I'm Watching YOU.......
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Twilight, Zombieland, Wolfman, Buffy fans, just to name a few. It should attract a wide audience. IMO
Platinum Dan once mentioned that they tried to stay as close to the original material as possible. However, you will never please all fans. Those that want Dylan in London, with a pure white bug, with Groucho as a side kick,among other things, will be disappointed and may not see it. But I think,overall, it will be a big success. I'm hearing good things.
And if some do protest it, standing in front with picket signs, we know how well that works. Increases publicity, sales, awareness, news, all the free marketing you need, minus the negative aspect of it, of course. If the movie is good, it will speak for itself, and I believe it is.
Once we get the trailer, it should satisfy a lot of the critics and begin to excite people to see the movie. Hopefully soon. IMO
Brandon Routh is Hanging with CHUCK and SCOTT PILGRIM - We've got info on both in IESB's Exclusive Interview!
Written by Christina Radish Monday, 25 January 2010
He's played Superman, he's currently playing a spy on the NBC television series Chuck, he'll be kicking undead ass in the horror thriller Dead of Night and he's a blonde-haired vegan rock star in the action comedy Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Brandon Routh certainly has an intriguing and varied resume that sounds like it would be any actor's dream, and he's loving every minute of it.
As CIA Special Agent Daniel Shaw on Chuck, he is a by-the-books spy who not only sees the potential in Chuck (Zachary Levi), but also expects him to live up to it. For audiences who may only be aware of him from Superman, this recurring role is allowing them to see a more comedic side of the actor that they may not have been familiar with before.
Later this year, he is in two highly anticipated films: Dead of Night, based on the comics about supernatural private eye, Dylan Dog, who seeks out monsters in his signature red shirt, black jacket and blue jeans, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, in which he plays one of the seven evil ex-boyfriends that the title character must defeat, in order to keep dating the girl of his dreams.
In this exclusive interview, Brandon Routh talked to IESB about how much he's enjoying working on Chuck, the differences in the big screen version of Dead of Night, his battle scenes in Scott Pilgrim and how he'd love to revisit the character of Superman, if he got the chance.
IESB: How did you get involved with Chuck? Did they just come to you with this role?
Brandon: Yeah, they did, actually. They inquired with my representatives and said they had a role that they were interested in having me play for what, at the time, was a four-episode arc. I hadn't really been thinking about doing television much, but I love the show. My wife and I are both fans, so I was excited to go in and meet with Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak about it. So I did, and they told me all about it, and I got pretty excited and decided to work with them. And then, four episodes turned into eight.
IESB: Is there a possibility you could return to the show again, after those eight episodes?
Brandon: I'm not sure. They're not sure.
IESB: As a fan of the show, what do you enjoy most about it?
Brandon: I think it's the mix of comedy and action. The action is done in a great way. The love story is done really well, too. I always just want Chuck and Sarah to get together, which is odd because my character comes between them. It's a great mix of all those things, and there's nothing like it on television. There are plenty of fine comedies, but nothing that adds the kind of emotion, intrigue and excitement that this show does. It's very unique and it manages to balance all the aspects of it really well.
IESB: What can you say about your character and how he fits into the story this season?
Brandon: I come in as the foremost afficionado on The Ring, which is the Big Bad agency for this season. I've been fighting against them for the last five years, as a CIA spy, and I come in to basically help train Chuck and turn him into the super-spy that he can be, so that he can be a better tool for me and for the CIA to take down The Ring.
IESB: How much did they tell you about this character when they approached you about it, and how much have you been developing with them, as you go?
Brandon: I can't divulge everything, but the most important thing is that Shaw has a history that is important, in coming into the show and dealing with the other characters, and the relationships that he's going to have with Sarah and Chuck. Having been a spy for awhile, he knows the challenges that are involved there and the relationships that can develop. He knows all about Chuck and Sarah, he knows everything about the Intersect and he knows everything about the team. He knows that Sarah has had involvement with Bryce. He came in with all that knowledge, so I knew that. And, they also told me that I would be a potential love interest for Sarah and maybe that would separate Chuck and Sarah a little bit.
IESB: How was it to be the new guy on set? What was your first day there like, especially having been a fan of the show?
Brandon: I'd known Zach before. We've been friends for a year or so, so that was nice, and the rest of the cast and crew are all very gracious and very kind. But, any time you go into a situation where they've been working together for two seasons, they've developed their own inside jokes and all that kind of stuff, so you feel a little bit like the odd guy out. But, they were very welcoming, so it didn't take long before I felt at home with everyone. It's a pretty great work environment, really.
IESB: Your character is very mysterious and by-the-book. Will viewers learn more about his background and get to see him relax a little bit?
Brandon: That's part of this character, definitely, but coming in, Shaw also has to assert authority, being that he's the leader. In Episode 6, viewers learn more about Shaw's past and will see that, with the relationship with Sarah, that's where he relaxes. As their relationship develops, you see the calmer side of Shaw, as he becomes a little bit less hard-edged.
IESB: Does the comedy come easy for you, or did it take some time for you to get into a groove with that?
Brandon: I love comedy. It's my first love, really. I was really excited to be on the show because I loved the comedy, watching it, and wanted to be a part of a show that is so funny. I would have liked to have had a little bit more comedy, as part of my character, but since my character is pretty by-the-book, he doesn't goof too much. But, I have a couple sarcastic, snide remarks, and looking at Chuck as he does something silly is always fun. I do find that comedy comes naturally to me, I guess. I love working in comedy because I don't think about it so much. As actors, sometimes we have a tendency to over-think things, especially in drama. Drama is a little bit more challenging to me, whereas with comedy, I don't think it, I just do it.
IESB: Is the appeal of doing a role like this the fact that audiences will get to see a side of you, as an actor, that they might not have previously been familiar with, if they had only known you as Superman?
Brandon: Yeah, it's very exciting to me. That's one reason that I really wanted to do it. I'd stayed away from television because I'd just become comfortable with film, but this is a great opportunity for American and the rest of the world to see me play another character. With the exception of Zack & Miri and a couple other independent films that I've done that have gotten out, most people haven't seen me as anything other than Superman, so this is great exposure for me and it's a nice character for me to play as well because it is so different from Superman and it's a different world, although it is still in geekdom. I'm very excited because Superman was four years ago, and I've done a lot of work since then, but not many people have seen it. It's exciting to have a more instant response.
IESB: Do you think Shaw actually likes Chuck? What do you think his thoughts about Chuck actually are?
