MOVIE REEL
by Robin Chambers
(1/28/00)-It appears that any difficulties that were in place that prevented helmer Sam Raimi from taking on directing duties on the Spider-Man are nearly gone. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Raimi is currently in final negotiations to sit in the film’s director chair. Usually word of "final negotiations" suggest that it's a done deal, but Raimi’s problem was unusual. Raimi, who starts shooting The Gift on February 3rd, would need to move over to Spider-Man immediately after filming wraps on Gift, but before he can do post-production. It was previously reported that Sony Pictures was offering a multi-million dollar compensation to Franchise for delays on The Gift caused by Raimi’s temporary exit from the project. When the deal is signed, Raimi looks to start on Spider-Man in the spring. Afterwards, he will have to do post for both Spidey and The Gift. Sony is targeting summer 2001 for the release of Spider-Man.
The trade reports that Raimi will shoot from David Koepp’s script, which is based on a treatment by James Cameron.
(1/14/00)-More rumors regarding the potential fifth Star Trek series have turned up online. This time around, though, Harry Knowles and his Ain’t It Cool News website received word from a tipster about a recent focus group gathering by Paramount wherein three "animatic’ scenarios were presented to the test groups. Two of the scenarios we’ve heard before: Star Fleet Academy and a series set prior to Star Trek: TOS where everything is established. The source described the third concept as follows:
"The second, and probably the strongest, involved an elite band of trouble-shooters that traveled throughout the galaxy, dealing with volatile situations and galactic hot-spots; sort of the Federation's Navy SEALS. They would go undercover, when necessary, and deal with terrorists, pirates, etc. This really seemed to have the best potential for being a kick-ass sci-fi adventure series."
It sounds a bit like the previously rumored Section 31 concept… but it also sounds pretty good.
(1/13/99)-Everyone has an opinion on when they think the title vessel of Star Trek: Voyager should come back to the Alpha Quadrant… even series star Kate Mulgrew. While talking to the Calgary Sun, Mulgrew revealed what she would do if she were in charge, saying, "They will not reveal (when the series will wrap) because I think they have not decided themselves. But if I was in charge, I would get us home either at the end of this season or early on in the next."
Mulgrew continues, "Can you imagine the stories that could evolve out of that premise? The Maquis are criminals, Tom Paris is supposed to be in jail, Seven of Nine is a Borg! The possibilities are absolutely endless."
Sounds good to me!
(12/9/99)-Word has it that Sony Pictures Entertainment has finally whittled down their choices for the director of the Spider-Man movie to two final candidates. According to Variety, the studio will select either David Fincher (Fight Club, The Game, Seven) or Chris Columbus (Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone, Bicentennial Man). Word has it that the studio will make their final decision before Christmas.
Either director conjures up images of drastically different approaches to comicdom’s favorite webslinger. On one hand, Fincher would seem to be most likely to approach Spidey from the grim and gritty angle, which would seem to be perfect for the rumored "scriptment" written by James Cameron. On the other hand, Columbus was previously involved in the Fantastic Four movie and a comic book fan to boot. While he has a career of warm and fuzzy movies, he could also bring the humor of the character that has been a part of the Spider-Man comic since its beginning.
The trade also reports that the warm, endearing version of Spidey and his alter ego, Peter Parker, may not be the way the studio wants to go. Having said that, I can’t help but ask if the powers that be if they have ever read the original comics?
(11/26/99)-Chances of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s participation in Mario Kassar and Andy Vajna’s twin Terminator movie projects are sounding pretty slim. According to the Sci Fi cable channel’s website, Arnold was asked about the recently announced back-to-back sequels and his potential participation during a recent End of Days press conference. Arnold quickly shot down any suggestions that he’s currently involved and specifically explained what it would take to get him in to the projects, saying, "I have no intentions of doing it except when Jim Cameron is doing the directing or the producing or the writing. Jim Cameron has to be involved in one way or another."
