Simon Pegg Rewriting STAR TREK 3 Script, Will He GUARDIANS It Up For Paramount?

Deadline reports that Paramount has hired Simon Pegg and Doug Jung (Dark Blue) to rewrite the existing Star Trek 3 script. They might be under the gun as production is expected to being in April. Considering it's projected production start I'm expecting this is more of a punch-up than a page-one rewrite. The extent of the rewrites wasn't revealed in the report.

The studio really doesn't want to push that July 2016 release date as it meets the 50th anniversary of the franchise.

Another angle could be that everything in Roberto Orci's version of the film is getting kicked to the curb. Having two writers coming in to rewrite could mean a complete rewrite wouldn't take as long, but they don't have a huge amount of time to do that. A script by Patrick McKay and John D. Payne was ready to go when Orci was originally hired to direct the third installment but he would be eventually replaced with Fast And Furious franchise director Justin Lin.

Rumors of Roberto blocking other candidates such as Joe Cornish and Rupert Wyatt, to get his way into the director's chair were making the rounds. Let's remember, Orci was a screenwriter without a single directing credit to his name but was hired to direct a huge blockbuster. A move that had a lot of people scratching their heads, since Roberto had plenty of opportunity to direct on the many television shows he wrote for and created.

Will Keenser turn into a wisecracking son of gun?

 Apparently, the original vision for the film involved a new alien race and the rehashing of the time-travel trope to force a William Shatner cameo on audiences. Something I honestly don't want to see since Shatner's Kirk had a great exit in Generations.

Paramount scrapping the script could be happening due to talk of the studio wanting the film to include a lot more comedy using Guardians of The Galaxy as a blueprint. A huge tonal shift for even this version of the Star Trek universe which has some comedic moments but isn't focused on it.

The Guardians comparison isn't that bizarre since it's said hey are trying to make Keenser the Trek version of Rocket Raccoon. He doesn't speak so that's going to be a hard sell unless they give him a voice communicator.

Why spend two movies setting up Klingons not to make them villains?

I'm a bit more shocked that the Klingons aren't going to be our main villains, as far as we know. We've seen J.J. Abrams and the writers basically setup the combative alien warriors in the last two films. At the end of Into Darkness possibly have planted seeds for a full-scale war between The Klingon Empire and The Federation which had been looming for a while.

Considering the script is getting an overhaul or just a punch-up we could see a lot of these rumored elements nixed or just improved. At the very least we can expect some really funny moments via Pegg.

Simon of course having huge comedic screenwriting chops from co-writing Edgar Wright's Cornetto Trilogy which includes Shaun of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End. Doug Jung recently wrote the film Diamond for Bad Robot and Paramount which would explain his connection as well.



SOURCE: DEADLINE

Justin Lin Replaces Roberto Orci As STAR TREK 3 Director

Director Justin Lin might be apart of Fast And Furious franchise directing the last four installments, but has helped turned that dumb series of films into something fun. We all have to admit those movies have been better with each installment, and Justin is apart of that success. He's been bouncing back and fourth with a bunch of different projects. Lining-up potential directing gigs with projects like Terminator 5, Highlander, The Crow and eventually deciding on the sequel to The Bourne Legacy. The latter project was recently delayed because of Matt Damon returning to the Bourne series, and that film was getting made first.

It looks like he's finally found his next film, as reports he's replaced Roberto Orci as the new director of Star Trek 3. Orci stepped-down recent and Paramount put-out a search that included names such as Rupert Wyatt and Lin. It seemed like Wyatt was the frontrunner, considering being linked before Orci, having the blessing of producer J.J. Abrams and having great success rebooting Planet of The Apes with Rise of The Planet of The Apes. There is even chatter that Roberto Orci is still very much involved as a producer, but won't be contributing to the script.

While audiences seemingly enjoyed the last two films, in the era of blockbusters I'm sure Paramount is a bit disappointed the films haven't broken $500M worldwide. Perhaps, Justin will be able to pump new energy into the franchise which is having problems attracting international audiences. Considering the last film cost $190M+ to make, the studio would likely want a much bigger return.

