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2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2000 | 1998

1-20 of 47 articles from 2009   « Prev | Next »


Hancock sequel held up, says director Peter Berg

3 December 2009 1:22 PM, PST | The Geek Files | See recent The Geek Files news »

Back in August, two writers were hired by Columbia to pen a sequel to the Will Smith superhero hit Hancock.

Director Peter Berg said the follow-up would expand on the original's mythology by introducing other immortal beings.

But he also indicated that despite the studio's desire to fast-track the project, all the key players were busy and there was no 'burning imperative' to rush right back into it.

Now Berg has admitted there will be a long wait for the sequel to come together.

Speaking to Latino Review, he said: "It's being written now and it's an issue of everybody involved in Hancock. There are so many cooks in that particular kitchen that it's so busy and Will [Smith] has kind of taken time off to be with his kids.

"There are so many people involved in that, from Will to his partner James Lassiter to Akiva [Goldsman] to Michael Mann, myself »

- David Bentley

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'Hancock 2' Stalled By Scheduling Issues, Says Director

3 December 2009 5:46 AM, PST | MTV Splash Page | See recent MTV Splash Page news »

Director Peter Berg is still hoping to fly alongside "Hancock 2," but that plane isn't ready for takeoff just yet.

During a visit to the set of Berg's currently filming "Battleship," Latino Review learned that the director's intentions to dive into a "Hancock" sequel have been stifled by a variety of factors, not the least of which are the busy schedules of himself, Will Smith and their collaborators.

"It's being written now and it's an issue of everybody involved in 'Hancock,'" Berg said of the movie's development. "There are so many cooks in that particular kitchen that it's so busy and Will [Smith] has kind of taken time off to be with his kids."

"There are so many people involved in that, from Will to his partner James Lassiter to Akiva [Goldsman] to Michael Mann, myself and to get us all in the same room just like this where we »

- Josh Wigler

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Peter Berg Hints 'Hancock' Sequel Fraught with Politics

2 December 2009 9:05 PM, PST | CinemaSpy | See recent CinemaSpy news »

Director Peter Berg was pretty vocal back in September about being ready to get started on a sequel to Hancock. But, as so often happens in Hollywood, projects get shuffled about and given different priority. And Berg's priority now seems to have shifted from the Hancock sequel — along with the Dune remake — over to Hasbro's Battleship (about which we reported yesterday).

Berg told HitFix that while the Hancock sequel is on his to-do list, it actually won't even be his next project after Battleship. He will instead take on the "Lone Survivor" drama that tells the story of 17 seals that were killed in one gunfight in Afghanistan. "One survived," Berg told HitFix. "It's a great story."

As to the Hancock sequel, Berg revealed a small measure of the politics that seems to have surrounded the project. "There are so many cooks in that particular kitchen that are so busy and »

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Smith Puts Hancock Sequel On Hold

2 December 2009 11:21 AM, PST | WENN | See recent WENN news »

The upcoming sequel to superhero comedy Hancock has been put on hold to allow Will Smith to spend more time with his family, according to director Peter Berg.

The moviemaker recently confirmed Smith and his co-star Charlize Theron will both reprise their roles in a follow-up to the hit 2008 movie.

But Berg admits they have put plans for the second film back because the superstar actor is taking a break from movies to enjoy life with his wife, Jada, and help his son, Jayden, tackle a starring role in the new Karate Kid picture.

Berg is adamant Hancock 2 will get made, but it may take longer than first expected.

He tells The Latino Review, "It's being written now and it's an issue of everybody involved in Hancock. There are so many cooks in that particular kitchen that it's so busy and Will has kind of taken time off to be with his kids and his kids are now making all kinds of films. There are so many people involved in that, from Will to his (business) partner James Lassiter to Michael Mann, myself and to get us all in the same room just like this where we can all talk and then agree on anything, you've never met a group of people that have a harder time agreeing on anything.

"It's like the Israeli peace process times a thousand how tough it is to resolve. I think it'll happen though. We just have to kind of get in the same room for some consistency." »

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No ‘Hancock 2′ Anytime Soon

2 December 2009 11:03 AM, PST | ScreenRant.com | See recent Screen Rant news »

There’s been much talk about a sequel to the 2008 surprise superhero hit, Hancock, with conversation picking up particularly when it comes to the cast of Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman possibly returning to do another. Director Peter Berg said a few months ago that everyone was excited to return, but not long after that Bateman came out and said he hadn’t heard anything about him returning (we’re still not sure if that cluelessness was applicable to Smith and Theron, too).

