SAN ANDREAS Rocks A New Trailer !

Check the latest trailer for Dwayne Johnson's SAN ANDREAS! I'm liking what I'm seeing from an effects point of view and hopefully the story matches that standard. I want as much REALISM as is possible in a disaster movie. You know - fault lines are authentic, fissures form where they are most likely to form, intensity of the quake is portrayed correctly, etc. 

Here's the movie's storyline:
After the infamous San Andreas Fault finally gives, triggering a magnitude 9 earthquake in California, a search and rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife make their way together from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save their only daughter. But their treacherous journey north is only the beginning. And when they think the worst may be over…it’s just getting started.

The action thriller “San Andreas,” from New Line Cinema and Village Roadshow Pictures, reunites Dwayne Johnson with director Brad Peyton and producer Beau Flynn, following their collaboration on the global hit “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.”

The film also stars Carla Gugino (“Night at the Museum,” TV’s “Entourage”), Alexandra Daddario (“Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters,” TV’s “True Detective”), Ioan Gruffudd (“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”), Archie Panjabi (TV’s “The Good Wife”), Hugo Johnstone-Burt (Australian TV’s “Home and Away”), Art Parkinson (TV’s “Game of Thrones”) and Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti (“Cinderella Man”).

“San Andreas” is produced by Beau Flynn (“Hercules,” “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island”). Richard Brener, Samuel J. Brown, Michael Disco, Rob Cowan, Tripp Vinson and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers. The screenplay is by Carlton Cuse, story by Andre Fabrizio and Jeremy Passmore.

SAN ANDREAS rocks theaters on May 29. 

Official Teaser Trailer For Dwayne Johnson's SAN ANDREAS!

I've been waiting for this! I do get a flashback to Emmerich's 2012 with a few scenes in this. I was hoping for a more accurate depiction of what a large scale fault event would look like, but judging from having a huge crevice open up just in front of the movie's protagonist and ripping a gas station EXACTLY in half, it seems this may be more of a popcorn movie. Still, that's fine by me as long as expectations are communicated well.

Dwayne Johnson can carry just about any movie so I'm not worried about being entertained, but I still have high hopes for some realistic action - I don't want to have to work too hard at suspension of disbelief.

SAN ANDREAS is a 3D conversion headlined by Graham Clark of Stereo D - these are the guys that do the lion-share of the Marvel universe conversions, so they are getting pretty darn good at it.

Here's the movie's storyline and description:
After the infamous San Andreas Fault finally gives, triggering a magnitude 9 earthquake in California, a search and rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife make their way together from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save their only daughter.

But their treacherous journey north is only the beginning. And when they think the worst may be over…it’s just getting started.

The action thriller “San Andreas,” from New Line Cinema and Village Roadshow Pictures, reunites Dwayne Johnson with director Brad Peyton and producer Beau Flynn, following their collaboration on the global hit “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.”

The film also stars Carla Gugino (“Night at the Museum,” TV’s “Entourage”), Alexandra Daddario (“Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters,” TV’s “True Detective”), Ioan Gruffudd (“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”), Archie Panjabi (TV’s “The Good Wife”), Hugo Johnstone-Burt (Australian TV’s “Home and Away”), Art Parkinson (TV’s “Game of Thrones”) and Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti (“Cinderella Man”).

“San Andreas” is produced by Beau Flynn (“Hercules,” “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island”). Tripp Vinson (“Red Dawn”) also serves as producer. Richard Brener, Samuel J. Brown, Michael Disco, Rob Cowan, and Bruce Berman are the executive producers, and Hiram Garcia is co-producer. The screenplay is by Carlton Cuse, story by Andre Fabrizio & Jeremy Passmore.


The creative filmmaking team includes director of photography Steve Yedlin (“Looper”), production designer Barry Chusid (“The Day After Tomorrow”), editor Bob Ducsay (upcoming “Godzilla”), VFX producer Randall Starr (upcoming “Into the Storm”), VFX supervisor Colin Strause (“The Avengers”), and costume designer Wendy Chuck (“Twilight”).

Shot on location in The Gold Coast and Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and in Los Angeles and San Francisco, “San Andreas” is slated to open in theatres in both 3D and 2D format on Friday, May 29, 2015.

New Line Cinema presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a FlynnPictureCo. Production, “San Andreas.” It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

SAN ANDREAS opens on May 29, 2015.

Dwayne Johnson's SAN ANDREAS Release Moves Up One Week

New Line's disaster movie SAN ANDREAS has a new release date one week earlier. The Dwayne Johnson project is now slated for a late May 2015 opening.

