Paul W. S. Anderson

Director Paul W.S. Anderson Talks RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION and DEATH RACE: INFERNO at WonderCon

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: March 21st, 2012 at 10:10 am

One of the many films to show off new footage at last weekend’s WonderCon was writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson‘s Resident Evil: Retribution.   In the series’ fifth installment, Alice (Milla Jovovich) continues her search across the globe for those responsible for the deadly outbreak.  Things take a twist, however, when she runs into a few familiar faces.  Resident Evil: Retribution stars Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillory, Kevin Durand, Shawn Roberts, Colin Salmon, Johann Urb, Boris Kodjoe, and Li Bingbing.  For more on the film, here’s the first teaser trailer, 25 things to know about the movie from my set visit, Dave’s recap of the WonderCon panel, and Christina’s interview with Anderson and Jovovich.

Shortly before the panel, I got to sit down with Anderson for an extended interview.  We talked about the footage he was going to show, where he is in the editing process, the locations they filmed at around the world, the running time, deleted scenes, the music, would he consider showing all five Resident Evil films back to back, and how Resident Evil 5 is the beginning of the end of the franchise.  In addition, with Anderson producing Death Race: Inferno, he talked about seeing a recent cut of the film, and describes it as both a sequel and a prequel.  Hit the jump to watch.

Milla Jovovich and Writer-Director Paul W.S. Anderson Talk RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION and the Future of the Franchise

by Christina Radish    Posted: March 19th, 2012 at 5:42 pm

Resident Evil: Retribution, from writer/director Paul W.S. Anderson, is the fifth installment of the wildly successful film franchise adaptation of the popular video game series, due out in theaters on September 14^th. This time around, Alice (Milla Jovovich) awakens in the heart of the Umbrella Corporation’s most clandestine operations facility and continues to hunt those responsible for the deadly T-virus outbreak, with the help of both newfound allies and familiar friends. The film also stars Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillory, Kevin Durand, Johann Urb and Boris Kodjoe.

Prior to their panel presentation at WonderCon 2012, actress Milla Jovovich and filmmaker Paul W.S. Anderson spoke to the press about the development of this installment, how personal this franchise is for both of them, their passion for the video game, and what the scriptwriting process is like. Check out what they had to say after the jump.

WonderCon 2012: RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION Panel Recap; Milla Jovovich and Writer/Director Paul W.S. Anderson Host a Preview and a Q&A

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: March 18th, 2012 at 10:53 am

Today at WonderCon 2012, Sony Screen Gems presented footage from their big fall release, Resident Evil: Retribution. Good move on their part as there was a huge burst of crowd support when the panel was announced. The fifth film in the series by director Paul W. S. Anderson and star Milla Jovovich features Alice’s return to the fight against the Umbrella Corporation. Also returning are some fan-favorites from Resident Evils past. Anderson and Jovovich were on hand to screen the trailer and an action sequence from the film, which promises to be the biggest yet as Resident Evil goes global. You can get caught up on all of our previous coverage of Resident Evil: Retribution here.

Resident Evil: Retribution, also starring Sienna Guillory, Michelle Rodriguez, Oded Fehr, Boris Kodjoe, Johann Urb, Kevin Durand and Bingbing Li opens on September 14th. Hit the jump to see our coverage from the event.

First Teaser Poster and New Artwork from RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 30th, 2012 at 9:05 am

Screen Gems has released the first teaser poster and new artwork from Paul W.S. Anderson‘s Resident Evil: Retribution.   RE5 marks the fifth entry in the popular post-apocalyptic series. This time, Alice (Milla Jovovich) continues her search across the globe for those responsible for the deadly outbreak. Things take a twist, however, when she runs into a few familiar faces.  RE5 was written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and it stars Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillory, Kevin Durand, Shawn Roberts, Colin Salmon, Johann Urb, Boris Kodjoe, and Li Bingbing.  Hit the jump to check out the poster and artwork and here’s the first teaser trailer and 25 Things to Know About the movie from my set visit.

Writer-Director Paul W.S. Anderson RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION Set Visit Interview

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 19th, 2012 at 12:02 pm

Last month I got to visit the set of Resident Evil: Retribution with a few other online journalists when the production was filming in Toronto.  While it was near the end of the shoot and everyone was trying to film the beginning of a big action scene in the 3rd act, during a break in filming we got to speak with writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson.  During our extended interview, Anderson talked to us about what still excites him about the franchise, the decision to bring in fan favorite characters like Leon Kennedy, Ada Wong, and Barry Burton, the action sequences, the new and returning cast, if he knows where the final Umbrella Corporation base is located, the soundtrack, and so much more.   Hit the jump to either read or listen to what he had to say.

