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Top Maniacal Rumors: More Hulk, Raimi Flashbacks and Craven Screams
By: Jarrod SarafinDate: Friday, August 01, 2008
With the San Diego Comic-Con in full swing this past weekend, this latest edition of Mania’s Most Maniacal Rumors is kicking itself into overdrive to cover the hottest scoops out of the event. It’s time for another weekly wrap-up of 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.
Sam Raimi Ready for Evil Dead 4?
Rumor: It seems that a remake of Raimi’s cult classic Evil Dead isn’t the only thing in store for the franchise. While attending the SDCC this past weekend, director Sam Raimi reconfirmed to Mania that an Evil Dead 4 is most definitely “in his wheelhouse.”
Source: Mania
Mania Verdict: TRUE---Since we’re the ones who heard it, it’s definitely a true quote from the director. He mentioned that the delay thus far is waiting for his brother and co-writer Ivan Raimi to grab a free schedule so they can flesh out a script. We’ll add that Sam’s schedule continues to grow as well so that could add to possible future delays.
Planet Hulk Film in the Works for Marvel Studios?
Rumor: The animation film library continues to grow for Marvel Studios, who were pushing their upcoming two-pack Hulk Vs. (Wolverine, Thor) DVD and The Next Avengers. While at the panel at the SDCC, Marvel confirmed to Mania and news outlets that a Planet Hulk film was also in development as well.
Source: Mania
Mania Verdict: TRUE---What started out as one or two projects for the studio a few years back has quickly evolved into multiple high profile animated feature films per year for Marvel. Here’s what Marvel’s Greg Kyle had to say to Mania’s Robert T. Trate.
“It’s a huge amount of material. We look at all of it and we try and find the best translation. Doing the exact translation from the books is really tough because you like this and he loves that. You are getting into so many passionate scenes and moments and just messing with it because you have to compress it and decide what you can lose and still deliver. It’s a miserable place to be. It’s really hard. We are going to do our best. It will be a Doctor Strange translation and Frank (Paur) will be helming it.”
Wolfman’s Werewolf Transformation Not Being Done by Rick Baker?
Rumor: One of the highlights for movie guys this past year is that make-up expert Rick Baker is overseeing special effects for Universal’s upcoming remake of The Wolfman (set for April 3, 2009). Mania was on hand at the SDCC panel for the film, where footage was shown, and Baker has told us all that while he is doing effects, the transformation into werewolf will indeed be CGI driven.
Source: Mania
Mania Verdict: TRUE----Unfortunately, the expert behind the transformation in An American Werewolf in London isn’t doing again this time around according to Rick Baker. But the effects master did tell us that he’s doing his best to convince Universal that his transformation would be better than using CGI.
Sony Moving Forward with a Venom Spin-Off?
Rumor: While Spider-Man 4 continues to sit in development hell for the near future until production gets rolling for its 2011 premiere, new rumors have surfaced that Sony Pictures is moving forward with a Venom spin-off direct from the Spider-Man 3 storyline.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Mania Verdict: TRUE---The studio hopes to cash in on the same hopeful success that 20th Century Fox is utilizing by expanding upon its X-Men trilogy with next year’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine spin-off, says inside sources. While neither Marvel nor Sony could confirm this rumor, the studio has been looking into writing and casting calls for the possible Venom movie.
Torchwood’s John Barrowman is the new Captain America?
Rumor: While in attendance for the “Torchwood” panel at the SDCC, leading star John Barrowman was asked about persistent rumors that he was up for the role against the likes of A-list stars Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio, two actors who have also been whispered for the role. Barrowman confirmed that his agents have entered discussions about the role.
Source: SHH
Mania Verdict: TRUE—The actor confirms that there have been talks between his camp and production insiders for the upcoming The First Avenger: Captain America, which is slated for a May 6, 2011 release. The question remains on whether the studio will go with a relative unknown like Barrowman vs. A-list stars like Damon, DiCaprio, or someone else.
Incredible Hulk 2 Coming for Edward Norton?
Rumor: Despite less than stellar box office returns, it seems there is some truth to the rumors that Marvel is moving forward with an Incredible Hulk 2, says Marvel Studio’s executive Kevin Feige.
Source: SDCC Marvel: Your Universe Panel
Mania Verdict: TRUE---Kevin confirmed at the panel that they were going forward with the principal of a Edward Norton-led sequel, which surprised some fans happy with the latest installment. When asked about translating the character to the big screen from its comic source material, Feige had this to say.
"We still need to give the creative people room to stretch their legs. It's a hard balancing act. 'Planet Hulk' and 'World War Hulk' didn't have a lot to do with the movie, but it generated interest in the property."
A New X-Men Spin-Off on 20th Century Fox’s Horizon?
Rumor: With X-Men Origins: Wolverine production in its final stages and gearing up for a May 1, 2009 release, it seems that 20th Century Fox is prepping work on a spin-off titled X-Men: First Class, based on a mini-series arc from late 2006 to mid 2007.
Source: Production Weekly
Mania Verdict: MAYBE---We say maybe because while X-MenFirstClass.com redirects to 20th Century Fox’s movie page, this may just be a new title for their already announced Young X-Men spin-off already sitting in development hell for some time.
I Am Legend Prequel Confirmed for Francis Lawrence and Will Smith?
Rumor: Whispers of a possible prequel have been passed around by the trades the past few months. The rumors kicked into overdrive this week as director Francis Lawrence confirmed that a prequel was indeed in the works and Will Smith was wanting to come back.
