HOT TOPIC: ALL YOU NEED IS KILL

Coming from the left-field is something that is highly uncommon these days in the Hollywood movie industry. However, Warner Brothers has done just that when they picked up All You Need Is Kill. No it’s not a franchise, no it does not include vampires and no it is not a comic book adaptation. So just what the hell is it?

Well, it is a new-wave Japanese Sci-Fi novel written by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. The book focuses on an alien invasion, Keiji Kiriya is a new recruit of the United Defence Force, a task force with one objective: Kill.

He along with many other recruits must fight to save the entire world from obliteration. O.K. so it’s not all that original. But here is the twist. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to find himself reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. At a push we would gather that this is not the best day to relive over and over again, we know Bill Murray wouldn't approve. Yet, there is a purpose with each attempt Keiji learns, adapts and has the chance to change his future and the worlds.

For those who have watched Groundhog Day, they will understand where this is going. And we like it. It’s a nice complex mix with plenty of potential and makes it stand out amongst the crowd of recent announcements. Duck and cover now National Treasure we’re targeting you in our sights.

Watch this space this could get interesting.

MATT RICHARDSON

Fright Night For Anton Yelchin

In March we reported that momentum was building on the DreamWorks’ remake of Fright Night, then it was the appointment of director Craig Gillespie. Now, Anton Yelchin (Star Trek, Terminator Salvation) is in negotiations to play Charley Brewster in the Vampire Comedy Horror.

The film centres on the Vampire living next door and don’t you know it, know one believes Charley when he tells them. So whose he gonna call? A washed up horror actor of course.

As of yet there is no start date for the picture. But the premise for the film is a winner in a post-Zombieland universe a lot of fun can be had with imaginative license. They just have to find an inspired casting like Woody Harrellson

MATT RICHARDSON

Olivia Thrilby - The Darkest Hour

Olivia Thrilby is forshizz best known for her supporting turns in Juno and The Wackness, Honest to blog. But now she has snapped up one of the leads to The Darkest Hour, a Sci-Fi action from the producer Timur Bekmambetov. Like, for real for real!

O.K. enough with the quote rips, but seriously the film revolves around a group of American tourists who visit Moscow, that’s like - in Russia or something, and gosh-garnet an alien invasion comes to town. Thrilby will star as a trust-fund traveller trying to survive the encounter.

Chris Gorak (Right At Your Door) is the man behind the lens, with the script being tinkered with as we report alongside Josh Zeturner. The film will be shot at Bekmambetov’s custom-built production facility in Moscow.


MATT RICHARDSON

Ryder Is A Cheater - Who Knew?

Winona Ryder has joined the Vince Vaughn and Kevin James cast of Ron Howard’s latest comedy, Cheaters. Or Your Cheating Heart.

Penned by scribe Allan Joeb (21, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps) The film for the uninitiated will centre on best friends Vaughn and James seeing their relationship but under strain, after Vaughn spots James’ wife (the now cast Ryder) getting up to some dirty tricks with another man.

We predict another debacle of a comedy to join the ever-increasing list titled: Vaughn miss-fires. Honestly, has anyone compromised his or her integrity as an actor for shameless profit? Fred Claus, Couples Retreat, Four Christmases…Just painful.

Howard is all set to get the cameras rolling in Chicago anytime now, with the movie arriving some time next year.

The Next Marvel Heroes Are Runaways

While the more well known Marvel heroes such as Iron Man 2, Captain America and Thor are currently developing into their own franchises, it would suggest Marvel have their hands full, or perhaps not, with Runaways in prime position to be their next, after Peter Sollett (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist) has signed on to direct.

For the uninitiated, Runaways is the creation of Brian K Vaughn known for also being the man behind Y: The Last Man. It is an original tale set within the Marvel Universe that revolves around the teenage siblings of super-villains discovering that their parents have dark secret alter-evil-personalities.

Thus a battle ensues between the group of six – who all have inherited abilities – and their evildoer parents.

At this stage the film is in early development, with no cast set in place and the script in its initial draft phase penned by Vaughn himself.

