'Green Lantern' Screen Test

TMT Writer For A Day: Dan Scaglione

The whispers floating around throughout the fan boy community point to "Green Lantern" having its share of difficulties when it comes to casting their lead, Hal Jordan. Many names have been rumored from the likes of Chris Pine, Bradley Cooper, Sam Worthington, to the virtually unknown Shawn Roberts. What about the films supporting cast, how much progress had been made on that front?

With that question having been asked comes the report of a screen test from stage & screen actor Kenneth Moraldea for the part of Tom Kalmaku. For those who don't know of Tom Kalmaku, the character was a mechanic for Ferris Air crafts and Hal Jordan's best friend. During the Silver Age he was known better by the politically incorrect nickname 'pie face' -- due to his Eskimo heritage. Thankfully the film will omit the offensive nickname.

Moraleda is the 2008 Cinemanila International Film Festival's best actor award winner for the independent Australian comedy/drama "Lucky Miles". He is currently busy filming a supporting part for the upcoming 'Point Break Indo', a direct-to-video sequel to the 1991's "Point Break".

In the first draft of The Green Lantern script, which was leaked last year, the character served as comic relief. In this screen test footage Moraleda gives us two takes of Tom Kalmaku, one serious, the other comedic. The video was submitted to Green Lantern's casting director Pam Dixon.

Movies That Scream Americana

Rob Frappier, a writer for one of my favorite sites to surf Screen Rant, has written a piece on movies that represent the American spirit. Obviously a very fitting article to churn out on July 4th. Rob lists "Rocky", "Independence Day", and "Braveheart", and I don't think anybody can make an argument against those films. I'm going to throw out three of my own movies that I believe represent a taste of the stars and stripes.

The Patriot

A mild mannered farmer, Benjamin Martin played by Mel Gibson, seeks revenge against the British by leading the Colonial militia after they murder his son during the American Revolution.

The moment that really drives it home for me is seeing Martin carrying one of the first renditions of the American flag on the battlefield.

Miracle

The true story of the 1980 Us Olympic hockey team, who overcome incredible odds to be the superior Russian squad.

Two words, "The Speech". Herb Brooks, played by Kurt Russell delivers a pep talk in the locker room that will give you goose bumps.

"Great moments... are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here, tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game. If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it."

Scarface

Tony Montana played brilliantly by Al Pacino, defects to the United States to fulfill his twisted version of the "American Dream" by building a narcotics empire.

A rags to riches story seen through the eyes of a gun wielding, money making, ruthless criminal who you can't help but love. The moment that you burns into your memory is when the blimp passes over head with the phrase "The World Is Yours".

Head over to Screen Rant to comment on films that you believe "scream Americana".

TMT Exclusive: The Teaser Poster For 'Mask-Head'

One of my most popular stories recently was a brief interview with writer-director Scott Swan.
In the piece, Swan promised to thank his first 500 followers on Twitter in the end credits of a movie -- if he reached the 500-follower milestone by July 4 at 6 p.m. PST.

Well, Swan reached the mark, but due to the ever-changing nature of the Internet, he has dipped under 500 again.
However, Swan said that since he made the goal, he will keep his end of the bargain and the names will be in the movie.

At the time I am writing this, "ScottObiSwan" is at 494 followers. So there is still room for six more people with a yearning to see their names on the big screen.

And, as that deadline fast approaches, I have uncovered something pretty cool. One of my spies was able to secure an exclusive look at the teaser poster for "Mask-Head" -- the very movie in which Swan's followers will get their names.

For my money, the image is perfect for a teaser poster -- it's appropriately creepy without revealing very much.

"Mask-Head" is based upon a short story written by Swan, who also is directing the movie. Filming for "Mask-Head" will get under way on July 6 in Pittsburgh.

On his Twitter page, Swan said he will deliver a "new on-set pic daily."
He also has sweetened the Twitter deal. If he reaches 550 followers by tomorrow, one of his followers will randomly win a copy of the DVD, which he said he is willing to sign.

Oh, and a word of advice: If you follow Swan to get in the movie's credits, don't drop him immediately. Not only are his posts worth reading, but you won't get your name in the movie if it isn't in his follower list when he does the credits.

'Iron Man 2' Gets in the Fast Lane

Road & Track magazine has tracked down a picture of a vintage race car sponsored by the fictional Stark Industries (the car will be featured in the upcoming "Iron Man 2").

According to the magazine: "This is the Stark Industries-sponsored vintage race car that the movie's main protagonist — genius inventor and swash-buckling lady's man Tony Stark — will be driving in a scene that depicts him racing in the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, a vintage race held in Monte Carlo. The scene is not being filmed on the actual streets of the tiny, glamorous seaside principality near the south of France, but on an elaborate set that replicates the Monaco circuit. We're not sure what the Stark Industries car, which is built to resemble a '70s racer, is based on exactly, but this image leads us to believe that a fully functional race car — perhaps a Formula Ford or Formula Mazda car — resides beneath that blue-and-white Stark Motor Sports livery. Check out the Avon racing slicks and transmission sticking out the back of the car beneath the rear wing."

For a few more angles of the car, check out RoadAndTrack.com.

