Japanese Set WWII Yakuza Thriller THE OUTSIDER Moves To Universal, Daniel Espinosa Still Wants To Direct
Variety reports that The Outsider has been picked up Silver Pictures for Universal. The WWII era film focuses on an American P.O.W. released from a prison camp by the Yakuza for him to work for the criminal organization. It was originally setup at Warner Bros. with Daniel Espinosa (Safe House, Snabba Cash) and they say Daniel is still keen on sticking with the project. Michael Fassbender and Tom Hardy had been in talks for the lead but their involvement is unknown.
RUMOR: Rupert Sanders Out And Kristen Stewart In For SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN Sequel?
RadarOnline (via FilmSchoolRejects) has word that Universal is pushing to bring back Kristen Stewart for the sequel to Snow White And The Huntsman. It had been reported previously the studio was looking to make the sequel centered around The Huntsman played by Chris Hemsworth. David Koepp was hired to develop a script while this new report says David is now gone but a script is ready to go. However, the big news is that Rupert Sanders won’t be back to direct but the project is still being aimed to start shooting at the end of 2013. It’s unknown how concrete this new information is so take it as a rumor for now.
Guillermo Gives Update On HELLBOY 3
Writer/director Guillermo del Toro talked to MTV about the progress of Hellboy 3 which would be final movie in the trilogy. He gives the impression that Mike Mignola and the cast are seemingly on board. The only thing holding things back is the film’s budget and finding an investor to pay for it.
“Finlay all the culprits have agreed to try. It’s very hard to find who will finance it. The Biggest chapter in the three movies is Hellboy becomes The Beast Of The Apocalypse. So we have been inquiring, but if you have a rich uncle that has 130-150 million dollars….”
Actress Selma Blair talked to BloodyDisgusting about the prospect of the third installment.
“It’s my dream to work with Guillermo del Toro again. I just want to be near him. I love him. I miss him. It’s my dream that one day when I’m done with the TV Show [Anger Management] they say, ‘ok the movie’s actually going to go!’ That would be the biggest heaven.
I mean it’s all set up. ‘Hellboy 3′ is the biggest payoff and the biggest horror. I want to see what these twins are up to, if one’s the devil and one’s an angel. I want to see what Hellboy and Liz are up to! I know the film is the apocalypse and the apocalypse isn’t cheap to shoot so we have to find some funding and get going with it!”
Arnold Schwarzenegger Will Play Conan Again In THE LEGEND OF CONAN
By Crom! Deadline reports that Universal is set on rebooting the Conan franchise one more time. However, they’ll be brining back Arnold Schwarzenegger to play the title role in The Legend of Conan. The new project being a direct sequel to the original 1982 film and is aiming for a Summer 2014 release date. It’s interesting as the end of the first movie showed an aged Conan sitting upon his throne. It could be a very excellent way to continue the franchise if they do it properly this time around. Personally, I’d be fine if Arnie only resurrected his role of Conan and staying away from Terminator 5.
TO BE CONSIDERED: Five Actresses For WANTED 2
Now that it’s again confirmed that Angelina Jolie won’t be returning for Wanted 2 there will be a search to fill the new female lead. We learned yesterday from writer Derek Haas that Wesley will be training a new protege in the sequel. That role will likely move the franchise forward as James McAvoy isn’t likely to continue for possible future installments. James is in high-demand thanks in part to his involvement with the new X-Men franchise and other projects. This protege will have a similar transformation from sheep to wolf that Wesley had. I’ve come up with a couple names I’d like to see pushed forward for casting consideration.
EMILY BLUNT (Looper, All You Need Is Kill, Sunshine Cleaning, Wolfman and The Adjustment Bureau)
MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD (Scott Pilgrim, Death Proof, Smashed, Die Hard 4 and The Thing)
OLIVIA THIRLBY (Juno, Dredd, The Wackness And The Darkest Hour)
ROONEY MARA (Nightmare On Elm Street, Social Network, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Side Effects)
JUNO TEMPLE (Atonement, Dark Knight Rises, Cracks, Greenberg, Killer Joe, Horns and Maleficent)
Wesley Will Have A Female Protege In WANTED 2
Screenwriter Derek Haas reveals to Hollywood a new plot point for Wanted 2. The film had to go through major rewrites because Angelina Jolie refused to return for the second installment. Jolie’s character had been expected to play a large role but has since written out. The script’s second draft will soon be handed into the studio. Haas says that Wesley will be back and he’ll have a new fish-out-of-water female protege. A person from a similar situation as Wesley was at the beginning of the first film. No word on casting but Mark Millar has given the impression that production on the film could be finally moving forward.
“The only thing I can tell you is that Wesley [James McAvoy] is now, four years later, recruiting a young woman who is in his situation in the first movie. She’s got a sh**ty life. He’s sort of in the Fox role. This new girl is brought into the world.”
