Steven Spielberg chooses his next project behind the camera!

Here's what it is, according to Coming Soon:

Steven Spielberg has chosen to next direct War Horse. Dreamworks Pictures acquired the rights to Michael Morpurgo's World War I novel of the same name in December.

Scholastic describes the title as follows:

In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey´s courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

The studio has set an August 10, 2011 release for the film.

-Not my first choice for him, but it doesn't sound bad...thoughts?

Take a gander at the 'Winter's Bone' Trailer...

...and see if this is Oscar fare to you or not:

-Thoughts?

R.I.P. Lynn Redgrave

Sad news today from The Hollywood Reporter:

Lynn Redgrave, the British film and stage actress who hailed from a well-known theatrical family, has died after a battle with breast cancer, her publicist said. She was 67.

Redgrave died Sunday night at her home in Connecticut, publicist Rick Miramontez said. Redgrave had been treated for breast cancer in the past several years.

"Our beloved mother Lynn Rachel passed away peacefully after a seven year journey with breast cancer," said her children in a joint statement.

The London-born Redgrave, the sister of actress Vanessa Redgrave, starred in a series of 1960s films including "Georgy Girl" which won her an Academy Award nomination before returning to appear in a series of films in the late 1990s.

-Rest in peace...

Is the narrative remake of 'The King of Kong' still happening?

Apparently it still is, according to Collider (go here for the full story and interview):

Critics who think a narrative adaption of The King Of Kong: A Fistful Of Quarters hit a kill screen should check with Seth Gordon first. The 2007 documentary tells the David vs. Goliath quest for the world record score on the arcade obsession Donkey Kong. Talk of a feature adaptation began almost immediately. Getting it out of development became another matter. Gordon says Kong is definitely on.

We caught up with the director after a screening of his new documentary Freakonomics (made with some of the highest-profile documentary directors in the business). Gordon responded, “You want to see my calendar, the roundtable set up for next week?” He continued, “there’s been a lot of interest from the agencies” and “it’s a “passion project for a handful of people at New Line.” He cautioned, however, “The odds are stacked against it … Just because it’s a movie and hardly any get made.”

-I loved the documentary and can see some potential in this version, but that's just me...thoughts?

The writer of 'World Trade Center' to script an N.W.A. film...

...according to this in The Hollywood Reporter:

Andrea Berloff, who wrote Oliver Stone's true-life movie "World Trade Center," is tackling the story of seminal rap group N.W.A.

Berloff is writing "Straight Outta Compton," the story of the rise and fall of the Compton, Calif.-based group, whose initials read Niggas With Attitude. The members included drug dealer turned label founder Eazy-E, young disc jockey Dr. Dre and the politically bent Ice Cube, plus MC Ren and DJ Yella.

Another member, Arabian Prince, left N.W.A. before the group released the ground-breaking "Straight Outta Compton" album in 1988. The album, which featured the title track as well as "Fuck tha Police," introduced gangsta rap to the world and triggered sales of 9 million units.

As the group rose, however, egos and jealousies surfaced.

Cube left in 1990 over royalty disputes, went solo and warred with the group via songs. All grappled with violence, charges of anti-Semitism, misogyny and homophobia, and even more infighting, this time between Eazy-E and Dr. Dre.

Eazy-E's death, from AIDS-related causes, set the ex-members on a reconciliatory path. Cube has gone on to a successful career as an actor and producer, and Dre has become a top music producer.

Cube and Matt Alvarez are producing via Cube Vision. Eazy-E's widow, Tomica Woods, who inherited his share of the song rights, also is producing. Michelle Weiss and Dave Neustadter are overseeing for New Line.

Having a white writer on black-themed projects, especially biopics, is a fairly recent trend. Sheldon Turner penned a draft of the Rick James project "Super Freak," while Brad Kane wrote the draft of the Richard Pryor project that attracted director Bill Condon.

Especially noteworthy is that the person tackling the N.W.A. adaptation is a white woman.

However, the scribe, repped by UTA and Benderspink, is known around town for tackling true-life stories. On top of "World Trade Center," she wrote "The Fugees," adapting a New York Times article for Universal, about a group of international refugee soccer kids who settle in Atlanta.

She also is working on an adaptation of Mark Bowden's book "Guests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War With Militant Islam," about the Iran hostage crisis of 1979, for HBO and producer Bill Horberg.

-Thoughts?

Is 'Zoolander 2' the latest comedy sequel to potentially be dead?

