It was announced today that the almost dead project, Spike Lee’s OldBoy remake, has had it’s U.S. distribution rights acquired by FilmDistrict. The film, a U.S. remake of the South Korean film, is set to star Academy Award® nominee Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, and Sharlto Copley.
The Spike Lee project is being produced by Roy Lee and Doug Davison via Vertigo Entertainment and Nathan Kahane on behalf of Good Universe. Peter Schlessel, FilmDistrict’s CEO, Joe Drake of Good Universe, and John Middleton will executive produce. Mark Protosevich wrote the adapted screenplay and is co-producing. Audrey Chon and Matt Leonetti are overseeing the film for Good Universe. The film is also a 40 Acres & A Mule production.
FilmDistrict’s Peter Schlessel commented on the acquisition saying,
“Spike Lee is the right filmmaker to reimagine and put his touch onto arguably one of the most talked about thrillers in recent memory. The cast that he and producers Nathan, Joe, Roy and Doug have put together is sure to elevate the material and engage audiences. FilmDistrict is proud to be releasing one of the first films from Good Universe here in the U.S.”
Good Universe’s Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane said,
“Nothing thrills us more than to partner with our longtime friend Peter and the exceptional team at FilmDistrict.”
Oldboy is a psychologically provoking thriller that follows a business man who is kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement. He has no idea why or who has him locked up. Then one day he is released and embarks on a mission to figure out what has happened to him. His quest for revenge leads him into an ill-fated relationship with a young social worker and ultimately to an illusive man who allegedly holds the key to his salvation.
The original highly-acclaimed South Korean film, released in 2003 and directed by Chan-wook Park, won the Grand Prize Jury Award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.
My question is this. Will this remake stick to the themes of love, incest, right and wrong? Ignorance is bliss, sometimes, though it is up to the viewer to decide their opinion on the matter. Incest remains a huge taboo subject in American culture and the idea of presenting it so openly may alienate viewers. Also, will they have a scene eating a live octopus? PLEASE, I HOPE NOT. I CAN’T HANDLE THAT AGAIN.
TV Guide recently revealed the first look at the Joker and his appearance in the animated film version of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. It was also announced that Michael Emerson, most known for his role on “Lost” will be vicing the character.
The Dark Knight Returns is the upcoming animated feature based on the graphic novel. The story will be split up into two separate films with the Joker being heavily featured in the second part. Emerson commented on his role in the project, stating:
He’s one of those great villains that an actor like me likes to play because he has layers — he has a face for the world and a face for himself,” Emerson said. “He is, in a way, a villain who is a natural actor. All of that is that is delightful and confounding at the same time. It’s freeing because of the largeness of it. When he laughs, there’s nothing subdued about it. When he screams in rage, there’s nothing controlled about it. The amp is turned to 11 at all times.”
In the film, the Joker has been declared as legally sane by Dr. Wolper. He is released from his cell at Arkham Asylum and of course returns to his old ways in the wake of the return of Batman.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 will be released on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital platforms on September 25th with the second part expected to land in February of 2013. The first part is described as follows:
It’s been a decade since Bruce Wayne hung up his cape, following most of the other superheroes who had been forced into retirement. Facing the downside of middle age, a restless Bruce Wayne pacifies his frustration with race cars and liquor – but the bat still beckons as he watches his city fall prey to gangs of barbaric criminals known as The Mutants.”
Peter Weller provided the voice of Batman/Bruce Wayne and is joined by David Selby as Commissioner Gordon, Ariel Winter as Robin, Wade Williams as Two-Face and Michael McKean as Dr. Bartholomew Wolper. The film is directed by Jay Oliva, written by Bob Goodman and executive produced by Sam Register and Bruce Timm.
You can check out the previously-released trailer below:
In case you missed your chance to see Joss Whedon’s Marvel’s The Avengers in theaters, you should be happy to know that it was announced earlier today that the film will be returning to theaters for one more week. Marvel Studios officially announced that the popular film will expand back into 1705 theaters for the next week.
However, this may not be just an ordinary re-release into the box office. When Marvel announced the news via their Facebook Page they added a simple reminder: “Don’t forget to stay through the credits…” Why would they remind people to stay through the credits unless there was something new to see?
Written and directed by Joss Whedon, the superhero ensemble stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, and Stellan Skarsgård. The film has earned a massive $1.49 billion at the worldwide box office and it stands as the #3 film of all time globally and domestically.
This announcement also comes off the heels of news that Whedon will be writing and directing an upcoming live action Marvel television series for ABC. The series will focus on S.H.I.E.L.D. who features prominently in the Avengers film. No word yet on who will star in the television series.
The big screen adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower continues to fall on troubled waters as another studio turns down the project. Universal Pictures dropped the project that would have been a multi-film commitment earlier this year and now Warner Bros has reportedly turned down a proposal to take over the ambitious project.
The adaptation was being helmed by Ron Howard and Imagine Entertainment according to Variety.
