Scout Taylor-Compton talks Halloween 3

Much like the months before Halloween II started production, Scout Taylor-Compton has gone viral -- this time, in regards to Halloween 3. Thanks to YouTube user FourTilSunday for posting the video...

Wall Street 2 teaser trailer

Here's the teaser trailer for Wall Street 2 thanks to Moviehole...

Pushing back Fockers

Here's a little Focker news from Moviehole...

We won’t be meeting the diaper-staining Focker kids until next December.

The Hollywood Reporter says Universal has opted to push “Little Fockers”, the third in the popular Ben Stiller-starring series from July 30 to December 22.

With “Meet the Fockers” doing huge business when it was released Dec 22, 2004, the move is likely only going to be good for business.

Into the July 30 slot, previously occupied by “Fockers”, goes the Matt Damon thriller “The Adjustment Bureau”. Uni has also bought forward "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" to Aug. 13.

On Dec 22, “Fockers” will be going head-to-head with “The Green Hornet” starring Seth Rogen, “Gulliver’s Travels” with Jack Black and Emily Blunt, and the Coen Bros’ remake of the classic “True Grit”.

Kevin Williamson talks Scream 4, no 3D

Here's a very cool story courtesy of IESB. Kevin Williamson finally starts to dish the goods about Scream 4...why it won't be in 3D, and why Neve Campbell may be the opening kill!

At the helm of both film and television, Kevin Williamson has established himself in Hollywood as a visionary whose success created immediate attention. He has garnered respect, not just as a writer, but also as a producer and director whose visions have resulted in some of the most lucrative franchise vehicles ever made.

His first foray into television was the series Dawson's Creek, a show that instantly became a pop culture phenomenon and launched then-unknown actors James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams into instant stardom.

Preceding Williamson's success in the world of network television, his rise into the spotlight began in 1996 with the modern cult-classic feature film Scream. With his self-referential wit and biting dialogue, and drawing on his childhood love of scary movies, he created and wrote the franchise that reinvigorated the horror genre and also tapped into the previously ignored market of teen viewers.

While at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour to promote The Vampire Diaries, his freshman hit series for The CW, Kevin Williamson talked to IESB about returning to the Scream franchise with original cast members Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, for what he hopes will be a new trilogy of films.

Q: Can you talk about casting Nina Dobrev in the show?

Kevin: It is always hard to find that anchor. If you look at The CW, you'll always see that anchor girl. All those shows have that one girl, who is the anchor of the show that everything revolves around. And it is so hard to cast that part. You can actually see when you do it and when you don't do it. I've seen shows that don't do it. We have so scored with her and the two guys, Paul and Ian. I think I hit a home run, for whatever part I played in that. I pat myself on the back because that has saved me on whatever the script. They are so good

Q: How has she changed in the six months the show has been on?

Kevin: I don't know if she's changed. She started out brilliant and she's still pretty brilliant. I think what's changed is that they're all getting more comfortable in their roles. She's taken over the role now and she owns it. It's hers now. It's no longer about just getting the script. Now, I feel like I'm writing for Elena/Nina. They're all one and the same now.

Q: Is she instinctive?

Kevin: She is so instinctive. Not only that, she delivers on the first take. This is a girl who just walks in the door and is ready. She's a natural. She knows what she's doing and she's so talented. We haven't even tapped her. I don't even know if we'll be able to tap her in this show. It might be a movie, 10 years from now, that taps her true talent. I'm going to try to do everything I can, but there's a lot in there. That girl's mega-talented.

Q: If The Vampire Diaries has a really long run, have you thought about what to do when your vampires start looking older?

Kevin: I have really thought about that and, with modern technology, we'll just increase the special effects budget.

Q: Will the tomb be opened this season?

Kevin: Quite possibly, yes. The fun of the back nine episodes is that Damon has an agenda. He's going to save Katherine. He's going to do everything possible that he can to get to her. And so, that tomb is still in play.

Q: Are viewers going to learn more about the new teacher? Is he a Van Helsing type really, or is he a vampire?

Kevin: There's definitely something with him. We're going to have fun. He has just blown onto the scene, and we haven't had a chance yet to explore his background. But, in the upcoming episodes, we're actually going to learn more about him. We're going to see some of what his past was like and what brought him to Mystic Falls, and we're going to see what his little agenda is because everyone's got a little agenda.

Q: How much will Mia Kirshner have to do?

Kevin: Well, she's coming in to set up Alaric's character and we haven't really developed it beyond that. I don't really know the long term prospects of her character. It's mainly flashbacks.

Q: Will you be introducing any other primary characters this season, or will you just be focusing on Damon, Stefan and Elena?

Kevin: Yeah, those are our core group that we're going to stick to, and we have our supporting characters that we're going to stick to for the first season. Then, we're going to be bringing in new characters. Melinda Clarke is going to come in as Matt's mother. I'm hoping that she will always be Matt's mother. While she'll come in for three episodes, I hope she'll come back.

Q: Which of the supporting characters have really interesting things coming up?

Kevin: In this last episode, Matt admitted that he likes Caroline. We're going to explore that. I think that's one of the fascinating romances on its own because you're dealing with two people that have come together out of loneliness, and not necessarily for the right reasons. It's going to be interesting to watch them have their romance, and maybe not necessarily be two people who belong together. That sucks, but they're going to try. Then, I think it's going to be fun to watch Tyler explore his aggression. It's going to be fun to watch Jeremy start to dig a little deeper into that paper he's writing. He finds some stuff in that journal that leads him on a very interesting journey, and it may actually put him at odds against his sister.

Q: Are werewolves going to be introduced into the series?

Kevin: Not this season, but anyone who's been watching knows that we hinted of it already. If you've read the books, you know which character actually has the curse. It's latent. It's a repressed curse. It's triggered by one particular activity that hasn't happened yet, so we'll go there probably in the next season. I think what's going to happen is that we're going to watch Tyler. It's no secret that it's Tyler. We revealed the full moon and we revealed all of his aggression issues, and we're probably going to continue to let him explore his anger issues and his daddy issues and see what happens.

