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February 8, 2002

Before we get started with the news, let me take a quick minute to remind you to head over a read our interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger.  He was in New York promoting COLLATERAL DAMAGE and was kind enough to sit down with us for a chat.  Part One of the interview is up now and the second part (including more with director Andrew Davis and producer Steven Reuther) will be up sometime soon.  So what are you waiting for?  Head over and check it out!!

Read the Arnold Interview here!!!
 

February 8, 2002

I'm imagining the trailer now.  We've got trailer-guy doing the voiceover - "Ben Affleck...Colin Farrell...Michael Clarke Duncan...Jennifer Garner...and Jon Favreau...This February...Justice. Is. Blind."  Then the big red DAREDEVIL title card flashes on the screen.  Sweeeeet.

So I got an e-mail from 'Jeremy' last night who alerted me to the news that AICN was reporting Jon Favreau was cast as Foggy Nelson in DAREDEVIL.   Couldn't be happier.  Not only does he fit the part well, he can play a good second-banana and he's got a mean sense of humor.  This is all shaping up so nicely isn't it?  I haven't read the script yet, but I know people who have and I've heard nothing but fantastic things about it.  And did anyone hear that Cuba Gooding, Jr. was pissed off he wasn't considered for the role of Daredevil?  That's kinda weird.   Maybe he should cut out the RAT RACE and SNOW DOGS crap and he could get a meeting with the director.  You can't blame it on the color factor cause obviously that wasn't a problem for this production with the casting of Duncan as The Kingpin.   Anyways, let's all mark our calendars and pray that Ben looks good in red tights.
 

February 8, 2002

Tom Cruise and his C/W Productions company have bought the rights to the THE BRIDGE, a novel by cartoonist Doug Marlette.  It is possible that Cruise may star in the film, but that decision is dependant on the script, which is currently being written by Mark Andrus (AS GOOD AS IT GETS).  The story follows the migration of a cartoonist and his family to North Carolina from New York after he's fired from his job.  There they move into the man's childhood home and he slowly comes to grip with his past.  Cruise is trying to decide his next starring role and has many choices.  He officially turned down the starring role in Anthony Minghella's COLD MOUNTAIN but has yet to decide on a follow-up to VANILLA SKY.
 

February 8, 2002

BEING JOHN MALKOVICH was such an original film you just knew that one of these days, someone would try to capitalize on its success with a similar format.  That time is now friends as Les Firestein (the genius behind "The Mike O'Malley Show") has signed a deal to write and direct BRAD PITT WANTS MY GIRLFRIEND.  The film, which will attempt to woo Brad Pitt to star, follows a young couple who are having relationship troubles.  The woman takes a break to visit friends in Canada and meets Brad Pitt who's filming a movie in the area.  They fall in love and the boyfriend decides it's time to win back his girl.  Hilarity ensues (theoretically).  Pitt only recently learned of the project and hasn't made any decisions.  But if Pitt declines, Firestein says the character could be rewritten to any number of Hollywood celebs. "It could be Bono, it could be Kobe, Lenny Kravitz, Keanu Reeves, George Clooney, David Duchovny or Tiger Woods," says Firestein.
 

February 8, 2002

If you haven't yet, I highly suggest you head to our trailer page and download the trailer for the Al Pacino/Robin Williams thriller INSOMNIA.   Looks pretty damn cool if you ask me...

