Things on the set of the Red Dawn remake sure have been jumping lately. Tanks, machine guns, explosions, Chinese invaders, and oh yeah, EXPLOSIONS! Thanks to the great guys over at Red Dawn 2010, we have some fan footage of an explosion from the set of movie as they were filming it as well as some great high quality stills taken by photographer David Guralnick at The Detroit News.

Dan Bradley is making his solo directorial debut with Red Dawn and many people are concerned that he may not have the ability to pull it off. The man does have plenty of 2^nd Unit and Stunt Directing experience and it’s that experience that I think will help drive this movie into the “great” category. He oversaw the stunt work in the movies The Bourne Ultimatum, Spider-Man 3, Crank, Cradle 2 the Grave, Donnie Darko and he did 2^nd directing on Quantum of Solace, Superman Returns, Three Kings and my personal favorite Critters 3: You are what they eat (hot dang I love that tag line!)

Take a look at this video below; I don’t know who Tuffy is but I’m betting right about now he wishes he hadn’t agreed to that “remodeling” contract he signed with the producers. The explosion is at 44s so feel free to fast forward a bit and enjoy the Boom Boom!

We also have some photos by David Guralnick at The Detroit Times during the filming of another explosion scene in downtown Detroit the other day. You can see that it’s a Chinese converted “Friendship” building of some sort and who ever that is walking away from it apparently isn’t too happy with their friendship because as he walks away BADA-BOOM!  You can see the explosions below and check out The Detroit News website for the rest of the photos.

And just because I like you guys so much I put all the pics together in one animated sequences, well, because I can and I thought it looked cool.

I’m becoming more comfortable with Bradley behind the lens and I’ve never had a problem with the actors chosen. Chris Hemsworth and Josh Peck as Jed and Matt Eckert respectively, with a great supporting cast of Josh Hutcherson, Jeffery Dean Morgan and Isabel Lucas as part of the Wolverine attack pack should make for some strong acting. The only thing we need to look for now is a good script review or a decent teaser trailer to watch.

What do you think about Red Dawn and its SFX? Think Dan Bradley has the chops to handle it or not?

Red Dawn lands in theaters September 24^th, 2010.

• First Pics & Video of ‘Red Dawn’ Remake Invade the Web
• Chinese Propaganda On the Set of ‘Red Dawn’
• Chris Hemsworth is a Wolverine in Red Dawn Remake
• Red Dawn Remake Gets Tony Gilroy Rewrite, New Cast Members
• Red Dawn Remake Adds Four More To Its Cast
• Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: June 21, 2009

If you aren’t aware, one of the most iconic films of the 80’s is being remade. That doesn’t really narrow it down for you, does it? OK, it was one of the most iconic films of the 80’s AND starred the late great Patrick Swayze. Got it now? Well we are down to two, so it’s either Dirty Dancing or Red Dawn. This original starred both Swayze and Jennifer Grey; dagumit! They were in both of those films; OK fine Red Dawn! I’m talking about Red Dawn people!

Last week we brought you some behind the scenes pictures of what appeared to be a Chinese plane after if crashed through a house on the set of Red Dawn. Now, thanks to the guys over at Red Dawn 2010, we have a first look at some propaganda being distributed by the invading enemy forces. I’ve included three of the more interesting pictures and you can go here for the rest of the collection.*WARNING THESE COULD BE CONSIDERED TO BE MINOR SPOILERS*

The first picture depicts China’s attempt to censor big media and the internet while putting down our leaders (current and past). The second is their attempt to brainwash us into thinking the invading army is here to help us because we are too blinded to see the truth on our own – They Are Here to Help. The last is the most chilling to me: it shows how the invaders are being accepted – how some Americans (in the movie) have rolled over and are now “helping” the transition by working in these “Friendship Centers”.

I’ll be honest; my excitement for this remake was about 50% but for some reason these pictures give us a good insight to the script and the direction the writers are going to take. I’d say my excitement level has jumped to 75%. I like what they are doing here. In the 80’s, the cold war was dominate in world culture so it made perfect sense to have the Russians invading.  With the fall of the Russian empire, that threat no longer exists. And, even though I was sure writers Carls Ellesworth (Disturbia) and Jeremy Passmore would go the extremist Islamic terrorist angle, it would appear they thought this through and choose a country that could actually have a theoretical chance of occupying U.S. soil.

