This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Casting has begun on Guillermo Del Toro's "Hellboy" movie - an
adaptation of the Mike Mignol comic-book series about a demon who
investigates the paranormal for the US Government.
Reports suggest they are close to signing an actor for the physical
portrayal of the amphibious Abe Sapien character - and may use the same
actor's voice for the final film.
Sapien's look will be created by Jose Fernandez, who worked on the
costumes for "X-Men" and is also doing designs for "The Amazing
Spider-Man." Guillermo Del Toro said: "He's a very, very sought-after designer".
Big name actors like Kevin Spacey and Steve Buscemi have suggested as
potential voice-artists after principal photography has been completed
on some of film's monsters.
In related news, graphic artist Phil Postma has drawn what he thinks
actor Ron Perlman will look like as the titular Hellboy in the upcoming
movie (see right). Looks very, very promising!
"BACK UP" - Killing Cage!
Nicolas Cage is reportedly starring in "Back Up" - a sci-fi murder
mystery about a cop (Cage) who is resurrected from death (i.e, "backed
up") to investigate his own murder!
"BATMAN: YEAR ONE" - Going Ahead?
With all the talk having shifted to Brett Ratner's "Superman", and the
consequent demise of the "Batman Vs Superman" project, we seem to have
forgotten about "Batman: Year One" - the project with Darren Aronofsky
("Requiem For A Dream") attached to direct.
Well, thanks to Aronofsky's failure to get sci-fi movie "The Fountain"
up and running in Australia, rumours have it that 'Warner Brothers' -
and particularly producer Lorenzo DiBonaventura - want him to steam
ahead with his "Batman: Year One" project.
"THE CROW: WICKED PRAYER" - Sequel Flies!
A third sequel to 1994's "The Crow" begins shooting on 15 February 2003,
with Edward Furlong ("Terminator 2") in the lead role. The movie will be
directed by Lance Mungia.
"DOOM" - Movie Moving Forward?
'Warner Brothers' are in final negotiations for the rights to film a
movie adaptation of the computer game "Doom". If successful, the movie
could begin shooting in approximately 15 months time, aiming for a PG-13
rating in the States (likely a 12A in the UK).
"GREASE 3" - Greased Lightning In A Bottle?
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are in talks to reprise their roles
as Danny and Sandy for "Grease 3" - the second sequel to the original
hit musical "Grease", which helped launch Travolta's career.
The current premise had Danny and Sandy meeting up years after their
High School days. Stockard Channing (Rizzo) is likely to reprise her
role, and original director Randal Kleiser could also return behind the
lens.
"MAD MAX 4" - Finally Happening?
'Moviehole' have reported that "Mad Max 4" is now a "go picture". An
insider has said that 'Fox Studios' in Sydney have clinched a deal with
director George Miller to make the film there in March 2003. But will
Mel Gibson return?
"PETER JACKSON"...talks zombies!
Director Peter Jackson ("Lord Of The Rings") may return to the
low-budget zombie movies that made his name in the 80's and early-90's.
Talking to 'Fangoria' magazine he said: "I am seriously thinking about
the idea of another zombie film. Part of the fun of doing low-budget
horror films is the freedom you have."
"I'm kind of thinking that it would be fun to shoot something over a
long period of time. Whatever we might do after 'Lord of the Rings', I'm
seriously thinking of filming on the weekends... It'll be another year
before I can actually do anything, but certainly now is the time to
start planning".
So will his big-budget remake of "King Kong" really be put on the
back-burner for another schlock horror project? I doubt it, somehow...
"POLAR EXPRESSZ" - All Aboard!
Tom Hanks is set to star in a computer-animated adaptation of Chris Van
Allsburg's book "Polar Expressz" for 'Castle Rock'. The book is about a
boy whose belief in Santa Claus results in a fantasy trip to the North
Pole aboard a magical train.
Director Robert Zemeckis ("Back To The Future") has been working on the
script with his "Cast Away" scribe William Broyles, and now the film is
nearly set for a February 2004 start date.
With any luck the film should premiere around Christmas 2004, with Hanks
playing the train conductor. The movie is already said to potentially be
the most CGI-ambitious Christmas movie since "The Grinch".
