"Sgt. Rock" Ditches WWII For The Future

Producer Joel Silver tells The Los Angeles Times that the long-gestating comic book adaptation "Sgt. Rock" has moved into a higher gear.

According to the LA Times: Sgt Rock Producer Joel Silver says the long-discussed Hollywood adaptation of the "Sgt. Rock" combat comic books has new life -- but the leader of Easy Company won't be fighting the good fight in 1940s Europe this time around.

Silver said the plan now is for the old warhorse of DC Comics to serve his country in the not-too-distant future. Part of the reason it seems is that Silver just received a new draft of the script this week and the story will not be set during World War II.

Said Silver: "It's a little bit in the future. As a war movie, it's not going to be 'where it's been,' it's going to be 'where it's going.' We didn't want to do Iraq, we didn't want to do a contemporary war. We wanted to do a sort of futuristic war."

In the 1980s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was prepared to play the G.I. hero, and John Milius and David Peoples had a script together that would have changed the soldier's heritage to explain the action star's Austrian accent.

That project petered out but Rock's name came up again as a film property, most notably when director Guy Ritchie was planning on directing a version set in World War II with Silver as producer and, it was rumored, Bruce Willis in the title role. That was the plan as recently as 2008. But now, with the new script in hand, things have changed.

Silver added: "It's pretty strong. Chad St. John wrote the script and we've got Francis Lawrence involved in developing it with us. It's not a 'go' movie yet but I'm feeling good about it."

Although I think the WWII era is the perfect backdrop for any Hollywood project, it might serve this franchise better to move it into the future. With the character of “Sgt. Rock” recently celebrating a 50th anniversary, it might be time to update the look and feel for a new generation. With most of the youth out there a bit unfamiliar with the original character, this change may turn out to be for the better,

The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, Billy Crudup Join "The Convincer"

Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin and Billy Crudup are teaming for the indie crime drama "The Convincer," reports Variety.

According to Variety: Tony Award-winners Alan Arkin and Billy Crudup, along with Greg Kinnear, will star in the crime drama movie, “The Convincer.”

The story follows a desperate insurance salesman whose scheme to get a hold of a rare violin leads to unforeseen consequences.

Jill Sprecher will direct the film, which uses a screenplay she's co-written with Karen Sprecher. Mary Frances Budig, Elizabeth Redleaf and Christine Walker are producing.

Jill Sprecher's helming credits include "Clockwatchers" and "Thirteen Conversations About One Thing," which were both co-written by Karen Sprecher. Walker and Redleaf produced "Howl," which stars James Franco and was the opening film this year at Sundance.

All three actors are excellent and the plot sounds as if it will give them room to show off their skills. Arkin has played a salesman before, most famously in “Glengarry Glen Ross,” so he should slide into his role very easily. Kinnear always is excellent, while Crudup is a very underrated actor--he was great in “Without Limits” and he was easily the best thing in “Watchmen”.

Shooting starts off February 8, 2010 in the Minneapolis area.

Ginnifer Goodwin Joins "Something Borrowed"

Ginnifer Goodwin ("He's Just Not That Into You," HBO's "Big Love") is in talks to star in "Something Borrowed," reports Variety.

According to Variety: Ginnifer Goodwin is in talks to star in the romantic film "Something Borrowed" for 2S Films.

Based on Emily Giffin's debut novel, Goodwin will play a Manhattan attorney who becomes involved with her best friend's fiancé following her 30th birthday. Jennie Urman adapted the script.

Luke Greenfield ("The Girl Next Door") is directing while Andrew Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Hilary Swank, Molly Smith, Aaron Lubin and Pamela Schein Murphy are producing.

I think Goodwin makes the perfect lead for a film like this. She has a wholesome, cute, girl-next-door type of look, and as she has shown on “Big Love” that she can act a bit, too. She also was very funny in "He's Just Not That Into You," which is similar in tone to what the new film will be like.

