PETER JACKSON WILL BE DIRECTING THE HOBBIT AFTER ALL!

Source: scifiwire.com

Time to break out the ale and pipe-weed, because we’re ready to party!

What we hoped would happen, but didn’t dare to think actually would, seems to be coming true. Peter Jackson, who pulled off the impossible with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has decided to direct two installments of The Hobbit after all, Deadline New York reports.

Earlier this month, after Guillermo del Toro quit his Hobbit directing gig, Jackson said his taking over was unlikely due to current commitments. But he did leave open a slim possibility—and we say “slim” because he sounded a bit reluctant—by saying: “If that’s what I have to do to protect Warner Brothers’ investment, then obviously that’s one angle which I’ll explore.”

READ MORE HERE

BRECK EISNER UPDATES FLASH GORDON MOVIE STATUS

Source: thehdroom.com

A timely update on the new Flash Gordon movie has arrived after the 1980 sci-fi camp classic made its Blu-ray debut this past week.
Director Breck Eisner (The Crazies) spoke to FEARnet recently about numerous topics including Flash. “Flash Gordon is a total passion project for me,” he said. “We’ve just extended the option and the studio’s very committed in trying to make it happen. It’s just a gigantic 3D experience with years of prep, it’s one of those movies you get once in a lifetime to make and for me it’s been a passion of mine since I was a kid.”

Eisner has multiple projects on his plate right now. In addition to Flash he’s working Escape From New York and Blood of the Innocent. Escape is expected to be the next film he puts out but Flash could come next, depending on how well the development process flows. He’s already hard at work on it.

READ MORE HERE

X-MEN PRODUCER BEGS DC COMICS: LET ME DO WONDERWOMAN

Source: scifiwire.com

Joel Silver tried for years to produce a Wonder Woman movie. He even hired Joss Whedon to write and direct, but they couldn’t make it work. Now another major producer is asking DC Comics to give her a crack at Wonder Woman. Lauren Shuler Donner, producer of the X-Men franchise, has a message for DC and the studio.

“I’m campaigning to produce Wonder Woman for DC and Warners,” Donner said on June 24 in Burbank, Calif. at the Saturn Awards. “They don’t want it, but I just think she’s the greatest character. She’s right up there, as you know, with Superman and Batman, the three of them. I want to produce Wonder Woman.”

The rights are back with DC and Warner Brothers, Donner says. So Donner is making phone calls, taking meetings and telling the press she wants it. “I’ve campaigned for it. I’m going to campaign some more. I want to produce Wonder Woman.”

READ MORE HERE

INCEPTION : SCI-FI’S LAST, BEST BOX OFFICE HOPE?

Source: scifiwire.com

This week, Christopher Nolan and company released 14 new stills from his sci-fi thriller Inception.

These photos might require a spoiler warning, but honestly, it’s not as if we’d know. Nolan has been tight-lipped about the project from the beginning. For months after its announcement, he would say only it was set “within the architecture of the mind.” Early promotional material was equally vague.

More recently, a set of character posters have given us a lineup straight out of a film-noir caper (with titles like Point Man, Shade, Forger, and Mark), and theatrical trailers have inevitably begun to give hints as to the plot.

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FIRST SCREEN STILLS FROM VAMPIRE MOVIE ‘PRIEST’ RELEASED

Source: www.morehorror.com

Actor Paul Bettany of is becoming a familiar actor in the sci-fi/horror genre, and today, Entertainment Weekly has released the first movie still from Scott Stewart’s movie “Priest”

The film has changed it’s release date a few times, and now it seems that May of 2011 is when we’ll see it hit the big screen.

From the image released, it looks like this movie will be very interesting.

Plot Summary:

Priest is set in a world that has been ravaged by centuries of battles between man and vampires. Paul Bettany is Priest, a legendary warrior priest during the last Vampire War, who currently lives in obscurity among the other human inhabitants in walled-in dystopian cities controlled by the Church.

READ MORE HERE

The Hobbit news … Gosh, do we dare to hope?? *hopes*  It would be lovely if this FINALLY gets made- and I think it would be fitting if it was Peter Jackson who directed – it would kind of come full circle.

What do you think of ‘Priest’? I actually think it looks like it has potential …

Anything you’d like to comment on in today’s movie news?

Join us in the forum to discuss!

Set Photos from The Hobbit

From Geektyrant

Some photos from the set of The Hobbit have found their way online, and it’s pretty cool to see that The Shire is being brought back to life! The set is still under construction, and it’s good to know that they haven’t  stopped working on the film even though the film has yet to receive an official green light and a director.

View More Photos HERE

Vanessa Hudgens Doesn’t Want to be a Vampire

Via Nora Gasparian at Hollyscoop

Vanessa Hudgens has made it clear that she wants to expand on her acting career which means she doesn’t want to be known as the girl in High School Musical for the rest of her life. But it seems like she also doesn’t wanna be known as a vampire either.

