Two big pieces of movie news have trickled onto the web over the past several days.
The first, and arguably, most important being that Brad Bird, director of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, will not be doing Star Wars: Episode VII. We’ve seen a lot of names linked to the new film since it was announced last month that Lucasfilm had sold the property to Disney, who are planning a new trilogy beginning in 2015.
J.J. Abrams, who rebooted Star Trek in 2009, was one name that was bandied about, as was Lucas’ friend Steven Spielberg (sorry, but he has announced he’s done with action films).
In a tweet, Bird confirmed he is doing a sci-fi film, but it’s not gonna be Star Wars.
‘The science fiction film I AM doing is gonna be cool,’ he wrote. ‘That said, Michael Arndt (the Toy Story 3 scribe who is writing the screenplay) is a fantastic writer and Kathy Kennedy is a brilliant producer. I will be first in line to see the new STAR WARS.’
Kick Ass director Matthew Vaughn has been linked to the upcoming Episode VII, as has Iron Man helmer Jon Favreau and Joe Johnston (who worked at Lucasfilm in the 1970s).
Then there’s Joss Whedon (unlikely, as he’s obligated to do Avengers 2).
Whomever Disney bosses go with, they better hop to it. The film is scheduled to hit theatres in three short years.
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Leigh Whannell (left) and James Wan are seen in a photo from the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival. (Stan Behal/QMI AGENCY)
Continuing with some exciting movie news is word that James Wan and Leigh Whannell are returning to direct and write Insidious Chapter 2.
The sequel will once again feature Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne.
In an interview with me in 2010 for the first film, Wan revealed that the pair wanted to make a scary film without the gore.
“Leigh and I really wanted to prove that a scary movie doesn’t need gore,” Wan said. “Scary movies are best when they play on people’s fears, fears that their loved ones may be in trouble by forces beyond their control… to make a movie where it’s the atmosphere that creeps people out – that’s tricky.”
Chapter 2 starts filming in the new year and my only glitch is that it is skedded to hit theatres August 30, so no TIFF Midnight Madness screening.
Bah Humbug.
Twitter: @markhdaniell
