Bryce Dallas Howard in talks for Jurassic World

Word on the internets is that Bryce Dallas Howard is in negotiations for a lead role in Colin Trevorrow's Jurassic World (aka, Jurassic Park 4). Rumor has it Howard met with Universal alongside David Oyelowo (The Butler) when the release date was pushed from 2014 to June 12, 2015.
Howard has made a slight shift from acting to directing short films, but she has most recently been seen in The Help and 50/50. You also may recognize her from Terminator: Salvation and as Victoria in The Twilight Saga. She is also Ron Howard's daughter, but that isn't the important thing here.

There are currently no plot details for Jurassic World, but it evidently will return to Isla Nubar.

Jurassic Park 4 officially titled Jurassic World

We can start referring to the fourth installment of Jurassic Park as Jurassic World and, of course, it will be filmed and released in 3D.

We also have a release date of June 12, 2015. Yes, another 2015 release date for the summertime. Currently it is the only film scheduled for that weekend, but I'm sure that will change. Soon after Jurassic World we will have Assassin's Creed and Inside Out.
Jurassic World is set to enter production early next year and will have Colin Trevorrow in the director's chair.


Personally, I don't really like the title too much. It feels like what they would call a new land at Universal Studios. *shrug*

Legendary Pictures moves to Universal

As I previously posted, Legendary Pictures was shopping around to find a new partner after choosing not to renew with Warner Bros. This meant a pretty great deal, especially for the DC Comics movies.
It has been announced that Legendary has chosen to partner with Universal Pictures and NBC. As a result, all Legendary properties such as The Hangover trilogy, The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, and Man of Steel will now be owned by Universal. This also means future projects such as Justice League and Man of Steel 2 will now be under Universal and not Warner Bros.

Thomas Tull, Legendary's CEO, announced the merger during a red carpet interview for Legendary's newest film, Pacific Rim. He stated that he wanted to go beyond what Warner Bros. could offer and moved to Universal for the "theme park and a television and cable network." In other words, he obviously sees the potential for profits on theme park rides based on the films (no doubt the DC Comics movies) and potential television shows that would air on NBC, USA, or SyFy. This also means Universal's projects can be co-financed by Legendary if they choose to do so.

Here is the official press release:

UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR FILM PARTNERSHIP

Legendary to Leverage Comcast and NBCUniversal’s Businesses Including Universal Studios Theme Parks

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, July 10, 2013 — Universal Pictures and Legendary Entertainment will enter into a multi-year film partnership in which the two companies will produce and co-finance Legendary and Universal films with Universal distributing Legendary films worldwide.  Making Universal its new home enables Legendary to not only leverage the power and success of Universal’s film business and theme parks, but also the cross promotional support from NBCUniversal and Comcast assets through the company’s “Symphony” program.  The announcement was made today by Universal Pictures Chairman Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman Donna Langley and Legendary Entertainment Chairman and CEO Thomas Tull.

“Comcast and NBCUniversal’s global assets in film, television and theme parks offer Legendary unmatched breadth and opportunity to grow our business.  We are delighted to be in business with this exceptional team and look forward to a successful partnership,” said Tull.

Universal and Legendary’s film partnership is a complementary arrangement for both companies.  Legendary, which is known for producing and financing successful large scale films, will continue to create and finance tent pole films based on intellectual property that is uniquely appealing to the coveted fanboy audience.  And Universal, which has a proven track record of turning films of all shapes and sizes into hits with special skills in growing and nourishing original franchises, will market, co-finance and distribute Legendary films for five years beginning in 2014.

“Legendary has demonstrated a keen ability to identify and acquire powerful fresh intellectual property based ideas, match them with strong filmmakers and turn them into blockbuster hits,” said Fogelson and Langley.  “The Universal team is thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Legendary in turning those ideas into the best and most successful versions of themselves around the world.”

