Author: Stefan Pape
Upper class society in a period setting is ripe for ridicule; the outfits, the language, and just the sheer grandiosity of it all is so easy to caricature and be derisory about, and it’s exactly here Whit Stillman triumphed with his indelible drama Love & Friendship. It’s clear to see that John Stephenson is vying to thrive in a similar capacity with Interlude in Prague, except this kitsch melodrama falls flat thanks to a lacklustre screenplay, without that same sharpness and wit it requires to truly work.
Baron Saloka (James Purefoy) is a nasty, embittered, affluent member of society, who promises those around him he will fund a trip for the esteemed composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Aneurin Barnard) to the Czechoslovakian capital. And so begins a few turbulent months in the life of the prolific talent, as he falls for opera singer Zuzanna Lubtak (Morfydd Clark...
Upper class society in a period setting is ripe for ridicule; the outfits, the language, and just the sheer grandiosity of it all is so easy to caricature and be derisory about, and it’s exactly here Whit Stillman triumphed with his indelible drama Love & Friendship. It’s clear to see that John Stephenson is vying to thrive in a similar capacity with Interlude in Prague, except this kitsch melodrama falls flat thanks to a lacklustre screenplay, without that same sharpness and wit it requires to truly work.
Baron Saloka (James Purefoy) is a nasty, embittered, affluent member of society, who promises those around him he will fund a trip for the esteemed composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Aneurin Barnard) to the Czechoslovakian capital. And so begins a few turbulent months in the life of the prolific talent, as he falls for opera singer Zuzanna Lubtak (Morfydd Clark...
- 5/22/2017
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Morfydd Clark, Ade Edmundson and Charlotte Peters have all joined the biographical drama about Mozart.
Interlude In Prague, which stars Aneurin Barnard as Mozart, has commenced a six-week shoot in the eponymous Czech capital.
Joining a cast that already includes James Purefoy (Solomon Kane) and Samantha Banks (Les Miserables) is Morfydd Clark (Love & Friendship), Ade Edmundson (War & Peace) and Charlotte Peters (Pound Of Flesh).
The story follows Mozart as he composes his operatic masterpiece Don Giovanni. While visiting Prague, the composer becomes embroiled in a turbulent narrative of lust and murder.
John Stephenson (Animal Farm) is directing from a script by debutant Brian Ashby. Huw Penallt Jones is producing for UK-based Productive International alongside Hannah Leader.
London-based Carnaby International are handling worldwide rights and, having introduced the title at Efm, will be commencing sales at Cannes in May.
Interlude In Prague, which stars Aneurin Barnard as Mozart, has commenced a six-week shoot in the eponymous Czech capital.
Joining a cast that already includes James Purefoy (Solomon Kane) and Samantha Banks (Les Miserables) is Morfydd Clark (Love & Friendship), Ade Edmundson (War & Peace) and Charlotte Peters (Pound Of Flesh).
The story follows Mozart as he composes his operatic masterpiece Don Giovanni. While visiting Prague, the composer becomes embroiled in a turbulent narrative of lust and murder.
John Stephenson (Animal Farm) is directing from a script by debutant Brian Ashby. Huw Penallt Jones is producing for UK-based Productive International alongside Hannah Leader.
London-based Carnaby International are handling worldwide rights and, having introduced the title at Efm, will be commencing sales at Cannes in May.
- 4/4/2016
- ScreenDaily
Susan Boyle has signed up to star in a new TV drama.
The Britain's Got Talent star is to play a singing lighthouse keeper in the project, reports The Sun.
Boyle's agent told the publication: "She's very excited."
The drama has been given the working title Diva and focuses on a girl from the Channel Islands who dreams of stardom.
Both ITV and America's ABC are said to have expressed an interest in the John Stephenson-directed show, which filmed a pilot episode in Edinburgh last month.
Stephenson also helmed Boyle's movie debut The Christmas Candle last year.
The singer appeared as church warden's wife Eleanor Hopewell in the film, which also starred Les Miserables actress Samantha Barks.
Boyle said last year that Meryl Streep had been approached to play her in a planned biopic about the 52-year-old.
The Britain's Got Talent star is to play a singing lighthouse keeper in the project, reports The Sun.
Boyle's agent told the publication: "She's very excited."
