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August 3, 2001

'Hank Scorpio' caught an early screening of AMERICAN PIE 2 the other day and he's ready to share his thoughts (with minor spoilers) on the film with the readers of JoBlo. Here's what the old boy had to say for himself:

I attended a 10am screening of AMERICAN PIE 2 on August 1st in New York City. It was somewhat strange, not only with Universal holding the screening in the morning but that the print we saw seemed like a rough work print with some grainy footage and no end credits.

AMERICAN PIE 2 picks up roughly a year after the first PIE ended, with Jim, Kevin, Oz, Finch and Stifler reuniting for the summer after their first year in college. The boys move in to a beach house for the summer. Jim still pines for European sexpot Nadia and seeks the aid of his lone sexual partner, Michelle the band geek, to educate him in become the lover he wishes to be for Nadia. Kevin has to deal with being merely friends with ex-girlfriend Vicky. Oz and Heather must deal with being apart for the summer as Heather travels to Europe. Finch explores tantric sex and continues to obsess about Stifler’s mom (whose name we finally learn.) And Stifler is Stifler, though his younger brother, a Stifler in training, makes a few appearances to ultimately little result.

There are many very funny sequences in the movie. Jim manages to find new ways to embarrass himself in his quest to gain some form of sexual experience. Looking to outgross the first PIE’s Stifler drinks semen scene, PIE 2 offers an even more disgusting shower scene for Stifler. Most of the major sequences are attempts to milk the famous moments from the first PIE, with a few new twists. In place of the famous Jim stripping for Nadia on the internet sequence in the original, PIE 2 offers the boys encountering some would-be lesbians, with their exploits broadcast on CB radio. What PIE 2 lacks in freshness, it compensates for in more off the wall and grossout moments. Most of the sequences do work and are hilarious.

Sadly, AMERICAN PIE 2 is less focused than its predecessor. It is at times bursting at the seams with its cast. PIE 2 tries to find something for everyone to do and it doesn’t entirely succeed. The two major female characters, Heather and Vicky from the original Pie, are really just glorified cameos in the sequel. Their relationships with Kevin and Oz respectively are largely a footnote through most of the movie, with arbitrary resolutions at the end. Nadia is a total disappointment, both for Shannon Elizabeth’s truly awful accent and performance and for her lack of nudity in this outing. However, American Pie 2 belongs once again to Jim and explores and deepens his relationship with Michelle.

AMERICAN PIE 2 works hard to recapture the hilarity and sentiment of the original. The filmmakers knew exactly what worked with the first and continued it in the sequel successfully. I found AMERICAN PIE to be one of the best movies of its genre, and AMERICAN PIE 2 is a worthy sequel and companion to it. * * *
  

August 3, 2001

Yet another reader review today, this time from 'Ubergeek' who was lucky enough to catch the Houston premiere of APOCALYPSE NOW REDUX as it screened at the Museum of Fine Arts.  Sure sounds like it'd be pretty cool but let's see what the Geek has to say for himself (don't worry there's no spoilers):

If you have the opportunity to see this movie while it is in theaters, do so.  No home theater system could possibly do justice to seeing Coppola's war masterpiece on the big screen.  The movie has a lot to say about the human spirit in times of war, and even appeals to young people like me who were born after the Vietnam War was over.
 

August 3, 2001

Zak Penn, currently hard at work on his version of the X-MEN 2 script (David Hayter is also working on a version), took some time to discuss what kind of villains we can expect in the highly anticipated sequel.  One thing Penn ruled out is a revolving door of comic-book bad guys, a la BATMAN.  He said to expect more realistic villains and that "I don't think the X-Men are ready to go into outer space to deal with the Shi'Ar [an abscure alien X-MEN comic book character]."  So does this mean there will be the Sentinels in X-MEN 2?  And what of the rumored storyline involving a lethal virus that affects only mutants?  Penn was mum on these details and said he couldn't elaborate on the finer plot points but he did say that "Wolverine will be back."  Well, duh.
 

