The Production Slate

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BATMAN 5

Millionaire Bruce Wayne launches his career as the Dark Knight. Supposedly, Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One" is the inspiration. Parallel rumors hold that Batman Beyond may be the foundation for the next Bat film as well as the possibility of "The Dark Knight Returns". Keanu Reeves and Ben Affleck are rumored to be in the running to wear the cowl. Let's hope they keep Joel Schumacher (director) out of the mix. He's already done nearly irreparable damage to the franchise with his "neo-homosexual" take on the dark Knight. It's time some director, with a real understanding of the character, take Batman back to his roots. No release date has been announced.

BATTLEFIELD EARTH

Barry Pepper stars as Johnny Goodboy Tyler and John Travolta is a ten foot alien. Supposedly, the case has already signed on for the sequel, but the advanced word on this one is lackluster. I'm taking a wait and see attitude.

BLAIR WITCH SEQUEL

This sequel is actually a prequel that follows the origins of the witch. No cast has been announced, but I can say, I'm one of the few who didn't find the original all that frightful. They should leave well enough alone

THE CROW: SALVATION

A new Crow, and a third, and unnecessary film, with Eric Mabius, Kirsten Dunst, and Fred Ward. Anyone know if the TV series is still in existence? I tried to get into it and never could. I think this might be a prime example of someone going back to the well one too many times.

DOC SAVAGE

Arnold Schwartzenegger's next BIG endeavor. He'll play the perfect human specimen, a man who uses his vast fortune and intelligence to help others. It's based on the hero of the early days of pulp fiction. Word has it, this may move Schwartzenegger into a new realm of film making…..one that does not include cyborgs. FINAL FANTASY

A female scientist of the future faces the ultimate evil. This is a CGI film that will feature the voices of Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, James Woods and Peri Gilpin. Sounds interesting, especially in light of what CGI can do in film animation (witness the Toy Story films.)

HANNIBAL

This is the follow up to "Silence of the Lambs". I believe it will either be a great film, or the greatest misstep in film history. Jodie Foster has already passed on the role of agent Starling and rumor has it Gillian Anderson may be considered for the role. I like Gillian Anderson, and feel that she shouldn't waste her time on this film, but find something else worth doing. The film is based on the controversial book with the controversial ending. Even with the iffy plot, it'll probably make lots of money.

HIGHLANDER: WORLD WITHOUT END

A crucial film in the Highlander franchise. It's make or break time, and the people behind this franchise seem to think that Christopher Lambert (of the original film and it's less than adequate sequels) and Adrian Paul (of the well done TV series) can save it together. I'm just hoping we get a film that rivals the first in style and execution, as well as story. One shocking piece of info: Connor Macleod apparently loses his head in this one. The TPTB of the series need to seriously rethink their position with reference to this. The death of Kirk has had a dividing effect on Trek fandom, and murmurings on the net indicate that Connor Macleods death might result in the same division. I personally feel that Connor is the one true Highlander, and would rather they let the character live on, off screen if necessary. In any case, this is one film to keep your eyes on. JUMANJI 2

Why? I didn't like the original, and don't really feel this is a viable franchise. Maybe it'll go straight to video.

LORD OF THE RINGS

Frodo Baggins and the hobbits, on a journey to keep a magical ring from falling under control of the forces of darkness. This film will show off numerous CGI effects, and will be the first in a series. It will star Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Liv Tyler, Ian McKellen, and Christopher Lee. We'll see if the viewing public is ready for big budget fantasy (remember Willow?)

MINORITY REPORT

Tom Cruise plays a cop, in a future where law enforcement uses time travel to stop criminals before they strike. Sounds like a big budget version of 7 Days (the UPN series.) With big names like Cruise and wunderkind Matt Damon and Steven Spielberg as director, there must be something to the script and production. We'll have to see, but cruise must finish Mission Impossible 2 first. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2
This is the follow-up to the first Cruise MI film and it also stars Ving Rhames and Anthony Hopkins. It is directed by John Woo. I found the first film's plot too convoluted, though the action sequences were cutting edge. Here's hoping the writers give us a better story that's truer to the original series this time.

RED PLANET

One of my personal "have to see films". I've been a fan of Val Kilmer's since he took the Batman role over from the to slight Keaton. He has a reputation for being difficult, but the man's a genius who hasn't found his golden project. This may be it. The film is supposedly about a Mars mission, but addresses the greater question of whether God exists. I'm looking forward to this one.

THE SIXTH DAY

Arnold returns home to find that he's been replaced by a clone. Even worse, he's targeted for assassination. Written by John Sayles, directed by Roger Spottiswoode. SPACE COWBOYS
Clint Eastwood plays an aging astronaut recruited to fix a wayward 60's era satellite. He recruits some fellow aging astronauts, including James Garner, Tommy Lee Jones and James Cromwell. James Garner broke his arm shooting this one. If the story is good, this film could have broad crossover appeal….especially in it's star Clint Eastwood.

STAR TREK X

Paramount is reportedly unhappy with the state of the Trek franchise and Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner's salaries are reportedly through the roof and too much for a Trek film budget, especially considering the lackluster performance of the well executed, badly received, Star Trek: Insurrection. There's been talk of dismissing Stewart but I think that would be the nail in the coffin as Trek's other Captains are either too old and dead (Kirk) or not popular enough (Sisko and Janeway) to carry the franchise. Stewart is the franchise's golden eagle, and they had better pay him if they want to see it survive.

STAR WARS: EPISODE 2

What else can be said. Lucas calls this the romantic episode. The second prequel will follow the exploits of 20 year old Anakin Skywalker. Supposedly Leo Dicaprio has been approached about playing Anakin. My personal choice.....Jerry O'Connell of Sliders and Scream 2 fame.

TERMINATOR 3

Actually, this film and Terminator 4 are slated to shoot back to back....get this....without the involvement of either James Cameron or Arnold Schwatrzennegger. Can you say straight to video dreck because that's what it sounds like is happening here. Cameron is Terminator. Any film done without him is just a film with robots in it. I predict these films will be creative disasters. We'll see how they do financially.

TRUE LIES2

James Cameron, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis and Tom Arnold (whose star has waned since the original) are all back on board, but no production date has been set. If Cameron directs, can you say blockbuster. X-MEN

The big superhero film of this summer, headlined by Patrick Stewart (the one Star Trek captain whose proven he can work outside of the franchise and do so without doing campy ads for commercial companies.) My only complaint…..Mel Gibson wasn't cast as Wolverine. Check it out at The Official X-Men Film Site.

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