The Flickcast

SDCC Interview: Screenwriter David Johnson Talks ‘Orphan’

Posted on July 23, 2009

Writer David Leslie Johnson is pretty new to a lot of people, but he plans to be making a name for himself this Friday, as his film Orphan hits theaters across the country. The film is about a married couple who go through an abortion and decide that adoption is their last chance at having a child.

They meet Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) who, on the outside, seems perfect, but later shows herself to be something “different.” We got a chance to sit down with David right before the hoopla at San Diego Comic-Con and talk about a few things.

The Flickcast: Given the premise of Orphan, would you call it more of a supernatural horror or more like a suspense thriller?

David Johnson: It has horror elements but it plays more like a suspense thriller. My mother actually compared it to films like Fatal Attraction and Cape Fear.

TF: So more of the human condition?

DJ: Yes, absolutely.

TF: A movie like this seems to stem from a history of horror and suspense thrillers, did you pick up a lot of influences from other films for the script?

SDCC: Flynn Lives! ‘TRON’ Viral Sites Appear

Posted on July 23, 2009

Yesterday, a few movies sites (JoBlo and FirstShowing.net) received some awesome packages from Disney PR, containing some AWESOME viral marketing schwag for 2011’s Tron sequel. Tron will be at Comic-Con on Thursday, and in preparation, some sites received not only some completely badass Flynn’s Arcade tokens, but a USB thumb drive containing an animated gif file with a coded message.

I found three of the four different gif files yesterday and was able to figure out about 80% of the coded message (it used unicode characters in place of the alphabet), but needed the final file to complete the code. I stopped messing with stuff early in the afternoon, since I didn’t get any schwag myself (Disney, CALL ME), but early this morning, the minds of the Internet came together and two new “Tron” related websites were unleashed!

flynnLives

The two sites are http://homeoftron.com and http://flynnlives.com and both are absolutely fantastic relics for any fan of the 1982 animated-classic. HomeofTron is set-up as sort of a memorial to Flynn’s Arcade (which according to the website’s new section, closed in 1990, *sniff*), whereas FlynnLives has more obvious ties with the upcoming film. Not only does it have Kevin Flynn sightings (for the uninitiated, Kevin Flynn was one of the main characters in the original Tron), it also has a little spider at the bottom of the website that includes a timer and instructions for where to meet up at Comic-Con.

Chris and Matt, you better hit that spot! According to Disney’s previous press releases and announcements at Cine Expo International, the Tron sequel should land in theaters sometime in 2011.

New Trailer for ‘Whiteout’ Revealed

Posted on July 23, 2009

beckinsale-whiteout The latest trailer for the Warner Bros. thriller Whiteout surfaced on IGN today. The graphic novel adaptation stars Kate Beckinsale as US Marshall Carrie Stetko, who is investigating Antarctica’s first murder. The film is helmed by Dominic Sena and also stars Gabriel Macht, Columbus Short, Alex O’Loughlin, Shawn Doyle and Tom Skerritt.

This teaser will seem familiar to fans, as most of the material from the first trailer remains intact. However, this version gives viewers who may not be familiar with the source material a greater understanding of the world Stetko inhabits and what she must do before the freezing winter plunges the continent into darkness.

Whiteout hits theaters September 11. Check out the trailer after the jump.

New ‘Iron Man 2’ Images now Online

Posted on July 23, 2009

Taking advantage of the anticipation building towards to Saturday’s Iron Man 2 presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, USA Today has posted new stills from the movie that will undoubtedly whet the appetites of fans everywhere.

Over at the site, readers are treated to images of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, amid racing wreckage, the stylishly professional Gywneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, a surprisingly demure Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Don Cheadle as Col. James Rhodes under oath.

Regardless of the success of the first movie (and the legendary presentation to Comic-Con crowds in 2007), both Downey Jr and director Jon Favreau understand the importance of presenting the right impression to the 125,000 fans flocking to Comic-Con this year.

“This is about the toughest group there is to impress,” says Downey Jr., “They’re watching your footage, every one of them waiting to Twitter whether you suck.”

“You can’t underestimate how powerful this group is,” Favreau says. “It’s an unlimited press corps, all of them knowing how to communicate in a digital age. The geeks have inherited the Earth, and that’s good news for us.”

Iron Man 2 will be in theaters May 7, 2010. Meantime, click through to see larger versions of some of the photos.

