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...

A Few Months Ago In A Galaxy Far, Far Away...

So the earth shattering news is that "Episode VII" moves quietly forward...

It appears that after almost a year working on the next Star Wars, Michael Arndt is stepping away.  J.J. Abrams and veteran Lucas collaborator, Lawrence Kasdan are taking over screenwriting duties.  Some will take this as a sign of doom while I take it as just building on what has already been constructed.  Remember that Leigh Brackett's script was tossed out and Kasdan was brought in to fashion the best chapter of the series.  That is another reason I'm not worried.  This man wrote "The Empire Strikes Back" and the Greatest Film of All Time.

Here's the official press release from the Mouse's Lucasfilm division:

MASTER FILMMAKING TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR STAR WARS: EPISODE VIIOctober 24, 2013

As Episode VII continues pre-production, Lawrence Kasdan and director J.J. Abrams have assumed screenwriting duties for the film. Kasdan, who has been serving as a consultant on the film, is a veteran of several classic Lucasfilm productions, writing the screenplay for Raiders of the Lost Ark and serving as co-screenwriter for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Acclaimed director and screenwriter Abrams’ credits include Super 8, Mission: Impossible III, Fringe, and Lost. 

“I am very excited about the story we have in place and thrilled to have Larry and J.J. working on the script,” states Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “There are very few people who fundamentally understand the way a Star Wars story works like Larry, and it is nothing short of incredible to have him even more deeply involved in its return to the big screen. J.J. of course is an incredible storyteller in his own right. Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production.”

Location scouting, production design, casting, and costume design are already underway on Episode VII. A team of gifted artists are working to bring the latest installment of the Star Wars saga, including director of photography Dan Mindel (Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness), production designers Rick Carter (Lincoln, Avatar, Forrest Gump) and Darren Gilford (Oblivion, TRON: Legacy), costume designer Michael Kaplan (Star Trek Into Darkness, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Fight Club),special effects supervisor Chris Corbould (Skyfall,The Dark Knight Rises, Inception), sound designer Ben Burtt (Lincoln, Wall-E, Star Wars: Episodes I-VI), re-recording mixer Gary Rydstrom (Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, Toy Story, Mission: Impossible -Ghost Protocol), supervising sound editor Matthew Wood (Star Trek Into Darkness, The Master, There Will Be Blood) of Skywalker Sound, and visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett (Star Trek Into Darkness, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith) of Industrial Light & Magic. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, with Tommy Harper (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Jack Ryan, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin,War of the Worlds) serving as executive producers. John Williams is returning to score Star Wars: Episode VII. 

Shooting is scheduled to begin Spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios for an expected 2015 release.

Of course, this delay could mean the release date will change to the holidays meaning that light sabers will likely battle big blue smurfs (possibly Episode VIII at least).  Which doesn't bother me at all.  I care that that get the story right.  If it's December instead of May, I'm happy with that.

It'll be a really wonderful Christmas gift...

Third Model Of Popular Automobile...

It appears someone has let out the secret that the Lamp has "Cars 3" in development...

Really?  This is shocking news?  You weren't thinking that all those  "untitled" films would remain that way forever, we're you?  Now, it's not an official release confirming the film.  It is a statement from the Sheriff, and you need to respect the law officials here at Blue Sky (and Radiator Springs).

The news comes courtesy of an interview with Michael Wallis, a historian who also happens to be the voice of the police car in the two Cars films.  It's doubtful we'll hear an official confirmation for a while.  It is apparently in the early stages, and we don't know if John Lasseter will be back as director or will simply guide the film as producer when they take the cars out for a spin.

The Lamp has a mixture of films in development right now.  No, from what I hear no "Incredibles 2" yet.  Brad Bird is a busy man, and it will all have to come with his approval.  Even if his ideas are ready to be put in development it doesn't mean he will be director, but it will require his blessing.  Each Pixar film is filled with so many layers I look forward to whatever they want to show me .

If Pixar has a car show, I'm there...

Jurassic For Viewing...

Well, the upheaval at Universal isn't the only news about the studio today...

