Monster Zoo on film

Comic writer Douglas TenNapel's upcoming graphic novel Monster Zoo has been preemptively optioned by Paramount and Sam Raimi for development for the big screen. TenNapel is probably best known as an animator and creator of beloved fan favorite Earthworm Jim, but his comic books have gained some notice too. One of his books, Creature Tech is the all time fastest selling Top Shelf book ever. And both Creature Tech and Tommysarus Rex are in development as films at other studios.

What is Monster Zoo though, well besides having a really intriguing name, not too much is known. It is a new graphic novel that will be published by Image this spring; pre-order it here, and tells the story of "a young boy who discovers his local zoo contains critters much more frightening than the ordinary collection." As of now, Sam Raimi has only committed to produce, but hey, any involvement by him is a good sign.

This sounds like it could be a cool project. We'll have to see how the book is when it comes out and decide from there.
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Punisher: War Zone online

The Punisher: War Zone official website has launched. So far there's not too much there, just two small photos and a place to register for future updates, but I recommend you go check it out anyhow. There's a pretty cool opening flash animation, and the sound design of the site is very nice. Very... Punisher. You can check it out at www.punishermovie.com
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The Road, book to film

Last weekend the library in my neighborhood of Noe Valley re-opened after more than two years of renovations, the mayor was there, and it was this whole big ceremony. My wife Erica and I, being active community members (not really) decided to check it out (mostly for a shot at meeting San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom). After the ceremony we went into the new library, which was extremely nice, and I felt somewhat obligated to check something out. So I picked up the first two volumes of the One Piece manga, and an audio book of a title that struck me as very familiar. The Road, by Cormac McCarthy.

Back in January I mentioned the next project on deck for Viggo Mortenson, and Charlize Theron, would be a post apocalyptic film based off a 2006 Pulitzer prize winning novel, The Road. And once I realized that this was what I held in my hands I eagerly took a listen.

I think you have to be of a certain mindset to enjoy an audio book. I personally love them. I spend a lot of my day with an ipod headphone planted in my ear and find that every now and again, to just let myself drift away to the sounds of someone reading to me is absolutely amazing. It's super relaxing but keeps me focused. And I really need that kind of centering sometimes.

Having finished listening to The Road today, I have to say I was amazed. It is a fantastic, and tragic story set against the backdrop of a bleak and grey world. The style of writing is stilted and plain, but amazingly poetic. I completely understand why many people compare Cormac McCarthy to William Faulkner. It is Americana, pure and simple. Only Cormac's America is the broken shell of what once was. I haven't read too many post-apocalyptic books before, maybe a few, but this was definitely the best 'real world take' on what the future could hold. It is scary, really scary. The plot follows a man, and his son as they walk the road. Headed south and west, across the country, stumbling through a world in perpetual cloud, covered in ash. I suppose its supposed to be after the bombs have fallen, in a nuclear winter, but thats never explicitly said. The world that is seen in The Road has been in this state of decay for a number of years, maybe 10 or more. And its gotten to a point where even the Mad Max style lawlessness and the blood cults of cannibals have stopped for the most part. It is a world on the very edge of death. There are no more birds, no more trees, no more living anything. It is really the end. I kept hoping that it would have some sign of hope, and while it does ultimately show some for people in themselves, there is no refuge for the world at large in the book. I was moved by how sad this story is.

I am definitely looking forward to seeing how they screenwriters handle the ongoing internal monologue of the book. If the beauty and poetry can translate from the words onto the screen. This could be a fantastic film though. It is so emotionally charged, that it could be just heartbreaking. We'll see, I am definitely excited to keep my eye on The Road now more than ever though.
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Man of Steel update

The long awaited (maybe?) Superman Returns sequel, Superman: The Man of Steel has gone back into development. Slow but steady... I wonder if maybe ShoWest got a bit crazy for the reporters out there, because there seems to be some snarky fighting over minced words and unsubstantiated rumors has been brewing online over this.

