Free Of The Mountain...

Famed Archaeologist freed from unknown red tape...

Been keeping an eye on things even though I haven't posted lately.  I said I'd try to do a few posts before Blue Sky goes quite for a while.  This story is enough to make my fingers reach for the keyboard.  I'm sure you've heard the news, and if you haven't why are you reading this?

When The Walt Disney Company bought Lucasfilm last year, it was primarily for the Star Wars franchise. But George Lucas' company has many other valuable properties, but none more valuable besides Luke Skywalker than the Man in the Hat.  Many people thought that the Mouse would not do anything with the iconic character because of entanglement of distribution rights that belong, not to it but to Paramount Pictures.

Sure, Disney owned the character, but to distribute it they had to go through the original studio that Lucas and Spielberg partnered with back in 1979.  This all comes from a deal that then Paramount executive Michael Eisner made with the two wunderkind storytellers.  Many people thought that Iger and the Mouse Suits around him wouldn't want to deal with the hassle of the previous contracts and hoops the studio would have to jump through.

It appears now that they/we were wrong.

According to Variety today, the Walt Disney Studios has negotiated an agreement with Paramount Pictures where the new owner has distribution rights to all new films related to the classic adventure. Paramount does retain distribution rights to the original four films, and will receive a percentage of the profits from any new films of this valuable franchise.

Although this doesn't mean that Walt Disney Pictures has a Indiana Jones film in the pipeline, it does clear the way for one. And with Harrison Ford's interest in playing the character again it looks like the green light could soon be given, if it hasn't already been.  Hopefully they will play this smart and hire the right people for it. No more space aliens even if it fits the 1950s Red Scare time period.  I would immediately get Lawrence Kasdan to brainstorm ideas with Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas over the coming months.

Once a great idea is approved, hire someone who is capable of creating great screenplays like Mark Protosevich or the hot flavor-of-the-month Simon Kinberg.  Any film that they make would likely be Ford's last adventure as the character since he is 72 years old and I can't imagine him in a sixth film because it would probably involve a wheelchair.  Let's face it, if there's an Indy VI then the MacGuffin will have to search for him instead of the other way around.

I'm sure after that Disney will want to continue such a valuable creation, but it leaves me fearful of the character's future. Sure, I would love to see an Indiana Jones Animated Series, or maybe an Indiana Jones animated film. But Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones. Just like he IS Han Solo.  It's hard to imagine anyone with his form of masculinity playing those characters. Then again, I guess it would be hard for some to have pictured anyone taking over James Bond from Sean Connery, but someone did. Many, many times.

It might just be my soft spot for the portrayal he created in the character that sprang forth from his performance, but I have trouble imagining a future reboot/reinterpretation of the whip carrying, pistol packing, hat wearing archaeologist from America.  It could happen, and it likely will. But it won't be the hero from the past, his, yours or mine.  Sometimes it's hard to let go of things, even when you know it's right.  People, characters, and events seem to attach themselves to your heart and create a bond that is hard to separate.

Like the red tape Doctor Jones just was set free from...

Telling & Teasing A Tale Of The Dark Fairy...

So we've now got a idea of what the world of "Maleficent" reveal to us...

And it looks a lot like the animated film. "Sleeping Beauty".  Only in live-action.  The one sheet we got yesterday was just a head shot of Jolie with horned headgear on full display.  The trailer was much more expansive, revealing a detail and quality that hopefully will be backed up by an equally impressive script.  And as that script was worked on by Paul Dini I have hope that it will be great considering Dini's strong stories involving female characters.

Time will tell...

Haunted Determination...

Finally, Guillermo del Toro revealed some scary news about his Haunted Mansion reboot...

Scary because it's sad.  In an interview with /Film (who graciously posted an article about/linking my WDAS  slate scoop before the Mouse had them take it down) he gives an update on what is happening.  He and Matthew Robbins draft of the screenplay is waiting for a new writer to take it on.  A very big writer, but he doesn't want to mention the name. But he is open to other writers, if they find the right one.

He says that Disney is excited to make the film, but he lets slip the news that he will only be producing it.  While having him write the film and produce it means that the tone will more likely be a successful film, the announcement that he was not directing it is a major disappointment.  So if he won't direct it, who would be a great alternative?  How about Alfonso Cuaròn?   That would calm my fears about Del Toro not helping the film.  Of course, that's just fanboy wishing.

Or maybe that's just me giving the director a very strong hint...

Posters And Banners Of Steel...

More and more "Man of Steel" posters keep appearing...

And last, but not least, the fan community is pretty talented as well.  Take a look at this breathtaking poster not created by Warner Bros., but a fan.  A very talented one with a good eye for design.

