Defendor Trailer Crashes Online!

Until roughly thirty minutes ago I had never heard of this little curio starring Woody Harrelson and Kat Dennings. The initial image I saw for the movie made me instantly think this was a Ben Stiller style spoof romp of the Superhero genre, with Woody essentially looking like Mr Incredible come to life.

However I urge you to check the trailer out because beyond the obvious laughs there seems to be a heart beating and the promise that this is not just a comedy but also a nice little drama as well, exploring the clearly broken psyche of a decent guy.

No word on a release date yet but Defendor is playing as part of the official selection for the Toronto International Film Festival, and you can check the trailer out below.

Lobo's Latest Target? Guy Ritchie

I never was that much into Lobo to be honest. As a kid, I mostly remember him being used in the infamous "DC vs. Marvel" comic-book mini-series back in the mid 90s where he faced off against Wolverine with the readers deciding on who won. Not surprisingly, everyone's favorite Canadian mutant won the slug-fest.

A film version of the intergalactic bounty-hunter's exploits has been development over the years. I recall Latino Review doing a video review of the script a few months back - which was interestingly enough pulled not too long after with the update:

"UPDATE AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRODUCERS WE HAVE TAKEN THE VIDEO DOWN SINCE IT REVEALS TOO MUCH, AND YES THE MOVIE IS OFFICIALLY NOW A GO."

Well here is (further) proof of that, ladies and gentleman. Variety reports that Guy Ritchie has been brought on board by producer Joel Silver to direct. 

The goal is for filming to start up early next year and with a PG-13 rating in mind. I'm sure the hard-core Lobo fans won't be too jazzed about that decision. Maybe it's just me, but it feels like Silver and Warner Brothers hiring Ritchie is clearly a vote of confidence with the forthcoming Sherlock Homes which they just recently worked on together.

It's also a good sign that the studio is slowly but surely getting off its ass and gearing up more DC Comics-based properties with next year's The Losers and Jonah Hex, Green Lantern and now this. And now, ladies and gentlemen, let the "Dwayne Johnson as Lobo" rumors officially begin...

A 3-D Film From a Chocolate Bar? Paul W.S. Anderson, Of Course!

Never before has the quality of a film been so accurately depicted by a single photo! We'll stick with the 100 Calories packs. I can't afford to lose my girlish figure and all.

I tend to give the filmmaker the benefit of the doubt on whatever he and/or she is working on. But it's safe to say that Paul W.S. Anderson has worked that theory out to the bone. I base that of course from his rich filmography including Resident Evil, Death Race and Alien vs. Predator. Not really the best of compliments that his best film was based off a popular early-90s arcade game (that's Mortal Kombat for you retards out there!)

Now THR reveals Anderson's next foray into cinematic God-awfulness with his take on The Three Musketeers. In 3-D! And with such glowing comments about the intention of "modernizing" the adventures of d'Artagnan and the guys while keeping the nineteenth century setting, one can safely assume they're playing off the similarly structured Sherlock Holmes. Of course if Guy Ritchie's would-be blockbuster tanks, will Anderson change his tune? Possibly. But who seriously gives a fuck anyway?

Favreau & Downey to Reunite For Cowboys & Aliens?

With filming on Iron Man 2 finished and now in post-production, Jon Favreau is close to picking his next directorial feature. And surpringly enough, it's not The Avengers after all.

According to Variety, the director (and some forget actor) is said to be hovering around Cowboys & Aliens before returning to the world of Tony Stark, Rhodey & Co. for a third Iron Man go-around. If you'll remember, Shellhead himself Robert Downey Jr. has been attached to the property pretty much since after Iron Man exploded back in May 2008.

Certainly helps matters that the script was done by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindeloff (coming off the killer success of Star Trek, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and currently working on the Trek sequel). Anything they develop right now will be eaten up by studios.

I can't say I'm nuts about the film based on the premise (i.e. cowboys and Indians team up to fight aliens in the Old West). Meh. But it's good that Favreau is taking some time away from Shellhead to recharge his batteries. 

In related news, Aint-It-Cool-News has exclusively learned that the afore-mentioned Iron Man sequel (in addition to the first film) might be converted into 3-D. At the moment, a minute long demo is making the rounds for those willing to pony up the cash to get it done. I'll repeat what I said earlier. Meh.

Nikolaj Arcel to direct Deadman!

Variety has now confirmed with this article what Bloody-Disgusting first broke four days ago. Danish director Nikolaj Arcel along with Guillermo Del Toro will bring to life Deadman (pun not intended).

Deadman is the story of muredered circus acrobat Boston Brand whose spirit cannot pass on until he finds his murderer.  He soon finds that as a spirit he can do good and help right wrongs.

