SPIDER-MAN 4 To Come In May 2011?

If all the stars align, 2011 might be a busy year at the cineplex for Marvel movie adaptations.

Producer Laura Ziskin, promoting her one-hour Stand Up To Cancer fundraising special, announced to California and Nevada theater owners that the fourth sequel to the Spider-Man franchise is tentatively scheduled for a May 2011 release.

This might seem like a case of putting the cart before the horse because the script hasn't even been written yet, but director Sam Raimi previously stated that he'd be up for returning to the franchise if the script is up to snuff. And Tobey Maguire said he's be interesting in returning as the title character if Sam Raimi came back. So those are two dominoes that could easily fall in place if the script is quality.

If Spider-Man 4 does hit screens in 2011, it might be joining two other Marvel projects that year, The First Avenger: Captain America and The Avengers.

It might also put Marvel in the unenviable position of competing with itself. The First Avenger: Captain America is scheduled for May as well (May 6th, to be exact). Since the rights to Spider-Man franchise have been renewed by Sony, Marvel could have very little recourse if that studio decides to release Spider-Man 4 in the same month, or even on the same day.

Source: Los Angeles Times

Stamp Looking Forward To WANTED 2

Terence Stamp fans have it lucky this month. Not only is he appearing as the head of the evil terrorist organization KAOS in this Friday's Get Smart, he will be making an appearance in the Angelina Jolie action pic Wanted. But don’t be too discouraged if he only has a small role in that film. Stamp told MTV Movies Blog that his appearance in Wanted may be small, he will return taking a substantial part in a hoped-for sequel.

"I play a character who's called Pekwarsky," Stamp explained. "He’s an enigmatic character who doesn't feature a lot in the first one, but it’s something that’s written for a sequel."

It is exciting to see that long term franchise planning is not being restricted to just the typical three picture deals actors sign when hired for a film project. Producers are starting to think ahead and plan for potential franchises not just in their casting but in their storytelling as well. Marvel Studios has already come out of the gate with their plan to build to an Avengers superhero team film. Hopefully other producers are contemplating this as well, and not just in the superhero film genre. How interesting would it be to see another genre of film attempt the same thing?

What's Next For Leterrier? INCREDIBLE HULK 2? RUNAWAYS? 1602?

Even though The Incredible Hulk performed slightly under expectations ($5 million short of the projected $60 gross), Louis Leterrier is quickly becoming a name to be reckoned with in comic book movie circles. And some of his comments in the press junket for The Incredible Hulk lead fans to believe that the film will not be the last comic adaptation which will feature Leterrier's name in the credits.

First and formost might be Incredible Hulk 2. The sequel to Friday's opening is not set in stone just yet, but as of June 16th, the film had made over $92 million worldwide. This is over two-thirds of its $150 Million budget and a good sign that the film will make a profit. If it does, and word of mouth is strong on the film so it probably will, a sequel might be inevitable.

Not only does Leterrier seem receptive to returning for another shot at the Jade Giant, but he appears open to involving the fans in the process. He recently told MTV News the following regarding possible villains for the sequel:

I think that if we get to ‘Hulk 2′ I would go to Comic-Con and ask the crowd of people that actually love the movies, which one would you prefer to see, (Doc) Samson or the Leader?

I'll keep an eye out if Leterrier is there at San Diego this year so I can cast my vote.

But the sequel is not the only comic book movie that the director might be involved with. In a recent interview with IGN.com, Leterrier expressed interest in bring two other Marvel properties to the big screen, Runaways and 1602.

The most likely of the two would be Runaways. Last month, it was announced that series co-creator Brian K. Vaughan, currently a co-producer and writer on ABC's Lost, had started working on a script adapting his creation to the silver screen.

Leterrier had this to say about the property:

I know they are doing The Runaways and I really love The Runaways. I think it's a really good, smart comic book and I really like it.

The concept, a group of teenagers who runaway from home when they find out their parents are superhuman criminals, seems to be right up Leterrier's alley. The story should be filled with suspense, chases and action.

However, the project the director is most enthusiastic about is Neil Gaiman's miniseries 1602. He gushes:

You know what I'd love to do? 1602. I'd love to do that because it's so different. That's why Kevin [Feige, Marvel Studios honcho] and all of these guys are so smart because superhero movies will sort of fade away. If they keep them separate, people are going to get bored of them. How many Hulk movies, how many Spider-Man movies can you see? But by making them cross-pollinate and crisscross and have different stories and good guys become bad guys and all of that stuff… that will make them good. But 1602 is great because it's another take on the superhero. It's almost like Freaks and Clash of the Titans and all of this stuff that I love. And Neil Gaiman is a genius.

