lifestyle SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013 ‘Spider-Man’ Universe: Kurtzman to direct ‘Venom,’ Goddard to write ‘Sinister Six’

ony Pictures Entertainment, in association with fourth “Amazing Spider-Man” movie will hit theaters on that Marc, Avi and Matt have begun to explore in ‘The , is expanding its blockbuster May 4, 2018. Amazing Spider-Man’ and ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2.’ S“Spider-Man” franchise with new projects including Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach will produce the films, We believe that Marc, Alex, and Drew have the uniquely “Venom” and “The Sinister Six,” the studio announced which will continue to build on the cinematic foundation exciting visions for how to expand the Spider-Man uni- Thursday night via ElectroArrives.com. , established in the first two “Amazing Spider-Man” verse in each of these upcoming films,” said Columbia and Ed Solomon will write “Venom,” which movies. Hannah Minghella and Rachel O’Connor will Pictures president Doug Belgrad. Goddard recently Kurtzman will direct, while Drew Goddard will write “The oversee the development and production of the films for signed on to write and direct the pilot for Marvel’s Netflix Sinister Six” with an eye to direct the film, which focuses the studio. Kurtzman, Orci, Pinkner, Solomon and series “Daredevil,” while Solomon co-wrote the surprise on the villains in Peter Parker’s universe. Goddard join Arad, Tolmach and Webb as members of hit “Now You See Me.” The character Venom debuted in ’s “Spider- the franchise’s brain trust, which will maintain the brand Universe building is all the rage amongst studios Man 3,” where he was played by Topher Grace. and develop a consistent tone throughout the “Spider- these days, with Joss Whedon overseeing Marvel’s cine- Meanwhile, Kurtzman, Orci and Jeff Pinkner will write Man” universe. matic universe for Disney and Simon Kinberg shepherd- “The Amazing Spider-Man 3,” which Sony hopes Marc “The Spider-Man film franchise is one of our studio’s ing the “X-Men” franchise for 20th Century Fox. Warner Webb will return to direct. The studio plans to start pro- greatest assets. We are thrilled with the creative team we Bros is working closely with screenwriter David Goyer on duction next fall in advance of a June 10, 2016 release. A have assembled to delve more deeply into the world its DC Comics properties. —Reuters

ames Franco is set to star in “The Osman’s journey. Producers expect to Morocco, which would stand in for American as Osman, and they’re open to Fixer,” an indie drama that Franco’s start production in July in Northern Afghanistan. casting non-actors as well as profession- Jfrequent collaborator Ian Olds will California, where 90% of the script takes In a bid for authenticity, the filmmak- als. The project received a development A participant at the New York ComicCon 2009, walks direct from a script he co-wrote with Paul place. “The Fixer” may also shoot in ers intend to cast an Afghan or Afghan- grant from the San Francisco Film Society, past a giant Spider-Man poster in New York in this Felten, TheWrap has learned. The project so Olds and von Kuhn will head to the February 6, 2009 file photo. —AFP is inspired by Olds’ work with “fixers” - Bay Area, Fremont and other NorCal areas individuals hired by foreign journalists to with large Afghan-American populations facilitate, translate and gain access for in February. Golden Globe nominee their stories. Olds directed the 2009 doc- Barkhad Abdi was discovered in a similar Peter Jackson stands by umentary “Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal casting call for “Captain Phillips” in Naqshbandi,” for which he won the Best Minneapolis, which boasts a large Somali New Documentary Filmmaker award at population. Olds served as the editor of 48 frames-per-second the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. Franco’s adaptation of “As I Lay Dying” Caroline von Kuhn (“Like the Water”) and his SNL documentary “Saturday as Peter Jackson reflected on the massive chunk of his of ACE Productions will produce with Night.” He also edited the Franco-pro- life that he’s devoted to Hobbits? “You’re not going to Vince Jolivette of Franco’s Rabbit Bandini duced documentary “Kink” and co-direct- Hmake me are you?” he winces. “It’s a long time. A long banner. The feature film follows Osman, ed the documentary “Francophrenia” with time.” The 52-year-old New Zealand director still has another an Afghan journalist exiled from his