If you hadn't heard, the sequel known as "Jurassic Park 4" is no longer known by that title.  It will now be known as "Jurassic World" instead.  Could this be so they can open up an entire theme park or resort (like Disney World, hmmm?) based on the property?  Not likely.  More probable, it follows the scripts narrative, which is co-written be screenwriter Derek Connolly and director Colin Trevorrow.

I've heard that the screenplay for this sequel departs quite a bit from the original three films.  How far we'll have to wait and see.  It'll be interesting if they can revive the franchise from the disappointment that was the last film.  I don't blame Joe Johnston so much as the producers accepting a subpar script to meet an opening release date.  If the original film was sixty-five million years in the making, that film could have used another year or two to get the script in shape.

The long delay in this film coming to the screen could be a good sign...

The New Emperor...

Take it with a huge grain of space smuggler's salt, but...

There is a rumor going throughout the Internet that J.J. Abrams is going to be much more involved in the lives if the Skywalkers than previously suspected.

It's a trap!

Well, possibly but it's a geeky rumor that could have lasting affects if true.  The news comes from Stat Wars Episode 7 News via Comic Book Movie and as of right now is just a new hope.  Yes, I went there.

So what is this news?

That J.J. Abrams could wind up being the Galactic Overlord, the creative advisor of all things Star Wars.  In a sense, what Joss Whedon is to Marvel, J.J. would be to Star Wars.  And not just the films, but television, books, comics, video games, merchandise, and Internet.  A position he doesn't hold in that other science fiction series he's trekking across.

What's this effect would have on his producing capacity over at Paramount, no one knows.  But it seems highly unlikely that he would have a very deep integral position with that franchise after the next film in the series.  Which is fine by me, were he to retain power over Wars and Trek it would be a little too much cross pollinating fot myself. now that's been proven you can go on without the original Kirk and Spock, finding another director/producer to take control of the series shouldn't be that difficult. Although I'm sure the fans will definitely weigh in on this.

But Abrams taking control of the creative aspects of the Star Wars universe, while allowing Kathleen Kennedy to retain the managerial part would be a fine set up for most Star Wars fans, I believe.  The Mouse has set up its divisions with strong executives to keep production going strong for years.

Alan Horn has Sean Bailey working on Walt Disney live action, over at animation he has Ed Catmull handling the business side and John Lasseter handling the creative.  At Marvel he has Kevin Feige doing the business side and Joss Whedon on the creative side.  And if this is true, Kennedy in charge of day to day management, while J.J. Keeps the Star Wars Universe turning.  After Episode VII, he'll probably step back into a producer role.  Like he did with "Mission: Impossible 3" when he stepped aside and let Brad Bird direct the next one.

Yes, I went there...

A Spin Off, Not A Sequel...

Sorry guys, the real world has been invading here at Blue Sky Headquarters...

 And right when I was going to be at Comic Con. But unfortunately more pressing matters have to be addressed. Posts will be sporadic over the next few weeks as things hopefully get back in order. I was planning a whole lot of coverage of Nerdvana, but with my schedule it wasn't to be.

Now of course, I do want to address the news that Zack Snyder and the Bunny let out about the sequel to "Man of Steel" earlier today. First off, people shouldn't be calling it a sequel. It's not. It's a spin off. It looks like as of now, Warner is taking the route of using the character of Superman as an introduction to the rest of the DC Cinematic Universe: first with "Batman Vs. Superman" and then in "Justice League". He's our alien tour guide, really.

 I'm sure that they'll be more films of a solo Clark Kent/Kal-El, but Henry Cavill is signed for three films and they want to be him to walk us into this new universe. I'd expect that before too long they'll renegotiate his contract for more films. They should go the Marvel route and lock them in for six films, not three. Perhaps whoever they get for Batman will be attached for that long. But it looks like we're in for an epic trip over the next few years.

 We'll just have to wait for that Superman film with Brainiac a little longer...

Silver Bullet To The Head...

Well it looks like the Mouse's "The Lone Ranger" lives up to that name...

