Quick Take: Ridley Scott to Revisit Blade Runner

My favorite director, Ridley Scott, seems to be rebooting his resume by revisiting his previous films – starting at the beginning (never mind The Duellists).  Ridley’s next film, Prometheus, was originally a prequel to one of my favorite films Alien, and once he’s finished with that he’ll apparently be revisiting Blade Runner.  It is unknown whether the film will be a remake, reboot, prequel, sequel, or whatever else Hollywood is asking for these days, and it is also unknown whether Harrison Ford will be involved.

Let's hope not

Check out the link below for more information.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/08/ridley-scott-ready-to-direct-new-version-of-seminal-sci-fi-film-blade-runner/

 

Quick Take: Prometheus to be shot in 3D, and everything else Ridley Scott makes. Ever.

The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, Man of Steel, Bond 23, World War Z, Django Unchained.  These are just a few of the films that I’m looking forward to in 2012, what appears to be an uprecedented year for my bank account in terms of movie ticket purchases.  However, Ridley Scott’s Prometheus is, without a doubt, my most anticipated film of 2012. 

Yesterday, Comic-Con got its first look clips from Prometheus, and while I’m still waiting for those clips to hit the internet, we did get a little bit of information about the film.  Scott told Comic-Con attendees (in a video conference) that Prometheus was shot entirely in 3D, and that he liked it so much he’ll never shoot another scene again in 2D.  I am no defender of 3D but in Scott I trust, so I’m expecting Prometheus to look incredible.  One concern I do have is the use of light, or lack there of, to create tone.  Evident by the recent rants about the projector lenses, 3D works best with high contrast and bright lighting; not something we should be expecting from a Ridley Scott sci-fi picture.  But if Ridley Scott can get so excited about the 3D of Prometheus to proclaim he’ll never work without it again, I can’t help but get excited.

http://www.slashfilm.com/ridley-scott-work-3d/

Blade Runner Prequel & Sequel Possibly in the Works

I guess it was only a matter of time before someone wanted to go back and continue what Ridley Scott started with Blade Runner, the 1982 adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s short story “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”. CinemaSpy is reporting that Alcon Entertainment is close to acquiring the rights to the material, but apparently (and thankfully) not the right to do a remake. So, of course the rumors are that they are going to do everything else possible (i.e. prequel, sequel and television series).

Here is the official press release from the studio:

Warner Bros-based financing and production company Alcon Entertainment (“The Blind Side,” “The Book of Eli”) co-founders and co-Chief Executive Officers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove, in the most significant property acquisition negotiations in the Company’s 13-year history, are in final discussions to secure film, television and ancillary franchise rights to produce prequels and sequels to the iconic 1982 science-fiction thriller “Blade Runner.”

Alcon is negotiating to secure the rights from producer-director Bud Yorkin, who will serve as producer on “Blade Runner” along with Kosove and Johnson. Cynthia Sikes Yorkin will co-produce. Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers.

Alcon’s franchise rights would be all-inclusive, but exclude rights to remake the original. The Company, however, may produce projects based on situations introduced in the original film. The project would be distributed domestically by Warner Bros. International rights are yet to be determined.

Johnson and Kosove stated: “We are honored and excited to be in business with Bud Yorkin. This is a major acquisition for our company, and a personal favorite film for both of us. We recognize the responsibility we have to do justice to the memory of the original with any prequel or sequel we produce. We have long-term goals for the franchise, and are exploring multi-platform concepts, not just limiting ourselves to one medium only.”

While I might be interested in seeing a sequel if Ridley Scott were involved, there is no mention of him yet. As for a prequel, I really don’t see a need for it.

Let me get down to what I think the crux of the problem is with this announcement: the studio purchasing the rights. Alcon Entertainment has a terrible track record with films. The most highly touted films in their repertoire are Book of Eli and The Blind Side. The former was a mediocre post-apocalyptic film based on a graphic novel, and the second was a mediocre sports film that somehow managed to hide how terrible of an actress Sandra Bullock is by masking her with a Southern accent. Then, you start digging more and find that there is this list of films that they produced:

• The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
• One Missed Call
• 16 Blocks
• P.S. I Love You
• The Wicker Man
• Racing Stripes
• Chasing Liberty

There were a couple of other films, the most important being Christopher Nolan‘s Insomnia, but for the most part there is a consistent level of mediocrity. Maybe this will be the film that puts this production company ahead, but I wish there was a better track record associated with them before they delve into such a weighty project. I’m glad that they acknowledge the responsibility associated with the mission that they are embarking on, and I’m glad that Bud Yorkin is officially involved, but with their track record I am extremely hesitant to get behind this idea.

Plus, it sounds like they are shamelessly trying to exploit the material by converting it into as many platforms as possible. They are already saying that they will try to run the franchise into the ground rather than just saying, “Hey, we’re going to focus on making the sequel true to the material and then see where we go from there.”

Why yes, we fully intend to keep beating this horse after every breath of life has been expended from its body.

This is Hollywood exploitation at its best.

What are your thoughts about all this? Should this sci-fi classic be left alone? Is it fine in the hands of Alcon and Co?

The Alien Prequel is Dead, Instead We Get This

Brian “Pac” Sostak

Those of you that frequent this site know that one of, if not my most anticipated movie for 2012 was the Alien prequel that will be directed by Ridley Scott.  Alien is one of my favorite films of all time and Scott has tantalized me with rumors for his new film so frequently that I can escape the whirlwind of excitement.  First rumors of one of my favorite actresses, Natalie Portman, joining the cast popped up on my computer screen, and most recently speculation that Charlize Theron would be joining the cast in one of four major roles.  Today, however, will be the final time (most likely) that I will be able to write about this film, because today we mourn its death.

