Anderson Abandons "Castlevania"
From Dark Horizons / Dread Central:
Love him or loathe him, there's no denying that "Resident Evil" and "Alien vs. Predator" director Paul W.S. Anderson has his fingers in many pies.
Well one of them has gone off it seems as according to Dread Central, Anderson has left the "Castlevania" project.
The film, based on the long-running video game franchise, has been stuck in development hell since it was announced. Anderson has always been attached as director and writer - and now he's left the project completely.
Does this mean it's over? Hard to say. Anderson is presently at work on a potential "Death Race" remake/sequel.
Link: http://www.darkhorizons.com/news07/070327m.php
Mortal Kombat movie series rebooted?
From Moviehole:
Just like the long-gestating X-Files sequel, the third Mortal Kombat movie has been swimming in the Development Hell Channel for quite a few years now. Apparently, and again like the former, its delay can mainly be attributed to legal issues.
Insider Rayden gave us a quick run-down on what the deal is with it- whilst confirming that the film wont actually be a prequel or a sequel but more of a restart.
The movie is not going to be a prequel, sequel, or in any form be related to the previous 2 movie. Pretty much like Batman Begins, is going to restart the series with new concepts, stories,etc.
Threshold had to wait till around early 2000 for the contract with New Line Cinema to end (Threshold blames New Line for the disappointing Annihilation, talking about forced release dates, limited budget, no understanding of anything, etc.)
The reason it is taking so long is the script, so many parts are involved. The team at Threshold (the ones that holds the right to MK) are constantly writing drafts (along with the director), which they have to send to Midway (makers of the game) so the creator of the game (Ed Boon) adds notes and some input to the draft, then to the studio (rumored to be Lionsgate at this moment).
The director of the film, Mink, has also been fielding fans questions on the IMDB Boards, were told.
In short, heres some of the directors comments on the movie :
- It is a new telling of the MK universe drawing from the whole universe. As I have said think of it like Batman Begins.
- Threshold(Larry Kassanoff) has a staff of writer's working on the script. The script drafts interacts with all parties involved being addressed with extensive sets of notes. The script is then revised according to these notes and then pushed through the approval process again. This is how the project proceeds. In regards to finishing most scripts it takes along time. Yes certain projects get fast tracked or fast followed into production and they bang the script out as fast as the writer can type and fix the script as they go but this money driven. As most projects finalize the script first in order to trigger all the financing into effect. Which then triggers casting etc... Today most financiers have alot to say about the scripts as it is their money on the line. So usually when you see a movie that has 11 or 12 producers on the slate each one of them has had a say at the table about the script equal to their involvement financially. As I have said in past on this project Threshold, Midway and the studio all have one or two producers each making comments on the script. So that is where we are at the moment. All of us working on the script with the staff of writers.
- Casting adjourned for the moment before we got that far. As I have said in other posts we went back to the script after the initial movement on the project and have been rewriting(per the partied involved Threshold, Studio, Midway) since so no additional casting thoughts and or processes were even continued. As soon as the script is done we will proceed with casting again and all options in all casting areas are still on the table 100%... (He has confirmed that hes met with Christopher Lambert and Robin Shou though)
Link: http://www.moviehole.net/news/20070328_mortal_kombat_movie_series_reb.html
From Dark Horizons / Dread Central:
Love him or loathe him, there's no denying that "Resident Evil" and "Alien vs. Predator" director Paul W.S. Anderson has his fingers in many pies.
Well one of them has gone off it seems as according to Dread Central, Anderson has left the "Castlevania" project.
The film, based on the long-running video game franchise, has been stuck in development hell since it was announced. Anderson has always been attached as director and writer - and now he's left the project completely.
Does this mean it's over? Hard to say. Anderson is presently at work on a potential "Death Race" remake/sequel.
Link: http://www.darkhorizons.com/news07/070327m.php
Mortal Kombat movie series rebooted?
From Moviehole:
Just like the long-gestating X-Files sequel, the third Mortal Kombat movie has been swimming in the Development Hell Channel for quite a few years now. Apparently, and again like the former, its delay can mainly be attributed to legal issues.
Insider Rayden gave us a quick run-down on what the deal is with it- whilst confirming that the film wont actually be a prequel or a sequel but more of a restart.
The movie is not going to be a prequel, sequel, or in any form be related to the previous 2 movie. Pretty much like Batman Begins, is going to restart the series with new concepts, stories,etc.
Threshold had to wait till around early 2000 for the contract with New Line Cinema to end (Threshold blames New Line for the disappointing Annihilation, talking about forced release dates, limited budget, no understanding of anything, etc.)
The reason it is taking so long is the script, so many parts are involved. The team at Threshold (the ones that holds the right to MK) are constantly writing drafts (along with the director), which they have to send to Midway (makers of the game) so the creator of the game (Ed Boon) adds notes and some input to the draft, then to the studio (rumored to be Lionsgate at this moment).
The director of the film, Mink, has also been fielding fans questions on the IMDB Boards, were told.
In short, heres some of the directors comments on the movie :
- It is a new telling of the MK universe drawing from the whole universe. As I have said think of it like Batman Begins.
- Threshold(Larry Kassanoff) has a staff of writer's working on the script. The script drafts interacts with all parties involved being addressed with extensive sets of notes. The script is then revised according to these notes and then pushed through the approval process again. This is how the project proceeds. In regards to finishing most scripts it takes along time. Yes certain projects get fast tracked or fast followed into production and they bang the script out as fast as the writer can type and fix the script as they go but this money driven. As most projects finalize the script first in order to trigger all the financing into effect. Which then triggers casting etc... Today most financiers have alot to say about the scripts as it is their money on the line. So usually when you see a movie that has 11 or 12 producers on the slate each one of them has had a say at the table about the script equal to their involvement financially. As I have said in past on this project Threshold, Midway and the studio all have one or two producers each making comments on the script. So that is where we are at the moment. All of us working on the script with the staff of writers.
- Casting adjourned for the moment before we got that far. As I have said in other posts we went back to the script after the initial movement on the project and have been rewriting(per the partied involved Threshold, Studio, Midway) since so no additional casting thoughts and or processes were even continued. As soon as the script is done we will proceed with casting again and all options in all casting areas are still on the table 100%... (He has confirmed that hes met with Christopher Lambert and Robin Shou though)
Link: http://www.moviehole.net/news/20070328_mortal_kombat_movie_series_reb.html