David Tennant Joining Burke and Hare

After two months or so of waiting, it looks like director John Landis has found someone to starting grave-robbing next to Simon Pegg.

Bloody-Disgusting reports that David Tennant (soon to be exiting Doctor Who and rumored Hobbit candidate) will co-star in Burke and Hare along with the new Scotty.

If you’ll remember this is the horror/comedy chronicling the two 19^th century gents who made a killing (no pun intended) selling corpses to med schools…that they dug up themselves. And later supplied said dead folks the good old fashioned way by murdering people themselves.

The casting is perfectly fine and I’m sure it’ll be something worthwhile. But I have to admit all enthusiasm towards the project went straight to Hell after hearing Landis is one of many Hollywood douchebags jumping on the “Free Roman Polanski!” bandwagon. I’ve long been in the “Judge the art – not the artist!” category.

But goddammit, the idea that someone should be excused for raping a child just because he made a couple of great movies just…pisses me off. And I’m utterly disgusted by those who actually support that fucktard.

Brett Ratner Welcomes Fanboy Hatred

I just don’t understand this inane hatred for Brett Ratner. The dude’s made a couple of decent films like Red Dragon and The Family Man and seems likeable enough. Oh that’s right. “He ruined X-Men!” screams fanboys. Reality check, people. Ratner was brought so late into the game of X-Men: The Last Stand that he had little-to-no impact on key decisions made for the third installment.

The producers and 20^th Century Fox had already settled on the story, casting, locations, etc. under director Matthew Vaughn. But after he jumped ship at the 11^th Hour, they needed someone to do a “9 to 5” job in order to make its Memorial Day 2006 release, tell the DP where to point the camera, bullshit with the cast/crew between takes, etc. Ratner happened to be available just at that moment.

You wanna place the blame on someone? Take your hatred to the studio (for basically settling on a release date 100% to say “Fuck you!” to Bryan Singer for leaving to helm Superman Returns), the producers and Matthew Vaughn who cooked up the story with the screenwriters. Hell, one could even place a bit of blame on Singer too for jumping ship like he did (even though it was understandable and I’m personally on his side in that situation!)

But no, fuck the facts. It’s still all Ratner’s fault. Give me a break. It doesn’t help matters that Ratner himself is adding fuel to the fire with some of his recent statements like this month-old interview with Star Pulse - which for some odd and unexplained reason is just now making the rounds. To be fair, he makes some valid points like this one:

“Every single person that wrote shit went to see that movie multiple times because a movie doesn't gross $200 something million unless people go to see it more than once. Every single person who said, ‘I'm never seeing that movie,’ they were the first ones there.”

At the same time, he comes off like a douche stating that his solo X-Men outing remains the franchise’s highest grosser “by far.” 

Although that fact is undeniable (unless you're an idiot fanboy who ignores said facts), it's two-fold. Bryan’s first two films were so damn popular (and successful) that it didn’t matter who the Hell directed the third one. It was going to be a monster hit regardless based on how effective Bryan adapted that universe to the silver screen, cast the roles, etc. Can't have it both ways, Brett.

Then again, there's nothing he can do to "win" with some of these idiots.

Captain Kirk IS Jack Ryan

I think it's safe to say. Paramount and Chris Pine are officially BFFs.

Earlier this morning, it was revealed that the current Captain Kirk was in the middle of hammering out a deal to star in The Art of Making Money for the studio. Now cut to mere minutes ago and Variety reports that the actor is also in negotiations to headline their long-in-development Jack Ryan reboot.

If this follows through, he'll be the fourth actor to play the CIA analyst after Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck. He'd also have the distinction of being one of the few actors to juggle multiple franchises concurrently. Christian Bale gave it a shot on his Batman films with Christopher Nolan and Terminator: Salvation. Needless to say, the latter didn't work out as well as the former.

Interestingly, the article also adds its unclear whether the Ryan reboot (which is currently in rewrite stages and, as of yet, without a director) would film before or after Pine returns to the U.S.S. Enterprise for the Star Trek sequel. Considering that both properties are under the same studio, I think there's more to this than they'll willing to admit at the moment.

This adds fuel to the fire towards my theory that Trek 2 will beam into cinemas for summer 2012 instead of the originally announced 2011. No, I won't shut up about this until Paramount sends some goons over to my house. That or the theory is proven right or wrong. Either one.

In case you're wondering (or care), I do like the idea of Pine in the role. Let's just see who Paramount and producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mace Neufeld commission to direct before anyone starts nerdgasming and what not.

Captain Kirk Works Hard For the Money

God bless Chris Pine and/or his agent. He’s doing exactly what he should be to help his career in the long run. After exploding with Star Trek this past summer, he made the logical choice of taking on a role that didn’t involve science fiction, space, etc. Show the general public he can be more than just Captain Kirk in their eyes while there’s still time to avoid type-casting.

