Acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has officially announced that he will no more direct The Hobbit. Production on the film version of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit has been delayed by production studio MGM’s financial woes for several weeks now. The excessive delays have at once dealt a hard blow to the project, this time on the artistic face, as director Guillermo del Toro has officially revealed that it’s no more feasible for him to direct the two-movie project. The Hellboy manager broke the news to TheOneRing.net exclusively as a gesture of his, and The Hobbit co-screenwriter/executive director producer Peter Jackson’s, respect for the Lord of the Rings fanboy community. Despite recent annotates and speculation from LOTR stars Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis, this is in point of fact the first new, concrete bit of information to break through concerning The Hobbit’s status in a long time. You are able to
read del Toro’s official statement below: “In light of ongoing delays in the coiffing of a start date for filming ‘The Hobbit,’ I’m faced with the hardest decision of my life. After nearly 2 years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkien’s Middle Earth, I must, with great regret, take allow from helming these wonderful figures. I remain grateful to Peter [Jackson], Fran [Walsh], and Philippa Boyens, New Line and Warner Brothers and to all my crew in New Zealand. I have been privileged to work in among the greatest countries on earth with some of the best people ever in our craft and my aliveness will be forever changed. The blessings have been batch, but the mounting pressures of conflicting schedules have overwhelmed the clip slot originally allocated for the project. Both as a co-writer and as a manager, I wish the production nothing but the very best of luck and I will be the first in line to see the completed product. I remain an ally to that and its makers, present and future, and fully support a smooth transition to afresh director.” Peter Jackson additionally announced that altho he and his fellow Hobbit crew appendages were sad to see the filmmaker leave the project, “the bottom line is that Guillermo [del Toro] just didn’t feel he coulded in New Zealand, exclusively making these films, when his original allegiance was for three years.” He advanced to refer to del Toro as “one of the most remarkable creative spirits I’ve ever encountered,” and that The Hobbit films “are extremely fortunate to be blessed his creative DNA.” Jackson then concluded his statement by revealing that del Toro would continue commotion polish work on The Hobbit screenplay for the next several months and that “we [The Hobbit production team] don’t anticipate any delay or disruption to ongoing pre-production work” ascribable del Toro’s departure as director. As a filmmaker, del Toro has, if nothing else, displayed an immense talent for creative creatures, set, and effects design in films like Pan’s Labyrinth or Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. Longtime Screen Rant readers might recall that, back in 2008, del Toro’s schedule was announced to be full until 2017, and he’s been hard operant on The Hobbit ever since. Although many fans, myself included, will definitely be disappointed that del Toro will no more direct the film as well, it’s understandable that devoting an extra three years of his life to The Hobbit was simply not a feasible option for an already busy man. The big question now for the film version of The Hobbit is who will be brought on-board to direct in del Toro’s place? Should Peter Jackson settle down in the director’s chair himself? Is there another auteur you’d like to see give their take on Middle Earth? Or perhaps a relatively unknown entity?advantageously let you know when The Hobbit gets a new director and when production at last gets going on the film as soon as we hear anything new.
source: screenrant
Brad Pitt and Darren Aronofsky are teaming with screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga to bring The Tiger to life. Brad Pitt and film maker Darren Aronofsky are teaming up for the man-versus-animal adjustment The Tiger. Pitt and Aronofsky will co-produce the film through their respective companies – Plan B and Protozoa Pictures. 21 Grams author Guillermo Arriaga will pen the script supported John Vaillant’s unreleased novel The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival. The book is regular for release this Aug. “[The Tiger] takes place on the Siberian apparent, where human development is entrenching on the tigers’ habitat — and one tiger calls on on the intruders. With townspeople being chased and hunted with an almost apparitional power, a conservationist gamekeeper must face up down the tiger. It’s a fight that only among them can win.” Apologies to anyone hoping Pitt and Aronofsky would tell story of the philandering Tiger Woods.
