DAN’S MOVIE DIGEST 78

BATMAN – INTIMIDATION GAMELiam Neeson (right) has signed to play a villain in the new Batman movie, accordingto ‘Cinescape’ and ‘The Hollywood Reporter’.

In related news, ‘Variety’ has published an article on the new Batman moviewith quotes from director Christopher Nolan, writer David Goyer, and ‘WarnerBrothers’ executives.

Here are some excerpts:

‘This time around, it’s about the genesis of Batman: how billionaire BruceWayne makes a series of decisions that turn him into the Caped Crusader.Batman will be more realistic and less cartoonish. There are no campyvillains. Wayne – younger, more vulnerable, more human – will be getting asmuch attention as his masked alter-ego.

“I felt like doing the origins story of the character, which is a storythat’s never been told before,” says Chris Nolan (Memento), who takes thereins from Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher.

Humanity and realism, says Nolan, is the crux of the new pic. “The world ofBatman is that of grounded reality,” he says. Burton’s and Schumacher’svisions were idiosyncratic and unreal. Nolan says, “Ours will be arecognizable, contemporary reality against which an extraordinary heroicfigure arises.”

Nolan, a self-confessed James Bond fan as a child, is keen on reinventingWayne as more of a modern-day Bond than hapless playboy – anaction-adventure hero who has mythic qualities and battles the odds to savethe world.

‘WB Pictures’ president of production, Jeff Robinov, says: “There’s anemotional component to the film which grounds it and really tells us aboutBruce Wayne’s struggle.”

While the new Bruce Wayne is getting emphasis, Nolan, scripter David Goyerand WB have focused on fixing problems that plagued the other pics. Forexample, Bruce Wayne was too dark and impenetrable and had lost the humorousside found in the comics. The character was basically just dead screen timeuntil Batman appears – which in the new film may not happen until 40 minutesafter it begins.

“If we’re successful, the thing that will be talked about a lot and on whatwe worked on the hardest is that the audience will really care about BruceWayne and not just Batman,” Goyer says. “It doesn’t matter how much you spendon special effects – if it feels hollow, no one gives a damn.”

Nolan starts helming the film next month, and its summer 2005 release willprove whether WB has been able to breathe new life into the Caped Crusader– and to rescue its biggest franchise outside of Harry Potter.

So the new, untitled “Batman” is getting a complete overhaul, backed by aroughly $150 million budget. Rather than pit Batman against a new set ofsuper-villains, the new film focuses on how billionaire Bruce Wayne becomesthe Dark Knight.

“It’s almost impossible to reinvent Batman,” says Robinov. “Chris isreintroducing Batman, and it feels smart and cool and fresh. That’s nodisrespect to the other movies, but it’s really Chris’ vision of Batman, andthat’s what we’re supporting.”

There’ll be a new Batmobile, a new arsenal of gadgets, a new Batsuit (sansnipples) as well as a new musical theme.

Even Gotham City is getting a facelift. Previous pics made the city seemdark and claustrophobic or garishly stylized. Instead of lensing on setsbuilt inside huge soundstages, the new film will be shot on locations in NewYork, London and Iceland, assembling pieces of each city to recreate Gothamas a modern-day metropolis.

“Gotham will seem like this great city in a contemporary world and will becreated through various cities,” Nolan says. “We are trying to avoid avillagey feel for Gotham, as it starts to get claustrophobic.”

Goyer – who penned the successful Blade series for ‘New Line’ and was aformer staffer at Batman publisher ‘DC Comics’ – adds: “As the Batman filmsprogressed, they became increasingly more cartoonish and more like the campyTV show. We think the audience is tired of that, and it’s at odds with theway Batman is depicted in the comic-books over the last decade. Batman is aclassic figure whose story is wrapped in tragedy.”

Nolan jumps on that theme: “Few superheroes have the sense of purpose anddestiny that Batman has. He is driven by an incredible sense of rage,sadness and grief because of the tragedy of his parents’ murder at an earlyage. To me, Batman is the most interesting superhero because he doesn’t haveany superpowers. He is very human.”

The casting of Bale, Nolan hopes, will not only give audiences a youngerBatman to root for but also a weighty sense of his true character.

“Bruce Wayne is strong, and the things that are done to him to make himbecome Batman are all psychological and character-based,” Nolan says. “Weneeded an actor capable of taking us along on this journey and showing thedifferent psychological layers which inspire Bruce to become Batman.”

