Cinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gifCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comen-usCopyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/WB and Fox Searchlight Team Up to Release Danny Boyle's Latesthttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/29/wb-and-fox-searchlight-team-up-to-release-danny-boyles-latest/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/29/wb-and-fox-searchlight-team-up-to-release-danny-boyles-latest/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/29/wb-and-fox-searchlight-team-up-to-release-danny-boyles-latest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's so heartwarming to see rival studios playing nice with each other, even if it's only for purely financial reasons. It's especially good when the result of their cooperation is that a film by Danny Boyle (pictured) will get the theatrical release it deserves.

Slumdog Millionaire, about a Mumbai street kid who strikes it rich on an Indian game show before having his knowledge called into question, will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next week. And now it'll hit multiplexes, too, on Nov. 28, thanks to a deal hammered out this week between Fox Searchlight and Warner Bros.

The film was originally part of Warner Independent Pictures' slate. But that division got shut down earlier this year, and Warner Bros. was left to deal with its leftover movies. It's like Warner Independent was a slightly irresponsible young adult, and Slumdog Millionaire was one of its children. Then Warner Independent died penniless in the gutter, and the child's grandmother, Warner Bros., being the only living relative, got custody. And Nana Warner Bros. loves the kid, thinks it's a great movie that people will enjoy, but ol' WB is on a fixed income and can't really support it. WB has kids of its own still living at home, for crying out loud.

So WB sidled up to Fox Searchlight, the dashing playboy son of billionaire Twentieth Century Fox, and struck up a relationship that involves Fox Searchlight paying for the film's marketing and distribution. Nobody has any illusions about this arrangement -- there's certainly no romance involved -- and they all live happily ever after. I just hope Fox Searchlight's dad doesn't find out, considering mean old Twentieth Century Fox is busy suing Warner Bros. over Watchmen. It's a pretty thorny situation, but hey, you gotta do what's best for the kids. It takes a village, right?

Continue reading WB and Fox Searchlight Team Up to Release Danny Boyle's Latest

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]]>danny boyleDannyBoyleslumdog millionaireSlumdogMillionaireEric D. SniderFri, 29 Aug 2008 18:33:00 EST'Aeon Flux' Scribes Sign for 'The Boys'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/29/aeon-flux-scribes-sign-for-the-boys/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/29/aeon-flux-scribes-sign-for-the-boys/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/29/aeon-flux-scribes-sign-for-the-boys/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I can't help but feel bad for Garth Ennis because it seems like lately, the guy can't catch a break. It was bad enough that the long-awaited adaption of his controversial series Preacher was shelved at HBO; but this is just adding insult to injury. The Hollywood Reporter announced that Columbia Pictures has hired Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay to adapt Ennis' anti-superhero comic, The Boys. Back in February, Elisabeth gave us the heads up that Columbia had picked up the property in the 'spirit' of looking for some titles that could give Watchmen a run for their money on the topic of superhero subversion.

Originally published in 2006, The Boys was created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The story was "set in a contemporary world very much similar to real one, with one notable exception: a number of people have some form of superpower. The series follows a superpowered CIA squad, known informally as "the Boys", whose job it is to keep watch on superheroes and, if necessary, intimidate or kill them."

So you might be wondering why the addition of Manfredi and Hay isn't good news. I mean everyone likes a comic book movie, right? Well, a quick glance at their collective resumes solves that mystery. Between the two of them, they have created some truly awful scripts (notably, The Tuxedo and crazy/beautiful). Hopefully the two have been brushing up on their 'superhero skills' by finishing their adaptation of R.I.P.D. for Universal. If not, I can't imagine that fans of the dark and violent world of The Boys will be pleased.

[Thanks: Comics2Film]

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]]>aeon fluxAeonFluxcolumbia picturesColumbiaPicturesCrazyBeautifulMatt ManfrediMattManfrediPhil HayPhilHayr.i.p.d.the boysTheBoysJessica BarnesFri, 29 Aug 2008 10:03:00 EST'Strangers' Sequel Set to Scarehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/strangers-sequel-set-to-scare/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/strangers-sequel-set-to-scare/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/strangers-sequel-set-to-scare/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Back in early July, we made mention of the fact that Bryan Bertino, writer/director of The Strangers, had at least two projects going on at Rogue Pictures since he ended up giving them a good ol' summer sleeper success story, the grosses for which inevitably prompted talk of a possible sequel.

