SPECULATION: Could AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS Be Apart Of The Universal Monsters Franchise?

Writer and director Guillermo del Toro hasn't really been mentioned often when Universal Monsters franchise is being reported. We know he's been attached for ages with Universal to reboot Frankenstein for them, along with a feature that focus on Val Helsing. The two characters are indeed apart of this new cinematic universe, and considering Legendary-Universal's relationship with del Toro he will likely have a role with those projects. However, he might let those movies go to get another monster passion project made at the studio.

Guillermo del Toro has been trying for years to get Universal to pick-up his adaptation of the classic H.P. Lovecraft horror story In The Mountains of Madness. The project had Tom Cruise attached for the lead role and del Toro even agreed to scaling-down the violence to a PG-13 rating. A budget couldn't be locked-down and combining this with the rating back-and-forth so Guillermo exited talks and made Pacific Rim instead. Ridley Scott's Prometheus having similar sets/themes also contributed to Universal giving it the axe.

I wouldn't be entirely shocked that film factors into this world as well, since it could be the kind of threat could bring them all together. Meaning, that it could have it's own period film but the Lovecraft monsters could end-up becoming a threat in the modern world. The monster heavy project is seemingly ready to go, and just needs to be greenlit by the studio. Considering a majority of the monster films were adapted from existing novels (Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Bram Stoker's Dracula), this could be a way to help del Toro get his passion project made. Lovecraft's work seems like it could fit into this world, if given more of a modern touch. Perhaps, making it one of the first new monster films added to their lineup.

Here is Guillermo talking his love of the Lovecraft monsters to the NYTimes back in 2010, the film had a bulk of it's development/design work all ready to go. I'm curious to see what unique monster designs he had come-up for the film. I love to think he brings those drawings to his meetings with Legendary and keeps pitching the film.

"We've been designing for the last 3-weeks. It's being produced by James Cameron, who's been a friend for 20-years," del Toro said, "we have avoided working together until the time came for the right project. Obviously, the difference between the novella and the movie is that Lovecraft had a gift for making everything specifically ambiguous. He would say 'the leering face loaded with madness,’ or 'the evil perverse entity of unnamable'… everything was unnamable, indescribable. When you're reading you go,'Whoa!' your brain fills those spaces. For every creature, everyone has a secret mental image of what those creatures look like. It's going to be impossible to please everyone."

 "I've been thinking of those monsters for twenty years. Fortunately for me no one has done monsters like the ones I'm doing. In all the movies ever made there's never been monsters like the ones we're doing. About two weeks ago we were visited by Dennis Muren. He looked at the designs, and he turned to us and said, 'No one has seen monsters like this ever.' I was like, [boyish grin] 'Yeah!' I was happy and vindicated and all that."

Guillermo also spoke to TheWallStreetJournal over the summer and was asked if Legendary are interested in making Mountains with him. He confirms he's already talked about it with the production company, which sounds like it could happen if they can find middle-ground on the rating. Del Toro sounds a bit more open to the idea of PG-13, since the ratings are bit more relaxed recently on fantasy violence.

"That’s exactly what I discussed with them. I said to them, that’s the movie that I would really love to do one day, and it’s still expensive, it’s still … I think that now, with the way I’ve seen PG-13 become more and more flexible, I think I could do it PG-13 now, so I’m going to explore it with [Legendary], to be as horrifying as I can, but to not be quite as graphic. There’s basically one or two scenes in the book that people don’t remember that are pretty graphic. Namely, for example, the human autopsy that the aliens do, which is a very shocking moment. But I think I can find ways of doing it. We’ll see. It’s certainly a possibility in the future. Legendary was very close to doing it at one point, so I know they love the screenplay. So, we’ll see. Hopefully it’ll happen. It’s certainly one of the movies I would love to do."

"I think there’s a really strong possibility we can do it (“At the Mountains of Madness”) at Legendary because now they are at Universal, and Universal, you may remember, almost greenlit the movie. The fact that we now have two studios together that love the material, and if they support each other, they are risking a lot less. It would be great to do it, but I’ve understood that you don’t plan your career, it just happens."