Brandon: Oh, absolutely, Shaw likes Chuck. It will seem that he doesn't, in a way, but that's because he's pushing Chuck to evolve and become more than he is. He has this amazing ability in his head, with the Intersect, but he just doesn't have the physical skills, the courage and the self-confidence to put them all together to make the ultimate spy. So, Shaw sees his potential and is there to guide him. He's going to push Chuck, and push the team as well, because the team doesn't respect Chuck's ability. They've put him in a box. They don't let him evolve. Shaw is there to break boundaries and to help Chuck gain that self-confidence .
IESB: So you see him more as trying to protect Chuck, rather than being as annoyed with Chuck as Casey always seems to be?
Brandon: Yeah. Shaw does give a little bit more encouragement, certainly than Casey does, which is nice because he doesn't get that from anyone. Sarah will say things too, but she's too afraid of keeping him safe because she's emotionally attached to him. Shaw is not emotionally attached. He just sees this guy who could be something more, and is going to push him to do it. That might put Chuck's life at risk, but if he's going to be a super-spy, he's gotta learn now. That's Shaw's mentality. It doesn't mean he doesn't like Chuck. He just needs to learn.
IESB: You and Zachary Levi have a really fun dynamic on the show. How has it been to work with him?
Brandon: It's been great. Zach is really talented. Everything comes really naturally to him, especially the comedy. He knows this character, inside and out, so it's fun to watch him play because he does do some little improvs and little pieces, here and there, and he does it so well. Even his physicality, his looks with his face and his reactions are fantastic. He is Chuck, and he has no ego about it. He's very welcoming to everyone who works on the set, whether it be a guest star or an extra, and that's really a great thing to see from somebody who is handling a show. I'm pretty proud of him, and I'm proud to be working with him. I think he's very talented.
IESB: With your character being the more serious, straight man on the show, is it difficult not to laugh during filming while working with these guys?
Brandon: It is. We have some times when we've cracked up, whether it's because somebody said something funny or you just fumble on a line. Because there is so much technical garble that we have to get out, there are a lot of tongue twisters sometimes. And the set is, overall, very light and positive, so there's a lot of joking that happens before we even roll camera. It's a good, light-hearted place to work.
IESB: Having had the experience with Superman, does it make stunt work any easier for you at all, or is it just a new experience each time?
Brandon: It's a funny thing because in Superman, I did tons of stunt work, but I didn't fight. It was all flying and falling, or this and that, but there was never any fights. It was only through the work I did earlier last year, on the film Dead of Night, that will come out later this year, that I had my first real, choreographed fight scene. I was so excited. And, I had several of those because I'm fighting vampires and zombies and such. That was my first real experience with fighting on camera, or actually ever ‘cause I've never been in an actual fight. And so, that helped. And the stunt crew and fight coordinator on the show are really great. They move so quickly on television with stunt stuff that you have to be really on point, and these guys are great. They learn to cater what I'm physically able to do. I don't have a martial arts background, but I can throw punches and do certain moves that are good for me. They cater to what looks good and what makes sense, and it's fun. It's a lot of fun to be able to do. You get some bruises every once in awhile, but it's nice.
IESB: What appealed to you about doing something like Dead of Night? Does that again show another side of you, as an actor, that people haven't gotten to see yet?
Brandon: Absolutely. If I was going to relate any of the characters to that character, there are similarities between Shaw and Dylan Dog, my character in Dead of Night. Although Dylan is still much more dark and a little bit more sarcastic, there's a similar thing about them. That's part of me -- the sarcastic, dry sense of humor that I have sometimes. Dylan has a lot of that brooding sensibility. The story of Superman was a little bit brooding and sad, but we tried to keep Superman as happy as we could, most of the time. Dylan is definitely a different side. I am a human in that movie. It was exciting to play that darker character and kick the undead butt.
IESB: With Dead of Night being based on a comic, how close to the original version is that character? What are the biggest differences?
Brandon: There are really good similarities. I certainly tried to do as much as I could within the scope of the script, and the fact that we were filming in New Orleans and not able to film in London, where the comic actually takes place. I think we have a really similar tone. Dylan is, at heart, a hero. Some people would call him a womanizer, but it's not that. Dylan falls in love in every episode of the comics. He's not willy nilly, sleeping with women. He falls in love and then something tragic happens to the woman, in almost every episode.
So, that theme continues. And, even though we don't have Felix, from the American version of the comic, we have Sam Huntington playing my sidekick. It's a really nice relationship and it really gives Dylan an opportunity to have some comic relief and just be who he is. It's a challenge because the written word and the drawn picture are totally different than a real person playing the character, so it's hard to say what people will think, but I feel pretty happy with what we've done. As much as I've been able to read of Dylan Dog comics, and gathering information from people that have read more of the Italian ones, I feel pretty confident in the portrayal.
IESB: Do you have a release date for the film yet?
Brandon: No, we don't have one yet, but I believe we're shooting for around Halloween of this year.
IESB: What was the experience of working with Edgar Wright like, for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World?
Brandon: Edgar is amazing. He's a genius. He knew exactly what he wanted for this movie and it is such a technical film. To manage all the effects and everything going on, and to be so great to his actors as well, is a testament to what a fine director he is.
IESB: Who are you playing in the film?
Brandon: I play Todd Ingram in the film. The film stars Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, and he has to defeat seven evil exes of Mary Elizabeth Winstead's character, in order to continue dating her. The seven exes basically challenge Michael, and I play one of them. I'm a vegan rock star with a blonde wig. Because I'm vegan, I have these special powers, the power of telekinesis. So, I end up having this huge bass battle with Michael Cera, as we're playing dueling bass guitars, and I throw him around telekinetically threw walls and such. And my blonde wig becomes a faux-hawk whenever I use my powers, and then flattens back down when I'm not using them.
It's ridiculous, but very funny. It was a character that I was so excited to be able to play. People are probably going to watch the movie not knowing that it's me because I look and act so different. It's going to be an amazing movie. They just did a screening in Vegas, that was very early with not a lot of effects in, but people are really excited about it and saying good things. It's something that people haven't seen before, kinda like 300 was groundbreaking, in visual style. It's going to be one of those film, I think. Like The Matrix was, it's doing something different that nobody has seen before.
IESB: When you started your acting career, could you ever have imagined that you'd be playing superheroes, spies and comic book characters? Does it feel like you're getting to live out all of your childhood fantasies through your work?
Brandon: It's pretty cool. I don't know what I expected. I certainly don't think I expected to play Superman. Comics weren't even that big, at the time. I started in late ‘99, and that was before all the comic book movies came out. The Matrix had just come out, the year before. There's one thing left that I haven't done, and that's to be in a medieval type film and sword fight. That will happen at some point, I'm sure, but that's the one that I'm still looking forward to.
IESB: Have you heard anything at all on the status of the Superman franchise? Is that something that you want to go back to?
