***Is the New Judd Apatow/Paul Feig Comedy Made for Jon Hamm and Melissa McCarthy? ***Will Sean Penn Direct Robert De Niro in THE COMEDIAN? ***Russell Crowe to Play Jor-El in MAN OF STEEL ***Ben Affleck Attached to Direct TELL NO ONE for Warner Bros. and Universal ***Steven Spielberg May Direct "Transformers 4"? ***"Hot Wheels" Movie Still in the Works

Is the New Judd Apatow/Paul Feig Comedy Made for Jon Hamm and Melissa McCarthy?

by Jason Barr   Posted: June 15th, 2011

A little over a week ago, we reported that Universal was reuniting with producer Judd Apatow and director Paul Feig following on the heels of their hit comedy Bridesmaids. The only thing we knew about the project at that time was that Feig had worked on the material (described as an “unconventional love story”) for some time and that Universal loved the pitch (and the success of Bridesmaids) enough to acquire it. While we don’t have a ton of new details on the untitled project today, we do have a casting rumor that has peaked my interest. According to Deadline, the project is about a “guy who becomes obsessed with a woman” with the male and female leads being drawn up with Bridesmaids co-stars Jon Hamm and Melissa McCarthy in mind.  More after the jump.
http://collider.com/jon-hamm-melissa-mccarthy-judd-apatow-comedy/96640/

Will Sean Penn Direct Robert De Niro in THE COMEDIAN?

by Jason Barr    Posted: June 15th, 2011

A few weeks ago, we brought you the rumor that Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro may reunite for Art Linson and Jeffrey Ross’ character-driven script The Comedian with the disclaimer that it would most likely turn out to be unfounded. Today, I’m here to strike that rumor and insert yet another: that Sean Penn will direct De Niro in The Comedian. This newest unconfirmed report comes from the New York Post (via The Playlist) which claims that Penn has come aboard to helm the pic with production set to get underway in New York next year. While my gut tells me to take this news with a grain of salt at present, Penn and De Niro do have some history with Linson who produced films such as Heat and The Untouchables (both starring De Niro) as well as What Just Happened which features both actors.

As a refresher, Linson and Ross’ The Comedian would pit De Niro as an aging insult comic that is described as a Don Rickles/Joan Rivers hybrid. Hopefully we have some sort of solid footing regarding both Penn and De Niro’s involvement sooner rather than later. In the meantime, stay tuned for more on the project, including the rumor I start myself which claims that I’ll be directing the film. http://collider.com/sean-penn-robert-de-niro-the-comedian/96612/

Russell Crowe to Play Jor-El in MAN OF STEEL

by Jason Barr    Posted: June 15th, 2011

Emerging from a group of names that included Sean Penn and Clive Owen, Russell Crowe has been tapped by Warner Bros. to take on the role of Superman’s biological father, Jor-El, in Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. Variety confirms Crowe’s casting in the project which is set to begin production next month in Vancouver. While Jor-El’s level of involvement in David Goyer’s script is currently unknown, the “A-list” casting of the role harkens back to Marlon Brando’s turn as Kal-El’s father in Richard Donner’s original Superman.

Crowe joins a cast that already includes Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Michael Shannon and Diane Lane. The role of Jor-El’s wife, Lara, is still up in the air, although Dark Horizons reported earlier today that Crowe’s Gladiator co-star Connie Nielsen may have an offer for the gig on the table as I type. Man of Steel is currently eyeing a holiday 2012 release. http://collider.com/russell-crowe-superman-man-of-steel/96605/

Ben Affleck Attached to Direct TELL NO ONE for Warner Bros. and Universal

by Jason Barr    Posted: June 15th, 2011

Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures have optioned the rights to remake/re-adapt author Harlan Coben’s mystery novel Tell No One with Ben Affleck attached to direct. Affleck will direct a script by Chris Terrio who just so happens to have also penned the director’s next project, Argo. Deadline reports that Terrio’s screenplay will essentially act as a remake of the 2006 French adaptation of the same name directed by Guillaume Canet. Before gallivanting overseas, the property was initially set up at Sony way back in 2002 with now-established names Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (Star Trek) set to adapt. As early as August 2010, writer/director Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) was reported to be working on the adaptation as well.