We know that Guillermo has Pacific Rim 2 up next, but he hasn't been vocal on what he wants to do beyond that. Considering all the development work that's already been done on Mountains and that fact he's been more positive about it landing at Legendary Pictures. We know that a script for his Justice League Dark adaptation has been sent to Warner Bros., but it's unknown if Guillermo will even direct that film if it get's the greenlight. I'm sure if it came down to the two options, he might go with Mountains over Justice League Dark, since he was so invested in getting that made it almost went into production.

The addition of Jay Basu (Monsters Dark Continent) might be Universal trying to get some of that that Gareth Edwards magic. Before directing Godzilla and the first Star Wars spin-off Edwards wrote and directed the first Monsters film. I'm finding it hard to imagine what Jay could be writing but if they indeed want to incorporate Mountains of Madness into this cinematic universe, he could be a solid writer to do that.

Warner Bros. Has The Script For JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK

Forbes has word from Guillermo del Toro that the script for Justice League Dark aka Dark Universe has been sent-in to Warner Bros. The project has been in-development for sometime but hasn't been given the greenlight by the studio. A major reason it wasn't apart of their DC movie release date slate the studio hasn't actually committed to it yet.

We still have no idea what writer collaborated with del Toro on the script. There is also a bit ambiguity if Guillermo is going to direct or just produce. His next film will be Pacific Rim 2 which is due out in 2017, around the same time as Wonder Woman and Justice League. I think it all comes down to if Warner Bros. commits to the draft they've been given.

SOURCE: FORBES 

Guillermo del Toro Confirms The Return Of Charlie Day And Burn Gorman For PACIFIC RIM 2

While speaking to Collider writer-director-producer Guillermo del Toro revealed some casting and story plans for Pacific Rim 2. Confirming that both Charlie Day and Burn Gorman would be reprising their roles in the sequel. I assume alongside Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi, there is also a chance we could see the return of Ron Perlman's Hannibal Chau. Here's what Guillermo had to say about the film's story as well.

“It’s a few years after the first one. It’s not an immediate follow-up. It is the world having been freed of Kaiju, what happens to the world after – what happens to the Jaeger technology once the Kaiju are not a threat. It’s quite a jump.” 

“Yes. It’s quite a different movie from the first one in that, but I think that two of our main characters like in the first one are Burn and Charlie. They are really, really – I mean, honestly, they are probably the guys I have the most fun writing along with Hannibal Chau so just from a purely selfish drive, I like writing them. I love writing for Charlie and Burn. I mean, [Burn's] in Crimson Peak for that reason, because I love working with him. You’re gonna get a lot of that, but the Kaijus are very different and you’re gonna see a very different type of the robots I think. It’s gonna be quite a different adventure.” 

SOURCE: COLLIDER 

Guillermo Says PACIFIC RIM 2 Shoots Later Next Year And Teases PACIFIC RIM 3

I think most will have to admit that even if Pacific Rim wasn't a perfect film it had a lot of heart and it's homage to monster films/anime was a good fit for it's director. The film might draw influence from other popular franchises, but at the end of the day it was an original movie. While the box office wasn't bonkers, the movie ended-up earning $411 million worldwide. Enough for Legendary Pictures to greenlight a sequel which is coming-out on April 7th, 2017.

While speaking with Collider, Guillermo del Toro gave some updates on the sequel. He confirms a draft is completed and the next couple of months will be dedicated to fine-tuning it before preproduction. Confirming production will begin in late 2015. I assume this means the production will be returning back to Pinewood Studios Toronto. The studio space where del Toro made the first film along with his recent horror flick Crimson Peak.

“We got the first draft of the movie now, and we are going to spend another 4-5 months on the screenplay before we start pre-production. We start pre-production next year in August-September and start shooting November-December next year.”

