WB Moves Forward with Flash

The Fastest Man Alive may be blistering his way to the big screen even more quickly than we had originally thought. News broke a few weeks ago over at IESB.net that we would soon be learning more about proposed projects concerning Wonder Woman and The Flash, which will serve as two more intricate pieces of the original Justice League.

Today, IESB learned that Greg Berlanti has been tapped by Warner Bros. to direct The Flash. Berlanti worked with Marc Guggenheim, Michael Goldenberg and Michael Green on writing the screenplay for Martin Campbell’s Green Lantern, which is set to start filming next month.

Nothing is known so far as to whether or not there is already an approved script, but if you tally this news with the fact that we’re already getting a Christopher Nolan directed Batman 3 and a David Goyer written Man of Steel to go along with Green Lantern, it seems that Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment are making great strides to make the public feel safe once again under the watch of earths greatest heroes. 

The Man of Steel Gets a Writer

Well, my story about Christopher Nolan mentoring the newly envisioned Superman Franchise was debunked last week, which may or may not turn out to just be a ploy by WB to throw us off the trail. After all, the news was leaked. But, even if it stands that Nolan isn't involved, it seems that I got at least part of it right.

According to Latino Review, David Goyer has been hired to write the script for the newest feature film involving my favorite martian to be titled The Man of Steel. The title may have been decided partly on the notion that Goyer's idea is to take Superman back to the days of John Byrne, who, in 1986, developed the comic under the same name and essentially did away with a lot of crap like Superboy and Krypto. Awww, no love for Krypto?

The article states that Goyer's story involves Lex Luthor, who I hope they make more sinister leader of Lexcorp and lose the campy ways of his predecessors, and Brainiac. As of now its unclear which version of Brainiac will be used. We won't be getting another origin story. In fact, Goyer one-ups us and assumes that the audience is already familiar with the supporting characters like Lois, Jimmy and Perry.

Other details given were that The Daily Planet would be faced with economic struggles due to battling the internet and that the film is going to set up a massive Kryptonian mythology.

Brandon Routh is said to not be a candidate for the role of Superman and Bryan Singer is not expected to direct.

Now, back the John Byrne thing. Personally, I think this could be good. Lois and Clark followed a similar formula with its successful run. Ma and Pa Kent, which Clark called Mom and Dad, were both still alive. Clark wasn’t a bumbling idiot in a suit that no reporter would wear. In fact, he was actually a pretty cool character. He was a standout athlete in high school and noticeably attractive. The reason that he wasn’t suspected as being Superman was that no one ever considered Superman to have a secret identity. He was just this being all to his own that showed up when needed. And he didn’t always stop everything with the greatest of ease. That’s boring. He has to be challenged or there’s no story. No, Superman has to get his S kicked a little.

So, good news is in the works for Superman. I’m finally excited again. 

A New Trailer for a New Nightmare

On April 30th, the Michael Bay produced A Nightmare on Elm Street slashes its way into theaters. Its a re-imagining of the story of Freddy Krueger, the hideously scarred antagonist of Wes Craven's film by the same name in 1984 that made us all think twice before closing our eyes at night. 

I really want to like this movie. See what you think of the trailer below.

A Nightmare on Elm Street Trailer 2 in HD

Trailer Park Movies | MySpace Video

This Week on DVD : Law Abiding Citizen

If there was ever a year and a candidate for over exposure in the film medium it was 2009 for a certain Mr. Gerard Butler. But, if there’s a way to battle and survive such a curse, if you want to call it that, it would be to keep making good films. I’ve got to say, I’m a fan of the guy. So far, I think he’s done well on what scripts he’s accepted. This week’s DVD pick is no exception.

What would you do if you watched your family be slain in front of you in the worst way imaginable, then watched one of the killers walk free…and you happened to be one of the most brilliant and conniving sons of bitches in the world? They say revenge is a dish best served cold. Well, that’s debatable.You can blow people up. Or catch them on fire. Neither one of those are exactly cold. Entertaining though.

That’s the basic premise of Law Abiding Citizen. The interesting thing is that we get two protagonists in this film, which serve as oppositions to each other. One, you can’t help but cheer on after seeing what happened to his family. The other’s only downfall is that he’s career driven, but otherwise a good person.

It serves as a pretty decent mystery as the audience is left out, until the end, on how exactly things are working. The answer to that was a little disappointing for me, but is definitely no reason to pass this one up if you see it on the shelf.

Law Abiding Citizen: Recommend

Kick-Ass new Restricted Trailer

Each and every fanboy has done it. If you say you haven’t, you’re lying. You know what I’m talking about. No, not that. Get your head out of the gutter. I’m talking about the actual consideration of what your name and abilities would be if you were to recreate yourself as a superhero.