Briefly, Coben’s Tell No One tells the story of a pediatrician who becomes suspect number one in a series of murders that claimed the life of his wife…or so he thought. For more on the project, hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.  http://collider.com/ben-affleck-tell-no-one/96597/

Steven Spielberg May Direct "Transformers 4"?

Posted: June 17th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


We already heard that Michael Bay and Shia LaBeouf will not be returning for "Transformers 4," but Paramount Pictures will likely not let a franchise that has already grossed $1.5 billion simply die.

There were talks of a reboot, but in an interview with Movieweb, Tyrese Gibson revealed that Steven Spielberg may step in to direct the fourth film.

"Michael Bay decides to not come back for 'Transformers 4,' there is always Steven Spielberg," said the actor. "I am not saying that Steven Spielberg is for a fact going to direct 'Transformers 4.' But it is a beautiful safety net to know that one of the biggest, most respected directors in the world happens to be an executive producer on 'Transformers.' He is someone who knows this world. And he could easily step in and direct 'Transformers 4' if he decided to."

Gibson continued: "There are a lot of directors who deal with producers who happen to not be Steven Spielberg. So if the director decides to bow out of their film, they are sent scrambling. 'Who can we get to direct this?' What a hell of a safety net this is if Michael Bay decides not to come back. Steven Spielberg could easily step in and make it happen."

This has actually just happened with "The Hobbit." Guillermo Del Toro was attached to direct while "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson was producing. When Del Toro dropped out, Jackson had a tough time replacing him. In the end, Jackson was forced to step in as the director.

Source: Movieweb



Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=22020&count=0

"Hot Wheels" Movie Still in the Works

Posted: June 17th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


First it was Columbia Pictures and director McG (Terminator Salvation) that tried to turn "Hot Wheels," the popular Mattel car toy line, into a feature film. Then Warner Bros and producer Joel Silver took over, but dropped the property as well after "Speed Racer" bombed in theaters.

But now that "Fast Five" has become a major franchise, Legendary Entertainment has entered negotiations with Mattel to acquire the film rights to "Hot Wheels" and develop their own movie. Since Legendary is based at Warner Bros, the studio will still be involved.

A number of filmmakers have been vying to acquire the property, including producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers) and Joe Roth (Alice in Wonderland). But Mattel already has an existing relationship with Legendary and Warners. Mattel makes toys based on WB's DC Comics properties like Superman, Batman and Green Lantern.

Source: Variety



Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=22016&count=0

**First Trailer for THE DEVIL’ S DOUBLE **Joseph Kosinski to Direct ARCHANGEL **Chris Diamantopoulos Frontrunner to Play Moe in THE THREE STOOGES **Mindy Kaling Joins Judd Apatow-Produced Comedy FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT **Russell Crowe Looks to Make His Feature Directorial Debut with 77

Joseph Kosinski to Direct ARCHANGEL

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 25th, 2011

Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski is now attached to helm New Regency’s sci-fi thriller Archangel. Variety reports that Adam Cozad (The Gray Man) has signed on to write the screenplay, which tells the story of “a secret unit of the military that tracks and hunts down aliens among us.”  Cozad also recently wrote the script for the Jack Ryan reboot starring Chris Pine. Scott Free will produce Archangel.

Kosinski is expected to next direct Horizons (also known as Oblivion), a sci-fi actioner set up at Universal with Tom Cruise attached to star. That film was originally at Disney, but the Mouse House didn’t feel the PG-13 story fit with their library, so they let Kosinski shop the project around. An October start date is being eyed for Horizons.

