According to reports, there are plans to reboot Anne Rice’s ultra popular Vampire Chronicles and Universal Pictures is eyeing Downey to play Lestat.

Movie buffs will remember that Tom Cruise played Lestat in Interview with The Vampire, while Stuart Townsend played the character in The Queen of The Damned.

Downey is a great actor, probably one of the top real talents working right now but I think he’s a little too old to play Lestat. Tom Cruise was already a bit old to play Lestat and that was in 1994 when he was still young.

I’m also curious which among the remaining novels will be made into a movie or if the studio will start with the first novel again since it is going to be a reboot anyway.

Being an avid C.S. Lewis fan, I am unsure as to how to react to the news that Twentieth Century Fox is going to take the helm in the making of the third Narnia film. According to news reports, the movie giant has partnered up with Walden Media and will create the third installment in The Chronicles of Narnia series.

The development was announced after the Walt Disney Co stepped out of the picture sometime this week. If you recall, Walt Disney and Walden Media were the entities behind the first two Narnia films, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Prince Caspian. And the reason behind Disney’s letting go of the franchise? “Budgetary considerations and other logistics.” Could this be a sign that Disney is being affected by the economic times?

Perhaps. The numbers that were involved in producing the first two Narnia films are around $180 million to $200 million. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe grossed about $745 million worldwide while Prince Caspian earned nearly half of that amount at $420 million. Perhaps Disney is merely playing it safe and not wanting to risk much lower turnouts.

In any case, the third movie is going to be The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The story (based on the book, at least, as the movie is not out yet) picks up Caspian’s story but many many years later. The once prince is now the King and is on a quest to find the seven lost lords of Narnia – a promise which he made to Aslan. The younger Pevensies and their cousin Eustace are drawn into Narnia again. The Dawn Treader is Caspian’s ship, where much of the story will take place.

Needless to say, I want to see this film.

I forgot all about this new movie that Benicio Del Toro is starring in. I remember seeing a feature on it a couple of weeks ago on TV and I remember making a mental note about featuring it here but I guess I forgot all about it…

Anyhow, in case you have not heard of it, Del Toro is playing Che Guevara in Steven Soderbergh’s movie titled Che. I personally think that Del Toro is perfect for the character as he is no stranger to controversial movies and roles. And believe me, the movie is as controversial as it can get.

So what is the movie all about? Obviously, it focuses on the life of the late revolutionary leader who stood for a lot of things, many of which might have been forgotten by today’s generation. The movie follows Che’s life from Mexico to Cuba then on to New York and finally Bolivia.

The beginnings of the movie can actually be attributed to Del Toro himself, who found himself enchanted with Che’s book, The Bolivian Diary. He then presented the idea for a movie to producer Laura Bickford. The result is another compelling performance from the actor. By the way, he has already won a best actor award for this performance – at the Cannes Film Festival, no less. If anything, that should be an indication that this film is something to watch out for.

Che opened in some theatres in the US late last week so you can check your local theatres for their own screening schedule.

And indeed, it is going to be something totally new – at least if the rumor mill is to be believed. According to what’s been circulating on the grapevine, Tom Clancy’s character Jack Ryan is going to be revived but this time, with a different twist. In fact, some are saying that his character will be nothing like the Jack Ryan that we have all come to love.

For starters, the franchise has gotten a new writer in the person of Hossein Amini. Empire Online has this story:

Hossein Amini, who has written movies as diverse as The Four Feathers, the still-delayed Killshot and Shanghai, has been brought on board by producers Mace Neufeld and Lorenzo di Bonaventura with the brief to write a Ryan origin tale that will have little or nothing to do with Tom Clancy’s novels.

More than a new writer, we should expect a new actor to play the role of Jack Ryan:

The new movie will obviously involve a new Jack Ryan – the fourth after Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck – and we reckon that Paramount will want to go with a big name. After all, while the Ryan franchise has been lucrative, it’s not a name that carries the instant appeal of a Batman or a Bond.

This point is what interests me most. Who can play the role effectively? I have to say that I am quite excited about a new Jack Ryan film – there is something about this character that appeals to me. However, off the top of my head, I cannot think of an actor that would match the character perfectly. Can you?

