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Dan Owen reviews
I s s u e # 62 3 A u g u s t 2 0 0 2
** MOVIE NEWS **
“BATMAN vs SUPERMAN” – Holy Tomato, Bateman!
Christian Bale (“American Psycho”) has finally responded to growingrumours that he will be offered the role of Batman in “Batman VsSuperman” – and potentially “Batman: Year One”, as well as James Bondwhen Pierce Brosnan decides to quit.
Bale said: “Actually both characters would be a dream come true,wouldn’t it? James Bond is every British actor’s Holy Grail in many ways- the most recognized British character on the big screen.”
“I’ve also been a big fan of Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ movies. His almostgothic approach brought a wonderful cinematic feel to an American hero.I’d love to do either part but I’d also worry about being typecast.”
“James Bond in the new millennium has so much potential – in the newmovie ‘XXX’, the Bond character is skewered as being out of step for ourtimes – Bond is in dire need of updating. And Batman is a wonderfulcharacter – the duality between his alter ego, Bruce Wayne, and the DarkKnight could be a fascinating character study.”
“ALIEN 5” – Back On Track?
A script for “Alien 5” is apparently being fast-tracked by Hollywood.The story is said to largely takes place on the Alien’s homeworld, andfeatures the most fearsome xenomorph yet seen in the saga – the’Progenitor’.
Sigourney Weaver is likely to reprise her role as Ripley if the projectis approved for filming, and insiders still suggest that “Alien”director Ridley Scott could be tempted to return following his recententhusiasm for such as proposal.
However, it’s unknown what will happen if the frivolous prospect of the”Alien Vs Predator” movie is made. Will the two projects compete againsteach other? Will “AvsP” tarnish the Alien franchise too much for “Alien5” to be taken seriously?
“CHARLIE’S ANGELS 2” – Villain Cast!
Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santaro will play the new movie’s villain, Emer,in “Charlie’s Angels 2: Halo” – currently shooting.
“THE FOUNTAIN” – Pitt and Blanchett x3!
Previously known as “The Last Man”, this science-fiction epic is beingdirected by Darren Aronofsky (“Requiem For A Dream”), to star Brad Pittand Cate Blanchett.
“The Fountain” begins in the South American jungles of 1535, as Spanishsoldiers (guided by Pitt’s character Captain Tomas Verde) battle Mayanwarriors before discovering a strange temple…
Flash-forward to the year 2500, where another Tom (again played by Pitt)travels to the edge of the universe in a spaceship containing a cargo ofincredible power while haunted by memories of the Mayan jungle and theghost of a lover…
Pitt and Blanchett play multiple roles in the movie, which follows threetimelines. Blanchett plays a queen, a ghost, and a woman dying ofcancer.
“The Fountain” has a budget of $70 million and is set to film inQueensland, Australia very soon.
“FREDDY vs JASON” – Jason X’d!
Kane Hodder – who has played Jason Vorhees for the past 14 years – willnot star in director Ronny Yu’s “Freddy Vs Jason” movie. The reasonstated is that the studio wants somebody with a different build tobetter compliment Robert Englund (Freddy), and with more “soulful eyes”to react to various horrors. The current favourite to replace Hodder isBrad Loree – who plays ‘The Shape’ in “Halloween: Resurrection”.
Screenwriter David Goyer (“Blade II”) has been brought in to polish thefilm’s script – which was written by Mark Swift and Damian Shannon.
In casting news, “Destiny’s Child” singer Kelly Roland is joining herband mate Beyonce Knowles into the world of acting – as she is expectedto play the film’s female lead alongside Brad Renfro! Brian Thompson(“The X-Files’ Bounty Hunter) and Jason Bateman (“Teen Wolf Too”) arealso in the cast.
“GHOST SOLDIERS” – Cruise. Spielberg. Again.
After working together on “Minority Report”, Steven Spielberg looks setto direct Tom Cruise again in “Ghost Soldiers” – another World War IIdrama.
“GREMLINS 3” – The Next Batch…
Joe Dante has given his thoughts on a possible second sequel to his 80’shorror hit “Gremlins”:
“I’ve heard that ‘Warner Brothers’ has thought about it, but I kind ofmade my third ‘Gremlins’ movie with ‘Small Soldiers’. The thing aboutthe ‘Gremlins’ movies is that with today’s technology, they would becompletely different in approach than the two that I made.”
