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Movie News & Opinions

‘The Hobbit’ Confirmed As Trilogy. Also, Every Story Now Legally Required To Be Adapted Into Three Films.

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A couple of years ago, some of you may remember that in a startlingly logical move, a studio decided to adapt and release The Lord Of The Rings as a trilogy of films, each as its own movie telling the story originally told in three parts in the novel. After those movies went on to make millions and millions of dollars at the box office, studios were looking to fast track the obvious follow-up to LOTR, which was Tolkien’s The Hobbit. The main difference between the two, being that The Hobbit was a significantly shorter, simpler, and far less densely written story, that was originally written as a children’s book.   And then it got shelved, re-planned, re-thought out, and finally years later picked back up again by Peter Jackson, who now, along with the money-grubbing studios that want another million dollar trilogy, is adapting The Hobbit into a movie of its own. Three of them, to be exact, as stated on Peter Jackson’s Facebook. Via [Chicago Tribune]

“We know how much of the story of Bilbo Baggins, the Wizard Gandalf, the Dwarves of Erebor, the rise of the Necromancer, and the Battle of Dol Guldur will remain untold if we do not take this chance,” Jackson wrote.

“So, without further ado and on behalf of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films, and the entire cast and crew of ‘The Hobbit’ films, I’d like to announce that two films will become three.”

Now while I’m not directly against an adaptation of The Hobbit itself, because it’s an amazing story, It is decidedly NOT enough story to adapt into 2 movies, and streeeettching it into 3 is downright frivolous.  It’s a pretty straightforward story. Hobbit joins up with dwarves for adventure. They fight trolls and spiders. They try to steal a dragons treasure. Dragon gets mad. They war against the dragon. War ends. The END. It’s enough story to make  a really badass 3 hour movie, with each act reflecting each part of the book. But since making money is paramount over making concise, unbloated, well paced adaptations, we’re going to get 2 unnecessary sequels so as much money as possible can be dragged out of our wallets as we’re forced to pay $16 dollars three times over the course of three years (at least!) , to see it in special LieMax 48fps 3D Digitial Surround sound with bonus cups and collectible glasses! Don’t forget the final showing of the third movie in 2014! Where you can buy a $50 dollar ticket to see all three in one sitting for 12 straight hours, and afterward you can go home and hang yourself because you’ve finally seen Peter Jackson’s ONE TRUE VISION brought to the silver screen.

So yeah. Not a fan of this being split up I guess, is what I’m saying.

Movie News & Opinions

CCI 2012: ‘Man of Steel’ Panel – New Footage & Poster!

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Is it a Bird? Is it a Plane? I don’t bloody know because I haven’t seen the damn teaser trailer. We will have to wait until Friday for that pleasure.

The first footage ever from Zack Snyder‘s Man of Steel premiered Saturday evening during the Warner Bros./Legendary panel in Hall H at Comic-Con International. It did not disappoint from what we hear. We have a full description below of the first teaser trailer (sadly we cannot get that until Friday) and panel video below. Oh, and we also have this new dark poster for Man Of Steel.

And here’s the full teaser trailer description, from Cinema Blend:

The footage begins with a shot from in front of the Kent home from grass-level and that shot is followed by Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) walking along the side of an icy road. We hear voice over from Jor-El (Russell Crowe) that asks a series of questions like, What if a child decides to become something more? What if a child aspires to something greater? We then see a school bus crash into a body of water and hear a woman’s voice saying, “My son was in the bus, he saw what Clark did” in almost an accusatory tone. As water rushes in we see Clark in the water trying to help. Another voice over begins, this one coming from Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner) who seems to be telling his son about who he really is. “People are afraid of what they don’t understand,” he says as we see a shot of a young Clark looking at what appears to be a space ship in a barn. “It’s not from this world, Clark, and neither are you.”

We then cut to what looks like the Fortress of Solitude where an older Clark looks to be handling one of the information crystals provided to him by Jor-El (his Kryptonian father) also seems to appear in front of him. “Answer my questions,” Clark said. “Where do I come from?” We hear Jor-El responds, “You have to decide what kind of man you want to be, Clark. Good or bad, it’s going to change the world.”

The rest of the footage is shown in flashes, with shots of Superman flying in the air, going supersonic as well as huge explosions in what looks like Metropolis (we also see a quick glimpse of The Daily Planet). There is only one quick shot of Zod (Michael Shannon), who appears to be wearing some kind of outer-space collar – and Lois Lane (Amy Adams – who runs towards the camera in a panic – but other shots include Superman shirtless and on fire, escaping from beneath a pile of skulls, being blasted through a bank and into a safe door (the origin of this still), and being arrested and taken down a hallway. The preview ends with Superman walking towards a group of armed-soldiers with his hands in the air, with voice-over saying, “My father believed that if the world found out who I really was they would reject and they would fear me. He was convinced the world wasn’t ready.

Isn’t it all just sounding beautiful? I still want to actually watch this trailer but Friday will come around quicker than you think. Here’s the full panel video from Hall H.

