Wonder Woman TV Series put on hold

Numerous factors came into play when deciding to pull the plug on the Wonder Woman TV Series; cost, difficulty finding appropriate actors, and no networks agreeing to take the show into their already hectic and limited time slots.  Entertainment Weekly has more to say on the issue.

I was never quite sure what I thought of the whole Wonder Woman TV show endeavor, it was already failed as a show and the acting was piss poor too.  As cliche as it sounds, having Lucy Lawless as Wonder Woman would be the only appropriate actress I can think of for this role; she's old enough, gorgeous enough, and has so much personality that I find it difficult to believe anyone else could play Wonder Woman effectively.  The only problem of course would be whether or not fans would get distracted because of her past as Xena, Warrior Princess.

Though the bigger question is, why isn't Warner Bros. actively pursuing and creating a Wonder Woman film?  I was really hoping that it would at least be in production at this point, even before Green Lantern.  Don't get me wrong, I'm really excited for Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, but Wonder Woman really does need to have a mature film made that will help people forget about the awful 1975 TV series with Lynda Carter.  Batman and Superman have been ruling the big screen for too long, Give Diana her spotlight.

Thanks to a youtube film editor, Editninja, I found this fan made film trailer that used pieces of random movie clips to promote the idea of a new Wonder Woman film.  It's actually quite well done.  I'm sure you'll all be able to recognize which movie clips are being used, but Editninja did a fantastic job in splicing it all together in a seemless manner.  enjoy!

Zack Synder To Direct Next Superman Film

That's right!  It's true!  Zack Snyder has been officially hired as the director of the upcoming Superman film.  Snyder, more recently known for his work on Watchmen, got his name out there from the success of Spartan film, 300.  While I'm sure DC and Warner feel this cinematic decision to be perfect, already the news has been met with skepticism and scrutiny.

On the DC Comics Facebook group,talk is already flowering about as to whether or not Snyder will do the Man of Steel justice.  Many feel that he is more about the style and visual aspect rather that the substance and content.  This sentiment is definitely true of Snyder to a certain extent as he continually produces films that radiate with visual mastery.  So the question does remain, will Snyder's CG talents overshadow the storytelling?

Other confirmations include the popular Christopher Nolan as producer for the Superman film.  Confidence arises around the net that Nolan, famous for his Nolanized Batman universe, will keep a close eye on Snyder and ensure that Superman will be served to the public correctly.

As for me, I think Nolan has all the potential in the world and can pull off a fantastic Superman film.  We all know his film making skills are exceptional which is what a Superman film needs.  His experience with giving audiences a film with a lot of story has yet to be proven with the exception of Watchmen.  Do not doubt Snyder Superman fans!  Innocent until proven guilty!

Blackstar Warrior Trailer

I have to find out if this actually became a real movie....

The Human Centipede Movie Trailor

OH MY GOSH!  This is going to be so bad!  So bad that...well...I might actually have to see it!  WOW!

Kick-Ass!!

So being on-call every evening this week, I was unable to depart from my apartment to go see "Kick-Ass."  Never-the-less, I have anxiously preparing myself for the gruesome film by way of reading the graphic novel.  I've always heard people rant and rave about how awesome the comic is, but never read it myself mostly due to the Marvel Comics label on top left corner.  But with the news, about the film and some reviews I've read thus far, my interest continually becomes more interested about the content and story. 

I decided to visit the "Rotten Tomatoes" page to see what the common movie goer thought about it.  Here are a few comments I saw about the film...
"When filmmakers nudge a child into viewing savagery as slapstick, are we not allowing them to do what we condemn in the pornographer -- that is, to coarsen and inflame?"

"The select audience it is aimed for will thoroughly enjoy it while the rest of us will suffer through it."

"The longer it goes on, the more revolting it becomes."

"[It] thinks it's so brave and bold. But it's more like the title character, a dweeb who just thinks he's tough."

"For better or for worse, Kick-Ass has been constructed to shock and awe rather than to support and value deep thought."

While these aren't the only comments I saw on the site, in fact there were quite a few positive reviews about the film, I've been noticing a trend in those who found the film unenjoyable.  Most negative opinions about the film lean on the fact that it's overly violent and gruesome, showing that a good potion of the films viewers can't stand the violent nature that Mark Miller imposes on the comic book genre.