Brandon: I would love to go back to Superman. As I have matured, as a person and as an actor, I feel like I have a lot more to give and would love to revisit the character, if I am given that opportunity. That was an amazing experience for me, and I look forward to doing it again, if I have the opportunity. And if not, then I move on and continue on. I'm grateful for all the other opportunities that I have and for the great films that I have coming out this year.
IESB: So you haven't actually heard anything from them, at this point?
Brandon: No, I have not.
http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8177:exclusive-interview-brandon-routh-is-hanging-with-chuck-&catid=43:exclusive-features&Itemid=73
BTW, I see they loaded Daniel Craig on IMDb C&A site, however I will point out it does say "rumored".
IMO
OT: The care and feeding of tentpoles
When franchises stumble, give 'em the reboot
Ask any studio production chief about his plans for 2010 and you get the same answer: I'll start with a franchise movie and build out from there.
It's reassuring to know that everyone is on the same page, but here's the question: Is it the right page?
The assumption is that any studio can dream up a new franchise if it sets its mind to it. That's a big leap of faith -- especially given the phenomenon of "Avatar," which has clearly raised filmgoers' expectations about both special effects and story. The audience is going to demand more; the assembly-line tentpole may not work anymore.
The standard procedure for developing tentpoles is to go foraging among either new videogames or old comic-books. Yet the most robust source of franchise material historically has been novels, from James Bond to Harry Potter. Disney, for one, doesn't trust books (except "Alice in Wonderland"), and hence purchased Marvel Comics in the hope of dusting off some old superheroes. It also has a long-standing deal with Mr. Franchise himself, Stan Lee, to help in the archeological dig, but no greenlights have come of it as yet.
Studio veterans know that for every "Batman" hit there's been a "Phantom" or a "Shadow" flop and for every "Spider-Man" there's been a "Watchmen."
Franchise films need a strong central character to sustain their sequels, and when the narratives run out, their producers habitually try to start them over. So Sony, having shut down the current incarnation of "Spider-Man," will revisit him in his formative years, like "Batman Begins." The next "Shrek" will also go back in time, and I wouldn't be surprised if "Harry Potter" returned in kindergarten or if the girls from "Sex and the City" went back to junior high.
In their effort to build new franchises, the studios have begun to abandon their cardinal rule of avoiding star casting. The old theory: Spend the money on effects, not on gross participations -- hence the huge profits on "Harry Potter" and the early "Spider-Man" and "Twilight" movies. As the sequels have kept coming, of course, the casts have become exponentially more expensive.
Robert Downey Jr. has demolished the studio formula. He got a hefty payday on "Iron Man 2" and, given the success of "Sherlock Holmes," will surely double his action. There's a delicious irony to the fact that an actor with a past of substance abuse would emerge as the king of all superheroes. Downey may conceivably become as rich as Harrison Ford, the dour superstar who, at 67, remains the ultimate franchise winner.
Ford went from "Star Wars" to "Indiana Jones," with side trips into Tom Clancy's "Patriot Games" and "Clear and Present Danger." Even when Ford had time off between franchises he bounced into hits like "Witness," "The Fugitive" or "Air Force One."
I spent time with him last week and asked how he felt about the franchise business.
"I never expected to be a franchise hero," Ford said. "And I never expected Hollywood to become fixated on franchises."
Now that he's producing as well as acting, Ford has cast himself in his new movie, "Extraordinary Measures." It's a poignant movie, but Ford will get his wish: It will never be a franchise.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118014155.html?categoryid=1&cs=1
check out the ibox for the latest info. Im pretty good on keeping it updated.
Maddog
No problem caution. :)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0003321/
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/board.aspx?board_id=11814
Platinum Studios Secures $5 Million Financing Commitment:
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - 01/21/10) - Platinum Studios, Inc. (OTC.BB:PDOS - News), an entertainment company that controls an international library of more than 5,600 comic book characters which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media, announced today that it has entered into an Investment Agreement for a $5,000,000 equity line of credit with Dutchess Opportunity Fund II, LP.
"The completion of this facility, with an established financing partner such as Dutchess, is a clear indication of investor optimism returning to the capital markets and has provided valuable resources Platinum Studios may need to facilitate its business model," said Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, Platinum Studios CEO.
During the 36-month term of the Agreement, the Company has the option to sell shares of its common stock to Dutchess issued under the equity line, at per share prices to be determined based on market prices in accordance with an agreed-upon formula. Platinum Studios will control the timing and amount of any sales of shares sold to Dutchess.
"We believe that Platinum Studios represents a compelling investment for our fund considering the Company owns one of the few remaining independent multi-universe comic book character libraries. The announcement last summer of Disney's $4 billion acquisition of Marvel Entertainment was the latest step in the consolidation of these collections into major studios. With the emergence of comic book-based entertainment as the cornerstone of major entertainment franchises around the world, we are excited to participate in the Company's growth," stated Jessica Geran, Director of Corporate Finance at Dutchess.
Douglas Leighton, Managing Director of Dutchess, stated, "We believe in management's efforts to grow the company and this facility provides inexpensive and flexible access capital. Regardless of the ever-tightening capital markets, Dutchess continues to finance the growth of promising companies such as Platinum Studios."
Awareness for Platinum Studios' properties has increased significantly over the past year due in part to the upcoming film "Dead of Night," an adaptation of the beloved Italian comic book "Dylan Dog," which has sold over 56 million copies worldwide. In a poll conducted in December 2009 by MTV.com, "Dead of Night" ranked fifth amongst all comic book movies audiences were anticipating for 2010. The results came unexpectedly to MTV.com since the film was accidentally left off the list of nominees and all votes for the picture were write-in votes.
In addition to "Dead of Night," Platinum Studios' graphic novel "Cowboys & Aliens" is anticipated by DreamWorks for a mid-2010 start, with Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, and Platinum producing. In addition to these active, high-profile projects, Platinum is also developing "Unique" with "Harry Potter" producer David Heyman at Walt Disney Pictures; "The Witchblade" with "Wanted" executive producer Marc Silvestri and Top Cow Productions, Inc.; "Atlantis Rising" with DreamWorks, Kurtzman/Orci and director Len Wiseman ("Underworld"); "The Weapon" with Disney Channel's "Wizards of Waverly Place" star David Henrie; "Mal Chance" with producer Tony Krantz ("24"); "Indestructible Man" and "Gunplay" at FOX 21; "Nightfall" with Aurora Productions and an untitled feature film project at Sony Pictures Animation. Platinum's Rosenberg would serve as a producer on all film projects and an executive producer on all TV projects.
A more detailed description of the Dutchess agreement will be set forth in the Company's Form S-1 being filed with the SEC today, which should be reviewed carefully in conjunction with this news release.