It makes no sense, there wasn't even an awning in its direction

 But from its ashes rises the phoenix, or rather Prometheus, an original concept that still contains enough Alien DNA to be recognizable to loyal fans of the series.  Opting for an “original” film as opposed to continuing the Alien franchise increases the speculation that 20th Century Fox and Scott are looking to spark a new franchise, early last year Scott hinted at a two film arc to the Alien franchise that branched out into new mythology.  Not much else has changed in regard to the film, it will still be shot in 3D utilizing the RED Epic cameras and the crew will still remain intact.

Want more?  Prometheus also has an official release date: March 9, 2012 meaning we have just over a year til this film hits theaters.  Still want more?  Okay, it is no longer a rumor that Noomi Rapace will starring in the film, it is confirmed.  Confirmation of Rapace leaves 3 major roles yet to be filled, and one of those is still available for Charlize Theron. However, with the schedules of Prometheus and Snow White and the Huntsman conflicting, it is likely that Theron will have to choose between the roles.  Unfortunately, Snow White and the Huntsman offers the role of a villain, as opposed to a supporting role to Rapace, so speculation may be that Theron will not be joining the cast.

Which leaves us to our final bit of news/rumors as to who will fill out the cast.  If Theron opts to turn down the role, Angelina Jolie may be next in line.  Other names floating around the film have been Michael Fassbender (Inglorious Basterds), Michelle Yeoh (Memoirs of a Geisha), and Gemm Arterton (Quantum of Solace, Prince of Persia, Clash of the Titans).  While I’m not excited about the possibility of joining the cast, and don’t have an opinion on Yeoh, Micheal Fassbender seems like a good fit and Gemma Arterton is one of my favorite actresses on the rise.  Theron, Fassbender, and Arterton…

Are you serious?! YAYYYYY!

How do you feel about the new direction 20th Century Fox and Ridley Scott are taking with this film?  Who would you like to see cast alongside Noomi Rapace?  Do you wanna go to the midnight showing with me in March?

Look forward to seeing you again Charlize Theron

We haven’t seen Charlize Theron on-screen since 2009’s The Road but her name has been widely circulating the rumor mill and has been attached to a variety of projects for the upcoming year(s).  Charlize Theron is an incredibly gifted actress who I enjoy watching on-screen for both her beauty and talent, not to mention she hasn’t littered her resume with mindless romantic comedies. 

The two other films Sandra Bullock released in 2009

Theron has officially signed on to play the Evil Queen in the live-action film Snow White and the Huntsman.  While the rest of the cast for the film has not yet been announced, Theron was long rumored to play the role and it was recently confirmed.  Sadly though, news of her signing on for Snow White also comes with news that she has dropped out of the Clint Eastwood directed biopic J. Edgar starring Leonardo Dicaprio.  Theron was reportedly playing Hoover’s secretary Helen Gandy; and while this doesn’t sound like a particularly in-depth role, it’s hard to imagine Eastwood would have wasted a talent like Theron’s.

 

The Theron news of the day that excites me most however, is that she may be cast in the upcoming Alien prequel directed by Ridley Scott.  It is unclear what role Theron will be undertaking but it reportedly is not the lead role that Natalie Portman was rumored to occupy earlier this year.  All reports indicate that The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star Noomi Rapace is the favorite for the lead role and that Theron may be cast in a supporting role, giving big name credit alongside the little known (in America at least) Rapace. 

 

Alien is one of my favorite movies of all-time and when I heard Ridley Scott was returning to direct the prequel, possibly with Natalie Portman, it was hard to hide the excitement on my face.

This method was a last resort

It’s upsetting to hear that Rapace will most likely replace Portman as the lead in this film, though I have not seen any of Rapace’s work (as I refuse to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for this reason) so I’ll remain optimistic.  Hopefully the rumors attached to Theron and this role will come to fruition and this will remain on of my most anticipated movies for 2013.

Natalie Portman for Alien Prequel?

Entry by: Brian “Pac” Sostak

Natalie Portman is probably my favorite actress in Hollywood, not only is she gorgeous but she has an intelligence and a talent that far surpasses most actresses her age on screen today.  So you can imagine how excited I was when I read the rumor that Portman is rumored to play the lead in the upcoming Alien prequel which is to be directed by the original Alien director Ridley Scott. 

Anyone who has read my post: Top 10 Horror Movie of All Time knows that how much I enjoy Alien and how I think it far surpasses all of its sequels (including James Cameron’s Aliens).  With Ridley Scott returning to direct the prequel I hope that the franchise can return to its roots of a sci-fi horror film.  Ridley Scott is an exceptional director with a lot of great films to his credit (American Gangster, Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, and Thelma & Louise just to name a few), and while I do think sometimes his films can get a little long in the tooth (i.e. Robin Hood), sci-fi is his best genre and since he hasn’t done a true sci-fi film since Blade Runner, I’m excited to see him return to it. 

The Alien franchise has been carried by Sigourney Weaver for four installments and Natalie Portman is the perfect actress for Ripley to pass the torch on to.  Portman’s exposure will probably be at an all time high after the releases of Black Swan (which will probably earn her critical success) and Thor (which will earn her box office success), attracting a broader audience to the movie and giving it a very credible star.  This last point is important to this films success, with so many sequels, prequels, and remakes hitting the theaters recently, this film could have gotten lost as another rehash trying to milk the cash cow.  However, add Portman’s name to the billing along with Ridley Scott returning to direct the franchise he created and I think this film will compete for my must see movie of 2011 (if it makes a 2011 release).

In the meantime enjoy this SNL short starring Natalie Portman: