Bloody-Disgusting reports that Universal Pictures is going to reboot Anne Rice's "The Vampire Chronicles" and is in talks with Robert Downey Jr. to play the vampire Lestat Du Lioncort!
Lestat was previously played by Tom Cruise in the 1994 adaptation of Rice's Interview with the Vampire, which co-starred Brad Pitt, Christian Slater and Kirsten Dunst. Stuart Townsend later played Lestat in the 2002 film Queen of the Damned, which co-starred Aaliyah and took elements from the author's "The Vampire Lestat" and "The Queen of the Damned."
The series of novels also includes "The Tale of the Body Thief," "Memnoch the Devil," "The Vampire Armand," "Pandora," "Merrick," "Blood and Gold," "Blackwood Farm" and "Blood Canticle."
Downey Jr. recently wrapped Iron Man 2 and has Sherlock Holmes arriving on Christmas Day.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Bryan Singer To Reboot Battlestar Galactica?
Entertainment Weekly has confirmed this report with Universal Pictures — Bryan Singer is signed on to direct a feature film version of Battlestar Galactica, which isn’t expected to be a continuation of the most recent Ron Moore Sci-Fi channel television show, but instead a complete re-imagining of the original 1970’s series. Original report follows below.
According to HitFix, Universal appear to be on the verge of engaging Bryan Singer to produce and also maybe direct a new Battlestar Galactica feature film. Quite a surprise, huh?
You may recall that before the Ron Moore TV series of recent years, Singer was working on a pilot for a reboot of the show himself (some Cylon concept art from their efforts is at the head of this post). That one was halted by in the aftermath of September 11th, 2001 after the Sci-Fi network became sensitive to similarities between the planned plot and real-life tragedy. Would Singer be looking to return to a similar storyline here? I think we can be pretty certain his film won’t be in any way tied into the recent series.
McWeeny is rather skeptical that Singer would sign up to direct a film based upon a premise still so fresh in the public consciousness, but I’m not so doubtful, personally. Would Universal really be the driving force here? I’d expect a conservative cautious studio to take some convincing that there was money here. Or maybe they just want some of that Star Trek dollar?
If Singer cares about this film as much as his history with the Galactica concept would suggest, I’d not at all be surprised to see him take on as much control as possible. So while there’s every chance he won’t direct, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it at all. After all, Superman Returns did fly in while Smallville was actually on the air.
This is almost certainly the same project that Peter blogged about in February, possibly a little mutated. At that time it seemed that the new movie would be tied in to the 1978 series and that original producer Glen Larson would be producing and working on the script. I’m guessing Singer was in orbit at that time, just that nobody caught on.
It seems, from where I’m standing, that there’s a core fanbase behind the recent Battlestar Galactica but across the public at large, just a vague awareness. This shouldn’t prevent a new version, of course, but I’d also expect it to create some minor confusion. If nothing else, it could ‘mistakenly’ shift a few copies of the recent DVDs to those who fall for the Singer movie.
One of the useful links in the HitFix article was to an interview from the unofficial Battlestar companion with Tom De Santo, Singer’s co-producer on the aborted 2001 series. He explains just how they would have tied in with the original series and, interestingly enough, it would have been a straight sequel with, for example, Dirk Benedict coming back to reprise the role of Starbuck. Now… they won’t try that again, will they? No… of course not… right?
According to HitFix, Universal appear to be on the verge of engaging Bryan Singer to produce and also maybe direct a new Battlestar Galactica feature film. Quite a surprise, huh?
You may recall that before the Ron Moore TV series of recent years, Singer was working on a pilot for a reboot of the show himself (some Cylon concept art from their efforts is at the head of this post). That one was halted by in the aftermath of September 11th, 2001 after the Sci-Fi network became sensitive to similarities between the planned plot and real-life tragedy. Would Singer be looking to return to a similar storyline here? I think we can be pretty certain his film won’t be in any way tied into the recent series.
McWeeny is rather skeptical that Singer would sign up to direct a film based upon a premise still so fresh in the public consciousness, but I’m not so doubtful, personally. Would Universal really be the driving force here? I’d expect a conservative cautious studio to take some convincing that there was money here. Or maybe they just want some of that Star Trek dollar?
If Singer cares about this film as much as his history with the Galactica concept would suggest, I’d not at all be surprised to see him take on as much control as possible. So while there’s every chance he won’t direct, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it at all. After all, Superman Returns did fly in while Smallville was actually on the air.
This is almost certainly the same project that Peter blogged about in February, possibly a little mutated. At that time it seemed that the new movie would be tied in to the 1978 series and that original producer Glen Larson would be producing and working on the script. I’m guessing Singer was in orbit at that time, just that nobody caught on.
It seems, from where I’m standing, that there’s a core fanbase behind the recent Battlestar Galactica but across the public at large, just a vague awareness. This shouldn’t prevent a new version, of course, but I’d also expect it to create some minor confusion. If nothing else, it could ‘mistakenly’ shift a few copies of the recent DVDs to those who fall for the Singer movie.
One of the useful links in the HitFix article was to an interview from the unofficial Battlestar companion with Tom De Santo, Singer’s co-producer on the aborted 2001 series. He explains just how they would have tied in with the original series and, interestingly enough, it would have been a straight sequel with, for example, Dirk Benedict coming back to reprise the role of Starbuck. Now… they won’t try that again, will they? No… of course not… right?
St. Elmo's Fire is Coming to ABC
ABC is developing "St. Elmo's Fire," a contemporary take on the 1985 movie that launched the filmmaking career of Joel Schumacher, says The Hollywood Reporter.
The network landed the dramedy series project, executive produced by Schumacher, Topher Grace, Dan Bucatinsky and Jamie Tarses and to be written by Bucatinsky.
The film starred Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Mare Winningham as friends who had just graduated from Georgetown University and chronicled their adjustment to adulthood.
The series version will use the movie as a takeoff point and as an inspiration as it introduces six new friends: three boys and three girls.
What will remain is the setting -- Georgetown and St. Elmo's Bar & Restaurant, now called St. Elmo's Bar & Grill, where the friends hang out.
The network landed the dramedy series project, executive produced by Schumacher, Topher Grace, Dan Bucatinsky and Jamie Tarses and to be written by Bucatinsky.
The film starred Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Mare Winningham as friends who had just graduated from Georgetown University and chronicled their adjustment to adulthood.
The series version will use the movie as a takeoff point and as an inspiration as it introduces six new friends: three boys and three girls.
What will remain is the setting -- Georgetown and St. Elmo's Bar & Restaurant, now called St. Elmo's Bar & Grill, where the friends hang out.
Happy Madison Making Rick Dempsey Comedy
Columbia Pictures and Happy Madison have acquired a script by Johnathon Schaech, Josh Wolf and Richard Chizmar that comedically explores an incident in the life of ex-Baltimore Orioles player Rick Dempsey, whose Little League coach turned out to be a bank robber.
Variety says the script was written with input from Dempsey, the scrappy ballplayer who was named MVP of the 1983 World Series.
"Our pitch was, it's 'Catch Me if You Can' meets 'Bad News Bears' with a touch of 'Bad Santa,'" Schaech said.
Dempsey's coach, John Jennings, steered the team to a Little League World Championship in 1963, did time for his crimes and died of cancer after his release from prison.
Variety says the script was written with input from Dempsey, the scrappy ballplayer who was named MVP of the 1983 World Series.
"Our pitch was, it's 'Catch Me if You Can' meets 'Bad News Bears' with a touch of 'Bad Santa,'" Schaech said.
Dempsey's coach, John Jennings, steered the team to a Little League World Championship in 1963, did time for his crimes and died of cancer after his release from prison.
Alex Holmes Steering DeLorean Biopic
Alex Holmes has been hired to direct a biopic of car designer John DeLorean that Time Inc. Studios and XYZ Films will produce.
Holmes, who most recently wrote and directed the HBO and BBC miniseries "House of Saddam," developed the DeLorean script with co-writer Rob Warr. They had previously collaborated on the BBC TV series "Dunkirk."
The DeLorean film will tell the story of how the auto industry maverick's glamorous life came crashing down when he was caught in an FBI drug trafficking sting, only to be acquitted on grounds of entrapment.