This is one comic movie I cannot wait to see.  Hopefully there's smooth sailing ahead.  It's just so different than anything we've yet to see.

Fantastic Four Officially Getting Rebooted

Way back in March, our pals at IESB revealed that 20th Century Fox were planning on rebooting the Fantastic Four franchise not unlike Batman Begins, Casino Royale and Star Trek. 

Now six months later (!), Variety "reports" the story (Where is IESB's credit by the way? They were cool enough to rightfully give HitFix props for calling Bryan Singer developing Battlestar Galatica! What gives?) The studio has assigned Akiva "I almost killed Batman!" Goldsman to produce the new film and oversee its production. Phil Gee must be rolling in his grave right now!  

In addition, Michael Green (whose currently working on Heroes and recently did some rewrite work on Green Lantern) has been commissioned for penning duties. Depending of your taste of Heroes, you can interpret that decision as being headed in the right or wrong direction - most likely the latter. Of course, this comes less than 24 hours after the announcement that Disney was purchasing Marvel and would (eventually) be home to its heroes on the big and small screen.

Now studios outside of the Mouse are wisely taking advantage of what Marvel properties they currently have their hands on. So it makes even more sense now that Fox wants to take another crack at it. This despite the fact that the last FF film was released just two years ago.

Matthew Vaughn Wants The Avengers, Superman...And More!

Matthew Vaughn.  One of my favorite directors working today, who has done such films as Layer Cake, the criminally underrated Stardust, and the upcoming Kick-Ass.  He was also at various points attached to X-Men 3, and Thor.  Not to mention, he was revealed to be the director working with Mark Millar on the pitch for Superman.

It's pretty obvious this guy loves comic movies and wants to do more.  For those unsure both Stardust and Kick-Ass originated in the paneled page.  He recently spoke with MTV's Splash Page.  Here's a particularly telling quote sure to make fanboys happy:

The Mighty Avengers

"I was desperate to do 'Iron Man' about 8 years ago, and everyone was like, 'Iron Man, no one will go watch that,'" he said. "Cut to now, and it's a huge hit."

"I grew up watching superhero films, so I want to make superhero films," he added.

So, at one point or another he's been attached to two separate Marvel films, was eager for Iron Man, and has thrown his name in the hat for what is sure to be the most epic of Superhero films, The Avengers.  He also wanted the holy grail if you will.  Superman!  So he has no company loyalty per se, just a fan of superheroes like the majority of us here at TMT.  Millar's ideas didn't really appeal to me, though a Vaughn helmed Superman movie could be an amazing spectacle.

Perhaps, one day he'll return to the X-Men and direct First Class, or even an entirely new take on the beloved characters closer to the books themselves that Phil wrote about just a few days ago.  Maybe he'll get his dream to direct Iron Man AND Thor by doing The Avengers.

From reading the article at Splash Page, I get the sense that he'd like to tackle an icon while refreshing them with his own take.  There is an icon out there who could use a cinematic reinvention at your hands Mr Vaughn.  Her name is Diana of Themyscira.  Known to the world as Wonder Woman!

Interested Mr Vaughn?

Fans of the character have long waited for someone to bring the worlds greatest superheroine to the silver screen.  You'd think the story of an amazon warrior sent to mans world to stop Ares from starting World War 3 and setting himself up as the ultimate god would have been done long ago.  That's the simpilcized version of Geroge Perez's excellent Gods and Mortals trade paperback from 1985.

Last we heard, Wonder Woman was still looking for writers and directors.  Gail Simone writer of the Wonder Woman comic did recently tweet that she was working on a hush hush film project not long after the announcement of Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison and Marv Wolfman being hired to help with DC movie properties.  The tweet made all the message board conspiracy theorists scratch their chin and say 'hmmmmm'

Before anyone asks, I don't know if she is or isn't working on it, but I think she'd be great for it.

As for casting, I'm high on Bridget Regan, and Julia Voth

There is another comic book property a bit further along, also being produced by Joel Silver, and that's the Main Man himself, Lobo!  The current screenplay was written by Angel Dean Lopez, and while I'll not link the video review to respect WB/DC wishes as they do intend to make it, I'll say it can be found in one of the obvious places.

Imagine Vaughn's imagination turned loose with all the alien creatures and locales a Lobo movie would have?  The thought makes me all tingly.  Especially with Joel Silver's desire to make Lobo his Avatar.  Possibilites are endless here.

