Fletch Bitten by Reboot Bug

It got close about a decade back with Kevin Smith. Though prospects were hopeful more recently with Bill Lawrence, I thought when Smith dropped out Fletch would forever be known by movie-goers for the two Chevy Chase films from the 80s. But you know with reboots having worked in spades for Batman, Bond and Star Trek, I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise that Fletch is showing signs of life again. But fuck it, I'm surprised.

According to Heat Vision, Warner Brothers bought up the film rights to the character and 11 books penned by Gregory McDonald. They're hoping to re-capture that "reboot magic" they did with the World's Greatest Detective, and maybe the Man of Steel.

Since plans are in the infancy stage, there isn't a screenwriter or director aboard. But I will say despite my issues with the man over the last two years, Smith was dead on about one thing. He suggested the guy to carry the torch from Chase was Justin Long.

Granted, I don't think that will happen. But it's wishful thinking.

The Curious Case of Kristen Stewart, Kryptonians & Huntsmen

There's been a lot of back-and-forth over the last 24 hours or so over Kristen Stewart and her status, or lack thereof, on the Superman reboot for next Christmas. So I'll be brief. Well...I'll try...

What's Playing first said her name was filtering through the pipes at Burbank for Lois Lane, along with a handful of other actresses. Although I lack a hatred for emo vampires and Stewart has the acting chops, she doesn't strike me as right for the gung-ho Dailey Planet reporter. But it made sense she'd be brought up being she's one of the "hot" actresses at the moment. In this case, some of those mentioned will "do lunch" with the filmmakers over the part, and others are just being tossed around the production offices.

New York Daily News says it's a case of the former as she reportedly took a single meeting with helmer Zack Snyder and his wife/producing-partner Deborah. The verdict was a no-go for the Twilight star.

Cut to People getting in touch with Stewart's representation, who have absolutely no reason at all to lie or make the situation appear in her favor, claiming it was her saying, "Thanks, but no thanks" and not the other way around. Because she apparently wants to do "smaller, independent films" – you know like Snow White & the Huntsman.

Universal has been beating down Stewart's door for their big Christmas 2012 tentpole (that'll be fighting for your wallets against Superman, interestingly enough) and reportedly told her she wasn't required to read for it – even though they'd conducted recent screen-tests with other lesser-to-completely unknown actresses. Hence a new report from Heat Vision stating she's now in negotiations for the part.

Sounds to me like what happened is obvious. The Snyders told her she'd have to test and risk not getting cast. Being how Universal said to the contrary, and there’s a high likelihood her payday will be considerably higher, she made the logical choice for Snow White instead of pursuing Superman.

WB & CBS Films Developing Stephen King's The Stand

Been a Stephen King fan dating back to my high school days (which I can't believe was 10 years ago – Christ, I feel old) and The Stand remains my favorite of his works. Don't know what the general consensus is on the television mini-series from 1994, but I enjoyed it. Some of the casting choices felt like the characters as written by King brought to life, especially Gary Sinise as Stu Redman, and the changes made for the small-screen versus what went down in the novel I felt were adequate.

According to Heat Vision, Warner Brothers and CBS Films think it's time for a big-screen update.

The two will produce a theatrical version of King's novel. Although not graved in stone, it's altogether possible they go in the same direction as King's own Dark Towers, set up at Universal with Ron Howard to direct, and make this a series of films. With all the "Weelllll, the book is so expansive. We couldn't possibly just it into one movie!" explanation/excuse/bullshit from the Harry Potter and Twilight people, it's a valid point for The Stand.

Also to be determined is securing a director and writer(s). That matter should be addressed in the coming weeks as meetings are expected to take place with various helmers and screenwriters.

Tyler Perry's House of Cross

Unlike others working here at TMT, I like and respect Tyler Perry. The man is front and center at a vast empire of popular films, sitcoms and plays that boils down to the classic "man in drag" routine. I think. OK, so I've never watched any of his stuff. He's worked his ass off and earned every penny he's made over the years.

