'Ghostbusters III' will be re-written after Harold Ramis' death

I feel a little hesitant about reporting this information considering Harold Ramis just passed.  It's affected me a lot more than I thought it would simply because of the fact that Ramis and his movies were a big part of my childhood.  The man was a comedic genius whose films, whether he was writing, acting, or directing them, shaped the formative years of my life.  One of those films was of course the iconic 1984 classic Ghostbusters.  I've been reporting on the state of Ghostbusters III for about a year now and Ramis' passing obviously has many fans wondering (callous as it may be) what does this mean for Ghostbusters III and where does the film go from here?

According to "THR" the story is now going to have to be revamped, however a studio source states that Ramis' involvement was minimal and that, other than a small role, he was just someone the writers were bouncing ideas off of.

Currently Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky are reworking the script.  Director Ivan Reitman who helmed the first two films is set to meet with the studio to discuss the project going forward.

As much as I want a third Ghostbusters film I don't know if it's worth it anymore.  Bill Murray won't be returning and with Harold Ramis passing...I mean the film just won't be the same without Egon!  Maybe it's better just to letting sleeping ghosts lie.

Amanda Seyfriend hops aboard 'Ted' sequel

Well it looks like Mila Kunis has been replaced.

"Deadline" reports that actress Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls, Les Miserables) will join Ted 2 as the female lead.  She'll replace Mila Kunis who is either being written out of the movie altogether or will have a very small role. Director/Writer Seth MacFarlane said the changes are due to the plotting of the film.  I wonder if they will kill her off?

I'm actually kind of surprised by this move because I thought Kunis was hilarious in Ted.  She obviously wasn't the best part of the film but her chemistry with Wahlberg was fantastic and the scene with Ted, Kunis, and the prostitutes was hysterical.  That being said I don't mind the choice.  Seyfried has come a long ways since the days of Mean Girls and although she's not exactly Meryl Streep, she's not Kristen Stewart either.

Seyfried can next been seen in another MacFarlane film, A Million Ways to Die in the West, this summer.  Ted 2 releases June 26, 2015.

I See Famous People With Sling Blades!!! Haley Joel Osment and Billy Bob Thornton join the 'Entourage' movie

I never watched "Entourage," probably because HBO is a fickle lover that comes in and out of my life depending on when the new season of "Game of Thrones" is out.  It never caught my curiosity anyway but I'm astute enough to know that it had quite a following.

As the big screen version of the television show ramps up, more and more stars are jumping on board.  The latest are a pair of Academy Award nominees. 

Warner Bros reports that actors Billy Bob Thornton and Haley Joel Osmet will join the cast as a father and son duo named Larsen and Travis McCredle respectively.  As to how these two characters play into the plot of Entourage, no one seems to know. 

Principal photography for Entourage is currently underway.  At this time there is no release date.

Jai Courtney Cast As Kyle Reese in the new Terminator film!

 

 

 

When it comes to the new film Terminator: Genesis I'm cautiously optimistic.  The last film was so horrendous I thought it had killed the franchise.  My optimism arises from the fact that AH-NULD is involved as is Emilia Clarke and Jason Clarke (no relation).  Also "Game of Thrones" director Alan Taylor is helming the ship so the potential for a good movie is there. 

This latest news dampens my spirits a little. 

"Variety" reports that actor Jai Courtney (Jack Reacher) has landed the role of Kyle Reese, father of the leader of the human resistance-John Connor.  While Courtney certainly looks the part, I seriously doubt his ability to pull off this role.  Granted I'm a little biased because Michael Biehn's role in the 1984 original is so iconic, but Courtney's track record isn't that great.  Jack Reacher was OK, his performance in A Good Day to Die Hard was putrid, and although I haven't seen the movie, I highly doubt he gives a Daniel Day-Lewis caliber performance in I, Frankenstein.

Then again I don't even know how large a role Reese will play in the upcoming film.  Let's hope that Taylor will coax a good performance out of Courtney.

