You read that right Judd Apatow, the ubiquitous producer of film comedy, has found a new comedy film to produce, one featuring the creations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. And although this isn't the first time Holmes and life-long companion Dr. Watson have been played for laughs (Doyle himself wrote several short story spoofs, and in cinema one can check out Without a Clue, starring Michael Caine and Ben Kinglsey, a movie I myself may have to rent.), it will be the first time they've been portrayed by the likes of Sacha Baron Cohen (Holmes) and Will Ferrell (Watson).

Personally I think this premise alone, with these two will be hilarious, but some of youwill probably want to wait and hear the premise, which we don't have details of right now. What we do know is that it's been written by Etan Cohen who wrote the upcoming Ben Stiller comedy, Tropic Thunder, which looks hysterical.

Hopefully more details of this will continue to surface. But it seems like Apatow is really starting to stretch out past the movies he's done so far like The 40-Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, as he's got this on the line as well as his next directorial release, Funny People, about a group of stand-up comedians including Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen (Of Course), and Eric Bana. Bana (who American audiences know from Black Hawk Down, Hulk, Troy, and Munich) might seem like a strange choice for a comedy but he began his career as a comedian in his native Australia.

So what do you think of a comedic take on Sherlock Holmes with Baron Cohen and Ferrell in the lead roles?

Labels: Casting, Judd Apatow, sherlock holmes

That's the question on a lot of minds now that Variety has announced that Matthew Fox is in talks to play Billy Smoke for Warner Bros. Well the answer lies in, what else, a comic book. But the reason you wouldn't recognize the name is the comic hasn't even hit stands yet.

In what is quickly becoming a trend Warner has snapped up the rights to a series that has yet to publish a single issue, in fact the first issue won't his shelves until sometime next year.

Billy Smoke comes from the mind of B. Clay Moore, co-creator of Image Comic's Battle Hymn and Oni Press' Leading Man. Smoke is an assassin who has a life altering near death experience while on an assignment. Afterwards Smoke comes to the conclusion that the only way to redeem himself is to rid the world of all assassins.

This sounds like it has the potential to be a pretty awesome action movie. I really like Fox and it would be nice to see him in a big action spectacle. I think I can already smell the popcorn.

Labels: Casting, Deals

Robert Zemeckis has directed some really great films over the years, but recently he's taken to only making motion capture films, and has gone on record stating he will never make a film without motion capture again.

Currently Zemeckis is currently wrapping up his next motion capture extravaganza, an adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Months and months ago it was announced that Jim Carrey would be appearing in the film as Ebenezzer Scrooge, with rumors of Bob Hoskins involvement, and cameos from BTTF alum Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Then it was announced that Carrey would be playing the 3 ghosts of Christmas on top of Scrooge.

Rumors have swirled that Carey Elwes was involved in some way with talks that he was both playing several characters and that he was only standing in for Carrey in some scenes.

Now it's been announced that Oldman (who joined the cast back in November) would be playing the main characters left over by Carrey, namely Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and Marley.

So basically it's become a two-man play. What this means for the involvement of Fox, Lloyd, Hoskins, and Elwes is not clear. Either way the movie sounds like another interesting undertaking from Zemeckis. I guess we'll just have to wait until November 6th of next year, when the film is scheduled to open.

Labels: Casting

First off I'd like to say Welcome Back, mainly to myself as I've been away for awhile. As many of you know my good friend Katherine had to have emergency Brain surgery just as finals started at the law school, she still has a long way to go, but she is slowly making improvements which you can read about here. Then finals began and I was packing and then graduation and moving and no internet and starting my class to study for the bar, and it's been busy.

But I'm back and as I promised I'll be posting some reviews up here in the coming days (Iron Man, Speed Racer, Indy IV, Son of Rambow, and possibly The Strangers (depends on if I go see it tonight or not). Also my first 2 experiences at the famed Alamo Drafthouse.

But right now I want to talk about something I'm calling The Idiot Box, and no not the television. This is my imaginary box for idiotic moves by people in the industry.

