PIRANHA 3D Sequel Already Has Teeth!

Yes, you read that right! Due to the overwhelming critical response to the Alexandre Aja re-imagining of PIRANHA, Dimension Films is talking sequel very publicly. PIRANHA 3D has been hovering around the 80% fresh rating at RottenTomatoes and does not seem to be moving, so obviously the horror comedy has been well received.

Press Release Excerpts:
Audiences have been slow to warm up to the movie and we will soon see what kind of legs the film will have in theaters. I loved it. If it wasn't for the terrible 3D conversion (ok, most of the short range shorts were passable) I would have really praised it. After earning rave reviews from top critics, wild cheers from audiences around the country, and $10 million in its opening weekend boxoffice, Dimension Films is pleased to announce that PIRANHA 3D – THE SEQUEL is in the works.

PIRANHA 3D producer Mark Canton stated, "We are thrilled that audiences are not just loving PIRANHA 3D, but cheering for it. And it's fantastic that so many critics are really getting the movie and recommending it. We can't wait to get to work on the sequel."

PIRANHA 3D opened with fantastic reviews from top critics like the ASSOCIATED PRESS and REUTERS, enjoying a very FRESH rating of 80-82% favorable reviews on the popular movie review site ROTTEN TOMATOES throughout it's opening weekend. The movie has captured the attention of movie fans as well as elite media outlets like The Wall St. Journal, The Daily Beast and The Huffington Post. And taking Hollywood by surprise, PIRANHA 3D - via a partnership with Funny Or Die - is the subject of a much-talked about campaign to be named Best Picture of the year. Funny Or Die's "For Your Consideration" video for PIRANHA 3D took the nation by storm last week. And, as announced over the weekend, Academy Award ® nominee and Piranha 3D heroine Elisabeth Shue will debut a brand new video in the coming days on Funny Or Die.

Directed by Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, Mirrors), produced by Mark Canton (300, upcoming Immortals) and starring Elisabeth Shue, Jerry O'Connell, Jessica Szohr (Gossip Girl), Steven R. McQueen (Vampire Diaries and grandson of the legendary actor), Eli Roth, Adam Scott, Kelly Brook (current cover of Playboy), Riley Steele, Paul Scheer, Ving Rhames, Ricardo Chavira, Richard Dreyfuss and Christopher Lloyd, PIRANHA 3D opened to rave reviews from the Associated Press and other top critics.

So while the movie will most likely break even or maybe even squeak out a little profit after disc sales, the critical response has earned it a sequel nod. Or at least a hint of a sequel to help propel current theatrical sales. ;-)

PIRANHA 3D Spoiler Free Review: 7 / 10 - Go See It

Saw PIRANHA 3D in my local RealD theater tonight and it was ALMOST exactly what I wanted from the hype! Of course it is focused on male audiences with plenty of nudity and innovative and bloody deaths, but there are some fairly good comedic scenes and yes I did laugh out loud quite a few times.

So how was the 3D? The 3D conversion was done by a company called inner-D who won the business after beating out several other conversion companies. Personally, most of the 3D was passable. Did I mistake it for native 3D? Heck no. But there were some fairly decent shots. The main problem with this conversion is landscape distance; there were numerous occasions where the background was clearly either a chunk of flat 2D or the perspective was off significantly. On one shot, the water seemed to be impossibly high when compared to the shoreline - things like that really bother me. But for the tight, money shots? No complaints and that is why you are going to see this movie anyway - the tight shots.

Lenny Lipton's name is on this movie as a stereo consultant, so they were tapping the right mind at least some of the time.

I give the 3D a 6.5 out of 10 when compared to well shot native 3D. Don't worry - it is much better than the CLASH OF THE TITANS conversion!

The acting was actually very good. I dearly wanted more Richard Dreyfus! Elisabeth Shue was amazing as the local sheriff. Jerry O'Connell was perfectly cast.

As I have said, there is extreme gore in this film - so be prepared for that. But most of all, be prepared for a great, summer 3D popcorn movie. PIRANHA 3D = 7 / 10 and it is FUN.

Alexandre Aja slaps you in the face with a bloody limb and you will LOVE it!!

