Random Movie News

[TheBaxter]

Lyin' Baxter keeps trying to change the subject. Why won't he call it Dungeons & Dragons instead of D&D!? What is he hiding!!!?! I have photographs from the '70s that prove Lyin' Baxter is really Gary Gygax.

wow, this post is so low energy, i fell asleep halfway through reading it.

[TheButcher]

Collider:
'National Treasure 3': Nic Cage Says the Writers Are Still Fact-Checking
Nicolas Cage gives an update on the potential for a National Treasure 3 movie

From IESB.net: National Treasure 3 is Officially a Go

One surprise had producer Jerry Bruckheimer and actor Nicolas Cage on stage to talk about their favorite Disney franchise, “National Treasure.”

Jerry Bruckheimer, Nicolas Cage and Disney's Dick Cook confirmed that National Treasure 3 was currently in development.

Another installment of the popular history based franchise was expected but had not been officially announced.

No release date was given but rumors have it out during the holiday season of 2010.

NATIONAL TREASURE 3: THEY SAVED NIXON'S BRAIN

[TheButcher]

Higgs, schmiggs. That's what it should be called - the Higgs-Schmiggs boson.
If Peter Higgs doesn't like it, he can switch fields to wildlife biology and discover the Higgs bison. Then we'd all sleep better.

CHRIS O’DOWD JOINS GROWING CAST OF J.J. ABRAMS SCI-FI THRILLER “GOD PARTICLE”
Chris O’Dowd is the latest actor to join the cast of GOD PARTICLE. Paramount’s J.J. Abrams-produced sci-fi thriller will be directed by Julius Onah.


Ziyi Zhang Joins J.J. Abrams' Sci-Fi Thriller 'God Particle' (Exclusive)
Zhang is part of the international team of astronauts and scientists up in space.

[TheButcher]

“TRAINING DAY” DIRECTOR ANTOINE FUQUA BOARDS “BURN RUN” HEADING INTO HOLIDAY WEEKEND (EXCLUSIVE)

Training Day director Antoine Fuqua is now coming on board to produce BURN RUN, with an eye towards directing at some point. Through his Fuqua Films, he’s teaming up with producers Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman of The Picture Company. That’s a huge score for the action thriller that could see a bidding war break out over the course of the holiday weekend.

The story is being pitched as Sicario meets Bourne. When an intelligence leak dangerously exposes a covert mission in Afghanistan, a grieving CIA operative and his translator must find their way out of the desert, outgunned and hunted by elite special forces.

[TheButcher]

‘Gomorra’s Stefano Sollima To Helm Benicio Del Toro & Josh Brolin In ‘Sicario’ Sequel ‘Soldado’

EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate and Black Label Media are getting closer to a production start on Soldado, the second installment of the drug war thriller that began with 2015’s Sicario. I’m told that Stefano Sollima is the front-runner to direct the second installment and should have the job shortly, with talks expected to wrap up quickly. Denis Villenueve directed the first film. Sollima is the Italian director who has made a number of memorably gritty crime thrillers but is best known for directing the Italian miniseries Gomorra and the features Suburra and A.C.A.B. (All Cops Are Bastards). Soldado was scripted by Taylor Sheridan. Black Label Media and Lionsgate are co-financing.

The sequel focuses on Alejandro Gillick, the shadowy Man on Fire-like protagonist played by Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin’s CIA agent Matt Graver, who in the first film established themselves as hellbent on hunting down cartel kingpins, no matter what. The script by Sheridan — who wrote the original — has been very well received. Gone is the principled FBI agent character played by Emily Blunt. The subject matter is very topical, as Gillick and Graver concern themselves with what is being smuggled across the border between Mexico and the U.S. in the tunnels used to move drugs and illegal immigrants. Those tunnels also can be used to bring terrorists into the U.S.

The sequel is being produced by Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk, Black Label’s Molly Smith and Thad and Trent Luckinbill, and Edward McDonnell. I’m told that the plan is to move into production by the fall and that the talent all has sparked to Sollima. Final meetings with the studio are happening shortly. Sollima is repped by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

Black Label Media just teamed with Lionsgate for the Emma Stone-Ryan Gosling-starrer La La Land, and Black Label is backing the Danny Strong-directed Rebel in the Rye.

[so sorry]

‘Gomorra’s Stefano Sollima To Helm Benicio Del Toro & Josh Brolin In ‘Sicario’ Sequel ‘Soldado’

EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate and Black Label Media are getting closer to a production start on Soldado, the second installment of the drug war thriller that began with 2015’s Sicario. I’m told that Stefano Sollima is the front-runner to direct the second installment and should have the job shortly, with talks expected to wrap up quickly. Denis Villenueve directed the first film. Sollima is the Italian director who has made a number of memorably gritty crime thrillers but is best known for directing the Italian miniseries Gomorra and the features Suburra and A.C.A.B. (All Cops Are Bastards). Soldado was scripted by Taylor Sheridan. Black Label Media and Lionsgate are co-financing.

The sequel focuses on Alejandro Gillick, the shadowy Man on Fire-like protagonist played by Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin’s CIA agent Matt Graver, who in the first film established themselves as hellbent on hunting down cartel kingpins, no matter what. The script by Sheridan — who wrote the original — has been very well received. Gone is the principled FBI agent character played by Emily Blunt. The subject matter is very topical, as Gillick and Graver concern themselves with what is being smuggled across the border between Mexico and the U.S. in the tunnels used to move drugs and illegal immigrants. Those tunnels also can be used to bring terrorists into the U.S.

The sequel is being produced by Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk, Black Label’s Molly Smith and Thad and Trent Luckinbill, and Edward McDonnell. I’m told that the plan is to move into production by the fall and that the talent all has sparked to Sollima. Final meetings with the studio are happening shortly. Sollima is repped by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

Black Label Media just teamed with Lionsgate for the Emma Stone-Ryan Gosling-starrer La La Land, and Black Label is backing the Danny Strong-directed Rebel in the Rye.

Dumb. If memory serves me correctly, the Benico character's entire motivation was revenge on one cartel leader. He ends up getting that revenge (wife, kids, and all). That's should be the end of his story.

[TheButcher]

Universal Sets Zhang Yimou To Helm Robert Ludlum Adaptation ‘The Parsifal Mosaic’

Universal, which hatched the Jason Bourne franchise from Ludlum’s signature novel series and has a second spinoff film going with Jeremy Renner and director Justin Lin, has been working for years on the adaptation of Ludlum’s 1982 novel Parsifal Mosaic. The most recent script draft is by David Self, but another draft will be done under the supervision of Zhang. In the thriller, a veteran CIA operative retires but is prompted to return after learning that the woman he fell in love with and lost is actually alive and well. Imagine’s Erica Huggins will be executive producer. Universal Co-President of Production Peter Cramer and Director of Development Jay Polidoro are shepherding for the studio. Zhang is repped by CAA and managed by Mo Zhyang and Catherine Pang.

