Toy Story 3 Screenwriter May Write Star Wars: Episiode VII

Today brings word that Star Wars: Episode VII may have found its screenwriter.

Vulture claims that Oscar winner Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3, Little Miss Sunshine) "has written a 40- to 50-page treatment for the film and is likely to be at least one of the writers when the Disney/Lucasfilm project begins shooting in 2014." They say Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo are indeed in it.

Furthermore, Vulture hears "Arndt's 40-something page treatment will soon be crossing the desks of top directors, including Brad Bird, Steven Spielberg (Lucasfilm’s co-chair, Kathleen Kennedy's former producing partner), and J.J. Abrams. Whether they’d be interested is unknown (Star Wars is a lot of baggage for an established director), but Disney wants to make sure they’ve at least tried the biggest names."

Arndt also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which is currently in production.

Source : ign[dot]com

Skyfall Scribe Logan Set to Pen Two More James Bond Films

As Skyfall opens in the U.K. today, James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson have quietly hired Skyfall writer John Logan to pen not one but two 007 films.

According to Deadline, the writer pitched an original two-movie arc while Skyfall was in production, and he has already begun writing the scripts.

A successful playwright, Logan has also worked on such films as Gladiator, Hugo, The Aviator, The Last Samurai and Star Trek: Nemesis. He also wrote the screenplay for Darren Aronofsky's forthcoming biblical epic Noah, starring Russel Crowe.

Skyfall hits stateside theaters stateside on November 9.

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love by following @Max_Nicholson on Twitter, or MaxNicholson on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Anna Kendrick on End of Watch

It’s emotional, gritty, and very realistic. The action-drama End of Watch chronicles two beat cops (Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena) working in the heart of south central L.A. They deal with gang bangers, drug dealers, and the worst criminals the city has to offer. The film tells a story about men trying to control their world, fighting the good fight.

The emotional core of director David Ayer’s are the relationships. This is a movie as much about family, and what it means to rely on someone, as it is about day to day police work. Anna Kendrick plays Janet, girlfriend and eventual wife to Officer Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal). She becomes a focal point as their relationship develops, and she learns what it means to enter this world.

IGN recently had a chance to sit down with Kendrick to talk about End of Watch and what the movie means to her.

IGN: What can you tell us generally your role in the film?

Anna Kendrick: I play Jake Gyllenhaal’s girlfriend, and fiancee, and eventual wife who is kind of taking the journey from thinking that dating a cop is like dating a teacher or an accountant, and realizing what it is that he risks everyday, and realizing how strong she has to be to accept that risk.

IGN: The film’s form is fascinating, how did the ‘day in the life’ aspect inform how you took on the film?

Anna Kendrick: It certainly created one of the most interesting atmospheres on set that I’ve ever experienced. One in which you were never really sure if you were being filmed or not, so it was weirdly liberating and challenging at the same time, in this wonderful way where you were in character for 12 hours a day. The only time we weren’t holding hands, snuggling or whatever the scene called for was at lunch. If there was ever a point that we realized that every other camera was re-loading then Jake or Michael would grab the handheld and we would just film something. Jake would pull me aside and he would grab the handheld camera and start doing something, and then David would notice that we were in the corner and come over and start filming, and we wouldn’t have noticed for a solid 5 minutes that they’d been filming us, until Dave yells out ‘kiss her!’

IGN: So it sounds like there was a lot of improv on set.

Anna Kendrick: Exactly. Two things happen when you’re allowed to improv that much. You do find these little magic moments that really add to the film, but also it creates such a natural environment that improv can bleed really naturally into scripted dialogue. Dave wrote a great screenplay, and he knew the story that he wanted to tell, so a lot of what’s in the film is paired back down to his original screenplay. There are certainly magical little moments that are peppered in there, and that’s definitely worth all the footage that we sacrificed, it’s certainly worth those tiny little moments that did make it into the film, and I think it aided our performances all around.

IGN: How do you get into the mindset of a police officer's wife?

Anna Kendrick: It was interesting for me because it was one of those weird life imitating art situations where all of my rehearsals were with just Jake. So I’ve met Mike (Peña) and I’ve met Natalie (Martinez), but I didn’t know them well at all, so when I came to set it really felt like my new boyfriend introducing me to his good friends. And the three of them were already really close so I really had that feeling of wanting to prove that I was strong enough to be a part of this family, but then also being overwhelmed by the bond that they had. In a healthy way, I was a little envious of the relationship Jake had with Mike, and the relationship that he has with everybody on the police force. Realizing again and again, and again through every scene just what it means to be a police officer, what it means to be a police officers wife.

