Public Enemies - What Did You Think?
Mad Max Four To Be Animated, 3D And Free Of Mel Gibson
Posted on Thursday, March 5th, 2009 by Brendon Connelly
The last full throttle attempt to mount a live-action Mad Max IV stalled in 2003. Pretty much every year since then Mel Gibson has done something - either professionally or, not to put too fine a point on it, unprofessionally - to convince me the film would never get made. Turns out I was wrong. George Miller has plans to get the film underway again, and this time he won’t be inviting the star of the initial trilogy along for the thrill ride.
Speaking to MTV, Miller has revealed parallel films for an animated Mad Max IV and tie-in video game based on the same basic storyline. The film is to be animated in full-on stereoscopic 3D, and the game is being devised in collaboration with Cory Barlog, game director of God of War 2.
Update: George Miller Still Attached to Justice League
Posted on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
Update: Apparently Dark Horizon’s scooper was inaccurate. George Miller is still officially attached to a Justice League movie (which doesn’t necessarily mean that Warner Bros is going to make one any time soon) and did not appear on a Sydney morning show earlier this week.
While making an appearance on a Sydney morning show, director George Miller has confirmed that he is no longer involved with Warner Bros’ Justice League movie in any capacity. If you remember, Warners had been trying to retool the concept with Miller still at the helm. Well, not anymore. According to Dark Horizons, the Aussie filmmaker said that the studio wants “bigger stars in their superhero movies now.”
Yeah, and I’m sure the online backlash to their Justice League 90210 concept had nothing to do with this big realization? Or maybe it was the success of Marvel’s recent films? Either way, I’m kinda glad that Miller is no longer involved. He’s a great director but I never saw him as the right guy to tackle superhero material.
Discuss: Who should direct a big screen Justice League movie?
Happy Feet 2 in Production? Babe 3, Mad Max 4 and Justice League in Pre Production?
Posted on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
Last we head, a big screen adaptation of Justice League might not be as dead as we first believed. /Film reader Alex Litel stumbled across the website for Dr. D Studios, a Australian-based “digital media company” formed by Omnilab Media Group and filmmaker George Miller. The website not only lists Happy Feet 2 as being “In Production” and Babe 3, Fury Road and Justice League of America being in “Pre-Production”. The company is actually at the Siggraph conference this week “actively hiring” for “several large scale film projects with a growing team of top talent from Australia and beyond.” The following quote also appears in a press release for the company’s Siggraph booth:
“We are currently working on Happy Feet 2, with several other film projects to follow and we are actively hiring,” states a press release.
Also, hidden in a press release from May is the following: “Omnilab Media has also created a new digital film company with Kennedy Miller Mitchell to use groundbreaking digital storytelling, animation and visual effects. This will include HAPPY FEET 2, BABE 3 & MAD MAX 4 and a range of other blue-chip properties in development.” That’s right, Mad Max 4! Alex also discovered the resume of Ken Steel, who is currently working as a lead animator for Miller’s company:
“Responsibilities include, working as part of a small creative team designed to aid George Miller in defining a creative direction for current and future productions such as Justice League of America, Happy Feet 2, Babe 3, and Mad Max 4.”
From all of the information gathered from a few google searches, it appears that Happy Feet 2 is a definite, and Miller is exploring sequels from some of his other franchises. One must wonder how far along in development Mad Max 4 or Babe 3 might be. And Justice League… I don’t want to wonder.
Green Lantern Movie on Fast Track? Justice League Back in Development?
Posted on Monday, August 4th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
Production Weekly’s current issue has updated Warner Bros’ adaptation of DC Comic’s The Green Lantern as being in active development:
STATUS - Development
PRODUCER: Donald De Line - Andrew Haas WRITER: Greg Berlanti - Marc Guggenheim - Michael J Green
DC COMICS 1700 Broadway New York, NY 10019
WARNER BROS. PICTURES 4000 Warner Blvd. Burbank, CA 91522-0001
Each sector of space is protected by a Green Lantern, possessing a power ring that uses a powerful green energy to do anything within the limits of the user’s imagination and will power. When the Green Lantern assigned to this sector of space finds himself dying on planet Earth, he tells the ring to find a suitable successor. The chosen replacement, hot-shot test pilot Hal Jordan, finds himself with a new job he never expected.
No director is mentioned in the above update, although Greg Berlanti (Everwood, Eli Stone) was attached to the project last year.
Common
I also noticed that rapper-turned-actor Common told Entertainment Weekly at Comic Con that if he had to dress up for the convention, he would be dressed as The Green Lantern. Common, of course, was originally signed on to play Lantern in the now defunct Justice League movie. Could this just be an inside joke to fans in the know or could Common still be in line to play the character in a stand alone big screen film? The plot synopsis from production weekly lists Hal Jordan and not John Stewart as the wearer of the ring, which if accurate, would probably mean Common won’t be starring in this film.