The drama has been given the working title Diva and focuses on a girl from the Channel Islands who dreams of stardom.
Both ITV and America's ABC are said to have expressed an interest in the John Stephenson-directed show, which filmed a pilot episode in Edinburgh last month.
Stephenson also helmed Boyle's movie debut The Christmas Candle last year.
The singer appeared as church warden's wife Eleanor Hopewell in the film, which also starred Les Miserables actress Samantha Barks.
Boyle said last year that Meryl Streep had been approached to play her in a planned biopic about the 52-year-old.
- 2/23/2014
- Digital Spy
A Doctor Who adventure that pits a militant plant hugger against our favorite Timelord? Where.s Al Gore when you need him? The adventure finds Tom Baker in fine form and a compost heap full of special features to fertilize our imaginations. Two alien seed pods are found buried in the Antarctic permafrost by scientists Charles Winlett (John Gleeson) and Derek Moberly (Michael MsStay). Botanist John Stevenson (Hubert Rees) confirms that the pod is vegetable based and has been buried in the ice for twenty thousand years. Back in the UK, Richard Dunbar (Kenneth Gilbert) of the World Ecology Bureau is advised of the find. Sir Colin Thackeray (Michael Barrington), his superior, is also made aware of the discovery...
- 4/6/2011
- by Jeff Swindoll
- Monsters and Critics
Salma Hayek's Ventanarosa Productions will team with Clark Peterson and Ron Senkowski to produce an animated feature based on the Kahlil Gibran book "The Prophet" reports Deadline.
The story follows a prophet, Al-Mustafa, who awaits passage home on a ship after being away 12 years. He shares his theories on the important things in life.
Different directors are expected to helm each chapter, with each having an interconnecting theme and a musical through-line. The likes of Sylvain Chomet, John Stevenson, Marjane Satrapi, Tomm Moore and several other acclaimed short film makers are all expected to sign onboard
With over 100 million copies sold since its original publication in 1923, Gibran is the third-most-read poet in history after Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.
The story follows a prophet, Al-Mustafa, who awaits passage home on a ship after being away 12 years. He shares his theories on the important things in life.
Different directors are expected to helm each chapter, with each having an interconnecting theme and a musical through-line. The likes of Sylvain Chomet, John Stevenson, Marjane Satrapi, Tomm Moore and several other acclaimed short film makers are all expected to sign onboard
With over 100 million copies sold since its original publication in 1923, Gibran is the third-most-read poet in history after Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.
- 3/4/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Here’s something for stop-motion animation fans. Mike Johnson, co-director of Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, is set to helm an upcoming re-imagining of The Wizard of Oz titled Oz Wars. The film will be a mixture of the aforementioned animation style and live-action. Set against a contemporary backdrop, Oz Wars will see Dorothy pitted against a plethora of grotesque and fantastical beings including warrior witches.
Here’s what Vanguard Films, who are producing the film, had to say about it -
“Oz Wars is an animated action-adventure story, but unlike most animated films, it’s not just for kids. The Land of Oz will be reimagined using stop-motion to create a world that’s dark, slick, sexy and dangerous.”
They also mentioned why the film won’t cost much to make -
“Due to revolutionary new stop-motion software, Mike will be making this world-class quality film at an unprecedentedly economical cost point.
Here’s what Vanguard Films, who are producing the film, had to say about it -
“Oz Wars is an animated action-adventure story, but unlike most animated films, it’s not just for kids. The Land of Oz will be reimagined using stop-motion to create a world that’s dark, slick, sexy and dangerous.”
They also mentioned why the film won’t cost much to make -
“Due to revolutionary new stop-motion software, Mike will be making this world-class quality film at an unprecedentedly economical cost point.
- 12/17/2010
- by Thomas Wadd
- Movie-moron.com
John Williams, President and CEO of Vanguard Films has announced that Mike Johnson (Corpse Bride) will direct its new CG/stop-motion hybrid feature film, Oz Wars. The film was written by Rob Moreland (Space Chimps, City of Dragons) and Athena Gam (Alien Rock Band). Oz Wars transforms the Oz narrative into a contemporary, freaky action-packed PG-13 audience pleaser, with Dorothy caught up in a whirlwind of warrior witches, black magic, martial arts and monsters.
Check out the press release below for all the details.
