Superman's Fate: Rebooting?

I've been getting really sick of reporting on Superman just because it seems like Warner Brothers doesn't know what to do with him. However, I shouldn't complain to deeply about that. Warner Brothers seems to have taken a lot of consideration on what to do with the material they own. I liked "Superman Returns," but it wasn't what everyone wanted and Warner Brothers was disappointed in its performance. But I get the idea that they don't want to release just mindless schlock. (i.e. 20th Century Fox)

Warner Brothers' Jeff Robinov, who has pushed the DC material into a much deeper rooted and grittier way of telling stories, has said this to the Wall Street Journal:

"'Superman' didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to. It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned. Had 'Superman' worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009. But now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all."

So it does sound like Superman will be rebooted. (Shame, because I wanted a sequel to the "Superman Returns" storyline.) On top of that, Warner Brothers plans to release more DC material in the coming years; but rather than plowing out as many superhero movies as they can, like Marvel, Warner Brothers wants to focus on fewer movies and spend time on making those epic enough for audiences. This will no doubt include a "Batman 3" and "Superman" reboot.

With that said I doubt Bryan Singer will return for Superman. I'm sure he's still attached to it in some way, but from what I can tell Warner Brothers wants to bring Superman in a new direction and that will mean bringing new blood in to the franchise. So. Who do you think it should be?

Bond Pushed Back One Week

The more I think about it, the more I realize that my comment about how Harry Potter 6 was moved due to the next Bond movie was as silly as it was stupid. That said, it looks like those behind Bond believe they can rack up more money mid-November. "Quantum of Solace" has been moved from November 7th, to November 14th. Hey, at least it isn't pushed back half a year! Not terrible news. After stuff like "Star Trek," "Dragonball" and "Harry Potter" being pushed back like they have, is one week really going to kill us? I'm cool with it.

Getting "Goosebumps?"

I truthfully can not say I saw this coming. Columbia Pictures are in talks with Larry Karaszewski ("Man on the Moon," "1408") and Scott Alexander to write the screenplay for a big screen adaptation of the R.L. Stine book series turned 90's kids television program, "Goosebumps." Neil Moritz will be producing.

Interesting move. Moritz has said his plan is to hire well known, young actors for the role, but does this mean he's planning on a full series with these same actors? The "Goosebumps" series are mostly standalone stories-- They're "The Twilight Zone" for the younger minded and only a few books got actual sequels if I recall correctly. Will Karaszewski and Alexander go "The Twilight Zone Movie" route and select a few stories to tell separately? Or will the entire movie be it's own original storyline and simply use the "Goosebumps" title as a draw?

I read several when I was much younger and enjoyed them then, but I can't recall if they're the type of material that could/should be adapted to film, or if the writers should just take the movie down their own creative path. I want to say the former because using the series "in-name-only" feels wrong. If it's "Goosebumps" it should be based on "Goosebumps," should it not?

The writers should seal their deal within a week.

More "Shatner in Star Trek?" Mulling

The biggest question for J.J. Abrams' new "Star Trek" has been, "Is Shatner in it?" It seems like a miss-opportunity to not have him in it and I've said from the beginning that he's probably in the movie. As of recent, Shatner has been appearing on these hysterical web-interviews explaining how he's hurt that he's not in the new Star Trek.

I say hysterical because I firmly believe he's putting on for the press and fandom. He knows how rabid and absurd Star Trek fans are and he's fully aware of how little news sites and broken down, under-viewed blogs eat this stuff up. (Welcome to my world kids.)

That said, this latest, miniscule hint will probably send fans, nerds, me, the press...etc... stirring the Shatner pot again. Clifton Collins Jr. who plays a romulan, supposedly next to Eric Bana, has revealed the following:

There is, but I better not say," Collins said of possible big-star cameos. "There are certain things that as kids growing up, whether it's Star Trek or other shows at the time, all you got to do is really just hear their voice and your heart warms."
Asked if he was referring to characters and actors from the original television series, Collins simply smiled and said, "Maybe."

Certain voices? Original series cast? It must be Shatner!!! We all want to scream together. Surely this will seal the deal for some basement dwellers. I'm already pretty confident he'll be in the movie; but for those who aren't, by all means, masturbate at the following evidence.

Warner Brothers "Apologizes" for the Harry Potter Move

Though Harry Potter fans have expressed deep feelings against the move of the sixth film, Warner Brothers wants you fans to know that they ruv yoo! Alan Horn, of Warner Brothers, has sent this (hysterical) apology to the fans. In it he lets them know that they're taking great care with the movie, but doesn't explain how moving it does that. Next he tries to sugar coat it by telling fans that the wait between the sixth and seventh film will be much shorter. Cute. Here's his message:

Many of you have written to me to express your disappointment in our moving "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" to Summer 2009.

Please be assured that we share your love for Harry Potter and would certainly never do anything to hurt any of the films. Over the past 10 years, we have nurtured and protected each film, and the integrity of the books upon which they are based, to the best of our ability.

The decision to move "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" was not taken lightly, and was never intended to upset our Harry Potter fans. We know you have built this series into what it is, and we thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm and support.