The abstract immediately reminds me of The Ghost and The Darkness. In the 1996 Michael Douglas/Val Kilmer picture, the two defend a town against two intelligent, cunning and relentless lions. Arriaga also wrote Babel, also starring Pitt – and so far the names involved in The Tiger are big top notch. Aronofsky has a tendency to lean towards more improper stories. Typically he works as writer and director – adding up up with some mind-bending scripts, like The Fountain. The addition of the word “otherworldly” in The Tiger’s synopsis acquits up my confusion – at the start I could not quite grasp Aronofsky’s interest (had the film solely been a story of man vs. nature). Recently, I read Aronofsky’s screenplay for The Black Swan – a film currently in post-production. It is not only the best I’ve read in a while – but should stir up a bit of controversy. In Black Swan, Aronofksy directs Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, in a story of rivalry between ballerinas that escalates – ultimately tapping into the supernatural. The aforementioned controversy stems from a sultry sex scene between Portman and Kunis. Keep an eye out for Black Swan during Oscars season, but an actual release date hasn’t been announced. The Tiger is currently in development and we’ll update you with any new information.
Source: Variety
Godzilla is certainly one of the most prolific actors, or actresses (contingent which version we’re discussing) in history with over thirty movies, as well as numerous cartoons, adverted after the giant monster. Adopting only a bit of speculation last summertime, Legendary films has announced plans for a “modern day epic” supported the Godzilla franchise with a tentative 2012 release date. Legendary will be co-financing and co-producing the contrive in partnership with Warner Bros. The partnership is aught new as the pairing has allowed moviegoers with several critical achievers including: 300, The Dark Knight, and The Hangover. Fabled secured the rights to the giant lizard/dinosaur from the Japanese established Toho Corp – who have guided the franchise for five decades and will still manage the film’s release in Japan. CEO of Legendary Pictures, Thomas Tull, praised Toho Corp for their allegiance to Godzilla as well as offered his excitement at accepting the chance to produce the next Godzilla episode. “Godzilla is one of the world’s brawniest pop culture icons, and we at Legendary are beatified to be able to create a modern epic based on this long-loved Toho franchise. Our plans are to acquire the Godzilla that we, as fans, 
would want to see. We intend commotion justice to those essential elements that have admitted this case to remain as pop-culturally relevant for as long as it has.” Naturally, the giant elephant, or komodo dragon, in the room is the 1998 advanced day Godzilla epic produced by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich – the updated version that boasted Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, and hordes of babe Godzillas. Though a commercial success, the film was noncritical failure, and did little to reinvigorate the franchise with Western audiences. Legendary Pictures has a adequate track record, and there’s certainly room for optimism that we may finally get a solid Godzilla update for contemporary audiences. Though, without question, the balance between paying homage to the source material and providing a believable and engaging experience in a modern setting will be an extremely delicate process. Legendary Pictures is expected to announce a director for the upcoming Godzilla project in the near future. What do you hope to see in the upcoming modern day Godzilla project?
Source: ScreenRant
Just a few days ago an amazing new poster for Iron Man 2 featuring the titular armor-suited hero standing back-to-back with War Machine was released. It marked the first time we got an official view War Machine (as he will appear in the film), who’s actual identity is Col. James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes, being acted by Don Cheadle (after he replaced Terrence Howard). The notice caused geekgasms everywhere amid superhero movie fans (I know Screen Rant’s reviewers were particularly psyched by it, anyhow 
), and truly so. However, John Favreau, Marvel Studios and Paramount have not just left it at that: Some bran-new images from Iron Man 2 were released shortly after the poster was, now another new poster back-number released. The worldwide teaser (as it’s being dubbed) demoes just Iron Man on one’s own, but this time de-masked. It looks a bit unknown at first sight, but maybe that’s just as we do not usually see Stark assuming the suit without his mask on. All the same, Mr. Stark looks intense – even mad, you coulded things to come when we check back in on the chances of Iron Man in the sequel. Anyway, without further ado, check over the bran-new Iron Man 2 poster, courtesy of Empire: Like you needful another reason to be activated about this particular
superhero continuation, but there you’ve it… Just as a reminder, Iron Man 2 stars Robert Downey Jr., Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Don Cheadle, Gwyneth Paltrow and Samuel L. Jackson. It’s directed by Jon Favreau and written by Justin Theroux. Sound off in the comments on what you think about the poster and how much you’re looking forward to the film. We’d love to hear your thoughts. And make certain to check over the official first bill poster and gallery of hi-res pics HERE. Iron Man 2 hits theaters on May seventh, 2010.
