Movie News Weekly Round-Up June 21, 2010
A little change is coming on Anomalous Material. The movie news round-up will now be moved to every Saturday so it is more conducive to discuss news that happened during the week instead of the odd middle of the week update. Why is there a post today then? As you will see below, there is already a massive load of news that has accumulated in this post since last Thursday and I don’t want to post a novel on Saturday. Let’s just say this is to smooth the transition out. Additionally, we will do a better job of expanding on a handful of discussion-worthy news item each week instead of just giving you this long list of one-liners. Hope you appreciate the effort!
Finally, make sure to vote on the sidebar on whether you want to see more frequent news update. The choices are:
- Weekly: Keeping the same format we have been running
- Twice a week: I’m thinking Wednesday and Saturday or something similar to that
- Daily: This would mean a post that aggregates every notable movie news item for the day. Not an individual post for each news item.
Movie News
- Toy Story 3 reigns supreme at the box office with an estimated $109 million opening weekend, the third film in history to reach $100 million in a 3-day opening weekend
- Jonah Hex on the other hand could not muster half of Warner Bros lowly expectations with only $5 million in its first weekend: WB threw in the towel a long time ago with this movie but this is laughable that it opened #8th behind movies that have been released weeks ago!
- Fairy tales characters such as Red Riding Hood, Hansel & Gretel, and Jack the Giant Killer pitted together in dark fantasy Legends (Heat Vision)
- First look at Johnny Depp in The Rum Diary (FilmTotaal.nl)
- Rumor: Neill Blomkamp might direct The Hobbit (TheOneRing.net)
“Before anybody gets crazy, let me be clear that we are not reporting that Neill Blomkamp (District 9) is the director of ‘The Hobbit’. I am not ready to put my name or TheOneRing’s name on a story that says this is fact. However, we did receive a spy report that stated it as cold, hard, unsurprising fact. We haven’t been able to get a verification but the tip stated some other information on the side that fits with other info from other sources.”
- The Skank Robbers (?!?!?) with Jamie Foxx, Martin Lawrence to be released in August 2011 (Production Weekly)
- Gus Van Sant’s Restless to be released January 2011 (Box Office Mojo)
- Triage starring Colin Farrell can’t find US distributor, going straight to DVD (The Playlist)
- Marvel rumored to make 10-minute shorts for third tier comic book characters (Latino Review)
- Yahoo has released a few first pictures of Michael Gondry’s The Green Hornet (Yahoo)
Casting News
- Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman to star in hostage movie Trespass (Variety)
- Simon Baker, Paul Bettany joining the cast of corporate thriller Margin Call (THR)
- Leonardo DiCaprio officially cast to play J. Edgar Hoover in biopic by Clint Eastwood (Deadline)
- Lauren Graham cast in Scream 4 (Ghouls on Film)
- Jason Isaacs, Maria Bello, Denzel Whitaker, Michael Nyqvist cast in action thriller Abduction starring Taylor Lautner (Deadline)
- Douglas Booth cast in LOL (That’s the title of the movie, not sarcasm from me) opposite Miley Cyrus (Deadline)
- Gary Oldman, Christian Slater, Dane Cook to star in crime thriller Guns, Girls, and Gambling (Heat Vision)
Chris Pine officially cast in the action/comedy This Means War starring Reese Witherspoon; Sam Worthington offered 2nd male lead role according to Vulture. It would be intriguing to see Worthington in a romantic comedy as he seems to be quite limited in terms of perceived range, real or not. However, combining Pine with Worthington in a comedy seems a little odd.
Again, nothing official — Worthington could sit on the offer and do nothing– and this project has been in the pipeline for more than a decade so there is no guarantee it will even be made although Fox seems to be serious about getting it off the ground this time.
“Worthington and Chris Pine (who is already signed on) would play best friends and veteran spies who wage black-ops warfare on each other when they both fall for the same girl (Reese Witherspoon, who’s also producing, along with Will Smith’s company, Overbrook Entertainment) [...]”
What do you think? Does Sam Worthington seem like a good fit for this action/romance/comedy movie?
- Don Cheadle, Freida Pinto offered roles in Rise of the Apes (Bloody Disgusting)
- Alexander Skarsgard to star in Battleship, based on the board game (Heat Vision)
- Bradley Cooper to star in untitled Disney baseball comedy/drama (Variety)
Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum attached to Michael Sucsy’s romantic tearjerker The Vow, THR reports The Vow is based on the real-life story of newlywed New Mexico couple Kim and Krickitt Carpenter, played by McAdams and Tatum, who end up in a life-changing car accident. The wife is put in a lengthy coma, where she is cared for by her devoted husband. When she wakes up, without any memory of her husband or their recent marriage, the husband woos her and attempts to win her heart again.
This project, once a Julia Roberts vehicle, has been in the works for more than a decade but it looks like it will finally be able to secure production now that two bankable leads have been attached to it. McAdams is no stranger to romantic dramas as she started the whole craze with The Notebook in 2004 while Tatum recently starred in another Nicholas Spark adaptation, Dear John.
