Oct 12 2009 Bryan Singer Wouldn't Mind Doing Those 'X-Men' Movies Some More
That last X-Men movie: that was a real stinker, eh? That was the kind of shitcake X-Man that makes you really appreciate the X-Men movies you used to have in the old days (between 2000 and 2003). Doesn't it?
Bryan Singer must realize that too--that his two pretty-decent X-Men films are looking a lot better in this post-The Last Stand era. Good enough, he's hoping, that we might be able to overlook how flat-out unmemorable Superman Returns was if he were to make another pretty-decent X-Man:
"I'm still looking to possibly returning to the 'X-Men' franchise. I've been talking to Fox about it," Singer said at a talk at the Pusan International Film Festival."I love Hugh Jackman. [ed. note: Who???] I love the cast," he said, referring to the Australian actor who plays Wolverine [ed. note: Oh, him].
Singer said he enjoyed making science fiction and fantasy movies because they allowed him to discuss serious issues through entertainment.
He said he likes to "trick audiences into thinking they're seeing fireworks, but they're learning about themselves and listening to what I have to say."
You may have tricked me into thinking I was seeing fireworks, Singer, but I've got news for you: I didn't listen to anything you said, and I've learned nothing about myself. So who's ahead now? You tell me. I'm not listening.
Oct 12 2009 Why Is Fox Depriving Us of Happiness?
We're just sitting on an Independence Day 2 (ID8?) story and doing nothing with it??? YES.
In an interview with Latin Review, director Roland Emmerich revealed he has a story and the desire to put Bill Pullman back in the White House, but Fox doesn't want to pay Will Smith to say, "Welcome back to Earth":
Dean Devlin and I are still set to make a sequel likely because we’ve found some sort of idea and we approached FOX and FOX has not quite figured out how to incorporate Dean’s and my deal, and Will’s (Smith) deal. Will wants to do it in some sort of a package they can live with. 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. And, so, it's in limbo and lately the studios are fighting. Like gross players, and Will is a gross player and is probably the only gross player right now who’s worth his gross. So we’ll see what happens. I would love to do it.There’s a story. There’s a very really good great story, a very cool one.
As a kid, I remember my dad telling me how we could have made an electric car years ago, but the big gas companies suppressed the research. It's a shame I'll have to one day have that same conversation with my child about Independence Day 2.
Sep 1 2009 More Superhero Movies: Give Fantastic Four Another Go
Hot on he heels of Disney's purchase of Marvel Entertainment, 20th Century Fox has decided to show off that they're still in charge of ruining some franchises. The studio has announced they're relaunching the Fantastic Four series. As an indication of what direction they'd like to take the franchise, they've put the writer of Batman Forever and Batman & Robin in charge of it:
20th Century Fox is the latest studio to start the process of overhauling one of its big Marvel Entertainment franchises, “Fantastic Four,” which has already hatched two films. The studio has hired Akiva Goldsman to oversee the re-boot as producer.New script will be written by Michael Green, the “Heroes” co-executive producer who co-wrote Green Lantern.
We can only pray this reboot will include re-doing that arbitrary snowboarding scene from the first film. God, snowboarding is so sweet.
Aug 3 2009 'Futurama' Crisis Averted
Well, we can cancel our plans to burn down the police stable in outrage. Following news a few weeks back that 20th Century Fox was looking to replace the voice cast of Futurama with cheaper replacements, it's now been announced that a deal a has been struck, and the original voices will be returning:
Casting execs were set to begin meeting with replacement thesps this week. But the five stars -- John DiMaggio, Billy West, Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche and Tress MacNeille -- finally sealed pacts late Friday with 20th Century Fox TV to return to the show.Both the actors and 20th are believed to have found a compromise. Move comes after 20th put out a casting call in July to find replacement voice actors for the show.
"We are thrilled to have our incredible cast back," creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen said in a statement. "The call has already gone out to the animators to put the mouths back on the characters."
Phew! Glad that's taken care of. I wasn't ready for another jarring change of cast--I'm still reeling from the controversial Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Aunt Viv switch of '93.
Jul 17 2009 'Futurama' Voices Getting Effed Over?
