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September 14, 2001

Yesterday Sony announced that they would be pulling the SPIDERMAN teaser one-sheet and trailer from theaters and the internet and later that same day it was announced that the image of the World Trade Center would be digitally removed from the final print of the film. There were rumors that Sony might be delaying the release but Sony has since said that this is not true and that SPIDERMAN will still open as scheduled on May 3rd.  A revised trailer and one-sheet that don't feature the Twin Towers are expected to be released shortly.
  

September 14, 2001

More studios have announced planned changes and revisions to films in the wake of the terrorist attack.  In addition to the SPIDERMAN changes, Sony announced that the finale of MEN IN BLACK 2 would have to be completely rewritten as it originally was to feature an alien spaceship coming out of one of the towers.  No filming for these scenes had taken place so the climax will simply be rewritten and filmed at another location.  Two films set for release within the next month, TRAINING DAY and THE LAST CASTLE have seen changes to their campaigns.  TRAINING DAY's schedule has been postponed to October 5th, not because of content but because the studio felt it could not properly market the film in the wake of the attack.  In addition, posters for THE LAST CASTLE featured a United States flag being flown upside down.  These posters have been removed from theaters and will be replaced with ones that feature the film's stars, Robert Redford and James Gandolfini.  The Anthony Hopkins film HEARTS IN ATLANTIS has also been pushed back one week.
 

September 14, 2001

I realize that all of the coverage on the news portion of the site this week has pertained directly to the attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center.  In an effort to provide a pleasant distraction to those who desire it, here are a few other stories to take our mind off the unpleasantries...

• The official site for OCEAN'S 11 has gone live with a pretty cool flash animation that tests your knowledge of the film's characters and offers up a little bit of their background.  This one really tops the list of movies I need to watch this Holiday season.  Check out the official site here
• Smilin' Jack Ruby sat down for an interview with special effects and make-up wizard Rick Baker and he discussed some of his upcoming films. Among them the Vin Diesel starrer HELLBOY and Ang Lee's THE HULK.  I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see the collaboration between Ang Lee and Rick Baker...for THE HULK!  It's like a fanboys dream come true. Read the interview here
• Variety has announced that Sam Rockwell (CHARLIE'S ANGELS, GALAXY QUEST) has been signed to play the lead role of game show host turned CIA assassin Chuck Barris in CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND.  Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr. were the other two final candidates for the role.  Earlier this week it was reported that Nicole Kidman had joined the cast of the directorial debut of George Clooney. There is reportedly one last female role to be cast and word has it that Renee Zellweger is the frontrunner.  Read the story from Variety here
• A second poster for the Nic Cage/John Woo action flick WINDTALKERS is online here
• In other poster news, the one-sheet for SHALLOW HAL is online here (it's not the biggest image in the world, but it's still kinda funny)
• Ain't It Cool received a report that says after MONSTERS, INC. and FINDING NEMO, Pixar Animation Studios will not be able to release a film for 2003.  Apparently the sheer enormity of both of these films has overwhelmed their staff and they don't feel they could turn out a quality product in that time.  Read the full report from their scooper here

September 13, 2001

Yesterday seems worse than today as you begin to see all the people this tragedy has affected. Yesterday was tragic and surreal.  Today, the dark reality of deaths possibly in the tens of thousands kicks you hard in the stomach.  Updates will continue in a limited capacity with the primary focus still on the aftermath.  As with yesterday's updates, all news is taken directly from the sourced publication.
 

September 13, 2001

"Reality hit home in Hollywood on Wednesday as movie studios delayed the release of two major films, including Arnold Schwarzenegger's explosion-heavy COLLATERAL DAMAGE and yanked ads for SPIDERMAN one day after the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history.

Executives at the nation's major television networks too scrambled to rethink fall schedules, in which espionage and terrorism programs figure prominently.

The moves followed Tuesday's devastation at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, which may have left thousands of people dead at the hands of hijackers in horrific terrorist attacks.

