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February 23, 2000

Source: Aint it Cool News

According to Harry Knowles, a start date for Quentin Tarantino's next movie entitled KILL BILL has yet to be announced, but the project is quietly moving forward. Apparently, star Uma Thurman has been training for weeks on how to use a katana in Japanese Shogun style and also been training in various martial arts. Tarantino will be going down to Austin for a panel down in March, and since there were rumors of him filming part of his movie in Texas, the start date might just happen around that time. Rumors which had Warren Beatty co-starring as the titular "Bill" in question, have also yet to be confirmed. The movie has been described as a "women's revenge flick".
           

February 23, 2000

Source: PTAnderson.com

The PT Anderson film (starring Adam Sandler) is currently underway and the man himself has cleared up some of the rumors. First of all, Anderson regular John C. Reilly will not be appearing in the film. He was originally to be cast but the role took a different direction that just wasn't right for him. Secondly, the AICN stories that had Jon Stewart and Robert Smigel in the movie are 100% untrue. Next, there is no title (although PROJECT X seems to be somewhat of a working title) but there are couple of good ideas he's thinking about. Anderson described the film as "a 25 million dollar arthouse Adam Sandler film." The movie which also stars Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Luis Guzman and Mary Lynn Rajskub will be in theaters late 2001/early 2002.
         

February 23, 2000

Source: Aint it Cool News

The latest addition to the cast of the MATRIX sequels is...you!  Well, not really, but you could be. A company has released information on AICN that details just how to go about getting yourself in the running to be an extra. How legit this is, I'm not sure, so I won't put the address up here, but if you're interested, check out the article below and send over your headshots and information.

Click here for info on how to be a Matrix extra
        

February 23, 2000

Source: Film Force

I'm not quite sure how authentic this is, but it looks real enough. Film Force posted a picture of the Mystery Machine from the SCOOBY-DOO movie. It's nothing to marvel at, seeing as how it looks a lot like the one in the cartoon and if you drive long enough you'd be sure enough find some stoner who had nothing better to do than paint his van to look like this. Take it for what it's worth, but it's still kinda cool to look at.

< click on pic for entire story >
           

February 23, 2000

Source: Film Force

Country singer Faith Hill has been looking to get herself into motion pictures lately and Film Force is reporting that she is close to signing a deal that would bring her aboard the Mel Gibson film WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE ... AND YOUNG. Just another reason not to see this movie. In more encouraging news, Denis Leary, who was once considered out of the cast, is now reportedly back in (he was originally in the role Greg Kinnear is playing but will now be playing a different part). SOLDIERS filming begins in Georgia next week with a summer 2002 release date.
        

February 23, 2000

Source: Dark Horizons

Director Mike Figgis (TIMECODE) has once again rounded up a great ensemble cast for his next improvisational film experiment titled HOTEL. So far, Salma Hayek, Lucy Liu, Saffron Burrows, Burt Reynolds, Rhys Ifans, David
Schwimmer and Julian Sands are among the stars joining the production. The movie, which will show four frames of simultaneous, interactive plotlines which revolve around the shooting of a period movie, a documentary about
said movie, a murder and a "bizarre maid service" all at a California hotel. Sounds like it could get interesting...
          

February 23, 2000

Source: Morgan Creek

TEXAS RANGERS, in an effort to beat that other cowboy movie due in April, has moved up its release date from May 4th to April 6th which would be five days ahead of its main competition, AMERICAN OUTLAWS. Someone was bound to lose this one (they'd probably both wind up losing) so AMERICAN OUTLAWS have since proved themselves the bigger of the two and graciously bowed out of this Hollywood pissing contest. There has been no new date set for OUTLAWS, which was originally scheduled to hit on April 11th.
           

February 22, 2000

Source: Cinescape

Say that five times fast.  It's not a new tongue twister, but an actual possibility from a Hollywood that has just plain given up trying to come up with any original film ideas. I don't quite understand why you would even try to produce a sequel to this film, but I guess it all comes back to the almighty dollar (or as Homer would say, "the alighty ollar?").  Spyglass Entertainment (who owns the rights to THE SIXTH SENSE prequels, sequels or remakes) released a 525-page report detailing their plans for an IPO and in a listing of upcoming film projects, they mention SIXTH SENSE 2. There hasn't been any word from any of the talent involved, but I can't believe director M. Night Shymalan, Bruce Willis or Haley Joel Osment could all be convinced to return (besides, there's no way Spyglass could afford this team now).
      

