Matt Reeves' New Twilight Zone Movie Gets A Writer

Variety reports that Warner Bros. has set screenwriter Tony Peckham to write the new Twilight Zone which will be directed by Matt Reeves (Let Me In, Cloverfield). The new movie is expected to be a single story and I assume won't be a re-envisioning of old episodes. Peckham has worked with Warner Bros. previously on Sherlock Holmes, Book of Eli and Invictius. He's also helping write Yucatan for the studio which has Robert Downey Jr. attached to star. Yucatan had been a passion project of actor Steve McQueen but ultimately was never made.

Matt Reeves In Talks To Direct Twilight Zone For Warner Bros.

Deadline reports that Matt Reeves (Let Me In, Cloverfield) is Warner Bros' pick to direct their new Twilight Zone film. Previously names like Christopher Nolan, Michael Bay, Alfonso Cuaron (Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men, Gravity) and Rupert Wyatt (Rise of The Planet of The Apes) had been in the mix. 

Reeves had been a contender to helm both Man of Steel and The Wolverine. He's currently also attached to direct a film based on 8 O'Clock In The Morning which inspired John Carpenter's They Live. The new Zone film will tell one single story unlike the previous movie which had segments made by different directors. They also mention it will be science fiction in nature with the feel of being from the world of the Twilight Zone. So I'm expecting a lot of bizarre twists in the story and a large reveal in the end.

Matt Reeves Making New Film Based On The Short Story That Influenced They Live

Deadline reports Universal Pictures has hired Matt Reeves (Let Me In, Cloverfield) to write and direct a re-imaging of John Carpenter's They Live. Instead of remake they will be directly adapting the original short story 8 O' Clock In The Morning by Ray Nelson which influenced They Live. Strike Entertainment will produce, they made Zack Synder's Dawn of The Dead and The Thing prequel which is due out this fall. Reeves spoke on the film and gives insight on the direction they will be going. Fans of the original should rest easy as this will likely be a totally different film. This news likely puts Reeves out of the running to direct The Wolverine.


“I saw an opportunity to do a movie that was very point-of-view driven, a psychological science fiction thriller that explores this guy’s nightmare,” Reeves told me. “There could be a desperate love story at the center of this. Carpenter took a satirical view of the material and the larger political implication that we’re being controlled. I am very drawn to the emotional side, the nightmare experience with the paranoia of Invasion of the Body Snatchers or a Roman Polanski-style film.”

Hugh Jackman Confirms The Wolverine Moving Forward

SuperheroHype and CinemaBlend were able to speak with Hugh Jackman during some early promotion for Real Steel at CinemaCon. The actor/producer of The Wolverine commented on the film and their search for a director. He also gives the impression Fox is currently still looking into when they can start shooting in Japan. The majority of the film is expected to shoot in the country.

"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.

Darren Aronofsky Exits The Wolverine

HollywoodReporter has the official press release from 20th Century Fox concerning director Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) leaving the The Wolverine. Darren sited personal reasons as the production would spend close to a year in Japan and away from his son. Even with the disaster over in Japan the studio is still moving forward with the film shooting a majority of it on location there.

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.

Actor & Director For Superior To Be Announced In January

Mark Millar has Tweeted that along with a director to be announced in January an actor has been locked in to star in Superior. The comic focuses on a teen with MS who is transformed into his favorite superhero, think Superman meets Big. It mixes well established comic book mythologies from Superman, Thor to Shazam!. Even more impressive is Millar's statement "highest profiled actor of 2010". That is suggestive as there are lots of names that he could be referring to from Ryan Reynolds to Leonardo DiCaprio. The list of actors I have in my head that would consider this project include Sam Worthington and Tom Hardy. Jon Hamm's name has been tossed around by Millar for the film but didn't have a massive breakout in 2010 besides his role in The Town.

Now comes the director involved. I won't pretend to know what direction the film is going since I don't even know which studio has grabbed the project. If it's Universal or Fox I expect someone like Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In) could very well be lined up. Reeves has been in contention for both Superman and Wolverine 2. He also made my list of possible directors for Iron Man 3. If it's Warner Bros. Guy Ritchie's name had been thrown around during talks for Nemesis before Tony Scott was hired. Yet since this is too similar to Superman I doubt he'll direct this one considering his relationship with both Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment.

Matthew Vaughn on the other hand could be another person to take on the film. He campaigned with Millar for their own pitch for the Superman reboot to Warner Bros. Vaughn also had been attached to direct Thor before Kenneth Branagh came on board. While Matthew has stated he believes the superhero film genre is on it's last legs he went on to direct X-Men First Class and is still interested in making Kick-Ass 2. Superior is a very different take on the whole genre and could interest lots of director, so who knows?