Justice League
Also, about that Justice League movie… Unfortunately, I’m hearing it might be back on. Seems like after the success of Marvel Entertainment’s Iron Man, DC is hot to get some projects on the fast track. I haven’t been able to confirm this with a second source, but it looks like the project might not be as dead as everyone first believed. And if so, is George Miller still in line to helm the project or did Warner Bros reach out to another SUPER director? I just wish this project would die the death it deserves. Either that or get a director to completely overhaul everything, because right now it smells like bad goods.
Crazy Rumor: Hayden Christensen to Star as Superman in George Miller’s Justice League Mortal
Posted on Saturday, March 29th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
If true, thank booze. Cinema Blend says they received an email from a reader who spotted future Flash Adam Brody at a bar in British Columbia. What a tip, eh? There’s more though. Brody, who was allegedly boozing it up with director George Miller, went on to rundown the cast for the newly/oddly titled Justice League Mortal. All of the names for the superhero team were the same names being reported in the press, with one exception: the reader says Brody told her that Jumper’s Hayden Christensen is now Superman. And then Brody apparently signed her napkin.
Bogus? Perhaps. Now, the role is rumored to be filled by relative unknown D.J. Corona, and prior to that, Scott Porter (Music and Lyrics) was also tipped. Maybe the Blend should request a photo of the napkin (”Dude, that’s Brody’s lightning bolt!”). As the site points out, is the JLM cast currently bar hopping up there for the helluva it? But Christensen would also make sense for the troubled Warner Bros. production, which is apparently scouting locations in Canada after being leaving Australia over a tax rebate disagreement. A more recognizable name would draw attention away from the damp buzz. More on this as it develops. And yeah, I agree, Christensen is not an ideal Supes.
Discuss: Have you ever run into Adam Brody at a bar? Hayden Christensen did a good nerd journo in Shattered Glass, but he also put many to sleep (permanently?) in those prequels. Thoughts? Is Justice League Mortal a silly title? Should they just go ahead and add Kombat? Have any of our Canadian readers seen Brody recently?
George Miller’s Justice League of America Booted Out of Australia? Film Again in Jeopardy?
Posted on Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
After countless delays (to some fanboys’ enjoyment), the Justice League of America 2009 tent pole from Australian director George Miller has hit another snag, a major one that has been months in the making. The production was just refused a tax rebate vital to filming down under by the Australian government. Miller is right angry…
“A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Australian film industry is being frittered away because of very lazy thinking,” Miller told The Sydney Morning Herald. “If that’s going to be the final decision, they’re throwing away hundreds of millions of dollars of investment that the rest of the world is competing for and, much more significantly, highly skilled creative jobs. …It feels to me like I’m not fighting for this film. I’m fighting for the Australian film industry.”
The tax rebate was turned down because the powers that be think the film will be seen as All-American and not Australian upon release. What does this mean for the D.C. Comics dream team currently starring Megan Gale, Adam Brody and other unproven, fresh faces? Over at Action-Figure.com, a writer speculates that the suits want to move the film to Canada now, and goes so far to say that sources have told him Miller, who was key to getting the rebate, may be replaced along with the entire generally C-list cast. Wishful thinking or is Warner Bros. simply over it?
Warner Bros tried hard to push a movie based on the Justice League of America into production before the writers strike. But they couldn’t get all their ducks in a row, and the project was put on an indefinite hold. The names of most of the young cast had been leaked onto the interwebs, with not many fans happy with the choices. And now that the strike is over, Warner has announced that they are pushing forward with plans for a 2009 release.
The contract options of the cast members were not exercised, but the young cast was assured by the studio that they want to make the film with them in it. You can see a full list of the rumored cast below. George Miller is still attached to direct and is in pre-production on the film in Australia. First-time husband and wife screenwriters Michele and Kieran Mulroney are currently polishing up the script.
- Adam Brody - The Flash
- Common - Green Lantern
- Armie Hammer Jr. - Batman
- Megan Gale - Wonder Woman
- D.J. Cotrona - Superman (rumored)
- Hugh Keays-Byrne - Martian Manhunter (rumored)
- Teresa Palmer - Talia Al Ghul (rumored)
I don’t know about you guys, but I was hoping that this project would fall off the map into development hell, later to be reborn with a new non-teen titans vision.
Discuss: Are you still interested in seeing George Miller’s Justice League?
source: Variety
Justice League: Who Will Be Cast as Wonder Woman?
Posted on Thursday, October 18th, 2007 by Peter Sciretta
Casting is in full effect on the Justice League movie, and while no names are yet attached, we are getting a better idea of the actors who are trying out for the roles. And everyone seems to want to know what actress will be playing Wonder Woman. Let’s take a look at the new hopefuls:
Australian actress Victoria Hill (December Boys) supposedly did a screen test audition in September.
MTV reports that 26-year-old singer/actrsss Christina Milian wants the role. Although, I’m sure her ethnicity might prevent her from winning the role of the Amazon. Wonder Woman is also known for her curvaceous long legs. The modern day character is 6′3″ while the older version was much shorter (5′11″ was “amazonian” height for a woman in the 1960’s). Millian stands at a very short 5′ 2”.