 As in lone. There won't be another. Not with the horse whipping it got over the weekend.  For those of you that didn't notice, Walt Disney Pictures latest film had a disastrous weekend.  For the second year in a row, Disney had a major box office flop.  It appears that when it came time to write the script, no one knew how to get a take on this character.  So the result was an unevenness, tonally incoherent story that pleased no one.

Hollywood in general, and Disney specifically had no idea of what to do with a character that is a goodie-two-shoe.  A hero that does the right thing has to be looked at with suspicion instead of admiration.  Sadly, this is something that Disnet should excel at.  But for some reason they had to attempt a watered down version of "Unforgiven" on a character that was supposed to inspire the better part of people.

And inso doing they got beat by a film that is filled with optimism and laughter.  I don't blame the actors, I blame the film makers who should have known better.  Gore Verbinski's knows how to make a Western as he has done with "Rango", which was a cowboy film by default.  In this one, he and the producers along with willing writers came up with a story they wanted to tell with a hero they were ashamed of.

It is they that should be ashamed...

A Change In Misdirection...

I've seen a lot of articles by people about the Lamp changing its strategy... But I don't think they're looking close enough at the very evidence that they're quoting. Some sites are reporting that Pixar is going to curb the output of sequels over the next few years. I can tell you that this is absolutely not so. But on the same note, they aren't increasing them either. How can this be? Simple. It's business as normal and for some reason a few reporters/writers/bloggers had misinferred a statement by Ed Catmull as a change in direction. It isn't. This is simply a statement of a business strategy that's been in place for some while now. Here's the statement from an interview at Buzzfeed:

For artistic reasons … it’s really important that we do an original film a year. Every once in a while, we get a film where we want or people want to see something continuing in that world — which is the rationale behind the sequel. They want those characters, which means we were successful with them. But if you keep doing that, then you aren’t doing original films.

We’re going to have an original film every year, then every other year have a sequel to something. That’s the rough idea.

   
Have you looked at the fourteen films that the Emeryville branch of Disney North has made?  How many original films?  How many sequels/prequels were there?  A lot of people want to think of John Lasseter's fertile garden as pure and pristine, without any hint of corporatism or desire for profits.  Wrong.  Only four years after their first film, "Toy Story" did a sequel come out.  "Toy Story 2" was the first sequel, but it was only their third film.  In other words, they had already planned a sequel by the beginning of production of their second film.  The difference between Pixar and other film studios is that they actually wanted to do films that had a story to them.  Lasseter and Catmull didn't want to churn out films for the sake of dollars, but wanted to have films worthy of those dollars the public spent.

Now, everyone is saying that they're going to slow down with the production of sequels.  There have been 14 Pixar films and four of them are sequels.  Now if you do the math it turns out that the number you come up with roughly is a little less than a third of films are sequels.  Now, look at where Catmull is talking about a new film once a year and a sequel every other year.  That would add up to ten new films in a decade, and five sequels in the same decade.  Out of fifteen films, that would mean a third would be sequels.  Does that seem like they're going to pull back on making sequels?  No, it looks like almost the same amount of new versus sequel films as what has been made over the past two decades.  It's simply a continuation of what has gone on for a while explained by one of the men responsible for it.  The only difference is that the production has ramped up to a film a year.

Now, I don't think this means we'll get an announcement of "The Incredibles 2" anytime in the near future.  When Brad Bird comes up with a story that he feels is worthy of making, he'll call up John and say let's make it.  And there is no way that Pixar wouldn't make the film if he had a story he wanted to film.  But we can look forward to seeing more adventures in the worlds Pixar created in the future.  See how simple that was?  A lot of smoke, no fire.  Pay no attention to these droids.  Nothing new to report here.

Move along, move along...

Hat Tip to /Film.

Blade Running...

I'm conflicted about this news...

"Blade Runner" is an amazing film.  It's my second favorite film of all time.  So this little press release could be viewed with trepidation or sacrilegious feelings.  A sequel to the classic sci-fi noir film has been in development for decades.  And years ago Ridley Scott agreed to make one, even hiring Hampton Fancher to create the screenplay.  I always believed it was a money grab; a pay or play scheme to get money to tide him over while he worked on other projects.  I thought that he was thinking: "Hey, if they want to give me money to play with concepts, I'll take it."  But I never really believed that it would ever happen.  Ever.