If an invasion of this type were to actually happen, this is how I would see it happening – by starting in the mid-west rural areas hit hardest by the recession, trying to win the hearts of disenfranchised citizens with propaganda. Now, before I get slammed as an Anti-American, we are talking about A FICTIONAL MOVIE! I am merely addressing the story arc in which director Dan Bradley is working. I am by no means expressing my own political views on a movie blog; I am not Michael Moore!

Ellesworth and Passmore have set this new Red Dawn to the tune of today’s hot political times, and just like the 80’s original, it has sent a chill up my spine. Let’s hope the acting and action is done in such a way that it enhances that story.

SIDE NOTE: I don’t want this post thread to turn into a CNN vs Fox News political debate, so let’s all just remember this is a movie and keep the comments cordial. OR ELSE.

Red Dawn stars Jeffery Dean Morgan, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson and Isabel Lucas.

What do you think about the pictures and the current direction of the movie’s story?

Red Dawn will invade your town a year from now, September 24^th, 2010. Be ready (Wolverines!)

Source: Red Dawn 2010

• Chris Hemsworth is a Wolverine in Red Dawn Remake
• First Pics & Video of ‘Red Dawn’ Remake Invade the Web
• Patrick Swayze Dies At 57
• Red Dawn Remake Gets Tony Gilroy Rewrite, New Cast Members
• Red Dawn Remake Adds Four More To Its Cast
• Explosions Galore on the Set of Red Dawn

In life, there are often enemies that one cannot prepare for, see, or fight against, even after you understand you’re in a battle not just to win, but to live.

This week, we revel in the life and career of Patrick Swayze, a fallen on and off-screen soldier, who took an imposed 4-month death sentence, and turned it into almost 2 years of life that sealed the deal on a legacy full of integrity, memorable roles and scenes that will continue to push the envelope of television and cinema for many years to come.

Swayze started his acting career 30 years ago in a little film called Skatetown U.S.A. -- tearing up the hardwood with white ball-bearinged wheels, a black leather outfit and a belt ready to smackdown each and every opponent who dared cross his path. His final career crescendo, the A&E TV series The Beast, showcased Swayze as a wayward FBI agent harnessing rage and righteousness to make the world a better place: the sweet irony is that both in real life, and on the small and silver screens, Patrick Swayze did just that.

We at Screen Rant are proud to take you on a journey of outstanding entertainment experiences, courtesy of a gone-too-soon actor that will be remembered for a long time. Please read on below as we remember the celluloid life (beyond Ghost and Dirty Dancing) of Patrick Wayne Swayze.

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UNCOMMON VALOR

Ahh, the perfect zen of starting a listing of great Swayze performances with a film that includes the word, “uncommon.” This 1983 action/drama/thriller featured a very young, fit, determined marine named Kevin Scott, who tries valiantly to get a collected team of past-their-prime misfits into shape to rescue comrades left behind. The mission? WIN. Period. It’s one of Swayze’s initial smaller performances that becomes a piece of exquisite fabric as he joins an all-star cast, and it is not to be missed.

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RED DAWN

In 1984, The Cold War was ablaze. All sides were talking about the threat of invasion and mutually assured destruction and in my freshman year, high school was literally invaded by military paratroopers -- in the movie Red Dawn. Swayze played Jed, the  eldest of two experienced outdoorsman brothers. He leads a  team of invasion survivors/saboteurs called  “WOLVERINES” who resist the collective invasion of  America. It’s truly some of the strongest acting in his career. The realization of knowing that you’re seeing your father for the last time -- ever; The anguish of having to execute a previous best friend-turned traitor -- but not being able to pull the trigger; The passion for explaining why people must die because they’ve chosen to invade your home, and the endearing final shot where a soldier realizes a larger brotherhood exists. They are probably the strongest memories I have of when I was a teenager and they live on in me. I only hope I too can convey their meaning in articles like this and more.

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NORTH AND SOUTH

It’s not every man’s dream to use the word “smitten” inside an action hero’s book-turned-television series, but audiences were at least as smitten with Swayze’s portrayal as Orry, in the 1985-86 epic mini-series North and South. The confidence and achievement conveyed in this role of a man instantly “smitten” with a Juliet-like damsel in distress is an epic character for an actor that oozed honor. Swayze in period costume and long flowing locks in this series is something that will be remembered forever.

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ROAD HOUSE

Does anyone think of a bar fight -- ever -- and not think of “Dalton” -- Swayze’s alter-ego in 1989s Road House? Swayze’s penchant for being the lone man left to take on “the man” and his gang of goons is the true showcase of grace under pressure, letting loose at the perfect moment to levy justice, revenge and satisfaction for all movie-goers. The tearing of henchmen 13’s throat is of particularly satisfying note. Steven Segal should have been taking notes long ago on how to be a lone wolf amongst helpless lambs.

