by Matt Goldberg Posted: March 17th, 2011
Darren Aronofsky has exited the director’s chair on The Wolverine. The sequel to 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine was supposed to see Logan taking what he does best (stabbing) to Japan. Filming was rumored to begin this month for a 2012 release date. However, Fox has now sent out a press release stating that Aronofsky didn’t want to spend a year out of the country and away from his family. While the “spend more time with family” excuse usually is a smokescreen for behind-the-scenes machinations, Aronofsky recently divorced from Rachel Weisz and there may be a custody battle over their son. Also, as you may have heard, there was recently a giant earthquake in Japan and now may not be the best time to shoot a movie there.
Hit the jump for the press release, which includes a statement from Aronofsky and from Fox. I’ve also included my thoughts on Aronofsky leaving the project.
http://collider.com/darren-aronofsky-leaves-the-wolverine/81046/
Matthew Fox to Play Villain in I, ALEX CROSS Starring Tyler Perry
by Matt Goldberg Posted: March 17th, 2011
If you’re a fan of James Patterson’s novel I, Alex Cross, the disappointments are starting to pile up. The adaptation is being handled by Rob Cohen (Stealth) and Tyler Perry is playing the titular detective. Now there’s another piece of perplexing casting as Deadline reports that Lost’s Matthew Fox will play the villain, serial killer Michael Sullivan. This is the same Matthew Fox who looks like he’s about to cry every five seconds. Here’s how Deadline describes the character: “one bad dude”, “kills both for money and thrills”, “known as the Butcher of Sligo”. Well, Fox will certainly be playing against type.
The story centers on Cross trying to catch Sullivan only to have Sullivan brutally murder Cross’ wife as retribution (that’ll teach ‘em!). Ed Burns will play Cross’ partner, Tommy Kane. Three studios are reportedly vying for the domestic distribution rights to the project. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.
http://collider.com/matthew-fox-i-alex-cross/81056/
Matthew Fox and Ed Burns Join I, Alex Cross
Source: Deadline March 17, 2011
Matthew Fox ("LOST") and Ed Burns are joining Tyler Perry in the Rob Cohen-directed adaptation of James Patterson's I, Alex Cross, reports Deadline.
Fox will play villain Michael Sullivan and Burns is set to play Tommy Kane, Cross's partner. The site adds that at least three studios are in talks with QED about distributing the movie.
The book is described as follows:
You can't run
Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the awful news that a beloved relative has been found brutally murdered. Alex vows to hunt down the killer, and soon learns that she was mixed up in one of Washington's wildest scenes. And she was not this killer's only victim.
You can't hide
The hunt for the murderer leads Alex and his girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, to a place where every fantasy is possible, if you have the credentials to get in. Alex and Bree are soon facing down some very important, very protected, very dangerous people in levels of society where only one thing is certain—they will do anything to keep their secrets safe.
Alex Cross is your only hope to stay alive
As Alex closes in on the killer, he discovers evidence that points to the unimaginable—a revelation that could rock the entire world. With the unstoppable action, unforeseeable twists, and edge-of-your-seat suspense that only a James Patterson thriller delivers, I, Alex Cross is the master of suspense at his sharpest and best.
Mark Moss wrote the script and, according to Deadline, he and Cohen have added some twists that are different from the novel.
Morgan Freeman previously played the Alex Cross role in Paramount's Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider
Read more: http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=75359
Jerry Seinfeld and Johnny Depp to Guest Star on Ricky Gervais’ Comedy Series LIFE’S TOO SHORT
by Ethan Anderton Posted: March 17th, 2011
Now the show is even more enticing with some great guest appearances from some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Deadline reports Gervais is in the midst of working out a schedule with Johnny Depp to have some sort of guest role on the show, and he’s also approached Jerry Seinfeld for a guest spot to play “quite a whiny Upper East Side Jewish guy.” Honestly, this new series can’t come soon enough. While no formal deal is in place yet, the series is expected to hit HBO at some point, so stay tuned for more news on the project coming to the States.
...... http://collider.com/lifes-too-short-johnny-depp-jerry-seinfeld-ricky-gervais/81076/
Alan Tudyk to Play Stephen A. Douglas in ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER
by Matt Goldberg Posted: March 17th, 2011
Alan Tudyk (Firefly) will play Stephen A. Douglas in Timur Bekmambetov’s 3D adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The book imagines our 16th President had a secret life fighting vampires and that was the real reason for the Civil War. In the history books, Douglas was opposite Lincoln on the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 which helped to raise Lincoln’s national profile. In the Vampire Hunter, Douglas is recast as an “ally of the Southern vampires,” because the only thing that’s worse than vampires, are pro-slavery vampires.
Tudyk joins a cast that includes Benjamin Walker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Anthony Mackie, Dominic Cooper, Jimmi Simpson, and Robin McLeavy. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is due out June 22, 2012.
http://collider.com/alan-tudyk-abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter/81082/
