PaulWernick Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Fantastic Fest Review: Zombieland
Filed under: Horror », Theatrical Reviews », Festival Reports »
The world as we know it has come to an end, and that's not much more of an inconvenience for Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) than he was already used to. He's a Mountain Dew-chugging loser whose introverted ways have turned him into an ideal loner for the post-apocalyptic realm -- as paranoid, vigilante and neurotic as they come, beholden only to his own strict set of rules (cardio good, bathrooms bad, always shoot zombies twice, etc.).
And so, while he doesn't want to become attached to the scruffy likes of Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), their chance meeting provides as good an excuse as any for Columbus to try and recover whatever's left of his family in... well, Columbus. Oh, the names? Again, no one wants to get too attached once the infection hits the fan. That's just how one tends to roll as a resident of Zombieland.
And before I make things out to sound so serious, director Ruben Fleischer and writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick make their tone perfectly evident from the start. A groom is tackled by his zombie bride; a mother is chased down by her undead honor student daughters. So on, so forth, and so long, status quo. For the survivors, though, there's a little fun to be had here and there. Any man, woman or child can nab themselves the title of Zombie Kill of the Week. A store-smashing spree can help let off a little steam. And who's to stop a young girl (Abigail Breslin) and her older sis (Emma Stone) from heading off to California in order to make the most of a deserted theme park?
Read the rest over at Horror Squad
'Venom' Spin-Off Official, Recruits Its Writers
Filed under: Action », Horror », Deals », Sony », Scripts », Newsstand », Comic/Superhero/Geek », Remakes and Sequels »
Remember the Venom spin-off rumors that were slithering around last July? They've now turned into something official. Sony is developing a Venom movie, and they've hired two writers to develop it: Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, who have only just left the still-filming Zombieland. The project is in such early stages that we don't have additional details, though more might become clearer once Spider-Man 4 settles down. However, our Scott Weinberg actually caught up with Reese and Wernick last week and has this to say: "Based only on the half-hour I spent talking movies with the screenwriters, I can say that IF there has to be a Venom movie, then these are the guys who can pull it off. They seem to understand the practical (studio) side of the project, the professional (screenwriter) perspective, and (best of all) the enthusiasm needed to make the movie cooool. They couldn't divulge ANY tidbits at all, sorry! But at this early point, I'm feeling a bit more optimistic about Venom."
So, there you have Weinberg's take on the project and you know he'll probably be right. In the interests of keeping things balanced in cinematic geekdom, I shall remain skeptical about the symbiotic spin-off. Admittedly though, my bias may be purely based on how many jerks I know who sport Venom t-shirts.
Jesse Eisenberg Joins Woody Harrelson in 'Zombieland'
Filed under: Comedy », Horror », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Casting »
When it comes to 'Zombie comedy', (if that is even such a thing), you have to admit that it is going to pretty difficult to top Shaun of The Dead -- but you can't blame someone for trying. The Hollywood Reporter announced that Jesse Eisenberg (The Squid and the Whale) has signed to star opposite Woody Harrelson in the horror-comedy, Zombieland. According to THR, "Eisenberg is in negotiations to play Flagstaff, a terrified shut-in whose cowardice makes him an expert at surviving the zombies but who is forced out of his shell to join the band of survivors, which includes Harrelson."Zombieland was written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, and is about a "mismatched pair of survivors who find friendship and redemption in a world overrun by zombies." So I guess that makes Zombieland a comedy, a horror, and a 'feel-good' buddy flick? Ruben Fleischer has already signed to direct, and is a relative newcomer to the world of feature films. Fleischer might only have a few credits to his name, but he can include the dubious distinction of being one of the people responsible for unleashing Rob & Big onto the world.
Zombieland could be a gamble for Columbia. 'R rated' comedy has yet to prove that it can compete at the box-office, so it was only a matter of time before studios started tacking on a body count. Personally, I think I'll just hold out for Seth and Jay vs. The Apocalypse instead. How about you?
Move Over Shaun, Woody Harrelson's Huntin' Zombies!
Filed under: Comedy », Horror », Casting »
I guess that if there is anyone suitable to be a zombie fighter, it'd be a guy who has experience as a Natural Born Killer. (If you can bring down humans, slow, mumbling zombies must be a breeze.) The Hollywood Reporter posts that Woody Harrelson has signed on to star in a new horror comedy called Zombieland. This brains-obsessed tale will focus on "a mismatched pair of survivors who find friendship and redemption in a world overrun by zombies." Woody will be one of the two survivors -- "a zombie fighter named Albuquerque." There's no word yet on zombie hunter #2. But more importantly -- where does the redemption fit in?!
The film was written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, who worked together on The Joe Schmo Show, although more suitable credits would be Reese's involvement on Monsters Inc. Jumping into the directorial chair, we've got Ruben Fleischer -- most recently a director for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he's also worked with Mike White on Chuck & Buck and The Good Girl.
Peter Jackson Says Spielberg's 'Tintin' is Done Filming, but...
Interracial Harmony: 'Ninja Assassin' vs. 'Blind Side'
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Exclusive 'Nine' Poster Premiere!
Exclusive: Title Track for 'The Road' Soundtrack
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