WB taps into ties at DC Comics

Co. has heroes like Wonder Woman, Flash

When it comes to superhero properties, Warner Bros. couldn't be sitting on a more enviable source: DC Comics, home to Batman, Superman and other well-known caped crusaders.
But to make its heroes fly at the megaplex, the studio knows it needs to make the right movies. The financial payoff is too big to squander with a creative misfire like "Catwoman."

"They can really be an evergreen source of enjoyment and income," says studio topper Alan Horn, referring to the coin a hit pic can collect at the B.O. and from sources like TV, homevid, vidgames and merchandise. The studio earned $1 billion from DC fare alone in 2005, when "Batman Begins" was released. "If you do it wrong, you're dead, you're out of there."

Getting out there, however, has taken time.

Warners and DC (both Time Warner entities) have labored in vain over another Superman, and launches for Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Arrow and Green Lantern. It's maddening for fans as rival Marvel Comics has successfully begun financing its own slate of pics, first with "Iron Man," then a reboot of "The Incredible Hulk" this summer.

That could soon change, as Warners is readying to revamp how DC's properties are developed -- changes that could be announced within the next month.

DC doesn't have a separate film division the way rival Marvel does, which is moving forward with an "Iron Man" sequel and adaptations of Thor, Captain America and the superhero team-up "The Avengers" for 2010 and 2011.

That means Warners doesn't have a sole cheerleader for its comicbook projects, or someone to work closely with filmmakers to develop them.

Until now, those duties have been shared by production prexy Jeff Robinov and Gregory Noveck, senior VP of creative affairs for DC Comics, who has served as a liaison between the comicbook publisher and the studio.

Some say Robinov's attention may be pulled in too many directions, given his other responsibilities, which include the rest of the studio's slate and marketing. Noveck formerly was Joel Silver's TV topper.

"We're having a lot of internal discussions on it," Horn says. "We haven't committed to any change at DC at this point," adding that both Warners and DC are committed to turning "the properties into viable movie product in an intelligent way so that we introduce them like planes on a runway. They have to be set up the right way and lined up the right way and all take off one at a time and fly safe and fly straight."

One high-profile property is "Justice League," which Warner Bros. had hoped would start production before the writers strike.

But given that it unites Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Arrow, Aquaman and Martian Manhunter, the studio is trying to figure out how such the pic (cast with younger actors) would affect its existing Batman and Superman franchises -- and whether the script respects how the characters play off each other in the DC universe.

To put it simply: the studio doesn't want to piss off the Comic-Con contingent.

"We're not off the notion of a Justice League," Robinov says. "There's a massive interest and knowledge in the comicbook industry and it takes time to sort of catch up and understand the characters and the history, where they've intersected with each other and what their worlds are. That's part of the education that we're going through."

When it comes to Batman, the future of the franchise is in Christopher Nolan's hands. That's what a successful reboot with "Batman Begins" and breaking records with "The Dark Knight" will do.

There's a deal for the director to helm a third pic, but he has yet to decide on whether to tackle it yet.

"We have no idea where Chris is going with this," Horn says. "We haven't had any conversations with him about it."

Either way, there's no question Warner Bros. will produce more superhero pics. The question is when.

"These are big, iconic characters," Noveck says. "So when you make them into a movie, you'd better be shooting for a pretty high standard. You're not always going to reach it, but you have to be shooting for it. We're going to make a Justice League movie, whether it's now or 10 years from now. But we're not going to do it and Warners is not going to do it until we know it's right."

Robert Downey Jr. on Iron Man Sequels

Iron Man and Tropic Thunder star Robert Downey Jr. visited "Live with Regis and Kelly" this morning to promote the latter, but he was asked by Regis Philbin about Iron Man 2.

Downey Jr. would only confirm that it is happening and said he thought they would end up making a trilogy of it. He did, however, hint that he was willing to make more films beyond a trilogy!

Downey Jr. will soon start filming the Guy Ritchie-directed Sherlock Holmes and will then shoot Iron Man 2 for an April 30, 2010 release.

EXCL: Candyman Remake Buzz at Sony

Hear that? No, that's not the sound of bees. It's the buzz, buzz, buzzing of another remake. And this time it's Bernard Rose's Clive Barker adaptation Candyman.