The release date has also been officially set for July 8th, 2016. A date that will see the film arrive just in time for the 50th anniversary of the original series.

SOURCE: VARIETY

STAR TREK 3 Directors Short-List Has Abrams Approved Rupert Wyatt As Paramount's Top Choice

Now that we've seen Paramount come to their senses and Roberto Orci step-down as director of Star Trek 3, more potential replacements have been revealed. Deadline is reporting that directors like Rupert Wyatt (The Gambler, Rise of The Planet of The Apes), Morten Tyldum (Intimidation Game, Headhunters), Daniel Espinosa (Safe House, Snabba Cash, Child 44), Justin Lin (Fast And Furious 3-6) and Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code, Warcraft) are new names on a studio short-list. Wyatt reportedly being the top choice for the gig.

Previously mentioned candidate Edgar Wright isn't named in this grouping.

While my first pick here would be sci-fi savy Duncan Jones. I can understand why the studio would want Rupert Wyatt to direct. Considering, he's already helped Fox reboot their Planet of The Apes franchise. It's possible that he could help push the Trek franchise past a trilogy.



This isn't the first time his name has been in the mix for the third installment. Originally, he had been in the rumormill as a possible candidate. J.J. Abrams spoke to HitFix in 2013, about the potential of hiring Rupert to replace him as director. It also doesn't hurt he just worked with Paramount for his remake of The Gambler.

"I know Rupert and he's incredibly talented and we'd be lucky to have someone as talented as Rupert. But there are things we're focusing on right now before the director, which is just sort of the fundamentals of where the story is gonna go."

Justin Lin would be interesting as well, only problem he's played this game before. Lin attaching himself to projects like Highlander, Terminator 5 and others just to jump-ship. He's currently lined-up to helm the Bourne Legacy sequel with Jeremy Renner, but it's been delayed due to Matt Damon's return to the franchise. That said, he's helped build-up the Fast And Furious franchise to new levels of fandom and is said to be returning for it's finale.





SOURCE: DEADLINE

Production On STAR TREK 3 Halted As Roberto Orci Exits And Edgar Wright Linked To Replace

This was a bad idea from the start. Deadline is reporting that first-time director Roberto Orci has exited the director's chair on Paramount's Star Trek 3. Details for the exit aren't being reported, but I've heard he bullied his way onto the job and creative differences have lead to the exit. Originally, directors like Attack The Block's Joe Cornish were in talks to direct. One of the new directors on the studio's shortlist is Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim, Shaun of The Dead, The World's End, Hot Fuzz), who recently exited Marvel's Ant-Man over creative difference.

I hear that that exit was due to Wright's unwillingness to include elements of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other Marvel films into his script. Edgar Wright wouldn't be a stranger to the Star Trek set as he directed a few shots in Into Darkness, during the fight between Khan and the Klingons. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed that Cornish and Wright are frontrunners for the gig. You might remember that Edgar Wright had also been on Paramount's radar to direct Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

New Director In-Talks For NINJA TURTLES 2, Rumored To Include Casey Jones, Bebop And Rocksteady

Paramount is moving at quick pace to put together a sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They've already have a script in the works from returning writers Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec, with and set a release date for June 3rd, 2016. Production would need to start sometime in the spring or summer to meet that release date. Considering all the motion capture digital effects needed to be done in post.

TheWrap reports that Earth To Echo director David Green is in early talks with Paramount to make the sequel. A seemingly better choice than Jonathan Liebesman, who has a background in fantasy war films. Considering the extremely young age these films are now targeting, thanks the popular and kid-friendly cartoon series on Nickeldeon. Someone who has a better grasp of making films for this age-range, might be in the studio's best interest. It's expected that Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Johnny Knoxville and the other turtle actors will return.

There is also a rumor coming from Collider's Brazilian affiliate Omelet (I've actually never heard a single piece of film news from them so this is completely bizarre) that Casey Jones, Bebop and Rocksteady are going to be included in the film. This seems like a no-brainer, considering Casey Jones was wanted in the original drafts but was quickly removed. Concept art for mutant villains Bebop and Rocksteady were designed for the first film, but ultimately weren't used.

