Greg Dean Schmitz about upcoming comic book movies.

From:

WOLVERINE: SNIKT, BUB, SNIKT!
Filming of the 4th X-Men movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, starring Hugh Jackman, is well underway down in New Zealand, pretending to be Japan and Canada (which is funny, considering how often Canada pretends to be other places; this time Canada doesn't even get to play itself), and the first official image was released this week. Logan's secret past and adventures will be featured this time around, with various X-related characters expected to show up, though most of them are being kept under wraps for now, except Sabretooth, who we can expect to look a lot different than the Tyler Mane version in X-Men. The plot is being kept under relative wraps, but judging from this image, Wolverine's time in Japan (a very central part of the character's history in the comics) will be covered, which is good news. I love it when Wolverine fights ninjas. Expect your next dose of mutant mayhem in early May, 2009 roughly around the same time as the CGI adaptation of G-Force (AKA Gatchaman) and J.J. Abrams' revisualized Star Trek (which got bumped back several months this week).


BRIAN COX COULD READ A POP TART BOX AND IT WOULD CREEP ME OUT
Brian Cox is reuniting with the director of his creepy pedofile drama, L.I.E. for an adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart, shortened down to just Tell-Tale. Josh Lucas costars in this version of the tale (which sounds a bit like The Eye), which follows a recent heart transplant recipient who must find the killer of the heart's original owner, or he will die. In other words, it's not really anything like Poe's story. Oh well. Brian Cox and Josh Lucas also have the distinction of belonging to the small club of actors who have played military officers in movies based on Marvel super heroes.

SHAKING OUT THE REST OF THE KETCHUP IN THIS WEEK'S BOTTLE
- Sam Raimi is returning to his horror roots with Drag Me to Hell, starring Ellen Page (Juno) in a story about a curse.

I've just focused on news focusing on the X-Men spin off and actors, so for more info about other movies, go HERE.

Now This is Wolverine!

From:
By Scott Bowles

As if a guy with temper issues, iron blades for fingernails and a penchant for cage fighting needed it, Wolverine is about to get even surlier.

"I know it seems odd given, you know, the guy is already half animal," says Hugh Jackman, who revives the character in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, due in theaters May 1, 2009. "But with all the success of the X-Men, you feel the pressure to keep pushing it further."

Jackman, also a producer on the film, says he never expected the story of mutants trying to fit in "to catch on the way it did." (Since the first film hit screens in 2000, the X-Men franchise has taken in more than $1.1 billion worldwide.) "But I became a fan of Wolverine like everyone else. That's why I keep holding on to the character."

Wolverine will be a prequel to the X-Men saga. It will center on the origins of the superhero with animal-like reflexes, an alloy skeletal system and the ability to heal from virtually any wound. He also could use a friend.

"I think one of the reasons the X-Men took off is that it connected in a way nobody saw," Jackman says. "They're mutants with powers. But they're also outcasts for being, and everyone connects with that on some level. And who wouldn't want the power to get back at the people who ostracized you?"

The film will trace Wolverine's past as he discovers the world of mutants and, ultimately, the ominous Weapon X program, which turns people into living weapons.

Jackman is tight-lipped on plot details, though he says the film will hardly be a one-mutant story.

Wolverine's nemesis Sabretooth "is going to play a big part in it. And there will be a good bit of cameos" of new and familiar mutants, he says. "But you can't give too much away, because fans are pretty hard-core. Their expectations go up a level every time you come out with a new film."

More X-Men Origins: Wolverine Updates!

From:

In addition to the news that Danny Huston is playing William Stryker in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, we received some more interesting bits on Friday.

First up, and this part gets spoilerish, comes news from FilmSchoolRejects.com that we might be seeing The Blob in the film:

We got a note from someone who was on set this week while they shot test footage of an actor in a huge rubber suit for The Blob. The interesting part is that they made the suit to look like The Blob was about 800lbs, but producers want to make him bigger, something like 1200lbs. I did some research (as I am not too familiar with The Blob's history) and I found that he was around 500lbs. originally.

Also, IESB is now saying that the role of Silver Fox has not gone to Maggie Q or Michelle Monaghan. Instead, expect fellow Texan Lynn Collins in the role.

Updates to the site.

The main sites for X1 & X2 are up and running properly.

Huston is Stryker in Wolverine

From:

JoBlo has learned that 30 Days of Night star Danny Huston will play William Stryker in 20th Century Fox's X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He joins Hugh Jackman (Logan/Wolverine) and Liev Schreiber (Victor Creed/Sabretooth) in the "X-Men" spin-off directed by Gavin Hood and coming to theaters on May 1, 2009.

In X2: X-Men United, Brian Cox played an older version of the William Stryker character.

This film leads up to the events of X-Men and tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine countdown

Today's IMDb Poll Question Is:

From this list of movie teachers, who is your favorite? (Suggested by "NibbleME" and others) (vote)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Pic Online?

From:

Cinematical was sent in a pic of what appears to be the first image of Hugh Jackman in full Wolverine gear...

The photo shows Jackman dressed in a familiar black leather outfit complete with his loganesque side-burns. In the full pic, he's standing next to two fans.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which is currently shooting in New Zealand tells the story of Logan's Weapon X beginnings and how he became the adamantium laced Wolverine. They're keeping casting for this one under lock and key at the moment, but we do know that Liev Schreiber is involved, most likely playing Victor Creed, aka Sabertooth, and that Aussie actor Christian Clark joined the cast in an unspecified role not long ago. X-Men Origins: Wolverine is due out in theaters on May 1, 2009.

Possible Wolverine Scene Details?

From: XMENFILMS.Net

According to an unconfirmed source, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE has been busy filming in Dunedin, New Zealand for the last two days on a set called ‘Cassidys Bar’. The set is the grounds for a major fight scene between Victor Creed (Sabertooth) and Logan (Wolverine). The bar is in the shape of a barn with large doors at the front.