August 3, 2001

PDI (Pacific Data Images), the folks who brought you SHREK, were expected to roll out their latest film TUSKER, next year.  They instead have decided to push TUSKER back to 2003 and focus instead on SHREK 2, putting that film on a fast-track to a summer 2002 release.  SHREK, so far in 2001 has grossed over $250 million at the box office making it one of the most successful films of the year.  DreamWorks and PDI are looking to capitalize on that success as quickly as possible while the lesser-known TUSKER (with Jodie Foster and Morgan Freeman providing voices) waits in turn in line.
  

August 3, 2001

'Julius Funkenstein' (who you'll be seeing a bit more of in the near future) sent along word that the official Sammo Hung website was reporting that production on the $50 million film version of the video game SOUL CALIBER is being pushed back to 2002.  Apparently producers are so keen on signing Jackie Chan they are willing to wait until his schedule clears up.  Chan has RUSH HOUR 2 opening today and begins work on DreamWorks' TUXEDO next month.  Hung will be producing in and starring in CALIBER which was originally scheduled to begin filming this fall. 
 

August 3, 2001

The JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK marketing campaign has the most fake website this side of AI; hopefully the film does better business at the box office.  First, was Movie Poop Shoot (also featured in the film) a fictional movie news site that parodies Ain't It Cool News and others while bashing Bluntman & Chronic, the comic book characters based on Jay and Bob.  Now we have www.jayandsilentbobstrikeback.com, www.jayandsilentbob.com and www.bluntmanandchronic.com all which will take you to the same site - an anti-Kevin Smith site.  Don't be alarmed, it is a parody site but it's so painstakingly detailed you might not know that at first glance.  Everything from board postings to Yahoo! groups are faked very convincingly and it eerily feels like an actual website.  I know I'm not doing the best job of describing this but check the sites out and see for yourself.  Impressive stuff...
 

August 3, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Read a review of a test screening of CHANGING LANES (Sam Jackson and Ben Affleck) here
• Check out two different versions of the teaser poster for SPY GAME highlighting stars Brad Pitt and Robert Redford
• Watch a clip from OSMOSIS JONES, featuring an animated performance from Kid Rock here
• Speaking of clips, watch a clip from John Carpenter's next film, GHOSTS OF MARS, here

August 2, 2001

The director of BLADE, Stephen Norrington, has signed on to direct Jennifer Lopez in TICK-TOCK.  TRAINSPOTTING's Danny Boyle had previously been attached to direct but he dropped out to make 28 DAYS LATER.  In the film, Lopez will play a tough-as-nails FBI agent who also happens to have a giant ass.  Her character is charged with helping an amnesiac remember where he (or whether he........) placed a series of bombs across Los Angeles.  For more news on Norrington and his involvement with this film and GHOST RIDER click here.
 

August 2, 2001

This could possibly be my favorite headline of all time.  And it's not an April Fools joke if that's what you're thinking.  Jon Voight has apparently been spending too much time with his kooky daughter Angelina Jolie, because he's actually going to star in and produce a sequel to BABY GENUISES with the subtitle SUPERBABIES.  So Jon Voight will go from a potential Academy Award contending role in Michael Mann's ALI to this piece of dog poop.  Makes sense to me....The fun doesn't stop there. Chachi himself, Scott Baio will co-star with Voight in this one.  I'm not sure exactly why you'd want to make a sequel to a film that A) sucked and B) didn't make any money at the box office.  In any event, SUPERBABIES will revolve around the same group of babies from the first film and their further attempts to try to be funny.  I'm guessing there will most likely be pee-pee and poo-poo jokes mixed in there as well.
 

August 2, 2001

If you're anything like I am (or JoBlo or Arrow for that matter) you've sat at the movie theater watching the latest Hollywood bullshit thinking "I could write better scripts than this piece of crap."  Also, if you're anything like me, you don't have an agent, don't live in Los Angeles therefore have no way of getting your script read by anyone in the business.  Well if you ARE like me, then listen up.  JoBlo and I were approached by Numenorean Films who said they were aggresively seeking new talent and unlike most Hollywood Studios, they have an open-door policy.  That's right, no agent or LA address required.  Just a decent script is all you need.  Here's what you need to do:   First, write a script.  Second, e-mail Matthew Verboys, Vice President of Development at numenor@pacificnet.net.   Third, attend the premiere of your latest film.  OK, maybe not step three just yet, but you never know.  I wouldn't let this opportunity pass you up.  And if you do strike it big, remember your pals at JoBlo.com who brought you this announcement.
 

