‘Ghostbusters 3′ To Move Forward, With or Without Bill Murray

If there’s one movie I really don’t want to talk about it’s the much heated ‘Ghostbusters 3′. But thanks to nicest-guy-ever, Dan Aykroyd we’re about to do just that. Mr. Aykroyd appeared on Dennis Miller Radio and let slip a few details that you’re either stoked to hear about, or you’re not.  Essentially, Aykroyd has said that the movie is going forward, but at what price? Hit the Jump to read more.

Here’s the quote from Aykroyd:

Yes, we will be doing the movie and hopefully with Mr. Murray. That is our hope. We have an excellent script. What we have to remember is that ‘Ghostbusters’ is bigger than any one component, although Billy was absolutely the lead and contributive to it in a massive way, as was the director and Harold [Ramis], myself and Sigourney [Weaver]. The concept is much bigger than an individual role and the promise of ‘Ghostbusters 3′ is that we get to hand the equipment and the franchise down to new blood.

So right there we have the biggie of the premise, which we all knew was – but hoped was not- coming. New blood. Handing the franchise down. I believe we call that Crystal-Skulling.

Mr. Aykroyd went on to describe a little bit of what state the old Ghostbusters are in and why exacty they’re handing it to ‘new blood’:

My character, Ray, is now blind in one eye and can’t drive the cadillac. He’s got a bad knee and can’t carry the packs… Egon is too large to get into the harness. We need young blood and that’s the promise. We’re gonna hand it to a new generation.

Sounds like it could have a few gags in there. But I have one question, Egon too large? C’mon. If any 300lb fan boy can build his own proton pack and wear it to Comic Con, Egon can fit in his damn harness. Is this really the best they can come up with? How about he just can’t keep up anymore, why can’t Ray still drive the Ecto 1? Why does he have to be blind in one eye? Is it so hard to just make him old, he can’t keep up but he’s so passionate about the team that he stays on and is essentially the wheelman? The car is part of who he is as a character, you just have this sense that the car was his brain child, don’t take that away from him! One commentator on /Film put it best:

Funny you mention Crystal Skull since this seems to be following the same recipe for disaster:

-1 cup of “sequel 20 years too late”
-2 table spoons of “star hold out” and “script issues”
-a pinch of “new blood” (If Shia LaBeouf becomes a Ghostbuster, I’m gonna kill something) 
- a dash of “obsessed creative forces determined to make this happen for better or worse” 

When a studio pushes to revive an old franchise with this kind of relentless stubbornness I can only weep for the children. 

For what feels like forever, the big hold out with this film has been on whether or not Bill Murray will sign on to do the film. Hearing that he’s still not on board, but the franchise is moving on without him feels very wrong, and would certainly be a betrayal to the franchise and the fans. 

Maybe Murray has it right. Maybe the world doesn’t need another Ghostbusters? Is this doomed to Crystal Skulldom? What do you think?

Warner Developing ‘Green Lantern 2′ and Christopher Meloni Joins The Man Of Steel

Despite it’s steep drop off in its second week of release, and it’s supremely underwhelming opening weekend, Warner Bros. “still believes” in the ‘Green Lantern’ franchise. The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news that even though the film’s opening and second week drop off were very disappointing, they still feel as though there’s a franchise to be had in the cosmic hero.

According to THR, Warner’s reasoning comes down to big franchise money pullers. Harry Potter, arguable the most profitable franchise of all time is ending in less than a month. As well, their current Batman series under the command of Christopher Nolan ends next year. Warner needs another big franchise to bring in a consistent stream of revenue. So they’re ready for the long haul with ‘Lantern’.

Personally, I thought this first film was very disappointing. I have 0 interest in seeing it continue. I really don’t understand the reasoning for investing another large sum of money in a franchise that has already proven itself unprofitable. but I suppose it’s not the most surprising thing to come out of the superhero community. I mean, they’re letting Zack Snyder develop the next Superman. Yeah it’s not a nightmare, it’s real. 

Oh yeah and Christopher Meloni is going to be in Man of Steel. yeah… he is. No word yet on his role yet, but it is confirmed, he is involved. I gotta admit, I’m getting the feeling that this will turn out exactly like Green Lantern. A hodge podge cast under the command of talented people, under a studio that has no idea what they’re doing with they’re superhero franchises. 

