Werner Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans starring Nicolas Cage and Val Kilmer opens next month and I got the chance to speak to actress/model/producer Katie Chonacas about the film and her career.

During the course of the interview, Chonacas informed us that John Carpenter’s planned Nicolas Cage film Riot is dead and she also gave us some news of the new Forrest Whitaker and 50 Cent film version of Jekyll and Hyde.

Check out the interview after the jump.

You seen to have a very busy schedule that juggles everything from modeling and singing to acting and film producing. How do you manage it?

It’s been quite an experience. The biggest roller coaster ride I have ever been on! I manage by always having a positive attitude, I have a good team and surround myself with people who I admire. My whole life I’ve dreamt about abundance, success, joy, and gratitude, and am lucky to be finding it.

How did you get started in modeling?

My first modeling job was standing as a mannequin in the window of a Jacobson’s department store. I would wear their designer clothes that were popular during that particular season, it was fun! One of the first things I did to get further in my modeling career was grab the yellow pages and look for modeling agencies in Michigan- a lot of them wanted me to pay for their services… but I found two, The Talent Shop and The I Group that were agencies that I knew I needed to be involved with.

You also sing – and have toured with 50 Cent. That must have been pretty crazy, was it?

Yes, it was pretty wild. 50 and his whole camp are really sweet, great guys.

Was it difficult making the transition from model to actress?

Not at all, it was meant to be!

You star in Werner Herzog’s “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans,” is the iconic director as eccentric as he appears?

His obvious intelligence is captivating. I look up to him and admire the moments we were able to spend together creating.

Herzog personally called you on the phone offering a role in the film. What was that like?

When the phone call came in I was floored. I felt as if I were a classic movie star that night, like Joan Crawford. It was an honor, a blessing, and so exciting!

The film is a loose remake of the Harvey Keitel-starring original. What are the differences and similarities of the two films?

The new film is by no means a sequel; Herzog’s film is a re-envisioning Ferrara’s Bad Lieutenant in a whole new cultural milieu. They are as different as the directors who made the films. Ferrara’s version is raunchy and dirty, representative of New York City in the early 90’s. Herzog’s film is more existential and absurd; the humor is off the wall as Cage’s character spirals deeper into self-created hell. I loved watching Cage’s descent, watching Keitel’s performance was so disturbing at times you can feel the urge to shield your eyes. Herzog and Cage have said the improvisational, Jazzy soul of New Orleans stands at the core of the new film. The two films stand as completely unique and powerful films.

What can you say about the development of “Riot?” Are John Carpenter and Nicolas Cage still attached?

I don’t think the film “Riot” is happening anymore, it was part of a two picture deal however Nic Cage has the option to replace “Riot” with another film.

Forest Whitaker and 50 Cent are a bizarre yet brilliant pairing for Jekyll and Hyde - how did that come about?

A producer friend of mine gave me the materials and Forest was already attached to the project. My friend was entertaining the idea that 50 would be a good match as his son. I was interested, read the material, loved it, so I gave it to Randall Emmett (who I was working with at the time) and he loved it as well, so Curtis Jackson a.k.a 50 Cent read it and gave it a green light. After many calls, we finally found a time for Curtis to meet with the writer/director of the film and Bonnie Timmerman in New York City. They all got along really great, and that is how it all started.

Have you any other acting roles in the pipeline?

I am up for some projects, I will find out in a few days if I am going to be going to New Zealand for a television project. I also just received a script for a film that will take place in Capetown, South Africa, so that could be a possibility as well.

You’ve tackled a lot of diverse jobs, what’s next – directing?

Next I will be launching a jewelry line, I am really excited about it! I have a new partner as well, so hopefully we will be able to work on lots of projects in 2010.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans opens November 20.

• New Official Trailer For Werner Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant
• TIFF Report: Nicolas Cage in Bad Lieutenant
• Carpenter and Cage’s ‘Riot’ Not Happening
• Poster Friday: Toy Story 3, Saw VI, A Christmas Carol & Many More!
• Nicolas Cage Explains Green Hornet Decision
• The Expendables: 50 Cent Is Out, Terry Crews Is In

Last year we brought you news that legendary director John Carpenter and king of crazy haircuts Nicolas Cage were teaming up to make the prison action film Riot (which was also known as Scared Straight).

I recently interviewed the producer of the film Katie Chonacas who gave me the disappointing news that it looks like the film is dead.

The original synopsis of the film was as follows:

“‘Straight’ follows a troubled youth who’s sent to prison off the ‘Scared Straight’ crime-prevention program, which imprisons delinquent teens for a short period in the hopes of deterring them from a life of crime. While the teen is there, a riot breaks out and the prisoners take him hostage. A lifer, played by Cage, is forced to help the young man out.”