First IESB reported that Bryan Singer has resolved the speculation, and claimed that he is 100% on board for the film, and intends to direct it himself. Well, that part seems like it may be true, but the contention comes here. As we know the writers from Returns have moved onto other projects; so who would be left with the task of penning a new Superman story? Well IESB reported that it was to be Transformers writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman. However, this may or may not be the case. CHUD reports that IESB has bad information and that there is absolutely zero truth to the rumor... While there probably are new writers on board at this point, it has definitely not been revealed who they are.

Meanwhile in totally credible news, Empire Online managed to get a few words in with Singer at ShoWest regarding the upcoming film. He confirms that work is underway, that he intends to direct, and that he's been meeting with writers since the end of the strike to work on the details. I think, very candidly he also explains how he understands some fans weren't happy with Superman Returns. But the reports that the film was a failure are ridiculously far from true. Saying: "That movie made $400 million! I don’t know what constitutes under-performing these days..." He also mentioned how he plans to include a more action heavy script than Returns had, which was probably the main gripe I heard from critics and fans alike. Check out the entire interview here.

With older reports that Brainiac is planned to be the main villain in the film I think The Man of Steel could be a really great film. Look, we all know Superman is a great character. But like the continuing Star Wars franchise, we've all got these unrealistic preconceptions as to what the film should be. I respect that someone like Singer is trying his hardest to make the best movie possible. I say more power to him. Hopefully this comes together and we actually get a Superman: Man of Steel film, and hopefully it will rock. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what else develops.
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Monsters vs Aliens cast

Ok, so I know I sometimes bag a bit on Dreamworks Animation. I know I shouldn't, but there's a part of me that can't help but be annoyed at the continued Shrek series. I mean it honestly feels like they're trying just a bit too hard.

I know that they can deliver the goods sometimes, and I sure hope Monsters vs Aliens is the real deal. I mean do you even really need to know any more?! Its called MONSTERS VS ALIENS! a truly awesome title if I've ever heard one. Wait to your hear the stellar cast involved though.

From Wikipedia:

"When California girl Susan Murphy (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) is unexpectedly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall and is instantly labeled a "monster" named Ginormica. The military jumps into action, and she is captured and held in a secret government compound. The world learns that the military has been quietly rounding up other monsters over the years. This ragtag group consists of the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D. (voiced by Hugh Laurie); the macho half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link (voiced by Will Arnett); the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B. (voiced by Seth Rogen); and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement time is cut short however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country.

As a last resort, under the guidance of General W.R. Monger (voiced by Kiefer Sutherland) (on a desperate order from The President (voiced by Stephen Colbert)), the motley crew of Monsters is called into action to combat the aliens and save the world from imminent destruction."

The movie is being released in Ultimate 3D, which is the new stereostropic 3D technology that we've been seeing showing up in IMAX theaters here and there. Since this is fully animated in 3D it will employ the technology to an effect never seen onscreen before, and marks the first film of many as Dreamworks Animation has announced they intend to treat all of their films to this technique in the future.

Check out this great report from ShoWest where ComingSoon describes a very funny scene that was screened. "Do something violent!" haha... :) I'm definitely looking forward to this film. Sounds like something right up my alley, and reports are really indicating that the film is aimed not just at kids, but has plenty to enjoy for adults too.

Monsters vs Aliens will come out in theaters on March 27th, 2009.
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Forbidden poster

The new poster for Forbidden Kingdom is out and it looks so cool, it almost makes me forget how f---ing bad the trailer looks. Almost...

Oh Jackie Chan and Jet Li.... why have you forsaken us?
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Playing a Shell Game

Len Wiseman, the 'mastermind' behind the enjoyable yet fluffy Underworld films, and last summers Live Free or Die Hard is set to direct his next film. A "passion project" that has been at least 5 years in the making. The film is called Shell Game and is a "sci-fi action thriller that follows a detective who is faced with a moral dilemma as he investigates the dangerous black-market business of immortality."

