Official Press Release For 'The Hobbit' Films

The official press release for Peter Jackson's two Hobbit films has been released...along with what the two films will be called and release dates.

New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures and MGM have announced the titles and release dates for filmmaker Peter Jackson’s two-film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s enduringly popular masterpiece “The Hobbit.” The first film, titled The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, will be released on December 14, 2012. The second film, titled The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is slated for release the following year, on December 13, 2013.

Both films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The adventure of “The Hobbit” follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.

Under Jackson’s direction, both movies are being shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming is taking place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and Martin Freeman, who just won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the BBC series “Sherlock,” takes on the central role of Bilbo Baggins. Also reprising their roles from “The Lord of the Rings” movies are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; and Andy Serkis as Gollum. The ensemble cast also includes (in alphabetical order) Richard Armitage, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas and Aidan Turner.

The screenplays for “The Hobbit” films are by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham. The executive producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer.

“The Hobbit” films are productions of New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing being handled by MGM.

Thanks to Moviehole for the release.

'The Hangover Part II' Makes Bank At The Box Office

No surprise here, really. The Hangover Part II scored big in the weekend box office, raking in $86.5 million in three days, and making it the best opening weekend for any comedy movie...ever. Yeah, I smell a Part III soon. Director Todd Phillips seems to be in the zone.

'Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' Leaked Red Band Trailer

If you haven't seen it already, here's the leaked red band trailer for David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Some are calling this a remake of the 2009 film of the same title. But both are based on a book...anyway, here's the leaked trailer...

Zach Braff To Join The 'Oz' Prequel

Zach Braff (TV's Scrubs) is in final negotiations to join James Franco in the new Wizard of Oz prequel, Oz: The Great and Powerful.

Disney is in final negotiations with Zach Braff to join the cast of "Oz: The Great and Powerful."

Sam Raimi is directing the 3D fantasy pic, which is a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz" that finds the titular character arriving in the Land of Oz and being treated like a wizard by the colorful locals.

Braff would portray the assistant to Oz, the magician played by James Franco. Mila Kunis will also star alongside Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz, whose character Evanora is an evil witch.

The script is penned by David Lindsay-Abaire. Joe Roth is producing alongside Josh Donen and Grant Curtis.

Pic is scheduled to start production this July in Michigan, and Disney will release the tentpole on March 8, 2013.

Thanks to Variety.

Orlando Bloom Back In 'The Hobbit'

It seems like The Hobbit is becoming less of a spinoff, and more of a sequel lately as Orlando Bloom has been cast in the film, along with other Rings cast members.

Orlando Bloom has been cast in "The Hobbit" and will reprise the role of the elf Legolas from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

Producer-director Peter Jackson made the announcement Friday on his Facebook page.

"10 years on, I'm thrilled to be working with Orlando again," Jackson said. "I look older - he doesn't! Orlando created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas, and we're excited to be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more."

Bloom's casting had been widely anticipated. He'll be seen next in Constantin's "The Three Musketeers."

Jackson announced last week that he had tapped British thesp Stephen Fry to play the role of Master of Laketown in "The Hobbit." He began shooting the two films in New Zealand in 3D in mid-March with a cast including Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett reprising their roles from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

J.R.R. Tolkien novel is set 60 years before "Lord of the Rings," with Bilbo the unassuming Hobbit who becomes a hero by obtaining a powerful ring in the face of challenges by the wicked Gollum and a dragon named Smaug.

The screenplays are penned by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham; exec producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer.

New Line parent Warner Bros. reached a deal in January to handle worldwide distribution on "The Hobbit," taking over most international distribution and homevideo on the two films from MGM in exchange for funding MGM's half of the production costs. The "Hobbit" pics are aimed for release in late 2012 and late 2013.

Thanks to Variety.

Writers Tapped For 'Yogi Bear' Sequel

No surprise here, really. Writers have been hired to pen the script to Yogi Bear 2 (it'll probably have some cheesy tagline). Anyway, here's the skinny...

Warner Bros. is heading back to Jellystone Park, moving ahead on development of "Yogi Bear" sequel.

Studio's signed the writing team of Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia to script the project, which will again be produced by Donald De Line and Karen Rosenfelt with Andrew Haas exec producing. Jon Berg's overseeing for Warners.

Sternin and Ventimilia teamed on the script for Fox's "Rio" and for DreamWorks' "Peabody and Sherman."

The live-action/CG animated "Yogi Bear" turned out to be a better performer than initially expected, opening modestly in mid-December with $16.4 million domestically before showing long legs and topping $100 million in U.S. grosses. Pic grossed another $100 million internationally.

Dan Aykroyd voiced the title character and Justin Timberlake was his sidekick Boo-Boo with Anna Faris, Tom Cavanaugh, Andrew Daly and T.J. Miller starring in the live-action roles. Eric Brevig directed; Sternin, Ventimilia and Brad Copeland received screenplay credit.Yogi's character, inspired by Art Carney's portrayal of Ed Norton on "The Honeymooners," first appeared in Hanna-Barbera cartoons in 1958 and was voiced by Daws Butler.

Thanks to Variety for the scoop.

