Karl Ubran Talking To Filmmakers About DREDD 2 And DARK JUDGES Miniseries Coming This Month

TheWrap has word from Dredd producer Adi Shankar that an online miniseries titled Dark Judges is coming later this month. The free series will have seven-parts, the assumption is that Adi directed these. He's already made something similar with Punisher: Dirty Laundry, which had Thomas Jane reprise his role for the short. Details haven't been revealed, but I assume from the title it will focus on Judge Death and the other Dark Judges. A group of villains that fans have been demanded to see in a sequel.



Some cool videos pertaining to Dredd 2 have surfaced last week. Actress Olivia Thirlby voices her appreciation of the fan support for the film, for the Day of Dredd event on October 1st. This sounds like Olivia might be on board for returning, if Dredd 2 happens. The day was setup in-support of the film, and asks people to sign the official sequel petition along with buying/watching the film.

Fans helped the film reach #1 on Amazon UK's Blu-Ray bestsellers list, and #11 on the US list. Impressive considering the film was outselling films like Frozen, Captain America: The Winter Solider and Edge of Tomorrow. While the box office wasn't great, it's found a cult following with home viewers.



On that note, Karl Urban had an update during this weekend. He told British talk show host Jonathan Ross that while in London he was going to be meeting with Dredd filmmakers about the sequel. The event in question was Destination Stark Trek 3. This could be just a meeting, considering Adi has stated a script doesn't even exist. Perhaps, everyone was getting together to discuss what the sequel could look like and where the script should go. You can see the video (via ThePlayer) from the event above.

SOURCE: THEWRAP

Karl Urban Says DREDD Sequel Being Considered By Studio

We've been hearing for over a year that if fans demanded a sequel to Dredd it would happen. WhatCulture has a promising update from Karl Urban (via a Star Trek event in Germany), who confirms the studio is having "conversations" with director Pete Travis and writer Alex Garland. This is off the heels of the successful DVD, Blu-Ray, and digital sales. This is the first hint that the studio is considering making a second film.

It's disastrous box office numbers were likely due the terrible marketing, and distributors holding back 2D prints of the film in some markets. Instead of promoting the story or is amazingly colorful violent world, they focused on the 3D aspect which obviously didn't help ticket sales. Critics seemingly loved the film, as it earned a 78% fresh rating at RottenTomatoes. I loved it, and thought they made it in the vein of Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall and Robocop, which is how a character like this should be approached.

In 2012, at the London Comic-Con writer Alex Garland revealed trilogy plans for Dredd. Stating that, the second film would focus on the origins of Dredd and Mega-City One. The third movie would focus on Dredd's big baddie Judge Dredd and his Dark Judges. Garland's original script included Death, but would later be replaced with Ma-Ma. If the studio is smart, they'd film the two sequels back to back, saving a lot of money and securing this trilogy happens.

A Facebook group and petition to get a sequel made was eventually endorsed by 2000 AD comics, and in September 2012 earned over 80,000 signatures. The comic company released a direct sequel to the film in comic book form, titled Dredd: Underbelly which was set one year after the events of the film.

SOURCE: WHATCULTURE

Could PACIFIM RIM And GODZILLA Help Resurrect The Live-Action NEON GENESIS EVANGELION Film?

Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures are single-handily resurrecting the kaiju (giant/robot monster) genre with upcoming films Pacific Rim and the Godzilla reboot. The studio has strong ties with the Japanese market understanding the massive demand for these type of films. They also have tried to adapt films with Appian Way based on iconic anime/manga material with Akira (scrapped due Americanization) and Ninja Scroll. There is plenty of existing material involving kaiju and giant robots that could end up heading to Hollywood in the next couple of years.



One project within this genre that really deserves another shot is Neon Genesis Evangelion. Back in 2003, there was development on a live-action film which saw ADV Films hire Weta Workshop (Avatar, Lord of The Rings, King Kong, Rise/Dawn of The Apes, The Hobbit) to create a slew of concept art. The project was originally announced at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival with ADV looking to provide fifty percent of the estimated $100-120 million budget. Nothing seemed to happen even with hiring John Woo to pitch it to other producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Steven Spielberg. The company would eventually fold and the live-action film rights have been in dispute since 2011.

Other giant robot projects such as Robotech (Warner Bros.) and Gaiking (Valhalla Entertainment) have also been put into development in the last couple of months. It seems like it would be a smart move for other studios to get a hold of their own kaiju/giant robot flicks. Sony/Columbia, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Dreamworks, Wingnut and Universal should really consider trying to get a hold the film rights to Evangelion.

CASTING SUGGESTIONS

Olivia Thirlby (Dredd, Juno), Dane DeHaan (Lawless, Chronicle, Amazing Spider-Man 2) and Jane Levy (Evil Dead).