Routh Says Terms of His Superman Contract Have Expired

Among the many ways the Internet continues to improve our lives, one of the coolest is Google Translate.

I love that you can take a story written in another language and, with a few keystrokes, turn it into something that you can read in your own language.

The translations aren't perfect, of course, but you can certainly get the idea.

Anyway, Omelete.com recently visited the site of the forth-coming comic book movie "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." While there, they took the time to sit down and talk with Brandon Routh.

Here is the Google Translated version of the site's article:

During our visit to the set of Scott Pilgrim, adaptation to the screen of Brian Lee O'Malley's independent comic, the omelet chatted with Brandon Routh, who plays "evil ex-boyfriend number 3."

Obviously, we could not stop without asking him about the status of the franchise's Man of Steel, where he played Clark Kent / Superman in Superman Returns.

"I do not know of anything," said Routh. "I'm sure that Warner Bros. is moving there, but everything is still uncertain. Really, I do not know anything."

Then commented that he thought a certain injustice that Batman Begins, the reboot of the franchise of Batman had opened lower than expected by the studio - as Superman - but won a second chance and ended up proving to be an absurdly lucrative series in Batman - The Knight of Darkness.

"It's exactly how I feel," agreed Routh.

Then discuss the main reason why the film may not have excited the public as it should: the lack of action scenes. "I think missing some beating. You know, it is curious, but in the middle of the show I realized it - I just noticed that caught the whole movie and had no chance to retaliate."

Routh also confirmed he has no contract to play the super-hero. "The term contract has expired. But if they call me again, back to the character without thinking twice."

The full interview with the actor will be published towards the release of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World in 2010.

The key parts are:

* Routh still does not know what's going on with the Superman series

* The terms of his contract to play Superman have expired

* He still wants to play the role, and would return without thinking twice

* Routh admits the movie needed more action

Hopefully, we will get a true translation of the article soon enough. But you can definitely pick up what Routh is saying. And Routh, even in a broken English translation of Portugese, still sounds far more lucid about the movie series than Bryan Singer does these days.

Comic Con 2009: Masters of the Web Panel

The "Masters of the Web" panel has been a hot item at Comic-Con the last couple years, let's hope the third time is a charm as our favorite website keyboard jockeys get together again for some "good natured" debate. Moderating the panel will be director Kevin Munroe and Brandon Routh who will both be pimping "Dead of Night" by debuting some fresh new footage.

Panel Attendees:

Mike Sampson - Jo Blo

Robert Sanchez - IESB

Jeremy Smith - AICN

Drew McWeeny - HitFix

Brad Miska - Bloody-Disgusting

George "El Guapo" Roush - Latino Review

Ryan Rotten - Shock Till You Drop

Paul Christensen - MovieWeb

Devin Faraci - CHUD

Vic Holtreman - ScreenRant

Wilson Morales - BlackFilm

Sandler and Rogen are Date Swappers

No, Date Swappers is not some new raunchy comedy featuring the comedic duo of Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler (soon co-starring in "Funny People"). What the articles title refers to is the switching of release dates by Sony of two of its high profile projetcs: Rogen's "Green Hornet" and Sandler's ensemble film "Grown Ups."

From what we've seen from these two these past few years, their new projects, like their predecessors, are all but guaranteed to be box office gold.

Poster for 'Surrogates'

Our friends over at Comingsoon have debuted the first one sheet for Bruce Willis' sci-fi actioner 'Surrogates.' It has the same metalic blue tinge as 'Minority Report' and 'I, Robot,' but is a solid, if basic, poster that uses the star to sell the movie as opposed to making a creative poster.

A Nice Juicy Look at Avatar

It goes without saying that Avatar is the most anticipated amongst the films slated to make an appearance at this year's San Diego Comic Con. James Cameron's oft-discussed live-action/CG/motion-capture sci-fi epic has had about as much security behind its production than the Pope going out to grab a pack of smokes.

And with the film set for release this Christmas, it's about fucking time Cameron, 20th Century Fox & Co. started showing pictures and *gasp* actual footage. I know. I know. Probably asking for too much there. It's "only" opening in six months with little-to-nothing having been shown to the general public. That is if you don't count concept art and of course the Cinema Expo from Amsterdam.

Coming Soon has snagged some nice pictures of the Comic Con banner for Avatar with a nice juicy look at the Na'vi - the alien species at the heart of the film. Judging 100% on that single image, all I have to say is...wow. That looks pretty damn real.

Looks like Cameron and his effects-team weren't blowing smoke up our ass when they talked about how Avatar will further push the boundaries of visual effects.

Is Jessica Biel 'Thor'-Bound?

According to NukeTheFridge.com, sources from "deep within" have told them Jessica Biel is "in talks about joining the cast of 'Thor.'"

The site says Biel, 27, would play Thor's love interest -- possibly "Amora, The Enchantress" or "Sif."

There was no mention in the story as to whether this would affect Natalie Portman's alleged involvement in the movie.

Biel has previous experience playing a character in a comic book movie: as Abigail Whistler in 2004's "Blade: Trinity."

"Thor" is slated to be released May 20, 2011 (a date that is subject to change). Marvel will self-finance the film, with distribution to be handled by Paramount Pictures.