I under, it's not everyones thing.  However, when I see a movie title called "Kick-Ass," my first thought is n't "This movie is going to be about fluffy bunnies and butterflies.  You can not like a film for it's bloody and gruesome nature, but don't rate it down for that aspect of it.  I'm very much looking forward to seeing the film tonight!

Cinematic Excursions: Film Releases For March 31st

This is kind of an odd movie weekend seeing as how there are films coming out today, tomorrow and Friday.  So listed are the films being released for Wednesday, March 31st.....

The Last Song
Release Date: March 31, 2010 
Studio: Touchstone Pictures (Disney) 
Director: Julie Anne Robinson 
Screenwriter: Nicholas Sparks, Jeff Van Wie 
Starring: Miley Cyrus, Bobby Coleman, Liam Hemsworth, Hallock Beals, Nick Lashaway, Carly Chaikin, Nick Searcy, Kate Vernon, Kelly Preston, Greg Kinnear 
Genre: Drama 
MPAA Rating: PG (for thematic material, some violence, sensuality and mild language) 
Plot Summary: Based on best-selling novelist Nicholas Sparks' ("A Walk to Remember," "The Notebook") forthcoming novel, "The Last Song" is set in a small Southern beach town where an estranged father (Greg Kinnear) gets a chance to spend the summer with his reluctant teenaged daughter (Miley Cyrus), who'd rather be home in New York. He tries to reconnect with her through the only thing they have in common—music—in a story of family, friendship, secrets and salvation, along with first loves and second chances. 
Watch The Trailer!

The Sun Behind The Clouds
Release Date: March 31, 2010 (NY) 
Studio: White Crane Films 
Director: Ritu Sarin, Tenzing Sonam 
Screenwriter: Tenzing Sonam 
Starring: The Dalai Lama, Woeser, Lhadon Tethong, Tsering Shakya, Tenzin Tsundue, Jamyang Norbu 
Genre: Documentary ***
MPAA Rating: Not Available 
Plot Summary: "The Sun Behind the Clouds" updates the struggle for Tibetan independence, focusing upon the March 2008 demonstration against Chinese rule, the largest ever since the 1959 take-over of that nation. The Dalai Lama, living in exile in Northern India, is interviewed extensively and given the opportunity to explicate his "middle way," a compromise position he has to date been unsuccessful in getting the Chinese to accept. Supporters of Tibetan independence who are devoted to the Dalai Lama, but who nonetheless feel "the middle way" is an ineffective solution, appear in the film, detailing their more militant position.  Watch The Trailer!!!

Movie News: Construction Site For Hobbiton...

Yes, this is the new Hobbition, and yes it is once again being filmed in New Zealand.  It'll looked great once finished!  Apparently the film release date, according to theonering.net, has been delayed again and again due to financial reason on the part of MGM.  The studio is undergoing a sell and it may take a little while longer to get going yet again.  We still have a long wait ahead of us as the new release date is set for December of 2011.  Hopefully MGM and Warner Bros. can work out all the kinks in the financial area of thing sooner rather than later.  In the meantime, check out these great photographs of the construction site for Hobbiton...

Cinematic Excursions: Movie Releases For 3/12/10

Got a long list of films coming out this week so I thought I'd post them here to keep all of my readers in the know!  These films have released today so take a relaxing Friday evening and go check out one of these new films!  Trailers for these films will be posted later today on this post....
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The Exploding Girl
Directed By Bradley Rust Gray
Starring Zoe Kazan, Mark Randall,
Genre: Romance, Drama
Rated R

Plot Syonopsis: In her first leading role, Zoe Kazan plays Ivy, a twenty—year—old college student home for Spring Break. She's excited about a developing romance back at school and life is seemingly perfect. When her longtime friend Al finds himself without a place to stay during the break, Ivy and her mother take him in and Al and Ivy's friendship strengthens while her boyfriend grows more and more distant. Increasingly distressed about her conflicting feelings, Ivy struggles to keep control, not wanting overwhelming her emotions and trigger her epilepsy. Restrained and meditative, "The Exploding Girl" is the exquisite portrait of a young girl coming of age and finding a deeper kind of love in New York City.

Green Zone

Directed By Paul Greengrass

Staring Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Amy Ryan,

Genre: Thiller

Plot Synopsis: Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass ("The Bourne Supremacy," "The Bourne Ultimatum," "United 93") re-team for their latest electrifying thriller in "Green Zone," a film set in the chaotic early days of the Iraqi War when no one could be trusted and every decision could detonate unforeseen consequences.