Thanks to Empire Theatres for the screening.

Alexandre Aja Biting Into COBRA THE SPACE PIRATE Next?

I really don't know what to expect with the upcoming release of Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3D this weekend. On one hand, I am a big Aja fan (THE HILLS HAVE EYES, MIRRORS) but on the other hand the super advance word on this movie is 'cheese', but that may have changed in the editing room after getting feedback - or it could have just been a vicious attack for no reason. I do know that no movie critics have been allowed to preview the movie. I am an eternal optimist though, so I will be the first in line.

This brings me to Aja's next project: He has been talking (via Collider) about writing and directing an adaptation of the Japanese manga COBRA THE SPACE PIRATE, which he grew up watching on TV in Europe.

Here is a breakdown of the manga:
The series follows the adventures of Cobra who lived an ordinary life until enemies started to hunt him down. Cobra surgically alters his face, and erases his own memory to hide from his enemies. Cobra starts to regain his memories and then unites with his old partner Lady Armaroid and his ship Tortuga. Later in his adventures, Cobra meets the Royal sisters whose map-tattoos lead to treasure. The Cobra manga has also spawned nine sequel series… [and] later served as the basis for a feature-length film adaptation, a 31-episode anime series that retells the film’s story, and two original video animations.

So what does Aja have to say about the project (via Deadline)?
“I grew up dreaming about Cobra. My day was, finish school, run home and switch on the TV and I was hardly the only one. Kids did it in France, Italy, Spain, all over Western Europe. For many people there is Star Wars and nothing else, but for me and my writing partner Gregory, there is Star Wars and Cobra. I am so surprised it never crossed the ocean and made the same impact in the U.S., because it is so big everywhere else. There are 60 books, a lot of TV animation and so many adventures, pirates and bad guys that it is perfect to be reinvented into a really cool space opera adventure franchise for a new generation.”

“It should be in 3D, science fiction and 3D are a good mix. I’ll start work on the script soon, but I have been carrying this inside me for thirty years and we are talking to the creature designers of films like Avatar and Star Trek, building a new world and doing it the right way.”

Looks like Aja and I are going to get along just fine. We'll see how well his PIRANHA 3D conversion works out for him, and he has plenty of time to decide to shoot in native 3D or not for his next project.

I just want to see a Hollywood adaptation of a good Manga. We are still waiting on Cameron's BATTLE ANGEL and Spielberg's GHOST IN THE SHELL to name a couple of other top line projects.

Glad to see Aja has landed on the 3D side of Hollywood's creativity line! Bring it on Alex...

New PIRANHA 3D Teaser Poster!

I am feeling exploited with this poster - and I like it! :-)

Dimension has released this teaser poster for their upcoming thriller / horror PIRANHA 3D (via Twitter). They have been very active promoting this Alexandre Aja project lately and I get the same type of in-your-face vibe from this marketing as I did from Lionsgate's MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D. You can easily get away with "comin' at ya" 3D in horror - so why not now right Alexandre?

Storyline: Every year the small community of sleepy Lake Victoria expands from 5,000 people to 50,000 for crazy Spring Break. This year, there's something else to be concerned about aside from a bunch of horny drunken teens. After a small underwater earthquake releases schools of prehistoric man-eating fish, a group of strangers must work together to stop everyone from becoming human fish food.

PIRANHA 3D opens in a 3D theater near you August 20.

Must See: Alexandre Aja's Full Length Trailer For PIRANHA 3D!!

Jim here. Got the new full length trailer for Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3D for you! And you know what? It looks pretty decent!

I dismissed the early glimpse we saw of the movie that was converted to 3D because quite frankly, it sucked. A horrible conversion.

But now seeing the first serious trailer in 2D at least, it looks awesome! Don't get me wrong, I love Aja's body of work; it is the conversion that I am worried about. I have heard some things about PIRANHA 3D that makes me worry a bit (like it is campy), but I reserve to make my own judgment when I see it. THE HILLS HAVE EYES and MIRRORS I thought were well done. Aja has a great future ahead of him.

