Filed under: Action & Adventure, Casting, Fandom, DIY/Filmmaking, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels

I've always been a big Edward Norton fan; I've seen all his films, and even watched him perform in an off-Broadway play, Burn This, when he starred opposite Catherine Keener. For someone that's been dabbling in the indie world as of late with films like The Painted Veil, The Illusionist and Down in the Valley, hearing that he's just been cast as Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk re-do came as quite the surprise. I mean, in order to catch his last "commercial" hit, you have to go all the way back to 2003 for The Italian Job. Eric Bana, I could see. Jason Statham would've been completely wrong for the role. And Norton? As The Hulk? I don't know.

On one hand, the guy is a fantastic actor who's already played a character with duel personalities more than once (Primal Fear, Fight Club). And if you're wondering what Norton looks like when he's angry, then I highly suggest checking out American History X. On the other hand, part of me feels like Norton is too good for this material -- especially seeing as this new version of The Hulk will be less serious and more comic book-based. With Robert Downey Jr. being cast as Iron Man and Christian Bale playing Batman, it goes to show that Hollywood is taking some risks when it comes to casting these new superhero flicks; bringing on the types of people who you would never expect in a big-budgeted, CG-filled fanboy extravaganza. With Norton onboard, I expect they'll be targeting some A-listers for the remaining cast, bringing us a balls-to-the-wall re-vamped Hulk flick with style. But do you think Norton can pull it off, and spin his performance into another successful franchise for Marvel? And, who do you think has the better shot at succeeding: Norton or Downey Jr.?

Filed under: Action & Adventure, Drama, Gay & Lesbian, Casting, Deals, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels

They keep telling us a Superman Returns sequel is right around the corner, but at the same time director Bryan Singer keeps moving ahead with a different gig. Though he's been attached to The Mayor of Castro Street for two years now, it appears development on the pic has picked up steam after it was revealed that Gus Van Sant had begun work on a similar project. Based on the book by Randy Shilts, Castro Street will tell the real-life story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the U.S. Milk's life was tragically cut short when he -- and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone -- were assassinated by Supervisor Daniel White in 1978.

Variety tells us that Van Sant has attached himself to another Milk-related script; this one was written by Dustin Lance Black (Big Love). That project is set to be shopped around town early next week. At the same time, Warner Independent Prods. is close to a deal with Participant Prods. to co-finance Singer's Castro Street, and Chris McQuarrie (who teamed with Singer on The Usual Suspects and the recent WWII thriller, Valkyrie) will pen the final draft. We all know what happened with the whole "Capote Incident" -- how two pics, Capote and Infamous, hit theaters roughly one year apart with the former gaining a lot more recognition than the latter. Since The Mayor of Castro Street has been in development for 15 years, I assume Singer and Co. will fight tooth and nail to get their Milk story in theaters faster than Van Sant can say, "Got Milk?"

But what about Superman: The Man of Steel? We already know that Singer will helm Valkyrie (with Tom Cruise attached to star) before the Supes sequel (currently scheduled to hit theaters in 2009). Is it possible for him to fit in another film, and still be able to deliver the superhero flick on time? Is Bryan Singer faster than a speeding bullet? I guess we soon shall see ...

Filed under: Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Cannes, Exhibition, DIY/Filmmaking, Movie Marketing

Picture this one: This year's Cannes Film Festival is in full swing, and a ton of stuffy critics anxiously wait in line to catch the world premiere of ... Illegal Aliens, starring Anna Nicole Smith and Joanie "Chyna Doll" Laurer. Yes, Smith's last film will be getting the red carpet treatment over there in France next month when it (thankfully) screens out of competition. (Could you even imagine asking judges to consider handing this atrocity an award?) While the DVD is set to hit the States on May 1, Cannes ultimately decided to shine a deserving spotlight on this mega-masterpiece. Why? Well, to capitalize on Anna Nicole's death like everyone else. Duh.

What's it about, you ask? In the pic, three aliens (and I've decided to use the description off IMDb here because it's too good to pass up) "morph into super-hot babes and arrive to protect the earth from the intergalactic forces of evil. Guided by Syntax, their holographic mentor, these Illegal Aliens are willing to use every trick in the book and every sexy outfit in their wardrobe to accomplish their mission!" Oh, those dirty French -- what will they come up with next? Since our own James Rocchi will be attending the Cannes fest on behalf of Cinematical this year, should we be bastards and actually make him cover this Oscar contender?