Well, Variety now tells us that there surely will be a second Strangers, and that Bertino is returning to write (if not direct) it, with a certain star standing to return as well (profitable as the film may have been, I'd rather not risk spoilers, so don't bother clicking on either that Variety link or the 'certain star' one if you've yet to see the film -- after all, it doesn't open in the UK 'til tomorrow).

I felt that The Strangers milked enough tension out of a somewhat sparse premise to merit a watch, but I'm that much more concerned about how redundant or ridiculous a second one would have to be in order to follow it up. The point remains that, if they make it, I will watch it, and so will plenty of others. Let's face it: There are more vicious cycles operating in the world today.

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]]>bryan bertinoBryanBertinoliv tylerLivTylerscott speedmanScottSpeedmanthe strangersTheStrangersWilliam GossThu, 28 Aug 2008 16:03:00 ESTHilary Swank is a Bad Best Friendhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/hilary-swank-is-a-bad-best-friend/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/hilary-swank-is-a-bad-best-friend/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/hilary-swank-is-a-bad-best-friend/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You think Hilary Swank would have learned her lesson after finding deep love that died way too early and left her with a suspenders scar. You'd also think she might be wary about her involvement in perky fare, since her forays into the genre haven't brought her as much success as her dramatic work. Guess not.

Swank is going nuts scooping up projects to produce and star in. Earlier this month, she was looking at Fat, and now Variety reports that she wants to backstab her best friend. Along with producing partner Molly Smith she's grabbed Emily Giffin's debut novel, Something Borrowed. Instead of borrowing, say, a hairbrush, she's stealing her friend's man. This potential starring vehicle for the actress focuses on a "Manhattan attorney who becomes involved with her best friend's fiance following her 30th birthday." Yes, her best friend since elementary school. Oh, but before you think she's the only jerk -- the woman realizes she's in love with the man and sick of her manipulative friend. Wait. That's still jerky.

The project is out to writers, and Swank has already practiced one unhappy-lookin face (look to the upper right).

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]]>CinematicalHilary SwankHilarySwankMolly SmithMollySmithSOmething BorrowedSomethingBorrowedMonika BartyzelThu, 28 Aug 2008 14:33:00 ESTAaron Sorkin, Scott Rudin Working on Facebook Movie?http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/aaron-sorkin-scott-rudin-working-on-facebook-movie/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/aaron-sorkin-scott-rudin-working-on-facebook-movie/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/aaron-sorkin-scott-rudin-working-on-facebook-movie/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Call me skeptical, but I'm willing to sustain myself entirely on a diet of my own words if writer Aaron Sorkin and producer Scott Rudin can actually manage to make something entertaining out of a film about the formation of social networking site Facebook and the success of its founders, as Variety reports they are working on over at Sony.

Honestly, what can an Oscar-winning producer and an oft-acclaimed scribe do with a rags-to-riches arc and the sight of two guys tapping away at computers and taking meetings? Sure, at least Sorkin and Rudin are two talented guys in their own right, but I'm really missing whatever inherent, original, exceedingly relevant drama they might see in this project. Killing time at work on Facebook is one thing; this is something else.

On the one hand, I'd like to see this fall through, and on the other, I'd only be rewarded with a good flick if proven wrong. Regardless, here's what appears to be the official Facebook group of the whole shebang, and if any of you guys get wind of a Fox-backed MySpace project with a title like Major Tom or something, be a pal and pass it on.

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]]>aaron sorkinAaronSorkinfacebookmyspacescott rudinScottRudinWilliam GossThu, 28 Aug 2008 14:03:00 ESTNews Bites: A 'Twilight' Star, Aleister Crowley, and Solondz Finds Fundinghttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/news-bites-a-twilight-star-aleister-crowley-and-solondz-fin/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/news-bites-a-twilight-star-aleister-crowley-and-solondz-fin/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/news-bites-a-twilight-star-aleister-crowley-and-solondz-fin/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Here are some news bites for our long weekend:
  • Ashley Greene has had a whirlwind of press lately, once she signed on to play Alice Cullen in Twilight. Now The Hollywood Reporter posts that she's signed onto an indie thriller called Summer. In it, she'll get another horror-themed family, but much less sexy than well-coifed, blood-sucking vampires. See, she plays a girl looking for the "father she's never known." And while that's always a risky adventure -- you never know what you'll find -- this is even more so because her family is a group of serial killers. The film is currently in production in Ottawa.
  • Meanwhile, Variety reports that CMG has closed deals for Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson's Chemical Wedding. Starz/Anchor Bay are handing distribution in North America for the film that focuses on "the most evil man in Britain," Aleister Crowley. CMG President Edward Noeltner has noted about the big, Iron Maiden fan base eager to see the film, and I have to say -- I'd go see it for the experience. Forget a woman-filled theater of Sex and the City fans. Can you imagine a theater full of Maiden worshippers?
  • And finally, there's some great news for Todd Solondz. As I outlined at the beginning of this year, the indie filmmaker has had some issues funding his work, which was leaving his PeeWee Herman-led Life During Wartime in limbo. But now Variety reports that a new indie production company, Werc Werk Works (yes, that's their name..), will fully finance the part-companion piece to Happiness. On the negative side, it looks like Mr. Reubens might be out of the production. (Variety says he was only rumored.) Whoever ends up starring, it is scheduled to go into production in October.

