Brandon Routh talks about ‘Superman Returns’ sequel November 6, 2006 8:31 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, Sci Fi, Superman Returns.add a comment
Speaking with Rotten Tomatoes Brandon Routh, star of “Superman Returns”, shed a view details on the sequel to the successful franchise.
Speaking on making the movie more action packed, Routh had the following to say: “Bryan [Singer] said at Comic-Con they were going to add some more fighting elements and stuff like that. “That might be kind of interesting to throw some punches or throw something, I don’t know, a little more active.”
Production on the movie seems to be some time away: “I think I’ve got a while. We probably won’t start for another at least six months. They’ve got to get things written so I’m still in the gym. I still work out a little bit but certainly not as much as I had been.”
Routh goes on to state his excitement for the project: “I’m extremely excited, even though I don’t know what the story’s going to be, to find out what the story’s going to be and excited for them, Bryan, Dan [Harris] and Mike [Dougherty] to go start writing and continue the story. I’m excited to see what happens, where the characters are going to go.”
Brandon Routh Looking For More Fights In “Superman Returns 2” [Rotten Tomatoes]
“The Incredible Hulk” return set for a Summer 2008 release November 6, 2006 8:20 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News.add a comment
Confirmed today by Marvel Studios and Universal Pictures, there will be another big-screen addition to the ‘Incredible Hulk’ franchise. Marvel has announced that the release date for the movie will be June 27th, 2008.”The Incredible Hulk will be the type of fun, high-octane event film people have come to expect from Marvel. We could not be more excited about this project and our summer 2008 prospects now that we have both our green goliath and our highly-anticipated Iron Man set for release” Commented Kevin Feige, President of Production for Marvel Studios.
The movie will be directed by Louis Leterrier (Transporter 2 and Unleashed) and its screenplay written by ‘X2’ and ‘X3’ screenwriter Zak Penn.
Casting is already underway but there is no word on which actors will play the parts.
“Monster House” leads the pack of newly released DVDs November 5, 2006 1:26 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in DVD, DVD Sales, Movies, News, Television, TV DVD.1 comment so far
“Monster House” took the top spot among DVD sales for the week ending October 29th. This marks the second week that an animated film took the top spot in DVD sales.
Other new releases for the week that made the top 20 were “Nacho Libre” at #3, “An American Haunting” at #4, “Slither” at #6, “The O.C.: Season 3” at #10 and “The Addams Family: Season 1” at #12.
Rounding out the top 10 then were “Over the Hedge” at #2, “The Break-up” at #5, “Click” at #7, “The Little Mermaid: Special Edition” at #8 and “The Omen” at #9.
Among the top 10 TV DVD sales for the week, the aforementioned tv shows above were followed by the new releases of “Justice League Unlimited: Season 1” at #3, “The L Word: Season 3” at #4 and “Macgyver: The Final Season” at #5.
Rounding out the top 10 of TV DVDs were “Grey’s Anatomy: Season 1” at #6 (the series has been in the top 10 of TV DVDs for a remarkable 34 weeks now), “Charmed: Season 6” at #7, “Grey’s Anatomy: Season 2” at #8, “Scrubs: Season 4” at #9 and “Lost: Season 2” at #10.
Blockbuster will begin testing rentals and sales of High-Defintion DVDs November 5, 2006 1:06 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Blu-ray Disc, HD DVD, High Definition Optical Disc, Movies, News, Television.add a comment
Beginning this month Blockbuster, the nations largest rental outlet, will start testing high-definition dvd rentals and sales at about 250 of its stores, chosen by the basis of where early adopters are said to be.
The outlets will carry about 40 titles of each current high-def format; Blu-ray Disc and HD DVDs, with prices set at an equal setting.
“It’s a careful selection process,” Blockbuster spokesman Randy Hargrove said of store experiments. “We’re looking at DVD adoption rate and hardware penetration. We’ll continue to watch the market and monitor to see where additional expansion will be appropriate.”
High-definition rentals is not new to Blockbuster, as their Blockbuster Online brand has been offering both formats on their site for quite some time.
