What Did Warner Brothers Give Up to Keep Playing with Christopher Nolan?

How much does Warner Brothers love Chris Nolan?

They're handing their shares of both Friday the 13th and South Park Paramount's way. All so they can play in the same sandbox as their golden goose for his latest. The Dark Knight Trilogy helmer has yet to let them down financially. Remember, even his pet project Inception (classic "Do Whatever You Want With Our Blank Check" scenario) became the zeitgeist smash of 2010.

No reason why Interstellar won't continue that trend and WB, wisely, wants in. So Paramount gets Jason Voorhees and the foul-mouthed boys from Colorado back on home turf, along with the chance to co-finance one of their properties. To be determined, but my first thoughts go to something DC related.

Is this a good deal for Paramount? Hard to tell; a future South Park movie depends on Trey Parker and Matt Stone's willingness and they seem content, albeit stressed if you listen to their mini-commentaries, keeping it to television. Another Friday the 13th is inevitable. Always gonna be an audience for cheap slasher fare (Everyone wants to their date Friday night in the hopes of getting laid). But that Platinum Dunes-produced remake was pretty reviled. Not sure another one is in anyone's future.

Then again, this is Paramount we're talking about. They lost Marvel and DreamWorks and are depending on television-turned-film properties in worn condition like Mission: Impossible and Star Trek. And God help them if Disney steps in and buys Hasbro. They can't

Source: THR

The To Do List Red Band Trailer

Time honored a summer tradition as the sex comedy is, why did it take Bridesmaids to breakthrough to women? Simple, they figured out women could be as dumb, filthy-minded and immature as men (Well us guys are worse). Far from a revelation to us in real life, but on the big screen, it's not subject matter touched upon often.

That scored big two years ago and, for a few brief moments, female-driven sex comedies are in.

Enter The To Do List, a 90s-set romp led by the likeable Aubrey Plaza, playing against her dead-pan persona honed so skillfully every week on Parks & Recreation. It is the crucial time between high-school graduation and heading off to college, and given the genre, this is all about the lead's attempt at losing her virginity before summer's end. The cast alone is a mint in comic talent.

Check out the red-band trailer below:

Benicio del Toro Bringing Oddball Charm to Guardians of the Galaxy

Benicio del Toro was supposed to play Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness. Until they balked at his asking price and went for the cheaper, and unknown, Benedict Cumberbatch. Hindsight being what it is, Paramount wishes they gave into his demands.

No sweat for the Oscar-winner as he's going orbital elsewhere. He has joined the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel is keeping their lips sealed on his identity. He's signed a multi-picture contract. Not exactly saying much, everyone signs their life away especially to join ranks at Marvel. But the plan for him to play a big role in future films. Knee-jerk speculation says Thanos. Not sure if that's it, but a good suggestion nevertheless.

For such a weird property (and their only project slated for next summer), Marvel is making up for that by getting as many name-actors as possible.

Prisoners Trailer Will Creep You Out In Its Simplicity

Prisoners is unsettling in the simplest way.

Two little girls disappear. And there is nothing their parents or even the local authorities can do to find them. Even with the suspect looking straight at you, and about to be released. What would you, or any of parent for that matter, do to ensure those children come back?

"We're not going to help kill him but we won’t stop him either. Let him do what he needs to," Viola Davis says. This trailer hits the right notes of unease and I want to see where this goes.

Pixels is Finally Getting Made!

Tired of sequels? Moan at remakes of 30 year old TV shows your uncle Rick used to make you watch? Does that gag relax kick in every time a horse's ass of an executive names-drops "Reboot" to look like a big shot to Nikki Finke? Does The Wrap have good news for you!

Pixels is finally happening. That was the brilliant short-film by Patrick Jean, where 8-bit arcade creations from the 1980s come to life and cause destruction in New York City. Sony and Happy Madison wisely lapped up the option hoping to make it a key summer tentpole.

And they have settled on Chris Columbus to direct. Before the Internet goes into a tizzy, were it not for Columbus and his eye for casting, and setting the proper tone and style, the Harry Potter films wouldn't be what they are. He also penned several of our favorite childhood 80s adventure films including Gremlins and The Goonies.

Not exaggerating when I say this could do to this generation of kids, including my nieces and nephew, what Ghostbusters was to ours. It's that cool of an idea. Check out the original short-film below, while you can.

Grumpy Cat is Getting a Movie or Go to Hell Hollywood

Hollywood is developing a film based on an Internet Meme. You know, those pictures with amusing captions that fat chick Lillian in accounting puts on the Office refrigerator. Everyone glances for a second and gives that quasi-sincere half-smile. "Oh isn't that cute," Tracey, the guy who laps up all the coffee, says. But he's really thinking, "Christ, Lil. This is why you're single!"

