In an announcement sure to rile up fans of the original, Variety is reporting that MGM is developing a remake of their classic western The Magnificent Seven and none other than Tom Cruise is attached to star. Could the success of the superhero team-up movie The Avengers have a little something to do with this decision? It’s fairly likely. More information after the jump.

Cruise has got a ton of projects on his plate right now, including All You Need is Kill, Oblivion, a Van Helsing reboot, Mission: Impossible 5, and possibly even A Star is Born, so this one is definitely a few years away if it even comes together at all. There’s no director attached yet, and the studio has just put the call out for writers, so it’s still up in the air whether or not this will ever see the light of day.

The original movie starred Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter, and Horst Buchholz, and like I said, I’m guessing the “team” elements of The Avengers have studios seeing dollar signs. With a big name like Cruise leading the pack, could they possibly pull together other non-Avengers A-listers to make the western popular again?

Time will tell, but for now, there’s only one question that matters: is Cruise going to do one of his famous running scenes dressed in cowboy boots?

Read similar posts to Tom Cruise attached to star in remake of The Magnificent Seven on Filmonic

Jose Padilha’s RoboCop remake could have just gotten a big boost of star power. The story comes from The Tracking Board, which has had some hits and misses when it comes to scoops, but they’re reporting that Edward Norton, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Rebecca Hall are attached to the action remake of Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 film about a cyborg police officer. More details below.

Here’s what The Tracking Board had to say about the roles each actor would be playing in the new version, which will feature “The Killing” star Joel Kinnaman as the robotic enforcer this time around:

Edward Norton is circling to, fittingly enough, play the role of Norton, the brilliant mastermind behind bringing Robocop to life…Also circling are Gael Garcia Bernal and Rebecca Hall in strong supporting roles. Bernal would look to be cast as Jack Lewis, Alex’s dashingly handsome police partner who eventually begins a relationship with Hall’s character, Clara, Alex’s former wife before his transformation into Robocop.

There is strong interest in Sean Penn to assume the role of Novack, a right-wing news reporter who sticks to his guns when it comes to his political views.

Norton is one of those guys that can slip into any role and really make it his own, while Bernal has been able to find success in multiple genres (and could very well be Zorro in a new reboot of that franchise). Hall’s totally underrated performances in The Prestige and The Town are both excellent, so I’m hoping this story ends up being true because I’d like to see all of these people working together in a high profile project like this.

Thoughts?

Read similar posts to Ed Norton, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Rebecca Hall could star in RoboCop on Filmonic

MTV recently had a chance to speak with RoboCop star Joel Kinnaman, and the actor spoke a lot about the differences between his upcoming film and Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 version. He called director Jose Padhila “a badass” and “the real deal,” and even addressed his character’s iconic visor.

This film will be a lot more realistic than the ’87 original, and Kinnaman has said before that this movie will better explore the time between when Alex Murphy is shot and when he becomes RoboCop.

“There’s a lot of neuroscience now raising the question, ‘Is all the intelligence in the human body in the brain?’ and they’re finding out that, no, it’s not like that,” Kinnaman said. “The body has intelligence itself, and we’re much more of an organic creature in that way. It’s not a control tower that does everything.”

He also said his take on the character will be a lot more expressive than previous attempts, thanks in part to the costume design:

” ‘RoboCop’ is going to be a lot more human,” Kinnaman said. “The first movie is one of my favorite movies. I love it. Of course, Verhoeven has that very special tone, and it’s not going to have that tone. It’s a re-imagination of it. There’s a lot of stuff from the original. There are some details and throwbacks, but this version is a much better acting piece, for Alex Murphy and especially when he is RoboCop. It’s much more challenging…It’s not going to be jaw action. They’re still working on the suit and how it’s going to look, but the visor is going to be see-through,” he said. “You’re going to see his eyes.”

I haven’t seen enough of Kinnaman’s work to offer a legitimate opinion about whether he’s right for the part, but I’m stoked about this project because I don’t think the original film holds up very well and it seems like the perfect movie to update with today’s technology. Padhila also really impressed me with Elite Squad: The Enemy Within, so I’m looking forward to see his kinetic visual style applied to this character. What do you think?

Read similar posts to Joel Kinnaman talks differences between old and new RoboCop films on Filmonic

A remake of Brian De Palma’s 1976 classic Carrie has been in the works for a little while now, with Stop Loss and Boys Don’t Cry director Kimberly Peirce behind the camera this time around. But until now, we didn’t know who would be playing the title character. This morning, Deadline reported that MGM has offered the role to Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass, Hugo).

