Magnolia Pictures Takes World Rights To "I'm Still Here"

Here is the the Official Press Release for a story covered originally by Mitch Anderson:

The Wagner/Cuban Companies' Magnolia Pictures announced today that it has acquired world rights to Oscar-nominee Casey Affleck’s directorial debut, I’M STILL HERE, a striking portrayal of a tumultuous year in the life of internationally acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix. With remarkable access, I’M STILL HERE follows the Oscar-nominee as he announces his retirement from a successful film career in the fall of 2008 and sets off to reinvent himself as a hip hop musician. Sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, and always riveting, the film is a portrait of an artist at a crossroads. Defying expectations, it deftly explores notions of courage and creative reinvention, as well as the ramifications of a life spent in the public eye.

You Wouldn't Like Mark Ruffalo When He's Angry...

It's a mad dash getting to The Avengers. One of the last pieces left in the puzzle is who will replace Edward Norton (who in turn replaced Eric Bana) as Bruce Banner and his hot-headed alter-ego for Marvel's superhero team-up?

Earlier reports pointed in the direction of Joaquin Phoenix, Adrian Brody, etc. as candidates. Not surprisingly in an effort to have things done just in time for next week's Comic-Con, it looks like the studio and director Joss Whedon have settled on someone.

Word is (via "TOLDJA!") Mark Ruffalo is in "late-stage discussions" for the role. This is actually easy to visualize. He’s a solid actor having delivered good work in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Zodiac, and Shutter Island. He happens to be coming off the critical/commercial success of the indie comedy The Kids Are All Right.

Not to mention, he won't throw a hissy fit and refuse to promote his movie unlike certain other ex-Banners. I know plenty will find this casting shocking. But I can honestly say, I don't whatsoever.

On Set Photos "Fast Five"

Singer/Actor Tyrese has been tweeting photos from the set of Fast Five, clever title I know. This was about the most interesting picture he put up. Ironically there are five people in the picture from the previous installments standing behind Vin Diesel holding a shotgun.

I figure it's only a matter of time before they announce this adrenaline filled crap fest will be flying at us in 3D. Also does anyone else agree that Vin Diesel is a bastard for making virtually every other man look like shit, what a fucker! Thankfully big Vin will look like a little girl standing along side Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson when he shows up for filming in Puerto Rico. That might be the only reason I see this.

Magnolia Buys Joaquin Phoenix Mockumentary

Back in 2008 Joaquin Phoenix went bat shit crazy and announced he was quitting the movie business for a career as a rapper. His brother in law Casey Afleck filmed a "mockumentary" following the ridiculous shit Phoenix was doing titled "I'm Still Here".

They've been shopping it around to distributors looking for a buyer, but have been somewhat unsuccessful due to the outrageous content and subject matter. Lucky for them Magnolia Pictures was actually interested in a mockumentary about a bat shit insane Joaquin Phoenix snorting coke off tits, rapping drunk, and falling off stages. I heard at one point in the film Phoenix even goes as far as to take a Stanley Steamer on someone, google it.

The studio describes the film as follows:

Sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, and always riveting, the film is a portrait of an artist at a crossroads. Defying expectations, it deftly explores notions of courage and creative reinvention, as well as the ramifications of a life spent in the public eye.

They plan to have a limited release on September 10th and wide release one week later.

Paramount Searching for Jack Ryan Reboot Moscow Director

Chris Pine is already headlining Paramount’s rebooted Star Trek franchise. Well that's anchored equally by him and Zachary Quinto. So it'll be interesting to see how he manages with another past-glory film-series in need of adrenaline all by himself. In this case, the Jack Ryan reboot Moscow.

The latest issue of Production Weekly (via The Playlist) says Paramount has begun meeting with directors for a targeted "next late winter, early spring," start. The helmers in question are Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted), Kevin MacDonald (The Last King of Scotland), Sam Raimi (Need I have to state one of his films?) and Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean).

Taking a meeting doesn't necessarily mean anything. It's standard operating procedure. What makes it note-worthy is how seemingly all four guys have other projects ready to go. Particularly the latter two – Raimi's Oz: The Great and Powerful starts lensing next June and Verbinski just signed up for 20^th Century Fox's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty remake. There's also the fact that Raimi was originally supposed to direct the Ryan reboot. His loyalty to Spider-Man led him to vacate the project, and look what that got him.