“some of your favorite characters come back, some others don’t because we have decided that we’re going to shoot ambitiously and say ‘Let’s hope we have three movies,’ so some characters come in at the end of the second, hoping that it will ramp up on the third one.”

SOURCE: COLLIDER

Guillermo Del Toro's AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS Getting Picked-Up By Legendary In The Future?

It's starting to look like the recent Legendary Pictures/Universal Pictures deal is just a giant collaboration between the studios and writer-director Guillermo del Toro. The two companies are already partnering on del Toro's Crimson Peak and Pacific Rim 2. The director confirms to WallStreetJournal that Legendary is still interested in making his adaptation of At The Mountains of Madness.

"That’s exactly what I discussed with them. I said to them, that’s the movie that I would really love to do one day, and it’s still expensive, it’s still … I think that now, with the way I’ve seen PG-13 become more and more flexible, I think I could do it PG-13 now, so I’m going to explore it with [Legendary], to be as horrifying as I can, but to not be quite as graphic. There’s basically one or two scenes in the book that people don’t remember that are pretty graphic. Namely, for example, the human autopsy that the aliens do, which is a very shocking moment. But I think I can find ways of doing it. We’ll see. It’s certainly a possibility in the future. Legendary was very close to doing it at one point, so I know they love the screenplay. So, we’ll see. Hopefully it’ll happen. It’s certainly one of the movies I would love to do."

Originally, del Toro was fighting with Universal to get a hard-R rating for the horror film based on iconic story by H.P Lovecraft. He even had Tom Cruise attached for the lead role, and Ron Perlman set for a supporting role. Guillermo sounds a bit less concerned about caving-in and making it PG-13, since the ratings standards are seemingly relaxed when it comes to sci-fi/fantasy movies.

I'm sure the studio also paused production because Ridley Scott's Prometheus took a lot of influence from the story. So, having some space between the releases should help the film actually getting made. We know that Pacific Rim 2 is up next for Guillermo, but it's uncertain when he could get-back to making Mountains.

Guillermo Del Toro Officially Directing PACIFIC RIM 2 And It's Coming April 2017!

There was a giant-wave of anticipation last summer, concerning what to expect from Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim. An original cinematic universe influenced by the the world of anime, manga and kaiju films. It made a rather large splash internationally, earning $411 million worldwide. A decent amount of box office considering the genre and the fact it's not an existing franchise or IP. There had been talk from everyone invovled that a sequel could happen. Although, many people believed it still needed to earn more for that to happen. Critics mostly embraced the silliness of it and took it for what the film was (giant robots versus giant monsters).

The film also had a comic book and toys in stores at the time of it's release. Pacific Rim does have major merchandising potential, not unlike the Marvel/Star Wars universes. This seemingly has been picked up by the people over at Legendary Pictures, who produced the film and own the rights to it.

Guillermo has announced (via Legendary Picture's Youtube channel) that Legendary is moving forward with the sequel and he will be returning as it's director. Travis Beacham (Pacific Rim) and Zak Penn (Incredible Hulk, Avengers) will be working with del Toro to create the script. The release date has been set for April 7th, 2017, which is very similar to the Marvel's The Winter Soldier's date. It's a better placement for the release, as it will have less summer competition next time. Also, Universal will be partnering with Legendary on the project. The two companies recently developed a deal, which would see Universal distribute their films.

Production on Pacific Rim 2 would likely return to Pinewood Studios in Toronto. Where del Toro shot the original and is currently finishing-up production on his next film Crimson Peak. Actors such as Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day and Ron Perlman are expected to return for the sequel.

Legendary Pictures is highly invested in the kaiju genre, and is already moving forward with a Godzilla sequel. Gareth Edwards is attached to direct, but is also involved with an unnamed Star Wars spin-off coming in 2016. Oddly enough, Godzilla has currently earned even more than Pacific Rim. Taking in about $478 million worldwide, let's just remember Godzilla is known property that has been stomping cities since 1954. While Pacific Rim is just getting put together.

We Need More Women Directing Comic Book Projects, How About Jane Goldman And Jovanka Vuckovic?

