Damon Out But "Bourne" Lives On

With the "Bourne" film series scribe Tony Gilroy taking over the directing reigns on the upcoming fourth film, it looked like Matt Damon was unlikely to return.

Now in an interview with Hollywood Elsewhere, Gilroy succinctly clears up some of the rumors and talks about what his plans are for the franchise.

First up the film's title will be "The Bourne Legacy", but "will not use the story" from the book ghostwritten under Robert Ludlum's name by Eric van Lustbader. Gilroy adds "it's a completely original screenplay".

This is not unexpected at all as only the first half of the first film in the series, "The Bourne Identity", bared any resemblance to the original book. The subsequent films similarly used the titles only and some of Bourne's personal backstory elements.

More interestingly while Damon is out, Gilroy specifically says this is NOT a "reboot or a recast or a prequel". He adds "There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter...this is a stand-alone project."

A brave move. In the books and films, 'Jason Bourne' is an alias that David Webb (Damon) had adopted. It was thought that with Webb now off the grid and suspected to be dead by authorities, the Bourne name could be transferred to a new character.

Instead, Gilroy says "The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal. Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he's very much alive…We're going to show you the bigger picture, the bigger canvas. When you see what we're going and see what we're doing it'll be pretty obvious....but Jason Bourne's actvities in the first three films is the immediate trigger."

Established fans of the series will like it as "everyone who got into [the previous films] will be rewarded for paying attention". This means there'll no doubt be plenty of references to events in the previous films, it also allows for other characters like Pamela Landy (Joan Allen) and Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) to return.

Gilroy hints that Damon could eventually return if he wants - "I'm building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy...the world we're making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne's return [down the road]."

Things change in Hollywood all the time. I think everyone knew Damon wouldn't play Bourne forever. The filmmakers are all top notch on these films, I think everything will go smoothly. Gilroy has some skills, just look at Michael Clayton.

Afflecks Work Their "Trade" For Damon

Earlier this year came reports that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were set to reunite onscreen in the 70's-set baseball player wife-swapping tale "The Trade".

At the time the pair were talking of playing the male leads with Affleck directing. Now, MTV News talked with Affleck who confirmed that the project is still going ahead, but with some role swapping off screen as well. Affleck says his brother Casey has come onboard, while his friend may replace him in the big chair.

"I don't know how it'll come together, acting and directing, but Casey and I have decided to write it together. Once the script's kind of ready, then it’s like: Who's doing what? What's the time frame? Matt, me, Casey directing? Particularly for Matt, he's had this extraordinary career where he's worked with these great directors. He's a great director who just hasn't directed a movie" says Affleck.

The story itself deals with New York Yankee teammates Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich who disclosed in 1973 that they were trading wives.

The Family Grows

For no reason other than just to do it, The Boca Breeze has added a little companion. Go check out the new site filled with some awesome randomness like pictures, great quotes, video and whatever else comes across.

If you see anything cool send it over!

Zack Snyder Officially Set For "Superman"

Some extremely big and 'super' news on the comic book movie front.

After interviews, rumors and rampant speculation, director Zack Snyder has been selected to helm the new "Superman" film, which is being godfathered by director Christopher Nolan.

According to the trades Snyder, the director of "300" and "Watchmen", beat out names such as Ben Affleck, Darren Aronofsky, Matt Reeves, Tony Scott and Robert Zemeckis for the film.

This is huge news, and welcome news for any "Superman" fans out there. Snyder
honestly is the perfect choose for this. He is no stranger to comic book adaptations, and if
you were a fan of the orginal book "Watchmen" you had to pleased with the accuracy and
detail Snyder put into it. If he even puts half of that into this film (which he won't, he'll be
in 110 percent), Clark Kent is in good hands.

General Zod is being rumored to play the villain in the project which "The Dark Knight"
director Christopher Nolan will serve as producer on, while David Goyer is penning the
script. The project is moving quick as the studio has to be in production by next year or
risk losing select copyrights to the heirs of the character's creators.

