Columbia Moving Forward with Venom

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Columbia Pictures, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Casting, Rumors, Scripts, Upcoming Releases

Spider-Man 4 screenwriter Gary Ross is to direct a spin-off film based on super-villain Venom. Ross - who directed Pleasantville and Seabiscuit and whose screenwriting credits include Big and Dave - is to rewrite the script and helm the hotly-anticipated project.

It is not yet known whether Topher Grace, the actor who played the alien parasite in 2007’s Spider-Man 3, will return. Topher, 31, has only just signed on to star in Robert Rodriguez’s Predators - based on the character from the cult 1987 sci-fi film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger - so it is unlikely he will have time for the role.

Click to continue reading Columbia Moving Forward with Venom

Read More | Variety

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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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J.K. Rowling Writes Harry Potter Spinoff

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Family, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip

Despite several press conferences and comments that she would like to branch out into writing new things, J.K. Rowling has completed the first Harry Potter spinoff. So much for the integrity of writing.

The book – an illustrated collection of fairy stories – is The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and only seven copies will be printed. One will be auctioned for charity, the others given away as gifts. Rowling drew the illustrations in the book herself and provided the handwriting for five of its stories. The book is mentioned in Rowling’s last Harry novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Read More | CNN

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