Omar Sy joins 'Jurassic World'

Although you might not know the actor's name, Omar Sy's life is pretty awesome right now.  I mean like really awesome.

The actor reported via his Twitter account that he's joined director Colin Trevorrow's Jurassic World set to start filming next month.  Lest you think, "oh that's just Twitter", Trevorrow himself confirmed Sy's announcement several hours later. 

So now the actor who will bring X-Man Bishop to life later this year, will now face off against dinosaurs in another awesome franchise.  Mr. Sy your life most certainly does not suck.

Omar Sy can next be seen in X-Men: Days of Future Past out May 23rd.

Whats thisss my preciousess??? Andy Serkissss to direct 'The Jungle Book'

When you're known for playing one of the most iconic characters in movie history, sometimes it's hard to rise above that recognition.  Andy Serkis is the posterboy for not letting one role overwhelm your life.  Despite his epic performance as Gollum in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films, Serkis has also distinguished himself in Rise of the Planet of the Apes and as a second unit director on The Hobbit films.  Apparently Warner Bros. recognizes talent when they see it too.

Serkis will direct a live action adaptation of The Jungle Book, based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling.  Callie Kloves will pen the script.  No current actors or actresses are attached.

WB is competing against Disney right now who is also going forward with their own live action version of the classic novel.  Jon Favreau is attached to direct while Idris Elba will voice Shere Khan.  It will be interesting to see who gets the film out first.

David Fincher Will Direct the Steve Jobs Biopic....On One Condition....

Christian Bale has to play the lead.

"The Wrap" reports that Fincher is very interested in directing SONY's film, written by former collaborator Aaron Sorkin, but only if a certain Academy Award winner who used to don the cape and cowl will step into the Apple founder's shoes.

Now I'm not blind to how the movie industry works. Rumors and gossip fly around like short guys acting tough on Facebook, so take this report with a couple bags full of salt.  However, "The Wrap" tends to be a pretty reliable source and if their sources are to be believed, Fincher approached SONY head Amy Pascal with the ultimatum.  Both Fincher and Pascal have their own contentious history going back several years, so if this is true Fincher's really thrown some gas on the fire.

Despite the (alleged) bold move I think his suggestion is genius.  Bale has quickly become one of this generation's greatest actors and his method acting style is unparalleled,  Plus his inherent scruffiness helps him look the part.

This film is going to be made with or without Fincher and Bale but I think the production would benefit with at least one of them attached, and preferably both.  Fincher is finishing up Gone Girl while Bale is currently working with Ridley Scott on the film Exodus  If this team up happens I wouldn't expect the movie to be released until 2016.  In the meantime both Exodus and Gone Girl release in the Fall.

Horror film 'The Grudge' getting a reboot; Sam Raimi to produce

I never saw The Grudge, the American version with Gellar or the Asian version, and I never really had much interest in doing so.  For some reason the whole Asian horror thing never did it for me.  However, I am astute enough to recognize that the film has its share of followers, both here and abroad.  The original film Ju-On spawned six sequels, while the American version had two.  And after almost a decade it appears a  horror master will be bringing the classic back to the big screen.

Director and writer Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Drag Me To Hell) will produce the remake.  For those of you who aren't aware the story:

describes a curse that is born when someone dies in the grip of a powerful rage or extreme sorrow. The curse is an entity created where the person died. Those who encounter this evil supernatural force die and the curse is reborn repeatedly, passed from victim to victim in an endless, growing chain of horror.

Rob Tapert will co-produce on the project and the Jeff Buhler will develop the script.  No news yet on a production start date, cast, or release date.

'Ghostbusters III' still on but Ivan Reitman steps down

Really starting to wish this whole idea would just go away.

Despite Bill Murray's refusal to be in the third film and Harold Ramis' untimely passing, Sony Pictures is going forward with Ghostbusters III.  Unfortunately, they will have to do it without the benefit of director Ivan Reitman.