Under the terms of the deal Universal and Legendary will jointly  identify opportunities to expand Legendary’s franchises and intellectual property into Universal’s theme parks, and Universal will have an opportunity to collaborate with Legendary on projects in China following Legendary’s historic deal with China Film Group.

“Legendary continues to prove that big ideas are relevant and profitable with our global movie-going audience.  We couldn’t be more thrilled to embrace the challenges and changing marketplace with Thomas and his team and we are also excited about what opportunities this will bring to our Theme Parks around the world,” said Ron Meyer, President and COO, Universal Studios.

“We are very excited to be in business with Thomas and Legendary,” said Steve Burke, CEO of NBCUniversal. “The partnership is a perfect fit for both companies and I am confident that together we will be in an even better position to deliver compelling, profitable entertainment content to a global audience for years to come.”

This is a pretty big deal. Universal probably just landed one of the biggest deals possible right now. 

Fifty Shades of Grey given 2014 release date

The movie adaptation of E.L. James' book Fifty Shades of Grey will hit theaters on August 1, 2014. That is if they can get the R-rating. The film is being put on by Universal and Focus and will be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. Universal acquired the rights to the entire trilogy in March 2012 and announced their intent to release movies shortly after.

Fifty Shades of Grey tells the erotic (and rather offensive) story of a young billionaire, Christian Grey, and a college student, Anastasia Steele, who fall in love and practice a rather intense BDSM relationship. The book trilogy has become one of the fastest selling book series of all time selling over 70 million copies in both.

Legendary Pictures separating from Warner Bros.

One of the best partnerships in recent history appears to be coming to a close.

Legendary Pictures is responsible for films like Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, The Hangover trilogy, Man of Steel, Inception, 300, Watchmen, etc.. It appears that the company is looking to part ways with Warner Bros. and bond to another company.
Many were hoping the recent executive reconstruction at Warner Bros. would convince Legendary to stick around but it doesn't seem to have made much of an impact. Companies in the running to partner up with Legendary are Universal, Sony, Fox, and Lionsgate.
However, there is a bit of a hiccup with all this. Legendary CEO Tomas Tull has expressed interest in keeping the company separate from any co-financers in an attempt to do what Warner Bros. did with Harry Potter only with the future DC Comics movies. By going solo on production Legendary will then gain all the benefits of the films. If this doesn't happen and Tull finds a studio he likes, the deal will most likely go through before their next big release, Pacific Rim, which comes out on July 12th.

The only issue I see with this is... are the DC Comics movies contracted through Warner Bros. or through Legendary? If they are through WB I don't see how Legendary can gain access to continue making these films without the partnership, especially if they co-finance with a company like Sony who owns quite a few Marvel franchises like Spider-Man.


[UPDATE] - Universal has won the prize. Legendary announced on July 10th that they have merged with Universal and their television partners NBC, USA, and SyFy. 

Sam Taylor-Johnson to direct Fifty Shades of Grey

Sam Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy) has been tapped to direct the adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey, the erotic story of a college student who enters a risky, relationship with a young business executive. You probably don't know who this woman is but she entered more spotlight after marrying a man 23 years younger than her after he starred in her movie (aka, Aaron Taylor-Johnson from Kick-Ass). It is speculated that they have brought her in to try and give more to the story other than make it the raunchy, BDSM story that it is. Trust me, I managed to read the entire book.

Along with this news, there are more rumors swirling around the casting now that the picture has a director. The given is, of course, that Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been singled out as a contender for the role of Christian Grey but the word is he probably won't pursue the role. The other rumor is that Felicity Jones (Like Crazy) is in the running for Anastasia Steele.

Dumb and Dumber sequel picked up by Universal

Universal Pictures and Red Granite are moving forward with the sequel to the 1994 film, Dumb and Dumber. The film, as you should know, starred Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels along with Charles Rocket and Lauren Holly. The sequel was originally scrapped by Warner Bros. that both Carrey and Daniels have agreed to be a part of and the Farrelly brothers are directing. The plot, apparently, will follow the duo as they venture out to find Harry's illegitimate daughter a kidney transplant.

