ABC is close to giving a pilot order to a modern version of the classic 1970s TV series "Charlie's Angels," reports Variety.
Josh Friedman, who recently adapted the "Terminator" franchise for his Fox series "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," is on board to write and executive produce the new show.
Also involved are original "Charlie's Angels" producer Leonard Goldberg, who launched the series with Aaron Spelling in 1976, as well as Drew Barrymore, who starred in and produced the 2000 film version and its sequel. Sony Pictures TV is the studio.
Friedman, Goldberg and Barrymore will executive produce with Nancy Juvonen.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Roland Emmerich Claims Independence Day Sequel Will Be Two Movies
Roland Emmerich tells MTV that not only are they developing an Independence Day sequel, but he hopes to film it as two-back-to-back movies. Emmerich says that the reason for two movies is that he wants “to do a bigger [story] arc” which will “continue the story” and begin “twelve, thirteen, fourteen years” after the first one ended. Emmerich is even floating around a title for the new films: “ID4-Ever” followed by “Part I” and “Part II” Sounds crazy right?
Will Smith would likely return, and the story would again be set on planet Earth, presumably mostly rebuilt since the last time we saw it, when a new invasion again threatens the world. No other story details have been revealed, but I would assume that it wouldn’t be an Independence Day sequel if most of the original characters didn’t return. I wonder where Bill Pullman’s President Thomas J. Whitmore might be a decade and a half later. Is he still in office? Who knows, America might’ve changed the law to extend the President’s term of office. I’m sure a lot of things will be very different than the world we knew before. This would be an alien invasion movie set in a changed world, post 7-04.
I would love to believe that Emmerich is sane, but his movies have led me to believe otherwise. And when Emmerich starts making monstrous claims about the future of the Independence Day series, I must question if there is anything more than some ideas he impulsively came up with during an interview with MTV. Does he actually believe 20th Century Fox would fiance a series of back-to-back big budget disaster movie sequels in this economy (In Emmerich’s defense, we are talking about the same studio that funded Avatar)? I’m guessing that he’s just throwing the idea out there, and seeing if fans respond. He’s looking for a reaction. But who knows if Fox would be willing to fund one Independence Day sequel, nevermind two, if Emmerich’s latest disaster film 2012 doesn’t deliver at the box office.
Will Smith would likely return, and the story would again be set on planet Earth, presumably mostly rebuilt since the last time we saw it, when a new invasion again threatens the world. No other story details have been revealed, but I would assume that it wouldn’t be an Independence Day sequel if most of the original characters didn’t return. I wonder where Bill Pullman’s President Thomas J. Whitmore might be a decade and a half later. Is he still in office? Who knows, America might’ve changed the law to extend the President’s term of office. I’m sure a lot of things will be very different than the world we knew before. This would be an alien invasion movie set in a changed world, post 7-04.
I would love to believe that Emmerich is sane, but his movies have led me to believe otherwise. And when Emmerich starts making monstrous claims about the future of the Independence Day series, I must question if there is anything more than some ideas he impulsively came up with during an interview with MTV. Does he actually believe 20th Century Fox would fiance a series of back-to-back big budget disaster movie sequels in this economy (In Emmerich’s defense, we are talking about the same studio that funded Avatar)? I’m guessing that he’s just throwing the idea out there, and seeing if fans respond. He’s looking for a reaction. But who knows if Fox would be willing to fund one Independence Day sequel, nevermind two, if Emmerich’s latest disaster film 2012 doesn’t deliver at the box office.
Sylvester Stallone Updates on Rambo 5, Saves Monster Plot for Unrelated Film
No more monster, señor. Back in September, /Film connected the dots between the creature feature aspect of Sylvester Stallone’s Rambo 5 and his rights to the sci-fi thriller novel, Hunter, by James Huggins. As one might expect, the idea of John Rambo tracking and being tracked by a genetically engineered “abomination” in snow country split fans like a coconut.
