This week, there will be no news, only trailers! Kevin Smith has always written his own movies, until now. When he signed on to direct A Couple of Dicks, for Warner Bros., eventually retitled Cop Out, the project was an interesting move, if nothing else. Could Smith work purely as a director for hire and channel the energy of Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan into something that might resemble a film he’d make on his own? The just-released trailer isn’t making much of an argument for ‘yes’. Check it out after the break.
This is one unfunny trailer. The “smarter than Batman” line got a giggle, and…yeah. That’s about it. Though not generally a fan of Smith’s I liked Zack and Miri and was hoping this might end up being a turning point for the director.
But what I see here looks like a bad in-character 30 Rock sketch where Tracy Jordan is allowed to go way overboard and run roughshod over everything. Willis looks mostly disengaged and Morgan is mugging like he took acting lessons from Jackie Chan. I really hope the final film is a lot better than this implies. If not, it could be ideal double-feature material with Hollywood Homicide. (Now I need to track down the A Couple of Dicks script and see how much of this was on the page.)
If anything, this could be a visual step forward for Smith. He’s joked before about the fact that his films are pretty flat, and this certainly looks more like a studio movie. But it had a studio backing, so that’s not a serious surprise. And really, I’d rather have the material work well than see some gloss.
What isn’t highlighted here? The fact that Kevin Smith directed. The trailer opens by jokingly invoking the names of “acclaimed police dramas” like Dirty Harry, Training Day and The Departed, and uses music and image to suggest echoes of The Dark Knight. Not until the small credit cards at the end do we see Smith’s name, and then it flies by pretty quick.
Check the quick embed below, and see the trailer in much better HD at Apple.
There’s absolutely no official confirmation of this yet, but several rumours and a clear change to an official website suggest that Disney have ditched their long in the works adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s short story, King of the Elves. The film was being directed by Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker.
When I was out at the animation studios in Burbank earlier this month there was a lot of great-looking Elves artwork dotted about the place. What looked like CG tests for the elf characters showed a great deal of detail and texture, more akin to something like Avatar than a more stylised Pixar picture. As the only images I saw of human characters were sketches or hand drawn concept art I’m not sure what the ultimate aesthetic plan actually added up to.
Interesting note: you can see from the storyboard sketch above that this would have been another Disney film with a Black lead character.
To cut a long story short, I’d be very disappointed to see this film frozen out. What evidence is there that it’s on the scrap heap?
I was put on the trail by some comments on the TAG blog. This is where Steve Hulett of Animation Guild 839 reports on the state of the industry. Following on from Hulett’s report on visiting Disney’s ‘hat building’ on December 22nd, the first comment contained this statement:
King of the Elves was the next big CG flick, and now that that’s canned, and Rich Moore’s project under wraps in terms of style, who knows if there will be another CG movie.
Incidetantally, I believe Rich Moore’s project is a CG film called Joe Jump and would tell the story of a videogame mascot adjusting to a higher-tech new world, but that one’s totally under wraps, officially speaking.
The comments continued to discuss the cancellation of Elves.
Has Elves really been permanently shelved? I hear someone say retooling, then someone say “cancelled”. Of course, six of one, half dozen of the other sometimes…
Has Elves really been permanently shelved? Yes.
I see that King of the Elves has been removed from the Walt Disney Animation Studios website - anyone know why it got shelved? Why was production so turbulent that a director left, it entered re-tooling, and then was canned?
And it’s true. While the page for King of the Elves has not (yet) been deleted, it has been removed from the official WDAS site’s navigation and you need to know the URL to skip to it, or sneak your way in via Google.
Now, the visitors to the TAG blog are going to be almost all industry professionals, so I’m inclined to put trust in these comments.
I’ve sent a few e-mails out to sources who might have more information, but at this time of year I’m not sure that I’ll get anything like a swift response.
There’s two obvious reasons that King of the Elves may have been axed. The first is that it could be very hard to merchandise; the second is that the source story is actually not really what you’d first think of as a Disney toon. Here’s a minor spoiler - the lead character ends up killing his best friend. Sure, he sees him as a Troll, but you know what that Dick chap is like with liquid identities and so on.
