Cinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gifCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Bicycle Messengering Gets Intense With David Koepp's 'Premium Rush'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/david-koepp-premium-rush/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/david-koepp-premium-rush/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/david-koepp-premium-rush/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When was the last time you recall seeing an actual bicycle messenger? Unless you live in a densely populated, car-hating metropolis, chances are rather slim that you ever see someone on a bike with a package under their arm, ducking and diving all manner of obstacles before screeching to a halt in front of a skyscraper and racing inside to drop off said package just in the nick of time. Which is why it is simultaneously bizarre and fascinating to me that David Koepp would pick the high-stakes world of two-wheeled courier services as the frame for his next directorial project.

What's even more fascinating is the scale Premium Rush, which I am 99% positive is the name of a Capri Sun flavor I used to drink in the '90s, is set up to be. Sony is bankrolling the production, which Variety says they see as "a big-budget actioner, much like the films Koepp is known for penning, and will feature the kind of elaborate chases associated with a William Friedkin pic." The Friedkin emulation I can understand, as The French Connection still remains a benchmark chase film, but the big budget Koepp titles they're referencing include Spider-Man, Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Continue reading Bicycle Messengering Gets Intense With David Koepp's 'Premium Rush'

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]]>bike messengerBikeMessengerDavid KoeppDavidKoeppPremium RushPremiumRushthrillerPeter HallThu, 12 Nov 2009 18:03:00 EST'Buffy' Scribe Will Write 'Fright Night' Remake!http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/fright-night-remake-writer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/fright-night-remake-writer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/fright-night-remake-writer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Fright Night remake is back on. Back in January, we learned that the project had been halted when they couldn't come up with a good script. Ten months later, The Hollywood Reporter posts that Marti Noxon (executive producer and writer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer) has been hired to rewrite the horror comedy, trading one set of vamps for another.

While Joss Whedon is facing cancellation, Marti Noxon is going strong. The vampire slayer marked Noxon's big break in the biz, and since helping run the show, she's had her hand in a slew of series from Prison Break to Mad Men. This will be her first big cinematic gig, her lone movie credit to this point being the 1998 film Just a Little Harmless Sex. But what will it all mean for a redo of Fright Night, where a kid finds out that a vampire lives next door?

Noxon kicked off her Buffy writing penning the "What's My Line" duo, the terrible "Bad Eggs," and the sex that turned Angel evil. From there, most of her writing gigs were mainly toss-off eps, with occasional perks in episodes like "I Only Have Eyes For You" and "The Prom." In other words: I'm not so sure what to make of this, other than the fact that her strongest writing seems to be linked to big interpersonal moments, which do not make for the best vamp comedy. Thoughts?

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]]>CinematicalFright NightFrightNightMarti NoxonMartiNoxonMonika BartyzelThu, 12 Nov 2009 11:16:00 EST'Sgt. Rock' Looks to the Future with Francis Lawrencehttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/sgt-rock-looks-to-the-future-with-francis-lawrence/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/sgt-rock-looks-to-the-future-with-francis-lawrence/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/sgt-rock-looks-to-the-future-with-francis-lawrence/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Once upon a time, Sgt. Rock was in the hands of Guy Ritchie, and many an Easy Company fan was upset. But you'll undoubtedly wish that Ritchie and Joel Silver had made it to the finish line, because Sgt. Rock will not make it to the big screen in a form you'll recognize. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he has a new director in Francis Lawrence and a whole new space-time continuum. Joel Silver is still on board as producer, and he's bringing Akiva Goldsman on board to help. They've hired newcomer Chad St. John to pen the script.

As you may or may not know, Sgt. Rock is a WWII soldier. He's always fought in WWII. The poor guy has never even gotten to leave the European theater. (It was rumored in Swamp Thing that he was transferred to the Pacific, but never confirmed.) Any attempt at a movie adaptation has always gone forward with this central idea of keeping him in his element. But budget, politics, and popularity has always been an issue, and no one believes you can make The Dirty Dozen in this day and age unless you're Quentin Tarantino. So Warner Bros has decided to bypass the drama, and put Sgt. Rock in the future. CG is cheaper than Nazis, and a nondescript soldier of the future is less problematic than an American fighting a good fight. (While no war is a good war, I do think we can all agree that fighting Nazis was a good thing.)

