The Inside Scoop - Page 6

Okay, loyal readers are aware of my disdain for a majority of the Spider-Man movies, especially the bloated and dance-filled third installment. 

So there is a "Venom" spin-off that's been in development ever since the third Spider-Man debuted.  Why?  I have no clue.  How can you have a Venom movie WITHOUT Spider-Man?  I guess there are some comics out there that took it further but...

Anyway, screenwriter Paul Wernick ("Zombieland") "updated" people recently.  "We've written two drafts of Venom, and the studio has it, and they're pushing forward in whatever ways they push forward" says Wernick who co-wrote the script with Rhett Reese.

Honestly, I LOVE that quote.  Have you ever heard such an update that reveals so much despair and annoyance in between the lines?

Asked whether it will tie in with "Spider-Man 4" (sigh)?  "We can't really talk about that, unfortunately. Basically, the studio and Marvel and the Arads are taking our drafts and going beyond and figuring out what's the next step."

I've said it before and I'll say it again for new readers.  After three movies with Sam Raimi at the helm and Tobey Maguire starring, I was ready for something new.  I've given every Spider-Man film the benefit of doubt and I've pointed out the various aspects and sequences that I've liked (First 40 minutes or whatever of the original, until the terribly designed and written Green Goblin appeared for the most part), but they've always managed to underwhelm me, especially with the quality turns of X-Men, Batman, and even Superman Returns.  

Anyway, I don't think this "Venom" project will happen anytime soon.  

Source:  Sci-Fi Wire   

 

It is amazing to me sometimes what the economic situation will effect these days.  Reports are coming in that the company Halcyon that ownes the rights currently for "Termniator" is now filing for chapter 11 protection.  Apparently, the hedge fund that they used to finance the purchase of the franchise is under duress and is forcing Halcyon to consider selling the rights by the end of this year.

This is sad in a way but then again, it could be a good thing if the potential buyer keeps the franchise going and going strong.  it does leave a lot of speculation as to where a sequel to "Salvation" might be.

On the good news front, Sony Pictures has expressed interest in purchasing the rights so you know at least there will be major players in the mix.  Halcyon payed a reported $30 million initially and it will be interesting to see who pick it up from there.  Keep fingers crossed.

C

Source: Moviehole.net

You know, when you are George Clooney, it's good to be the king.  (Quick, which Mel Brooks film is that from?) In fact, he is so on top of the world right now that he has managed to make two films that will be released within a week of each other...from two different studios.  Wow, if I only had a tenth of that power.

So as it goes "The Men Who Stare at Goats" will be released Nov. 6th from Overture and Paramount has a limited release set for "Up In the Air" on Nov. 13th.  Neither studio is happy about the situation.

There is some speculation that the Paramount flick will get pushed back to Nov. 27 but that is also...up in the air.  Yikes, I know...bad one.

Both of these look like great films.  I am particularly interested in the "Air" flick as the trailer is very compelling to me.  Now if we could only get Clooney to run for office someday.  With clout like that....who knows.  (I am sooooooo kidding).

C

Source: Hollywoodreporter.com

I'll just say it right now and get this out of the way.  I really don't care much for Michael Bay.  Really.  But then again, you put any producer in the right element and anyone can be surprised.  Check out this new trailer for "A Nightmare On Elm Street" that is produced by Bay.  I have to say, I would look forward to seeing the origin of Freddy like this.  Enjoy...Just don't fall asleep afterward......:)

A Nightmare on Elm Street in HD

Hello to all.  Still recovering from the back injury, so sorry that I've not scooped as much as I usually do.  Thanks again to Cal.  Anyway, forget about me... let talk "Predators".

So as previously reported, Robert Rodriguez of "Desperado", "From Dusk Til Dawn", and "Spy Kids" fame is directing a sort of reboot of the "Predator" franchise.  Actually, there were only two "Predator" movies, so perhaps franchise isn't the right word (I don't speak of the terrible "AVP" crap... that's Aliens vs. Predators, not the Association of Volleyball Professionals that have longed to play for but was alas, too short, moved to Cali too late, and am now a broken down 33 year old with a bad knee and now bad back... sorry, tangent). 

Long story short to update those new to the scoop, Rodriguez wrote a script called "Predators" back in the 90s, which was to be "Predator 3".  That never happened.  "Aliens vs. Predator" films were lackluster and two truly missed opportunities.  So the studio decided to follow the reboot/remake fad with Rodriguez directing.  I want to be excited.  I like that Rodriguez is a filmmaker and not some hack, but am worried that he's lost some of his luster. 

