In this week’s Ketchup, those "Transformers" photos keep popping up, and MGM has big plans, which include what they hope will be a Peter Jackson-helmed "Hobbit."
Also, "Casino Royale" gets a rousing reception, and Jim Carrey‘s upcoming off-beat "Number 23" shows promise. Read on for more.
This Week’s Most Popular News:
Clear Shots of "Transformers" Leaders Optimus Prime and Megatron
Whether you’re into it for the ’80s chic, nostalgia, or you just like robots, the new "Transformers" movie is on its way. We still aren’t dead certain what they’ll look like, but new sightings have been made!
MGM Plans "Terminator 4," "The Hobbit" in New Tentpole Strategy
Exciting news for fans of event pics: MGM, in an effort to bumrush the tentpole biz, is planning "Terminator 4," a "Thomas Crown Affair" sequel, and "The Hobbit" — with the hope that "Lord of the Rings" visionary Peter Jackson will direct.
"Casino Royale" Test Screening Is Fantastic
Over the weekend, AICN had a review of "Casino Royale" from a test screening in London. According to this reviewer, "Royale" is a “fantastic” Bond film. It successfully introduces audiences to a new, more humanized James Bond played, this time, by Daniel Craig.
Jim Carrey With Joel Schumacher? "The Number 23" Reviewed
Numerologists and Jim Carrey fans will be thrilled to hear that "The Number 23," set for release in February 2007, will be another dark, tunnel-like experience where the only light at the end is the smiling face of Carrey himself, and possibly that of his leading lady, Virginia Madsen. It looks like this one’s gonna be another mind-bender.
Autobot Bumblebee Caught "Sunbathing"
We’ve seen pics of what Megatron and Optimus Prime may look like in the upcoming "Transformers" movie; now there’s a pic of Bumblebee floating around as well. Ain’t It Cool News’ ‘Quint’ found a pic of the yellow Camaro (originally a VW Beetle) "sunbathing" on the "Transformers" set. What’s more interesting are the random items around the wood planks he’s lying on, including some copper springs and a rubber glove.
Unshaken, and creating a stir.
In Other News:
- Danny Glover has signed on to direct "Toussaint," a biopic of Toussaint L’Ouverture, who led Haiti to independence through a successful slave revolt. Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle, and Angela Bassett will star.
- Putting an end to the seemingly endless rumors, Jet Li has confirmed that he will indeed collaborate with Jackie Chan on a film next year. He gave no plot details away, but said that filming will begin in April, 2007.
- Larry Charles, the director of the "Borat" movie, is preparing to direct "The Dirt," a biopic of Motley Crue based on the band’s eye-opening 2001 book "The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band." No word yet if Ozzy Osbourne’s character will sniff a line of ants in the film.
- Director Todd Phillips has revealed the title of the sequel to "Old School" (which he is currently writing): "Old School Dos." Phillips, who also is producing, says the film will focus more on Will Ferrell’s character, and that when the script is complete he plans to show it to Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson, and Ferrell, who have yet to sign on for the sequel.
- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will star in yet another football movie, this time Disney’s family comedy "The Game Plan." The Rock will play a football player who discovers he has a daughter, and subsequently tries to learn to be a good father. Kyra Sedgwick will co-star as his ruthless agent who cares little for the girl.
- "Ocean’s 13" writers Brian Koppelman and David Levien will adapt Don Winslow’s novel "The Winter of Frankie Machine." Robert De Niro will star as a retired mob hitman who discovers that he’s being set up for a hit himself.
- Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony’s "El Cantante," which became a hot property at the Toronto Film Fest, was acquired for North American distribution by Picturehouse president Bob Berney for almost $6 million, beating Miramax, Focus Features, and the Weinstein Co. to the punch. The biopic of Salsa music pioneer Hector Lavoe will get to see a mid-summer release.
- Finally, "Borat" will be the first movie to feature on MySpace’s "Black Carpet" international screening series. The social networking site will screen "Borat" exclusively for MySpace community members on September 20 in six countries, including 20 cities in the United States. "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" will open in wide release on November 20.
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Jagshemash!"