But him as Alex Cross?! No, no, no, no, no, no.

If you haven't noticed from my subtle reaction, I don't like this one bit. "TOLDJA" says the planned reboot Cross (originally to be directed by David Twohy and to star Idris Elba, in what could have been a star-making role for the longtime character-actor) has morphed into I, Alex Cross. Perry will follow in the footsteps of Morgan Freeman, who played James Patterson's literary hero in two not-so-good movies; 1997's Kiss the Girls and 2001's Along Came a Spider.

Adding further "What the fuck?" fuel to this fire is the inclusion of cheese-mister helmer Rob Cohen (who’s craft-friendly filmography is better suited for that G.I. Joe sequel Paramount is adamant to have out for next summer) in the director's chair.

Don’t know if I have the heart to break the news of no Elba as Cross to my buddy Dustin Rowles, the big cheese over at Pajiba.

Joaquin Phoenix Mulling Over Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

It's one thing to do a couple of bad movies, and another to alienate millions of paying movie-goers who first brought you fame and fortune. Whether this fall out of public favor was political commentary (generally folks don’t give a shit about an entertainer's politics regardless if their color of choice is blue or red) or pushing your controversial religion, it's never an unwise decision to keep your mouth shut. Just ask Will Smith and Hugh Jackman – people love those guys.

On the other hand, Joaquin Phoenix spent the last two years squandering his talent and time with brother-in-law Casey Affleck of the "documentary" I'm Not Here. Considering how both swore up and down it wasn't a hoax (That David Letterman interview has become the stuff of legend), people weren't amused when it turned out to be just that. Hell, I still haven't seen it or even its trailer.

Phoenix, despite being a very good actor, seriously needs to get back to what made people dig him in the first place – appearing in good movies that make a lot of money. That brings us to this news-item.

"TOLDJA" says he's being eyed for 20^th Century Fox’s big summer release Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. If he accepts (Word is the part is his if he so desires), he'd play the mysterious mentor figure to our 16^th President of the United States (to be played by Benjamin Walker) and show him the ways of vampire killing.

This is such an oddball project (I still laugh at how stupid it sounds even despite the said popularity of the novel this is based on) I wonder if Phoenix is better suited for Honest Abe.

Who Did Henry Cavill Beat Out for Superman Gig?

I can no longer call Henry Cavill the "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" of franchises after his surprising (for multiple reasons) casting as the new Superman. But I'll tip my hat to his devoted fans that got their wish and fully admit that I blew it on this one.

Interesting to note how (similar to Cavill's Kryptonian predecessor Brandon Routh) we were spared months worth of official short-lists and so forth. Just boom, here's the guy – end of story, let's get going. But that doesn't mean we can't find out after the fact.

Heat Vision has the details. In typical Christopher Nolan fashion, things were so secretive on casting only a handful of top WB executives knew what was going down. As for who we can add to the "Coulda beens" list of Kal-Els, Matthew Goode, who’d been rumored a few months back, was in fact the Runner-Up. He even went as far to jump out of the Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter race to focus his attention to sporting the red-and-blue trunks.

Other contenders ranged from the expected Armie Hammer and Joe Manganiello to Colin O'Donaghue (co-starring in this weekend's box-office champ The Rite) to another epic "WOOOOW" surprise in Matthew Bomer – not a knock against him, mind you.

How long till we find out who the new Lois Lane is?

Javier Bardem Flips Coin for James Bond Offer

You guys remember that awful VH1 show Best Week Ever?

It's safe to say Javier Bardem is coming off one. The birth of his first child with wife Penelope Cruz, his second Academy Award nomination for Biutiful (one that was a huge surprise, to add) and getting the offer to headline Ron Howard's Dark Tower film trilogy/limited-run television series. Apparently his week of good fortune didn't stop there.

