Robocop Has Its Director: Jose Padilha

"TOLDJA" reports MGM has tapped on the shoulder of Brazilian director Jose Padilha for the Robocop remake.

A sci-fi/action project drawing disdain reaction from many during its development, resulting in a studio making the bold call to hand the reigns over to a commercially-unproven, but acclaimed non-American filmmaker. Sound like déjà vu? That's exactly what happened twenty-five years ago with Paul Verhoeven and the original Robocop and look at the results from that experiment.

As much as I don't care for the idea of a Robocop revamp on face-value, we're talking about a property that said everything it had to with one movie.

Similar to Ghostbusters a few years prior, an oddball project, that when pitched to people got confused if not unintentionally amused looks, became a big corporate asset after its surprisingly monster success. Then it became about the Saturday morning cartoons, toys, comics and, obviously, sequels – sequels that failed to capture the lightning in a bottle magic from its predecessor.

So many bad results followed from the '87 classic that truthfully I can't see the harm in revisiting it. As for Mr. Padilha, I'm forced to plead the fifth having not seen his films. Although his two Elite Squad films were huge, huge hits in his native Brazil also drawing high critical regards.

No, it's not Darren Aronosky (like it or not, he's made his bed siding with The Wolverine), but there's nothing to suggest Padilha isn't the "voice" necessary for a film like this to work.

The Joe Who Wouldn't Grow Up

A couple of good laughs were had last night upon first reflection reading this.

Peter Pan Begins – not a parody but a legitimate project sent out to studios, reports Heat Vision. Where the chuckles cease and we settle down to look at the proposal there is name-talent linked to the project. Producer Joe Roth (who's last Alice in Wonderland earned $1 billion a year ago), screenwriter Billy Ray (skillful writer/director of Shattered Glass and Breach) and G.I. Joe star Channing Tatum are attached.

Judging by the title, a work in progress no doubt, audiences will finally learn the truth behind the legend of Pan. If they're serious about Tatum though, the producers and TDB director will hopefully insist on someone age-appropriate for "the Wendy segment." I like the guy, but him as the boy who wouldn't grow up gives off a creepy vibe.

The Toys Are All Right

For anyone still wiping away the tears from the end of Toy Story 3, have no fear:  the toys will be back this summer.  Briefly, anyway.  Toy Story:  Hawaiian Vacation will be the short attached to Pixar's upcoming Cars 2, set for release on June 24.

In the short, Woody and the gang work together to entertain Barbie and Ken after their plan to stow away to Hawaii in new owner Bonnie's backpack goes just a bit wrong (turns out Bonnie left her backpack at home).  Pixar has released this short clip:

I love the little Lego guys unloading the luggage.  Hawaiian Vacation is directed by Gary Rydstrom, who directed the hilarious Pixar short Lifted.  It is the first of two Toy Story shorts planned for this year.  The second will be attached to this fall's new Muppet movie.  Even better, additional Toy Story shorts are also in the works...so, thank you Pixar.

Shia LaBeouf Up For 'The Bourne Legacy'

Add one more name to the slew of young actors in the running for Tony Gilroy's The Bourne Legacy: Shia LaBeouf.

Latino Review confirms an item originating from What's Playing a few days back of LaBeouf recently meeting with Gilroy about the film out in LA and is in the mix for the yet unnamed, Bourne-like assassin role.

With all the names mentioned, LaBeouf is actually someone I like.  Say what you will about him (though I don't understand all the negativity) the guy is a honest, hard working young actor who takes his job very seriously.  Along with this, I think he is exceptionally talented and would bring a hell of a determined attitude to the Bourne franchise.  Not to mention, LaBeouf being picked would be an inspired choice, just like Matt Damon was over a decade ago when we only knew him as "that guy who wrote Good Will Hunting."

We're likely to hear official casting soon as The Bourne Legacy is set to start filming this summer.

Update on Tue, March 1, 2011 by John DiNicola

Interesting tidbit.  After I wrote this article, I decided to check out LaBeouf's IMDB profile to see what films he's got planned after Transformers: Dark of the Moon.  Low and behold, all I was able to find was the pre-production listing of John Hillcoat's The Wettest County in the World.  Nothing listed after that.  As well, I came across a link for recent pictures of LaBeouf, and found this:

Dude's put on some muscle.  I wonder why...

New X-Men: First Class Posters

The website FilmZ got their hands first on two new international posters for X-Men: First Class. They're going for the whole "Destiny" theme, or as they put it in the teaser "Before he was Professor X, he was Charles" and "Before he was Magneto, he was Erik" with James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender.

Don't know if it's the best marketing hook for a franchise at this juncture, but it looks cool judging purely as a poster and nothing more. Although one has to think the McAvoy one-sheet is a tad on the depressing side. You're destined to lose your legs and your hair!

The Oscars Could Have Been Worse

As if we need any more proof that Anne Hathaway desperately needed to be rescued by Hugh Jackman during that "On My Own" number at the Oscars last night (and for the rest of the show, for that matter), just take a look at what didn't make the broadcast:

Whoever decided to ditch that from the show:  a grateful nation thanks you.