Last month's news of new Futurama episodes coming to Comedy Central has been downgraded from a "Good news, Everyone!" to a "Why must everything beautiful be destroyed?"
Forces of Geek is reporting that Futurama voice actors John DiMaggio, Phil LaMarr, and Maurice LaMarche are claiming 20th Century Fox is trying to re-cast much of the vocal talent. The studio has even put out casting calls:
[ DR. JOHN ZOIDBERG (ZOIDBERG) ] Dr. Zoidberg, a lobster-like alien, left his home planet of Decapod 10 to become a rich doctor but instead became the Planet Express staff doctor (doesnt pay so well). Zoidberg, who is usually shunned by the rest of the Planet Express crew, is always in search of his next meal. His skill as a surgeon, and basic knowledge of human anatomy, are often called into question. He secretly desires to become a stand-up comedian...SERIES REGULAR
Let's express some outrage. Who wants to burn down the police stable?
(via AV Club, where it was just noted Variety has confirmed the story.)
Apr 28 2009 Let's Find Out How Those 'Alien' Guys Got Started
What came first, the Alien or the face-hugger egg? What was the Alien Queen like as a teenager? How do those guys build such complex, Swedish surrealist interiors to their cave homes? Answers may be on the way. From IESB:
[Fox co-chairman] Rothman said of the possible [Alien prequel] film, "There's been some talk. Ridley Scott, Ridley is right now working on Robin Hood, but I think he's toying with the idea and that would be great for us. I mean, it's always been a matter of, really, if you can get the originator to do it that would be the greatest thing, so I've got my fingers crossed, all of them."
My prediction: Alien Zero (the zero is represented by an alien egg), starring Christian Bale. It ends with Bale and his pregnant wife narrowly escaping from planet LV-426 in a small shuttle pod, the two vowing to never again speak of all those crazy aliens they just fought. Suddenly, the wife grabs at her stomach. An alien spawn? No--it's the standard baby. It's time. Bale smiles.
"We'll name her Sigourney Weaver."
Apr 22 2009 Final 'Wolverine' Trailer: Your Last Chance to Debate Bone Claws
The plan to advertise Wolverine by attaching the superhero to a massive, cheese-smothered pizza isn't doing so well in promoting the film (though I assume it's doing great in promoting artery clogging), so Fox has released one last trailer to give the film a final push before its May 1 release. Seems a bit excessive after that two-hour trailer a couple weeks back, but here you go:
Continue Reading " Final 'Wolverine' Trailer: Your Last Chance to Debate Bone Claws "
Mar 25 2009 'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs' Dark Horse in "Most Disgusting, Inappropriate Joke in a Kids' Movie" Contest
Just when the makers of Alvin and the Chipmunks thought they had it locked with the inclusion of a poop-eating joke, along comes Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs with a scene that, while debatably more inappropriate, is definitely more Kingpin-inspired:
Mar 6 2009 Marmaduke Coming to Theaters--If He'll Ever Get Off His Owner's Lap!
Hold on to your fucking huge pets! Fox is bringing Marmaduke, Brad Anderson's exceedingly lazy, unbearable, deservedly ridiculed comic about a giant dog repeatedly doing the same series of ten gags, to the big screen! And the fact that the comic is universally loathed, and that Beethoven was already Marmaduke several times over, isn't going to stop them:
The studio has signed director Tom Dey to develop a big-screen adaptation of "Marmaduke." Brad Anderson created the decades-running newspaper comic strip, about a mischievous Great Dane who lives with the Winslow family, in 1954. The big dog then appeared in several animated episodes of "Heathcliff" and "Garfield and Friends."The studio declined comment on any specifics for the feature because the project is in the early stages of development.
It hasn't been decided whether "Marmaduke" will be live-action, animated or a mutt.
Marmaduke appeared in episodes of Heathcliff and Garfield and Friends? I didn't realize he was the funny page's equivalent of Rob Schneider.
Anyway, if there's anything positive to be taken from this, it's that at least we're one step closer to a Ziggy movie. Ziggy is also a terrible comic, but I look forward to seeing how his smooth, bulbous, pantsless form would translate to CGI. I imagine it being sort of like Paul Giamatti born from a nightmare.