Not much longer and we can judge if the film is as good as the posters...

Haunted Conversations...

It's scary thinking of what could happen...




A few weeks ago, Guillermo del Toro mentioned that he was to have a meeting with Disney Suits in a few weeks...

Those meetings have probably happened as of last week, unless they were postponed. Now the question is, what happened? Did the Suits ask del Toro to direct the adaptation he's doing of "Haunted Mansion" or not? And if so, did he say yes, or tell them he's too busy to decide what his next live action film is? Did they dangle a carrot? A production deal? A chance to make another dream project of his that the Mouse is willing to finance? Did they decide to move forward with the film with him as just producer/co-writer? I don't know the answer. But I do know that I want to know the answer.

And I want the answer to be yes, he will direct it next, but who really knows...

Going Retro...

You're the Rock-a-what...







I think I'm falling for Alan Horn...

If what the Vulture says is true, then we're in for some fun films from the Mouse's live-action division. For those that don't know, the article says that one of the first films that Horn is working on is a reboot/sequel to the 1991 cult classic, "The Rocketeer."

This wouldn't necessarily be a sequel as a new film entirely. The project is supposed to go out to writers soon, and I pray they get talented ones that know the character, like the writers of "Captain America." As a matter of fact, get those two writers, and have Joss Whedon do a polish on it as well. Perhaps call up Paul Dini and give him a crack at it?

Perhaps this will be the unintended sequel that fans of the film have waited for. The character is deserving of another film, and there are great stories to be told within the world that Cliff Secord lives. Now as to who would/should direct it? I don't know if they'll go the tested route with a seasoned film director, or a new one that cut his teeth on commercials or some such. How about someone like Brad Bird (dreaming, I know), or Peter Jackson (really dreaming), or Matthew Vaughn (an interesting choice), or Jon Favreau (a bit too on the nose?), or Gary Ross ( who would be perfect for this if he wasn't directing another Disney project)?

And how about Cliff himself? I say give Jared Padalecki a shot at the role. He shares the same warm charm and genuine all-American appeal that Billy Campbell did. I think he'd play very well with a hair cut.

No matter who they decide on, this is a film I have and always will be waiting for...

Haunted Possibilities...

999 ghosts, 999 possibilities...




Frosty over at Collider has been releasing parts of an hour long interview he did with Guillermo del Toro....

It's a great look into how the man works, the process he's taking with "Pacific Rim," and the progression on many of his projects. But until now, he hasn't mentioned the remake of "Haunted Mansion" that he was working on.

Until now.

Del Toro is asked about the status of the project and tells Collider:

I delivered my last draft five weeks ago. I have a meeting with them in three weeks. I know they like the screenplay. I need to meet with them in three weeks. That’s what I know. I know their reaction to the draft was good. We have a bunch of conceptualist art, but you never know, to predict anything else is hard for me to know. I should have called them and said, “Hey.” Usually, it’s very hard for me to predict what a thing like that means.

A great interview. He goes on to mention a little more about the adaptation of the attraction, as well as share his feelings on the Harry Potter novels/films. If you haven't seen/read the others, we posted them here and here.

Hopefully, Alan Horn and his band of Suits can convince him to make Haunted Mansion his next project...

Men Of Steel...

I give to you, my only son...


The trailer(s) for the new "Man of Steel" film is out...

It's actually two trailers. Each one is pretty much the same thing, but near the end there are a couple scenes different, not much and the voice-overs are different.

They're playing randomly with "The Dark Knight Rises," so there is no pattern as which you will see. Again, they're basically the same other than who you hear for the most part.

One has Jor-El (Russell Crowe) narration.

One has Jonathan Kent (Kevin Coster) narration.

Both are equally good, but focus on different points of view. Jor-El offers a look at human's acceptance of a person of Kal-El's powers, while Kent offers a look at who he is as a human and what he should/will become with those powers.

Not much is shown, but that's expected till we get an actual trailer in the fall...

Kal-El Begins...

Look up in the sky... it's a bird, a plane, a reboot...








We've finally got a look at what the Last Son of Krypton looks like in the 21st Century...

And it looks both very impressive and a bit worrisome. You would expect the action from Zach Snyder to look good, but I've been worried that the version they're making would try to be dark and edgy. And after seeing this, I'm still slightly worried about that.

There was a quick montage of action shown. A really cool shot of Superman and Zod hurtling toward one another for a massive battle, carnage and destruction. It all looks cool. I expect that from Snyder. He's great at visual action. I worry about the script. After "Sucker Punch," how could you not? The saving grace for this is that Christopher Nolan guided it through the process.

