'Rise of the Apes'Pushed Back to November,'Penguins'in Summer« FirstShowing.net

Briefly:20th Century Foxis re-arranging their2011release schedule, as is the custom once execs meet at the beginning of the year and discuss the status of their films. The biggest change is a delay forRise of the Apes, directed by Rupert Wyatt, starring James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, which was pushed fromJune 24ththis summer untilNovember 23rd, Thanksgiving week. Considering we haven't seen anything from it yet and its marketing is highly dependent on Weta finishing photo-realistic rendering of CGI apes, a delay is understandable and acceptable, because I want it to turn out the best it possibly can.More below!

Hollywood Reporterannounces a few other major Fox date changes.Mr. Popper's Penguins, directed by Mark Waters and starring Jim Carrey, whichwe just featured photos for, has moved up from August 12th toJune 17thto fill their summer slots. David Gordon Green'sThe Sitter, starring Jonah Hill, was pushed up toJune 24th; Thomas Bezucha'sMonte Carlowith Leighton Meester and Selena Gomez opensJuly 1st; New Regency'sWhat's Your Number?with Anna Faris moves from April 29 toSeptember 30th; David Frankel'sThe Big Year, with Jack Black and Steve Martin, will now openOctober 14th. Solid fall line-up.

The only other big change wasGattacadirectorAndrew Niccol'sNow(formerlyI'm.mortal), with Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried, which moved from its original date of September 30th toOctober 28th, which seems like an interesting change considering that means it's opening Halloween weekend up against other horror films (likeDibbuk Box) and as far as I know it's not horror, it's a sci-fi thriller. Do they really think it'll perform well on Halloween? That's actually one of this year's sci-fi movies that I'm really excited for. Anyway, those are the only updates, but always check thefull2011 Release Schedulefor the latest.

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Atari Bringing Arcade Game Missile Command to the Big Screen« FirstShowing.net

Following the upcomingBattleshipandAsteroidsadaptations,Atarihas hired writersBurk SharplessandMatt Sazamato adapt the classic 80s arcade gameMissile Commandinto a feature film. ProducerPeter Chernin(Rise of the Apes) is developing the project at his own production company, with Atari exec producing. Sharpless& Sazama recently wrote theFlash Gordonreboot and worked onDracula Year Zero.Missile Command, which hit in 1980, is one of the simplest games involving firing counter-missiles from the ground to destroy incoming missile attacks from the air. How that will be made into a movie, I have no idea?

There couldn't be a more perfect time to reference a recentJames Cameronquote that's spreading around the web. ViaScreen Rant:"We have a story crisis they want to make theBattleshipgame into a film. This is puredesperation."Exactly!And yet here we are, reporting even more depressing news that a classic 8-bit game that involves defending our country by shooting missiles with a trackball is the latest basis behind a big budget action movie that's now in the works. This better be likeRed Dawnor else I don't know what the heck to expect. I don't even know if they'll set it in the Cold War or update it to be contemporary, but either way this definitely seems like a desperate attempt to capitalize on a brand that, well, hasn't been around for the last 20 years.Does anyone think aMissile Commandmovie might actually turn out okay?

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Paramount Goes IMAX in 2011, M:I4 to Have IMAX-Shot Scenes« FirstShowing.net

Earningquite a bit of good moneyonTron Legacy,IMAXis on a roll right now and to keep it up, they need to line up some big stuff in2011. Well - Paramount and IMAX officially announced that they'll be releasing four of their big tentpole movies from 2011 on IMAX: J.J. Abrams'Super 8, Michael Bay'sTransformers: Dark of the Moon, Brad Bird'sMission: Impossible - Ghost Protocoland Spielberg/Jackson'sThe Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn. Best of all, they say thatMission: Impossiblewill feature"scenes shot with IMAX cameras"that, likeThe Dark Knight, will feature a fullframe IMAX shots.

If you love seeing movies on a gigantic IMAX screen, then there's some good stuff coming up to enjoy on it (especially while we wait forThe Dark Knight Rises), that's for sure."Consumer demand forThe IMAX Experiencehas never been higher,"said Paramount's Rob Moore."Coupled with the rising popularity of the IMAX brand, the growing number of IMAX screens and the increased interest from our top filmmakers to have their movies offered in this format, IMAX is and continues to be a key part of our release strategy."Always glad to hear them supporting IMAX.The Adventures of TintinandTransformers 3were shot in 3D and will be released inIMAX 3D, howeverSuper 8and the newMission Impossiblesequel won't be in 3D.

"When you combine the incredible storytelling talents of J.J. Abrams,Michael Bay,Brad Bird, andSteven Spielbergwith technologies that transport the audience into the story, you create an awe-inspiring experience that takes movie-goers to places they only dream of -- and that is what the core and spirit of our partnership with Paramount Pictures is all about,"said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment."We are very excited to share these amazing event films with IMAX exhibitors and movie-goers and look forward to working with these brilliant filmmakers as they showcase their talents in our format."

I'm most excited to learn thatMission: Impossible - Ghost Protocolis getting entire IMAX scenes, as those blew me away inThe Dark Knight. We haven't seen that utilized again sinceTransformers: Revenge of the Fallenand that was kind of a waste anyway. This time though we have Pixar mastermindBrad Birdat the helm and know that he's dabbling in IMAX makes me anxious with excitement to see something from this new sequel already. No word on the length or exact number of scenes we'll see in IMAX, but the more the merrier.Super 8will be released onJune 10th, 2011;Transformers: Dark of the Moonwill be released onJuly 1st, 2011;Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocolwill be released onDecember 16th, 2011; andThe Adventures of Tintinwill be released onDecember 28th, 2011.Which of these are you most excited for?