MATT RICHARDSON

National Treasure III On The Cards

Courtesy of Coming Soon we have the unenviable announcement: National Treasure 3 is happening. They’re its over, uncomfortable? So are we. Of course this was inevitable, National Treasure hit the screens in 2004 and with the sequel Book of Secrets, in 2007 it’s a franchise that has acquired $800 million in box office receipts.


It has been reported that Jerry Bruckheimer is all set to get the project moving, and likewise Nicolas Cage has always been pro-sequel when it comes to this franchise, we are sure that he commented as such after the release of Book of Secrets. Right now, Carlo Bernard and Doug Miro (Prince of Persia and The Sorceror’s Apprentice) are crafting the script for the third instalment.


Details for the direction of the third instalment are scarce, with no word whether Jon Voigt, Justin Bartha, Diane Kruger and Helen Mirren will return this time out.

MATT RICHARDSON

Fincher Signs To Dragon Tatoo

Not to long ago we reported that David Fincher was circling a number of projects including: Heavy Metal, Pawn Sacrifice and The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo. Well now we can reveal that when Fincher next gets the camera rolling it will be for the English version of the latter.

It is a timely announcement with the release of the concluding installment to Stieg Larsson’s millennium trilogy: The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest was published today.

It appears that Fincher’s involvement in the Bobby Fischer Chess biopic Pawn Sacrifice was only an advisory role, with the playlist reporting he ‘met with the producers to help them out’, but was never in the running to actually direct the feature.

Heavy Metal remains in limbo however, but with a multitude od directing talent on board [Take your cue. Mr James Cameron, Zack Snyder and Gore Verbinski] Fincher’s involvement would not appear to be paramount to the projects green light.

The information we know is that the Dragon Tattoo in its translated form is being produced by Scott Rudin, with Steve Zaillian handed scripting duties. With such strong original material to work on, along with the critically accepted Swedish versions in the cinemas as a guide of How to, the focus now rests on casting.

Shooting is billed for September, watch this space.

MATT RICHARDSON

Alex Pettyfer Is Number Four

Alex Pettyfer, best known for his turn as the star of Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker is set to return to the big screen with another hopeful attempt of a seen before franchise, negotiating to star in the DreamWorks driven ‘I am number four’

Based on the James Frey and Jobie Hughes young adult Sci-Fi book, Four revolves around nine aliens who have fled as the only survivors of their now destroyed planet. They must hide, disguised as humans, from the authorities and their enemies here on earth, with the title character taking the form of a high school student.

Even in our non cynical estimation is this not Superman plus 8? Minus maybe some super human powers, or perhaps not.

Just to help clear this matter, Smallville creators Al Gough and Miles Millar have written the screenplay [Because that was a stretch] Which DreamWorks hope to create a franchise, with the novel being the first of a planned six book series. So take what you will from this story, but if these guys start getting confused with birds and planes, we’ll be leaving the theatre before the credits role.

MATT RICHARDSON

Paul Greengrass Set For A Fantastic Voyage

Known for his visceral immediacy and hand-held majesty, Paul Greengrass is not the first name that would be drawn out if you were thinking about recreating a 1966’s classic Sci-Fi romp Fantastic Voyage, yet he is circling the job that is being produced by James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment.

According to Variety, the film is being treated as a big event movie by 2Oth Century Fox. It will be shot in the Cameron patented 3d technology used on the ground-breaking Avatar, in other words it will be properly shot in 3d, and not converted in the editing process of post-production like many new releases under the guise of 3d.

The script penned by Shane Salerno sees a scientist who is gravely ill, with no conventional help available, his colleagues are miniaturized and injected into the bloodstream so they can battle his medical issues with the help of a high-tech sub.

After the political yarns of the Bourne franchise and Green Zone dominating Greengrass’ work plate of late, it would indeed be a step in a different direction, but that just may be the point. There is a time when undeniable talent becomes tired and flat carving the same ornament each time, and this would provide a completely fresh challenge to his trademark style, there is no doubt that this project would deliver a very different Greengrass film, and we for one would love to see it. 