Filming on "Something Borrowed" kicks off this Spring.

Classic Album: A Tribe Called Quest, “The Low End Theory”

A sophomore slump refers to an instance in which a second, or sophomore, effort fails to live up to the standards of the first effort. It is commonly used to refer to the apathy of students (second year of university) the performance of athletes (second season of play), and movies (sequels/prequels). But I think the old adage makes the most sense when referring to music.

It’s happened hundreds of times over the years. A band or group will put out a fantastic debut album, creating a huge amount of anticipation for their next effort, only to disappoint greatly.

A Tribe Called Quest’s debut album, “People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm” was extremely well received by critics, although it didn’t garner much mainstream success. Even without the record sales, critics were looking for the group’s sophomore effort to be just as good as the first, or even better.

Although now the group’s second effort “The Low End Theory” is considered one of the best albums of all-time, before it was produced it had the potential makings of a sophomore slump.

After the debut album, group member Phife Dawg learned that he was diabetic, and Jarobi White left the group to study culinary art. These events could have hampered the group and put their future plans in turmoil. Instead, after a discussion between Phife and fellow member Q-Tip, they agreed to increase Phife’s participation on the second album and to step it up in general as a group.

The result of that combination brought one of the most thoughtful and socially conscious hip-hop albums ever. The rapping by Q-Tip and Phife Dawg could be the smoothest of any rap record ever heard; the pair has such chemistry that they sound like two sides of the same coin. One listen of this album and you will realize the amazing potential for hip-hop as an artistic expression in music.

The album helped shape the landscape of alternative hip-hop in the early 1990’s, with the group using jazz and other musical styles often forgotten by mainstream musicians.

Released on September 24, 1991, “The Low End Theory” has a few tracks that are less than superb, but "Buggin' Out," "Butter," "Rap Promoter," "Check the Rhime," "Jazz (We've Got)," and "Scenario" are all perfect in my eyes.

“Check the Rhime”, one of the groups’ most famous songs, includes one of Q-Tip’s best lines ever, when he raps: “Industry rule number four thousand and eighty,
record company people are shady.” While a simple line, it showed part of what A Tribe Called Quest was all about; going against the mainstream and rapping about what was important to them.


On "Jazz (We've Got)", the group show’s their appreciation for the classic American musical form. Q-Tip shows how creative he can be when he raps: “Stern firm and young with a laid-back tongue/The aim is to succeed and achieve at 21/Just like Ringling Brothers, I'll daze and astound/Captivate the mass, cause the prose is profound.”


“Scenario” was the third single released off the album and features a verse by Phife Dog that is one of the best and most inspired of the whole album. The cleverest line of the verse comes when he drops a local sports reference about the Jets when he raps: “Brothers front, they say the Tribe can't flow/But we've been known to do the impossible like Broadway Joe.”


The Jets and Joe Namath were one of the biggest underdog Super Bowl winners ever, which parallel’s the group’s unlikely rise to the highest levels of the industry, as well as their alternative and unique style.

All the tracks on this album either have your head nodding, feet tapping, or mind working. The talented way Q-Tip flows over the simplistic, stripped down beats is equivalent to watching a famous painter work, or a talented pitcher throw a no-hitter.

All in all, this is a classic album. What De La Soul started in the genre of alternative hip-hop, A Tribe Called Quest perfected on this album.

Check out the column at Refined Hype.

Seth Rogen & Michelle Williams Have A "Waltz"

Seth Rogen and Michelle Williams are set to star in the romantic drama "Take This Waltz," says Deadline Hollywood.

According to Deadline Hollywood: Sarah Polley has secured the financing to direct her script “Take This Waltz.” Williams will star with Seth Rogen in as a character who gets wrapped in a romantic triangle.

The script made the most recent Black List of 2009's best-unproduced screenplays. Polley will set another actor shortly to round out the cast.

