I wanted to create a thread for just random movie news.. stuff that doesn't deserve it's own thread yet..
"I Am Legend" Pequel With Smith
September 25, 2008 by Sam Sloan || Category: Film
http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2008/09/25/i-am-legend-pequel-with-smith/
Warner Bros. has plans to create a prequel to its moderately successful film "I Am Legend," will Will Smith reprising his role as scientific researcher Doctor Robert Neville. Also tapped is Francis Lawrence returning to helm the second feature film. The prequel will chronicle the final days of humanity in New York before a man-made virus caused a plague that left Smith's character the lone survivor among a mutated mob in the city, accoring to Variety.
The idea for the prequel comes from producers Will Smith, Akiva Goldsman, James Lassiter and director Francis Lawrence. D.B. Weiss ("Kashmir," "A Song of Ice and Fire," "The Game") will write the script.
Making a prequel was the only way to extend a franchise that grossed $584 million worldwide for Warner Bros. and keep Smith in the lead role. His character was killed in the first film, after extracting a potential cure for the virus for the scattered survivors.
Depp Returns to the Caribbean Sea
September 25, 2008 by Sam Sloan || Category: Film
http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2008/09/25/depp-returns-to-the-caribbean-sea/
Actor Johnny Depp will be returning to his most recognized role, that of Captain Jack Sparrow for a fourth film in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise.
When the third film closed out with such huge numbers, many fans wondered if the reclusive star could be coaxed back for a fourth. Then rumors really spread when Depp himself indicated during a red carpet interview that he felt the character still had a lot to say and do and wouldn't shy away from taking him on again sometime in the future.
After accepting the role of Tonto for the next "The Lone Ranger" remake and the part of the Mad Hatter for a Tim Burton reimagining of "Alice in Wonderland," Depp said that he will definitely be reprising Captain Jack for another "Pirates." Jerry Bruckheimer is also on board to produce the Disney sequel and also the "Ranger" film. Depp is has also been tapped to star in "Sin City 3."
Eactly when the next Pirates film will come to pass is anybody's guess. Depp's slate is pretty full with a total of 9 new films (not including "Pirates 4″) on his docket at various stages of development.
To date, all three "Pirates of the Caribbean" films combined have grossed well over $2.5 billion worldwide.
Cage Confirms Third "Treasure"
By Garth FranklinWednesday, September 24th 2008 7:30pm
Jerry Bruckheimer and Nicolas Cage both attended the Walt Disney Showcase in Hollywood this afternoon and revealed a third "National Treasure" is in the works.
Director Jon Turteltaub will be back behind the camera, and much of the original cast will return as well for the film.
No plot details were announced, but a late 2010 release is looking likely.
Depp Is Mad Hatter In Burton's "Alice"
By Garth FranklinWednesday, September 24th 2008 7:28pm
Johnny Depp himself was on hand at the Walt Disney Showcase in Hollywood and revealed not one but two new roles for himself.
First up he confirmed the rumors that he had signed on to play the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's upcoming adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland".
Mia Wasikowska and Matt Lucas also star in the re-telling of the Lewis Carroll classic which will combinelive-action and motion-capture footage.
Shooting is slated to begin in November for a March 5th 2010 release.
Johnny Depp Joins "The Lone Ranger"
By Garth FranklinWednesday, September 24th 2008 7:29pm
More news of Johnny Depp from the Walt Disney Showcase in Hollywood today as the actor strolled on stage in Jack Sparrow costume but wearing the Lone Ranger mask.
After the music died down, Depp confirmed he has signed on for both Jerry Bruckheimer's "The Lone Ranger" and a fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie.
Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio penned the film, a new take on the origin of the lawman. Disney later confirmed to IESB that Depp isn't playing the titular character but his sidekick Tonto.
The Lone Ranger? COOL! I have always been a fan and even loved the 1980 movie with Christopher Lloyd and Jason RObards et al. This is definitely one I am looking forward too.
Is there any acting jobs left or has Mr Depp taken everything.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on September 26, 2008, 01:10:35 PM
Is there any acting jobs left or has Mr Depp taken everything.
I think all acting roles are reserved for Johnny Depp nowadays. Whether they're in the works or merely rumors, everyone just wants to see Mr. "Bedhead" Depp in everything. Pirates 4? Depp. Lone Ranger? Depp. Riddler? Depp. Bigfoot? Depp. :P
You know what would be cool to see sometime - Johnny Depp playing Doctor Who! KC's avatar made me think of that. I think he could do a great job with the part.
Quote from: Rico on September 26, 2008, 06:42:44 PM
You know what would be cool to see sometime - Johnny Depp playing Doctor Who! KC's avatar made me think of that. I think he could do a great job with the part.
That's an interesting idea, and it could definitely work. Although, I think I would probably prefer to see him as the Master. John Simm did an excellent take on the role, and even if it's an impossibility, I'd love to see Depp play someone who is as intelligent and mentally warped as the Master was. Then again, I'd also like to see him take on more characters like he did with J.M. Barrie in Finding Neverland.
The master yes, The Doctor no.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on September 29, 2008, 12:47:00 PM
The master yes, The Doctor no.