In the wedding scene when Mike is giving a toast he gave such a beautiful performance I really felt like I was just listening and taking it in and then I was looking around the room at all these people and being told that they were my family now that all felt really real for me. It was really great to go on this journey with this character. I was a little nervous coming in without doing a ton of prep work because the guys had done so much, but I think actually it would have been detrimental to the entire experience and the performance.

IGN: How did you achieve such believable intimacy with Jake?

Anna Kendrick: I really followed his lead on that. I’m really glad that he was so open and giving on that end, just like somebody who wants to reach inside you and rip you open in this really incredible way. He was so deep in the shit by the time that I got there that he was completely mentally there all day every day. So when I showed up and he was holding my hand the entire time I was like ‘this is weird right?’; but I think that’s exactly why that relationship is believable in such a short amount of screen time.

IGN: What draws you to this kind of a character?

Anna Kendrick: I don’t have a thing for really likable characters. Even in this, Janet is likable and she has her heart in the right place but I think weirdly the scene that really puts the audience on her side is the scene when she goes through Brian’s wallet. Because it’s not a respectable thing to do, and I think the audience wants to be on a character’s side and they want to forgive them, but when you just say ‘here’s this character isn’t she great, this is why we love her’ I think people really resist that.

This is a really silly example but I think that on Community you know how at first people didn’t like Britta, because she was supposed to be the cool one, the moral one; and once they started breaking her down and making her like the worst, and making fun of her, people started to really come around on her. Little things like that is what makes you connect with characters and gets you on their side. Even the police officers, people talk about finally showing the story of two good cops, but they make some morally questionable decisions. I think those are the places where you’re rooting for them., because they’re human, and you think ‘if I met them they wouldn’t look down on me.’

IGN: What’s your take on some of the graphic violence in the film?

Anna Kendrick: That’s really David’s wheelhouse. I think this is a world that David understands and there are things in the film that I wish I could look at them and say ‘but I’m sure that kind of thing doesn’t really happen…’ but of course a lot of these are true stories or inspired by true stories so there’s a part of me that wants to block some of that out. I know that it’s a world that David understands so I’m glad he can put it across so beautifully, and in such a compelling way.

End of Watch is now playing.

Source : ign[dot]com

Gearbox Details Deceased Fan’s Role in Borderlands 2

Gearbox has revealed the role that Michael Mamaril plays in Borderlands 2. Mamaril, a 22-year-old Borderlands fan who passed away from cancer last year, received a touching eulogy from Gearbox in late 2011. At the time, Gearbox said Michael would be included as a non-playable character in Borderlands 2 but didn’t offer any details.

Now, during its Community Day over the weekend, Gearbox revealed exactly how Mamaril will live on. Players will encounter Michael in Sanctuary, a town that serves as a home base where players can buy guns and supplies. During each conversation with Michael, players will receive a rare piece of loot, as well as an achievement/trophy called “Tribute to a Vault Hunter.”

You can hear Gearbox discuss Mamaril’s inclusion at 1:19:19 in this video from Community Day. Borderlands 2, meanwhile, will hit stores tomorrow, September 18th. For more, be sure to read our Borderlands 2 review.

Thanks to NeoGAF for the heads up.

Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s associate news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following him on Twitter or IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

NBA 2K13 Has Everything and the Kitchen Sink

Has the NBA 2K series become too successful?

Two years ago, the stars all aligned for the long-running basketball sim. Michael Jordan signed on. Their competition crashed and burned spectacularly. And most importantly, independent of all that, the gameplay itself was the best we'd ever seen in a pro basketball game up to that point. 2K's party continued last year, with Jordan returning, EA keeping NBA Live on the bench again, and 2K12 offering up more hoops goodness.

So what of this year -- 2K13? His Airness is back -- and this time he's bringing a certain Round Mound of Rebound who'd long since stayed out of the video game world -- and the game will once more be the only basketball sim you can buy on a disc. As for the game itself? It's packed to the rafters with goodness, from a playable fantasy match-up of the 1992 and 2012 Dream Teams to an all-new, NBA Live Freestyle stick-esque control scheme. But it's also got a whole slew of features that you're probably not expecting. So that takes us back to a version of the original question: has Visual Concepts gone nuts?

