Francis Lawrence

Sequel CATCHING FIRE Officially Titled THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 24th, 2012 at 12:18 pm

In a somewhat unsurprising move, Summit Entertainment announced today that the Hunger Games follow-up has now officially been titled The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.  The pic is based on author Suzanne Collins’ second book in the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire.  Brand recognition is everything when it comes to tentpoles, and audiences are consistently treated as though they’re unable to put two-and-two together when the exact same cast returns in a new movie with a different title.  Nevertheless, Summit added The Twilight Saga moniker to all the Twilight films, so the move was almost inevitable.  Hit the jump for more.

Michael Arndt to Polish Script for THE HUNGER GAMES Sequel, CATCHING FIRE

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: May 4th, 2012 at 6:17 pm

Michael Arndt is Catching Fire.  The Oscar-winning writer behind emotional roller coasters Toy Story 3 and Little Miss Sunshine is now in talks to do a re-write on Simon Beaufoy’s (Slumdog Millionaire) treatment of Catching Fire, the second installment of The Hunger Games series.  Lionsgate has yet to land the writer, but if they do, he’ll have to work fast.  Catching Fire is scheduled to shoot sometime this fall so that star Jennifer Lawrence can fulfill her commitments to Fox’s sequel to X-Men: First Class. Director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) is now officially on board, taking over the franchise from Gary Ross, who steered the first movie to a box office north of $600 million.

Catching Fire stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, and Woody Harrelson and begins filming this fall before opening November 22, 2013.  Hit the jump for more.

Francis Lawrence Confirmed to Direct THE HUNGER GAMES Sequel, CATCHING FIRE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 3rd, 2012 at 10:01 am

Several weeks ago, we reported that director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) had been offered the director’s chair for The Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire.  There was little doubt he would take the gig, and now Lionsgate has sent out a press release confirming that he has the job.  Hunger Games director Gary Ross passed on returning for Catching Fire due to the lack of prep time, which apparently isn’t a problem for Lawrence.  The rushed schedule and hiring of a journeyman director like Lawrence means Catching Fire will likely be a straight adaptation of Suzanne Collins‘ novel, which is a shame because the book has serious problems past the halfway mark.

Hit the jump for the press release.  The film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, and Woody Harrelson.  Catching Fire begins filming this fall and will open November 22, 2013.

Francis Lawrence Offered CATCHING FIRE Directing Gig

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 19th, 2012 at 6:16 pm

Following a bit of a mad scramble to replace departing director Gary Ross, Lionsgate seems to have settled on his replacement for the impending Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire.  We recently learned that the studio had narrowed their list down to two choices: Moneyball director Bennett Miller and I Am Legend’s Francis Lawrence.  Now comes word that Lionsgate plans to extend the offer to—drumroll please—Mr. Lawrence!  Hit the jump for more.

CATCHING FIRE Adds Bennett Miller and Francis Lawrence to Potential Director List

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: April 17th, 2012 at 5:18 pm

With Gary Ross’ non-return to direct the follow up of his blockbuster film, The Hunger Games, Lionsgate turned to a wish-list of directors that included David Cronenberg, Alfonso Cuaron and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.  While those names were merely placeholders for a director with an arrow’s chance in Panem at getting the job (something we waxed poetic about in our recent podcast), two more names have cropped up that seem to have a bit more validity to them.  Reportedly, some conversations have already taken place with directors Bennett Miller (Moneyball) and Francis Lawrence (Constantine) to helm the sequel, Catching Fire.  Hit the jump for more on these potential candidates.

Scott Frank to Pen HOUDINI for Columbia

by Jason Barr    Posted: May 24th, 2011 at 6:58 pm

Columbia has hired scribe Scott Frank (Minority Report) to pen its Harry Houdini-centered drama, cleverly titled Houdini. Director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) has been attached to helm the project since March and Heat Vision confirms that he and Frank will team up to bring a “grounded” vision of the legendary escape artist. Per the report, Houdini will feature the namesake attempting to expose a spiritualist as a fraud only to get caught up in what appears to be a “tragic scam.”

Similar to the rat race that Snow White is currently competing in (which Brendan so mathematically details here), Houdini also has several tales currently in development. In addition to Columbia’s Houdini, DreamWorks acquired the rights to J. Michael Straczynski’s (creator of Babylon 5 and personal favorite comic series Rising Stars) Houdini/Sir Arthur Conan Doyle script Voices from the Dead back in February. Not long after that news, Summit hired Noah Oppenheim to pen an adaptation of William Kalush’s book The Secret Life of Houdini. For better or worse, it doesn’t look as if moviegoers should have any shortage of Houdini content coming their way over the next few years.

Reese Witherspoon and Director Francis Lawrence Interview WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

by Christina Radish    Posted: April 19th, 2011 at 7:20 am

From the best-selling book of the same name, Water for Elephants tells the story of veterinary student Jacob Jankowski (Twilight star Robert Pattinson), who has to drop out of school after the unexpected death of his parents, and ends up jumping a train that happens to belong to the Benzini Bros. Circus. When he is discovered, his skills with the animals are put to use and he soon meets star performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), who is also the wife of the Big Top’s often violent and abusive owner, August (Christoph Waltz). The bond between Jacob and Marlena forms over their mutual admiration of the animals, but also develops into something deeper, as the two see a second chance at happiness in each other.