From Coming Soon: Next Bourne Based on The Parsifal Mosaic?

Universal, Dwayne Johnson, James Vanderbilt Plot Robert Ludlum Cinematic Universe (Exclusive)
First up is the adaptation of 'The Janson Directive,' to star Johnson.

Another cinematic universe is taking shape.

Universal Pictures is teaming up with screenwriter James Vanderbilt and his partners at Mythology Entertainment, Brad Fischer and William Sherak, as well as Ben Smith and Jeffrey Weiner of Captivate Entertainment to craft a series of movies based on the works of Robert Ludlum, the best-selling author behind the studio’s hit Jason Bourne spy franchise.

First up in this universe will be the adaptation of Ludlum’s The Janson Directive, which will star Dwayne Johnson.

Vanderbilt will adapt Janson Directive from a story co-authored with Academy Award-winner Akiva Goldsman. (Goldsman is no stranger to cinematic universes, as he is overseeing the formation of a Transformers cinematic universe and one based on Hasbro toy properties.)

Universal had been working with Captivate on bringing to the screen many of the spy thrillers penned by Ludlum, who died in 2001 and whose books have sold around 300 million copies. The Parsifal Mosaic, The Sigma Protocol and Covert One are among them, and the shingle had already been actively developing Janson.

The new deal seeks to give cohesion to the individual titles, bringing them under one umbrella and giving them crossover points. On top of writing Janson, Vanderbilt, who worked with Johnson when he co-wrote the actor's early action movie, 2003's The Rundown, will co-author two more stories/treatments based on the Ludlum books, which have not been named, giving shape to the action universe. The treatments will then be adapted into screenplays by scribes yet to be hired.

It is unclear how Johnson’s character will figure into the future installments. For now, the actor is pumped and focused on bringing Janson to the screen first.

"The Janson Directive is classic Robert Ludlum," Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter. "Sharp, edgy and layered storylines. The character is complex, conflicted, bad ass and lethal — I can't wait to sink my teeth into this and bring him to life. Between Jamie, Akiva, Captivate and Universal, it's an exciting time to help produce and build out this awesome Ludlum universe."

Janson centers on Paul Janson, a former operative who is now the best private security consultant in the world. The action begins when he is framed for the murder of a prominent Nobel laureate and must join forces with the protege sent to kill him in order to survive.

Producing Janson will be Captivate's Smith and Weiner, along with Vanderbilt, Fischer and Sherak. Goldsman also is producing, as is Hiram Garcia of Seven Bucks Productions.

Johnson and Dany Garcia are executive producing via Seven Bucks with Tracey Nyberg of Mythology.

“I’ve been obsessed with Robert Ludlum ever since I was a kid, and the opportunity to play in this sandbox and create an interconnected universe based on the works of one of the best espionage writers of all time is a dream come true,” said Vanderbilt.

Said Smith: “James has a deep understanding of the unique themes that run through Robert Ludlum’s novels, many of which are more relevant to today’s world than when they were published. [Universal's] Donna Langley, Jimmy Horowitz, Peter Cramer and we at Captivate have discussed building a connective world with Ludlum’s works and found an ideal creative partner in James to craft this visceral, grounded, cinematic universe. Dwayne Johnson is the perfect actor to bring Paul Janson to the screen, and we are thrilled to have him as a cornerstone of this exciting franchise."

"This is a powerful project that has brought together an amazing group of individuals committed to bringing the absolute best to Robert Ludlum's work," added Dany Garcia.

The new deal gives Universal a second cinematic universe with which to work on filling its slate for several years to come. Cinematic universes have become the de rigueur franchise connector that is seen as the savior to Hollywood studios’ movie slates since it lays out a blueprint for a pipeline of movies.

Universal is working on a whole line of interconnected movies based on its classic, black-and-white monsters films and is in production on The Mummy, which launches the universe. Tom Cruise is starring.

Captivate produced the upcoming Jason Bourne, which is set to open July 29, with both Matt Damon returning in the titular role and Paul Greengrass returning to direct the Universal movie.

Vanderbilt most recently wrote and directed Truth, starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford, which Mythology produced. The company has the rights to horror property Slender Man and is in the process of setting up a feature adaptation at Screen Gems.

Goldsman is a producer and co-writer of The Dark Tower, Sony’s adaptation of the Stephen King book series currently in production.

Johnson just wrapped shooting Baywatch with Zac Efron for Paramount and will star in Sony’s new take on Jumanji.

Johnson, Vanderbilt, Goldsman and the Ludlum estate are repped by WME, as are Captivate, Seven Bucks and Mythology. Goldman is additionally repped by attorney Barry Littman.

[TheButcher]

‘Lowriders’ Gives Highflying Opening-Night Start To A Very Diverse LA Film Festival

Gang Past Rears Up For Sundance 'Little Birds' Director Elgin James, Who'll Spend Year In Jail

James’ Sundance film, about two 15-year-old girls from Salton Sea who dangerously follow three boys to the Los Angeles streets, hasn’t been acquired but is expected to find a distributor. That film got him representation at WME and his first major studio job writing Low Riders, an 8 Mile-style drama about a parolee who tries to put his past behind him as he immerses in the low rider car sub-culture. James is scripting the film for Ricardo de Montreuil to direct for Universal Pictures and Imagine. James will hang onto that job, and write while incarcerated.

Cheo Hodari Coker will pen 'Lowriders' -Imagine's Brian Grazer producing pic

Cheo Hodari Coker has been given the keys to write "Lowriders," a drama set in the world of low-riding cars for Universal and Imagine. Imagine's Brian Grazer is producing.

The project is based on an idea by Grazer, who is known for exploring concepts, personalities and settings, even devoting a specialist to handle these intellectual and artistic endeavors. He was intrigued by the low-riding culture, which sees mainly teens driving cars that can adjust or have adjusted their suspension system. The culture finds its home in California and the Southwest, primarily among the Latino and black cultures.

Imagine and Universal execs went on a manhunt for a scribe who could not only write authentically about the scene but also craft a solid story. Coker, who is coming off of the Notorious B.I.G. biopic "Notorious," fit the bill.