Nothing else is known about this storyline, so I hate to jump to a knee-jerk conclusion as to who or what Sgt. Rock will face there, or whether he will be transported to the future from WWII. But I think this is an unfortunate thing to do to a character who resides in WWII for a very specific and honorable reason. The last thing he should become is a Universal Soldier or Terminator ripoff.

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]]>Akiva GoldsmanAkivaGoldsmanDC ComicsDcComicsfrancis lawrenceFrancisLawrenceguy ritchieGuyRitchiejoel silverJoelSilverSgt. RockSgt.RockElisabeth RappeTue, 10 Nov 2009 09:45:00 ESTThe 'Se7en' Crew Reunites to Get 'Proud'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/the-se7en-crew-reunites-to-get-proud/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/the-se7en-crew-reunites-to-get-proud/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/the-se7en-crew-reunites-to-get-proud/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Se7en... I'll never forget the first time I watched it, nestled with friends into the old seats at Gettysburg's Majestic Theater, all of us enamored, shocked, chilled, and buzzed on the thrill of the film IMDb ranks as #27 out of the Top 250 Films. It's one of those movies that elicits glazed eyes of fandom at its mention. But could the magic be brought to life again?

The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision Blog reports that Se7en alums David Fincher, Andrew Kevin Walker, and Michael De Luca are re-teaming to make a new adaptation of Max Ehrlich's The Reincarnation of Peter Proud for Columbia Pictures. Fincher is, of course, attached to direct, and Walker will pen the script. (The book was originally adapted by Ehrlich himself for the film back in 1975.) The story focuses on a college prof who becomes plagued by recurring dreams and nightmares that he realizes are memories of a past life. With the help of his girlfriend, he tries to find the source of the visions and "discovers a woman and her grown-up daughter who are keys to his past life." The original story got in some hot water for a subplot rife with incest, but methinks that will be diluted or deleted this time around as everything gets updated.

With all of this in place, the only blocks left are the cast. It might seem like an easy pick, but I'd love to see Kevin Kline bite into this. Yes, he's the go-to guy for college professors, but he's also severely talented and severely under-utilized. A role like this could rip him out of the crap. But if the choice was yours, who would you like to see crack the past? Or are you just recoiling at word of another remake?

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]]>Andrew Kevin WalkerAndrewKevinWalkerCinematicalDavid FincherDavidFincherMax EhrlichMaxEhrlichMichael De LucaMichaelDeLucaSe7enThe Reincarnation of Peter ProudTheReincarnationOfPeterProudMonika BartyzelMon, 09 Nov 2009 09:45:00 ESTAmy Heckerling Gets Vampy with Krysten Ritterhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/07/amy-heckerling-gets-vampy-with-krysten-ritter/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/07/amy-heckerling-gets-vampy-with-krysten-ritter/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/07/amy-heckerling-gets-vampy-with-krysten-ritter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I hope you don't hate vampires, because they don't seem to be going anywhere. Now Amy Heckerling, the woman behind Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Clueless, is getting in on the bloodsucking. According to Screen Daily, Parlay Films has grabbed the international rights to an upcoming romantic comedy called Vamps, that Heckerling will write and direct.

"The film will be a modern-day tale of two young female vampires living the good life in New York until love enters the picture and each has to make a choice that will jeopardize their immortality." Krysten Ritter will star as one of the lead vamps, and they're still searching for the other bloodsucker. This marks a big jump from the actress, who has moved from bubbly side gigs on shows like Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars to some cinematic supporting roles, a lead gig in the web series Woke Up Dead, and now her first starring film job.

Perhaps I'm being overly hopeful, but it's time for Heckerling to bring us her next comedy classic, and I'm hoping this is it. There was a 13-year span between Ridgemont and Clueless, and it's been 14 years since Cher found love with Josh, so could this be the next Heckerling extravaganza we won't want to heckle? Or, just another project in an oversaturated market?

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]]>Amy HeckerlingAmyHeckerlingCinematicalKrysten RitterKrystenRitterVampsMonika BartyzelSat, 07 Nov 2009 15:33:00 ESTStephen Frears Gears Up for 'High Fidelity' Reunionhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/stephen-frears-gears-up-for-high-fidelity-reunion/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/stephen-frears-gears-up-for-high-fidelity-reunion/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/stephen-frears-gears-up-for-high-fidelity-reunion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Having dipped into the seductive waters of sexy courtesans, Stephen Frears is now looking towards the future, and the future's got lots of gambling. The trades are reporting that Frears is set to direct Lay the Favorite, a dramedy that will rejoin him with High Fidelity scribe D.V. De Vincentis. The project stems from an upcoming memoir by Beth Raymer called Lay the Favorite, Take the Dog, which will be published this Spring.

