Trailer for “Incredible Hulk” Reboot

When I heard Universal Pictures was teaming up with Marvel for a completely revamped take on “The Incredible Hulk,” my first question was, why?  I heartily enjoyed the Hulk’s 2003 silver screen debut, directed by Ang Lee; I thought it was action-packed, well-acted, and surprisingly smart for a comic book movie.

I must say, though, that as news has gradually surfaced about this Hulk reboot, I have become more and more excited about it.  First of all, Edward Norton is playing the lead role of Bruce Banner; I don’t think I’ve yet ceased to enjoy Norton’s acting in any sense.  Also, based on the trailer I’ve posted below, the special effects look amazingly realistic and cutting-edge, which is always a big selling point for me. 

As with any other film, I suppose time will tell; but I’m suddenly very excited for June 13 to roll around!

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Oliver Stone to Direct “Fair, True Portrait” of George W. Bush

Oliver Stone, the director behind such films as “World Trade Center” and “Nixon,” will soon begin directing “W,” a film that will chronicle the life of President George W. Bush.

Though Stone was criticized for his depiction of Richard Nixon,  an article on mtv.com says he has promised “W” will be a “fair, true portrait of (President Bush).”

“I’m the referee,” said Stone. “It will contain surprises for Bush supporters and his detractors. It’s like Frank Capra territory on one hand, but I’ll also cover the demons in his private life, his bouts with his dad and his conversion to Christianity, which explains a lot of where he is coming from.”

Josh Brolin, most recently seen in “No Counrty for Old Men,” will play the president himself, while Elizabeth Banks will play his wife, Laura Bush.  James Cromwell and Ellen Burstyn will play George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Bush, respectively.

The movie is expected to be released before January 2009, but it is not known whether it will be out in time for the upcoming presidential election.

Image: The Associated Press

Cartoon-Based “Speed Racer” promises to be “Like Nothing You’ve Ever Seen Before”

Having just returned from Las Vegas, I was pleased to find a story on mtv.com about the upcoming “Speed Racer” movie that was reported from Sin City itself.  The film’s star, Emile Hirsch, said the film based on the 1960’s animated series “has all these visuals and elements to it that you’ve never seen before.”

Matthew Fox, of “Lost” fame, who plays Racer X in the movie, echoed Hirsch’s sentiments.  “Larry and Andy [Wachowski] are huge fans of the material,” he said, “so they’re going to pay homage to that and respect that in their version of ‘Speed Racer.’ But the world that they’re defining is so unique to itself.”

 

The brothers Wachowski are structuring the live-action movie like a cartoon as best they can, right down to a revolutionary new visual style that keeps the foreground and background of every shot in focus.  “There isn’t a film that’s been edited in this particular way,” said Christina Ricci, who plays Trixie.

“With this movie, they’re layering, layering, layering,” Ricci elaborated. “They’re layering these 2-D images in order to create depth, and that allows you to just sweep one image across the screen, the way that a cartoon does. It allows you to edit in a style that’s never been seen before, and they’re also using digital effects that no one has seen before. It’s just crazy.”

“Speed Racer” will be released nationwide in the U.S. on May 9.

 Photo by: Warner Brothers

Ledger’s Last Film Resumes Production

Several weeks ago, I read on fellow moviegoer Matt Brown’s blog that Heath Ledger’s final film, “The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus,” may not be completed due to Ledger’s untimely death.  Today, WENN released an update to this story via IMDB.

The movie WILL continue production. Colin Farrell, Jude Law and Johnny Depp have all signed on to feature in the film in Ledger’s stead (yes, all of them), ensuring that the film will indeed be finished.  Director Terry Gilliam has promised Ledger’s performance will remain intact and unaltered, and that each of the actors hired to replace him “is representative of the many aspects of the character that Heath was playing.”

“I am delighted that Heath’s brilliant performance can be shared with the world,” Gilliam said.  “We are looking forward to finishing the movie and, through the film, with a modicum of humility, being able to touch people’s hearts and souls as Heath was able to do.”

“Ghost” Star Diagnosed with Cancer

Patrick Swayze, noted for his performances in movies like “Ghost,” “Dirty Dancing” and “Donnie Darko,” has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

According to an article on AOL News, Swayze only has a small amount of the disease and is responding well to treatment.

Dr. George Fisher, Swayze’s physician, insists “all of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue.”  Swayze is keeping his regular schedule as he undergoes treatment, including working on new projects.

Image: Bryan Bedder, Getty Images

New “Iron Man” Trailer

I just saw the newest trailer for the upcoming “Iron Man” movie and I felt compelled to share it with you.  It’s actually getting me pretty excited, and I was never a really big fan of Iron Man growing up.

Iron Man Exclusive Trailer

“Iron Man” will hit theaters on May 2nd.  It looks look like it’s going to be awesome.

The Bourne…Redundancy?

In a Variety.com article detailing the latest pursuits of Universal Studios, one little blurb caught my eye:

“More recently, Shmuger and Linde landed Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon for a fourth ‘Bourne’ movie, even though the director and star seemed ready to wrap it up after three pics.”

Ok, I understand it’s good business to milk a franchse for all it’s worth, and I’m sure the “Bourne” series is a cash cow for Universal.  However, making a fourth “Bourne” film bothers me for one key reason: there is no novel behind it.

Few people may be aware of this, but the three existing “Bourne” films are actually based on a book trilogy by Robert Ludlum; but that’s all Ludlum wrote, a trilogy.  My fear is that without the same novelistic base as the trilogy, a fourth “Bourne” film will lose the essence of the series; that certain aura that makes the series unique and interesting could get lost in Hollywood hype and overbudget chase scenes.

Time will tell, I suppose. I am a fan of the “Bourne” movies so far, and I would hate to see them marred by mediocrity in the form of a sub-par sequel (remember “X-Men: The Last Stand?”)