Pacific Rim might have a sequel thanks to foreign box office sales
While Pacific Rim sadly underperformed at the domestic box office, making a paltry $84m to date, its foreign box office intake has made up for the lagging sales. Amounting up to roughly $140m overseas, Pacific Rim's future might be saved thanks to our neighbors to the East. While nothing is set in stone, the likelihood of a Pacific Rim sequel rests somewhat on its performance following this weekend's theatrical release in China. If the returns are good, it will easily surpass the $150m international mark for a cumulative $225m+.
With openings taking place in Spain, Brazil, and Japan next week, there's a very attainable goal for the film to reach the $250m mark, which would net the film an approximate $60m profit (not including advertising/marketing numbers). While $60m isn't much of a profit in Hollywood, it's a good showing for such a niche film like Pacific Rim. Of course, this all is speculation, as a sequel hasn't even been discussed, but it'd be interesting to see where director Guillermo del Toro would take any future films based on the film's reception and criticism.
[via /Film]
Oldboy remake delayed until November
The first trailer for Spike Lee's American remake of Oldboy was met with a mixed reaction. As expected, cinephiles and fans of the original South Korean film were letdown and disappointed by Lee's decision to not stray far from Park Chan-wook's vision. However, those who have never seen the original film or were unaware of it were mesmerized and intrigued by the trailer. I have to admit, despite my minor hatred towards Lee's lack of risk taking, the source material still makes for a really good narrative.
However, the film has been delayed a month, moving from October 25th to November 27th. No word has been released detailed why the film was delayed, but if it's due to post-production to help ensure the film's up to snuff and cleaned up, I'm all for it. It also fits as the perfect Thanksgiving film to watch with the family... you know, with its story about revenge, captivity, excessive violence, and all of the spoiler-related themes the film explores.
[via /Film]
[Event] I Declare War Ultimate Capture the Flag Paintball Challenge in Austin
When I first saw the trailer for I Declare War, I practically fell in love with the imagination-driven film from the get-go. I'm not the only one that felt that way, as the film won the Fantastic Fest '12 Audience Award, amongst other accolades. The Alamo Drafthouse is also backing the film heavily, going so far as to throw a special I Declare War event for Austinites.
The I Declare War Ultimate Capture the Flag Paintball Challenge is an I Declare War-themed paintball game open to the public. The day's festivities include both an epic paintball/capture the flag game, following by a special outdoor screening of the film, and closes with a Q&A with star Gage Munroe, directors Jason Lepeyre and Robert Wilson, and producer Lewin Webb. Food and drinks will be provided, as well as separate tickets for those only interested in the screening itself.
Tickets for the event can be bought here. I've also included an itinerary for the day's event below.
Meet Location:
Stunt Ranch - 13317 Fitzhugh Rd Austin, TX 78737
Schedule for the event:
1630 Hours - Meet at Stunt Ranch
1700 Hours - The Battle Begins
2100 Hours - I DECLARE WAR Outdoor Screening
2230 Hours - Q&A With Star Gage Munroe, Directors Jason Lepeyre & Robert Wilson, and Producer Lewin Webb
A $25 ticket to this event includes:
-1 Game of Paintball at Stunt Ranch
-100 rounds of paintball ammunition
-Outdoor screening of I DECLARE WAR at Stunt Ranch
A $10 ticket to this event includes:
-Outdoor screening of I DECLARE WAR at Stunt Ranch
Bring:
-Lawn Chairs and/or blankets
-Bug spray
Food:
There will be Succulent Barbecue by Micklethwait Craft Meats
Ice cream and refreshments by Dia De Las Paletas
Beer:
On tap will be Thirsty Planet Buckethead IPA and Yellow Armadillo Wheat.
Jamie Foxx wants to play Spawn in a proposed film reboot
Sounds like Jamie Foxx has been bitten by the comic book bug. While making the rounds at San Diego Comic Con to help promote Amazing Spider-Man 2, the Academy Award-winning actor expressed his interest in portraying Spawn in the future.
Spawn's popularity skyrocketed during the 90s as creator Todd McFarlane's Image Comics found footing alongside Marvel and DC. While the cult-themed anti-hero's visibility has waned over the years, the 1997 film adaptation of the same name was notable for being the first film to portray an African-American as a comic book superhero in the industry. McFarlane has expressed his interest in rebooting the film franchise, especially in light of comic book films' popularity amongst audiences that weren't around more than 15 years ago.
With a big name actor like Foxx championing for the role, it's practically a no-brainer for him to portray Spawn. However, the business and production side of things might hold the project up for awhile. Still, it's good to see Foxx embracing a variety of roles, especially in regards to more "geeky" projects. This is no indication or confirmation that a Spawn film is currently in development, but it's definitely moving in the right direction.
[/Film, via Movies.com]
Eddie Murphy will flash his Beverly Hills Cop badge once again
Somewhere in the world, Eddie Murphy fans (whoever you may be) have been awaiting the actor's return to stardom following the in flux of box office bombs that have plagued his career over recent years. While he turned in an Oscar-nominated performance in Dreamgirls and family-friendly (and successful!) roles as Donkey in the Shrek films, the largest tarnish on his resume was The Adventures of Pluto Nash, a terribly inflated joke of a sci-fi film with a $100 million budget and a $7 million return. Ouch.
Murphy fans can let out a sigh of relief as word has come out that he'll be attached to star in a fourth film in the Beverly Hills Cop franchise. Yes, it's been almost 20 years since the last film, and Murphy's name doesn't carry the same success or interest as it once did, but the proposed Beverly Hills Cop 4 should at least appease somebody out there. What's helping carry weight for the project are the writers announced for the film: Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec. The writing duo were behind the recent Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, so they at least have one successful film under their belts.
We'll see if Murphy will be able to bounce back from his recent Hollywood failures and return to some modicum of success as more comes out about Beverly Hills Cop 4.
[via The Playlist]
[Video] John Williams is returning for new Star Wars trilogy
The man most known for conducting the "Imperial March" will be returning for a few more marches.
John Williams, the main composer for every Star Wars film, confirmed his return to the franchise over the weekend. Not only will he be scoring the upcoming Episode VII, Williams will also be scoring Episodes VIII and IX. The announcement comes as great news for long-time fans worried that the George Lucas-less films might not have the same magic under director J.J. Abrams' helm. At the very least, the orchestration will still carry the same gravitas as previous films, introducing a new generation of Padawans to Williams' iconic and fantastical scores.
[via /Film]
http://youtu.be/kQ4jZr1w0AI
[Video] New Elysium clip features Matt Damon fighting a robot
[youtube id="4shqTFVmUjM" mode="normal" align="center"]
I'm really excited for Elysium, so much so that I should probably temper my expectations a bit, considering the last sci-fi film I was anticipating wasn't exactly everything I wanted it to be... Still, with every new clip and trailer, I can't help but be excited for Neil Blomkamp's sophomore film. Come on, Matt Damon's starring in it, and who can deny Jason Bourne's star power?
In this short clip, Damon's character is in the middle of a heist as he fights off William Fichtner's (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) character and one of his security droids. The best part of the clip, and something that was very evident in Blomkamp's District 9, is just how fluid the CGI work is. The security droids look as if they're actually there and don't have that "aura" to them that makes them look completely artificial.
Elysium hits theaters on August 9th.