I'm hoping it's a really good screenplay and I can express the character through that. I've got a really good writer [David Lindsay-Abaire]. ...
I heard that you wrote Drag Me to Hell [with brother Ivan Raimi] a long time ago, as a Bruce Campbell vehicle. ... If you ever make another Evil Dead movie with Bruce, will you keep it low-budget like those original films? And what would the story be?
Raimi: We wrote part one thinking that that was the end, I guess, kind of like that. I think this is the end where it was over, and because we couldn't get any other job in Hollywood, somehow, Bruce Campbell survived into the next Evil Dead 2. So we made Evil Dead 2, and that one was written with the knowledge that we would want to make a third one. So, I'm sorry, what was it that you are asking?
I was just wondering, what would be your storyline for the fourth one? Do you know what that is yet?
Raimi: I don't have that. I don't have just some ideas written down, but I said that last month, and there was a very negative reaction from the fans: "Why does he keep talking about that movie? Where is that movie?" It's just because people ask me, but I don't really have anything at all worked out right now.
What about the idea of limiting yourself to a lower budget for an Evil Dead movie, like on Drag Me to Hell, where you didn't have a lot of cranes, wires, CG and so on?
Raimi: It is it's much more viscerally exciting as a director to work on the lower-budget picture like this. This one particularly. I mean, everyone came at it with so much love and attention to detail, versus a much more professional, top-of-the-line, big-game approach. Which is great, because it's like conducting a big orchestra. On the Spider-Man pictures [we have] the best orchestra in the world, and this is like playing in a jazz band. Each has their own rewards.
Jamie Foxx To Play Mike Tyson?
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has said that Jamie Foxx will play him in a upcoming biopic of his life."It's gonna be about me. It's gonna be Jamie Foxx portraying me in a life story. Jamie discussed the things he wanted to do.
"He didn't know which way he wanted to go, but it was something he wanted to do. He told me not to tell anybody [too much]. He's just interested in doing it."
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