Showing posts with label slate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label slate. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

NEWS: Universal Releases Official Slate/Synopsis...


Yeah, so I'm not one to simply just repost entire stories or pieces of press materials, but honestly, the following news article will consist of me copy/pasting entire sections of a press release, all for your enjoyment.

Today, Universal released their upcoming slate through 2011, along with brief plot descriptions for each respective film. All of these are interesting for some sort of reason or another, at least all but the MacGruber adaptation, and Get Him To The Greek. My personal pick for most anticipated is Your Highness, even though I'm not the biggest Pineapple Express fan. I am however a BIG David Gordon Green fan, so he trumps even a mediocre stoner action comedy.

Green Zone is also an intriguing project, if only for the fact that the cast and crew are beyond superb. Paul Greengrass reteams with Jason Bourne himself, Matt Damon, in a film which is inspired by the book "Imperial Life in the Emerald City", and will most likely fall right back into Greengrass' patented shaky cam style, that no one, and I mean no one, does better than he. Early reviews have been blah, but that was a very early cut obviously, so who really knows.

Robin Hood is what everyone expects it to be, a Ridley Scott action adventure, so there probably won't be to many surprises there, and the aforementioned Get Him To The Greek (sequel/spinoff to Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and MacGruber, well, they are not even worth discussing personally. However, if those two interest you, check out full descriptions below!

GREEN ZONE March 12, 2010

Genre: Thriller
Cast: Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Brendan Gleeson, Amy Ryan, Khalid Abdalla and Jason Isaacs
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Written by: Brian Helgeland
Inspired by the book “Imperial Life in the Emerald City” by: Rajiv Chandrasekaran

Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, United 93) re-team for their latest electrifying thriller in Green Zone, a film set in the chaotic early days of the Iraqi War when no one could be trusted and every decision could detonate unforeseen consequences.

During the U.S.-led occupation of Baghdad in 2003, Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller (Damon) and his team of Army inspectors were dispatched to find weapons of mass destruction believed to be stockpiled in the Iraqi desert. Rocketing from one booby-trapped and treacherous site to the next, the men search for deadly chemical agents but stumble instead upon an elaborate cover-up that inverts the purpose of their mission.

Spun by operatives with intersecting agendas, Miller must hunt through covert and faulty intelligence hidden on foreign soil for answers that will either clear a rogue regime or escalate a war in an unstable region. And at this blistering time and in this combustible place, he will find the most elusive weapon of all is the truth.

MACGRUBER April 16, 2010

Genre: Action comedy
Cast: Will Forte, Ryan Phillippe, Kristen Wiig, Val Kilmer, Powers Boothe and Maya Rudolph
Screenplay by: Will Forte, John Solomon, Jorma Taccone
Directed by: Jorma Taccone

Only one American hero has earned the rank of Green Beret, Navy SEAL and Army Ranger. Just one operative has been awarded 16 purple hearts, 3 Congressional Medals of Honor and 7 presidential medals of bravery. And only one guy is man enough to still sport a mullet. In 2010, Will Forte brings Saturday Night Live’s clueless soldier of fortune to the big screen in the action comedy MacGruber.

In the 10 years since his fiancée was killed, special op MacGruber has sworn off a life of fighting crime with his bare hands. But when he learns that his country needs him to find a nuclear warhead that’s been stolen by his sworn enemy, Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer), MacGruber figures he’s the only one tough enough for the job.
Assembling an elite team of experts-Lt. Dixon Piper (Ryan Phillippe) and Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig)-MacGruber will navigate an army of assassins to hunt down Cunth and bring him to justice. His methods may be unorthodox. His crime scenes may get messy. But if you want the world saved right, you call in MacGruber.

