SPIDER-MAN REBOOT TO COST $80 MILLION!?

Spider-Man Reboot Budget to Be in the $80 Million Range


Check out more plans Sony has for the reboot, According to Hollywood Reporter. Including the cast direction, prodution year, and plot fragment. It was announced earlier today that Marc Webb, will be directing the reboot, while Jim Sturgess is rumored to helm the title role. Well now Hollywood Reporter is reporting more of Sony's plans for the film:

"The plan for the movie is to be in the $80 million range and feature a cast of relative unknowns (so you can quash those Rob Pattinson or Gordon-Levitt rumors at this point). And the story will be pared down to center on a high school kid who is dealing with the knowledge that his uncle died even though the teen had the power to stop it."

"The touchstone for the new movie will not be the 1960s comics, which were the inspiration behind the movies by Raimi, who grew on up on them, but rather this past decade's "Ultimate Spider-Man" comics by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley where the villain-fighting took a back seat to the high school angst."

"Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin are producing the new movie, which will begin production this year."

MarvelFreshman: Now that I think about it, in the first Spider-Man film, they did kinda rush the death of Peter's uncle. That aspect should be what makes SPidey want to be a hero. I think that was the main problem with the first Spider-Man. They rushed over the franchise to get to an older Spidey for the sequels. High school should be Peter Parkers's main place as a character.


The idea of this reboot is starting to grow on me. I am hearing that the new films will be based on the Brian Michael Bendis series "Ultimate Spider-Man"!

PREACHER MOVIE: DEAD OR ALIVE??

COMICBOOKMOVIE.COM has an interesting article suggesting why we may never see a Preacher movie! It's sad really. I have friends that read this book and really want to see a film adaptation. Last I heard director Sam Mendes was supposed to be doing this as a mini-series for HBO but there hasn't been any word on that since 2006. Last I heard, Rose McGowan (Yes that Rose) was onboard as a producer!? WTF?! Anyways here's the article:

Preacher: The Unadaptable Series

Why Preacher will never grace a screen.Garth Ennis's lovechild of mythology and the south come together in his epic series Preacher. If you don't know what Preacher is...well then you arent a true comic book geek. Since the late 90's Ennis had a success in Preacher and with the resurgence of comic book movies, people were wondering when Jesse Custer and crew got there share.

Well, they wont. Here is why...

In a post 9/11 world, we have seen a resurgence in religious faith and a respect for those within this profession. While, Jesse Custer is obviously not preaching the almighty word to his flock anymore ( because they got burned like Kentucky BBQ) he still carries the outfit and the responsibilities. With only that collar and back story, if we were to ever see Jesse tell a sheriff to " Go f*** yourself", thus causing the sheriff to actually do it, the public would be in outcry. Jesse Custer is a judgmental man, a vulgar man, a violent man and while we all realize that men of religious authority do this, it corrupts the image we as a society reflect onto them. Let me give you an idea of our limits today are on pastors/priests in the media. In 2006, a short lived show ran on NBC called "The Book of Daniel." It centered around a painkiller addicted Episcopal reverend named Daniel who struggled to raise his family which included a homosexual son, a drug addicted daughter, and adopted Asian teenager and a deceased twin of the eldest who had died of leukemia. The main character Daniel wasn't even close to being Jesse Custer in terms of controversy. Due to public outcry, the show lasted 4 aired episodes with a total of 8 filmed. This just shows that whether it were to end up on a movie screen or in a HBO night line up. It just won't fly.



Then there is Cassidy. In the years before the vampire outburst of popularity there was only one southern non-traditional vampire. It was in Preacher and went by the name of Cassidy. Now, we have shows like The Vampire Diaries and True Blood, all which pull aspects from the Preacher series. If there were ever to be an inkling of the character being a vampire (which actually was a twist earlier in the series) the adaptation would be nailed with the titled "Another Vampire Bullshit Movie" by the public. That wouldn't ever do Garth Ennis and Preacher justice.

Also, the portrayal of many of religious icons wouldn't be to good either. I'm not talking about the Angels and Archangels and Genesis. I'm talking about the incest bred mentally handicapped ugly teenage boy, descended from a crucifixion-surviving Jesus Christ, known as the Messiah. Let me repeat that, in Garth Ennis's Preacher, the Messiah is a incest bred mentally handicapped ugly teenage boy, descended from a crucifixion-surviving Jesus Christ. If that isn't the most blasphemy in the world I don't know what is. I realize that this isn't even the tip of the controversy iceberg, but I felt the need to throw the most basic ones out there.

