Tag Archives: MGM

Christopher Nolan May Have Been Approached To Direct ‘Bond 24′

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Christopher Nolan May Have Been Approached To Direct Bond 24

Please stop joy crying. There are some things to discuss first.

Yes, it’s true. Some publication out there (specifically Daily Mail) has reported something to the tune of “Christopher Nolan has had informal talks with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson about directing ‘Bond 24.’ “

This isn’t isn’t coming out of left field. Nolan has filled his recent films, “Inception” and “The Dark Knight Rises” especially, with references to 007, and he has previously expressed interested in eventually directing a film. He told Empire, “It would have to be the right situation and the right time in their cycle of things.”

But there are a few problems with this report.

The main problem right now is timing. Nolan is pretty much in full “Interstellar” mode. He has already cast his principles, Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway, and he’s got a late 2014 release date on the books. That’s a quick turnaround for an epic sci-fi adventure that leaves little time for anything else.

The Bond producers have previously stated that they would like to follow-up “Skyfall” sooner rather than later. Since “Bond 23″ did outrageously well at the box office, getting the 50-year-old series back to its film-every-two-years schedule appears to be a top priority. That would put “Bond 24″ on the calendar for 2014, or 2015 if they needed extra time, and “Skyfall’s” director Sam Mendes already passed on the job.

So how could this possibly happen, you ask. We’re going to be perfectly honest. This seems highly unlikely. For Nolan to direct the next Bond movie, Sony and MGM would have to probably wait until 2016, a full four years after “Skyfall.” Considering that a hiatus that long would cool the buzz around the series and that Daniel Craig is getting older every day, it’s unlikely Broccoli and Wilson would hold off on “Bond 24″ just to wait for Nolan. But keep an eye on “Bond 25.”

What do you think of this rumor? Share your thoughts in the comments below and on Twitter!

Could The ‘Tomb Raider’ Reboot Be ‘Hunger Games’-Inspired?

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Could The Tomb Raider Reboot Be Hunger Games Inspired?

Rumors about a “Tomb Raider” reboot have been swirling, particularly since the video game franchise was resurrected by publishers Square Enix Ltd. to rave reviews, selling more than 3 million units worldwide since its release.

Now, MGM has acquired film rights to the video game series, and a new “Tomb Raider” is on the horizon. “We didn##Q##t want to see a film version that was a continuation of the old ##Q##Tomb Raider##Q## films,” developer Crystal Dynamics##Q## chief Darrell Gallagher said. MGM will work with GK Films (“The Departed,” “Gangs of New York,” “World War Z”) to develop the actioner, aiming to emphasize a character-driven storyline with fun and epic adventures.

Simon West##Q##s 2001 adaptation of the game made Angelina Jolie a household name, but the new film will focus on a younger and less experienced Lara Croft, instead of the female Indiana Jones Jolie was portrayed as. From that perspective, we can envision a “Hunger Games-esque” feel to the project, where we get to see more of Lara##Q##s vulnerable side as she grows into the badass adventurer moviegoers are more familiar with. Need further “Hunger Games” comparisons? The new videogame even arms Lara a bow and arrow as she searches for the lost kingdom Yamatai.

While we wait for more cast and crew details, sound off below on your casting picks for a younger, scrappier Lara.

‘Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters’ Getting A Sequel

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Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters Getting A Sequel

“Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” will be fighting the good fight for another day. A sequel for the movie is being developed, and the announcement comes less than two months after the Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Renner-starring film hit theaters.

Deadline has the news, and credits the movie##Q##s global box office success as a main reason that a follow up is being made. MGM and Paramount have reportedly confirmed that a sequel is being worked on, with Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Kevin Messick and Beau Flynn expected to return as producers.

But what about the mains stars, or director Tommy Wirkola? The Deadline article does not mention whether they are contracted to return for another movie. The two talented leads definitely helped make the movie, and it is hard to picture a sequel working quite as well without the same Hansel and Gretel.

Also, will the duo of mercenaries move on to different supernatural creatures now that they have hunted their witch? Maybe vampires, or ghosts, or other creatures that go bump in the night? Whatever they do, at least Arterton and Renner — or whoever else takes over — will know how to do it as badasses.

What are your thoughts on a “Hansel and Gretel” sequel? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!

Sam Mendes Is Reportedly Up For Directing ‘Bond 24′

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Sam Mendes Is Reportedly Up For Directing Bond 24

After making a movie that raked in over $1 billion worldwide and is widely recognized as one of the best James Bond movies, is it any surprise that Sam Mendes is considering returning as director for the upcoming “Bond 24″? Not to us, and we’re glad that he’s finally realizing what a smart idea it is too.

