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Adam Shankman Will Headbang To 'Rock of Ages'
Filed under: Music & Musicals », Romance », Deals », New Line », Warner Brothers », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand »
If you live in New York, you may have caught the Broadway musical Rock of Ages, and left high on hairspray and Whitesnake. But most of us will be encountering this little-hit-that-could in its big screen incarnation. Late last year, Tobey Maguire and New Line bought the rights to the musical with an eye to bringing it to the multiplex (a bidding war that involved three studios). Now Variety reports that it's setting out on the right foot by hiring Adam Shankman as its director. The film will go into production next summer, and is aiming to hit theaters in 2011. The story of Rock of Ages isn't terribly original. A couple meets at the Sunset Strip club Rock of ages, fall in love, and try to stay together amid the sex, drugs, and excess of 1980s rock. Their turmoils are all set to the tunes of Journey, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Joan Jett, and Jon Bon Jovi. Like Mamma Mia!, it's all an excuse for a great nostalgic soundtrack, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Shankman tells Variety that he was itching to get back into musical territory after Hairspray, and sees Rock of Ages as a distinctly masculine musical: "When I watched Rock of Ages, I was struck by the fact that not only had much of the audience seen it more than once, every guy in the audience knew the words to the songs. I thought, 'This is Mamma Mia! for dudes.' What an extraordinary opportunity to open the genre to an audience that otherwise wouldn't go see a musical." If this could succeed in converting ordinary men to musicals (something Hugh Jackman hasn't even managed), I will love it on principle. Maybe it'll even bring back big hair -- and yes, I wish for that every day because I never got to rock that look.
Pop below the jump for a little Rock of Ages from the Tony Awards. Think it'll convert the menfolk out there?
The Griswolds Are Back! 'Vacation' Franchise Reboot
Filed under: Classics », Comedy », Deals », New Line », Scripts », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand », Remakes and Sequels »
Lately, I've noticed a blogosphere backlash when it comes to remakes and sequels. Because so many are whining about reboots / remakes, the contrarians now assert that remakes are something akin to a new performance of Hamlet. But I'm not sure even the remake champions can defend New Line going back to the Vacation (formerly of National Lampoon, now owned by Warner Bros) well. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio has brought on David Dobkin to develop the project. He may also be lucky enough to direct.New Line plans to relaunch the Vacation series by centering it on Rusty Griswold, son of Clark. He's now married with children of his own, and (brace yourselves) takes them on a vacation. THR is quick to point out that because Rusty will think back on the horror that was the trip to WallyWorld it's not a reboot, but a sequel. The studio is currently looking for writers to pen the screenplay, and note that they're hoping for Planes, Trains, and Automobiles over RV.
Now there's always room for a funny travel movie, but who knew the Griswolds would have a saga that rivaled the Skywalkers. I understand the need for familiarity, but the Griswold family weren't intended to be entertainment icons. They were just a mirror of our own families, so why not trot out a new family? But that's assuming we even need a new Vacation movie. The original
may feature outdated cars and clothes, but nothing in the way of family vacations has changed since 1983. But hey, if it was worth doing once, then it's worth rebooting a dozen times to avoid those piles of original scripts ... right?
Your First Look at the New Freddy: 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' Teaser!
Filed under: Horror », New Line », Newsstand », Movie Marketing », Remakes and Sequels », Trailers and Clips »
Fittingly, Platinum Dunes' remake of A Nightmare On Elm Street popped online via MySpace Trailer Park during the witching hour, and just in time for Halloween. While it's only a teaser, it manages to pack Freddy Krueger's origin story into a few horrifying frames. You actually feel bad for the (alleged?) child molester, something that's due entirely to Jackie Earle Haley. I'm beginning to think he can make you feel sympathetic for just about anyone.
This teaser also offers us the first look at Freddy's new make-up. This has been a rather well-kept secret in these spoiler-happy days, and even at ComicCon they were being quite tight-lipped about what he was going to look like, except that it would be "more extreme" than before. You don't get a very good look at Freddy in this teaser, but I've screen-capped the close-up and ran it through Photoshop. If you don't like it, don't criticize the filmmakers too much, as I've de-shadowed and sharpened quite a bit. (I've included an unedited photo in the gallery below for those more curious.)
More at HorrorSquad!
