Scifi/Horror news

[Darya]

UPDATE: Francis Lawrence Would Do Constantine 2
Source: Ryan Rotten November 30, 2007

Director Francis Lawrence said today at the I Am Legend junket that he would love to helm a Constantine sequel. He said that the sequel will depend on them finding the right story.

In a one-on-one interview with ShockTillYouDrop.com, Lawrence added a follow-up could be a sequel or a prequel. "I like origin stories, that would be cool. What worked for me is the film came from the 'Dangerous Habits' storyline - he had cancer and he was dying. To me that was the core of the story. It's why the movie works for me, because the story couldn't be more personal. People have thrown concepts around [for a sequel] and I go 'Why does he give a f**k?' In the first film he's trying to save his own skin. Everything else, you can come up with these stories where he goes to different lands and fight the bad guys or witch doctors, but I think it all falls flat. Until someone comes up with a great idea, whether it's earlier [in his life] or later, we'll just have to see."

2005's Constantine, which starred Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Tilda Swinton, Gavin Rossdale, Djimon Hounsou, Shia LaBeouf and Peter Stormare, earned $230.8 million worldwide.

Based on the DC Comics/Vertigo "Hellblazer" graphic novels, the film starred Reeves as John Constantine, who was born with the ability to recognize the half-breed angels and demons that walk the earth in human camouflage. Constantine was driven to take his own life to escape the tormenting clarity of his vision. But he failed.

Resuscitated against his will, he found himself cast back into the land of the living where he patrols the earthly border between heaven and hell, hoping in vain to earn his way to salvation by waging war on the earthbound minions of evil.

[Brian]

Dermot Mulroney Makes Run for Her Life
Source: The Hollywood Reporter March 3, 2008


Dermot Mulroney will star in the organ-harvesting thriller Run for Her Life for producer-financier 26 Films, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Mulroney will play a district attorney whose daughter contracts a rare illness and needs new lungs. After discovering she's low on the official U.S. waiting list, he heads to Mexico to buy his way onto their list. But his ethical nature is put to the test when he has to choose between saving hundreds of children being killed for their organs or saving his daughter's life.

Baltasar Kormakur will direct the film for producers Nathalie Marciano and Michelle Chydzik Sowa of 26 Films (Nia Vardalos' upcoming comedy My Life in Ruins) and Jennifer Kelly.

Christian Escario wrote the screenplay, and John Claflin (Fool's Gold) handled the rewrite. The six-week New Mexico shoot begins in late April.

[Brian]

Rose Byrne Joins Cage's Knowing
Source: The Hollywood Reporter March 4, 2008


Rose Byrne has landed the lead role opposite Nicolas Cage in the sci-fi thriller Knowing for Summit Entertainment and Escape Artists, says Variety.

Byrne will play the daughter of a woman who buried a 1962 time capsule bearing the dates of the assassinations of historical figures, the hotel fire death of the wife of a professor (Cage) and an imminent world apocalypse. After the professor discovers its contents and alerts her, the initially skeptical Byrne begins remembering strange incidents from her childhood.

Alex Proyas (I, Robot) will direct the screenplay by Ryne Douglas Pearson, with script revisions by Juliet Snowden, Stiles White, Stuart Hazeldine and Proyas.

Escape's Jason Blumenthal, Todd Black and Steve Tisch will produce with Topher Dow. Norm Golightly and David Bloomfield are executive producers.

Production is set to begin March 25 in Melbourne, Australia.

[Brian]

Speed Racer to Get Simultaneous IMAX Release
Source: IMAX Corporation March 4, 2008


IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Speed Racer, the action-packed adventure from the creators of "The Matrix" trilogy, will be simultaneously released to IMAX® and conventional theatres on May 9, 2008. Speed Racer, based on the hit anime series created by Tatsuo Yoshida, is written and directed by The Wachowski Brothers. The film will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. Warner Bros. Pictures will be the exclusive distributor of the film to IMAX theatres worldwide.

"'Speed Racer' combines riveting action with stunning special effects, making it an ideal choice for IMAX's format," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. "We are delighted to release the film to IMAX theatres, where audiences can experience the next best thing to actually sitting in the driver's seat during this high speed adventure."

"'Speed Racer' is a fantastic addition to our 2008 film slate, and we are very pleased to welcome The Wachowski Brothers back to the world of IMAX," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "The unique vision of these talented filmmakers has always been well suited to IMAX's format, and we're more than excited to be a part of this release."

