Tag: Movies

Hot Star Wars Episode VII Rumors

The Star Wars Episode VII rumor mill is flying faster than the Millenium Falcon on the Kessel Run (less than 12 parsecs). Vulture has loads of exclusive info that Jedi knights, Sith lords, and scoundrels alike will want to read. Here are the highlights.

  • The studio wants Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa Solo to be in the film.
  • Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3) has written a treatment for the movie.
  • The treatment has been sent to Brad Bird, JJ Abrams, and Steven Spielberg for directing consideration.

Out of these rumors, I’m most intrigued by Brad Bird being considered for the movie’s director. I absolutely loved The Iron Giant and The Incredibles. While I didn’t see it, I’ve heard good things about his job on Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. That said, I’m sure loads of sci-fi fanboys are psyched about the possibility of JJ Abrams directing the movie. That would just be too weird for me. My head won’t accept the new Star Wars and Star Trek movies being directed by the same guy. That’s too much nerd power for one man to have.

Naturally, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the latest Star Wars Episode VII rumors. Leave a comment and share your feelings.

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Three Reasons Mark Wahlberg Would Rule in Transformers 4

Here’s an interesting rumor with some crazy energon potential: Mark Wahlberg is being considered for a role in Transformers 4. There are several reasons why this is awesome news. Before I get to that, here’s what director Michael Bay recently blogged:

I squashed a rumor that was on the internet last week. It was about Mark Walhberg. Mark was rumored to be staring in Transformers 4. We are working on another movie together, not T4. I had such a great time working with Mark on Pain and Gain, and he gave such a great performance — well let’s say that very internet chatter gave me some ideas. We are at the inception of our story process right now on T4. Let’s say some ideas are gaining traction with me and my writer — so I’m here to say thanks internet chatter.

There are three reasons why I’d love Wahlberg as the new lead in Transformers:

  1. I can’t stand Sean LeBeef Shia LaBeouf. It would be a double-bonus if Wahlberg was the new leading man opposite Optimus Prime. The nightmare, of course, is that LeBeouf will be back and Wahlberg’s character will die in the opening credits.
  2. Wahlberg is cool. Between Boogie Nights, Entourage, and The Other Guys, I’m a big fan of Marky Mark’s second career. Also, it would completely rule if Dirk Diggler defeated Megatron.
  3. Speaking of Marky Mark (and the Funky Bunch), if Wahlberg is in the movie then “Good Vibrations” must be in the soundtrack. That would be awesome. Feel the vibrations!!!

What do you think of the possibility of Mark Wahlberg being in Transformers 4?

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Rumor: Disney to Buy Hasbro

Since purchasing Lucasfilm wasn’t enough, here’s a rumor that’s both exciting and terrifying: Disney is in talks to buy Hasbro. In addition to being one of the largest toy companies in the world, Hasbro has the rights to Transformers, G.I. Joe, Dungeons and Dragons, Nerf, Magic: The Gathering, and more. Here’s the story from MTV Geek:

We have it on good authority that serious discussions are happening at the highest levels of both Disney and Hasbro to fold the largest toy and game company on the planet into the Mouse.

From what we’re told, these are still just discussions at this point, but serious enough that something could be announced at any time and create ripples throughout the entertainment industry.

While the crossover potential would be amazing, that’s perhaps too much geek power for any one company to have. Imagine a single entity controlling all the beloved characters from Disney movies, Pixar films, Star Wars, Transformers (not the crap movie, but the awesome toys/cartoon), G.I. Joe, Marvel Comics, D&D, and more?!? On one hand, it would be awesome that an entertainment company with a track record of hands-off reverence would be controlling these properties. On the other hand, it’s a bit terrifying that one company would singlehandedly control almost everything most of us loved as a kid.

What do you think of the Disney-buying-Hasbro rumor?

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GI Joe: Retaliation International Trailer

Here’s the latest trailer for GI Joe: Retaliation. I’m probably going to get a lot heat for this, but I really want to see this movie. Keep in mind that I think Channing Tatum completely sucks (and not in that charming, learning-disabled way like Paul Walker) and I’ve never been big on Bruce Willis. Despite those two factors, I’m convinced that this is going to be glorious in a big-stupid-fun fashion.

As many of you know, I decided long ago never to talk in anyone’s shadow that it was my pro-wrestling-mark duty to support every movie that Dwayne “The Johnson” appears in. The trailers indicate that Roadblock is a great role for him. While I’ve always been hot and cold on Bruce Willis, I prefer his more humorous roles. It looks like he’ll have a lot of zingers as GI Joe Colton. As a comic-book nerd, I’ve loved all the ninja-tastic stories about Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, and the Arashikage Clan. Ray Park (Snake Eyes) is always good for acrobatic action and I’m really rooting for Byung-Hun Lee (Storm Shadow) to attain some glory after giving up all those homeruns in the 2001 World Series (that was him, right?).

So yeah, despite loathing Channing Tatum and not liking Bruce Willis, I have a feeling that GI Joe: Retaliation is going to rock. Who’s with me?!?

Coffee Talk #533: Who Will Be the Star Wars Chosen One?

Millions of people love the original Star Wars trilogy and consider it a vital part of their nerd identity. Millions of people hate the latest Star Wars trilogy and consider it an affront to something dear to their hearts. With that in mind, there’s a tremendous opportunity for a director and/or writer to “save” Star Wars. At worst, he or she will be celebrated — fairly or unfairly — for not being George Lucas. At best, he or she will be the savior or all nerdkind. Who are some of the people you’d like to see considered for Star Wars Episode 7?…more

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Steve Nash’s injured leg, Bristol Pailin selling her car on Craigslist, or Jony Ive’s new influence on iOS, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Millions of people love the original Star Wars trilogy and consider it a vital part of their nerd identity. Millions of people hate the latest Star Wars trilogy and consider it an affront to something dear to their hearts. With that in mind, there’s a tremendous opportunity for a director and/or writer to “save” Star Wars. At worst, he or she will be celebrated — fairly or unfairly — for not being George Lucas. At best, he or she will be the savior of all nerdkind. Who are some of the people you’d like to see considered for Star Wars Episode 7?