He will now tackle the project in an office at Imagine's Beverly Hills headquarters. Imagine frequently lets writers use space for scribes working on their projects.

Mister Cartoon, a Los Angeles-based tattoo and graffiti artist involved in the culture and whose real name is Mark Machado, is exec producing with Estevan Oriol.

Coker, repped by CAA and Caliber Media, was a longtime journalist who wrote for Premiere, Vibe, Rolling Stone and Spin before transitioning to screenwriting. "Notorious," which Coker shares credit with Reggie Rock Bythewood, is based on the book Unbelievable: The Life, Death, and Afterlife of the Notorious B.I.G. by Vibe Magazine and Cheo Hodari Coker.

[/quote]

[TheButcher]

“HAPPY ENDINGS” SCRIBES TEAM WITH LORNE MICHAELS FOR HORROR COMEDY “GHOST BROS” (EXCLUSIVE)
Flowing in the same beer bong as Neighbors, the ’80s-set comedy centers on frat brothers that die in a fraternity house and end up staying around to haunt the house’s present-day residents.

[TheButcher]

SACHA BARON COHEN WILL WIELD THE WAND OF “MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN” WITH ETAN COHEN SET TO DIRECT (EXCLUSIVE)
Warner Bros. will produce the film based on the long-running syndicated comic.

And now for his next trick, Sacha Baron Cohen will star in MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN for Warner Bros. Get Hard writer-director Etan Cohen is set to direct the film, which is based on the popular character from the syndicated newspaper comic strip created by Lee Falk in 1934. The most recent drafts of the script come from David Peoples and Janet Peoples and Puss In Boots scribe Tom Wheeler.

The story centers around the adventures of Mandrake, the illusionist and escape artist with the power to hypnotize his foes. With his companion Lothar, he travels the globe solving mysteries and fighting evildoers – including his twin brother who uses his powers for evil instead than good. Sources say that the plan is to update the character for the 21st century, with Mandrake being recruited by the United States government for a secret mission.

Charles Roven and Andy Horowtiz will produce through Atlas Entertainment. Alan Glazer and Rocky Shepard will executive produce, with Cate Adams and Jesse Ehrman will oversee for the studio.

The film marks the first adaptation of the character since the 1954 TV movie starring Coe Norton, and the first feature adaptation since Columbia Pictures’ Mandrake, The Magician in 1939, starring Warren Hull.

The character, who has been described as “America’s first superhero,” is known as a magician whose work is based on an unusually fast hypnotic technique, through which his subjects see illusions when he “gestures hypnotically.” He uses the technique to defeat villains, including gangsters, mad scientists, extraterrestrials, and characters from other dimensions. He has the ability to turn invisible, shapeshift, levitate, and teleport thanks to the powers imbued to him by the hat, cloak, and wand he inherited from his father.

The project has been in development for years, undergoing multiple variations at the hands of several writers and producers. Previously, Disney and the Jacobson Company were developing the project, where a number of writers, including Peter Magill, David Levien, and Brian Koppelman all turned in drafts. Hyde Park and Baldwin Entertainment were developing the story with writers Tom Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, and Ian Mackenzie Jeffers, with Josh Richmond writing the original adaptation based on Falk’s comic strip. Directors Chuck Russell and Mimi Leder were previously attached, while Jonathan Rhys Meyers was once attached to star. Now, with Baron Cohen attached to the lead and Etan Cohen on board to direct, it looks like the project has momentum once again.

Director Etan Cohen, whose past writing credits include Idiocracy, Tropic Thunder, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, and Men in Black 3, recently landed the directing gig for the Warner Bros. remake of Cannonball Run. In addition to his upcoming directing duties, Cohen is in development with Sony’s Candy Land adaptation and Paramount’s adaptation of the classic television show Battle of the Network Stars.

Baron Cohen is the creator of comic characters Ali G, Borat and Brüno, whose most recent effort was the action comedy The Brothers Grimsby. He also appears as Time in Disney’s Alice Through The Looking Glass. Through his Four by Two Films banner, Baron Cohen has multiple projects in the works, including the Amazon series Highston and Danny McBride’s remake of the Danish film Clown.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers in "Mandrake the Magician"?

I did hear about that but I'm not super familiar with Mandrake the magician (until I got all wikipedia on the topic).

Of course anything with Johnathan Rhys-Meyers usually gets me interested in the project so I hope this will be good.

Warner Bros. Plots 'Mandrake the Magician' Movie (Heat Vision Exclusive)

Created by Lee Falk in 1934, the 'Mandrake' comic strip centered on an illusionist who had the power to hypnotize his foes at great speed.

[TheButcher]

‘Sicario 3’ Already in the Works; Sequels Will Be Standalone Films
Director Stefano Sollima explains what’s in store for the unlikely franchise.

[TheButcher]

Director Corin Hardy Lands Paramount’s “Dirty Dozen Goes To Hell” Actioner ‘Hell Bent’

EXCLUSIVE:
The Hallow director Corin Hardy has made a deal to direct Hell Bent, the Mike Finch-scripted action film that is a priority project for Paramount Pictures and is easiest described as ‘Dirty Dozen Goes To Hell.’ Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian are producing a film that will begin casting shortly as the script gets a polish. At the same time, there might be a thaw regarding Hardy’s exit from the The Crow remake that precipitated a legal joust between producer Ed Pressman and Relativity. It is possible that Hardy might re-emerge on that film after all, but there are obstacles still to be overcome and it is possible another studio could come into the mix as an active partner.

In Hell Bent, a group of mercenaries imprisoned in a Brazilian jail are murdered and led into the depths of hell by a priest who wishes to use their skills to kill Satan before he brings hell to Earth. This project has been on my radar for some time because of its smart construct that is a throwback to how studios once built franchises. The film is designed to cost $60 million or under, a reasonable sum for a possible franchise launch. It’s not dependent on big stars, but on an ensemble of “next” hot guys. That is the way that franchises used to be launched, when films like The Terminator, Austin Powers and many others that only did okay in their theatrical releases, but connected with audiences on video/DVD and created awareness that emboldened studios to throw real money at the sequels. That’s not often done these days, as studios throw all the money at what they hope will become franchises. What helps a package like this is a cutting edge director who can make a stylistic imprint and many think the UK-based helmer fits that bill.