Source: Shock Til You Drop
Mania Verdict: TRUE---With I Am Legend grossing $584.1 million worldwide last December, more “Legend” for Warner Bros. was virtually guaranteed, depending on the outlooks of Lawrence and Smith. If they’re on board as this latest bit suggests, it’s going to happen. Lawrence says the hold-up is getting the right story fleshed out for the Robert Neville character.
TMNT 2 in Development and Set for 2010?
Rumor: The first CGI adaptation of TMNT performed well for Warner Bros. in 2007 because of its low budget. New rumors suggest that a TMNT 2 is in development from Mirage Licensing and Imagi Studios, currently set for a release sometime in 2010.
Source: Playmate Toys
Mania Verdict: TRUE---By keeping the TMNT budget low to the tune of $34 million, the studio guaranteed a success and wound up grossing $95.0 million worldwide in 2007. With DVD sales adding onto that profit, it seems likely we’re going to see a sequel to the property.
Alicia Keys vs. Zoe Saldana Compete for a Role in Y: The Last Man?
Rumor: Producer J.C Spinks—of the fast moving Benderspink productions---is the source of the latest rumors regarding two possibilities to play Agent 355 in the upcoming D.J Caruso-led adaptation of the comic.
Source: UGO Movie Blog
Mania Verdict: MAYBE---Spinks confirmed that in the end, Caruso has the say on who gets the role alongside a possible starring Shia LaBeouf. But Spinks also said those two ladies are the two that he’s looking at for the role and he wants you fans to spread the word and help decide who should play the part.
Angelina Jolie Stars in Catwoman 2?
Rumor: A new wild rumor is coming out of New York that Angelina Jolie is shopping around for a black suit and could be starring in a possible Catwoman 2. The rumor is attributed to the current success of The Dark Knight.
Source: New York Daily News
Mania Verdict: FALSE---Jolie may be shopping around for a tight black suit and The Dark Knight’s success may be phenomenal but the fact that the original 2004 Catwoman was produced for $100 million and didn’t gross half that domestically keeps us from believing this particular rumor.
Transformers Has a New Villain in The Fallen?
Rumor: IDW Publishing has said that there is more to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen than just being a new title to the sequel. They’re suggesting “The Fallen” is actually the main villain of the sequel hitting theaters June 26, 2009.
Source: MTV
Mania Verdict: MAYBE---Michael Bay has made it very clear that he and his team of production partners will be waging a disinformation campaign for the sequel, due to all the leaked material from the first film’s pre-production days. This could be another one. While there is a robot named “The Fallen” in Transformers canon, rumors persist that Starscream will get more screentime and we could see a return of more well known villains.
Wes Craven is Up for a Scream 4?
Rumor: The rumor of a possible Scream 4 moved forward the past month when Jamie Kennedy said it was in the works but wouldn’t move forward until Wes Craven said yes to directing for Dimension Films. New rumors popped up this week to Ryan Rotten that Craven could be interested in returning if the story is right.
Source: Shock Til You Drop
Mania Verdict: TRUE---Here’s what horror mastermind Wes Craven had to say on his possible return to direct Scream 4.
"It really is: Is there a script?," he says. "What I found increasingly in the Scream series is that the script were being written while we were shooting. The first one was a written script, it went out to the whole town and the Weinsteins jumped on it. There was very little changed in that. But 2 and 3? There were a lot of other people, including myself, writing on those."
Silver Surfer Spin-Off On Hold Until Wolverine Release?
Rumor: A Surfer-led spin-off has been in development hell over at 20th Century Fox since last summer’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer hit theaters and the latest rumor suggests that the comic character will continue to be in development hell until Fox sees successful returns from X-Men: Wolverine in May 2009.
Source: SDCC: Marvel: Your Universe Panel
Mania Verdict: TRUE---While it isn’t anything but Marvel’s executive Kevin Feige expressing his opinion on the hold-up, the logic seems true enough from a logistics perspective. 20th Century Fox will want to see some good returns from its spin-off Wolverine before committing fully to another spin-off like Surfer.
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I`d love to see a new Evil Dead led by Raimi. Those flicks are just crazy.
Planet Hulk would be sweet and would set up WWH but if they are doing that, they should just do Civil War too. The Wolverine vs Hulk looks pretty cool. Although, I don`t like that Next Avengers one. Its definitely focused on the new younger comic reader. Doctor Strange was really good and so was the Iron Man animated movies. Marvel owns Son!
I know CGI has come a long way since Van Helsing, but they are crazy to not use Rick Baker for the transformation. The CGI won`t look nearly as cool.
Venom movie = Bad Idea
Well, he wasn`t my first choice and he`ll have to bulk up a little but I like Barrowman. He actually does have that Capt America feeling to him when he play Capt Jack Harkness. As long as he doesn`t go around kissing any guys in the movie, I`m cool with it. I still rather see Matt McChoneghy or Damon do it.
I`d go for some more Hulk. I thought the new version was quality.
I understand Marvel wants to get new younger readers in but I`m not fan of all the teeny bopper versions of my favorite heroes. I mean, do a Runaways movie or something.
I wouldn`t mind a I am Legend prequel but I don`t see what kind of story they could tell. The whole point of the book and movie is about his isolation, survival, and desperation to find a cure as the last man on Earth. I don`t really care about what was going on when everyone was still alive. What`s the point?
I enjoyed TMNT. I`d watch a sequel.
My pic would be Alicia Keys. She was pretty bad ass in Smokin Aces! She`s also fine as hell. Never seen Zoe Saldana in anything.
Haha, that`s funny.
Sounds cool. The fallen sounds like a pretty dark character. Even more than Megatron.
Does anyone else besides Wes Craven really want or need another Scream movie? Not Me!
Makes sense as long as they don`t get Tim "Giant Cloud" Story to do it.