During the U.S.-led occupation of Baghdad in 2003, Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller (Damon) and his team of Army inspectors were dispatched to find weapons of mass destruction believed to be stockpiled in the Iraqi desert. Rocketing from one booby-trapped and treacherous site to the next, the men search for deadly chemical agents but stumble instead upon an elaborate cover-up that inverts the purpose of their mission.

Spun by operatives with intersecting agendas, Miller must hunt through covert and faulty intelligence hidden on foreign soil for answers that will either clear a rogue regime or escalate a war in an unstable region. And at this blistering time and in this combustible place, he will find the most elusive weapon of all is the truth. Greenzonemovie.com

Mother
Director: Bong Joon-Ho
Staring Bin Won, Ku Jin, Hye Ja-Kim
Genre: Thriller
Rated R
 
Plot Synopsis: Hye-ja is a single mom to 27-year-old Do-joon. Her son is her raison d’être. Though an adult in years, Do-joon is naïve and dependent on his mother, and a constant source of anxiety, often behaving in ways that are foolish or simply dangerous. Walking home alone one night down a nearly empty city street, he encounters a young girl who he follows for a while before she disappears into a dark alley. The next morning, she is found dead in an abandoned building and Do-joon is accused of her murder. Thanks to an inefficient lawyer and an apathetic police force, Do-joon's case is quickly closed, but his mother refuses to let this be the end of the story. Trusting no one, Hye-ja's maternal instincts kick into overdrive, and she sets out to find the girl's killer and prove her son's innocence.

Our Family Wedding

Directed By: Rick Famuyiwa

Staring Forest Whitaker, America Ferra

Genre: Comedy

Rated PG-13

 

Plot Synopsis: "Our marriage, their wedding." It's lesson number one for any newly engaged couple, and Lucia (America Ferrera) and Marcus (Lance Gross) are no exception. In Fox Searchlight Pictures' "Our Family Wedding," they learn the hard way that the path to saying "I do" can be rife with familial strife. When they return from college and too suddenly announce their marriage plans, they soon discover that their fathers - two highly competitive over-the-top egos - can wreak a major amount of havoc on their special day.

With insults flying and tempers running high, it's anyone's guess if the alpha dads (Forest Whitaker and Carlos Mencia) will survive to make it down the aisle in one piece. Lucia's mother (Diana Maria Riva) is busy planning the wedding of "her" dreams and the only levelheaded one in the bunch is Angela (Regina King), the groom's father's best friend and lawyer, who manages to keep her cool when the madness reaches a crescendo.

With only weeks to plan their wedding, Lucia and Marcus soon discover the true meaning of love and find there is truth to the saying - that when you marry someone, you marry their entire family.

She's Out Of My League
Directed By: Jim Field Smith
Starring Jim Baruchel, Alice Eve
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Rated R

Plot Synopsis: Kirk (Jay Baruchel, "Knocked Up," "Tropic Thunder"), an average Joe, can't believe his luck. Though he's stuck in a seemingly dead-end job as an airport security agent, against all odds Molly (Alice Eve), a successful and outrageously gorgeous babe falls for him. Kirk is stunned. So are his friends, his family and even his ex-girlfriend. Now he has to figure out how to make the relationship work, even though he's the first to admit "She's Out of My League."

Stolen

Directed By: Anders Anderson

Staring Jon Hamm, Josh Lucas, James Van DerBeek

Genre: Drama, Mystery

Rated R

Plot Synopsis: Work has become an obsession for Detective Tom Adkins (Jon Hamm) since the disappearance of his ten-year-old son, Tommy Jr. When an early morning phone call leads him to the mangled remains of a young boy who was brutally murdered 50 years ago, Adkins takes on the case in hopes of finding absolution. His investigation leads him to a man who lived in 1958 named Matthew Wakefield (Josh Lucas) and his innocent son, John. The striking similarities in the cases pushes Adkins' obsession over the top. Barely holding onto his sanity and bound by redemption, Adkins unravels the unspeakable truth behind what happened to his son.

Movie News: Mark Strong IS Sinestro

Geoff Johns confirms Mark Strong as Sinestro!  I couldn't be happier with this choice.  Mark Strong is perfect for the role.  I had Jude Law picked for the role, but Strong will definitely fits the bill.  And to be honest, he really does look like Sinestro.  Just google Mark Strong and look at some of the images, it's a perfect match in my opinion!