............... http://collider.com/joseph-kosinski-archangel/87514/

Chris Diamantopoulos Frontrunner to Play Moe in THE THREE STOOGES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 25th, 2011

A frontrunner has emerged in the Farrelly brothers’ search for the right actor to play Moe in their Three Stooges movie. Apparently Chris Diamantopoulos (TV’s 24) is at the top of their list, after going through a rigorous casting process in order to find the perfect fit. Variety reports that Diamantopoulos is number one on their list to join Will Sasso as Curly and Sean Hayes as Larry. Sofia Vergara is also in talks for a leading role.

The Farrelly brothers have been trying to fill out this cast for some time now, after going through some very public cycles (Jim Carrey, Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro were initially set to star). The film will not be a biopic, but rather a feature-length Three Stooges movie divided into “three 27 minutes segments, driven by physical comedy.” 20^th Century Fox hopes to get production started sometime this spring.

.............. http://collider.com/chris-diamantopoulos-the-three-stooges/87559/

First Trailer for THE DEVIL’ S DOUBLE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 25th, 2011

The first trailer for The Devil’s Double has been released. The film stars Dominic Cooper in the dual roles of Saddam Hussein’s sadistic son Uday and Uday’s body-double Latif Yahia. The trailer definitely looks interesting, and Steve himself caught the film at Sundance and thought it was great, calling it “batshit crazy.” I like the vibe of the flick that the trailer suggests, and can’t wait to see more.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. The Devil’s Double opens July 29th. Click here to read Steve’s interview with Cooper about the film.

............  http://collider.com/the-devils-double-movie-trailer/87563/

Mindy Kaling Joins Judd Apatow-Produced Comedy FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT

by Adam Chitwood   Posted: April 25th, 2011

The Office star/writer Mindy Kaling is the latest actor to join the Judd Apatow-produced comedy Five Year Engagement. The cast now includes Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Alison Brie, Chris Pratt, Rhys Ifans, Lauren Weedman, David Paymer, Kevin Hart and Jacki Weaver. Directed by Nicholas Stoller (Get Him to the Greek), the film follows a young couple’s (Segel and Blunt) extended engagement and the bumps and bruises that they undergo along the way.

Variety reports that Kaling will play one of Ifans’ grad students. Stoller previously directed Segel in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and the two co-wrote this project together.

...........  http://collider.com/mindy-kaling-five-year-engagement/87570/

Russell Crowe Looks to Make His Feature Directorial Debut with 77

by Eytan Hirsch    Posted: April 25th, 2011

After starring in acclaimed crime dramas such as LA Confidential and American Gangster, Russell Crowe now looks to be ready to jump into the director’s chair with a new 1970’s period crime drama called 77.  The movie is based on a story by LA Confidential writer James Ellroy and will be adapted by David Matthews.  Crowe also plans to star.

Deadline reports that the film will revolve around the unsolved homicide of an LAPD officer in 1974 and the ensuing nationally televised battle in South Central Los Angeles between the Symbionese Liberation Army and the LAPD, which included 50,000 rounds of gunfire.  The events will be told through two police partners, one black and one white.  Hit the jump for my thoughts on Crowe’s potential as a director.

.............. http://collider.com/russell-crowe-77/87581/

7 april ; HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Born Today

Russell Crowe (47)

Jackie Chan (57)

Francis Ford Coppola (72)

James Garner (83)

Sandy Powell (51)  http://www.imdb.com/search/name?birth_monthday=04-07

CELEB LOOKALIKES

Russell Crowe- Benjamin McKenzie


Ralph Fiennes, Bradley Cooper

Gerard Depardieu -Benjamin McKenzie

**Russell Crowe in Talks for "The Boys" Violent Superhero Film **James Cameron to Take "Avatar 2" Cast to Meet Brazilian Tribes **"James Bond 23" to Begin Filming in November **"I, Frankenstein" Finds Director, Will Shoot This Fall **Jennifer Garner is Miss Marple in New Reboot **Ryan Reynolds Still Attached to "Deadpool" **"X-Men 4" Still in the Works

Russell Crowe in Talks for "The Boys" Violent Superhero Film
Posted: March 29th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


MTV caught up with director Adam McKay (The Other Guys, Step Brothers, Anchorman), who revealed that he's two weeks away from completing a draft of "The Boys" script and has already met with several actors about the project.