The movie was originally slated for June 5th.

In SAN ANDREAS' new berth it will attempt the subduction of some serious competition, namely a Cameron Crowe comedy, “INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3”, MONSTER TRUCKS and the second frame of TOMORROWLAND which will still be red hot.

Joining Johnson in the cast will be Alexandra Daddario (TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D), Carla Gugino (ALMOST HEROES 3D), Ioan Gruffudd, Will Yun Lee and Kylie Minogue.

Here's the movie's storyline:
In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot (Johnson) makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter.


I'll have more details on the exact date soon.

Second HERCULES Trailer - SPOILER!!

Yeah I have to shake my head at this one. Outside of being a pretty good indication that the movie seems to be an action juggernaut, there's a spoiler in this trailer that made me stop and wince. I thought there's no need to include that one line in this thing, but there it is.

I will tell you below this line in white text - just highlight the area if you want to read it.

**SPOILER BELOW**

The trailer invest significant time I believe to the development of the love interest of Hercules. She is shown many times and it seems to me to be a major part of the movie and to Hercules' character development. Later in the trailer the narrator states "Revenge your family" while showing a shot of the women and their children I am assuming. Also, the narrator says "The Gods that have killed your family". *SIGH* I hate that marketers these days think they can get away with things like that.

**SPOILER ABOVE**

Moving on, I enjoyed the rest of the trailer but I DO NOT recommend watching it if you want a pristine viewing experience going into the theater.

The practical effects look AMAZING in this movie, but I'm not convinced yet about the visual effects. Something about the multi-headed water beast (Hydra?) bothers me. The lines are TOO sharp to me. Motion blur seems lacking. Perhaps in 3D it will all work out - I'm hopeful.

Dwayne Johnson is Dwayne Johnson. Charismatic, owns the screen and instant audience interest in his well being. I really want this thing to work but I don't know how well they have delivered yet.

HERCULES opens on July 25 in 3D, IMAX 3D and flat. This is a 3D conversion.

Dwayne Johnson On SAN ANDREAS: The First Ever Big 3D Earthquake Disaster Film

Yes! Very interested now in The Rock's new motion picture that is pulling together titled SAN ANDREAS. The movie is slated to begin lensing in Brisbane, Australia in April with an anticipated 2015 release.

I'm looking forward to seeing a disaster film in 3D with as much realism as possible. Last word had Brad Peyton helming the pic, but with an eye of outdoing the master of over the top disaster movies, Roland Emmerich. Perhaps it'll be great popcorn entertainment - I guess either way I'm good for a Dwayne Johnson 3D disaster movie.

Here's the rough storyline for the movie:
After a devastating earthquake hits California, the story centers on a rugged rescue-helicopter pilot (Johnson) making a perilous trip across the state to rescue his estranged daughter.

And here's the tweet that gave away the 3D goodness coming our way:

I'll clarify. SAN ANDREAS (my next movie shooting in April) is the first ever big 3D earthquake disaster film. #RockTalk @OliverRosslee
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 31, 2013

More info when we get it! Definitely digging to find out if this is a native 3D production or what.

Want To See A New HERCULES BTS Photo? Direct From The Rock!

Straight away - I don't know if HERCULES will be in 3D, but I'm guessing that they're going to have to convert it to 3D in post to effectively combat Renny Harlin's HERCULES 3D starring Kellan Lutz which is also due in 2014. One thing is certain, that's not a 3D rig in the photo.

Either way, you have to enjoy Dwayne Johnson's tweets, especially when the man is on set. That's the case with his current project HERCULES which is currently shooting. Yes it's being directed by Brett Ratner and I've never been a great fan of his, but the RUSH HOUR movies made a mint (and were ok). I'm just not tuned into his work.

Back to Johnson - he seems to always have a great catchphrase with his set tweets too. Take the one that came with this photo:

No 'over-intellectualized actor speak'. Straight gut talk..bring it on motherf*cker. #EpicWar #HERCULESMovie pic.twitter.com/DKUohPb2QY

Got a way with words right? We'll have more on whether HERCULES goes 3D and definitely more on HERCULES 3D from Harlin. Confused? Don't blame you!

HERCULES opens on July 25, 2014 while HERCULES 3D is slated for March, 2014.


Source: Twitter

New Extended Clip For G.I. Joe: RETALIATION *AND* See 4 Minute Preview Of The Movie This Weekend!

Got some great news if you're a G.I. Joe fan like I am - a new trailer and the opportunity to see a 4 minute preview of the movie this weekend!

