The Weekly Ketchup: Bay's Promises For Transformers 2, Bond 22's Other Location, David Cross Defends Chipmunks Role

In this week’s Ketchup, Michael Bay promises some new and unique robots for the Tranformers sequel, part of Bond 22 will take place inside 007’s head, and David Cross felt compelled to defend his role in the surprising blockbuster Alvin and the Chipmunks.

This Week’s Top News:

Michael Bay Promises a Passel of New and Unique ‘Bots for Transformers 2
Directing a movie that has rolled up over $706 million in worldwide grosses can leave a guy feeling festive on New Year’s Eve — as Michael Bay’s fans found out when they visited his official site in the waning moments of 2007.

Bond 22 to Get Inside 007’s Head?
It doesn’t have an official title yet, but Daniel Craig’s second go-round as James Bond is about to commence principal photography — and director Marc Forster has started divulging information about what might be in store for Agent 007.

David Cross Defends Alvin and the Chipmunks Role

Critics, bloggers, movie website readers — pretty much anybody who knows their way around a keyboard have voiced their “concern” for Alvin and the Chipmunks. (Though with $150 million in the bank after only three weeks, the rodents are doing well with the average man on the street and his family.) But enough is enough, says David Cross, and he’s countering with a lengthy tirade of his own.

Studios Planning for Fewer Sequels in 2008
If you’re the type of moviegoer who greets the annual wave of sequels with groans and eyerolls, USA Today has some good news for you: In 2008, you can expect to see far fewer of them at a theater near you.

Producer Moritz Borman Drops Some Terminator 4 Hints
Looking for Terminator 4 plot details? You might have to read between the lines to get them, but producer Moritz Borman has dropped a few hints about the sequel, which begins filming April 15 in Budapest.

Running out of filming locations.

In Other News:

• British newcomer Gemma Arterton has been cast as the new Bond girl in Bond 22, playing the role of ‘Fields’. Also, Jeffrey Wright will return as ‘Felix Leiter’.
• Daniel Radcliffe has won the role of late British war photographer Dan Eldon in the biopic Journey.
• Richard Matheson has signed off on sequel rights to I Am Legend, though Warner Bros. has yet to announce if they will pursue the project.
• New Line Cinema has pushed back the release date of the fantasy-adventure Inkheart from its original March 19 to an unspecified date.
• Will Smith, Taye Diggs, Kevin Spacey and Adam Arkin are under consideration to star in Steven Spielberg‘s The Trial of the Chicago 7.
• 20th Century Fox has moved the release of the Katherine Heigl romantic comedy 27 Dresses back one week to January 18, where it will open opposite the sci-fi thriller Cloverfield.
  
  Perhaps it stands a better chance opposite that big-budget monster movie.

Around the Site:

• The Rotten Tomatoes
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• Care to reminisce about those freaky phone call movies? Check out this week’s Total Recall
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