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September 7, 2001

Source:  The Arrow

All you Andrew Divoff (Wishmaster) fans out there will be happy to know that he'll be appearing on the TV show The Agency on September 27 at 10:00 PM on CBS and on Sunday October 14 at 10:00PM he'll pop up in UC Undercover alongside William Forsythe. Enjoy...
 

September 7, 2001

Source: Cinema Confidential

I reported a while back about Pendragon Pictures endeavor to do a re-make of the classic WAR OF THE WORLDS. Well, finally some news has been released about its progress, specifically in the form of a press release: WAR OF THE WORLDS director Timothy Hines and Producer Susan Goforth have returned from the town of Leavenworth, Washington, where they photographed images of raging forest fires to use in special effects composition. "Anyone who has read H. G. Wells' novel knows that the story calls for many woodland settings in flames sparked by alien fighting machine heat rays," declares Hines. "Nature provided us with the opportunity to film real fires at the right time. We would have spent mountains of effort recreating what we captured, and it never would have had the amazing force of the real thing." Producer Susan Goforth concurs, "I've never seen anything like it in my life. There are just no words to describe the experience of being so close to a curtain of fire rising into the sky and stretching on for miles. Wafts of heat constantly remind you of forces that are greater than our own. Timothy was so excited. He kept moving in closer and closer with the camera. I was very worried as to how far we were pushing those boundaries. I had to keep reminding Timothy that we didn't want to announce that the principals of the new WAR OF THE WORLDS movie perished while filming forest fires." Production is gearing up for its October 15th start date in Seattle. Foundation Imaging, who provided effects for STAR TREK VOYAGER and the upcoming ENTERPRISE series, just provided Pendragon Pictures with some of the advanced design work and effects tests for the fighting machines. Check out more details on the project here.
 

September 7, 2001

Source: Hollywood Reporter

LL Cool J is reportedly in negotiations to star in the upcoming action-thriller MINDHUNTERS for director Renny Harlin. Production is set to begin in November in the Netherlands for Intermedia-based Outlaw Prods. and Avenue Pictures. The project would reunite the rapper-actor and the director, who worked together on the 1999 Warner Bros. feature DEEP BLUE SEA. LL Cool J would play the lead role of Gabe, one of the seven FBI recruits in a psychological profiling division. The film involves seven new recruits in training on a remote island to track serial killers. The trainees must put theory into practice when it emerges that a killer is among them
 

September 7, 2001

Source: Canoe

Filming started this week on a sequel to the 1986 thriller THE HITCHER. For the sequel, C. Thomas Howell returns, joined by Jake Busey. No word on a female lead yet. Production on the sequel, which is set for a straight-to-DVD release, is scheduled to wrap October 5. It will film in and around Calgary, Alberta. The original film starred C. Thomas Howell as an innocent man menaced by a psychotic killer, played by Rutger Hauer (BLADE RUNNER).
 

September 5, 2001

Source: Upcoming Movies

With Mark Ruffalo dropping out due to illness, Joaquin Phoenix has stepped up to star opposite Mel Gibson in M. Night Shyamalan's SIGNS. The film is about a farmer (Gibson) in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who becomes a media sensation when strange 500-foot crop circles begin appearing in his fields. Phoenix will play his younger brother. Production is scheduled to start in the Philadelphia area on September 13th, 2001 (though it's rumored that some filming with Ruffalo had already taken place).
 

September 5, 2001

Source: Dark Horizons

Dark Horizons reports that after the success of the first DVD, the next part of the "V" mini-series looks apparently set to get a special 2-disc edition with deleted scenes, outtakes, and trailers sometime next year.
 

September 5, 2001

Source: IMDB

It was only a matter of time...and money...but sure enough Sigourney Weaver says she'd be happy to reprise her role as Ripley for a fifth time, and is currently in talks to see if it can happen. Weaver admits, "Yes, I've been talking to a few people - no names - about it, but I left my character not knowing even what species she was, so right now I'm a little unclear as to how things can progress." And Weaver says it was actually the untrue rumors that a fifth movie was in the works that made her give any thought to making the film. She says, "It was only when the rumors about Part 5 started that we realized what an appetite there was for it." So kids, it's all downhill from here...heck, it's been downhill since ALIEN 3.
 