(Continue to pg. 2 for more great Patrick Swayze roles)

• Patrick Swayze Dies At 57
• Dirty Dancing Remake in Development
• First Pics & Video of ‘Red Dawn’ Remake Invade the Web
• Chris Hemsworth is a Wolverine in Red Dawn Remake
• Chinese Propaganda On the Set of ‘Red Dawn’
• Weekly TV Wrap Up -- June 18, 2009

This is a bittersweet moment for me. First one of the truly last great men of Hollywood, Patrick Swayze, dies (the bitter) from his long battle with cancer yesterday. Then, the day after, we get some behind-the-scenes pictures of the new Red Dawn remake (the sweet) courtesy of a heads-up by our friends at AICN.

I don’t know about you but I’m a HUGE fan of behind-the-scenes pictures and videos and the site Red Dawn 2010 has got them in spades. I’ve put together 5 of the most interesting ones and one video of the house blowing up but if you head over to the website BeforeTheTrailer.com, you can take a peek at the others here and here.

Red Dawn is arguably one of Swayze’s best films, and it for sure put him on the movie map as a strong leading man. The Red Dawn remake should be nothing short of a fitting tribute, homage if you will, to all his hard work and dedication in the field of cinema. I would hope that director Dan Bradley, who’s only directing credits up until now have been on second units and stunts, is considering placing this film in Swayze’s honor or at least throwing up a dedication to him at the beginning or end of the film. That would be a very classy move on Bradley’s part.

Now let’s take a look at the pictures then discuss a few of them below.

Prop house with hole where the plane went through

Another house where a plane went BOOM!

Same plane at night, guessing this is a military plane?

Plane fuselage wreckage

Prop house on fire after the explosion.

And now a video of the house being destroyed from a distance -- but you can see a large orange plume of smoke going into the air.

OK, there are things that I like and dislike about these photos and video.  I like the fact that it’s being brought into a suburb instead of wide open country.  I like the fact that they really blow up a prop house, practical effects are so much more appealing to me than the digital variety. I dislike the fact there is very little plane as a practical effect. This can only mean that the rest of the plane will be created digitally, and while I understand that it’s not totally possible to crash an ACTUAL plane in a neighborhood, that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Red Dawn brings in a new group of youngsters to play the titular Wolverines including Chris Hemsworth (Thor) picking up Patrick Swayze’s torch as Jed Eckert, Josh Peck (The Wackness) doing his best Charlie Sheen as Jed’s brother Matt , Josh Hutcherson (Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant) recreating C. Howell Thomas’ role of Robert, and Adrianne Palicki (Legion) stepping into Jennifer Grey’s puffy vest as Toni. It’s a decent group of young up-and-coming Hollywood kids and if history repeats itself, then we could see more from this group of actors and actresses.

What do you think about the first behind-the-scenes pictures and videos for Red Dawn? Do you have high expectations for this remake with the cast and crew that is involved or could you not care less?

Red Dawn the remake drops into theaters September 24^th, 2010.

Source: Ain’t It Cool News, Before the Trailer, Red Dawn 2010

• Red Dawn Remake Adds Four More To Its Cast
• Chris Hemsworth is a Wolverine in Red Dawn Remake
• Red Dawn Remake Gets Tony Gilroy Rewrite, New Cast Members
• Chinese Propaganda On the Set of ‘Red Dawn’
• Man Crushing on Thor’s Chris Hemsworth
• Explosions Galore on the Set of Red Dawn

It’s a sad today today as another great actor passes away.

Patrick Swayze, 57, has lost his difficult battle with cancer and passed away today with his family at his side.

The star actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer early last year and while he’d been fighting through it when patients with this type of cancer expect to only live six months, it didn’t stop the cowboy from working and keeping optimistic, acting as an inspiration to everyone around him. It got a lot worse recently and he had been forced to rely on a wheelchair – but he still kept wearing his cowboy hat and not giving up.

A few days ago though, new reports revealed that Swayze was more frail than ever and was resting at his LA home with his wife Lisa. Together, they were working on his autobiography, titled “The Time of My Life.”

Swayze made his mark, especially in the hearts of women everywhere, with his career-making role in Dirty Dancing back in 1987. Before that he was in one of my favorite movies as a kid, Red Dawn. The movie that helped make him the star he was though came just a few years after Dirty Dancing when he played the lead role in Ghost, opposite Demi Moore.

