Tag Archives: Warners

7
Geoff Johns named producer for Flash movie

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Here’s something that is sure to get everyone talking at the San Diego Comic Con, DC scribe Geoff Johns has been named the producer for the live action Flash movie currently in development.  Those that paid close attention to the news last year when Warner Bros. and DC were in conference about setting a direction for all future superhero projects may remember Geoff Johns, Marv Wolfman, and Grant Morrison were hired as consultants and writers.  With Johns being named producer of the Flash, does that mean a Teen Titans and Superman producer announcements can’t be far behind?

The studio is taking pitches on sci-fi hero Adam Strange and the underwater-breathing hero “Aquaman,” to be produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and his Appian Way shingle.

The rumor of the Aquaman project have been floating around since Entourage mocked the film some three years ago, so it will be interesting if that one lands in the pool of films coming out of the WB.

Also in the pipeline: “Bizarro Superman” being written by “Galaxy Quest” scribes David Howard and Robert Gordon; a sequel to “Constantine,” with Goldsman and Erwin Stoff producing; two concurrent Green Arrow projects, an origin story and a prison-set one titled “Super Max”; and “Shazam,” which was set up at New Line but has moved to Warners, with Pete Segal attached to direct.

The Hollywood Reporter article goes on to suggest that with all the DC Comics properties in development and production, that it might be a good idea to put all the DC properties under the direction of one super-executive, somewhat like Avi Arad and Marvel.

via THR

38
Ryan Reynolds is Green Lantern

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After this morning’s buzz that Justin Timberlake was suiting up for Green Lantern tryouts, Variety is reporting this evening that Ryan Reynolds has been cast as Hal Jordan in the upcoming movie.

Warners and Campbell chose Reynolds, who vied for the superhero role along with “The Hangover” star Bradley Cooper and Jared Leto. The momentum built for Reynolds in the last week, as he was the only actor whose option was extended.

Those that were afraid that Timberlake would be flying around can rest easy, while the rest of you have the daunting task of voicing your opinions below.

via Variety

13
The Rock Brings the Smack Down to the Watchmen

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I knew Zack Snyder’s Watchmen movie would have a drop in box office over the weekend, but I didn’t expect the feature film to drop a whopping 67% from its debut a week ago.  Watchmen was only able to bring in $18.1 million over the weekend, while Disney’s Race to Which Mountain, debuted with $25 million.

“This drop falls within the norm for big and highly anticipated movies,” Warners exec VP of domestic distribution Jeff Goldstein said.

Pointing to several examples, Goldstein noted that “The Incredible Hulk” fell 60% in its second weekend after opening to $55.4 million. That film cumed $134.8 million domestically. “Sex and the City” fell 63% in its second frame on its way to cuming north of $150 million domestically.

While this may be the norm for Warner Bros. a 67% drop means there are a lot of people aren’t seeing the movie.  Could this be due to the subject matter getting an R rating, a plot mainstream audience won’t/can’t understand, the graphic violence, or does this mark a significant decline in interterest in comic book movies?  If it is, that could really be bad for the movie industry, as there are a plethora of comic book adaptations currently grinding their way through the Hollywood machine.

via Variety

20
Who Watches the Watchmen? Not As Many As You Might Think

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As expected, the Zack Snyder adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ masterpiece Watchmen was the top movie this past weekend bringing in $55.7 million domestically and $83.2 million worldwide.  As great as that news is, Watchmen didn’t open as high as some had expected, not even meeting Zack Snyder’s last film, 300, which brought in $70.9 million domestically.

As hyped as audiences were after seeing the trailer that was tacked on to the Dark Knight Returns movie, I wonder what could be the reason for the lower than expected numbers?  Fans loyal to Alan Moore, boycotting the film?  Too much hype that overloaded and turned off potential audience?  Those waiting until next weekend to see the film in hopes of avoiding the large crowds this past weekend?  The R rating and two hour forty minute run time? Or is it the economy?

Those expressing caution turned out to have been right, so Warners had to manage expectations after the fact.

