spratt89

Abrams opts out of 'Dark Tower' film

JJ Abrams has revealed that he will not be turning Stephen King's Dark Tower novels into a movie series.

Speaking to MTV, the director confirmed that he and his Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof have decided against bringing the seven-part fantasy series to cinemas.

"The Dark Tower thing is tricky," Abrams said. "It's such an important piece of writing. The truth is that Damon and I are not looking at that right now."

The filmmaker earlier suggested that he was too much of a fan of Dark Tower to make it work on screen.

"That's probably the reason that I shouldn't be the one to adapt it," he remarked.

Christian Bale was earlier rumoured for the role of antihero Roland Deschain in the project.

Source

spratt89

Will Smith to star in 'Algernon' remake?

Will Smith will star in and produce a remake of Flowers For Algernon, reports Pajiba.

Based on Daniel Keyes's short story and subsequent novel, the project focuses on Charlie, a man with mental disabilities and a limited IQ who takes part in an experiment that turns him into a genius.

The story has been turned into a feature film several times before, most famously for 1968's Charly, which won its leading man Cliff Robertson an Oscar.

The Sony Pictures movie will be made through Smith's Overbrook Entertainment and Polksy Films. Tracy Nyberg, formerly an assistant of Smith, is also on board as a producer.

Source

spratt89

Lawrence replaces Ritchie on 'Sgt. Rock'

Francis Lawrence has replaced Guy Ritchie as the director on Warner Bros' Sgt. Rock, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Created in 1959 by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert, the character led a fictional World War II US Army infantry called Easy Company in various DC Comics publications. However, the planned movie will take the story in a new direction by bringing the character into the future.

I Am Legend director Lawrence will work on the action-adventure movie from a script by Chad St. John.

Joel Silver, who has spent 20 years trying to make a Sgt. Rock film, will produce alongside Akiva Goldsman. Arnold Schwarzenegger was allegedly attached to star in a previous incarnation of the project.

Source

spratt89

Oren Peli's 'Area 51' plot details leak

A 43-page outline of Oren Peli's Area 51 has apparently leaked online.

The Paranormal Activity filmmaker signed on to direct the sci-fi project in September.

The script treatment was uncovered by website Latino Review, which described the film as being similar in tone to Paranormal with aliens in place of supernatural doings.

The movie is likely to utilise the same handheld camera technique as Peli's first picture in order to record the action in the story, focusing on four teenagers (Chris, Natalie, Paul and Rob) who head off to Las Vegas. The foursome seek out a former Area 51 employee named Novak, who has knowledge of video footage of human/alien experiments.

Paul is skeptical of the information, but Chris is determined to venture into the area to retrieve the recording. There is also a subplot that involves Natalie's father's claims of having been abducted by aliens.

Paramount previously announced that it was considering making a sequel to Paranormal Activity, prior to the low-budget picture surpassing The Blair Witch Project to become the most profitable movie ever made.

Source

spratt89

Dane Cook 'keen on Riddler role'

Dane Cook has revealed that he would be interested in playing the Riddler in Batman 3.

The 37-year-old told MTV News that he loves the direction that filmmaker Christopher Nolan has steered the franchise in with Batman Begins and follow-up The Dark Knight.

Cook stated that his performance of the villain would be akin to what late actor Heath Ledger did with his Oscar-winning portrayal of the Joker.

He said: "If they brought back the Riddler - a new Riddler the way they did with the Joker that would be badass. I would do that."

He added: "When they were making the new one and they were doing the Joker, I always thought it [should be] kind of like The Crow - having that dark element but still comedic.

"[My performance] would probably have to be something in that vein, even though I think what Heath Ledger did with the Joker was the greatest comic book villain ever."

Johnny Depp previously admitted that he is intrigued by the part of the Riddler.

Source

spratt89

Ryan Reynolds wanted for 'Shazam' role

Shazam co-writer Bill Birch has revealed that Ryan Reynolds was his first choice for the lead role of Captain Marvel in the upcoming film.

In an interview with Cinefools, the scribe said that the Proposal star would have been ideal to portray the DC superhero. However, he conceded that Reynolds's involvement in the Green Lantern film rules out the possibility.

"I always thought Ryan Reynolds would have been interesting but now that he's Green Lantern that's not an option," he said.

It has also been reported that Dwayne Johnson is tipped to play the hero's nemesis Black Adam, but Birch denied that the actor has signed on for the role. "My rule of thumb is that no actor is committed to do a movie until the first day of shooting is over with," he added.

"I know that [director] Pete Segal and Dwayne have a relationship that was solidified when Pete directed Get Smart. As far as him being committed? I'm sure it'll all depend on the script."

Birch went on to say that he and co-writer Geoff Johns are currently working on a completely new draft of the script. He also explained that the film will take a lighter tone than Christopher Nolan's Batman films.