It may simply be that they couldn’t get an expanded version of the short story to play well. The writing and storyboarding process at Disney, as per Pixar and some of their rivals, is a long and arduous one. Sometimes, a film just doesn’t come together.
It’s sad to see Elves go but it would be sadder still to see it come out and not be up to quality.
I always make sure to stretch before I cauze mayhem.
but den ull b on santas bad list.
Picture by: dunno source Caption by: dunno source via Advanced Lol Builder
I do not smell that bad
Picture by: Ben Caption by: bindy_babe via Loldog Builder
Tagged: bad, costume, dachshund, halo 3, human, master chief, smell
Running out of time and money this holiday season? Don't worry - we've got some cheap and heartfelt replacements for the nerd shopper who is out of cash, time or luck. Trust us, they'll love it.
Sold Out: Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince Toys or DVD
Instead: Homemade Butter Beer
Can't find the right Harry Potter DVD or wand? Quick - brew up some of your own Butter Beer. There are over 10 Recipes right here. Plus it's cheap and people will think you care more because you made it with your hands.
Not Out Yet: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs DVD
Instead: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs The Book
Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett's childrens' book is a classic tale. If you wanted to give the DVD, only to find it won't be out until January, give the book instead. It's inexpensive and a wonderful hardback children's book any light-hearted person would enjoy, kids or no kids.
Sold Out: Star Wars Clone Wars Toys
Instead: Knit Your Own Leia Wig
I'm not sure how fast you can knit, but just try to start the project and you're in the clear. Heck maybe it can be "a project the both of you work on." The pattern is available at Etsy.
But if knitting is too complicated, try these Star Wars papercraft models. Nothing sweeter than waking up Christmas morning to a house filled with Star Wars decorations.
Not Out Yet: Jennifer's Body DVD
Instead: Jennifer's Body Earrings
Any monster movie fan will love you for these jewelry nods to the horror flick. It's like secret cosplay - only the "cool kids" will get the reference. And they are a cute and inventive alternative to the DVD, which fans will most likely purchase themselves. Worst case scenario, you can pick up the Jennifer's Body soundtrack which has tracks by Screeching Weasel, and of course, the film's warbling emo ballad: Low Shoulder's "Through The Trees."
Earrings available at ETSY soundtrack available at Amazon.
Not Available: David Tennant
Instead: The Original Doctor Who Scarf
What better way to remind or console a David Tennant Doctor Who fan than with a homemade reminder that there have been plenty of other Doctors who have regenerated over the years, and that this fan pain too will pass? This Doctor Who Scarf Website has just about every pattern around, and breaks down exactly how long/thick each scarf stripe should be.
Canceled: SGU Christmas Day Marathon
Instead: BSG Series DVD Set or Netflix Subscription With Instant Watch
Planning on spending Christmas Day snuggled up with some SGU only to find out it's canceled? Purchase the entire Battlestar Galactica series instead. It's been out long enough that you can get a pretty sweet deal on the internet or at a local store, or simply buy a Netflix instant watch membership. Not only is instant watch full of films, but is has all of the Lost seasons ready for instant viewing. It's something you can buy online and watch immediately on a computer or video game console.
Sold Out: Latest New Scifi Novel
Instead: Go Classic
You cannot go wrong with buying classic literature if the trendy new novels are sold out, or if you aren't sure which new books are good. Check out used book stores to see if they are carrying any of the classics. And here's a tip: If the dust jacket looks too beaten up, just take it off and gift the original cover with a bow. You can always give them the cover later.
In fact, it's almost better to go used and get a ton of paperbacks for the person who has always wanted to read Ursula K. Le Guin, so they can read her serial work one after the other. Still, if you want a crisp new gift try an older story compilation like, The Complete Stories of J. G. Ballard. Here's a list of our nerdy book recommendations.
We've been overly excited about the Klingon Christmas Carol, which was a one-night-only production at the University of Minnesota Saint Paul. And we finally have a clip from one of the translated scenes.
