Director Edgar Wright Exits ANT-MAN over Creative Differences

Bad news to Marvel fans; Edgar Wright has vacated the director’s chair of Marvel’s Ant-Man.  Marvel Studios and Wright released a statement explaining the reason for the departure, saying it was “due to differences  in their vision of the film.”  This move is not expected to impact the July 17, 2015 release date as Marvel is zeroing in on a replacement, though no negotiations are currently in place. Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly are still expected to star alongside Corey Stoll, Michael Peña and Patrick Wilson.

Marvel and Edgar Wright jointly announced today that the studio and director have parted ways on ANT-MAN due to differences in their vision of the film. The decision to move on is amicable and does not impact the release date on July 17, 2015. A new director will be announced shortly. [hit the jump to continue]

"Sinister 2" Names Director

SINISTER was one of the best horror movies of 2012, and it very much makes sense that a sequel will be made, and a director has now been chosen for Sinister 2.  Citadel director Ciaran Foy will be taking the helm, as announced (via his Twitter) by Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) who co-wrote and directed the first film, and will remain onboard as a producer of the sequel alongside Jason Blum, who also produced the first film through his lucrative low-budget-high-profit model via Blumhouse Productions (the studio behind Paranormal Activity, The Purge, etc.). Derrickson will return to co-write the sequel with Sinister co-writer C. Robert Cargill. Foy made his feature directorial debut with the 2012 Irish horror film Citadel, so Sinister 2 marks his most high profile feature to date. 

The first "Sinister" revolves around a true crime writer (Ethan Hawke) who moves his family into the home where a family was previously murdered, only to stumble across Super 8 footage depicting the murders of said family and numerous others. [hit the jump to continue]

Keanu Reeves' Directorial Endeavor with MAN OF TAI CHI

We've seen him kick ass in the Matrix movies, and be a bad-ass in Constantine. But we've never really seen Keanu Reeves be THE bad guy, nor have we seen him be the director. Now we get to see that in the movie MAN OF TAI-CHI.

Keanu Reeves might possibly go through an evolution of reputation as he is about to show the world what he can do as a director with his directorial film debut in this movie. MAN OF TAI CHI is about a young martial artist's unparalleled Tai Chi skills, and how he suddenly finds himself in the middle of a highly lucrative underworld fight club.
[Check out the full details after the jump]

James Bond 24 Officially Greenlit with Sam Mendes, John Logan, and Daniel Craig set to Return

EON Productions and MGM has confirmed James Bond 24 with Sam Mendes indeed going to be back to direct the movie with a screenplay by John Logan (Coriolanus, Lincoln, Gladiator, Rango) and Daniel Craig playing Bond for the 4th time. James Bond 24, which has no official title as of yet, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on October 23, 2015 in the UK and November 6, 2015 in the US.

Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, EON Productions; Gary Barber, Chairman & CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; Michael Lynton, CEO, Sony Entertainment, Inc, and Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment made the announcement this week. Daniel Craig will once again return as the legendary British secret agent in the 24th James Bond film. [full article after the jump]

Sam Mendes back to direct Bond 24, Penelope Cruz marked as the next Bond Girl

The 23rd James Bond movie SKYFALL was such a success in the box office and among critics and fans as well, that many of us were disappointed when we heard that director Sam Mendes would not be back to do Bond 24. Initially, Mendes had earlier stated that he would be busy with his career in theater (stage productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factor and King Lear). And for a while, we had been hearing news about some possible director choices being eyed by EON Productions and Sony for the job; such as Christopher Nolan, among several other names. But recent developments has brought back Sam Mandes to the negotiating table. And we may get to see that Mendes-helmed follow up with Bond 24, and possibly Bond 25 as well. Buzz on this upcoming project is fast gathering steam, as Penelope Cruz has already been marked to be the next Bond girl. [details after the jump]

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 5 will be directed by KON-TIKI's Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg

A Fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movie is set to be made, and Disney has finally chosen a director for this sequel. Pirates 5 will be directed by the directing duo of Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, who are best known for their work in the Norwegian historical drama film Kon-Tiki, which was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards. [read the full article after the jump]

Joss Whedon now officially-confirmed as writer & director for AVENGERS 2 [UPDATED 8-09-2012]

It's like stating what we already know as being certain; but just this week, it is NOW OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED that legendary geek god Joss Whedon is being hired once again as writer and director of AVENGERS 2. Yes, it would be incredibly stupid for Marvel to let go of him, after all he just made one of THE biggest, most phenomenal movies of all time, and has made a tremendously massive amount of money for the studios. The cash generation isn't even over; studios are expected to prepare a bigger planet-wide bank when the AVENGERS dvd & blueray are gonna be released, coz that's surely gonna bring in tons of cash as well.