Holmes envisions the pic as a crime thriller with a tragic hero at its heart.
Holmes, who most recently wrote and directed the HBO and BBC miniseries "House of Saddam," developed the DeLorean script with co-writer Rob Warr. They had previously collaborated on the BBC TV series "Dunkirk."
The DeLorean film will tell the story of how the auto industry maverick's glamorous life came crashing down when he was caught in an FBI drug trafficking sting, only to be acquitted on grounds of entrapment.
Holmes envisions the pic as a crime thriller with a tragic hero at its heart.
Tin Cup Director Goes to Q School
Tin Cup director Ron Shelton has signed for Q School, a golf comedy he will direct based on a script he co-wrote with "Cup" collaborator John Norville.
Dennis Quaid and Tim Allen are eyeing starring roles in the project, which David Friendly is producing via his Friendly Films Productions. The indie aims to start shooting in the spring.
"School" is described as a comedy in which a group of hopefuls battle it out in a competition to make the PGA Tour, with both their game and their personal lives sometimes ending up in the drink along the way.
Shelton's credits include Bull Durham and White Men Can't Jump.
Dennis Quaid and Tim Allen are eyeing starring roles in the project, which David Friendly is producing via his Friendly Films Productions. The indie aims to start shooting in the spring.
"School" is described as a comedy in which a group of hopefuls battle it out in a competition to make the PGA Tour, with both their game and their personal lives sometimes ending up in the drink along the way.
Shelton's credits include Bull Durham and White Men Can't Jump.
Predators to Start Filming Sept. 28
Production Weekly says that director Nimrod Antal is scheduled to beging filming Predators on September 28 at Robert Rodriguez's Troublemaker Studios in Austin, Texas.
Produced by Rodriguez, the new film is said to involve a very intense group of people stranded on a Predator planet discovering unspeakable horrors - that are not always from outside their group.
20th Century Fox is releasing the sci-fi action-adventure, written by Alex Litvak and Michael Finch, on July 7, 2010.
Produced by Rodriguez, the new film is said to involve a very intense group of people stranded on a Predator planet discovering unspeakable horrors - that are not always from outside their group.
20th Century Fox is releasing the sci-fi action-adventure, written by Alex Litvak and Michael Finch, on July 7, 2010.
Fall Out Boy Are Taking A Break ... Unless Sealand Calls
'I wanna play the first fest in Sealand,' Pete Wentz says of the micro-nation off the coast of England.
By now, you're probably aware that after they wrap up their tour with Blink-182, Fall Out Boy are taking a well-deserved break. They've got no obligations to fulfill, no videos to shoot, no arenas to pack. Basically, 2010 is gonna be a very mellow year in FOB land.
Unless, of course, they get a call from the Principality of Sealand, that is. Then all bets are off.
"Yo, I want to go to Sealand. ... That is the craziest kind of story ever! I wanna play the first fest in Sealand," FOB bassist Pete Wentz laughed. "The only thing I'm worried about is that the dude may shoot us, and I know we'll be paid in native currency. We'll be like, 'We want 1 million Sealand bucks,' and he'll be like, 'I'll double it. I'll give you 2 million,' because the dude is just printing them."
For the uninitiated (which, we're assuming, is probably 99.8 percent of you), Sealand is a sovereign principality founded on an abandoned British sea fort in 1967 by radio broadcaster and British Army Major Paddy Roy Bates. For more than 40 years, Bates (who calls himself "Prince Roy of Sealand") has operated the fort as an independent micro-nation, printing currency and passports, surviving forcible takeovers and firing upon any vessel that dares enter his sovereign territory. And since Sealand is located in international waters — 6 miles off the southeast coast of England, outside the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom — the rest of the world has basically allowed Bates to do whatever he wants.
So, obviously, as soon as Wentz heard about Sealand, he decided that Fall Out Boy had to play there, no matter the cost (remember, this is the same guy who dragged his band and an entire camera crew to the southernmost point of Chile in a failed attempt to play a show in Antarctica, just because he wanted to get in the "Guinness Book of World Records"). The only problem is, after FOB's October 4 show with Blink at Madison Square Garden, they're basically done for the foreseeable future.
Of course, if Bates were to contact him, that would change in a heartbeat. Wentz promised that he would convince his FOB mates to shelve the hiatus and play their comeback show in the Principality of Sealand. And, yes, he is 100 percent serious about this.
"Of course, we would totally do it," he said. "As long as passports, safe entry and a lot of Sealand bucks are guaranteed."
By now, you're probably aware that after they wrap up their tour with Blink-182, Fall Out Boy are taking a well-deserved break. They've got no obligations to fulfill, no videos to shoot, no arenas to pack. Basically, 2010 is gonna be a very mellow year in FOB land.
Unless, of course, they get a call from the Principality of Sealand, that is. Then all bets are off.
"Yo, I want to go to Sealand. ... That is the craziest kind of story ever! I wanna play the first fest in Sealand," FOB bassist Pete Wentz laughed. "The only thing I'm worried about is that the dude may shoot us, and I know we'll be paid in native currency. We'll be like, 'We want 1 million Sealand bucks,' and he'll be like, 'I'll double it. I'll give you 2 million,' because the dude is just printing them."
For the uninitiated (which, we're assuming, is probably 99.8 percent of you), Sealand is a sovereign principality founded on an abandoned British sea fort in 1967 by radio broadcaster and British Army Major Paddy Roy Bates. For more than 40 years, Bates (who calls himself "Prince Roy of Sealand") has operated the fort as an independent micro-nation, printing currency and passports, surviving forcible takeovers and firing upon any vessel that dares enter his sovereign territory. And since Sealand is located in international waters — 6 miles off the southeast coast of England, outside the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom — the rest of the world has basically allowed Bates to do whatever he wants.
So, obviously, as soon as Wentz heard about Sealand, he decided that Fall Out Boy had to play there, no matter the cost (remember, this is the same guy who dragged his band and an entire camera crew to the southernmost point of Chile in a failed attempt to play a show in Antarctica, just because he wanted to get in the "Guinness Book of World Records"). The only problem is, after FOB's October 4 show with Blink at Madison Square Garden, they're basically done for the foreseeable future.
Of course, if Bates were to contact him, that would change in a heartbeat. Wentz promised that he would convince his FOB mates to shelve the hiatus and play their comeback show in the Principality of Sealand. And, yes, he is 100 percent serious about this.
"Of course, we would totally do it," he said. "As long as passports, safe entry and a lot of Sealand bucks are guaranteed."
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Poltergeist Remake Gets a Release Date
For the last year now, we’ve been hearing rumblings of a Poltergeist remake over at MGM. Last August we told you that the studio had hired Juliet Snowden and Stiles White, the team behind the modern horror classic (sarcasm) Boogeyman to write the screenplay. And we soon after learned that House of Sand and Fog director Vadim Perelmen was in talks to helm the unnecessary remake.
But until a release date is announced, I sometimes tend to convince myself that these projects could easily find their way into the depths of development hell. Until there is a production start, or a release date, the movie really doesn’t exist. Well, I have some bad news. MGM has announced a release date. According to Shock, the “studio” has slated the haunted house remake for November 24th 2010. No further details have been released at this time.
Tobe Hooper’s 1982 film was co-written, produced and highly supervised by Steven Spielberg, and told the story of a family’s haunted home which had been built over an Indian burial ground. The film is notorious for it’s PG rating, which it obtained after an appeal to the MPAA. The movie spawned two sequels, neither of which were as acclaimed or as successful as the original.
Perelman debuted with 2003’s House of Sand and Fog, a well received literary adaptation that garnered three Oscar nominations, including a Best Actor nod for Ben Kingsley. In addition to Boogeyman, Snowden and White’s screenwriting credits also include the remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds for M.Bay’s Platinum Dunes and Alex Proyas’ Knowing.
But until a release date is announced, I sometimes tend to convince myself that these projects could easily find their way into the depths of development hell. Until there is a production start, or a release date, the movie really doesn’t exist. Well, I have some bad news. MGM has announced a release date. According to Shock, the “studio” has slated the haunted house remake for November 24th 2010. No further details have been released at this time.