Possibly, according to Cinema Blend:

It’s been a bad couple of weeks for much wanted sequels which were probably never going to happen. Early last week here I pronounced more than twenty rumored upcoming projects permanently dead, and since then they’ve been falling like tenpins. First Bill Murray pounded another nail in the Ghostbusters 3 coffin here by calling the whole project a myth. Then we heard confirmation that Anchorman 2 was dead in the water after they failed to get funding from Paramount. Now it’s Zoolander’s turn, a movie which I’d intended to save for “These Movies Will Never Happen Vol. 2”, but thanks to Ben Stiller I’ve been saved the trouble.

Over the weekend Stiller released the following tweet: “Ron Burgundy and Derek Zoolander looking to appear in sequels. Both men destitute, without means or intellect to fund their own comebacks.”

The message is an obvious reference to the failure of Anchorman 2 to find funding. That failure pretty much ended any hope that Ron Burgundy would get a sequel and now Ben seems to be hinting that Zoolander 2 has suffered a similar fate. It’s somewhat more surprising in the case of Zoolander 2 since Stiller’s project had even gone so far as to hire a writer and enter into negotiations with Jonah Hill to play the movie’s villain. Unlike most of these sequels which never happened, this one actually seemed to be, you know, being worked on. But it couldn’t have been easy to convince Hollywood to dish out the dough necessary to make a comedy about self-absorbed supermodels who like to engage in midget orgies once, convincing them a second time was never going to be easy.

-Another one bites the dust, it seems...thoughts?

A second Naomi Watts film gets picked up for release by Summit...

...making this the second straight story combining the actress and the studio. Here's what The Hollywood Reporter has to say on the matter:

Summit has added a second Naomi Watts feature to its release slate, with the announcement that it has picked up most worldwide rights to "The Impossible," in which Watts will co-star with Ewan McGregor.

Last week, Summit also acquired North American rights, along with several other territories, to Doug Liman's "Fair Game," in which Watts stars as outed CIA undercover operative Valerie Plame Wilson opposite Sean Penn.

While "Game" is completed and will debut at the Festival de Cannes, "Impossible," which Juan Antonio Bayona is directing from a script by Sergio G. Sanchez, begins filming in August in Alicante, Spain before moving to Thailand in October.

It is based on a true story that took place during the 2004 tsunami that hit the coast of Thailand. It is being produced by Belen Atienza, Lopez Lavigne and Alvaro Augustin for Spanish production companies Apaches Entertainment and Telecino Cinema, which are coproducing.

Bayona and Sanchez previously collaborated on "The Orphanage," which Bayona directed, Sanchez wrote and Atienza and Augustin executive produced.

Summit has acquired worldwide rights to "The Impossible," with the exception of Spain, where Warners will distribute. Summit International will begin selling rights to the film outside of North America at Cannes.

David Garrett, Summer International president, and Michael Schaefer, Summit senior vp acquisitions and co-productions, will oversee the project for the company.

Watts is repped by CAA and Untitled Entertainment. McGregor is repped by UTA, which also reps Apaches, and U.K. agent Lindy King of United Agents. Bayona is represented by WME.

-Thoughts?

Summit picks up Doug Liman's 'Fair Game' before its Cannes debut...

...perhaps signaling it might be an Oscar contender. Here's the story from The Hollywood Reporter:

Two weeks before its Cannes Competition premiere, Doug Liman’s fact-based “Fair Game” has been acquired by Summit Entertainment. The studio has picked up North American distribution rights to the political thriller as well as those in Italy, Benelux, Scandinavia, Japan and CIS.

Starring Sean Penn and Naomi Watts, the film is based on the memoir written by undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson and her husband Joseph Wilson’s book, “Politics of Truth.” Jez Butterworth and John Butterworth wrote the screenplay.

Producers include Bill Pohlad of River Road Entertainment, Janet and Jerry Zucker of Zucker Prods., Akiva Goldsman of Weed Road Pictures, Liman via his Hypnotic banner, and Jez Butterworth. The film was financed by River Road, Participant Media and Imagenation Abu Dhabi.

“We choose our partners based on a like-minded philosophy,” said Imagenation Abu Dhabi’s CEO Ed Borgerding. “Participant, River Road and Summit share our commitment to supporting films that not only entertain, but also raise awareness of issues and encourage social change.”

-I'm interested in seeing how it does at Cannes...thoughts?