My big worry was his special effects route that he took with "Spy Kids".  I don't want a CG Predator.  I don't want a CG movie.  I want what the original "Predator" and all those kickass sci-fi flicks from the 80s offered ("Blade Runner", "The Thing", "Aliens", etc.)... some fracking realism.  

So I was happy to read this tidbit from Howard Berger, who is heading off the FX for this new flick.  Here's what he said:

 "We wanted to have the Predator look as it did in the original film. We went back and looked at the original. I actually worked in the shop with Stan Winston on the first film. It was great to be able to go back to the series having not been involved in any of the sequels, and it was also great to be able to make sure we built them as Stan Winston did" said Berger.

Can we all say "AMEN" brother!! 

Now to go on a rant.  I'm sick of CG.  I'm sick of lazy filmmaking in blockbusters.  I'm sick of these directors and studios somehow thinking that CG looks better than most real FX.  "Aliens" stands up to anything made today because the majority of it looks REAL.  Same goes for "Predator" and especially "Blade Runner".  They blow George Lucas' prequels out of the water visually.  I want to see models.  I want to see real FX.  Hell, I'd settle for a old school backdrop to be honest.  But I'm sick of CG and while James Cameron's "Avator" looks pretty amazing, I'm skeptic. 

So Robert... listen up... cut the shit and go old school brother!

TRIVIA:  Did you know who originally stepped into the Predator costume back in the original film when it went into production?  Jean Claude Van Damme.  Yep.  But he couldn't handle the suite and was essentially fired and replaced by the late Kevin Peter Hall... who was 7'2".  As some know, Van Damme is 5'9".

Source:   Moviehole

Ian McKellan, he of "Lord of the Rings" and "X-men" lore, recently commented on his excitement on his return to the Gandalf role. 

"Grey Gandalf is my favorite. Peter Jackson's too, we always preferred Gandalf the Grey. Peter liked him because he got down and dirty. He slept in the hedgerows; he was closer to the earth and not quite so spiritual. He's also funnier -- he's got more variety to him. We thought there was more scope in that Gandalf."

I'm ready for "The Hobbit" too!  Peter Jackson is producing.  Guillermo Del Toro is directing.  It will be split into two films.  No casting beyond McKellan just yet. 

Source:   Rotten Tomatoes

Yippee!  Just the remake I was looking for!!  Woo hoo!  And yes, I am talking about the Barbara Streisand movie... and the two made before that. 

That's all I have to say about that...

Yep... loyal readers know that I'm an 80s toys freak.  I actually don't collect them or anything... but I have my old ones and have nostalgia for those I remember. 

So we've had an okay "G.I. Joe" movie.  One good "Transformers" movie and one terrible one.  Still no "M.A.S.K."  Still no "Thundercats" (maybe a good thing).  We've actually had a He-Man movie back in the 80s... "Masters of the Universe".  Now a quick note on that.  Visually, it wasn't too damn bad for back then.  They nailed Skelator if you ask me... if only his mouth could have moved a bit more.  They nailed Man At Arms and even Teela.  And Dolph Lungren was actually a great choice for He-Man, visually.  Then somehow Courtney Cox came in and the film was set on Earth via the 80s...

Anyway, Joel Silver and WB have beehacking away at scripts for years for a new "He-Man" flick... but they've obviously given up as Sony has taken over the rights and are working directly with Mattel, who technically own the rights I guess. 

So my old stomping grounds Sony is developing a "He-Man" movie.  Hey, I'll pay for the ticket!

One of the greatest anime flicks of all time, albeit with one of the most stupid movie titles of all time, has been in development hell for a few years as far as it becoming a live action flick. 

Keanu Reeves signed on as the lead character, Spike Speigel, a couple years ago and recently commented on the films status.

"There's a draft of the script, but the writer did such a great job [that] in order to make the movie, you would need half a billion dollars. So the studio went, 'This movie is fantastic and it would cost half a billion dollars so he's doing a rewrite" said Reeves.

He then added, "The only challenge was to make a satisfying western narrative out of the kind of storytelling that happens. There's a great draft, so we're just trying to pull it back a little bit now."

"Cowboy Bebop" tells the story of a group of bounty hunters that hop around the Solar System through "astral gates" chasing intergalactic criminals. 

Source:   MTV News