SDCC: Metalocalypse: Dethgame coming to XBLA and PSN

Posted on July 22, 2009

Konami announced today that a video game based on the wildly popular Adult Swim animated series Metalocalypse is currently in development for Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network. The upcoming Metalocalypse: Dethgame will immerse players into the world of Dethklok, the world’s most brutal Norwegian heavy metal band.

Created by series co-creator Brendon Small, Metalocalypse: Dethgame players will be transformed into Klokateers, loyal band roadies, and unleashed to wreck havoc on rabid mutant fans, explore Mordhaus and protect the METAL faithful. The game will include tracks from the best-selling Dethklok: The Dethalbum and feature three brand new songs from Williams Street Records’ Dethklok (available for purchase in the Fall). The gaming package is rounded out by several mini-games, making Metalocalypse: Dethgame a unique gaming experience in the downloadable game arena.

“We have gone above and beyond and found the biggest nerds in the industry to help develop and deliver what will without a doubt be the most successful downloadable cartoon death metal game in recorded history,” says Small. “I defy anyone to find another death metal cartoon that can claim the same. I think the most important thing to remember beyond the record-setting CD sales, and astounding ratings and growing rabid fans around the world, is that this game is going to be a blast to play.”

Developed by Frozen Codebase, Metalocalypse: Dethgame will hit stores this Fall. More information on Metalocalypse: Dethgame, can be found here.

SDCC: First Pictures From San Diego

Posted on July 22, 2009

comic-con-sign We’re on the ground and ready to rock here in San Diego for the 40th annual San Diego Comic-Con. So far, we’ve managed to find the hotel (and the hotel bar), locate our press registration info, bluff our way past the line to get our press badges early (thank you Mr. Wolfenstein) and explore the press rooms, byways and hallways of the San Diego Convention Center so we’ll know our way around even better tomorrow when the real fun begins.

We’ll be doing a lot of posting here about all the happenings during the Con. Plus, we’ll bring you lots of photos, video and all the other things we can in order to make your enjoyment of the Con that much better — even if you can’t actually be here in person. With that in mind, here’s a little gallery of photos, right after the jump, to get things started off on the right foot

Look for lots more Comic-Con 2009 coverage right here at The Flickcast.

SDCC: Top Cow’s ‘Magdalena’ Comic Bound for Big Screen

Posted on July 22, 2009

magdalena-comic-book Producer Gale Anne Hurd, who seemingly has a love for comic book adaptations after having produced two version of The Hulk and The Punisher for the big screen, has now teamed up with Platinum Studios to bring Top Cow’s comic The Magdalena to your local multiplex. In case you’re not familiar, The Magdalena concerns a descendant of Jesus and Mary Magdalene who is a soldier for a secret order of cardinals who fight evil in its many forms.

She has the ability to see into people’s hearts and give them a chance to redeem themselves. She also wields the Spear of Destiny, a spear that pierced Jesus’ side during the crucifiction, as a weapon against the forces of darkness. Versus, Midnight Meat Train and Godzilla: Final Wars director Ryuhei Kitamura has been tapped to take on the directing chores for the film.

Holly Brix, whos past credits include The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations and the upcoming The Lost Girls, is handling the writing duties. Jenna Dewan, of the recent Step Up and the supernatural thriller Tamara, will be playing The Magdalena and Luke Goss of Hellboy II and Blade II has also been cast in the film.

No word yet on other casting, the start of filming or a release date but when there is, we’ll bring it to you.

First Pic of The New Freddy Kruger In ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’

Posted on July 22, 2009

Nightmare-on-Elm-Street-Freddy

Well horror fans, the wait is over. We’ve finally gotten a glimpse of Jackie Earle Hailey as Freddy Kruger in the upcoming reboot of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Fortunately, at least from what we can see in this picture, it looks like the filmmakers of this new version are sticking pretty close to the original vision for everyone’s favorite killer who stalks their dreams.

Of course, as this picture is pretty dark, its hard to see exactly what the new Freddy really looks like, but at least the hat and sweater look exactly right for the character — not to mention the creepy mood lighting and the hand made of knives. Oddly enough, if I didn’t know this was Jackie Earle Hailey in this picture, I could almost guess that is was. Something about his posture and having just seen him in a similar hat while watching the Watchmen director’s cut makes it almost impossible not to think its him.

With any reboot or remake people are going to cry foul and decry that the original is always going to be better. Truth be told, I’m frequently one of those people, so I know how it is. Fortunately, it looks like I might have to give this movie a real chance — especially if it continues to follow this great start. The reboot of A Nightmare on Elm Street hits theaters on April 16, 2010.

Older Posts

Newer Posts