The latest on Rhona Mitra

Source: Cinema Blend ()

That rascally strike has resulted in the greenlighting of another awful movie. At least that’s my theory. I thought we’d all collectively agreed that this Underworld thing had run its course? No? Because HR says Underworld 3 has been given the go ahead, and it’ll be a prequel.

They’re calling it Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans. I can’t help but wonder if there was a Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines poster hanging on the wall somewhere near the cubicle of the guy who came up with it.

The bad news, aside from the fact that this is being made, is that it’s being made without Kate Beckinsale. She’s having nothing to do with it. Similarly her husband Len Wiseman, who directed the first two films, will step back and take a producer credit for this one while creature effects creator Patrick Tatopoulos takes the helm. Michael Sheen however, will be back as Lycan head honcho Lucian. Also involved will the great Bill Nighy, who was probably the best thing about the franchise so far. New to the cast is Rhona Mitra, playing Viktor’s daughter and secret lover of Lucian.

The film will follow the storyline hinted at in the first movie. Set in the Dark Ages, it will tell the tragic and terribly romantic tale of the Lycan/werewolf Lucian who falls in love with a vampire princess. There’s potential here for something good, both Sheen and Nighy were great in the first film and the flashbacks we saw of this era in their history interesting. But Underworld 2 was awful and this feels like a franchise that’s already run out of steam.

Source: Washington Post ()

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - British actress Kate Beckinsale, who starred in the first two “Underworld” films, will not return for the upcoming third installment in the fantasy franchise.

“Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans” starts production in January in and will be a prequel to the first two “Underworld” films, which grossed more than $200 million combined worldwide.

Source: Hollywood Reporter ()

Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy (Getty Images photos)

Betting on the success of the first two “Underworld” films, Sony’s
Screen Gems and Lakeshore Entertainment are teaming for a third
installment in the series with the prequel “Underworld 3: The Rise
of the Lycans.”

Patrick Tatopoulos, who created the creature effects for the first
two “Underworld” films, will make his directorial debut with this
one, which starts production in January in Auckland, New
Zealand.

“Underworld” creator Len Wiseman, who directed the first two films,
will produce with Lakeshore’s Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi and Skip
Williamson. Scott Strauss is overseeing for Screen Gems.

Screen Gems will distribute in North America, with Sony Pictures
and Lakeshore distributing worldwide.

Danny McBride, who co-wrote the first two “Underworld” screenplays
with Wiseman, penned the third script.

The prequel is set in the Dark Ages and traces the origins of the
centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires and
their one-time werewolf slaves, the Lycans.

Michael Sheen will reprise his role of Lycan master Lucian. Bill
Nighy also will return as vampire elder Viktor. Rhona Mitra (”The
Number 23̸ is joining the cast as Viktor’s daughter and secret
lover to Lucian.

Kate Beckinsale, who starred in the first two films, will not be in
the prequel.

“For the first time, we will experience the Underworld universe
through the eyes of the Lycans,” Wiseman said. “Patrick has always
played such an essential part in helping to create ‘Underworld’
from the start. We have a terrific working relationship and a
shared vision of the world and its characters, so I feel it is both
exciting and fitting that Patrick now takes the helm on ‘Rise of
the Lycans.’ “

Wiseman and Tatopoulos also collaborated on Free or Die
Hard.” Tatopoulos’ credits include “The Chronicles of Riddick,”
“Van Helsing” and “Resident Evil: …

Source: 411mania.com ()

It’s getting cold in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - in fact, it’s frickin’ freezing. I’ve had to bust out the winter jacket, which I recently discovered is not all that warm. There was snow on the ground yesterday, just in time for Halloween! Which I am not doing anything for, I shall add, in my continual lack of spirit. However, I did see the most amazing costume ever: a giant Lego man costume. Absolutely amazing. But anyhow, let’s get started.

And You Thought Area 51 Was Mysterious . . .

Benderspink has hired helmer Steven C. Miller to direct Area 52, a sci-fi action film based on the Image Comics series by Brian Haberlin. Newcomer Jack Phillips wrote the adaptation of the comic.

At a storage facility in Antarctica that houses top-secret alien wares after Nevada’s Area 51 is done testing them, an Army nurse must restore order after a mercenary attack has unleashed a menacing terror.

