Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Brad Bird And Lord/Miller On Sony's List To Reboot SPIDER-MAN

TheDailyBeast has picked-up on the biggest news concerning Sony's Spider-Man reboot. A list of directors and writers that could help pump new blood into the failing franchise. The email from November between Amy Pascal and producer Jeff Robinov (Her, Don Jon, The Master) suggests the reboot rehashing the origin (something we don't want a third time). Including a wish-list of directors who feels he could reboot the franchise with. Robinov isn't the only producer making a pitch to Sony, we know The Russo Brothers have also made an offer.

Below is the crazy awesome list of director hopefuls Robinov was considering.

Brad Bird, Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee (Frozen), Damien Chazelle (Whiplash), Joe Cornish (Attack the Block), Glenn Ficarra & John Requa (Crazy, Stupid, Love), James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy), Don Hall & Chris Williams (Big Hero 6), Phil Lord & Chris Miller (The LEGO Movie), Joachim Rønning & Espen Sandberg (Kon-Tiki), Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World), Edgar Wright, and David Yates, of Harry Potter franchise fame.

I think Edgar Wright might be done with Marvel properties for while and Brad Bird is wishful thinking. However, we do have confirmation Wright is a fan, as seen above rocking a Spidey halloween costume.

James Gunn is an interesting one, mainly because Spider-Man villain Venom has connections to both Guardians of The Galaxy and Thunderbolts. The latter team could get a film if Gunn got his way, as he's been mulling-over a potential feature adaptation. It's unknown if will be ever happen, but it's to think what Gunn could do with the Spider-Verse and connecting it to the MCU. It's just unlikely since he's way too busy with getting a Guardians sequel ready for May 2017.

I'm sort of rooting for Phil Lord and Chris Miller here, since they've proved the can handle all types of comedy and action with Lego Movie, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and Jump Street. Sony has been trying to get the pair to run their animation division, along with making an animated Spidey film. Having excellent relationship with Sony could help them greatly moving forward. If Marvel does or doesn't help with the new films, I think they could collaborate greatly with those producers. The directors get characters, diversity, gender-equality, action sequences and comedy. If you ask me the perfect type of creatives to handle a reboot like this.

Will Lord/Miller get the bump from Sony to make the live-action reboot?

Jeff Robinov's new origin pitch would have a direct connection to Kraven The Hunter, a fan-favorite villain who has never made it into the films. Kraven is expected for the lineup for Drew Goddard's Sinister Six lineup. He's also suggesting that Spider-Man become an adult, is this where Ryan Gosling fits in?

I might suggest looking at what is widely thought to be the most beloved Spider-Man storyline of all time – “Kraven’s Last Hunt” – which ran across Amazing Spider-Man #293-294, Spectacular Spider-Man #131-132, and Web of Spider-Man #31-32. (In fact, Comic Book Resources polled their readers in 2012, and this storyline was voted as the single greatest Spider-Man storyline of all time.) 

In it, Kraven the Hunter tracks down Spider-Man, shoots him repeatedly, and leaves him for dead, buried underground. He then dons a Spider-Man costume and savagely starts attacking criminals.

SOURCE: DAILYBEAST

Hugh Laurie In Talks To Play TOMORROWLAND Villain

THR reports that actor Hugh Laurie (House, Black Adder) is in talks to play the villain in Brad Bird's Tomorrowland which stars George Clooney. Nothing is really known about the science fiction film besides having a link to the Disney theme park and mysterious box labeled 1952. Laurie had been previously linked for the villain role in the Robocop reboot which eventually went to Michael Keaton.

Guillermo Del Toro Was Approached For STAR WARS, Plus Female Protagonist Rumor Resurfaces

Guillermo Del Toro seems to have a lot of projects thrown at him. He took over the Blade franchise from Stephen Norrington, took on The Hobbit before exiting over production delays and made Pacific Rim instead. He was also in the mix for Dawn of The Planet of The Apes before Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In) was hired. He revealed to ThePlaylist that he was indeed asked about being interested in directing Star Wars but had to turn it down over other projects. Del toro mentions that as fan he would have loved to see Brad Bird tackle it. Only thing is that Bird is busy with his own original sci-fi project 1952 that has George Clooney mentioned as being interested in the lead.