Gallery: A Nightmare on Elm Street
Bryan Singer to Direct 'Jack and the Giant Killer'
Filed under: Action », Classics », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Deals », New Line », Scripts », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand »
When we last heard about New Line's adaptation of Jack and the Giant Killer, the fantasy tale was being helmed by D.J. Caruso. It started popping up on Bryan Singer's To Do list when they announced the inexplicable Excalibur remake -- but now it's become official, as The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Jack will be Singer's next film, leaving Caruso free to work on Y: The Last Man if he so chooses. Jack is a slight reworking of (shocker!) Jack and the Beanstalk with a dash of The Brave Little Tailor. It dispenses with that "I'll sell you some magic beans, and some oceanfront property in Arizona" trope, and is instead set in motion when a giant kidnaps a princess. Obviously, that premeditated action is unacceptable, and it threatens the longstanding peace between men and giants. A young farmer named Jack is given the task to lead an expedition to the giants' kingdom in the hopes of rescuing her. Mark Bomback and Darren Lemke penned the script, which is reportedly a more mature take on the fairy tale than you or I might expect. I don't think that means any rampant sex, violence, or cussing but rather that it'll feature the kind of unblinking action that Lord of the Rings did. I mean, Jack's fighting giants. That's hardcore when done realistically.
The project has no start date, but is being fast-tracked and will be Singer's next film if something else doesn't catch his eye. There's no rumors yet as to who might play farmer Jack, but if they run into a crunch, I think our own Erik Davis still knows the script by heart. He already did a fine job on stage from all reports, and going with an original cast member is always good for the material.
Shia LaBeouf No Longer 'Y: The Last Man'
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Thrillers », Casting », New Line », Fandom », Newsstand », Comic/Superhero/Geek »
Hey, now I can care about a Y: The Last Man movie again! (Harsh, but true -- I cannot tell a lie.) After months of being linked to D. J. Caruso's adaptation, Shia LaBeouf is apparently uninterested in taking the titular role. LaBeouf told Wizard that it's too similar to his Transformers character. "You take Sam and you put a monkey on his shoulder. "I don't know if it's that big a differential. It seems like he's the ordinary guy in an extraordinary situation again. I'm not willing to make that movie currently, and may be too old to play the role by the time it does come around."
That's fine by me, although if there was a role written for LaBeouf, it was this one. Now, I'm only at the third volume (I never seem to have cash on me when I find the trades), so he may grow up and change, but on the outset Yorick is a rather immature and arrogant sort of guy. He's essentially Mutt Williams -- if Mutt was crossed with James "Sawyer" Ford's ability to drop pop culture references every two seconds. But to me, that sort of character needs a young actor who can really make him likeable under the slick smugness ... and LaBeouf isn't that guy for me. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is (though he's a little too far into his 20s), as is Daniel Radcliffe. There's a 20-something out there just dying to have a meaty, sci-fi story like this, and I will embrace him when he's cast ... unless its Zac Efron, in which case I will make a formal apology to LaBeouf.
[via Superhero Hype]
Jake Gyllenhaal and Jim Carrey Are 'Damn Yankees'
Filed under: Classics », Music & Musicals », Casting », New Line », Remakes and Sequels »
I have a weird relationship with musicals -- and unfortunately I don't always have the best taste. For example, I can sing every song from Xanadu, but I don't think I've ever made it through an entire viewing of Meet Me in St. Louis (musical heresy, I know). But, one classic musical I have always loved is Damn Yankees, so the announcement of an updated version has me a little nervous -- throw in two untried singers and dancers and we just might be reaching panic. Variety reports that Jim Carrey (the man famous for talking out of his butt ... literally) has signed to star alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in an update of the 1958 musical.Yankees was the story of Joe Boyd, a loveable loser who is so dedicated to his team, he makes a deal with the devil, and boy, does the devil deliver. Boyd is soon transformed into a star slugger by the name of Joe Hardy, who can help the team win the world series, but only in exchange for his soul. Throw in a sexy dame by the name of Lola, fantastic music, and dance routines by Bob Fosse, and you have one of the greatest musicals ever made. Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel have already been tapped to write the script, and according to Variety, Carrey is set to play the devil, with Gyllenhaal as Boyd, but the production has yet to cast the role of Lola.
A Yankees update almost made it into production back in 2004 under Miramax, but after Mr. Weinstein left the building, the rights lapsed and now New Line is the proud owner of the property. So place your bets: what do you think are the chances of either of these guys being musical wunderkinds? Or, are we doomed to another so-so remake of a classic musical?
Drew Barrymore Will Teach You 'How to Be Single'
Filed under: Comedy », Romance », Deals », New Line », Scripts », Newsstand »
I feel like Drew Barrymore is trying to tell us girls something with her latest movie roles. This fall, she tells us He's Just Not That Into You, and now according to The Hollywood Reporter, she's telling us How to Be Single. She's been rather unlucky in romance, so maybe this is her form of therapy. New Line bought the rights to Liz Tuccillo's summer bestseller for Barrymore and Nancy Juvonen's Flower Films to produce, with the entire Into You gang coming on board. Marc Silverstein and Abby Kohn will write the screenplay. There's no word on director, or whether Barrymore will star, but she generally does headline her Flower Films.