Given that James Cameron and/or Lightstorm is not involved in the production, the man has a plethora of other projects in the works and he doesn’t seem to be interested in what the director might see as a step back, don’t count on Arnold ever coming on board the Terminator ship. For that matter, it isn’t like Arnold himself doesn’t have enough projects on his own plate including The Sixth Day, Doc Savage, Total Recall 2, With Wings As Eagles and True Lies 2 with Cameron. Of course, in Hollywood, one should never say "never." Time will tell
(11/24/99)-Based on previous information reported in the Insider, we know that Eon Productions (the folks who handle the James Bond film franchise) had a contract with Pierce Brosnan for two Bond movies with an option to pick him up for a third. Meanwhile, Brosnan has declared a number of times that he would like a three year hiatus from the film series. Now, while talking to Film Unlimited, series producer Michael Wilson is revealing what is known so far about James Bond 20 and how it relates to Brosnan. Wilson says, "[The next Bond film] should start in the next two to three years… and Pierce will be on board."
(11/24/99)-It’s really hard to tell if Harrison Ford actually wants to reprise the role of Indiana Jones for a fourth film or not. Recent quotes from the actor seem to suggest that he’s leaning towards not doing it right now.
According to the U.K.’s Film Unlimited website, Ford was recently interviewed in Britain and Brazil (boy, does that guy get around). In Brazil, when asked about playing the role again, Ford is stiltedly quoted as saying, "I am sure that I could never play Indiana Jones again. He is in the past of my career. Today I feel closer to characters like Jack Ryan (Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger) than Han Solo and Indiana Jones."
Then, in an interview on Britain’s Big Breakfast program, Ford seems a little more upbeat on the possibility, saying, "Steven (Spielberg) and George (Lucas) will not be available until 2005. I don't know whether I'll be fit or interested at that point, but I hope it could happen before that."
(11/24/99)-As previously reported, producer Rick McCallum is currently down under at Fox Studios Australia prepping Star Wars: Episode Two with plans to start production in June. While talking to the national Australian newspaper, McCallum dropped a couple of tidbits of what we can expect in the next two films of the Star Wars saga, saying, "We start to learn the reasons why he turns towards the Dark Side… [including] his character, his environment, narcissism. What is it, basically, that makes people do terrible things to each other, especially people that they love?"
(11/19/99)-Pierce Brosnan was made to play James Bond. As if he were manufactured in a lab, he has all the confident bravado of Sean Connery and all the suave charisma of Roger Moore. Unfortunately, in his first two outings as the superspy, his inner Bond was trapped under the unnecessary weight of '90s action clichés. Nobody will argue that Bond films are all about great action sequences and futuristic gadgets, but the characters and stories shouldn't be overwhelmed. And, come on, James Bond doesn't brood.
The good news is The World Is Not Enough is the best James Bond film in quite a while--certainly the best of the Pierce Brosnan-starring outings. The bad news is there's still some debris left to sweep away before Bond's back in top shape.
One of the things Bond films have never lacked is the grand tradition of a non-stop, adrenaline-pumping opener. Not to be outdone by its 18 predecessors, TWINE launches an all-out assault of thrills. After narrowly escaping an assassination attempt, Bond shows up at MI6 headquarters to return a suitcase full of cash to its rightful owner, a wealthy oil baron and old friend of M's. The money explodes, killing the owner, and Bond finds himself in a riveting speedboat chase along the Thames. Clocking in at around 15 minutes, it's the longest opener in Bond history, but it's worth every minute.
M sends Bond to protect King's daughter, Elektra, who has taken over her father's construction of an oil pipeline in Western Asia. The softly beautiful yet tough-as-nails heiress once escaped the clutches of a deranged kidnapper, who Bond fears has come back to finish the job and in the meantime execute a little nuclear terrorism (of course).
True to Bond form, action takes place in varied venues--on skis, in water, through tunnels. Sure, it's formulaic, but it's a comfortable formula. When the 007 theme music swells, things start exploding and Bond outwits the bad guys with his clever toys, no Bond fan can resist getting wrapped up in the moment, appreciating the recognition. It's a dangerous thing to request more action these days, but remembering the ski sequences in For Your Eyes Only and On Her Majesty's Secret Service that went on and on, building in Eyes from skis to motorcycles to a bobsled course, fans are left wanting after the one in TWINE. None of the sequences in this film can live up to the promise of the pre-credit teaser.
Click HereFor More OO7!!