Terminator: Genesis hits theaters July 1, 2015



'Star Wars' model makers contracted for 7 films and possible fifth Indiana Jones adventure

 

I find this news more interesting because of its relevance to Indiana Jones 5 more than anything else, but "Den of Geek" reports that prop and model builders for Star Wars Episode VII have been hired throughout the new trilogy and the one off solo movies as well.  From a Star Wars perspective I'm glad to see this is happening because it indicates a true commitment to practical effects. 

An interesting bit of news you probably guessed from the headline.  One of the stages pre-booked was for none other than (drumroll please) a fifth Indiana Jones film.  Obviously this proves nothing as the House of Mouse is probably just covering all their bases.  They did after all acquire the full rights to the franchise last year and if rumor is to be believed, Harrison Ford has strongly suggested he will not return for the Star Wars films if  Indiana Jones  doesn't materialize.  Whether or not this is true is pure conjecture at this point but it's definitely a step in the right direction for the world hopping archaeologist.

Star Wars Episode VII releases December 18, 2015.

Knight Rider film still on; Chris Pratt and Danny McBride in talks to star

Ah "Knight Rider."  The words just bring me back to my misspent youth.  I mean what seven year old didn't love to see a cool guy with an even cooler car get into and out of trouble?  I know I loved it.  The problem is that my days of being seven are twenty-eight years in the past, so my interest in a film version of the iconic 80s television show are virtually non-existent.

Brad Copeland of Wild Hogs and Yogi Bear was hired to write the script back in June but since then the silence from The Weinstein Company has been deafening.  However, some sounds are finally starting to echo off the caverns.  "Schmoes Know" reports that actors Chris Pratt (The Lego Movie) and Danny McBride (This Is The End) are in talks to join the film. 

I doubt they are both up for the same role.  I could definitely see Pratt in the role of Michael Knight and McBride in the role of KITT.  With guys like McBride and Pratt associated with the film, it's probably a safe bet that producers are going the comedic route with the movie.  I don't know how you'd go any other way with this movie.  Any attempts to play this straight would probably be a complete disaster.  But a comedy?  That could work.

There's still no production start date or director yet so, for the time being, KITT and crew are regulated to storage in the moving truck.

John Singleton will direct a Tupac Shakur biopic

Can't say I ever really listened to Tupac Shakur as a musician.  No particular reason, just that the music wasn't my cup of tea.  However, there's no denying his talent or the influence he's had on current big name stars in the genre.  His music is still widely listened to across the nation as well.  With the recent trend of music biopics as of late, it comes as no surprise that sooner or later someone would get around to making a film about the rap legend.  And let's face it his story is rife with drama, from his rise to stardom to his violent and tragic murder.

The film had been in development for quite some time but now it's started to gain momentum again.  According to "THR" John Singleton will direct the upcoming project and is currently rewriting the script.  Singleton actually worked with Shakur on 1996's Poetic Justice and was hoping to make films with Shakur for years to come.  Unfortunately it was not to be.

Former Death Row CEO Suge Knight and Shakur's mother Afeni will also help produce the film.  There's currently no production start date as of yet and no one has been cast.  Even though he already played the role in 2009's Notorious, I think Anthony Mackie would be a great Tupac.

'True Detective' director's next project may be the big screen adaptation of Stephen King's 'IT'

I fucking hate clowns.

I hate them with a passion because I'm so freaking terrified of them.  Stephen King's IT and the mini-series from twenty-four years ago didn't help.  Strangely enough I still love the book and I still love the mini-series despite it being a little dated.  As great as the min-series was I always felt that the novel needed the big screen treatment. 

A couple months back I reported that the adaptation of King's seminal novel was moving forward but at a pretty glacial pace.  Well the glacier has moved a little bit farther and hopefully in the right direction.

