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July 6, 2001

It seems like everyone can't get enough talk about a rumored fourth installment in the INDIANA JONES series.  Gossip column in the New York Post, Page Six (keyword here "gossip"), joined the fray with their claim that Paramount has "given the greenlight to look at scripts."  Whatever the hell that means.  I think most of us know that both M. Night Shyamalan and Stephen Gaghan (TRAFFIC) were in talks to write the script for a fourth film, so the fact they're shopping around for scripts shouldn't be headline news.

Their report says that Paramount has been holding meetings to discuss a possible fourth film and what they've decided is that they want the original team to return (meaning Spielberg directs, Harrison Ford stars and George Lucas produces).  Well, duh.  Who wants to see Indy any other way.  Basically their article goes on to talk about how expensive it's going to be to secure all three for the film and Paramount is trying to figure out a way to make money out of another INDIANA JONES.  People at Paramount!  Listen up.  You've got enough money.  You shat out TOMB RAIDER.  You owe us.  BIG time.  Make this film happen!
  

July 6, 2001

Dr. Drew from the Clinic was kind enough to pass along to me (so that I could pass it along to you) word on the super-cool TOTAL RECALL DVD that has just been announced.  Here's what will be included on the "Special Limited Edition" disc:

• Audio commentary with Ahnuld and director Paul Verhoeven (I cannot wait to hear this);
• "Visions of Mars" featurette;
• "Imagining TOTAL RECALL" documentary;
• Storyboards, conceptual art and photo gallery;
• Collectible metal "Mars" DVD case packaging;
• Plus a whole lot more!

This sounds like it's gonna be one kick-ass DVD!  Mark September 18th on your calendar and make sure you tune to the DVD Clinic 'round that time as Drew gives you his thoughts on the disc.  To celebrate this landmark occasion, here are a few Arnie TOTAL RECALL clips to get you feeling all warm and fuzzy.

Doing his best Balki Bartokomous

Yeah, who are you?

Arnie talks to himself
  

July 6, 2001

You may have read about a week ago that Benicio Del Toro broke his wrist during a "knife fight" sequence with Tommy Lee Jones on the set of their latest film THE HUNTED.  He is expected to heal from that injury in about 6-8 weeks but because of insurance liabilities, he cannot resume filming for another 6 months.  Meanwhile, Tommy Lee has moved on to New York City, where he's filming MEN IN BLACK 2 with Will Smith.  So what does this mean to you and I?  THE HUNTED has been completely abandoned just set aside for the time being. Benicio's stand-in is currently working with the crew to attempt to film some minor shots but don't expect shooting to resume until at least January 2002.  The film is being directed by William Friedkin who brought you (amongst other things) THE EXORCIST.
  

July 6, 2001

About a week ago, reports began to surface on the 'net regarding a delay in the release of the AKIRA DVD, possibly as late as mid-September (you can read one of these reports here at AICN). I am here to ease your worries.  I have official word that there are no problems what-so-ever with the AKIRA DVD and it will be shipping, as scheduled, for release on July 24th.  Whew!! And if you haven't already, head over to Amazon.com and pre-order your copy of AKIRA by clicking here or on the pic below (while supporting your favorite website at the same time!!).

July 3, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• A script review of the upcoming Robin Williams/Ed Norton dark comedy DEATH TO SMOOCHY is online here
• Some official pictures from the RESIDENT EVIL film adaptation of the successful video game can be found here. Thanks to 'SnakeEyeJP' for the heads up
• If you wanna check out some shots from the upcoming film ARAC ATTACK, you need look no further than right here
• Read this interview with Tim Burton, Rick Baker and Richard Zanuck, where they discuss the upcoming PLANET OF THE APES and the challenges of making a monkey movie

July 5, 2001

This is the worst news I've heard since reports that CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND had fallen apart.  Production on Aardman Studios' follow-up to the highly successful CHICKEN RUN, TORTOISE VS. HARE, was halted indefinitely on Tuesday due to unresolved script difficulties.  So what does this mean for the future of this highly anticipated film?  Not sure, but it seems that Nick Park (creative genius behind Aardman) has turned his attention to the WALLACE AND GROMIT feature film leaving this film to slink back into the darkness.