Sophie Marceau, on the other hand, lives up to all expectations as Bond babe Elektra. Unlike most of her peers, she's a complex character with more facets than curves. Her chemistry with Brosnan is relentless. Sorry to say the same cannot be said for Bond babe number 2, Denise Richards. Though she's still reading lines rather than acting, her character's failure can't be blamed solely on her. Dr. Christmas Jones was written flat, nothing to do but make sure the audience knew whether their beloved James should be afraid of radiation levels. And could anybody buy her as a nuclear physicist without a chuckle?
Thank god there's no media baron in this film. TWINE's villain, a terrorist who has a bullet lodged in his brain that will slowly kill him while shutting his senses down and making him stronger, is a lot more interesting. And Robert Carlyle has the acting chops to make him work. But he doesn't see much action, unfortunately. His thunder's stolen by a plot twist highlighting a secondary villain, but this same twist adds a dimension of sorrow and pity to his bitterness.
The writers obviously realized what a goldmine they have in Dame Judi Dench, making M more a part of the story than ever before. The direction her character took, however, is somewhat out of line with expectations. Feelings of guilt over a botched rescue mission when Elektra was kidnapped leave her vulnerable. It's unfortunate she was left watching at the end, instead of getting in on the action. Her involvement could have added a poignant scene to the lackluster, jumbled ending sequence of the film.
Speaking of poignancy, Q departed the franchise in a touching scene worthy of Desmond Llewelyn's importance as the sole actor to last throughout the 37 years of Bond's screen history. If written well, John Cleese, a brilliant humorist, will take up the reins as his replacement R with able gusto.
Dr. Jones notwithstanding, TWINE features some great performances bringing to life characters worthy of a Bond film. The pacing reverts the action to its proper place, allowing these characters breathing room and time for a story to develop. Brosnan shines as Bond--he has everything it takes to bring the agent back to top form when put up against an intriguing villain and a Bond babe that's more his match than his conquest. The one-liners have to stop if they're going to continue in the '90s vein of groaners, rather than the smirking tongue-in-cheek fun of Connery and Moore. Though the ending falls flat, TWINE shows promise that Bond won't fade away with the dwindling century.
(11/17/99)-Angry Films producer Don Murphy is talking up two of his higher profile comic book inspired movie projects: Dr. Strange and Iron Man.
Rob Allstetter’s Comic Continuum scored a coup by catching up to Murphy to quiz the producer on the status of the recently announced Columbia Doctor Strange project as well as the long in development Iron Man.
As previously reported, Doctor Strange: Master of the Mystic Arts is on the fast track at Columbia. Regarding the project, Murphy revealed, "It's going to be great. What do I like about the character? Well, he's not just some guy walking around in long underwear. I totally see it working as a movie. He's like a warlock."
When asked if scribe David Goyer (Blade), who had worked on a previous attempt at bringing Strange to the screen, might be tapped to write the new project’s script, Murphy says, "This is a square-one start over. It might be David. David and I are actually talking and it might be him, but it might not be. We're doing a Harlan Ellison project together right now."
Murphy also revealed that the film’s villain is likely to be the Doctor’s recurring nemesis Baron Mordo. The producer doesn’t have anyone in particular in mind to play the part of Strange, though he does tell the site he envisioned a Ben Affleck-type for the role.
On the Iron Man front, it sounds as if Shellhead’s New Line Cinema project is also getting a fresh start with word that Jeff Vintar’s script will not be used. Murphy explained the approach he now intends to take with the character saying, "He's like Howard Hughes meets James Bond. He's got a lot of toys and he's out there fighting crime… I can see a guy wearing a suit of armor. It's got a lot of potential for a series of movies." Murphy currently has no specific plan as to the eventual film’s villain.
(11/16/99)-Arnold Schwarzenegger's apocalyptic "End of Days." This one has to be seen to be believed. A lot of people are suckers for these good vs. evil flicks, with Satan looking like he might get the upper hand, so it might hook a large, appreciative audience. But I will only say there is much unintentional comedy, along with Arnold's patented wisecracks as he lays waste to all and sundry.
More impressive than the film-much more impressive!-was the star himself, who appeared last week after a screening, at the Rhiga Royal Hotel to auction off the Audemars Piquet watch he wears in the movie. The profits-$57,000-benefit Arnold's Inner-City Games Foundation. Looking tall and tan, with a rugged three-day beard (his new look of the moment), Arnold was charismatic to the max, very funny at the auction, and mobbed by a fairly sophisticated and blas crowd of New Yorkers. It took the star a full 15 minutes after the auction to make his way a mere 30 feet to the elevator. Everybody had a camera. Everybody had to catch his eye and ear, everybody had to get a really good look. Arnold moved through the crowd like the polished movie icon he is, and the sharp politician he might become someday. He had a quip, a compliment, a hearty handshake and a just-between-you-and-me chuckle for each and every person.