Though I actually still haven’t seen De Palma’s version (destroy me in the comments), Carrie has been such a big part of pop culture since its release I feel like I almost have seen the whole thing already. It’s been referenced in countless TV shows and films, and from all I’ve seen and heard about it, Moretz is a great choice for the part. She’s one of the most talented members of Young Hollywood these days, and she beat out people like Haley Bennett (Terrence Malick’s upcoming Lawless), Dakota Fanning, Lily Collins, and Emily Browning.

It helps that Moretz is actually still age appropriate for high school, too – Bennett, the reported second choice, is 24 years old and might have stretched believability of still walking the halls with a bunch of kids. But then again, Andrew Garfield was 27 or 28 when he was filming The Amazing Spider-Man, and it looks like he might have pulled that off. We’ll have to wait and see. But regardless, I think Moretz is a solid actress who can bring a lot to this iconic role. Those of you who have seen it – do you think she’s a good fit?

Read similar posts to Chloe Moretz to play Carrie in MGM remake on Filmonic

MGM’s remake of RoboCop has been in development for a few years, but now that the studio has emerged from its recent financial troubles, it looks like the project is on the fast track. Jose Padilha, who directed Elite Squad and the excellent Elite Squad: The Enemy Within, is directing, and according to Deadline, the studio has just made an offer to Joel Kinnaman to play the titular hero.

Kinnaman is a Swedish actor who stars in AMC’s television series “The Killing,” but recently he’s appeared in small roles in Safe House and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo remake. He also starred in Safe House director Daniel Espinosa’s popular film Snabba Cash (aka Easy Money), and will be reprising his role in a sequel. I haven’t seen Kinnaman in a large role before, so I’m not sure how he’ll handle carrying an entire film – and franchise, most likely – on his shoulders. But I’m confident Padilha’s direction will make this version of RoboCop worthwhile. I watched Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 original recently, and this may be movie geek blasphemy, but it’s not very good. I’m hoping Padilha and writer Josh Zetumer can update the story and give us a movie that will stand the test of time and avoid the dated feel of the first film.

Read similar posts to Joel Kinnaman offered lead in RoboCop on Filmonic

Over the past few years, Hollywood’s main focus seemed to be on a more mainstream, commercialized level with movies based on toys (more specifically, action figures), with film franchises like Transformers and G.I Joe bringing inanimate objects to action packed life.

Following a similar fashion board games are becoming another target for studios, with adaptations of Battleship, Monopoly, Risk, and Candyland quickly materializing. Well, add one more icon to that list as MGM has plans for a live-action movie based on Where’s Waldo, an idea we were hoping gets even more lost than the character from the popular children’s book.

Now of course this will be a more family friendly adventure, but is this really something everyone’s just dying to see? Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there’s a few (and I stress, few) individuals who would love to see a movie about a guy with a red and white striped sweater who constantly gets lost (riveting I know), but honestly, can there really be a strong enough story to make this concept work?

There’s not much to work with regarding the source material, other than the characters and scenery, but I guess they could always go the “man who’s been separated from his family as a boy and goes on an adventure to find them” route that has been rumored for a while. However, it’s one of those plots that feels like a cop-out, that without the iconic spectacle-wearing character, it would just be a generic movie. In order for it to be done right, there would need to be an abundant amount of little hints and Easter eggs as well as inside jokes that aren’t afraid to poke fun at itself, maybe even a few “breaking the fourth wall” moments to get the audience involved with the light-hearted premise.

All in all, this is more proof of the lack of originality in Hollywood because, again, most of the time when we are given a movie based on toys or board games, without all of the flair and recognizable characters; it’s just a standard movie with an interchangeable plot that can work as just a standalone movie. But, alas, my ranting won’t solve anything and, for all it’s worth, maybe this will mean we’ll finally see a movie adaptation based on the popular search and find I Spy books. Please don’t let that happen.

Here’s the MGM press release:

MGM’s President of Motion Picture Group Jonathan Glickman today announced that the studio has secured feature film rights to bring Classic Media’s Where’s Waldo?® to the big screen in a live-action family adventure.

Created by Martin Handford and first published in 1987, Where’s Waldo? is one of the most recognizable characters in the world and a pop-culture icon. A publishing phenomenon with more than 55 million books sold worldwide from New York to Sydney to London to Tokyo, Where’s Waldo books are available in more than thirty-eight countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages. Where’s Waldo has also been spotted in gaming, selling more than 4.6+ million Apps for iPhone and iPad.

“We are thrilled to be bringing the search for Waldo to the big screen. Along with our partners at Classic Media, we look forward to making a worldwide adventure that will appeal to Where’s Waldo? fans of all ages,” Glickman said.

“Waldo is the most searched-for character in the world,” said Eric Ellenbogen, co-CEO, Classic Media. “With thanks to MGM, fans everywhere will find Waldo in movie theaters with his motion picture debut.”

