Universal

Warner Bros. Sets Screenwriter for Ben Affleck’s THE STAND; Matt Damon’s Untitled Drama Moves to Universal

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 18th, 2012 at 5:49 pm

We’ve got a couple updates on the latest projects from Oscar-winning screenwriting duo Ben Affleck and Matt Damon (yes, they act too). A few months ago Affleck was chosen by Warner Bros. to direct their big-budget adaptation of the Stephen King novel The Stand. While it’s been a while since we’ve heard any movement on the project, it now appears that Affleck has now set a screenwriter on the pic. After apparently wowing the studio with an adaptation of King’s It, David Kajganich (The Invasion) has been tapped to handle scripting duties. Hit the jump for much more, including news concerning the untitled drama that Damon was previously set to direct.

Keanu Reeves Secures Funding and Distribution for Directorial Debut MAN OF TAI CHI

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: December 14th, 2011 at 8:31 pm

It was first announced in April that Keanu Reeves planned on making his directorial debut with the martial arts movie Man of Tai Chi.  Ever since, Reeves has been in talks with Village Roadshow Asia and China Film Group to make it happen.  Reeves has finally made the deal, teaming with Universal and Wanda Media in addition to Village Roadshow and China Film Group to make and distribute Man of Tai Chi.  Tiger Chen, who was part of the Matrix stunt team, stars as “as a young martial artist whose fighting skills brings him to a realm of vast opportunities, and painful choices.”  Reeves will also co-star as the villain.

Man of Tai Chi is scheduled to start shooting in February in China.  Reeves will shoot in both Mandarin and English for the film, set in contemporary Beijing.  Hit the jump for quotes from Reeves on his approach to the task at hand.

Universal’s SCARFACE Project to be Scripted by David Ayer

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: November 29th, 2011 at 4:42 pm

When last we reported on the third iteration of Scarface, Universal was still courting writers to tackle the script. The studio has downplayed talk of the new film as a “remake,” calling it a blending of the elements present in director Howard Hawks’ 1932 version and Brian De Palma’s 1983 classic starring Al Pacino. It looks like David Ayer (Training Day) will be the man to bring the variations on the theme together to make a Scarface that is hopefully greater than the sum of its parts.

While the 1932 version featured Paul Muni as an Italian gangster who climbed the criminal ranks in Chicago and the Pacino version centers on a Cuban immigrant seizing control of Miami, the new Scarface will have the flavors of the old with a contemporary twist. The story will focus on an immigrant who brings his own brand of ruthless violence to upset the criminal order and establish himself as the kingpin. Hit the jump to see what Ayer has to say about all three versions of Scarface.

Tom Hanks Developing WWII Drama IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS for Universal

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: November 28th, 2011 at 6:21 pm

Ever the history buff, Tom Hanks is looking to adapt Erik Larson’s World War II nonfiction best-seller In the Garden of Beasts for Universal. Based on the real life accounts of William Dodd, the US Ambassador to Berlin in 1933, In the Garden of Beasts takes place during Hitler’s mounting atrocities in Nazi Germany. Dodd’s daughter, Martha, becomes swept up in her newfound flamboyant lifestyle and has several liaisons with members of the upper echelon of the Third Reich. At first taken in by the enthusiasm for restoration by German nationals, the family soon comes to realize the horrors behind the Nazi movement. Hit the jump for more on In the Garden of the Beasts.

Universal Pictures to Make Young Leonardo da Vinci an Action-Star in LEONARDO

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: November 7th, 2011 at 5:06 pm

In an action-adventure spec script by Jonny Kurzman (M.I.High), a young Leonardo da Vinci embarks on a quest to prevent the Dark Ages from reclaiming Renaissance Europe. Leonardo was recently picked up Universal Pictures International after it was brought in by Philip Westgren at Lawrence Gordon Productions. The production company counts Watchmen and Hellboy under its recent producing credits. According to Variety, Westgren will oversee the project.

The definition of a Renaissance man, da Vinci was a master of arts and sciences. Best known for his paintings, the “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper,” da Vinci was also an inventor who possessed staggering foresight. There are records of blueprints for his conceptual designs of helicopters, tanks, calculators and possibly the world’s first robot. In times of trouble, perhaps he’ll call in his fellow Renaissance men, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo.

Universal Pictures President Ron Meyer Talks Candidly about the Studio’s Recent Flops, 3D, Prestige Movies, and More

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 3rd, 2011 at 10:07 am

Like any studio, Universal has had a tough time with movies they expected to be hits.  The Fast and Furious series is one of their killer franchises and they landed a sleeper hit with Bridesmaids, but the studio had to suck up bombs like Land of the Lost, The Wolfman, Robin Hood, Cowboys & Aliens, and even the geek-beloved Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.  Ron Meyer, Universal’s President and COO for the past sixteen years, spoke about the studio’s flops at the Savannah Film Festival.  He also talked about 3D, avoiding prestige pictures, and their controversial move to try and rush Tower Heist onto VOD.

