The Flickcast’s ‘On The Radar’

This week On the Radar Leonard Nimoy says goodbye to Spock, Robert Downey Jr. may journey to the land of Oz, and Mickey Rourke wants to play one of the most feared Mongolians in history.

Did Jason Voorhees just get killed? Oh, the irony!

However evil slasher Jason Voorhees may appear to be it seems there is something that can stop him afterall-movie studios.  While the recent remake of Friday the 13th garnished nearly $100 million worldwide, producer Brad Fuller responded to a fan via Twitter and said a sequel may be dead.

Platinum Dunes does not seem interested in continuing the story at this time.  Let’s not count Jason out yet, though.  Freddy Krueger is about to leap bag onto the big screen in the Nightmare on Elm Street remake.  If that’s successful, Voorhees may climb out of the grave once more.

Leonard Nimoy to hang up his Spock ears for good

While not as active as his friend William Shatner on the acting front, Leonard Nimoy took fanboys by storm by reprising his role as Spock in J.J. Abrams Star Trek reboot.  He caused further excitement by taking on the enigmatic role of William Bell in the TV series Fringe.  Unfortunately, it seems Nimoy is ready to step back from the celebrity life:

“I want to get off the stage. Also, I don’t think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto,” he says, referring to the actor who portrayed a youthful Spock in last summer’s smash Star Trek relaunch. “He’s a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it’s time to give him some space. And I’m very flattered the character will continue.”

Nimoy said he would continue the current story arc on Fringe but that, sadly, will be it.  With a career spanning 60 years it’s no surprise Nimoy would want a little down time.  That said, fans have certainly reveled in his recent revival and he’ll be missed.

Avatar 2 could go where Cameron already has before, under water

Love or hate Avatar it’s hard to argue with the spectacle achievement regarding a completely alien world.  The technology utilized made viewing the scenic vistas of Pandora a completely immersive experience.  Now, director James Cameron may be looking to immerse viewers even further by putting them under water:

“Part of my focus in the second film is in creating a different environment – a different setting within Pandora. And I’m going to be focusing on the ocean on Pandora, which will be equally rich and diverse and crazy and imaginative, but it just won’t be a rain forest. I’m not saying we won’t see what we’ve already seen; we’ll see more of that as well.”

One of Cameron’s greatest films, in my opinion, was The Abyss.  Couple that with the success of Avatar and I have no doubt he’ll create something potentially even more spectacular than what we’ve already seen.  Let’s also keep in mind that is a man who’s seen the Titanic first hand.  I can’t think of a better director for a new underwater adventure.

Pay no attention to the (Iron) man behind that curtain!

A few weeks ago rumblings of a The Wizard of Oz remake were afoot.  The news came with some frustration considering, in my opinion, there are some films you just don’t do over…ever!  Well, as it turns out, this film (one of many Oz projects being talked about) mayactually be a prequel focussing on The Wizard character himself, “This time it’s the story of how Professor Marvel went from being a con man in Kansas to being the Wizard of Oz himself.”

This news came in conjunction with Production Weekly’s tweet on Twitter about Robert Downey Jr. playing the title role.   A great actor in a truly fantastic world to explore means this could turn out okay.  I’ll even go so far as to say this may even be worthy of 3D.

Twilight star Wanted

There are a lot of people who didn’t like Wanted.  Personally, I thought it was a pretty good action shooter even without the bending bullets.  A sequel was set to go until Angeline Jolie backed out at the last minute and allegedly killed the project.  Now it seems a new installment may happen and producers are looking to Twilight’s own Kristen Stewart to take over for Jolie .

I personally can’t see Stewart filling the shoes of Jolie.  Say what you will about Angelina but she certainly has action cred.  Stewart, not so much.  While I’d like to see a sequel to Wanted I’d rather not see them shoe-horn an actress into a role that wasn’t that critical to the overall story in the first place.