"Deadline" reports that Reitman, who directed the first two Ghostbusters films, will step down as director.  However, he will remain on as a producer.  In an interview with "Deadline" Reitman talked very candidly about his decision:

It’s a version of Ghostbusters that has the originals in a very minor role. When I came back from Harold’s funeral, it was really moving and it made me think about a lot of things. I’d just finished directing Draft Day, which I’m really happy with and proud of. Working on a film that is smaller and more dramatic was so much fun and satisfying. I just finally met with Amy and Doug Belgrad when I got back. I said I’d been thinking about it for weeks, that I’d rather just produce this Ghostbusters. I told them I thought I could help but let’s find a really good director and make it with him. So that’s what we’ve agreed will happen. I didn’t want all kinds of speculation about what happened with me, that is the real story. It was such an amazing time in my life 30 years ago, and I felt that way on the second film.  With Harold no longer with us I couldn’t see it. It really seems to have resonated, an I think a lot of adults who saw it when they were younger have shown it to their kids and they seem to respond much the same way. Sony sees this as a huge worldwide opportunity, and it eager to make the film.

Dan Aykroyd and Etan Cohen have written the script and by all accounts the studio is very pleased with the result.  Reitman also states that the film will still be set in New York and that Sony hopes to begin filming this Fall but more than likely it will be early next year.

I guess it's a good sign that Reitman likes the script and I know the original Ghostbusters only have minor roles in this film, but I still don't know what to feel.  Although I freely admit I would watch another Ghostbusters movie, it's just not going to be the same.

'True Detective' director to helm WWII action thriller

HBO's "True Detective" has been one of the most talked about shows of the last few months.  (I personally can't wait to get  my HBO app in couple weeks and watch this sucker.)  The man behind the hot show also appears to be in heavy demand now too.  Already developing Stephen King's IT for the big screen, director Casey Fukunaga has found his next project.

According to "Deadline" Fukunaga will direct the WWII action thriller Noble Assassin, based on an upcoming novel surrounding the true life events of Robert de la Rochefoucauld.  Here's a rundown:

Pic tells the war-time story of French aristocrat-turned-anti-Nazi-saboteur Rochefoucauld, who joined the British Special Operations Executive and was trained in every manner of dark arts before being sent back to France to help organize the resistance, blowing up train stations and munitions factories. In the process, he was caught, endured months of torture and escaped his own execution.

I'm always a sucker for a good WWII film, especially one in Europe and this sounds awesome, so I'm totally onboard. 

Live action version of 'The Little Mermaid' coming to the big screen

Hard to believe it's been almost twenty-five years since The Little Mermaid hit the big screen, but Disney still milks the hell out of Ariel and the rest of the group.  (Trust me I've been to Disney World.)

For those of you who pine for a live action version of the animated feature, you may soon get your wish. 

"Deadline" reports that actor Sofia Coppola has agreed to direct a live action version of the classic tale for Universal pictures.  Coppola will also co-write the script with Caroline Thompson.  Kelly Marcel and Abi Morgan wrote the original treatment.

Early reports indicate that this version of The Little Mermaid will retain the musical element but in what way is unknown at this time.  Whether you're a fan of Coppola or not, there's no denying that her films are visually stunning.*  At the very least we should expect a film that looks pretty on the big screen.

Currently there is no release date for the film, but Universal pictures is looking to fast track it.

*I personally thought that Lost In Translation was one of the most boring, overrated films ever.  The acting was solid but oh my God what a coma inducing piece of film.

'Star Wars Episode VII' to start filming in May; timeline confirmed

Well even though this isn't casting news, at least it's actual concrete news.

Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed to the official Star Wars website that Episode VII will be set three decades after Return of the Jedi.  Iger also went on to say that the film will follow "a trio of new young leads" plus some "familiar faces."

