GeekTyrant

Oliva Wilde and Freida Pinto to be BOND Girls

2010-03-21T23:26:34Z

MGM is currently in the middle of prepping up the next film in the James Bond franchise, BOND 23, which is being directed by Sam Mendes. Daniel Craig will reprise his role as James Bond and according to Yahoo UK MGM may have found their new Bond girls, Oliva Wilde and Freida Pinto.

Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto has apparently signed on to the the film to play Bond's new love interest, and Tron Legacy's Oviva Wilde has been approached to play a double-crossing UN worker in the film, which will be based in Afghanistan.

An inside source had this to say about Sam Mendes and his James Bond film.

Sam has been talking about Bond for months now and is so excited about it. The project has been in the pipeline for months and Freida was always the dream Bond girl, but initially she was nervous about accepting it. This is going to be the most ambitious 007 yet. Sam plans to reinvent the genre. Peter Morgan, who wrote 'The Queen', has penned the first draft of the script and it promises to be visually stunning. t will be a typically glamorous and raunchy role and Dev has been joking to friends he is cool with seeing Freida rolling around with 007.

I've enjoyed watching the last couple Bond films, and I'm definitely excited to see what Mendes has in store for this next installment of the franchise. I really like that he wants to reinvent the franchise, and I'd like to see how he actually does that, especially since the last couple films have been a reinvention of the Bond franchise. I doubt he will take it to a rated 'R' level, but that would definitely be cool. I'd love to see a 'R' rated Bond film! As far as the new potential Bond girls go, Oliva Wilde and Freida Pinto will make the perfect Bond girls.

What are your thoughts?

Tim Burton's Next Film Project to be FRANKENWEENIE

2010-03-21T19:36:28Z

We recently reported that Tim Burton was going to jump on board a new stop-motion 3D re-imagining of The Addams Family. This was not intended to be his next project. The Addams family is something he'll probably do somewhere down the line. According to AICN his next stop-motion 3D film project will be a full length feature film of an ORIGINAL story that he came up with back in the 80's called Frankenweenie.

The feature film project was first announced by disney at D23 Expo last year, but we didn't know when Burton would actually get around to making it. In Burton's original short film, a boy brings his dead dog back to life by re-animating it. After he does this the dog is rejected and persecuted by an angry mob.

Executive producer of the film, Don Hahn, had this to say at a Q&A at SXSW,

The puppets are ready, the script is done and now that Tim Burton is clear of ALICE IN WONDERLAND... he's set to helm FRANKENWEENIE in 3D.

The original film was only 30 minutes long, now they can go in there and tell more of the story, show more of the re-animation and mob elements and expand more on the Frankenstien legend. The new script for the film has more Frankensien and more dog and will also introduce us to some new characters. For more details on the movie Click Here.

Seeing this brought to life on the big screen will be a great treat. This is something I've wanted to see happen since I saw the short film. This is a Burton movie project we can really get excited about because it's actually an original film based on his ideas and designs.

If you haven't seen the original short film yet then watch it below! What are your thoughts on Burton directing Frankenweenie next?

First Teaser Trailer for the New FUTURAMA!

2010-03-20T22:50:29Z

Futurama is retuning retuning to TV on Comedy Central this June, and here the the first teaser trailer for the animated series celebrating its epic return! I can't wait! Check out the promo trailer, and unleash your excitement in the rant back section below!

Penelope Cruz's Role Revealed in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 4

2010-03-20T21:47:08Z

Last month we reported that both Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane were cast in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. McShane was perfectly cast as Blackbeard the Pirate but we had now idea what role Cruz would play until today. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer revealed in a interview with MTV that Cruz would take the role of Blackbeard's daughter in the film.

She plays the daughter of Blackbeard. She's the daughter of the bad guy. She brings a lot of humor to it, and the fact that she's so feisty. (There will also be) a little romance between [Depp's] Captain Jack and the character that Penelope plays.

He also adds that Blackbeard is "the nastiest pirate ever," and that Geoffrey Rush who played Barbossa in the first three films will be back in the fourth. I can't say I'm too excited about seeing this fourth Pirates film. I know it's got a new director, Rob Marshall, and that they're taking it in a whole new direction, but I'm just not that excited about this one. Although I love that McShane was cast as Blackbeard.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles finally Learn how to use Their Weapons

2010-03-20T21:27:28Z

I loved watching the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series when I was a kid, and as you know all those times that they fought Shredder and his goons not once did they ever draw blood with their weapons. Thanks to College Humor, the turtles have finally discovered how to really use their weapons properly in battle. Yes, the blood will flow in the sewers.

