Sunday, November 15, 2015

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

        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)


        In September, we received word that director Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Gambler) had exited his role as helmer of the upcoming X-Men spinoff feature, Gambit. Then, about a month later, it was revealed that Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow) was a frontrunner for the job. Now, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Liman is in final negotiations to direct the October 7, 2016 release for 20th Century Fox. The trade adds that other names in the mix for the job were Joe Cornish, Shane Black and, earlier on, F. Gary Gray. Liman just wrapped the Tom Cruise drug-smuggling drama Mena, which Universal Pictures has set for a January 6, 2017 release. He also has two more possible Cruise-led tentpole films planned, including Edge of Tomorrow 2 and his long-in-development sci-fi passion project Luna Park. Both Channing Tatum and Lea Seydoux remain attached to star in the Gambit movie, which features a script by Josh Zemuter, based on a treatment by Chris Claremont. Tatum, Reid Carolin, Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg are producing. The film is set to follow both the X-Men spinoff Deadpool on February 15, 2016 and Bryan Singer’s X-Men: Apocalypse on May 27, 2016.

        This is a great choice to direct this film. Doug Liman is a director who can make fantastic films, but never fully gets credit for the job he does. His most recent film was Edge of Tomorrow which flew completely under the radar and shocked everyone at how good it was and he deserves this opportunity. The one thing that kinda scares me is that this film is coming out in less than a year and I'm not sure if anything was filmed why Rupert Wyatt was still attached and there wasn't, then it's going to be a race to the finish to get the film done in time. I've been looking forward to the film for a long time simply because Gambit is one of the most interesting characters in comic book history and I'm interested in Channing Tatum taking a shot. I just hope the film gets made on time.



        TheWrap is reporting that Patricia Arquette, recent Academy Award winner for Boyhood, is in talks with Disney and Pixar to join the Toy Story 4 cast as a new toy character. Arquette is currently headlining her second season of CBS’s franchise procedural “CSI: Cyber.” Pixar chief and the film’s co-director John Lasseter previously confirmed the new movie will be a love story between Bo Peep and Woody. Bo Peep (and her sheep) was introduced as Woody’s love interest in the original 1995 Toy Story, as voiced by Annie Potts (Ghostbusters). She was conspicuously absent from Toy Story 3, only briefly glimpsed in Andy’s home movies after apparently having been sold. Whether they plan to bring her back into the fold somehow or if the story is a prequel remains to be seen. The script for Toy Story 4 will be provided by actors-turned-screenwriters Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, who previously penned and starred in Celeste and Jesse Forever. They’re working from a story idea by Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, and Lee Unkrich. Pixar’s Galyn Susman will produce, and Lasseter will co-direct alongside Josh Cooley. Toy Story 4 will feature the return of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack and the rest of the hit franchise’s diverse voice talent. It will be released in theaters on June 15, 2018.

        This is great casting. Now granted it's only for a voice role, but Patricia Arquette has a unique voice that stands out amongst the rest. I'm very curious to see what type of toy she will be playing and if she'll be the new love interest for Woody when Bo Peep comes back into the fray. I have been against this film from the start simply because part 3 finished on a beautiful note and a fourth film just doesn't make a lot of sense. Hopefully the film can be good and doesn't do anything that ruins how good the third film was. 



        According to a story today at The Hollywood Reporter, Tracy Morgan’s comeback following his accident last year is in full-swing. The trade brings word that Morgan is currently in negotiations to join Lee Daniels’ Richard Pryor biopic titled Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?, playing none other than legendary comedian Redd Foxx. The ribald comic gave Pryor his start as a stand-up and later became the star of the phenomenally popular NBC sitcom “Sanford and Son,” which lasted from 1972 to 1977. Redd Foxx co-starred with Pryor in director Eddie Murphy’s 1989 film Harlem Nights, which was promoted as the uniting of three generations of black comedy giants.  “Mr. Foxx, I hope I do you justice!” said Morgan in a statement. “It will be an honor to portray an icon.” Murphy himself has signed to portray Pryor’s father Leroy Pryor (also known under his boxing name “Buck Carter”) and Taraji P. Henson (“Empire,” “Person of Interest”) his mother Gertrude L. Thomas Pryor, while Oprah Winfrey (The Butler, The Color Purple) will portray Pryor’s grandmother Marie Carter. Mike Epps (The Hangover, Next Friday) will star as Richard Pryor and Academy Award winner Kate Hudson (Almost Famous, Rock the Kasbah) will play Pryor’s widow Jennifer Pryor, who is a producer on the film. December 10 will be the tenth anniversary of Pryor’s death at the age of 65. Lee Daniels (The Butler, Precious, “Empire”) will direct Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said? from a screenplay by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Mr. Holmes) for The Weinstein Company.