September 4, 2001

Source: 13th Street

13th Street reports that Alliance Atlantis has given the go ahead to the development of a pilot of RIVERWORLD. The project is based on the series of books by science fiction author Philip Jose Farmer, RIVERWORLD tells of the world beyond death, a world where you awake naked beside a seemingly never-ending river and find out that everybody that ever lived and died winds up there.  Director Alex Proyas (DARK CITY, THE CROW) will act as executive producer on the project which was written by Stuart Hazeldine. The pilot will shoot in New Zealand next year, and if all goes well, the pilot will be picked up as a syndicated TV series. No word on casting.
 

September 4, 2001

Source: Comics2film

Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures have announced the upcoming development of DEATHLOK as a feature film. They've signed writers Stu Zicherman and Raven Metzner (Nosebleed) to work out a script. The movie is described as being about a suburban family man who is unwittingly made a test subject for technology research that slowly turns him into a living computer. "We are all becoming more dependent on technology," says Marvel head Avi Arad. "One of these days it's going to be inside of us. For example, we won't need a cell phone; it'll be built into our ear. Now is that a cool thing, or will it destroy us as human beings? DEATHLOK explores what those consequences may be."
 

September 4, 2001

Source: Upcoming Movies

Looks like Philip Kaufman's (QUILLS) next project will be a remake of the 1941 Hitchcock thriller, SUSPICION. The original film focused on a young woman from a wealthy San Francisco family who gets married after being swept off her feet in romance. Soon she begins to suspect that her new husband was just after her for the money, and that he'd even try to kill her to get it. No word on casting as yet.
 

September 4, 2001

Source: Stephen King News

Brian over at Stephen King News has reported that King has finally settled his lawsuit with the insurance company over the accident in 1999 in which King was struck by a car. As a sign of his appreciation for the attention he received at Bridgton hospital, King generously made a donation to the hospital in the amount of $750,000. The company that insured King for property and casualty insurance, donated the amount three weeks ago in an agreement with King that ended a lawsuit he had filed against the insurer. What a guy! Read the full story here.
 

September 4, 2001

Source: JoBlo

A scooper wrote in to let us know that there is an active petition for a release of a FRIDAY THE 13TH Special Edition Box Set. Currently there are no plans for such a release (as far as we know) but if you feel as passionate about it as this guy then write to: Martin Blythe, Paramount Home Entertainment, 5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA 90038-3197. You can check out more info about the petition here.
 

September 3, 2001

Source: The Arrow 

The Arrow (aka John Fallon) just wrapped his guest starring stint on the Fox/YTV show "Big Wolf On Campus". In it he plays a psychotic bully named "Bucky" who's released from "juvie" and comes back to school to seek revenge upon the geeky Goth kid Merlton (Danny Smith). Expect to see the episode when the show begins its new season (December/January). We'll keep ya posted.
 

September 3, 2001

Source: The Arrow

The official site for Dante Tomasseli's HORROR has just added some new pics. Check out the one with Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp) going "coo-coo". She looks wacked yall! Surf here. 
 

August 30, 2001

Source: Cinema Confidential

*sigh* another day, another Nicholas Cage rumor. Nicolas Cage has reportedly been tipped to take the lead in the proposed remake of the horror classic THE WICKER MAN. Cage is interested in taking on the role of Sergeant Howie, originally played by Edward Woodward in 1973. In the original, Woodward’s God-fearing policeman travels to the island community of Summerisle after an anonymous tip-off compels him to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. There he encounters Christopher Lee’s group of ritualistic pagans and the investigation builds towards the film’s peerlessly chilling climax. Btw, if you haven't seen this movie, go rent it NOW! before you're tainted by a terrible re-make. I had reported earlier this year that Christopher Lee had not given his blessing on a re-make of this film as the original was just that good! Originally scheduled to be directed by director Joe Berlinger (BOOK OF SHADOWS), the remake now seems to have fallen into the hands of Neil LaBute.
 