August 2, 2001

Nicolas Cage is currently in final negotiations to star in the feature film adaptation of Marvel Comics' GHOST RIDER says producer Steven Paul.  Apparently Cage beat out Johnny Depp for the role because of his love for comic books as well as his obsession with GHOST RIDER.  Cage called himself the biggest GHOST RIDER fan in the world and said he even owns 5 motorcycles fashioned after the ones in the comic book.  The star had been flying in from Hawaii, where he was vacationing, to meet with producers about the film and the deal is almost 100% done. 

Now, ince the director of this film is the abovementioned Stephen Norrington who will be directing TICK-TOCK next, does this mean a delay for GR?  Harry Knowles went right to the source and sure enough, GHOST RIDER, according to Norrington, is "not moving forward as fast as we anticipated."  So TICK-TOCK first, then GHOST RIDER sometime in the future.  Cage's involvement seems to be a certainty at this point with the only question remaining being when.
  

August 2, 2001

What if George Washington, Ben Franklin and Alexander Hamilton were sitting around smoking a doob wondering how they could alert their descendants to a secret treasure they had collected and buried?

GW: Dude, let's just pass it on it like a will or something.

BF:  No way, man.  That's so boring.  We should do something cool like that movie with all the famous comedians.

GW: CADDYSHACK?

BF:  No, the MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD one.

AH: But....what if....wait.  What were we talking about?

GW: I know!  How about we hide the treasure in like a secret location and then [takes a huge bong hit], we like hide the treasure and then make a secret code and put it in the *cough* put it *coughcoughcough* in the Constitution?

AH: Dude, pass me that shit.

OK, maybe it didn't work like that and maybe I have too much time on my hands.  But, remove the pot and that's basically the plot for NATIONAL TREASURE, to be directed by Jon Turtletaub (INSTINCT) and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.  The film will revolve around a secret code hidden deep within the text of the US Constitution that tells the whearabouts of a buried treasure. Turtletaub will direct this film next and set aside the live-action/animated film ENCHANTED for the time being.
  

August 2, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Check out some early design sketches for Disney's upcoming comedy BUBBLE BOY here
• Take a look at the official poster for Jet Li's upcoming film, THE ONE here
• A follow-up to the story that NOVOCAINE will still hit theaters - It was announced that the Steve Martin film will open the Toronto Film Festival.  Read more here

August 1, 2001

The guys at News Askew continue to kick major ass in the JAY AND SILENT BOB department (even being listed as the film's "official site") and I wish they could've been the bearers of better news on Tuesday.  They posted a report from Kevin Smith himself who revealed that GLAAD (The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) was concerned about anti-gay content in JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKES BACK.  Poor guy - first DOGMA, now this.   Kevin posted a detailed rebuttal so I won't get into a big defense of him or this film here (I really don't think I have to), but here are a few highlights of what he wrote:

"Neither 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' nor myself are homophobic. Fuck, if anything, we're overtly gay-friendly." 

Trust me, this is just a few excerpts from a LENGTHY post by Kevin detailing all his thoughts on the issue as well as how the media will portray this in the coming weeks.  Read his post in full at News Askew and if you care at all about saving a good man's name, Kevin has asked you write a civil (important people - CIVIL) letter to GLAAD via glaad@glaad.org and let them know that Kevin Smith is not a homophobe.

