Cowboys and Pajibas
The Daily Trade Round-Up / Daniel Carlson
I know we all loves us some Robert Downey, Jr., and that our love predates Iron Man and includes everything from Less Than Zero to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (and, of course, Weird Science). The man’s definitely got some range, but he’s also smart enough to ride the wave of Iron Man genre success for all it’s worth, which is why Downey is in negotiations to star in DreamWorks/Universal’s Cowboys & Aliens, a sci-fi/Western mix that could potentially be a 2010 tentpole. The project is based on a graphic novel set in the Old West, where settlers including Zeke Jackson (Downey) are fighting the Apache for control of the land when a spaceship crashes nearby. The cowboys and Indians team up to fight the alien invaders, after which the cowboys presumably go right back to slaughtering the Indians. The script has been in development for at least a decade, but the latest version comes from Hawk Ostby and Mark Fergus, two of the writers from — you guessed it — Iron Man. You gotta love Hollywood.
I was never into “Robotech” as a kid. In my house, it was “Thundercats,” “He-Man,” “MASK”; you know, the greats. Even now, I’d probably rather watch a movie about cat people with swords or a bronze gay dude with a sword than something about giant robots people use to fight each other. Regardless, Warner Bros. has hired Lawrence Kasdan to write their big-screen adaptation. Yes, the man who penned Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Empire Strikes Back is turning his attention to mecha. There’s no sense beating around the bush on this: It will probably suck.
In casting news, Amanda Peet has signed on for 2012, a disaster film from Roland Emmerich that also stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiorfor, and Danny Glover. Why Emmerich needs such a talented cast to run around in front of a green screen while he bombs New York is beyond me, but it’s always good to see Peet getting work. … It was announced this week that Aaron Ashmore is joining the cast of The Thaw, co-starring Val Kilmer. The plot of the indie horror film is inconsequential — something about a killer parasite released by melting polar ice caps, which sounds way too close to the idiotic The Happening — because what really matters is that Ashmore and Kilmer will share the screen. Ashmore played Iceman in the X-Men films; Kilmer played Iceman in Top Gun. Does no one else wonder/worry about the cosmic significance of this? That’s like doing a buddy comedy with Tom Cruise and Mel Gibson.
In honor of the death Monday of makeup and effects man Stan Winston, who was insanely talented and was involved in every movie from your childhood, here’s a clip of select scenes from Aliens:
On to the trailer watch. First up is Punisher: War Zone, because even those weird kids in your social studies class who carve things into their arms need their own superhero movie:
“Dan,” I can already hear you saying, “that’s all well and good. But what if I like senseless remakes; where’s the trailer for me, you erudite and handsome-in-an-offbeat-way man?” Well, here’s the clip for Death Race, wrapped up all pretty-like for you:
You know I can’t leave you with that. Let’s go out on a high note with the trailer for Spike Lee’s upcoming Miracle at St. Anna:
Daniel Carlson is the managing editor of Pajiba and a low-level employee at a Hollywood industry magazine. You can visit his blog, Slowly Going Bald.
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Comments
Aaron Ashmore didn't play Iceman in the X-Men series - his brother Shawn Ashmore did. Aaron had a bit recurring character on Veronica Mars (Seasons 1 & 2) and was on Smallville I think.
Posted by: B.F.D. at June 17, 2008 6:11 AM
Crap, now I have to correct myself. It was Seasons 1 & 3 of VM and it turns out Shawn and Aaron are twins.
Posted by: B.F.D. at June 17, 2008 6:13 AM
While I do agree the Death Race remake is pointless, I admire that Statham is still insisting on making up for In The Name Of The King. Did somebody see Postal and regret being associated with a certain director?
Now I am going to go to my happy place, and try not to imagine going all mecha-geek and punching you for denigrating Robotech. I am thinking the BSG folks would be a better fit (hell a perfect fit), but I can live with Kasdan.
Posted by: Vermillion at June 17, 2008 6:22 AM
Deathrace looks awful, but I love me some Jason Stratham, I'll see anything he's in.
Cowboys & Aliens - sounds awful...Hollywood made a similar film like this a few years ago called Outlander (it hasn't been released yet). Plot: During the reign of the Vikings, Kainan (Caviezel), a man from a far-off world, crash lands on Earth, bringing with him an alien predator known as the Moorwen.
2012 - with a cast like that - I'll see it...
Posted by: Neena at June 17, 2008 7:04 AM
Hmm, a mecha movie using live actors. What, no one's thinking of doing a live/CGI treatment of Ghost in the Shell or any of the other superlative works of Shirow Masamune?
Posted by: The Wanderer at June 17, 2008 7:11 AM
Lawrence Kasdan is somehow a liability?
Putting him with Robotech equals "suck"?
Oh I don't think so.
Posted by: Jay at June 17, 2008 7:16 AM
Robotech? Really? Really?
Well, if it keeps them away from Evangelion, go right ahead.
Posted by: twig at June 17, 2008 7:30 AM
RIP, Stan.
Posted by: Some Guy at June 17, 2008 8:03 AM
@ The Wanderer
SHHHHHHH! They'll hear you!