UNTITLED ROBIN HOOD ADVENTURE May 14, 2010

Genre: Action-Adventure
Cast: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Matthew Macfadyen, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac, Léa Seydoux, Scott Grimes, Kevin Durand, Alan Doyle, Danny Huston and Max von Sydow
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Writers: Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris, Brian Helgeland, Paul Webb, Tom Stoppard

Oscar winner Russell Crowe stars as the legendary figure known by generations as “Robin Hood,” whose exploits have endured in popular mythology and ignited the imagination of those who share his spirit of adventure and righteousness. In 13th century England, Robin and his band of marauders confront corruption in a local village and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power. And whether thief or hero, one man from humble beginnings will become an eternal symbol of freedom for his people.

The untitled Robin Hood adventure chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self-preservation, from his service in King Richard’s army against the French. Upon Richard’s death, Robin travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marion (Oscar winner Cate Blanchett), a woman skeptical of the identity and motivations of this crusader from the forest. Hoping to earn the hand of Maid Marion and salvage the village, Robin assembles a gang whose lethal mercenary skills are matched only by its appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct injustices under the sheriff.

With their country weakened from decades of war, embattled from the ineffective rule of the new king and vulnerable to insurgencies from within and threats from afar, Robin and his men heed a call to ever greater adventure. This unlikeliest of heroes and his allies set off to protect their country from slipping into bloody civil war and return glory to England once more.

GET HIM TO THE GREEK June 11, 2010

Genre: Comedy
Cast: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Rose Byrne, Sean Combs, Elisabeth Moss
Directed by: Nicholas Stoller
Writers: Nicholas Stoller, Rodney Rothman

Get Him to the Greek reunites Jonah Hill and Russell Brand with Forgetting Sarah Marshall director Nicholas Stoller in the story of a record company intern with two days to drag an uncooperative rock legend to Hollywood for a comeback concert. The comedy is the latest film from producer Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Funny People).

Aaron Green (Hill) gets things done. The ambitious 23-year-old has exaggerated his way into a dream job just in time for a career-making assignment. His mission: Fly to London and escort a rock god to L.A.’s Greek Theatre for the first-stop on a $100-million tour. His warning: Turn your back on him at your own peril.

British rocker Aldous Snow (Brand) is both a brilliant musician and walking sex. Weary of yes men and piles of money, the former front man is searching for the meaning of life. But that doesn’t mean he can’t have a few orgies while he finds it. When he learns his true love is in California, Aldous makes it his quest to win her back…right before kick-starting his world domination.

As the countdown to the concert begins, one intern must navigate a minefield of London drug smuggles, New York City brawls and Vegas lap dances to deliver his charge safe and, sort of, sound. He may have to coax, lie to, enable and party with Aldous, but Aaron will get him to the Greek.

YOUR HIGHNESS October 1, 2010

Genre: Comedy adventure
Cast: Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Theroux, Toby Jones
Written by: Danny McBride & Ben Best
Directed by: David Gordon Green

Throughout history, tales of chivalry have burnished the legends of brave, handsome knights who rescue fair damsels, slay dragons and conquer evil. But behind many a hero is a good-for-nothing younger brother trying just to stay out of the way of those dragons, evil and trouble in general. Danny McBride and James Franco team up for an epic comedy adventure set in a fantastical world-Your Highness. As two princes on a daring mission to save their land, they must rescue the heir apparent’s fiancée before their kingdom is destroyed.

Thadeous (McBride) has spent his life watching his perfect older brother Fabious (Franco) embark upon valiant journeys and win the hearts of his people. Tired of being passed over for adventure, adoration and the throne, he’s settled for a life of wizard’s weed, hard booze and easy maidens. But when Fabious’ bride-to-be, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), gets kidnapped by the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux), the king gives his deadbeat son an ultimatum: Man up and help rescue her or get cut off.

Half-assedly embarking upon his first quest, Thadeous joins Fabious to trek across the perilous outlands and free the princess. Joined by Isabel (Natalie Portman)-an elusive warrior with a dangerous agenda of her own-the brothers must vanquish horrific creatures and traitorous knights before they can reach Belladonna. If Thadeous can find his inner hero, he can help his brother prevent the destruction of his land. Stay a slacker, and not only does he die a coward, he gets front row seats to the dawn of an all-new Dark Ages.


