A few days ago I sat down with producer Neal Moritz to talk about his latest movie The Green Hornet (which is a lot of fun). Since we covered so many of his projects during the interview, I decided to break up the conversation by movie. The other day I posted all the Total Recall news (Colin Farrell is starring, films in Toronto, not in 3D), and today I've got updates on Bryan Singer's Jack the Giant Killer, Ryan Reynolds R.I.P.D., and Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum's 21 Jump Street - which is going to be directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs). For more info, hit the jump:According to Moritz, Singer's Jack the Giant Killer will start shooting at the end of March in London and they still don't have a cast. He added:
"Itâs going great, we just got a new draft of the script that Iâm gonna read this afternoon, which Iâm very excited about, which we were working on some stuff in the third act. But I think itâs gonna be groundbreaking. I think that the visuals and pre-vis weâve done on that are just like nothing youâve ever seen. Itâs humans vs. giants, itâs awesome."
Regarding R.I.P.D., Moritz told me Ryan Reynolds is definitely attached to star and they would start filmed after he's done doing Green Lantern publicity this summer. He added:
"Weâre working with Robert Schwentke right now, heâs doing pre-vis, and weâre budgeting and weâre getting a new draft of the script and weâre doing a big presentation for the studio at the end of the month."
We then talked about 21 Jump Street. Moritz told me he just got a new draft of the script, they start shooting April 18th in New Orleans, and while they've met with a number of actresses, they haven't announced any lead. However, with shooting scheduled to begin in a few months, I'd imagine whoever got cast will be announced soon.
Finally, he told me he's no longer involved in a sequel to xXx and I Am Legend, and Luke Cage.
Here's the parts of the interview that cover the movies I just mentioned. Look for more with Neal Moritz tomorrow night.
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Collider: I know Bryan Singer is knee-deep in pre-production on Jack the Giant Killer. How is that project going?
Moritz: Itâs going great, we just got a new draft of the script that Iâm gonna read this afternoon, which Iâm very excited about, which we were working on some stuff in the third act. But I think itâs gonna be groundbreaking. I think that the visuals and pre-vis weâve done on that are just like nothing youâve ever seen. Itâs humans vs. giants, itâs awesome.
I know you guys are filming in London.
Moritz: Yes, we are
Are you filming in other places besides London?
Moritz: Weâll be filming in quite a few places. And a lot on-stage as well.
I heard you guys might do Iceland
Moritz: Yes, weâve been talking about that. It hasnât been decided yet.
And when does that thing start shooting?
Moritz: Weâll start that end of March.
Obviously thereâs been rumors about casting, when do you think weâre gonna hear casting announcements?
Moritz: Bryanâs just being very painstakinglyâheâs just taking his time.
Another project Iâm excited about that you guys are working on is R.I.P.D., weâve talked about this in the past.
Moritz: Yeah, weâre working with Robert Schwentke right now, heâs doing pre-vis, and weâre budgeting and weâre getting a new draft of the script and weâre doing a big presentation for the studio at the end of the month.
So thatâs still moving straight [along]?
Moritz: Oh yeah, Ryan Reynolds is attached to star.
Because I know heâs doing a lot of publicity for Green Lantern this summerâ
Moritz: Yes, he would do that and then go right into our movie.
21 Jump Street, thatâs getting ready to go too.
Moritz: Yeah, I just got the new draft Iâm gonna read that one this afternoon as well. Weâve got Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, and weâre really excited about it. I had dinner with the two of those guys like the week before we all took off for a break and theyâre really good together and theyâre very excited to do the movie together and itâs gonna be a lot of fun.
You guys have not announced a female lead for the movie.
Moritz: No, weâve met with a bunch of people, but we have not [announced a lead].
When does that go in front of cameras?
Moritz: We start shooting April 18th.
And thatâs in L.A.?
Moritz: No, in New Orleans.
Last time I spoke to you, there was talk about another xXx movie.
Moritz: Yeah Iâm not really involved in that.
Thatâs my bad.
Moritz: I mean Iâm involved in it, but Iâm not really the lead guy on that.
You produced I am Legend, a movie I love. There was a lot of talk for a little while about the chance of doing a prequel to that.
Moritz: Yeah there had been, and I donât know what the status of that is today.
You are linked to Luke Cage, is that accurate?
Moritz: Weâre not involved with that anymore.