Share your thoughts on this issue here
 

August 1, 2001

Vin Diesel will no doubt be partying like a porn star tonight as he just closed a deal that will pay him $10 million to star in XXX, which will reteam him with FAST AND THE FURIOUS director Rob Cohen.  When I first read the article announcing the news, the project didn't click right away.  Then it dawned on me.  This is the same as that TRIPLE X project that I reported a few months ago.  Instead of getting myself all riled up again, here's what I wrote on June 12th, while Diesel was still in negotiations to star:

The film will revolve around (get this...) an extreme sports athlete who becomes "a James Bond-like hero with the personality of a rock star/chick magnet like Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst" when he is hired by the government to bust up a crime syndicate.   What?  Has the whole world gone insane?  I can't believe people sat around a big expensive table in fancy suits and shoes and actually thought this would be a good idea.  I've got nothing against Vin Diesel or Rob Cohen (although he did direct THE SKULLS...) but c'mon, a Fred Durst/James Bond superspy?  Here's what this sounds like to me:  (THE MOD SQUAD * 1/2) + (IF LOOKS COULD KILL - Richard Greico) + ("American Gladiators") + (COOL AS ICE).  This is what TRIPLE X means for Joey Baloney:  1 bottle Jack Daniels + 1 bottle sleeping pills + a nice nap on the train tracks.

Boy, I was in a cranky mood that day.  Not that I've changed my mind at all.  This still sounds like a ridiculous idea.  I can't say I blame Vin cause I'd hate to think what I'd do for $10 million.
 

August 1, 2001

MGM is looking to put a positive spin on the negative publicity that has surrounded ROLLERBALL.  The film screened in New York a few months ago to horrendous reviews.  Shortly thereafter, the studio announced they were pushing the film back to a 2002 release.   They didn't, at the time, announce a release date, but we know have one for you - February 8th.  MGM head Robert Levin said he's using this weekend (President's Day Weekend in the States) as a tool to "eventize" the film.  I'm not sure if that's even a word but I imagine he's trying to duplicate the success that they had when HANNIBAL opened on that very same weekend.  Also noted in the report was that the film was going to be cut to receive a PG-13 rating.  That means that full-frontal Rebecca Romjin-Stamos nudity will go bye-bye.  What a waste.  It looks to me like their taking the two things that were reportedly good with the film (the ultra-violence and the gratuitous nudity) and cutting them out.  That doesn't make much sense to me but then again, I'm not the head of a major movie studio.  We'll see come February.
 

August 1, 2001

Lately I've come to doubt the site Ananova as a reliable news source for a variety of reasons but mainly because a number of stories they ran turned out to be false.  I'm not sure who their sources are for these reports but more often than not, they're completely bogus.  I know the movie rumor business can be rough and we all make mistakes (*cough*scoobydoo*cough*) sometimes so I don't want to come down too hard on them but we have another that has been debunked.  Ananova ran a report that said the following:

Now, right off the bat I knew something was up.  It just doesn't sound right.  Neve Campbell as who?  Elektra?!   Get the hell outta here.  Director Mark Steven Johnson can't possibly be that retarded.  And Matt Damon's name has been tossed around in conjunction with DAREDEVIL but again, Johnson would be silly to cast anyone but Guy Pierce as Matt Murdock/Daredevil.  I have never heard of more perfect casting for a superhero role.  Luckily, Harry Knowles from AICN smelled a rat as well and put in a call to Johnson to get him to officially debunk this hogwash.  And debunk he did.   Harry reported that not only is Neve Campbell not involved with DAREDEVIL, she was never even considered.  Damon reportedly is on the shortlist of actors being considered for the title role but then again, so is Guy Pierce.  Nothing is final yet and no offers have been made.  I don't know who Ananova's "senior source" but is but maybe they had a "senior" moment when they reported this.   Beware Ananova my scoop seeking friends. 
 

August 1, 2001

New Line Cinema is slowly but surely moving forward on a sequel to the 1994 Jim Carrey hit THE MASK by hiring writer Lance Khazei to write a script for a second film.  No names were mentioned as stars and directors go but one thing's for sure - you can expect Jim Carrey to stay as far away from this as possible.  The budget for the film is reportedly only $10 - $50 million and with Carrey's salary being what it is these days, I just don't think they can afford the guy.  This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me since the success of the original hinged heavily on Carrey's rubber face and insane comic style.  So if not him, who?  How 'bout Carrot Top?  Or Gallagher?   Or my personal favorite, Jimmie Walker?  By the way, has anyone noticed Carrot Top in those 1-800-CALL-ATT ads?  When did he get so ripped?  The man's got muscles like you wouldn't believe!  Maybe that's cause people keep screwing with him in person.
  