Both Into You and Single are the products of Liz Tuccillo's pen, former Sex and the City writer, and New Line hopes that a trifecta of might-as-well-be-spinoffs keep female moviegoers buying tickets.
And it will probably work because How to Be Single, not surprisingly, sounds like a variation on Sex. It's the story of five single New York women, one of whom decides to travel the world to see how international women manage to fly solo. Naturally, while listening to global stories of romances successful and disastrous, she finds herself enjoying a foreign love affair. Naturally, her friends back home get their turn to, and become embroiled in all kinds of romantic mishaps. They probably all end up with versions of Mr. Big.
I'm curious about what the message of the book is. Is it how to maintain your single state? How to be fulfilled in it? How to overcome it? I find singledom to be riveting! Staying up all night, spending your weekends reading graphic novels and historical novels, no one to notice if you've combed your hair. Yikes, maybe I do need this book. Help me, Drew Barrymore! You're my only hope.
Pack Ratner Heads to Paramount
Filed under: Action », Comedy », Casting », Deals », New Releases », Executive shifts », RumorMonger », Celebrities and Controversy », Box Office », Scripts », Comic/Superhero/Geek »
Love him or hate him, you've got to hand it to Brett Ratner for keeping his career in motion. Variety brings word that the hustling filmmaker plans to take his Rat Entertainment company from New Line, where it first settled in 1996, to a first-look deal with Paramount Pictures. Ratner says the departure of New Line execs Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne in February convinced him it was time to move on. At Paramount, Ratner will probably get bigger budgets and executives more receptive to his blockbuster-ready concepts. Stating the obvious, Ratner told Variety he "will not be pitching art films. I want to make major tentpole movies." You don't say?Unless you're Scott Foundas, you probably balk at the idea of more Ratner movies populating the mainstream film scene, but the guy does fit the proper archetype of the classic Hollywood powerhouse. A modern day Sammy Glick, he knows how to make movies that bring out the audiences, whether or not they're any good. But maybe that determination means that, one day, Ratner will make a lot of great movies. His planned Hugh Hefner biopic sounds promising -- or at least, appropriate.
Still, that's a little ways off. Encouraged by his experience with X-Men: The Last Stand, Ratner decided he wanted to work on a new superhero franchise, so he's adapting Valiant Comics' Harbinger. Also in his queue: Beverly Hills Cop 4, The Incredible Shrinking Man and The Boys From Brazil. Do these projects get anyone excited? Anyone at all?
Len Wiseman to Direct 'Gears of War'
Filed under: Action », Deals », New Line », Warner Brothers », Newsstand », Comic/Superhero/Geek », Games and Game Movies »
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gears of War is on a fast-track to the big screen, thanks to New Line. Len Wiseman (Live Free or Die Hard) has been given the directing job, and will be developing the story alongside Chris Morgan. Based on the hugely popular video game, Gears of War tells of an elite Delta Squad who are charged with the task of saving the planet Sera from the vicious Locust Horde. Of course, the question on everyone's mind is whether or not this video game adaptation can succeed where so many have failed? Gears of War will probably be even more problematic than most, as the appeal stems from being plunked into the action, not because of the storyline. (Though, to be fair, it has no thinner a plot than Commando.)
Chris Bleszinski, one of the brains behind the video game, is optimistic as long as Hollywood takes it seriously. "Disney made a great movie out of a theme park ride, and somebody is sooner or later going to make a great one out of a video game. Having someone like Len really helps the odds. I think we're going to create something special here."
Sadly, Len Wiseman is only marginally more popular with fanboys and girls than Brett Ratner, so his name alone could sink this project when it comes to the geeks. However, he has a knack for over the top action, so perhaps this could be the ideal film for him. Sound off, Gears fans -- do you think this has potential, or is it destined to be another Doom?
The Rocchi Review -- With David Fear of Time Out New York!
Filed under: Tribeca », Festival Reports », Podcasts », Cinematical Indie », The Rocchi Review: Online Film Community Podcast »
What are the most anticipated movies at this year's Tribeca Film Festival? And has that (relatively) young festival in fact found a voice yet? And what does Tribeca's premiering Baby Mama and Speed Racer at this year's fest say about the uneasy relationship between high art and big headlines in New York's media world? Plus, what the end of New Line Cinema says about the state of the industry, and can Warner Brothers market The Dark Knight while still honoring Heath Ledger? Joining us this week on The Rocchi Review to talk about Tribeca and summer entertainment is film critic David Fear of Time Out New York as we discuss all of the above and more ... Cinematical's podcast content now has even better sound quality, and is now in iTunes; you can subscribe at this link. Also, you can listen directly here at Cinematical by clicking below:
As ever, you can download the entire podcast right here -- and those of you with RSS Podcast readers can find all of Cinematical's podcast content at this link.
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