Rumor has it that Vanessa turned down the chance to bring back Buffy the Vampire Slayer back to the big screen again.
Producers who were working with Sarah Michelle Gellar to make the hit TV show into a movie reportedly approached Vanessa for the starring role, but she wasn’t interested.

Source: mtvblog

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HOLLOWS WRAP SHOOTING

It’s never easy bringing a much-loved novel to the big screen. When it’s a seven book saga that has captured the imagination of the entire world, it’s pretty close to impossible. Yet the many actors and directors who have brought the “Harry Potter” series to life in film have done just that. So far.

After 10 years, the cameras finally stopped rolling on the set of “Harry Potter” this past weekend. Actor Warwick Davis tweeted about how emotional it was to hear director David Yates yell “Cut!” for the last time. While there have been some aspects of the series that have been botched, they are far outweighed by just how many things the films got right.

Read more here…

Source: geektyrant

DAVID YATES TO DIRECT THE HOBBIT?

It’s looking like Harry Potter director David Yates could end up developing The Hobbit for Peter Jackson! As you all know Guillermo Del Toro just walked away from the project to pursue his other films. According to /film there are a few indistry insider tracking boards that are saying Yates is the studio’s top choice to direct The film, but there is absolutely no confirmation.

Read more here…

Source: collider

SAM RAIMI CONFIRMED TO DIRECT OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

Last week, we reported that Disney had offered Sam Raimi the director’s chair for Oz, The Great and Powerful.  Deadline reports that he’s taken it.  Furthermore, they report that Robert Downey Jr. has signed on to star as the wayward circus wrangler who would become the Wizard of Oz.  Disney is hoping that they can land another billion-dollar-hit as they did this year with Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.  Oh, and Oz is going to be 3D (the movie we’re talking about right now, not the HBO prison drama, although that would be interesting/terrifying).

Read more here…

Source: filmofilia

HUGH JACKMAN AND ROBOTS IN REAL STEEL

Hugh Jackman’s futuristic film directed by Shawn Levy (Date Night, Night at the Museum) Real Steelhas had its first image released via USA Today.

The film co-stars Anthony Mackie, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo as Jackman’s young son, Hope Davis, James Rebhorn, Kevin Durand and Olga Fonda.

Real Steel is set in the near future (the year 2020), and has Jackman playing a former boxer who, along with his estranged son Max (Goyo), tries to make it in the lucrative world of robot boxing.

Read more here…

How do you think David Yates would fair if he directed The Hobbit? Frankly I wish it was still Guillermo Del Toro in the directors chair. Can’t have everything can you?

What do you think of today’s movie news? Will you see Real Steel?

Guillermo del Toro Comments More on Hobbit Departure

My commitment to the project demanded enormous sacrifices both in personal and professional terms. The consequences of which will ripple for years. I relocated my entire life and family to New Zealand and first came on board in 2008.

So- while the cited delays, contractual complexities or obstacles, cannot be attributed to a single event or entity – you will simply have to believe that they were of sufficient complexity and severity to lead to the current situation. Trust me on this, Pasi- leaving NZ and the Hobbit crew is extremely painful.

As stated before- a wealth of designs, animatics, boards and sculptures is left behind representing accurately my ideas for Mirkwood, Spiders, Wargs, Stone Trolls, etc, etc and everyone (PJ, FW, PB and myself) has the same goal in mind: to try and ensure the best possible transition of the movie to a new director.

I believe these films will happen. Preproduction continues as we speak. The writing team of PJ,FW,PB and myself will keep moving the screenplays forward.

more here

Major Indy 5 News: Bermuda Triangle, the last of Harrison Ford

Were you disappointed in the last Indiana Jones film, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull? According to the major developments we learned today from Stuff magazine, you won’t be disappointed with the next Indiana Jones film—which will really be the last.

According to an inside source, Harrison Ford has agreed to come back as the archaeologist and adventurer one more time, and will be given an “emotional and exciting” sendoff: “Harrison is on stand-by for filming next year. This looks like … an emotional and exciting conclusion to the franchise, with Indy facing his biggest challenge yet.”

more here

Sneak peek at three new Transformers 3 vehicles

We’re going to be seeing plenty of new sidekick Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Transformers 3. But we already know what she looks like. What about the new vehicles?

Thanks to a U.S. Army Sky Warriors member who took a few pics of the Transformers 3 vehicles while waiting to film and posted them to Flickr—to an account that now seems shut down—we’re getting our first look.

more here

Rick Baker’s ‘Wolfman’ regrets: ‘I hoped it would bring back monster movies’

GB: There are certain characters and films that carry a special resonance with them and I would imagine in your area of specialty, the Wolf Man has to be on a very short of list of truly classic and unique properties. Talk about that legacy and also the challenges that come with it.

