Remember 21 Jump Street? For those who don’t, it was a TV show that starred Johnny Depp that featured a special team of young looking cops that would attend highschool and bust drug dealers.

Do you remember Jonah Hill. Yeah, he is in charge of making the big screen adaptation of this show titled only “Jump Street” and he is aiming to make it an “Insane R-Rated” version.

Get the Big Picture quotes Hill:

“Yeah, if you look at the opening episode of ‘21 Jump Street,’ you see a man looking at a picture of a cop holding a little boy’s hand, and you hear a crazy saxophone solo, and you pan up and it’s Johnny Depp looking at the picture playing the crazy saxophone solo. We’re not even spoofing the movie. It’s not strictly comedic, either. We’re doing a full-on action movie, blowing shit up.”

Now the show wasn’t so popular that this deviation of the light tv action to step up into a “full on action movie” but something feels off to me.

Oh yeah. Its being produced by Jonah Hill. Not that I think its a bad thing that he is getting into more behind the scenes work, but that a guy who mostly made his career playing roles of potheads and is now making an action film about cops that bust drug dealers.

Just feels weird to me.

I hope that his behind the scenes stuff is worth his presence. Its not that I don’t like Hill, but I am growing tired of him. He was awesome in Superbad, he was terrible in Sarah Marshall.

William Shatner is a puzzle to me. For years all I heard about was his off screen ass hattery and the drama between him and his cast mates. Well in the last few years, Bill has come around and surprised me. He is by far the best part of Boston Legal, and his attitude changed from pompous he-diva to a humble charming man who can poke fun at himself.

So when the new Star Trek came about and news was that they were going to include a very old Spock, I instantly wondered if old Kirk would be there too. But then I was reminded that Shatner’s Kirk died in Generations bringing an end to the character that not only elevated him to fame, but was also the biggest thorn in his side. His death was anticlimactic, and it had faded from my memory of the original series.

Worst Previews offers:

Even though he holds a bit of a grudge, he now tells the Australian Associated Press that he would love to be in the sequel. “I would be delighted to be in it,” said Shatner.

A sequel has already been announced and since the first film changed the fate of the Trek character, there is now a chance for Shatner to return as Captain Kirk.

That “grudge” he holds against Abrams was later clarified as poking fun at himself some more. Mocking his own self importance (How could he NOT consider me for a cameo…I am William Shatner!) which is also a gag in Fanboys where Shat makes a cameo.

Shatner also admits that he hasn’t got around to seeing the film and says he wants to see it soon. I think once he does he will realize that there is no room for his character at all.

The plot device that brought us Old Spock is fitting. His character traits of humility and duty work perfectly as he is not going to be the focus of the films. He now has a new mission with the Vulcan people. Kirk is too strong of a personality that he just would have no place in this new timeline.

Sure, the future has changed leaving room for Kirk to NOT die in Generations (as that timeline is separate from the current one) but there is no reason for an old Kirk to show up. If they cast him as young Kirk’s grandfather or something that might be a nice tribute cameo. If Back to the Future has taught us anything it is that when you travel in time, all your descendants will look exactly like you.

But I think this is more a case of “too little too late”. Shatner was satisfied that his character should die. It was a passing of the torch for the feature films to focus on the Next Generation never to return to tell the story of the original crew of the Enterprise. At the time, Shat was also embittered towards the fans even writing a book about his convention circuit experience lashing out at the wildly devoted fanbase telling them to “Get a Life”. Well they did, and left Trek behind and the franchise died.

Now he sees Trek flourish into a new exciting chapter and he wants in.

Sorry Shat. I love ya, but Trek moved on without you.

I cannot deny the man love I have for the comedy teamings of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The films they star in together are just packed with charm and always a sure win for me.

So despite the pairing, this is not the elusive third chapter of the Edgar Wright Ice Cream Trilogy, (announced “The World’s End”) but it is shaping up to be a well rounded cast that makes me anticipate the film even more.

Rope of Silicon shares:

The upcoming sci-fi comedy Paul starring the comedic talents of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) have added a load of talent to the cast including Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader and Jane Lynch.

The story revolves around two science-fiction fanatics (Pegg and Frost) on a road trip whose conspiracy dreams come true when they trek to Area 51 and encounter the title character, an escaped alien (voiced by Rogen).