In all, we won't get Preacher on any screen. It's not because of money or casts or scripts, but it's the public's readiness to accept Preacher. That is why I believe that Preacher should be OUR book, our own for us comic geeks to praise. We gave the public Watchmen, now let's keep this. Being a comic is what made Preacher groundbreaking. What could have easily been the next DaVinci Code is an amazing comic book just for us to hold dear.

CONFIRMED! ACTOR MARK STRONG IS SINESTRO IN GREEN LANTERN!

Despite numerous reports that Jackie Earle Haley (The New Freddy Krueger, Human Target) was playing Sinestro, it appears that director Martin Campbell has made his selection: Mark Strong!

Thanks to collider.com for the following info:
Campbell states about the project:

“It will be much more in the tone of Iron Man. It’s got to be. Certainly not Batman Begins, which is a pretty dark movie. No, he’s the Hal Jordan character who’s the sort of shoot from the hip, irresponsible kind of cocky test pilot if you will. In fact, the character seems to be the least likely to be chosen as Green Lantern. Well, of course that’s the fun of it. So no, it’ll be much more like Iron Man. So it’ll have one foot in reality if you see what I mean.”

He also stated that Green Lantern is going to another planet!


Regarding 3D, Campbell said “[Warner Bros. and I] haven’t really talked about it.” But with the worldwide success of Avatar, it’s hard to imagine every studio not re-examining their big budget properties to see if they can release it in 3D and make a few extra dollars.

Another bit of news that excited me was Campbell telling me Grant Major is the production designer on Green Lantern. He did a small indie you may have heard of called The Lord of the Rings.

Finally, while a number of superhero movies have been made over the past decade, Campbell told me something that should excite every comic book fan: Green Lantern goes to another planet in the movie! While I don’t want to guess where he’s going, the fact that we’re leaving Earth in the film means we are in for a very cool ride in June of 2011. Here’s what we talked about regarding Green Lantern:

Collider: A lot of people are really looking forward to Green Lantern and they’re very curious about what kind of tone you’re going for. Is it more in the vein of say an Iron Man, that fun kind of movie? Is it more Batman Begins?

Martin Campbell: Oh no, it will be much more in the tone of Iron Man. It’s got to be. Certainly not Batman Begins, which is a pretty dark movie. No, he’s the Hal Jordan character who’s the sort of shoot from the hip, irresponsible kind of cocky test pilot if you will. In fact, the character seems to be the least likely to be chosen as Green Lantern. Well, of course that’s the fun of it. So no, it’ll be much more like Iron Man. So it’ll have one foot in reality if you see what I mean.

Are you kind of surprised about the buzz…did you know when you signed onto the project that there was going to be this kind of scrutiny with the casting, with what you guys are going to do or are you sort of…I mean you’ve handled Bond, so I’m sure you’re used to that kind of limelight, but did you know what you’re getting yourself into with Green Lantern?

Campbell: I think so. You learn by degrees. You know, when I first took on the job, I did it because I’d never done a superhero movie before and secondly he’s just…he’s a psychological character. His powers are psychological. They’re to do with will and the enemy is fear and so on and so forth, as opposed to Superman who sort of runs into a phone box, gets the old spandex on and off he goes. So he’s a much more complex character and also again, it’s the origin story, which again is the Carol Ferris character, Carl Ferris. There’s Sinestro, Kilowog, Tomar-Re. All these characters and all who appear in the movie. So it’s such a kind of eclectic range of characters and also it’s the only superhero to go to another planet, so you’re creating at least another world that…and none of them do.

It has to be cool for you to be creating what will most likely be a big franchise for Warner Brothers, setting your sort of your take on what’s going to be the future.

Campbell: It is, you know? It is fun and even creating the lamps and how you…you know what I mean? It’s amazing just how much attention to detail you have to have. You know?

Totally.

Campbell: How do you create the lamp? What’s the origin of the lamp? You’ve got the guardians. You’ve got the central battery. You’ve got all this stuff that you’ve got to deal with, you know? And we fortunately have a terrific production designer in Grant Major who did Lord of the Rings, so it’s a good….you know.

Have there been any discussion about with the advent of 3D becoming so popular about doing Green Lantern in 3D, or are you thinking about 3D for your other future projects?

Campbell: Maybe. I mean Cameron’s raised the bar on all that, so I think what he’s done with Avatar will make every studio now sit up and look at the box office from 3D and the fact that audiences loved it and it’s such a hit. I think he will…and of course they can do it in post now, you know 3D is so…even though we haven’t really talked about it, I’m sure it’ll come up.

PLANET HULK ANIMATED CLIP

Check out this AWESOME animated clip from PLANET HULK!
PLANET HULK IS OUT ON DVD AND BLU RAY TUESDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2010
THANKS TO MARVEL.COM


http://marvel.com/news/moviestories.11016.planet_hulk%7ecolon%7e_arena_battle_clip%2c_watch_now%7eexcl%7e

MARVEL'S JOSH FINE INTERVIEW ON THE UPCOMING ANIMATED AVENGERS SERIES!!!