Q: Since it's likely this show will be picked up for a second season, are you going to stay in Atlanta? Will you continue to film there?

Kevin: I think we're going to stay in Atlanta. Atlanta has been really good to us, in terms of just the look and the feel. And we have an amazing crew down there. What they come up with is just amazing. They keep delivering, day after day. I think it's a very good-looking show. I've never had such a good-looking show. It's very polished. If you knew what went into it and how we have less money than bigger-budgeted shows, it's even more impressive.

Q: How much are you finding that you can stick with the books, and how much are you having to change things around because the show takes on a life of its own?

Kevin: The show does take on a life of its own. The book has always inspired us because, if you're a fan of the book, you can look at what we have used or what we haven't, or what we've taken and turned it on its end. Like, for instance, we're going into this whole thing of this church and the tomb underground, and these vampires that have been desiccated and laying in wait for all these years, with Katherine amongst them. That's not in the book. However, what is in the book is Katherine. There's the tomb under the ground of all these caverns, and there is an element in the book that we expanded upon. So, the book has always inspired us, but now the show is off and running. We twist and turn everything.

Q: What's the biggest challenge in tackling vampires?

Kevin: I think the biggest challenge of this show is telling a serialized soap where you have high schoolers that are going to high school, they're worried about prom, they're going to the big game on Friday night, and there's vampires killing people. All that intertwining is what's difficult. Life and death stakes, and prom night. Keeping it real and grounded is our big challenge, and telling stories with emotion so that I want to cry. I want to be emotional, at the end. I want to have big, huge, epic stories, and doing all that is hard on a weekly basis.

Q: Have you thought of a limit to how many vampires you want at a time?

Kevin: My biggest thing is that I don't want there to be so many characters and so much mythology dancing about that the audience is confused and we can't attract newcomers. What I'd really love is to see more viewers and more people join the party. If you have too much mythology dancing around in any given storyline, or if you have too many characters in and out, it'll confuse the audience.

Q: What's the biggest change from The WB to The CW?

Kevin: There are so many things. There's the six act structure. We've gone from a four act structure to a six act structure, which I don't find helpful at all. It was done for a business reason, not necessarily a creative reason. TV is just such a different place. It's all about grabbing them fast. There are so many channels. When I was doing The WB, there was only The WB. There wasn't 82 channels. It was totally different. It's a big idea. One of the things that's great about this show is that it's easy. It's about vampires, and vampires are crazy right now. It's a good idea. And then, the fact that it hit is fun to watch. It's the icing on the cake.

Q: Did having success give you more license to expand the world?

Kevin: Now that we know that people are responding, the network seems to be liking the show, and we have started having those conversations about being around for a few years. And if we're going to be around for a few years, how are we going to spend our money? What sets are we going to build? Maybe we should take over this other warehouse right next door while it's available, so that we can financially plan long term. You always save money when you plan long term. So, we're having those conversations now. How many guest cast per episode should we have? How many people do we need to fly in? Are we going to have any more series regulars in the future? We're starting to have those long term questions. I love the fact that the studio's calling me with those questions because you're like, "Oh wow, that's good news for me."

Q: Will the people who've read the book know what the season finale will be?

Kevin: The end of this season will be a surprise. It's not in the books.

Q: What can you tease about it then?

Kevin: We're just building towards the Founder's Day celebration because it's the 150th anniversary of this town. I would say we're building to the big huge celebration and what happens with the tomb. There will be this happy little party, then there's this tomb business to deal with, that has 26 vampires down there.

Q: Do you plan on resolving that by this season?

Kevin: We'll certainly start it. I don't want to tease too much, but our whole back nine focuses on that tomb.

Q: Are there any major plot points from the book that you're saving?

Kevin: Oh, yeah. There are a couple characters we have yet to introduce. We have a lot of things from the book that we have up on the board, ready to go. We've just got to figure out when. It's all about a puzzle and putting all the pieces together. There's so much story, it's the puzzle of how you tell it.

Q: Are you working on any film projects right now?

Kevin: I'm almost done with the first draft of Scream 4. I'm trying to get that together for Wes Craven. We've got to get going on that, during the hiatus. We have Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and Dave Arquette. I was always holding out hope because the pitch was about those three characters. I didn't want to have to re-route the whole story. We don't have to do that. I can do it exactly the way I want wanted. The story is going to be told the way I originally conceived it.

Q: Is that going to be part of a new trilogy?

Kevin: I've been contracted to write Scream 4 and 5.

Q: That's not a trilogy.

Kevin: Well, I'm not going to negotiate 6 right away.

Q: Horror films have undergone another shift, with the success of Paranormal Activity. Do you have a chance to update references to that in there?

Kevin: It's all in there.

Q: Would you shoot Scream 4 in the Atlanta area?

Kevin: I'd love to. When I went down there, I said, "This is so Woodsboro." It would be perfect, but that's Wes' decision. Pasadena would work, too. If Wes directs, and he will if I have anything to say about it, I'll camp out at his house.

Q: What do you think it will take to get Wes Craven to come back and direct?

Kevin: Oh, Wes is going to do it.

Q: Will Scream 4 be in 3-D?

Kevin: No. I don't think Scream lends itself to a 3-D film. 3-D films are all about things being thrown at you. One of the things that Scream does is that it talks about those movies and sends them up, so actually putting in that device probably wouldn't work. I don't think it's an option. We're the movie that makes fun of it. I can imagine Stab being done in 3-D, but not Scream.

Q: Is there anything that you can say about the story and set-up?

Kevin: No. I think I've revealed way too much already.

Q: Is it still a strong mystery of who this Ghostface will be?

