This is a report that’s all across the board, but for the most part we’re talking genre features such as The Bourne Legacy, Sin City 2, Jurassic Park IV and Wolverine 2. But I do take a moment to report on Hugh Jackman’s Les Miserables and Charlie Kaufman’s sophomore directorial effort. Enjoy!
Oscar Isaac (Sucker Punch, Drive) was in contention for the lead role in Tony Gilroy’s continuing of the Bourne franchise with The Bourne Legacy, but the role went to Jeremy Renner. However, he wasn’t quickly forgotten as he has just landed what is being described as another “major role” in the film as “Number 3,” another brainwashed assassin alongside Renner. Isaac joins a cast that also includes Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton and has a release date slated for an August 3, 2012. [Deadline]
Steven Spielberg was on hand at the San Diego Comic Con to promote his upcoming film The Adventures of Tintin, of which I just added a new still right here, and told the audience Jurassic Park 4 is still in the works and they have a writer working on a treatment with the hope of making it in “the next two or three years.” This isn’t exactly new news as previous information was revealed a little over a month ago when we learned Spielberg and screenwriter Mark Protosevich (Thor, I Am Legend) had met twice to fashion a story for a potential fourth film in the franchise. I am assuming Protosevich is the writer he was referencing at Comic Con. [Slashfilm]
Speaking of long-gestating sequels, Robert Rodriguez was on hand at Comic Con and made reference to Sin City 2 saying “if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen this year.” Frank Miller has written the script based on his graphic novel “A Dame to Kill For” combined with two brand new tales.
Rodriguez also mentioned the Machete franchise will continue rolling with the second film, Machete Kills, already greenlit, which will be followed by Machete Kills Again In Space should the sequel perform well enough. Both titles were referenced at the end of the 2010 feature as you can see in the video included here, though Rodriguez has added “In Space” to the third film. [Slashfilm]
Hugh Jackman made an appearance at the San Diego Comic Con to promote the upcoming release of his film Real Steel and gave those on hand some villainous news when it came to The Wolverine saying:
“I’m filming Les Miserables in February, but before that I will be filming Wolverine 2 in October. Chris McQuarrie has written a fantastic script and it should turn out really good. I’ll fight the Silver Samurai in it so that should be exciting. Most of the filming will take place in Japan.”
James Mangold (Knight and Day) is set to direct the feature. [Screenrant]
Speaking of Les Miserables, which will be directed by Tom Hooper, the Oscar-winning director of The King’s Speech, it is being reported Paul Bettany has met Hooper about playing the Inspector Javert role and Russell Crowe is also interested in the part. The film is inspired by Victor Hugo’s 19th Century masterpiece and will feature Jackman in the role of Jean Valjean as he is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself whilst evading the driven Inspector Javert. [The Daily Mail via The Playlist]
Next up it has been revealed Lionsgate’s Dredd will hit theaters on September 21, 2012. The film is directed by Pete Travis (Vantage Point) and is described as a new adaptation centered on the character Judge Joe Dredd (Karl Urban) created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra from the British science fiction anthology “2000 AD”. [Variety]
Lastly, Steve Carell, Jack Black and Nicolas Cage are attached to star in Charlie Kaufman‘s sophomore directorial feature Frank or Francis, a film The Playlist says follows “a volatile back and forth between a film director (Frank) and an online blogger (Francis), who takes delight in berating his cinematic talent.” There is no word on who may play what role. Kaufman’s last film was the polarizing Synecdoche, New York in 2008. Shooting on Frank or Francis is expected to being in 2012. [Deadline]
