News: February 8th-14th 1999

On this site you will find interesting rumours, news, pictures & trailers from recent and upcoming movies. We are always looking for cool movie scoops, so if you have one, please submit it to us.

Movie Posters: A poster/advert for "Jawbreaker," whose official site can be found here. Also a poster for the Clint Eastwood directed film "True Crime," which stars Clint himself, James Woods, Diane Venora and Denis Leary. Also thanks to 'ShYgUy1083' for a great scan of the Cruel Intentions poster!

The Beach: Norwegian actor Lars Arentz-Hansen was recently cast as the character 'Bugs' in this Danny Boyle helmed Leonardo DiCaprio starrer, which is currently shooting on the island Phi Phi Lae, southeast of Phuket in Thailand. The beach Maya is a paradise Bugs has built, and which DiCaprio's character seeks after hearing about it from another character called Daffy. Thanks to www.VG.no for the info!

Galaxy Quest: Tim Allen (ABC's 'Home Improvement') is orbiting the starring role of the DreamWorks sci-fi comedy "Galaxy Quest." He would play a former TV actor who must adopt his space captain persona when he and fellow cast members are recruited by a group of aliens to save their imperiled race.

The Virgin Mary: Jennifer Aniston (TV's "Friends" and "The Object of My Affection") is attached to a new project called "The Virgin Mary," Daily Variety reported in its Friday edition. The paper described the Fox film as an edgy story about a 29 year-old virgin who falls in love with a hitman trying to extricate himself from his murderous vocation.

Untitled: Brad Pitt is in talks to make the still as-yet-untitled Cameron Crowe film for DreamWorks Anna Paquin has come aboard to play Polexia in the ’70s period piece that is now skedded for a late April start. Sarah Polley (“The Sweet Hereafter”), who was at one time set for a key role, dropped out of the project when a scheduling conflict arose after the production was postponed. Sources said that Natalie Portman has been mentioned as the filmmakers’ top choice to replace Polley. Crowe’s quasi-autobiographical ’70s era pic is told from the point of view of an as-yet uncast highschooler, who is given the chance to write a story about an up-and-coming rock band, whose frontman would be played by Pitt. Full Story >>>

The Ninth Man: Richard Zanuck and David Brown are reteaming with DreamWorks on "The Ninth Man," based on John Lee's 1976 book. The producers worked with DreamWorks on "Deep Impact." The wartime movie centers on eight Nazis who take a U-boat to the United States in 1942, where they wreak havoc on the East Coast, while a ninth Nazi tries to assassinate President Roosevelt. Blake Masters, who signed a two-picture deal at the studio, will write the script. The project dates to the 1970s, when Zanuck and Brown, then based at Universal Pictures, optioned the book. A script was never written to their satisfaction and the option expired, as did the Zanuck/Brown partnership. "It was Steven Spielberg's recollection of this project that has now put it on the fast track at DreamWorks," Brown said.

8 MM: You guys are always asking for larger scans of the posters, usually we try to keep them at a reasonable size to go easy on the server, but today I got a 2.57 MB (!) poster for "8 MM," and I thought would be nice with something different. So here it is, trimmed down to 585 KB with thanks to 'Walker.'

The Time Machine: Warner Bros. and DreamWorks are joining forces for the first time to produce a new version of H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine," with John Logan ("I am Legend") hired to write the script. DreamWorks' Steven Spielberg is involved with the film and may possibly direct the picture, targeted for a summer 2000 release. The original story, set in Victorian England, centered on a scientist who builds a time machine that, after several failures, eventually works. There was no information available about the new film.

Ton 80: Madonna is set to play a cynical tabloid TV reporter in a new romantic comedy. The Warner Bros. project is tentatively titled "Ton 80,'' and Madonna will also serve as a producer, the paper said. Her character is assigned to find and expose a reclusive female self-help author. It turns out the author is a gruff, handsome, dysfunctional man who hardly takes his life lessons to heart. Trouble is, the reporter falls in love with him and must decide whether to still sell him out.