Martin Lawrence wants to be a Bad Boy again

I may elicit some Michael Bay backlash by saying this but I love Bad Boys 1 and 2.  Call them guilty pleasures, but both are solid action films, refreshingly void of the typical computer effects overload common to most Summer tent pole movies these days.  I’m eager for a third installment and according to Martin Lawrence it could be coming together:

“Any time you can get Big Willie to come out and talk about doing a third installment of a hot movie like ‘Bad Boys,’ you have to take notice,” Lawrence explained. “I met with Michael Bay, and he said he’s on board too — so it’s real.”

Quo the music: “Bad boys, bad boys.  Watcha’ gonna’ do, watcha’ gonna do when they come for you?”

Bonus blip: Fox’s COPS was renewed for a 23rd season.

No 3D for Batman 3?

It’s hard to imagine a film as big as the third Batman installment not including 3D.  Surprisingly, that may just be the case according to Cinematographer Wally Pfister.  While he, nor director Christopher Nolan, have come out and said 3D won’t be used, Pfister’s somewhat dismissive opinion of the technology  is very uncommon among Hollywood these days, “…I think Chris is game for doing something interesting like that [IMAX], Lord knows that the 3-D fad might pass by the time that summer comes around”.  3D may pass!  Excuse me, Sir, but when has 3D ever not lasted in Hollywood?

The Green Hornet release date swatted back

Last week on the radar we briefly reported on Sony’s alleged disappointment with how The Green Hornet was shaping up.  Now, it seems that wasn’t the case.  However, one has to wonder given two updates on the project.

First the release date is getting pushed from Dec. 22, 2010 to Jan. 14, 2011 and, it pains me to say this next part, Sony plans to convert the film to 3D.  Sony is referring to the conversion as “3D enhancements” but I think we can all agree it’s a conversion. Sony VP of distribution, Jeff Blake was also very vocal about supporting the film:

“Sony isn’t backing away from the film but, rather, doubling down. We’re investing more in the film to have it 3D. We’ve seen part of the movie. We love it. We believe in it. Whoever is spreading these rumors has not seen it. We’re going to finish Green Hornet in 3D and take 9 months to do it right.”

I for one really want to see The Green Hornet do well.  Unfortunately, all the last minute changes and circling rumors are undermining my confidence.  If nothing else, one thing we’ve learned about 3D conversions is that they can’t save a bad movie, and often make it worse.

World War Z movie not dead, still very much undead

There are zombie movies and then there are epic zombie movies.  World War Z, the novel by Max Brooks, is one such story.  Unlike your standard contained zombie story World War Z tells of global tale of zombie outbreak.  A movie has been in the works for awhile now and Brooks himself recently gave an update on the project:

“Paramount just renewed the option for World War Z, for half the time and twice the money, so that might signal interest. We still got our director, Marc Forster, who’s raring to go. Were all waiting on Matt Carnahan’s new draft, which should come in a month or so. Once that comes in then I think it probably will have to be tweaked and brought to the studio but we’re sort of zeroing in on that moment where Paramount has to say yes or no.”

This is one of those projects that drives me nuts in regards to the seemingly apathetic nature of the studio to get behind it.  The novel was a huge success with a large fanbase and who doesn’t love zombies these days?  Nobody, that’s who.  Time to bite the bullet Paramount and make this happen.

Mickey Rourke to play Khaaan!? No the other Khan

Everyone is itching to see Mickey Rourke portray villain Whiplash in this Summer’s Iron Man 2.  An actor known for taking on diverse roles, Rourke’s most ambitious character may be that of Genghis Khan himself:

“I read his [John Milius] script and you know, the man is known for his tough writing.  He wrote Conan and Dirty Harry and Apocalypse Now, and it’ll be interesting to see how he works behind the camera.  I’m playing Genghis. John wrote as a piece told from the son and grandson’s point of view, how they saw this mythic figure from their family. You see him in flashbacks, back when he was in his mid-40s. And back then, being in your mid-40s was being REALLY old.”

While it may not seem like the most likely choice, something about this casting works for me. Rourke knows how to play bad ass and it’s hard to find a badder ass then Genghis Khan.