Universal and Strike Entertainment are vying for the rights to ‘They Live’ in an effort to bring the 1988 sci-fi flick back for modern audiences. Here’s an idea… rent the original! Anyway, The rights are currently held by music biz entity Les Mougins and if the deal goes through, John Carpenter will serve as an executive producer. Carpenter directed the 1988 original, which tells the story of a struggling construction worker (played by Rowdy Roddy Piper) who finds a pair of sunglasses and discovers they allow him to see an alien invasion secretly taking place all around us. Roddy must now beat the clock to somehow stop the invasion from happening.

The original film is famous, in part, for a fight scene which is best summed up as follows:

The fight between Nada (Roddy Piper) and Frank (Keith David) was only supposed to last 20 seconds, but Piper and David decided to fight it out for real, only faking the hits to the face and groin. They rehearsed the fight for three weeks. Carpenter was so impressed he kept the 5 minute and 20 second scene intact. — IMDB.com

[source: HollywoodReporter.com]

At risk of sounding like a broken record, I want to RE-emphasize my philosophy that remakes are acceptable when they are remakes old older movies with good stories but poor execution. If you’re going to remake a movie, do it to make it better! Otherwise, leave it the Hell alone!

With that said, I was absolutely floored (but, not surprised) this morning to read that Fox Studios, with their infinite collective wisdom and immense level of creative originality, is planning a remake of the 1984 romantic adventure comedy ‘Romancing the Stone’. I loved this movie when I was a young’un and still do.

The original film, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, was based on the novel by Diane Thomas. The original film pretty much made Michael Douglas and Danny Devito into movie stars, who had previously done mostly TV work. The film also launched the career of Zemeckis and helped audiences to reimagine Turner in a new light. The “remake” has been written by Daniel McDermott, who helped write ‘Eagle Eye’ and is also working on a screenplay for a remake of ‘Soylent Green’. I suppose they’ll remake ‘Jewel of the Nile’ as well?

[source: HollywoodReporter.com]

J. Michael Straczynski, screenwriter to some of the biggest films, maybe writing a screenplay for the classic movie redux(?) Forbidden Planet. But, for die hard fans, this will not be a remake, but something no one has ever thought of before. So fans, let’s all keep an open mind on what looks to be a good film once the ideas are all together. The writer says that the 1954 version’s retro look was great for the film back then, but he realizes that audiences would appreciate a more modern look. So, fingers crossed this film should be something when it gets released.

Source: Moviesblog.MTV.com

At a press junket, ‘Punisher’ director Lexi Alexander said that she has been given some comic scripts including Jonah Hex. The director said that she is glad they sent her the script and she really liked it. It also didn’t hurt that actor Josh Brolin is still attached to the project. At this point, a lot things are still up in the air but one thing is for sure, when Jonah Hex comes out it will be a completely different kind of movie.

Source: LatinoReview.com

Still smoking from the explosion of box office sales from ‘tweeners and twits, Kristen Stewart is set to star as Joan Jett in a new biopic about the woman of rock in ‘The Runaways’. The film was written by Floria Sigismondi, who will also direct. Joan Jett herself will serve as an executive producer, along side Bill Pohlad and John and Art Linson.

The Runaways were hugely influential as the first successful all-girl hard rock band; its members included guitarists Jett and Lita Ford, drummer Sandy West, singer-keyboardist Cherie Currie and bassist Jackie Fox. The band was brought together in late 1975 by impresario Kim Fowley, who thought a novelty act of teenaged girls performing in leather and lace would be an easy sell, but the girls ended up proving to be serious and influential musicians with songs like “Cherry Bomb.” The band lasted about four years together, falling apart over management and money issues.

Jett continued her rock career into the ’80s, forming the Blackhearts and scoring with such hits as “I Love Rock N’ Roll” and “I Hate Myself for Loving You.” She continues to record and tour. — Variety

The film, which is tentatively looking to begin production in 2009, will focus on Jett and Currie and follow the band’s stellar rise and eventual breakup. The film’s production is apparently going to work around Stewart’s schedule for the next ‘Twilight’ installment.

[source: HollywoodReporter.com]

Johnny Depp has found a new project worthy of his already legendary status in Hollywood. His production company Infinitim Nihil has acquired the rights to Nick Tosches’ book ‘In the Hand of Dante’ to which Depp will produce and will be developed as a potential vehicle for Depp to take the leading role.