Gabriel Byrne has joined the cast of the upcoming Warner Bros horror film GHOST SHIP.  He joins Julianna Marguiles, Ron Eldard and Isaiah Washington in the film which is being produced by Joel Silver and Robert Zemeckis (the same team behind 13 GHOSTS...) (Hollywood Reporter)
 

February 7, 2002

Steven Soderbergh will develop and potentially direct the film THE INFORMANT, based on the Kurt Eichenwald book.  The film is somewhat similar in tone to ERIN BROCKOVICH but darker in that the movie's hero winds up doing more time than the people he exposed.  The story follows Mark Whitacre, a supermarket employee who worked with the FBI to expose his corporation's price-fixing scheme.  While the company was found guilty, they paid a hefty fine and avoided jailtime.  Whitacre wasn't so lucky.  Soderbergh and George Clooney will produce through their Section Eight company set-up at Warner Bros.   The script will be adapted by former ad man Scott Burns (he's the guy to blame for the "Got Milk?" campaign).  Should Soderbergh direct the film, it would likely follow his next film which is reported to be the big-budget sci-fi flick SOLARIS, with Clooney starring.
 

February 7, 2002

TERMINATOR 3 director Jonathan Mostow has signed on to direct his follow-up to that big-budget project.  Siting an interest to make a "truly scary film," Mostow will direct THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET.  Mostow conceived the film's concept himself and has brought aboard DONNIE DARKO writer Richard Kelly to write a script.   After his work on T3, Mostow says he doesn't want to take a break and actually hopes to film two movies back-to-back, one of which would be THE HOUSE.  No word yet on the film's premise but it's nice to see that audiences aren't the only ones who realize how disappointing "scary" movies have been lately.  We need to get back to some good old-fashioned terror...
 

February 7, 2002

David Fincher has signed on to develop the thriller STAY, which Michael Bay is producing, with Regency and Fox.  The deal allows Fincher the right to choose whether or not he wishes to direct the film.  As reported here a few months ago, Fincher and Brad Pitt are reportedly working on the WWII film THEY FOUGHT ALONE (formerly FERTIG) as their next project.  Upcoming for the director is THE PANIC ROOM, with Jodie Foster, that curiously still has nothing more than a teaser site up at www.sony.com/panicroom (I've heard the site design is amazing, so why don't they go live already?...).  STAY follows an Ivy League psychology professor who attempts to talk a student out of committing suicide with spookiness ensuing.
 

February 7, 2002

Garth at Dark Horizons got a pretty cool exclusive on Wednesday with the first-look at the official one-sheet for INSOMNIA.  Also reported was the news that a trailer should hit theaters and the net any day now.   Possibly attached to COLLATERAL DAMAGE or QUEEN OF THE DAMNED??  Only time shall tell...

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February 7, 2002

It's a day of directors here at JoBlo, what with Jonathan Mostow, Steven Soderbergh and David Fincher.  Now we've got another famed director with another new project - Lasse Hallstrom has signed on to direct A CONSPIRACY OF PAPER for Miramax.  In doing so, Hallstrom has dropped out of CINDERELLA MAN, a boxing film that was to star Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger.  That film was supposed to start filming this spring but was delayed over a year when Crowe committed to FAR SIDE OF THE WORD (formerly MASTER AND COMMANDER) with Peter Weir.  Hallstrom will reteam with his CHOCOLAT writer Robert Nelson Jacobs (the words I've dreaded to hear - from the team that brought you CHOCOLAT...) to tell the story of the birth of the stock market in 18th century London.  Certainly sounds like a rip-roaring good time...
 

February 7, 2002

Ed Harris has joined Anthony Hopkins, Nicole Kidman and Gary Sinise in the cast of THE HUMAN STAIN.   Harris will play the ex-husband of Kidman who is having an affair with Hopkins.   Sinise will serve as the narrator of the film.  Robbie Benton will begin directing the film at the end of March.  (Hollywood Reporter)

John Cusack, Ray Liotta and Amanda Peet will star in the thriller I.D. for director James Mangold (KATE AND LEOPOLD).  The film is described as an intense psycho-thriller that follows ten people stranded at a motel in the middle of a storm being killed off one-by-one. (Hollywood Reporter)

Live in or near San Francisco?  Wanna be an extra in THE HULK?  All you gots to do is call (415) 346-2278 or visit www.sfcasting.com for more information.  The selection process will begin in March and filming will begin in April.  (Ain't It Cool News)

Is Warner Bros looking to get Arnold out of I AM LEGEND?   A quick item in Variety today reports that the poor critical reception of COLLATERAL DAMAGE will be used to ease out Schwarzenegger and replace him with Will Smith, who is very interested in starring.   Michael Bay is attached to direct and has reportedly had meetings with Smith about the film.