He's a real charmer, and unlike most movie folk, much better in the flesh than on celluloid.
(11/15/99)-Are you ready for Terminator 4? If the plans work out, there will not only be a third film in the franchise, but a fourth as well. According to Variety the men who own the rights to the franchise, producers Mario Kassar and Andy Vajna, are launching their new C-2 Pictures production banner with plans to bring back the Terminator franchise in third and fourth films which will be developed simultaneously.
The trade reports that the script for Terminator 3 will be written by Tedi Sarafian (Metalheads). The third film, which is scheduled to start shooting in 2000 so that it can make a planned release date sometime in 2001, will tell the present day story of the first battle between humans and Skynet that paves the way for the major war to come.
The fourth film, which will have a script by David Wilson (Supernova, the Rollerball remake), will be set in the ravaged future after the nuclear exchanges between humanity and Skynet forces have taken place.
Both films focus on the adult John Connor and expand on his character as he battles the robots and his fated future. In addition, in keeping with the formula established by the second film, there will be a protector Terminator as well as an antagonistic robotic foe.
Kassar and Vajna still hope to get Arnold Schwarzenegger to play the title character, but intend on moving forward even if they can’t. Furthermore, confirming what Lightstorm prez Rae Sanchini told to the Insider, James Cameron is not involved in this project at all.
In addition, the trade reports that Fox may have passed on the project when word that the Japanese studio, Toho, had become involved, though there are rumblings that Universal might be interested. Regardless, Kassar and Vajna are moving forward on the project no matter who eventually distributes the film.
Kassar is optimistic about the project as he revealed to the trade, "I don’t know if you can ever equal the first two films, because James Cameron is a genius, but we’re going to do our best, use the best special effects houses, and really surprise people with the creative stories that are great and have the twists and turns the audience expects… I think we’re on the right course, and I know there has been all this curiosity, people wondering if Mario and Andy would be at Fox or someplace else. There were a lot of negotiations going on and some studios wanted this, others wanted that. We said, that’s great, but we went into this to make this movie and revitalize the franchise, and finally said, let’s just get started. We wrote the checks, let’s proceed. I feel very confident."
Kassar continues, "And remember that T2 was much the same. Being an indie, Carolco was under the microscope, and people said it was on course to be the most expensive movie and it would put Carolco out of business. Looking back, it was worth every risk, and I don’t know anybody who lost money on it. Everybody made a lot of money on it."
Still, regarding Schwarzenegger’s participation in the project, the producer is still hoping to get the big man, saying, "I’d love for Arnold to be in it, but we’re not at that point yet." A representative of the actor told the trade that they do not comment on his potential projects to the press.
(11/15/99)-Pierce Brosnan has been telling the press that he would like to see James Bond killed. In addition, he wants to play the part should the character meet his demise. While talking to London’s Daily Express, via a number of sources, the actor revealed, "I'd like to see him killed off. I want to have a death scene with Bond. Now that would be something."
(11/10/990-That which has been so feared by a number of Star Wars fans left slightly disappointed by The Phantom Menace has come to pass. Lucasfilm has officially announced that Jar Jar Binks will be back in Star Wars: Episode Two. The official Star Wars website reports the following:
"While George Lucas is still working on the script for the next film, and the start of general casting is still several months away, several actors are already clearing their schedules to be available for filming in Australia and on location next summer. Among them, we’re happy to confirm, is Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks, who will be rejoining Ewan McGregor (playing Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Natalie Portman (as Queen Amidala) for Star Wars: Episode II."
