CGI Popeye Movie Coming Soon?

Bloody hell... First the Smurfs, and now Popeye!

Variety has confirmed that Sony Pictures Animation will be animating and bringing the spinach-eating sailor Popeye to the big screen in an all-CGI animated movie. Mike Jones (of only The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break screenplay) landed the job of writing the script, but no director has been chosen yet. "I'm an unabashed, lifelong Popeye fan," said Jones. "Introducing this squinty-eyed sailor to a new generation also means reintroducing him to those who grew up with him."

King Features Syndicate controls the property and decided to bring it to Arad. "Scott [Sassa] called me and said, 'I have something for you,'" said Arad, who grew up watching Popeye short movies in Israel. "I literally started singing the famous Popeye song (after securing the rights). What always blew me away is the level of the animation. It was so beautiful and unbelievably detailed." Of course, this is also going to be arriving in 3D, but that's expected for pretty much every animated movie released these days.

I can't really remember the live-action Robin Williams movie (even though my Aunt was in it when it filmed in Malta) but I think a 3-D CGI movie would be a better attempt. Can't say it'll be one I'll be taking the kids to, but you never know!

Olivia Munn Has A New Role In Iron Man 2...

It looks as if the beautiful Olivia Munn got cut out of Iron Man 2 in the editing phase due to her part not fitting in with the tone of the movie, but due to being liked for the work she'd contributed she was asked to return to re-shoot a new part in the movie, as a Marvel character!

Here's the news from an interview by Josh Wright of Dual Shockers:

You’re in two gigantic movies this year. Let’s talk about Iron Man 2 first because it’s ****ing Iron Man 2.

Olivia Munn: Actually, they just gave me another role in the film. I had to reshoot all of my scenes.

Wait, didn’t they start filming like last year or something?

Olivia Munn: Yeah, but as they started to edit they realized it was becoming darker than what they’d expected and what my scenes had allowed for. My parts were lighthearted and comedic.

Yikes.

Olivia Munn: Jon Favreau called and was like, “I’ve got good news and bad news: This is what’s happening in editing but we all really like you.” Marvel and Jon had to add another character from the Marvel universe to keep me included.

I need details! Tell us anything about the old or new role.

Olivia Munn: I can’t talk specifics because it’s Iron Man 2! But when they call, you say, “OK, I’m there. What do you need?” You don’t say, “Who is this Marvel? Did you call my agent? Is FIJI Water on set?” Everyone knows who the stars are in this movie. I’m not one of them and I understand the editing process. Some things don’t work out.

What if you’d stayed on the cutting room floor?

Olivia Munn: I would’ve started crying.

Comic-Con would not have been pretty. Your fans would’ve bugged.

Olivia Munn: My Chinese mother would have gone absolutely ballistic. She would’ve thrown shoes. Curling irons. She would’ve been physically looking for Jon Favreau.


So we now know that Olivia's original part was light hearted, so was she just cameoing as a fan girl at the Stark Expo we've seen in the trailers? As a news reporter? As herself on a t.v. screen in the background? As one of Tony's totty girls? We won't find out until someone lets loose on the subject after the film's been released, but we do now know that she's upped her role into that of an actual Marvel character. So who do we now think she'll be playing? My choices are:

Maria Hill of S.H.I.E.L.D

The Wasp (Avenger)

Scarlet Witch (Avenger)

Only problem being that Olivia supposedly has little to no acting skills so I doubt it'll be a big role, or an important one that we'll see in a future movie like the Avengers. So I'm going with Maria Hill, but hoping for one of the other two! ;)

And if that wasn't enough you can see Olivia's newest photo shoot HERE (from Complex magazine) where she's scantily clad amongst various animated animals which look like they're from a Disney movie or two... She's still cuter nonetheless. Enjoy!

New Star Wars Adidas Trainers - Hoth And Boba Fett!

Adidas continue their Star Wars themed trainers with these two new additions, Hoth and Boba Fett!

Coooooool!

Jamie Foxx & Bruce Willis For Kane & Lynch Video Game Movie?