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The World Is Not Enough: Courtesy of 007 Forever, a look behind the scenes of the brand new Bond adventure, titled "The World Is Not Enough." For more images, be sure to take a look at the 007 Forever site.

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Gone in 60 Seconds: Dominic Sena (“Kalifornia”) has inked to direct Nicolas Cage in “Gone in 60 Seconds” for producer Jerry Bruckheimer at Disney. Pic, a remake of a 1974 film helmed and starring H.B. Halicki, is skedded to start shooting May 3. Other castings are expected in the next few weeks. Scott Rosenberg penned the new script about a guy (Cage) who puts together a crew of car thieves to steal 50 cars in one night.

200 Cigarettes: A trailer for "200 Cigarettes," starring Courteney Love, Ben Affleck and Christina Ricci.

Scream If You Know What I Did Last Halloween: Keenan Ivory Wayans will direct Dimension Films project "Scream If You Know What I Did Last Halloween," which he will merge with "Last Summer I Screamed Because Friday the 13th Fell on Halloween," a similar project Dimension has been developing. The comedic send-up of recent horror films will feature Marlon and Shawn Wayans as part of the film's ensemble cast. Dimension purchased the script, written by "Spyhard" scribes Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, in October and will combine it with the second vehicle, written by Marlon and Shawn Wayans, Phil Beauman and Buddy Johnson. Keenan Ivory Wayans is rewriting the script.

Fantasia 2000 - the crown jewel of Disney animation, will get an even bigger release than originally imagined. The Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday at its annual animation presentation for exhibitors, press and promotional partners in New York that "Fantasia 2000" will have an exclusive four-month run in Imax theaters around the world from Jan. 1-April 30, 2000. The release of the animated film in at least 100 Imax theaters with their eight-story screens will follow a five-city, live-orchestra backed tour of the film in December. That tour will hit Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris and Tokyo. " 'Fantasia 2000' is an animated feature like no other, and audiences will have the opportunity to see it all in its big-screen glory," said Dick Cook, chairman of the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group.

Blade 2: According to Cinescape Online, the Detroit News Comic Book Continuum reports that Kris Kristofferson, who played Whistler in the first film, may make another appearance. This could indicate that the rumor floating around [SPOILERS] that Whistler did in fact NOT commit suicide in the first movie like it appeared, but will rather return as a baddie in the sequel is true. [END SPOILERS] Pretty nice twist, if you ask me..

Gladiator: Ralf Moeller (“Batman and Robin”) has joined the cast of DreamWorks’ “Gladiator” which begins shooting in the U.K. and Morocco later this month. Moeller plays the role of the lead gladiator opposite Russell Crowe, Djimon Hounsou and Joaquin Phoenix in the Ridley Scott-helmed actioner.

American Horror: Clive Barker ("Candyman”) is putting together a new pic that will form the basis of a horror franchise for New Line Cinema. Pic, which has a working title of “American Horror,” will see the author and filmmaker returning to the director’s chair for the first time since 1995’s “Lord of Illusions.” According to Barker, the pic is an attempt to create an American-set horror epic of the magnitude of such classic European fare as “Dracula” and “Frankenstein.”

U-571: Will Estes (“Shepherd”) has been tapped for a lead role in the John Mostow-helmed action pic “U-571.” Estes, set to star opposite Matthew McConaughey and Harvey Keitel, will play a U.S. Navy torpedomen forced to hide out on a German sub. The film, executive-produced by Hal Lieberman and produced by Dino and Martha De Laurentiis, will start shooting in Rome and Malta in January. Estes is repped by Michael McConnell.