The answer for gamers is a resounding yes, but in the best of ways.

First, there's the whole Jay-Z thing. Visual Concepts proudly puts him forward as an "executive producer" on the game, but until now they've never explained what the hell that means. Besides giving him credit for getting Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley to sign on and be playable in the game (no, really; they claim Jay picked up the phone, said, "Get me Barkley and Pippen," and they called him back ASAP and reached an agreement to be included), Hova curated the entire soundtrack, which includes himself (duh), Kanye West, and U2, among many others. Better, before each game tips off, a music video by Jay-Z or one of the other featured artists plays to get you fired up for the game, mixed together with gameplay footage. A number of these are included, and they definitely spice up the presentation. Finally, he also requested that the background menus pulse in rhythm to whatever song is playing at a given time. I've seen this and...yep, it does that. Thanks Jay!

"Please, Mr. GM, will you fire Stan Van Gundy for me? PLEEEEEEEEASE?"

Second is the new Virtual Currency (VC...get it?) system. Like many other modern games, you'll get what amount to experience points for everything you do -- even quick-play games. Your VC is spent on upgrading your MyPlayer, which returns from last year but has now been blown-out. Buy suits for your created baller that you'll see during post-game press conferences. Pick up official, real-life team gear by adidas to don in blacktop pickup games. And in the Accessory Shop, grab gear like the adiZero Speedwrap ankle brace that has stat-modifying bonuses; in this case, a +2 boost to your on-ball defense.

In MyCareer mode, you'll be able to simulate Dwight Howard's life, from meeting with the GM to demand your coach be fired to taking your teammates out to dinner in order to receive a team chemistry/popularity boost. You can even do NBA Cares charity functions in order to win over more fans.

"Damn, I make this look good."

Visual Concepts spent perhaps the most amount of time during my demo showing me their craziest feature yet: the Shoe Creator. Yes, they've had a basic version of this before, but the ends of the earth they've gone to on this smack of a studio that clearly has no competition to worry about and is free to pursue flights of fancy like this (again, I mean that in a nice way!). 2K13's Shoe Creator is, essentially, the virtual shoe equivalent of Forza Motorsport 4's livery system. Except in that game, you can't click a button when you're done and order the car you just designed, complete with that custom paint job.

Yes, you can build your own kicks using different materials, colors, patterns, and more. Dozens of layers (45 of them, to be exact) let you highlight every detail you like. You can then upload those to the web, where other users can rate them. Want to go a step farther? Get this: the game syncs with the NikeID website and you can actually have your virtual shoe made real and shipped to your door. Perhaps Visual Concepts will let us try out that particular feature next time...

In case you were wondering: yes, there is a basketball game in here too.

What you should and probably do care most about, however, is the new Control Stick. Simply wiggle the right thumbstick and use the momentum of your body to fake guys out of their shoes (don't worry, it's far easier said than done; I don't expect it to be exploitable), and then pull LT/R2 in order to flip the Control Stick into the Shot Stick and put up your look. I only got to play a couple quarters as the '92 Dream Team against this summer's Team USA -- hardly enough time to really get comfortable with the controls -- but it feels like a natural, simulation-friendly evolution of its implementation back in the last-gen NBA Live days. It should prove to be NBA 2K13's most important new feature, along with the return of Michael Jordan and the Legends teams (including a new crew: Allen Iverson's '01 76ers)...

...What, you thought I was going to say it'd be the Shoe Creator?

Ryan McCaffrey is the Executive Editor at IGN Xbox. He used to own a DeLorean, which is weird. Follow him on Twitter, on IGN, catch him on Podcast Unlocked, and drop-ship him Taylor Ham sandwiches from New Jersey whenever possible.

Source : ign[dot]com

Actor Michael Clarke Duncan Dies

Actor Michael Clarke Duncan, of The Green Mile and Armageddon fame, died Monday morning after suffering complications after a heart attack. He was 54.

According to a statement issued by a representative for Duncan's fiancee, TV personality Rev. Omarosa Manigault, Duncan "never fully recovered" from the myocardial infarction he suffered in July. He remained hospitalized at a Los Angeles hospital until his death.