Obviously, anything beyond the romantic angle in the second film’s story is all conjecture. Still, we can’t help but wonder what purpose Jar Jar will have in the film. Nothing against Ahmed Best, but after the events of the first film, where does Jar Jar logically fit in the saga? After his seeming redemption in the eyes of his people, would he still leave his home to hang out with Anakin during his Jedi training or Queen Amidala and her political obligations? Is Jar Jar simply being brought back to play comic relief in a story that will start taking on even darker tinges? Will his addition pave the way for what would seem to suggest the character’s eventual death? That’s something that would not only please a number of Jar Jar bashers, but would actually be something of a surprise after the sunny, happy nature of the first film. Of course, this is all food just for thought and conversation until more information comes out
(11/10/99)-Word has it that last Thursday saw Star Trek: Voyager exec producer Brannan Braga speaking to the University of California, Santa Cruz Film Department about the fifth Star Trek series. According to TrekWeb, a question regarding the much talked about potential program was asked of the producer during a Q&A session. A tipster to the site reports that Braga remained fairly close mouthed about the serie's specifics but did reveal that a new series premise had finally been okayed by Paramount. In addition, Braga is said to have told the film students that the new series would be very different from previous Trek programs as well as having "close to zero technobabble." In addition, Braga is also reported to have told the audience that he will remain on Voyager until that series concludes, which may be after season seven.
(11/9/99)-Production has finally started on the next Highlander feature film, and the film’s star, Adrian Paul, is talking about it. First of all, though, the film appears to have yet another title. According to Variety columnist Michael Fleming, the film is now called Highlander: Endgame rather than the previously reported Highlander: World Without End.
Paul revealed the columnist that the new film will reflect the quality of the TV series rather than the mixed bag of the film series. He explains, "We were very careful during the series regarding the progression of the character, the kind of story arcs that worked best, and the same kind of care was taken here." Paul will carry the film, though film series star Christopher Lambert will also appear.
Click HereFor More Highlander!!
Paul also spoke of the recently reporting training he had to endure for the film, saying, "The last month and a half, it’s been six to nine hours of martial arts and sword training a day, and learning different weapons. Instead of just having immortals battle with two swords, we thought it would be more interesting to have them use styles and weapons from different cultures around the world."
Beyond that, Paul also revealed that his contract for the project also has a option to pick up the actor for a possible sequel.
Highlander: Endgame is currently shooting on location in Romania with Doug Aarnoikoski directing from a script by Joel Soisson.
Though Mr. Showbiz columnist Jeffrey Wells continues to insist that Voyager executive producer Brannon Braga and Star Trek franchise guru Rick Berman are developing a new Trek series called Flight Academy, Braga told Cinescape magazine editor Steve Hockensmith that such reports are inaccurate.
"We've been chatting about a new series. We chat about a lot of things. I just can't comment on it. If I could tell you anything firm, I would, but everything's very nebulous right now," Braga said. "I will say to you that I don't know where that [Flight Academy] rumor started. If there is a new Star Trek series, I highly doubt if it will have anything to do with Starfleet Academy. I would be shocked if that turned out to be the next series."
Braga declined to comment on other Trek-related rumors, such as new whisperings Cinescape Online has been hearing which suggest that the next series may have a time-travel premise. He also couldn't shed much light on when the new series would premiere. "It's very premature," he said. "I don't know what Paramount is thinking. They could be thinking a year, two years, three years. Your guess is as good as mine. I haven't had any kind of official talk with the studio about it. The rumors flying around...I don't know where they're coming from."
(11/9/99)-It may well be that your best chance of getting one of those coveted nonspeaking extra roles for the second chapter of the Star Wars saga is to be a resident of Australia. According to the Australian newspaper, Star Wars: Episode One -- The Phantom Menace producer Rick McCallum revealed that the production will cast those parts for the most part with Australians.
Click HereFor More Star Wars!!
In addition, McCallum tells that 98% of the crew will also be from Down Under, with the exception of previously designated filled positions like cinematographer, digital effects, etc.
National Video Rentals -- November 4, 1999
1. "The Blair Witch Project" (Artisan)
2. "The Matrix" (Warner Bros.)
3. "The Mummy" (Universal)
4. "Analyze This" (Warner Bros.)