And then the Alien prequel went forward and actually happened.

And for all the grief people gave that film I actually liked it.  It had so many concepts within it that I found fascinating.  It had plot holes, yes, but it also was an incredible vision from a man that is a sci-fi master.  I mean, Ridley Scott created the future we all envision.  At least on film he did.  Alien was a "monster in the house" film turned on its head, twisted into a space ship plot line and brilliantly brought to life by the director. Blade Runner is for good or bad, the most copied film in cinema when a studio makes a futuristic film.  Almost every film pays homage, or literally rips it off.  That's why when I see a film that goes in the opposite direction I have to give the film makers a certain amount of respect.  Even if their film fails, at least they didn't try to make a clone of this film.

And now Ridley is actually moving forward with this sequel.

I was totally against a sequel to Alien, as it wasn't necessary, and then I saw "Aliens" and was blown away.  So then I welcomed more vacations to this strange world.  Unfortunately we got "Alien 3" which was bad, and "Alien Resurrection" which was worse.  It couldn't get any worse, could it?  Then the "Alien Vs. Predator" films just so they wouldn't waste time and could destroy two franchises in one film.  So when it came to Blade Runner, I didn't want a sequel.  It wasn't a film that was designed to have another chapter.  That ending was perfect.  I didn't want to find out what happened to Decker and Rachel.  I wanted to have my own thoughts about what their lives would be like.  And for two decades I have.

Now we know that they've hired Michael Green to rewrite Fancher's draft, so they're determined to make the film, I guess.  Word is that Harrison Ford is in talks about possibly playing the character again (first Solo, now this?).  So it looks like we'll find out what happened after he fled with her from the apartment.  We'll have a conclusion we didn't need.  An exclamation on the end of a sentence not wanted.  But then again, I didn't need "Prometheus" and I got it.  And I actually enjoyed it.  So I'll just keep quiet until I see this on the big screen in the future.  Perhaps it'll come out in 2019 when the film takes place?  That would be a happy coincidence?

Here's the press release from Alcon:

ALCON ENTERTAINMENT IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH MICHAEL GREEN TO PEN ‘BLADE RUNNER’ SEQUEL REWRITE FOR DIRECTOR RIDLEY SCOTT 

LOS ANGELES, CA, MAY 31, 2013—Writer Michael Green is in negotiations to do a rewrite of Alcon Entertainment’s “Blade Runner” sequel penned by Hampton Fancher (“Blade Runner,” “The Minus Man,” “The Mighty Quinn”) and to be directed by Ridley Scott. Fancher’s original story/screenplay is set some years after the first film concluded. 

Alcon co-founders and co-Chief Executive Officers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove will produce with Bud Yorkin and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin, along with Ridley Scott. Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers. 

Green recently completed rewrites on “Robopocalypse” and Warners Bros “Gods and Kings.” 

Alcon and Yorkin previously announced that they are partnering to produce “Blade Runner” theatrical sequels and prequels, in addition to all television and interactive productions. 

The original film, which has been singled out as the greatest science-fiction film of all time by a majority of genre publications, was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1993 and is frequently taught in university courses. In 2007, it was named the 2nd most visually influential film of all time by the  Visual Effects Society. 

Released by Warner Bros. almost 30 years ago, “Blade Runner” was adapted by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples from Philip K. Dick‘s groundbreaking novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and directed by Scott following his landmark “Alien.” The film was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction). Following the filming of “Blade Runner,” the first of Philip K. Dick’s works to be adapted into a film, many other of Dick’s works were likewise adapted, including “Total Recall,” “A Scanner Darkly,” “Minority Report,” “Paycheck,” and the recent “The Adjustment Bureau,” among others.

Now we may find out if he really did dream of electric sheep...

First The Muppets, Now Alice Too...

Well, we now know who might be the director of the Burtonless Alice sequel...

