Showing posts with label Frank Miller. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frank Miller. Show all posts
Eva Green Could Join The 300 Prequel
Joel Edgerton In Talks For 300 Battle Of Artemisia
William Monahan Tackling Sin City 2 Script
James Mangold Will Direct The Wolverine
20th Century Fox has finally chosen a director to replace Darren Aronofsky. Deadline reports that James Mangold (Walk The Line) has nabbed the director's chair and will start production on The Wolverine in the fall. Hopefully this means that the studio still plans on shooting on location in Japan.Mangold wasn't my favorite choice out of the recent group of candidates but he isn't a bad one either. He's no stranger to action films with his previous work on 3:10 To Yuma and Knight & Day. He does have a visual edge to his movies so with a solid script from Christopher McQuarrie (Usual Suspects) I have no doubt he can improve on the last Wolverine film. It's expected that The Wolverine will be it's own film ignoring the events of X-Men: Wolverine Origins. More than anything focusing on the raw source material that Frank Miller wrote.
Fox Hires Screenwriter For Daredevil
RUMOR: Xavier Samuel In The Running For Daredevil?
There is some speculation that Twilight alum Xavier Samuel could be a candidate for Matt Murdock. Slade recently tweeted an image of the Australian actor donning shades when defending not using 3D. Previously there had been rumors of Bradley Cooper, Robert Pattinson and Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy, Troy). While I think Hedlund is a solid choice an up and comer could be what the reboot needs.
Duncan Jones Confirms Talks With Fox To Direct Wolverine
Jones is having trouble financing his science fiction thriller Mute. Which is set in a futuristic Berlin when a mute bartender's girlfriend is kidnapped. I would assume that if he made a deal with Fox they could end up financing Mute in return for his directing services on The Wolverine. Fox made a similar deal with Darren Aronofsky that I expect is still valid even though he's left Wolverine. A deal with Fox Searchlight could be a great career move for Jones as he would be able to make his original films with the backing of a studio who appreciates independent filmmakers.
Duncan Jones Could Direct The Wolverine
Slade seems like a reasonable choice as he was in the initial group of directing candidates but has since been attached to Daredevil. I'm curious to see if he drops Daredevil to focus on The Wolverine which would take up a considerable amount of his time with the projected November 2012 release date. While David has been tagged for directing a Twilight film he's made some awesome films such as Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night. I didn't care for the look of the vampires in 30 Days of Night but it seemed like a faithful film to the comics which should ease reservations of X-Men fans.
Duncan Jones on the other hand might be as creditable as Aronofsky. Jackman previous stated they would be looking at directors similar to Aronofsky. Jones seems like the most applicable to Darren with auteur sensibilities while being able to work on a grand scale with a limited budget. His first film Moon was a stellar homage to work of Ridley Scott but being it's on monster and a great addition to the science fiction genre. Duncan isn't new to being offered big studio genre projects. He previous was in talks for the Superman and Judge Dredd reboots. Along with being a fan favorite to take over directing duties from Jon Favreau on Iron Man 3. Jones has been trying hard to get his speechless thriller Mute made and I'm sure there could be a possibility Fox would fund the film if he directs The Wolverine. I'd personally take Jones over Slade only because I've felt his films have a stronger emotional connection which would be needed for the dramatic script written by Christopher McQuarrie (Jack The Giant Killer, Usual Suspects)
Hugh Jackman Confirms The Wolverine Moving Forward
"So now we’re out looking for a director. We were pretty much ready to go. The script is fantastic — the best we’ve ever had, which is why it attracted Darren in the first place. His personal situation precludes him from doing it now, and I feel for him. But now we need to find a director.....We’re not going to settle. We’re going to find a director as good as Darren, if not better. Well, as good. Everyone is still pushing forward to getting it done."
"We need to find another director and once we've found that, we'll be able to know. It's too early to call on Japan [where the majority of filming will take place], I'm not sure where they're at, so now we're finding another director....Fox is very anxious to make the movie and we're moving ahead full steam to find another director."
Producer Lauren Shulder Donner also recently commented on the film during her interview with Empire Magazine. Giving the impression it will be a true Wolverine film and there won't be forced mutant cameos.
"It will have depth and a dramatic backbone. And yet there's more action in this one than in any one we've ever done. It's such a good script. We have the great Christopher McQuarrie writing and it's very true to the Japanese saga. This is Logan on his own..."