Yay! Someone agrees with me! ;)
Ha ha, I think we know how opinionated I can be when it comes to Dr Who. ;) (lets not even talk about Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Grant (he was offered the role before Chris Eccleston), Joanna Lumley and Jim Broadbent). I would still be happy with Richard E Grant reprising his role as The Doctor.
Depp would be great as The Master or maybe even one of the high council in Gallifrey during The Time War. hmmmmm
Oh, believe me, I'm really opinionated about Dr. Who as well. A co-worker watches the show as well, and we talk about it a little bit after closing the store. She mentioned that she would like to see James McAvoy as the 11th Doctor, and this was the reply in my head: "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" I love James McAvoy, but...just no. :smilie_nono:
I'm curious what makes any of you think certain people would not do well in the role without seeing them try it first? For example, the entire classic cast of Trek has been replaced for the upcoming movie. While a couple of the choices seemed odd to me, I'm still willing to see how they do. Is there something about these actors you just don't like? Depp for one I think has proven he is very capable and versatile.
Quote from: Rico on September 30, 2008, 06:31:07 AM
I'm curious what makes any of you think certain people would not do well in the role without seeing them try it first? For example, the entire classic cast of Trek has been replaced for the upcoming movie. While a couple of the choices seemed odd to me, I'm still willing to see how they do. Is there something about these actors you just don't like? Depp for one I think has proven he is very capable and versatile.
I think it's a pretty complicated thing to explain, and a lot of people have their own reasons. What I believe happens is that when people love something so much that is being remade or revisited or reinvented, we're afraid that it will spoil the original experience for them. And even though sometimes it's the writer or the director's fault, I think it's easier to blame the actor because that's who we see and immediately connect the piece to.
It's not sci-fi, but a good example of this is the movie adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera. A lot of musical theater fans, including myself, were hoping that they would cast people who would be able to sing the score and act the material well. However, what ended up happening was the film became flop of mediocre standards. If you were new to the material, yes, there was a very good chance that you would like the film. But a lot of theater lovers have a great disdain for the actors because most of them could not hit the notes and/or made poor acting choices. Those were the people the audience saw first, and if you didn't like it, you blame them. It wasn't until I read an interview of Gerard Butler's experience with the filming that I re-analyzed what happened to the movie.
And even though a lot of people wish to be character actors, we're so used to casting people based on type, it's ridiculous. If you want to cast a dark and eccentric character, you think of Johnny Depp. If you want to cast a beautiful and exotic character, you think of Angelina Jolie. And if you want to cast the Joker in the Dark Knight, the person people think about is going to be handsome and dimpled-cheek Heath Ledger. When someone breaks the mold, it's always going to be a little bit strange because we're not sure if the actor is capable of carrying on that responsibility of bringing the character to life.
And then there are the times when we're proven wrong, which is amazing. For me, it was the film version of Sweeney Todd. I did not want Depp as Sweeney because it's a bit scary for anyone outside of musical theater to sing one of the most complicated scores in Broadway's history. But it was a hit, and as a theater geek who has enjoyed Sweeney for eight years, I loved it. So, I try not to do it often, especially now that I'm older, but it always tends to slip out every now and then. It's only because I care about the material and sometimes the actor, as versatile as he is, may seem to be suited for another role instead. But it's a welcome surprise when the fans are wrong. :)
(Wow, this was a long post... I hope it sounds coherent enough. ;))
Thanks for your thoughts and that's pretty much what I had expected to hear. But I guess I will just say again that I think it's important to be open to new possibilities. It can really bring in some new fans as well. Of course there are always going to be the purists out there that fight change all the time. On the specific subject of Johnny Depp I still think he has a great deal of range and could definitely do the Doctor - at least I'd like to see him try sometime. But it's a bit of a moot point, I doubt they could ever pay him enough.
Quote from: Rico on September 30, 2008, 07:37:00 AM
On the specific subject of Johnny Depp I still think he has a great deal of range and could definitely do the Doctor - at least I'd like to see him try sometime. But it's a bit of a moot point, I doubt they could ever pay him enough.
That and it's not directed by Tim Burton. :P I love Johnny Depp, but it's also so much fun to poke fun at him.
Thanks for the comments, Rico. I might have to write a blog about this soon... although judging by the length of my post, it may have to be a two-parter.
Paramount Ponies Up For Iron Man 3
By Josh Tyler: 2008-09-29 22:35:35
Paramount Ponies Up For Iron Man 3 Paramount Pictures made a big announcement today, tying themselves to the future of Marvel Studios by promising to distribute a whole slew of their upcoming flicks in the hopes of recapturing the sweet sweet Iron Man box office numbers from this summer.
Most of the movies they're distributing you've already heard plenty about, from Marvel's recent string of announcements. The deal has them distributing Iron Man 2, Thor, The First Avenger: Captain America, and The Avengers. That covers them up through 2011. But they're also teamed up to make Iron Man 3 a reality. No word on when that will happen, but it's nice to know that they're planning ahead with Tony Stark's future. The more Iron Man we get, the better.
Below is a quick breakdown of all the movies they're distributing along with the current release date scheduled for each:
Iron Man 2 - May 7, 2010
Thor - July 16, 2010
The First Avenger: Captain America - May 6, 2011
The Avengers - July 15, 2011
Iron Man 3 - Unknown