Today, we have lost another great artist who had a signifcant impact on the industry and in the hearts and minds of the millions who have enjoyed his work.

What are your favorite Swayze films?

Sources: EON, Townhall.com

• Dirty Dancing Remake in Development
• Chinese Propaganda On the Set of ‘Red Dawn’
• Chris Hemsworth is a Wolverine in Red Dawn Remake
• The Life and Films of Patrick Swayze
• Man Crushing on Thor’s Chris Hemsworth
• First Pics & Video of ‘Red Dawn’ Remake Invade the Web

Entertainment Weekly is exclusively reporting that MGM’s remake of Red Dawn has just added four more actors to its cast: Josh Hutcherson (Journey to the Center of the Earth), Isabel Lucas (Transformers 2), Edwin Hodge (Mental) and Connor Cruise (Seven Pounds). The four additions join the already announced Chris Hemsworth (who’s also playing the titular hero in Marvel’s Thor), Josh Peck and Adrianne Palicki.

The original 1984 version of Red Dawn was about a bunch of Colorado High School students who team up under the banner of the school football team, The Wolverines, to fight back against Soviet and Cuban troops who invade their school. Directed by John Milius, the film starred Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Charlie Sheen, Lea Thompson, Brad Savage, Darren Dalton, and Jennifer Grey.

Here’s a quick look at the roles each new cast member will be playing:

• Hutcherson will play Robert Morris (played originally by Howell), the group’s tech geek who operates all the communication devices.
• Lucas will play Erica Mason (played originally by Thompson), a cheerleader and girlfriend to Eckert. She will get incarcerated by the invaders and rescuing her will be one of Eckert’s primary objectives.
• Hodge will play Danny (played originally by Savage), the cool kid in school and Eckert’s best friend, who helps the group start their resistance.
• Cruise will play Daryl Bates (originally played by Dalton), the son of the mayor and the youngest of the group.

As for the already-confirmed cast:

• Hemsworth is playing Jed (originally played by Swayze), a marine on leave.
• Peck will play Matt Eckert (originally played by Sheen), the school quarterback and younger brother of Jed.
• Palicki will play Toni Mason (originally played by Grey), a possible love interest for Jed and a “survivor turned tough girl.”

The Red Dawn remake has had some back and forth shenanigans going on recently when the original script, written by Carl Ellsworth and Jeremy Passmore, was rewritten by Tony Gilroy (Bourne trilogy) – only to have Ellsworth brought back on board to rewrite Gilroy’s version. Talk about back and forth! The remake will update the invading foes to the Russians and Chinese.

So far the cast they’ve brought together for Red Dawn seems to be quite pleasingly diverse. Will this movie help to launch the careers of some of it stars as the original did? It’s entirely possible. Of course, some of the faces that have been cast seem to have been chosen to serve primarily as eye candy – take Lucas, for example, who just about managed to top Megan Fox on the hotness scale this summer in Transformers 2 (ya’ know, before she was revealed to be a robot).

Is it a coincidence that Lucas is playing a cheerleader with Fox also playing one in the upcoming Jennifer’s Body? Hmmm…

It’s kind of troubling that there’s been some issues with the script for Red Dawn (a rewrite getting a re-rewrite doesn’t exactly inspire confidence), but I’ll wait for more specific details on the plot and tone they’re going for before I judge this one too much.

Red Dawn currently has a release date set of September 24th, 2010.

Sources: EW via /Film

• Red Dawn Remake Gets Tony Gilroy Rewrite, New Cast Members
• First Pics & Video of ‘Red Dawn’ Remake Invade the Web
• Chris Hemsworth is a Wolverine in Red Dawn Remake
• Explosions Galore on the Set of Red Dawn
• Chinese Propaganda On the Set of ‘Red Dawn’
• Supernatural Season 5 Casting Updates

In the wrap up this week:

Harry Potter feels the G-Force at the box office; Mila Kunis is a Black Swan; Michael Keaton is “Ken”; Kurt Russell might be in Red Dawn. Then again he might not; David Cronenberg gets a haircut in Cosmopolis and Money Never Sleeps for Josh Brolin.

Box Office

Jerry Bruickheimer’s G-Force shot into the number one position this week with a weekend take of  $32 million. The Disney family film looks set to hit the $100 million mark giving Bruickheimer another century hit.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince had to settle for second place over the weekend. Down 60% from last weekend, the wonderful wizard flick brought in another $30 million, giving the Warner Bros pic a magical gross of almost $222 million. Factor in the $405 million that the film has made elsewhere around the world, the latest Potter epic has conjured up an astonishing $627 million in just over two weeks! It looks like Harry Potter will grab the 2009 box office crown from Transformers 2.

