July 2008

Sony Still Developing Venom Movie

Published on: 31st July, 2008

Today the Hollywood Reporter is reporting old news of a Venom spin-off movie in the works at Sony. The plan is to make the Spider-Man villain the center of his own story separate from that franchise while still moving forward with a fourth Spidey in 2011.

In February almost identical news came from IESB, who said Marvel was meeting with several writers to pen a draft.

The HR story is saying a draft was completed by Jacob Estes, but they basically didn’t like it and are moving in another direction. So they’re back to meeting with writers.

They also said agents are circling the lead role because “Sony is not yet convinced [Topher Grace] can carry a tentpole picture.” Grace played Venom in the financially successful, but mostly disappointing Spider-Man 3.

Not much has changed and neither has my stance on this. They need to find a way to replace Grace. Have the symbiote attach to someone else, I don’t care. It will help them separate this spin-off from the third movie letdown.

Basing an entire movie on a villain will be a tough sell though. Venom is only cool because he fights Spider-Man. Taking him out of that storyline to fight regular people is pretty boring. Unless they introduce Carnage…

Sequel Rumors: Ghostbusters 3, Austin Powers 4, Evil Dead 4

Published on: 30th July, 2008

The end of the summer season always brings a lot of strange rumors. Everyone is in sequel mode getting through the constant barrage of follow-up installments in the past three months, which might explain where we’re getting some of those crazy ideas. Last year anonymous sources brought us a load of Pirates 4 bs and a Silver Surfer spin-off, but of course nothing happened.

Let’s start with the best rumor, a possible Ghostbusters 3. Dreadcentral says they got some information from a “very reliable source” (aren’t they all?) about a new Ghostbusters twenty years later. The source says all four original stars will return (Dan Akroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson). It goes on to say they’ll pass their proton packs to the cast of 40 Year Old Virgin (Seth Rogen, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and Romany Malco).

Why it might be true: Besides Murray, what else are the other three guys doing? Ramis has worked with Apatow before, most notably playing Rogen’s dad in Knocked Up. He’s also writing/directing Year One for Apatow. Akroyd has talked about a GBIII a few times in interviews, but said it might actually be CGI though. Renewed interest in the franchise from the upcoming video game may fuel negotiations.

Why it probably isn’t true: Murray has said many times he doesn’t want to make another Ghostbusters. Apatow and friends are busy enough writing, producing, and starring in their own projects for a team-up anytime soon. Plus seriously, all eight of them together?

Is definitely false.

Next up is Austin Powers 4, a revival of an old rumor that was debunked by just about anyone that would know. But here we are again talking about another spy spoof comedy. Last time we heard a script was completed. Now the big news is Mike Myers is writing an AP4 script.

Nikki Finke says she was told by an insider that New Line is waiting impatiently for Myers to complete a new Austin Powers adventure. He’s allegedly getting help from Mike McCullers, who helped write the last two. The possible movie will center on the father/son relationship between Dr. Evil and his son, Scott (Seth Green).

Why it might be true: Mike Myers needs a hit. His Love Guru movie was an epic bomb and he hasn’t done anything but voice Shrek. In fact, his only major film success has come from that, Austin Powers, and Wayne’s World. Myers told reporters in June the sequel was in the “idea stage” and may take years to write.

Why it probably isn’t true: Seth Green gets asked about this movie every time a microphone is in his face, and he keeps denying it.

Probably going to happen eventually.

Last, but not least is the rumor about an Evil Dead 4 movie written by Sam Raimi and his brother Ivan. At Comic-Con, someone asked him about it and he said, “I’d love to make another Evil Dead picture. And actually that’s in the wheelhouse. I’d like to work on it with my brother Ivan [Raimi] when he comes up next week.”

Why it might be true: Well, Raimi said it himself.

Why it probably isn’t true: Cult fanaticism aside, are people really that interested in another one? CHUD talked with him on the press line right after that comment and it’s in the very early idea stages at the most.

I’d rather him go back and make another Darkman.

Probably not for many many years, Raimi is a busy busy man.

Oh, I heard some ridiculous comment about Angelina Jolie being Catwoman. That’s false too.

Terminator Salvation Teaser Poster

Published on: 30th July, 2008

Warner Bros has released a teaser poster for Terminator Salvation, due in theaters May 22, 2009.

Pictured here is the T-600, an earlier cyborg model than Arnold’s T-800 for Terminator and T2.

Alicia Keys and Jack White Duet Up a Bond Theme

Published on: 30th July, 2008

11-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys and White Stripes frontman Jack White will perform the theme for the new bond movie, Quantum of Solace.

‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ Trailer

Published on: 29th July, 2008

The first full theatrical trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth of the series. Returning for this movie are all the original cast, plus director David Yates, who did the fifth movie and is signed for both parts of the seventh novel adaptation.

J-Lo Makes Another Romantic Comedy

Published on: 29th July, 2008

Jennifer Lopez will return to… well, appearing in movies with the romantic comedy The Governess. “Jenny from the Block” hasn’t appeared in a movie since indie bomb El Cantante in 2006 with her husband Marc Anthony.

‘I Am Legend’ Prequel?

Published on: 29th July, 2008

Warner Bros seems to have solved the problem of a follow-up to I Am Legend without Will Smith by making a prequel and bringing him back.

George Lucas Doesn’t Care About You

Published on: 29th July, 2008

Star Wars creator George Lucas recently sat down with the UK paper Times Online, a rare interview for the businessman and sometimes filmmaker. In it Lucas talks about creating his own empire and raising his family before taking time to dismiss the fans who supported the two.

Teaser Trailer ‘Up’ at Pixar

Published on: 28th July, 2008

Disney has added a new teaser site for Pixar’s next masterpiece, Up. On it so far is just the teaser trailer, included here for your convenience.

Wolverine Footage Leaked Online

Published on: 28th July, 2008

Fox surprised fans at Comic-Con this weekend with video footage from X-Men Origins: Wolverine and secret guest Hugh Jackman. The bootlegs have since made their way onto the wonderful World Wide Web for your viewing enjoyment.

Next Page »