First Teaser Trailer for RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 18th, 2012 at 8:41 pm

The first teaser trailer for the latest installment in the Resident Evil franchise has gone online. Resident Evil: Retribution marks the fifth entry in the popular post-apocalyptic series. This time, Alice (Milla Jovovich) continues her search across the globe for those responsible for the deadly outbreak. Things take a twist, however, when she runs into a few familiar faces.  RE5 was written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and it stars Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillory, Kevin Durand, Shawn Roberts, Colin Salmon, Johann Urb, Boris Kodjoe, and Li Bingbing.

Hit the jump to watch the first teaser trailer. Resident Evil: Retribution opens in 3D on September 14th.

RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION Teaser Trailer Info; Plus a Message From Director Paul W.S. Anderson

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 11th, 2012 at 8:44 pm

On the heels of yesterday’s official synopsis for writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson‘s Resident Evil: Retribution, we’ve found out when you’ll be able to see the first footage from the movie.  According to the studio, the teaser trailer premieres Thursday, January 19 at 10am PST and it’s also going to play in front of Underworld: Awakening starting January 20 in theaters.  With Screen Gems producing both franchises, it’s a natural fit.

In addition, earlier today I was able to ask Anderson how the shoot went and how it compares to the previous movies.  His answer after the jump.

Toronto Readers: Director Paul W.S. Anderson and Producer Jeremy Bolt Hosting EVENT HORIZON Screening and Q&A Sunday Night

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 15th, 2011 at 5:09 pm

If you’ve been holding out for a chance to see Event Horizon on the big screen again (or for the first time), this is your lucky day. Director Paul W.S. Anderson and producer Jeremy Bolt are hosting a screening and Q&A for their 1997 sci-fi horror film. The screening will take place this weekend, Sunday December 18th, at the Toronto Underground Cinema. For those of you unfamiliar with Event Horizon, the pic takes place in the year 2047 and centers on a crew made up of Laurence Fishbourne, Jason Isaacs, Joely Richardson, and Sam Neill that sets out to answer a distress signal received from a starship that disappeared seven years prior. Once they encounter the ship, all hell essentially breaks loose.

I don’t remember much about Event Horizon other than the fact that 10-year-old me was emphatically freaked out. If you’re near Toronto and wish to check out the screening at the Toronto Underground Cinema (186 Spadina Ave, Toronto), the Q&A with Paul and Jeremy starts at 7pm with the screening set to follow at 8. The box office opens at 6:30pm and tickets are $10. For a blast from the past, hit the jump to check out the original trailer for the flick.

RESIDENT EVIL Director Paul W.S. Anderson Heads to Television with Found Footage Series THE REEL

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: November 29th, 2011 at 10:03 am

If the over-the-top, off-the-wall big screen action of director Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil, The Three Musketeers 3D) wasn’t enough to quench your thirst for the filmmaker’s “unique” talents, an announcement from the independent studio Entertainment One (eOne) just might be some good news on this day. In a press release from the studio, it’s been revealed that Paul W.S. Anderson and Jeremy Bolt are developing a new one-hour psychological thriller series called The Reel from first-time writer Adam D’Alba. The project isn’t set up at a network yet, so it will probably be fighting for a spot next year when networks start lining up their fall schedules, but the series follows a recent trend in films with the found footage angle following a young documentarian searches for evidence of the supernatural.  His first case concerns the mysterious last days of two teenagers and a serial killer, known as the Mirror Mask Killer, who uses various forms of psychological torment to exact bloody vengeance on its victims. More after the jump.

First Synopsis and Promo Image for Paul W.S. Anderson’s Volcano Disaster Flick POMPEII

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 2nd, 2011 at 2:57 pm

Straight from AFM, we’ve got the first synopsis and promo image for Paul W.S. Anderson’s (Resident Evil) disaster film Pompeii. While Anderson is best known for sci-fi action pics like the Resident Evil films and Alien vs. Predator, the director took a bit of a departure recently for The Three Musketeers, and he’s set to take on another period flick with Pompeii. The film takes place in ancient Rome and centers on a young slave who races to save the woman he loves and his best friend from the violent eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, which threatens to destroy the entire city.

Anderson is directing from a script by Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler (Batman Forever), and Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park). If you missed Steve’s interview with Anderson where he spoke about his plans for the film, click here. Hit the jump for the first full synopsis and promo image for the film.

TOP 5: TRANSFORMERS 4 and 5, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, THE THREE MUSKETEERS Interviews, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, William Monahan on SIN CITY 2 and More

by Jason Barr    Posted: October 22nd, 2011 at 11:11 am

I’m writing to you this week in full “World Series Mode.” While there are plenty of things going on around the Midwest this time of year (homemade haunted houses are always a welcomed annual treat), a majority of my focus is on trying to will my beloved Cardinals to Fall Classic glory. Combine that with the fact that Batman: Arkham City is consistently calling my name and it’s a wonder that I’m even writing this right now. Hold on, what’s that, Arkham City? Okay, okay…I’ll be there in a second…

…In this week’s installment, you’ll find talk of Transformers 4 and Transformers 5 shooting back-to-back with Jason Statham potentially starring, a six-minute prologue for The Dark Knight Rises being attached to Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol‘s IMAX release, interviews with director Paul W.S. Anderson and the cast of The Three Musketeers, David Fincher and Rooney Mara talking about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and William Monahan discussing projects including London Boulevard, The Departed sequel, Sin City 2 and more. Hit the jump for a brief recap and link to each.