I wonder how many more dead birds they've sold to blind kids.

Jurassic Park 4 aiming for 2015 release

I guess the indefinite postponement Universal put on Jurassic Park 4 didn't stick too well. Word is out that they are aiming for a 2015 3D release for the film that will be directed by Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed). Steven Spielberg is on the case to meet with Trevorrow and the producers to read the script and go over some more details before the film officially enters production.

This was seen at the 2013 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas (via ComingSoon.net).

Jurassic Park 4 will share the 2015 release year with The Avengers 2, Pirates of the Caribbean 5, Star Wars Episode VII, Snow White and the Huntsman 2, Avatar 2, Prometheus 2, Fantastic Four, Assassin's Creed, Ant-Man, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, and Finding Dory. Those are just a few major movies scheduled for 2015.

Is Jurassic Park 4 a reboot? Maybe.

This whole thing is starting to get a bit flaky. Jurassic Park 4 has been put on an indefinite hold by Universal for now and producer Frank Marshall assured Collider that the film is a fourth installation and not a reboot. However, Sam Neill has something else to day about the project.
He told the Dominion Post that he didn't think he was going to be part of the fourth Jurassic Park film due to the fact that he was told it is "a bit reboot, a total re-jig." Whether this is true or a classic case of Hollywood miscommunication, this is a valid point to raise.

The thing that makes this a little more suspect is the fact that the indefinite hold has been put on Jurassic Park 4. Are they waiting for enough time to pass so a reboot would be better or were there enough problems on Universal's timetable that they had to postpone it? Only time will tell.

Just saying, if they reboot Jurassic Park I will not see it. The idea of that is absurd.

Jurassic Park 4 gets a release date and 3D slapped on

Just in time for the 3D/IMAX re-release of Jurassic Park this April we have news of the long awaited, and predicted, fourth installment of the franchise. Jurassic Park 4 will be released in 3D on June 13, 2014. It will be produced by Steven Spielberg and released by Universal Pictures. The last Jurassic Park movie we got was the 3rd which was released in 2001.

I will take this opportunity to say that I love Jurassic Park. It is easily one of my favorite movies. However, I wasn't a huge fan of the sequels. With that said, I will see the 4th one but I'm not terribly excited.

Kick-Ass 2 has a release date

Kick-Ass 2 has received a release date for June 28, 2013 which puts it at a little less than a year away.

Universal also updated a release for Jurassic Park 3D. The re-release will now be in theaters on April 5, 2013 instead of July 19th.

Universal moves forward with Snow White sequel

Seeing that Snow White and the Huntsman has passed $115 million internationally at the box office in less than two weeks I guess it is safe to say it was a hit. With that said, Universal has announced that it will be moving forward with a sequel to the film starring Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, and Chris Hemsworth. I had read before but Deadline's article also mentions the fact that the actors' contracts included sequel options for up to two more movies so this move doesn't surprise me at all, especially with the way Snow White and the Huntsman ended. SPOILER ALERT: The Huntsman's kiss worked when William's didn't and Snow White seemed to know that somehow, so that alone left it open for expansion.

http://www.deadline.com/2012/06/snow-white-and-the-huntsman-sequel-universal/

Whenever this sequel comes out, which I am predicting sometime in late 2013 or early to mid 2014, I will most likely see it. I did enjoy Snow White and the Huntsman (my review is here in case you missed it) although I thought it could have been much better. Hopefully the sequel has a much better script and a villain just as badass as Charlize Theron.
It has also been said that a sequel would focus more on The Huntsman. Whether it would be from his point of view with Snow White as his main interest or if he would just be the main focus with Snow White and William as a background is unknown, but I don't really see any other route they could take with that. All I can really say is leave it to Hollywood to put Kristen Stewart in yet another franchise love triangle. Wasn't 4 years of Twilight enough for that poor girl and for the world?

