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

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." 

JURASSIC PARK 4 Coming June 2014, No Director But Has A Script

HeatVision is reporting some encouraging news for the Steven Spielberg produced Jurassic Park 4. Paramount has set it's release date for June 13th 2014 but the project doesn't have a director attached. A script is shaping up as well as screenwriting duo Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (Dawn of The Planet of The Apes, Rise of The Planet of The Apes) have handed in a new draft. It's been mentioned the film could end up becoming more of remake than a continuation of the franchise.

While a director hasn't been named I have my own thoughts on who should be given a shot. Joe Johnston and Spielberg have been rumored but I'd rather see some new blood. I'd love to see a director such as J.J. Abrams or Rupert Wyatt give their own vision of the dinos. Abrams could have the time to make it while Star Trek 3 is still being scripted by writers. Not to mention how Abrams could be eyed by Paramount for the job after delivering the studio some major hits. Rupert reinvented The Planet of The Apes franchise with Rise and has since exited the sequel Dawn. He understands how to bring CGI created characters to life and seems like he could have that vision Paramount needs. Wyatt seems like the best bet since he currently isn't attached to a project.

Matt Reeves And Others Wanted To Direct DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Now that director Rupert Wyatt has exited the Planet of The Apes franchise. Fox is now on the hunt for a new director to replace him with the 2014 release date looming. Deadline reports that Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In) is on the top of their list along with other candidates that include Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim, Hellboy), Rian Johnson (Looper, Brick), J Blakeson (Alice Creed), Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later), Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter) and Juan Antonio Bayona (The Impossible).

Reeves has left the Twilight Zone film which was setup at Warner Bros., so there's a good chance he'll sign on. Guillermo is also a solid choice as he's a genre nut and could really amp up the action aspect for the sequel. Johnson's jump into science fiction with Looper could make him a decent candidate. Only problem is that Rian usually only directs projects he writes himself. I assume if he signs on he'll be making script rewrites which would only be a benefit to the project.

'DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES' Coming May 2014

20th Century Fox has announced the release date for the sequel to Rise of The Planet of The Apes titled Dawn of The Planet of The Apes. The film is set for a May 23rd 2014 release date with Andy Serkis returning as Caesar along with director Rupert Wyatt. Details on the sequel haven't been made official but  the film likely will focus on the new ape society becoming the dominate species while the human population is wiped out by a deadly virus.

Scott Z. Burns Hired To Rewrite 'PLANET OF THE APES 2'

HeatVision reports that 20th Century Fox has hired Scott Z. Burns to help rewrite the script for Planet of The Apes 2. The untitled sequel to Rise of The Planet of The Apes is gathering speed with a draft already written by Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa who wrote the first film. Burns is best known for Bourne Ultimatum, Contagion and the in-development film version of The Man From UNCLE.

Director Rupert Wyatt and actor Andy Serkis are currently locked for the sequel, no word on James Franco. I think James Franco monotoned performance was one the worst aspects of the film it's possible his character could be done away with or even recast. Normally with the Planet of The Apes sequels the humans leads are usually replaced new actors with each installment, hopefully this trend continues.

The next film will likely continue the viral sub-plot that should eventually wipe out a majority of the human population. Human survivors align themselves with Caesar and his new society. In the sequel to the original film that Rise was based on, a group from this new society goes into the now abandoned city sparking aggression with the militarized surviving humans set on wiping out the apes. These humans are armed to the teeth with guns, vehicles and tanks. It's doubtful this sequel will go that far into the lore.

Charlize Theron And Director Rupert Wyatt Return To Sci-Fi With 'AGENT 13'

Variety reports on yet another budding project for Planet Of The Apes director Rupert Wyatt. The project titled Agent 13 has zero details known besides that it's a science fiction film from screenwriter T.S. Nowlin. Charlize Theron who is recently embracing genre films with Snow White And The Huntsman and Prometheus is attached to star. Currently the project is being shopped to studios that include 20th Century Fox, Sony, WB/Legendary, Paramount and Universal. My gut feeling is this will end up with Fox considering their relationship with both director and actress.

Rupert Wyatt And Michael Fassbender Could Team For Londongrad

Deadline reports that Warner Bros. is talks with director Rupert Wyatt (Escapist, Rise of The Planet of The Apes) to direct Londongrad. The film focuses on the mysterious death of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko who blamed his poisoning and eventual death on Russian President Vladimir Putin from a hospital bed in London. Michael Fassbender could end up playing Litvinenko with a script from David Scarpa (The Last Castle, Daredevil Reboot).

Andy Serkis Returning For Rise Of The Apes Sequel

Deadline reports that Andy Serkis is likely becoming the new Roddy McDowall of the Planet of The Apes franchise. He just landed a deal with 20th Century Fox for the sequel to Rise of The Planet of The Apes. Serkis will reprise his role of Caesar and possibility other apes in the film. Director Rupert Wyatt along with writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver are also returning for the sequel. There is no word if either James Franco or Freida Pinto will be back for the next installment.

Since Rise was inspired by Conquest of The Planet of The Apes I expect the sequel could be inspired by next installment Battle For The Planet of The Apes. That film focused on the new ape community (after the rebellion) lead by Caesar with loyal humans helping teach and build the society. The characters would later enter the abandoned city only to find a vengeful group of surviving humans armed to the teeth. Now with the viral outbreak spreading around the human population it wouldn't be surprising to see desperate survivors being the villains in the sequel. I just hope they scale back on the length of the film's title.

Could Christopher Nolan Make Twilight Zone For Warner Bros. ?

ShowBlitz has word that Warner Bros. is trying to nail-down a director to helm their new Twilight Zone project. Unlike the original which featured four directors (Spielberg, John Landis, Joe Dante, George Miller) filming four separate segments honoring the series. This new version will have one director and a single story. The site says that they have interest from Christopher Nolan, Michael Bay and Alfonso Cuarón (Children Of Men). David Yates (Deathly Hollows 1-2) had been interested but moved on, Rupert Wyatt (Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes) is also in the mix.

I was a big fan of Twilight Zone (film/series) and Outer Limits so this project sort of speaks to me. Even without the involvement of Nolan and Cuarón I'd be interested to see how it would turn out. Nolan seems a good bet as he could really reinvent this quirky genre and possibility develop it into a new franchise. The only problem is that Christopher Nolan is a one picture director and is still busy The Dark Knight Rises and I doubt he commit to this until he's in post. Bay seems an uninspiring choice as I'd rather see him make Bad Boys 3 instead of ruining something that could be a thrilling ride with seizure inducing visuals. Cuarón is slowly becoming a darling at the studio making Prisoner Of Azkaban and Gravity with George Clooney/Sandra Bullock starring. Rupert Wyatt could be interesting as this isn't a 20th Century Fox strangle-hold project and he might be able to go a bit darker. Fox more than likely has Rupert locked in for an Apes trilogy and could be asked to return to make another film sooner than later.