Liam Neeson will return in Taken 3, with Forest Whitaker

Even though Taken 2 was a step down from Taken in terms of quality, it blew past the original when it came to the box office by raking in $376 million worldwide.  Naturally, the saga of Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) dealing with kidnappings must continue, and Deadline is reporting that Taken 2 director Olivier Megaton will return to helm Taken 3.  Maggie Grace will also come back, and once again, Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen are handling the script, which will likely involve Neesons beating the shit out of people.

Forest Whitaker is reported to be in talks to join Neeson and Grace in the upcoming sequel. No word yet on whether or not Whitaker will A) be kidnapped; B) the kidnapper; C) have a very special set of skills; D) Find a better way to determine distance than by tossing grenades into a highly populated city.

[source: Collider]

Choose Your Own Adventure up for a Film Adaptation

It was reported last year that 20th Century Fox and producer John Davis were developing an adaptation of the book series "Choose Your Own Adventure" into a "cross-platform four-quadrant action adventure franchise". Now, it has been revealed that Rawson Marshall Thurber who directed "We’re the Millers" has been picked to direct this project. In addition, screenwriters Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant will be handling the script. Lennon and Garant are better known for having written Reno 911! and The State. But among their embarassing works include the Night at the Museum movies and The Pacifier. They also wrote the book How to Make Movies for Fun and Profit, which could also be titled Yeah, We Know Those Movies Suck, but They’re Financially Successful, so There.  Many agree that it’s actually a pretty good book.

The "cross-platform four-quadrant action adventure franchise" mentioned could mean that it could mean that this franchise could possibly branch out into television and video games. An adaptation of CYOA has been in development throughout the years with even Nicole Kidman circling the project at one point.  The current deal is reportedly in the seven figures and is a “coup” for Davis, who previously produced Predator, Courage Under Fire, Chronicle, and plenty of other films ranging from dramas to comedies to family fare.

Pitch Perfect Sequel is a Go... With Elizabeth Banks Directing

The Pitch Perfect sequel is forging ahead, albeit with a different director at its helm.  Elizabeth Banks, who conceived of the idea for the first film in addition to producing and co-starring in it, will make her feature directorial debut with Pitch Perfect 2, replacing the first film’s director Jason Moore.  THR reports that Banks will also return in an acting capacity for the Universal Pictures follow-up in addition to producing the pic, with Pitch Perfect stars Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson likely to return.  Plot details for Pitch Perfect 2 are unknown at this time, but Kay Cannon will also be returning to write the script.

This is a big get for Banks and also excellent news in a world where too few films are directed by women.  The very funny actress/producer has previously directed a few shorts, but Pitch Perfect 2 will be her first time taking the helm of a major feature film.  The first pic was one of the most pleasant surprises of 2012, so here’s hoping the humor and chemistry holds over for the sequel.  Bringing Kendrick and Wilson back onboard is an excellent—and crucial—start.

Riddick will return for a Sequel

Vin Diesel has recently revealed that Universal has given him the thumbs up for another RIDDICK movie. This was in light of 2013's "Riddick" hit number one on DVD sales charts. Vin Diesel and director David Twohy has since been developing their own epic series centering on a Conan-meets-Star Wars character named Riddick. It started with the movie "Pitch Black"which was a sleeper cult success and made the world take notice of Vin Diesel (who later had superstar status when he starred in the Fast & Furious movies). The movie spawned an animated sequel and an ambitious feature film which was full-blown sci-fi epic in scale, but had a failure at the box office. It returned with a vengeance in 2013 when the low-budget, rated-R, sci-fi action-thriller movie sequel "Riddick" got released. Now, Riddick's chronicles moves on to a new adventure with another sequel. [hit the jump to continue]

Sineng Pambansa 2013 All Masters Edition on the FDCP Cinematheque this January

Cinematheque Iloilo proudly brings you another set of must-watch Filipino Contemporary and Classic Films this month. This will showcase Sineng Pambansa Festival 2013 All Masters Edition and two newly-restored classic Filipino Films.

Sineng Pambansa Festival 2013 All Masters Edition Films come from the country’s most accomplished film directors - with respective bodies of work that have spanned decades to substantially form part of Philippine cinema heritage. Each director used respective provinces as the backdrop for their films, highlighting the beautiful vistas as well as real urban settings to be found around the country, as each teem with life and come with stories to tell. These films are Jose Javier Reyes’ “Ano Ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap”, Joel Lamangan’s “Lihis”, Chito S. Roño’s “Badil”, Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes’ “Sonata”, Mel Chionglo’s “Lauriana”, Maryo J. Delos Reyes’ “Bamboo Flowers”, Romy V. Suzara’s  “Tinik”, Gil M. Portes’ “Ang Tag-Araw ni Twinkle”, and Elwood Perez’ “Otso”. [hit the jump to continue]

Michael Douglas Cast in Ant-Man as Hank Pym ...But Wasn't Paul Rudd Already Cast as Ant-Man?

