'The Walking Dead' Drops Writing Staff for Season 2

The Walking Dead writing team is well...dead.  TOLDJA! is reporting that showrunner Frank Darabont has dropped the entire writing staff that worked on the excellent first season in possible favor of using freelancers for the entire second season.  Apart of that now jobless writing team was Darabont's go-to writer and executive producer, Charles "Chic" Eglee.

What's important to note here, in case anyone is freaking out that the second season (which is scheduled to premeire next Halloween) won't be as good as the first, is that Darabont had his hand in every episode's script for the first season.  He wrote the first two episodes (along with directing the first), while also co-writing and rewriting the remaining four.  I believe along as Darabont is heavily involved, this great AMC show will be to the highest quality for years to come.

One other important bit of information to be mentioned, the second season is scheduled to be a full 13 episodes compared to the first season's 6.  Maybe this will be a plus as Darabont is now given more of a canvas to work with (opposed to the tightly worked inaugural season).

MGM Already Considering A New James Bond?

When we're getting brand-new actors as Spider-Man and Superman in 2012 (despite the most recent films hitting only a few years ago), the notion of a new James Bond shouldn't come as a surprise.

Whispers abound (via What's Playing) MGM is discussing Daniel Craig's successor for the franchise's twenty-third installment (and third were they to continue under this rebooted incarnation starting with 2006's Casino Royale and its direct-sequel Quantum of Solace). The likes of Colin Farrell and Hugh Jackman, both of whom were rampant in the rumor-mill leading up to Craig being hired, are being thrown around.

Eon Productions have notoriously screen-tested actors as back-up over the years. But still this is odd considering how successful the current Craig reign has been (both of his films did $600 million each), the fact that he's seemingly still under contract for more and audiences have clearly responded to his characterization of Ian Fleming's cold-blooded British secret agent.

Only way I imagine this being legit is if Craig's already walked, and he's certainly in demand where he could juggle two additional franchises if Cowboys & Aliens and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo score next year.

MGM is still trying to get back into fighting shape, and their proposed November 2012 release date for the next installment isn't definite as of now.

If there's no new Bond film, then I'd definitely the Craig era is over. Sadly.

Voyage of the Dawn Treader Clip

I've quite enjoyed the Narnia film series.  Sure, it's no Harry Potter and it does seem like Lord of the Rings-lite, but they've been mostly solid adaptations of the books so far.  Voyage of the Dawn Treader was one of the best books in the series, so I'm looking forward to the new film even though I'm still leery about the move from Disney to Fox.

Moviefone has a new clip from Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which opens on December 10.  The clip features the Pevensies' bratty cousin Eustace (Will Poulter) and one of my favorite characters from the books, Reepicheep, who is now being voiced by Simon Pegg:

So it looks decent enough.  Not sure if I'm willing to watch this in 3D yet, but I'll definitely be checking out the 2D version.

Ray Wise Joins X-Men: First Class

Considering how under the gun 20^th Century Fox is to get X-Men: First Class in theaters, we assumed all the casting had been completed. I mean, shit, production went to 11 when the studio announced a June 2011 release this past summer.

Speaking to IGN Movies, Ray Wise (formerly of cult TV favorites Twin Peaks and Reaper) revealed he had joined rank on the Matthew Vaughn-directed, Bryan Singer-produced prequel:

"I'm playing the Secretary of State of the United States. I'll be going over there in the next couple of weeks."

There goes my Norman Osborn pick for the Spider-Man reboot!

AQUAMAN! BUT NOT SO SOON

It's an understatement to say that DC Comics is behind Marvel when it comes to live-action adaptations of their more notable characters. DC has had a hell of a time getting anything other than Batman and Superman off the ground  and running. Even their most well known character has been through such developmental crap over the years, that the recent Superman Returns fell below expectations at the box office.

While the company is primed and ready to release Green Lantern to general audiences, they recently announced plans for other characters like Flash and Wonder Woman to get the big screen treatment. Now, Aquaman joins those potentials to round out what is probably DC's "big six" characters that are recognizable to a majority of people you pass on the street.

Screen Rant was able to get confirmation from a source at Warner Bros. that the King of Atlantis is in the hopeful stages for his first appearance in a big budget flick. Don't look for this one anytime soon though, as they're eyeing something near 2015 or 2016.

Leo DiCaprio has been mentioned for involvement, or at least his production studio Appian Way, to help bring this project to life. An estimated budget of around $200 million lingers as the price tag to make such a film.