"'Speed Racer' has all the elements for a powerful IMAX experience, with its broad appeal and spectacular effects," said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "We are excited to be exhibiting the film internationally in this unique format."

"Audiences will experience an incredible thrill ride when they see 'Speed Racer' in IMAX theatres this May," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Warner Bros Pictures, The Wachowski Brothers and Joel Silver are masters at telling stories specifically for the big IMAX screen, and with up to 14,000 watts of digital surround sound combined with crystal-clear, larger than life images, this movie and IMAX are made for each other."

Hurtling down the track, careening around, over and through the competition, Speed Racer is a natural behind the wheel. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolized-the legendary Rex Racer - whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill. Speed is loyal to the family racing business, led by his father, Pops Racer, the designer of Speed's thundering Mach 5. When Speed turns down a lucrative and tempting offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the company's maniacal owner but uncovers a terrible secret-some of the biggest races are being fixed by a handful of ruthless moguls who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Speed won't drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that the Mach 5 never crosses another finish line. The only way for Speed to save his family's business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie, Speed teams with his one-time rival-the mysterious Racer X - to win the race that had taken his brother's life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible.

[Brian]

Fivesome Aboard Rogue's Unborn
Source: The Hollywood Reporter March 5, 2008


Meagan Good, Carla Gugino, Jane Alexander, Idris Elba and Rhys Coiro are joining a rabbinical Gary Oldman and a haunted Odette Yustman in Rogue Pictures' supernatural thriller Unborn, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Platinum Dunes' Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller are producing writer-director David Goyer's tale of a girl (Yustman) tormented by the soul of a boy who died in the Holocaust.

Good (The Love Guru) will play the girl's best friend, and Gugino (Night at the Museum) has been cast as her mother. Alexander will play a Holocaust survivor whose brother's spirit is returning.

Elba (American Gangster) will play a priest who helps Rabbi Oldman perform exorcisms. Coiro (HBO's "Entourage") is the college professor of Yustman's character, and Cam Gigandet will play her boyfriend.

Principal photography begins March 5 in Chicago.

[Brian]

Jill Culton Helming Transylvania
Source: Variety March 7, 2008


Variety says Open Season helmer Jill Culton will direct Sony Pictures Animation's Hotel Transylvania.

The story centers on Simon Van Helsing, the youngest in a long line of monster hunters. The last thing Van Helsing wants to do is fall in love with Dracula's Daughter, Mavis. Upon discovering that they are natural enemies, the doomed couple attempts to bring peace between monsters and humans. In the end, each family will have some new blood.

[Brian]

Platinum Dunes Eyeing Rosemary's Baby Remake
Source: ShockTillYouDrop.com March 3, 2008


ShockTillYouDrop.com has learned exclusively that Platinum Dunes is in talks with Paramount Pictures to update the Roman Polanski-directed Rosemary's Baby, which was based on Ira Levin's 1967 horror novel and hit theaters in 1968.

[Brian]

Sam Raimi to Drag Justing Long to Hell
Source: Variety March 10, 2008


Justin Long has signed on to star opposite Alison Lohman in Sam Raimi's supernatural thriller Drag Me to Hell for Ghost House Pictures.

Raimi and his brother Ivan penned the screenplay, a morality tale about the unwitting recipient of a supernatural curse. Long will play the boyfriend of Lohman's character.

Shooting is set to start March 31 in Los Angeles.

Universal is distributing domestically and in select international territories. Mandate International will handle all other foreign territories.

Rob Tapert, Grant Curtis and Josh Donen are producing. Nathan Kahane and Joe Drake executive produce.

[Brian]

Mark Rolston Boards Saw V
Source: Official Saw News March 11, 2008


Mark Rolston (The Shawshank Redemption, The Departed) has joined the cast of Saw V. Filming on the fifth installment begins in Toronto on March 17.

David Hackl is directing. Back again are executive producer Dan Heffner, cinematographer David Armstrong, costume designer Alex Kavanaugh, and prop master Jim Murray.

Lionsgate is planning an October 24 release for the film.

[Brian]

Wolfgang Petersen Confirmed for Uprising
Source: Variety March 12, 2008


A project first revealed way back in September on the writers pre-strike memo, Variety has now confirmed that Wolfgang Petersen is indeed directing the sci-fi thriller Uprising for Columbia Pictures.

Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher (Gladiator) are producing through their Sony-based Red Wagon shingle.

The story revolves around the resistance efforts of some citizens after Earth has been occupied by a powerful alien race.