About Platinum Studios, Inc.
Platinum Studios (OTC.BB:PDOS - News) is an entertainment company that controls an international library of comic book characters from all over the world, which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media including print, film, online, mobile / wireless, gaming, and merchandising.
Platinum Studios -- Comics Fueling Media EVERYWHERE!
To learn more about the company please visit: http://www.platinumstudios.com/
About Dutchess Capital
Dutchess Capital is an investment manager which provides creative financing for promising, growth-stage companies. Founded in 2000, funds managed by Dutchess have made over $200 million in direct investments in companies throughout North America, Europe and Asia. For almost a decade, Dutchess has been a global leader in Equity Line of Credit investments (ELOCs) and has transacted in excess of $1.4 billion in such financings. The ELOC is a flexible financing structure by which publicly traded companies can raise capital quickly, efficiently and with less dilution than most traditional offerings.
For more information, please visit: www.dutchessopportunity.com, a fund managed by www.dutchesscapital.com
Platinum Studios Safe Harbor Statement
Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Although expected, actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of Platinum Studios and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting Platinum Studios and its operations; its markets, products, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently, and other factors detailed in reports filed by Platinum Studios with the SEC.
Contact:
Platinum Studios Contacts:
Helene Pretsky
EVP Business Affairs
(310) 807-8100
info@platinumstudios.com
Thomas Becker
Investor Relations
(702) 478-7363
investors@platinumstudios.com
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Platinum-Studios-Secures-5-iw-2054460428.html?x=0&.v=1
Maybe. Things change all the time. Until filming starts, nothing is certain. IMO
No such luck. Guess were stuck with james bond. Hey, he might be good in the role. IMO
Saw this Scriptsale: Guess this means they liked the script and bought it. Notice how it says DC is attached.
Title: Cowboys and Aliens
Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010
Logline: The story is about a group of Apache Indians and Western settlers who resolve to patch up their differences when an alien spaceship crash-lands in their city.
Writer: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof
Genre: Sci-Fi
Saletype: Script
Studio: Dreamworks Studios
More: Daniel Craig attached to star. Jon Favreau attached to direct.
http://www.sellascript.com/Source/Sales.cfm
if we only knew ")
Platinum Studios Partners With ezprints
Partnership Allows Users to Create Their Own Merchandise via Webcomics Portal DrunkDuck.com
marketwire
Press Release Source: Platinum Studios On Wednesday January 20, 2010, 9:00 am EST
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - 01/20/10) - Platinum Studios, Inc. (OTC.BB:PDOS - News), an entertainment company that controls an international library of more than 5,600 comic book characters which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media, and ezprints, Inc., a provider of personalized product and related technology solutions, have partnered to create a revolutionary merchandise creation and fulfillment program for Platinum's leading webcomics portal, www.DrunkDuck.com.
This new program will allow users of DrunkDuck.com to choose art from the site, design their own products, and order merchandise from a storefront integrated directly into the popular webcomics portal. Comic creators on the site will be able to earn money from merchandising their creations on the same website that they are currently publishing their work. Artists and creators who opt in will be earning money from every sale related to their work.
"Now, for the first time, the thousands of comics on DrunkDuck will be available for merchandising without need for creators to go to third-party merchandising sites, set up separate accounts, and hope that their readers go there," says Platinum Studios Chairman and CEO Scott Mitchell Rosenberg. "It will all be in one convenient place, accessible from their comic page right on DrunkDuck.com."
According to PMA Marketing Research, custom products and services, like those offered through this new program on DrunkDuck.com, represent the fastest growing category in the $89.6 billion photo imaging industry. In fact, at a time when consumer spending remains low and economic forecasts remain bleak, ezprints recently reported that units shipped during its peak week were up 109 percent.
"We're very excited about our partnership with Platinum Studios," said Wes Herman, CEO of ezprints, Inc. "Scott and his team will be leveraging our easy-to-use online product creation tool, ezp builder, in a way that no one else has to date, providing their base of passionate artists and fans with an unparalleled amount of control over the look and feel of the merchandise."
Rosenberg added, "Platinum has been exploring ways to provide creators unprecedented profit participation and ezprints' ezp builder is exactly what we needed to make that happen. By creating a situation where both creators and Platinum profit from each transaction, Platinum is supporting a broad base of independent artists and increasing its own bottom line by helping to greater monetize the over 160 million page views it received on DrunkDuck."
The program is currently in Beta Testing and is expected to launch in early February of this year.
About Platinum Studios, Inc.
Platinum Studios (OTC.BB:PDOS - News) is an entertainment company that controls an international library of comic book characters from all over the world, which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media including print, film, online, mobile / wireless, gaming, and merchandising.
Platinum Studios - Comics Fueling Media EVERYWHERE!
Platinum Studios Safe Harbor Statement
Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Although expected, actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of Platinum Studios and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting Platinum Studios and its operations; its markets, products, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently, and other factors detailed in reports filed by Platinum Studios with the SEC.
About ezprints, Inc.
Founded in 1998 to provide digital photofinishing solutions, ezprints has transformed itself into a private label end-to-end personalized product solution provider. From its proprietary, easy-to-use technology to its state-of-the-art printing and shipping capabilities, ezprints effortlessly turns websites into revenue-generators. Ezprints provides personalized professional grade prints, home d?cor products, stationery products and a wide variety of gift items. For more information, please visit www.ezpservices.com.
Contact:
Platinum Studios Contacts:
Dan Forcey
(310) 807-8125
info@platinumstudios.com
http://www.platinumstudios.com/
Investor Relations:
Thomas Becker
Platinum Studios, Inc. - Investor Relations
(702) 478-7363
investors@platinumstudios.com
ezprints Media Contact:
Manda Hunt
manda@lenoxcommunications.com
(404) 441-3455
ezprints, Inc. Contact:
Mike Rosenberg
mrosenberg@ezprints-inc.com
(678) 405-7359
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Platinum-Studios-Partners-iw-3928285734.html?x=0&.v=1
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Dead of night Review : Dylan Dog
http://disneyasley.xanga.com/720350707/dead-of-night-review--dylan-dog/
nice find. We havent heard anything about that big gaming deal that was suppose to happen yet. Wonder if this was in place before that one. This seems to be for C&A. Im guessing theres a separate one for DD.
IMO
http://www.techagreements.com/agreement-preview.aspx?num=633378
More Darkness news:
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/news/?a=13825
The Darkness Movie Has An Actor & Producer
Added by Brian Warmoth on Jan. 15, 2010
The Darkness' spin-off character Magdalena could make it to theaters before the Top Cow series' title anti-hero does, but the company has some talent and Hollywood-based backing helping their character out behind the scenes. Right now that help consists of at least one unnamed actor, more than one writer, and a producer who currently has Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and The Wolfman on his plate.
