The CLOG - A Clevver Blog

So the advance word on the highly hush-hush opening of Iron Man 2 is flying as fast and furious as the early jet boot tests.  You remember those, right?  Funniest parts of the movie.  But anyway, there’s plenty of interesting news and character bits going on with this one, which just goes to prove that in Hollywood these days, there’s really no such thing as hush-hush.

First off, advance word is that Downey will be coming back to handle Tony Stark.  I think we’re all okay with this one being as he did such a bang-up job in the first place wavering between pretentious rich jackass and actual humanitarian.  It’s safe to say they’re not even compatible roles, so doing both at once shows incredible range.

Second, new developments show that MIckey Rourke is at least potentially slated to play Crimson Dynamo, which is basically the Omega Red of the Iron Man series–a Russian Iron Man for those of you what don’t habla comics.  Russia was a popular source for comic villains back in the seventies through much of the 20th century.  This is probably a good development, as I don’t think Crimson Dynamo is going to be too big a stretch for the guy who handled Marv from Sin City.

Lastly, and perhaps most strangely, is that Sam Rockwell, formerly of Charlie’s Angels, is slated to play Stark rival industrialist Justin Hammer.  Now, sure, he’s just come off the highly successful Frost / Nixon concept, but seriously–do we want to put Justin Hammer in the hands of the guy who played GUY FLEEGMAN on Galaxy Quest?  Isn’t that a smidge of a stretch?  Oh, sure, Galaxy Quest was a long time ago, and Rockwell could’ve easily grown since then, but I remain skeptical.

Thus, there’s a lot to like going into the 2010 release of Iron Man 2, and giving us plenty to look forward to.

Summit Entertainment has staked its claim on a release date for New Moon, the sequel to the highly successful Twilight series.  The vampire/human love story starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson will hit theaters on November 20th, 2009.

Twilight, the first film in the series, had great success during last Thanksgiving holiday when it took over the spot from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when it was moved to a Summer 2009 release.  New Moon should benefit well from getting a jump on the Thanksgiving holiday, but will find stiff competition from Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Sherlock Holmes which opens the same day.

‘Daddy’s Girls’ debuted this week and have pretty much established that their show isn’t quite as good as ‘Run’s House’ however, ‘Daddy’s Girls’ are some very sexy ladies!  I mean DAMN! I think the fact that they are themselves, makes matters even worse, because when they try to be “ugly” they look even more sexy! 

Anyways, the show does still have the comedy factor!  Glad…because even though they’re too sexy to get bored watching, the more entertaining, the better!

Who in the hell wants to see a 70 year old man nude?? 

 If you, then you’re pretty sick…

Ian McKellen who played a full nude scene as King Lear in a stage version, that is suppose to be released to the public in a TV version, does not have to do the nude scene.  Not only was that smart, it was just the right damn thing to do!  I mean c’mon….Seeing an old man like that, fully naked (I shouldn’t be talking like this because one day I’ll be one) may scar some people for life.  So thanks to whomever is responsible for pulling the nude scene!

Ian Mckellen is known for his role in “Lord of the Rings”

Damn! That Jamal Woolard almost looks just like Biggie! They could’ve done a lot better with the rest of the cast members…well, the girl who plays Biggie’s wife looks a lot like Faith Evans too, but
whomever casted these actors, didn’t do so for looks!

OH YEAH! AND…..
No disrespect to the late great Notorious B.I.G but…..why have they been trying so hard to crown this man as the Greatest Rapper Of All Time? He is NOT that, nor will he ever be! If you do go see this movie, please DO NOT FALL INTO THE HYPE! The fans have spoken and Tupac is the Greatest Rapper of All Time…

For the fact that this movie is about a “mall cop” alone makes me want to go watch a soap opera or something.  I mean, who really gives a hoot about a mall cop?  Ok, maybe that is kind of mean, but seriously now!  If Kevin James wasn’t the star of this film, I wouldn’t even consider it.

Realisically speaking, Kevin James knows exactly what he is doing here.  I mean the only way a movie about a mall cop would even be remotely interesting is if it was a comedy…Or if it was a true story, but it would have to have some real hardcore drama going on.  Anyway, Kevin James is an awesome comedian and it seems as though this film acually has a story line.  NOT just bunch of dry comedy going no where…which I hate…Sorry Will Ferrell!

Its finally official, Taylor Lautner will get to keep his job. Taylor will continue to play Jacob in New Moon, the next installment of the Twilight Series. He lobbied real hard and had to fight off several other actors that were trying to win the role. Lets hope he has been eating his wheaties and hitting the gym. He has alot of bulking up to do otherwise they may deduct CGI costs from his paycheck.

The news has been Confirmed by Stephenie Meyer herself in the following blog entry. Team Jacob-Taylor can finally sleep in peace! 