First he signed up to co-star in the Tony Scott/Denzel Washington action Unstoppable (which for awhile looked like it wasn’t happening). With that about to wrap filming, Pine has lined up another gig before commanding the U.S. Enterprise for its sophomore voyage – whenever that will happen.

As per Variety, he’ll headline The Art of Making Money, based on a Rolling Stone article-turned-book, playing counterfeiter Art Williams. D.J. Caruso will be sitting in the director’s chair with production possibly commencing at the start of 2010.

Hell if Pine will fit a third project into his schedule before the Star Trek sequel starts up, I say go for it. Maybe it’s just me, but I get the impression he knows that his current gravy-train with Trek won’t be long-term as say the Shat had it.

Warcraft Inches Closer to Actually Happening - Screenwriter Hired

While pimping the home video release for his underrated horror gem Drag Me To Hell (if you didn’t check it out during its theatrical run, shame on you!), director Sam Raimi gave an update on the World of Warcraft film. Remember, he signed up to helm the property with Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures forking over the mullah back in July.

He revealed to MTV Movies Blog that screenwriter Robert Rodat (credited for solely penning Saving Private Ryan) has been commissioned for writing duties. The project (simply titled Warcraft) is expected to fully move forward once Raimi finishes Spider-Man 4. Yeah, I’m still waiting for actual news to come from that production myself. Enough with this “Yeah, we’re writing it right now and we’ll start up next year” crap, man.

If there's anything Drag Me To Hell proved, it's that Raimi still has that "crazy" energy he became known and loved for among us film-fans back in the 80s. It also showed that he'll be able to move away from ol Webhead once he finally gathers up the strength to do so. The idea of him helming a fantasy film is just too damn intriguing to pass up. I mean there was that period where he could have directed The Hobbit after all.

Mel Gibson Must Be Rolling in His Grave

I try not to constantly give crap to 20^th Century Fox for their decision-making. It seems like a chunk of the time nerds are shitting on them 100% because it’s in fashion to do so. But then you read a piece like this from Variety. Can’t help but shake your head and say, “No, I was wrong. They deserve the shit they get from everyone.”

As per the trades, the studio has another cinematic undertaking of the life of Moses in development. It’s certainly an epic story can could be retold. Hebrew child, raised among Egyptians, grows up to discover his true heritage, becomes a great hero to his people, leads them out of slavery, yadda, yadda, yadda.

But what can make this interpretation worthwhile? Because as any studio executive knows, ya gotta get the young kids interested. So why not do it in the style of 300. Of course! Why didn’t I think of that? Nope, I’m not making that up.

Anyone think this is even remotely a “Meh” idea? Any takers?

Gary Ross Upgrades From Venom to Matt Helm

Remember last Wednesday when Gary Ross was commissioned by Sony to write/direct a Venom movie for Sony? Yeah, I didn’t care about that either. Thankfully, that project might not be as eminent as we originally thought.

The Playlist has received word from a source close to Ross’ camp that not only is Venom quite a ways off, but the Pleasantville helmer is already at work on another property – Matt Helm. You may remember that from such news-items as when Steven Spielberg was flirting with making it his next directorial project. He “wisely” passed and opted to direct the forthcoming remake of Harvey instead. Good thinking, Mr. Spielberg!

More intriguing is the revelation that Bradley Cooper (of The Hangover and currently filming The A-Team) is currently in discussions for the title role. I guess he really wants to headline a would-be franchise – especially after losing out Green Lantern to Ryan Reynolds.

Say what you will about an updated Matt Helm film, but there’s no doubt it’s an upgrade from Venom.

Will Star Trek Sequel Beam Out of Summer 2011?

It was a gamble. Reboot the Star Trek franchise. Instead of hitting the “Reset” button and starting things 100% anew, the filmmakers decided to stay true to classic Trek lore. But reboot the series using time-travel resulting in a new alternate reality/continuity. Yep, that sounded like a pretty damn retarded way to go. But to the credit of director J.J. Abrams and screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, it worked. Not only that, but the average movie-going public and hard-core Trekkers alike ate it up to the tune of near $400 million across the globe. More importantly, they want more and as soon as possible.

Merely a month before its release and seeing this positive reception coming, Paramount went ahead and hired K&O along with producer Damon Lindelof to pen the sequel with Abrams returning in a producer role (as well as a strong, but still unconfirmed, chance of another go-around in the director’s chair). The first draft was to be turned in by this coming December with phasers set for summer 2011 release. Since then, it’s been mum regarding the status of Star Trek 2.