Movie Trailers: Alice In Wonderland

So what do you think?  Will it be good?  Or will Disney make it to "kidish?"

The Film Menagerie: Fan Made Batman Poster

Yes, it's fan made, but pretty darn cool.  Hopefully news about the actual new Batman film will be released sooner rather than later.

Whose hands do you think those are?  Look closely and I'll bet you can figure it out....

Mirror Images: The Unoriginality Of Avatar

The following is an article written by Jared Crawford, a fellow blogger, movie buff, film historian and expert of contemporary sociological issues.  He write this article a week after the film Avatar was released and has requested I post it here on my blog.

Mirror Images

The Unoriginality And Theft Of James Cameron's Avatar

A completely new and original idea is rare these days.  How many of us can claim to have had a truly original idea, thought, action, dream, etc.?  The answer is no one; those idealists have lived their lives and past on.  We now live in an age of Xeroxed ideas, stories, films and dreams that are constantly being recycled by the everyday, hardworking man and woman, all the way to the prestigious millionaires of the world.  Nothing is new, and everything has been done.  So when it comes to film one must ask, how do you create something that’s already be done?  That of course is the wrong question to ask; rather we should ask how does one make what’s already be done their own?

I of course am focusing all my literary efforts on the hit film Avatar which has taken theaters by storm and will eventually go down in history as the most watch film in movie history.  To be completely honest, I appreciate so much of what I saw on screen.  It was one of the more visually appealing movies I’ve had the pleasure of seeing.  Avatar is without a doubt the new foundation for special effects movies for years to come.  But to whom does Avatar owe the success it has achieved in such a short time?  Who should James Cameron be bowing down too in thanks for the inspiration of this film?  After all, I’ve already established that there are no original ideas; that they come from somewhere else, correct?  Two words, Fern Gulley.  Yes, the early 90’s animated feature about saving the rain forest is where Mr. Cameron not only was inspired to make Avatar, but literally stole the plot and inserted it into his flashy , over the top, predictable film.

There is not a single spot in Avatar that can’t be found in the cartoon classic.  First, let me begin by examining the obvious plagiarism of Cameron in the world of both films.  Fern Gulley contains a race of natives who are bounded to the Earth in a deep, emotional and physical way.  Every step of the way through this forest becomes a bright, colorful place that glows in the dark and lights up wherever it is touched, stepped on, or caressed.  Even the religious aspect of the movie is a persistent theme.  The fairies, towards the climax of the movie, gather together as one to call upon the spirits power to protect them in their time of need.  The fairies even communicate with the forest and feel its pain, crying whenever a tree is destroyed.  Tell me, where are these aspects not found in Avatar?

Secondly, the plot devices between the two films are absolutely identical.  There is a princess who is betroved to another male within the tribe.  That is interrupted by the introduction of an outsider out seems strangely American.  This stranger was also involved with the destruction of the woodland area and attempts to keep that hidden from the natives, with whom has become just alike.  Through a series of trials and tribulations, this male learns to love his new found friends and feels guilty for lying to them, which of course leads him to spilling the beans.  At this point, the entire tribe hates and shuns him (except for the mother of course) until our hero decides to sacrifice himself and save the day, in which case he is reaccepted into the tribe.  Included in this reflection is the intimate moment where the outsider and the princess share together away from everyone else, the similar and memorable characters that practically carbon copies of one another, and the big fucking machine designed to destroy tress in the blink of an eye.

All in all, the two films are virtually identical.  The only difference is the conclusion where one must go back in order to stop deforestation for the sake of industrial advancement; the other becomes a part of the tribe through spiritual and supernatural means.  My opinion?  Bill Kroyer and the rest of the Fern Gulley team should sue James Cameron for ripping off their idea.  And thank Pocahontas, Dances with Wolves, The Last Samurai, and a conglomeration of other films in which Avatar steals from.  No argument can be made that this film is the most unoriginal movie to have ever been made.

2010 Golden Globes: Does Avatar Deserve A Golden Globe?

It's a shame I don't get cable where I can watch the Golden Globes at the comfort of my own home.  However, I am keeping the website up to help keep track of the awards as they come out.  And while it's fun to see Up!, Inglorious Bastards and other great films get some awesome awards, I can't get away from the best picture nominations.

As I'm sure you all know, the nominated films are as follows...


