Dan Owen reviews

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** MOVIE NEWS **

BOND 21

Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai (right) has hinted to MI6.co.uk that she is definitely still up for a role in James Bond 21, despite both 'Eon Productions' and her own agent denying links between the actress and the next Bond instalment.

Rai: "Once we're past the discussion stage and something is finalized, I may be able to shed some light. But let me say here again that with nothing on the anvil as yet, I cannot comment. Right now, 'my lips are bonded', oops sealed! Ha, ha, ha!"

Rai can next be seen in Gurinder Chadha's Bride & Prejudice opposite Martin Henderson, and she's also joined the drama Chaos with Meryl Streep.

BATTLE ANGEL ALITA

James Cameron (Terminator 2) was at the Arclight seminar in Hollywood recently and told the crowd he'd be returning to direct a big-budget sci-fi movie that will push the boundaries of special-effects, after being inspired after a screening of Lord Of The Rings - The Return Of The King.

It's expected that this project will be Battle Angel Alita, a huge project that was beyond the capabilities of effects studios in the 90's, where 3D will play an integral role!

THE BOX

Writer-director Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) is set to helm The Box, a psychological thriller loosely derived from the 1980's revival of The Twilight Zone.

The Box concerns an unhappy married couple who receive a small wooden box on their doorstep. At the push of a button, the box brings its bearer instant wealth but also instantly kills someone the bearer doesn't know.

Roth will co-write the script with Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko), with the TV episode itself loosely adapted from a Richard Matheson short story called Button, Button.

Production on the project is expected to start this year.

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THE PASSION OF CHRIST

Mel Gibson's controversial biopic of Jesus Christ is released later this year. But for now, take a look at the striking one-sheet poster. (see right).

THE FOUNTAIN

Ellen Burstyn (Requiem For A Dream) was interviewed by Joan Rivers before the Golden Globes and revealed that she will begin filming The Fountain this Autumn with Darren Aronofsky directing.

So, it appears Aronofsky has managed to resurrect this epic sci-fi that would have starred Brad Pitt...

THE HITCH-HIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

The project is moving ahead with Bill Nighy and Martin Freeman cast as Slartibartfast and Arthur Dent, respectively. Garth Jennings (Hammer & Tongs) is aboard to direct from a script by Carey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run) that author Douglas Adams personally approved.

The whet appetites everywhere, this potential design for Marvin The Paranoid Android has been released. (see right)

KING KONG

'E! News Daily' interviewed Naomi Watts (The Ring) and director Peter Jackson at the BAFTA/LA luncheon recently, and Watts confirmed she is set to star in Jackson's King Kong remake. Watts: "I will sit in the hand of King Kong."

Jackson added that he wants "to approach King Kong as a drama, not as a fantasy, not as anything other than a straight drama and explore what would really happen in that situation and I think would be interesting."

Filming on King Kong is set to begin in August for a 14 December 2005 release date.

In related news, Jackson also told The One Ring.net that the extended version of The Lord Of The Rings - The Return Of The King is clocked at a mammoth 4 hours 10 minutes!

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TRIPODS

'Disney' have received a screenplay draft from Terry Hayes (Mad Max) based on the Tripods book trilogy, made into a 70's BBC TV series. The proposed movie would be a trilogy, concerning the child survivors of an alien invasion.

P.J Hogan (Peter Pan) or Frank Darabont (The Green Mile) are being considered by 'Disney' to direct.

MEET THE FOCKERS

Dustin Hoffman has agreed to star as Ben Stiller's father in a sequel to Meet The Parents. Director Jay Roach (Austin Powers) will return for the sequel, which begins pre-production in March for a 22 December release.

Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo and Blythe Danner are set to return, although the role of Mrs Focker is still to be cast. Ben Stiller himself told 'USA Today' that "my dream is Barbra Streisand" and rumours has since arisen that Streisand is indeed

In the sequel, Ben Stiller's in-laws now meet his own parents - the relaxed Fockers, who are mismatched with the uptight Brynes' from the offset.

SUPERMAN

The latest rumours from 'Ain't It Cool News' suggest that singer Beyonce Knowles is ready to sign on the dotted line to play Lois Lane, with Johnny Depp as criminal mastermind Lex Luthor. Oh, the horror!