Official Press Release:
Corpse Bride Co-director Mike Johnson At Helm Of Vanguard’S
Animated Film Oz Wars
(Los Angeles, CA; December 15, 2010) – John Williams, President and CEO of Vanguard Films, announced today the company has signed Oscar™ and Annie Award-nominee Mike Johnson, co-director of Corpse Bride, to direct its CG/stop-motion hybrid feature film, Oz Wars.
“Mike Johnson is a spectacular director and one of the masters of stop-motion,...
Check out the press release below for all the details.
Official Press Release:
Corpse Bride Co-director Mike Johnson At Helm Of Vanguard’S
Animated Film Oz Wars
(Los Angeles, CA; December 15, 2010) – John Williams, President and CEO of Vanguard Films, announced today the company has signed Oscar™ and Annie Award-nominee Mike Johnson, co-director of Corpse Bride, to direct its CG/stop-motion hybrid feature film, Oz Wars.
“Mike Johnson is a spectacular director and one of the masters of stop-motion,...
- 12/17/2010
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
Another studio, another Wizard of Oz inspired movie is getting made. Currently, Disney is making Oz: The Great and Powerful, Warner Brothers is doing a Wizard of Oz remake, Universal is making the musical Wicked on the big screen as well. Now Vanguard Films is making a Oz inspired movie called Oz Wars.
John Williams, President and CEO of Vanguard Films, announced today the company has signed Oscar and Annie Award-nominee Mike Johnson, co-director of Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, to direct its CG/stop-motion hybrid feature film, Oz Wars.
“Mike Johnson is a spectacular director and one of the masters of stop-motion,” says Williams. “We all think Oz Wars is a wildly original and commercial project that will thrill and astonish audiences. Additionally, due to revolutionary new stop-motion software, Mike will be making this world-class quality film at an unprecedentedly economical cost point.”
Oz Wars, written by Robert Moreland...
John Williams, President and CEO of Vanguard Films, announced today the company has signed Oscar and Annie Award-nominee Mike Johnson, co-director of Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, to direct its CG/stop-motion hybrid feature film, Oz Wars.
“Mike Johnson is a spectacular director and one of the masters of stop-motion,” says Williams. “We all think Oz Wars is a wildly original and commercial project that will thrill and astonish audiences. Additionally, due to revolutionary new stop-motion software, Mike will be making this world-class quality film at an unprecedentedly economical cost point.”
Oz Wars, written by Robert Moreland...
- 12/16/2010
- by Kevin Coll
- FusedFilm
Mike Johnson has signed on to direct the CG/Stop-Motion hybrid feature film Oz Wars. The Academy Award and Annie Award-nominee got his start as the Assistant Animation Rigger and Assistant Animator on The Nightmare Before Christmas. He was an animator on James and The Giant Peach, directed three episodes of the lat 1990's Fox clay animated television series The PJs, and was co-director of the 2005 film Corpse Bride. So basically, he has a long history with stop motion animation. Written by Rob Moreland (Space Chimps 1 & 2) and Athena Gam (Alien Rock Band), Oz Wars attempts to transform the Wizard of Oz narrative into "a contemporary, freaky action-packed PG-13 audience pleaser, with Dorothy caught up in a whirlwind of warrior witches, black magic, martial arts and monsters." It's being described as an animated film thats "not just for kids," as the world will be "dark, slick, sexy, and dangerous." Read the press release after the jump.
- 12/15/2010
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
There are a few different Wizard of Oz inspired films currently in development right now in Hollywood including Sam Raimi's The Great And Powerful Oz for Disney. Josh Olson (A History of Violence) is developing a sequel to Oz, which focuses on Dorothy's granddaughter who returns to Oz to fight evil. The other film is simply called Oz, which is set up over at Warner's New Line, and is being produced by Twilight's Temple Hill. Then there is John Boorman who is developing a CGI version of the story based on the original novel by Franck L. Baum.
Now there's another Oz film being made called Oz Wars that will be created in a CGI/Stop Motion hybrid animated style. According to the press release the film "transforms the Oz narrative into a contemporary, freaky action-packed PG-13 audience pleaser, with Dorothy caught up in a whirlwind of warrior witches,...
Now there's another Oz film being made called Oz Wars that will be created in a CGI/Stop Motion hybrid animated style. According to the press release the film "transforms the Oz narrative into a contemporary, freaky action-packed PG-13 audience pleaser, with Dorothy caught up in a whirlwind of warrior witches,...