Walt Disney Co.'s Touchstone Pictures postponed indefinitely the Sept. 21 premiere of comedy film BIG TROUBLE, starring Tim Allen, and AOL Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros. delayed its planned Oct. 5 release of COLLATERAL DAMAGE, in which Schwarzenegger goes after terrorists.

Based on a novel by Dave Barry, BIG TROUBLE follows a group of people who find a mysterious suitcase leading to a terrorist plot with a black-market nuclear bomb, shady businessmen, FBI agents and hit men. The film is directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, who also made the films GET SHORTY and MEN IN BLACK.

"NATIONAL TRAGEDY'' CITED

A two-sentence statement from Touchstone cited the ''national tragedy that occurred'' as the reason for the delay.

In COLLATERAL DAMAGE, Schwarzenegger portrays a fireman who sees his wife and son die in the terrorist bombing of a building. But when he travels to South America to avenge the death of his family, he finds himself caught up in political intrigue.

Sony Pictures Entertainment, a division of Japan's Sony Corp., pulled from theaters trailers for next May's SPIDERMAN in which bank robbers are caught in a web spun between the World Trade Center towers. Sony also recalled posters in which the towers are shown in a reflection of the comic book hero's eyes.

On U.S. airwaves, Disney's ABC television network canceled a planned broadcast on Saturday of the 1997 thriller THE PEACEMAKER, which involves nuclear terrorism.

HUMOR AND ROMANCE INSTEAD

"It just didn't seem appropriate at this time,'' network spokeswoman Annie Fort said. ABC instead will air the romantic comedy HOPE FLOATS starring Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr., and an episode of ``America's Funniest Home Videos.''

Likewise, Fox is bumping a Sunday broadcast of the 1996 hit film INDEPENDENCE DAY, in which aliens destroy the White House and New York's Empire State Building, and instead will air a repeat of THAT 70's SHOW and the film comedy MRS. DOUBTFIRE, a network spokesman said.

And on Friday, Fox will replace the feature-length X-FILES movie, which includes a scene of an office building blowing up, with the romantic comedy NINE MONTHS, starring Hugh Grant and Julianne Moore.

At least two networks, ABC and NBC, said they are considering whether to delay next week's launch of their new prime-time lineups to make room for ongoing news coverage of the aftermath of the terror attacks.

All major networks said they were taking a hard look at their fall shows to safeguard against content that might seem insensitive in light of Tuesday's tragedy.

A number of upcoming shows feature stories that may strike too close to recent events, including several CIA-themed dramas -- ABC's ALIAS CBS' THE AGENCY and Fox's 24.

NBC's fall lineup also includes the espionage-themed new drama UC UNDERCOVER.  Another NBC show likely to draw network scrutiny is a five-hour miniseries slated to run across the three editions of NBC's LAW AND ORDER that centers on an act of terrorism against the United States.

CBS is a unit of Viacom Inc., and Fox is a division of Fox Entertainment Group Inc., which is controlled by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Ltd."
  

September 12, 2001

I'm sure you've all heard by now about the terrorist attacks in at the World Trade Center and Pentagon yesterday.  We at JoBlo.com extend our hearts and prayers to all those affected by this terrible tragedy. Since I am based out of New York City, I have been too wrapped up in the chaos that has engulfed this region to do a full report. What I have done is compiled a few articles that revolve around the tragedy and printed them below. The text you read is not my writing but the original article as it appeared in the sourced publication.

Discuss the "Attack on America" with your fellow schmoes here
 

September 12, 2001

"The 53rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards will not go on as scheduled on Sunday in light of the attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. early Tuesday. Bryce Zabel, chairman-elect of Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, confirmed that the Emmys, set to air live on CBS, will be postponed, along with other Emmy-related events scheduled for this week. "Our sole desire is to pay respect and do something that is appropriate and will help the healing for the victims of this national tragedy," Zabel said. It was too soon to determine when the event would be rescheduled, he said."
  

