Movie News

“Dragon Tattoo” actress Rapace in running for “Alien” prequel

One cannot argue against the fact that Ridley Scott altered the horror and sci-fi landscape with his 1979 film Alien. Now, 30 years after his original film, Scott hopes to return to the franchise that helped launch his name, in the form of a prequel. It being an “Alien” project means it’ll have a strong female lead. Deadline reports that Noomi Rapace, internationally recognized for playing Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and its subsequent sequels, is rumored to be in talks to play the lead.

“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” finds a home with Fox

Vampires of the media world beware. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, the adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s novel of the same, is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality. The project, to be executive produced by Tim Burton (newest member of the Billion Dollar Club, thanks to Alice in Wonderland) and directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted, Day Watch), had recently been subject to a bidding war around Hollywood, a war that 20^th Century Fox came out on top of.

“Halo” movie might find new life from DreamWorks

Now there may be new possibility for the Chief. With Halo: Reach, the newest addition to the “Halo” game franchise ($200 million in one day), being a massive success, several news outlets are reporting insider rumblings of a potential revival of the adaptation, which this time around would be based more on the “Halo” novels. Although not much else is known about the potential revival, it is known that Steven Spielberg has thrown his hat in the ring, determined to get the movie made by DreamWorks (and acting as an executive producer).

Bullock in for “Gravity” after Natalie says no

Sandra Bullock has entered negotiations to lead Alfonso Cuaron’s upcoming film Gravity after news just earlier today revealed that Natalie Portman turned down the leading role in the $80-million sci-fi epic. Variety states “scheduling conflicts” were her reason for refusal. This means that Bullock is set to play a woman in space trying to get back to her daughter after a disastrous mishap on her space station. 

Sam Raimi to direct “Oz The Great and Powerful”

It’s (finally) official: Sam Raimi is set to direct Walt Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful. Robert Downey, Jr. has been set to lead the film as the wizard for quite some time.

Whether it’s the Evil Dead trilogy, the first three Spider-Man films, or his acclaimed B-movie Drag Me to Hell, Raimi’s career has thrived on genre films. While this is more or less a genre film it doesn’t take much insight to notice that this film calls for a much different tone than Raimi’s aforementioned films.

Emma Stone in “Spider-Man” reboot as … Gwen Stacy

Not too long ago it was announced (and we reported) that Emma Stone was in negotiations to play Peter Parker’s favorite redhead, Mary Jane Watson, in Marc Webb’s upcoming reboot of Spider-Man. Well, it was just announced today that Stone is actually set to play Parker’s blonde love interest, Gwen Stacy.

Peter Jackson officially directing “The Hobbit”

Deadline reports that negotiating deals began back in June. Considering that Jackson has been attached to this project since the beginning as a producer, I think we all knew it would come to this point. The development bedlam that “Hobbit” has been in is also noteworthy: the film was time and time again pushed back, as numerous directors were rumored to be set for the project. Perhaps the most noteworthy case was when Guillermo del Toro of Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy fame was said to have been directing a few months ago.

DVD/Blu-ray DISCussion (New for 10.5.10)

It is a real fright fest this week, with four of this week’s new releases being horror films and another four re-release wanting to deliver scares. But if horror is not your genre there are family films, historical dramas, crime movies and sci-fi offerings to cater for any taste.

“Bourne” writer Gilroy to direct the next one

Oscar nominated writer/director Tony Gilroy will take the reigns of the franchise he helped to write. Deadline reports that Universal studios and Gilroy are reaching a deal to direct the franchise’s fourth installment, tentatively titled The Bourne Legacy (though not related to the book of the same title). Gilroy was previously hired to write the film and will now add it to his directing credits, which already include Duplicity and the acclaimed drama Michael Clayton.

Zack Snyder directing “Superman” reboot

Zack Snyder has officially signed on to direct the upcoming reboot of Superman that will be produced by Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas. Snyder got the job over directors Duncan Jones (Moon), Jonathan Liebesman (Battle: Los Angeles), Matt Reeves (Let Me In), and Tony Scott (Man on Fire) among other rumored talents.