One of the best things about PIRANHA 3D is seeing some older actors re-emerge again! Richard freakin' Dreyfus! Christopher Lloyd!! Love it. Think the conversion can do it justice? I hope they have time to readjust their process in light of viewer comments about the first glimpse. What do you think of the trailer?

New Set Shots: PIRANHA 3D! And Richard Dreyfus!!

Jim here. Dread Central got their hands on some set shots for PIRANHA 3D and we are finally starting to see some of the action caused by those pesky little prehistoric creatures. The most impressive shot has Elizabeth Shue hanging for her life above the churning water which happens to be conspicuously reddish in color.

You can expect to see Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3D in theaters on April 16, 2010. "After a sudden underwater tremor sets free scores of the prehistoric man-eating fish, an unlikely group of strangers must band together to stop themselves from becoming fish food for the area’s new razor-toothed residents. But our heroine (Elisabeth Shue) is seriously outnumbered, and with only one chance to save the lake and her family from totally being devoured, she must risk everything to destroy the aquatic carnivores herself."

Gotta love Richard Dreyfus getting some screen time in this one! Brings back those Jaws memories vividly - I hope there is some connection there!I know there are some comedic aspects to the project. I just want to see more of Dreyfus in the movies - his talent is sorely missed.

It will be interesting to see how well this movie converts to 3D as that is the method that Aja has selected for creating this stereoscopic project.

Be sure to click through to see the remaining shots. And you can check out other MarketSaw exclusive PIRANHA 3D set shots here, here and here! When we get more info - consider it posted!! This one is gonna be a bloody good :-)

Alexandre Aja Talks PIRANHA 3D - Will be Converted in Post

Michael here. ShockTillYouDrop.com visited the set of Piranha 3D and came back with an in-depth interview with director Alexandre Aja.

It's a very good read. Among other things, Aja discusses his decision to convert in post instead of shooting the film in 3D:

Shock: What 3-D process are you using for this film?

Aja: It's very bizarre because we started the process by talking about using the new system that James Cameron used [for Avatar]. I realized along the way that those cameras were forcing me, first, to shoot in HD and then there were too many technical parameters that were not good. So, we heard about a new technique they were developing that nobody really used before which is the conversion. The conversion is more expensive, much more work in post-production. You're basically shooting the movie in the traditional way thinking 3-D and then the whole movie would be converted by computer. The camera in 35mm is shooting all of us here and then the computer is going to modelize each of us in 3-D and inside the computer you're going to screen, you're going to project the image on the 3-D model and you create that space and that whole style. It's very complicated. I was kind of like, "Oh, it's impossible it's not going to feel natural," and I saw 20 minutes of King Kong being converted and it's the best thing I've ever seen. When I see 20 minutes of that, I mean, I don't understand why the studio is not finishing the movie and releasing the movie again in 3-D. It's the best, best, best, best. I've also seen stuff from The Matrix and from Star Wars, the original.

Shock: Whoa. They're just converting it for 3-D?

Aja: Yeah, it's unbelievable. It's not like black and white convert in color where you see that it's stained and it's not natural. It's amazing, there is no word. It was great for us because we are shooting for real on cinemascope anamorphic on film, shooting it as a normal movie. So, it's much faster and we have a full control on the 3-D. Without being presumptuous, I think the 3-D experience on Piranha is going to be the best one that's ever made.

Head over to ShockTillYouDrop.com for the full interview.

What do you think of Aja's decision not to shoot in 3D? I'm expecting that some big budget live-action movies will be announced for 3D soon - and I hope at least some are shot that way.

EXCLUSIVE SET PHOTO: Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D Will Have Some Humor!

Jim here. Got another spy shot from the same source that sent me the bloody boat pics from PIRANHA 3-D!

Click to enlarge...

This one shows that the movie is NOT lacking in the humor department! I love it! Take a look at the floating stage where they apparently hold a wet t-shirt contest: The banner overhead clearly says - WILD GIRLS - DYING TO GET WET. Nothing like a good pun to get you in the mood for a bloody good time.