Thankfully is official that Brandon Routh will NOT be returning as the Man of Steel.
Nothing against Routh, but if you're trying to reinvent a franchise, casting the same lead
actor just doesn't make sense, so good job Zack and Chris on that one.

This project quickly will be one of the hottest ones in Hollywood with tons of actors
clamoring to play the man with the red cape.

If I had a choice, screw going young, lets take a guy like Jon Hamm. Anyone
see "The Town" or "Mad Men" lately? The dude can freaking act and he has that
good old American machismo look that could translate into Superman pretty well.

Either way, the news is about Snyder, and he really is the perfect choice for this. Having
names like Snyder, Goyer and Nolan on one project is just too much to even fathom. This
is going to be a good one, I just know it.

And I'm more of a Batman guy.

Tony Gilroy Helming Fourth "Bourne"

The "Bourne" franchise has been one of the most consistent and successful film
franchises in recent memory. All three films have been critically acclaimed, and with
Matt Damon starring have been box office darlings as well.

While I don't think the franchise is in any trouble, things could be changing slightly with
the news that writer/director Tony Gilroy will be directing the fourth film in the series,
tentatively titled "The Bourne Legacy" according to Deadline.

Gilroy has worked on the scripts for all three previous films and is a great writer, so no
trouble there, but Damon has stated previously that he would not return to the franchise
without director Paul Greengrass at the helm.

Clearly Universal plans to continue the franchise though, with or without Damon. While
I don’t think that's a great idea, I think the franchise is a strong one, and Damon won't
be there forever. Whether they decide to cast a new lead agent, there is a lot of talent out
there they could go with, but when anyone thinks of Jason Bourne it's hard not to picture
Matt Damon at this point.

Gilroy is a solid director, I think Michael Clayton was an extremely well done film, but
with the foundation of Greengrass and possibly Damon gone, who knows how things
could go for the franchise.

As of now there is no timetable for a release, but now that they've locked in the director
I'm sure casting rumors will start to spin the wheel as you read this.

More on this project as it comes.

Pacino, Pesci, DeNiro & Scorsese Re-Team

Talk about some talent working together.

Al Pacino and Joe Pesci are said to be circling the mob drama "I Heard You Paint Houses," which Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro have been working on together for Paramount Pictures according to Deadline.

Scorsese is attached to direct and De Niro will play Frank "the Irishman" Sheeran, a mob assassin reputed to have carried out more than 25 murders. The title refers to mob slang for contract killings.

Steve Zaillian will adapt author Charles Brandt's 2004 novel. The author befriended Sheeran shortly before the latter's death in 2003 and among the crimes Sheeran confessed to Brandt was the killing and dismemberment of Jimmy Hoffa on the orders of mob boss Russell Bufalino.

Pacino has worked with De Niro in the Michael Mann-directed classic "Heat," as well as "Righteous Kill." Pesci and De Niro teamed with Scorsese on "Goodfellas," "Casino" and "Raging Bull."

Anytime these names are mentioned in regards to a project, its hard not to keep an eye on it. Scorsese recently worked on the pilot for "Boardwalk Empire," which looks to be absolutely superb, and this feels just right for him. But there's no telling if this will be Scorsese's next project though. He's in the middle of filming "Hugo Cabret" for next Christmas and he's attached to plenty of other things as well.

But while nothing is totally set in stone, if the project develops as it should, this could be one that can't be missed.

Four More Catch Soderbergh's "Contagion"

The more news I hear about Steven Soderbergh's new project "Contagion," the more excited I get about it.

The ensemble thriller is really starting to come together and take shape now with the additions of Demetri Martin, Jennifer Ehle, Bryan Cranston and Elliott Gould to the cast, reports The Playlist.

Soderbergh might be one of the best in the business at handling large, talented casts. Of course there is "Ocean's 11," but those films were comedies. What I think of is the 2000 film "Traffic," which was an ensemble drama and I think was one of the best films of the last decade.

Soderbergh's new film seems to be stepping into "Traffic" type territory once again, which is the reason my excitement is peaking.

Scott Z. Burns penned the script which looks at the impact a global virus outbreak has on certain characters in all sorts of different continents. The already amazing cast includes--Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, John Hawkes, Chin Han and Josie Ho.