However, when Berg sounded pretty excited about directing Hancock 2, that was before he landed the Battleship gig, a big-screen adaptation set for release in 2011 with a production start date of Spring 2010. That ties Berg up a lot for what I would guess would be the better part of a year. And that appears to be one of the big reasons why we shouldn’t expect Hancock 2 anytime soon. »

- Ross Miller

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Director Peter Berg Opens the Floodgates on Battleship; Also Talks Hancock 2 and a Possible Sequel to The Rundown

1 December 2009 7:46 PM, PST | Collider.com | See recent Collider.com news »

As if adapting a movie based on a board game isn’t difficult enough, Peter Berg’s adaptation of Battleship ran into serious rough waters* when it was revealed that the antagonist of the movie would be aliens.  Aliens vs. Battleships.  Wisely, Berg and Universal realized that the only way to combat such a negative reaction so far in advance of the film’s release was to open the floor to online journalists and withhold as little as possible.  And after reading the coverage, especially from Chud.com and Latino Review, Berg has washed away some serious doubts.   He describes his plans for the aliens, how he plans to tell the story, the characters, as well as throwing in some bonus, non-Battleship-related news relating to Hancock 2 and a possible sequel to The Rundown.   Hit the jump to become a believer in Battleship.

Chud has a great rundown »

- Matt Goldberg

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Peter Berg Says No Hancock 2, For Now

1 December 2009 5:33 PM, PST | cinemablend.com | See recent Cinema Blend news »

After tons of buzz, it looks like Hancock 2 isn.t happening after all. Just two months ago director Peter Berg expressed his excitement to reunite with the cast of Hancock to make a sequel. Well, that was before we got word that Berg was hired to direct Battleship. HitFix had a chat with director Berg who seems to have lost interest in making a second film, for the time being. Apparently Will Smith is keeping out of the spotlight, hanging out with his family and watching his kids. film careers grow. On top of that, producers James Lassiter, Akiva Goldsmith and Michael Mann are busy with projects of their own. .To get us all in the same room where we can talk and then agree on anything? You'll never meet a group of people who will have a harder time agreeing on anything. It's like the Israeli peace process »

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Risk the Next Board Game To Hit the Big Screen

6 November 2009 12:15 AM, PST | Reelzchannel.com | See recent ReelzChannel news »

Director Peter Berg is adapting Battleship for Universal, the Tron Legacy writers are working on a Ouija Board screenplay for Platinum Dunes and Paramount, so is it any wonder that Sony Pictures wants to make a movie based on the board game Risk? While former players of the game might question how it could be adapted into a movie, Columbia president Doug Belgrad told Variety that the game is a natural fit for the big screen treatment.

The strategic thinking and the tactical gambles that players must take in the game are what make Risk a classic, thoroughly engaging game. Those elements translated into an action-packed, thrilling story are what will make this a uniquely exciting movie.

Risk will be produced by actor Will Smith and producer James Lassitter's Overbrook production company. Could Smith be willing to accept an acting role in the adaptation? Well, he does have a history »

- Ryan Gowland

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Sony Takes Risk: The Film of World Domination

5 November 2009 4:54 PM, PST | Filmofilia | See recent Filmofilia news »

Sony Pictures has acquired the film rights to the classic board game “Risk,” Another Hasbro board game which was invented in 1957 by French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse as “La Conquete du Monde” (Conquest of the World). Two years later, in 1959, Parker Brothers (now a division of Hasbro) published the game we all came to know as “Risk.”

Columbia Pictures president Doug Belgrad said:

Hasbro has already seen tremendous success with Transformers and GI Joe and audiences have shown a great desire for films that bring to life everything that has made these franchise properties stand the test of time.

The strategic thinking and the tactical gambles that players must take in the game are what make Risk a classic, thoroughly engaging game. Those elements translated into an action-packed, thrilling story are what will make this a uniquely exciting movie.

Brian Goldner, Bennett Schneir and James Lassiter will produce.