I'm not sure how much of this is actually rumor/news, as it's just common sense and everyone saw this coming for months. These three characters are iconic to the fanbase, and they were linked to the original film. Leading to fans questioning why they weren't included. I'm also going out on a limb and suggest that alien villain Krang will be showing-up well.

I remember being completely pissed-off with the second film The Secret of The Ooze, when filmmakers decided on using original characters Tokka and Rahzar instead of them. Also, what sense did make to replace the human male lead of Casey Jones with unfunny-man Will Arnett?

SOURCE: THEWRAP

BIG RUMOR: GOLDENEYE & CASINO ROYALE Director Martin Campbell Wanted For G.I. JOE 3?

Take this following rumor with a hugh gain-of-salt, but the iffy scoop site SchmoesKnow say they have news concerning the director of G.I. Joe 3. The site is better known for their entertaining videos/podcasts, and guesting on other video-casts. While they skirt around where the actual "news" is coming from, I have to assume to it's coming from the usual gossip channels (aka The Phantom).

They say that Bond director Martin Campbell is in "talks" to replace Jon M. Chu. Campbell is known for standout Bond installments such as Goldeneye and Casino Royale. He's also responsible for one of the biggest box office blunders in recent history with Green Lantern. Again, don't take this rumor as 100% but it's interesting to consider the potential here. We've seen rumors like this turnout to be false or directors put on studio wish-lists.

Backing this is up slightly, Chu has been doing everything in his power to avoid directing the third installment taking on other projects. Paramount in the meantime isn't likely going to wait-around for him. However, it should be noted that TheWrap recently reported Campbell was in talks to direct spy thriller Hunter Killer for Relativity Media back in September. It's possible he's meeting on multiple projects and this just yet another potential studio gig.


SOURCE: SCHMOESKNOW

J.J. Abrams Comments On Rumored STAR TREK 3 Director Candidate Rupert Wyatt

HitFix was able to get some comments from J.J. Abrams concerning Star Trek 3. He finally comes out and confirms he won't be able to direct the third installment. However, will stay on helping develop the film's story which is currently the focus of the project. When asked about rumored directorial candidate Rupert Wyatt, Abrams gave an endorsement of sorts. Praising the director of Rise of The Planet of The Apes but didn't confirm they were looking at him at this point.

"I know Rupert and he's incredibly talented," he says, "and we'd be lucky to have someone as talented as Rupert. But there are things we're focusing on right now before the director, which is just sort of the fundamentals of where the story is gonna go." 

Will Arnett Joins TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

THR reports that comedian Will Arnett has joined the cast of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot. His part isn't named but the site rules out Casey Jones but leave the roles of Master Splinter and villain Shredder as possibilities. Will joins Megan Fox who plays April along with newcomers Alan Ritchson, Pete Ploszek, Jeremy Howard and Noel Fisher playing the turtles via motion capture.

Christopher Nolan Wants Matthew McConaughey To Play The Main Character Cooper In INTERSTELLAR?

Deadline reports that Christopher Nolan is very interested in casting Matthew McConaughey as the lead in his wormhole sci-fi adventure film Interstellar. Matthew would play the main role of Cooper. McConaughey started his carare making well received films like Dazed And Confused and A Time To Kill but started chasing paychecks with horrible romantic comedies. His recent string of films such as Mud, Lincoln Lawyer, Killer Joe and Magic Mike have given him a new life in Hollywood. Matthew ended up earning an Independent Spirit Award for the latter. Apparently, there is already Oscar talk for his AIDS drama Dallas Buyer's Guide. The actor went all Christian Bale and lost a crazy amount of weight to play his character. Matthew will also be seen in Martin Scorsese's Wolf of Wall Street alongside Leonardo DiCaprio later this year, which could have also helped get Nolan's attention. The only other actor linked for Interstellar includes Michael Caine. He already teased a role in the film before it was even announced. We won't have to wait long for the film's release as it's coming on November 7th 2014.

New Poster For STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

Could Bryan Singer Direct STAR TREK 3 And Beyond?

