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...
One of the more unusual movie ideas that was leaked during the 2014 terrorist hack on Sony Pictures was for a 23 Jump Street Men in Black crossover movie. Today, Variety has an update on the project, claiming that the feature film is moving forward with James Bobin (Flight of the Conchords, The Muppets) in talks to direct. “Nothing’s changed,” Phil Lord told MTV shortly after the story broke. “It’s still a crazy idea, and we only do things that seem like they’re going to be terrible… We’re really focusing on what’s a great story for Schmidt and Jenko and how to tell the next chapter in their lives. And perhaps use creatures from another world at the same time!” “[I]t’s definitely a really interesting concept that makes you think,” Chris Miller told us last year. “Talking about it, developing it with Jonah [Hill] and Channing [Tatum] and Rodney [Rothman] and the studio, we can’t just do the, ‘Hey, it’s the same thing again’ schtick because we did that already.” Interestingly enough, Miller also revealed that he considers the entire roster of sequels featured in the 22 Jump Street end credits part of the official franchise continuity. “Those are canon, all 22 sequels,” he said. “If we’re going to do something, it’s got to be different but still have that same very specific Jump Street flavor to it.”
While I love both franchises I think this is a stupid idea. I get why Sony would do it because it's two of their most popular franchises and both franchises have a comedic crime fighting duo. The reason why it doesn't make sense for me is because the Men in Black universe deal with aliens and the Jump Street franchise has never went to that realm in either of the films and I just don't think it makes much sense. Look the film could be good, but it all basically comes down to getting Smith and Jones on board for the film and if you don't get those two then this film won't work.
In a surprising turn of events, The Hollywood Reporter today brings word that Sony Pictures is once again looking at bringing Venom, the Marvel Comics antihero, to the big screen. According to the trade, however, this doesn’t sound like it’s going to be a Venom movie connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in any way. The trade notes that the new film is unconnected to next year’s Spider-Man, which is set to star Tom Holland as your friendly neighborhood webslinger. First appearing in the comic book series as an alien costume worn by Spider-Man in “The Amazing Spider-Man” #252 in 1984, it was several years before the creature left Peter Parker and merged with photographer Eddie Brock, forming the antihero known as Venom. Since then, the character has appeared in a variety of different forms and bonded with several different hosts. In the “Ultimate” Marvel Universe, the suit has a more terrestrial origin, created by Parker and Brock’s scientist parents in an attempt to cure cancer. More recently, the Venom symbiote has been moving between hosts, including Mac Gargan (aka The Scorpion) and Peter Parker’s old high school rival, Flash Thompson. Venom previously appeared on the big screen, played by Topher Grace in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3. Since the release of that film in 2007, rumors have persisted about a solo Venom movie, but variation iterations of the project have failed to materialize. New plans for a Venom movie have producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach developing the property with Dante Harper set to provide the screenplay. Harper previously worked on the script for Doug Liman’s Edge of Tomorrow as well as the upcoming Sleepless Night remake. Palak Patel and Eric Fineman are overseeing the Venom movie for Sony.
I really love hearing this news. If you're a comic book fan, then you know how cool Venom is and getting another chance to see the character on the big screen again really gets me excited. Now Topher Grace was an ok choice for the role of Eddie Brock/Venom in Spider-Man 3, but it wasn't a home run choice. Spider-Man 3 had a lot of problems and one of them was the way the Venom character was handled. The other part of the news is a bit confusing in the sense that it's odd that it's being reported that he won't be involved with the MCU in any capacity. That might be a case, but if Kevin Feige says he wants Venom in a MCU film then he'll make it happen. Especially now with the universes being semi-connected, if Iron Man shows up in a Spider-Man film and Venom just happens to be in it, then that officially makes Venom apart of the MCU so I don't buy that statement. I'm really looking forward to seeing the character again and I'm really curious to see how a solo film is going to be handled.
Just yesterday, it was announced that a new writer had been hired to script the big-screen adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, which for some time now has had Joseph Gordon-Levitt attached as director and potential star. Now, Gordon-Levitt has taken to Facebook to announce that he has departed from the project. His full statement reads: “So, as you might know if you like to follow these sorts of things, a while back, David Goyer and I made a producing deal with Warner Brothers to develop a movie adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s SANDMAN. Neil himself came on as an executive producer, we hired the excellent screenwriter, Jack Thorne, and we started in on the ambitious task of adapting one of the most beloved and boundary-pushing titles in the world of comics. I was pleased with the progress we were making, even though we still had quite a ways to go.’ “Recently, as you also might know if you like to follow these sorts of things, the sorta “ownership” (for lack of a better term) of the Sandman material changed hands when Warner Brothers shifted the entire catalogue of Vertigo comics (an imprint of DC) to their subsidiary, New Line. And a few months ago, I came to realize that the folks at New Line and I just don’t see eye to eye on what makes Sandman special, and what a film adaptation could/should be. So unfortunately, I decided to remove myself from the project. I wish nothing but the best for the team moving forward.’