"The Darkness is one of those projects that just seems to go on forever and ever, but we have a great new producing partner called Scott Stuber," Top Cow President and COO Matt Hawkins told ComicBookMovie.com. "He has an office over on the Universal lot, and he's been on a number of great films."
Having Stuber on their side doesn't mean the movie is close to being a done deal, but Top Cow does have the benefit of an Xbox 360 title with "Platinum Hits" distinction on its cover, thanks to its sales. That label shouldn't be confused with their other partners at Platinum Studios.
"With Stuber and Platinum we developed sort of a take with some writers," Hawkins explained. "It's not set up yet officially at a studio. Even though he's on the Universal lot, he doesn't have an automatic deal there, so we'll have to take and pitch the thing at some point."
Hawkins hopes to see a studio pick up their pitch within the next "two or three months," though he stopped short of revealing who the actor is that they've recruited to be attached to the project.
"We have an actor attached that hasn't been formally announced," he said.
There was a rumor last year that G.I. Joe actor Channing Tatum might be that actor, thanks to Bloody Disgusting, but un-produced projects can be a slippery game of musical chairs half-rumors before they're in production, let alone at a studio. Tatum wouldn't be my first pick to star as Jackie Estacado. I'd rather see a young Benicio Del Toro or perhaps Michael Imperioli from The Sopranos.
Who would you like to see take the lead role in The Darkness? Would Channing Tatum be able to pull it off? Sound off with your own picks for characters and directors below. Until the film becomes official, you never know, someone may just see your suggestion and be inspired.
http://www.comicvine.com/news/the-darkness-movie-has-an-actor-a-producer/140193/
*** Im not sure Platinum is still involved, but I believe we still own the movie rights. Would be nice to get a confirmation press so I can add it to the IBOX, or at the very least a nod in our direction for this film.
OT: Winning streak abroad
3D pics help propel global box office to new high mark
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118013856.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
MoneyTV this week
http://www.emergingcompany.com/volume14week2qt.mov
What about Nathan Fillion. Alot of people pulling for him to be the next Zeke. Wonder if Dreamworks should ask him. He looks the part. IMO
I dont know too much about Daniel Craig. From the pictures I saw, he would need quite a bit of makeup to make him look cow boyish, and I hear he also may have a conflict with his next bond film. His accent may be a problem, can he play a Cowboy. At least we know he can fight. I had heard a rumor Brad Pitt was mentioned, but this is the first we have heard about anyone. As to franchise, he would not have to do a second or third. They could always use someone new, as long as Favreau keeps directing, and I dont think he will be doing Bond movies too much longer too. That company always changes the Bonds. I see some articles with people says they like and some dont. Either way,I think we should know in a few days who it will be. This slot will not be open long. IMO
Heres the Variety article:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118013752.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&ref=vertfilm
Daniel Craig in Talks to Star in Jon Favreau’s Cowboys & Aliens
A couple days ago it was revealed that Robert Downey Jr. dropped out of the big screen adaptation of the graphic novel Cowboys & Aliens, being directed by Iron Man director Jon Favreau. Collider has learned that Bond star Daniel Craig is in talks to joint the project, which has been in development for the last ten years (even though the comic book was only released a couple years go, it was pitched for years before it was ever actually written). No deal is yet in place, so nothing is final, but we’ve heard that Favreau wants to shoot the film this Summer (July has been mentioned in past reports), possibly in 3D. If Bond 23 goes into production, that production start probably won’t be possible.
I’m not sure I like the idea of a Brit playing an American cowboy, but I know that Craig could pull it off. Also, going from Downey to Craig leads me to believe that the comedy quotant will be lowered a bit. More information on the project, after the jump.
I haven’t read the book, but I will admit that the title alone makes it worthy of a big screen movie. Written by Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley, the story takes place in the Old West, where “settlers and Native Americans wage a bloody battle for control of the land. But when the Earth is threatened by conquerors from the stars, these sworn enemies must work together to save all humanity.” Downey Jr would play a former Union Army gunslinger named Zeke Jackson. You can read the entire graphic novel for free online on drunkduck.com or check out the teaser trailer for the comic book below.
The latest screenplay was written by Star Trek scribes Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, alongside Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof. Iron Man and Children of Men scribes Hawk Ostby and Mark Fergus had worked on a previous draft.
Read more: Daniel Craig in Talks to Star in Jon Favreau’s Cowboys & Aliens | /Film http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/01/13/daniel-craig-in-talks-to-star-in-jon-favreaus-cowboys-aliens/#ixzz0cXrzFsdA
http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/01/13/daniel-craig-in-talks-to-star-in-jon-favreaus-cowboys-aliens/
Exclusive: Daniel Craig in Negotiations to Star in Jon Favreau’s COWBOYS & ALIENS
http://www.collider.com/2010/01/13/exclusive-daniel-craig-in-negotiations-to-star-in-jon-favreau-cowboys-aliens/
Google Link: Alot of this Rumor going around
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=Daniel+Craig+cowboys+and+aliens&aq=f&aqi=&oq=&fp=9540cbadae2454e2
Heres your first rumor of WHO MAY PLAY the lead of Cowboys and Aliens.
James Bond And Cowboys And Aliens
By Josh Tyler: 2010-01-13 17:30:58
James Bond And Cowboys And Aliens Monday we learned that Robert Downey Jr. was dropping out of Jon Favreau’s Iron Man 2 followup, a movie called Cowboys and Aliens. That leaves Favreau in search of a new star and Collider thinks they’ll know who he’ll hire to herd E.T. They claim it could be Daniel Craig.
Their source says he’s in negotiations for RDJ’s old role, the part of Zeke Johnson. Can Daniel Craig do a cowpoke accent? Or will this be Zeke Johnson by way of James Bond? The film is supposed to be based on a comic (pictured below) about a group of Apache Indians and Arizona settlers forced to band together when an alien spaceship crash lands in their city, but adding James Bond into the mix can only make this idea even better. James Bond and Cowboys and Aliens and Indians? I am so in.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/James-Bond-And-Cowboys-And-Aliens-16552.html
Robert Downey Jr. Rides Off Into Cowboys And Aliens’ Sunset
Posted on January, 2010 under Action, Actors, Book-to-Movie, Books, Box Office, Movies, Sci-Fi, Widgets
Robert Downey Jr.Well, that’s all, folks…Robert Downey Jr. has left the building. He will NOT, apparently, be part of the filming of Cowboys and Aliens, the surprisingly succinct title for the surprisingly straight forward story of rampaging aliens coming to earth in the mid 1800s or so and running afoul of cowboys.