- 12/15/2010
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Some interesting news out of Afm for genre fans looking for some more kid-friendly fare to share with their offspring (or just enjoy by themselves). Two new projects have been announced by Vanguard Films to be helmed by Kung Fu Panda co-director John Stevenson: Alien Rock Band and Rotten Island. And that's only the beginning.
From the Press Release:
John Williams, the original producer of Shrek and President and CEO of Vanguard Films, announced today an overall producing/directing deal with Kung Fu Panda co-director John Stevenson. In addition, Vanguard has formed a strategic alliance with former Lakeshore International President Peter Rogers’ new company, Moviemill, to arrange financing and distribution for Vanguard's impressive projects. Vanguard comes to Afm with an eclectic production slate featuring CG, live action, and CG/live action hybrids.
"I’m thrilled that Vanguard’s exciting new range of projects is attracting such top filmmakers and...
From the Press Release:
John Williams, the original producer of Shrek and President and CEO of Vanguard Films, announced today an overall producing/directing deal with Kung Fu Panda co-director John Stevenson. In addition, Vanguard has formed a strategic alliance with former Lakeshore International President Peter Rogers’ new company, Moviemill, to arrange financing and distribution for Vanguard's impressive projects. Vanguard comes to Afm with an eclectic production slate featuring CG, live action, and CG/live action hybrids.
"I’m thrilled that Vanguard’s exciting new range of projects is attracting such top filmmakers and...
- 11/8/2010
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Stefan Avalos and Lance Weiler's 1998 picture The Last Broadcast , arguably the film that kicked off the "found footage" resurgence, is up for a remake. Filmmaker John Stevenson says he's tackling this endeavor with Friday the 13th scribe Victor Miller on board as an associate producer. Loyal Ploof is shepherding the project under his House of Blood Productions banner. The "search for the Jersey Devil"-fueled story will be retold in 3D (of course) and is actually animated, similar to the upcoming Night of the Living Dead: Origins . "[The original film's stars] Michele Pulaski and James Seward are reprising their roles for the remake," says Stevenson. More on this production as it comes in.
- 10/22/2010
- shocktillyoudrop.com
It's hard to believe that the very first primetime animated sitcom premiered 50 years ago today.
The FlintstonesThe Flintstones debuted on September 30, 1960 on ABC. A knock-off of the classic Honeymooners sketches, the show revolves around Fred and Wilma Flintstone and their best friends, Barney and Betty Rubble. The animated series stars the voices of Alan Reed, Mel Blanc, Jean Vander Pyl, Bea Benaderet, Gerry Johnson, Don Messick, and John Stephenson. It inspired many spin-off shows over the years and was the longest-running primetime animated sitcom until 1992 when The Simpsons surpassed it.
In celebration of the anniversary, the Boomerang cable channel is rerunning the very first episode tonight at 8:30pm, the same day and time as the original debut. That'll be followed by a few more Flintstones episodes and the 1966 feature film, The Man Called Flintstone. On Saturday, Boomerang will...
The FlintstonesThe Flintstones debuted on September 30, 1960 on ABC. A knock-off of the classic Honeymooners sketches, the show revolves around Fred and Wilma Flintstone and their best friends, Barney and Betty Rubble. The animated series stars the voices of Alan Reed, Mel Blanc, Jean Vander Pyl, Bea Benaderet, Gerry Johnson, Don Messick, and John Stephenson. It inspired many spin-off shows over the years and was the longest-running primetime animated sitcom until 1992 when The Simpsons surpassed it.
In celebration of the anniversary, the Boomerang cable channel is rerunning the very first episode tonight at 8:30pm, the same day and time as the original debut. That'll be followed by a few more Flintstones episodes and the 1966 feature film, The Man Called Flintstone. On Saturday, Boomerang will...
- 9/30/2010
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
If you're a fan of He-Man and/or the Masters of the Universe, it's been a tough couple of years for you. Latino Review adored Justin Marks' script for a possible live-action remake, Greyskull, but the studio didn't. Warner Bros brought on Evan Daugherty to do a rewrite before dumping the project altogether and allowing Sony to buy the rights to Mattel's action figure. Sony now has He-Man the concept, but the scripts and the project's latest director, John Stevenson, belonged to Warner Bros.
