Sports legend Jesse Owens finally getting a biopic via Disney

Boy this is fantastic news.

"Variety" magazine reports that one of the most influential sports athletes of all-time, track and field legend Jesse Owens, is finally getting his own film care of the House of Mouse.

Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) is attached to direct.  The film will be based on Jeremy Schapp's book Triumph.  Here's a brief synopsis:

Set against the backdrop of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, “Triumph” tells the story of how the son of an Alabama sharecropper shattered Adolf Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy by winning a record four gold medals in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the long jump and the 400-meter relay. Hitler had insisted Jews and Blacks not be allowed to participate in the games, but relented when threatened with a boycott. He shook hands only with the German victors on the first day of competition and then skipped all further medal presentations.

Owens is a sports figure I've long believed deserves the movie treatment. His accomplishments in the Berlin Olympics was the biggest "fuck you" in the history of sports against a fascist regime.  I hope Michael B. Jordan is paying attention because this movie desperately needs you for the lead role. 

David Seidler also plans to helm the script.  No timetable yet on a production start date.

'Avatar's sequels to film in New Zealand

Everyone seems to have various opinions about Avatar.  Granted the film was highly derivative (Pocahontas anyone?) but there's no denying the visuals, and the reviews were mostly positive.  Since the film was also the highest grossing movie of all time ($700 million in domestic box office alone) the chances of it not receiving a sequel were about 0%.  Avatar however is  not only getting one sequel, it's getting three.  And  now we know where it's filming.

Director James Cameron tells "AP News" that the Avatar sequels will film in New Zealand.  New Zealand also served as the backdrop for Peter Jackson version of Middle-Earth.  It's a raw and untouched land, a country with some of the strictest environmental laws in the world, and place I desperately want to visit someday.  It's perfect for the broad, sweeping, and lush tapestry that is Pandora, so I believe it's an excellent choice.

Cameron also states that, unlike earlier statements to the contrary, the Avatar sequels will remain on world, with the first film focusing on Pandora's oceans.  The movies will also be Godfather-esque, whatever the Hell that means.

The first Avatar sequel opens December 2016 with subsequent sequels to follow the next two years.

KHALESSI!!!!! Emilia Clarke to play Sarah Connor in 5th 'Terminator' film; title revealed

A hot chick from my favorite television show joining one of my all-time favorite franchises?  Sign me up!

"Deadline" reports that "Game of Thrones" Emilia Clarke has won the role of Sarah Connor in the next Terminator (reboot? sequel?)  film.  Clarke had been vying for the role with "Community" star Brie Larson, but Clarke ultimately won the job.  Probably didn't hurt that the director is Alan Taylor one of the three main directors on "Game of Thrones." 

I have to say I'm pumped about this news.  Not only is Clarke beautiful, but girlfriend can act yo!  I think this is an excellent casting choice.  She's already proven she can be a badass and vulnerable so the sky is the limit.

In addition, actor Jason Clarke (no relation) is in heavy negotiations to play John Connor, the leader of the human resistance against the machines.  I'm happy to see Clarke is starting to make a name for himself.  He was excellent in Zero Dark Thirty and Lawless.  Good to see he's starting to get consideration for prominent roles.

"Deadline" also reports that the title for the fifth film will be Terminator: Genesis.  I dig it.  I'm seriously hoping that the fifth film can be a retun to form.  Terminator: Salvation was plain awful AND PG-13 to boot which is ridiculous.  This film has to be a hard R.  It's just that simple. 

I'm confused at this point whether this is going to be a straight sequel or a reboot because Arnold Schwarzengger will be a part of it.  Guess we won't know for sure until we get a plot synopis. 

Terminator: Genesis releases July 2015.

'Fast & Furious 7' future uncertain with the passing of Paul Walker

Like many I was saddened to hear of the tragic death of actor Paul Walker over the Thanksgiving Holiday.  While I wasn't a huge fan of the actor, I appreciated the Fast and the Furious series and I'll always remember him as Lance Harbor in Varsity Blues.  My heart truly goes out to his friends and family.  Though I never knew the man personally his charity* work speaks for itself.

Unfortunately, the wheel of Hollywood doesn't stop for grief long and the fact is that Walker was amidst filming The Fast and the Furious 7 when his death occurred.  Obviously his role of Brian O'Connor was a major part of the franchise and leaves a gaping hole in the film.  So where does the movie go from here?