IGN talked to Trekkie director Bryan Singer about possibly taking over the Star Trek franchise from J.J. Abrams. Singer unlike Abrams is a die hard Trek fan and even had a small cameo in Star Trek: Nemesis which had a young Tom Hardy as the villain. If Bad Robot and Paramount were looking to hire someone on the level of Abrams but had more of connection with the fans it very well could be Singer. He admits the problems with coming into a franchise as an outsider. Bryan keeps the door open if there is a strong script/story, Abrams stayed on as a producer and supported him. Singer also talks about being friendly with the cast and even visiting the set recently.

"I don't know." "Even though Matthew Vaughn directed X-Men: First Class, I produced it, I wrote the story, I was involved in the casting and the design of the movie itself, so I don't feel like I'm taking on someone else's franchise." "I'm jumping back into my own." "Particularly with this movie (X-Men: Days of Future Past), because it involves the old cast as well." "It's a very different thing jumping into someone else's franchise, someone else's cast." "It was very tough when Brett Ratner did it with mine, you know." "And you're held up, particularly if it's something that people really like what the originator did, you're held to a very, very tough standard when you're jumping into somebody else's franchise." "It's a very scary thing to do cause' they're waiting to judge you." "And sometimes it works like Aliens." 

"Right because that was a very different thing." "Alien was a science-fiction masterpiece horror film that Ridley Scott made and Jim Cameron just did an action film." "But a sequel to a character charged Star Trek...I'm friends with some of the cast and I was on the set recently." "I'm friends with J.J. Abrams and so I was on the set visiting, which was really cool and it looks really awesome." "They're really great people." "Chris Pine is lovely and I'm friends with Zachary Quinto and they're all great." "That would be the most fun part, to work with those people and to work with the lore that I love." "I just...I'm like, the pressure of doing it would freak me out." "Or might freak me out." "That being said, if someone presented a story and a structure and the original director was supporting you, really supporting you and producing with you and behind you then maybe it would be a great experience." 

While it's still possible Abrams could still make one more Trek film. Even after he completes a trilogy he'll likely move on. Nothing is set in stone about Star Wars because currently J.J. is only attached to make one film. Along with rumors of him staying on to consult on the other films with Bad Robot sticking around as well. LucasFilm could end up hiring other directors to round out the new trilogy. There has been talk of Alfonso Cuarón being looked at to direct one of the Star Wars sequels.

Singer is dying to make a science fiction film and was putting together a Battlestar Galactica movie with Universal. The last time he mentioned his BSG film was back in August. I could see him put that on hold if given the chance to make a Trek film. Producer Bryan Burk has stated that the studio isn't looking for another four year gap between the release of Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek 3. X-Men Days of Future Past is coming out in 2014 which would give Bryan plenty of time to shoot Trek 3 for a possible 2016 release date.

Joe Carnahan Won't Direct DEATH WISH Remake But Bruce Willis Could Star

Deadline reports that director Joe Carnahan has exited the Death Wish remake setup at MGM/Paramount. It's seemingly over casting, as Joe was set on Frank Grillo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Warrior, The Grey) for the lead role while the studio wants Bruce Willis instead. They mention that Carnahan is looking at another project titled Narco Sub but it's likely that his next film could be Nemesis for Fox which is based on the Mark Millar (Kick-Ass) comic book. Joe is currently writing the script for Nemesis with his brother. 

Willis is coming off buzz from last year's Looper along with international success from Expendables 2 and A Good Day To Die Hard. It's understandable that the studio would be looking at a bigger name like Bruce with two other big films such as G.I. Joe: Retaliation and Red 2 still to be released this year. The former being a giant Paramount tentpole release. Grillo on the other hand is about to explode and will get a great deal of exposure from his villain role in Winter Soldier. 