The Katherine Heigl/ Gerard Butler romantic comedy The Ugly Truth also had an impressive opening of $27 million.

The Joel Silver produced horror film Orphan scared-up an average $12 million over the weekend. The budget should be low and DVD rentals and sales will be high, so anyone with profit participation should be happy in the end.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs melted over 50%, with a gross of $8 million. With $171 million in the bank this looks to be a strong franchise for Fox.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen banked another $8 million, giving the Megan Fox/ Shia LaBeouf starrer a huge total gross of $379 million. A final gross of $400 million is pretty much guaranteed. Ker-ching!

The Hangover keeps hanging around. The R-rated comedy laughed up another $6.5 million, giving the film a massive $247 total gross.

Sandra Bullock’s The Proposal also laughed up another $6.4 million. The film has so far grossed an impressive $140 million.

Michael Mann’s Public Enemies shot up another $4 million. With $88 million robbed from cinema-goers so far it looks like this will need all of Johnny Depp’s charm to hit $100 million.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno squeezed out just under $3 million, bringing its total to $56 million. A final gross of just over $60 million should be something of a disappointment for all involved, but not unexpected.

Movie News

1. Mila Kunis is set to star opposite Natalie Portman in Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan.

The supernatural drama will follow Portman’s Ballerina whose rival may or may not be a figment of her imagination. Kunis will star as the rival Lilly.

Kunis has quite a few films on the way; the Mike Judge directed Extract with Ben Affleck and the Denzel Washington starring The Book of Eli.

Black Swan starts shooting this fall.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

2. It has been known for quite a while, but now someone has confirmed it – Michael Keaton will voice Ken in Toy Story 3. Director Lee Unkrich announced the news at Comic Con.

Now somebody get the man a really good live action role. Please.

Source: Coming Soon

3. ComingSoon.net announced in an “exclusive” that Kurt Russell would be joining the cast of the Red Dawn remake, however the story has since vanished from the site.

Could the Big Trouble In Little China star be joining the Dan Bradley directed action flick?

At this point it could swing either way. Maybe the deal wasn’t closed and someone was worried that Russell might not follow through, or maybe it was total BS and Comingsoon dropped the story to save face.

Whatever the case once we know – you’ll know.

Source: Coming Soon

4. David Cronenberg will direct an adaptation of Don DeDillo’s  Cosmopolis. The film follows a 28 year-old billionaire who crosses New York for a haircut. I’m pretty sure there’s more to the plot than that, but you never know. The film will shoot in 2010, and no cast has signed…yet.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

5. According to the all knowing Nikki Finke Josh Brolin has been offered a role in Oliver Stone’s Wall Street 2. Javier Bardem was originally in the frame to play the “villain” role in the film, but it looks like Stone will be re-teaming with his W star.

It looks like 2010 might be another big year for Brolin as he also has Jonah Hex on the way.

Michael Douglas and Shia LaBoeuf will also star in the film that currently has the title Money Never Sleeps.

Source: Deadline Hollywood

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

• Natalie Portman Is A Black Swan
• Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: June 21, 2009
• Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: November 15, 2009
• Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: April 12, 2009
• Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: September 13, 2009
• Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: July 12, 2009

Supernatural has a wild season coming up with the Winchester brothers going head to head with Satan / Lucifer / the Devil.  No matter how much we like and root for the Winchesters, I’m not sure how they’re going to pull off taking on the man from down below himself.

With season five dealing with what comes of the final seal being broken, we’re going to be seeing some new faces and a few old faces.

This should be interesting.

Mark Pellegrino

Of the new faces, I know of at least one right now:  Mark Pellegrino has been cast to play Lucifer for his day trip to our reality. As if Lucifer isn’t a pain in the backside, guess who’s coming to dinner also?

Remember the demon Meg with the giant chip on her shoulder for the Winchesters?  She’s baaack, and I’m guessing she still has that grudge.  Rachel Miner has been cast in the role of Meg.

Adrianne Palicki

There’s also a face from an early season making a return trip to the show and that’s Adrianne Palicki.

If you don’t remember, she played Sam’s ex, Jessica, who was smite by a demon, much like the Winchesters mother was.

She was on Friday Night Lights, but she’s moving on while the show continues to focus on the students of Dillon High.  High School being the operative word.