The story follows a young woman (Williams) who struggles with her infidelities and the budding realization that she may be addicted to the honeymoon period of her relationships.

Polley’s last directorial effort, 2006's “Away From Her,” which earned her a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar nomination. Williams, will next be seen in the Martin Scorsese-directed Shutter Island, while Rogen has been busy filming “The Green Hornet”.

Although Polley is more known for her acting, she is really changing up that image in recent years. She has shown great skills at directing, as well as writing, including a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay a couple years ago. I also like that fact that Rogen will be in a role where he can show off some of his acting chops, which I don’t think he gets enough credit for.

Filming kicks off this July in Toronto.

Universal Sets Release Dates

Universal Pictures has shaken up its 2010 release schedule with one major shift and two date announcements, reports Coming Soon.

According to Coming Soon: Universal figures "Little Fockers" is more Yuletide fare than summer sizzler. The studio will sit on the recently wrapped comedy sequel until December 22 and instead will release two previously unslotted films in swimsuit season.

They've also set two dates for previously unscheduled films. The Matt Damon-toplined thriller "The Adjustment Bureau" has been set for July 30, while Edgar Wright's adventure fantasy "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" will now bow on August 13.

The "Fockers" franchise kicked off on October 6, 2000 with "Meet the Parents," which ended up with $166 million domestically. The sequel "Meet the Fockers," released December 22, 2004, grossed $279 million. Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller are returning for the latest offering. "Little Fockers" is considered a working title.

Universal domestic distribution president Nikki Rocco said the studio is being "opportunistic" with its scheduling moves after noting the absence of a big comedy in the mix of 2010 holiday titles.

Said Rocco: "A year ago, the Christmas landscape wasn't as clear.”

Other wide openers set for the Wednesday before Christmas include Fox's Jack Black adventure picture "Gulliver's Travels" and Sony's comic-book actioner "The Green Hornet" starring Seth Rogen. Paramount's remake of "True Grit," starring Damon and Jeff Bridges, is scheduled to open December 25.

Rival pictures set to open opposite "Pilgrim" include Warner Bros.' 3D family-comedy sequel "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore," the CBS Films drama "Beastly" and Paramount laugher "Morning Glory."

Release date shuffling sometimes isn’t much of a big deal, but when dealing with such anticipated titles, it’s news. I think it’s a great idea to move “Fockers” considering the previous sequel, "Meet the Fockers", opened the same December weekend in 2004 and pulled in $279.3 million domestically. Also, I think moving “Pilgrim” will help its box-office considering the less-than stellar titles getting released that week.

Should be a very interesting year for Universal Pictures.

Mel Gibson, Shane Black Re-Team On "Cold Warrior"

Mel Gibson is in negotiations to star in the spy thriller "Cold Warrior" for Universal Pictures, reports Heat Vision.

According to Heat Vision: Mel Gibson is in negotiations to reteam with his “Lethal Weapon” scribe Shane Black for Universal’s spy thriller “Cold Warrior.”

Black, directing his second movie after 2005's critically acclaimed “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," is tackling a tale in which a Cold War spy (Gibson) comes out of retirement to confront a domestic terrorism threat from Russia by teaming up with a younger agent.

Charles Mondry wrote the script, while Michelle Manning, David Greenblatt and Anthony Bagarozzi are producing.

The dealmaking is still in the early stages but it does further Gibson’s plan to get himself back in front of the cameras and back in the public eye.

Gibson’s "Edge of Darkness,” his first on-screen performance since 2002’s “Signs,” opened this past week, and he just wrapped the Jodie Foster-directed black comedy “The Beaver” and is prepping to shoot his Mexican prison-set thriller “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.”

It’s great to see Shane Black get into the director’s chair once again after “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” which was ridiculously underrated and also had a great performance from Robert Downey Jr. in his pre-“Iron Man” days. Hopefully, teaming up with Gibson again will bring both the director and actor success once again.

Look for the film to shoot later this year.