Unfortunately, while 1602 was a great series, adapting it to the screen would be a logistical nightmare. The story, which relocates the heroes of the Marvel Universe back in time to Elizabethan age, has a cast which features the X-Men, Fantastic Four and Daredevil--whose film rights are controlled by Fox, Spider-Man--whose film rights are controlled by Sony, and Doctor Strange and Nick Fury--who I'm sure Marvel would like to headline their own movies at some point.

On top of that, the concept might be manna for the hardcore comic fan, who is schooled in the histories and origins of these characters, but it could be difficult for the uninitiated to follow.

But if these two aren't enough, Leterrier has other comic properties he'd like to see made. He gave a list to the Los Angeles Times, although many of the projects are in the works with other directors. The list includes both Runaways and 1602 and other properties such as:

• The Avengers: A film of which is scheduled for a 2011 release. No writer or director is currently attached.
• The Adventures of Tintin: The European comic series which is set to be adapted as a live-action trilogy by Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. Spielberg is set to direct the first film, Jackson the second, and they will co-direct the third.
• The Boys: The ultraviolent Garth Ennis comic which takes a darky skewed look at the world of superheroes. The rights to the property have been acquired by Columbia Pictures.
• Y: The Last Man: Another Brian K. Vaughan comic, telling the tale of the only male to survive a plague which wiped out every other man in the world. DJ Caruso is attached to direct with his Disturbia star Shia LeBeouf in negotiations to star.
• Fables: The Vertigo comic book about fairy tale character exiled to the real world was being developed by CBS as a possible TV show in 2005, but it never made it to the air.

Of the projects mention without a director attached, Leterrier might be the best fit for The Boys. It will have to be toned down a bit for the screen, but the concept lends itself to the action movie genre that Leterrier has the most experience in.

Will COWBOYS & ALIENS Defeat IRON MAN?

This morning, the Hollywood Reporter ran a story that Robert Downey, Jr. was currently in negotiations to star in Cowboys & Aliens, a comic book adaptation that DreamWorks and Universal are looking at as a possible 2010 summer blockbuster.

While it is exciting to see Downey close to closing his first post-Iron Man deal, even if the project that wasn’t on many people’s radar for the actor, it does raise some questions about the future of the proposed Iron Man sequel. Normally, the scheduling of projects can be moved around a bit based on key participants’ availability. As most of the success of Iron Man can laid on the shoulders of Downey and his collaboration with director Jon Favreau, it makes sense that Marvel would want the pair back for the sequel and would wait until both their schedules permitted them to work on the film.

However, Iron Man 2 is not just a sequel, but a key component in Marvel Studio’s overall franchise plans for the next few summers, in which various superhero films will all dovetail into an Avengers team-up movie featuring those various heroes joining forces for one uber-blockbuster. In the wake of Iron Man’s spectacular box office opening last month, Marvel announced that it planned on releasing Iron Man 2 and Thor in the summer of 2010 and a Captain America film at the beginning of the summer of 2011. All three films would serve as lead-ins to mid-summer 2011’s Avengers.

The problem is that Marvel’s aggressive schedule does not have a whole lot of wiggle room, especially if they wish to stick as close as possible to their already announced release schedule. In order to make the intended April 30, 2010 release date, Iron Man 2 needs to go into production no later than spring 2009, the same time Cowboys & Aliens would need to in order to meet Universal's desired summer 2010 date. With such a short lead time, Favreau has already stated that he feels the script writing and post production phases would be rushed, which would adversely affect the final film. And this is not even taking in to account that Favreau has still not yet been signed by Marvel to direct the sequel.

Ideally, Marvel could switch the Thor and Iron Man 2 dates for summer 2010, moving Thor to an April 30 opening and debuting Iron Man 2 on Thor’s currently staked out date of July 4. But this would only buy the Iron Man 2 production an extra eight weeks or so, not enough for Favreau’s needs. If the commonly held assumption that May 2011’s Captain America movie ends in a way that directly leads to the following July’s Avengers movie is correct, than Marvel certainly won’t want to move Captain America around on their schedule. Delaying Captain America and the Avengers films is probably not an option under strong consideration, in that further time between films would undermine the franchise momentum Marvel is trying to build.

The only alternative this leaves Marvel would be to be more malleable with their release strategy, leaving Thor in the summer of 2010 and perhaps moving Iron Man 2 to the holiday season of that year. There, its only currently announced competition would be Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part 1. Flipping Iron Man 2 to November/December 2010 would also put the movie closer to Marvel’s 2011 summer one-two punch of Captain America/Avengers, perhaps allowing more of a head of steam to develop for their overall franchise.