The fine folks over at comicscontinuum.com have a great little piece with Marvel's Josh Fine discussing the upcoming animated
Avengers series!! He discusses that the scripts for SEASON 2 are just about done with animation for season one coming back from overseas looking great! check out the video interview below:



http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/1001/21/katejewell1.htm

Ugh! The trailer for the show was up at comicbookmovie.com but has since been taken down by Marvel :(

NEW SMALLVILLE ABSOLUTE JUSTICE PROMO TRAILER IS HERE!

HERE IS THE LINK! THANKS TO COMICBOOKMOVIE.COM !!

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/rorschachsrants/news/?a=14002

IT'S OFFICIAL!! MARC WEBB IS THE NEW DIRECTOR FOR SPIDER-MAN!

HERE'S THE OFFICIAL RELEASE:


"Commenting on the announcement, Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, said, “At its core, Spider-Man is a small, intimate human story about an everyday teenager that takes place in an epic super-human world. The key for us as we sought a new director was to identify filmmakers who could give sharp focus to Peter Parker’s life. We wanted someone who could capture the awe of being in Peter’s shoes so the audience could experience his sense of discovery while giving real heart to the emotion, anxiety, and recklessness of that age and coupling all of that with the adrenaline of Spider-Man’s adventure. We believe Marc Webb is the perfect choice to bring us on that journey.”

Arad and Ziskin added jointly, “Over the years, the Spider-Man comics have been told with bold and creative new writers and artists who have re-calibrated the way audiences see Peter Parker. Marc Webb will do for the new direction of the films what so many visionary storytellers have done with the comic books. He is an incredibly talented filmmaker and we look forward to working closely with him on this new adventure.”

Webb said, “This is a dream come true and I couldn't be more aware of the challenge, responsibility, or opportunity. Sam Raimi's virtuoso rendering of Spider-Man is a humbling precedent to follow and build upon. The first three films are beloved for good reason. But I think the Spider-Man mythology transcends not only generations but directors as well. I am signing on not to ‘take over’ from Sam. That would be impossible. Not to mention arrogant. I'm here because there's an opportunity for ideas, stories, and histories that will add a new dimension, canvas, and creative voice to Spider-Man.”

Stan Lee, co-creator of Spider-Man, added, “I’m excited that Sony has chosen a director with a real penchant and understanding for the character. This is a brave, bold direction for the franchise, and I can’t wait to see what Marc comes up with next.”

Added Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, “The idea of re-imagining the on-screen story for one of the world’s most iconic superheros is sure to deliver an exciting new dimension to Spider-Man fans everywhere. There are volumes of comics and material available to inspire fresh and compelling takes on Peter Parker and his journey as Spidey and we look forward to seeing this come alive onscreen.”

MARC WEBB has won acclaim with his film debut (500) Days of Summer. He has several MTV VMAs™ including 2009's Best Director award for Green Day's "21 Guns," 2006 Best Rock Video for AFI’s “Miss Murder,” and Best Group Video for The All-American Rejects’ “Move Along.” The Music Video Production Association honored him in 2006 as the Director of the Year for his work with Weezer, AAR, and My Chemical Romance.

In addition to two Golden Globe nominations including Best Picture (musical or comedy), his first feature film, (500) Days of Summer, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, has been nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature. Webb was also awarded the Spotlight Award, which honors outstanding directorial debuts, by the National Board of Review.

MarvelFreshman: Hopefully with the help of Marvel Studios, they could make a decent film. And maybe I could grow to like the character. But really I didn't expect them to announce a director for the Spidey reboot, before Marvel Studios announced the director for THE AVENGERS. Seeing how both films will release in 2012.

Thor: Tales Of Asgard Direct To DVD Animated Film Trailer!

Thanks to the fine folks over at comicbookmovie.com for finding this new trailer on the upcoming DVD/Blue Ray release of Planet Hulk! Check it out! Looks great!

Follow the link below:


http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/rorschachsrants/news/?a=13999

Animated "The Avengers" trailer is here!!

Comicbookmovie.com has the first look at the upcoming animated series "The Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes!"

Here is the link!

Check it out and let me know what you think!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvA797QHVww&feature=player_embedded#

PLANET HULK ARRIVES ON DVD FEBRUARY 2ND!!!

REVIEW FROM GEEKTYRANT.COM!!
Ever since I saw the trailer for Marvel Animation's new film, Planet Hulk, I was just as excited to see it as any other Marvel film coming out whether it’s live action or animation. Planet Hulk is a great story, one of the best Hulk stories ever told, and to see that it was getting an animated film based on it got my geek blood boiling. Abe Froman and I had the privilege of being invited to a early screening of the film, and holy hell it was awesome!