“We got one phone call to my agent saying, ‘Is Guillermo interested?’ ” he revealed saying, “And basically I have so much stuff already of my own, and I’m pursuing stuff that I’m generating already…” that he turned it down. “It was just a phone call, it didn’t go past that, it was very nice to be asked, but believe it or not, I’m busy enough.”

“As a geek, I would have loved to see Brad Bird take it.”

In the early days of the announcement of LucasFilm being bought by Disney and a new trilogy was mentioned. During that time a bunch of possible details were rolling out from different sources. One key rumor being that new trilogy would focus on a new female Skywalker. Giving the impression that Mara Jade (Luke's eventual wife) or Jaina Skywalker Solo could be possible canon candidates. Recently, Lucas mentioned that the books could end up being used for the films so it's possible these characters could find their way into the new films. However, a reputable source has given new life to that speculation with a recent tweet from SlashFilm's Peter.

Who said the lead character in Star Wars Episode VII is going to be a male star? :)

George Clooney In Talks For Brad Bird's 1952

Variety reports that George Clooney is talks to take the lead in Brad Bird's (Ghost Protocol) sci-fi epic 1952. The Disney franchise-in-the-making film written by Damon Lindelof (Lost, Star Trek Into Darkness, Prometheus, World War Z) and Jeff Jensen is said to be in the vein of Close Encounters of The Third Kind and involves contact with aliens. Clooney recently worked with Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men) on the highly anticipated sci-fi thriller Gravity.

Brad Bird, Steven Spielberg And J.J. Abrams Could Direct New STAR WARS Trilogy

Vulture reports that copies of this Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes VII, VIII and IX) treatment/outline from Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3, Oblivion, Catching Fire, Little Miss Sunshine) will be given to Brad Bird (Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol) Steven Spielberg (Robopocalypse) and J.J. Abrams (Star Trek Into Darkness) to read over. It's the first time we've heard the three directors linked to the trilogy by the trades. Previously, it had been rumored that writer/direct Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, Stardust, Layer Cake, X-Men First Class) was a possible candidate to direct.

I'm not totally sold that Abrams or Spielberg would end up signing on but it's interesting to hear them at least looking at the project. Bird is currently the fan favorite and could be in a better position to jump onboard. Considering Steven is about to shoot Robopcolypse while J.J. is still in post-production on Star Trek Into Darkess with Star Trek 3 already in development. Disney/LucasFilm will have to be moving quickly to be able to meet that Summer 2015 release date if they don't have a complete script in place.

STAR WARS Trilogy Rumor Roundup

It's been very exciting the last couple of days trying to play catch up with all the rumors, reports and speculation concerning the two new Star Wars trilogies. I've put together a rundown of a few I missed and added my thoughts as well. Granted these are mostly from anonymous sources not connected with the production, so don't take the statements as the gospel. Either way, they are an interesting read and give some hope that these films won't be the giant letdown the prequels ended being.

SKYWALKERS INVOLVED WITH BOTH TRILOGIES?: We won't be just getting Episodes VII, VIII and IX. The plan is to move right into Episodes X, XI and XII after the end of the first new trilogy. A biographer who could be working on old information tells TheWrap that the new trilogy will involve Luke in his 30's or 40's. Not to mention the Skywalkers will be heavily involved with all six films (of course).

The next in the series, he said, involve Luke Skywalker in his 30s and 40s, but Lucas was unlikely to turn to Mark Hamill, who played Luke in the original but whose performance left the director dissatisfied. “They will need an older Luke Skywalker,” Pollock said.

  MarketSaw's source claims that the original characters will be featured in the new trilogy along with the second trilogy having a female Skywalker as the protagonist. There is speculation that it's possible these two ideas could be combined in the trilogy if the studio wants to introduce this new heroine earlier. We've heard confirmation that the books won't be direct influence but nobody has mentioned the characters in them won't end up being used. Oddly enough, this person claims Mark Hamill is returning. Already things are starting to conflict with other statements.