Michael Douglas is joining the cast of Marvel's ANT-MAN for the role of Hank Pym. I'm sure some of you are confused thinking Paul Rudd has already been cast to play the title character Ant-Man. You see, in the comics, Hank Pym is the character who originally takes the superhero persona of Ant-Man, when he invented a suit (and equipment) that could give him the ability to change his size. A decade later, Marvel created a character named Scott Lang, he was a thief who stole Henry Pym's Ant-Man suit to save his daughter Cassie from a heart condition. Reforming from his life of crime, he soon took on a full-time career as the second Ant-Man with the encouragement of Hank Pym. Paul Rudd will play the role of Scott Lang. But will the movie have its spotlight only on the second Ant-Man as its main hero? Or is it possible to have the two versions in that one movie? [hit to jump to continue]

Magic: The Gathering to be turned into a Movie

Video Games became movies, Amusement Park rides became movies (The Pirates of the Carribean), even Toys became movies (Transformers, GI Joe). Now, the card game MAGIC: THE GATHERING is also about to be turned into a movie. Fox has worked out a deal with Hasbro to adapt the popular game, tapping Simon Kinberg to produce and develop the property into a movie franchise. [hit the jump to continue]

Star Wars: Episode VII Script Changes and Casting News

Finally some news for STAR WARS: Episode VII! There had been changes in the script wherein the lead characters for Episode VII may now be the original trilogy characters: Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), and Han Solo (Harrison Ford). In addition, Michael Fassbender, Hugo Weaving, Adam Driver, and Jesse Plemons (Friday Night Lights, Breaking Bad) are all being eyed for roles. [hit the jump to continue]

The Legend of Hercules set to face challenges

The upcoming movie THE LEGEND OF HERCULES is, most certainly, a movie that is set out to achieve an (appropriately coined) Herculean task: to be in contest with an upcoming similarly-themed Hercules movie as well (the other one stars Dwayne Johnson), to slingshot Kellan Lutz into an action superstar, and to redeem Renny Harlin's career.

The Legend of Hercules (formerly known as Hercules: The Legend Begins and Hercules 3D is an upcoming 2014 American action film directed by Renny Harlin and co-written with Daniel Giat, Giulio Steve and Sean Hood. The film stars Kellan Lutz, Gaia Weiss, Scott Adkins, Roxanne McKee and Liam Garrigan. It is one of two Hollywood-studio Hercules movies scheduled for 2014, with Paramount Pictures / MGM's Hercules: The Thracian Wars. [hit the jump to continue]

Paul Walker's Character Will "Retire" from the Fast and Furious Series

In the latest update from the troubled Fast & Furious 7- which was left reeling in the wake of Paul Walker’s death on November 30th- we’ve received further confirmation that the folks behind it

Despite its recent crisis as a result of the death of Paul Walker, it looks like the 7th FAST and FURIOUS movie will proceed with as much Walker footage as possible. The plan, as reported by THR, is to simply tweak the script so that the late actor’s character, Brian O’Conner, can appear throughout the story but be “retired” at some point before it concludes. [hit the jump to continue]

First Wave Film Workshops for Guimbal Filmmakers this weekend

Film-makers in Guimbal are in for a nice education treat today, as Iloilo's prominent filmmakers will be holding a film workshop on the municipality. Municipality of Guimbal presents First Wave Film Workshops with the Guimbal Filmmakers, in preparation for the 10th Bantayan Film Festival 2014. The workshop will feature Tara Illenberger for Editing, and Elvert de la Cruz Bañares for Visual Design. The workshop is scheduled January 4 & 5, 2014 at the Bantayan Beach Resort, Guimbal, Iloilo. This is in cooperation with the LGU of Guimbal. [hit the jump for the skeds]

Schedules of Highly-Anticipated Movies for the First 4 Months of 2014 [updated]

There's a lot of movies to watch out for this 2014. Strictly speaking, the movie year begins with the second week of the MMFF movies, but for many of us, the movie year officially begins after it. We have here the Philippine release dates for the most-anticipated movies of the first four months of 2014. Before the regular change-picture day comes. Three big movies come out January 8; 47 Ronin, The Legend of Hercules, and Lone Survivor. On the other hand, Philippine release dates for other anticipated movies have not yet been released as of writing time. These movies include: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (which comes out January in the US), Pompeii (set for February in the US), Need for Speed, Divergent, Raid 2: Berandal, Noah, and the Veronica Mars movie (all set for March in the US), Sabotage (set for April in the US), and Maleficent (set for May in the US). Philippine release date for these movies will surely be updated soon...
[hit the jump to continue]

The Biggest Money-Making Movies on the Philippines and the Worldwide Box Office Record of the Year 2013

2013 is finally over, and the summary results of the biggest box-office hits of 2013 have been named. In the worldwide box office, "Iron Man 3" emerged as the biggest money-making movie of the year. It is followed by "Despicable Me 2", "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire", "Fast & Furious 6", and "Monsters University" on the fifth.

On the Philippine box office, on the other hand, "Iron Man 3" was also number one, followed by the number one Pinoy film "It Takes A Man And A Woman", "Man of Steel" on third, followed by "Thor: The Dark World", and "Fast & Furious 6" on fifth. In addition, Star Cinema Movies have dominated the year's biggest Pinoy Movie money-makers.
[check out the full number details after the jump]