Yesterday, it was confirmed that Roberto Orci had been chosen to direct Star Trek 3. A screenwriter many believe is sub-par for the job, and is said to have forced his way into the director's chair. By blocking other candidates from even being considered, and bullying Paramount. It's beyond shocking that the studio would be even willing to consider a director with zero experience to spearhead a project that could be costing them north of $150 million in production costs. Orci was involved with television for decades, but it never occurred to him to direct an episode of the shows he was running/producing or writing for. The cons outweigh the pros, anyway you cut it, no matter what trolling screenwriter Max Landis (turned budding director?) will have you believe. 

This whole debacle was a slap in the face of budding directors and more the norm, female directors. 

It was pointed out that the highest budgeted film a woman directed was Kathryn Bigelow's K-19, which twelve years ago and cost $100 million. That's almost the cost for a large studio comedy film these days. The studio system doesn't even consider women for this high-profile projects, and if they do a reason if found to remove them. It's also a bit insulting to always fall-back to Bigelow as the only female director, because there are many hardworking ladies in the industry, they just aren't given the exposure she is. 

Marvel Studios famously hired Patty Jenkins (Monster, The Killing) to originally direct Thor: The Dark World, only a month or so after her announcement she left the production. The studio siting "creative differences", and Patty sounded unfazed by the whole experience. Jenkins would have made history as the first female director to make a mainstream studio comic book movie. Of course, Lexi Alexander being our first lady of Marvel, directing the brutally-fun Punisher: War Zone. Marvel missed their mark, while movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier proved they can be equal, when it comes to on-screen characters. There's still hope that Jenkins could return to the franchise to direct Thor 3, since Alan Taylor will be busy with his Terminator trilogy.

There are already three female-driven comic book projects coming down the line. Marvel's Jessica Jones series on Netflix and their feature adaptation of Captain Marvel (the Black Widow movie now in limbo) which is in script development. Even Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment is coming to their senses, and have Gal Gadot contracted to make a Wonder Woman movie. The latter is more up-in-the-air, as Gal has to complete filming Batman Vs Superman and Justice League before anything is announced. 

My hope is that filmmakers like Patty and Michelle MacLaren (The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad) land the directing gigs on these female-driven projects. Let's face it's about time, and these projects are tailor-made for them to direct. I've already mentioned how perfect Michelle would be for the Wonder Woman movie. However, there are two ladies I'd love to see also get into the mix. 

Jane Goldman (Stardust, The Woman In Black, The Debt, Pinocchio, Nonplayer, Miss Peregrine, Dan Leno And The Lighthouse Golem) is best known as a screenwriter, and the sometimes writing partner of director Matthew Vaughn. Her comic book writing credits include The Secret Service, Kick-Ass, X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past. I have to assume she might also get involved with scripting for other comic film projects such as Superior, Golden Age and Bloodshot.

Seeing Jane make the jump to director feels more natural than Roberto Orci or Mark Millar becoming directors. If we're going to talk about writers who deserve shots to become features directors, Jane is good place to start. There are a couple projects I think Jane would be excellent for, working closely with Matthew Vaughn on so many productions. She obviously has the vision needed to handle such a task.

The first is, Ed Brubaker's Velvet. This comic is actually very new but it takes and interesting concept, which would be perfect for film adaptation. Brubaker has describe this comic as, "what if Moneypenny was accused of killing James Bond". Considering Goldman has already written the spy genre with The Secret Service, and nailed the action-side in her Kick-Ass/X-Men scripts, she'd be perfect to also adapt the work. Brubaker is coming-off massive success with his Winter Soldier comic saga being a major influence on the recent Captain America sequel, and the third installment. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are also adapting his comic Sleeper for the big screen. It's only a matter of time before Velvet makes the studio rounds. 

