Colin Trevorrow to Direct 'Star Wars: Episode IX'

If you didn't know, Disney is having their big D23 event this weekend (their version of Comic Con) and have dropped some major announcements for many of their properties, including (not surprisingly) Stars Wars.

With J.J. Abrams helming the first installment of the new trilogy this December (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Rian Johnson taking on the second (Star Wars: Episode VIII) due out in May 2017, we now have an official announcement of who will be closing things out with Star Wars: Episode IX in 2019: Colin Trevorrow.

Yes, the man who co-wrote and directed what has now become the 3rd highest grossing film of all-time with Jurassic World, will be leading the way with the final installment.

While I don't think Trevorrow is a bad filmmaker by any means, he's a bit of a letdown compared to Abrams and Johnson. Don't get me wrong, I really liked Jurassic World and thought it was very good, but it didn't 'Wow' me to think, "This guy's a hell of a filmmaker."

Anyway, Disney and Lucasfilm seem pretty high on him as they released an official press release (which you can read below), and I'll just state this two cents in regards to Star Wars:

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not the biggest fan. I've seen the original trilogy, and while I merely just liked them (I grew up with Terminator, Die Hard, and Rocky), I understand why this franchise is so important to so many people.

With Disney and Kathleen Kennedy now in full control of Lucasfilm (seriously, thank God), I think what they're doing with this franchise is groundbreaking and will certainly dominate the film industry for years to come.

Again, while I'm not the biggest fan, it's people like me who will still undoubtedly go to the theater to check out what amazing things they're coming up with, and that's what counts.

ANAHEIM, CALIF. (August 15, 2015)—Today at D23, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn announced that writer-director Colin Trevorrow will direct Star Wars: Episode IX, which is set for release in 2019. 

While production won’t begin for a few years, Trevorrow is heading to Lucasfilm this year to begin working with artists and his fellow Star Wars directors. “Colin is someone I’ve been interested in working with ever since I saw ‘Safety Not Guaranteed,’” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “The power of that film paired with the enormous success of ‘Jurassic World’ speaks volumes about his abilities both as a storyteller and skilled filmmaker. We are thrilled to have such an incredible talent as Colin join our family and step into the Star Wars universe.” 

Trevorrow states, “This is not a job or an assignment. It is a seat at a campfire, surrounded by an extraordinary group of storytellers, filmmakers, artists and craftspeople. We’ve been charged with telling new stories for a younger generation because they deserve what we all had—a mythology to call their own. We will do this by channeling something George Lucas instilled in all of us: boundless creativity, pure invention and hope.” 

Star Wars: Episode IX will conclude the third trilogy of Star Wars movies that begins with Star Wars: The Force Awakens on December 18, 2015.

Source: Disney/Lucasfilm

Leonardo DiCaprio Will Be Your 'Devil' In the White City.

 

Coming hot off of his new film The Revenant it appears DiCaprio will go from revenge to murderer as The Hollywood Reporter is stating the TITANIC and Great Gatsby actor will team with Martin Scorcese yet again for the long awaited adaptation of the non-fiction best seller, The Devil in the White City.

 The feature adaptation of Devil in the White City is back at Paramount, with Leonardo DiCapriohaving enlisted his frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese to help make his passion project into a reality.

Paramount, after having acquired and let go of the project twice before, has scooped up the project, with DiCaprio on board to star, Scorsese to direct and Billy Ray to write the script, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

The Erik Larson novel takes place in 1893 at the World's Fair, and follows the architect of the White City itself, Daniel H. Burnham, and the bloodthirsty Dr. H.H. Holmes who lured victims with his charm to his murder castle, a macabre and twisted monument to depravity in a world on the edge of the millennium. 

Graham Moore is penning the script, fresh off his Oscar win for The Imitation Game. 

Steven Spielberg Courting Gene Wilder for 'Ready Player One'?

I don't usually do two entries in a row about the same project, but this seemed like an exception to make.

With news coming last week that Warner Bros. had set a release date of December 15th, 2017 for the film adaptation of Ernest Cline's Ready Player One with Steven Spielberg directing, we now we have word of what legendary actor might be getting persuaded to come out of retirement to come onboard.

None other than Gene Wilder himself is rumored to be taking or has already taken a meeting with Spielberg about an upcoming film of his.