It looks like the suits in Burbank really like the dailies that they're seeing of the new Muppet sequel because they want to give the director a much bigger film.  James Bobin is in negotiations to helm the sequel to "Alice in Wonderland" according to the trades.

Unless Johnny Depp has a bad meeting with Bobin, it's likely he will return since his presence was a large part of the film.  While I wasn't that big a fan of the film, a billion dollars is a lot of money to turn away from and the studio wants to turn this into another franchise.

As of now the title to the film is "Into The Looking Glass", but that could be tentative.  Alice Into the Looking Glass sounds more in line with where they might want to go I would think.  Mia Wasikowska is expected to return for the title role.  Currently, Linda Woolverton is still writing the screenplay, but you can expect they'd like production to begin as quickly as possible.

Better hurry, mustn't be late...

Norwegian Pirates...

Walt Disney Pictures has finally chosen the director(s) for the fifth pirate adventure...

The trades are reporting that the Mouse has chosen the directing duo behind "Kon-Tiki" to take the franchise into the fifth film.  Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg will make their English language debut with this outing of the Johnny Depp franchise.

The script written by Terry Rossio, since taken over by Jeff Nathanson in the latest drafts.  Rob Marshall had expressed interest in directing, but instead chose "Into the Woods" (we should be relieved).  Jerry Bruckheimer is still producing the film which is scheduled to be released in summer 2015.

The directing duo have made a small film on water look big, now they'll have a chance to make a big film look bigger...

Son Of Solo...

Yes, I know we've had Star Wars casting rumors since last yesterday...

But has anyone thought to try and think of who Jonathan Rhys Meyers would be playing?  The most logical choice would be the offspring of Han and Leia.  So what we might have here is the son of the roguish space pirate.   Could this really be Chewie's godson?

It strange because I remember when "Mission: Impossible 3" came out reading an interview with Meyers where they asked him if there was any type of role he'd not like to play.  And he said science fiction, and then used a pejorative word regarding using the rest room to describe it.  I can't remember what article it was, but I clearly remember him saying it.

If this rumor is true, things have certainly changed.  Being offered a role in what could be the most widely anticipated film in a decade can have that effect on you.  Plus there is the prospect of working for his former director, J.J. Abrams.  Times change, taste change, people change.

Now we just have to find out if he's solo...

Awesome Origin...

Warner Games has finally released the full trailer for the "Batman: Arkham Origins" video game...

The original "Arkham Asylum" and its sequel "Arkham City" are among the best games that we here at Blue Sky have ever enjoyed playing.  The immersive experiences that have been created giving you the actual feeling of playing a superhero is an amazing transportation to a dark and dangerous world.  One comic book fans would love to venture inside; much less, play the Batman in.  When we found out that the next game, a prequel, would be made by another studio other than Rocksteady, fans were naturally worried the result would be disappointing.

If this trailer (clocking in at 4+ minutes) is any indication of the quality of the game, then fans have nothing to worry about.  The animation looks incredible, and it appears they're actually telling a story.  Looks like they're taking a tip from the last two games, which is a good idea.  Those are high bars to reach.  But so far, this first trailer has me interested in forking over the cash for it.  But it's going to be strange seeing one of these with out Kevin Conroy (Batman) or Mark Hamill (The Joker) voicing it.  They've contributed greatly to the mythos of the Caped Crusader between the Arkham games and BTAS.

Here's to new beginnings...

Nolan, Chris Nolan...

Now this is an interesting rumor...

Rumors are starting to float around that Christopher Nolan is in informal talks to helm the next James Bond film (Bond 24).  If you've seen "Inception" then you know the director can make a Bond film as the last act is essentially one.  While it's an exciting prospect to think of a Nolan directed 007 film, the director is deep in pre-production on "Interstellar" and it appears that the schedule to get Bond 24 out in a few years is highly improbable.

It's likely four or five years before we'd see a new spy film with Daniel Craig.  That puts him around the five-o mark, and it seems quite a long delay between films.  The actor is scheduled to make one more film after the next one as the famed super agent, but I don't see him going into Roger Moore territory with such long periods between films.  While the idea of a Nolan Bond film is something that appears to be awesome, it logistically doesn't seem to make sense with the director's schedule at this time.  Perhaps Bond 25 would make a better mission?  Would he or is brother have a part in the scripting one has to wonder?