5 Candidates To Take Over Iron Man 3

Now that it's been confirmed by Jon Favreau himself that he is not returning for Iron Man 3 to focus on Disney's Magic Kingdom. Could Disney favorites Andrew Stanton (John Carter of Mars) and Joseph Kosinski (Tron Legacy) be hired to replace him? Other possibilities could include Marvel directors on the current payroll like Edgar Wright or Joss Whedon. To bring a new vision and blood to the franchise Marvel might want to look at some of the following directors.

MY TOP CHOICES

Ruben Fleischer is my personal choice to enter the world of Iron Man and re-tool it. If the studio is serious in bringing in new blood they'll get Ruben to bring the perfect balance of comedy and action. His smash hit Zombieland has lead to studios like Warner Bros. to offer him their big period crime film Tales From The Gangster Squad . If Marvel is looking to get this guy on the cheap now is the time. Ruben is currently finishing up on the adrenaline fueled comedy 30 Minutes Or Less. Production on Zombieland 2 is expect to start shooting sometime this fall/winter.






Ben Affleck is gaining praise for his recent work on The Town and it's rightly deserved. Affleck proved himself as an excellent director back when he made Gone Baby Gone. He's been offered high profile directing gigs over at Warner Bros. with the Superman reboot and Gangster Squad. While he's directed mostly dramatic films he got his start in comedy. Starring in such classics like Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy and Mallrats. He  played a comic book artist in Chasing Amy so I think that's enough geek credit. Including his decent portrayal of Daredevil (in a sloppy written/directed film) opposite Jon Favreau.

Another Ben that comes to mind is Ben Stiller, yes that Ben. Stiller has come into his own with directorial efforts Zoolander and Tropic Thunder. The latter which earned Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Oscar nomination. Ben like Edgar could double as writer and director saving Marvel some money on a screenwriter. Hopefully Stiller would stay behind the camera a mistake Favreau made during Iron Man 2. His character Happy Hogan was charming in the first film but became a large distraction in the sequel.

Matt Reeves best known for his work on Cloverfield could very well be another excellent candidate. He's been in contention for directing duties on both Wolverine 2 and Superman: Man of Steel. He's been able to impress a lot of people with his remake of Let The Right One In (Let Me In). Ending up a compliment to the original rather than a horrible mistake. Reeves visual style screams Marvel if he doesn't get the gig Kevin Feige needs to consider him for other properties.





David Gordon Green might not seem like a likely choice but he's been able to double as director talented in both comedy and drama. One of his first films Snow Angels was a deep dramatic piece. It wasn't until he jumped into directing the Seth Rogen comedy Pineapple Express that we really got see his wild side. I believe like Ruben, David would be able to bring that different vision to the Iron Man world and give it the much needed face-lift. He's putting the finishing touches on his epic stoner fantasy/comedy Your Highness which uses lots of practical and digital effects. So he wouldn't be new to the world of the green-screen and pre-visualization.

Films That Should Be Made: The Spectre

With recent talk from screenwriter Greg Berlanti of how dark The Flash could be. I'm wondering what other characters could be DC Entertainment be thinking of adapting into dark horror themed films. I just discovered the animated short film for The Spectre and I'm hooked in. I believe this character has some serious promise if done properly. The vengeful hero was a cop who was murdered but never moved on to the afterlife. He enacts grave revenge on those he believes deserves it. In the short film he does this by poltergeist means possessing people and objects to monstrous ends.


I've been recently turned back into enjoying the characters from DC. It's been a long time since I've cared for anyone except Batman. Warner Bros.  proved with Watchmen they want to be more risky with their comic book films. With Green Lantern looking to expand the DC Universe I'm confident we'll be seeing more interesting genre based heroes being adapted into movies.

Deadman is one of these heroes who I believe could end up branching out the DC Universe. The story revolved around a murdered Daredevil who becomes a ghostly hero. Guillmero del Toro is somewhat attached to the film but I assume he could end up only be involved with writing/producing duties. I would love to see DC take risks with characters like this one and Spectre. Previously they tried with Constantine but it didn't push the boundaries enough.




WHO SHOULD DIRECT?: I would honestly like someone direct who has a horror background. Yet with somewhat of a auteur pedigree of film making. Some directors that come to mind include Matt Reeves (Let Me In, Cloverfield) and Vincenzo Natali (Splice, Cube). Matt Reeves is currently being looked at to direct both Wolverine 2 and Superman but if he doesn't get hired I think Spectre would be a perfect for him. Vincenzo Natali is another director who likes to work on both horror and comic films. Natali recently said he'd love to make an Alpha Flight film and has been attached to direct Swamp Thing.