– As previously reported,Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus” looks set to hit theaters this Christmas Day after debuting at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The film, which is the last performance from the late Heath Ledger, will also be screening at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival.
– Guillermo Del Toro recently took to the OneRing.net forums to address the unsubstantiated 3D rumors surrounding “The Hobbit”. “As a co-writer and director of this film, let me be very clear one more time: we are not talking about 3D, we are NOT writing the screenplay for 3D right now- we are hiring my [director of photograhpy] Guillermo Navarro to shoot the film and we are not discussing 3D with him either or with WETA digital or WB or anyone else.” You didn’t need to, Guillermo, but MarketSaw and other 3D freaks are currently in tears.
– Here’s a new poster for Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson’s “The Invention Of Lying.” The film stars Gervais, Jennifer Garner as well as the likes of Rob Lowe, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill and Louis C.K. Does that not reek of generic sitcom? Prolly not a bad film, but ugh on the poster.
– Is Alexandre Desplat’s score for “Coco Before Chanel” award-season worthy? Starring Audrey Tautou as the titular Coco Chanel, the film will see a limited release soon on September 25th. Desplat of course was nominated for Best Score at last year’s Oscar’s for “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.”
– Rumor has it the man being eyed by The Weinstein Company for “Halloween 3D” is Steve Miner, who helmed “Halloween: H20” as well as the second and third installments of the original “Friday The 13th” franchise.
– Turns out Todd MacFarlane’s rumored “Wizard Of Oz” modernized sequel is true? Heaven help us all. “They’re on their second iteration right now, trying to get it into a zone that makes sense,” said MacFarlane of the script’s development. “Josh Olsen wrote a draft that didn’t quite strike Warner’s fancy. Everyone was a little lukewarm. They wanted it more sexy! So they were going to do a rewrite and get some fresh eyes on it.” MacFarlane debunks rumors about Dakota Fanning being eyed for the role though he did confirm the involvement of Dorothy’s granddaughter in the first draft.
– One Marvel production in dire straits which looks set to miss the boat on the Disney gravy train is Julie Taymor’s “Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark” musical. Despite the potential to have the production join Disney’s Theatrical program, the February 25th start date for Taymor’s Evan Rachel Wood led musical is reportedly a touch early for finalization of the buyout.
– After selling his short story for seven-figures, Derek Haas has now been hired by Jerry Bruckheimier — along with writing partner, Michael Bradnt — to scribe an adaptation of his “Shake.” Haas is seriously laughing all the way to the bank isn’t he?