‘JURASSIC PARK 4’ Coming In 2014?
Collider was able to speak with producer Frank Marshall about the fate of Jurassic Park 4. Currently all we know about the project is that Universal has hired screenwriters Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (Rise of The Planet of The Apes). Frank gives a possible release date for the fourth installment which could be out as soon as 2014. There had been talk that William Monahan (Departed, Sin City 2, Oblivion, Kingdom of Heaven) had also written a draft years back. Not to mention talk of both a direct sequel to a complete reboot of the franchise.
Ray Winstone To Play Villain In Darren Aronofsky’s ‘NOAH’ Starring Russell Crowe
British actor Ray Winstone (Departed, Sexy Beast) has been offered the villain role in Darren Aronofsky’s (Black Swan, Requiem For A Dream) Noah. The film was scripted by John Logan (Gladiator, Last Samurai) stars Russell Crowe, Logan Lerman, Douglas Booth and Emma Watson. Other actors that have been circling the project include Jennifer Connelly, Julianne Moore, Saorise Ronan and Liev Schreiber.
SOURCE: Deadline
Universal Officially Moving Forward With ‘HUNTSMAN’ Sequel, Writer David Koepp Confirmed
Universal Pictures could have hit on their hands when the final box numbers for Snow White And The Huntsman roll out. Deadline is reporting the studio is fast tracking the sequel with screenwriter David Koepp (Spider-Man, Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible) that been in talks back in April. All signs point to Universal aiming for the return of director Rupert Sanders for the next installment.
Sanders had stated on red carpets he was prepared to jump back for a sequel if need be but has another project in the que. Considering he had a decent deal with the studio the first time around it wouldn’t be hard to see him come back. While I felt the film had a lacking script, Sanders created a wonderful world that we only got a small glimpse into it’s true scope. A majority of the film’s problems stem from a rushed release date due to a competing film. This time around they’ll likely be given the extra time to make a better movie.
They will also likely bring back key cast members from the first film. Mainly, Chris Hemsworth as the Aussie actor is the most bankable star of the budding franchise thanks to the quality of his other projects (Thor, Avengers, Cabin In The Woods) boosting his international appeal. It had been reported that the studio was aiming for a spin-off focusing on the Huntsman which likely will be the case as Snow White doesn’t really have a motive to continue into another film. Considering the sheer hate from audiences and critics alike I’d be hard-pressed to expect the studio make Kristen Stewart’s Snow White a main character in the sequel.
Cast In Talks To Return For ‘KICK-ASS 2’
Deadline reports that Universal is close to making deals to see cast members Aaron Johnson, Chloë Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Nicolas Cage (in a cameo) return for Kick-Ass 2. Jeff Wadlow would be directing the film this summer while Matthew Vaughn would stay on as a producer. Vaughn is currently prepping for the next X-Men film which will shoot early next year. It’s expected Kick-Ass 2 will get a Spring 2013 release date.
Nicholas Stoller Could Direct ‘TOWNIES’ Starring Seth Rogen And Zac Efron
THR reports that Universal is in talks for Nicholas Stoller to direct Townies. The story sees Seth Rogen as a regular family man who lives near an alpha-male fraternity house and has to contend with a frat member played by Zac Efron whose raucous behavior wreaks havoc on his life. Stoller is best known for directing comedies such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him To The Greek and Five-Year Engagement.
Set Images From ‘THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS’
It was announced during an interview with Craig Ferguson that Rza’s film The Man With The Iron Fists would be released sometime in October 2012. The film shot on location in China stars Rza (American Gangster, Funny People), Russell Crowe (Robin Hood, Gladiator), Pam Grier (Jackie Brown), Lucy Liu (Kill Bill), Gordon Liu (Kill Bill), Jamie Chung (Hangover 2, Sucker Punch), Rick Yune (Die Another Day, The Fast And The Furious) and Byron Mann (Street Fighter, The Corruptor).
No official word from Universal Pictures concerning a release date since that original reveal from Rza. However, the recent move of 47 Ronin from November 2012 to a 2013 release date could explain this. Iron Fists could be getting some heat during Cannes with producers Eli Roth and Quentin Tarantino already there promoting their own films. The studio could feel that Fists would be the stronger of the two films opting to release it first. Rza (Wu-Tang Clan) who scored Kill Bill will also provide the film’s music. I’m sure Rza’s recent cameos in G.I. Joe: Retaliation and Django Unchained has also helped slow down the film’s release.
