Bollywood Film Creating Buzz

Brandon Routh and Akshay Kumar in Incredible LoveEven in a post-"Slumdog Millionaire" world, it's rare for a Bollywood film to make any noise outside of its target audience.

But when a movie is rumored to feature Brandon Routh, Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Beyonce Knowles and Carmen Electra, a certain amount of buzz can be expected.

Sajid Nadiadwala’s forthcoming romantic comedy, "Kambakth Ishq," features Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor in pivotal roles.

However, it is the growing list of Hollywood players who have been responsible for getting the movie some publicity.

The movie, also known as "Incredible Love," will focus on an Indian stuntman in Hollywood on a romantic mission to find his leading lady. During his adventures, he is assisted by a series of Hollywood actors.

According to Insidedesi.com, the film is rumored to have Routh, Stallone, Richards, Schwarzenegger, Knowles and Electra in cameo roles as themselves.

Insidedesi.com says, "This will be the first Indian film to be shot within Universal Studios in Los Angeles, Calif., with shooting also taking place in Venice, Italy, and, of course, Mumbai. The movie is set to release this coming May, and is being anticipated to be the biggest blockbuster of 2009."

Chinaview.cn, citing industry estimates, said Stallone and Routh each will take home more than $400,000 U.S. dollars for their appearances, while Denise Richards will pocket more than $204,000.

Update on Sat, March 28, 2009 by Sean Gerski

The trailer for the movie has arrived.

Here you go:

DVD Sales Spur New Line to Take Another 'Journey'

The movie "Journey to the Center of the Earth" was based on a book with no sequels and did a middling $240 million worldwide box office last year. So why is the movie getting a sequel?
Credit (or blame) better-than-expected DVD sales.

The first movie, which featured Brendan Fraser facing off against dinosaurs in 3-D, made $101 million in domestic box office. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), New Line executives were encouraged enough by DVD sales to commission a follow-up film.

THR wrote, "New Line will fully finance the movie, a departure from the first one, which saw Walden share co-financing duties."

According to THR, Eric Brevig will return as director and will be involved in script development.

Since Jules Verne wrote only one "Journey to the Center of the Earth" story, there was a need to come up with a new plot. According to THR, the sequel's story line will be based on a spec script by Richard Outten called "Mysterious Travels: The Lost Map Of Treasure Island." The producers bought the script and have repurposed it to fit the "Journey" world.

There is nor word yet as to whether the title will remain, as the characters will not be travelling to the center of the earth.

Keira Knightley 'Done' With 'Pirates' Franchise

The next "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie could possibly add comedian Russell Brand, but it looks like Keira Knightley will not be returning for any future installments.

In an interview with Moviefone.com, Knightley said she doesn't see herself playing Elizabeth Swann in "Pirates of the Caribbean 4."

"It was a completely fantastic experience, and it was an amazingly large portion of my life, but I don't think I need to go there again," said Knightley. "I think that it's done. But I'm very excited to see the next one. And [Johnny Depp] is so wonderful in that character. I think it'll be wonderful."

Word has it the "Pirates" will set course for the Fountain of Youth in the next movie.

The series has taken in more than a billion dollars in domestic box office over the course of three movies.

'Iron Man 2' Coming Into Focus

It's a good week to be an Iron Man fan.

On Tuesday, a picture from Jon Favreau confirmed work had begun on the sets for "Iron Man 2." On Wednesday, word came down that Mickey Rourke and Scarlett Johansson had been officially cast in the movie.

On Thursday, two more pieces of the process came into focus.

First, a Marvel "spy" told Ain't It Cool News that, "Iron Man starts rehearsals in a few days, which is why the casting is finally coming together so quickly."

Next, as IESB.net spotted, Gwyneth Paltrow had written on her GOOP newsletter that she "can’t wait to start Iron Man 2 in two weeks."

The Ain't It Cool News spy also said that part of the reason for the just-announced one year delay for Avengers is so that Favreau can direct it:

"Avengers is delayed a year because of financing issues but also because the plan is for Favreau to helm it. Everybody here loves the guy and he wants to do it, but it would have been impossible for him to do before the date change given his Iron Man 2 commitments. Also partly the reason why he agreed to do the Stark sequel on such an accelerated schedule was so he could get given first dibs on this. It would still be a punishing schedule for him, so he's not firmly confirmed yet, but he is certainly the presumptive director at this point."

Ledger's Last Film In Trouble?

The film Heath Ledger was working on at the time of his death might not see wide release in the US.  The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus has yet to land a distributor for US release, though European releases are set for the summer according to Entertainment Weekly.  Distributors are waiting for a screening to decide whether they believe the off-beat movie will appeal to the masses-- even with the tagline of 'Ledger's Last Film.'  Gilliam et al are waiting until all post production is done in April, say sources, to screen.

