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Category: Films

Film Headline News

Oshii's Sky Crawlers Animated Film Due in 2008

Infamous Japanese filmmaker Mamoru Oshii will direct a new animated feature film, THE SKY CRAWLERS, to be released in Japan in 2008. The film is based on a popular five-part novel, of the same name, by the bestselling writer Hiroshi Mori.

The story unfolds in the future in which the main characters are youngsters, called "Kildren," are destined to live eternally in their adolescence. The Kildren know that every day may be their last, because they fight a "war as entertainment," organized and operated by adults.

Headline News

Frank Miller In Business with Raymond Chandler

Graphic novel icon Frank Miller is moving ahead with a feature film project -- this time entering the world of film noir with an adaptation of Raymond Chandler's TROUBLE IS MY BUSINESS novella for Universal Pictures and Strike Ent., reports VARIETY. The project will reunite the 300 author with his SIN CITY star Clive Owen.

Strike partners Marc Abraham and Eric Newman are set to produce with Owen and Phil Clymer exec producing.

Headline News

National Lampoon Discovers Homo Erectus

National Lampoon has obtained worldwide rights to Adam Rifkin's caveman laffer HOMO ERECTUS, VARIETY reports. National Lampoon plans to release the film in September.

Rifkin, who also wrote UNDERDOG and directed DETROIT ROCK CITY, penned, helmed and stars in HOMO ERECTUS, which follows a caveman, who despite inventing the toilet, the spoon and pants, can't gain the attention of his love. The pic also stars Ali Larter, Hayes MacArthur, David Carradine, Gary Busey and Talia Shire.

Headline News

Marc Forster to Direct Bond 22

Signaling a continuation of the character-driven approach introduced by last year's phenomenally successful CASINO ROYALE, Marc Forster (THE KITE RUNNER, FINDING NEVERLAND, MONSTER'S BALL) will direct BOND 22, it was announced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of the James Bond films, Sony Pictures Ent. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

Forster will commence work shortly with screenwriter Paul Haggis on a draft of the screenplay by Neil Purvis and Robert Wade.

Production Headline News

Black Book Star Joins Valkyrie

Carice Van Houten, star of Paul Verhoeven's Nazi drama BLACK BOOK, has joined the cast of Bryan Singer's WWII drama, VALKYRIE, according to the trades. The United Artists production also stars Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh and Tom Wilkinson.

Based on a true story, the screenplay from Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander follows plans to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

Singer, Paula Wagner and McQuarrie are the producers. Production is set to start in July in Berlin.

Black Headline News

Jack Black Cast As Man-Witch

SCHOOL OF ROCK star Jack Black and director Todd Phillips are developing a new comedy titled MAN-WITCH for Warner Bros., reports VARIETY. Once again Black will play a schoolteacher, but this time around he will develop witch-like powers. After being taken in by a coven, he will be roped into joining an all-girls school for witches.

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Silver Surfer Crests Weekend Box Office

Fox's FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER (with vfx by Weta Digital, SOHO VFX, Hydraulx, Giant Killer Robots, Hammerhead, The Orphanage, Frantic Films, Lola Visual Effects, Digiscope and Image Engine) crested the box office to the No. 1 position taking in $58.4M for the weekend ended June 17, 2007. Warner Bros.' OCEAN'S 13 dropped to the second position with $19.7M and a cume of $70.4M.

Headline News

Aardman Steals Writers for Cats, Pirates & Rudolph

With its new three-year first-look deal with Sony Pictures in place, Aardman Animation has announced its slate of animated features.

Writers Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharoah (LIFE ON MARS) will team with director Steve Box on the heist comedy, THE CAT BURGLARS. The feature follows a group of milk stealing stray cats and has been described as "family friendly Tarantino."