In Today's Idiot Box is Simon Crowe, Fox, and everyone else involved in bringing us the unnecessary sequel to the cult classic Donnie Darko (So loved by me that I own 2 versions on DVD).

The movie was perfect and wrapped up it's story without needing anything more. And to add insult to injury original director Richard Kelly isn't even involved. Instead Chris Fisher will direct with creepy kid, Daveigh Chase, reprising her role of Samantha Darko, Donnie's little sister and member of Sparkle Motion. The movie, titled S. Darko (What a worthless title) follows Samantha and a friend as they take a roadtrip while plagued by nightmarish visions.

The worst part is they are wasting some good talent in the forms of Justin Chatwin (The Invisible) and Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl, Son of Rambow). It doesn't instill much more confidence in the project that while it has a cast, a director, and producers, there doesn't seem to be a screenwriter involved with the project. What is this, improv moviemaking? (Although maybe if they gave this over to Christopher Guest and his improv crew it would be worth watching.)

Another bad sign is the recent announcement that D-Lister Elizabeth "Showgirls" Berkeley had signed on to play "a speed freak-turned-Jesus freak whose sentiments about ridding the world of its exponential sin are rivaled only by her infatuation with her dreamy pastor."

So friends I ask, why would anyone want to sully the name of such a great mind-bender as Donnie Darko by making what's sure to be a far inferior sequel?

Also tell me whose in your idiot box?

Labels: Casting, News, The Idiot Box

For the first time since 2002 Mel Gibson has signed on to star in a movie. You mat remember Gibson as the actor who brought crazy to the screen with Lethal Weapon, Gave us Freedom in Braveheart, or fought aliens allergic to water in Signs (the last movie he starred in).

Since then Gibson has spent his time as a Director, bringing us the story of Jesus Christ in the gritty, realistic Passion of the Christ and the story of a Mayan man trying to make it back to his wife and son. Both movies were noted for their use of dead languages and subtitles to tell the stories.

Gibson will return in Edge of Darkness directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale). The movie written by William Monahan (The Departed) is based on a six-hour BBC miniseries from 1985.

Gibson has long been a fan of the original miniseries and apparently jumped at the chance to star when approached by Campbell and Monahan. In the movie Gibson will play "a straitlaced police investigator whose activist daughter is killed. He plunges into the case and uncovers systemic corruption that led to his daughter's death."

Personally I'm excited to see Gibson return to the profession that made him famous, especially in a movie with the pedigree of this film. So what do you think of Gibson's return to acting?

Labels: Casting, Mel Gibson

Today brings good news for fans of Joss Whedon as not one but two veterans of the "Whedonverse" have signed up for new series.

Firefly's Alan "Wash" Tudyk (recently of 3:10 to Yuma & Death at a Funeral) has been cast in the as yet untitled Kohan/Mutchnick pilot for ABC. The series is about two lifelong best friends and business partners. The two men--one straight, the other gay--have their relationship tested when they both get significant others. Tudyk will reportedly play the gay half of the duo.

Meanwhile Angel's Amy "Fred/Illyria" Acker has joined a trio of actors who will round out the cast for Whedon's Dollhouse. Along with Acker, Miracle Laurie (Medical Investigation), and 24's Harry Lennix will fill out an already fantastic cast. Whedon himself spilled the beans about the new ladies joining the cast over at Whedonesque.com. Dollhouse finds Eliza Dushku playing Echo, a member of a group of people known as "Actives" or "Dolls" who have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas, including memory, muscle memory, skills, and language, for different assignments. They're then hired out for particular jobs, crimes, fantasies, and occasional good deeds. In between tasks, they are mind-wiped into a child-like state and live in a futuristic dormitory/laboratory, a hidden facility nicknamed "The Dollhouse". The story follows Echo, who begins, in her mind-wiped state, to become self-aware.

Acker has been cast as Dr. Claire Saunders, the dollhouse's medical specialist who cares for the physical well-being of the Dolls. Laurie has been cast as November, another of the Dolls who does not appear in the pilot but has a recurring role throughout the series. And Lennix will play Boyd Langton, Echo's handler and former copWithin the confines of Dollhouse, Boyd seems to offer a (gruff) voice of reason, feeling morally at odds with the treatment of the Actives (or Dolls, as they're sometimes known) yet willing to lay down his own life to protect them.