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]]>Aleister CrowleyAleisterCrowleyAshley GreeneAshleyGreeneBruce DickinsonBruceDickinsonChemical WeddingChemicalWeddingCinematicalLife During WartimeLifeDuringWartimeSummerTodd SolondzToddSolondzMonika BartyzelThu, 28 Aug 2008 13:33:00 EST'Office' Writers Sell 'Bad Teacher' Spec to Sonyhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/office-writers-sell-bad-teacher-spec-to-sony/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/office-writers-sell-bad-teacher-spec-to-sony/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/28/office-writers-sell-bad-teacher-spec-to-sony/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When two guys with a dozen episodes of The Office and an upcoming Judd Apatow project between them (that'd be next summer's biblical comedy Year One), I'd be willing to see what else they've got up their combined sleeve. For Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, that sleeve is home to Bad Teacher, the spec script that Columbia just picked up.

According to Variety, the story concerns "a foul-mouthed, gold-digging seventh-grade teacher who's dumped by her sugar-daddy boyfriend and turns her attention toward a colleague. That pits her against a rival who happens to be the school's model teacher." So at the risk of sounding shallow, it sounds like the Bad Santa of all those inspirational teacher movies that Dana Marschz would hold dear -- the prospect of which, by the way, I'm totally down for.

Now, what's going to be most critical here is the casting. At the moment, it's hard for me to not recommend Anna Faris for just about any part, although it'd be interesting to see her take on something a little more crass. What do you guys think? Who would you believe could not only land a job as a teacher, but then keep it in spite of harassing students (in the name of comedy, mind you)?

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]]>anna farisAnnaFarisbad teacherBadTeachergene stupnitskyGeneStupnitskylee eisenbergLeeEisenbergthe officeTheOfficeyear oneYearOneWilliam GossThu, 28 Aug 2008 13:03:00 ESTNo 'Preacher' for HBO -- Who Will Keep the Faith?http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/27/no-preacher-for-hbo-who-will-keep-the-faith/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/27/no-preacher-for-hbo-who-will-keep-the-faith/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/27/no-preacher-for-hbo-who-will-keep-the-faith/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It really seemed like we were finally going to get Garth Ennis' Preacher this time -- the dark, funny, and controversial comic book series seemed perfect for HBO. Isn't that what they do, after all?

Apparently not. Mark Steven Johnson told Comics Continuum that they've passed on the series. "We were budgeting and everything and it was getting really close to going. But the new head of HBO felt it was just too dark and too violent and too controversial. Which, of course, is kind of the point! It was a very faithful adaptation of the first few books, nearly word for word. They offered me the chance to redevelop it but I refused. I've learned my lesson on that front and I won't do it again. So I'm afraid it's dead at HBO."

But, Johnson says that he's heard that someone is trying to obtain the rights for a big screen adaptation, and that he hopes it happens -- and that whoever nabs it can do the stories justice in a series of films. "Someone" doesn't narrow it down much, but shall we let our imaginations run wild? Frankly, in this world where the legendarily un-filmable (Lord of the Rings, Watchmen) is being made every day, I can't believe Preacher remains untouched. Isn't every studio dying for its own mature comic franchise? Isn't there a daring young filmmaker who's just dying to be boycotted, picketed, and harassed? Aren't we constantly hearing that all publicity, no matter how bad and hysterical, is desirable? Let's put it to the test. Whoever that "someone" is that's angling for the rights, may they succeed, and get Preacher on the big screen.