Director James Wan and Universal are currently discussing the best route to take at this time, although a decision is apparently several weeks away.  Universal has stated that production will continue although the consensus is that production will be scrapped and begin anew.  People behind the production want Paul Walker's character to be part of the film but they don't want to force anything.  Producers have categorically denied any type of CGI of Walker's character being part of the film as well.

I really can't imagine a Fast & Furious 7 without the character of Brian O'Connor but Universal and Wan must tread lightly here.  You don't want to be disrespectful to Walker's memory.  I say Walker's character will still be a part of the film but will they kill him off and then make it part of a revenge factor for Vin Diesel's character?  As tempting as that route may be, I think it's a horrible idea.  It comes across as a convenient deus ex machina for Walker's death and trivializes the man's life.  I'd say scrap the film altogether but 6 ended on a cliffhanger so that's out of the question.

This situation sucks all around and there's no right move.  However, I trust Universal will figure something out. 

Fast & Furious 7 is scheduled to release July 11, 2014 but I wouldn't be surprised if the date is pushed back.

*Universal Studios will donate a portion of the DVD sales of Fast & Furious 6 to Walker's charity 'Reach Out Worldwide' which benefits first responders for natural disasters.  Walker started the charity after the 2010 Haitian earthquake.

Hulk smash into theater after 'Avengers 2'!!!!!

Despite being part of an ensemble cast in The Avengers, one of the most well received aspects of the film was The Hulk.  After two films (one horrible the other OK) it was rewarding to see a solid representation of The Hulk on the big screen.  Since then, fans have been clamoring for another Hulk movie. 

They might just get their wish if Lou Ferrigno can be believed.

In a recent interview with "Flicks and the City" the former bodybuilder and star of the original Hulk television show, stated that a Hulk solo film will release after The Avengers: Age of Ultron.  Obviously, Ferrigno isn't "The Chicago Sun Times" but he's so confident in the interview you can't outright ignore him.  Granted there are alot of films on the Marvel docket for Phase 3, including sequels to Captain America and Thor as well as Black Panther and Doctor Strange movies, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for a new Hulk film.  That is of course if Marvel is willing to deviate from their current two to three films a year format.  You don't want to saturate the market after all.  Guess we'll have to wait and see, but I don't doubt that we will see another solo film by the world's favorite green monster sooner rather than later.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron releases May 1, 2015.

Director J.C. Chandor bag new actor for "A Most Violent Year"; will also direct Vince Lombardi biopic

Even if you're a movie fanatic like me, it's impossible to see every movie you want to see.  (Although my friend Justin seriously makes a run at it.  I have no idea how he's seen almost 200 movies this year.)  One movie I regret missing was director J.C. Chandor's Margin Call, which follows the initial stages of the 2008 financial crisis.  It also garnered Chandor an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay.  By all accounts his current film All Is Lost is primed to earn him another nomination for directing and a nomination for Robert Redford as Best Actor.

Chandor isn't pondering past accomplishments however.  He's got two big projects lined up.  The first is the film A Most Violent Year starring Jessica Chastain.  Chandor just picked up actor Oscar Issac (Robin Hood) as well who replaces actor Javier Bardem.  Issac will play a Hispanic man who moves to the United States and becomes a successful businessman.  The film is set in 1981, reportedly one of the most violent years in history and the inspiration for the movie title.

Additionally, Chandor will write and direct the biopic Lombardi, based on the life of the successful NFL coach.  Legendary Pictures will also produce the film.  Robert DeNiro originally signed on for the role but it's unknown whether he's still a part of the production, since the film has been in Development Hell for quite some time.  Personally, I hope Dan Lauria ("The Wonder Years") snatches it up.  He looks the part and he's done a one man show as Lombardi before.

Production on A Most Violent Year is set to begin next year and Oscar Issac can be seen this Friday in the Cohen brothers' new film Inside Llewyn Davis.

Cohen Bros. to go "Gladiator"

How can you not love the Cohen brothers?  From Raising Arizona to The Big Lebowski to No Country for Old Men, they've proven time and again they are a duo to be reckoned with.  Now it looks like they may not only be taking on a period piece, but a big budget film as well.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press promoting their upcoming film Inside Lleywn Davis, Joel and Ethan Cohen revealed that they are currently writing a "sandal" picture set in ancient Rome.  They went on to say that the film would explore the "big questions" and will have zero subtext unlike their recent movie A Serious Man.

While the Cohen brothers' films certainly explore the gamut of the human condition, I can't recall them ever doing a big budget picture.  It sounds like a huge gamble that just might pay off. 

Inside Lleywn Davis opens nationwide this Friday.