August 1, 2001

Sheesh, this Paul Walker guy is one busy son of a bitch.  First he signs to star with Scott Caan in WANNA-BE.  Then he was set to star in next summer's SWAT.  Now he gets $3 million to star in Richard Donner's adaptation of Michael Crichton's TIMELINE.  So what will it be Mr. Walker?  TIMELINE is looking to start production this fall, so you can probably expect this film to be next on Walker's hitlist with SWAT following directly after.  Donner is still attached to direct GOONIES 2, which seems to be moving along in the scripting phase, and there was no indication on how this film would affect its progress.  TIMELINE revolves around a student (Walker) and an archeaologist (Gerald Butler) who team to save a professor who's lost in the 14th century.
 

August 1, 2001

Thanks to 'Jeff' who sent along word that the official website for HEARTS IN ATLANTIS had been updated with all kinds of goodies.  Among what you can expect to find at the new Flash enhanced site are production stills, cast and crew information, a plot synopsis and the trailer in a variety of different formats.  ATLANTIS, which opens on September 28th, stars Anthony Hopkins and is based on the Stephen King novel by the same name.   Check out some of the stills below:

Download the HEARTS OF ATLANTIS trailer

Visit the official HEARTS OF ATLANTIS website
 

August 1, 2001

'Honest Abe' returns to bring you his latest script review.  This time Abe shares his mixed thoughts (with minor spoilers) on the CGI heavy thriller GEMINI MAN. Let's see what Madam Ruby sees....

I have heard that Harrison Ford was attached this last time I checked. Which is the main reason I sat my happy butt down to read it. The premise is simple....in the near future, Alex (Ford) is a government assassin. He's the best and he's been the best for 20 years. Then one day he has a minor pause for reflection on what he does. Next thing he knows, he's been targeted for assassination...by a clone of himself. So how do you fight someone who not only knows your every move and can anticipate your next and who's also stronger than you? That's the dilemma. For me, the dilemma is two-fold. First of all, while it doesn't get too much screentime, the actual scenery of the future, of society, is extraordinarily bleak. It's like we become a society of robots. We all dress the same and move the same. Everything has a cold pallor over it. The script makes it a point to say that we never see the sidewalk because the buildings are so tall and our cities are so over-expansive. I don't know, it just didn't flow for me. The other problem is that the characters, all of them, are really not well developed. It's an interesting concept for a film but I really couldn't sympathize with Alex or feel hatred for his enemies and if you know me and my reviews, I have trouble getting into something if I don't care about the characters. Obviously it would be neat to see Ford fighting a younger version of himself, or whoever steps into this sci-fi flick but this needs an overhaul. There's very little emotion and the side story about a mother and her son who take in Alex for the night, while it's meant to humanize him, really is kinda just.....hanging there. Bottom line: interesting concept (for some reason it reminded me of THE ONE) but needs a writing overhaul. Re-work it and add some humanity and emotion and then we'll talk again.
 

August 1, 2001

I've tried to keep everybody up-to-date with the latest directorial news surrounding CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.   It case you're new to the saga, here's a quick wrap-up.  First, Gore Verbinski (THE MEXICAN) was directing.  After he dropped out, Lasse Hallstrom (THE CIDER HOUSE RULES) stepped in.  Then he dropped out and DreamWorks was left scrambling for a director.  Milos Forman (MAN ON THE MOON) and Cameron Crowe (ALMOST FAMOUS) emerged as frontrunners to take over but Forman's busy working on his next film and Crowe is mired in post-production work on his film VANILLA SKY.  So now who?  Apparently, DreamWorks head Steven Spielberg is sick of trying to find a suitable director for this project and may take the film himself after he finishes MINORITY REPORT.  Right now that is a possibility but still nothing more than that.  Spielberg originally planned to direct either MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA or BIG FISH after REPORT but could squeeze this one in if he hustles.  Leonardo DiCaprio and James Gandolfini are still attached to star in the film.
 

