Mid-Week Movie News Wrap Up – April 2, 2009

This week:

Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington Circle David Cronenberg and make him nervous; Tony Scott cho-cho- choses his next project; Kevin Spacey is The Father of Invention and Paul Walker and Vin Diesel start the engine on Fast and Furious 5!

1. David Cronenberg has been talking about The Matarese Circle – a thriller that may possibly star Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington.The film would be the first (real) time that Cronenberg has played the Hollywood game. Having said that he nearly helmed Basic Instinct 2, what a lucky dodge that was!

While Cruise and Washington aren’t officially attached they are interested in the film that has a rewrite by Cronenberg on the way.

Cronenbeg told The Toronto Star:

“I’ve spoken to both Tom and Denzel, and they both want to do it. Usually when I write, I don’t visualize the characters, because I want them to have a life of their own, but in this case I am writing it specifically for these two actors. Tom and I get along very well. I was at his house in L.A. a couple of weeks ago, and he’s very excited.”

However, it seems that Cronenberg is slightly nervous playing in the big leagues:

“They’re waiting to read my script, so I’m under a lot of pressure and I don’t want to screw it up. It’s not easy to keep all the satisfying elements people expect and still find a way to subvert the genre and surprise the audience.”

Source: Toronto Star via Joblo

2. A-list action director Tony Scott will direct Unstoppable for 20th Century Fox.
According to Variety:

“The drama involves an unmanned runaway train that is carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. An engineer and his conductor find themselves in a race against time.”

Writer Mark Bomback and Scott are currently working on the script in order to tailor it to Scott’s needs.

I’m a huge fan of Tony Scott’s movies so this is going to move up my must see list for the next year or two.

The main question is will it star Tony Scott favorite Denzel Washington?

Scott’s next movie is the trained themed Taking of Pelham 1,2,3 starring John Travolta.

3. Kevin Spacey will star in and produce Father of Invention.
According to Variety:

“Story centers on a humble inventor-turned-egomaniacal billionaire who loses it all when one of his inventions goes horribly awry. After eight years in federal prison, he returns bankrupt, homeless and determined to rebuild his reputation and fortune.”

Sounds like a Lex Luthor spin-off movie!

Source: Variety
5. A fifth Fast and Furious movie (is that the right thing to call it?) is in the works.
When being interviewed by Moviesonline Paul Walker said:

“It’s beyond rumors at this point. I’ve spoken with executives at Universal and they’re pretty serious about it. They’re developing it. They know where they want it to take place. They want to do it in Europe.”

Walker and Vin Diesel are expected to return if Fast and Furious is on the fast track to profitability.

Source: Moviesonline

That’s it for now. See you at the movies!