Daily Mail‘s Baz Bamigboye has learned that Mendes is “75 per cent” on board with directing the flick, so it’s not set in stone. Still, that’s better than zero percent, and it seems pretty likely that he’ll helm the next 007 project if he and screenwriter John Logan can develop a movie worth making. “In theory, Mendes is on board, but wants to see the finished script before he fully commits,” Bamigboye writes.

Apparently Logan is still outlining the movie’s plot, and his thoughts for the flick are “in the form of two treatment papers outlining a rough idea of the plot.” If you’re wondering why we keep saying “movie” instead of “movies,” it’s because the plan to make “Bonds 24″ and “25″ have one story arc has been scrapped. Guess Daniel Craig was right about that after all.

The only people who have reportedly seen Logan’s “Bond 24″ plans are Mendes, Craig, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson and “a handful of key executives” at Sony and MGM. The plan is to have the flick head into pre-production late this year or in early 2014, which works well for Mendes because he’s directing Simon Russell Beale in “King Lear,” a production that opens at London’s National Theatre in January 2014.

Would you like to see Mendes direct “Bond 24″? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!

‘Red Dawn’: The Reviews Are In!

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Don’t be confused by the title; there are no vampires to be found in “Red Dawn.” Instead, director Dan Bradley’s remake of the 1984 action cult classic sees “Avengers” and “Hunger Games” stars (among others) engaged in guerilla warfare against North Korean soldiers on American soil — about as different from “Breaking Dawn” as it possibly gets.

But even though “Red Dawn” has “Thor” actor Chris Hemsworth and the bread-baking Josh Hutcherson on its side, the impressive cast list hasn’t been enough to attract favorable reviews on its own. While some critics have praised the film’s acting and action sequences, many others have skewered “Red Dawn” over plot and script issues, not to mention the controversial decision to change the nationality of the film’s villains in post-production.

Read on for a sample of “Red Dawn” reviews.

All In On Action
“A lot of the movie’s success comes down to the excellent action sequences, and that’s where having a guy like first-time director Dan Bradley — who spent years working as a stunt coordinator and second unit director on a number of big films — pays off. He may not get the best performances from his actors when it counts, but the action scenes are never lacking in excitement, and they account for a large part of ‘Red Dawn.’” — Jason Zingale, Bullz-Eye.com

Better Than The Original?
“It’s not saying much that the new ‘Red Dawn’ is better, but it is. By quite a bit. Where the original’s chilling opening of foreign paratroopers invading Colorado and firing into a school gave way to a nonsensical tale of high school kids absolutely dominating trained soldiers, the makers of the 2012 ‘Red Dawn‘ actually took time to figure out how to make the movie work.” — Matt Pais, Red Eye Chicago

Maybe Not.
“Made in 2009, and then set on a shelf since 2010 as part of the financial woes of original distributor MGM, this remake, directed by stunt veteran Dan Bradley, feels a little too quick and crisp and cool. You know when one of your favorite rock songs gets rewritten and sped up and cleaned up to sell, say, orange juice or dietary supplements? That’s what the new ‘Red Dawn’ feels like: a surface-level photocopy with all of the problems of the first film and none of the accidental, seen-in-the-rearview power.” — James Rocchi, MSN Movies

The “Garbage” Review
“‘Red Dawn’ is one of the rare cases where a movie isn’t just poor, it is inadvisable. It is even, perhaps, irresponsible given the current political climate. The meat of ‘Red Dawn‘ remains free of politics, which is actually a detriment to the story, but it opens with a montage of rock solid xenophobia and saber-rattling against Kim Jong-un, the young new leader of North Korea. It’s almost preposterous enough to elicit laughter. Almost. … This paint-by-numbers picture with false drama and middling action has next to nothing to justify its very existence. ‘Red Dawn,’ on a fundamental level, is garbage.” — Jordan Hoffman, Film.com

The Face-Value Review
“Ultimately, ‘Red Dawn’ is a fun film that knows enough not to try to be anything it’s not. Most of the cast is solid, the action is good, and there’s a nice sprinkling of legitimately funny moments throughout. Thankfully, the high melodrama from the original is toned way down and traded for some quiet heart and emotion. Political stances and statements take a backseat to kids kicking ass allowing the audience to simply set back and enjoy themselves. — Luke Mullen, Film School Rejects

Check out everything we’ve got on “Red Dawn.”

Watch Chris Hemsworth Get Flirty In Exclusive ‘Red Dawn’ Clip!

