Film School Rejects » In Development

Underworld 4 Gets a Writer from The Shield

Neil Miller — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:12:16 +0000

Writer John Hlavin has been around the block. He’s written several episodes of The Shield, the incredibly popular FX show, and episodes of Trust Me, the recently canceled TNT drama. But none of that will compare with the watchful eyes that will be upon his next project, as he signs on to pen the fourth installment in the Underworld franchise for Screen Gems and Lakeshore Entertainment.

The fourth film — which still does not have a director attached — is “not a prequel,” says Hlavin, who according to Heat Vision is keeping the plot under wraps. “It will satisfy old fans and excite new audiences,” he added. “Meaning that we don’t want to redo the first three movies, so steps are being taken to honor what fans have loved but at the same time introduce fresh elements.”

Original Underworld star Kate Beckinsale did not return for the third film, which starred Rhona Mitra and Michael Sheen, and there’s no reason for us to expect her back for the fourth. No word yet on the involvement of her husband Len Wiseman, who served as director on the first two and producer on the third, but it is also likely that he will not have much of an active role, as he’s currently busy with about 20 other projects. As well, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans director has two films currently in development, I, Frankenstein and Nonstop, so it is difficult to speculate whether or not he would return for another round.

As always, we will keep you updated as the story develops.

Brad Pitt Plans Big Sci-Fi Action with ‘Dark Void’

Neil Miller — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:30 +0000

Brad Pitt could be heading toward the Bermuda Triangle, where only darkness and danger await him. The uber-star’s Plan B production label and Reliance BIG Entertainment are developing a film version of the upcoming Capcom third-person shooter Dark Void, according to Heat Vision. The project has been tagged as one in which Pitt could also take a starring role.

The story centers on a a cargo pilot named Will (Pitt’s presumed character) who, after crashing in the Bermuda Triangle, ends up in a parallel universe where a band of humans must fight an alien threat they had long been thought extinct. Will and the other humans are outmanned but have a number of weapons and powers to help them beat back the alien incursion.

No writers have been hired yet — heck, the game isn’t even out yet. It releases for Windows, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 in January. But it sure does look very cool. Based on the game’s trailer, which I’ve embedded below, this thing looks like a mix between the expansive world we’re seeing in James Cameron’s Avatar and Halo. With the right people involved and the right creative vision, something that has been important for Pitt’s production label, this could be a major sci-fi piece — not just another video game adaptation.

Check out the Dark Void game trailer below.

Joe Wright Trains a Teen Girl Assassin in ‘Hanna’

Neil Miller — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:23:19 +0000

Concepts that will always stop me in my tracks: when a visually compelling director (in this case, Atonement’s Joe Wright) takes on a project that is being described as having shades of La Femme Nikita and the Bourne movies.

That is how Borys Kit at Heat Vision is describing Hanna, the next project for Wright. It is a project that has been kicked around by several directors since it was set up at Focus Features in 2007, including Danny Boyle and more recently, Children of Men director Alfonso Cuaron. The story revolves aroudn a 14-year old Eastern European girl who has been raised by her father to be a cold-blooded killing machine. She connects with a French family, forms a friendship with their daughter and begins going through the norms of adolescence. But when she is dragged back into her fathers world, she discovers that she was bred as a killing machine in a CIA prison camp, resulting in her having to fight for her life.

If that concept — based on a script from Seth Lochhead and David Farr — doesn’t sound like something you’d like to see make it to your local theater, then there may be no help for you. For Wright, it is a great deviation from the adult dramas he’s been directing since breaking onto the scene with Pride & Prejudice. He was mildly successful with 2009’s The Soloist, but his previously scheduled upcoming project Indian Summer (another adult period drama) was killed at Universal due to the unfavorable conditions for that type of film. Now that he’s moving on to something with a bit more intrigue and some action, he may just have a chance to spread his wings visually and show us what he can do.

Anna Faris Gets ‘Wedding Banned,’ Shares ‘TMI’ with Ryan Reynolds

Neil Miller — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:54:43 +0000

Oddly enough, I sat with my lady today and watched some of the funnier moments of Observe and Report in between writing articles for this wonderful site, many of which included the very Lucile Ball-esque Anna Faris, Hollywood’s princess of comedy. So it’s more than appropriate that Faris has signed on to two new comedy projects, one at Universal and one at Touchstone.