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David O. Russell Rewriting and Directing Adaptation of'2 Guns'?« FirstShowing.net

There's been a lot of buzz surrounding Mark Wahlberg's reunion with directorDavid O. Russell(The Fighter) for thevideo game adaptationUncharted: Drake's Fortune. However, before that project, Russell was slated to directVince VaughninOld St. Louis, the story a traveling salesman who has been an absentee father and how his life changes when his daughter becomes a part of it. Now it sounds like a new project with Vaughn is being set up instead asTHRreports Russell is in early talks to rewrite and direct an adaptation of2 Guns, a pulp story about cops and thieves and the men that are something in between.More below!

Based on Steven Grant'sgraphic novel of the same name, here's the short and sweet synopsis of the wholly intriguing story:

Trench has targeted a local bank to rob, and asked Steadman in on the job. Trench figures it's a great way to score -- considering it's a cover for mob money. They'll be thieves ripping off thieves. But what Steadman doesn't know is that Trench is a DEA agent. And what Trench doesn't know is that Steadman's a Naval Intelligence officer. They're both cops! And neither one knows that they're not robbing the mob, they've been set up to steal $50 million from the CIA!

Vaughn has been attached to the project since Universal picked up the property back in 2008, and apparently he's still attached now. The prospect of Russell and Vaughn collaborating on a project like this is enticing. And for anyone who doubts Vaughn doing more than his normal fast-talking, wit-filled diatribes for minutes at a time, he did see a little bit of action inMr. and Mrs. Smith. It sounds like 2 Guns won't take off until afterUncharted: Drake's Fortune, but it's not clear what that will mean forOld St. Louis.Thoughts?

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Frances McDormand Aims to Capture Animals in'Madagascar 3'« FirstShowing.net

Though they may not be the best films to come out of DreamWorks Animation, families seem to love the antics of the wild animals in theirMadagascarfranchise. And the adventure is slated to continue withMadagascar 3. Since DreamWorks' Jeffrey Katzenberg recently commented on plans for afourth installmentof the animated franchise, this third one better deliver. It sounds like they're on the right track with some new voice talent coming on board asHeat Visionreports the talentedFrances McDormand(Fargo,Burn After Reading) has landed the role of a calculating and goal-oriented animal control officer who leads her team to capture the animals.

This will be the first time McDormand has used her voice for an animated feature, so part of me wishes it was something a little better (I'm just not a big fan of theMadagascarmovies). In May of 2009,we heardthat the story would have our heroes (Ben Stiller,Chris Rock,David SchwimmerandJada Pinkett Smithare reprising their roles) relocate from Africa to Europe via a traveling circus. That still sounds accurate since some new characters are supposed to include an Italian sea lion, a Russian tiger and a Latina jaguar (but apparently the nationalities of these characters could change). However, Katzenbergrecently mentionedsomething about the animals being back in the NYC zoo too. Hopefully he didn't spoil the ending.Anyone interested?

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Baz Luhrmann and Michael Mann Considering 3D for Next Films?« FirstShowing.net

While we've been getting used to major blockbusters and tentpoles going 3D, it sounds like some directors whose films aren't normally full of huge CG creatures and hundreds of special effects shots, might also be venturing into the third dimension. Straight from the filmmakers themselves,Baz Luhrmann(Moulin Rouge) andMichael Mann(Public Enemies) have hinted that their next projects might be in3D. Word from Luhrmann comes fromTHRwhere he mentioned that hisforthcoming adaptationofThe Great Gatsbystarring Carey Mulligan was workshopped in 3D. As for Mann, he was a little less specific about which project might be in the 3D format.

Though both haven't made solid decisions regarding the use of 3D, Luhrmann seems closer to actually following through considering his workshop with the format. WhileThe Great Gatsbyseems like a strange choice for a 3D film, Luhrmann's trademark stylistic visuals and storytelling techniques seem to be more friendly to 3D than what Mann has in mind. Here's what theCollateraldirector said on a panel for theConsumer Electronics Show(viaBleeding Cool),"I would probably shoot… just apure dialogue dramaI would shoot in3D."

Does that mean he might be considering shootingCapa, thewar photographer biopicstarring Andrew Garfield and Gemma Arterton, in 3D? Or perhaps two of hispreviously mentioned projects,Big TunaorAgincourt, are more suited for him to play with the format. At this point we can only speculate, but the fact that filmmakers who don't usually craft big budget tentpoles are moving towards 3D seems to imply that this trend is more than a gimmick.What do you think?

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First Official Look at Rooney Mara in'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'« FirstShowing.net

Back in August we found out thatThe Social NetworkstarRooney Marahadsnagged the lead roleof Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher's adaptation ofThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, thefirst installmentof the popularMillennium Trilogy. If there were any doubts that Mara would fit into the tough female lead role, almost all of those doubts should be removed asW magazine(viaJoBlo) has delivered the first two photos of Mara all decked out in Salander's trademark short, pitch-black haircut, leather jacket and tattoos. Looking simultaneously sexy and kick-ass, I'm definitely interested to see what Mara does with the character. See the photos below!

Here's our first look atRooney Maraas Lisbeth Salander courtesy ofW magazine:

The character is described as"a gamin,Audrey Hepburnlook-alike but withtattoosandpiercings, the take-no-prisoners attitude ofLara Croftand the cool, unsentimental intellect ofMr. Spock. The vulnerable victim turned vigilante; a willfully antisocial girl."It looks like they've nailed that if the above pictures are any indication. And if you feel silly for being skeptical, well Mara herself wasn't sure she was right for the part. The actress says,"“Before I read the book,I didn’t think I could do it. I locked myself in a room for a week and read all three books, and decided I really wanted to be Lisbeth. But I thought I had no shot at it.” How about them apples?Now what do you think of Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander?

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Disney is Already Close to Greenlighting a Sequel to Tron Legacy?« FirstShowing.net

Though the reviews may be split almostright down the middle, you can't deny thatTron Legacycreated some massive buzz and really pleased some hardcore geeks out there. It's also great to see the power ofComic-Con hyperesult in a big blockbuster and its moderately successful release. Well now it sounds likeTron Legacywas successful enough that the seeds planted in the franchise reboot of sorts may get a chance to grow.AICNhas word from their"Grapevine of Industry Insiders"that Disney is incredibly close togreenlighting a sequelto keep the story of Sam Flynn pushing forward, so we won't have to wait another 28 years for a sequel this time.