February 22, 2000

Source: Aint it Cool News and Coming Attractions

Two rumored titles for STAR WARS: EPISODE 2 were reported yesterday and has sparked a debate throughout fandom. One of the rumored titles was reported on Episode X, which claimed THE REBELLION RISE FORTH is the title for the upcoming film. The second title was reported by Harry at Ain't It Cool who said he received an unsubstantiated report that THE SHADOW FALLS would be the title (and in all fairness, Harry declared this a major rumor). So which one is it? Well, not many people know that answer for sure, but as the expression goes, opinions are like assholes - everyone's got one; and that includes Joey Baloney. I would put my money (but not a lot of money) on THE REBELLION RISE FORTH. There have been some reports that this is at least the "working title" of the movie, plus Lucasfilm has registered the domain name www.riseforth.com. Add to that, AICN's less than stellar batting average when it comes to SW2 scoops, and I have to give Episode X the benefit of the doubt. But to be fair, when the movie is released, it will probably be neither of these choices.
                                

February 22, 2000

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Carl Reiner, director of modern comedy classic THE JERK, will fill in for Alan Arkin in OCEAN'S ELEVEN who left the production for personal reasons. Reiner will play Saul Bloom in the star-studded production that has already
begun filming in Atlantic City and Florida. OCEAN'S ELEVEN will hit theaters this Christmas season.
                                

February 21, 2000

Source: Cinescape

Bryan Singer spoke with Empire Online and confirmed his intentions to direct the sequel to X-MEN, a prospect which was becoming more and more likely since the dissolution of his previous project CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND. Singer said, "I am doing the sequel to X-MEN...We're going to spend a few more bucks, bring in some great new characters and up the stakes. I'm already working on the script for X-MEN 2 now so that's going to take most of my time and energy until I start shooting." Fox is looking to get a start on production in late 2001/early 2002. This sounds pretty cool and I'm just as pumped as the next guy, but I'm waiting until I hear official
word in the trades before I get too excited.
                              

February 21, 2000

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Unfortunately it's not going to be CURLY SUE 2 (whatever happened to Alisan Porter?), but director John Hughes is back on the scene to direct the romantic comedy THE CHAMBERMAID starring Academy Award winner Hilary Swank. The plot revolves around an American chambermaid (Swank) who falls head over heels for a British chap.  Sandra Bullock was mulling over playing the role but dropped out when Hughes decided not to direct. Swank became interested and Hughes was eventually coaxed back into the director's chair. I'd love to see this guy make a great film again, but I have a feeling this one just ain't it.
                               

February 21, 2000

Source: Dark Horizons

Damn. I really thought JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS could've been a cool movie, but my hopes are quickly being shat upon. I checked out that Pussycats "music video" over at Launch and turned it off after about thirty seconds. There was a lot of sexiness and gyrations (which, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed) but there was a lot going on that just wasn't right. I wanted this to be less of a Britney Spears type of situation and more of a Go-Go's type deal. And now I see this poster, which is just ALL wrong. But maybe the finished picture will be worth it and maybe it's just the marketing that's flawed. I hope so. Either way, here's the poster below:

< click on pic for bigger version >
                                  

February 21, 2000

Source: 13th Street

Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan have found their female lead for RUSH HOUR 2 in an actress by the name of Roselyn Sanchez (who I hope you don't remember from the Jamie Foxx movie, HELD UP). Sanchez will play an American agent who is deep undercover in the seedy Hong Kong underworld, where she meets Tucker and Chan who are investigating a counterfeiting ring. RUSH HOUR 2 will hit theaters near you on August 3rd of this very year.
                                 

February 21, 2000

Source: Variety

British actress Samantha Morton, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work in SWEET AND LOWDOWN, has been added to the cast of Steven Spielberg's MINORITY REPORT. Morton joins Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell in the
production of the film based on the short story by Philip K. Dick. Ms. Morton will play the lead female character, a woman who befriends a fugitive policeman (Cruise) wanted for a crime he hasn't yet committed. Jenna Elfman
and Cate Blanchett had been considered for the role but were passed up for the lesser-known Morton.
                                

February 20, 2000

Source: Cinescape

Could the production of HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCEROR'S STONE be in deep doo-doo? Maybe, but probably nothing Warner Bros. and director Chris Colombus can't handle. It seems that inclement weather has caused serious delays in filming on the project which normally wouldn't be a problem except the young boy playing Harry, Daniel Radcliffe, is only licensed for a certain amount of days (since he's a minor). The production is running
dangerously close to running over the number of days young Daniel can work for. There's no way, Warner is gonna let a little snag like this screw up a multi-million dollar film franchise.
                             

