Warm Bodies

Jonathan Levine’s Zombie Movie WARM BODIES Pushed Back to February 1, 2013

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 10th, 2012 at 12:46 pm

One of the projects I was most looking forward to this year was 50/50 director Jonathan Levine’s zombie love story Warm Bodies. The pic stars Nicholas Hoult as “R” a zombie who falls in love with Julie (Teresa Palmer) after he eats her boyfriend’s brains and absorbs his memories. Besides the intriguing love story aspect, the film also features a military revolt led by John Malkovich. The film was slated to open this August, but Summit has decided to push the release date back to February 1st, 2013, per Box Office Mojo.

It’s disappointing that we’ll have to wait longer for the film, but maybe a pre-Valentine’s Day release makes more sense given the romance aspect. Either way, I’m excited to see Levine’s next directorial effort as I thought 50/50 was one of the best films of last year. Warm Bodies currently has no competition on the February 1st date, but the Tom Cruise action pic One Shot hits theaters one week later. Hoult isn’t having the best luck with starring roles lately, as Warner Bros. recently pushed Bryan Singer‘s big-budget fantasy Jack the Giant Killer back to 2013 as well. Nevertheless, the guy’s poised to have a very good 2013.

Teresa Palmer Talks WISH YOU WERE HERE and WARM BODIES at Sundance 2012

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 31st, 2012 at 11:46 am

Kieran Darcy-Smith’s debut feature, Wish You Were Here, premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.  Starring Joel Edgerton, Teresa Palmer, Felicity Price and Antony Starr, the film is about four friends (two couples) who embark on a carefree holiday in Cambodia, but only three of them return home.  As the film unfolds, we start to learn more about what happened on the trip and how one of them might know more than they’re letting on.

Shortly after seeing the film, I sat down with Palmer for an exclusive interview.  During our extended conversation we talked about what it means to premiere at Sundance, how the project came together, what the film is about and who she plays, filming in Cambodia, and how the project changed during the writing process.  In addition, we talked about karaoke, video games, and director Jonathan Levine‘s Warm Bodies.  Hit the jump to watch.

TOP 5: New STAR WARS Live-Action Series Details, CONTRABAND, WARM BODIES, Cinemath, Our TCA Winter Press Tour Coverage

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 14th, 2012 at 11:35 am

I have to say that I can’t wait to check out Steven Soderbergh‘s actioner Haywire. Everything I’ve seen from it thus far has looked great and the positivity pouring out from early reviews only supports my belief that the entire pic will deliver. Whether it be the stellar cast, the proclaimed breakout performance from Gina Carano, or Soderbergh’s top-notch action sequences, I fully expect to be talking about Haywire right here again next week in a little “Before & After” discussion. In the meantime…

…This week’s “Top 5″ brings you some new details regarding the long-gestating Star Wars live-action television series, Contraband interviews with Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi, and more, the first official images from Jonathan Levine‘s (50/50) Warm Bodies, a “Cinemath” feature that analyzes the 2011 box office, and all of our coverage from the 2011 Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter Press Tour. Hit the jump for brief recaps and links to each.

New Images from WARM BODIES Starring Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, and Rob Corddry

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 10th, 2012 at 6:53 am

Yesterday, we showed you the first official image from Jonathan Levine‘s zombie romance film Warm Bodies.  Today, two more images have been released, and once again we see star Nicholas Hoult as one of the most attractive zombies you’ll ever meet.  For those unfamiliar with the movie, it’s based on the novel by Isaac Marion, and centers on R (Hoult), a zombie who eats the brains of a young woman’s (Teresa Palmer) boyfriend and falls for the newly-single girl.  It’s an odd twist on the supernatural romance premise, but Levine, who previously directed 50/50, managed to make a funny and heartwarming movie about cancer, so I have faith he’ll be able to pull this off.  Having Rob Corddry and John Malkovich in the cast doesn’t hurt either.

Hit the jump to check out the new images.  Warm Bodies opens August 10th.