It's old news that Bruce Willis has been attached to the Kane & Lynch video game adaptation movie for some time now (as Kane) but recent news suggests that Jamie Foxx has signed on now too (as Lynch)...

I know it's a stupid thing to say but if I'm not mistaken aren't both Kane & Lynch white? Bruce Willis = Kane, Jamie Foxx = Lynch? Nope, don't see it, sorry.

When it comes to a movie like this where the source material is pretty clear and the characters are so strong that only specific actors should be chosen it confuses the hell out of me why studios would think that Mr. Foxx would be good for the role. Even Bruce Willis doesn't really cut it for me. In my head I'm looking at George Clooney for Kane (a-la From Dusk Til Dawn attitude) and maybe John Malkovich for Lynch (add a bit of long thinning hair to the back of his head and make him as psychotic as in Con Air etc and we're good to go).

But hey, who am I to judge!

Monster Squad Remake Coming Soon?

Whoah, whoah, whoah... Are you trying to p**s me off Hollywood?

Remakes are coming way too thick and fast at the moment and although I've been content with most of the offerings we've heard about recently I have to say right here and now that they're personally stepping on my toes with this one!

One of my all time favourite movies back when I was 9 years old was Monster Squad, a movie about a bunch of monster movie lovers who come across the diary of Van Helsing and end up battling the likes of Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, a Mummy, a Wolf-man and a Gill-man in their home town. It's become a cult classic over the years for good reason. Goonies and Lost Boys have their avid followers, so does this one.

This is the news:

The Platinum Dunes banner, now partnered with Paramount, and producers Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form might be following up their most recent reboots of Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street with another remake being tossed into the mix, as Deadline reports they are developing a remake of the 1987 horror comedy Monster Squad with Fast and the Furious director Rob Cohen set to direct and produce (he also produced the original back in the day). They're currently meeting with writers to get things going on this remake that will surely upset some people.

Yeah, me. If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it!

Chris Evans Is Captain America!

Yes it's true Chris Evans (The Human Torch in the two Fantastic Four movies) was offered and has now accepted the role of none other than Captain America in the 'First Avenger' movie.

Aside from the Thor casting this has been the hottest topic of debate for the last few months in the comic book movie world and there has been so much on/off casting news that I've waited until the last minute to post anything just to see what happened.

Chris was actually one of my top 8 choices back in December 2008 (wow has it been that long?) which you can read HERE but ultimately I ruled him out due to his age and already being a Marvel movie actor in the Fantastic Four films. But due to the fact that the studios were looking for a younger actor (obviously as it's a 'birth-of-a-character' movie) and someone who fitted the role (tall, blond, blue eyed, physically fit and not an A-lister) he suited it perfectly. I'm only worried that Chris can't bring the necessary focus and hard-assed seriousness needed for the role (as his past efforts have always featured a lot of humour) but I'm sure Marvel know what they're doing here. Chris is also signed on for 3 movies as part of this deal so we're talking The First Avenger, The Avengers and then either a Captain America sequel or Avengers sequel. We'll see what happens.

Congrats Chris, hope you do us all proud. Can't wait to see you holding that shield dude!

Michael Rosenbaum NOT Returning to Smallville...

Michael Rosenbaum posted on Twitter the other day that good news is coming, but that a Smallville return is not in the cards.

"Sorry. It's not Smallville related. I've already stated that I'm not returning. I'd never lead you guys on like that. I appreciate your support," he wrote.

He did, however, reveal he has a funny role in Christian Slater's upcoming FOX TV pilot about a group of computer hackers. More information about that project should be available soon.

So for all of you Smallville lovers out there who were hoping for Michael to return as Lex you're out of luck (as long as he's not holding back on a secret etc) but that doesn't rule out the return of Lex Luthor himself. Who's to say that Lex didn't survive the explosion only to have reconstructive surgery on his face and will return as another actor altogether? We've seen and heard bits and pieces in season 9 about Lex being Clark's big-bad for his future and we now know he survived (if you didn't know Superman's future anyway) so maybe it's true. Another actor could and should play Lex when his character hopefully returns either at the end of season 9 (nice cliff hanger) or season 10...