Weekend Box Office: February 25-27

Courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1.  Hall Pass - $13.5 million

2.  Gnomeo & Juliet - $13.4 million 

3.  Unknown - $12.5 million

4.  I Am Number Four - $11 million

5.  Just Go With It - $10.5 million

6.  Justin Bieber:  Never Say Never - $9.3 million

7.  Big Mommas:  Like Father, Like Son - $7.6 million

8.  The King's Speech - $7.3 million

9.  Drive Angry 3D - $5.1 million

10.  True Grit - $1.9 million

Did Michael Fassbender Reveal His Role in 'Prometheus'?

Recently, it was announced the Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class) had joined the cast of Ridley Scott's Alien sidequel, Prometheus (my way of saying it takes place in the world of Alien, much like next year's The Bourne Legacy will take place in the world of Jason Bourne).

Though the character Fassbender will be playing was not revealed (as almost nothing is quite known about the film at this point), the actor gave a hint recently during an interview as to what role he'll be taking on.

While speaking to Entertainment Weekly, this little blurb came out:

When asked if he’d be playing an android in the film, Fassbender laughs, “I don’t know what I can say!” But as he says this, he glances down at a damning tape recorder between us and nods affirmatively. “I don’t want to get into trouble…”

Did Fassbender just confirm he'll be playing an android?  Probably.  Until we know for sure, let's just take comfort in the fact that this film seems to be coming together the right way.  It's had a long, but necessary development process, casting has taken forever which means the right actors are being chosen, and the film has a lenghty production and post-production time period.

Prometheus opens June 8th, 2012.

Dumber Harder: Farrelly Brothers Developing 'Dumb' Sequel

Doesn't speak to how much I've matured that re-watching Dumb & Dumber about a year ago, I still laughed. But what can I say? It's one of those films like Airplane! and The Naked Gun that appeals to the ten-year-old inside all of us.

It just so happens I was that age when it was released back during Christmas 1994 and indeed I frequently rented the VHS copy at our local Mom & Pop video stores. All the lines ("Gas man. How the Hell do they know I have gas?") and gags like Lloyd slipping a laxative in Harry’s tea ("For fast effective relief!") sent myself and buddies at school into hysterics.

In what's more likely than not a case of going back to the well after a string of misfires including this weekend's Hall Pass, the Farrelly Brothers are in the early stages of development for a Dumb & Dumber sequel, reports Movie Hole. As Bobby Farrelly, half of the writing/directing duo explained:

"[Dumb and Dumber] has run a bunch of times on TV in the states, and kids will come up and they'll be able to quote lines from that – lines that I’ve long forgotten. If we could get those two guys back together, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels that might be a worthwhile sequel – and that ball is in motion. We’re starting to think about what those two dimwits would be doing twenty-years later in life, and hopefully we’ll be able to come up with something worthy of a sequel."

Since Jim Carrey's career has been going South the past decade, it wouldn't surprise if he's easier to commit than back in the late 90s. Daniels always struck me more as a team-player. So apprehending him I couldn't imagine being an issue.

In honor of this development may I present CNN mistakenly (so they claim) showing the diarrhea scene:

First Annual Shorts Awards

Shorts International presented its first ever Shorts Awards this evening at the Soho House in West Hollywood in celebration of outstanding accomplishments in the world of short film over the past year, including the The Oscar® Nominated Short Films 2011, which are being distributed by Shorts International and Magnolia Pictures.  Comedian Tim Washer hosted the inaugural ceremony.

The Oscar® Nominees Award was handed out to each of this year's fifteen short movie nominees in recognition of their achievements.  In the Shorts Animated category, awards were bestowed on Teddy Newton  (DAY & NIGHT/USA); Jakob Schuh and Max Lange (THE GRUFFALO/Germany); Geefwee Boedoe (LET'S POLLUTE/USA); Shaun Tan and Sophie Byrne (THE LOST THING/Australia) and Bastien Dubois (MADAGASCAR, CARNET DE VOYAGE/France).

In the Shorts Live Action category, awards were given to Tanel Toom (THE CONFESSION/UK); Michael Creagh (THE CRUSH/Ireland); (GOD OF LOVE/USA); Ivan Goldschmidt (NA WEWE/Belgium) and Ian Barnes and Samantha Waite (WISH 143/UK).

In the Shorts Documentary category, awards were presented to Jed Rothstein (KILLING IN THE NAME/USA); Sara Nesson and Mitchell Block (POSTER GIRL/USA); Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon (STRANGERS NO MORE/USA); Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger (SUN COME UP/USA/PAPUA NEW GUINEA) and Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon (THE WARRIORS OF QIUGANG/USA).

In addition to this year's Oscar® nominees, Shorts International handed out several Visionary Awards, recognizing those individuals that embrace the medium's reputation for bucking the trend and contributing their considerable talents to innovative short movies that embody the category's best qualities.  This year's recipients were "Visionary Actress" Melissa Leo; "Visionary Director" Kenneth Branagh and "Visionary Leader" June Foray.

The highest honor of the evening - the Lifetime Achievement in Short Film was awarded to filmmaker John Lasseter in recognition of his extraordinary achievements as a short moviemaker and peerless champion of the category. The award was presented by Jon Bloom, chairman of Short Film and Feature Animations Branch of the Academy of Motion Pictures.

Carter Pilcher, Chief Executive of Shorts International said,  "This is an exciting evening for the world of entertainment.  For the first time we have recognized the accomplishments in the world of short movies.  We are deeply honored and amazed at the depth of talent and insight by the short movies that were honored tonight."