Exclusive: Director Paul W.S. Anderson Talks THE THREE MUSKETEERS; Reveals He’d Like to Direct CINDERELLA III: A TWIST IN TIME

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: October 21st, 2011 at 9:20 am

With director Paul W.S. Anderson’s The Three Musketeers opening today, Summit Entertainment held a big press junket in London and I got the chance to head across the pond to interview the cast and Anderson.  Based on Alexandre Dumas’ classic story, The Three Musketeers stars Logan Lerman, Luke Evans, Ray Stevenson, Milla Jovovich, Orlando Bloom, Christoph Waltz, Matthew Macfayden, Gabriella Wilde and Mads Mikkelsen.  In the reboot, “the hot-headed young D’Artagnan (Lerman) joins forces with three rogue Musketeers (MacFadyen, Evans and Stevenson). They must stop the evil Richlieu (Waltz) and face off with Buckingham (Bloom) and the treacherous Milady (Jovovich).”  For more on the film, here’s eight clips.

During my exclusive interview with Anderson, he talked about how he got involved in the project, how quickly it came together, the difficulty of filming in historically significant locations, deleted scenes, filming with the Arri ALEXA camera, editing and post-production.  In addition, now that he has a young daughter, he revealed that he’s seen Cinderella III: A Twist in Time “50 or 60 times” and “if anyone from Disney is listening I’d love to do it.  I’m not kidding.  It’s a straight to DVD movie.  It’s a retelling of the Cinderella story.  It’s amazing.”  So who knows, perhaps after Resident Evil: Retribution, we could see Anderson making a kids film.  Hit the jump for the interview.

Watch the First 5 Minutes of THE THREE MUSKETEERS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 20th, 2011 at 6:01 pm

The first five minutes of Paul W.S. Anderson’s The Three Musketeers is currently available for your home viewing pleasure. As expected it’s pretty heavy on the action. We’re introduced to the main characters in some cheeky moments complete with freeze-frame name shots. In case you missed them, be sure to check out Steve’s interviews with Milla Jovovich, Luke Evans, Matthew Macfadyen and Ray Stevenson, Orlando Bloom, and Logan Lerman and Gabriella Wilde.

Hit the jump to watch the opening sequence. The film stars Logan Lerman, Milla Jovovich, Matthew Macfadyen, Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans, Mads Mikkelson, Gabriella Wilde, Juno Temple, Orlando Bloom, and Christoph Waltz.  The Three Musketeers opens in 3D on October 21st.

Director Paul W. S. Anderson Talks POMPEII, Reveals Julian Fellowes Is Rewriting the Script; Plus 5 Things to Know About the Film

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: October 17th, 2011 at 7:21 pm

With Paul W. S. Anderson’s The Three Musketeers opening this weekend, I recently got to speak with the busy director during the London press junket.  While I already posted what he said about Resident Evil 5 (Resident Evil: Retribution), I was also able to get an update on his disaster film, Pompeii.  As we reported in May, Anderson has signed on to direct the film and he’s planning on making it after RE5.  For those that don’t know their history, “Pompeii was destroyed and completely buried during a long catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days in the year AD 79. The eruption buried Pompeii under 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) of ash and pumice, and it was lost for nearly 1700 years before its accidental rediscovery in 1749.”  Via Wikipedia.

During the interview, Anderson told me that Pompeii is in pre-production and Julian Fellowes (Downtown Abbey, The Young Victoria) is rewriting the script.  He also said his team is scouting for locations for where they can shoot and unlike his R-rated Resident Evil movies, Pompeii will be PG-13.  In addition, he talked about the similarities to James Cameron’s Titanic since both movies are based on historical events that end in disaster.  He hopes to achieve what Cameron did, engaging the audience in the story enough so they briefly forget about the impending doom.  Hit the jump for more.

8 Clips from THE THREE MUSKETEERS

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: October 6th, 2011 at 10:12 am

With director Paul W.S. Anderson’s The Three Musketeers opening October 21, Summit Entertainment has provided us with eight clips from the reboot of Alexandre Dumas’ classic story.  The film stars Logan Lerman, Luke Evans, Ray Stevenson, Milla Jovovich, Orlando Bloom, Christoph Waltz, Matthew Macfayden and Mads Mikkelsen.  In the reboot,  “the hot-headed young D’Artagnan (Lerman) joins forces with three rogue Musketeers (MacFadyen, Evans and Stevenson). They must stop the evil Richlieu (Waltz) and face off with Buckingham (Bloom) and the treacherous Milady (Jovovich).”  And unlike many films that have been post converted into a 3D release, the Musketeers was shot in 3D.  Hit the jump to watch the clips.

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