August 1, 2001

Academy Award nominee Catherine Keener, who can be seen alongside Al Pacino in the upcoming film SIMONE, is the first star to join Steven Soderbergh in his "unofficial sequel" to SEX, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE titled HOW TO SURVIVE A HOTEL ROOM FIRE.  Keener and Soderbergh worked together previously on 1998's OUT OF SIGHT which starred George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez.  No word yet on the plot of HOTEL which is a closely guarded secret.  The script was written by Coleman Hough, who according to the IMDB will be making his screenwriting debut with this film.
  

August 1, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Read an article on the development of two separate X-MEN 2 scripts here
• According to Upcoming Movies, the Chris Rock/Anthony Hopkins film BLACK SHEEP has changed its title to BAD COMPANY.  The film will be released this December
• More talk here from M. Night Shyamalan about the possibility of an UNBREAKABLE sequel and more
• Click here to see a grainy scan of the poster for the Johnny Depp/Heather Graham Jack the Ripper film FROM HELL
• Read an interview with Zhang Ziyi, star of this Friday's RUSH HOUR 2, here

July 31, 2001

July 31, 2001

So when the movie was over I revisited my original question. And? "Would I like this film if the three main characters were young boys involved in a gay love affair?"  Umm…uh…well, I…*coughcough*….uh…..You know, I’m not…..and…that would be….so…...I have to go now.

When is LOST AND DELIRIOUS coming to your town, you ask?...

Download the trailer for LOST AND DELIRIOUS
  

July 31, 2001

Lee Tamahori, who most recently brought us the crap that was ALONG CAME A SPIDER (but in his defense, did direct THE EDGE which was pretty cool), has emerged as the odds-on frontrunner to direct the 20th installment in the James Bond trilogy.  Brett Ratner (RUSH HOUR 2) was just one of the A-listers that seems to have been beat out by Tamahori, who still has yet to enter negotiations.  BOND 20 will be reportedly be the final film for star Pierce Brosnan who looks to move on to other non-spy related films...like the spy movie TAILOR OF PANAMA.  Much bally-hoo has surrounded the choice of a new Bond with candidates like Christian Bale, Clive Owen and Russell Crowe all names that have been tossed about (whether legitimately or not).
 

July 31, 2001

Dr. Drew from our own DVD Clinic sent along word about the possibility of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK hitting the lovely DVD format as early as 2002.  It seems that the Digital Bits website is reporting that they have it "on good authority (from multiple sources)" that RAIDERS is currently scheduled for a 2002 release on DVD.  There was no mention of possible extras or a more specific release date but details (i.e. whether this is truth or rumor) should be released soon. While news of a RAIDERS DVD has been rumored for some time, remember that the news of the EPISODE 1 DVD was broke as a rumor on the web and was later confirmed by LucasFilm. Cross your fingers...
 

July 31, 2001

It's amazing what a difference a weekend can mean in show business.  For Reese Witherspoon it looks like a weekend could mean an extra $4 to $5 million dollars.  After the surprise success of LEGALLY BLONDE, Witherspoon has raised her asking price from about $1 million (what she was paid for BLONDE) to about $5 million for the romantic-comedy SWEET HOME ALABAMA.  If Disney approves the deal, Reese would star for director Andy Tennant (EVER AFTER) as a Southern girl who has a hard time adjusting to new life in New York City.  ALABAMA would be a priority for Witherspoon should she sign on and would come ahead of other projects on her plate like Miramax's HONEY WEST.
 

July 31, 2001

Director John McTiernan, who recently left the Michael Douglas/Catherine Zeta-Jones film SMOKE AND MIRRORS to try and salvage the reported mess that is ROLLERBALL, has announced the military thriller BASIC as his next project.  The film had been languishing at Columbia since last year when Benicio Del Toro and Catherine Keener were set to star. That plan fell apart and Keener and Del Toro will no longer be involved with McTiernan's version.  BASIC revolves around a DEA agent investing the mysterious disappearance of an Army ranger and his cadets. 
 

