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May 25, 2001

Ben Affleck is in talks to star in the comedy SURVIVING CHRISTMAS, a film about a lonely man who, in an effort to cheer himself up at Christmas, goes back to his childhood home and convinces the family currently living there to take him in.  The script was originally written by Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan (JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS) but has since been rewritten by Josh Sternin and Jeff Ventimilia.  Affleck has CHANGING LANES, JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK, and THE SUM OF ALL FEARS on the horizons and would begin work on CHRISTMAS as soon as his work is done on his next starring role, GIGLI. Do I even have to mention that Affleck stars in PEARL HARBOR opening today? I didn't think so...
  

May 25, 2001

From SURVIVING CHRISTMAS to SURVIVOR, Chuck Palahniuk's (FIGHT CLUB) novel was once on the fast-track to the big screen.  At one point, Sam Mendes (AMERICAN BEAUTY) and Jerry Bruckheimer (PEARL HARBOR) were both very interested in the film, but lately things don't seem to be going so well.  Jake Paltrow (yes, Gwyneth's brother) wrote the script for Fox, but Palahniuk said at a reading for his latest book CHOKE, that executives hated the script and Paltrow is currently shopping around for a new studio. I'm getting so frustrated with the development hell this project has been stuck in, I'm thinking about writing the damn script myself.  It's such an amazing book (waaaay better than FIGHT CLUB) and would make a great, great movie (if done well).  I'm saying my prayers and hoping that some first-class talent comes aboard to save this flick. In other SURVIVOR news, rocker Marilyn Manson has struck up an odd friendship with author Palahniuk and seems set to read the audio version of the book.
 

May 25, 2001

Here's news from the first test screening of JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK.  Kevin posted some of the results on his official site, which included some of the highest ever ratings for Dimension Films or its parent company Miramax.  Here's what Smith had to say for himself:

"In the Top Two Boxes, in which the average (or normal) acceptable score is 55%, 'JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK' scored 86%. 86% of the audience said the film was Excellent or Very Good.

In the Definite Recommend category, in which the average (or normal) acceptable score is 45%, 'JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK'' received a 79%.

We have never... NEVER received scores like that. To wit, the highest 'DOGMA ever scored was a 60% or 65% in the Top Two Boxes, with a 35% to 40% definite recommend. '(CHASING) AMY' was somewhere in that range as well."

This certainly bodes well for the success of the film and the crossover of the Askew-niverse to a much wider audience. We couldn't be happier for the guy and we're all looking forward to this one (although I have a baby that's due one week before the movie opens...drat!!!).
 

May 25, 2001

From Marilyn Manson to Charles Manson, Propaganda Films (BEING JOHN MALKOVICH) bought the film rights to Vincent Bugliosi's 1975 book HELTER SKELTER, which detailed the killings of Sharon Tate and Abigal Folger (among many others) and the so-called "Manson Family Murders." Bugliosi served as prosecutor on the case that sent many involved in the crime to jail and may also pen a version of the script. SKELTER was previously made into a not-half-bad TV movie in 1976 that occasionally makes the rounds on cable (I've seen it on Encore a few times...) and it has been long rumored that Johnny Depp is interested in playing Manson.
 

May 25, 2001

From Big Charlie Style to Big Willie Style, Will Smith's set to star in a romantic comedy entitled THE LAST FIRST KISS.  The Reporter described the film as such:

"KISS is about a New York man who has a secret identity moonlighting as a dating doctor who specializes in priming and planning dates for lovesick men. Despite his talent for handling other people's relationships, he is adrift when it comes to his own love life. When he meets and falls for a New York tabloid journalist, his jaded romantic outlook is challenged, while his secret identity is threatened to be uncovered."

The script, by first-timer Kevin Bisch was grabbed by Columbia who looks to have Smith begin work on this project as soon as he finishes filming MEN IN BLACK 2, which begins next month in New York City.
  

May 25, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• A script review of the upcoming Brad Pitt/Coen Bros film TO THE WHITE SEA is online and available for your perusal here
• Speaking of script reviews, the script for Disney's COUNTRY BEARS gets a good once-over here
• Vin Diesel talks about PITCH BLACK 2 (and reveals the film's new title) and TERMINATOR 3 here
• The official one-sheet for MADE (Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn) is online and you can check it out here

May 24, 2001

Director Lasse Hallstrom (THE CIDER HOUSE RULES) is in negotiations with DreamWorks to helm CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, after Gore Verbinski (THE MEXICAN) dropped out due to scheduling problems when star Leonardo DiCaprio ran long on Scorcese's GANGS OF NEW YORK. CATCH is based on the book of the same name and revolves around Frank Abagnale, Jr., the only teenager ever placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted. Abagnale was an expert conman, impersonating prominent members of society and passing rubber checks all around the world before finally being caught in 1966. Hallstrom, who previously worked with DiCaprio on WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE, would begin filming as soon as he is finished with THE SHIPPING NEWS.
 