While it's speculated the project could be a voice role in the animated adaptation of Ronald Dahl's famed children book, The BFG, that movie's not only due out in less than a year but the full voice cast is already set. I would imagine the bulk of the work has already been recorded, which leads us to Ready Player One...

It seems fitting that for a book described as "Willy Wonka meets The Matrix", Mr. Wilder could in-fact be getting courted to play the vital role of James Halliday, the creator of the virtual universe of OASIS and the man who sets off a global search to find his hidden fortune from beyond the grave.

Now this is all pure speculation and the original story is nothing more than an unconfirmed rumor, but damn, if this is any hint of what Spielberg is aiming for, we might be in store for something pretty special.

We'll keep you posted on any more news about this project. Sound off with your comments below though. Would you like to see Gene Wilder - Willa Wonka himself (sorry Johnny Depp) - back on the big screen, in a Steven Spielberg movie nonetheless?

Source: AICN

'Ready Player One' Set for December 15th, 2017; Steven Spielberg To Direct

Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow and DreamWorks Studios have set a December 15th, 2017 release date for Ready Player One, to be directed by none other than Steven Spielberg himself. The film is an adaptation of Ernest Cline's novel of the same name about a not-too-distant future where virtual reality is valued by society above the real world.

It is still somewhat surprising that this project is moving forward, especially with Spielberg still attached. You see, Ready Player One centers on a teenager named Wade Watts who, throughout his short life, has grown up with OASIS, a virtual utopia that humans can enter to escape the real world. Basically, a video game that anyone and everyone around the globe can play at any time. Watts - along with many, many others - is set on finding the creator of the virtual reality's fortune, hidden somewhere inside the utopia. This utopia is littered everywhere in 80s pop culture, from video games, to movies, to TV shows, to books because the creator was obsessed with the decade. Or in other words for a film, a licensing nightmare.

In order to make the film work, these references to 80s culture need to be in there, and you can't just put them in like that. Money needs to be paid to whomever owns the rights to...whatever it is your referencing in order to allow it in the film.

For movies specifically, the ones that are referenced a lot in the book (which, by the way, if you haven't figured out by now, I'm currently reading) are The Goonies, Back to the Future, Gremlins and even E.T. I believe is in there too. Getting the rights to use footage and even mentioning these films on screen can be extremely costly, that is, unless you're Steven Spielberg. That's where the big guy comes in.

Spielberg, in terms of 80s pop culture, basically defined the decade. Go back and look at many of the great films from that time and I bet you he's involved in nearly every single one. You know who produced The Goonies? Spielberg. Back to the Future? Spielberg. Gremlins? You guessed it, Spielberg. A special mention for Poltergeist? Spielberg (though it's widely believed he ghost directed that thing too). Oh and I probably don't need to tell you who created E.T.

By having Spielberg on as director, it gives the project ease and availability in using these films for reference. The man running the show is also the key to make this book come alive. In short, the studio and all involved better hope Spielberg doesn't drop out of this thing, otherwise it'll be tough to still move forward with any other director (well, maybe other than Robert Zemeckis).

The book has been adapted by Zak Penn for the screen. Not exactly a name that brings confidence to mind (X-Men: The Last Stand anyone?) but with Spielberg behind the camera, it can be great.

Dan Fellman, the president Warner Bros. domestic distribution, had this to say regarding the December 2017 release date:

“Any film from Steven Spielberg is an event film, so it felt right to date this thrilling new project from one of our greatest filmmakers for the holiday season."

Very true, but let's just hope that doesn't change.

Source: Variety

'The Dark Tower' Has a Release Date!

After several years of development, many studios (and actors) attached, it looks as though Stephen King's epic novel series is finally getting close to hitting the big screen.

Sony Pictures has officially set a January 13th, 2017 release date for The Dark Tower. While that may seem far away, remember that we are already halfway through 2015. That's only a year and a half from now.

We know the project has a director (Nikolaj Arcel), multiple screenwriters (Arcel and Anders Thomas Jensen) and producers (Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Stephen King himself), but now it's time to find a lead actor.

A lot of big name actors have flirted with project over the years including Russell Crowe, Javier Bardem, even Christian Bale, but as of right now there's no word on if any of those names are still being considered. They need to find the right guy and frankly, I have no clue who would fit. A Dark Tower expert might know.