The report at AICN states that early drafts of the script were "an unholy mess...it's amazing that it even got as far as it did."  Actors Michael Caine and Orlando Jones (EVOLUTION) had already laid down voice-work for the film but their work along with countless sets and other props may be trashed.  The film is (or was?...) based on the classic fable "The Tortoise and the Hare" and would be filmed in a SPINAL TAP-like mockumentary style. Let's all cross our fingers and hope they can dig this film out of the gutter, cause I believe it's got some real potential. 
  

July 5, 2001

That headline sounds more like an ad you'd read in the back of Hustler but if you're one of the millions of people who saw A.I. last weekend, you probably fell in love with "supertoy" Teddy, who in my humble opinion, saved the movie.  Before I get off on an A.I. rant, allow me to digress.  Soon enough you will be allowed the opportunity to own your very own Teddy.  That's right, Tiger Electronics, maker of the once-popular Furby toys, will be releasing an interactive Teddy doll that will have its own moods and responses built out of a vocabulary of over 100 words.  The official Tiger web site has no mention of the doll but here are a few images of what you can expect.

July 5, 2001

A report has surfaced that director Mimi Leder (PAY IT FORWARD, DEEP IMPACT) will fill the directorial void left by John McTiernan (who's left cleaning up the mess that is ROLLERBALL) on SMOKE AND MIRRORS. McTiernan had originally brought a writer (Leslie Dixon) onboard to re-write the script but it is unknown if she is still involved with the project.  SMOKE, which will star Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, revolves around a magician and his beautiful assistant who are asked by the French government to expose the work of an alleged sorceror threatening Algeria with civil war.  I don't know why there's so much hoopla surrounding this film. It doesn't even strike me as that interesting a story...
 

July 5, 2001

Before I get started, let me just warn you, I'm good at dishin' dirt and insulting celebrities, but when it comes to the business side of entertainment, I don't know my ass from my elbow. That being said, I'll try to explain the deal reached by actors and producers to the best of my abilities.  Basically what happened was that the actors were threatening to strike unless "working-class" actors (classified as those who earn less than $70,000 a year from acting) were guaranteed more money through a new contract.

An agreement was reached on Tuesday (that was later approved by the governing boards of the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA) that would include increases in what is commonly called "scale" (an actors' minimum salary) and residual payments.  The agreement avoided a possible strike that could've crippled the industry and bored the nation to tears as they were forced to stay home and watch BIG BROTHER 2.  Thank goodness for small favors.
 

July 5, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Read an early review of next summer's DreamWorks animated film SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMMARON here
• Another review, this time for the Coen Bros. THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE, is available here for your reading pleasure
• Wanna read George Romero's script for RESIDENT EVIL? Check out JoBlo's script page here

July 4, 2001

If the news updates seem skimpy both today and tomorrow, it's due to the July 4th holiday in the States. There hasn't been much news today and there will be much less tomorrow. Besides, I'll probably be tanked after all-day-long BBQ's tomorrow, so if my news doesn't make any sense, please bear with me.  We'll be back to normal by the end of the week. If anything major happens, we'll be here to cover it, but it's a pretty big holiday in these parts so most everything will be closed down.  To all who celebrate, enjoy your holiday safely and try to keep the combination of large quantities of alcohol and explosives to a minimum.  To those who don't, please bear with us silly Americans as we celebrate our country's independence.
  