Kevin: Well, that's the whole point of the movie. What I have always liked about this movie versus the other horror films is that I feel like there are characters. In other horror movies, you remember Michael Meyers and you remember Jason. In our film, I think you remember Sydney Prescott because Sydney Prescott's the victim and she has lasted for all three of these movies. The fun of the film is that it's Sydney Prescott. That's the difference and you care about her. I want to write a story where you actually care about our characters and it's a plot that you watch them walk through. It's not all about the next kill. It's not all about slice and dice. I was watching Saw VI on pay per view the other night and I was like, "This is really just going from one kill to the next, to the next." It's fun, but I want to tell a story.

Q: You don't think Saw has managed to keep a story going with Part VI with a dead character?

Kevin: Oh, they're doing a great job keeping the dead character, but I want to know where our lead character is, where our protagonist is and what her journey is.

Q: Is it safe to say that you won't kill Sydney Prescott off in the first 10 minutes?

Kevin: The story has to start somewhere.

Guy Ritchie back for Sherlock Holmes 2

The L.A. Times is reporting that director Guy Ritchie will be back in the chair for Sherlock Holmes 2...

"Sherlock Holmes" played second fiddle to the aliens of "Avatar" at the box office, but the Victorian Age sleuth just beat out another extraterrestrial -- director Guy Ritchie has set aside the planned "Lobo" film to clear his schedule for a fast-tracked "Holmes" sequel, according to producer Joel Silver.

"Holmes" has pulled in $389 million in worldwide box office since its Christmas Day release and looks to add to that with overseas releases still pending in Germany, Japan, France and several other markets. The role of the famed literary detective also just earned Robert Downey Jr. a surprise Golden Globe, suggesting that the actor might still be in play for an Oscar nomination next week.

Silver is a producer of "Holmes" as well as "Lobo," which would adapt the ultra-violent antihero from the pages of DC Comics. Ritchie, who burst on the scene with "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" in 1998, has his biggest commercial success with "Holmes," and Warner Bros. wants to parlay that into a franchise as quickly as possible, Silver told me this afternoon.

"I don't think he's going to do it now," Silver said of Ritchie directing "Lobo." "The studio wants us and Guy to focus on making another 'Sherlock Holmes.' So I think we're going to be doing that. But we're seeing what happens with this. Everybody is analyzing everything. It's all kind of happening right now as we talk. 'Sherlock' is sitting at just about $400 million in worldwide gross and showing itself to be pretty effective and pretty strong. So we're trying to see if we can do something quickly with another 'Sherlock Holmes' movie. We have some ideas and some good story points."

Lobo Does that mean "Lobo" will be postponed until Ritchie is free, or is the plan to move on with a new director?

"I would guess a dfferent director," said Silver, who is producing "Lobo" with Akiva Goldsman and Andrew Rona. "It's all happening at once now. Everybody is talking about everything .... It's an ongoing conversation. Downey loves the experience of playing Sherlock and would love to play him again, and I'd love to see him play it again. Jude and all of them will be back and it will be great."

Our sister blog 24 Frames brought you the news earlier this month that Downey had dropped out of Jon Favreau's "Cowboys and Aliens" and the guess was that move was made for a Baker Street reunion. Now "Holmes" has knocked a second interstellar comic-book story off of its plan.

Silver said "Lobo" remains a viable project. In the 1980s, the character was a wickedly funny parody of the antiheroes Wolverine and Punisher, characters that now have a combined seven film appearances to their credit.

"It was created as a rebuttal to the Marvel characters and his vest said 'Bite me fanboy,' " Silver pointed out. "It was very much a response to Wolverine and Punisher and the other characters and I think now that makes it fresh [for moviegoers]. We're working on it now and it will be nice to put it together and make it happen."

And what about that rumor that Brad Pitt (who memorably worked with Ritchie on "Snatch") would be in the "Holmes" sequel as Professor Moriarty? Silver sounded less than optimistic about that one: "Well, I mean, we talked about that at one point, but you know as of right now we're not sure what we're going to do. We'll see what happens."

Gremlins 3 to be 3D

Does every movie with a "3" in the title have to be 3D nowadays? Ugh. This saddening news comes from MarketSaw...

Jim here. Speaking of combining horror with comedy (GHOSTBUSTERS 3D), up comes another prime example of that genre - GREMLINS. Again I have very good information from a top source that tells me another GREMLINS movie is coming to the silver screens and it will be in stereoscopic 3D! It is in the early stages with still lots of hurdles to pass, but it is being developed. This is not a 3D conversion of the original to be clear.

Seems like a good idea to me - especially in light of the GHOSTBUSTERS news we broke on Wednesday. The original GREMLINS was directed by THE HOLE's Joe Dante, with executive producer STEVEN SPIELBERG and writer CHRIS COLUMBUS.

The story centered around a pet purchased at a curious shop in NYC's Chinatown which had some quirks, namely rapid reproduction when introduced to water (one new creature per drop of water) and turning into gremlins after midnight if they feed.

From what I have been hearing, THE HOLE has been getting good critical reviews and it is so nice to have Joe Dante back behind the camera! It would make sense to bring him back for the S3D version of GREMLINS but I have not heard any more details. When I get more you will be the first to know :-) Looks like edgy family fun is on it's way back with GREMLINS and GHOSTBUSTERS, both in S3D of course!

Special thanks to my sources who keep us all in the loop!! You know who you are.

Next Spider-Man director is...

It seems that supposed Spider-Man reboot has a director...

This comes from Moviehole.

Update! : Sony has made it official. Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, state in a media release, “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.”

Producers Avi Arad and Laura 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.”

Here's the Original Story :

As predicted, Marc Webb (“500 Days of Summer”) has inherited Sam Raimi’s director’s chair over on Sony’s next “Spider-Man”.

According to the ironically titled Vulture, Webb – who was one of half-a-dozen directors Amy Pascal and company were considering for the job – has signed to direct the next 3 films in the series.

Pascal apparently sees Webb as a modern-day Cameron Crowe, thus believing he’s the perfect man to bring angst-ridden Superhero Peter Parker [back] to cinemas.