So finally I thought this was rather funny as someone put together a list of all the things we had learned from the teaser trailer and questions from the panel, so please enjoy and read below, courtesy of ComicBook.

  • Superman Will Be Tougher – According to director Zack Snyder, Superman will be tougher in the Man of Steel. Of course, this comes as no surprise with the casting of Henry Cavill as Superman. In the past, Superman has always been portrayed as heroic, but he’s had more of a nice guy image rather than a tough guy image. Cavill brings the tough guy image to the role.
  • Man Of Steel Filming Complete – This news doesn’t really come as any surprise, but it’s good to hear it officially from the director that Man of Steel filming is done, and the movie is now in post-production. With a number of recent movies having their release dates pushed back, it’s good to know that Man of Steel is own track to hit its June 14, 2013 release date.
  • First Man Of Steel Trailer Before Dark Knight Rises – The Dark Knight Rises is also a Warner Bros. movie, so it makes sense that they would premiere the first full Man of Steel trailer in front of it. The Dark Knight Rises is likely to be one of the biggest blockbusters of this summer, so this is a great way for Warner Bros. to let a lot of people know that the Man of Steel is coming next summer.
  • Superman In Trouble With The Law – In perhaps the most shocking scene from the preview footage, Superman appears wearing handcuffs, being led by a security force. As a super-powerful alien, could it be that local earth law enforcement has a problem with the Man of Steel? There is definitely a sense in the trailer that the world has turned against Superman. Of course, Superman could easily break out of handcuffs, but maybe he’s trying to be a good citizen and go peacefully.
  • Man Of Steel Will Have A Much Darker Look Than Previous Films – Zack Snyder said the film is based on many different storylines from the comic books. Also, the look and feel of the Man of Steel will be much darker than previous Superman movies. It will have the look and feel of the type of films that Snyder usually does, but not with the exact feel as 300.
  • Zod Is A Villain But Might Not Be The Main Villain – In the preview footage, there is a very quick flash of Zod, but Zack Snyder refused to admit that Zod will be the villain. About the villain, Synder teased, “Whoever he is he’ll be super-relatable.”
  • Someone Else Knows Superman’s Identity – During the teaser trailer, it was revealed that there is at least one person outside the Kent family that knows that Clark has some sort of powers. Apparently, someone saw Clark when he saved a bus of kids as a child.
  • Superman Has A Beard – Superman is typically portrayed as clean shaven in the comic books, but he was sporting a beard in a scene in the Man of Steel trailer. Maybe, he’s just copying Bruce Wayne’s bearded look from a scene in The Dark Knight Rises. What is it with DC Comics heroes growing beards in their movies?

Can’t wait for this trailer. Friday can’t come soon enough.

Check out more Comic-Con coverage here, more pics on our Tumblr and follow the action at the Con over on Twitter! Oh, and Like our Facebook page while you at it!

TV

CCI 2012: Warner Bros. Previews 5 Fall TV Pilots!

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At Comic-Con, where most of our interesting news is currently coming from, 5 new Warner Bros. pilots were previewed. I know that we gave you a little sneak peek at a couple of them back in May with our TV Fall Schedule Update article, but this is a more complete look at what appears to be some interesting new TV.

Continue reading CCI 2012: Warner Bros. Previews 5 Fall TV Pilots! →

Movie News & Opinions

CCI 2012: Warner Bros. to Showcase ‘Man of Steel’, ‘The Hobbit’, and ‘Pacific Rim’

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Warner Bros. Pictures has announced its full line-up at Comic-Con International which includes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Man of Steel and Pacific Rim. If you would like to know more about back stories or previous news and information please check out our previous articles below:

‘Pacific Rim’: Giant Robots Vs. Giant Monsters!

The Hobbit in 48fps Demos Film Evolution, Pissed Some People Off

Trailer is Here for ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’

Hero Express

A full description of the WB Comic-Con Showcase below courtesy of SuperHeroHype, with pictures provided by C Tan at the Con (unless otherwise noted):

Warner Bros. Pictures will once again have a major presence at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego, including appearances by fan-favorite stars and filmmakers from some of the Studio’s most anticipated films. Comic-Con attendees will also be treated to never-before-seen footage, including some that will be shown nowhere else. Talent from the films will also be on hand to answer questions, sign autographs, and more.

On Saturday, July 14th, in Hall H, beginning at 2:30 p.m., Warner Bros. Pictures will showcase a number of the releases upcoming from the Studio and its partners at Legendary Pictures, New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The special star-studded presentation also holds some surprises for the 6,500-plus fans in the convention’s largest presentation space.

The program highlights include a film that has already generated huge buzz: “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” directed by Peter Jackson, the Oscar®-winning filmmaker of the blockbuster “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Jackson, who just wrapped production in New Zealand, is embarking on his own journey halfway around the world to greet fans, who are already counting down to the December 14th opening of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”

Joining Jackson on the stage will be Oscar®-winning screenwriter Philippa Boyens, along with several of the film’s stars, including Martin Freeman, who portrays the title character, Bilbo Baggins; Richard Armitage, who plays the fierce leader of the Dwarves, Thorin Oakenshield; the legendary Sir Ian McKellen, who returns as Gandalf; and fan favorite Andy Serkis, the extraordinary talent who is truly behind the character of Gollum. Attendees will also be invited to ask questions about the making of this epic adventure.