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After three years of an uncertain fate after the MGM bankruptcy, the remake of “Red Dawn” is just a few weeks away from hitting the big screen. Like its brother-in-arms “The Cabin in the Woods,” “Red Dawn” stars a couple doe-eyed up-and-comers who just may go on to star in “The Hunger Games,” or, in the case of both movies, “The Avengers.”

For a brief sneak peek at the trip back in time to 2009, look no further than this exclusive clip, which just so happens to feature Chris Hemsworth, years before he lead his hair grow out and began summoning thunder.

In the clip, we see Hemsworth as Jed, taking over the role from Patrick Swayze in the original 1984 from director John Milius, encounter Toni, played by “Friday Night Lights” stand-out and “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” star Adrianne Palicki. Jed and Toni briefly reminisce about the times their families used to camp together, an experience that should come in handy when the story of “Red Dawn” gets going.

For those of you unfamiliar with the basic premise of “Red Dawn,” the movie tells the story of a group of teens in small town America that escapes capture and bands together to form a guerilla-style resistance, known to them at the Wolverines, when the United States is invaded by North Korean forces. Jed, as the member of the Wolverines with actual military experience, becomes the leader of the militia as they fight to free their country.

“Red Dawn” also stars Josh Hutcherson, Isabel Lucas, and Jeffrey Dean Mrogan, and opens in theaters on November 21.

Check out everything we’ve got on “Red Dawn.”

James Bond’s ‘Skyfall’ Seduces Overseas Box Office With $77.7 M Premiere

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If the overseas debut of “Skyfall” is any indication, Bond has returned and he’s stronger than ever.

The 23rd adventure of her majesty’s greatest spy premiered over the weekend in 25 foreign markets, including Bond’s native U.K., and took in an impressive $77.7 million, according to Box Office Mojo.

That figure puts “Skyfall” significantly in front of the previous two installments from current Bond, Daniel Craig, “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace,” in most of those foreign markets.

Two weeks out from its U.S. debut, “Skyfall” may be the latest 007 movie on track to out-earn both “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace,” which totaled $427 million and $418 million, respectively.

In the fight to be the highest grossing movie of 2012, “Skyfall” won’t have the added benefit of 3-D surcharges like “The Avengers” did, but with an early Stateside IMAX release on November 8, Bond could get a boost from the more expensive tickets, as he did in the European markets.

The James Bond series of films have always been a box office force to be reckoned with. The 50-year-old franchise has taken in $5 billion to date, and two more installments staring Craig are already planned.

By all accounts, “Skyfall” is destined for an enormous box-office total. The impressive take in the overseas markets are only the most recent indicator of the financial and cultural return of the series, which took four years off — double the typical beak — due largely to MGM‘s bankruptcy.

Many of the early reviews have declared “Skyfall” one of the best films in the series and praised Craig’s performance, as well as the villainous turn from Javier Bardem.

The Five Best Moments From Drew Goddard’s Reddit AMA

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d7b3b cabin The Five Best Moments From Drew Goddards Reddit AMA

There are a multitude of things you might have spent your Saturday doing but, if you were lucky enough to be on Reddit, then you might have noticed that Drew Goddard did an Ask Me Anything.

The “Cabin in the Woods” director opened up about all things “Cabin” and Joss Whedon, including his time working on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the fact that the two of them are “always cooking up something.” The conversation is full of plenty of fun nuggets — like did you know “Cabin” was originally Whedon’s idea? — but some of them are worth more than a passing glance. (Hint: if you’re a “Left 4 Dead” fan, keep reading). We decided to put together the top five best moments from Goddard’s AMA for your viewing pleasure, so keep reading to find out some of the most interesting tidbits from the director’s chat with the Reddit community.

The “Left 4 Dead” Crossover That Never Was
Hey video game fans, did you know that there originally was supposed to be a “Left 4 Dead 2″ expansion pack that allowed you to play in the “Cabin in the Woods” world? Unfortunately the fact that MGM went bankrupt forced the idea to be ditched, but that’s why there are some “L4D” infected who make cameo appearances in the movie. “The game was gonna be amazing,” Goddard writes. “You were gonna be able to play in both the upstairs ‘Cabin in the Woods’ world and the downstairs ‘facility’ world with all the monsters. Believe me, I HATE all video games based on movies, they always suck, but porting Cabin into Left For Dead felt like the right fit. It pains me that it didn’t happen.”