Duncan began his Hollywood career as a security guard for the likes of superstars Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and Notorious B.I.G. He landed his first significant Hollywood role as Bear in 1998's sci-fi blockbuster Armageddon, but he is best remembered as John Coffey in the 1999 drama The Green Mile, a breakout performance for which he was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. He subsequently had notable parts in The Whole Nine Yards, Brother Bear, Planet of the Apes, Sin City and Daredevil, amongst others.

Duncan also made a number of television appearances in high profile shows such as Bones, Chuck, and Two and a Half Men. He most recently appeared on The Finder on the Fox Network.

Standing at around 6 foot 5 inches and possessing a rich, deep voice, Clarke was a magnetic presence onscreen. He will be missed.

Source : ign[dot]com

The Iceman Killeth in New Trailer

The upcoming true crime flick The Iceman chronicles the life and crimes of Richard Kuklinski (Michael Shannon), who seems like a family man but is in fact a ruthless assassin for the mob. The stellar supporting cast includes Chris Evans, James Franco, Ray Liotta, Winona Ryder and David Schwimmer. Check out the new trailer:

Source : ign[dot]com

Bay Responds to Reviews of Ninja Turtles Script

It was revealed a few days ago that the screenplay for producer Michael Bay's Ninja Turtles was leaked online, resulting in an outpouring of negative reviews. Among those who read the script was TMNT co-creator Peter Laird, who had this to say:

"I think the script that I read is so fundamentally flawed, and -- more to the point -- so NOT a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, that trying to make piecemeal changes to it in an effort to make it into something halfway decent is probably a fool's errand. In my opinion, the thing should just be tossed out, deliberately forgotten, and the process of generating a new script really a new outline, then treatment, then script -- should be started again."

On the whole, fan reactions weren't much better. However, Bay recently issued a response to this brouhaha, explaining the situation:

"The leaked script that different sites continue to comment on was written well before I, or anyone at Platinum Dunes, was involved with the project. That script saw the shredder a long time ago. This is tired, old news -- wait for the movie!"

Ill-timed "Shredder" pun aside, Latino Review also points out that the script had a 1/30/12 date, which was two years after Bay and Platinum Dune were attached the project in late May 2010. Suspicious, no?

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love on Twitter and IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation Volume One DVD Review

As a longtime Turtle fan, it's hard to criticize the recent attempt to reboot the Ninja Turtles from Michael Bay without acknowledging the wringer this franchise was strung through during the '90s. After all, if you grew up in the “era of the Turtle,” you probably witnessed some serious junk. The Coming Out of Their Shells tour and the live-action Christmas special (which is basically unwatchable, see video below) quickly come to mind. Not to mention the third live-action film, which isn't horrible, but hardly a masterpiece, either.

Then there's Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation. Loosely following the continuity of the films, The Next Mutation is a series that's often forgotten in the pantheon of Turtlesploitation. Produced by Saban, the same folks who brought you Power Rangers (there was even a crossover episode), the series has the general look and feel of the live-action movies, albeit on a limited budget.

The series also makes quite a few changes to Turtles canon. April O'Neil and Casey Jones are nowhere in sight. We're also introduced to a new Turtle, Venus De Milo, who serves only one major role – trying to get young girls to watch the show. Michelangelo trades his nunchaku for a pair of tonfa, as well (nunchaku are pointlessly outlawed in several places).

Shredder returns, restored to his original smaller size following the Super Shredder incident of Turtles II. Unfortunately, he's not a major figure in the season. His return would have been a prominent part of the second season, had the show been picked up. Alas it was canceled before that subplot played out. None of the classic foes are featured on the series to make up for his absence. Instead, the enemies range from foes like the Dragon Lord, generic enemies like Silver (a yeti), Vam-Mi (a vampire) and villains-of-the-week.

The show itself, admittedly, is pretty bad. Some of the martial arts action is cool, but the makeup effects, costumes and general budget limitations greatly hinder nearly every aspect of the series. In order to enjoy this one, you must be able to suspend a lot of disbelief. But even then, a great many stories are fiendishly mediocre, failing to really capitalize on the rich franchise history.

Adding further insult to injury, The Next Mutation arrives right at the tail end of Turtle Mania. The animated series had run its course. The films weren't making any money anymore. And the toys were starting to highlight clearance racks. Because of this, there simply isn't much originality, or energy, left to the series.

