FF:QLD Upcoming movies

Apparently more Riddick films are coming.

A lot of people didn't like The Chronicles of Riddick, but as an original piece of sci-fi, it's worth your time. I hope this does actually get off the ground.

Be seeing you,

Magnus Darcrider

 

I enjoyed Chronicles of Riddick - especially the Director's Cut.

Let's just hope that they don't ask Thandie Newton to return.

 

Let me know when they're making a sequel to Escape from Butcher Bay. One of my favourite games. I can take or leave the movies.

 

They're remaking Escape from Butcher's Bay with new content for the current generation of consoles and PCs and calling it Assault on Dark Athena.

Is that good enough?

 

Personally I liked Chronicles of Riddick so bring on the sequels

 

Unsurprisingly, the WB is reconsidering how it makes movies based on it's DC properties, in light of Marvel's current winning strategy and the success of The Dark Knight.

AICN is where this showed up, but The Wall Street Journal caught it first.

This is unsurprising; with all the talk of a Justice League movie being bandied about before the writer's strike last year, there were way too many people crying out "you're doing it wrong!" Coupled with the problems on the Wonder Woman, Flash and Green Lantern films (that last had Jack Black attached to it at one point...dear lord WHY??) a major re-evaluation was required.

I hope however that the Green Arrow film Supermax stays on the slate though; while it's a horrible origin film for the character, it's such a neat idea it just might work.

Word I've heard from a reliable (but still, second hand) source is that this means a re-invention of the Superman film franchise, which means Bryan Singer and Brandon Routh are out. While I won't shed a tear about the loss of Singer; I get what he was trying to do with his film and I do like it, but it wasn't the way for Superman to return; but Routh was an excellent Superman. He may not be an excellent Clark Kent though, so maybe that is part of the issue.

Make another Batman film, make a Superman film or two, then do a World's Finest team up with those two, while launching a few other characters in their own films, and THEN do a Justice League film.

Be seeing you,

Magnus Darcrider

 

I had heard the same rumour. I heard it as they we're going to do a reboot in the style of Batman Begins, which means grounded close to our reality and DARK AND GRITTY. Which is a shame. Firstly, because i really liked Superman Returns. Secondly, because dark and gritty doesn't work with Superman. Superman is always supposed to be the boy scout who always does the right thing, and nothing bad really happens. A dark and gritty universe and an angsty Superman just doesn't work. Batman is dark and gritty. Superman is squeaky clean.

 

Yeah, I'll refrain from bringing up the "Superman Lives" article, as the "dark and gritty" Superman was part of that sordid saga nearly ten years ago.

People want to see Superman punch things. That means providing him with a villain who can take a punch. So put Luthor in a Power Suit, have Luthor create Metallo, have Brainiac turn up to harvest the last Kryptonian, have Zod demand the Son of Jor-El kneel before him, have Warworld turn up with Mongul at it's helm, or have Darkseid come to put that young upstart from Krypton in his place.

Be seeing you,

Magnus Darcrider

 

I'm disappointed that WB sees a reboot as necessary, although it's understandable. I still stand by Superman Returns, but its slow pacing and ties to the Richard Donner series make it an awfully niche movie for a big-budget superhero epic. I wonder if it's going to go down in film history next to The Hulk as a critically respected misstep.

I would have liked to see where Bryan Singer would have gone. I know he was planning something action-heavy, with a more evenly matched foe, but from the studio's point of view, keeping him on still represents a risk. I get that. If Brandon Routh is out, that's a goddamn shame, but I can reluctantly force myself to see Warner Bros' perspective on that too.

The plan laid out in the Wall Street article sounds like a competent new direction for DC character films, right up to the word "dark". Yeah, it scares me too. That's the point where it sounds less like a sincere gesture and more like a kneejerk reaction to the success of The Dark Knight. I know the full phrase is "dark to the extent that the characters allow it", but just using that word to describe Superman misses the point of the character entirely.

I hope it's just an inconsequential, shareholder-appeasing line taken out of context. The movie hasn't even been written, and for all we know it will be placed in very competent hands. Still, it's hard not to let your imagination get carried away.

[image=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9703/12/superman/new.lrg.jpg]

 

how about do something the last Superman movie did not....have a great action packed story with deep undertones! Superman Returns was a great yawn fest. Brando was a stand-out in it and he was dead! It was a lame PGer-thon much like latest Fantastic Four film series which is lamer than Cormann's 1994 version which was actually not that bad.

 

That Is Your Opinion, And We Respect It.