I think it would be a great boost for the film industry over there to have a production like The Wolverine shot there. Hopefully his talk of a director as good as Aronofsky isn't just lip-service as many fans are under the impression that Darren left over creative issues. If they do look into directors like Matt Reeves and Duncan Jones I'd be happy. The statement of a director as good as Darren would give me the idea that David Fincher or someone on his level could be looked into.
Snyder Says Xerxes Script Done Might Not Direct, Could Joe Manganiello Join?
Snyder was also asked if Superman runner up Joe Manganiello (True Blood) would be in the film. Zack liked the idea but also said Joe was a busy man. The film would focus on Themistocles which could be a good role for Joe. Gerard Bulter could return as Leonidas if the script allows.
"This one starts off with a quick retelling of the why of the Persian wars. It starts off at the Battle of Marathon and then it goes back to Themistocles finding out that Persians are invading again. And off we go over to learn a little bit about why Xerxes is the way he is."
Bradley Cooper Rumored Frontrunner For Daredevil, Garrett Hedlund Also Interested
This sounds more promising than the previous rumor that Robert Pattinson would take up the red jumpsuit in the Daredevil reboot. Two seperate new rumors suggest that Bradley Cooper (Hangover, Limitless) is the frontrunner and Garrett Hedlund (Troy, Tron Legacy) is also in the mix for the lead.Garrett had been in the running for Captain America but dropped out early to commit to Tron Legacy and it's sequel. As the Captain America role we be a commitment to six films not leaving much room for Tron 3. Cooper also tested for a superhero role when he was almost locked in as Green Lantern until Ryan Reynolds swooped in and took the role. Bradley is becoming a bigger name but has yet to jump in role of an action lead. Besides his supporting role in the underwhelming A-Team which was a 20th Century Fox film. He's been linked for The Flash but seems like he had a bad experience testing for Green Lantern and won't be doing any DC films anytime soon. A Marvel film might suit Bradley better as I thought he'd make an excellent Hawkeye before Jeremy Renner landed the role. I'd be happy with either of them yet it's still in early stages of development so these won't be the only names attached to the reboot.
Darren Aronofsky Exits The Wolverine
It's a testament to the commitment both the studio and Hugh Jackman have to the movie being shoot in Japan. As many studios might be scared off to start new productions there during the recovery effort. It's interesting they haven't named a new director but it would have to be named soon as the production is set for July with a November-December 2012 release date pending. A recent casting call-sheet for the film was released online so they must someone replace Darren.
My choice to take on the film would be Matt Reeves who is best known for Cloverfield and more recently Let Me In. Reeves had been in the running to take the director's chair before Aronofsky was hired. I assume it's very possible as Reeves has yet to announce his next film and seems like he could jump right in if Fox decides to go with him. David Slade who was also a candidate was just selected to direct their Daredevil reboot so he's likely now out of the running. The real wild card would be if Matthew Vaughn is offered the film as Bryan Singer is busy with Jack The Giant Killer. Vaughn has also yet to announce his next film and will be finished with X-Men First Class come July. I'm sure the studio will announce a new director very soon as they must have a backup.
Daredevil Reboot Rumor Round-Up
EW reports that the lead actors from the first film will not be returning that includes Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner and Colin Farrell. I would expect everyone from the first film will be scrapped and recast. While the film has been mentioned as sequel this one more reason to believe this will be more of a reboot.
Michael Clark Duncan had been vocal of reprising the role of Kingpin who is likely to be in the new film. I'm not sure how Duncan would fit into the reboot if they're recasting the leads it's possible they'd hire a new Kingpin too. While he physically met the requirements for Kingpin he didn't seem menacing enough for the role. It might be just me but Duncan seems more of a sweetheart than a villain.
Jason Statham stated to the LATimes he wanted the role of the Daredevil saying ""Forget Bullseye, I want to be Daredevil!...Absolutely, just give me the chance, I would love to be Daredevil"and Frank Miller gave his blessing "I think he should be Daredevil too!".
Statham should get the role as he's a stable for action films and wouldn't overshadow the character as most big name actors would. He's got a solid international appeal from his Transporter franchise and enough geek crediblity with films like Crank 1-2, Snatch, Lock Stock and Expendables. David Callaham who is working on the reboot's script also wrote Expendables which starred Statham.
