New Strike Imminent, Moar Sequels, & Space Nazis

So last night it seems the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) suspended all negotiations with the SAG (Screen Actor's Guild). While SAG has released a memo saying it is willing to sit at the negotiating table 24/7, the Producers do not appear to be and are moving away until something apparently happens in regards to the demands the SAG is making.

Some of the main points of contention actually seem to be regarding AMPTP demands that REMOVE existing rights and benefits actors in several non-internet areas, which is kinda bizarre. The memos circulating around actually suggest that they're being offered significant losses in comparison to the deals signed with the Directors and Writers.

Hopefully this can get all resolved within the next couple of weeks before the contracts officially expire.

Back when MI:3 came out and the entire fiasco with Tom Cruise going insane and generally, as Paramount stated, ruined the earnings for the flick they decided to permanently part ways with Cruise. They stated so quite publicly that they would not be pursuing future arrangements with the nutjob and insinuated that despite MI:3 being a badass movie (which it was) his face being attached to it brought it down with the normal public. It was a pretty harsh thing. I mean I can't honestly say I've ever known a studio to specifically "blacklist" an actor, especially publicly.

Regardless, it appears enough time has passed for some of the wounds to mend because Cruise is in talks with Paramount for MI:4.

So one flick that's still out on the horizon that I can honestly say I'm looking forward to seeing more of at SD Comic Con this year is The Watchmen. Its another flick in the "based on a graphic novel" collection. JoBlo.com has a pretty cool video journal entry on some of the costuming being done. They're taking painstaking amounts of time to accurately portray each time period that has to be represented, which is pretty awesome. I just figured I'd mention this to stir some interest in a movie that most probably haven't heard about yet.

http://www.joblo.com/video/player.ph...o=Watchmen_480

Rounding up some of the news headlines that I managed to miss the past few days due to some of the more spectacular news that I got distracted with here...

A MacGyver movie is officially in the works. Who's starring is still up in the air, but what I can tell you is that it will be made entirely with this stick of chewing gum, an empty water bottle, a strand of silk, and a lens from a broken pair of glasses.

The creator of Anchorman has announced his intentions to make a sequel, but only if he can get the original group together. Living in "a whale's vagina" myself, I hope to see this happen.

Brandon Routh, star of Superman Returns, recently went on the record saying he hopes to be clad in tights again by early 2009. Bryan Singer is apparently working on the project again and they're still actively trying to put a script together. That's puts the film a bit farther out that I would have thought, but hey, if its good then they can take their time.

Aaron Eckhart commented on his role as Two Face with the new trailer out... and naturally with the leaks of the photo out and about as well. He had the following to say.

"I can tell you that, basically, when you look at Two-Face, you should get sick to your stomach. Being the guy under all that, well, that was a lot of fun for me. It's like you would feel if you met someone whose face had pretty much been ripped off or burned off with acid."

Based on the image I supplied yesterday, I definitely think that's a spot on description.

Almost done. Just a bit more to go here for today...

With Speed Racer already behind them, the Wachowski Siblings are already hard at work with their new film, a martial arts epic called "Ninja Assassin". James McTeigue, the V for Vendetta director will be helming the project. Its currently filming in Germany with a 2009 release date.

Actors include Rick Yune (Die Another Day, Fast and the Furious), Rain (some Korean star), Naomie Harris (Street Kings, Miami Vice), and Ben Miles (Coupling, UK actor).

So finally, we close with a project that I just caught the trailer for and feel obligated to mention. Its an indie flick but it definitely struck me as work mentioning for the sheer premise. Its called "Iron Sky" and I don't know too much more about it than that.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/...ctid1519727356

Enjoy.