MATT RICHARDSON

The Dream Team: Disney Tie Up Henry Selick

Shortly after Henry Selick’s stop motion feature James and the Giant Peach was released for Disney, the decision was made to shut down all operations. But now the man who made the Oscar nominated Coraline has returned, rejoining with long time colleagues John Lasseter and Brad Bird.

His first release in 1993 for Disney did remarkably well, Nightmare before Christmas continues now through DVD sales and heavy merchandising in all of the Disney retail stores, it delivered profit and a creatively seductive film. However with James and the Giant Peach, he did not score enough profitability for Disney to see it as a viable option to continue with and Disney pulled out of the stop motion department.

Selick speaking variety sounds, well, chuffed. “I’ll quote Dick Cook right after James and the Giant Peach was finished. He said, ‘We don’t believe this is a viable medium anymore, and we’re not going to do it’. But with the return of Selick and the recent 2D animated feature The Princess and The Frog Selick announced “It’s great that both of those things are back”.

 The decision came down to John Lasseter, who once again proved his worth as one of the men at the top of the Pixar and Disney partnership. The story even eludes to the fact that Selick will no less have the Pixar ‘brain trust’ made up Bird, Andrew Stanton and Pete Docter among others, to ping his ideas off and collaborate with.

This is a telling new partnership that is likely to garner the cream of the future 2d, 3d and now stop motion animated features for the considerable future, by using common sense Lasseter is creating a group of individuals that together create a complex for creativity to develop.

MATT RICHARDSON

With Wall Street II: Money Never Sleeps wrapped up and awaiting it’s delayed Cannes premiere, Oliver Stone is scouring the market for his next venture and it is possible that he has found it in the shape of The Deep Blue Goodbye; an adaptation of John D MacDonald's novel of the same name.

The film will revolve around the protagonist Travis McGee a private eye/treasure hunter, with the story being largely based on the opening Goodbye book of a 21 book series first published in 1964.

Fox who have acquired the rights, are believed to be hoping to turn this into a money spinning franchise, on the surface it reads much in the same vain of a Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons set up revolving around detection, searching for something lost, fighting forces both bad and friendly, ultimately the protagonist coming out the victor.

However, the film is being produced through Leonardo DiCaprios’ Appian Way production company; with the proviso that he is attached to star as the titular character. But he is not exactly franchise fodder. But then again was Tom Hanks before Robert Langdon came a knocking? With a director of Stone’s caliber, Leo may just be tempted.

The plot for The Deep Blue Goodbye centers on McGee giving his life in Florida in order to search for missing treasure buried by a World War II soldier. The adaptation has not yet written, so any production of the film is not set for the immediate future, but if Stone and DiCaprio were to jump aboard, the franchise vehicle momentum will thrust forward. 

MATT RICHARDSON

Eastwood Eyes His Hoover

It was not to long ago that we reported that Clint Eastwood was circling biopic of FBI founder J.Edgar Hoover, now it appears that he has his eye on a particular collaborator: Leonardo DiCaprio.

DiCaprio has had a career that has seen him work with some for he best that the industry has to offer, with a long term collaboration with Martin Scorsese [Aviator, Gang’s of New York, The  Departed, Shutter Island], Steven Spielberg and James Cameron. It only seems natural that he should set his sights on working with evergreen director Eastwood, who can do very little wrong these days.

The film as we have mentioned before, will revolve around the launching of the FBI and the controversial figure of Hoover himself. While the agency launched an attack on crime in America, it simultaneously developed dark undertones with the agency using its power to obtain information to use against political and personal obstacles.

Nothing has been confirmed as of yet, but Leo speaking with Entertainment Weekly puts a positive spin on things. “There’s no contract, no anything, but I’m a huge fan of Clint’s.’Eastwood is no stranger to grabbing the best in the moment stars for his pictures, and In Dicaprio he would boast an actor who is on a seasoned run of successful and critically like films. Personally, we think that the combination could continue to produce good results.