Posted by: DanDan at June 17, 2008 8:40 AM
Never got into big robots beating each other up and destroying the city in the process. Don't get me wrong...I love me some really good anime. I'm a devoted fan of Satoshi Ken. I love Cowboy Bebop. But giant robots? Not so much.
Cowboys and Aliens sounds like a fantastic Bruce Campbell movie! Seriously, is he cast in it? Only he would be able to make that watchable.
2012 sounds too much like The Day After Tomorrow for my tastes...we'll see.
And as usual, I'm missing all the pretty trailers.
Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at June 17, 2008 8:59 AM
Stan Winston died? I'm so sad.
Posted by: michelle at June 17, 2008 9:00 AM
I don't think anyone has the vision necessary to direct live-action Evangelion, and I hope it stays that way.
Posted by: Mick J at June 17, 2008 9:04 AM
Oh my God, OH MY GOD, I think I just had an HBOgasm.
First Ray Stevenson, then Ian McShane and Vern Schillenger's junkie son? Hell yeah, I'm seeing "Death Race".
Posted by: courtney at June 17, 2008 9:06 AM
I believe James Cameron is doing Evangelion after Avatar. I heard that about a year ago it seems so Godtopus only knows if it is still happening.
Posted by: Rob at June 17, 2008 9:24 AM
So, it's not really remaking "Death Race 2000" but there's still a Machine Gun Joe only it's more like "The Running Man"?
Does that mean there's no Frankenstein though?
Posted by: Jay at June 17, 2008 9:26 AM
I love the punctuation happy spambot. Makes it seem more human, more passionate...like it cares what I think. Maybe I should go to the site? I might meet someone as passionate as Lucia...
Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at June 17, 2008 9:57 AM
And now I seem crazy...lusting after an imaginary person. Not unlike my lusting after River but not Summer. Wait...that's totally different. Isn't it?
...
...
...
I am talking to somebody, right?
Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at June 17, 2008 10:03 AM
I believe James Cameron is doing Evangelion after Avatar.
I thought he was doing live-action 'Battle Angel Alita' after Avatar.
James Cameron's name gets attached to all the good crack.
Posted by: twig at June 17, 2008 10:15 AM
Nice try, Dan. Nothing can be senseless if it involves the Statham. Also, no one believed me when I said that Victoria's Secret models had to be smuggling narcotics to need all that padding. I think Death Race proves me right. Game. Set. Match.
Posted by: jM at June 17, 2008 10:18 AM
SoD, I love you like a brother, man - but if you get assimilated into the SpamBot Apocalypse, I swear I'll have no problem pulling the trigger when the time comes.
We need you on the MT. Don't fall for their bullshit. Granted, robot sex is dynamite, but... well, to tell the truth it's friggin' awesome! God, there's these outlets that you can stick....NOOOO! PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER SKITZ!
Don't be fooled SoD... There's nothing for you in that electric cervix. Nothing...
Posted by: Skittimus Maximus at June 17, 2008 10:22 AM
Twig: You may be right. Is Alita another giant robot mecha story? I have zero knowledge in that field so I have no idea. I swear Evangelion was mentioned at some point though in an interview with him but I could easily be wrong.
Posted by: Rob at June 17, 2008 10:31 AM
Damn HTML tags...
Posted by: Rob at June 17, 2008 10:32 AM
I don't think it's possible for anyone who's seen Rome not to fall a little bit in love with Ray Stevenson.
I certainly wish he was in a better movie--he deserves much better--but goddamn he looks good.
Posted by: Jerce at June 17, 2008 10:33 AM
Holy Shit Shadows, that is pure brilliance. Can you imagine RDJ and Bruce Campbell sharing a movie like that one?
Ahhh, I think I chicken goo'ed my roost.
Posted by: boo at June 17, 2008 10:44 AM
I'm sorry, but this is a relatively simple formula:
Jason Statham + Al fuckin' Swearengen + Joan motherfucking Allen + racing movie with guns and shit = you get ten bucks and a big fuckin' smile from me.
Posted by: TK at June 17, 2008 10:45 AM
The Thaw sounds like "Ice", one of the best stand-alone episodes of The X-Files. Hopefully the movie's going the freak-out route instead of the action route.
Posted by: Three-nineteen at June 17, 2008 10:47 AM
Also, didn't Lawrence Kasdan already touch on mecha with the Imperial Walkers in Empire Strikes Back? That worked out pretty well.
Posted by: Three-nineteen at June 17, 2008 10:50 AM
Jason Statham + Al fuckin' Swearengen + Joan motherfucking Allen + racing movie with guns and shit = you get ten bucks and a big fuckin' smile from me.
My thoughts exactly, TK.
So, in the middle of a war, a soldier (or several of them, it looks like they took turns) carried around a marble head in a lingerie bag? And then brought it home, stuck it in the closet, and capped a guy at the post office? What?
I confess that the original Punisher is one of my guilty pleasures. It has Chief Brody!
Shadows, I feel you on the fictional lust. I think everyone here knows I'd do the Doctor in a heartbeat. Or two. (Mmm, Time Lord sex.)
Skitt, as usual, you've made my day.