Goldman also has a knack for the supernatural and superpower side of the genre. Which could make her a prime candidate to direct Dark Universe/Justice League Dark. A project which Guillermo del Toro is hatching/producing with Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment, that explores the horror-side of the DCU. It's very possible that del Toro, like with many other projects he's producing will hand this off to another director. Jane could help with the script and could even make the film on a lower budget, guaranteeing that she and del Toro would get more creative freedom with their vision. 

The film would consist of a group of heroes with supernatural powers (not unlike the X-Men but with a horror edge), which would include John Constantine, The Spectre, Swamp Thing, Zatanna, Deadman and others. She's proven she can handle large-scale superhero narrative with First Class and Days of Future Past. Not to mention the supernatural element with movies like Stardust and The Woman In 
Black.

Speaking of team films, there's one that we've been waiting for ages which is BPRD. The Hellboy spin-off that's been mentioned almost as many times as the now-dead Hellboy 3. It's still a viable film as there are plenty of team members yet to be explored, and could be made without Hellboy in a lead role. 

I'd also totally be onboard to see her tackle Captain Marvel or if Marvel Studios ever resurrected the Black Widow movie. There are more than a few sources claiming that Ms. Marvel/Captain Marvel will be introduced in Avengers: Age of Ultron. We've been hearing for months that Marvel is ramping-up development on her solo film, with a script being penned by an unknown writer. Guardians of The Galaxy writer Nicole Perlman recently rewrote a new Widow script, which is completely different than the original film David Hayter (Watchmen, X-Men, X2) was attached to write-direct ten years ago.

Another lady that would flourish in this genre would be Jovanka Vuckovic. A Canadian horror director and of Rue Morgue fame. Her credits include The Captured Bird which was produced by Guillermo del Toro, and the all-female horror anthology XX. Variety just reported that Jovanka would make her feature directorial debut with an adaptation of Clive Barker's Jacqueline Ess with Lena Headey (Dredd, 300, Game of Thrones) in the lead role. A project that surely will get a lot of attention.  

While Goldman is not currently on Twitter, Jovanka is. During some exchanges on Twitter she mentioned being a fan of Mike Mignola's Baltimore, as I suggested she would be perfect for it. New Regency once tried to adapt the comic into a feature with David S. Goyer (Blade, Man of Steel) set to write-direct, but the studio passed with the rights reverting back to Migola and others. 

Considering her connections to Guillermo del Toro, it wouldn't be hard to imagine her being able to reach out to Mike Mignola or vise-versa. Legendary Pictures is now in the business of Guillermo del Toro working with him on Pacific Rim and Crimson Peak, which has now partnered with Universal Pictures. Universal was the studio that helped get the first two Hellboy movies made, also part of the comic universe of Mike Mignola. 

She also mentions a huge passion for Preacher. Luckily, for her Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are showrunning/writing the project for television. The pair are responsible for films such as Superbad, Pineapple Express, The Interview and This Is The End. Their work on apocalyptic comedy This Is The End is basically a great example of what Preacher could be. The series will air on AMC, the network that has given us The Walking Dead, one of the most successful comic-to-television adaptations ever made. The duo are also directors, but let's hope they give others, such as Vuckovic a couple of episodes to direct.

"Preacher" follows Reverend Jesse Custer, a tough Texas preacher who has lost his faith, has learned that God has left Heaven and abandoned His responsibilities. He finds himself the only person capable of tracking God down, demanding answers, and making Him answer for His dereliction of duty. Accompanying Jesse on his journey is his former girlfriend and a friendly vampire who seems to prefer a pint in the pub to the blood of the innocent. On his tail is one of the most iconic bad guys in print – an immortal, unstoppable killing machine named the Saint of Killers – a western lone gunman archetype whose sole purpose is to hunt and kill Jesse.

It's our duty in the fan community to voice our distain to what Hollywood is doing, with this genre. We know there are talented female directors, and we all want to see female-driven films. Keep repeating these ideas and maybe the studios will finally get it into their heads, it will work. 

