The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Narnia Film Delayed
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Disney, Adaptation, Adventure, Family, Sequels, Upcoming Releases,
Production has been delayed on the third Narnia movie installment The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Originally scheduled to hit theatres May 1, 2009, the movie now won’t be released until May 7, 2010. Production was supposed to begin this January, but has now been pushed to next summer. The delay has been attributed to the young stars of the film, as execs are saying it’s very challenging to work out scheduling difficulties. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, the second flick in the franchise, was supposed to be released this December. It won’t be out until May.
Read More 
| Yahoo! News
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‘Oz’ Remake: Exciting or Blasphemous?
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Horror, Sequels, Thrillers, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,
I don’t know if anyone could’ve predicted this.
Yesterday, it was announced that a dark re-imagining of the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, resting ostensibly in the dark hands of Todd McFarlane, is in the early stages of production. The new film will be decidedly more morose and epic than its predecessor, apparently attempting to attract die-hard fans and new-comers alike with grandiose effect and adult themes.
McFarlane, famous most notably for his dark take on the Spiderman character and creation of the Spawn franchise, has stated that he wants to give the story a 2007 wow factor
. Creepy action figures have already begun to appear on retail shelves depicting a deformed Scarecrow, an alien-like Wizard, and a scantily-clad Dorothy, though it is unclear whether these creatures will be indicative of those to appear on-screen.
But one wonders, while mulling over the concept, whether this remake isn’t ill-advised, especially considering similar attempts already made. Setting aside 1978’s The Wiz as harmless fluff, the story went through a re-imagining in 1985 with Return to Oz, starring Fairuza Balk as a Dorothy called back to save Oz from a new threat. While the dark sequel was unique and imaginative, it never emerged from its predecessor’s shadow. And what about the Tim Burton remake of Willy Wonka? Many movie-goers—myself included—reviled the film as unnecessary, even abhorrent—a classic case of style over substance. So, will this new version adequately bring The Wizard of Oz into the 21st century, or will we all long for the giant floating bubble, flying monkeys, and the presence of a good song? We won’t know until the credits roll.
Whatever the case, it’s clear that the classic fantasy about a girl and her dog, lost in a strange land and armed only with some hapless friends, naiveté, and a strong singing voice, will never be viewed in quite the same way.
Read More | Guardian Unlimited
Box Office Breakdown: It’s Super To Be Bad
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Books, Lists, New Releases,
The Judd Apatow train is bound to hit a roadblock at some point—but for the time being, it’s full steam ahead. Superbad opened impressively with over $30 million this weekend making it the third Apatow-related project in a row to accomplish this feat (the others being Talledega Nights and Knocked Up). This is, of course, not taking into consideration the uber-sleeper hit The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
Meanwhile, there was nothing super about Nicole Kidman’s latest outing. The Invasion, the latest version The Body Snatchers, scared up a dismal $5.9 million (and that’s despite Daniel Craig’s hunky presence). But I predict a much stronger outing for these two later this year with The Golden Compass.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: It’s Super To Be Bad
Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Not Yet Tuckered Out
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Music, Musicals, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third, Pirates, Ocean’s, Bourne and now Rush Hour 3. All six three-quels premiered directly at the top of the heap this summer.
Unfortunately, a six-year gap between the second and third Rush installments may have led to what some would consider slightly disappointing receipts. On any other occasion, a $50 weekend would be something to brag about. But considering it pales to the $67.4 million brought in by the 2001 predecessor, it’s only worth a pat on the back.
But really, the Disappointment of the Week honor should really fall on Cuba Gooding Jr. When you’re accepting rejected scripts from the man who played Norbit, you have to wonder where it all went wrong (two words: Chill Factor). Sadly, Daddy Day Camp was originally slated to be a straight-to-video release but somehow tested well enough to be released in theaters. Who knows? Maybe Gooding can pull a Halle and go straight-from-Oscar-to-Razzie.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Audiences Not Yet Tuckered Out
Box Office Breakdown: Bourne Breaks Bank
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, New Line, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Family, Music, Musicals, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Matt Damon may still be vying for People magazine’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ title—but he has one thing that George Clooney and Brad Pitt don’t have: the biggest debut for an August opening ever.
The Bourne Ultimatum‘s $70 million take improved upon the previous Bourne installments and gave Damon his largest weekend to date (and that’s including all three Ocean’s movies).
Meanwhile, Lindsay Lohan should be happy that she’s holed up in rehab again—though seeing her movie kicked out of the Top Ten would have probably sent her there anyway. Apparently theatergoers can only handle one movie about Bratz at a time…
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Box Office Breakdown: A Homerun For Homer
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Looks like Homer ain’t gonna be needing a deal on donuts anymore….