Jon Chu's G.I. JOE: RETALIATION gets a 4 minute pre-roll in front of HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS and I plan on checking it out tonight in IMAX!

Here's the official press release:
EXCLUSIVE 3D FOOTAGE OF “G.I. JOE: RETALIATION” TO PLAY IN ADVANCE OF “HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS” IN THEATERS ACROSS THE GLOBE

THE 4-MINUTE PREVIEW WILL BEGIN PLAYING JANUARY 24TH IN IMAX 3D, REALD 3D AND DIGITAL 3D LOCATIONS AROUND THE WORLD

HOLLYWOOD, CA (January 23, 2013) – Paramount Pictures, MGM and Skydance Productions, in association with Hasbro, will release a 4-minute preview of the highly anticipated “G.I. JOE: RETALIATION” in IMAX 3D, RealD 3D and digital 3D theaters in advance of Paramount and MGM’s “HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS.”

This first-look at the film will play across the globe beginning January 24th and run throughout “HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTER’S” theatrical engagement.

Based on the best-selling HASBRO characters, this follow-up to the 2009 release of “G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA,” which grossed more than $300 million worldwide, is di Bonaventura production and is presented by Paramount Pictures, MGM and Skydance Productions, in association with Hasbro.

In this sequel, the G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra, they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence. The film stars D.J. Cotrona, Byung-hun Lee, Adrianne Palicki, Ray Park, Jonathan Pryce, Ray Stevenson, Elodie Yung, Channing Tatum with Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson. Directed by Jon M. Chu, and produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Brian Goldner of Hasbro, from a screenplay by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick, based on Hasbro’s G.I. Joe® characters.

“G.I. JOE: RETALIATION” is in theaters everywhere March 29th, 2013.

“HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS” stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton as Hansel and Gretel, who, after getting a taste for blood as children, become the ultimate vigilantes, hell bent on retribution. Now, unbeknownst to them, Hansel and Gretel have become the hunted, and must face an evil far greater than witches… their past. In addition to Renner and Arterton, the film stars Famke Janssen and Peter Stormare. Written and directed by Tommy Wirkola and produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Kevin Messick and Beau Flynn.

“HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS” opens in the U.S. and Canada on January 24, 2013 with show times beginning at 10 p.m.

Here's the latest trailer for the movie - check it out!

Watch: New International Trailer For JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND

We are going to find out soon enough if Dwayne Johnson can fill the rather large boots of Brendan Fraser who starred in the first movie of this new franchise JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH 3D. You see Fraser has an absolutely huge and diehard following overseas probably due to his famous MUMMY roles. But Johnson is bigger here in North America so it is an interesting thing to watch.

Josh Hutcherson is returning though to try and elegantly segue this second installment. It seems they are still in the family action adventure business so that is going for them. I hope their visual effects will improve, but so far the clips are not showing me that.

I'm looking forward to seeing Michael Caine again - I saw him at ShoWest a few years ago. A class act.

Here's the movie's storyline:
Young adventurer Sean receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island should exist–a place of strange life forms, mountains of gold, deadly volcanoes, and more than one astonishing secret. Unable to stop him from going, Sean’s new stepfather joins the quest. Together with a helicopter pilot and his beautiful, strong-willed daughter, they set out to find the island, rescue its lone inhabitant and escape before seismic shock waves force the island under the sea and bury its treasures forever.



Look for JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND on February 10, 2012.

WWE Wrestling With Bringing 3D To Their Top Event?

According to Prowrestling, it seems the WWE is considering three dimensions for their Wrestlemania flagship event.

Here's what they had to say: "With the increasing popularity of 3D feature films and 3D televisions becoming more accessible to consumers, WWE has been working on producing its own 3D content. According to a reliable source, WWE is negotiating with Fathom Events to air this year’s WrestleMania 27 pay-per-view in 3D in movie theaters across the United States.

While the idea of WrestleMania 3D sounds great, fans should not get their hopes up just yet - as the two parties have still not yet come to terms on [what else] money distribution.

According to a new report from the Chicago Independent Press, WWE wants 47 percent of PPV revenue for 3D buys, which is standard for WWE PPVs, but Fathom reportedly wants a larger cut. WWE also wants 60-70 percent of revenue from theaters, but Fathom isn’t willing to give that much away.

The negotiations have reportedly stalled and with WrestleMania coming up in just 3 months, the window opportunity for both sides to reach an agreement is closing."

I haven't watching wrestling since The Rock departed for movies, so I don't know how prevalent it is anymore. I know MMA is red hot and they SHOULD be looking at 3D right now! We'll see!!

