spratt89

'Private Ryan' writer to pen 'Warcraft'

Saving Private Ryan writer Robert Rodat will pen the Warcraft movie for director Sam Raimi.

Speaking to MTV, Raimi confirmed the hiring of the Oscar-nominated screenwriter and noted that the video game adaptation would be an original story based on the World Of Warcraft universe.

"We would choose... something that encompasses lands and characters and storylines, and we would be true to it," Raimi said. "But our story may or may not be about one of those central characters."

He continued: "We want to be really faithful to the game. We would have our writer, Robert Rodat, really craft an original story within that world that feels like a World Of Warcraft adventure. Only obviously it's very different because it's expanded and translated into the world of a motion picture."

Source

spratt89

Pine in talks to lead 'Art Of Making Money'

Chris Pine is in talks to play a counterfeiter in Paramount film The Art Of Making Money, says Variety.

The project is based on the true story of a Chicago man, working under the alias Art Williams, who rose from being a petty thief to a prolific criminal who printed approximately $10 million in fake money.

DJ Caruso (Eagle Eye) is considering an offer to direct the film, which screenwriter Frank Baldwin adapted from Jason Kersten's 2005 Rolling Stone article and subsequent book The Art Of Making Money: The Story Of A Master Counterfeiter.

Pine recently appeared in Star Trek and romantic comedy Blind Dating.

Source

spratt89

Butler: 'The paparazzi ruin film shoots'

Gerard Butler has criticised paparazzi for ruining film shoots for him and The Bounty co-star Jennifer Aniston.

The Scottish actor said that photographers do not care if they are blocking shots or forcing film crews to reshoot over and over again because they are so desperate to get incriminating pictures.

Butler told WENN: "Unfortunately for poor Jennifer, this roadshow comes out all the time, and then of course there were all the rumours about her and I dating, just because we're doing a movie together, which brought out even more paparazzi."

He continued: "They'll take 10,000 photographs in one day and wait for that moment where you hug or look at each other in a certain way. You don't realise it and then suddenly you make that one move and they got you."

Butler added: "They go out of their way to disrupt filming and it's really sad because you're there with a crew of 200 just trying to make a living. You're there for 16 hours a day and you have these guys who don't care if they're standing in your shot. Or they'll flash, so the film you just shot is useless. That can be very frustrating."

Source

spratt89

Will Smith deal holding up 'ID4 2'

Director Roland Emmerich has revealed that contract negotiations are holding up the sequel to Independence Day.

The German filmmaker told Latino Review that 20th Century Fox is keen to make a follow-up to the disaster movie, but has yet to make costly returning deals with himself, star Will Smith or producer Dean Devlin.

"Will wants to do it in some sort of a package they can live with," said Emmerich of Smith's pay cheque. "So it's just been in negations now since forever, and naturally Fox says 'why don't you do it without Will Smith?' I said Will is essential for us, for this movie and actually for the audience too."

Describing the project as being in "limbo", Emmerich added that he and producer Devlin have figured out a "very cool" sequel plotline to the 1996 box office hit.

Source

spratt89

Carrey to turn on London's Christmas lights

Jim Carrey will help turn on London's Christmas lights next month in the lead-up to the release of Disney's A Chrismas Carol.

Carrey will illuminate Oxford Street on November 3, while his Christmas Carol co-stars Colin Firth and Bob Hoskins will swtich on the lights at Regent Street and St Paul's Cathedral respectively.

"It's a fantastic privilege to be involved in such a huge London event, especially as I will be starting the celebrations at St Paul's Cathedral in the heart of Dickensian London," said Hoskins. "The film is a fantastic achievement using ground-breaking technology and perfect for the whole family this Christmas time."

The event will also include St Paul's Cathedral Choir attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest ever Christmas Carol sing-a-long.

Robert Zemeckis's 3D animated adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol is released worldwide on November 6.

Source

spratt89

'Spider-Man 4' villain 'depends on Parker'

Sam Raimi has said that the potential villains for the forthcoming Spider-Man 4 will depend on Peter Parker's story arc.

