Cube remake in development at Lionsgate

Cube, the independent minimalist scifi sleeper hit that launched the feature career of director Vincenzo Natali in 1997, has already been followed by a sequel and a prequel. Now. Lionsgate is setting up a Cube “re-imagining” from producers Roy Lee and Jon Spaihts, and relatively new filmmaker Saman Kesh is set to direct. The Cube reboot is currently called Cubed,

Using the original setup of seven strangers trapped in a giant cube-like structure, Cubed is described as a sci-fi survival thriller about artificial intelligence, humanity and the birth of a new “digital” race. – THR (source)

Samuel L Jackson joins cast in Blob remake

Samuel L Jackson has been a very busy person. Playing the leading role in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming murder mystery western The Hateful Eight which is scheduled to come out later this year. The Oscar-nominee has also completed (or will soon complete) filming for roles in a variety of big screen productions of  2016 releases including : Tim Burton’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children an adaption of the children novel of the same name and Harry Potter director David Yates’ Tarzan and more recently on a film adaption of theStephen King novel adaptation Cell, a horror-esque film which involves a signal which infects cellphones and when heard transforms people into monsters which is due to reach theaters later this year.
Now THR reported the news about Jackson signing up for The Bob, which is being produced by Richard Saperstein and Brian Witten.Regarding the Blob remake the director was interviewed by Geek of Den and said:

“The blob itself will be more sophisticated, more along the lines of Alien and Predator and things like that – much more science-based, the way Jurassic Park made you believe you could bring back dinosaurs with a bit of DNA from a mosquito. This will be much more explained on where the blob comes from and how it works. It’ll be a much more sophisticated creature – because it is a monster movie rather than a horror in that sense.”

Big Trouble in Little China remake coming… starring the Rock

Big Trouble in Little China was the last straw for director John Carpenter that drove away from hollywood and back into the arms of independent filmmaking, when it was released in 1986 and bombed both financially and critically.

With its over the top martial arts style mixed with spaghetti western flair and a load of eye popping special effects the film has become a cult classic.  Yes the script was silly, and the dialogue was mediocre at best, and the film’s plot made no rational sense, and most of the scenes could be reorganized in any order and it would still be the same movie experience. Still it is fondly remembered by its fans as a fun light hearted action/martial arts/horror comedy flick with a constant grandiose myriad of special effects. But now comes the decision by Hollywood to remake it… no wait it gets worse… the remake will supposedly star Dwayne the Rock Johnson.  All I can say is I know the original is almost thirty years old and the generally accepted age for a proper remake of a film is like 25 but still I am for a few very respectable reasons..

One, I really cannot comprehend that director John Carpenter, godfather of the independent film would allow hollywood to remake the film, two, I did not know hollywood would even consider remaking a film that originally was a commercial and financial failure, and three, I don’t care how much technology has changed, as cheesy as they were the practical effects of the original were what gave the original film its appeal and I do not think CGI or motion capture or any of that will be justice in retrospect, and will only destroy another childhood favorite film.

Bourne 5 news update

Deadline has learned that Alicia Vikande (Ex Machina) is now set to play a lead role in the upcoming Bourne 5 film. (not the official title of course) She joins returning stars Matt Damon as Jason Bourne and Julia Stiles as CIA agent Nicky Parson. No other returning cast was yet been confirmed.  The film is being co-written and directed by Paul Greengrass.

Also, Viggo Mortenson has been offered a villain role in Bourne 5, one which would see the actor play an assassin on the hunt for Jason Bourne  Plot details beyond that remain under wraps, though it’s been confirmed that Jeremy Renner won’t reprise the Aaron Cross character from the 2012 installment Bourne Legacy.

Back to the Future remake? Say it ain’t so!

When ever there is a marathon of a favorite film franchise on cable (as there recently was of the Back to the Future series) I fret and wonder if a reboot or remake is not far away.  Thankfully, according to Robert Zemekis a back to the future remake could actually happen….. over his dead body…

Zemeckis did not mince words when The Telegraph asked him whether he would ever consider agreeing to a remake:

Oh, God no. That can’t happen until both Bob and I are dead. And then I’m sure they’ll do it, unless there’s a way our estates can stop it.

I mean, to me, that’s outrageous. Especially since it’s a good movie. It’s like saying ‘Let’s remake Citizen Kane. Who are we going to get to play Kane?’ What folly, what insanity is that? Why would anyone do that?

Kindergarten Cop remake?? A tv series????

Showbiz 411 reports the Kindergarten Cop remake will come from Universal’s 1440 division, which specializes in direct-to-video sequels and remakes of old movies. Their works include Jarhead 3: The Siege, The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power, and Beethoven’s Treasure Tail. The remake is definitely happening, but the site notes that this could also be a maneuver to help get a Kindergarten Cop TV series off the ground

Don Michael Paul (Jarhead 2: Field of Fire) will direct the Kindergarten Cop remake from a script by David H. Steinberg (American Pie 2). Schwarzenegger is not involved. He has better things to do, like try to get a Twins sequel together.