The questionable casting of Channing Tatum is another case of producers thinking dollar signs instead of making the right choice. The two-hander premise will rely equally on the male lead to pull his part of the load, something that I’m not quite sure he is capable of doing. I guess they couldn’t get a hold of Taylor Lautner…
Production is unlikely to start until early next year as McAdams is soon due to shoot Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris and will stay busy in the fall opposite Christian Bale in Terrence Malick’s still-untitled romantic drama.
- Daniel Kaluuya cast in Johnny English 2 (Deadline)
- Octavia Spencer joins The Flypaper (Variety)
- Erin Carufel cast in The Lincoln Lawyer (Variety)
- Benjamin Walker cast in X-Men: First Class, Michael Fassbender officially in (Deadline)
- Judd Apatow to produce, wife Leslie Mann to star in comedy Business Trip (Deadline)
Imogen Poots to star in Fright Night remake (Heat Vision): All of those recent horror remake haven’t been smashing success but look at all the talent behind this one: Craig Gillespie, director of the awesome Lars and the Real Girl, will helm this. Anton Yelchin in the lead, Toni Collette will play his mother, Colin Farrell as the vampire villain, and Christopher Mintz-Plass as Evil Ed. Not a bad group at all.
The IMDb summary for the 1985 version: “For young Charlie Brewster, nothing could be better than an old horror movie late at night. Two men move in next door, and for Charlie with his horror movie experience, there can be no doubt that their strange behavior is explained by the fact that they are a vampire and his undead day guardian. The only one who can help him hunt them down is a washed-up actor, Peter Vincent, who hosts Charlie’s favorite TV show, Fright Night. Vincent doesn’t really believe that vampires exist, but does it for the money…”
- Demi Moore joins the cast of Margin Call as well (Deadline)
- Linda Cardellini, Michael Shannon, Tim Blake Nelson to star in indie drama Return (Variety)
- Walton Goggins cast in Cowboys & Aliens (Deadline)
- Michael Shannon again, Jamie Chung cast in thriller Premium Rush (THR)
- Simon Pegg will voice mouse-warrior Reepichep in The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Twitter)
Trailers
- Conviction with Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell (Apple HD)
- Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D (YouTube)
- The American with George Clooney (IMDb)
- Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem (YouTube): Not really sure what the fuss is all about but I guess this will find the same audience as Julie & Julia last year. Some of you (Red) will probably drool while watching the trailer
Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having – a husband, a house, a successful career – yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali. Based upon the bestselling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love proves that there really is more than one way to let yourself go and see the world.
- Tomorrow: When the War Began (Facebook)
- The Dead and the Damned zombie movie (Twitched)
- The Tillman Story (Yahoo HD):
“Pat Tillman gave up his professional football career to join the Army Rangers in 2002—and became an instant symbol of patriotic fervor and unflinching duty. But the truth about Pat Tillman is far more complex, and ultimately more heroic, than the caricature created by the media. And when the government tried to turn his death into war propaganda, they took on the wrong family. From her home in the Santa Cruz mountains, Pat’s mother, Dannie Tillman, led the family’s crusade to reveal the truth beneath the mythology of their son’s life and death.”
55 Comments
Skank Robbers? What the hell is Foxx thinking?
How could a movie with a title like that even be made? That would be a more appropriate question
By submitting it to Fox… they probably greenlit it off the title alone! haha
Ahaha true, forgot I was talking about Fox
Always rely on Fox to keep the movie industry down in the gutter.
It sounds like something that would show at 3 AM on Cinemax.
Foxx is probably thinking something along the lines of “$$$”. More worryingly, does this mean Martin Lawrence is a “movie star” again? I though Big Momma’s House II had effectively barred him from ever leading a major release again?
Yeah but wasn’t Big Momma a hit? I don’t get it… same with Tyler Perry’s melodramas.
We don’t speak of Tyler Perry in this sanctum.
TYLER PERRY!!! I’m a rebel.
I kinda figured that his backing of Precious was what led to its eventual dethroning as “early favourite”. It happened within a month of his coming out in support of it.
the Pat Tillman movie looks awesome
Indeed ParkerJ, the word is it’s nowhere near as depressing as you would think it is either. It’s a good thing they are shedding the truth on this tragedy.
I heard this is the only story on him that his wife approved of and that she’s sick of his story being just a hero’s tale. Not that she doesn’t think he is… just that she wants the spotlight on the events and mishaps that lead to his demise and the attempted cover-ups.
Yeah, I still can’t believe all the controversy that surrounded this. It’ll be interesting to get the family’s spin on it.
Channing Tatum was actually really good in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints. I still hold out hope for that guy.
I remember reading Tomorrow: When The War Began. God, it was depressing.
That is his best performance by far… and Step Up! I’ve got a soft spot for those dance flicks!
Cool. I did somewhat enjoy Step Up but he wasn’t asked to do much in terms of acting. Not hating on the guy and I hope he proves me wrong. I just think they made this choice because he can woo teen girls into the movie theater while potentially least bankable but more suitable actors would have brought more to the movie.
I’m also liking the idea of Legends…that could be a lot of fun
Friday Night remake? Did you mean Fright Night?
yes yes, Fright Night. No wonder I couldn’t find the original one on IMDb for a while!!!
