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Consider this a point to make things more absurd. Last I checked, the Wolverine movie was already finished and that we’re only waiting for more leaked trailers until the movie comes out in May of 2009. So when I caught the buzz that there were problems between director Gavin Hood and CEO Tom Rothman over the look and feel of the movie, I said “pfft.”

I wanted to know where the story originally came from since it sounded like a triumphant publicity stunt from a wannabe blog, but it looks like the gossip has already spread like wildfire.

Nonetheless, the Wolverine movie should work out well (*cross fingers*), it’s definitely gonna be dark, and he wont fly. So let’s all move on and look at similar problems happening with Punisher. At least that one’s worth a look.

It’s been awhile since we’ve seen McLovin get on a movie that I would wanna watch. I mean, sure he’s gonna be on Role Models, but that seems more like a Paul Rudd flick where he doesn’t really kick ass. Luckily, a year from now he’ll be back in his rockin’ ways, “allegedly,” as he portrays Red Mist in the movie adaptation of the comic book Kick Ass.

Comic book plot:
Dave Lizewski, an otherwise ordinary New York City high school student and the child of loving single father, takes his interest in comic books as inspiration to become a real-life superhero. He assembles a suit and mask, which he wears under his normal clothing, begins exercising, and practices things like walking on roofs, sating his ambitions for a time. He eventually seeks to fighting crime, his first attempt at which leads to a severe beating by thugs, followed by his wandering into the street and being hit by a van. He retains his secret identity, however, stripping off and hiding his costume before paramedics arrive.

As Kick-Ass, Lizewski sets up a MySpace account, so people can contact him for help. The first such request he investigates leads him to an apartment of violent low-lifes who try to kill him. He is rescued by a costumed young girl wielding a sword who herself kills two of the attackers. [source]

I wouldn’t imagine a Transformers movie without it’s prime villain Megatron. It’s just law - there’s Jordan and Pippen, Batman and Robin, Dick and Clark, LotLot and Monching, and there should always be a Megatron for an Optimus Prime. That’s unless Shia LaBeouf killed Megatron in the last movie.

Oh yeah.. he did.

Luckily, the highly sophisticated mind of Michael Bay is gonna bring Megatron back in the sequel Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, only, as a tank. Now I dont know if it’s true but judging from the fact that Shia did put a cube in his heart.. chest.. exoskeleton last time, he might as well get an overhaul. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen comes to theaters June 26, 2009.

Several sites have been abuzz lately with XMen: First Class being listed in this week’s upcoming projects from Production Weekly - a site that “provides the entertainment industry with a comprehensive breakdown of projects in pre-production, preparation, and active development for film and television.”

Now I wouldn’t normally get ahead of myself, but I think XMen Origins: Wolverine and XMen Origins: Magneto, both set to hit theaters in 2009, could very well be a primer for the telling of another origin - the formation of the XMen.

For millions of years, mankind’s place on Earth was unchallenged – until five young people paved the way for a new kind of human. While students at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Beast and Iceman taught the world what it meant to be X-Men. These are the hidden stories of the team that laid the foundation of a mutant dynasty!

This is purely speculation on my part and for all you know it might be a television series. If you’d like receive updates on this movie and all the other things I write here in BackLineMedia, please subscribe.

Yay for shameless self promotion! =P

Jon Favreau is back as the director of Iron Man 2 and it looks like earlier rumors of Iron Man coming back in 2010 might just be a reality. Now, I dont want to get ahead of myself and say that it’s a done deal since there hadn’t been any formal announcements yet. (I’m not sure.. but IMDB already writes it as 2010)

I’m also wondering how Marvel could still fit this in with all their many plans. They’re set to release Punisher this December, Thor in 2010, Captain America and the Avengers movie in 2011. They’re also part of Spiderman 4, XMen Origins: Wolverine, XMen Origins: Magneto, and Antman

Aren’t they busy…

Perhaps one good thing about having Iron Man 2 back before the Avengers movie is that it could seal all the tie ups before Captain America shows up and completes the cast. In its last two movies, Marvel have had cameos that looks to build up ’til the Avengers movie. Samuel L. Jackson showed at the end of the Iron Man movie credits as Nick Fury and opened up about the “Avenger initiative,” while Robert Downet Jr. came prior to the credits of the Incredible Hulk to say that they were forming a team.

The DragonBall Movie Website has recently released information leaking that the trailer for the film might come earlier than expected. In an email correspondence exchanged with a certain Christina Inman, it was suggested that a teaser trailer for the movie might come by the end of the month.

**Anybody thinking COMIC CON?**

We know that a teaser trailer was shown at Cinema Expo 2008 in Amsterdam, but it was never publicly released. Well, now it looks like Christina Inman from Fox has finally acknowledged that and has recently said in an email that a teaser trailer could be released at the end of this month or the beginning of August.