Had The Next Mutation boasted a slightly bigger budget, a few name cast members, and a few classic friends and enemies of the original cartoon run, the series would probably be a fondly remembered piece of Turtle History. But as it stands, the show comes close to being decent, but doesn't quite make it. And for newcomers, it might just prove to be serious chore to sit through. In other words, The Next Mutation is just another scuff in the franchise's already checkered history. It's an interesting watch, but only for curiosity’s sake.

The Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation Volume One DVD finally arrives courtesy of Shout! Factory and Saban Brands. The show is presented in full frame, mixed in stereo, with 13 episodes from the 26-episode series spread across two discs. Unfortunately, there's not a single extra on either disc. Hopefully Shout! Factory will be able to get something together for Volume Two. If nothing else, let's hope to see the Power Rangers crossover episode. Fingers crossed!

The show itself looks surprisingly good. With titles like these, it seems tape masters are often used as they're all that usually survives over the years. I'm not exactly sure what masters were used to make these DVDs, but it was high quality, whatever it was. I've seen this show on VHS, YouTube and on comic convention bootleg DVDs over the years, but Shout! Factory tops all previous home releases. In fact, it's a safe bet to say this show has never looked this good – even during its original broadcast.

While the series does still retain that hazy, dated '90s look – like every one on set was smoking right before the take -- the overall image quality here is clean and crisp, with a fine haze of naturalistic film grain present on every episode. Colors are bold, with a bright palette that brings the show to life, while also bringing the show's many flaws to the surface. There's very few distortions, print blemishes or scratches. And the encode is mostly pristine, save for the usual standard definition compression. This is a truly commendable restoration, especially considering the series we're talking about here.

The show's stereo track is also quite terrific, for what it is. Sound elements are clean, balanced, and engaging when need-be. Obviously, the mix doesn't hold a candle to today's modern stereo and 5.1 tracks, but like the transfer, the audio is respectably restored to a quality that's likely never been seen, or heard in this case.

Whether you'll want to invest in Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation really depends on how hardcore a fan you are. For some, the top notch transfer and audio will be enough to win you over. But for those who are skeptical, might I suggest checking the show out on Netflix Instant (by the way, quality on the streaming version is not nearly as sharp as the DVD). The Next Mutation is certainly not the Turtles at their finest, but it's an interesting, if somewhat gonzo entry in Turtle History.

"Never recreate from your memory. Always imagine new places!" Follow R.L. Shaffer on Twitter, Facebook and MyIGN for quotes, rants, reviews, news and more!

Source : ign[dot]com

Exclusive: Solomon Kane Alt Poster Debut

In anticipation of the video-on-demand release of Michael J. Bassett's long-awaited Solomon Kane movie, IGN has a groovy new alternative poster for the film from Radius-TWC. Check out the image below:

Based on the books by pulp-era writer and Conan the Barbarian creator Robert E. Howard, the story centers on Solomon Kane, "a brutally efficient 16th Century killing machine. Armed with his signature pistols, cutlass and rapier, he and his men unleash their bloodlust as they fight for England in war after war on all continents." The film stars James Purefoy in the title role.

Solomon Kane will be available on VOD this Friday, August 24, and hits theaters Sept. 28.

Source : ign[dot]com

New Michael J. Fox Sitcom Coming to NBC

NBC has just signed a deal to produce a new single-camera comedy that will bring Michael J. Fox back to weekly TV. While the project was sought after by FOX, ABC and CBS (who came the closest among the other contenders), it was Peacock chief Robert Greenblatt who eventually won over Fox, who will produce and star.

As Vulture reports, the big selling point from Greenblatt was that he gave the project a full 22-episode order -- Not many shows get an order to go to series before they shoot a pilot, and 22-episodes is an especially rare upfront commitment. Current plans are to film the Sony Pictures Television series in New York, which also happens to be where Fox worked on Spin City. The half-hour show will be a family comedy loosely inspired by Fox's own life, presumably incorporating his real-life battle with Parkinson's disease.

While Fox's project is now targeted for fall 2013, it's likely that the pilot will be shot well in advance of that, taking advantage of the longer lead time.

The still untitled comedy is created by Cougar Town writer Sam Laybourne and the pilot will be directed by Will Gluck (Easy A).

