Category: Visual Effects

Fox and Marvel have withdrawn a case filed in June against Sony and Revolution film ZOOM, reports VARIETY. The suit claimed the Tim Allen comedy is too similar to the X-MEN franchise and that its release two weeks prior to X3 was an attempt to ride the promotion of the third X-MEN film.

Warner Bros. Pictures is set to bring to life Frank Millers ancient Greece-set graphic novel, 300, into a feature film, according to VARIETY. Zack Snyder (DAWN OF THE DEAD remake) will direct and Atmosphere Pictures MM and Hollywood Gang Prods. are producing. Gerard Butler (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) will star. Filming will begin Oct. 17 in Montreal.

The true story follows 300 elite Spartan fighters who, led by King Leonidas (Butler), fought to the death against King Xerxes' overpowering Persian army during the battle of Thermopylae in 481-480 B.C.

Is Arnold Schwarzenegger saying, Ill be back for the WESTWORLD remake? VARIETY reports that Warner Bros.-based producer Jerry Weintraub is moving ahead with the film with THE CELL director Tarsem at the helm. Schwarzenegger was attached to the project before he was elected governor of California. He not involved at this point in the project, but his status could change depending on whether he decides not to run for re-election in January 2007 or loses. Schwarzenegger had not only been attached to star, but also produce.

Bill Murray is in talks to reprise his role as the voice of the fat, orange cat for 20th Century Fox's GARFIELD 2, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The original films live-action stars Breckin Meyer and Jennifer Love Hewitt have already signed on to return. However, Hewitt's role will be small due to her commitment to the forthcoming CBS series GHOST WHISPERER. Lucy Davis (U.K. version of THE OFFICE) and Billy Connolly (MRS. BROWN) have been added to the cast.

Veteran production exec Jon Gordon has been named president of production, Universal Pictures, joining recently named president of production Donna Langley. The two execs will work in tandem, overseeing the development and production of the studios motion pictures. Langley and Gordon will both report directly to Stacey Snider, chairman Universal Pictures. Gordon, who is currently co-president of production at Miramax Films, will start with Universal in October.

Damien gets a mommy and daddy for Foxs remake of THE OMEN, according to VARIETY. Liev Schreiber (SCREAM series) and Julia Stiles (MONA LISA SMILE) have been hired to play the roles of the anti-christs unknowing parents, who were originally played by Gregory Peck and Lee Remick. John Moore (2004s FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX) will direct the film, which is set to start filming in October. Dan McDermott (SELLING TIME) has adapted the script. In a marketing ploy, THE OMEN 666 will be released on Tuesday, June 6, 2006.