She did return once in season 2 of Supernatural during an alternate reality bit, but she’s returning to the show and the details are very quiet right now.

I can’t begin to imagine exactly what capacity she is returning as.  Will it be flashbacks?  Or will it be in spirit form?  Or will she have been pulled from wherever by some PTB (Powers That Be) to come back to this Earthly realm to help, or hinder Sam?

Oh I hate when I perturb myself with these kinds of questions.

PS:  Palicki was cast for the role of Jennifer Grey in the Red Dawn reboot.  Ooh, now I have to see it!  It’s great to see her getting so much work.  I do enjoy her characters.

Sources:  TV Guide, EW

• Supernatural Season 5 Premiere: Review & Discussion
• Red Dawn Remake Adds Four More To Its Cast
• Preview: Last Supernatural For 2009
• Supernatural Season 5 Preview
• Are Smallville And Supernatural Ending Next Season?
• First Pics & Video of ‘Red Dawn’ Remake Invade the Web

Oh Chris Hemsworth. From the moment you heroically piloted the USS Kelvin into the heart of the Romulan mining ship Narada in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek, we knew you’d be a star.

Within just a few months, you’ve already scored the lead in Thor, one of the most anticipated Marvel films in production, and you’re taking over the reins of the venerable Patrick Swayze in the remake of Red Dawn. Bravo sir. Bravo.

In all seriousness, Chris Hemsworth is one of Hollywood’s rising stars. His 12 minutes of work in Star Trek received strong praise and fanboys across the world are excited to see how he fares as the Norse God of Thunder in Thor.

Even Kevin Feige, the President of Marvel Studios, has good things to say about Hemsworth. In an interview with IESB, Feige described Hemsworth as “immensely watchable and engaging”, stating:

“We have been watching Chris hone his craft over the last several months and due to his persistence and talent he rose above everyone else embodying the actor we were looking for.”

High praise from one of the comic world’s most important voices. Of course, there is always the chance that Hemsorth’s career could mimic a different ancient mythological figure: Icarus. You remember Icarus, right? He flew too close to the sun, his wings melted, and he fell into the sea. Could Chris Hemsworth’s rapid ascent from Hollywood unknown to blockbuster action star be happening too fast?

I, for one, am confident Hemsworth can handle the work and am eager to see how he does in both Thor and Red Dawn. On the other hand, this is a lot of pressure riding on the back of a somewhat unknown talent. For all you Screen Rant readers out there who are unsure about Hemsworth, does Kevin Feige’s praise change the way you feel?

Red Dawn hits theaters on September 24, 2010. Thor is scheduled for release on May 20, 2011.

Source: IESB

• Marvel’s Thor is Chris Hemsworth
• Chris Hemsworth is a Wolverine in Red Dawn Remake
• Alexander Skarsgard Talks ‘Thor’
• Thor Loves Natalie Portman!
• Thor: Idris Elba Joins Cast & First Set Report
• Stellan Skarsgård Joins Thor

This week:

First there’s The Proposal and then there’s The Hangover; Moneyball gets thrown a curve-ball; Scream 4 isn’t Neve Campbell’s favorite scary movie; it looks like The A-Team won’t be Common and there’s an up and coming Red Dawn.

Box Office

Sandra Bullock scored the biggest opening of her career with The Proposal. The romantic comedy which co-stars Ryan Reynolds grossed $34 million over the weekend.

The Hangover remained a popular choice and moved into the runner-up spot with a weekend take of $26 million. With $152 million in the bank after three weeks, it looks like this is going to be a hugely profitable film and franchise for Warner Bros.

Up took in another $21 million from Friday to Monday giving the Pixar film a mighty $224 million tally.

Jack Black’s Year One opened a disappointing third this weekend with a gross of $20 million. It’ll need good legs to see a decent profit.

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 stole $11 million from audiences over the weekend giving the Denzel Washington/ John Travolta thriller a total gross of $43 million.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian took in another $7 million giving the Ben Stiller comedy a stellar $155 million.

The interstellar Star Trek took just under $5 million to give the film a $239 million total tally.

Land of the Lost’s total now stands at $43 million after taking almost $4 million over the weekend. Not a good total for a film that cost a reported $150 million.

Eddie Murphy’s Imagine That dropped 43% from last weekend to $3 million. The film now has a terrible total of $11 million.

Terminator Salvation rounds out the top ten with $3 million. The Christian Bale film now has a total of $119 million.