September 12, 2001

"Several leading motion picture exhibitors joined many national companies and government offices in shutting down for the day. Loews Cineplex Entertainment, AMC Theatres, Mann Theatres, Pacific Theatres, United Artists and Regal Cinemas were among those closing venues. The chains cited respect for the tragedy as the main reason for the closings, as opposed to specific safety concerns. Circuits that closed theaters Tuesday had not yet determined whether they would reopen Wednesday. The extent of the closings varied. Loews Cineplex closed its New York theaters then closed several other venues nationwide, some out of local considerations including mall closings and proximity to airports. AMC, which operates 2,772 theaters, closed its one New York theater and its nine Washington venues. Senior vp corporate communications Richard King said it will be a "day-to-day decision" as to when the chain's theaters reopen."
 

September 12, 2001

"In light of the terrorist attacks on the United States, all of the activities at the Toronto International Film Festival ground to a halt early Tuesday afternoon. "Everybody's stuck," said an employee at the press office. "The festival and the hotels are working together to try and accommodate the people who were planning to leave today but can't." Screenings that had begun as of 1:45 p.m. were allowed to finish, but beyond that, all fest activities were stopped for the duration of the day. That includes scheduled question and answer sessions and festival events including press conferences, Rogers Industry Center events, workshops and sessions. The Jean Pierre Lefebvre book launch, also skedded for Tuesday, has also been cancelled, as have all festival organized social events. There was a trauma response team from Employee Assistance Program (EAP) specialists Warren Shepell Consultants on-site at the Park Hyatt Hotel, the Fest's HQ, to assist staff and guests who need counselling services. Approximately 2500 film industryites, 1000 guests, filmmakers, talent, 700 buyers and sellers and 750 press are in Toronto for the 26th annual Toronto International Film Festival, which is to run until September 16th."
 

September 12, 2001

"David Angell, co-creator of the hit sitcoms "Frasier" and "Wings," and his wife, Lynn, are confirmed as being on board American Airlines 11 from Boston, one of the two hijacked passenger aircraft that smashed into the World Trade Center towers. MSNBC commentator Barbara Olson was on board the second aircraft. CNN reports that Olson phoned her husband several times after hijackers took over the craft. A statement from Paramount on the death of the Angells said, "Words cannot express our sorrow at this incredible loss. David has been at Paramount since 1983 and his talent, wit and humor will be deeply missed. Also killed on board AA flight 11 were Daniel Lewin, chief technology officer of Akamai Technologies, and Edmind Glazer, chief financial officer for MRV Communications. Lewin was a co-founder of Web-content provider Akamai. MRV makes fiber optic components for telecommunications systems."
  

September 11, 2001

This could potentially be the worst news I've ever had to report. Don't get me wrong here - I don't hate Vin Diesel. I think he's an up-and-coming action star with a lot of potential. It's just that he's ABSOLUTELY WRONG to star in DAREDEVIL.  If you're not exactly sure what I'm talking about, let me bring you up to speed.

Coming Soon reported that Zap2It reported that The Hollywood Reporter reported (sounds like a game of "Telephone") that Vin Diesel (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS) is the "first choice" of director Mark Steven Johnson to star in DAREDEVIL and has been offered the title role.  Never before has Diesel's name come up when starring candidates were discussed with producers.  Names previously thrown about were Matt Damon, Ed Norton, Mark Wahlberg and obvious internet favorite Guy Pearce.

= or

Because this news drove me up a wall (I've been anxiously awaiting the news that Pearce would star), I set out to find the truth.  Sure enough, Coming Soon and Zap2It reported the story but I couldn't find the initial story at The Hollywood Reporter.  Granted, I'm not a member and don't have access to all stories. So I figured I'd go right to the source.  I contacted Fox and asked them if Vin Diesel would be starring in DAREDEVIL.  They promised to look into it for me and a few moments later I received the official word:  "No one has been cast yet."  Whew.  There's still hope that Johnson and his producers will make the right decision.  Please, Mark.  Hire Guy Pearce.  If he's got a busy schedule, wait.  If he's not interested, pay him more money.  That should pique his interest right up.
  

