Movie News (Page 10)

After we reported rumors in February about a Venom spin-off from Sony's successful Spider-Man franchise, it looks like we might have a little confirmation courtesy of The Hollywod Reporter.

According to the Reporter, Sony had commissioned a draft of the script for a potential Venom spinoff from Jacob Estes, the writer from the films Mean Creek and The Gift. However, Sony is considering going a different route and is seeking writers for a new draft.

Additionally, Sony is looking for casting beyond Topher Grace who played Venom in Spider-Man 3. They're worried that the actor could not carry the whole film. Luckily since Venom is just a parasite that attaches itself to a person in the Spider-Man movies, they could easily cast anyone to play Venom.

Spinoffs for well established franchises seem to be all the rage these days. Just look at X-Men Origins: Wolverine due out in May without a X-Men 4 even being announced. Though don't worry Spider-Man fans, Sony will still release Spider-Man 4 by 2011.

What do you guys think. Could Topher Grace play Venom in his own spinoff movie?

Warner Brothers is bringing Marvin the Martian to the bigscreen courtesy of Alcon Entertainment.

The beloved Looney Tunes character, who was first introduced in 1948 and has since been intent on taking over the world, will star in his first full, feature-length movie.

According to Variety, Marvin will be produced by Broderick Johnson, Andrew Kosove, and Steve Crystal.  Currently Alcon is still seeking writers and directors.

The movie will combine live action and CGI.  Marvin was initially pitched as a Christmas movie.  No release date announced.

Relativity Media has acquired the rights to David Anthony Durham's epic fantasy novel, Acacia: The War with the Mein.

According to Variety, Relativity will have Ryan Kavanaugh produce alongside Michael De Luca.  Andrew Grant will adapt the first installment of the planned trilogy.

The story starts off with King Akaran being assassinated and the kingdom of Acacia is overthrown by the Mein tribe.  Four Akaran heirs spend nine years in exile as children before they return as adults to reclaim their father's kingdom.

Acacia's first book, which was published in June 2007, was one of Kurkus Reviews Ten Best Works fo Fiction in 2007 and one of Publisher Weekly's Best Books of 2007.

Do any of the movies opening this weekend have the power to take down The Dark Knight? We doubt it, as viewers have responded positively in many polls asking if they'd see the latest Batman film a second time.

Still, here's a closer look at the three flicks daring to open around the same time as the Caped Crusader...

Step Brothers
Stars: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly
Quick synopsis: Two immature adults become step brothers. Hilarity ensues.
Prediction: Solid reviews and the mere presence of Ferrell ought to be enough for a top three finish at the box office.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Stars: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson
Quick synopsis: Following in the mysterious footsteps of the TV series, film follows two agents in search of aliens. And the truth.
Prediction: It's been six years since the last film. X-Files fans may no longer be lining the streets, but we still see a second place finish for the movie.

Brideshead Revisited
Stars: Matthew Goode, Emma Thompson
Quick synopsis: The memoirs of a World War II captain take him back to his days at a British estate.
Prediction: Nowhere near the top five at the box office, but a possible Oscar contender.

MGM has announced that Darren Aronofsky will direct the studio's new installment of its RoboCop franchise.

Reportedly, Aronofsky is fast tracking the RoboCop movie, hoping to it one of the most anticipated new films for 2010. It might have some competition from Shrek Goes Fourth, of course.

Will you go see a new RoboCop movie?

In making the announcement, Mary Parent, Chairman, Worldwide Motion Picture Group, MGM said:

"Darren is undeniably one of the most talented, original and visceral film makers... All of us at MGM couldn't be more excited."

The studio's goal is to reinvent the RoboCop, similar to what Christian Bale and company are hoping for with Terminator Salvation.

On the heels of the annoucement that a Hairspray sequel is all but guaranteed, here's more film follow-up news:

John Cho and Kal Penn will reprise their roles in a third installment of the Harold & Kumar franchise, Variety reports.

Get ready for more Harold and Kumar, folks!

This spring's Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay grossed $38.1 million domestically, more than double its production budget.

The series' first film, 2004's Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, has established a cult following on DVD, earning more than $30 million from home video alone.

He's not exactly Batman or Superman. Heck, he's barely even The Green Hornet.

Still, Hercules will be the next hero to be adapated for the big screen, as Variety confirms that a project tentatively titled Hercules: The Thracian Wars is in the planning stages.

Sorry, Kevin Sorbo fans. But the beefy actor won't be reprising his role from the TV version of this icon; the movie will reportedly stay true to the comic book character pictured below.

It will be directed by Peter Berg, the man behind the camera for Hancock, will be based on the five-issue series by comic writer Steve Moore.

"What resonated for them was that this was character driven, about a character who’s more man than god, with conflicts and redemption," said Barry Levine.

Will you watch a Hercules movie?

Two major movies open this weekend, with one being a study in counter-programming.

While most of the free world will be watching The Dark Knight in awe, a few females will go see Mamma Mia! Here's a brief rundown of both...

The Dark Knight
Stars: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart
Quick synopsis: Batman is back! And he's batting The Joker and Two-Face in this franchise follow-up.
Prediction: One of the top 10 highest grossing films of all-time.

Mamma Mia!
Stars: Meryl Streep
Quick synopsis: The Broadway musical, featuring songs by Abba, comes to the big screen.
Prediction: Female super hero haters will ensure this movie doesn't totally tank.

Say this about Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers, whose previous movies - Meet Dave and The Love Guru - completely tanked:

They're persisent.

Each recently talked to MTV News about their future projects, each sounding excited to put past failures behind them.

“This picture I’m doing now called A Thousand Words is like nothing I’ve ever done before. It’s not a kids movie, a family movie. It’s a really, funny smart picture. Different,” Murphy said. “I play this literary agent who finds out he only has 1000 words left to say and then he’s going to die.”

Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers teamed up to voice characters in Shrek. The career paths of these actors have been on a downward spiral ever since.

Yes, it’s high concept project from the actor .Forget about the debate over Beverly Hills Cop 4, and whether it will or will not contain profanity; the second half of this movie won’t contain words. At all.

“The whole second half of the picture, my character can’t talk," Murphy said.' This is a guy who’s used his mouth. He’s always fast talking, and all of a sudden he has to shut the f—k up,” Murphy said. “It turns into this like charade.”

Meanwhile, follow this article's jump now to read aboutMyers’ long-in-development film on legendary Who drummer Keith Moon...

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Warner Bros. Pictures is adapting Capcom's hit video game Lost Planet for the big screen.

Released early last year, the game revolves around an expedition to an ice planet that harbors an energy source with the potential to save mankind.

Capcom is also developing new film versions of their games Street Fighter and Onimusha.