Nothing is official yet, and it's not clear when Disney might make this announcement, but it's not really surprising. Even though the film had plenty of closure, there's definitely some subplots left open to be dealt with at a later time (especially one concerning a great actor as a new character with ties to a villain from the originalTron). And whileTron Legacywasn't as huge a success as an installment ofHarry Potter, theworldwide box office takeis nothing to ignore, and the merchandising that comes with the franchise certainly helps. As someone who thoroughly enjoyedTron Legacy(even though it has plenty of flaws), I'm interested in seeing where the story goes from here (especially if Daft Punk does the score again).How about you?

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James Franco and His Entire Family May Make a Movie Together?« FirstShowing.net

This past Christmas we highlighted a special127 Hoursthemedholiday greetingfromJames Francoand his real-life grandmother. But now it sounds like we might get a feature film with the whole Franco family sometime in the future. Incase you didn't know, James Franco's younger brotherDave Franco(left) is also an actor who has appeared in films likeCharlie St. CloudandGreenbergalong with TV series like"Greek"and"Scrubs."Well the younger Franco, while talking toMTVrecently, revealed that he's working on a script for a film in which theentire Franco familywould star. This will be the most genuine family comedy ever.

You may have also seen Dave starring with his future Oscar host brother in some Funny or Die videos teachinginvaluable lessons about acting. Apparently they're working on some more for the online comedy behemoth, but then he also revealed this bit of news:

"There's also a feature film that I'm writing for my brother and I to star in, where we playversions of ourselvesnamed Davie and James. Without giving away too much, it all takes place aroundThanksgiving and Christmas breakaround our hometown of Palo Alto {California}. Ourreal familywill be in it, myreal friendsfrom home will be in it, and the vibe of it is going to be anextended version of our Funny or Die videos. It's going to be difficult for me, because it's now a 90-minute version of him giving me shit and making fun of me."

That sounds like it could really be a great project, but is the entire Franco family as talented as the two brothers? Perhaps it will be somewhat of a mockumentary so their acting skills don't have to be honed so perfectly? All I know is James has been taking on some very interesting projects recently, and this would be yet another intriguing installment in the actor's career. As for Dave, his star is certainly rising, and as difficult as it might be to measure up to his brother's work, he seems to be doing his best.Are you interested in a Franco family film?

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American Society of Cinematographers Awards 2011 Nominees« FirstShowing.net

Its been a hell of a year for cinematography, at least I thought. There were quite a few truly gorgeous films, but it's time to take a look at this year's nominees in the feature film category of the 25th AnnualAmerican Society of CinematographersOutstanding Achievement Awards. The five nominees are:Black Swan'sMatthew Libatique,Inception'sWally Pfister,The King's Speech'sDanny Cohen,True Grit'sRoger DeakinsandThe Social Network'sJeff Cronenweth. In the photo above is Libatique working onBlack Swan."These five people haveset the standardfor today's cinematography,"said ASC's Richard Crudo.

This is the ninth nomination for Deakins, most of the others have come from various Coen Brothers films, too. In addition to his nomination forTrue Grit, Deakins will also be honored as the recipient of the ASC's 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award. So no matter what, he's a winner! This is the third nomination for Wally Pfister followingBatman BeginsandThe Dark Knightpreviously. Cohen, Cronenweth and Libatique are all first-time nominees. I'm amazed this is Libatique's first, he also shotRequiem for a Dream,Inside Man,The FountainandIron Man 1& 2- yet no nominations before this?!"The artistically diverse approaches these talented cinematographers employed are a glimpse at whatvisionaries with a cameracan accomplish,"said ASC President Michael Goi in the press release."They arevisual storytellersof the highest caliber."

Strong words from the pres, but nonetheless true. I certainly can appreciate great cinematography when I come across it and these five movies are definitely the best work out of this past year. My top pick personally isThe King's Speech, just because they used the most refreshingly unconventional and unique approach to shooting a period piece, yet it still looked absolutely stunning, truly representative of the old adage that"every frame should look as beautiful as a photograph"- and they certainly did! I've been trying to setup an interview with Danny Cohen, who's also a fairly young newcomer, but haven't had any luck yet. The winner of the ASC Awards will be announced at their celebration in Hollywood onFebruary 13.Good choices?

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DreamWorks Animation Announces'Monkeys of Bollywood'Movie« FirstShowing.net

An interesting assembly of musical and cinematic talent is coming together for DreamWorks Animation next ambitious project.Varietyreports the animation studio is currently developingMonkeys of Bollywood, an animated musical in the spirit of internationally famous Bollywood cinema. The story will be set in Mumbai and follows two monkeys who try to stop an ancient demon from conquering the world. Not much to get excited about, but composerA.R. Rahman, responsible for scoring bothSlumdog Millionaireand127 Hours, is certainly a selling point. And that's not all the talent involved to get you excited for a musical of this sort.

ComposerStephen Scwartz, who not only wrote musicals likeGodspellandWickedbut also scored and wrote songs for Disney hits likePocahontasandEnchanted, is also on board for the animation studio's first feature musical. And if that wasn't enough, Gurinder Chadha and Paul Berges, the producing team that deliveredBend It Like Beckhamand the Bollywood style romantic comedyBride and Prejudiceis behind the project. That's a great collection of people to put an animated Bollywood musical together.

Though the story is original, the Hindu epic poemThe Ramayanaapparently inspired the project.Wikipediasays the poem"depicts the duties of relationships, portraying ideal characters like the ideal servant, the ideal brother, the ideal wife and the ideal king."It's quite a bold move to venture into animated musical territory that has been dominated by Disney for so long, but this assembly of talent is the right way to go. We'll keep you posted as this project develops.Interested?

