FEBRUARY, 4

MOVIES RELEASED

1-CAPTAIN AMERICA VS SUPERMAN

Action / Superhero
Directed and Produced by Tim Burton
Starring Heath Ledger, Nicholas Cage, Kate Beckinsale, Alec Baldwin, Ving Rhames
Box Office: 134 mill.
Net Gains: 134 mill.

CMP Reaction: Yes! Great breakdown and a solid franchise for the future. The Studio has the feeling that the bad streak is finally gone.

2-LOL

Romantic Comedy
Directed by Norah Ephron
Starring Ben Stiller, Marisa Tomei, Merryl Streep, Hank Azaria, Kate Hudson
Box Office: 71 mill.
Net Gains: 77 mill.

CMP Reaction: A superb result for a modest production. A delicious romantic comedy with a lot of laughs. CMP never thought that this little nice movie would be so profitable.

THE MOVING THUMBS

1-CAPTAIN AMERICA VS SUPERMAN

“Burton has created a visually appealing show closer to Sam Raimi’s ‘Spiderman’ or Richard Donner’s ‘Superman’ than to his own dark gothic Batman’s movies. He has respected the colours, the plots and the spirit of old Marvel comics, honouring the most classic versions of both Superman and Captain America. And he has hit the target.”
-Sheilah Graham, ‘Today’

“This time, Burton hasn’t taken any risk. He hasn’t created his own vision of the characters. Instead of that, he has been so respectful with the original Brett Ratner’s movie. There’s no hint of his creative talent, but beyond that it is an entertaining movie for all superheroes fans”
-John C. Williams, ‘Hollywood Reporter’

“Nicholas Cage has waited years to play Superman. And now that the moment came, he was decided to enjoy it to the limits. Playing an evil Superman gives him the opportunity to show all his repertoire of tics and overacting. I just couldn’t believe him as Superman and, due to that, I just couldn’t believe the whole story”.
-Billy Conn, ‘The New York Post’

2-LOL

“The good news is that Ben Stiller can make good movies”.
-Rita Johnson, ‘The Washington Post’

“Norah Ephron knows how to make a romantic comedy. She has proved it before and she has proved it again. The best of the movie are the supporting roles. Merryl Streep shows again his comedy face with efficiency. Hank Azaria plays the funniest character of the story. And Kate Hudson is so hilarious as the innocent / dirty girl.”
-Amy Ratched, ‘Today’

“You know what you can expect when you go to watch a romantic comedy. And this movie gives it all: fun, romance, good dialogues… Nothing new, but nothing less. One question: why Marisa Tomei’s career never takes off?”
-Amanda Wailes, ‘At The Movies’

AWAITING RELEASE

1-STYX AND STONES

The Cast: Hugh Grant, Owen Wilson, Jennifer Anniston, John Malkovich, Queen Latifah

The Director: Marcus Trax

The Plot: Jack Neil (H.Grant) is an up-tight man heading to work when all of a sudden BAM! He's dead in a car accident. And soon he is heading to the afterlife (which he doesn't believe in by the way) but first he has to cross the river Styx as tradition demands or spend an eternity in Limbo. When he arrives he finds with the person who crashed into him, Sammy Deel (O.Wilson), a comedian. Reluctantly they travel together to the boatman Charon, who over the years has modernised the place. And when they discover they died with no money on them, not even credit card, to pay the boatman they have to remain in limbo... forever! However Sammy isn't the type to just exist and he soon sets up a nightclub and lost souls find they have a place to go, he even gets Charon working for him. Meanwhile Jack befriends the lost soul of a woman, Stacey Murphy (J.Anniston) and with her learns he needs to lighten up. The powers that be are not impressed that Limbo has been made fun, and soon Sammy and Jack are defending their patch of the afterlife against heaven and hell, facing both the Devil (J.Malkovich) and God (Q.Latifah).

The Comment: A brilliant comedy screenplay. Attractive for all kind of audiences. It may not be a blockbuster, but it should work.

