The General Movie Thread (news, reviews, random thoughts etc.)

[Masa]

Casting Bits: Kwon Sang-woo as Kato, Milla Jovovich as Alice

I've received numerous emails alerting me that Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo has been cast as Kato in Seth Rogen's Green Hornet movie, replacing Stephen Chow. The news officially comes from the Korea Times, where they say that "Kwon reportedly passed an English audition, attended by Seth Rogen and newly attached director Michel Gondry." It hasn't been officially announced by Sony yet, but there are numerous sites reporting the news, and all these emails claim it's confirmed as well. A casting call on this blog also includes his name. Kwon is a martial artist, however, this would be his first big Hollywood role. Read on!

Another casting tidbit worth mentioning today is this news from Bloody-Disgusting that claims that Milla Jovovich is returning for the recently announced Resident Evil 4: Afterlife in a starring role. "I'm the lead role [again]," Jovovich tells them. "There's the clones [from Resident Evil: Extinction] and it's going to be a lot of work. I’m gonna be working every day for the next four months on this and it's gonna be bigger than ever. It's super-exciting." Apparently Sony really wants to reignite this franchise, as Extinction only made them $50.6 million, and I'm sure they figure they can get way more if they bring Jovovich back again.

For more information on either of these stories, head to the following sites: The Korea Times for more on Kwon Sang-woo in The Green Hornet; Bloody-Disgusting for more on Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil 4.

http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/08/01/casting-bits-kwon-sang-woo-as-kato-milla-jovovich-as-alice/

Kwon Sang-woo May Make Hollywood Debut

Actor Kwon Sang-woo may soon be making his Hollywood debut with a role in the upcoming film ``The Green Hornet,'' Nate News reported last Friday. Kwon is said to be up for the role of Kato, the Green Hornet's sidekick ― a role which was originally meant for Chinese star Stephen Chow. Chow was also supposed to direct the film based on the 1930s radio program-turned-comic book, but stepped down in December 2008 due to creative differences and pulled out of the role last July.

Kwon reportedly passed an English audition, attended by Seth Rogen and newly attached director Michel Gondry (``Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"). The final decision will be announced in a month.

Rogen, who co-wrote the script, will play the role of the Green Hornet. The film will be about a newspaper publisher who becomes a crime-fighting vigilante at night. The Green Hornet has already been adapted into a comic book, TV series and feature film. Kato's ethnicity changed over the years from Japanese to Filipino to Korean, depending on current political climates. Nicholas Cage has also signed on to play a villain, while Cameron Diaz will play the Green Hornet's love interest.

If Kwon claims the role of Kato, he will be the third Korean actor to co-star in a major upcoming Hollywood action film. Lee Byung-hun will play Storm Shadow in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,'' to be released here Aug. 6, while Rain will fulfill the role of Raizo in "Ninja Assassin,'' to be released Nov. 25. The Green Hornet has scheduled a U.S. release date of July 9, 2010. The release date for Korea has not been announced.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2009/07/178_49260.html

[RatBastich]

Hurt Locker's Jeremy Renner For Mad Max

By Josh Tyler

Director George Miller has talked about making a fourth Mad Max movie for years now and so far nothing has ever really come of it. This time it may be different since Jeremy Renner, star of The Hurt Locker, says he’s screen testing to be in it.

The news of Renner’s possible involvement comes from the Modesto Bee where he says he’s, “fighting to do the new Mad Max film with George Miller. That might be next summer. I'm screen-testing and meeting George Miller.” Exactly what role he’s testing for remains unknown, but if you’ve seen The Hurt Locker then you know he’d be the perfect, badass replacement for Mel Gibson as Mad Max.

Whether it’s Renner or someone else, it sounds like we can finally pencil this movie in. Mad Max 4, shooting next summer.

[Masa]

If Movie Posters Told The Truth

[RatBastich]

First Look At Paul Bettany In Priest

By Katey Rich

When you're a priest hunting vampires in the Old West, you're probably not going to look like a normal guy. But the first image of Paul Bettany in Scott Stewart's Priest has hit the movie's official site, and man, Bettany has never looked stranger.

