The first story details from Columbia Pictures’ big screen adaptation of The Smurfs has leaked on SpoilerTV in the form of a casting call. The film, which is a CGI/live action hybrid, is being helmed by Raja Gosnell (Scooby Doo and Beverly Hills Chihuahua).
Universal Pictures has a couple more minor release date changes, including a new date for the Forgetting Sarah Marshall spin-off, Get Him to the Greek. The story, written and directed by Nicolas Stoller, follows a fresh-out-of-college record company intern named Aaron Greenberg (Jonah Hill) who is assigned by his angry record company boss Sergio (Sean “P-Diddy” Combs)to transport an out-of-control rock star named Aldous Snow (Russell Brand, reprising his role from Sarah Marshall) from London to a gig at Los Angeles’ famous Greek Theater. The film was scheduled to hit theaters on June 11th 2010, but will now be released nationwide on June 4th 2010.
Back in November, we told you that Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo would be reprising their roles as Clark and Ellen Griswold from the National Lampoon’s Vacation movies, but not for another big screen sequel (not yet, at least…). The Griswolds reunited instead for an advertising campaign for HomeAway launched during the 2010 Super Bowl. The television spot advertised a new Vacation “mini-movie” titled Hotel Hell Vacation, featuring Chase, D’Angelo, and an exact replica of the film’s iconic Wagon Queen Family Truckster. Here is the official plot synopsis:
Ride along as The Griswolds hit the road again. This time theyre on their way to see Rusty at his vacation rental. They stop at a hotel and typical Griswold madness ensues.
The 14 minute short film is now online, and embedded after the jump.
Posted on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 by Peter Sciretta
In an article in the Sunday Mail, Bill Murray has confirmed that he will be appearing in Ghostbusters 3. He also revealed some spoiler-ish details of what he will be doing in the third installment of the sci-fi comedy franchise. You can read those details, after the jump. You have been warned.
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Posted on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 by Hunter Stephenson
It’s a crazy, mixed up world and we are thankful for movies, excluding The Tooth Fairy starring The Rock, that offer proof. /Film’s Weekend Weirdness examines such flicks, whether in the form of a new trailer for a provocative indie, a mini review or…”what do you mean Merlin wasn’t real?!“ Attention hosers: it’s the return of FUBAR! And much more after the jump in this double-deep installment…
Posted on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 by Hunter Stephenson
It’s a crazy, mixed up world and we are thankful for movies, excluding The Tooth Fairy starring The Rock, that offer proof. /Film’s Weekend Weirdness examines such flicks, whether in the form of a new trailer for a provocative indie, a mini review, or an interview.
It’s rare when the marketing campaign for an indie movie has a celebratory feel, clearly organized by a team as psyched on the feature as they hope the recipient will be. Soon after learning of Black Dynamite last year, several packages arrived at my home/office in correlation with its theatrical release. They contained quality tees—one read “Fight Smack In The Orphanage” in bold-ass white-on-black CAPS—along with a high concept soundtrack and a media kit ribboned and accented with a syringe pen. For months thereafter, director and co-writer Scott Sanders seemed to personally and tirelessly push Dynamite to every white sucka on Internet Geek Street. It was admirable, considering that his second feature film was indeed a pretty fun, meticulously designed hat tip to the Afro-Fu era of Dolemite.
The film is also a stable showcase for Sanders’s pal Michael Jai White (Spawn, The Dark Knight) to launch a renewed case for chiseled action stardom, and a welcome invite for underseen talents like Tommy Davidson and Arsenio Hall to get retarded. Oh, and if you ever wondered about the true origin of chicken and waffles? That’s in there too. During an absurd week that saw oversensitive Twitterers erupt over the existence of soul food, what better film and DVD to welcome Black History Month? Slashfilm’s Weekend Weirdness asked Sanders a few questions about Dynamite’s future as a CIA agent-cum-VietNam veteran-cum-inner city exterminator of “jive ass” dummies. (Note: NSFW movie stills after the jump.)