[so sorry]

Director Corin Hardy Lands Paramount’s “Dirty Dozen Goes To Hell” Actioner ‘Hell Bent’

EXCLUSIVE:
The Hallow director Corin Hardy has made a deal to direct Hell Bent, the Mike Finch-scripted action film that is a priority project for Paramount Pictures and is easiest described as ‘Dirty Dozen Goes To Hell.’ Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian are producing a film that will begin casting shortly as the script gets a polish. At the same time, there might be a thaw regarding Hardy’s exit from the The Crow remake that precipitated a legal joust between producer Ed Pressman and Relativity. It is possible that Hardy might re-emerge on that film after all, but there are obstacles still to be overcome and it is possible another studio could come into the mix as an active partner.

In Hell Bent, a group of mercenaries imprisoned in a Brazilian jail are murdered and led into the depths of hell by a priest who wishes to use their skills to kill Satan before he brings hell to Earth. This project has been on my radar for some time because of its smart construct that is a throwback to how studios once built franchises. The film is designed to cost $60 million or under, a reasonable sum for a possible franchise launch. It’s not dependent on big stars, but on an ensemble of “next” hot guys. That is the way that franchises used to be launched, when films like The Terminator, Austin Powers and many others that only did okay in their theatrical releases, but connected with audiences on video/DVD and created awareness that emboldened studios to throw real money at the sequels. That’s not often done these days, as studios throw all the money at what they hope will become franchises. What helps a package like this is a cutting edge director who can make a stylistic imprint and many think the UK-based helmer fits that bill.

Franchise? So after the dead-mercenaries defeat Satan in Hell, the next movie they go on a wacky vacation?

[caruso_stalker217]

Director Corin Hardy Lands Paramount’s “Dirty Dozen Goes To Hell” Actioner ‘Hell Bent’

EXCLUSIVE:
The Hallow director Corin Hardy has made a deal to direct Hell Bent, the Mike Finch-scripted action film that is a priority project for Paramount Pictures and is easiest described as ‘Dirty Dozen Goes To Hell.’ Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian are producing a film that will begin casting shortly as the script gets a polish. At the same time, there might be a thaw regarding Hardy’s exit from the The Crow remake that precipitated a legal joust between producer Ed Pressman and Relativity. It is possible that Hardy might re-emerge on that film after all, but there are obstacles still to be overcome and it is possible another studio could come into the mix as an active partner.

In Hell Bent, a group of mercenaries imprisoned in a Brazilian jail are murdered and led into the depths of hell by a priest who wishes to use their skills to kill Satan before he brings hell to Earth. This project has been on my radar for some time because of its smart construct that is a throwback to how studios once built franchises. The film is designed to cost $60 million or under, a reasonable sum for a possible franchise launch. It’s not dependent on big stars, but on an ensemble of “next” hot guys. That is the way that franchises used to be launched, when films like The Terminator, Austin Powers and many others that only did okay in their theatrical releases, but connected with audiences on video/DVD and created awareness that emboldened studios to throw real money at the sequels. That’s not often done these days, as studios throw all the money at what they hope will become franchises. What helps a package like this is a cutting edge director who can make a stylistic imprint and many think the UK-based helmer fits that bill.

Franchise? So after the dead-mercenaries defeat Satan in Hell, the next movie they go on a wacky vacation?

HELL BENT 2: MISSION TO MOSCOW.

[Wolfpack]

HELL BENT 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO
HELL BENT 2: WE'RE BENDING SOMETHING, AND IT'S HELL!
HELL BENT 2: HELL BENTY-ER

[so sorry]

H2LL B2NT

[Ribbons]

2 HELL 2 BENT
HELL BENT 2: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER

[TheButcher]

/film February 22nd, 2008:

"I wrote a script called Hell Bent, Ghostbusters go to hell basically. The premise is that it's Manhellton. There's Manhattan and ManHELLton. And if you can build an inter-dimensional phase system so that you can go from one dimension to another. We've succeeded doing that and we go to the hell side.

Downtown, Folley Square - where the cops are, they're all blue minotaurs. Central Park is this huge deep mine, green demons there, surrounded by black onyx thousand foot high apartment buildings with classic red devils. Very wealthy. And we go visit a Donald Trump like character - Mr. Siffler. Lou Siffler, Lucifer. So I will say we meet the devil in it. It won't happen as a live action because Billy [Murray] won't come on to the live action but he will voice his part, as a CGI animated project. With CGI, and animation, the way these cartoons are done, we can do everything I wrote in that script for a lot less money.

[TheBaxter]

y'know... maybe an all-female ghostbusters with no relation to the original films isn't such a bad idea after all.

[TheButcher]

Supernatural Action Project 'Spectral' Lands at Legendary Pictures (Exclusive)
The project from writer Ian Fried is described as a darker and more serious take on a "Ghostbusters"-like story.

Legendary Pictures is going ghost-busting, picking up the supernatural action project Spectral from writer Ian Fried.

The premise of the project is centered on a modern-day, militaristic and gritty approach to fighting the supernatural. Sources say the pitch, which sold for six figures, has been described as a darker and more serious take on a Ghostbusters-like story, with a plot that revolves around a special ops group formed to bring down evil ghosts that have taken over Manhattan. Locations and details might change over the course of the writing, however.

Legendary, Universal Pull 'Spectral' From August Release Calendar
The movie is described as a supernatural 'Black Hawk Down.'

Legendary Pictures and Universal have pulled Spectral from the August release calendar.

The movie, described as a supernatural Black Hawk Down, had been set to open Aug. 12. No new date has been announced.

Spectral has been completed for more than a year. The sci-fi thriller was one of the projects already underway at Legendary when the financing and production company left Warner Bros. and struck a new deal with Universal that commenced in 2014. Universal is only a distributor on the film.

Both the studio and Legendary declined comment beyond confirming Spectral won't hit theaters in August. Insiders say the decision was made at least a month ago, although the film is still listed as having an Aug. 12 release date on comScore, the industry clearinghouse. However, BoxOfficeMojo.com shows the change being recorded on Monday.

Directed by commercials helmer Nic Mathieu, Spectral stars James Badge Dale, Max Martini, Emily Mortimer and Bruce Greenwood and revolves around a special ops team who battle supernatural entities taking over a European city.

News about Spectral comes only days after Universal and Legendary released Warcraft, the big-budget video game adaptation that boasted a record opening in China but bombed in North America. Warcraft will likely need to earn at least $450 million globally to break even for Legendary and parent company Dalian Wanda, the Chinese conglomerate and world's largest theater-chain owner, along with Universal and a raft of Chinese investors.

All eyes will be on how well Warcraft holds, or doesn't, in its second weekend of play in China, where Wanda — which is considering an IPO — and Legendary are handling the movie's release directly. Universal has distribution duties in the rest of the world.

