An interview with Warner Bros. executive Jeff Robinov published today by the Los Angeles Times has raised a lot of eyebrows with talk of a revived "Justice League" film and the future of Batman following next year's "The Dark Knight Rises."
As pointed out in the L.A. Times piece, a "Justice League" film was moving forward in early 2008 when a combination of issues led to its shelving.
"But Robinov said a new 'Justice League' script is in the works. Also being written for Warner are scripts featuring the 'Flash' and 'Wonder Woman,' who could be spun off into their own movies after 'Justice League,'" the article states.
It should be pointed out that feature films of both properties have also been in the worlds at one time or another over the past several years only to die silent deaths inside the offices of Warner Bros. In other words, I'll believe it when I see set photos.
Robinov's comments about "Batman," however, have the most potential to raise fans' ire.
“We have the third Batman, but then we’ll have to reinvent Batman…Chris Nolan and [producing partner and wife] Emma Thomas will be producing it, so it will be a conversation with them about what the next phase is," he is quoted as saying.
Assuming "The Dark Knight Rises" continues Nolan's hot streak with the property, it's hard to believe anyone will be able to live up to the expectations of following in his shoes. Besides, Nolan's cinematic world does not lend itself to inclusion with an "Avengers"-like crossover movie like "Justice League."
Let me say up front, I'm not a fan of reboots and have been against the "Spider-Man" one since it was announced. Considering there is no clear timetable mentioned in the LA Times article, it's not clear whether a "new" Batman would be introduced prior to the "Justice League" movie or not. If not, only Green Lantern will have had his own movie when it's released.
Compare that with the "Avengers," which will have four of the characters--if you count a recast Hulk--already introduced to moviegoers before it even gets close to theaters.
I had pretty much given up hope on a "Justice League" film, but apparently just like in the comics, nobody stays dead for long.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Gaiman confirms 'American Gods' film is in the works
Neil Gaiman confirmed in an interview with Digital Spy a film adaptation of his celebrated novel "American Gods" is in the works.
In the interview, p
ublished Friday, Gaiman said the movie rights were sold in the past week. He did not reveal the identity of the company, but said he would be meeting with them to "find out where they're going and if there's any way that I can help."
"There is one cinematographer and director on board who has many, many Oscars and is, I think, a genius," Gaiman said. "I love the fact that he fell in love with this about six or seven years and has not given up."
"American Gods" was published in 2001 to critical applause , winning the 2002 Hugo, Nebula, Locus, SFX Magacine and Bram Stoker Awards for Best Novel. The story follows Shadow, a man released from prison only to find his life turned upside down. He is hired by the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, becoming a piece in a larger conflict with the very soul of America on the line.
Publisher Harper Colllins describes the book as such: "As unsettling as it is exhilarating, 'American Gods' is a dark and kaleidoscopic journey deep into myth and across an America at once eerily familiar and utterly alien. Magnificently told, this work of literary magic will haunt the reader far beyond the final page."
Gaiman's announcement sparks several questions.
First, of course, is how will the filmmakers be able to convert "American Gods"--which essentially features humanity's collected mythological pantheon breaking out into civil war--into two or so hours of cinema? "Stardust" and "Coraline" are previous examples of his working being adapted into successful movies, the latter being nominated for an Academy Award.
It seems Gaiman, who apparently has resisted offers in the past, has faith in his "genius" director.
Which brings up to the next question. Who is he? Did he mean a director with multiple wins? A cinematographer with multiple wins? Or one of the above whose films won Oscars? There only a handful of directors with two Academy Award wins, one of whom is Clint Eastwood, whose last film had to do with the hereafter.
We'll just have to wait and see.
In the interview, p
ublished Friday, Gaiman said the movie rights were sold in the past week. He did not reveal the identity of the company, but said he would be meeting with them to "find out where they're going and if there's any way that I can help.""There is one cinematographer and director on board who has many, many Oscars and is, I think, a genius," Gaiman said. "I love the fact that he fell in love with this about six or seven years and has not given up."
"American Gods" was published in 2001 to critical applause , winning the 2002 Hugo, Nebula, Locus, SFX Magacine and Bram Stoker Awards for Best Novel. The story follows Shadow, a man released from prison only to find his life turned upside down. He is hired by the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, becoming a piece in a larger conflict with the very soul of America on the line.
Publisher Harper Colllins describes the book as such: "As unsettling as it is exhilarating, 'American Gods' is a dark and kaleidoscopic journey deep into myth and across an America at once eerily familiar and utterly alien. Magnificently told, this work of literary magic will haunt the reader far beyond the final page."
Gaiman's announcement sparks several questions.
First, of course, is how will the filmmakers be able to convert "American Gods"--which essentially features humanity's collected mythological pantheon breaking out into civil war--into two or so hours of cinema? "Stardust" and "Coraline" are previous examples of his working being adapted into successful movies, the latter being nominated for an Academy Award.
