Simon West To Remake THE BLOB; Someone Please Call Nicolas Cage And Jason Statham

Deadline is reporting that director Simon West (Con Air, Expendables 2, The Mechanic) will be directing the third version of the classic horror film The Blob which originally starred Steve McQueen.

The film revolves a meteor which crash lands in a small town and has an alien life form inside it. Once the pink gooey alien starts getting a taste for humans it starts to grow rapidly and it keeps gobbling-up the towns folk until it's overwhelmingly massive and the army is called-in to take it out.

Simon West confirms to Deadline that the creature effects will indeed be CGI, which is expected in this modern era of digital effects but seems a bit lifeless when it comes to horror material.

“With modern CGI we can now fully realize the potential of The Blob. The world I create will be totally believable, immersive and emotionally satisfying. It’s a thrill to introduce an enduring icon to a wider audience and a whole new era of fans.”

I'm not really impressed by CGI these days even more so with the horror genre, it's overused to the point of having little impact when you know it's not in-camera. A great example would be The Thing prequel which mixed some great practical effects with some lousy CGI. It didn't help the film was also a carbon copy of the original.

This incarnation sounds like the budget might be a lot smaller than you'd expect for a CGI focused horror film, but maybe they'll throw in some puppets and camera tricks as well. I'm a bit worried that things like casting and writing will be secondary toward the formation of the digital monster. The key give away being a bunch of producers being listed for the project but no writers.

Come on Simon West make this happen!

Then again, this West is the director of Con Air we can only wish that Nicolas Cage get's involved, we know they could get him for real cheap these days. I'd love to see him cameo as the homeless gentleman who first discovers the meteor. I'd also love to see Jason Statham get involved possibly in the lead since we don't often get to see him in horror roles.

Could the world be ready for Cage and Statham being in one glorious film?



I won't lie, I'm a massive fan of the 1988 remake starring Entourage's Kevin Dillion, mainly because the Blob was scary as fuck in that movie. Being one of the first R-rated horror films I was exposed to and a big dumb 80's horror flick I can't help but love it.

At one point horror film guru Rob Zombie was attached to write and direct the remake but obviously lost interest or was replaced.

Zombie might have had his duds with the Halloween films but I still love the effort he put into House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects. I know with Rob we would have had a practical effects version of the alien creature as he rarely uses digital effects.




SOURCE: DEADLINE

Nicolas Cage Confirmed For EXPENDABLES 3, Harrison Ford And Wesley Snipes Still Wanted

Sly Stallone confirms via Facebook that Nicolas Cage will be joining the cast of The Expendables 3. Cage had been rumored even before the release of the second installment. He had been wanted for a cameo in Expendables 2 but it didn't work out. Stallone also reveals his previous intentions to snag Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes (newly freed from prison) and a returning Mickey Rourke. No word on who will be returning for the third installment.

We are preparing the film with the same passion and commitment as the previous two. We have confirmed Nicolas Cage, a master actor who gives a veneer intellectual group. Hopefully we can realize to Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes and Mickey Rourke. That is the great mission of the producer. We will continue with the same narrative scheme, the agility and the frenzy, which are inherent to the saga. What will definitely be the last? I can not guarantee. In principle it would be two deliveries, but the affection of the people encouraged us to work on a third. I guess as long as we amused ourselves by offering fun and people, we can continue playing 'The Expendables'. For now we are not as expendable as it should and as some critics want. 

POSTERS: Another Epic One For 'EXPENDABLES 2'

'EXPENDABLES 2' Poster Showcases Most Of The Cast

Action Packed And One-Liner Filled Trailer For 'EXPENDABLES 2'

A Slew Of New 'EXPENDABLES 2' Posters

New Image From 'EXPENDABLES 2'

Steven Segal Offered Role In 'EXPENDABLES 3'

It looks like Expendables 3 could already be in development even though the second film hasn't even been released yet. Two separate statements from actors give the impression that Sly and studio are at least thinking about the third film. News comes from JoBlo that Steven Segal could be in Expendables 3 as an offer has been made. Segal's last big screen appearance was in Robert Rodriguez's Machete as that film's villain so anything is possible.

"He [Sylvester Stallone] plans to do another one and I have already been made an offer. We'll see ... "

There had been talk of Steven joining the first two films but it never worked out. Apparently there was issue with a business partner of Jean-Claude Van Damme which blocked Segal's chances of showing up in the second film. Either way it looks promising that the Steven could end up capping off the aging action hero trilogy. Randy Couture mentioned a few weeks back that they are planning a fall 2012 shoot for Expendables 3. However, neither the studio or Stallone have announced any plans for a third film. It begs the question has director Simon West or cast even resigned for another film?

Stallone Changes Expendables 2 Rating To Restricted

It looks like Sly Stallone is again caving to pressure from the online community to change the rating of Expendables 2. A few months back rumors of a PG-13 rating had been confirmed by Stallone which enraged the fans. Originally, the first film had been shot for PG-13 rating but later would get added digital blood and dubbed swearing. It looks like the second film will also be going in that direction as well as Sly confirms to StalloneZone (via SlashFilm) the sequel will indeed be rated R. . The film starring Stallone, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Liam Hemsworth, Chuck Norris, Terry Crews, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Scott Atkins will be released on August 17th 2012.

