Favreau Made an Offer for Iron Man 2

Nikki Finke is reporting that Marvel Studios have officially made Jon Favreau an offer to direct Iron Man 2. The big question now is weather or not he will take it. At the Hulk premier Favreau revealed that he is unhappy with the planned release date for the sequel.

Now In order for a Favreau directed sequel to happen one of the groups has to bend, either Marvel has to change the release date or Favreau has to jump on board with the small amount of time to pull the project together.

Lets hope they can make things work.

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Does The Hollywood Reporter Only Employ Idiots?

Who says cost cutting and synergy don't effect the quality of journalistic output. Take a look at what this mook from the Hollywood Reporter did.

I came across this completely useless piece of box office analysis on Yahoo! that originates from The Hollywood Reporter.

Journalist Carl DiOrio tries to put the opening of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in perspective by arguing that its projected opening of more than $150 million may topple the record held by Spiderman 3 of $151.1 million.

There is of course one big problem with this analysis, which DiOrio is at least smart enough to pick up on:

That would put "Skull" on course to surpass the "Spider-Man 3" opening of $151.1 million in May 2007 -- with a big asterisk, given that Spidey reached that level in three days.

Yes, Spiderman 3 did reach that level in 3 days but this isn’t the 1961 Baseball season. It is pretty standard boxoffice practice to compare 5 day grosses with 5 day grosses and opening weekend grosses with opening weekend grosses – not some crazy case of apples, oranges and asterisks.

If DiOrio was some random commentator this could be forgiven but to be a professional journalist and not even take the time to do some of that research stuff – inexcusable.

Oh but wait there is more, it’s not like this is some guy working for the KwaZulu Natal Mercury, which has other topics to focus on – this guy is working for The Hollywood Reporter, which specializes in the film trade.

And the extra research he needed to do to make his article relevant? All he had to do was go to boxofficemojo.com, click all time under the boxoffice tab and then select 5 day openings. Is that all too hard for a professional journalist?

Anyway, here are the real stats that Crystal Skull has to compete with to get into the record books:

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith	$172,802,507
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest	$169,506,744
Spider-Man 3	$169,444,466
Spider-Man 2	$152,411,751
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End	$147,591,127

 

So Indy needs to get more than $172.8 million to become the new 5 day champ, a fete Steve Mason thinks it can accomplish.

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$51M-$60M Weekend for Caspian = Very Disappointing

Saturday reports place Caspian slightly better then earlier reported. With reports ranging from a $18M Friday and a $51M weekend to a $19M Friday and a $60M weekend the film looks like a major disappointment.

Some film suits are going to be having severe heart palpitations for the rest of the weekend and praying for a summer miracle.

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Has Prince Caspian Got Stage Fright?

Early Box Office reports say that the big budget fantasy sequel, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, may be off to a shaky start in the US. It looks as thought the film will only gross around $17.5 million for Friday and possibly a dismal $51M-$56M opening weekend. Is this figure holds (which is sketchy this early) it means Caspian will have fallen far short of the $75M-$80M it was expected to make with ease and even less than the $65.6M opening weekend of the first Narnia film.

With the new Indiana Jones film around the corner and the Summer being far more concentrated than the previous films December release it looks like it will be an uphill struggle for this to out gross the original. The film will probably still do big business internationally.

Iron Man on the other hand is looking to have another good hold and may be able to crack $300M during its run.

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Spiderman 4 and 5 to be Shot Together

Cinematical are reporting that Spiderman 4 and 5 will be filmed together. Apparently screenwriter, James Vanderbilt (Zodiac), has turned in his working draft of Spidey 4 and the story arc spans over two films. Sony are interested in filming both at the same time probably to save some money and maximize profits.

If the rumours are true it will be interesting to see if Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst return or if the studio will bring in some new blood for the franchise.

Any thoughts on which villain(s) could encompass a two film story?

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3rd Incredible Hulk Trailer

The New Hulk Trailer came out with Speed Racer and The Hulk is looking better.