July 4, 2001

If you dug David Fincher's take on the whole "game" thing, and feel as though your own life needs a little "pepping up", check out this next bit of news that I got sent to me by someone: "I found something that seems to be very interesting. I read in Rolling Stone magazine about something called Majestic - it's an interactive game that claims to "infiltrate" life and "is not a game you play, it plays you." Sounds pretty cool. They creator cites David Fincher's movie THE GAME as being the inspiration to create this game, this is why I thought you might want to check it out.  I signed up for today, and nothing has happened so far, but it told me it would contact me when I least expect it (through phone, email, and fax.  They offer a free demo on their site (www.majesticthegame.com)

Now this has nothing to do with this article, but check out this cool poster of THE GAME below. Clicking and purchasing the item will help keep our sorry asses alive on the Net for that much longer...!

< click to purchase >
   

July 4, 2001

Jennifer Love-Hewitt is close to signing a deal that would have her co-starring alongside Jackie Chan in the action/comedy TUXEDO.  In the film, for first time director Kevin Donovan, Chan plays a bumbling spy who stumbles upon a suit with a crime-fighting mind of its own.  Hewitt would play an FBI agent that is paired with Chan's spy.  DreamWorks will release the film that will go into production this September in Canada.  As an interesting side note TUXEDO was written by the same guys who wrote CRAZY/BEAUTIFUL, currently in theaters.
  

July 4, 2001

Coming Attractions was able to get official word from Warner Bros. regarding QUEEN OF THE DAMNED and its possible release to theaters.  The WB maintains that the film will be released to theaters despite the rumors going around the web.  The rumor can be traced back to Anderson Jones, a gossip columnist for E! Online.  Not sure exactly where he got that from, but it just ain't true folks. I apologize for jumping on the bandwagon and participating in the spread of this rumor.
  

July 4, 2001

LIFE WITHOUT DICK has been sold by Columbia Pictures to cable channel Encore as the studio has decided to forgo a theatrical release for the black comedy.  The picture stars Sarah Jessica Parker and was one of the first starring roles for JACKASS star Johnny Knoxville (who can be seen next in BIG TROUBLE and MEN IN BLACK 2).  DICK centers around a woman, Parker, who falls for the man she has hired to kill her boyfriend.  
  

July 4, 2001

Despite reports popping up all over the net yesterday that Nicolas Cage "was" GHOST RIDER, both screenwriter David Goyer and Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige have denied the report. They admit that while Cage is negotiating for the role, he has not been signed and nothing is official just yet.  This isn't really excited news considering Cage has been in negotiations to play Johnny Blaze for weeks now. I hate to say I told ya so, but...I told ya so.  Keep your eye on this very spot for the latest official news regarding GHOST RIDER.
  

July 3, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Our very own JoBlo has written his take on the future of online film criticism here
• Read an advanced review (fairly negative, I might add) of THE SCORE here
• A review of the upcoming Ben Stiller comedy ZOOLANDER can be found right here
• Want a supertoy named Teddy to call your own? You'll get your chance this fall. Read here to find out more

July 3, 2001

MGM has decided to push back the release of John McTiernan's (DIE HARD) ROLLERBALL from August 17th to an undecided early 2002 release date.  Studio exec Bob Levin insists the move has nothing to do with the terrible buzz that followed the film's only screening last month in New York City (some AICN readers referred to it as "a total embarrassment," "ludicrous and nonsensical," and Harry himself says "I firmly believe there is not a usable frame")  and instead says he would like to take full advantage of the film's "great potential."  One warning sign, as pointed out by Variety, was that the film was scheduled to open in seven weeks and MGM hadn't even completed a trailer. So what to make of all this?  Apparently, anyone who's had the opportunity to see this film has loathed it.  Director of the original ROLLERBALL, Norman Jewison has publicly spoken out about what a mockery this film is.  I can't say for sure cause I haven't seen it.  I came close to attending the NYC screening but (luckily, I guess) I didn't. 