5. "Life" (Universal)
6. "Election" (Paramount)
7. "Forces Of Nature" (DreamWorks)
8. "Go" (Sony)
9. "The Rage: Carrie 2" (MGM/UA)
10. "The Thirteenth Floor" (Sony)
National Video Sales -- November 4, 1999
1. "The Blair Witch Project" (Artisan)
2. "The Mummy" (Universal)
3. "Yellow Submarine" (MGM/UA)
4. "The Prince of Egypt" (DreamWorks)
5. "Playboy's Blue Collar Babes" (Playboy)
6. "Ricky Martin: the Official Video Collection" (Columbia)
7. "Playboy 2000 - Video Playmate Calendar" (Playboy)
8. "American History X" (New Line)
9. "Doug's 1st Movie" (Disney)
10. "Elizabeth" (USA)
(11/5/99)-As has been previously rumored, Warner Bros. is said be in discussions to bring back the caped crusader in a fifth Batman movie. But what form will the cowled avenger take this time?
According to the Hollywood Reporter, though no scripts have as yet been written, the studio is considering taking one of two possible directions with the troubled Batman franchise. On one hand, as has been often suggested and rumored, Warners is said to be considering adapting the Batman: Year One story written by Frank Miller as a means of making a fresh start. The original story follows a post-college Bruce Wayne as he first takes on the bat costume stumbling his way through fighting crime. The story, as it was originally told, also featured a revised version of Batman’s first meeting with the Catwoman. If the studio chooses to follow the story exactly, that suggests that the powers that be might ignore all the previous film series’ continuity allowing for further appearances of such prominent villains as the Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Two-Face in subsequent films.
(11/5/99)-That Anakin casting call for Star Wars: Episode Two that you may have heard about having been put out by Lucasfilm is the real deal… sort of. According to USA Today, the memo that was recently leaked was planned as a simple alert to casting agents that eventually the studio would be looking for a 19-year old actor who is "self-determined, extremely intelligent and forthright. Should resemble Jake Lloyd." A Lucasfilm spokesperson told the paper that casting for the film starts in January, though anyone interested in partcipating must "have professional acting experience" and an agent.
(11/4/99)-While talking to the Mr. Showbiz website about his upcoming Sleepy Hollow, director Tim Burton was also asked about his dead ended Superman project. Burton candidly revealed, "I worked hard on Superman. I ‘made’ the movie only I didn't film it. You'd have to ask Warner Bros. why. It was going to be expensive, and they were a little sensitive that they had screwed up the Batman franchise. Corporate decisions are all fear-based decisions. They were afraid."
Click HereTo See More SUPERMAN
Burton also goes on to defend his choice of Nicolas Cage as the Man of Steel in spite of negative fan reactions, saying, "That's what they said about Michael Keaton and Batman. If they would have allowed us to do it, it would have been interesting."
Chris Carter is talking once again about what we can expect from the seventh season of The X-Files, as well as his feelings about the abrupt cancellation of his Harsh Realm series.
While talking to the LA Times, the X-Files creator and exec producer revealed that he would still like to see the series continue, though he does cite that perhaps the only way to do so would be if both David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson were on board. As far as the seventh season is concerned, Carter let out that the finish of the sixth season cliffhanger "reinvests and redefines Mulder with a new spirit in his quest." Furthermore, suggested by recent rumors that Scully and Mulder will finally have that long awaited kiss, Carter also revealed that the personal relationships and subsequent romantic tension between the series' two leads will also be explored throughout the season. Carter says, "And there are a lot of great stories left to tell."
Click HereTo See More X-FILES
Realistically though, Carter is said to be moving the series towards its conclusion, saying, "As always, I want to tell good stories, scare people, leaven it with some funny episodes, expand and possibly wind down the X-Files mythology." Among the pack will be the previously reported kiss and the return of Millennium’s Frank Black, played by Lance Henriksen, which may well be the New Year’s Eve themed episode Carter mentions that finds Scully and Mulder "in a position that men and women find themselves in at midnight." Regarding Frank Black, Carter says, "We're going to wrap him up in a way we weren't able to do with the series."
Having said all that, Carter also revealed that it wasn’t until the show's co-executive producer reminded him that the series might actually end this year that the reality of the situation actually set in. Carter explains, ""I was all excited by an idea, and after I told Frank, he said, 'We may be telling our last few stories here. ' If this indeed is our last season, there are a lot of things that we have to do. I have some big ideas."