Planet Hulk is by far the best comicbook adapted animated film ever made. This beats out all Marvels previous animated films, all of DC Warner Bros. animated films and personally, I think it is the best Hulk movie made so far, that includes both live action films that have been made. The movie is completely solid in every way possible.

The story and script written by Greg Johnson and Craig Kyle is iron clad, everything flows so well together and the pacing is great. There’s never a dull moment. The Hulk wakes up locked in a space craft only to find that his fellow friends and earths mightiest heros have betrayed him and exiled him to outer space. The reason; he became extremely dangerous and impossible to control.



The spacecraft crash lands on a distant planet called Sakaar, which is ruled over by the tyrant, Red King. From here it become like the movies Spartacus and Gladiator. The Hulk is sold into slavery and forced to fight for his life in a Gladiator arena against some pretty insane looking creatures. He becomes the Green Scar, and the planets most powerful gladiator. As the story unravels he slowly bonds with those that he fights with; the crafty insectoid Miek, a bad-ass rock-man named Korg, a ex-shadow priest named Hiroim, and the nobel-born rebel, Elloe. It becomes evident that the people of Sakaar believe Hulk is their savior. It’s in this environment that The Hulk must decide what he will do with his new life.

We get to see Hulk in a way that we have never seen him before, and it’s extremely cool and effective. The Hulk isn’t just a mindless yelling monster. Sure, when he gets pissed off and fights, he unleashes the fury in every way possible, including some nice monstrous roars. But his mind is capable of rational thoughts and he can talk like everyone else.

Because this film is based around gladiator games you can bet your ass that there is some great violence. The fights scenes in this film are unbelievably insane! I don’t want to go into the details of what I saw because you need to see it for yourself. Just know that the choreography and direction was great, the animation was breathtaking, and there was a good amount devastation. I’ve gotta say there are also some pretty frightening scenes in the movie.



The whole film is animated beautifully, some of the best 2D traditional animation I’ve seen in a long time. It’s better that Marvel’s previous animated films. If you liked what you saw in the Hulk Vs. double feature, then you're gonna love what you see in Planet Hulk.

Supervising director, Frank Paur, did an extraordinary job bringing this story to life for us. He’s accomplished things in this movie that we have never seen in any previous Marvel or DC animated movies. There are so many great little details to keep an eye out for when watching the movie, and again the fight sequences are incredibly awesome.

There are a few changes that were made when adapting the comic-book for the movie, but it’s nothing to make a fuss over, even though I’m sure several fans out there will complain. Just know some of the changes had to be made because other studios own the rights to certain Marvel characters that Marvel can’t use. But those characters are replaced with some even better characters in my opinion. Again, I don’t want to spoil anything for you so I will leave the cameos as a surprise.

I enjoyed the hell out of this movie. It’s a direct to DVD feature, but it should be released on the big screen. I think it’s better than many of the films Hollywood has thrown at us this year. I highly recommend Planet Hulk, it’s a must watch for any comic-book fan!

Planet Hulk hits shelves February 2nd.

NEW BLACK PANTHER ANIMATED SERIES DEBUTS!!! (IN AUSTRIALIA! WTF!? )

Australia doesn’t get a whole lot of firsts, but it appears that the new Marvel animated series, focusing on fan-favorite the Black Panther, will be making its debut this Saturday. Set to debut on one of the new digital channels, ABC3, this Saturday evening at 8:15PM, The Black Panther Animated Series will bring to life one of Marvel’s most interesting characters. From the Marvel release;

Deep in the heart of Africa lies Wakanda, an advanced and unconquerable civilization. A family of warrior-kings possessing superior speed, strength and agility has governed this mysterious nation as long as time itself. The latest in this famed line is young King T'Challa, the great hero known worldwide as the Black Panther.


Marvel has also provided two blurbs from the upcoming first two episodes;

Episode 1: Jan 16 at 8.15pm on ABC3 in Australia
In a top-secret Washington meeting, Intelligence Agent Everett Ross briefs the government on the history of the Black Panther, the warrior king of the African nation of Wakanda. Meanwhile on the other side of the world, the Black Panther must compete to defend his throne in hand-to-hand combat.

Episode 2: Jan 16 at 8.42pm on ABC3 in Australia
Having been crowned the new Black Panther, T’Challa must contend with jealousy in the royal court while searching for the man who murdered his father. Unbeknownst to him, a deadly assassin named Klaw is assembling a team of super-villains to attack Wakanda.

