StevenSpielberg-related stories
Michael Bay to (Maybe) Direct Teen Alien Movie Next
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Fandom », Newsstand »
With Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen absolutely demolishing the box office this week (it took in another $28 million on Thursday), Variety reports that DreamWorks is looking to pick up the film rights to the first book in an as-yet-unpublished six-book series for Michael Bay to produce and potentially direct. The book, titled I Am Number Four, tells of a group of earthbound alien teens who escaped their planet just as another hostile species was destroying it. Now, as they attempt to settle in and build new lives for themselves on earth, the main character discovers that he is being hunted by the same enemy that blew up his home planet.
Read more at SciFi Squad
Frank Marshall Confirms 'Indy 5' IS On the Horizon
Filed under: Action », Classics », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Paramount », RumorMonger », Scripts », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand », George Lucas », Steven Spielberg », Remakes and Sequels »
Mere days after Shia LaBeouf gleefully announced that Steven Spielberg had "cracked" the story for Indiana Jones 5 comes another confirmation that it'll rear its ugly head. Empire Online caught up with Indiana Jones' longtime producer, Frank Marshall, who didn't go so far as to green-light it, but revealed that they'll start hashing out ideas before too long."It's really about the script," said Marshall. "Once we see that, we'll see. We're not going to wait another 20 years. We'd all love to make another one. I'm anxious to hear the idea!" But he quickly added that he really didn't know what Spielberg was cooking. "Until there's a script, nothing's definite. I haven't heard the idea." (He should ask LaBeouf. I bet he knows.) Marshall also confirmed that Lucas, Spielberg, and Ford were equally eager to return for a fifth outing. "Yeah. We had a great time making the last one and, as Harrison said, we need to make this one soon. We're not getting any younger."
While talk is talk, and plans vanish, bear in mind that they were already chattering about a fifth outing before Kingdom of the Crystal Skull hit theaters, and were still dreaming of it after, despite the negative reviews and fan backlash. I have no doubt it'll happen regardless of what the fans say or think. When it does, that shrieking sound you hear? That'll be the death cry of my fangirl soul ... and I'm sure it won't be the only lament visited upon the heavens.
Shia Says Spielberg Has "Cracked" Indy 5
Filed under: Action », RumorMonger », George Lucas », Steven Spielberg », Remakes and Sequels »
Ah, the sequel no one is clamoring for has reared its head again. To be fair, some people enjoyed Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and with worldwide gross receipts totaling nearly $800 million, the only question that remained was when Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Harrison Ford would be ready to give it another go. (Our own poll last year suggested that it was time to retire the franchise.) Reportedly, Lucas favored the idea of continuing with old Indiana Jones as the lead character rather than handing things over to young Mutt Williams, played by Shia LaBeouf. Research was being conducted to find an artifact that the movie could be based on.
In the UK to promote Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, LaBeouf talked to the BBC and revealed that he had spoken recently with Spielberg about another Indiana Jones movie: "Steven just said he cracked a story on it before I left. I think they're gearing that up." Spielberg is busy filming The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn, so maybe he talked with Lucas between shots: "Hi, George, it's Steven. What if Indy searches for a shabti?" "Steven, what's a shabti?" "You know, George, the Sorcerer's Apprentice, the inspiration for that segment with Mickey Mouse in Fantasia?" "Of course, Steven, who do you think you're talking to?" "Well, George, the shabti was a figurine that was buried with the dead and performed hard labor for the deceased in the afterlife." "Ooh, I know, Mutt could try to get to it first, so he would never have to do manual labor for Indy any more!" "George, I think we've cracked it."
We'll wait to see if an official confirmation seeps out. Are you holding your breath for Indy 5?