So Sony had to start from scratch and commission a new script. According to THR's Heat Vision, they have hired Mike Finch and Alex Litvak to pen Masters of the Universe. You may recognize their names from Nimrod Antal and Robert Rodriguez's upcoming Predators remake / revisit. As with Marks and Daugherty, Finch and Litvak have become hot commodities in Hollywood since seeing Predators rush into production.
So Sony had to start from scratch and commission a new script. According to THR's Heat Vision, they have hired Mike Finch and Alex Litvak to pen Masters of the Universe. You may recognize their names from Nimrod Antal and Robert Rodriguez's upcoming Predators remake / revisit. As with Marks and Daugherty, Finch and Litvak have become hot commodities in Hollywood since seeing Predators rush into production.
- 4/12/2010
- by Elisabeth Rappe
- Cinematical
The long-mooted film version of Mattel’s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is on the way (again).
Columbia, who picked up movie rights to the 1980s Mattel toy property late last year when Mattel and Warner Bros. parted ways after the sides couldn’t agree on a creative vision, have hired Predators scribes Mike Finch and Alex Litvak, to pen a new script for Masters of the Universe.
Previously Warners had a script in place and hired Kung-Fu Panda helmer John Stevenson to direct. Columbia’s film version of the classic 80’s toy and cartoon hero is being produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch, who all worked on Will Smith’s Seven Pounds and the recent John Travolta blockbuster The Taking Of Pelham 123.
(Source: HeatVisionBlog)...
Columbia, who picked up movie rights to the 1980s Mattel toy property late last year when Mattel and Warner Bros. parted ways after the sides couldn’t agree on a creative vision, have hired Predators scribes Mike Finch and Alex Litvak, to pen a new script for Masters of the Universe.
Previously Warners had a script in place and hired Kung-Fu Panda helmer John Stevenson to direct. Columbia’s film version of the classic 80’s toy and cartoon hero is being produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch, who all worked on Will Smith’s Seven Pounds and the recent John Travolta blockbuster The Taking Of Pelham 123.
(Source: HeatVisionBlog)...
- 4/12/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Columbia Pictures has hired Predators scribes Mike Finch and Alex Litvak to pen the new big screen adaptation of Masters of the Universe. HeatVision reports that the scribes "attempted to balance a treatment that would convince the studio it was cinematic and keep the toy company satisfied that its characters were being portrayed appropriately" in their pitch. Finch and Litvak turned heads in Hollywood last year, selling a spec titled Medieval for $800,000 against $1.6 million. McG was set to direct, and later Rob Cohen became involved. In September, Warner Bros completely dropped the development of the project despite Justin Marks' screenplay gaining big traction from internet buzz and Kung-Fu Panda director John Stevenson signing on to direct. Columbia Pictures / Escape Artists picked up rights to the Mattel property, and it was announced that Stevenson and Marks were both no longer involved with the project. Finch and Litvak will now develop...
- 4/12/2010
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
Two alumni of the classic series of Doctor Who have recently died.
Hubert Rees had three roles in the series working with two different Doctors.
He first appeared in the 1968 story Fury from the Deep, working alongside Patrick Troughton. He played the Chief Engineer, the head of engineering at a Euro Sea Gas refinery who assisted the Doctor in his efforts to defeat the Weed Creature. Rees returned to the series the following year in Troughton's swan song, The War Games, in which he played Captain Ransom, an officer in the British Army. His final appearance was in the 1976 Tom Baker story The Seeds of Doom, playing John Stevenson, a botanist at a scientific expedition in Antarctic.
Outside of Doctor Who he had roles in many well-known dramas, including Paul Temple, The Sweeney, The Duchess of Duke Street, By the Sword Divided and Howards' Way.
Max Faulkner, born in 1931, was...
Hubert Rees had three roles in the series working with two different Doctors.
He first appeared in the 1968 story Fury from the Deep, working alongside Patrick Troughton. He played the Chief Engineer, the head of engineering at a Euro Sea Gas refinery who assisted the Doctor in his efforts to defeat the Weed Creature. Rees returned to the series the following year in Troughton's swan song, The War Games, in which he played Captain Ransom, an officer in the British Army. His final appearance was in the 1976 Tom Baker story The Seeds of Doom, playing John Stevenson, a botanist at a scientific expedition in Antarctic.
