Fox Gunning for Bond

At the end of every adventure, the Broccolis reassure us, "James Bond will return."

While it's no longer in question when that will occur (November 9, 2012), who will direct (Sam Mendes) and who will fuck anything female with a pulse and kill any baddie in eyes-view (Daniel Craig going for his third outing), a distributor hasn't been wrangled up.

To their credit, "TOLDJA" has been saying from the start the studio with the home-court advantage is Paramount. Thanks to their association with new MGM heads Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, the big-cheeses at Spyglass responsible for J.J. Abrams' Star Trek reboot and its sequel next June. Then there's Sony who handled distribution for Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, and said to the studio of choice for the Broccolis.

Not surprisingly a third studio is in contention (courtesy of THR): 20^th Century Fox. Not the first time they've been pegged to take over the marketing and distribution for 007. Just ask We Are Movie Geeks two years back. Fox already distributes the Bond catalog on home-video so it's not like this would be a sudden change of pace.

My money's on Sony given their recent success and association with the property. But a decision is expected to be made in a few weeks whereupon I'll be proven wrong and it'll be Paramount. Probably.

Spider-Man Won't Be Harassing Jameson in the Reboot!

FYI. Have to give a shout-out to this awesome picture done up by artist Paul Salvi on his blog!

Anyway, we'd come to accept J.K. Simmons wouldn't don the Hitler mustache and cigar again for Marc Webb's Spider-Man do-over. But we assumed someone else would. Remember that What's Playing report stating Sam Elliott and John Slattery?

Production's been underway since before Christmas break. Yet still no word on the identity of the new J. Jonah Jameson.

IGN Movies says there's a reason for that. He won't be in the 3D reboot next July, kiddos.

I guess that means the humor for the movie(s) will derive from the wall-crawler's wise-cracks and his interaction with Flash Thompson – two staples from the comics missing from the three Sam Raimi/Tobey Maguire/Kirsten Dunst installments.

Guess the plan is to introduce him in the 4D sequel, assuming there is one.

Fuck You, Logic! Storm Shadow Returns for G.I. Joe 2!

With a movie as stupid, or as I prefer the term retardtastic, as G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, there's zero point in arguing logic. Waste of time and you come off like an even bigger idiot for trying to debate how something does or doesn't make sense.

THR says Lee Byung-hun is returning as Storm Shadow? Even though he was clearly dead at the end of the first movie? Sure, why not?

They say filming will start this June for an unspecified summer 2012 release. Probably repeat the Stephen Sommers-directed original and aim for August after The Dark Knight Rises and Star Trek 2 have chewed up and spit out everything out.

Crisis Adverted! Spider-Man Using Mechanical Web-Shooters!

The vibe we're all getting from the 3D Spider-Man reboot is whatever Sam Raimi did Marc Webb is going to do the opposite. Thus instead of Mary Jane Watson as the gal of Pete Parker’s dreams, it's Gwen Stacy. Instead of relegating Flash Thompson (a longtime comic-foil for Webhead) to a bit part during the high-school segment of the 2002 film, he's here in full force.

That also goes for the web-fluid debate. The three Raimi/Tobey Maguire flicks went for organic web-shooters, an idea originating from James Cameron's infamous 1993 "scriptment." When that (very solid) first look at Andy Garfield in the suit popped online last week, many noticed what appeared to be mechanical web-shooters on his wrists.

It didn't take long, but Music Television apprehended Emma Stone and got confirmation on the matter:

We'll have to wait and see if the Osborn family rears their heads or if the wall-crawler will spout out one-liners this time. Not to mention, where the Hell is J. Jonah Jameson?

Ridley Scott's Alien Prequel Transforms into Prometheus

Ridley Scott returning to the science-fiction is something for all film-fans to rejoice.

The fact that it was going to be for two 3D Alien prequels, possibly covering the origins of the space-jockey from his 1979 classic, killed my enthusiasm. I'm sorry, but that's territory I preferred left to my imagination and regarding a series best left for someone else to fuck up than the guy who launched it thirty-two years later.

This afternoon 20^th Century Fox officially announced that project is dead, and in its place arises Prometheus. They ain't talking much more beyond that other than Noomi Rapace (from the original Swedish Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and been long-linked to Alien: Origins or whatever the fuck it was called) is the first to sign on as the lead Elizabeth Shaw and a March 9, 2012 release set.

Here's the press release from Coming Soon:

"Twentieth Century Fox announced today that Ridley Scott will direct Prometheus, an original science fiction epic, for worldwide release on March 9, 2012. The initial draft of the script was written by Jon Spaihts (The Darkest Hour) from Scott's idea. Damon Lindelof ('Lost,' Star Trek) and Scott have since been working together on the current version which has expanded the story into new directions.

Story details are being closely guarded so as not to spoil surprises for moviegoers, but Scott explained the outlines of the film and its genesis as follows: 'While 'Alien' was indeed the jumping off point for this project, out of the creative process evolved a new, grand mythology and universe in which this original story takes place. The keen fan will recognize strands of 'Alien's' DNA, so to speak, but the ideas tackled in this film are unique, large and provocative. I couldn't be more pleased to have found the singular tale I'd been searching for, and finally return to this genre that's so close to my heart.'

'In a world flooded with prequels, sequels and reboots,’ said Lindelof. 'I was incredibly struck by just how original Ridley's vision was for this movie. It's daring, visceral and hopefully, the last thing anyone expects. When I sat in a movie theater as a kid, feet raised off the floor for fear that something might grab my ankles, I never dreamed in my wildest imagination I would one day get to collaborate with the man responsible for it. Working alongside him has been nothing short of a dream come true.'

