Brett Ratner Set to Direct 'Youngblood'

Talk about bad ideas.

Variety reports that the Indian production company Reliance Big Entertainment has nabbed the rights to the early 90s Rob Liefeld-created comic-series Youngblood with Brett Ratner set to direct.

As the Rush Hour and Red Dragon director explains:

"Most of the great graphic novels are gone, and ‘Youngblood’ is one of the few comicbooks left with tentpole potential."

Really?

I mean if they wanted to make a feature-length film adaptation from an Image comics property. Why not something worthwhile like Erik Larson's Savage Dragon?

And I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for this to happen. Although it's supposedly being fast-tracked into production.

But I can also recall the God-knows-how-many films Ratner was signed to helm that ultimately never happened.

There were biopics on Hugh Hefner and Frank Sinatra (I recall Ratner talking up a storm about the Hef one), a heist film that was to feature an all African-American cast, Beverly Hills Cop IV and the Conan reboot.

Paul Blart Gets "Taken"

Last weekend (Jan. 30 - Feb 1) the jolly Kevin James was not able to fend off an armed and dangerous Liam Neeson as Taken shot down Paul Blart: Mall Cop to the #2 slot to win the weekend.

Weekend Actuals (Jan. 30 – Feb 1)

1 Taken $24,717,037
2 Paul Blart: Mall Cop $13,872,751
3 The Uninvited $10,325,824
4 Hotel for Dogs $8,632,740
5 Gran Torino $8,232,278
6 Slumdog Millionaire $7,628,713
7 Underworld: Rise of the Lycans $7,581,272
8 New in Town $6,741,530
9 My Bloody Valentine $4,479,662
10 Inkheart $3,721,492

TMT's Movie Moan: Episode 4

Welcome to the 4th episode of Movie Moan. Join Phil Gee and Jamie Williams as they rant and rave about the film news of the week.

TMT's Movie Moan: Episode 4

MovieMoan - The Original Series: The Matrix Moaned

 

Hello again my special friends, Phil Gee here delivering (on time thank goodness) another round of YouTube enhanced MovieMoan.

For those who don't know yet (cause I haven't properly explained it but the name sort of gives it away), here is the pitch for our old live show 'MovieMoan':-

"It never fails; a film, a series, or a franchise show so much potential for cinematic glory. We think we know how good it's going to be. We think it would be impossible to screw up such a good idea........and that's why we get so darn angry when it happens. If you still have bottled up rage about how your, potential favourite films turned to poo........then Movie Moan is for you.

Tackling everything from the giant movie franchises of the past and present to the films you want to talk about, we won't just be discussing how these films went wrong. This is your chance to dream, pitch, and imagine how bad movies could have been so much better."

And there's no better candidate for that than the Matrix sequels so sit back, relax and enjoy as Jamie Williams and myself eviscerate the Wachowski's masterwork in our own Matrix trilogy:-

DreamWorks & Disney Together At Last?

After a rather bitter (and public) break-up from Paramount, things seemed at peace with DreamWorks SKG when they inked a distribution deal with Universal back in October.

Well, looks like the honeymoon's over.

The New York Times reports that the deal is off with the Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen-founded production company already in talks with Disney - a deal that could be signed, sealed and delivered as soon as sometime today(!)

The reported culprit behind the ordeal is said to be *shock!* the ecomony.

Actually, it's not a shock considering a number of the big studios are being forced to crunch their numbers. Even Warner Brothers (responsible for the second highest-grossing film of all-time The Dark Knight) handed out pink-slips just weeks back.

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter got an official statement straight from Universal on the matter:

"Universal Pictures has ended discussions with DreamWorks for a distribution agreement. Over the past several weeks DreamWorks has demanded material changes to previously agreed upon terms. It is clear that DreamWorks' needs and Universal's business interests are no longer in alignment. We wish them luck in their pursuit of funding and distribution of their future endeavors."

All I say is it's rather telling of the harsh-economic times we live in when even Steven "King of the Blockbusters" Spielberg is feelin' it.

'Sex & the City' Sequel Moving Forward

You guys remember last summer when you dragged your girlfriends/wives to see Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull only to have the tables-turned and you being forced to watch Sex & the City the following weekend?

It's about to happen again.

