Sunday, September 13, 2015

Weekend Movie News 9-11-15 to 9-13-15

        Hello ladies and gentlemen, here is some movie news with some of my thoughts and opinions (which will be in BOLD print). So without further ado...


(NOTE: All of these stories come from comingsoon.net)


        Something big is brewing today as Deadline reports that Legendary’s upcoming Kong: Skull Island has moved from Universal to Warner Bros. According to the outlet, that’s because Legendary is keen on developing a new King Kong vs. Godzilla movie and are making efforts to keep the gargantuan beasts under the same distributor. Skull Island remains on track for a March 10, 2017 with a sequel to Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla planned for June 8, 2018. After that, the Eighth Wonder of the World will take on the King of Monsters in an as-of-yet untitled King Kong vs. Godzilla feature! Of course, this won’t be the first time that these titans have clashed. 1962’s King Kong vs. Godzilla marked the third Godzilla feature. In that film, the size of both monsters was adjusted to even the odds, however Godzilla is traditionally significantly larger than Kong. May we suggest pulling in Legendary’s other Kaiju-friendly franchise, Pacific Rim, and giving Kong his own mecha-ape Jaeger? Kong: Skull Island, which is being directed by The Kings of Summer‘s Jordan Vogt-Roberts from a script by John Gatins and Max Borenstein, aims to fully immerse audiences in the mysterious and dangerous home of the king of the apes as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the treacherous, primordial island. Legendary’s story honors the foundations of existing King Kong lore, but places it in an entirely new, distinct timeline. Previously, Simmons revealed a surprise setting for the film, saying it would take place in Detroit in 1971; however, given the title of the movie, it’s a safe bet that the jungles of King Kong’s homeland will be the primary setting. The Godzilla sequel, meanwhile, is being scripted by Max Borenstein and will feature the return of Edwards as director. It has been hinted that we will see some other famous Kaiju, such as Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah, although none have been fully confirmed at this time.

        This is some really great news to hear. One thing that fans of today's generation have always wanted to see on the big screen is these two titans in the monster world to appear on the big screen together and now we are getting that chance. One thing that is really interesting about this news is what Universal got in return for giving up Kong: Skull Island and King Kong to Warner Bros. because you just don't get something this good for nothing. Legendary Pictures is the big player in all of this because they did produce the newest Godzilla film before moving their company to Universal, but now they are going back so I think they win in the situation. As the article says this also sets up a possibility of King Kong vs. Godzilla vs. Pacific Rim because Legendary also produced Pacific Rim so now they might be a big player and if this happens then you have to get Guillermo del Toro to direct because this is the perfect film for him to direct. The only sad part about this is that we probably won't see this film until 2020 or 2021, but hopefully the payoff will be great. 



        Ever since Blade Runner hit theaters in 1982, there has been a divide among its fans – is Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard a human or is he a replicant? It’s a question that the film leaves up to the viewer, though director Ridley Scott, Ford, and everyone else has chimed in with their own thoughts on the subject. With a sequel set to begin production next summer, there will certainly be more fuel on the fire of Deckard’s true identity. CraveOnline caught up with director Denis Villeneuve (Sicario), who will helm the sequel, and asked him his thoughts on whether Deckard was a human or replicant, to which he replied: “Now that I am on the other side of the fence, I cannot answer.” Villeneuve did go on to say that the mystery will be something they address in the film and that re-contextualizing the original film with any answers they present in the sequel is a concern of his. “The thing I must say is that I love mystery. I love shadows. I love doubts. I would just want to say to the fans that we will take care of that mystery. I will take care of it.” The Blade Runner sequel is scheduled to start principal photography in summer of 2016. Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the original) and Michael Green have written the original screenplay based on an idea by Fancher and Ridley Scott with the story taking place several decades after the conclusion of the 1982 original. Harrison Ford will reprise his role as Rick Deckard with Ryan Gosling previously said to be in talks for a role. Villeneuve will direct the film with frequent collaborator Roger Deakins working as director of photography.

        These are great comments. As the article says this mystery surrounding Richard Deckard is one of the biggest debates in the history of film and most recently Ridley Scott himself has hinted that he is a replicant and I tend to believe that, but you have to see the film to form your own opinion (preferably The Final Cut version). I think Denis Villeneuve is the perfect choice to direct this film and I love how is buying into the concept and wants this film to be special. I'm a huge fan of Blade Runner and I've been dying to see either a sequel or remake and I'm glad we are finally getting this film. 