Shannon Elizabeth To Reprise Nadia In 'American Reunion'

I guess this officially completes the "reunion" of the cast of the upcoming American Reunion, the true fourth film in the franchise sans the AP Presents films. Although, I still see one vital cast member missing here: Natasha Lyonne as Jessica. Oh well, maybe she'll have a cameo or something.

I'm actually looking forward to this movie. Anyway, welcome back to East Great Falls, Nadia!

EXCLUSIVE: Welcome back Nadia! Shannon Elizabeth, who had been one of the last holdouts from the original American Pie cast, has signed on to appear in the upcoming Universal-produced fourquel, American Reunion. She will join her co-stars Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Alyson Hannigan, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Chris Klein, Eugene Levy, Tara Reid, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jennifer Coolidge and Mena Suvari who are all set to return. Elizabeth will reprise her role as Czech exchange student Nadia, which she played in the first and second American Pie movies. She is slated to start next week in Atlanta where the movie will be filmed. Harold & Kumar writers Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg penned the script and are directing American Reunion, which will feature the gang returning to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. Craig Perry, Chris Moore and Warren Zide are producing, with Chris and Paul Weitz exec producing. That '70s Show alumna Elizabeth is with Buchwald/Fortitude and Steve Greener.

Thanks to Deadline for the scoop!

'Happy Feet Two' Trailer Has Been Released

Oh, yay, another 3D movie. I shouldn't judge too harshly, this is a kid's movie, after all. I guess the masses will flock to this one as well (pun intended, get it?)...

NBA Star To Invest In 'The Strangers 2'

Finally, some news regarding The Strangers 2. It seems that Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks is very fond of the first film and willing to front the cash to get the sequel off the ground.

As if Amar'e Stoudemire didn't have enough projects in the works, he's now getting into the movie business as a producer of a Hollywood horror flick.

The Knicks star, who's also a fashion designer and actor, is now in discussions with Relativity Media mogul Ryan Kavanaugh to executive-produce "The Strangers 2," a sequel to the creepy 2008 chiller "The Strangers."

The original flick starred Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman as a couple staying in an isolated summer house who are terrorized by masked assailants. It was produced by Relativity's Rogue division with a mere $9 million budget and grossed more than $80 million worldwide.

Stoudemire raved about "The Strangers" to us at Tuesday night's Whitney Art Party in Chelsea, which he co-hosted along with Shala Monroque and Eddie Borgo. "Ever see 'The Strangers?' It's a scary movie . . . It's crazy," he told us. Relativity Media finances and distributes films including "Bridesmaids," "Limitless," "The Fighter" and "The Social Network."

Thanks to the NY Post for the scoop.

'Avatar' Sequels To Film Back-To-Back

The rumors have been confirmed. There are two sequels to Avatar in the works. And, yes, they will be filmed back-to-back at MBS Media Campus in Manhattan Beach. Take a look at the official press release...

It was officially announced today that James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment has signed a long term lease agreement to take more than 115,000 square feet of sound stage and production office space at MBS Media Campus, the state-of-the-art production lot in Manhattan Beach owned by the Carlyle Group and managed by Raleigh Studios.

The deal puts the Academy Award winning director at the MBS Media Campus for his two highly anticipated sequels to Avatar, the highest grossing film of all time. Production for the sequels will continue to be on the cutting edge of motion picture technology utilizing the latest performance capture filming methods to create the Avatar universe.

As the most technologically advanced major production studio outside of Hollywood, the MBS Media Campus provides Cameron and Lightstorm full access to one of the most up-to-date and structurally advanced film and television production lots in the world. At the MBS Media Campus, film and television productions benefit from the unique campus-like atmosphere, proximity to the Southern California coastline and eco-friendly mandate. With its 360 Production concept, MBS Media Campus was designed to bring all of the service and resources needed for film and television production to a single location.

“The MBS Media Campus provides us with the technological infrastructure, complete array of production services and location near LAX that make the campus a perfect fit for our next two Avatar projects,” said Jon Landau of Lightstorm Entertainment. “In addition, MBS shares our commitment to working in an environment where our production can be carbon neutral. All of us at Lightstorm are excited to begin the next chapter of Avatar with the MBS team.”

In addition to being one of the most modern independent film production lots in the world, a major draw for Mr. Cameron was the MBS Media Campus’ commitment to eco-friendly practices and sustainability. The lot has in place an aggressive water conservation program, eco-friendly paints and cleaning products, sustainable cafe and craft services practices and a number of programs to promote greener transportation by its employees.

“We have a long history with Jim, Jon and Lightstorm, and we are pleased to continue it here at the MBS Media Campus in Manhattan Beach.” said Michael Moore, President of Raleigh Studios. “There is not another location in the world that matches what we have in Manhattan Beach. Whether it is for television or the biggest movies being made today, we believe we deliver a bit of Hollywood by the sea here at the MBS Media Campus. The state-of-the-art improvements we have made couldn’t be put to a better use. And with two of the largest production companies headquartered on our lot, we have proven that MBS is a world class facility. We look forward to working with Jim and Lightstorm on the Avatar sequels, and to providing top notch service to one of the industry’s greatest filmmakers.”