“Even though ‘Gremlins 2’ is a light years trade-up from the effectsavailable for the first one, they’re still basically puppet effects.There’s no CG in the movie and now with the advent of CG, they could doanything you could think of. We were always limited in our story by whatwe knew we could get away with, so we didn’t have them doing a lot ofstuff that was impossible.”
“Now, with CG, I think the sky’s the limit. At the end of ‘Gremlins 2’,we have this large musical number with what looks like hundreds ofgremlins in the lobby of the building. Each one of those was a realpuppet and we wouldn’t do that today.”
But with ‘Warner Brothers’ apparently keen to see a sequel, could it goahead without Dante at the helm? Dante: “There’s definitely a chance.I’ve understood that they have actually made efforts at scripts andevery so often I read an odd item in columns that says, ‘Oh, so and sois working on ‘Gremlins 3’ but then I check it with other people andthey say no, it’s not true. I can’t imagine that it isn’t somewhere intheir pile of unmade movies.”
“HELLDORADO” – Dawson Cast!
Rosario Dawson (“Men In Black II”) has been cast in “Helldorado”,starring wrestling megastar The Rock, Christopher Walken and SeannWilliam Scott (“American Pie”).
Dawson will play a bounty hunter who teams up with a fellow bountyhunter in the depths of the Amazon, where they join forced to find losttreasure.
“HERE THERE BE DRAGONS” – Son of St George!
‘Universal Pictures’ have purchased the rights to the book “Here ThereBe Dragons”, written by Jason Hightman. The book is about a 14-year-oldboy who discovers he is the descendant of Saint George the dragon slayer- and must slay a new breed of dragons that can disguise themselves ashumans!
“HONG KONG PHOOEY” – Pup Fu!
The martial arts cartoon dog popular throughout the 70’s is beingdeveloped into a movie by ‘Rat Entertainment’ – the production companyset-up by director Brett Ratner (“Rush Hour”).
“IRON FIST” – Park To Punch!
Ray Park (Darth Maul in “Star Wars Episode I”) has talked about theupcoming movie version of comic-book “Iron Fist”. He said: “We’reworking on that right now so that’s going to start some time. I’mtraining hard for that really… That would be a real chance to showcasemy martial arts… I want to come up with some new, innovative stuff.”
“Iron First” is about a westerner who was raised by Monks in the FarEast, where he was taught how to throw “punches of iron”.
“THE ITALIAN JOB” – L.A Heist?
Fans of “The Italian Job” starring Michael Caine must be expecting theworst from this Hollywood remake – which shifts the action to LosAngeles. However, there are some glimmers of hope – firstly, MarkWahlberg has the Caine role, with Edward Norton as the movie’s villainand Charlize Theron plays the love interest… and yes, the famous trioof Mini’s return!
“JURASSIC PARK IV” – Spielberg Spills!
Steven Spielberg has confirmed that plans for a third sequel to his 1993dinosaur smash “Jurassic Park” are underway. He said: “At this pointI’ve pretty much decided to do a ‘Jurassic IV’. Similar to the third’Jurassic’, I will not direct.”
But who will direct the fourth movie? Spielberg: “I would hope that Icould get Joe Johnston to direct this one too, but it’s up to him. I’llcertainly offer it to Joe before I offer it to anyone else.”
“We actually have a wonderful story that I think is the best since thevery first movie. In fact, I wish it were the third story instead of thefourth one. It came late, but it is actually the best I’ve heard for adinosaur movie since the Michael Crichton book. And I’m not going totell you anything about it. My lips are sealed.”
Rumours have it that Jeff Goldblum and Richard Attenborough will returnfor Part 4, perhaps joined by Vince Vaughan again.
“KING KONG” – KASTING (er, Casting)
With mounting expectation amongst fans that Peter Jackson will resumehis aborted remake of “King Kong” following the DVD release of “Lord OfThe Rings: The Return Of The King” in 2004, rumours are now circulatingthat the Kiwi director may cast the movie using “Rings” actors.
Elijah Wood (Frodo) could take the lead role, with Liv Tyler (Arwen) ashis love-interest (not to mention Kong’s!)
The special effects for King Kong himself should enable very dynamicanimation for ultra-realistic ‘Ape versus America’ action. Jackson hasapparently already described the King’s style of fighting as “Kong-Fu”.
Groan.
“LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN” – Floods Halt Movie!