Book revolves around Dante’s masterwork “The Divine Comedy,” and tells parallel storylines involving Dante in 14th-century Italy as he tries to complete the work, and a contemporary storyline involving Tosches, who is asked to authenticate what might be Dante’s original manuscript. Depp would play Tosches. The novel was published in 2002. — Variety

[source: Variety.com]

‘Rome’ is one of HBO’s hit shows and while it may not be on the small screen anymore, it might make the jump to the big screen. Now, what throws this situation askew is that no one is quite sure of what steps to take if they want to make a movie or not. It has been said that HBO is notorious for canceling shows without giving the show a chance to wrap up their story lines for the sake of their audience. This seems the fate of the popular show ‘Rome’ which has stated it’s second season will be it’s last. So, does that mean that fans can get their wrap up of the show in the movie theaters? Well, no word just yet on this major decision that is still in the works.

Source: DarkHorizons.com

The movie that made you want to dance is coming back with a an all-star cast for the faculty. Actors Megan Mullally, Kelsey Grammer, Charles S. Dutton, Bebe Neuwirth and Debbie Allen have all been cast to take on the administrative and teaching roles in MGM and Lakeshore Entertainment’s remake of ‘Fame’. Choreographer Kevin Tancharoen will take on directing this 1980 musical about a group of dancers, singers, actors and artists trying to survive four grueling years at the prestigious New York City High School of Performing Arts. It’s going to be interesting to see who gets cast as the students for this upcoming feature.

Source: HollywoodReporter

Upon completion of his epic quasi-indie biopic ‘Che’, Steven Soderbergh has seemingly headed full steam into yet another more ancient biopic as he begins pre-production and casting of ‘Cleopatra’. Currently, Catherine Zeta-Jones is “officially” on board to play the lead of Cleopatra. Ray Winstone has recently signed on to play the part of Julius Caesar and according to DarkHorizons.com, its being reported that Hugh Jackman is nearly locked to play Mark Antony. Oh, and did I mention this is going to be a rock-n-roll musical? Yep, you heard me right! The script was written by James greer, formerly a member of the band Guided by Voices. The film will, of course, be directed by Steven Soderbergh and the music of Guided by Voices will be featured throughout the movie.

Robert Maillet (pictured above from ‘300′) apparently knocked out Robert Downey, Jr. during the shooting of a fight scene in Guy Ritchie’s ‘Sherlock Holmes’. Apparently the 7 foot ex wrestler threw a punch and caught Downey, Jr. on the chin, and knocked him out cold. The blow required 6 stitches! Holy shit man! I know you are a brute but don’t you know its supposed to be fake?

Downey, Jr. is fine now and shooting is resuming as we speak…

Not much to see in the photo, especially when you consider she is playing a stripper in this movie. Here is the synopsis for it even though we don’t have much else to give you:

Several Los Angelenos meet on Christmas Eve through chance, tragedy and divine intervention. Swayze will play the sleazy owner of the strip club where Biel’s character dances. Redmayne will portray a mortician who falls in love with her. Kristofferson will play the head of a corporate crime organization who tries to convince his former employee (Liotta) not to seek vengeance on his former co-workers. Whitaker, who also serves as a producer on the film, will play a suicidal ex-priest.

Star studded cast with Patrick Swayze, Forest Whitaker, Jessica Biel, and Ray Liota so it should make for a pretty damn good movie.

Worst Previews caught up with Blizzard, the masters of WOW, and they spoke about what is currently going on with the movie:

“World of Warcraft” movie is currently in development. “Legendary Pictures is currently trying to assign some names to write the screenplay and find someone to direct it, so it’s still really early in production,” he said. “They want to make sure they get the right talent for those different parts, especially the screenwriting, because that’s the foundation for the movie.“

Let’s just hope Uwe Boll doesn’t toss his hat in the ring for this movie. It would be super badass to see Guillermo Del Toro do a live action version of the game because lets face it, he can do some pretty amazing beasts/costume work.

First the obvious, we just wanted a reason to post a picture of Mila Kunis. Second, they are announcing that she is going to be costarring along with Denzel Washington in ‘The Book of Eli’. For those of you that aren’t excited for the movie because of the above names, then get excited because its a post-apocalyptic Western! Here is the synopsis:

A post-apocalyptic Western, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.

Now if that doesn’t do something for you, check your pulse because there is something wrong with you buddy.

THRis reporting that Timothy Olyphant is set to star in a remake of George A. Romero’s ‘The Crazies’ directed by Breck Eisner. The original was about “A biological weapon gone awry is only the start of problems in the little town of Evan’s City, Pennsylvania. Bouts of insanity in the populace are leading to murder and rioting, until the US Army turns up - and things really start going to hell.”

Timothy Olyphant is on the top of my favorite actors list, so to see him in new projects excites the Hell out of me, and I am hoping they do justice to George Romero’s original.

