Elwes Returns for Saw VII: Cary Elwes, the worst thing about the original Saw film, yet an audience pleaser thanks to The Princess Bride, is set to return to the horror franchise as Lionsgate has revealed the complete cast for Saw VII as well as the synopsis. There is no telling how large his role will be, but Elwes will be returning as Dr. Lawrence Gordon and he’ll be joined by Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russell, Sean Patrick Flanery, Gina Holden, Chad Donella, Laurence Anthony, Dean Armstrong and Naomi Snieckus. The film is due on October 22 and the updated synopsis reads as follows:
This October, one of the biggest, most successful horror franchises in movie history arrives in theaters in vivid, chilling 3-D with the release of Lionsgate’s Saw VII.
As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw’s brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror…
The first theatrical feature to be shot exclusively on the cutting-edge SI-3D digital camera system, Saw VII brings the horrifying games of Jigsaw to life like never before.
Thirlby is Friends with Portman and Kutcher: Olivia Thirlby (Juno) has joined the cast of Friends with Benefits opposite Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman with Ivan Reitman directing. The film is already set for a January 7, 2011 release and revolves around the ease with which men and women become sexually involved, but have a far more difficult time establishing emotional bonds. Greta Gerwig, Kevin Kline, Ophelia Lovibond and Ben Lawson also star. [The Wrap]
The Ring 3 Upcoming in 3D: The 3D news never seems to end and simply writing a mini-headline with the addition of “3D” feels like an unintended endorsement, but that’s the way of it as news surfaces saying The Ring 3 is moving forward at Paramount and the intention is to deliver it in 3D and be called Ring 3D. David Loucka, who penned the upcoming Jim Sheridan thriller Dream House, has been brought aboard to write the script. The original film, which was a remake of the J-horror Ringu, starred Naomi Watts and centered on a videotape, that once played would cause your death seven days later. Apparently the goal of the new film is to reinvent the franchise (whatever that means) with a potential scenario involving teens finding a VHS player that still works. Ha! [Heat Vision]
Thing Writer Penning Final Destination 5: Eric Heisserer penned the upcoming prequel The Thing and has now been tapped to write the screenplay for Final Destination 5 for New Line as even more people get chased by death and one scene is said to involve a character undergoing laser-eye surgery. [Heat Vision]
Owen Starring Opposite Statham in Killer Elite: Clive Owen is set to star opposite Jason Statham in The Killer Elite, a new action-thriller for Irish director Gary McKendry. The film is based on Ranulph Fiennes’ novel “The Feather Men,” following a group of former British special forces members being hunted by a team of assassins led by Statham’s character, a former Navy Seal. Owen will take on the role of a senior field operative and member of a clandestine group protecting former special forces soldiers and their families. Shooting is set to begin in Melbourne on May 13 through mid-July. [Variety]
Lionsgate Secures The Lincoln Lawyer: Lionsgate has secured the rights to the legal thriller The Lincoln Lawyer directed by Brad Furman and starring Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy, John Leguizamo, Michael Pena and Trace Adkins. The official synopsis reads as follows:
Mickey Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who operates out of the back of his Lincoln Continental sedan. Haller has spent most of his career defending garden-variety criminals, until he lands the case of a lifetime: defending a Beverly Hills playboy accused of murder. But the seemingly straightforward case suddenly develops into a deadly game of survival for Haller. The Lincoln Lawyer based on the best-selling Michael Connelly novel of the same name.
The film is based on the best-selling Michael Connelly novel of the same name.
Michael C. Hall is Cancer Free: Not necessarily movie related, but a bit of good news comes as “Dexter” star Michael C. Hall is “fully recovered” from cancer and has returned to work. Hall announced he was undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma in January. [AP]
