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NEWS BY THE NUMBERS
10. Poli-sci X: Dear concerned citizen: Many of you are aware that there is a danger living among us. Many of you have experienced this danger first-hand -- in your neighborhoods, in your schools, maybe even within your close circle of friends. This danger is easy to overlook because it hides in plain sight. But make no mistake -- this danger is very real. And it is growing. Citizens, it is time to take action against the rising MUTANT PROBLEM. Please aid us in our nation-wide efforts to preserve the traditions of this great country by visiting http://www.mutantwatch.com and immediately reporting individuals that you suspect of genetically enhanced activity. If you value the America of today, please help us to ensure that the America of tomorrow remains clean and safe for generations to come. Our children's future depends upon it. Do your duty today. (No, it's not me writing. This came from a certain studio on Pico Boulevard, but I like the site so much, I'm playing along. Definitely worth checking out.)
9. Bye-am: I have been a Peter Hyams supporter for a long time. But he's headed back to the dumps again. I guess that's what happens when you direct a flop starring Arnold. $50 million for D'Artagnan sounds like a real budget, but with a Gene "Comin' At Ya!" Quintano script and Moshe "Simon Sez" Diamant as producer and Mark "Eye of the Beholder" Damon's production company in charge of an epic set in revolutionary France, I'm pretty sure that a carriage wreck is inevitable. I can see it now...starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Natasha Henstridge and Special Guest Star Dennis Rodman as the Archbishop!
8. Moving On: A couple of shockers this week. Sylvester Stallone dropped out of his 3-picture deal at Universal after making just one movie there in the four years, since he signed on the line that was dotted. Meanwhile, over at Fox, Chris Columbus, who has had a deal on the lot for six years, hasn't made a picture for the studio since 1995's Nine Months. He's been busy making duds for Sony (Stepmom) and Disney (Bicentennial Man) featuring the biggest stars in the world. Columbus is one of the potential directors of Harry Potter for Warner Bros., which seems to fit, so long as the script doesn't become maudlin under his supervision.
7. Andy Baby!: Have you read your Sarris today? Claire Dolan and Wonder Boys are on tap.
6. Comic Doings @ Sony: Just as I'm ready to write Sony's tentpole efforts off, suddenly a flurry of comic activity. ("Must have been my influence." Ain't-It-Dave.com) Sadly, the flurry is almost as discordant as no activity at all. I'm hoping that Sam Raimi hits Spider-Man out of the park. Really, I do. But hasn't anyone at Sony noticed that the only success Mark Steven Johnson has ever had, as writer or director, are Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men? What kind of brain freeze is necessary to think that the director of Simon Birch and the writer of Big Bully and Jack Frost should be developing Daredevil? Geez, I have problems with Kevin Smith as a director, but I would be infinitely more supportive of him as the Daredevil guy over M.S.J. At least we know that he can write a kick-a** script for The Man Without Fear. Add to that the news that Chuck Russell is developing a Doctor Strange movie and I want to sell my Sony Vaio. Bless The Child had better be very good to legitimize the choice. Right now, I don't see it.
5. Don't Leave The WB Behind!: Just when you thought that Sony was doing all the screwing up…it's a bird it's a plane, it's about the weirdest choice you think could be made for a Superman movie director. No, Billy Wilder's retired. Weirder. Oliver Stone is being rumored by The Hollywood Reporter to be serious about reviving the Superman franchise with Nic Cage in tow, shooting the Bill Wisher script that recently got a round of applause in the executive suites at the studio. And make no mistake, Wisher has been working with Jon Peters on the screenplay…ole' J.P. has not faded away. And The Reporter adds, say goodbye to the Supertights that were so much the point of rumored ridicule back in the Tim Burton days of the project. I would be fascinated to see Ollie take on Captain America. But Superman? Well, I'll look forward to the scene where Lois Lane shmushes her breasts against the bulletproof glass.
©2002
David Poland
The Hot Button.com
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