Go see something good!

Monday, June 8, 2009

NEWS: Marvel Updates Their Upcoming Slate...

Over the weekend, FirstShowing attended a special Producer's Guild of America panel on producing Marvel films, where head honcho of Marvel Kevin Feige, updated us on his companies slate of films, with quite a few interesting pieces of news...

- The one thing they really want to bring back from Iron Man for the sequel, is the films great sense of humor, so expect a pretty funny action film...

- They are about halfway done with shooting the film...

- Scarlett Johansson's character in the film supposedly has "two sides." She comes in as an aid/assistant for Stark, and ultimately ends up as Black Widow...

- Feige confirmed the previous reports of Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston being cast as Thor and Loki in the upcoming Thor film...

- Kenneth Branaugh is not allowing the actors to use Shakespearean language like the comic book often did...

- Feige confirmed that Captain America will be primarily a period piece set during WWII...

- It's a "safe bet" that we will be seeing Caps trusty sidekick, Bucky, when the film roles around in 2012...

- He also said that Edgar Wright will be doing a rewrite of his script for Ant Man, a film he's still schedule to helm, after production of Scott Pilgrim is done...

- Which leads me to the last note, they will be announcing ANOTHER film for release in 2012 in the upcoming months, and while there is not hint at to what it may be, since he basically announced Ant Man, it's something else, that no one knows about yet...


What do you all think the film could be? Sub-Mariner (starring Zachary Quinto of course)? Hulk 2? Spidy 5? I personally think the best bet may be Dr. Strange, since there have been quite a few hints at that film being put into production, but then again, that's just me. What do you all think?

Go see something good!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

NEWS: Dreamworks Full Animated Slate...


Today, Dreamworks has announced their full animated slate up to 2012, and boy, is it exactly what we all expected. Sequels, sequels, sequels...Thanks to /Film for the heads up...

- March 26th 2010: How To Train Your Dragon -

“Meet Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, heir of the Viking chiefdom, but a boy with one very big problem: a hero he is not. “How to Train Your Dragon’ is the riotous story of Hiccup’s quest to hunt down the fiercest dragon, bring it into submission, and—hopefully—pass his initiation. Instead, he ends up with the smallest, most ornery dragon—it’s even toothless! Thus begins the hijinx of the world’s most lovable, unlikely hero and a most reluctant “beast.” Packed with energetic drawings and plenty of action, this boisterous tale is just right for fantasy fans or anyone with a spirit of adventure. Based on the book by Cressida Cowell.” Directed by Chris Sanders, and featuring the voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

- May 21st 2010: Shrek Forever After (retitled from Shrek Goes Fourth) —

Directed by Mike Mitchell (Duce Bigelow, Surviving Christmas, Sky High).

November 5th 2010: Oobermind (formerly titled Master Mind) -

Written by Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons, Oobermind is a satirical take on superhero movies (think The Incredibles), in which a notorious villain (Robert Downey Jr) who finds life a little bit boring after he accidentally kills his nemesis, good guy superhero Metro Man. Ben Stiller and Tina Fey are also proving voices.

- June 3rd 2011: Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom (formerly titled Kung Fu Panda 2) —

Longtime story exec Jennifer Yuh Nelson makes her feature directorial debut, in a story following continuing adventures of Po, the Kung Fu panda.

- November 4th 2011: The Guardians —

Based on an upcoming book series by William Joyce, whose work inspired Disney’s Meet The Robinsons. Described as “a contemporary fairytale based on existing fairytale characters,” Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost and the Sandman team up to defend the world from a Bogeyman-like villain. Of course, the characters have been “somewhat renamed and massively reimagined”. The first book has a tenative release of Christmas 2010. Visual effects artist and animator Jeff Lynch makes his feature directorial debut.