August 30, 2001

Source: Cinema Confidential

Scoopers abound today as another one reports to Cinema Confidential about the possible re-teaming of Harrison Ford and Robert Zemeckis for the upcoming MACABRE. A friend of mine who is a middle-ranker at W/B told me some info about an upcoming horror flick from the maker of last year's hit What Lies Beneath. He says Han Solo-Indiana Jones-Jack Ryan himself Harrison Ford is agreeing to re-team with R. Zemeckis on the remake of the fifties horror film Macabre. Ford will play the lead character, the doctor who has to find his daughter who's been buried alive by a murderous Gary Oldman and Steve Buscemi. I'll keep you posted on this as I'd love to see an evil teaming of Buscemi and Oldman!
 

August 30, 2001

Source: Coming Attractions

I figured it was only a matter of time before this would happen. There's a few unusually named towns here in Alberta, one in particular called Vulcan. A scooper at Coming Attractions wrote in with the following info: "The production company for Star Trek 10 has already reserved the land they need to film certain scenes for their new Star Trek film," writes our latest fellow. "My brother lives in Vulcan, Alberta, Canada and he was asked by movie producers if they could use his land for a scene in a new Star Trek movie. When he asked them for more info, all they said was that the scene will take place in a 'Vulcan-like' area." So I spose all you Vulcan residents can get ready for casting call...
 

August 30, 2001

Source: Diabolical Dominion

A scooper over at Diabolical Dominion reveals some interesting casting news for EXORCIST 4: Some casting for the next "Excorcist" movie took place here on Friday, and I thought you might be interested in what went on. Whilst the turn up was quite an eye-ful, I was quite happy to see cuter than cute Kerr Smith (Jack on "Dawsons Creek") hanging around. I talked to someone at Loews Country Club Hills Theatres after his appearance, and he said Kerr is up for the role of Father Merrin in the movie. It's not official, but he seems to have what they are looking for. Bit of a step up from the WB to "Exorcist 4" hey. Most of the casting was for young dark boys - to play Africans in prequel scenes.
 

August 30, 2001

Source: Creature Corner

Attendees of London's annual Frightgest were treated to a look at some of the zombies in the upcoming RESIDENT EVIL. Much to their (unknowing) dismay however, director Paul Anderson took to the stage and just kept putting one foot in his mouth after the other. A scooper at Creature Corner reported: "He started off well, by saying that he wanted to introduce zombies to a new generation of filmgoers, but completely lost the Frightfest audience when he said that Romero's films had dated badly!". "He was asked what horror film he would like to remake, to which he replied that he wouldn't remake a good horror film, but he was planning to remake a bad one. This terrible film he's planning to remake? Deathrace 2000!!! He got quite a few boos for saying that."
 

August 28, 2001

Source: 13th Street

13th Street spoke with Producer Dino DeLaurentiis about the upcoming RED DRAGON remake. DeLaurentiis debunked a few of the rumors floating around about the project. He denied any talk of Cliff Martinez and/or Danny Elfman being to attached to the score saying a composer is a long way off from being chosen yet. He confirmed that Hopkins will play Lecter throughout the entire movie (translation: no Jude Law). Edward Norton and Emily Watson are confirmed players in the film. Norton will be hooking up with Hopkins for the first time about the role this week in LA. As for the Tooth Fairy role they are looking for an unknown or "practically a new face".
 

August 28, 2001

Source: Aint it cool news

The rumors are flying that Seth Green (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, RAT RACE, AUSTIN POWERS) is stepping in to replace Edward Furlong as John Connor in TERMINATOR 3. Not sure how much truth there is to this, but reports say that Furlong has committed to other projects and won't be available. Hard to believe given that Furlong has been aching to do this project. Time will tell...
 

August 28, 2001

Source: Creature Corner

A purty cool (not-so-new) interview with JEEPERS CREEPERS director Victor Salva up at Creature-Corner. Check it out (*spoiler warning*) here. Check out ARROW's review of JEEPERS CREEPERS here.
 

August 27, 2001

Source: CNN

Very sad news today as it was announced that singer and actress Aaliyah (aka Aaliyah Houghton) was one of nine  killed in a plane crash Saturday night. Aaliyah had recently finished filming THE QUEEN OF THE DAMNED and was set to appear in both of the upcoming MATRIX sequels. Aaliyah had been returning from the Bahamas after filming her most recent music video.
 