Nice... We need more stories about all powerful future tech gone awry. I like to think of it as cautionary fun, in the vein of Terminator, I Robot, or Freejack. This film sounds a bit like all three of those, only possibly better. Possibly worse of course, but I think I'll be positive for now. Shell Game will at the least be action pack, full of fun, and look great, if Wiseman's other films are anything to judge by.

Wiseman mentions in the Variety article that he'd waited to make the film until now, so that he could work with a budget he thinks the film deserves. More on Shell Game as it develops.
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Harbinger of good movies

Paramount and Brett Ratner are bringing the classic comic book series Harbinger to life on the big screen. What never heard of it? well, no worries, neither had I. But its a book that was created by comic book legend Jim Shooter and has a really awesome sounding plot.

According to wikipedia the comic book story revolves around these people with psyonic abilities, like telepathy, telekeniseis, and mind control. These people are called called Harbingers and hide their powers from the world (think Scanners). The plot chronicles a war between two factions of Harbingers, one good one bad, both badass. Toyo Harada is the baddie, a wealthy industrialist who has used his powers to create a multinational corporation where he can recruit more Harbingers and slowly take over the world, 'for its own good' of course. And our hero is 17 year old Pete Stancheck, a regular kid who gets thrown into a world above his head. But after being tempted by the dark side he decides to form a resistance to fight Harada's evil power grab.

Sounds like a cool story to me. I know Brett Ratner leaves a sour taste in many people's mouths, but I think he might do well with something like this. At the least it'll be bring another cool book to light that might have gone on in the shadows, unknown and unread. And that's a good thing no matter what. What becomes of the film is anyones guess so far.
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J.C.V.D. the movie!

Ok, so anyone whose known me for a while should know of my honest love for all things Jean-Claude Van Damme. Honestly he was always one of if not my absolute favorite action hero. The man made a few great films, and a lot of really funny "great" films. I feel a bit bad that his career took something of a nosedive; but honestly pretty much every actors does. Thats just the lifecycle of fame. It only last for the very very few. So when I saw this trailer today on Ain't it Cool News I was really excited.

Jean Claude Van Dame, back in action in a really quirky film, that takes place in Brussels, and is in French, and stars JC as... himself?! exactly. WTF is going on. Well, as Vern over at AICN puts it, this movie is closest in tone to seeing John Malkovich star as himself in Being John Malkovich. J.C.V.D. is a film, a quasi real biopic, that features parts of Jean Claude's real life. He's in it as himself, he has been involved with a few scandalous drug issues, and is in a very real way acknowledging that his career is not even remotely what it used to be. The point where this film differs from reality, as far as I know, is where Jean Claude travels back to his home to fight and lose a messy custody battle for his daughter, then he loses all his money, and in an odd turn of events is mistaken for a bank robber. From there apparently it falls into a sort of Dog Day Afternoon. Seriously... totally out there, eh?

ok, enough talk, check out the trailer for J.C.V.D. and tell me what you think...



Pretty strange eh? Strange, but maybe what the aging star needs right now for his career. I hope so. JCVD was never a bad actor, he just took cheesy scripts. There was a point in college where I owned almost every single movie he had made... about 25 or so. Just check out something like Legionnaire and you'll see. Van Damme does have some skills to bear. I hope this is a film that can breathe new life into our perceptions of him. So far he's on the right track, especially if the rumors that he turned down Rush Hour 3 (which he obviously wasn't in) and the new Street Fighter films are true. J.C.V.D. does not have a solid U.S. release date yet, and I'm not sure it even has a US distributer, but I sure hope it makes it to our screens.

If you're interested in more check out this really weird promo for the movie. Its a scene of JC crashing the casting session for this very film; and forcing them to hire him as himself...


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Star Wars updates

Thanks to AICN for pointing the way to this great Collider article that went up today about the new Star Wars animated and live action tv series. It's a really interesting read and I suggest you head over to check out the entire story. Of course, having done the reading for you here are the salient details...