Filming has stopped on numerous projects using Prague in the CzechRepublic as a location, after the worst floods in over a century hit thecity.
50,000 people have been evacuated and Sean Connery, who is playing AlanQuatermain in “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”, was forced out ofthe riverside Four Seasons hotel. Larry Garrison, unit publicist on themovie said that two out of more than 50 Prague and Czech sets for thefilm had been damaged by the floods.
This will almost definitely mean the movie will reach us a little laterthan planned in Summer 2003. The production has now moved to Malta toresume filming.
“LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION” – Casting News!
Timothy Dalton and Heather Locklear have joined the cast of Joe Dante’s”Loony Tunes: Back In Action” movie, alongside Jenna Elfman and BrendanFraser.
“MORK & MINDY” – The Movie?
Plans are afoot to bring 70s sitcom “Mork & Mindy” to the big-screen,starring Jack Black (“Shallow Hal”) and “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston!
The premise finds Mork’s long-lost son (Black) arriving on Earth andfalling in love with Aniston – who is actually Mindy’s daughter and hishalf-sister!
Robin Williams should reprise his role as Mork, but will only feature inthe second half of the movie – when Mork’s son finds his father… whois now Secretary Of State to President Bush!
It all sounds too strange to be true… so please take all of this witha very large pinch of salt! Nanoo-nanoo!
“THE MUMMY III” – Revenge!
Rachel Weisz has cold feet about starring in a further sequel to 1999’s”The Mummy”, so the currently screenplay for “The Mummy’s Revenge” killsher character within the first 5 minutes and resurrected by Imhotep intothe body of a murdered dancer!
Brendan Fraser is expected to return, with either Sherilyn Fenn (“TwinPeaks”) or Ali Larter (“Final Destination”) playing Weisz’s role.
“NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” – 3-Dimensional Horror!
‘Razor3D’ and ‘X3D’ are two companies who specialize in transformingmovies into 3-dimensions (viewable with 3D specs). They currently have20 film projects on their slate, including George Romero’s zombieclassic “Night Of The Living Dead”. Their 3D versions of existing movieswill be released on special DVD’s – with an option to watch in regular2D.
“PETER PAN” – Back to Never-Never-Land…
Ludivine (“8 Women”) has signed to play Tinkerbell in the new big-budgetversion of “Peter Pan” due to start filming on 30 September. It’sthought that Elijah Wood will play “the boy who wouldn’t grow up”…
“RUSH HOUR 3” – Rushing To Cinema Soon!
Brett Ratner has confirmed that he will direct “Rush Hour 3” with JackieChan and Chris Tucker in January 2004, for an Autumn 2004 release.Ratner is currently putting the finishing touched on Hannibal Lecterprequel “Red Dragon”.
“STARGATE” – Incoming Sequel?
Dean Devlin, co-creator of the original “StarGate” movie starring KurtRussel has said that he is willing to film two sequels which willtotally ignore the TV series “StarGate SG-1”.
Devlin said: “Tell all the fans to write to ‘MGM’ – I’m ready to makepart two and three anytime. I have the stories. It’s all worked out. Theactors want to do it. We just need ‘MGM’ to say ‘yes’. Write, call, geton their website, get them to do it and I’ll be the first one in line todo it.”
The planned “SG-1” movie looks likely to fall apart following relativelypoor ratings for the show’s final season.
“STAR WARS EPISODE III” – Qui-Gon’s Return!
Liam Neeson has confirmed that his character of Qui-Gon Jinn, who waskilled by Darth Maul in “Episode I” will return in “Episode III” (due inSummer 2005).
Already, Neeson’s voice was used in “Episode II” when Anakin Skywalkercold-heartedly slaughtered a group of Tusken Raiders – commanding “No,Ani!” to no avail.
Neeson is expected to return in “Episode III” as a ghostly apparition byAnakin before his transformation into Darth Vader, perhaps meaning thatonly those with a certain affinity of the Force can see dead Jedi.
George Lucas has said: “All I can say is that you’ll find out [more] inthe next film… it’s connected with the whole ability to be broughtinto and become part of the Force, but still be able to retain yourability.”
“SUPERMAN LIVES” – Hope Springs Eternal…
J.J Abrams, the creator of TV series “Felicity” and “Alias”, hasapparently issued ‘Warner Brothers’ will a 200-page script for a new”Superman” movie.