August 27, 2001

Source: SCIFI Wire

SCIFI Wire reports that Rod Lurie will direct KNOWING, a supernatural thriller from Escape Artists. Ryne Pearson wrote the script about a 1958 time capsule that is unearthed accidentally and that contains drawings by children predicting future events that have come to pass. The film is to be produced by Steve Tisch, Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and David Alper and is slated to go into production sometime in 2002. Early talk on Lurie's upcoming Gandolfini/Redford project THE LAST CASTLE has been very positive!
 

August 27, 2001

Source: Creature Corner

Ryan over at Creature Corner had the opportunity to interview Pam Grier about JC's GHOSTS OF MARS and about working with John Carpenter. Check out the interview here.

August 27, 2001

Source: Cinema Confidential

Director Renny Harlin (DEEP BLUE SEA) is in negotiations to direct Intermedia Films' action-thriller feature MINDHUNTERS. I seem to recall reporting on the premise of this film a while back but there was none attached to the project at the time. Now, production is expected to begin in November. The film will revolve around seven FBI recruits who are nicknamed "mindhunters" because their job is to track criminals psychologically. When the recruits are on an island for training, and it emerges that one of them is the killer, all of them must put their training to work to determine which one. The film is based on an original script by Wayne Kramer.
 

August 27, 2001

Source: Variety

Warner Bros. is reportedly in negotiations with comic creators Frank Miller and Geoff Darrow for the feature film rights to their early-90's comic book HARD BOILED. According to Variety, David Fincher (Fight Club) is set to direct and Nicolas Cage to star. Will this finally be the comic book vehicle for Cage? I think the Cage/Fincher combo could be very promising!
 

August 27, 2001

Source: IMDB

This sounds a little strange, but if you're a collector like myself I'm sure you'll want to run out and get at least one of these. IMDB reports that a toymaker is set to cause outrage by producing Reservoir Dogs dolls - complete with detachable ear. The psychotic Mr. Blonde, played by Michael Madsen, and the mutilated cop Marvin Nash, played by Kirk Baltz, are among the dolls to be made by American company Palisades. The dolls are being released to mark the film's tenth anniversary. If you recall, Mr.Blonde cuts Nash's ear off while grooving to 1970's tune Stuck In The MiddleWith You. Fans will not only get Nash with a removable ear, Blonde also comes equipped with a tiny razor.
 

August 23, 2001

Source: Creature Corner

A small bit of info coming out about what looks to be an interesting zombie film from down under called UNDEAD. Creature Corner has a couple stills from the picture that you can check out here.
 

August 23, 2001

Source: Coming Attractions

The upcoming JOYRIDE has been moved to October 5th for a release date. The film's cast includes Leelee Sobieski, Paul Walker, and Steve Zahn. JOYRIDE tells the story of two brothers and a young woman who, while driving across the country, are ruthlessly pursued by a psychotic truck driver who won't let them forget about the practical joke one of the trio played on him earlier...and he wants the last laugh. [thanks to Coming Attractions] This looks to be good'un! Early buzz on the web is already very positive!
 

August 22, 2001

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Samuel L. Jackson is in negotiations to star opposite Jennifer Lopez in the Columbia Picture film TICK-TOCK. Written by Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry, TICK-TOCK tells the story of an amnesiac who wakes up in the custody of the FBI and discovers that he is the prime suspect in a series of bombings in Los Angeles. Production is scheduled to begin by year's end with Steve Norrington directing.
 

August 22, 2001

Source: Ananova

Ananova reports that Christina Ricci will soon be shooting her next film in the UK. In the supernatural thriller THE GATHERING, Ricci will play an American hitchhiker haunted by ancient ghosts. Shooting begins on September 3 with Brian Gilbert (Wilde) directing.
 

August 22, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

Our own Joey Baloney has de-bunked some of the rumors floating around about the upcoming installment of HALLOWEEN. Joey went straight to the source and confirmed that the following is NOT TRUE: "Higher ups in Miramax are apparently not pleased with the rough cut of the film they saw - it feels rushed, which it was, and unprofessional. They really want to stand behind this film and so re-shoots will be taking place. Bianca Kajlich, who was cast as the female lead, was unable to return for re-shoots and is not contracted to do so. Thus actress Dahlia Salem was cast to take her place. All of Bianca's scenes are either being re-filmed or reedited to include Dahlia Salem as Sarah." A source at Miramax confirmed to Joey that the rumor was false and that the anticipated release date will be release next summer. In fact, the source stated that it had never been confirmed for a Halloween release at all.
 