We received a sample pair from Gasper Gloves that use TouchTec technology. We had previously seen a demo of some TouchTec gloves in action and had briefly tried them out. And finally I got to spend some serious time with a pair of my own. The black leather pair that I received is lined with a very soft and very warm fleece lining. It has gotten very cold in New York this past week, so the timing couldn't be better to be using these gloves. I can't describe what a treat it is to be able to use my iPhone outside in the cold without having to pull off my gloves. I've become the envy of my peers whose hands still shiver everytime they use their smartphone outdoors.
When wearing the gloves, I can dial, surf the web, and operate all my apps without a problem. I can even text message, although it is a little bit more difficult than doing so without the gloves, just because the gloves do add a layer of thickness around your fingers. I've also tried out the gloves on a MyTouch 3G, a Windows Mobile smartphone with haptic feedback, and on my MacBook Pro's multi-gesture enabled trackpad. In each scenario the gloves worked fluidly on the touchscreen device I was using. As a matter of fact, it was as if I wasn't wearing a pair of gloves at all.
In contrast, previously I had used Tavo's pair of iPod gloves, and like many other iPhone gloves out there, their gloves only have touchscreen compatible material at the tip of the index finger and thumb. My experience with those gloves are that they just barely do the job. Their touchscreen material doesn't cover the entire glove- or even all of your finger tips the way TouchTec does, their touchscreen enabled material doesn't work as responsively as TouchTec's technology, and the pair I had used also started rubbing out after just a few outings.
Conclusion:
Gaspar Gloves is currently offering up a selection of gloves with TouchTec technology, in an assortment of different styles with different linings. The gloves pricing is upwards of $200. But that isn't all that much when you consider that a pair of high quality designer leather gloves would cost you about the same price, and that is without TouchTec technology. However there are several other fashion oriented manufacturers that will be producing more TouchTec gloves soon. For the meantime, the most affordable pair of gloves with TouchTec technology that you can get is for $99 at eGlovz. Either way, don't be fooled by the $30 pair of iPhone gloves that you might see advertised somewhere. TouchTec technology is a cut above the rest and really can't be compared to these other iPod gloves. If you can afford TouchTec gloves and you're a smartphone owner with a touchscreen, then you will absolutely love these gloves.
The Good: TouchTec technology works excellently on touchscreen devices, truly mimics the human hand, glove is made of high quality materials and is very warm
The Bad: On the pricey side
It's our second annual science fiction power list, featuring the 20 most powerful people and teams in the world of science fiction. Yes, science fiction can wield great power. These are the people who take responsibility for that.
This is not a list of io9's "favorites," or a compendium of people we think should have power. With this list, we've tried to reflect as accurately as possible who the movers and shakers are in the worlds of science fiction - the people who can command a big budget, or get a creative project produced just by signing their name to it. These are people whose tastes are setting pop culture fashion, and inspiring imitators across the globe. They're wheeling and dealing, controlling the kinds of stories you'll be reading, watching, and playing for years to come.
In addition, the list is not in order of power. All of these people are powerful in different ways, often in different industries.
JJ Abrams
Lost. Star Trek. Fringe. At this point, media polymath JJ Abrams can do no wrong on television or at the movies. He's rebooted Star Trek with a flourish, and even though FOX show Fringe may be flagging in the ratings this year, it's still garnering critical praise. Next up for Abrams: Two linked sequels to Star Trek and an untitled scifi/spy comedy series.
James Cameron
Whether you love or hate Avatar, there's no denying Cameron knows how to make science fiction into a rich, technically sophisticated storytelling genre. And he can command a budget of nearly $400 million, which is what many estimate Avatar cost. Next up for Cameron: More Avatar, and more technical innovations.
Lady Gaga
Like Cameron, Lady Gaga is another polarizer: You hate her or you love her, but either way she's unavoidable. With videos supporting her two latest releases, The Fame and The Fame Monster, she crafted an image of herself as a pop creation whose alienness rivals that of 1970s-era David Bowie. Dressed in outfits that belong on another planet, playing piano from inside whirling silver rings, Lady Gaga made sci fashion into just plain fashion. Next up for Gaga: Touring, mostly without pants on.