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Greengrass Planning Film on Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr« FirstShowing.net

We already know director Lee Daniels has been developingSelma, a period drama focusing on the five-day, four-night protest march against those who were not in support of passing theNational Voting Rights Act of 1965that started in Selma, Alabama as well as the events leading up to it. Now another filmmaker is preparing his own location-specific Civil Rights related drama.Vulturereports directorPaul Greengrass(United 93) has been planning to makeMemphis, a film that chronicles the events leading up to the assassination ofMartin Luther King, Jr.in Memphis, Tennessee. Greengrass even wrote the film himself based on his own research.

Unless I'm mistaken this would be the first film to focus specifically on King's activities to organize the city's sanitation workers in the spring of 1968 before his assassination on April 4th of the same year. Vulture notes that this would be less of a biopic and more of a portrayal of the chaos and turmoil King's personal and professional life was enduring at the time. Not only was his marriage falling apart, but he was gaining weight, smoking and drinking heavily and losing some of his most important allies. Sounds like a hell of a movie to me. Nothing is official yet, but producer Scott Rudin might get involved and the picture could land at Focus Features.Interested?

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'Bullitt'&'Krull'Director Peter Yates Passes Away at 82 Years Old« FirstShowing.net

Sad news kicks off this January week asDeadlinereports directorPeter Yates, the man behind the prolific action-filled cop dramaBullitthas passed away at 82-years old. Though he hadn't directed anything since 2004, Yates had already left a permanent impression on the film industry. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the filmmaker worked as an assistant and assistant director before finally getting his first feature,Summer Holidaystarring Cliff Richards, in 1963. But it wouldn't be until he helmedRobberyin 1967 that he would catch a break that would lead him to direct one of the most memorable cop movies of all time.

In 1968 the British filmmaker directed Steve McQueen and some of the best car chases you've ever seen inBullitt. You may have seen The Fast and the Furious, but Bullitt has some real, kick-ass driving. Since then Yates has also worked with Dustin Hoffman onJohn and Mary, Peter O'Toole onMurphy's War, and a young Jackie Earle Haley and Dennis Quaid inBreaking Away. Yates was also responsible forKrull, a cult sci-fi favorite, but he followed that up with a film on the opposite end of the spectrum inThe Dresser, a drama with Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay that would garner a Best Picture nomination and a Best Director nod for Yates. Hollywood has lost a truly influential director today, and we will miss him dearly.

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Casting Tidbits: John Michael Higgins, Brendan Fraser& Tina Fey« FirstShowing.net

You have part of my attention -- you have the minimum amount. The rest of my attention is back at the offices of Facebook, where my colleagues and I are doing things that no one in this room, including and especially your Casting Tidbits, are intellectually or creatively capable of doing. First,THRreportsJohn Michael Higgins(A Mighty Wind) got a role in Cameron Crowe's adaptation ofWe Bought a Zoo, amemoir from Benjamin Mee, following a man (Matt Damon) and his family who move into a mansion that includes the 30-acre Dartmoor Wildlife Park, home to over 200 animals. Higgins will play a zoo inspector.

Second,DeadlinereportsBrendan FraserandKristen Scott Thomas(Nowhere Boy) are set to star inSeconds of Pleasure, a new drama from write/director Neil LaBute (In the Company of Men).Colin FirthandEd Harrisalso currently have offers on the table, but they haven't signed yet. Though details are scarce, LaBute has a short story with that title, but acollection of short storiesthat contains that very shorty also goes by that title. So either LaBute is adapating his short story into a feature length film, or he's putting together a series of vignettes based on a few of the stories inside the aforementioned collection of short stories. We'll keep you posted.

Next,The WrapreportsTina Feywill star inAdmission, an adaptation of Jean Hanff Korelitz'snovel of the same name. Paul Weitz (In Good Company,American Pie) is set to direct the film which follows an admissions officer at Princeton and her relationship with a prospective student who may not be Ivy League material. Apparently this casting news comes fairly early since the project is still in the early stages of development, but Fey has already met with Weitz and they are discussing a deal now.

Also,EWhas word that Michelle Pfeiffer rounds out the cast of Alex Kurtzman's directorial debut Welcome to People. The Star Trek writer has garnered quite the cast already with Chris Pine The story playing a businessman who returns home after his estranged father’s death and discovers that he has an alcoholic sister (Elzabeth Banks) with a 12-year-old son. Olivia Wilde will play Pine's girlfriend in the film and now Pfeiffer will play Pine's widowed mother. Should be interesting to see a big budget, blockbuster writer like Kurtzman settle down with afamily drama.

Finally,VarietyreportsJohn Hawkes(Winter's Bone) andMolly Parker(The Road) have signed on to star inThe Playroom, an indie drama from writer Gretchen Dyer and director Julia Dyer (they're sisters).The film follows suburban parents of four in 1975 where their volatile teenage daughter (Olivia Harris) acts as surrogate mother to the younger children, who have created a make-believe world in their attic hideaway while the parents act out a sordid story below. Sound a bit peculiar, but with John Hawkes involved, I'm definitely interested.

Well, that's all for this edition ofCasting Tidbits. Be sure to stay tuned for more casting updates on the way.

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Shane Black Directing a New Adaptation of'Death Note'Manga« FirstShowing.net

After seeing previews for small theatrical screenings of theJapanese live-action adaptationsof thepopular mangaDeath Note, I could not have been less interested in checking out the international film trilogy. However, news fromDeadlinethatShane Black(writer of theLethal Weaponfranchise and director ofKiss Kiss, Bang Bang) has been hired by Warner Bros. for a new live-action adaptation of theDeath Noteseries. The story follows a boy named Light Yagami who stumbles upon the Death Note, a notebook that delivers death to any human whose name is written on its pages, and vows to use it to rid the word of evil.