Shock learned today Sony and the rights holder to the film franchise - which has spanned three installments - are mulling over plans to resurrect the hook-handed, pimp coat wearin' urban legend made famous by Tony Todd. It's all "early talks" (I was told one idea was to make the titular killer a Caucasian fella) with no writer or director attached at this time.

Candyman's screen life - based on Barker's short story The Forbidden - began in '92 at Sony. He bounced from MGM then to Artisan for the sequels Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh and Candyman: Day of the Dead, respectively. The third chapter was released in '99.

The original film starred Virginia Madsen, Xander Berkeley and Kasi Lemmons.

Some can balk that it's too soon (or downright unnecessary) for a remake, but for Sony, it makes sense given the spate of remakes over the last five years dredging up revamped cinematic massacres featuring everyone from Leatherface, Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees to even Harry Warden. Candyman represents one established horror icon they have in their vaults they could potentially bank on (Richard Fenton from Prom Night is going to cut it).

You almost knew it was coming. A Candyman remake was inevitable. The gears are in motion and we'll keep you updated as we hear more.

A Date to Stroll Through Dark Country

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will give The Dark Country its DVD debut on March 24, 2009.

Starring Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, Lauren German - with Jane making his directing debut - Country picks up with a couple who, on their way to Las Vegas, discover a stranger by the side of the road who is barely alive. The man comes to and begins freaking out. The driver has to put the man down, which is only the beginning of the couple's problems.

Tab Murphy penned the screenplay. The film is part of a series of productions that went before the camera for Sony's Stage 6. Other films include The Lodger and Vacancy 2.

DMX Arrested In Florida After Court No-Show

DMX was arrested at a store in Florida yesterday (Aug. 14) for failing to appear in an Arizona court on drug charges, authorities said.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was taken into custody outside a Wal-Mart store in north Miami Beach on a warrant issued by a Maricopa County Superior Court commissioner.

The 37-year-old, who has a home outside Phoenix, failed to appear on Tuesday for a pretrial conference on charges relating to marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession, one of several legal battles he faces in Arizona.

He was arrested in May on drug and animal cruelty charges after sheriff's deputies raided his Cave Creek, Arizona, home. Authorities alleged that there were dog carcasses and malnourished pit bulls at the residence.

The rapper also faces two felony charges for taking the identity of another person and giving false information during a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., in an alleged attempt to avoid paying the bill.

"This guy is treating our legal system like a revolving door and it's time we closed the cell door on him," Arpaio told Reuters.

Master P Takes On BET With New Cable Network

Hip-hop entrepreneur Percy Miller, a.k.a. Master P, is launching a family-friendly cable network, Better Black Television.

The network will provide "positive content for a black and brown culture," according to a company statement.

BBTV, set to launch in 2009, will be a general entertainment channel running a wide range of scripted, unscripted and news programming, including drama and comedy series, movies, animation, reality, politics, sports and entertainment news, children's educational and teen programming, as well as "responsible hip-hop music and videos."

BBTV advisory board members include Oscar winner Denzel Washington; Vault Load Films president Jim Finkl; NAACP executive director Vicangelo Bullock; NBA player Derek Anderson; cable industry veteran Prof. Sal Martino; hip-hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc; entrepreneur Olatokunbo Betiku; and real estate mogul Curtis Oakes.

BBTV chairman and CEO Miller said he's had the vision for BBTV for several years. "I believe that there is a market in our community for a new diverse network that provides a new brand of superior programming that caters to all aspects of television, from reality to original programming," he said.

The new channel is taking on the black-oriented cable channel BET. Miller stressed that he has "a great relationship with BET and MTV" and that he and his son, Lil' Romeo, "will continue to do work with them and support their networks."

Production on BBTV's programs has begun in California, New York, Louisiana and Florida. The cable channel is in the process of purchasing local cable channel affiliates across the country.

BBTV's programming in the works:

* "Sunset and Vine": Video show hosted by Vyshonn Miller and Brittany Phillips that will showcase the top hip-hop and R&B acts as well as play classic videos.

* "One Shot Comedy Show": Comedy show hosted by Gary Johnson (a.k.a. G-Thing) featuring established and upcoming comedians.

* "Gee Gee the Giraffe": Children's educational show (will air Saturday morning on BBTV Kids).

* "Manage Your Money": Featuring financially successful people lending tips to promote financial literacy.