May 24, 2001

You may have heard that Quentin Tarantino bought the rights to Elmore Leonard's book KILLSHOT many moons ago.  You may also know that Tarantino is currently bogged down in prepping the KILL BILL script and then plans on directing a World War II movie and maybe even 40 LASHES.  With this tight schedule it seemed unlikely that Quentin would be able to write or direct this film. So now what?  Well it looks like Tarantino and buddy Lawrence Bender will executive produce the film and hand over duties to John Frankenheimer (RONIN) from a script by Steve Baracnik (THE LAST SEDUCTION).  According to the official KILLSHOT book summary, "When Carmen and her ironworker husband, Wayne, witness a shakedown scam, they discover that the Federal Witness Protection Program is a thin cover against a couple of ruthless killers." 
 

May 24, 2001

No, I'm not talking about Ethan Hawke (although it certainly seems appropriate). Uma Thurman is attached to star and produce the romantic comedy ACCIDENTAL HUSBAND, based on the script by first-time writers Mimi Hare and Clare Naylor. HUSBAND is a "screwball comedy" about a female psychologist (Thurman) who, while registering for a marriage license with her current beau, finds out she is already married.  She sets out to find this mysterious man and in doing so (of course) falls in love.  In other news, I was just watching some interviews with Uma Thurman from Cannes the other day and I was reminded how hot she is.  She hasn't done much recently, so I've forgotten what a foxy momma she can be when she puts her mind to it. 
 

May 24, 2001

Dr. Drew was kidnapped by Israeli terrorists on his way to Dairy Queen two weeks ago and they are currently holding him for ransom. Unfortunately there's no money here at JoBlo, so we're not much help.  While his captors have let him review the occasional DVD and watch repeats of FULL HOUSE on cable, they have forbid him for providing us with his weekly DVD Roundup. Bastards! Anyway, here's my half-assed attempt at stepping in for the old boy:

LORD OF THE RINGS box set due in 2004
New Line Cinema has announced that the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy will be released on DVD in 2004, one year after all the films have had their theatrical release.  Director Peter Jackson is currently working on the DVDs and plans to include violent and gory footage that was cut to receive a PG/PG-13 rating.  New Line Home Video had a camera crew in New Zealand filming all aspects of production for use on the DVDs.

PLANET OF THE APES in November?
Guerilla Film is reporting that Twentieth Century Fox is shooting for a November release of Tim Burton's PLANET OF THE APES DVD to make the Christmas rush.  Fox was so happy with the DVD returns on X-MEN (another summer film released on DVD in November) that it plans the same strategy for this film.  No word yet on possible extras but we'll let you know when we hear some news.

SIMPSONS: SERIES 1 box set coming this fall..
The Simpsons Archive has confirmed that the Simpsons will make their long-delayed journey to DVD this fall when Fox releases Season One in the third or fourth quarter of this year.  Features will reportedly include over 8 minutes of never-before-seen outtakes, including Albert Brooks' past involvement with the series,  “animatic” pencil animation tests, the first Simpsons broadcast on THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW and a unknown feature called “America's First Family”.  If this set is successful (how can it not be?) Fox plans to release all subsequent seasons on DVD, a la THE X-FILES.
  

May 24, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Footage from RESIDENT EVIL was shown at the E3 Conference and that footage (with some parts in German...) has been posted on the net.  To download the 15 minute-ish Real Video footage, click here
• Brad Pitt is denying reports that he is starting his own clothing line. Read Pitt's official statement & more here
• Care to read an interview with Simon West, director of TOMB RAIDER (amongst other films I won't mention...)?  Then follow this link

May 23, 2001

There has been a lot of speculation regarding the cast and plot for the X-MEN sequel. There have been talks of a "Dark Phoenix" story and The Rock being cast as Beast.  We now know that The Rock IS NOT going to be starring in X-MEN 2 and the plot may only hint at the Dark Phoenix saga, if at all.  On Wednesday, one more rumor popped up while another was debunked.  First, AICN reported on the planned storyline for the X-MEN sequels for which Harry says he has "multiple confirmed sources" he considers trustworthy.  Reportedly both David Hayter (X-MEN) and Zak Penn (REIGN OF FIRE) are working on two scripts that will be combined into one final shooting script. Basically the plot will revolve around "The Legacy Virus" which is slowly killing off the mutant population.  Catch?  The virus was engineered by villainous humans looking to wipeout the mutant race.  The scary part?  The Sentinels are featured in the script but are no longer giant purple robots but human beings. Ooooookay. Second, the rumors you heard last week (originating at 4Filmmakers) about Anthony Hopkins and Scott Caan joining the cast of X-MEN 2 were denied by Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige.
 