MGM revives United Artists label under leadership of Cruise November 5, 2006 12:36 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News.1 comment so far
Tom Cruise will be taking over the famed United Artists studio with his producing partner Paula Wagner.
Wagner will serve as the studio’s CEO while Cruise will star in and produce pictures from the label.
The arrangement doesn’t preclude Cruise from starring in other films from another label, and as of yet there are no films on the slate.
The main goal of UA will be to develop and produce pictures in the $40 million to $50 million range (though some could rise higher), with the intent of releasing around 4 films per year. MGM will be the distributor and marketer.
“The whole concept is to make movies, and we have a company that is artist-friendly,” Wagner said. “We’re going to do a wide variety of films. We are producers, and we know how to make economically sound choices.”Not all the movies will be produced by Cruise and Wagner, as some will be produced by outside producers.
In a statement Tom Cruise had the following to say: “Paula and I are very respectful of the rich history and tradition of United Artists, and we welcome the opportunity to contribute to that legacy by providing a wide range of releases that appeal to all audiences. It’s our desire to create an environment where filmmakers can thrive and see their visions realized.”
Bryan Singer Signed for Superman Returns Sequel October 30, 2006 9:02 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Superman Returns.3 comments
Bryan Singer has signed a deal with Warner Brothers to direct and produce the sequel to “Superman Returns”.
Unlike previous rumored reports, there is currently no budget for the movie, but it is expected to have a release of summer of 2009
In regards to casting, the only known is that Warner Brothers has an option on Brandon Routh, though it is expected the entire main cast will be back.
Though even with this information (per Variety) there is currently no script and the sequel hasn’t yet received an official greenlight from the studio.
The movie will be co-financed by Legendary Pictures and Warner Brothers.
Star Trek XI is On Track October 30, 2006 8:55 pm
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J.J. Abrams, who is currently writing and will direct the new movie in the Star Trek franchise, told TV Guide that the movie is on track, and everyone involved with the project is extremely excited with what is to come.
‘Saw III’ Wins Box Office (Oct. 27-29) October 29, 2006 4:51 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Box Office, Movies, News.1 comment so far
Taking in an estimated $34.300M (All data based on Studio Estimates. Weekend actuals will be released Monday afternoon. Any comparisons will be using actual data.), “Saw III” easily won the weekend and topped the franchise’s previous two openings ($31.726M for Saw II and $18.276M for Saw).
The film opened in 3,167 theaters.
Superman Returns Sequel Greenlit? October 26, 2006 11:07 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Rumors, Superman Returns.add a comment
IESB.net is reporting on their website that a second film in the newly re-established Superman franchise has now been given an official go. The site is claiming that Singer has reached an agreement with Warner Bros. on the sequel, which will apparently start to get underway next fall and feature more action.
There are however, some conditions, mainly with the budget. Unlike the high $208M budget + $50M for prints and advertising of ‘Returns’ (which also included all the failed projects), this movie will range somewhere around $140-$175 million + prints.
Cruise May Make Cameo Appearence In New Trek Movie October 25, 2006 5:46 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Rumors, Star Trek.add a comment
According to a report by WENN (World Entertainment News Network), Tom Cruise is in negotiations to make a cameo appearance in the next Star Trek movie.
Cruise has a relationship with JJ Abrams (exec-producer, writer and possible director of the new Trek movie), as they both teamed up in the most recent Mission Impossible movie, M:I3.
“Superman Returns” Passes $200M Domestic Mark October 23, 2006 7:11 pm
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“Superman Returns” has surpassed $200,000,000 in domestic box office since its release this past May.
The movie made $173,300 over the weekend frame, passing the mark on Sunday.
Its current domestic box office total stands at $200,006,305 and its current foreign total stands at $190,000,000 for a total worldwide take so far of $390,006,305.
“Superman Returns” is the highest grossing ‘Superman’ movie in both domestic and worldwide takes.
It is the 5th highest domestic grossing movie of the year and is Warner Bros. 10th highest grossing domestic movie of all time, directly behind “Batman Begins'” $205,343,774 of last year. Compared to “Batman Begins”, however, “Superman Returns” has a nearly $20 million advantage in worldwide box office thanks to a higher overseas gross.
