BOND
Pop singer/reality TV star Jessica Simpson (right) has been approached to become the
next Bond girl, 'Teen Hollywood' has reported.
A source stated: "Jessica is being mentioned as a possible Bond girl. They
really want Catherind Zeta-Jones but it doesn't look like she's going to be
available."
In related news, Aussie actor Heath Ledger (A Knight's Tale) has ruled out
replacing Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. 'Teen Hollywood' states that "Heath
is worried he will be type-cast if he plays the suave spy."
DOOM
The Rock talked to 'Empire Online' about his upcoming Spy Hunter movie,
based on the popular 80's video game, but also said he is interested in
starring in another video game adaptation - Doom.
The Rock: "Spy-Hunter's great. John Woo's on board to direct. The script
should come in, in about two weeks. I'm very, very excited about that. It's
supposed to be shot in Prague and Amsterdam, but... you know how
movie-making is. If we have to push it because of the weather and the
Christmas vacation, then I'll probably take another movie with Universal
called Doom."
Enda McCallion is making his directorial debut on Doom, using a script that
utilizes the plot from 'Doom 3'. The movie is slated for a 3 August 2005
release.
ELEKTRA
Jennifer Garner returns next year with a spin-off from Daredevil, focusing
on her character of sai-wielding assassin Elektra - and the first image from
the movie has been released (see right).
DUKES OF HAZZARD
Actor Paul Soter has announced on the 'Broken Lizard' official Blog that
writer-director-actor Jay Chandrasekhar (Super Troopers) will direct the big
screen adaptation of 70's/80's TV show The Dukes of Hazard.
The 'Warner Brothers' film is based on the popular series that focused on
the adventures of Southern cousins Bo, Luke and Daisy Duke, who drove around
in a Dodge Charger (nicknamed the General Lee) as they evaded the
unscrupulous Boss Hogg and Sheriff Coltrane.
Ashton Kutcher and Paul Walker previously expressed interest in starring as
the cousins, with Anthony Anderson as Hogg. In previous months pop star
Britney Spears has been linked to the Daisy Duke role, as have Elisabeth
Shannon (American Pie) and Charisma Carpenter (TV's Angel).
THE FANTASTIC FOUR
'20th Century Fox' have finally confirmed casting on The Fantastic Four!
Michael Chiklis (TV's The Shield) will play Ben Grimm/The Thing, Ioan
Gruffudd (below left) (King Arthur) is Reed Richards/Mr Fantastic and Chris Evans (below centre)
(Cellular) will star as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch.
'Variety' added that Jessica Alba (TV's Dark Angel, right) is the front runner for
Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, but Rachel MacAdams (below right) (Mean Girls) and Keri Russell
are also possibilities.
'Fox' production president Hutch Parker said: "We see Fantastic Four' as the
last great jewel in the comic-book crown. The casting has been extremely
important in terms of fulfilling expectations of an audience that's been
incredibly loyal to these characters for over 40 years."
The $85 million-$90 million adaptation of the 'Marvel' comic-book is headed
for an August or September start in Vancouver, and should be released on 1
July 2005 to compete against Mission Impossible 3.
Tim Story (Barbershop) is directing from a script by Simon Kinberg.
|
KING KONG
Colin Hanks (right), son of Tom Hanks, and last seen in Orange County, has signed-up
for a role in Peter Jackson's King Kong remake. Hanks will star as
production assistant to Adrien Brody's adventurous filmmaker Carl Denham.
POLICE ACADEMY 8
The Hollywood Reporter says that Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow
are teaming up to co-finance the eighth sequel in the popular Police Academy
franchise. It's been 10 years since Police Academy: Mission to Moscow was
released.
Warners-based Jerry Weintraub is on board to produce, says the trade, and
series creator Paul Maslansky is executive producing with Village Roadshow's
Bruce Berman.
The project is out to writers, with the exact direction of the newest
instalment yet to be determined.
PINK PANTHER
The first pictures from MGM's big 2005 summer film The Pink Panther,
starring Steve Martin (right), Kevin Kline, Beyoncé Knowles, Jean Reno, Emily
Mortimer, Kristin Chenoweth, and Henry Czerny, have appeared online at
DVDRama.
In the Shawn Levy-directed update, a world-famous soccer coach has been
murdered and his priceless ring has been stolen - a ring set with the
stunning diamond known as the Pink Panther. The French government needs a
master detective to solve the crime and recover the gem... but he's not
available, so they recruit Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Martin).
SPIDER-MAN 3
The 'Irish Examiner' reports that director Sam Raimi has already turned his
thoughts to Spider-Man 3. Raimi is said to be "flabbergasted" by Spider-Man
2's record-breaking success at the U.S box office, but is now busy writing
the storyline for part three with his brother Ivan.
Raimi: "... we were working on [the Spider-Man 3 storyline] at the hotel
last night and this morning. But I don't know what is going to happen yet."
RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE
'Latino Review' has revealed the one-sheet for Resident Evil Apocalypse, due
for release in U.S cinemas on 10 September. The sequel, directed by
Alexander Witt, stars Milla Jovovich, Eric Mabius, Oded Fehr (The Mummy),
Sienna Guillory, Jared Harris, Sandrine Holt, Mike Epps, Zack Ward, Thomas
Kretschmann and Sophie Vavasseur.
X-MEN 3
Halle Berry will not appear in a third X-Men movie because her character,
Storm, doesn't feature heavily enough.
A studio insider commented: "Halle was ready to do X-Men 3, but only if
Storm was given more storyline, but the studio sees the third movie as a
means to wrap up the trilogy, and that means Storm won't be featured more
than Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. Halle has now passed on the third movie
because she's not into bit-parts. She's an Oscar winner and she wants roles
that test her".
Rumours have begun that 'Fox' want pop star Christina Milian to fill the
role.
|
** IN THE PIPELINE **