Public Enemies - What Did You Think?
Mystery Team, Richard Kelly, Ninjas and More Invade Comic-Con 2009
Posted on Sunday, June 14th, 2009 by Peter Sciretta
As Comic Con approaches, we’ll be learning more and more about what we can expect at this year’s geek fest.
First up, I’ve learned that Derrick Comedy’s Mystery Team will not only have a booth on the convention floor, but will be holding a panel and a special sneak preview screening at the con. No word on the exact dates. Writers/stars Dominic Dierkes, Donald Glover, and DC Pierson, producer Meggie McFadden, and director/editor Dan Eckman will be on hand at the panel debuting an all-new Mystery Team short film. On the convention floor:
Come bust kid criminals with Oakdale’s best eighteen-year-old kid detectives the Mystery Team in their storefront slash crime lab. Meet the filmmakers, take pictures with actual setpieces, and submit a mystery of your own for solving.
Next up, Donnie Darko/Southland Tales director Richard Kelly says he will be making an appearance at the con to promote his upcoming sci-fi thriller The Box, starring Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and Frank Langella. The panel will take place on Friday, July 24th as part of the Warner Bros presentation. Cameron, James and Richard will be in attendance to present a first look at the trailer and “other cool stuff.”
More after the jump.
Courtesy of Boing Boing there’s a new video online that showcases some behind the scenes Ninja Assassin footage, cut with an interview with John Gaeta, the film’s FX head honcho. Some picture-in-picture footage is shown and while it appears implicit that this comes from the finished film, I’m not convinced. The post work on display in these boxed-in clips isn’t particularly tasteful and some might even consider it tacky. Check it out for yourself because the video has been embedded after the break.
Ninja Assassin, for those of you with other things on your mind, comes from within arms reach of the Wachowskis. Gaeta was the Matrix bullet time co-ordinator, director James McTeague previously made V For Vendetta, and the film’s ninja assassin Raizo is played by Rain, the Korean pop star that appeared in Speed Racer. Throw in Sylvester Stallone and Gina Gershon and we’d have covered everything, I think.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice Goes Head To Head With Christopher Nolan’s Inception
Posted on Thursday, March 19th, 2009 by Peter Sciretta
Walt Disney Pictures has announced a July 16th 2010 release for the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced Jon Turteltaub-directed family adventure film The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Marvel recently moved Thor out of the weekend, but now the Mouse House production will go head to head with Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi action film Inception. Disney has two other event films scheduled for Summer 2010: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time hits theaters on May 28th and Toy Story 3 will be released on July 18th.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros has set The Wachowski Brothers-produced James McTeigue-directed Ninja Assassin on November 25th 2009, up from a TBA 2010. Richard Kelly’s sci-fi thriller The Box has been moved from November to Halloween weekend, up against Youth in Revolt, and a week after Saw VI.
source: Variety
Public Enemies Poster and Trailer Sneak Preview; Ninja Assassin Trailer on Friday Too?
Posted on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 by Peter Sciretta
Universal Pictures has released the first movie poster for Michael Mann’s Public Enemies on MSN. Some people are comparing the poster to The Dark Knight Joker banner. The trailer will hit theaters on Friday, along with the teaser trailer for The Wachowski Brothers-produced Ninja Assassin. After the jump you can watch the Entertainment Tonight advertisement featuring a brief preview of the trailer which will be on tonight’s show. I’ve heard that the Public Enemies trailer will be online either Wednesday or Thursday.
Bad Ass Ninja Assassin Fight Choreography Video
Posted on Sunday, January 4th, 2009 by Peter Sciretta
/Film reader Christopher M scored this bad ass fight choreography/stunt training video showing some of the work of 87 Eleven (the stunt team that worked on 300, Watchmen, Matrix and Bourne films) on The Wachowski Brothers-produced, James McTeigue-directed Ninja Assassin. Check it out after the jump.
/Film reader Jacob sent over this footage from The Wachowski Brothers’ Ninja Assassin.