If you're interested in helping save the troubled fate of RUN RONNIE RUN!, head over to www.bobanddavid.com to find out what you need to do.  Apparently the guys (David Cross and Bob Odenkirk) are worried the film may be delayed indefinitely or may never see a theatrical release.  Check it out and do your part to help. (Thanks to 'MoovyPhreak' for the heads up)

MGM looks to be on of the first studios to get a September 11th related film off the ground.  Lawrence Wright (THE SIEGE) will write a script based on his article for the New Yorker about the life of John O'Neill.  O'Neill was a former FBI operative who tried in vain for years to warn the government of Osama Bin Laden but became frustrated and retired from the Bureau.  He took a new job as head of security at the World Trade Center on September 10th and died in the tragedy the very next day. (Variety)
 

February 5, 2002

The details regarding the DVD release of HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCEROR'S STONE were just released via an online press conference.  The 2-disc set, which will be released on May 28th and will contain the following features:

For all those still working on your VHS, you're not completely left in the dark.  The VHS copies will also feature added footage in the form of two never-before-seen scenes.  The price for these wonderful items? - 24.99 VHS and 26.99 DVD.
 

February 5, 2002

Jan De Bont used to know how to make a pretty freaking cool action flick.  Even before his directorial debut on SPEED (which, like it or love it, was a very influential and memorable film), he worked as the cinematographer on such classics as DIE HARD, THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and LEONARD PART 6.  OK, maybe LEONARD should've been an omen of bad things to come but things really have gone downhill for the poor guy.  TWISTER was a big hit but was critically lambasted.  Then came SPEED 2.  The mother of all bad movies that was nominated for 8 Razzies.  Follow that up with THE HAUNTING, a film that was so bad it reportedly made Steven Spielberg go postal on De Bont in post-production and personally reshoot and reedit parts of the film.  In other words, De Bont needs a hit.  And bad.

The man will get his chance with his next directorial effort THE COURIER.  An action/suspense film, it follows a man who makes his deliveries to "anyone anywhere with no questions asked."  As one of his new assignments, he must deliver a package to a crime lord who many consider to be impossible to locate.  At one time Brad Pitt was to star in the project, but that was over three years ago and he likely has moved on to bigger and better things.  The script was written by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas who last teamed up on the Billy Zane TV movie "Invincible."  So can De Bont make it happen?  He is producing MINORITY REPORT with Spielberg so maybe he's taking notes from the master.  And hey, could it be any worse than SPEED 2 or THE HAUNTING?
 

February 5, 2002

Rob Schneider is attached to the comedy THE ADVENTURES OF SINBAD THE INSURANCE SALESMAN from a script by "Simpsons" writer Mike Reiss.  Schneider will also produce the film and may convince frequent collaborator, Adam Sandler, to join in as well.  The film follows a claims officer to a large insurance firm whose life changes when he meets a woman with a knack for motivational skills.  Schneider would work on this film after he finishes HARV THE BARBARIAN, which he is also co-producing with Sandler.  That film will star Schneider as a barbarian who goes on a life-changing journey.
 

February 5, 2002

Scooper 'Steve Curto' wrote in to let us know that tonight (Tuesday) on "Entertainment Tonight" they will be premiering the first footage from THE MATRIX RELOADED.   Apparently, it's part of an exclusive set visit and will feature scenes from the movie as well as behind-the-scenes footage.  ET's official site doesn't reveal too much more about what would be shown but included were snippets of an interview with Keanu Reeves that will air tonight.  So get your VCRs or Tivos ready and get a first look at RELOADED, due in theaters the summer of 2003.
 