It seems Gaiman, who apparently has resisted offers in the past, has faith in his "genius" director.
Which brings up to the next question. Who is he? Did he mean a director with multiple wins? A cinematographer with multiple wins? Or one of the above whose films won Oscars? There only a handful of directors with two Academy Award wins, one of whom is Clint Eastwood, whose last film had to do with the hereafter.
We'll just have to wait and see.
Amy Adams is Lois Lane in new 'Superman' film
Superman has his Lois Lane. Warner Bros. announced Sunday Amy Adams ("The Fighter," "Julie & Julia") will play the intrepid reporter in the forthcoming "Superman" reboot directed by Zach Synder ("Sucker Punch," "300").
"Second only to
Superman himself, the question of who will play Lois Lane is arguably what fans have been most curious about," Synder said in the studio's official statement.
"So we are excited to announce the casting of Amy Adams, one of the most versatile and respected actresses in films today. Amy has the talent to capture all of the qualities we love about Lois: smart, tough, funny, warm, ambitious and, of course, beautiful."
Adams has proved to be a versatile actress, which is what is needed to capture fiery reporter who keeps Clark Kent on his toes at the "Daily Planet." She has earned three Oscar nominations in the past six years for "The Fighter," "Doubt" and "Junebug," and also drew praise for a wide variety of roles in "Julie & Julia," "Enchanted" and "Sunshine Cleaning."
Here she will be stepping into a role most recently portrayed in film form by Kate Bosworth in 2006's "Superman Returns." While that film failed to live up to hopes of fans or studio bosses--hence the reboot--it's failings were not the fault of the cast but more a less-than-original script.
Christopher Nolan ("The Dark Knight") is among the producers of the new film and helped develop the story with David S. Goyer, who is writing the script, so hopefully that won't be a problem this time around.
Adams joins Henry Cavill ("Stardust," "The Tudors"), who will play Superman and his alter-ego Clark, as well as Diane Lane ("Secretariat") and Kevin Costner ("Waterworld") as Clark's human parents Martha and Jonathan Kent. The film is scheduled for a December 2012 release.
"Second only to
Superman himself, the question of who will play Lois Lane is arguably what fans have been most curious about," Synder said in the studio's official statement."So we are excited to announce the casting of Amy Adams, one of the most versatile and respected actresses in films today. Amy has the talent to capture all of the qualities we love about Lois: smart, tough, funny, warm, ambitious and, of course, beautiful."
Adams has proved to be a versatile actress, which is what is needed to capture fiery reporter who keeps Clark Kent on his toes at the "Daily Planet." She has earned three Oscar nominations in the past six years for "The Fighter," "Doubt" and "Junebug," and also drew praise for a wide variety of roles in "Julie & Julia," "Enchanted" and "Sunshine Cleaning."
Here she will be stepping into a role most recently portrayed in film form by Kate Bosworth in 2006's "Superman Returns." While that film failed to live up to hopes of fans or studio bosses--hence the reboot--it's failings were not the fault of the cast but more a less-than-original script.
Christopher Nolan ("The Dark Knight") is among the producers of the new film and helped develop the story with David S. Goyer, who is writing the script, so hopefully that won't be a problem this time around.
Adams joins Henry Cavill ("Stardust," "The Tudors"), who will play Superman and his alter-ego Clark, as well as Diane Lane ("Secretariat") and Kevin Costner ("Waterworld") as Clark's human parents Martha and Jonathan Kent. The film is scheduled for a December 2012 release.
Friday, March 25, 2011
FOX renews 'Fringe' for a fourth season
Let the impossibili
ties continue! FOX confirmed late Thursday it was renewing "Fringe," the J.J. Abrams-created science fiction series for a fourth season.
Despite its rating issues--which were exacerbated by FOX's decision to move the show to Friday nights this winter--the pickup order is for a full 22-episode season.
Executive Producer J.H. Wyman broke the news via Twitter.
Creatively the show has been improving each season, really discovering itself this season with its two-universe stories.
Fringe airs on Fridays at 9 p.m. EDT. with the new episode "Bloodline" debuting tonight.
ties continue! FOX confirmed late Thursday it was renewing "Fringe," the J.J. Abrams-created science fiction series for a fourth season.Despite its rating issues--which were exacerbated by FOX's decision to move the show to Friday nights this winter--the pickup order is for a full 22-episode season.
Executive Producer J.H. Wyman broke the news via Twitter.
Creatively the show has been improving each season, really discovering itself this season with its two-universe stories.
Fringe airs on Fridays at 9 p.m. EDT. with the new episode "Bloodline" debuting tonight.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
'Magician's Nephew' to be next Narnia film
The Christian Post spoke with Walden Media, the studio behind the 'Chronicles of Narnia' franchise, confirming next film in the franchise be 'The Magician's Nephew," the penultimate book in the series.