‘Green Lantern’ Light Goes Dim

I just got back, literally seconds ago from seeing the new Warner Bros. superhero epic, ‘Green Lantern’. Arguably the most controversial of Warner’s hero outings so far, ‘Green Lantern’ had potential to be good, maybe even stellar, but at least it should have been watchable. Not so.

The film stars Ryan Reynolds as the cocky wiseass Hal Jordan, a test pilot with an extreme disregard for the rules. While Maverick – OH! sorry, HAL is off gallivanting with his theatrics, a threat brews amongst the stars in the form of Paralax, an evil being created from the dark yellow energy of Fear. The only thing that can stop it is the Green Lantern Corps, an organization of intergalactic super-cops that harness the green energy of Will, turning their imaginations into reality. Unfortunately, Paralax is too powerful and defeats the Corps finest warrior, Abin Sur (Temura Morrison). Now Abin Sur’s power ring has chosen a human, Hal, to be his successor and banish Paralax from our galaxy!

Sounds good right? Don’t be fooled. While this film does have a few moments of great action and quality entertainment, it ultimately fails to measure up to even the most basic of movie standards. 

The first thing a film needs is a script. This film didn’t have that. Well, maybe it did. Sorry I was too busy slapping my palm to my forehead in disbelief at some of the dialogue that I might have gone unconscious at some point.

Next you need actors. Again, this movie didn’t have that. Instead it had statistics. It seems as though the studio heads sat around a room and asked analysts to find out who is popular in Hollywood. Ryan Reynolds and Blake goddamn Lively. Next, we need to draw in the independent/artsy crowd – Peter Sarsgaard. Next we need respectable actors to sell the fact that we’re completely serious about this movie, Tim Robbins! And finally, a few actors that might actually be good at the role we put them in, Mark Strong!

This is the most mish-mashed, hodge-podge cast to ever hit the screen. At least Harrison Ford and Shia LeBeoff had some tolerable screen chemistry. NO ONE IN THIS FILM HAS ANY CHEMISTRY EVER!!

Next up. This film cost over $300 million. I’ll let that settle in. WHERE DID THIS MONEY GO???? Clearly it went to everyone’s paycheck’s because it’s no where to be seen on the screen here. Two months ago, I commented on an article that  WB was investing another $9 million in the effects of this film. Well, the suit looked better… but the rest of the film is a joke! I mean… really? what was with the fight scene between Hal and Hector Hammond? Really?

I can’t really go into too many other details with divulging spoilers. But let me say this.

Don’t see this movie. Don’t reward a movie studio for halfassed filmmaking. Let them know that we as an audience are not going to stand for it. Let them know that quality storytelling,not budget and not effects, always comes first.

3 power rings out of 10

Could We Be Seeing The End of 3D?

I certainly hope so. We’ve all noticed that since AVATAR was a massive hit worldwide at the box office, there’s been a slew of 3D films being cranked out of Hollywood every weekend. But is this rise in 3D beginning to cause its own downfall? According to BTIG analyst Richard Greenfield, the answer is yes. 

According to Mr. Greenfield, sales for 3D are dwindling faster than audiences expectations for another Pirates film. Fandango estimates have come in for ‘Green Lantern’ and ‘Harry Potter’ and it is not good. Not only is GL trending far below studio expectations, but it’s ticket sales have been primarily 2D based. Not only that! But so is the other Warner Bros summer slugger Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2. 

According to the report, sales for 3D on both films have been significantly (and if you’re a studio head, frighteningly) lower than 2D, but why!? Greenfield explains, “We continue to believe U.S. consumers are frustrated with the amount of 3D movies Hollywood is producing, especially when combined with excessive ticket prices,” Thank you, someone said it! Why see a 3D flick for almost $20 when you could see a brighter and more vivid looking film for half the price!?

Anyone in Hall H last year at Comic Con remembers the silent but present hisses at any mention of 3D by studio heads and presenters. The most noteworthy 3D mention actually came during the panel for Scott Pilgrim in which Edgar Wright was quoted as saying, “- and it will be released in amazing 2D!” After an earth-shattering cheer from the audience, Wright went on record by saying has nothing against 3D. But we all know that fans do. 