Of course, there's no telling how recently these meetings took place and who else is on the studio’s radar.

Mission: Impossible IV Not Dead & Tom Cruise Is Returning!

Even despite the under-performance of Knight & Day, I couldn't imagine Paramount handing Mission: Impossible IV the pink-slip as first suggested a few weeks back. Why? Because common sense would dictate the studio already knew what they were getting into by going back into business with Tom Cruise after their (rather ugly) public divorce back in 2006.

More importantly, J.J. Abrams is serving as the producer on this fourth installment and, as everyone is fully aware, he’s their Golden Boy.

Regardless the studio has been reportedly paying close attention to the reception of Cruise's return to the action/spy genre. Yes, the movie is under-performing stateside. But that’s hardly a surprise given the weak marketing (Check out that awful tie dye/sillouhuette one-sheet). It should be pointed out however the drop-offs on Knight & Day have actually been good – suggesting good word-of-mouth.

Even as they're eyeing the overseas numbers, the studio has set the record straight to THR. Tom Cruise will return in M:I 4. That's not to suggest his Ethan Hunt character won't be used in a more supporting/mentor capacity (as originally speculated).

As these aged franchises wane on, recasting (going for younger, unknown and, key word here, cheap) has become studios' best friend. Paramount just saw the benefits of such a move with Abrams' Star Trek and others are headed in that direction with fresh-blood casts for Spider-Man, X-Men, Superman and possibly Jason Bourne.

Marvel Officially Going 3D

Just a week away from Comic-Con, Marvel is getting the ball rolling with a slew of major announcements. Hopefully the reception from nerds/geeks/fanboys will be the polar opposite of that "whole Ed Norton thing."

Hero Complex has received official confirmation from the studio on one longtime rumor. Thor and Captain America will be presented in 3D this time next summer. Once again, we're looking at post-conversion work done here (*Sigh*). But to be fair, the filmmakers have been developing their wide-list of effects shots for 3D. So it’s not this is a last minute call (read: Clash of the Titans, The Last Airbender, etc.)

Additionally, we can expect some "bombshell announcements" on The Avengers including the identity of the new Bruce Banner/Hulk. Something that CHUD alluded to in their reporting of Joaquin Phoenix being offered the role.

And because all of that wasn't enough, we also have a nice official "First Look" at "the Gods of Thor" – i.e. Chris Hemsworth as our hero, Anthony Hopkins as big-papa Odin and Tom Hiddleston as rat-bastard trickster brother Loki.

Chris Pratt To Play Scott Hatteberg In "Moneyball"

More "Moneyball" casting information from Risky Business. According to the online news outlet, Chris Pratt of "Everwood" and "Parks and Recreations" fame has been cast to play Scott Hatteberg in "Moneyball".

I have to say I really dig Pratt as an actor, he's one of those much needed quirky character actors that is good to have around. He definitely looks the part, kind of an eerie similarity to Scott Hatteberg.

Hatteberg was actually a catcher for my hometown team Boston Red Sox but his ability to catch was canceled out with a severe injury to his elbow. The Red Sox gave up on him and he signed with Billy Beane's Oakland A's where he resurrected his career as a 1st Basemen.

I believe the original plan was that Hatteberg was going to play himself in the movie.

"Iron Man 2" Blu-Ray/DVD Specs & Release Date

The billionaire Super Hero in the iron suit is back in Marvel Studios' and Paramount Pictures' thrilling sensation IRON MAN 2, debuting on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download September 28, 2010. Packed with fantastic battles, stunning visual effects and an all-star cast, the new blockbuster adventure will be available to own as a three-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with digital copy, as a limited edition two-disc DVD with digital copy, or as a single disc DVD. In this highly-anticipated sequel, Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes, Tropic Thunder) reprises his role as Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, in a thrill-a-minute story filled with explosive action, new suits and powerful new villains. The phenomenal cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man), Don Cheadle (Oceans series), Scarlett Johansson (He's Just Not That Into You) as the seductive Black Widow, Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) as the vengeful Whiplash, as well as Sam Rockwell (Charlie's Angels) and Samuel L. Jackson (The Other Guys).

