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19 articles from 2008

23 July 2008 1:36 PM, PDT | From screeninglog.com | See recent screeninglog news

After plenty of speculation, Sir Ian McKellen has finally confirmed he will return in the role of Gandalf in Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming “The Hobbit.”

According to Empire Online, McKellen is pretty excited about traveling back to Middle Earth. At a recent screening of “The Dark Knight,” the “X-Men” actor said he will be a part of “The Hobbit” although he hasn’t signed a contract yet.

McKellen also said he’s looking forward to working with del Toro and Andy Serkis, who is also returning in the role of Gollum. Peter Jackson is producing.

“The Hobbit” is based on a book by J.R.R. Tolkien and serves as a prelude to “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

McKellen most recently starred in “X-Men: The Last Stand.” His acting credits also include “The Da Vinci Code,” “The Lord of the Rings” films and “X2.”

McKellen returning as Gandalf? That’s great news.

Franck Tabouring

18 July 2008 5:04 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Guillermo Del Toro has promised Lord Of The Rings fans his franchise prequel The Hobbit will be very different from his directing predecessor Peter Jackson.

Jackson directed the three original films, but has given up his director's chair for Del Toro.

But Del Toro has refused to follow in Jackson's footsteps, vowing to give movie fans something new.

He tells Britain's Maxim magazine, "If I thought it was about following (Jackson), I wouldn't be doing it this way.

"It's a matter of raising on it. I think The Hobbit has a peculiar sprit in relation to not only the trilogy, but also to Tolkein's work.

"It'll have respect for what's been done, but also its own individuality."

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15 July 2008 2:07 PM, PDT | From screeninglog.com | See recent screeninglog news

Variety reports Danny DeVito is set to write and direct “The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle,” an adaptation of Avi’s bestselling young adult novel of the same title.

The story centers on a young girl who embarks on an adventurous journey from England to America in the 1830s. During her transatlantic voyage, she ends up joining the crew as a seaman before being accused of murder by the ship’s ruthless captain.

Academy Award-nominated actress Saoirse (“Atonement”) stars in the lead role, with Morgan Freeman and Pierce Brosnan co-starring.

DeVito’s directing credits include “Matilda” and “Death to Smoochy.” The last film he helmed was “Duplex” in 2003.

Ronan will next appear in Gil Kenan’s family adventure “City of Ember.” She also recently wrapped principal photography for Peter Jackson’s “The Lovely Bones.”

Brosnan will next be seen in “Mamma Mia!” Freeman will appear in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight.

Franck Tabouring

9 July 2008 2:22 AM, PDT | From Rope Of Silicon | See recent Rope Of Silicon news

David Frank knows more than you. Care to disagree? Unlike some who feel every remake amounts to a personal affront on their gentleman's honor, I've gone on record saying remakes rarely irk me.* So I say, why not remake Hancock? How about now? Leave the "too soon" charges for those joking about your recently deceased goldfish. Strike while the passion's hot. My friend, the sex therapist, said that once, and wisdom like that goes for things other than when the Viagra takes hold. I'm not saying a Gus Van Sant frame-by-frame remake. Now that'd be madness. I'm thinking something along the lines of Batman Begins or The Incredible Hulk. So a reboot, reworking, reimagining, or whatever word you want to use with "re" as a prefix.** Just because Hancock didn't spring from the comic pages doesn't mean it isn't a viable candidate for a redoing. The current incarnation of Hancock is a frustrating mess,

David Frank

4 July 2008 9:15 AM, PDT | From iconsoffright.com | See recent Icons of Fright news

Having just seen Hellboy 2 and witnessing how effortlessly Guillermo del Toro mixed multiple film genres, I felt obligated to stylize my latest “Ten Films” list after that concept. I mean, if del Toro can make a science fiction/action/horror/fantasy film – and do it effortlessly – why can’t most people figure out how to capture the magic of genre-benders?

Most readers probably have a clue which film genre I cherish most, and with that in mind, I’ve decided to compile my list of the best horror specific genre-benders for all to appreciate.

So, without further ado… I submit to you:

Aliens, My Favorite Action/Horror Film.

Aliens is always incorrectly categorized as a science fiction film, but just because a film has creatures from outer space in it, doesn’t make it sci-fi. Aliens is a terrifying horror spectacle with some of the best action setpieces ever captured on film.