FIRST LOOK: Charlie Hunnam, Jessica Chastain And Mia Wasikowsa On The Set Of CRIMSON PEAK

Guillermo del Toro's Victorian era horror film Crimson Peak has been shooting in and around the Toronto area for months now. We now have some first looks at Charlie Hannam, Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowsa on the set of the film, along with previously spotted Tom Hiddleston. The shots were taken by local paper TheHamiltonSpecator, as scenes were being filmed at Dundurn Castle. Other scenes had been also been shot at equally historical building The Scottish Rite, near Hess Village in Hamilton (both buildings pictured below as well). If I had to guess it's possible the Scottish Rite, could be the exterior for the haunted house, as the red brick does standout. These sets are in my old neighborhood and I've been in around those two buildings most of my life. They are stunning from the outside and inside, and will likely be major set pieces of the film. The primary stage location is at Pinewood Studios, Toronto. Which is the same place where del Toro shot Pacific Rim.

SOURCE: HAMILTONSPEC 

Johnny Depp Meeting With Marvel About DOCTOR STRANGE

It was announced today that legendary actor Michael Douglas will be taking on the role of Dr. Hank Pym in Ant-Man. Well, a new scoop via LatinoReview could see another high profile actor join team-Marvel. They report that Johnny Depp is taking early meeting with the studio, about playing Dr. Steven Strange in Doc Strange. The film is expected to undergo a few rewrites to accommodate the Depp's age, but it's possible this the type of name would be needed to give the film a solid level of global awareness.

Just the thought of Johnny Depp, Michael Douglas and Robert Downey Jr. mixing it up in Avengers 3 is too much to handle. I'm just shocked about the overwhelming volume of male lead characters in the MCU, where is our Wasp and Captain Marvel?

Some might remember this isn't the first time Depp's name has been linked to the project. A while back Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim, Blade 2) was eyeing the director's chair and was considering Johnny for the role. The actor has made nothing but bank with Disney thanks to Pirates of the Caribbean, and seems to be their go-to-lead for budding projects. It was bound to happen his name would come up again.

The problem currently is that Disney also wants him to make Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and a sequel to Alice In Wonderland. Unless those projects are delayed by the studio, we might not see Strange in theatres until 2017. A release date has yet to be announced, along with a director.


SOURCE: LATINOREVIEW

Guillermo Del Toro Says PACIFIC RIM 2 Is Being Written But Legendary Hasn't Given The Green Light

IGN (via HitFix) caught up with writer/director Guillermo del Toro on the status of the possible sequel to Pacific Rim. The film made around $100 million domestically but worldwide made over $400 million. Giving Legendary enough profits to consider making another installment. Along with expectations to make a decent chunk of change in BR/DVD/VOD sales. Writers Travis Beacham and del Toro have been spending the last couple of months putting together a script for Pacific Rim 2. Guillermo reaffirms the script is being written but the studio hasn't green lit the sequel at this point.

Tom Hiddleston Replaces Benedict Cumberbatch In Guillermo Del Toro's CRIMSON PEAK

Variety reports that actor Tom Hiddleston (Deep Blue Sea, Avengers, Thor 1-2) has replaced Benedict Cumberbatch in Guillermo del Toro's haunted house flick Crimson Peak. Hiddleston is a stellar actor and it will be nice to see him in a large project outside of the MCU. The rest of the cast includes Mia Wasikowska (Stoker, Lawless, The Double), Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty, Lawless), Charlie Hunnam (Pacific Rim) and Burn Gorman (Game of Thrones, Layer Cake, Pacific Rim, Dark Knight Rises).

Jessica Chastain Takes A Role In Guillermo Del Toro's CRIMSON PEAK Joining Emma Stone, Benedict Cumberbatch And Charlie Hunnam

I can't say I'm surprised by the high profiled actors lining up for roles in Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak. This week saw the addition of Benedict Cumberbatch and now THR reports that two time Oscar nominated actress Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) will have a role as well. Chastain previously worked on the del Toro produced ghost triller Mama and co-starred with Stone in The Help. Production begins on the haunted house flick early next year.