Lesser desirable scenarios include Marvel not making a second Iron Man film, and plugging another production into that spot. Currently, Edgar Wright is developing a movie based on Marvel’s Ant Man, a character who has long and strong ties to the Avengers. Marvel has not made any firm statements as to when to expect an Ant Man film. It is conceivable that Marvel may be holding Ant Man "on deck" to fill a spot if either the Iron Man sequel or the Thor movie were not ready to go into production when they need them to. (A script for Thor has been in development for years.) Conceivably, Marvel could recast. But given the fan reaction to Downey’s portrayal, that would be a suicide move.

Right now, Marvel is in a precarious position and needs to make some smart decisions and needs to make them quickly. They are to be commended for attempting as something as high risk as what they are doing. However, they need to take steps now to insure that the whole thing doesn't fall apart before it really gets started.

Robert Downey Jr. As Sherlock Holmes?

As the old show biz saying goes, you are only as successful as your last hit and with Iron Man having pulled in over half a billion dollars at the box office worldwide, star Robert Downey Jr. could easily be considered highly successful at this moment.

As such, Downey is being flooded with offers. Brett Ratner has already stated how he is after Downey to star in his planned bio-pic of Payboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner. Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider blog, has named a number of other potential films that actor is considering-

In recent weeks, the 43-year old actor has had his eye on various projects, including Twentieth Century Fox's Travis McGee (based on John D. MacDonald's detective series), Warner Bros.' Sherlock Holmes update from director Guy Ritchie [and] Gary Ross' fantasy/comedy Dog Years at Universal…

MacDonald's Travis McGee character is a wisecracking playboy gumshoe and has appeared in a string of novels from the 1960s through the 1980s. Given his work in Iron Man, it is understandable why he might be offered the role. Very little is known about Ross’ Dog Years except that it has been in development at Universal for a number of years.

But Downey looking at joining Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes project is perhaps the most intriguing item on the list. It also raises a number of questions, chief of which is "What role would Downey play?" One immediately thinks of Holmes himself. Given the character’s own history of drug addiction, dealt with cinematically in director Herbert Ross's The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976), Downey could certainly bring something unique to the role.

However, if Downey were cast as Holmes or even Dr. Watson, and hopefully moving the character away from the bumbler he has usually been portrayed as, we have to wonder if Downey can do a convincing British accent? The reverse of this question asks if Ritchie's reinterpretation of Holmes somehow unthinkably transplants the detective across the Atlantic, a move I doubt that the British-born Ritchie would make.

A third alternative is that perhaps Downey is not looking at the Holmes role so much as perhaps the villain of the piece. An Americanized Professor Moriarty or perhaps Moriarty’s chief lieutenant Colonel Sebastian Moran?

Additionally, Downey has the Iron Man sequel that Marvel Studios has already scheduled for an April 30, 2010 release, as part of their long term strategy to lead into an Avengers superhero team-up film. Marvel seems to have neglected to consult with Iron Man's director Jon Favreau on this plan, which has lead to some high profile bickering over the last week or so. It is a situation that Marvel and Favreau need to resolve pronto before it places Marvel’s overall production plans in jeopardy.

But even if Iron Man 2 were to fall through for some reason, Downey looks like he should have plenty of gainful employment in the foreseeable future.

Favreau "Concerned" About 2010 Release For IRON MAN 2

Part of the reason for the success of Iron Man might be due to director Jon Favreau's openness with fans of the film. He was a frequent visitor to the Iron Man Movie Group on MySpace, spending time communicating with fans and answering their questions. These conversation helped ease fans' fears regarding the flick. But his latest foray into the world of MySpace raised a fair share of fears.

Yesterday, Favreau opened a new topic on the group message boards to answer fan questions. This line of question raised an interesting discussion about the future of the Iron Man franchise.

In response to a question about his contract negotiations, Favreau posted this message:

It’s been five weeks since the one and only phone call my reps have gotten
from Marvel. I know their hands are full with the Hulk and I’m sure they will
get into it shortly, as they tell me they intend to. I ran into the Marvel guys
at the Hulk premiere and everyone sounded eager to get to work on IM2.

I am concerned, however, about the announced release date of April 2010.
Neither Robert nor I were consulted about this and we are both concerned about
how realistic the date is in light of the fact that we have no script, story or
even writers hired yet. This genre of movie is best when it is done thoughtfully
and with plenty of preparation. It might be better to follow the BB/DK, X/X2
three year release pattern than to scramble for a date. It is difficult because
there are no Marvel 09 releases and they need product, but I also think we owe
it to the fans to have a great version of IM2 and, at this point, we would have
less time to make it than the first one.