Expendables 2 Wussing Out With PG-13 Rating?

ThePlaylist is reporting that Expendables 2 actor Chuck Norris stated in a translated interview that he was promised by producers the film will end up with a PG-13 rating. This really doesn't make sense considering the success of the first movie which was hard-R and sheer volume of well known/followed action stars attached to the sequel. Even if the budget was greater than the original the added star power assures it's international and domestic success. Playlist gives the impression this could be a marketing move to cash-in on some sort of Hunger Games bandwagon which sounds beyond ridiculous to me. Even if the DVD/BR ends up with an unrated version of the film.

Names like Sly Stallone, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger don't seem like the type of actors that would get together for a PG-13 project. Millennium Films the production studio behind the film isn't in the business of making family friendly films. They're known for hardcore action films like The Mechanic, Rambo (2008), Drive Angry and Conan The Barbarian (2011). Also, I hate to bring up the fact Chuck Norris isn't in any position to be make rating demands of producers. My take is that they promised Norris that "his" scenes would be PG-13, so no graphic violence or swearing.

Expendables 2 Poster Confirms It's Going To Be Awesome

Arnold Schwarzenegger tweeted this first image from the set of Expendables 2. Which shows Arnold alongside Stallone and Bruce Willis. I'm beyond excited for this action star filled epic in the making.

Scott Adkins Joins Expendables 2

Yet another rising action star has joined the adrenaline fueled Expendables 2. MovieHole reports that British up and coming martial artist Scott Adkins will play Jean-Claude Van Damme's henchman. Adkins and Van Damme have previously worked together on The Shepard, Assassin Games and the upcoming Universal Soldier: A New Dimension. Scott has appeared as a badass fighter in films like The Tournament, Unleashed (Danny The Dog) along with the body/stunt double for Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He's also reasonable for creating a beast of a character with Undisputed 2 & 3's Yuri Boyka. I really hope this role ends up helping out Scott breakout into mainstream Hollywood projects.

Currently the sequel's impressive cast includes Sly Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Terry Crews, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris and Liam Hemsworth (Hunger Games). It's set for an August 17th 2012 release date with it's production starting up very soon.

Liam Hemsworth Joins Expendables 2

ShowBlitz has word that Liam Hemsworth (Hunger Games) has just signed on for Expendables 2. The Australian actor is the younger brother of Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Avengers, Red Dawn) and is becoming a rising star in Hollywood. Stallone had previously stated the sequel would be looking at a new blood for a Navy Seal role. "We also need some new blood in there, a Navy Seal-type, because with the Expendables none of them have 20-20 vision anymore. They need some help, man.” 

Stallone Confirms JCVD & Chuck Norris For Expendables 2

EW talked with Sly Stallone, who is about to start production on The Expendables 2. He confirmed previous rumors that Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris will have roles in the film. Sly also added that he'd love to see John Travolta, Nicolas Cage and Michael Biehn take roles if they're weren't too busy. I'd love to see Biehn join the cast considering his badass roles in films like Terminator, Aliens, Abyss, Tombstone, The Rock and Planet Terror.




It was recently announced that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis would be joining the film reprising their roles established in the first installment. They join returners Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture and Mickey Rourke. Simon West is handling directing duties this time around and I'm hoping Sly will also be actively involved with the creative sides of things.

Simon West Will Direct Expendables 2

Deadline reports that Simon West will direct Expendables 2. There isn't word if they have a script finished but at least we now have confirmation Stallone won't be directing this time around. There has also been confirmation of sorts that Bruce Willis and Jean-Claude Van Damme will play villains in the film.

Simon's previous films Mechanic, Con Air and The General's Daughter are decent action efforts so he seems like the right director for the job. It will be interesting to see what happens with Red Sonja as West was attached to direct that film as well. Considering Red Sonja is likely to go next before Conan 2 goes into production.

Simon West To Direct Red Sonja, Amber Heard To Play Sonja?

Empire was able to talk with producer Avi Lerner about the status of the Red Sonja remake. Previously Robert Rodriguez was producing with Rose McGowan in the lead the pair even promoted the project at Comic-Con. Like most of his projects in development Rodriguez moved on to other things.

With the studio's reboot of Conan The Barbarian hitting theaters in August it looks like they could be moving forward with Red Sonja very soon. Avi Lerner says that they are planning on shooting Sonja between Conan and Conan 2. I believe this the first official talk of a sequel for Conan and I assume Marcus Nispel will return to direct.

He also confirms Simon West will direct Red Sonja. West is actually a decent action director being best known for directing Con Air, Tomb Raider and The Mechanic. I recently saw the Mechanic and while it was very by-the-numbers it was still entertaining and had some excellent action scenes. I was luke-warm with the idea of a Red Sonja remake but if West is on board I'll have to check it out. Lerner mentions Amber Heard as his favorite for the role of Sonja. I'd have to agree as she fits nicely into this genre and isn't shy when it comes to R-rated material.

"We will definitely shoot Red Sonja in between Conan and Conan 2. We already chose the director: an English guy called Simon West."
 
"We're talking to a few girls for the role of Sonja," he says, "but we just finished a movie called Drive Angry with Amber Heard, and I want to see her. She's my favorite for the role."