The first is Wedding Banned, in which Faris is in talks to play the daughter of Robin Williams. The story revolves around a long-divorced couple who kidnap their daughter on her wedding day to prevent her from making the mistakes that they did. The parents rekindle their relationship as they go on the run from cops and the angry groom. The project has no director attached, but is moving fast toward shooting sometime next year, according to THR.

The second project is Universal’s upcoming comedy TMI, which is being developed as a star vehicle for Faris and Ryan Reynolds. The premise of the film is that while honesty is usually the best policy for a relationship, “too much information” might not always be the best thing. Once they get a director attached (there is already a script from Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith and Marc Klein), they could get this one in front of cameras shortly after Reynolds is done shooting the Martin Campbell directed Green Lantern, according to Variety.

Faris has also lined up a role as one of the live-action characters in Warner Bros. upcoming film Yogi Bear and has voiced one of the female chipmunks in the upcoming Fox comedy Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. She is also one of the most attractive, funny and charming ladies in Hollywood. I support her making more movies — and both of these sound like pitches with potential, even if their are stock studio comedies.

Marvel Locates The Warriors Three for Thor

Neil Miller — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:45:05 +0000

We reported just yesterday morning that Marvel is preparing to shoot their next big comic book film Thor in January, with director Kenneth Branagh now ready to get the story of gods and warriors from another dimension underway. And with that has come a few last minute casting decisions.

Per a Variety article that has mysteriously disappeared off their site since it posted about an hour ago, Marvel has signed Stuart Townsend, Ray Stevenson and Tadanobu Asano to play The Warriors Three, a trio of Asgardian adventurers who fight alongside the Norse god Thor, who will be played by Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek).

Stuart Townsend, who recently wrote and directed the excellent political drama Battle in Seattle, which starred his fiancee Charlize Theron, is best known for playing the vampire Lestat in Queen of the Damned and starring alongside Ryan Reynolds in Chaos Theory. He is also a frequent voice cast contributor to Robot Chicken. Ray Stevenson broke out in a big way after starring in the HBO series Rome, going on to star as Frank Castle in Punisher: War Zone. Tadanobu Asano has had a long-running career in Japan, with his most recognizable roles being in the imported films Mongol (2007) and The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003).

The Warriors Three are comprised of Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg, three Asgardian warriors not based in Norse mythology. This casting negates previous rumors that the likes of Robert De Niro and Jude Law would be taking on these roles — ultimately giving relatively fresh faces to these characters. And as I’ve said many times before, that is something I support. Townsend is a solid actor, as is Stevenson, and Asano has shown himself to be more than capable of playing well in big action pieces. From where I’m sitting, this casting falls in line with much of the work that Branagh has already done on Thor — it is simply excellent.

Brian Cox Considering a Trek to The Lonely Mountain?

Paul Sileo — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:03:32 +0000

It’s no secret around my neck of the woods that I’m a rabidly-obsessive Middle Earth fanatic. I re-read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings every year (with some Silmarillion usually thrown in for good measure every other year), I saw each of the films five times in the theatre (the first always at midnight, opening day), and I absolutely refuse to watch the standard editions now, much to my wife’s dismay, as I believe the extended editions to be the definitive and only cuts that exist.

So, to say that I mildly excited when news about The Hobbit began to drift across the fields of the Shire would be an understatement akin to calling the Sammath Naur nothing more than a pothole. What do we know? We know that Peter Jackson is onboard to produce and that Guillermo Del Toro will be taking over the director’s chair. Unfortunately, that’s about it, but as filming in 2010 begins to inch closer and closer, it is inevitable that casting rumors will become more frequent and that it’s only a matter of time before we have our ensemble cast headed by Bilbo Baggins and Thorin Oakenshield.