Work Headline News

Gatchaman to be Penned by Robert Mark Kamen

According to Imagi, Robert Mark Kamen will be writing the screenplay for GATCHAMAN, to be produced as a CG-animated motion picture by producer Lynne Southerland and director Kevin Munroe (TMNT). The CG work on GATCHAMAN will expand the visual boundaries of action sequences and dynamic camera work. Kamen's credits include 18 produced feature films, including THE KARATE KID and its sequels, THE FIFTH ELEMENT, TAPS, A WALK IN THE CLOUDS, THE PROFESSIONAL, LETHAL WEAPON 3, and KISS OF THE DRAGON.

Headline News

WHV Releases Letters From Iwo Jima

Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA was recently released on DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc (Warner Home Video, $34.99 for DVD and Blu-Ray, $39.99 for combo HD-DVD/DVD and $49.96 for five-disc Collectors Edition with FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, from Paramount Home Ent.).

Shown from the vantage point of the Japanese military during World War II, the film chronicles the horrors of Iwo Jima and the struggles of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe) and his troops as they prepare for battle.

Headline News

Ghost Rider Rides on DVD, Blu-ray and PSP

The adaptation of Marvels GHOST RIDER starring Nicolas Cage bowed on DVD, Blu-ray and PSP on June 12, 2007 (Sony Pictures Home Ent., $34.95 for two-disc extended cut, $38.96 for Blu-ray and $28.95 for PSP). The extended cut contains 15 minutes of never-before-seen footage that offers a bit more characterization rather than tantalizing sex or violence.

Effects Headline News

Busch Gardens 3-D Adventure May Be Riding to Film

Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Corkscrew Hill, an animated 3-D stereoscopic theme ride attraction, currently is being shopped around for a 3D animated feature according to The Hollywood Reporter. Jeff Kleiser and Diana Walczak, who wrote and directed the ride, penned the feature-length script idea. They plan to produce it using their own shingle, Synthespian Studios, along with Busch Entertainment. In addition, the pair plan to co-direct and have their company coordinate the animation, which would be produced at multiple sites.

Headline News

Goyer Set to Write and Direct New Invisible Man

According to Daily Variety, David Goyer has been selected by Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment to write and direct a new version of THE INVISIBLE MAN. This will be Goyer doing a new spin on the H.G. Wells' classic. Slated to produce is Brian Grazer.

The general premise is designed as a sequel to the original Wells story, with the nephew of the original Invisible Man. Once the British man discovers his uncle's secret for becoming invisible, he finds himself recruited by British Intelligence MI5 during WWII.

Headline News

Hellboy 2 Starts Principal Photography

Universal Pictures announced the start of principal photography on the action/thriller HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY from writer/director Guillermo del Toro and film producers Lawrence Gordon (HELLBOY, LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER), Lloyd Levin (HELLBOY, UNITED 93) and Mike Richardson (HELLBOY, GONE). HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY stars HELLBOY alums Ron Perlman (OUTLANDER, THE MUTANT CHRONICLES), Selma Blair (THE FOG, IN GOOD COMPANY), and Doug Jones (FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER, PAN'S LABRYINTH).

Headline News

Producer Barry Sonnenfeld Ventures into Animation

Barry Sonnenfeld, known for blockbusters such as the MEN IN BLACK and ADDAMS FAMILY films, takes his first venture into animated feature film as a creative consultant on SPACE CHIMPS, as announced by CEO of Vanguard Films and Animation John Williams. Sonnenfeld's involvement with the intergalactic comedy dates back to the early production stages last fall.

Headline News

AMPAS Modifies Rules for Animated Features

The governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences approved the rules for the 80th Academy Awards at their Tuesday evening (June 12, 2007) meeting. According to Academy president Sid Ganis, the changes they approved represent a small number of refinements but no major shift in course.

Headline News

Rachel Weisz Signs onto The Lovely Bones

Oscar winner Rachel Weisz has signed on to star in Peter Jackson's adaptation of Alice Sebold's novel, THE LOVELY BONES, reports VARIETY. The DreamWorks picture will start production in October. Paramount Pictures will handle worldwide distribution.