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]]>Garth EnnisGarthEnnisHBOMark Steven JohnsonMarkStevenJohnsonPreacherElisabeth RappeWed, 27 Aug 2008 19:03:00 ESTVin Diesel Will Press On With 'Riddick' Sequelshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/26/vin-diesel-will-press-on-with-riddick-sequels/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/26/vin-diesel-will-press-on-with-riddick-sequels/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/26/vin-diesel-will-press-on-with-riddick-sequels/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fans of the Riddick franchise -- all six of us -- thought for sure that, despite occasional rumblings to the contrary, the series was dead. The expansive, expensive Chronicles of Riddick was trashed upon release, after all, and flopped at the box office (at least domestically). Another sequel seemed foolhardy, sure to be met with gales of laughter from the same peanut gallery that so readily dismissed Chronicles.

I still think that's probably true, but I won't tell Vin Diesel, who is determined to make two more sequels happen. In an interview with MTV, he said that writer-director David Twohy is currently working on the scripts, and that the "only question" is whether they will be shot together, LoTR-style, or as two separate productions. Why did it take so long? No money problems, Diesel insists -- they just want to get it right. This was, after all, envisioned as a trilogy, with Pitch Black acting as a stand-alone companion film.

I've wasted a lot of breath defending The Chronicles of Riddick to naysayers, and have pretty much accepted that the film will never meet with much popularity. (My hopes that it would become a cult hit on DVD despite its initial chilly reception have been cruelly dashed, though the spin-off video game proved popular.) I continue to think that it's an ambitious, genuinely interesting piece of science-fiction and world-building. So I'll gladly get excited for sequels from the same creative team, even as I harbor doubts that they'll actually get made.

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]]>david twohyDavidTwohyfeaturedthe chronicles of riddickTheChroniclesOfRiddickvin dieselVinDieselEugene NovikovTue, 26 Aug 2008 17:33:00 ESTWayne Wang Offers His New Film Online, for Freehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/26/wayne-wang-offers-his-new-film-online-for-free/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/26/wayne-wang-offers-his-new-film-online-for-free/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/26/wayne-wang-offers-his-new-film-online-for-free/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Now, I know Wayne Wang isn't in most cinephiles' good graces these days.* He's spent most of the decade making bland and unremarkable middle-brow flicks like Maid in Manhattan, Because of Winn-Dixie and Last Holiday. But the director behind The Joy Luck Club and Chinese Box still has a fair bit of cachet, and when he does something like make his new film available in its entirety online and for free, people pay attention.

So, pay attention: Wang's The Princess of Nebraska, an indie he premiered at last year's Toronto International Film Festival (where it got a positive review from Cinematical's Kim Voynar), will be offered for free on the internet in September. The filmmaker partnered with ex-SXSW chief Matt Dentler and his Cinetic Rights Management to make this happen, as a means of releasing Princess simultaneously with its companion film, A Thousand Years of Good Prayers, which will come to theaters courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. The exact plans of the release (i.e. where, how) haven't been announced, but I'll keep an eye on it. Take a look at this IndieWire story for more.

Not, probably, the start of a new Hollywood trend, given that The Princess of Nebraska -- a no-budget drama about a pregnant Chinese teenager's struggles in the United States -- probably wouldn't have done much business anyhow. But if Dentler and his colleagues can figure out a way to get people to watch the thing, who knows. Indie filmmakers could always use a new channel.

*The exception is our own Eric D. Snider, who informs me: "I love Wang films!"


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]]>a thousand years of good prayersAThousandYearsOfGoodPrayerscinetic rights managementCineticRightsManagementmatt dentlerMattDentlerthe princess of nebraskaThePrincessOfNebraskawayne wangWayneWangEugene NovikovTue, 26 Aug 2008 16:03:00 ESTAlex Proyas Knows 'Jonathan Hoag'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/20/alex-proyas-knows-jonathan-hoag/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/20/alex-proyas-knows-jonathan-hoag/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/20/alex-proyas-knows-jonathan-hoag/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

My heart goes pitter-pat with a mix of both anticipation and dread whenever a classic sci-fi book is optioned. Even when I haven't read the book in question (and believe me, I know I need to read more Robert A. Heinlein), I know the bookshelves of the world are lined with great movie material. But I also know how devastating it is when the studio mangles a beloved book.