* "Close to the Starz": A behind-the-scenes show that takes the viewers up close and personal to their favorite celebrities.

* "Karma TV Show": Bilingual soap opera with an African-American and Latino cast.

* "What's Cooking TV Show": Talk show that covers wide aspects of entertainment and current events while cooking healthy, budget-conscious meals.

* "The Black List Movies": Film showcase featuring classic and contemporary movies, as well as original BBTV productions.

* "Hip-Hop Garage Show": Saturday show that will play new and upcoming music.

Steve Carell and Tina Fey Go on Date Night

Steve Carell and Tina Fey are set to play a married couple in Date Night, a 20th Century Fox comedy to be directed by Shawn Levy, reports Variety.

Josh Klausner wrote the script, based on an idea by Levy, whose 21 Laps will produce. The story follows a couple who find their routine date night becomes much more than just dinner and a movie.

The film will begin production next year, with the exact start date predicated on matching a scheduling hiatus from Carell's sitcom "The Office" and Fey's "30 Rock."

Levy, who is shooting Fox's Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, intends the film to be his next directing assignment.

Three Board Mel Gibson's Edge of Darkness

Danny Huston, Shawn Roberts and Bojana Novakovic have joined the Mel Gibson thriller Edge of Darkness, says The Hollywood Reporter. Martin Campbell is directing the movie, which is being produced by Graham King and Michael Wearing.

The film centers on a veteran cop (Gibson) whose only grown-up child (Novakovic) is murdered on the steps of his home. The cop unearths his daughter's secret life and discovers a world of corporate cover-ups and government collusion. Huston takes on the role of a shady businessman while Roberts will play the role of the daughter's distraught boyfriend.

Robert De Niro is also in the film, cast as a CIA cleaner.

Filming is due to start later this month on location in Massachusetts. William Monahan and Andrew Bovell wrote the screenplay.

Matthew Vaughn is Ready to Kick-Ass

Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Stardust) is moving ahead to direct Kick-Ass, an adaptation of the comic by Mark Millar, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Christopher Mintz-Plasse is in negotiations, while Chloe Moretz has been cast in the film, whose violent nature has forced Hollywood studios to pass on making it. Vaughn, however, is such a believer in the project that he raised the money for the $30 million indie project himself.

Kick-Ass, written by Millar and drawn by John Romita Jr., follows a high school dweeb who attempts to reinvent himself as a real-world costumed superhero named Kick-Ass who seems doomed to failure because he's not athletic or coordinated until he runs into real bad guys with real weapons.

Moretz's character is a ferocious, potty-mouthed 11-year-old who chops down crime thugs with a ninja sword. Mintz-Plasse will play the Red Mist, the angry teen son of a mobster who tries to find uncover Kick-Ass' identity.

The main character, Dave Lizewski, has not yet been cast. Vaughn also is talking to several high-profile stars to play parents or mobsters.

Vaughn wrote the adaptation with Jane Goldman and is producing with his Marv Films partner Kris Thykier. A fall start date is eyed.

Katzenberg Planning 3rd Madagascar, 2nd Kung Fu Panda

DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg expects at least one additional "Madagascar" sequel after Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and said that the studio, as was previously rumored, has also begun talks aimed at creating a sequel to its summer hit Kung Fu Panda.

Katzenberg said "Escape 2 Africa" is the "second chapter in one story," adding that "there is at least one more chapter. We ultimately want to see the characters make it back to New York."

An announcement about a Kung Fu Panda sequel could come within two months.

"We've started conversations about it, and I think in the next 30 or 60 days, we'll be able to talk completely about that," Katzenberg said.

Kung Fu Panda has earned $560 million worldwide. In 2005, Madagascar took in $530 million globally.

Philip Seymour Hoffman to Direct Jack Goes Boating?

Little Miss Sunshine producers Big Beach Films and Philip Seymour Hoffman's Cooper's Town Productions are teaming up to develop Jack Goes Boating, a quirky romantic drama about two stoners in love, with Hoffman eyeing the project as a potential directing vehicle.

Based on the off-Broadway play written by Bob Glaudini and produced by Hoffman's LAByrinth Theater Company, "Boating" centers on the titular character, a stoner limo driver who embarks on such quixotic missions as cooking and swimming lessons, and his unlikely relationship with another lovable loser.