source: screenrant
A new full-length trailer has appeared online for the upcoming Nicolas Cage-starring fantasy adventure-thriller, Season of the Witch. If you only come to Screen Rant for your film news then you might not have discovered of or seen much from this film but there was a abruptly teaser trailer (a sort of Halloween sneak-peek) that surfaced shortly ago and we now have the fresh full-length trailer to be for it. Season of the Witch stars Nicolas Cage as, “a fourteenth century Crusader who returns on his comrade to a homeland blasted by the Black Plague. A badgered church, deeming sorcery the culprit of the beset, commands the two knights to transport an charged witch to a remote abbey, where monastics will perform a ritual in hopes of ending the plague.” The movie is addressed by Dominic Sena, who’s worked with Cage ahead on the redo of Gone In 60 Seconds (which I hold as a guilty pleasure film, I’ve to admit), and is composed by Threshold creator/writer, Bragi F. Schut. As Alex Billington over at First Showing alleges, the movie would look a good deal better if it weren’t for Cage being in “cheesy mode” again and sticking out like a throbbing sore thumb, apart of Cage that’s surfaced far too often in many his recent movies (Ghost Rider, anybody?).
All the same, if you look past Cage there are a few genuinely creepy and atmospheric appearing moments to be found. The premise is great and the output design is wicked. Agree the trailer out for yourself, thanks to Trailer Addict (it first appeared internet at Fandango): Alongside Cage, Season of the Witch stars Ron Perlman, Claire Foy, Christopher Lee, Stephen Campbell Moore, Robert Sheehan and Stephen Graham – Perlman and Graham are adequate to get me to watch it (the latter is really arming a great career for himself, and, well, the early is frickin’ Hellboy – ’nuff said). As I said, apart by Cage I really like the look of this one. What do you concoct the trailer for Season of the Witch? Does Cage abide for you or does he suit the role well in your eyes? Season of the Witch is set to hit theaters on March 19th, 2010. Sources: screenrant
Did the title throw you off a little? Don’t worry, it through me off also. Yes, it would appear that Disney has produced a Russian-only fantasy film called Kniga Masterov or in its native Russian Книга мастеров. The English version is Book of Masters and it’s the first Russian film Disney has arrived stars an all Russian cast and dang if it does not look brilliant. I could easily advance the names of the manager, writer, players and producers but honestly, I doubt you’ve ever heard of them and they’re all Russian. Even IMDB does not have pictures to go with their names. The movie is supported Russian folklore and fairy story* but the imagery from the trailer and video recording clip lean heavily on the Lord of the Rings movies. That’s not a badly thing though. I am all for a good fantasy film, in whatever language it mayhap in. The people over at Twitch have the translation the stone golems are chanting at the end of the video clip to say, “We obey Stone Queen, until a stone would cry and man would have pity on stone.” Kniga Masterov back-number in production since 2008 and I bid I had heard something about it ahead now because it looks fun. Russian film maker* are scoring major points as late with this film and the flying car film Black Lightning by director Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted, 9). I hope they keep to produce quality work as with all the schlep Hollywood is dealing lately, maybe we need to look overseas for anew accept things. I will say this; don’t be afraid to watch this or any additional film just because it’s subtitles. Screen Rant author Ross Miller composed an exceptional piece on why lookers should take the time to catch foreign movies with subtitles. If you skip out on that for that reason only, you could very well be dropping out on something gratifying. What did you concoct the Russian trailer and video clip for Kniga Masterov? Would you be amenable to watch it with sub-titles or no? Kniga Masterov (Book of Masters) opens in Russian theaters Oct 29th, 2009.