For a little more information on the story, here's the official synopsis:

Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects - and he's bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds theDeath Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god.Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But whencriminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L totrack down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal...or his life? Light tests the boundaries of the Death Note powers as L and the police begin to close in. Luckily Light's father is the head of the Japanese National Police Agency and leaves vital information about the case lying around the house. With access to his father's files, Light can keep one step ahead of the authorities. But who is thestrange man following him, and how can Light guard against enemies whose names he doesn't know?

Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry are adapting the manga after working on Doc Savage, an upcoming drama that Black will direct for Sony. Black says,"It’s my favorite manga. I was just struck by its unique and brilliant sensibility. What we want to do is take it back to that manga, and make it closer to what is socomplexandtruthfulabout thespirituality of the story, versus taking the concept and trying to copy it as an American thriller."The gritty, film noir feel ofKiss Kiss, Bang Bangshows Black has the right sensibilities for a film like this, but that's the only film he's directed. Of course, once being at the top of the spec script market, Black has plenty of experience in Hollywood and I don't doubt his skills one bit.How about you?

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Ben Stiller Chats About Producing Richard Ayoade's'Submarine'« FirstShowing.net

If you followed our coverage from the Toronto Film Festival, one ofmy favorite films(and favorite of nearly everyone who saw it) was the charming coming-of-age comedySubmarine, directed byRichard Ayoade("The IT Crowd") and starring the youngCraig Robertsas Oliver Tate (above). Well, inEmpire's postwith new updates fromBen Stiller, instead of covering therepetitivenews thatZoolander 2isstillwaitingfor the studio, I'm focusing on Stiller's comments aboutSubmarine. What is his connection? Stiller, along with his company Red Hour Films, produced the film in the UK, so he's highly responsible for making it happen.

Here is most of what Stiller had to say about Richard Ayoade'sSubmarinefrom Empire'srecent update:

"Garth Marenghi{Ayoade's fictional character} I had seen and was a fan of. That was all I knew. So I can’t say that we had any kind of relationship beforehand. We just got sent the script – I don’t even know, to tell you the truth, how we got hold of it – but Richard's agent might be our agent too. But we thought it was a really great script and then I saw his videos that he had directed and just thought he had a reallyinteresting sensibility. We met and he’s just a very thoughtful guy. And I thought what he did with the movie wasvery assured and bold, for a first film. Just his process was very specific. I had a really good experience with him."

That's always good to hear. And in case you think Stiller didn't really know about it, when asked about the star Craig Roberts, he continues with even more glowing comments:"I thought Craig wasamazingtoo. I felt like he and Yasmin (Paige) both, you could sense that they so trusted Richard as a director. I loved that he is very honest but alsovery funny. Their relationship is so funny but also has the awkwardness. The cast and the director– everyone's just doing their thing and not apologising for it."They definitely don't need to apologize for it either! It was a wonderful film and will probably end up as one of my favoritesthisyear, too.

For those anxious to finally watchSubmarine, since I've been hyping it so much, the good news is that it wasbought by The Weinstein Company in Torontoand will be arriving in theaters sometime later this year after it also plays theSundance Film Festival. I'm just happy to hear that the experience behind-the-scenes was as positive as the end result on the screen, as I know onceSubmarinehits theaters it should instantly become a favorite of a lot of moviegoers. We will continue to keep you updated and let you know when TWC releases a trailer as well. In the meantime, be sure toread my reviewfrom Toronto - I'll be seeing it again at Sundance!

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Jeffrey Dean Morgan Starring in Ghost House Thriller'Dibbuk Box'« FirstShowing.net

Late last year, right around the time whenParanormal Activity 2was destroying the box office, wewrote about a new projectin the works calledDibbuk Box. I thought it might be another found-footage thriller, but it looks like Danish filmmakerOle Bornedalis going to direct a straight horror, as described, closer toThe ExorcistorThe Shining. Well,Varietyreports thatJeffrey Dean Morganhas been cast in the film as a recently divorced father whose youngest daughter becomes strangely connected to an antique wooden box she purchased at a yard sale. Yep, she got a hold of that Dibbuk Box, and the spirit inside ain't too happy.

As his daughter's behavior becomes more erratic, he senses a dark presence building until he discovers that the box contains adibbuk-- a"dislocated spirit that inhabits and ultimately devours its human host."And supposedly it's inspired bytrue events. Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures is producing and filming starts this month. Lionsgate already hasDibbuk Boxset for release on Halloween weekend,October 28th, in place of theSawfilms which, hopefully, have finally finished. For all the fans of the horror genre, this definitely sounds like a film to keep an eye on, especially with Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the lead. Stay tuned for more!

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Chris Hemsworth& Tom Hiddleston on Fighting in Marvel's'Thor'« FirstShowing.net

We're almost two weeks into 2011 and that means we're that much closer to theMay 6threlease of Marvel Studios' anticipated adaptation ofThor. After thatfirst spectacular trailerand a couple ofcoolposters, I'm hoping that Marvel doesn't decide to show too much more for giving away the finer points of the promising-looking comic book flick. However, I'm definitely interested in hearing some ofThor'slead actors talk about the action on set. Thankfully,SFX Magazine(viaComicBookMovie) talked with the film's hero,Chris Hemsworth, and villainTom Hiddleston, where they opened up a bit about fighting on the blockbuster.

The God of Thunder himself, Chris Hemsworth, talked about putting on some muscle and creating a fighting style and physical demeanor to unique to this Thor. The actorelaborated:

"I had to put on about 20 pounds for the film. and I've lost most of that since I stopped shooting. It was such an effort to keep it on. Then, yeah, we did a lot of stunt training about how {Thor} moved and him as a character, and the more you work out physically how he moves helps with your dialogue scenes and vice versa, so it's an ongoing process. Thor's movement is closely linked toMjolnir, his legendary war hammer. He spins it and throws it and it flies and comes back. Working out how to use that as a weapon practically and itsadvantagesanddisadvantages, and then developing the style of how he fights and the body positions that he has in the comic books and trying to use some of them. It was great!"