So, what’s the newest casting rumor? According to the folks over at Ain’t It Cool News, Brian Cox (Braveheart, The Bourne Identity, X2, Trick R Treat) is either locked down or being heavily considered for a role as one of the thirteen dwarves that accompany Bilbo on his quest. As a huge fan of Mr. Cox, I applaud this piece of casting news, and considering his age, demeanor, and star power, I would venture a guess that he isn’t being considered for just any of the dwarves, but as Thorin Oakenshield himself. Beyond Thorin, I could see him as Gloin, but if Brian Cox is being considered for Gloin (or another dwarf, however doubtful that would be), then they must have someone really special in mind for Thorin. However, since they obviously won’t cast big names for all thirteen roles, I would place my bet on the King Under the Mountain.

Broken Lizard Updates Us on the Super Troopers Sequel

Neil Miller — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:56:23 +0000

While they are out promoting their most recent film The Slammin’ Salmon — for which we just posted a trailer the other day — the fine gentlemen of Broken Lizard have been talking to the press. And anytime these guys talk to the press, the prospect of a sequel to their cult hit Super Troopers is bound to come up.

In speaking with Movie Cutlists, Troopers director Jay Chandrasekhar said that they “have the financing So we’re going to try to make a deal with Fox.” Star Steve Lemme added that they were “three drafts into” a script for Super Troopers 2 and with the independent financing they’ve already secured, it should make getting a studio deal a lot easier.

When talking details of the plot, the Lizard guys weren’t saying much. Though they did reveal that Brian Cox, who pretty much stole the first one as Captain O’Hagan, will definitely be in the sequel. This adds to the plot details we previously reported, which Chandrasekhar revealed back in January 2009:

“The big picture is that we are on the Canadian Border. And in reality, what has happened is that the government has found places where the markers were off, or wrong. And there are these areas of land that were thought to be Canada, but are actually part of the US. We are enlisted to patrol this area that was always thought to be Canadian soil. But no, it is actually the United States. We are enlisted because they have to send someone there to help make it part of the US territory now. We get recruited to be the highway patrolmen there. And we are surrounded by all of these Canadian people that aren’t happy about this. We essentially have to impose US law on a bunch of Canadians that aren’t at all happy about it.”

For my money, a sequel to Super Troopers can be taken only one way: it’s a good thing, hands down.

The Slammin’ Salmon is in theaters on December 11, 2009.

Len Wiseman Gets Apocalyptic with ‘Nocturne’

Neil Miller — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:35:11 +0000

Roland Emmerich isn’t the only director thinking about the end of the world this year. According to THR, Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard directer Len Wiseman (aka Mr. Kate Beckensale) is also looking to put an end to humanity.

His pitch, titled Nocturne, has been picked up by 20th Century Fox. It is based on an original idea about a group of people who survive the end of the world and the mystery surrounding how they got through it. There is no script yet, but the studio is currently shopping the idea around to writers.

This makes for three projects in development for Wiseman, who is quickly becoming the next major director with everything to do, and no time to actually do it. After directing Live Free or Die Hard and producing this year’s Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, he has had nothing actually get the go-ahead for production. He’s been attached to projects such as the video game adaptation Gears of War, as well as the underwater military actioner Atlantis Rising, but so far he’s not been behind the camera on any of these projects. Add to that titles like Underworld 4 (currently in development) and Shrapnel, a very cool pitch for a futuristic war movie, and we’ve got ourselves a full slate of stagnant projects.

The only question is: when will Len Wiseman actually direct something again?

Pete Docter Developing His Next Pixar Movie, Not Monsters Inc. 2

Neil Miller — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:25:27 +0000

With today’s release of Up on DVD and Blu-ray, there is also some news from Pixar central about director Pete Docter and his next project. According to an interview with New York Magazine (via Upcoming Pixar), Docter says that he’s already working on his next Pixar-based film:

“I’m mostly focused on the next film that I have in development already,” said Docter. “That one I just started. We finished Up, I took some time off, spent some time in Europe and Japan doing publicity over there, so I’ve only been on this for like a couple weeks.”

Of course, the instant assumption is that Docter is hard at work on a sequel to Monsters Inc. (also on Blu-ray this week), which was the previous word from various sources around the time of Comic-Con in August. Back then, Docter admitted that Pixar had thought about the prospect of another Monsters movie, and that there were a few ideas out there, but nothing solid was ever reported.

