Anderson Set for Aliens Vs. Predator
20th Century Fox has tapped Paul Anderson (RESIDENT EVIL) to direct the long rumored ALIENS VS. PREDATOR, based on the Fox Interactive PC game.
The story follows a group of scientists who try and experiment on the Alien brood and Predators. They decide to hatch Alien eggs to create an environment attractive to the Predators.
Weekend Box Office
Somehow, and I think this may be a sign of the apocalypse, “Men In Black II” beat “Road To Peridtion” at the weekend box office.
Wow! If you need proff, as I did, here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. “Men in Black II,” $25 million.
2. “Road to Perdition,” $22.1 million.
3. “Reign of Fire,” $16 million.
4. “Halloween: Resurrection,” $12.3 million.
5. “Mr. Deeds,” $11 million.
6. “The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course,” $10 million.
7. “Like Mike,” $7.6 million.
8. “Lilo & Stitch,” $7.6 million.
9. “Minority Report,” $7.4 million.
10. “The Bourne Identity,” $5.8 million.
Production on TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES may have been shut down because of out of control costs.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER has been forced to shut up shop on his third TERMINATOR movie for the summer as producers desperately try to control the film’s spiraling budget.
After just two months of filming, the sequel, RISE OF THE MACHINES, is busting the bank at a whopping $200 million, according to the NATIONAL ENQUIRER.
And so executives have shut down the movie while they try to find a way of reducing costs.
A source says, “The producers are afraid that if they don’t do something they’ll have another WATERWORLD on their hands.
“There are a lot of expensive scenes and special effects.”
One expensive scene, which is yet to be shot, is causing headaches for the execs because it features a car chase through central Los Angeles and involves hundreds of extras and location costs.
“Everybody was sent home while the writer, director and producers try to find a way to do the scene more cheaply.”
Hey Dan, What’s New In Theatres This Weekend?
Well, let me tell you that “Road To Perdition” leads the pack of new films in theatres this weekend.
Actually, four new films with widely varying story lines debuted on Friday ranging from serious drama “Road to Perdition,” to kid comedy “The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course,” with thrillers, “Reign of Fire” and “Halloween: Resurrection,” tucked in between.
But if want to see class personified, go and see “Road To Perdition.”
MIB III Puts On Running Shoes
Columbia Pictures says that they are getting behind another sequel to MEN IN BLACK, after MIB II broke box office records on the July 4 weekend. Columbia also says they will not wait another five years for the second sequel. “We’ve already been talking about what we’re going to do,” she said Columbia head Amy Pascal.
LEGO LAND
Miramax teaming up with Lego for its first computer-animated movie, based on the toymaker’s Bionicle action figures. The studio is eyeing a 2004 release date.
STITCHED UP
Disney announcing that its latest animated hit Lilo & Stitch will get a straight-to-video sequel and its own TV series. The sequel, tentatively titled Stitch! The Movie, is due out in 2003, while Stitch! The TV Series will hit the Disney Channel in fall 2003.
Warner Sets a Thursday Release for ‘Matrix’ Sequel
Warner Bros. Pictures has set the domestic release of “The Matrix Reloaded” for May 15, 2003 — a Thursday — one day earlier than expected.
The second Matrix sequel, “The Matrix Revolutions,” also will be released in 2003, sometime during the holiday season.
“There’s a pent-up demand for the movie, and we want to get it out there as soon as we can,” said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ executive VP and general sales manager, domestic distribution. “It’s already an event, but we wanted to make it more pronounced.”
This is the first time that Warners has released a film on a Thursday.
The first “Matrix” sequel will go out on more than 3,200 screens, eight days before the Memorial Day weekend. This release pattern mimics the one adopted by “Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones.”
“Matrix Reloaded” is the first film to put a claim on that weekend, with Columbia Pictures’ Eddie Murphy starrer “Daddy Day Care” slated to follow May 23. The prior weekend, May 9, brings another Columbia title, the Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez starrer “Gigli.”
“The Matrix Reloaded” reunites producer Joel Silver and writer-directors Larry and Andy Wachowski with stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving.
“The Matrix” opened in North America on March 31, 1999, and grossed $458 million worldwide and $171.5 million domestically. It also became the first DVD title to sell 1 million units.
Michelle Rodriguez Negotiates for S.W.A.T.
Tough girl Michelle Rodriguez (RESIDENT EVIL) is in negotiations to join Collin Farrell and Samuel L. Jackson in S.W.A.T. In the film, based on the 1970s tv show, Rodriguez would play Denise Sanchez, the only female member of the Los Angeles S.W.A.T. team that tries to protect a witness from assassination. Clark Johnson will direct.
SUPERFRIENDS
“The Perfect Storm” and “Das Boot” director Wolfgang Petersen coming aboard to direct Batman vs. Superman, a “clash of the titans”-style caper about the two superheroes who come to blows over differing philosophies. The film is expected to hit theaters in summer 2004.