2-CORSAIRS. THE SEARCH FOR NANTAYALAH

The Cast: Antonio Banderas, Naomi Watts, Ralph Fiennes, Sigourney Weaver, Isaiah Washington

The Director: Martin Campbell

The Plot: Banderas sails again the malaise seas together with her beloved Watts and his best friend, I.Washington, who plays a Muslim slave rescued by Banderas from a trafficker of slaves. This time, Banderas meets the ambitious Duchess of Huntington (S.Weaver). She hires Banderas and his crew to search the mysterious island of Nantayalah, where legend says that the most amazing treasure of old pirates is hidden. Banderas and the Duchess become partners. But she betrays him trying to keep the whole treasure for her. The Duchess tells Captain Blaine (R.Fiennes), where can he find the outlaw Banderas and capture him. Blaine has arrived to Malaysia after being accused of cowardice back in England. He is looking forward to rebuild his reputation. And capturing the famous corsair would be a great opportunity. But Blaine not only wants to capture Banderas. He also wants to recover the interest of his youth girlfriend, Watts. So Banderas and Fiennes will meet at the island of Nantayalah. They will fight each other and both will also face an aggressive tribe of cannibal natives and their magic forces, protectors of the legendary treasure.

The Comment: It’s got it all to become a big success. There is more comedy and fantasy in this sequel than in the original one. And Fiennes and Weaver are a good replacement as villains for Patrick Stewart. Big expectations.

THE STAR PROFILE – SEASON 3 FRANCHISES

Julian Jones, Production Department CEO, announced not so long ago that sequels would become one of the main pillars of the Studio in the near future. Recently, during another press conference, the main CMP’s executive confirmed what franchises will see their new chapters during this third season of CMP. So here is our opinion and prediction of what may happen with them.

UNCOMMON VALOUR (Ridley Scott, B.O.: 55 mill): The frigate adventures wasn’t as successful as expected. It stayed in no man’s land with a correct box office. The screenplays for two sequels are already written and it is a prestigious concept for CMP, reason enough to give it a second opportunity to take off or crash. Chances of success: 50%.

SPACE QUEST (Roland Emmerich, B.O.: 34 mill.): Another story originally conceived as a trilogy. The first one lost a few millions, but as some recent releases have brought money enough to CMP, the Studio will take the risk with a second try. Chances of success: 35%.

WILD CARDS (Matt Kubrick, B.O.: 39 mill.) Again, another unexpected disappointment for the Studio. But Harry Stark personally loves this concept, so he has decided to put the Studio in the risk of producing a second movie. Chances of success: 45%.

HITMAN (Tony Scott, B.O.: 99 mill.): Colin Farrell has become an icon of action heroes with this blockbuster. And the Studio will take as much as they can from this franchise. The only doubt is if John Daws, screenwriter of the original movie, will have time to write the sequel now that he has created his own movie Studios. Chances of success: 95%.

T.Y.M. (Bryan Singer, B.O.: 199 mill.): Brendan Fraser goes from supporting character to main star of the saga. One of the first CMP’s hits coming back. Hard to say if audiences will be interested in it. Chances of Success: 40%.

ACE BANNER (Doug Liman, B.O.: 106 mill.): A re-definition of the franchise is coming up. Hugh Jackman is the only link with the first Banner movie. Chances of success: 75%.

ROBOTECH (Michael Bay, B.O.: 127 mill.; Tony Scott, B.O. : 121 mill.): The anime saga has become a sure bet. Screenwriter Matt Kubrick has talked about six possible Robotech movies. Third one will be coming this season. Chances of Success: 95%.

CORSAIRS (Martin Campbell, B.O.: 169 mill.): The sequel is already awaiting release. And test screens have been great. So a third one may be easily expected if it works. Chances of success: 80%.

MOVIES IN DEVELOPMENT

HAPPY HAMSTERS: René Zellwegger and David Schwimmer (‘Turning Point’) are the first talents to lend their voices to the Robert Zemeckis’ hamsters.

