Now it’s time for tasty morsels of Hollywood goodness, culled from the kitchens of many chefs.
Clint Eastwood is set to direct the fourth film version of A STAR IS BORN. The story will be altered from the original in that it will occur in the rock music industry rather than acting. Barbara Streisand’s version had a similar twist. In the lead will be Beyonce. Will Smith and Russell Crowe are both being wooed for the male lead.
Marvel Comics is re-green lighting THE BLACK PANTHER. Originally appearing in the mid-60’s episodes of THE FANTASTIC FOUR, the BLACK PANTHER is considered by many to be the first black superhero. Some make the argument for Todd McFarlane’s SPAWN as the first black superhero, claiming SPAWN is the headliner of his own series, while THE BLACK PANTHER was a special guest star in other hero series. THE BLACK PANTHER was originally scheduled for Big Screen treatment in the 1990’s, with Wesley Snipes set to star. When the project tanked, Snipes moved on to BLADE. Now Marvel is attempting to revive the tale about an African tribal king who gains superpowers. Mark Bailey, who to this point has made documentaries, is helming the project. No word yet on casting.
Eva Longoria Parker, Maria Conchita Alonso, Christian Slater and Camryn Manheim will all star in WITHOUT MEN, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The movie is a women’s lib feast revolving around women who run a small village when all the men are snagged by the army to fight in a civil war. After the war, when the men return, the women refuse to relinquish control of the village. “I am Woman hear me roar” (apologies to Helen Reddy). This one could be on the skip list, unless you’re looking for domestic upheaval. On the other hand, if you had to be woman-dominated, you could do worse than Eva and Maria. The movie will be an indie production and is scheduled for a May release. (Sorry Sam if I scooped you on this one.)
My sources say ONE DAY now has a release date of July 8, 2011. ONE DAY is based on the best seller of the same name and spent a dozen weeks on the New York Times best sellers list for trade paperbacks. The film was shot last fall in England, France and Scotland. It concerns the events of a couple who share a life time of memories on one day each year. Sounds vaguely similar to a Neil Simon play. The film stars Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.
Heat Vision is reporting John Cusack will play Edger Allen Poe in THE RAVEN. The movie is a fictional spin on the macabre author where he has to track down a serial killer who is using his writings as inspiration for murder.
Joseph Fiennes and Eva Green have produced CAMELOT as a TV series. Pilots for the series will be shown at an international forum in April with the hopes of finding a distributor. The series is a joint Irish-Canadian production, said to have high-end production values.
Timothy Hutton, who has been rather comfortable in his latest TV series, will return to the Silver Screen in PYGMALION. Hutton will play an agent sent to Barcelona to track down a serial killer. Look for the evil twin scenario to unfold in the plot.
Johnny Depp and Disney like playing together, so they may just do so again. Robert Downey, Jr. has officially dropped from OZ, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL and Disney is reported to be wooing Depp. The movie is a prequel of sorts to THE WIZARD OF OZ. It details how a small time magician is swept into Oz and wrestles control of the Emerald City from two witches. Borys Kit is reporting Disney wants Depp to play the wizard due to his successful stints in ALICE IN WONDERLAND and THE PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN for the company. Sam Raimi is set to direct.
In the “well that didn’t take long” category, another comic book will be given the comedy treatment, having been inspired by Seth Rogan’s THE GREEN HORNET. Boom! Studios graphic novel 2 GUNS will star Vince Vaughn as part of a DEA team who unwittingly help steal $50 million from the CIA for the mob. Boom! co-founders Andrew Cosby and Ross Richie are helping produce the movie. David O. Russell, hot off his directing of THE FIGHTER, will direct 2 GUNS.
Finally, a personal note: Max Miller is dead. Police suspect Miller is the victim of suicide. He died from a single gun shot to the head. Back in my early days of being a film critic (circa 1976), Max served as one of my mentors. He helped me tremendously with writing reviews, helping set up promotions and networking in the industry. He was found dead the day after the Golden Globe Awards. He will be missed and I offer a final ‘thank you’.
Fiore is Pittsburgh’s longest running film critic. He hosts and produces OUTTAKES WITH FIORE, which has garnered numerous broadcasting awards. He remembers fondly working with Max Miller in his early newspaper days and forwarding a plethora of tear sheets.
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