Of the five major roles to be cast, Noomi Rapace is the first actor signed to star in the film. The young Swedish actress landed the role of scientist Elizabeth Shaw after Scott saw her portrayal of fictional Lisbeth Salander in the film The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo, for which she was lauded by Time magazine as a 2010 Performance of the Year. Rapace starred in all three entries of the breakout global franchise based on Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy of books (The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest are the other two entries), which have collectively grossed more than $212 million worldwide."

"TOLDJA" adds that the other female lead Vickers is being circled by Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron; the latter who Vulture revealed a few days back.

First Look at Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man!

Sony has just released the first look at British actor Andrew Garfield (excellent in flicks like The Social Network and Boy A) as the new Spider-Man. My reaction is not unlike seeing Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander. It's different enough from the last actor who occupied the role but still recognizable to the character. I like it.

Curious to see the public's reaction to this.

First Official Look at Rooney Mara in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Sony, director David Fincher and producer Scott Rudin are putting as much care and detail to the "official" unveiling of the unknown Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

W Magazine have the photos with an accompanying article on the production including the revelation of screenwriter Steve Zaillian going with an ending different from the book or the original Swedish film.

But back to Mara, it's a weird position to be in. For lack of a better comparison, it's like being George Lazenby, before all those prima-donna stories hit the press.

You have a character in Salander whom a lot of people are aware of thanks to the three global best-sellers and the afore-mentioned films – which launched its star Noomi Rapace in Hollywood. You have to find a look and performance true to the character as originally written and yet still be different from Rapace.

Can't judge her performance yet (The movie opens December 21, 2011), but going 100% off her appearance, I have to tip my hat to the filmmakers. She looks like the character.

Paramount Resurrecting Ripley’s Believe It Or Not

Maybe it's me, but Jim Carrey is pushing hard to get back into people's good graces in a similar fashion to Tom Cruise. For awhile there, he was starring in movies, quality notwithstanding, folks didn't flock to go see and being seen running around with "autism curer" Jenny McCarthy wasn't a career tourniquet.

Either his checking account got low (I can relate!) or a confidant slapped sense back into his head. Because he's been getting his act together lately. This past week he hosted Saturday Night Live to big fanfare (and ratings) and he's in the midst of filming Mr. Popper's Penguins. Fox has that set for an August release, but I could see them bumping it to Thanksgiving given the popularity of the original children's book and its appeal to family audiences.

"TOLDJA" says another potential crowd-pleaser is on the way. Ripley's Believe It Or Not, set up with Carrey and director Tim Burton only to have the plug pulled weeks before filming was to start a couple of years back, is getting a blood transfusion. The studio has commissioned Oscar-winning scribe Eric Roth, behind Forest Gump, Munich and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button to name a few, to overhaul the script.

Carrey remains attached to star, although a director remains MIA.

Tron 3 Nearing A Greenlight?

When What's Playing said filmmakers was awaiting word from Disney on Tron 3, it made sense. The studio was anxiously waiting to see returns on Tron: Legacy. But the tracking wasn't so hot and the advanced reviews pouring out were, generally speaking, pretty bad. Sequel talk in advance is the norm and hiring screenwriters ahead of time doesn't mean it's gonna happen. Until the public says they want more with their wallets, it all means dick.

So, it's just shy of a month after its release and it’s safe to say it ain't doing well commercially (It's out in all the major markets and just about to break $300 million worldwide off a budget "officially" listed at $170 million, but realistically in the neighborhood of $200-$250 million, if not higher – don't forget it also has the 3D and IMAX bump) nor did it particularly click with the general movie-going public.

Nevertheless, AICN says another one is on the horizon with the Mouse soon to hit the "Greenlight" button.

This feels like a couple of things:

1. something to keep discussion of the property going as the DVD/Blu-Ray release approaches
2. an attempt to save face from the studio on an uber-expensive franchise-launch (in this case, re-launch) that didn't 100% work
3. someone high-ranking inhouse is a die-hard Tron fan and refuses to let it die.

Don't know. After all that money poured into Tron: Legacy and its reaction from average Joes, it's hard to imagine Disney putting even more dough behind Tron 3.

James Bond Returns November 9, 2012

We heard last November MGM fully intended to get the James Bond franchise back on its feet for a November 2012 release. Nothing else concrete surfaced for the remaining duration of last year. But as everyone is high-fiving themselves over The Hobbit finally happening (albeit now fully under the control of Warner Brothers), it was a matter of time before we heard formal announcements on the return of 007.

"TOLDJA" has confirmed a November 9, 2012 has been set for the next installment. Yes, Daniel Craig will return for his third go-around in the tuxedo and license to kill and indeed, Sam Mendes will call "Action!" behind the camera.

Still no decision on what studio will step in and distribute. I'd guess Sony since they did so with the other two Craig films. But rival studios will, no doubt, want a piece of that tasty pie.

Also Peter Morgan (who was originally nabbed down to write before MGM's shit hit the fan) has vacated the project. Not a surprise since the Oscar-nominated writer himself said he wouldn't return regardless of the outcome with MGM. Taking his place is Gladiator screenwriter John Logan along with go-to Bond writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.

As I've bitched and moaned about plenty of times before, I want to see as much of Craig's Bond as possible. Thankfully this didn't turn into a repeat of the Timothy Dalton reign.