The Hush-Hush News Report: 02.08.12: Do Studios Dream of Harrison Ford and Electric Sheep?

Posted by Jeremy Wilson on 02.08.2012

News and thoughts on the new Amazing Spider-Man trailer, The Wolverine getting a new release date, Machete Kills getting the green light, Harrison Ford not taking part in Blade Runner 2, the Star Wars kids' featurette and more!





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Welcome back everyone to this week's Hush-Hush News Report, where we sit down, have a cup of tea and calmly discuss and dissect the latest in movie news. Or something approximating that. I hope all of you are well and have recovered from your Sunday festivities. I still believe that the Monday after the Super Bowl will become an official national holiday sometime in my lifetime. I figure I have another 60-some years (let's hope) to collect on that bet, but plenty of time to congratulate Reby Sky on her Giants winning the Super Bowl.



So Reby, who did you think deserved to be Super Bowl MVP?



I agree.

Bunch of stuff to cover this week, but before we get started, this seems as good a time as any to show you the following. So sit back, grab a drink and some popcorn and enjoy "Raiding The Lost Ark: A Filmumentary," courtesy of Jamie Benning. It's pretty freaking fantastic.

Raiding The Lost Ark: A Filmumentary By Jamie Benning from jambe davdar on Vimeo.

On that stellar note, let's dive on in to the news...



Harrison Ford NOT In Blade Runner Sequel According To Producers



One of the big stories from over the weekend was a report from "Twitch" that stated Harrison Ford had entered the beginning stages of negotiations for reprising his role as Rick Deckard in Ridley Scott's update (reboot/sequel...no one's quite sure yet) of "Blade Runner." A couple days later though, the film's producers at Alcon Entertainment are saying that the report is patently false and that they felt the need to come out so strong in their denial due to the speed in which the report spread through the internet.

Responding to Nikki Finke at "Deadline," Andrew Kosove – the head of Alcon along with partner Broderick Johnson categorically denied reports that Ford would be returning for the new "Blade Runner" project.

"It is absolutely patently false that there has been any discussion about Harrison Ford being in Blade Runner. To be clear, what we are trying to do with Ridley now is go through the painstaking process of trying to break the back of the story, figure out the direction we're going to take the movie and find a writer to work on it. The casting of the movie could not be further from our minds at this moment."

Kosove went on to say that they in no way wanted to disparage a great actor like Ford, but that "It's like asking if we're going to make the sky red or blue, there has been no discussion about it. What Ridley does in Prometheus is a good template for what we're trying to do. He created something that has some association to the original Alien, but lives on its own as a standalone movie." When asked directly if Ford could resurface for something like a cameo, Kosove said: "In advance of knowing what we're going to do, I suppose you could say yes, he could. But I think it is quite unlikely."

Well, there goes that juicy bit of internet rumor-mongering. Twitch is generally reliable and I doubt they'd just put something out there like that without good reason or sourcing. Of course, the problem in this digital day and age is that these rumors spread like wildfire, faster sometimes than real-world events actually dictate. I absolutely DON'T believe that Scott and the folks at Alcon haven't ever brought up Ford's name. I just don't buy that, even if the story that Scott wants to tell is markedly different from the original and seemingly wouldn't involve Deckard. Even if it was only brought up in hypothetical passing and then dismissed, you at least ponder Ford's name.

I can believe, however, that they aren't in serious negotiations or are even at the casting stage of the game quite yet. It sounds like they have a story, but not a script or even a timetable yet. Many expected Scott to begin work on the new Blade Runner project after Prometheus is all wrapped up, but Scott also is planning on filming Cormac McCarthy's debut film script, The Counselor so it may be delayed a bit. Whenever work gets underway, I don't see Ford on-board the new project unless it is for a small cameo at the end. Plus, the last time Harrison went back to the old franchise well we got Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Cyrstal Skull, which no one was seemingly happy about. Maybe it'd be best if he'd let sleeping dogs lie this time.


The Amazing Spider-Man Releases New Trailer



The second full trailer for "The Amazing Spider-Man" was released late last night/early this morning. In it, we see more of the supporting cast, including Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors (aka "The Lizard") as well as a number of huge set pieces and ramped up action. We also get a hint at where the story is headed with both the film's humor and the possible inner conflict of Peter Parker/Spider-Man is shown.



The film's official synopsis reads: "The Amazing Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero."

"The Amazing Spider-Man is directed by Marc Webb and stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen. It is to be released on July 3, 2012.






