Too lazy to read all the wonderful news our insightful crew scours the globe to bring you every day? Too outmoded to have an MP3 player for the podcast? Shame on you all! However, being the generous lot we are, welcome to news:blended, your weekly guide to the most interesting stories reported on Cinema Blend over the last seven days.
The fourth installment of Indiana Jones is still on the far horizon, but that hasn’t kept the news from flowing out fast and furious. Also, as we gear up for the summer movie season, Josh lets you know where all the movies rate on the excite-o-meter.
SATURDAY
In a shocking announcement: movie character speaks through a mouth!
There weren’t many new stories on Saturday, so you should have looked back at some late Friday stories, like the one about Transformers character Optimus Prime having lips. Some people thought that was outrageous. Myself, I’m not sure I can get too outraged at a movie based on a television series based on a toy line. Plus, this is a Michael Bay film folks, it’s gonna suck no matter what.
SUNDAY
LaBoeuf upsets Ferrell’s apple cart.
Scott Gwin analyzed the box office weekend in this pre-good movies time period. Disturbia took the top spot, unseating Blades of Glory. This shows that it’s never too late to rip-off Alfred Hitchcock. I saw it and thought it was pretty good until it turned into a “run-from-the-crazy-guy” slasher thing right at the end. The rest of the top 10 held few surprises and very little interest to people counting the minutes until Spidey and Co. show up.
MONDAY
Sam Raimi wants to visit the Shire.
Don’t make Edward Norton angry, you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.
Speaking of Spidey, the rumors of Sam Raimi leaving the popular franchise to make The Hobbit have resurfaced. The source is Raimi himself, who says that he’d be interested in doing the movie of Bilbo Baggins great quest if asked. That could set a chain of events in motion resulting in Joseph Gordon-Levitt taking over the Spider-Man role. Or, not. Another Marvel comic book adaptation is definitely making a leading man change. Edward Norton is the surprise choice to replace Eric Bana as Bruce Banner in the Hulk series. Although the real surprise is that there will be a series at all. The first movie was pretty blah, perhaps Norton can pump some life into it.
TUESDAY
Response to upcoming Kevin Smith movie is only slightly lucid.
Indy 4 will not be called Indy 4 forever.
Sallah says he’s too old to do next Indy.
Kevin Smith is going to make a horror movie about religious extremists. It sounds terrible, but then I think every Smith movie I’ve seen since Clerks is terrible. Not everyone agrees, though, which is why we continue to have Smith movies. He’s basing the main character on a real guy who has a real daughter who is really nutty. Read some of her rantings and be glad she’s not your mom.
The fourth Indiana Jones movie may have a title. It might be called Indiana Jones and the City of the Gods. Also, John Rhys-Davies may not be going to the City of the Gods with Indy. He says they haven’t approached him as they go for a younger cast, like Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. Sorry Gimli, you’re out.
WEDNESDAY
Coincidentally, a lot of big movies will be released during the summer months.
Most famous Star Trek character will appear in new Star Trek Movie.
The summer viewing season is just around the corner, so Josh Tyler’s Blockbuster Preview comes along at just the right time. If you are asking yourself, “how excited should I be about Transformers, or Hairspray, or Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix?” Josh has the answer (5, 2, and 4 respectively.) You can even vote for the movie you are most excited about. I’m most excited about The Simpsons Movie, so go cancel my vote out right now!
Speaking of blockbusters, many a Trekkie is beginning to wet themselves thinking about J.J. Abrams and his blockbuster of the future Star Trek XI, or whatever name it ends up with. Abrams has finally said what everyone already figured out, that James T. Kirk will be a character in the movie. What, they were gonna pick that female captain from one of the spin-offs? He also said that he respects both the cannon of Star Trek and the new fans. That means he can do whatever the hell he wants. .
THURSDAY
Jack drives off the island in a race car.
Darabont bitch-slaps Lucas, fans cheer.
The Speed Racer casting news seems to never end. The key role of Racer X, Speed’s masked brother was snapped up by everyone’s favorite spinal surgeon, Matthew Fox. He has a lot of experience playing older, protective brothers, and older, protective brother-figures. With a cast that includes Hirsch, Ricci, Fox, Goodman, and Sarandon, this movie might actually be decent. The other news that never ends are Indy 4 tidbits. The latest is more a rant than actual news. Frank Darabont didn’t appreciate spending a year writing a script and then having George Lucas reject it. He even called Lucas “crazy.” Lucas responded by threatening to write the script himself, which shut everyone up. When I was a teenager, Lucas’ association with a project was considered something exciting. Boy, have times changed.
FRIDAY
Big blur is either key character in anticipated movie or parking attendant at someone’s favorite restaurant.
Sony has no plans to kill cash cow.
It was a busy day for superhero news. The next Batman movie is one I’m looking forward to with mucho anticipation. A picture is being circulated purporting to be Heath Ledger filming scenes in Chicago as The Joker. It’s so blurry it could be anyone, including me. It’s not me, though, so you are one step closer to proving its Ledger. Meanwhile, after saying he’d be interested in jumping from the next Spider-Man sequel to The Hobbit, Sam Raimi confirmed that three additional sequels (six movies in all) are being planned for the web slinger. In the last one, Tobey McGuire foils a robbery at the social security office he’s visiting to collect benefits.
That’s all for another week of news blending. It’s like what you get at Jamba Juice, but cheaper and not quite as healthy. If you liked it or didn’t, leave some feedback. Also, read our news section, we aren’t always first but we won’t be undersold.