"THE HAUNTED MANSION" - Spooky Eddie!
'Walt Disney Pictures' has opened a teaser website for the latest Eddie
Murphy movie "The Haunted Mansion", directed by Rob Minkoff ("Stuart
Little 2"). In the film, due out next year, Murphy encounters a ghost on
a job interview and the vision spooks him into a profound awareness of
the importance of family...
New screenwriter Michael Chabon recently spoke to 'Entertainment Weekly'
about his writing duties on "The Amazing Spider-Man". He said: "I'm
completely the man for the job. It's my destiny".
The magazine says that elements from David Koepp's script, as well as
components from Alfred Gough and Miles Millar's script will contribute
towards Chabon's own ideas.
"THE SIMPSONS" - The Movie!
After years of speculation regarding a "Simpsons" movie, producer Al Jean
recently told an audience at The Vancouver Film Festival that:
"Currently there are no plans to end the fourteen-year run of the show
and the writing staff is having enough trouble coming up with plotlines
to fill 22 minutes of TV show, let alone 80-90 minutes of feature film."
But, he did confirm that the principal voice cast have already signed
for a three-picture deal of "Simpsons" movies should the project ever
happen!
"STARSKY & HUTCH" - Owen In!
'Variety' magazine reports that Owen Wilson ("Shanghai Noon") will join
Ben Stiller in a movie adaptation of TV cop drama "Starsky & Hutch", for
'Warner Brothers', with Stiller as Starsky and Wilson as Hutch.
The cameras should start rolling in February 2002. The screenplay has
been written by Todd Phillips, who wrote the last draft of the script
with Scott Armstrong - who will also direct.
The original TV show was firmly set in the 70's, but the movie version
will update the premise to focus on the formation of the duo's
partnership.=20
"SUPERMAN" - Director Confirmed / Studio "Furious" / Script Rewrites!
We've known it for weeks, but 'Warner Brothers' have now officially
confirmed that Brett Ratner ("Red Dragon") is the director of the new
"Superman" movie.
Ratner said: "It's been a dream since I was a child to do this movie. I
was born to make this movie. It's the perfect time to make this movie,
as everyone is looking for someone to save the world, and who better
than Superman?"
Alan Horn, the President of 'WB' said: "Superman is an American icon and
a timeless hero who shares a rich history with 'Warner Brothers'. We are
very happy to be working with Brett, Jon [Peters] and J.J [Abrams] on
this important new chapter in the Superman legacy."
Jeff Robinov, the President of Domestic Production, said: "J.J. Abrams
and Jon Peters were given the daunting task of re-imagining the Superman
epic and J.J. met the challenge, delivering a terrific script with
emotion, depth and scale that bring new dimension to this legendary
character."
"We couldn't be more pleased to entrust the next chapter in the Superman
mythology to Brett Ratner, a dynamic director whose skilful blend of
action, comedy and drama has captured the imaginations of audiences
worldwide."
The studio are targeting a Summer 2004 release, which means the movie
should be competing with other comic-book adaptations "The Amazing
Spider-Man" and "Hellboy". The 'Superman Cinema' site has also been told
that 'Warner Brothers' executives are furious about the leaked review of
the current "Superman" script onto the 'net, and are fearful they may
have a "Batman & Robin"-style disaster on their hands.
J.J Abrams' is apparently now writing a second draft of the screenplay,
which has disposed of a few concerns fans had with his now infamous
first draft. Let's hope he makes more of the necessary changes. On
another plus side, 'Aint It Cool News' webmaster Harry Knowles has also
now reviewed the first draft of Abrams' "Superman" script - and found it
quite enjoyable, with just a few admittedly major problems.
Anthony Hopkins also confirmed on the 'Howard Stern' radio show that he
has signed to play Jor-El in Ratner's movie, having just worked with him
on "Red Dragon". He hopes to get his hands on J.J Abrams' screenplay this
weekend.
So - looks like "Superman" could still make a fine 21st Century movie.
"WATCHMEN" - Coming Soon...?
Screenwriter David Hayter ("X-Men") spoke to 'USC Trojanvision' (a radio
station for the University of Southern California) and indicated the
status of the fabled "Watchmen" movie adaptation.