The title character will be voiced by Djimon Hounsou, one of Hollywood’s best actors and probably best known for his role as Juba in the 2000 epic Gladiator. Joining him will be Kerry Washington as Princess Shuri, Jill Scott who will be portraying the voice of Ororo Munroe, better known as Storm from the X-Men who later becomes T’Challa’s wife, and another fan favourite, Carl Lumbly, best known for his role in Alias.

Release dates for anywhere else in the world are unknown.


SOURCE: COMICBOOKMOVIE.COM

ANOTHER INTERESTING BEHIND THE SCENES DECISION TO KILL SPIDER-MAN 4

Moviehole reports that a friend of theres who works at the Sony Pictures Technologies, shot him an e-mail revealing what got Spider-Man 4 cancelled. I dont know if this is real, but it sounds legit.

“Did you read the script man?", the friend asks, "I mean, it was [frick]ing terrible – it was pretty much Spider-Man 3 all over again. I kid you not, it was just a mess. Seriously. You say people are ‘sobbing’ now, but had this film been made, fans would’ve been jumping off roof-tops!".

He goes on to say that Raimi, Maguire and Dunst were all locked in to return, and John Malkovich and Anne Hathaway both were in talks to play Vulture and Vulturess. Although, Hathaway eventually dropped out.

The script started out with Vulture and Black Cat as the villains, but Black Cat eventually was scrapped in favor of the Vulturess, which mind you, was Sony's idea. NOT Raimi's as we all had thought. Beleive it or not, a third villain was also being considered.

Scouting for filming locations had begun, and he adds, "Basically, it was Peter Parker, in between changing his little one’s diapers (yeah, since Spidey 3, Peter already knocked up Mary Jane), fighting the new editor of the Daily Bugle, who's The Vulture (where is J. Jonah Jameson?), and Black Cat. They’ve rewritten it since then (Black Cat is now Vulturess), but I believe the gist of the story remains. Or.. remained".

When Sam Raimi told Sony that he could not meet the May 2011 release date, Sony took advantage of that and stopped production in favor for the reboot.

"Thing is, there’s another script – this reboot script, that was completed around the same time as the Spider-Man 4 script. And it’s apparently - haven’t read it myself – much better.”.

Moviehole got in contact again with him to see if he had any more info but he didn’t, only that the new film will be the first in a new trilogy – a trilogy that’ll be more “Dark Knight” than “Spider-Man” as we know it. “They’re losing the fluff”, he said.

He also goes on to say that if Sony had not put out Spider-Man 4 or the Spider-Man reboot, they would have lost the rights of Spidey, and it would have been reverted back to Marvel. Which of course, Sony would not mind raping the franchise if it meant keeping it under there wing.

It all sounds interesting in the least if it is not true, but I think it is legit. It all sounds perfectly reasonable.


SOURCES: COMICBOOKMOVIE.COM AND MOVIEHOLE.NET

Actor Joe Gatt talks about his role in THOR!

Screen Rant talked to actor and motion capture actor ("Driver" and "God of War" game series) Joe Gatt about his role in director Kenneth Branagh's Thor.

Gatt revealed that he's "playing a bad guy with a lot of action." Asked if he had any scenes with the God of Thunder, he revealed that "my character gives him a lot of grief."

Gatt added that his "costume is awesome and [I] get some seriously mean weapons!!!!"

He also said that "the sets are huge and truly beautiful, some of the best [I]'ve ever seen. All the characters have amazing costumes. The designers have done an extraordinary job at maintaining the traditional Marvellooks all the fans are expecting, but adding their own new style."


SOURCE: Screenrant.com (Via Superherohype.com)

DOES THE SPIDEY RE-BOOT ALREADY HAVE A DIRECTOR!?

Newcomer Marc Webb has emerged as the surprising front-runner to direct Sony’s “Spider-Man” reboot.

Though James Cameron and Michael Bay’s names have also been mentioned, it’s the “(500) Days of Summer” helmer that Amy Pascal seems to hot on for the contentious re-erect of Sam Raimi’s 2001 blockbuster. According to Collider, Sony are said to be wanting to get underway on the film as soon as possible (which could explain why Cameron and Bay likely haven’t been asked – since they’re busier than a chug-a-lugging womanizer on Valentine’s), in order to not only make the 2012 release date, but so they can prep the ‘3D’ (oh boy... here we go again) elements of the flick. Sony’s interest in Webb essentially confirms the new “Spider-Man” flick (which, according to some outlets, Zac Efron is the leading contender for – I know, Jesus Christ!) will be skewed to a rather young audience (read : the “Twilight” audience). Will Webb's Golden Boy Joseph Gordon-Levitt be asked to screentest for Peter Parker?


SOURCE: Moviehole.net

CAPTAIN AMERICA UPDATE!!