war- Franco. Franco currently stars opposite movie to go, so he can be forgiven for not wanting to ponder torn country to a small bohemian com- Jason Statham in “Homefront,” and he’ll too deeply the 16 years he’s already spent in the service of munity in Northern California. When he soon be seen in Paul Haggis’ romantic J.R.R. Tolkien. The latest installment, “The Hobbit: The attempts to turn his menial job on the drama “Third Person.” Franco, who earned Desolation of Smaug,” is his fifth Tolkien film (part two in the local police blotter into “Afghan-style” an Oscar nomination for his performance three movie “Hobbit” prequel to the “Lord of the Rings” trilo- coverage of local crime, he gets drawn in “127 Hours,” is currently filming Sony’s gy) and approximately hour 84 in the Middle-earth saga. into the backwoods of this small town - a comedy “The Interview” with Seth Rogen. That may be a slight overestimate, but in any case, it’s been shadow Northern California where sex is The “Spring Breakers” star was recently a lot of Orcs. The journey has largely been a smooth one. Each casual, true friendship is hard to come by named Best Supporting Actor by the Los “Lord of the Rings” film was received rapturously, averaging and an unfamiliar form of violence lurks Angeles Film Critics Association along about $1 billion a pop, and the trilogy culminated in the all around. Franco will play one of the with (“”). Oscar steamrolling of “The Return of the King.” But when leads - an unstable hot-tub craftsman Franco is represented by CAA, while Olds Jackson turned his attention to Tolkien’s first book, “The named Lindsay, who is at the crux of is repped by WME. —Reuters Hobbit,” things got bumpier. He and New Line feuded over merchandising revenue from “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” was held up. Initially, Jackson was to executive pro- duce with directing a two-film adaptation, but after delays raged on, del Toro dropped out and Jackson returned to the director’s chair. When Jackson and Warner Bros. opted to make “The Hobbit” three films, a feeling of Hobbit overdose - and claims of overreaching - began to surround the project. The first film didn’t enjoy nearly as warm a response from critics or filmgo- he trailers for “A Madea Christmas” promise prise visit to Eileen’s daughter Lacey (Tika Christmas Jubilee, until Lacey’s ex-boyfriend in ways that defy all logic. (Solution to bullying? ers. “An Unexpected Journey” made another $1 billion, but it the sight of the tough-talking, no-non- Sumpter), since Lacey told pushy, meddling Oliver (JR Lemon) offers a sponsorship possibility Punch them in the face. Solution to evil corpora- was derided for its lengthy running time (182 minutes), its sense protagonist working as a shopping Eileen she’d be too busy to come home for that’s got more than one string attached. And tions? Promise something on their behalf on a prolonged introduction of characters and its innovative use of T 48 frames-per-second, double the industry standard. Jackson mall Mrs. Santa and shooting down the dreams Christmas. Lacey’s got a sensitive, intelligent student (Noah TV microphone, and they’ll be honor-bound to of bratty kids. That never happens in the movie, Waiting for them in Alabama is a big bag of Urrea) who’s being bullied by classmates and comply.) had already broken new ground with technical effects like the alas, but the sight of Madea in a fake North Pole But you can’t have “A Madea Christmas” with- motion-capture technique used to create the hobbit mutant makes me want to share my own Christmas out Madea, and she’s the reason to see the film. Gollum, and he hailed the higher frame rate as the future of wish: I want Madea to have her own “Duck Soup.” Perry seemed to be holding his nose and trudg- filmmaking - a sharper image that could attract moviegoers Fans of the Marx Brothers fondly remember that ing through the disappointing “Madea’s Witness like 3-D had. 1933 comedy as the group’s finest and funniest, Protection,” but this time Madea has her groove But the 48 fps wasn’t well received. Critics said the film and one of the reasons it’s so great is because it’s back, and she’s a riot. Wisely, Perry has brought seemed overamplified and that the increased clarity yielded a the most unfiltered vehicle for Groucho, Harpo, in Larry the Cable Guy - who’s basically the white discombobulating hyper-realism that contrasted poorly with Chico and Zeppo. There’s no ingÈnue, no love male version of Madea - as a comic foil, and the the set design. With “The Desolation of Smaug,” Jackson story, no non-comedic musical numbers, just 68 two of them volley entertainingly, as does Kathy hopes to be righting the “Hobbit” ship. But he’s resolutely minutes of pure, anarchic brilliance. Najimy as Conner’s good-ol’-gal mom. The three sticking with 48 fps as the definitive way to see the movie: “It’s Madea is no Groucho Marx, granted, but if of them are clearly improvising like mad, and vis- by far the best way to see it,” he says. Yet Jackson and Warner writer-director Tyler Perry would just let this rib- ibly having a great time doing so. Bros. have declined to show film critics Jackson’s preferred ald, outrageous sassy grandma loose for 90 min- Perry seemingly fears losing the core audi- version, instead only screening in advance the film in 24 utes, he’d have a comedy triumph on his hands. ence of church ladies who originally put him on frames-per-second. Instead, with “A Madea Christmas,” we get spo- the map, but he’s not serving them well by “I was part of that decision,” says Jackson. “We did feel that radic (but hearty) hilarity from Madea’s interac- throwing them these warmed-over homilies. last year, we split focus in a way. People were reviewing the tions with those around her, zippy moments (There’s a subplot about the town being forced frame rate as well as reviewing the movie. I felt the technolo- that are weighed down by yet another sappy to take all references to Jesus out of the gy dominated.” The director, though, says he’s also worked to and melodramatic Perry screenplay. Christmas play, but the script winds up ignoring improve how the higher frame rate feels. “I spent a lot of time Madea (Perry) takes a job in an Atlanta this bump in the road rather than resolving it.) If in the color-grading room really putting my head into how we department store to earn extra Christmas cash, plot: Lacey has secretly married agri-scientist pushed around by his mean redneck daddy he had just given us Madea unleashed on shop- make the 48 not have a video feel,” says Jackson. “Some of the but her not-having-it attitude with customers Conner (Eric Lively) but is too worried about (Chad Michael Murray). pers, Madea substitute-teaching and then criticism of the 48 frames was not actually to do with the quickly gets her fired. Friend and coworker Eileen’s fragile health to tell her that she married Perry doesn’t seem any more interested in Madea shticking it up with Najimy and Mr The frame rate per se, which is just making it easier on your eyes, Eileen (Anna Maria Horsford) recruits Madea to a white man. The small town where Lacey works the story than his audience is, since all the prob- Cable Guy, his fans would give a much heartier reducing motion blur. It was to do with the fact that it felt like join her on a holiday trip to Alabama for a sur- as a teacher can’t afford to put on the annual lems get clumsily tied up in the last five minutes “Amen” to “A Madea Christmas.” —Reuters TV, like soap opera.” Moviegoers will get to choose. They can see “Desolation of Smaug” in 24 or 48, as well as in 3-D. Warner Bros. is increasing the number of theaters showing the film in 48 fps: 750 the- aters, up from 450 on the first “Hobbit” movie. Internationally, ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ it will play in 2,500 theaters, an increase of more than 800 Why took screens. The film, meanwhile, is finding much better reviews. Along with Benedict Cumberbatch’s titular dragon created with motion-capture, Jackson has added a notable new char- acter to Tolkien’s tale. Evangeline Lilly plays the female elf, Tauriel, who’s the 20 years to hit the big screen fighting equal of Orlando Bloom’s Legolas. “It honestly was a raig Borten can rattle off the major actors and directors mutual friend. “I was tired. I needed another eye, and she’s an hands. Wallack’s and Borten’s revised script lured Universal and cold-blooded decision to write a good, strong female role who were supposed to make “Dallas Buyers Club” like a incredible writer. She helped elevate everything I’d started.” Pitt, but it would be several more years before Universal’s sub- because there aren’t any,” says Jackson. Earlier this year while gathering of old friends. Dennis Hopper agreed to direct it Wallack’s first suggestion was that Borten lighten up a bit. sidiary Focus Features would acquire the rights to release the shooting pickups from the original shooting of “Desolation of C Smaug,” Jackson also wrapped up leftover production for the at one point. Woody Harrelson