Just how tongue-in-cheek will PIRANHA 3-D be? Will they go overboard? Or are they baiting us? LOL :-)

EXCLUSIVE: Bloody New Spy Photos From The Set Of Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D

Jim here guys. Got some recent exclusive photos from the set of Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D sent to me and of course you are the first to know! :-)

Click on images to zoom.

Here is what my source had to say about the photos: "These were taken with a cell phone, security was pretty tight. There is a great one with a half body laying on an overturned boat. You'll see the boats covered with blood, and a couple good pics of the hydraulic sound stage."

I don't think there are any spoilers in these photos to speak of, so have fun taking a look! Again, I love seeing behind the scenes (BTS) photos and set shots - gives me a really good feeling for the quality of the production and of course with Aja at the helm it is going to be awesome. Bloody awesome.

The top photo is obviously with someone missing a lower appendage no doubt bitten off in some gruesome fashion! The next photos are of the bloody decks of boats used in the movie. Finally we have some shots of the Soundstage complete with boats sinking and BTS hydraulics used in the movie. Seeing these scenes in 3D is going to be wicked.

I am super stoked for this movie guys. I am definitely an Aja fan and that could color how I am viewing this project, but heck - it looks good. And a blast to be on this production! Wish I was there! Just how much blood do you think Aja is using in this? :-)

Graphic Set Photos From Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D

Jim here. Got some set photos (SplashNews via TheHorrorGeek) from Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D that is shooting now in Arizona.

Warning these are VERY GRAPHIC and although they look real these are obviously ACTORS. :-) The female woman in these photos is Kelly Brook (both with face and sans face). Personally, I don't like how the kid is looking at the fake corpse in pic 1. Reminds me a bit of what Linda Blair had to go through for THE EXORCIST. Look for PIRANHA 3-D in theaters on March 10, 2010.

Did we mention that Aja has said that there will be plenty of blood in this movie? And did I call it or what?? Told ya there would be a bloody mess on that boat!! LOL

Christopher Lloyd Knows Piranhas!

Hey guys - Jim here. Christopher Lloyd has joined the cast of Aja's PIRANHA 3-D shooting now in Arizona! Got the news from Dreadcentral who has a great thing going with a local spy feeding them info.

Christopher was also recently in another 3D movie entitled CALL OF THE WILD, a family adventure film.

Apparently Lloyd will play an expert on Piranhas known as Goodman. I would say that "Doc" bites it in this one as good guys finish last. Wait - does that mean he outlasts everyone? Heck. I don't know.

I DO know is that this movie is going to get messy. I like the talent Aja is piling up here for a body count. Having a Richard Dreyfus cameo is a stroke of genius!

New Behind The Scene Shots: PIRANHA 3-D

Jim here. Got some cool new behind-the-scenes photos (Dreadcentral) from Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D shooting right now in Arizona. Be sure to click on over to the Dreadcentral boys for more shots! That's Elisabeth Shue in the first photo.

These photos are obviously from the downtown area of the town whereas the spy shot I have of the soon to be "bloody action area" is on the outskirts.

I can't get enough of BTS photos. Shows all the action behind what finally gets up on screen. You can clearly see Aja's two stereo 3D monitors for his reviewing pleasure...

Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D Movie Set Hi-Res Spy Shot

Jim here. Got a spy shot from Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3-D and an Arizona outdoor set that is obviously going to be used for the more intense water shots. Call me a betting man, but I would wager that the boat in the background there plays a major role. It will probably be floating in that pool at some point with blood everywhere lol.

Thanks for the shot Baitman! I have seen another shot of this set, but this one is very nice in high resolution. Zoom in! See what you can see... :-)

You can click on the image for the larger version.

Live in Arizona? Wanna Be Eaten By Piranhas in 3D? Look No Further!

Jim here. Good Faith Casting is about to open their doors to movie extras for Alexandre Aja's horror PIRANHA 3D. They are located in Lake Havasu, AZ and payscale is a typical minimum wage with time and a half after 8 hours. Oh and you are feed as well - onsite catering. But of course you don't go for the money but the thrill of it and this project has fun written all over it.

Watch out for casting scams though - some are already on the go. The bottom line is you should never have to pay someone to be considered for background role. If they are asking for money a red flag should go up.