[TheButcher]

The halting genius of science-fiction writer Ted Chiang
Ted Chiang’s science fiction wins piles of awards. When he publishes, which is hardly ever.

More remarkable still, Chiang has been able to pull this off not by leaning on sci-fi staples like talking spaceships and interstellar war, but by crafting carefully considered, deeply researched parables that use scientific concepts to illuminate the human condition. One story, “The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate,” employs the Novikov self-consistency principle — which holds that a time traveler could never change the events of the past or future — to explore how we deal with regret; another, “Exhalation,” is an inventive meditation on death that Chiang describes as “a story about entropy.” They’re entertaining, imaginative tales that leave you feeling smarter by the time you reach the last line.

Amy Adams' 'Story of Your Life' Gets New Title, Release Date

The upcoming sci-fi drama Story of Your Life, which is set to star Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, has gotten a new name and release date via Paramount.

The pic, now titled Arrival, has been slated for an awards-season release date of Nov. 11. On this date, the Denis Villeneuve-directed feature will be going up against Jeff Nichols' Cannes standout Loving and the Naomi Watts-starring psychological thriller Shut In.

Arrival is based on a short story by Hugo Award-winning author Ted Chiang and is being adapted for the big screen by Final Destination 5 scribe Eric Heisserer.

In the film, Adams stars as a linguist who is recruited by the military to determine whether alien crafts that have landed around the world come in peace or are a threat.

Denis Villeneuve’s Alien Invasion Thriller THE ARRIVAL Lands In November
The director of SICARIO and ENEMY takes on extraterrestrials. Yes, please.

"I feel like a bag of smashed assholes."

[TheButcher]

Try to Remember by Frank Herbert

It’s been almost a year (January 26, 2013) since I first mentioned the “tattered 1969 Belmont edition paperback copy of The Best of Amazing.” Since then, we’ve steadily looked at all of the works included in the collection selected by Joseph Ross. Well, all except for one. Try to Remember by Frank Herbert (you might have heard of him) is a fitting conclusion to this anthology and a fitting story to represent what is best about Amazing Stories. First published in the October 1961 issue, the novella is one of those stories that makes the reader think.

We’ve all read stories about the weaknesses and eventual downfall of mankind. I get it. The diversity of cultures around our little globe is part of what makes us human. Yet, this cultural multiplicity is also one of our most definitive shortcomings. Try to Remember is an example of civilization’s inability to overcome insecurities and lack of trust in our fellow man in an effort to save the world.

An alien spaceship ship full of froglike creatures suddenly drops out of the sky and gives the citizens of earth an ultimatum.

“You are required to assemble your most gifted experts in human communication. We are about to submit a problem. We will open five identical rooms of our vessel to you. One of us will be available in each room.

“Your problem: To communicate with us.

“If you succeed, your rewards will be great.

“If you fail, that will result in destruction for all sentient life on your planet.

This story kinda reminds me of the 1940 classic Farewell to the Master by Harry Bates (this story made the big screen under the name The Day the Earth Stood Still). The major difference is the character focus. Unlike Farewell, this does not center on the alien beings. Try to Remember is an examination of the human condition and does not provide much information about the visitors. When given an ultimatum, the cultural differences around the world bring about a vast array of interpretations and expectations. And herein lies our problem. How do we communicate with an alien race when we cannot even communicate with our neighbors?

“You must break away from this limited communications!” This is the demand from the aliens.

Upon first reading, I first questioned the fact that the ultimatum did not come with a deadline. This made me think that perhaps the aliens were merely pointing out our flaws and suggested that mankind would eventually fail if we did not learn to communicate. But as the story progressed, I began to feel the same desperation and hopelessness as many of the characters. Technical advances mean nothing if we cannot control our own moral fiber. The threat was real and the desperation inevitably turned to fear and violence.

Try to Remember is more speculative fiction than science fiction. This story also represents one of the more accurate examples of the division within the genre. The alien involvement and technological advancements may draw this story into the SF field, but the crux of the story is still the social indifferences of characters in a multicultural environment.

Granted, Frank Herbert is best known for his Dune saga. But readers of Try to Remember will ironically long remember this story as well. As the final installment from The Best of Amazing anthology, it has many meanings when it comes to representing the classic magazine. As a social tool, Amazing Stories is a bridge to multiple cultures and enables fandom to spread globally. As a literary tool, remembering the classics is how fandom builds momentum. And if we are to expand to future generations of fans, we have to Try to Remember where we came from independently and where we hope to go collectively.

In a way, it is sad to bring this series of reviews to a close. But as long as we have books like The Best of Amazing on our shelf, we will always be able to go back and revisit some of the classics that represent what Amazing Stories is all about. When Hugo Gernsback coined “scientifiction” as “a charming romance intermingled with science fact and prophetic vision,” he gave fandom the tools to discover an infinite number of works, many of which would be worthy of a “Best of” consideration.

[TheButcher]

StudioCanal Purchases ‘Paddington’ Brand; Third Film Already Being Planned

First Synopsis for Live-Action/CGI Adaptation PADDINGTON from HARRY POTTER Producer David Heyman

NICE MOVE, DAVID HEYMAN
Writer/director Paul King returns to charm again with 'Paddington' sequel

It's a big day for successful comedies signing the same filmmakers for follow-ups with Universal locking Elizabeth Banks down for "Pitch Perfect 3" as well. It's not an automatic thing, though, and in this case, it sounds like David Heyman and StudioCanal had to work hard to make it happen. While "Paddington" wasn't a mega-blockbuster, it did well enough around the world to make a sequel attractive, and with King onboard now, I have every reason to believe that it's going to be just as charming and expertly made as the original.

[TheButcher]

‘Independence Day 3’: Roland Emmerich Already Has an “Intergalactic Journey” in Mind

“The next one will be an intergalactic journey. It’ll be [set] maybe a year or two later, not 20 years [on]. I want to maintain this group of people, especially the young characters, and Jeff [Goldblum] and Brent [Spiner] will take part in it. It’ll be fun to keep that group together. I imagine them now going in one of these ships they’ve rebuilt into a wormhole. I think it’ll be the classic of going into space but it has to be about Earth, and we have a really good idea for that.”

Deadline Jun 24, 201:
Roland Emmerich's Next Space Epic 'Moonfall' Lands At Universal
The picture will be fast-tracked.

EXCLUSIVE: As the Roland Emmerich-directed sci-fi sequel Independence Day: Resurgence kicks off the first weekend of summer box office in North America today, Universal Pictures has closed a deal for the filmmaker's next epic-sized sci-fi picture.