When I asked Chonacas what the progress of the film was she said:

“I don’t think the film “Riot” is happening anymore, it was part of a two-picture deal however Nic Cage has the option to replace “Riot” with another film.”

I feel that this is a shame. Carpenter has been AWOL from our screens since directing 2001’s Ghosts of Mars (although he did helm a couple of episodes of TV’s Masters of Horrors) and it would have been good to see him back in Assault on Precinct 13 territory. Having said that, Chonacas doesn’t say that Carpenter has dropped out – with a bit of luck Kurt Russell will sign on and we’ll see another great Carpenter and Russell team-up.

Come on, a guy can dream!

Carpenter currently directing The Ward starring Amber Heard, which should open next year.

Look for the interview with Katie Chonacas soon on Screen Rant.

Source: Screen Rant

• Interview: Katie Chonacas on Bad Lieutenant & More!
• First Footage of John Carpenter’s ‘The Ward’
• Rumor Patrol: Katie Holmes In Mission: Impossible IV?
• Disney Halts ‘20,000 Leagues,’ McG Off The Project
• Singer Jay Chou is Green Hornet’s New Kato
• SAG and AMPTP Have Reached A Deal

Yep, it really is that time of the week again.

This week:

Harrison Ford talks Indy 5; we check out Johnny Depp in Alice In Wonderland; Jonah Hex is in trouble; John Carpenter is a Prince; and The X-Files’ Frank Spotnitz plans 2012.

1. Harrison Ford has discussed Indiana Jones 5 with MTV and It looks like the film is moving ahead – albeit slowly.

Ford had the following chin-wag with MTV:

MTV: Is a fifth Indiana Jones film inevitable?

Ford: I don’t know. If we come up with a good idea…

MTV: Is the ball in George’s court at this point?

Ford: It is. That’s the process. With some general input he goes off and searches for the MacGuffin and then stumbles into a story. And at some point we have a chance to take a look at and give some input.

MTV: And he hasn’t found the MacGuffin yet?

Ford: No, we’re still in the primary stages.

MTV: The end of the last film leaves your character in a very intriguing position. He has a wife and a kid. Can he still be that man of adventure with those commitments?

Ford: And he’s seen something. Remember those are the only witness to what he’s seen. That’s kind of interesting.

It looks like we may just see Indiana Jones one last time.

I must say that I watched Kingdom of the Crystal Skull again on DVD and it was far better on that second viewing. The CGI moments that irked me originally hardly annoyed be on the second go around.

Source: MTV

2. Like Johnny Depp? Wanna see what he might look like in Tim Burton’s forthcoming adaptation of Alice in Wonderland (maybe, this is most likely a fake)?

He looks like Johnny Depp in a Tim Burton movie. Like we’ve never seen that before.

Source: Just Jared

3. It looked like Josh Brolin was all set to star in the film version of Jonah Hex. However, it now looks like there is No Movie For Old Men as Mark Nelvedine and Brian Taylor have left the directors chair(s) for the film. The oft cited creative differences have been mentioned as the reason.

A Spring start is a certainty as the studio want to keep “the hot” Brolin on board. I mean hot as in hot property. Not…you know…hot, hot. However, I’m sure a few female Screen Ranters would disagree.

Source: Variety

4. John Carpenter seems to be trying to match Ridley Scott as a direcor with a bucket-load of films attached to his name. We already know about Riot (aka Scared Straight) with Nic Cage, but now CHUD has some news on a new gangster  called The Prince.

According to the films co-writer Jeremy Passmore:

“We [Passmore and co-writer Andre Fabrizio] were trying to do Unforgiven as a gangster movie, because we’re both just huge fans of that.

It’s a bit of a departure. It’s definitely more of a very character based crime movie. I don’t know what’s going on with it right now, but the premise is that this guy was the most [badass] gangster of all time in Las Vegas, and he’s left the life and created this whole new world. His wife died but he’s raising his kid. He’s living in the middle of nowhere and he’s this very religious, trying to live a straight life guy. His daughter is now going to school at UCLA and she disappears, and he goes looking for her. The trail leads to Vegas and he has to go get her, and the entire city kind of comes down on top of him.”

Sounds odd for Carpenter, but don’t forget that his cinematic hero was Howard Hawks – master of all genres and director of the original Scarface.

Source: CHUD

5. X-Files fans – there is more news out there on a third film in the franchise.

Producer/ Writer of the recent I Want To Believe Fran Spotnitz has stated (again) that a new film depends on the DVD sales of the film.

He has also hinted that the film will focus on the 2012 invasion story hinted during the series.