Huge Casting News: Neeson Signs On For BATTLESHIP And Caine Close To Joining JOURNEY 2!!

Wow! Some on the edge action oriented movies just got a whole lot more endearing for me.

I have always been a huge Liam Neeson fan and especially after TAKEN took the world by storm at the box office, he has been on a bit of a action genre smorgasbord. Variety says that next up for Colonel Hannibal Smith is actually playing an Admiral in Universal's BATTLESHIP.

**Note: Even though director Peter Berg is not shooting the movie in 3D, I am still covering it in case Universal decides to convert it in post production (and hopefully doing a good job of it). After all, the project did start out as being shot in native 3D.

Neeson joins Rihanna, Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker and Taylor Kitsch on the cast.

The movie is centered on an alien invasion with the entire planet in jeopardy.

Look for BATTLESHIP in theaters May 18, 2012.

**AND**

Michael Caine is reportedly (THR) close to signing on for JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND. Yes, the legend himself will have significant screen time and will be involved in several action sequences supposedly involving giant bees!

Caine will be joining Dwayne Johnson and Josh Hutcherson on the cast. Hutcherson's and Johnson's character set out to find his grandfather (played by Caine) who has been lost on a mythical island. You can read more info on the casting of The Rock right here.

Solid, legitimate acting has just been added to these two projects and my expectations just rose quite a few notches. Here's hoping they can deliver.

Another casting possibility of note is Natalie Portman reportedly being offered the lead in GRAVITY, Alfonso Cuaron's space thriller with Robert Downey Jr. The $80 million sci-fi is about a female astronaut sent to make repairs on the Hubble Telescope. She becomes the sole survivor when space debris hits her transport and will have to find a way back home. Apparently Portman has yet to read the highly anticipated movie's script, so I have not posted on this yet in full form. I will if she grabs it!

Dwayne Johnson Set For JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH Sequel

THR is claiming that Dwayne Johnson is now attached as the top line star for New Line's JOURNEY 2: THE ROCK THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND.

Brendan Frasier had scheduling conflicts and is unable to return, although director Brad Peyton and Josh Hutcherson are back for the sequel.

Apparently the movie is loosely based on Jules Verne's THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND and Johnson plays Hutcherson's mother's boyfriend. All three travel to a mythical island is search of the young man's grandfather.

Shooting will take place in North Carolina and Hawaii in native 3D.

More when I get it!

Sgt. Rock Bowling For 300?

Recently David Gambino with Dark Castle Entertainment was interviewed and he stated: "There's been talk about possibly doing (Sgt. Rock) like a "300", really making it like a graphic novel come to life, but no decisions have really been made on that. It's pretty exciting though. It's a project that Joel (Silver) has had for probably going on 15 or 20 years now. It was something that he almost had in production with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the late '80s, and it ultimately fell apart in financing at the studio. But it's something he's been hoping we can crack forever, and we finally have a script that everybody's happy with, and now it's just a matter of getting the ball rolling here and trying to put it into production."

He also was very vocal about trying to find the lead for the Joel Silver film (script by John Cox) and that it was a challenge to find a suitable actor with a substantial muscular frame. Maybe whoever winds up doing Marcus Fenix in Gears of War could switch gears for the sergeant.

Well the CGI in "300" was excellent and made the movie far more successful than it would have been without it. And far cheaper to make. I am all for CGI'ing "Sgt. Rock" to the max.

Hmmm. Lead actor for Sgt. Rock. Well - The Rock comes to mind... Built-in brand awareness!

Gears of War FEATURE FILM ?

Variety has announced that New Line Cinema has secured the film rights to Gears of War.

If you have not played Gears of War (GoW) on the Xbox 360, then you probably don't know what the excitement is all about. Lets just say that GoW was the most intense video game yet produced for the console market and the best game of 2006.

However, and a big however, is that they had better not screw it up like Doom. Karl Urban and The Rock did a half decent job with the movie, yet it bombed critically and with the box office. Effective marketing and buzz is essential for this genre of film. Get it done!

One big advantage that GoW will have over the other 'gamer movies' that have been made: One word... CHAINSAW. It will be a gore fest to be sure, but well within the realms of fantasy--not like the Hostel series which is hauntingly possible.

Stuart Beattie (Collateral, Pirates of the Caribbean series, Derailed) wrote the treatment that won over the competing camps. Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen will produce and GoW's lead game designer Cliff Bleszinski will be the executive producer for the film adaptation.

Stay tuned for casting news... (Yah I know the dude looks like Tommy Lee Jones... AIN'T gonna happen. These guys are walking mountains!)