The presentation also includes the DC Comics superhero who, inarguably, started it all. Superman will be back on the big screen next Summer in the much-anticipated action adventure “Man of Steel.” Filmmaker Zack Snyder, the director behind “300” and “Watchmen,” will be at Comic-Con and will take questions from the audience about the making of “Man of Steel,” which opens on June 14, 2013.

Photo courtesy of Geek Tyrant

Guillermo del Toro, the acclaimed writer/director of such films as “Pan’s Labyrinth” and the “Hellboy” films, will also be on hand with a preview of his science fiction action adventure, “Pacific Rim,” opening on July 12, 2013. The film’s stars Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day and Ron Perlman will join the director on stage for the presentation, which includes never-before-seen footage cut together exclusively for Comic-Con. Fans will also have an opportunity to engage in a Q & A with del Toro and his cast.

The WB booth will showcase static displays of the “Man of Steel” Superman costume, and Batman’s amazing two-wheeled Bat-Pod, which was introduced in the 2008 record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight” and is featured again in this Summer’s most anticipated film, “The Dark Knight Rises.”

While the Warner Bros. booth will have something to see at every minute of every day of the convention, on Saturday, July 14th, it will be the place to be to meet and greet some of the stars and filmmakers from several of the Studio’s upcoming features. Some of the autograph signing opportunities include “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” stars Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage and Andy Serkis, from 11:15 a.m. to 12 noon; from “Pacific Rim,” stars Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day and Ron Perlman, and director Guillermo del Toro, from 3:55 to 4:55 p.m.; and “Man of Steel” director Zack Snyder from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. (Please note that times are approximate. Check your schedule and other announcements for updates.)

This pretty much sums it all up so make sure you don’t miss any of the presentations!

Check out more CCI coverage here with more pics from C Tan and Dr. Kronner over on our Tumblr!

POP CULTURE

The GrizzlyBomb 2012 Comic-Con Preview!

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It is that time of the year again and it is time to revel in the wonders that is the San Diego Comic-Con 2012! One of the biggest things this year for our site is that we will actually be in attendance and representing GrizzlyBomb as we go to the biggest place where news on comics, television, movies, and video games breaks every minute from July 12th-15th and of course we will document it all. We are going to be on the show floor and I will be your guide and your way in to panels, booths, and probably pictures of the lovely booth babes so please visit as much as you can during the next week because we’re going to be knee-deep in some fun stuff.

Over the years, the panels have become some of the biggest places where announcements are made, stars have shown up, great Q&As have been done so we are going to do a preview on what we think will be some heavy hitters and must sees in San Diego.

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Movie News & Opinions

Christopher Nolan Declines ‘Justice League’ Movie

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Christopher Nolan has been a busy man. He has got the conclusion of the best comic book movie trilogy coming to an end next week. He just got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is also serving as producer to Man of Steel, the new Superman movie due out next year, which is also getting its big unveiling at Comic-Con later this week. Obviously in doing press, his future plans have been asked along with his producing role on Man of Steel and the enormous success of The Avengers, and his involvement with the Justice League movie. His response?

Nope, I’m good.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Nolan says he has zero plans for the Justice League movie.

“No, none at all. We’re finished with all we’re doing with Batman. This is the end of our take on this character.” He also goes on to say he has no intention to be involved with any future Batman movie projects. “Batman will outlive us all, and our interpretation was ours. Obviously, we consider it definitive and kind of finished. The great thing about Batman is he lives on for future generations to reinterpret, and obviously, Warners will have to decide in the future what they’re going to do with him,” Nolan said. “We’ve had our say on the character. I’ve got no plans to do anything more, and certainly, no involvement with any Justice League project.”

Obviously this news is disappointing but at least he is sticking to his guns. I think trilogies are pretty much the way to go because you do not want movies to overstay their welcome and characters to become stagnant. Especially superhero movies where you get origin story, defining moment that results in epiphany on their responsibilities to the world, then the final test that validates their existence… and past that? It’s just retread. There needs to be a beginning, a middle, and an end. The idea of reboots annoys me, but we see it in comic books all the time where people have their take on the characters. It may disrupt what we know but you cannot help but acknowledge that the expansion on the character due to different writing perspectives reinvigorates the genre and the game plan (see: The Amazing Spider-Man movie). You never want to wear out the welcome or be the one getting kicked out of the party. You want to leave while everyone screams how epic that was.

That is how Nolan wants to leave it and while I would love for his take Justice League, it would not make sense for his Batman perspective, something that is rooted in reality, to be mixed with Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern. It is just not in the same universe of his thinking. Plus any original material from Nolan would be gold. Like I said, good job sticking to his guns and Warner Bros. embracing the trilogy idea instead of shoving the same drivel down our throats repeatedly.