The Dark Tower: a Movie Trilogy and a TV Series!

Big news for fans of Stephen King's epic gunslinger book series The Dark Tower:  Deadline is reporting that Universal Pictures and NBC-TV have closed a deal that will bring the seven (and soon to be eight)-part series not only to theaters as a trilogy of films but that it will also be coming to network TV as a weekly series.

Both the first film and the first season of the TV series will be directed by Ron Howard (his first TV directing gig since the 80s), from scripts written by Akiva Goldsman.  Howard's Imagine Entertainment will produce.

The Dark Tower is sort of a cowboy-meets-Lord-of-the-Rings fantasy story about the character of Roland Deschain, the last of a knightly order of gunslingers who seeks the Dark Tower to save his crumbling mythical world.  And it's written by Stephen King, so you can just envision how twisted the whole thing gets.  There has also been a popular Marvel Comics series based around the original seven books.

For awhile, it appeared that Lost co-creators JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse were set to adapt the series for the film version.  King even optioned The Dark Tower to them for only $19, which, if you've read the books, is significant to the story (King himself was huge Lost fan).  But even they had some trouble sorting out the complicated plotline for a film adaptation, and the trio was reluctant to commit to such a huge project so soon after the completion of Lost.  They dropped out of the project in April, and Howard & crew jumped on board.

It sounds like a massive project - with a season of the TV series to follow each of the first two films, although there is no confirmation as to exactly how many episodes each season of the series will have.  But it's a huge property, so it looks like they're certainly going to do their damndest to do it justice.  At least they better - I know too many Dark Tower fans who will be pissed if they don't.

Martin Freeman Not Out of The Hobbit Business Just Yet!

Fuck a duck! The UK tabloids were dead on. Huh.

In an update on the story from yesterday, Entertainment Weekly confirms Martin Freeman was indeed offered a seven-figure payday to play Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. While verifying the British actor turned it down (due to his prior commitments to another season of Sherlock), word is Warner Brothers/MGM aren't taking "No" for an answer just yet.

The studios have punched up a proposed schedule that would allow Freeman to finish his arrangements to the hit BBC series (He's booked up for 20 weeks worth of work next year) and headline the two Hobbit movies. All parties are working to reach a deal.

Certainly an interesting development and a positive note for fans desperately waiting to hear good news on the troubled productions' front. So does this suddenly make me change my tune on my thoughts The Hobbit won't happen anytime soon? Nope, there are still plenty of other things to get done before cameras can roll in New Zealand – namely sort out MGM’s money woes and determine just who the Hell is directing this.

Joel McHale Joins Spy Kids 4

The trades report Joel McHale (star of Community on NBC that you should be watching and E!'s The Soup) has joined the cast of Spy Kids 4. He'll play "the spy-hunting reporter" husband of the earlier cast Jessica Alba whose kids will be the new protagonists this time around.

Casting is still underway for the tiny heroes and the villain, the Time Keeper. Presumably production will commence in the coming months to make its August 19, 2011 release.

Is there still interest among the general populous for this franchise? I'd say...probably. The first three were relatively well-liked and successful. Then again, I don't think the world is begging for more. But I could imagine this fourth installment (being labeled as a reboot for some reason) will do fine next summer.

Ronald Reagan Biopic in the Works

Hollywood is taking another stab at President Ronald Reagan's life, and thankfully for their sake, they've (supposedly) learned from the mistakes of the infamous 2003 television mini-series.

THR has the details.

Reagan will be adapted from two top-selling biographies of the fortieth U.S. President, has a $30 million budget and aiming for a late 2011 release. No distribution deal has been hammered out nor have any actors or filmmakers lined up.

Let the fantasy casting begin and I'll go ahead and throw a name in the ring for "Paw Paw Reagan" (as my sister used to call him) – Jon Hamm.

One shouldn't do a ball-sucklingly positive portrayal. That's boring, pandering and uninspired. But you don't need to go so overtly-negative either. Doing that makes everyone involved come off as Hollywood assholes preaching to us dumb-folk in "fly-over country."

Robert Schwentke Secures R.I.P.D. Directing Gig

A couple of weeks back surfaced reports Robert Schwentke (whose latest Red opens this fall) was the front-runner for the Ryan Reynolds-starring R.I.P.D. He was also said to be in contention for Wolverine 2, but I think we all know here this sounded like the better route to go.

"TOLDJA" reports it's now a done deal as Schwentke will direct the supernatural/buddy-cop project. Based on the comic by Peter Lenkov, Reynolds will play a deceased cop continuing his line of work in the afterlife as he's partnered up with a gunslinger from the Old West.

Production is being eyed to start towards the end of summer 2011. Reynolds is booked solid from here on out with the currently-lensing comedy The Change Up with Jason Bateman, the action/thriller Safe House with Denzel Washington early next year and his worldwide promotional circuit to pimp Green Lantern.

It's also further proof (like it or not) Reynolds won't be headlining that Deadpool movie Fox keeps talking up.

Michael Caine versus Bees: Round 2

Michael Caine has joined Josh Hutcherson and Dwayne Johnson (*Sigh*) for Journey 2: The Mysterious Island according to Heat Vision. He’ll play Hutcherson's granddaddy which will reportedly see the two-time Oscar-winner in "action mode, engaging in several chase sequences, including one involving giant bees."

Hence The Swarm reference in the title.

Hey, the man likes to work and Batman 3 won't be shooting until next spring. I can't wave my nagging finger of disappointment at Caine simply because he's already done plenty of bad movies in years past (the afore-mentioned Swarm, Beyond the Poseidon Adventure, Jaws: The Revenge, Bewitched, etc.)