Now, why did I say trades and not pick one? That's because it's time to play Pick the Plot.

In one corner, we've got The Hollywood Reporter, who says that this is a world of "geeky gamblers" who "figure out how to work the sportsbook system in Las Vegas for their own profit. It centers on a woman in her early thirties who has made a series of bad choices but achieves a redemption of sorts when she meets and then becomes involved with the gamblers." De Vincentis says: "This is the version of 50-year-old math geeks from Queens in basketball shorts who have pet guinea pigs."

In the other corner, we've got Variety describing the story as a "young woman's journey into the world of sports gambling. She starts out as a cocktail waitress but gets caught up in gambling until falling in love," calling it a cross between High Fidelity and The Grifters.

So, geek fest with gambling and a little romance thrown in for good measure, or a romantic world where a cocktail waitress can gamble her way to money ... and love. Which do you choose?

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]]>Beth RaymerBethRaymerCinematicalD.V. DeVincentisD.v.DevincentisLay the FavoriteLay the Favorite Take the DogLayTheFavoriteLayTheFavoriteTakeTheDogStephen FrearsStephenFrearsMonika BartyzelFri, 06 Nov 2009 15:32:00 EST'Twilight' Vamp Zeroes in on Her Own Supernatural Horrorhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/twilight-vamp-zeroes-in-on-her-own-supernatural-horror/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/twilight-vamp-zeroes-in-on-her-own-supernatural-horror/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/twilight-vamp-zeroes-in-on-her-own-supernatural-horror/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ashley Greene's cinematic path hasn't been gradual. It all started with a couple one-ep stints on a few shows, a gig on a quickly vaporized show called Desire, time as a McDonald's customer in King of California, an uncredited moment on Shark, and playing Kim #4 in Otis. Then everything changed. She put on the superstylish clothes, added a pixie hop to her step, and starting divining the future on the Twilight series. Now she's got a handful of movies under her belt, and is circling her next starring gig.

Risky Biz Blog reports that Greene is looking into the ghostly side of supernatural life. The actress is in talks to star in The Apparition, Dark Castle's latest supernatural horror that will, most likely, wrench her out of sparkles and overprotective families. Written and to be directed by Todd Lincoln, the story focuses on a couple in college who are haunted by a "supernatural presence" they let out during a college experiment.

Supposedly, this is inspired by true events. Methinks true events in the same world where Blair Witch flies free, unless it isn't incantations that unleashes ghosts, but rather beakers of creepy substances. Or, they mean college experiment as in guy and girl make a witchy circle on their dorm floor and start doing spells all willy nilly. Whatever the case, the film hits production in February of next year.

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]]>Ashley GreeneAshleyGreeneCinematicalthe ApparitionTheApparitionTodd LincolnToddLincolnMonika BartyzelFri, 06 Nov 2009 13:15:00 ESTDanny Boyle Knows Where He'll Spend '127 Hours'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/danny-boyle-knows-where-hell-spend-127-hours/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/danny-boyle-knows-where-hell-spend-127-hours/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/danny-boyle-knows-where-hell-spend-127-hours/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

After a year of speculation (Will it be James Bond? Will it be Maximum City? Trainspotting 2?), Danny Boyle has finally settled on his next project. Variety reports that it will be 127 Hours, the tale of mountain climber Aron Ralston. Boyle has been loosely attached to the project since June when the LA Times reported that Boyle and Fox Searchlight had signed a long term, best friends forever deal. Boyle has already penned a treatment, and Simon Beaufoy is in talks to write the script.

In this age of flashmob media stories, you might have forgotten the tale of Ralston. Like your humble authoress and Balloon Boy, Ralston hails from Colorado. He became famous for a Utah climbing accident in 2003, when an 800 lb boulder shifted and crushed his hand. Ralston was forced to choose between life and limb, and in a stomach-turning story heard around the world, he amputated his own hand with a pocketknife. In the media frenzy that followed, Ralston was hailed as a hero and as an idiot, because he had chosen to go climbing alone and without notifying anyone. It was particularly intense locally, and I still remember the heroism debate Ralston sparked in my American Culture class. (It even inspired one student's final project!) Since those heady days of early fame, Ralston has enjoyed success with his autobiography, continues to climb, and is a motivational speaker.