A substantial roadblock was “Watchmen’s” running time of 2:40. At that length, theaters couldn’t play as many runs of the pic as they did “300,” which ran under two hours.

“It truly makes a huge difference. Every studio wanted to attach their trailer to ‘Watchmen,’ so it ended up being more like three hours. When a movie is 2:40, there’s only one main show a day,” Warners prexy of domestic distribution Dan Fellman said. “We’re pleased with the opening.”

I went and saw the movie on Sunday, and there were less than a dozen people in the theater; great for me as I didn’t have to worry about all the talkers as I spilled nacho cheese everywhere, but not so good for those hoping comic book movies will remain strong draws at the box office.

Don’t forget, for those that did see the movie, we do have a talk back post for you to weigh in your thoughts.

via Variety

6
Shazam! a No-Go

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Over at his blog, screenwriter John August gives a breakdown as to what happened to his Shazam! movie and how the execs at Warner Bros. cancelled the movie.

When we turned the new draft in to the studio, we got a reaction that made me wonder if anyone at Warners had actually read previous drafts or the associated notes. The studio felt the movie played too young. They wanted edgier. They wanted Billy to be older. They wanted Black Adam to appear much earlier.

His first draft, turned in before the writer’s strike, was more of a comedy than the darker, edgier feel Warner Bros. is now targeting for its superhero movies.

More After the Jump >>

13
Graysons Headed to CW

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With the fate of the next season of Smallville still up in the air, Warner Bros. is getting ready for a replacement, or a “sidekick” of a show in the just approved pilot “Graysons”.  But don’t think this new series will follow the adventures of Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne as Batman and Robin, expect the Graysons to follow a very Smallville like premise that features the young Dick “DJ” Grayson before his parents met their untimely demise, before being taken under the wing of Batman, and a long, long time before becoming Nightwing.

In the one-hour “Graysons,” which will be set in modern times, young DJ will face challenges involving first loves, young rivals and his family as he grows up. Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson have come up with an original take on the character.

I have some mixed feelings about this.  Yes, it is cool that Warners is looking for a way to exploit one of its more popular characters.  But to adopt the “never wears a cape and tights” attitude as it has with Smallville, just doesn’t sit well with me.

Look for the pilot to makes its bow next year.

via Variety

4
Dark Knight Returns…to theaters

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Warner Bros. has announced it will rerelease The Dark Knight to IMAX theaters in January, right smack dab in the middle of Academy Awards voting season.

Warners domestic distribution president Dan Fellman acknowledged ongoing talks with Imax executives about the prospect of restoring the Christian Bale starrer to some number of giant-screen venues in January. It’s uncertain if “Dark Knight” also will reappear in conventional venues at that point.

There’s no question the company is sending the flick back to theaters to garner more attention for votes, but don’t think it is an attempt to make a run at Titanic’s number one spot in the all time box office money makers, as the DVD release of The Dark Knight arrives in December.

via Hollywood Reporter

11
Batman Box Office Gold

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I think everyone saw this coming after the spectacular opening night the Dark Knight had in theaters.  It’s official now, The Dark Knight has officially pwned Spider-Man in the box office, taking in an estimated $155.3 million over the weekend.  Even at two hours and forty-one minutes, the Dark Knight was able to best the third installment of the wall crawler series by $4 million.

“This is a career-capper for anybody who works on a film like this in our business,” Warners distribution president Dan Fellman said. “It’s a great ride, and it’s just beginning, Most of the big summer films have already come out, so we have a great play time ahead of us.”

Is the Dark Knight perfect?  No, there are plenty of flaws that can be pointed out.  Is it fun and entertaining?  Oh yes.  If you haven’t given Warner Bros. your $10 yet, you really ought to catch this movie in the theater.  It is big, it is loud, and it is a thrill ride you won’t get sitting at home watching it on your 65-inch plasma.   As we have seen this summer, and in fact all year, movies tend to have a major drop off going into the second weekend.  I would be surprised if Dark Knight had and more than a 20% drop at the box office, and wouldn’t be surprised if the numbers rose a little bit given the numerous showings, fan hype, and the awesome performance by Heath Ledger.

via THR