My Favorite Martian: LegitCrit recently caught a studio screening of "My Favorite Martian," a long awaited comedy starring Jeff Daniels and Christopher Lloyd. Click below to read his negative review of the film:

Marvel/Fox: With Marvel Entertainment emerging from its debilitating bankruptcy, the status of several projects based on Marvel works is becoming clearer: 20th Century Fox and Marvel have pacted to extend the studio’s control of the feature film rights to three projects based on Marvel’s “X-Men,” “Fantastic Four” and “Silver Surfer.” Fox is currently in pre-production for a summer start on “X-Men,” which will be helmed by Bryan Singer and produced by Richard Donner and Lauren Shuler Donner. Fox intends a 2000 release for the superhero pic. Fox next intends to go before the cameras on “Fantastic Four,” which it is actively developing with an eye toward a late 2000 or, more likely, a 2001 release. Chris Columbus’ 1492 Pictures and Bernd Eichinger are producing. Eichinger is also producing “Silver Surfer,” which is being developed as Fox’s possible third entry in the Marvel stakes. Full Story >>>

Editors Note: For this years Oscar Nominees, visit Oscar.Com. For The Golden Raspberry Award Nominations, check out their official site. Do you have any comments on this years nominations? Feel free to talk about it in our Movie Forum >>>

Movie Posters: A poster for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" starring Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer and Rupert Everett. Also a better copy of the Kathleen Turner/Christopher Lloyd starrer "Baby Geniuses" which will be released March 12th in the US.

Nosebleed: Jackie Chan ("Rush Hour") will reunite with the studio on the comedy action film "Nosebleed." The Asian action hero will play a window washer at the World Trade Center who takes a fancy to a waitress who works at the Windows of the World restaurant atop the center. The pair subsequently get caught up in a plot to bomb the twin towers. New Line paid an initial $600,000 for Stu Zicherman and Raven Metzner's pitch, with the deal potentially worth $850,000 if the film is made. Chan is attached to star and serve as an executive producer.

Dungeons & Dragons: The popular role-playing game is finally coming to the big screen in a live-action format courtesy of Sweetpea Entertainment and Silver Pictures. Budgeted at $28 million, "D&D" will mark the directorial debut of Sweetpea president and chairman Courtney Solomon. The 28-year-old optioned the feature film rights to the TSR Inc.-owned game in 1991 and exercised those rights in 1994. He brought the project to Silver Pictures chairman Joel Silver and vp Steve Richards last year. Written by Topper Lilien and Carroll Cartwright, "D&D" tells the story of an evil wizard who attempts to dethrone a young new empress because of her belief in equal rights between commoners and aristocrats. To assist her, a common thief and a young sorceress set out to find an ancient artifact that will help them save the kingdom.

Movie Trailer: A trailer for the Drew Barrymore/David Arquette starrer "Never Been Kissed." Also, the Clint Eastwood-directed film "True Crime" has a trailer you can check out.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace: Movie Salvage was told that the new "Star Wars: Episode I - TPM" trailer will play with the "Wing Commander" movie, which will be released March 12th in the US. Thanks to 'Brian' for the info!

Million Dollar Hotel: Jimmy Smits ("NYPD Blue") has been cast in Wim Wenders' "Million Dollar Hotel," with Mel Gibson and Milla Jovovich, which began principal photography last week in Los Angeles. The film, described as "a romantic mystery that revolves around a colorful gang of unique and possibly unhinged misfits" in a seedy downtown hotel, was written by Nicholas Klein using a story he hatched with U2 lead singer Bono. Also starring are Jeremy Davies ("Saving Private Ryan"), Gloria Stuart ("Titanic") and Amanda Plummer ("Pulp Fiction").

Blow Dry: Paddy Breathnach, award-winning Irish director of "I Went Down," has signed to direct the hair-raising comedy "Blow Dry" for Miramax and Guy East and Nigel Sinclair's Intermedia. Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy, who earned an Oscar nomination for writing "The Full Monty," penned the script, which is a social comedy set in the world of competitive hairdressing. The film will be produced by Ruth Jackson of West Eleven Films and Sydney Pollack and William Horberg of Mirage Enterprises. Miramax will release the film in North America and the United Kingdom, and Intermedia will distribute in the rest of the world. No cast is yet attached to the film, which is slated to begin shooting in May.