30 June 2008 10:56 AM, PDT | From syfyportal.com | See recent syfyportal news

Even though pre-production for the motion picture based on "The Hobbit" hasn't even begun, rumors have been flying that there will be not be one, but two films based on the classic work of J.R.R. Tolkien, according to SciFi Wire. However, Guillermo del Toro, who will direct the franchise film (or films), considers this speculation to be premature. "We believe there is a second movie," he said during a recent appearance while promoting "Hellboy II: The Golden Army." "If there isn't, there will not be. If we find it, we will shoot it, but by God, if we do not find it, we will not shoot it." If there are two films, the chances of them being shot back-to-back like Peter Jackson did with the Lord of the Rings earlier in the decade is unlikely. "I am anxious to shoot the book, and I'm ...

19 June 2008 5:21 PM, PDT | From DreadCentral.com | See recent Dread Central news

Seeing that Hollywood has jumped on the fantasy bandwagon (after Peter Jackson made it ultra profitable), it does not surprise me that Troll is up on the remake block. Looking back on the original, it wasn't all that bad ... in comparison to the sequel.

If you're going to make a fantasy flick, a cast of knowns would be ideal ... or at least relatives that look like their big-name kin. John Carl Buechler, the director of the original and the 25 million dollar reboot, is thinking along those lines according to E!. The man at the helm recently auditioned Lindsay Lohan's little sister, Ali.

John Buechler didn't expand on who the younger Lohan would play in the remake of his '86 apartment based fantasy flick, but he sounds determined to get her into the production, "She was great. The camera loves her. She's a really good actress...I am personally going to fight for her.

Kryten Syxx

13 June 2008 5:20 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Edward Norton has credited blockbuster trilogy The Lord Of The Rings with convincing him to accept his role in big-budget movie The Incredible Hulk.

The star, noted for roles in edgier films such as Fight Club and American History X, was hesitant to take on the big screen comic book adaptation.

But he insists it was filmmaker Peter Jackson's version of epic fantasy series The Lord of the Rings that helped him make his decision.

He says, "I remember when I heard they were making The Lord Of The Rings, I was like, 'God, if they cheese those out, I'm going to be so disappointed.'

"(But) those films were inspiring to me in terms of deciding to take The Incredible Hulk."

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1 June 2008 8:10 PM, PDT | From bloody-disgusting.com | See recent Bloody-Disgusting.com news

Even more details hit the web today regarding Wake The Dead, the feature film adaptation of popular Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) comic book. It was announced that Holding Pictures has acquired rights to Niles' graphic novel and set James V. Hart to write the script with Jay Russell to direct. "The idea is to make a classic horror film, and what I liked was the combination of Jay, in a genre he's wanted to experiment in for some time, with Jim, who is particularly skilled at this kind of voice, and with a world created by Steve, who has become a classic in the graphic novel world," Lyons said. Visual effects will be done by Peter Jackson's New Zealand-based Weta, which provided the f/x work on "The Water Horse." The supernatural series is a retelling of the Frankenstein legend.

27 May 2008 1:24 AM, PDT | From Digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news

The movie version of The Hobbit is likely to be filmed entirely in New Zealand, Peter Jackson has said. "It is unlikely we will need any locations outside of New Zealand, which has always been the perfect Middle-earth," said the filmmaker. "There is nothing yet that Tolkien has described that we haven't managed to find in this amazing little country and I expect The Hobbit to be no different." Jackson's three (more)

By Dave West

4 May 2008 3:34 AM, PDT | From Digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news

Production on Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones reportedly shut down at one stage due to a clash between the director and the art department.

According to New Zealand-based website Flicks, Jackson argued with the art department, headed by Jules Cook and Chris Shriver, over how to portray heaven in the film.

An adaptation of Alice Sebold's novel, The Lovely Bones focuses . . .

Simon_Reynolds_imdb_@digitalspy.co.uk (Simon Reynolds)

30 April 2008 9:11 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen has confirmed he will revive his famed role as wizard Gandalf in the movie adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit.

McKellen, who has appeared as Gandalf in all three Lord Of The Rings films, had made no secret of his desire to land the part - even though Peter Jackson would not be directing.

Guillermo del Toro has been named as the director of the two movies to be made back-to-back in New Zealand - the first an adaptation of the novel, and the following an original story focusing on the 60 years between the book and the beginning of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy.

The actor tells Empire magazine, "Yes, It's true. It's not a part that you turn down. I loved playing Gandalf."

"I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role."

He also confirmed that del Toro would be starting the script after he finishes filming his current project, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, in six weeks time, saying, "As to how it's going to work over two films and what going to happen on screen, well Guillermo has not got down to working out the major details yet - I can tell you it's going to be amazing though."

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30 April 2008 2:52 AM, PDT | From Digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news

Sir Ian McKellen has confirmed that he will play Gandalf in a two-movie adaptation of The Hobbit.

The actor said that director Guillermo Del Toro recently offered him the wizard role, and admitted that he couldn't turn it down because he "loved" the character.