It certainly didn't seem like a good idea at the time that it was announced but half the movies out there fall into that category.  I don't particularly care for Chris Klein but I have no problems with LL Cool J or Rebecca Romjin-Stamos and I even enjoy Jean Reno.  John McTiernan has made some solid action flicks in the DIE HARD series and most recently with THE THOMAS CROWNE AFFAIR.  So wherein lies the problem?  Apparently, everywhere. McTiernan pulled out of his next directorial assignment (SMOKE AND MIRRORS with Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones) weeks ago and that should've been a hint. It seems like audiences know, the director knows, the studio knows and now we all know that the current state of ROLLERBALL is that of a stinking heap of skunk doody that's been sitting in the sun festering for the past year.  Hopefully they can get all the talent back to do whatever re-shoots, cuts, edits and polishes they need to so they can salvage this one. Good luck men.  Sounds like you'll need it.
  

July 3, 2001

Now before I begin, remember not to get too carried away here. This is by no means a confirmation of any casting, despite what you might read on other web sites.  Until I read it on the pages of Variety or The Hollywood Reporter, I take everything I read regarding the casting of comic book/movie franchises with a grain of salt.  That being said, actor and producer of GHOST RIDER, Jon Voight spoke with Empire and said, "we've got the script and Nic Cage is going to do it." Does Voight know something we don't? If you've seen the concept art created for the film, Johnny Blaze does bear a considerable resemblance to Cage and his name has been tossed around in conjunction with the film since its inception.  But he was also in talks to play the Green Goblin in SPIDER-MAN but eventually turned it down.  It certainly would be a nice combo but this could just be Voight trying to get fans on his side to help convince comic-book loving Cage, this is the role for him. We'll see.... 
  

July 3, 2001

THE STORY BELOW HAS BEEN UPDATED BY CORONA'S COMING ATTRACTIONS: "We checked with Warner Bros. and they assured us that The Queen of the Damned is still slated for a theatrical release next year. The rumor that the film is headed straight-to-video is 100% false. Chalk it up as someone's idea of a joke and complete and utter BS."

Moviehole is reporting that upcoming Warner Bros. film based on the Anne Rice novel QUEEN OF THE DAMNED has been relegated to a straight-to-video release after the studio was unhappy with the finished results and did not wish to pour any money into re-shoots.  This has not been (as of press time) confirmed or denied by Warners but the lack of a big name star as Lestat seems to be the major problem.  Wes Bentley was originally cast as the vampire turned rock star, but dropped out shortly before production began.  Heath Ledger was in talks to take over the role but it eventually went to actor Stuart Townsend.  The movie co-stars R&B singer-turned-actress Aaliyah who will be seen next Christmas in a role in THE MATRIX: RELOADED.  We'll keep you up-to-date on any future QUEEN movements. 
  

July 3, 2001

Richard Donner took a giant step backwards in the respect department and a giant step forward in the senility department on Monday when it was announced the LETHAL WEAPON director would executive produce and direct CRAZY TAXI, based on the Sega video game. OK, this wasn't even that good a game, let alone fodder for a halfway decent movie. Hell, if they can't get TOMB RAIDER right, how can you expect to make a decent movie out of CRAZY TAXI??  What the hell is the plot of this movie gonna be? I guess these days, that's a stupid question.  Why have a plot when you can have tie-ins with Pepsi, Doritos, Motorola, Apple, BMW and Taco Bell (no love lost Bell. I still  enjoy your fine cuisine)?  Why this and not GOONIES 2?  Richard Donner and I need to have a serious man-to-man chat to work this all out.
  

July 3, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Read an advanced review of SCARY MOVIE 2 here
• Peter Billingsley, star of A CHRISTMAS STORY and producer of the upcoming Jon Favreau/Vince Vaughn flick MADE, sat down for an interview you can read here
• Curious who was behind that AI online mystery and what the future holds for said game?  Read this interesting article to find out
• Read about the cuts Britain is making to the release of TOMB RAIDER here

 

< click pic to read full interview >
  

July 2, 2001

Just opened up my inbox and saw that Lions Gate sent over some info on three of their upcoming releases. Two films were ones that I've been interested in for some time already and the other is definitely piquing my interest. First up, is O, the controversial "Othello" remake that has been bouncing around studios (before eventually getting picked up by Lions Gate) in the wake of the Columbine tragedy. The movie stars Julia "Furious" Stiles, "Messy" Mehki Pfieffer, and Josh "Total Eclipse of the" Hartnett.

