Cinematical

We might have all seen this coming, but then again, it is always nice to know you're right.

The sci-fi blog, Io9 has now confirmed that Ridley Scott's next project will be a feature film version of Brave New World, Aldous Huxley's classic novel. In an interview with the blog, Scott told them about the origins of the project. Scott says, "I didn't choose to do it, someone came to me with it. In fact it was Leo's [Leonardo DiCaprio's] production company that came to me with that." Could this mean that Scott already has Mr. DiCaprio in mind for a role in the film as well? Rumblings about the project started back in June, when Scott announced that he was finally making a return to sci-fi -- but he wasn't giving away details at the time. As it turns out, the smart money was on a big screen version of Huxley's prophetic novel.

Written in 1932, Brave New World centered on a future in which everyone appeared happy and content while in a constant state of consumption (sound familiar?). When an outsider is brought into the 'perfect society', things get a little tricky. The message: we're all willing to give up our freedoms and humanity for a little comfort and entertainment.

After the jump, Scott talks about the script, and the problem with finding 'the perfect writer'.

When it comes to 'Zombie comedy', (if that is even such a thing), you have to admit that it is going to pretty difficult to top Shaun of The Dead -- but you can't blame someone for trying. The Hollywood Reporter announced that Jesse Eisenberg (The Squid and the Whale) has signed to star opposite Woody Harrelson in the horror-comedy, Zombieland. According to THR, "Eisenberg is in negotiations to play Flagstaff, a terrified shut-in whose cowardice makes him an expert at surviving the zombies but who is forced out of his shell to join the band of survivors, which includes Harrelson."

Zombieland was written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, and is about a "mismatched pair of survivors who find friendship and redemption in a world overrun by zombies." So I guess that makes Zombieland a comedy, a horror, and a 'feel-good' buddy flick? Ruben Fleischer has already signed to direct, and is a relative newcomer to the world of feature films. Fleischer might only have a few credits to his name, but he can include the dubious distinction of being one of the people responsible for unleashing Rob & Big onto the world.

Zombieland could be a gamble for Columbia. 'R rated' comedy has yet to prove that it can compete at the box-office, so it was only a matter of time before studios started tacking on a body count. Personally, I think I'll just hold out for Seth and Jay vs. The Apocalypse instead. How about you?

If you happen to already be of the opinion that Michael Moore is not the lovable man of the people he appears to be, then this news probably won't be changing your feelings about him anytime soon. One month after Moore offered up free downloads of his latest documentary, Slacker Uprising, Torrent Freak reports that "In a letter dated September 25th, lawyers representing Westside Productions LLC, owner of the Slacker Uprising copyright sprang into action, demanding the removal of a torrent linking to the movie from any and all international sites."

Moore's latest was compiled of footage from his recent college tour -- a tour in which he traveled to colleges in the so-called 'swing states' to speak to students in an attempt to energize young voters. The film is a re-edited version of Moore's 2007 doc, Captain Mike Across America, which screened at TIFF in '07 to lukewarm reviews. Moore initially said the reason behind the free download was both a reward to fans who have supported him over the years, as well as a way to get out his message prior to the upcoming presidential election.

The download was offered only to those living in the US and Canada, but it didn't take long for the film to start popping up on numerous torrent sites outside of North America. Moore's lawyers inexplicably sent their letter to the DNS service (easyDNS) of one of the international sites pirating the flick, which is not required to comply with US law. A co-founder of easyDNS responded to Moore's lawyers with the following: "...Anybody with half a clue knows the net doesn't work like that. In any case, I've sent them our standard 'we're not the web host, we're just the lowly DNS service', but I did point out this seeming contradiction in Michael Moore's message vs. his lawyer's actions."

So while Moore may have every right to control how his film is distributed, maybe someone should have explained that old saying about the internet and pee in a pool.

I'm starting to think I'm the only one out there who still follows the old maxim: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But, it's downright silly of me to think that a movie producer would ever miss the chance to earn a few bucks on a remake. Variety reports that Michael De Luca has partnered with Alison Rosenzweig and Michael Gaeta on a remake of Alan Parker's (Evita) 1987 horror-suspense flick, Angel Heart.

