Not sure if this is the right place for this but, as most of the news/rumours posted will be of upcoming films I've put it here. Feel free to move it if you think it'll be better placed elsewhere.

From Empireonline:

Lethal Weapon Reloaded
The fourth film in the Lethal Weapon series certainly felt like a conclusion but director Richard Donner has announced that he's keen to revive the films with a fifth instalment. "It's up to Mel," he says. "If he says yes then there's another Lethal Weapon. I have a great story, I'd love to do it and put Lethal Weapon to bed. If they want to go and make it without Mel well, go ahead and be my guest but it's not for me. Mel is Lethal Weapon." Given Gibson's recent payday for The Passion, he probably shouldn't hold his breath.


Rumours that Nicole Kidman was to play the White Witch in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe have been promptly squashed by news that she'll do no such thing. Stories that she's been touring locations in New Zealand in preparation for the role have been revealed as rubbish with the studio officially stating that: "It's a project that we're all very excited about, but unfortunately this is just not true. Hopefully we'll have some exciting news soon."

Gabriel Byrne and Brian Dennehy have joined the cast of Assault On Precinct 13. Ethan Hawke, Laurence Fishburne, Maria Bello and John Leguizamo are already on board.


Heath Ledger is to play Cassanova in Lasse Hallstrom's film on his life.

Broderick and Parker in "Strangers with Candy"

Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker aren't afraid of "Strangers With Candy." The couple have agreed to star in a feature film based on the Comedy Central series, their respective reps have confirmed. Their attachment comes as a result of a close friendship with Amy Sedaris, the co-creator and star of the cult series. There is no formal deal for Broderick and Parker, and it is still unclear what characters they will be playing. Filming of the project, which is being produced by Mark Roberts and Lorena David, is set to start in June in New York City. The show starred Sedaris alongside fellow co-creators Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert and aired for three seasons on Comedy Central beginning in 1999. It is a dark satire of moralistic afterschool specials starring Sedaris as Jerri, a frumpy and unattractive outcast who returned to high school after 30 years of hard living on the streets and in prison. However, the rough times don't end at school as, while trying to shed her immoral past, she's forced to mix and mingle with kids who are hipper, more beautiful and more popular than she is. Sedaris, Dinello and Colbert are writing the script with a director to be announced shortly. Sedaris previously teamed with Parker on "Sex and the City," playing Carrie Bradshaw's editor.


From: The Hollywood Reporter

Manchester United Ruined My Life Film

Films on football can be pretty hit or miss. On the one hand, a quirky take can make for major box office as Gurinder Chadha’s Bend It Like Beckham showed, but all too often what seemed like a good idea at the time – Colin Firth in Feverpitch, anyone? – can fail to inspire at the box office.

However, news of a film based on the childhood story Manchester United Ruined My Life, sparked our interest – mainly for the quality of its cast. According to Production Weekly the filmmakers have secured the talents of Alan Rickman, Derek Jacobi and Jason Isaacs for the story’s big screen outing.

The story, written by Colin Shindler, is the tale of a Jewish boy growing up in Manchester fated to be the supporter of underdog team Manchester City. There’s no word yet on who’ll play the film’s lead – but the director is first-timer feature film Mark Brozel, who recently directed the BBC docu-drama Holy Cross.

From: Empire UK

I've just read about that on Empire EP. I've heard some good things about the book and that cast is great news.

WAR OF THE WORLDS

You can’t get much more high profile than Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise. They’re the kind of Hollywood players who have only to glance in the general direction of a project to get it made. While their one collaboration to date, Minority Report, was a critical rather than a box office success, their second is H. G. Wells’ 1898 sci-fi classic The War of the Worlds, which could triumph on both fronts with Spielberg directing and Cruise in the lead role.

The story, which even those living on the red planet will surely be familiar with, is the story of the invasion of Earth by Martians. In the original story, strange meteorites fall to Earth and split open to reveal metal cylindrical alien craft, which rise up to sweep all before them with the help of their intensely powerful heat rays. How much of that will survive to appear on screen is hard to say - a first draft of the script has been produced but re-writes are now underway. Filming could start late next year if star and director are happy with the script.