With a $74 million opening weekend, The Simpsons Movie debuted higher than most of the animated features released…ever. Only the two Shrek sequels did better. Quite a head-shaking number since we can still see the series for free on television. But viewers from every single Springfield in the US—plus a thousand other cities out there—love the family so much, they were willing to pay for more. Especially when it comes with nudity.
What theatergoers aren’t willing to pay for is more Lindsay Lohan. I Know Who Killed Me placed a dismal 9th, possibly due to lack of promotional work by the star. How ironic that in the end it was Lindsay who was responsible for killing the movie and possibly her career.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: A Homerun For Homer
Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Almighty Only Does Alrighty
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Political, Religious, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Question: When is being the #1 movie just not enough? (Hint: You have three chances to answer this question correctly).
Answer(s):
- When the critics don’t really have anything good to say about you
- When you made less than 1/2 of what your predecessor did on opening weekend
- When it cost over $175 million just to create you
Apparently having God on your side doesn’t guarantee you heavenly box office numbers. Evan Almighty, the follow-up to 2003’s Bruce Almighty, failed to bring in a large congregation this past weekend. Although it did better than the rest of the flock, it’s $32 million take paled in comparison to Bruce’s $68 million opening. And then there’s that glaring $175 million bill…
Of course, we shouldn’t feel so badly about Steve Carell’s career. I have a feeling that God is providing for him in other ways.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Almighty Only Does Alrighty
Daniel Craig, New Director Attached to Latest Bond Film
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Action, Sequels, Thrillers, Casting, Upcoming Releases,
I sometimes forget how lucky I am. I have food, shelter, family, friends….and now the opportunity to see the sexy Daniel Craig buttoned up in another suit. Life is good.
It should come as no surprise that Craig was recently confirmed for the next 007 film. His turn as the legendary James Bond helped bring Casino Royale amazing reviews and impressive box office numbers—and made this girl care about the series once again.
Of particular note was the name tapped for the helm of this latest venture: Marc Forster. The acclaimed director—known for his work on Finding Neverland, Monster’s Ball and Stranger Than Fiction—will be taking over the reins from Royale director, Martin Campbell. Oscar-award winning screenwriter Paul Haggis (Crash) will once again return to help adapt the screenplay. He also contributed to the Casino script.
Forster recently wrapped work on the film adaptation of a best-selling novel, The Kite Runner. Production on ‘Bond 22’ is set to begin at the end of this year in hopes of a November 2008 release.
Read More | Reuters
Shia LaBeouf Confirmed for ‘Indy 4’
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Paramount, Action, Adventure, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas announced Friday that Shia LaBeouf will star in the upcoming fourth installment of Indiana Jones. This comes – as many similar announcements these days tend to – after months of Internet rumors and buzz surrounding the 20-year-old actor and the undoubtedly epic film, set to release on May 22nd, 2008. Cate Blanchett has also been attached to the sequel, though it is unknown what characters either actor will play – plot details are still a mystery. LaBeouf, already a veteran of television and film, has recently said that he is ready to drop his childlike image and focus on more mature roles. With the recent release of Disturbia, a modern-day, Rear Window-esque thriller, the upcoming Transformers, and a high-profile action-adventure flick like Indiana Jones 4, LaBeouf shouldn’t have any trouble steering clear of youthful typecasting. And as with most of his work, he will surely be an invaluable addition to the cast. Keep checking back for all Indy updates right here on FilmCrunch.
Read More | CNN
Fourth Indiana Jones Film to Premiere in ‘08.
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Paramount, Action, Adventure, Filmmaking, Rumors, Scripts, Upcoming Releases,
It’s the announcement moviegoers have been waiting for – the fourth ‘Indy’ installment is definitely coming, Harrison, George, and Steven will be in their respective roles, and it’s all happening in the near future. Before now, the will was there, along with the talent, but no official statement had been made regarding the film. The script, which spent over ten years in development, has finally been completed and greenlit by the mighty triumvirate and “is going to be the best one yet,” according to Lucas. Ford and Spielberg have also expressed great joy and excitement about the project, claiming that fans should expect a story that delivers on the same level as the first three.
Although many of the film’s details remain under wraps – including the official title, locations, and plot – the hype and public extolment from the people who best know the series are enough to excite even the most doubtful of naysayers. The fourth chapter in the series will begin shooting sometime later this year. Look for any updates on casting, plot, or official release right here on FilmCrunch.
Read More | Reuters
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