10 CLASH OF THE TITANS Film Clips!

2010-03-20T21:05:22Z

Just in case you want to watch half of Clash of the Titans before it comes out in theaters, Warner Bros. has released 10 new film clips of the Louis Leterrier directed film and thank to out friends at Bloody-Disgusting we can share them with you. I watched a couple of the film clips and I really liked what I saw, but I'm gonna be honest and tell you that I haven't watched them all because I actually want to be surprised and enjoy my experience at the movies when its released on April 2nd. The film stars Sam Worthington, Mads Mikkelsen, Gemma Arterton, Alexa Davalos, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Izabella Miko and Danny Huston.

Synopsis:

Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing left to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus (Liam Neeson) and unleash hell on earth. Leading a daring band of warriors, Perseus sets off on a perilous journey deep into forbidden worlds. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, he will only survive if he can accept his power as a god, defy his fate and create his own destiny.

Check out the film clips below if you want and tell me what you think about the movie!

Neil Patrick Harris talks DR. HORRIBLE 2 and Possible Theatrical Release

2010-03-20T17:43:24Z

There's been talk about a sequel to Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog for some time now. There's no doubt that the sequel will eventually happen, it's just a matter of how we end up watching it. I serious doubt we'll be watching the sequel online though. There is a strong possibility that the sequel will get a theatrical release.

This isn't new news, Joss Whedon and Jed Whedon have been talking about Dr. Horrible 2 getting a feature film release since last year. Here's what they had to say in a previous interview,

We've talked about doing an actual studio film. The story we've talked about is pretty big, so it may end up being longer.

The one fear they had was that any studio they do the movie with will hold them back creatively. They want to do it their way with no studio influence. In a recent interview with MTV Neil Patrick Harris talked about the project saying that it he hopes they do make it into a feature film.

Apparently they're making a 'Dr. Horrible' sequel—a feature film, I hope. I hope they cast me in it—we'll see.

That's their plan. I don't know of what scale. They're talking all options, because they made the first 'Dr. Horrible' in five days on no budget at all—that was its intention.

I think it would be awesome for this great web series to actually get a big screen sequel, that would definitely be a first.

Would you like to see Dr. Horrible 2 hot the big screen?

THE HANGOVER 2 to Be Shot in Stereoscopic 3D?

2010-03-20T16:24:45Z

It's no surprise that 3D films are the new fad in Hollywood, up to this point it's mostly been used for big budget action films, bad horror movies, and awful kid flicks. Both James Cameron and Martin Scorsese have said that they hope to see 3D filmmaking expand into all kinds of films. Now it looks like this 3D vision is becoming a reality. I really never expected a movie like the Hangover 2 to be shot in 3D. But, according to director Todd Phillips, thats exactly what he wants to do.

Marketsaw reports that Phillips agrees with with Cameron in that soon everything will be in 3D, and went on to to say, "Why wouldn't you shoot in 3D?" When he was asked about The Hangover 2 being shot in 3D, he said that he had already talked to Cameron about the possibility, because it would be "the perfect movie to do in 3D." Cameron invited him out to show him things that he's been working on. It really sounds like Phillips is plans on going all out for 3D filmmaking. When he does start making films in 3D it will be done right, shooting in stereoscopic 3D.

The Hangover sequel is currently being written there is no word on where the story will take place, we've heard rumors of Tialand and Miami. One thing is for sure, the character wont be going back to Vegas. The movie is scheduled to being shooting at the end of November.

There seems to be a lot of mixed feeling about all of the 3D movies Hollywood is producing. I loved what Cameron did with Avatar, but I'm still on the fence. I just hate all of the weak sauce 3D conversions that are being done right now. It's a total waste of money and time. Word on the street is the Clash of the Titans 3D conversion sucks ass. Maybe if they actually start making these 3D movies right from the beginning people will be more receptive. I just think the studios are still using it as a gimmick instead of a story enhancer. It should be interesting to see a movie like The Hangover 2 shot in 3D, I'm definitely interested to see what 3D can do for a comedic story.

What are your thoughts on The Hangover being shot in 3D?

CLASH OF THE TITANS Film Clip and New Hi Res Images

2010-03-20T00:39:08Z

Hey Gang! I got a few new things to share with you regarding Louis Leterrier's new film Clash of the Titans. We've got a great little film clip featuring Purseus' encounter with the three blind witches. We also have a collection of new hi resolution images from Bloody-Disgusting, one of them gives us our best look yet at Medusa. The film drops in theaters on April 2nd in 2D and 3D. But don't let the 3D conversion fool ya, reports are rolling in that the 3D conversion looks awful. The movie itself looks like it's gonna kick some ass! I can't wait to see it!