Mr. Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment join another motion picture industry leader, Marvel Studios, whose headquarters is also located at the MBS Media Campus. Marvel filmed much of Iron Man 2 and Thor at the facility, and is currently in production on Captain America and Avengers. MBS Media Campus is also the headquarters for such television productions as CSI: Miami, 90210, America’s Funniest Home Videos as well as a variety of television commercial, music video and other projects.

Built in 1998, the 22 acre MBS complex recently underwent a number of multimillion dollar upgrades, including the installation of a New York City street back lot, a state of the art 3D screening room, and an ADR studio with the latest in fiber optic technology. Additionally, the MBS Media Campus is home to re-designed and improved offices spaces which provide productions with direct access to the sound stages. The facility has also recruited Urban Beach Cafe to provide production catering and run the lot’s onsite cafe. The upgrades have made MBS Media Campus the most modern independent studio lot in the world.

The MBS Media Campus showcases how film and television production has evolved. With 15 sound stages and an expansive campus-like setting, MBS Media Campus was designed to be a focal point for production, bringing all of the services and resources needed for film and television production to one location. It is called “360° Production,” a turnkey menu of production services and resources for lighting and grip, rigging, truss, construction, stage materials, heavy equipment and catering all within arms’ reach and instantly accessible. This has made MBS a popular base for some of the most successful film and television projects in the world.

MBS Media Campus features such onsite services as:

- Nine 18,000 square foot sound stages
- Five 25,000 square foot sound stages
- One brand new 10,000 square foot sound stage
- Olsesen Lighting – featuring state-of-the-art theatrical equipment
- Outdoor New York Street Scene
- Blue Room Post – up-to-the-minute technology for all post production services
- Hertz Entertainment Services – scissor lifts, condors, trucks, generators, etc…
- Branam Enterprises – flying systems, motors, track and truss
- MBS Studio Store – expendables
- MBS Construction – lumber and construction services
- Production Offices – highly creative environment with offices attached to stages
- Screening Room – a brand new, state-of-the-art screening room
- Onsite Amenities – Urban Beach Cafe and onsite concierge services

MBS Media Campus is a 21st century studio in a sublime setting and is one of the largest employers in Manhattan Beach, CA. The lot’s location also provides the convenience of shooting close to home and the beautiful weather and eclectic environment of Southern California.

In the new world of media convergence and synergy, the MBS Media Campus is the answer to single-destination production for film, media and creative arts. With a complete portfolio of studio services and resources onsite, this is a unique, one-stop facility.

Steve Wiseman of CBRE represented Lightstorm in this transaction.

'Zoolander 2' At A Stand-Still...Again

Ugh. The much-anticipated Zoolander 2 is at a stand-still yet again. It seems that everybody is on board -- except the studio.

Even though it’s apparently one of Terrence Malick‘s favorite films, Paramount isn’t coming off as too enthusiastic about making a sequel to Zoolander. While the Ben Stiller film was a box office disappointment when it was released in 2001 – heavily due to the fact that it came out only weeks after 9/11 – the fanbase it’s built up on home video over the years has made development move forward on a sequel.

We heard in February of last year that Justin Theroux would direct and co-write the movie, but it was then reported in May of that same year that the studio had passed on the film. A story circulated this past March that shooting was currently underway, but then it was said that there wasn’t even a start date for the thing. A long, complicated saga for the follow-up.

Things have just gotten a little longer and a little more complicated, as Stiller has told ThePlaylist that the movie is at Paramount, but isn’t moving forward right now, despite a script being done. His quote is as follows:

“It’s kind of coming along slowly, we have a script that we like and we’re just waiting for the studio to figure it out. But I think we all want to do it. We’re raring to go, not quite sure where the studio’s at. Hopefully it’ll come together.”

I have to be honest here and say that I don’t see this coming together. You have to remember that such a big distance between an original movie and a sequel can hurt its chances at being a box office success. If this was going forward three or four years ago, I could see the potential for a hit. But when you have what will be a difference of at least eleven years between an original movie (that tanked) and its sequel, some optimism is required to expect a big winner.

While there is a cult audience, how far can that take a sequel, financially speaking? Someone took a bet with The Boondock Saints II, and while it might have made a profit, I’m not sure if it was worth the effort to get the thing made. While Zoolander is a much better movie than Troy Duffy‘s monstrosity, I don’t see any more installments in the Derek Zoolander story making their way to theaters.

Thanks to The Film Stage for the scoop.

First 'Breaking Dawn Part 1' Poster Emerges

This is for all you Twihards out there. The first teaser poster for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 has been released...

Sam Neill Says Why 'Jurassic Park 4' Won't Happen

Sam Neill, probably best known for his portrayal as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III, recently spoke to MTV and told them why he thinks a Jurassic Park 4 cannot, and will not, happen...

"I think we've told the story. I think it's done," he said, laughing that we here at MTV are the only ones interested in seeing him back in "Jurassic Park" mode. (We seriously doubt that's true.) But there's a deeper reason for why Neill wouldn't want to go back into that world: "[Legendary effects expert] Stan Winston who made those beautiful dinosaurs died. So, no Stan, no 'Jurassic Park' really … [and author Michael] Crichton died too."

