On the back of his recent statement, details surrounding Robert Rodriguez’s “Machete” and “Predators” sequel have been unveiled. “Machete” will be co-directed by Rodriguez and his long-time editor Ethan Maniquis and will be the first non-studio production from Rodriguez since his breakout film “El Mariachi.” Shooting for “Machete” is set to begin in Austin around June with Danny Trejo reprising his role as the title character. Rodriguez’s “Predator” sequel, meanwhile, will be made with Fox and will have its title pluralized to”Predators.”
We already suggested Rodriguez wouldn’t direct and don’t be surprised if you hear Maniquis does most of the heavy lifting, frankly and Robert is around to do a few fun scenes. Hmmm, it looks like Rodriguez is moving away from the Weinsteins/Dimension banner. Bad sign for “Sin City 2”? His “Nerverackers” project will still be with Dimension though and still has a 2010 release date. [Variety]
Denzel Washington is in talks to re-team with Tony Scott for another train based thriller. “Unstoppable” will mark the fifth collaboration between the two with their latest effort,”The Taking Of Pelham 123,” set for release this summer. “Unstoppable” follows an experienced engineer who jumps in a locomotive with a young conductor to chase down a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. Mark Bomback scribed the film. [Variety]
Ridley Scott has reportedly finally found his Sheriff of Notthingham. British actor Matthew Macfadyen (“Frost/Nixon,” “Pride And Prejudice”) is set to take up the role. Contrary to early rumors that had the the protagonist in a dichotomic role of Robin Hood and The Sheriff, the new role is apparently very minor in comparison – he’s not even the villain. This news seems to stem from a Macfadyen fan site and word of mouth so don’t count it as scripture just yet. [/Film]
Matthew Vaughn’s “Kick-Ass” seems set for an R rating. Christopher Mintz-Plasse, who stars in the film as Red Mist, noted in an interview: ” It’s got to be rated R. No studio wanted it. Him and his buddies produced it, and that’s how he wanted it.” Mintz-Plasse also claims that Vaughn was denied the helm for “X-Men 3”: “He was supposed to direct [the film] and they just didn’t want to do it. They didn’t want anything his way.” So what does Mintz-Plasse think of eventual “X-Men 3” director Brent Ratner? “That guy shouldn’t even direct a Miley Cyrus video.” [HitFix]
Pedro Almodovar is set to adapt his 1988 film “Woman On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown” into a series for Fox TV Studios. The original film chronicles a two-day period in the life of a voice actress who has been abandoned by her lover and gets in a series of comedic situations while frantically trying to track him down. The adaptation, though, will be “a suburban drama about a group of women who have known each other for a long time, perhaps from college, who are in the middle of their lives and looking at the second half of their lives.” [THR]
