The motherfuckers are still trying to get that Footloose remake off the ground, and they’ve finally put together an entire principal cast, starting with Kenny Wormald, who will play the Kevin Bacon character, replacing Chace Crawford who replaced Zac Efron. Wormald is a virtual unknown (his credits include Center Stage 2). And who will take on the John Lithgow role? Dennis Quaid. That’s actually not a bad choice, if you have to remake the film. Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan) has fallen far enough off his Hustle pedestal to resort to directing this. He will be adding his own “southern grit” to the production and, by “southern grit,” I’m sure he means “chaining a half-naked woman to a radiator and exploiting Southern stereotypes.”
Meanwhile, I swear to God that “Footloose” is the earwormiest song of all time (ooh, SRL idea!), and the mere mention of the title gets the goddamn song lodged in my brain for no less than 36 hours. Maybe this will help exorcise it from your brain.
Lauren Graham is the latest addition to the cast of Scream 4, joining Hayden Panettiere, Anthony Anderson, Rory Culkin, Lake Bell, Nico Tortorella and Emma Roberts, as well as returning stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette. Graham will play the mother of Emma Roberts’ character. She will be stunning, because she just can’t help it, people. (Ghouls on Film)
Judd Apatow will produce Business Trip, which will star his wife, Leslie Mann. The movie — about a group of women who go on a business trip and do anything but business is being described as The Hangover with women. The plan is to have it ready by January 2011. I hope it works out better than the last attempt at a raunchy female-driven comedy, the underappreciated The Sweetest Thing (uh huh. I went to the underappreciated well on that one. What do you gotta say about it, dick?). (Deadline)
That wrap-up movie that Tim Kring was hoping to get for “Heroes”? Yeah. Probably not going to happen. (EW)
One of the most promising actors under the age of 25, Imogen Poots, has joined the cast of Fright Night as the female lead, joining another of the most promising actors under 25, in Anton Yelchin. And stop it — you’re better than that! You don’t have to snicker at her name every time. Brother. Note, also, that despite this being a remake, with David Tennant, Colin Farrel, and Toni Collette, as well as Lars and the Real Girl director Craig Gillespie on board, it might just be decent. (THR)
I got word a few weeks back from the Cog that All Quiet on the Western Front was being remade, but I didn’t give it a shot at actually making it through the development process. Looks like I’m going to be wrong, as Daniel Radcliffe has signed on to play the lead. And I’m sorry, with Harry Potter as my only real evidence, I don’t think Radcliffe is a particularly talented actor, and I don’t think he’s suited to a dramatic role of this caliber. (Variety)
Producer Dan Hahn offered a denial so weak it doubles as confirmation with regard to the possibility of a Roger Rabbit sequel. (Empire)
Kristen Bell has joined John Krasinski and Drew Barrymore in Whales, a romantic comedy based on the true story about a small-town news reporter (Krasinski) and a Greenpeace volunteer (Barrymore) who enlist the help of rival superpowers to save three majestic gray whales trapped under the ice of the Arctic Circle. (THR)
Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance
I realize that the word "Poots" stirs within me great unrest, like mental nails on a mental chalkboard.
Posted by: the new transported man at June 23, 2010 9:46 AM
Footloose... footloose.. kick off your Sunday shoes... DAMN YOU ROWLES. And I didn't even have to play the video... it's been burned into my brain since 1984. Also, though I didn't see it myself, I understand (from actual, living people whom I know and who actually saw him in it) young Mr. Radcliffe was quite excellent in Equus on B'way.
So, the more I hear about it, the more I am actually kind of getting excited about the Fright Night remake. I feel dirty.
Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at June 23, 2010 9:46 AM
Poots!
*snicker*
Uh... sorry.
*chortle*
Posted by: The Other Agent Johnson at June 23, 2010 9:48 AM
haha poot
I think The Sweetest Thing is pretty underrated. The only part I absolutely hated was the musical number about pretty penises.
You know, just because someone interfered and Barrymore somehow avoided the process of natural selection, it doesn't mean that she has the right to visit the same interference on nature's creatures.
