TOM CRUISE TO STAR AND PRODUCE ‘VAN HELSING’ REBOOT
I Hated Van Helsing (2004) I thought it was a wasted opportunity, I wanted horror instead I got a kiddie action flick so I welcome a reboot.
Here’s the official word from the studio:
‘Universal Pictures today announced the studio has signed a two-year first-look production deal with one of the leading writing/producing teams in the entertainment industry, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, and their K/O Paper Products banner. The duo will kick off their new relationship with Universal by reimagining titles from the studio’s library including Van Helsing and The Mummy. The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Chairman, Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman, Donna Langley.
Kurtzman and Orci have collaborated with some of the industry’s top creative minds including J.J. Abrams, with whom they wrote the third instalment of Mission: Impossible, which grossed nearly $400 million at the worldwide box office. In 2007, they wrote Transformers and went on to write Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in 2009. Together, those films grossed more than $1.5 billion worldwide. More recently, the pair wrote and executive produced 2009’s Star Trek, which grossed more than $385 million worldwide. Accompanying their impressive film resume, Kurtzman and Orci have found tremendous success in television, having created the series Fringe, writing/producing Alias and in 2010, producing the reboot of Hawaii Five-O. They also currently executive produce the highest rated show on Hasbro’s The Hub, Transformers Prime.
“Alex and Roberto are extraordinarily talented writers and producers who know the value of a great story in building successful tentpole films,” Fogelson and Langley said in a joint statement. “They have been a major part of some of Hollywood’s biggest movies and television shows in recent history, and we’re eager to have them build on that success at Universal.”
“We’re thrilled to call Universal Pictures our home,” said Kurtzman and Orci. “From the moment we sat down with Adam, Donna, Peter, Jeff and the entire Uni team, there was an instant flow of inspired ideas. They really understand the importance of building a strong creative team and giving our shared projects their full support. We’re proud to start making movies that will live as part of Universal’s enduring legacy.”
Kurtzman and Orci’s upcoming projects include writing Sony’s next instalment of The Amazing Spider-Man; producing Now You See Me, for Lionsgate Summit, set for release in March 2013; and producing Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game, also for Lionsgate Summit. Kurtzman and Orci wrote and produced People Like Us, which marks Kurtzman’s directorial debut and is scheduled to be released in June 2012, and wrote and produced the second instalment of Star Trek, set for release in 2013. The pair most recently rewrote All You Need Is Kill for Warner Bros., with Tom Cruise attached to star, Doug Liman to direct and Erwin Stoff to produce.
Kurtzman, Orci and the rest of their K/O Paper Products team, including President Bobby Cohen, will be housed on the Universal lot. Former assistants Ben Kim and Kim Cavyan will come aboard as creative executives. Kurtzman and Orci are represented by CAA and attorneys Michael Gendler and Kevin Kelly of Gendler & Kelly, APC.’
‘THE DEAD 2’ SCRIPT IS MOVING FORWARD
I Loved the Zombies in Africa movie The Dead so I welcome a sequel.
Co-director of the first film, Howard J. Ford, recently caught up with the Daily Dead and revealed that the script for the sequel is on the way.
“Jon is in the south of France at the moment, but I’m going down to the Cannes Film Festival and am meeting him there. We’re going to write together at his place in France and we are going to be penning The Dead 2. There’s already a lot down on paper, but there are gaps in it and there are a lot of things we couldn’t do in the first movie that we want to do in the second.”
Howard continues, “Basically, it’s because of the fan support and the way it has been selling in America. Jon and I are incredibly grateful for everyone’s support and people putting their hard earned cash towards a Blu-ray or DVD of The Dead. Fan support is why we want to make a sequel. It’s not because we want to go back to Africa and get nearly killed. I can’t promise 100% that it will be in Africa, but whatever happens, it will take you somewhere you’ve never been in a zombie movie.”
‘WE ARE WHAT WE ARE’ REMAKE CASTING DETAILS
I loved the Mexican film WE ARE WHAT WE ARE so not sure what to think of it being remade as it was decent enough as it is. According
to the Dead Central, Riley Keough (Jack & Diane) , Julia Garner (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Bill Sage (American Psycho) and Wyatt Russell (Cowboys & Aliens) have all been cast in the film, with Keough and Garner playing a pair of sisters who are secluded from mainstream society.
“Following the untimely death of their mother, their father, played by Sage, forces them to perform a depraved ritual, carried out by their ancestors for generations. Russell will play a young deputy who is in love with Keough’s character.”
The film is scheduled for a release in January 2013.
RIP- DARK SHADOWS ACTOR JONATHAN FRID HAS PASSED AWAY
Dark Shadows star Jonathan Frid has died in Canada. The 87-year-old actor reportedly died of natural causes at Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. Frid was best known for playing vampire Barnabas Collins on gothic television soap opera Dark Shadows. The series originally aired on ABC in the US between June 1966 and April 2, 1971. Frid also starred in 1973 television movie The Devil’s Daughter and 1974 film horror Seizure. He filmed a cameo appearance – his final acting credit – in Tim Burton‘s forthcoming film remake of Dark Shadows, which stars Johnny Depp as Barnabas. Depp previously admitted to being “obsessed” as a child with Frid’s performance as the 
200-year-old vampire.”I loved the show when I was a kid [and] I was obsessed with Barnabas Collins,” the Hollywood star said in 2009. “I have photographs of me holding Barnabas Collins posters when I was 5 or 6.” May he rest in peace.
by Richard Goellnitz
The Bite Mag UK 