However, Jon Favreau is still in play at last report, which means they might be looking for a new lead actor, but not necessarily scrapping the film altogether.
Will the film continue on? It could, sure enough…or it could be dead in the water. Word is that Downey Jr. left because he was just plain old overextended, and it’s a good thing, because the further word is that Dreamworks, who’s working the property right now, wanted to turn it into a three-picture deal, meaning that Robert Downey Jr. would be neck deep in work for years. And frankly, with Iron Man 2 coming, the guy could use a break.
Hopefully we’ll have more on this one soon. Keep it here!
http://www.screenhead.com/reviews/robert-downey-jr-rides-off-into-cowboys-and-aliens-sunset/
Now they have taken RDJ off IMDb. And so thespeculation begins. Who will be the next lead actor (I know you want Cusack)? I say Chuck Norris comes back. IMO
I wonder now if Chuck Norris will force his way back in. Im sure he wanted the lead but got mad when RDJ held the title. They also have not taken RDJ off IMDb yet too.
IMO
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409847/
Robert Downey Jr. opts out of 'Cowboys & Aliens' for 'Sherlock Holmes sequel'
by Nicole Sperling
Robert Downey Jr. has dropped out of Cowboys & Aliens, the Dreamworks/Universal sci-fi project that would have reunited the actor with his Iron Man director Jon Favreau. The news was first reported by the Los Angeles Times but only speculated on why Downey had left the project, which pits Old West cowboys and indians against a group of aliens with superior technology. Now, a source inside the production tells EW.com that the star has a scheduling conflict with a Sherlock Holmes sequel. That film has not yet been greenlit by Warner Bros., but it is being fast-tracked based on the success of the first film. (Sherlock’s worldwide gross is fast approaching $300 million.) Warner Bros. commissioned a script by Kieran and Michele Mulroney back in September and is now locking down the cast for a June start date, exactly the time when Cowboys & Aliens is set to begin principal photography. Producers behind Cowboys & Aliens are sticking with original plans and are now looking for a new lead to play cowboy Zeke Jackson, the hero of the 2006 graphic novel from Platinum Studios.
http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/01/12/robert-downey-jr-sherlock-holmes-2/
You could be right. Cussak could fit in the role. Im sure we will hear shortly. IMO
Well, looks like RDJ takes himself out of Cowboys and Aliens. Lets see who Dreamworks chooses now. He could have had another potential hit with this one. Well, I guess if your overworked, better to pass so Favreau can start on time. IMO
Robert Downey Jr. Won’t Play Cowboys & Aliens
Adding to this week’s trend of superhero bailouts in the form of Stuart Townsend leaving Thor and the entire cast and crew of Spider-Man 4 bailing out with Sony rebooting the franchise, another superhero has dropped out of a project. Well, not exactly, but Robert Downey Jr. and has removed himself from director Jon Favreau’s Cowboys & Aliens.
According to a source of the LA Times, Downey has left and DreamWorks is now searching for their new lead to ride into the sunset full of UFOs. Favreau will still be directing and the plan is to begin principal photography this year for a summer 2011 release.
With RDJ out, a replacement is needed for the role of Zeke Jackson, the hero who leads the gunslingers of the wild west against the pesky extra-terrestrials. DreamWorks will have to find a popular star to fill those shoes.
We’re not sure yet on the exact reason for Downey’s dropping out but it’s reasonable to assume he may just have too much on his plate going forward. With this holiday’s Sherlock Holmes kicking off another great franchise, there could be a rush from the studio for a sequel which they spent a lot of time and effort setting up for in this first installment.
That’s not all for the comeback star however, as he also has at least another two leading roles in Marvel Studios’ franchise as Tony Star/Iron Man after Iron Man 2 debuts this May. Downey simply may not have time to dedicate two a third potential franchise.
The sci-fi western will surely be a hit with such major players involved as Alex Kurtzman, Bob Orci and Damon Lindelof penning the script, producing alongside Steven Spielberg. And of course, Jon Favreau will be helming the project as director.
Who do you think can take over the lead role in Cowboys & Aliens?
Iron Man 2 kicks off this summer on May 7, 2010. Cowboys & Aliens may start shooting in July.
Source: LA Times (via IESB)
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/01/robert-downey-jr-falling-off-cowboys-and-aliens.html
http://screenrant.com/robert-downey-jr-out-of-cowboys-and-aliens-rob-41043/
Always the same story, blah blah blah. Thats the yahoo board for ya.
Read the ibox. Alot of information in there.
Haven't seen a jump like this for a while. Maybe people re-buying from tax loss selling? IMO
FYI- WonderCon and ComicCon. Space is going fast and some days almost sold out on ComicCon.
http://www.comic-con.org/wc/
http://www.comic-con.org/wc/wc_exhib_info.shtml
http://www.comic-con.org/cci/
http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_exhib_info.shtml
Next Avatar-esque, 3-D Blockbuster to be Set in Arizona; So, of Course, They're Filming It in California
By James King in News
Thu., Jan. 7 2010 @ 7:51AM
?The next 3-D, futuristic, should-be blockbuster is pegged to be set right here in Arizona. However, like many films set in Arizona, this one's being shot somewhere other than the Grand Canyon State.
Cowboys and Aliens, John Favreau's futuristic answer to the über-successful Avatar, is a 3-D journey into a Southwestern conflict between settlers in Silver City, Arizona, who must resolve their differences when an alien spaceship crash-lands in their city.
The movie is set to start filming in July -- in Randsburg, California. Where better to shoot a movie set in Arizona than Southern California, right? It may sound ludicrous to the average moviegoer, but for the studio, it just makes sense.
Countless movies (like 3:10 to Yuma, which was filmed in New Mexico) supposedly based in Arizona are filmed elsewhere because other states offer tax incentives for studios to film there.
When a big studio comes to any town to film a movie, it brings with it hundreds of people who spend money at local businesses. With all the cool stories that Arizona offers the cinematic world, the state is missing out on some serious cash when they film those stories elsewhere.
There have been several efforts to get state government to offer tax incentives comparable to states like California and New Mexico for studios to film movies in Arizona -- including one last year that was brushed aside by legislators trying to solve the state's budget crisis.
Mesa is in the process of building a studio capable of producing large-scale movies, but without the necessary tax incentives, the studio could go to waste.
Unfortunately, the Mesa studio is not a case of "if you build it, they will come" -- it's more a case of "get the Legislature off its ass and offer these money-machine movie studios some tax incentives, and they might come."