August 22, 2001

Source: Comics2film

New Line has gotten David Goyer to commit to a two picture deal that starts off with a continuation of what he's already been doing; writing, producing, and developing a screenplay for Blade 3. This could be good....or bad. Hard to say without seeing the sequel but I guess this means New Line has some big time faith in the guy, and the film. The second picture in the New Line deal calls for Goyer to direct a film that he will also write. As far as the whole GHOST RIDER thing, Goyer, a producer on the movie, said that they're seeking a new director for the project in hopes [Nic] Cage will stay on board (Cage recently said he may bail on the project).
 

August 21, 2001

Source: The Arrow

I got this interesting little tid-bit in my mailbox. Since I'm not a hundred percent sure on it I decided to call it a "rumor" and post it up. Who knows, it might be true.

"The main reason why the film is being delayed is because the studio is unhappy with the work of Bianca Kajlich, who plays the lead in the film. They contacted Bianca to ask if she would be able to return for re-shoots but couldn't, nor is she contracted to return for re-shoots since they were behind schedule when filming wrapped. Because of this, they have decided to cut her from the entire film!!! They've hired a new actress, Dahlia Salem, who was recently seen in Return To Cabin By The Lake, to fill her void as the new lead and will re-film all of Bianca's scenes with Dahlia".

Thanks to "John Doe" for the scoop.
 

August 20, 2001

Source: HALLOWEEN

The official HALLOWEN site reports that as fans try to adjust to the disappointment of the HALLOWEEN 8 delay, director Rick Rosenthal attempts to offer a gleam of hope: "Ever since Paramount re-shot the ending of FATAL ATTRACTION and it became a huge hit, studios have become great believers in tinkering with the finale of a film, trying to make sure that the ending is a home run and the audience leaves completely satisfied. I think when the film is released next year, audiences will agree it was well worth the wait!"
 

August 20, 2001

Source: Diabolical Dominion

Contrary to rumors floating around on the web, Diabolical Dominion reports that they are in the know that the upcoming JASON X will in fact be a theatrical release, NOT a straight-to-video. They back this up with a quote from JASON X director Jim Isaac, who has (once more) stated the truth: "New Line has NEVER even thought about going right to video... I can tell you I have met with everyone over there and they feel JASON X is going to be a hit for them next year and they want to open it right... So you can spread the word that is not going right to video and there has never been any talk of it going right to video." Still no word on a release date.
 

August 20, 2001

Source: Creature Corner

Ed Sanchez had a few things to say recently about a possible 3rd installment of the Blair Witch: "We plan to go up to my land in rural West Virginia and stay there until we have something that truly creeps us out and works as a film. We'll spend a lot of time in the woods at night and soak in the atmosphere and hopefully get some of that old BLAIR WITCH juice flowing again. We hope to scare the shit out of each other like we did when we came up with the original." So don't hold your breath waiting for this one to be released. I imagine Sanchez and Myrick will probably just be sitting around recounting their money which could just stifle those creative juices a bit.
 

August 20, 2001

Source: Creature Corner

Refuting a story from earlier this year that he whole-heartedly approved of the upcoming EXORCIST 4, William Peter Blatty went on the record saying, "I don’t like people playing with one of my very central characters. It does not have my blessing. Far from it." By "central character", Blatty is referring to Father Merrin who we will see a much younger version of in the 4th film. Blatty has seen both drafts of the script and thought the exorcism scene in Wisher’s draft was hilarious and that Caleb Carr’s draft was a bore.
 

August 20, 2001

Source: Counting Down

Not sure about the reliability of this, but what the hay! A scooper at Counting Down is reporting that a title change has been made for the upcoming RESIDENT EVIL, they say the new title will be RESIDENT EVIL: GROUND ZERO. The new release date for the film is April 5, 2002. Hopefully this will be the last of the ongoing Sony-shuffle.