1. Avatar
2. The Hurt Locker
3. Inglorious Bastards
4. Precious
5. Up in the Air

Having not seen two of these films nominated films, The Hurt Locker & Inglorious Bastards, I can't really speak for them.  However, the other three nominations I have had the pleasure of seeing.  While Precious and Up in the Air are completely deserving of this highly acclaimed award, Avatar truly disappoints me in making the nominations.  A film such as Avatar truly does redefine the art of movie making as far as the special effects are concerned, but to put in the category one of the best films of 2009, I tilt my head in wonder.

There are many things that make a good movie, effects, music, editing, scenery, art direction, script, direction, acting, and so on and so forth.  However, the script and story are what make the movie what it is.  Precious and Up in the Air are truly great films in the fact that they create truly original story lines in an innovative way.  Along with top notch acting performances, those two film are very "human" stories written in an intelligent way.  In my opinion, the two said films are both very deserving of best picture.

Avatar, on the other hand, finds a new way of being one of the most unoriginal films I've ever seen when it comes to the story.  Every single event that takes place in the film is predictable and contains no originality.  Along with it's blatant racist undertones when dealing with American Indians and English colonists, the film's script and story are equal to that of Fern Gully, Dances with Wolves, The Last Samurai, Pocahontas, Aladdin, and other like stories.   If it hadn't of been for the films amazing special effects, it would have been another cheesy Disney "feel-good" movie, not worthy of Best Picture Award.

As I await the results of Best Picture, I'll keep my fingers crossed that the more deserving films beat out the average Avatar.  My top 5 best films (In no specific order) of 2009 would be these...


1. Up In The Air
2. Precious
3. Up!
4. Nine
5. Coraline

Of course keep in mind I haven't seen EVERY film that's come out last, including the two nominees Inglorious Bastards and The Hurt Locker.  But Expect they could replace a few films that I have in my five, as well as the Road.  Their are so many good films out there, and Avatar, a second rate story line makes the nominations.  I certainly hope America grows up a little and figures out that Avatar, while being a visual masterpiece, is nothing compared to truly amazing films.

Movie News: Spider-Man's New Director

James Cameron To Direct Spider-Man Reboot?
James Cameron is being rumored to direct the new Spider-Man reboot franchise.  Apparently James Cameron wrote a treatment to Spider-Man back in 1991, so Sony is looking to enlist Cameron to take the lead in bringing this reboot to life.

I find it unlikely that this rumor is true seeing as how he has six films in development which include a fifth Terminator film, and a film adaptation of the Japanese hit "Heavy Metal."  But even if the rumors do turn out to be true, It worries me because Cameron is mainly known for his "action films" and not so much his "literary films."  I remember watching "True Lies" staring our esteemed governor Schwarzenegger and thinking this was nothing more than a "hit 'em up and shoot 'em out type of film."  This trend of film making follows Cameron like an annoying tick, and he can't seem to get out of that rut.

I'm praying that Cameron will find a decent writer to help boost the Spider-Man franchise up a few notches and put out some quality Spidey films come 2012.

Jonah Hex Reshoots

The entire cast of the upcoming Jonah Hex film is being taken back to L.A. to reshoot multiple scenes and a few new script additions.  Apparently Warner is unsure of their DC adaption and feel it doesn't meet the needed standard to be successful.

From what I'm hearing, it sounds as if the story was lacking substance and needed some revamping.  The newly improved script will now focus on more story based dialog and less on action packed mayhem.  I personally have never read Jonah Hex, but I've always enjoy comics that featured him as a guest star.  He's a rather interesting addition to the DC Universe and I might start picking up the trades for his title.

I am sad to see Megan Fox is in the cast of the film though.  I wish everyone would start to realize that Fox may be a hottie, but an actress she ain't.

Blake Lively Casted As Carol Ferris In Green Lantern

You heard it, an unknown! I'm not too familiar with her, which means new faces are being put into the next big comic book film. Which makes me happy!
That's all for now!

Movie News: More on Spider-Man 4, Green Lantern Starts Filming, Avatar's Grossing Continuation, And Wolverine Two

Post-Production Blues For Spider-Man 4
Things haven't been looking great for Spider-Man 4 recently.  According to comicbookmovie.com, the script has been met with less than enthusiastic criticism.  Below come from an e-mail sent to the script writers....

- More of the same campy, tired scenes by Raimi including starting off with a musical number (while Spidey fights terrorists). Ugh! Raimi wanted "Walkin' on Sunshine" whereas the studio wanted Taylor Swift. Double Ugh!

