New Mad Max Talks Fury Road

Correction: The “strongly indicated but still not confirmed by George Miller” new Mad Max (despite being leaked and officially confirmed by the trades) talks Fury Road.

Why Tom Hardy is saying this is beyond me. Maybe he’s been jinxed in the past with earlier roles that alluded him? Is he the superstitious type?  Is Sam Worthington that upset he wasn’t cast? Eh, he has his reasons.

Never the less, the actor spoke about taking the reign from Mel Gibson for the first time to MTV:

"If I get offered it and George really wants to go with me, then George will tell me exactly what he wants to do and we'll work together on the floor to create what it is that he wants to achieve. And I hope I can get that done for him."

Speaking of which, he apparently didn't even read for Max (or any other role in Fury Road) for his screen-test:

"The audition process had nothing to do with Max and nothing to do with the story or the script. It was unorthodox to the point where actually I could have been auditioning for anything. It was an anonymous read. [Miller and I] haven't actually gotten into the conversation at all about Max."

I have faith that George Miller knows what he’s doing. This isn’t another Justice League: Mortal situation. Mad Max is his fucking baby. If he thinks Hardy has the chops to pull this off, then he’ll do great. Plenty of people who saw him in Bronson seem to think so too.

New "Iron Man 2" Stills

Coming Soon has gotten hold of new stills from the hugely anticipated sequel "Iron Man 2", directed by Jon Favreau, the sequel sees Robert Downey jr reprises his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man and the villains will be played by Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson and Same Rockwell.

The Hobbit Now Headed to 2012 Release?

A few days back, Peter Jackson confirmed principal photography on the two-part Hobbit film adaptation had been delayed from March to an unspecified mid-2010 start. Although it was certainly in the back of everyone’s minds, there was no direct indication that this decision would affect the Christmas 2011 release date on The Hobbit – Part I.

Now The Wrap has been told by their contacts at Warner Brothers that the first installment will most likely be pushed back from Christmas 2011 to 2012. Obviously, such a move would put the second one now hitting our silver screens to 2013 by default. As previously reported, the writing team (i.e. director Guillermo del Toro, Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) have turned in the first draft and already typing away on the second. While other pre-production work such as set construction has commenced.

If shit gets even further delayed, then I’d start to worry.  Hell, there’s still the possibility we could get some casting announcements this month. It’d be nice to know who will replace Sir Ian Holm as Bilbo.

Additionally, this puts the studio without a major tentpole for the Holiday 2011 season. They could realistically place any of their three currently lined-up summer ’11 films in place of Hobbit – Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows – Part II , Green Lantern (ironic considering it was originally scheduled for Christmas 2010) or The Hangover 2 (don’t laugh – Todd Phillip’s next film Due Date was moved from summer to November 2010). If I was a betting man, I’d put the money on the final Potter movie being moved. Of course, there’s also the potential Sherlock Holmes sequel or something else moving there instead.

So Long, Bourne 4

UPDATE: According to The Wrap, the reason for Greengrass’ departure had more to do with his desire to helm a Vietnam War movie before Bourne 4. He was hoping it to push it back for summer 2012. Universal felt otherwise and he walked. That and there is still no script. In addition, Greengrass issued an official statement (also in the afore-mentioned article) confirming his resignation from the Bourne franchise.

In news that according to them should hit the trades at any moment, The Playlist has word that director Paul Greengrass is off Bourne 4. The culprit behind the decision (made by the United 93 helmer himself who walked on his own accord last week) boils down to “creative differences.”

Their source translates that infamous PR bullshit term to say issues arouse over the forthcoming Greengrass/Matt Damon Green Zone. Mainly, the action thriller has proven more expensive than originally planned thanks to multiple reshoots. When you’ve had one of your worst years with a string of pricey under-performers and bombs, Universal isn’t in the mood to let Greengrass go this typical “finding his movie” method in the midst of filming. Then again, that worked out for his two Bourne films.

In addition, the move to hire two separate screenwriters (George Nolfi and Josh Zetumer) who are simultaneously penning their scripts didn’t sit well with Greengrass. Why? Because he was never consulted with the hiring of Zetumer.

