NEWS: Stephanie Meyer's OTHER Book, The Host, To Get Film...

However, this project, I'm pretty damn excited about.

The newly crowned queen of the tween demographic, Stephanie Meyer may be best known as the author of the Twilight series (and will ALWAYS be known as that), however, she has written a book outside of that hit franchise.

The Host (NOT the brilliant Korean Monster movie of the same name), is Meyer's first "adult" novel, and involves interstellar parasites that use people as hosts to re-create society into something new. The book itself may sound a bit cliche or "The Puppet Masters"-esque as people on the web have pointed out (the Robert Heinlein film), but the reason this film is getting my interest is who they have writing the screenplay, and also direct.

According to Variety, novel has been bought by independent producers, who have recruited Gattaca writer/director Andrew Niccol to adapt the novel and direct. Niccol is currently putting together The Cross, but afterthat, he will jump right onto The Host, all thanks to, allegedly, Meyer's own list of her favorite films. Here's the story via /Film.

When producers Nick Wechsler, Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz asked Meyer what some of her favorite science fiction films are, she mentioned Niccol projects Gattaca and The Truman Show. The trade says he ’sparked’ to the job after reading the book and meeting producers and Meyer; the notion of being able to make a film in his preferred genre that could siphon off some of Twilight’s audience probably didn’t hurt, either.

If that story is true, then not only is Meyer's taste in music rather top notch, but so is her taste in film, which makes the Twilight films all the more depressing to watch (really, the guy who did The Golden Compass will make your second book into a film? Really?).

All in all, the book sounds interesting, as does the choice of Niccol as a writer/director. Here's the synopsis for the book...

[Benevolent] planet-hopping parasites are inserting their silvery centipede selves into human brains, curing cancer, eliminating war and turning Earth into paradise. But some people want Earth back, warts and all, especially Melanie Stryder, who refuses to surrender, even after being captured in Chicago and becoming a host for a Soul [as the parasites call themselves] called Wanderer. Melanie uses her surviving brain cells to persuade Wanderer to help search for her loved ones in the Arizona desert. When the pair find Melanie’s brother and her boyfriend in a hidden rebel cell led by her uncle, Wanderer is at first hated. Once the rebels accept Wanderer, whom they dub Wanda, Wanda’s whole perspective on humanity changes. While the straightforward narrative is short on detail about the invasion and its stunning aftermath, it shines with romantic intrigue, especially when a love triangle (or quadrangle?!) develops for Wanda/Melanie.

Go see something good!

NEWS: Cowboy Bebop Too Expensive To Create?

Based on the newly printed script, it appears so.

Talkin with MTV News, Keanu Reeves has shined a bit brighter of a light on the upcoming live-action adaptation of the classic anime series, Cowboy Bebop. Reeves is slated to play the lead of Spike Spiegel, and in the interview that is burning up the web, Reeves states that there is indee a draft of the script that is floatng around, by Peter Craig, but it is far to expensive in concept to film. Reports are that the film would require a budget busting the bank right around Avatar propotions, at an alleged 500$ million mark, according to Fox Studios.

That said, the numbers are alwas speculative, so who honestly knows. I don't have the script in front of me, but honestly, this culd be done for right around 1 to 200$ million, if the right director got behind it. Actually, /Film has a few good options in their heads.

Unlike many fans of the series, I think Reeves could make for a decent Spike Spiegel if he loosens up a bit (though there are certainly better choices out there). The fate of this project will rest not so much in Reeves, but in whoever they get to direct. My current dream scenario is that Brick and The Brother’s Bloom director Rian Johnson gets involved. With his previous work, he’s proven that he can tackle noir and crime-caper stories— and the fact that he’s also an anime fan certainly doesn’t hurt. Francis Lawrence, who managed to turn Constantine into a fairly fun romp (and did a great job with a good chunk of I Am Legend), is another possibility.

If they got Rachel Weisz signed on as Faye Valentine, and perhaps Terrence Howard as Jet Black, I think they’d be well on their way to a decent adaptation. A Yoko Kanno score couldn’t hurt either. Unlike Akira, Bebop is a series that could work well as a live-action English film, so I’m hoping for the best with this project.

I could not have said that better, and honestly, I whole-heartedly agree, on all accounts. Reeves is a bad actor, but if he were to loosen up a little bit, this could be a great role for the much maligned thespian. Rian Johnson is my number one choice for film maker as well, as he is with any upcoming project.

Here's the clip from MTV News

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

What about you? What do YOU think?

Go see something good!

NEWS: Demetri Martin Continues His Roll...

One of the most influential pieces of sports writing happens to be making it's way to the big screen.

Money ball is a book which tells the story of ballplayer-turned-Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane, who tried to create a competitive baseball team on a budget payroll. Creator of the term and philosophy of Moneyball, Beane has changed the state of modern baseball, as is proven with the rise of small market, no budget, winning teams like the Tampa Bay Rays and the Florida Marlins.

Now, with the help of Steven Soderbergh, the book is set to make it's way to the silver screen with a cast including Brad Pitt as the lead, Beane. Another cast member has also been added to the film, as Demetri Martin will be picking up the role of a Harvard graduate named Paul De Podesta, who turned down jobs on Wall Street to use his statistical skills, a system known as “Earned Run Value,” to change baseball scouting tactics.

This is a project that I'm really looking forward to. Two great actors, lead by a favorite director of mine, Soderbergh, and while the story may not be to deep, but it may make for a really interesting watch.

What do YOU think??

Go see something good!

Guille's booked 'til 2017!!!!

Well, it looks as though the visionary director Guillermo del Toro is loving his work with Universal. Thanks to The Movie Blog for this bit of information...


Universal — which has a three-year first-look deal with the helmer inked in June ‘07 — and del Toro are making a long-term commitment by setting up four directing projects, including remakes of “Frankenstein,” “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and “Slaughterhouse-Five.”

The fourth project is an adaptation of “Drood,” a Dan Simmons novel acquired by U that will be published in February by Little, Brown. In addition to the four pics, the studio still has its sights set on del Toro’s pet project, an adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s “At the Mountains of Madness.”


I could not be happier to hear this news. I love del Toro and pretty much all of his work, at least that I've seen, and hearing that he wants to do a Frankenstein film, along with Dr. Jekyll AND Slaughterhouse-Five! The only problem with this, is that there will be no Hellboy 3 until 2018, even if he wants to do it then. All of these projects sound right up his alley, and it's got me pretty excited. What about you guys???