There is information we need a spy to find out as well...

2 Many Dreams...

If you remember, Brad Bird was always my first choice for the "Episode VII" directing gig...

The genius director talked with The Hollywood Report's Heat Vision for an interview where he addressed the chance to be behind the camera for the start of a new Star Wars film.  His response was layered in his passion for stories and his love of pursuing dreams:

I’ve known Kathy [Kennedy] for a while and I know George. And they did come to me. But the problem was, the schedule they had in mind made it impossible to do…unless I dropped Tomorrowland. And I was just really deeply into this film at that point. It’s easy to say, “Just put it on hold.” But you’re moving now; you don’t know if you’re going to be able to move later. Maybe it’s true of filmmakers like Cameron or Spielberg, but I have to act on momentum. We had reached a critical mass where it would’ve thrown the furniture around from the train stopping. I really want to see this movie. I love the Star Wars films, and I can’t wait to see what J.J. does, but it meant I’d have to shut down one dream to participate in another. I feel like [with Tomorrowland] we’re making something that’s really special and unique.

He also got asked about the chances for another "Incredibles" film.  He probable has been asked this more than any other question every time he sits down for an interview:

I have been thinking about it. People think that I have not been, but I have. Because I love those characters and love that world. I am stroking my chin and scratching my head. I have many, many elements that I think would work really well in another [Incredibles] film, and if I can get ‘em to click all together, I would probably wanna do that. I like the idea of moving a little more quickly in films. I’m looking for ways to accelerate the pace a little bit and figure out a way to keep creative control over these movies to a level where I’m comfortable with the end result but also speed them up a bit and make more of them. I have many different films I wanna make. It’s like a big airplane hangar and I have different projects on the floor; half-assembled in my brain. I’m interested in all of them. You kind of have to move on the ones people are willing to pay for and the ones you’re most excited about.

I believe when he's done with "Tomorrowland" he'll be perfectly timed to gear up for "Episode VIII" to start pre-production...

Mission Statements...

     
   
 

          

Tom Cruise is building momentum for a fifth Mission: Impossible film...

While it was thought that Christopher McQuarrie would write and direct the film, another writer has been hired.  Drew Pearce ("Iron Man 3", "Pacific Rim") has been hired to pen the script for the next outing.  McQuarrie is still in talks to direct the film, but it's not known if he'll share the writing duties.

Given his pedigree it's likely he might still be involved in the script.  Pearce was initially the sole screenwriter on Iron Man 3 and Shane Black was hired as just the director.  But being a writer it was impossible to keep Black from coming in and doing some typing.  In the end he shared writer credit with Drew.  The same could happen with this next mission if Christopher wants to put his imprint on the page.

Nothing is impossible...

A Ship Searching For A New Captain...

Walt Disney Pictures is slowly narrowing the list of people they want to helm the latest Pirate film...

With the decision to go forward without Rob Marshall (a good thing, IMHO), the Mouse has come up with a number of directors that would/could be offered the job of directing the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film.  It's an interesting mix of hungry new comers and outsiders they've narrowed it down to:

Fredrik Bond (The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman)

Joachim Ronning & Espen Sandberg (Kon-Tiki)

Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman)

The word coming out so far has the directing duo of Ronning and Sandberg as the ones with the buzz heading toward getting the offer.  Personally, I'd like to see Sanders get the call since his direction of the revisionist, live-action "Snow White" was very good, and he showed an ability to look outside where the story has been.  This could come in need when dealing with the fifth film in a franchise.  That said, all the choices look like the Suits are wanting to come at the film from a different angle than where the money train has gone before.

That's a good thing.  The script for this adventure is being written by Jeff Nathanson, from a story/idea by Ted Elliot & Terry Rossio.  Naturally, Jerry Bruckheimer will be producing the film again.  And the release date is for the epic 2015; which is when Disney will take over the world and all will scream out in fear.  And Jack Sparrow will be there, sword in hand to help lead the way along with Iron Man and Luke Skywalker.