Personally, I think it's pretty absurd that they're actually screening this film. And for what reason? So people can sit there and say, "Wow, there's Anna Nicole. She's dead now. And this is how people will remember her." What do you think -- should a film festival as prestigious as Cannes screen a direct-to-DVD piece of crap like Illegal Aliens?

Filed under: Action & Adventure, Paramount, Fandom, DIY/Filmmaking, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Images

We've been waiting for months to see what director Jon Favreau had up his sleeve regarding the new live-action look of Iron Man. Finally, while set pictures have been leaking online left and right, the first crystal clear image of the Iron Man suit (created by Stan Winston) has been revealed to IGN. Now, I'm far from a huge Iron Man fan, so I can't really say whether this suit is exactly what the fans would have wanted. But, it does look pretty cool -- all Iron and stuff. Granted, I'm not sure how in the world one is supposed to move in that suit ... but that's what special effects are for, right?

With production currently in full swing, Iron Man stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark (aka Iron Man), a wealthy industrialist who's forced to create an indestructible suit of armor in order to keep him alive following a life-threatening accident. From there, he uses the suit to fight crime (as well as land cute girls like Gwyneth Paltrow, who plays Pepper Potts). Also starring in the pic are a bald Jeff Bridges (as Obadiah Stane) and Terrence Howard (as that pimp, Jim Rhodes). Iron Man will kick off next summer's slate of blockbusters, when Paramount releases it on May 2, 2008. So, Iron Man fanatics, what do you think about the suit? Is it too clunky? Right on target? You be the judge.

Filed under: Fandom, Exhibition, DIY/Filmmaking, Other Festivals, Gen Art

The greatest thing about the Gen Art Film Festival is its simplicity. 7 nights. 7 premieres. 7 parties. That's it. That's all you need to know. The films are chosen for you; there's no giant slate to flip through and -- perhaps this is the best part -- all of the movies are screened in one venue. Of course, you do need to be in New York City in order to take full advantage of the fest; however, for the first time in its history, the Gen Art Film Festival will be heading to Chicago later this summer where they'll showcase five different films, as well as host five different parties.

Tonight, Gen Art kicks things off with Gary Walkow's Crashing, starring Campbell Scott, Isabella Miko and Lizzy Caplan. Story revolves around a writer whose wife kicks him out of their house, forcing him to crash with two sexy college students. Gosh, what a predicament! Other films screening include: When A Man Falls in the Forest, The Signal (yay!), Sharkwater, Chalk, You Are Here and He Was A Quiet Man. Cinematical will be on hand for a few of these nights, providing you with extensive coverage of the films, the stars and ... um, the open bar. That's right, each film is followed by a swanky after party at some of New York's finest hot spots (not that I'm, like, cool enough to know what's hot and what's not). Tickets are still available through the festival's website, so feel free to head on over there after you're done reading. I'll see you at the after party -- first drink is on me. Oh wait, they're free. Even better.

Filed under: Drama, Deals, Mystery & Suspense, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand

It's been a few months since we first told you about the latest amnesia flick to hit Hollywood, Open Grave. It's okay if you don't remember (zing!); seems a bunch of these crop up each year. Variety tells us that Nala Films has brought Eduardo Rodriguez onboard to helm the pic, which marks his second feature directorial effort after also helming the Robert Rodriguez-penned Curandero back in 2005; he scored that gig, as well as a three-picture deal with Dimension, with only one short film (Daughter) under his belt. See kids, dreams can come true! (And if you've seen his short, then my previous sentence might have made you chuckle just a bit.) Nala Films will produce along with Jon Shestack Prods.; currently, no cast has been announced.

Story centers on a man who wakes up in a pit full of dead bodies with no idea who he is or how he he got there. When a group of fellow amnesiacs rescue him, he must figure out if one of them is the killer ... or, could it be that he is the killer all along??? The plot is very similar to that of the previously released 2006 pic Unknown. In that film, a group of guys wake up trapped in a warehouse, beaten and bloody, with no idea who they are, how they got there or if one of them is responsible for keeping them captive. Both premises are very intriguing, though Unknown failed to fully capitalize on its fantastic set-up. As I've said before, it all comes down to script and execution. Seeing as the film will forever be compared to Christopher Nolan's Memento, here's hoping screenwriters Eddie and Chris Borey came up with a unique approach; one that will immediately rise it above the other half-assed amnesia flicks churned out each year.