First Official Image of Nicholas Hoult as a Zombie in Jonathan Levine‘s WARM BODIES [Updated]

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 9th, 2012 at 12:00 pm

While Hollywood’s zombie obsession has tapered off a bit, it’s far from dead. Though some of the recent zombie output suggests profit rather than creative fascination is the motivating factor, director Jonathan Levine’s (50/50) adaptation of Isaac Marion‘s novel Warm Bodies sounds like a wholly intriguing and incredibly fun zombie pic.  The “zombie love story” stars Nicholas Hoult as “R”, a zombie who falls in love with Julie (Teresa Palmer) after he eats her boyfriend’s brains and absorbs his memories.  It’s a really cool premise anchored by a stellar supporting cast (Rob Corddry, John Malkovich) and an exciting young filmmaker.

The first official image of Hoult as the zombified “R” has been released, and it’s pretty great.  The look is different enough from the gruesome zombies of The Walking Dead to appear fresh, yet still maintains the vacant stare and pale skin that says “I hunger for brains.”  The stain is a nice touch as well.  Hit the jump to check out the image.  Warm Bodies opens August 10th.

[Update: Summit has released three more images, now included after the jump.]

Producers David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman Talk THE MUPPETS, THE FIGHTER Sequel, WARM BODIES and the PHINEAS AND FERB Movie

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 27th, 2011 at 8:50 am

With The Muppets now playing, all week I’ve been posting exclusive video interviews with the cast and filmmakers.  The past week I posted my conversations with Amy Adams, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, Jason Segel and Walter, director James Bobin, co-screenwriter Nicholas Stoller, and today I’ve got  producers David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman.  But before getting to the interview, as I’ve said all week, I absolutely loved The Muppets.  It’s one of my favorite films of the year and it not only made me laugh, it also made me cry.  If you were nervous about the movie…don’t be.  It’s a huge home run.

During the interview, Hoberman and Lieberman talked about their reaction to seeing the finished film for the first time, the test screening process, Kermit’s song “Pictures of My Head,” the newest Muppet Walter, and the possibility that The Muppets might return to TV.  In addition, with Hoberman and Lieberman having produced The Fighter and involved in other projects, I asked the status of a sequel, what’s up with Warm Bodies, and the movie adaptation of Phineas and Ferb.  Hit the jump to watch.

Producers David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman Talk THE FIGHTER Sequel, WARM BODIES, and the Live-Action/Animation PHINEAS AND FERB Movie

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 5th, 2011 at 3:15 pm

Earlier today, I had the chance to talk with The Muppets producers David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman.  The full interview will be up the week of release (November 18), but I wanted to pass along what the producing team had to say about a few of their upcoming projects like the sequel to The Fighter, director Jonathan Levine’s (50/50) Warm Bodies, and Phineas and Ferb, which they are adapting as their first live-action/animated feature film.  Lieberman confirmed last week’s news that Toy Story 3 writer Michael Arndt worked on the draft from series creators Swampy Marsh and Dan Povenmire, which bodes well for the project.

For those that want to see a Fighter sequel, which would explore the Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti fights, Hoberman and Lieberman tell me that “Wahlberg’s in training mode again,” but no one has been hired to write a script.  Which means it’s still on the far off horizon. They also talked about the tricky tonal balance in Warm Bodies.  Hit the jump for what they had to say on all three projects.

First Promo Image and Synopsis for WARM BODIES Starring Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 2nd, 2011 at 10:22 am

Steve is over at the American Film Market where various studios are trying to sell the international rights to their upcoming films.  One of the films being sold is Jonathan Levine‘s zombie love story Warm Bodies, and Steve snapped a photo of the promo image.  The movie stars Nicholas Hoult as “R”, a zombie who falls in love with Julie (Teresa Palmer) after he eats her boyfriend’s brains and absorbs his memories.  I got to visit the set last week and while I’m embargoed like crazy, I can say the movie looks like an interesting spin on the genre.  Judging by this image, it looks like Summit Entertainment is going to play up the romance aspect (the movie also has horror and comedy) and making it look like zombie Twilight.  That’s a risky bet since I don’t think those audiences are going to cross-over, but it’s still early in the game and remember: this is trying to sell international studios, not the public.