I like the way the image takes advantage of Bettany's extra-terrestrial giant blue eyes, and even if he's not actually bald in the film, the image gives the impression, making him look like some kind of cult leader. Will there be a giant cross on his forehead throughout the film? Who knows! It's a vampire movie!

Last time I tried to figure out the plot of priest on Wikipedia, I left more confused than ever, so I'm not about to try to explain anything else about the image. Just revel in its weirdness, and look forward to Bettany going a little crazy in 2010.

[RatBastich]

Sopranos Cast Members Suggest A Movie Could Still Happen

By Katey Rich

A Sopranos movie? That's a rumor we haven't heard for a while. Edie Falco is doing her own TV show on Showtime, James Gandolfini is harming American-British relations in In the Loop, and everyone else seemed to have moved on to their own things. Some cast members, though, are making noise that, not only is a movie still in the works, a script has been written.

Talking to New York Daily News (granted, not the most reputable of sources), Lorraine Bracco said "We've all talked to [series creator] David [Chase] to give him a kick in the booty to get [the screenplay] right." Bracco also denied rumors that the hold-up on the movie has been Gandolfini's desire to move away from Tony Soprano. "I don't think it's that at all," says Bracco about Gandolfini's supposed cold feet. "I think it's really trying to get the right script. Without the right script, it's really not worth doing."

Even Steve Van Zandt, who went back to his day job in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band after the show ended, is dropping hints that his character Sil, who was on the verge of death as of the show's finale, is still alive. Does that mean he's seen a script for the movie that includes him? Or is he just offering us his best prediction, the way the Internet was awash for weeks after the finale with theories about the meaning of the onion rings in the diner.

Are these actors pulling what Tom Arnold did over the weekend, and dropping hints/jokes about a project they might want to happen? Or is David Chase up to something, and the news has leaked at last? I wouldn't be surprised by a Sopranos movie from a financial standpoint, but I would be from an artistic one-- Chase seemed to very deliberately end the series on his own, infuriating terms, and he seems stubborn enough to deny HBO more money from the franchise. Then again, as the Sopranos proved on a weekly basis, money is a powerful lure.

[RatBastich]

The Orphanage Remake Adopts a Director

By Tim Gomez

The Orphanage scared the Mexican out of me, and with a last name like Gomez, that’s pretty hard. Not only is it one of the most truly creepy movies to be released in the last five or ten years, but it also has a foundation of heart that horror films these days so sadly lack. So an obvious disappointment comes attached to news that New Line is remaking the movie for American audiences, given America’s tendency to screw up anything they import.

Now that remake has a director, and surprisingly enough, it may be a good call. As it turns out, Guillermo del Toro’s producer credit on the film isn’t just a fancy title; New Line is actually giving the guy some power. And according to THR, del Toro has flexed that power by handpicking director Larry Fessenden to direct the remake. Fessenden isn’t a complete unknown; the dude has worked on low-budget horror flicks before, and del Toro felt this experience made him well suited for the position.

This is a huge relief. After watching the bastardization of [rec] earlier this year in the form of Quarantine, skepticism is impossible to avoid, but del Toro has not only earned my trust but the trust of fanboys everywhere. This guy knows what he’s doing, and already this is looking like it may work out.

[RatBastich]

Dune's New Muad'Dib Promises Violence

By Josh Tyler

I’m worried about Dune. Peter Berg was attached to direct an adaptation of the classic Frank Herbert novel back in March of 2008, and we’ve heard nary a word since. What we have had since is Hancock, an epically shitty Will Smith vehicle directed by Berg, and exactly the kind of disaster Dune fans have been worried the upcoming adaptation might devolve into.

Though we’ve heard precious little about it, it looks like Peter Berg’s Dune is still in development. He recently sat down with Sci Fi Wire to answer questions about the project and in the process allayed a few fears. For starters, he recognizes that David Lynch’s horrible 80s attempt at turning Dune into a movie is not the way to go. Says Berg, “I think I had a much more different experience, I think, with the book than David Lynch did.”

Instead of Lynch’s bizarre, introspective route it sounds like Berg plans to make this an action movie. That’s actually sort of a shame, since Herbert’s story is really more political in nature. His universe divided into ruling houses jostling each other for power and control of a precious substance called “mélange” which is only found in the gigantic worm infested sands of a planet known as Arrakis or Dune.