I’m a huge fan of Kevin Smith, and have loved every movie he’s released thus far (yes, even Jersey Girl). But the first trailer for his new film, a buddy cop comedy which he didn’t write, Cop Out, had me worried. I’ve read the script, and thought it was mildly entertaining, and I was hoping that Smith would elevate it to something more. The first trailer had me disappointed, and I wasn’t the only one. The only person I’ve talked to that was excited about the trailer was Alex from FirstShowing, and that’s not a joke at his expense, that just happens to be the truth. It just didn’t feel like a Kevin Smith film, but maybe that’s the point?
Kevin Smith’s red band internet-only movie trailers are notoriously better than the green band counterparts. So when I was informed that the red band trailer for Cop Out was available on MySpace, I was excited and nervous. Could this cut of the trailer do what the previous version failed to do? Or is the the dud that some people feat it will be?
Okay, so it isn’t a home run. It didn’t hit it out of the park. It is no Last Airbender Superbowl tv spot. But this trailer was enough to restore my faith in the film. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Watch the trailer after the jump and leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Posted on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 by Hunter Stephenson
Now that Danny McBride and Jody Hill ostensibly have the keys to the kingdom by way of their new production company, Rough House Pictures, the world of comedy better watch its stagnant ass. Hill is attached to direct, and McBride to star as a “beaten down, hardboiled private investigator,” in a new action-comedy called L.A.P.I. Their pal and fellow North Carolina School of the Arts alum, David Gordon Green, who co-founded the company with them last year, will co-produce.
What’s intriguing is that unlike their previous collaborations The Foot Fist Way, HBO’s Eastbound & Down, and Observe & Report, the idea and pitch for L.A.P.I. originates outside the crew’s creative circle, from screenwriter team Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan. The duo have two other buzzing projects in development: a comedy entitled Comic Con (one of two scripts by these guys on the 2009 Black List) and a remake of Brewster’s Millions. McBride and Hill are pretty damn selective about material, so I can’t wait to hear more and see what appealed to them. Read the official press release and additional /Film thoughts after the jump. Or just go celebrate in your backyard by waving around a machete and leaving uncool magical trails…
Posted on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 by Russ Fischer
McG’s next film may be his first romantic comedy; the director is in talks to direct a film called This Means War for Fox. We’ve reported on this project very briefly before, but had very little info at the time. McG’s talks suggest that Fox is really pushing the film forward. As we last mentioned, Reese Witherspoon and Bradley Cooper are currently attached, but none of the three are signed. Variety stresses that McG hasn’t yet made a deal.
THR offers a few more plot details, noting that it is a “tale of two best friends, inseparable since childhood, who fall in love with the same woman (Witherspoon). The two men’s bond disintegrates and their ensuing battle escalates to mammoth proportions, with New York City demolished in their wake.”
Fox has had this one for a long time; it was originally intended as a Martin Lawrence film, and a number of directors have been attached over the years. More than anything else, this is probably good news for people who want McG occupied so he can’t become involved with other projects of note.
Posted on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 by Brendon Connelly
Simon Pegg has Tweeted a link to the extended cast list for John Landis‘ Burke and Hare on IMDB. He indicated just one mistake on the roster - John Cleese will not be appearing - but called the rest of it “pretty spot on”. Not only does this mean that Spaced’s Tim and Daisy, Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes, will be reunited, but also that several other alumni of their sitcom will be cropping up, namely Michael Smiley, Bill Bailey and Reece Shearsmith. And then, not noted by Pegg in particular, there are also roles for some of my faves: Hugh Bonneville, John Woodvine and Ronnie Corbett. Superbness.
I’d previously wondered if Margaret Laird would be given space in the film’s narrative, and so far she’s not shown up on the list. Pegg does promise more surprises, however…
UPDATE: And now I’ve received an official press release to announce the start of production which lists both Tim Curry and Christopher Lee as being amongst the cast. it just keeps getting better and better.
One small mystery was put to rest as Paul Davis’ cameo was revealed to be as a patient, presumably of Dr. Knox.
Incidentally, the image at the top of the post shows the death masks of the real Burke and Hare.
