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.”
Jim Carrey Movie Indefinitely Delayed
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Biopics, Drama, Comedy, Distribution, Trailers, Upcoming Releases
UPDATE: The movie has now been given a July 30 release date.
This has not been a good week for Jim Carrey.
On Tuesday, the comedian and his girlfriend of five years, Jenny McCarthy, announced their split over Twitter. Today, it’s been reported that his latest film is being indefinitely delayed.
I Love You Phillip Morris, a dark comedy co-starring Ewan McGregor as Carrey’s cellmate-turned-lover, was at one point scheduled for a March 26 debut. It was then slated for an April 30 premiere. Now, the story about real-life con man Steven Jay Russell will be lucky to get a release date at all.
Although it’s not known why the film is being held up, it’s believed Morris’ subject matter may be making distribution difficult.
Read More
| Variety
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.
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| 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
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| Hollywood Reporter
Valkryie Will Debut in 2008
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: MGM, Action, Drama, Period, Upcoming Releases

Okay, this is just getting ridiculous. Believe it or not, Valkyrie has just now been given its fourth - and supposedly final - release date.
The movie, which blamed production issues and marketing reasons for the constant delays, was last scheduled to open on Feb. 13, 2009. (The other two dates previously mentioned were June 27, 2008 and October 3, 2008.) Now, thanks to a favorable screening, the WWII drama is being given a space on the holiday calendar.
So when will Valkryie open now? December 26, 2008. (Make sure to mark that down in pencil.)
Read More
| Variety
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
Tom Cruise’s Strangely Missing Accent
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: MGM, Action, Drama, Period, Political, Celebrity Gossip, Trailers, Upcoming Releases

After viewing a teaser trailer for Valkyrie, I now see why Tom Cruise’s film may be in need of a few delays.
In this WWII movie, the actor plays Col. Claus von Stauffenberg - a German officer who plots to take down Adolf Hitler. Granted, I haven’t seen the film yet, but I highly doubt the character ever took voice lessons by watching videos of Mission Impossible.
You can listen to his laughable performance after the jump.
Click to continue reading Tom Cruise’s Strangely Missing Accent
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