corduroy acid jazz
source: screenrant
It seems like Law Abiding Citizen is one in a series of husband/father avenges the death/mistreatment of his family movies spawned by the success of Taken (next eligible is the Mel Gibson-starring Edge of Darkness). In that one we have Gerard Butler as Clyde Shelton, enjoying father and husband (established quite effectively in just the first couple of minutes of the film) up against Jamie Foxx as prosecuting attorney Nick Rice in a game of psychological cat and rat. Clyde’s wife and very young daughter are brutally
Law Abiding Citizen: Movie Info
murdered (his wife, before his eyes) by a few burglars who break into his home. So to guarantee that at the least among the perpetrators gets the death sentence, Nick cuts a plea bargaining with the other, who will only serve five years. He does this without first consulting on Clyde, who doesn’t buy Nick’s argument of it being better to see some justice served besides take the chance that both men go absolve. Within the first ten mins you’ll get the entire apparatus for the film. Cut to ten years later – Nick now has a nine yr old daughter and the death house inmate is about to be executed. What should be a standard death by injection goes horribly wrong in a scene that will probably have you cringing in your seat at the least a bit. Soon after the bad guy who only served five years gets barge in a compromising
position by Clyde – and he’s attending have a very, very bad (last) day. One thing leads to another and Nick determines that Clyde is the guy behind both deaths. In a scene that frankly makes no sense other to show Gerard Butler’s au naturel butt, the cops capture him and take him in. It soon becomes clear that Clyde wanted more revenge – he prefer to* expose the corrupt justice system where compromises are made and the letter of the law sometimes chairs to injustice. Murders of those involved in the plea deal continue to come about even with Clyde behind bars, where he makes a series of odd and interesting requests – all of which arise to be brought very specific reasons. Naturally the big mystery is how these things continue to happen despite the fact Clyde is behind bars – who’s his accomplice? Unfortunately the longer this advances, the bigger the shovel that’s needed to dig the answer to this question, and the solution is hard to swallow. Gerard Butler basically chews the scenery and Jamie Foxx isn’t given a batch commotion here additional than look and act solemn. The movie is very violent, now and then quite funny (Gerard gets some great lines that had the audience laughing aloud) and has at the least one scene that comes at you out of nowhere with a hell of a punch. I’m a big fan of this kind of film being a husband and father myself, and was really enjoying it up until about the final twenty mins where it took a bed a direction that fetches up putting a big damper on the experience. The ending seals the deal and really left me pretty cold (unfortunately). So while the ending is pretty unsatisfying, I had many fun for most of the movie. So overall if you’re into this kind of movie and you are a fan of Gerard Butler and/or Jamie Foxx I recommend Law Abiding Citizen.
ambient music charts
Thousands of Kings of Leon fans gathered at the American Airlines Center last Wednesday to soak in their Southern rock sound. The band originated in Nashville, Tenn. ten years ago. Talent dustups the family – lead vocalist Caleb Followill is fell in by his 2 brothers, Nathan and Jared, and their full cousin, Matthew. As with about music groups, Kings of Leon 1st gained caliber years after they commenced writing and acting songs
source: Kings of Leon
Download film Alien
Welcome to the second installment Halloween lead-up series called “Horror Plus” – a feature which sets out to showcase one film that combines horror with another genre. It will basically serve as a review of the film imminent, explaining why it’s such a example of genre merging. In case you dropped it, our first installment in the series was Horror Plus Comedy: Shaun of the Dead. Make sure to keep and eye out for other installments such that as “Horror Plus Action” and “Horror Plus Thriller” in the advent weeks chairing up to Halloween on October 31st. There are a lot of, many great choices I coulded Horror Plus Sci-Fi class, and believe me it took me a long time to pick just one (not picking the like The Thing and Scanners about physically hurt…). But then it struck me, at any rate in my books, there’s only ONE ultimate sci-fi film that blendings itself into the horror genre so well, and that’s Ridley Scott’s chef-d’oeuvre, film Alien. In case you’re not acquainted this absolute classic (and if you aren’t, how come are you still indication this and not off renting or even bribing it?), the plot is as follows: The crew on a excavation ship (the Nostromo) encounter an SOS call from a nearby satellite while heading back to Earth, and unable to brush aside it, they decide to land on the planet and investigate. A couple of of the crew members head out onto the satellites surface, only to find a hive colony of a few strange and unknown animal. Among the creatures attaches itself to one of the crewmans faces, and the crew make the error of allowing him, and subsequently the creature aboard. Presently, things start to go from bad to worse for the crew once they start to actualise they’re not alone on the ship. Like all big genre mixing films, the blend of the 2 types is seamless. Alien never finds like it’s like 