There had bee
n talk after the release of "Prince Caspian" that "The Silver Chair" would be the fourth and possibly final film in the series. The book, which follows "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" chronologically, documents Eustice's return to Narnia.
"We are starting to talk to Fox and talk to the C.S. Lewis estate now about the 'Magician's Nephew' being our next film," Walden Media President Michael Flaherty told the Post.
The decision makes sense. While "The Silver Chair" would have to rely on Eustice (portrayed by Will Poulter in "Dawn Treader") as the only returning human character, "The Magician's Nephew" provides an opportunity to showcase the very birth of Narnia itself. The books follows Digory Kirke (the professor in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe") and his friend Polly Plummer as they meet the White Witch and Aslan for the first time.
Meanwhile, the decision to press on with a fourth film at all showcases the ever-increasing importance of the international box office. "Dawn Treader" made a forgettable $104 million domestically, but has managed to quietly draw in an additional $300 million from overseas. While its total gross is nowhere the success of the first film, it is only $20 million shy of the final numbers boasted by "Prince Caspian."
If "The Magician's Nephew" is indeed made, it will most likely be the last film in the series. With "The Silver Chair" now apparently out of the line-up, the only books left are "The Horse and His Boy," a mostly stand-alone tale set during the time the Pevensie children were ruling Narnia, and "The Last Battle," which is essentially the Book of Revelations with more talking animals. Neither has blockbuster written on it. But who knows, Aslan works in mysterious ways.
There had bee
n talk after the release of "Prince Caspian" that "The Silver Chair" would be the fourth and possibly final film in the series. The book, which follows "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" chronologically, documents Eustice's return to Narnia."We are starting to talk to Fox and talk to the C.S. Lewis estate now about the 'Magician's Nephew' being our next film," Walden Media President Michael Flaherty told the Post.
The decision makes sense. While "The Silver Chair" would have to rely on Eustice (portrayed by Will Poulter in "Dawn Treader") as the only returning human character, "The Magician's Nephew" provides an opportunity to showcase the very birth of Narnia itself. The books follows Digory Kirke (the professor in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe") and his friend Polly Plummer as they meet the White Witch and Aslan for the first time.
Meanwhile, the decision to press on with a fourth film at all showcases the ever-increasing importance of the international box office. "Dawn Treader" made a forgettable $104 million domestically, but has managed to quietly draw in an additional $300 million from overseas. While its total gross is nowhere the success of the first film, it is only $20 million shy of the final numbers boasted by "Prince Caspian."
If "The Magician's Nephew" is indeed made, it will most likely be the last film in the series. With "The Silver Chair" now apparently out of the line-up, the only books left are "The Horse and His Boy," a mostly stand-alone tale set during the time the Pevensie children were ruling Narnia, and "The Last Battle," which is essentially the Book of Revelations with more talking animals. Neither has blockbuster written on it. But who knows, Aslan works in mysterious ways.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Jill Valentine coming back for 'Resident Evil 5'
Anyone who watched last year's "Resident Evil: Afterlife" knows it ended with the return of Jill Valentine (Sienna Guillory), who hadn't been seen since the second film, "Apocalypse."
Guillory recent
ly confirmed she was preparing for the as yet untitled fifth installment via twitter.
"RE:5 alert! Training begins! I aim to mostly put less in the big hole on the front of my face than comes out of the little one on my arse," she posted on March 18.
Although nothing else about the film is known, Screen Gems has set a Sept. 14, 2012, release date. Presumably Milla Jovovich will be back as Alice and her husband Paul W.S. Anderson will direct since he helmed every installment to this point.
The series hasn't exactly set the box office on fire, but it has been consistent domestically and is gaining steam overseas. "Afterlife" exploded on the international market, pulling in a total worldwide gross just shy of $300 million, double the previous best set by 2007's "Extinction."
Although I've never played the video games, the film series is one my biggest guilty pleasures and has been ever since the release of the original film in 2002. That film featured a great set, intriguing characters and a rocking soundtrack from Marilyn Manson. On a side note, "Afterlife" was one of only a handful of the countless 3D releases in 2010 which made decent use of the technology.
My hope is we will finally learn the fate of the young Angela (Sophie Vavasseur), who like Jill vanished sometime between the second and third films.
Guillory recent
ly confirmed she was preparing for the as yet untitled fifth installment via twitter."RE:5 alert! Training begins! I aim to mostly put less in the big hole on the front of my face than comes out of the little one on my arse," she posted on March 18.
Although nothing else about the film is known, Screen Gems has set a Sept. 14, 2012, release date. Presumably Milla Jovovich will be back as Alice and her husband Paul W.S. Anderson will direct since he helmed every installment to this point.