This does suggest that Docter isn’t working on Monsters Inc. 2, but it is also still lacking anything substantial or definitive. The truth is that a Monsters Inc. sequel could very well still be in the works, its just that Docter is also involved in something else — something that he’s confirmed will be ready for a big screen debut in 2013 or 2014. That said, I would much rather see Docter take on another original idea rather than lay down a sequel. As much as I loved Monsters Inc., I would contend that a sequel isn’t really necessary. This isn’t exactly the Toy Story universe.

What do you think?

J.J. Abrams to Produce Hasbro’s Micronauts Movie

Neil Miller — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:12:14 +0000

The Wall Street Journal (via Coming Soon) is reporting today that J.J. Abrams, whom you may know as the director of Star Trek and producer of Lost, is in talks to produce a movie about the Japanese interchangable toys Micronauts — 3.75-inch tall toys which were used in an inter-connected design.

The rights to the project were acquired by Hasbro, who will base the film on the Micronauts comic series published by Marvel Comics, Image Comics and Devil’s Due Publishing. The series was first published in 1979.

In a curious quote, J.J. Abrams speaks about those who doubt whether a board game or science fiction toy should be accorded star status: “Sometimes, when someone is not a celebrity and you are casting them in a role, everyone who is in a seat of authority voices questions about that actor’s talent, sex appeal, looks, ability — their everything,” he says. “But then they get the role, and suddenly they are on the cover of every magazine, and nobody questions those things again. In retrospect, everyone says, ‘Of course that person is a star.’”

Essentially, what we believe him to be saying is that once the Micronauts film is done and released, we will not be surprised (nor will we question) their ultimate star status. At least, that’s what I get from that quote. Alas, he is also working on the Cloverfield-esque thriller 500 Rads, among other things.

‘Taken’ Director ‘Signals’ For ‘More’ ‘Action’

Dr. Cole Abaius — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:00:14 +0000

I don’t know if Richard Potter is a good writer, but I like his movies.

The Executive in Charge of Production for flicks as diverse as Nightwatch, Teaching Mrs. Tingle and Scream has sold a few scripts lately, and alongside writing partner Matthew Stravitz has locked down a serious directing talent in Pierre Morel for their next film – Signals.

The Taken director will be tackling what The Hollywood Reporter is Hollywood reporting as a tense thriller. They even reference absolutely brilliant film Three Days of the Condor in describing the tone.

Media Rights Capital has greenlit it, slapped it on its bottom, and sent it out onto the fast track to play with the other kids.

I know what you’re all thinking. You’re thinking that with this, Morel will continue down the same thriller path and possibly make his signature with taught action.

You’re welcome for overusing the word ’signals’ as a pun in the title, not fake-titling something Richard Potter and the Sold Script of Signals, but I will not apologize for using the phrase “taught action.”

It was the first thing that came to mind. What do you think? Want more Morel action?

Danny Boyle to Climb a Damn Mountain for ‘127 Hours’

Neil Miller — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:10:38 +0000

Fox Searchlight, the studio that distributed Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning gem Slumdog Millionaire last year, is teaming up with the director on his next project, 127 Hours.

It tells the story of mountaineer Aron Ralston. Ralston’s right forearm got pinned for nearly five days under a boulder during a climb in Utah in May 2003. He used a dull knife to amputate the limb, then scaled a 65-foot sheer wall and hiked out before running into a family that gave him water and food. He was finally rescued by helicopter.

Slumdog’s Christian Colson will produce the pic, which already has one script treatment from Boyle, and may get a full work-up from Simon Beaufoy in the near future, says Variety.

Even though our title may suggest a long run-time for this film, there’s no indication that it will be excessively long. Chances are that the 127-hour journey will be condensed significantly. But seriously, Boyle is currently looking for an actor to portray Ralston (pictured above) — and its likely that such a casting choice will greatly impact the quality of the film, as it’s pretty much a 1-character piece. I’ve included the above image so that you, the great and wonderful readers, might lay down some casting suggestions. Do your worst…

J.J. Abrams Plotting a Secret Movie; Should Be ‘Rad’

Neil Miller — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:40:01 +0000

If we never see the fine folks from Pajiba again, we now know why. They are reporting today on a film project so secretive, it threatens their very lives to even whisper its name. Fortunately for the rest of the world — those of us with inquiring minds — they spoke its name, 500 Rads. It is the latest project from J.J. Abrams and his production company, Bad Robot.

