The Flickcast’s ‘On The Radar’

This week On the Radar we’re talking about how Michael Bay simply isn’t impressed with 3D conversions, Harold and Kumar are set to return for a Christmas movie, Big Bang Theory‘s resident babe takes on a big screen role and will Two and a Half Men lose its star actor?

Kenneth Branagh talks Thor

With all the news of Iron Man and Captain America sweeping the Internet we haven’t heard a lot about Thor lately.  Well, director Kenneth Branagh has offered up some information about the production this week:

“Inspired by the comic book world both pictorially and compositionally at once, we’ve tried to find a way to make a virtue and a celebration of the distinction between the worlds that exist in the film but absolutely make them live in the same world,” Branagh said. “It’s about finding the framing style, the color palette, finding the texture and the amount of camera movement that helps celebrate and express the differences and the distinctions in those worlds. If it succeeds, it will mark this film as different…. The combination of the primitive and the sophisticated, the ancient and the modern, I think that potentially is the exciting fusion, the exciting tension in the film.”

Holy cow!  That update reads as though it was being delivered as a Shakespearean monologue.  Here’s hoping Branagh still remembers we’re comic book fans at heart and want to see some series action as well as crafty dialogue. Bring the thunder, Branagh, not the theater.

Big Bang Theory’s Cuoco heads to the big screen

While not Kaley Cuoco’s first film role it is her first big debut project since the explosion of popularity around The Big Bang Theory.  Cuoco is set to star in I Hop, a film by Alvin and the Chipmunksdirector Tim Hall:

“[Cuoco] will be playing the sister of James Marsden’s slacker loser Fred, taking him in after their parents kick him out and finding herself also saddled with Brand’s Easter Bunny Jnr, following his accidental injury by Fred.”

With James Marsden and Russell Brand already signed on it’s hard to decide just what this film will be like.  Mind you, is anyone going to say “no” to more Kaley?  I’m definitely not.

ABC shows heading to the iPad

There were a lot of detractors and jokes (oh, the horribly stupid jokes) when Apple’s iPad came out.  I was certain this device would change the publishing business completely, but know it seems the iPad is set to rock the entertainment industry as well. After a healthy does of product placement on the hit show Modern Family, ABC has announced it’s agenda for the device:

“The ABC Player app will allow viewers to watch free, ad-supported episodes from 20 ABC shows via a Wi-Fi connection. Users can also purchase episodes via Apple’s iTunes store.”

Welcome to the future of media consumption folks and be sure to check out our list of essential iPad applications for you to enjoy.

Leaves of Grass gets a new distributor

Fans of Edward Norton rejoice, Leaves of Grass got a big promotional boost.  The movie in which Norton plays identical twin brothers has found a distributor which means for a wider release.  Norton himself spoke about the deal on Twitter:

@EdwardNorton: “Update on LoG: very good news, the film has been picked up by a new company and will be given a much wider summer release. Details to come but we’re all really happy because now it will likely get to many more cities than just NY and Dallas. This happened very much due to great audience response and reviews and press out of SxSW. So huge thanks to everybody in Austin.

This movie looks great and make sure to check out The Flickcast’s preview of Leaves of Grass.

Eriq La Salle clocks into 24

Medic! Hit TV show 24 has a doctor in the house in the way of former ER star Eriq La Salle.  First, does La Salle only appear in shows with two characters in the title?  Anyway, La Salle has signed on to appear in the final two episodes this season as the UN Secretary General.

It’s hard to decide if this was a worthwhile investment for La Salle.  24 is set to end its television run this year with a slim chance of NBC picking the series up.  Mind you, if the show is spun off into movie development this could be a huge win for La Salle should they make use of his new character in the movies.

Bryan Singer still producing X-Men: First Class

Last week On The Radar we reported that Bryan Singer would not be directing X-Men: Fist Class due to his commitment to Jack the Giant Killer.  Well, as it turns out he may not be off the project completely.  Singer will still be producing First Class.  Not having him direct is still a loss, but at least he’ll have some influence over the final product.  I wouldn’t have said this a few years ago but now I wish Singer hadn’t jumped ship to direct Superman Returns for Warner Brothers.

Kal Penn returns to his Harold and Kumar roots

Best know as Kumar in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Kal Penn will be leaving his White House post to start filming Harold and Kumar’s White Christmas (not the actual title by the way, but it should be).  That’s a whole lot of “white”.  New Line is moving into production on a Christmas-themed Harold and Kumar installment to make a 2011 or 2012 release.

Penn made headlines when he left Fox’s House TV series to pursue a political career with the White House Office Of Public Engagement.  While it was a big loss for the show, it did lead to one of the most dramatic story arcs of the series.  No word on whether Penn will return to the job once filming on Harold and Kumar wraps.

Harold and Kumar creators to bake some more American Pie

Speaking of Harold and Kumar, the creators of that franchise are turning their attention to a languishing series, American Pie. Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberssg are working on American Pie 4 and dubbing it a reboot.  Somewhat more surprising is the claim that this film is being driven in part by the interest of the original cast returning to reprise their roles.  At first I couldn’t figure out why they would want to come back, then I thought of Tara Reid and it all made sense.

The American Pie series, while relegated to direct-to-DVD releases in the last few years has generated healthy sales nonetheless.  However, having seen the mediocre theatrical release sequels I think I’m just about stuffed on American Pie.

Charlie Sheen leaving Two and a Half Men?

It’s no secret Charlie Sheen has been having difficulties of late.  Now it seems those problems may impact his hit show Two and a Half Men:

“People magazine reported Thursday that Sheen is leaving “Men” after the current seventh season, saying the actor has rejected a contract-renewal offer and wants to exit the show.”

While the show was renewed for a staggering three seasons last year, I personally can’t see a way for it to continue without Sheen.  He’s the cornerstone of the show which CBS simply couldn’t replace.  That being the case, if Sheen walks and the show ends the network will have an even bigger problem finding a show to fill the time slot.

Michael Bay still not sold on 3D

Director Michael Bay is known for big budget films that definitely fit the bill for 3D.  However, that doesn’t mean he’s interested in bring the popular technology to his films:

“I am trying to be sold, and some companies are still working on the shots I gave them,” Bay said. “Right now, it looks like fake 3D, with layers that are very apparent. You go to the screening room, you are hoping to be thrilled, and you’re thinking, huh, this kind of sucks. People can say whatever they want about my movies, but they are technically precise, and if this isn’t going to be excellent, I don’t want to do it. And it is my choice.”

Funny, his comment,  “…hoping to be thrilled, and you’re thinking, huh, this kind of sucks.” is pretty much what I thought during both of his Transformers films and they weren’t even in 3D.  Mind you, I paid for a ticket both times.  I guess he wins.  Blast you, Bay!