Still, in spite of this upbeat attitude about the final (?) season ahead, there are potential stormclouds on the horizon. Carter revealed to the paper that Fox studio chief Sandy Grushow had approached him about the possibility of another season of Fox’s most successful TV series. On the other hand, there’s Fox Entertainment prez Doug Herzog, who Carter publicly lashed out at after the abrupt cancellation of Harsh Realm. Herzog is reported to not have sought out Carter regarding X-Files, with the producer maintaining that he’s "not a fan of the show"… something which Herzog refused to comment on to the paper.
Perhaps even worse is Carter’s comment on who ultimately controls the series’ fate, since Fox actually owns the show. Carter says, "I don't know what their plans are, [b]ut it's their show. They can put it on without any of the principals being involved." Carter adds, "I really don't know how the Harsh Realm situation will affect The X-Files, but it hasn't created any greater desire for me to work harder to create a TV series for a network that is unwilling to promote it and unwilling to take a chance."
(11/3/99)-The Frankenstein Monster and its Bride, The Mummy and Godzilla aren’t the only movie monster icons getting a modern day facelift. Now, Dracula is about to get a modern look courtesy of Dimension Films and the "Wes Craven Presents" banner.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the new film, called Dracula 2000, was conceived by regular Wes Craven editor Patrick Lussier who will also helm the eventual film. Lussier provided editing duties for Craven’s Scream trilogy and Music of the Heart as well as such non-Craven genre projects as Halloween: H20 and Mimic. Details of the film’s story are being kept mum by the studio, though the trade reports that the film will be a modern update of the classic story. Plans are to start production early next year with a tentative release date of October. The film’s script has been written by Joel Soisson (Phantoms). Soisson and Keith Border will produce the eventual film.
(11/2/99)-After months of rumors that a second Jason movie called Jason X was in the works, New Line has announced that development on the film has started. One can’t help but wonder how this project affects the developmentally challenged Freddy Vs. Jason project.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sean Cunningham, one of the creators of the Friday the 13th franchise, is finishing up his script for Jason X and will turn both it and a budget into New Line by the end of this week. Furthermore, the trade reports that at that time, New Line will determine which of the two potential Jason films will get the greenlight. Should his project get the go-ahead, Cunningham will produce as well.
Click HereTo See More FRIDAY 13th!!
As for Freddy Vs. Jason, that problem project has been in development for years with most recent word being that the current script by James Robinson is in the hands of Mark Verheiden (The Mask), who is doing a rewrite. New Line production prez, Michael DeLuca, recently revealed to the Insider that rumors that the two characters were not meshing in the script were not true, though he did explain that the script had "a phony copycat Freddy killer" which was likely to be removed. At this time, Verheiden’s pass on the script is expected to be finished by month’s end.
Whichever of the two projects that gets the thumbs up is expected
(11/1/99)-In a recent interview, producer Joel Silver shed some light on what we can expect in the upcoming second and third chapters of The Matrix saga.
Click HereTo See More MATRIX
In an interview with the SciFi cable channel’s SciFi Weekly webpage, the mega-producer revealed information that confirmed previous news reports as well as providing some important plot points, saying, "We're going to make Matrix II and III together. It's a unique situation where...the story does continue. Other sequels I've been involved in, we've had to sit down and figure out a story. But in this movie, the story is continuing. Essentially, the boys [writers/directors the Wachowski brothers] intended to make Matrix because they wanted to find a way to make a superhero movie today where the audience would accept superheroes in a way that wouldn't feel to them like Saturday morning television. And they made the first movie to set up that world. In the sequels, you're going to see that Neo has superhuman powers, and they can really do what they've always wanted to do."
(11/1/99)-While talking to the Sci Fi channel’s SciFi Weekly website regarding the Dungeons and Dragons movie project, Silver revealed, "They finished shooting that. They were shooting in Europe and they finished shooting about a month ago. And I guess I'll see a cut of that in a few weeks. It's pretty incredible. It wasn't a very hugely expensive film, but because they were able to get all these incredible locations in Eastern Europe, it's pretty fantastic. It's going to be a very good creation of the Dungeons & Dragons aesthetic in a motion picture." Silver didn’t have a release date for the film as yet.
Regarding his rumored Wonder Woman project, Silver was pretty mum. All he would say was, "I'm not really sure what I'm going to do on that yet. But I'm playing with the idea of trying to do something with that. And we're talking about that." About the script, Silver said, "We're working on that."
