***Two More Images from THE HOBBIT ***Roland Emmerich’s SINGULARITY Winds up at Sony; Will Be Released May 2013 ***Warner Bros. Wants to Send David O. Russell and Brad Pitt on THE MISSION ***Will Ferrell and Adam McKay SWEAR TO GOD

Roland Emmerich’s SINGULARITY Winds up at Sony; Will Be Released May 2013 [Updated]

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 29th, 2011

Sony Pictures previously distributed Roland Emmerich’s 2012, they’re planning to release his new film Anonymous this fall, and now it’s looking like they’ll be working with him again.  Details on the film’s story are scant (as if there will be much story to begin with) but THR reports that Emmerich will be writing the script.  THR also says that the movie is untitled, but Deadline reports that the picture is called Singularity, a title that implies a sci-fi bent (a “singularity” is a term used in astrophysics to describe “A point in space-time at which gravitational forces cause matter to have infinite density and infinitesimal volume, and space and time to become infinitely distorted.”)
However, Singularity may not be Emmerich’s next film.  He’s also attached to direct an adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy as well as a movie based off the classic arcade game Asteroids.  Anonymous, which is a historical thriller that presumes Shakespeare didn’t write his plays, is set to open on October 28th. [Update: Deadline confirms that Sony has picked up Singularity.  The studio plans to release it on May 17, 2013, which implies that this will be Emmerich's next flick.  The only other film currently set for that date is Ron Howard's adaptation of Steven King's The Dark Tower]  http://collider.com/roland-emmerichs-singularity-sony-pictures/99526/

Roger Avary to Pen Adaptation of William Faulkner’s Crime Novel SANCTUARY

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 29th, 2011

Cops producer John Langley has tapped Pulp Fiction co-writer Roger Avary to pen an adaptation of William Faulkner’s 1931 crime novel Sanctuary.  Deadline reports that Ali exec producer Lee Caplin will co-produce with Langley.  The book was adapted back in 1933 as The Story of Temple Drake, but the plot had to be readjusted to adhere to the Production Code, and there’s a lot to readjust.  The story involves rape, murder, abduction, and other brutal acts set against the backdrop of the American South during Prohibition.
Avary’s last produced screenplay was 2007′s Beowulf and his career was slightly way-laid when he pled guilty to a vehicular manslaughter charge in 2009 and while he was at first given a work furlough and five years probation, he was dumb enough to complain about it on Twitter and as a result was sent to jail to serve out the remainder of his sentence.  He was released last July.  Personal problems aside, Avary is an interesting screenwriter who has no trouble tapping into the ugliness of characters and their situations and he sounds like a perfect fit for this adaptation.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel. http://collider.com/roger-avary-william-faulkner-sanctuary/99506/

Warner Bros. Wants to Send David O. Russell and Brad Pitt on THE MISSION

by Matt Goldberg   Posted: June 29th, 2011

Killing Osama Bin Laden hasn’t just been great for America’s morale.  It’s also been great for Hollywood.  Columbia Pictures will distribute Kathryn Bigelow’s Kill Bin Laden next year, Relativity recently up picked up the Navy SEALs film Act of Valor and now Warner Bros. is getting in on the military-men-on-a-mission game with the appropriately titled The Mission.  Deadline reports that Warner Bros. is fast-tracking a film based on the real-life six-year mission between American and Columbian covert operatives to free 15 hostages from the Columbian jungle.  David O. Russell is reportedly circling the director’s chair and Brad Pitt is being courted to star.  The movie won’t focus on the hardships of the hostages but instead on “the numerous governments, diplomats and intelligence services and a vast network of spies, military advisers and soldiers plus high-tech surveillance measures.”
Hit the jump for more on O. Russell and Pitt’s current projects and likelihood of signing on for The Mission. http://collider.com/mission-david-o-russell-brad-pitt/99498/