Matt Smith Dr. Who - Teaser Trailers For New Series!

OK contrary to the rest of the world I think Matt Smith is actually growing on me as the new Doctor and I haven't even seen the new season yet (which starts next month).

Here are a couple of trailers for you to decide if you like him or not. If it's at all possible Smith actually seems to be more cooky and kick-ass than David Tennant (having seen him punching people out and wielding guns in previous trailers) plus I love the line about monsters being afraid of him... Getting excited about the new series now!

Big Names Cast For Transformers 3?

Director Michael Bay has posted an update on his official website to provide some casting news, which includes the recruitment of some big names. The three actors he provided on his website include John Malkovich (Burn After Reading), Frances McDormand (Fargo), and Ken Jeong (The Hangover). If you remember John Malkovich was cast as The Vulture in Spiderman 4 until production was cancelled in favour of the reboot. He's jumped from one geeky franchise to another!

Mr. Bay has also provided some shooting updates, writing that they will start pre-shoots in about a month and will shoot at a diverse set of locations within the U.S., including LA, Chicago, Washington DC, Florida, and Texas.

Just like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the film will be going global, and will shoot in Africa, Moscow, and China.

Mr. Bay has also announced that there is a new Autobot in town, the Ferrari 458 Italia. He announced it during a Ferrari charity event where he was raising money for a hospital being built by Ferrari in Haiti.

Transformers 3 is set for a July 1, 2011 release with Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox returning as Sam Witwicky and Mikaela Banes, respectively. Kevin Dunn is also in negotiations to return as Ron Witwicky and Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, and Tony Todd have all indicated they will return.

Olivia Wilde And Freida Pinto Both Cast in Bond 23?

At the moment this is just a rumour but BangShowbiz through Yahoo UK is reporting that Freida Pinto, the Indian actress who starred in Slumdog Millionaire, has landed a role as one of the Bond Girls in the upcoming Bond 23 due in 2011. Oscar winning director Sam Mendes was supposedly on-board to at least "consult" and hopefully direct this newest Bond movie, but nothing was moving forward until MGM found a buyer. On top of the Pinto news, the article also mentions that Tron Legacy actress Olivia Wilde "has been approached" to play a role as another Bond girl as well.

Not sure how true any of this is, but apparently Pinto has signed a "multi-million pound deal" to play one of Bond's love interests and a source says it "will be a typically glamorous and raunchy role." Additionally, they claim that it will be set in Afghanistan of all places. As for Wilde's character, they say she plays "a double-crossing UN worker based in Afghanistan." They also add that Sam Mendes "has been talking about Bond for months now" and is going for "the most ambitious 007 yet" with "plans to reinvent the genre."

Hmmmm... Nice if it's true, both girls are stunning and have recently been in the limelight so this doesn't feel a million miles away from the truth!

Cool Vid - TMNT Origins: Casey Jones

Another fan-film to get your pizza eating teeth into here.

Some Turtle fans in Austin Texas have put together this trailer/ preview for their Casey Jones movie featuring not only the hockey mask wearing vigilante but also a pretty convincing Turtle costumed dude too. They've even used a track from the original Turtles movie in the background. I should know, I still own the cassette!

Enjoy!

Overboard Getting The Remake Treatment?

My missus almost coughed up her lunch when I told her this news (this is one of her favourite 80's movies and is just that little bit sacred to her).

Jennifer Lopez (yes that's right, frickin Jennifer Lopez) is in talks to star in the remake of the romantic comedy "Overboard," which Overbrook is producing for Columbia.

The 1987 movie, which starred Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn and was directed by Garry Marshall, centered on a snooty, spoiled woman who falls off her yacht and is taken to the hospital by a local, morally challenged carpenter. When she wakes up with amnesia, he convinces her she is his wife, thereby getting a free housekeeper for his four boys.

Whether this goes ahead or not is another matter, but if it does we all know it'll never match the original, which even I like... Why oh why are we getting so many remakes?

Highlander The Next Generation In 2012?