Tobe Hooper’s 1982 film was co-written, produced and highly supervised by Steven Spielberg, and told the story of a family’s haunted home which had been built over an Indian burial ground. The film is notorious for it’s PG rating, which it obtained after an appeal to the MPAA. The movie spawned two sequels, neither of which were as acclaimed or as successful as the original.
Perelman debuted with 2003’s House of Sand and Fog, a well received literary adaptation that garnered three Oscar nominations, including a Best Actor nod for Ben Kingsley. In addition to Boogeyman, Snowden and White’s screenwriting credits also include the remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds for M.Bay’s Platinum Dunes and Alex Proyas’ Knowing.
Big Ben chimes again: Pistons re-sign Wallace
Ben Wallace says he was very close to retiring before deciding to rejoin the Detroit Pistons.
After three seasons away from Detroit, the four-time All Star signed a free-agent contract Wednesday with the Pistons. Wallace won an NBA title with Detroit in 2004 and went back to the finals in 2005.
In July 2006, he signed a free-agent deal with Chicago, and was traded to Cleveland in 2008. This summer, he was traded to Phoenix in the Shaquille O'Neal trade, only to have his contract bought out by the Suns.
Wallace said he considered retirement, but said that his good memories from Detroit and encouragement from former teammates Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince helped him decide to come back.
After three seasons away from Detroit, the four-time All Star signed a free-agent contract Wednesday with the Pistons. Wallace won an NBA title with Detroit in 2004 and went back to the finals in 2005.
In July 2006, he signed a free-agent deal with Chicago, and was traded to Cleveland in 2008. This summer, he was traded to Phoenix in the Shaquille O'Neal trade, only to have his contract bought out by the Suns.
Wallace said he considered retirement, but said that his good memories from Detroit and encouragement from former teammates Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince helped him decide to come back.
Ed Helms to Star in Central Intelligence
Universal Pictures has acquired the spec script Central Intelligence as a star vehicle for Ed Helms (The Hangover, "The Office"), reports Variety.
The script, written by Ike Barinholtz and Dave Stassen, revolves around an accountant who's thrown into the world of international espionage after reconnecting with an old friend through Facebook.
Principato/Young's Peter Principato and Paul Young are producing. Matt Berenson and Allen Fischer are executive producers. Joel Zadak will be co-producer.
The script, written by Ike Barinholtz and Dave Stassen, revolves around an accountant who's thrown into the world of international espionage after reconnecting with an old friend through Facebook.
Principato/Young's Peter Principato and Paul Young are producing. Matt Berenson and Allen Fischer are executive producers. Joel Zadak will be co-producer.
EXCL: Death Race Prequel is in the Garage
The origins of the deadly, fuel-injected game at the center of Paul W.S. Anderson's Death Race are going to be explored in an upcoming sequel.
Tony Giglio (Timber Falls, interview) has been hired to write a script, based on a story by Anderson, to be produced by Impact Pictures (Anderson and Jeremy Bolt's production outfit). Giglio may also direct. The script is said to delve into the past of the driver known as Frankenstein.
Created for Paul Bartel's original 1975 cult classic, Death Race 2000, Frankenstein was played by the late David Carradine. In the film, history said that his face was mangled by so many car wrecks he had to wear an intimidating mask. Carradine returned to Anderson's remake briefly to voice the new Frankenstein before he was replaced by Jason Statham's Jensen Ames.
Anderson and Bolt will oversee the Death Race prequel after they've completed Resident Evil: Afterlife on which Giglio will serve as a second unit director. Death Race grossed over $70 million worldwide in 2008.
Tony Giglio (Timber Falls, interview) has been hired to write a script, based on a story by Anderson, to be produced by Impact Pictures (Anderson and Jeremy Bolt's production outfit). Giglio may also direct. The script is said to delve into the past of the driver known as Frankenstein.
Created for Paul Bartel's original 1975 cult classic, Death Race 2000, Frankenstein was played by the late David Carradine. In the film, history said that his face was mangled by so many car wrecks he had to wear an intimidating mask. Carradine returned to Anderson's remake briefly to voice the new Frankenstein before he was replaced by Jason Statham's Jensen Ames.
Anderson and Bolt will oversee the Death Race prequel after they've completed Resident Evil: Afterlife on which Giglio will serve as a second unit director. Death Race grossed over $70 million worldwide in 2008.
Vin Diesel Talks Riddick Sequels
ShockTillYouDrop.com recently talked to director David Twohy about continuing the "Chronicles of Riddick" franchise (an interview you can read here), but Vin Diesel has commented now as well on his Facebook profile:
The Riddick discussion is about rating now...
Though Hollywood likes their PG Ratings, the next chapter in the COR series was always envisioned as an R rating, like Pitch Black...
One Studio exec suggested doing both "The Underverse" and "The Furyan," (working titles) at the same time, allowing us an R rating for the first and a PG rating for the second.
The good news- David Twohy's script comes in next month.
The Riddick discussion is about rating now...
Though Hollywood likes their PG Ratings, the next chapter in the COR series was always envisioned as an R rating, like Pitch Black...
One Studio exec suggested doing both "The Underverse" and "The Furyan," (working titles) at the same time, allowing us an R rating for the first and a PG rating for the second.
The good news- David Twohy's script comes in next month.
New Screenwriter To Board Super Max
New news on Super Max has been a long time coming. The state of play was this: Justin Marks was scripting, David Goyer was producing, DC comics’ Green Arrow was the lead character and the plot would see him incarcerated in the tip-topper most high security prison in the DC universe, framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
There have been any number of rumors surrounding the project along the way. Would Matt Damon star as the Green Arrow? Would Kevin Smith direct? Would Lex Luthor, The Riddler or The Joker appear? It has generated a healthy bag full of headlines over a couple of years without actually going into production, or even pre-production. Nonetheless, slow and steady can often win the race and Super Max is still chugging along steadily. David Goyer has spoken to MTV and given an update. Here’s the man himself:
We’re working on that. We’re about to bring on another writer. Obviously, Warner Bros. is now heavily into mining all of the various DC properties.
So the studio won’t let it die, though it isn’t yet in the shape they’d want for it? It would seem that’s what he’s saying here.
Justin Marks was one of the originators of the concept, so it’s actually quite sad to hear he’s off the script. Having said that, I don’t know of any evidence that he can actually write anything worth a jot.
Here’s an old quote from Goyer on the beginnings of Super Max:
The basic concept actually came about through Justin Marks, a terrific young writer my wife Jessika (a producer) had previously worked with. They thought the idea of a prison-break story set in a jail designed exclusively for super-villains was a cool one. And I heartily agreed.
It is a cracking good hook, that’s for sure. Let’s hope the new writer is a real talent and a suitable director follows soon after.
There have been any number of rumors surrounding the project along the way. Would Matt Damon star as the Green Arrow? Would Kevin Smith direct? Would Lex Luthor, The Riddler or The Joker appear? It has generated a healthy bag full of headlines over a couple of years without actually going into production, or even pre-production. Nonetheless, slow and steady can often win the race and Super Max is still chugging along steadily. David Goyer has spoken to MTV and given an update. Here’s the man himself:
We’re working on that. We’re about to bring on another writer. Obviously, Warner Bros. is now heavily into mining all of the various DC properties.
So the studio won’t let it die, though it isn’t yet in the shape they’d want for it? It would seem that’s what he’s saying here.
Justin Marks was one of the originators of the concept, so it’s actually quite sad to hear he’s off the script. Having said that, I don’t know of any evidence that he can actually write anything worth a jot.
Here’s an old quote from Goyer on the beginnings of Super Max:
The basic concept actually came about through Justin Marks, a terrific young writer my wife Jessika (a producer) had previously worked with. They thought the idea of a prison-break story set in a jail designed exclusively for super-villains was a cool one. And I heartily agreed.
It is a cracking good hook, that’s for sure. Let’s hope the new writer is a real talent and a suitable director follows soon after.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Arrested Development Trio Reunite for Fox Comedy
"Arrested Development" series creator/executive producer Mitch Hurwitz, co-star Will Arnett and co-executive producer Jim Vallely have teamed for another Fox comedy, says The Hollywood Reporter.
