Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Roundup 5/19


There's been an Information SuperStorm(TM) sighted in your path, so get ready for the whirlwind of destruction and movie mayhem that's about to blow you right out of your computer chair.

  • In a shocking series of events, Hollywood has actually decided to greenlight some original material. [It IS based on a book, but at least it's not another mindless remake, sequel, etc.] The project is called The Minotaur Takes A Cigarette Break, and centers around the actual minotaur from Greek mythology. Apparently, he has survived Thesus's attempt on his life, and is now living in modern times working as a short order cook in a diner. He lives in a trailer park and falls for an epileptic waitress named Kelly. John Stevenson, co-director of Kung Fu Panda, will direct this as a live action movie.

  • Contradicting previous reports that Stallone will appear in a Cliffhanger sequel, now the word comes that Cliffhanger is getting the reboot treatment. The producer made a comment about how "they just rebooted Star Trek, we're going to do the same to Cliffhanger." What the F is this guy smoking? There were ten Star Trek films, let alone hundreds (if not hundreds of thousands) of episodes of television devoted to the franchise; Cliffhanger has one movie. I hardly think the two can be compared. That said, I really enjoy the Stallone version for it's cinematography and intense swearing by John Lithgow, so rewatch that if you haven't seen it in a while.

  • Martin Scorsese is planning a film about Frank Sinatra, approved by the heirs to Old Blue Eyes' estate. Frank's daughter Tina "trusts Scorsese implicitly" to present the truth about her dad. The guy who wrote Field of Dreams and Sneakers (also directing the latter) is writing the screenplay, (keeping in the tradition of one-word titles) called Sinatra. Johnny Depp is reportedly being considered for the role, but that claim hasn't been corroborated yet. I'm guessing it'll be a little while before we hear anything else about this project - Scorsese's a busy guy post-Oscar - but if they fast track this thing, we should be hearing some more confirmation regarding casting in the next couple months. And to those Sinatra enthusiasts out there, fear not - apparently the role won't require any singing.

  • A while back, Disney had a bevy of announcements regarding their upcoming film projects. Updates included Johnny Depp as Tonto in the Lone Ranger, confirmation of National Treasure 3 and Pirates 4, and more. One of those updates now gets a little more light shed on it - the Mouse House will make a live action film based on the Tomorrowland ride, trying to capitalize on the success of the first Pirates of the Carribbean. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been pegged to star, playing a test pilot named Rip who gets thrown 350 years into the future while testing a concept plane. It's being written by the same guys who wrote The Hangover, the upcoming flick that could end up being my favorite comedy of the summer, so I have a little faith in this. It's gotta be better than Race to Witch Mountain, right?

  • In "Why God, Why?" news, Peter Berg (The Kingdom, Hancock) is directing a Battleship movie, based on the classic board game. Robert "Twilight" Pattinson is rumored to be a part of the project. Humanity collectively weeps.

  • In Marvel film news, Kenneth Branagh's Thor is finally getting some casting under way. Chris Helmsworth (George Kirk from J.J. Abrams' Star Trek) will play the hammer-wielding hero, and British actor Tom Hiddleston will play his conniving brother Loki. The movie is scheduled for release in 2011. What happened to Josh Hartnett as Loki? Who the hell is Tom Hiddleston? And is Natalie Portman still being considered for the love interest? All this and more in future episodes here at Ben's Daily Movie News!

  • Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes has a trailer. I'm sure action adventure fans will be pleased, as it features many slow-mo punches, explosions, jumping through windows, etc. I don't know about how quality it will be overall, but it looks kinda fun. We'll find out on Christmas Day.

3 comments:

Noah said...

I read a rumor about that Sinatra movie that for whatever reason, Jamie Foxx is being considered for the lead. Just thought i would give you a WTF heads up on that.

Ben Pearson said...

Muchos gracias, sir. I heard about that as well, but the source was from a British tabloid, which may as well say that someone made it up. Unless it's UTTERLY ridiculous, like Shia LaBeouf as Robin and Eddie Murphy as the Riddler, I tend not to "report" from British sources.

Head Hero said...

What? You don't what LaBeouf as Robin and Murphy as the Riddler?
(Hah, sarcasm.)