"TOLDJA" says the No Country For Old Men Oscar-winner was also formerly offered the lead for the next James Bond installment. The details of the proposed role are being kept under lock and key, but we're all assuming it’s a baddie next to Daniel Craig's British Gentleman agent.

But it's just an offer - for the moment. In the same manner, the Dark Tower remains one too. He might accept or he could hypothetically pass on both. There's also the chance (assuming it’s doable) he says, "Hells yeah!" to both.

The untitled Bond entry hits November 9, 2012 and The Dark Tower opens on May 17, 2013.

Benjamin Walker Freed the Slaves & Fought the Undead

20^th Century Fox made the call to go in the "unknown" direction instead of more name-recognized actors like Adrian Brody or Eric Bana for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The trades report Benjamin Walker will star in Timur Bekmambetov's film version of the popular (for some reason) novel by Seth Graham-Smith as Honest Abe.

The classically-trained Broadway actor, currently starring in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and future son-in-law to Meryl Streep of all people, had an almost claim to fame last summer. He was cast as Hank McCoy/Beast for X-Men: First Class. But issues of his age arose (He looked too old to be taking lessons from James McAvoy, executives argued) and he was ousted, but paid for his time.

Then after a fruitless search for a replacement (prior to the casting of Nicholas Hoult) they actually went back to the guy with a brand new contract. He understandably turned it down.

But that all looks like water under the bridge.

Maybe if this is a big hit next June, someone will pick-up my Anne Frank: Zombie Killer idea?

Viggo the Huntsman & Kristen Stewart as Snow White?

Good news, bad news for Viggo Mortensen fans. Yes, it appears he's returning to the realm of fantasy/adventures and will headline a high-profile movie for Universal. Unfortunately, it isn't The Dark Tower as many had hoped. That'd be Javier Bardem – read below.

The trades report the Lord of the Rings alum is in talks in star in Snow White & the Huntsman – the latest in a slew of "revisionist" fairy tale yarns post-Alice in Wonderland and one of several Snow White films in development.

Mortensen would play the Huntsman, who in this version, serves as Snow White's mentor-figure and protector after originally being hired by the Evil Queen (to be played by Charlize Theron) to kill her. Since the door closed on the Rings trilogy, old Viggo has kept himself strictly away from big studio pay-days in favor of smaller endeavors like A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, The Road and Appaloosa.

As for who will co-star, that question unanswered. Despite their intentions for an unknown (including screen-tests conducted this past weekend), Heat Vision says Universal continues turning back to Kristen Stewart for the role. She remains a hot property thanks to the Twilight franchise. But like most actors whose careers exploded once they got bit by the franchise bug, she hasn't produced a hit outside her primary bread-winner.

It's always a wise move for these guys to strike while the iron is hot and show the general public they can be more than just their signature character to avoid type-casting once their series runs out of gas and they’re stuck getting guest-star gigs on Law & Order in ten years.

Javier Bardem May Be The Gunslinger

Whether it succeeds or fails, Universal deserves credit for taking an honest-to-God risk not seen since New Line Cinema put their asses on the line for The Lord of the Rings trilogy over a decade ago.

This plan for a Dark Tower film trilogy and television series (both will star the same cast) could result in hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of egg in their face. But let's face it; this studio has felt hardships for years now with a number of pricey under-performers and flops – quality notwithstanding.

"TOLDJA" says an offer has been sent out to Oscar-winner Javier Bardem, who'd been reportedly a candidate, for the lead role of gunslinger Roland Deschain. Again, the studio and filmmakers (in this case, director Ron Howard) get props for such an outside-the-box choice considering the acclaimed actor's lack of commercial clout, despite his Oscar win for No Country For Old Men.

I'll admit my ignorance to the property. Despite being a longtime fan of author Stephen King, I've never been able to get into The Dark Tower series. So I don't have an immediate gage of whether or not Bardem is the perfect choice for Roland. But just on face value, I like this choice.

I'm sure my pal Lou will tell me in explicit detail how wrong I am on this weekend's Movie Moan.