This obviously leads to the big question – what about Matt Damon? Although not specifically stated, it’s heavily implied Damon walks if Greengrass isn’t sitting in the director’s chair (i.e. “He’s loyal to Paul”). That, of course, rarely means anything. Look at how Hugh Jackman stuck around with X-Men even after Bryan Singer jumped ship.

They do stress however Universal might end up having to kiss Greengrass' (and to a much greater extent, Damon's) ass to return. Sure, that's altogether possible. But I wouldn't bank on that to happen at this juncture.

I don’t care how much you might bitch and belly ache. This is a blessing in disguise, folks. Having three great movies is something to be grateful – especially when you don’t have to add “But that last one totally sucked!” at the end of a sentence.

Summit Deliberating Over Breaking Dawn

In just two weeks, The Twilight Saga: New Moon has chugged out nearly $500 million worldwide. That much coin would make any studio anxious for "another one of those" ASAP. Thankfully for Summit, the third installment Eclipse is nearly complete with a June 10, 2010 release locked and set.

But looking at the 70% (!) drop-off this past weekend, Twilight isn’t the kind of franchise that benefits from two to three year build up between movies. They’re front-loaded as shit. It’s clear the studio realizes this. Hence why there is an eight month release gap between New Moon and Eclipse. Now comes the $64,000 question –what will they do about the final book in the series Breaking Dawn?

Variety reports that Summit is steadily mulling over what to do. They’ve already commissioned Melissa Rosenberg on penning duties for a fourth go-ahead. She’s written all three films in the series. There’s also the bigger issue of whether to split the finale into two films (a la Warner Brothers’ plan with Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows) or leave it at a single film. A director has yet to hired, although damn-near everyone (i.e. studio, cast, fans, etc.) really wants New Moon helmer Christ Weitz to return. What, no love for the filmmaker who made this phenomenon possible Catherine Hardwicke or David Slade behind the forthcoming Eclipse? Ouch.

Another one little (read: big) issue about the contracts of the three leads: Kristin Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. The three young chaps are signed up for four films. If Summit opts for the "Let’s drag this out as much as we can" mind-set, they’ll have to shell out extra dough for Breaking Dawn – Part II.

Of course, they’ll give in to the demands of the actors (and most likely Weitz) because there is simply too much money to be made.

Black Hole Remake In Development

Sometimes when a studio feels confident in a forthcoming release, they’ll go ahead and line up alternating projects with the key filmmakers involved. That’s because they want to stay in business with them. Take J.J. Abrams and Paramount for example. Two months ahead of its release, they re-upped their exclusivity deal with Abrams and his Bad Robot production company. Translation: they knew Star Trek was going to explode which it did. Now everyone is fat and happy with tons of Abrams-centric projects in the pipeline. The point I’m trying to make is this feels like one of those scenarios.

Heat Vision reports that Disney is mounting a remake of their 1979 science-fiction epic The Black Hole and they’ve handed the reigns over to Joseph Kosinski and Sean Bailey. They are the director and producer perceptively behind Tron: Legacy - Disney’s big tentpole release for next Christmas.  Screenwriter Travis Beacham (one of the scribes behind next spring’s Clash of the Titans remake) is onboard for typing duties.

I do remember watching the original film on the Disney Channel. This was during their “Vault Disney” period in the late 90s/early 00s. The network would literally old television programs, movies, etc. starting about 11:00 P.M. into the early morning hours. They even played Dune. What says wholesome family entertainment more than a David Lynch movie?

I can speak for most people when I say “Meh!” towards this news-item. Audiences will show up if this Black Hole “reinvention” looks as cool as their Tron sequel does.

Todd Phillips Gives Hangover 2 Update

Call it whatever want, word-of-mouth, lack of competition, it being damn funny, etc. but The Hangover was a commercial smash this past summer. We’re talking $280 million domestic haul kind of money here. Indeed, it made more cash stateside than even the highest estimates of the studio’s very own Terminator: Salvation. Not surprisingly, Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures are foaming at the mouth towards a sequel.

While filming his next comedy Due Date with Robert Downey Junior and Hangover alum Zack Galifianakis (or “that funny looking bearded guy” as he’ll forever be known hence forth), writer/director Todd Phillips gave an update to Entertainment Weekly. He’s halfway through the script, but all details are being kept under lock and key.