As if Whedon's Dollhouse wasn't exciting enough now it's got Fred! I can't wait! Fox will begin airing the series in the fall.

Labels: Casting, Dollhouse, Joss Whedon

My Bloody Valentine 3-D
Not to be outdone by his Supernatural co-star's, recent news that he'd head the Friday the 13th remake, Jensen Ackles has signed on to star in Lionsgate's My Bloody Valentine remake: My Bloody Valentine 3-D.

The original film, a Canadian cult classic, starts out "20 Years Ago" with a explosion trapping 5 miners after several key members of their crew leave early for the Valentine's dance. After 6 weeks the sole survivor is rescued, having eaten the other 4 to survive. After a year in an institution he escapes on valentine's day to kill the guilty crew members, leaving a warning that if the town ever holds a Valentine's day dance again he'd be back. 20 years later a group of young miners decide the towns gone long enough without celebrating V-Day. Unfortunately for them a maniac in mining gear starts killing the townfolk in blood-ily creative ways.

The new version, directed by Patrick Lussier (Dracula 2000 and it's 2 sequels), sees Ackles playing Tom, a "handsome, principled man" who returns home 10 years after 22 people were murdered on Valentine's night. Back home he discovers he's still in love with his old flame, Sarah (Jamie King) and is now a murder suspect.

Sound less like a remake and more like they took one piece of the plot and ran in a new direction. But I've never seen the original, so I guess I'll have to rent it and check out the new version.

The interesting thing here is that they are taking advantage of the new 3D technology to bring us bloody deaths spraying right in our faces! The only thing that could make it better would be if they sprayed water or air in your face like the 4D rides at some theme parks (Shrek 4-D for instance) to make it feel like the blood was hitting you in the face, but that's just me.

Labels: Casting, Jensen Ackles, My Bloody Valentine, My Bloody Valentine 3-D, Supernatural

Supernatural star (and fellow Texas native) Jared Padalecki can't get away from Jason Voorhees. Back in October Supernatural creator Eric Kripke surprised fans by saying that this season's 10th episode would feature the Winchester boys taking on the classic Friday the 13th villain. Unfortunately rights issues got in the way and those plans were scrapped. But now Padalecki has been given another chance to face off against Jason.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that he's signed up for Platinum Dunes new remake of the 1980 horror classic. But this time around don't expect Jason's mother to end up being the villain. In this new installment Padalecki will play an investigator who heads up to Camp Crystal Lake to investigate some strange happenings, presumably involving a hockey mask.

Last month I reported that Kristin Bell would be heading to Rome for the romantic comedy When In Rome. The movie had Bell picking some coins out of a supposed "fountain of love" since love seems out of her reach, only to find a gaggle of men waiting for her when she returns to New York. Variety and The Hollywood Reporter are reporting that some of her potential suitors have been cast, including Napoleon Dynamite's Jon Heder and Bell's real life beau Dax Shepard. "Heder will play a street magician who uses his talents to try to get the girl. Shepard plays a self-absorbed suitor who falls under the spell and chases the girl." Also joining the cast Las Vegas' Josh Duhamel, as the male lead, and Anjelica Huston, as Bell's boss, the curator of the Guggenheim.
Look for filming to begin in New York in the beginning of April (I'm hearing sometime around the 6th) with a 2009 release date.

Labels: Casting, Friday the 13th, When in Rome

Last week while my wife had surgery I decided to pick up a graphic novel I had heard nothing but rave reviews about, Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life, in order to pass the time. Precious Little Life is the first volume of Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim series. The novel follows Scott, the 23-year old bassist for 'Sex Bob-Omb', as he falls for Ramona Flowers and begins to date her. What starts as a normal romance book quickly turns on it's head as it's revealed that Scott Must fight Ramona's Evil Ex-Boyfriends. The story will unfold over 6 volumes, with the first four currently available and the last two expected later this year and the end of 2009.

