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Raja Gosnell Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Raja Gosnell to Direct Live-Action 'Smurfs'

Filed under: Animation », Deals », Remakes and Sequels »

I'd like to think that someone was tapping into the liberty caps when they decided to make a live-action/animated movie of the Smurfs. It would, in so many ways, be fitting. Or at least an excuse. But in reality, studios just seem to find something irresistible about CG + live action, or animated characters becoming live action. The Cat in the Hat, The Chipmunks, Scooby Doo...

It may have taken a long time to get to this point, but now Variety reports that the guy who brought us Beverly Hill Chihuahua and Scooby, Raja Gosnell, is primed to direct Smurfs for a release on December 17, 2010. Between his involvement and the writers -- J. David Stern and David N. Weiss from Shrek 2 -- they've come up with the script that is being polished by Audrey Wells (George of the Jungle) -- I'm sure this is one of those projects that will make the old fans groan, yet seem to attract an immense audience that paves the way for even more reboots. Muppet Babies, Pound Puppies, Care Bears, oh my!

All of that snarkiness aside, I will probably see this sucker in the theaters if they take a cue from ex-Cinematical writer Christopher Campbell and cast Abe Vigoda. That would be the stuff of legend!

Piper Perabo Will Star in 'South of the Border'

Filed under: Comedy », Casting », Disney », Family Films »

Just the other day, I was remarking to a friend: "When are they going to make a movie about a pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua who gets lost in Mexico and must rely on friends to find her way back Stateside?" And in Variety today, there it was. Thank you, Mr. Hollywood - answerer of prayers, fulfiller of dreams! And with Raja Gosnell, director of Scooby-Doo and Big Momma's House at the helm, I've got a feeling this puppy can't lose! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Piper Perabo is going to the dogs! The article doesn't say who Perabo will play, but if I had to guess I bet she'll be the dog's Paris Hiltonesque owner? Whoever she plays, if this baby's half the movie Kangaroo Jack was, we should be in for some head-exploding, kick-you-in-the-crotch, lick-you-in-the-ear entertainment! Let me catch my breath here -- sarcasm overload. Okay.

Perabo last appeared on the big screen in the Diane Keaton vehicle Because I Said So (as in "Why do I have to watch this?"). She is currently starring in In Vivid Detail, which is playing the Tribeca Film Festival. And before the year is out she will appear in both Carriers and Ashes, which is the directorial debut of Ajay Naidu (Samir from Office Space). According to the announcement, South of the Border will be live-action, but it doesn't mention whether an actual chihuahua will be used or a CGI dog a la Scooby. It also doesn't mention whether the dog will be speaking or not, but I can't imagine the producers passing up a chance to have animals talking in wacky accents. Also not mentioned: how the chihuahua gets from Beverly Hills to Mexico, but I'd love to be the screenwriter who has to figure that out! There is no imdb information on the film regarding the writer of South of the Border, so I'll just assume it's David Mamet.
 
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