Shane Black to Direct IRON MAN 3!
by Matt Goldberg Posted: February 17th, 2011
Last week, we reported the exciting news that Shane Black (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang) might write and direct Iron Man 3 now that Jon Favreau was off the project and directing Magic Kingdom instead. Now, Deadline is reporting that Shane Black will re-team with Robert Downey Jr. and direct Iron Man 3. As to whether or not he’ll write the flick, a source tells Deadline “That’s not figured out.” I say let Black write it. There–I just figured it out. You’re welcome, Marvel.
This is terrific news for a variety of reasons. First off, it means that we most likely won’t have to wait past 2013 for a new Shane Black film (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang came out in 2005 and Iron Man 3 is set for May 3, 2013). Secondly, while Kiss Kiss was Black’s directorial debut, it showed a sharp eye for comic-timing, striking visuals, and mood, and while the stakes and the technical issues become much larger with a movie like Iron Man 3, Black isn’t a rookie to this business and I know he’ll have the confidence to handle the production. Finally, a successful Iron Man 3 could help Black get other projects off the ground. He’s also attached to direct an adaptation of pulp hero Doc Savage and the manga Death Note, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to squeeze one of those in before heading to work on Iron Man 3. However his schedule shakes out, I’m overjoyed that a phenomenal screenwriter and incredibly promising director like Black is coming on board the Iron Man franchise.
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ET Set Visit WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
by Jason Barr Posted: February 17th, 2011
Hitting theaters later this year on April 22nd is Francis Lawrence’s (I Am Legend) adaptation of the Sara Gruen novel Water for Elephants. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz, Water for Elephants tells the story of a vet school student (Pattinson) who falls in love with an already married circus performer (Witherspoon) while caring for one of the show’s elephants. Having not read the book, I can’t offer a ton of insight as to what you can expect from the film adaptation. That said, I have been impressed with some of the cinematography on display in its theatrical trailer.
If you’d like to know a little more about the project, hit the jump to check out a set visit video courtesy of Entertainment Tonight. Slight Spoiler Alert: ET is very interested in finding out how attracted Witherspoon and Pattinson are to each other.
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Mila Kunis to Play Wicked Witch of the West in Sam Raimi’s OZ, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL; Plus Behind-the-Scenes Wrangling on AKIRA
by Matt Goldberg Posted: February 17th, 2011
Mila Kunis has signed on to play Theodora, the Wicked Witch of the West in Sam Raimi’s Oz, The Great and Powerful. Vulture reports that James Franco, who was previously in talks to play the Wizard, decided to sign on once Kunis came on board. This new spin on The Wizard of Oz centers on the eponymous character’s origin as well as the backstory to Glenda, the Good Witch of the North, and Evanorah, the Wicked Witch of the East (aka the Wicked Witch of Getting Smushed by Dorothy Gale’s House).
Interestingly, Kunis was considering re-teaming with The Hughes Brothers (The Book of Eli) to play Kei, the love-interest of main character Kaneda, in his adaptation of the acclaimed manga/anime Akira. According to Vulture, Warner Bros. was willing to have Kunis play the part but only if they could get a major star to play Kaneda due to the project’s hefty price tag. The role was offered to Brad Pitt (who is waaaay too old to play the teenage Kaneda of the manga) but he passed and therefore the project can’t start because Warners needs to find an actor who’s right for the part (read: can draw a worldwide audience) and available (although with no set start date, it seems like the project would be built around the lead actor’s availability). Faced with an unknown start-date for Akira and a July start for Oz, Kunis chose the latter.
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Confirmed: Phillip Noyce to Direct HUNTER KILLER
by Jason Barr Posted: February 17th, 2011
Earlier this week, we reported that director Phillip Noyce (Salt) was in talks with Relativity Media to helm the international action-thriller/submarine flick (yep, it’s a real genre) Hunter Killer. Today, we have confirmation on that report as Noyce has officially signed on to the project. Per THR, Noyce is looking to begin shooting the picture later this year.
In case you missed it last time, Hunter Killer is based on the upcoming novel Firing Point by George Wallace and Don Keith. The film, penned by Jamie Moss (X-Men: First Class), Arne Schmidt (Chain Reaction), and John Kolvenbach (Coney Island), conjoins an American submarine commander and a Navy SEAL in an attempt to rescue the Russian president from a renegade admiral. Neal Moritz and Toby Jaffe of Original Films will team-up with Relativity’s Ryan Kavanaugh and Tucker Tooley to produce Hunter Killer.
............... http://collider.com/phillip-noyce-hunter-killer-2/76712/
