UniversalStudios Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Gore Verbinski and Bioshock just can't catch a break. Back in April, Universal put the breaks on the video game adaptation because of its swollen budget, estimated to be $160 million and rising. The studio was pushing Verbinski to move production to the U.K. and take advantage of the tax credits there.

Even then, Verbinski seemed reluctant to uproot the production, and now he's told the LA Times that he may be off the film because of it. "The bottom line is it has to shoot out of the States for budget reasons and my schedule may be prohibitive. There's a great script and a really interesting cast. It really comes down to the financial model now. Big movies are just not being shot in the States. I'm weighing whether I can physically go the U.K. or Australia or one of those other places with a tax rebate for a year-and-a-half."

It's entirely possible Verbinski will walk, and Bioshock will go forward with another director who won't mind going overseas to shoot. In the meantime, we can wonder if "interesting cast" is a confirmation that Wentworth Miller is really to play Frank Fontaine (doubtful since his alleged Twitter account that produced the rumor has been suspended), wonder who could replace Verbinski, and lament that the U.S. ships its big movies overseas in this economic crunch.

Hmm, how do I want to be crushed to death today: by a giant freakin' robot from another planet, or by a freak-ish contraption some warped serial killer dreamt up? Chillax folks, no one has gone and created a theme park ride that kills people (except for that one time when ... and that other time ... oh, and remember that time ...). Visitors to Universal Parks & Resorts will be treated to a brand new Transformers attraction at the parks in both Hollywood and Singapore come early 2011. Variety tells us the ride will "use 3-D HD footage with special effects, robotics and track to place humans in the middle of a war between the friendly Autobots and evil Decepticons, who can turn into cars, trucks, planes and other vehicles." No word on whether they'll be a Megan Fox ride for adults over the age of 18, but Vegas is only a few hours away from Hollywood, so ...

But maybe you're not into a ride that tries to trick your brain with dumb 3-D images and harmless explosions. Perhaps you want something a little more ... ballsy. Well, as previously reported, a theme park in the UK is actually planning a ride based on the Saw franchise. Instead of silly robot wars, however, this one boasts a beyond vertical drop of 100-degree from a height of 100ft, as well as three inversions. Nutty, huh?

So which would you choose to ride first?

It looks like another quiet week in the land of the geek -- particularly since all my friends are off at Fantastic Fest. If you're one of the lucky people attending, eat a Wild at Artichoke Hearts pizza for me at the Alamo Drafthouse. I lie awake at night thinking about it, and wishing for the skill to replicate it.

• The biggest news of the weekend was a story that hit Variety late Friday night: Stephen Chow has landed the role of Kato in The Green Hornet and the director's chair. Rumors and Seth Rogen's wishes have attached him for some time, but now it's official, and definitely shows that the project is going to be heavy on the comedy. (Incidentally, I never realized before now what huge Green Hornet fans my geek parents were -- let's just say Rogen's ears must be burning.) The movie is scheduled to be released June 25th, 2010.
  

• Tintin has run into some major financial problems. According to the LA Times, Universal has passed on the film, leaving Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson to scramble for a new studio to financially back them. It's as embarrassing as you can imagine -- not only because its two of the biggest names in the business, but because Spielberg may have to make nice with Paramount (who's financing half the film) just as he and David Geffen are trying to extricate themselves from it. It also leaves Spielberg without a project to direct, as Tintin was supposed to be next in line, and it delays the whole thing even longer. But hey, at least struggling directors the world over can now do something they never thought possible -- feel just like Spielberg!
  

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Oni Press just inked another deal with Universal. This time, it is for The Last Call, a two volume series by Vasilis Lolos. The adaptation will be penned by Evan Spiliotopoulos.

The story is a horror-adventure about two young teens who are out for a joyride in a stolen car, when they are struck by a "ghost train." The train is responsible for ferrying departed souls from one dimension to another, and the boys find themselves in a bit of trouble when they are caught riding without a ticket. In trying to escape, they find themselves embroiled in a mystery that, if solved, may allow them to return to the living.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal has snagged the rights to The Dragonology Handbook. It purports to be a nonfiction guide to the mythical beasts, penned by Victorian researcher Dr. Ernest Drake.

You've probably seen this book (or one of its relatives like Pirateology or Egyptology) on the bargain rack of your local Barnes and Noble. They are quite lovely to look at, but they are like a coffee table book for children. Pretty to look at, vaguely educational when discussing Greek myths, but not exactly storytime material. When there are so many children's books that tell great stories, it's downright disheartening to see what Hollywood picks up to spin into a tale for the kiddie set.

Fire broke out early Sunday morning on the backlot of Universal Studios, causing "tens of millions of damage," according to one news report, and destroying the popular King Kong exhibit. KNBC.com, the Los Angeles affiliate of NBC Universal, has video of the fire. It was first reported at about 4:45 a.m. local time; Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Daryl Jacobs said that the blaze apparently began during a film shoot, destroying at least one building and as many as three blocks of movie facades.

Universal Studios is located in Universal City, California, just north of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills. The Universal Studios theme park and the very popular CityWalk, a retail/dining/theater complex, are both located at the top of the hill and are visible for miles.The studio backlot itself is located lower on the hill. A spokesman for Universal Studios said that the theme park and CityWalk were not damaged and would be open for business today.

One firefighter was reported injured. Among the buildings damaged, the most valuable may be the film vault, which is believed to have been destroyed. The Associated Press (via the New York Times) reports that the facades included New York street scenes and the street set for 1973's The Sting. The 2008 MTV Movie Awards are scheduled to be broadcast live from the park this afternoon. As of 10:00 a.m. Pacific time, the fire was still burning.