Jack-In-the-Box Office for the weekend of April 30th-May 2nd

After a slow weekend last week, the Box Office rebounded this weekend, mainly due to Warner Brothers calling on Freddy Kruger, one of the most profitable figures in horror film history. This weekend saw Freddy’s highest-grossing opening weekend ever (not counting his successful 2003 paring with Jason) with $32 million. While this is seen as a banner week in Freddy’s terms (and for most horror films in general), the weekend fell behind $40 million opening for the remake of “Friday the 13^th”. Still, the film was propelled by opening on a Friday the 13^th and on Valentine’s Day weekend, and as it suffered an 80% drop-off in its second week, Freddy’s new nightmare could easily eclipse its $65 million domestic total. Either way, Warner Brothers is happy enough with the opening weekend of the “Nightmare” remake that a sequel is in the works, this one apparently in 3-D (remember how well that worked the last time the franchise went in that direction?).

It was also a good week for a handful of holdovers, including “How to Train Your Dragon” which came in at second place by adding another $10 million to its now $192 million domestic total. Although the film got off to a slow start, the animated feature had proven profitable enough that Dreamworks has announced that a sequel is in the early stages.

“Date Night” took another $7.6 million to come in at third place, bringing its domestic total to $73 million. Not only has the film proven to be profitable (with a $108 worldwide total from a $55 million budget), but the film has out-grossed “Baby Mama” and in the coming days could easily out-gross “Mean Girls” to become Tina Fey’s highest grossing film to date.

After “Extraordinary Measures” bombed at the Box Office earlier this year, if CBS Films thought that “The Back-Up Plan” was their back-up plan, they were sorely mistaken, as the film fell 40% in its second week, taking in another $7.24 million to bring its domestic total to $22 million. Although worldwide figures were not available at this time, if the film continues to nose-dive on the domestic front, it likely won’t make back its $35 million budget.

Speaking of nose-dives and failures, Brendan Fraser was once a name associated with Box Office greatness, and Summit Entertainment still is, their politically-correct family-oriented nature-comedy “Furry Vengeance” bombed out of the gate taking in only $6.5 million on its opening weekend. Although the folks at Summit likely won’t have the time to take notice as they prime the next “Twilight” film for its upcoming release, they can blame the cold reception to the film on the continued success of “How to Train Your Dragon” and the fact that the trailer reeked of stupid. (I wonder if the film’s message will allow them to get some sort of tax write-off?).

It was also a good weekend for two new films opening in limited release, as the per-theater-average race was won by “Please Give”, the latest film from writer/director Nicole Holofcener took in $128,000 on five screens for an average of $25,600 per screen.

“Harry Brown” starring Michael Caine (look at it as “Clockwork Orange” meets “Gran Torino”) took in $180,000 on 19 screens for a per-screen-average of $9,474 per screen.

As always, whether it was a early screening at your favorite film festival, or a remake of your favorite ‘80’s horror fare, we at the Awards Circuit would love to hear what you saw this weekend, what you thought if it, and any awards potential you might see (Can Michael Caine get a Best Actor nomination for “Harry Brown”?, is “How to Train Your Dragon” in the Best Picture race?). Whatever you’re seeing, all of us wish you a wonderful Sunday, and as always, we look forward to seeing you at the movies.

Happy 2 Year Anniversary Awards Circuit!!!

...technically it was yesterday but I think we may have cheated and technically launched on May 2, 2008 not May 1st but who's counting. Here's to another few years of entertainment loving, especially the movies.

If it's not going to be Matthew Vaughn directing X-Men: First Class, then who?

Well, there's a list of 8 directors in the running, according to Cinematical:

After Bryan Singer dropped out of X-Men: First Class, I expected the rumor machine to kick into high, high gear. But things have remained relatively quiet until today, when Deadline Hollywood Daily and Entertainment Weekly reported that Matthew Vaughn had been offered the director's chair. As geeks remember, Vaughn was once offered X3: The Last Stand, and once held Thor in the palm of his hand. Losing the latter was a huge reason as to why he chose to do Kick-Ass.

However, DHD and THR's Heat Vision are already saying Vaughn has passed. Reportedly, Fox is now looking at Louis Leterrier (who could use it to nurse his wounds over not getting The Avengers), Jonathan Mostow, Daniel Espinosa, and Rupert Sanders. Timur Bekmambetov, David Slade, and Carl Erick Rinsch are also in consideration. Perhaps it might be easier to make a list who isn't up for the job!

The decision will reportedly be made next week, as Fox wants to get X-Men: First Class enrolled by the summer or fall. Personally, I'm hoping for Espinosa or Sanders. (Once upon a Night Watch, I might have rooted for Bekmambetov, but I've cooled on his style since then.) I'd like to see someone fresh come in, and get to make their mark. I still think this is a silly way to return to the X-Men franchise, and giving it to a Hollywood newcomer feels like a good justification for its existence.

-Personally, I'd like to see Rinsch or Slade get the shot, though none of them are particularly great or terrible choices...thoughts?