was going to star. was “There had to be this other side to dealing drugs,” Wallack, near film. By that point, it had a different leading man: Matthew attached when the project moved to Universal. Ryan Gosling’s right, told TheWrap. “Ron had this personality that was so incredi- McConaughey, in the middle of a career renaissance. But even third film, “There and Back Again,” to be released next name weaseled its way in at some point. But for two decades, ble. The funny moments in the script are from what he really that hadn’t come easy: McConaughey had kept Borten and December. His time with Tolkien is finally coming to an end. every time the writer thought his movie was going to get made, would say.” Together, the writers came up with Rayon, a transgen- Wallack’s script on his desk for 10 years before taking on a part he But Jackson’s life is fully entwined with the films. He makes somebody got cold feet. It’s not hard to see why - a drama about was born for: a charming, womanizing, homophobic Texan them with his wife and creative partner Fran Walsh. Their a man dying of AIDS was never an easy sell to financiers. turned advocate for those with AIDS. pugs make a cameo in “Smaug.” Jackson, too, has regularly Borten’s road to “Dallas” began when a girl he was dating Once signed, the actor spent months researching Woodroof made appearances in the films. Since the timeline is about 60 showed him an article about the international gray market of the with director Jean- Marc VallÈe. Like Leto, he shed close to 40 years earlier in the “Hobbit” movies, he says his briefly early 1990s, when people with AIDS were desperate for alterna- pounds for the part, leaving him a gaunt shadow of his typically glimpsed character in “Smaug” is the grandfather of his tives to AZT, the drug most doctors were hawking to combat HIV. muscular self. But as McConaughey and Leto transformed their “Rings” cameo. “I care so much about my cameo, I even map The article mentioned several people who offered unapproved bodies to prepare, Borten, Wallack and producer Robbie Brenner all the connections between the films,” he laughs. “It’s just silly medicines through “buyers clubs.” One of them was a Dallas elec- found themselves staring death in the face one more time. With fun.” —AP trician named Ron Woodroof. “He was this cowboy,” Borten told production three weeks away, and with two emaciated lead TheWrap. “A brash guy who would try anything on himself. He actors, the financing dropped out. “The money was not in the was his own guinea pig.” bank for the first 10 or 11 days,” Borten said. “We were self-financ- Woodroof’s story struck a chord with Borten, who had lost a This image released by Focus Features shows ing it.” Brenner called McConaughey and asked him if he would father and stepfather to cancer. “I had seen them go through simi- Jared Leto as Rayon in a scene from “Dallas be comfortable postponing until the spring. Wallack recalled his lar things in terms of coldness of doctors,” he said. “They were both Buyers Club.” —AP response: “It’s a moving train; get on it.” looking at and thinking about seeking out alternative treatments “That’s why it got made,” Borten said. “Matthew said, ‘We’re in Mexico.” Borten, an actor with no writing credits under his belt, der character that was an amalgam of various people they’d met not pushing anything.’ It was either put Matthew on a feeding began corresponding with Woodroof, trying to persuade him that and read about. “There was no better way to put [Ron’s] homo- tube or finance the story.” Truth Entertainment and Voltage the story merited a movie. In 1992, Woodroof consented and, phobia in place than to have him face a transgender person.” Pictures finally stepped in, and the filmmakers ended up making before his death in September, sat for interviews with Borten. Borten said. “We had so much fun with this relationship.” “Dallas Buyers Club” for about $3.5 million, less than half of what Borten wrote the script, began pitching it and experienced a Eventually, Jared Leto, who’d put his acting career on hold to play they initially expected. “The scope had to be different,” Wallack decade of starts, stops and rejections before turning to screen- in the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, broke his six-year hiatus said. Instead of portraying a grander tableau, “It was tied close to Peter Jackson writer Melisa Wallack (“Mirror Mirror”), whom he’d met through a to portray Rayon. The vividly drawn character came alive in Leto’s Ron Woodroof.” —Reuters