Cinematical has learned that Shannyn Sossamon (A Knight’s Tale, One Missed Call) has auditioned for the role, after blowing away the Mulroneys in a Princess Di casting session. Sossamon is 29-years old and 5′ 9”, a little closer in height, but still much shorter than the traditional character.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Final Destination 3, Live Free or Die Hard) and Teresa Palmer (December Boys) both auditioned for Miller earlier this week during the marathon casting sessions in Hollywood. Age 21 years of age, Palmer is the youngest of the bunch. Her publicity materials list her as 5′ 5¾”. Winstead stands 5′ 8” and is also young (22 years old).
The Past: Both Jessica Biel and Katie Holmes have been rumored, but are no longer in contention for the role.
Apparently they are looking for an actress aged 21-29, and anywhere from 5′ 2” to 5′ 9” in height. So chances are that we’ll be getting a younger/shorter Wonder Woman.So who would you cast as Wonder Woman?
George Miller Casts Justice League of America
Posted on Monday, October 15th, 2007 by Peter Sciretta
After months of rumors, George Miller is currently hard at work casting Justice League of America. Miller has been in Los Angeles since Saturday, auditioning a lot of young actors in a marathon casting session that started Sunday and continues through Monday. And by young actors, I mean YOUNG ACTORS. This is starting to look more like a Teen Titans movie.
Apparently, Miller wants actors who will be able to grow into their roles over the course of several movies. Did you read that? SEVERAL MOVIES. Until now it has been highly reported that Warner Bros wanted to use this team-up film as a launching pad for eventual single super-hero franchises. It appears that might be the long term plans, but Miller is looking to do more than one JLA movie.
According to Hollywood Reporter, 35 to 40 actors are set to test for Justice League, including: Adam Brody (The O.C.), Joseph Cross (Running With Scissors), D.J. Cotrona (Windfall), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Grindhouse), Michael Angarano (Sky High), Teresa Palmer (Wolf Creek), Max Thieriot (Jumper), rapper Common, Friday Night Lights stars Minka Kelly, Adrianne Palicki and Scott Porter. According to the report, the test included no costumes, and script pages.
Miller should be making some tough decisions by mid-week, which means we’ll be finding out the casting of f Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter probably by month’s end.
David Slade Was Hired to Direct Justice League of America?!
Posted on Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 by Peter Sciretta
Did You Know: Hard Candy director David Slade (30 Days of Night) was actually originally hired to helm the Justice League of America movie (to be titled “Justice League“)?
According to IESB, Slade was on board with the project for three full weeks, complete with production office, before Warner Bros started to become scared by the ever ballooning budget. Apparently when the budget grew to over $160 million, studio executives decided that it would be better to go with a more experienced director. That is when George Miller was brought on to replace Slade.
It would have been more interesting with Slade attached, but Miller is also a equally good choice. I’m interested to see what David did with 30 Days of Night, as like many, I was very impressed with Hard Candy when I saw it at it’s midnight premiere at Sundance 2005.
Victoria Hill auditions as Wonder Woman for JLA Movie
Posted on Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 by Peter Sciretta
Australian actress Victoria Hill is one of the who knows how many contenders for the role of Wonder Woman in the upcoming Warner Bros The Justice League of America live action film. Hill supposedly did a screen test audition for the role in George Miller’s upcoming DC Comics adaptation.
Hill played Lady MacBeth in the 2006 Geoffrey Wright adaptation, and was most recently seen in the indie adaptation of December Boys. Others might remember Hill from her two episode stint as Waltraute on Xena: Warrior Princess.
credit: moviehole
Finally Confirmed: George Miller to Direct Justice League of America
Posted on Thursday, September 20th, 2007 by Peter Sciretta
Variety has finally confirmed that George Miller (Happy Feet) will direct a big screen adaptation of The Justice League of America.
Yeah, we know, this news leaked onto the internet on August 1st, but the trade papers are slow, and Warner Bros took a while to make an official announcement. Justice League will likely feature the characters of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash and Aquaman. Brandon Routh and Christian Bale will most likely not be involved in this project. The studio is said to be in the preliminary stages of the casting process. They better get going if they hope to start before the strike early next year.
Variety also confirmed the rumors from IESB that the studio had explored making the film using computer generated animation, but the final decision was made to do a “special effects driven live action” movie.
The movie will go into production before the strike, and will target theaters for a 2009 rlease. So yes again, Variety has piggybacked on all the detective work that was done by the movie news website community. And Peter Bart sits in a corner smugly insulting bloggers.
The project was first announced in February 2007. Kiernan and Michele Mulroney were hired to write a big screen Justice League of America movie.
The JLA first appeared in February 1960. The original line-up consists of: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter. But the team has gown to also include Green Arrow, Atom, Hawkman, Black Canary, Captain Marvel, Plastic Man, Zatanna and others. The Jusice League spawned several cartoon television series, including the cult 1960-70’s Super Friends. Justice League Unlimited is currently aired on the Cartoon Network.