David Howe
Though he got a lot of razzing for the Syfy rebranding campaign, Howe has brought the once-marginal SciFi Channel into the mainstream with Syfy's blend of paranormal reality shows like Ghost Hunters, top-rated miniseries (Tin Man), and attention-grabbing series like Stargate Universe and Warehouse 13. Under Howe's watch, Syfy's ratings have gone through the roof, and the channel is now among the top ten most-watched channels among men ages 18–54, and women ages 25–54. Next for Howe: Several new series, including the much-anticipated Battlestar Galactica prequel Caprica in spring.
Patrick Nielsen Hayden
Senior Editor and the Manager of Science Fiction at Tor Books, Nielsen Hayden is a kingmaker among American science fiction novelists. Under his watch, Tor has helped turn writers like Cory Doctorow, John Scalzi, and Jo Walton into award-winning superstars of the genre world. Plus it doesn't hurt that Tor is re-releasing the mega-selling Wheel Of Time series. Next for Nielsen Hayden: More award-winning books.
Diane Nelson
A longtime executive at Warner Bros, Nelson was recently named DC Entertainment President, where she's going to take on the task of shuttling promising comic book properties into Time Warner's other media divisions - mostly movies. With properties like Batman, Justice League, and Wonder Woman under her watchful eye, Nelson is poised to set the tone for next decade's most anticipated (and, for some, dreaded) comic book movies. Our favorite Nelson quote: "I prefer to be known as an executive rather than a girl." Next for Nelson: Superman and Wonder Woman movies.
Warren Ellis
Ellis has long been a favorite among discerning comic book fans who have made his books Transmetropolitan and Planetary into cult hits. And his work on countless Marvel titles, as well as his novel Crooked Little Vein, have made him a critical darling as well. But Ellis' power extends far beyond the comic book world, and into the realms of subterranean fashion, philosophy, and trendsetting. He runs a very popular blog that routinely breaks news on the pop trends and weird news that feed the creative imaginations of writers, artists, filmmakers and fans. Ellis is one of the science fiction world's most influential tastemakers and opinion shapers. Next for Ellis: The movie version of his comic book Red starts filming in January, starring Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman.
Charlaine Harris
With her Sookie Stackhouse novels constantly on bestseller lists, and HBO's Sookie series True Blood a critical and audience hit, Harris is the queen of vampire fiction for adults. She's also a pioneer of the supernatural romance genre, which has propelled science fiction and urban fantasy stories into the hands of women - and helped turn fantastical genre fiction into a mainstream obsession. Next for Harris: Dead in the Family, a new Sookie Stackhouse novel, in May 2010.
Felicia Day
Day, creator of the cult hit web show The Guild, was the star of scifi's biggest web sensation to date: Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog. Now she's crossing over into the mainstream, with roles on House, Dollhouse, and Lie To Me. Day proves that web celebrities can be just as powerful as TV celebrities. Next for Day: Appearing in some of the final episodes of Dollhouse next year; The Guild season 4.
Audrey Niffenegger
With her mega-selling novel The Time Traveler's Wife now a Hollywood movie, it's no wonder that Audrey Niffenegger got almost $5 million for her latest novel, Her Fearful Symmetry, which came out earlier this year. Next for Niffenegger: An art exhibit at Printworks Gallery in September, 2010, and a third novel, The Chinchilla Girl in Exile.
Alastair Reynolds
Joining the millionaire science fiction author club along with Niffenegger is Reynolds, a British author whose space operas have netted him prestigious awards and fans the world over. Last year, he signed an unprecedented 10-book deal with leading UK SF publisher Gollancz, for £1 million. Next for Reynolds: A three-book cycle that the UK Guardian described as "an African-inflected trilogy charting how humanity might go on to conquer the solar system and the galaxy."
Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh
Jackson and Walsh have been writing and production partners on some of the biggest science fiction and fantasy epics of the last decade, including the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Now Jackson is putting some of his muscle behind young directors like District 9's Niell Blomkamp, and it's paying off nicely; Jackson and Walsh have also been working with Guillermo Del Toro on developing two forthcoming movies based on The Hobbit. Next for Jackson and Walsh: Producing The Hobbit movies; a possible miniseries based on Naomi Novik's dragon warfare series called Temeraire.
Michael Bay
Bay exploded his way into some of the biggest box office cash in history with the incomprehensible yet lucrative Transformers 2. Call him a mindless detonation-whore if you want, but Bay's a money-making golden boy in Hollywood right now. Next for Bay: Transformers 3, set for 2011 release.