January 7, 2009

Good news about New Moon from director Chris Weitz:

I’m very happy to announce that Taylor Lautner will be playing Jacob Black in New Moon and that he’s doing so with the enthusiastic support of Summit Entertainment, the producers, and Stephenie Meyer.

The characters in Stephenie’s books go through extraordinary changes of circumstance and also appearance; so it is not surprising that there has been speculation about whether the same actor would portray a character who changes in so many surprising ways throughout the series. But it was my first instinct that Taylor was, is, and should be Jacob, and that the books would be best served by the actor who is emotionally right for the part. I think that fans of Twilight the book and the movie will be surprised by the Jacob Black that Taylor will bring to the screen in New Moon; and I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the cast in realizing the film.

very best

Chris Weitz

I’d just like to add that I was very much a part of this decision. My first priority was always what was best for New Moon—what was going to give us the best possible movie. I’m truly thrilled that Taylor was the one who proved to the director, to Summit, and to me that he is the best possible Jacob we could have. And I’m very much looking forward to seeing what he’s going to bring to Jacob’s character this year.

- Steph

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/

Universal Pictures is on the search for the next “McLovin” for a new film starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin.  The role of “Edward” is described as “an awkward, funny, precocious 17-year-old high school senior.”

No acting experience is necessary, but a strong desire to be an actor is.  In-person auditions are being held on January 10th from 10:00AM to 1:00PM at Ripley Grier Studios in New York (Between 36th and 37th Street).  For those unable to make it to New York, auditions can be submitted online.

Interested individuals must be males between fifteen and seventeen years-old and be available to work in New York and Los Angeles from February until mid-June 2009.  Go here for more information.

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li has already come out with a poster and trailer, but unfortunately, they were both in Japanese.  ComingSoon.net finally landed the U.S. version of the poster, which you can check out below.

The cast is full of famous faces: Michael Clarke Duncan, Chris Klein, Moon Bloodgood, Neal McDonough, and Kristen Kreuk as the title ninja.  It’ll be released on February 27th.

Sci-Fi Channel’s hit Battlestar Galactica launches its final season on January 16th.  Check out a sneak peek of humanity’s final battle against the evil Cylons.

Last year, it seemed like a near-certainty that Peter Segal, director of Get Smart, would make Shazam! his next movie.  Telling the origin story of superhero Captain Marvel — whose alter ego is teenager Billy Batson, who transforms into the muscular superhero every time he says the title exclamation — the project was set up at New Line Cinema with a script from John August (Big Fish).  Rumors were even circling that Dwayne Johnson would play the bad guy, Black Adam.

Fast-forward to 2009: August has just announced on his blog that the project is dead.  Warner Bros. inherited it after New Line went under, but wanted to give it a darker tone rather than the “Big, but with superpowers” style of the first draft.  After August obliged with a re-write, Warner Bros then decided they weren’t interested at all.  That doesn’t mean a Shazam movie won’t ever get made, but it does mean you can write off the current iteration.

W. co-stars Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright have both had great years: Brolin could get nominated for an Oscar for his role in Milk, while Wright also appeared in both Cadillac Records and Quantum of Solace.

However, there was that little matter of the bar fight that happened outside of the Stray Cat Club in Louisiana on July 12th, during filming of W. At the time, all we knew was that it had been broken up by the police and both of the men, along with four other people, had been arrested on misdemeanor charges.

Now the Associated Press is reporting that charges against all parties involved will be dropped.  Lawyers are staying mum, but the reasoning might have something to do with a video that just popped up on TMZ.  Filmed by a woman with a camera phone after the police arrived, it shows Brolin and Wright hugging, then Brolin getting cuffed and pepper-sprayed by the cops, then Wright — who doesn’t appear to be struggling — getting repeatedly tasered. Fears of police brutality charges, perhaps?

Ladies, start your screaming.  Walt Disney Pictures has provided us with your first look at the upcoming Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience including new photo, new poster and a first look trailer.

The film blends excerpts from the Brothers’ red-hot “Burning Up” concert tour, including guest performances from Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift, with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, off-the-wall segments, a never-before-heard song (”Love Is On Its Way”), swarming fans and a lot of JB-style humor-giving fans never-before-seen insights into the lives of Kevin, Joe and Nick.

The film will be coming to theaters in digital 3D on February 27th.

Just when Harry Potter fans accepted having to wait an extra seven months for The Half-Blood Prince, the movie has undergone a shift of a different sort: the MPAA just gave it a PG rating.

The first three Potter films were all PG, but as the stories turned darker, the fourth and fifth installments were both PG-13.  But director David Yates told MTV a year ago that Half-Blood Prince would take on a much lighter tone as the story was the “‘American Graffiti’ for this set”, focusing mainly on the romantic relationships of the teenage heroes.