The War of the Worlds earned notoriety in 1938 with Orson Welles’ famous radio dramatisation in the style of a news broadcast of actual events, which caused panicked Americans to barricade themselves into their homes in fear of alien attack. A film version in 1953 used the word “Martians” but meant “Communists”, and boasted the tagline “Mighty panorama of Earth-shaking fury as an army from Mars invades!” If Spielberg and Cruise can achieve the tension of the radio version, and brush up the acting and special effects of the original film, this will be something very special indeed. Close Encounters meets Mars Attacks! meets Jerry Maguire, perhaps?

From EmpireUK



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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

That would be a movie worth seeing HK.

It's kinda funny..couple of months ago I was reading that book, and thought how great it would be to make a movie. And what do you know, might happen.

Which book Sphere? War Of The Worlds or Manchester United Ruined My Life?


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

War of the Worlds.

Jake Gyllenhaal could be cast as The Green Hornet. Kevin Smith has had what's been described as "a positive chat" with the actor.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruce Willis, Elijah Wood, Mickey Rourke, Brittany Murphy, Kate Bosworth and Jamie King have all been targeted for roles in the film... Benicio Del Toro and Maria Bello have also been mentioned in connection with the project, but they have apparently not yet been offered parts. Rodriguez already shot the opening scenes of the film with Josh Hartnett in order to land the project, making this surely one of the hippest ensemble casts in recent years.

From Empire UK

George Clooney PI
The (largely unsubstantiated) word on the street is that George Clooney is but a few moustache hairs from signing up to star in the feature adaptation of Magnum PI. But that's not all, LL Cool J is tipped to take on the role of helicopter pilot Thomas 'TC' Calvin. Probably nonsense but you never know.

From Empire UK

Seed Of Evil
Raising the likelihood that horror sequel Seed of Chucky will strike terror into the hearts of all but the most hardy viewer, former S Clubber Hannah Spearritt has been added to the cast list. Destined to play the PA to Jennifer Tilly (who plays herself as well as providing the voice of Tiffany - Chucky's chick). We can only hoope the psychotic doll has something suitably nasty in store.

From Empire UK


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

More Football Movies?

Michael Winterbottom may not be the first person you’d think of when finding a director for a movie all about football – but then again a look at the director’s cv shows that he isn’t keen on being pigeonholed in any one genre. Our fellow site ScreenDaily.com reports today that Winterbottom will direct the first in a trilogy of football movies following the progress of a Latin footie player who signs to a major football club.

Goal will begin filming in Britain this Spring, and although no actors have signed to the production Winterbottom has a steady team behind him – including Kill Bill producer Lawrence Bender. It can’t hurt that the production also has the support of FIFA and that ‘producers have been in talks with UK clubs about collaborating with the film.'

Clearly the fine sport of football is experiencing something of a cinematic renaissance as this is the third British film on the subject we’ve reported on in as many weeks. It follows news that Alan Rickman will appear in Manchester United Ruined My Life while Dougray Scott has just finished filming Things To Do Before You’re 30 which follows the lives of a south London football team.

From EmpireUK


Beach Volleyball On The Big Screen?

Given the proliferation of sports films around, it’s a miracle that beach volleyball, the most photogenic sport of all, has not received more big-screen time. But there is good news - no longer will fit, bronzed, bikini-sporting athletes receive short shrift from Hollywood. A new film Cloud Nine aims to change all that.

The plot apparently concerns a washed-up coach (Burt Reynolds) who forms a new women’s volleyball team. Mindful of the rigours of the sport, and anxious to ensure that he hires only the most nimble athletes (and clearly with no eye to the eventual box office at all), he creates a team composed entirely of strippers.

Burt Reynolds will presumably be in Boogie Nights mode as the coach, while Rachel Hunter, the current Playboy covergirl, will be playing one of the team members. And while we are sure that the statuesque Ms Hunter can smash and dig with the best of them, we can’t help thinking that this might not be the most feminist sports film ever made.

From EmpireUK

Winslett For Potter?

Now we’re not sure that we believe this, but The Mirror exclusively reported this morning that Kate Winslet has been talking to producers of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. She has apparently been offered “an important role as a young French wizard or something like that” – which would make her Fleur Delacour, Harry’s opponent in the Triwizard tournament.