- March 20th 2012: Puss in Boots —

Shrek the Third director Chris Smith directs this prequel spin-off to Shrek 2, telling the story of Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). Salma Hayek will voice the female love interest named Kitty.

- May 27th 2012: Madagascar 3 —

Directed by Eric Darnell (Madagascar, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa), the new story will follow the animals as they travel to Europe as part of a traveling circus. Tom McGrath previously said that the would like to see the characters return to their home, the Central Park Zoo, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen any time soon..

- November 12th 2012: A Yet-to-be-chosen Original Feature from the following three options –

Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco’s caveman comedy The Croods (formerly titled Crood Awakenings) which was once set up with Aardman Animation. Set in the prehistoric era, a man’s position as Leader of the Hunt is threatened by the arrival of a prehistoric genius who comes up with revolutionary new inventions … like fire. Sanders has described the project as: “The idea of having all the modern conveniences and social structures that we’re familiar with gone and being left with just a pure form of people was really fun to imagine working with.”

Truckers — based on the first of the thee books in Terry Pratchett’s best-selling The Bromeliad Trilogy, which tells the story of the Nomes, a race of tiny people from another world who now struggle to survive in the world hidden among humans. They find an artifact known as “The Thing” which teaches them about their secret history and make plans to return home. Screenplay is being written by Slumdog scribe Simon Beaufoy. The film has been in development at the studio since at least 2001, originally with Shrek director Andrew Adamson attached to write and direct, but went on to helm Shrek 2 instead before moving on to the Chronicles of Narnia films.

Super Secret Ghost Project (tenative working title) — A story which asks what ghosts think about humans. I imagine this will be DreamWorks’ attempt at copying Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.

So we have sequels, a film based off source material that inspired Meet The Robinsons, a spin off about cats with a main character named Kitty, and a rip off of Monster's Inc. Dreamworks is like the brainless kid at school who copies off the kid in front of him, but doesn't quite read the other kids handwritting, so still gets it wrong.

Go see something good!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

NEWS: Disney's upcoming slate of films...

So, at a convention this week, Disney studios has unvieled their plans, including their full slate, for the next few years. No timeline or release dates have been set for these films, but here are the films, and a very brief description of each...

- Tron 2 -
Sequel to the 1982 cult sci-fi classic. What was shown was basically a higher quality trailer than the one shown at Comicon...
- The Princess and The Frog -
Disney's return to hand drawn, 2D animation. The only new announcement was Oprah Winfrey's casting as the main character's mother...
- Cars 2 -
Sequel to Pixar's hit film, Cars...nothing news was mentioned outside of the moving of it's release date to Summer of 2011...
- A Christmas Carol -
This one is the most interesting to me. Jim Carrey will star in this Robert Zimeckis(Beowulf, Forrest Gump) directed film, and will, in total, play 7 characters, including Scruge, in this motion capture film.
- Pirates of The Carribean 4 -
Only news is that Johnny Depp has signed on to return as Captain Jack Sparrow...
- Lone Ranger -
Aladdin scribes, Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio will be penning this adaptation, with the afformentioned Depp taking the role of the Ranger's sidekick, Tonto...
- Hannah Montana: The Movie -
Whatever...
- Old Dogs -
Robin Williams and John Travolta are set to star in this film about two friends who happen to, due to some sort of problem, get placed under the care of two 7 year old twins...
- The Proposal -
Sandra Bullock vehicle, in which she is forced to marry her controling boss to avoid deportation to Canada...
- Race To Witch Mountain -
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stars in this film about a UFO expert who tries to take care of two kids with paranormal powers before the government can use them for their own purposes...
- Wild Hogs 2 -
Sequel to the 2007 hit film...

Disney plans on releasing 5 3-D films next year...no word yet on what those films will be, but as soon as it is released, I will get that news out...

What are your thoughts on these films? The only one I'm anticipating is The Princess and The Frog, and one that I really want to see something from is A Christmas Carol. What about you??

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