James Cameron Selects Robert Rodriguez To Helm BATTLE ANGEL!

I'm actually happy about this move. Don't get me wrong, there is no one I'd rather see direct BATTLE ANGEL than Cameron, but the Rodriguez choice is a little out of left field and edgy. I LIKE IT. Rodriguez has proven he can work with cutting edge tech and 3D (SIN CITY) and besides that, I just really like his approach to filmmaking. EL MARIACHI and DESPERADO were inspired works of art to me.

Rodriguez will have significant help though without a doubt through Cameron and Jon Landau who will both produce. BATTLE ANGEL is a Lightstorm Entertainment property and Laeta Kalogridis contributed to it's adaptation from the manga graphic novels.

I remember one of the discussions I had with Cameron on BATTLE ANGEL right here. He wasn't sure back in 2009 that he'd do it either.

Today's quotes though finally put an end to the long road for the production:

Says Cameron: "Robert and I have been looking for a film to do together for years, so I was pumped when he said he wanted to do Battle Angel. He's very collaborative and we're already like two kids building a go-kart, just having fun riffing creatively and technically. This project is near and dear to me, and there's nobody I trust more than Robert, with his technical virtuosity and rebel style, to take over the directing reins. We're looking forward to learning a lot from each other while we make a kick-ass epic."

Rodriguez follows: "Battle Angel is an incredibly rich and vibrant epic in the tradition of Jim Cameron's spectacular, character-driven films. Getting to work from Jim’s terrific and visionary script while learning the cutting edge techniques he’s pioneered is a master class in filmmaking. It's an honor to explore the world of Alita along with Jim and Jon, whose films have impacted me for decades."

I can't imagine this project being shot in any other way than native and digital 3D, so I'm am doubly thrilled to finally see some action take place here. As you may know we've been following BATTLE ANGEL developments for years. Looking forward to more news from the Lightstorm camp on this!

Source: THR

TERMINATOR: GENISYS Gets IMAX 3D Release

Click to giganticize

We already knew about TERMINATOR: GENISYS being released in 3D, but now word has dropped that the movie will also see a release in IMAX 3D.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
The year is 2029. John Connor, leader of the resistance continues the war against the machines. At the Los Angeles offensive, John’s fears of the unknown future begin to emerge when TECOM spies reveal a new plot by SkyNet that will attack him from both fronts; past and future, and will ultimately change warfare forever.

You can rewatch the TERMINATOR: GENISYS trailer here.

TERMINATOR: GENISYS opens on July 1 in 3D, IMAX 3D and flat.

MUST WATCH: First Trailer For TERMINATOR: GENISYS !

Finally it's here! The first trailer for TERMINATOR: GENISYS starring an older Arnold Schwarzenegger seemingly doing battle with, well I'm not going to spoil the spoiler for you. But yes, a pretty cool element of the movie has been revealed in the trailer, so again I warn you if you want a pristine viewing experience in the theater, don't watch this trailer. Then again, HOW COULD YOU NOT?

My friend Patrick Lussier (DRIVE ANGRY, MY BLOODY VALENTINE) wrote TERMINATOR: GENISYS along with Laeta Kalogridis (SHUTTER ISLAND, BATTLE ANGEL) so you can expect a VERY well written movie here. Alan Taylor (THOR: THE DARK WORLD) is directing. 

Here's the movie's unofficial storyline:
The year is 2029. John Connor, leader of the resistance continues the war against the machines. At the Los Angeles offensive, John’s fears of the unknown future begin to emerge when TECOM spies reveal a new plot by SkyNet that will attack him from both fronts; past and future, and will ultimately change warfare forever.

You will see similarities with the original James Cameron directed TERMINATOR and TERMINATOR 2. That is intentional and you will begin to see why in this trailer and if you like the BACK TO THE FUTURE franchise, then you should like this movie too it seems. The old parts have been recast with some great talent, namely: Emilia Clarke, Jason Clarke and Jai Courtney.

Can't wait until July 1, 2015 for this thing to drop! "Your money... Give it too me now."

