One thing I hate about Hollywood is its insistence on rehashing the same old tired properties in the hope that the core audience who used to flock to the theaters to see it will still be there. They also hope that rehashing an established property will pull in a new generation of fans who will drool over the battle-hardened characters of these properties much like their parents did.
A case in point is the James Bond series. The James Bond movies is now more than twenty movies old and it’s still the same old grizzled character that Hollywood is trying to milk. Okay, I think the “reboot” of the character with Casino Royale seems a little inspired but really, aside from the more chiseled body of Daniel Craig, we’ve seen it all before, right?
What the James Bond franchise really needs is a change in vision. And if there’s any kind of left-field kind of change happening to the franchise it would be the news that Sam Mendes is in negotiations to direct the next Bond sequel.
The director, who made a mark with American Beauty, and followed it with such works as Road to Perdition and Revolutionary Road, is an intriguing choice. Although Mendes directed Jarhead, he hasn’t really made an action movie. I, for one, will eagerly anticipate this new Bond installment if Mendes does get to direct it — the first time I’m actually excited about a Bond movie.
Greengrass walks away from fourth Bourne movie
The Bourne series of action movies is noteworthy for being one of the few intelligent products that have come out of Hollywood. It’s a cerebral series of action movies that pay close attention to plot and acting as much as to action setpieces. After a contentious production for Bourne Identity because star Matt Damon and director Doug Liman couldn’t see eye-to-eye, which still resulted in a quality movie, the series really began to hit its stride when Paul Greengrass assumed the director’s chair for Bourne Supremacy and Bourne Ultimatum.
With plans for a fourth Bourne movie underway, everything was running smoothly, until news came out that Greengrass has reportedly “walked away” from the sequel. This will put the production of the fourth movie in jeopardy because Matt Damon is extremely close to Greengrass and this could make Damon decide to leave the production as well as a show of solidarity with his friend.
The problem seems to have originated from the producers’ decision to hire another writer to work on another script when the first script by George Nolfi (who wrote Bourne Ultimatum) was not universally liked. Greengrass seems to have taken exception for not being consulted in hiring the new new writer.
With the new Bourne movie looking like it’s in limbo, it will be a few more years before we see another intelligent action movie coming out of Hollywood. Believe me, Sylvester Stallone’s The Expendables, one of the hotly anticipated action movies in production, won’t win any awards for cinematic intelligence.
The Playlist does add that walking away might be a “typical Paul move” and that he possibly could be back on the project in a few months.
Conan lead announced
Conan is one of the most iconic characters in the world of fantasy. the Cimmerian barbarian turned king is the acknowledged fantasy alpha male and one of the toughest fictional protagonists. Of course, Conan is more familiar to film fans as the character that made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star.
The star turning power of Conan is the reason why it is such a coveted role. With talks that a Conan remake is already being developed, actors left and right are being touted as the perfect Conan. You would, of course, expect to see familiar names and established stars vying for the role of Conan. But th announcement of Lionsgate and Millennium Films about the new Conan has caught quite a few people by surprise. The role was announced to have been given to Jason Momoa. Yes, I don’t know who he is either.
The 30 year old Momoa is a virtual unknown. His most prominent work before Conan was in the sci-fi TV show Stargate Atlantis. He’s also set to appear in the new HBO mini series, Game of Thrones. I’m not familiar with Momoa’s work but from his pictures, he does look like he could be perfect for the role. I’ll hold off judgement on the guy’s acting skills because a) I haven’t seen his work and b) Conan is not really going to win anyone an Oscar — if you can grunt and look good doing it then you’ll perfect for the role.
Oh, and speaking of grunts and Oscars, Mickey Rourke has been offered the role of Corin, Conan’s father.
Conan will begin filming this March 15.
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes and Watson — one of literature’s most well beloved “couples” — are about to break up. Or so the movie begins, with Watson just about to move out of Baker Street and leave the life of crime investigation to settle down with a proper English lady.
Then a case opens, and Holmes tries to woo back his partner. So starts this comedy adventure. It’s your usual winning formula of villain on the quest for world domination + lovable hero + loyal sidekick + romantic sideplots. The movie also tops into the latest trend of witch craft and magic. Hmm. Sherlock meets Lord Voldemort.
The fight scenes are decent, with moments of genius. Watch for the scene at the shipyard. Unfortunately, Director Guy Ritchie tends to overedit some of the best sequences. Even the musical score has some great moments. Nothing to win an Oscar, but quite good for an action movie.
You get the feeling, after watching the movie, that the producers are gearing you up for a sequel. It may actually be a good idea. Robert Downey Jr. does a pretty good job of giving the Sherlock Holmes of classic lit a modern, sorta-sexy/sorta-funny vibe (the way Johnny Depp made being a pirate cool). And considering the Holmes-Watson tradition, there’s a deep well of possible story lines and a deep fan base who’ll follow the pair in whatever crazy adventure they get themselves into. (It may also turn the new generation towards the classics, and help them rediscover Sherlock Holmes and actually read the book!)
Chris Pine cast as Jack Ryan
Another reboot is in the offing in Hollywood.
Chris Pine is reportedly in talks with Paramount Pictures to play Jack Ryan, the popular CIA analyst character in Tom Clancy’s novels.
A script is currently being written for the planned reboot. Although the movie’s title wasn’t revealed yet, I’m guessing they’ll restart the franchise with the first novel, The Hunt for Red October.
If Pine accepts, he will be the fourth actor to assume the role of Ryan. Alec Baldwin starred in The Hunt for Red October. Then Harrison Ford assumed the role when Baldwin decided to do The Shadow instead of Patriot Games. The last actor to play Ryan was Ben Affleck.