As he clarifies to the publication:

"What people loved about The Hangover was not Las Vegas or the bachelor party but these three characters. I think you can take those characters and put them in other situations, and you don’t need the sell of Vegas and a bachelor party and all that other stuff."

I don’t disagree with that. But, how should I put this, I don’t know if audiences are flock to see The Hangover 2 like they did for the first film this past summer. It was a total discovery in June. That month was void of mega-tentpoles for the most part (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen didn’t hit screens until the very end).

I also can’t help but think it’s going to be a rehash of the first film despite Phillips’ claims to the contrary. Are people going to go for "Here we go again!" with these characters? Let’s just hope they don’t resort to having Mike Tyson showing up in the sequel.

Stephen King Finds A Safe 'Haven'

Have you seen this man? Probably not. He can be a little reclusive. What do you expect from a guy who concocts nightmarish tales that make even the most thick skinned folk tremble a bit. For some reason I feel like he has been missing in action, off the radar if you will. I know he is a prolific author that lives in a cabin in the backwoods of Maine. Still, one can't help but wonder if King's best days are behind him. I've kicked myself for even thinking such a thing and luckily SyFy doesn't agree with my over the top assessment.

SyFy has placed an order for a 13 episode run of a ghostly series going by the name of "Haven". The show is based on King's novella, "The Colorado Kid". It's good to see King's name in the headlines again, it was starting to sadden me that the only time I was hearing his name was due to the fact he was catching up on his reading while attending a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. King sucked me into the horror genre with his books and some of the movies that were translated from his books are still holding up well. I looking at you "Pet Cemetery". You can be sure I will be tuning in for this series, will you?

Deep in the heart of Maine, Haven is a town where people with supernatural abilities have migrated for generations because it mutes their powers, allowing them to lead normal lives. At least, until recently. When hot-shot FBI agent Audrey Parker is called to Haven to solve the murder of a local ex-con, she catches the killer but uncovers a much deeper mystery about this town. Each week, as the town-peoples' dormant powers begin to express themselves, Audrey will try to keep these supernatural forces at bay while unraveling the many mysteries of Haven including one surrounding her own surprising past in this extraordinary place.

Reynolds Shoots Down 'Lantern' Origins

If "Batman Begins" taught us anything, its that you don't need a full fledged origin story like "Superman The Movie" in order to introduce a character. Director Christopher Nolan used some well placed flashbacks to give the audience a glimpse into the childhood of Bruce Wayne which was rather effective and didn't hurt the pacing of the film. Music Television had another chance to discuss "Green Lantern" with actor Ryan Reynolds and from his comments it seems that Martin Campbell will take a Nolanesque approach to the origin story.

"It is [an origin story] to a certain degree, but it's not a labored origin story, where the movie [truly] begins in the third act. The movie starts when it starts. We find out Hal is the guy fairly early on, and the adventure begins."

Sounds like we are getting a "Year One" tale and if the incarnation we get on screen is similar to what I read in an earlier draft, that is exactly what you should expect. "Spider-Man" and "Wolverine" also followed a "Year One" type format, so there is a history of success behind the formula. Even though he wouldn't flat out describe Lantern as an origin story, Ryan Reynolds made it a point to compare "Green Lantern" to "Iron Man", which is both a good thing and bad thing. That is a lot to live up to, but if the film comes anywhere close to "Iron Man" in appeal or box office, WB has done something right.

'Karate Kid' Photos

I'm trying to get past this. I really am. I might actually have a problem. In this era of reboots, requels, prequels, and restarts, I can't understand or accept a reboot of "The Karate Kid". Pat Morita obviously isn't walking through that door and Ralph Macchio last got his kicks on the set of "Ugly Betty". This is where I draw the line. I understand that no movie is safe and I shouldn't feel as if "The Karate Kid" is somehow a sacred cow, but I can't let go. I'm just not ready to let somebody else wax on and wax off, even if it is Will Smith's son.

While I attempt to combat my inner demons who have a penchant for medicore movies from the 80's, Latino Review has some shots of Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan from "The Karate Kid" remake. One of them is below, for the rest click the above link and sweep the leg.