Dreamwork's GHOST IN THE SHELL Moves to Director Rupert Sanders

I was REALLY hoping Steven Spielberg himself would helm this 3D project and now I'm not sure it will retain stereoscopic 3D at all. GHOST IN THE SHELL remains at Dreamworks so I'm hopeful. The project has been passed over to Rupert Sanders (SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN) and while I like his style - what can I say, he's not Spielberg. That's not an insult by the way.

GITS is now being adapted and written by William Wheeler, but Laeta Kalogridis (SHUTTER ISLAND, AVATAR) was also involved back in 2009 and may still have her touch on the project. She is now working on TERMINATOR: GENESIS along with my pal Patrick Lussier (DRIVE ANGRY, MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D).

Here's a brief description of the original story's background:
Ghost in the Shell is a futuristic police thriller dealing with the exploits of Motoko Kusanagi, a member of the covert operations section of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission, Section 9, which specializes in fighting technology-related crime. She may be named after one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan and Shirow makes reference to them at the end of the second manga. Although supposedly equal to all other members, Kusanagi fills the leadership role in the team, and is usually referred to as "the Major" due to her past rank in the armed forces. She is capable of superhuman feats, and bionically specialized for her job — her body is almost completely mechanized; only her brain and a segment of her spinal cord are organic.

So yeah, I was looking forward to seeing a Spielberg directed GHOST IN THE SHELL go up against a James Cameron directed BATTLE ANGEL at the box office. Wow that would have been jaw dropping. But with BATTLE ANGEL delayed until at least the AVATARs are out of the way and marketed and Spielberg stepping back from GITS, it won't happen. Oh well. At least these projects are dead. To the contrary they're brimming with life so that's the silver lining. APHRODITE IX was another female cyborg project that was floating around that hopefully will someday see projector light.

Producers Avi and Ari Avid are still attached as well as Steven Paul. Lots of muscle there to get the job done obviously. Let's hope native 3D sticks to this project!

Stay tuned for more info when I get it!

Source: Deadline

TERMINATOR 5 Will Be Rated R: Patrick Lussier And Laeta Kalogridis Writing

Exciting news for the TERMINATOR franchise! Patrick Lussier (DRIVE ANGRY, DRACULA 2000) and Laeta Kalogridis (BATTLE ANGEL, SHUTTER ISLAND) have been inked to write the fifth installment in the time travelling doomsday series.

Megan Ellison (daughter of billionaire Larry Ellison) owns the rights to the franchise (Annapurna Pictures) and she has the deep pockets to pull off practically anything she desires - which makes this announcement very exciting. Top that off with Schwarzenegger thinking on returning to the franchise in some fashion certainly gets the blood boiling. His age will be a factor obviously, but that wouldn't stop a performance capture contribution for example. I'm excited!

The one-two punch of Lussier's horror pedigree (and native 3D directing background) along with Kalogridis' love of cyborgs and connection with TERMINATOR creator James Cameron (BATTLE ANGEL, AVATAR) makes me VERY excited.

This is not the first project that this duo have teamed up for. Lussier and Kalogridis also were tapped by Skydance Productions (owned by David Ellison - Megan's brother) to write an original scifi adventure movie for them. No word on the status of this particular project as of yet. Makes me wonder if this was the same project all along... Hmmm.

There is every reason to think that this assembled team and financing will succeed. They have the talent, the required background and money to pull it off. I'm convinced TERMINATOR 5 will be a 3D production - I don't see why not with this assembled team.

I'll have more exciting news about Lussier and others soon in connection with my 3D month initiative! Stay tuned!!

Source: Deadline

**SAME DAY UPDATE: Patrick Lussier And Laeta Kalogridis Writing Sci-Fi Adventure For Skydance

**SAME DAY UPDATE: I just got in touch directly with Patrick and he says he is writing and not directing this one, so he cannot comment on whether or not this project will be 3D. This writing gig is totally hush hush for the time being so don't expect too much more to trickle out for some time. But, I'm on it. These two writers are at the top of their game so I can't wait for more official news! Nice work landing these guys Skydance...