Soderbergh will use the regular RED cameras he used on "Che" and "The Informant" to shoot film and it won't be in 3-D, which is even more great news to me. This film will absolutely be in the awards race when the time comes.

If you haven’t seen "The Informant!," please do. It's so underrated and Matt Damon's performance was amazing. Don't sleep on Soderbergh.

Filming kicks off this month in Hong Kong and Chicago.

Classic Album Review: LL Cool J, “Mama Said Knock You Out”

For some of the younger or at least less-informed generation, LL Cool J isn't known as a rapper, he's an actor. But it's not their fault they didn't grow up in the 80's. I'll always associate the man with "Radio", his debut album, which was a massive success. Either way, we know the man can act, but he can also rap quite a bit as well.

Following his electric 1985 debut, he released "Bigger and Deffer" two years later, which again was a critical and commercial success. His third album, "Walking with a Panther", released in 1989, while a well-selling album, it was criticized by many fans and critics alike for being too materialistic and "commercial". Simply put, it was a dud compared to his previous efforts.

Increasingly dismissed by hip-hop fans as an old-school relic and by some as a pop sellout, the rapper was fueled by the desire to regain some of those same fans back. With all that coming at him, LL Cool J headed back into the studio to work on his fourth album, which would become "Mama Said Knock You Out".

The album was released in August of 1990 and went on to become his biggest-selling album ever. Producer Marley Marl helped LL Cool J get back some of the hard-edged attitude he had seemingly lost, and did an excellent job of striking a balance between attitude and accessibility.

"Mama Said Knock You Out" is a consistent and entertaining record, with some great tracks littered throughout. The album produced four hit singles, and, while the title track is as good as advertised, "The Boomin' System", "Around The Way Girl", "6 Minutes of Pleasure", and "To da Break of Dawn" are all excellent as well.

"The Boomin' System" was the first single released from the album, and is one of the rapper's best. The track is a nod to all the bass-loving boys with car stereos that were riding around shining when this album was making the rounds. It reminds me of his original debut, "Radio", which is a welcome comparison, especially after his so-so previous album.



LL Cool J is one of the most skilled rappers at setting the scene, and he does it perfectly here as he raps: "You know it's funky, funky, funky cos you heard it from hear-say/A jam that you love that don't be gettin no airplay/Strictly for frontin when you're ridin around/12 o'clock at night with your windows down/Headlights breakin cos your batteries drain/Armor all on your tires and a big gold chain."

"Around the Way Girl" is a track that shows how LL Cool J learned from his mistakes on his last album. This track could easily have been part of his previous effort, since it's a ballad to the ladies, but this time around the track is a winning formula of a slick beat, and solid lyrics.



LL Cool J knows how to be smooth and cocky all at the same time as he raps: "I want a girl with extensions in her hair/Bamboo earrings/At least two pair/A Fendi bag and a bad attitude/That's all I need to get me in a good mood/She can walk with a switch and talk with street slang/I love it when a woman ain't scared to do her thing."

"Mama Said Knock You Out", while one of the most popular on the album is also one of my favorites. The track has one of the all-time great inspirational stories behind its creation. LL Cool J's career was in a downturn before this album, so his grandmother told him to "knock out" all the critics. The rest is history.Produced by Marely Marl, with some help from Shadman Kaiser and LL himself, the track reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, and won the Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards of 1992.



The opening line of the track is legendary all by itself. When you hear LL Cool J spit: "Don't call it a comeback / I've been here for years", it's impossible not to realize that he did not enjoy being criticized for his last album. He is more keyed up here that on any track, and his lyrics come at you full force. You can hear how personal to him this all is as he raps: "Don't u call this a regular jam/I'm gonna rock this land/I'm gonna take this itty bitty world by storm/And I'm just gettin warm/Just like Muhummad Ali they called him Cassius/Watch me bash this beat like a skull.

"Mama Said Knock You Out" is great music, and it was a glorious return for LL Cool J, and he should be proud of this effort. The production on the slower tracks are smooth and soulful, but still funky, making the ladies'-man side of LL Cool J the most convincing it had been, which is a welcome change from his last album.

