When David Fincher came aboard to direct a remake of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for Disney, you already knew the project would be darker and have a kick-ass trailer. Now it looks like the project has recruited Andrew Kevin Walker, who wrote Fincher’s much-praised thriller Se7en
Steven Soderbergh is a very busy man and a man on a mission. So much so that he has left Warner Brothers’ film adaptation of the 60s TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., a project Soderbergh has been working on, with his Contagion writer Scott Z. Burns, since 2010.
Playlist has reported Soderbergh has left the project over budgetary and casting concerns. George Clooney was originally set to star, but had to pull out because of a back injury, and other actors such as Michael Fassbender, Joel Kinnaman (The Killing), Johnny Depp, Matt Damon and Channing Tatumhave been linked to the movie. But there was no casting conformation and Soderbergh clashed with Warner Brothers executives, who wanted a younger star.
Stow the quarters and break out the big bills, Rampage is coming to theatres. New Line Cinema has announced that the classic Midway arcade game will be coming to the silver screen courtesy of producer John Rickard, who is currently meeting with writers to nail down a story.
Welcome to Box Office Wizard, Player Affinity’s Movie Box Office Prediction Contest. Just read through this post and tell us your top five box office predicted finishers for this weekend. Finish out 2011 on top and you will win something COOL.
If you’ve been paying any attention to the film adaptation of The Hunger Games and its production history so far, you know that Lionsgate is very serious about turning the bestsellers into the next big film series. With the reception of the first trailer going over very well, they’re now making their next move: hiring a writer to adapt the second book in the series, Catching Fire.
Who they’re aiming for is an interesting choice: Simon Beaufoy, who won an Oscar for penning Slumdog Millionaire as well as a nomination for 127 Hours. Originally, it was thought that Gary Ross, director of “Hunger Games” would adapt the second book with original author Suzanne Collins, but due to the post-production schedule of the first film—and the speed at while Lionsgate wants to get the ball rolling on the second installment—they went hunting for a new writer.
The Hunger Games is set to debut next March, giving Lionsgate plenty more time to build steam while ramping up for the second film. With Ross said to be returning for “Fire” and Beaufoy so close to being nabbed, the series may be on the road to its intended goal.
Simon, Sam and Steven get in the holiday spirit as we look forward to the remaining releases of 2011 and dissect which have Oscar potential and which just look like a good time. Speaking of the Academy Awards, we talk about a change of producer and host and also spout our opinions on two hot new trailers including Snow White and the Huntsman and The Hunger Games. Last off, we have some early reviews of some Oscar hopefuls and the controversial Human Centipede II (Full Sequence). Check it all out free on iTunes or our streaming podcast page www.playeraffinity.com/podcast
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Snow White and the Huntsman starring Twilight’s Kristen Stewart and Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, squares off against Mirror, Mirror, a more family-friendly charmer from Immortals director Tarsem Singh. Which of these fairytale reimagining’s will be the fairest of them all come 2012? Let’s take a look – it’s Trailer Tracker.
