LexiAlexander Tagged Articles at Cinematical

There are some great things to discuss, today, so let's just jump right in. But take a moment to admire the art , because I couldn't let Scott Weinberg outshine me anymore!

• Rendering my Tuesday column somewhat obsolete, George Miller has informed the world that he is still attached to Justice League Mortal, and that the film is still very much alive. Apparently, he was never even on the Australian television show to make such fatal statements. Oh well. We can still talk about whether or not you can ever make a Justice League movie, right? [via SuperheroHype]

• Kevin McKidd told IGN that he is in the running for Thor -- and not for a secondary character, as he previously said, but as the god himself. Nothing is definite, there's just a lot of talk back and forth, but he's very excited that Kenneth Branagh is on board. It's a deal I'd like to see done, as the combo of McKidd and Branagh seems like a winner to me. (I particularly like that IGN caught McKidd at the Punisher: War Zone premiere -- Titus Pollo and Lucius Vorenus, together again!)

• Lexi Alexander might replace Neveldine and Taylor as the director of Jonah Hex. She told Latino Review that she had been sent the script, and really liked it. "I like it even more that Mr. Josh Brolin is still attached. Who knows if he'll stay, but it's more exciting than I thought. You get a story like this you think, 'Oh God, I'm going to be doing the same thing over and over again.' but it's really, really interesting." I haven't seen Punisher: War Zone yet, but all the reviews are positive, and indicate she'd have a similar take to Neveldine and Taylor. Go for it, Alexander!

• Also wanted -- one director for Magdalena. Gale Anne Hurd is looking. She has her cast lined up, and now she just needs a director. They'll have a very prepared star in Jenna Dewan, who Hurd says has "steeped herself" in the character. [via ShockTillYouDrop]

• The running time for Watchmen currently clocks at 2 hours, 35 minutes. Zack Snyder envisions the director's cut to be 3 hours and 10 minutes. And he's putting Tales of the Black Freighter together as you read this. [SciFi Wire]

It's the middle of the work week, and I think you need some violence to carry you through the rest. Yahoo! Movies has a new behind-the-scenes clip from Punisher: War Zone, which you can access by clicking the link or the scope of Frank Castle's gun. It's short, but sweet, with some peeks at the glorious violence that will make this a real Christmas treat, at least in my warped out world. There's not much new footage, but you get to hear from Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Julie Benz, the controversy magnet Lexi Alexander, and producer Gale Anne Hurd.

The best part? Hearing Stevenson's real Northern accent. I wish we had gotten a few more videos like these, Zack Snyder style, showing off the Punisher's hardware or something. My fondness for Stevenson has been well documented here, so you will sneer at that wish, but they really needed to sell their new Frank Castle. I'm convinced he's the perfect guy for the part, I just hope the film lets him prove it. If nothing else, at least we get to see someone killed by chair leg. I know that scene alone is going to be responsible for 95% of the tickets sold.

With its R rating safely in hand, Punisher: War Zone is kicking off its advertising campaign. (Although, to hear my dad tell it, "All I ever see when I got to the movies is that Punisher: War Zone trailer. Isn't anything else coming out?" So I guess they are aggressively marketing this to him, and him alone.) A new clip has surfaced on the film's official website, complete with an introduction from the long lost Lexi Alexander. Make of that what you will. Is it damage control? Or the conclusion of a mean-spirited publicity stunt? Who knows. Feel free to ponder it, but not too much.

It's not the greatest clip in the world. It's only about a minute long, and there's no dialogue, just shooting and explosions. (No Ray Stevenson close-up? I cry foul!) But given that it's a Monday, that might just be what you're in the mood for. (The clip, and the official website are both quite loud. If you're at work, turn down your speakers first. I don't want your boss catching you.)

Punisher: War Zone opens December 5th, 2008.

The RocknRolla adventure, unfortunately, kept me away from the Punisher: War Zone party and panel, which I had every intention of attending and covering for all of you. In retrospect, it was probably a good thing, since the talk of the convention wasn't the panel or its footage, but of director Lexi Alexander's departure from the project. Obviously the news surprised me, although the timing did not. It was obvious from the scheduling that Lionsgate was trying to bury the panel -- if a studio is trying to sell their new comic book movie, they generally don't schedule a panel at 8:00pm when the geeks are out feasting and drinking. They put it at 2:00pm in Hall H and give us a free t-shirt.

Now, this movie could be terrible. This movie could be pure awesome. I don't know, I'm certainly not going to judge it or Alexander's direction at this stage. But it frustrates me to see any movie this badly handled, its chances of being successful destroyed before it even gets to a theatrical trailer. I just don't understand how or why it happens when the ultimate goal of a movie (from the studio perspective, anyway) is to turn a profit.

This whole debacle has made me a very sad panda. First, for Alexander, who I admire purely from a feminist standpoint. Female directors are too far and few between, and it was exciting to see one not only directing an action movie, but one based on a comic book. I wanted her to succeed in a big way -- and I hope that whatever happens with this film, she has a solid career kicking cinematic ass. At least some studio people are in her corner -- according to MTV Movies, producer Deborah Del Prete says she and Alexander are working together on an adaptation of a little-known British fantasy novel. (I hate teases like that.) So at least she's not persona non grata yet, which is a relief. We need chicks like her in the business.

And I especially feel for Ray Stevenson, who I had the privilege to meet on Thursday afternoon. (See the photo above -- oh, for the days when you could be photographed next to the celebrity in question!) Like a lot of people, I know him mostly as Titus Pullo from HBO's brilliant series Rome. If you haven't seen this series, dear readers, you need to finish this post and then hit your preferred rental outlet. You will love it, and you will love Stevenson in it. You will not doubt that he is capable of being an excellent Punisher.

I've been rooting for this movie to make it largely because Stevenson deserves a bigger career -- and having met him now, it really does break my heart that this movie is getting the run-around. He was so friendly and enthusiastic, and really wants to do justice to the character. (Oh yeah, and he was incredibly handsome. Damn. They make such nice men in the UK.) I haven't attended a lot of promotional signings, but often they are dull and duty-bound affairs. Stevenson and Tim Bradstreet seemed happy to be there meeting everyone. And if they were pulling off that level of enthusiasm despite the Alexander news, then they really deserve a round of applause.

And so, Lionsgate, from one girl who willingly queued to meet your new Punisher, who did it as a fan and not a member of the press, I beg you to do right by this film. It's obvious that all involved worked hard on it and care about it, and they deserve to have their faith rewarded. Don't hack at it, slap a heavy metal soundtrack on it, and shove it out into theatres. Do whatever it takes to make a good film. Your profit margin will thank you, fans of the character will worship you, and you can take your place in the comic book franchise world.