Chimpanzee Gone Wild on Speed Racer set
As you probably know, while most of the sets might be computer generated, Speed Racer’s pet chimpanzee Chim-Chim is being played by an actual real monkey in the Wachowski Brothers big screen adaptation. There are now allegations that the chimp was beaten after biting one of the human actors. PETA is pissed:
“We are in receipt of information that may upset you,” PETA wrote to producer Joel Silver. “We’ve received several troubling complaints from people who have been on the ‘Speed Racer’ set and report that the main chimpanzee ‘actor’ has been beaten and has bitten one of the human actors.”
“We appreciate the concerns of your organization,” came back the letter from movie company Warner Bros. “We also respect the vision and choices of the filmmakers with which we work. Every option on a film is carefully weighed, and for this production, the decision was made to use live animals.”
However, a spokesperson for the film told msnbc that “a chimp did chomp on a young actor, but said that the actor was treated and the animal was given a rest.” The spokesperson aksi sent along assurances from the American Humane Society that no animals were being abused. The movie studio would never lie, right? PETA has suggested that Silver stop using the live animal and switch to animatronics. An animatronic Chim-Chim? They can’t be serious, can they?
The Invasion Movie Trailer Revealed
We were really excited to see The Invasion, the latest Invasion of the Bodysnatches remake, which was supposedly (depending on what sources you read) so troubled that Joel Silver brought The Wachowski Brothers (of Matrix fame) in to re-write and re-shoot a big chunk of the film. But the first trailer for the movie has us more than worried. Not only does the acting seem to be a bit over the top (it could be the dialogue, as there is a bunch of more than competent actors involved) but the direction just seems off. What do you guys think? Check out the new trailer after the jump.
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Official Plot Synopsis: The Invasion is a nightmarish journey into a world where the only way to stay alive is to stay awake. The mysterious crash of the space shuttle leads to the terrifying discovery that there is something alien within the wreckage. Those who come in contact with it are changing in ominous and inexplicable ways. Soon Washington D.C. psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) and her colleague Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig) learn the shocking truth about the growing extraterrestrial epidemic: it attacks its victims while they sleep, leaving them physically unchanged but strangely unfeeling and inhuman. As the infection spreads, more and more people are altered and it becomes impossible to know who can be trusted. Now Carol’s only hope is to stay awake long enough to find her young son, who may hold the key to stopping the devastating invasion.
The Invasion hits theaters on August 17th 2007.
Confirmed: Joel Silver Developing He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Live Action Movie
Last week The Sun ran a story claiming that Legendary Pictures (one of the production companies behind Superman Returns, 300, Batman Begins and The Lady in the Water) has acquired the rights to make a new live action He-Man movie, and were considering Brad Pitt for the lead role. We called the production company, and confirmed the story as a ridiculous rumor (and nothing more).
Well, the increased internet interest has prompted Joel Silver and Warner Bros to sign on to develop He-Man and the Masters of the Universe for the big screen. Variety has confirmed that newcomer Justin Marks (who is currently writing Super Max) is penning the script. But this doesn’t mean the film is going to happen. Mattel has to formally approve an outline for the project before it can go forward. But considering the gold and glory Mattel will surely see in July from Michael Bay’s live-action Transformers adaptation, I don’t see how they could say no.
Apparently the project was pitched as a “classic good vs. evil battle” that would use the same digital filming techniques of 300 and Sin City. The project’s logline follows: “A warrior is touted as the last hope of a magical land called Eternia, which is being ravaged by technology and a despotic ruler named Skeletor.”
Meanwhile, THR says that “The parties are deep in the back-and-forth, with a deal potentially months away, according to sources.”
The He-Man and the Masters of the Universe toy line spawned the popular animated series ran from 1983 to 1985. They later created a 1990 futuristic sci-fi cartoon, a 2002 remake, and a horrible 1987 live action film which stared Dolph Lundgren.
For those of you who don’t remember the series, Adam, the Prince of Eternia, possesses a magic sword, and when he holds it aloft and says the magic words “By the power of Grayskull… I HAVE THE POWER!” he is transformed into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. A brave blond muscleman in a baldric and loincloth, He-Man battles against Skeletor’s repeated attempts and failures to enter Castle Grayskull.
I have serious doubts about this project. Would Warner and Mattel be willing to do a PG-13 or R-Rated film? I don’t think so. It seems more likely that the studio executives are looking at the property as a toyline for kids, and with that I’m sure the resulting story will be far less dark/real than is needed.
Guy Ritchie To Make Another Ensemble British Gangster Movie
Guy Ritchie was a cult phenomenon. He rocketed onto the scene with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and soon after created Snatch, which is on the top 10 list of most 20-something film fanatics. The filmmaker then married Madonna, who seemingly sucked all the creative life out of Richie’s career.
Well good news, Richie has announced that he will return to the genre that launched his career. The filmmaker wrote a script titled RocknRolla, which he will direct under Joel Silver’s Dark Castle Entertainment production company. Right now all we know is that it will be in the same vein as the filmmaker’s previous ensemble British gangster films.
Update: Variety has shed some details on the plot of the film:
A Russian mobster orchestrates a crooked land deal, putting millions of dollars up for grabs and attracting all of London’s criminal underworld. A dangerous crime lord, a sexy accountant, a corrupt politician and a band of petty thieves are among those double-crossing one another. Pic’s budget will be under $20 million.
Call me skeptical, but I think Riche’s time has passed. Let’s hope I’m wrong.