I'm sure DC and Warner Bros. are holding all hopes for Green Lantern to be a box office success before moving forward on any of the lesser known characters. $200 million for an Aquaman film that wouldn't bring its cost back is not worth the risk. I would suggest they find out quickly though because Marvel has Prince Namor who could easily sneak up and claim the throne of Atlantis.

Ron Perlman Won't Be In The Hobbit

This one doesn't come as a surprise.

Ron Perlman confesses to Coming Soon he won't be participating in The Hobbit next year.

Not that he was ever officially lined up for a role in the two-movie Lord of the Rings precursor. But rumors suggested there'd be room for the Hellboy star since Guillermo del Toro was, at the time, hard at work as helmer, and those two most-certainly enjoy one another's company. So those rumblings didn't lack merit.

As we all know, that went kaput thanks to multiple delays and Peter Jackson is sitting in the director’s chair instead.

Tom Hanks Joining Kathryn Bigelow's Triple Frontier

Director Kathryn Bigelow is in the kind of position filmmakers dream to be in.

Coming off a high-profile, acclaimed feature (in this case, The Hurt Locker) that nabs you the "Best Director" Academy Award and suddenly you're on everyone's radar getting offers to the point where you have to fight them off. So of course, it won't be a problem getting funding for your next project nor there much hassle in getting onscreen talent assembled.

Earlier reports stated she'd had chats with Johnny Depp and Tom Hanks for leading roles in her latest Triple Frontier. Details are being kept to a minimum except it's an ensemble piece and set in the border zone between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.

Producer Chuck Roven confirms to Coming Soon half of those talks have come through, at the moment:

"Tom Hanks is starring in the film and we're still looking to cast the other roles. We're hoping to start shooting the movie sometime in mid-March."

Pure guess here, he's playing a corrupt government official? *Shrugs*

Weekend Box Office Actuals: November 26-28

Courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 - $49 million

2.  Tangled - $48.7 million

3.  Megamind - $12.5 million

4.  Burlesque - $11.9 million

5.  Unstoppable - $11.4 million

6.  Love and Other Drugs - $9.7 million

7.  Faster - $8.5 million

8.  Due Date - $7.1 million

9.  The Next Three Days - $4.6 million

10.  Morning Glory - $3.9 million

The Hobbit Going 3D With New RED Digital Cameras

As 2010 comes to close, we'll all reflect on the year-in-news. Arguably the #1 news-item was the insanity over the development, and in most cases, non-development, of The Hobbit. No need of repeating what's gone down in the past year (That's another article for another day), but needless to say, it's been a ride keeping track of the production.

It's moot now as the two-film adaptation is genuinely happening with its director (Peter Jackson), cast (headlined by Martin Freeman as Bilbo), location (that union non-sense with New Zealand got swept away) and start-date (February 2011) lined up.

We knew the flicks were being filming in 3D, and now word has trickled out, Jackson has bought up to thirty of the new RED Epic digital cameras for the format.  Check out the official RED homepage for the press release on the matter.

You guys know me and my "Fuck 3D!" stance. You also know by this point, I'm at least willing to go along with any production willing to go through the length process of shooting in the format instead of slapping it on in post-production.

Update - James Franco & Anne Hathaway: Oscar Hosts!

UPDATE: It's officially official. James Franco and Anne Hathaway will in fact host, as confirmed by Oscar telecast producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer via press release:

"James Franco and Anne Hathaway personify the next generation of Hollywood icons -- fresh, exciting and multi-talented. We hope to create an Oscar broadcast that will both showcase their incredible talents and entertain the world on February 27. We are completely thrilled that James and Anne will be joining forces with our brilliant creative team to do just that."

Indeed, it's an interesting duo. Bring it on.

If this goes down, consider it a new chronicle in the ever-changing, and fascinating, career-choices of James Franco. Can't imagine another actor to go from three Spider-Man films to a stint on TV soap General Hospital and back to films with recent fare 127 Hours and, the forthcoming Caesar: Rise of the Apes and Your Highness in 2011.

"TOLDJA" says the actor, who'll no doubt be nominated for his turn in Danny Boyle's acclaimed drama, has been offered the opportunity to host the 83^rd annual Academy Awards ceremony. But he wouldn't be flying solo. He'd co-host next to the more traditional, but just as inspired, Anne Hathaway. Interesting to note, both were reportedly up for Ridley Scott's still-in-the-pipeline Alien prequels.

According to their moles, it appears that both have accepted the offers.

Not certain this duo will spike the ratings like they're hoping. As talented as both are, neither are going to have a Hugh Jackman pull with the general public. But, it can't any worse than nose-dive hosting gigs of ceremonies past like Ellen DeGeneres or last year with the Alec Baldwin/Steve Martin pairing.