Hoffman, who starred in the theatrical production, has never directed a film before, though he has directed a number of plays, most recently signing on for a West End production of the aging-rocker tale "Riflemind."

Pineapple Express/Superbad crossover in the works?

A crossover between two of Judd Apatow's most recent comedies might seem like it's jumping the gun a little bit, or that it's the product of a hash session between the stars of Pineapple Express. Of course, that doesn't change the fact that it sounds like a totally awesome idea.

With Pineapple Express out the door, star James Franco is perhaps letting the sweet smoke of success loosen his lips a little bit on what would no doubt be the greatest crossover since The Jetsons meet the Flintstones or at least that time The Critic's Jay Sherman appeared on an episode of The Simpsons. Franco recently revealed in an interview with MTV that a crossover flick between the two movies isn't just a pipe dream; it's actually something that's being kicked around right now:

“Even before Superbad came out, I think the studio was trying to get them to write a sequel, but they really didn’t want to write a sequel. I guess the kids would go to college or something like that. And so, an answer to that was to do a Superbad/Pineapple Express crossover, an unprecedented crossover movie with two directors, Greg Motolla and David Gordon Green, each directing half of the movie and somehow these characters get together, which doesn’t make sense at all, but could work."

Sure, nothing is set in stone yet, but tell us the idea of Michael Cera and James Franco sharing a bro moment (broment?) over stolen beer doesn't make you smile a little bit.

Robot Chicken Invades Heroes

Green and Meyer may join Season 3.

Some familiar faces will likely be popping up on Heroes this fall, as Seth Green and Breckin Meyer are in talks to join the cast. EW.com's Michael Ausiello reports that the two real life friends may be appearing in "multi-episode arcs" of Season 3 of the show.

The two would play comic book fans who end up advising at least one of the main characters. Ausiello had originally noted the duo would be named Doogie and Seth, referencing Doogie Howser and The O.C.'s Seth Cohen (a huge comic book fan himself), but now says the names of the characters are still being decided upon.

Green and Meyer have worked together several times before, including Josie and the Pussycats, Rat Race and Can't Hardly Wait. Meyer is also a frequent voice actor and occasional writer on Green's Robot Chicken, including the Star Wars special (where he voiced Boba Fett) and its upcoming sequel.

Maid in Manhattan Coming to the Small Screen

ABC is bringing the Jennifer Lopez starrer Maid in Manhattan to the small screen, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The network is in negotiations for a series adaptation of the 2002 romantic comedy to be written by Chad Hodge and executive produced by Lopez, Joe Roth and the film's producer, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas.

The hourlong dramedy is not a remake of the hit feature, which centered on Marisa Ventura (Lopez), a struggling single mother from the Bronx who works as a maid at a swanky Manhattan hotel, where a rising politician guest (Ralph Fiennes) falls for her after mistaking her for a wealthy socialite.

"The show is a different maid in a different Manhattan," Hodge said.

The lead in the TV version will still be a young Latina from the Bronx working at a Manhattan hotel who tries to make it in the world. But the series will focus mostly on her relationships with co-workers.

George Clooney Takes The Challenge

George Clooney has bought the rights to Jonathan Mahler's legal thriller "The Challenge," about the long campaign waged by U.S. Navy lawyer Charles Swift and Georgetown law professor Neal Katyal to ensure a fair trial for Salim Hamdan, the bodyguard and driver of Osama bin Laden.

Variety says the project will be developed through Clooney and Grant Heslov's Smoke House production company.

As with any Smoke House project, The Challenge remains a potential directing, writing and starring vehicle for Clooney.

Hamdan was sentenced Aug. 7 by a panel of military officers at Guantanamo Bay to a prison term of 66 months, including time already served. The Yemeni-born convict was found guilty of material support for terrorism but cleared of the more serious charges of conspiracy to commit murder, seen by some analysts as a victory for retired naval officer Swift's efforts.

While it's unclear where the movie would end, Mahler's book ends with the landmark 2006 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the military tribunals ordered for Hamdan and other Guantanamo Bay detainees violated the Geneva Convention and the Uniform Code for Military Justice.

EXCL: Ratner Producing Mother's Day Remake

Ready for this one? Brett Ratner is spearheading an effort to remake Charles Kaufman's wonky 1980 horror film Mother's Day. And Darren Lynn Bousman (Repo! The Genetic Opera) is circling to direct it, however, his involvement is not locked.