AvB - I'm a tad excited too, we can feel dirty about it together.
Posted by: ninetwenteetoo at June 23, 2010 10:08 AM
Dustin - we here in the Great White North have a fail safe method to get rid of whichever song might be worming your ears. it has been scientifically proven (i'm talkin' 'bout freakin' dudes in lab coats, man) that if you hum or sing the original Hockey Night in Canada theme song, not only do you dislodge the song that was munching on your mind-grapes in the first place, but you also don't get the HNIC stuck in your head.
it's marvelous and magical.
Posted by: causaubon at June 23, 2010 10:11 AM
Dear Lauren Graham: Please stop doing shitty movies. Parenthood kind of rocks. Despite being nigh incapable of carrying a tune, you were the one bright spot in the god-awful Guys and Dolls revival last year. And we all know that, whether you like the show or not, you were fantastic on Gilmore Girls. So please. Please. I am begging you. DO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE.
Posted by: Kevin at June 23, 2010 10:13 AM
There was a Center Stage 2?!
Posted by: jM at June 23, 2010 10:20 AM
I agree with Kevin. Lauren Graham is stunning, a decent actress, seems like a generally awesome person, but for some reason she seems incapable of picking a decent movie script. She either needs to stick to being awesome on TV or hire someone to sort the scripts for her.
Posted by: cfar1 at June 23, 2010 10:20 AM
causaubon: My drunk brother sang the "Hockey Night in Canada" theme at my wedding. MY WEDDING! It was amazing. People sang along.
Posted by: teacupnosaucer at June 23, 2010 10:22 AM
What if you swapped their names?
Anton Poots. Ant on poots. Sounds like a drunkard trying to name a beloved Shrek character's name.
Imogen Yelchin. I don't have to Imogen it- I was Yelchin all weekend after that bad fish taco on Friday!
Posted by: logar at June 23, 2010 10:23 AM
Causaubon, you are a good Canadian. Have we recruited you yet?
Ba-ba-ba-ba-bA-BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...
It's just not the same since TSN got a hold of it though.
i'll see your Devo and raise you a Wolfgang Petersen. let the pun-off begin!
The Captain: God damnit, how can this happen?! 12 boats we have on the Atlantic! From Greenland to the Azores, a mere dozen! But still we, we almost collide with one of our own! Something's wrong here...(turning to navigator) Have you checked on our position?
Navigator Kriechbaum: ...more or less Capt-
The Captain: More or less?! More or less?! Thats not GOOD ENOUGH!
Navigator Kriechbaum: Not one sunspot in two weeks, and we've been drifting in the storm. Difficult to calculate.
The Captain: Yeah yeah...We make a few errors in our own position, the others do the same, and we end up playing collision games! Leaving the route wide open! [to Werner] I hope you're taking notes. Maybe clue HQ into what's happening.
Werner: Surely you have better connections than me.
(of course, the SCTV take off, Das Boobs was infinitely better)
Posted by: causaubon at June 23, 2010 10:39 AM
Radcliffe in AQOTWF couldn't be any worse casting than Richard Thomas in a crappy made for tv remake I saw a couple of months ago. Who in the HELL thought John Boy Walton should be cast in a role made famous by Kirk Douglas? Oh and Rowles? I don't care if you are from the 501, I will never forgive you now that I will have that stupid song stuck in my head. ALL.DAMN.DAY!
Posted by: TheBlackMenace at June 23, 2010 10:41 AM
i'm afraid to ask what you want to recruit me for, admin.
Posted by: causaubon at June 23, 2010 10:46 AM
I think The Sweetest Thing is pretty underrated. The only part I absolutely hated was the musical number about pretty penises.
Posted by: Whorish Mouth at June 23, 2010 9:50 AM
Same here, WM. I laugh at a lot of that movie, but I always change the channel during that stupid fucking song.