However, Neill's "Alcatraz" co-star helped him come up with a very Hurley-esque idea for how "Jurassic Park 4" might come to life. Neill explained: "I'll tell you what. If Michael Crichton time travels, writes the book [and] Stan time travels, [and] reanimates dinosaurs, then absolutely."

Maybe we're reading into too much, but that sounds like a maybe to us.

Thanks to MTV for the story.

'Step Up 4' Details Revealed

All the juicy details on Step Up 4 have been revealed...yawn. But if that's your type of thing, here you go!

Yep, you heard me – “Step Up 4″.

Ashley Tisdale’s beau Scott Speer is directing this third sequel to the Mr & Mrs Tatum hit. John Chu is executive producing, Adam Shankman producing and Channing Tatum… er, he’s not in it.

There’s a shift in locale this time. We’re in Miami now, where Sean, a poor guy from ‘the streets’, runs an underground dance troupe. When he’s not working for a real-estate company he’s putting on the Ritz.

Emily is home for the Summer. Rich and sassy, she’s a classical, lyrical dancer – and, of course, Sean’s boss’s daughter. Though she’s just graduated NYU, she wants to dance full-time (in the Fusion Dance Company, ideally) – - something her uber-successful pop isn’t so sure about. She hooks up with Dad’s employee Sean who introduces her to his flash mob organization where she can be as free and creative in her dance as she likes.

Emily and Sean, of course, develop feelings for each other. This does not please Trip, a young man being groomed by Emily’s father to not only take over the family business but take his daughter off his hands one day.

The other main characters are Eddy, Sean’s best friend, he’s the genius behind the underground dance troupe; aggressive, fueled by attitude and against anyone with money… well, you can guess who won’t get along with Sean’s new pal; Claire, Sean’s down-on-her-luck sister who wants her brother to get a real life and a real career and put this dance dream to bed; Ricky, the owner of Sean’s favourite bar and somewhat of a father figure to the troubled youngster, and Penelope, a tom-boy type with attitude who spins the tunes for the underground club.

I’d put money on Ashley Tisdale getting a look-in as Emily.

So, there you have it, basically the same deal as the other “Step Up” movies but will likely still dance all over the imitators.

Filming begins on “Step Up 4″ in August.

Thanks to Moviehole for the scoop.

'Amazing Spider-Man' Poster, Real Or Fake?

This poster first appeared on Shockya, and then rapidly spread across the net like a wildfire. However, I'm not totally sold on this poster being legit. What do you think?

First Bane Photo From 'The Dark Knight Rises'

Here's the first photo of Tom Hardy as Bane in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, the third film in Nolan's Batman trilogy.

Website Revamp Coming, Looking For Contributors

Hey, guys (and gals), over the next few days/weeks Sequel-Buzz will be getting a facelift. We're sticking with the same basic layout, but many of the colors, images, fonts, and logos will be changed.

Also, we are currently seeking new contributors that can bring a fresh, hip vibe to the site. We will be opening new sections to the site as well (ie: gossip column, genre news, video game news, etc.) and those positions will need to be filled. If you're interested, please drop us a line via our Submit-a-Scoop feature, or just e-mail me telling me what you're interested and we'll go from there.

Sequel-Buzz 3.0 is coming...

'Titanic' To Be Re-Released April 12, 2012 In 3D

Here's some interesting news, it appears that Titanic will be re-released into theaters on April 12, 2012 in 3D. Save the date, because it is also the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking...

I think it's common and cynical now to deride James Cameron's TITANIC, considering that until AVATAR it was the most successful film of all time (not adjusted for inflation). But at the time, it was a Movie Event, one we don't get anymore. It played well into the next year, won awards right and left, and probably most importantly, changed the way films were made and distributed. Young girls (and quite a bit of guys too, to be sure) would see the film over and over again.

It was inevitable that James Cameron would revisit this film. 3D is all the rage now, at least for the studios, and since next year will not only be the 15th anniversary of the release of the film but also the centennial of the naval disaster, a re-release of TITANIC was undoubtedly going to happen. On April 12, 2012, the 100th anniversary of the famous voyage, Cameron will re-release TITANIC in 3D to theaters around the world.

The conversion will be supervised by Cameron and Jon Landau, and, according to Cameron, "There's a whole generation that's never seen TITANIC as it was meant to be seen, on the bigscreen, and this will be TITANIC as you've never seen it before, digitally remastered at 4K and painstakingly converted to 3D."

I'm not going to get into a full-blown discussion of 3D here (though I'm quite sure the Talkback will), but I'd be very surprised if this re-release wasn't hugely successful. We've all seen the film many times, probably, and this will be an opportunity for the next generation to see what all the fuss was about. If for nothing else, a lot of guys will be seeing it for the 3D sketch sequence alone (the drawing was just auctioned last month, oddly enough). Not to be crude, but nude Kate Winslet in 3D? Sign me up.

Thanks to AICN for the story.

'The Hangover Part III' To Be Different Says Phillips

During the press release for The Hangover Part II, director Todd Phillips revealed plans, er, ideas for a third movie and possible spinoffs.

The press conference for The Hangover Part II was today, so already the question of a third Hangover came up. Obviously this one will make money so we should expect the next one. Part II pretty much follows the template of the original, only international and deadlier. Director and co-writer Todd Phillips must know the rule of trilogies, because he’s planning to change it up for the finale.