The director is already on the casting hunt for the part of Ralston, which Variety declares will be "a plum job" because it will force an actor to work solo for most of the shoot. Below the jump, I've embedded a video of Ralston describing his amputation. Watch it to prepare for two hours of unflinching detail, and sound off on who you think should be lucky enough to act out a very painful 127 Hours.




Continue reading Danny Boyle Knows Where He'll Spend '127 Hours'

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]]>127 Hours127HoursAron RalstonAronRalstonDanny BoyleDannyBoylefeaturedFox SearchlightFoxSearchlightSimon BeaufoySimonBeaufoyElisabeth RappeThu, 05 Nov 2009 10:33:00 ESTJohnny Depp Might Be 'The Tourist'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/johnny-depp-might-be-the-tourist/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/johnny-depp-might-be-the-tourist/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/johnny-depp-might-be-the-tourist/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Sony's thriller The Tourist just keeps sending its talent packing. Originally set to be a vehicle for Tom Cruise and Charlize Theron, it shifted gears last month and was re-cast with Angelina Jolie and Sam Worthington. But once again, The Tourist finds itself without travel arrangements for a male lead as Variety reports that Worthington is out due to "creative disagreements" and Johnny Depp is in.

Depp is still in talks to play the hapless American tourist, and with the way this film is going, one can't assume it's finalized. But if it is, it might just be the casting coup of 2010. A Depp-Jolie pair-up has been something dreamed about by a lot of producers and studios over the years. Once upon a time, rumor even had them attached to play Cathy and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. People want to see them having onscreen sex. It'd be the hottest thing since ... well, Brad Pitt and Jolie having sex onscreen. (And off. Hey, I'm just being honest. There was a reason everyone wanted to see their offspring.)

The Tourist is also on the hunt for a director. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck was circling the project, but departed alongside Worthington over those whispery creative differences. Reportedly, a lot of directors are interested, including Alfonso Cuaron. While shake-ups can be be a sign of a bad film, I'd like to think that a thriller that winds up with Jolie, Depp, and Cuaron came together exactly as it was meant to.

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]]>Alfonso CuaronAlfonsoCuaronangelina jolieAngelinaJoliecharlize theronCharlizeTheronFlorian Henckel von DonnersmarckFlorianHenckelVonDonnersmarckjohnny DeppJohnnyDeppsam worthingtonSamWorthingtonThe TouristTheTouristtom cruiseTomCruiseElisabeth RappeWed, 04 Nov 2009 21:32:00 ESTThis is a Stick-Up, Patrick Dempseyhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/this-is-a-stick-up-patrick-dempsey/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/this-is-a-stick-up-patrick-dempsey/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/this-is-a-stick-up-patrick-dempsey/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Once upon a time here on Cinematical (actually, it was a mere year ago), I pondered whether you could ever be too attractive to be believable. I reasoned that it was a bit silly to argue that Angelina Jolie was too pretty to be the mother of a kidnapped child, because good looks doesn't equal good luck. But I might have to change my thesis for Patrick Dempsey. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dempsey is teaming up with Jon Lucas and Scott Moore (aka "The Hangover Team") for an untitled bank heist comedy.

Dempsey will play an ordinary man who wanders into his bank branch for a deposit or a withdrawal, and winds up being caught in a robbery. Actually, it's not just one robbery but two occurring at the same bank and at the same time. (If this bank isn't in Gotham City and this stick-up isn't being overseen by the Joker, I'm disappointed already.) But the real kicker is that he is secretly in love with his bank teller, and was just getting up the guts to ask her out when the robberies happened. Now, he's forced to protect her and hope she'll say yes to dinner and a movie if they make it out alive.

Now, I know good looking guys can be shy. But this is like slapping thick glasses on Amanda Seyfried and expecting us to buy that she's unattractive. If he's a regular customer to that teller window, chances are she counts the minutes until he shows up with another deposit, and works frantically to maintain her lipstick in between. She's been hinting every time that she's single and looking. So unless Dempsey's character has been living in a cave (and maybe there's more twists and turns that he has) which has caused him to be socially inept, there's no excusing such awkwardness.