(Thanks, Manny.)
Jan 16 2009 Phew, That 'Watchmen' Lawsuit Thing is Done
Well, you can stop worrying that Watchmen won't make its March 6 release because of the legal battle over rights. Deadline Hollywood and several other sources (thanks, everyone, for sending things here) are reporting a settlement has been reached between Warner Bros. and Fox:
The deal is finally done, and Warner Bros' highly anticipated Watchmen -- based on the comic book series/graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons -- won't be held hostage. I'm hearing that in tonight's settlement, Fox will not be an active distributor of the pic, but will receive up to 8 1/2% gross participation in the pic, and a piece of everything going forward including a sequel or spinoff, and a cash payment upfront including recoupment of its development costs and attorney fees, and god-only-knows what else.
Good thing they got the sequel and spinoff rights sorted as well. I don't want to go through this again for Watchmen 2, 3, & 4.
Jan 9 2009 Maybe We'll Get to See 'Watchmen' After All
Good news for everyone who's hoping Watchmen will keep its March 6 release date (pretty much everyone who would bother reading this site): attorneys on both sides have asked a federal judge to delay hearing today because settlement discussions have been so productive.
Attorneys for rival studios fighting over the release of the superhero flick told a federal judge on Friday that they're having fruitful settlement talks.Attorneys for 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. asked the judge to delay a hearing Friday so those discussions can continue over the weekend.
U.S. District Judge Gary Allen Feess agreed to continue the hearing but says a trial over whether to block the film's March release is still set for Jan. 20.
Lou Karasik, who is representing Fox, told Feess that the delay would be "very, very helpful" to settlement discussions he deemed "productive."
Sadly, discussions may lose steam when attorneys actually start talking numbers, as the "productive" talks thus far have been limited to both sides agreeing that Watchmen is the best graphic novel ever and should really be respected as a work of serious fiction, not just a comic book.
And that's today's Watchmen legal update. (Thanks, Brandi.)
Dec 30 2008 'Watchmen' Legal Woes Update
On Christmas Eve, Fox and Warner's battle over Watchmen rights took a decidedly pro-Fox turn when the judge on the case wished Warner Bros. Merry Christmas (said really sarcastically), ruling Fox does have a copyright stake in the film's release. Now Warner is calling B. shit and Fox is threatening to delay the film's planned March release. Happy New Year (again, really sarcastic):
In a defiant statement issued Monday, Warners said it was prepared to go to trial or to appeal last week's ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess, who stated that the studio had infringed on Fox's copyright in making the adaptation of the Alan Moore superhero graphic novel."We respectfully but vigorously disagree with the court's ruling and are exploring all of our appellate options," the studio said. "We continue to believe that Fox's claims have no merit and that we will ultimately prevail, whether at trial or in the Court of Appeals."
Fox, meanwhile, is looking for an injunction against the March 6, 2009, release of the movie.
Monday's events seem to be a speed bump to a costly settlement, with the hardline postures likely a strategic move for both sides more than anything else. Fox, which finally snapped a long boxoffice losing streak with "Marley & Me," gains most with a settlement, not a blocked release; the studio is already taking a beating in the geek blogosphere for messing with a fan-favorite property. Warners, meanwhile, could be on the hook for millions for developing and then filming a movie in which the film's producer, Larry Gordon, didn't pay Fox turnaround fees after allegedly reacquiring rights to the property.
Oh, brother. Can't they just settle it the old fashioned way, with each side placing an animal of a pre-decided species into a sack and seeing which competitor emerges? America was built on Animal Sack Wars. Let's continue the great tradition and get this inevitably-disappointing movie into theaters.
Dec 11 2008 'Day the Earth Stood Still' Playing in Alpha Centauri, 2012
As reader Joshua, who sent this in, said, if aliens aren't already planning to kill us, this may give them the motivation:
Twentieth Century Fox makes history by transmitting the first motion picture in to deep space, making The Day the Earth Stood Still the world's first galactic motion picture release. The first deliberate deep space transmission of this highly anticipated science fiction thriller will begin this Friday, December 12, 2008, to coincide with the film's opening day on Planet Earth. If any civilizations are currently orbiting Alpha Centauri, they will be able to receive and view the film approximately four years from now in the year 2012.