Hit-Girl trouble for Kick-Ass 2?

I was excited to hear that Kick-Ass 2 had finally received a green light and was going to actually be made, but I hadn't thought of all the things that go with it. The main thing being the casting. It's all well and good to assume that everyone who should be back would be but I forgot how popular and sought after Chloe Moretz has become since playing Hit-Girl in the first Kick-Ass.

I saw an article on Collider that basically lays it out...

1. Chloe Moretz has signed on to play Carrie in the upcoming remake which begins shooting this August. She has also signed on to play a lead role in an upcoming zombie film titled Maggie. She also is playing a supporting role in a film called The Drummer. This wasn't mentioned in the article, but we also must not forget that she signed on to play Emily the Strange like a year ago so who knows when that is going to start production, if ever.

2. Hit-Girl has a smaller part in the second book but writer Jeff Wadlow expanded the character for the movie script.

In other words, if they want Chloe Moretz to return the production will have to work to accommodate her schedule. In my opinion they can't make this movie without Chloe. She is Hit-Girl and if they tried to be bold enough and recast the role no one would see it, including me.

Tom Cruise to play Van Helsing in yet another reboot

Let me rephrase that... yet another unnecessary, ridiculous reboot.

The movie Hugh Jackman was in is only 8 years old, ffs. Stupid. Absolutely stupid.




http://www.eonline.com/news/tom_cruises_next_mission_replacing_hugh/313144?utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=imdb_topstories

New posters for Snow White and the Huntsman

Just to say, this poster featuring Charlize Theron is one of the best I have seen in a long time.

There are also a couple new ones featuring Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth.

Snow White and the Huntsman sequel in development

Universal is already developing a sequel to the upcoming film Snow White and the Huntsman starring Kristen Stewart as Snow White and Charlize Theron as the evil Queen Ravenna.The film opens in the US on June 1st.

Personally... I feel like they should have waited to make this announcement until the movie is released. It shows both extreme confidence and arrogance on Universal's part. It's all well and good to think your film is going to do well and have a strong opening, but I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket when there is still more than a month until the first one is even released.
I guess they are also comfortable with the fact that their actors are willing to sign onto yet another possible franchise. Kristen Stewart has Twilight, Chris Hemsworth has the Marvel movies centered around Thor, and Sam Clafin is involved with Pirates of the Caribbean.  I don't mention Charlize Theron because I have a feeling she gets killed in Snow White and the Huntsman but I suppose you never know for sure.

With all that said, however, I am excited for this movie. The more TV spots and trailers I see the more excited I have gotten. I also think the Florence + The Machine song is great.


http://geektyrant.com/news/2012/4/27/universal-developing-a-sequel-to-snow-white-and-the-huntsman.html

Universal president admits to making shitty movies & hopes for new direction

Last year the president & CCO of Universal Pictures, Ron Meyer, admitted to his company making shitty movies. Meyer has now come out and clarified what he meant by shitty movies, after citing movies like Cowboys & Aliens and Land of the Lost:

"we make some good movies and some shitty movies. Nobody ever sets out to make a shitty movie.”

 Along with the clarification, Meyer has also expressed his interest in making a sequel to Snow White and the Huntsman (despite still having two months until it is released) and making more Dr. Seuss movies including a new animated version of The Cat in the Hat. He also is not a fan of 3D so that gives me some hope.

Personally, I would be down for a new version of The Cat in the Hat. The one with Jim Carrey was such a piece of shit. As far as other Dr. Seuss stories go they have already done The Lorax, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (another shitty Carrey flick) and Horton Hears a Who, so I don't know what they might think of after The Cat in the Hat. Maybe an adaptation of Gerald McBoing Boing?


http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/universal-plans-snow-white-and-the-huntsman-sequel-new-animated-version-of-the-cat-in-the-hat-20120408#