I've seen the movies, watched the t.v. series and a little of the animated series so the news that a new Highlander movie might be released in 2012 is strange (as you'd think they'd have flogged that particular donkey to death by now) but maybe exciting.

Summit Entertainment, along with Davis-Panzer Productions, plan to release the next generation of HIGHLANDER in the summer of 2012. The film making team behind this past spring’s hit film FAST & FURIOUS – director Justin Lin and producer Neal H. Moritz – along with the rest of the HIGHLANDER team are looking to start production in the first quarter of 2011.

Good news or not, "There can be only one" will be shouted with glee once again during mock sword fights post Summer 2012!

DC Movies Going Ahead? - Flash, Wonder Woman & 2nd Animated Green Lantern!

Yep that's right not only will we be getting the third Christopher Nolan Batman movie and the Superman reboot but now Warner Bros are saying that The Flash and Wonder Woman will be considered as the first of their new superhero "tentpole" movies for the future, and they'll all be released in 3-D!

This news from the web:

At the ShowWest event recently, Warner Brothers executive Alan Horn made an announcement regarding the release of the studio's future superhero franchises. All DC Comic Book Films will now be distributed in 3D; an announcement that many knew was bound to come. That includes the upcoming Superman reboot and Christopher Nolan's third Batman film. Horn also responded to the outward criticism of late regarding films that are converted to 3D in post production. Horn said, on behalf of the studio, “in our opinion, conversion to 3D doesn’t lessen” the quality of the 3D experience.

More importantly, Steve Weintraub at Collider.com revealed that a plethora of DC Comics properties will replace the void left after the last Harry Potter movie hits theaters. That's right, Warner Bros. is planning on using superhero movies as their tentpole films.

Over the past nine years, the Harry Potter movies have monopolized the box office and given Warner Bros. little worry of financial stability. With the wizard franchise coming to a close this year, some of your favorite DC heroes will finally get their big screen dues.

Weintraub says that 2012 will not only bring us the much anticipated sequel to The Dark Knight, but the first Flash feature film as well; with a possible Wonder Woman movie soon to follow. Rumored Flash director Greg Berlanti was in attendance at ShowWest, but refused to comment on this latest news.

Though Chris Nolan, who is not only directing the next Batman installment but also overseeing production on the untitled Superman project, has made an adamant stand not to allow room for superhero crossovers, it is still unclear if the strategy has Warner Bros. blessing. Green Lantern director Martin Campbell has also said that we should not expect to see any DC superhero references in his film that don't immediately pertain to the Hal Jordan origin story (i.e. no Superman). Whether these future comic book adaptations will take place in their own independent time lines hasn't been confirmed; but it is doubtful many will complain if they are at least offered to opportunity to see some of their favorite characters receive their long overdue film credit.


News also hit last week that a second Green Lantern animated movie will be released in 2011.

Comics Continuum learned that the second feature is in the works over at Warner Bros. According to their source, the direct-to-video feature will be (of course) released alongside Martin Campbell's Green Lantern live action movie in 2011.

According to sources, it will be part of a direct-to-video project that will be timed for release of the live-action Green Lantern movie in the summer of 2011. The story will not follow one of the Earth-bound Lanterns (Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner or Kyle Rayner), but will tell of the origins of the Green Lantern Corps itself and showcase the first ring wielders.

The storyline would give audiences a good introduction to the live action film, and delve deeper into the history of the Guardians, Oa and (hopefully) the Manhunters; who were the predecessors to the Green Lantern Corps. Marvel seems to be employing the same strategy with the release of their animated film Thor: Tales of Asgard coinciding with the big screen Thor adaptation.



Awesome news all round!

Kick-Ass - Final Trailer...

Yet another Kick-Ass trailer before the movie finally opens up next month.

Really looking forward to this, as I know everyone else is!

The Return Of Batman Beyond...

Unfortunately this isn't the return of Batman Beyond in the animated t.v. format but rather a new DC comic series heading our way in June 2010.

I was a big fan of the animated series and as I'll hopefully soon be opening a comic book store this year I'm getting more and more into new comics and graphic novels being released.

Here's some info on the new run:

The new series will kick off in June and will be written by Adam Beechen, with art by Ryan Benjamin.