"I really like the idea of Russell Crowe for [Billy] Butcher," said McKay. "We met and had kind of an interesting meeting. Everyone knows Simon Pegg can take Hughie if he wants."


"The Boys" is a graphic novel that follows a group of CIA agents assigned to police the world's super-powered heroes and villains. Led by the tough-as-nails Billy Butcher, the super-powered team recruits meek civilian Hughie "Wee Hughie" Campbell who realizes that the team is willing to put super-powered individuals in their place by any means necessary — including assault, blackmail, kidnapping, and frequently, murder.


"You really have to wait until the draft is done to get serious about it," said McKay. "Plus it's like a $100 million, Rated-R, anti-superhero movie, so we have to see who bites on it."


Source: MTV




Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21135&count=0






James Cameron to Take "Avatar 2" Cast to Meet Brazilian Tribes
Posted: March 29th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


A few days ago, James Cameron took Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Xingu River in Brazil, where he spoke against the construction of the hydroelectic dam, claiming that it would destroy the homes of some indigenous people.


Cameron said that if he visited the indigenous tribes before filming "Avatar," it would have been a better movie. This is a mistake he is planning to correct for "Avatar 2," by taking the entire cast to Brazil's Amazonian rain forest for them to be inspired by the place.


"'Avatar' is a film about the rain forest and its indigenous people. Before I start to shoot the two films I want to bring my actors here, so I can better tell this story," said the director. "Actors could learn about the natives and what real life in the jungle is like."


Source: THR




Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21136&count=0






"James Bond 23" to Begin Filming in November
Posted: March 29th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


Judi Dench revealed to the Sunday Express that the 23rd "James Bond" installment will begin shooting in November. "I am going to do the next Bond in November," she said. "I don't know the location yet."


The new film will see Dench reprise her role of M, while Daniel Craig will return to play the title character. Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem, meanwhile, are in talks to appear as villains.


Sam Mendes has already been confirmed to direct the untitled "James Bond 23" film, which is set to hit theaters on November 9th, 2012.


Source: Express






Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21137&count=0






"I, Frankenstein" Finds Director, Will Shoot This Fall
Posted: March 29th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


Stuart Beattie has been hired to write and direct "I, Frankenstein" movie, based on Darkstorm Studios graphic novel created by Kevin Grevioux. The plan is to shoot this fall. Patrick Tatopoulos (Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) was previously on board to direct.


"I, Frankenstein" brings together classic monster characters, including Frankenstein's Monster, the Invisible Man, Dracula and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, in a contemporary film noir setting. The Monster, for example, has evolved, learned how to control his anger and now acts as a private investigator. Dracula, meanwhile, is a kingpin of crime, and the Invisible Man is a secret operative.


Beattie most recently wrote and directed "Tomorrow, When the War Began," which broke box office records in Beattie's native Australia last fall. The film was his directorial debut. Beattie has also written "GI Joe," "Australia" and "30 Days of Night."




Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21132&count=0
 






Jennifer Garner is Miss Marple in New Reboot
Posted: March 29th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


After months of negotiations, Disney has closed a deal to acquire movie rights to Agatha Christie's famous elderly detective Miss Marple. Mark Frost (Fantastic Four, "Twin Peaks") has been hired to write the screenplay.


Marple was one of Christie's most famous creations, an elderly woman constantly knitting or weeding, looking sweet and frail though the exterior masks a sharp mind with a deep understanding of the dark side of human nature.


The character first appeared on screen in 1961 in "Murder She Said," portrayed by Margaret Rutherford, who was 70 when she played the character in the first of a series of movies. Angela Landsbury played the character in 1980's "The Mirror Crack'd."