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Movie News

1. Columbia Pictures has scrapped production of the Steven Soderbergh directed, Brad Pitt starring, Moneyball – even though the film was due to start shooting on Monday!

Apparently when Steve Zaillian handed in the latest draft last week it wasn’t what studio head Amy Pascal had expected and she got cold feet on the film due to the $50 million budget. The sports drama has now been put into turnaround in the hope that another studio decides to make it.

According to Variety

“Moneyball is based on the bestselling Michael Lewis book about Billy Beane (Pitt), the former phenom who undermined his playing career by taking a big paycheck before he was ready, who resurfaced as Oakland A’s general manager who found success fielding competitive teams for low cost, compared to the payrolls of league rivals like the New York Yankees.”

Source: Variety

2. It’s looking like Scream 4 will not star Neve Campbell.

Franchise creator Kevin Williamson twittered:

“Trying to figure out a Sid-less scenario. She won’t do it. This sucks.”

David Arquette and Courtney are in negotiations to return.

There’s still no news on whether Wes Craven will return to direct.

Source: Ace Showbiz

3. Common was mooted as a possible candidate to play B.A Baracas in the big screen version of The A-Team. Looks like they’ll have to find another actor to step into Mr. T’s shoes.

The actor-rapper has signed on to the Queen Latifah sports film Just Wright.

Considering that the film starts shooting in July, it looks like he’ll be unable to join Liam Nesson and Bradley Cooper in Joe Carnahan’s film.

Source: Variety

4. Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck and Adrianne Palicki have joined the cast of MGM/UA’s Red Dawn remake. The new version is rumored to feature an invasion of Chinese troops on U.S. soil, instead of Russians.

Dan Bradley will direct the film that is set to open on September 24, 2010

Source: Hitfix

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

• Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: September 27, 2009
• Movie News Wrap Up – July 27, 2009
• Movie News Wrap Up: May 8, 2009
• Bradley Cooper Recruited Into The A-Team?
• Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: June 28, 2009
• Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: February 22, 2009

[UPDATE: Check the bottom of the post for some breaking news on this!]

MGM’s upcoming remake of Red Dawn has snagged two new cast members: Actor Josh Peck (The Wackness) and TV actress Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights) have been added to the “Wolverines” team, alongside the recently announced Chris Hemsworth (Thor), who will be playing the character of Jed, portrayed by Patrick Swayze in the original.

In other Red Dawn news: Latino Review is reporting that the film’s script has undergone a rewrite by none other than “Mr. Tension & Drama” himself, Tony Gilroy!

According to Latino Review, Gilroy turned in a 107-page rewrite of the Red Dawn script to MGM that was dated 6-1-09. The original script draft (which Latino Review had a chance to review here) was penned by scribes Carl Ellsworth and Jeremy Passmore. Guess the studio felt it wasn’t up to snuff.

Tony Giroy, on the other hand, has written some of the best action/drama/thrillers of the last ten years: All three Bourne films; the Oscar-nominated Michael Clayton (which Gilroy also directed); and, more recently, the wonderfully underrated State of Play. If Gilroy is indeed the final pen on the Red Dawn script, then this remake has successfully punctured my skepticism to become a promising contender.

UPDATE: According to Ain’t It Cool News, Carl Ellsworth was actually brought BACK in by MGM to rework Tony Gilroy’s reworking of Ellsworth and Jeremy Passmore’s original script. This currently places the script for Red Dawn at…who knows by now?

Red Dawn is scheduled to start filming this Fall, aiming for a September 24, 2010 release date.

Source: Latino Review via Collider

Update Source: Ain’t It Cool News

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The “reboot” rumors and news have been flowing out of Hollywood recently faster than people leaving the Florida Keys before a hurricane. Some I’m not too keen on: Cliffhanger, Hellraiser, and Nightmare on Elm Street; others I’m looking forward to: Red Dawn, Fantastic Four, and Predator.

One particular reboot, Red Dawn, is now that much closer to becoming a reality since picking a lead actor. According Kellvin Chavez at Latino Review, Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek, Thor), has landed the role of lead Wolverine Jed Eckert in the upcoming MGM movie, helmed by Dan Bradley and written by Carl Ellsworth (The Last House on the Left).

Hemsworth was on screen for all of twelve minutes in the new Star Trek film and the consensus is he did a great job as George Kirk. Last week Screen Rant reported Hemsworth had also snagged the role of Thor in the upcoming Marvel comic movie.

