FROM MOVIES BLOG: Remember kids, the truth is always far, far stranger than fiction. It was a little more than a year ago that we found out the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon series "Yogi Bear" would be getting a big screen treatment. There was no casting announced or anything like that; just that the project was happening with "Surf's Up" director Ash Brannon at the helm and that it would feature a mix of live-action and CG animation.
Well today, the plot thickened. Variety reports that Anna Faris, Justin Timberlake and Dan Aykroyd are all in negotiations to join the cast of the movie, which will now be directed by "Journey to the Center of the Earth" helmer Eric Brevig from a script by Brad Copeland ("Wild Hogs").
Continue reading 'Yogi Bear' May Get A Ghostbuster, An N Sync'er And Anna Faris over at MoviesBlog.MTV.com.
The last time we saw actor Owen Wilson playing with dogs, it was in the 2008 adaptation of John Grogan's touchingly heartbreaking book "Marley & Me." In this latest bit of news, we learn that Wilson will move from playing with dogs to simply playing one.
Wilson is locked to star in "Marmaduke," a big-screen adaptation of Brad Anderson's long-running newspaper comic strip. The adaptation had itself been revealed a couple of weeks ago, but this final bit of news puts the finishing touch on a cast that includes William H. Macy, Judy Greer, Lee Pace as the titular great dane's human family and Fergie, Emma Stone, George Lopez, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Steve Coogan, Damon Wayans and Marlon Wayans as the voices of Marmaduke's pals in the animal kingdom. Read more...
FROM MOVIES BLOG: Those shouts of "D'oh!" you're hearing this morning are coming from a nation of "Simpsons" fans who must now come to terms with the fact that another movie about the Springfield's favorite yellow-skinned, four-fingered family is a long way away. How long? At least until the series, now in its 21st season, is finished.
Speaking to filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, who is currently working on a 20th anniversary documentary about the series, creator Matt Groening and showrunner Al Jean at least had a good reason for not wanting to board the Hollywood train again so quickly, Variety reports.
"It took 18 years to get around to doing the movie," Groening said. "We got very frustrated. We thought it would take two years but it ended up taking four. Some day maybe we'll do another one -- but don't hold your breath."
For more on Matt Groenig's plans (or lack thereof) for another "Simpsons" movie, head over to MoviesBlog.MTV.com.
FROM MOVIES BLOG: This week, fans get to celebrate almost a century of "The Wizard of Oz" with a 70th Anniversary DVD/Blu-ray release of the 1939 film. It's fitting then that we have some exclusive new information to share with you on the screen adaptation of Todd McFarlane's "The Twisted Land of Oz" toy line.
MTV Splash Page editor Rick Marshall spoke to the man himself recently, and he was more than happy to delve into the project's genesis, some basic story elements and what the future holds. There's new stuff in here, things you haven't heard yet. The short version: this ain't your granddaddy's "Wizard of Oz." "Spawn" creator McFarlane has some dark ideas kicking around in his head, and they mesh very well with the inherently creepy qualities of "Oz."
For more of Todd McFarlane's plans for a new "Oz" movie, head over to MoviesBlog.MTV.com.
FROM MOVIES BLOG: In case you missed it, we started doing a little bit of TV coverage here on MTV Movies Blog last week. With the second season of J.J. Abrams' "Fringe" in full swing, MTV contributor Josh Wigler will be providing weekly recaps and opinions on the night's episode.
There's more to come though. Tonight marks the start of a brand new series on ABC, "FlashForward," which is loosely adapted from the Prix Aurora Award-winning sci-fi novel "Flashforward" by Robert J. Sawyer. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" writer Brannon Braga and "Batman Begins"/"The Dark Knight" writer David Goyer are the showrunners, and the duo took time out of their busy San Diego Comic-Con schedule in July to chat with MTV Splash Page editor Rick Marshall.
For the rest of our "FlashForward" interview with David Goyer and Brannon Braga, head over to MoviesBlog.MTV.com.
FROM MOVIES BLOG: I'm being mocked in the MTV newsroom for my excitement over this news, but I don't care. He-Man is a badass, and not because his alter-ego -- Prince Adam -- is named like my name. That's not the only reason anyway. No. He-Man is a badass because he rides a Battle Cat and talks to his magical sword and still wins the day every time. He was also brought to life by Dolph Lundgren in the first movie adaptation of the Mattel toy line, and you just don't mess with that man.
Don't count on Lundgren coming back for the long-gestating second attempt at an adaptation, which has finally found a home with Sony, according to a report in Variety. Sony is partnered with Escape Artists, with the project being led by producers Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch, who intend to start "from scratch."
For more on the "He-Man" movie's new life, head over to MoviesBlog.MTV.com.
FROM MOVIES BLOG: As a child of the '80s, I love myself some Muppets and Muppet-like puppets. "Sesame Street," "Fraggle Rock," "Brian Henson, son of "The Muppets" creator Jim Henson and co-CEO (with his sister Lisa) of the still-thriving Jim Henson Company.
Jacks didn't get to just talk with Henson. He got to pick his brain, to mine him for information. And wouldn't you know it, Henson was all too happy to share. He even volunteered some stuff. What do I mean, you ask? Jacks asked about the "Fraggle Rock" movie, Henson replied with comments about that AND the "Dark Crystal" sequel. Whoa.
Continue reading about Brian Henson's "Dark Crystal" and "Fraggle Rock" sequel plans over at MoviesBlog.MTV.com.
FROM MTV MOVIES: There are a lot of fan expectations riding on a movie like "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra." Between the long-running comic book line and the multiple TV series, it is a treasured franchise to many people.
When we sat down with stars Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Channing Tatum and Marlon Wayans, the big question was how much background knowledge each performer brought to their role.
"We all kinda read up on it," said Tatum, who played Duke. "I don't know who was the 'Joe' expert."
Continue reading about "G.I. Joe" stars' history with the Real American Heroes over at Movies.MTV.com.
FROM MOVIES BLOG: Move along people, there's nothing to see here. A few weeks ago, word emerged that the triumphant return of Matt Groening's and David X. Cohen's prematurely canceled TV series "Futurama" might be marred by the departure of the original voice cast. These people, who were responsible for making the initial five seasons -- and subsequent direct-to-video movies -- so enjoyable, were to be shoved aside in favor of cheaper voice talents. To quote the great huckster Vizzini, "inconceivable!"
Well the whole thing turned out to be nothing more than a lot of posturing and financial crisis-inspired hand-wringing. Variety reported yesterday that John DiMaggio, Billy West, Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche and Tress MacNeille are all back in the mix to reprise their roles, which constitute every key member of the Planet Express delivery and administrative teams. "Whew" would be an appropriate response, so take a moment now to collect yourselves.
For more on the return of the "Futurama" cast, head over to MoviesBlog.MTV.com.
Bad. Ass. You San Diego Comic-Con goers can keep your surprise screenings and your exclusive reveals. We viewers at home have "Tron Legacy" footage and I, for one, am satisfied. And by "satisfied" I mean "my brain just overloaded after seeing the Kickass on display in this video."
It's not quite a trailer, what you see here. Disney has it labeled "Visual Effects Concept Test Footage." If memory serves, this is the revelatory footage screened at last year's Con, with lightcycle action and Jeff Bridges looking all mean and bearded. Remember to head over to MTV.com for more SDCC trailers and clips!
What do you think of the footage? Sound off in the comment section!
