Aug 14 2008Sandler Turned Down Chance of Being 'Inglorious Bastard'

Speaking to Irish television, Adam Sandler confirmed he will not be appearing in Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Bastards, instead choosing to do another movie with Judd Apatow (because Don't Mess with the Zohan worked so well):

Sandler had long been rumoured to take a major role in the Tarantino-scripted movie which the director has been planning for nearly a decade.

Asked had he been in talks with Tarantino, he told RTÉ.ie: "Yeah it's true. It is, and I read the script, it's fantastic. But I'm shooting at the very same time. I won't be able to do it. I'm doing a movie with Judd Apatow at the same time so that's not going to happen, but I did read it. It is awesome."

"I know Quentin for a long time. We've been talking about doing it for years, for like five, six, seven years. Yeah, it's definitely disappointing. I'd love to do it, but I just can't."

Now where is Quentin Tarantino going to find another Jewish comedian? (There are many Jewish comedians.)

Adam Sandler Turned Down Inglorious Bastards [Flick News] (Thanks, Siobhan)

Aug 14 2008Michaels Showalter and Ian Black Getting Sketch Show

Since Daily Show and Colbert are available online, and I've lost some of my desire to see Ghostbusters II four times in one day, I don't find myself watching Comedy Central much (ever) anymore, and no amount of 3 a.m. Reno 911 reruns could bring me back. This might though: a new Michael Showalter/Michael Ian Black sketch show! From THR.

Comedy Central is moving forward with the sketch comedy "Michael and Michael Have Issues," picking up the project to pilot and adding Josh Pais to the cast.

"Michael," from Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter ("The State"), is a half-hour project with segments addressing issues that the two men have with themselves, each other and the world at large. Pais plays Jim Biederman, the executive producer for the duo's show within a show. The character takes the name from an actual exec producer on the Comedy Central project.

I haven't even seen an episode and I'm already looking forward to drunkenly explaining to people how this was prematurely cancelled.

Aug 14 2008Here's the 'Body of Lies' Trailer, Little Buddies

First I thought Russell Crowe was the bad guy because of how he lives this decadent lifestyle of smoking cigars, eating cereal, and speaking in Skipper catchphrases, and that Leonardo DiCaprio was the good guy because he looks like a bass fisherman (our greatest heroes). But then my raging xenophobia kicked in and I remembered all of the Americans must be the good guys, and the bad guys are everyone else--including director Ridley Scott, because I'm still not sure we can trust the British after all the terror of the American Revolution.

Continue Reading "Here's the 'Body of Lies' Trailer, Little Buddies"

Aug 14 2008'Madgascar', 'Kung Fu Panda' Will Keep Happening

Dreamworks has announced they have plans for at least one more Madagascar and probably another Kung Fu Panda, because that would be easier than inventing more animals-with-celebrity-voices as characters:

DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg expects at least one additional "Madagascar" sequel, the executive said Wednesday during a preview of the upcoming "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa."

The animation studio also has begun talks aimed at creating a sequel to its summer hit "Kung Fu Panda."

Calling ["Escape 2 Africa"] the "second chapter in one story," Katzenberg said, "there is at least one more chapter. We ultimately want to see the characters make it back to New York."

I think what he means is, "We still have the rights to Reel 2 Real's I Like to Move It, and we're confident having some African animals sing along with it will continue to sell for reasons even we aren't entirely sure of," but nice try.

Another 'Madagascar' sequel likely [THR]

Aug 13 2008Here's Some 'The Rocker' Internetty Stuff

Well, another movie is coming out, so you know what that means: viral stuff! This time, Rainn Wilson has convinced his Office costar Jenna Fisher to help him promote The Rocker by pretending she's locked in the trunk of his car. From Jenna's MySpace:

A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM JENNA’S "FRIEND", RAINN WILSON

Hey there Jenna's MySpacers!

My name is Rainn Wilson and I've kidnapped the lovely Jenna, put her, bound, in the trunk of my firebird and logged onto her MySpace to send out this bulletin.

To free America's sweetheart, Pam Beesly, one half of the magic which is 'Jam', you must attend my new movie, 'The Rocker', which opens August 20th.

As soon as the film grosses 18.7 Mil, she will be released and given a peach smoothie.