The news that Whedon has signed to write and direct the sequel was announced on the Disney Investors Conference Call this Tuesday. along with the news that he’ll develop “a Marvel-themed TV show for ABC.” You can check out our news bit here

With Whedon in place, this could mean that this time, he'll also be giving input on the "phase 2" Marvel movies and sequels (The Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor 2, etc) and will probably give them some influence that could contribute to the consistency to each movie with its expected eventual lead up to Avengers 2.

No target date has been announced yet, but Avengers 2 is expected around Summer 2015

UPDATE [Aug. 09, 2012]
Yesterday, we reported on the official confirmation of Whedon being the writer/director of Avengers 2. Now our speculations from that news is now also a confirmed reality. Joss Whedon will not only write and direct Avengers 2, and have supervising role on the Amrvel/Avengers continuity TV series, but that he will also have a say in all the other Marvel/Avengers related movies that are coming up. That would obviously include Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier, and Guardians of the Galaxy. That excludes Thor and Iron Man 3 which are off into production by now.

Here are the official details of the deal straight from Disney/Marvel:

“Joss Whedon has signed an exclusive deal with Marvel Studios for film and television through the end of June 2015. As part of that deal, Whedon will write and direct Marvel’s The Avengers 2 as well as help develop a new live action series for Marvel Television at ABC.  He will also contribute creatively to the next phase of Marvel’s cinematic universe.”

SOURCE: Variety

Farewell Mario O'Hara

Sad news for the Filipino Film Community. Mario O'Hara, one of the country's most respected award-winning Filipino film director, film producer and screenwriter passed away at the age of 68, yesterday June 26, 2012.

O'Hara who had been receiving chemotherapy due to cancer, was rushed to the hospital on June 20. On Tuesday, his sister-in-law, Peewee O'Hara, said Mario died at San Juan de Dios hospital due to complications from acute leukemia.O'Hara is known for his sense of realism often with dark but realistic social messages. A native of Zamboanga, he collaborated frequently with Lino Brocka during the 1970s.

The Ilonggo Short Film Competition '2012

ILONGGO FILMLOVERS AND FILMMAKERS are in for a treat because one of the events included in this year's Sineng Pambansa Iloilo Film Festival is an Ilonggo Short Film Competition. The competition is divided into two divisions:  The Academic Division and the Municipal Division.  Entries shall follow the theme: “Ang Ilonggo.”

•    Director should be at least 16 years old and must have not joined any major film competition.
•     Director should be from the City or Province of Iloilo. For non-Ilonggos, participants must have at least one (1) year of residency in Iloilo City or Province of Iloilo.
•     Any Digital Camera may be used (including cell phone).
•    The video should be 3-10 minutes long (including OBB/CBB).
•    Use of copyrighted music is prohibited, unless allowed by the owner of the material.
•    Nudity, foul language, slur on religious belief, or any other form of offensive content shall likewise be prohibited.
•    Film may be in native tongue or dialect but must have readable English subtitles.
•    All entries should be submitted in DVD format.
•    Deadline for submission of entries and stints will be January 12, 2012. Entries should be submitted to:
Atty. Dan Cartagena,
FDCP Local Coordinator
Cartagena & Associates, Jamerlan Building, Iznart Street, Iloilo City.
09394519045; 09179898661

Announcement of the finalists will be on January 18, 2012.  All finalists will be competing in the Film Festival on January 20, 2012 at SM City Cinema. The Jury will be composed of Filmmakers and the FDCP. Awards Night will be on January 21, 2012. Cash Prizes for each division are as follows:

a. Best Film - P35,000
b. 1st Runner-up - 20,000
c. 2nd Runner-up - 10,000