I am conflicted about this movie. Don't get me wrong, I like Spider-Man and I doubt this film will be a true piece of crap. But I continue to have trouble shaking the feeling that I really don't need to watch this origin story – one I've seen a few times – once again. It just doesn't feel quite right. I like Andrew Garfield and love Emma Stone, and they might have incredible chemistry together (they are reportedly dating in real-life). But I just can't get all that excited about it. Of course, I said something very similar to films from last summer such as X-Men: First Class and Rise of the Planet of the Apes and those turned out pretty good. This trailer is better than the first and the footage I've seen with the cast they've got in place should mean good things. I guess I'm leaving my expectations lower, so as to hopefully be pleasantly surprised – something I didn't necessarily do in the build-up to the hugely disaapointing Spider-Man 3.


He Is The Law!



New images from "Dredd" have popped up and hint at what we already know about the upcoming reboot: This isn't for kids and they don't want to repeat the mistakes from the Stallone version. Karl Urban has seemingly taken the role and fans' concerns to heart, as he has stressed from the beginning that this will be different – the grittier, darker, more violent ""Judge Dredd" movie everyone wants to see.





The blonde with Dredd is Olivia Thirlby playing Cassandra Anderson, a rookie judge supposedly training under Dredd. Even from the stills two things become clear: the violence seems more graphic and we have yet to see Karl Urban without the helmet on. "Judge Dredd" creator John Wagner said as much when interviewed a few weeks ago:

"Perhaps that was one of the failings of the first film; they tried to do too much and ended up with not a lot. 'Dredd' homes in on the essential job of judging – instant justice in a violent future city. I like the actors, they're well cast and they handled their parts well. Olivia Thirlby is perfect as Anderson, the young psi judge. She gives the character a touching vulnerability. Karl Urban will not remove his helmet and will not kiss his costar."

The stills look pretty sweet and everything we're hearing about the project can only be described as an improvement. Obviously, we'll know more when the first trailer hits, but I really think it can only be upwards from the first Hollywood attempt, since as of this writing, Rob Schneider is not in it.


Rodriguez's Machete Kills Is A Go



According to "Deadline" and other sources, "Machete Kills" – the sequel to the 2009 grindhouse/exploitation action homage "Machete" – has been officially green-lit and is tentatively scheduled to start production sometime in April with most of the cast (that remains alive from the first film) returning for the sequel.

Director Robert Rodriguez stated: "The fan response to the Machete character has been fanatical since his first appearance," Rodriguez said. "Machete is truly a super hero and 'Machete Kills' will be bigger and more ambitious than the first time."

According to Deadline, the sequel "finds Machete recruited by the U.S. Government for a mission which would be impossible for any mortal man. Machete must battle his way through Mexico to take down a madman cartel leader and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war across the planet with a weapon in space. Machete takes on an army in an effort to dismantle a plan for global anarchy."

I actually haven't gotten around to seeing Machete yet, but it looks like the kind of grindhouse/B-movie fun Rodriguez revels in making. Plus, it get Rodriguez back to making pictures for adults instead of cashing easy paychecks for making crappy kids' action movies (Spy Kids, The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl). The fact that it's a proposed trilogy is weird but kind of cool, although if he films these next two sequels now, that means Sin City 2 continues to get pushed back. No offense, but I want Sin City 2 a hell of a lot more than I want sequels to Machete


The Wolverine Gets A Release Date



After months of twists, turns and numerous delays through the grind of Hollywood's pre-production cycle, "The Wolverine" has finally landed a release date. The film will be released on July 26, 2013, up against some stiff competition in Lionsgate's "Dirty Dancing" remake and the debut feature film for the wildly popular "Phineas and Ferb" cartoon series being released by Disney.

The new film finds Logan "beginning a forbidden romance with a Japanese woman whose hand in marriage is, unfortunately, promised to another man. Since Logan won't take "no" for an answer, it puts him into battle with her father and her samurai-sword-wielding brothers and Silver Samurai."

The film will be directed by James Mangold ("3:10 to Yuma," "Kinght and Day") and written by Christopher McQuarrie, with star Hugh Jackman return once again as Wolverine.

It can't be worse than X-Men Origins: Wolverine can it? CAN IT? I love the character and Jackman is about as good as it gets as Wolverine, but this feels a bit forced. A studio who has this money character and wants to milk every dollar out of it, but doesn't actually have any idea where to go with it story-wise. It's avoided the deluge of huge comic-book movies this upcoming summer, but it's going to have more competition in 2013 with Man of Steel, Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Star Trek 2 and the sequel to fellow X-Men franchise reboot, X-Men: First Class, which was a major critical hit. Here's hoping...


And You Didn't Think The Phantom Menace Could Get Any Worse...



To coincide with the upcoming 3D re-release for "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace," LucasArts and company have released for public consumption...the worst "Star Wars" trailer imaginable. To be fair, the title is fair warning that this is geared towards the young among us. Essentially a kids' trailer/featurette, the clip has sent shivers rippling throughout the internet and through any "Star Wars" fan over the age of 9.