Will Ferrell and Adam McKay SWEAR TO GOD

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 29th, 2011

Warner Bros. has picked up the buddy comedy Swear to God with Will Ferrell attached to star and Adam McKay set to produce and direct.  The script is from Due Date screenwriters Alan Cohen and Alan Freedland and Deadline reports that Ferrell will play “a narcissistic hedge fund manager who thinks he has seen God.”  If the project goes into production, it will be the fifth or sixth film directed by McKay that stars Ferrell.  However, it will be the first one McKay didn’t write (although I’d be surprised if he didn’t have input into the script).  Hit the jump to learn more about the Ferrell and McKay’s other projects. http://collider.com/will-ferrell-adam-mckay-swear-to-god/99493/

Two More Images from THE HOBBIT

by Matt Goldberg  Posted: June 29th, 2011

Last week, we showed you the first official images from Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit.  Now two more images from the film have gone online.  The images provide another look at Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Ian McKellan reprising his role as Gandalf the Grey.  Looking at all of these images, I’m curious to see if Jackson will retain the visual style he used for The Lord of the Rings trilogy or if he’ll modify it since the events of The Hobbit take place before LOTR.
Hit the jump to check out the new images.  The two-part film is currently shooting in New Zealand and also stars Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, and Stephen Fry. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on December 14^th, 2012, with The Hobbit: There and Back Again hitting theaters on December 13^th, 2013. http://collider.com/hobbit-movie-images/99479/

Jean-Pierre Jenuet to Adapt THE SELECTED WORKS OF T.S. SPIVET and RED LEAVES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 29th, 2011

French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet hasn’t directed an English-language film since 1997′s Alien: Resurrection, but he may give it another shot by adapting Reif Larson’s debut novel The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet.  Variety reports that Jeunet plans to make Spivet his next movie and that he is currently writing the screenplay with his Amelie co-writer Guillaume Laurant.  Per Variety, Spivet “tells the story of a 12-year-old cartographer’s cross-country adventure from Montana to the Smithsonian Museum. Project fits into Jeunet’s body of work as it explores the imaginative mind of a child, mixing realism and fantasy.”
Jeunet has also picked up the screen rights to Thomas H. Cook’s novel Red Leaves, although it’s unknown if the adaptation would also be in English.  Red Leaves is a markedly darker tale than Spivet and “centers around the crumbling life of a father of a 15-year old boy accused of kidnapping an 8-year old.”  While Jeunet at times struggles with story and can get lost in quirk, his visual flair is undeniable and hopefully he’ll be able to balance it with a compelling narrative.  Hit the jump for synopses of both novels. http://collider.com/jean-pierre-jenuet-ts-spivet-red-leaves/99471/

***Ed Zwick to Direct Spy Thriller AMERICAN ASSASSIN ***"Asteroids" Movie Gets Director and Plot ***Mark Wahlberg Confirms "The Fighter" Sequel ***Shia LaBeouf Says "Indiana Jones 5" Will Happen Soon ***"Daredevil" Reboot Based on Frank Miller's "Born Again," Plus Casting Rumor ***"The Wolfman" Reboot to Begin Filming This Fall ***"Poltergeist" Remake is Moving Forward

Ed Zwick to Direct Spy Thriller AMERICAN ASSASSIN

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 8th, 2011

Director Ed Zwick recently tried his hand at romantic dramedies with Love and Other Drugs.  That didn’t work out so well.  Now he’s moving on to spy thrillers with an adaptation of Vince Flynn’s novel American Assassin.  The book is the 11th in the series about CIA Agent Mitch Rapp, but it’s a prequel that tells “how, as a college scholar and athlete, tragedy forged Rapp’s path to become a ruthless hunter of terrorists for the CIA.”  You may recall that last January, CBS Films planned to adapt the first book in the series, Consent to Kill, with Antoine Fuqua attached to direct and Gerard Butler, Colin Farrell, and Matthew Fox all being considered to play Rapp.  Deadline reports that CBS Films now considers American Assassin a better starting point for the franchise and it allows them to choose from a younger crop of actors.  I haven’t read any of the Rapp books but judging by Zwick’s track record, I’m sure the character will save lots of minorities.

Hit the jump for a synopsis of American Assassin. http://collider.com/ed-zwick-american-assassin/95304/

"Asteroids" Movie Gets Director and Plot

Posted: June 9th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


About two years ago, Universal Pictures announced that it is developing a big screen version of Atari's hit arcade game "Asteroids." Now comes word that the studio is planning to turn the game into a big-budget space epic by bringing on producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers) and hiring director Roland Emmerich (2012, The Day After Tomorrow, Independence Day).