The studio has been in the mix on the script along with Sony Pictures and Fox, both of which have made successful big-canvas films with Emmerich. This one is best described as Emmerich’s 2012 mashed together with Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, following an unlikely band of misfits who must unite to save humanity when the moon falls out of orbit and hurtles towards earth.

Deadline: Aug 20, 2014:
Indie Audax Outbids For David Weil Spec 'Moonfall'

EXCLUSIVE: Indie film financier-producer Audax has closed a deal for Moonfall, a spec script by David Weil. Audax had company for a film that centers on an FBI agent who travels to a moon colony to investigate its very first death.

Moon 44

Moon 44 is a 1990 English-language German science fiction action film from Centropolis Film Productions, directed by Roland Emmerich and starring Michael Paré and Lisa Eichhorn alongside Brian Thompson and Malcolm McDowell. The film is set on a futuristic mining site on an unspecific moon, where convicts and teenage technicians are partnered. An undercover agent (Paré) must discover what has happened to missing corporate shuttles.

From THR April 8, 2008:
'Moon' lands at Universal

After a bidding war among four studios, Universal has picked up "Earth vs. Moon," a pitch from scribes Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, for Scott Stuber to produce.

The deal was in the mid- to high-six figures.

The plot details for what is being described as a sci-fi epic are being kept under wraps.

The acquisition marks the first for Stuber since the departure of partner Mary Parent, who last month became chairman of MGM's motion picture group. Stuber is production on "The Wolf Man," starring Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins and being directed by Joe Johnston.

Stuber Prods.' Jon Mone is shepherding "Earth vs. Moon." Lawrence Grey is overseeing for Universal.

Wernick and Reese will executive produce the project.

The duo created and executive produced Spike TV's "The Joe Schmo Show," which eventually sold as an international format in the U.K., France, Spain and other countries. They are writing and executive producing "Zombieland," set up at Sony with Gavin Polone producing.

Reese also was a writer on Pixar's "Monsters, Inc.," and Wernick earned three Emmys for his work in TV news.

Wernick and Reese are repped by Endeavor and attorneys John Farrell and Ken Richman.

SPOILERS
From MTV 02/26/10:
'Zombieland' Writers Want Big Effects, Will Smith for 'Earth vs. Moon'

[TheButcher]

LONE WOLF & CUB Optioned For U.S. Live-Action Movie

Iconic Manga ‘Wolf and Cub’ Set for Live-Action Remake by SP International (EXCLUSIVE)

Iconic Japanese comic book property “Lone Wolf and Cub: Final Conflict” is to be made as a live action, English language movie by producer Steven Paul’s SP International Pictures.


The company acquired remake and sequel rights Koike Kazuo Gekiga Sonjuku, Inc., who produced the motion picture “Kozure Okami: Sono Chisaki Te Ni” in 1993. It plans a remake that will shoot from 2017. The “Lone Wolf and Cub” property first emerged in 1970 as a comic book written by Koike Kazuo and illustrated by Goseki Kojima. Their stories were subsequently adapted as six feature movies starring Tomisaburo Wakayama, four stage plays and a TV series.

“Final Conflict” sees a noble samurai plotted against and framed in an assassination conspiracy the samurai disobeys his Shogun’s orders and becomes an assassin for hire. “I have been a huge fan of the property for many years and can’t tell you how excited I am to have the opportunity to embark on this journey,” Pau said in a statement.


Los Angeles-based Paul has become a major axis between Hollywood and Japan. He previously produced Marvel Comic’s “Ghost Rider 1 & 2” and Namco Bandai’s “Tekken 1 & 2.” He is currently producing a live action adaptation of the manga comic “Ghost In The Shell” starring Scarlett Johansson and Takeshi Kitano. Paramount Pictures distributing the feature film worldwide.

Paul’s “Ghost in the Shell” project has been criticized by some fans for racially inappropriate casting, notably with Johansson playing an originally Asian woman. Paul told Variety that “Final Conflict” will be shot with an essentially Japanese cast. Paul has recently struck production deals in both China and Thailand.

His related SP Releasing is a theatrical distributor releasing up to 10 movies per year and maintains a worldwide home entertainment deal with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. This summer SP Releasing will be theatrically distributing “Running Wild” starring Sharon Stone, and releasing ‘The Dog Lover” with James Remar, Lea Thompson, Jayson Blair, Allison Paige and directed by Alex Ranarivelo.

[Ribbons]

As I recall, Darren Aronofsky was a big fan of Lone Wolf & Cub. He should totally direct this adaptation. Make it happen, Butcher!

[Peven]

RT ratings for Tarzan are just now put up......and it looks as if my fears were correct. not good

[TheButcher]

Friday Box Office: ‘The Purge’ and ‘Legend of Tarzan’ Outpace Expectations

The Legend of Tarzan is also impressing at the box office. The movie made $14 million on Friday and is now looking at a four-day weekend that could come in as high as $45 million. That’s not bad considering the lackluster reviews or that Alexander Skarsgard isn’t exactly a household name. It also received an A- CinemaScore. However, the $45 million opening isn’t much when you look at $180 million price tag, so the film will definitely need some overseas help.

The Secrets Behind That Other Tarzan Movie — The One That Earned a Dog a Screenwriting Oscar Nomination
Writer Robert Towne so hated the finished 'Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes' that he put his dog’s name on the credits. As the new 'The Legend of Tarzan' opens, director Hugh Hudson looks back at his 1984 epic


Meet the Comic Book 'Tarzan' Wannabes
It's not easy to fill the loincloth of Edgar Rice Burroughs' hero, but a surprising number of comic book characters have tried.


The Forgotten Comic Book Legend of 'Tarzan'
Edgar Rice Burroughs' jungle hero has been leaping around comics since 1929, with releases from DC, Marvel and more.

[TheButcher]

Battleship: John Carter vs Tarzan

[Ribbons]

RT ratings for Tarzan are just now put up......and it looks as if my fears were correct. not good

Hey man, don't lose hope just yet. A- CinemaScore and a surprisingly decent weekend at the box office. I'm thinking of going to see it on Thursday.

[Peven]

RT ratings for Tarzan are just now put up......and it looks as if my fears were correct. not good

Hey man, don't lose hope just yet. A- CinemaScore and a surprisingly decent weekend at the box office. I'm thinking of going to see it on Thursday.

looks like I am going to see it this weekend. on a date. wish me luck on both counts

[TheButcher]

Good Luck!

[TheBaxter]

the Tarzan that coulda been...

[TheButcher]

the Tarzan that coulda been...