Is the honeymoon over? Or is this just a casual conversation between Favreau and his fans?

I wouldn't say I was "concerned" by the 2010 release date for Iron Man 2. More like puzzled. Two years is a short time to go from script to screen on a CGI heavy film, especially when the script has not even been started yet. And the Iron Man sequel seems like a speed bump on the fast lane to the Avengers film anyway. Could this be Marvel's inexperience running a studio showing through?

Of course, Favreau's post could be interpreted as a form of contract negotiations. It could be read as he was saying "Gosh, two years is an awful short time to make a movie. I'd have to work hard just to pull it off. But I would work even harder if I had more money. Oh, and if you are thinking of replacing me, Robert Downey, Jr. is going, too."

Is this what Favreau is getting at? Perhaps but I really don't think so. But, regardless, if Marvel really wants an Iron Man film in theaters in 2010, they need to get the team together fast. And what made Iron Man such a success was Jon Favreau's direction and especially Robert Downey, Jr's acting. I wouldn't risk sacrificing those two just to meet a quasi-unrealistic release date.

Ratner: BEVERLY HILLS COP 4 Will Be "For Kids"

If there was anyone out there who thought that the news that Brett Ratner was going to direct a new Beverly Hills Cop movie would mean a move of Eddie Murphy's career away from the rather tepid family fare he's been appearing in over the past several years can just put those notions to rest.

It seems that Ratner has different ideas about Murphy's foul-mouthed action/comedy series than the rest of us have, as he has told MTV Movies Blog that the proposed new film will be "for kids."

10-year-old kids, 12-year-old kids don't really know the old Beverly Hills Cop. So it's an opportunity to make it new for kids. The same way it felt for me watching Beverly Hills Cop when I was a kid, that's what I want to do for kids today.

First of all, Brett, some quick math will show that you were 15 when the first Beverly Hills Cop came out, not 10 or 12. Oh sorry, did we just ruin some lie about your age you were trying to pull off? Sorry. (Not really.)

Secondly, recent cinematic history is littered with examples of R-rated franchises that tried to water themselves down in order to get a wider audience at the box office only to alienate their core fanbase in the process. If you have any questions about how this will blow up in your face, Mr. Ratner, feel free to ask the folks behind such films as Conan The Destroyer and Alien Vs. Predator.

TRANSFORMERS 2: 20 More To Meet The Eye?

Transformers fans will rejoice and everyone else will probably just groan when they hear that the sequel to Michael Bay's giant robots gone wild extravaganza from last summer may contain upwards of 20 robot characters.

The news comes from a post by one of the film's scripters Robert Orci by way of the discussion board on producer Don Murphy's website-

I'd love and think we could almost barely manage ten on each side, with some front and center and others as more supporting.

Given that fans of the various cartoon incarnations of Transformers were all lobbying that their favorite character be included in the original film, it seems as if several slots have opened up for those that didn't make the cut the first time around. Of course, this will just mean more kvetching, campaigning and argueing in fan circles, so in other words, nothing new there.

I'm Ready For My Close Up, Mr. Bay

Can you walk and chew gum at the same time? Do you think you could do it while trying to stay out from underfoot giant robots?

If so, and you happen to live in the Philadelphia area, Michael Bay is looking for you!

Bay’s production of Transformers 2 is holding an extras cattle call tomorrow, Saturday June 31, at Bullies Bar at the Spectrum between 10am and 3 pm. Here’s the details from Heery Castings’ website-

Needed are union and Non-Union background men and women, ages 18-70, all ethnicities, for scenes set in Philadelphia PA, and Princeton NJ. Shooting will take place in June 2008.

Casting professionals will be seeing:

SAG actors from 10AM- 11AM (please bring your union card for admission)

Non-union men and women from 11AM to 3PM

College age men and women are especially needed. No acting experience necessary; both SAG and non-union talent will be considered. All roles are paid positions. Please bring a snapshot.

Who knows? Maybe this time next month you could be sharing a bagel with Shia LaBoeuf at the craft services table.

Moore To Make FAHRENHEIT 9/11 Sequel

Never one to shy away from stirring up people's emotions, Michael Moore is planning a sequel to his biggest and most controversial documentary Fahrenheit 9/11.

Paramount Vantage and Overture Films have announced today that they are going to co-finance and co-distribute the as-yet-untitled film. This marks a change for Moore, whose last two films were produced with the Weinstein Company.