An industry frightened to death of illegal downloading and they're just beaming this into space willy nilly? Don't be fools! Bootlegs of this thing will be on a blanket in Alien Chinatown by approximately December 13, 2012.
To make things worse, Fox isn't content just making a lackluster, Keanu Reeves-starring sci-fi remake our official broadcast to other worlds. They're also hoping for some reviews:
Commented Twentieth Century Fox domestic distribution president Bruce Snyder: "We at Fox always like to think big, and what's bigger than a 'galactic' release of a major motion picture event? We look forward to sharing The Day the Earth Stood Still with our galactic neighbors near Alpha Centauri -- and look forward to their feedback...eight years from now."
Ooh, I get it now. This is all a scientifically-advanced ploy to bump up the film's 24% Rotten Tomatoes rating. Fox knows that if alien civilizations are anything like ours, they too probably have a Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Republic out there ready to say, "If you don't look at that Klaaatu character and see a bit of yourself, you're watching the wrong movie. Go into the theater ready and willing to see us aliens portrayed as wooden and preachy, sit back, and enjoy a fun one from Earth! 3 1/2 nebulon pulsars." Then The Day the Earth Stood Still is sitting pretty with a 29% just in time for the Blu-Ray 2 release.
Dec 3 2008 Studio Logos: What's the Story?
If you've ever watched the studio logos opening a feature film and wondered, Columbia Pictures Lady: friend or foe?, I've got something for you. Neatorama has put together an informative piece on several of the big Hollywood studio logos, the histories behind them, and their variations throughout the years, laying out the stories behind the MGM lion, the Paramount mountain, and more. Sadly, the Nickelodeon Studios logo was left off the list, so we may never learn the full story behind a clusterfuck of orange shit.
Dec 3 2008 Can You Handle MORE 'SPEED'???
AICN is reporting that, despite Sandra Bullock's able handling of an out-of-control boat scenario, vehicular travelers may still not be safe drive at their own pace. Fox is supposedly interesting in making a third chapter of the Speed series, and is considering bringing Keanu Reeves back to the role of Jack Traven. The news makes me hopeful the studio is considering using my script, Speed Through Time, in which Keanu travels at such a high speed that he travels through time, and the Speed premise is used to explain famous historic events. A lot of: "Oh no, I've got to get this ocean liner under control... and it's the Titanic! Ut oh, now I've got to ride this horse at a constant 35mph... and I'm Paul Revere!" I really take the Speed concept to the next level, that next level being Quantum Leap with Keanu Reeves and speed-based terrorism.
Dec 2 2008 'Wolverine' Shall Have a Vast Toy Line
20th Century Fox (best Fox century) has released four new production photos from Wolverine. There aren't any new looks at Gambit, Blob, or Deadpool, who are all in the movie for some reason, but there are some new shots of Wolverine and Sabretooth that reveal that the film is going to produce so many action figures. What kid isn't going to want their mom to buy them a Normandy Wolvie with Post-Traumatic Flashback Projector (above)! Or...
Nov 19 2008 OMFG: 'X-Men: First Class' Movie Heading to Theaters?
The popularity of Twilight and High School Musical 3 might have ruined the film market for me, someone in the once-dominant demographic of 18-34 year-old-males: Hollywood is considering 13 to 16-year-old girls an important audience now! And we're targeting more movies towards them! Such as the new X-Men movie, which Josh Schwartz, the creator of Gossip Girl and The OC, will "inject a next-gen sensibility into"! X-Men: First Class's veins will be flowing with pure Pepsi:
Studio has tapped "Gossip Girl" creator Josh Schwartz to write "X-Men: First Class."Schwartz, the creator and exec producer of CW's teen sudser hit as well as Fox's youth-centric "The OC" and NBC's "Chuck," is expected to inject a next-gen sensibility into the superhero series, which has earned $1.2 billion worldwide.
Writing assignment has also included the possibility of directing the pic, but so far Schwartz has opted not to take the helm.