Matt Lopez (The Race to Witch Mountain) is writing the script that's said to take place after the destruction of Earth, which means that aliens won. The remnants of human civilization are now living on different colonies within an asteroid belt alongside aliens.

The survivors were led to believe that this alien civilization was benevolent, rescuing them from doom, but ultimately discover that the aliens have engineered Earth's destruction, and soon will do the same for the rest of humankind.

Source: NY Mag



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Mark Wahlberg Confirms "The Fighter" Sequel

Posted: June 9th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


Back in March, Mark Wahlberg revealed that he's planning to develop a sequel to "The Fighter" and already discussed the project with Christian Bale and director David O. Russell. Both are interested in returning.

Now, during the Spike TV Guys Choice Awards (set to air June 10th), the actor confirmed that "The Fighter 2" is moving forward. "We left out the Aturo Gatti fights for a reason," he said. "Because that's for 'Fighter 2.' We're not going to do 'Fighter' 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, but we're gonna do 2. We're gonna do the Ward/Gatti trilogy."

Wahlberg's comments are a bit confusing, but it seems that he's planning only one more "The Fighter" installment, which will focus on Mickey Ward's three fights with his most fierce opponent, Arturo Gatti.

Source: Spike



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Shia LaBeouf Says "Indiana Jones 5" Will Happen Soon Posted: June 8th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff

The last time we heard about "Indiana Jones 5" was a year ago when Shia LaBeouf said that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have cracked the story, adding that he already got a sneak peek at the script. MTV caught up with the actor at the MTV Movie Awards and asked for an update. "I talked to [Harrison Ford]," he explained. "He said he's staying in the gym, he said he's heard no word, but he does know that [George Lucas] is out there looking for a MacGuffin. He said he's staying in the gym, so it means [the movie is] not so far off." This is the opposite of what LaBeouf previously said, which likely means that Lucas and Spielberg didn't like the story they came up with. The good news is that everyone is still eager to make a fifth film and since the plan has been to begin filming in 2012, there is still a bit of time to come up with something great. It has been rumored that the story will focus on the Bermuda Triangle, an area over the North Atlantic ocean where several aircraft are said to have disappeared. Source: MTV

http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21917&count=0

 

 

"Daredevil" Reboot Based on Frank Miller's "Born Again," Plus Casting Rumor

Posted: June 8th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


20th Century Fox is hard at work on the "Daredevil" reboot that has David Slade (30 Days of Night, Hard Candy) on board to direct.

THR has now learned that Brad Caleb Kane ("Fringe") has been brought on to write the script, which will be based on Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's "Born Again" comic stories from "Daredevil." Kane apparently got the job because he's a huge "Daredevil" fan.

Regarding casting, there is a rumor going around that Xavier Samuel may play the lead in "Daredevil." The rumor was started after Slade announced that there is some big news coming and then posted a photo of Samuel, who he directed in "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse."

Source: THR



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"The Wolfman" Reboot to Begin Filming This Fall

Posted: June 8th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


Back in March, we reported that Universal Pictures was working on a direct-to-DVD sequel to Joe Johnston's "The Wolfman," which grossed only $140 million globally on a $150 million budget. And has a lousy 33% fresh rating on RottenTomatoes.

At the time, the studio was in talks with Michael Tabb (Ring Around the Rosie) to write the script. Moviehole has now learned that the script is being re-written to be an original film that will share a link to the original 1941 film.

The new movie is currently being called "Werewolf" and is set to begin filming this fall. Universal is speaking to directors and will begin casting shortly.

Source: Moviehole



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"Poltergeist" Remake is Moving Forward

Posted: June 8th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


We recently reported that MGM has been planning to reboot Steven Spielberg's 1982 horror film "Poltergeist." NY Mag has now learned that the studio has approached the Pulitzer-prize winning playwright/screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire (Oz: The Great and Powerful, Rabbit Hole) to write a new version of the paranormal classic.

