Cowabunga!
Well, it’s about time. Homer Simpson and the gang are finally coming to the big screen. A Simpsons teaser debuted last Friday before screenings of Ice Age: The Meltdown. The clip announces Fox’s July 27, 2007, release date for The Simpsons Movie. The animated 28-second clip opens on a giant superhero “S” shield. “Leaping his way onto the silver screen,” intones a narrator, “the greatest hero in American history!” Cut to Homer sitting on his couch in his undies and T-shirt. “I forgot what I was supposed to say,” Homer says. The narrator continues, ” The Simpsons Movie, coming to the screen July 27, 2007.” “Uh, oh …,” says Homer, “we better get started.” D’oh! According to the Hollywood Reporter, producer James L. Brooks suggested to the studio that the surprise teaser would be a better way of announcing the long-awaited theatrical version of The Simpsons than using a conventional press announcement. Very clever, Mr. Brooks. With just three weeks to assemble it, the studio worked under a veil of secrecy with Brooks, Simpsons creator Matt Groening and writers Al Jean and Mike Scully. David Silverman, co-director of Pixar Animation Studios’ Monsters, Inc., is directing the movie. The principal voice cast from the TV series will all be involved in the film, which will also introduce new characters, one of which will be voiced by Albert Brooks. Oh, it’s gonna make millions!
Stiller Rides the Wave; Moore Gets Her License
Ben Stiller and his Red Hour partner Stuart Cornfeld are producing the pitch Big Wave. The directing team of Brendan and Emmett Malloy is helming. Based on an idea by Stiller, the film is a sports comedy about a big-wave surfer who, after being sidelined for years following a traumatic wipeout, decides to surf again in order to raise money to save a convalescent home for old surfers. They said its suppose to be funny, right? Meanwhile, Robin Williams and Mandy Moore are set to star in License to Wed, a romantic comedy that revolves around a young couple whose wedding plans are interrupted when the pushy minister (Williams) of the bride’s family church orders the pair to complete a two-week pre-nup course. They must pass the class if they want to marry in his church. The groom fails the course and loses the girl but fights to win her back. John Krasinski (adorably funny in The Office) is in early talks to play Moore‘s love interest. Sound right up Williams’ ally. If his upcoming R.V. is any good, we could be seeing a resurgence of the old wacky Robin we know and love.
Jackson Checks In
After battling snakes and narrating a parody on penguin love, Samuel L. Jackson, the hardest working actor in town, will be joining John Cusack in 1408, a thriller based on a Stephen King short story. Swedish filmmaker Mikael Hafstrom (Derailed) is directing the Dimension Films project. Cusack plays a debunker of paranormal occurrences who encounters real terror when he checks into the notorious Room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel. Jackson plays the hotel manager. The short story originally appeared in King’s audio book Blood and Smoke and was later included as one of 14 short stories in the author’s Everything’s Eventual, which was published in 2002. Being a Stephen King fanatic, I always get a little apprehensive when they try to adapt his work to the big screen because it doesn’t always work. But this one has piqued my curiosity.
From Station Agent to Underdog
Peter Dinklage, who was so achingly good in the indie gem The Station Agent, is set to play the villainous Simon Bar Sinister in Underdog, Walt Disney Pictures’ live-action adaptation of the 1960s cartoon. Underdog follows the adventures of a humble dog named Shoeshine Boy who becomes the super-heroic, rhyming Underdog. Simon Bar Sinister was one of the show’s recurring villains and, unbeknown to the tykes watching the show, his last name slyly translated to “Evil Bastard.” What fun for Dinklage. Speaking of underdogs…Seann William Scott will star in the indie comedy Gary the Tennis Coach, playing an overzealous high school janitor who takes a group of lovable misfits to the Nebraska state championship. Oh, now come on. Wacky coaches, lovable misfits–how many more of these type movies do we have to be subjected to? Stop it!
Banderas Set to Conquer
Trading in his dancing shoes for a sword, Antonio Banderas, who is starring in this week’s ballroom dance flick Take the Lead, has signed on to play Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes in the historical epic Conquistador. The independently financed film tells the story of the expedition that sailed west from Cuba in 1519 in hopes of expanding the Spanish Empire. Cortes and his band of soldiers came upon what is now Mexico and swiftly brought about the destruction of the Aztec empire. If they play it smart, they’ll keep this toned down and make it more about wiping out an entire race of people from violence and disease. Sad story.
Deschanel Living the Good Life
Mark Webber (Broken Flowers) and Zooey Deschanel (Failure to Launch) are enjoying The Good Life, an indie coming-of-age drama set in a Nebraska town obsessed with football. First-time director Steve Berra drew on his experiences to write the screenplay, which revolves around a mostly normal young man (Webber) who makes the best out of fitting in where he obviously doesn’t. Deschanel‘s character encourages him to pursue his own path. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Harry Dean Stanton also stars as a movie theater owner who employs him. Chris Klein plays a bully ex-football player living off his high school fame, while Bruce McGill is the football coach who is a god in the town. Oh, and Bill Paxton plays a Judy Garland fan. A Judy Garland fan? What the hell does that have to do with it?
SNL’s New School
Saturday Night Live’s Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer are teaming up for the rowdy comedy Hot Rod. The project centers on an accident-prone daredevil (Samberg) who plans to jump the Snake River on a Moped to emulate his hero Evel Knievel in order to win over his hard-to-please stepfather. Samberg will be joined by his SNL colleagues Taccone, who also stars, and Schaffer, who will make his feature directorial debut. Apparently, this comedy trio have already made a name for themselves on the Internet Dubbed the Lonely Island, Samberg, Taccone and Schaffer created a media frenzy with their SNL sketch “Lazy Sunday,” a rap about a day at the movies that became an Internet sensation. Samberg starred in the sketch, while Schaffer directed it and Taccone was music director. I must be getting old because I have never even HEARD of these guys.
Liman Jumps; Koontz’s Husband Gets Adapted
Mr. & Mrs. Smith director Doug Liman is getting his cast in order for his follow-up movie, the sci-fi thriller Jumper. Based on the Steven Gould novel, the story follows a teenager from a broken home who discovers that he can “jump” or teleport from one place to another. In his quest for the man he believes is responsible for the death of his mother, the young man draws the attention of both the National Security Agency and another boy who has the same abilities. Tom Sturridge (Being Julia) will play the protagonist, while fellow Brit Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) is the jumper who shows him the ropes. Hmm, intriguing. Also getting adapted is Dean Koontz’s new novel The Husband. Focus Features and Random House Films are developing it as part of their new filmmaking joint venture. The story centers on an ordinary working man whose love for his wife is put to the test over the course of 60 hours after his normal workday is interrupted by a phone call from a stranger. Uh oh, that doesn’t sound good. Under the venture, the two companies are co-financing and co-developing a slate of films, all based on books published by Random House imprints, according to the Reporter. Of course, this makes sense. Heaven forbid a studio would actually have to think up a movie all on its own when there are books and old TV shows and film remakes to be had.
Until next week…