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2010/01/next_avatar-esque_3-d_blockbus.php
Cowboys and Aliens Review: Video
http://www.comicvine.com/cowboys-aliens-review/112-642/
Filming News for 1.7.10: ‘Cowboys and Aliens’ gets a possible start date & more
by Christine on January 7, 2010 · 0 comments
Rumor has it, Cowboys and Aliens, will begin shooting this July. According to IMDb.com, the movie will be shot in Randsburg, CA, an old mining town that is now mostly a ghost town, it looks pretty cool actually.
http://www.randsburg.com/text/album.html
http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2010/01/07/filming-news-for-1-7-10-cowboys-and-aliens-gets-a-possible-start-date-more/
Dead of Night got a mention again. But seems to be misinformation here.
Freddy, Wolfman and Blair Witch Stand Ready to Terrorize 2010
2009 is barely over and already I'm thinking ahead to what frights to 2010 could hold. By and large, I'm not especially excited about the dozens of much-hyped remakes and sequels on the horizon. And past experience tells me that some of the year's greatest delights are still flying below my radar. But these ten projects have piqued my curiosity and as the philosophers always say, half of life is having something to look forward to.
10. Blair Witch 3
Between the 10th anniversary of The Blair Witch Project and the hoopla over Paranormal Activity, it's no surprise that Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez have been making noises about doing their own sequel (they had nothing to do with 2000's Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2). And let's face it: Their post-Blair Witch careers haven't exactly flourished. But cynical snippiness aside, I'd love to see them do a kick-ass follow up. It's hard to tell where this project is: It might just be talk, but then there was that casting call for a "Blair Witch Remake" to be made in Scotland by one Stacy Hopkins -- who seems to have no credits whatsoever -- and specifies "mostly Canadian and U.S. actors." I love a mystery.
9. The Wolfman
It will arrive much delayed, reportedly troubled and stuck explaining in which universe it made sense to cast Benicio Del Toro as the son of 19th-century English aristocrat Anthony Hopkins -- I don't care how estranged young Larry Talbot is supposed to be. But it's The Wolfman, and Rick Baker created the effects, which presumably means they won't be 100 percent CGI. And it's got Hugo Weaving as Detective Abberline (a little lagniappe for Ripper-philes), Geraldine Chaplin as the old gypsy woman and Gene Simmons providing the wolfman's howls.
8. Piranha 3-D
Yes, this remake of the much-loved Piranha (1978) it will probably be crap. But Alexandre Aja did a pretty good job with The Hills Have Eyes, which was a better movie to begin with, and mutant killer piranhas could be a hell of a lot of fun in 3D. And the cast is... eclectic: Elisabeth Shue, Christopher Lloyd, Richard Dreyfuss and Ving Rhames, together at last.
7. Dead of Night
Director Kevin Munroe has been calling Dead of Night the first movie to feature supernatural detective Dylan Dog, of the long-running Italian comic-book series. It's not: That was Dellamorte, Dellamore (1994) with Rupert Everett, who was the model for Dylan Dog's Byronic good looks. And Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) in the lead? But Munroe promises werewolves, zombies and vampires, and though it no longer takes place in London, the new setting is New Orleans. What the hell -- I'm curious.
6. A Nightmare on Elm Street
There is one reason and one reason alone I'm interested in music-video director Samuel Bayer's remake of one of the signature horror movies of the 1980s. And it's not the shameless trailer, which features a clutch of scenes reproduced angle-for-angle from the original, along with angelic-looking girls skipping rope and chanting "one, two, Freddie's coming for you..." I mean, why not just come out and say, 'We know we can't do it better, so we figured we'd just copy the other one as closely as possible.' But Jackie Earle Haley stepping in to the role of Freddy Krueger? That I want to see.
5. Mother's Day
The original Mother's Day (1980), in which two inbred rednecks vie for the approval of their mother by torturing, raping and murdering girls, was one of the vilest movies I saw in Times Square during the bad old days. That's saying something... in fact, what it's saying is that there's no need for a remake. But claims that it's actually a very loose sequel are borne out by the official synopsis, which follows a nightmarish home-invasion scenario, and there's something perversely great about casting Rebecca De Mornay as the momster. So I'm game to give it a go: I won't even hold it against Darren Lynn Bousman that he directed Saw II, III and IV.
4. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead
Jordan Galland's offbeat mix of backstage comedy, Shakespeare and epic vampire conspiracy has been kicking around festivals since last year, but it finally has a release date and I'm truly curious. Especially since reading that Galland, who once appeared in a high school production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, met Tom Stoppard some years later and had the nerve to bend the guy's ear with an outline of this neat idea he had for a vampire movie. And if Stoppard really did encourage Galland, as the story goes, then he's the coolest, critically-acclaimed playwright ever.
3. Area 51
This is where we find out whether or not Paranormal Activity's Oren Peli is a one-hit wunderkinder. The low-budget Area 51 -- low-budget by "real" movie standards, which means $5 million rather than the $15,000 Peli spent on his debut -- uses the same found-footage conceit as Paranormal Activity and involves three teenagers who go poking around Nevada's Nellis Air Force Base. What's betting they wish they hadn't? I'm there.
2. Vanishing on 7th Street
I love Brad Anderson (The Machinist, Session 9): The guy knows creepy. So I'd be up for this even if I didn't know one little thing about it. The fact that the screenplay sounds a little Twilight Zone-ish -- after a mysterious blackout swallows up almost every one in a small city, five strangers band together and try to figure out what happened -- it's not a sequel or a remake. And the cast includes John Leguizamo and Thandie Newton... and Hayden Christensen. Two out of three isn't bad.
1. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, Ms. 45) is an uneven filmmaker, but when he's hot, he's smokin'. And he had stones of steel: Who else would have the nerve to cast Forest Whitaker and 50 Cent as good Dr. Jekyll and bad Mr. Hyde? I'm probably setting myself up for disappointment on an epic scale, and the longer The Gun (currently shooting with 50 Cent in Michigan) drags on, the less likely it is that Ferrara will even be able to turn Jekyll and Hyde around for 2010 release. But I'd rather wait for it than for Nicolas Winding Refn's version: I love Refn's Pusher trilogy, but Keanu Reeves just doesn't have the chops for Jekyll or Hyde.
What movies are you waiting for?
http://blogs.amctv.com/horror-hacker/2010/01/horror-movies-2010-look-ahead.php
OT: Life After Avatar
The billion-dollar success of James Cameron’s epic has Hollywood scrambling to make more films in 3-D. Kim Masters on the next movie gold rush.
As promised, Avatar is huge. Worldwide, the film boomed to more than $1 billion worth of box office in 17 days, and the declines in ticket sales from weekend to weekend are so minuscule as to be “unprecedented in the annals of box-office tracking,” writes analyst Paul Dergarabedian.