A few behind the scenes images of the production have been floating online. Not a single image of the main cast has been revealed. Besides, one that seemingly features kung fu legend Gordon Liu in a classic costume as the Abbott. The rest of the pictures feature Rza hard at work with producer Eli Roth (Hostel, Cabin Fever), production designer Drew Boughton (Expendables, On Stranger Tides, Domino) and his Chinese crew. I have to admit the sets here are impressive so far. SOURCES: PushingPixels, MartialArtsMovieJunkie, DailyGrindhouse, KungFuMagazine
Morten Tyldum To Direct Thriller ‘THE DISCIPLE PROGAM’ Starring Mark Wahlberg
HeatVision reports that Swedish director Morten Tyldum (Headhunters) has lined up his first Hollywood film titled The Disciple Program. Universal won a bidding war for the spec-script from newcomer Tyler Marceca and has Mark Wahlberg attached to star. Wahlberg had been trying to put together an American remake of Morten’s Headhunters, so his involvement looks good. It centers on a man who begins an investigation into his wife’s mysterious death, only to find that the mystery goes much deeper than he imagined.
Gavin O’Connor To Direct Japanese Gangster Flick ‘YAKUZA’
Deadline reports that Gavin O’Connor (Warrior) has been hired by Universal to direct Yakuza which is set in a modern/post-tsunami Japan. An American intelligence expert who becomes embroiled in the affairs of a notorious yakuza godfather and finds himself plunged into the violent criminal underworld and toxic landscape of post-tsunami Japan. I love the yakuza genre Ridley Scott’s Black Rain being my favorite western take so I’ll be keeping an eye on this one.
Edgar Wright’s ‘WORLD’S END’ Starring Simon Pegg And Nick Frost Could Shoot In September With Spring 2013 Release Date
Any thoughts of Ant-Man being released in 2013 have been scrapped as Deadline reports World’s End is next for director Edgar Wright. The final film in the Wright/Pegg trilogy (Shaun of The Dead, Hot Fuzz, World’s End) is expected to start production in September with a possible Spring 2013 release date. Universal/Working Title are currently working out the details with Wright. We also finally get the film’s synopsis which doesn’t exactly reveal if aliens are involved or not. At least we know that it will end up earning an R-rating along with Nick Frost in a supporting role.
“20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them becomes hell bent on trying the drinking marathon again. They are convinced to stage an encore by mate Gary King, a 40-year old man trapped at the cigarette end of his teens, who drags his reluctant pals to their home town and once again attempts to reach the fabled pub, The World’s End. As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realize the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind’s. Reaching The World’s End is the least of their worries.”
This likely means that if Ant-Man does get the go-ahead it won’t be going into production until Wright has completed all the press tours for World’s End. Giving the impression that it might start shooting after Captain America 2 ends it’s production during Summer 2013. It should be enough time to meet that May 2014 release date that hasn’t been filled as Edgar is rather quick with post-production.
‘KICK-ASS 2’ Could Move Forward At Universal With Jeff Wadlow Writing/Directing
Deadline is reporting that Universal is looking to pickup the sequel to Kick-Ass. Universal was the first studio to adapt Mark Millar’s work with Wanted starring James McAvoy. They are currently also trying to figure out how to put Wanted 2 together as well. Jeff Wadlow (Cry Wolf) who also wrote a script for Matthew Vaughn’s Bloodshot is writing Kick-Ass 2 with the hopes to also direct. Aaron Johnson, Chloe Mortez and Christopher Mintz-Plasse are currently in talks to reprise their roles. Wadlow was attached to direct the Liam Neeson actioner Non-Stop but Kick-Ass 2 is expected to shoot this summer. I assume Matthew Vaughn will stay on as a producer along with Mark Millar. The sequel based on the second run of the comic series involves a massive amount of new costumed heroes and villains.
‘THE RAID’ Director Gareth Evans Could Make ‘BREAKING THE BANK’ For Universal
Deadline reports that Universal is developing a ‘true life’ crime thriller set in the sports world titled Breaking The Bank. It’s is based on the life of former UFC fighter “Lightning” Lee Murray, a mixed martial arts street brawler who masterminded the largest cash heist in history in England in 2006. The most recent draft of the screenplay was written by Kerry Williamson. They’ve tapped British director Gareth Evans who broke out last year for his festival smash-hit The Raid to possibly helm the thriller. Darren Aronofsky had been wanted for the project before he dropped it to pursue production on Noah.
Luke Evans Offered Villain Role In ‘FAST SIX’
Universal seems to be aiming high for Fast And The Furious 6. Twitch reports that Welsh actor Luke Evans has been offered the villain role which had previously Jason Statham turned down. The budding actor has all over the place lately with roles in Clash of The Titans, Robin Hood, Blitz (with Statham), Three Musketeers, Immortals, The Raven and the two Hobbit films. According to Dwayne Johnson the film will be shooting in London and Berlin. It will be starring Dwayne, Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and possibly Haywire’s Gina Carano.
‘RIDDICK 3′ Coming January 2013, Sequels "UNDERVERSE’ And ‘FURYA’ On The Way?