A sequel to ‘Returns’ is in the planning stages and is rumored to have a release set for a May 2009 debut.
‘Halo’ Movie Loses Studio Backing October 20, 2006 6:39 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News.add a comment
Universal Studios and Fox Studios have cut their participation in funding the game-based movie, apparently over budget concerns.
The movie, an adaption of the very successful Xbox series, was said to have been approaching a budget of $200 million, though studio reps will only confirm a pricetag in the neighborhood of $150 million, minus a reduction of 12.5% for shooting in New Zealand.
Its suspected that both studios were uneasy with the deal that Microsoft (the game’s publisher) was set to receive, and were negotiating to lower it. That deal was for a $5 million upfront payment and 10% of the films gross.
Little Mermaid DVD Sells 4M Copies October 11, 2006 8:25 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in DVD, Movies, News.add a comment
The two-disc Platinum Edition DVD of the 17 year old animated classic debuted to more than four million units in its first week of release. The movie had been placed in Disney’s “vault” for the past seven years.
That mark makes it the top selling animated movie release for October ever, and surpassed all previous Platinum Edition releases (included classics such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “Lion King”).
“Rambo IV” Ready To Go October 11, 2006 8:21 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Rambo.1 comment so far
Sylvester Stallone will replay the lead role of John Rambo in “Rambo IV: In The Serpent’s Eye”.
With production set to begin in January of 2007 Stallone will star, produce and direct the film from a screenplay of which he wrote.
Warner Bros. Lowers High-Definition DVD Forecast October 9, 2006 8:00 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Blu-ray Disc, HD DVD, High Definition Optical Disc, Movies, News.add a comment
After a weaker than expected September in total sales for High-Definition hardware and software, Warner Bros. has halved their original sales estimate for the new medium.
Back in August of this year, they forecasted sales of $1.5-$1.9 billion in hardware and $500 million in software by years end. Because of the lower than expected September take (about $30 million, roughly half of what was expected) estimates have been revised downward to $750 million on hardware and $150 million for software.
Warner Halves High-Def Projections (Video Business)
‘The Departed’ Takes Box Office (Oct. 6-8) October 9, 2006 6:30 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, Top 10 Box Office.add a comment
Taking in an estimated $27.015M (All data based on Studio Estimates. Weekend actuals will be released Monday afternoon. Any comparisons will be using actual data.), “The Departed” becomes Martin Scorsese’s largest opening movie in his career, surpassing the $10.261M of “Cape Fear” back in 1991 to take the weekend win.
The film was also Scorsese’s widest opening release ever at 3,017 theaters.
FX Purchases Exclusive Cable Rights to “Invincible” October 3, 2006 2:38 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News.add a comment
The cable network FX, has purchased the exclusive cable rights to the Buena Vista feature film starring Mark Wahlburg; Invincible.
It is suspected that FX will pay 10-12% of the domestice boxoffice take of the movie, which is currently at around $56.3M.
Movie and TV Piracy Costs American Economy $20.5 Billion October 3, 2006 2:37 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, Piracy, Television.1 comment so far
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Movie and TV piracy has run rampant in the United States, but perhaps the dollar figure amount will surprise some; $20.5 Billion. This according to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation.
To read more facts and figures from the analysis, please follow the source link.
Source: Video Business
Superman Returns DVD Premieres in China October 1, 2006 11:25 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in DVD, Movies, Piracy, Superman Returns.1 comment so far
The Superman Returns DVD, this past Thursday, launched in China. A full two months before its North American launch of November 29th.
In an effort to combat piracy, a very big problem on the Asian continent, Warner Brothers has decided to release the movie on DVD much earlier than is normal, and for a low dollar amount.
Priced between $1.80 and $2.80, the DVD packs the full release encoded with a hard-to-copy disc encryption. Because the studio has to compete with the pirated copies (in retail stores no less), it’s almost impossible to sell for a higher retail price in China.
You can read more about this and some background on the piracy problems at Video Business.