Angel Heart originally starred Mickey Rourke as a seedy private investigator hired to locate a nightclub singer who's gone on the run. Robert De Niro co-starred as Rourke's mysterious client, Louis Cyphre, along with Lisa Bonet as the daughter of a voodoo priest. The film had a little bit of everything: voodoo, hard-boiled detectives, the prince of darkness, and more plot twists than you can shake a stick at. Not to mention the film is probably best remembered for its controversial sex scenes starring a Cosby kid naked and rolling around in blood.

The film might not have been a huge hit upon release, but has gained cult status over the years, and according to Variety, De Luca "has long been a fan of the novel." The production is still in its early stages, and so far there are no names attached to the project. De Luca adds, "It's a great blend of genres with a great Faustian bargain, compelling, universal themes and a rare combination of literary and commercial appeal." One thing is for sure -- unless they have some changes planned for the update, I wouldn't exactly describe the story of Harry Angel as one with 'commercial appeal' ... would you?

Whether you like it or not, the success of Sex and the City has breathed new life into the so-called 'chick flick' landscape (heck, it even gave The Women another shot at the multiplex). So get ready for more 'Ya-Ya Sisterhood' on the big screen, because Hollywood is finally starting to figure out that women like to go to the movies. Next up, according to Variety, is Lauren Weisberger's novel Chasing Harry Winston for Universal and Mandalay Pictures. You might recognize Weisberger as the author of the best-selling novel, The Devil Wears Prada, and Winston is her latest book to spend some time on the NYT's best-seller list.

Winston "revolves around three young women who each vow to change their entire lives for the better in the course of the next year" -- and you can probably guess how each of them is going to 'change' their lives. One glance at the cover art gives this gal a quick education in what this book probably has in store for its readers. Gina Wendkos (The Princess Diaries) has already been signed to write the script, and Andy Tennant will direct.

The addition of Tennant is probably where the last of any desire I might have had to watch this movie disappears all together. Call me judgmental if you must, but Tennant was the director behind films like Sweet Home Alabama, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Fools Gold; so I doubt this film is going to deviate from form. Plus, if you are anything like me (and I know there has to be some of you out there) this current crop of 'movies for girls' is starting to get a little insulting. I like shopping as much as the next girl, but there is more to our gender than marriage-mania and rampant consumerism; isn't there?

Above: Nicolas Cage on the set of Kick-Ass

It's not like Mark Millar is the most reserved guy when it comes to his enthusiasm for his work, but even for him, this might be a little much. Over at Millar World (a fan forum), the man himself weighed in with an update on Matthew Vaughn's version of his comic series, Kick-Ass, and says, "I hereby declare Kick-Ass as the greatest movie of 2009." Pretty bold words for a movie that stars Nicolas Cage, don't you think? (you can read the full details over at the Millar forums.)

Aaron Johnson stars as the titular 'Kick-Ass' (better known as Dave Lizewski), an otherwise ordinary New York City high school student whose interest in comic books inspires him to become a real-life superhero. Nicolas Cage and Chloe Moretz also star as a father and daughter crime-fighting team known as Big Daddy and Hit-Girl.

Millar went on to give major props to the film's crew and cast, saying, "I lucked out with Wanted and Timur and James and Angelina. But nothing-- I mean nothing-- can prepare you for Nic and Chloe as Big Daddy and Hit-Girl. As I said to Nic after the first scene was shot on Saturday morning, this is a movie about comic-book guys MADE by comic-book guys.." Luckily for fans of the original series, it looks like the non-stop carnage that made the series so popular is remaining intact -- regardless of what Cage may have to say to the contrary.

I guess the actual release date didn't occur to Millar when he made his 2009 declaration, because Kick-Ass will arrive in theaters on January 1, 2010.

[Photo via Bad and Ugly]

Plenty of musicians have made the transfer from the recording studio to the silver screen, and with varying results. But, it probably isn't so common to see a rock star who's willing to stay behind the scenes. The Hollywood Reporter announced that WB has picked up The Karma Coalition, a spec script written by rocker Shawn Christensen. Christensen is probably best known for his work as lead singer of Stellastar, an indie rock outfit that's toured with Jane's Addiction and The Killers.

According to THR, "The story centers on a professor who engages in a game of cat and mouse with a corrupt detective after he's told his dead wife of five years might still be alive. He uncovers the existence of a secret organization responsible for faking her death but suffers the consequences of that knowledge." The project was written by Christensen and his partner, Jason Dolan. Dan Lin will be producing the flick for Lin Pictures along with the WB. Lin already has some high profile films like Sherlock Holmes and Terminator Salvation in the pipeline, so a low stress thriller probably came as a welcome relief.