        This is possibly the most spot on casting I have ever seen. Tracey Morgan is one of the funniest men on the planet and he has a had it rough over the past year, but this is the perfect role for him. Redd Foxx is one of the funniest comedians to have ever lived and to finally see him portrayed on the big screen is going to be a special treat. This film has been in the works for a very long time and i looks as if it going to start moving along and I think this is going to be an amazing film and I'm really excited to see it. 



        Back in September, director Ridley Scott revealed that the upcoming Prometheus sequel had undergone a title change and would actually be known as Alien: Paradise Lost. That appears to have changed again, however, as Indiewire (via Cinema Blend) was present for an extended conversation with Scott at the AFI Film Festival where the director revealed that the slow-burn process on the sequel lead to him directing The Martian, in addition to dropping a different title for the film. “I was going to be doing what will be called ‘Alien: Covenant,’ which starts shooting next February, and we were struggling then with the screenplay there and then there was a phone call, somebody saying, ‘Listen, we’ve got this thing which is completely written called ‘Martian,’ and I said, ‘Huh.’ And I sped read it in an hour and by mid-afternoon, I talked to Fox and said, ‘I need to talk to ‘Drew [Goddard]…’” It remains to be seen if Alien: Covenant will be the final title for the film or if more name changes are in order, which is possible since the film isn’t set to be released until 2017. Production on the Prometheus sequel/Alien prequel is set to begin in February of 2016 in Australia, with Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender set to reprise their roles of scientist Elizabeth Shaw and the android David, respectively. Jack Paglen (Transcendence) and Michael Green (Green Lantern) are providing the screenplay.

        If this is true then I love the title. If you are titling a film and you want to put a subtitle it has to be something catchy and Paradise Lost is a terrible subtitle because it doesn't feel like a subtitle that fits the franchise. Covenant however seems a little bit more appropriate eventhough I don't know what type of covenant could fit into the universe.  This film seems like a mess right now and while Ridley Scott says the film starts filming in February, I won't believe it until I see it. 



        Following word yesterday regarding the film’s addition of “Transparent” star Amy Landecker, TheWrap is reporting that Marvel‘s  “Phase Three” feature Doctor Strange has also added actor and martial artist Scott Adkins to its cast. As was the case with Landecker, Scott Adkins’ role has not yet been revealed.  Scott Adkins joins a cast that is also set to include “Sherlock” star Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead with Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) as Baron Mordo, Tilda Swinton (Only Lovers Left Alive) as The Ancient One and, in undisclosed roles, Rachel McAdams (The Vow) and Michael Stuhlbarg (Pawn Sacrifice). Scheduled to hit theaters November 4, 2016, Doctor Strange is scripted by Jon Spaihts (Prometheus, Passengers) and directed by Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Deliver Us From Evil). It is said to follow the story of neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions. Although no official Doctor Strange artwork has yet been revealed, fans attending the recent D23 Expo in Anaheim, California were treated to a concept art sizzle reel, teasing the look of the “Phase Three” entry. Since then, there have been several photos from the Kathmandu set depicting Cumberbatch and Ejiofor as Strange and Baron Mordo, respectively. Scott Adkins has also been a popular fan choice to play Danny Rand (AKA Iron Fist) on the upcoming Netflix series. While it is certainly possible that Rand could be introduced first in Doctor Strange, it’s quite likely that he’s playing another character altogether.

        This is really interesting casting. Scoot Adkins is a name I've heard a lot of, but I've never seen anything other than a few small parts in a couple of big films. I'm surprised they are bringing him in so late into the process, but that must mean his role will be small so something like a Luck Cage fits well. The more and more I hear about the film I get more and more excited and being that I don't know a whole about Doctor Strange, I'm looking forward to getting to know the character as the film gets closer and closer. 

        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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