In “Clash of the Titans,” the ultimate struggle for power pits men against kings and kings against gods.But the war between the gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing left to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus (Liam Neeson) and unleash hell on earth. Leading a daring band of warriors, Perseus sets off on a perilous journey deep into forbidden worlds. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, he will only survive if he can accept his power as a god, defy his fate and create his own destiny.

Check out the film clip and production photos below and tell us what ya think!

Chris Evans offered the Role of CAPTAIN AMERICA

2010-03-19T23:55:18Z

Chris Evans could be trading in the blue and white suit of a Marvel Comics superhero -- Johnny Storm/ The Human Torch in Fox's Fantastic 4 films -- for the blue and white suit of another Marvel Comics superhero -- Steve Rogers/Captain America in Marvel Studios' The First Avenger: Captain America. But instead of a 4 on his chest, he'll have an A on his forehead... which kinda also looks like a 4... just sayin'.

THR reports that Marvel has offered the role of Captain America to Evans. As reported with the long list of past hopefuls, Evans' offer would include a nine-film contract, with up to three Captain America-headlined movies, as well as potential spinoffs, cameo appearances, and "team-up" films (a.k.a The Avengers).

Before the whole geek community either raises their glasses, or gets punched in the glasses, let's keep in mind that Marvel has not confirmed this, and that Evans reps declined to comment.

Their sources say that Evans has not signed on yet, not out of lack of interest, but that Evans is committed to co-starring in the Anna Faris romantic comedy What's Your Number?, which is also scheduled to shoot this summer. The studio could hold him to that, you may remember Emily Blunt had to drop out of the role of Black Widow in Iron Man 2 (was replaced with Scarlett Johansson), because Fox exercised an option it held on the actress and put her into Gulliver's Travels. Coincidentally, Blunt is on the short list of actresses up for the female lead of the film, Peggy.

Evans is one of the recent list of well-knowns (Ryan Phillipe, John Krasinski, Chace Crawford, Channing Tatum, Chris Pine, Dane Cook, etc.) to emerge as a contender for the role, after a long bout of newcomers (Mike Vogel, Scott Porter, Michael Cassidy, Garrett Hedlund, Patrick Flueger, etc.) were pined over and eventually tossed aside. Evans, however, was one of the only actors not to screen test for the role!

Evans has already completed two other forthcoming comic-book adaptations, with DC Comics' The Losers in the can and also appears in Oni Press' Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. If he signs on, Evans would be only the second confirmed casting for director Joe Johnston's Captain America set to shoot in England, joining Hugo Weaving, who has been cast as the villain Red Skull.

What do you think of Chris Evans being offered the role of Captain America???

Warner Bros. to Shift Focus to DC Comics Properties and Plans 3D for ALL Tentpoles

2010-03-19T22:50:35Z

Warner Bros. has been the highest grossing studio for the past two years. Last year they raked in over $2 billion in domestic grosses, breaking the movie industry record of $1.789 billion set by the studio the year before. Last year they had the help of unexpected hits like The Hangover and The Blind Side. And in 2008, they had the testosterone fueled hit with the Dark Knight, and the estrogen fueled one with the Sex and The City movie. But for the past decade, the studio's sure fire money maker has been the Harry Potter franchise, with the 6 films, so far, earning the studio over $4.5 billion world wide at the box-office.

Now with the franchise soon coming to a close with the release of the final book split into two films, -- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I at the end of this year, and Part II in 2011 -- the studio is undoubtedly setting it's sights on something to fill the void... trading in J.K. for DC.

At the ShoWest industry convention yesterday, Warner Bros President Alan Horn moderated their annual preview of the studio's planned releases for the year. Along with new footage of Christopher Nolan's Inception and Clash of the Titans 3D footage, two big announcements were made. The first, Horn revealed, is that ALL of their upcoming tentpole movies would be in 3D. The second, is that they'll be focusing more on DC Comics properties, as a way to fill in for Harry Potter once that series ends in 2011!

This is great new for comic book fans! I'd usually be scared if a studio began relying on comic book films, since, in the past, that would mean they would have to Hollywood-ize them and water them down to make them more appealing to a wider audience. But with Nolan at the helm of the Batman franchise, and with his Godfather-type role with Superman, I think we can trust that this probably means we should be expecting higher profile directors, with the studio putting more time and money into these films.