Weisz is playing the mother of a young girl who is kidnapped, raped and murdered. Jackson co-wrote the screenplay with Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh. Film 4 is co-funding the project.

Production Headline News

Connelly, Bettany Are Born With Stop-Motion

Real life husband and wife, Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany, have joined the cast of BORN, a psychological thriller featuring stop-motion animation from Chiodo Bros. Prods. (TEAM AMERICA, ELF), reports VARIETY.

Guillermo del Toro, Lawrence Gordon and Lloyd Levin are producing with Clive Barker on as exec producer. Steve Lanning and Cliff Lanning are also producing. Daniel Simpson is set to direct.

Spot Headline News

Ocean's 13 Leads the Box Office

Warner Bros.' OCEAN'S 13, the latest all-star heist escapade from Steven Soderbergh, seized the number one spot at the box office with $36.1M for the weekend ended June 10, 2007. Dropping to second place with $21.1M was PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END (with more cutting edge vfx from ILM). After its third weekend, AT WORLD'S END has captured $253.4M for Buena Vista. Universal's romantic comedy, KNOCKED UP, scored the third spot with $19.6M and $65.8M. Debuting in fourth with $17.6M was SURF'S UP from Sony Pictures Animation and Columbia Pictures.

Headline News

Rainmaker Animation Has 3-D Plans for Escape

The 3-D field just got a new entry with Rainmaker Animation and The Weinstein Co. announcing stereoscopic plans for ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH, reports THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.

The Weinstein Co. is financing and handling worldwide distribution for Rainmaker's first theatrical feature.

ESCAPE, which is in preproduction, is being directed by Tony Leech (HOODWINKED) and was written by Leech and Cory Edwards, also of HOODWINKED. The story, based an original idea by Leech, is a comedy about an alien prison break from Area 51.

Headline News

Tea Leoni Romancing Ghost Town

Tea Leoni (DEEP IMPACT) has joined the cast of the romantic comedy, GHOST TOWN, which also stars Ricky Gervais and Greg Kinnear, reports VARIETY. David Koepp wrote and will direct the film for DreamWorks and Spyglass Ent. Gavin Palone will serve as producer.

The plot follows a cynical dentist (Gervais) who during a routine colonoscopy dies for seven minutes. Upon his return from the other side, he begins to see ghosts, one of which is a deceased businessman (Kinnear), who tries to enlist the dentist in his plan to ruin the upcoming marriage of his widow (Leoni).

Film Headline News

What's Up With Pixar's Up and Narnia 3?

The Internet was abuzz with Walt Disney's announcement of a new Pixar film for 2009. The film titled UP will hit theaters June 12, 2009, making it the House that Lasseter Built's follow-up to WALL-E, which hits theaters June 27, 2008. The project is the next film for Pete Docter, who will co-direct with writer Bob Peterson. The story follows a 70-year-old man who meets a wilderness ranger and the duo battle beasts and villains. Inspiration for the lead character came from Disney legend Joe Grant.

Effects Headline News

Mr. Brooks Marks Theatrical VFX Debut for SWAY

SWAY studio marked its theatrical film debut with the June 1 release of MR. BROOKS. SWAY's team of talented visual effects artists created realistic bullet wounds, exploding plaster, wood debris and blood spray, adding a precise element of photorealism to more than 85 shots within the Kevin Costner drama.

Headline News

Breach Director Writing Westworld Remake

Billy Ray is now at work on a script re-envisioning Michael Crichton's 1973 sci-fi film, WESTWORLD, for Warner Bros, reports SCI FI WIRE.

The BREACH and SHATTERED GLASS director commented to the website, "There is no director attached. I would resist the idea of directing it myself, not that they've offered it to me, because I don't want the pressure of that kind of a budget sitting on my shoulders."

Ray added that he's interested in the idea of "how sometimes machines can behave like humans while humans can sometimes behave like machines."

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