The project is being written by Hurwitz, Arnett and Vallely. It stars Arnett as a rich Beverly Hills jackass who falls in love with a charitable tree-hugging woman who can't stand his lifestyle or values.
The comedy is produced by Sony TV and studio-based Tantamount.
Hurwitz is executive producing with his producing partners at Tantamount, Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum; Vallely; and Peter Principato and Paul Young. Arnett also serves as a producer.
Arnett recently lent his voice to "Sit Down, Shut Up," Hurwitz's animated comedy for Fox and Sony TV on which Vallely served as a co-exec producer.
The project is being written by Hurwitz, Arnett and Vallely. It stars Arnett as a rich Beverly Hills jackass who falls in love with a charitable tree-hugging woman who can't stand his lifestyle or values.
The comedy is produced by Sony TV and studio-based Tantamount.
Hurwitz is executive producing with his producing partners at Tantamount, Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum; Vallely; and Peter Principato and Paul Young. Arnett also serves as a producer.
Arnett recently lent his voice to "Sit Down, Shut Up," Hurwitz's animated comedy for Fox and Sony TV on which Vallely served as a co-exec producer.
SNL’s Categorically Unjustified “MacGruber” Movie to Be Hard R
One of the most recycled, one-note, inexplicably dated bits in the history of SNL, “MacGruber,” is still moving forward as a feature film. Shooting has started in New Mexico on the 2010 release, with SNL writer and Lonely Island member, Jorma Taccone, making his theatrical debut as a director. Personally, I’d rather see Taccone reprise Cha-Ka in a spin-off or sequel to Land of the Lost, but his performance (and that rad film) sadly await discovery on Netflix. Just wait. Let’s skip the existential dilemma that is a 95-minute MacGruber sketch, and get down to its all-important rating. In an interview with Vulture, co-star, Bill Hader, defends the film, saying that a theatrical leap is by no means “a stretch.” Also, in discussing the script by star Will Forte, John Solomon, and Taccone, Hader says that the film should earn a “fucking ugly” R-rating. If so, it will join John Belushi’s The Blues Brothers as one of the rare R-rated SNL films….
I read the script, and it’s like a hard-R comedy, and it totally works. It’s hilarious. It’s kind of in the vein of, like, eighties action movies, like there’s a very definitive bad guy. I don’t know if I can talk about the plot too much, but it’s hilarious. The thing that kind of blew my mind about it is that it’s like a HARD-R movie. I was like, “What is this? This is fucking ugly. You guys are really going to do this?” And they’re like, “Yup.” And I was like, “That is awesome. That is fucking hilarious.”
You know what was not “fucking hilarious”? SNL whoring out its once-irreverent legacy to a soft drink and creating those dubious, in-show Pepsuber sketches without explanation to fans. Hader doesn’t mention Pepsuber in the aforementioned interview, but I highly doubt that the producers (including Lorne Michaels) will miss a lucrative opportunity to insert a nod at the very least. And, similar to the old adage about extreme attractiveness being a comedy killer, nothing knocks the wind out of sharp comedy faster than intrusive, relentless money-grabs in the name of “modern marketing trends.”
I read the script, and it’s like a hard-R comedy, and it totally works. It’s hilarious. It’s kind of in the vein of, like, eighties action movies, like there’s a very definitive bad guy. I don’t know if I can talk about the plot too much, but it’s hilarious. The thing that kind of blew my mind about it is that it’s like a HARD-R movie. I was like, “What is this? This is fucking ugly. You guys are really going to do this?” And they’re like, “Yup.” And I was like, “That is awesome. That is fucking hilarious.”
You know what was not “fucking hilarious”? SNL whoring out its once-irreverent legacy to a soft drink and creating those dubious, in-show Pepsuber sketches without explanation to fans. Hader doesn’t mention Pepsuber in the aforementioned interview, but I highly doubt that the producers (including Lorne Michaels) will miss a lucrative opportunity to insert a nod at the very least. And, similar to the old adage about extreme attractiveness being a comedy killer, nothing knocks the wind out of sharp comedy faster than intrusive, relentless money-grabs in the name of “modern marketing trends.”
Sanchez and Myrick Discuss Possibilities For Blair Witch Project 3
It’s a couple of weeks over ten years now since The Blair Witch Project proved to be a strange freak of box office nature. Back at it’s release on July 30th 1999 the film was given a crazy leg-up by its accidentally wonderful online marketing and a public desperate to buy into something spiritual-mystical, however crazy. We also shouldn’t underestimate the voracious appetite of the dedicated horror audience, of which I would suppose I am a member, and our never-ending desire for something new, fresh or exciting.
The sequel, Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows, was an entirely different beast to the original, eschewing the Last Broadcast-style handicam aesthetic for something in the vein of classical narrative film stylings. Personally, I thought it was conceptually a far more exciting film than the first though somewhat hampered by its lackluster realization. I do still relish the irony, though, that this second film was directed by Joe Berlinger, typically a maker of documentaries.
So, which way would a third Blair Witch film go? Back to the faux-doc approach of part one? Or further into the potential of ‘traditional’ film language?
The BBC have spoken to Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrick on the occasion of the film’s tenth anniversary, and their conversation turned to a possible sequel.
Sanchez admits they are still undecided how to proceed with the project, whether to stick with the grittiness of the first film, or make a more polished and more obviously expensive sequel. Sanchez began by explaining one of thei abandoned ideas:
Ideally, each Blair Witch film would be a completely different kind of movie. We’ve thought about doing a film that takes place in the late 1700s and looks like a Kubrick movie with gritty looking people and lighting.
Gritty looking people? Nice. That idea, however, has already given way to something more in step with the series’ legacy:
But now, we’re thinking about going back and and seeing what happened directly after the first film finished. I think it will have some kind of video element in it, but it won’t be a first person hand-held movie.
“Some kind of video element” brings back bad memories of Fear.Com and Halloween Ressurection.
Myrick was also asked about the possible return of the originals’ cast:
I talk to Josh quite regularly and Mike Williams as well. Actually, he had a role in my last movie. Heather, I haven’t seen in years. The last I heard, she had got out of the business and gone up north and is living on a ranch somewhere. Maybe she’s still traumatized.
The Blair Witch mantle seems likely to be scooped up by Oren Peli’s Paranormal Activity, in both low budget and studio-funded remake forms. Will a relevant Witch sequel make it out of the traps before the brand is completely devalued?
The sequel, Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows, was an entirely different beast to the original, eschewing the Last Broadcast-style handicam aesthetic for something in the vein of classical narrative film stylings. Personally, I thought it was conceptually a far more exciting film than the first though somewhat hampered by its lackluster realization. I do still relish the irony, though, that this second film was directed by Joe Berlinger, typically a maker of documentaries.
So, which way would a third Blair Witch film go? Back to the faux-doc approach of part one? Or further into the potential of ‘traditional’ film language?
The BBC have spoken to Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrick on the occasion of the film’s tenth anniversary, and their conversation turned to a possible sequel.
Sanchez admits they are still undecided how to proceed with the project, whether to stick with the grittiness of the first film, or make a more polished and more obviously expensive sequel. Sanchez began by explaining one of thei abandoned ideas:
Ideally, each Blair Witch film would be a completely different kind of movie. We’ve thought about doing a film that takes place in the late 1700s and looks like a Kubrick movie with gritty looking people and lighting.
Gritty looking people? Nice. That idea, however, has already given way to something more in step with the series’ legacy:
But now, we’re thinking about going back and and seeing what happened directly after the first film finished. I think it will have some kind of video element in it, but it won’t be a first person hand-held movie.
“Some kind of video element” brings back bad memories of Fear.Com and Halloween Ressurection.
Myrick was also asked about the possible return of the originals’ cast:
I talk to Josh quite regularly and Mike Williams as well. Actually, he had a role in my last movie. Heather, I haven’t seen in years. The last I heard, she had got out of the business and gone up north and is living on a ranch somewhere. Maybe she’s still traumatized.