During a press conference at the film’s press day, Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon and director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) talked about what made them want to do a film of this time period, working with an elephant as a co-star, and how the showmanship and mystery of the circus is similar to making movies. Check out what they had to say after the jump:

8 Movie Clips and 17 High Resolution Images from WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Starring Robert Pattinson

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 1st, 2011 at 9:53 pm

20^th Century Fox has release 8 clips and 17 high resolution images from the upcoming drama, Water for Elephants.  Directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend), the film stars Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz. Here’s the synopsis:

Based on the acclaimed bestseller, Water for Elephants presents an unexpected romance in a uniquely compelling setting. Veterinary school student Jacob (Pattinson) meets and falls in love with Marlena (Witherspoon), a star performer in a circus of a bygone era. They discover beauty amidst the world of the Big Top, and come together through their compassion for a special elephant. Against all odds — including the wrath of Marlena’s charismatic but dangerous husband, August (Waltz) — Jacob and Marlena find lifelong love.

Hit the jump to check out the clips and 17 images.  Water for Elephants opens April 22nd.

Sony Moves Forward With Houdini Film; Francis Lawrence in Talks to Direct

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 23rd, 2011 at 4:00 pm

In keeping with Hollywood’s tradition of fixating on one subject of interest for multiple competing projects, Harry Houdini seems to be the next flavor of the week. Sony is making moves on its long-gestating Houdini project with Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) in talks to direct the film. Variety reports that Jimmy Miller (The Other Guys) will produce. The studio is looking to revamp the story while maintaining its period setting.

DreamWorks recently acquired the rights to Michael Straczynski’s Voices from the Dead, which pits Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle as detectives solving mysteries in 1920’s New York. Additionally, last month Summit tapped Noah Oppenheim to adapt William Kalush’s book The Secret Life of Houdini into a feature film. That flick portrays Houdini as a superhero. Which of these projects, if any, will get off the ground first? I guess the race is on.

New Trailer for WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: March 3rd, 2011 at 9:12 pm

20th Century Fox has released a new trailer for Water for Elephants, the adaptation of the Sara Gruen novel of the same name directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend).  Robert Pattinson stars “a penniless and recently-orphaned veterinary school student [who] parlays his expertise with animals into a job with a second-rate traveling circus.”  He falls in love with one the star performers (Reese Witherspoon), who unfortunately happens to be married to an unbalanced ringleader (Christoph Waltz).  Watch the new trailer after the jump.

Scott Silver Talks About Rewriting the Biblical SAMSON into a Superhero for Francis Lawrence

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: February 16th, 2011 at 9:35 pm

More than two years have passed since Warner Bros. first bought the pitch for a “futuristic retelling of Samson and Delilah” to be directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend).  At that time, Scott Silver was known as the screenwriter behind 8 Mile.  Since then, Silver has earned an Oscar nomination for his part in writing The Fighter, which provides an audience to share his plans for Samson.  For instance, when Samson is transplanted from Biblical times to the future, his divinely granted strength qualifies as a superpower.

“I’m finishing up something completely different, a superhero movie set in the future for Warner Bros.  It’s an original superhero.”

Read more of what Silver had to say after the jump.

International Trailer for WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson

by Ramses Flores    Posted: January 18th, 2011 at 6:54 pm

20th Century Fox has released a new international trailer for Water for Elephants.  Based on the novel by Sara Gruen, the film tells the story of a man who joins a traveling circus during the Great Depression after his parents die in a car accident. While at the circus, he finds himself falling in love with one of the main stars of the show, who is married to the circus’ cruel and violent animal trainer.  The film stars Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Hal Holbrook, and the always great and underused Paul Schneider; Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) directs.  Hit the jump to watch the trailer and read a full plot synopsis.

Universal Acquires Bestselling Book UNBROKEN as Directing Vehicle for Francis Lawrence

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 4th, 2011 at 10:01 am

Universal Pictures has picked up the rights to Laura Hillenbrand’s bestselling non-fiction novel Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.  According to Deadline, the studio is in talks with Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) to direct and Crazy Heart director Scott Cooper to pen the script.  Universal also produced the adaptation of Hillenbrand’s previous book, Seabiscuit, and picked up $148 million worldwide plus seven Oscar nominations as a result.

Unbroken centers on Louis Zamperini, a former Olympian whose plane crashed at sea during World War II.  Zamperini and two crewmates floated adrift for 47 days and 2000 miles, he was caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a POW camp where he was specifically targeted by a sadistic overseer.  Hit the jump for the synopsis of the book.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Trailer Starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 15th, 2010 at 5:51 pm

The trailer for Water for Elephants has gone online.  Based on the novel by Sara Gruen, the film is directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) and stars Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon, Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz, and MTV Movie Award-winner Robert Pattinson.  The story is set during the Great Depression and centers on a veterinary student (Pattinson) who drops out of school and joins a second-rate traveling circus after his parents are killed in a car accident.  While at the circus, he falls in love with Marlena (Witherspoon), who is married to a cruel and violent animal trainer (Waltz).

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film also stars James Frain (TRON: Legacy), Hal Holbrook (Into the Wild), and Paul Schneider (Parks and Recreation). Water for Elephants opens April 15, 2011.

Lawrence, Greengrass, Cooper, Berlanti, and Campbell on Shortlist to Direct TALES FROM THE GANGSTER SQUAD

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 6th, 2010 at 9:32 am

Earlier today, we reported that Warner Bros. was offering the director’s chair to Tales from the Gangster Squad to Darren Aronofsky after Ben Affleck decided to pass on the project.  Latino Review is now reporting that Warner Bros. has some other major names lined up should Aronofsky choose to go another way (a way that would most likely involve retractable adamantium claws).  The five other candidates for the gig are Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend), Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum), Scott Cooper, Greg Berlanti (Life As We Know It), and Martin Campbell (Casino Royale).

Latino Review also reports that they’ve read the script for Tales from the Gangster Squad and “it’s all sorts of kickass.”  The story centers on Sgt. John O’ Mara and his off-the-record gang of LAPD officers who attempt to bring down legendary gangster Micky Cohen in the late 1940s.

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