Resulting film would likely draw from elements of the Marvel comic of the same name, launched in 2006, and enlist such characters as Iceman, Rogue, Angel, Colossus, Jubilee and Shadowcat, who have appeared prominently or made cameos in prior pics.
This will be so good. Jubilee will try to slap Shadowcat, and Shadowcat will be all "nuh-uh," and make Jubilee's hand phase right through her, and then a popular song will play--but not too popular, y'know? Or at least that's what I imagine. I haven't actually seen more than a clip of The OC or Gossip Girl, but my impression is that it's mostly affluent teens alternately deciding who to punch or kiss. Is that close?
Fox, Josh Schwartz mutate 'X-Men' [Variety]
Oct 15 2008 Jerry Blank, Mr. Jellineck Working on New Show
You liked the groundbreaking Comedy Central series Strangers with Candy, right? Of course you did; you aren't a FOOL. That's why you'll be pleased as punch to hear that Strangers stars/writers Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello are working with 20th Century Fox and Worldwide Pants on a new television project. From THR:
One of the most sought-after comedians, Amy Sedaris, has inked a deal with 20th Century Fox TV to create, write and star in a comedy series project.Sedaris will pen the script with her writing partner Paul Dinello, who also is attached to direct.
The single-camera project will be co-produced by David Letterman's Worldwide Pants, which has a first-look deal with Sedaris, a longtime friend of Letterman's and a frequent guest on his "Late Show" on CBS.
Sedaris and Dinello are "fleshing out" the premise for the show, which is based on an idea Sedaris came up with about six years ago.
Now who wants to see a compilation of all the Strangers with Candy end-of-episode dance sequences as a celebration?
Continue Reading " Jerry Blank, Mr. Jellineck Working on New Show "
Oct 3 2008 Fox Considering Relaunching 'Daredevil' with Aim of Being Watchable
One of the lessons we've learned through the comic book movie boom of the last decade is that, when adapting a superhero franchise for the screen, the writer of Grumpier Old Men, Simon Birch, and Jack Frost should not be trusted, because that's how we get Daredevil, and Daredevil was punishment. (We actually didn't learn that lesson, because the same guy made Ghost Rider a few years later.) But another lesson we've learned is that, like in love, or with the Hulk, sometimes we get second chances. Love/Hulk can overcome!
Anyway, what I'm getting at is that Fox co-chair Tom Rothman just revealed the studio is seriously considering trying to relaunch the Daredevil franchise, presenting it this time in a way that would not be awful. From IESB:
Tom Rothman: A Daredevil, to use your words, reboot, is something we are thinking very seriously about.IESB: Would you do Daredevil as dark as The Dark Knight?
TR: Would it be as dark? I don't know because what it really needs is, it needs a visionary at the level that Chris Nolan was. It needs someone, it needs a director, honestly, who has a genuine vision. What we wouldn't do is just do it for the sake of doing it. Right? What we try to do is to get a creative engine for it, that really had a great vision for it, that's what we would look for.
Well, at least Fox isn't under the impression that "darkness" somehow equals quality, because, looking back at Daredevil now, I bet director Mark Steven Johnson already thinks he delivered the same kind of dark, gritty film as Dark Knight. You know when he saw that the Joker had a scarred, carved-in smile, he must have been like, "Yeah, like I didn't do that with Bullseye's forehead--five years ago! BULLLLLLSHIIIIIIIIIIT."
So yeah, Tom Rothman, get someone with a vision to make a new Daredevil movie, but do not let that person be Mark Steven Johnson again.
Sep 24 2008 'Watchmen' Legal Update: Dressing Up as a Comic Book Character Resolves Everything
Hey, everyone who's concerned Warner Bros. may be forced to delay Watchmen due to the ongoing rights battle with Fox, you can stop worrying. Everything is cool. There's a man dressed as Rorschach standing outside Fox studios holding a sign that says "WILL YOU WATCH THE WATCHMEN?" on one side and "FOX WON'T STOP ME" on the other. So that's that. Case closed. Another victory for cosplay.
Watchmen Lawsuit Update [Screen Rant]