The first announcement isn't a surprising move considering this month's announcement that The Green Lantern and Sucker Punch would be released in 3D, joining the already planned 3D releases of Legend of the Guardians and the last two Harry Potter films.

Our friends at FirstShowing were at the event, and report:

Horn announced that all of their tentpole movies, including upcoming DC Comics movies and big special effects films, will be released in 3D. This means we can probably expect the new Superman and Batman to be in 3D as well, as long as Chris Nolan approves of it. However, he also said that they'll look at each project individually and determine whether it's best to shoot in 3D or convert into 3D on a movie-by-movie basis.

Horn feels that 3D is "new standard " for the company, and with Warner Bros. as far ahead of the pack as they are, all of the other major studios are sure to follow in their footsteps. I really wish they wouldn't cheap out with the conversion, it's as clear as day that it is inferior (especially when rushed) to things shot in 3D. Addressing the criticism of conversion, Horn said "in our opinion, conversion to 3D doesn't lessen" the 3D experience.

With the introduction of high definition to television, even the low-budget sitcom has had to upgrade to higher budgeted more detailed sets. CGI effects in movies and video games are constantly having to evolve to cater to the more scrutinizing eyes, consciously or unconsciously, of the audience/gamer. In my opinion, 3D conversion is in the same boat. Audiences are only getting more savvy, and it is flat out human nature to learn to see the flaws in something visually. So when we could literally walk out of a movie shot in 3D, and into one converted, people are going to see a drastic difference, and it's only going to become more obvious.

What do you think of Warner Bros. putting more focus on DC properties after Harry Potter ends? What do you think of them making all of their tentpoles in 3D?

First Look Studios Will Release 2001 MANIACS: FIELD OF SCREAMS!

2010-03-19T22:30:04Z

If you've been following my "Road To The Maniacs" news, pictures and interviews then you know the time is getting closer and closer for the release of Tim Sullivan's much anticipated 2001 Maniacs: Field Of Screams. The film just played at a few festivals over in the UK to wild reviews and packed houses and now as of today it's been aquired by First Look Studios and it will finally make it's debut at Texas Frightmare Weekend om April 29th at 9pm in Dallas, Texas! I'm gonna try to be there!

Synopsis:

When this year’s round of unsuspecting Northerners fail to show up for their annual Guts 'N Glory Jamboree, the residents of Pleasant Valley take their cannibalistic carnival on the road and head to Iowa, where they encounter spoiled heiresses Rome and Tina Sheraton and the cast and crew of their “Road Rascals” reality show. Performing “The Bloodiest Show on Earth”, our Southern Maniacs prove more than ratings killers in what John Landis has called “one of the rare sequels that surpasses the original”.

If you haven't seen 2001 Maniacs go out and rent it or better yet buy it! It's all out gore, imagination and fun with cameos from country artist Travis Tritt to Eli Roth! This will get you ready for Field Of Screams!

Source: Dread Central

Christoph Waltz will Make His Feature Directorial Debut with UP AND AWAY

2010-03-19T19:33:08Z

After winning every award under the sun, leading up to his inevitable and well-deserved Oscar-win for Best Supporting Actor for his breakout role in Inglourious Basterds, Austrian-born actor Christoph Waltz will be making his feature directorial debut in the German-language romantic comedy Up And Away.

Loosely adapted from Meike Winnemuth and Peter Praschl’s novel Auf und Davon, the film is set in and around a dating game show, and centers on a woman who runs and hosts the show, who through a series of events, must confront her callous feelings about romance, which place a greater emphasis on its marketability than emotion.

Waltz says of the story, “When you make feelings a commodity, it’s not a feeling anymore.”

Waltz already has some experience behind the lens, previously directing for German television. But Up And Away is somewhat of a passion project for Waltz, who co-wrote the film’s script and may play a supporting role, as he's been considering making the film for some time. "But I never had time to do something else” besides acting, Waltz explained.

Now that Waltz's career in the States is paying out in a big way -- with a starring role in The Green Hornet, and a role in Water for Elephants, which goes into production this summer -- he now has the time to direct. But how soon he will begin production is up in the air, considering he's choosing from among three different roles after Elephants, which will likely result in a 2011 start date.

The bigger question is, will Up and Away get releases in the U.K. and the States? Fox International is producing and distributing the film. The Fox shingle (like a number of similar divisions at other studios) produces movies in specific countries that don’t necessarily play in theaters in other parts of the world.

Fox International President, Sanford Panitch, explained:

Maybe there’s an opportunity for ‘Up and Away’ to travel, but that’s not the business model. We are making the movie for the German audience — and it’s a big enough market to matter, the fifth biggest in the world.