        StudioCanal and Working Title have revealed the domestic The Program trailer, which features Ben Foster in the leading role of Lance Armstrong. Academy Award nominee Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena) directs the October 16 release. You can check out The Program trailer out below Following a gruelling battle with cancer, Lance returned to his cycling career in 1999 more determined than ever and with his sights set firmly on winning the Tour de France. With the help of the infamous Italian physician Michele Ferrari and team director Johan Bruyneel, he developed the most sophisticated doping program in the history of the sport. This program allowed Lance and his American teammates to dominate the world of cycling, winning the Tour an unprecedented seven times. However not everyone believed the fairytale…Sunday Times journalist, David Walsh, at first charmed by Lance’s charisma and talent, soon began to question whether the ‘world’s greatest athlete’ was ‘clean’. Walsh sought to unveil the truth, his ensuing battle with Armstrong risked his own career, ostracised him from the cycling community and cost his paper, The Sunday Times, hundreds of thousands in legal costs. But the indefatigable Walsh eventually uncovered the truth when a select few prepared to talk came forward, exposing one of the greatest deceptions of our time. John Hodge (Trainspotting) provides The Program screenplay, which is inspired by David Walsh’ award winning book, Seven Deadly Sins. The Program co-stars Chris O’Dowd (“The IT Crowd,” Thor: The Dark World), Guillaume Canet (In the Name of My Daughter, “Platane”), Jesse Plemons (“Breaking Bad,” “Fargo”), Dustin Hoffman (The Cobbler, Chef) and Lee Pace (The Hobbit, Guardians of the Galaxy).


        This was an awesome trailer. I've said it so many times, Ben Foster is one of the most underrated actors in the business today and I'm afraid that once again he will get overlooked come Oscar season. This is going to be a fantastic film and I'm really curious if they'll sugarcoat anything from Lance Armstrong's  life during this scandal. To be honest I don't think they will since it is based off of a book written by the guy who brought Armstrong down so I'm excited to see the things he uncovered and how he did it. The film looks great and I cannot wait to see it. 



        Steven Spielberg’s latest has found its Art3mis! Following the actress’ inclusion on a short list earlier this month, The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Me and Earl and the Dying Girl‘s Olivia Cooke will play the female lead in Ready Player One. A Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures production, Ready Player One is based on Ernest Cline’s bestseller of the same name. The film is being directed by Spielberg, who is also producing alongside Donald De Line, under his De Line Pictures banner, Dan Farah and Kristie Macosko Krieger. Bruce Berman will serve as executive producer. Set in the near future, Ready Player One follows outcast teenager Wade Watts, who escapes from his bleak surroundings by logging in to the OASIS, a globally networked virtual utopia where users can lead idyllic alternate lives. When the eccentric billionaire who created the OASIS dies, he offers up his vast fortune as the prize in an elaborate treasure hunt. Along with gamers from around the world, Wade joins the adventure, and quickly finds himself pitted against powerful corporate foes and other ruthless competitors who will do anything, in the oasis or the real world, to reach the treasure first. Olivia Cooke will star as Ar3mis, an OASIS avatar belonging to the coincidentally-named Samantha Cook. Olivia Cooke, who has also been on the big screen in films like The Signal and Ouija, is also well-known for her leading role as Emma Decody on A&E’s “Bates Motel.” As of yet, no cast as been announced for any of the other roles. Ready Player One is slated to hit theaters December 15, 2017.

        I think this is terrific casting. Olivia Cooke is a tremendous actress and I really enjoyed her performance in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and I think she has a really bright future ahead of her. The book is spectacular and I think that Olivia Cooke is the perfect choice to play Art3mis and her working with Spielberg then I don't see how this film can go wrong. I think this is a property that should've been a film a long time ago, but I'm glad it's finally going to see the light of day. 



        Myriad Pictures announced today that they are going into production on a third entry in the “Jeepers Creepers” franchise, titled Jeepers Creepers 3, with original writer-director Victor Salva (Powder) onboard to return along with actors Jonathan Breck and Brandon Smith. In the new installment, Smith returns as Sergeant Davis Tubbs, who will team up with a task force hellbent on destroying the Creeper (Breck) once and for all and finally learning of its dark origins. The legendary monster fights back, of course. “Writing and directing a new ‘Jeepers’ film, the first in over a decade, is incredibly exciting for me and I believe for ‘Jeepers’ fans all over the world that have been asking for more,” Salva said. “What will go before cameras as ‘Jeepers Creepers 3′ is a new and terrifying chapter from the ‘Jeepers’ universe. We are bringing back the Creeper’s truck, and will be addressing the big questions about The Creeper: what it is, where it came from and why it does what it does.”  American Zoetrope’s Francis Ford Coppola, who produced the first two films, will co-produce along with Kirk Shaw and Surai Gohill’s Odyssey Media, and Stan Spry’s The Cartel. Myriad’s Kirk D’Amico will executive produce. Jeepers Creepers 3 is slated to go into production in Vancouver in first quarter of 2016.

        This is really surprising news to hear. I say that because it's been over 10 years since the last film and to be perfectly honest I think the momentum and the fanbase just isn't there anymore. I liked the first film and I hated the second film so the third film doesn't have to do much for it to be good. 

        So there you have it ladies and gentlemen, which of these stories peaked your interest or was there another story that interested you? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                                        Jonah Sparks

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