With The Wolfman that much closer to theaters -- it opens February 12th 2010, director Joe Johnston (Of one of my favorite films The Rocketeer!) finally has the time and the ability to chat about future projects. In fact, speaking recently with BoxOffice.com, Johnston spilled a few details regarding Captain America!

for the complete interview you can head over toBoxOffice.com, but for now check out these choice quotes.

What can you tell me that people might not have already heard about Captain America?

It's not going to be a Captain America that you expect. It's something different. It is influenced by the comic book, but it goes off in a completely different direction. It's the origin story of Captain America. It's mostly period—there are modern, present-day bookends on it—but it's basically the story of how Steve Rogers becomes Captain America. [...] It's got some great action sequences in it and some incredible stuff that we've never seen before. But at the heart of it, it's a story about this kid who all he wants to do is fit in.

SOURCE: Latinoreview.com

IRON MAN 2 to Be Digitally Re-mastered for IMAX

IMAX, Marvel Studios, and Paramount, have announced via a press release that Jon Favreau’s Iron Man 2 will be getting the digital IMAX treatment when it hits theaters on May 7th.  This is different from when a regular movie gets shown in IMAX because usually that print is just blown up for an IMAX screen.  It’s still impressive, but not as sharp and the sound isn’t really designed for an IMAX auditorium.  In this case, Iron Man 2 will be digitally re-mastered into IMAX using “IMAX DMR” technology so the image and sound will be “clearer and sharper.”  I guess the only way to test that would be to see the movie once in a regular theater and once in digital IMAX.  As this point, seeing Iron Man 2 twice would not be a depressing proposition.  I’d be psyched just to see the trailer again in IMAX.

Below is the full press release announcing the IMAX digital re-mastering for Iron Man 2:

MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT AND PARAMOUNT PICTURES’

IRON MAN 2 TO BE RELEASED TO SELECT

IMAX^® THEATRES ON MAY 7, 2010

Follow-up to the 2008 Blockbuster to get IMAX Treatment

Los Angeles, CA - January 14, 2010, - IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX), Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures today announced that the highly-anticipated action-adventure Iron Man 2, directed by Jon Favreau and starring Robert Downey, Jr., will be released to digital IMAX^® theatres simultaneously with the film’s worldwide release on May 7, 2010. The film’s limited IMAX release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience^® with IMAX DMR^® technology. Iron Man 2, the sequel to Marvel’s box office hit Iron Man, will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

“The success of the first Iron Man movie catapulted the franchise from the comic books to theatre screens, and we’re excited that the IMAX format will offer fans an even more immersive way to experience the sequel,” said Tim Connors, Chief Operating Officer, Marvel Studios.

“Iron Man 2 is a fantastic addition to our growing film slate for 2010, which is filling out faster than any previous year,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “The rollout of our digital projection system has enabled us to add more films to the slate, and we’re very excited to partner with Marvel and Paramount on this next installment of the incredible Iron Man franchise.”

“We’re thrilled to once again be working with Paramount and our long time friends at Marvel Entertainment as we help to bring their characters to life in IMAX,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “The combination of Marvel’s iconic Iron Man story, Jon Favreau’s brilliant vision and Paramount Pictures’ talented team coupled with IMAX will make for a wild cinematic experience.”

Based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero, Iron Man 2 continues the story of the 2008 summer box office blockbuster Iron Man, the first feature film to be produced independently by Marvel Studios.  The first film in the franchise has grossed over a half billion dollars worldwide at the box office. The IMAX release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie!

SOURCE: Collider.com

Jackie Earl Haley Is NOT in Green Lantern despite earlier reports!

Director MartinCampbell confirms Haley’s lack of involvement to MTV with a new casting announcement: Mark Strong, is in negotiations to play Sinestro.  Look for Campbell’s comments on Strong, Haley, and the inclusion of the comic characters Kilowog, Tomar-Re, and Abin Sur after the jump.

On Strong’s character likeness:

“In fact, we’re in negotiations with Mark Strong to play Sinestro. He’s not only a wonderful actor, but he looks like Sinestro. If you look up old pictures of Sinestro, he’s very like him.”

On the Jackie Earl Haley rumor:

“The Jackie Earle Haley thing, somebody told me about it this morning; I had never heard it before in my life.”

On the appearances of characters from the comics:

“Well, Kilowog will be [in it]. Tomar-Re is in it. Sinestro is in it. Abin Sur is in it. All the origin people. Carol [Ferris], of course, who will be played by Blake Lively. All the main characters are there, and it’s a complex story. The origin story of Green Lantern is complex, probably one of the most complex, which makes it a challenge to get it right.”

This film adds another potential franchise to Strong’s resume; he was in Sherlock Holmes this winter and will next be seen in Kick-Ass in March, with Pixar’s John Carter of Mars up next on his production schedule.