With the 3D backlash continuing, we saw earlier this week that even the Star Wars 3D outing is going to be cut down to a wait and see status. 

Could this really be the end of 3D in cinema? Could audiences tolerance and patience finally win out and prove to James Cameron that it is NOT in fact a way of the future, but still a wonky theme park style attraction? I think I speak for most of us at the Page Is Blank by saying, GOD I HOPE SO!

For more, check out THR

‘Wonder Woman’ Scrapped – SHOCKER!

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for the NBC drama ‘Wonder Woman’ POW! It has now been dumped by the network. While the show may still find life at another network, based upon all of the negative speculation surrounding the show, it seems very doubtful.

When series creator David E. Kelly was shopping the concept to different networks, the only studio to agree to pick it up was NBC Universal, all others opted to not be involved. To make matters a little more interesting, there was a nasty little rumor that script was cheesy and, to put it frankly, bad. AN increase of tension occured when Entertainment Weekly featured star Adrianne Palicki in the full WW costume. I think we all remember that…

Once shooting started, things began to pick up. They lost the stripper pants and boots and opted for something more practical. Good move. Then the test screenings… According to Deadline, audiences said “couldn’t buy in the modernization,” and that “Wonder Woman would kill people without even blinking an eye.” Not very superheroey. 

So what does this mean? Well Warner can shop it to different networks, it’s unlikely that any would pick it up after they rejected it based on concept alone. So for now it looks like Wonder Woman is still shelved. 

Call Joss Whedon. 

Sources: Deadline, /Film

More on ‘Justice League’; Ryan Reynolds Not Involved

Just like how Chris got tired of writing about Zack Snyder, I’m going to get tired of writing about ‘Justice League’. In yet another blow to the franchise crossover today, Ryan Reynolds has said that he has no involvement in the film reprising his current role as Green Lantern. 

Read more after the leap.

Currently, the film ‘Green Lantern’ is set to release June 17. With a supposed ‘Justice League’ film in the works for 2013, one would assume that Green Lantern actor Ryan Reynolds would dawn the digi-suit again. Well a statement from the actor today says otherwise. Here’s what Reynolds had to say about JLA

I hear about it, but I hear about it the same way you do: from a Ouija board, late night over a glass of Chardonnay. I don’t know much about it other than it is in the makeup and the plans and the development slate of Warner Brothers. But, I don’t have anything to do with it…The fan in me thinks it’s fantastic. Of course you wanna see all those iconic characters standing together in one room. As far as being involved, I have nothing to do with it as of yet.

So ‘Justice League’ IS happening in 2013. And while Reynolds does leave some room for optimism, it currently stands to recast every character in the film including Green Lantern. We know that Christian Bale will not be Batman, and we knew from Zack Snyder that Henry Cavill will not be Superman, but DC and Warner need some kind of ground work on the project, as previously mentioned by Chris on the Blanked by Zombies Podcast. Green Lantern must be that ground work! He’s the only other DC hero in film right now, he can be the character that grounds the audience with the rest of the JLA members. The film can stand on its own while also standing as a reboot for most of the major characters, but only if they use Green Lantern as there jumping off point. But if they recast him, they risk losing the entire audience within the first five seconds of a teaser trailer. 

Personally, I think this film stands a thread of a chance if they just keep Reynolds as Lantern, but for now, it’s a doomed production. *breath in* DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!

Source: /Film

HA! We Knew It! PG-13 ‘King’s Speech’ Fails to Perform

As many of you know, Chris and I talked on the Blanked by Zombies podcast about the inevitable release of the PG-13 version of the Best Picture film ‘The King’s Speech’. The Weinstien Company decided to cut two F-bombs from the film in order to gain the coveted PG-13 rating. We on the podcast discussed if spending the extra dough on editing the film, and reprinting and thus re-releasing it would even make financial sense. Well now we know…

Take the Leap to see just how your favorite hosts predicted the future!