The Blair Witch mantle seems likely to be scooped up by Oren Peli’s Paranormal Activity, in both low budget and studio-funded remake forms. Will a relevant Witch sequel make it out of the traps before the brand is completely devalued?
Warner Bros Developing LEGO Movie?
With the success of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra, movie studios are looking for the next toy they can turn into the next huge big screen franchise. Problem is, most of the good properties have already been snatched up, and we’re beginning to see Hollywood scraping the bottom of the barrel, acquiring the rights to board games and toys from yesteryear that either lack any recognizable narrative (ie Stretch Armstrong, Viewfinder) or no longer have name recognition from today’s kids.
I’ve become much less cynical about the whole process. When I learned today that Warner Bros is developing a film based on LEGO building blocks, my first thought was: hey, at least everyone knows what Lego is.
But what kind of story could be created using the toy building blocks? Most of the popular LEGO properties today involved other licensed properties. For example the video games and toy lines for Lego Star Wars, Lego Batman, Lego Indiana Jones and the video game Lego Rock Band (which I’m still trying to understand… what’s the purpose of the Lego involvement on that one?).
Screenwriters Dan and Kevin Hageman (no produced credits) are currently working on the script, but the plot is being kept under wraps (they must be worried that MEGA Blocks will steal the concept). All we know at this time is that the film will involve mix of live action and animation. I could maybe imagine a Toy Story type of deal, where the Lego men are actually alive, but only when humans aren’t watching. Their abilities, of course, would be building structures, vehicles and weapons out of the Lego bricks. That is the only logical concept, right? The tyos must fight other toys, save one of the kidnapped or missing toys, or escape (thats the three basic stories, right?).
Dan Lin (Sherlock Holmes, Terminator Salvation) will produce the movie through his Lin Pictures shingle, along with Roy Lee and Doug Davison, who will produce through their Vertigo banner.
I’ve become much less cynical about the whole process. When I learned today that Warner Bros is developing a film based on LEGO building blocks, my first thought was: hey, at least everyone knows what Lego is.
But what kind of story could be created using the toy building blocks? Most of the popular LEGO properties today involved other licensed properties. For example the video games and toy lines for Lego Star Wars, Lego Batman, Lego Indiana Jones and the video game Lego Rock Band (which I’m still trying to understand… what’s the purpose of the Lego involvement on that one?).
Screenwriters Dan and Kevin Hageman (no produced credits) are currently working on the script, but the plot is being kept under wraps (they must be worried that MEGA Blocks will steal the concept). All we know at this time is that the film will involve mix of live action and animation. I could maybe imagine a Toy Story type of deal, where the Lego men are actually alive, but only when humans aren’t watching. Their abilities, of course, would be building structures, vehicles and weapons out of the Lego bricks. That is the only logical concept, right? The tyos must fight other toys, save one of the kidnapped or missing toys, or escape (thats the three basic stories, right?).
Dan Lin (Sherlock Holmes, Terminator Salvation) will produce the movie through his Lin Pictures shingle, along with Roy Lee and Doug Davison, who will produce through their Vertigo banner.
Hugh Jackman Offers 'Wolverine 2' Update: 'We're Starting To Work On It Now'
Late last year, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" star Hugh Jackman began teasing that he'd like to bring Logan to Japan for a live-action adaptation of Frank Miller and Chris Claremont's fan-favorite story arc that had the Marvel Comics hero learning Eastern philosophy and fighting skills. While the actor offered up a confirmation of sorts prior to "Wolverine" hitting theaters that he was "talking to writers" about going the Japanese route for the sequel, the studio made it official after the film found success at the box office.
During this weekend's Teen Choice Awards, Jackman devoted part of his acceptance speech ("Wolverine" won the action/adventure film category) to teasing the aforementioned sequel -- and Logan's impending journey to Japan.
"Who knows, maybe Wolverine will use one of these when he heads to Japan," Jackman told the crowd, holding up the surfboard that served as the award. "See you next time around!"
"The 'going to Japan' was pretty serious, the 'using the surfboard' was not. Not a lot of surfing in Japan," laughed Jackman when we caught him backstage.
Offering an update of sorts for the sequel, Jackman told MTV News "Japan is where we're heading, [and] we're starting to work on it now. We're in the ... first steps of developing that story."
Reiterating his desire to Miller and Claremont's story arc brought to the screen, Jackman said he's "made no real secret" of his fondness for that particular chapter of Wolverine's history. "I think the fans love that saga. It's my favorite saga of the Wolverine stories."
"That's a movie I've longed to make from the beginning, so that's where we're heading," he said.
During this weekend's Teen Choice Awards, Jackman devoted part of his acceptance speech ("Wolverine" won the action/adventure film category) to teasing the aforementioned sequel -- and Logan's impending journey to Japan.
"Who knows, maybe Wolverine will use one of these when he heads to Japan," Jackman told the crowd, holding up the surfboard that served as the award. "See you next time around!"
"The 'going to Japan' was pretty serious, the 'using the surfboard' was not. Not a lot of surfing in Japan," laughed Jackman when we caught him backstage.
Offering an update of sorts for the sequel, Jackman told MTV News "Japan is where we're heading, [and] we're starting to work on it now. We're in the ... first steps of developing that story."
Reiterating his desire to Miller and Claremont's story arc brought to the screen, Jackman said he's "made no real secret" of his fondness for that particular chapter of Wolverine's history. "I think the fans love that saga. It's my favorite saga of the Wolverine stories."
"That's a movie I've longed to make from the beginning, so that's where we're heading," he said.
Michael Jackson's This Is It to be Released Oct. 30
Beginning October 30th, the world will have a front-row seat for Michael Jackson's final concert, as Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment release Michael Jackson's This Is It.
This Is It is being produced with the full support of The Estate of Michael Jackson and will be drawn from hundreds of hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage, captured in high definition with state-of-the-art digital sound as the late singer was preparing for his concert series in London. The film, which will also offer select sequences in 3-D, will provide a unique career retrospective and feature interviews with some of Jackson's closest friends and creative collaborators.
The announcement was made by Michael Lynton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of the studio, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, and Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia/Epic Label Group, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. The companies serve as the principal entertainment divisions of Sony Corporation.
Joining Sony in the announcement was The Estate of Michael Jackson, administered by his longtime attorney John Branca and veteran music executive John McClain, a Jackson family friend for more than 40 years. Proceeds the Estate earns from the film's release will benefit the Michael Jackson Family Trust, the entity that Mr. Jackson specified in his will is to receive all of his assets.
The rights to the exclusive footage were acquired from AEG Live and The Estate of Michael Jackson. Sony Pictures and Sony Music will co-produce with AEG Live and the Estate, and Sony Pictures will distribute the film worldwide. Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware of AEG Live will serve as producers of the film.
The majority of the film's footage was shot in June, 2009 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California and The Forum in Inglewood, California, as Jackson prepared for "This Is It," the series of fifty concerts Jackson planned to present at the O2 Arena in London.
This Is It will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer, his career, and the stage spectacular that would have been. The film will provide moviegoers with an unforgettable front row experience compiled from extensive footage that shows Jackson's meticulous preparation for his 2009 London shows.
Said Branca, "Our goal is to work with partners who treat Michael's legacy with dignity and respect, while allowing us to substantially build the value of his estate for the benefit of Mrs. Katherine Jackson, Michael's three children and the charitable causes that meant so much to him during his life. We are confident we found the right partners for this project in Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment. Sony and Michael enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial history together, and it's only fitting that the relationship continues."
Said McClain, "This film is not only a tribute to an artist who created excitement every moment he was on stage, but also is a fitting gift to the millions of fans worldwide who loved him and who he devoted his professional life to entertaining. John and I are thrilled to be working with Sony to build on Michael's musical legacy in a way that will generate significant proceeds for his family and for children in need."
"People who have seen this footage are astounded by the amazing quality of Michael Jackson's performance," said Lynton. "This historic recording of the last time he sang and danced on stage shows the legendary artist in an incredibly powerful way, with crystal clear images and sound. We understand the importance of producing a film that pays tribute to Michael as an artist, and are honored to work with The Estate of Michael Jackson to give audiences the gift of his final performances. I know this film will serve as further proof that Michael Jackson is one of the greatest entertainers who ever graced a stage."