May 23, 2001

Michael Douglas and wife Catherine Zeta-Jones will star in the film SMOKE AND MIRRORS for director John McTiernan (DIE HARD) who recently dropped out of BASIC INSTINCT 2 (take that Sharon Stone!).  SMOKE, which is based on a true story, follows illusionist Jean Robert Houdin and his beautiful assistant as they attempt to expose a sorceror trying to start a anti-colonial revolution. Both Mel Gibson and Sean Connery were previously in talks to star in the film which has been floating around Hollywood since 1993. Filming on the project is scheduled to begin this fall.
 

May 23, 2001

New Line Cinema held a top-secret screening of LORD OF THE RINGS footage in New York City last Wednesday (hmmm, Joey Baloney wasn't invited...) and Entertainment Weekly was there. This was the same footage shown at the Cannes Film Festival, but it marks the first time scenes were screened in the U.S.  To read one reporter's take on the twenty minutes, click here. Also, 'Banallmusic' was kind enough to write and remind me that the new RINGS trailer will be available this Friday at the film's official site.  Will it break its own download record?
 

May 23, 2001

Alfred Hitchcock's suspense-thriller SUSPICION is set to be remade by Dimension Films who have teamed up with RKO Pictures.  SUSPICION revolves around a quiet woman who falls head over heels for a charming stranger but soon begins to suspect that he is planning to kill her and pilfer her money.  The original film starred Cary Grant and was released in 1941.  Michael Browning (SIX DAYS, SEVEN NIGHTS) wrote the current draft of the script and the production is currently looking for a director.  Dimension and RKO recently teamed for the horror film RITUAL opening on July 21st.
 

May 23, 2001

Tim Allen is attached to star in the sci-fi/comedy STARCHILD, about an unfriendly CIA agent who must help a friendly alien, trapped here in Roswell, New Mexico, to find his way home in order to avoid an intergalactic war.  The film will be directed by Peter Segal (TOMMY BOY, NUTTY PROFESSOR 2) and will be produced by Mel Gibson's Icon Productions.  Tim Allen's spokesperson has said that he has not decided whether this will definitely be his next project, but it is one of the films he is considering.
  

May 23, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• A behind the scenes report on the special effects for the July 4th film CATS AND DOGS is online here
• Take a look at a pretty bitchin ride from A.I. here
• A quick correction: as reported in Variety and subsequently here on JoBlo, American McGee DID NOT create the video games DOOM or QUAKE but did work on the development team of both games.  I apologize for any confusion this may have caused

May 22, 2001

I know I haven't been the most vocal supporter of Mel Gibson lately but it's not because I don't love guy.  It's because I love him I'm happy that he's in final negotiations with Disney to star in M. Night Shyamalan's supernatural thriller SIGNS.  Mr. Mel's choices lately have perplexed me (THE PATRIOT, MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL, PAYBACK) and I was hoping his career wouldn't fall into the rut that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robin Williams have found themselves in. This is a great step for Mel in a completely different direction than he's most recent film. Shyamalan is a great storyteller and apparently Disney absolutely loves the script.  I just wish I could be announcing right now that Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson were returning for the second part of the UNBREAKABLE trilogy.  Sigh......
  

May 22, 2001

Steven Spielberg's spokesperson has confirmed that the director is mulling over a possible fourth visit to the islands of Costa Rica that are home to those wacky dinosaurs from the JURASSIC PARK series. Apparently, Spielberg is so pleased with the results of JURASSIC PARK 3 that he has spoken with his team at Amblin Entertainment and has asked them to come up with possible storylines for a fourth film.  Of course, this all depends on the success of the third film, which opens this summer.

Discuss the idea of a JURASSIC PARK 4 here
 

May 22, 2001

Movie Headlines is reporting that a possible sequel to this week's #1 movie SHREK, which garnered the 2nd biggest opening for an animated movie ever, is in the works. Screenwriters Elliott and Rossio say that the second SHREK may either go to theaters or video (depending on how well Shrek does and on whether the voice talents return) and may feature a character called Dama Fortuna. Learn more about her here.
 