A ridiculous rumor surfaced yesterday that linked Robert Patterson to the role. First he's way too young and is also just going to anger loyal fans. I'm sure there is link since David Slade directed a Twilight film but I'd expect that Fox would understand that Daredevil fans wouldn't be happy with this choice. I'm all for a different take but they need someone more established and well liked for the role.
Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) had been linked to the role of Typhoid Mary a love interest and villain of Daredevil. I think it would be excellent to see a faithful version of Mary but she wasn't in Born Again unless they work her into the story somehow. Sackhoff is interesting enough and would be a more convincing female action heroine than Jennifer Garner ever was. 
The villains that did appear in Born Again were The Kingpin and Nuke. Yet Nuke was involved in the super soldier program so he might be excluded. Director Mark Steven Johnson had mentioned The Owl and Mr. Fear as possible villains for a sequel but it's unlikely they'll be used in this film as he was replaced.
Fox Using Frank Miller's Born Again For Daredevil Reboot
The original film was a total mess from the terrible acting, directing, costumes and script it never had a chance. Hopefully Fox has learned their lessons and are willing to put more time/creativity into these reboots. Hiring Slade and using source material from Frank Miller are two reasons this new film could work. Born Again featured the Kingpin discovering Daredevil's identity and slowly destroying his life.
Guy Ritchie Offered 300 Prequel Xerxes
Vulture reports that Warner Bros. has offered Guy Ritchie the directing gig on Xerxes the 300 prequel which will also be written by creator Frank Miller. Zack Snyder had initially been tapped as the director but likely had to drop out to focus all his energy into making Superman and possible sequels.Ritchie is becoming a main director at the studio similar to Christopher Nolan and Snyder directing two Sherlock Holmes films. He is no stranger to comic book films as he was attached to direct both Sgt. Rock and Lobo based on DC Comic properties for Warner Bros. previously. The two projects have been stuck in limbo and Ritchie has moved on with his Holmes franchise. Robert Downey Jr. will be busy filming Avengers and Iron Man 3 in the next year or two. So I doubt Sherlock 3 would be his next film making this a great project for Guy to take on. I think it's beyond different from everything else he's done before and it would be a return to R-rated material.
Zack Snyder Currently Writing Screenplay For Xerxes
Now that it seems Zack Snyder is pretty much close to finishing both Sucker Punch and Guardians. It looks like he's starting prep for his next project Xerxes which is the prequel to 300. Snyder confirmed to the LA Times that he's writing the film but hasn't confirmed if he'll direct.
"We closed the writing deal on Xerxes. We started writing about a week ago. So we’re doing it. It’s happening."
Frank Miller's Xerxes: First Image From Comic & Plot
Not too many people in comics have such an interesting legacy of work as Frank Miller. While his directorial skills are suspect his writing abilities and artwork is usually thought provoking. His new comic Xerxes is getting closer to completion and release. The prequel/sequel to his largely successful 300 which ended up turned into a film that became a monster hit. Ever since the announcement of the development of the new comic it would become the basis of the sequel. There has been talk of Zack Snyder returning to direct Xerxes if it the source material ended up as cool as the original. ComicBookResources has posted the first teaser image from the upcoming graphic novel. HeroComplex was able to get some story/plot points from Miller himself.
"The story will be the same heft as '300' but it cover a much, much greater span of time -- it's 10 years, not three days," Miller said. "This is a more complex story. The story is so much larger. The Spartans in '300' were being enclosed by the page as the world got smaller. This story has truly vast subjects. The Athenian naval fleet, for instance, is a massive artistic undertaking and it dwarfed by the Persian fleet, which is also shown in this story. The story has elements of espionage, too, and it's a sweeping tale with gods and warriors."
"The time frame begins 10 years before '300' and the story starts with the Battle of Marathon, which was killer to draw, by the way, even if it was a lot of work," Miller said. "The lead character is Themistocles, who became warlord of Greece and built their navy. The story is very different than '300' in that it involves Xerxes search for godhood. The existence of gods are presupposed in this story and the idea is that he well on his way to godhood by the end of the story."
"With Themistocles I have a character who is almost the dead opposite of Leonidas in that Themistocles was a lying, conniving, brilliant, heroic figure. He was nicknamed 'The Subtle Serpent' and he always manages to do the exact right things that will result in him benefiting greatly."
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