***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

***Ed Westwick to Play Tybalt in ROMEO AND JULIET ***Sony Picks up Re-Imagining of THE LITTLE MERMAID for COUNTRY STRONG Filmmaker Shana Feste ***First Trailer for Showtime’s New Drama Series HOMELAND Starring Claire Danes ***Trailer for TAKE SHELTER Starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain ***First Trailer for THE MUPPETS ***Rumor: Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro to Reunite for THE COMEDIAN?

Ed Westwick to Play Tybalt in ROMEO AND JULIET
by Adam Chitwood Posted: May 23rd, 2011 at 3:26 pm


Because it’s been almost 15 years since Baz Lurhmann’s Romeo + Juliet, and Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes are all old now, it’s apparently time to make a new version of William Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy. Hailee Steinfeld is set to star as Juliet in the adaptation, set to be directed by Italian filmmaker Carlo Carlie (Flight of the Innocent). Now, Variety reports that Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick is in final negotiations to star as Tybalt in the indie. Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park) wrote the screenplay and Holly Hunter recently joined the cast as The Nurse. The role of Romeo has yet to be cast. Production is set to begin this summer in Italy.
http://collider.com/ed-westwick-romeo-and-juliet/92444/




Sony Picks up Re-Imagining of THE LITTLE MERMAID for COUNTRY STRONG Filmmaker Shana Feste
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 23rd, 2011 at 2:03 pm


Would you like to see another fairy tale re-imagining? Your answer is moot because you’re getting more re-imaginings whether you want them or not. Heat Vision reports that that Sony has picked up a re-imagining of Hans Christen Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, Carolyn Turgeon’s novel Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale (although “A Twist on a Classic Tale” could be applied to every single re-imagining that’s out there). Filmmaker Shana Feste (Country Strong) will adapt the story, which “centers on a princess who, in order to save her ravaged kingdom, sets out on a dangerous journey to marry the prince of her rival kingdom, not knowing that a beautiful mermaid has fallen for the same man and has sacrificed everything to be with him.” Aaaaawkwaaaard…


While the film is being billed as a “dark re-imagining” of Andersen’s tale, the original Little Mermaid was already incredibly dark. In the original tale, the mermaid sacrifices everything to be with the prince, he marries someone else anyway, and she kills herself. If she had a singing Caribbean crab as her friend, maybe that wouldn’t have happened. Hit the jump for the synopsis of Turgeon’s novel.
http://collider.com/little-mermaid-shana-feste/92431/

First Trailer for Showtime’s New Drama Series HOMELAND Starring Claire Danes

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: May 23rd, 2011 at 12:20 pm

Last night The Borgias finished off their first season (and just got picked up for a second season as well), and viewers who tuned in also got a sneak peek at Showtime’s new thriller Homeland.  Starring Clarie Danes, Damian Lewis and Mandy Patinkin, the series follows a taut psychological thriller about a volatile CIA officer (Danes) who becomes convinced that a recently rescued American POW (Lewis) may be connected to an al Qaeda plot to be carried out on U.S. soil. I’m not convinced it looks quite as thrilling as a series like 24, but it looks like it has potential even without Kiefer Sutherland ripping throats. See for yourself by checking out the trailer after the jump. http://collider.com/homeland-trailer-claire-danes/92419/

Trailer for TAKE SHELTER Starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 23rd, 2011 at 11:53 am

The trailer for Jeff Nichols’ intense psychological drama Take Shelter has gone online.  I caught the film at Sundance and while I thought it could stand to lose a good twenty minutes to keep up the pacing and maintain the dread it creates in the first act, but the core of the story is fantastic and the performances are solid.  The trailer tries to play up the psychological aspect of the story and that’s kind of necessary because after the recent spate of devastating tornados, most folks aren’t going to think that building a storm shelter is a crazy idea.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film stars Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, Shea Whigham, Katy Mixon, and Kathy Baker.  Take Shelter opens October 7th. http://collider.com/take-shelter-trailer/92396/

First Trailer for THE MUPPETS plus Poster for Fake Movie GREEN WITH ENVY

by Collider Staff    Posted: May 23rd, 2011 at 11:37 am

The first trailer for The Muppets has gone online.  It takes a little while to get to the actual Muppets, but stick through the trailer for the first 50 seconds and you’ll get there.  This is really more of an announcement trailer, and I’m not sure what will set this Muppets movie apart, but creating a trailer that basically goes “Surprise!  Muppets!” isn’t a bad way to start.  I’m slightly confused by the set-up of a fake Jason Segel/Amy Adams romance flick called Green with Envy, but I’ll go with it for now.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer for The Muppets and the poster for Green with Envy.  The Muppets also stars Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, and a slew of celebrity cameos.  The film opens November 23rd. http://collider.com/the-muppets-movie-trailer/89827/

Benedict Cumberbatch Joins THE HOBBIT

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 23rd, 2011 at 9:45 am

If you watched the first season of BBC’s Sherlock, then you know that star Benedict Cumberbatch was a terrific modern interpretation of Sherlock Holmes that didn’t simply copy TV’s other modern-day Holmes, Hugh Laurie’s Dr. Gregory House.  Now he’s set to join his Sherlock Holmes co-star Martin Freeman in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit.  Freeman accidentally let the news slip to BBC Entertainment Reporter Lizo Mzimba [via TheOneRing], but I fully support any additional attention to Cumberbatch.  He’s definitely an actor worth taking note of and audiences will get to see more of him later this year not only in the second season of Sherlock, but also in Tomas Alfredson’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Steven Spielberg’s War Horse.

The Hobbit is set to arrive in 3D in two parts.  Part 1 is slated to open December 2012 with Part 2 set to hit theaters in December 2013.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.

http://collider.com/the-hobbit-benedict-cumberbatch/92332/

Rumor: Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro to Reunite for THE COMEDIAN?

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 23rd, 2011 at 7:12 am

Let’s keep this one in the rumor mill for now, but it’s possible that Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro could reunite for The Comedian.  Showbiz411 reports that producer Art Linson co-wrote a script with comedian Jeffrey Ross about an insult comic who’s described as a cross between Don Rickles and Joan River.  According to Showbiz411, Linson would like Scorsese to direct.  I bet he would.  I bet producers the world over would like Scorsese to direct their movie as well.  If the project were to move forward (and that’s a big “If”), it would draw an obvious comparison to Scorsese and De Niro’s 1982 film The King of Comedy, even though the characters sound very different.

The reason this all sounds slightly dubious (or at least incredibly hopeful on the part of Linson) is that Scorsese has a wealth of other projects he could choose.  Hit the jump for a refresher of what Scorsese is circling as his follow up to this year’s Hugo Cabret, which is the director’s first family film and his first 3D film. http://collider.com/martin-scorsese-robert-de-niro-the-comedian/92309/