The one thing I'd like to point out is the seemingly short time period between now and that release date. The project must be further along than we think in terms of filming locations, budget and casting as they would have to start shooting by the end of this year, early next year to have the film ready by January 2017.

I only hope they have everything in order and aren't about to make this a rush job, certainly not after the long road the page to screen adaptation the project has taken.

We will definitely keep you posted on any more news about this as you can expect more big announcements in the next coming months.

Source: Sony Pictures

X Gon' Give It To Ya' in Red Band DEADPOOL Trailer

 

The 4th wall-breaking quip-machine was the talk of the town after Comic-Con when the trailer was circulating the web in low cell-phone quality (along with Suicide Squad) and now, weeks later, the trailer for the 20th Fox gamble of "fine here's the movie you all have been bitching about wanting for 5 years" has made it's way online officially. 

Deadpool follows Wade Wilson, a cancer patient who undergoes a life-saving experimentation from the Weapon X program, as he is turned into the grizzle faced mercenary known as Deadpool who goes on the lamb from the organization that created him and along the way finds Negasonic Teenage Warhead, a child from the house that Xavier built as they are hunted and haunted by their estranged pasts.

DEADPOOL stars Ryan Reynolds as he reprises his role from 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine and is joined by a bevy of talent such as Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, and the stunning Morena Baccarin, Gina Carano, and newcomer Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic. 

The film opens everywhere February 12, 2016. 

Promo Video for 'The Martian' - Ares 3: The Right Stuff

Having recently finished reading Andy Weir's The Martian, I am beyond psyched to see the film.

The combination of science, suspense, reality, authenticity and most of all, humor, makes the book one of the best I have ever read. I am just praying and hoping the film is able to capture that same spirit as the book.

Seriously, Mark Watney is like my friggin hero now.

Anyway, if you haven't seen the trailer, you should check it out (as I have about 100x). Today though, we have another promo video for the film where the 'crew' is being interviewed by a psychologist before their mission after each spending 10 days in isolation. It's safe to say, all the actors here (especially Matt Damon) have seemingly translated their characters from page to screen. Even reading the book, I couldn't help but picture all of these actors in their respective roles.

The Martian opens nationwide October 2nd.

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return. Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, THE MARTIAN features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.

Source: 20th Century Fox

Weekend Box Office- July 31- Aug 2

 

With the Cruise you clearly never lose. Paramount is having a good weekend after a rough summer start with the critically derided but actually brilliant Terminator: Genisys which has so far tallied up $317 million; but that's besides the point, as the amazing Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation dominated with $56 million for the opening weekend. The thriller, a fifth entry in the long-running journeys of the Impossible Mission Force, continues to showcase Cruise as both an entertainer and a box office draw.

Up against Ethan Hunt and his globe-troting escapades was National Lampoon's "Vacation" reboot, aptly titled Vacation which opened Wednesday, and finished the weekend with $21 million. The reboot starred Ed Helms as Clark Griswold's son, taking his family to Wally World. The reboot came in second.

Rounding out the weekend was Marvel Studios ANT-MAN, Minions, and PIXELS in fifth. 

Courtesy of Deadline:

1). Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation (PAR), 3,956 theaters / $20.3M Fri.* / $19.7M Sat. (-3%) /$16M Sun. (-19%) /3-day cume: $56M / Wk 1
* includes previews of $4M
Industry estimate:$55.6M FSS

2). Vacation (WB), 3,411 theaters / $4.5M Fri. / $5.8M Sat. (+28%) /$4.6M Sun. (-21%) / 3-day cume: $14.85M / Total cume: $21.2M** /Wk 1
**includes Tuesday previews of $1.2M
Industry estimate:$14.7M FSS, $21.2M cume

3). Ant-Man (DIS), 3,322 theaters (-546) / $3.6M Fri. / $5.1M Sat. (+40%) /$3.9M Sun. (-23%) / 3-day cume: $12.6M  (-49%)/Total cume: $132.1M/Wk 3
Industry estimate: $12.6M FSS, $132.1M cume

4). Minions (UNI), 3,575 theaters (-491)/ $3.6M Fri. / $5M Sat. (+36%) /$3.6M Sun. (-28%) / 3-day cume: $12.2M (-47%)/Total Cume: $287.3M / Wk 4
Industry estimate: $12.2M FSS, $287.3M cume