Anyone who is even vaguely aware of Moore's political leanings can probably guess what direction the film will take. But with the film not going to debut until sometime next year, long after President Bush has handed over the Oval Office to whomever wins this November’s election, will people still be interested?

Vantage’s head honcho Nick Meyer, seems to think so, being quoted in today’s Variety as saying, "Clearly, we have a movie of global appeal here. Michael Moore is a very talented filmmaker, and this is a branded property."

Moore has directed three of the five top grossing documentaries of all time, so it is safe to say that he definitely carries a certain amount of cache, and baggage, when it comes to getting butts into theater seats. But part of me sort of stiffens at the idea of a "branded property." It sounds as if it is being reduced down to the level of a franchise film like the Batman or James Bond series. (And yes, I’m not forgetting Michael Apted’s Up series of documentaries, but that’s something completely different.)

Look for Moore's film to debut sometime next spring or summer. Look for the Right Wing's repudiation of it to start long before any public screenings of it are ever held.

X-FILES 2 Trailer Is Here

Although the plot is still mostly underwraps, you can bet that when FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovney) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) reunite later this summer on the big screen, they will probably be investigating something spooky and/or supernatural. But that's what they did for almost ten years on their Fox TV series. But after watching the trailer below I do know one one thing- I hope that they packed some woolen underware for those snow scenes.

Glibness aside, the trailer (courtesy of the folks at IGN) does what a good teaser trailer should do- tease folks with what they movie is about without actually giving away a majority of its plot points. While I have been at best a casual fan of the series, I am interested in seeing what series creator Chris Carter and company can bring to the table after the show having been off the air for seven years. (And I'm not just talking about getting Mulder and Scully out of their fugitive status that the series ended them with.)



You can read about our recent chat with X-Files creator Chris Carter and producer Fank Spotnitz at April's New York Comic Con here.

X-Files: I Want To Believe hits theaters in July.

AVENGERS Assembling In July 2011; IRON MAN 2 Officially Announced

What a difference a weekend makes.

Last Friday on the eve of Iron Man's release, we reported that the folks who brought us the Robert Downey, Jr. superhero adventure were already thinking ahead towards a sequel in two years' time.

Today and $200 million taken in worldwide at the box office later, Marvel Studios has announced that Iron Man 2 is definitely going to be made and that as hinted in Iron Man’s post-end credits coda scene, a film featuring a team of Marvel’s mightiest heroes, The Avengers, is definitely set for a July 2011 release.

The news comes via Marvel Enterprises’ 1st Quarter earnings report, which was released earlier this morning.

The report also notes that the Incredible Hulk movie comes out June 13 and that Marvel Studios has no film releases scheduled for 2009.

Marvel Studio then ramps up production for 2010 with the Iron Man sequel announced for April 30 to be followed by Thor, which features the mythical Norse thunder god as a superhero, on June 4. The following summer, Marvel will kick off things with The First Avenger: Captain America on May 6 with the full-on Avengers movie in July.

We’ve already reported on how next month’s Incredible Hulk film has references to Captain America as well as a cameo featuring Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark. Marvel is already laying the foundation for their Avengers film by slowly introducing the fact that all these characters share the same world. My own speculation is that Marvel will set the Captain America movie during World War Two, which is when the hero was first published. The movie would then end Cap being put into suspended animation somehow, either by accident as in the comics continuity or on purpose, cliffhangering things into the Avengers movie two months later.

(Marvel characters The Punisher and Wolverine also have upcoming feature films, but as they are characters licensed out to other studios, they won’t figure into Marvel Studios’ plans for setting up the Avengers movie.)

You know all that bitching I did earlier today in the post on a PG-13 Terminator movie about franchise management? Well, the folks over there could take a lesson from what Marvel Studios is doing here. Granted, the path Marvel is taking is far different - introducing several heroes in their own solo pictures before grouping them together for the big team film - but the end result is the same. They are creating excitement for the franchise that keeps fans coming back for the next installment. that's something the folks not just at the Terminator franchise, but at a number of movie series, needs to realize.

While this is the stuff that definitely gets the comics fanbase worked up in a good way, I can see this exciting the casual moviegoer as well. Done correctly, and it looks like Marvel has been doing it that way so far, the average ticket buyer will slowly see the revelation of the relationships between all the characters and want to see how they will eventually get paid off.

Admittedly, while I am a fan of many of Marvel’s characters, I am not a fan of the editorial direction their comic lines have taken recently. (That said, the just started Secret Invasion event seems to be off to a good start.) However, what is being done with their properties on the film side more than makes up for the lack of interest I have in their ink and paper counterparts.