- Both shows will be considered canon
- The animated show is going to be aimed squarely at kids, with the hope that adults will join in, I mean, it is Star Wars after all...
- The live action series will be dark, and should garner a PG-13 rating, or whatever the tv equivalent is
- While the live action show has not as of yet been sold to any network the talk is that it might go to something like Showtime or even HBO, and will run in short seasons of maybe as little as 12 episodes (which will make it take a long time to reach the proposed 100 episodes)
- Think Deadwood meets he Sopranos for the live action series
- The Skywalker story is really and truly finished, there is no plan to have them appear on the live action show
- The live action show might very well feature as main characters a mob family
- As we already know the animated show will take place between episodes II and III, and the live action between III and IV

Sweet, sweet, sweet. I would really love for the live action series to follow a mob family. I always love the Black Sun stuff in the Star Wars Expanded Universe and I think this could be cool. Also, I like the point that they're really going to try to make it dark, trying to make it honestly cool again. That's all really good stuff.

The Star Wars: Clone Wars animated series kicks off in theaters this summer, on Aug 15th, with the first 3 episodes in movie form. And the as yet untitled live action series is still at least a year or so away from being really to go to air. I personally can't wait for both. They're going to be great. And yes, I've been burned somewhat by Star Wars in the past, we all have... But I have faith that the Lucas crew can bring it home for something great here. I really do.
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Browder vs the Greeks

One of my favorite genre tv stars, Ben Browder, of Farscape and Stargate SG-1 fame has announced that he is working on a surprising and intriguing mini-series with his former Farscape director Andrew Prowse. It's a modern day, real world meets Greek mythology meets science fiction, series called Going Homer.

According to Sci -fi Wire "The miniseries follows a modern American 12-year-old boy, named Homer Ulysses Jones, who can see Greek and Roman gods walking among the populace. Homer and his father run away together after a fierce custody battle and head to the home of their ancestors in Ithaca, N.Y."

ummm. ok, alright I'm rolling with it I guess... so far... I get how tough things might be for a boy dealing with a messy custody battle. Especially if he has to grow up with a name like Homer. But I think a lot will depend on where the story actually goes from there.

Browder has said that he really is excited to bring some of these characters to life. The big three: Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades of course are at the top of his list, but what other elements of Greek mythology will be addressed has yet to be disclosed. I suppose its not surprising. Browder's was on Stargate for a number of years, which is a show really heavily steeped in all walks of mythology including Greek.

The miniseries is still in development, as the dynamic duo work through their second draft of the "weighty" script. But I've no doubt we'll be hearing more on Going Homer, which is sure to end up on Sci Fi channel before too long. I know I'm just keeping my fingers crossed for hottie Tethys to make an appearance. Or do you think the Titans are too neuveau for this one???
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New Amsterdam review

Well, I know I mentioned before that I had just missed the premiere of New Amsterdam. And actually it turns out my DVR has a conflict so I won't be recording it. But luckily, the episodes are set to show up online for free. FOX's online media player isn't the best quality so you might want to check out somewhere else. But my opinion on that is that the network should be happy I'm seeking it out at all.

The show itself, just aired episode 3 tonight, and I have yet to watch it, but I thought I'd give my opinion on the first two, seeing as there's definitely still time to catch up if your interested. And for now at least I'd say its conditionally worth checking out. Definitely not something I'm going to invest too heavily in but the show has 'potential' to be very good. So far it only has moments of good.

The premise is that a man back in the 17th century gave his life in the pitch of a battle to save that of a native American woman. In return for the foreigners kindness the woman brought him back from the dead and blessed, or cursed him with immortality. That is at least until he finds his "true love". Once he completes that fairy tale he will be made mortal once again to love and die as a man. Cut to present day and we find our hero John Amsterdam, somewhat world weary but no less worse for the wear, working as a homicide detective in New York City. In the pilot, while chasing down a criminal in the subway he unexpectedly has a heart attack. Proof positive, in his mind that somewhere in that station, somewhere was the woman he is destined to love. Now he only has to find her in a city of millions.

It's basically like The Highlander, only instead of chopping heads off, its about finding true love...