Yes, this may be a multi-million dollar production and it’s based on Grumpy Cat, the most recent Memo to gain infamy

Hey, it's showbiz. When there is a well to tap, they'll go for it, and strangely, this Meme is a goldmine. Merchandise galore at Wal-Mart and Hot Topic. Haven't been to the latter in years, I confess. Not in the mood to see douchey teenagers wearing Grumpy Cats tee-shirts "ironically." MSNBC named Grumpy Cat the most influential cat last year, and that is why that network shits the bed in reporting and viewership, and has showed up on all those morning talk shows your mom watches and forwards you the video.

The pitch is, get this, the cat talks and she's grumpy! Will Ferrell and Jack Black are attached with the project set up at New Line.

Your kids will scream and holler to see this opening weekend. Hollywood, at least make it worth our wild. Cast Alison Brie as Grumpy Cat. She's too damn good to piss her talent on cult comedy shows nobody watches and gifs few will see outside of smelly guys on forums.

Will Henry Cavill Go From Man Of Steel To Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Not bad for a guy deemed by yours truly as the "Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride" of franchises years back.

Life changed for Henry Cavill the moment he got the phone call confirming he would play the newest cinematic incarnation of Superman. The rest of your professional career, let alone life, boils down to how you come across in a red-and-blue suit and convincingly say phrases like, "I stand for truth, justice and the American way."

As the Superman revival hits theaters in three short weeks and the buzz builds (Current tracking numbers say a $100 million opening is in the cards), another important move for the British thespian. Where do you go from there?

The Wrap reports Cavill is in talks to co-star in Man From U.N.C.L.E. a week following the exit of Tom Cruise. Armie Hammer co-stars and Guy Ritchie will direct.

Can't say I'm surprised. I wasn't being a smart-ass when I said it would happen, for once. On paper, it’s all there. Grab him while he's still relatively cheap before his stock rises. Gives him something to do this fall, when filming is scheduled, that is as far away from Superman as possible and then he can get to work on the Man of Steel sequel by next spring. And Warner Brothers can keep their prized procession in studio.

Everyone is happy.

Eon Sticking With Classy Directors For Next Bond

The Broccolis control the pie, but it takes a director to precisely cut the pieces in the right portions. No, James Bond is not a director, or even actor, focused property. Achieving their status as the most successful series in film history means Eon Productions sticking to a rigid formula that rarely goes off plan.

So when they went Outside the Box the last two times in Marc Forster and especially Sam Mendes, they were rewarded handsomely at the box-office. And they would like to keep that up. A few weeks back came reports they had taken meetings with Christopher Nolan. Unlikely as it was, it meant they were serious about keeping quality directors.

And of course, it doesn't end with Nolan. First Showing says Nicolas Winding Refn is one such contender (They cornered him at Canne and, of course, he didn't confirm shit). Variety has even more to the pack: Shane Black, Ang Lee, Tom Hooper and David Yates.

A choice isn't expected anytime soon. At least not until after all the I's are dotted and T's crossed for Daniel Craig's deal (He's set for two more) and since Craig was instrumental in getting Forster and Mendes hired, he will likely have a key vote here too.

They're all fine choices. Yates strikes as the safest of safe choices (Years on Harry Potter talking), Refn as the most radical and Hooper was someone I was personally championing, though if it is The King's Speech helmer's gig expected lungs to be shitted out and Dutch angle jokes galore.

Khan's Not Fully Clean Unless He's Zestfully Clean

Star Trek Into Darkness has problems.

Carol Marcus in her bra and panties (gratuitous as it is) is not one of them. But apparently this is a real controversy. So much so Damon Lindelof had to acknowledge it on Twitter. And J.J. Abrams had to address it on Conan.

His rebuttal was, besides apologizing, pointing out how Kirk is bare-skinned too (albeit half-covered under sheets). Abrams even showcases a cut scene of Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch) in the shower.

I was waiting for a punchline. Something to let me know this clip isn't real and just a gag. But it never came. This is for real.

Source: Team Coco

We're The Millers Red Band Trailer

Bet you saw that production still of Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston in the Winnebago and thought We're the Millers was family vacation comedy, didn't you?

Aniston as a stripper (Bigger revelation is she isn't annoying onscreen), Ed Helmes as the least-convincing drug kingpin (I think that is the point), Nick Offerman and Kathryn Hahn as an otherwise content couple into... sharing and spider-bites gone to the extreme.

This red-band trailer informs you were wrong. Dead wrong.