‘’Webb’s other big appeal?’’, says Vulture, “He's much cheaper than the old Spider-Man crew. The deal just now being sewn up calls for Webb to be paid roughly $10 million for the first film, with substantial bonuses built in if the picture reaches certain box-office milestones.”

Unlike Raimi and original ‘Spidey’ Tobey Maguire – who were paid roughly 25% of the trilogy’s earnings – Webb won’t get a percentage of the film’s takings. Kinda rough.

Personally, I’m a little sad about this. “500 Days of Summer” was brilliant - one of the freshest, most original films of the year; no matter which way he spins it “Spider-Man” the Reboot isn’t going to be any of those things – especially fresh. I just think Webb has so much potential… and considering this is going to eat up the next ten years of his life, we’ll likely never see those other wonderful films he’s no doubt been toying with bringing to the big screen. There is one burst of colour at the end of the downpour though – Joseph Gordon-Levitt… Might he get to don the red tights of Spider-Man, now that his close friend and “500 Days” director Webb is directing the film? (doubtful, I know, since rumours seem to point to "Twilight" fave Taylor Lautner and music-midget Zac Efron, being the favourites to get a latex wedgie).

Paranormal Activity 2 is on!

Here's some interesting news coming from THR...the Paranormal Activity sequel is rolling...but is it too soon?

Something’s moving in the “Paranormal Activity 2” house.

Paramount has hired screenwriter Michael R. Perry and director Kevin Greutert to create the sequel to 2009’s biggest surprise hit, “Paranormal Activity,” which scared up $151 million in worldwide grosses in the fall on a shoestring $15,000 budget and a shrewd, opt-in Web marketing campaign.

Significantly, Paramount will unleash it in theaters on the pre-Halloween weekend of October 22, which sets it against that date’s reigning champion in previous years, the next installment in Lionsgate’s “Saw” series (this year would be “VII”). In a symbolic twist, Greutert made his directorial debut on the sixth “Saw” film, which grossed just $31 million worldwide, with observers thinking that the franchise may be bleeding dry.

Jason Blum and Oren Peli, who masterminded the first “Activity,” are producing the second iteration. Steven Schneider will serve as executive producer.

“These guys get it, and the fans won’t be disappointed,” said Peli of Perry and Greutert’s participation.

Unsurprisingly, the filmmakers are keeping the story line — as well as the film’s actual title — hidden in the attic.

Last month, as “Activity” was spooking the boxoffice, Paramount Film Group president Adam Goodman launched an initiative to spend $1 million a year to make 10-20 similarly micro-budgeted films each costing less than $100,000. The studio is also releasing Peli’s follow-up, “Area 51,” now in post-production.

“Activity’s” closest analog is “The Blair Witch Project,” another no-budget creeper that eventually grossed an astounding $240 million worldwide in 1999. That film, as well, engaged a verite conceit and a minimal, unknown cast to spooky effect.

Production company Artisan Entertainment tried to capture lightning a second time by quickly producing a sequel with a bigger, if still low, budget. But “Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2,” released the following Halloween, grossed a mere $26 million.

Perry, who is repped by UTA and Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment, is a longtime TV writer-producer (“Millennium,” “The Guardian”) whose spec feature script, “The Voices,” landed in the third slot on the 2009 Black List. “Voices” is now set up with Doug Davison and Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment (“Quarantine,” “The Uninvited”).

The Paradigm-repped Greutert was the editor of the first five films in the half-billion-dollar-grossing “Saw” series and went on to direct last year’s sixth installment.

My Name Is Bruce 2 news

This is what bruce Campbell told AICN about the sequel to My Name Is Bruce...

Hello everyone. Bruce Campbell here. This urgent message is short, because my keystrokes are monitored and I fear for my life. My partner at Dark Horse comics, Mike Richardson (normally a very rational and talented man), threatened to have his foot soldiers "crush my spleen" if I did what I am about to do. But the fans deserve to know, so with great trepidation I officially announce Bruce Vs. Frankenstein, the sequel to My Name is Bruce. Principal photography begins this fall in Oregon. I'd like to live long enough to see the cameras roll, so please, for the love of God, do not tell anyone - I can't risk this announcement getting back to Mike! Thank you.

Iron Man 2 trailer

Here's the Iron Man 2 theatrical trailer for those who haven't seen it...

Wes Craven confirmed for Scream 4...right?

He's in, he's out, he's in...and he's out again. What the hell is going with Wes Craven and Scream 4? My thoughts: he'll be back. Here's what b-D is saying...

Ok, I thought this was already reported 90 times, but maybe I'm wrong. In an interview with MTV, star David Arquette confirmed that Wes Craven will in fact be getting behind the camera for Scream IV, assuming it actually happens (I don't have a lot of faith in Dimension Films these days). "Yes, Wes [Craven] is in, Neve [Campbell] is in, everyone is in," Arquette said. The lovely Cox didn't sound as sure however. "I know they're trying to make that work," she said, referring to bringing the "Nightmare on Elm Street" creator back on to direct. "They'll make it work," she said, quickly adding "I hope." There you go, back at square one. I'd love to interview someone and talk in circles.

Mad Max 4 casting news

Teresa Palmer as been cast in the latest installment of the Mad Max films...this comes from The Herald Sun...

ACTRESS Teresa Palmer is to play a leading role in George Miller's hugely anticipated fourth Mad Max film Fury Road after her co-star in The Sorcerer's Apprentice spilt the beans in Los Angeles yesterday.

Palmer's Sydney agency Shanahan's would not comment on the casting yesterday, nor would production house Kennedy Miller.

But actor Jay Baruchel told reporters interviewing him for the new Dreamworks film How To Train Your Dragon that Palmer, who splits her time between Australia and Hollywood, was preparing for a gruelling shoot on the new Mad Max episode.

"She gets to work with him, and she's [going to be] doing Mad Max 4 with Miller," he said.

The actor, who counts Palmer as a very good friend after working with her on the Sorcerer film, said he didn't know the character's exact name but believed it was the female lead.