From the mouth of director Bong Joon-ho himself, Universal Studios ahs apparently purchases the rights to the Korean monster masterpiece ‘The Host’ and they intend to remake the popular film with it’s American audience in mind. AKA, dumb it down and ruin it like most of their remakes? Well, hopefully not…

From SciFi.com: “Maybe three or four years down the line, if The Host [remake] comes out, and there’s a cool director who takes it on and makes it a real great film, then I’d be very happy,” Bong said in an interview, through a translator. “On the other hand, if it’s just crap, I think I’d be happy, too, because then people would be like, ‘Oh, yeah, Bong’s original was really good.’ So, for me, it’s a win-win situation. But Universal has a tradition of doing horror and creature films, so I anticipate that they will do a great film.”

[source: SciFi.com]

Seth Gorden talked to FirstShowing about the status of ‘The King of Kong’ remake, and it surprised the Hell out of me!

Those who have seen the doc know that there is already a great story from within the film to pull from, so in essence, not that many changes really needed to be made. “There’s going to be less of the talking heads,” Gordon says at first. “And we couldn’t be everywhere for the making of the documentary, so some stuff had to be done that way. So we’ll show the moments we weren’t able to be present for, but in terms of the story, it’s going to be a very similar story- about Wiebe losing his job, rediscovering Kong, thinking he’s the best in the world at something only to have it taken away by a guy who won’t let go of his title.” Thankfully this all makes sense and it doesn’t sound like too much of a departure from the original.

Wow, this is incredible. For those of you that have seen the documentary you know that the story here is incredible and almost make believe until you realize that Billy Mitchell really is a crazy bastard and he cant let go of what was once his pride and glory. I think a non-documentary version of the film will do really well, especially with the video game community. I don’t know if they will be able to find someone to play Steve Wiebe as well as he came off in the doc, but I am certain they will try.

Well, its being swirled by our good friends at Latino Review that ‘Kung Fu Panda’ director John Stevenson has scored the director seat for the upcoming live action ‘He-Man Masters of the Universe’ flick. Apparently, he pitched an idea so great that Joel Silver couldn’t turn it down and has brought him on board. This excites the Hell out of me because I loved ‘He-Man’ as a kid, and I still rock ‘Masters of the Universe’ from time to time. It would be even better if they cast my boy Dolph as ‘He-Man’ again… but, that’s just wishful thinking.

HBO helped launch Sam Kinison and now they will pay homage to him by airing his biopic ‘Brother Sam’. The film will be based off a memoir written by his brother/manager Bill Kinison and Steve Delsohn. Dan Fogler is set to play Sam Kinison in the flick because of his uncanny resemblance to a young Sam. Some of you may remember Dan Fogler from ‘Good Luck Chuck’ and ‘Balls of Fury’, he typically plays the chubby funny best friend character.

Bill Kinison and steve Delsohn spent 8 years trying to get the project made into a feature full length, but all the talks fell through. Now HBO has stepped up and will air the biopic.

Basis for the telepic is “Brother Sam: The Short, Spectacular Life of Sam Kinison,” a memoir written by his brother and manager, Bill Kinison, and Steve Delsohn. A new script has been written by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, the writer-directors of “American Splendor.”

So there you have it. I think that Sam Kinison deserves the feature full length biopic but I will take what I can get from one of the greatest comedians to ever live. I hope that Dan Fogler does him justice and really gives himself to the role… but not completely.

For all of those John Carpenter fans out there, including myself, the word on the street is that Carpenter’s next project after ‘Scared Straight’ starring Nic Cage may, or may not, be a film called ‘The Prince’ written by Jeremy Passmore, who is currently screening his film ‘Special’ on the festival circuit.

Apparently Carpenter has shown a strong interest in making the movie, which he and Passmore agree is best with its “brutal and violent and dark” ending. The only question is, will this project ever get off the ground? We all know about the Hollywood executive’s addiction to happy endings. ’The Prince’ is somewhat of a trend-breaker for Carpenter, who is best known for his eerie horror/thriller movies, but I think would benefit from Carpenter’s experience making the ‘Escape From…’ films. ‘The Prince’ is a sort of gangster movie, but with a twist.

In an interview with writer-director Jeremy Passmore (Special), CHUD.com’s Devin Faraci acquired this revealing bit of info…

“It’s a bit of a departure. It’s definitely more of a very character based crime movie. I don’t know what’s going on with it right now, but the premise is that this guy was the most [badass] gangster of all time in Las Vegas, and he’s left the life and created this whole new world. His wife died but he’s raising his kid. He’s living in the middle of nowhere and he’s this very religious, trying to live a straight life guy. His daughter is now going to school at UCLA and she disappears, and he goes looking for her. The trail leads to Vegas and he has to go get her, and the entire city kind of comes down on top of him.”

[source: CHUD.com]

Someone snagged a pretty funny video of Tarantino teaching some of his actors on the set of ‘Inglorious Basterds’ how to properly spit out their drink to make it look real..presumably on camera. The video cant be embedded, but you can view it on youtube. Enjoy