So, not an entirely original premise, and honestly a bit thin around the edges, BUT there is something to it. Immortality is always an interesting hook to me. I like the sci fi element of it, I like the magic. The rest of the show, so far at least, is fairly disposable. It's a procedural cop show. His best friend is the local bartender who knows his secret, also ripped from the Highlander playbook. Although interestingly as revealed in episode 2, the bartender is actually his son. And of course there's romance around every bend; that's for the ladies in the audience ;) New Amsterdam is definitely still finding its feet. Understandably I suppose. Rumor was a few months back that the show was held off from its intended Fall mid season start-up not only because of the then looming writers strike, but because executives at FOX weren't happy that the show seems to lack direction. They did not abandon it though, and I think the fact that its still on the air after 3 episodes is commendable work on the studios part (this is FOX after all).

Is New Amsterdam worth checking out? I'd say yes, but only if you're interested in this kind of a hook. Only if you want some magic and sense of the fantastical in your shows. This isn't a gritty show. It doesn't have any teeth at all, but it might yet develop them. I will definitely say though, like the Highlander tv series before it, the show could grab people more with the interesting backstories. The flashbacks where we have the same man in many times, that's what we need to draw us into the world. The interest and development of the present day characters will come in time. Highlander had the swordplay and action to fall back on, this does not. You see, I get what they're trying to do with the fairy tale love story, and its sweet; but so far I just don't care about these people enough to feel much of anything along with them. The trips through time are what attract me, and possibly you, to the story.

You should know by now if you want to check it out, if you're still not sure though, maybe it'll be better to wait and watch it all as a season set on dvd. I bet once it gets through these first awkward episodes, New Amsterdam could be a really worthwhile show. Of course that's only if it makes it.

Once again, you can watch all the episodes online here.
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Hulk: trailer for a trailer

Check out this Incredible Hulk trailer trailer... yes I know. :/



The real trailer will launch online on the night of 03/12. The film comes out 06/13.
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Vaughn gives Thor update

Only thing is, there's almost nothing to say. Empire Online got a few words with him at their recent awards show and director Matthew Vaughn says that the Thor movie, much like Ant Man is in a "holding pattern". Although he seems upbeat about it all saying “I think you have to respect that it is comic book and silly to be frank, so you have to combine that with a modern style and hopefully come up with something fresh. I think we can come up with something special.” Unfortunately there's still nothing much to really say, until Marvel announces their decision on whats next on their plate.

Vaughn did mention that he intends to cast a total unknown in the lead role. A smart move if you ask me. The character is so 'bigger than life' that only someone the audience has no preconceptions about would fit.

As I've mentioned before, I personally expect Thor to be the movie Marvel commits to for 2009, but we'll have to wait and see. Hopefully they'll announce something soon...
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Ant-Man update

The Ant Man movie is something that feels like its been on the books at Marvel for a long time now. They've been working on the minuscule heroes story and how to bring it to the big screen since at least August of '06. And despite being tossed around on the 'upcoming projects slate' for a few years now, it looks like we finally might have some legitimate movement on the project. With Iron Man, and Incredible Hulk coming so soon, and presumably Thor and Captain America on the near horizon, the pieces are falling together for a possible Avengers film, and Marvel could use a few second stringers to round out the cast. Ant Man falls perfectly into that category.

Director, writer Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead, and Hot Fuzz fame is helming the picture. Don't worry, he's not planning to do a spoof. At the recent Empire Awards he spoke with the magazine about where he's at in the process currently. Apparently he's currently working with his writing partner Joe Cornish on the second draft of the script at the moment. Wright has a vision for the character that he's clear on. Or should I say characters... Wright has mentioned that he intends to feature both the original 1960s Ant Man Dr Henry Pym, and the modern age Ant Man Scott Lang. As opposed to the comedy, for which he's known Wright said "It’s more of a full-on action adventure sci-fi film but with a comedic element – in the same spirit of a lot of escapist fare like that." and that the film is in a distinct 'holding pattern' until Marvel decides when it will fit into their production schedule. My honest guess is 2009 sees the Thor film in production, and 2010 gets Ant Man, and hopefully Captain America. At the moment Wrights has said he has no one in mind for the lead role, of either the classic or modern Ant Man. My suggestion, Guy Pierce. Of course he was my original suggestion for Silver Surfer too, so we'll see what they decide on.