The story was based on a quote from Winslet’s husband, director Sam Mendes, who said that Kate had met with producers and was still considering the offer. He apparently urged her to take the part for the sake of her children, Mia and Joe, who might never forgive their mother for turning down a part in the kid lit juggernaut. The producers of the Harry Potter films, in fact, have kiddie power to thank for most members of their stellar cast, who came under intense pressure from children and grandchildren to accept even small roles.

Although “an important role as a young French wizard” would mean that Kate was set for Fleur, we can’t help thinking that, at 29, she is possibly not the most likely choice for a 17-year-old French girl. Assuming that the rumours of Harry Potter talks are true, she might equally be in line for the role of Madame Maxine, the French headmistress, or another role completely. We will keep you up to date with more news as it emerges. Filming on The Goblet of Fire began yesterday in Scotland, but the cast will not be on set for some time yet.

From EmpireUK


New Bond?

In a full pager in the Daily Mirror he breaks his silence about the future of the role under the slightly confusing headline "The new Bond film's started, but I don't even know if I'm in it!".

He reveals that, despite being the man who holds the title as the current Bond, he has yet to be signed up for the latest in the spy thriller series:

"They know where to find me if they want me. I'd love to do another but, if not, I won't be out of work."

All of which reeks of the calculated charm that we would expect from the incumbent of such an iconic role. The rumours are that younger guns are being lined up to fill his shoes, something which clearly doesn't bother Pierce who is more than happy to name some contenders before pointing out:

"I'll always be James Bond because that is a role you live with for life."

From BBC


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

I found this report.

The Sun reports that actor Pierce Brosnan has spoken out about how the next 007 film is progressing and the word ain't great. Right now the project is in all too early stages with the script still barely begun and no confirmations for Pierce's return:

"The bar for these movies was raised so high with the last one (Die Another Day) and they don’t seem to know how to improve on it. They don’t have a script or a director so the rumours that we will begin filming in the autumn are just rumours. They’re too scared. They feel they have to top themselves in a genre which is just spectacle and a huge bang for your buck. But I think you can have your cake and eat it.. You can have real character work, a character storyline and a thriller aspect and all the kinds of quips, asides, the explosions and the women".

Despite his reservations about the direction that the franchise is going in, he's certainly not quiting it seems: ""It is nowhere near a done deal -- but they know where to find me. "I was prepared to do a fifth film and then walk away and we had started negotiations. I want to follow through but conversations and telephone calls have dried up. We started talking about the fifth so this paralysis that has set in is rather surprising. The producers have reached an impasse as far as I can tell. They don't know what to do. So, for me, it's business as usual. I shall just carry on with creating work for myself. I certainly would love to do a fifth Bond and then bow out but if this last one is to be my last, then so be it. My contract is up. They can do it or not".

If they return the franchise back to the mold of say "From Russia with Love" then Brosnan confirmed he'd definitely be interested in doing something like that. When asked about rumours that they'd next do "Casino Royale" but use only the title and none of its contents, he responded ""That's ludicrous. It's so damn crazy! That's absolutely sheer lunacy because Casino Royale is the blueprint of the Bond character. You find out more about James Bond in that book than in any of the other books".

This could get interesting.



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Say, could I interest you in a chocolate covered pretzel?

They're not treating Pierce with much respect. I get the definite feeling they want to go with someone fresh and younger.

I have heard that Robbie Williams (the singer) and Ewan McGregor were some canidates to replace Pierce. I like Brosnan as Bond though.

I just picked this up as well:

Asian film magazine Famitsu Wave spoke with Director Ridley Scott recently and answered several questions about those old rumours that he's keen on doing another "Alien" movie.

What of the rumor of another Alien movie?

Scott: We have been talking about doing another one for years. It's been a complex situation. At the end of the day, a studio has to be pleased, a core audience has to be pleased, and a director has to agree to all that. I am glad to say things are progressing...

With you as Director?

Scott: I don't think I'll be directing, but I will have some involvement. It'll probably be based on an idea I have, so I hope I'm asked to be involved.

