The Dark Knight Rises Teaser Poster Released

With the anticipated release of the first teaser trailer of The Dark Knight Rises when Harry Potter is released on Friday, Warner Brothers' have released this tantalising poster.


The image echoes the crumbling dream world of Inception mirroring the chaos Gotham City was plunged into following Heath Ledger's Joker rampaging in the previous Dark Knight installment.


While it gives nothing away, it creates what Christopher Nolan always delivers. Intrigue. 
The reverted bat symbol, 'The White Knight' that penetrates the surface of the underworld of Gotham or is it a symbol of what Christian Bale's Dark Knight must do - rise above the hatred - to become more than the scowling vigilante.  


With a stellar cast including Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Juno Temple, Josh Pence, Daniel Sunjata, Diego Klattenhoff, Burn Gorman, Nestor Carbonell, Gary Oldman, 
Morgan Freeman, Matthew Modine and Tom Conti, Nolan will deliver his conclusion to the Batman franchise.


What we do know is this, we will be first in line come July 20th 2012.

The Expendables 2 heads West for new director

The Expendables was just too much fun for those involved the first time round for a second to not happen. But when Slyvester Stallone said he would only be in front of camera this time round it raised the dilemma, who would? According to sources Simon West, thats who.

Last time out, West brought us the remake of The Mechanic starring Jason Statham. However, he is probably still best known for Con Air.

No plot details have been revealed yet, but it we are honest, that did not really effect the first film. What we know is that there will be a team of big, 'ard, merc's including Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Cews, Mickey Rourke and Jet Li.

What we know is Stallone will have a hand in scripting once again, with bullets, explosions an old timer's from action films from a bygone era.

Filming is scheduled for the summer.

CBS to bring Stephen King's The Stand to the big screen

Stephen King's back catalogue is being plundered at the moment by film studio's looking for the next hit. Following Ron Howard’s decision to delve into The Dark Tower it now appears that CBS Films will unleash The Stand.

The Stand is a post apocalyptic tale of survival. America is ravaged following a virus outbreak leaving the population on the brink of extinction. The book follows a group trying to live in the harsh reality of this world, while fending off demonic Randall Flagg, who appears in many guises in Stephen King lore.

The book was originally published back in 1978 and this will not be the first screen outing for the story. It has been the subject of many incarnations but most notably was created into a TV miniseries back in 1994.

The rights to the film have been with CBS for some time now, but without any movement. It is possible that they have been spurred on to act of The Dark Tower generating mainstream excitement for King's work once more. Alternatively, CBS do not want to be the people who put out the first King adaptation film after The Dark Tower.

Empire makes an interesting query; will this be a stand-alone film or part of a wider franchise? The bigger question for CBS is this; is there really room for a simultaneous Dark Tower film and the mooted television series as well as The Stand? Would it risk creating divided camps therefore damaging both film's following,Team Tower or Team Stand, which would you prefer?

::Update::

Well, given the news that yet another remake of Stephen King's works has been plucked out for a big screen outing, you would think he would be happy. You'd be wrong.

Following the announcement of Pet Sematary joining The Stand and the The Dark Tower King showered criticism on remaking The Stand.

Writing in Entertainment Weekly King said: "No one will be able to top Gary Sinise, who played Stu Redman in the original ABC miniseries. He was perfect." However, King sources Jake Gyllenhaal as his 'runner up' pick. Adding, "You absolutely can’t make it as a two-hour movie. If it was a trilogy of films…maybe". CBS will be pleased.

Confirmed: Anne Hathaway is Catwoman

After feverish debate and anticipation the line up for Christopher Nolan's Batman finale The Dark Knight Rises is taking shape with the announcement that Anne Hathaway is Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman.

Christopher Nolan stated: "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway, who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story."

It is indeed an intriguing choice. Hathaway, as the feline-femme-fatale does not spring immediately into focus. Get Smart, Bride Wars and the The Devil Wears Prada are testament to this fact.

Yet, these roles allow actors to evolve their characters beyond the realm of the ordinary; to create the sublime. But it comes with a risk, you can deliver performances such as Heath Ledger, Jack Nicholson or Michelle Pfieffer or be the next Halle Berry, Jim Carrey or Arnold Schwarzenegger. Either way you'll be remembered.

A Warner Brother's press release has also been confirmed that Tom Hardy will play the role of Bane. Forget Joel Schumacher's Batman and Robin massacre of characterisation. Bane is a mastermind, calculated, vicious and built like an ox. A compelling opposite to the chaos of Heath Ledger's Joker and not at all the green gimp that the aforementioned director managed to disgrace himself with.

Hardy's involvement will signal the reunion between actor and director, one that Nolan is pleased about. "I am delighted to be working with Tom again and excited to watch him bring to life our new interpretation of one of Batman's most formidable enemies".