As forTom Hiddleston, the man behind the mischievous villain and Thor's brother Loki, he alsoopened upabout some of his training and the fighting style he tried to develop for his character. Tom explains:

"I did a lot of training, actually, which is less visible than it is in the size of his arms {laughs}. {Director Kenneth Branagh} asked for me to bevery leanandvery strongat the same time, and he wanted me to develop afighting style. I don't know if you know the Brazilian martial art ofcapoeira, but it was something like that. I felt like if Thor was a big rock, Loki was like the wind, and he would dance around this sturdy block of granite. So I developed a kind of fighting style that was much more balletic, a kind oflethal dance."

It should definitely be interesting to see how the different fighting styles of Thor and Loki contrast and hopefully clash against each other when the film hits theaters at the beginning of the summer blockbuster season. If thattraileris any indicator, this should bequitea clash of the titans, andKenneth Branaghmay be the next bad-ass blockbuster director on the scene. The talent he's amassed and the passion they've put into making it as accurate to the comic yet edgy for today is fantastic. It should be a fun way to kick off the summer. But until then, we'll just have to sit and wait patiently untilThorhits theaters onMay 6thof this year.Sound good?

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MGM Officially Announces November 2012 Return of James Bond!« FirstShowing.net

After hearing that the unfortunately delayed next installment ofJames Bondwas being halted by MGM's financial woes, good news came in the form of a plan for Agent 007 toreturn in November 2012. Whilered tape and rumblingsof halted pre-production had recently created skepticism about hitting that mark, today MGM officially announced (via press release) that James Bond will return to theaters onNovember 9th, 2012. And if that wasn't enough good news,Daniel Craigis confirmed to reprise his role on Her Majesty's Secret Service andSam Mendeswill still be at the helm of this23rd installmentof the ever-growing James Bond franchise.Hell yes!

One thing's for sure, Craig is going to be very busy over the next few years since he is also signed for the American adaptation of all three installments of Steig Larsson'sMillennium Trilogywhich begins withThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoocurrently in production. Take that into account with MGM's plans for one Bond movie every two years and Craig's got a busy schedule.

Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan are behind the screenplay, and while we don't have any details yet, that surely won't stop Bond's biggest fans from getting excited. The film is still simply being referred to asBond 23, and we'll be eagerly awaiting the official title sometime down the road. Personally, I can't wait to finally see Sam Mendes take on 007. Craig has just done a phenomenal job as Bond, and thinking back to Mendes work with him onRoad to Perdition, I can't wait to see what these two do with this franchise. Excited?

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Confirmed: Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen Return for'The Hobbit'« FirstShowing.net

In case you were somehow, in a state of udder madness, worried thatAndy SerkisandSir Ian McKellen, two central actors from theLord of the Ringsseries (who we've confirmednumeroustimes before), wouldn't be returning for Peter Jackson'sThe Hobbit, you can finally rest easy because it's official.Deadlinereports that Serkis is officially signed on to playGollum(akaSmeagol once) again, performing the motion capture parts of the creature that Bilbo encounters. AndTHRhas also confirmed that Sir Ian McKellen is officially signed and good to go as the lovable wizardGandalf. Happy to hear that both will be back forThe Hobbit!

In addition to Serkis and McKellen, other confirmed returning cast members include Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Christopher Lee as Saruman and Ian Holm as an older Bilbo, as well as an impressive new cast lead byMartin Freeman. I'm glad the cast is finally coming together and Jackson is getting things set, because obviouslyThe Hobbitcan't get here soon enough. Last week we wrote that Warner Bros willpaying almost all of the $500 million budgetsince MGM is still bankrupt. Pre-production is obviously already underway in New Zealand and production is slated to start in just a few more months. We pretty much have almost all of the cast lined up forThe Hobbit, but I'm sure we'll be hearing plenty more news over these next few months.

It's great to hear that both are finally 100% signed on, but honestly, I probably would've boycotted the film if they atleastdidn't bring those two back, so it's not surprising they're returning. Then again, as a huge fan ofLord of the Rings, it brings a smile to my face knowing we'll see them up on the big screen again come 2012.

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James Badge Dale& Dallas Roberts Join Liam Neeson in'The Grey'« FirstShowing.net

We've already heard thatA-TeamdirectorJoe Carnahanwouldre-team with the film's starLiam Neeson forThe Grey– a thriller that follows a group of Alaskan pipeline workers hunted bywolvesin the frigid wilderness after their plane crashes on their way back home. Now we have word on the cast surrounding Neeson in the man vs. nature thriller asDeadlinereports"Rubicon"starsJames Badge Dale(left) andDallas Roberts(right) will play two of the oil-rig roughnecks in danger. Production was greenlit to beginnextweek up in Vancouver and Northern British Columbia where it can be as cold as 30 degrees below zero!

Also joining the cast will beDermot Mulroney(Flash of Genius),Frank Grillo(My Soul to Take),Nonso Anozie(RocknRolla) andJoe Anderson(The Crazies). Props to all of them for braving the cold weather which Carnahan loves as a way of making the story more intense and realistic. The director says,"It gets to be 30 below, and when we went out the other day, I took off my hat to see how long I could last, and my skin wasburning with frostbitein a little over a minute. In a way, it’s great, because itbeats the shit out of the castand that suits the storyline.” I would say that this is one of the many reasons actors get paid so much for their job, but this is an indie production, and the paychecks aren't going to be very big. With"Rubicon"being canceled, I'm just glad to see James Badge Dale and Dallas Roberts working together again.Interested?

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User-Generated Doc'Life in a Day'Will Stream Live January 27th» FirstShowing.net

Last summer, we reported on auser-generated documentarybeing produced byRidley Scottand YouTubethat would combine footage from people like you all over the world to capture moments and events as they occur on July 24th, 2010. DirectorKevin Macdonald(State of Play,The Last King of Scotland) is behindLife in a Day, the first feature-length, user-generated documentary that will see its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month. While we'll be at the festival to check out the premiere along with some of the lucky users whose footage was chosen for the documentary, you too will have a chance to check out the premiere.