As a premise, it fell in line with Stallone’s previous statements about a new genre direction for the franchise, and the promo art above was even released to tease this aspect. Well, today the action legend confirmed that he’s scrapped the idea for the sequel and reserved it for a separate film outside the franchise. So, where will Rambo go next, and more importantly, who as opposed to what will he bludgeon? In his words: “There will be blood.”
Stallone is rather savvy when it comes to listening to fans online and controlling the rumors and buzz on his productions. He sent an email to StalloneZone to set the record straight…
This is from Sly to your followers:
To all the loyal SZoners out there,
I’m letting you know that Rambo has changed course and the story about hunting the man/beast will be done using another character in the lead. RAMBO himself will be heading over the border to a violent city where many young women have vanished.
There will be blood.
Best,
Sly Stallone
Here’s looking at you, Mexico’s SZoners. Late next summer sees the release of Sly’s The Expendables, a men-on-a-mission movie following mercenaries who attempt to tackle a dictator in South America. Similar to how 2008’s Rambo was set in Burma/Myanmar, Stallone keeps a heat censor on newsworthy, troubled sections of the world for his projects and now he’s once again deploying Rambo into timely conflict.
Take note that Stallone is not ditching the idea of a creature-feature entirely. He’s held the rights to Higgins’s novel for a long time and was basically using Rambo as a vessel to obtain financing and realize it on the big screen. The passion for the material is obvious. Fans might speculate if Stallone meant that another one of his characters will be featured instead, or if he’ll create a new one. He’s been kicking the idea of a Cliffhanger 2 around for a few years now; might we see Gabe Walker—a character without canon—fighting it out on a tundra dosed with the supernatural? Personally, I thought the idea would have made for a fun Rambo film, but two films is better than one, unless you’re dying to see Stallone tackle Poe.
As a premise, it fell in line with Stallone’s previous statements about a new genre direction for the franchise, and the promo art above was even released to tease this aspect. Well, today the action legend confirmed that he’s scrapped the idea for the sequel and reserved it for a separate film outside the franchise. So, where will Rambo go next, and more importantly, who as opposed to what will he bludgeon? In his words: “There will be blood.”
Stallone is rather savvy when it comes to listening to fans online and controlling the rumors and buzz on his productions. He sent an email to StalloneZone to set the record straight…
This is from Sly to your followers:
To all the loyal SZoners out there,
I’m letting you know that Rambo has changed course and the story about hunting the man/beast will be done using another character in the lead. RAMBO himself will be heading over the border to a violent city where many young women have vanished.
There will be blood.
Best,
Sly Stallone
Here’s looking at you, Mexico’s SZoners. Late next summer sees the release of Sly’s The Expendables, a men-on-a-mission movie following mercenaries who attempt to tackle a dictator in South America. Similar to how 2008’s Rambo was set in Burma/Myanmar, Stallone keeps a heat censor on newsworthy, troubled sections of the world for his projects and now he’s once again deploying Rambo into timely conflict.
Take note that Stallone is not ditching the idea of a creature-feature entirely. He’s held the rights to Higgins’s novel for a long time and was basically using Rambo as a vessel to obtain financing and realize it on the big screen. The passion for the material is obvious. Fans might speculate if Stallone meant that another one of his characters will be featured instead, or if he’ll create a new one. He’s been kicking the idea of a Cliffhanger 2 around for a few years now; might we see Gabe Walker—a character without canon—fighting it out on a tundra dosed with the supernatural? Personally, I thought the idea would have made for a fun Rambo film, but two films is better than one, unless you’re dying to see Stallone tackle Poe.
Super Troopers 2 Progress, Brian Cox is Back
Fans of Broken Lizard’s Super Troopers will be glad to know that things are moving along nicely for a sequel. According to Movie Cultists, they have independent financing and are looking to make a deal with Fox as well. Steve Lemme describes the situation as follows:
We’re like, three drafts into it. It’s funny, because we have an independent financier — we have a lot of independent financiers — who are like, ‘Give us that fucking movie.’ And we’re like, ‘We will, we will but we have to go through a studio first.’ But it’s a great thing to go to a studio and say, ‘We have the money.’
