** MOVIE NEWS **
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
The horror comedy from the creators of TV's cult sitcom Spaced should be
released next year, with two images recently released from the movie!
(see right and below-right), plus the film's stylish poster.
CATWOMAN
Benjamin Bratt (Abandon) is set to play Halle Berry's love interest,
Detective Tom Lone, in Catwoman, with filming set to begin on 29th
September with French director Pitof at the helm.
Set in Lake City (not Gotham) Catwoman tells the story of Patience Price
(Berry), a veterinary scientist who takes on the identity of Catwoman in
a fight against the cosmetics company she works for - which is actually
a front for the villainouse husband and wife criminal that own it
(Sharon Stone and Lambert Wilson).
HARD HEARTS
Screenwriter Jim Uhls (Fight Club) and former 'MGM' executive Yalda
Tehranian-Uhls have launched production company 'Peculiar Films' and
teamed up with 'Hyde Park Entertainment' for its first production - Hard
Hearts.
Hard Hearts, written by Uhls, is a black comedy crime action film
concerning a bounty-hunting couple who must chase down their most
dangerous prey while planning their wedding.
The film is being prepared for production next spring.
JINX
It seems that Halle Berry's character Jinx from James Bond adventure Die
Another Day really is set to star in a spin-off movie!
Filming is expected to begin after Berry finishes Catwoman, with Bond
screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade scribbling the story. A rumour
also suggests that the 007 producers hope to alternate Bond movies
between Jinx adventures.
JURASSIC PARK 4
Screenwriter William Monaghan is writing the script for the next
Jurassic Park sequel, based on an idea by Steven Spielberg. We already
know that the film won't take place in a "green" environment and that
three cast members from the original movie will return - Sam Neill, Jeff
Goldblum and Richard Attenborough.
Also, despite comments to the contrary by the actress herself, Keira
Knightley's agency KKWaveFront said recently: "Keira is in no way
involved with Jurassic Park 4 or the next James Bond film."
KING KONG
'Variety' reports that director Peter Jackson is hoping Naomi Watts (The
Ring) will agree to play the female lead in his King Kong remake - a
role made famous in the 1930's Fay Wray.
PLANET OF THE APES 2
'BBC Wales' reports that director Tim Burton has been scouring England
for locations to film a Planet Of The Apes sequel. Despite the movie's
critical mauling, the remake did end ideally placed for a sequel and
star Mark Wahlberg also commented recently that he'd like to film
another.
THUNDERBIRDS
Some decent photo's of Thunderbird 2 have now been released (see right).
Looks like they're sticking to the original designs...
PREDATOR 3
WWE wrestler The Rock confirmed that he has no connection with Predator
3 and doesn't know how the rumour got started. At present he's getting
ready to film Spy Hunter and would be interested in a sequel to The
Scorpion King.
UNDERWORLD II
'Screen Gems' president Clint Culpepper told 'Variety' that a sequel to
Underworld is already in the works: "After the way it screened in
Toronto, we made the deal. They loved it."
THE WATCH
As rumoured, director Victor Salva (Jeepers Creepers 2) will helm World
War II thriller The Watch. The movie tells the story of a team of
inexperienced soldiers who are sent to blow up a critical Nazi bridge,
only to find that they are being hunted by an evil spirit called
Abaddon.
Salva will also rewrite the original screenplay from John Claflin and
Daniel Zelman.
THE WORLD OF TOMORROW
'About.Com' talked to actress Bai Ling about her roles in two major
sci-fi films: Star Wars Episode III and The World Of Tomorrow with Jude
Law and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Bai Ling: "I played a mysterious woman from the future. She's very sexy and
very hip, and very powerful. It's an action movie. I kick Jude Law's
butt all the time in the movie. I had to do all kinds of Kung Fu stuff
in it. It was very graceful. I made her very sexy, very graceful, and
mysterious - and very nice to watch... I had to wear some of the pants
very tight. In the beginning the pants were so tight I couldn't even
kick or lift my leg up so we had to redo it."
"It was fun. I had to wear glasses and I have this heavy hat. I couldn't
even hear or see properly. It was miserable, but it had to be very
graceful and sometimes that was difficult. After I took off all of my
makeup and hair, hat, and glasses, I felt really relieved."
xXx 2
'FilmJerk' reports that xXx director Rob Cohen has decided to pass on a
sequel to his extreme-sporting secret agent movie, to film Stealth
instead.
'Revolution Studios' will still press on with the sequel and are looking
for a suitable director - who may come in the form of Lee Tamahori (Die
Another Day).
Stuck On You
** IN THE PIPELINE **