Lindsay-Abaire confirmed the offer to the magazine, but said that he has yet to decided if he wants to take the job. Back in 2008, the studio brought on "Boogeyman" writing team of Stiles White and Juliet Showden for the remake. And the fact that MGM has now approached Lindsay-Abaire, shows that the plan is to come up with a more clever and highbrow version.

The original story revolves around a young family who are visited by ghosts in their home. At first the ghosts appear friendly, moving objects around the house to the amusement of everyone, then they turn nasty and start to terrorize the family before they "kidnap" the youngest daughter.

Source: NY Mag



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**First Official Images from FRIGHT NIGHT Starring Anton Yelchin and Colin Farrell **First Trailer for Roland Emmerich’s ANONYMOUS **Trailer for WARRIOR Starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton **Hailee Steinfeld May Star in Indie Adaptation of ROMEO & JULIET

First Trailer for Roland Emmerich’s ANONYMOUS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 7th, 2011

Columbia Pictures has released the first trailer for Roland Emmerich’s Anonymous, a political thriller based on the controversy of who really wrote the plays credited to William Shakespeare.  Per the official synopsis, “Anonymous poses one possible answer, focusing on a time when cloak-and-dagger political intrigue, illicit romances in the Royal Court, and the schemes of greedy nobles hungry for the power of the throne were exposed in the most unlikely of places: the London stage.”  Since this is Emmerich’s first film where he’s not obliterating a city, the curiosity factor is too high to avoid, but this trailer does an awful job of explaining the plot beyond “Shakespeare didn’t write his plays.  Now please enjoy 16th century CGI England.”  The release date is still a ways off so I’m sure we’ll get a more plot-heavy trailer a few months from now.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film stars Jamie Campbell Bower, Rhys Ifans, David Thewlis, Joely Richardson, and Vanessa Redgrave.  Anonymous hits theaters on September 30th.

...............more; http://collider.com/anonymous-trailer/84785/

First Official Images from FRIGHT NIGHT Starring Anton Yelchin and Colin Farrell

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 7th, 2011

The first images from Craig Gillespie’s 3D remake of Fright Night have gone online.  The story centers on a teenager (Anton Yelchin) who discovers that his neighbor (Colin Farrell) is a vampire.  And not a cuddly Twilight vampire.  A he’s-murdering-people-because-he’s-a-vampire vampire. There’s nothing too spectacular in the shots aside from a fangy Colin Farrell threatening Anton Yelchin, but there’s also some shots of co-stars Imogen Poots and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

Hit the jump to check out the images.  Fright Night also stars David Tennant and Toni Collette.  The film opens in 3D on August 19^th. .............more; http://collider.com/fright-night-movie-images/84825/

Trailer for WARRIOR Starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 7th, 2011

Lionsgate has released a trailer for the upcoming mixed martial arts fighting drama Warrior.  Directed by Gavin O’Connor (Miracle) the film stars Tom Hardy (Inception) and Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom) as brothers fighting for the mixed martial arts championship.  I like the idea of a Rocky story where we follow both fighters into the ring and both their causes are valid (although the trailer makes it look like Edgerton is really the protagonist).  Unfortunately, this trailer takes you through almost the entire movie to the point where I’m a little surprised that it doesn’t go ahead and reveal the champion.

Hit the jump to see the trailer and for a full synopsis.  The film also stars Nick Nolte, Jennifer Morrison, and Frank Grillo.  Warrior opens September 9^th. .............more; http://collider.com/warrior-trailer/84854/

Hailee Steinfeld May Star in Indie Adaptation of ROMEO & JULIET

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 7th, 2011

Oscar-nominee Hailee Steinfeld has recently become attached to the upcoming novel Forgotten and a re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty, and now she has a third project on her slate.  THR  reports that Steinfeld is in talks to star in an indie adaptation of Romeo & Juliet.  Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park) wrote the screenplay and Italian director Carlo Carlie (Flight of the Innocent) will direct with Gabriele Muccino (Seven Pounds) attached as a producer.  There are currently no details on how Carlie plans to differentiate his Romeo & Juliet from the countless other adaptations, but the budget is in the $15 million range and shooting is expected to begin in Italy later this spring.  ........ http://collider.com/hailee-steinfeld-romeo-juliet/84862/

