DAREDEVIL Reboot Screenwriter Hired To Pen WOLVERINE 3

Wolverine 3 is coming together quickly, considering the last film was released last summer. Deadline reports that Fox has hired David James Kelly (Straw Man) to turn director James Mangold's outline into a screenplay. Kelly is a bit of unknown writer, but a while back Fox tasked him to write a draft for Joe Carnahan's gritty Daredevil reboot (before the rights reverted back to Marvel). It's possible they saw potential from the new writer and felt he might be a good fit for Wolverine. The third film is set for a March 3rd, 2017 release date giving everyone involved plenty of time to flush-out a new story before cameras roll, likely in 2016. Hugh Jackman has also officially signed-on, which isn't much of a surprise.


SOURCE: DEADLINE

Director Joe Carnahan Confirms Script Complete For NEMESIS

Director Joe Carnahan (The Grey) confirmed today via Twitter that he's completed the script for Nemesis based on Mark Millar's (Kick-Ass, Wanted, Superior, Supercrooks) comic book. The film setup at Fox focuses on a Batman-type villain who spends a chunk of time once a year destroying a city going up against their top-cop. Liam Neeson seemingly wants to re-team with Carnahan for the hard-nosed action flick.

Ryan Reynolds Says DEADPOOL's Rating Holding Back It's Greenlight, Could Director Tim Miller Exit?

HeyUGuys while interviewing Ryan Reynolds about his animated film The Croods got a brief comment about Deadpool's current status. It doesn't sound like Fox is ready to put it into production just yet, as the rating might be holding it back. Nothing says the studio will change their mind since there are plenty of R-rated comic book films coming out this year. It's had a script in place by Paul Wernick and Rheet Reese (Zombieland, Venom, G.I. Joe: Retaliation) for years now along with Tim Miller attached to direct.

"It's up to the studio. The studio I think is reluctant to pull the trigger on such a hard Rated-R script. Then the guys who wrote it and the producers won't make it unless it's that hard and, you know, raunchy." 

Fox at the moment is busy with The Wolverine (coming in July), X-Men Days of Future Past (shooting   this Spring/Summer) and The Fantastic Four reboot (later this year or early 2014). R-rated comic book films are getting more of upswing recently. 300, Sin City and Kick-Ass have been very popular and profitable R-rated comic book films post-Blade. All three movies will have sequels released in 2013 and are expected to make a solid amount of box office. So it's hard to think the rating is the only thing holding Deadpool back. Fox is also putting together an adaptation of Mark Millar's Nemesis with Joe Carnahan (attached to write/direct) which is also going to end up with a hard R-rating.

On the production side of things, since landing the directing gig on Deadpool Tim Miller has signed on to make a numerous amount of other films including Gravel (Legendary Pictures), Seasons (Sony Pictures) and just recently Artemis (20th Century Fox). I assume Miller's involvement with the film could be questionable at this point with three other films in development. My assumption is that Joe Carnahan might end up taking over direction duties. Joe already put together another Marvel film for Fox with their attempt at a Daredevil reboot. He also tried to put together a film based on the Marvel villain Taskmaster for Fox.

The elephant in the room is the disaster of Green Lantern bombing and it's massive failure could have tainted Ryan's career as a lead in superhero films. Rumblings that R.I.P.D. could have similar issues might be giving Fox cold-feet about having Ryan kept as the lead of the film. So don't be shocked if Reynolds leaves the production and Fox looks for other actors. I could see actual comedic actors like Jason Segel, Zachary Levi and Bill Hader be considered if Ryan ultimately leaves. If Chris Pratt can get super ripped for Guardians of The Galaxy these guys can do the same.

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. 

Joe Carnahan To Direct Vampire Action Flick UNDYING LOVE

Deadline reports that Joe Carnahan (The Grey) has been hired by Warner Bros. to direct and write an adaptation of the graphic novel Undying Love. Originally, French horror director Alexandre Aja (High Tension) had been given the job but has since left the project. Carnahan is seemingly hedging his bets as he recently had his Daredevil pitch turned down by Fox, only to be handed Mark Millar's Nemesis instead. The project has a bit of an international flare as it's mostly set in the Hong Kong underworld. Giving slight hints it could end up being on the level of a vampire action flick like Blade.

Revolves around an ex-soldier who falls for a vampire, though in order to be with her, he must taken on her creator, who is protected by an army of mobsters in the Hong Kong underworld.