There are also some opportunities for some one-liners in the movie and you do get paid more for these. Speaking roles also contribute toward potential membership in the Screen Actors Guild at some point. Most speaking roles are cast through NYC, LA or Phoenix though.

Here are the contact details if you are interested!

Good Faith Casting Office
Travis McAfee and Chris Davis
209 English Village, close to L.A. Styles.
No set hours yet and a drop-in visits not encouraged.
Hotline: 928-575-6518 (Email is preferred however).

You should also e-mail the following to be considered as an extra: full body photo, face photo, and your contact information to havasuextras@gmail.com.

Trust me when I say this - background acting can be a blast! I was a viking in Jim Caviezel's OUTLANDER and everday was awesome. For someone interested in career in acting, it is a good way to get acquainted with what is involved and behind the scenes operations. Heck I would go just to see the 3D cameras and Aja in action!! If you do decide to sign up, let me know - my email is jim marketsaw com. Good luck!

Alexandre Aja To Start Shooting "Piranha 3D" In Mid May?

Jim here. Production Weekly again has got some inside info - this time for Alexandre Aja's PIRANHA 3D... Apparently Aja will begin production in Arizona in mid May for the Weinstein Company.

We knew that he had delayed his shoot from late last year as the water for filming would simply be too cold - and there is gonna be a lot of water scenes. Duh.

So... mid May it is. Look for a release in theaters to PIRANHA 3D next year. Will update ASAP.

"Piranha 3D" Update: Shooting In 2009 Says Aja

Jim here. Got an update on PIRANHA 3D from Alexandre Aja via ShockTilYouDrop and it looks like principal shooting will take place in 2009:

"We're definitely shooting in 2009," he says. "I don't know about the release date, it's difficult to tell but at the end of the day, we have to do what's best for the movie. It would have been insane to have shot the film this winter on the water."

"I'm finishing storyboards now and using the time to improve the script to get the best action and story gags as possible," adds Aja. Asked to explain the Piranha concept art revealed in November, he says, "That's one of the concepts. There are many because, visually, they'll be different. Like GREMLINS not all of the piranha will be the same."

This sounds like an awesome premise! Imagine different Piranha with different ways of eating flesh in the hands of Aja - should prove to be very a interesting final result for us.

Be sure to read the full details over at ShockTilYouDrop.

Alex Aja's "Piranha 3D": Concept Art|

Yeah - what is this immaculate conception week? Yet another piece of concept art today, this time officially through The Weinstein Co. and Alexandre Aja for their 3D horror film PIRANHA 3D. The wonderful guys over at ShockTilYouDrop picked up this story.

Here is the movie's synopsis:

"What do they really eat?"

"You mean besides flesh and blood?"

A new type of terror is about to be cut lose on beautiful Lake Victoria. After a sudden underwater terror sets free scores of prehistoric man-eating fish, an unlikely group of strangers, including hot local cop Julie Forester, must band together to stop themselves from becoming fish food for the area's new razor-toothed residents. But out heroine is seriously outnumbered, and with only one chance to save the lake and her family from totally being devoured, she must risk everything to destroy the aquatic carnivores herself.

Did I just read "hot local cop" just now? Just who are they targetting for this movie's demographic anyway? Well the concept art looks sufficiently fierce and if you multiple that fish by oh 100,000 then you get the real meaning behind this pic. Don't forget Aja's pledge of a brutal blood bath - if anyone is capable of delivering on that pledge - it's Aja.

Alexandre Aja on Piranha 3D: "Super-Gore" - Killing 1000 Students

Well I guess we can expect this from Aja. 1000 drunk, partying spring break students will become lunch for legions of newly freed prehistoric piranhas in his upcoming movie aptly entitled PIRANHA 3D.

Apparently they were supposed to start shooting this fall, but it is now too cold and they are waiting for spring to ramp it up. Dimension Films was looking to release this movie in July 2009, but now that date will probably have to be adjusted in light of the later start date.

"The movie takes place during Spring Break and, of course, the studio wanted it ready for the summer, but if you've got 1000 people who need to get murdered in the water, you have to wait for the right temperature for the water, for the weather, for everything." Aja told RottenTomatoes.