Seabiscuit scribe Gary Ross was recently hired to rewrite the script for the fourth instalment of the Marvel superhero franchise, which will begin filming in February 2010 for a May 5, 2011 release.

Raimi said that he is "not allowed to say at this point" who the bad guy will be in the follow-up. However, he added that whichever villain is chosen will play a key part in Peter Parker's (Tobey Maguire) "growth" in the film.

He told MTV: "What we're trying to do right now is really understand the journey Peter is going to go on this time and have the villain maybe be a counter to that growth, something that he has to overcome.

"Or maybe he has to grow in a way to overcome the villain, because there always seem to be stories of coming of age, of a young man growing up and learning things about life, so once we are identifying the exact movement that Peter has to grow to, I think the villain - and we're trying this right now.

"We're trying to choose a villain based on who would be the proper counter to that growth, so we really have dramatic conflict."

Fans have suggested that actor Bruce Campbell will play evil master of illusion Mysterio after he announced that he will have a major role in the next chapter of the saga.

Source

spratt89

McKellen expects 383-day 'Hobbit' shoot

Sir Ian McKellen has claimed that The Hobbit will take more than a year to shoot.

The actor, who will reprise his role as wizard Gandalf in the two-part adaptation of JRR Tolkien's fantasy novel, told Empire that the film will be in production for 383 days in New Zealand under the stewardship of Guillermo del Toro.

"[The movies will] be going when they've always said they would be, which is next spring - March or April," said McKellen. "Guillermo even told me at one point, 'We're going to film for 383 days'. He's got that artistic autism! [Producer Peter] Jackson's the same; they're very, very, very alike.

"They both can't stand Hollywood and have wonderful imaginations, and they're both obsessed with gore and fantasy. Both of them laugh a great deal. Guillermo's one of the most brilliant men I've ever met. His English vocabulary is way superior to mine!"

McKellen also revealed that, apart from Andy Serkis, most of the original Lord Of The Rings cast will not return for the new film.

Source

spratt89

Chris Pine linked to Jack Ryan reboot

Star Trek actor Chris Pine is in talks to play Jack Ryan in the revived spy franchise, according to Variety.

Paramount is in early negotiations with Pine about taking the lead role in the project, which is currently being tweaked by producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mace Neufeld.

Based on the Tom Clancy novels, the film will have an original script penned by Hossein Amini.

Alec Baldwin (The Hunt for Red October), Harrison Ford (Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger) and Ben Affleck (The Sum Of All Fears) have all played Ryan previously, while George Clooney was linked to the role earlier this year.

It is not known whether Pine would begin work on the movie before or after a Star Trek sequel.

Source

spratt89

Serafinowicz: 'Vaughn is like a movie God'

Peter Serafinowicz has likened Vince Vaughn to a movie God.

The actor, who stars as resort manager Sctanley in this week's US comedy Couples Retreat, told DS of his admiration for co-stars Vaughn and Jason Bateman.

"Vince Vaughn is a movie star," Serafinowicz said. "You can't ever take your eyes off him. He's a giant. I'm 6'4", but he towers above me. He's like a God!

"Jason Bateman is just hilarious, I'd always been a big fan of his from Arrested Development. Sometimes when you meet people you admire it often can be a disappointment. He's not just the nicest guy, but the funniest guy.

"He was talking to me about jokes and comedy and he's been doing it since he was 10. He's never stopped working and one day he just looked at me and said, 'I have delivered every single type of joke you could imagine, every permutation, every line, every quip'. He's a master."

Serafinowicz confessed that he would be keen to reunite with the Couples Retreat cast for a sequel.

"I've written one, it's mainly based around Sctanley!" he joked. "We'll see, I'd love to do it, they're a great bunch of people. We had a scream making it."

Source

spratt89

Long joins Redford's 'Conspirator'

Justin Long has signed up for Robert Redford's historical drama The Conspirator.