"Michael lives on through his songs, his creative genius, his body of work and his passion for his art," said Rob Stringer. "He was a perfectionist on stage and through this unique film, audiences will be able to see, many for the first time, how much Michael poured into making his performances as special as they were perfect."
Said Kenny Ortega, director of and Jackson's creative partner on the "This Is It" concert, "The world will see what our team was so fortunate to experience, which was the full commitment, passion and creativity that Michael put into this project. He was the architect of 'This Is It,' and we were his builders. The footage that was captured from the early stages of the production to our technical rehearsals at the STAPLES Center in L.A. will show Michael as he truly was, creatively involved with every aspect of the production, from the staging and choreography, to the music, lighting, production design and conception of the original short films and video backdrops. It will also show Michael as one of the greatest entertainers in the world and one of the industry's most creative minds. 'This Is It' was Michael's last theatrical work and although it was still a work in progress, I think the footage will show that the process was something that Michael deeply enjoyed and that it was clear that he was on his way to another theatrical triumph."
Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.
Five of Jackson's solo albums - "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label - are among the top-sellers of all time and "Thriller" holds the distinction as the largest selling album worldwide in the history of the recording industry with more than 70 million units sold. Additionally, singles released from the "Thriller" album sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, another all time record.
During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.
Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.
This Is It is being produced with the full support of The Estate of Michael Jackson and will be drawn from hundreds of hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage, captured in high definition with state-of-the-art digital sound as the late singer was preparing for his concert series in London. The film, which will also offer select sequences in 3-D, will provide a unique career retrospective and feature interviews with some of Jackson's closest friends and creative collaborators.
The announcement was made by Michael Lynton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of the studio, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, and Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia/Epic Label Group, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. The companies serve as the principal entertainment divisions of Sony Corporation.
Joining Sony in the announcement was The Estate of Michael Jackson, administered by his longtime attorney John Branca and veteran music executive John McClain, a Jackson family friend for more than 40 years. Proceeds the Estate earns from the film's release will benefit the Michael Jackson Family Trust, the entity that Mr. Jackson specified in his will is to receive all of his assets.
The rights to the exclusive footage were acquired from AEG Live and The Estate of Michael Jackson. Sony Pictures and Sony Music will co-produce with AEG Live and the Estate, and Sony Pictures will distribute the film worldwide. Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware of AEG Live will serve as producers of the film.
The majority of the film's footage was shot in June, 2009 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California and The Forum in Inglewood, California, as Jackson prepared for "This Is It," the series of fifty concerts Jackson planned to present at the O2 Arena in London.
This Is It will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer, his career, and the stage spectacular that would have been. The film will provide moviegoers with an unforgettable front row experience compiled from extensive footage that shows Jackson's meticulous preparation for his 2009 London shows.
Said Branca, "Our goal is to work with partners who treat Michael's legacy with dignity and respect, while allowing us to substantially build the value of his estate for the benefit of Mrs. Katherine Jackson, Michael's three children and the charitable causes that meant so much to him during his life. We are confident we found the right partners for this project in Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment. Sony and Michael enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial history together, and it's only fitting that the relationship continues."
Said McClain, "This film is not only a tribute to an artist who created excitement every moment he was on stage, but also is a fitting gift to the millions of fans worldwide who loved him and who he devoted his professional life to entertaining. John and I are thrilled to be working with Sony to build on Michael's musical legacy in a way that will generate significant proceeds for his family and for children in need."
"People who have seen this footage are astounded by the amazing quality of Michael Jackson's performance," said Lynton. "This historic recording of the last time he sang and danced on stage shows the legendary artist in an incredibly powerful way, with crystal clear images and sound. We understand the importance of producing a film that pays tribute to Michael as an artist, and are honored to work with The Estate of Michael Jackson to give audiences the gift of his final performances. I know this film will serve as further proof that Michael Jackson is one of the greatest entertainers who ever graced a stage."
"Michael lives on through his songs, his creative genius, his body of work and his passion for his art," said Rob Stringer. "He was a perfectionist on stage and through this unique film, audiences will be able to see, many for the first time, how much Michael poured into making his performances as special as they were perfect."
Said Kenny Ortega, director of and Jackson's creative partner on the "This Is It" concert, "The world will see what our team was so fortunate to experience, which was the full commitment, passion and creativity that Michael put into this project. He was the architect of 'This Is It,' and we were his builders. The footage that was captured from the early stages of the production to our technical rehearsals at the STAPLES Center in L.A. will show Michael as he truly was, creatively involved with every aspect of the production, from the staging and choreography, to the music, lighting, production design and conception of the original short films and video backdrops. It will also show Michael as one of the greatest entertainers in the world and one of the industry's most creative minds. 'This Is It' was Michael's last theatrical work and although it was still a work in progress, I think the footage will show that the process was something that Michael deeply enjoyed and that it was clear that he was on his way to another theatrical triumph."
Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.
Five of Jackson's solo albums - "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label - are among the top-sellers of all time and "Thriller" holds the distinction as the largest selling album worldwide in the history of the recording industry with more than 70 million units sold. Additionally, singles released from the "Thriller" album sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, another all time record.
During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.
Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Vitality Sensor Coming 'Not Too Late' Next Year
President Iwata says this could have a similar impact to Wii Fit.
Surely topping most Nintendo fans lists of most anticipated games, the Wii Vitality Sensor will be making its way to store shelves next year, according to President Satoru Iwata.
During Nintendo's recent financial briefing, Iwata was asked for his feelings on how well the Vitality Sensor would sell, and if it would be comparable to Wii Fit.
"Before Wii Fit launched, everyone doubted how well it could sell. As for Wii Vitality Sensor, I think it will face similar doubts as to whether such a product will sell well in the video game market," he said.
"Of course no one can tell how people respond to it before the launch. We understand everyone wants to enjoy a vibrant lifestyle, so I believe if the product could support that desire, it would make a large impact in society."
Iwata then followed up his comments by giving a release window for the finger-inserting game.
"We would like to deliver the actual product not too late in the year next year," he added. "As I have mentioned, last-minute polishing is crucial for developing video games, so please understand that we'll need to refrain from commenting on an exact release date."
Surely topping most Nintendo fans lists of most anticipated games, the Wii Vitality Sensor will be making its way to store shelves next year, according to President Satoru Iwata.
During Nintendo's recent financial briefing, Iwata was asked for his feelings on how well the Vitality Sensor would sell, and if it would be comparable to Wii Fit.
"Before Wii Fit launched, everyone doubted how well it could sell. As for Wii Vitality Sensor, I think it will face similar doubts as to whether such a product will sell well in the video game market," he said.
"Of course no one can tell how people respond to it before the launch. We understand everyone wants to enjoy a vibrant lifestyle, so I believe if the product could support that desire, it would make a large impact in society."
Iwata then followed up his comments by giving a release window for the finger-inserting game.
"We would like to deliver the actual product not too late in the year next year," he added. "As I have mentioned, last-minute polishing is crucial for developing video games, so please understand that we'll need to refrain from commenting on an exact release date."
GI Joe Sequel Will Soon Go Into Development
GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra earned an estimated $100 million worldwide despite mostly negative buzz and reviews (39% on Rotten Tomatoes). The film surpassed studio expectations domestically, earning $56.2 million stateside. All of this can mean only one thing - a sequel is already in development. Paramount Picture’s vice chairman, Rob Moore, confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that a sequel “will soon go into development.” According to the report, all of the movie’s lead actors are “contractually obligated to return for another film,” though director Stephen Sommers is not.
Like many of you, I screened the film over the weekend, and had more fun than I was expecting (I briefly tweeted my thoughts from my iphone). The film was the best case scenario of a bad situation - a horrible script, badly written characters, horrible production and costume design, sometimes questionable CG, but somehow the action sequences with crazy high tech impossible weaponry which were fun enough to make it worth my $8. But it wasn’t a good movie by any stretch of the imagination.
