J.K. Simmons Has Joined Tom Hiddleston In KONG: SKULL ISLAND

Deadline reports that J.K. Simmons (Juno, Thank You For Smoking, Spider-Man Trilogy, Oz) hot off his widely praised performance in Whiplash has joined the cast of Legendary Picture's Kong: Skull Island. The prequel to the original events of King Kong would explore the origins of the map that was used to find the island. Tom "Loki" Hiddleston will star as the lead of the film, which we hope branches him out to more lead roles in the future.

Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Kings of Summer, Metal Gear Solid) the film will be released on March 10th, 2017.


SOURCE: DEADLINE

Max Borenstein Returns To Write GODZILLA Sequel For Legendary Pictures

Deadline reports that Legendary Pictures has made a deal for screenwriter Max Borenstein (Seventh Son) to pen the Godzilla sequel. Borenstein was one of many writers on the original film, and recently wrote the studio's King Kong origin film Skull Island. Max will have plenty of time to put the script together, since director Gareth Edwards will go-off to make an untitled Star Wars film first. The release date for the sequel will be June 8th, 2018.

We've heard teases that better known kaiju could be showing-up in the next film. This was confirmed at Comic-Con, where Legendary Pictures showed concept footage that teased Rodan, Mothra and Ghidorah.

A set of female twins were teased in film and in promo footage/trailer. Monarch's name might have direct connections to him as well.  Perhaps, the fellow good-guy kaiju might have inspired the organization. Wouldn't hurt to see Godzilla team-up for some good 'old city rumbles.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

GODZILLA Sequel In The Works On The Heels Of Franchise's Biggest Domestic Opening Ever

It's a huge weekend of successes for Legendary's Godzilla reboot. The film has the 2nd largest opening weekend of 2014 at $93 million (estimated), edging out The Amazing Spider-Man 2. A giant win for the project considering, it was an uphill battle since the terrible impression the 1998 American left on audiences. The studio has been vindicated and along with that is of course talk of seuqels.

Deadline reports that Legendary and it's old partner Warner Bros. will be working together on the next installment of the Godzilla franchise. The two companies recently parted-ways, with Legendary making a new distribution deal with Universal. Let's hope they come up with a better title than Godzilla 2, maybe something like Godzilla Vs (place iconic/new kaiju monster here). I would assume that director Gareth Edwards will be asked to return, considering how the look of the film seems to have won over a lot of people. On the other hand, there were so many screenwriters on the first installment. Max Borenstein and Dave Callaham were the main writers, along with David Goyer and Frank Darabont contributing to it as well. I kinda hope they stick to one or two writers next time, but that's going to be unlikely.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Frank Darabont Will Rewrite GODZILLA

Godzilla seems to be a giant priority for Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. things seem to be coming together. Deadline reports that the studio has hired Oscar nominated screenwriter Frank Darabont (Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption) to rewrite Max Borenstein's (The Seventh Son) script. Darabont has deep horror roots writing The Walking Dead (producing/directing) and Tales From The Crypt. Not to mention writing films such as The Mist (which he directed), Kenneth Branagh's Frankenstein, The Blob (80's remake) and The Fly II. Production on the film will begin in March with the release date set for May 16th 2014.