MATT RICHARDSON

High Tides for Sean Penn

Sean Penn is no stranger to surfing pictures; after all it was his role in Fast Times At Ridgemount High that launched his career. And now it appears that he may don the board once more but this time for Curtis Hanson’s biopic Jay Moriarty.

The star of Moriarty was born in the 199Os; he was young talented surfer never shirking from the conditions on the waves. It was his survival from several huge wipeouts that brought about his notoriety and following.

It was this death defying drive of the young twenty something that led to tragic death, when at the age of 22 he was killed in a free dive. Sounds very much like the script could be of the rails youngster whose ‘tragic accident’ is just around the corner if he doesn’t change his ways, pulling at the heart strings up until the inevitable.

Cinematic have reported that Penn is currently negotiating to play Rick ‘Frosty’ Hesson, an ex lifeguard and champion swimmer who becomes the guide to Moriarty’s rise.

Nothing has been signed yet, but with his past history it is enough to place a sense of probability on, rather than outlandish stretch.

MATT RICHARDSON

Timur Bekmambetov circles Frankenstein

Wanted director Timur Bekmambetov is reported to be circling the adaptation of  Peter Ackroyd’s ‘The Casebook Of Victor Frankenstein’, a literary reimagining of the classic Frankenstein story.

Coming Soon have announced that Bekmambetov is coming aboard the development, with playwright and screenwriter David Auburn already on adaptation duty.

The plot offers an intriguing twist to the original, it begins with the strained relationship between Oxford students Victor Frankenstein and Percy Bysshe Shelley who are embroiled in a heated debate about religion, science and life. The consequence is that the young scientist becomes obsessed with the reanimation of corpses in order to support his theories.

Beginning with a supply from the coroner, he becomes dissatisfied with the condition of his specimens on the slab. He forges a tempestuous relationship with the Doomsday men, who are intrigued with the progressions of the young student.

The end game as we know is common knowledge, but Ackroyd’s book boasts a somewhat controversial ending, [no spoilers]. Will the project reach the big screen, it all depends on the script, and there is certainly a market, the anticipation that follows said announcements is a mainstay, but also is the continuous relationship between hot anticipation and poor execution that disappoint on mass.

MATT RICHARDSON

Well Earth is just plain unlucky. After surviving total destruction from those cheeky little green blighter's from outer space, it appears they could be coming back for more. Fourteen years after the original rumour’s are rife that Independence Day II is been circled for production.

IESB have reported that Fox, recently plush thanks to the astronomical box office receipts gained with Avatar, are seriously considering the idea of a sequel. The production is being rumoured even though Emmerich and Dean Devlin have not hard-lined any particular story lines or direction to which to take from the original. Sounds good so far.

Will Smith is the other consideration, with him, the project is a money spinner, in all its 3d, Imax glory. Without him, its surely a non starter. Would Big Willie return? Well he is eyeing up his next project, both of which are fantasy, and one of which is a franchise in Men in Black. If he is considering a return to black, surely he is open to anything.

Whether this rumour manifests into reality, is anyone’s guess. But we want first dibs on the sequels title, here is some of our favourites: ID2: Fresh Justice. ID2: We have a stick with a nail in it and we're not afraid to use it. Or the abbreviated ID2: FFS.

MATT RICHARDSON

Godzilla Returns To Old Stomping Ground

Over a decade has past since the not so jolly green giant last came marauding down the streets of Manhattan, with Roland Emmerich’s 1998 Godzilla incarnation starring Matthew Broderick. It was met with the thunderous echoes of disapproval, followed by stampeding masses leading out of the cinema. But now, Warner Brother’s and Legendary Pictures want to set the record straight with there own offering.

According to Bloody Disgusting, both companies have almost reached an agreement with the Japanese owners Toho to bring the icon back to life, in what will presumably be 3D.However, director Yoshimitsu Banno who made 1971’s Godzilla Vs Hedorah, will have beaten the pair to the punch after securing the rights to produce a 4O minute version due out next year in 3D IMAX format.