Hit the jump for When Studio Execs Speak Honestly.

Universal Buys Horror Spec GRIM NIGHT Based on Eerie Teaser Trailer

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: October 25th, 2011 at 9:36 pm

The best premise for a horror movie is unique, but once heard, it’s surpising nobody has ever tried it before.  In my opinion, that’s what Brandon Bestenheider and Allen Bey did with their spec script Grim Night.  The premise: “Grim Night takes place once a year, where Grim Reapers come to Earth to collect souls.”  I didn’t fully comprehend until I saw the eerie promo trailer that producers Bryan Bertino, Adrienne Biddle, and Marc Platt put together to spark interest it from the studios.  It worked on me, fully tapping into my fear of the personification of death.  More importantly, it worked on the studios.  After a bidding war, Universal landed Grim Night with a deal in the high-six figure range (against seven figures).  Watch the million dollar trailer after the jump.

Universal Adapting THE JANSON DIRECTIVE, a Novel by BOURNE Author Robert Ludlum

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: October 25th, 2011 at 8:06 pm

The works of Robert Ludlum, when turned into movies, have grossed $945 million for Universal.  And that’s just the three Bourne movies.  The studio is adding to the Bourne legacy in 2012 with The Bourne Legacy, but Ludlum authored a couple dozen potentially profitable stories before his death in 2001.  Universal is ready to try another flavor of Ludlum, The Janson Directive.  The story centers on Paul Janson, a former government agent who takes on the job of rescuing a billionaire philanthropist.  The mission goes awry, and Janson finds himself marked for death on the wrong end of a “beyond salvage” order from the highest level of government.  Sounds a bit like Burn Notice to me, but with more of a cat-and-mouse element since Janson is being pursued by “a young agent of astonishing ability who can anticipate and counter his every move.”  Actually, given the man-against-government premise and the familiar cadence of that title, this sounds like Bourne Notice.  Not a complaining: depending on casting, that’s a solid hook for a thriller.

John Hlavin (The Shield) will adapt the screenplay.  Ben Smith and Jeffrey Weiner are producing through Captivate.  Read the synopsis for The Janson Directive after the jump.

Universal in Talks to Acquire Mark Millar’s WAR HEROES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 21st, 2011 at 3:10 pm

Universal is in negotiations to acquire War Heroes, based on the comic book by Mark Millar and Tony Harris. The book tells the story of a group of super soldiers who are created as part of an experimental program designed by the U.S. military to boost recruitment numbers and fight the war on terrorism. A group of the super soldiers goes rogue and forms a criminal enterprise, and one hero must rise to the occasion to prevent destruction. Heat Vision reports that Joshua Oppenheimer and Thomas Dean Donnelly, who are writing Marvel’s Doctor Strange, are in talks to handle script duties. Michael De Luca, Dana Brunetti (The Social Network) and Fast Five scribe Chris Morgan are producing. The project was originally set up at Columbia in 2008, but Universal has picked it up out of turnaround. Millar and Harris are onboard as executive producers.

Cinemark Threatens to Ban TOWER HEIST from Its Theaters in Response to Universal’s VOD Plan

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: October 6th, 2011 at 6:38 pm

Just yesterday, Universal Pictures announced it would be releasing Brett Ratner’s Tower Heist to premium VOD subscribers a mere three weeks after the movie opens in theaters on November 4th. In direct response to this announcement, Cinemark (the nation’s third largest theater chain) has threatened to ban the movie from all 300 of its locations. This is a bold move that our own Matt Goldberg agreed with in principle, but didn’t expect to happen. As Matt mentioned, Tower Heist could potentially be a very successful film as it “has the stars, a sound comic premise, and it covers multiple demographics.” Will Cinemark really risk the tens of millions of dollars it stands to lose by taking a stand? Or will Universal Pictures blink first rather than risk losing the revenue?

Hit the jump for more info.

Universal to Make New Version of SCARFACE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: September 21st, 2011 at 5:30 pm

A third version of Scarface is on its way. Universal is currently developing a new version of the gangster film. The first iteration was the Howard Hughes-produced 1932 classic that was based on the life of Al Capone. Brian De Palma put his own spin on the story in 1983, this time with Al Pacino playing a Cuban immigrant who rises to prominence in the Miami cocaine world. Now, Deadline reports that Universal is taking another go at the title. The report is quick to point out that Universal does not intend for the new film to be a remake or sequel to either previous films, but hopes to infuse the basic elements of the other Scarfaces into a new version (read: they want name recognition).