He said: "When I signed on to do my draft of 'The Hulk', and then Ang
Lee came on to direct, I was a really hot commodity, and my agents asked
me 'What's your dream? What do you want to do?' And I said that my dream
is that I want to do 'Watchmen'. So I chased it down, and they said it's
been floating around for 17 years, the rights are all tied up =96 it's a
big mess, you'll never get it."
"So a year later I sat down with the producer who owned the rights to
the film, I told him what I wanted to do with it, and he checked it out
and all the rights were cleared up. So the big lesson there for me was
just if you want something, just ask... [Watchmen] is very literate and
very cool, but I don't think we could have made it before 'X-Men' was so
successful. 'X-Men' opened up some more untraditional comic books
getting movies."
Yes! Looks like Alan Moore's masterpiece is coming... slowly...
"TERMINATOR 3" - John Connor Talks!
Nick Stahl, who has just finished filming "Terminator 2: Rise Of The
Machines", where he plays future human resistance leader John Connor,
has spoken about filming the long-awaited third movie.
Stahl first commented on the Internet rumours surrounding "T3" before
and after he joined the production: "I went on[line] when we first
started filming and I kind of vowed not to do it again. Someone on the
set said I had to go on this website because people are writing scripts
for it that don't exist and making photos, mock posters. So, I went on
and the very first thing I read was this guy giving about 50 reasons why
I should not be playing this role. I just turned it off. That's the kind
of support that I read and it really drives me, so I've tried to avoid
that."
He also commented on the relationship in "T3" between himself and Arnold
Scharzenneger's Terminator character:
"That's one of the things from the second movie that I loved. It's a
very paternal relationship. The character's father was never around when
he was young. It's sort of teaching this machine the human ways. It's
definitely a source of humour in the movie and I think he feels a real
strong bond with him."
"And where it gets interesting is the sort of ambiguity of you not
knowing whether this machine has human feelings. You assume that he
doesn't, but they play with that a bit and it mirrors human situations,
things like that. There was so much to work with for me as far as that
relationship goes."
Was Stahl fazed with working with Arnie?
"I always saw Arnold as a
larger than life character, as people do I guess. I don't know if it
really affected the working relationship. I guess I just had seen him
before and he's been doing it so long, so you automatically look to
someone in this type of movie for some sort of guidance because he's
just mastered this type of movie. It's just his professionalism and the
type of role."
"He's not even playing a human character. He's got this character down
and it's not like our roles were similar in any way. I just think even
somewhat unconsciously, you know that this person is so tried and true
in what he does in this medium, so it was more on a personal level and
his attitude towards work."
"It was a really long shoot and it required a lot of stamina at times.
He approached that with his good humour and his professionalism rubbed
off on everybody. So, it was more on a personal level as opposed to the
work or the film."
So what about Clare Danes' role in "T3"?
"I don't know how much I can
say. Our relationship is being kept under wraps. They're being secretive
about it."
Stahl also spoke of the physical demands of the movie:
"The one thing
about this type of movie I discovered is that you shoot something 100
different ways, so every time you do anything physical, you're going to
do it over and over again. That can get somewhat taxing if you're not
prepared for it, but there was a little physical training involved
beforehand."
"I was trying to be very physically prepared for the role a couple
months previously and did some training with weapons that I was going to
be using in the movie, different hand-guns and things like that, so it
was all really fun actually. It was all really new for me but I just had
fun with it. It wasn't that tough at the end of the day."
So will there be a "Terminator 4"?
"I guess it's really up to them as to
whether they're going to do another one, but if they'll have me back,
I'd love to."
Is he ready for a life-changing career in the wake of "T3" next summer?
"I've just been making sure that the rest of my life is in as much order
as possible because I don't know what to expect from this. You can
speculate and I know we'll be travelling and doing some press, but
because it's going to occupy a lot of my life next year, I've just tried
to make sure that other areas in my life were in order so that they
won't get in the way of all of the stuff for this movie."
"X-MEN 2"
The look of new character Nightcrawler (played by Alan Cummings) in the
new "X-Men 2" movie, due out next Summer, has finally been released!
