News: July 10th-16th 2000

Old Movie News:
July 10th-16th 2000

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July 15th-16th 2000 - Movie News/Rumors

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: 10-year-old Liam Aiken ("I Dreamed of Africa") looks set to play Harry Potter in Warner Bros.' film version of the book "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Director Chris Columbus previously worked with Aiken on "Stepmom." Thanks to the Daily Express. [Note: this report turned out to be a rumor, and possibly a false one at that.]

Rollerball: A review of John Pogue's "Rollerball" rewrite. The film begins production this month in Montreal, with John McTiernan ("The Thomas Crown Affair") producing/directing. Minor spoilers. Thanks to 'Stax at IGN FilmForce.'

Reviews: An early look at "The Crew" and "Meet the Parents," as well as a review for "What Lies Beneath." Some spoilers. Thanks to Stephen and Michael.

Queen of the Damned: Irish-born actor Stuart Townsend ("Wonderland," "Simon Magus") is in negotiations to star as the vampire Lestat in "Queen of the Damned" for director Michael Rymer ("In Too Deep"). According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project is scheduled to go before cameras at the end of September. "Queen of the Damned" follows Lestat as he becomes a rock star whose music wakes up Akasha, the queen of all vampires. In the process, a young woman who works as a vampire hunter falls in love with him. Singer Aaliyah ("Romeo Must Die") is set to star in the project as the queen.

The Scorpion King: British writer Jonathan Hales (currently in Australia working with George Lucas on "Star Wars: Episode II") will pen the third installment of "The Mummy" action-adventure franchise. Titled "The Scorpion King," the film is expected to be a prequel to last year's hit. According to Variety, the prequel, which has not yet been greenlit, may be toplined by pro wrestling star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, who portrays the Scorpion King character in "The Mummy Returns."

Chakulan: DreamWorks has committed to pay scribe Leslie Dixon ("The Thomas Crown Affair") a $1 million advance to pen an original animated picture tentatively titled "Chakulan." Variety reports that Dixon, known for her witty banter, says the story is inspired by the fact that male Bengal tigers have a biological animosity toward female tigers and their cubs - but that the story has a twist.

Diablo: New Line Cinema has picked up "Diablo," an action spec script designed as a starring vehicle for Vin Diesel ("Pitch Black"). Written by Christian Gudegast and Paul T. Scheuring, the script is about a mysterious figure known as Diablo who emerges to head a drug cartel after the previous leader is imprisoned. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the story centers on a U.S. Customs agent who collaborates with a jailed cartel boss to identify and punish Diablo.

Star Wars: Episode II: Jimmy Smits and Christopher Lee have signed up for roles in "Star Wars: Episode II," which is filming in Australia. Smits will play Sen. Bail Organa of Alderaan, a character briefly mentioned in the original "Star Wars." Lee will play a charismatic separatist in the latest Lucasfilm installment, scheduled to hit theaters in 2002. Lee said of his "Star Wars" role: "One of the things that George Lucas said to me was, 'We'll have a lot fun.' And that, believe me, is very good to hear."

Untitled Nancy Pimental Project: Cameron Diaz is in final negotiations to star in Columbia Pictures' offbeat romantic comedy "The Untitled Nancy Pimental Project" for what THR said is around $15 million. The project is slated to go before cameras in March for director Roger Kumble ("Cruel Intentions") and producer Cathy Konrad ("Girl, Interrupted"). The story, a somewhat bawdy take on the traditional genre, is about a girl who finds that she is forced to educate herself on the etiquette of wooing the opposite sex when she finally meets Mr. Right.

The Time Machine: Animation helmer Simon Wells ("Prince of Egypt") is in negotiations to make his live-action directing debut on "The Time Machine" - based on the novel by his great-grandfather, H.G. Wells. "It's getting the family hands back on the project," joked Wells, who noted that movie rights to the novel passed out of the family decades ago. The story is about a man who invents a machine that allows him to travel 800,000 years into the future. The DreamWorks-Warner Bros. co-production will be a big-budget picture with lots of digital effects. Variety reports that Wells is working with John Logan ("Gladiator") on a new draft.