RB: It was the Universal films that made me want to do what I do. “Frankenstein,” “Dracula,” “The Mummy,” “Creature from the Black Lagoon” — it’s what hooked me. “That’s what I want to do, I want to make monsters.” And especially “The Wolf Man.” And when I heard they were going to do a new film I knew I wanted to do. I never pursue stuff, I’m kind of stupid that way, I’m not really a good businessman. I like when somebody calls me because they want to use me. But with this one, I didn’t to let it go by. I went and talked to someone at Universal and said, “If this is really going to happen and it’s going to put a person into makeup — as it should be done — then you got to use me. I really want to do this.” I was begging. I was glad to hear they wanted to use me, first of all. But then, like you said, then the reality hits and you think of the challenges. I need to make an homage to the Jack Pierce makeup, but I also need to modernize it and make it work for a modern audience. Are they going to accept a guy with hair on his face? It was a daunting task.

more here

What do you think about what Del Torro had to say about The Hobbit? Do you believe it will ever get made?

I was not impressed with the last Indy movie. Did you like it? Do you think they should keep making more?

GUILLERMO DEL TORO EXITS “THE HOBBIT”

Source: Examiner.com

The ongoing financial follies at M-G-M, once the unchallenged king of Golden Age Hollywood movie studios, have claimed another victim. Variety, The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision Blog and Deadline Hollywood all confirm that Guillermo del Toro, visionary director of “Hellboy” and “Pan’s Labyrinth, has departed “The Hobbit,” after investing two years in pre-production work.

“In light of ongoing delays in the setting of a start date for filming ‘The Hobbit,’ I am faced with the hardest decision of my life,” Del Toro said in a surprise statement posted on TheOneRing.net, a Tolkein fansite. “After nearly two years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkien’s Middle Earth, I must, with great regret, take leave from helming these wonderful pictures.”

Del Toro said he would continue to co-write the screenplays with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens.

This is such sad news! It was so obvious how much he wanted to do these movies Who do you think should replace him?

READ MORE HERE.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION IN OUR FORUMS

Source: Film Junk

THE NEW SPIDERMAN IS DOWN TO TWO CHOICES

With Tobey Maguire out of the picture, Sony has been left to find a new star for their Spider-Man reboot. The reboot is being directed by Marc Webb and is going to be in 3-D. Today sources are saying Webb and Sony have almost found their new Spider-Man, and the choice has come down to two actors. The first is Jamie Bell, who you’d probably know from Billy Elliot and Jumper, while the second is Josh Hutcherson who you would know if you saw Journey To The Center Of The Earth, the terrible Brendan Fraser flick.

READ MORE HERE

As much as the possible casting of Jamie Bell intrigues me, the premise of a teen Spiderman dealing with his powers and what will no doubt be him fighting the responsibility that comes with it, IMO, I can do without this reboot. I am so mystified as to why studios don’t want to build on the success of Raimi’s version and just have Spidey deal with a new villian/arc? Maybe the casting can save it, but it’s a reboot I can do without.

GUILLERMO DEL TORO CONFIRMS HOBBIT DELAY

Source: Comingsoon.net

Speaking moments ago at a press conference for his latest production, Splice, Guillermo del Toro responded to questions about the state of The Hobbit, saying that the film does not have a start date, nor will it until MGM sorts out its financial troubles.

“It’s not greenlit,” said del Toro, “That’s categorical… We’ve been caught in a very tangled negotiation… There cannot be any start dates until the MGM situation gets resolved. They do hold a considerable portion of the rights.”

Responding to rumors that the film would shoot in 3D, del Toro said that, while 3D remains a possiblity, it has been discussed “literally once” in the production offices and it is not being planned at this time. The current production budget has been drawn without 3D in mind.

READ MORE HERE.

This is one I was definitely looking forward to *sighs* Here’s hoping things will get back on track soon!

PRINCE OF PERSIA REVIEW

Source: Movieweb.com

Video games have always been a difficult medium to translate to film. Think about it, can you name a good movie that was based on a video game? You’d be hard put to do it. I’ll give you the “Resident Evil” series and maybe “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” but that is about it. Certainly in resent years that haven’t been any successful adaptations when you consider the crop of films we’ve seen including “Bloodrayne,” “Doom,” “Hit Man” and “Max Payne.” But the question remains, why? With CGI and other visual effects being at the state of the art level that they are now, why hasn’t Hollywood been able to tap into the genre with the success rate that it has with comic books? Especially when you consider that most video games have a photo-realistic look now. Well, perhaps that will all change with producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s latest big-summer blockbuster film from Disney Studios, “Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time.”

READ MORE HERE

What do you think? Are you looking forward to this one?

JOIN THE DISCUSSION IN OUR FORUMS HERE.