Screen Time

Trying to get the facts straight about the proposed Justice League movie is like trying to give Superman a noogie. It’s hard. Really hard. And minus some kryptonite knuckles, it aint gonna happen anytime soon. That’s why I haven’t been posting about every JL rumor - and there have been tons - that hits the Web here.

So far, a number of online reports state that “Happy Feet” director George Miller will direct the upcoming ensemble superhero flick. From there the questions only multiply, and I haven’t heard any real answers from Warner Bros., the studio reportedly committed to the project.

So far, a number of young actors have been screen tested for the thing, but it’s still unclear whether this will be a live action movie, a complete CGI fest, or a combination of the two, like “300.” Also, will this movie diverge from the current “Superman Returns” and “Batman Begins” franchises? Is the short, blond and very un-Amazonian Teresa Palmer going to play Wonder Woman? Does the script feature a violent showdown between Superman and Batman? … Like I said, the questions go on and on.

Here’s from The Hollywood Reporter’s latest report about the casting process:

Miller is seeing about four or five actors for the parts of Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter, with a few overlaps …

On the roll call are Adam Brody (Fox’s “The O.C.”), Joseph Cross (”Running With Scissors”), D.J. Cotrona (”Windfall”), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (”Grindhouse”), Michael Angarano (”Sky High”), Teresa Palmer (”Wolf Creek”), Max Thieriot (”Jumper”) and rapper Common.

The cast of NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” is well-represented as well, with Minka Kelly, Adrianne Palicki and Scott Porter also among those testing for parts.

So, a teeny bopper Justice League? I really hope it’s a cartoon.
———
Photo courtesy Cartoon Network

A new Terminator movie without Gov. Schwarzenegger? It looks like it might happen.

Variety and The AP are reporting that a fourth Terminator flick will most likely hit screens in 2009. The working title for the movie is “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins,“ and it will take place in the future (der) where humans are battling evil Skynet robots. Warner Bros. hopes to launch another Terminator movie trilogy with this thing.

“Terminator 3″ exec. producer Moritz Borman says it is unlikely that The Governator will reprise his role in part four, since he’s kinda busy running California and terminating “tha special interests” in that state.

I love the Terminator franchise (I even liked “Rise of the Machines” almost as much as the first two) but making another one without Arnold is strike number one for me. Here’s strike number two: The AP reports that “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” director McG is the front runner to helm the new project. McG? He of the joyless, empty thrills and pointless, bloodless action spoofs? Why?

Anyone out there excited about this news?

Well, if you can’t wait two years to get your Terminator fix, you can watch “The Sarah Connor Chronicles” on Fox, debuting Jan. 14.
———-
Photo courtesy Warner Bros.

News of a Hulk movie franchise reboot hit the Web last year (expect to see Edward Norton turning green in 2008). Now comes news that Marvel’s Spider-Man might look and feel a lot different when he returns to the big screen.

Sam Raimi, director of all three Spider-Man flicks, told MTV this week that the upcoming “Spider-Man 4″ will be a “fresh take” on the series. MTV reports that the “fresh take” on “Spidey 4″ might mean that the story will diverge from and contradict plot details from the first three movies, adding weight to reboot rumors.

Raimi said he won’t write the fourth flick, and it sounds like he’s not interested in directing it. He says he’s happy letting a new writer take over while he produces and that he’s adopting a “hands off” approach to crafting the story. A new writer is being sought for the fourth Spidey flick, since Marvel has parted ways with original “Spider-Man 4″ writer David Koepp, who also wrote the first movie.

On the bright side, Raimi mentions that he might be up for helming another “Evil Dead” movie, he’s ruling out a “Venom” movie and he won’t make “The Hobbit” unless he gets Peter Jackson’s blessing. All good things.

So, what will a possible Spidey reboot look like? Will we get a new cast to match the new creative team? Will Tobey Maguire and crew return if Raimi isn’t in charge? I kinda like the idea of a new direction for this franchise, but I really love the first three flicks. I just hope we don’t get something that should go straight to DVD.
———-
Photo courtesy Columbia Pictures