Posted by: Julie at June 23, 2010 10:49 AM
TheBlackMenace: Kirk Douglas was not in AQOTWF. It was made in 1930 and was the first all talking, non-musical movie to win a best picture Oscar. It starred Louis Wolheim, Lew Ayres, John Wray, Arnold Lucy and Ben Alexander. It's a great anti-war movie. The whole point of the movie is these 16 year old school kids are cheerleaded by their teacher into joining the German army, and then they discover that war is horrifying. I think Radcliff could be good in it.
Posted by: BWeaves at June 23, 2010 11:21 AM
Yes, there was a Centre Stage 2, I own it. BUT, only because I forgot to return to Blockbuster and they wouldn't take it back.
The movie itself was/is awful, but Kenny is the best part, "you just need fire." imagine that line with a thick Boston accent, it's hilarious. He also starred in Dancelife with Blake McGrath who's now a SYTYCD Canada judge!
The lead girl is hilariously bad and has a bab voice, but the dancing is half way bad ass. So I keep watching it!
Posted by: kilmo at June 23, 2010 12:42 PM
"Yes, there was a Centre Stage 2, I own it. BUT, only because I forgot to return to Blockbuster and they wouldn't take it back."
In what universe is that an acceptable explanation? Like that fixes the transgression?
/owns all three Beastmaster movies
Posted by: The Other Agent Johnson at June 23, 2010 1:25 PM
I saw Dan Radcliffe in Equus, and he really did an incredible job. I think this could be his chance to prove that on film instead of just on stage. It was too bad that was a limited run - I wish more people had gotten to see him do something darker with more range.
Posted by: KatSings at June 23, 2010 1:37 PM
While I certainly support a fun remake, it's a bit depressing to see so many breakout indie-film directors get saddled in to this stuff. (But 'Fright Night' has David Tennant!!! So I can't be THAT discouraged.)
I'm more excited for 'Scream 4' than I should probably admit. I miss Neve Campbell alright! Best damn horror movie heroine since Jamie Lee.
Apatow - Repetition sucks. I'm surprised you haven't realized that yet.
Any word on whether Radcliffe will be naked in AQOTWF?? Not to sound like a pervert or anything, just thought I'd....shit, who am I kidding. Nevermind.
Posted by: Barnes78 at June 23, 2010 2:18 PM
Barnes78 He has no reason to be naked. There is no way in the original movie or in the novel on which it is based for any character Radcliffe could possibly play to be naked on camera.
So yes, yes he will be.
Posted by: Kevin at June 23, 2010 3:11 PM
Daniel Radcliffe.
All Quiet on the Western Front remake.
Why do I get the feeling they're going to pretty it up and give it a happy ending to satisfy the director's clotheared personal agenda?
I'll see you in the front row on opening night. Oh how I love a liberal adaptation of a classic novel....
Posted by: Barnes78 at June 23, 2010 4:26 PM
@TheBlackMenace:
Maybe you're thinking of Paths of Glory? Stanley Kubrick film with Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax and Timothy Carey as Awesome? I love that film. Just rips your heart out knowing that it's 'Based on a True Story', as it were. Look up the widows of the men involved: you will froth at the mouth. No wonder the film was banned in France for two decades. Such a good movie.
All Quiet's impossibly sad, too. I haven't seen the entirety of the 1930 version, but I've read the book by Remarque. Holy cow, survivor's guilt is--geez, I don't know how people can go on. I guess a lot can't. I can't help but think of Baldrick's war poetry, but that would sound flippant and I'm not aiming for that at all.
Of course, The Wars by Timothy Findlay makes those other two feel like a skip through the gillyflowers. If they ever make a film out of that, fuck. I don't know if they could. Another incredible and powerful work with some real stomach-churning moments. Read 'em all if you get the chance. Even if you're not a 'war movie/book' person, they're too engrossing to pass up.
I'm not feeling an All Quiet remake, but a Paths of Glory remake would be cause for widespread rebellion, as it's just too perfect as it is. I don't think anyone would be stupid enough to go there, right? Right?
Posted by: Jo 'Mama' Besser at June 23, 2010 8:42 PM
I realize that the word "Poots" stirs within me great unrest, like mental nails on a mental chalkboard.