Jennifer Garner will star in the adaptation, which will lower the age of Marple.


Source: THR




Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21131&count=0








Ryan Reynolds Still Attached to "Deadpool"
Posted: March 28th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


Producer Lauren Shuler Donner recently spoke with Empire magazine about "Deadpool," revealing that the film will be a total reboot, but will still keep Ryan Reynolds on board as the title character.


"We're looking for a director," she said. "Ryan, he's very involved. He's working with the writers on the screenplay. It's true to the comic. You'll see Wade Wilson, the good-looking Ryan Reynolds. You'll see Deadpool in his costume and you'll see the cancer-scarred face."


If Reynolds is returning, how will the film treat the events in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"? "We're either going to pretend that [the movie] didn't happen or mock it, which he could. It's definitely comedy, but it's an R script, it's really irreverent and violent. Right away, we're out of the X-Men world."


Source: Empire




Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21126&count=0






"X-Men 4" Still in the Works
Posted: March 28th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


Empire magazine caught up with producer Lauren Shuler Donner, who revealed that there are still plans for a fourth "X-Men" film that will pick up after the events in "X-Men: The Last Stand."


According to Donner, there is already a story in place. "We took the treatment to Fox and they love it," she said, adding: "And 'X4' leads into 'X5.'"


Donner has previously mentioned that she would love to have Bryan Singer return to the franchise. He was originally in talks to direct "X-Men: First Class," but ended up only producing. She may now be speaking with Singer for "X-Men 4." Stay tuned.


Source: Empire




Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21125&count=0

***THE NEXT THREE DAYS Review ***New Set Photos from Walter Salles’ ON THE ROAD Starring Garrett Hedlund and Sam Riley ***Steven Soderbergh’s HAYWIRE, Starring Gina Carano, Set for April 22, 2011

THE NEXT THREE DAYS Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted:November 18th, 2010

If he’s not trying to cram a heavy-handed message about Important Things down his audience’s throat, it turns out that writer/director Paul Haggis can make a decent thriller.  The Next Three Days is a welcome departure for Haggis, who instead of preaching about race (Crash) or the Iraq War (In the Valley of Elah), crafts an exciting, prison-break film with a strong central performance from Russell Crowe.  While some may love it when a plan comes together, The Next Three Days shows how it can be far more exciting when a plan falls apart.

Lara Brennan (Elizabeth Banks) is about to be sent to prison for the rest of her life for a crime her husband John (Russell Crowe) believes she did not commit.  John embarks on an ambitious plan to break Lara out of jail even though she’s resigned herself to her fate.  The Next Three Days makes a major gamble by not showing us much of Lara and John’s life before her arrest, but it pays off since it helps us share in the twinge of doubt John must feel and yet has to ignore in order to complete his mission.  It also lets our imagination do the work as to their backstory rather than draw out the first act and have the film prove their love to us.  John’s love for his wife is obviously strong enough that he’s willing to ignore all the evidence that points to her guilt and risk everything to get her out of the slammer.

Of course, staging a prison break, especially from outside the prison, isn’t the easiest thing in the world.  John isn’t a cop or a soldier.  He’s a literature professor at a community college and while the Internet is a wonderful source of information, googling, “How to Break Your Wife out of Prison” doesn’t yield many helpful search results (although, YouTube is set up as a great source of criminal knowledge).  Instead, John interviews a former convict/prison escapee (played by Liam Neeson who collects a paycheck for one scene of big exposition).  John learns the basics of what’s necessary to break Lara out and struggles to perfectly plan getting his wife out of prison and get their family out of the country.  His timetable gets fundamentally altered when he learns that she’ll be transferred to a new prison in the next three days.
The Next Three Days is a fun film because it not only flips the prison-break genre on its head by having the break executed from outside the prison and with the prisoner having no input into the plan, but because it pulls the drama out of John’s numerous screw-ups.  It’s not that John is stupid as much as every plan is subject to the whims of chance.  If getting forged passports were easy and everyone knew how to do it, then real passports wouldn’t be worth very much.  However, there are times when John’s ignorance is carried too far, like when he asks a pawn shop owner where the bullets in a gun go.