If I may offer a silver lining: there would have been a two-year gap between "Half-Blood Prince" and the much-anticipated first part of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," which opens in November 2010.
So although we have to wait a little longer for "Half-Blood Prince," the wait from that film until "Deathly Hallows" will be less than 18 months. I am sorry to have disappointed you now, but if you hold on a little longer, I believe it will be worth the wait.

Alan Horn
President, Chief Operating Officer
Warner Bros.

I'm not nearly as outraged as many Harry Potter fans, but reading this I feel like an infant being talked down by a war veteran grandfather explaining why its better to have a banana than a cookie. The message offers no comfort. Horn steers away from the fact that this decision was based on money (even though we all know) and gives us a "Christmas will come earlier" argument by pointing out the time span between the next two movies. Thank you. I can do math on my own.

Poll Results - Of The "Distant" Solo-Hero, Marvel Movies in the Works, Which Are You Most Excited For?

Though "Iron Man" was no match for "The Dark Knight," it seems the majority of the people who visit this blog (which is not many) would rather have him over any other Marvel character. The prospect of an "Iron Man 2" gets people more excited than any other Marvel flick, including "Spider-Man." Has the web-slinging hero been dethroned as the Marvel favorite?







"Iron Man 2" - 13 Votes - 56%

"Hulk 2" - 0 Votes - 0%

"Spider-Man 4/5" - 3 Votes - 13%

"Venom" - 2 Votes - 8%

"Thor" - 1 Vote - 4%

"Captain America" - 2 Votes - 8%

"Ant Man" - 2 Votes - 8%

I find it funny that "Ant Man" is getting more love than the poor Hulk. I also find it curious that "Venom" was voted over a "Hulk" sequel. Really? Venom? The Spider-Man sequels came in a not-so-victorious second and the others just pale in comparison to the love for Iron Man. Don't worry, the time is coming. An "Iron Man 2" will be in theaters faster than you think.

Voltron: Defending a Universe Near You

I remember last summer when the "Cloverfield" trailer debuted and people thought one of the things that the fleeing pedestrians yelled was, "It's a lion, it's huge!" This of course meant that it was a Voltron movie and nothing but a Voltron movie because how could anyone mishear what the pedestrians were saying? Surely no one thought the man was yelling, "It's alive, it's huge!" That would just be silly.
Well, January arrived and there was no Voltron in sight. Shame, no?

It did get me thinking though, after "Transformers" a Voltron movie couldn't be too far behind. Could it? My suspicions are confirmed. 20th Century Fox, in conjunction with Relativity Media, is setting up a moderate budget, big-screen adaptation of the anime series, "Voltron: Defender of the Universe." A story where five pilots control giant, robotic lions that form into the powerful Voltron in order to defend Earth from the evil King Zarkon. (Damn, 80s cartoons rock, no?)

The script is written by Justin Marks who has won praise over other scripts that are currently in production, such as "Supermax" the prison breakout, Green Arrow project, and an upcoming Street Fighter flick.

No word on when we can expect Voltron. It's said to be done in a cost-effective "300"-esque style. I can see a 2010 release not being out of the question.

Harry Potter Moved From November to July

Uh-oh. This is sure to set the Harry Potter fandom on fire. It seems that Warner Brothers has opted to move the sixth film from November of this fall, to July of next year. And we were so close... I thought changing the December date for "Star Trek" earlier this year was kinda mean, but at least the first release date wasn't as close as Harry Potter is.

With just three months away from its previous release date, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" has been moved due to Warner Brothers finding the summer as a bigger box office draw and to fill in gaps that the writer's strike left in its wake. The film will now be released July 17, 2009.

This doesn't make a lot of sense to me because the Harry Potter movies have always been a big draw at the box office in November. My take? Sounds like someone might be worried that James Bond will steal some box office receipts. Both had a November release, and I was quite excited about a hefty month of movies, but it appears we'll be settling for "Quantum of Solace."

As for the Potter fans... What can I say my friends? That blows.

"Gatchaman" Photos

Over a year ago it was reported that Image studios was creating a CG animated "Gatchaman" and "Astro Boy" movie. "Gatchaman" is a Japanese animated series based on a super hero task force. (Not quite like Power Rangers.) As the film draws closer to its release more photos are being put out. Below are three new screenshots from the upcoming "Gatchaman" film. Click to enlarge:





They're nothing extravagant, but it does look like a lot of work has been put in to this movie since last year. "Gatchaman" is awaiting release early 2009.

Maximum Ride Finds a Movie Scribe

Looks like Sony/Columbia Pictures is finally moving forward with the "Maximum Ride" film. Screenwriter Don Payne has been hired to write the movie adaptation of the best selling book series. His writing credits include the unimpressive "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" and "My Super Ex-Girlfriend."

As reported before, Avi Arad, producer of many Marvel super hero films, will produce with book series writer James Patterson taking over as Executive Producer.

Avi Arad and Don Payne? Sounds like a big hit or miss right now. I was not impressed with "Rise of the Silver Surfer" in the least bit and I attribute the writing to most of that. Hopefully this guy gets his act together and decides to pull a rabbit out of his hat. "Maximum Ride," as I've stated before, is my favorite book series. (With the exception of the last book...) I truly hope it is treated with care by whatever director gets the script.

Still no shooting or release date. I doubt there will be one until the script is finished.