Hit the jump to check out the promo image.  The film also stars Rob Corddry, John Malkovich, Analeigh Tipton, and Dave Franco.  Warm Bodies opens August 10, 2012. [Update: We've updated the article with a full, comprehensive synopsis as well as a high resolution version of the image]

Summit Sets Dates for RED 2, ENDER’S GAME, NOW YOU SEE ME, STEP UP 4, SINISTER and WARM BODIES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 25th, 2011 at 12:10 pm

Summit Entertainment has claimed some calendar dates for its upcoming movies.  According to Box Office Mojo, Jonathan Levine’s zombie flick Warm Bodies hits theaters on August 10, 2012 Scott Derrickson‘s horror movie Sinister will arrive on August 24, 2012; Louis Leterrier‘s magician heist thriller Now You See Me is due out January 18, 2013; Red 2 will open August 2, 2013; Gavin Hood‘s adaptation of Ender’s Game is set for March 15, 2013; and Step Up 4 has moved up from August 10, 2012 to July 27, 2012.

Hit the jump for more details on these films and what competition they’ll have on their weekends.

Dave Franco, Analeigh Tipton, and Cory Hardrict to Join Zombie Film WARM BODIES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: September 9th, 2011 at 1:32 pm

A trio of young actors are in talks to join the cast of writer/director Jonathan Levine’s (50/50) zombie pic Warm Bodies. Variety reports that Dave Franco, Analeigh Tipton (Crazy, Stupid, Love.), and Cory Hardrict (Battle: Los Angeles) are all in line to join the cast which includes Nichoals Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Rob Corddry and recent addition John Malkovich. Hoult stars as R, an existentially tormented zombie who strikes up a friendship with the girlfriend (Palmer) of one of his victims. Franco will play Palmer’s boyfriend, who ends up leading the human resistance, Tipton will play Palmer’s best friend, and Hardrict will take on the role of one of Palmer’s dorky friends who becomes Malkovich’s right hand man.

Malkovich is in talks to star as the villain, a member of a group of humans who wall themselves inside a city known as the Green Zone. Corddry will play another zombie like R. Levin recently spoke to Steve quite a bit about the film, so if you missed it you can check out that interview here. The film itself is based on the novel of the same name by Isaac Marion.

John Malkovich in Talks to Fight Zombies in Jonathan Levine’s WARM BODIES

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: September 7th, 2011 at 9:13 pm

There are probably some movies that would not be improved by the presence of John Malkovich*.  Warm Bodies is not one of those movies.  Nicholas Hoult stars as R, a self-aware zombie who falls for the girlfriend of one his victims, played by Teresa Palmer—R protects her from the other zombies as he starts to regain his humanity.  According to Variety, Malkovich is in final negotiations to play General Grigio, “who’s obsessed with the destruction of the zombie threat.”  Rob Corddry is on board play M, the only other zombie like R… at first.

I love the premise, this cast is great, and I trust young writer/director Jonathan Levine (50/50) to bring it all together.  Please, Mr. Malkovich, sign on and make Warm Bodies that much better.  Levine’s script is based on the novel by Isaac Marion—read the synopsis after the jump.

Rob Corddry to Play Zombie in WARM BODIES

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: August 24th, 2011 at 7:32 pm

Rob Corddry is in final negotiations to join the adaptation of the zombie novel Warm Bodies.  Nicholas Hoult stars as R, a self-aware zombie who falls for the girlfriend of one his victims, played by Teresa Palmer—R protects her from the other zombies as he starts to regain his humanity.  According to Variety, Corddry will play M, the only other zombie like R… at first.  I know nothing of the comedic/dramatic balance of the role, but Corddry is a great addition regardless.

Warm Bodies is the next project for director Jonathan Levine, who has quietly built an impressive career for himself.  I know him best as the director of the slight yet charming The Wackness, though your mind may link him to All the Boys Love Mandy Lane.  The dramedy 50/50 comes out September 30, and based on positive early buzz sounds like a big step for the young director.  Warm Bodies is something else entirely, a genre movie with a sentimental twist.  I love to see Levine pushing himself, beyond the potentially insular world of a Sundance darling.

For a lot more on Warm Bodies, check out our recent interview with Levine, where he spoke at length about adapting the Isaac Marion’s novel.  Read the book synopsis after the jump.