Martin Bregman, who produced De Palma’s Scarface, is producing the new version alongside Marc Shmugar. Scarface ’83 is far from perfect, and Universal is really only taking the title, so this news doesn’t necessarily come off as offensive. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of approach the studio will take. I’d be shocked if the new version goes the R route, as that puts a ceiling on the gross. It’s possible they could target the teen audience with a young lead, but at this point their approach is anyone’s guess. The studio is currently meeting with writers to get a script going.

More Synopses for Universal 2012 Films Including SAVAGES, DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX and Untitled Judd Apatow Comedy; Title Change for EVERYBODY LOVES WHALES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: September 15th, 2011 at 11:17 am

Earlier this year, we posted the first synopses for a few of Universal Pictures’ films slated for release next year. Today, we’ve got a few more synopses to share with you from some the studio’s upcoming slate. Included is Oliver Stone’s drug-smuggling drama Savages, the 3D animated feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, and the Knocked Up spinoff Untitled Judd Apatow Comedy. Additionally, we have a new synopsis and a title change for Big Miracle, the Drew Barrymore-starred family film that was formerly titled Everybody Loves Whales.

Hit the jump for a rundown of the cast and synopsis for each film. Big Miracle opens February 3, 2012, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax opens March 2, 2012, Savages opens September 28, 2012, and Untitled Judd Apatow Comedy opens December 21, 2012.

Universal Wants Writer Ann Peacock to Re-Imagine CINDERELLA

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: September 8th, 2011 at 7:41 pm

Disney made headway on a new live-action Cinderella last month with the hire of director Mark Romanek.  But as we’ve seen with the dueling Snow White movies, the appeal of fairy tales—known properties in the public domain—is too great for just one studio.  Universal is throwing their hat into the ring, and according to Variety, the studio is turning to Ann Peacock for help.  Peacock is in final negotiations to rewrite an “untitled reimagining of the fairy tale” from an earlier draft by Michael Dougherty.  Specific plot details are under wraps, but barring any drastic changes, the premise should look familiar when Universal is ready to go public with the synopsis: a young girl is whisked away from her terrible home situation by her fairy godmother to a magical ball where she meets the aptly named Prince Charming.

Peacock’s credits are diverse, from Kit Kittredge: An American Girl to The Killing Room to an Emmy for the TV movie A Lesson Before Dying.  The best comparison here is screenplay credit on the family friendly fantasy The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.  She’s a solid choice—a wise move since this will be Bruno Aveillan’s first time in the director’s chair.

Universal Acquires David Guggenheim’s 364 for Ron Howard to Direct

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: September 8th, 2011 at 6:06 pm

Judging from the number of projects Ron Howard is attached to, his ambitious adaptation of The Dark Tower looks to be all but dead. Deadline reports that Universal has acquired a pitch entitled 364 from David Guggenheim, and Ron Howard is set to direct. The film revolves around a man who, on one day each year, has superpowers. The title refers to the number of days a year he spends thinking about what heroic deeds he will perform when the day comes. Guggenheim recently penned the Denzel Washington/Ryan Reynolds drama Safe House.

Howard is currently gearing up to direct the Formula One racing drama Rush (he’s filming scenes this weekend at Germany’s Nurburgring Race Track) and is also attached to a number of other projects. In addition to The Dark Tower, which is currently looking for financing, Howard is attached to a feature film version of Spy vs. Spy and an adaptation of the religious extremist-centered Under the Banner of Heaven.

Universal Sets LES MISERABLES Starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe for December 7, 2012 Release Date [Updated]

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: September 8th, 2011 at 4:16 pm

Prepare to get your Broadway on. Universal has set director Tom Hooper’s (The King’s Speech) adaptation of Les Miserables for a December 7, 2012 release date. Not only that, but Deadline’s report confirms that Russell Crowe will be starring as the nefarious Javert opposite Hugh Jackman’s Jean Valjean. This is quite an impressive roundup for the musical flick, and if any of the other casting rumors end up to be true it only gets better. William Nicholson (Elizabeth: The Golden Age) wrote the script based on Victor Hugo’s novel and the stage musical.

This news comes on the heels of word that production on James Mangold’s The Wolverine has been pushed back to next year. Mark Bomback is currently rewriting Christopher McQuarrie’s screenplay. Although I wasn’t the biggest fan of The King’s Speech, count me as one of those excited for this adaptation. Crowe’s no stranger to the music scene, as he takes his band “Russell Crowe and the Ordinary Fear of God” very seriously.

[Update: THR also reports that Helena Bonham Carter is now officially in talks to star in the film as Thenardier's greedy wife]

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