Whenever I hear “creative differences,” I’m dead certain there’s something else going on. Some of the time I may be wrong, but most of the time, I’m right. Stuart Townshend’s “creative differences” for Lord of the Rings? He looked too young—which, to me, was a “of course he does!”

And when Marvel said “creative differences” for leaving Ed Norton out of the Avengers (and, supposedly, any future Hulk movies), I likewise smelled a rat. When Marvel later said Ed didn’t play well with others, I got a chuckle. There’s more to that story, for sure.

And apparently, the “more” is money, as in Marvel didn’t want to pay Norton’s asking price. The “playing well with others” part is apparently bullshit—and, yes, I do believe Ed Norton over Marvel, because what he’s selling actually makes sense.

More here.

I really know nothing about rap/hip-hop/urban music, but I do know of the Wu-Tang Clan and their love of king-fu movies. I’d read previously about RZA’s plans for a kung fu movie entitled The Man with the Iron Fist, and it sounded like an interesting update. Now there is some talk that Russell Crowe is going to be involved in the movie and that’s it’s going into production before the end of the year.

Who knows how this will all play out. RZA is apparently going to be writing and directing. It is, of course, possible that he has talents in both areas. I’m not going to expect much, and that’s probably what I’ll get.

It really is cool, though, that RZA is able to go forward with his dream project, and maybe do it on his own terms. Those of you out who read my blatherings here know I’ve had more than a few ideas, and it’d be pretty awesome to actually get to bring one of those to fruition.

Especially with a cast that includes Russell Crowe.

There is an article about it here.

Ryan Reynolds has been talking about the proposed Deadpool movie, and he’s actually given me hope. Not hope that will actually see this movie, about which I have my doubts, but hope that should this movie force its way into creation, it won’t totally suck.

According to Mr. Reynolds, the Deadpool movie will not be constrained by what happened in the Wolverine movie.

Thank you.

Ryan was outstanding as Wade in that movie, but what later happened to Deadpool was straight up stupid. I honestly couldn’t believe it. Actually, I could, that movie sucked dead donkey balls that had been sautéed over a shit fire. Pissing all over the Deadpool character was part of a pattern of flagrant fucktardery.

Apparently the movie is going to have a very serious side, if Mr. Reynolds’ comparison of the script to the movie Barfly is to be believed. Still, we are told that Deadpool will break the fourth wall and will be totally hilarious.

That’s a heck of a lot for a movie to accomplish. Still, even if it fails to hit those beats, as long as we get a movie that replicates to some degree the lunacy and energy that made Deadpool so popular, I’ll be pretty happy.

You can find the interview here.

Rumours are afoot that Spyglass Entertainment’s work to clear up MGM’s debt (and, I would assume, takeover the company) means that both the Hobbit and the next Bond movie will begin production next week.

Sir Ian McKellan has mentioned in an interview that he was set to be Gandalf in January. Does that mean the filming will start then or something else entirely? Nobody knows yet.

And word is that Sam Mendes has passed on a recent project because he expects the new Bond film, which he is to be directing, to gear up next year.

Good news, both of those, if they turn out to be true. Right now, it’s all rumour and parsing information out of flippant remarks.

What do you think about seeing the Tasker family on the screen, doing all kinds of spy type stuff? That could become a reality as James Cameron is looking at creating a TV series based on his movie True Lies.

I have to admit to being a True Lies fan. I thought it was a great movie, a great comedy, and a wonderful parody. I would love to see it as a TV series, if it was done right. I honestly can’t decide if I would like a total reboot, with Helen not knowing, or a carry-on series, starting up where the movie left off.

Of course, if it runs for at least two seasons, we could have it both ways, having the season one finale the point at which Helen learns, and then season two would be her being indoctrinated as an “Omega Sector” operative.

One good thing about it being a TV series is that they can re-cast it. Nothing against any of the principles, but the movie was made in 1994. Unless they are going for something completely different, I don’t think the Tasker family +16 years is what anyone is interested in seeing.

There is a plot synopsis for Ghost Rider 2 available from an Italian website, which SyFy’s blog “Blastr” has translated using Google.

First, I was not impressed with Ghost Rider. Second, a sequel is entirely unnecessary, though a re-boot might be welcome. Third, while this movie apparently ignores the first, it is not exactly a re-boot, and is therefore entirely unnecessary. Finally, the ideas in the synopsis are pretty lukewarm.

Conclusion: no excitement on this one, just a whole shitload of apathy.

You can read the article here.

I don’t know if it a sad or happy . . . or indifferent turn of events, but Peter Berg is off the Dune buggy.

Sorry about that one. Anyway . . .

Pierre Morel is now slated to direct the adaptation of the novel Dune. I know that Morel has said he wants to be deliver something close (or closer) to the actual novel, but I have no idea if he can deliver, or if his “closer” will actually produce a better movie than Berg’s vision.

What is cool is that we get to see some of the concept art that Jock—he of the awesomely awesome comic series The Losers—produced for the Berg project.

Very interesting, very stylized—it’s just very “Jock.” Be sure to check it out.

See the pics here.

I have to admit to a certain amount of affection for Marvel’s Doctor Strange. I kind of dug, in a totally pre-teen way, the Doctor Strange television movie from way back when dinosaurs walked the Earth. Now, there is talk of another film starring Dr. Stephen Strange.

It’s very, very cursory—a quick mention of a possible project—but the possibility exists that Pixar will do an animated Doctor Strange.

Now, Pixar does great work, and I think Doctor Strange would make an excellent movie, but I have to admit to being apathetic about this. First, the chances of it coming to fruition are far less than even. Second, Pixar is known for children’s movies—kid’s movies that adults can certainly appreciate and that deal well with mature themes, but kid’s movies nonetheless.

So, it would be cool to get an adult, animated Doctor Strange movie, I’m just not going to hold my breath.

The movie’s working title says it all: Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.

Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola, who directed the Nazi zombie tale Dead Snow, is bringing us Hansel and Gretel on film, 15 years after the gingerbread house “incident” and now hunting down witches. I mean, considering their past history, that kind of makes sense as a career choice.

Jeremy Renner, who did an amazing job in the Hurt Locker, and who is going to be the Avenger Hawkeye in the Joss Whedon directed motion picture, will be Hansel. Noomi Rapace, who starred in the Swedish adaptation of the Swedish thriller the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is going to be Gretel.

It sounds pretty good, and that’s a pretty fine headline cast, so this might be fun. Interest-o-metre at moderate, so we’re talking DVD rental.

In an interview, Clint Eastwood has said that he was offered the roles of Superman and James Bond. Apparently, the Superman offer was when the idea was first surfacing, so it would have been well before Christopher Reeves involvement. The Bond offer came after Sean Connery left the roles, though it isn’t clear if this was after You Only Live Twice or after Diamonds are Forever.

I honestly can’t see Eastwood in either of those roles, and I think he made a good choice passing on them. Eastwood is certainly versatile, but I believe he does have a type—if only because of his looks and his build—and I really can’t see him in the Superman costume. As for James Bond, it would have been a hoot to have Eastwood as Felix Leiter, but not Bond.

Even if Eastwood could do a perfect British accent, which is by no means assured.

You can read the interview here.