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love on Twitter and IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

New Michael J. Fox Series in Development

Vulture is reporting that Emmy award-winning actor Michael J. Fox (Family Ties, Back to the Future Trilogy) could be headed back to prime time TV with his own new show. A single-camera comedy is currently in development for the star, who's been battling Parkinson's disease since being diagnosed in 1991.

Fox, with Larry David, on Curb Your Enthusiasm.

The show is reportedly "inspired" by Fox's own life, which suggests that his condition will also be front and center on the show. Perhaps in the same way that it was on the hilarious episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm that Fox guest starred on last year, "Larry vs. Michael J. Fox." Fox is working with director Will Gluck (Easy A) and writer Sam Laybourne (Arrested Development) and it's being reported that they've already begun shopping it around to networks.

Source : ign[dot]com

The Wire Star in Robocop Negotiations

The Wire and Boardwalk Empire actor Michael Kenneth Williams is apparently in negotiations to star in Sony and MGM's remake of Robocop.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor - currently playing racketeer Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire - is in talks to appear as Joel Kinnamen's cop partner.

The movie is due to begin filming in Toronto this September, with Kinnamen as the titular cop, Hugh Laurie as the villain, and Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, Abbie Cornish, Jay Baruchel and Jackie Earle Haley also starring.

Brazilian Jose Padilha - who previously helmed the brilliant Elite Squad - is directing the film, which will hit screens in 2013.

Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Editorial Assistant. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on IGN and on Twitter.

Source : ign[dot]com

Making a He-Man Movie Work

Given how massively successful Michael Bay's Transformers movies have been, it's no surprise that various studios are pursuing big-budget, live-action revivals of classic 1980s toy lines. G.I. Joe is another recent success, though its sequel has perplexingly been delayed until next year. Despite this delay, it's clear that Sony sees something in G.I. Joe: Retaliation director Jon Chu. Earlier this week we learned that Chu has been tapped to direct Sony's live-action He-Man film.

Can He-Man find the same big screen success the Autobots and Joes have? As popular as the Masters of the Universe franchise was in the '80s, the previous live-action movie didn't do He-Man any favors. Is it possible to do right by the character in live action? We say yes, and we have a few suggestions for how Chu can dust off the most powerful man in the universe for a new generation.

Blend Fantasy and Science Fiction

You want to know what the problem was with the first He-Man movie? Well, it's hard to narrow it down to just one, but one of its more significant missteps was that it tried so very hard to be Star Wars. Suddenly He-Man, Teela, and Man-at-Arms were freedom-fighting rebels seeking to free Eternia from the clutches of a scary dude in a black cape. All that kooky technology and architecture from the animated series and comics degenerated into generic sci-fi scenery. He-Man fought most of his battles with a blaster, not his sword or rippling biceps.

Yes, the He-Man franchise is more than a little inspired by the likes of Star Wars, Conan the Barbarian, and Jack Kirby's Fourth World comics, but that blend of influences results in something more unique and memorable than what unfolded on screen in 1987. Eternia is a strange place that mixes science fiction and fantasy in equal measure. Its residents wield advanced gadgets and soar through the clouds on hovercraft, yet they also dress like they're attending the local Renaissance fair. Most of them wear fur underwear outside their tights, as if they were prehistoric superheroes. The planet is crawling with dragons, monsters, and ancient demons. In short, there's no reason for a He-Man movie to feel so familiar and redundant.

This time around, we want the movie to celebrate the unique visual trappings and style of the source material. It shouldn't fall too far on either side of the sci-fi/fantasy spectrum. Nor should the movie attempt to be a gritty, realistic take on the mythos. There's plenty of room for violence and darkness in Eternia, but Eternia is also a bombastic place full of colorful characters. There's nothing realistic or plausible about any of it. The film shouldn't descend into Flash Gordon levels of camp, but nor should it pretend to be something it isn't.

The Most Powerful Man in the Universe

1987's Masters of the Universe featured Dolph Lundgren as He-Man. Physically, he fit the part well enough. But Lundgren was poorly suited to play the dual role of the burly He-Man and the bumbling Prince Adam. Perhaps it was for the best that the movie didn't even attempt to work that dynamic into the mix.

This time around, we want to see the filmmakers cast an actor who can convincingly play both Adam and He-Man. Digital effects have progressed to the point where it wouldn't be any great challenge to enhance the actor's physique for the He-Man scenes, a la Xerxes in 300. Perhaps even the reverse approach for the Adam scenes, a la Captain America. This time around, charisma and screen presence are more important than muscle mass. As with Superman's Clark Kent persona, Prince Adam is a way for viewers to identify with He-Man and provide him with more personal ties.