He told Empire: "Yes, it’s true. I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role.

"Obviously, it’s not a part that you turn down, I loved playing Gandalf.

"Guillermo . . .

Alex_Fletcher_imdb_@digitalspy.co.uk (Alex Fletcher)

29 April 2008 12:28 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Guillermo Del Toro has promised Lord Of The Rings fans he will stay true to fellow director Peter Jackson's original vision when he takes charge of the franchise's prequel The Hobbit.

Jackson directed all three of the original films but has relinquished the director's chair to Del Toro for the new movie, which is expected to begin filming next year for a 2010 release.

And Del Toro insists the only people who will dislike his interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkein's novel, are the ones who also hated Jackson's trilogy.

He tells MTV.com, "If you (go) deep enough you will find people that hate any depiction of Tolkien. They dislike any Tolkien that is not Tolkien.

"My message is simple: If you don't think (Peter) did a fabulous job, very likely you won't think I will. If you think he did, I will do my best to make you proud of me."

Del Toro has also signed on to direct the sequel to The Hobbit - due in cinemas a year later (2011) - the movie which links the story to the original three films.

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25 April 2008 10:35 AM, PDT | From Studio Briefing | See recent Studio Briefing news

Mexican director Guillermo del Toro has agreed to spend the next four years in New Zealand, where he will work with Peter Jackson, who is producing the two-part The Hobbit prequels to Lord of the Rings. In a statement released by New Line Cinema, del Toro, who was nominated for a best original screenplay Oscar last year for Pan's Labyrinth, which he also directed, said that he felt "blessed" to have been chosen to direct the two films. "Contributing to the Lord of the Rings' legacy is an absolute dream come true," he said.

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7 April 2008 12:14 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Sir Ian McKellen is confident he will reprise his role as Gandalf in The Lord Of The Rings prequel - insisting the casting is "finished business".

The actor believes he will appear in The Hobbit - Peter Jackson's prequel to the Lord Of The Rings trilogy - because he has reached "advanced discussions" with the film's makers.

He says, "It's sort of finished business really. I think I will be in the film.

"The first film will be released in 2011 and the second in 2012. The first is The Hobbit, and the second connects the story and (sequel) The Lord Of The Rings, it brings it all together."

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26 March 2008 10:04 AM, PDT | From Studio Briefing | See recent Studio Briefing news

On Ian McKellen's official website Tuesday, a fan asked, Have you been approached yet by [producer] Peter Jackson or anyone else about reprising your wonderful role as Gandalf for the two upcoming Hobbit movies?" McKellen responded: Encouragingly, Peter and [co-producer] Fran Walsh have told me they couldn't imagine The Hobbit without their original Gandalf. Their confidence hasn't yet been confirmed by the director Guillermo del Toro but I am keeping my diary free for 2009!"

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24 March 2008 4:59 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Teenage actor Thomas Sangster is set to take on the role of cult comic hero Tintin in the upcoming movie franchise, according to reports.

The 17-year-old Brit, who has starred in hit movies Love Actually and Nanny McPhee, is said to have emerged as the frontrunner to play the intrepid young reporter in a trilogy of films based on the famed comics by Belgian cartoonist Herge, aka Georges Remi.

And Sangster sparked further speculation he is to be handed the lead role in the planned film trilogy after flying to Los Angeles to work on test action sequences with renowned moviemaker Steven Spielberg, who is to direct the first installment in the franchise.

Although Sangster's agent has refused to comment about his involvement with the project - due to start shooting in the autumn - the representative admits the Brit has travelled to Hollywood for meetings and urges fans to "watch this space".

If Sangster does win the leading role, he will join fellow British star Andy Serkis in the film franchise. Serkis has signed on to play Tintin's sidekick Captain Haddock.

The trilogy will reportedly be split between Spielberg and Peter Jackson, with the Schindler's List director managing the first film in the franchise, and the Lord Of The Rings moviemaker taking on the second and third.

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10 March 2008 12:13 PM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen is poised to revive his role as wizard Gandalf in the movie adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit - insisting he's the obvious candidate for the job.

McKellen, who has appeared as Gandalf in all three Lord Of The Rings films, has made no secret of his desire to land the part - even though Peter Jackson will not be directing.

Speaking exclusively to Wenn, the veteran actor admitted he could not think of anyone better to play the role than himself.

He said, "I certainly hope it's true - have you got anybody else who you think should be doing it?"

McKellen isn't the only actor praying for a phone call to confirm his involvement in the Lord Of The Rings prequels - Elijah Wood is also desperate to revive his role as Frodo Baggins.

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19 articles from 2008