It's a veritable C2F casting derby with news on 'Spider-Man 4', 'Thor', 'Green Lantern' and 'Red' fronts! Plus: 'Jonah Hex' principals called back for re-shoots. 'Wolverine 2' to roll cameras in 2011 and more! Extra spicey with no MSG, it's your Comics2Film 10.1.11!
Actor John Malkovich, who seems intent on cornering the market on comic book movie roles, is the latest to join the cast of 'Red'. Variety reports that Malkovich replaces actor John C. Reilly in the filmed adaptation of Warren Ellis and Cully Hamnner's comic series.
Summit Entertainment's film stars Bruce Willis as a retired spy called to action by a high-tech assassin who wants him dead. Robert Schwentke is directing the film which starts production in Toronto this month. The film is due in theaters next November.
Doing backstage press at the Peoples Choice Awards, actor Hugh Jackman said he hopes to see 'Wolverine 2' rolling cameras some time in 2011.
"Wolverine's going to be back. He's going to Japan," Jackman told the gathered press. "We shoot that probably in a year, year-and-a-half, something like that."
As was reported late last year, the 'Jonah Hex' movie is headed for some re-shoots. While it's very common for films to do some additional photography after principle photography is completed, this 10-day stretch seems to be a bit more serious.
Lead actors Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, Megan Fox and Michael Fassbender are regrouping with director Jimmy Hayward for a 10-day run in Los Angeles, according to the Heat Vision blog at THR. As previously rumored, director Francis Lawrence ('I Am Legend') will also be on hand to act as a consultant to the first-time live-action director (Hayward previous helmed the animated hit 'Horton Hears a Who').
Plans are to film 12 new scripted pages as well as more typical re-shoot work.
None of this sounds like good news for 'Jonah Hex'. Some of Heat Vision's sources say this is an attempt to fix problems with the film. Others are saying it's to beef up the modestly-budgeted movie to tentpole stature.
Another big-cast movie is undergoing an actor shuffle this week. According to the Hollywood Reporter, actor Stuart Townsend has departed Marvel and Kenneth Branagh's 'Thor'. Townsend had been working in pre-production in the role of Fandral (one of the Warriors Three), but has left due to the all-encompassing and oft-cited reason of "creative differences".
Replacing him is little-known actor Joshua Dallas, set to appear in George Lucas' upcoming 'Red Tails'. He also appeared in 'The Descent 2' and did an episode of 'Doctor Who.
Thanks to fft5305 for the submission.
The second solid bit of casting news on 'Green Lantern' broke late in the day last Friday.
'Gossip Girl' actress Blake Lively has won the lead female role of Carol Ferris in the production, according to the Heat Vision blog at THR. In the movie, and the early Green Lantern tales, Ferris is a tough-minded business woman who runs the aerospace company that employs test pilot Hal Jordan (played by Ryan Reynolds). Ferris eventual becomes the super villain Star Sapphire. Most recently Star Sapphire was revealed to be part of one of the seven emotional color spectrum corps.
According to the report, Lively beat out Keri Russell and Jennifer Garner (among others) for the part.
Filming begins this March.
Thanks to fft5305 for the submission.
The Associated Press reports that Marvel has taken legal action against the estate of Jack Kirby in response to the estate's filing of 45 claims of copyright termination last year.
Marvel's filing is an attempt to retain the rights to numerous lucrative characters and franchises that the Kirby purportedly had a hand in creating. The Kirby estate's assertions would impact such crown jewels as 'Fantastic Four', 'X-Men' and 'Hulk' to name a few. They even list 'Spider-Man' among their complaints.
The federal lawsuit filed Friday in Manhattan by Marvel Worldwide Inc. asks a judge to invalidate the 45 notices. Marvel's argument centers on the fact that Kirby rendered his creations as work for hire.
Attorney Marc Toberoff (who has famously represented the estate of Jerry Siegel against DC Comics' claim of ownership of the Superman character) is representing the Kirby estate. He responded to Marvel's suit saying, "It is a standard claim predictably made by comic book companies to deprive artists, writers, and other talent of all rights in their work. The Kirby children intend to vigorously defend against Marvel's claims in the hope of finally vindicating their father's work."
Thanks to fft5305 for the submission.
Fans of the European comic 'Largo Winch' will get a chance to see the French film adaptation of the work this month. That is, if you live in Canada you will. The movie is set to open in select territories there on January 15th, according to The Cultural Post blog.
Thanks to AntoBlueberry for the submission.
Actor Tobey Maguire made a public appearance via live webcam on the L.A. Time's Envelope site (devoted to Oscar buzz). Superhero Hype reports that Maguire talked about the delays on 'Spider-Man 4' and even transcribed his comments:
"Like anything, it's a process," Maguire said. "We're just in the midst of the process. We have a lot of great stuff in terms of story and script. We're just trying to dial it in and get it ready as quickly as possible. Of course, these movies are a very big undertaking and take a lot more time than a drama or something more straightforward."
Maquire said things are still moving and he's involved with the story process.
"Not only do I have specific ideas, but the ideas are evolving on the page," he said. "It's all happening right now. It's all sort of coming together. It's very exciting to me. I think the evolution of the character is really exciting, to be rooted in the history of what we've done already and to have a continuity, yet have a progression or evolution."
Apparently, actor John Malkovich has made a public confirmation of rumors that link him to the character of The Vulture in 'Spider-Man 4'.
BadTaste.it reports that the actor appeared on the Italian sports show 'Quelli Che il Calcio'. When asked about the rumor by host Simon Ventura Malkovich apparently confirmed that there's at least been discussions about it. He said he's waiting on the final script but hopes to begin shooting as soon as possible.
'Arrested Development' funnyman Will Arnett spoke exclusively with Superhero Hype about his role in 'Jonah Hex'.
He said the role was a challenge as it is a serious part.
"I hope. Otherwise I've failed miserably at my job," Arnett said. "I play a guy who's in the Union army right after the Civil War. I enlist Jonah Hex, played by Josh Brolin, to do our bidding for us and to track down John Malkovich."
Again with the Malkovich! The actor plays the primary heavy of the film, Quentin Turnbull who holds a grudge against the title character.
Arnett also calls the film a "real fun, dark sweaty movie."
Movieline has revealed the details behind the script issues with 'Spider-Man 4'. They've recovered emailed notes from Sony chief Amy Pascal to director Sam Raimi.
Here's an excerpt:
pg 1. Still not convinced opening with a musical number is the way to go. But I know that SR loved the musical Peter Parker bit in SM3 and thinks that starting on one here makes the bus hijacking by the terrorist (Hungarian! not Al Qaeda, too sensitive!) a real sucker-punch. The execution isn’t there. “Walkin’ On Sunshine,” really? If we’re gonna do it, we can do better. Taylor Swift better. Let me worry about the licensing.
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