The series will be a six-issue mini.

Batman Beyond will pit the future Dark Knight against his own past, as a dangerous force has begun to target Bruce Wayne’s old foes. Can Wayne’s past put Terry’s future in danger?

“The dark future of the legendary animated series comes to the DCU in a six-issue miniseries, as Terry McGinnis, Bruce Wayne’s young successor as Batman, faces his deadliest foe yet — a mystery murderer from the Dark Knight’s past! Old faces return, new allies and enemies step into the light, and the partnership between Terry and Bruce — not to mention Terry and Bruce themselves — might not survive!”


Looking forward to this!

BATTLE OF THE HOTTIES IN IRON MAN 2

So what are you looking forward to when IRON MAN hits the screens this may? The awesome battles? War Machine? Whiplash? Not me.....I'm looking forward to Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, and Olivia Munn all in the same movie.

Why, I hear you ask.....just check out the pics for the reason why. I'm hoping that a mud wrestling scene has been written in with all three involved!!!

Enjoy.

DK.











Who's your favourite? I'm leaning towards Miss Johansson, although the others are super hot too.............Olivia Munn is a geeks perfect woman!!!! (check out the princess leia photo!!!)

PREDATORS - Trailer hits web, and looks great.

This is the first official trailer for this summers reboot of the PREDATOR franchise....and boy does this reboot it back into the 21st century. Enjoy the trailer and get ready for the hunt this summer


The story revolves around a group of Earths worst killers being picked up and dropped on to an alien planet, where they become the prey for the universes worst killer....the PREDATOR'S.



We'll have to wait for the summer to see who wins..........my money is on the big ugly fella.....and I'm not talking about Laurence Fishburne.

The cast include Rodriguez regular Danny Trejo, The Shield's Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne and Russian UFC champion Oleg Taktarov, along with Alice Braga, Adrien Brody and Topher Grace. (Topher Grace? WTF?)

This should be awesome!!

Laters

DK.

More Predators Videos

Megamind - New Trailer

Another movie I'd never heard about until today, Megamind is a Dreamworks CG animated movie starring the voice talents of Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Tina Fey.

When super villain MegaMind (Will Ferrell) defeats his archrival Metro Man (Brad Pitt), the world should be his oyster. But instead, MegaMind falls into total despair. It turns out that life without a rival is life without a purpose for him. So he creates a new superhero rival, Titan (Jonah Hill). Unfortunately for him and the world, the new hero wants to be a super villain too. The new villain begins his rampage, and MegaMind sets out to stop him, beginning a path to redemption in the process.

The film will be released in the US on November 5, 2010.

Here's the teaser trailer:

Cool Galleries...

More cool art work and photography links for you to peruse and enjoy.

Click on each pic to be taken to the gallery holding the rest of the images. Love some of the stuff here.

The Mechanic - New Jason Statham Movie Trailer

Didn't hear of this until today but after seeing this low res trailer on Youtube I think I'm interested. I'm a big Statham fan and can't wait for The Expendables which he's in soon.

The movie is a remake of the 1972 original starring Charles Bronson and features Statham and Ben Foster (X-Men III and Pandorum) as two hitmen, one training the other, with dire consequences.

Enjoy!

Lego Cube Dudes Rock!

Unbelievable. These little Lego creations are truly awesome things to behold and although I've been seeing the odd one of two on various sites across the web I never actually knew the extent to which this collection actually grew to.

Visit the flickr stream HERE to see over 330 individual creations including movie, comic and t.v. characters from various franchises. Awesome stuff!

Smurfs 3-D - Casting Update...

More news from the little-blue-people-with-white-caps camp. The legend that is Hank Azaria will be playing a live-action version of none other than Gargamel, the sworn enemy of the Smurfs and creator of Smurfette. Live-action? Didn't expect that for some reason but I can definitely see it in my head, wonder if Azrael will be there too? Of course he will, wouldn't be Smurfs without that mangy ginger moggy!




Jayma Mays (most recently seen in Heroes as Hiro's love interest Charlie and as Emma on Glee) will be playing Neil Patrick Harris' pregnant wife.