And here's one that could go either way. The Hollywood Reporter says that Alex Proyas and Phoenix Pictures have optioned Heinlein's The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag. It's the story of a man who, when asked what he does for a living one evening, realizes he has no memory of any of his daytime activities. He hires a private detective agency, run by a husband and wife team, and their investigation becomes a rather terrifying one. (Having not read this book, I'm trying to skim through descriptions without spoiling it -- but it sounds scary.)

The novella has been one of Proyas' favorites since childhood. "I read this story as a kid, and it really stayed with me. It's part of my creative DNA." (It had to have inspired Dark City.) From what I've gleaned of the story, it's right up his alley -- and he's penning the script, so there will be no wild departures like we saw with I, Robot. And it's about time Heinlein had his name on the big screen again. I know there has to be some Jonathan Hoag fans out there, so chime in with your thoughts.

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]]>alex proyasAlexProyasPhoenix PicturesPhoenixPicturesRobert A HeinleinRobert HeinleinRobertAHeinleinRobertHeinleinThe Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan HoagTheUnpleasantProfessionOfJonathanHoagElisabeth RappeWed, 20 Aug 2008 11:32:00 EST"Oi, an' You Too, Brett?" Mandalay Options 'Julius'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/20/oi-an-you-too-brett-mandalay-options-julius/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/20/oi-an-you-too-brett-mandalay-options-julius/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/20/oi-an-you-too-brett-mandalay-options-julius/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

That's no typo -- in Antony Johnson's graphic novel Julius, the classic William Shakespeare play gets rewritten into modern, Guy Ritchie London where Julius is shot down by Brett, Cassidy, Dennis, Steve, Lee, and Kostas. And according to The Hollywood Reporter, it's just been optioned by Mandalay Pictures.

Julius is the story of a London crime king named Julius, who is worshipped by the public as if he's royalty. His closest fellow gangsters conspire against him and eventually shoot him up. Oops, too late to add a spoiler alert. I imagine that instead of Roman civil war, Julius' death leads to open gang war.

The movie already has its director in F. Gary Gray, and Oni Press, who is becoming ever more omnipotent, will be executive producing via their entertainment shingle, Closed on Mondays.

Oni Press has a five-page preview of the book up for your enjoyment. Reviews praise the dialogue as a mix of Shakespeare and modern British slang, but I can't say that a lot of this shows up in the preview. A "guv'nor" here and there just doesn't sell that to me, and Mark Antony still sounds more like a Shakespearean actor than a London criminal. Perhaps it gets better on page six, but I think I would rather see the real Julius Caesar remade, Master Will's lines intact, by Guy Ritchie or Martin McDonagh. What about you?

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]]>Antony JohnsonAntonyJohnsonF. Gary GrayF.GaryGrayJuliusMandalay PicturesMandalayPicturesOni PressOniPressElisabeth RappeWed, 20 Aug 2008 08:02:00 ESTFanboy Bites: 'Dark Knight' Script, 'Poltergeist' Remake and 'The Hobbit'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/19/fanboy-bites-dark-knight-script-poltergeist-remake-and-th/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/19/fanboy-bites-dark-knight-script-poltergeist-remake-and-th/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/19/fanboy-bites-dark-knight-script-poltergeist-remake-and-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Today will be partly cloudy with a chance of kick ass!

The Hobbit: Not long ago Guillermo Del Toro told fans that his next move was to begin work on The Hobbit script very soon. Well guess what? To our complete shock and surprise, the dude actually followed through on all this "writing script nonsense" and -- wait for it -- started working on the script (along with LOTR partners Frank Walsh and Philippa Boyens). YES! And this is, like, the BIGGEST news online today. "NEWSFLASH: Del Toro is on page 12 and he's already introduced 750 new creatures!" I give up ... call me in 12 years when the film is finally complete and ready to hit theaters.

The Dark Knight: You've watched the movie countless times, followed hundreds of viral sites, read thousands of stories on Heath Ledger and why he deserves to square off against Jesus up in heaven for a chance to be God's new (and much more well-liked) son -- so, what's left? Well, if you still haven't overdosed on The Dark Knight and/or are in desperate need of another Batman fix, feel free to feast your eyes on the film's script. Yes, JoBlo managed to snag a copy of the entire thing (read it here) for you to save, print out and do whatever it is you freaks do with stuff like that. Personally, I enjoyed reading it to see where they trimmed and cut and called Wonder Woman a whore. Kidding! Just wanna make sure you're paying attention.