And yes, as far as we know right now, Brian Cox will be back for Super Troopers 2. Director Jay Chandrasekhar mentioned that he loved the first film, and added “He wanted to play in a movie where he could be like Jerry Lewis, because he’s always been a big Jerry Lewis fan.” Cox apparently told them that he’s approached more about Super Troopers than any other of his films.
We’re like, three drafts into it. It’s funny, because we have an independent financier — we have a lot of independent financiers — who are like, ‘Give us that fucking movie.’ And we’re like, ‘We will, we will but we have to go through a studio first.’ But it’s a great thing to go to a studio and say, ‘We have the money.’
And yes, as far as we know right now, Brian Cox will be back for Super Troopers 2. Director Jay Chandrasekhar mentioned that he loved the first film, and added “He wanted to play in a movie where he could be like Jerry Lewis, because he’s always been a big Jerry Lewis fan.” Cox apparently told them that he’s approached more about Super Troopers than any other of his films.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Fox Cancels Dollhouse
Fox has canceled Joss Whedon's Dollhouse, TVGuide.com has confirmed.
The sci-fi series, which stars Eliza Dushku, is currently filming its 11th episode and will complete its 13-episode order.
Though Dollhouse saw a ratings bump from DVR viewing after a grim performance in the fall, Fox pulled the cult favorite from its November-sweeps schedule after four episodes.
Whedon took to his fan site to post the following:
"I don't have a lot to say. I'm extremely proud of the people I've worked with: my star, my staff, my cast, my crew. I feel the show is getting better pretty much every week, and I think you'll agree in the coming months. I'm grateful that we got to put it on, and then come back and put it on again.
I'm off to pursue internet ventures/binge drinking. Possibly that relaxation thing I've read so much about. By the time the last episode airs, you'll know what my next project is. But for now there's a lot of work still to be done, and disappointment to bear."
A source close to the production told TVGuide.com that Fox will air the remaining episodes starting Dec. 4 and that the series finale is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 22.
The sci-fi series, which stars Eliza Dushku, is currently filming its 11th episode and will complete its 13-episode order.
Though Dollhouse saw a ratings bump from DVR viewing after a grim performance in the fall, Fox pulled the cult favorite from its November-sweeps schedule after four episodes.
Whedon took to his fan site to post the following:
"I don't have a lot to say. I'm extremely proud of the people I've worked with: my star, my staff, my cast, my crew. I feel the show is getting better pretty much every week, and I think you'll agree in the coming months. I'm grateful that we got to put it on, and then come back and put it on again.
I'm off to pursue internet ventures/binge drinking. Possibly that relaxation thing I've read so much about. By the time the last episode airs, you'll know what my next project is. But for now there's a lot of work still to be done, and disappointment to bear."
A source close to the production told TVGuide.com that Fox will air the remaining episodes starting Dec. 4 and that the series finale is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 22.
Nuggets' Smith returns from suspension with different name
Suspended for the season's first seven games, Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith returned Tuesday with a new outlook and a different name.
He wants to go by his given name, Earl Smith III.
Smith said there are "a lot of personal reasons" that "I can't really explain at this time" for the switch. He went with J.R. because he was often called "Junior," but now he's going back to his given name as part of an effort to fix an image that's taken some hits over the years because of a poor driving record that resulted in the suspension.
Smith says he plans to phase in his new -- or given -- name over the next few weeks, although the Nuggets plan to keep calling him J.R. On Tuesday, Smith was expected to come off the bench against the Chicago Bulls in his first appearance after a tumultuous offseason.
Denver's Kenyon Martin returned after missing a game with a bruised left fibula.
Smith went from finishing second in the voting for the NBA's Sixth Man award and helping Denver reach the Western Conference finals last season to spending 24 days in a New Jersey correctional facility during the offseason after pleading guilty to reckless driving. He was involved in an accident in 2007 that caused the death of a passenger in his car.
"I always learn from my mistakes," Smith said. "I definitely have a different outlook on life, on basketball, on everything."