Many sci-fi and comic-book geeks have been throwing Joss Whedon’s name around. The man has a ton of nerd cred between Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and The Avengers. Many Star Wars fans were hoping that Timothy Zahn’s novels would be given the big-screen treatment, but RPadholic N8R informed us that won’t be the case. The usual suspects of Christopher Nolan, Darren Aronofsky, and Ridley Scott have been discussed by the sci-fi elite.

Who would you like to see as the director and writer of Star Wars Episode 7? Who will be the chosen one that saves the Star Wars movies? What are the chances of seeing Natalie Portman (in extended scenes) wearing Princess Leia’s metal bikini?

Today’s Poll: Star Wars Episode 7

As if Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm wasn’t big enough news on its own, the company also announced that Star Wars Episode 7 will be coming in 2015. This is huge, huge news for all of nerdkind. Some Star Wars marks are afraid of the upcoming movie; they feel that the original trilogy gets tarnished by every new film. Some, particularly fans of Timothy Zahn’s excellent Star Wars novels, are excited by the prospect of seeing cool characters like Grand Admiral Thrawn on the big screen.

How do you feel about Episode 7? Are you worried it will be as lame as Jar Jar Binks? Or are you excited for a movie that’s Han Solo cool? Please vote in today’s poll and expand on your choice in the comments section!

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Bryan Singer to Direct X-Men: Days of Future Past

Marvel has announced that Bryan Singer will direct the upcoming mutant movie X-Men: Days of Future Past. (Presumably) based on one of the most popular storylines from the Chris Claremont era, Days of Future Past is a time-jumping tale that has the X-Men trying to prevent an alternate (and sucky) future where mutants are hunted by the government and placed in internment camps. X-Men fans should be delighted by the return of Singer; many felt that the movies he directed (X-Men and X2) were the best of the bunch. At the time of its release, many critics felt that X-Men was the best superhero movie to date.

The next few years should be busy for Marvel’s mutants. The Wolverine is set for a July 2013 release, while Days of Future Past is slated for July 2014. As a fan of the books, I’m really look forward to Singer’s take on the Claremont classic.

How about you? Are excited about Bryan Singer directing X-Men: Days of Future Past?

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Disney Buys Lucasfilm, Star Wars Episode 7 in 2015

In one of the most enormous moves in movie and pop-culture history, The Walt Disney Company has announced that it has acquired Lucasfilm for $4.05-billion. But wait, there’s more! The company has also announced that Star Wars Episode 7 is slated for 2015 and will kick off a new Star Wars trilogy. Here’s more from Disney CEO Robert Iger:

In 2015, we’re planning to release Star Wars Episode 7 — the first feature film under the “Disney-Lucasfilm” brand. That will be followed by Episodes 8 and 9 — and our long term plan is to release a new Star Wars feature film every two to three years. We’re very happy that George Lucas will be creative consultant on our new Star Wars films and that Kathleen Kennedy, the current Co-Chair of Lucasfilm, will executive produce. George handpicked Kathy earlier this year to lead Lucasfilm into the future. She’ll join Disney as President of Lucasfilm, reporting into Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn and integrating and building the Star Wars franchise across our company.

Wow. Just wow. Between Lucasfilm, Marvel, and Pixar, Disney now owns some of the most beloved pop-culture franchises in the world.

That said, I’m also scared of this acquisition. Iger saying that Disney plans to release a Star Wars film every two to three years sounds like a recipe for over-saturation. Of course it’s impossible to say how successful this acquisition will be. For now, I’d love to hear your initial reaction to Disney buying Lucasfilm, as well as your thoughts on a new Star Wars trilogy. Share your feelings — don’t let go of them like a Jedi — in the comments section (please!).

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Arnold Schwarzenegger to Reprise Conan Role

Legendary action star Arnold Schwarzenegger will return to one his earliest roles, Conan the Barbarian, in the upcoming movie The Legend of Conan. The film is being produced by Fredrik Malmberg and Chris Morgan. Remember that iconic scene of Conan sitting on a throne looking pensively grim? The new movie takes place after that. Malmberg told Deadline:

The original ended with Arnold on the throne as a seasoned warrior, and this is the take of the film we will make. It’s that Nordic Viking mythic guy who has played the role of king, warrior, soldier and mercenary, and who has bedded more women than anyone, nearing the last cycle of his life. He knows he’ll be going to Valhalla, and wants to go out with a good battle.

Sadly, the 1984 sequel Conan the Destroyer is being ignored as Conan canon. It would have been fun to see an old Grace Jones and the now-MILFy Olivia D’Abo.

Seriously though, I’m intrigued by the premised of a movie about an old Conan but fear this will turn out to be garbage. John Milius’ Conan the Barbarian was a dramatic and powerful action movie. I worry about this sequel being too soft and light.

What do you think of Arnold Schwarzenegger taking up the sword again? Are you interested in The Legend of Conan?

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New Noobz Trailer in the House!

Here’s the latest trailer for Noobz, a road-trip movie about competitive gaming starring Jason Mewes and Zelda Williams. If the subject matter and stars aren’t enough reasons to watch it, Noobz also features Adam Sessler and the great Casper Van Dien. That reminds me, I have to call director Blake Freeman about casting me in Noobz II: Even Nerdier. Anyway, check out the trailer and share your thoughts on it in the comments section (please!). Continue reading “New Noobz Trailer in the House!”