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]]>Jon LucasJonLucaspatrick dempseyPatrickDempseyScott MooreScottMooreElisabeth RappeWed, 04 Nov 2009 18:15:00 ESTRobert Pattinson Beds Nicole Kidmanhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/robert-pattinson-beds-nicole-kidman/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/robert-pattinson-beds-nicole-kidman/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/robert-pattinson-beds-nicole-kidman/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Once you've made emotional mincemeat out of legions of adoring young girls, what's next? How do you transcend tweendom and seduce the seas of adult women (Twilight moms not included)? Bedding Nicole Kidman is a start. Screen Daily reports that Robert Pattinson and Kidman have signed on to star in an adaptation of Guy De Maupassant's Bel Ami. Adapted by Rachel Bennette, the film will be directed by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod.

Published in 1885, Bel Ami is an erotic tale of journalist Georges Duroy and how he sleeps his way to the top of Parisian high society. After a few years of military service in Algeria, Duroy works as a clerk in Paris until he becomes a journalist, aided by Mme Forestier (presumably Kidman). She helps write his first articles, he works his way up to chief editor, and she uses her political connections to get him the information he needs, which also leads him to his own network of increasing power. Bit by bit, he sleeps with influential women, using his loins to work his way to the top.

If you've seen Little Ashes, this is just wiping away the Dali quirks and throwing Pattinson into a Parisian life roughly 25 years earlier -- which wasn't quite the visual and social jump then as it is now. And while I wonder why Kidman so often gets cast opposite young males (at least this one's of age!), it's not hard to imagine a retro world of Parisian enticement with Pattinson and Kidman at the center of it.

Production begins this February in London and Budapest.

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]]>Bel AmiBelAmiCinematicalDeclan DonnellanDeclanDonnellanfeaturedGuy De MaupassantGuyDeMaupassantNick OrmerodNickOrmerodNicole KidmanNicoleKidmanRachel BennetteRachelBennetteRobert PattinsonRobertPattinsonMonika BartyzelWed, 04 Nov 2009 12:46:00 ESTMorgan Freeman Wants To Be a 'Dirty Old Man'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/02/morgan-freeman-wants-to-be-a-dirty-old-man/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/02/morgan-freeman-wants-to-be-a-dirty-old-man/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/02/morgan-freeman-wants-to-be-a-dirty-old-man/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

While Morgan Freeman has dabbled in comedy in his long and illustrious career, I don't think he's ever really gotten a chance to really cut loose. He certainly hasn't gotten to play in the raunchy end of the pool, but it sounds as though he's taking the leap in Dirty Old Men. The Hollywood Reporter says that he's attached to star as an aging playboy in the tentatively titled project, and we'll either be laughing or horribly traumatized by his efforts.

Men was penned by Josh Cagan and Greg Coolidge, and is said to be similar in tone to The Wedding Crashers and The 40 Year Old Virgin. It centers on two aging playboys who have been each other's wingmen for over 40 years. One of them meets the love of his life, leaving the other (played by Freeman) to chase skirts on his own. Well, that just won't do. The lonely playboy does everything he can to break up the new couple. I will bet money there's at least one I-hid-the-Viagra scenario. No, I don't like to think about it.

Peter Segal is in talks to direct, and the hunt is on for the playboy-husband-to-be. Warner Bros is hoping Jack Nicholson will take the part and reteam with his Bucket List buddy. But if he turns it down, may I humbly suggest they look to Freeman's real life wingman, Clint Eastwood? If Viagra jokes must be made, let them be the two that make them.



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]]>clint eastwoodClintEastwoodDirty old menDirtyOldMenGreg CoolidgeGregCoolidgejack nicholsonJackNicholsonjosh caganJoshCaganMorgan FreemanMorganFreemanPeter SegalPeterSegalwarner brosWarnerBrosElisabeth RappeMon, 02 Nov 2009 12:48:00 ESTWarren Ellis' 'Black Summer' Optioned By Vigilantehttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/02/warren-ellis-black-summer-optioned-by-vigilante/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/02/warren-ellis-black-summer-optioned-by-vigilante/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/02/warren-ellis-black-summer-optioned-by-vigilante/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Comics legend Warren Ellis is all over Hollywood these days. He has Red in development at Summit, Gravel was just recently optioned by the top-notch crew at Legendary Pictures, and Ocean is in the works with Hollywood Gang, for whom Ellis is also penning a King Arthur script. Now Variety reports that Ellis' miniseries Black Summer has been optioned by the fledgling banner Vigilante Entertainment. Ryne Pearson is set to adapt it for the big screen.

