Warner Bros Still Planning Akira Remake

Hollywood studios have been struggling for decades with the ambition of making a live action adaptation of anime classic Akira. The original surreal sci-fi epic was one of the first films that introduced delighted/bemused western audiences to the genius/weirdness of Japanese animation.

Plans for a live action remake have consistently faltered thanks to a combination of concerns over casting, cultural translation and estimates of a potentially vast budget of nearly $100 million. The project has simply been deemed too expensive and risky.

Warner Bros finally had Director Jaume Collet-Serra attached to the project 18 months ago with a cast including Kristen Stewart, Ken Wantanabe and Garrett Hedlund. However, plans collapsed yet again over budget concerns.

Now the studio seems to be reviving the project, with Collet-Serra returning, allbeit with a more modest $60 million budget. It remains to be seen how much if any of the previous cast will be salvaged. But it’s probably safe to expect at least some of the marquee names associated with the project to be sacrificed to meet the restraints of the new tighter budget.

James Cameron Plans Three Avatar Sequels

James Cameron announced several years ago that he was abandoning all other film projects to focus on making Avatar sequels, declaring himself to be in the ‘Avatar business’ now. Proving good to his word he has now revealed plans to make three sequels to the highest grossing film of all time.

Screenwriter Josh Friedman is currently working with Cameron on Avatar 2, while Rick Jaffa , Amanda Silver and Shane Salerno are apparently taking responsibility for Avatar 3 and 4.

Sharing the news Cameron said:

“Building upon the world we created with Avatar has been a rare and incredibly rewarding experience.  In writing the new films, I’ve come to realise that Avatar’s world, story and characters have become even richer than I anticipated. It became apparent that two films would not be enough to capture everything I wanted to put on screen… to  help me continue to expand this universe, I’m pleased to bring aboard Amanda, Rick, Shane and Josh – all writers I’ve long admired -­ to join me in completing the films’ screenplays.”

It’s long been suggested that at least the first Avatar sequel would explore Pandora’s oceans, combining Cameron’s well documented love of aquatic adventures and giant blue CGI aliens.

Avatar 2 will arrive/swim into cinemas in December 2016 with the other sequels following each year after that. So at least now you know what James Cameron’s getting you for Christmas for the next few years.

Pacific Rim Breaks Box Office Record in China

Despite a lackluster box office performance in the USA, Pacific Rim has predictably performed far better internationally, particularly in the Asian markets where giant monster movies are more of a popular delicacy. Guillermo Del Toro’s robot action epic officially hauled in a record breaking $9million in China, making it Warner Bros biggest Chinese debut ever.

Guillermo Del Toro has already begun work on the script for a potential sequel, with ambitions for even bigger and more surreal monster fighting action. Fans will hope that with the film having already taken $227 million worldwide the studio will be able to look past low domestic numbers and find the confidence to green light a sequel.

Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters recently pulled off a similar magic act, managing to take in over $225 million worldwide after an embarrassing $50million domestic showing, securing an unlikely sequel in the process.

Video Interviews below with Guillermo Del Toro and cast on the red carpet at the Pacific Rim European Premiere:

The Inbetweeners 2 Movie Confirmed

The Inbetweeners movie sequel is officially in production this year and targeting a rough release date of August 2014. Iain Morris and Damon Beesley the creators of the popular comedy series about four hapless teenage boys trying to navigate the embarrassing challenges of school, family and girls released the following official statement:

“We couldn’t be more excited to be making another Inbetweeners movie with Simon, Joe, James and Blake. Frankly it’s pathetic how much we’ve all missed each other. A new chapter in the lives of the Inbetweeners feels like the very least we can do to thank the fans for their phenomenal response to the first movie.”

Plot details aren’t available yet but it’s widely expected that the next and possible final film will see Will, Jay, Neil and Simon finally adapting to semi-adult life at University.

Check out our recent chat with Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison at the BAFTA Television Awards below:

Shahrukh Khan talks Rajinikanth Tribute Lungi Dance

 

Shahrukh Khan and his beautiful Chennai Express co-star Deepika Padadukone spoke in London yesterday about working on the official music video for the Lungi Dance tribute song for Rajinikanth by Yo Yo Honey Singh

The track was recently released as a part of the official soundtrack for Chennai Express pays tribute to Rajinikanth one of the great Tamil stars of Bollywood. Video interview clip below with Shah Rhuk Khan & Deepika:

Check out our other videos for full coverage of the London Chennai Express press conference with Bollywood’s biggest superstar Shahrukh Khan talking about life, fans, controversy and his amazing Bollywood career.