TERMINATOR 4 Looking For PG-13 Rating

Production kicks off today on the next installment of the Terminator franchise, Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins, and the producers have announced that they are abandoning the franchise's R rating territory for the more box office friendly PG-13 rating.

As reported in Variety, the honchos at Halcyon, the production company that scooped up the Terminator franchise rights in 2007 when Carlco went out of business, have made the decision in an effort to maximize the amount of money the film will rake in. They don’t think that the change will dramatically effect the film, noting "The ratings have changed. The PG-13 has increased in intensity."

This news does nothing to bolster my continually dropping confidence level in the film. As I have stated before, I think that James Cameron’s two Terminator films are as finely crafted a bit of genre storytelling as can be found. They compliment each other in such a way that no further exploration of their world was needed. Which is just one of the reasons I didn't like Terminator 3 and have had trouble being engaged by the recent Terminator: The Sarah Conners Chronicles television series. They just completely negate the first two films in both story and theme and come across as nothing more than a grab for a quick buck. It is a feeling that that nothing the article states allays.

The Variety piece points out that last summer’s PG-13 return to the previously R rated Die Hard franchise, Live Free Or Die Hard, was the most successful entry in the series, grossing approximately $382 million worldwide. Of course, the article neglects to mention that the last Die Hard film had come out in 1995 and grossed $361 million worldwide and that the first two Die Hards grossed $138.7 and $239.5 million respectively. When one factors in the rise in ticket prices since the initial Die Hard was released in 1988 and the fact that the original three movies were released on at least 25% less screens than Live Free Or Die Hard, the argument that the film was so successfully because of its PG-13 rating doesn’t seem that strong. And this is leaving out the complaints from the franchise’s fanbase that last summer’s film lacked some of the edge that the original three had.

Instead, Variety touts the producers being excited that the lower rating will allow for producers to make some cash on the side through licensing agreements for action figures and the like.
Yes, Hollywood is a business first and a truly artistic endeavor a distant second. And as a business, I am constantly dismayed by how the studios constantly seem to mismanage their franchises, only focusing on the immediate profit and not the long term one. As such, decisions are made that ultimately hurt the viability of their continuing franchises. Two years ago, Twentieth Century Fox rushed the production of X-Men 3 through in order to meet a release date, resulting in a film with an unpolished script that failed to live up to the promise of the first two films. Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 from last summer met a similar fate, though the culprit here was the studio’s insistence of shoehorning the fan favorite villain Venom into the movie.

So the question becomes this- Does a studio want to maximize profit potential on one film or does it want to earn a smaller profit on that film, but insure that there is a solid audience for a series of films that will dependably generate that profit every couple of summers, for years to come? Maybe catering to a franchise’s fanbase is something that the studios should keep in mind, as happy fans are loyal fans at the box office.

Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins begins stealing money out of your wallet on May 22, 2009.

IRON MAN 2 For 2010?

The spilled popcorn from last evening's debut screenings of Iron Man has barely been swept off the floor and we are already starting to hear word that tentative plans are being made for a sequel to be hitting theaters this same weekend two years from now.

Empire On Line is reporting that Paramount honcho Brad Grey has been quoted at the film's Los Angeles premier that if the film does as well as expected, the studio will greenlight a sequel almost immediately, to premier this same week in 2010. Currently the film is being tracked for an opening weekend gross of just north of $100 million.

Although the third Chronicles Of Narnia installment, The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader, is currently scheduled for release on May 7, 2010, Iron Man 2 could still open on April 30. This, of course, raises the question of how early can the summer blockbuster season begin and still be considered in the summer?

This is exciting news as the film subtly lays the foundation for many possible storylines from the comic’s 40-year history to be adapted in future installments. And that’s not including what was promised in the short scene after the film’s end credits have rolled.

Look for our Iron Man review later today.

A SWORD AND THE SORCERER Follow Up? Ummm... Really?

Somehow this one skated by my attention last week as I was preparing to head out to New York Comic Con, but evidentially, director Albert Pyun will be directing a follow up to his cult 1982 fantasy film The Sword And The Sorcerer. The project, titled Tales Of An Ancient Kingdom will reunite Pyun with his Sword star Lee Horsley.

Twitch had the low down-

The new film casts Horsley as a mercenary general and father to stars Christopher Lambert - himself making a return to the genre that made him an international star - Kevin Sorbo and Victoria Maurette. There are offers out to a number of other significant stars of the genre but nothing is final on those fronts just yet.

Twitch also reports that the film is more "a sequel in spirit than in story."