Poltergeist remake: Because in this one she's watching a reality show, gets pulled into the television and subsequently bores herself to death. [Writes down notes for Poltergeist 2 pitch ...] Anyway, THR tells us that Boogeyman writers Juliet Snowden and Stiles "I wonder how many Teen Wolf jokes he got growing up" White will pen the script for the remake of this classic spooky flick. "Too soon!" yelled a nobody movie blogger, but alas it was too late.

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]]>cinematicalfeaturedguillermo del toroGuillermoDelToropoltergeistthe dark knightthe dark knight scriptthe hobbitTheDarkKnightTheDarkKnightScriptTheHobbitErik DavisTue, 19 Aug 2008 21:02:00 ESTTom Cruise Wants to be a 'Sleeper' With Sam Raimihttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/19/tom-cruise-wants-to-be-a-sleeper-with-sam-raimi/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/19/tom-cruise-wants-to-be-a-sleeper-with-sam-raimi/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/19/tom-cruise-wants-to-be-a-sleeper-with-sam-raimi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Tom Cruise has decided it's his turn to get in on the comic book action -- and he's teaming up with Sam Raimi to do it. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the duo is setting up the DC/Wildstorm comic series Sleeper at Warner Bros. At this point, Raimi is only producing, but Cruise is hoping to star.

Penned by Ed Brubaker, Sleeper was a 12-issue series set in the Wildstorm universe, which means it steers clear of all those heroic crossovers. (It actually involves a villain created by Alan Moore, though, which should be a terrific selling point.) It centers on Holden Carver, a man who was fused with an alien artifact that makes him impervious to pain, and allows him to pass that torment onto whoever he touches. Being a sensitive sort, Carver wants to get rid of his powers -- but tough luck, he's working undercover in the Tao criminal organization. There's a Departed-like twist that leaves Carver stranded within the organization -- but he falls in love with one member, Miss Misery, while befriending another, the cuddly Genocide Jones. All the while he's torn between the work he's doing, his powers, and his relationships with unsavory people.

Sleeper has been embroiled in complicated rights issues, having been set up at several different studios over the years. Warner Bros, post-Watchmen lawsuit, is being extra careful to make everything black and white this time -- and Cruise's interest has already spurred the detangling process. (Which is kind of funny, if you remember the rumors that he was in the running to play Oxymandias -- and Adrian's fascination with how Alexander the Great undid a complicated knot. Wheels within wheels!)

I know there's some Sleeper fans out there -- it's one of those quiet, but well received books that never get enough attention. How do you feel about Cruise playing the lead?

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]]>Alan MooreAlanMooreDC ComicsDcComicsDCWildstormEd BrubakerEdBrubakerSam RaimiSamRaimiSleeperTom CruiseTomCruiseWarner BrosWarnerBrosElisabeth RappeTue, 19 Aug 2008 10:02:00 EST'Watchmen' in Lots of Legal Troublehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/watchmen-in-lots-of-legal-trouble/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/watchmen-in-lots-of-legal-trouble/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/watchmen-in-lots-of-legal-trouble/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Things rarely go smoothly for costumed adventurers -- and the courtroom, it seems, is no exception. Nikke Finke reports that a federal judge has denied to dismiss 20th Century Fox's legal claim on Watchmen. You may remember that they filed a lawsuit back in February claiming that their rights to the DC property still held. They seek an injunction to prevent Warner Bros' adaptation of Watchmen from being released at all.
And at this point, that federal judge agrees with them.

Warner Bros, obviously, cries foul. They point out that several studios have tried to develop the property for years, with Fox saying nary a word, and passed up the chance to properly reacquire the rights some time back. Their view of the lawsuit is that it's just an opportunistic grab on a movie that has been gaining more and more buzz. You can read the whole legal chronology over on Deadline Hollywood (Finke's done a top-notch job of documenting the ins and outs) and see which side you come down on. It's exhausting -- isn't this what studios have lawyers for? To avoid this kind of last-minute litigation lunacy?

It's unlikely that the movie will really be delayed -- but it is possible that Warner Bros. will have to hand Fox a substantial chunk of change in order to release the film, as they had to do for Dukes of Hazzard some years back. As one of Finke's readers noted, suddenly the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince schedule shift makes a lot more sense. The studio's 2009 budget could be pretty tight.

Watchmen opens (hopefully) March 6th, 2009.