Chris Bender and JC Spink will produce for Benderspink with Quattro partner Jim Strader. Haberlin will exec produce.

Benderspink also has Power and Glory and Y, the Last Man at New Line, The Ghouly Boys at Mandate and Pet Robots at Disney.

Miller’s first feature, zombie horror film Automaton Transfusion, has been making the rounds of the festivals and was acquired by Dimension.

Area 52, eh? There’s a bit of a lack of creativity in the title, but hey, people know what you’re talking about. This sounds like it could be a really cheesy sci-fi movie, the likes of which we haven’t seen lately. Or this could be a highly elaborate CG-fest, I don’t know. Whatever the case, it should be mildly interesting.

Biel Dies (Only A Little)

Jessica Biel will topline United Artists’ crime thriller Die a Little, which the studio has set up with Richard Gladstein through his FilmColony and Iron Ocean Films, says Variety.

Based on Megan Abbott’s novel, Die a Little explores how …

Source: Entertainment Weekly ()

Travolta joins star-studded Pelham cast
John Travolta is the latest A-list actor to board director Tony Scott’s remake of the 1974 subway-train thriller The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. He’ll play a villain who holds passengers hostage while Denzel Washington (who signed on to the movie last month) is the security chief charged with stopping him. The film, which starts shooting early next year, comes during one of Travolta’s regular moments of career upswing: After he spent years in the box office doldrums, both of his 2007 releases, Wild Hogs and Hairspray, have been impressive and somewhat unforeseen hits. Interestingly, though, rather than stick with the family-comedy genre that has served him so well of late, the actor is returning to play a bad guy in an action flick for the first time since 2004’s The Punisher. This will also be his first collaboration with Scott and Washington. (Variety)

Underworld prequel set to slay ‘em
Sony Pictures has greenlit the prequel Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans. Rhona Mitra (The Number 23) will join returning stars Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy, while Kate Beckinsale will not participate. Set in the Dark Ages, the film will detail the origins of the long rivalry between the vampires and the werewolves. It will mark the feature directing debut of Patrick Tatopoulos, who was the creature-effects master for the series’ 2003 and 2006 installments, both of which were modest financial successes. Production begins in January in New Zealand. (Hollywood Reporter)

Price Is Right wins ratings showcase
It’s something almost as sweet as winning the Plinko jackpot: Drew Carey’s arrival as host of The Price Is Right has turned out to be a ratings coup for CBS. During the comedian’s first week after taking over from 83-year-old veteran Bob Barker, the game show averaged 5.4 million viewers (about level with how it fared a year — and saw a hefty 10 percent rise in fans from that ever-important 18-49 age group. …

Source: MovieWeb ()

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Source:  Variety

Thursday, October 25th, 2007

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Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans is being fast-tracked into production as a joint venture between Lakeshore Entertainment and Screen Gems. According to Variety, Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy and Rhona Mitra have already signed on to star in the film.

Patrick Tatopoulos, the F/X man responsible for creating the creates seen in the first two films, is on board to direct this third installment of the werewolves vs. vampires franchise. This one will be a prequel, focusing on the origins of the centuries old feud between the Death Dealers and their onetime slaves the Lycans.

“In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom.”

Danny McBride wrote the screenplay (but don’t confuse him with the Danny McBride of The Heartbreak Kid and Hot Rod fame, this is a different Danny McBride). The film goes into production in January. Shooting will take place in Auckland, New Zealand.

Most Requested Upcoming Films:

1.
The Dark Knight

2.
X-Men 4

3.
Hitman

4.
Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem

5.
1-18-08

6.
I Am Legend

7.
American Gangster

8.
Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins

9.
Rambo

10.
…

Source: Variety ()

Rogue marketing moves to Universal
Schamus also announces new hires

By DADE HAYES

‘The Strangers,’ starring Liv Tyler, will be among the first Rogue pics to be marketed and distribbed by Universal.