While Warner Bros, is the latest in a list of studios turning down the project, the film may not necessarily be dead. In a world where most of our biggest hitting franchises are adaptation of fantasy and science fiction novels, King’s Dark Tower franchise would seemingly fit right in.
Howard initially planned to make a triology based on the novel series with an accompanying television series to fill in the gaps between each film installment. Akiva Goldsman is on board to provide the screenplay and has reportedly delivered his latest draft for the first film
It was also originally reported that Javier Bardem would be expected to portray gunslinger Roland Deshain, a character who travels across a desolate and vaguely post-apocalyptic landscape in his quest for a black tower. Russell Crowe later showed interest to take the lead role if the project got a greenlight from Warner. There is no word on whether Crowe will remain attached to the project since the studio passed on the project.
Sony has officially launched The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Facebook page in celebration of the year threshold mark of when the movie will hit theaters.
As of the launch of the page, it garnered over 11,000 “likes” and continues to grow.
City of Bones is the big screen adaptation of the first book in the Mortal Instruments series written by Cassandra Clare. The film stars Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Kevin Zegers Godfrey Gao, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jemima West, and Lena Headey.
The novel follows young Clary Fray (Collins) as she finds out she is the descendent of a powerful supernatural group called Shadowhunters. When her mother is kidnapped, she must team up with the group to save her and figure out who she really is.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones will hit theaters August 23, 2013.
Warner Bros. recently assured fans and movie goers regarding the release of the highly anticipated Peter Jackson adaptation, The Hobbit. The release of the film in 48 fps (frames per second) in addition to the standard 24 fps was controversial due to the hyper realistic feel of the new version.
Movie goers were initially hesitant, assuming that the theaters would charge extra for the version, however, Warner Bros. has said that that the 48 fps version would not see an increase in price. Theaters already charge extra for 3D movies have assured anyone wanting to view the new version will not be required to pay more.
When the first film opens on December 14, most theaters will play the movie at 24 fps. A 3D 48 fps version of the movie will be made available in all major markets, but only select theaters are expected to offer the option. IMAX will also have a number of theaters playing a 48 fps 3D version of the film.
Warner Bros. already revealed a new photo of Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. You can see it below:
After weeks of rumors that Sam Claflin had been offered the role of trident wielding hunk Finnick Odair in Catching Fire, Lionsgate has officially confirmed that he will play the role.
Claflin, most known for his role on Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, is one of the final tributes to have been cast for the upcoming sequel. Finnick is a previous victor from the 65th Hunger Games when he was just 14. He is known for his proficiency with a trident as well as being a strong swimmer. He is charming and incredibly handsome and is used by the Capitol because of his good looks.
The role of Finnick had several rumors over the months of who would gain the pivotale role. Actors such as Taylor Kitsch and Garrett Hedlund were thrown about at different points.
Claflin joins fellow newcomers Jena Malone as Johanna Mason and Lynn Cohen as Mags(an elderly ally of Finnick’s), as well as returning players Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark. Directed by Francis Lawrence, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” sets screens ablaze on November 22, 2013.
After dominating the box office for four weeks straight when it was first released, The Hunger Games continues to exceed expectation as it continues to dominate DVD sales as well.
Lionsgate announced that is has sold over 3.8 million DVD and Blu-ray copies during its release weekend. (This writer purchasing one of those copies, so whoo for making a tiny, insignificant difference!)
The movie is also in high demand digitally on platforms such as Zune Video and Zbox.
When compared to other dvd releases:
On the first day of Avatar 2D’s release in 2010, Century Fox reported 3.2 million disc sales (2 million DVD, 1.2 million Blu-ray).
Similarly, “The Dark Knight” sold 3 million copies on day one in U.S. and Canada.
“Twilight: Breaking Dawn–Part I” currently holds the top amount of units sold for the year with $5.2 million, according to thenumbers.com, a number it will surely pass in weeks to come.
Take a look at the top selling DVDs by year for the past five years:
2011: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” – 7 million units
2010: “Avatar” – 10.1 million units
2009: “Twilight” – 10.2 million units
2008: “The Dark Knight” – 10.9 million units
2007: “Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End” – 13.6 million units
I can only imagine how succesfull the film’s sequel, Catching Fire will be when it releases in theaters November 22, 2013.
Focus Features has released their 2012 Fall film slate and it includes a film adaptation of the amazing novel, Anna Karenina, which I am personally very excited about.