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]]>20th Century Fox20thCenturyFoxAlan MooreAlanMooreDave GibbonsDaveGibbonsrights to WatchmenRightsToWatchmenWatchmenWatchmen legal problemsWatchmenLegalProblemsZack SnyderZackSnyderElisabeth RappeMon, 18 Aug 2008 20:03:00 ESTAlcon Entertainment Joining 'Cryptozoo Crew'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/alcon-entertainment-joining-cryptozoo-crew/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/alcon-entertainment-joining-cryptozoo-crew/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/alcon-entertainment-joining-cryptozoo-crew/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I am starting to see a new pattern emerging in the latest graphic novel grabs -- monsters and the teams who hunt or protect them. That's a trend I can get behind (as opposed to the superhero deconstruction -- leave that to the masters). The latest according to Variety is Jerry Carr and Allan Gross' graphic novels Cryptozoo Crew, which has been purchased by Alcon Entertainment. No director has been named yet, but Joe Gazzam has already penned the script.

The Cryptozoo Crew is a secret organization devoted to protecting the identity of strange and rare creatures called the Cryptids. They aren't as strange as you might think, because they're often things like the Loch Ness Monster, Yetis, and El Chupacabra. (Maybe the Montauk Monster can pop up at some point -- have they figured out what that thing is yet?)

The series centers around married crew members Tork and Tara Darwyn -- funnily, press releases are focusing on how beautiful Tara is, whereas I find Tork to be equally pleasing to the eye. They bicker about their relationship while pursing mythical creatures, thus making it the most realistic monster series yet. You can check out previews of the first two graphic novels on the official Cryptozoo website. The series seems like it is a lot of fun, with a good dose of humor. It could be a nice summer flick. Frankly, I can't wait who see who they cast as the muscle bound Tork.

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]]>Alcon EntertainmentAlconEntertainmentAllan GrossAllanGrossCryptozoo CrewCryptozooCrewJerry CarrJerryCarrJoe GazaamJoeGazaamElisabeth RappeMon, 18 Aug 2008 18:03:00 ESTNews Bites: A Freaky Geek Gets Writing & The Tale of Moulin Rougehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/news-bites-a-freaky-geek-gets-writing-and-the-tale-of-moulin-roug/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/news-bites-a-freaky-geek-gets-writing-and-the-tale-of-moulin-roug/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/news-bites-a-freaky-geek-gets-writing-and-the-tale-of-moulin-roug/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Here's a few Vegas-themed Monday nibblets:
  • All the way back in 2006, there was news that New Line had grabbed Burt Dickenson: The Most Powerful Magician on Planet Earth. Set in Vegas, the comedy was said to focus on rival magicians and how one of the magic men's partners dies, leaving his ex to "find a way to rediscover his love for magic." Well, it's not quite ready for the camera yet, and The Hollywood Reporter posts that Freaks and Geeks and Bones actor John Francis Daley is going to whip up a rewrite with Jonathan Goldstein. Now the plot is being described as the tale of "a big-time Las Vegas illusionist whose preeminence is threatened by a younger 'extreme magician.'" Whatever the film ends up being, hopefully it won't take another 2 years to get a step further. And hopefully it will be better than The Illusionist.
  • Meanwhile, Variety reports that a feature on the first desegregated hotel and casino in Vegas, the Moulin Rouge, is in development. Titled The Fabulous Moulin Rouge, and penned by Milosz Feigin, the film will center on "a fictional African-American character who rises from mob debt collector to manager of the Moulin Rouge." It should be a pretty interesting production. A replica of the 1955 casino is getting built in Dubai, where the film will be shot late next year, and the casino itself might have attracted performers like Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, but closed a mere 6 months after opening.

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]]>Burt Dickenson The Most Powerful Magician on Planet EarthBurtDickensonTheMostPowerfulMagicianOnPlanetEarthCinematicalJohn Francis DaleyJohnFrancisDaleyJonathan GoldsteinJonathanGoldsteinMilosz FeiginMiloszFeiginThe Fabulous Moulin RougeTheFabulousMoulinRougeMonika BartyzelMon, 18 Aug 2008 17:03:00 ESTColumbia is Getting 'Goosebumps'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/columbia-is-getting-goosebumps/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/columbia-is-getting-goosebumps/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/18/columbia-is-getting-goosebumps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you were a young whippersnapper in 1992, chances are the Goosebumps books were a lurid staple on your bedside table. My sister was an enormous fan, whereas I preferred, shockingly, Star Wars novelizations and sword-and-sorcery. I was just a little too old for their goofy twist endings -- although the single one I read gave me nightmares, I think because a dog was killed or something. (Let's ascribe it to a fragment of underdone potato, shall we?) In retrospect, you really are what you read as a kid -- my sister went on to a lifelong love of Stephen King and Edgar Allen Poe, whereas I memorized Beowulf.