Though 26 of the YouTube users (credited as co-directors of the film) have been invited to the world premiere of the film onJanuary 27that the Sundance Film Festival, people across the world will be able to attend the premiere via alive stream online. If you tune in toyoutube.com/lifeinadayat6pm MT(that's 8pm EST/7pm CST), you'll be able to to see the film before it even hits theaters and other formats later in this year. In addition, festival director John Cooper will moderate a Q&A with Kevin McDonald and the 26 filmmakers (from Ukraine, Egypt and more) invited to the festival. And if you're unable to check out the live stream at that time, you'll get one more chance onJanuary 28th at 7pm(in your local time zone) at thesame link. That stream will also be available to be subtitled in 25 different languages.

Director Kevin Macdonald says,“The process of makingLife In A Dayhas been such an inspiring one for me and my team who helped view and log all4,500 hours of footagewe received. Everyday we felt like we were seeing 20 different possible films as we got insights into so many people’s lives. It is a testament to the skill, insight and generosity of so many contributors that we have ended up with such a powerful, cohesive and emotionally engaging film – which really gives you a flavour of what it was like to be alive on the 24th of July 2010.” I know I'm excited to check outLife in a Dayat Sundance.Will you watch the live streaming premiere?

“The process of makingLife In A Dayhas been such an inspiring one for me and my team who helped view and log all 4,500 hours of footage we received. Everyday we felt like we were seeing 20 different possible films as we got insights into so many people’s lives,” says Macdonald.  “It is a testament to the skill, insight and generosity of so many contributors that we have ended up with such a powerful, cohesive and emotionally engaging film – which really gives you a flavour of what it was like to be alive on 24th July 2010.”

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'Exorcism of Emily Rose'Director Taking on'Goliath'Biblical Tale« FirstShowing.net

We've heard about projects of literally Biblical proportions in the form of adaptations ofThe Bible Codeand a planned 300-like retelling of thestory of Moses, and now another Biblical tale is headed to the big screen.Heat Visionreports directorScott Derrickson, behindThe Exorcism of Emily Roseand the remake ofThe Day the Earth Stood Still, is set to helmGoliath, a period action movie based on thefamiliar taleofDavid vs. Goliath. While the movie is supposed to be set in historical times, it will have a contemporary feel not unlike300with a spirit that apparently embodiesBourne Identity. But, I'm not really sure what that means.

Anyway, our story begins with the warrior Goliath is sent to track down the foretold king of the Israelites as the young shepherd David suddenly finds himself in the middle of an epic chase and adventure that leaves him fighting not just for his own life, but for the very existence of his family and people. Of course the two forces meet in a huge battle as the underdog David is forced to match brawn with Goliath. The script comes from John D. Payne and Patrick McKay who don't seem to have any widely known previous work to their names. Personally, I see this as a film in the same vein asClash of the Titans, and considering Derrickson's re-imagining ofThe Day the Earth Stood Still, I'm hoping he has better skill in the epic arena.Anyone interested?

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Release Date News:'Apollo 18'Held to April,'Warrior'in September« FirstShowing.net

Briefly:A delay? Oh no! Was this planned…? More marketing gimmicks? Who knows…The Playlistreports that The Weinstein Company has moved the release of the upcoming found-footage sci-fi thrillerApollo 18, whichwe've only seen a posterfor, from March 4th toApril 22nd. I was really looking forward to this one, but it's thankfully not much of an extra wait. I wonder when we'll see a trailer for that? Additionally– Gavin O'Connor's new MMA dramaWarriorstarring Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte and Joel Edgerton, thatwe've seen photos from, is now scheduled forSeptember 9th. I'm sure we'll be hearing more from both of these soon!

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Barbra Streisand to Produce, Direct& Star in Adaptation of'Gypsy'« FirstShowing.net

Though she's extremely well known for using her vocal and acting talents on screen, the iconicBarbara Streisandhasn't taken part in a big screen musical sinceYentlin 1983. Now it looks like she's ready to return to the genre in a big way asThe New York Postreports Streisand is negotiating to produce, direct and star in an adaptation of the classic1959 Braodway musicalGypsy. Of course, the role is a bit different than the musical roles that Streisand has taken previously as the story follows Mama Rose,"the ultimate show business mother,"as she raises her two daughters to perform on stage albeit with some psychotic fits of rage every now and then.

Loosely based on the1957 memoirof Rose Lee, the musical paints a fairly pretty picture of show business even if Mama Rose is a bit on the crazy side (in fact the real Rose Lee apparently killed an agent by pushing him out a window). And in case any of you musical aficionados don't think Streisand is too much"like butter"to pull of such a brutal role as Mama Rose, you'll be happy to know 92-year-old Broadway legendArthur Laurents, who wrote the book to the show, has given Streisand his full blessing. Laurentis said:

"Barbra and I have had long talks on this very subject. She had a mother who she always thought was Mama Rose. I don't want to get into the details, but the point is she knows.She's got it in her. She's going to be much more than people expect."

This isn't the first time the Broadway musical has seen a film adaptation since the1962 Marvyn LeRoy directed iterationstarring Rosalind Russell, Natalie Wood and Karl Malden. Considering the only films Ms. Streisand have made in the past decade areMeet the Fockersand the recently releasedLittle Fockers, she has no place to go but up. And considering her high profile status, despite the fact that she hasn't worked in film much over the recent years, her name will definitely reel in quite an impressive musical cast.Anyone interested?

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Gorgeous New Awards Site for 'The Social Network' Relaunched« FirstShowing.net

Ohhh I think we have a winner. I received an email today with a link to Sony's recently re-launched gorgeous awards-focused website for David Fincher'sThe Social Networkthat not only looks great, but contains all kinds of interviews, behind-the-scenes clips, soundtrack samples, profiles, reviews and much more. They're really trying to flaunt this film and make sure it gets that golden statue onFebruary 27thand I really think it has a chance. There is someseriousmomentum behindThe Social Networkand it has the acclaim, as seen right at500millionfriends.com, to go all the way as Best Picture. In the meantime, check out thiswebsite!