Much to my delight the book lived up to the hype and over the next 4 days I devoured the remaining 3 volumes and am eagerly awaiting the final 2 volumes. I had heard that Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz director Edgar Wright was at work adapting the first volume into a movie, so it was with much delight that I woke up this morning to the news that Michael Cera was in final talks to play Scott Pilgrim. Hopefully this means that the movie is heading into development and will be hitting the screen sometime in the next 2 years, maybe just in time for the final volume to hit the stands.


Below I've added the covers for the other 3 volumes of the series, in case you want to run out and pick them up, which I highly recommend, as it's the perfect blend of humor, romance, and sweet fight scenes, all of which slowly become more and more surreal as the series unfolds.

Labels: Casting, Scott Pilgrim

Today Variety announced that the lead had been cast in "I Love You, Beth Cooper"

If you're a constant reader you know that I was a huge fan of the book ILYBC, and have been following the casting news since the project was announced. As previously announced Hayden Panettiere has signed on to play the titular character, and now comes news that newcomer Paul Rust (Semi-Pro) has been cast as Denis Coverman the uber-geeky senior that decides to profess his love for the school's head cheerleader in his valedictorian speech.

While Rust looks geeky enough, it does trouble me that according to his MySpace (the only info I could find on him) he's 26, 8 years older than Panettiere. I guess we'll see how well he works out, but either way I'm glad to see things progressing.

Also joinging Rust and Panettiere are Jack Carpenter (Sidney White), Lauren Storm (The Game Plan) and Lauren London (This Christmas) presumably as Denis's best friend, and Beth's two cheerleader girlfriends, respectively.

Chris Columbus will direct the film, which he is also producing through his 1492 Pictures banner. Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe also produce.

Project is based on a novel by former "Simpsons" scribe Larry Doyle, who penned the screenplay. Shooting is scheduled to start next month in Vancouver.

Labels: Beth Cooper, Casting

The lovely Kristen Bell (pictured) is planning a trip to Rome, well at least the movie version. Bell has signed on to star in Mark Steven Johnson's (Simon Birch, Daredevil) next film "When in Rome".

Bell will play a successful New Yorker who can't catch a break in the love department, who files to Rome for her sister's impulsive wedding. While there she steals coins from a reputed "fountain of love" and returns home to be pursued by an overabundance of potential lovers. No word yet on who will play her potential suitors.

"When in Rome" was written by Johnson and David Diamond (Evolution, Family Man) and will head to theaters sometime in 2009.

Labels: Casting, Kristen Bell

As the cast of J.J Abrams' 2008 Star Trek Relaunch comes together I thought I list the newcomers and their original counterparts to see how they compare to each other.

Spock: The first parts cast, yes I said parts: plural, as both Zachary Quinto the original Spock, Leonard Nimoy will be playing the pointy-eared one.


Uhura: Center Stage's Zoe Saldana takes over the role originated by Nichelle Nichols, who can currently be seen on Heroes.



Chekov: The hugely talented, yet relatively unknown, Anton Yelchin will be channeling Walter Koenig.



Scotty: One of my favorite British Actors, Simon Pegg, (star of the hilarious films Hot Fuzz & Shaun of the Dead) is taking over the beloved part of Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott, originally played by the late James Doohan, who was actually Canadian!


Sulu: The Korean born John Cho will be taking over the role from California Native (Who knew?) George Takei, who can also currently be seen on Heroes, although from this point it will have to be in flashbacks.



McCoy: It's just been announced that Karl Urban of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Bourne Supremacy has been cast in the late DeForest Kelley's old role. It's kind of a strange way to go as so far he's been in mostly action movies, so we'll see how he does playing the laid back doctor. (I'll add a picture of Urban in a bit since blogger is currently not letting me.)


UPDATED: Captain James T. Kirk: Chris Pine signed on for the coveted role that William Shatner brought to life. Also of note, apparently the Kirk role is a small one, and Pine dropped out of a major role in another movie, probably for the hopes that a small role in this movie will turn into a big role down the line.


What do you think about their casting choices? Are you excited for the movie or do you wish Trek would just all go away?

Labels: Casting, Star Trek