Story: Screening at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. Acclaimed director Joe Wright’s bold, theatrical new vision of the epic story of love is stirringly adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s great novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”). The film marks the third collaboration of the director with Academy Award-nominated actress Keira Knightley and Academy Award-nominated producers Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Paul Webster, following their award-winning box office successes “Pride & Prejudice” and “Atonement.” The creative team also includes cinematographer Seamus McGarvey (“The Avengers”), three-time Academy Award-nominated production designer Sarah Greenwood (“Sherlock Holmes”), film editor Melanie Ann Oliver (“Jane Eyre”), hair and make-up designer Ivana Primorac (“Hanna”), Academy Award-winning composer Dario Marianelli (“Atonement”), and two-time Academy Award-nominated costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“Pride & Prejudice”). The timeless story powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart while illuminating the lavish society that was imperial Russia. The time is 1874. Vibrant and beautiful, Anna Karenina (Ms. Knightley) has what any of her contemporaries would aspire to; she is the wife of Karenin (Jude Law), a high-ranking government official to whom she has borne a son, and her social standing in St. Petersburg could scarcely be higher. She journeys to Moscow after a letter from her philandering brother Oblonsky (Matthew Macfadyen) arrives, asking for Anna to come and help save his marriage to Dolly (Kelly Macdonald). En route, Anna makes the acquaintance of Countess Vronsky (Olivia Williams), who is then met at the train station by her son, the dashing cavalry officer Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). When Anna is introduced to Vronsky, there is a mutual spark of instant attraction that cannot – and will not – be ignored. The Moscow household is also visited by Oblonsky’s best friend Levin (Domhnall Gleeson), an overly sensitive and compassionate landowner. Levin is in love with Dolly’s younger sister Kitty (Alicia Vikander). Inopportunely, he proposes to Kitty but she is infatuated with Vronsky. Devastated, Levin returns to his Pokrovskoe estate and throws himself into farm work. Kitty herself is heartbroken when, at a grand ball, Vronsky only has eyes for Anna and the married woman reciprocates the younger man’s interest. Anna struggles to regain her equilibrium by rushing home to St. Petersburg, where Vronsky follows her. She attempts to resume her familial routine, but is consumed by thoughts of Vronsky. A passionate affair ensues, which scandalizes St. Petersburg society. Karenin is placed in an untenable position and is forced to give his wife an ultimatum. In attempting to attain happiness, the decisions Anna makes pierce the veneer of an image-obsessed society, reverberating with romantic and tragic consequences that dramatically change her and the lives of all around her.
Director: Joe Wright (“Atonement,” “Pride & Prejudice,” “Hanna”)
Writer: Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”); Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy
Cast: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew Macfadyen,
You can get more information about the film by visiting their official website.
FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL…
Aug. 31 (select cities); Sept. 7, 14, 21 (add. cities)
Story: Love and friendship are on the line in “For a Good Time, Call…,” directed by Jamie Travis from an original screenplay by Katie Anne Naylon & Lauren Anne Miller. The contemporary comedy world-premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, lifting audiences to their feet and lifting their spirits. Ms. Miller stars in the movie opposite Ari Graynor (“The Sitter,” “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist”). Two young women come up short on the funds needed to live in New York City. Lauren Powell (played by Ms. Miller), a reserved overachiever, is suddenly on her own after boyfriend Charlie (James Wolk) abruptly breaks up with her. Katie Steele (Ms. Graynor), an irrepressible free spirit, is about to forfeit a dream residence unless she finds an apartment-mate. Their mutual best friend Jesse (Justin Long) has the bright idea that they room together, even though he well knows that they are polar opposites who haven’t spoken since they met in college and then fell out within minutes. When Lauren and Katie meet up anew at Jesse’s behest, they’re still an at-odds couple…but, without options, Lauren reluctantly moves in. With nothing in common, she and Katie barely speak – until Lauren discovers that Katie is working as a phone-sex operator. This is, Lauren reasons, a good business opportunity; together, they will buy a land line and start up their own answering service. Katie is – it would seem – already in her element, and Lauren catches on quick; it’s not long before the blushing subsides and the candid chatting becomes second nature to her. It’s a long, hot summer for the newly minted team and their callers; Lauren puts her job hunt on hold while Katie considers the courtship ministrations of caller Sean (Mark Webber). But as their business partnership takes off, Lauren and Katie’s newfound friendship finds unexpected challenges that may leave them both, as they say, hanging on the telephone.
Director: Jamie Travis
Writers: Katie Anne Naylon & Lauren Anne Miller
Cast: Ari Graynor, Lauren Anne Miller, James Wolk, Nia Vardalos, Mark Webber, Justin Long
MPAA Rating: R
You can learn more information about FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL… by visiting their official website.
City of Bones, the first big screen adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s massively popular “The Mortal Instruments” series has begun filming in Toronto and a picture of star Lily Collins as main character Clary Fray has been released (and can be seen above.)
I appears Collins is working on the first few scenes in the book on the streets of the city. With the incredible popularity of the novel, it seems we will have several production photos released over the next few weeks as people are staking out the area.
The novel and film follows follows a young teen girl, Clary Fray, who discovers she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. After the disappearance of her mother, Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures.
City of Bones will be directed by Harald Zwart. Collins leads the all-star cast that includes Jamie Campbell Bower as fellow main character, Jace Wayland, Robert Maillet, Robert Sheehan, Godfrey Gao, Lena Headey, Jared Harris, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
The film has a projected release date of August 23, 2013.