Well, now they will get to terrorize and influence even more children, because Goosebumps is coming to the big screen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Columbia bought the rights to R.L. Stine's endless series in May, and has now hired Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander to pen a script. Columbia is hoping to turn it into a franchise -- and since there are 62(!) books currently lining bookshelves round the world, they will have plenty of material to choose from. It's not clear which book they will adapt first, or if the film will be a hodgepodge of several. At this time, no director is attached, though producer Neal Moritz already has an eye for casting. He wants unknown children, and well-known adult actors in supporting roles.

Many of the books are homages to classic horror films, like Night of the Living Dead and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. If the books inspired a love of horror literature in my sister, perhaps the films will create a whole new generation of Scott Weinbergs. I know there's probably a number of Goosebumps readers out there so share your fond memories, nightmares and I-hope-they-film-this-one thoughts below ....

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]]>columbiapicturesGoosebumpsGoosebumps movieGoosebumpsMovieLarry KaraszewskiLarryKaraszewskiR.L. StineR.l.StineScott AlexanderScottAlexanderElisabeth RappeMon, 18 Aug 2008 13:03:00 ESTNews Bites: 'In My Pocket' and 'Fathers Day'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/16/news-bites-in-my-pocket-and-fathers-day/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/16/news-bites-in-my-pocket-and-fathers-day/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/16/news-bites-in-my-pocket-and-fathers-day/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A few news bites for the end of the week:
  • Gregory Smith, who played one of the Stantons in The Seeker: The Dark is Rising, has picked up a starring gig, according to Variety. He will lead the indie drama In My Pocket, which will be the directorial debut of David Lisle Johnson III from a script he co-wrote with Joseph Ferrugio. The film will follow the travails of addiction and focus on two young men -- one is the good guy set for med school who fails out because of his addiction, while the other is a guitarist for a rock band who gets replaced. And for you Empire Records fans out there, Brendan Sexton III (Warren) also has a role.
  • Meanwhile... Kenneth Lonergan, scribe of Analyze That and Gangs of New York, is getting ready for a celebration. The Hollywood Reporter posts that he has signed on to pen the screenplay for Father's Day -- that flick that Ashton Kutcher is producing. The plan is to make the film "a multigenerational look at fatherhood, centering around a father and son who have never gotten along but who coincidentally have baby sons at the same time." It's certainly not the most original premise out there, but we'll see if this can become this generation's Parenthood.

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]]>Brendan Sexton IIIBrendanSextonIiiCinematicalDavid Lisle Johnson IIIDavidLisleJohnsonIiiFathers DayFathersDayGregory SmithGregorySmithIn My PocketInMyPocketJoseph FerrugioJosephFerrugioKenneth LonerganKennethLonerganMonika BartyzelSat, 16 Aug 2008 13:32:00 ESTWhat Gabriele Muccino Knows About 'Love'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/14/what-gabriele-muccino-knows-about-love/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/14/what-gabriele-muccino-knows-about-love/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/14/what-gabriele-muccino-knows-about-love/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Over the last few years, Italian director Gabriele Muccino has been busy with superstar Will Smith. He helmed The Pursuit of Happyness, and just wrapped up Seven Pounds. Now The Hollywood Reporter posts that he's cooking up a Kramer vs. Kramer style film that may or may not involve Smith's production company, Overbrook.

The project, titled What I Know About Love, is being written by Muccino along with the writer of Sex and the City, Liz Tuccillo. The director says: "It's the story of a family's collapse, but with the complexity that relationships have today. It's a different world now, one that I think is more open and more destructive somehow."

Considering the fact that Smith has starred in both of Muccino's recent films, I imagine that there's a decent chance that this film could be led by the ol' Fresh Prince as well. Smith brings the butts to the seats. Whatever happens, this should keep the filmmaker busy for a while with familial issues. He's also got an immigrant film called Man & Wife in the works.

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]]>CinematicalGabriele MuccinoGabrieleMuccinoWhat I Know About LoveWhatIKnowAboutLoveWill SmithWillSmithMonika BartyzelThu, 14 Aug 2008 16:03:00 EST