Weinstein has confirmed to Variety that Scream 4 will indeed be the first in a new trilogy. Knowing this ahead of time, rather than having to keep retrofitting the overall structure as he did with the first 3, Kevin Williamson should be able to fashion a more coherent series than last time around. Wes Craven is, thankfully, in talks for the director’s seat and Neve Campbell has been freshly signed.
She had been playing hard to get, and Williamson has tweeted in the past that he was unsure how to make the films work without her. Troubles over.
Personally, I won’t be happy unless each and every film in the new trilogy features Red Right Hand by The Bad Seeds. It could even play a more active role this time, if Williamson decides to work it into the plot. That could be fun. A Marco Beltrami score wouldn’t go amiss either.
It looks like Craven will be needing a new editor, however, as Patrick Lussier will be busy directing a 3D Halloween picture for Dimension. That’s just one of the many stereoscopic flicks that Weinstein discussed in the interview, also confirming plans for the Short Circuit, Hellraiser and Scanner remakes, all of them with that extra, third dimension in place. Unclear is whether or not the Children of the Corn remake will need the funny shades to watch, or if it will be a plain and simple 2D affair. I’m banking on the 3D option.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Columbia is Definitely Rolling Forward With Ghost Rider 2; Daredevil and Silver Surfer Projects Confirmed
We’ve heard plenty of word over the last two years that a sequel to Columbia’s Ghost Rider film starring Nicolas Cage (who would return for the sequel) could come roaring down the highway, and now there is confirmation that the studio is actually moving forward.
David Goyer is currently in talks to write the story and then oversee another writer’s screenplay, but his spokesperson says that Goyer hasn’t actually signed on at this point. Variety does report that the current plan is to base Ghost Rider 2 on a Goyer script written some time ago. Weird, since we’ve heard in the past that Columbia had already gone out to writers for the sequel. That’s all the data we’ve got at this point, but revisit Nic Cage’s comments from a couple of months ago to get an idea of what Ghost Rider 2 (or Ghost Rider v2.0, as it may be) might be like.
The Variety source article also mentions in passing that Fox is “quietly developing a new version of Daredevil and working on a Silver Surfer film.” We’ve known both of those projects existed in theory, but this is the most recent word of forward motion. If I remember correctly (and do let me know if I’m wrong, as after the first film I stopped paying much attention to a Fox-developed Daredevil project) the last time we heard about this, another Daredevil flick was merely being ‘considered’.
Would a Silver Surfer film essentially reboot the character? You’d think so, since Fox is already committing to rebooting the studio’s take on the Fantastic Four, making the Surfer’s cinematic intro moot. Rebooting the FF but continuing with the established Surfer would be some real Earth 2 sorta shit.
David Goyer is currently in talks to write the story and then oversee another writer’s screenplay, but his spokesperson says that Goyer hasn’t actually signed on at this point. Variety does report that the current plan is to base Ghost Rider 2 on a Goyer script written some time ago. Weird, since we’ve heard in the past that Columbia had already gone out to writers for the sequel. That’s all the data we’ve got at this point, but revisit Nic Cage’s comments from a couple of months ago to get an idea of what Ghost Rider 2 (or Ghost Rider v2.0, as it may be) might be like.
The Variety source article also mentions in passing that Fox is “quietly developing a new version of Daredevil and working on a Silver Surfer film.” We’ve known both of those projects existed in theory, but this is the most recent word of forward motion. If I remember correctly (and do let me know if I’m wrong, as after the first film I stopped paying much attention to a Fox-developed Daredevil project) the last time we heard about this, another Daredevil flick was merely being ‘considered’.
Would a Silver Surfer film essentially reboot the character? You’d think so, since Fox is already committing to rebooting the studio’s take on the Fantastic Four, making the Surfer’s cinematic intro moot. Rebooting the FF but continuing with the established Surfer would be some real Earth 2 sorta shit.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, and Steve Coogan Join Adam McKay’s The Other Guys.
The ensemble cast for The Other Guys, the latest collaboration between funnymen pals Will Ferrell and writer/director Adam McKay, is of a higher-profile than on their previous flicks, sans Anchorman. Today brings news that Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne “Tooth Fairy” Johnson will play stud “super cops” to the unfulfilled desk pigs played by Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Rob Riggle, and Craig Robinson. In addition, Brit comedy and Alan Patridge mastermind, Steve Coogan, will play the villain, automatically kicking the craziness up a notch. Last week we reported that Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, and a Wayans have mounted up for unspecified roles.