He wants to go by his given name, Earl Smith III.
Smith said there are "a lot of personal reasons" that "I can't really explain at this time" for the switch. He went with J.R. because he was often called "Junior," but now he's going back to his given name as part of an effort to fix an image that's taken some hits over the years because of a poor driving record that resulted in the suspension.
Smith says he plans to phase in his new -- or given -- name over the next few weeks, although the Nuggets plan to keep calling him J.R. On Tuesday, Smith was expected to come off the bench against the Chicago Bulls in his first appearance after a tumultuous offseason.
Denver's Kenyon Martin returned after missing a game with a bruised left fibula.
Smith went from finishing second in the voting for the NBA's Sixth Man award and helping Denver reach the Western Conference finals last season to spending 24 days in a New Jersey correctional facility during the offseason after pleading guilty to reckless driving. He was involved in an accident in 2007 that caused the death of a passenger in his car.
"I always learn from my mistakes," Smith said. "I definitely have a different outlook on life, on basketball, on everything."
Monday, November 9, 2009
Exclusive: Is Aragorn Ready to Return for The Hobbit?
Ever since Guillermo del Toro signed on to direct two movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for producer Peter Jackson, there has been various casting rumors about who may or may not return to reprise their roles from Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
One of the cast members who seemed to be up in the air was Viggo Mortensen who played one of the most popular characters in the trilogy, the warrior Aragorn, a character who didn't actually appear in "The Hobbit" but was included in the supplemental appendices from "Lord of the Rings" that tied the two stories together.
Over a year ago, in fact shortly after del Toro signed on, Variety mentioned that Mortensen had been approached to return, but when ComingSoon.net spoke to Mortensen earlier today, he admitted that the filmmakers are currently more concerned with making the first movie, which would not include his character.
"I think they're just worried about shooting the first part of that movie which doesn't involve my character," Mortensen told us during an interview for his upcoming movie The Road. "My character is around at times--in the middle, but it would only be if they made a second movie or connecting movie that connected 'The Hobbit' to 'The Lord of the Rings' that I might appear, which would be great."
Mortensen did tell us that he would be interested in returning, but as we know, del Toro and Jackson are now planning on just splitting "The Hobbit" into two films and not making the second film a bridge between "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings."
Look for more with Mortensen and others before The Road opens on November 25.
One of the cast members who seemed to be up in the air was Viggo Mortensen who played one of the most popular characters in the trilogy, the warrior Aragorn, a character who didn't actually appear in "The Hobbit" but was included in the supplemental appendices from "Lord of the Rings" that tied the two stories together.
Over a year ago, in fact shortly after del Toro signed on, Variety mentioned that Mortensen had been approached to return, but when ComingSoon.net spoke to Mortensen earlier today, he admitted that the filmmakers are currently more concerned with making the first movie, which would not include his character.
"I think they're just worried about shooting the first part of that movie which doesn't involve my character," Mortensen told us during an interview for his upcoming movie The Road. "My character is around at times--in the middle, but it would only be if they made a second movie or connecting movie that connected 'The Hobbit' to 'The Lord of the Rings' that I might appear, which would be great."
Mortensen did tell us that he would be interested in returning, but as we know, del Toro and Jackson are now planning on just splitting "The Hobbit" into two films and not making the second film a bridge between "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings."
Look for more with Mortensen and others before The Road opens on November 25.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Joe Johnston Talks Jurassic Park 4
Ain't It Cool News got a chance to talk to The Wolfman director Joe Johnston and the interview briefly turned to the possibility of a Jurassic Park 4. Johnston directed the third film in the franchise, which was released in 2001.
"There is a great story for the fourth one that I would be interested in getting involved with and it's nothing like the first three," Johnston told the site, "It sort of takes the franchise off in a completely different direction, which is the only way I would want to get involved."
He added that it likely won't be another storyline about a group of people struggling to survive a dinosaur attack. "We've done that and it's been done three times..."