In terms of whether the movie will be too dark, Robinov says the film’s moreabout conflict than darkness: about Batman’s internal conflict and whatdrives him to suit up as a superhero.

The director’s feeling the pressure to succeed. “It’s an awesomeresponsibility,” Nolan says, “because the fan-base for Batman isextraordinary, and there’s a lot of emotional investment in the character.”‘

THE HITCH-HIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXYSam Rockwell (Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind, right) has signed to star in themovie adaptation of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.

Rockwell will play Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed president of thegalaxy. Shooting starts this April in London with Garth Jennings directing.

Mos Def will play Ford Prefect, an alien disguising himself as anout-of-work actor who sets out on an intergalactic journey with his bestfriend, mild-mannered earthling Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman).

The duo hitches a ride through space with Rockwell’s Zaphod, the beautifuland brilliant scientist Trillion (Zooey Deschanel) and a depressed robotcalled Marvin while on a quest to discover the meaning of life…

CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORYApparently, screenwriter John August (Big Fish) handed his first draft ofthe Charlie And The Chocolate Factory to Tim Burton recently. Augustadmitted to Burton that he’s never seen the 70’s movie version with GeneWilder, and was then ordered not to watch it by Burton.

Sadly, though, August’s screenplay (working entirely from Roald Dahl’s book)is somehow less dark than the Wilder version! Not what the macabre Burtonwas hoping for, obviously. So, back to the drawing board…

INDIANA JONES 4’Variety’ reports that Indiana Jones 4 is on hold yet again while a newdraft of the script is commissioned!

‘Paramount’ had hoped to go into production this year for a summer 2005release, but George Lucas was apparently unhappy with Frank Darrabont’slatest draft – which will be rewritten by a new writer, but retain theoverall storyline.

KING KONG’Variety’ columnist Army Archerd talked to director Peter Jackson at theannual Oscar nominees luncheon about his next film – King Kong.

Of star Naomi Watts, Jackson says “I’ve been a fan for years” and as forKong himself? “We want him to be quite real.” But what of the original’s1930’s setting and iconic Empire State Building finale? “[it’s] ingrained inmemory. I want to be respectful.”

Jackson has also mentioned elsewhere that the movie will have a budget of$150 million and that he would like to cameo as “the guy in the airplaneshooting at him [Kong].”

SHAUN OF THE DEADDirector Edgar Wright (TV’s Spaced, right) was at the ‘Empire’ awards and revealedsome details about his upcoming zombie romantic comedy Shaun Of The Dead.

Wright: “I saw John Hurt on the way in – I’m already excited. He’s a hero ofmine. I can say on record, [Alien] is the best film ever made.”

“We started writing [Shaun Of The Dead] before we knew about [the Dawn OfThe Dead remake]. And when we heard about it, we were really pissed off. Andthen we thought maybe it’s a good thing to come hot on the heels of it. It’snot a spoof of the original: even though it’s a comedy it’s kind ofreverential. It’s me and [star] Simon Pegg’s favourite film.”

“We keep joking about sequel ideas, but this one hasn’t even come out yet.But we’ll do something in a similar vein if people like it. They might hateit. It might go down like a ton of bricks. It’s very British. There’s been agreat reaction to the trailer in the States. People find it charming when wedo a take on something – it’s only a mistake when we try and compete withthe big boys.”

The film features a cameo by Bill Nighy as a zombie, to which Wrightcomments: “He’s been very sweet, he mentions it in every interview he everdoes. He’s on commission – no, I think he’s just excited about being azombie. He’s fantastic in it.”

OCEAN’S TWELVECatherine Zeta Jones has signed to star in the Ocean’s Eleven sequel. Wasshe persuaded by star George Clooney after they starred together inIntolerable Cruelty?

Harvey Weintraum has commented, saying: “Catherine is just terrific — oneof those stars who comes along once in a long while. It’s not easy to findan actress who can measure up to the star power of this cast, but Catherinewill not only hold her own, she’ll add a lot to the movie. I’ve wanted towork with her forever, and couldn’t be happier to welcome her.”

Jeff Robinov, President of Production at ‘Warner Brothers’ has said:“Catherine has demonstrated her ability to handle humour as gracefully asshe does drama; she will be the perfect addition to our already terrificcast on this movie. We’re extremely happy to be working with the tremendousteam involved with this picture.”