'Tintin' Sets a Release Date
Filed under: Animation », Comedy », Foreign Language », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Paramount », Sony », Family Films », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand », Steven Spielberg », Peter Jackson », Comic/Superhero/Geek », Daniel Craig »
Steven Spielberg's The Adventues of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn started filming with so little fanfare that I've nearly forgotten all about it ... but I doubt you diehard Herge fans have. Now you'll have a date to circle on the calender as Variety reports that Tintin will be hitting theaters on December 23, 2011, pitting it against Warner Bros Happy Feet 2 and Disney / PIXAR's The Bear and the Bow. (It may be two years away, but you can offer your box office predictions now if you like!) At least, that's when it'll be hitting theaters on this side of the pond. Paramount and Sony plan to release the film in Europe first, as befitting its heritage and fanbase. There's no specific dates set, but they're eying a fall dates of late October and early November depending on what part of Europe you're in. If you're very wealthy, you could hop on a plane and catch it a few weeks early.
Variety also reports that the film will be released in 3-D. I guess that's a sign I've lost track of this project as I wasn't aware that was ever in doubt, but apparently the two studios have been debating that the past few months. Now after viewing dailies, they've decided that 3-D "would offer the best rendition" for the film ... and frankly the recent ginormous 3-D successes like Monsters Vs. Aliens probably helped convince them of that.
So, there you are, Tintin fans: December 23, 2011 in 3-D. Excited?
MLK Won't Make it To the Big Screen ... Unless Family Finds Some Unity
Filed under: Drama », Deals », Celebrities and Controversy »
A few days ago, I wrote about Steven Spielberg's upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. biopic. But there was one thing that I didn't mention, and it looks like the whole project will come down to how it's all resolved. See, there's a whole storm of dissension festering between MLK's children, and if it doesn't die down, the project won't happen. The Hollywood Reporter posts that DreamWorks still wants to make the feature, but only if the bickering dies down. It seems that after this deal with King's estate was announced, one made with son Dexter who oversees the estate, daughter Bernice and son Martin the III threatened legal action since they weren't involved in the negotiations. Rather than just going ahead, visions of blockbusters in the eyes, a DreamWorks statement says: "The purpose of making a movie about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is to tell a great story which could bridge distances and bring people together. We remain committed to pursuing a film chronicling Martin Luther King's life provided that there is unity in the family so we can make a film about unity in our nation. We believe this is what Dr. King would have wanted."
It can be taken two ways. Either Spielberg and DreamWorks are upping the class of Hollywood, which would be a welcome change, or they remembered all the trouble that Watchmen had over rights and money. Either way, I can't think of a better way to kick off a film like this than to have it come by way of unity. Then again, I think seeds of familial discord might be a little too powerful for Hollywood.
Steven Spielberg Has a Dream About Martin Luther King Jr.
Filed under: Deals »
There was a weird FBI thriller flick in the works, then an assassination project, but now we're finally going to get an authorized look into the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Variety reports that Steven Spielberg has nabbed the whole kit and King kaboodle. This new film will be the first project authorized by King's estate, and Spielberg will have access to the man's intellectual property -- which includes, of course, his uber epic speech, "I Have a Dream." So, why now? Well, I'm sure it doesn't hurt that Lincoln has been struggling. If one biopic flails while trying to find cash, why not grab another passion project that would undoubtedly have an easier time getting funded? But there's also the timeliness factor. As DreamWorks co-chair Stacey Snider explains: "The answer lies in MLK's own words: 'All progress is precarious.' With every step forward, new obstacles emerge and we must never forget that his life and his teachings continue to challenge us every day to stand up to hatred and inequality."
But the bigger question is: Who will play Martin Luther King Jr.? This is a biopic of a different beast. King wasn't an icon without voice or video like Lincoln or John Adams -- historical figures who can be easily cast because we have no workable memory of them. Nor is he the same as Ali or Ray -- icons, for sure, but not as far-reaching. Is there anyone under the age of 39 who can really become King and do his memory justice?