- Vulture WAS the villain only, get this, Malkovich was set to control the a Vulture 'robot' ala Avatar by laying in a pod and fusing his mind with the Vulture Avatar. The 'Vulture' was set to be 10-ft tall and blue.

- The Pascal and Raimi are battling over where or not JJJ should yell at Peter over his being discontented at his pay to "Go start a blog" vs. "Go tweet a tweet."

- A scene where Peter is in his room watching a youtube clip of a Vulture attack, imagining how he'd fight him when he accidentally shoots out webs. Aunt May comes in and Peter has to hide the mess. Sigh
Additionally, it appears that the personal battle between Raimi and the Studio execs been allowed to affect the script with Raimi deliberately planting ludicrous things in the script just to piss the studio off such as:

- A scene involving full frontal nudity of Peter/Toby.

- A villain named the "Meddler" who gives bad advice to Peter and always butts into his life who is modeled after Pascal.

Now this came from a source that isn't the most reliable.  However, I did happen to stumble upon a qoute from Toby McGuire himself which supports this claim that Spider-Man 4 production is not up to par....

"Like anything, it's a process," Maguire said, "We're just in the midst of the process. We have a lot of great stuff in terms of story and script. We're just trying to dial it in and get it ready as quickly as possible. Of course, these movies are a very big undertaking and take a lot more time than a drama or something more straightforward.  Not only do I have specific ideas, but the ideas are evolving on the page. It's all happening right now. It's all sort of coming together. It's very exciting to me. I think the evolution of the character is really exciting, to be rooted in the history of what we've done already and to have a continuity, yet have a progression or evolution."

However, it is now official that Spider-Man 4 is now scrapped from production. And now a reboot of the entire Spider-Man franchise is being put into motion.  What does that mean?  Exactly what it sounds like, Spider-Man will be taken back to its roots with an all new cast and take on the origin story.

I find this relieving yet awful.  Sam Raimi took the Spider-Man franchise by storm which helped to redefine the comic book movie genre.  It was a daunting task and Raimi did all he could with it.  However, to be honest, the Spider-Man films, while still a lot of fun, aren't great films.  They are exceptionally hokey and painfully over-the-top.  It would be nice to see a reboot of the whole story that takes a much more serious and more mature approach to the hero.

Green Lantern Has The Green Light!

On the 7th of January, Green Lantern was given the green light to begin production!  Filming is to begin sometime in March. This is nice to hear since there have been nothing but delays in getting this film underway.

I'm certainly glad to hear the film is finally going, however I wonder how long it will take to get casting set.  Martin Campbell is not known for his timeliness.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Avatar Keeps Topping The Box Office

It's no surprise that Avatar continually racks up in the cash at the box office, but currently it's going above and beyond expectations.  It's only been out for approximately 4 weeks, only having a 26% decrease in sales, but still grossing a $50 million income.  I would say that's pretty darn impressive if you were to ask me.  Of course this now brings it to the second highest grossing film in history, next to Titanic.

I am, of course, not surprised by this bit of news.  The general public all seem to go for the flashy, more predictable films rather than enjoying the more intelligently written films.  I'm not trying to imply that Avatar is not worth seeing, but it's the visual aspect of the film that makes it worth the price of admission.  The story however, not so much. Films like Lord of the rings, V for Vendetta, From Hell, The Spirit and Sin City are much better films than Avatar purely on how well the script is written.  If you were to take the story in Avatar, and remove the incredible visual effects, you would have a bad film.

I will accept the fact that most people will rant and rave about this film and how "awesome" it is.  But truly, this film is only doing as well as it is because of its visual originality and genius, not because of it's story.

Wolverine the 2nd???

It looks like fan based demand is going to be met.  Hugh Jackman hinted at a sequel to the X-Men Origins: Wolverine film.  At the people's choice award ceremony, Jackman received the award of "actor favorite" by fans.  During his acceptance speech, he mention a film he will be shooting this summer called "Real Steel," following by this qoute, "Wolverine will be back."

According to some sources, the film will focus on his travels in Japan.  This could mean the relationship between Logan and Yoriko will be revealed.  But I certainly hope it is a step up from the below average Wolverine film Marvel Studios put out.

Movie News: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Trailor

This isn't this best quality video, but ti's the best I could find on youtube.  Wait until after 40 seconds, and the trailer will start.

Magneto Movie Is Cancelled

The following statement comes from IGN.com, which means it's damn reliable....