Well, those expecting a kid-friendly cameo from the likes of Chim-Chim in the Wachowski-supervised Ninja Assassin can begin sobbing. JoBlo got its digital mitts on two new photos—one extra bloody—from the martial arts actioner from director James McTeigue (V For Vendetta). Seen here is the Michael Jackson of Korean pop (or so I’m told over and over), Rain, who stars as the lead in the film, a renegade ninja looking to slash it up against his former clan and avenge the death of a friend. I was expecting less carnage from this picture, but Rain looks like he’s ready to challenge Tong Po from Kickboxer ‘89 to a death match. The film opens Jan ‘09.
Discuss: Ninjas. Also, Ninja Assassin: what are your expectations?
German Rumor: Keanu Reeves Teaming with Wachowski Brothers For Plastic Man?
Posted on Monday, July 14th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
So, for the record, we pay no mind to Script Girl’s buxom scoops, but if a rumor allegedly originates via radio in Berlin, we’ll throw out a “might be true” lasso. Nurse Ratched, are you there? However, the following equation: Keanu Reeves + Wachowski Brothers + Plastic Man has a probable ring to it. Back in the ’90s, the Wachowskis wrote a script based on Plastic Man, the “golden age” comic book character (and later fringe Justice League member) and shopped it around town. You can read their old draft here. Post-Matrix, the brothers have harbored the project as a viable option. Now, a tipster tells CHUD that their producer pal, Joel Silver, gave an update on German radio…
“[The tipster] claims that Silver says that Keanu Reeves will be playing Eels O’Brien (the real name of Plastic Man). Apparently this is the start of a new love period between Reeves and the Wachowskis, as Silver (via tipster) said that the brothers want to work with him on all their future projects.”
With their protege, James McTeigue, helming Ninja Assassin (which Silver was discussing apparently), Larry and Andy Wachowski haven’t chosen a project to follow-up Speed Racer, one of this summer’s rare belly flops. Obviously, a superhero film with Reeves would be a safe bet in today’s marketplace…albeit one centered on an eccentric character with lower pop culture visibility than Ant-Man?
Plastic Man originated in the ’40s. He was but a mortal goon until chemicals leaked into a bullet wound and enabled his body to stretch like rubber. Via Wikipedia…
“Plastic Man can stretch his limbs and body to superhuman shapes, lengths and sizes, with flexibility and coordination extraordinarily beyond the natural limits of the human body. He can become entirely flat so that he can slip under a door, use his fingers to pick conventional locks, pose as inanimate objects such as vehicles or pieces of furniture, and disguise himself by changing the shape of his face. There is no known limit to how far he can stretch his body.
Also…
“He once disguised himself as Batman’s utility belt.”
Well then, I think it’s safe to say that Plastic Man’s fate hangs on the success of The Dark Knight. So, remember, Plastic Man is counting on you this weekend. Until then, if this rumor develops or gets vaporized, we’ll update accordingly.
Discuss: Keanu Reeves and The Wachowskis and Plastic Man. Would you see it? Also, please explain how Plastic Man’s powers differ from Mr. Fantastic/Reed Richards (shoddy franchise films don’t count yet)? He’s more sardonic?