More most, the dream dies out at a young age, but for Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) the dream becomes a reality in Matthew Vaughn’s new action-comedy Kick-Ass. Dave, a teenage comic book fanatic, asks the question ‘why has no one ever actually become a superhero’. And then he does it.

By creating his alter ego and stalking crime as the city’s new guardian, Kick-Ass, Dave influences others to embrace their hunger to fight crime, which should make for a good time as we’ll see Nick Cage in a Batman-esque suit as Big Daddy while accompanying his 11-year-old daughter, whose chosen name is Hit Girl.

I’m actually looking forward to this flick. I might even go on opening weekend. I just hope that all of the restricted trailers that have been released haven’t spoiled all of the good lines of the movie.

Here’s the latest. 

Lock up your Pastries

Way back in 1999, Universal scored big, or at least got to third base, with a little film called American Pie. The film quickly became a cult classic with its perversely humorous ways of exploiting the sex driven minds of teenagers. They even went so far as to explain why shy, good little girls are so enthusiastic about going to band camp, and gave a warm indication of what the inside of the infamous vag might feel like.

Well, according to the L.A. Times, Universal plans on “resetting the property”. That, in itself doesn’t really tell us much on their plans for the assumingly dead franchise. I would assume that the studio is following suit with Warner Bros. DC Entertainment in issuing a reboot, but the article mentions that some of the original cast is interested in coming back for the new picture. It goes on to say that its unclear how those cast members would be worked into the script, since the premise of the movie is high school horniness and most of the original actors are in their late twenties and early thirties.

Onto the big question, though. Do we want to see another one? I mean, don’t get me wrong. The films were entertaining. Funny even. But we’ve already seen three of them celebrate time in the theater. American Pie 2 and American Wedding, all shared the same robust comedy as the first, but dwindled as most sequels do. There have been other incarnations as well like American Pie Presents Band Camp in 2005 that I’m fairly sure was a straight to DVD that still didn’t get watched.

I think if they want to see any success off of this, Universal needs to not bank so much on the name and focus on a more original story. You can only get so many laughs by telling the same joke from different angles. The only other good thing I could see happening from this is that we be introduced to some new talent. Sean William Scott had done a little work prior to his role as Stifler on American Pie, but it was the rambunctious teenager role that prompted him into the limelight (if you can call it that) of his career. Jason Biggs had a few bits after he was the sock-wielding, pie raping Jim. Maybe a reboot, or whatever it is, will land us a few more names to toss around in the future.

More DC Almost News

So, last week we announced the apparent plans for WB to relaunch the Superman brand under some suggested guidelines of none other than Mr. Batman himself, Christopher Nolan. That news came just a day after the announcement that Jonah Nolan, Chris’ little bro, was going to be working with David Goyer on the script for the third installment of the ever so popular Batman franchise. This may actually be a little further along than originally thought. Sources from inside the Gotham camp at WB have said that Jonah has actually already turned in a first draft for the as yet untitled Batman 3, who Chris (Nolan) will be directing.

With Goyer leaving his Flashforward baby in the name of lifting his feature career to higher levels, one might begin to speculate just a little, that, once Batman 3 has been given the attention that it deserves, Goyer (and Jonah) may ride the cape tails on over to The Daily Planet for a treatment of the big guy in blue. An insider at WB mentioned that the studio already has a script with which they’re already very pleased. So, Goyer’s and Nolan’s time spent, if any, would more than likely just be used for tweaking the story to add depth and sophistication to an already well received script.

Of course none of this has been officially said, but  it would make sense. With Green Lantern on its way to production, two great Batfilms on the plate and another in the oven and rumored news that we’re going to be hearing announcements soon on solo films for WonderWoman and The Flash, why not serve the public with a slice of Kryptonian pie baked by some of the best in the business right now?

Whether it be by official WB press release, studio leaks or interviews, we expect to hear more on this front in the next few weeks.

Wait a second. Weren’t these five of the original seven original members of the Justice League? Hmmmm.

This week on DVD: Couples Retreat

Its time again for the weekly review of what’s new on DVD.

 This week, Couples Retreat. The duo of Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau ride again not only starring in, but also writing the comedy about four couples, who agree to share a package deal in a tropical paradise.

 Jason Bateman, who also appeared in The Breakup with Vaughn and Favreau, continues his hot streak of landing roles since a bit of a hiatus in his career in the 90’s. His performance in Couple’s Retreat as Jason, the husband of Cynthia, played by Kristen Bell, almost mirrors that of the character in The Breakup as an uptight, soft spoken, all around boring guy. I mean, I wouldn’t invite him over for a night of Catch Phrase, but, while dull, the character played out well against the surrounding roles.

 Basically, Jason (Bateman) and Cynthia (Bell) convince the other three couples to escape for a much needed vacation to the island of Eden, which is portrayed to be the perfect tropical getaway for fun and reconnection with your spouse. However, once there, the couples learn that the brochure was a bit misleading, which ensues frustration and exposes underlying problems within the group.

