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Thursday

08Oct2009

Gary Ross to write and direct 'Venom'

Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 12:41AM | By

Gary Ross is working out a deal with Columbia to rewrite and possibly direct "Venom," the “Spider-Man” spinoff that's been in development for quite a while already. It's based on one of Spidey's tough villains.

In "Spider-Man 3," Venom was played by Topher Grace, who played Peter Parker's rival and is later transformed into Spidey's opponent after being infected by a nasty alien organism sticking to his skin.

Variety says it is unlikely Grace will return to reprise the role, as the studio is looking to start a potential "Venom" franchise from scratch. In the film, Venom is the antihero turning into a defender of the innocent.

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Adrien Brody, others join 'Predator' reboot

Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 12:27AM | By

Franck Tabouring

Adrien Brody will be playing the lead character in the Robert Rodriguez-produced "Predators," a reboot of the franchise that kicked off in 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the starring role.

The guys at Heat Vision posted a big casting update today, and Alice Braga, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, Walt Goggins, Danny Trejo and UFC's Oleg Taktarov have joined the flick. Topher Grace is in talks as well.

Rodriguez, Alex Litvak and Michael Finch penned the script for this new version. The story still sticks to the original movie and follows a bunch of badass fighters hunted by ruthless aliens called Predators.

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Topher Grace, Emma Roberts board 'Valentine's Day'

Monday, June 29, 2009 at 12:54PM | By

Franck Tabouring

Topher Grace, Emma Roberts and Hector Elizondo have joined Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine, Bradley Cooper and Ashton Kutcher in "Valentine's Day."

Directed by Gary Marshall ("The Princess Diaries," "Runaway Bride") from a script by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, the film follows 10 Los Angeles people whose lives intersect on Valentine's Day.

The Hollywood Reporter says Grace plays a mailroom worker who dates Hathaway's character. Roberts is on-board as a teenager trying to sleep with her boyfriend. Elizondo plays MacLaine's husband.

Wow, what a cast! Roberts recenty starred in "Hotel for Dogs." As for Grace, the "That '70s Show" alumnus will soon be seen in "Young Americans." Hector Elizondo's credits include "Chicago Hope," "Monk" and "The Princess Diaries" series.

‘Spider-Man’ spinoff to head into development

Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 9:40AM | By

Franck Tabouring

Sony is gearing up for the development of “Venom,” a “Spider-Man” spinoff based on the villain who appeared in Spidey’s third installment last year.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony already took a look at a draft written by Jacob Estes (screenwriter of “Mean Creek”), but the studio is currently seeking new writers to pen the script.

One question that comes up at this point is the potential cast. Topher Grace played Venom in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3,” but at this stage it’s unclear whether the studio will try to bring him back.

The good thing about this is that in the third “Spider-Man” flick, Venom was essentially a parasite looking for a host. This opens up more choices when it comes to casting a lead actor.

Personally, I think Venom did not receive the development it deserved in “Spider-Man 3.” In fact, it was the first villain in the franchise I really didn’t care about a bit. With a bit of luck, the screenwriters will do the character justice this time.

Although “Venom” is a clear departure from the “Spider-Man” series, Sony is currently developing “Spider-Man 4,” which should hit theaters in 2011.

I really wouldn’t mind watching a “Venom” feature, but considering the recent awesomeness of “Iron Man” and “The Dark Knight,” the scribes now face a massive challenge. Fans now expect so much more from a superhero movie, and they have every right to do so.

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