The obvious wildcard here is a desk cop played by Wahlberg, who usually plays walking talking testosterone, and appeared recently in new ship-shape pics for The Fighter as boxer “Irish” Mickey Ward. Re: Raw eggs for breakfast, then the gym. Judging by recent, paparazzo pics from the set of The Other Guys, which is currently filming in New York City, he didn’t have much time to switch to donuts and coffee. Here’s how McKay explained the film’s police dichotomy to MTV…
Basically the idea is that you have your star cops of New York City, picture like a Bruce Willis and Mel Gibson-type pair,” McKay explained. They’re the guys who get all the car chases, all the girls. But this is the story of the guys in the desk next to them, the other guys. …The premise is you have the stud cops in New York City, and the other cops are the wannabes who want to be the stud cops,” he explained. “So Ferrell and Wahlberg have another pair of cops who are competing with them to be the stars.
As we previously reported, McKay has said that the film will be more grounded in reality than Step Brothers and Talladegga Nights and function as an comedy-actioner. Of course, a rating on the film hasn’t been made, but I expect a PG-13, hope for an R, the usual. The film is scheduled for release late next summer and many wonder how it will compare to Hot Fuzz, Simon Pegg’s UK favorite that also starred Coogan.
The obvious wildcard here is a desk cop played by Wahlberg, who usually plays walking talking testosterone, and appeared recently in new ship-shape pics for The Fighter as boxer “Irish” Mickey Ward. Re: Raw eggs for breakfast, then the gym. Judging by recent, paparazzo pics from the set of The Other Guys, which is currently filming in New York City, he didn’t have much time to switch to donuts and coffee. Here’s how McKay explained the film’s police dichotomy to MTV…
Basically the idea is that you have your star cops of New York City, picture like a Bruce Willis and Mel Gibson-type pair,” McKay explained. They’re the guys who get all the car chases, all the girls. But this is the story of the guys in the desk next to them, the other guys. …The premise is you have the stud cops in New York City, and the other cops are the wannabes who want to be the stud cops,” he explained. “So Ferrell and Wahlberg have another pair of cops who are competing with them to be the stars.
As we previously reported, McKay has said that the film will be more grounded in reality than Step Brothers and Talladegga Nights and function as an comedy-actioner. Of course, a rating on the film hasn’t been made, but I expect a PG-13, hope for an R, the usual. The film is scheduled for release late next summer and many wonder how it will compare to Hot Fuzz, Simon Pegg’s UK favorite that also starred Coogan.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Ratings: Emmys Numbers Bounce Back
They weren't quite legendary, but the early ratings for the Neil Patrick Harris-hosted 61st Primetime Emmys show marked improvement from a year ago.
The three-hour telecast drew 13.3 million viewers, a 9 percent increase over the 2008 awards, which was the least-watched Emmys broadcast since 1990. Host and producer Harris earned almost universal praise for keeping the show lively and on-time, a stark difference from the show's five-host format a year ago.
The night's overall winner was NBC's coverage of the New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys NFL game. The game, which unveiled the new $1.2 billion Cowboys' Stadium, was watched by 22.4 million viewers and earned the highest overnight rating for a prime-time football game in 11 years.
Among Fox's animated repeats, Family Guy and The Simpsons performed best with 5.5 million viewers each in their respective timeslots. ABC's airing of King Kong earned only 3.9 million viewers overall.
The three-hour telecast drew 13.3 million viewers, a 9 percent increase over the 2008 awards, which was the least-watched Emmys broadcast since 1990. Host and producer Harris earned almost universal praise for keeping the show lively and on-time, a stark difference from the show's five-host format a year ago.
The night's overall winner was NBC's coverage of the New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys NFL game. The game, which unveiled the new $1.2 billion Cowboys' Stadium, was watched by 22.4 million viewers and earned the highest overnight rating for a prime-time football game in 11 years.
Among Fox's animated repeats, Family Guy and The Simpsons performed best with 5.5 million viewers each in their respective timeslots. ABC's airing of King Kong earned only 3.9 million viewers overall.
Sherlock Holmes Sequel In Development, Brad Pitt In Discussions To Play Moriarty?
Guy Ritchie’s adaptation of Sherlock Holmes won’t hit the big screen until Christmas, but Warner Bros is already developing a sequel.
According to Risky Business, Kieran and Michele Mulroney have been hired to pen a draft for a continuation. The brother screenwriting team wrote the imaginary Superhero coming-of-middle-age dramedy Paper Man which premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and the dumped DC Comics live-action film Justice League: Mortal. Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, Lionel Wigram and Simon Kinberg all worked on the screenplay for the first film.