According to box office estimates, the censored version of the film only pulled in about $1.2 million, bringing the film to 14th place on the weekend BO list, while it’s R rated counterpart pulled in $2.2 million the weekend before. The Weinstein’s were hoping that a more “family friendly” version of the film would draw in more audiences and boost the already well endowed $130 million in profits to even higher numbers. As of this weekend, we can officially say that their attempts have failed. 

But the real question is what caused this underwhelming disaster? Was it the fact that the film never really appealed to family audiences anyway? or was it a case of too little too late?

Personally, I’m going to go with the later. As I wrote in an earlier article, the film originally hit limited screens in Novemeber, opening wider after it’s Oscar nomination in February. This nomination, as well as it’s win, did help it maintain a steady stream of Box Office mulah for a few more weeks before falling off the top ten charts to the twelve spot on March 18-20. By that time, the film had grossed over $130 mil worldwide, a pretty fair amount of success over it’s $15 mil budget. Even if we consider possibly $30mil in prints and advertising, the film is still in the green by $85mil! So the question remains, why spend an additional $5-$10mil redistributing a different version on the film to audiences it never appealed to in the first place?

My answer? Good ol’ fashioned corporate greed. Was it worth the $1.2 million? Spend 15, get 1.2? Was it worth it Mr. Weinsteins?

The film is still excellent and I encourage anyone who hasn’t seen it to seek out the R rated version and enjoy single fuck word it has to offer!

Sources: /Film , Box Office Mojo

The Man Who Would Direct ‘Superman’ – Sucker Punch Sucks.

Zack Snyder has been called many things even ‘Hollywood’s Golden Boy’ and ‘Geek God’. After observing his film ‘Sucker Punch’, these terms can no longer describe this man.

So as we’ve seen from the many reviews online, and from Chris’ many posts, ‘Sucker Punch’ is a horrible movie. I had the unfortunate idea of seeing the film this evening and within five minutes I was regretting this decision. 

Be warned, what follows is very spoiler heavy. Take the Leap!

I’ll start this review by stating the obvious. It would not be enough to say that I hate this movie. I don’t believe there is a word in the english language that could accurately describe the amount of shame, anguish and embarrassment felt after leaving this screening. 

The film stars a cast of relative unknowns like Carla Gugino, Emily Browning, Abby Cornish, and Jena Malone. Browning plays Baby Doll, a cute pig tailed girl whose back story is told to you in two variations, although we’re never told which is accurate, and yet we still have no idea who she is or where she comes from. In one variant of the story, she accidentally kills her sister in an attempt to kill her evil stepfather and as a result is thrown into an asylum for the criminally insane. After five days in the asylum, the orderly who is kind of a ring leader mafia type introduces her to the Doctor (John Hamm) to have a lobotomy performed. During the operation, we are thrust into a world where Baby Doll’s story is suddenly a risque stage performance at a brothel in which other girls (ones we saw at the asylum) are the actors. Baby re-enters in a similar fashion only to have her environment different. Other than that, EVERYTHING is exactly the same. 

When Baby Doll dances, she enters a dream like state in which she and the other girls become top commandos in the most goofy, nonsensical World of Warcraft battles ever captured on film. After her first dream, she is told by a sense that she will need five items to escape, a map, fire, a knife, a key, and the sheer nerve! She realizes that through her dancing, she can distract the guards of the brothel long enough for the other girls to steal the appropriate swag for their escape. So we have four of these goofy battles that end in betrayal, heartbreak, and death. Big deal.

Ultimately, it doesn’t amount to anything. We never even see one of Baby Doll’s dances! What is so damn mystifying? But perhaps the biggest problem I have with this film is the fact that these fantasy battles are just that: Fantasy. There is nothing at stake in these battles, there are no real world consequences to their actions. In one sequence Vanessa Hudgens’ character almost gets eaten by a giant dragon… so what? there’s nothing at stake for any of them in what essentially makes up three quarters of the movie. Where is the conflict? Where is the story? Why do I care? Oh yeah, I don’t.

The acting. OH the acting. well I can’t blame this actresses, given the fact that they’re working with dialogue on par with that of George Lucas… No wait, that’s not fair… George Lucas is at least tolerable. This script, which was penned by Snyder himself has to be the most laughable piece of masterbatory garbage this side of a sex shop. “If they catch us, we’re dead.” – “We’re already dead!” WAAAAHHHH!! Go cry emo girl. 