Warner Bros has unveiled their Comic-Con 2008 line-up:
Thursday, July 24th:
Dark Castle Presentation: Rocknrolla, Ninja Assassin, The Hills Run Red, Ferryman (comic book)
6:00pm – 7:00pm in Hall H
Expected Talent: Joel Silver (producer) and Susan Downey (producer)
- Rocknrolla: Guy Ritchie (director & writer), Chris Bridges, Jeremy Piven (tbd) additional cast tba,
- Ninja Assassin: James McTeigue (director), Ji Hoon Jung (“Rain”) and Naomie Harris
- The Hills Run Red: Sophie Monk and Tad Hildenbrink
- Ferryman: Marc Andreyko (“Ferryman” writer) and Jonathan Wayshak (“Ferryman” artist)
Friday, July 25th:
Watchmen
11:55am – 1:00pm in HALL H
Expected Talent: Zack Snyder (director) and Cast (tba)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
4:00pm – 5:00pm in Hall H
Expected Talent: Dave Filoni (director) and Catherine Winder (producer)
Saturday, July 26th:
Terminator Salvation
1:15pm – 2:15pm in Hall H
Expected Talent: McG (director) and Cast (tba)
Sunday, July 27th:
Friday the 13th Remake
1:00pm – 1:30pm in Room 20
Expected Talent: Jared Padalecki, Derek Meaks, Brad Fuller, Andrew Form (producers)
German newspaper BILD has run a set photo from James McTeigue’s Ninja Assassin, which shows the front end of a car with who knows how many Ninja stars sticking through the hood. One can only imagine what kind of sequence The Wachowski Brothers have come up with that has resulted in this kind of car damage. Thanks to Christopher M for sending the photos along. The photo appears to be a month old, so I apologize to anyone who may have already seen it (I had not, so I decided to share).
Ninja Assassin stars stars Korean pop star Rain (Speed Racer) as Raizo, one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them… and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge.
In Berlin, Europol agent Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris) has stumbled upon a money trail linking several political murders to an underground network of untraceable assassins from the Far East. Defying the orders of her superior, Ryan Maslow (Ben Miles), Mika digs into top secret agency files to learn the truth behind the murders. Her investigation makes her a target, and the Ozunu Clan sends a team of killers, led by the lethal Takeshi (Rick Yune), to silence her forever. Raizo saves Mika from her attackers, but he knows that the Clan will not rest until they are both eliminated. Now, entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse through the streets of Europe, Raizo and Mika must trust one another if they hope to survive… and finally bring down the elusive Ozunu Clan. The film also stars legendary martial arts performer Sho Kosugi (Revenge of the Ninja) as the ruthless leader of the Ozunu Clan.
Images Removed at Warner Bros Request
/Film reader Christopher M sent over four photos from James McTeigue’s Ninja Assassin, which is being produced by The Wachowski Brothers. You might also want to head over to IESB, because they have some details about the opening sequence of the film.
Warner Bros has released new details on The Wachowski Brothers-produced Ninja Assassin. As you probably already know, Ninja Assassin is directed by James McTeigue (V For Vendetta) from a screenplay by Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski. The film stars stars Korean pop star Rain (Speed Racer) as Raizo, one of the deadliest assassins in the world.
“Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them… and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge.
In Berlin, Europol agent Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris) has stumbled upon a money trail linking several political murders to an underground network of untraceable assassins from the Far East. Defying the orders of her superior, Ryan Maslow (Ben Miles), Mika digs into top secret agency files to learn the truth behind the murders. Her investigation makes her a target, and the Ozunu Clan sends a team of killers, led by the lethal Takeshi (Rick Yune), to silence her forever. Raizo saves Mika from her attackers, but he knows that the Clan will not rest until they are both eliminated. Now, entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse through the streets of Europe, Raizo and Mika must trust one another if they hope to survive… and finally bring down the elusive Ozunu Clan.”
The film also stars legendary martial arts performer Sho Kosugi (Revenge of the Ninja) as the ruthless leader of the Ozunu Clan. Sounds like it could be a very cool Ninja action film. I was really impressed with McTeigue’s V for Vendetta, but The Invasion was a disaster, although I’m not sure McTeigue can really be blamed for not being able to fix the mess that was handed to him.
he behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Karl Walter Lindenlaub (Independence Day, Prince Caspian), production designer Graham “Grace” Walker (Pitch Black, Gothika), costume designer Carlo Poggioli (Cold Mountain) and editor Giancarlo Ganziano. The Wachowski brothers’ longtime stunt coordinators Chad Stahelski and David Leitch are also on board as second unit co-directors. Joel Silver, Grant Hill, Larry Wachowski and Andy Wachowski are producing, with Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and William Fay serving as executive producers.
Principal photography has started at Babelsberg Studios and on location in various parts of Berlin.