I wrote on twitter after my screening that I would actually like to see Paramount make a sequel. That without a looming writers strike, maybe the screenplay and production won’t suffer as much as they did with Rise of Cobra. And hopefully that sequel would be directed by someone other than Sommers. The concept and franchise has potential, if only if it is handled right. The first film was even built to set up a sequel, but do they have a plan?
Like many of you, I screened the film over the weekend, and had more fun than I was expecting (I briefly tweeted my thoughts from my iphone). The film was the best case scenario of a bad situation - a horrible script, badly written characters, horrible production and costume design, sometimes questionable CG, but somehow the action sequences with crazy high tech impossible weaponry which were fun enough to make it worth my $8. But it wasn’t a good movie by any stretch of the imagination.
I wrote on twitter after my screening that I would actually like to see Paramount make a sequel. That without a looming writers strike, maybe the screenplay and production won’t suffer as much as they did with Rise of Cobra. And hopefully that sequel would be directed by someone other than Sommers. The concept and franchise has potential, if only if it is handled right. The first film was even built to set up a sequel, but do they have a plan?
Michelle Branch Steps Out Solo Again
A funny thing happened to Michelle Branch on her way to Nashville: She scored hit singles as a member of the Wreckers, a country-pop duo that broke up after one successful album.
The Wreckers-Branch and Jessica Harp, a friend and a former backup singer-released three singles during their short career. The first, "Leave the Pieces," spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in 2006. The pair's album, "Stand Still, Look Pretty" (Maverick/Warner Bros.), has sold 856,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Now Branch is once again ready to step out on her own. The singer/songwriter's first solo album in six years, "Everything Comes and Goes" (Reprise/Warner Bros. Nashville), is due in late fall while the defiant first single, "Sooner or Later," has just arrived at country radio. Although it hasn't yet charted on Hot Country Songs, the song is picking up early airplay in Chicago; Cleveland; Nashville; Des Moines, Iowa; and Bakersfield, Calif. It became available July 28 exclusively through iTunes' Premiere of the Week program.
Once past the Wreckers' breakup-which she compares to a divorce-Branch threw her energy into a new solo album. Her two previous solo pop albums, 2001's "The Spirit Room" and 2003's "Hotel Paper," have sold a total of 3.2 million copies, according to SoundScan.
But after "Everything" was written and recorded, Warner execs in Burbank, Calif., and Nashville began wondering aloud whether Branch's new album would fare better in the country or pop market. "I pretty much came up with the album and finished it within the first six months [after the breakup]," Branch says. "Then everybody started overthinking every little piece of the record.
"It was my nightmare position to be in," Branch adds. "I'm very impulsive, especially with music. If it feels right, you should walk away and say, 'We're done.' But I actually stopped and listened to everybody giving their two cents about what the record should be."
The back and forth delayed the release of the album, which Branch had hoped to put out in 2008. "This record has been a process for sure," she says. "I'm used to a quick turnaround, but this album has been two years of my life."
In the end, the label agreed that what Branch had originally recorded would stick. "It's the next progression," she says of the new album. "I started out as a pop artist, then came to Nashville and it changed me. I don't know how or why I could turn my back on that. I hope it's a happy marriage of both [genres]."
John Leventhal and John Shanks, or "my two Johns," as Branch laughingly refers to them, produced the new set. Branch wrote the album's title track soon after the Wreckers disbanded. "I was in Canada on a bus and couldn't sleep," she recalls. "Instead of going down a dark road, I began purging myself by writing. It was the first song that I had written by myself in a long time. I realized that everything changes; I started out making records by myself and I can do it again."
As difficult as the dissolution of the Wreckers was for the Arizona native, Branch realizes the duo's success paved the way for her work as a solo country artist. "I don't think I would have ever been able to go into Nashville on my own and accomplish what I did," Branch says. "I have Jessica to thank for that. And because of the Wreckers, people know this is where I want to be."
Branch will headline select dates this fall and hopes to join a country tour in the winter. "I'm dying to play this music live," she says. "I've never been off the road for this length of time. I didn't realize how much I missed it and loved it until I didn't do it for a few years."
The Wreckers-Branch and Jessica Harp, a friend and a former backup singer-released three singles during their short career. The first, "Leave the Pieces," spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in 2006. The pair's album, "Stand Still, Look Pretty" (Maverick/Warner Bros.), has sold 856,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Now Branch is once again ready to step out on her own. The singer/songwriter's first solo album in six years, "Everything Comes and Goes" (Reprise/Warner Bros. Nashville), is due in late fall while the defiant first single, "Sooner or Later," has just arrived at country radio. Although it hasn't yet charted on Hot Country Songs, the song is picking up early airplay in Chicago; Cleveland; Nashville; Des Moines, Iowa; and Bakersfield, Calif. It became available July 28 exclusively through iTunes' Premiere of the Week program.
Once past the Wreckers' breakup-which she compares to a divorce-Branch threw her energy into a new solo album. Her two previous solo pop albums, 2001's "The Spirit Room" and 2003's "Hotel Paper," have sold a total of 3.2 million copies, according to SoundScan.
But after "Everything" was written and recorded, Warner execs in Burbank, Calif., and Nashville began wondering aloud whether Branch's new album would fare better in the country or pop market. "I pretty much came up with the album and finished it within the first six months [after the breakup]," Branch says. "Then everybody started overthinking every little piece of the record.
"It was my nightmare position to be in," Branch adds. "I'm very impulsive, especially with music. If it feels right, you should walk away and say, 'We're done.' But I actually stopped and listened to everybody giving their two cents about what the record should be."
The back and forth delayed the release of the album, which Branch had hoped to put out in 2008. "This record has been a process for sure," she says. "I'm used to a quick turnaround, but this album has been two years of my life."
In the end, the label agreed that what Branch had originally recorded would stick. "It's the next progression," she says of the new album. "I started out as a pop artist, then came to Nashville and it changed me. I don't know how or why I could turn my back on that. I hope it's a happy marriage of both [genres]."
John Leventhal and John Shanks, or "my two Johns," as Branch laughingly refers to them, produced the new set. Branch wrote the album's title track soon after the Wreckers disbanded. "I was in Canada on a bus and couldn't sleep," she recalls. "Instead of going down a dark road, I began purging myself by writing. It was the first song that I had written by myself in a long time. I realized that everything changes; I started out making records by myself and I can do it again."
As difficult as the dissolution of the Wreckers was for the Arizona native, Branch realizes the duo's success paved the way for her work as a solo country artist. "I don't think I would have ever been able to go into Nashville on my own and accomplish what I did," Branch says. "I have Jessica to thank for that. And because of the Wreckers, people know this is where I want to be."
Branch will headline select dates this fall and hopes to join a country tour in the winter. "I'm dying to play this music live," she says. "I've never been off the road for this length of time. I didn't realize how much I missed it and loved it until I didn't do it for a few years."
Yo Joe!! That's An Awesome Opening Weekend!
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
The month of August kicked off with the long-awaited live action movie based on the popular Hasbro toys, comic books and cartoons as Stephen Sommers' G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (Paramount), starring Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Dennis Quaid and Marlon Wayans, took the top spot with an impressive $56.2 million (estimated) in 4,007 theaters, averaging roughly $14,000 per location. It takes its place as the fourth-biggest August opening of all time, and when one adds in the roughly $44 million grossed overseas this weekend, it makes "G.I. Joe" one of the top August openings of all time.
Second place went to Nora Ephron's foodie biopic Julie & Julia (Sony), starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, which brought in $20.1 million in 2,354 theaters. With a rumored production budget of $40 million, it's looking to become Sony's second profitable movie of the summer with strong hopes for next week's District 9 to be the third.
Jerry Bruckheimer's 3D guinea pig action adventure G-Force (Disney) dropped to third with $9.8 million and a running total of $86.1 million after three weekends.
The sixth installment of Warner Bros.' hit franchise Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince fell two places to fourth with $8.9 million, down 50% from its last weekend. In four weeks, it has grossed $273.8 million, which is more than any of the previous movies in the franchise did in the same time frame. Currently, it's shooting to be the second-highest grossing movie of the franchise after the first, as it aims for the roughly $292 million made by the previous movie.