Sure, it’s been just over 25 years since the original Sword And The Sorcerer was in theaters, but I say ‘Why not?’ I mean, it is not like Horsley has an impeding Matt Houston reunion project to take up his time. And I am sure that the fact that Sorbo and Lambert being only a couple of years younger than Horsley won’t be too distracting for an audience.

Earlier today, AintItCool reported some follow up casting information, stating that Yancy Butler and Leah Cairns have joined the film’s cast. They also report that production is scheduled to begin on May 5 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and will end on location in Tunisia. They also state that the three-bladed sword from the original film will make an appearance.

New PRINCE CASPIAN Trailer

With just a little over three weeks until it hits theaters, a second trailer for The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian has shown up over on MySpace. If there was any doubt that this film was going to be a bit darker and perhaps a bit more action oriented than its predecessor The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, than this trailer should put them to rest. Opening just a week before the highly anticipated return of Indiana Jones though seems like a risky gambit, giving the film only one week to catch it before their attention wanders away to a certain adventuring archaeologist.

Prince Caspian opens May 16.

New X-FILES 2 Photo: A Good Place TO BELIEVE

Later on this evening, I'll be joining a roundtable of reporters to talk with The X-Files creator Chris Carter and his co-writer on the upcoming X-Files feature film Frank Spotnitz. The pair will be appearing at the New York Comic Con this year to promote the upcoming big screen spin-off of the classic 90s television series.

In the meantime, Twentieth Century Fox has released a new photo of the film's stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Not very spoilerific in terms of the story, but its church setting suggests that its a scene that ties into the film's I Want To Believe subtitle. (Click on the picture to enlarge.)

And don't forget to check back here as the weekend progresses for movie news from the floor of the third annual New York Comic Con!

X-FILES Sequel Gets A Title

This summer's upcoming X-Files film, a sequel to the long-running TV series as well as the 1998 spin-off feature film, finally has a title.

X-Files: I Want To Believe.

Although franchise creator Chris Carter had stated last month that he and studio 20th Century Fox were in disagreement over what the movie should be called, it appears that they’ve settled their differences earlier today, with Carter making the announcement to the Associated Press.

It's a natural title…It's a story that involves the difficulties in mediating faith and science. 'I Want to Believe.' It really does suggest Mulder's struggle with his faith.

Fans of the series will remember that "I Want To Believe" is what was written on a poster in FBI Agent Fox Maulder's office. I rattier version of the poster can be seen in background of the recently released photograph from the upcoming film of actor David Duchovny above. (Click to enlarge)

Carter also reiterated that the film will be a stand alone adventure that does not rely on the television series’ 10 years of Byzantine plotting of alien invasions and government conspiracies.

It has struck me over the last several years talking to college-age kids that a lot of them really don't know the show or haven't seen it… If you're 20 years old now, the show started when you were 4. It was probably too scary for you or your parents wouldn't let you watch it. So there's a whole new audience that might have liked the show. This was made to, I would call it, satisfy everyone.

Honestly, I am a bit surprised that Carter did not hold off until the end of the week when he and his producing partner Frank Spotnitz will be appearing at the New York Comic Con to promote the film. A room full of rapid fans seems more like the place to make such an announcement.

FilmBuffOnLine will be participating in a sitdown discussion with Carter and Spotnitz before their public presentation to discuss the movie. Look for all our New York Comic Con coverage this weekend.

X-Files: I Want To Believe opens in theaters on July 25.

More On The LAST STARFIGHTER Sequel

We have heard a bit more on the sequel to The Last Starfighter that is currently in the works.

Two weeks ago, we confirmed from a spokesperson at George Paige and Associates that the movie was in development, but was not going to be shooting within a month’s time, as had been previously rumored. The spokesperson gave us a contact at Relativity Media, a partner in the project. Reaching him, we were given a few more nuggets about the project.

First off, the spokesperson wanted to be clear that the film was definitely going to be a sequel, not a remake, adding that they hope to have the film in production by the end of the year. Currently the original film’s writer, Jonathan Betuel and director Nick Castle are working on the sequel’s screenplay.

“Our intent is to have Catherine Mary Stewart and Lance Guest reprise their roles,” he stated. “We do not want to switch gears.” He does add the caveat that the actors have not yet been approached, as there is no finalized script.

Late for a meeting, the Relativity spokesperson stated that he wanted to talk more about the project and would call back. To date, we have not heard back, which is why we are keeping his name off the record for the time being. When we learn more, we’ll pass it along.

