The Greatest American Hero is making comic books
It seems that a guest-stint on Heroes isn’t enough, William Katt must further prove himself by starting his own comic book company, Catastrophic Comics. Their debut comic, called Sparks, is being released today.
According to the press release, the series is set in 1948 and follows Ian Sparks, a masked vigilante who discovers the high price of being a hero. Sparks was co-created by William Katt and Christopher Folino, the writer/director of the cult comedy film “Gamers.”
“My goal for Catastrophic Comics is to tell original stories, with amazing art work, that don’t suck. And I can’t imagine a better book to launch our company with than Sparks. JM and Chris have done a superb job with this gritty book,” commented William Katt.
Between this and his upcoming TV appearance, it seems that Mr. Katt is milking his former television glory for all its worth. Not that I blame him. The Star Trek actors have been doing it for decades.
Judd Apatow’s Funny People
Judd Apatow’s untitled Stand-up comedy film now has a title - Funny People. Jason Schwartzman and Jonah Hill have also joined the already announced cast which includes Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Eric Bana.
So what is it about? Well details are being kept under wraps, but we do know that i is set in the world of standup comedy and that they story will focus on a comedian who has a near-death experience. Apatow and cast members have also commented on how the film has a more dramatic edge than Apatow’s previous efforts, 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up. And the word Dramedy has been floating around, although the stars insist that the script is filled with laughs.
The ensemble cast is really beginning to take shape. Schwartzman is always great when used to his strengths as the eccentric lovable loser trying to take on the world. And I think pretty much everyone expected that Hill would be involved. But the real question is: will Apatow be able to tame Sandler? I hope so, because I don’t think anyone really wants “just another Adam Sandler comedy”, especially with Apatow at the helm. Funny People will hit theaters in Summer 2009.
Swing Vote Movie Trailer
Touchtone Pictures (aka Disney) has released the first trailer for their upcoming Kevin Costner Summer comedy Swing Vote. The film actually has an interesting but totally unrealistic concept. Basically the events of the presidential election come down to the vote from one man. Of course the execution of the idea looks like the usual sentimental feel good Disney-level story. There’s nothing like combining a family film with politics… Watch the trailer below and tell me what you think in the comments.
Official Plot Synopsis: “Bud Johnson (Costner) is an apathetic, beer-slinging, lovable loser, who is coasting through a life that has passed him by. The one bright spot is his precocious, over-achieving twelve year-old daughter Molly. She takes care of both of them, until one mischievous moment on Election Day, when she accidentally sets off a chain of events which culminates in the election coming down to one vote…her dad’s. SWING VOTE is a comical look at the journey of one father and daughter who discover that everyone has the power to change the world.”
Swing Vote hits theaters on August 1st, 2008
source: MSN
SuperBad director Greg Mottola to helm Adventureland
Breaking News: Judd Apatow didn’t direct SuperBad. That’s right, he was only the producer. I feel like everyone including the studio were trying to keep this fact secret. And it makes sense, Judd Apatow is now the new hot name brand in comedy movies (does anyone remember this is the same guy who once produced and wrote Heavy Weights and Celtic Pride? IMDb never forgets!). Greg Mottola is actually the guy who made the film (he also made The Daytrippers in 1996 and the failed Apatow Fox series Undeclared). So now that he’s made a successful film, everyone wants to know - what is he doing next? (Okay, everyone doesn’t want to know, because most people still think he’s Judd Apatow, but we’re trying to correct that people!)
JoBlo has the exclusive news that Mottola has signed on to direct Adventureland, a period comedy film set in the 1980’s which follows a college graduate who was prepared to spend his summer in Europe before starting Grad School. But when his father is laid off, he is now stuck at his home in Long Island, NY. He is forced to bet a job at a local amusement park called Adventureland “where comedy abounds and he falls in love.”
When I was a kid, we had an amusement park very close to my home (it’s now actually a Six Flags). So every year I would visit the park more than a few times (especially as I became older in age). I always thought that working at an amusement park must lead to some interesting stories. Sure, it’s probably a crappy minimum wage job, but those are usually the jobs that result in the best tales (I know I have quite a few from my adventures working at a convenience store). And I can only imagine the type of fun that could have ensued in a huge theme park with tons of other teenage workers.
The film is apparently based on Mottola’s own experiences at Long Island’s actual Adventureland. Filming is set to begin this October in Pittsburgh. I’m now very interested. I wonder if Disney will contest the title?