Charles Leavitt (Blood Diamond) is writing the screenplay..

[Brian]

Watts Offers Birds Remake Update
Source:Ryan Rotten March 12, 2008


Out promoting one remake (Funny Games), actress Naomi Watts turned the conversation, during a recent press conference, to another redux winging its way into her future: Platinum Dunes' take on Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, a film she officially became attached to last October.

"It's a work-in-progress at this point," she says. "I think it's a wonderful film. There are great things in it that interest me. The script isn't completely there yet, it probably won't happen until next year."

Martin Campbell is on board to direct; Stiles White and Juliet Snowden are the last known credited screenwriters. Asked if she was going to have a creative say in "Birds" - as she did in the early stages of Michael Heneke's "Games" (on which she served as executive producer, too) - Watts' added, "I'm sure they'll come with me the next draft. I've seen one draft, it's good. There's more to develop."

[Brian]

Exclusive: George Lucas' Red Tails in '09?
Source: Edward Douglas March 14, 2008


Some of the biggest excitement surrounding this year's ShoWest convention was the fact that George Lucas himself was appearing to present footage from his upcoming animated feature Star Wars: The Clone Wars at Warner Bros.' "The Big Picture" presentation.

ComingSoon.net had a very rare once-in-a-lifetime chance to sit down with Mr. George Lucas after the Warner Bros. presentation and we talked to him about the animated feature, the series and the future of "Star Wars." As a brief taster for that interview, we found out how things were going on Red Tails, the film he's producing about the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all African-American pilot squad during World War II. With all the work that Mr. Lucas has been doing on his two upcoming television shows, we wondered about his future working in film and if he still had time to work on the war epic written by John Ridley.

"As a matter of fact, I'm working on it tomorrow," he told us, much to our surprise. "We're getting towards a script, and probably start shooting before the end of the year, and it should come out next year, maybe. That's probably going to be the last movie I do, apart from my own movies, but my own movies are going to be more esoteric and probably will come and go in a week and be in one or two arthouses. It's basically the same as what Francis (Ford Coppola) is doing."

Look for our full interview with Mr. Lucas next week--it's a good one and you won't want to miss it! Star Wars: The Clone Wars opens exclusively in theaters on August 15, followed by the launch of the animated series sometime in the fall.

[Brian]

Gellar to Decide When Veronika Dies
Source: Variety March 14, 2008


Sarah Michelle Gellar is in final negotiations to star in the indie drama Veronika Decides to Die, according to Variety.

The story centers on a severely depressed woman who rediscovers her will to live after learning that she has only days left due to the irreparable damage done to her heart as a result of her recent suicide attempt.

Larry Gross and Roberta Hanley adapted the screenplay from Paulo Coelho's novel.

Emily Young (Kiss of Life) is set to direct the project; Kate Bosworth was previously attached to star.

Sriram Das is producing.

[Brian]

Arthur C. Clarke Gone at Age 90
Source: The Associated Press March 19, 2008


Arthur C. Clarke, a visionary science fiction writer who wrote "2001: A Space Odyssey" and won worldwide acclaim with more than 100 books on space, science and the future, died Wednesday, an aide said. He was 90.

Clarke, who had battled debilitating post-polio syndrome for years, died at 1:30 a.m. in his adopted home of Sri Lanka after suffering breathing problems, aide Rohan De Silva said.

The 1968 story "2001: A Space Odyssey" - written simultaneously as a novel and screenplay with director Stanley Kubrick - was a frightening prophesy of artificial intelligence run amok.

From 1950, he began a prolific output of both fiction and non-fiction, sometimes publishing three books in a year. He published his best-selling "3001: The Final Odyssey" when he was 79.

A statement from Clarke's office said that Clarke had recently reviewed the final manuscript of his latest novel. "The Last Theorem," co-written with Frederik Pohl, will be published later this year, the statement said.

Some of his best-known books are "Childhood's End," 1953; "The City and The Stars," 1956; "The Nine Billion Names of God," 1967; "Rendezvous with Rama," 1973; "Imperial Earth," 1975; and "The Songs of Distant Earth," 1986.

When Clarke and Kubrick got together to develop a movie about space, they used as basic ideas several of Clarke's shorter pieces, including "The Sentinel," written in 1948, and "Encounter in the Dawn." As work progressed on the screenplay, Clarke also wrote a novel of the story. He followed it up with "2010,""2061," and "3001: The Final Odyssey."

[Brian]

New Monsters vs Aliens site online: http://www.monstersvsaliens.com/