Patrick Swayze played Jed Eckert in the original 1984 Red Dawn and I think Hemsworth has some big shoes to fill. In his prime (and until he got hurt), Swayze was THE man in Hollywood. He has recently seen some success on the A&E show The Beast.

Like Swayze once was, Hemsworth is quickly becoming a “hot” commodity in Hollywood. He has upcoming roles in Joss Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods, David Twohy’s A Perfect Getaway and Stephen Milburn Anderson’s Ca$h; all of which are scheduled for release next year.

Ellsworth has not hinted what direction the story will take, but because the first Red Dawn had Russians invading during the Cold War, I’m thinking the Red Dawn remake will now focus more on Islamic extremists invading America. That is pure speculation on my part, but it would make sense to follow current political and world trends like the original did. I’m not sure how they will tie rural America and Islamic extremists together but I liked what Ellsworth did with Red Eye and Disturbia, so I have faith that he will deliver a decent story.

The original Wolverines from 1984’s Red Dawn.

The only thing that raises my eyebrows so far is the choice of Dan Bradley as director. To date Bradley’s only credits are as a stunt director on action films including The Bourne Ultimatum, Spiderman 3, and Crank. I fear, that for his first film, he may focus too heavily on his comfort zone and the stunts will be over-the-top and enjoyable to watch, but the story will get lost in all the mayhem (a la Michael Bay). I could be and have been wrong before (so my wife tells me often), so it could turn out that Bradley delivers a great movie.

Quick trivia: Red Dawn was listed as the most violent movie ever in the 2007 Guinness World Book of Records.

Red Dawn comes to theaters September 24, 2010.

Am I the only person looking forward to this reboot or will anybody else join me with their fist in the air and scream “WOLVERINES!!!”?

Source: Latino Review

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The lion is hungry and it seems to be roaring again as projects like The Cabin in the Woods and a Red Dawn remake are on Mary Parent’s clip board.

Mary Parent is getting right on track in MGM these days since she was named the chair of their Worldwide Motion Picture Group back in March.

One item that she’s given the green light to on her clipboard is the project called The Cabin in the Woods.

The Cabin in the Woods is brought to us by none other than Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard. In the past these two, as a team, have brought us such successes as the ill-fated Serenity, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the Buffy spinoff Angel. Drew Goddard has some other credits to his name as writer and co-producer of Alias and wrote some other little known flick by some guy, called Cloverfield and co-produces ABC’s Lost.

But “Cabin” will be Goddard’s directorial debut. I am short on storyline details and not because I’m lazy, but for some reason they’re being tight lipped about it. Suffice it to say that Mary Parent has been quoted to saying, “It’s a visceral thrill ride and I’ll leave it at that.” No. I won’t leave it at that. I will hover and hound until I have details, and THEN I will leave it at that!

With Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods set to go, Parent is also looking to push MGM in the direction of other remakes and sequels. One such remake is Red Dawn!

They’ve hired screenwriter Carl Ellsworth, with Dan Bradley directing.

Ellsworth’s writing credits inlcude Disturbia & Red Eye while Bradley’s recent experience was 2nd unit director and stunt coordinator for The Bourne Ultimatum, Spider-Man 3 and the upcoming Quantum of Solace. I guess Ellsworth is an action kind of guy.

In the event you aren’t as ancient as I am, Red Dawn was a 1980’s movie where Soviet forces invade the U.S. and a mid-western pack of teenagers pull it together to first defend their town, then go on to lead the defense of their country with the battle cry of “Go Wolverines!” (School team name) It starred Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen, Darren Dalton and Jennifer Grey. I remember liking the movie a lot back then and the few times I’ve seen it on TV since.

With the above projects gaining momentum, I would be remiss if I did not mention or remind of you MGM’s other projects: Fame, The Thomas Crown Affair 2, The Zookeeper and RoboCop. Mary Parent just didn’t take over, she lit the fire under someone’s *** and is launching their company into the front lines of movie making and headlines!

An Interesting Side Note About Parent and Whedon:

No, not “that” kind of side note! MGM might be backing Joss Whedon a little bit more than it used to.

Before coming to MGM, Mary Parent was pretty successful for Universal. She has also been called a “Whedon Stalker”. She was the executive force behind Serenity and she convinced Universal to purchase Whedon’s project called Goners. For those who have been hovering about following the development of Goners, the hope for the show may actually be, well, gone with Parent leaving Universal.

Whedon never really let on what Goners was about, but it was rumored to be like Buffy, but more horrific. Oh well. That would have been cool.

Source: Hollywood Reporter, whedon.info,
Image background source: mgmlicensing.com

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