I've got to let you guys in on a secret (not so secret now) Sci-Fi Adventure project being written right now by a friend of mine, director Patrick Lussier (DRIVE ANGRY, MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D) and writer Laeta Kalogridis (SHUTTER ISLAND, AVATAR). Skydance Production has tapped them to write something ORIGINAL on an idea that has gesticulated for some time at the company.

Obviously the pair make a deliciously insidious duo as Lussier brings a horror / thriller and native 3D writing / directing background while Kalogridis has been involved in James Cameron projects like AVATAR and BATTLE ANGEL.

No word on whether or not Lussier will direct this project, but I am hopeful as that guarantees a nice hard edge and at least a serious look at a native 3D production.

This project could be anything really, but it's the writers and the production house that have me excited. Skydance also has projects like WORLD WAR Z, GI JOE: RETALIATION and STAR TREK 2 (a 3D conversion) in the hopper to name just a few.

More on this exciting development when I get it!

Source: Deadline

Cameron Gives A FANTASTIC VOYAGE Update: Script is Two Thirds Complete

Yes FANTASTIC VOYAGE is still being made with James Cameron producing and Shawn Levy (REAL STEEL) directing. In fact the script is two thirds done. Thus far Shane Salerno and Laeta Kalogridis have contributed to the writing which Cameron himself has labeled "very complex".

Cameron gave Deadline a bit of an update recently at the screening of a few clips from TITANIC 3D confirming that despite Levy's burgeoning dance card, he is still attached.

Says Cameron: "I gave him my idea about how this should be turned into a love story and he’s really run with it."

This is apparently the movie's storyline (Deadline):
Much like Titanic the new Voyage has a real emotional core to it, basically dealing with a doctor going through troubled times in his marriage who finds himself injected into his gravely ill wife in order to save her life. Apparently, once he gets to the brain, things really heat up.

I suspect we will see FANTASTIC VOYAGE in theaters in 2015 as the script isn't quite there and Levy has other projects to push as well. Still, this one will definitely be worth the wait.

A romance inside a human body? This has James Cameron produced sci-fi epic written all over it. For all of our coverage on FANTASTIC VOYAGE click here.

James Cameron Sends Shawn Levy On A FANTASTIC VOYAGE!

Apparently director Shawn Levy (NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, REAL STEEL) has been tapped to helm producer James Cameron's FANTASTIC VOYAGE for Fox!

I think the real strength here (other than the producer) is the writing. The first go at this was written by Shane Salerno (DOOMSDAY PROTOCOL) but even more importantly the rewrite is being massaged by Laeta Kalogridis who has been tearing it up since SHUTTER ISLAND, AVATAR and BATTLE ANGEL.

The early buzz on REAL STEEL sounds amazing! I think Levy has hit another one out of the park. No surprise here with Cameron selecting him; his future is definitely very bright.

Source: Deadline

Quick Post: Kalogridis Writing GitS

Jim here. Variety is reporting that Laeta Kalogridis is writing GHOST IN THE SHELL (GitS) for Dreamworks. Not a huge surprise here at all as clearly the writer is able to form strong stories for leading ladies (BATTLE ANGEL - though it seems the version has been shelved) and we had suspected as much.

Of course we knew about Spielberg obtaining GitS' rights back in April 2008. And, YES, it is in stereoscopic 3D!

Another strong female lead to watch out for is Top Cow's APHRODITE IX.

Quick Post: Laeta Kalogridis (co-writer of Avatar, Battle Angel, The Dive) Profile

Michael here. It's long been known that Laeta Kalogridis has been working on Battle Angel and The Dive for James Cameron, and her work on the Avatar script has also recently come to light.  Kalogridis has been a very well-respected screenwriter, but until now it seems she hasn't had much luck getting her screenplays produced.  Well, that's about to change - Kalogridis' career is really heating up.  Later this year, along with a little movie called Avatar, she has Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island.  She is also working on the script for the action-comedy Witchita, which will star Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.

The Los Angeles Times has an interesting profile of Kalogridis, including this quote about her collaboration with Cameron: "The whole reason I came out to Hollywood was the influence of [Cameron's] work, his transformation of how we think of action, and how we think of female heroes in action."

I can't wait to see what she does with Battle Angel, which has insane action along with a complex female protagonist.