Frankenstein to be Given the Film Noir Treatment in Possible New Franchise
by Matt Barone at Reel Loop
In the midst of my anticipation for Universal’s reinvention of The Wolfman, I’ve recently been wondering when and if Frankenstein’s monster would be given a new lease on animated life. The legendary creature’s most recent mainstream makeover was in 2004’s horrendous Van Helsing, in which Mary Shelley’s creation was neutered to the point of crying like a little pansy. Just plain wrong. It’s definitely time for a fresh take on old Frank, and if monster lovers are forced to wait for Guillermo Del Toro’s long talked-about dream of shooting his own remake to materialize it’ll be a cold day in Hell before satisfaction is met.
The folks at Lakeshore Entertainment seem to agree, however, and have just announced plans to turn Kevin Grievoux’s comic book series I, Frankenstein into its next action-horror franchise; well, a first film is certain, but the whole ‘franchise” aspect is pending, of course. Lakeshore, the company responsible for the successful Underworld series, which is also based on Grievoux-penned comics, has secured a director, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans‘ helmer Patrick Tatopoulos, and the script was written by Grievoux himself, who initially put finger to keyboard for Dark Sky Films before Lakeshore Entertainment put their financial muscle into play.
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A new Daredevil film is coming whether we want one or not
via Sci Fi Wire
Remember Daredevil, the 2003 film that put Ben Affleck in the scarlet suit in hopes of launching a franchise in the footsteps of the previous year’s Spider-Man? That lackluster movie seemed to sink those hopes instead, but according to Nikki Finke over at deadline.com, Marvel’s blind superhero will get a chance on the big screen again after all.
David Scarpa, who has already scripted one reboot—The Day the Earth Stood Still—will be writing the screenplay for the new Daredevil film, which will be released by New Regency and produced by former News Corp. president Peter Chernin.
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He’ll be back—Sony joins bidding for Terminator rights
James Cameron might not think the world cares about another Terminator flick, but based on the battle over the rights to produce future films in the franchise, he may be alone in that opinion.
According to Variety, Sony has joined Lionsgate in bidding for the rights to the Terminator franchise.
Last month, Lionsgate was the first bidder, offering $15 million and a 5 percent cut of future gross receipts. Sony submitted its own bid for an undisclosed amount on Thursday, the final day for submitting offers.
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The Wolfman: The Best Movie Werewolves Ever
by Mindy Monez at Television Without Pity
After a long and bumpy road, Benicio Del Toro’s Wolfman remake is finally coming out next Friday. Its release dates have shuffled around a bit in the past, making critics wonder if it’s because the studio fears the film is bad. We haven’t seen it yet, but the cast (Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving also star) and transformation effects in the trailers look interesting, at the very least. So we’re tentatively excited! And in the spirit of that excitement, I’ve put together a little list of my favorite werewolves and Lycans of films past. Howl at the moon with me (and my list), will you?
Michael J. Fox, Teen Wolf: You’d think turning into a wolf in front of your entire high school in the middle of a basketball game would hurt your popularity quotient. Not so for Teen Wolf; he became the quadruple doubling Harlem Globetrotter of his school and soon even had his own successful clothing line, basically becoming The Situation of the ’80s.
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Vampire movie ‘Priest’ gets 3D treatment and a new release date
from The Hollywood Reporter/Heat Vision
“Priest,” the Screen Gems post-apocalyptic vampire movie starring Paul Bettany, has shifted its release date again.
The Scott Stewart-directed movie is getting the 3D treatment and will now be released Jan. 14, 2011. The new date puts the movie in similar territory as the recent “Legion,” the Stewart-Bettany action-thriller that opened Jan. 22. The movie has done OK for Screen Gems, amassing almost $31 million so far.
“Priest” is based on a graphic novel by Min-Woo Hyung and sees Bettany as a warrior priest who teams up with a young sheriff (Cam Gigandet) and a priestess (Maggie Q) to track down a band of renegade vampires.
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I think Priest sounds good, and the article mentions a new date for Underworld 4. And I’d love to see a new Frankenstein, I love the book and a Van Helsing like treatment would be cool.
What movies are you looking forward to this year?
