HeSaid SheSaid Movie Reviews

Judge Sides With Fox in 'Watchmen' Film Dispute

 

On Christmas Eve, a federal judge indicated that he will grant 20th Century Fox's claim of copyright ownership in the coming Warner Bros. movie Watchmen, according to Lauren Schuker of the Wall Street Journal. "Fox owns a copyright interest consisting of, at the very least, the right to distribute the Watchmen motion picture," the ruling read.

In a hearing this fall, Judge Gary Feess said he thought the case required a trial to reach resolution, and scheduled one for January. But, due to time pressure, he reconsidered. (The film comes out in less than 72 days.) The judge advised the studios to focus on reaching a settlement or appealing the decision.

Fox bought the rights to "Watchmen" in the 1980s for one of its top producers, Lawrence Gordon (of Diehard fame). But the studio eventually abandoned its plans to make the film and Gordon took the film to Warner Bros., with Zack Snyder directing.

In a statement after the ruling, Warner Bros. says they stand by their set release date of March 6.

Gore "The Ring" Verbinski says he may do an Americanized "The Host"

The man who brought us an Americanized version of popular Asian film The Ring, Gore Verbinski, is working to bring us another remake of another popular Asian film, The Host. The film, originally titled Gwoemul, did record-breaking business in its theatrical run in South Korea.

The story follows a town terrorized by a giant mutant creature hatched by toxins that flow into a nearby river from a military base.

Downey, Favreau sign on for Avengers at Marvel

 

Robert Downey Jr. and director Jon Favreau, who recently did Iron Man together, will reunite for The Avengers, Marvel Studios' film about its team of superheroes. The deal Downey signed with Marvel also includes him reprising the role of Tony Stark for an Iron Man 2 and an Iron Man 3. (Don Cheadle will replace Terrence Howard in the Iron Man movies. Cheadle will play Jim Rhodes, Stark's best friend, who becomes the suit-wearing hero "War Machine.")

Favreau is directing Iron Man 2 and will be executive producer for The Avengers. Downey and Cheadle are the first stars to sign for Avengers, whose roster of superheroes includes Iron Man, Captain American, Hulk, Wasp, Giant Man, Hawkeye and Thor.

[ via Hollywood Reporter ]

A Space Odyssey?

Warner Bros. and Brad Pitt are teaming up with George Miller to adapt Homer's The Odyssey. Their intention, according to Variety.com, is to transfer the tale to a futuristic setting in outer space. (Pitt previously played Achilles in the Wolfgang Petersen's adaptation of Homer's The Iliad, Troy.)

Dude, I can't wait to see what that Trojan Horse looks like in space!

Bourne Again

 

Universal will produce a fourth installment in The Bourne Identity series, according to Variety. Damon will return as Jason Bourne, and Paul Greengrass (who directed The Bourne Ultimatum and The Bourne Supremacy) is also on board for the new film.

While the previous three “Bourne” movies have been based on the novels by Robert Ludlum, the latest chapter will be an original story. George Nolfi, who co-wrote The Bourne Ultimatum, will write the new script.

Ridley Scott to wage "Forever War"

 

Fox 2000 has acquired rights to Joe Haldeman’s 1974 novel The Forever War, and Ridley Scott is planning to make it his first science fiction film since Blade Runner. Ridley had planned to start The Forever War following that movie's success, but rights complications delayed those plans.

"I first pursued ‘Forever War’ 25 years ago, and the book has only grown more timely and relevant since," Scott told Daily Variety. "It’s a science-fiction epic, a bit of ‘The Odyssey’ by way of ‘Blade Runner,’ built upon a brilliant, disorienting premise."

Lunch is for wimps

Not sure if America will be in a "greed is good" mood as the economic fallout continues, but it seems Fox is ready to move on a Wall Street sequel, Money Never Sleeps. (And I was just wondering what movie that line comes from recently - maybe it was Wall Street, after all.)

The movie will be a reprise for the Gordon Gecko character - though Michael Douglas, who won an Oscar for the part, will not say whether he will take the role until he reads Allan Loeb's script.

Jolie starring in upcoming Atlas Shrugged

Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns acquired the rights to Atlas Shrugged, his favorite Ayn Rand book and the movie is supposedly set to come out in 2009. Vadim Perelman, the director of The House of Sand and Fog, was originally set to direct the movie, which will star Angelina Jolie as the heroine, Dagny Taggart. He is no longer connected to the project.

Perelman's departure has cast the project into doubt. As of September 2008, the Internet Movie Database lists the film's development status as "unknown."

The book has a jaded history of being brought to film - never making it past the scriptwriting stage. But Jolie said of her character: "Dagny Taggart is the most relatable character to me of all the extensive literature I have ever read." The movie reputedly has a $70 million budget and will be set in modern times (not in the '50s).

Many are skeptical of the reality of turning a 1,200-page book into a 2 1/2 hour movie. Should be interesting!

For updates on Atlas Shrugged movie news, visit www.atlasthefilm.com.

Mirren to play Prospero in Tempest

Photo via Guardian

Helen Mirren will play a female Prospero in a new big screen version of Shakespeare's The Tempest, according to the Hollywood Reporter. (She will be known as Prospera because of the gender change. What, is the name French or something? Sheesh.)

Director Julie Taymor is no stranger to Shakespeare adaptations - she directed 1999's Titus, based on Titus Andronicus (and starring Anthony Hopkins).

Jeff Bridges discusses Tron sequel

"Yeah, that's another unique, wild experience that was too good to turn down. Engaging in that world again feels just like it did all that time ago. Basically, I'm still a child, I love being childlike, and here was another chance to play with these crazy toys. And the cutting-edge technology makes it exciting. Doing the teaser trailer for Comic-Con, I had my first experience of motion capture. And that's turning the industry on its head. It's amazing being part of that."

~ Jeff Bridges on the upcoming Tron sequel, Tr2n

[ via Gawker ]