Robert Schwentke could direct 'R.I.P.D.'

Robert Schwentke is a busy guy these days, and he's now in talks to direct "R.I.P.D.," the big-screen adaptation of Dark Horse's graphic novel. Ryan Reynolds stars, and Universal is developing the flick.

As 24 Frames reports, McG was initially attached to the project, but when he left it, "R.I.P.D." stalled. Now Schwentke may just be the one bringing it back to life. He's got "Red" with Bruce Willis coming soon.

"R.I.P.D." is a dark story about dead cops keeping things in order in the underworld. Robert Schwentke also helmed the crappy adaptation of "The Time Traveler's Wife" and the better thriller "Flightplan."

Tony Scott to direct Mark Millar's 'Nemesis'

Tony Scott has landed a new directing gig: the big-screen adaptation of Mark Millar and Steve McNiven's graphic novel "Nemesis," which Scott Free will produce. Millar is the man behind "Kick-Ass" and "Wanted."

On speaking with Scott on the phone, a very enthusiastic Millar wrote this on his online forum. "He was buzzing about it, describing Steve as the best comic book artist he's seen in over twenty years."

"We talked casting, we talked budget and we talked with Fox about making this into a major franchise, something they're really going to invest their time and energy into," he also wrote on his page.

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Disney acquires Joseph Kosinski's 'Oblivion'

Walt Disney has scored the rights to the big-screen adaptation of Joseph Kosinski's Radical Publishing graphic novel "Oblivion." Radical announced Kosinski will direct the project. Barry Levine will produce.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Joe Kosinski on 'Oblivion,'” Levine said. “Joe is one of the most creative forces in filmmaking today." Levineis president of Radical Pictures. Kosinski also directed "Tron: Legacy."

"Oblivion" goes like this: In a future where the Earth’s surface has been irradiated beyond recognition, the remnants of humanity live above the clouds, safe from the brutal alien Scavengers that stalk the ruins.

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Watch Bruce Willis in awesome 'Red' trailer

The first trailer for Robert Schwentke's upcoming action comedy "Red" has debuted online via Yahoo! Movies, and I urge you to check it out after the jump. In brief, this thing just looks incredibly cool!

"Red" is based on the DC Comics graphic novel of the same name by Warren Ellis, and it boasts a fantastic cast: Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Mary-Louise Parker & John Malkovich.

The flick tells the story of Frank Moses (Willis), a former black-ops CIA agent who is now living a quiet life.  That is, until the day a hi-tech assassin shows up intent on killing him. 

With his identity compromised and the life of the woman he cares for, Sarah (Parker), endangered, Frank reassembles his old team (Freeman, Malkovich and Mirren) in a last ditch effort to survive.

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Len Wiseman to direct 'Shrapnel' adaptation

Here's how the story goes: Len Wiseman strolled around some comic book stores with his kid, he stumbled across a graphic novel titled "Shrapnel," and soon after, he had his agent pursue the big-screen rights.

It's funny how some things fall into place so fast, isn't it? According to the Hollywood Reporter, Wiseman is set to direct the adaptation of "Shrapnel" for Radical Pictures.

The story is set in the future, when humans have taken over the solar system and are working hard to govern the planets. Things don't go according to plan on Venus, where a rebellious spirit reigns and a former Marine instructs the colonists how to fight back.

Okay, this could be an interesting story. Wiseman last directed "Live Free or Die Hard," and his credits also include the first two "Underworld" flicks. He's also got "Motorcade," "Gears of War" and "Atlantis Rising" coming up in the near future. And just in case you somehow missed it, he's the lucky dude who married Kate Beckinsale.

'Watchmen' delivers $25.1M at Friday box office

Many people out there are watching "Watchmen," because Zack Snyder's adaptation of the graphic novel scored $25.1 million Friday at the North American box office.

Then again, that's about $3 million less than the opening Friday gross of Snyder's previous flick "300," which opened Match 9, 2007 at 3,103 locations. In comparison, "Watchmen" debuted at 3,611 locations.

At No. 2, Tyler Perry's "Mades Goes to Jail" brought in $2.5 million, lifting its domestic total to $70.2 million. Following in third place was "Taken," which reached a cumulative gross of $112.9 million after Friday's earnings of $2.3 million.

Meanwhile, Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" earned another $1.9 million, bringing its total to $120.4 million. The Ken Kwapis-directed comedy "He's Just Not That Into You" finished fifth with a daily gross of $1.3 million and a total haul of $81.9 million.

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)

Midnight screenings give 'Watchmen' $4.5M

Zack Snyder's "Watchmen" is off to a fabulous start at the box office, scoring $4.5 million from a bunch of midnight screenings early Friday.

Box Office Mojo reports the anticipated big-screen version of the celebrated graphic novel played at 1,595 locations, offering plenty of fans a preview of what could turn into a great weekend for the film.

"Watchmen" opened in 3,611 theaters Friday, the largest release ever for an R-rated flick. It's playing on approximately 7,500 screens.

Snyder's film scored plenty of mixed reviews across the Web, but it's safe to say it will perform great at the box office this weekend and probably the next (Read some reviews here).

The film stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson.

Have you seen "Watchmen" already? What did you think? Worth the wait, or nothing special?

Four great 'Watchmen' clips surface on web

We're only a couple of weeks away from the anticipated March 6 release date of Zack Snyder's "Watchmen," and the first clips from the film are starting to debut online.

And wow! The four videos you can check out below are a solid start, offering us a bunch of intense scenes with enough drama and action.

The official synopsis goes as follows:

In an alternate 1985 America, costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the "Doomsday Clock" - which charts the USA's tension with the Soviet Union - is permanently set at five minutes to midnight.

When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes.

"Watchmen" stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson. Enjoy the cool clips below.

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Brett Ratner to direct 'Youngblood' adaptation

Brett Ratner is set to direct the big-screen adaptation of Rob Liefeld's graphic novel "Youngblood" for Reliance Big Entertainment.

Variety reports Reliance will develop the project with Ratner's Rat Entertainment and Julia Roberts' Red Om Films.

The story follows a team of superheroes sanctioned and overseen by the U.S. government.

In an interview with the trade, Ratner said "Youngblood" is one of only a few great graphic novels with "tentpole potential."

Ratner most recently directed "Rush Hour 3." He has several projects coming up, including "New York, I Love You," "God of War" and "Beverly Hills Cop 4."

In related news, Reliance has also acquired the rights to "Fly Wires," a French graphic novel Sylvain may direct. The project will be renamed "Infinity."

Six new but weird 'The Spirit' clips debut

Frank Miller's "The Spirit" opens this Thursday, and if you feel you just can't wait to see the movie, here are seven new clips that recently popped up over at Yahoo!

Based on the graphic novels by Will Eisner, the movie centers on rookie cop Denny Colt (Gabriel Macht), who returns from the dead to battle crime in Central City. Samuel L. Jackson plays The Octopus, one of his enemies.

Also starring are Eva Mendes, Scarlett Johansson, Jaime King and Sarah Paulson. Now, I don't know about you, but most of these clips just seem pretty weird to me.

Sure, while the visual style still looks attractive enough, I just can't get over how ridiculous the dialogue sounds. It all seems too rehearsed, almost laughable, and I'm not quite sure if Miller intentionally wanted it to comes across this way.

Anyway, check them out below and let me know what you think. I hope the movie as a whole is better than this.

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