Thanks to the great folks at Collider.com for the story!

An awesome article regarding the Spider-Man reboot!

Hey i've always been a fan of Clint over at moviehole.net and he offers up a great article regarding the Spidey re-boot! Check it out below!  It's LONG but a great read!

While the interconnected world of fanboys bow their heads and sulk silently into the night, Sony push ahead with their just-announced “Spider-Man” reboot.

To most, it’d seem the most fruitlooped idea Amy Pascal has had since uprooting Soderbergh's "Moneyball" from a production schedule, with many asking why Sony didn't move heaven and earth to keep the "Spider-Man" golden team of Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst happy?

I'll tell you why, it was better for business to let them walk.

But first, for those that missed it, here’s a recap of the previous episode in this series of the Spectacular Adventures of the Amazing Spider-Man : James Cameron hands in detailed scriptment for new film, but due to the rights… Oh, don’t need me to go that far back?

..... OK, as of a fortnight ago – OK to start there? – Sony were pushing ahead with a “Spider-Man 4”. With the film penciled in for a May 2011 release, all thrusters were on – Raimi, Maguire and Dunst had committed to the project, casting had begun (with John Malkovich and Anne Hathway in talks to play the villains, father-and –daughter team The Vulture and The Vulturess), scouting had begin, and, as we’re now discovering, several of the kitchen’s cooks were greasing the pan that was the troubled screenplay.

Raimi was always adamant that should he return to direct “Spider-Man 4” that he got a lot more creative control than what he had on the elongated toy commercial known as “Spider-Man 3”. And apparently, Sony agreed to it.

Raimi told me last year that he truly believed there was one more "Spider-Man" left in him. "I think I can do a good job, if not a better job, than I’ve done before", said the filmmaker. "I really feel like I know the character in a way I haven’t been able to put on film just yet”.

Sony seemingly didn't share Raimi's vision for the new film, and pretty soon the horror icon found himself caught in a Web of Shit.

When it came to the crunch, Raimi was inadvertently reminded that he was a hired gun. He had no say in what form the next "Spider-Man" takes.

The latest screenplay was said to have featured the villain Raimi wanted, The Vulture, but at the request of the studio, the writers (about five were on the project at different times) also added The Vulturess, a new character that Anne Hathaway was loosely in talks for at one stage (she dropped out of the race late last year). There was also talk of a third villain.

In other words, this was going to be "Spider-Man 3 Part 2".

A friend that works at Sony Pictures Technologies – an off-shoot of Sony - shot me an email tonight, after reading my item on the “Spider-Man 4” cancellation.

“Did you read the script man?", he asks, "I mean, it was fucking terrible – it was pretty much Spider-Man 3 all over again. I kid you not, it was just a mess. Seriously. You say people are ‘sobbing’ now, but had this film been made, fans would’ve been jumping off roof-tops!".

He adds, "Basically, it was Peter Parker, in between changing his little one’s diapers, fighting the new editor of the Daily Bugle, who's The Vulture, and Black Cat. They’ve rewritten it since then (Black Cat is now Vulturess), but I believe the gist of the story remains. Or.. remained".

"Thing is, there’s another script – this reboot script, that was completed around the same time as the Spider-Man 4 script. And it’s apparently - haven’t read it myself – much better.”.

I called my pal to see if he had any more info but he didn’t, only that the new film will be the first in a new trilogy – a trilogy that’ll be more “Dark Knight” than “Spider-Man” as we know it. “They’re losing the fluff”, he said.

I'm guessing by "fluff" he means laughs... and Bruce Campbell cameos.

The studio was never certain that Raimi, Maguire and Dunst would return for another (the trio had all said, at different times, that it was unlikely they’d be back for another), so they had a contingency plan up their sleeve – reboot.

When Raimi, still wrestling with both the studio and the script, realized he wasn’t going to make the 2011 release date, he walked.

It was then that the studio basically realized they’d be better off to initiate plan B then to go chasing a new director for “Spider-Man 4” – particularly since the script wasn’t up to scratch, and especially considering they weren't certain whether they’d be able to retain Maguire after he discovered Raimi had exited.

And from a business point of view, it might be the best decision.

You see, if Sony don’t keep making “Spider-Man” movies, the rights (like “Hulk” has) revert back to Marvel (And ultimately, "Spider-Man" would end up at Disney) - their victious cash-cow of a franchise would be someone elses.

And considering “Spider-Man 4” would likely be the last one for Raimi and Maguire, it’d seem more fruitful to restart the series. By recasting the key roles, Sony would then be able to guarantee themselves a few more Spidey flicks (Fox have applied the same strategy to their “Fantastic Four” series – which they’re rebooting, too) - thus, keeping Marvel's pits off the property.