Just remember two things. First, this trailer isn't for you or I. It's for the kiddies who weren't even alive when the film was first released into theaters in 1999. Ah, we were all so innocent back then. The money truck may have backed up for George Lucas more times than you or I could count, but the past twelve years have not been kind to his or the franchise's legacy. It's hard to recall how freaking anticipated this movie was at the time. I wasn't even alive for any of the original trilogy, but everybody – including me – was amped. In the here and now, I can't recall the last Star Wars-related thing that didn't make my eyes roll a little (although, the animated series has been fairly good at points).

Second, this trailer doesn't actually make the film any worse. It's only a trailer and that horrible voice-over narrator won't actually be heard from during the movie. Although with the way Lucas has gone about tinkering, a "kid's version" of Star Wars isn't exactly out of the realm of possibility. Anyway, it's not like any of you will be seeing this in theaters again anyway.


First Images of Wreck-It Ralph Emerge



The first images from the upcoming CG-animated film, "Wreck-It Ralph," have emerge and have quickly turned it into one of the more under-the-radar projects to look forward to in 2012. The film is set in the video game world and centers on a villain character (voiced by John C. Reilly) who desperately wants to be a hero. The Ralph character is a sort of ogre-ish figure who knocks down buildings in the eponymous game (while the opposing hero builds them back up), but there are other games/settings in the game. One is called "Sugar Rush," a racing game set in a world of desserts, and "Hero's Duty," a space-marine adventure (you can see both below).

"Wreck-It Ralph" stars Reilly, Jane Lynch, Jack McBrayer and Sarah Silverman and is directed by Rich Moore ("The Critic," "Futurama," "Drawn Together"). The film is currently scheduled for a November 12, 2012 release.




The film's official synopsis reads: "Wreck-It Ralph (voice of Reilly) longs to be as beloved as his game's perfect Good Guy, Fix-It Felix (voice of McBrayer). Problem is, nobody loves a Bad Guy. But they do love heroes... so when a modern, first-person shooter game arrives featuring tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Lynch), Ralph sees it as his ticket to heroism and happiness. He sneaks into the game with a simple plan -- win a medal -- but soon wrecks everything, and accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens every game in the arcade. Ralph's only hope? Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Silverman), a young troublemaking "glitch" from a candy-coated cart racing game who might just be the one to teach Ralph what it means to be a Good Guy. But will he realize he is good enough to become a hero before it's "Game Over" for the entire arcade?"

The first footage of Wreck-It Ralph was shown at D23 last year and was evidently very promising. These stills, along with the story, continue to follow up on that promise. Hollywood has gotten so much wrong in trying to adapt/capitalize on video games (except for the incredibly awesome Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) that it's hard to imagine that this will be any different. Except...this smells like a pretty smart animated feature that has a lot of adult nostalgia and sensibilities. Gamers are growing up and a really respectful, fun, smart take on something as simple as "What would happen if the bad guy in a video game didn't want to be the villain anymore?" could really be sort of a breakthrough in trying to bridge the divide between cinema and video games. Really good animation would help too. Color me intrigued.


Trailer Face-Off:

This week's trailer face-off showcases three major wide releases hitting theaters this week: Safe House, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and The Vow. There are two other films hitting theaters in limited release; the Oscar-nominated animated film Chico & Rita and the self-proclaimed final film from legendary director Bela Tarr, The Turin Horse.

Are you planning on seeing any or all of these? Which looks better? Let me know in the comments.



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This Week In Awards

Art Directors Guild winners:

Excellence in Production Design for a Feature Film

Period Film: "Hugo"

Fantasy Film: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"

Contemporary Film: "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"

Excellence in Production Design for Television

One-Hour Single Camera Television Series: "Boardwalk Empire"

Television Movie or Mini-Series: "Mildred Pierce"

Episode of a Single-Camera Half-Hour Television Series: "Modern Family"

Episode of a Multi-Camera, Variety or Unscripted Series: "Saturday Night Live"

Awards, Music or Game Shows: "83rd Academy Awards"

Commercials and Music Videos: "Call of Duty"


Annie Awards:

Best Animated Feature: "Rango"
Best Animated Short Subject: "Adam and Dog," Minkyu Lee
Best General Audience Animated TV Production: "The Simpsons"
Best Animated Television Production for Children: "The Amazing World of Gumball"
Best Animated Television Production for Pre-school Children: "Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates"
Best Animated Special Production: "Kung Fu Panda - Secrets of the Masters"
Best Animated Television Commercial: Twinings "Sea," Psyop
Best Animated Video Game: "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet"