Waltz hopes he can be an easy director for his cast, saying:

I want to be the kind of director that I as an actor would want to work with.

Since he'll have a role in the film, will Waltz be as kind of a director when directing Waltz? He’s still uncertain, joking:

We haven’t decided yet. I think it will be physically hard to be on both sides of the camera.

What do you think of Waltz directing UP AND AWAY? What do you think of the setting? Do you want the film to get a US/UK releases?

Movie Being Developed based on Secret Women's Space Program - RIGHT STUFF, WRONG SEX

2010-03-19T19:22:44Z

There's a new feature film that's going into development called Right Stuff, Wrong Sex, which tells of the true story about the secret women's space program. The movie will be adapted from the book Right Stuff, Wrong Sex: America’s First Women in Space Program (Gender Relations in the American Experience) written by Margaret A. Weitekamp.

As big as a history and space buff as I am, I seriously have never heard about a secret women's space program so you can bet your ass this is something I am going to research. 300 producer Scott Mednick and writer David S. Ward (The Sting) are developing the movie. Mednick had this to say,

This story is a compelling portrait of two incredibly driven women not only set against the creation and ultimate dismantling of the secret Woman in Space program, but within the context of the Cold War and the rise of the women's movement in America.

Here is the official description of the book:

On June 17, 1963, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. Curiously, unlike every previous milestone in the "space race," this event did not spur NASA to catch up by flying an American woman. Though there were suitable candidates-two years earlier, thirteen female pilots recruited by the private Woman in Space program had passed a strenuous physical exam and were ready for another stage of astronaut testing-American women would not escape earth's gravity for another twenty years.

In Right Stuff, Wrong Sex, Margaret Weitekamp shows how the Woman in Space program -- conceived by Dr. William Randolph Lovelace and funded by world-famous pilot and businesswoman Jacqueline Cochran -- challenged prevailing attitudes about women's roles and capabilities. In examining the experiences of the Fellow Lady Astronaut Trainees (as the candidates called themselves), this book documents the achievements and frustrated hopes of a remarkable group of women whose desire to serve their country fell victim to hostility toward such aspirations. Drawing from archival research and interviews with participants, Weitekamp traces the rise and fall of the Woman in Space program within the context of the cold war and the thriving women's aviation culture of the 1950s. Weitekamp's study sheds light on a little-known but compelling chapter in the history of the U.S. space program and the rise of the women's movement in America.

2 Trailers for KUKY RETURNS - The Czech answer to Where The Wild Things Are

2010-03-19T18:59:27Z

Here's a couple of trailers for Jan Sverak's puppet-filled fantasy adventure Kuky Returns. (I don't now where Kuky went, but that dude is back!)

Kuky Returns is a Czech family film, which tells the story of a young boy stricken with asthma who must give up his favorite toy, a pink bear named Kuky, which is mother throws in the trash, where the plush toy embarks on an adventure to get back to his owner.

This looks like the Czech answer to Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are... except with puppets, and a much smaller budget obviously. This also has elements of the Velveteen Rabbit, and much like Pan's Labyrinth, we're left with the question of what parts of the adventures are real, and what is just the child's imagination.

Check out the trailers and let us know what you think! The teaser is a little bizarre, but you'll get a much better sense of the film from the full trailer. I only wish there were subtitles, but I think you'll get what they're going for.

Teaser Trailer

Full Feature Trailer

(Roughly Translated) Official Synopsis:

Kuky Returns is the story of a [six-year old boy named] Ondra, who suffers from asthma, and so on "health reasons" must be off his favorite toy - a pink bear kuky. When mom Kukyho throw in the trash, it will work Ondrová fantasy in which experienced Kukyho adventure in an unknown natural world. [Is it] really just a dream [of] a little boy or [did] kuky actually [go on] the biggest adventure of his plush life?

Kuky Returns is an adventure and poetic, a family story in which the main role, however, take the heroes of children's fantasy world. "I've wanted to make a film in which I could give small details - insect light in leaves, feathers flying, and even I wonder what is happening on the scene when the actors leave. Variously we smuggled into their films, but it's hard. "Says director Jan Sverak impulses to the recording film, whose main, but not the only heroes are the puppets. "I thought then change the scale and place the story directly into the microcosm, his protagonists make small enough that the roots of the tree decorations, light in the atmosphere made raspberry leaves, fuzz was all the props and extras natural insects," says Jan Sverak, who is also the author scenarios and as with most of his recent films also the producer.

Visit the Official Site for Kuky Returns for more info.