Peter Weir for The Hobbit? Hmm. I find that more interesting than a Raimi-directed outing, particularly after Spiderman 3, but I still think PJ should have right of first refusal.
Tag: Directors
And, with your right, you’d seek to supplant me…
“Peter Jackson might be the best filmmaker on the planet right now. But, um, I don’t know what’s going to happen next for me right now. First and foremost, those are Peter Jackson and Bob Shaye’s films. If Peter didn’t want to do it, and Bob wanted me to do it — and they were both ok with me picking up the reins — that would be great. I love the book. It’s maybe a more kid-friendly story than the others.” As Spiderman 3 gets its Tokyo premiere, Sam Raimi discusses the possible Hobbit in his future. Well, Raimi isn’t a bad choice by any means. But, even despite New Line’s bad behavior of late, this should really be PJ’s film to make, and anything less will seem a disappointment.
From Baghdad to Ballet.
Two former Watchmen directors receive their next assignments: United 93 and The Bourne Supremacy helmer Paul Greengrass will venture into Iraq’s Green Zone in Imperial Life in the Emerald City, based on the book by WP bureau chief Rajiv Chandrasekaran. And Requiem for a Dream‘s Darren Aronofsky announces his next project will be Black Swan. “John McLaughlin has begun writing the film that looks at the manipulative relationship between a veteran dancer and a rival.” (You can now probably guess who got me into that premiere of The Fountain a few months back.)
A Cold Day in the Park.
Hulk Smash Puny Transport!
In other comic-to-film news, Transporter director Louis Leterrier has been given the reins of The Incredible Hulk, which is apparently a re-do of Ang Lee’s ill-conceived version of a few years ago. A solid choice, but given Marvel’s recent non-Spidey track record (X3, FF, Blade 3, etc.), I can’t say I’m very hopeful.
Coming Back to Lyra.
The needle of the Golden Compass takes another spin…Anand Tucker is out and Chris Weitz is back in as director of His Dark Materials.
You’re so Iron and you don’t even know it.
Among a slew of recent announcements, including the writers of Thor (Mark Protosevich of Poseidon), Captain America (David Self of Thirteen Days), Nick Fury (Andrew Marlowe of Air Force One), and Hulk-2 (Zak Penn of, sigh, X3 and FF) — as well as official word on Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man — Marvel’s Avi Arad says Jon Favreau will helm Iron Man.
Their continuing mission.
Paramount enlists Alias, Lost, and M:I:III guru J.J. Abrams to revive the Star Trek film franchise. Well, ok, but are the Starfleet adventures of young Kirk & Spock really the right direction to boldly go? That lame plot device sounds like a Kobayashi Maru.
Batson Begins.
The Longest Yard and 50 First Dates director Peter Segal picks up the reins for Shazam!, the forthcoming Captain Marvel movie. You know the comic-film revival is starting to overextend itself when the old Fawcett characters start getting their own flicks. Who’s next, Spy-Smasher?
Cronenberg’s Calendar.
“It doesn’t exist, and we’ve been trying to get the IMDb to take the damn thing off.” With A History of Violence behind him, director David Cronenberg talks about several projects he is — and isn’t — working on.