The Dodgeball actor will star alongside James McAvoy and Robin Wright Penn in the film, which follows the story of Abraham Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre in 1865.

Wright Penn is cast as Confederate sympathiser Mary Surratt, who was charged with conspiring to kill Lincoln. McAvoy will play Frederick Aiken, who defends Surratt and ends up believing that she is innocent.

Long will play a soldier who is Aiken's "best friend and conscience". His recent and upcoming roles have included Drew Barrymore rom-com Going the Distance, supernatural thriller After.Life and Michael Cera comedy Youth In Revolt.

Shooting begins later this month in Georgia.

Source

spratt89

Tommy Lee Jones circles 'Lincoln Lawyer'

Tommy Lee Jones is in talks to direct and star in Matthew McConaughey's The Lincoln Lawyer, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Lakeshore Entertainment project, which is based on Michael Connolly's 2005 bestseller, follows the story of low-level criminal defence attorney Mickey Haller (McConaughey), who finds himself looking after a Beverly Hills playboy accused of murder.

John Romano (The Beast, Monk) is penning the script.

It is not confirmed what role Jones would play in the project. His single directing credit is the critically acclaimed 2005 crime drama The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.

Source

spratt89

Dushku: 'Wonder Woman role a challenge'

Eliza Dushku has said that playing Wonder Woman in a film adaptation would be a "challenge".

The Dollhouse actress called the project an "internet fantasy" and revealed that her name has often been linked to the comic book heroine.

She told MTV: "People always talk about Wonder Woman, and as far as I've ever lived or been conscious of, there's been no project to be up for.

"So that's sort of an... internet fantasy. They throw people's names into it all the time and I'm always getting asked. But it wouldn't disturb me if it became a reality."

She added: "At this point, it's been so hyped up it that it would be a challenge. But like I said, I'm not one to take the easy road. I like a challenge."

Lynda Carter, who played the superhero in the 1970s TV show, previously said that she thought Dushku would be a perfect choice for the role.

A recent report that Beyoncé was in discussions to play Wonder Woman proved to be a hoax.

Source

spratt89

Clooney: 'Mr Fox is an optimist'

George Clooney has revealed that the lead character's optimism convinced him to voice upcoming animation Fantastic Mr Fox.

Speaking at the movie's BFI London Film Festival press conference, the actor explained that the prospect of working with Royal Tenenbaums director Wes Anderson also persuaded him to sign up for the Roald Dahl adaptation.

"[Mr Fox] was such an optimist and I really thought it was a fun character to play," said Clooney. "I remember reading the script and saying to Wes, 'Listen, I love it. I'm thrilled and excited to do it. I don't know who'll see it because it's sort of made for grown-ups and it's sort of made for kids'.

"You never know how that plays. He said, 'Don't worry about it, let's just go make a movie and have some fun'. I thought that was a great way to approach making a film. For me it's about the process of working with Wes."

Clooney jokingly added: "I didn't enjoy working with Bill [Murray]! We fought a lot!"

"That's accurate, George," replied Murray.

Source

spratt89

Penelope Cruz 'to appear in SATC 2'

Penelope Cruz has apparently agreed to film a cameo appearance in the second Sex And The City film.

The movie, which apparently also guest stars Liza Minnelli and Miley Cyrus, is currently being filmed for release next May.

OK magazine claims that Cruz plays herself on the red carpet in the movie, while Cyrus apparently takes the role of a younger Carrie Bradshaw.

Minnelli is believed to be performing Beyoncé's 'Single Ladies' at the wedding of Stanford (Willie Garson) and Anthony (Mario Cantone).

Sarah Jessica Parker recently said that she gets frustrated by the frenzy surrounding the films.

Source

spratt89

McKellen: 'I'm too old for X-Men films'

Sir Ian McKellen has revealed that he probably won't star in the next X-Men movie.

The 70-year-old actor, who plays Magneto in the films, said that he presumes he's not included in the instalment about his character because he hasn't seen a script.

