Sci-Fi Storm

The official web site for Fox Searchlight’s new zombie thriller from the makers of Trainspotting is up, and they have trailers (Large, Medium, and Small), and even the first six minutes of the movie (Large and Small). After a raid on a research facility by activists, a virus is unleashed in Britain that within seconds sends the infected into a murderous rage. Special previews are on Friday the 13th, with a limited release on June 27th and wider release in the following weeks.

FilmJerk is reporting that the original Alien will be re-released this Halloween into theaters with a remastered soundtrack and additional footage left on the cutting room floor.

Marilyn Manson rumors aside, Warner Brothers is serious about producing a new version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Roald Dahl story that became Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in 1971 starring Gene Wilder. Apparently Dahl never liked that version, and WB wants Tim Burton to helm the new version. Burton certainly could bring out the darker aspects of the original story – maybe Manson is available?

The Z Review is reporting (we’ll call it a rumor for now) that Warner Bros. is in talks for the part of the evil Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and the person they are in talks with is Mr. Bean and Blackadder star Rowan Atkinson. I’m really not sure if I can picture this – I can’t recall him ever being in a serious role…

There has been a lot of speculation and random quotes thrown around regarding the possibility for another sequel to the X-Men franchise (or course there will be…) Notable of late is Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) who would love to be in another (but would probably command a high price), director Bryan Singer, who feels “great affection” for the franchise and would “want to be involved” but it “depends on the circumstances”, and Halle Berry (Storm), who probably won’t be involved but it could depend “on the evolution of her character” according to Singer. Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (Mystique), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) and Daniel Cudmore (Colossus) are apparently already locked in.

Some people just want something, even if it is lame. Security has been stepped up on the sets of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabhan after thieves stole and vandalized polystyrene pumpkins and plaster rocks. Come on, how much is a fake rock going to fetch on eBay? More local, one-sheet posters featuring X2 have been snatched from bus stops in 15 cities – including from in front of Fox Studios in Los Angeles.

It’s not due out for a couple more weeks, but X2 is already setting the bar. It seems that it is set to have the biggest debut day in history, opening simultaneously in 80 countries on May 15th. Attack of the Clones managed a paltry 74 countries.

Update: ARGH. It’s May 2nd, this Friday. I must have Matrix on my mind…

Want to see a 60-foot tall Trinity kickin’ some butt? Well, it appears that both The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions will be released to IMAX theaters. The first will probably hit a couple of weeks after it hits normal (“mundane”? 🙂 theaters on May 15th, whereas the second will hit the big-big screen at the same time as general release on November 5th.

According to this article on BBC Online, not only has preliminary work on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire begun, but its believed that it could just be too long to make one movie – so they may break it into two. Producer David Heyman said “We started work on the script last Monday. We’re going to shoot it as one and see how it ends up. If it’s too long then we’ll make it into two.”

Some cast news hitting the wires: Rachael Weisz, who played Egyptologist Eve Carnahan from the first two Mummy movies, has done an about face from her statements following The Mummy Returns and says she is interested in doing the third film if it goes ahead. Also, Seth Green has joined the cast of the Scooby-Doo sequel that starts filming on the 14th, playing a “key role”. More “interesting casting” announcements are expected.