David Fincher, Charlize Theron Track Killers In "Mind Hunter"

David Fincher is going back to the serial killer well with "Mind Hunter," a drama series he and Charlize Theron are developing for HBO, reports Variety.

According to Variety: Charlize Theron and David Fincher have teamed to develop a drama series, "Mind Hunter," for HBO and Fox 21 revolving around the investigation of serial killers.

Fox 21 has optioned the book "Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit," by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker. The book recounts Douglas' experiences as a top FBI investigator of serial killers and rapists, and the profiling techniques he developed. Scott Buck, an executive producer on Showtime's "Dexter," has been tapped to pen the pilot.

Fincher is a natural fit for a serial killer series, given his track record as the helmer of psychological thrillers such as 2007's "Zodiac" and 1995's "Seven."

Theron's upcoming feature projects include "Fury Road," George Miller's fourth installment of the "Mad Max" franchise. Fincher's projects include "The Social Network," the Aaron Sorkin-scripted picture about the founding of Facebook.

Both Fincher and Theron are top talents in their respective fields, and I think the two of them together could make for a great series. HBO has had a great deal of success with crime dramas in the past with “The Wire,” and “The Sopranos” garnering a ton of awards and praise.

They can only hope “Mind Hunter” has somewhat of the same critical success as those two shows did for the network.

Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker Fall Down "The Well"

Guy Pearce and Mary-Louise Parker will star in the psychological thriller "The Well" for Cooper's Town Productions, reports Variety.

According to Variety: Philip Seymour Hoffman and Emily Ziff will produce the psychological thriller "The Well," starring Guy Pearce and Mary-Louise Parker. Tim Guinee will write and helm in his feature directorial debut.

The filmmakers are keeping details of the storyline under wraps, but “Well” revolves around a well-to-do Manhattan couple whose obsessive pursuit of salvation ultimately leads to destruction.

Guy Pearce is one of the most talented actors working today, but I really don’t think the man gets enough credit. He was beyond great in “L.A. Confidential” and Christopher Nolan’s “Memento,” and I think he will excel in this film. Mary-Louise Parker, who is terrific on “Weeds,” should also fit into the film nicely.

Guinee sent his script to Hoffman, who immediately brought the project onboard at Cooper's Town.

"The Cove": You Have to See This Movie

The Cove utilizes equipment and tactics never previously used by filmmakers in order to obtain footage that the Japanese government refused to allow the film crew to capture. It's amazing to watch what these filmmakers went out and did. They put their lives on the line to expose something that is really unbelievable and sadly, still goes on today.

The movie follows former dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry's quest to document the dolphin hunting operations in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan. In the 1960s, O'Barry captured and trained the five wild dolphins who would play the role of "Flipper" in the hit television series of the same name. This pop-culture phenomenon fueled widespread public adoration of dolphins. It was when one of the dolphins committed a form of suicide in his arms, closing her blowhole voluntarily in order to suffocate, that O'Barry came to see it as a curse not a blessing.

The director Louie Psihoyos and O'Barry met at a marine conference where O'Barry was scheduled to be a keynote speaker. When the event's sponsor, Sea World, suddenly removed O'Barry from the event Psihoyos was curious to know why. O'Barry informed Psihoyos of his mission against the captivity industry.

In particular, O'Barry mentioned Taiji where dolphin drive hunting is an annual tradition taking place between September and March. When the two made a trip to Japan Psihoyos found that "the cove" was actually a National Park that the government had fenced off and prohibited the public from venturing into. Together O'Barry, Psihoyos, and a specially selected film crew devised a plan to get the annual killing on camera.

What the team uncovered was an industry making over 2 billion dollars a year on captured cetaceans, government corruption, a human health hazard due to mercury poisoning, and a massive killing of mammals that goes virtually unnoticed by most of the world.

It's only an hour and 32 minutes long. Get your hands on it and watch it. It's a truly great film.