"Yeah, so that young Magneto movie that David Goyer was supposedly working on? It's dead. Not that this news comes as any great surprise to anyone who has even sorta been following the development of Fox's X-Men franchise lately.

Aside from the complete and utter lack of forward momentum on the project in recent months, word came last week that Bryan Singer was returning to the franchise he started to direct X-Men: First Class, an origin/prequel tale about Marvel's band of merry mutants. The thing is, part of that story is to involve the young Magneto and his relationship with the young Professor Xavier. That seemed to be the nail in the Magneto solo-film coffin, and now Singer has pretty much confirmed as much.

"This story would probably utilize some of the Magneto story because it deals with a young Magneto, so it might supersede that because this would explore that relationship between a young energetic professor and a disenfranchised victim of the Holocaust," the director tells The Hollywood Reporter. "But no, I don't see an exhaustion [of the franchise]. The X-Men universe is boundless. These are great characters. And as young characters, they are quite different than the characters we have seen in the contemporary movies."

Singer also says that in all likelihood his other project, Jack the Giant Killer, will go into production before First Class."




hhhmmmm, interesting.  I was actually looking forward to seeing the back story on the famed master of magnetism.  So I guess we will be on the look out for X-Men: First Class then eh?  At least Bryan Singer is directing it, we need an apology for the terrible 3rd X-Men film.  Thank you Mr. Singer!

Comic News: Kevin Smith's "Green Hornet" Comic and Flim

Kevin Smith's newest creative stride is going to hit comic book stores very soon.  As to when, I'm not sure.  But I might have to stray away from my loyalty to DC for this 10 issue mini series.  I like what Kevin Smith does over all, and this should be a fun mini series to read in preparation for the movie.  Here's what Kevin Smith says about his upcoming project...

"It’s not a straight-up adaptation of the Green Hornet movie script I wrote some years back, it’s definitely gonna take its cues from that script - just as that script took its cues from all the source material available (radio, TV, comics). So this is about as close as I’ll get to making that Green Hornet flick I walked away from directing all those years ago."


Here are some of the covers that will be coming out for the first issue.  And I must say, John Cassaday is amazing....

Comic Book Movie News: Flash Gordon, Spider-Man 4 and Mortal Engines

Flash Gordon.  According to comicbookmovie.com, a remake of Flash Gordon is currently underway with two actors in mind to play the Earth football legend, Sam Worthington (Terminator: Salvation, Avatar) and Ryan Reynolds (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Green Lantern).  This is a tough call to make on my end of things, seeing as how the Flash Gordon everyone knows and loves is from the movie and classic cartoon serial.  Flash Gordon, in the 80's film, was a dumb, cheesy, over the top, All-American hero who had the vocabulary of a 6th grade middle school student.  So to have two actors that have shown top notch acting abilities in the running for Flash Gordon, I tilt my head wondering whose the best pick.

I lean more towards Sam Worthington since he has most of his movie commitments out of the way.  He's finished filming Clash of the Titans and only has a possible remake of Mad Max on his plate.  Ryan Reynolds is currently in the process of much anticipated Green Lantern Film, as well as having a contract with Marvel Entertainment To shoot a Deadpool film, which only means Marvel will be keeping Reynolds busy.  Sam Worthington seems to be the best viable option.

According to Hollywoodscoop.com, "Right now it's between Sam, Ryan Reynolds and one or two others for the lead role should the project actually get off the ground.  If Worthington gets the role, it would be quite a big deal as Flash is an all-American hero."

Spider-Man 4: Dunst Written Out Of 4^th Spidey Installment

It seems rumors are spreading that Kirsten Dunst will be written out of the 4th Spidey film, and Anne Hathaway will be taking over as the newest love interest in the web-crawlers life. The rumors of Dunst being taken out of the picture I tend to throw out as rumor.  I've read from other online sources that she has made a statement of her involvement with Spider-Man 4, it's simple this..."I'm In."

Now, if this rumor is true, and Ms. Dunst is actually OUT for film number 4, I will be very heartbroken.  I've always been a huge fan of Kirsten Dunst and her acting abilities, and having her play Mary Jane Watson was a dream come true for me.  Of course it did hurt me to know she is now apart of the Marvel Universe and has some connection to the evil that is Marvel Comics, but not everyone is perfect right?  So for all you haters who believe Kirsten Dunst isn't worthy of the role of MJ, you all can jump off the edge of the world and make more room for us fans of Kirsten Dunst.