 Vince Vaughn, while reprising his all so popular quick witted and obnoxiously fast speaking character, that he seems to be in every film, is seen as the ringleader for the team, but realizes somewhere along the way that he himself should show a little humility in order spare the feelings of others.

 The movie, overall, is an average comedy, mostly based on the talent of the cast. However, like any good film, it has its moments of insight, if you’re paying attention. Some of the discussions among the couples are easily relatable from marriages that just get by day to day, to those that have resulted in neither parties thinking twice about cheating. If you’re looking for a nice getaway this weekend with that special someone (and you haven’t pre-ordered your tickets to see the heavily star-clad Valentines Day) Couples Treat is a good option to take home and enjoy with your Valentne.

 Kristen Davis, Malin Akerman, Faizon Love and Kali Hawk round out the cast.

Chris Nolan to Work with Studio on Superman Reboot

We reported last week that Time Warner Inc. executives were giving us somewhat of a tease that we would be hearing some big announcements in the next few weeks concerning the development of their associated DC characters.

 Well, they didn’t disappoint. In an announcement that’s sure to spark the internet forums and have fans jumping for joy, if not disbelief, Warner Bros has confirmed that director Chris Nolan (Batman Begins and The Dark Knight) is going to work with the studio in developing, what they consider to be the correct direction for the Superman franchise.

 It was announced last summer that the plans were to scrap the story set up in Bryan Singer’s and Brandon Routh’s Superman Returns and do a complete reboot with the next installment. An insider stated that “we know what we don’t want to do, but we don’t know what we want to do.” Singer stated during the production of his tale of the man in blue tights, that he wanted to treat it as a 1930’s love story. Perhaps this was a result of his involvement with Peter Jackson’s King Kong, which was, in fact, a period piece being shot at the same time as Superman Returns.

 After the success of 2008’s The Dark Knight, which lived up to its name, taking on a much deeper, meaningful feel than even its predecessor, Batman Begins, fans were calling for a darker Superman film. That was partly because of Warner Bros’ Jeff Robinov made the statement that the studio needs to “look at how to make these movies edgier”. Many fans squawked at the statement,however, crying the obvious differences between the DC characters, assuming that Robinov was referencing an intention to take the Man of Steel to a darker level.

 Nolan is not set to direct the Superman film, but rather serve as a mentor. Its unclear at this time exactly what that entails, whether it be pitching story ideas or working alongside the cast and crew. One has to wonder, with the similarities in the timelines between Warner’s rights to the Superman film franchise and those of Marvel’s with the Disney merger, might the implementation of Batman’s director into the Superman universe be the guiding light needed to set up the two characters into the all so anticipated World’s Finest film.

 Look for more information on this topic in the very new future. In the ongoing case between Warner and the heirs of Superman’s creators, Joe Shuster and Jerome Siegel, attorney Marc Toberoff stated that in 2013 the heirs would own the entire original copyright to Superman.

 “Neither DC Comics nor Warner Bros will be able to exploit any new Superman works without a license from the Siegels and Shusters”.  Higher on the priority list, however, if a new Superman film is not underway by 2011, the Siegels could sue for damages if a judge ruled that a clause should have been created within the original deal.

 Personally, while interesting, I’d rather stay out of the legalities and just see a good film. As a lifetime fan of the character, I’ve yet to see anything on the big screen other than Richard Donner’s Superman The Movie that rivals even some of the worst story arcs from the comics. With Nolan now a part of the hysteria, maybe we’ll get something deserving of the red cape.

 I’m sure all of the fans have their own versions of how the next movie will play out. So, we can start it here. Send me a comment and let me know what you as the ticket buyers want to see. What villains. What mood. Whatever.

Batman 3 Being Written

First Marc Guggenheim exited the writing post of ABC's FlashForward, which debuted with high ratings, but fell short on the list as it wrapped up for break. Now, David Goyer has also made his exodus from the series. And maybe from television altogether. At least for right now. 

Deadline Hollywood reports that, in an attempt to keep Goyer's feature career on a steady increase, he's currently penning a third installment to director Chris Nolan's Batman franchise with the help of Nolan's brother, Johah. Goyer worked on both the initial reboot film Batman Begins and the hugely successful The Dark Knight, which featured the late Heath Ledger as the villainous Joker.

"As my feature projects have started ramping up again, I felt I was being pulled in too many directions," Goyer said.

We've been hearing since the release of The Dark Knight that the fate of a third film would fall on the back of how well the story was once written. Apparently the story has been in the works for quite some time now, but is still not ready for the transition to script form. So, at least now we know they're making steps in that direction. As a huge fan of the first two films, I'm not actually sure yet, in which direction I'd like to see them go with the third, and probable final film. What do you guys think?