J.J. Abrams on Star Trek 2- 3D and Casting

 

Star Trek #4 cover courtesy IDW

  J.J. Abrams talks Star Trek 2. The four-month shoot starts this Thursday. It will be shot and converted to 3D Abrams tells Collider.

  “We’re shooting on film, and the reason for that is I wanted to shoot with anamorphic, and you can’t shoot 3D in anamorphic.”

  When asked about why Abrams cast Benedict Cumberbatch as the villain, the director replied “who says he’s our villain?”

  “He’s a genius. Honestly, he’s just an incredible actor. If you’ve seen his work in Sherlock, he’s just got incredible skills. He’s an amazing stage actor. He did amazing work (on stage) in Frankenstein. He’s brilliant. You try to cast people who are great. We got lucky.” Abrams added.

  Still no word on the villain or plot but in an earlier post I shared how the current comic book series may reveal plot points for the movie sequel.

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter Inspires a Bloody Good Idea!

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter courtesy Collider

  A co-worker came by my desk to ask, “Seriously, an Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter movie? Is that for real?” in response my earlier post today about the film’s first screen shot.

  The question inspired our discussion of vampire mash-ups and made me remember a novel I read years ago that would make an excellent graphic novel series or movie.

 In Anno Dracula, Kim Newman created the mashup in 1992 long before the trend. Imagine a Victorian England where Dracula was never defeated. The Count enthralls the Queen. British socialites are willing to become a vampire to rise in social rank. Jack the Ripper is killing vampire prostitutes. A human detective and ancient vampiress team up to solve the mystery that could threaten Dracula’s dark reign.

Anno Dracula cover courtesy Amazon.com

  Anno Dracula is daring feat of reimagination that is sexy, thrilling, dark and filled with figures from real and literary history. A bloody good fantasy that would be a great graphic novel and movie.

  The great Neil Gaiman said it best, “Kim Newman’s Anno Dracula is back in print, and we must celebrate. It was the first mash-up of literature, history and vampires, and now, in a world in which vampires are everywhere, it’s still the best, and its bite is just as sharp. Compulsory reading, commentary, and mindgame: glorious.”

A Revenge and X-Men Crossover – Updated

New X-Men #131 cover courtesy Marvel.com

  Tonight is the finale of REVENGE on ABC so I thought it was a perfect time to revisit this crazy idea I had:

 They’re rich, powerful, blonde, manipulative and can deliver razor sharp one liners like Hand assassin throws a dagger.

  Emma Frost is the reformed White Queen of the Hellfire Club and now co-leader of the X-Men.

  Nolan Ross (played by Gabriel Mann) is the witty, scheming, brilliant high-tech billionaire with too much time, money and tech on the hit ABC show Revenge.

  If ever too characters from similar worlds but different mediums should cross over it’s these two.  As I watch Revenge I can’t help but think if Emma had a long-lost twin it might be Nolan. Here’s to the “good” guys with an edge who keep us entertained.

 This is what happens when a geek has too much time his hands – spinning two of my favorite vices into a twisted idea. Disney does own both companies behind these properties and I can see Frost on holiday in the Hamptons crossing paths with Ross!

 

 

 

Goodbye to Comic Con Creator

One of the founder of San Diego Comic Con has died. Richard Alf from pancreatic cancer at age 59. Alf and volunteers created the famous comic book convention in 1970.

 

New Skyfall and Daniel Craig Photos

Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Berlin premiere

  While Daniel Craig is promoting The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo across Europe his James Bond co-stars and crew are busy working on Skyfall.

  The team filmed in London’s Trinity Square and Whitehall. MI6 captured Dame Judi Dench, Rory Kinnear, and Director Sam Mendes on set.  

  This may be Dench’s final appearance as M. The plot description is that “a secret from M’s past comes back to haunt her” and there are rumors that Ralph Fiennes is playing an MI6 agent that will become the Bond’s new boss. Kinnear plays M’s support staff member Bill Tanner.

Dame Judi Dench on the set of Skyfall courtesy MI6-HQ

   Dench took over the role of M in Pierce Brosnan’s first 007 film Goldeneye. You can see more photos here.

New Avengers Hero and Quinjet Images

Thor and Captain America in Marvel's The Avengers image courtesy USA Today

  A one, two punch of new images from Marvel’s The Avengers: Two of the super team’s heaviest hitters and the famous ride that delivers Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to fight evil.

  USA Today features Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Chris Evans (Captain America) in a shot that appears to be the aftermath of a battle.

 

Avenges Quinjet Concept Art posted by SpiderMan.RU

 

 

SuperheroHype is posting what SpiderMedia.RU is calling concept art of the Quinjet.

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter in Action

 

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter courtesy Collider

  In a summer of Avengers, Spider-Man and Batman – is there room among movie fans for our 16th President?

 Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter stakes out theater in August, 2012. Collider has the first image from the film – along with a first look at Men in Black 3. Tim Burton is producing the movie based on the literary mashup that envisions Abe as a vengeance seeking dark hero. Benjamin Walker is Lincoln and Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays his wife. Two actors with genre Dominic Cooper and Rufus Sewell are among the undead.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter explores the secret life of our greatest President, and the untold story that shaped our nation. Visionary filmmakers Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (director of Wanted) bring a fresh and visceral voice to the blood-thirsty lore of the vampire, imagining Lincoln as history’s greatest hunter of the undead.

New Prometheus Photo

Prometheus still of Noomi Rapace courtesy 20th Century Fox and USA Today

  I’m a nerd possessed I admit it! Anything new about Ridley Scott’s Prometheus gives me excited chills!

  USA Today posed a new photo in their Notable Films of 2012 feature. Star Noomi Rapace in what appears to be the “Space Jockey” ship from Alien.