This week On the Radar some details emerge on the next Jack Ryan adventure, a possible front runner to fill Peter Parker’s shoes, and bad news for The Green Hornet.
Marvel continues end credit Easter Eggs in Iron Man 2
In keeping with tradition of recent Marvel flicks this Summer’s Iron Man 2 will allegedly have extra footage post-credits. While it’s hard to confirm just what exactly will be included this time around, speculation surrounds possible appearances by Thor and/or Captain America. This of course leads into those two films hitting screens next Summer. So, make sure to hang around after the film.
Michael Bay set to destroy your TV
I suppose it was only a matter of time before Michael Bay decided to get into the television production game. While the reality TV project probably won’t have as many explosions as the Transformers films, it definitely sounds like a premise only Bay could conceive:
“For my first television project I wanted to do something that had never been done before, and I believe that ‘One Way Out’ accomplishes that,” Bay said. “Combining unique twists, death-defying challenges, and stunning visuals, we are reinventing the genre, showing just how far people will go when they are stripped of their bare necessities and forced to do whatever it takes to survive.”
That description sounds vaguely familiar. Maybe this series is just re-edited behind-the-scenes material from his movie shoots. If that’s the case, I’m totally on board with this show, too bad no network has picked up the project yet. Come on guys, this is Michael Bay, master of explosions, what could possibly go wrong. Boom!
Details emerge on Riddick 3
With Vin Diesel returning to a number of old film franchises details have begun to emerge for one in particular (note, this link has a very thorough script review so consider this your SPOILER warning). The new film, possibly entitled The Chronicles of Riddick: Dead Man Stalking (which I’m not particularly sold on for a title) tries to get Riddick back to his roots. Getting characters back to their roots usually means subsequent sequels have ruined a character. From the sounds of it though, this film will do just that for the character:
“…when we see Riddick at the beginning of Dead Man Stalking he’s a bloody battered mess, crawling for his life on the baked floor of an alien world. The predators native to this planet are circling in and waiting for death to come so they can feed at Riddick’s corpse — but he won’t let them. Riddick realizes here that he’s got to let what happened to him in Pitch Black and Chronicles go if he’s to survive the next ten seconds, let alone get off this forsaken pit of hell.”
I for one liked The Chronicles of Riddick, however, I won’t disagree that they pacified the character when compared to Pitch Black. I’m all good with them returning to the anti-hero that Riddick was, just as long as it’s not simply a reboot of Pitch Black.
Masters of the Universe gets writers
A new Masters of the Universe movie has languished in development Hell for a number of years. Personally, I don’t see the need to remake the film because who can really top Dolph Lundgren’s performance as He-Man? Okay, that may be a stretch, and fortunately Columbia thinks so.
Writing duo Mike Finch and Alex Litvak, of the upcoming Predators film, have been tapped to pen the script. No word on the direction this iteration of the film might take but it has to be better than the original.
Will Percy Jackson be the next Peter Parker?
While nothing has been confirmed by Sony officially, but word has it that Logan Lerman, recently in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, is first pick to be the new Peter Parker. Lerman certainly looks the part and his age plays in well with the studio’s desire to bring Parker back to his high school days.
I’m on the fence about the direction of the new series but Lerman fits the bill (perhaps literally) for a budget-minded star for ongoing films. I’m sold, just as long as they leave out the Power Ranger Green Goblin this time around. Oh, and a lot less dance numbers.
Avatar passes $100 million on IMAX internationally
It’s been so long since there’s been any Avatar news I thought I’d toss this one in for the Cameron fanboys. Avatar has officially made over $100 million on IMAX screens internationally. Quo the glowing accolades by the IMAX spokesperson:
“This historical box office milestone is a testament to the universal appeal of ‘Avatar,’ which combines the magical vision of a passionate filmmaker with a committed studio and The IMAX Experience,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “The IMAX release of ‘Avatar’ introduced our brand to new audiences globally and many moviegoers in new international markets.
The success from that initial introduction has continued beyond the first run of the film, which is encouraging as we increase our focus on growing the brand and network internationally.”
This is certain to inspire more IMAX driven features in conjunction with 3D innovations.
Jack Ryan goes to Moscow
That aren’t many reboots I get excited about these days but I’m making an exception for the upcoming Jack Ryan movie. A huge fan of all the Tom Clancy based films, the new film is set to star Chris Pine (Star Trek) as CIA Analyst Jack Ryan. While no official synopsis has come out there is some speculation on how this story may unfold:
“Tom Clancy’s novels had him working for former financial behemoth Merrill Lynch, but the film (which is not based on any one of the books), will apparently see him using his financial know-how as a consultant in Moscow for a billionaire client. A client who frames him as part of a terrorist plot to collapse the US economy with Ryan forced to go on the run, save his kidnapped wife and clear his name.”
There is a point to be made about the timing of a film that involves a financial collapse. However, having a film like this come out after an event such as this will help make the story resonate with viewers as we’ll all understand why it’s critical that Jack save the day. Regardless, it’s a new Jack Ryan film, there’s plenty to be excited about with this film.
Sony displeased with The Green Hornet
While The Green Hornet was never going to be another Dark Knight fans had hoped it would do justice to the character. Unfortunately, the film may not deliver on that front based some insider news:
“What we’re hearing is the Sony executives are displeased with the results. The tone is too campy, they’re not happy with the work from director Michel Gondry and Seth Rogen does not look the part. At all. In fact, the feeling at Sony is the movie is a disaster.”
That’s not good for Hornet and when you factor in that fact it has a Christmas release against the likes of Tron: Legacy and the new Chronicles of Narnia film the situation seems bleak. Not even Kato could save The Green Hornet from this fate.
Murdock goes galactic
Coming off a huge success with District 9 and the upcoming The-A Team movie Sharlto Copley is heading into space. Copley is in talks to play one of the leads in I Am Number Four, DreamWorks’ adaptation of the upcoming science fiction book by James Frey and Jobie Hughes:
“Copley is playing a man who hailed from the alien world’s serving class but now is the title character’s adult guardian and mentor.”
It may not sound like much but this film comes with some big names attached. Smallville creators creators Al Gough and Miles Millar wrote the script and the film is being produced by Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg. I think it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing a lot more of Copley in the future.
Bruce Lee kinda’, sorta’ returning to the big screen
While Bruce Lee himself may not be set to return to the screen, one of his films will be. Based on a treatment by Lee himself, The Silent Flute will be a more official film unlike Circle of Iron, a film loosely based on the work previously. Producer Paul Maslansky spoke about the upcoming film for which he has already secured financing for:
“The Silent Flute will be an epic martial arts adventure film that promises to honor Bruce Lee’s original artistic and philosophical conception,” says Maslansky. “It also promises to reach new levels of action and adventure never before seen in martial-arts filmmaking.”
In a strange way this film is a bit of a reboot, but who’s going to argue with more martial arts movies being made. Of particular interest will be who gets cast in the title roll given that Bruce Lee himself was set to star. All I ask is that they stay away from names like Jackie Chan; The Karate Kid remake is already too hard to stomach.