***Jeremy Irons and Kim Cattrall Join Tom Sturridge in THE TREEHOUSE ***"Spider-Man" Reboot Gets Title and New Photo ***Roland Emmerich on "Independence Day 2" and Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" ***Joe Dante to Direct "Monster Love," a Werewolf/Vampire Love Story

Jeremy Irons and Kim Cattrall Join Tom Sturridge in THE TREEHOUSE

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: February 14th, 2011

Jeremy Irons (Appaloosa) and Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City) and Tom Sturridge (Pirate Radio) have signed on to star in The Treehouse.  Originally titled The Master of Farnow, the film is set in “in pre-World War I Germany detailing the story of a failed student, his glamorous cousin, her mother and the student’s father.”  According to THR, Lajos Koltai (Evening) will direct the $10 million production from a script by Paul Mayersberg (Croupier), based on a novel by Eduard von Keyserling.

Irons will next be seen in Margin Call, which was recently picked up from Sundance for an October 2011 release.  Sturridge’s next big project positions the actor opposite Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, and Kristen Stewart in Walter Salles’ highly anticipated adaptation of On the Road.

............ http://collider.com/jeremy-irons-kim-cattrall-the-treehouse/76269/

"Spider-Man" Reboot Gets Title and New Photo

Posted: February 14th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff

Columbia Pictures has just announced that the title of their upcoming "Spider-Man" reboot is "The Amazing Spider-Man." In addition, the studio also unveiled a brand new photo of Andrew Garfield in the full Spider-Man outfit. Check it out below.


In addition to Garfield (The Social Network), the new movie also stars Rhys Ifans as the villainous Lizard, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Martin Sheen as Ben Parker, Sally Field as May Parker, and Denis Leary as George Stacy.


"The Amazing Spider-Man" is directed by Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) and is scheduled to hit conventional and 3D theaters on July 3rd, 2012.

http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=20661

Roland Emmerich on "Independence Day 2" and Isaac Asimov's "Foundation"

Posted: February 14th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff

Director Roland Emmerich has been planning two more "Independence Day" sequels, but has now revealed to Empire magazine that the sequels won't happen any time soon.


"'Independence Day 2' is nowhere," he said. "It's back and forth, back and forth. There's no script because I don't want to write anything before anything starts. One day it will happen."


Emmerich is instead focusing on bringing Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" to the big screen. "We've hired a production designer and it's mainly now to find out what the movie will cost," he explained. "It'll take us until the end of March, then we'll decide. The studio is happy with the script (by 'The Patriot' writer Robert Rodat), but now's the time that the numbers count. I want to make a movie that's very different from other science-fiction movies and I don't want to have the burden of too big a budget."


"Foundation" is a complex saga about humans who are scattered on planets throughout the galaxy, living under the rule of the Galactic Empire. A psycho-historian who can scientifically read the future sees an imminent empire collapse, and sets to work preparing to save the knowledge of mankind.


Source: Empire




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Joe Dante to Direct "Monster Love," a Werewolf/Vampire Love Story

Posted: February 14th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff

Director Joe Dante, the man behind "Gremlins," "Piranha" and "The Howling," has signed on to helm a werewolf/vampire love story called "Monster Love," which is written by Greg Pak (Planet Hulk). Below is a description of the horror comedy.


Plot: A werewolf and a vampire fall in love, igniting a war between their respective communities. It's "Romeo and Juliet" with fangs.


After PETE, a young dogwalker, gets dumped by his girlfriend, his slacker buddies convince him to run naked through the city park. As the moon rises, the boys laugh, howl, and transform... Later, a distraught young woman named Maggie is contemplating suicide when she's surprised by an enormous wolf. She snarls, baring her vampire fangs. The wolf grins and barks: Let's play!


After a fierce, exhilarating chase through the park, Maggie falls asleep with the wolf - and awakens in a naked young man's arms. It's Pete. And love at first sight.


Pete's werewolf pals and Maggie's upper-crust vampire clan are furious. And when some mangled bodies are discovered in the woods, Pete and Maggie must fight for their lives while grappling with the awful consequences of loving a monster.


Source: STYD




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