Read similar posts to MGM making movie based on Where’s Waldo on Filmonic

Things are on the up and up for Vin Diesel. With the latest in the Fast/Furious franchise just about to head north of $500 million worldwide, Deadline are reporting that franchise addict Vin Diesel is set to star in and produce an action comedy titled The Machine for MGM, written by previous Diesel collaborators Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant (Night at the Museum, The Pacifier).

Here’s an outline of the film:

‘The story involves Diesel playing a human-like machine created in secrecy by the Pentagon to be the world’s first ultimate weapon. Some 20 years after the machine was decommissioned and buried, The Machine is discovered, reactivated and befriended by a kid. When the government learns that The Machine is back in operation, the ultimate weapon’s mission becomes to protect the family that is harboring him.’

Jonathan Glickman, MGM Motion Picture Group president gushed about the news,

“We could not be happier to be partnering with Vin again, especially on a film with such classic themes that will appeal to his broad audience around the world,”

So far so Terminator 2 you may be thinking. However Deadline state that the script is more in the tone of The Iron Giant, which just so happened to feature Diesel’s gruff tones. But that was hardly an action comedy more a touching animated drama.

Read similar posts to Vin Diesel to start The Machine on Filmonic

Back in July last year MGM’s RoboCop reboot was officially declared dead as at the time the company was still knee deep in bankruptcy, with no sign of a way out. Since then the company has emerged from bankruptcy with the help of Spyglass Entertainment and is moving forward with The Hobbit and Bond 23.

With their main projects under-way they are starting to look at other movies to develop, and it looks like they are revisiting plans to reboot RoboCop.

From Variety:

The Lion has finally started to really stir, with MGM announcing its first post-bankruptcy co-financing deal Thursday and studio execs telling creative reps that it’s moving on a quintet of projects, including remakes of 1980s pics “Mr. Mom” and “The Idolmaker” and long-gestating reboots of “RoboCop” and “Poltergeist.”

A reboot of “RoboCop.” Pic was being fast-tracked for a 2010 release as the first potential tentpole to come together under Parent’s regime, with director Darren Aronofsky attached at one point. Phoenix Pictures’ Mike Medavoy, who produced the original film for Orion in 1987, was on board as producer alongside Arnold Messer, Brad Fischer and David Thwaites.

Darren Aronofsky will be occupied with The Wolverine for another year, but in November he said he was still interested in directing his version of RoboCop. David Self (Road to Perdition) had written the script, and while no details were released, Self said it was “definitely not a sequel. It’s an origin story, it’s an origin to the original Robocop. So, it’s basically a ‘reboot’.” MGM could wait for Aronofsky and continue to develop Self’s script, or they could start again from scratch with another director and writer.

As well as RoboCop, MGM also plan on proceeding with a new Hercules project — one that sees the mythical hero turning his back on the gods and forming a ruthless army — and a fourth installment to the Poltergeist franchise.

Read similar posts to MGM revive plans for RoboCop reboot on Filmonic

After more than a year of financial limbo MGM today announced that it was officially out of bankruptcy, and now has $500 million in place to start making movies again. This means that Bond 23 will likely get a greenlight sometime soon and the company can pay its share of The Hobbit budget which it is co-financing with Warner Bros.

The Hobbit has already been moving forward for a month or two now and is preparing for a February shoot, so it will be Daniel Craig and expected director Sam Mendes that will be most relieved by this news. MGM are aiming for a November 2012 release for Bond 23 so filming will likely begin next year.

Read similar posts to James Bond gets an early Christmas present on Filmonic

MGM finally got round to filling for bankruptcy this week after working out a deal with Spyglass Entertainment (the production company behind Star Trek, Wanted and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra). After years of delays The Hobbit is moving forward (with a lot of help from Warner Bros.) but unfortunately 007 will have to wait a bit longer to get going as MGM wants to keep the franchise for itself.

According to Bloomberg the intention is for MGM to have Bond 23 ready for a November 2012 release, which means filming will likely begin sometime in 2011. MGM also intends to fully own and fund Bond 24 itself, which will probably arrive in 2014 or 2015. Funding The Hobbit at the moment is a struggle, but Bond is a profitable franchise which will guarantee $$$ for many years to come, so keeping is it vital for the company’s future.

Daniel Craig has said on a number of occasions that he can’t wait to get going again, and director Sam Mendes will likely be sitting in the directors chair if all goes according to plan. Mendes was unofficially hired as director back in January and has been flirting with various projects while MGM dragged out it’s debt problem for most of the year. Hopefully with a release date penciled in and MGM’s bank account looking healthier they can set a start date with Mendes officially signed up to direct.

Read similar posts to MGM aiming for a November 2012 release for Bond 23 on Filmonic