Black Summer kicked off in 2007, and walks some familiar Watchmen ground as it examines the darker implications of vigilante heroes. It centers around a superhero team called the Seven Guns, a group of ordinary humans who have willingly undergone severe surgery to become superhuman vigilantes. They take to the streets of a West Coast city to battle a corrupt city government, its equally sleazy police force, and greedy private security forces. But by the time we meet them, those days are gone. But one member, John Horus, decides to go after the man he feels is committing the biggest illegal act of all -- the President of the United States. His violent decision puts the rest of the Guns in danger, In typical Ellis fashion, the blood begins spraying and the bodies drop, and everything becomes very politically murky. If you'd like to see some previews or check out some interviews with Ellis, it's all been neatly collected at Avatar Press' site.

This project is in pre-pre production right now, so it's hard to get too excited as to how (or if!) it will end up on the big screen. But it's great to see more and more of Ellis' work being picked up for adaptations. Let's hope it meets better fate than most of Alan Moore's work.

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]]>avatar pressAvatarPressBlack SummerBlackSummerVigilante EntertainmentVigilanteEntertainmentWarren EllisWarrenEllisElisabeth RappeMon, 02 Nov 2009 09:03:00 EST'Roger Rabbit' Sequel Finally Moving Forwardhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/01/roger-rabbit-sequel-moving-forward/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/01/roger-rabbit-sequel-moving-forward/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/01/roger-rabbit-sequel-moving-forward/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'To misquote Jessica Rabbit: "Sequels to beloved animated / live-action classics aren't all bad. They're just motion-captured that way." As our own Elisabeth Rabbit Rappe reported earlier this year, Robert Zemeckis has been thinking about a sequel to 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit. And now the sequel is moving forward toward reality. Zemeckis told MTV News that "a script is in development" for a sequel, and original writers Peter S. Seaman and Jeffrey Price are involved.

Way back when, Seaman and Price adapted Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, a novel by Gary K. Wolff. The hard-boiled mystery drew upon the history of the Los Angeles transit system and provided a strong framework for a dazzling mixture of traditional cell animation and live-action period footage. Wolff wrote a sequel, Who P-P-P-Plugged Roger Rabbit?, and other follow-up ideas have been discussed over the years, but Zemeckis says he wasn't involved in any of them.

Of course, any sequel script would need to be very, very good on its own merits to have any hope of living up to the original. In view of Zemeckis' fascination, nay, obsession with performance capture digital tools, I share Elisbeth's fear that a new Roger Rabbit will be "a dead-eyed motion capture and not a lovable toon." The original was a mystery, a comedy, and a thriller, but it was the idea of brightly-colored cartoons living side by side with humans in a mundane real world that gave the film its distinctive flavor. Whose performances will be computer-animated in the sequel -- humans, 'toons, or both?

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]]>jessica rabbitJessicaRabbitrobert zemeckisRobertZemeckisroger rabbitRogerRabbitwho framed roger rabbitwho framed roger rabbit sequelWhoFramedRogerRabbitWhoFramedRogerRabbitSequelPeter MartinSun, 01 Nov 2009 11:03:00 EST'Men in Black 3' Nabs a Writer and Directorhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/30/men-in-black-3-nabs-a-writer-and-director/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/30/men-in-black-3-nabs-a-writer-and-director/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/30/men-in-black-3-nabs-a-writer-and-director/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No super-successful comedy series can stay away for long. Back in April, ShoWest brought news that the aliens were coming back for Men in Black 3. There was no word on which stars would return, or anything other than the faintest murmurings of a plan, but now things are coming together. THR's Risky Biz Blog reports that Etan Cohen, the scribe behind Tropic Thunder, will pen the script while director of the first two, Barry Sonnenfeld, returns for the third bout.

With a script and director slotted into place, naturally, the next question revolves around Will Smith. As of now, the actor has no solid plans to return, but buzz says he is interested. As for Tommy Lee Jones -- his involvement is "uncertain." Smith has nothing pressing right now, so he's wide open (save from helping along his son's blossoming career), and Jones has only got two in-development features in his future.