Outside of Doctor Who he had roles in many well-known dramas, including Paul Temple, The Sweeney, The Duchess of Duke Street, By the Sword Divided and Howards' Way.
Max Faulkner, born in 1931, was...
- 4/10/2010
- by Marcus
- The Doctor Who News Page
After amassing $389 million worldwide so far at the box office (even under Avatar’s shadow), Warner Bros is moving head with the inevitable sequel to Sherlock Holmes.
Robert Downey Jr. already backed out of Cowboys & Aliens to eliminate any conflicts with the fast-tracked follow-up, and now director Guy Ritchie is clearing his schedule by dropping the DC Comics adaptation Lobo.
According to Joel Silver, who is serving as producer on both movies for Warner Bros, Ritchie is shifting focus to the studio’s priority. “I don’t think he’s going to do it now. The studio wants us and Guy to focus on making another ‘Sherlock Holmes.’ So I think we’re going to be doing that. But we’re seeing what happens with this… We have some ideas and some good story points,” Silver told the La Times’ Hero Complex.
Apart from the financial element, another case for...
Robert Downey Jr. already backed out of Cowboys & Aliens to eliminate any conflicts with the fast-tracked follow-up, and now director Guy Ritchie is clearing his schedule by dropping the DC Comics adaptation Lobo.
According to Joel Silver, who is serving as producer on both movies for Warner Bros, Ritchie is shifting focus to the studio’s priority. “I don’t think he’s going to do it now. The studio wants us and Guy to focus on making another ‘Sherlock Holmes.’ So I think we’re going to be doing that. But we’re seeing what happens with this… We have some ideas and some good story points,” Silver told the La Times’ Hero Complex.
Apart from the financial element, another case for...
- 1/28/2010
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
By the power of Grayskull -- Columbia Pictures has the power.
Two weeks ago, "He-Man" and Mattel parted ways with Warner Bros. (See Warner Bros. Bids Goodbye to "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe") Now, the toy company is in negotiations with Columbia Pictures to adapt "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" for the big screen.
When the property was under WB, John Stevenson was set to direct. Now, the director is no longer attached, and the project would be started from scratch.
Okay, this is cool and all, but what about She-Ra? :tongue...
Two weeks ago, "He-Man" and Mattel parted ways with Warner Bros. (See Warner Bros. Bids Goodbye to "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe") Now, the toy company is in negotiations with Columbia Pictures to adapt "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" for the big screen.
When the property was under WB, John Stevenson was set to direct. Now, the director is no longer attached, and the project would be started from scratch.
Okay, this is cool and all, but what about She-Ra? :tongue...
- 9/24/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Warner Bros. has elected not to renew a deal with Mattel that would have enabled the studio to make a 'He-Man and the Masters of the Universe' movie, so Columbia Pictures has stepped in and is currently in negotiations to acquire the rights.
According to Variety, the property — which originated in 1983 as an animated series and toy line — had previously been set up at Warner Bros., where Joel Silver had been developing a pic since 2007. Mattel wound up taking back the rights and leaving the lot after Mattel, the studio and Silver couldn't agree on the creative direction of the film.
When the option came up, both sides decided to let it lapse. Director John Stevenson (Kung-Fu Panda) is no longer attached to the project, which will go back to the drawing board.
The He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series was produced by Filmation and...
According to Variety, the property — which originated in 1983 as an animated series and toy line — had previously been set up at Warner Bros., where Joel Silver had been developing a pic since 2007. Mattel wound up taking back the rights and leaving the lot after Mattel, the studio and Silver couldn't agree on the creative direction of the film.
When the option came up, both sides decided to let it lapse. Director John Stevenson (Kung-Fu Panda) is no longer attached to the project, which will go back to the drawing board.
The He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series was produced by Filmation and...
- 9/24/2009
- CinemaSpy
He-Man may have found a new home.
Just weeks after “Masters of the Universe” parted ways with Warner Bros., the Mattel toy property is in negotiations to be preemptively picked up by Columbia with Escape Artists attached to produce.
After months of deal-wrangling, Warners picked up “Universe” in 2007, hiring several writers and earlier this year set John Stevenson to direct. The two companies eventually began seeing two opposing visions for the movie and when the option came up, both sides decided to let it lapse.
