Yup, the Griswolds are back...

It looks like the Wagon Queen Family Truckster will be coming out of storage.  Variety is reporting that New Line is planning to bring back the National Lampoon's Vacation movie series (although minus the "National Lampoon" tag this time around). 

The new movie, directed by Seth Gordon (The King of Kong), will again feature the Griswolds, the family literally incapable of getting through a vacation or holiday without all hell breaking lose.  This time it will be a now-grown Rusty Griswold driving his own family cross-country to Wally World, the same destination from the original 1983 film (which, of course, wound up being closed for maintainence when they finally arrived). 

 Seems Wally World is about to close and Rusty wishes to pass on his childhood vacation memories to his own children, hopefully minus the body count and hostage taking from his first trip to the amusement park. 

What am I saying?  Hopefully this trip will have an equal amount of disaster and dead relatives strapped to the luggage rack as the first film did.

Casting is not confirmed, but the script, which is being written by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, is intended to also include Clark and Ellen Griswold, who are now grandparents. 

Neither Chevy Chase or Beverly D'Angelo are attached yet, but seeing as how both recently reprised their roles in a Superbowl ad, it sounds like there's a good chance they'll be back.  I think it's high time for a classic Clark Griswold breakdown moment again.  It's been far too long.

Spiderman Will Return in 3D

In what might be the least-shocking news regarding the Spiderman film franchise in recent weeks, Sony announced today that the new Spiderman reboot film will be released in 3D, according to Deadline Hollywood.

The announcement, from Jeff Blake, Chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing & Distribution, confirms that this re-tooled version of Spiderman directed by Marc Webb will hit theaters on July 3, 2012.  In regards to the 3D, Blake comments:

“Spider-Man is the ultimate summer movie-going experience, and we’re thrilled the filmmakers are presenting the next installment in 3D. Spider-Man is one of the most popular characters in the world, and we know audiences are eager and excited to discover Marc’s fantastic vision for Peter Parker and the franchise.”

The decision was really a no-brainer for Sony.  The original trilogy has grossed over $1 billion worldwide without the benefit of a 3D version.  It's clearly their most valuble franchise, and they stand to make gazillions from not only a 3D theatrical release, but with 3D video releases as well.

But honestly, if any superhero film should get a 3D version, it needs to be Spidey. 

No word yet on who will be replacing Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spiderman or what the title of the new movie will be, but expect announcements soon. 

Harry Potter Superbowl Spot (no, not the movie)

It seemed a little early for a Deathy Hallows commercial anyway, since most Superbowl ads are usually geared towards the upcoming summer movies, and the first part of the last part of the Harry Potter movie series won't be hitting theaters (in 3D, officially!) until November.  However, we will still be getting some Harry Potter goodness on Superbowl Sunday with a new preview for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park set to open at Universal Orlando:

This looking-cooler-by the minute addition to Universal's Islands of Adventure park is set to open this spring.  No super-reveals about the park in this ad, other than a sweeping shot of the Hogsmeade 'main street' section and a quick glimpse at the Dragon Challenge roller coaster (which was a pretty wild ride in its first incarnation, Dueling Dragons).  There's also a tease at the top-secret Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey ride, but I suspect details about what goes on in that Hogwarts castle dark ride will be kept secret as long as possible.  If the rumors floating around on theme park fansites are to be believed, it's going to blow away Universal's Spiderman ride.

I haven't been back to Universal since my friend's backpack was stolen from a locker near the Dudley Do-Right Ripshaw Falls ride in 2005, but everything I've seen so far including this even better preview) that was included on the Half-Blood Prince dvd) has really convinced me that it's time to finally let bygones be bygones and check this out the next time I'm in Orlando.  Can't wait to check it out. 

You Can Keep Your 'Lost' Spoilers!

With ABC's Lost set to kick off its sixth and final season tonight, fans seem to be going out of their way to make sure they enjoy every last plot twist in its full regular broadcast glory, according to the Hollywood Reporter.  

When ABC, who has been so super-secretive about the show's final season they haven't even used new footage in the Lost Season 6 promos, made the first 4 minutes of the season premiere available online last week, many fans opted not to watch it, even voting to "bury" the link on social networking sites.

Even more shocking was when the entire episode showed up on YouTube a few days ago.  The videos, which appear to be sneaked handheld footage from a fan screening in Oahu, only received several hundred hits, with the online Lost fan community all asking the same thing - why would anyone want to watch some lousy cell-phone camera version when they just wait a day and see it in HDTV?

As a fan of Lost from the beginning, I totally agree.  I skipped the footage ABC released last week because I didn't want to see it before the actual episode aired.  I didn't even know the premiere leaked, but still...I wouldn't have watched it even if I did.  One of the best parts of Lost is not knowing what's going to happen until it actually does.  Cursing out Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse every time that "LOST" title card smacks into the middle of what's usually the most shocking and emotionally devastating part of the episode, knowing there's another week (or another season) to wait and find out what happens next is a weekly ritual, and part of the joy of being a Lost fan.  And that time is almost over.  We've come this far, and we're not going to see another show like this for a long time - why spoil it now?

No More Sal?

Bad news for Mad Men fans hoping (or at least assuming) that formerly disgraced art director Sal Romano would be joining the new Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce ad agency next season.  TV Guide is reporting that Bryan Batt will not be returning to the series. 

Batt, whose character was uncermoniously fired by Don Draper last season after being outed by a client, tells TV Guide he was supposed to hear by December 31 if Sal would be returning to the show.  So far he hasn't heard anything.

Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner confirms that Batt will not be back, saying "We don't murder people on our show, but there have to be consequences," calling Sal's departure from Sterling Cooper as "the ultimate case of sexual harrassment."

It certainly seems that way.  Despite Don Draper's mounting list of lies and infidelities, we're somehow always willing to forgive him his shortcomings (seriously, is anyone rooting for Betty in the divorce?).  But his firing of Sal was one of the ugliest moments in the series.  We knew Don was on to Sal's secret, but we weren't expecting him to turn on Sal the way he did.

This is definitely disappointing news.  Bryan Batt was terrific in the role, and with the brilliant Sterling Cooper mutiny that ended Season 3, all signs certainly seemed to point to Sal returning as the new agency's art director.  Alas, it doesn't seem to be happening.  Damn you, 1960s discrimination!

At least Mad Men fans can still look forward to Jon Hamm's second SNL hosting gig this weekend.

George Lucas producing a....Musical?!

Heat Vision Blog is reporting that George Lucas is in the midst of preproduction of his next project.   Is it Indy 5?  A new Star Wars?  Nope.  A CGI-animated musical reportedly starring fairies?  Yep!

What, would you rather hear it was a Star Wars musical?

 

No, I didn't think so either.  Although, if a Star Wars musical were to happen, it must star William Shatner in a kickline with stormtroopers.

This top-secret project currently underway at Skywalker Ranch is being directed by Kevin Monroe (TMNT) and was written by Elf screenwriter David Berenbaum.  No word yet on a title or who will be scoring the film, but it will feature musical numbers from a "variety of sources." 

Now, I love a good musical, especially a good animated musical.  Since I think it's safe to assume that this will not feature a Chewbacca power ballad, I'm curious to see how this one turns out.