So as if the winning PB&J team of Pegg and Frost wasn’t enough, we get a cast that are sure to please on every level.

I am very much looking forward to this.

Seems in the midst of promoting Land of the Lost, Farrell was asked for an update on the rumoured Anchorman sequel.

/Film says:

Will Ferrell is making the rounds doing publicity for Land of the Lost and was asked for an update while appearing on an Australian radio show Jono & Dano. According to Moviehole, Ferrell told the hosts that “everyone is meeting next week” to discuss a possible sequel. Ferrell went on to joke that the meeting is really to see whether or not Paul Rudd and Steve Carell are willing to take pay cuts, as he wouldn’t be.

So in a nutshell, what I am hearing here is that Farrell wants to do this film, but he isn’t willing to take a pay cut to make it happen.

Steve Carell and Paul Rudd have become bigger names since Anchorman came out, and rightfully they would have been paid less as they were not the stars of the film. They served as comedic backboards that worked incredibly well in the film. I think in a sequel, they shouldnt be played up as anything more than they were in the first, and if so they shouldnt get paid as much as in the first.

Just seems like a douchey thing to say, but I worry that the movie wont happen now that their price tags have gone up individually. Why would they do this for less when another film offer could pay them more? For the love of the art? We can only hope.

I would love to see more of this, as the first had me in stitches. Maybe they could recruit some new talent instead of squabbling over paycheques. Let Farrell play the aging reporter who’s job is threatened by younger talent instead of threatened by a girl. And I hope they push this story into the 80s and not on the moon as one suggested plot was rumoured.

Also, with Samantha Who cancelled on Tv, Applegate will be looking for work.

In wild speculation Golden Apple Comics in LA had a surprise visit from Katee Sackhoff attempting to buy them out of every Typhoid Mary comic in their stock.

She said it was “for a role” so we don’t know if she is courting to play Typhoid Mary, or a character like her Tie this in with rumours that Marvel wants to Reboot Daredevil, and the rumour mill hits the ground running.

Fused Film says:

The actress rumored to be playing this character is BSG’s Katee Sackhoff. Los Angeles-based Golden Apple Comics is reporting that Sackhoff recently came in and grabbed every comic should could find featuring Typhoid Mary.

“So we got a little visit in our comic shop last week by Katee Sackhoff, also known as Starbuck for her role on BSG. She proceeded to grab all the Typhoid Mary comics we had and has hopes to get a part for a marvel movie…”

Now I haven’t heard anything about a Typhoid Mary movie adaptation coming out, but this may well be the best hint we get that Marvel is moving forward with its latest swipes at Rebooting its less popular films.

We just got a new Hulk film a short time after the last one was less than well recieved by the fans, and now they may be turning their eye to rejuvinate Daredevil. I actually liked the Daredevil film.

I think it would be a smart move to avoid the Elektra character for now, as the bad taste of the spinoff is still in our mouths. But if they are going to reboot Daredevil, this would be the way to go. Typhoid Mary has served as both an adversary and lover to Daredevil.

Mary is damaged goods, which we know Sackhoff is good at playing, but she is also a trained assassin and we know Sackhoff can kick some ass. I’d like to see Sackhoff playing some more feminine roles that also play to her believable physical strengths.

I don’t need another 80lb Barbie Doll playing a warrior woman.

This Memorial Day weekend known in Canada as “the weekend” (we had our holiday the previous weekend - Victoria Day) was a battle of the sequels with Terminator Salvation hoping to hold the weekend. Seems that the sequel Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian hedged out the Terminator sequel despite Terminator’s extra day.

Get the Big Picture says:

From Thursday to Monday, Terminator has only managed $67 million. So now, even with a one day head start, it couldn’t do the kind of business Night at the Museum generated. Yep: $70 million in four days for Museum versus $67 million in five days for T4.

Now while some might see this as a defeat for Terminator, I don’t. With such poor reviews for the film buzzing around the net (not just here) I was surprised to see this hit at $67million. Remember that the much more hotly pursued Star Trek brought in an impressive $75m on its first week out, and finding a bad review for that movie was difficult.