Focus Features is shifting marketing and distribution of all titles from its genre arm Rogue Pictures to Universal beginning in 2008.Along with that announcement on Monday, Focus chief exec James Schamus also announced new hires in the production ranks and a stepped-up level of collaboration with U’s overseas production team.The central aim of the realignment is to expand the scope and scale of its production and distribution slate, or a “focus on Focus,” as Schamus put it. This fall/holiday season is a harbinger of the Focus of the future, with “Lust, Caution,” “Eastern Promises,” “Reservation Road” and “Atonement” all taking up substantial real estate in terms of production, marketing and kudos potential.Capacity issues have also meant that Focus has not acquired a pic at a film festivals in two years, a state of affairs that has been frustrating to Schamus and others in the company.The moves, which had been brewing for a couple of months, give U a full-functioning genre arm comparable to Screen Gems at Sony.The first Rogue titles to go out through U in 2008 are suspenser “The Strangers,” starring Liv Tyler; action thriller “Doomsday,” starring Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, and Malcolm McDowell; and action drama “Fighting,” starring Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard.”We saw this as the smartest and most efficient way to grow both our businesses,” Schamus said. “With the ever-increasing mainstream appeal of the Rogue slate, we feel that Rogue can really take off with the backing of the Universal team. Now that the Rogue movies are going to be handled in a major-studio capacity, the Focus marketing and distribution staffs will be able to nurture the increased number of Focus releases we have in our pipeline.”Rogue co-prexies …

Source: TV Squad ()

(S04E03) “The heart can be a bitch.” - Alan Shore
I cannot begin this review without addressing how shocked I was with the opening scene. The very idea of a fifteen year old girl who contracts HIV made my jaw drop. I was shocked that a school would teach children that abstinence is the only effective way to avoid unwanted pregnancy and STD’s. When I was in school (many years ago) we were taught that while abstinence is the best way to avoid the pitfalls of teen sex, condoms are a close second, especially when it comes to avoiding disease. As a parent, it concerns me that my daughter’s school might actually teach this sort of thing. Thankfully, Alan pointed out where the blame actually lies…in the lap of the U.S. government. In an effort to please the conservatives who elected them, the Republicans refuse to give schools an option that would teach teens a realistic way to have sex responsibly. I know it’s only a TV show but only a fool would think this kind of thing isn’t happening in some parts of the country.I also need to point out the brilliant acting job done by young Kay Panabaker. For such a young girl, she presented a character who was strong and sympathetic at the same time. I was very impressed by her.
The other guest actor I was happy to see was Currie Graham. I have missed Graham since he left Desperate Housewives. His portrayal of the District Attorney who is completely over the outrageous tactics of Denny, Alan and the others is perfect. I really hope they use him more.
When I heard John Larroquette was joining the cast, I wasn’t sure what to think. I was concerned about what his character would be. Was he going to be a pompous boob like Dan Fielding or a psycho like Joey Heric? I must say, after seeing him, I am pleased that he has turned out to be the ying to Denny’s yang. While he is clearly more in control of his libido and mental faculties than Denny, they are evenly matched when it comes to immaturity. I really like him.
On the other hand, I’m not …

Source: World Ends in 2008 - Javno.hr ()

It is difficult to move from the western border, the one symbolically referred to as the “Hollywood” border, with film announcements, even though 80 percent of American production is not directly related to the Los Angeles district. The blossoming school of film in the Far East has been presented in Croatia by the mostly up-to-date distributor Discovery Film, while filmmakers like Ang Lee are winning over the Venice jury for the second time in a row (more accurately, the film Lust, Caution). There is also my favourite Park Chon-Wook (the revenge trilogy, with the particularly remarkable central movie Oldboy) from South Korea. Other than the ultraproductive Bollywood, India has Mira Nair, a renowned director who earned fame with pleasant tales that mostly speak about racial intolerance and individuals separated from their own culture and unable to cope (The Namesake). Germany won an Oscar for best foreign movie. 

A film industry has existed for many years now that has thrilled us with the quality of movies in spite of being largely neglected compared to its Big Brother across the pond. It is, of course, the film industry in Great Britain, the land of bright red doubledeckers, The Queen and Danny Boyle. Boyle’s last work, the excellent SF film Sunshine, is about to hit our DVD stores. The director originally made a name for himself with the popular Trainspotting. Then, there is the young filmmaker Edgar Wright with his horror parody Shaun of the Dead and his latest hit Hot Fuzz, which relentlessly avoids ‘home soil.’ How about 28 Days Later and, as some say, the even better sequel, 28 Weeks Later?

Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Ewan McGregor, Cillian Murphy… These are all names familiar to today’s film audiences. 

It is precisely for this reason that I would like to present what is a low budget movie according to all statistics, which is just about to arrive from the island and possibly convince our distributors …