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Top Maniacal Rumors: Clooney Ranger, Romero Returns and Knight Prepping
A look at this week's top wild rumors. By
Jarrod Sarafin
October 03, 2008
George Clooney as the next Lone Ranger?
© Mania.com/Josh Gordon
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.
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?
Rumor: There were rumors of a Diary of the Dead 2. Rumors which were eventually shot down. Now, we have received word that zombie mastermind George A. Romero is indeed working on another zombie installment in his “Dead” saga and it will tie into what happened within Diary of the Dead.
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?
Rumor: Another rumor popped up this week that director and screenwriter Greg Berlanti could be nearing the production debut of The Green Lantern.
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.
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?
Rumor: The Dark Knight is nearing the end of its theatrical run to enormous success and director Christopher Nolan has been on vacation, not being officially signed as of yet for the third adventure. But that’s not stopping preproduction from kicking into gear according to this latest rumor.
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.
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