May 22, 2001

A scooper wrote in to Harry at AICN and dished some dirt about the upcoming COUNTRY BEARS movie, based on the popular Disney World attraction.  Here's some of what we learn:

• Christopher Walken, as villain Reid Thimple, will play the 1812 Overture with his armpits on stage;
• "The bears themselves - look absolutely great"
• Disney has dumped a lot of money (reportedly over $350,000 per animatronic bear) into this film which studio head Michael Eisner has a lot of faith in.

There's more to the report including some thoughts on the soundtrack and predictions on the film's success that you can read here. COUNTRY BEARS, which opens next year, stars Christopher Walken and Haley Joel Osment as the voice of Beary.
 

May 22, 2001

What do you mean you haven't checked out the Movie of the Week forum on the JoBlo Discussion Boards? Are you crazy?  The inaugural movie for the group is TAXI DRIVER, so go watch the film then head on over here to discuss the film with your colleagues.  If you don't have any clue what I'm talking about then you'll probably want to read this, which'll give you some background on the whole idea.  Stay tuned as next week's movie will be announced this Wednesday.
  

May 22, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• The official poster for John Carpenter's GHOSTS OF MARS is online and you can check it out by clicking here
• Two posters for the July 4th pic CATS AND DOGS have been posted online. One features the cats, the other features the dogs
• An interesting shot of SPIDER-MAN without the trademark lenses in his mask is online here
• Pictures from the set of WE WERE SOLDIERS are ready for your viewing pleasure here
• Kevin Smith has updated his Movie Poop Shoot site, a parody of movie news sites that's actually promoting JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK

May 21, 2001

UPDATE: The EPISODE 2 footage from below seems to have been removed "for various reasons" at around 9am this morning. Apparently, the "good" folks over at Lucasfilm were none too happy with the leak.

Who but the ultimate in Star Wars fan sites, TheForce.net, would be able to grab some exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from an insider working on "Episode II", the sequel to THE PHANTOM MENACE. The clip runs for about a minute (3MB) and features the new Anakin running around and playing with his light-saber (oh yeah!). Anyway, enough talk, go check it out all out here!
  

May 21, 2001

AICN is reporting that Nicolas Cage is the frontrunner to star in the upcoming feature film adaptation of RED DRAGON based on the script by Ted Tally (SILENCE OF THE LAMBS). Harry was also able to confirm that Michael Bay (PEARL HARBOR) has read the script and it is one of three projects he's considering for his next film, along with GORY DETAILS and the UNTITLED KING ARTHUR FILM. RED DRAGON was previously made into a film by Michael Mann entitled MANHUNTER, but producers were hot to capitalize of the huge success of HANNIBAL and decided to try their hands at another attempt, this time with Hopkins back as Dr. Lecter. Joey's two cents: I just can't see Michael Bay's visual style meshing well with the subject matter here. I don't think he's a bad director, I just hope he goes on to other things while this project finds a director more suited to its needs.
 

May 21, 2001

The awards for the 2001 Cannes Film Festival were handed out on Sunday and the Italian film THE SON'S ROOM took top prize and won the coveted Palme d'Or while THE PIANO TEACHER director Michael Heneke won the Grand Prize. Almost as notable as who won was who didn't. The much hyped MOULIN ROUGE opened Cannes to love/hate reviews and walked away empty handed. Here is a full list of winners for the festival:

May 21, 2001

He created the highly successful video games DOOM and QUAKE, developed their franchises and his latest video game ALICE is being turned into a feature film to be directed by Wes Craven and scripted by John August (GO, CHARLIE'S ANGELS). So who is this guy? His name's American McGee, now working with Electronic Arts, and he just signed a development deal with the Brothers Weinstein and their "genre" division Dimension Films. ALICE, McGee's first film with Dimension, is a dark and gory version of the classic ALICE IN WONDERLAND with filming scheduled to begin at the end of this year.
 

May 21, 2001

Revolution Studios (AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS) has secured the rights to a film about prisoners in a German POW camp during the second World War. No, this won't be a gritty war drama starring either Nicolas Cage, Tom Hanks or Mel Gibson, but a comedy based on the 1970s TV show HOGAN'S HEROES. Hah!! Not much is funnier than being imprisoned in a German POW camp! Producers are eyeing a big name star to occupy the title role of Col. Hogan originally played by Bob Crane, whose sordid real life story is also being turned into a film starring Greg Kinnear.
 

May 21, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• More stills from JURASSIC PARK 3 have turned up online and you can check them out here
• Take your first look at one of the bombs the Green Goblin will be using in SPIDER-MAN here
• This should make sitting in traffic a little easier. Check out the TOMB RAIDER billboards here
• There's another review of AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS online, but this time it's not too good...read all about it here