“I’d like to thank all the great people I’ve had the opportunity to work with on this one. I’ve had a blast with and learned a ton from David and Jack. Niija Kuykendall, Greg Silverman, and everyone at Warner Brothers have been fantastic, as have Geoff Johns and everyone at DC. And it’s been a particular privilege as well as a rocking good time getting to know Mr. Gaiman, whose generous insights and masterful work have certainly convinced me that the Lord of Dreams and the Prince of Stories are one and the same Endless pattern.” Sandman, which launched DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint, ran for 75 issues beginning in 1989. Gaiman’s worlds-within-worlds weaved an episodic anthology, focusing on the allegorical character of Dream and his brothers and sisters, known as the Endless (Death, Desire, Despair, Delirium, Destruction and Destiny).
This is really disappointing news to hear. When it was first announced that JGL was going to play Sandman, I immediately got excited and made this film one of the films I most looking forward to. It sucks to see him disagree with Warner Bros. and New Line on the project becasue I think he is the perfect fit for the role. Now it's going to be interesting to see what Warner Bros. and New Line will do with the film. Will they get a new actor or just scrap the entire film completely? Right now it's untelling and I would say the film will be put on hold for awhile.
Sony Pictures has announced a slight shuffle in their 2017 release schedule, moving around the release dates for three of their upcoming features. The Dark Tower, which it was recently revealed will begin production in seven weeks in South Africa, has moved from its original release date of January 13, 2017 to February 17, 2017. An adaptation of the Stephen King novel series, the film will open against Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ The Great Wall and 20th Century Fox’s Maze Runner: The Death Cure. Nikolaj Arcel will direct the film, which stars Idris Elba as Roland “The Gunslinger” Deschain and Matthew McConaughey as the evil man in black. Mad Max: Fury Road‘s Abbey Lee is in negotiations for the female lead. Another shift in the schedule, since The Dark Tower now sits on its original release date, is the upcoming Bad Boys 3, which has been delayed to June 2, 2017. Bad Boys 3 will now open against Warner Bros.’ upcoming comedy film The House, starring Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler. The A-Team and The Grey director Joe Carnahan will direct the film, which is expected to feature the return of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Finally, with Bad Boys 3 blasting onto its original release, the Barbie movie has been moved up three weeks to a May 12, 2017 release. Currently it is the only film set to be released that weekend, though it is sandwiched between Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Paramount’s Baywatch movie. Currently without a director, the script for Barbie has been written by Jenny Bicks and Diablo Cody.
These are all really interesting release dates. First off when The Dark Tower story broke the other day I was a little skeptical about the January release date, but now that the film has moved to February I can breath a sigh of relief. As for Bad Boys 3 this is the perfect date. The setting of the previous two films have been in Miami and I expect this one to be set there as well and it just makes sense for the film to be a summer popcorn flick. The release date for Barbie is probably the best case scenario. I mean you're coming out the weekend after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 which will help Barbie make more money becuase the second week numbers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will be lower and that means more money ot go around for Barbie. Also you come out before Baywatch, which will be counter-programming and it should do well against Baywatch.
Los Angeles-based production company Straight Up Films announced today that they have acquired film rights to Square Enix’s videogame franchise Thief with plans to develop a Thief movie. Feature film writing duo Adam Mason and Simon Boyes (Misconduct, Not Safe for Work) will write the screenplay. Straight Up Films’ President of Production Sandra Condito will serve as executive producer along with Khalid Jones of Source Rock and Square Enix while Straight Up principals Marisa Polvino and Kate Cohen will produce alongside Roy Lee and Adrian Askarieh. Developed by Eidos-Montréal and published by Tokyo-based Square Enix, the Thief videogame series has spawned three sequels over 18 years, retaining loyal audiences and attracting new fans with each iteration. The 2014 release offers the following official description: Garrett, the Master Thief, steps out of the shadows into the City. In this treacherous place, where the Baron’s Watch spreads a rising tide of fear and oppression, his skills are the only things he can trust. Even the most cautious citizens and their best- guarded possessions are not safe from his reach. As an uprising emerges, Garrett finds himself entangled in growing layers of conflict. Lead by Orion, the voice of the people, the tyrannized citizens will do everything they can to claim back the City from the Baron’s grasp. The revolution is inevitable. If Garrett doesn’t get involved, the streets will run red with blood and the City will tear itself apart. “We have always been passionate about telling stories and bringing them to different medium,” says David Anfossi, Head of Studio, Eidos-Montréal. “With the world of Thief coming to feature film, a larger audience will be able to dive into this universe. Straight Up films shares our passion and has the expertise needed to meet our expectations.” “This popular game is entirely unique within the genre,” added Polvino and Cohen, “which is why we’re particularly excited to be working with these canny, dedicated filmmakers to bring it to the screen.”