Superhero Hype have posted a new Incredible Hulk Trailer. I'm not sure if it's because it's low quality but the Hulk is looking much better. Now that Iron Man has come out this is the film I am most interested in seeing because unlike The Dark Knight and Hellboy 2 it is unknown if this film will be good. The uncertainty of the project, mixed with the behind the scenes drama  make me curious if this will be a slam dunk or an utter failure. Here is the newest trailer:

The shot with the Hulk and Betty sitting in what looks like a cave while it is raining (this was in the last trailer as well) is what gives me hope for this project. That shot and a few others are classic imagery from the Hulk mythology. My one big gripe is Norton turning into the Hulk while he is strapped to the bed - it looks like the scene in Scooby Doo when Scrappy turned into a monster - disappointing.

Unfortunately, this trailer came out with Speed Racer so hardly anyone will have seen it. Let's hope it's also attached to The Crystal Skull or Prince Caspian.

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W - Oliver Stone's George Bush Movie

EW has the first look at Oliver Stone's new project, W (or dub-ya), about US president George W. Bush.

The film will undoubtedly cause controversy - since it may be released in early October during the height of the presidential campaign and Stone says it will be a ''fair, true portrait of the man,'' which is enough to give Republicans concern.

Josh Brolin will be in the title role which could make or break his floundering career, which is currently enjoying a bit of an up tick.

Look for the film to be turn out more as a comedy with Stone arguing that Bush is like a reverse Gatsby. "This movie can be funnier because Bush is funny. He's awkward and goofy and makes faces all the time." It could score at the Int.boxoffice.

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That's Pretty Racist Juno

Yes, we are going to attack the heart-warming movie of the moment with racist allegations. We are just that bitter. Would you like some gum?

I just got another hate comment on the racism in Transformers post and remembered how much fun it is to get all the clan lovers riled up. I decided I should point out some more racist action in the film industry and remembered I was planning on writing a post about Juno in December but never got around to it.

I won’t bore you with the whole I loved the movie I’m a huge Jason Reitman speech – I’ll just get straight to the point.

When they started marketing the film I was pretty pissed off to find out that it stole one of my signature lines – using Morgan Freeman as an arbitrary conversation point. Ask Viggly or Stelloh, they’ve heard me over the years use Morgan Freeman for al kinds of crap. Take the following pointless examples:

Person: Is that you Rob?
Me: No, it’s Morgan Freeman. (this is basically what the film used)

Person: You’ll never guess who I saw last night?
Me: Morgan Freeman.

Person: Hey, guess who Marcus scored last night?
Me: Morgan Freeman.

Person: What’s the capital of Brazil?
Me: Morgan Freeman.

I accidentally stub my toe.
Me: Morgan ‘Fucking’ Freeman that hurt!

Basically there was a point in my life where I’d just use Morgan Freeman as the answer to any question. Obviously, Juno (or more precisely Diablo Cody) didn’t steal it form me. But after Juno - especially since it’s grossed a ludicrous amount of cash and almost everyone will have seen it within the next year - I can’t use the phrase anymore without looking like a lame Juno imitator.

Anyway, back to the racism. Juno’s line in the film is something like, “No, It’s Morgan Freeman, need any bones collected?” Hello, Morgan Freeman wasn’t in The Bone Collector or has never played someone that’s trade mark is collecting bones. The person in question is Denzel Washington.

Now that’s quite an oversite. That would be like mistaking Brad Pitt (younger white actor in his prime) for Jack Nicholson (Old established white actor). So who ever is responsible for that line seems to think that all black people look the same. That’s just racist.

What are they planning on saying in Juno 2: Attack of the Abandoned Baby:

Friend: Is this Juno?

Juno: No, It’s Martin Lawrence, is Billy Bob Thornton around so I can have academy award winning depressed sex with him?

Here are a couple of lines Juno could have said that would not have been racist:

No it’s Morgan Freeman…

• Have any old women that need to be driven around?
• Any young Jack Ryan’s there for me to mentor?
• Have you seen Betty?
• Do you think my eyebrows looked ridiculous in Dreamcatcher?
• Know any junkies whose kids I can steal?
• Would you like to build an Ark?
• Have you seen that tall drink of water with the silver spoon up his ass?

Oh, and here is a drinking game you can play with the whole family. Pop the Juno DVD in and every time you see a black person have a drink. While you have fun playing that I’m going to have to come up with another celebrity name to use as my trademark.

