Stars Align For Spider-Man 4

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Columbia Pictures, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Thrillers, Celeb News, Filmmaking, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

After waiting for the will-they-won’t-they with Sam Raimi, Kirsten Dunst, and Tobey Maguire, Columbia Pictures has finally stamped a release date of May 5, 2011 for Spider-Man 4.

Considering that Thor is due out June 17, and The First Avenger: Captain America hits theaters July 22 that same summer, we’ll be in for quite a Marvel-ous theater-going experience three months in a row!

For all of the Sam Raimi fans, it has been revealed that Bruce Campbell has signed on for a major part this time around (in the first three Spidey films, the Evil Dead actor appeared in mere cameos)—quite possibly a villainous role, too.

Filming is expected to begin early next year, but if you can’t wait that long, there are always those Spider-Man comics to pass the time—you know, those things that these blockbusters originated from…

Read More | E! Online

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Disney to Pay $4 Billion for Marvel Entertainment

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Corporate Shakeups

Disney has just added 5,000 characters to its arsenal.

In a deal announced today, The Walt Disney Company says it intends to purchase comic book giant Marvel Entertainment. The acquisition is worth a whopping $4 billion.

“This transaction combines Marvel’s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney’s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories,” Robert A. Iger, Walt Disney Company’s President and CEO, said in a press release.

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Read More | Comix 411

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Spider-Man Writer Announced

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Romance, Sequels, Scripts, Upcoming Releases

Just as Sony is in the midst of prepping Spider-Man 4 for filming, the studio made little hesitation with Spider-Man 5 and Spider-Man 6 by hiring Zodiac writer James Vanderbilt to pen the scripts.

Vanderbilt isn’t new to the Spider-Man films—he wrote the initial script for Spider-Man 4, which was later revised by Inkheart screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire (Seabiscuit writer/director Gary Ross is currently revising that script).

Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios clearly have faith in Vanderbilt, whose ideas director Sam Raimi didn’t necessarily embrace (leading him to rewrite). Nonetheless, he has now been given a second chance with the scripts for the fifth and sixth installations, which are expected to have an interconnected storyline. With that said, executives are planning to use Vanderbilt’s two scripts as a franchise reboot in case Raimi and stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst do not return.

While I find it amusing that they’re considering a reboot for the series, I admire that they’re wasting no time in seeing these films made. Let’s just hope that the producers can assure the involvement of the Spidey trio in all of them!

Read More | Variety

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Spider-Man 4 Script Still Being Rewritten

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Columbia Pictures, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Scripts, Upcoming Releases

The script for the fourth film in the Spider-Man franchise is being rewritten…again. Originally penned by James Vanderbilt and then rewritten by David Lindsay-Abaire, the pages are now in the hands of Gary Ross.

In his career, Ross has directed Seabiscuit and Pleasantville. Both films, interestingly, starred Tobey Maguire, who plays the title role in the Spidey movies.

The fourth film is scheduled to go into production early next year…provided, of course, there’s a finished script by that time.

Read More | Variety

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Movies Turned Musicals: Heathers, Sleepless in Seattle and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Action, Musicals, Romance, Comedy

The lights may be dimming on many Broadway shows, but that won’t keep the productions from coming:

Heathers: The dark comedy about Heather Chandler, Heather Duke, Heather McNamara and Veronica will be resurrected for the stage. The 1988 film, which starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, is being developed by director Andy Fickman (Race to Witch Mountain) and scored by Tony nominee Larry O’Keefe (Legally Blonde).

It’s still unclear at this time which actors will star in the final presentation, but Christian Campbell has been in readings for the role of J.D. while Veronica Mars’ Kristen Bell has tried out Veronica (natch). Look for Heathers to start out as a regional production sometime in 2010.

Click to continue reading Movies Turned Musicals: Heathers, Sleepless in Seattle and More

Read More | E! Online

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Sequel News: Spider-Man 4, Center of the Earth and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: New Line, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction, Sequels, Upcoming Releases

Journey to the Center of the Earth: Last year’s 3-D hit has spawned a second installment from New Line. The original film, which was based on a Jules Verne novel, earned over $100 million domestically ($140 internationally) after its release last July. Both Brendan Fraser (Prof. Trevor Anderson) and Josh Hutcherson (Sean Anderson) are expected to reprise their roles in the sequel.

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Read More | E! Online

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Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau Talk Iron Man 2

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Political, Thrillers, Celeb News, Corporate Shakeups, Distribution, Filmmaking, Rumors, Scripts, Upcoming Releases

UPDATE: Thanks to one of those smarter people who actually brought a camera, The Game Jerk has posted a video of the Q&A that you can check out after the jump.

Although I have continuously kicked myself repeatedly for not bringing a camera last night, I was still at least able to mentally hold on to the great moments witnessed last night at a special screening of Iron Man. While the director was already scheduled to appear for a live commentary at Santa Monica’s Aero Theater, fans of Marvel’s first self-financed film were in for an even better treat when Tony Stark himself, Robert Downey Jr., showed up at the last moment.

Because of the fact that he had not recorded a commentary for the upcoming DVD, director Jon Favreau was quite exuberant over the fact that he was able to do so in person (also because he was not obligated to be politically correct).

Click to continue reading Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau Talk Iron Man 2

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Is Maguire Gearing Up for Two Spidey Sequels?

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Rumors

Had you asked me last year whether I saw another Spider-Man in Tobey Maguire‘s future, I would have easily said “No.” Thank goodness, I didn’t put any money down on that.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the chances of Maguire of participating in two more sequels are actually quite strong. Maguire and director Sam Raimi are reportedly very close to sealing new deals with Columbia Pictures.

This news comes months after a premiere date was announced by the studio. Back in June, producer Laura Ziskin said she would like to see a fourth installment in theaters on Memorial Day 2011.

Assuming casting is determined soon, Columbia may opt to schedule back-to-back productions as early as fall 2009.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

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Spider-Man’s Venom Set for Spinoff

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Rumors

Hero, schmero. Thanks to the popularity of Heath Ledger‘s Joker, Hollywood may soon be looking to exploit the audience’s love for much darker characters.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sony is tossing around the idea of giving Venom his own film. Most probably remember the character as the villain played by Topher Grace in last year’s Spider-Man 3.

As for when we could see the spinoff in theaters is unknown. Right now, the studio is still trying to produce a suitable script. The execs also have to agree on a lead actor. Although Tobey Maguire was given a chance to play the webbed one, those behind the scenes are apparently nervous about Grace’s box office appeal. Fortunately, since Venom is technically a gooey substance and not necessarily a person, they could actually attach any person they want to the project. (Pun intended.)

Whether or not Venom gets off the ground, Sony still intends on producing Spider-Man 4. That installment is expected to debut in 2011.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

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Projected Spider-Man 4 Release Date

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors

Even though the main characters appeared disinterested during their interviews last year, the buzz about another Spider-Man sequel has already begun.

According to E!, the franchise’s producer has already informed theater owners that a fourth installment could happen…though it would be 2011 before anyone would see it. (Apparently you need a script, a willing actor and an interested director before you can get the ball rolling on these big-budget flicks.)

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Read More | TV Guide

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