"She's the main chick in Fury Road," he said. "She's going to be there for over a year. It's really, really cool."

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Related Coverage

* Teresa Palmer showcase Adelaide Now,
* Aussies not wanted for Mad Max Herald Sun, 28 Oct 2009
* Mad Max to hit road again Perth Now, 24 Oct 2009
* Mad Max 4 pre production underway The Australian, 24 Oct 2009
* New Max, but still just as mad Herald Sun, 23 Oct 2009

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Palmer could not be contacted yesterday, but on Thursday night appeared very upbeat with her new best mate Lara Bingle and boyfriend Nash Edgerton at the Bondi Flickerfest festival.

Details are secret so it's not known if Palmer will replace or star with Charlize Theron who signed on to the project last October.

Miller previously cast Palmer (Bedtime Stories) and Baruchel (Tropic Thunder) as villains in his aborted 2008 superhero film Justice League Of America.

The mammoth Mad Max production is scheduled to shoot for 30 weeks this year in and around Broken Hill. British actor Tom Hardy will play Max.

The Fall of Halloween 3D

Todd Farmer has posted quite a lengthy blog entry about the rise and fall of Halloween 3D.

Check it out.

Iron Man 2 in false IMAX

There's really no surprise here, Iron Man 2 will be shown on IMAX screens across the country. Does this mean the film was actually shot in IMAX? Probably not ala Star Trek. This really bugs me as it seems to just be a subtle ploy to bring in more money..."let's charge $5 more a ticket to show it on a 10-story screen." Ugh. C'mon! Atleast shoot the damn thing in IMAX. The Dark Knight did it right!

This comes from EW.com...

Iron Man 2 just got even bigger. The highly anticipated sequel will be simultaneously released on IMAX screens on May 7, Paramount Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, and IMAX Corporation jointly announced today. “We’re excited that the IMAX format will offer fans an even more immersive way to experience the sequel,” said Marvel Studios chief operating officer Tim Connors.

New Jurassic Park trilogy

Some pretty big news came today for all things Jurassic Park with the unofficial announcement of not only a fourth film, but a FIFTH and SIXTH! Read on for the skinny from Boxoffice.com...

The internet is freaking out that there might be a Jurassic Park IV.

Wow, when did that happen?

November—you mentioned to Ain't it Cool News that there might be a good script.

Did I tell him? Was it me?

You said that there was no way to get people back on the island for a fourth time and have it make sense, but that 2001 was the last installment and we're due.

Well, there is going to be a Jurassic Park IV. And it's going to be unlike anything you've seen. It breaks away from the first three—it's essentially the beginning of the second Jurassic Park trilogy. It's going to be done in a completely different way. That's pretty much all I can tell you.

A second trilogy?

If you think of the first three as a trilogy, number four would be the beginning of a second trilogy.

That's big. So not to lock you in, but there's a possibility there might be a total of six films?

Well, you never know. If they keep working—and if audiences keep going to them—there's no reason why there wouldn't be. We just want to make them justified in their own right. We don't want to make sequel after sequel just because there's a market for it. We want to tell different, interesting stories. You don't want to just sell hamburger.

Ivan Reitman directing Ghostbusters 3!!!

MTV has the exclusive...Ivan Reitman, director of the first two Ghostbusters returns for the third!

A few weeks ago, "Ghostbusters" writer and star Harold Ramis revealed that the long-awaited third movie in the series is planned for a 2011 release. This news broke only a short time after "Avatar" star Sigourney Weaver speculated that Bill Murray's character Pete Venkman might appear in the movie as a slimer ghost, and that Oscar, her character's son from the second movie, would be a full-fledged Ghostbuster.

Ivan Reitman, director and producer of the first two movies, stopped to chat with MTV's Josh Horowitz last night on the National Board of Review red carpet in New York City. He shied away from addressing Weaver's spoiler-y speculation, but he did have some things to say about the general state of development for "Ghostbusters III."

Reitman said that the script from "Year One" writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky is in and that a second draft is currently in the works. He also confirmed that he will indeed be returning to direct the coming sequel, as had been previously speculated.

"They have delivered a draft," Reitman said of the script's progress. "We are working our way through another draft... good work is being done and all of us have our fingers crossed."

What he wouldn't do was address exactly what that "good work" entailed. Asked about Weaver's recent comments, Reitman laughed and kept things light.

"I'm not going to comment on what's in the script and on what Sigourney may or may not have said," he told us. "She's been so busy on 'Avatar,' I've not been able to find her. There's some very cool things in the new draft, let's just put it that way."

Reitman was all business again when the talk turned back to the schedule. "I hope to start shooting in this next year," he said, giving weight to Ramis' recent comments about a planned 2011 release.

Then the bomb dropped. Asked if he would be returning to direct "Ghostbusters III," Reitman answered with a simple and unequivocal "Yes." It's good to see the old gang all getting back together, isn't it?

D4: The Mighty Ducks not happening

The idea for a fourth Mighty Ducks film has been floating around since the 90s, but Moviehole finally put to rest the rumors. Besides, what's a Duck film without Emilio Estevez and Joshua Jackson?

Though there was a loose plan to relaunch the series, with producer Jordan Kerner (“Charlotte’s Web”) telling Moviehole a couple of years ago he was in talks with (his former stomping ground) Disney to do a possible fourth installment in the series, a Disney insider tells us “there are no current plans for a fourth Mighty Ducks. The higher’s up weren’t interested”.

Raimi and Maquire walk from Spidey 4

So it's no surprise now that Sam Raimi and Tobey Maquire have exited the fourth Spider-Man film. So what does this mean for the series? And what exactly will happen with The Vulture, now that it has been confirmed that John Malkovich has signed on? There are so many questions that need to be answered -- and quite frankly, I don't think Sony cares all that much.

They seem to be on the reboot bandwagon now...and actually, this just may work for the next Spidey film. Maybe a film in the tradition of Batman Begins, and along the lines of James Cameron's original Spider-Man idea that was a much darker film.