"Collider" reports that HBO's 'True Detective' director Cary Fukunaga is currently writing the script and plans to direct.  The news came care of producer Dan Lin.  I'm not really familiar with Fukunaga's work but I've heard nothing but great things about HBO's 'True Detective' so I have high hopes.

Fukunaga is currently shooting an Indie film in Africa, but if all goes well the adventures of Pennywise should be his next project.

Famed action director John McTiernan will return to direct film 'Red Squad'

If you had to name the best action director of all-time you could make a strong case for John McTiernan.  The guy's filmography reads like a laundry list of pure testosterone.  Die Hard, Predator, The Hunt for Red October--the list goes on and on.  While it's been eleven years since his last film Basic (which I've still yet to see) it looks like the ole boy is about to step behind the camera again in a few short months.

According to "Hannibal Classics" McTiernan will direct the film Red Squad later this Spring as soon as he is done serving a one year prison sentence.  (Don't ask me about it.  There's been plenty written and you can Google it yourself.  Kind of a railroad job if you ask me but hey such is life.)

The film centers around:

"...a story told in the spirit of a modern-day "Magnificent Seven."  The film centers on a former DEA agent, who has always had a rogue streak, and his select team of mercenaries as they descend upon a Mexican border town in a daring attempt to neutralize a ruthless drug lord."

Sounds a little like The Expendables but damn I just want to see McTiernan working again.*

*Predator had some of the best Arnie lines ever in a film.  EVER. 



 

A Royale with Cheese? How about a Gummi Bear instead?

I'm not sure what's odder the casting choice or the fact that there is going to be a movie on this subject.

John Travolta will next star (or at least his voice) in the animated feature Gummy Bear.  That's right.  Hollywood is making a movie about the candy you get at the concession stand before you go into the theater.  The film revolves around Gummy and his friends, a vegetarian vampire bat, a cat, and a chameleon fighting to save an alien planet from disaster. 

What the actual FUCK???  Is this what Travolta has been reduced to?  This is just sad.

Gummy Bear begins filming this September while Travolta's career ends shortly thereafter.

'Game of Thrones' star Ed Skein will step into Jason Statham's shoes for the 'Transporter' reboot

It's nice to see more and more 'Game of Thrones' actors getting other roles.  Emilia Clarke has Terminator: Genesis  coming up and Kit Harrington can be seen later this month in the period action movie Pompeii.

You can now add actor Ed Skrein to that list as well.

Variety reports that the actor, who plays Dhaario Naharis on the hit HBO drama, will take over for Jason Statham in a reboot of the Transporter series.  The plan is to have a series of three new films, all of which will be prequels to the original. 

Producer Christophe Lambert states that the new film will return to the French Riviera just as the original did.  It will also explore Martin's relationship with his father.  Sounds to me like they are going for a bit deeper film than the previous installments, but is that what fans of the Transporter franchise really want?  At their core they are just action films.  I'm not trying to belittle them in any way but I'm not going to be disingenuous about their nature either.

Filming for the prequel begins this June, while "Game of Thrones" returns April 6th.

Marc Forster will direct the big screen adaptation of 'Red Rising'

After the absolute joke of a book that was The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, I need a solid science fiction novel to wash the bad taste out of my mouth.  I think that book is going to be Pierce Brown's Red Rising, as I've heard nothing but good things about it so far and I love anything Mars related.

With so much buzz going on about the novel, it probably comes as no shock that the film adaptation is already on the way.  Well not only has the book already been optioned into a movie, its already got a director.

Director Marc Forster (World War Z) shall direct the film for Universal which recently won the bidding rights.  I absolutely detested World War Z so I'm a little upset Universal pegged him for the director.  I'm hoping that the plot itself will overwhelm any failings that Forster brings to the table.  It also helps that Brown has already adapted the screenplay.  Joe Roth will produce the film as well.