September 11, 2001

Well, Nicole Kidman and George Clooney aren't doing much to dispel the rumors that their romance broke up the Cruise/Kidman marriage.  The two will re-team (they starred together in THE PEACEMAKER) for Clooney's directorial effort CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND.  Oddly enough, there is no lead female characters in the script, so I'm not sure who Kidman will be playing (possibly a sexy spy named Patricia Watson).  Also strange is that the film is schedule to begin filming in less than a month and the lead role, that of ex-GONG SHOW host and self-professed CIA hitman Chuck Barris, has yet to be cast. Ben Stiller was reportedly taking part in rehearsals for the film but it was later reported that he would not be starring.  Johnny Depp and Mike Myers have also been previously attached to the role at one point or another. Clooney will star as CIA agent Jim Byrd, who "recruits" Barris as a hitman.  Longtime Clooney pal Steven Soderbergh will executive produce the film from a script by Charlie Kaufman (BEING JOHN MALKOVICH).
 

September 11, 2001

George Lucas spoke to the media at his Skywalker Ranch in California to speak about his upcoming PHANTOM MENACE DVD as well as the future of DVD at LucasFilm.  Lucas said that the DVDs for ATTACK OF THE CLONES and EPISODE III will be released following the theatrical release of those films much in the same way MENACE was.  The unfortunate news was that fans will have to wait until at least 2006, following the release of EPISODE III, before they see any of the original trilogy on disc. The director did admit he originally planned to release none of the STAR WARS films on DVD until 2006 but increasing pressure from Fox caused him to relent and release the latest trilogy.  It is reported that LucasFilm has spent upwards of $4 million producing the MENACE DVD but reps from Fox or for George Lucas refused to comment on that matter.  MENACE will be released on a two-disc DVD on October 16th.

< Support JoBlo.com - pre-order your copy here >

DVD-file was also one of the first Internet site to score some cool screen shots from the DVD. Check them all out by clicking on the one shot below:

< click to see more Phantom Menace DVD screenshots >
 

September 11, 2001

The proposed collaboration between the Coen Bros. and Brad Pitt appears to be dead in the water.  TO THE WHITE SEA suffered fatal disagreements over budget and all parties involved have walked.  Apparently, the Coens wanted to film the production entirely on location in Japan and no budget could be agreed upon. The project was a tough sell to begin with as Pitt would play a B-29 bomber stranded in the Japanese wilderness and would've featured a CASTAWAY-like lack of dialogue.  The dissolvement of SEA leaves Pitt without a film for the next few months as his other commitment, Darren Aronofsky's THE LAST MAN, has also hit a snag.  Maybe he'll quit films all together and just join the cast of MTV's JACKASS.
 

September 11, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• There's topless women in the HARRY POTTER movie?!  Not anymore.  Read all about the cut scenes here
• Read another script review for the Colin Farrell/Katie Holmes flick PHONE BOOTH here
• Never got around to watching the CLERKS animated series on ABC?  Fret not.  The pilot episode is available for download here

September 10, 2001

Unfortunately no one from the JoBlo.com staff was able to personally attend the Toronto Film Festival this year, but luckily for us, intrepid schmoe Steve was there and kind enough to send over his thoughts on HEARTS IN ATLANTIS, with more to come this week. This is a very positive/minor spoiler review of...

HEARTS IN ATLANTIS

Critique: I walked into this movie having not seen the trailer, and knowing little about it except that it was based on a short story by Stephen King. That being said, I have not been so delightfully surprised at the movies since I saw Moulin Rouge. This movie deftly weaves together a touching story of a boy growing up without his father with a sort of supernatural fable concerning the Anthony Hopkins character. He becomes a father figure to the young boy, and teaches him lessons that he desperately needs to learn about life. The movie has laughs, suspense, but mostly it will make you think. Think back to those sweet, innocent days of your childhood. Before the complications of adulthood set in, stuck verging on knowing what love is and understanding it. The movie brought a tear to my eye, and pretty much everyone else in the sold out house.