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Bear Almost Kills Will Ferrell

In what can only be called a tragedy, "the best working bear in the business" killed his trainer. Rocky, the bear in question wrestled Will Ferrell in Semi-Pro (thus, if he had snapped months earlier he could have killed Ferrell - if Farrell hadn't used a stunt double).

Stephen Miller, 39, was participating in a training exercise with Rocky (the bear) and 3 other trainers when Rocky turned on him.

Rocky's fate is currently unknown but he'll probably be euthanized.

Stephen Colbert is bound to have something to say about this, since for years he has maintained that bears are the greatest threat to civilization.

Before you throw away your teddy bear and lose all faith in the species, click here, it may change your mind. "I can't believe he's really twisting the stick!" What is this an infomercial?

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How Low Can You Go? US Presidential Candidates on WWE Raw

In what can only be called a new low in American politics all three presidential candidates will deliver a taped video message, which will be played live on the WWE's Monday Night Raw.

The candidates won't just be delivering an election message but a wrestling inspired smack down. Clinton will call herself Hillrod (surprisingly not the Bosnian Sniper Dodger), Obama wants you to smell what he's cooking (I'm not sure but it smells like cheese) and McCaine says you have to beat the man (but obviously means member).

Appearing on a show that promotes sexism and homophobia but at the same time features a bunch of men sweating, moaning and grabbing each other in outfits that can only otherwise be seen at  gay pride parades or one of Deon Malan's parties, doesn't exactly generate confidence in the candidates.

Way to get the white trash vote and the rest of the world rushing off to purchase nuclear bunkers. We're fucked.

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Kill People the Green Way

What do churches, bullets and toys have in common? If you said toast you should consider getting a metal health check up, otherwise read on.

We've all heard about people steeling the copper telephone wire in developing countries and how this wouldn't happen in respectable developed countries. Well it is happening there too.

England has a lead theft problem. Thieves are peeling strips of lead off church tops to sell on the black market. The clergy, of course, are renowned for their large supply of lead or as Leonardo de Vinci said, "If you want gold and women become a King. If you want lead and children become a priest."

Why steal lead? Because lead shortages and high Chinese demand have pushed up the price of lead to all time highs.

That's right that lead painted G.I. Joe your kid is sucking on isn't only killing him slowly it's pushing up the price of lead (China just banned our blog for that comment, which is impressive since I haven't even posted it yet - those guys are really on the ball). Do you know what else they use to make lead with?

Bullets. Ammo costs have gone up and supply has dwindled (supply and demand go figure). Some blame this on the Iraqi war but here is the real culprit:

This is a live webcam of John Rambo. He is in some developing country and all he does all day is fire off endless rounds at developing soldiers. Aside from being quite the marksman (look at those headshots) and spreading democracy ("the bullet is the truest means of voting"  - George W.), Rambo is also pushing bullet costs up to the extreme. Someone needs to stop this man and get him to go from that, to this:

Yes, John Rambo there are green alternatives to killing and decapitating developing soldiers and generally spreading the goodwill of democracy, why don't you start using them?

Until someone does teach Rambo to kill in a cost effective manner Police are having to reduce the amount of target practice their recruits can get. That's right police are going to get worse at aiming. Which is not what we need when we are faced with an invasion of the Cow-Men™ /Gator-Men™ coalition.

If you want to find out more about rising metal prices and supply and demand visit Freakonomics.

Note: Due to a massive demand in truth from the general public and the miniscule supply coming from the press, politicians and big business the cost of truth is at an all time high. Unfortunately The End SA cannot afford these prices and cannot guarantee that this article is 100% true.

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Man-Crush: Jason Segal

This weekend Forgetting Sarah Marshall opens in the states, which could mean big things for that life sized teddy bear of a man - Jason Segal.

Yes, I have a man crush on Jason Segal. Does that make me lame? I don’t care.

The goofy 6ft 4” actor first caught my attention in the Judd Apatow (40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up) created show Undeclared. Segal wasn’t a series regular but the episodes with him as the psycho boyfriend were the best of the short lived series. After all what is funnier than a guy who gives his girlfriend a pillow with his face printed on it? Note: This is also a favourite seduction technique of Deon Malan.

After seeing Undeclared I learned of the cult classic, which preceded it, Freaks and Geeks. Also produced by Judd Apatow and featuring Seth Rogan this great ode to 80’s and high school culture, was probably the best high-school series ever created. The fact that this show didn’t have a second season was a major bummer.