Spotnitz said:

“As you know the date of December 2012 is an important one in The X-Files, and I’d like to focus on that.”

It’s interesting, but I’d have loved to have seen a series of stand-alone X-Files movies that offer a good batch of thrills to adults and not kids.

However, having said that – “never look a gift horse in the mouth”.

Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

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

• First Look at Josh Brolin as Jonah Hex
• Alice In Wonderland Official Site Plus Script Review
• First Look: Tim Burton’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’
• Tim Burton To Premiere ‘Wonderland’ At Comic-Con
• Tim Burton Unveils ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Footage & Surprise Guest!
• Deeper Look Inside Tim Burton’s ‘Wonderland’

It’s Sunday so that can only mean one thing – The Weekend Movie News Wrap Up!

This week:

John Landis robs with graves with Burke and Hare; Spielberg and Will Smith eye Oldboy; Tom Hanks doesn’t take The Road To Purgatory; we can expect another 30 Days of Night and Carpenter and Cage think that it’s a Riot that they are no longer Scared Straight. Also there is the usual Box Office break down.

Box Office

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa ruled the weekend with an estimated $60 million, beating its predecessor which managed to make $47 million back in 2005. Man, family movies are making so much money these days (like when have they never?).

The runner-up spot goes to Role Models starring Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd. The film was predicted to gross around $11 million over the weekend, but instead it should make somewhere between $17-19 million. Kevin Smith must be very angry! Speaking of Kevin Smith Zach and Miri Make A Porno banked another $6.5 million for a $20 million total.

Meanwhile the Zac Efron starring High School Musical 3: Senior Year managed to gross another $9 million bringing its total to $75 million. It looks like $100 million is definitely in range. Clint Eastwood’s Changeling should manage another $7-8 million, while Soul Men starring Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac tanked with a $6 million weekend. It looks like people are getting tired of seeing Jackson on the big screen. If the man likes working so much then I’m sure that there’s a TV series he could do.

Quantum of Solace now has a worldwide tally of $130 million after one week. The film is beating the opening of Casino Royale in most countries and although the reviews might not be as positive as Royale (except yours truly) the shorter running time should help the final gross be equal to if not better that film.  Quantum of Solace opens in the US next weekend.

Movie News

1. Director John Landis will return to the big screen with Burke and Hare. The master of horror will direct the black comedy about the legendary grave robbers. The film should begin shooting this spring in Edinburgh, London and at Ealing Studios.

This material sounds perfect for Landis who helmed such goulish classics and An American Werewolf in London and …er… The Stupids.

Source: Variety

2. Steven Spielberg and Will Smith are “in early discussions” to direct and star in a remake of hit Korean film Oldboy.

According to Variety :

“In the 2003 Korean original, a man gets kidnapped and held in a shabby cell for 15 years without explanation. Suddenly, he’s released and given money, a cell phone and clothes and is set on a path to discover who destroyed his life so he can take revenge.”

The original is a pretty cool little film, with a very un-hollywood ending so it’ll be interesting to see if the “Kings of Sentimentality and Commercialism” will make any changes.

Source: Variety

3. A sequel is in the works to the 2002 Tom Hanks film Road to Perdition. The film was based on a graphic novel by Max Allan Collins, and the story was continued in two sequel books; The Road to Paradise and The Road to Purgatory.

Collins will adapt and direct The Road to Purgatory, which  according to Variety:

“will follow the character of Michael Sullivan Jr. — the son in “Perdition” — as he returns home from WWII and vows to avenge the murder of his father. He is ultimately led to Frank Nitti, whom he is urged to kill on the orders of Al Capone.”

The $20 million budgeted film will be independently produced as DreamWorks and Paramount passed on a sequel to the $100 million grossing film that also starred Paul Newman and Daniel Craig.

Hanks will not return.

Source: Variety

4. Another non superhero based comic book sequel is in the works. Vampire flick 30 Days of Night is getting a follow-up. The original starred Josh Hartnett as sheriff of an Alskan town which is descended upon by vampires.

Will Hartnett return? Maybe, the guy needs a hit.

Source: Shock Till You Drop

5. Back in August we told you about Scared Straight – the team-up of John Carpenter and Nicolas Cage. Well, the film has a new title, the less comical Riot and a new teaser poster.

Not a whole lot – but at least this film is moving ahead.

More when we get it.

Source: Coming Soon

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

• ‘Oldboy’ Remake Status: Sadly Back On Track
• Steven Spielberg & Will Smith ‘Oldboy’ Remake Dead!
• ‘30 Days Of Night’ Sequel Going Straight-To-DVD?
• Fox Stalling Independence Day Sequel
• Movie News Wrap Up: March 30, 2009
• Spielberg to Remake ‘Harvey’