Can you talk about the idea?

Scott: In broad terms, It's something for those folks that want to see Ridley's Journey come full circle and..

Does that take her to the home planet of the Aliens?

Scott: She won't necessarily see the home planet, but you might...

Do you know when this will happen?

Scott: Fox are waiting to see how Aliens vs Predator does, and then they'll do the Alien movie, and I believe a Predator film too. Again, if I'm involved in it, great, if not, then that's luck of the draw.




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Say, could I interest you in a chocolate covered pretzel?

On 2004-03-24 10:32 , EPlayer Wrote:


I think that you may be right EPlayer, I get that feeling too. The strange thing is that most of the Bond fans that I talk to (not being one myself) are saying that Pierce is their favourite Bond now, even some of those that used to say Connery was.

Also I think that most of the people that have been talked about playing Bond (Jude Law, Robbie Williams etc) are too young to play him. Of the ones I've heard mentioned (and I'm guessing you guys have heard too) only Hugh Jackman and Clive Owen could play the role with any conviction. Unless they take Bond in a different direction like they did Jack Ryan in The Sum Of All Fears.

Although I think that it would take the casting of Denzel Washington or Rupert Everett to get me to watch another Bond movie... That or Drew being a Bond girl.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

Julia Stiles and Aaron Eckhart are coming to London to star in the West End production of David Mamet's play Oleanna. It opens on April 22nd.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

I just read this over at CNN:

Jack Black takes on 'King Kong'

Actor to appear with Naomi Watts in Peter Jackson's remake

LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) -- Comic actor Jack Black has been cast alongside Naomi Watts in Peter Jackson's remake of "King Kong," the director said Monday.

Black will play Carl Denham, an adventurer filmmaker who is trying to make a name for himself in 1930s New York. Robert Armstrong played the role in the 1933 original. (Jackson has said he is pretending the 1976 update does not exist.)

Watts is playing Ann Darrow, an American actress who makes a living performing in Broadway song and dance shows.

The project, which will shoot in Jackson's native New Zealand, is set up at Universal Pictures.

"I've been wanting to work with Jack Black ever since I saw him in 'High Fidelity,' " said Jackson, who is also writing the remake along with his "Lord of the Rings" co-screenwriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. "He's a smart and versatile actor blessed with an abundance of energy and charm and I'm absolutely thrilled that he is joining us on 'Kong.' "

Black earned a Golden Globe nomination this year for his starring role in last fall's hit comedy "The School of Rock." His other credits include "Orange County" and "Shallow Hal."



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Say, could I interest you in a chocolate covered pretzel?

Jack Black? urgh! This film gets worse the more I hear.

Beyonce has confirmed that she will be starring in the new Pink Panther film opposite Steve Martin. She will play a singer (and main love interest) who's boyfriend owns the fanous diamond.

There's also rumours that football superstar David Beckham will appear in the film as well.

Kevin Kline and Jean Reno wil star in the film too.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

Two Napolean movies are in the pipeline, but don't get too excited about epic battles and cannon fodder. Both of these are about the little man's last days in exile and his friendship with a young British girl.

Scarlett Johansson will star in the Lion's Gate production, the male lead hasn't been announced yet.

Al Pacino has signed to play Napolean in the other film, called The Moster Of Longwood, based on the novel by Staton Rabin.

It's reported that the producer of The Monster Of Longwood has hired a lawyer to stop the production of the rival film claiming that the scriptwriter wrote the first draft of his film and that Scarlett Johansson did a reading with Pacino.


Jennifer Aniston has signed on for the remake of Gambit, the original was released in 1966 and stared Michael Caine and Shirley Maclaine. It's about a British thief that comes up with a plan to steal an expensive statue from one of the worlds richest men.




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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

"Million Dollar Baby" Next for Eastwood

Clint Eastwood will follow his award-winning "Mystic River" by directing, producing and starring in "Million Dollar Baby."

Sources said Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman are in negotiations to star alongside Eastwood.

"Baby" is a tragic and platonic love story involving a fighter -turned- trainer and a woman in her early 30s who is determined to begin a boxing career.


From: The Hollywood Reporter