MOVIE NEWS
GARFIELD 2
Bill Murray is in negotiations to reprise his vocal role as the CGI Garfield
in sequel. Breckin Meyer will return as hapless owner Jon, as will Jennifer
Love Hewitt (but in a smaller capacity). Joining the cast is TV's Lucy Davis
(The Office, right) and Billy Connolly.
300
Gerard Butler (Phantom Of The Opera) will star in the movie adaptation of
Frank Miller's Greek action graphic novel 3000, to be directed by Zach
Snyder (Dawn Of The Dead).
The film tells the true story of 300 elite Spartan fighters who, led by King
Leonidas (Butler), fought to the death against King Xerxes' massive Persian
army during the battle of Thermopylae in 481-480 B.C. According to lore,
their valour inspired all of Greece to rise up against the invading
Persians, planting the seeds of democracy.
Snyder and his writing partner Kurt Johnstad have adapted the screenplay
from Miller's graphic novel.
As with Sin City, also based on Frank Miller's work, the movie will be
created using hyper-real "comic-book-style" renderings.
BEOWULF
Malkovich may be joining Robin Wright Penn and Anthony Hopkins in Beowulf,
an animated movie from Robert Zemeckis (Back To The Future) using the same
techniques he employed in The Polar Express.
Malkovich says his role would be that of "a sort of advisor to the King,"
and added "I don't have the newest script, which will be on my desk when I
am back in France. It's not definitive - but it is very likely."
THE WICKER MAN
Another horror remake, this time of the classic 1973 British film that
starred Christopher Lee. Nicholas Cage is set to star as a police officer
investigating a child's disappearance on an island inhabited by a strange
cult of townsfolk. Leelee Sobieski (right) will play the female lead, with Ellen
Burstyn (Requiem For A Dream) assuming Lee's role as the cult leader.
BOND 21: CASINO ROYALE
Melbourne newspaper 'The Age' reported that Hugh Jackman has turned down an
opportunity to become the new James Bond, when Martin Campbell's upcoming
Casino Royale starts shootings.
The newspaper says Jackman turned down the offer after talking with wife
Deborah-Lee Furness, because he didn't feel he needed to play Bond in order
to boost his career.
THE OMEN: 666
The upcoming remake of classic 70's horror The Omen is gathering pace, with
Liev Schrieber and Julie Stiles cast as the parents to child antichrist
Damien Thorn. Child actor Josh Hutcherson (Zathura) will play said parents
demonic son (see below)
The movie is set for a very timely release of 6 June 2006 (06/06/06)...
X-MEN III
'IGN FilmForce' has confirmed a recent internet rumour that actor Bill Duke
(Predator) has joined the cast of X-Men III. Duke will play a politician in
The President's cabinet.
Michael Murphy (Batman Returns) will play Warren Worthington Sr, new mutant
Angel's father, while Olivia Williams (The Sixth Sense) has been cast as Dr
Moira MacTaggert. Her character, in the comics, was a former lover of
Professor X who ran a mutant research centre on Muir Island in her native
Scotland.
** IN THE PIPELINE **