Everything that happens in the book and its sequels is a direct result of that complex power structure, but maybe not so much in Berg’s movie. He describes his take as “muscular and adventurous, more violent and possibly even a little bit more fun.” I wonder if he’s seen JJ Abrams Star Trek? If you’re going to suck some of the brains out of something without pissing off fans, that seems to be the way to do it. Maybe that’s even what Peter has in mind. Frank Herbert’s universe is massive and fully realized, why not stretch out your arms and have a little fun playing around in it?

[Masa]

Jay Chou Officially Cast as Kato in Rogen's Green Hornet

Forget what we said last week about Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo being cast as Kato in Seth Rogen's The Green Hornet, because apparently that was 100% wrong. Sony has confirmed via a press release today (read it here) that they've cast Taiwanese actor Jay Chou in the role instead. Chou is a singer and actor (much like Korean star Rain) and a huge star throughout Asia and will definitely draw international crowds. “Jay is incredibly unique and charming and fights like a wild dog! When I filmed him next to Seth, they had such great chemistry, and I knew the movie will be great," director Michel Gondry said about casting him.

"It's an overwhelming experience to take on a role made famous by Bruce Lee. I won't try to be Bruce Lee's Kato – I will try to bring my own interpretation to the part. Of course, it's a dream role, and I'm looking forward to the challenge." A classic character of film, television, radio, and comic books returns to the big screen in Columbia Pictures' feature film The Green Hornet, starring Seth Rogen as the vigilante crime-fighter. This being directed by Michel Gondry from a screenplay written by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, based upon "The Green Hornet" radio series. The Green Hornet is set to hit theaters on July 9th, 2010.

http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/08/07/jay-chou-officially-cast-as-kato-in-rogens-green-hornet/

[daigong]

  To quote 2Pac. NOT KATO!! Jay Chou was last seen in that basketball anime, or was it that driving anime real life adapatation.

A Sopranos movie would be .... interesting. Add every stereotypical mob guy in big time movies too

[Masa]

Sony Moving Forward on Developing Underworld 4 in 3D

I'm not a fan of the Underworld franchise at all. I was obsessed with the first one before it came out, but once I actually got to see it, I lost all interest, and I haven't seen either of the sequels (or the first one again) since then. I respect that a lot of people may still be fans of the franchise, so this news is really for them. ShockTillYouDrop has confirmed that Sony / Screen Gems is developing another sequel in the Underworld franchise and it will be shot in 3D. Their current plan is to have it ready to go by January of 2011, mirroring the January release of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans earlier this year as well. Any big fans out there?

If you're wondering why Sony would even considering making more, well, the last one actually made them quite a bit of money. It took in $91 million worldwide and was only made for $35 million. No word yet on whether or not any of the stars of Rise of the Lycans, such as Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy or Rhona Mitra, will be returning, or whether they'll bring back any of original cast like Kate Beckinsale or Scott Speedman (since that's the trend these days). As for the 3D side of this, it just means they're trying to get more cash in any way they can and it's, as usual, unnecessary, but since this isn't a franchise I care much about, oh well.

http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/08/08/sony-moving-forward-on-developing-underworld-4-in-3d/

[Aioros]

Warner Bros. Puts Together a Lego Film

Variety reports that Warner Bros. is developing a movie that is set around Lego and its component building blocks.

Writing the screenplay will be Dan and Kevin Hageman. It is believed that the project will be family comedy and it will mix live action and animation. Warner Bros. is revealing very little about the plot, but it is being called "an action adventure set in a Lego world."

Dan Lin (Sherlock Holmes) is going to be producing the film.

A Lego film has proved quite elusive for directors and producers for several years. Lego has been approached many times and they have turned down the ideas. They have only done direct-to-DVD animated fare that is based on its line of Bionicle toys.

Lego liked the idea that Lin and the Hageman brought to the film. Specifically, "a fun factor, creativity and that imagination has no boundaries," Lin said.