"He’s a goon! Why didn’t anyone tell me he’s a goon?"

[TheButcher]

Margot Robbie to Star in, Produce Thriller 'Bad Monkeys'
Robbie joins fellow producers Bluegrass Films’ Scott Stuber and Dylan Clark on the project.

Universal Pictures is hitching a ride on Margot Robbie's rising stardom.

In a move just weeks before the actress stars in Suicide Squad, Universal has optioned the rights to Bad Monkeys, a novel by Matt Ruff, to act as a Robbie vehicle.

She is attached to star and also will produce via her LuckyChap Entertainment banner. Also producing are Bluegrass Films’ Scott Stuber (Central Intelligence) and Dylan Clark (War of the Planet of the Apes).

Ruff’s 2008 novel centers on a woman named Jane Charlotte, who has been arrested for murder. She denies the charges, saying she is part of a secret organization devoted to fighting evil, Department for the Final Disposition of Irredeemable Persons, aka Bad Monkeys.

This confession lands her in the jail’s psychiatric wing, where she is probed by professionals. The twisty story is meant to keep you guessing whether Jane is crazy, sane or a liar, with many things not as they seem.

LuckyChap’s Josey McNamara will serve as executive producer. Universal executive vp Jon Mone will oversee production on behalf of the studio, while Nicholas Nesbitt will oversee on behalf of Bluegrass.

Robbie, currently onscreen as Jane in The Legend of Tarzan, also stars in Suicide Squad, which is tracking for one of the biggest debuts this summer ahead of its Aug. 5 opening. The actress plays DC villainess Harley Quinn, one of the most popular characters in the DC stable, and her portrayal has been creating buzz since last year.

Warner Bros. is so impressed with Robbie’s take on the character that it already is developing a spinoff movie, which she would also produce, marking her growing clout as she creates projects for herself. She is expected to show up at Saturday's Suicide Squad panel at Comic-Con.

Robbie is repped by Management 360, Aran Michael Management in Australia and attorney Jeffrey Bernstein. Ruff is repped by publishing agent Melanie Jackson Agency.

Book Slut:
AN INTERVIEW WITH MATT RUFF

Without giving too much away, what’s Bad Monkeys about?

It’s about a woman named Jane Charlotte who’s been arrested for murder. She admits to the crime, but she also claims to belong to a secret organization that fights evil. The way the organization keeps itself secret is by running its affairs along the lines of a schizophrenic delusion -- for example, operatives’ orders are hidden in the daily crossword, or encoded in song selections on the radio -- so if you try and tell anybody about it, they think you’re crazy.

Sure enough, this confession gets Jane sent to the psychiatric wing of the city jail. The novel is her in a room with a shrink, telling the story of how she first crossed paths with the organization, how she was recruited to work for Bad Monkeys, which is what they call their execution squad, and how it all went wrong.

In the planning stages, you called Bad Monkeys “a Philip K. Dick-style novel.” Philip K. Dick isn’t around to give his take on it -- unless he suddenly starts shooting pink beams from VALIS, which would make everything insanely complicated -- but, now that Bad Monkeys is finished and going out into the world, what do you think Phil Dick would think of your new novel?

Well, given that my protagonist is named after Dick’s twin sister, who died in infancy, and with whom Dick was obsessed even though he’d never known her, I think he might be a little peeved.

Beyond that, our sensibilities differ enough that I’m not sure he’d be into me. At heart I’m a realist: I believe there’s one universe for all of us, and if it often seems otherwise, it’s because we’re all working from incomplete information. This doesn’t stop me from embracing outrageous fantasy scenarios, but I like my outrageous fantasy to have rules, and I’m a stickler for logical coherence -- I think it’s fine if a story leaves you guessing what’s true and what’s false, but I need to believe that an answer is possible.

With Dick, I think coherence and consistency are much lower priorities. He’s more about taking you into a weird headspace and posing questions for which even hypothetical answers are not required.

[TheButcher]

Exclusive: Justin Lin talks Lone Wolf And Cub

Director Justin Lin is currently doing the promotional rounds for Star Trek Beyond. But when Empire chatted to him for an upcoming spoiler special podcast, we couldn’t resist asking about another project the filmmaker has bubbling away: a long-mooted adaptation of the acclaimed manga comic Lone Wolf And Cub.

Lin has been attached to the project for some time, and had planned to press ahead with the adaptation, before J.J. Abrams came a-calling. “For the last year and a half I've been on this Star Trek detour,” Lin explained to us, “the greatest detour of my career. But I'm excited because Lone Wolf And Cub is one of many projects that I can't wait to go back and revisit in the next two weeks when we're done with all the press.”

Lin appeared to imply that he plans to have an Asian cast. “Five-to-ten years ago, they would have wanted Keanu Reeves to play the dad... I think the cool thing about it is that filmmaking has gone global. There's many ways to make a movie and I think Hollywood has to evolve.”

First published in 1970 by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima, Lone Wolf And Cub is widely regarded as a classic manga, telling an epic historic tale of shogun assassins. Seven films adapting the series have already been produced in its native Japan, but nothing from Hollywood – until now.

Lin is convinced that “this is the best time to make a movie like Lone Wolf And Cub – and to be able to really embrace the spirit and the essence of what makes it great.”

Until then, the director has to get Star Trek Beyond out the door – that’s due for a July 22 release – and he has plenty of other projects to keep him occupied, including his rumoured return to the Fast & Furious series that made his name. Plenty to keep him – ahem – Linterested.

[TheButcher]

STUART BEATTIE BROUGHT ON TO ADAPT “FALL OF GODS” FOR 20TH CENTURY FOX (EXCLUSIVE)
I, Frankenstein writer-director Stuart Beattie has been brought on to adapt the illustrated novel Fall of Gods for 20th Century Fox.

[TheButcher]

TheWrap:
Inside ‘Sausage Party': Allegations of Forced Overtime and an ‘Atmosphere of Fear’
“It’s really uncommon for people to get summoned into an office and being threatened that they could never find work in this town again,” one animator told TheWrap

[TheButcher]

Tom Cruise 'Mission: Impossible 6' Pay Dispute Halts Preproduction

A dispute over salary between Tom Cruise and Paramount has halted preproduction on Mission: Impossible 6, multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.

The studio, which was co-financing the movie with Skydance, was in the prep stages for a January 2017 production start and Christopher McQuarrie, who is back on directing duties after reinvigorated the franchise with the fifth installment, is writing the script.