To date, with over $300 million at the domestic box office, IRON MAN 2 has delighted audiences with its combination of high-intensity action, intelligence and humor. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack comes fully loaded with immersive and interactive bonus materials including an in-depth, feature-length documentary of the making of the film, revealing featurettes about Nick Fury, Black Widow and War Machine, a look inside the creation of Stark Expo, deleted scenes and an exclusive peek inside the Marvel Super Hero Universe through the S.H.I.E.L.D. Data Vault.

IRON MAN 2 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack

The Iron Man 2 Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and Brazilian Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese subtitles. The DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround and Spanish 5.1 Surround and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The disc breakdown is as follows:

Disc 1 (Blu-ray):

* Feature film with optional commentary by Jon Favreau (HD)
* S.H.I.E.L.D. Data Vault (HD)— Extend your knowledge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with high-level clearance into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s digital data vault. Interact with select scenes from the movie that include new layers of graphics and insider information. View case files, dossiers, S.H.I.E.L.D. training films, tech details and more.
* Previsualization and Animatics (HD)

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

* Ultimate Iron Man: The Making of Iron Man 2 (HD)
o Rebuilding the Suit—An all-encompassing look at the beginning stages of this mammoth blockbuster.
o A Return to Action—From Marvel Studios to the streets of Monaco, Jon Favreau takes viewers through the trials and triumphs of continuing Iron Man's story.
o Expanding the Universe—From the amazing sets of Stark Expo to Tony Stark's home and beyond, the Marvel Universe continues to unfold into new and exciting places.
o Building a Legacy—From filming to editing, scoring and visual effects, Favreau and his team face the challenges of bringing the sequel to the big screen.
* Featurettes (HD)
o Creating Stark Expo—A look at how the sets and computer-generated elements combine to create the massive set piece.
o Practical Meets Digital—How the "practical" props inform the "digital" work that ultimately brings our hero to life on screen.
o Illustrated Origin: Nick Fury—A comprehensive journey into creating one of the most mysterious and influential heroes in the Marvel Universe.
o Illustrated Origin: Black Widow—An exciting look at the new femme fatale introduced in Iron Man 2.
o Illustrated Origin: War Machine—A look at the introduction of the character and how his friendship with Tony Stark resonates with fans.
o Working with DJ AM—Jon Favreau remembers working with Adam Goldstein.
* Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Jon Favreau (HD)
o Alternate Opening
o Coulson at the Senate
o The Sub-Orbital Jet
o Tony's Workshop (extended)
o Natalie Wears the Gauntlet
o Flying Party Girl
o Mark II Security
o Element Rediscovered (extended)
* Concept Art Gallery
* Theatrical Trailers (HD)
* Music Video: AC/DC "Shoot To Thrill"

Disc 3 (DVD):

* Feature Film
* Digital Copy

IRON MAN 2 Two-Disc DVD

The Iron Man 2 DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround and Spanish 5.1 Surround and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The disc breakdown is as follows:

Disc 1:

* Feature film with optional commentary by Jon Favreau

Disc 2:

* Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Jon Favreau
o Alternate Opening
o Coulson at the Senate
o Natalie Wears the Gauntlet
o Element Rediscovered (extended)
* Featurettes
o Creating Stark Expo
o Practical Meets Digital
* Music Video: AC/DC "Shoot To Thrill"
* Digital Copy

The single-disc DVD includes the feature film with commentary by Jon Favreau.

"Scott Pilgrim vs The World" Featurette

Universal Pictures has bene playing a "Scott Pilgrim vs The World" Featurette in theaters and now has released it on Apple Trailers.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World follows the eponymous slacker rocker on his colorful quest to defeat his dream girl's seven evil ex-boyfriends. Twenty-two-year-old Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) may not have a job, but rocking the bass for his band, Sex Bob-omb, is a tough job unto itself. When Scott locks eyes with Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), he knows she's the girl he wants to grow old with. But Ramona has some serious baggage; her supercharged exes rue the thought of her being with another man, and they'll crush any guy who gives her a second glance. Now, in order to win Ramona's heart, Scott will do battle with everyone from vegan-powered rock gods to sinister skateboarders, never losing sight of his gorgeous goal as he pummels his way to victory. Shaun of the Dead's Edgar Wright directs the film from a script he penned with Michael Bacall. Superhero veterans Chris Evans and Brandon Routh co-star in the action comedy as two of the seven ex-boyfriends