February 5, 2002

Omar Epps (THE MOD SQUAD) will co-star alongside Meg Ryan in the boxing biopic AGAINST THE ROPES.  Charles S. Dutton ("Roc") will direct the picture about the life of female boxing manager Jackie Kallen (Ryan) and her star pupil (Epps).  (Variety)

Crispin Glover (BACK TO THE FUTURE, CHARLIE'S ANGELS) will star in the horror flick WILLARD for writing/directing team James Wong and Glen Morgan (THE ONE).  The film is based on the 1971 film of the same name and follows an outsider who befriends a community of rats and uses he new friends to exact revenge on those who wronged him.  Think CARRIE with big CGI rats....(The Hollywood Reporter)

According to this British "Buffy" site, writer Doug Petrie has been hired to rewrite the script for THE FANTASTIC FOUR that has Peyton Reed (BRING IT ON) attached to direct.  The project has been described in the past as having a humorous slant so maybe a "Buffy" writer is the right guy to juggle the sci-fi/comedy angle.   (Although I feel strongly that comedy is not the way to go in a FF movie.)  (Coming Attractions)

The official site for the Jennifer Lopez angry-woman-bent-on-revenge-for-abusive-ex-husband movie ENOUGH, has opened up.  Not much to look at now except a teaser image of Lopez looking pissed and a link to a J.Lo music video (??).  The trailer was which premiered during the Super Bowl, should be online any day now.
 

February 4, 2002

If you tuned in for all of the Super Bowl last night, not only did you see one heck of a game but a lot of cool trailers as well (and you're probably nursing a nasty hangover as well).   XXX, SPIDER-MAN, SIGNS, AUSTIN POWERS 3, BLADE 2, MEN IN BLACK 2 and more.   Just in case you missed any of these commercials last night, the vast majority of them are posted all over the web today.  Below I've included links to where you can download some of last night's highlights just in case you got up for a pee break and missed something.  All in all, I liked what I saw although I thought some of them were a little to short.

SPIDER-MAN (or here)
BLADE 2 (or here)
MEN IN BLACK 2 clip 1; clip 2
XXX
SIGNS
THE SCORPION KING

Discuss the all the Super Bowl clips here
 

February 4, 2002

Thanks to 'Gilbert' from ATeaser who was kind enough to send a heads-up letting us know the website for the Eddie Murphy/Robert De Niro comedy SHOWTIME has opened.  They've posted a bunch of stills, two of which I've included below.   Head over to the film's official site to check out more from the film. 

February 4, 2002

While you're there downloading the Super Bowl commercial, you may notice the official website for M. Night Shyamalan's SIGNS has grown.  Check out the downright creepy "Is It a Sign?" section and spend an hour or so watching all the downloadable clips about crop circles and other associated weirdness.  There also seems to be some puzzle involving the code 3E7774 but I haven't figured out what that means yet.  I've tried entering it into the password box on the front page but that doesn't get you anywhere.  Any ideas?
 

February 4, 2002

Three different colored versions of a new SCOOBY-DOO poster have popped up online and you can check them all out by clicking the version you see below.  Thanks to EmpireMovies.com

So who will take over for Bill Murray in the role of Bosley in CHARLIE'S ANGLES 2?  One rumor floating around the web (courtesy of Dark Horizons) has Jamie Foxx (ALI) in talks for the part.  Apparently the actor spoke in an interview saying he met with producers for the part and that he would play Bosley's illegitimate child.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Entertainment Weekly picked the top 25 Best Modern Romance movies.  The top pick was a pleasant surprise in SAY ANYTHING (even beating out Woody Allen's ANNIE HALL).  There's some great interviews with John Cusack, Cameron Crowe, Ione Skye and more, who are all out promoting the SAY ANYTHING Special Edition DVD coming on March 5th.  Check out the rest of the pics here.