As for the acting, it is exceptional, especially from the child actors in the piece. Anton Yelchin as the young boy Bobby more than matches Hopkins, which is an amazing feat in itself. But his interactions with his girlfriend Carol, played by Mika Boreem, are exceptional in the fact that they take us back and give us that first love feeling we all had oh so long ago. Overall, her sweet character adds a touching poignancy to the whole affair, and leaves us wishing that children could still grow up that naive and sheltered. Even Hope Davis as Bobby's careless and self involved mother is excellent, making us feel sympathy for a character who makes many mistakes. And finally, David Morse, as the adult Bobby narrating the story, is perfect, even though he is only on screen for less than 10 minutes. My advice is read as little as possible about the movie before going in. Don't even watch the trailer as that reveals a bit too much. Just go in and be awe inspired and amazed. You will walk out with the feeling we rarely get at the movies these days. Joy! Joy for not being subjected to another tired sequel or teen flick. Joy to see that studios can still produce intelligent, mainstream films. But most of all, joy that you can turn around, walk back into the theatre, and watch it all again. Trust me, you will definitely want to!

- Steve Wright
  

September 10, 2001

As we reported here last week, David Duchovny and Julia Roberts would be starring in Steven Soderbergh's next film HOW TO START A HOTEL ROOM FIRE.  Now courtesy of the Hollywood Reporter, we have clarification on those reports and more news.  They say that Catherine Keener and Julia Roberts are already confirmed to cast but Duchovny is still in discussions with no deal being signed yet.  Other stars in talks to join the production include Blair Underwood and Mary McCormack (PRIVATE PARTS). Duchovny and McCormack would be starring as Gus and Linda and Underwood as Nicholas/Calvin.  There was no mention of the parts that Roberts and Keener would play or of David Hyde Pierce, who had also been rumored to be joining the film.  The article mentioned that deals with Duchovny, McCormack and Underwood are expected to be finalized shortly.
 

September 10, 2001

James Wong and Glen Morgan, who wrote for THE X-FILES and were the team behind FINAL DESTINATION, have signed deals for their next two films; WILLARD and DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK. Interestingly enough, both films will be remakes of other films from the 1970s. WILLARD revolves around a social misfit who snaps and uses his kinship with rats to seek revenge on all those who tormented him.  The film is probably best known for its sequel BEN, which spawned a hit Michael Jackson tune of the same name.  DARK was originally a TV movie about a woman who accidentally unleashes little demons inside her Victorian home.  Morgan will make his directorial debut on WILLARD for New Line and the film should go into production first, while DARK (for Dimension Films) will follow.
 

September 10, 2001

He led one of the most bizarre lives and (of course) now Hollywood will turn it into a feature film. Bob Crane, star of the television show HOGAN'S HEROES, led a sordid life of sex, lies and videotape (hmm...someone should make a movie about that...) which culminated in his murder at the age of 50.  Greg Kinnear will star as Crane in AUTOFOCUS along with Willem Dafoe, who will play Crane cohort Johnny Carpenter (no, not THE John Carpenter) who videotaped all the stars sexual encounters and was later accused of his murder.  Paul Schrader (AMERICAN GIGOLO) will direct the film, which is based on the book, THE MURDER OF BOB CRANE by Robert Graysmith.
 

September 10, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• For me it's one of the most anticipated films of this upcoming holiday season.  Cameron Crowe directs Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz and Jason Lee in VANILLA SKY.  The film is currently going through the test screening process and a number of highly positive (yet spoiler filled) reviews are up here
• Another test screening review, this time of the Nic Cage/John Woo World War II flick WINDTALKERS, is also online here and check out its latest trailer at JoBlo's Movie Trailers
• Read a script review of next summer's Vin Diesel spy film XXX here
• Is it trailers you're looking for?  Then trailers we've got. Smilin' Jack Ruby sent along word that the trailer for BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF was available.  Download that along with the trailers for NOVOCAINE, BAD COMPANY (formerly BLACK SHEEP), HUMAN NATURE and others, at JoBlo's Movie Trailers