“It’s certainly not in the same template that you’ve seen these movies,” Phillips said. “Obviously we always envisioned it as a trilogy as you can imagine. The third would be very much a finale and an ending. The most I could say about it, what’s in my head, and I haven’t discussed it with these actors, is that it is not following that template but very much a new idea.”

I don’t expect it to stop at III. You could always do spinoffs. “Listen, I love this world that we’ve created,” Phillips said. “I love every actor in these movies, even all the ones that aren’t here today as well. Who knows, we do a Mr. Chow movie, I haven’t talked to Ken [Jeong] about it but Chow is definitely a man of mystery much like Austin Powers. He obviously has a web that is woven deep in crime and women.”

It doesn’t even have to be connected to this set of characters. You could always throw new comedians into more hangover situations. “Yeah, please tell that to these guys and their agents,” Phillips deflected. “No, I would not see spinning it off like that. I wouldn’t do that.”

With that, Ed Helms jumped in. “We’re just like the kids in the Vacation movies,” Helms said, making reference to the rotating cast of Griswold kids including Anthony Michael Hall and Juliette Lewis in different entries.

The Hangover series has already gone from Las Vegas to Bangkok, so Phillips reiterated his joke about where a third one could be set. “As far as where it takes place, I said I’m very open, like the Olympic committee, to being pitched and presented cities, flown around with wine and women and bribed,” Phillips said. “Then I will make my decision.”

The Hangover Part II opens May 26.

Thanks to Screen Junkies for the story.

Stephen Lang Talks 'Avatar 2'

Avatar villain Stephen Lang recently spoke to MTV about a return to Pandora in a possible Avatar 2...

Still with us? Good! We know it's a good few years away yet, but as big fans of the property, we can't help ourselves from thinking about James Cameron's planned sequels to "Avatar." While it's a sure bet that Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and other surviving cast members of the first "Avatar" will be coming back for the sequel, the fate of some other actors is less certain — like Sigourney Weaver, who died in the first film but assured us that there's still a chance that Doctor Grace Augustine has a future on Pandora.

After hearing that, we couldn't help ourselves from posing a similar question to Stephen Lang when we saw him at the Fox Upfronts this week, where he was promoting his new show "Terra Nova." Even though the vicious Colonel Quaritch didn't survive "Avatar," is there a chance he'll be back for the sequel?

"I can't talk about that with you," he answered with a knowing grin, adding this little gem: "I could, but then I'd have to do away with you."

Getting our lives threatened by Stephen Lang in the pursuit of unearthing movie scoops is all in a day's work, so we persisted: does he see a way that he could come back to life in some way, shape or form?

"Anything's possible on Pandora," he conceded, "but today, it's all about 'Terra Nova.'"

Indeed, Lang's "Avatar" fans will want to tune into "Terra Nova," where the actor plays Nathaniel Taylor, a hardened soldier much in the same vein (and setting) as his notorious "Avatar" bad guy. And whether or not he gets the chance to play Quaritch again, it won't be long before you get your next fix of Lang's signature villainy: he's playing the lead antagonist in "Conan the Barbarian" this summer, and he offered us a hell of a sales pitch.

"If you like blood and if you like boobs, that's the movie for you," he declared. "It's going to be a trip, that movie!"

Thanks to MTV for the scoop.

Weinstein Sure 'Scream 5' Will Happen

When asked, Harvey Weinstein is "sure" that a Scream 5 will happen. Check out the video below. And thanks to Scream-Trilogy.net for the heads up.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

TV: 'The Flintstones' Headed To FOX!

There's a new Flintstones series headed our way courtesy of FOX and...Seth MacFarlane. Yes, that's right. The genius that brought us Family Guy, American Dad, and The Cleveland Show is putting his spin on a classic. Here's the press release...

FLINTSTONES! MEET “THE FLINTSTONES” ON FOX

Modern Stone-Age Family Returns to Television in

New Animated Series from Seth MacFarlane,

20th Century Fox Television and Warner Bros. Television

Yabba dabba doo! FOX has picked up THE FLINTSTONES, a 21st century version of the classic animated comedy from executive producer Seth MacFarlane. In a cross-studio collaboration, THE FLINTSTONES will be produced jointly by 20th Century Fox Television and Warner Bros. Television. Warner Bros. is home to THE FLINTSTONES via its ownership of the Hanna-Barbera collection of animated titles. Dan Palladino (“Gilmore Girls”) and Kara Vallow (FAMILY GUY) will also serve as executive producers. THE FLINTSTONES will begin production in fall 2011 and will be set in stone on the FOX schedule in 2013.

“The very first cartoon character I drew at age two was Fred Flintstone,” said MacFarlane. “So it’s appropriate that events have come full circle, allowing me to produce the newest incarnation of this great franchise. Plus, I think America is finally ready for an animated sitcom about a fat, stupid guy with a wife who’s too good for him.”

“The Flintstones are among the funniest and most beloved characters in television history, and we can’t wait to introduce them to a whole new generation on FOX,” said Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “FOX has long been home to iconic families like the Simpsons and the Griffins, so I have no doubt that the Flintstones and the Rubbles are going to fit right in on our air.”