"Tonally I think it's important to successfully find the balance of comedy and danger in the story. That's a major aspect I'm focusing on. Frankly hitting the right tone is what's going to either get this made or keep it in development hell."

Shazam is slated for a 2011 release.

Source

spratt89

Marvel Icons to publish 'Shady Talez'

Marvel is to publish a comic book based on the upcoming film Shady Talez under its Icons imprint, it has been reported.

According to ScreenDaily, New Warriors scribe Kevin Grevioux, who also penned the Underworld films, will collaborate with writer-producer Dallas Jackson on the four-issue series.

The movie will star rapper Eminem, who is sharing production duties with Jackson, Grevioux and I, Robot producer John Davis. It is rumoured to be a 3D offering inspired by The Twilight Zone and Creepshow.

Shady Talez is expected to appear in comic format in 2010. Marvel is yet to officially confirm its involvement in the project.

Source

spratt89

Caine: 'I won't win another Oscar'

Sir Michael Caine has revealed that he doesn't think he'll win another Oscar for his acting.

The 76-year-old star, who has previously won Academy Awards for Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules, said that he only stands a chance of winning this year if all the films are of a lower standard.

At the premiere of his new movie Harry Brown, Caine said: "I've got a couple of Oscars and I've been nominated nine times but I've lost seven. There are all sorts of different circumstances and you also want a duff year."

He continued: "My first nomination was Alfie and the competition was Paul Schofield in A Man For All Seasons. I didn't stand a chance. The second time was Sleuth and the competition was Marlon Brando in The Godfather."

Caine added: "All I'm waiting for is a c**p year so I can get in."

Source

spratt89

'Saw VII 3D' dated for next October

The latest movie in the Saw franchise has been confirmed for release next autumn.

Saw VII, the series's first in 3D, is to bow in cinemas on October 22, 2010, according to horror website Shock Till You Drop.

David Hackl (Saw V) is returning to the director's chair, working from a script by series veterans Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton.

Actors Costas Mandylor and Tanedra Howard will be back for the latest movie, while Tobin Bell is expected to reprise his role as serial killer Jigsaw in flashback scenes.

Source

spratt89

Harvey Keitel added to 'Little Fockers'

Harvey Keitel has signed up to appear in Little Fockers, the latest movie in the Meet The Parents comedy series.

Keitel will play a contractor working for Stiller's character Greg Focker. Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson are all reprising their roles from the first two films, while Jessica Alba and Laura Dern are new additions to the cast.

Keitel has previously worked with Fockers star De Niro on Martin Scorsese pictures Mean Streets and Taxi Driver.

Little Fockers will centre on the two children of Stiller and Polo's main couple, says The Hollywood Reporter. Paul Weitz is stepping in to replace director Jay Roach, who is serving as producer on this outing.

The film is due to arrive in cinemas on July 30, 2010.

Source

spratt89

Giamatti: 'I don't want to be Brad Pitt'

Paul Giamatti has said that he does not have the same type of charisma as Brad Pitt.

The Cold Souls star told The Guardian that he is happy to be different to the Hollywood superstar.

Giamatti said: "I'm clearly not Brad Pitt, and I'm never going to be Brad Pitt. But I don't think I'd want to be Brad Pitt, you know? So that's okay.

"You know that thing where you can just f**kin' stand there and people can't take their eyes off the person? I don't have that weight of charisma. That's not me. If I just stand there, it's going to be boring. You're going to want it to be over with."

He added of an essay once written about him by a neighbour: "He basically described me as Travis Bickle - this terrifyingly angry, scary guy who'd sit brooding in the park, looking like if somebody came up to me I'd bite their face off.

"People make you fit their thesis. But I also felt, well, maybe sometimes I do look like that, because I know there's people looking at me. It's a funny bind. It's, like, stay away from that guy because he's probably got a gun and he's going to shoot up the post office."

Giamatti recently admitted that he does not look like Tom Cruise.

Source

spratt89

Damon: 'Bourne 4 script still unfinished'

Matt Damon has revealed that the fourth instalment of the Bourne franchise is still years away from completion.

The actor announced in March that he and director Paul Greengrass are developing an original script for the next movie in the series, which is based on the books by Robert Ludlum.

Damon has now told Total Film: "Personally, selfishly, we'd all really like to do it, but we are really serious about trying to get the story and the script right because the only thing more disappointing than not having another one of these movies is - for us and for movie fans - to make one that isn't good.

"Everyone would say, 'They should have quit after three'. And we'd feel that way, too. We don't have the script yet, but hopefully we'll all be shooting in 18 months or so."

In July, it was reported that the screenplay would be ready in around one month.

Source

spratt89

Emmerich planning two 'ID4' sequels

Filmmaker Roland Emmerich is planning a pair of sequels to his hit 1996 film Independence Day.

The 2012 director told MTV that he is eager to return to the franchise, but the story he wants to tell will not fit into one movie.

"What we want to do in the next - it's actually two movies - we want to do a bigger arc," he stated.