Ant Man will come one of these days. Read more about the character on the wiki. And as always, more on this film as it develops.
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New Indy poster

Care of Comingsoon.net, check out this cool new poster for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Click to enlarge.

So I guess that answers my question as to whether they were going to show the skull, and all that it implies, in the promotional material. I suppose it was unavoidable. And anyways I think its cool; then again I would :) Te movie comes out May 22nd, '08.
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Two new Speed Racer trailers

Wow, check out these two very cool new Speed Racer trailers. These are set for the international market, and I think they look amazing. Are you guys excited about this film? I think people will either love it or hate it...





Speed Racer comes out on May 9th, '08.
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ShoWest posters...

IESB.net has some great early poster and standee pics from the ShoWest convention that happened this weekend in Las Vegas. Check all their great pics out HERE. I'm just going to post twp specific ones, but you should definitely look through all of their great coverage, I know I appreciate seeing it.

First check out this pretty cool poster for the new Mummy film. Reminds me of the Mortal Kombat logo. Click to enlarge.

And now check out this great Clone Wars poster art. Nice eh?

Also, IESB has pics of posters and standees for Ice Age 3, Wanted, Iron Man, Starship Dave, Baby Mama, and more. Looks like a fun time. Although I think most of the press done at ShoWest is specifically for theater owners and distributors we'll have to see what news manages to leak out of this show in the coming days.
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Bone to the big screen

Some great news for comic to film fans everywhere, the fantastic comic series Bone by writer / artist Jeff Smith has been picked up by Warner Brothers for development.

The series which is fairly well known and yet still outside mainstream books follows the three Bone cousins, who are not exactly human, as they travel out of their home and find themselves in the big wide world. This is a fantasy series that featured talking animals, and lots of laughs. But it also showed real emotion, and serious relationships. The most significant characteristic though would be pure adventure. Because of course the beloved valley is in danger. The Lord of the Locusts in on the warpath and it might just be up to Fone Bone, our hero, and his friends including the Great Red Dragon, and beautiful warrior woman Thorn to stop him.

Apparently back in the 90s the property was in development at Nickelodeon but Jeff Smith halted the development process after learning how they intended to only target a children's audience in an animated version of the story, and wanted to include songs by the likes of Britney Spears and N'Sync. Of course, while it might have been successful I think anyone whose actually read the books can say this story deserves better.

This new production is still in the very early stages, but just to have the news of development out there is good news. Whether the Bone movie will take a live action or animated form has yet to be determined.
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Tropic Thunder lands online

Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. are all starring in this could be hilarious new film called Tropic Thunder, which although coming out this very August, has somehow flown pretty much under the radar. This past week though, a teaser image found its way online which automatically caught the web's attention as it shows Robert Downey in full blackface, and then just a day or two ago this teaser website launched with a pretty funny age restricted trailer. Check out the site HERE.


Pretty crazy photo eh?

The movie, according to wikipedia, is about a group of self obsessed actors and a filmmaker trying to make a Vietnam war movie. But after it goes way over budget and the studio cancels the production; the frustrated director takes his actors literally deep into the jungles of SE Asia where they end up in the middle of an real civil war. Stiller plays Tug Speedman, a self obsessed action hero movie star and the lead role in the film. Black plays a comedian turned drug addict who is best known for playing multiple parts in his films. And Downey Jr. plays Kirk Lazarus, an Academy Award winning actor who is so method that he dyes his skin black to play his part in the film.

Seems all kinda kooky to me. Will it be good? I haven't decided, but the caliber of stars is a good sign. We'll probably have to wait to see more as we get closer to the Aug 15th release date.
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