• A Different Take on a Watchmen Adaptation

    Timothy

    Before Zack Snyder was directing the adaptation of Watchmen, there was director Paul Greengrass of The Bourne Supremacy. With 20th Century Fox, Greengrass planned for the film to be a modern take on the graphic novel. Production designer Dominic Watkins designed much of the pre-production art, and didn’t hesitate to show his personal collection while discussing his and Greengrass’ could-have-been take on Watchmen.

    “It would’ve been done a little bit documentary-style, with a little news reporting mixed in. I feel like that would’ve been really interesting to see it as real-feeling as possible. Obviously, Doctor Manhattan was always going to be the biggest challenge to that. When there’s a 50-foot blue man, it’s hard to cinematically make it feel real. I felt they actually did a good job with that in Snyder’s.”

    -Dominic Watkins

    The documentary approach with some of the film would have been a nice touch, and is something I would’ve really liked. Despite that it would deviate a bit from the graphic novel, it still would have kept the essential feel of the story.

    Watkins discussed the differences between Snyder’s glass palace and his version of Doctor Manhattan’s Mars construct:

    “These photographs I found were of magnified tiny particles and the photographs of the cosmos and the similarities between them. When he’s creating it, the notion was that he’d start with these atoms and neutrons and combine them. They’d look very much like living atoms, but they’d combine into this vast cosmos that he’s creating and pulling in his hand. That was something where I felt we had something quite original and unique.”

    -Dominic Watkins

    It’s an effect that would have put audience members in complete awe to see Doctor Manhattan manipulate matter in such a way. And it would’ve added more to the science part of Doctor Manhattan. It was a perfect fit.

    Overall, I’m still glad we got Zack Snyder’s take on an adaptation of Watchmen. He stayed very close to the source material with only a few changes that are disagreeable. Although, implementing some of the ideas like above from Watkins would have propelled the film higher.

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Comic Book Resources’ exclusive photos can be viewed HERE][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Sherlock Holmes 2 News and Rumors

    Timothy

    Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes 2 will be underway starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Noomi Rapace, the star of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has been cast to play the female lead. It’s rumored that she will portray a French gypsy, but aside from that, it’s unclear how her character fits in the story.

    Another rumor is that Holmes’ nemesis Moriarty will be playing a bigger role in the scheme of things; and could possibly be portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis — who I wholeheartedly think would be a great casting decision.

    Straying from the rumor mill — Sherlock Holmes’ older brother Mycroft Holmes will be in the sequel. Mycroft holds an unclear position in the British government, and has deductive skills that surpasses Sherlock’s, but lacks practicality. And Mycroft won’t attempt to verify his own conclusions.

    The first film was a lot of fun, especially with the chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. I’m stoked for the sequel, and interested in seeing who will be cast as Mycroft Holmes.

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][The Wrap][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • The Dark Tower is Adapted by Universal

    Timothy

    Stephen King’s fantasy series The Dark Tower has become Universal’s next franchise. It will be produced as both three films and a TV series. An interesting thing is that Ron Howard will be directing both the first movie and the first season of The Dark Tower. It will definitely keep the two coherent with each other, and that in itself is rather unique.

    The Dark Tower is Stephen King’s series of books that can be described as a fantasy gunslinger. It also incorporates horror themes. Naturally. The plot revolves around Roland Deschain, the last survivor and gunslinger of Arthur Eld. Nations have been torn apart; some as far as merely vanishing. And time isn’t orderly. Roland searches for the Dark Tower, a building that’s only talked about; a building that is the nexus of universes.

    The fact that the first movie and the first season of the TV series for The Dark Tower will have the same director is an exciting endeavor. Though, I’m curious if they’ll be using the same actors or not. Hopefully they do. And making it a series on HBO would be a good move.

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Heat Vision][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Terry Gilliam’s (Don Quixote) Curse

    Timothy

    I wrote about Terry Gilliam’s Don Quixote film months back, and it looks like the project is still riddled with bad luck. After disastrous prior attempts, this latest attempt fell through due to finance collapsing. At this point many feel that the film project is a curse for Gilliam, who has been trying to shoot Don Quixote since 2000. Nevertheless, Terry Gilliam hopes that in the near future production resumes — and I hope so too. It would be a celebration for him to finish what’s perceived as the impossible.

    [AV Club]

  • Hansel and Gretel Film in the Works

    Timothy

    Produced by Adam McKay and Will Ferrell is horror/comedy Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. Tommy Wirkola will direct. Actor Jeremy Renner has recently stated that he and Noomi Rapace are in talks to star in the film.

    Of course most people know that Hansel and Gretel is a Brothers Grimm fairytale about two children who are lured by a witch with treats to her home — where they learn the horrible truth that she eats children. Eventually they make their escape after shoving the witch into her own oven.

    The film will take place fifteen years after the events in the Brothers Grimm fairytale. The premise deals with Hansel and Gretel at an adult age and becoming full-fledged witch hunters.

    It would be strong casting with Jeremy Renner and Noomi Rapace. And director Tommy Wirkola is no stranger to the horror genre — with Nazi zombie movie Dead Snow under his belt.

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Empire Online][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Photos of Captain America Costume

    Timothy

    I’ve been pumped for Captain America: The First Avenger ever since Chris Evans was announced as the title character. The panel for it at Comic-Con only made the anticipation grow. And now, some photos have been released showing a stuntman in the Captain America costume. And I must say, the costume looks awesome.

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Click HERE for more photos][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Andrew Garfield Reacts to Spider-Man Role

    Timothy

    For a while I’ve been a supporter of Logan Lerman for the part of Spider-Man for the rebooted franchise. I was admittedly disappointed that Andrew Garfield got the role instead of Lerman, but after what Garfield said about the part, I’ve become excited.

    “I have been waiting for this phone call for 24 years, for someone to call me up and say, ‘Hey, we want you to pretend to be a character that you’ve always wanted to be all your life, and we’re going to do it with cool cameras and cool effects and you’re going to feel like you’re swinging through New York City. Do you want to do that?’ ‘Let me just consult with my seven-year old self and see what he thinks . . .

    Like every young boy who feels stronger on the inside than they look on the outside, any skinny boy basically who wishes their muscles matched their sense of injustice, God, it’s just the stuff that dreams are made of, for sure. It’s a true f***ing honor to be part of this symbol that I actually think is a very important symbol and it’s meant a great deal to me, and it continues to mean something to people.”

    He’s definitely a good actor . . . and what else is there to say? His statement about getting the part is very enthusiastic.  Hopefully he always brings that to the role. He just might make me a convert after all.

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Empire Online][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Alien Prequel Penned by Damon Lindoff

    Timothy

    A two-part Alien prequel is in the works from Ridley Scott; co-creator of Lost Damon Lindoff is penning the screenplay. And apparently casting is not far off.

    The prequel will be about the origin of the xenomorphs (aliens), which has the possibility to be intriguing and terrorizing — or bland and ruining their appeal. I’d lean towards the former considering the creative forces behind it at work.

    “The film will be really tough, really nasty. It’s the dark side of the moon. We are talking about gods and engineers. Engineers of space. And were the aliens designed as a form of biological warfare? Or biology that would go in and clean up a planet?”

    -Ridley Scott [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][The Independent]

    Personally I’m hoping that it’s an “act of god”, where it’s simply biology’s way to clean up a planet. The xenomorphs being a man-made biological weapon would cheapen it.

    [Empire Online][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]