In spite of the fact that Tom Cruise’s credibility has suffered from some serious blows (yeah, who can forget his sofa-jumping episode at Oprah?), we cannot discount his talent as an actor. This is the man who brought Jerry Maguire – among many other movie characters – to life.

Come Christmas Day, I find myself looking forward to seeing Valkyrie, Tom Cruise’s newest movie. It is actually more than a good movie – as many critics are already saying – as this year marks his 25th year since Risky Business, the film that many say made Tom Cruise into what he is today.

In Valkyrie, Tom Cruise plays a real life character. The last time that he did this was in the movie Born on the Fourth of July, which was way back in 1989. Undoubtedly, that movie was a success. Would Valkyrie prove to be the same?

Tom Cruise, the director and star of the new movie, has done as much as he could to make that possible. He actually did research on his own – research on Germany, its history, the Third Reich, and even met some of von Stauffenberg’s descendants; von Stauffenberg being the main character of the film.

What does the star have to say about his latest film?

Because the picture is a suspense-centered film, to really understand von Stauffenberg was obviously very important. You try to comprehend the kind of pressure he was under. Things he couldn’t even discuss with his children. The odds that he was up against, and to make the choices that he made — I found it to be inspiring and very interesting.

I am hoping that my anticipation – and yours – will not be unfounded.

The score for the movie has been disqualified by the executive committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from Oscar contention. Apparently, the score for Batman Begins was also disqualified in 2005.

The issue the committee had with the Batman score was that five names were listed as the composers on the music sheet. But according to Hans Zimmer the names were only put in the sheet as a way of financially rewarding some of the music team who helped make the overall work. The primary composers are Zimmer and James Newton Howard. The rest of the team have already issued an affidavit stating that the two composers are the main work of the two.

But it looks like even an affidavit is not enough.

Jaden Smith is now being groomed to star in the Karate Kid remake. The new movie will be produced by Jerry Weintraub as well as Overbrook Entertainment, which his father is involved in.

The script for the movie is being developed by Chris Murphy. Shooting for the movie will begin next year in Beijing as well as other cities in China.

The movie, called Red State, is about a group of people who encounter fundamentalists “in the heart of the country.” Smith said that he hopes to be able to make the movie but he is still looking for funding for it. He said the movie is not commercial and this will really make it hard to find the funding that is needed. He hopes to be able to make the movie for about $5 million and wants a cast of unknowns.

Long-time Smith fans are excited about the project because this is Smith’s first foray to the horror genre so he may come out with a lot of surprises.

Hopefully, Smith gets the funding he needs for Red State.

The sequel will be directed by Paul Verhoeven and will have a theme that is similar to the 1964 heist movie Topkapi. Brosnan has assured though that only a “sliver” of Topkapi will be used, among them being the setting, which is Istanbul. This time around the object of the caper is a rare diamond and not paintings.

Renee Russo will not be returning in the sequel but there is talk that Angeline Jolie is in the running for the role of the female lead.

The movie will have similar themes to The Dirty Dozen-a group of soldiers that are sent behind enemy lines. The group is looking at accelerating production so that they will have time to submit the film in next year’s Cannes Film Festival.

One other interesting news about the movie is that Tarantino is reportedly talking to Brad Pitt regarding a role that he can play in the movie.

The man who brought The Terminator, Jurassic Park dinosaurs, and the Alien and Predator characters to uncanny life on screen died last June 15 in Los Angeles. He was just 62. Mr. Winston died at his home after a seven year battle with multiple myeloma.

Mr. Winston has won three Oscars for his work on Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and Jurassic Park. He most recently did a full working armor for the Iron Man movie and was the effects supervisor for Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins.

Winston was best known for his work for the “Terminator,” “Jurassic Park” and “Predator” series, and Edward Scissorhands. The 3-time Oscar winner most recently worked on Iron Man and was special effects supervisor on the upcoming Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins.

According to reports from Variety, he is now not involved in the production of the Todd Philips directed movie Man-Witch. Warner Bros. has already confirmed Black’s non participation. The movie’s plot actually sounds quite interesting. It tells the story of a man who finds out that he has abilities that are similar to a witch and he finds himself teaching girl witches.

Despite Black not getting involved in the project, the movie’s production schedule is still moving forward.