From a fan's perspective, I'm saddened that Raimi, Maguire and Dunst won't be back, but at the same time, hearing how dodgy the script was, and getting the feeling Raimi's heart was longer in it, I'm kinda glad they pulled the pin on it.

There’s speculation that James Cameron, who wrote a treatment for “Spider-Man” in the 90s, might helm the reboot. And if so, then you can pretty much guarantee there’s something in those 3D rumours too. If that happens, color me interested.... as I said though, it's speculation (I'd say it's more likely that Cameron will announce he's retiring on the riches of "Avatar" and headed into Space).

Whatever the case, ya know, there’s only one really depressing thing about the current “Spider-Man” series coming to an end…… DYLAN BAKER NEVER GOT TO PLAY THE LIZARD!! (Fuck, I’d be chasing some coin, man!). Baker, who plays Dr Curt Connors in the "Spider-Man" series, had been promised he'd get his moment to be 'The Lizard' (Connor's alter-ego) in a future film... but with the studio restarting the series,it's unlikely they're going to keep Baker, and scrap everyone else.

But hey, thems the breaks.

I'd been a writer for a few years when the first "Spider-Man" came out (remember interviewing Raimi for the first time in, what was it, 2001?). Nearly a decade after that first film, I'm still doing... what I'm doing. And I've seen a series come to its, well, natural conclusion. Kinda reminds me how fuckin' old I'm getting... but also, it feels like the series' end is timed to coincinde with the next phase of my career - as in, it's another reminder that it's time to move on.

But I digress, I'm just glad Sam Raimi had the chance to make two good "Spider-Man" movies (lets face it, the third suck). I'm also pleased I had the opportunity to interview Sam several times over the course of the trilogy - and also meeting him a couple of times at Comic Con - as well as get to chat to Maguire, Dunst, and producers Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin over the course of the series, too.

Jesus, sounds like I'm reading a sermon...

Look, don't worry too much fans, this is Sony - tell me they didn't knock it out of the park with their Bond prequel? "Casino Royale" was better than any Pierce Brosnan-led "Die Another Day" follow-up was ever going to be. I'm sure Pascal, Arad, Ziskin and company are going to take good care of the web-slinger. Yes, they fucked up with "Spider-Man 3", but that was mostly due to a poor script, and from the sounds of it, they've chosen theright script this time. .... oh shit, who am I kidding!? SONY, DON'T STUFF THIS UP!

"'Spider-Man' will always be an important franchise for Sony Pictures and a fresh start like this is a responsibility that we all take very seriously," said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures. "We have always believed that story comes first and story guides the direction of these films and as we move onto the next chapter, we will stay true to that principle and will do so with the highest respect for the source material and the fans and moviegoers who deserve nothing but the best when it comes to bringing these stories and characters to life on the big screen."

I'm holding you to that Lynton - Otherwise, see you in San Diego.

So who are Sony likely to be chasing for the new ‘Teenage’ Spider-Man?

Here’s a few faces I BET they’ll be screen-testing.

Taylor Lautner
- No-brainer. He’s the ‘It boy’ of the moment. Got the muscles to pull it off; the female audience too. Whether the “Twilight” and future “Max Steel”wants to commit to another series though?

<>Michael Angarano
- Another rising young star. Has just snagged a role in Steven Soderbergh’s “Knockout”, which ‘ll no doubt put him to the test. He’s also played a superhero before – in Disney comedy “Sky High”.

Christopher Mintz-Plasse
- If Sony are looking for someone with that sweet, but slightly goofy Maguire-esque demeanor again… they’ll definitely be bringing “Superbad” and “Kick-Ass” star Mintz-Plasse in to audition.

Patrick Fugit
- Young actor, best known for his role in “Almost Famous”, was said to be in Sony’s sights as a possible replacement for Maguire had the “Brothers” star not signed on for the fourth film. Possible that Fugit’s still on their radar.

Liam Hemsworth
- With brother Chris playing Marvel’s “Thor”, and already impressing with his roles in “Star Trek” and the upcoming “Red Dawn”, might Liam suddenly take off, too? Isn’t very Maguire-ish, nor someone you’d immediately think of as Peter Parker, but he is muscly, and he is young. And he can speak English.

Michael Cera
- Would probably make for quite a good Peter Parker. Only thing is, I can’t imagine it being something Cera who seems to have a woody for quirkier, less financially-fat projects – would be interested in in the slightest.

Zac Efron
- Young. Has a following. Was looking to do a comic-book esque adventure movie at one stage (“Johnny Quest”). It’s quite possible his peeps will be submitting him for the role.But shit, if he gets the gig, I hope he doesn't insist on singing and swinging...