This isn’t surprising news as the project has been groomed as a potential franchise. Last month, it was rumored that Brad Pitt had filmed some scenes as Holmes’ nemesis Moriarty during a set of secret reshoots, but Warner Bros denied these claims. The character does make a breif cameo appearance in the first film, setting up a potential sequel, but those who know claim the character remains in the shadows and cannot be recognized.
We assumed the previous rumor was a complete fabrication but, The Hollywood Reporter now claims that Brad Pitt has in fact had discussions with producers to play Moriarty in the developing sequel, though there is no deal in place as of yet. Pitt starred in Ritchie’s second feature film Snatch.
According to Risky Business, Kieran and Michele Mulroney have been hired to pen a draft for a continuation. The brother screenwriting team wrote the imaginary Superhero coming-of-middle-age dramedy Paper Man which premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and the dumped DC Comics live-action film Justice League: Mortal. Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, Lionel Wigram and Simon Kinberg all worked on the screenplay for the first film.
This isn’t surprising news as the project has been groomed as a potential franchise. Last month, it was rumored that Brad Pitt had filmed some scenes as Holmes’ nemesis Moriarty during a set of secret reshoots, but Warner Bros denied these claims. The character does make a breif cameo appearance in the first film, setting up a potential sequel, but those who know claim the character remains in the shadows and cannot be recognized.
We assumed the previous rumor was a complete fabrication but, The Hollywood Reporter now claims that Brad Pitt has in fact had discussions with producers to play Moriarty in the developing sequel, though there is no deal in place as of yet. Pitt starred in Ritchie’s second feature film Snatch.
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Winners of the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the winners of the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards tonight on CBS. The awards show was hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and here is the full list of winners!
Outstanding Drama Series
"Mad Men" (AMC)
Outstanding Comedy Series
"30 Rock" (NBC)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad" (AMC)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Glenn Glose, "Damages" (FX)
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Kater Gordon and Matthew Weiner, "Meditations in an Emergency," "Mad Men" (AMC)
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Rod Holcomb, "And in the End," "ER" (NBC)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama
Cherry Jones, "24" (Fox)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama
Michael Emerson, "Lost" (Fox)
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (Comedy Central)
Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics
"Hugh Jackman Opening Number," The 81st Annual Academy Awards (ABC)
Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (Comedy Central)
Outstanding Directing for Variety, Music or Comedy Series
Bruce Gowers, "American Idol" (Fox)
Outstanding Miniseries
"Little Dorrit" (PBS)
Outstanding Made for TV Movie
"Grey Gardens" (HBO)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Jessica Lange, "Grey Gardens" (HBO)
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
Dearbhla Walsh, "Little Dorrit" (PBS)
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
Andrew Davies, "Little Dorrit" (PBS)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Brendan Gleeson, "Into the Storm" (HBO)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Ken Howard, "Grey Gardens" (HBO)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Shohreh Aghdashloo as Sajida in "House of Saddam" (HBO)
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
"The Amazing Race" (CBS)
Outstanding Host for a Reality or a Reality Competition Program
Jeff Probst, "Survivor" (CBS)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock" (NBC)
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Jeffery Blitz, "Stress Relief," "The Office" (NBC)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Toni Collette, "United States of Tara" (Showtime)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Jon Cryer, "Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
Matt Hubbard, "Reunion," "30 Rock" (NBC)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Kristin Chenoweth, "Pushing Daisies" (ABC)
Outstanding Drama Series
"Mad Men" (AMC)
Outstanding Comedy Series
"30 Rock" (NBC)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad" (AMC)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Glenn Glose, "Damages" (FX)
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Kater Gordon and Matthew Weiner, "Meditations in an Emergency," "Mad Men" (AMC)
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Rod Holcomb, "And in the End," "ER" (NBC)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama
Cherry Jones, "24" (Fox)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama
Michael Emerson, "Lost" (Fox)
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (Comedy Central)
Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics
"Hugh Jackman Opening Number," The 81st Annual Academy Awards (ABC)
Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (Comedy Central)
Outstanding Directing for Variety, Music or Comedy Series
Bruce Gowers, "American Idol" (Fox)
Outstanding Miniseries
"Little Dorrit" (PBS)
Outstanding Made for TV Movie
"Grey Gardens" (HBO)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Jessica Lange, "Grey Gardens" (HBO)
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
Dearbhla Walsh, "Little Dorrit" (PBS)
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
Andrew Davies, "Little Dorrit" (PBS)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Brendan Gleeson, "Into the Storm" (HBO)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Ken Howard, "Grey Gardens" (HBO)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Shohreh Aghdashloo as Sajida in "House of Saddam" (HBO)
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
"The Amazing Race" (CBS)
Outstanding Host for a Reality or a Reality Competition Program
Jeff Probst, "Survivor" (CBS)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock" (NBC)
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Jeffery Blitz, "Stress Relief," "The Office" (NBC)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Toni Collette, "United States of Tara" (Showtime)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Jon Cryer, "Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
Matt Hubbard, "Reunion," "30 Rock" (NBC)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Kristin Chenoweth, "Pushing Daisies" (ABC)
Meatballs is 3rd-Best September Opening Ever
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
Sony Pictures Animation's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs dominated the weekend box office with an estimated $30.1 million from 3,119 theaters, an average of $9,651 per theater. The opening marks the third-biggest debut ever for a film in September at the domestic box office, surpassing The Exorcism of Emily Rose ($30.05 million) and trailing Rush Hour ($33 million) and Sweet Home Alabama ($35.6 million). The film, an adaptation of the 1978 book by Judi and Ron Barrett, was released in conventional theaters in both 3D and 2D, as well as in IMAX 3D. Adapted and directed by Chris Miller and Phil Lord, the animated family movie was voiced by Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Bruce Campbell, Andy Samberg, Mr. T, Benjamin Bratt, Bobb'E J. Thompson and Neil Patrick Harris. It was made for about $90 million.