February 20, 2000

Source: Comics2Film

Some details about the upcoming remastered AKIRA DVD have come out and here's what we're talking about. The release date is tentatively set for July 3rd (clever) for both the DVD and VHS formats. The theatrical release date isn't quite as firm, but it looks to be sometime in May. The DVD will include both the dubbed and subtitled version, a documentary on the making of the movie, a documentary on the soundtrack and a featurette on the $1 million restoration of the film. Hot dog!  I'm waiting in line already!
                            

February 20, 2000

Source: Variety

Destination Films, the people who brought you that cinematic wonder BATS, have shut down all business operations and all employees laid off, effective immediately. The company still has three films left to distribute, SLACKERS, BUYING THE COW and RING OF FIRE and there is no immediate word on the status of these films. In fact, I just received an e-mail from the fine folks at Destination not a week ago to talk about SLACKERS, so I'm sure this
is coming as quite a shock to the staff. To give you an idea of why they may have failed, take a look at some of their past films: WHIPPED, BEAUTIFUL (which received the lowest possible rating by JoBlo), THOMAS AND THE MAGIC RAILROAD and the aforementioned BATS.
                           

February 20, 2000

Source: Spider-Man Hype

Spider-Man Hype has posted some neat shots of prop newspapers used for the filming of SPIDER-MAN. One picture shows the cover of a Daily Bugle in a newspaper vending machine with a title that refers to the Spider-Man/Green Goblin battle. There's also a picture of J. Jonah Jameson on the cover, but it's kind of blurry, so you can't see to much.

Check out all of the pictures here
                           

February 19, 2000

Source: Aint it Cool News

Ain't It Cool posted a report from the first ever test screening for the computer animated flick FINAL FANTASY over the weekend and it doesn't look good. The review was mostly negative and claimed that the plot was full of
"metaphysical crap" and that the voice dubbing was reminiscent of a bad kung-fu movie (which is readily apparent if you watch the trailer). In all fairness, the movie is probably far from finished and this is just one man's opinion. I'm just really hoping that it isn't as bad as it sounds. But even if it does suck you may want to go see it anyway, as the new SPIDER-MAN teaser will be attached.

Read the entire review here
                          

February 19, 2000

Source: Coming Attractions

No, it's not Daphne or Velma (and no perverts...it's not Scooby), but Shaggy's love interest in the live-action SCOOBY-DOO movie will be a girl named Mary Jane (Get it?!  It's a marijuana reference!  Hah!) and will be played by
Australian model Isla Fisher. Check out below for a picture of the lovely redhead in her skivvies. And if anyone lives in Australia and happens to be strolling by the set...take a picture for your old pal, Joey.

< click on pic for bigger version >
                            

February 19, 2000

Source: Coming Attractions

Colin Farrell is in final negotiations to take over the part vacated by Matt Damon in Steven Spielberg's MINORITY REPORT. Farrell would join Tom Cruise on the set in May after he has finished filming HART'S WAR with Bruce Willis and should be finished by the end of June. Other rumors have it that the filming for the sci-fi flick will take place in the Washington/Baltimore area, so if you're around, check out the papers for extra casting calls.
                            

February 19, 2000

Source: Hollywood Reporter

What could've been one of the coolest movies in a looong time will most likely turn into the coolest movie that never gets made. CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND, which was already in pre-production in Montreal, has been halted indefinitely and if it ever does see the light of day it will be with a new director, new stars and a new distributor. It seems that Renaissance Films and Miramax were the ones in negotiations to finance the production but they could simply not agree on terms and talks dissolved. This leaves Johnny Depp and director Bryan Singer without pre-strike projects while George Clooney will most likely just re-direct his time to OCEAN'S ELEVEN. The good news that comes out of all of this is that Bryan Singer will most likely focus his free time on the sequel to X-MEN and may look to finish this project post-strike.
                           

February 19, 2000

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Miramax Films and the hilarious online and print publication The Onion have reached a deal that would give Miramax a first look at any possible scripts and feature film projects that may evolve through the writings of The Onion. There have been no projects specified yet but as early as last Friday, Onion writers were to pitch a proposal to Miramax heads. The Onion already has two articles in development as feature films through other distributors, including the "Canadian Girlfriend Unsubstantiated" project that will be produced by Ivan Reitman.