Smurfs 3-D takes place in Central Park New York and centers on the happy expectant couple's lives being turned upside-down upon meeting these little blue creatures.

I'm actually looking forward to this... although I'm still getting the Chipmunk vibe, which really isn't good!

The Captain America Cartoon That Never Was...

Another link snagged from Comicbookmovie.com here in the form of a Youtube promo vid for a proposed Captain America cartoon that never came to fruition. Dammed shame seeing as his appearance in any other Marvel cartoons and animated movies have been highly enjoyable. One of my favourite X-Men cartoons was in the last series where we took a trip back to World War II to see Wolverine/ Logan's first encounter with the Captain battling the Red Skull. Loved it!

Only thing I'll say which is negative is that his shield looks waaaaaaay too small!

John Stewart In Green Lantern Movie?

This maybe a long shot here but ex marine turned actor Nick Jones posted up on his Twitter account recently that he had a small role in the new Green Lantern movie as and ex marine...

OK so aside from the typecasting similarity of being an ex marine the big thing here is that certain people on the Internet (namely on Comicbookmovie.com) now think that Jones could be cameoing as none other than John Stewart, a Green Lantern of Earth who takes over the mantle post Hal Jordan, along with Kyle Rayner and Guy Gardner.

The evidence (if you can call it that) is below. See what you think. Stewart or just a standard marine in a bar scene? You would have thought that if they were going to make a sequel (which is more than likely) and cameo a character who is pretty damn huge in the continuity they'd choose a bigger actor and not a model/marine/actor such as Nick Jones (no offence, he certainly looks the part). Or will the studios just do an Iron-Man Rhodey switcheroo with the actors if that happens?





And if that is the case that would add to the ongoing confirmed list of Green Lanterns appearing in the movie. This list includes Hal, Abin Sur, Tomar Re, Kilowog, Salaak and Sinestro. Can't wait!

Toy Story 3 - New Character Pic - Sparks

The newest member of the Toy Story 3 team to show up online this week is Sparks!

Sanctuary Season 3 Starts Production...

Being the HUGE fan of Amanda Tapping and Sanctuary that I am I'm hugely excited to hear that the 3rd series started filming on the 15th of March.

This is from Syfy's official announcement:

SYFY'S SANCTUARY BEGINS PRODUCTION ON SEASON 3

New York, NY - March 16, 2010 - Syfy's groundbreaking hit original series Sanctuary, commenced production on its third season in Vancouver on March 15. The one-hour drama's 20-episode season is slated to return to Syfy this fall.

Sanctuary is one of television's most groundbreaking series, shooting almost entirely on green screen. The series was the first television series in North America to use the RED camera exclusively, and its stunning visual effects were nominated for a 2008 Emmy Award.

Season three picks up from the adrenaline-fueled action of season two, which raised the stakes for the brilliant scientist Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping) and her team, who use their unique combination of instinct, medicine and cutting-edge science and technology to find and aid a clandestine population of beings that the world refuses to believe exist. Sanctuary also stars Robin Dunne as forensic psychiatrist Dr. Will Zimmerman, Agam Darshi as the quick-witted Kate Freelander, Ryan Robbins as tech wiz Henry Foss and Christopher Heyerdahl as the sinister John Druitt.

Created by Damian Kindler (Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis), Sanctuary is produced in association with Syfy and is distributed by Tricon Films and Television. Season three of the series will be executive produced by Damian Kindler, Amanda Tapping, Martin Wood, Keith Beedie and Tricon Films.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 96 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

Mission Impossible Star Peter Graves Dies Aged 83...

Another Hollywood loss this week with the passing of the original 1960's Mission Impossible tv star Peter Graves. His death is thought to be down to natural causes.

Peter was best known for playing Jim Phelps in the classic M.I. series as well as being a well known 1950's actor right through to 2010 when he narrated the game "Darkstar".

His acting work included Buck Rogers, Airplane and 7th Heaven as well as voice work in Disney productions, American Dad and even the last Leisure Suit Larry game.

R.I.P Peter...