The Social Networkis directed by Oscar nominated filmmakerDavid Fincherof many great films likeAlien 3,Se7en,The Game,Fight Club,Panic Room,ZodiacandThe Curious Case of Benjamin Buttonpreviously. The script was written by producer and screenwriterAaron Sorkin, ofA Few Good Men,"The West Wing", andCharlie Wilson's Warpreviously. It is based on Ben Mezrich's novel titledThe Accidental Billionaires, about the founding of Facebook:"A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal."Sony PicturesreleasedThe Social Networkin theaters on October 1st. It's available onDVD/Blu-Ray on January 11th.Should it win?

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Olivia Wilde Joins Cast of Alex Kurtzman's 'Welcome to People'« FirstShowing.net

In addition to staying sexy, the lovelyOlivia Wildeis continuing to expand her growing film resume. She just starred in Disney'sTron Legacy, and even if the reviews on the filmare mixed, Wilde doesn't seem to be the source of much criticism. Therefore I'm pleased withRisky Biz's reportthat Wilde has landed a pivotal role in Alex Kurtzman's family dramaWelcome to People, which will be theStar Trekwriter's directorial debut. The story follows a businessman (Chris Pine) who returns home after his estranged father’s death and discovers that he has an alcoholic sister (Elzabeth Banks) with a 12-year-old son. Wilde will play Pine's girlfriend in the film.

This is just one of many recent project Wilde has taken on. In addition to having a big supporting role in this summer'sCowboys& Aliens, she's also landed roles in the currently untitled sci-fi flick formerly known asI'm.mortaland the comedyChange-Upwith Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman. This probably isn't good news for fans of Wilde's work on Fox's hit medical drama"House M.D.,"but it's definitely good news for anyone who likes seeing the beautiful actress on the big screen. Wilde has yet to show a spectacular amount of range on film, but this surge of upcoming work should allow her to shine.What do you think?

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Rumor: Tim Burton Developing 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Sequel« FirstShowing.net

Though it's a little late, here's a big holiday themed rumor for you to take with a grain of salt (maybe around the ring of a margarita you're having to celebrate New Year's Eve tomorrow). Whilst promoting his new Broadway version of"The Pee-Wee Herman Show,"actorPaul Reubensrevealed nonchalantly thatTim Burtonmight be developing asequelto Christmas/Halloween stop-motion animated favoriteThe Nightmare Before Christmas.Dread Centralasked Reubens if he'd like to collaborate with Burton again in the future. His response was the director's busy slate was preventing that opportunity, and then he dropped the bomb.

Though he mentioned it more as a fleeting idea without any solid information rather than a revelation, it's not entirely out of the question for Reubens to be privy to information like that. In addition to working with Burton onPee-Wee's Big Adventure, few people seem to be remember that Reubens was the voice behind the character Lock inThe Nightmare Before Christmas, one of the mischievous trick-or-treaters employed by Oogie Boogie. Of course, Burton's development is likely in the very early stages since the director has plenty of other projects likeDark ShadowsandMonsterpocalypsein his future.

Assuming that the news is true, I can't say that I'm all that interested in a sequel to a near-perfect modern holiday classic. Would Tim Burton direct this time around (sinceCoralinedirector Henry Selick actually helmed the first film)? Would Jack Skellington wreak havoc on another holiday world? Or could Sandy Claws get kidnapped forcing Jack to put on the red suit to save Christmas and the big man himself? All of these ideas sounds like straight-to-DVD sequels rather than a quality follow-up to the original. As of nowThe Playlistreports Derek Frey, producer and executive at Tim Burton Productions, has already debunked the rumor, so who knows what Reubens was talking about. We'll leave it up to you.Do you want aNightmare Before Christmassequel?

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Sam Jackson, Luke Wilson& Leslie Bibb to Star in 'Meeting Evil'« FirstShowing.net

Though recently he's dabbled in the role of one-eyed hero Nick Fury for Marvel's growing cinemtic universe of comic book adaptations, it looks likeSamuel L. Jacksonwill be doing some very bad things in the near future.Scene Magazinereports (viaThe Wrap) that Jackson and former AT&T spokespersonLuke Wilsonwill star in an adaptation ofThomas Berger's novelMeeting Evil. The story follows a depressed real-estate agent recently fired from his job who crosses paths with a mysterious stranger (Jackson) in need of his help. Before you know it, the duo embarks on a day-long crime spree in a strangely odd symbiotic relationship.

However, the depressed man soon discovers this mysterious stranger has a dark side. The book's synopsis makes the story sound even more peculiar:

Answering his door one morning, solidly middle-class John Felton finds a scruffy-looking man whose car is in need of a push. Responding helpfully despite his misgivings, John sets in motion a nightmarish series of events in which he becomes the unwitting accomplice of Richie Maranville, a psychotic criminal just released from a mental hospital. During their day-long crime spree, the two develop a curiously symbiotic relationship, with John ultimately discovering the dark, irrational side of himself he has long denied. While almost coming to believe Richie's assertion that they are psychic brothers, he makes a decision in the novel's final scene that lifts him forever above the"moral triviality"of his alter ego.

Leslie Bibb(Talladega Nights,Iron Man) will also star as Wilson's wife in the film from director Chris Fisher (S.Darko). This is an interesting assembly of talent, but it's been awhile since either Jackson or Wilson had a really great role. I never got a chance to seeMiddle Menthis year, so I can't say whether Wilson is working on a comeback. As for Jackson, well he's just always working, and while his small role inThe Other Guyswas certainly hilarious, this past decade hasn't been very kind to the actor's career. Sure he's had roles in some of the biggest films of the past ten years, but the roles are nothing compared to his work inThe NegotiatororPulp Fiction. I guess we'll find out if Meeting Evil will spark a little magic for both the lead actors.What do you think?

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