Benedict Cumberbatch Joins Guillermo Del Toro's CRIMSON PEAK Which Stars Emma Stone And Charlie Hunnam

Variety reports that Benedict Cumberbatch (Hobbit Trilogy, Stark Trek Into Darkness, Sherlock) has joined the cast of Guillermo del Toro's haunted house film Crimson Peak set to shoot early next year. It's unknown what his role will be but Ben will be starring alongside Emma Stone (Amazing Spider-MAn 1-2, Zombieland, The Help) and Charlie Hunnam (Pacific Rim, S.O.A.).

Japanese Jaeger Coyote Tango Graces New PACIFIC RIM Poster

More Viral Kaiju Images From PACIFIC RIM

Guillermo del Toro Says CRIMSON PEAK Will Be Set During The Turn Of The Century

TotalFilm was able to get a bit of new information on Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak which will be his next film. Del Toro mentions the locations and timeline of the ghost story horror homage. Currently, Emma Stone (Amazing Spider-Man 1-2) and Charlie Hunnam (Pacific Rim) are in talks to the take the lead roles in the film.

"So it’s at the turn of the century and half of the movie takes place in America, and the other half takes place in a crumbling mansion in Cumbria. And basically it’s a ghost story and gothic romance, trying to subvert the rules of the usual gothic romance. It’s very much... the first half is a love story, then that love story turns darker. And it’s at the same time a ghost story. I’m working at this moment with Lucinda Clarkson who is a really great playwright from the UK. She has the proper degree of perversity and intelligence to turn it into something interesting to watch. It’s sort of a very compelling version of the classic gothic romance, where you have the spookiness and the windswept landscape that dooms the characters, you know?"

Interesting PACIFIC RIM Concept Art From Total Film

SPOILERS: Marvel Plans To Use HULK In Phase Three Films, Including A New Solo Film

LatinoReview has finally dropped their big Marvel scoop and it's a big spoiler. Marvel is moving forward with plans for the Hulk to play a giant role in Phase Three. We've assumed this previously as Marvel has teased Hulk being a bigger piece of their future plans. After stealing a majority of the scenes in Avengers. Talk had already begun about a new Hulk movie during the promotion of The Avengers last Summer.



The big reveal/spoiler is that at the end of Avengers 2 Hulk will be deemed too dangerous for Earth and will be cast into space. This will lead to a new solo adventure based on the Planet Hulk saga. Banner is placed on a space shuttle to be marooned on a peaceful planet were he and others can be safe. Only one problem, his ship crashes onto a violent alien planet where he is turned into gladiator. Fighting alien creatures to the death for the amusement of spectators he ends breaking loose and leads a rebellion against an oppressive leadership. Which ends up with Hulk becoming the new ruler of the planet, Spartacus/Gladiator anyone? While Avengers 2 leading into Planet Hulk rumor has been around for a while it's the first time an outlet has spent this much effort to confirm it. It should be noted they would be treading familiar ground as they released an animated movie focusing on The Planet Hulk comic.

The biggest addition is that he'll end up becoming the villain of Avengers 3, taking cues from World War Hulk. Hulk feeling betrayed by Earth decides on conquering it with his new loyal alien followers and army. An invasion that could only be stopped with the help of the Guardians of The Galaxy and maybe even the Inhumans (sounds plausible with a film in development). Gamora and Drax being able go toe-to-toe with Hulk without being smashed into pieces. This plot point would overshadows talk of Civil War or even the Skrulls being the main storyline for a third installment.

Like I said before this isn't Earth shattering news because Marvel has been tip-toeing over a new Hulk movie for a couple of months now. A while back someone from Marvel accidentally let slip they had plans for a movie along with the television series they developing for ABC. Marvel's Kevin Feige went one step forward by actually naming Planet Hulk and World War Hulk as possible avenues for the Hulk post-Avengers 2 while speaking with MTV.

