Anne Hathaway Updates on Judy Garland Biopic

The casting of Anne Hathaway in the planned Judy Garland biopic is a stroke of genius.

But since the news of her attachment to the project last year (based off the 2001 book Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland), development has been taking a snail's pace. So what the Hell is taking so long for what could be Hathaway's, seemingly inevitable, Oscar-grab role?

She gives an update status to BBC News:

"It's a very sensitive project and there have been so many stories told about her life that we're really trying to get it right. So we've taking our time with it. I know it seems like it's sort of an endless process but it's very, very slow incremental steps. I had a meeting about it a couple of weeks ago and we're all very motivated."

Also vital is the right director and screenwriter. Neither role of which I can recall has been filled. Even with the pitch-perfect casting of Hathaway, this needs the proper filmmakers to steer it away from the standard-operating procedures this genre typically does. This could be a great movie of one of the great tragic figures in Hollywood history – with the correction people in charge.

Superman: The Man of Steel Possibly Influenced by Secret Origin

With the kind of money and success it's garnished him over the years; it's not a detriment for David Goyer to be labeled "the comic book movie writer." Can't think of too terribly many flicks outside that genre bear his name – I know there are few. But it seems like he's content adapting high-profile comic-book characters to feature-film franchises, and they don't get any bigger than Superman, baby – the Zack Snyder-directed reboot he's writing.

Comic Book Movie (trust me, a rarity for me to link to them – they're notorious bullshit spreaders) have actually found something legitimately legit. Goyer wrote a forward to the recently-released hard-cover edition of Geoff John's Superman: Secret Origin, and gave what would be interpreted as a hint of what he, Snyder and the multitude of producers are aiming for with the Christmas 2012 reboot:

"There is a heart breaking moment halfway through the first chapter in which young Clark is told the truth about his heritage. He races out into the night, sobbing, stumbling through the cornfields. Eventually, his foster father, Jonathan, finds him."

'I don't want to be someone else,' says Clark. 'I don't want to be different. I want to be Clark Kent.'

'I want to be your son'

"Right there in that moment, Geoff contextualized Superman in a way that I'm not sure has ever really been done before. I had an 'aha' experience when I read that. For the first time I was able to grasp how lonely Clark must have been when he was growing up. And what a sacrifice Clark must continually make by being Superman."

"As I write this, I am midway through my first draft of a new Superman screenplay. It's a task that has stymied many talented fimmakers in the years since Donner's film. And for all I know, it will end up stymying me as well."

"But I've got one advantage that the screenwriters who came before me didn't have—and that's access to all the wonderful Superman stories written by Geoff Johns—first and foremost being the SECRET ORIGIN issues reprinted in the very volume you are now holding"

Reports prior to this suggested the Mark Waid-written comic Superman: Birthright would bear great influence on the new movie. Given Goyer's track record with this genre, it's not unorthodox to suggest he'll take spices here and there from noted works, add in his own ideas and blend it into a silver screen concoction all its down.

I wonder if the same fanboys who bitched and screamed about how lazy Superman Returns was for its influence by the Richard Donner films will act the same way with The Man of Steel. What with Goyer working off Johns who himself was greatly influenced by Donner. Assuming all this is to be believed.

H.R. Giger Working on Alien Prequel?

Going by the life cycle of Alien prequel rumors, prepare yourself for a rival post saying, "Nu-uh!" in the next 24 hours.

AvP Galaxy has uncovered an interview with Carmen Scheifele stating that Swiss surrealist artist H.R. Giger has return to the world of Alien and working closely with Ridley Scott on new designs and what not on the oft-discussed 3D prequel.

"How would she know?" you ask? Well, she is Giger's wife. Presumably this arose from conversations at the diner-table.

Until we hear this officially from Fox's lips or it's confirmed by our more insider-savvy colleagues, I'll rather wait for the afore-mention follow-up article stating this the info is bullshit. We should be used to this by with this fucking project.

Salt 2 In Search for Director - Phillip Noyce Exits

Sony might be moving forward on a sequel to their summer hit Salt. But Angelia Jolie will have to be directed by someone other than Phillip Noyce.

The director tells Movie Hole he won't call "Action!" on Salt 2:

"Those 3 [alternate] Blu-ray cuts [of the film] represent just about everything I have to offer on Everlyn Salt. If there ever is a sequel, better its directed by someone with a completely fresh take on what I believe could be a totally entertaining and complex series of stories."

Despite looking generic as shit and opening a week after juggernaut Inception, Salt was a hit for Sony thanks to a hard marketing push and star Jolie working the press circuit to maximum effect. A sequel hasn't been officially announced yet, but it appears highly-likely that won't be the last we see of Everlyn Salt.

Claudia Wells Returns!

Claudia Wells might have has been off the film scene for awhile, but she's been captured on celluloid for all times. She'll forever be Jennifer Parker in the original Back to the Future. You totally bought her and Michael J. Fox as a teenage couple with their future (No pun intended) ahead of them. Alas we unfortunately didn't get to her interact with herself (well, her 2015 self) and Christopher Lloydd in the sequels. But it is what it is.

