David Dobkin Tagged Articles at Cinematical
'Vacation' Reboot Heading Back to Wally World
Filed under: Classics », Comedy », New Line », Family Films », Remakes and Sequels »
Fans seem to be disappointed with HomeAway's Vacation-themed Super Bowl spot (the TV version or 14-minute version), for which Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo returned as Clark and Ellen Griswold. But will this disappointment affect their interest in the next film installment of the Vacation franchise, announced as a semi-reboot divorced from the National Lampoon name last fall? Variety has an update on the torch-passing sequel, and so far it sounds like it could be a worthwhile resurrection of the series.What we previously learned was that this still-untitled film will focus on Clark and Ellen's son, Rusty, who is now all grown-up and vacationing with his own family. Specifically, he'll be taking the kids across America to show them Wally World before the amusement park closes forever. Ten bucks says they get there too late and repeat the original film's climax of hijacking the place. Hey, as long as it's written well, I don't mind a recycled plot. It's still better than a complete remake.
Will Smith and Denzel Washington Remaking 'Uptown Saturday Night'?
Filed under: Classics », Comedy », Casting », Warner Brothers », Remakes and Sequels »
If you want to ease the minds of film fans about a remake you're working on, just compare it to Ocean's 11. That's what Will Smith did back in 2002 when his production company bought the rights to Sidney Poitier's Uptown Saturday Night with plans to do an all-star African-American update on the 1974 classic that originally paired up Poitier and Bill Cosby. At the time, Smith mentioned casting Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. Eight years later, according to Pajiba.com, the remake is in motion again, this time with Smith set to costar with Denzel Washington.In the original, Cosby and Poitier play old buddies who are robbed during a nightclub hold-up and must solve the case in order to get back a winning lottery ticket that's in Cosby's wallet. The film also starred Richard Pryor, Harry Belefonte, Flip Wilson and Calvin Lockhart. If Smith's initial pitch can be continued, let's hope that these characters are indeed filled with modern African-American stars like the aforementioned Murphy and Lawrence. And while we're on the topic of casting, I'd just like to say it'd be interesting and refreshingly against type to put Smith in the Poitier role and Washington in Cosby's.
The Griswolds Are Back! 'Vacation' Franchise Reboot
Filed under: Classics », Comedy », Deals », New Line », Scripts », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand », Remakes and Sequels »
Lately, I've noticed a blogosphere backlash when it comes to remakes and sequels. Because so many are whining about reboots / remakes, the contrarians now assert that remakes are something akin to a new performance of Hamlet. But I'm not sure even the remake champions can defend New Line going back to the Vacation (formerly of National Lampoon, now owned by Warner Bros) well. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio has brought on David Dobkin to develop the project. He may also be lucky enough to direct.New Line plans to relaunch the Vacation series by centering it on Rusty Griswold, son of Clark. He's now married with children of his own, and (brace yourselves) takes them on a vacation. THR is quick to point out that because Rusty will think back on the horror that was the trip to WallyWorld it's not a reboot, but a sequel. The studio is currently looking for writers to pen the screenplay, and note that they're hoping for Planes, Trains, and Automobiles over RV.
Now there's always room for a funny travel movie, but who knew the Griswolds would have a saga that rivaled the Skywalkers. I understand the need for familiarity, but the Griswold family weren't intended to be entertainment icons. They were just a mirror of our own families, so why not trot out a new family? But that's assuming we even need a new Vacation movie. The original
may feature outdated cars and clothes, but nothing in the way of family vacations has changed since 1983. But hey, if it was worth doing once, then it's worth rebooting a dozen times to avoid those piles of original scripts ... right?
David Dobkin to Direct 'The Flash' as 'Justice League' Spin-Off!
Filed under: Action », Deals », Fandom », DIY/Filmmaking », Comic/Superhero/Geek »
Although the Justice League of America film still doesn't have a firm cast, it looks like we have a director for the first official JLA spin-off. MTV Movies Blog reports that they've spoken with David Dobkin (Wedding Crashers), and he's confirmed to them that he's taken over directing reigns on The Flash. Not only that, but he also says his version of The Flash will exist in the JLA universe, the same as the upcoming live-action film. The film has already gone through two different directors; first it was David Goyer, and then it was Shawn Levy (who was going to use elements of Goyer's script). Now it's Dobkin ... who's never directed a comic book film before. But neither had Christopher Nolan when he did Batman Begins, or Bryan Singer when he did X-Men, or George Miller, who's directing Justice League -- so, really, does it matter?
When asked which Flash would be The Flash (there have been four of them), Dobkin replied, "Wally West." West took over for Barry Allen, his Uncle, when Allen died. As MTV pointed out, recent rumors over at AICN suggest the new live action JLA flick will open with Barry Allen's funeral. Dobkin even threw out the following tagline when asked about his vision for the film: "You can't outrun yourself." Deep. No word yet on when this film will begin, but you bet whoever signs on to play The Flash in JLA will most likely do so under the condition that they star in the spin-off. What do you think about Dobkin? Is he better than Levy? Goyer?