According to an article that came out in Military.com, Terrence Howard (who plays Col. James Rhodes in the movie) spilled that he will start filming for Iron Man 2 starting March 2009. Of course, not only will Howard return but also director Jon Favreau and the uber-cool Robert Downey, Jr. Gwyneth Paltrow is also set to return. The expected release of the movie is April 30, 2010.

Tony Stark fans won’t have to wait almost two years before they see their favorite hero on screen. Just watch the upcoming Incredible Hulk to see a cool Tony Stark cameo with Robert Downey Jr. himself.

The movie, which will be directed by James McTeigue, will have a script from Matthew Sand and comicbook favorite J. Michael straczynski. The Wachowski brothers will be producing the movie along with constant partner Joel Silver.

Korean star Rain will topbill this possible eye candy from the Wachowskis. Rain’s last Hollywood movie was Speed Racer, which was also a Wachowski project. Other stars involved in the movie are Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, Sho Kosugi, and Rick Yune.
Ninja Assassin will tell the story of Raizo, a deadly assassin who was trained by the Ozunu Clan. But driven by guilt because of the way the clan executed his friend, Raizo breaks free from the Ozunu and disappears, plotting his revenge on his friends’ killers.

The Spirit is based on the award-winning comicbook by Will Eisner and is directed by another comicbook legand, Frank Miller. Jackson plays the arch-nemesis of The Spirit. Comic Con recently released the first picture of Jackson as The Octopus, and to say that he looks so bad ass in the photo is a vast understatement.

Bloodgood will be starring along with Christian Bale, Sam Worthington and Anton Yelchin. The movie will be produced by Halcyon Co. and will be released by Warner Bros. tentatively on May 22, 2009.

Bloodgood could well become the breakout star of 2009. Aside from Terminator, she is also set to appear in the new Streeet Fighter movie as well as in What Just Happened?.

I have to say I am speechless and it has made me really want to watch the movie. Here folks are The Comedian, Night Owl, Ozymandias, Rorshach and Silk Spectre:

Just today, the National Board of Review gave their awards and the results are quite interesting. I’ll let you see some of the choice nominations and awards for your benefit:

Best Film — NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Top Ten Films — (In alphabetical order) THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD, ATONEMENT, THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM, THE BUCKET LIST, INTO THE WILD, JUNO, THE KITE RUNNER, LARS AND THE REAL GIRL, MICHAEL CLAYTON, SWEENEY TODD

Best Foreign Film — THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

Top Five Foreign Films — (In alphabetical order) 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS, 2 DAYS, THE BAND’S VISIT, THE COUNTERFEITERS, LA VIE EN ROSE, LUST, CAUTION

Top Five Documentaries — (In alphabetical order) DARFUR NOW, IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON, NANKING, TAXI TO THE DARKSIDE, TOOTS

Top Independent Films — (In alphabetical order) AWAY FROM HER, GREAT WORLD OF SOUND, HONEYDRIPPER, IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH, A MIGHTY HEART, THE NAMESAKE, ONCE, THE SAVAGES, STARTING OUT IN THE EVENING, WAITRESS

Best Actor — GEORGE CLOONEY, Michael Clayton

Best Actress — JULIE CHRISTIE, Away From Her

Best Supporting Actor — CASEY AFFLECK, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Best Supporting Actress — AMY RYAN, Gone Baby Gone

Best Ensemble Cast — NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Breakthrough Performance by an Actor — EMILE HIRSCH, Into The Wild

Breakthrough Performance by an Actress — ELLEN PAGE, Juno

Best Director — TIM BURTON, Sweeney Todd

Best Directorial Debut — BEN AFFLECK, Gone Baby Gone

Best Adapted Screenplay — JOEL COEN and ETHAN COEN, No Country For Old Men

Best Original Screenplay — DIABLO CODY, Juno and NANCY OLIVER, Lars and the Real Girl

Best Documentary — BODY OF WAR

Best Animated Feature — RATATOUILLE

I am quite happy that Lust, Caution has been given some recognition. It is a beautiful film that deserves a wider audience. We’ll see in the coming months if these early winners will continue to build steam and momentum to the run-up to Academy Awards early next year