LL Cool J shows that he is a pro in every sense of the word, and on this album he regained the credibility that had begun to wear away from him. While "Mama Said Knock You Out" may not have been as electric as "Radio", it is just as good and is most definitely a hip-hop classic.

Andrew Garfield Spins His Web Finally on New Role: Movie News

British actor Andrew Garfield has finally spoken about scoring the role of Peter Parker in the planned "Spider-Man" reboot for Sony Pictures. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter at the Telluride Film Festival over the weekend, the star of "Never Let Me Go" said the following:

"I have been waiting for this phone call for 24 years, for someone to call me up and say, "Hey, we want you to pretend to be a character that you’ve always wanted to be all your life and we’re going to do it with cool cameras and cool effects, and you’re going to feel like you’re swinging through New York City. Do you want to do that?

“'Let me just consult with my seven-year old self and see what he thinks...' So, my seven-year-old self started screaming in my soul and saying, This is what we’ve been waiting for. Like every young boy who feels stronger on the inside than they look on the outside, any skinny boy basically who wishes their muscles matched their sense of injustice, God, it’s just the stuff that dreams are made of, for sure.

It’s a true f*cking honor to be part of this symbol that I actually think is a very important symbol and it’s meant a great deal to me, and it continues to mean something to people. So yeah, I feel like I’ve been preparing for it for a while. Ever since Halloween, when I was four years old and I wore my first Spider-Man costume."

Garfield adds that he's begun training for the role with the focus being on flexibility. However, things are still early so he doesn't really have much to say about it. Filming on the Marc Webb-directed project kicks off in December.

It's a few quotes, but the point being is that this is an actor to watch. Just check out the trailer of the film "Boy A" from overseas. You only need to see a few minutes to see how good he is.

Or hell, even watch "The Social Network" trailer again to see how talented this kid is. Marc Webb and Garfield together is any true Spider-Man fan's best case scenario. These are two supremely talented individuals.

And please go see "Never Let Me Go," or at least read the book. The movie will be great and the book is heartbreaking and just genius. The film will be released on September 15.

There's been no official word yet on the story of the new Spider-Man flick, but I'm sure rumors will start spreading like wild fire.

Olivia Thirlby, IM Global Make Judgment About "Judge Dredd"

Any fans of the original "Judge Dredd" series must have cringed at the sight of the 1995 Sylvester Stallone version. I was only eight, so you can forgive me for thinking that it was a fun action movie to watch. Thankfully, now I am older and wiser, and so is the studio that's rebooting the franchise.

Just added to the cast of the new film is the talented young actress, Olivia Thirlby ("Juno"), who has scored the role of Cassandra Anderson according to Variety.

The character is described as a telepathic rookie who shadows Dredd in this $45 million futuristic neo-noir comic book adaptation starring Karl Urban as the enforcer delivering justice to the streets of Mega-City One.

The film will be in 3-D (groan). The character’s inclusion is just one of many indications that the reboot will embrace its original comic book source material. Thank God for that.

An official synopsis has been released. It has Mega City One as "the lone oasis of quasi-civilization on Cursed Earth," while Dredd "is the most feared of elite Street Judges, with the power to enforce the law, sentence offenders and execute them on the spot--if necessary." Essentially, all of this says it will be a return to the "dark, visceral incarnation" of the character seen in the original comics. And thanks God for that--again.

Pete Travis ("Vantage Point," "Omagh") directs from a script by Alex Garland ("Sunshine," "28 Days Later"). Garland is one of the best writers out there and is underrated in his own right, having worked on "The Beach" and Danny Boyle's "28 Days Later."

So far, “Judge Dredd” comic creator John Wagner has been pleased with the film’s faithful comic pre-production content, as has star and longtime “Dredd” reader Karl Urban.

With the two of those thinking things are looking good, it might actually mean things are looking good. Honestly, anything compared to the Stallone movie would be better, but it's good to get it accurate for once.

With casting almost complete, "Judge Dredd" will debut in 2012.