Even though Karma sounds like your usual Hollywood thriller (and it was written by two guys with minimal film credits to say the least), WB must have seen something in the idea. The studio will be shelling out $750,000 against $1.5 million for the project *and have attached Joe Russo to direct (which is an odd choice if you ask me, considering Russo's last flick was You, Me and Dupree), and 21's Jim Sturgess to star. So while Karma might not have the best 'film pedigree', at least Christensen already has a day job.

*Correction: Joe Russo and Jim Sturgess are attached to another Dolan/Christensen project, titled, Sidney Hall.

Writer-director Wes Anderson is probably most famous for his quirky character studies, but lately you can't help but notice the guy has been branching out. First up was an animated film, and now it's on to any studio's most prized posession: the remake. Variety reports that Anderson has signed with Universal and Imagine Entertainment to write a remake of the 2006 French comedy, Mon meilleur ami (My Best Friend). So far, Anderson is just in charge of the script, but there's already talk he might be eying the project as his next directorial gig.

Patrice Leconte's original film starred Daniel Auteuil as a cantankerous antiques dealer who has the misfortune of overhearing his friends at a dinner party. When he learns the unfortunate truth about what they really think of him, he's forced to acknowledge his unappealing traits. But the humiliation doesn't stop there; our unloved antiquarian then makes a bet with a business partner to produce at least one friend, and of course, he doesn't have any. So instead, he hires an amiable cab driver to pose as his life-long pal.

There has always been a touch of the misanthropic in Anderson's work, so it seems like My Best Friend would be a natural fit. Besides, now that Anderson has finished working on the adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Fantastic Mr. Fox, it's the perfect time to lock him into his next job. So even if the guy doesn't decide to direct, at least we are getting a Wes Anderson script ... and that should count for something, right?

Would you want to see a Wes Anderson-penned film that wasn't also directed by the man himself?

Just what is it with Rumer Willis and sororities? A few scant weeks after the release of the sorority comedy, The House Bunny, Shock Till You Drop reports the budding actress has signed to star in a remake of the '80s horror flick, The House on Sorority Row. According to Shock, Summit Entertainment has signed Briana Evigan (Step Up 2: The Streets) and Willis to star in the spooky update.

The original flick was released back in 1983, and was written and directed by Marc Ronsom. The story centered on a group of sorority sisters whose prank on their 'den-mother' ends with murder. But, our party gals are loathe to give up their fun and come up with the brilliant idea of stuffing the body out of sight. When 'sisters' start turning up dead, it doesn't take much for them to figure out that all is not right on Sorority row.

Josh Stolberg (Good Luck Chuck) and Pete Goldfinger are updating the script, and Stewart Hendler has signed to direct. Hendler only has one other feature film credit to his name, and unfortunately it was a straight-to-DVD affair. But, it's not all bad news for fans of '80s horror; according to Stolberg, the Sorority remake will be avoiding the pitfalls of the recent crop of 'PG-13 horror'. He writes, "Summit changed their minds and we are full-steam ahead on the R-rated version, I can't tell you what a relief this is from a creative sense. Everything is going back in. As I've mentioned before, we're not out to make torture porn and this still isn't going to be an explicit exploitation picture - but it's nice to be able to write a horror movie the way it should be." Amen to that brother.

Sorority Row will begin shooting in October, and should arrive in theaters later this year.

It is no secret that horror maestro Clive Barker has not had good luck lately with feature films. But to his credit, it hasn't made him bitter about seeing his work translated for the big screen. In an interview with MTV, Barker got the chance to weigh in on the upcoming remake of Hellraiser for Dimension Films -- and judging from his comments, he seems to be in a good place with the project. Barker told MTV, "I never get tired of revisiting [characters] if there is a good story to be told." He seemed genuinely excited about what he has planned for the story of a puzzle box from another dimension and the 'human pin-cushion'.

Back in February, Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton were hired to work on the re-write of the Barker-approved script. But the project had another setback when the French directing duo of Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo (À l'intérieur) left the project due to "creative differences." So for now it looks like Pin-Head and the Gang are without a director. Hopefully, Dimension can get the ball rolling on the remake, because I don't think Barker could take another disappointment at the box office.

After the jump...find out what Barker really thinks about PG-13 horror.