Ridley Scott
After blowing everybody's minds with his original visions in 1970s and 80s science fiction classics Alien and Bladerunner, Scott turned his attention to other genres, making incredible flicks like Thelma and Louise and American Gangster. But last year, to our delight, he set his sights on science fiction again. Next for Scott: He's got a prequel to Alien in the works, as well as plans to adapt Joe Haldeman's The Forever War and early SF classic Brave New World to the big screen.
Kevin Feige
As President of Production at Marvel Studios, Feige will control the vertical, horizontal, and asskickital on your movie screens for quite some time. Having worked as a producer on hits like Iron Man and Fantastic Four, Feige will continue his reign at Marvel with more films based on Marvel's characters. Now that Disney is putting its considerable weight behind Marvel Studios, we can only hope that the asskicking will get awesomer, not cutesier. Next for Feige: Producing movie versions of Thor, The Avengers, Captain America, Ant-Man, Deathlok, and more.
Image Metrics
When it comes to making science fiction look awesome, it's important to credit the power of a great tool and the people who make it. Image Metrics is an FX software package used for creating facial animation (often with motion-capture technology) and effects mavens love it. It was used to create effects for Benjamin Button last year, and this year was used for Avatar and the videogame Assassin's Creed II. Next for Image Metrix: You'll be seeing effects created with the software in the film Splice.
Neville Page
The creature designer whose monsters are sometimes more memorable than the actors who fight them, Page created the Cloverfield creature, as well as working on character and creature design in Star Trek (yes, that was his weird red monster on the ice planet), Watchmen and Avatar. Not only are his monsters cool; they actually help advance the stories we see them in. Next for Page: He designed the suits in the forthcoming sequel to Tron.
Patrice Desilets and Jade Raymond
As Ubisoft videogame Assassin's Creed veers into science fictional territory, game designer Desilets finds himself heading up the creative team behind one of the most interesting, complex, and fun SF/F games of the past few years. As producer on Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed 2, Raymond helped popularize the games and made them accessible to a broader audience. Next for Desilets and Raymond: Desilets is at work on the next installment of Assassin's Creed; Raymond is heading up a brand-new Toronto Ubisoft office, where she says she'll work on AAA games.
Sam Worthington
Aussie actor Worthington came out of nowhere to helm two of the year's most anticipated science fiction epics: Terminator 4 (where many argued he was the only interesting character), and Avatar (where he proved he can act even when he's turned into a motion-captured animation). He's poised to be Hollywood's next big SF action star. Next for Worthington: Clash of the Titans; producing and starring in comic book flick Last Days of American Crime; possible Avatar sequel.
Zoe Saldana
After stealing the show in JJ Abrams' Star Trek and kicking major ass in Avatar, Saldana is on track to be the next Sigorney Weaver: Able to play smart believably, and able to throw down in highly physical, action-adventure roles. She leaves everyone wanting to see more of her brains and brawn. Next for Saldana: comic book flick The Losers; Star Trek sequels.
Thanks to: Michael Goldfarb, Stephen Totilo, Charlie Jane Anders, Meredith Woerner, Graeme McMillan, and Lauren Davis, who all helped compile this list.
Akeno Gekijo was once one of Japan's rare strip clubs, with a central podium, strip poles, and seats facing the stage. Now its charred ruins look more like the setting for a violent apocalypse.
Michael John Grist, who travels Japan and the rest of the world documenting modern ruins — places abandoned or destroyed — found this former strip club in Ibaraki. In addition to these photos, Grist also took video of his tour through the burnt ruins of the club.
Akeno Gekijo Strip Club Haikyo, Ibaraki [Michael John Grist via Atlas Obscura]
Santa remeberd Tank U, Tank U, Tank U
Picture by: lordaaronj Caption by: nanimoe via Our LOL Builder
Here are some vampires we don't mind sparkling. This globular cluster, Messier 30, contains two types of ancient stars that have managed to keep themselves brilliant and young. One type relies on interstellar collisions; the other drinks from its neighbors.