By the way, thanks for bringing up the 1995 Fantastic Four b-movie. I had no idea that existed, and curiosity got the better of me. It's a fascinating sidenote in superhero movie history: a cast and crew misled into making and promoting a movie the studio never intended to release.

 

I really enjoyed Superman Returns. The greater Interet Population of the world seem profoundly dismissive of it, and I'm not sure why there's such a disconnect between their feelings and mine. I've got a feeling that it's because I frankly have almost no memory or ingrained love the Richard Donner films. I've seen them, but not for quite a while now. Perhaps I recognise the respectfulness that SR has for the original films, but I lack the experience to see the "slavish and blind devotion" people talk about. I thought the action was grand and sweeping, rather than "intense", which was something I enjoyed and is in nice contrast to more modern action films, especially superhero movies. I especially loved the bit with the space shuttle and the plane, which was an awesome reveal of Superman. And the John Williams theme music could make me forgive just about anything. There's something about that piece of music that just stirs something in me that makes me feel like I know those films well even though I don't.

The thing with the kid was kinda weird and probably a bad move in hindsight, but you know what they say about hindsight. Otherwise, I thought it was a lot of fun. I'd like to see it again, see if my feelings on it remain the same. If we're talking Brian Singer films then it's sure as hell no X-Men 2, but I don't get all the hate and general nerd-rage it engenders. *Shrug*



EDIT:
Brando was a stand-out in it and he was dead!

As much as I do disagree with you, Mixo, that really made me laugh.

 

There's a new trailer for Max Payne out, and it's cooooooool. I have to be honest: I can see why some people are dubious about this thing. But the whole thing about valkiries and angels and all that good stuff is great, I love it. And if you've actually played the game you know that norse mythology is a big running stylistic theme. I'm really liking what I see from this. It's got the look of a slightly abstract sort of graphic novel without going down the road of Sin City or 300. I don't think the girl they've got playing Mona looks entirely right, but I'll be happy to be proven wrong about it.

Basically, count me in. I'm looking forward to this thing.

 

Superman Returns basically inherited all the strengths and weaknesses of the Richard Donner films, and for that matter, the title character himself. I found the sense of wonder and pure, pro-human sincerity a really refreshing change. On the other hand, film pacing has come a long way since the original movies. Superman might be a shining beacon, but it's hard to maintain the brightness for that long. As much as I enjoyed the story, it was too straightforward to justify the length.

As with BBN, I still put these problems aside whenever John Williams' theme comes up. I've always liked the Donner movies, but for the duration of that music, I will be utterly convinced I loved them, and I've finally figured out why: every feeling the movie tries to convey, the original score delivers flawlessly. As far as I'm concerned, that music is the essence of Superman in its purest form.

The movie always felt like a transitional piece to me: a nod to the franchise's past that would have cleared the way for something new. After all, this is from the people who brought us X-Men 2. I have no doubt they would have given us a more widely accessible follow-up, upped the stakes, and taken the series in a new direction.

As disappointed as I am that they won't get that chance, it's obvious DC understand the importance of the franchise. I can't see them handing the next movie to ...er... which director do we consider unsuitable these days? McG has publically declared his old self dead and burried, and I can't in good conscience make fun of Brett Ratner, who salvaged what he could of X-Men 3 and actually did a really solid job adapting Red Dragon.

As for Max Payne, I simply can't imagine this being a bad movie. From the trailers, it seems they've nailed the visual style and emotional tone. Fill it with enough cheesy noir lines and slow-motion gunfights, and I'll be content. As far as videogames go, this one is very adaptation friendly. The narrative and stylistic groundwork are alreayd there, ripe for the picking. All they need to do is make it fun.

Mila Kunis seems a bit young for Mona, but I only know her as Meg from Family Guy, so I won't pass judgement.

 

The first trailer for Superman Returns shows us why John Williams score is so effective; I know a lot of Superman fans who went back to the original film when they first saw that trailer.

What it comes down to is that the majority of people didn't want to see a Messiah story with a new Superman film. That coupled with an introspective piece about how Superman can be relevant in the modern age and minimal actions sequences and people were kinda disappointed. For me, the argument about how it was exciting is erased by the fact Superman lifts a a continent made of Kryptonite into space.

I think a modern Superman film does need to justify his existence and relevance in the world. Actually, this is something the upcoming Captain America/Avengers films is also going to have to deal with, for slightly different reasons. But for an excellent take on the relevance part for Superman, do a search on YouTube for "After Hours".