Exclusive: Jonathan Levine Talks WARM BODIES, LITTLE GIRL LOST, LEGEND, and JAMAICA

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: August 16th, 2011 at 9:38 pm

The other day I got on the phone with director Jonathan Levine (The Wackness) to talk about his great new film, 50/50.  Since our conversation covered so many subjects, I decided to break it up into two parts and I’m starting with everything he said about his future projects like Warm Bodies, Legend, Jamaica, and Little Girl Lost.  Here’s the highlights:

• Warm Bodies is up next for Levine.  After that, he has three projects to choose from.  The scripts for Legend and Jamaica are still being written.  Michael Bacall has finished the script for Little Girl Lost.
• Teresa Palmer  stars alongside Nicholas Hoult in Warm Bodies.  The story “follows an existentially tormented zombie named R (Hoult) that begins an unlikely friendship with the human girlfriend (Palmer) of one of his victims. The blossoming relationship starts a chain reaction that will transform him, his fellow zombies and maybe the whole lifeless world.”
• Levine says his script for Warm Bodies is “probably 75% faithful to the book,” but he enjoyed the freedom of creative license.  No “big changes.”
• The Warm Bodies zombies are somewhere between fast and slow.  They can run fast when they are really hungry, but otherwise don’t.
• Levine will begin a 9-week shoot in Montreal in about five weeks.  Montreal was chosen in part has an abandoned airport that will serve as a major setting, in part because Levine likes the architecture of the city.
• The biggest challenge will be satisfying zombie purists: “It is very different, and while it’s trying to work within the framework of the genre, it’s also trying to kind of do something unique with the genre too, and I’m sure we’re violating a lot of zombie rules and I’m going to have to beg for forgiveness and hope that everyone likes it.”
• It will be PG-13 because there is a romantic, magical tone to the story.  Levine says “we don’t need heads exploding to tell our story.”
• There will be a lot of voiceover by Hoult’s character, but it will be nontraditional, since Hoult plays a zombie.  Levine compares it to the locked-in syndrome perspective of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
• Warm Zombies will be a “music-heavy movie.”  Levine wrote several songs into the script, pending rights clearance.

Hit the jump for the part of the interview on his future projects.  Warm Bodies sounds like it could be very cool.

Teresa Palmer in Talks to Co-Star with Nicholas Hoult in Zombie Love Story WARM BODIES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 29th, 2011 at 7:53 am

Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four) is in talks to star alongside Nicholas Hoult (A Single Man) in Jonathan Levine’s adaptation of Isaac Marion’s upcoming novel Warm Bodies.  Per Heat Vision, the story is described as a cross between Shaun of the Dead (yay!) and Twilight (nay!) and “follows an existentially tormented zombie named R that begins an unlikely friendship with the human girlfriend (Palmer) of one of his victims. The blossoming relationship starts a chain reaction that will transform him, his fellow zombies and maybe the whole lifeless world.”  Palmer’s character is the daughter of one of the “military leaders who is tiring of a life of constantly fighting off zombie attacks.”

Palmer recently co-starred in back-to-back duds with I Am Number Four and Take Me Home Tonight, but I don’t think the short-comings of those films are her fault.  She showed she can be a bad-ass in I Am Number Four and she demonstrated charm in TMHT, so it’s really a matter of finding the right project for her talents.  Perhaps Warm Bodies will be it.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.

Nicholas Hoult to Star in WARM BODIES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 1st, 2011 at 6:41 pm

Quickly shaping up to be one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors, Summit has announced that Nicholas Hoult has signed on to star in an adaptation of the Isaac Marion novel Warm Bodies. Hoult recently nabbed the lead in Bryan Singer’s epic adventure tale Jack the Giant Killer, and will next be seen as Beast in X-Men: First Class which opens in May. The story of Warm Bodies is as follows:

When an existentially tormented zombie named “R” (Hoult) begins an unlikely friendship with the girlfriend of one of his victims, it starts a chain reaction that will transform him, his fellow zombies, and maybe the whole lifeless world.

The film will shoot late this summer, after Hoult finishes up with Jack the Giant Killer. Jonathan Levine (The Wackness) wrote and will direct the adaptation. The flick has been in development for quite a while, with Levine signing on to the project over a year ago. Hit the jump to read a synopsis of the novel.

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