The Main Man LoboOdds are Matthew Vaughn WILL do another comic book movie property.  maybe a DC Icon like Wonder Woman, or The Flash.  Maybe a lesser known character like Lobo.  Maybe he'll head up The World's Mighties Heroes in The Avengers or do any of the other of Marvel's thousands of properties, especially now that Disney purchased them.  Maybe he'll get his dream and reinvent Superman for a new generation.

I'd be happy to see him tackle just about any of them.  I always look forward to his movies.  As a life long fanboy I'm happy that comic book films have become a genre all their own, and that we now have the technology to truly capture the worlds of our heroes.  Seems we have a friend, in the talented director who loves superhero movies as much as we do.

So, what comic book movie should Matthew Vaughn do next? 

For the record, I'm hoping the stars align, and he gets Wonder Woman off the ground.  He's beena favorite of mine for that project for several months now.

Stallone Can't Let Go Of Rambo

I have to hand it to Sylvester, the guy still looks like an action figure and he sure isn't going to let us forget it. In 2006 he brought back loveable south paw Rocky Balboa in a film by the same name. Still feeling a bit nostalgic Sylvester decided to bring back another one of our favorite characters from his arsenal, John Rambo. "Rambo" didn't even make back it's budget domestically, 42 million against a 50 million dollar budget, but it seems that NU Image/Millenium Films wants to give us some more blood and bullets. "Rambo 5" has officially been given the green light with Sylvester again gearing up to direct and star in the actioner. Apparently John Rambo is give the task of saving a young girl who was abducted somewhere along the Mexican border.

To me it has been all downhill since "First Blood" made a surprise appearance in the early 80's. "First Blood II" and "Rambo III" were soon to follow. I still don't understand how they came to the conclusion it made sense to call the 3rd installment "Rambo III". Maybe the title was a tribute to "Leonard Part 6".  In case anybody is interested, production is going to start in the Spring on "Rambo 5". Unlike my obvious lukewarm feelings towards the Rambo series, I'm certainly looking forward to the "Expendables" which is sure to entertain despite the on set issues. I'm just not sure how long Sylvester can keep this up. I'm waiting for the inevitable "Rambo & Rocky" film, where Rocky has to reach out for Rambo's help when Pauley is abducted by the aliens from "Cocoon". I should leave this last line out, I don't want to give the studios any ideas.

'The Green Hornet' Has Wings Clipped

"The Green Hornet" release date has been pushed back 5 months. So instead of me not going to see Green Hornet on July 7th, 2010; I now wont be going to see this flick on December 17, 2010. No your eyes are not deceiving you, the above picture lists the start date as June 25th, 2010, which means this movie was already pushed back two weeks. You might not have known that, and if you didn't it's probably because you don't care. If that is the case, then I support you completely.

Of course the studio didn't give a reason for the date changes but it's obvious that they are afraid of putting this film up against any movie. It doesn't matter if the competition is "Predators", "Smurfs 3D", or "Yogi Bear", "The Green Hornet" is no match for any rival. Seth Rogen continues to talk up the film as if it these constant delays are a good thing.

"We're both relieved and psyched about the change.  It gives more time for post, which would have been immensely rushed if we were to come out in the summer.  It also affords us more time to promote the film, (now we can go to Comic-Con with more than a car!) and ultimately is a great vote of confidence from the studio.  We got the same date that movies like 'I Am Legend' and 'Avatar' are getting, so we're thrilled to be there."

Vote of confidence? Sounds like the studio is running scared. I wonder if they are trying to get off the Rogen Train before it derails or if they just aren't all that confident in the product. It isn't like there is a large fan base for Green Hornet nor can I imagine people lining up to witness Rogen fighting crime and Nic Cage spouting off a plethora of fancy words.

Nic Cage's Need For Speed

Something about Nic Cage makes me feel comfortable. He is like a steaming bowl of clam chowder on a frigid winter day. I don't want to eat a cream based soup every day, but there are times when it hits the spot and fills you up. I don't know if it is his flamboyant hair or his familiar method of delivering dialogue, but there are times when I welcome Mr. Cage into my living room with open arms. There are other times, I don't even want to hear his name mentioned within five hundred feet of where I am sitting. I think that "Drive Angry" could be one of those times.

The Trades are reporting that Cage has signed on the dotted line to headline Patrick Lussier's "Drive Angry". Nu Image/Millenium Films will be running the show with Michael De Luca set to produce. The story is set up like your typical revenge flick with Cage hot on the trail of the group of individuals who killed his daughter and also kidnapped her baby. Like one of his previous action films, "Gone In 60 Seconds", the camera will follow Cage via car as he partakes on a bloody rampage all over the highways of America. The movie goer will be able to view this massacre in 3D. Filming to commence April 2010 in Louisiana.