I have no doubt it will look great, but what worries me is the director's quotes on the subject. When he says things along the lines of: "out is the boy scout, in is kicking people's @ss!" I get worried. Superman isn't Batman and doesn't need to be edgy. In fact, he's not Clark Kent if he is that way. He's raised with midwestern, American values that plant within him the moral compass that directs his life. He doesn't have the angst of Bruce Wayne because he had a more normal past. One with a father and mother there to guide him and love him. His foundation is built so that he's not looking for answers in this world, he's trying to help it just like his mother and father would have done.

The production values look great and the actors are perfectly cast. I just want to make sure that the script is right there with the rest of the film. And right now I'm just not sure. I want to be. But I am cautiously optimistic that this will reboot Kal-El. And hopefully DC will have the start of a DC Cinematic Universe. And it would be kind of cool that the hero that started it all, will be the one that starts this universe. I can't wait to see the trailer for this that will be in front of a little film that opens up next Friday.

If the film is a darker take on the story, I hope that the bright spot in the film is Superman himself...

Marvel's 52...

Make mine Marvel Now...










To be honest, I really didn't like the idea of DC Comics rebranding everything...

The New 52.

It seemed totally unnecessary and almost apologetic. There was nothing wrong with their characters or the linear trajectory on which those stories were headed. It almost felt like a reboot with the words, "We were wrong" plastered atop every issue.

But it's been a very big success for the former National Periodical Publications funny book maker. The teams that they've put together and the stories they've generated have been far stronger and popular that I would've thought.

And now, Marvel appears to be getting in the game.

The Disney sub-division has announced a new imprint entitled: "Marvel NOW" which focus on stories that will deviate from the normal line of stories. This will allow artists/writers to unshackle stories they would like to tell, but are limited in publishing because of interference with the traditional canon of comic book lore. In a sense, it's an introduction to another Marvel Universe, the same way that Ultimates was as well.

Perhaps the studios will take note of this since they based so much of the MCU on that perspective...

Carmageddon...

Your Ad Here

I can't wait to see that animatronic Whoopie...



It appears that the Suits in Burbank finally got the crowds they were expecting for the Second Gate...

Not that you couldn't tell it was going to be a success, and long lines couldn't be have been see months ago. I'm sure Paul Pressler felt that Superstar Limo was supposed to have a six hour wait, but the park he planned wasn't what people expected out of a Disney theme park. Even with the warning signs, Eisner and his team went forward with what they thought was a surefire hit: California in California.

It wasn't.

Especially the idea of a contemporary, extreme sports type park that became dated before it opened. The Imagineers have taken that concept and twisted it into something that not only actually works, but appears as though it was actually planned that way. A view of California the way it was while Walt was here. Each area were nostalgic representations of the Golden State that no longer exist. From the Roaring Twenties when he arrived, to the Idealist Sixties when he left this world for the next.

Imagine what a child walking into this park over the next decade will think? The presentation they will experience and the attractions they will get to enjoy are an entirely different kind than guests got in 2001. Imagine what the park's fifteenth anniversary will bring? The improvements, plussing and additions that will further make DCA a worthy sister to Disneyland. The long lines we saw yesterday are an example of what happens when you create something that people desire to see. This was something lost on the bean counters a decade ago. But it wasn't lost on WDI when the rope dropped yesterday. You could tell that from the smiles on the Imagineers faces as they watched guests head into the reborn park. They did a great job turning a piece of coal into a diamond.

Good job, daydreamers...

The Adventure Begins...

Now let's start on 2.1...We've only just begun...









Today is the day...

From this day forth, from now on, Disney California Adventure starts off with a new, fresh slate. For all of us entering the park that were there at the beginning, it's a new day. For those entering the park for the first time, it's a blessing. They get to start off the park from a completely different perspective.

Walking through that first land, it's going to be an experience that sets the tone for an incredibly fun journey. While Buena Vista Street is the flip side to Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A., Cars Land will be to DCA what New Orleans Square is to Disneyland. And Radiator Springs Racers will be its Pirates of the Caribbean.

So if you enter through that new front entrance today, enjoy the stroll, take it all in and drink from the canvas that Imagineers have painted.

It's going to be an adventure...

Reborn...

Now let's start on 2.1...






Today the media gets its first look at the new DCA...

While the Disneyland Resort's Second Gate doesn't officially reopen for guests until tomorrow, this marks the beginning of the rebranding as a park that can now truly be said to be a Disney Park. There is no such thing as perfection, and there are areas of the park which need to have more plussing, but people that come to the resort will no longer hesitate when they think about buying a ticket just for Disney California Adventure. It will finally be worth the admission price.