Four New Posters for 'Fred Claus'
Filed under: Comedy », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Warner Brothers », Family Films », Movie Marketing », Images »
Let me just start off by saying, I actually really like Vince Vaughn. But for some reason, the airbrushed, "kinder and gentler" Vaughn in the four new posters for the comedy Fred Claus is just creeping me out. The story centers on Vaughn as the no-goodnik brother of the Santa Claus, who tries to mend some familial rifts by helping out with the family business. Paul Giamatti plays the big guy in red, with Vaughn (obviously) as the black sheep in the family. The cast also includes Rachel Weisz, Miranda Richardson, and Kevin Spacey. Claus was directed by The Wedding Crashers', David Dobkin from a script by Dan Fogelman, and this is Dobkin's third film with Vaughn; their working relationship began back in 1998 with the black comedy Clay Pigeons, so they seem to enjoy working with each other.Claus is set for release on November 9th, sandwiched between a couple of other high-profile family films -- Jerry Seinfield's Bee Movie, and Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium starring Natalie Portman and Dustin Hoffman. Last November, Erik had given us news of the teaser for Claus, and I will admit, it looked like it had the potential to be pretty funny. There were no actual scenes from the film mind you, but the deadpan shtick that Vaughn and Giamatti provided seemed like it might be an antidote to the toothless comedy of most holiday movies. Combined with the solid cast, and Vaughn and Dobkin's track record, I'm thinking maybe this won't be another lame holiday offering. Unfortunately, the elf/ninja joke showcased in one poster also has me thinking otherwise.
R.I.P.D. on the Silver Screen
Filed under: Action », Fandom », Scripts », Comic/Superhero/Geek »
Director David Dobkin (too much alliteration there) made waves with
his summer sleeper hit Wedding Crashers, and is riding the
Vince
Vaughn train right into his next flick, the film previously known as Fred Claus. However, once he's done with that project (and maybe
one or two others) he'll be getting in on the comic book-to-movie action with the help of writer Phil
Hay, who is penning the script to the big screen adaptation of R.I.P.D. In an interview with Cinematic Happenings, Hay described the project as a "spectral police force"
film along the lines of Ghostbusters and Men In Black. He went on to further categorize the film as
"action comedy, very heavy on the comedy." No word yet on an expected release date.After being pleasantly surprised by Wedding Crashers, I've got to agree with Hay when he says that Dobkin is a great choice for director because he knows his way around comedy. I've never read R.I.P.D., but the premise certainly sounds amusing - I may have to go hunt down a few episodes for a trial run. Any readers out there familiar enough with the title to tell me why I should (or shouldn't) dig in?
When You Think Giamatti, Think Santa.
Filed under: Comedy », Casting », Warner Brothers », Newsstand »
We reported about a month ago about a movie
called Fred Claus, in which Vince Vaughn was set to play Santa's "black-sheep" older
brother, and which was inevitably going to be utterly hilarious. Sadly, unspecified "rights issues" have led
to the yanking of the title (Who the hell acquires the rights to the name "Fred Claus?" If the guy isn't
clairvoyant, he's clearly a very odd individual.). The good news, however, is that the great, Dan Fogelman-penned plot
-- deadbeat Fred heads back to the North Pole in search of some redemption -- remains in place, as does the Wedding
Crashers dream team of Vaughn and director David Dobkin. In addition, Variety reported this morning that Fred now has a brother: Paul Giamatti will play Santa. Now, I will confess that when I first read the article, my main reaction was disbelief -- Giamatti? As Santa? Please. But then I looked at his face, and thought about his mellowness playing off of Vaughn's depressive madness, and it all fit into place -- Warner Brothers, this is officially brilliant. (And, just so you know, if the movie is bad, I will be the saddest, most bitter person on earth. That is all.)
Vince Vaughn, the other Claus
Filed under: Comedy », Casting », Warner Brothers », Newsstand »
According to Variety, Wedding
Crashers team Vince Vaughn (who is rumored to be approaching
the $20 million/picture mark for the first time) and director David
Dobkin are in negotiations to topline Fred
Claus, a new comedy from Warner Brothers. Though talks are still in the very early stages, the hope is that a
deal will be struck quickly and the movie will zip into production - gee, it's a good thing Dobkin jumped ship
on I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, huh? His sudden free time has really worked out for Warner's.The screenplay by Dan Fogelman revolves around Santa's bitter older brother Fred (to be played, obviously, by Vaughn), "who heads back to the North Pole and gets a chance to redeem himself." You're laughing already, aren't you? Me too. Though nothing not involving either a hobbit or a man in a fat suit and drag can be called a sure thing in Hollywood these days, this has got to come pretty close - Vaughn combines put-upon misery with grudging good guy-ness better than anyone I can think of, and based on that whole Wedding Crashers thing, he and Dobkin are box office gold. Hurry up and get these deals done - I expect Christmas hilarity this year, dammit!
[via Dark Horizons]
A domestic partnership for Sandler and James
Filed under: Comedy », Casting », Universal », Newsstand »
For some reason, Universal has been working on
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, a movie about firemen who pretend to be gay in order to win domestic
partnership benefits, for years and years and years. (Actually, many states offer domestic partner benefits for
heterosexual couples, too, but I guess that's less funny.) The movie's been through an almost endless parade of writers
(Jon Favreau among them) and stars (Will Smith, Nicolas
Cage, James
Gandolfini, Vince Vaughn, and Wilson #2), but has never gotten out of the blocks. Now, however, the
studio has found its dream team, and the movie is a go: according to The Hollywood Reporter, Adam
Sandler and Kevin James will play the happy "couple."The Sandler-James edition of the script has been written by, of all people, the Sideways team of Jim Taylor and Alexander Payne, and currently slated to direct is David Dobkin of Wedding Crashers fame, all of which sounds pretty promising. Though there are a lot of people in that Nearly Starred list that I'd rather see in this movie than the two currently on board, it's hard to deny that the behind-the-scenes team that's in line for this installment is the best group so far. Of course, whether the movie will actually happen this time is something else entirely.
Has Chris Evans Won Captain America's Shield?
When Netflix Isn't Enough
Full-Length 'Predators' Trailer Debuts
Frankenstein is 100 Years Old! Watch His First Movie Now!
Bryan Singer May Direct 'X-Men 4' and 'Wolverine 2'
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