Oh one good thing about the film, it does end at some point. Okay, I guess the visuals are stimulating for about five minutes, then you just want to bash your brains in with a copy of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen because it’s the only thing that might keep you from totally losing for fricken mind!

Let’s get to the big picture of what this film is really about. Power and money, and Zack Snyder had all of it. This film is a perfect example how how a studio should not handle a director. So the guy made ’300′, big deal. Just because the kid did his homework and knows how to spell doesn’t mean you give him the keys to the Aston Martin and your credit card on a Friday night. They are letting him direct ‘Superman’! The godfather of all Superheroes! the king of all comics! After watching this film, I challenge anyone to not have deep worries about Snyder’s ability to tell a coherent story. Now Amy Adams being cast as Lois Lane is a step in the right direction… but let’s hope she doesn’t watch ‘Sucker Punch’.

In summation, ‘Sucker Punch’ is nothing more than a thirteen year old boy masturbating to anime hentai, zombie flicks, and a victoria secret catalogue wrapped in a studio logo and smothered in ripped off Lord of the Rings battle sequences.

After this film, I subsequently hated everything Zack Snyder has every done, and will ever do. All I kept thinking to myself is, “This guy is directing Superman.” After five seconds of this thought, it began to scare me. Let’s hope that Christopher Nolan keeps him on a short- VERY SHORT leash.

PG-13 ‘King’s Speech’ Releases April 1

As Chris and I discussed on the Blanked By Zombies Podcast, The Weinstein Company plans to actually release a PG-13 version of Best Picture winner ‘The King’s Speech’. Take the leap to read more.

In the biggest play in the game of WTF are You Thinking, The Weinstein Company plans to re-release their Oscar Winner in a completely “fuckless” presentation. The original cut of the film had three “fucks”… now King George will utter just three more “shits” instead. 

The MPAA gave the Tom Hooper film an “R” rating due to its liberal use of the word fuck. However, as Chris and I said, there is no violence, no sexually explicit content, no nudity… so why was the film given an R to begin with? Because of one word? Is it really so offensive to say fuck? I guess you wouldn’t want your 13 year old saying it, but let’s be real for a second… you’re kids know the word, but if you’re a responsible parent they’ll know the consequences if they use it inappropriately. I remember being 13 and saying a few four letter words myself, but never in front of my parents. I’d be more concerned about my kids saying a certain N-word than fuck. 

But the biggest quandary is what this is going to cost the Weinsteins. The film cost $15 million to produce. Considering that it was a Best Picture nominee/winner, there was probably another $10-$15 million spent in Prints and Advertising. Now that the film has been out for months… MONTHS! The film released in November, it’s now March. It hasn’t been on the Box Office top ten in two weeks. Films that released in November and December are already hitting DVD and Blue Ray shelves. Wouldn’t it make more sense to release the film on DVD and Blue Ray? $20 a pop? I don’t get it, they’re looking at the spending at least another $10-$20 million for maybe….MAYBE another $500,000 in theatre grosses? How does this make any sense? 

The smartest move I think would be to release the film on home video and digital download, at least that way you don’t have to spend more unnecessary cash on prints. Eh, it’s the Weinsteins… blegh. 

The release date is rather fitting though, seeing as how this whole thing seems like a big April Fool’s Joke.

Source: Deadline

Doomed Production! ‘Men In Black III’ Loses Alec Baldwin

So admist all the problems, the producers of MIB III have yet another one. 

Though he plays a small role in the film, Alec Baldwin’s involvement was to be a critical part of the movie’s plot. Now it seems like the film has lost the ’30 Rock’ star due to scheduling. During an interview with Vulture, he had this to say:

I’m not doing that. I’m out of it; the schedule didn’t work out.

It seems like the production of this film is like 1930s cinema serial. Will the production have a script before the deadline? Will the studio find another actor to replace Alec Baldwin? Will Will Smith get paid obscene amounts of money for phoning in a role he did back in 1997?! Find out next week on another installment of DOOMED PRODUCTION 2011!