Whenever Orci and Kurtzman were doing press for outside projects (their television series Fringe starting its second season, The Proposal which they executive-produced or Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that they co-wrote), the topic of the forthcoming Trek sequel always came up with the same basic answer, “We’re still shooting around ideas.” Fair enough.

Funny thing is this past weekend; Team Abrams were promoting the forthcoming DVD/Blu-Ray release of their reboot. Not surprisingly, the sequel was brought up and once again came the “We’re still shooting around ideas” response. Uh, we’re in the middle of October and things are still in the “tossing the ball around” stage? To be fair, they could be pulling our leg and it’s further along than that. Plus, screenplays can (and have) been banged quickly. But it’s odd that they’re taking their sweet-ass time on the sequel when it’s supposed to hit multiplexes for summer 2011 – especially for something as highly anticipated as this.

That is, unless it’s been pushed back. Think about it for a minute. The way things stand right now, Paramount already has three tentpoles lined up for that summer (not including Trek). You’ve got Transformers 3, Thor and Captain America. Unless one of those gets delayed (which would probably be “The First Avenger” considering how it’s been forever and a day since we heard anything on it), I can’t imagine Star Trek 2 hitting that summer. What studio wants to release four $200 million+ films in one summer?

There’s also the issue of said summer being over-stuffed as it is. In addition to the afore-mentioned Paramount properties, there’s also Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows – Part II, Spider-Man 4, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Green Lantern, The Hangover 2, Cars 2, Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom and Peter Berg’s Battleship. Where the Hell could Trek 2 fit into that?

If that’s the case, where does it move to? Well there’s Christmas 2011 - ironic considering the first film was originally supposed to hit cinemas for December 2008 and wound up in May 2009. More likely, it would instead beam into silver screens for summer 2012 considering it’s currently not-so-packed with would-be blockbusters unlike 2011. Paramount already has The Avengers for May 4, 2012 and Pixar’s Newt aiming for June. Then there’s properties like John Carter of Mars, the Wolverine sequel and, of course, Batman III which don’t have specific dates locked in for release. Yet.

Regardless of when we ultimately see Kirk, Spock, Bones & Co. return, it's going to do killer business simply due to the popularity of the first film. The last time I remember hearing folks say, "I can't wait for the next one!" was after walking out of Batman Begins and Transformers. Needless to say, their sequels made a dent at the box-office - an understatement, I realize.

Keep in mind, this is 100% a hunch on my part. Could I be dead wrong? Absolutely. And if so, I'll gladly eat my words because (like many of you) I can't wait for the next Trek installment. But I'm gonna stick to my gut-feeling on this one. I think Star Trek 2 (or whatever the Hell they ultimately call it) will be released for summer 2012 instead of 2011 as originally announced.

Megan Fox Killed Off in Transformers 3? Shocking! No, Not Really.

Who would have thunk it? Comparing the director who made your career to a mass-murdering psychopath responsible for the execution of millions was considered a bad PR move. Shocking as that may sound.

When Michael Bay confirmed he was returning to direct Transformers 3 for July 2011, it felt like he went out of his way to reassure folks that Megan Fox (despite her constant badmouthing) would in fact return. Now Pop Crunch claims (quoting In Touch Weekly) that death will probably be knocking at her door in "the first few frames" of the third installment involving a "gory death scene." Presumably, they mean PG-13 gory. That could explain why her clothes from Revenge of the Fallen are up for auction.

Can't say with a straight face that she doesn't deserve this treatment after the last few months of public bridge-burning. Like it or lump it, Fox needs the Transformers franchise. For some strange reason, she thinks she's above it. Think again. Current box-office gross of Jennifer's Body - $15 million. "Ouch," indeed.

Of course, I wouldn't immediately jump on this rumor as 100% Gospel. Hell, there isn't even a script yet, besides the "great Transformers 3 story" that Bay promised.

Movie Moan - First Podcast Killed For Lousy Ratings

Right off the bat, the guys at Movie Moan (Phil, Ed and Jamie) are quoting Network, the great gem of a film from director Sidney Lumet and Paddy Chayefsky. Said satire is the subject of this week's "Moanin 'Bout a Movie." You'll even get to hear Phil and Jamie's first non film-related argument towards the end.

Meanwhile, our heroes also touch upon the Toy Story 3 trailer that "premiered" this past Friday (i.e. someone loaded it on YouTube days before Disney is to officially unveil it). Phil is walking on air because he finally got to see Pixar's Up after months of anticipation. Yes, it's safe to say he loved it as the guys get the chance to discuss the film at long last.

Ed talks about a screening of Trick 'R Treat he attended last week with its writer/director Mike Dougherty and Anna Pauqin there and the rumors of the James Bond franchise possibly moving to 20th Century Fox (*Gasp!*) is discussed.

Movie Moan - First Podcast Killed For Lousy Ratings