An inside source has said that Rads, which is currently in script stages, is yet another Cloverfield style production. Abrams is setting it up on the cheap — budgeting $25 million. He’s keeping it out of the way — with a low profile European shoot. And he’s not talking about it, at all (at least not yet). According to the source, Fringe and Lost writing staff member Jeff Pinker was originally working on the script, but has now returned to work on Fringe. That has left the door open for other members of the Bad Robot writing stable to come in and finish up.

Nothing beyond that is known about the project, other than the fact that it will be “in the vein of Cloverfield and 28 Days Later,” which could mean just about anything. Monsters, zombies, monsters and zombies, radiation or disease outbreak (hopefully with zombies). The term “rad” is short for “absorbed radiation dose,” and the measure of 500 Rads is the lowest lethal amount of radiation that can be inflicted upon a human body. So take that for what it’s worth.

Needless to say, we need only know now that J.J. Abrams and his secret team of mad scientists at Bad Robot are working on something new for us. And that, is always a good thing.

More Changes Bring Depp, Cuaron to ‘The Tourist’

Neil Miller — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:09:04 +0000

Production on The Tourist is set to begin early next year.

The players within that production seems to be changing daily. Three weeks ago, Charlize Theron departed the project and moved on to greener pastures, allowing Angelina Jolie to step into her place. Even further back, Tom Cruise was set to play the lead role in the film — an everyman who is roped in by an Interpol agent to become bait for a former lover — but had since been replaced by Sam Worthington. Heck, even director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck was a replacement for Bharat Nalluri, who was attached with Cruise.

Today, we get to throw most (but not all) of that out the window, as several other changes have been made. According to THR, von Donnersmarck and Sam Worthington are out, and two major players are in. In negotiations to star alongside Angelina Jolie is Johnny Depp, who will replace Worthington. In talks to direct them is Children of Men helmer Alfonso Cuaron.

Sure, this makes for an absurd amount of changes to this film, with Graham King’s GK films now playing a game of Hollywood Square pegs in round holes. But this isn’t anything new. Did you know that Tom Selleck was in line to play Indiana Jones, but pulled out to star in Magnum P.I.? This happens all the time. And in this case, (with respect to von Donnersmarck and Worthington) the production is getting an upgrade. Cuaron is a very talented director, and Depp might just be the best actor working today. It’s not as if this project needed help — it started with Tom Cruise and Charlize Theron. It is now just as interesting, and hopefully it won’t change again.

Toby Kebbell to Play John Wilkes Booth in The Conspirator

Neil Miller — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:57:08 +0000

Our friends over at First Showing got an interesting little scoop this afternoon, picking up some casting news from Robert Redford’s upcoming Lincoln assassination film The Conspirator. A friend of FS’ Alex Billington ran into RocknRolla star Toby Kebbell, who said that he was in town to work on The Conspirator and that he’s playing John Wilkes Booth.

For those who missed 6th grade history, Booth was the man that pulled the trigger on President Abraham Lincoln in Box 7 at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865.

If this turns out to be true (all signs point to yes, as it’s first hand), Kebbell completes a cast that includes James McAvoy, Robin Wright Penn, Frederick Aiken, Justin Long, Evan Rachel Wood, Alexis Bledel, Kevin Kline, and Tom Wilkinson. The film will follow the story of Mary Surratt (Wright Penn), the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination. “As the whole nation turns against her, she is forced to rely on her reluctant lawyer to uncover the truth and save her life.” McAvoy will play her lawyer.

It is unknown as of yet how big of a role John Wilkes Booth will play in the film, as much of the story is told after the assassination. Booth was killed by authorities in a Virginia barn house 12-days after the assassination. Overall, I’d say Kebbell is an interesting choice — good to see that he continues to get work, as I enjoyed his performance in RocknRolla. He will also star in the upcoming Disney films Prince of Persia and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

UPDATE: It has been brought to our attention that The Playlist broke this story back on October 18. Somehow we missed that while pulling this story together. Either way, it appears as if Kebbell is in as Booth. Deal with it.

Film School Rejects » In Development

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