Take a look! (right)
"TOY STORY 2"
"Toy Story 3" could be released in 2006, but only if 'Pixar'
disestablish their arrangement with 'Disney'. A rumoured plot uses an
element first thought of for the original film's 1991 treatment: what if
Andy [the child who owns the toys] grows up?
However, 'Pixar' has stated that "Toy Story 2" didn't count as a film in
the eyes of 'Disney' CEO Michael Eisner - who still wants 'Pixar' to
honour its February 1997 agreement with them - to the letter. Under the
terms of this contract, which supersedes the original three picture deal
that the computer animation studio signed with Mickey back in 1991,
'Pixar' has until 2007 to deliver five finished feature-length animated
films to 'Disney Studios'.
Sequels do not count - because back in 1997 when 'Disney' and 'Pixar'
originally signed their deal, it was assumed that any and all sequels
that would be done to earlier 'Pixar' productions would be done on the
cheap (i.e., direct-to-video sequels - which "Toy Story 2" was
originally set to become)
So, "Toy Story", "A Bug's Life", "Monster's, Inc." and the upcoming
"Finding Nemo" equal four non-sequel films. 'Pixar' have to create three
more by 2007, and only then can they think about making "Toy Story 3"!
Chris O'Donnell ("Batman Forever" - let's be kind and not mention "&
Robin") has confirmed that he's involved in the sequel to his minor hit
action movie "Vertical Limit".
US TOP 10 (CINEMA)
1. Sweet Home Alabama ($35.6m)
2. Tuxedo ($15.0m)
3. Barbershop ($10.0m)
4. My Big Fat Greek Wedding ($9.4m)
5. The Banger Sisters ($5.4m)
6. The Four Feathers ($3.5m)
7. One Hour Photo ($3.0m)
8. Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever ($2.7m)
9. Signs ($2.3m)
10. Swimfan ($1.5m)
UK TOP 10 (CINEMA)
1. Signs (£1.8m)
2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (£1.6m)
3. Road To Perdition (£1.3m)
4. Van Wilder: Party Liaison (£0.7m)
5. The Bourne Identity (£0.5m)
6. Insomnia (£0.229m)
7. The Importance of Being Earnest (£0.222m)
8. Swimfan (£0.19m)
9. Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams ($0.17m)
10. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (£0.12m)
** TRAILERS **
Swept Away:
Guy Ritchie ("Lock, Stock...") leaves East End gangsters back in England
to direct his wife (pop diva Madonna) in this tale of a snotty socialite
who finds herself shipwrecked with a communist sailor.
Buzz Rating: 2/5 - early word has been very harsh on director Guy
Ritchie's follow-up to "Snatch". Rumours suggest the husband and wife
pairing didn't work well together professionally, and that Ritchie
should stick to gangster films - which he's reported to be doing. This
looks set to seriously tank at the box-office despite Madonna's star
status, and damage Ritchie's fledgling US credibility in the process...
CLICK HERE
The Ring:
A full trailer for this eagerly-awaited US remake of the Japanese
original, starring Naomi Watts ("Mulholland Drive") as she investigates
a strange video-tape that causes all those who see it to die within 7
days.
Buzz Rating: 4/5 - Naomi Watts should really hit the big-time after
this, if early word is to be believed. Test screenings have suggested
that director Gore Verbinski ("Mouse Hunt") has successfully created a
fitting Hollywood version of the Eastern original. This should be very
special, and could possibly evoke a rebirth of the American horror
franchise away from slasher films and parodies...
CLICK HERE
The Tuxedo:
Another Jackie Chan action vehicle, but this time his extraordinary
physical abilities come courtesy of a gadget-laden secret agent's tuxedo
suit! Jennifer Love Hewitt also plays against genre convention to star
as his love interest!
Buzz Rating: 2½/5 - Chan has plenty of fans around the world, which
should ensure solid business at world-wide cinemas. The formulaic script
and apparently uninspired direction may stop "The Tuxedo" attaining the
success of Chan's "Rush Hour" franchise, but the chemistry between Chan
and Hewitt is said to be strong...
CLICK HERE
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.