If you think those numbers are lost on Hollywood—well, you don’t really think that, do you? The industry, which had somewhat soured on the whole 3-D, motion-capture thing in the wake of Robert Zemeckis’ gloomy Christmas Carol, is now a lot sweeter on the subject.
“There’s no doubt that people all through the industry over the holidays were thinking, ‘Should we do this movie in 3-D? Is this worthy?’”
“People clearly understood—this is not your father’s 3-D,” says Jim Gianopulos, co-chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment. “There was this clarity of comprehension.” And that wasn’t just among filmgoers but among Hollywood insiders, as well.
“There’s no doubt that people all through the industry over the holidays were thinking, ‘Should we do this movie in 3-D? Is this worthy?’” says DreamWorks CEO Stacey Snider. The company has already started talking about when it would make sense to use the technique.
“For us, it isn’t about genre or demographic but more about the scope of the world that you’re creating,” says Snider. Steven Spielberg is already at work on a 3-D and motion-capture film, The Adventures of Tintin, due in theaters in December 2011. But now other projects in development are being considered through the 3-D lens.
The Avatar factor could make the difference on Cowboys and Aliens, a DreamWorks project to be directed by Jon Favreau that starts shooting in July. (Plot line: Settlers and Indians put aside their differences when a spaceship crash-lands in their town.)
Rumor has it that director Ridley Scott decided, late in the game, that he wanted Robin Hood, with Russell Crowe, to be in 3-D. But that film, set to release in May, has already been shot, and Universal has no intention of trying to 3-D-ify it now. (A curious film executive not associated with that project inquired what it would cost to take a movie in progress now and convert it to 3-D. The estimate was that it would add a minimum of $50 million to the budget and possibly three times that much.)
Fox’s Gianopulos says his studio hasn’t yet set a template for deciding which films should be in 3-D, though clearly, certain movies lend themselves more readily to the process. Doing a movie like Sideways in 3-D wouldn’t offer “the same benefit as when you have a banshee flying across a canyon,” he says. But eventually, he says he believes 3-D will become the standard.
Chris Aronson, a senior vice president at Fox, says one of the revelations of Avatar was that 3-D is a technique separate from the lavish computer-generated imagery. “To me, the live-action part of Avatar was equally remarkable” as the computer-generated world of Pandora, he says. “We’ve always joked about, ‘Would you want to see My Dinner with Andre in 3-D?’ Well, actually, yeah.” The technique isn’t just about creating extraordinary worlds, he says, but about having movies appear “as though you’re looking through a window.”
Still, many in the industry continue to eye the technique with caution. One studio chief says 3-D is great if you have a fortune to spend and Jim Cameron at the helm. “What he did is not what we do for a living or can do for a living,” this veteran says. “If we try to make all our movies look like his, we’re going to be bankrupt.”
Cost is a hindrance, and there still aren’t enough movie screens that can play 3-D films to sustain a serious expansion of the technique. (Avatar is playing on 3,600 screens across the country, of which 2,200 show it in 3-D.) But in the wake of Cameron’s blockbuster, Gianopulos says, “we’re past the tipping point where the economics become feasible and all the pieces are in place.”
Not only will theater owners hasten to upgrade, but within months, not years, 3-D will be in the home. And when it happens, the technique will take more strides toward becoming the standard for all movies.
In the year ahead, however, there is a paucity of 3-D material that seems likely to have blockbuster appeal. Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland comes out in March, and the rest of the 3-D offerings on the lineup are family movies with a few niche films in the mix.
Still, change is coming, and Avatar will hasten it. There’s already been talk about rendering Titanic and Star Wars in 3-D; can plans for the Lord of the Rings trilogy be far behind? That process takes months, not years, and it isn’t even that expensive by show-business standards.
By the time we watch of few of those 3-D reimaginings, Hollywood should have some fresh material. And maybe you’ll own your first pair of designer 3-D glasses.
Plus: Check out more of the latest entertainment, fashion, and culture coverage on Sexy Beast—photos, videos, features, and Tweets.
Kim Masters covers the entertainment business for The Daily Beast. She is also the host of The Business, public radio's weekly program about the business of show business. She is also the author of The Keys to the Kingdom: The Rise of Michael Eisner and the Fall of Everybody Else.
For More of The Daily Beast, become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
For inquiries, please contact The Daily Beast at editorial@thedailybeast.com.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-01-04/life-after-avatar/
'Cowboys And Aliens' To Begin Shooting This July, Possibly In 3-D?
Posted 26 minutes ago by Caleb Goellner in News, Platinum Studios
Cowboys And AliensNews regarding the adaptation of Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley's "Cowboys and Aliens" has put fans of the sci-fi western source material on something of a seesaw since the property was optioned a few years back. From "Iron Man 2" director Jon Favreau's tenuous-seeming involvement to various ongoing casting rumors to producers and screenwriters Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Damon Lindelof's admission to moving away from the original storyline, it's been hard to get much of a lock on the project.
According to The Daily Beast, however, there's a few details fans can count on: Favreau is on board to direct and the Dreamworks film begins shooting this July.
Of course, there's still a bit of room for speculation, with TDB wondering if the more than $1 billion to-date box office success of James Cameron's "Avatar" might entice filmmakers to render "Cowboys and Aliens" in 3-D.
Even though Dreamworks hasn't confirmed the notion, it's reasonable to imagine the Platinum Studios' comic book plot, which unites rival cowboys and Native Americans against invading aliens on the 19th century Arizona prairie, working with 3-D effects.
Robert Downey Jr. has been one of the film's most talked-about contenders for a starring role, but given his hectic schedule, it's still unclear whether he'll be involved in the film at this point.
No official casting details have been released at this time, but provided the projected July shooting schedule moves forward as planned, such announcements could very well be making their way down the pipeline in the coming months.
Does "Cowboys and Aliens" appeal to your science fiction sensibilities? Let us know what you think in the comment section or on Twitter!
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/01/05/cowboys-and-aliens-to-begin-shooting-this-july-possibly-in-3-d/
Cowboys & Aliens to Start Filming in July?
Source:The Daily Beast
January 5, 2010
In an article at The Daily Beast about Avatar and 3D, the site mentions the following:
The Avatar factor could make the difference on Cowboys and Aliens, a DreamWorks project to be directed by Jon Favreau that starts shooting in July.
The movie will be based on the Platinum Studios Comics graphic novel written by Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley. The sci-fi Western explores what would happen if the traditional Old West enemies -- cowboys and Native Americans -- found the prairie attacked by aliens in mid-1800s Arizona.
Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Damon Lindelof wrote the script.
http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=8952