Terminator 3: In "T3," Arnold Schwarzenegger's android character will again battle a state-of-the-art, next-generation Terminator robot, but the kicker is that the android is female. In addition, the producers (Mario Kassar and Andy Vajna) are looking at a short list of new directors for the next installment of the franchise as James Cameron has passed. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the short list of possible helmers includes Ridley Scott ("Gladiator"), David Fincher ("Fight Club"), Roland Emmerich ("The Patriot") and Christian Duguay ("Screamers").

Get Carter: A review of David McKenna and Stephen Kay's "Get Carter" script. The film stars Sylvester Stallone, Miranda Richardson, Rachael Leigh Cook, Rhona Mitra & Michael Caine. Spoilers. Thanks to Chris.

Daredevil: Arnon Milchan's New Regency Pictures has picked up Marvel Enterprises' "Daredevil," a live-action feature based on the Marvel comic book superhero. Writer-director Mark Steven Johnson ("Simon Birch"), who was in negotiations to helm the project at Columbia Pictures, is still attached to direct. Milchan and Marvel's Avi Arad are producing the film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, New Regency is fully financing "Daredevil," while 20th Century Fox will distribute.

Planet of the Apes: Estella Warren ("Champs") is in final negotiations to join Mark Wahlberg in director Tim Burton's "Planet of the Apes." Details on the project are being keeping under wraps, but the story is different from the original in that Wahlberg is a pilot instead of an astronaut. It's believed that she will play Wahlberg's love interest, but 20th Century Fox would not confirm that. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project, being scripted by William Broyles Jr., is expected to begin shooting in the fall for a projected July 4 release.

Crocodile Dundee in Hollywood: Simon Wincer ("Free Willy") will direct the third installment of the "Crocodile Dundee" franchise, which begins shooting in Queensland's Warner Roadshow Movie World Studios on Aug. 7. After the Australian shoot, the film will relocate for five weeks in Los Angeles. According to THR, the plot will center around the Mick Dundee character's move to Los Angeles and the culture clashes that arise from his involvement in the making of a film. [Image courtesy of CDDP.]

The Mummy Returns: Kid actor Freddie Boath has been cast as the son of Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in "The Mummy Returns," which is currently shooting in Morocco. The sequel, written/directed by Stephen Sommers, is set for a May 2001 release. Thanks to Mothership.

X-Men: The movie opens this Friday, and here are three early reviews with thanks to 'Slick,' Eric and Michael.

Wishmaster III & IV: A brief report on these upcoming horror sequels, with thanks to Craig.

Wishmaster III & IV will be produced, and shot in my city next month. In an article featured in The Winnipeg Sun, producer Lesley Oswald said yesterday she's laying the groundwork for the GTF/Paquin Entertainment flicks. Wishmaster III is expected to begin shooting in and around Winnipeg next month.

Behind Enemy Lines: Owen Wilson ("Shanghai Noon") is in final negotiations to star alongside Gene Hackman in "Behind Enemy Lines." Commercial helmer John Moore will make his feature directorial debut on the project, which is slated to start shooting in September in Europe. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Zak Penn ("Inspector Gadget") wrote the most recent draft of the script, which tells the story of a U.S. Marine veteran (Hackman) and a young Navy pilot (Wilson) who are downed over hostile territory and must fight for survival.

All That Glitters: Rap star Da Brat is set to make her big-screen debut opposite pop diva Mariah Carey in Columbia Pictures' feature "All That Glitters," to be helmed by actor-turned-director Vondie Curtis-Hall ("Gridlock'd"). According to THR, the project is slated to begin shooting in Toronto on July 24. Da Brat will play Louise, one of Carey's best friends, in the project that is loosely based on Carey's life. "Glitters," written by Kate Lanier ("Set It Off"), is a rags-to-riches story about a singer's rise to the top from a childhood spent in foster homes.

Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence: Australian director Phillip Noyce ("The Bone Collector") has inked to helm "Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence," his first Oz production since 1987's Nicole Kidman thriller "Dead Calm." Based on a nonfiction book, "Rabbit" tells the story of three Aboriginal girls who were separated from their families as part of an official government policy commonplace until the 1970s. They escape and undertake an epic journey back home, only to be taken away again by the authorities. Variety reports that the budget is thought to be US $3.8 - $4.7 million.

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