WETA WORKSHOP CONCEPT ART

Pete Travis Talks DREDD Sequel And Alex Garland Has Ideas For A Trilogy

One of the most underrated films of 2012 will likely go down as being Dredd, among a few others. The hard boiled R-rated comic book film turned out to be one of the best genre films of the year. It ended up earning a lot of critical praise and in my opinion is this generation's Robocop. Dredd turned out more tense and unique action scenes than the over-hyped Expendables 2 or the disappointing Total Recall remake. Sadly, it did very poorly at the box office despite it's meager $50 million budget. A sequel has been in question because of the numbers but if BluRay/DVD/VOD sales a good enough it's possible. I feel like Dredd could find new life like most cult-films do with home viewing.

Director Pete Travis is currently promoting the BluRay release on January 8th and talked to MovieWeb about the future of Dredd. He likely won't be back as a director but is hopeful that a sequel could happen. Peter also mentions that writer/producer Alex Garland has outlined a trilogy. Details aren't dropped but it sounds like Garland and Urban could give us more exciting installments sometime in the futre.

"I don't think so. I really hope there is a second one. I just feel very lucky to have been involved in the first one. It has been a great experience for me. I read Alex Garland's script two years ago, and I feel in love with it then. I have enjoyed the whole process of working on that with him, and bringing it to the screen. It was extraordinary. I hope they get the chance to make another one. I think Dredd is an extraordinary character. I think Karl Urban captured him so perfectly. I think there is a real beautiful future there." 

"I think Alex Garland has a trilogy in his mind. I think there is a whole exciting journey in front of Dredd if Alex and Karl Urban get to take him on that journey. The future is really exciting for him. Especially in terms of going with some of the other characters from the comic book. Finding out more about where Dredd comes from. I also think its exciting, the possibilities. The first film does go all out as a visual feast. Whoever gets a chance to do the others willl take that, and make it even more exciting. I can't wait to see it. I don't really know how the sequel thing works, really. I hope they get another chance to make a second film. I think Karl Urban...He is Dredd. It would be really exciting for them to make another, and go further with that character. I sincerely hope so..."

TO BE CONSIDERED: Five Actresses For WANTED 2

Now that it's again confirmed that Angelina Jolie won't be returning for Wanted 2 there will be a search to fill the new female lead. We learned yesterday from writer Derek Haas that Wesley will be training a new protege in the sequel. That role will likely move the franchise forward as James McAvoy isn't likely to continue for possible future installments. James is in high-demand thanks in part to his involvement with the new X-Men franchise and other projects. This protege will have a similar transformation from sheep to wolf that Wesley had. I've come up with a couple names I'd like to see pushed forward for casting consideration.

EMILY BLUNT (Looper, All You Need Is Kill, Sunshine Cleaning, Wolfman and The Adjustment Bureau) 

MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD (Scott Pilgrim, Death Proof, Smashed, Die Hard 4 and The Thing)

OLIVIA THIRLBY (Juno, Dredd, The Wackness And The Darkest Hour)

ROONEY MARA (Nightmare On Elm Street, Social Network, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Side Effects)

JUNO TEMPLE (Atonement, Dark Knight Rises, Cracks, Greenberg, Killer Joe, Horns and Maleficent)

TRAILER: 'DREDD'

A Couple Of New 'DREDD' Stills

'DREDD' Reboot Gets An R-Rating

Judge Dredd fans should be pleased that the new film Dredd has earned a R-rating for strong bloody violence, language, drug use and some sexual content. It's not surprising considering the gory stills that appeared online a few months back. Yet, it screams faithful compared to the Sly Stallone film from the 90's. The film has a September 21st 2012 release date so a trailer should be around the corner.

New Dredd Stills Featuring Karl Urban And Olivia Thirlby

New Set Photo From Dredd Shows Off Costume & Chopper

SlashFilm has got a hold of another set photo from Dredd the new Judge Dredd reboot starring Karl Urban. This time instead of fantastic looking sets we get a look at a full judge costume and lawmaster bike.

Lena Headey Playing Villain In Dredd?

BleedingCool is reporting a rumor that 300 and Sarah Connor Chronicles star Lena Headey is joining Dredd. The Judge Dredd reboot has already cast Karl Urban in the lead and Olivia Thirlby in a supporting role. Headey would play Madeline Madrigal (Ma-Ma) a scared villain that leads the gang who controls a part of the city.

Olivia Thirlby Joins Karl Urban In Judge Dredd

Variety reports that Olivia Thirlby (Juno, The Wackness) has joined Karl Urban (LOTR, Star Trek) in the reboot of Judge Dredd. Olivia will play Judge Cassandra Anderson.