While I have no love for Haggis’ previous films, with The Next Three Days he has shown himself to be a capable director of exciting chases and gripping, fast-paced drama.  While the movie could stand to be a little shorter and it slightly loses its grip on reality in the final act, Haggis and Crowe have crafted a satisfying flick that doesn’t beat you over the head with a message any stronger than “A well-crafted plan is good, but a well-improvised plan can be more entertaining.”
Rating: B

http://www.collider.com/2010/11/18/the-next-three-days-movie-review-russell-crowe/

New Set Photos from Walter Salles’ ON THE ROAD Starring Garrett Hedlund and Sam Riley

by Talia Soghomonian    Posted: November 18th, 2010



After a rough ride, On the Road is finally getting closer to completion. After the first set photos, new shots from director Walter Salles’ adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s seminal novel have been released, and appear to perfectly transcribe the poetic energy and black-and-white imagery that the story inevitably conjures up, raising the question whether the movie will also be in black-and-white.
Produced by Francis Ford Coppola, the film stars stars Garrett Hedlund (TRON: Legacy) and Sam Riley (Control) as Sal Paradise, the mystic Dean Moriarty and Sal Paradise embark on a road trip across North America in search of adventure and freedom.  The cast also boasts a long, all-star cast, including Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Moretensen, Amy Adams, Steve Buscemi, Terrence Howard and Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss. Hit the jump to see the photos and find out more about On the Road.
It is certainly a challenge to attempt a book that is considered to be the testament of the Beat Generation. Walter Salles has fully invested in the project with a documentary, In Search of On the Road, and reunited the stellar team from his award-winning 1998 movie The Motorcycle Diaries, including screenwriter Jose Rivera (Letters to Juliet) director of photography. Eric Gautier, production designer Carlos Conti and Oscar-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla.
On the Road is now considered a modern classic that “heralded a change of American consciousness,” claims Beatnik specialist professor Ann Charters. It is a story swinging to the underground culture of 50s America, where jazz music, cigarette smoke and hallucinogens accompany a pursuit in self-knowledge and even self-awareness, or so claim many pseudo-intellectuals. One of the most overrated books of the past 50 years, to musicians and filmmakers alike – Bono was so excited to see my copy that he signed it – On the Road contains the ever-fascinating theme of self-discovery through a simple road trip. Other great travelers have paved their way since Sal and Dean, notably Easy Rider’s Wyatt and Billy (the unforgettable duo played by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper) and Thelma and Louise.
Filming is expected to wrap up in December with the movie set to hit theaters in 2011. [Photos via OnTheRoadFilm and The Playlist]
http://www.collider.com/2010/11/18/on-the-road-movie-images-set-photos-garrett-hedlund/

Steven Soderbergh’s HAYWIRE, Starring Gina Carano, Set for April 22, 2011

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 18th, 2010

Steven Soderbergh’s Haywire has reportedly landed a release date.  According to The Playlist, the film is set for release on April 22, 2011.  The movie boasts an outstanding cast that includes Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Bill Paxton, Michael Angarano, Matthieu Kassovitz, and Antonio Banderas.  MMA fighter Gina Carano leads the film as a “black ops soldier on mission of revenge after she’s double crossed by one of her team-mates.”  The Playlist says that the script by  Lem Dobbs (The Limey) was “taut, lean, and mean.”
If the April 22, 2011 holds, Haywire will be going up against the documentary African Cats, the Adam Sandler-penned comedy Born to be a Star, the Steve Carell/Ryan Gosling comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love, and Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family.
http://www.collider.com/2010/11/18/haywire-release-date-steven-soderbergh-gina-carano/