Member's Favorite Award: "Rango"

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES:

Directing in a Feature Production: Jennifer Yuh Nelson, "Kung Fu Panda 2"
Writing in a Feature Production: John Logan, Gore Verbinski and James Byrkit, "Rango"
Character Design in a Feature Production: Mark "Crash" McCreery, "Rango"
Editing in a Feature Production: Craig Wood, "Rango"
Storyboarding in a Feature Production: Jeremy Spears, "Winnie the Pooh"
Music in a Feature Production: John Williams, "The Adventures of Tintin"
Animated Effects in an Animated Production: Kevin Romond, "The Adventures of Tintin"
Animated Effects in a Live-Action Production: Florent Andorra, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
Character Animation in a Live Action Production: Eric Reynolds, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
Character Animation in a Feature Production: Jeff Gabor, "Rio"
Production Design in a Feature Production: Raymond Zibach, "Kung Fu Panda 2"
Voice Acting in a Feature Production: Bill Nighy, "Arthur Christmas"

Directing in a Television Production: Matthew Natsuk, "The Simpsons"
Writing in a Television Production: Carolyn Omine, "The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XXII"
Character Design in a Television Production: Bill Schwab, "Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice"
Editing in a Television Production: Ted Machold, Jeff Adams, Doug Tiano and Bob Tomlinson, "The Penguins of Madagascar"
Storyboarding in a Television Production: Brian Kesinger, "Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice"
Music in a Television Production: Grace Potter and Michael Giacchino, "Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice"
Character Animation in a Television Production: Tony Smeed, "Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice"
Production Design in a Television Production: Mark Bodnar, Chris Tsirgiotis, Sue Mondt and Daniel Elson, "Secret Mountain Fort Awesome"
Voice Acting in a Television Production: Jeff Bennett, "The Penguins of Madagascar"

June Foray Award: Art Leonardi
Windsor McCay Award: Ronald Searle
Windsor McCay Award: Walt Peregoy
Windsor McCay Award: Borge Ring
Special Achievment Annie Award: Depth Analysis

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From The Great Capt. Smooth (Guest):
I don't know about the story, but I'm sure Candy Land could "look" terrific. I'm sure the actual candy products will be fun. They could screw this up, but there is a buttload of potential.

Only "best movie" I've seen is Hugo, so I'm gonna pull for that.

I agree about Candy Land most likely looking visually good, but somehow I doubt it would be anything beyond that. Hollywood struggles with kids' movies that are the sort of hybrid animated/live-action picture (heavy on effects) one would expect this picture to be. Perhaps if it was truly 2D-animated and tailored specifically for pre-schoolers and other young folk, it might be alright. But Hollywood doesn't spend many millions upon millions of dollars on those type of projects and Adam Sandler's involvement doesn't lead me to thinking that will happen.

Amd everyone knows how I feel about Hugo. I'm pulling for it...but it's not going to happen.

From Guest#3378 (Guest):
Kill list - excellent film tho takes a turn towards the wicker man at the end (not the crap remake).

I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but I've heard some really good things about it. It just hit theaters in limited release last week, but it's been (and still is, I believe) available on demand (cable providers and Amazon are a couple).

From Todd Vote (Guest):
How does Taylor Lautner dropping out of one project due to scheduling conflicts mean his career is stalling? Wouldn't that mean he has other stuff lined up, and can't sit around and wait for Stretch to finally get off the ground?

Lautner had been linked with this role and franchise for the better part of the last three years. It was essentially be his next launching pad after Twilight is all wrapped up. Not only did Lautner pull out of Stretch but he also ended up passing or pulling out of a number of other projects in the meantime. His first true non-Twilight starring role, Abduction, was critically panned and was something of a commercial disappointment. At the very least, it wasn't the film to launch the next stage of his career as a "major" movie star.

From Guest #6699 (Guest):
You totally served Eddie G. well done sir.

He's entitled to his opinion. I think he's wrong. My column so I get the last word :)

From Guest#3508 (Guest):
Could've sworn that 'Death Wish' was repackaged/remade a few years ago with Kevin Bacon under the guise 'Death Sentence'...

You're close. You're right about Bacon's involvement in the 2007 film. However, technically 'Death Sentence' is based on the literary sequel to 'Death Wish' by Brian Garfield. Evidently though, the film-makers used a different storyline. Very similar to 'Death Wish' but not quite the remake/reboot being proposed by Joe Carnahan and company.

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Trailer of the Week: McG's Valentine's Day Special – This Means War




Funny Video of the Week: "Lego Captain America"




That's all for this week. Let me know what you think in the comments section. For now, this is Jeremy Wilson, off the record, on the QT...



...and definitely, "Hush Hush!"