DR. JONES AND THE SWORD OF FAITH: The search for Excalibur is the main plot of the first Henry Jones’ adventure without Indy. The story takes place at the end of 19th century and will show locations in Marocco, Tunisia and Turkey. Shootage is almost completed.

ACE BANNER 2: John McTiernan (‘Bullit’) has taken control of this sequel. Hugh Jackman plays again the action hero and another name has been made public related to the film: Wesley Snipes will play a Banner’s prison mate. Jessica Biel is not returning as Banner’s sweetheart.

WESTWORLD: Michael Bay, a CMP regular, will direct his first live action movie for CMP, after directing the first Robotech movie and producing ‘Robotech 2’ and ‘Wild Cards’. Screenwriter Steve Connors has adapted the original story of the 1973’s version to our days. Now, the movie characters living in the amusement park won’t be robots but clones. And the main clone in the story will be no other than Angelina Jolie playing… Lara Croft!

SAVING SAMANTHA MOSS: GMA winner Robin Williams returns to the Studio as the third side of a conflictive triangle together with Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal. Williams was finally chosen for the role after either the Studio or screenwriter Ted Froats rejected other options like Steve Martin (‘The Parfect Candidate’, ‘The Women Club’), Kevin Kline (‘T.Y.M.’) or Bill Murray (‘Deadly Sins’, ‘The Tempting Diamond’). David Fincher is directing this dark thriller.

THE PASSION BENEATH: Last additions to the cast of Brian Kelley’s new movie: Kiefer Sutherland (‘The Crusades’, ‘Space Quest’) and Tim Robbins. Both join the finale cast together with Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey and Willem Dafoe.

T.Y.M. 2: Another sequel coming up. Barry Sonnenfeld is directing the second adventure of the spirits hunters and only Brendan Fraser is returning from the original cast. In the original movie, Fraser only played a supporting role.Tobey Maguire and Jessica Alba, starring couple of the first T.Y.M. movie, rejected the offer of being in this sequel.

CURSED NEVERLAND: As Darkman franchise has fallen into an uncertain future, Matt Kubrick has decided to write another horror story that could replace ‘Fear the Darkness’ as CMP’s favourite horror saga. No cast or director has been announced yet.

THE LIVES WE LEAD: GMA Nominnee Demi Moore (‘The Heirs – Part 2’) is the main candidate to star this Matt Kubrick’s love story. Rumour has it that her real life couple, Ashton Kutchner (‘Taurus 3’), could be her ‘partenaire’ in it.

STAR WARS: NEW ORDER: And here it is the new jewel of the crown for CMP by the moment. George Lucas has confirmed that he will be producing the Marcus Trax’s vision of the future of Skywalker's family. Now, Lucas is already looking for the right director to make the dirty job…

RUMOURS AND GOSSIPS

In the first drafts of the screenplay for ‘Dr. Jones and the Sword of Faith’ an off-voice was heard at the beginning and the end of the movie. Spielberg wanted the original Henry Jones, Sean Connery, to be the narrator of the story. But the idea was left aside when Connery rejected the offer.

’The Financial Times’ has published an article about the recent Report presented by CMP. Although the Studio made net gains of 813 mill. with its movies, the report does not take into account the Studio’s maintenance costs. So, according to this article, Season 2 has not been as successful for CMP as the Studio pretends.

Martin Scorsese has announced that ‘The Heirs – Part 3’ won’t be produced earlier than CMP’s Season 4.

INSIDE CMP

Votes for the 2nd Golden Moon Awards are being received at CMP’s offices. Candidates will be announced next Wednesday. And there will be some surprises… at least according to what the Studio thought that would happen.

Sequelmania. Yes, Julian Jones has announced it. Season 3 will be ‘sequels season’ in CMP, after only two sequels were produced during Season 2. But, beside that, the Studio is looking for new original screenplays to consider for upcoming productions.

YOU STILL CAN VOTE FOR THE GOLDEN MOON AWARDS NOMINATIONS BEFORE NEXT TUESDAY!

Read all the details in the previous issue.

COMING SOON – THE ADD