In fact, Buena Vista Street and Cars Land succeed so well at putting you in a Disney world, that they make the rest of the park pale by comparison. Not that there aren't great areas or detailed places in the park. It's just these new additions are so beyond what is/was expected that they leave the modest creations that Imagineers put in a decade earlier in the back of your mind.

Walking down that recreation of 1930's Los Angeles is going to create an entirely different impression for guests experiencing this park. People who have never been here will be amazed by the beauty, and people returning will be stunned at how different it is. The level of detail with the hidden treats waiting for you to find are indescribable and have to be experienced. Main Street's sister had a very successful plastic surgery and her sibling is in the same league for a change.

Cars Land is a wonderfully immersive environment. If you walk down the Mother Road toward the land you will feel yourself drawn into an animated film like no other experience you've had at a Disney park. But if you really want to feel the transformation, go through the entrance at Pacific Wharf. Going under that archway and entering the land there actually is more revealing and successful than the main entrance, IMHO. Even if you're not a fan of the film, your senses will be overwhelmed by the detail. You can't help but be impressed by the experience.

It's been a long road, but after a decade of disappointments, the park is finally the destination Suits expected and fans deserved...

Kneel Before Zod...

Kneel before me, son of Jor-El...


Well it appears that the new Superman film has an official title and a villain...

The film will be called, wait for it: "Man of Steel." For sometime people have wondered what it would be known as and some have referred to it as "Superman: Man of Steel." Personally, I love the title and am glad they didn't put Supes name in front of it. I mean, would they really have needed "Batman: The Dark Knight" to make sure everyone knew what that particular film was about?

Of course, the other news is that the villain will be General Zod himself and he will be played by Michael Shannon. A great addition to the cast. So far, it appears that this film is going to be filled with some fine acting talent. I can't wait to see the first shot of the new Superman suit. I hope that Goyer has put together a great script, because as much as I love Snyder's films, he's a man of visuals and needs a firm foundation in script form. Sucker Punch clearly proved that. I'm just wondering if I were to get a copy of the script would I read it. That's a tough one.

Hmmmmm...

Here is the official press release:

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that Michael Shannon will star in the role of General Zod in director Zack Snyder’s new Superman film, titled “Man of Steel.”

Snyder stated, “Zod is not only one of Superman’s most formidable enemies, but one of the most significant because he has insights into Superman that others don’t. Michael is a powerful actor who can project both the intelligence and the malice of the character, making him perfect for the role.”

As General Zod, Shannon will go toe-to-toe with Henry Cavill, who plays the new Clark Kent/Superman in the film. The main cast also includes Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Martha and Jonathan Kent.

Michael Shannon was honored with an Academy Award® nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Sam Mendes’ “Revolutionary Road,” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Shannon was most recently seen in the award-winning HBO drama series “Boardwalk Empire,” from executive producer Martin Scorsese. He will next be seen in Sony Pictures Classics’, “Take Shelter,” from director/writer Jeff Nichols.

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

“Man of Steel” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Family Portrait...

Meanwhile, back in Smallville...





Well, they've rounding out the Kent family...

After announcing that Henry Cavill would play Clark Kent, and Diane Lane would be Martha Kent, it was confirmed today that Kevin Costner would play the only father Kal-El has ever, really known, Jonathan Kent.

I wonder which part of the Superman canon they'll follow for Zack Snyder's "Superman: Man of Steel" reboot? If they go the traditional route then Clark will be left with only his mother by the end of the film. Me? I hope they go with the John Bryne period and keep him alive so that he can always have the grounding presence of a father around. That was a change that resulted from the 80's mini-series "Man of Steel," so it would be appropriate for a film entitled the same name.

Here's Warner Bros. official press release:

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that Kevin Costner will play Jonathan Kent, the father who raised Clark Kent as his own son, in the new Superman movie to be directed by Zack Snyder.

Snyder stated, “Jonathan Kent is the only father figure Clark has ever had, the man who was there to help Clark understand what he was meant to do in the world as Superman. Kevin will be able to communicate the quiet strength of this rural American man who raised the greatest super hero of all time.”

Costner will star alongside Diane Lane, who plays his wife, Martha, and the film’s star, Henry Cavill, who will play the new Clark Kent/Superman.