July 31, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Read a test screening review of Steven Soderbergh's remake of OCEAN'S ELEVEN here
• Can't get enough test screening reviews?  Check out another review of the Ethan Hawke/Denzel Washington film TRAINING DAY here
• Read a review of a script for the never filmed ROGER RABBIT 2 here
• Remember how we told you Tiger Electronics was going to release a "Teddy" doll based on the character from AI?  Remember how bad A.I. did at the box-office?  It doesn't take a genius to figure out why Tiger has cancelled plans to release the toy.  The scoop was confirmed here
• If you were watching SNL or THE SIMPSONS this weekend you may have caught the commercial for JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK.  If not, you can download the clip here

July 30, 2001

After unsuccessfully trying to adapt the popular children's series CURIOUS GEORGE into a live-action feature film, Imagine Entertainment and Universal Studios have decided to change the format from live-action to fully CGI.  Producers had been looking at GEORGE for some time, wondering how to bring his antics to the big screen in a convincing live-action format.  The impetus to change over to full CGI came from another recently successful film says Imagine co-head Brian Grazer.  "I have to admit the amazing success of SHREK convinced me that this is the exact way to do it."   The project is currently out to a number of writers who are looking to adapt the project to its new format. 
 

July 30, 2001

Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie will team for their first feature length film project (their first collaboration being a short film for the BMW Films project) based on the 1975 film SWEPT AWAY.  Madonna will play the role of a "spoiled rich woman" (whoa! what a stretch!) who falls in love with a communist sailor while on a yahcting trip.   Ritchie will direct, write and produce the film under his Ska Films production company.  The details of Ritchie's take on the Italian film have been kept secret and it is not known how closely the remake will follow the original.  SWEPT looks to begin filming this fall once Madonna finishes her world tour.
 

July 30, 2001

Jennifer Lopez will replace Hilary Swank (how do you go from Hilary Swank to Jennifer Lopez?  Talk about polar opposites...) in John Hughes' THE CHAMBERMAID.  Hughes, who created the hugely successful 80s films FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF and THE BREAKFAST CLUB, will write and produce the film but has dropped out as director.  The last film Hughes directed was CURLY SUE which may explain his reluctance to direct another movie.  In CHAMBERMAID, Lopez wil play a maid in a swanky New York hotel who falls for a royal British guest.  When she abruptly leaves her position at the hotel, the man goes on a frantic search to find his true love.  This project probably won't be the next film for Lopex whomay co-star with Ben Affleck in GIGLI first.
 

July 30, 2001

A few months ago, Harry Knowles reviewed the Roger Avary script based on the Bret Easton Ellis (AMERICAN PSYCHO) novel THE RULES OF ATTRACTION.  Harry raved about the script and told everybody how genius it was.  I have not read the script but I have read the novel.   It sucked.  Badly.  It was well written but could not hold my attention in the slightest.  Let it be known that I thought AMERICAN PSYCHO, the novel, was a great read.  So please allow me to be the ying to Knowles' yang and warn you about this project.  It may not be genius it has been predicted to be.  Then again, it may, I'm not sure what Avary has up his sleeve.  In any event, James Van Der Beek, seen next in JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK, and Shannyn Sossamon (A KNIGHT'S TALE) have signed on to play two the three main characters.  For Van Der Beek, this marks the second homosexual role he would be playing - the first being Todd Solondz's STORYTELLING (which I hear his role has been all but completely removed in the editing process).   Filming begins mid-August and Lions Gate will release the film next spring.
 

July 30, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• The official website for THE BOURNE IDENTITY starring Matt Damon and Franke Potente (RUN, LOLA, RUN) is up and running right here
• AMERICAN PIE 2 available for download on the internet? For free?!  It's true - read more here
• As we reported here a few weeks ago, Guy Pearce appears to be the front-runner for the DAREDEVIL feature film.  Read more here
• Read an interview with Jon Favreau, star and director of MADE, here