The (pre)historic return of THE FLINTSTONES will feature MacFarlane’s modern-day take on the lives of the Flintstones and the Rubbles, two hard-working middle-class families living with contemporary conveniences in the dinosaur-era town of Bedrock. The series centers on hard-headed patriarch FRED FLINTSTONE and best friend and sidekick BARNEY RUBBLE. Fred’s Stone-Age clan includes wife WILMA, daughter PEBBLES and pet dinosaur DINO, while Barney’s brood consists of wife BETTY and son BAMM-BAMM.

MacFarlane’s lineup of animated series continues to dominate Sunday nights. Everyone’s favorite families from Quahog, Langley Falls and Stoolbend will be back for more laughs as FAMILY GUY, AMERICAN DAD and THE CLEVELAND SHOW were recently renewed for a 10th, seventh and fourth seasons, respectively.

THE FLINTSTONES will be co-produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Warner Bros. Television. MacFarlane and Palladino serve as executive producers of the series and co-writers on the pilot. Vallow will serve as executive producer on the series. Voice actors for the series will be announced. THE FLINTSTONES and all related characters and elements are trademarks of © Hanna-Barbera.

Dimension Films Announces 'The Amityville Horror: The Lost Tapes'

So it appears that a new installment of The Amityville Horror is on its way. And thanks to movies like Paranormal Activity, this will be some sort of "found footage" flick...

DIMENSION FILMS AND MIRAMAX ANNOUNCE PRODUCTION OF THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: THE LOST TAPES



Marks the First of Many Pictures to be Produced Under TWC Miramax Alliance to Create Sequels to Best-Loved Miramax Properties





CANNES, FRANCE, May 15, 2011 – Dimension Films and Miramax today announced the production of THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: THE LOST TAPES. This is the first film to be produced under the agreement between Miramax and The Weinstein Company to create sequels to some of Miramax’s best-known properties.



Dimension also announced that it has acquired the rights to a new screenplay for the film by Casey La Scala and Daniel Farrands. Farrands and La Scala are also set to direct the film. Production will commence this summer with a release date scheduled for January 27, 2012. The announcement was made today by Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company (TWC), and Mike Lang, CEO of Miramax.



THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: THE LOST TAPES showcases the events after the time of the original The Amityville Horror book and movie through found footage dating back to 1976. An ambitious female television news intern, on the verge of breaking the most famous haunted house case in the world, leads a team of journalists, clergymen and paranormal researchers into an investigation of the bizarre events that will come to be known as The Amityville Horror … only to unwittingly open a door to the unreal that she may never be able to close.



“We are thrilled to return to the mythology of the Amityville Horror with a new and terrifying vision that will satisfy our existing fans and also introduce an entirely new audience to this popular haunting phenomenon,” said Bob Weinstein.



THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: THE LOST TAPES is being produced by Jason Blum, Casey La Scala and Daniel Farrands. Bob and Harvey Weinstein are Executive Producers. Blum has previous experience with found footage films having produced PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 1 and 2, which have grossed close to $400 million worldwide.



The Amityville Horror stories are based on events in the life of George Lutz. The Amityville Horror project is one of several sequel or development projects that Miramax and TWC are currently collaborating on.



“I’m thrilled to be working with Bob to reinvent one of the all-time great horror franchises, and I think this new installment will really hit home with a new generation of moviegoers,” said Jason Blum.

'The Muppets' Teaser Poster Is Here

The official teaser poster for the all-new The Muppets movie has been released. Tell us what you think!

Thanks to AICN for the poster!

'Fright Night' Remake Trailer Is Here

The trailer for the Fright Night remake is here! Check it out below...

More Fright Night (2011) Videos

New 'TBK: Toolbox Murders 2' Poster Revealed

Another poster has (finally) been revealed for the sequel to Tobe Hooper's 2003 remake of The Toolbox Murders. Thanks to Shock Till You Drop for this new TBK: Toolbox Murders 2 poster...

TV: 'Dexter' Season 6 Teaser

The teaser trailer for the sixth season of Showtime's Dexter has been released...

'Terminator' Films Find A Home And Two New Sequels

Annapurna Films will take over the Terminator franchise it seems, outbidding Lionsgate for the crown. And, officially, Arnold Schwarzenegger is attached to star.

EXCLUSIVE: Megan Ellison has won an auction for the rights to make at least two more installments of The Terminator franchise, with Fast Five's Justin Lin attached to direct and Arnold Schwarzenegger attached to star. The deal came down to Ellison's Annapurna Films and Lionsgate, which seemed to have had the project sewn up until she came forward with a dramatic bid. The auction at the time was for a guarantee for at least half of the $29.5 million paid by hedge fund Pacificor to pull the franchise out of bankruptcy. Unclear what the winning amount was, but I wouldn't be surprised if it hit the $20 million mark. CAA brokered the deal.

Thanks to Deadline for the scoop.

'Final Destination 5' Trailer Released

The official trailer for Final Destination 5 has been released. From what we can see in the trailer, this newest installment actually reminds me a lot of the first film. Check it out...

