Aronofsky In The Mix On Superman, Affleck Is Out

Last week the not so movie blog friendly but on the ball people at Toldja! reported that Warner Bros & Legendary had a short list of directors they were meeting or have met with for the upcoming Superman film. Reportedly producers Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas were face to facing it with Matt Reeves, Duncan Jones, Jonathan Liebesman, Zack Synder, and Tony Scott. You can add another name or two to that list.

According to the left coast reporters over at the LA Times, Nolan's WB is also hot on Darren Aronofsky to direct the new Superman flick. Aronofsky is creating a lot of hoopla with the upcoming "Black Swan" and would fit with what the studio and Team Nolan are looking for. A director who can handle character driven films with high production value but are still "controllable." The geek in us remember that Aronofsky almost directed a Frank Miller inspired Batman film about a decade ago. The circle of life?

While Aronofsky is still in talks, it seems that Ben Affleck's discussion with the studio has now ended. The actor/writer/director is no longer pursuing the gig. Apparently the studio loves them some Affleck, especially after the performance of "The Town" in the minds of critics and the general public. Imagine that, Affleck played Superman "Hollywoodland" and directing a new Superman flick? Eerie.

It's funny, the forums were a buzz with suggestions of Affleck directing Supes. Looks like they are ahead of the game. 

True Grit Trailer

Here we go! the second big contender after Black Swan has dropped it's first trailer and wow does it look amazing!

I love the old John Wayne version of "True Grit" and was curious as to how the Coen's would approach the material, well now I have my answer and I couldn't be happier with how this looks.

The cinematography is stunning and very reminiscent of the way they captured the landscape in "No Country for Old Men" and the action looks like it will have some style and impact, but it is the overreaching feel of quality that grabs you the most, from the glimpses of the acting to the credible look of the old west and costumes, this movies just oozes class.

"True Grit" opens on December 25th and you can check out the trailer below.

"Client 9: The Rise And Fall Of Eliot Spitzer" Trailer

You can now watch the official trailer for CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER exclusively on Apple Trailers.

Presented by Magnolia Pictures & directed by Alex Gibney

CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER premieres on VOD (iTunes, On Demand, Amazon, Vudu, XBOX Live & Playstation) October 1, 2010 and opens in theaters November 5, 2010.

This documentary feature takes an in-depth look at the rapid rise and dramatic fall of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. Nicknamed "The Sheriff of Wall Street," when he was NY's Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer prosecuted crimes by America’s largest financial institutions and some of the most powerful executives in the country.  After his election as Governor, with the largest margin in the state's history, many believed Spitzer was on his way to becoming the nation's first Jewish President. Then, shockingly, Spitzer’s meteoric rise turned into a precipitous fall when the New York Times revealed that Spitzer - the paragon of rectitude - had been caught seeing prostitutes.   As his powerful enemies gloated, his supporters questioned the timing of it all: as the Sheriff fell, so did the financial markets, in a cataclysm that threatened to unravel the global economy. With unique access to the escort world and well as friends, colleagues and enemies of the ex-Governor (many of whom have come forward for the first time) the film explores the hidden contours of this tale of hubris, sex, and power.

Magnolia Pictures Pushes Back "Down Terrace" To 10/15

We just received word for Magnolia Pictures that DOWN TERRACE has been pushed back a week. DOWN TERRACE will now release theatrically on 10/15.

Father and son Bill and Karl (real life father and son Bob and Robin Hill) have just been released from jail free and clear, but all is not well at Down Terrace. Patriarchs of a small crime family, their business is plagued with infighting. Karl has had more than he can take of his old man's philosophizing and preaching, and Bill thinks Karl's dedication to the family is seriously compromised when he takes up with an estranged girlfriend who claims to be carrying his baby. To make matters worse, there’s an unidentified informant in their midst that could send them all to prison for a very long time, and none of their associates can be trusted.

Status of 'Batman 3'

Some good news and not-so-good news to bring you regarding what's happening behind the scenes with Batman 3, per Batman-On-Film.

Starting off with the good news (cause that's always better to hear first, right?), it seems the film will be announced sometime before the end of the year or early 2011.  Can't say that's a bad thing considering the film is still many months away from filming, as well as its release date being close to two years away.

Now for the bad news.  3D.  Yes, the letter/number combination I have gotten so sick of hearing since Avatar came out.  It seems Warner Bros. is keen on doing the film in 3D and want Chris Nolan to shoot it that way.  Problem is, we all now Nolan and Co. aren't big fans of 3D and would rather shoot it in the less gimicky, but more qualitative IMAX.  I fully hope Nolan (with all his pull at Burbank anyway) is able to win out and put the quality of the picture before $ signs, because that's basically what Warner Bros. wants to do.  I guess they forgot Nolan's past two films have grossed around $1.8 billion worldwide.  Idiots.

Weekend Box Office: September 24-26

Courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1.  Wall Street:  Money Never Sleeps -  $19 million

2.  Legend of the Guardians:  The Owls of Ga'Hoole - $16.3 million

3.  The Town - $16 million

4.  Easy A - $10.7 million

5.  You Again - $8.3 million

6.  Devil - $6.4 million

7.  Resident Evil: Afterlife - $4.9 million

8.  Alpha & Omega - $4.7 million

9.  Takers - $1.6 million

10.  Inception - $1.2 million

It was the return of Gordon Gekko vs. hero owls vs. Betty White this weekend, and while Gordon Gekko won, overall it turned out to be pretty weak few days at the box office.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, the sequel to Oliver Stone's 1987 Oscar winner won the weekend, but fell just below expectations with $19 million.  It was, however, the highest opening weekend for an Oliver Stone film.