Hopefully some updates start rolling in so we can get a feel for what's coming. Hopefully a solid director and new leading man can save this franchise.

Stay tuned for any and all updates...

Resident Evil: Afterlife changes dates

The fourth chapter in the Resident Evil has shifted gears just a bit -- actually, just the release date has changed. Thanks to Bloody-Disgusting for the heads up!

Sony Screen Gems has shifted Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D back to September of this year after being pushed back to 2011 last month. The studio announced that Alice will be back in action on September 10, 2010, two weeks earlier than originally planned! Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, in a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the Undead, Alice (Milla Jovovich), continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the Undead leads them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of Undead and Alice and her comrades are about to step into a deadly trap.

Malkovich confirms Spider-Man 4 rumors

Not only is John Malkovich set to be in Spider-Man 4, but he also confirmed that he is playing "The Vulture", the film's main villain.

This is what BadTaste had to report...

Host Simona Ventura asked Malkovich about his role of Vulture in the movie, he not only didn't deny his involvement, but confirmed that he's waiting for the final script to be sent to him, and that the movie has been delayed. He also hopes that shooting will begin as soon as possible.

Amanda Seyfried out of Momma Mia 2

This comes from IESB in an exclusive interview, it appears that Amanda Seyfried will not be in Momma Mia 2...and why...because the film is set to be a prequel. So this also means that Maryl Streep probably won't return either...

Amanda Seyfried confirmed to IESB that indeed Mamma Mia 2 will be a prequel and that it will focus on the younger years of Donna, Meryl Streeps character.

Seyfried said she would not be returning obviously because of the nature of the story, there is no room for her.

Most likely this also negates Streep's involvement as well since it will focus on her as a young woman.

Seyfried said that although they would all love to return, because of the story, it's just not plausible.

Indiana Jones 5 outrageous?

Coming from MTV...it seems that the idea that George Lucas has for Indiana Jones 5 is just a tad bit outrageous...

The beauty of Indiana Jones is that we always imagine him as being on the verge of another great adventure. It's impossible to imagine Indy sitting back in his porch chair with a glass of lemonade, screaming at kids to get off his lawn. Now, Harrison Ford is eager to pick up the whip and fedora one more time and get "Indiana Jones 5" filmed while he's still a convincing action star.

"I don't think I'll do it in a wheelchair," the legendary actor grinned Friday (January 8). "George [Lucas] is working on an idea, and if it comes to a fruitful stage, all of us are very interested in making another."

In 2008, after a 19-year absence, Ford revisited his classic adventurer alongside Spielberg and Lucas, all three of whom need to agree on any script in the "Indiana Jones" series. By many accounts, "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" was a financial success but easily the weakest of the four films. Now, Ford is promising that the idea Lucas has for the fifth film is outrageous.

"Yeah," he said when reminded of a quote he gave saying that Lucas' idea was "crazy but great." Does he want to elaborate? "No," he responded.

"Some of the best ideas are crazy ideas, you know?" he conceded. "Well-wrought, well-manipulated.

"I think it would be interesting to advance the understanding of the character, as we always have had that ambition throughout the series," Ford said of what he needs to see in an "Indy 5" script before he's willing to step on the gas like Short Round in a Shanghai taxi cab. "I think it would be interesting to deepen the relationship between he and his son [Mutt, played by Shia LaBeouf] and play on that relationship. ... It's full of opportunity. The series is full of opportunity."

When talk turned to the biggest character development of "Crystal Skull" — Indy's marriage to Marion Ravenwood — Ford seemed amused by the concept that anyone would find scenes of their wedded life as exciting as the series' trademark stunts.

"Yeah, yeah," he deadpanned. "Really exciting.

"I think [scenes with a married Indy and Marion] would be nice grace notes," admitted the actor, who will next be seen in "Extraordinary Measures," a January 22 drama. "We'll see what we come up with.

"Karen [Allen]'s a wonderful actress, I've always enjoyed working with her," he added. "I'm hoping that there'll be a part for all of us in the next one."

Bill Paxton wants Twister 2

This interesting bit of news comes from Premium Hollywood...

In an interview with Bullz-Eye in conjunction with the season premiere of HBO’s “Big Love” (Sunday, Dec. 10th), Bill Paxton revealed that one of the items on his to-do list is a sequel to his 1996 blockbuster, “Twister.”

“I’ve had a meeting at the studio with Kathleen Kennedy about it,” Paxton said, whose inspiration for a sequel came as a result of a trip that he took to the Ozark Mountains last spring.

“I flew into St. Louis with my buddy Scott Thomson, who played Preacher in ‘Twister,’ and we rented a car and drove down to southeastern Missouri, into the Ozarks,” said Paxton. “We spent the night, and the next morning we got up and we started tracking the trail of the most famous tornado that ever hit the country, which was the Tri-State Tornado of 1925. It still holds all of the records. It was called the Tri-State because it was a mile wide when it came down from the sky on the afternoon of March 16, 1925, and it was a rural area, but, boy, before it was through, it crossed the Mississippi, it cut across southern Illinois, where it hit a lot of towns. The biggest one was Murphysboro, which was…it literally looked like Hiroshima after it hit. And then it went across the Wabash, into Indiana, staying on the ground three and a half hours and cutting a damage path 219 miles long, killing about 700 people. There’s actually footage that I found in Murphysboro at their historical society. They had footage from a biplane that the government sent down, just to do aerial footage of all of the destruction and the damage. So we just did that to kind of get some ideas, and from that I kind of extrapolated an idea for a sequel. And I kind of put that together into a format, and now we’re kind of waiting to see if that’s going to move forward.That would need Steven Spielberg’s blessing, ultimately, and they probably won’t take it to him ‘til there’s real studio interest, but I think the 3D applications of that could obviously be pretty amazing.