This time around Segal played Nick, a stoner drummer with no rhythm, who seemed to think the bigger the drum kit the better the drummer. Once again Segal played an overly obsessive boyfriend who has no understanding of boundaries.

Then Segal hit some prime time stability with How I Met Your Mother, one of the freshest sitcoms on TV. As Marshall Eriksen he plays less of a psycho and more of the general nice guy but is still milking the child like vulnerability for everything its worth.

Now due to the miracle of the Apatow power train (coming off two miss-fires with Walk-Hard and Drillbit Taylor) Segal gets to write and star in his own movie without any major Hollywood success.

Riding in his favour is that Forgetting Sarah Marshall is receiving very good reviews and the studio has executed a successful guerrilla marketing plan. In fact it’s going to be one of the few films in wide release that is fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

On the negative side the trailers have not been ridiculously hilarious, although most of Apatow’s films have saved the laughs for the film and not the trailer. Also the film probably has a lot of R rated jokes that can’t make the trailer. Segal does do some full fontal nudity in the film for one thing.

It opens this weekend and analysts are predicting a 15m-16m opening in second place behind the Jacki Chan/Jet Li vehicle The Forbidden Kingdom. Let’s hope that Forgetting Sarah Marshall proves them wrong. Why? Because Jason Segal fucking rules.

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Just Expressing - The End of the World

Global warming - Global smorming. There is something much bigger danger approaching and it is going to lead to the end of all humanity (including Facebook)! Find out what it is - and no it's not a Lego invasion.

I was rummaging through the opinions and thoughts of Rommel Acebedo, who has an interesting blog by the way – give it a look (crisp layout), and discovered a post claiming that alligator blood is now going to be used as an antibiotic. Here is the skinny:

Biochemists from McNeese State University have described how proteins in gator blood may provide a source of powerful new antibiotics to help fight infections associated with diabetic ulcers and severe burns. This new class of drug could also crack so-called ’superbugs’ that are resistant to conventional medication. Previous studies have showed alligators have an unusually strong immune system; unlike humans, alligator immune systems can defend against microorganisms such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria without having prior exposure to them. Scientists believe that this is an evolutionary adaptation to promote quick wound healing, as alligators are often injured during fierce territorial battles.

Brings a whole new meaning to the term Gator Aid. This sounds a little too familure to something else, probably this:

Connors developed an experimental serum taken from reptilian DNA. He successfully regrew the missing limb of a rabbit and then, despite the warnings of his wife Martha, chose to test it on himself. Connors ingested the formula and his missing arm did indeed grow back. The formula had a horrible side effect; Connors was subsequently transformed into a reptilian humanoid monster. (from Wikipedia)

Yes this alligator DNA bears a striking resemblance to the origin of the Spiderman villain The Lizard. We all know what that means. Now, not only do we have to worry about the army of Cow-Men™ that Monkey Boy has mentioned, but also an invasion of Gator-Men™.

What if these two join forces? Together they can storm the land and sea. We will be forced to live in planes and with airline service the way it is, it might just be a better option to battle the genetic freaks.

Thanks for the heads up Rommel. We’ve been warned world.

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GI Joe Costumes look like Fantasy Sex Outfits

Yes, this may look like a cheap role playing sex costume but it's actually a 1st look at Karolina Korkova as Cover Girl, in the new G.I Joe movie.

What Would Tyler Durden Do has an exclusive 1st look at the new character pics from the film. Including more images of Rachel Nichols as Scarlett and Ray Park as Snake Eyes as well as the first shots of Channing Tatum as Duke, Marlon Wayans as Ripcord,  Byung-hun Lee as Storm Shadow, Sienna Miller as The Baroness, and Dennis Quaid as General Hawk.

See the shots...

The shots seem to be pretty raw - you can still see Rachel Nichols acne scars. Also they look pretty stupid (especially Quaid), which is disappointing because the 1st shots of Park were great. It looks like they want to get a Playboy tie in to reduce the budget. No hope for these troops when the cows attack.

UPDATE: Durden has removed the shots due to Universal threatening them but Nightly.net still have them up. Which also means I was right about these being untouched shots. Here are the thumbnails below.

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