Messier 30 is an unusual cluster. It's an ancient cluster, and yet it is filled with blue stars, stars that tend to age and die more quickly than other types of stars. Astronomers have termed these unusually old blue stars "blue stragglers," and they believe that there are two reasons these stars still exist.
Some of the blue stragglers in Messier 30 are vampires; when they get near a more massive star, they are able to siphon off hydrogen from that star, effectively lengthening its life. But more recent studies have found that some of the stars are the results of high-powered collisions. When two older stars collide head-on, it restokes their nuclear fusion, resulting in larger, seemingly younger blue stars than before.
Vampires and collisions rejuvenate stars [Hubble Information Centre via Bad Astronomy]
The program guide for TED 2010 is up and, as usual, the speakers are interesting. Highlights, for me, include ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro (do yourself a favor and watch some of Jake's YouTube videos), neuroscientist Sam Harris, 4chan founder Christopher "moot" Poole, David Byrne, spider silk scientist Cheryl Hayashi, and Wisdom of Whores author Elizabeth Pisani.
From swarms of ginormous trilobites to Ida-the-over-hyped-ancient-lemur, National Geographic counts down the Top 10 Dinosaur and Fossil Finds of 2009.
Man in shorts on cell: Well, I think what happened is he lost his pinky because of the forklift. But that's not the point of this conversation, let's talk about me here.
--186th St & Bennet Ave
Overheard by: Rina
Girl: And she's so awkward on crutches, it's so annoying!
--Grand Central
Overheard by: MR T
Guy on cell: So he tried to kill a roach and broke his knee, and that's why he's on crutches for the rest of summer.
--Union Square
Mother to young son: Sweetie, don't trip and bust your head open. I don't have no duct tape to put it back together.
--Laundromat, 48th St & 10th Ave
Overheard by: Jennifer Piston
Blueberry salesman, as woman in crutches hobbles past: You hoppin', but you ain't stoppin'!
--Greenmarket
John Stalberg’s feature directorial debut HIGH school will premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in the Park City at Midnight category. Many people are comparing the film to The Wackness, another pot dramedy that played Sundance a couple years back. Michael Chiklis plays a smarmy high school principal who suddenly institutes a zero-tolerance crusade, introducing mandatory drug tests for all students. Failure of which will result in immediate expulsion. Matt Bush plays a straight-arrow valedictorian named Henry Burke who normally would have nothing to worry about, except he just tried marijuana for the very first time. I’ll let the Sundance description take over:
With his college scholarship hanging in the balance, Burke begrudgingly teams up with charismatic pothead Travis Breaux to do the only thing they can think of to neutralize this threat—get the entire student body stoned. In his debut feature, director/cowriter John Stalberg Jr. percolates his deliriously manic narrative with sparkling energy and deviant characters, joyously ramming his protagonists deeper and deeper into frenzied chaos. HIGH school paints its slacker wit with lush broad strokes, firmly accomplishing the conclusive stoner fantasia run hilariously amuck.
The film also stars Sean Marquette, Adrien Brody, Colin Hanks, Mykelti Williamson, Andrew Wilson, Yeardley Smith, Michael Vartan, Curtis Armstrong, Erica Phillips and Adhir Kaylan. Check out 33 photos after the jump.
Looks like Myspace pages were created for the School and all the Characters:
Morgan High School: http://www.myspace.com/morganhighschool
Dr. Leslie Gordon: http://www.myspace.com/principal_gordon_
Brandon Ellis: http://www.myspace.com/brandon_ellis_mhs
Henry Burke: http://www.myspace.com/henry_burke_morga
Travis Breaux: http://www.myspace.com/travis_breaux
Big Dave: http://www.myspace.com/big_dave_mhs
Little Dave: http://www.myspace.com/little_dave_mhs
Sebastian Saleem: http://www.myspace.com/sebastian_saleem
Sharky Ovante: http://www.myspace.com/sharky_ovante
Martin Gordon: http://www.myspace.com/martin_gordon_mhs
Psycho Ed: http://www.myspace.com/the_high_times_ed
Psycho Ed’s Beats (Music Page): http://www.myspace.com/psychoedmusic
Paranoid: http://www.myspace.com/paranoid_playa_es
Hippie Dude: http://www.myspace.com/hippie_dude_playa
We’ve heard rumors before that George Lucas is working up a 3D version of the original Star Wars films, and those rumors are back again. This time, though, they’ve brought some friends - new rumors of Terminator 2 getting dimensionalised, and a claim that Ridley Scott is “breathing down the neck of executives at Universal to get them to approve making a 3D version of his new $200 million epic, Robin Hood“.