“The only reason I’d like to revisit that ground is because I realize we’re living in a time where big movies cost so much to make that the town is looking for built-in audiences,” admitted Paxton. “Of course, I’m so glad to see that the success of ‘Avatar’ is disproving that theory, but…I always thought the first ‘Twister’ was an exciting ride, but I thought a sequel could explore it in a more enthralling way, getting into more of the history and the lore, more of a darker version of the first one.”

Although it may sound more serious than the original “Twister,” Paxton doesn’t think that fans of the first film would have any problem accepting the sequel. “I think you’d still want to have a lot of the dark humor and all of that, with the flying cows and everything,” he said, with a laugh. “I think you could kind of intrigue people more by getting into a little more of the lore and really understanding. I just think there’s a lot more to explore there. When I researched the first film when I was getting ready to do it, I just found so much stuff. Ultimately, I was happy with ‘Twister,’ but I also had thought that it could’ve gotten a little deeper into it.”

What you do you think? I can’t say I’ve been chomping at the bit for “Twister 2,” but Paxton has proven in the past that he can make just about anything worth watching, and his point about how such a film would be perfect for 3D is certainly food for thought.

First Meet the Parents 3 pic

Below is the first image from the new untitled Meet the Parents sequel, no longer titled Little Fockers. Nothing much...except Stiller's new hair do...

G.I. Joe 2 has writers

According to IESB, G.I. Joe 2 is going to have two writers...

Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick have been in the news this week when it was announced they had officially signed on to pen DEADPOOL for 20th Century Fox.

IESB has exclusively learned that not only are these two writing the script for the Merc with the Mouth, they've also just been handed the sequel to G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA that hit theaters this past August with Stephen Sommers at the helm.

We've reached out to Paramount and WME and are awaiting further comment.

RISE OF COBRA was a big summer success released in theaters August 7 and grossing over $300 million in worldwide box office receipts alone as well as a ton of money in DVD and toy/merchandise sales.

Reese and Wernick are most known for their work on the Sony Pictures' horror hit ZOMBIELAND that starred Woody Harrelson and grossed just under $100 million worldwide.

Big Momma's House 3 director

This comes from Production Weekly via Twitter...

John Whitesell will return to direct the 2nd sequel to "Big Momma's House," production is scheduled to begin mid-April in Atlanta.

Hatchet 2 video from set

Thanks to YouTube user ArieScope and Bloody-Disgusting for making this available. It's nothing much...but it IS something...

Deadpool has writers

Variety is reporting that the writers of Zombieland have been tapped tapped to write the X-Men spinoff Deadpool, starring Ryan Reynolds.

20th Century Fox is making progress with its "X-Men" spinoff, "Deadpool," and has tapped "Zombieland" scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick to pen the screenplay.

Ryan Reynolds will reprise his role as the wisecracking mercenary he portrayed in last year's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

There is no timetable on the Marvel property, though Reynolds has a window after wrapping the "Green Lantern" this summer.

Reynolds has been bulking up to play the DC Comics' hero "Green Lantern," which starts lensing next month. This means he would already be in superhero shape if the script for "Deadpool" is ready by summer.

Reese and Wernick, who wrote "Zombieland," will stay true to the mythology of "Deadpool" given that Reynolds is a huge fan and protector of the property.

The tone of "Deadpool," which features an antihero as opposed to the more traditional heroic comicbook protagonist, is very similar in tone to "Zombieland."

Lauren Shuler Donner is producing "Deadpool."

Reese and Wernick, high school friends who began collaborating in 2001, most recently sold the pitch "Earth vs. Moon" to Universal Pictures. The pair penned a draft of "Venom" for Sony/Marvel.

They are repped by WME.

Spider-Man 4 script rejected

The submitted speculation screenplay for Spider-Man 4 has been rejected by the studio. Now normally this is no big deal, scripts get rejected all the time...especially first drafts and specs -- but when there's a certain Spidey in the title, it tends to be bigger news. Thanks to EW for the scoop...

Our Spidey sense is tingling.

Just a few months ago, Tobey Maguire told us he was ready to don the Spider-Man suit again in March for the film's fourth installment, which was looking at a May 2011 release.

Now it looks like Spider-Man 4 is facing a foe worse than Doc Ock: a rejected screenplay.

Somewhere along the line, Marvel's record-breaking franchise hit a huge snag, reports Hollywood insider Nikki Finke. Director Sam Raimi is reportedly dissatisfied with the Spider-Man 4 script thus far, and without a script, filming on the long-awaited movie has been put on the back burner.

Sources tell Finke it's unlikely the originally scheduled release date will be made, but attempts are being made to secure a summer 2011 opening—although the franchise has traditionally hit theaters in the coveted May spot.

While Sony didn't directly confirm the delay, the studio did hint that it could be a while, telling E! News: "We are completely committed to the Spider-Man franchise and know audiences will find the next film worth the wait."

We'll take that as a yes.

Luke Goss in Death Race 2

So Death Race 2 is going to straight to DVD (go figure). And here's what's happening so far...

Moviehole can reveal that Luke Goss will star in Universal's direct-to-DVD sequel to 2008s "Death Race".

In director Roel Reiné's "Death Race : Frankenstein Lives", Goss ("Blade II", "Hellboy II : The Golden Army") plays Luke, the young man that donned the 'Frankenstein' mask prior to Jensen Ames (Jason Statham's character in Paul W.S Anderson's "Death Race").

Luke, the right-hand man for a notorious mobster, is busted for killing a cop in the process of robbing a bank. Once behind the bars of Terminal Island, the confident newcomer is roped into entering the 'big race' by it's green-eyed producer.

The project reunites Goss with Universal, whom he worked with on "Hellboy II : The Golden Army".

"Frankenstein Lives", Written by Tony Giglio, begins shooting in Eastern Europe next month.

Dune remake has a director

It appears that the remake of Dune is back on track as it has found a director to take the helm. Thanks to Entertainment Weekly for the tip...