As for Max Payne, well I feel inspired to dust off my game discs...

Be seeing you,

Magnus Darcrider

 

A whole bunch of movie news I'm too lazy to find links for;

Firstly, the Watchmen Court case is going ahead. FOX was trying for a June trial date to continue their ass-hattery and delay the film. Universal wanted a March trial date to get the film out by the release date.

The judge in his infinite wisdom cleared his schedule and set down a date in January. We suspect he's a fan of the comic

Ghostbusters III is going ahead (I'm surprised no one's commented on this yet actually); with the four original Ghostbusters returning to act as mentors to a new group. I hear people from the US The Office are writing it. Will they get it out in time for the anniversary I wonder? I just hope they don't go the slacker route for the new Ghostbusters; Iron Man showed us the way; scientists can be sexy, sexy rock stars, so hopefully they'll at least have a couple of scientists from the Dr. Venkeman mold

A Greatest American Hero movie has been officially announced. I'm far too excited.

Be seeing you,

Magnus Darcrider

 

I would have commented, but I haven't been on the boards much lately. Basically, I'm far more interested in the game than another movie, and until we get some news on the fate of that I don't want to hear about anything else.

Frankly, I think the excitement that the game was generating is the reason that this new movie is going ahead. They've realised how much love there is for the franchise, and they're fast-tracking the same thing they've spent the last 10 years slapping Dan Ackroyd down over. I don't much like the idea of a new team, but the old team are just too old to be believable. I like the Office writers, they should be able to come up with something good. But I find it interesting that they're doing the film when Ackroyd and Ramis have written the game...

 

There is also that nasty little rumor that Seth Rogen is planning to remake GHOSTBUSTERS!

LETTER TO MR. S.Rogen

Please Mr.Rogen do not do this. I understand that it is good for your wallet but the original was great and does not need to be tarnished. Please after releasing Super Bad, which yes was SUPER BAD, maybe take a rest for a while. I know that you will ride the "new comedian on the block" wave of movies such as Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler did, for a while and try to cash in fast. Please branch out a little and be original. Please do not do a Sandler and make the same movie over and over with the same character. Also please do not do the quick money grab of a remake or adaption of a comedy classic - eg. Steve Marting - Pink Panther, Steve Carell - Get Smart.

 

You might want to check your sources before mailing that letter. The rumour sounds like a very skewered version of the information currently floating around the Tubes. Hopefully this alarmingly lower-case statement from Harold Ramis will clarify:

I haven't seen any of Atapow's movies, so I have no opinion of anyone in that crowd. I know a lot of people have a lot of good things to say about them.
Until now, I've never been entirely sold on a passing-of-the-torch sequel, because the original team's shoes are just too big to fill. I'm now more willing to believe this scenario would work. This bunch seems very capable of making interesting characters out of the new team. Plus, this really sounds like a collaborative effort. The best of both worlds.

My guess is that the game and movie will fill very different niches: the former being the Ghostbusters III we might have gotten in the early nineties, and the latter serving as the Ghostbusters: The Next Generation. The idea of seeing both stories brings a tear to my geeky eye.

 

That is the problem with rumors we just cannot confirm anything until it happens. But please Mr. Rogen read my letter above and take notice. Also a note to Mr. J.Black...please also take heed and start making funny films. Do not become the token funny fat guy in Hollywood.

 

The Quantum of Solace theme song by Jack White and Alicia Keys.

Not doing a lot for me on first listen, but neither did Chris Cornell's Casino Royale opener, and that really grew on me in the lead-up to the movie. As much as I'm trying not to pass judgement too early, I have to say the combination of singers sounds a bit odd. For me, Alicia Keys' voice got in the way where it should have enhanced the song. That opinion might not last. We'll see.

The hook has the potential to become very catchy, though, and Jack White plays it well. I'm looking forward to hearing how David Arnold works it into the score.

 

Johnny playing Tonto...

Not a big Lone Ranger fan, but that sounds intriguing.

I also didn't know that Tim Burton was remaking Alice in Wonderland although it requires little thought to think..OF COURSE HE IS! Should be scary and freaky, but Alice is meant to be.

 

Kenneth Branagh is in negotiations to direct Thor!

What mad genius is this??

Be seeing you,

Magnus Darcrider

 

Christ, he was Lockhart in Harry Potter - Did not even click.

Mad genius indeed.

 

New Rhodey for Iron Man 2.

That's a bit disappointing.

Be seeing you,

Magnus Darcrider