EXCLUSIVE: 'Who's There?' Prequel Announced

Maso & Co Productions has announced a prequel to the low budget horror film Who's There?. The feature, which is intended to be shot in the south of France, is now in the process of casting and starts shooting at the end of August. The movie will talk about the life of Christensen's character in the movie Who's There? and how he was abused as a child in order to become a macabre serial killer. No names are attached other than the director himself Pau Masó. The movie, to be called The Untold Story of Christensen Jacobson will be a dark horror film that will explain Christen's life at its full, from birth to where it left off.

Check out information for the original movie, Who's There?, by visiting their Facebook page.

Thanks to director Pau Masó for the scoop!

Jeanne-Claude Van Damme To Play Villain In 'The Expendables 2'

According to numerous sources, Jeanne-Claude Van Damme has been attached to The Expendables 2 to play the film's villain. Honestly, I was surprised when Van Damme wasn't cast in the first film. After all, it seems that all the major Tinsel Town badasses were in it. Now, in fact, they are.

Stephen Collins To Play Villain In 'The Three Stooges'

Stephen Collins (TV's 7th Heaven) has signed on to the play the villain, Mr. Harter, in The Three Stooges movie...

Stephen Collins has joined the cast of the 20th Century Fox comedy The Three Stooges.
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Collins, who last appeared in ABC’s No Ordinary Family, has landed the role of the villain Mr. Harter. Directed by the Farrelly brothers, he joins a cast led by Will Sasso, Chris Diamontopoulos and Sean Hayes as the three leads. Larry David and Jane Lynch were the most recent additions.

Three Stooges will be split into three half-hour vignettes.

The Farrellys are producing with Conundrum’s Bradley Thomas. Charles B. Wessler is producing along with Earl Benjamin, who will serve as an executive producer.

Super Sunday, a play written by Collins -- best known as Reverend Eric Camden on the WB/CW’s family drama 7th Heaven -- is currently playing at Los Angeles’ Moth Theatre.

Collins is repped by APA and Envision Entertainment.

Thanks to The Hollywood Reporter for the scoop!

Sarah Connor And Kyle Reese To Return In 'Terminator 5'?

Terminator 5 director Justin Lin addresses the rumors of Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese returning to the series...although both characters are dead in the canon...

Judgment Day is behind us, but the threat of Skynet still hangs heavy in the air as "Fast Five" director Justin Lin and original star Arnold Schwarzenegger join forces for "Terminator 5."

"I've talked to Arnold and I feel like there's a take that I'm excited about, a 'Terminator' movie there that I've always wanted to see and I still haven't seen," Lin told MTV News in an exclusive interview about the new "Terminator" outing. A lot has been reported about Lin and Schwarzenegger's approach to the post-apocalyptic action series, but the "Fast Five" director insisted that recent buzz about the franchise's original cast rising against the machines one more time simply isn't true.

"No. I don't know where that came from," he said of that particular report. "Everything has just been between me and Arnold, you know? Just us going out and trying to find the right partners. I have certain elements, but it's never been about, 'Hey, let's bring everybody back!' I just don't process that way. To me, thematically, there are certain things that I want to see in a 'Terminator' movie. A lot of that does draw back to creating this timeline that is an extension, closer tonally to the first and second movies. But to me, it's not as mathematical as, 'Hey, let's get everybody back together and we'll shoot the movie.'"

Lin, who says that his vision of "Terminator" is more in line with James Cameron's original movies than Jonathan Mostow and McG's more recent entries, added that he doesn't feel like he has to adhere to the continuity set forth by "Rise of the Machines" and "Salvation."

"I always feel like what's great about the 'Terminator' franchise is that there's time-travel and there are different timelines to play with," he said. "There are also a lot of gaps from what we love about all of the 'Terminator' movies, so there's a lot of things we can do and play with. To me, all of that, I don't really want to discuss it now. That's part of the fun of developing. But the bigger questions for me are always the characters and the themes. You want to start there. But obviously, answering your question, ['Terminator'] does have that capability, finding fresh ways of going back without destroying other [movies], because you can tell your own stories."

Speaking of timelines, it's not entirely clear whether Lin will focus on "Terminator 5" as his next movie, especially when he has other projects including a "Fast Five" sequel on his plate: "We're talking to different studios, but it has to be the right situation. If it's not right, then I could totally move on and I should move on. Probably in the next three or four weeks, I'll have a very clear picture [of what my next movie will be]."

Thanks to MTV for the news.

'Iron Man' Scribes Talk 'Tomb Raider' Reboot

Scribes Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby talk about their plans for the Tomb Raider reboot and how this will be an origin story...

I’m not in favor of a Tomb Raider reboot. I’ve never been particularly enamored of the Lara Croft character simply because I think she’s not an icon of ass-kicking female empowerment as much as she’s eye-candy for lonely male gamers. I’ve said before that simply giving a woman a weapon and having her murder stuff doesn’t automatically equal a strong character. Hopefully newly-hired screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby can pull the character away from the awful video games (the original 1996 game is still the best one) and terrible movies and give her a worthwhile story.

Hit the jump for what Fergus and Ostby had to say about their plans for the character.