The site commented that they should stay away from an island setting this time. "Why would anybody go back to that island?" Johnston said. "It was hard enough to figure out the second and third reason for them to go, but it would take it off in a whole other trilogy basically, but when it gets to that level it's sort of about studios and Steven [Spielberg's] thing and who knows. I think we are at that point where we are due for another one if we are going to do it."
Universal Pictures has not targeted a release date for a fourth film.
"There is a great story for the fourth one that I would be interested in getting involved with and it's nothing like the first three," Johnston told the site, "It sort of takes the franchise off in a completely different direction, which is the only way I would want to get involved."
He added that it likely won't be another storyline about a group of people struggling to survive a dinosaur attack. "We've done that and it's been done three times..."
The site commented that they should stay away from an island setting this time. "Why would anybody go back to that island?" Johnston said. "It was hard enough to figure out the second and third reason for them to go, but it would take it off in a whole other trilogy basically, but when it gets to that level it's sort of about studios and Steven [Spielberg's] thing and who knows. I think we are at that point where we are due for another one if we are going to do it."
Universal Pictures has not targeted a release date for a fourth film.
A Christmas Carol Tops the Box Office
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
Walt Disney Pictures' A Christmas Carol topped the box office with an estimated $31 million from 3,683 theaters, for an average of $8,417 per theater. Written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, the motion capture fantasy adventure featured the performances of Jim Carrey in multiple roles. The film reportedly carried a budget of about $175 million.
Michael Jackson's This Is It dipped just 39.7% in its second weekend, adding $14 million in second place for a total of $57.9 million. Internationally, the Sony release has reached $128.6 million and its worldwide sum stands at 186.5 million.
Overture Films' The Men Who Stare at Goats opened in third place with $13.3 million from 2,443 locations. Made for about $25 million, the Grant Heslov-directed comedy stars George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Ewan McGregor and Kevin Spacey.
Milla Jovovich thriller The Fourth Kind debuted in the fourth spot, making $12.5 million from 2,527 theaters. The film was released by Universal Pictures.
Paramount's Paranormal Activity added another $8.6 million in its seventh weekend to bring its impressive total to $97.4 million. Written and directed by Oren Peli, the supernatural thriller cost less than $15,000 to make.
Warner Bros.' The Box, starring Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and Frank Langella, opened in sixth place with $7.9 million. The Richard Kelly film was made for $25 million.
The biggest success story of the weekend was Lionsgate's release of Lee Daniels' award-winning Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire in 18 theaters where it earned $1.8 million. That's an amazing $100,000 per theater, a new record for films opening in 10 or more theaters! "Precious" will be expanding wide on November 20th.
Walt Disney Pictures' A Christmas Carol topped the box office with an estimated $31 million from 3,683 theaters, for an average of $8,417 per theater. Written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, the motion capture fantasy adventure featured the performances of Jim Carrey in multiple roles. The film reportedly carried a budget of about $175 million.
Michael Jackson's This Is It dipped just 39.7% in its second weekend, adding $14 million in second place for a total of $57.9 million. Internationally, the Sony release has reached $128.6 million and its worldwide sum stands at 186.5 million.
Overture Films' The Men Who Stare at Goats opened in third place with $13.3 million from 2,443 locations. Made for about $25 million, the Grant Heslov-directed comedy stars George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Ewan McGregor and Kevin Spacey.
Milla Jovovich thriller The Fourth Kind debuted in the fourth spot, making $12.5 million from 2,527 theaters. The film was released by Universal Pictures.
Paramount's Paranormal Activity added another $8.6 million in its seventh weekend to bring its impressive total to $97.4 million. Written and directed by Oren Peli, the supernatural thriller cost less than $15,000 to make.
Warner Bros.' The Box, starring Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and Frank Langella, opened in sixth place with $7.9 million. The Richard Kelly film was made for $25 million.
The biggest success story of the weekend was Lionsgate's release of Lee Daniels' award-winning Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire in 18 theaters where it earned $1.8 million. That's an amazing $100,000 per theater, a new record for films opening in 10 or more theaters! "Precious" will be expanding wide on November 20th.
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