Latest Video: FilmCrunch 067: Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, Premonition reviewed
Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, and Premonition in this episode of FilmCrunch.Play Video
David Yates Rumored to Direct The Hobbit
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: MGM, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction, Casting, Filmmaking, Rumors, Upcoming Releases
David Yates is being lined up as the new director for The Hobbit.
The Harry Potter filmmaker is reportedly the top replacement choice for studio MGM, as they search for a suitable candidate to oversee the highly-anticipated two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy tales - a prequel to The Lord of the Rings movies.
Previous director Guillermo del Toro pulled out of The Hobbit last month after continued delays with production, believed to be caused by studio MGM’s financial difficulties. Since then, David has been cited as the best candidate to replace him.
The English director has worked on the final three movies in the wizard franchise ,which he will continue working on until next year. This is expected to give MGM enough time to raise funds ahead of his involvement.
Meanwhile, Sir Ian McKellen - who is due to reprise his role as Gandalf in the fantasy prequel - took to his Twitter account recently to reassure fans the film won’t be affected by the change of director: “Hobbit sets are ready, script ready and movie is casting this month. Fans are not to worry. The films will get made. I suspect we’ll start shooting at end of this year. (sic)”
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The Hobbit Filming Delayed
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: MGM, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Classics, Science Fiction, Thrillers, Filmmaking, Rumors
Sad news for Tolkien fans: The Hobbit will not be filmed until the end of the year.
Andy Serkis - who has played Gollum in the three former Lord of the Rings movies - confirms work on the film, which was due to start this month, has been put on hold.
“That’s probably not looking like it’s gonna happen until the end of the year-ish, that’s the latest I’ve heard. It’s a bit of a movable feast at the moment, really,” Serkis said.
However, the 46-year-old confesses he knows little about the scheduling in reality. He told film website Collider.com, “I think it’s towards the back-end of this year. I’m really ashamed to say, I’m probably no better off than you are because dates keep changing and all the rest of it.”
Just last month, Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll actor Serkis said he was looking forward to working on the film: “It’s going to happen. I think it’s due to start shooting in May. It’s going to be exciting, especially working with new director Guillermo del Toro, who’s fantastic.”
Spider-Man 4 Delayed
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Sony, Action, Adventure, Sequels, Filmmaking, Scripts, Upcoming Releases
Spider-Man 4 may not make its scheduled release date of May 11, 2011.
Despite having had four writers on the project (David Lindsay-Abaire, James Vanderbilt, Gary Ross and Alvin Sargent), the script still isn’t finished. Finished, heck - according to gossip, the director (Sam Raimi) and the studio (Sony) can’t even agree on the plot.
Currently, it looks like Spidey’s next adventure will have to wait until late summer 2011.
Read More 
| Yahoo! News
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Delayed Until 2009
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Science Fiction, Sequels, Upcoming Releases
Now this is what I call a tease.
After being shown the best Harry Potter trailer to date, Warner Bros. has cruelly pulled the rug out from under eager fans. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, originally scheduled for a Nov. 21 release, will now debut next July.
According to Alan Horn, Warner’s chief operating officer, the surprising decision was the result of the lengthy writers’ strike. Due to production delays, the studio doesn’t foresee having other blockbusters ready in time for the upcoming summer season.
Click to continue reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Delayed Until 2009
Read More | Hollywood Reporter
Prince of Persia Gets Pushed Back
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Adaptation, Adventure, Period, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases
In hopes of creating another successful franchise, Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer have made the decision to delay their next joint feature.
Originally scheduled for next June, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has been pushed back a whole year. It’s believed this calendar shift will give the crew more time to perfect the post-production work necessary for the video game adaptation.
As a bonus, the change of date will allow Persia to avoid the premiere of Transformers 2 on June 26. (This is, of course, assuming Shia LaBeouf’s injuries allow that movie to even stay on track.)
Jake Gyllenhaal and his princely hair will now arrive in theaters on Memorial Day weekend 2010.
Read More | Variety
Another Delay for Tom Cruise and Valkyrie
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: MGM, Action, Drama, Period, Political, Upcoming Releases
Right now, Tom Cruise is somewhere hoping the third time really is a charm.
After initially receiving a June 27 release date, the actor’s next film is now scheduled to open next year. That’s after Valkyrie had already been pushed back to the fall for production reasons.
Although an October premiere might have been given the film Oscar consideration, the studio claims the new Feb. 13th slot will be in the best interest of the WWII drama. That decision will allow Cruise to take advantage of the President’s Day weekend.
Two films once slated for that same 2009 date have since made other plans (The Pink Panther 2, The Wolfman). While these departures may have allowed Valkyrie to slip right in, that Friday will still have stiff competition. Confessions of a Shopaholic (starring Isla Fisher) and the latest version of Friday the 13th will also be fighting for audience dollars.
Directed by Bryan Singer, Valkyrie also stars Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh and Tom Wilkinson.
Read More | Variety
UPDATE: ‘The Kite Runner’ Delayed Due to Controversial Scene
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Adaptation, Drama, Upcoming Releases
As reported earlier, controversy surrounding a violent scene threatened the big-screen premiere of The Kite Runner. The adaptation of the popular Khaled Hosseini novel will now be delayed six weeks.
The family of the young Afghan actor raped in the film wanted the segment removed because it would be considered culturally offensive. They feared they would become victims of retaliation in their own country once the movie premiered. The family claims 12-year-old Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada would never have participated in the production had they been given a script and/or advance warning of the scene.
Although director Marc Forster (Monster’s Ball, Finding Neverland) and the producers all insist Ahmad’s father was briefed on the situation, they have expressed concern for those involved. In hopes of retaining the crucial scene—and because of increased violence in Kabul—Paramount Vantage is finalizing plans to temporarily move Ahmad and two other actors out of the country. The movie, originally slated for a Nov. 2nd release, will now be released on Dec. 14th…. several days after the boys finish school. It’s believed they may return sometime in March—after their summer vacation ends and the movie dust clears. This decision appears to be something Ahmad’s father is comfortable with.
The movie’s new premiere date will now pit it against another highly-anticipated film, Will Smith’s I Am Legend.
Read More | USA Today
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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