In my books, this was as much of a win as we could hope for. Even in interviews McG has been saying that his three film plan will be completely dependent on the fans seeing this movie. No truer words were spoken. If they can’t make this a financial success, we likely wont see more Terminator stories. At least not with McG at the head.

But also folks, remember the squash.

NEVER underestimate the power of a family friendly film. I knew that no matter HOW big Terminator looked, it just wasn’t likely to out number the masses lining up for Battle at the Smithsonian. Seriously, they had Vader, a slap happy monkey and Amy Adams.

For those who think that Terminator would have done better if those families were not dragging their kids out on the holiday weekend, next weekend isn’t looking good either. Disney’s Up! is coming out.

Looks like the Anderson helmed Castlevania just couldn’t find a way to make it work, and the project is being turfed.

Bloody Disgusting says:

Sources close to Bloody-Disgusting have confirmed that Paul W.S. Anderson’s Castlevania adaptation has officially turned to dust. The project, originally announced with Sylvain White (Stomp the Yard, I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer) attached to direct, had recently went out to new directors only to take a trip into the abyss of “development hell.”

I was always a fan of the video game, but as with any video game adaptation I wasn’t at all looking forward to seeing this adapted.

Sure any film can surprise, and Paul WS Anderson has the best track record with games adapted to films with Resident Evil (best is a loose term here), but I am not shedding any tears hearing this is being sent to the attic.

Maybe someday.

The Imax Poster for Transformers Revenge of the Fallen is online

The poster looks to have a much roughed up Bumblebee against the sunny backdrop of the Egyptian desert. Very gritty.

One of the ongoing things in the Transformers comic book was how many times Bumblebee gets blown to bits (once by Cobra in a GIJoe crossover). He is always rebuilt, as he is a fan favourite and in later books he was known as Goldbug instead. With Jazz getting torn in half and then returning in this film (devaluing Prime’s touching epilogue in the first movie as he touchingly remembers Jazz as a loyal soldier) I am surprised they don’t kill off Bumblebee a few times too.

Still, the poster looks cool. I don’t think its possible for me to be MORE excited about this.

Via

A teaser trailer is out for Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel.

It almost causes my physical pain to type that title but the teaser is cute:

I have to admit that as much as I didn’t really care for the first movie, I don’t know that you could have done better with a live action Chipmunks movie. This one will play to the same audience that loved the first (my kids) and offer up the same takes on popular pop tunes set to high pitched tight harmonies.

When I was a kid the Chipmunks were huge, but we also had a wider attention span and WOULD sit around the record player to hear their covers of songs and stuff sugar infused cereal in our gobs while we watched their animated adventures. This younger generation is getting the same treatment and I have to admit seeing the teaser with the “live” Chipmunks singing out the 20th Century Fox fanfare did give me a smile.

I am wagering they will be saving the Chipettes for the full trailer.

Via

Careful what you wish for Buffy fans, you just might get it.

Looks like there is a new Buffy the Vampire Slayer film coming, but its not what you would think. The original director is teaming up with Vertigo Entertainment to take the much loved franchise and reboot/remake it. Without Joss Whedon.

Rope of Silicon repofts:

Roy Lee and Doug Davison of Vertigo Entertainment are working with original movie director Fran Rubel Kuzui and her husband, Kaz Kuzui, on what is being labeled a remake or relaunch of Buffy, but not a sequel or prequel. Kuzui and her Kuzui Enterprises have held onto the rights since the beginning, when she discovered the Buffy script from then-unknown Whedon.

This is the dumbest idea ever. Well this, and casting Pro Wrestlers or rappers to star in films

This reeks of a Twilight vampire bandwagon effort (even CW has a new Twilight ripoff show coming out in the fall) with a side order of “Whedon had his chance”. At least the director/producer of the original film that inspired the phenomenon is behind this, so at very least I hope they would have some passion for the project.

However it could be a career move hinging on the vampire craze lately since Fran Rubel Kuzui hasn’t directed anything SINCE the Buffy film.

Normally I would play the TMB Rules of a Remake game. But looking at the criteria I had a hard time separating the film from the TV series. The TV series was a direct sequel to the Movie. The pilot episode even has Buffy Summers moving to Sunnydale after she was expelled from her previous highschool for burning down the Gym.