McKellen told Empire Online: "There's meant to be a Magneto script floating around, but I've not read it, so I suspect it wouldn't involve me."

He continued: "I think it would be about the younger Magneto, and the most I could hope for would be to top and tail that. They can't have someone whose face is as lined as mine any longer!"

When asked about his theatre co-star Patrick Stewart's ageless appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, McKellen said: "Ooh, he was very pleased with himself that he was going in to be in Wolverine. It was only an hour's work! We were working on Waiting For Godot at the time!"

Source

spratt89

Moyer, Paquin together for 'Open House'

True Blood stars Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin will appear together in thriller Open House, reports Dread Central.

The pair, who are engaged to be married in real life, play a young couple who hold an open house in an attempt to sell their home. Days later, they discover that one potential buyer is still on the property.

Tricia Helfer, Rachel Blanchard and Brian Geraghty co-star in the movie, which is written and directed by Paquin's filmmaker brother Andrew.

Source

spratt89

Depp: 'I only play special characters'

Johnny Depp has revealed that he will only accept movie roles if he thinks the character is "special".

The Pirates Of The Caribbean actor said that he takes his time to think about a film before agreeing to appear in it.

Depp told Joy magazine: "The person I represent must be somehow special. I was totally fascinated of John Dillinger in Public Enemies for example. And Captain Jack Sparrow was revolutionary - a bank robber but at the same time national hero."

The 46-year-old also spoke of his progress in the film industry, saying: "My success came on its own. However, I was very lucky. For example, directors like Tim Burton fought for me when Paramount didn't want to give me the lead role in Sleepy Hollow."

He added: "When I made the breakthrough I was regarded as the new James Dean. But the biggest compliment I ever received was the comparison with Marlon Brando. He is my idol - and was my best friend."

Source

spratt89

'Jonah Hex' book to coincide with movie

DC Comics has announced an original Jonah Hex graphic novel that will be released to coincide with the Warner Bros movie adaptation next year.

Jonah Hex: No Way Back will be written by regular collaborators Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti (The Resistance, 21 Down) with art from Jonah Hex co-creator Tony DeZuniga.

It will be released in May alongside the film, which stars Josh Brolin, Megan Fox and John Malkovich.

Jonah Hex: No Way Back will deal with the long-lost brother of DC's Western vigilante.

"Jonah Hex has a brother," explained Gray. "That's the idea that came up decades earlier in discussions between writer John Albano and Tony DeZuniga. Tony casually mentioned this to us and that idea has been brought to life in the hardcover."

"Jonah is one of the coolest and most unique characters we have ever had the pleasure to work on," added Palmiotti. "He's an icon for all ages and his untamed manner appeals, on a visceral gut level, to just about everyone who reads it.

"In this, Hex's first original graphic novel, we unleash the beast like you have never seen before."

Source

spratt89

Schwimmer, Owen team for sex predator drama

David Schwimmer and Clive Owen will team up to work on a drama about an online sex predator, according to Variety.

The film, entitled Trust, follows parents who discover that their 14-year-old girl is being stalked by a man posing as a teenager on a chat room.

Owen and Catherine Keener will play the parents, while Liana Liberato has been cast as the victimised teen.

Schwimmer is directing the project, his first feature since 2007's Run Fatboy Run, from a script by Andy Bellin.

Source

spratt89

Ridley Scott to remake C4's 'Red Riding'

Ridley Scott is in discussions to helm the big screen remake of Channel 4's critically acclaimed miniseries Red Riding.

According to Variety, Columbia has snapped up the movie rights to the three-part series, which is based on The Damned United author David Peace's crime novels about the Yorkshire Ripper serial killer case and police corruption.

Steve Zallian (Scott's American Gangster) is expected to come on board to write the film, which will move the action from Britain to the US.

Red Riding, starring Andrew Garfield, Paddy Considine, Sean Bean and David Morrissey, aired this March in the UK. The three telefilms will be released theatrically in the US this autumn as a 302-minute feature.

Source