It's Official- HARRY POTTER Finale To Be Two Parts

Warner Brothers confirmed today what we first reported was being rumored back at the begining of the year- the adaptation of the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows will be split into two films.

A report that appeared on the Los Angeles Times's website has stated the franchise's finale will be split into two installments which will hit theaters in November 2010 and then May 2011.

The news should please the Potter fans who have voiced complaints that the film adaptations of the popular novels have left certain elements of the books out in an effort to keep them from running over five hours each.

ALIEN VS PREDATOR 3 A Possibility?

Sometimes the diehard fans of a franchise can be instrumental in keeping a franchise alive, demonstrating to a studio that there is an audience for further installments of a particular film series. Unfortunately, the reverse does not seem to be true.

Despite having the previous two Alien Vs Predator films being trashed by both critics and fans alike, 20th Century Fox is looking to go ahead with a third installment, according to an unnamed source in a report over at Shock Till You Drop.

Although last Christmas' Alien V. Predator: Requiem upped the mayhem level in response to fans' complaints about the franchise crossover's first installment, it still only cleared $41 million at the box office. However, the film pulled in nearly another $88 million for a total of $128.8 million in revenue against the film's estimated $40 million budget, so I guess it is inevitable that a sequel is being considered by the studio.

Will the third time be a charm, resulting in an Alien Vs Predator movie that is actually great, or at least good? Of course, Alien Vs Predator: Requiem hits DVD four weeks today, so the part of me that likes tinfoil-hat wearing conspiracies is wondering if this news isn’t being floated out as a way to get the franchise name back into fans' minds to boast sales.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL Poster

Movie poster artist Drew Struzan has become famouse among film fans in part for the artwork he contributed to the advertising campaign for the Indiana Jones films. It's nice to see that even he is back for the new Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skulls, turning in the great artwork you see below. Needless to say, it doesn't appear as if Spielberg, Lucas and company are as concerned now about certain spoilers concerning the titular Crystal Skull.

(Click to make bigger)

No Blastoff For LAST STARFIGHTER Just Yet

This past weekend, a report that a sequel to the 1984 science-fiction classic The Last Starfighter was all set to begin filming in just a few weeks time swept across the internet. We even reported the story here.

But now, a few days and a few phone calls, later, it looks as if that particular rumor may have been a bit premature.

According to the report that originally appeared over at Cinema Blend, the film was being produced by a company called George Paige and Associates. A follow up story also named Relativity Media as being involved. Warner Brothers and Universal were also said to be involved, due to complicated rights issues stemming from the dissolving of Lorimar Pictures, the producers of the original film.

Yesterday, however, during a call made to George Paige and Associates, an unnamed spokesperson for the company stated that although the project was indeed listed on the company’s website as being in development there was no truth to the Cinema Blend story that the film was ready to begin principal photography. He then deferred all further questions to a contact at Relativity Media, who so far has not returned our phone calls.

So as things stand now, in contradiction to Cinema Blend’s anonymous source, a sequel to The Last Starfighter is not less than four weeks away from becoming a reality. However, that doesn’t preclude the fact that such a project may still be in development and that one day we will get to see the further adventures of a kid so good at a video game that he gets “recruited by the Star League to defend the frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada.”

We are considering this an ongoing story and will report more as soon as we have more to report.

LAST STARFIGHTER Sequel Actually A Go?

For years, there have been rumors that a sequel to the 1984 science-fiction adventure The Last Starfighter was in the works. Now it seems that it might actually be happening.

According to a source for Cinema Blend, the project is not only happening, it goes in front of the cameras later this month. The scooper goes on to say that “it involves original director Nick Castle, writer Jonathan Betuel and actor Lance Guest. It's your basic Son of the Starfighter storyline and actually sounds pretty cool.”

The film, titled merely Starfighter, is currently on the production schedule of George Paige and Associates, so it is at least in some form of development, though there has been no official announcement that the film is a go.

The Last Starfighter was basically Star Wars filtered through the current burgeoning craze in coin-operated video games- a teenage boy (Guest) is recruited to fight in an interstellar war based on his expertise at a video game. Despite the film’s derivative plot, it still manages to succeed based on the performances of Guest and costars Robert Preston, playing an interstellar version of his famed Music Man role of Harold Hill and Dan O'Herlihy as Guest’s alien co-pilot.

The original Starfighter is also remembered for the fact that it was the first film to have all its visual effects, with the exception of explosions, done through CGI. While it is common place today, using a computer for visual effects was relatively a new idea and in this instance augmented the film's video game theme. Starfighter's effects were realized on a Cray X-MP supercomputer, though they could be easily be recreated on a modern laptop.