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION Set Photos Show Off Impressive Production Design

Aksel Hennie Joins Dwayne Johnson In HERCULES

THR reports the first new addition to the cast of Bret Ratner's Hercules which stars Dwayne Johnson. They say that Norwegian actor Aksel Hennie (Headhunters) will play Tydeus a fellow warrior who welds twin axes. He's also a madman who has to be chained up at night. The film based on the comic book Hercules: The Thracian Wars will be more grounded than previous Greek mythology films such as Clash of The Titans or Immortal. Hercules is aiming for an August 2014 release date with production beginning this Summer.

Christopher McQuarrie Confirms He's Directing MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 5?

Writer/director Christopher McQuarrie (Jack Reacher) has confirmed via Twitter that he'll be directing Mission: Impossible 5. While the statement could be considered vague Paramount has invested in him and the Jack Reacher franchise. To have him direct an installment of a well known franchise could help boost the chances of a Reacher sequel. J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot will still be involved in the production. McQuarrie is also a screenwriter which could help give the script a little bit of facelift. His credits include Usual Suspects, Valkyrie, The Wolverine and Jack The Giant Slayer.

Deciding to accept. “@leeroy_nitro: @chrismcquarrie G'day mateJust wondering if your confirmed to direct Mission Impossible 5 yet?”

— ChristopherMcQuarrie (@chrismcquarrie) February 5, 2013

J.J. Abrams Still Producing STAR TREK 3 And MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5

According to Variety Paramount has confirmed that Bad Robot and J.J. Abrams will be involved with both Star Trek 3 and Mission: Impossible 5. While his role as director for Star Trek 3 is unlikely it hasn't been mentioned that a search for a new director has begun. Christopher McQuarrie is being looked for MI5 while Star Trek 3 is only in development phase without a completed script.

THR adds that Abrams can move Disney's purposed Summer 2015 release date for Episode VII. Which means depending on the project's development it could be released earlier or later. I have to assume that a new Star Wars film would need at least a year for artists to put together set designs, action sequences and alien concepts. We should be expecting a little more than just a green-screen production this time around.

In theory, he could choose to hold off the release of the next Star Wars until 2016. Perhaps, giving him all the time needed to be involved with pre-production on Episode VII along with a small window to make Star Trek 3. At the very least helping Paramount find a new director and continue creative choices as producer. It wouldn't be shocking to see a director like Jon Favreau (Iron Man) or Drew Goddard (Cabin In The Woods) coming in to pickup the baton.

Christopher Nolan Returning To Sci-Fi With INTERSTELLAR

HeatVision is reporting Christopher Nolan's next film will be a full jump into the world of science fiction. We had a taste of sci-fi with Inception using dream-machines and the world of the dream being explored. This original film Interstellar written by his brother Jonathan Nolan will be based on the sciencetific theories of Kip Thorne. It's story involves time travel and alternate dimensions, and sees a group of explorers travel through a wormhole. Interstellar will be made under Nolan's Syncopy banner but will be shared between Paramount and Warner Bros. At one point Steven Spielberg had been interested in the project.

Nothing is being mentioned cast-wise but Michael Caine confirmed last year he was going to have a role in Nolan's next project which would be from an original concept. It's possible that other Nolan regulars will take part in the journey as well. Currently, Nolan is producing Wally Pfister's directorial debut sci-fi thriller Transcendence. A start date for Interstellar isn't revealed either but I'm sure casting will high priority for Nolan soon.

Jack Reynor Cast As Second Male Lead In TRANSFORMERS 4

Michael Bay has confirmed Variety's previous report that Jack Reynor (Delivery Man, What Richard Did) has landed the second male lead in Transformers 4. Oscar nominated Mark Wahlberg will play the lead with Reynor playing his daughter's boyfriend. The young actor comes from a quality acting background compared to previous actors from the franchise.

Benedict Cumberbatch's STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS Villain John Harrison Graces The Cover Of Empire

Nicola Peltz And Brenton Thwaites Join Mark Wahlberg In TRANSFORMERS 4

Twitch is reporting that Paramount has finally cast it's young new cast for Transformers 4 opposite Mark Wahlberg. They say that Nicola Peltz (Bates Motel, Avatar The Last Airbender) and Aussie actor Brenton Thawaites (Maleficent) have joined the cast as Wahlberg's daughter and her biker/race car driving boyfriend.