Odds are that the interview with Silver was done before last Thursday’s word that scribe Jon Cohen (Minority Report) had signed on to the Wonder Woman project with word of plans to bring the character to the screen in an edgy action film. At that time, as previously rumored, Silver was said to be wooing Sandra Bullock to take the role.
(11/1/99)-Leonard Nimoy is normally mum and polite regarding his opinion of the Star Trek franchise, but in a recent interview, the actor-director talks candidly about the state of Trek as well as why he didn’t direct Generations.
In an interview with Salon, Nimoy candidly compared the classic Trek with the current variations, saying, "There has definitely been a difference in vision than what we were doing, and that's either for better or worse." Then, he adds, "You have to give them credit, because, on the one hand, we only lasted three seasons and were canceled. They lasted 12 years with three different shows. If you put the aggregate years together, that's like 30 years of Star Trek. And they have a right to call it Star Trek, but it has evolved into something different. What it is, I don't know -- I don't watch enough of it to pass judgment… I can tell you on a very general level I think we had a certain kind of charm and a currency. I felt we were in touch with the time. Now, times have changed, and maybe it's not as easy to grab hold of a Zeitgeist as it was for us. We were dealing with very strong social movements of the time. By that, I mean the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, overpopulation concerns, the growing awareness of concerns for the planet. We had very rich, fertile territory to plow, and I think we did it very well. I don't know that these people have the same kind of territory to plow, except, 'How are we going to get home this week?' It's not the same, is it?"
Nimoy also sheds light on rumors that he had been approached to direct Star Trek: Generations. Nimoy revealed to the site that he would have liked to direct the film, though it is suggested that he felt Trek franchise big kahuna Rick Berman had mishandled the project, one case cited was allowing scriptwriters Brannon Braga and Ron D. Moore to reduce the roles of Spock and McCoy to walk-ons in the potential film, which prompted Nimoy and the late DeForest Kelley to pass on participating. Nimoy also reveals how he was treated regarding the directing gig, saying, "I had directed two very successful Star Trek movies, and IV, it's safe to say, is to this day the most successful. But the point is, when I was asked to do them, I was brought in first, as the director to make a movie for Paramount Pictures. When Rick Berman announced to me he had been hired as producer to make the next Star Trek movie, I said to him, 'Who's going to direct it?' And he said, 'Well, it would be very exciting to work with you as a director someday,' which I thought was very evasive. Then several months later, after he and his people had done the script, they called me and said, 'We would love to have you direct this movie.'"
Nimoy continues, "Well, this is an entirely different construct than making a movie for Paramount. Now, I'm making a movie for Rick Berman, you see. Well, the script was lousy. I said so: 'This needs major, major work.' They said, 'Well, we don't have time for the kind of changes you're talking about.' So I said goodbye. And then to end it with a fight scene between Kirk and Malcolm McDowell! What's the point?"
As a result, Nimoy seems to have mostly distanced himself from the franchise with the exception of a two-man show with Star Trek: Next Generation veteran John de Lancie called Spock vs. Q. "Which is a shame," Nimoy tells Salon, "since Rick Berman and I used to be friends."
(11/1/99)-It seems as if every other day finds Steven Spielberg, George Lucas or Harrison Ford saying they’re ready to take on Indiana Jones 4 pending some small detail. So, what’s the deal with this eagerly anticipated project? It sounds like at least one of the three is a tad bit nervous about bringing Indy back for one more go around.
More details of the potential project are coming out courtesy of the interviews recently shot for the new Indiana Jones video releases. According to the Hollywood Reporter, in one of the interviews, George Lucas reveals, "We have a script; it's all finished," something he has already said publicly. Also, as previously reported, Ford says he’s game as long as the script is right.
Click HereFor More Indiana Jones!!
So, how’s the script? It’s impossible to say, obviously, having not read it, but a comment by Spielberg may shed some light on what his opinion is of it at this point, perhaps even echoing the two others. Spielberg says, "We're being a little more prejudicial. We don't want the fourth Indiana Jones movie to leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth."
Having said that, the trade reports that the last and only thing that is actually holding this production back is an agreement by Ford and Spielberg on a script. Since all three are likely to work this out, Indy 4 could happen sooner than we think… or will it?
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR LATEST HOME VIDEOS!!!!
CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR WRESTLING SITE!!!!
Email: innovative.edge@angelfire.com