Today's Posters: Sex and the City 2, MacGruber, and Shrek Forever After

Thoughts?

Not that anyone will be surprised, but 'Iron Man 2' is raking it in overseas...

...which means it could be on track for possibly 150 million next weekend here in the States. Here's the story from Deadline:

It doesn't matter if this sequel is any good. (Some early reviews are saying it disappoints although it has a 70+% positive on Rotten Tomatoes.) It doesn't matter that it's not in 3D. (Some fanboys are griping that it's only in 2D but ticket prices will be cheaper.) Because this Marvel comic book caper distributed by Paramount is still gonna make a mint even without lifting an armored finger. Maybe $135 million domestic its first 3-day weekend, or so rival studios predict. The original IM made $98.6M. Only some expect IM2 to break The Dark Knight's 3-day record of 158.4M.

Iron Man 2 opened internationally Wednesday early so as not to get in the way of the monthlong World Cup begininng in South Africa on June 11th.) The pic immediately jumped to the top of the box office in 6 markets for a total $2.2 million. In France, the Jon Favreau-directed campfest ran 11% ahead of 2008's Iron Man bow there. On Thursday, Paramount continued its international rollout in 21 total countries (+17 markets) for a cume already of $10 million). Australia and Korea came in at $1.7 million (Down Under just ahead of where Spider-Man 3 opened in May 2007, and Russia $1.3 million, or 14% ahead of the Spidey threequel. Paramount rolls Iron Man 2 into 32 more territories today, or 6,450 theaters across 53 markets, which is 80% of international. China, Japan, Germany, Turkey, and India open over the next 4 weeks. The original Iron Man grossed $265 million internationally and $318.3 million domestically.

The online ticketseller Fandango reported Iron Man 2, which opens May 7th in North America, is a "Must See" by a 32% margin.

-I don't know if anyone is actually "griping" that it's not in 3D (I know I'm not), but one thing is certain...this is going to be a big hit at the Box Office next week. Thoughts?

Has Rambo finally become "Expendable"?

Well, more or less according to Sylvester Stallone, who's now more interested in starting a new franchise. Here's the story from Coming Soon:


We're not sure what has happened since last November, but now Sylvester Stallone tells Empire magazine that another "Rambo" movie isn't happening after all.

"I think Rambo's pretty well done. I don't think there'll be any more. I'm about 99 per cent sure," he told the magazine in the latest issue.

So what will the almost 64-year-old actor concentrate on instead?

"We are very serious... we're already working on an [Expendables] sequel," he said.

He lined up quite a cast for the August 13 release. In addition to Sly, The Expendables stars Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, David Zayas, Giselle Itie, Charisma Carpenter, Gary Daniels, Terry Crews and Mickey Rourke.

It also features the much talked about cameo by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis.

-Sly had been planning on another Rambo flick, but the sequel to The Expendables could be a better idea, to me at least...thoughts?

Here's the first official image of Chris Hemsworth as Thor!

It's not much, but it's a start...thoughts?

Today's Trailers: Buried, Piranha 3D, and The Hole

We start things off with a new teaser for the horror-ish (I read the script, and it's not quite horror, but not quite a thriller) flick 'Buried':

Next we have a trailer for the 3D creature feature 'Piranha 3D':

Finally, we have a look at Joe Dante's 3D kids thriller called 'The Hole':

-Thoughts?

Is Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn going to helm X-Men: First Class?

Possibly, according to this in Entertainment Weekly:

In a move that may tilt the axis of fanboys worldwide, Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn is in talks to direct X-Men: First Class for Twentieth Century Fox. Why is this so bizarre? Because Vaughn is the very director who turned down directing X-Men: The Last Stand back in 2005 after he had already negotiated his deal with the studio. (Fox later hired Brett Ratner to helm the most successful of all X-Men films.) Vaughn went on to direct the disappointing Stardust for Paramount and, just two weeks ago, released the well-reviewed R-rated Kick-Ass.

Of course, considering Vaughn’s history with the X-Men franchise, he could very well turn down the First Class offer, as well (sources say the studio is also speaking with other possible directors). Should a deal come together, however, Vaughn would be helming an origin story of the X-Men crew, one that tells the story of Cyclops, Jean Grey, and the other X-Men in their younger years, played by younger actors. (No word yet on whether Hugh Jackman would reprise his role as Wolverine since his character doesn’t age as the others do.) The script comes from Jamie Moss based on Bryan Singer’s treatment. Though the studio had wanted Singer to direct once again, the director is only signed on to produce, since he’s preoccupied with directing Jack the Giant Killer for Warner Bros.

-I think it'd be a good mix of material and talent, but that's just me...thoughts?