I just want to say that Jenna Fisher is one of the best co-workers ever. When I worked real jobs that required pants, I was covertly using other people's coffee mugs, trying to shimmy things out of the vending machine, and wasting time in the bathroom to avoid going back to work. Whereas she's making mediocre videos to support her coworker's other projects. But did she ever fix the toilet when the chain thingy was stuck? I didn't think so.

And there are some videos:

Continue Reading "Here's Some 'The Rocker' Internetty Stuff"

Aug 13 2008'French Women Don't Get Fat' and 'Freaky Friday 2': Two Movies I'll Never See

Hilary Swank's production company has acquired the rights to adapt the book "French Women Don't Get Fat" into a feature film, which should be good news for anyone who would ever be retarded enough to complain that French women don't get fat. From Variety:

Hilary Swank and producing partner Molly Smith have acquired the rights to adapt the bestselling book "French Women Don’t Get Fat" for the duo to produce through their Alcon Entertainment-based 2S Films.

Swank may star in the adaptation that’s being envisioned as a romantic comedy about the manager of a champagne company who learns some tough life lessons.

Heather Hach, who penned the remake of "Freaky Friday" and the "Legally Blonde" musical, will adapt the book.

First published in 2004, non-fiction tome became a bestseller for writer and former Champagne Veuve Clicquot topper Mireille Guiliano, offering insights on how French women manage to stay slim despite enjoying such calorie-rich fare as wine and pastries.

But here's the news from this story that really got me:

Hach is also working on a sequel to "Freaky Friday."

What? A sequel to Freaky Friday? A mom and teenager switched bodies because of an enchanted fortune cookie. Where do you go from there? They switch again? If my mind weren't so shaken from all the Kirk Cameron, I'd probably try to come with some other possibilities, but since it is, here's the trailer to KC's 1987 parent/child brain-swap movie, Like Father, Like Son. There's a theme today.

Continue Reading "'French Women Don't Get Fat' and 'Freaky Friday 2': Two Movies I'll Never See"

Aug 13 2008'Fireproof' Keeps Getting Better and Better

Inspired by the Fireproof poster (and really, who could not be?), IWS reader Adam looked into who actress Erin Bethea was, and why she had earned the privilege of costarring in a religious fireman movie with Kirk Cameron. As you'd suspect, Erin Bethea is no one worth knowing. BUT, finding her site did lead to the official Fireproof site, which is so, so worthwhile.

Best things about it:

- The Fireproof doomsday clock. "43 days until you can say "I do" to Fireproof!" For someone like me who's counting down the seconds until I can say, "I do! ...want two tickets to Fireproof! Fireproof. With Kirk Cameron? Oh... I see. Do you have any idea where it might be playing? Well, thanks anyway," this is a (Christian) godsend.

- There's a trailer! And, "Marriages aren't fireproof, Michael--sometimes you get burned," is an actual quote from it!

Continue Reading "'Fireproof' Keeps Getting Better and Better"

Aug 13 2008'Leprechaun' Could Get Time Machine Then Go to Old West

In Leprechaun and its sequels, star Warwick Davis has made his way to Vegas, space, the hood, and even, in an unexpected twist, back 2 tha hood. Now Saw director Darren Lynn Bousman has another destination in mind for the diminutive freak: the wild west. I know what you're thinking. Leprechaun is set in modern times. Arbitrarily sending Leprechaun to the wild west would sweep away whatever traces of logic remained after he went to space, right? Unless you gave him a time machine! From MTV:

Believe it, Darren Lynn Bousman insisted, telling MTV News that the project he most wants to do next is “Leprechaun.” No, seriously.

“I would do ‘Leprechaun’ in a second,” the amiable Bousman laughed. “If Lionsgate is listening, give me ‘Leprechaun.’”

So where would Bousman like to take the series next?

“Back to the old west,” Bousman said. “You send him in a time machine and transport him to the old west. There are gold rushes. There are gunfights. It’s awesome! I have the whole thing already worked out!”

I'm fine with sending Leprechaun to the old west, but the thing is, if we're going to start handing him advanced, science fiction-level technology, there are some better things we can be giving him before we get to a time machine. Things like...

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