Cinematical Seven: Favorite Con Men (and Ladies)
Filed under: Comedy », Drama », Romance », Thrillers », Mystery & Suspense », Steven Spielberg », Cinematical Seven »
There's a caveat or two with which I submit this list of our favorite con artists on film, to correspond with tomorrow's NY/LA bow of The Brothers Bloom (our review from Toronto is here; our interview with director Rian Johnson, there).
One: I have not seen the following -- David Mamet's House of Games, David Mamet's The Spanish Prisoner, and
Two: I've seen but don't fully recollect either The Grifters or Nine Queens enough to feel comfortable including them as if I had (I also missed the English-language remake of the latter, Criminal, though I've been told that's for the best). If I were a slier man, then maybe I could fittingly deceive the lot of you, but I'm not, so I won't.
While I don't doubt that the characters in those films would be worthy of a slot on our list, there are still at least seven other con (wo)men in the movies worth shining the spotlight on, and I do hope that you do think that may make do when all's said and done.
Michael Bay Says 'Transformers 2' is Michael Bay's Best Film
Filed under: Fandom », Newsstand »
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You mean it's better than The Island? Director Michael Bay has been making brief stops on his blog the past few days to tell the entire universe two things: 1) He's not on Twitter, and thinks it's a waste of time, and 2) Transformers 2 is f**king awesome. The Bay held a private screening of his current cut for Steven Spielberg the other day, and after the two cuddled up next to one another for a little over two hours, Bay ran over to his site to blog all about it.
Here's the message from Bay: "Steven Spielberg sat next to me in a big 100 person theater at Sony today. There were 98 empty seats. The lights came up after we just watched my cut of Revenge of the Fallen. He turned to me and said "It's awesome." He felt this movie was better then the first - and probably my best, who knows - at this point in a movie you start to lose your objectivity. I just hope the fans like it. I'm going to start putting it in front of audiences in a few weeks - no you are not invited, yet."
Right now I'm not sure which is bigger: The explosion in my pants or Michael Bay's ego. He later adds that they just finished a new trailer which will arrive in front of X-Men Origins: Wolverine (I heard it's a pretty kickass trailer that includes roughly two minutes of Michael Bay desperately trying to physically kiss his own ass. Fantastic!). So good news for you fans: Spielberg thinks the film is "awesome" and Bay feels that Spielberg might think it's Bay's best film yet ... who knows, maybe!
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen drops into theaters on June 24 (hopefully we'll be invited by then).
Meet the 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' Robots!
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Thrillers », Paramount », Fandom », Family Films », Newsstand », Dreamworks », Steven Spielberg », Movie Marketing », Remakes and Sequels », Lists », Images »
Speculate no more, Transformers fans. USA Today and Yahoo Movies! have the official list of Decepticons and Autobots that will be appearing in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, along with a few new photos. (Sadly, the photos are of iffy quality; they're practically screencaps.) Still a mystery is whether or not Megatron will appear -- and how he'll fit into the chaos.
First up, the Autobots, starting with the obvious:
Optimus Prime, whose alternate form is a Peterbilt truck.
Ironhide the weapons specialist, who transforms into a GMC Topkick.
Ratchet the medic, and a Hummer H2.
Bumblebee, who will now be a 2010 Chevorlet Camaro. (This is the only Transformer I ever owned, by the way)
Arcee, the female Autobot, who will be Megan Fox's pink motorcycle. She was actualy supposed to be in the first movie, but Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci felt "we needed to win the audience over before asking for that suspension of disbelief: a feminine alien robot."
Jolt, originally a Decepticon, but in this he's a good guy. He'll be switching into a Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid.
Jetfire, an older Decepticon who switches sides, and transforms into a SR71 Blackbird jet. According to Michael Bay: "He's old, craggy, forgetful ... doesn't work very well. Can't transform very well, because he's very geriatric. They get stuck with him a lot. He knows the plan of the bad guys, but he forgets all the good parts of the plan."
