Randall Wallace Boards the Nautilus

It's weird to imagine that six months ago, McG was one of the "golden boys" of Hollywood. Terminator: Salvation was building up to be one of 2009's biggest releases headlined by Christian Bale (who himself was coming off The Dark Knight) and a prime Memorial Day weekend release. Everyone wanted the guy to helm one of their properties, and it seems Disney wanted him the most by hiring him for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo.

Cut to now with Salvation turning out to be a huge box-office misfire in the U.S. ($122 million gross vs. $200+ million budget = ouch) while the film does solid numbers overseas which was to be expected. But it's still not enough to ensure that any additional Terminator installments will get the greenlight.

With that in mind, I assumed that we wouldn't be seeing much from McG or Captain Nemo anytime soon. Much to my surprise, Disney still appears to be serious about getting Nemo on screens and with McG still sitting in the director's chair.

The trades report that Randall Wallace (who most of us like to remember for Braveheart and We Were Soldiers, and forget for Pearl Harbor and The Man in the Iron Mask) has been brought on-board for further rewrites on the project. This is now months after the studio acquired then "It boy" screenwriter Justin Marks for his own set of touch-ups for a few weeks.

I still won't hold my breath waiting for this to happen. Production is said to commence in the fall for a Christmas 2010 release. But we're still in the dark towards who will play the title character. Yes, I know that McG foamed at the mouth about nabbing down Will Smith. But those rumors of Dwayne Johnson sound more plausible - especially considering his already-successful relationship with the Mouse and the fact that his paycheck wouldn't cost a couple of vital organs like Smith will.

Jack Ryan Returns...Eventually...

"Son, I told you to lay off that 'Bennifer' crap."As the "Bond v. Bourne" debate rages on, Paramount has been trying like Hell to get their own secret-agent back on the silver screen to join the fight. We're of course talking about Tom Clancy's CIA hero Jack Ryan whose gone through about as many face-lifts as Cher. Well, maybe not that much.

Thompson on Hollywood reports the current hold-up appears to be everyone waiting for a script - in this case, from Killshot screenwriter Hossein Amini. The studio (Paramount) along with former WB big-cheese and current Transformers and G.I. Joe producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura are rubbing their palms in anticipation for the first draft of Untitled Tom Clany Project. Nice title - simple and to the point.

Although the details remain sketchy, Thompson noted (via Twitter) that the project looks to be a second reboot to the franchise. The first being the 2002 Ben Affleck/Morgan Freeman/Liev Schreiber headlined Sum of All Fears which despite being profitable never resulted in a sequel. If memory serves me correctly, the plan was to adapt Red Rabbit for Affleck until the studio heads opted out - i.e. "Bennifer" backlash.

And what of those recent "George Clooney as Jack Ryan" rumors? He's certainly eyeing the property, but (like everyone else) is waiting to read said script and see what filmmaker the studio lines up for the project.

Sounds like they're trying to make the character "age ambiguous" until they find their new Jack Ryan.

The Next Sure Thing.

The trades report that Jeremy Garelick (who performed script doctor duties recently on The Hangover as well as producing/co-writing The Break-Up) has been pegged to helm a feature-length theatrical version of...wait for it...Baywatch. Yes, God has heard your prayers for more shitty movies based on shitty television shows. Praise be the Lord!

Actually the project will be less straight-faced (which made the series a big slice of cheese back in the day) and more of a comedy and a "plot" involving less-than-likely lifeguards blending in with the pretty boys and big chests on the beach. Or to be more specific, the leads will be fugly as Hell or if Michael Bay had developed this, black stereotypes.

I'd frankly be shocked if we didn't see cameos from the Hoff or Pamela Anderson considering this tongue-in-cheek approach.

Meanwhile, still no confirmation on Baywatch Nights: The Movie.

Is This the Face of the Next Jack Ryan?

I'm of course not referring to the pig on the right, but his (former) owner George Clooney.

According to the Daily Beast, Clooney has "expressed interest" in being the fourth actor to portray Tom Clancy's CIA do-gooder once Paramount gets off their collective asses and decides to make another installment - which you damn-well know they will. Say what you will about the quality of the previous films or the performances from their perspective Ryans, but that franchise has always been a consistent money-maker.

And that's exactly what Clooney needs at this juncture in his career, folks. You see as much as the press loves to kiss Clooney's ass, the guy just isn't a movie-star. That is to say the general movie-going public doesn't flock to see his films - at least not like they did at the start of the decade with The Perfect Storm or the Ocean's series. And to be fair, this role seems like a good fit for him.

The bigger question is will Paramount get gears moving again? It seems to be the most on-again, off-again franchise this side of Superman with the constant rumors of actors, directors, etc circling the property.

Truth, Justice & the Japanese Way

Awhile back, we reported on a series of Japanese commercials for the 2009 Toyota Prius featuring actor Matthew Bomer (whose most notable for the series Chuck and will soon headline the forthcoming White Collar for USA Network) as Superman/Clark Kent.

Well now a TMT reader has sent us a nice picture of Bomer (who had previously auditioned and screen-tested for the role years back and was said to be then-director Brett Ratner's top-choice) in the red-and-blue suit that is to be used in local Japanese publications to promote the Prius. Notice again, they're using the suit used in Bryan Singer's Superman Returns.