In the multi-million copy selling game, »

- Allan Ford

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Etch A Sketch Movie Now a Distinct Possibility

5 November 2009 2:15 PM, PST | FilmJunk | See recent FilmJunk news »

Someone stop the madness already! This toy and board game licensing thing is already way beyond out of control. Yesterday we reported on Sony's acquisition of the screen rights [1] to the board game Risk, the latest in a long line of questionable movie deals involving branded playthings. The Wall Street Journal [2] followed up with an article on the phenomenon today, addressing the "herd mentality" in Hollywood and the fact that somehow this is all a direct result of the success of Transformers. Go figure. The article also goes on to reveal a handful of other interesting tidbits including: J.J. Abrams is in talks to produce a Micronauts movie Will Smith and producing partner James Lassiter are developing a Big Wheel TV series There might actually be an Etch A Sketch movie! "The Ohio Art Co., which owns Etch A Sketch, says it has received numerous calls from producers interested in »

- Sean

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‘Risk’ Board Game To Be Movietized

5 November 2009 12:47 PM, PST | ScreenRant.com | See recent Screen Rant news »

Deadline Hollywood tells us that Sony Pictures bought the rights to make a movie based on Risk, the classic board game produced by Parker Brothers (a division of Hasbro™).  No details yet on who would direct, write the script or star in such a film, so we can jump right to speculation and opinion before we get to the press release.

Sony only has to look to Tmnt, Transformers, G.I. Joe or Pirates of the Carribean for evidence that films based on toys/games/rides that have been popular with children can make big, big money at the box office – despite the fact that out of that same list, only Pirates received significant critical acclaim (at least the first film did)  Risk doesn’t exactly stir up the same memories Tmnt/Transformers/G.I. Joe does for twenty and thirty-somethings, but then, neither did Pirates.  I’m no expert, »

- Scott Miller

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Board Game "Risk" Aims For Cinema Adaptation

5 November 2009 8:12 AM, PST | icelebz.com | See recent iCelebz news »

Sony Pictures has acquired the film rights of Risk, the classic strategic board game by Hasbro, Inc. The move comes after the success of other Hasbro toys that were adapted into films, "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe."

The project will be produced and developed by Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir of Hasbro and James Lassiter of Overbrook Entertainment.

Columbia Pictures president Doug Belgrad said, "Hasbro has already seen tremendous success with Transformers and G.I. Joe and audiences have shown a great desire for films that bring to life everything that has made these franchise properties stand the test of time."

"The strategic thinking and the tactical gambles that players must take in the game are what make Risk a classic, thoroughly engaging game. Those elements translated into an action-packed, thrilling story are what will make this a uniquely exciting movie."

»

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Sony Buys the Rights to Risk

5 November 2009 7:45 AM, PST | Beyond Hollywood | See recent Beyond Hollywood news »

It now appears that Robot Chicken was prescient. After the mania of comic book movies and films based on old TV shows, the next popular wave might very well be board game movies. Of course, there’s the chance that studios are simply hedging their bets with a phenomenon that might not even materialize. It will only take one bomb to demure them. But if there is one board game that would be strangely cool as a movie, Risk might be it, if only to see a movie about world conquest. Deadline reports that Sony has acquired the rights to Risk, which was invented in 1957 by French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse. Originally called The Conquest of the World, Parker Brothers published the game two years later in the Us. Deadline has further details: Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, presidents of Columbia Pictures, say the film will be produced and developed by »

- Jacob

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'Risk' to Become Next Big-Screen Board Game Adaptation

5 November 2009 6:48 AM, PST | Cinematical | See recent Cinematical news »

Battleship. Monopoly, Candy Land, and Ouija. A Clue re-do. If it's a board game, chances are it's going to get put into development sometime in the near future. If Hollywood wasn't such a wacky world of insane ideas, I'd be surprised that we hadn't gotten this one earlier. Nikki Finke is reporting that Sony Pictures has bought the rights to Risk, piling more cinematic coin into Hasbro's coffers. The project will be developed by Hasbro in conjunction with James Lassiter and Overbrook Entertainment.