Sources tell THR that one of the contentious points is Cruise's back-end profit participation, with the actor looking to match or exceed what he is getting paid by Universal for starring in The Mummy, which he is currently shooting in London. Mummy is a pivotal movie for Universal, which is looking to launch a cinematic franchise and has hinged plenty on Cruise’s star power.

This is the second hiccup this summer for Mission: Impossible 6. In July, the project threatened to fall apart over what one source said was script issues. That obstacle pushed a November start into the new year.

Paramount initially wanted Mission: Impossible 6 for a late 2017 release but it is currently undated.

[TheButcher]

Gene Wilder’s ‘Willy Wonka,’ ‘Blazing Saddles’ Returning to Theaters
AMC theaters and Warner Bros. are bringing back a pair of Gene Wilder films — “Blazing Saddles” and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” — in honor of the late actor this weekend.

[TheButcher]

PAMELA PETTLER TO ADAPT AARON BECKER’S AWARD-WINNING PICTURE BOOK “JOURNEY” FOR TEMPLE HILL (EXCLUSIVE)
Journey is the first book in a trilogy that also includes Quest and Return.

Temple Hill Entertainment has acquired the film rights to acclaimed 2013 picture book JOURNEY by Aaron Becker and has attached Monster House screenwriter Pamela Pettler to adapt the script. Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey are producing for Temple Hill with Jaclyn Huntling. Producers are still working to package the project before taking out to buyers.

The story, described as being in the vein of The Chronicles of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland, centers on a lonely girl who draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free.

Becker’s Journey, which notably contains no words with the story instead being told entirely through his illustrations, is the first in a wordless trilogy which also includes Quest and Return. Becker has worked as an illustrator for animated features, as well, including The Polar Express, Cars, and the aforementioned Monster House – also scripted by Pettler.

In addition to Monster House, Pettler’s credits include the animated features Corpse Bride and 9. Pettler previously worked on a draft of the Monopoly movie that’s in development with Hasbro and Lionsgate. She is also attached to re-team with director Tim Burton for a reboot of The Addams Family and is working with J.J. Abrams on the animated comedy The Flamingo Affair.

Temple Hill’s recent releases include Paper Towns, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, and Martyrs. The company also produced the highly-anticipated Power Rangers movie for Lionsgate, set to hit theaters in 2017.

Aaron Becker the MAKING of JOURNEY

[TheButcher]

THR:
Oliver Stone on Edward Snowden: "America Is Fed Bullshit and We Buy It" (Q&A)

[TheButcher]

Director Duncan Jones Starts Shooting ‘Mute’ Next Week

Mute is set in a dystopian Berlin. Skarsgård will play a mute bartender named Leo, while Rudd will play a mysterious American surgeon. Sam Rockwell is also set to appear in the film. The significance of his part is unknown, but he’ll serve as a bridge between Moon and Mute, reprising his role as Sam Bell and connecting the two worlds. If you want to know more about the plot of Mute, here’s the official synopsis:

Berlin. Forty years from today. A roiling city of immigrants, where East crashes against West in a science-fiction Casablanca. Leo Beiler (Skarsgard), a mute bartender has one reason and one reason only for living here, and she’s disappeared. But when Leo’s search takes him deeper into the city’s underbelly, an odd pair of American surgeons (led by Rudd) seem to be the only recurring clue, and Leo can’t tell if they can help, or who he should fear most.

Duncan Jones on How He Models His Career After Christopher Nolan – Q&A

You’ve kept your passion for “Warcraft” going, but it does seem to have gotten in the way of making “Mute,” another passion project for you. How are you keep your momentum going for that film?

I think it’s a personality type. I think you have to be the kind of person who is like a dog with a bone. You can’t let go of things until you’ve seen them through to completion. Not everyone has got that kind of mindset. Maybe it’s not the healthiest mindset, because you do kind of have to be dogged about things, but I wanted to see “Warcraft” through, and I wanted it to be the best film that I knew that we could make. I’ve always wanted to make “Mute,” and I’ve been on “Mute” for about 14 years. I’m determined, no matter what happens, I’m going to get that movie made, at some point.

Would you say that you’re closer than ever to getting it made?

Yeah. Absolutely, 100%. I wish I could formally say, “Yes, it’s happening,” but there are contractual reasons I have to wait until the absolute yes-I’m-allowed-to-say-that date, but as far as I’m concerned, yes. I’m going to be shooting that film later this year.

The film takes place in the “Moon” universe, right?

Yeah, in the Moon-iverse.

You originally wanted to do a trilogy, do you hope to do your next Moon-iverse film after “Mute”?

Yes. In fact, it’s already written. It’s ready to go. I was trying to make it after “Source Code.” It’s a female lead, and at that time, four of five years ago, it was just proving really difficult to get the film made, this science fiction film with a female lead.

It feels like it’s going to be easier these days. I think there’s more of a willingness for that to happen, and I certainly think it’s about time, but Mute’s kind of happening now, so I’m going to do that, and then, with any luck, I’ll be able to get this other film made that will make up the third part of that trilogy, as soon as possible.

[TheButcher]

/film:
This Is How ‘Moon’ and ‘Mute’ Are Connected

[TheButcher]

io9 Movie Review:
Arrival Is a Scifi Masterpiece You Won't Stop Thinking About

[TheButcher]

Is it 2016 or 1996?

The Arrival: Release date: May 31, 1996
Independence Day: Release date: July 2, 1996
Independence Day: Resurgence: Release date: June 24, 2016
Arrival: Release date: November 11, 2016

[TheButcher]

AICN:
Quint is delighted that MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN will scare the shit out of a whole generation of kids!

[TheButcher]

io9:
Caesar Will Face a Powerful New Adversary in War for the Pizza of the Apes

[TheButcher]

“CAPTAIN AMERICA” HELMER JOE JOHNSTON TO DIRECT SCI-FI PIC “STARFALL” FOR WANDA
The story details are being kept under wraps but is being described as a sci-fi thriller with action elements set on a space station.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Star in Sci-Fi Thriller 'Sovereign'
The 'Snowden' actor will play a man that travels up to a space station to look for his missing wife.

AARON PAUL AND OLGA KURYLENKO TEAM UP FOR SCI-FI THRILLER “ANDROID”

The film is set on a lonely spaceship orbiting Neptune as a man fulfills his dream to rebuild his dead wife and their son as androids, but when the android begin demanding a life of their own, his life is suddenly in danger and a battle of wits and strength ensues. Paul and Kurylenko will play the central couple.

[TheButcher]

Tom Hardy Tackling Antarctic Explorer Ernest Shackleton In Studiocanal Epic