The Zack Snyder directed Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole also disappointed this weekend despite a massive marketing campaign.  Projected to open within the $20 million range, the animated family film opened in second place with just $16.3 million

Both films fared far better than Disney's You Again, which flopped in fifth place with just $8.3 million and which not even Betty White could save. 

Last weekend's champ, The Town, had a great second weekend, dropping only 33% from last week and nearly beating Legend of the Guardians for second place.  It was also a good weekend for Easy A, which had just a 39% drop and beat out You Again for fourth place.  Both films should face some heavy competition against The Social Network and Let Me In next weekend, but they should continue to play well in the weeks to come.

Surprisingly, Devil held up decently in its second weekend, earning another $6.4 million.  Resident Evil: Afterlife came in 7th with $4.9 million, and its $52 million domestic total now makes it the highest grossing film in the series.

Alpha and Omega is fading quickly from the box office in 8th place with just $4.7 million (the release of Legends of the Guardians this weekend certainly didn't help).  Takers is closing out its own box office run with an impressive $54 million domestic total.  And the last summer movie in the top ten, Inception, rounded out the top ten with $1.2 million.  The worldwide total for the Christopher Nolan thriller (and one of the summer's best films) now stands at $755 million.

Next weekend sees the release of David Fincher's The Social Network, and the vampire remake Let Me In, both of which are getting some impressive reviews so far.  Should be an interesting weekend.

Devil's Advocate: The Case for David Yates

Message boards and blogs are all a buzz over the news reported yesterday by TOLDJA! that the search for a "Superman" director was in full swing. The names on the "short list" all have strengths and weaknesses they could bring to the project. Personally Matt Reeves and Duncan Jones are solid choices in my book. They both share a flare for the fantastic as well as action. That being said, I want to play devil's advocate and talk about David Yates.

 Yates, as you know, has occupied the director's chair for the Harry Potter series since "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". While many people may dismiss Yates as "by the numbers", it's important to understand that this may be a huge advantage. Yates has the experience of working with Warner Brothers for several films. All of which involve WB's biggest franchise. He has proven he can handle a large studio production laden with special effects and action. He's also shown that he can take an established character and translate what's on the page. The action and adventure in the potter books have, in my opinion, been transferred into live action quite well.

In the weeks to come we may be talking about Reeves or Snyder, but don't count out Yates. He's had the support of Warner Brothers for multiple films. A solid director with a resume that shows he can handle drama as well as the green screen. Most of all, he's a safe choice. He's a director that both WB and Nolan can control or collaborate with without the risk of tension. Yates track record with the Potter series may not be spotless, but it's solid ground. These are all aspects that I feel are very high on both WB and Nolan's list of requirements.

Now I understand that this entire article can be considered non-news. As far as I'm aware Yates hasn't been mentioned. But he's going to be available and he's a mainstay of WB's biggest current franchise. While I'm excited about the current list of directors, I keep coming back to Yates as the "logical" choice. Not my personal preference, but in a lot of ways he just makes sense to take over especially when Nolan and Goyer will undoubtedly be controlling much of the story.

The wild card here is Nolan. Warner Brothers usually telegraphs their decisions, but adding Nolan turns this into a toss up. I understand who Warner Brothers would want, but Nolan makes very careful and secretive choices. He also surrounds himself with a particular type of talent that I haven't seen from Yates. It really depends on who understands Nolan and Goyer's vision the most. Therefore, my money is on the short list or a new list all together. But hey, you never know.   

Matt Reeves Plays Coy About Superman

Another director who found themselves on "The List" of directors being considered for the new Superman flick has responded to the news. The good guys over at JoBlo caught up with Matt Reeves in Austin while there for the debut of "Let Me In" at Fantastic Fest.

The first Reeves said he heard of his attachment to Superman was when a fan came up to him at Fantastic Fest and told him about it. "I was surprised," he told us in an interview that will air next week on the AITH Podcast. "I really have no idea if any of that is true. It's certainly an amazing project, but I would be surprised..."

To me Reeves was playing this very close to the vest, almost tongue-in-cheek if you go strictly by the quote. I mean he could have the gig, he could have been involved two months ago but not now, he could be still up for it. Who knows? Good thing is that there is finally some news.

Reeves does seem to be a very likely candidate. I love Duncan Jones for the gig, but I wouldn't mind Matt Reeves either, and it makes a lot of sense. If you remember, his name was brought up with "Wolverine 2" as well. Plus his last name is Reeves. Come on. George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, maybe it's fate?

So far two of the directors on "The List" have responded to this news, let's see if the remaining three are game.

Duncan Jones Talks Superman Via Twitter

I have to say, when I read the list of possible Superman director candidates yesterday, I was pleased as punch to see that Duncan Jones was on there. I absolutely loved "Moon" and for me, it would be interesting to see him get the opportunity to bring Superman back to theaters.

Today Duncan Jones acknowledged the report via His Twitter Account:

Of course the tweet was pulled soon after, but through the magic of the interwebs, it still exists somewhere in cyberspace.  While we're at it, Duncan, if you're reading..how about casting Selleck as Pa Kent if you get the gig?

First Official Scream 4 Image

The Scream franchise has had ever decreasing returns in terms of quality since the groundbreaking first film, so who knows what this belated fourth installment has to offer.

Entertainment Weekly has the first official still from Courtney Cox and co's latest run in with Ghost-Face.