In the scene, Logan is thrown the entire legnth of the bar (about 60 feet) through the large front barn style doors. The bar itself seats about 50 people and has a large bar at the far end running alongside the entire wall, with trucks and a snowmobile parked.

Jackman takes in Queenstown

It's official - Hugh Jackman is in Queenstown. The resort town has been buzzing with sightings of the Australian heart-throb since shooting began for Hollywood blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Film publicist Victoria Buchan confirmed the star had been in town for more than a week.
She said filming was under way in the Queenstown Lakes District, and would take three or four months. Jackman faces a rigorous filming schedule, but is still finding time to take in the sights.
He was snapped enjoying a Shotover Jet river ride last weekend.
Blog posts on the internet have also recorded sightings of Jackman around the resort, including one of the actor running through the woods near Glenorchy in full Wolverine costume.

Picture can be found here.

Jackie Chan wants to be an X-Man

Behold the groveling of Jackie Chan before X-Men director Brett Ratner!

[VIDEO]

TRAILER: Wolverine and the X-Men

From:

The X-Men are coming back to the small screen, this time in Wolverine & the X-Men, and thanks to the good folks at Cyber-Animation.com, the trailer is now available online.

When an explosive event shatters the lives of the X-Men and takes away their mentor, the beaten heroes walk away from it all. But then they're given a rare glimpse into the future, and see a world in utter ruin, ruled by giant destructive robots. A world that spiraled out of control because the X-Men had given up. So now the most legendary of all X-Men takes the lead - Wolverine! Reuniting these broken heroes, Wolverine embarks on the ultimate mission - to prevent the world's destruction. To rescue us from ourselves. To save the future.

At this time, it is still unknown as to when and where Wolverine & the X-Men will be airing.

You can check out the trailer HERE.

Christian Clark lands 'Wolverine' role

From:

Australian actor Christian Clark told a local news outlet in Mt. Gamble that he has been cast in the upcoming 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' movie.

The paper reports that the actor "was momentarily caught off-guard when asked about 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine', and inadvertently confirms his involvement, before realising the gag order in his contract prevents him from doing so or talking about it any further. But one thing is certain – Clark has a big future planned."

Louise Mingenbach designs threads for 'Wolverine'

From:

According to her listing on The United Talent Agency website, costume designer Louise Mingenbach ('X-Men', 'X2', 'Superman Returns') has joined the crew of 20th Century Fox's 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'.

However, a filmography listed on the personal website of assistant Costume Designer Christine Bieselin also states that Kym Barrett ('Speed Racer', 'The Matrix') is the costume designer on the movie.

Halle Berry interviews.

From:

From the grave to the cradle
“Actors always have to fight for the good parts”
Halle Berry says playing a grieving mother in her latest film has more than prepared her for the imminent birth of her first child. via IcWales.

Things We Lost In The Fire - Halle Berry interview
Berry talks about why she had to fight so hard for the part in Things We Lost In The Fire , how she researched grief and working with Danish director Susanne Bier and actor Benicio Del Toro. via IndieLondon

Qtown to 'add impact' to X-Men film shoot

From:

Scenes in action blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine to be shot in Queenstown will be some of the most important in the film, according to the team behind the movie.

"There's not a huge portion of the movie being shot in New Zealand," Wolverine publicist Victoria Buchan said. "But the scenes that are being shot here will have a huge impact on the film. Queenstown will definitely be the backdrop to the movie."

Ms Buchan said the region's outstanding scenery was the reason it was chosen as a location for the film.

"The movie's producer John Palermo was quoted the other day saying how the natural beauty of the area had attracted him to Queenstown. I believe that there are around 250 local people working on the film between here and Dunedin," Ms Buchan said.

Mr Palermo co-owns production company Seed Productions with Australian actor Hugh Jackman, who is set to star in Wolverine.

The movie is the fourth instalment in the X-Men series, which has grossed more than $1.2 billion worldwide.

Details of the film's scheduling are being kept top secret by 20th Century Fox in Hollywood.
Sets have been created at several Wakatipu locations, including Deer Park Heights and Arcadia Station, as well as in Dunedin, but the official cast list has not been released.

"Hugh is the only cast member that has been confirmed so far," Ms Buchan said.
"The main unit filming has not started yet. All that I can say about the schedule is that we will be here for another few weeks. "

Other people confirmed to be involved with the filming are director Gavin Hood, producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter, who also produced the first three X-Men films, and Marvel Comics' Kevin Feige as executive producer.

Jackman Spotted on the Wolverine Set

From:

Blog posts are popping up on the net from folks saying they've seen the X-Men Origins: Wolverine production in New Zealand. Here's one from TravelMarla:

Saw Hugh Jackman running thru the woods today in full Wolverine costume. Apparently he is shooting a movie of the same name as the x-men character. New Zealand is doubling as canada. I went on a tour of the National Park where Lord of the Rings was filmed. Many films are made there. Wolverine is just the latest one. So that was the highlight of the day... We were in a van it was much like being at a theme park seeing him. He was outside the window. It was like seeing a lion at the San Diego Zoo. Although Hugh Jackman is mch better looking. But I digress.

And one from Kay's Travel Blog:

This afternoon we took a Lord of the Rings jeep tour up to where they did a lot of the filming for LOTR. We saw Fangorn forest, where Isengard would be if it was real (the backdrop for it anyway), the Misty mountains and other places. There was also a large crew there filming scenes from the new Wolverine movie. Hugh Jackman is in town but we haven't seen him. He took the jetboat ride yesterday tho, just a few hours before us.

20th Century Fox is planning a May 1, 2009 release for X-Men Origins: Wolverine.