Apparently, the development process has been happening for a year. The writers and the producer have been going back and forth to Denmark so they could work with Lego on the project.

http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEBpPKDH9iwZFG

[SomethingWild]

Just saw 'Up'. I liked the beginning a lot, but it got kinda random when all the side characters popped up.

[zoolander]

Saw District 9 last night and wow, I wanna see it again. Disgusting but awesome. Really loved it.

[Tuffty]

Singer 'to direct' Battlestar Galactica film

Bryan Singer will direct and produce a film version of the TV series Battlestar Galactica, reports say.

Trade magazine Variety claims he has signed up to make the science fiction movie, despite unconfirmed reports that he was linked to another X-Men film.

Battlestar Galactica started as a TV mini series in the US in 1978 and the pilot was subsequently shown in UK cinemas.

It was revived in 2003 in a new version starring Edward James Olmos.

Wolverine

Meanwhile, Christopher McQuarrie, who wrote Singer's 1994 movie The Usual Suspects, has signed up to write a Wolverine sequel, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Australian actor Hugh Jackman is expected to return as the Marvel Comics character and will also co-produce the film.

The studio commissioned a sequel after the first movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, made $363m (£217m) worldwide.

I can only assume it has nothing to do with the modern TV series? Sounds too me like a pointless remake cash in amongst a whole swarm of remakes. As a franchise, BSG has a cheesy but fun original series (plus film) and a fabulous re-imagined version with TV movies to be released in the near future. Leave it be now.

[MochaNutz]

Bruce Willis confirms Cameo in The Expendables

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/08/17/bruce-willis-will-join-sylvester-stallone-and-arnold-schwarzenegger-on-screen-in-the-expendables/

[Slack]

Saw "The Hurt Locker" last weekend.

I was enjoying it up until about 1/2-2/3 the way through.  That's when I got motion sick from the shaky camera.  I couldn't look at the screen for more than a few seconds at a time after it set in.

Yeah.  It sucks, cause the movie was pretty good.

[Kimuuu]

I have so many movies on DVD I have yet to watch.  I'm hoping to watch "Bolt" before my short summer break is over.  ^_^;;;

[coachie]

Maybe the wrong thread to ask, but since I couldn't find a matching thread in the DOMO thought I'd ask here.

Anyone know the title of this movie?
http://www.ninamika.com/en/photographs/movie.html
First page is Sakuran but whats on page 2???

[Masa]

Another New Screenwriter Hired for Universal's Bourne 4

What is it with Hollywood these days? Why are they cycling through so many different writers on fourth movies? Spider-Man 4 has gone through three writers, now the new Bourne movie is up to at least two (not including others we don't know about). THR has announced that Josh Zetumer, an up-and-coming writer also assigned to Peter Berg's Dune remake, was hired to write a Bourne 4 script for Universal. Originally, Bourne Ultimatum writer George Nolfi had been brought back on to write the next screenplay, apparently he didn't finish enough of the script in time. Zetumer's version is being described as a "parallel script."

Since Nolfi had to ditch the project in order to start directing The Adjustment Bureau, Universal got desperate and hired Zetumer, as they're pushing for Bourne 4 to hit theaters in 2011. "Our hope is that Nolfi, a key member of the Bourne team, will return after he is done with The Adjustment Bureau," a Universal spokesperson said. It is unclear what will occur after Zetumer submits his draft or whether his script will be integrated with Nolfi's. It's an interesting development that might mean good news in the end, or so I hope. Maybe if Zetumer turns in a great script, they'll borrow the best elements of each for the final draft.

Back in April, producer Frank Marshall said that "Bourne 4 is in the works for Summer 2011." However, since then, we've heard conflicting reports about the status. Jason Bourne himself, Matt Damon, told EW earlier this week: "We're hoping to make a fourth, but we don't have a story and we don't have a script. I assume it can happen, but we have to come up with a storyline that's deserving." He doesn't sound too optimistic, but I'm sure Universal is doing everything they can to make this happen, as it's a franchise they can guarantee will still be successful, which is what they need coming off of a terrible summer like this.

http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/08/20/another-new-screenwriter-hired-for-universals-bourne-4/

[Masa]

The Tournament: Ian Somerhalder, Kelly Hu, Ving Rhames, Robert Carlyle