Read the rest at SciFi Squad

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]]>Barry SonnenfeldBarrySonnenfeldCinematicalEtan CohenEtanCohenfeaturedMen in Black 3MenInBlack3Monika BartyzelFri, 30 Oct 2009 09:48:00 ESTOnce Upon A Time, Fabio Was 'Thor'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/29/once-upon-a-time-fabio-was-thor/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/29/once-upon-a-time-fabio-was-thor/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/29/once-upon-a-time-fabio-was-thor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You kids today, with your Marvel Studios and your top-notch directors. Many of you are too young to remember just what ugly treatments comic books received in the 1980s and 1990s. Oh sure, there was Tim Burton's Batman, but treatments like David Hasselhoff's Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD were the norm. When a Thor movie was kicked around, the only requirement was muscles and blonde hair. In the 1990s, there was one man that fit that description: Fabio.

A funny little flashback has surfaced on Colleen Doran's blog, which has prompted a delightful trip back in time at Mania. In 1997, Fabio decided that he wanted to play Thor, so he approached animation director Seth Kearsley, and they cooked up a storyline with the help of Henry Gilroy. As Mania points out, this was not a Marvel movie , but it casually borrowed a few elements. The result, pictured to your right, was an unholy blend of Marvel's Thor and Captain Marvel / Shazam where Thor was punished for his arrogance by being shoved into the powerless body of a young boy. Despite its cheese and lack of Hollywood backing, it managed to recruit a lot of comic book talent for its designs, including Hellboy creator Mike Mignola. They were also desperately seeking Charlton Heston to voice Odin, and were in negotiations with Pamela Anderson to voice the Valkyrie Brunhild. But it died off, never to be seen again ... until the Internet could laugh about it.

Continue reading Once Upon A Time, Fabio Was 'Thor'

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]]>charlton hestonCharltonHestonFabiofeaturedHenry GilroyHenryGilroymike mignolaMikeMignolapamela andersonPamelaAndersonSeth KearsleySethKearsleyThorElisabeth RappeThu, 29 Oct 2009 16:02:00 ESTRidley Scott Reveals Details About 'Alien' Prequelhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/29/ridley-scott-reveals-details-about-alien-prequel/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/29/ridley-scott-reveals-details-about-alien-prequel/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/29/ridley-scott-reveals-details-about-alien-prequel/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When word hit that Ridley Scott was on board to direct the long talked about A L I E N prequel, what ran through your mind? Were you thinking lots of alien action? A Giger-iffic closer look at the xenomorphs? If so, you might want to start reeling back those alien expectations. Empire Magazine recently got the scoop from Scott, and he's got something else in mind.

The director was in London for his daughter's debut at the London Film Festival when he told the mag about his ideas for the prequel. He said: "We know what the road map is, and the screenplay is now being put on paper. The prequel will be a while ago. It's very difficult to put a year on A L I E N, but [for example] if A L I E N was towards the end of this century, then the prequel story will take place thirty years prior." Empire takes this to mean a human focus for the film.

I wish that dreaded set of Star Wars prequels hadn't made me recoil at the thought of any ultra-updated FX in prequel stories. However, on the bright side: If Scott tackles things in a similar way -- looking to Giger for inspiration, for example -- it's sure to be a beauty of a film. Are you up for this A L I E N prequel, or do you wish the past just stayed in the uncharted murky depths?

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]]>Alien PrequelAlienPrequelCinematicalRidley ScottRidleyScottMonika BartyzelThu, 29 Oct 2009 14:32:00 ESTJessica Biel Signs On for a Sex Romphttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/29/jessica-biel-signs-on-for-a-sex-romp/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/29/jessica-biel-signs-on-for-a-sex-romp/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/29/jessica-biel-signs-on-for-a-sex-romp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

What's the best way to make Hollywood see past your sexy looks? Star in a sex comedy! No? Well someone's in for a shock then... The Hollywood Reporter posts that Jessica Biel will star in a new comedy called F***ing Engaged.

The brainchild of new screenwriter Julia Brownell (developed with Dan Halsted and Cameron Bunce), the flick is aiming to be "a raunchy comedy about a couple who make a pact to have sex every day leading to their wedding so they don't turn into their crusty old parents." Correct me if I'm wrong, married folks, but isn't the whole sexless crustiness due to sexless lives after the marriage, rather than before? If anything, I'd imagine that overdoing the sex pre-wedding would kill the hormones quicker. And who will play the lucky bloke?