Imaginarium is a $30 million surrealistic film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Ledger-- among several other big names who stepped in to help see that the film came to fruition despite the loss. 

Come to Kitty's Corner for more on the project!

Great Scott! Movie News Recap

~~Walden Media and New Line are taking another "Journey to the Center of the Earth" with a sequel based on the book "Mysterious Travels: The Lost Map of Treasure Island" by Richard Outten.~~

Variety: Center Of The Earth Sequel Set

~~WB is going to be clowing around with a remake of Stephen King's "It" based off a script by Dave Kajganich. Lin Entertainment & Vertigo entertainment will produce the film set in modern times.~~

Chud: Warner Brothers Calls Tim Curry, Just Wants To Borrow His Clown Suit

~~Some photos & concept art from Tim Burton's "Alice In Wonderland"straight from the pages of Disney's very own magazine. Photo features Mia Wasikowska as Alice peering down a rabbit hole.~~

Cinematical: First Look: Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland

Wonder Woman Making Some Noise

In an "exclusive" from one of my favorites and yours, IESB is confirming that WB is back on the "Wonder Woman" bandwagon again.

Sources in the Burbank studios have confirmed there is quite a bit of movement on the WW front. With Green Lantern going into production this year, it looks like Princess Diana may finally get the go ahead from WB.

WB and Silver Pictures are in the early stages but they are eager to get started on the movie. Sources tell IESB that WB is looking for new writers on the project and have been taking pitches the last few weeks.

Interesting to note that this information comes on the heels of major announcements from Marvel and some of their "partner" studios on projects such as "Thor", "Captain America", "Spiderman 4", and "Avengers".

WB has been pretty silent on the WB/DC film front. Just recently we were finally treated with a Winter 2010 release date for "Green Lantern". Other than that there have only been rumblings on "The Flash", "Superman" and "Batman".

Marvel Studios Repositions Film Slate

AKA - Yet another example of how Marvel Studios is out-doing Warner Brothers/DC Comics.

The studio has opted to re-position their entire lineup of film projects. The original plan was to have Iron Man 2 and Kenneth Branagh's Thor for Summer 2010 with Captain America and The Avengers for the following Summer of 2011.

Well now Marvel has announced that the Iron Man sequel will (obviously) remain in its May 7, 2010 release. Meanwhile, Thor moves to Summer 2011 with Captain America (which has been pushed back from May to now July '11) "building up" to The Avengers for May 2012.

It's safe to assume that most of us thought The Avengers would be pushed back - especially with the news of Warner Brothers moving Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows - Part II for a July 2011 release. That and said "team-up" will be heavily dependant in how Thor and Captain America turn out.

Also on docket is the announcement that Spider-Man 4 will officially open the Summer of 2011 with a May 6 release. I''m curious to see how that one's coming along!

Now compare all of this to WB/DC who don't have anywhere near as concrete a plan.

To be fair, we know they have Batman III coming down the pipeline (although not surprisingly it appears that might be headed to 2012 thanks to Nolan's Inception), Jonah Hex for a late Summer 2010 release followed by Green Lantern that Christmas and the Superman Returns follow-up (most likely a "requel") coming...eventually - my guess is Christmas 2011. Although I still wouldn't count out Kal-El to return (again) for that Summer instead.

Trailer for Sam Raimi's 'Drag me to Hell!'

Personally this is not my type of movie, but for those that worshipped Raimi prior to his massive success with the Spider-Man franchise, I am sure this will come as a welcome return to his horror roots.

The film seems to have it's tongue firmly in cheek and may turn out to be fun, although it does look like an episode of Charmed on steroids.

'Drag me to Hell!' opens on May 29th and you can check the trailer out below.

Joe Wright to have an 'Indian Summer'

Joe Wright, the director of the Oscar nominated 'Atonment' and the superb looking 'The Soloist', has just inked a deal to direct an adaption of Alex von Tunzelmann novel 'Indian Summer' according to Variety.

The project is based on the book about the last days of Britain's colonial rule in India and the symbolic end of Blighty's status as a world superpower.

William Nicholson ("Gladiator") is penning the screenplay. Working Title co-toppers Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan will produce alongside Hilary Bevan Jones ("The Boat That Rocked").

Lensing is set to begin early next year on location in India. No cast has been set.

Pic will follow the fateful events as Britain's Lord Mountbatten, with glamorous wife Edwina in tow, is sent to oversee the handover of power in the summer of 1947 to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister.

"After making 'The Soloist' in L.A., I was looking for something that was primarily about the British experience," Wright told Daily Variety.

I liked 'Atonement' and I have really been impressed from what I have seen of 'The Soloist'. Wright has a painters eye visually and this material really should allow him a canvas to stretch both that and his already excellent dramatic touch as a film maker.