Word reached ShockTillYouDrop.com over the weekend. Confirmation came down today from one of the players involved in the project. The redux - about two maniacs living with their mother and the three women who tread onto this deviant family's property - is currently in the scripting stage with P2's Franck Khalfoun. Apparently, Ratner is a huge fan of the original film, a Troma production.

In a recent interview elsewhere, Bousman teased he was at work on a remake that was popular but "one that I believe people will embrace." And it wasn't Scanners (one that has slipped from his grasp).

It's unknown where Ratner has Mother's Day set up, but we'll keep you updated as more news comes in. In the meantime, post your thoughts below. Is Bousman right? Is this a redo horror fans will embrace or is Kaufman's original cult classic too sacred to touch?

The Dark Knight Tops 4th Straight Weekend!

The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend. Be sure to check back on Monday for the final figures based on actual box office.

Despite two more wide releases having entered theaters on Wednesday, The Dark Knight topped the box office for a fourth straight weekend, adding an estimated $26 million for a massive domestic total of $441.5 million. If the estimate holds, then the Christopher Nolan-directed film has surpassed Shrek 2 ($441.226 million) to climb to the third spot on the all-time domestic blockbuster list, trailing just Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope ($460.998 million) and Titanic ($600.788 million). Warner Bros. Pictures said it expects "Dark Knight" to end up with about $520 million domestically. The movie cost $185 million to make.

Internationally, The Dark Knight added $35.1 million at 7,000 theaters and has pushed its overseas total to $263 million for a worldwide total of $704.5 million.

Columbia Pictures' R-rated comedy Pineapple Express, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, earned an estimated $22.4 million in second place over the weekend and has made $40.5 million in 3,072 theaters since its Wednesday debut. Directed by David Gordon Green and produced by Judd Apatow, the film carried a budget of only $27 million.

Universal Pictures' The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor dropped a big 60.2% in ticket sales its second weekend, collecting $16.1 million in third for a total of $70.7 million so far. The Rob Cohen-directed action-adventure was produced for $145 million.
"The Mummy" was again No. 1 internationally, where it earned $56.1 million from 6,453 theaters. Overseas it has collected $141.1 million for a worldwide total of $211.8 million so far.

Warner Bros. sequel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, starring Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively and Amber Tamblyn, took fourth place with $10.8 million this weekend and has earned $19.7 million from 2,707 theaters since opening on Wednesday.

Columbia's Step Brothers rounded out the top five with $8.9 million in its third weekend. The $65 million comedy has reached $80.9 million.

Universal's musical Mamma Mia! continued to do well in the sixth spot, adding another $8 million in its fourth weekend for a total of $104 million compared to its budget of $52 million.

While "The Mummy" suffered a big drop, Brendan Fraser's other summer action-adventure, Journey to the Center of the Earth, dipped just 27.1% in its fifth weekend, making another $4.9 million for a total of $81.8 million. The New Line/Warner Bros. release cost $60 million to make.

Hawaii Five-O 2.0 Goes to CBS

CBS is developing a new installment of the "Hawaii Five-O" franchise from "Criminal Minds" executive producer/showrunner Ed Bernero, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Bernero is writing the project. The Leonard Freeman cop series aired on CBS from 1968-80.

Like the original series, it is a procedural chronicling the workings of the fictional Hawaiian state police department. In the original, the unit was headed by Steve McGarrett, played by Jack Lord. In the new series, McGarrett's son Chris will be the top cop.

While the characters, storytelling and pacing will be updated, "we will try to keep as much of the original show as possible," Bernero said. "I'm not trying to reinvent it."

The famous opening music will be back but may also get a face-lift.

J.J. Abrams Will Make the Earth Tremble!

Producer J.J. Abrams and screenwriter David Seltzer (The Omen) are working together to make a disaster film for Universal involving an earthquake, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The trade says the project is untitled and not intended to be a remake of Universal's 1974 movie Earthquake.

Details of the story are being kept under wraps, though as is Abrams' modus operandi, relationships will be at the core of the project.

Abrams is producing with Bryan Burk and Sherryl Clark via the trio's Bad Robot production company.

Abrams is finishing up directing Star Trek for its May 8, 2009 release. At the moment, he only plans to produce the earthquake film.