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
Sandra Bullock Gets Extremely Loud?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Adaptation, Drama, Casting, Celeb News, Filmmaking, Rumors, Scripts
Sandra Bullock is in negotiations to star in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
The 46-year-old star, who this year won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in The Blind Side, is in talks alongside Tom Hanks to star in the project, an adaptation of the 2005 dramatic novel by Jonathan Safran Foer.
If Bullock signs on to star in the movie, it will be her first film since her Academy Award-winning performance. The film tells the tale of an intelligent nine year old - who has yet to be cast in the Stephen Daldry-directed project - who begins searching for a lock to match a key given to him by his father prior to his death in the New York terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Bullock and Hanks would play the child’s parents in the movie, which if locked would see them filming in January 2011. Screenwriter Eric Roth has adapted the book, which Scott Rudin being lined up to produce.
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Youth in Revolt Finally Starts Casting
Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Lionsgate, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Adventure, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Casting, Upcoming Releases
Producers of the upcoming C.D. Payne adaptation, Youth in Revolt, decided to spill the beans on developments in casting at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
While Nick Twisp’s shoes have long-since been filled in by Michael Cera, fans of the novel had been curious as to which actors would fill the rest of the slots, as all the roles are quite difficult to tackle. That is, until now! Steve Buscemi will be playing Twisp’s playboy, two-timing father George Twisp while Ray Liotta, Jean Smart, and M. Emmet Walsh have jumped aboard as well.
The Good Girl director Miguel Arteta is attached to the film, adapted by Charlie Bartlett writer Gustin Nash.
Click to continue reading Youth in Revolt Finally Starts Casting
Read More 
| Variety
MTV Showcases New Choke Trailer
Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, Adaptation, Independent, Romance, Comedy, Distribution, Trailers, Upcoming Releases
While things failed to appear very promising with the mixed reviews out there thus far, the trailer for nihilistic author Chuck Palahniuk‘s latest novel-turned-film doesn’t actually look that bad!
Despite the fact that I am as much of an MTV hater as the next person, I have to admit that they do help out a couple independent films here and there that I end up truly enjoying (think Better Luck Tomorrow or Orange County). With that said, I was extremely disappointed to read the bad reviews on Choke, although seeing that MTV is now airing the official trailer for the film got my hopes up a bit. They even have an interview with Palahniuk himself on the New Jersey set.
As for the trailer (check it out after the jump), aside from the weird porn background music, Sam Rockwell seems to have pulled Victor Mancini’s persona straight from Palahniuk’s very pages. The very racy and provocative film’s release date has been pushed back to September 26th.
Click to continue reading MTV Showcases New Choke Trailer
Read More | MTV
Palahniuk’s Film Choke Finally Set to Release in August
Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Classics, Independent, Political, Romance, Comedy, Awards, Celeb News, Distribution, Filmmaking, Scripts, Upcoming Releases
Both film and book nerds alike have been watching cult author Chuck Palahniuk‘s every move since Fight Club was released in theaters. While all of his novels are fully capable of becoming both marketable and move theater-friendly, his fourth novel, Choke, has finally seen the light of day past the production floor. With Fox Searchlight having bought the film for $5 million and it winning a Best Ensemble Cast jury award at Sundance, the Choke crew and Palahniuk fans everywhere cannot be more ecstatic about the film’s release date of August 1, 2008.
Although the film is Clark Gregg’s directorial debut, he has certainly been no stranger to the industry nor the project, having gone through numerous obstacles to get his adaptation onto the big screen. His script is so good that even Palahniuk himself has done nothing but award it praise. With Palahniuk’s seal of approval and a lead cast including Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, and Kelly Macdonald, nothing can go wrong, right?
Click to continue reading Palahniuk’s Film Choke Finally Set to Release in August
Read More | Chuck Palahniuk's Official Site
Michael Cera to Star in Film Adaptation of Youth in Revolt
Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Adventure, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Books, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases
Youth In Revolt, both a critically acclaimed novel by C.D. Payne and a failed MTV mini-series, has been adapted into a screenplay and began production early this year. This original and hilarious black comedy will star Michael Cera (Juno, Superbad) as the story’s overly sex-crazed protagonist, Nick Twisp, who - along with an inconvenient hair trigger on his erectile response - involves himself in arson, car theft, homelessness and even an identity change to satisfy his pubescent desires and finally lose his virginity. Although no other cast members have been confirmed, Cera’s recently built reputation for the role as the awkward teen with no grip on a decent romantic or sex life (which rightfully won him 2 nominations for Best Young Actor this year) will certainly do great justice for the role.