But what do you think to these choices? Once again Nolan has chosen to revise what has gone before, will there be room for scarecrow one last time?

Warner Brothers hire Jason Rothenberg to pen The Twilight Zone

Warner Brother's have hired Jason Rothenberg to deliver a screenplay for 'The Twilight Zone', a new feature length version of Rod Serling's 1950's classic TV run.

It's reported that the screenplay will source the original material from Serling's episodes, which contained a mixture of fantasy, science fiction, suspense and horror that would pull audiences into a world of abstract ideas and startling situations for its protagonists.

This is not the first theatrical remake. In 1983, Steven Spielberg and John Landis brought Twilight Zone: The Movie to the big screen. Despite a good box-office return it suffered critically on screen with mixed reviews, while off screen the film was coming to terms with the deaths of three actors, two of which were under ten-years-old, after a stunt involving a helicopter ended tragically.

Who is Rothenberg you ask? Well he is a relative newcomer with one writing credit to his name with the TV film 'Body Politic' from last year. However, he has been enlisted by Universal and Imagine Entertainment to scribe 'The Forbin Project', yet another science fiction remake, this time taken from Joseph Sargent's 'Colossus: The Forbin Project' from 1970.

'The Forbin Project' centres on Dr. Charles A. Forbin, a chief designer foe a secret American government project 'Colossus'; a super computer destined to control the United States nuclear weapons systems. But, when activated Colossus becomes aware and threatens to end mankind. Currently it has Ron Howard attached to direct with Will Smith attached to star.

So, what are your thoughts on a Twilight Zone film? is it needed? is it wanted? Does anybody care? And does The Forbin Project sound familiar to you?

Mandate Pictures secures rights to The Day Of The Triffids

Mandate Pictures have fought off Warner Brothers to acquire The Day of the Triffids with Sam Raimi attached to direct.

It was known that previous right holder's, producers Michael Preger and Don Murphy, had shopped Triffids to studio's, but its eventual destination remained unclear.

According to reports, Mandate had been vying for the project in a joint venture with Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures, with the director revealing interest in creating his vision of a film that he cherished early in his career, referring to Steve Sekely's 1962 original.

Similarly, had Warner Brothers succeeded, they had a specific director in mind in the form of David Yates, who right now is busy finishing the concluding 'Deathly Hallows' chapters of the Harry Potter legacy.

So what have Mandate got? Well, they have acquired the rights to John Wyndham's novel which follows the story of Bill Masen, who after England is blinded by a devastating meteor shower, is the only man who can help save fellow survivors as the country is overrun by giant killer plants.

Interesting fact, you may have heard of the author before, as John Carpenter's 1995 classic 'Village of the Damned' originates from Wyndham's 1960 novel; 'The Midwich Cuckoo's'.

So, Raimi looks set to remain in 'horror mode' after putting the Spider-man franchise firmly behind him with 'Drag Me To Hell' in 2009. Yet, while the opening scenes to 'The Evil Dead' whirl around my head in regards to what Raimi could do with the material, it makes me pine for something that is just Raimi and not something from half-a-century ago.

Lets here some thoughts.

Craven Talks About Second Scream Trilogy

While talking to MTV about the upcoming release of 'My Soul To Take', and decision to convert the horror to 3D, director Wes Craven tested the waters about a potential new Scream Trilogy, revealing discussions between the studio.

On My Soul To Take, Craven revealed that the film was originally commissioned to be shot in the 2D format with Rogue Pictures. However, in October 2008 it was announced that Relativity Media was to acquire Rogue Pictures in a deal worth a reputed $150million. With the acquisition finalised the new owners approached Craven about the possibility of releasing the film in 3D.

After initial objections to the studio, Craven reveals that he was asked to go and see first hand the View-D conversion process that was used for Louis Leterrier's Clash of The Titans, which they proposed be used for 'Soul'. Far removed from the murky and distorted example that he had heard about, Craven that the converted Titans is 'beautiful', before adding, "3d is here and its going to be here, it is no longer a gimmick".

In the same interview Craven reveals a possible future plan for the Scream franchise after the release of the fourth instalment on April 15, 2011.

"The studio wants to be very, very secretive about it," Craven admitted. "I think it's kind of known that Neve is returning to her hometown for a short visit, and all hell breaks loose. But there's also a whole cast of new characters -- there's some very, very interesting kids."

"It is or was a planned trilogy. I think the studio is realistic enough to say, let's see how it does," Craven said. But Kevin Williamson [the series creator and screenwriter] does have an idea for a planned trilogy out of it."

So, can we officially call this Scream 4: The New Breed. After the commercial disappointment of Scream 3, only strong sales will see this come to fruition. Will the last people out please turn out the lights.