"Independence Day was always like the king who leads his troops into battle against an evil force, and that stays like that."

Emmerich said of a potential title: "ID4-ever, Part I and II maybe?"

The 54-year-old continued: "The idea is just to continue the story and actually I don't know how many years ago this was - 12, 13, 14 years ago - and just continue where it ended."

2012 opens in cinemas on Friday.

Source

spratt89

Four in talks for Willis action film 'Red'

Julian McMahon, Ernest Borgnine, Richard Dreyfuss and Brian Cox are in talks to join the cast of Bruce Willis action film Red.

Based on the Wildstorm/DC Comics series, the movie centres on an ex-black ops agent who has to fight off younger assassins out to kill him.

Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, John C. Reilly and Mary Louise Parker are also on board to star in Flightplan director Robert Schwentke's movie.

Nip/Tuck star McMahon will play the Vice President in the middle a conspiracy, Borgnine the keeper of hidden CIA records, Dreyfuss a wealthy government contractor and Cox a former Cold War spy and enemy of Willis, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Source

spratt89

Miley Cyrus denies joining 'Rock Of Ages'

Miley Cyrus has dismissed rumours that she has signed up for the movie adaptation of Broadway musical Rock Of Ages.

The Hannah Montana star was apparently pictured meeting the cast of the play backstage earlier this week, triggering claims that she is reuniting with The Last Song director Adam Shankman to star in the forthcoming film.

However, Cyrus's spokesperson has since denied the reports.

A representative for the 16-year-old told Gossip Cop: "No, she isn't doing it."

Source

spratt89

'Thor' starts production in January

Marvel Studios will begin production on its forthcoming superhero movie Thor in mid-January.

Filming will start in Los Angeles before moving to Santa Fe, NM in March through to late April, reports Production Weekly.

Kenneth Branagh is directing the comic book adaptation. Thor stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston and Stellan Skarsgard.

The movie is slated to arrive in cinemas on May 20, 2011.

Source

spratt89

Stallone's 'Rambo 5' loses sci-fi twist

Sylvester Stallone has reportedly called off plans to take his Rambo series into the realm of science fiction.

The 63-year-old earlier revealed that the next Rambo movie would feature John Rambo leading a squad into a secret military base to shut down a man-beast mutant "supersoldier" project gone wrong.

The sci-fi plot was based on the novel Hunter by James Byron Higgins. Stallone owns the rights to the book and now plans to use it as source material for another film, according to an email he sent to fansite StalloneZone.

The star announced that the forthcoming Rambo update will feature the iconic hero "heading over the border to a violent city where many young women have vanished".

Stallone's next project The Expendables opens in cinemas next August.

Source

spratt89

Zachary Levi turned down 'Thor' role

Zachary Levi has revealed that he turned down a role in Thor due to a scheduling conflict with the second season of NBC's Chuck.

The 29-year-old told USA Today that he was cast as Fandral, one of Thor's warriors, in the forthcoming Marvel comic book adaptation. However, he had to walk away from the part when NBC ordered six more episodes of Chuck in October.

Marvel Studios begins production on Thor in mid-January.

The movie, directed by Kenneth Branagh, is slated to arrive in cinemas on May 20, 2011.

Source

spratt89

Thandie Newton 'forgets how to act'

Thandie Newton has admitted that she forgot how to act.

The actress, who stars alongside John Cusack in the big-budget blockbuster 2012, has said that she became frazzled during the filming of major action scenes.

The 37-year-old told The Mirror: "The only really big action scenes I was involved in were two water sequences - one where I'm in a corridor and this huge tidal wave comes bursting down towards us. It was amazing but I forgot to act because gallons of water were rushing down from floor to ceiling towards me.

"The director had to shout "cut" and all the water went down. I don't even know where it drained to. Then ten minutes later, we did it again and the water comes rushing round the corner, blasting down the set."

As for enjoying her time on the film's set, she added: "On 2012, when I'd finished a scene I'd go back to my trailer and just collapse. There were huge sets, lots of cameras and it was kind of exhausting."

2012 is currently playing in US and UK cinemas.

Source

spratt89

Cameron 'wants to work with Winslet again'

James Cameron has revealed that he would be interested in working with Kate Winslet again, but isn't sure about Leonardo DiCaprio.

The 55-year-old filmmaker, who directed Winslet and DiCaprio in the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, has said that he appreciates how the Reader actress works.

He told Playboy: "I'd certainly work with Kate Winslet again; she's very talented.

"Whereas Leo DiCaprio switches his acting on and off like a faucet, Kate's acting process is to internalise all this stuff and use it."

Cameron also disclosed his genuine reason for choosing to make the shipwreck disaster film.

He added: "I made Titanic because I wanted to dive to a shipwreck, not because I particularly wanted to make the movie. Titanic was about 'f**k you' money."

Cameron's next film is the sci-fi adventure Avatar, which is to be released in December.

Source