Click to continue reading Michael Cera to Star in Film Adaptation of Youth in Revolt
Read More | New York Times
Lindsay Lohan to Tell Her Story?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors
Rumor has it that Razzie-nominated actress Lindsay Lohan may be making ready to write her memoirs. Gossip suggests Lohan is motivated by a single need: money. Varied reports have Lohan borrowing money from friends and quickly running out of funds, though how this is possible I simply can’t say.
The book, reportedly, will talk about Lohan’s troubles with substance abuse (and subsequent trips to rehab) and what it’s like to be a big star in a small world. I’m less interested in what the book’s about and more interested in another compelling question: is she writing it herself, or using a ghostwriter? There’s a good chance the readers will never know.
Read More | E! Online
‘The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ Trailer
Posted by David Onda Categories: Disney, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Classics, Drama, Family, Religious, Sequels, Thrillers, Books, Trailers, Upcoming Releases
The very first trailer for Walt Disney Pictures’ The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian has been released and it looks freakin’ awesome! Caspian, which opens this summer, is the sequel to the 2005 box-office smash, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, which is based off the classic novel by C.S. Lewis. The franchise’s principal cast returns for this film, which will find Pevensie kids back in the magical fantasy world of Narnia. But what was a one year hiatus for them, has been a couple thousand for the folks in Narnia - and things aren’t quite the same.
Check out the first heart-pounding The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian trailer after the jump.
Click to continue reading ‘The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ Trailer
‘Thank You for Smoking’ Now A TV Series
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Adaptation, Drama, Books
The 2006 film, Thank You For Smoking, will now see itself repackaged as a USA Network series. A television version of the Christopher Buckley novel version had been swirling around for some time (it was once considered by NBC) and has now found a home on cable.
The film adaptation starred Aaron Eckhart as Nick Naylor, a spokesperson for tobacco industry. His M.O.D. squad (‘Merchants of Death’) friends included Maria Bello and David Koechner (lobbyists for the alcohol and gun industries, respectively). Naylor did a great job doing what he was paid for, yet had a slight change of attitude by the movie’s end. The Eckhart-free series would see Naylor supporting those ‘more deserving’ while continuing to ride the moral fine line.
My love for anything Aaron Eckhart has biased me against any remakes—though Dirty Sexy Money’s Peter Krause might have been a good option here. What do you think? Do you think this could be pulled off?
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
Will Rape Scene in ‘The Kite Runner’ Be Removed?
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Adaptation, Drama, Books, Upcoming Releases
A best-selling novel’s film adaptation is now facing trouble only one month away from its theatrical release. The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini (A Thousand Splendid Suns), tells the story of two friends who grew up together in Afghanistan. In one important scene, Amir, does nothing to help his friend, Hassan, who is being raped.
Unfortunately, the family of the young boy who filmed this crucial plot point wants those frames left on the cutting room floor. Rape is considered completely undignified and against Afghan culture. If the movie is seen in their country, they worry they’ll be ostracized or harassed for making Afghans look poorly. They don’t think people will be able to separate fact from fiction. According to 12-year-old Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, the actor who was paid $10,000 for the role, he was never given a script and would not have accepted the job had he known about the violent scene. (Why he chose to shoot the scene anyway is not made clear. The family admits they did find out about the rape several days before it was filmed.)
Kite’s producers, Bennett Walsh and Rebecca Yeldham, claim they’ve spoken to the family since the scene was filmed last year. According to Walsh and Yeldham, they were given the greenlight provided the content was portrayed in a sensitive manner. Conversely, Ahmad’s father asserts the producers told him the scene would be cut when they were confronted about it. He also says the company has promised to ‘take care of the family’ if they became victims of any backlash.
At this point, the producers have not said whether the scene will stand. Meanwhile, the Marc Forster film is scheduled for release on Nov. 2nd.
Click here for an update on the now-delayed film.
Read More | USA Today
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