With a hard and fast date of December 18 of next year set for the release of the next installment, many have been wondering when this sucker is going to actually start filming.  Well now we know.  According to Mr. Iger, Episode VII will start shooting in early May.  For those of you freaked out that the film is going be rushed, let me remind you that even if Abrams films for six months (which is the typical allotted time for a Star Wars film historically) you're looking at the film being completed in November.  That gives the movie over a year of post-production.  I think it's safe to say things will be just fine in that regard and audiences can look forward to a quality film.

I'm hoping that this news means that next month we will actually get official casting announcements along with a synopsis and maybe even a title.  One can hope anyway.

Star Wars Episode VII opens nationwide December 18, 2015.

Director Marc Webb will not return for 'The Amazing Spider-man 4', villain Morbius may make a cameo in the May sequel

For those of you unaware, while The Amazing Spider-man 2 hits theaters May 2, the studio already has the third and fourth installments lined up.  Although director Marc Webb confirmed he will return for the third film (slated to begin shooting next year), the director confirmed with "The Daily Beast" that he will not be back for the fourth movie.

Webb will not forsake all things Spidey however.  The director stresses he wants to remain as a consultant on the film.  He also states that a certain "creature of the night" could make a brief appearance in the second film.  Most fans speculate this means Morbius the living vampire will show up.  With the Rhino, the Green Goblin, and Electro already to set to appear in the followup to the 2012 hit, there certainly appears to be a glut of villains permeating the NYC landscape.  However, higher ups behind the Spidey franchise are playing the long game here so maybe they know what they are doing.

Personally I couldn't care less that Webb will be involved.  I thought the first film was severely overrated and aside from the local Rochester connection, I have no interest in seeing this film.  For franchises as a whole it's nice to see new blood enter the fray though.  Even though I liked Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, it would have been interesting to have another director take a crack at it other than Steven Spielberg.

The Amazing Spider-man 2 hits theaters May 2, with the third and fourth installments coming June 10, 2016, and May 4, 2018 respectively.

Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne Will Not Return for Third "Insidious" Film

While Insidious and Insidious Chapter 2 were commercial hits, I never really saw the appeal.  The first one is decent, but nothing Earth shattering when it comes to horror.  Although I haven't seen it, I hear the second film was a rehash of the first.  Critics weren't too kind to the film either.

But Hollywood's never believed Beyonce when she sang, "It ain't about the money, money, money" so of course there is a going to be a third film.  What's not happening is the return of two of the original film's stars.

In an interview by "Screen Rant" with screenwriter Leigh Whannel, the writer reports that Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne will NOT return for the third installment.  Instead the film will focus on a brand new family with similar experiences in order to keep the film from becoming "stale."

Whether or not Wilson and Byrne were explicitly excluded from the sequel, I'm glad to see they aren't returning.  Both are too good of actors to keep doing the same thing over and over again.  Plus with Wilson landing a significant part in Ant-Man, I'm sure he's not too worried.

Insidious Chapter 3 releases April 3rd of next year.

Fletch May Live Again....

Fletch remains my all-time favorite comedy.  It's one of the few movies that I can watch over and over again and still laugh at all the lines.  ("How's the herpes Fred?  They hurt?")  And in Hollywood's ongoing quest to ruin my childhood memories, plans for a remake are in the works.

"THR" reports that "SNL" alum Jason Sudeikis is very close to winning the part of investigative reporter Irwin Fletcher in the upcoming film Fletch Won.  The movie is supposed to be an origin story (natch!) and will be closer to the Gregory McDonald novels which are gritty with a touch of comedy. 

A new Fletch film has been in development for the better part of twenty years, with numerous directors attached, most notably Kevin Smith.  While I think that Sudeikis is very funny (loved him in We're The Millers) there's no reason to reboot Fletch.  Absolutely none.  The idea is as preposterous and Fletch being an actual member of the Mattress Police.

Currently there is no production start date or release date.  Hopefully there never will be.