Costner most recently starred in 2010’s “The Company Men,” and is currently in development on the comedy “The One.” He has won two Academy Awards®, for producing and directing the epic “Dances with Wolves,” also garnering a nomination for Best Actor. He has also starred in a wide range of memorable films, including “The Untouchables,” “No Way Out,” “Bull Durham,” “Field of Dreams,” “JFK,” “The Bodyguard,” “Wyatt Earp,” “Tin Cup” and “Swing Vote,” to name a few.

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

The new Superman movie will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Looking forward to seeing that suit when they post it. I hope it sticks as closely as possible to the actual costume. I don't want to see something along the lines of what Nick Cage was going to wear for Tim Burton's aborted attempt at the last son of Krypton. I would stick as closely as possible to the original archetypes.

Truth, justice and the American way...

An Amazing Title...

Do, do, do, do, do, do...



Sorry for the lateness in the news guys...

Spent this lovely weekend in San Diego, flipped on my Mac to find this. So Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures has come out with the official title of "Spider-Man 4" and it's a shocker.

"The Amazing Spider-Man"

That is brilliant. Really, it is. Although I thought since this is based on "Ultimate Spider-Man," that they might call it that. I'm very happy it doesn't have a number behind it. I've always considered having just a number to be boring and unimaginative. Did the sequel to "Iron Man" have to be "Iron Man 2" instead of something like "Invincible Iron Man" possibly?

Ironically, DC lately has done a much better job than Marvel with titles. "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight," and the upcoming "Superman: Man of Steel." Although I'd leave off the Superman and just call it Man of Steel.

I guess it makes since though, considering if they had called it "Spidey 4" then people would have wondered why we were rehashing the origin again. This gives them an excuse to go back and hit the reboot button.

Now we can look forward to the sequel "Spectacular Spider-Man" and then "Ultimate Spider-Man" I guess...

The Journey Of Peter Parker...

Feast your eyes on this...

Could this be your friendly, rebooted Spider-Man in the flesh? Word from my Bothans is that Sony has settled on "Journey to the Center of the Earth's" Josh Hutcherson as the newly, high school bound Peter Parker after narrowing the search down to three actors. After several extensive test shoots were performed, Marc Webb and the top Sony $uits may have decided that Hutcherson was the right fit for the role and an offer could be made. The deal hasn't been signed yet, but if all works out there could be an announcement soon. Now, should the deal be signed, I wonder who'll be cast as the Lizard?

Whoops, I mean, the villain...

ReImagined Magic...

$$$$$$...




$$$$$$...
Those of you that wondered what the new Disney Store would look like finally have your chance to see what all the hype is about...

Opening today at The Shops at Montebello is the first revised example of what the new "Imagination Park" as it's sometimes called will be. So if you live in Southern California you might want to brave traffic and take a trip with your young boy(s) or girl(s) to, as Disney likes to say "The best thirty minutes of a child’s day."

Interested?

The best way to find out is to take the drive...

Reliving The Fifties...

I always wondered what it was like to see a Disney film in the 50's...

It looks like I'm getting that shot. With a remake of the 1951's "Alice in Wonderland," the reinterpretation of 1959's "Sleeping Beauty," a reboot/revision of 1954's "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" and now Deadline Hollywood breaks a story about the Mouse making a live-action remake of 1950's "Cinderella" I'm most definitely getting that Fifties vibe. I wonder why they won't change the name because of fear of having young males avoiding it? Hmmm.

Not that I'm against remakes as long as they're good and particularly if they find another angle to the story, but there are plenty of tales to tell. Story isn't dead and I hope that Hollywood in general and Disney in particular understands this. These classic tales are great so long as they give us more original concepts and not make the majority of their content nothing more than continual looping of an art form.

Cautiously wondering aloud...

500 Days Of Gwen Stacy...

Well, Sony has made an interesting choice for their director of the next "Spider-Man" film...

As was rumored, Marc Webb will be behind the camera for the next Spider-M4n film. Webb is an interesting choice, but one that I can see doing a very good job of translating a young Web Slinger to the world. He showed that he was adept at handling the intricacies of young relationships with "500 Days of Summer" and now he'll get to do the same with Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. Or Mary Jane if they continue down that route. I'd prefer them to start with Gwen since it's a reboot. But please, please don't let this be an origin film. We don't need to waste a half an hour of the film watching what we've seen before. And we don't need a reinterpretation of the Green Goblin either. There are plenty of villains for him to face without the retread of already used characters. Kraven would be a great choice, but not from that really crappy script that Sony commissioned originally for part 4. Please don't use that one. Please.

I look forward to seeing this film unfold and evole. Webb has a lot riding on this. If it fails, it'll make Sony pause before doing another one and the Mouse knows that the longer they wait between projects, the sooner Spidey will come home.

Bob Iger is watch you Marc...