The comparison I want to play here would be to line it up with the recent incarnation of Star Trek. I want to play devil’s advocate here, because I think this is a bad idea but I could be open to the idea if it is handled correctly.

Let me just deviate for a moment and say that I am a MASSIVE Whedonite, and loved the Buffy series and the Angel spinoff. Best TV of its decade, for a number of reasons.

Anyways, if these people want to remake Buffy, the only way I see it having a chance is to consider Star Trek.

If someone had told me they were remaking Star Trek, I would say they were out of their mind. But they did. Kinda. This Star Trek was a reboot, and paid due tribute to its predacessors, and “continued” the story without remaking the story. This gave them a clean slate and I applauded them for it.

The franchise was dead. The die hards were still craving more, but it just wasn’t going to happen. For whatever multitude of fingerpointing reasons the Trekkers gave, it was just dead Jim.

Now let’s look at Buffy. After 7 amazing seasons, Buffy finally called it quits, and for another year after that we saw the untimely end of the Angel spinoff.

That was just 5 years ago. Since then, the fanbase as been itching for a reunion movie, a rumoured spinoff involving Spike, Faith or Rupert “Ripper” Giles. The comic book series, dubbed Season 8 has been popular. But herein lies the problem.

If they reboot the series, Whedon will not be involved at all, and they will be remaking it with a whole new story and new characters. The parts of Buffy that people LOVE and are enthusastic about are the characters. And aside from Buffy, all the characters came in the TV series.

This reboot can’t work like Star Trek did. They are hoping to latch onto the Vampire craze, boosted by the enthusiasm of the Buffy fans, and hope to rekindle a dead franchise.

So my only other hope is that they cling to their rights to the Buffyverse, pay some royalties to Whedon for his expanded mythos, and offer a “next generation” kind of thing. Introduce a new Slayer from the mass of “activated slayers in waiting” and deal with a story there. I also feel this is the only hope for a future Star Wars franchise. The current Clone Wars stuff will die off, and a decade from now we will get a “next generation” Star Wars franchise like the Legacy Comics.

All that being said, Buffy is one of those franchises that saw a wave of success that will overshadow any attempt to reboot it. I am not saying it can’t be done, but it won’t be easy.

I know the raving Whedonites will deny this film like I see the Highlander sequels, but there is a tiny sliver of hope that they could make this into something it never was and still be loved.

With Star Wars celebrating its 32nd Birthday this week (May 25th, 1977 was the release date of A New Hope) it is only fitting that a tribute to that film that changed everything would take place. No, I am not talking about Fanboys. I am talking about a trailer for a buried and forgotten film called 77. (Originally called 5-25-77)

77 is a movie about a geek in the late 70s who is obsessed with films and makes them in his back yard. He is a social outcast and gets picked on for his fandom. It only gets more rabid in the summer of ‘77 when the geek is introduced to Star Wars.

Check out the trailer.

I really am looking forward to FINALLY getting my copy of Fanboys, but this is no copycat roadtrip comedy. Although just like Fanboys, this film was made a long while ago, and is likely surfacing again because of the popularity of Fanboys. It still doesn’t have a distributor, but I hope it does soon.

This has a coming-of-age feeling that reminds me of Almost Famous. In part because of the era its set in, but more that it is a heartfelt drama, that although appealing to the sci-fi geek in me, really hits home with the love affair with Star Wars that we had.

And its star, John Francis Daley of Freaks and Geeks and more recently Bones is just awesome. The guy is a solid actor, and will serve this role well.

With all the Star Wars bashing that has become more popular than the films themselves, I think it is wise to be able to look back and be able to see what the big deal was.

Via

Let me first say that this is a FAN MADE trailer that has been making the rounds today.

They have yet to cast Green Lantern, and one of my personal top favs for the job would be Nathan Fillion (or David Boreanaz) so to see a mashup of other film clips edited to be Green Lantern is pretty awesome.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this! So well put together, and even shows some of the hokey Corp members. I hope that in the feature film we do get to see the other GL Corp characters if only for a cameo, but done up less cartoony. A realistic verson of these characters would be easier to swallow.

If the feature film gets me HALF as excited as this fan trailer did, I will be duely impressed.

Via