Speaking with Heat Vision Blog, Legendary Chief Thomas Tull explained ‘"Godzilla is one of the world's most powerful pop culture icons, and we at Legendary are thrilled to be able to create a modern epic based on this long-loved Toho franchise," adding "Our plans are to produce the Godzilla that we, as fans, would want to see. We intend to do justice to those essential elements that have allowed this character to remain as pop culturally relevant for as long as it has".

Certainly, it can be said that Tull has all the right words at hand, but what is that they say, action is greater…so we shall wait and see whether when the film is delivered in 2O12, if Tull’s words are accurate or a point of scandal and derision.

MATT RICHARDSON

The Hobbit Delayed

News from Middle Earth and it is not what we want to hear. Last week Sir Ian Mckellen’s via his website announced that shooting for The Hobbit part one and two was to commence in June. Well, that’s all changed, with uncertainty hovering over the project after other cast members suggest the film won’t shoot until the end of the year, they think.


Digital spy asked Andy Serkis on the red carpet for the Empire Awards when filming was due to start, his response was not all that positive. "It is, apparently! At some point towards the end of this year, I expect it'll start kicking off." Expect? A film that by all accounts was set to roll in  two months, which will relocate many of the stars, producers and director for an entire year to New Zealand, is only 'expected' to now start by the end of the year. 


Further adding to the woes off all Hobbites' was the reversal of Mckellen’s website announcement, now saying that the film beginning ‘at a time to be announced’.


The speculation is that MGM, who are the distributors for both forthcoming Hobbit release, are in dire straights financially. Indeed, TORN, the number one website for fans of all thing’s JRR Tolkien, have repeatedly reported the problems surrounding MGM  and how that this difficulty is impeding Guillermo del Toro in getting the films into production. 


As it stands MGM are currently in the process of stripping its assests to any one that is interested in order to their balance the books. This paints a bleak picture for The Hobbit's eventual release date, for as long as MGM remain in financial strain and the films distributor, the film could be delayed even further.


We hope to have more positive news soon.

Maleficent Finds Its Queen?

We reported last week that Disney were pushing ahead with Alice in Wonderland scribe Linda Woolverton to manifest ‘Maleficent’; the retelling of Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the titular evil queen. Now rumours stemming from the LA Times place Angelina Jolie as the main contender for the starring lead.

Tim Burton is still currently linked to the project, yet he has remained allusive to signing onto any deals post Alice, with Maleficient one of many possibles.

Nothing is concrete for the moment, but Jolie is reportedly actively following its development. However, It is understood that Jolie [currently to be seen alongside Johnny Depp in the  ‘The Tourist’] may only sign on with the condition that Burton himself is involved as director.

Jolie’s move to Disney would certainly raise eyebrows, if not of only the dad’s taking their young ones to the theatre, certainly the mothers who suddenly want to know why they are not in their customary leaned back, feet up position watching the world go by on a Sunday afternoon. 

Yet, the move would be a benefit for Disney as it would be snaring a 'movie star' very much at the top of the list and at the top of her game. And for Jolie it could potentially bring a more rounded audience view of the star, who is seen more of a dark temptress of Hollywood, rather than an actress.

With the script only just kicking into development, it is safe to say the project is one for the future; so a commitment by Burton could coincide with him working on Dark Shadows or The Addams Family that he is currently circling first.

Review: The Princess and the Frog

Walt Disney classics are just that, defined by their place in a different generation, confined to history. Pixar, have stolen a march on the old master, creating the types of stories that a new Walt Disney generation must delve backwards to discover; The Jungle Book, Sleeping Beauty, and the Lion King are just three possible examples.

However, as The Princess and the Frog plays before your eyes, you would be forgiven in thinking that you had stepped back to the golden era of Disney. Legendary animation writer-directors Ron Clements and John Musker (The Little Mermaid and Aladdin) have delved into the richness of previous Disney’s releases to produce a fresh and vibrant old-fashioned fairy tale, but set in a modern mould. The aesthetics of the film are impeccable handled and beautifully envisioned using a combination of hand-drawn animation and digital polishing, to bring to life a contender to any other recent animated release.