This is pretty interesting news. Now I'm not a fan of the game mainly because I've never played it so I have to check it out before I can even begin to judge or have a coherent thought about the property. However I have heard some pretty decent things about the game and from that knowledge I think this could be a great film. It's surprising in the sense that it's not a big property that everyone knows about so the marketing campaign is going to have to be stellar for the film to even have a shot. The thing that could make or break the film is the cast and director becasue if those aren't good then you don't have a chance of making a good movie so we'll have to wait and see who joins the project.
(NOTE: All of these stories come from comingsoon.net)
While I love both franchises I think this is a stupid idea. I get why Sony would do it because it's two of their most popular franchises and both franchises have a comedic crime fighting duo. The reason why it doesn't make sense for me is because the Men in Black universe deal with aliens and the Jump Street franchise has never went to that realm in either of the films and I just don't think it makes much sense. Look the film could be good, but it all basically comes down to getting Smith and Jones on board for the film and if you don't get those two then this film won't work.
I really love hearing this news. If you're a comic book fan, then you know how cool Venom is and getting another chance to see the character on the big screen again really gets me excited. Now Topher Grace was an ok choice for the role of Eddie Brock/Venom in Spider-Man 3, but it wasn't a home run choice. Spider-Man 3 had a lot of problems and one of them was the way the Venom character was handled. The other part of the news is a bit confusing in the sense that it's odd that it's being reported that he won't be involved with the MCU in any capacity. That might be a case, but if Kevin Feige says he wants Venom in a MCU film then he'll make it happen. Especially now with the universes being semi-connected, if Iron Man shows up in a Spider-Man film and Venom just happens to be in it, then that officially makes Venom apart of the MCU so I don't buy that statement. I'm really looking forward to seeing the character again and I'm really curious to see how a solo film is going to be handled.
“I’d like to thank all the great people I’ve had the opportunity to work with on this one. I’ve had a blast with and learned a ton from David and Jack. Niija Kuykendall, Greg Silverman, and everyone at Warner Brothers have been fantastic, as have Geoff Johns and everyone at DC. And it’s been a particular privilege as well as a rocking good time getting to know Mr. Gaiman, whose generous insights and masterful work have certainly convinced me that the Lord of Dreams and the Prince of Stories are one and the same Endless pattern.” Sandman, which launched DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint, ran for 75 issues beginning in 1989. Gaiman’s worlds-within-worlds weaved an episodic anthology, focusing on the allegorical character of Dream and his brothers and sisters, known as the Endless (Death, Desire, Despair, Delirium, Destruction and Destiny).
This is really disappointing news to hear. When it was first announced that JGL was going to play Sandman, I immediately got excited and made this film one of the films I most looking forward to. It sucks to see him disagree with Warner Bros. and New Line on the project becasue I think he is the perfect fit for the role. Now it's going to be interesting to see what Warner Bros. and New Line will do with the film. Will they get a new actor or just scrap the entire film completely? Right now it's untelling and I would say the film will be put on hold for awhile.
These are all really interesting release dates. First off when The Dark Tower story broke the other day I was a little skeptical about the January release date, but now that the film has moved to February I can breath a sigh of relief. As for Bad Boys 3 this is the perfect date. The setting of the previous two films have been in Miami and I expect this one to be set there as well and it just makes sense for the film to be a summer popcorn flick. The release date for Barbie is probably the best case scenario. I mean you're coming out the weekend after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 which will help Barbie make more money becuase the second week numbers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will be lower and that means more money ot go around for Barbie. Also you come out before Baywatch, which will be counter-programming and it should do well against Baywatch.
This is pretty interesting news. Now I'm not a fan of the game mainly because I've never played it so I have to check it out before I can even begin to judge or have a coherent thought about the property. However I have heard some pretty decent things about the game and from that knowledge I think this could be a great film. It's surprising in the sense that it's not a big property that everyone knows about so the marketing campaign is going to have to be stellar for the film to even have a shot. The thing that could make or break the film is the cast and director becasue if those aren't good then you don't have a chance of making a good movie so we'll have to wait and see who joins the project.
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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