Jun 20 2008
This Week in Movie News:
This week the Vatican laid out new ground rules for shooting in Rome. This has occured largely in response to the filming of Ron Howards The Da Vinci Code sequel, Angels & Demons.
Continuing this summer’s tradition of planning a sequel the week of a film’s release Terrence Stamp has revealed that Bekmambetov and the crew of Wanted are talking sequel a week prior to the release of the Angelina Jolie fronted action thriller. No confirmation on this rumor, but it seems to make sense amid the rumors of a new Austin Powers, Hulk, Avengers, Iron Man, Narnia, etc.
Another rumor crushed. The Silver Surfer spin off of the hugely unsuccessful Fantastic Four films appears to have been shelfed.
Legendary special effects master Stan Winston has passed away this week.
YouTube is opening a “screening room” for independent filmmakers. I can only say that it’s about time this tool is being used for something interesting rather than videos of your dog farting.
Notoriously difficult legend Steven Spielberg is close to penning a deal between Reliance and DreamWorks. After his fallout with parent company Viacom (for somehow not giving him freedom to do the projects he wants. really? Spielberg is doing to say that he doesn’t have any freedom?). It appears that in the near future Reliance will be funding his future flops.
Rumor of the week: The word is that for the upcoming Avengers film, which will star Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Edward Norton’s Hulk will be brought back to the screen, as the villain. Marvel will likely not only be the big winners this summer, but for many summers to come with the new franchises they are setting up. I’ll be there. Shamefully. But I’ll be there.
The Academy of Motion Pictures has changed the rules on the Original Song category for the Oscars. Now only two songs from any given film will be allowed to be nominated for the prestigious prize. A film may enter as many songs as it would like, but will only be allowed two that are nominated.
The trailer for the upcoming Punisher sequel has been released online.