That said, it is possible to ditch Adam entirely depending what direction Chu and Sony want to take the film. Before the first animated series defined the He-Man mythos, the early mini-comics packed in with the figures presented He-Man as the leader of a barbarian tribe who possessed one half of the mythical Sword of Power (Skeletor being the owner of the other). Here is where the Conan inspiration was most apparent. That's another possible angle to pursue, but the result would probably be less mass market-friendly than Sony is aiming for.

We also want to see He-Man live up to his reputation as “the most powerful man in the universe” for once. The original animated series was pretty limited in what it could depict as far as violent action, but at least He-Man was prone to juggling boulders and smashing robots with his bare hands. The film, on the other hand, barely conveyed the sense that He-Man was any stronger and more powerful than your average action hero. When he finally held aloft his magic sword, there was no awesome transformation sequence, just a brief fight with Skeletor. The new movie needs to present He-Man as a Hulk or Superman-level hero and deliver action sequences that take advantage of his abilities. At the end of the day, He-Man is really just a superhero in an unusual setting, and the recent slate of superhero movies should serve as direct inspiration.

A real human being and a real hero? Works for us.

And who should play Adam/He-Man? We've felt for a while now that Ryan Gosling is overdue for some sort of major superhero role. No doubt the thought of Gosling decked out in fur underwear will help bring in a heavier female crowd than the average superhero film. But given that Chu is directing, we suspect that G.I. Joe star Channing Tatum may emerge as a front-runner. A He-Man movie with a slightly more comedic tone would probably suit him well given his recent successes in 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike.

Stick to Eternia

While the previous He-Man movie felt too similar to Star Wars in many respects, it also took an unnecessary cue from Star Trek IV. Just as that movie sent the Enterprise crew hurtling back to 20th Century San Francisco, Masters of the Universe plucked He-Man and friends away from Eternia and dropped them onto Earth for a significant chunk of the film. It's one thing to resort to that sort of plot twist in your third sequel, but for a would-be franchise that was just getting its start, ignoring the Eternia setting was unforgivable.

The only reason to showcase Earth at all is to explore Queen Marlena's past as an Earthling astronaut and her unexpected crash-landing on Eternia. The previous film was intended to acknowledge this plot point. Early script drafts even featured the reveal of a NASA space probe and American flag in the bowels of Castle Grayskull, suggesting that Eternians actually hailed from Earth originally. All of this adds an interesting wrinkle to He-Man's origins, but it may be superfluous for a debut film. As mentioned already, Eternia is an interesting, diverse planet. There are more than enough locales to keep the plot humming along without having to venture off-world.

Caste Grayskull certainly needs to be a focal point of the film. In pretty much any incarnation of the franchise, Castle Grayskull is a source of many secrets and powers, and He-Man is the hero called upon to defend those secrets from villains like Skeletor. What exact power Grayskull contains and how its origins and its guardian, the Sorceress, tie into He-Man's story tends to vary. But regardless, it's a crucial piece of the mythology.

Grayskull did appear in the last movie, though it wasn't quite the wondrous spectacle it might have been. What we didn't see were the actual kingdom of Eternia, its royal family, or Skeletor's domain in Snake Mountain. This movie needs to do a better job of establishing the scope and feel of He-Man's world and the people he's trying to defend. Meanwhile, Snake Mountain can serve as a dark counterpoint to Grayskull and the tranquility of Randor's kingdom.

No doubt the omission of all these familiar locations and elements in the 1987 film was heavily motivated by a lack of budget. He-Man is too colorful and bombastic a franchise to tackle in half-measures. This time around, Sony needs to put enough financial support behind the project for it to truly thrive.

A Larger Cast

If you've ever tried to be a serious collector of Master of the Universe action figures, you know that the franchise is home to dozens and dozens of characters aside from just He-Man and Skeletor. Sadly, only a small handful of these supporting players made it into the previous film. He-Man was joined by Man-at-Arms and Teela, but not even Orko or Battle Cat were deemed worthy enough to buddy up with Dolph. Instead, these faithful sidekicks were replaced by Gwildor. Wait, who?

Exactly.