Watch… based on these comments, Fox will greenlight a teen vampire football movie called Fright Night Lights!
David Tennant dropped out of a John Landis film costarring Simon Pegg about Burke & Hare for… Fright Night? This is more disappointing than how he followed up Doctor Who with St. Trinian’s II.
3 thoughts:
1. The Channing Tatum/ Rachel McAdams sounds like some mush I will love.
2. I couldn’t be less excited for the Green Hornet!
3. Sam Worthington cannot act. I’d love for him to prove me wrong!
1. I saw that movie before, it was called 50 First Dates but yea you are probably right
2. Exactly! The Green Hornet is getting no anticipation whatsoever from me
3. He probably can’t act so that’s why I said above that it would be interesting to see him take on that role and prove us wrong by at least showing some range outside his usual macho action star persona.
What’s so disappointing is that a Michael Gondry superhero film with Christophe Waltz as the bad guy SHOULD be so awesome… but it seems like there’s just nothing happening there.
Should be… YES!. I wonder if it’s the idea of a Seth Rogen action lead!
Glad I’m not the only NOT excited about Green Hornet, but since Mr. Waltz is involved, I just might see it in the cheapo theater or dvd.
Yep. Looking at the trailer, instead of seeming heroic, he seems like a bit of a dick – in a horrible entitled sort of way. And the movie doesn’t look like it’s meant to look like that.
I think the Green Hornet looks like a lop of shit, but I have two words. Christoph Waltz.
Heh, not sure about the Reese/Chris/Sam threesome, but she sure knows how to pick the good looking ones to play her lovers
I’m more curious about Sam’s upcoming flick The Debt with Helen Mirren, but it’s probably caught in the Miramax limbo.
She also seems to always end up as the best actress in the given film. Yes, I know Sarah Michelle Gellar was amazing in Cruel Intentions, but it wasn’t exactly the critical part of my brain responding to her performance.
“This project, once a Julia Roberts vehicle….” Ahhhhhhh!!! Maybe I’m overreacting (probably) but I’m running out of ways to say it – I don’t want Rachel McAdams starring in ex-Julia Roberts vehicles.
I, on the other hgand, would like to see her take over some parts in some adult films because I LOVE HER!!!
Coming off a Woody Allen and a Terrence Malick, I don’t mind it Nicholas
@ Kai: your editor-in-chief wife could be lurking!!!
haha… SHE IS SOOOOOOOO immune to my BS!
I think Oldman and Slater starring in the same movie sounds like a fantastic idea.
I’m willing to go out on a limb and say Dane Cook should do fine in that movie. He did what was asked of him and Employee of the Month and did surprisingly well in Mr. Brooks.
Yeah… I’m not a big Dane Cook hater. Plus, I’d rather see him in a RomCom than Matty Maconnahey (spelled that wrong).
Oooh, lots of good ones here Castor, don’t even know which one to comment on. I saw TS3 on Sat, it was AWESOME! It’s quite a bit of a tearjerker too, but it’s always tradition that I cry in Pixar movies!
Glad Jonah Hex bombed, so hopefully we won’t see Josh Brolin attempt to be a superhero ever again, yeeesh!
Woo hooo, Rum Diary pics! I was wondering whatever happen to that movie??! I can’t wait to see the trailer though.
Rum Diaries should be awesome. I just finished reading Gonzo and that is a cool time in Humter’s life!
I’ve never been able to getting in Thompson. I feel shamed.
I think the trailer industry has their formula perfected. Nearly everything being made can look like a sensational movie when in reality it is utter crap. I used to be good at spotting tell tale signs of a bad movie but it’s getting harder and harder…although I am holding out the tiniest bit of hope for The Green Hornet.
Trailers have always been very good at lying, though. Remember when they made The Road look like 2012 with that teaser?
Wow, this is more movie news than I would ever want to know in one week.
And yet another Colin Farrell movie getting stuffed away? For shame.
Well, at least fright Night has a chance of seeing daylight. Can’t wait for the rumoured David Cronenberg collaboration, though.
Had to check that Trespass starring Cage and Kidman wasn’t a remake of the fairly recent film of the same name featuring Ice Cube and Bill Paxton. It isn’t thankfully.
Is it just me, or does anyone else feel that DiCaprio is WAY over exposing himself. I mean the dude has like 30 movies in pre-production. Take a break. Jeez!
Miley in LOL = LOLZ
Also, am I supposed to know who Imogen Poots is? She sounds like a strange singer whose last name was replaced with toilet humor.
I know I haven’t been keeping up on the news, but when did the Pat Tillman story become this Watergate sized cover up? Or am I just that monumentally oblivious??
That Tillman movie looks really interesting, although I doubt it will be released on our shores. Plus happy to hear that Leo is officially cast in the Eastwood movie.
P.S. Love the new look site:)
Oh, dear, this new layout scares me.
This new template is so much cleaner! I love it! It’s way easier to navigate as well! Awesomeness dudes!
Thanks Heather. There is still a lot of things to be tweaked and all the thumbnails to be modified but I hope the site will be ready to go by Monday.
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