Recasting the characters is going to have to happen if the plan is spread out the first trilogy over 6-9 years. A female Skywalker could mean seeing Leia transform from Princess to Jedi Knight within the new installments. Along with Luke building a new Jedi temple and training a new crop of Jedi (including Leia?). Hopefully, by the end of the first trilogy seeing Luke's transition into the darkside. In the book canon Luke only has one child Ben Skywalker, it's possible they could create a new batch of Skywalkers to suit the films. While they don't take the Skywalker name Leia and Han's children are Skywalkers/Jedi. Jaina Solo being the more popular of the bunch not to mention that her twin brother Jacen ends up becoming Darth Caedus. The only other female character they could be talking about is fan favorite Mara Jade Skywalker (the wife of Luke). Her transition from darkside to light would be a great change of pace not to mention the added bonus of the character being able to go toe-to-toe with the boys.

SPIN-OFF FILMS POSSIBLE: HeatVision has heard from sources that Star Wars will be setup Avengers-style besides the planned trilogies we'll see offshoot films focusing on individual characters. I'm sure this gives wiggle room for that Boba Fett film that Joe Johnston (Captain America, Rocketeer) was putting together. Perhaps, we could see new characters or established characters (including ones from the books/games) getting their own movies. Seeing a film set in the Star Wars universe every year rather than two to three which had been said of the trilogy. I'm sure fans of the Force Unleashed, Old Republic and the mysterious 1313 will be waiting to hear if the characters will be involved with any of these offshoots.

1952 REALLY EPISODE VII: AICN started putting together a theory that the huge Disney sci-fi film titled 1952 is really the new Star Wars trilogy. The secret project has Pixar guru Brad Bird (Incredibles, Ghost Protocol) attached to direct with Damon Lindelof (World War Z, Prometheus, Lost, Star Trek Into Darkness) working on the script. My thought, the title was hinting to Episodes VII, VIII and IX. For example if you play with the numbers of 1952 you get (5+2="7"+1="8")"9". However, FirstShowing has word from a source (distractor?) that the project is an original concept.

 Brad Bird has been the gem of Pixar directing some of their better films and earning an Oscar for . He made the jump into live-action films directing Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol. He's a director Disney can trust along with being able to balance character and action which is very important to Star Wars fans unhappy with the underwhelming prequels. The recent directors-list is filled with landmines and while some are interesting choices Bird seems a solid choice.

Lindelof has attached himself to two rather large science fiction franchises with Star Trek Into Darkness and Prometheus/Paradise (Alien franchise). Disney could have had Damon write an outline only for another writer to complete it. Disney is able to hire very creative people for their franchises as we've seen previously. They were recently able to wrangle David Fincher to remake 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Marvel/Disney hired Joss Whedon to make the Avengers which led Marvel handing over the creative keys for the entire film universe. Whedon will now have input on all the films until he exits Marvel. It wouldn't be hard to imagine Disney looking to Damon to be their Whedon/Lucas for the new era of Star Wars.

Paramount Confirms Mission: Impossible 5 Is In Development

THR reports that Paramount CEO Philippe Dauman when asked if there were plans for a fifth Mission Impossible his response was "Oh, yes". There had been talk even before the release of Ghost Protocol that MI5 was already in the works. However, those early talks assumed that Tom Cruise wouldn't be returning with rumblings that Jeremy Renner would be talking over the IMF unit. I have yet to watch the fourth installment so I'm not sure if Renner's character makes it out of the film. Cruise seems to be up for another film and the studio must be happy that Protocol ended up making $680 million worldwide making it the most profitable film in the franchise so far. There's no word if director Brad Bird or any of the cast will be returning.

Mission Impossible 5 Moving Forward?

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is already a financial and critical hit. Making the fourth installment one of the most rewarding films in the franchise according to many reviews and word of mouth. Putting together a solid cast including Jeremy Renner has paid off, not to mention bringing Simon Pegg into the spotlight.

MovieHole reports the studio is aiming to move forward with Mission Impossible 5, which isn't surprising. It had been rumored that Jeremy Renner was going to take over the franchise when Paramount first announced Ghost Protocol. Paramount mentioned then that there could be more Mission Impossible films in the future without Tom playing Ethan Hunt. Cruise seems to have won audiences over and the studio could want him to go on more missions. The question will be will the studio be able to bring back director Brad Bird or Renner/Pegg for the sequel? If Bird returned he would be the first director in the series to do so.