The Japanese poster of the DragonBall movie had recently been released.

Here are more pictures from Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens coming movie High School Musical 3: Senior Year. The movie hits theaters October 24, 2008.

Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, the same folks said to play Thor and/or Captain America (depends which one you’re reading) have also been rumored to be part of Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 action flick Inglorious Bastards. Basically, the ho-hum is that Brad Pitt had talked with Tarantino last week about playing the character Lt. Aldo Raine and this week is Leonardo di Caprio’s turn in playing the antagonist “The Jew Hunter” Colonel Hans Landa.

Set in World War 2, Inglorious Bastards revolves around a group of soldiers on their way to be executed, only to get the chance for a reprieval. Tarantino describes them as “Not your normal hero types that are thrown into a big deal in World War II.” (source)

Tie-ups between Ironman and The Incredible Hulk continue to flourish in the net as does the speculations regarding the 2011 movie of Marvel’s Avengers. The latest I’ve come across is that the Hulk will be the villain.

While I think that this is highly unlikely, the mere fact that no villain has come up yet for the movie also deems it plausible. It is quite sensible too since the comics books does tell of such a scenario. Hulk’s uncontrollable rage has always directed him towards counter culture path - an anti hero.

Why I think it is unlikely is because I dont think Nick Fury would recruit Ironman to the Avengers without a threat. The Hulk had not been a problem at that time, and as the movie shows, Gen Thaddeus Ross (and/or his daughter - who’s as hot as Liv Tyler, btw) can clearly handle him.

A commenter previously had enlightening words on this blog’s first mention of The Green Hornet movie - of how Seth Rogen might not be the proper person for the part. I had meant to post it on a much earlier time but somehow only remembered it when news about The Green Hornet teaser poster came up.

Lets look at some facts that have been overlooked or pushed under the rug by SOOO many here and in Hollywood.

1. The character predated Batman and the ONLY tie in was in 1966 when the same producer for the TV show did the TV Green Hornet.
2. The Character is not a superhero, he has no super powers, no super villains, he is at best a masked crime fighter. Really he is no different than any TV/Film crime fighter except he happens to have a secret identity.
3. The Character did not come from the comic world; comics only explored their version of the story after the radio show was already established. The later 90’s Comic series further explored an alternate universe of the Green Hornet world. Not too uncommon for the comic world but not congruent with the characters true origins and world.
4. The character is a hard driving young (33) successful businessman who is dedicated to fight crime in his community and wherever it occurs. NOT a lazy billionaire playboy that is pure recent media hype.
5. He is seen as a criminal in the criminal world so law enforcement is always after him. The criminals hate him because they fear him, Kato, and the Black Beauty.
6. The Green Hornet is a brilliant strategist and foils his foes in a well played out mental chess game (SEE Jason Borne or James Bond) Kato assists in strategy, weapons development and construction and muscle when needed.
7. The Green Hornet is fully capable in hand-to-hand combat in most every situation. He has a totally different style than Kato. He is in top physical condition.
8. Kato is fully competent in any situation of combat. He is so confident that his attitude comes across as smug. But make no mistake he takes crime fighting and combat very seriously. It would be a very rare occurrence if he were bested in hand-to-hand combat.
9. The TV series was canceled because the producer was not allotted enough TV time to further develop the character. ABC only allowed 30m and Dozier insisted on 60m for the second season. ABC refused so dozier canceled the series.
10. Production costs were out of control on Batman (A Huge hit) and budgets were getting tight so this was also a factor in sidelining the Green Hornet.
11. Keaton worked as Batman because he has shown he an actor that has depth and intensity. It makes no difference that he was in a comedic role prior. He is/was capable of VERY serious roles and can be very dark, which is needed for the Dark Knight. Same goes for Robin Williams as Joker, Riddler. He has proven himself in serious roles and can also be a believable villain and can also be very dark. Seth??
12. The Green Hornet does not exist in the DC or Marvel universe.
13. Seth has in the past said this will be a comedy then said it will be an action film just like Pineapple Express (due out this fall), so who knows what he/they will decide on.

They were able to hold the elements together for Spider-man, Fantastic Four, Elektra, Daredevil, Hulk, Iron Man, X-Men, Batman, Superman, Punisher, Blade so why not do the same for the Green Hornet? The Hornet is more like a Jason Bourne, or a James Bond without the MI5-CIA connection. Hard fighting, mental strategy game, interesting gadget technology.

Anything less that what the character is or was created to be is just a slap in the face to all of fandom and aficionados of the genre. People do not want something different they want something familiar but updated to take advantage of the wonderful film technology we have today.

Film-goers want to leave the film after paying their $10 saying “…damn that was awesome!” Not “Damn I could have blown that $10 bucks elsewhere and been happier.”

Fans are not looking for another Rush Hour film, they did that and it was fine for what it was.

Impress us Seth! Don’t rip us off!