Skid and Mudflap, a.k.a. "The Twins" a.k.a. Chevrolet Beat and Trax concept cars."Some of the junior Transformers are just dumb. But it's great for kids because they're like the Little Engine That Could. They're (screw)-ups, but they get really heroic at the end," says Bay.
Sideswipe, who was a bright red Lamborghini in the original will now be a GM silver Corvette Stingray concept car.
Go below the jump for the Decepticons
First up, the Autobots, starting with the obvious:
Optimus Prime, whose alternate form is a Peterbilt truck.
Ironhide the weapons specialist, who transforms into a GMC Topkick.
Ratchet the medic, and a Hummer H2.
Bumblebee, who will now be a 2010 Chevorlet Camaro. (This is the only Transformer I ever owned, by the way)
Arcee, the female Autobot, who will be Megan Fox's pink motorcycle. She was actualy supposed to be in the first movie, but Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci felt "we needed to win the audience over before asking for that suspension of disbelief: a feminine alien robot."
Jolt, originally a Decepticon, but in this he's a good guy. He'll be switching into a Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid.
Jetfire, an older Decepticon who switches sides, and transforms into a SR71 Blackbird jet. According to Michael Bay: "He's old, craggy, forgetful ... doesn't work very well. Can't transform very well, because he's very geriatric. They get stuck with him a lot. He knows the plan of the bad guys, but he forgets all the good parts of the plan."
Skid and Mudflap, a.k.a. "The Twins" a.k.a. Chevrolet Beat and Trax concept cars."Some of the junior Transformers are just dumb. But it's great for kids because they're like the Little Engine That Could. They're (screw)-ups, but they get really heroic at the end," says Bay.
Sideswipe, who was a bright red Lamborghini in the original will now be a GM silver Corvette Stingray concept car.
Go below the jump for the Decepticons
Does Anyone Like Julia Roberts?
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy », Fandom »
I have a confession to make: I like Julia Roberts.
Boy, it feels good to get that off my chest, even if admitting it makes me the kind of girl that the Guardian's Jeremy Kay sees as lining up for Duplicity to remember being as "touched [as] after watching Pretty Woman for the very first time." I've always found her appealing and rather funny -- enough to even rewatch The Mexican when it was on cable a few weeks ago. (Mary Reilly, however, will forever be a no go.)
But liking Roberts seems to be a shameful thing unless you're David Letterman. Every pre-Duplicity review and article I read was prefaced with a gleeful "I've never liked Julia Roberts!" Many seemed to be rooting for her "return" to fail so they wouldn't be faced with having to type her name again. Roberts doesn't even attract pure girl hate, as many actresses do -- it's split right down the gender lines, with men proud of the fact that they find her unattractive.
I'm really perplexed by it. I just don't get what she's done that inspired such delighted dislike. Maybe it's the whole "America's sweetheart" label that was stuck on her in the 90s -- coupled with the fact that she actually starred in a film called America's Sweethearts. Perhaps she's not the greatest actress, but there's dozens who fit that bill. Sure, she's done a lot of romantic comedies, but as chick flicks go, they're pretty watchable. They're nowhere near as offensive as the ones Jennifer Aniston has in the pipeline. She's had a messy personal life, but again, that's hardly unique, nor are the sneering rumors that she's not very nice off screen. Steven Soderbergh stamp-of-approval be damned, because Steven Spielberg won't work with her again.
So, I'll borrow a page from Peter Martin and Nicolas Cage, and demand an explanation from the Cinematical readers. Love Roberts? Hate her? Explain yourselves in 100 words or less. Bonus points if you reference Notting Hill in some way.
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Michael Bay Trashes Megan Fox, Talks 'Transformers 3' and 3D_thumbnail.jpg)
First Look: Stewart, Fanning and More Are 'The Runaways'
Actor Needed to Crush Hearts of Innocent Little Kids
500 Days of ... Jenny Beckman?
Karl Malden Dies at 97
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