You might have noticed her resurfacing during the promotions for the home video re-releases of the BTTF trilogy. Now she's headed back to the silver screen. Here’s the press release:

"Actress Claudia Wells, best known for her role as Jennifer Parker in the timeless classic Back to the Future (1985), is returning to film.

Wells, who for the last 19 years has been running the high-end fashion store Armani Wells in Los Angeles, has signed to play a part in the upcoming science-fiction film Battleground Los Angeles.

When the world is invaded by an ancient race of aliens, the city of Los Angeles is fortified as an alien stronghold. The only way to fight is from within.

Wells plays a character said to be similar to that of Linda Hamilton’s in Terminator 2 : Judgment Day.

Battleground Los Angeles, directed by Neil Johnson, marks Wells first on-screen appearance since 2008 and her first science fiction film since originating the role of Marty McFly’s devoted girlfriend in the box office smash Back to the Future 25 years ago.

Prior to her involvement in Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future, Wells was a TV regular appearing in the likes of Fast Times opposite Courtney Thorne-Smith and Patrick Dempsey, Off The Rack with Ed Asner, and Disney’s Herbie : The Love Bug."

Ouija: McG Versus Breck Eisner

One had his chance to sit in the grown-up's table and blew it. The other I don't think has had his shot yet.

Heat Vision says there's a tug-o-war between Breck Eisner and McG. Both want to direct Ouija, Universal's adaptation of the Hasbro board game. Michael Bay is producing and it's from a script by Tron: Legacy (How quick will they try to hide that factoid away?) screenwriters Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis.

Directors are filtering in and out of Universal offices the last few weeks with their pitches with no success. But with it set for a November 2012 release, there's plenty of time for the execs to make their decision – most likely when they return from the Christmas/New Year's break.

No offense, but This Means War will have to truly impress till I take McG serious again.

Tim McGraw Joins Safe House

Country-star Tim McGraw was one of those breed of singers/performers who shocked the Hell out of everyone and proved he legitimately had the chops. Of those films of his I've seen, he delivered the goods in Friday Night Lights, The Kingdom and even crap like Four Christmases. Also heard he was solid in last year's smash How to Train Your Black Man, or The Blind Side as it's called stateside.

He's currently in the midst of negotiating to join Daniel Espinosa's action-thriller Safe House, says THR. Our very-own Peter Georgiou read the script awhile back, and gave it good marks.

If a deal is reached, he'll play the mentor figure to Ryan Reynolds' CIA agent whose trying to take a highly-coveted prisoner (played by Denzel Washington) to a second safe house after their first is attacked.

Ten Year Filling Up Its Cast

Ironically, ran into an old high school pal the other day. Seeing him was a nice surprise in my daily routine. Which makes this item ironic because it shan’t be too long before yours truly has his ten year high school reunion. But beside a few people (including the afore-mentioned gentleman), I'm not keen to see old class mates married with pups while I'm...not.

Speaking of, Risky Business has casting updates on the ensemble drama Ten Year, from screenwriter Jamie Linden (We Are Marshall) making his directorial debut. It looks like the male side of the equation is filled with the likes of Brian Geraghty, Justin Long, Anthony Mackie, Chris Pratt, Chris Pine, Scott Porter and Channing Tatum onboard.

That still leaves those for the ladies, and Lynn Collins and Rosario Dawson are the latest to join along with Jenna Dewan, Anna Faris and Kate Mara.

Production starts this month down in New Mexico. Considering a number of cast-members have high-profile gigs on docket, this'll probably be a quick shoot.

Superman Headed to Canada

Logically speaking, I assumed either Canada or the United Kingdom would be the primary home for filming on Zack Snyder's Superman: The Man of Steel. Most of his productions (except for 300, correct me if I'm wrong) have lensed up in the Great White North, so most likely that's where the Man of Steel would return.

But you know logic be damned. I was hoping the new Superman reboot would come down here after Green Lantern (and The Dark Knight Rises coming damn close) went over so well.

Alas the Globe & Mail report that logic trumps all. Superman is headed to Canada – Vancouver, to be specific:

"'[Zack Snyder's] next feature's coming here,' said Peter Leitch, chair of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC and president of North Shore Studios and Mammoth Studios.

Leitch would not name Superman: Man of Steel as the film in question, but a source has confirmed that the next film in the Superman franchise will be shot in Vancouver next year, with production likely beginning in the summer."

All I have to say to that is "Damn it" and I'm sure I'll hear more this coming Sunday from my pal Lou.

Paul Theatrical Trailer

The theatrical trailer for Paul is here courtesy of Yahoo! UK. There's no embed file, so you'll have to check it out over there.

I'll admit the initial teaser was enjoyable, and there's no denying the great talent involved – director Greg Mottola and starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kristen Wiig, Jason Bateman, Bill Hader and the voice of Seth Rogen, among others.

This new trailer is OK. I suppose.

My gut instinct is the Internet will once again over-blow expectations to 11. This feels like a "For Nerds Only" kinda movie. Not a bad thing to be, but the general public is going to have to show some interest or else, and I don't get the impression they will. Cut to: the loud cries of fans crying, "WHAT HAPPENED!?!" if the sci-fi comedy bombs next year.

Basically, a repeat of what we just went through with Kick-Ass and Scott Pilgrim.