Still, you wonder how many more Depp will do before another pirate will take over the pillaging...

The Grid On Netflix...

"Tron: Uprising" is one of the most creatively underrated animated series created...

And the chaotic schedule that the Mouse put in on gave fans of the series a hard time finding it.  It also made it difficult for a potential growing audience.  So there was/has been no announcement of a new season following the original run.  But if you liked the show, there's a new way to see it; especially if you don't have Disney XD.

Netflix.

Disney, as part of their expanding deal with the streaming Juggernaut  have announced that the entire season of the show will be available on demand for all its subscribers.  The show along with four others ("Jake and the Never Land Pirates", "Handy Manny," "Special Agent Oso" and "JoJo's Circus,"), increase the company's content on Netflix.  Will this result in more shows?

There has been no announcement of a season two of the show, and we don't know if they will continue it on XD.  But what about Netflix?  They have brought other shows back to life based on viewing habits.  Could Disney Television Animation get another season together by proxy?  Having Netflix decide to pay to have more seasons available on demand?  It would be a way for The Walt Disney Company to continue to have more episodes while defraying the cost of such an expenditure.

Netflix is looking to add more family entertainment recently (Turbo F.A.S.T.).  Could this be a way to broaden the Tron universe by partnering with Netflix?  It could be a business friendly way to increase content and exposure for a franchise that has a sequel in development.  It would be a great way to remind the public that the Grid is still alive.

And it's on Netflix...

Delaying Dinosaurs Means Monster Year...

So Universal Studios put the breaks on their fourth Dino film...

"Jurassic Park 4" has been put on hold by the Uni suits.  And that's a good thing, because the release date was going to be extremely difficult to meet.  It's exactly one year away and the filming schedule, as welll as FX calender would have been insane.  The earliest we'll see the film now would be Christmas 2014.  But depending on when they come closer to a realization of what Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed) wants to do means the release date could slip into the following year:

2015.

That year is going to be gargantuan.  Can you imagine a year when so many film releases came to a head?  It makes you wonder if there are enough dates and theaters to show all these films.  Personally, it's a good thing not to rush this film into production before it's fully ready.

Here is the official statement released by Universal:

In coordination with filmmakers, Universal has decided to release Jurassic Park 4 at a later date giving the studio and filmmakers adequate time to bring audiences the best possible version of the fourth installment in Universal’s beloved franchise.  We could not be more excited about the vision that Colin Trevorrow has created for this film, and we look forward to watching as he and the producers create another great chapter in this franchise’s storied history.

I'm sure Calvin and Hobbes will be waiting to see this just as I will whenever it's released.  There's something genetic in people, particularly males that loves the idea of seeing a T-Rex running around demolishing things.  Although I love the original film, the second one had what every young boy dreams of: a Tyrannosaurus Rex smashing up a city.  Unfortunately, it also has a kid gymnast that unnecessarily weighed down the story.  The third one was a mess all the way around (sorry Joe Johnston).

Lets cross our fingers that the fourth will be much better than that...

Hat Tip to /Film.

A 2, A 3, No 4...

Artwork: HD Wallpapers. 

So negotiations for the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark are ongoing...

But with a twist.  It appears, as of now, that his agents are negotiating for him to play a role in "Avengers 2" and "Avengers 3" as part of an ensemble.  But no plans yet for an "Iron Man 4" are being discussed.  It could be that RDJ feels like all that can be said, has been said in solo adventures.  Does this mean there will be no fourth adventure of Shell Head?

Not necessarily, but it could be that Downey feels it's time for other characters to have their part in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Plus, being a part of a movie means he doesn't have to carry the entire load of the film.  Should it happen, fans would still get to see Stark played by the actor through the end of Phase Three.  He might even negotiate a cameo in one of the other films so as to make him feel a part of the universe still.

But a fourth Iron Man may not appear till Phase Four if current talks are the direction the actor/studio is heading in.  And if that is the case you can expect someone else with the goatee and mustache by then.

Now that is a part in need of a hero...