MOVIE NEWS
MEM-O-RE
Dennis Hopper has agreed to star in the independent movie Mem-O-Re for '3210
Films'. Hopper will play a retired doctor and colleague of a medical
researcher who taps into the genetically stored memories of a killer.
THE DUKES OF HAZZARD
Johnny Knoxville (TV's Jackass) has agreed to star as Luke Duke alongside
Seann William Scott (American Pie) as Bo Duke, in the movie adaptation of
classic 80's TV series The Dukes Of Hazzard, for director Jay Chandrasekhar.
Jessica Simpson (TV's The Newlyweds) has also screen tested for the role of
Daisy Duke, but no decision has been made on casting that iconic role yet.
Other names often linked to the role include Charisma Carpenter (Angel),
Shannon Elisabeth (American Pie) and Britney Spears.
PRIME
Uma Thurman has taken over the lead role from Sandra Bullock in 'Universal
Pictures' Prime, working with writer-director Ben Younger.
FANTASTIC FOUR
Actor Chris Evans (Cellular, right), who's playing Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four,
has spoken about his role for the first time, saying: "It's tough to say no
to superhero. I think it's every little kid's dream to be a superhero. What
guy here didn't wrap a towel around their shirt and run around the living
room?"
"I had Dr. Doom growing up; I had the action figure of Dr. Doom. And he
kicked a lot of ass as I remember. I didn't know much about this one in
particular. As soon as I read the script, I went out and bought some of the
comic books just before the audition to brush up a little bit. And it was
cool cause I had some buddies who were like 'dude, Fantastic Four!'"
"I think within the 'Marvel' family, it's up there... I was reading some
article on the internet that said that Fantastic Four is first royal family
of comic books."
HULK 2
'Marvel' executive Avi Arad is said to be close to announcing a director for
Hulk 2. Also, rumour has it that screenwriter Michael France has been asked
to pen the storyline to the sequel.
The original Hulk was a global hit, but underperformed in many people's eyes
when compared to Spider-Man and X-Men. Reaction was also split from critics
and fans because of Hulk's overtly serious overtones, which grated with
those expecting a more light-hearted affair.
In related news, 'USA Today' spoke to original star Jennifer Connelly at the
premiere of husband Paul Bettany's romantic comedy Wimbledon, about her
involvement with the sequel. Connelly confirmed that she's contractually
obliged to star in any sequel - so does this go for star Eric Bana?
KING KONG
The teaser poster for Peter Jackson's King Kong remake, due out Christmas
2005, has been released (see right). The movie has begun production in New
Zealand with Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody and Jack Black.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3
'The Hollywood Reporter' says M:I-3 director J.J. Abrams is reteaming with
Alias writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, who are coming on board to
work on the script of the third film in the franchise.
Abrams is the creator of Alias and Felicity as well as a writer on the new
television series Lost. Having directed all three of those series, Abrams
makes his major motion picture directorial debut with "M:I-3".
The movie is set to begin shooting in the summer of 2005. Several writers
have been involved with the project, including Dean Georgaris, Dan Gilroy,
Robert Towne and Frank Darabont.
STAR WARS EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH
John Rhys-Davies (Lord Of The Rings) dropped a hint at a convention that
he'll be providing the voice of Episode III's new villain General Grievous.
When asked by a fan what he'll be working on next, the actor said: "I'm
doing some next month, in fact. Let's say the working conditions are...
Grievous."
This could signal the departure of Gary Oldman, who was signed up to voice
the new Star Wars villain, but who has lately found himself frustrated with
director George Lucas violation of various Screen Actors' Guild rules.
X-MEN 3
Bruce Davison (X-Men, right) talked to the 'Chicago Sun-Times' about the status of
X-Men 3, saying: "I don't know what the story is with the third film. I had
lunch with [X-Men director] Bryan Singer in Vancouver recently and he seems
pretty busy."
"I know he wants to make Logan's Run and he's directing Superman now. I know
they're trying to put a script together for X-Men 3, but no one knows how
the story is going to evolve."
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE - THE PREQUEL
Producer Brad Fuller talked to 'Zap2it' about the upcoming prequel The Texas
Chainsaw Massacre, which will explore Leatherface's family and how they
became serial killers.
Fuller: "It won't have any of the young actors from the first [like Jessica
Biel], this is a prequel. But there will be a group of teen and young adults
in their 20's who make an unfortunate decision to end up in this town."
"The old man had no legs, we hope to answer questions about that. We hope
that you'd eventually be able to watch the two movies together and it will
explain a lot of questions that were unanswered."
WAR OF THE WORLDS
Dakota Fanning (Uptown Girls) will play Tom Cruise's daughter in Steven
Spielberg's War Of The Worlds remake.