Joe Carnahan Confirms He's Currently Writing The Script For NEMESIS

Joe Carnahan (The Grey) tweets that he and his brother have started writing the script for Nemesis. The comic film based on the series from Mark Millar focuses on the premise of a psychotic villain who has the training and resources of Batman. This villain takes on the greatest cops in the world once a year which leaves a massive body count and a city in ruins. Liam Neeson had been rumored for the hotshot cop lead of Blake Morrow.

SPECULATION: Could Joe Carnahan Replace Tim Miller As DEADPOOL Director If He Exits?

Deadpool has been in development limbo for months even with a script and director in place. Fox is eager to put out a slew of new Marvel films including The Wolverine, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Fantastic Four it's odd that Deadpool isn't being fast-tracked. Last we heard, Fox was trying to figure out the best way to make the R-rated film with Mark Millar as the studio's new creative consultant.

Tim Miller had been hired to direct after talks with Robert Rodriguez broke down. Miller last spoke about the project in October and seemed optimistic. However, Miller has since signed on to direct two big studio films Gravel and Seasons along with major involvement on the animated film The Goon. This gives the impression these other projects will likely force him to exit Deadpool.

"We've turned in an amazing script and done some early tests and visual development that -- I'm confident -- would get the fans stoked. And Ryan still loves the project. So it's really up to Fox as to whether or not the film happens -- all I can do is hope (and beg periodically) that it be allowed to move ahead."

If Miller exits my bet would be on Joe Carnahan (The Grey, Narc) being contacted to direct. This is because of his connection to all parties involved. Joe worked with Ryan on Smokin' Aces and is attached to direct Mark Millar's Nemesis for Fox. He had been hired by the studio to put together a reboot of Daredevil which ultimately didn't happen. It seemed the studio wasn't confident in the material as the rights reverted back to Marvel. That doesn't mean Joe wouldn't be considered for future Marvel films. He had been talking with Fox about developing a Taskmaster film a while back. Besides Carnahan has Nemesis and a remake of Death Wish in development, neither have started pre-production.

RUMOR: Michael Fassbender Wanted For Nemesis?

20th Century Fox has been looking to adapt Mark Millar's Nemesis for a while now. Previously Tony Scott was attached to direct but it looks like Joe Carnahan has stepped in with interest. Joe was talking up the project during press for The Grey when he revealed that he wanted Liam Neeson for super cop Blake Morrow. Neeson seems up for the hero role which isn't surprising as it's right up his ally. Now that The Grey has been gathering a lot of critical praise and opened number one, Carnahan seems a shoe-in for the film.

There is a rumor coming out of CosmicBookNews (via ComicBookMovie) that Fox is strongly considering Michael Fassbender for the role Nemesis and are in early talks. The villain of the film pursues the greatest cops in the world only to brutally torture/kill them while destroying a city in the process. Fassbender currently is booked up for the summer with 12 Years A Slave and is returning for X-Men First Class 2. The site is also stating production won't even begin until late 2013. As usual with rumors don't take this as fact just yet.

Joe Carnahan Wants Liam Neeson For Nemesis

In the last couple of days it was revealed on Twitter that Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces, The Grey) seemed to have replaced Tony Scott as the prospective director of Nemesis. The adaptation of the Mark Millar comic that poses the question "what if Batman was a villain?". There had been rumblings that Denzel Washington and Brad Pitt were wanted for the role of super cop Blake Morrow. Joe during an interview with Collider reveals he'd like to see Liam Neeson take the part. I can't argue with him since Neeson seems perfect for these grizzled action roles. His current movie the Grey is gathering a lot of positive buzz so it could be a great move to see Carnahan take on this comic book project.

"You know it’s funny—and I’ll let this cat out of the bag just for you—Mark Millar and I were talking about Nemesis and I had mentioned that I think a particularly fantastic Blake Morrow would be Liam Neeson."

Joe Carnahan Wants To Direct Preacher & Taskmaster

A-Team director Joe Carnahan (Smokin Aces) wants a shot at directing the long waited Preacher film. It's been in development for years and even high profile directors like Sam Mendes have been attached. Joe also mentions Marvel characters he's been interested in bringing to the screen. He mostly wants to make Taskmaster film which he has talked about before. Taskmaster is a villain who is able to mimic fighting moves and abilities just by seeing them.


It's interesting since he does mention the vigilante Moon Knight could end up taking him on. Joe had also been toying with the idea of Juggernaut film, who get's his powers from an ancient ring. I can't comment if Carnahan is the best choice for Preacher but he seems capable enough to make an adult oriented Moon Knight or Taskmaster film.