5). Pixels (SONY), 3,723 theaters (0)/ $3.16M Fri. / $4.1M Sat. (+31%) /$3.1M Sun. (-24%) / 3-day cume: $10.4M (-57%)/Total cume: $45.6M/ Wk 2
Industry estimate:$10.3M FSS, $45.6M cume

Next weekend, August 7, will see a crowded brawl as the 20th Century Fox Fantastic Four opens alongside the Joel Edgerton thriller The Gift and the Meryl Streep indie mother/daughter drama Ricki and the Flash.

I'm clearly no expert; but I'd wager F4NTASTIC or Fantastic Four or F4 or whatever you wanna call it will take a win from Rogue Nation. Tracking puts the Marvel super-hero reboot to a $45-50 million weekend, with a lot riding on the fresh-faced but accomplished young cast overpowering the negative rumors that have been circulating about director Josh Trank. While likely untrue and baseless, the same kind of negativity surrounded Fox's Days of Future Past last year, with the rumors of Bryan Singer doing absolutely nothing to detract from the film's stellar opening. 

Time wlill tell. 

'Zoolander 2' Trailer Debuts...Or is it '2oolander'?

I guess it's pretty sad when you remember seeing Zoolander in theaters when you were still in middle school.

When the film first debuted back in 2001, it was certainly considered 'funny' but I don't think many thought it would go on to become such a cult classic. Like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, its both marveled for its complete stupidity yet adored for its absolutely hilarious humor.

Like Ron Burgundy as well, Derek Zoolander is finally getting a sequel which can also be considered a bit 'too late'. Anchorman: The Legend Continues took nine years to get made while Zoolander 2 is even longer at fifteen (Dumb and Dumber To holds the ultimate title with the big 2-0).

Anyway, Paramount has released what is really just a teaser for the film with no actual footage shown other than Derek Zoolander asking a very important question to the audience. The dummy (no pun intended) narration by Stephen Hawking is a nice touch though.

Little is known about the plot of the actual film but original co-stars Owen Wilson, Christine Taylor and Will Ferrel are back with Stiller along with new additions Kristen Wiig, Olivia Munn and Penelope Cruz.

View the trailer below and sound off with your comments. Is it really, really ridiculously good looking? Sorry, just had to.

Source: Paramount Pictures

ASSASSIN'S CREED Director Explains The Appeal of the Franchise to Film

 

Not many movies like Assassin's Creed end up happening- from being in development for years and having more scheduled release dates than there are actual games in it's own series (like 26)- but Justin Kurzel is committed to bringing the "heart and history" of the acclaimed franchise to the big screen.

Speaking to IGN, Kurzel said:

 “Because I think there’s so much underneath it,” he explained. “I don’t think it’s your typical shoot-em-up game. I don’t think it’s your typical one-dimensional game. It has a heart and a history to it.

The franchise, developed by Ubisoft, first launched in 2008 and has since spawned 21 games in both the main series and subsequent spin-offs, and detail a high-concept science fiction world where the Knight's Templar engineer a device, The Animus, to allow them to delve into the DNA memories from the descendants of Assassins, warriors who are both master killers, and have been in a never ending war with the Templars to preserve the Pieces of Eden- objects left behind by "Those who came before" which grant their users otherworldly abilities that can be as mighty as they are devastating. 

“The whole idea of memories and the whole idea of we are made up of who comes before us and within us we carry the DNA of our ancestors and we have access to those ancestors and they somehow speak to who we are now – that is just an incredibly strong, human kind of curious thing, so I think that there is something there that’s really original and really fresh and it’s no wonder it has 90 million players. There’s got to be something more than just the fun of playing it. There’s definitely a culture to it that people really respond to.”

The film's principal photography is expected to begin within the next "six or seven weeks" per IGN, with Michael Fassbender (Shame, Steve Jobs), Marion Cotillard (Inception) and Michael K. Williams (HBO's The Wire) starring, with others expected to be announced soon.

The film will see Fassbender and Cotillard reteaming with Kurzel off their critically acclaimed MACBETH film which is set to open in October in the UK, with the next installment for the game franchise, Assassin's Creed: Victory coming out this fall.