Top Maniacal Rumors: Clooney Ranger, Romero Returns and Knight Prepping
By: Jarrod SarafinDate: Friday, October 03, 2008
It’s time for another edition of Mania’s Most Maniacal Rumors, where we blow the lid off the week’s juiciest gossip and hush-hush industry whispers.
If you have a rumor you want to contribute, we’re all ears. Just send it to jarrod@mania.com..
George Clooney is the Next Lone Ranger?
Rumor: One of the most prolific announcements this past week was Disney confirming Johnny Depp as Tonto in their upcoming revision of The Lone Ranger. No announcements came on who was playing the title character but if this is correct, it seems Disney may be going with George Clooney.
Source: AICN
Mania Verdict: Like the link suggests, they’re strictly in the talking stages right now. It’s not a done deal but it could very well happen. Clooney has been pushing serious fare for some time now and could want to go back for a light-hearted feature like this classic character.
Romero Working on a Diary of the Dead Spin-Off?
Source: ShlockAroundtheClock
Mania Verdict: Judging by what Romero is saying now, the next zombie film will tie in with his last installment even if it won’t be considered a sequel. Here’s what he had to say on it.
“I’ll stick with this starting-over idea. It’ll be about three weeks in [past the outbreak] and it doesn’t start with the people in the mansion [at the end of Diary]. It starts with the blonde who drove away and the national guardsmen who robbed the people. So those are the only characters that return.”
Green Lantern Begins Shooting in the Spring?
Source: FirstShowing
Mania Verdict: This is likely true off previous reports over the summer, which suggest that producers have been aiming for an early 2009 production start-up. Here’s what producer Donald De Line had to say on the progress.
"He told me that 'a new draft of the script came in' and they're 'gearing up to start shooting early spring.' While it's not confirmed, he added that 'it's coming together and I'm excited about it. Hopefully we'll make it to start gate. We're really close -- really close.'"
Kirsten Dunst Ready to Return to Spider-Man 4?
Rumor: Up until a few weeks ago, there were numerous rumors that Sony would be going a new direction with a new cast and director for Spider-Man 4. Those rumors eventually died down over time and we finally heard word that Sam Raimi was returning to direct and Tobey Maguire was coming back for a substantial amount of cash. However, there was no mention of Dunst returning until now.
Source: MTV
Mania Verdict: She has been adamant that Maguire and Raimi are signed and ready before she is willing to return herself. With them back on board, she will return as well. This is all still rumor territory until Columbia Pictures officially announces the progress though.
Nolan’s Batman 3 Begins Production Early 2009?
Source: Batman-on-Film
Mania Verdict: It seems way too early to talk when Nolan hasn’t signed officially and there was no script fleshed out other than general ideas in the minds of the Nolan brothers and Goyer. But the key for this rumor is set building and very early preproduction issues, which do tend to begin a long time before the actors get in front of any camera.
More From Mania
Johnny Depp to play Tonto in 'The Lone Ranger'
'Lone Ranger' riding to the big screen
(Friday, March 28, 2008)
The Lone Ranger
(Friday, September 8, 2006)
Lone Ranger absent from 'Green Hornet' Movie
(Monday, February 28, 2005)
LONE RANGER scribe knows westerns
(Friday, May 9, 2003)
LONE RANGER rides again on silver screen
(Wednesday, March 6, 2002)
LONE RANGER returning to TV?
(Tuesday, February 5, 2002)
THE LONE RANGER Rides Again?
(Thursday, December 6, 2001)
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I am not an uber fan of Zombie flicks all though I do watch them and Romero is the Scorsese of zombie fare so this should be cool. I do like the way he makes his movies. Not doing sequels but telling different stories in the same established universe.
Green Lantern? Bring it on! Anything is better than that JLA idea. When are the doing that Supermaxx movie about GA?
Kirsten Dunst, You suck! If you feel the strain of doing another Spidey movie is too much for you, feel free to pull out. Please! do us all a favor!
I don`t want to know anything about the next Bats movie until we get confirmation that Nolan is signed up.