The studio is said to be so excited about the screenplay that they’vestarted scouting for a director – and will not be waiting for originaldirecting choice McG to finish making “Charlie’s Angels 2”. Names ontheir hit list include David Fincher, Rob Bowman (“Reign Of Fire”),Steven Soderbergh and Michael Mann.
“TOMB RAIDER II” – Butler On Board!
Gerard Butler, best known as the contemporary Count Dracula in “Dracula2000” (aka “Dracula 2001”!) has signed on for Jan De Bont’s “Tomb Raider2: Lara Croft & The Cradle Of Life” (overly long title to be confirmed).
Butler will play an ex-lover of Lara’s who joins her in her latestadventure. Shooting on the sequel begins in September with AngelinaJolie reprising her role as ass-kicking archaeologist Lara Croft.
“V FOR VENDETTA” – Reeves Turns Vigilante?
Keanu Reeves has apparently “verbally agreed” to star in “V ForVendetta” – a movie adaptation of the graphic novel by Alan Moore andDavid Lloyd.
“V For Vendetta” is set in a parallel universe where England is underthe oppressive regime of fascism. It’s here that a one-man vigilantecodenamed “V” tries to bring the tyrannical system to its knees.
The graphic novel has already been adapted into a screenplay by “Matrix”writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, and the proposal to star wasaccepted by Reeves under the assumption they will direct the picture.
If this rumour bears out, shooting couldn’t possibly begin untilmid-2004 at the earliest. It would also mean the current vogue for AlanMoore novel adaptations continues – coming after “From Hell” and “TheLeague Of Extraordinary Gentlemen”. But will we ever see “Watchmen” or”V For Vendetta”? Well, keep reading…
“VAN HELSING” – Hughie The Vampire Slayer?
Stephen Sommers, the writer/director of the recent “Mummy” movies, isturning his attention to vampires. Sommers wants “X-Men” star HughJackman to play a young Professor Van Helsing in a movie about thefictional vampire slayer.
“Van Helsing” is set in 19th Century Europe, where Van Helsing issummoned to an Eastern European country to fight evil – namely: Dracula,Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Wolf Man!
Jackman is the “only choice” for the role, with Sommers statingt hat”[he’s] a man, not a boy. Almost more importantly, Hugh’s a good guy…”If all goes to plan, the movie should start shooting on 1 December 2002,in Los Angeles, Prague, Paris and Rome.
“WATCHMEN” – Still Watching… Still Waiting…
Alan Moore’s most famous graphic novel remains “Watchmen” – the epictale of a parallel dimension where superheroes are real.
“Watchmen” has been in development hell as a movie for over a decade -with even “12 Monkeys” director Terry Gilliam once attempting to get theproject made, before admitting that it would require a TV mini-series todo full justice to the book’s depth.
Sam Raimi almost became attached, but the chance to realize “Spider-Man”apparently took precedence. Some whisperings have James Cameron in theframe to helm the movie, but the smart money is now going on DavidFincher (“Fight Club”).
Fincher’s upcoming science-fiction movie “Rendezvous With Rama” will be95% computer generated, and this discipline of working with lots of CGIwill no doubt come in useful with “Watchmen”.
Rumours suggest Fincher has already considered casting “Fight Club”actors Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in key roles (Ozymandius and NiteOwl?)
“X-MEN 2” – Mutant CoX!
Brian Cox (the original Hannibal Lecter in “Manhunter”) has signed ontothe “X-Men 2” movie. He will play the villainous William Stryker.Stryker will be a composite of several villains from the comic-bookseries.
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Ghost Ship:Ghost story about a haunted 1953 passenger ship that is found by asalvage crew. Stars Julianna Marguilies and Gabriel Byrne.
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The Ring:Japanese horror classic “The Ring” is remade for Western audiences byGore Verbinski, starring Naomi Watts (“Mulholland Drive”) as anunfortunate woman who discovers a video-tape that causes those who watchit to die…
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Shanghai Knights:Jackie Chan returns with Owen Wilson, for this sequel to their surprisehit “Shanghai Noon” – in which they arrive in 1880s London to try andstop Jack The Ripper.
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The Transporter:Jason Statham (“Snatch”) gets his first real shot at the Hollywoodbig-time in this action film, directed by Corey Yuen (“Jet Li’s TheEnforcer”) and written by Luc Besson (“Leon”). Statham plays a man whosejob is to ‘transport’ packages to people without looking inside…
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Page Content copyright © Dan Owen, 2002.
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.