Studio Canal owns the rights to Terminator 2 and it’s reportedly their plan to have a re-release in 3D. Is that good idea? Well, maybe. It all depends on two factors, I believe: how hungry the exhibitors are for 3D material, and how quickly home 3D systems are adopted. If there’s a 3D T2 but nowhere to screen it, because everybody is still ‘flat’ at home and the 3D screens are filled with new pictures, then it won’t matter how reasonably priced the process is.
According to a report in The Wrap, the T2 status is that “a deal is in the works… to fast-track making the 3D version”. They also put forward the claim that “George Lucas is exploring a 3D version of Star Wars“, thought they don’t even hint at a source for that claim. Have they simply fallen for the old rumour?
It’s on the Robin Hood front that they have what might be more solid information.
One knowledgeable executive told me that it would cost only an additional $7 to $8 million to create a 3D version of Robin Hood. The question is - what will that add to the box-office total?
Well, a darn sight more than $7 to $8 million I can promise you.
Ridley Scott has gone on the record about his love for 3D and has promised already that his film of Forever War will be shot in stereovision. Indeed, here’s his quote after he’d seen some of Avatar way back at the start of the year:
I’ve seen some of James Cameron’s work, and I’ve got to go 3D. It’s going to be phenomenal.
To. The. Point.
Sharon Waxman’s article inevitably discusses Steven Spielberg and his excited reaction to Avatar. What she doesn’t mention, curiously, is that Spielberg’s first 3D picture, Tintin, is already into post production.
And one can only imagine what Steven Spielberg - whose reported comment that Avatar was the best film he’d ever seen has been repeated to me by no fewer than four awestruck colleagues - has planned for Jurassic Park.
Okay… except we don’t even know if he has any plans for Jurassic Park. Let’s sit back and watch the rumour spread, though - we are about to go into a couple of really slow news days after all.
In forthcoming flick Repo Men, Jude Law and Forest Whitaker play baddies who cut you open and rip out your mechanical organs when you can't pay. It's like Repo! The Genetic Opera, but with less singing and awesome actors.
As much as we adored Repo! we're even more excited about this exceptionally graphic gorefest, Repo Men. Anything that's "near future" we're sold on, and we love the actors - Liev Shrieber looks great alongside Law and Whitaker. And the mechanical innards? Yes, this movie has our full attention. The screenplay is from Eric Garcia and Garrett Lerner, who worked on House and Matchstick Men. Repo Men will be out next April.
[Repo Men]
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naughty_nurses :: gingerkat : The ongoing saga of the comps [+7] ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/syndicated.gif)
slash_film : Kevin Smith’s Cop Out Movie Trailer: These Guys Really Are a Couple of Dicks [+0] - slash_film : Have Disney Canned Their Philip K. Dick Adaptation, King of the Elves? [+0]
- icanhaschzbrgr : I always make sure to stretch [+1]
- doggiesylv : I do not [+0]
- grimlocke : LoudTwitters [+0]
- dpolicar : Twelve sentences, One year: 2009 [+2]
- io9_rss : 7 Last Minute Geeky Holiday Gifts You Can Buy Or Make [Last-minute Gifts] [+0]
- io9_rss : Klingon Christmas Carol Takes Over Fox News [Klingon Christmas Carol] [+0]
- chipchick2 : TouchTec iPhone Gloves Review [+0]
- io9_rss : The 2009 Science Fiction Power List [Power List] [+0]
- io9_rss : Japan's Strip Club at the End of the World [Modern Ruins] [+0]
- icanhaschzbrgr : Santa remeberd [+3]
- io9_rss : Vampirism and Collisions Keep Ancient Stars Young [Space Porn] [+0]
- boingwonder : TED 2010 program guide [+0]
- boingwonder : The most awesome end-of-the-year top 10 [+0]
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