For those of you unfamiliar with the plot (which is probably a vast majority of people since the book just released on Tuesday)  here's a brief summary:

The tale takes place on desolate Mars, where the protagonist is caught in a class system that thrives on oppression and secrecy. He is a Red, the lowest member of society, born to toil in the bowels of the planet in service to the sovereign Golds. When Darrow suffers a devastating loss and betrayal he becomes a revolutionary, out to bring about social justice. Questions of fate, duality, and loyalty, evolve in a cruel test of war between the sons and daughters of the ruling elite.

Not only does this sound right up my alley, it also sounds fairly mature for what's considered a "young adult" novel.  Word of mouth says this book, which is the first novel in a trilogy (natch!) will be just as popular as Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.  That's HIGH praise considering this is the first novel for a twenty-six year old unknown.  However, it's already gotten fantastic reviews from one of my favorite authors Terry Brooks so I'm fairly confident this will be a strong book.

Obviously there is no production start date or a release date yet, but this is Forster's next movie so look for more information on this film coming soon.

Wilson and Kendrick will return for 'Pitch Perfect 2'

Recently I reported that Elizabeth Banks would direct the sequel to Pitch Perfect and now it looks like two of its primary stars are returning. 

"Deadline" states that actresses Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendrick will reprise their breakout roles in the acapella followup.  This news really isn't a shocker.  I mean I can't exactly imagine a sequel without these two in it.  And if that was the case I probably wouldn't watch the film.

In addition to the casting news, Kay Cannon will return as the screenwriter.  At this time there is no production start date or release date, but I'm thinking later this year and next year respectively. 

Director David O. Russell may team up with Jennifer Lawrence for yet ANOTHER film

Wow I'm beginning to think the David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence are turning into Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio.  With hits like Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, she's certainly becoming his muse.  And let's be honest, based on the picture above and her incredible personality, who wouldn't like to have Jennifer Lawrence as a muse?

The picture I have to admit is a little bit strange.  "Deadline" reports that Russell is looking to rewrite a Fox script based on the story of Joy Mangano, the woman who invented the Miracle Mop.  The story:

This is a rags-to-riches story of a woman who worked three jobs to support her kids and who overcame long odds to finally get her due with an invention that became an HSN sensation and allowed Mangano to clean up. It is a strong empowerment tale.

I'm not too sure how keen I am on watching a movie based on the life story of a woman who invented a new kind of mop, however at this point Jennifer Lawrence has become one of those actresses I'll watch pretty much anything she's in.  And if anyone knows how to play an empowered woman it's Jennifer Lawrence.

No information on a production start date as of yet.  You can next see Lawrence in X-Men: Days of Future Past out this May and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I come November.

Liam Neeson joins Andrew Garfield and Ken Watanabe for Scorsese's next film

If you put hot coals to my feet and asked me to pick my favorite director, I'd probably go with Martin Scorsese.  The guy just doesn't make bad movies and he surrounds himself with incredible talent, whether it's Robert DeNiro or Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Or Liam Neeson.

"Deadline" reports that actor Liam Neeson has joined Scorsese's next project Silence.  Neeson previously worked with Scorsese on Gangs of New York in a small role.  The Irish actor joins fellow thespians Andrew Garfield and Ken Wantanabe.  No details have been disclosed about Neeson's part.

Silence has been a true labor of love for Martin Scorsese, as he's spent the better part of two decades trying to obtain the rights to the story.  The film is a historical drama where:

"Garfield will star as Father Rodrigues, a 17th-century Portuguese Jesuit who travels to Japan with a fellow priest amid rumors that Rodrigues’ mentor has abandoned the Church. It is a moment of religious persecution in the Asian nation, with Christians forced to practice their faith clandestinely. Watanabe will portray the priests’ interpreter, alongside a Japanese cast that includes Issei Ogata (who played Emperor Hirohito in Alexander Sokurov’s The Sun)"

As I previously stated there's no OFFICIAL word on Neeson's part, but it's probably a safe bet that he'll be playing Garfield's mentor.  Silence is set to start filming this year so I don't anticipate it will hit theaters before fourth quarter of 2015.