Next, is a film from the director of KIDS, Larry Clark, entitled BULLY. I remember hearing the story on the news about the South Florida teens who brutally murdered the bully that had tortured them for years and it immediately caught my eye. Many people fantasize about revenge on those who torment them but very few take it to the gruesome extreme that these kids did. The film stars Brad Renfro and Bijou Phillips, is based on the book "Bully: A True Story of High School Revenge" and opens on July 13th.

Finally, a film I hadn't heard much about but is now on the top of my "things to do this summer" list. LOST AND DELIRIOUS stars Piper Perabo as a lesbian schoolgirl (it's like they're reading my mind...) and there's some other stuff in there too but I got too distracted after that. The movie purportedly contains (according to UpcomingMovies) "multiple scenes of nudity and erotic lesbian romance scenes featuring Piper Perabo and Jessica Pare" Sold.

July 2, 2001

Coming Soon is reporting by way of Wizard Magazine that Twentieth Century Fox is planning to attach the teaser trailer for STAR WARS: EPISODE 2 before their tent-pole summer flick PLANET OF THE APES. How true is this? Not sure. Fox is notoriously shady about their marketing tactics (they refuse to comment on almost all aspects) so you're never gonna hear anything from them. There has been no official denial but it certainly seems to make sense. Why not promote next year's biggest film with this year's biggest (Fox) film? Then again, this could just be speculation on the part of Wizard's editorial staff. If you'll remember, THE PHANTOM MENACE trailer debuted before WING COMMANDER's release on March 12th only about two months before its release date of May 19th. Keep in mind this trailer would be a good year in advance on EPISODE 2's release on May 22.
  

July 2, 2001

A scooper wrote into AICN claiming to have worked on the set of the upcoming Mark Wahlberg, Thandie Newton, Tim Robbins film THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE. Amongst the things he shared were things we knew (the film is a remake of a the Audrey Hepburn/Cary Grant film CHARADE, Mark Wahlberg is a dick) and things we didn't (director Jonathan Demme is shooting the film in a "nouvelle vague" style of filmmaking). This looks like it could be a pretty cool flick but my patience is beginning to wear thin with Mark Wahlberg. I used to be a fan back in the BOOGIE NIGHTS days, but lately he's just been bugging me. I thought his casting in PLANET OF THE APES was just all wrong. I'm just glad he's out of OCEAN'S 11. If you're curious, click here to learn more about nouvelle vogue and how it was used by Jean-Luc Godard.
  

July 2, 2001

Warner Bros. (whose parent company is AOL Time Warner, by the way) is set to purchase the rights to the story of an Oregon teacher who met her husband on AOL's love lines. Two of the teacher's students posted an ad for Clair Wiles which was answered by Kevin Wiles, who she matched up with and eventually married. The story had been circulating the media for some time and the WB was keen to develop the project into a film as sort of a real-life YOU'VE GOT MAIL story. No talent has been named yet but the project will go out to writers once the deal is finalized. Mmm, great. This project makes me make yearn for the edginess of THE WEDDING PLANNER. When the producers of the film use two existing film titles to describe the plot of their own movie, you know you're in trouble.
 

July 2, 2001

In case you hadn't heard, I sat down with Jet Li for an interview and after discussing KISS OF THE DRAGON, THE GREEN HORNET project came up. As was suspected, Li confirmed that the project was "cancelled" but hesitated, when asked, to say the film was "dead." The problem apparently lied in the script, or lack thereof, as the studio was unhappy with the original and all subsequent rewrites. Jet Li was set to receive over $5 million plus a backend deal for his role in the film. Among the projects taking the place of GREEN HORNET on Li's plate include the already finished THE ONE, plus TIBETAN MONK IN NEW YORK, HERO and THE FIRST KING.