I don’t think there’s a lot that we couldn’t do someday, as the cinematic universe continues to grow and expand and get as big as the comic book universe. ”Planet Hulk’ is a cool story, ‘World War Hulk’ is a cool story. I think there’s pitfalls of continuity-overload, and mythology getting so dense that it almost collapses in on itself [with those cosmic projects]. It happens every few decades or so in the comics. Apart from that, I’d say everything is on the table.


The Hulk show has suddenly gone into limbo since Whedon has jumped the line taking his S.H.I.E.L.D. series to pilot. Guillermo del Toro had been producing the project and was going to direct the Hulk pilot episode. It's possible it could still happen but with Hulk getting his own franchise it's doubtful they would rehash old material with a TV series. When this is officially announced by Marvel I expect that plans for the series will be canceled. Whedon has already mentioned a desire to write a new Hulk film and this seems right up is alley.

 I wouldn't count out del Toro also being asked to direct the feature. He's already interested in the character committing to the TV series, already making a successful film starring a Marvel character with Blade 2 along with being attached to direct Dr. Strange years ago. While he turned down Star Wars (also a Disney production), a Planet Hulk film could be a way for Guillermo to make his own type of Star Wars film within the cosmic-side of the MCU. The idea of del Toro directing a Joss Whedon scripted cosmic Hulk film is too amazing not to consider. Del Toro is about to release Pacific Rim this summer and will begin production on Crimson Peak next Winter.  He wouldn't need to release Planet Hulk until at least 2016 giving him tons of time to work with Whedon and production designers.

This is speculation on my part but I had mentioned Alison Brie should be cast as the new Betty Ross when the first talk of a new Hulk film was being rumored. This was months before her linked involvement with Marvel for Captain America 2. A majority of the lovely ladies linked for the lead in Cap sequel were brunettes and if Sharon was really the lead character, why look at so many non-blonds?

It's possible that she and other actresses were being looked at for a different female role other than Sharon Carter. Betty Ross could be this other part (or Jennifer Walters) in Winter Soldier as she did work for S.H.I.E.L.D. in the Ultimates. It could also see her transformed into the Red She Hulk (or She Hulk) while trying to find a cure for Banner maybe in Avengers 2. Making her a more viable candidate to join the Avengers roster than say Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers) as she has already been introduced in the MCU via The Incredible Hulk. It would be simpler to include a female heroine like She Hulk or Red She Hulk because they wouldn't need to include Skrulls or Kree like with Danvers.

I wouldn't be shocked if a sub-plot of Banner's DNA becoming a viable piece of weapons technology could be introduced in Captain America: The Winter Soldier then played out in Avengers 2. Perhaps with a little help from The Leader (introduced in Incredible Hulk) the Masters of Evil/Hydra could amass their own group of power super-hulks with a sample of Banner's blood. You might remember that Banner wanted all his blood samples destroyed because he feared it would become a weapon "they couldn't get back". This could be played out within Phase Two, as in Avengers that phrase was attributed to the next evolution of weapons. Incredible Hulk is canon as Marvel has said it's indeed apart of the MCU along with using clips from it during Iron Man 2 and Avengers.

Charlie Hunnam Could Join Emma Stone In Guillermo Del Toro's Horror Flick CRIMSON PEAK

HeatVision reports that British actor Charlie Hunnam (Children of Men, Pacific Rim, S.O.A.) is in early talks to take the male lead in Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak. The haunted house themed horror flick already has Emma Stone in talks to star. Peak would be an homage of sorts to classic haunted house films like House On Haunted Hill, The Haunting and The Shining. Hunnam stars in del Toro's Pacific Rim which is looking like if successful will become a franchise. The studio, director and writer are already developing script ideas for Pacific Rim 2 if the first film does well this summer.

Emma Stone In Talks For Guillermo Del Toro's CRIMSON PEAK

Variety reports that Spider-Man actress Emma Stone (Zombieland, Gangster Squad) is in talks for the lead in Guillermo del Toro's haunted house film Crimson Peak. Peak would begin shooting February 2014 giving her plenty of time to make Amazing Spider-Man 2. The horror homage would take cues from The Shining, The Haunted and other classics of the genre.