Posted by: Nicole at June 17, 2008 11:02 AM
"Jason Statham + Al fuckin' Swearengen + Joan motherfucking Allen + racing movie with guns and shit = you get ten bucks and a big fuckin' smile from me."
I gotta agree with TK on this...though it's more likely that at some point in the near future, rather than shell out ten bucks, I will sit on my couch to watch this. With a big fuckin' smile.
It certainly seems to contain a lot of talent--did I see Mos Def in there? It's hard to tell with the tiny tiny window.
Posted by: Jerce at June 17, 2008 11:06 AM
Skitt...out of respect for you as my captain and the MurderTank™...I'll try to stay away. It just isn't meant to be. I'll never forget you...Lucia...
Sniff...forbidden love...
On a completely totally unrelated note dealing with sexy, sexy fembots...when's Terminator starting again? If I can't have one...I'm damn sure gonna get my fill of the other...
Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at June 17, 2008 11:19 AM
I've been ridiculously about the Punisher reboot. Some days, two hours of watching Ray Stevenson beat the hell out of people is all I want out of life.
Posted by: Roni at June 17, 2008 11:37 AM
AlabamaPink news flash:
She has been rushed to the hospital with a fever of 103.6.
Prayers people. Please...
Posted by: boo at June 17, 2008 11:44 AM
Shit. Shit shit shit. Thanks for letting us know Boo.
Posted by: Julie at June 17, 2008 12:07 PM
boo, thanks for the heads up. Consider it done.
Posted by: jM at June 17, 2008 12:12 PM
Oh no! We're praying for you, AlabamaPink...you can beat this!
Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at June 17, 2008 12:20 PM
oh my goodness! Keep your head up Pink, you can get through this!
We are all praying for you!
Posted by: Bethy at June 17, 2008 12:34 PM
Shit shit shit. Boo, please keep us updated as we pray for her. Hopefully this is just a little speed bump.
Posted by: Jerce at June 17, 2008 12:40 PM
AlabamaPink, get well soon, please. You're in our thoughts.
DanDan, if they could do it well, a GitS movie would be great. By "do it well," I mean keep in the film the deep concepts explored in the manga and the movie - what is reality? How do you define consciousness?
Besides, they've already done a Giant Mecha Movie (I believe the title was Robot Joxx, and it was most definitely B-list fare).
Posted by: The Wanderer at June 17, 2008 12:59 PM
Godtopus be with you, 'Bama and goddammit, get well soon.
Posted by: TK at June 17, 2008 1:12 PM
Fingers crossed for 'Bama over here too.
Posted by: Dill The Devil at June 17, 2008 2:05 PM
'Bama, if cancer and fever had an address, you can bet your ass I'd be pounding at their front door with a barbed-wire-wrapped baseball bat doused in gasoline (prices be damned!) and set alight.
Get well sooner than soon...
Posted by: Skittimus Maximus at June 17, 2008 2:49 PM
See how I intentionally messed up the htmlamabobs? That means I'm serious...
Posted by: Skittimus Maximus at June 17, 2008 2:50 PM
Shit, Stan Winston died? :(
For some reason when I read that I just flashed back to my teenage Fangoria subscription and a little pic of Stan Winston in action on a movie set. :(
Posted by: osmate77 at June 17, 2008 3:48 PM
SHIT! Healing thoughts your way AlabamaPink!!!!! Get better!
Posted by: osmate77 at June 17, 2008 3:50 PM
I'm sorry to hear you're back in the hospital, Alabama Pink. Please get better soon!
I had to link to Wikipedia to learn the meaning of mecha. From the context of the round-up, it sounded like an insult. Now I know, probably not.
Posted by: rlr260 at June 17, 2008 4:30 PM
you can get over this one, Alabama. We all know it. Stay strong.
Posted by: replica at June 17, 2008 4:38 PM
I've enjoyed this site for 2 years but have never posted here before.
I can't believe they are remaking The Punisher. Tom Jane did a great job playing Frank Castle and it was a fantastic movie with good old fashioned stunt work.
Also Jason Statham is cool but will never be as cool David Carradine.
Posted by: SnowCrash at June 17, 2008 5:08 PM
Just read through all the posts.
Praying for a fast recovery for you AlabamaPink.
Posted by: SnowCrash at June 17, 2008 5:34 PM
Cowboys & Aliens makes me flash to The Valley of Gwangi territory, a bit of a blip in Ray Harryhausen's resume, although his part of it goes pretty well.
Best good thoughts to AlabamaPink...
Posted by: funtime42 at June 17, 2008 5:57 PM
A "Robotech" movie? Will "Star Blazers" be next. Anyone? No one remembers Star Blazers?
I am a little pissed of that the Spike Lee trailer looks like something I might want to see. Clearly his little fight with Dirty Harry was just a publicity ploy. Which worked. Damn him.
********Stay strong Ms. Pink!!!
Posted by: greer at June 17, 2008 6:31 PM
B. F. D. -
you were right the first time, aaron ashmore played troy vandergraff on the first and second seasons of veronica mars.
Posted by: maggie at June 17, 2008 9:16 PM