Should this be in a different vein than her last comedy, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, it has promise. But really, this whole thing just makes me wish for Nailed. Remember that comedy? The plagued David O. Russell flick where Biel plays a waitress-turned-sex addict making waves in Washington D.C.? That's the Biel sex comedy that should be hitting our eager eyes. Oh well. At least this would make for an apt double-bill with Young People F**king.

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]]>CinematicalF---ing EngagedF---ingEngagedfeaturedJessica BielJessicaBielJulia BrownellJuliaBrownellMonika BartyzelThu, 29 Oct 2009 09:03:00 ESTIs Peter Berg Departing 'Dune'?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/28/is-peter-berg-departing-dune/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/28/is-peter-berg-departing-dune/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/28/is-peter-berg-departing-dune/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Last March, the trades confirmed that Peter Berg was the latest director brave enough (or foolish enough) to tackle a new adaptation of Frank Herbert's legendary Dune. News has been scarce since, though just last month Berg was assuring MTV that he was still involved, and that he was trying to crunch Josh Zetumer's 200-page script into something manageable "without offending the purists." Other than some intriguing Robert Pattinson casting rumors, there hasn't been much for fans to really discuss or rant about. But an intriguing story has popped up on Pajiba. Their inside source claims that Berg has dropped out of the Dune remake, and that Paramount is scrambling for a new director.

The search is fraught with difficulty for Paramount, according to Pajiba's source. "The search, however, has run into two issues: 1) they're looking for a director who can put the movie together for under $175 million, which sounds manageable, but they don't want anything resembling the crap effects of the '84 film, and 2) they want a director who already has a preexisting passion for the novel and is enthusiastic about the project." But the search has allegedly landed on two splashy newcomers: Neil Marshall and and Neill Blomkamp. Marshall is said to be the frontrunner, championed by producer Kevin Misher. But the studio lukewarm on Marshall's resume and likes Blomkamp, who they feel has the "vision" for the film.

This is all rumor and speculation at this point, and nowhere is it stated why Berg dropped out of the remake. (A schedule conflict would be likely. Berg has one heck of a full plate.) There's also something a little too dreamy about those mentions of Blomkamp and Marshall. I'm very, very curious to see how this little rumor is played out, and if it could lead to a Dune adaptation that's palatable and faithful to Herbert.

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]]>DuneDune remakeDuneRemakefeaturedFrank HerbertFrankHerbertJosh ZetumerJoshZetumerneil marshallneill blomkampNeillBlomkampNeilMarshallParamountPeter BergPeterBergElisabeth RappeWed, 28 Oct 2009 12:45:00 ESTAdam Sandler Plays Both Jack and Jillhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/28/adam-sandler-plays-both-jack-and-jill/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/28/adam-sandler-plays-both-jack-and-jill/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/28/adam-sandler-plays-both-jack-and-jill/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It seemed like maybe Adam Sandler was looking at ripping that crap-of-a-comedy stigma from him when he starred in Funny People, reminding the world that the old Sandler was a mix of ridiculous laughs and dramedy. But here's another reason to assume that was just a random blip in lowest common denominator fare: Variety reports that Columbia Pictures has grabbed the actor to star in a romantic comedy called Jack and Jill.

Rom-com can mean many things, and potentially even something good for the actor, but get a load of this: He will "play Jack as well as his twin sister Jill." And it was written by Steve Koren (old SNL scribe behind the Almighty flicks, Night at the Roxbury, and Superstar.) That's all we know. Considering the "rom" part, I'd hope that there's a love interest outside of this duo, because who would want to see Sandler-on-Sandler incest? Yes, I'm being negative, but it all comes from how the project was positioned and revealed. Should we expect anything more from a romantic comedy when the powers that be decide to kick things off by talking about Sandler cross-dressing? If that's the notable part of the news designed to start perking interests, there's definitely a Happy Madison bend to the whole thing. And yes, his company is producing .

Can you think of a way that this film could be anything more than another Chuck & Larry sort of offering? Could this possibly be more Tootsie than The Hot Chick? Do you want to see Adam Sandler in Hollywood drag?

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]]>Adam SandlerAdamSandlerCinematicalfeaturedJack and JillJackAndJillSteve KorenSteveKorenMonika BartyzelWed, 28 Oct 2009 10:32:00 EST