With Black Cat only rumored as a possibility of being the next villain for Spider-Man, I tend to not believe the rumors of Anne Hathaway coming in as a replacement for Dunst.  I'm not even sure I like the idea of having Hathoway in a Spider-Man film to begin with!

Mortal Engines Adaptation Project

Peter Jackson is working on another "book to film" project.  This time, the story is not set in a fantasy world filled with wizards and hobbits and ruled by kings and queens, but set in a post apocalyptic society where cities have become huge, mobile machines that must consume each other in order to survive.  Written by Phillip Reeve, the books have won many awards including the Nestle Smarties book prize.  The series consists of four books and fits Peter Jackson's style of film making.

No word on when filming will begin, but according to theonering.net Peter Jackson HAS signed for the project and has certain actors and actresses in mind for the movie.  One thing I wonder about is, if the series consists of four novels, will Jackson make four separate films or are their other methods he will be approaching?

And just as a teaser.......Yes, this is real...not fan made. I'll probably go and see this.  However, this poster does remind me of a popular Kevin Costner poster....

Movie News: Sandman film Possibility, New Star Wars Film, and The Hobbit

Sam Liu on "The Sandman" Film Possibility
Justice League: Crisis On Two Earths director Sam Liu mentioned he would love to make an animated feature film of The Sandman.

"I'd love to do Sandman from the Vertigo line. I don't know what kind of story that would be, but I'd love to work with Neil Gaiman because I really loved those comics." 

Sam Liu, who worked on animated films such as Green Lantern: First Flight, Wonder Woman, Batman/Superman: Public Enemies, any many more as director and as animator, (shuffling back and forth as each) seems to show great enthusiasm for said animated project.


I've enjoyed most of the films Liu has been a part of, even the poorly written animated film "Superman/Batman: Public enemies, and highly respect his urge to bring the Sandman to life on the animated realm.  However, I wonder how daunting of a task this would be as an animated feature.


First off, as all fans know, Sandman is not for the squeamish or who have weak constitutions.  It's an incredibly violent and intelligently written series of graphic novels.  By making in animated, would the story have to be dumbed down for a younger audience, or would Liu keep it exactly like it is to please the adult crowds and make it as accurate as possible?  I personally think it could work as an animated film, but I wouldn't want it to be done by the Japanese animation studios or by the Warner Bros. animation studios.  Yeah they put out good work, but Sandman needs to be handled by a different group of people.  Yeah, Warner Bros. wont let it go, but I hope they could hire a different studio to take care of the animation quality.  And of course, I would hope Neil Gaiman would be consulted, like Liu said, in creating a GOOD Sandman film.

New Star Wars Films

According to comicbookmovie.com, some certain people have been leaking out the possibility of a new Star Wars film in the making...

"..My host is friend and former collaborator Paul Sebastien, who over the years has worked for Xbox, Playstation, and now LucasArts. Last night he was telling me a little about the forthcoming Star Wars-related TV show, movie and online games—very cool indeed.
...it sounds like Mr Lucas has got his head into a good place. I met him several times when I was working on a movie in the 80s called [name suppressed to protect credibility!] and he’s a decent chap, but I could have done without the last three SW movies."

 Now who knows how reliable this source is seeing as how the quot comes from a personal blog of someone who knows the people high up on the food chain, and some fan who writes blog on comicbookmovie.com just embedded it into his section of the site, but there is potential.  The animated film was a success and cartoon series is doing quite well.  Maybe Lucas has changed his mind about making more films.  I personally would love to see another film as long as it is a step away from the crappy last three films.

More News on The Hobbit

Casting for The Hobbit will begin his coming Monday (12/14) and it looks as if Andy Serkis will be getting ready to return as the famed Gollum.  Del Torro, who is directing the film, has stated he can't see anyone else returning as Gollum.  If you wish to audition as a mainline actor or an extra for the film, the following information will help you...

Principal Actor Casting:
Liz Mullane Casting
17 Taipakupaku Road
Karaka Bay
Wellington, New Zealand 6022

Extras Casting:
Miranda Rivers
PO Box 6479
Marion Square
Wellington, New Zealand 6022

Yes, Casting is in New Zealand, so you'll have to do some traveling.

The film is planned in coming out in two installments, much like the LOTR trilogy was done, where all three movies were filmed at the same time but distributed to theaters in a three year time span.

To find out more on what Director Guillermo del Toro says on the latest development of the film, go to theonering.net and read his blub.