It is New Orleans in the 1920’s, Prince Naveen has been turned into a frog; our heroine Tiana, believing a kiss would restore him to his stately figure, is also cursed. In order to find a cure, our now amphibious duo must journey through the swarming swamp to find a legendary voodoo witch Mama Odie.

Clements and Musker do not alienate Disney’s latest picture from the roots of instilled its creator. The customary staples are still present:  we have our photogenic heroine, the handsome prince, the unsightly villains and even a fairy god mother, well, kind of.  And not to mention the comic relieve in the form of imaginative excess: a large crocodile who desires nothing more than to plays Jazz.

Spectacle is added through the intersection of storyline and the accustomed song and dance fare. Randy Newman (Toy Story) provides a score that buoys the picture, flowing effortless complimenting, or even enhancing the film; ‘Friend’s on the Other Side’ is truly hallucinogenic. The mixture delivers a resounding endorsement to the Disney ‘brand’ of feature, still having a place amongst modern animated cinema.

But, it is the subtle differences embedded in The Princess and the Frog that allow it to stand up against its precedents.

For a start, in heroine Tiana (Dreamgirls’ Anika Noni Rose) we are led into a characterisation of feminine determination and responsibility; a drive that sees’ her occupy two jobs simultaneously in order to achieve her ambition of opening a restaurant – does that sound like any Disney classic you’ve heard  of? But it rings in true within the context of a modern audience. And the fact that Roses’ Tiana is the first portrayal of an African-American lead in a Disney feature should not be lost in translation. Change is signposted continually.

To emphasise this transition Tiana’s opposite, Prince Naveen, is handsome, loveable and utterly helpless; surviving off the name of a lost generation with no inclination to take responsibility himself. In this film the lead characters’ have flaws, with the themes of wealth and ambition countered with the importance of love and family; a staple that transcends the old, and the new generation Disney.

With the addition of delightfully crafted support characters, such as the air headed best-friend (Jennifer Cody), Louis the jazz playing alligator, Southern firefly (Jim Cummings), and the delightfully demonic Dr. Facilier (Keith David), a villainous foe worthy of any nightmare, what you are left with is The Princess and the Frog: the return of Disney.

The Princess and the Frog delivers; even it may not surpass the older generation classics. Still, it is a vast improvement on the recent output from Walt Disney, combining old staples with vibrancy and a modern re-imagining, to create a fresh enjoyable old-fashioned fairytale with heart.   

Verdict:

****

MATT RICHARDSON

Robin Hood Steals Cannes

Following in the footsteps of UP last year, it has been announced by The Hollywood Reporter that Ridley Scott’s Blockbuster “Robin Hood” will raise the prestigious curtain to the 63^rd Festival de Cannes on May 12.

Cannes President Thierry Fremaux revealed “The choice of the opening night film is always tricky. By choosing Robin Hood, we’ll have a popular movie directed by Ridley Scott, a ‘Hollywood auteur’ whose work is respected throughout the world”. Fremaux added “the film will be released everywhere at the same time it screens in Cannes which will be a great connection between the Festival and audiences all over the world”.

Written by Brian Helgleland, the latest trailers indicate that the new version is an action packed re-telling of the thief-turned-hero of Nottinghamshire. In fact, if you squint at the snippets released it feels very much like Gladiator: The English Years. But that is no bad thing.

Russell Crowe lends his screen presence as the legendary ‘Robin Hood’ alongside a stellar cast including: Cate Blanchett, Max Von Sydow, Lea Sedoux and William Hurt. The indications are that Helgleland's incarnation of Robin Hood is an origin story. The film follows the story of an archer in the service of King Richards the Lionherat became to be the outlaw Robin Hood, rather than an established Robin Hood escapade.   

Produced by Brian Grazer, Imagine Entertainment and Scott’s Scott Free, it will hit out  of competition theatres as it christens this year’s French festival, before being released worldwide by Universal on the 14 May. 

MATT RICHARDSON