A SCANNER DARKLYSchool of Rock director Richard Linklater is attached to helm Philip K.Dick’s novel A Scanner Darkly, according to Production Weekly.

Originally published in 1977, the novel comes frighteningly close tocapturing the U.S. in 1991 in terms of the drug crisis and the relationshipsbetween the sexes.

Bob Arctor is a dealer of the lethally addictive drug Substance D. Fred isthe police agent assigned to tail and eventually bust him. To do so, Fredtakes on the identity of a drug dealer named Bob Arctor. And since SubstanceD–which Arctor takes in massive doses–gradually splits the user’s braininto two distinct, combative entities, Fred doesn’t realize he is narcing onhimself.

WONDER WOMANCharisma Carpenter (TV’s Angel, right) told ‘TV Guide’ that she’d like to star inany future movie version of Wonder Woman – a project that has been stuck indevelopment hell for years.

Carpenter: “I have a son now, so I want the half-hour sitcom lifestyle,where you can have a family and work. And then, during summer hiatus, I’dlike to do a Kill Bill or Wonder Woman or some movie like that.”

“I am actively putting it out there that I want to do Lynda Carter. It’s mymission to be Wonder Woman! My agent hasn’t seen a script, but some studioneeds to do it. She’s beautiful, she fights, and I like the concept of anempowerment role.”

“I’ve always been so passive on Angel, where they usually wouldn’t letCordelia do martial arts stunts. Charisma wants to kick ass and bust heads!”

THE SIMPSONS – THE MOVIE’DVD Fanatic’ got a chance to talk to The Simpsons producer and writer MikeReiss, who talked about the next Simpsons DVD and that The Simpsons movie isdefinitely in the works.

Mike Reiss: “They’ve wanted to do this [movie] since season two. It’s been13 years of wanting to do The Simpsons Movie. Finally ‘Fox’ said, ‘Let’sjust do it!’ We never had the greatest idea that was compelling but ‘Fox’said, ‘Maybe if we start paying you, you’ll get inspired.’ And sure enoughit worked! We’ve got a very good and interesting idea and it’s differentfrom the show.”

“You know, it’s like the South Park movie where it’s just a bigger, longer,amplified version of the show. I can’t tell you anything specific about it.My wife doesn’t even know the secret.

“[It should come out] two years from this summer. I think it’s going to beSummer 2006 or maybe Christmas 2006. It’s a reality after being just sort ofthis phantom idea. I think it is really gonna happen.”

‘Variety’ later added that creator Matt Groening and producer James L.Brooks are leading a team of writers in developing the big screen feature.At least seven past and present writers of The Simpsons are said to beinvolved. It is believed that, in addition to Reiss, Brooks and Groening, AlJean, Mike Scully, Mike Reiss, David Mirkin and George Meyer are all onboard the project.

SUPERMANIt wasn’t just a silly rumour! Yes, Beyonce Knowles really was in talks toplay Lois Lane in the Superman remake! Speaking to ‘Extra’ she confirmed herinvolvement, saying: “Everyone pray that happens for me.”

It’s also known that Superman’s potential director McG (Charlie’s Angels)would have no problem should Knowles being cast as Lois. I need to liedown…

All figures are weekend box-office gross.

• 1. Barbershop 2: Back in Business ($24.2m)
• 2. Miracle ($19.3m)
• 3. You Got Served ($7.5m)
• 4. Along Came Polly ($6.8m)
• 5. The Butterfly Effect ($6.5m)
• 6. Catch That Kid ($5.8m)
• 7. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($4.2m)
• 8. Mystic River ($3.6m)
• 9. Monster ($3.5m)
• 10. Cold Mountain ($3.2m)

UK TOP 10 (CINEMA)

• 1. School of Rock (£2.74m)
• 2. Something’s Gotta Give (£1.21m)
• 3. Big Fish (£0.87m)
• 4. Scary Movie 3 (£0.78m)
• 5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (£0.72m)
• 6. Lost In Translation (£0.57m)
• 7. The Last Samurai (£0.49m)
• 8. Cold Mountain (£0.38m)
• 9. The Girl With A Pearl Earring (£0.208m)
• 10. Peter Pan (2003) (£0.204m)

Note that these are UK release dates.