The series hasn't exactly set the box office on fire, but it has been consistent domestically and is gaining steam overseas. "Afterlife" exploded on the international market, pulling in a total worldwide gross just shy of $300 million, double the previous best set by 2007's "Extinction."
Although I've never played the video games, the film series is one my biggest guilty pleasures and has been ever since the release of the original film in 2002. That film featured a great set, intriguing characters and a rocking soundtrack from Marilyn Manson. On a side note, "Afterlife" was one of only a handful of the countless 3D releases in 2010 which made decent use of the technology.
My hope is we will finally learn the fate of the young Angela (Sophie Vavasseur), who like Jill vanished sometime between the second and third films.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Leads shortlisted for 'Akira' live action adaptation
From the districts of Pa
nem to the streets of Tokyo, we have some more casting news and, of course, more fan outrage.
Deadline is reporting that Albert Hughes has shortlisted the pool of candidates for the leads in the upcoming live-action adaptation of "Akira."
First a six-volume Japanese manga and then adapted into the famed 1988 anime film of the same name, "Akira" tells the story of futuristic Toyko in which Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang, tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a military experiment.
"Harry Potter" scribe Steve Cloves is the latest to take polish to the live action script.
According to Deadline, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix are being considered for Kaneda, while Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy are in the running for Tetsuo.
Cue the rage. How dare they cast white actors for Japanese roles? Well, considering the live-action movie reportedly set in Neo-Manhattan instead of Neo-Tokyo, I think it's pretty clear this is a domestic remake rather than just a live-action adaptation.
With project is expected to command a sizable budget, that's not terribly surprising. Studios want bankable stars.
Rage on.
nem to the streets of Tokyo, we have some more casting news and, of course, more fan outrage.Deadline is reporting that Albert Hughes has shortlisted the pool of candidates for the leads in the upcoming live-action adaptation of "Akira."
First a six-volume Japanese manga and then adapted into the famed 1988 anime film of the same name, "Akira" tells the story of futuristic Toyko in which Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang, tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a military experiment.
"Harry Potter" scribe Steve Cloves is the latest to take polish to the live action script.
According to Deadline, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix are being considered for Kaneda, while Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy are in the running for Tetsuo.
Cue the rage. How dare they cast white actors for Japanese roles? Well, considering the live-action movie reportedly set in Neo-Manhattan instead of Neo-Tokyo, I think it's pretty clear this is a domestic remake rather than just a live-action adaptation.
With project is expected to command a sizable budget, that's not terribly surprising. Studios want bankable stars.
Rage on.
Monday, March 21, 2011
'Hunger Games' author endorses Lawrence casting
Jennifer Lawrence in "Winter's Bone."Fans of Susan Collins' "The Hunger Games" trilogy have been buzzing louder than a nest of tracker jackers about the casting of Jennifer Lawrence ("Winter's Bone") as Catniss Everdeen.
Having just finished the books myself, I have say my first reaction was, "Too old and too blond." Sadly, "Winter's Bone" was one of the 2011 Academy Award Best Picture nominees I have not yet had a chance to see, so I can't speak for her acting chops, although her own nomination says enough.
Well, now Collins herself has weighed in, sending a letter to Entertainment Weekly assuring fans she was involved with the casting process and said Lawrence is the one to embody her creation:
As the author, I went into the casting process with a certain degree of trepidation. Believing your heroine can make the leap from the relative safety of the page to the flesh and bones reality of the screen is something of a creative act of faith. But after watching dozens of auditions by a group of very fine young actresses, I felt there was only one who truly captured the character I wrote in the book. And I’m thrilled to say that Jennifer Lawrence has accepted the role.
Collins goes on to say she "watched Jennifer embody every essential quality necessary to play Katniss." Sounds like a glowing recommendation to me.
The hair can be taken care of pretty easily. Just look at Emily Browning ("A Series of Unfortunate Events") and her new blond look for this weekend's "Sucker Punch." Incidentally, she was one of the actress I had in mind for the role, along with everybody's favorite pick of Hailee Steinfeld ("True Grit").
Now on to the next casting reveal, and the next round of the games.
Welcome back!
After an all-too brief attempt at creating an online presence in 2009, it's time to jump back into the deep end.
Welcome to the all-new Marquee Entertainment, where we will be discussing the latest movie news along with the occasional juicy TV tidbits. My movie reviews, for the time being, will remain in print form and can be currently read weekly in the Perry News-Herald in Florida, and the South Padre Island Parade in Texas. Hopefully that will be expanding soon.
Welcome to the all-new Marquee Entertainment, where we will be discussing the latest movie news along with the occasional juicy TV tidbits. My movie reviews, for the time being, will remain in print form and can be currently read weekly in the Perry News-Herald in Florida, and the South Padre Island Parade in Texas. Hopefully that will be expanding soon.
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