Columbia Pictures pres. Doug Belgrad says audiences have "shown a great desire for films that bring to life everything that has made these franchise properties stand the test of time," and mentioned the likes of Transformers and G.I. Joe. Unsurprisingly then, he says the film will be an exciting movie with "an action-packed, thrilling story." It makes sense -- a game where you roll the dice »

- Monika Bartyzel

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Sony Takes A Calculated Risk

5 November 2009 5:55 AM, PST | HollywoodNorthReport.com | See recent HollywoodNorthReport.com news »

Sony Pictures have acquired motion picture rights to the Hasbro board game Risk. According to Columbia Pictures' Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, the film will be produced/developed by Hasbro.s Brian Goldner, Bennett Schneir and Overbrook Entertainment's James Lassiter. Risk invented in 1957 by French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse as 'La Conquête du Monde' (The Conquest of the World) was published in the Us in 1959 as the first board game to offer 'nonlinear movement'. The 'turn-based' game for two to six players is played on a board depicting a stylised Napoleonic-era political map of the Earth, divided into forty-two territories, grouped into six continents. Players control armies with which they attempt to capture territories from other players. The primary object of the game is "world domination," or "to occupy every territory on the board and in so doing, eliminate all other players..." »

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Sony takes a Risk

4 November 2009 7:49 PM, PST | Corona's Coming Attractions | See recent Corona's Coming Attractions news »

If superhero movies were the fad of movie studios in the early part of the decade, and movies based on action figures the new fad, the next fad could be movies based on board games. Universal has a bunch of movies based on Hasbro games in development, with Battleship the one that's most likely to happen first. Now Sony Pictures has made a decision to get its own board-based movie in development: Risk.

Yup, Risk. In the game players try to take over other players' countries on the board. Hasbro has done specialty versions of Risk based on hit movies, TV shows and even Microsoft's Halo video game. Now Sony and Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment production company see a potential in bringing the Risk brand to film (game pieces not included.)

"The strategic thinking and the tactical gambles that players must take in the game are what make Risk a classic, »

- Patrick Sauriol

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Sony lands rights to board game Risk

4 November 2009 6:48 PM, PST | digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news »

Sony Pictures Entertainment has obtained the motion picture rights to Hasbro board game Risk. The forthcoming film will be produced and developed by Hasbro's Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir as well as Overbrook Entertainment's James Lassiter, says The Hollywood Reporter. Columbia Pictures president Doug Belgrad said: "Hasbro has already seen tremendous success with Transformers and GI Joe and audiences have shown a great desire for films that bring to life everything that has made these franchise properties stand the test of time. "The strategic (more) »

- By Mike Moody

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Sony Rolls Dice on ‘Risk’ Board Game Movie

4 November 2009 4:11 PM, PST | FilmSchoolRejects.com | See recent FilmSchoolRejects news »

Ridley Scott has been talking about directing Monopoly for some time now. Peter Berg is still waiting to board a Battleship movie. Kevin Lima is going to take us to Candyland.  And now, Sony Pictures is planning a big screen adaptation of Risk. The popular board game -- one that ate up several years of my own life in high school and college -- will be adapted by Hasbro's Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir and Overbrook Entertainment’s James Lassiter. According to Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, the Hasbro game will lend itself to an exciting thrill-ride of a movie: The strategic thinking and the tactical gambles that players must take in the game are what make Risk a classic, thoroughly engaging game. Those elements translated into an action-packed, thrilling story are what will make this a uniquely exciting movie.” As of now, there is no director or screenwriter attached, but »

- Neil Miller

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Sony Pictures acquires movie rights of Risk board game

4 November 2009 1:59 PM, PST | BusinessofCinema | See recent BusinessofCinema news »

Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired the motion picture rights to produce Risk, the classic board game brand of world conquest from Hasbro. The film will be produced and developed by Hasbro's Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir and Overbrook Entertainment's James Lassiter. Columbia Pictures presidents Doug Belgrad said, "Hasbro has already seen tremendous success with Transformers and G.I. Joe and audiences have shown a great desire for films that bring to life everything that has made these franchise properties stand the test of time. The strategic thinking »

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Sony Pictures Buys Board Game 'Risk'

4 November 2009 12:47 PM, PST | Deadline Hollywood | See recent Deadline Hollywood news »

Sony Pictures announced today it's acquired the motion picture rights to the board game of world conquest, "Risk", from HasbroDoug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, presidents of Columbia Pictures, say the film will be produced and developed by Hasbro’s Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir and Overbrook Entertainment's James Lassiter. Belgrad pointed to the success of movies from toys Transformers and G.I. Joe (but not to the dismal movie from the board game Clue) to claim audiences have "shown a great desire for films that bring to life everything that has made these franchise properties stand the test of time. The strategic thinking and the [...] »

- Nikki Finke

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