Stevenson is no longer attached and the project would be built from the ground-up.
Just weeks after “Masters of the Universe” parted ways with Warner Bros., the Mattel toy property is in negotiations to be preemptively picked up by Columbia with Escape Artists attached to produce.
After months of deal-wrangling, Warners picked up “Universe” in 2007, hiring several writers and earlier this year set John Stevenson to direct. The two companies eventually began seeing two opposing visions for the movie and when the option came up, both sides decided to let it lapse.
Stevenson is no longer attached and the project would be built from the ground-up.
- 9/23/2009
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Right now, as I type this Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is nearing one kagillion dollars at the worldwide box office, a total so large it has gone into made up numbers. At this point it’s fairly well documented that I wasn’t a fan of the sequel, so I won’t reiterate how there was no story and most of the critics got it right.
But Transformers got me thinking about how I used to take Soundwave in the tub with me and, while surrounded by bubbles, dive bomb the rubber ducky. Then, after I finished reminiscing about last weekend, I reflected further back to my childhood. Those were the good times before I had responsibilities and other things I procrastinate. However, now that 80’s adaptations are successful in theaters, Hollywood will milk that cash cow dry until we’re all sick of hearing about the toys we...
But Transformers got me thinking about how I used to take Soundwave in the tub with me and, while surrounded by bubbles, dive bomb the rubber ducky. Then, after I finished reminiscing about last weekend, I reflected further back to my childhood. Those were the good times before I had responsibilities and other things I procrastinate. However, now that 80’s adaptations are successful in theaters, Hollywood will milk that cash cow dry until we’re all sick of hearing about the toys we...
- 7/1/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
If you aren't a fan of screenwriter Justin Marks (and Erik Davis wasn't, calling him "the man they brought on to f*ck up He-Man"), you might be glad at this news, as he's apparently off the Warner Bros remake. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio is bringing on newcomer Evan Daugherty to work his magic on a new draft of Grayskull. It's a big break for the man, as he only has the unproduced, Black List-hailed Shrapnel to his credit.
THR notes that the studio sees Grayskull as a gritty fantasy, and recasts the pageboy prince as a humble soldier named Adam, who sets off to find his destiny and winds up in the land of Eternia. There he encounters Skeletor, who is raising a technological army in the hopes of eradicating magic forever. Back in 2007, Marks was struggling to find a way to combine the cartoon's mix of swords,...
THR notes that the studio sees Grayskull as a gritty fantasy, and recasts the pageboy prince as a humble soldier named Adam, who sets off to find his destiny and winds up in the land of Eternia. There he encounters Skeletor, who is raising a technological army in the hopes of eradicating magic forever. Back in 2007, Marks was struggling to find a way to combine the cartoon's mix of swords,...
- 5/13/2009
- by Elisabeth Rappe
- Cinematical
Disclaimer: This article may contain sarcasm; irony and “LOLs” proceed with caution.
The Final Chapter (read Part 2 here)! We have Howard the Duck, Freejack and Shyamalan flicks on the list; these are never good signs. Nonetheless we are bringing it all to you in full-color and in 3-D. (Ed. Note: Due to the economy, 3-D has been dropped and will be replaced by Smell-o-vision — check for your scratch and sniff cards in about 4-6 weeks.) Best Sound went to rage-zombie veterans Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke, leaving Mark Weingarten who worked on Rejuvenatrix in the dust. The Sound Editing section contains one too many references to Ron Silver, and at least two references to a Roger Corman film.
The visual effects category pulled on our heartstrings this year due to the loss of Stan Winston, who was noted en memoriam along with other heroes, Vampira, Leonard Rosenman and Charles H. Schneer...
The Final Chapter (read Part 2 here)! We have Howard the Duck, Freejack and Shyamalan flicks on the list; these are never good signs. Nonetheless we are bringing it all to you in full-color and in 3-D. (Ed. Note: Due to the economy, 3-D has been dropped and will be replaced by Smell-o-vision — check for your scratch and sniff cards in about 4-6 weeks.) Best Sound went to rage-zombie veterans Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke, leaving Mark Weingarten who worked on Rejuvenatrix in the dust. The Sound Editing section contains one too many references to Ron Silver, and at least two references to a Roger Corman film.
