Today's film news: 'Hurt Locker' wins award, James Marsden boards 'I Hop,' 'Apes' reboot a go?

James Marsden gets ready to 'Hop'

James Marsden ("The Box") will join Russell Brand in Tim Hill's upcoming comedy "I Hop," a mix of live-action and CGI about a guy (Marsden) who injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Brand) and must care for him until he's all fit again. To tell you the truth, I know this one's going to suck big time. (THR)

'Hurt Locker' picks up major award

Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" didn't win at the Globes, but the war drama scored the Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures at the 21st annual PGA Awards this past weekend. Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro are sharing the prize! (PGA)

'Fourth Kind' director to helm thriller

Olatunde Osunsanmi, who last directed the disappointing "The Fourth Kind," will next helm "The Commuter," a thriller focusing on a man's deadly commute from work in NYC. Byron Willinger and Philip De Blasi wrote the script for the film developed by Gold Circle Films (Variety)

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'Death at a Funeral' remake trailer is kinda funny

I still have not seen Frank Oz's 2007 hit comedy "Death at a Funeral," but the remake is already heading towards a release. It will open April 16, 2010, and first trailer has now shown up online!

Much like the original, this new version follows a family stumbling across all sorts of weird secrets during a funeral ceremony that quickly turns into a disaster. Neil LaBute directed a script by Dean Craig.

The cast includes some big names: Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Danny Glover, Regina Hall, Columbus Short, Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Luke Wilson, James Marsden, Peter Dinklage and Loretta Devine.

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Movie Review: “The Box”

Seen on: November 7, 2009

The players: Director: Richard Kelly, Writer: Richard Kelly, Cast: Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella, James Rebhorn, Holmes Osborne

Facts of interest: Based on the story "Button, Button" by Richard Matheson.

The plot: A couple in financial trouble receive a mysterious box and must make an important decision that will change everything.

Our thoughts: Richard Kelly’s latest big-screen experiment “The Box” is a creepy, chaotic, yet highly entertaining supernatural thriller that caught my attention right away and then refused to let go of me until the very end. Not for a second there did I try to resist, because I totally enjoyed the twisted world the film pulled me into.

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Trailer for Richard Kelly's 'The Box' arrives

As a Richard Kelly fan, I'm quite excited about his upcoming thriller "The Box," which stars Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and Frank Langella, and which opens in theaters Oct. 30, 2009.

A first trailer for the film has just debuted online, and you can check it out below. The footage hasn't quite won me over yet, but I admit I am somewhat intrigued to find out what really goes down in the thriller.

In the film, Norma and Arthur Lewis (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden), a suburban couple with a young child, receive a simple wooden box as a gift, which bears fatal and irrevocable consequences. A mysterious stranger delivers the message that the box promises to bestow upon its owner $1 million with the press of a button.

Intrigued as well? Then check out the trailer and share your thoughts. Kelly also directed "Donnie Darko" and "Southland Tales," two flicks I really enjoyed.

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Daily news dose: Elizabeth Banks is 'Forever 21;' Schwarzenegger to show up in 'Salvation'

Here's your daily dose of film news for April 22, 2009:

• Elizabeth Banks will star in and produce DreamWorks' comedy "Forever 21," according to the Hollywood Reporter. Mike Culbert and Mike Pellettieri wrote the script, but plot details are strictly kept under wraps for now. Banks recently starred in the terrible horror flick "The Uninvited" and the hilarious comedy "Role Models."

• "High School Musical" sweetheart Vanessa Hudgens will play the lead role in CBS Films' "Beastly," a reimagining of "Beauty and the Beast." Daniel Barnz, the guy behind "Phoebe in Wonderland," wrote the script and will direct the project, according to Variety. Hudgens will also star in Zack Snyder's upcoming "Sucker Punch."

• As you may have already heard, Arnold Schwarzenegger will show up in McG's upcoming "Terminator Salvation." He's just not going to stand in front of a camera. In fact, Arnie will be digitally added to the film, which will hit May 21, 2009. Schwarzenegger said he's too busy to participate in the project in any other capacity. (Variety)

• James Marsden is set to star in Rod Lurie's reimagining of "Straw Dogs," according to the Hollywood Reporter. The film will focus on a screenwriter whose relationship with his wife starts to change for the worse after they move to her hometown in the South. Marsden recently starred in "Sex Drive."

Here's the poster for Kelly's 'The Box'

Richard Kelly just posted a one-sheet for his upcoming thriller "The Box" at MySpace, and you can check it out after the jump. While I'm excited about the movie (I'm a Kelly fan, and YES, I loved "Southland Tales"), I can't say I'm loving this poster all too much.

Norma and Arthur Lewis (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden), a suburban couple with a young child, receive a simple wooden box as a gift, which bears fatal and irrevocable consequences. A mysterious stranger, delivers the message that the box promises to bestow upon its owner $1 million with the press of a button.

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'Sex Drive' web reviews

It's not the most original premise: a loser meets a babe online, poses as a cool guy, and decides to meet her in person although he doesn't know how to tell her the truth. Welcome to Sean Anders' comedy "Sex Drive," starring Josh Zuckerman, James Marsden, Seth Green, and others. I will post my review later on, but for now, let's check in with the Web's movie reviewers:

• Jimmy O at Joblo: "Sex Drive is not a bad movie, but it is a major case of déjà vu that just didn’t inspire guffaws."

• At Cinema Blend, Katey Rich: "So while 'Sex Drive' isn't original, creative or consistent, it's a step or two above average, and the pleasure lies in being surprised when the movie overcomes its own limits."

• Cinematical's William Goss: "And you'll know when Sex Drive gets into inevitable conflict territory, and not just because you've likely seen dozens of other similar and superior movies."

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