Vin Diesel has seemingly confirmed on Facebook that Riddick 3: Dead Man Stalking is heading to theaters sometime in January 2013. He also states being slightly disappointed Universal decided against releasing the film in the bloated 2012 lineup. He also states the studio seems to be happy with how the film is coming together and are interested sequels. Vin reveals the titles to these possible sequels which are Underverse and Furya. Underverse refers to the original planned sequel to Chronicles that pits Riddick in an cosmic version of the underworld and Furya is his home world.
“I think they are liking what they are seeing…cause they asked when both Underverse and Furya would be ready to make and release…now that’s a ways in the future but it is exciting.”
Kurtzman/Orci Tapped By Universal For ‘MUMMY’ And ‘VAN HELSING’ Reboots, Tom Cruise Could Play Helsing
It looks like Universal really believes in the writing power of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci even after the disastrous Cowboys And Aliens. Deadline reports the two have been given a first-look deal giving them the chance to contribute to any projects that the studio for the next two years. The writing duo has had massive success with films like Star Trek, The Island and Transformers. They were recently tasked by Sony to start rewrites on The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and will likely end up writing Star Trek 3 for Paramount eventually. The first projects they’ve been tasked by the studio to write include horror reboots of The Mummy and Van Helsing. The Mummy reboot already has Jon Spaihts (Prometheus) working on the script but it looks like they’re moving forward with rewrites, a good sign it’s a priority.
Originally, Universal had Guillermo del Toro set to write, direct and produce a new gritty horror take on Van Helsing. The legendary nemesis of Count Dracula who has been played by iconic actors like Peter Cushing and Anthony Hopkins. It was the studio’s hope to erase the horrible Van Helsing film from Stephen Sommers (who also made two Mummy films). Tom Cruise had been attached for the Helsing role back when Guillermo was going to direct. It seems that Cruise is still wanted for the role. The only thing is that he has All You Need Is Kill, Top Gun 2 and Mission: Impossible 5 likely to go into production first.
David Koepp Could Write ‘HUNTSMAN’ Sequel For Universal
Deadline reports that Universal is in current talks with screenwriter David Koepp to start working the sequel to Snow White And The Huntsman. Koepp is best known for writing and adapting scripts for Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park II: The Lost World, Mission: Impossible, Carlito’s Way, Death Becomes Her, Stir of Echos, Panic Room and Spider-Man. Before we get too excited he also contributed to uneven films like The Shadow, Indiana Jones And The Kingdom of The Crystal Skulls, War of The Worlds and Angels And Demons. His next project coming to theaters is Men In Black 3 which could go either way, so let’s hope they get another writer in there just to be sure.
The film directed by newcomer Rupert Sanders won’t be released until June but the studio is looking to fast track it’s sequel. Sanders is wanted to helm the second film and it could be his next directorial effort. It’s been said that the next film would focus on The Huntsman played by Chris Hemsworth. This gives the impression that Hemsworth had a stronger performance compared to Kristen Stewart’s Snow White, who has little to zero dialog in the trailers and TV spots. It’s also not surprising with the impending international success of Avengers and Thor 2 set to be released in November 2013. We shouldn’t have to wait that long as turnaround on the first film was eight months which is very quick all things considered wouldn’t be shocked to see this in theaters later 2013 or summer 2014.
Atticus Ross To Score Samurai Epic ’47 RONIN’
Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails and composing partner of Trent Reznor has lined up a new solo gig according to ThePlaylist. He’s been hired to score Carl Erik Rinsch’s massive Hollywood samurai epic based on the legendary Japanese tale of the 47 Ronin. Ross and Reznor won the best original score Oscar back in 2010 for David Fincher’s The Social Network. The pair also did an equally impressive job on the score for Fincher’s English remake of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. While Atticus is no stranger to scoring on his own, working on projects like The Book of Eli. This will be his first period film and could be a very interesting listen when it’s finished.
Universal Rebooting The Mummy Franchise
Variety reports that Universal Pictures is looking to reboot The Mummy franchise with a new film as they’ve hired screenwriter Jon Spaihts (Darkest Hour) to pen the new movie. He previously contributed to an early draft Ridley Scott’s Prometheus before Damon Lindelof was hired to do rewrites. Since this a reboot I don’t expect the original cast or previous directors will be returning.
While Stephen Sommers’ original Mummy was exciting thanks in part to taking cues from Indiana Jones. The two sequels become more ridiculous with each release yet still raking in lots of cash for the studio. Not to mention the Scorpion King spin-off which seemed more like a family-friendly version of Conan. This film will be a little darker and horror focused than the previous films. Let’s just hope they’re smart enough to talk Rick Baker into doing the makeup effects which earned Universal/Baker an Oscar for their misguided Wolfman reboot. The studio also has plans for a new Frankenstein film with Guillermo del Toro directing it’s up in the air when that film will ever get made.
CINEMA INVASION 