Kung Fu Fighting
According to News Askew, Kevin Smith has confirmed he’s after Jet Li to star in his film version of GREEN HORNET. However, a rumor has also popped up indicating that Smith may go female with the character, seeking Zhang Ziyi (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON) to take the role.
Sarandon wanted for Crowe film
Susan Sarandon may be teaming with Kirsten Dunst and Orlando Bloom in Cameron Crowe’s upcoming romantic comedy “Elizabethtown,” Variety reports.
Sarandon would play the mother of Bloom’s character in the movie about an unexpected romance that develops at a Kentucky patriarch’s memorial.
Judy Greer, Jessica Biel, Loudon Wainwright III and Paula Dean are also in talks for parts in the movie.
Production on “Elizabethtown” is expected to begin this summer.
Sarandon’s other upcoming projects include “Shall We Dance?” with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez, “What Is It About, Alfie?” with Jude Law and Omar Epps, and “Noel” with Alan Arkin, Penelope Cruz and Robin Williams.
Cue the Creepy Whistling
David Duchovny says that a sequel to THE X-FILES movie is pretty much a go.
“It’s definiely happening,” the actor said. “Chris has a great idea for the new movie and I expect we’ll be able to begin shooting in the next year or so.” Oddly enough, Duchovny also says he hopes that Mulder doesn’t develop as a character in the film. “I hope not. I was really fighting against that in the final years of the show and I think the [that’s] whole point. I think we’re going to be introducing a new character in the film which will allow us to cast a major star, male or female, who will want to be part of an exciting supernatural thriller. I think the new movie will appeal to both our core fans and a broad audience. I’m very excited about it.”
‘Law & Order’ Losing Veteran Jerry Orbach – Sources
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Is it time for the “Law & Order” troops to throw a goodbye party for Briscoe?
Sources say “Law & Order” veteran Jerry Orbach will depart Dick Wolf’s long-running crime drama at the end of the season after 12 years on the beat as wise-cracking Detective Lennie Briscoe. However, Orbach may still remain in business with Wolf with a role on the upcoming fourth installment of the franchise: “Law & Order: Trial by Jury.”
As for the flagship series, there is no word yet about a replacement for Orbach, but one scenario involves his character’s partner, Detective Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin), being promoted.
“‘Law & Order’ has a 15-year track record of Dick Wolf never commenting on casting changes during the season,” a spokesman for the show said Thursday. Indeed, “Law & Order” has famously weathered many cast changes since it bowed in 1990. At present, Orbach is the longest-serving member of the current “Law & Order” cast members, having signed on during the show’s third season in 1992.
Bond, Legolas Bond
Moviehole is reporting that Orlando Bloom is now the leading contender to take over the James Bond franchise. “They are pulling out all the stops to get him. Orlando would be perfect for the part as he’s got the looks, the charm, the accent and the high profile that would make Bond even more popular. They want to move away from the traditional image of James Bond – the older, suave gentleman – and believe a younger, trendier actor will attract friends.”
The War Returns to This World
Tom Cruise will star in a remake of THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, with Steven Spielberg directing.
Spielberg will direct from a script by Josh Friedman and rewritten by David Koepp, which is based on H.G. Wells’ novel. The novel was originally set in the 19th century, when atmospheric disturbances are detected on Mars. No one knows what to make of the reports until an invasion force lands outside London.
At first, the world laughs at the Martians because they cannot adjust to the Earth’s increased gravity. However, they soon learn their lesson when giant death machines begin laying waste to the world.
Spielberg and Cruise hope the film could start late in 2005. Meanwhile, Spielberg will likely direct THE RIVALS, which effectively scuttles any plans for INDIANA JONES IV, which has stalled because George Lucas threw out Frank Darabont’s script.
Dreamworks and Paramount will fianance the pic. Cruise’s C/W Productions will produce.
Teenage New Zealand Oscar-nominee set to star in “Star Wars” sequel
LOS ANGELES (AFP) – New Zealand schoolgirl Keisha Castle-Hughes, who this year became the youngest ever best actress Oscar nominee, will star in the next episode of the blockbuster “Star Wars” movies, reports said.
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The 13-year-old actress, who made her Oscar nominated screen debut last year in “Whale Rider,” has found herself a heavyweight Hollywood agent and a role as the Queen of Naboo in filmmaker George Lucas’ “Star Wars: Episode III.”
Castle-Hughes has signed on with top Tinseltown talent managers Creative Artists Agency for her Hollywood roles but will remain represented in New Zealand by Auckland Actors, according to reports in the Daily Variety and Hollywood Reporter.
In her acting debut in “Whale Rider,” Castle-Hughes, who lost the Oscar to South African Charlize Theron, took on the role of a feisty Maori girl battling tradition and her grandfather to take over the leadership of her tribe.
The sixth chapter in the 27-year-old sci-fi classic “Star War” series, which has developed a major cult following, is due for release in May 2005.
Dueling X-Men?
Cinescape scoped out the latest issue of WIZARD magazine early and found a few interesting bits about X-MEN 3 and 4. Singer apparently plans to film the 3 and 4 simultaneously and apparently Singer plans for the film to deal with what would happen if humans and mutants went up against evolution itself.
Batman Comes in Like a Lamb
There is a report that filming on BATMAN: INDTIMIDATION will begin March 16 in the United Kingdom. Producers are also looking to cast a dangerous-looking, “enormous” Asian man that can speak broken english. So, if you are a stereotypical Asian thug, give Warner Bros a ring.
INDY 4 Ready To Go
According to Variety, the script for INDIANA JONES IV is ready to go.
Writer Frank Darabont said, “I’ve finished my work, so now it’s in the hands of God, or Spielberg and Lucas if you prefer.” Filming is scheduled to begin this year with a 2005 debut.
TheRaider.Net got in contact with Lucasfilm and they had this response: “Currently, work is continuing on a final version of the screenplay for INDIANA JONES 4, and and once all parties have signed off on the script and schedules permit, shooting will begin. Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford and George Lucas are all returning for this fourth Indiana Jones adventure. At this time, we have no details about the plot or other actors”.