The visual effects category pulled on our heartstrings this year due to the loss of Stan Winston, who was noted en memoriam along with other heroes, Vampira, Leonard Rosenman and Charles H. Schneer...
- 2/26/2009
- by Heather Buckley
- DreadCentral.com
Last October Latino Review got word from a source that Kung-Fu Panda director John Stevenson could end up directing a live action He-Man movie. We heard nothing of it for months, until now. Turns out John Stevenson is directing! From Variety: Stevenson said the first film came to mind when he was asked to consider the job, and the [...]...
- 1/29/2009
- by Liam
- Filmonic.com
Read my griping and complaining below.
But tally time -- "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" received 13 nominations, and "Milk" got 8! Yay!
Oh, and my lovely "Wall-e" received an Original Screenplay nomination! Woo Hoo!
Read the Complete List by clicking, Read More.
Performance by an actor in a leading role
* Richard Jenkins in .The Visitor. (Overture Films)
* Frank Langella in .Frost/Nixon. (Universal)
* Sean Penn in .Milk. (Focus Features)
* Brad Pitt in .The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
* Mickey Rourke in .The Wrestler. (Fox Searchlight)
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
* Josh Brolin in .Milk. (Focus Features)
* Robert Downey Jr. in .Tropic Thunder. (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
* Philip Seymour Hoffman in .Doubt. (Miramax)
* Heath Ledger in .The Dark Knight. (Warner Bros.)
* Michael Shannon in .Revolutionary Road. (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)
Performance by...
But tally time -- "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" received 13 nominations, and "Milk" got 8! Yay!
Oh, and my lovely "Wall-e" received an Original Screenplay nomination! Woo Hoo!
Read the Complete List by clicking, Read More.
Performance by an actor in a leading role
* Richard Jenkins in .The Visitor. (Overture Films)
* Frank Langella in .Frost/Nixon. (Universal)
* Sean Penn in .Milk. (Focus Features)
* Brad Pitt in .The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
* Mickey Rourke in .The Wrestler. (Fox Searchlight)
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
* Josh Brolin in .Milk. (Focus Features)
* Robert Downey Jr. in .Tropic Thunder. (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
* Philip Seymour Hoffman in .Doubt. (Miramax)
* Heath Ledger in .The Dark Knight. (Warner Bros.)
* Michael Shannon in .Revolutionary Road. (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)
Performance by...
- 1/22/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Rumors of He Man’s death can be thrown in the basket. The guys at Latino Review has word that Kung Fu Panda co director John Stevenson might now be attached to the project after knocking one home in a pitch to Joel Silver’s production company.
Stevenson has an extensive background in art direction and animation, starting out as a character designer on The Muppet Show in the late 1970’s. He worked in visual development on The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth and was a storyboard artist of shrek and Shrek 2. I really enjoyed what he did with the whole Kung Fu Panda film and the storyboarding was really very interesting.
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Stevenson has an extensive background in art direction and animation, starting out as a character designer on The Muppet Show in the late 1970’s. He worked in visual development on The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth and was a storyboard artist of shrek and Shrek 2. I really enjoyed what he did with the whole Kung Fu Panda film and the storyboarding was really very interesting.
Related Headlines ...
(more...)...
- 11/21/2008
- by John
- ReelSuave.com
No offense to Dolph Lundgren but isn't it time to have a legit He-Man and the Masters of the Universe film? Kung-Fu Panda director John Stevenson thinks so. El Mayimbe, who always does a kick ass job at Latino Review.com, brings us news that Stevenson went to Silver offices and gave ...
- 11/19/2008
- by Adam Sweeney
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Back in October the folks over at Latino Review were reporting that Warner Bros’ The Masters of the Universe flick, which Joel Silver is developing, was no longer happening. It seems this might not be the case as the same site now says the flick is happening and may even have a director attached. According to Lr, Kung Fu Panda director John Stevenson got the job after he made an impressive pitch to Silver. He-Man, the heroic character in the Masters of the Universe franchise, was a huge hit in the 80s, spawning a successful toy line and animated series. The new take on the character was scripted by Justin Marks (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li), although, if this rumor is true and Stevenson did pitch Silver, Marks and his script may no longer be involved. Before Kung Fu Panda, which Stevenson co-directed with Mark Osbourne, the filmmaker directed...
- 11/19/2008
- by James Cook
- TheMovingPicture.net
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