As far as we're concerned, there's no reason this time for He-Man not to ride into battle atop a ferocious, green tiger and accompanied by a spell-casting, floating dwarf. The trick is in capturing the cooler qualities of these sidekicks and ditching some of the 1980's-era goofiness associated with them. For instance, we don't particularly need Battle Cat to talk, and we can certainly do without his bumbling alter ego, Cringer. The 2002 animated series set the right example by rendering Cringer mute and toning down his cowardly side. Similarly, we want to see less slapstick from Orko and more magical prowess.

Ideally, Teela and her father will have more central roles this time. If the He-Man/Adam dynamic is akin to Superman/Clark Kent, then Teela is the Lois Lane. Her simultaneous disgust at Adam's foppish behavior and attraction to the brawny, heroic He-Man could lend a nice touch of romantic tension to the plot.

We also hope to see He-Man's parents. King Randor and Queen Marlena. Again, Eternia was far too generic and lifeless a setting last time around. We need to see more of its residents and more of He-Man's civilian life as Prince Adam. Whether the movie brings in the more colorful He-Man allies – Ram-Man, Fisto, Zodac, etc. - is up to the filmmakers, but whatever the case, we hope to see the vast supporting cast put to better use.

Fearsome Villains

Perhaps the only thing the 1987 movie did right was casting Frank Langella as Skeletor. In both the original animated series and The New Adventures of He-Man, Skeletor was little more than a bumbling antagonist. He'd hatch a plan, and He-Man would foil it, call him “Bone-brain” or something similarly cheesy, and send him packing until the following Saturday. For a guy with dark magic powers and a skull for a face, Skeletor was about as far from scary as possible.

Conversely, Langella's Skeletor was actually fairly creepy and menacing. He had something of an Emperor Palpatine quality to him, which is one case where the Star Wars similarities paid off. Those are qualities we need to see from the villain in this new movie. We're tempted to say that Langella should reprise his role, if only so he can fulfill the promise he made in the post-credits scene, but that's probably not going to happen. Still, we want a version of Skeletor that inspires fear and dread, not laughter. We want a villain who offers a convincing threat to a guy who can shatter mountains with his fists. No matter how silly or serious the general tone of the movie, Skeletor himself should be dark and imposing.

Looking to the 2002 animated series for inspiration again, it may help the movie to build the ties between Skeletor and King Randor. Right off the bat, that series provided a full origin for Skeletor. He was revealed to be Keldor – a skilled fighter, sorcerer, and revolutionary who was driven insane after his face was scorched by acid. The original animated series also suggested that Keldor was Randor's brother. That plot twist could pave the way for a Hamlet-style showdown between family members. It also lends a more personal touch to the conflict beyond Skeletor's typical desire for power.

Any attempt to explore Skeletor's origin should also lay the groundwork for his onetime mentor and master – Hordak. Hordak's presence is best saved for a sequel, but there's no reason the first movie can't get the ball rolling. Another good choice for future villains is King Hiss and the Snake Men. This group of villains were recurring foes throughout the final season of the 2002 animated series. That series never had the chance to properly wrap up that conflict, so seeing a live-action He-Man film tackle the Snake Men would be a nice consolation prize.

To reiterate our main point, the He-Man franchise is an inherently goofy one. We think it's possible for He-Man to find the same sort of success in Hollywood that other '80s mainstays like Transformers and G.I. Joe have. But success isn't going to come by taking an overly dark and serious approach to the source material and ignoring the fun elements. He-Man offers a challenging blend of fantasy, science fiction, and adventure that's waiting for the proper director to do right by the franchise. We can only hope Jon Chu is that director.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and various other IGN channels and a lifelong fan of He-Man. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

The Silent Hill: Revelation 3D Trailer

Not only do we have the new trailer for Silent Hill: Revelation 3D for you today, we also have an exclusive statement from the film's director, Michael J. Bassett, on why gamers will especially like the sequel.

“Fans of the Silent Hill franchise won’t be disappointed with Silent Hill: Revelation 3D - especially the gamers,” said Bassett. “When writing the script for the film, I wanted viewers to feel like they were truly immersed in the video game. 3D helps achieve this, but I also think fans will appreciate the way the movie challenges them, each scene progresses like a level in the game, heightening fear and suspense.”

Silent Hill: Revelation 3D opens October 26.

Source : ign[dot]com