Paramount has found a new director for its remake of the sci-fi classic Dune, after Peter Berg dropped off the project in October. The studio has hired Taken helmer Pierre Morel to oversee the movie. Paramount is currently looking for a new writer to incorporate Morel’s vision of the project into the original draft by Quantum of Solace scribe Josh Zetumer. Morel plans to make a very faithful adaptation of the 1965 book by Frank Herbert. The movie is a high priority for Paramount’s production chief Adam Goodman. Kevin Misher and Richard Rubinstein are producing.

Michael Cera wants Ghostbusters 3 role

It appears that Michael Cera (Superbad, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist) wants a role in the third Ghostbusters film...playing Oscar, Sigourney Weaver's son. This is what Cera had to say to People Magazine.

(I loved) Ghostbusters! As a kid, I wanted to be Bill Murray's character. Harold told me lots of stories and I memorized every word.

Personally, I think the kid could pull it off -- and I think it's highly likely that he'll be considered for the role.

Prequel to The Thing rolling

Interested in what's happening with the prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 remake of The Thing? Well read on to see what Moviehole ran earlier...

Anyone’s that been in viewing distance of my horror tower (yes, I have categorized DVD shelves at home) knows just how much of a woody I have for John Carpenter. There’s more shelf-space dedicated to the man there, than there is, well, cobwebs – and that’s saying something; ask my underpaid but under-performing cleane - and David Lynch (er, maybe).

Be it “Halloween”, “The Thing”, “Big Trouble in Little China”, “Christine”, or “They Live” Carpenter’s proved time and time again what a fantastic writer, filmmaker, composer (his “Big Trouble” theme is a corker!) and, dare I say it, entrepreneur he is. I guess you could say Carpenter is my era’s Robert Rodriguez – a man with enough creativity and skills that Hollywood doesn’t mind if he goes against the grain now and then; even getting paid for his rebellious nature.

Well, they use to pay Carpenter to do what he does best.

You see Carpenter’s had a hard few years. Seems the studio system aren’t that interested in him anymore – poor takings on 90s efforts "Vampires" and "Ghosts of Mars" didn't help - which is a pity, because he’s undoubtedly got some great ideas ready to throw in the crock pot. One of the projects he unsuccessfully attempted to bring to screens was a follow-up to his 80s masterpiece “The Thing”. Every time Carpenter brought it up with Universal, they turned away. Not at all interested.

Or so they made out.

A year or two later and the studio is about to get production on - yep, you guessed it! - a prequel to Carpenter's "The Thing".

Production Weekly reports that it kicks off it’s shoot in Canada this March.

Carpenter (aside from the obligatory producing credit) isn’t involved; instead Uni have hired Matthijs van Heijningen (who!?) to direct the film, and Ronald D. Moore (“Batttlestar Galactica” – Hell Yeah!) and Eric Heisserer (Platinum Dunes' ‘’A Nightmare on Elm Street’’ – Hell No!) to pen it.

But still, despite Carpenter’s snubbing, I remain optimistic (though not because the remakes of Carpenter's "Assault on Precinct 13" and "The Fog" turned out for the best - they, er, didn't). There is, after all, a story to be told here. Let’s just hope Heijningen's flick plays both homage and respect to the 1982 film – and doesn’t, like some other unmentionable follow-ups, shit all over it.

Meanwhile, Carpenter is knee-deep in production on a new film of his own, "The Ward", starring hottie Amber Heard.

In this month's FHM, Heard ("The Pineapple Express") remarked that she "loves working with a director like [Carpenter] because I feel like I can trust him. He's a genius in his own right, he's definitely good at his job, and it feels really good to work with someone like that".

Hatchet 2 news

This comes from the always entertaining Bloody-Disgusting...

With Green hot on the heels of production of HATCHET 2, the writer-director reflects back on some of the HATCHET woes.

" From the day I wrote it and my agents told me they didn’t believe in it, from the now infamous rejection letter I received from a major studio that said “though the writing is brilliant, unfortunately this film will never get made because it’s not a remake, it’s not a sequel, and its not based on a Japanese one”, to the ridiculously short amount of time we were given to shoot in, to our post-production process being fumbled and destroyed by crooks, to our triumphant moment of getting a coveted U.S. theatrical release… only to be met at the finish line with a crucifixion that saw me forced to stand trial and defend my film and my character before the MPAA… it’s no wonder that by the night HATCHET opened in theaters on Friday September 7, 2007, I hated the movie about as much as any anonymous troll on a message board. I felt like I had literally gone to war and all I wanted to do was be done with it.


Though a sequel was always in the cards (the first one was shot and especially “ended” in a way that was conducive to making a sequel) I needed to go do other things before I would be able to go back that way and let Victor Crowley loose again. As cliché as it may sound, the first HATCHET was a selfish film. I thought of it and invented Victor Crowley when I was only eight years old, so twenty or so years later when I got the chance to shoot it, I merely made the type of movie I wanted to see on the big screen again. But after all of the battles I fought along the way (some were won, many were lost) it was the community of horror fans that carried HATCHET over the finished line. A literal “army” of friends, brothers, and sisters that I never knew I had that rallied behind it and (even without the proper financial support in marketing from it’s distributor) turned HATCHET into one of the biggest successes worldwide of the last decade. I’ve done conventions and film festivals everywhere and seen firsthand the love that the fans have for what we did. I’ve sat through theatrical screenings of HATCHET with sold out auditoriums of kids and adults that can say every line along with the cast. And while creatively I am chomping at the bit to get back to Honey Island Swamp and finish what we started, this time around it’s not just about me anymore, it’s about YOU. It gives me great joy to say that HATCHET 2 is for fans of HATCHET 1 and those fans only. It’s going to be everything you want the sequel to be. Didn’t like the first film? Excellent. Skip this one then, you’re not invited to our party. Liked the first one? You’ll love this. Surprises, plot twists, and swamp boat loads full of gore await you next Fall!"

HATCHET 2 begins lensing next week. Read the entire blog with images over at MySpace.