Coming in a No. 2 was the Steven Soderbergh-directed comedy The Informant!, starring Matt Damon. The Warner Bros. release earned an estimated $10.5 million from 2,505 locations. Averaging $4,210 per site, the $20 million film was based on the book by Kurt Eichenwald about whistleblower Mark Whitacre.
The Lionsgate pic Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself dropped 57.1% its second weekend to third place with $10.1 million. The dramedy has made $37.9 million so far.
Universal Pictures' new romantic drama Love Happens, starring Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston, debuted in fourth place with $8.5 million. The film, produced for about $18 million, averaged $4,455 in 1,898 theaters.
In fifth place, 20th Century Fox's Jennifer Body didn't get much interest from moviegoers, as the Megan Fox-starrer earned just $6.8 million from 2,702 theaters. The one thing the horror-comedy, written by Diablo Cody, has going for it is that it carried a budget of only $16 million.
Focus Features' 9 dropped 49.2% its second weekend, adding $5.5 million for a total of $22.8 million, while Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds made $3.6 million in its fifth weekend for a total of $109.9 million.
In limited release, new distributor Apparition's Bright Star, written/directed by Jane Campion and starring Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish, collected $190,000 from just 19 theaters, a strong average of $10,000 per theater. The film opened on Wednesday and has made $207,000 total.
Sony Pictures Animation's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs dominated the weekend box office with an estimated $30.1 million from 3,119 theaters, an average of $9,651 per theater. The opening marks the third-biggest debut ever for a film in September at the domestic box office, surpassing The Exorcism of Emily Rose ($30.05 million) and trailing Rush Hour ($33 million) and Sweet Home Alabama ($35.6 million). The film, an adaptation of the 1978 book by Judi and Ron Barrett, was released in conventional theaters in both 3D and 2D, as well as in IMAX 3D. Adapted and directed by Chris Miller and Phil Lord, the animated family movie was voiced by Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Bruce Campbell, Andy Samberg, Mr. T, Benjamin Bratt, Bobb'E J. Thompson and Neil Patrick Harris. It was made for about $90 million.
Coming in a No. 2 was the Steven Soderbergh-directed comedy The Informant!, starring Matt Damon. The Warner Bros. release earned an estimated $10.5 million from 2,505 locations. Averaging $4,210 per site, the $20 million film was based on the book by Kurt Eichenwald about whistleblower Mark Whitacre.
The Lionsgate pic Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself dropped 57.1% its second weekend to third place with $10.1 million. The dramedy has made $37.9 million so far.
Universal Pictures' new romantic drama Love Happens, starring Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston, debuted in fourth place with $8.5 million. The film, produced for about $18 million, averaged $4,455 in 1,898 theaters.
In fifth place, 20th Century Fox's Jennifer Body didn't get much interest from moviegoers, as the Megan Fox-starrer earned just $6.8 million from 2,702 theaters. The one thing the horror-comedy, written by Diablo Cody, has going for it is that it carried a budget of only $16 million.
Focus Features' 9 dropped 49.2% its second weekend, adding $5.5 million for a total of $22.8 million, while Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds made $3.6 million in its fifth weekend for a total of $109.9 million.
In limited release, new distributor Apparition's Bright Star, written/directed by Jane Campion and starring Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish, collected $190,000 from just 19 theaters, a strong average of $10,000 per theater. The film opened on Wednesday and has made $207,000 total.
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