Xbox 360 HD DVD Disc Drive – Price and Release Frame October 1, 2006 11:22 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in HD DVD, High Definition Optical Disc, Microsoft, Movies, Video Games, Xbox 360.3 comments
Microsoft has announced its price point ($199.99) and release frame (mid November) of its HD DVD Disc Drive for the Microsoft Xbox 360 Core or Premium Console.
The add-on device will be capable of outputting the formats full 1080p resolution, and will connect via USB 2.0.
At current prices, an Xbox 360, equipped with the required add-on to play the movies, will run anywhere from $499.99 to $599.99, the same price range as the formats competing Blu-ray technology from Sony.
This November, Sony will release the PS3 in two models, one for $499.99 and one for $599.99. Both models will be capable of playing back full 1080p Blu-ray movies.
Neither console will be capable of paying both formats.
Currently, Toshiba and RCA sell HD DVD units for $499.99 to $799.99, while Samsung has the only Blu-ray player out at $999.99.
More hardware manufactures are expected to release their own units come holiday season.
The Full Press Release is viewable below:
Robert Downey Jr. Cast as Iron Man October 1, 2006 9:48 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies.add a comment
Robert Downey Jr. has been cast to play the part of Marvel Comics superhero Iron Man.
The movie Iron Man, the first movie to be independently produced by Marvel Comics, will premiere on May 2nd, 2008.
The film is being directed by Jon Favreau and will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Casting is underway for all secondary roles and filming is scheduled to begin sometime in February of 2007 in Los Angeles.
Pitt to become new lead in Mission Impossible franchise? [Update: Paramount source says rumor untrue] September 19, 2006 8:51 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Mission Impossible, Movies, Rumors.1 comment so far
Rumors have surfaced on the net with regards to the fate of the Mission Impossible franchise now that Tom Cruise is no longer part of any plans. It turns out that one possible semi-replacement (the character of Ethan Hunt will not be replaced) to helm Mission Impossible IV is Brad Pitt (more recently of Mr. & Mrs. Smith fame).
The British tabloid The Daily Mail is reporting that Paramount is mulling over a decision to offer the lead role to Brad Pitt.
“MI:IV will not include Cruise’s character, agent Ethan Hunt,” the Mail‘s source claims. “They’re considering a brief mention, saying Hunt retired to live a safe life with his new wife. … They’re set on Brad taking over as a gutsy new head operative who puts together his own unique team of specialists.”
UPDATE: A paramount source has told TrekMovie that the rumor is “total fiction”.
Amazon unveils new video download service September 13, 2006 7:00 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, Television, Video Downloads.1 comment so far
Trying to capitalize on the growing online video downloading market, Amazon has unveiled a new iTunes like service called Unbox.
The service currently is offering a wide range of television shows and movies in high-quality DVD video, including recent movies such as V For Vendetta and Firewall, and even currently airing shows like Prison Break and Bones.
Pan’s Labyrinth (from Guillermo Del Toro) trailer released. September 9, 2006 11:00 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movie Trailers, Movies.add a comment
First a little background from the official website’s summary:
“Is a fanciful and chilling story set against the backdrop of a fascist regime in 1944 rural Spain. The film centers on Ofelia, A lonely and dreamy child living with her mother and adoptive father; a military officer tasked with ridding the area of rebels in her loneliness, Ofelia creates a world filled with fantastical creatures and secret destines. With post-war repression at its height, Ofelia must come to terms with her world through a fable of her own creation.”
I must say, I was very impressed by this trailer. Del Toro seems to have struck the right balance of a dark creepy atmosphere and fantastical elements.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. The movie will be released this holiday season; December 29th.
Direct Links to the download from the official website follow below:
Trailer #2 out for ‘Casino Royale’ September 8, 2006 9:31 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in James Bond, Movie Trailers, Movies.add a comment
If you have yet to check out trailer #2 for the new Bond flick, Casino Royale, please do yourself a favor and watch it. Watch it now.
I for one can’t wait for this movie to come out. The more and more I see Craig in the role, the more I come to the realization that he is perfect as Bond.
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