He certainly looks the part. But I wouldn't be jumping to conclusions like I'm sure some have already done so. The film franchise is in hibernation at this time with the news of current Man of Steel Brandon Routh's contrast just recently expiring. The truth of the matter is if Routh doesn't return to the role, then his successor will be another unknown actor. Sorry, Tom Welling fans!

In other "What the fuck?" related news, a Japanese Tim Burton fan-site got a hold of the director's designs for Brainiac during the time he was working on Superman Lives back in 1997. Said site also provided a video presentation of sketches and models for how Kal-El's alien adversary would have looked had Lives seen the light of day. You can thank your lucky stars it fell apart, folks.

Somewhere Right Now Adrian Zmed Weeps Tears of Joy.

Even though it lacked William Shatner which plenty of folks bitched about last year, Star Trek currently sits as the third highest grossing film of 2009 with everyone (Paramount, the general public, fanboys, etc.) chomping at the bits for its sequel.

So using the oh-so logical thinking of Hollywood, plans are now underway to adapt "that other popular Shatner television series" for the silver screen. No, not Rescue 911 or Boston Legal. I'm talking about T.J. Hooker, of course.

As per the trades, no actors are currently attached to the project. Cut to 100% Grade-A Internet bullshit rumors of Chris Pine's participation. Just you wait. On the other hand, Chuck Russell (whose directorial filmography includes Eraser, The Mask and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors) is currently "in talks" for directing duties. The film will apparently be in the "action-comedy" vein not unlike Starsky & Hutch - which means it'll be "frat boy" humor and stuffed up the ass with celebrity cameos.

Can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd rather see a CHiPs movie instead.

Movie Moan - How Phil Was Moved by Borat

Even though its the July 4th weekend which would give us the perfect excuse, we're happy to present another edition of Movie Moan here at Think McFly Think.

On this week's show, Ed gives his take on The Hurt Locker while Phil and Jamie finally go all Siskel & Ebert with opposing views on Public Enemies.

Also on docket is the group's thoughts on Bruno as well as go into the news of this past week. Among the items discussed are the prospects of a 300 sequel, a View-Master movie, An American Werewolf in London getting remade (May God have mercy on our souls), the status of the Superman film franchise with the news of current Man of Steel Brandon Routh's contract just recently expiring, the ending to Collateral and exactly how and why Phil was moved....by the film Borat.

Movie Moan - How Phil Was Moved by Borat

A Nice Juicy Look at Avatar

It goes without saying that Avatar is the most anticipated amongst the films slated to make an appearance at this year's San Diego Comic Con. James Cameron's oft-discussed live-action/CG/motion-capture sci-fi epic has had about as much security behind its production than the Pope going out to grab a pack of smokes.

And with the film set for release this Christmas, it's about fucking time Cameron, 20th Century Fox & Co. started showing pictures and *gasp* actual footage. I know. I know. Probably asking for too much there. It's "only" opening in six months with little-to-nothing having been shown to the general public. That is if you don't count concept art and of course the Cinema Expo from Amsterdam.

Coming Soon has snagged some nice pictures of the Comic Con banner for Avatar with a nice juicy look at the Na'vi - the alien species at the heart of the film. Judging 100% on that single image, all I have to say is...wow. That looks pretty damn real.

Looks like Cameron and his effects-team weren't blowing smoke up our ass when they talked about how Avatar will further push the boundaries of visual effects.

Anything But "Unstoppable"

Considering all the offers that poured in after Star Trek was a certified box-office smash, it came as a surprise to many that Chris Pine opted to make Unstoppable (the fifth Denzel Washington/Tony Scott collaboration) as his follow-up.

Although it wasn't 100% what I had in mind, it's certainly in the right direction. The guy now needs to show audiences he can play a character that isn't remotely Captain Kirk in something as far away from Trek as possible before beaming back up for the sequel. But it now appears he might not get that chance - at least with this film.

The Hollywood Reporter reveals the production has hit a couple of snags on the way towards its scheduled Fall shoot. Chief among them, the studio (in this case 20th Century Fox) isn't nuts about the proposed budget. Not to mention, none of the key three principals (Washington, Scott and Pine) have actually hammered down deals.

And it doesn't help matters that The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (the most recent Washington/Scott effort) hasn't been kicking ass and taking names at the box-office. Current gross: $53 million.

Even if this project ultimately falls apart, it's a safe bet that Washington and Scott will work together again and that Pine will get to headline a film that doesn't involve the USS Enterprise.

Movie Moan - How Idiocracy Is a Chilling Portrayal of the Future

On this week's edition of Movie Moan, Phil, Jamie and Ed reflect on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Or more speficially Michael Bay's inner-racist being displayed with $200 million at his disposal and how Mike Judge's brilliant Idiocracy accurately depicts what the world will become. That is to say we react to the film (which Jamie and Ed refuse to see leaving Phil as the only one in the group to properly "review" it) and its killer $201 million 5-day opening weekend. We weep for our youth...

Also on docket is the "death and resurrection" of Jeff Goldblum as the group hypothesize how he may indeed be the real-life John Connor, the Ghostbusters video game being released and the "Will he or won't he?" news regarding Christopher Nolan's participation on Batman III. The guys give their reactions to the newly released trailers for The Last Airbender, The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, The Stepfather, 2012 and how Silence of the Lambs compares to Back to the Future.

All of that, plus the news of Avatar footage finally being displayed the world (but it alas didn't cause the blind to see or deaf to hear) and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science's decision to extend the "Best Picture" race to now 10 films.

Movie Moan - How Idiocracy Is a Chilling Portrayal of the Future