Liam Neeson (sadly) boards 'Battleship'

Every so often in Hollywood, a film comes along that  is just doomed from the get go.  Whether it be the premise, the actors involved, or just the idea that some studio exec would greenlight the disaster waiting to happen, the film eventually follows its self-fulfilling prophecy and completely bombs critically and commercially.

Low and behold, we have Universal's $200 million budgeted, Summer 2012 tentpole release of Battleship, based off the popular Milton Bradley board game to be directed by the Hancock helmed, Peter Berg.  If that previous sentence alone wasn't enough to get you to understand my sentiments, maybe this next one will.  The science fiction/action-adventure centered around a Naval fleet who must protect earth against alien invaders, will star Taylor Kitsch (TV's Friday Night Lights), Rihanna (hip-hop star making her acting debut), Alexander Skarsgaard (HBO's True Blood), Brooklyn Decker (famed Sports Illustrated swimsuit model), and Tom Arnold (yes, Tom Arnold).

With that said, you should now understand the article's title. Liam Neeson, the incredibly talented and badass actor of Darkman, Schindler's List, Batman Begins, Kinsey, and Taken, has joined this already sinking ship (no pun intended). Liam is set to play Admiral Shane, the father of Brooklyn Decker's character who...does it really matter to be honest? Hopefully he does his "thing" and gets a fat paycheck out of it, because that's the only positive he's going to get from a film like this.

Exclusive: New Wizard of Oz Book and Film in Development!

TMT has just learned of a Wizard of Oz spin-off sequel in the works. The plan is to release a novel first and then a film adaption will follow. The book will be released later this year or early next year. No start of production or release date have been set for the film as of yet, but I"d expect to hear something more concrete shortly after the release of the Novel.

The Novel is being published by Lulu Publishing Inc and the film adaption is being developed by independent production house Buzz Motion Pictures.

The story is as follows:

Dorothy and Toto return to Oz exactly one year after their last arrival to Kansas from their first trip after a call of help from Glinda the Good Witch. The Munchkins are missing and so is Glinda's magic! Get ready to click your heels for the first time in over 70 years as you join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Toto, and the Lion on an entirely new adventure down the yellow brick road!

You'll also meet new exciting characters like patchwork girl, a hungry tiger, a rainbow princess, talking horses, and singing trees along the way!

Prepare yourself for ''Dorothy and Toto in Oz'' and discover what happened next in the story of Oz!

Principal Photography Begins on 'The Cold Light of Day'

Following up with my previous entries, it was announced today that prinicpal photography has begun on the action-thriller, The Cold Light of Day.  The Mabrouk El-Mechri directed film, starring Henry Cavill, Bruce Willis, and Sigourney Weaver, will shoot entirely in Spain till November 13th.  Here's the official press release:

HENRY CAVILL, BRUCE WILLIS, AND SIGOURNEY WEAVER STAR IN
SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT AND INTREPID PICTURES’
“THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY”

Production Begins in Spain on the Action-Thriller
Directed by Mabrouk El-Mechri

Alicante, Spain  September 7th, 2010 – Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver will join Henry Cavill in Summit Entertainment and Intrepid Pictures’ action thriller THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY.  Principal photography commenced on September 6th and will continue through November 13th.

THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY, set and filmed entirely in Spain, will be shot over ten weeks in the Community of Valencia and Madrid as well as several weeks on the stages at Ciudad de la Luz studios in Alicante.  Mabrouk El-Mechri directs the project from an original screenplay by Scott Wiper & John Petro, with revisions by Richard Price.  Intrepid principals Trevor Macy and Marc D. Evans will produce the project along with Jesus Martinez, principal of Galavis Film which will co-produce the project.  Steven Zaillian from Film Rites, Kevin Mann and Matthew Perniciaro of Picture Machine, and Wiper will executive produce.

The film is a US-Spanish production, and the majority of the cast and crew are Spanish and European.

Also starring are the Spanish actors Verónica Echegui and Oscar Jaenada. Co-starring are Caroline Goodall, Roschdy Zem, Joseph Mawle, Rafi Gavron and Emma Hamilton.

THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY is an action thriller that centers on a young American whose family is kidnapped while on a vacation to Spain.  He is left with only hours to find and the connection between their disappearance and his father’s secrets.

Summit Entertainment will distribute the film in the US and sell internationally. Erik Feig, Summit’s President of Production, and Summit’s Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Michael Schaefer, will oversee the project for the studio.

About Summit Entertainment
Summit Entertainment is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures.  Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product.  Summit Entertainment, LLC released on average 10 to 12 films annually.

About Intrepid Pictures
Intrepid Pictures, an independent production and financing company founded in 2005, co-produced the $82 million worldwide box office hit THE STRANGERS.  Intrepid plans to produce and finance three to four pictures annually, and is currently packaging THE RAVEN, THE BYE BYE MAN, and the action picture THE COURIERS for production.

About Galavis Film
Galavis Film SL is a company from Valencia founded by Jesus Martinez in 2002, dedicated to producing and financing domestic and international films. Galavis Films has participated in the production of the titles THE KASERÓN and THE ART OF STEALING.  In addition to THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY Galavis Film is preparing production the films LADY SCARFACE and BAIT.

Tangled Viral Video

It seems a little strange that Disney should choose this popular YouTube clip that sounds like a cross between a stoner marvelling at a double rainbow and starring in his first porn film to use as a spoof for their new viral video for their upcoming animated film Tangled...but they've gone and done it anyway.  And, it's actually kinda funny.

You can check out the clip below, courtesy of ComingSoon.net:

Tangled opens in theaters on November 24th.