"Most of the film takes place outside on location in the lake. It's all there, it's so simple. An earthquake releases prehistoric piranhas during Spring Break. All these drunk American kids being torn to shreds by crazy fish. You can't make something more different than Mirrors than this movie and I'm really excited about it because it's such a thrill ride. It's super-gore, super-action, it's going to be really amazing. I'm so excited about that project."

"This is way more difficult and way more challenging than all the other movies ("The Hills Have Eyes", "P2", "Mirrors") put together."

I have high expectations for this movie because of Aja. I thought THE HILLS HAVE EYES was brilliant - the nuclear test town was perfect. I think he can pull of something special here - because I am rarely moved by a horror movie. I am hoping that 3D can pull me out of the doldrums and back to being scared once and awhile!

Insider: "Piranha 3-D" Production Start Delayed Until March/April 2009

STYD has an inside source that claims that Alexandre Aja's "Piranha 3-D" will be pushed back from this fall to next spring (March/April).
"There just wasn't enough time for pre-production to get it done in time," says one insider. "It's all about pre-production and trying to make it the best it can be."

So will Aja be able to make his July summer release? Doubtful. Another potential reason for the delay is the sheer number of 3D movies coming out next summer and the less than optimal number of 3D screens available to watch them on. Don't forget that the Fox tentpole Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs" opens July 1st and Disney's "G-Force" opens July 24th! It will be hard to wrestle those screens away from those guys believe me.

I wouldn't be surprised if "Piranha 3-D" is pushed to September where there is less 3D action taking place. If it doesn't make September of November, you won't see it until late spring or summer 2010 because of a little nugget coming out called AVATAR.

Piranha 3D: Release Slated For July 2009!

Alexandra Aja was caught in a net over at the San Diego Comic Con by JoBlo and he spilled his guts about his gore fest movie coming at us in stereoscopic splendor: Piranha 3D. Probably the newest bit of information about the "earthquake releases prehistoric piranhas on spring break students" is that the window for release has been set for July 2009! I am speculating that the movie will most likely fit in between "Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs" (July 1st) and "G-Force" (July 24th).

And yes, you're right! 2009 is breaking at the seams for 3D releases. We need to get those 3D screens in rollout project plans RIGHT NOW. Take a look at the scheduled releases. There is no less than 19 3D movies set to be screened in 2009 and only three of those movies do not have a date set yet. The studio response to 3D has been OVERWHELMING. Now with those recent theater chain commitments in place for RealD, we need to see some action to get those screens in place immediately. But I digress...

Here is some extracted info about Piranha 3D from JoBlo's recent interview (be sure to read the whole conversation here):

Q: Is PIRANHA 3D going to stick close to the Joe Dante original?
Aja: You know, it’s not really a remake at all. It’s a piranha movie, but there is not even one element or one scene from the Dante or the James Cameron movie. The story’s very simple: an earthquake releases a prehistoric piranha during Spring Break. So there’s going to be some crazy drunk kids getting killed.

Q: Is there going to be a lot of campy aspects to this? Is your movie going to be funny or is it going to be hard core horror?
Aja: It’s going to be hard core horror, but funny at the same time. You know, kind of like DEAD ALIVE.

Q: Are you looking forward to using the new 3D technology in the making of PIRANHA 3D?
Aja: When I was getting exdited about James Cameron coming out with AVATAR 3D, I was thinking about when we would see the first horror movie in 3D. You know, most of the work when making a horror movie is creating a world where you throw them inside the screen to scare them—but their only watching it. I’m looking forward to having the stuff come out of the screen at the audience, and give them nightmares. When you think about Spring Break, you think about drinking, you think about topless girls, and this movie is going to have it all.

Q: When is PIRANHA 3D expected to be released?
Aja: Next July. Yeah, it’s going to be happening very fast.

Anyone seeing a trend here in 3D movie making? Yep. Horror movies. I love it! Horror applies itself so well to 3D in many respects and should really enjoy the spoils of stereoscopic spectacularism! If that's even a word... Guess it is now even if it wasn't! lol.

Image Source: TV Guide