2 films – sci-fi and horror – fighting against one another to be in as is two hour-plus runtime. But rather, it feels like they merge together all right to provide for two kinds of films in one. A similar mixing of genres bechanced with the sequel, Aliens, this time helmed by the great James Cameron. And although that’s a fantastic film in one’s own right, I’ve to show my true hand and say that I think Scott’s original is the ranking of the two. Although Alien is definitely not the first movie of its kind, it coulded landmark in the sci-fi and horror genres. Setting a horror movie on a ship in the midst of space where (as the tagline says) “No matchless can hear you scream,” was pure genius on the break of Dan O’Bannon (who co-wrote the story and the screenplay) and Ronald Shusett (who co-wrote the story). Undoubtedly, many the success of Alien as a movie that truly works as part from each one of the sci-fi and horror genres goes down to director Ridley Scott (who earlier was not supposed to direct – O’Bannon was, FYI). New both genres (this alone being his second directed boast after the war film, The Duellists), Scott brings what we now know is a masterful skill (when he picks the right projects…) of bringing a bit of depth to genres that in other hands might have felt a bit superficial. This is too down to the cast, which includes Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Ian Holm, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton and Yaphet Kotto. What’s authoritative about a film which is essentially a bundle of people enclose proximity for almost the entire film, is that the comradery and chemistry betwixt the actors is spot on. Thankfully that’s the caseful with Alien. Among the major things that makes Alien excel from earliest movies of its kind, is the fact that for most of the movie we don’t annoy see the titular animal. It’s surely always there… somewhere… lurking in the apparitions… waiting to pluck another among the crewmans. But the film shrewdly keeps the alien hidden from us, alternatively opting to build tension and an almost overwhelming sense of apprehension of what MIGHT be about to bug out. However, whenever the main alien (or any by the other ones) do make an on-screen appearing, it is entirely shocking, mostly as of that mentioned arm of tension (also as the unique, peculiar and genuinely frightening physical appearance of the animals)). This leads us to what I think is the highlight scene of the full film, when poor old John Hurt, who’s character was the doomed one to get “face hugged” by the alien initially, starts to abruptly feel ill at the dinner table. Out of nowhere, belonging table, a disgusting, creepy alien creature bursts at once of his stomach (a representation of male’s fear of pregnancy and bearing, perhaps?). Ever wondered why the reactions of the surrounding crew was so naturalistic? Well, that’s because before filming the aspect, Scott and the production team did not let any of the cast (additional than Hurt, course) know exactly what was attending happen (they had some general idea) and they were told to just react naturally. Among the biggest scenes of any movie IMO, one that I shudder to even concoct. One thing that must be celebrated about Alien is it was really the 1st mainstream film to have the action hero be a female. As some reason it appeared unthinkable up until that point that a woman coulded a man when it concerns being the one who “saves the day.” Most people at Alien’s original release back in 1979 probably thought Tom Skerritt, captain of the Nostromo, was attending end up being the hero. But as we know, Sigourney Weaver’s badass Ellen Ripley (the part was originally written for a man, FYI) arose to be one to fill those shoes and laid the way for many cinematic female heroes to come. There’s plenty more to discuss about Alien, but I’ll leave that to you Screen Rant readers. I know most of you probably have, but I’ll ask anyway: Have you seen the original Alien? What are your thoughts on what I consider to be Scott’s masterpiece (yes, even more than Blade Runner)? Any favorite moments or memories of watching it (for the first time) that you’d like to share? Leave your thoughts and opinions below. As stated, make sure to keep an eye out for more installments of the “Horror Plus” feature before Halloween, Oct 31st!
indie alternative bands
The first batch of names for Future Music Festival 2010 was unveiled this morning, with some enticements for the FasterLouder-inclined. The travelling rave-up kicks off in Brisbane on Saturday 27 February with returning heroes The Prodigy in the headline slot. The dance punks were of course here in January to close the Boiler Room at Big Day Out and throw down the gauntlet to Neil Young. As announced on FasterLouder last Friday, sartorial Scottish troupe Franz Ferdinand is also locked in for the festival. “It’s good to be different to everyone else,” Bassist Robert Hardy told us in the interview. “We’re all big fans of electronic stuff and the like. In our set these days we have bits that are very electronic. Especially our song Lucid Dreams that has a very big electro coda in it. I mean, we have some very dancey elements to us: we’re hardly a straight guitar act.” Sharing headline honours is Luke Steele and the swordfish girls of Empire Of The Sun, while frequent visitors Does It Offend You, Yeah? will also be getting rowdy again. The rest of the line-up so far is reserved for big name DJs and techno-pop duo Booka Shade.
New Michael Jackson Song