Fergus and Ostby, whose credits include Iron Man, Children of Men, and the upcoming Cowboys & Aliens, are aiming high in their take on Tomb Raider. The duo tells Variety, “We aim to write an origin story for Lara Croft that solidifies her place alongside Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor in the pantheon of great female action heroes.” If you’re going to set your character to stand alongside Ripley and Sarah Connor, you better be damn sure you can deliver. The writers would do well to remember that it isn’t simply that those character kick-ass that makes them work. Ripley and Connor also feel fear, have maternal instincts, can crack wise, and have strategic minds. The reason Lara Croft has failed on screen until now is because a pair of pistols may be enough for a video game, but it isn’t enough to make a compelling hero.

Thanks to Collider for the scoop.

'Pirates 5' Script Is Done, But Is Depp Willing?

So the script for a fifth Pirates of the Caribbean has been turned it. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that Johnny Depp is reading jump back into the saddle again so quickly...

I’m seeing “Pirates of the Caribbean : On Stranger Tides” next week (because I have to; not because I want to – those two sequels put me right off the franchise) and I’m hoping, really hoping, that it’s akin to the original film – or in the very least, the ride. And I mean that. A plotless but punchy and short boat ride beats anything in “At Worlds End” or “Dead Man’s Chest”.
Disney must be confident they’ve another hit on their hands though – they’ve already got a script for a fifth “Pirates” ready to go.
Johnny Depp, on the other hand, isn’t as keen to don the mascara again just yet.

“Pirates” scribe Terry Rossio tells THR he’s delivered the “Pirates 5″ script to Disney and it’s now in their capable hands.

Depp tells the outlet that he’s up for another Caribbean ‘cruise’ but not just yet.

“It boils down to story, script and filmmaker,” Depp tells THR. But the actor isn’t clamoring to jump back into the puffy shirt until a little time has passed after Pirates 4. He didn’t relish the brutal schedule that saw him making Pirates 2 and Pirates 3 back-to-back in order to meet studio-mandated release dates in summer 2006 and 2007, respectively.

“It’s not something where I would say, ‘Let’s shoot it next month to get it out by Christmas 2012,’” he says. “We should hold off for a bit. They should be special, just like they are special to me.”.

I’d like to know if Depp considers the past two “Pirates” films ‘Special’? Just askin’

Thanks to Moviehole for the story.

Will Ferrell Talks 'Step Brothers 2' Possibility

I was keen on the idea of an Anchorman 2, but Step Brothers 2? Hmm -- that's a tough one. Is there a story to tell here? Will Ferrell thinks so...

Though I’m a bigger fan of “The Other Guys”, I still think Will Ferrell’s other recent-day two-hander “Step Brothers” is quite a goodie too. Is there enough in there for a sequel though? That, I don’t know. I guess that’s what Will, co-star John C.Reilly and director Adam McKay are now trying to figure out.
Speaking to Steve over at Collider, Ferrell said that a “Step Brothers 2″ has a better chance of happening than the “Anchorman” sequel.
”We just had a great meeting with John C. Reilly about maybe another Step Brothers. Because Anchoman is a brick wall right now.”, Ferrell said, knocking Paramount’s decision to pass on a Ron Burgundy return.
”We would have to all three do it. Totally”, Ferrell says, in relation to Reilly and McKay’s involvement.
And on that “Anchorman” sequel, Ferrell tells our old friends at Cinema Blend that “Anchorman 2, you really have to assert some sort of email hate campaign to Paramount Pictures. They’ve told us, ‘We’ve run the numbers and it’s not a good fit,’
So that one’s a no-go, sadly.

Thanks to Moviehole for the scoop.

Justin Lin Talks 'Terminator 5' Origins

The more I read about Justin Lin and his ideas for the next Terminator flick, the more on board I am with this project. Looks like this is headed in the right direction...

A few days back it was reported that “Fast Five” director Justin Lin had officially attached Arnold Schwarzenegger to the “Terminator” project the former is shopping around town. It’s anyone’s guess when Lin’s “Terminator” will happen (or if it’ll happen; remember, it’s still without a studio and either party could easily change their mind) but it’s exciting to think of Schwarzenegger back in his trademark role and more so, someone seemingly capable and determined to deliver something solid charged with the task of directing the latest film. While there are still no details on the storyline (only rumours and speculation), Lin has divulged more details on how the project came about.

Lin, who helmed the last three “Fast and Furious” films and is apparently a big “Terminator” fan, talked to French website Cinetaste (via Collider) and recalled how he came to be invited onto the project.

“It’s actually Pacificor that approached me,” explained Lin. “They had an idea…but I guess a lot of studios didn’t go for it or something happened… So then, they came back to me and they said, ‘D’you have an idea?’ and, I said ‘I have THE idea!’”

Schwarzenegger then agreed to do the film and Lin was given the go-ahead to start shopping the project around.

Lin says his “Terminator” film won’t be all stunts and dazzle, either.

“Technology has grown so much that there’s a whole idea of gluttony. Sometimes you get carried away because you can have a camera go through the window, but do I need a camera go through the window? Those choices are up to the director,” claimed Lin. “For Terminator, it’s still very early on, but I don’t want to make a movie where it’s not just showing off. I want to support the human elements. If you don’t have humanity, then it just becomes robots.”

Thanks to Moviehole for the story.