New Line Cinema has announced that they have the cast from the HBO series and last summer's surprising smash-hit (who would be Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis for those who didn't know) as well as its director Michael Patrick King locked and loaded to return for a sequel.

The studio is gearing up for a Summer 2010 despite the absence of a script - at the moment, at least.

I know some are going to bitch and moan about this news. But I don't see what the big deal is.

I sat through a couple of episodes and found it quiet enjoyable. Plus the film grossed around $420 million - there's clearly a fanbase hungry for more.

Warner Brothers Plan More 'Batman' and 'Superman' Films

It could have honestly gone without saying.

Nonetheless, it was nice to hear it from the higher-ups at Time Warner.

Speaking at an Earnings Call yesterday morning, CEO Jeff Bewkes revealed they are planning on more installments of their perspective Batman and Superman franchises:

"We look at Harry Potter. It's fantastic to have franchises that last that long. We want to do that with Batman and Superman and perhaps Sherlock Holmes. The sequals are as good, with new characters added, as were the originals. That wasn't the case in the years ago. Warners has more tentpoles as an on-going strategy taht very much lifts its distribution and peformance. We think that's going to hold up our slate in the 2009 - 2010 period. We've got four more big tentpoles coming this year."

Again, we already knew about the World's Greatest Detective and Krypton's Last Son - their next films are both in the early writing stages.

But you can color me a bit surprised by Sherlock Holmes. We know that Warner Brothers is feeling confident in the Guy Ritchie-helmed/Robert Downey Jr. headlining take on Conan Doyle's legendary detective.

But I always assumed the plan was for it to be a one-shot-at-it solo film.

New "Dragonball: Evolution" Trailer

A new Dragonball: Evolution trailer leaked earlier today, featuring scenes shown in the Japanese television spot. It isn’t great quality, but if the past is any indication, we’ll be receiving a high definition version soon enough. There is no word as of yet whether this is an actual trailer that will be shown in theaters, a television spot or a promotional reel.

Check back to this article soon for the trailer in high definition!

Orlando and Olga to star in 'The Cross'

In a pairing that certainly offers visual candy for both the ladies and the guys, Orlando Bloom and Olga Kurylenko are set to topline 'The Cross', a Sci Fi escape movie from director Andrew Niccol (Lord of War). Vincent Caseel is also in it but who cares, his main function will be to bring his lovely wife Monica Bellucci to the premeire...only kidding, he is playing the bad guy accoridng the synopsis below.

Set against the backdrop of a futuristic border town, Bloom plays a man seeking to cross a mysterious border, something no one else has achieved. Cassel, meanwhile, is the guard who will go to any lengths to foil him. Kurylenko takes the female lead.

The film is budgeted at $24M and is in pre-production now with a July start date in mind. Personally I think it could be cool, I liked Lord of War and Bloom is a decent enough actor as long as he is in the right part (Note to Ridely Scott). Olga Kurylenko is certainly a beauty and I found her one of the best Bond girls in some time, this is a good follow up role for her in my opinion, and all joking aside, Cassel makes a good villain in most things ive seen him in, this one has my interest.

WB Wants Campbell For 'Green Lantern'

Variety reports that Warner Brothers want 'Casino Royale' director Martin Campbell to helm their long in development 'Green Lantern' movie. Greg Berlanti co wrote the script and was originally set to direct but WB have moved him over to direct an adaption of 'This Is Where I Leave You'.

Personally I think getting the Bond movie vet (Campbell also directed Goldeneye) and Zorro helmer is a smart move, he is a good pro and while not a distinctive director he can deliver a good blend of story and action as shown in his previous credits, he's a what I'd call a safe and solid choice to get a franchise off the ground.

Hopefully this deal will be signed soon and the movie can get into production, I reckon it is probably a bit late for a 2010 release if they want it to be a summer movie, but if they aim for the November slot then it could well make it. Next up will be the all important casting, which I suspect will be a bigger name than in prior WB DC film projects.

Update on Thu, February 5, 2009 by Jamie Williams

Warner Brothers wants the director who gave Bond his balls back (twice, no less) to helm Green Lantern?

I'm sold!

Update on Thu, February 5, 2009 by Peter Georgiou

When I heard that WB offered Berlanti the chance to direct Jonathan Topper’s "This is Where I love You" novel, I knew the writing was on the wall. Jamie and I were discussing that it seemed it was a consolation prize for Berlanti.