Missed Merchandising Opportunities
Remember that collapsible bong that turns into a coffee mug from the beginning of “Cabin in the Woods”? Well, so does Goddard. When a fan asks where he can buy one of them, Goddard (jokingly?) explains that he’s been trying to get Lionsgate to sell the item for a while now. “Every single day I tell Lionsgate to start manufacturing collapsible coffee mug bongs. Please help me and call them nonstop until this happens. Tell them Drew sent you,” he says.

Writing With Joss Whedon Is A Treat
We have a feeling that Goddard and Whedon are both crazy enough for Goddard’s account of their writing process to be true. “Every time he writes a new line, he screams, ‘Daddy did it again!’ and then spikes a football at me,” Goddard recalls of writing the “Cabin” script with Joss Whedon. “It’s super annoying, I’m not gonna lie. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t even know what a football is. He yells things like ‘Three pointer!’ and ‘Hole in one!’”

The Staff Of “Buffy The Vampie Slayer” Were Big Geeks
If you look up Drew Goddard on IMDb like one Redditor did, you’ll find that he used to go by the name of “Ultimate Drew.” When asked to explain the nickname, Goddard says, “When I first started writing for Buffy The Vampire Slayer, there was already another ‘Drew’ on staff (the great Drew Z. Greenberg.) So everyone started calling him ‘Golden Age Drew’ and me ‘Ultimate Drew.’ (There were a lot of comic book geeks on the staff.)” This just makes us happy.

The Could Be A “Cabin In The Woods” Prequel
Thank you, Redditor SillySully7, for asking the question we all wanted to ask: Would Goddard write a movie explaining how all the monsters got into their cubes in “Cabin in the Woods”? The director’s simple answer: “Yes.” When another Redditor begged him to make a prequel and a prequel to that prequel and so on and so forth, Goddard followed with, “Okay.”

Would you like to see another “Cabin in the Woods” film? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!

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‘Red Dawn’ Trailer Blows Stuff Up Real Good

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e7056 Red Dawn 1 Red Dawn Trailer Blows Stuff Up Real Good

At the very least, the first trailer for the “Red Dawn” remake is a magical trip back to 2009.

Thanks to MGM‘s bankruptcy, the nearly three-year-old retelling of a Chinese North Korean invasion of the United States is finally getting a release. The film hits this Thanksgiving, but today Yahoo! Movies dropped the first trailer for “Red Dawn,” starring Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, and Adrianne Palicki.

Check it out after the jump!

In the remake of the cult classic from 1984, an American city awakens to the surreal sight of foreign paratroopers dropping from the sky – shockingly, the U.S. has been invaded and their hometown is the initial target. Quickly and without warning, the citizens find themselves prisoners and their town under enemy occupation. Determined to fight back, a group of young patriots seek refuge in the surrounding woods, training and reorganizing themselves into a guerilla group of fighters. Taking inspiration from their high school mascot, they call themselves the Wolverines, banding together to protect one another, liberate their town from its captors, and take back their freedom.

What did you think of the first “Red Dawn” trailer? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

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The Wolverines Prepare For War In ‘Red Dawn’ Poster

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f4079 Red Dawn Banner The Wolverines Prepare For War In Red Dawn Poster

By Ryan Gowland

Back in September of 2009, the remake of “Red Dawn” started production in Michigan under the direction of first-time helmer Dan Bradley, who had worked as a stunt coordinator and second unit director on three “Bourne” movies, including the upcoming “Bourne Legacy.”

The cast was filled with relative unknowns, including Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as the lead, alongside Josh Hutcherson, the most well known of the cast having just appeared in “Journey to the Center of Earth” following performances in “Zathura” and “RV.” Expected to arrive in 2010, “Red Dawn” took an unexpected detour which has finally come to an end.

Check out the new poster for “Red Dawn” after the jump!

A victim of MGM‘s financial issues, “Red Dawn” was put on the shelf until FilmDistrict decided to dust it off last year. The intervening years gave the producers time to change the invading country from China to North Korea, and gave both Hemsworth and Hutcherson time to gain more recognition. The rest of the cast have done well too, with Isabel Lucas playing Athena in last year’s “Immortals” and Adriane Palicki scoring roles in an ill-fated “Wonder Woman” pilot and the now-delayed “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.”

At long last, a new poster for “Red Dawn” has arrived, which could mean that a trailer is not far behind. Hutcherson told MTV News in 2010 that the remake will keep the “American, patriotic feel of the original” which is certainly true of the poster, released by Yahoo!, which highlights its cast standing in front of an American flag and brandishing plenty of machine guns.

f4079 Red Dawn Poster The Wolverines Prepare For War In Red Dawn Poster

What do you think of the poster? Are you excited for the “Red Dawn” remake to open on November 21st? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

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