Judd Apatow's Funny People (Universal), starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen, tanked badly in its second weekend, plummeting 65% to fifth place with $7.9 million and $40.4 million total. Apparently, the more serious nature of the movie has really hurt the movie with both Apatow and Sandler's fans as the exit polls done by CinemaScore last week were not very favorable. Best it can hope for is roughly $50 million total at this point.
Dropping to sixth place, Sony's battle-of-the-sexes comedy The Ugly Truth took sixth place with $7 million and $69 million total, based on a $38 million production budget, nearly half of what it cost to make Funny People.
The return of director David Twohy (Pitch Black) with the paradise-based thriller A Perfect Getaway (Rogue Pictures), starring Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant, failed to find much of an audience, as it brought in just $5.8 million in 2,159 theaters for seventh place.
Fox's family comedy Aliens in the Attic was eighth with $4 million and $17 million total, while the Warner Bros. horror-thriller Orphan added $3.7 million to its total gross of just under $35 million.
Marc Webb's (500) Days of Summer (Fox Searchlight), starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (also in "G.I. Joe") and Zoeey Deschanel, expanded nationwide into 817 theaters, allowing it to finally break into the top 10, just below Orphan.
The Top 10 grossed roughly $127 million, which is down roughly 9% from the same weekend last year.
Opening in 38 theaters in select cities, Charlyne Yi's romantic mockumentary Paper Heart, co-starring Michael Cera, brought in $206 thousand, a relatively meager $5,400 per site.
The month of August kicked off with the long-awaited live action movie based on the popular Hasbro toys, comic books and cartoons as Stephen Sommers' G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (Paramount), starring Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Dennis Quaid and Marlon Wayans, took the top spot with an impressive $56.2 million (estimated) in 4,007 theaters, averaging roughly $14,000 per location. It takes its place as the fourth-biggest August opening of all time, and when one adds in the roughly $44 million grossed overseas this weekend, it makes "G.I. Joe" one of the top August openings of all time.
Second place went to Nora Ephron's foodie biopic Julie & Julia (Sony), starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, which brought in $20.1 million in 2,354 theaters. With a rumored production budget of $40 million, it's looking to become Sony's second profitable movie of the summer with strong hopes for next week's District 9 to be the third.
Jerry Bruckheimer's 3D guinea pig action adventure G-Force (Disney) dropped to third with $9.8 million and a running total of $86.1 million after three weekends.
The sixth installment of Warner Bros.' hit franchise Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince fell two places to fourth with $8.9 million, down 50% from its last weekend. In four weeks, it has grossed $273.8 million, which is more than any of the previous movies in the franchise did in the same time frame. Currently, it's shooting to be the second-highest grossing movie of the franchise after the first, as it aims for the roughly $292 million made by the previous movie.
Judd Apatow's Funny People (Universal), starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen, tanked badly in its second weekend, plummeting 65% to fifth place with $7.9 million and $40.4 million total. Apparently, the more serious nature of the movie has really hurt the movie with both Apatow and Sandler's fans as the exit polls done by CinemaScore last week were not very favorable. Best it can hope for is roughly $50 million total at this point.
Dropping to sixth place, Sony's battle-of-the-sexes comedy The Ugly Truth took sixth place with $7 million and $69 million total, based on a $38 million production budget, nearly half of what it cost to make Funny People.
The return of director David Twohy (Pitch Black) with the paradise-based thriller A Perfect Getaway (Rogue Pictures), starring Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant, failed to find much of an audience, as it brought in just $5.8 million in 2,159 theaters for seventh place.
Fox's family comedy Aliens in the Attic was eighth with $4 million and $17 million total, while the Warner Bros. horror-thriller Orphan added $3.7 million to its total gross of just under $35 million.
Marc Webb's (500) Days of Summer (Fox Searchlight), starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (also in "G.I. Joe") and Zoeey Deschanel, expanded nationwide into 817 theaters, allowing it to finally break into the top 10, just below Orphan.
The Top 10 grossed roughly $127 million, which is down roughly 9% from the same weekend last year.
Opening in 38 theaters in select cities, Charlyne Yi's romantic mockumentary Paper Heart, co-starring Michael Cera, brought in $206 thousand, a relatively meager $5,400 per site.
The Three Stooges: Paul Giamatti Joins, Jim Carrey Leaves?
In June, a gossip columnist suggested to the Farrelly Brothers that Paul Giamatti play Larry in The Three Stooges after Sean Penn backed out of the role due to family issues. Bobby Farrelly admitted to the paper that Giamatti would not only be “a sensational Larry,” but they’d “love to have Paul.” Unfortunately “an offer” has already been sent out “to someone else.” Giamatti who was also in town at the Nantucket Film Festival with his comedy Cold Souls, didn’t seem too responsive to the idea.
“They were always so dark and grim. And Moe was this ancient man with a little boy’s haircut. But Larry? I don’t get Larry. He’s strange. He’s sort of the blank guy in the middle.”
The whole thing seemed rather speculative at the time, but it appears the tides have apparently changed. The Boston Globe now reports that the Farrelly Brothers has not only signed Giamatti to take over the role of Larry, but Jim Carrey is no longer attached to play Curly, even though he was reportly gaining a bunch of weight for the part. No word on a replacement for Carrey just yet. Benicio Del Toro is still attached to play Moe. I’m starting to think that this film may never happen, which might be for the better.
“They were always so dark and grim. And Moe was this ancient man with a little boy’s haircut. But Larry? I don’t get Larry. He’s strange. He’s sort of the blank guy in the middle.”
The whole thing seemed rather speculative at the time, but it appears the tides have apparently changed. The Boston Globe now reports that the Farrelly Brothers has not only signed Giamatti to take over the role of Larry, but Jim Carrey is no longer attached to play Curly, even though he was reportly gaining a bunch of weight for the part. No word on a replacement for Carrey just yet. Benicio Del Toro is still attached to play Moe. I’m starting to think that this film may never happen, which might be for the better.
Courteney Cox offers up a few more Scream 4 hints
Courteney Cox, who is set to star in a fourth Scream movie, elaborated on a few details that were revealed by writer Kevin Williamson a couple of days ago about the sequel, which picks up the story 10 years after the events in 2000's Scream 3. Cox will reprise the role of TV reporter Gale Weathers.
"She has a kid now," Cox said in a group interview Saturday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena, Calif., where she was promoting her ABC show Cougar Town. "She's married to Dewey."
Scream 3 ended with Deputy Dewey (David Arquette, Cox's real-life husband) proposing to local newswoman-turned-true-crime guru Gale. The characters bonded during their investigation of the first Scream murders, through the campus crimes of Scream 2 and the film-within-the-film of Scream 3.
Williamson previously described Scream 4 as the beginning of a new trilogy. Cox has no trepidations about beginning another three films. "No, because [I take things] one day at a time," she said. "But I heard the idea for Scream 4, and it's fantastic."
The Scream series tweaked the conventions of horror movies as film-obsessed killers terrorized teens a la their favorite slashers. Nearly a decade later, Cox said that she is ready for round four. "I'm excited," she said. "It'll be really fun."
With Cox and Williamson both beginning new shows this season, Williamson expects to turn in a final draft for Scream 4 during hiatus and make final deals with cast and directors after that.
"She has a kid now," Cox said in a group interview Saturday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena, Calif., where she was promoting her ABC show Cougar Town. "She's married to Dewey."
Scream 3 ended with Deputy Dewey (David Arquette, Cox's real-life husband) proposing to local newswoman-turned-true-crime guru Gale. The characters bonded during their investigation of the first Scream murders, through the campus crimes of Scream 2 and the film-within-the-film of Scream 3.
Williamson previously described Scream 4 as the beginning of a new trilogy. Cox has no trepidations about beginning another three films. "No, because [I take things] one day at a time," she said. "But I heard the idea for Scream 4, and it's fantastic."
The Scream series tweaked the conventions of horror movies as film-obsessed killers terrorized teens a la their favorite slashers. Nearly a decade later, Cox said that she is ready for round four. "I'm excited," she said. "It'll be really fun."
With Cox and Williamson both beginning new shows this season, Williamson expects to turn in a final draft for Scream 4 during hiatus and make final deals with cast and directors after that.
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