Still, the rating decision comes as a surprise, as the book ends in a violent climax and involves the murder of a major character.

Check out newly-released pictures from Half-Blood Prince here.

Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc.,  a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, today announced a full range of licensed Street Fighter^TM IV accessories which are expected to ship alongside the release of the first dedicated next generation release in February 2009.Produced in close collaboration with Capcom®, the Mad Catz Street Fighter® IV range of accessories has been created to support the game’s unique button mapping out of the box and enhance game play for casual and dedicated fans alike.

Products expected to ship in the range are as follows:

• Official Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick - Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3

Designed to offer authentic arcade style play, the Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick offers gamers precision control and quality engineering complete with stunning official artwork. Dual-speed Turbo functionality for each button complete with LED Indicators allows gamers to execute moves with lightning speed while the eight-button Street Fighter IV arcade configuration means that those familiar with the arcade will feel instantly at home. An integrated D-Pad switch allows gamers to alternate between D-Pad and Analog Sticks for maximum control flexibility, while the ergonomic slanted top panel ensures maximum comfort during sustained play. Start and Select/Back Buttons have been moved to the rear of the FightStick thus minimizing the risk of accidental interruption during play and specially created ‘Character Cards’ ship with the Arcade FightStick which insert into the top panel and display a selection of special moves.

• Official Street Fighter IV FightPad - Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3

Ideal for gamers favoring a traditional console controller without wishing to compromise on features, the Street Fighter IV FightPad features an enlarged circular eight-way floating D-Pad and arcade style six-button configuration. An integrated D-Pad switch allows gamers to alternate between D-Pad and Analog Sticks and combined with official artwork featuring an assortment of famous Street Fighter® characters, the Street Fighter IV FightPad is destined to be the controller of choice for discerning fans and those seeking a competitive advantage.

• Official Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition - Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3

Designed for the serious Street Fighter enthusiast, nothing brings the arcade experience closer to home than the Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition. Overseen by Capcom and legendary producer Yoshinori Ono, the Tournament Edition features an unparalleled level of detail and uses arcade quality components. Sourced directly from arcade manufacturer Sanwa Denshi^TM, the FightStick: Tournament Edition uses the same Japanese style ball-handled joystick and 30mm Action Buttons found in the official Street Fighter IV Vewlix^TM arcade cabinet, marking the first time such components have been used for a commercial product outside of Japan. With the D-Pad control switch, dual Turbo functionality for each button, and exact button layout matching the Vewlix Street Fighter IV arcade panel, the FightStick: Tournament Edition delivers an experience unlike any other arcade styled controller. Complete with detailed touches such as screw on rubber feet for solid surface play, unobtrusive placement of the Start and Select/Back Buttons along with a locking mechanism preventing accidental activation of Turbo settings for tournament play, the FightStick: Tournament Edition represents the best possible choice for the hardcore and dedicated Street Fighter fan.
• Official Street Fighter IV Faceplate and Console Skinz^TM - Xbox 360

Featuring custom Street Fighter IV artwork, the highly collectible Faceplate and Console Skinz allow gamers to customize their Xbox 360 console. Safe and totally removable, the Console Skinz wrap around the top and bottom of the console and when combined with the Faceplate, create a stunning Street Fighter IV backdrop. Available in a choice of two striking designs, the Street Fighter IV Faceplate and Console Skinz present an eye-catching addition to any gamer’s living room.
• Official Street Fighter IV Controller Faceplate and Console Skinz - PLAYSTATION®3

Featuring custom Street Fighter IV artwork, the highly collectible Controller Faceplate and Console Skinz allow gamers to customize their PLAYSTATION 3 consoles and official controllers. Safe and totally removable, the Console Skinz adhere to the top of the console and provide a stunning Street Fighter IV themed landscape. In addition, the Controller Faceplate attaches quickly and safely to the official PLAYSTATION 3 controller providing matching artwork to the console.

 
• Official Street Fighter IV Wall Scroll

A perfect finishing touch to any gaming environment, the Street Fighter IV Wall Scroll features a breathtaking intricate design utilizing official Street Fighter IV artwork. Highly collectible, the quality vinyl scroll provides a unique addition to any fan’s collection.

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “Street Fighter is the fighting franchise by which all others are judged. Mad Catz is excited about the opportunity to leverage our years of experience in designing and manufacturing controllers and extend our portfolio to include what we believe will be seen as market leading FightSticks and FightPads which include designs and unique feature sets, never before seen within a commercial product in the USA”

“Capcom is pleased to work with Mad Catz to provide the highest quality controllers possible to the Street Fighter community,” said Christian Svensson, vice president business development & strategic planning at Capcom Entertainment, Inc. “Capcom has a long history of supporting it’s fan base with quality content and Mad Catz Street Fighter IV peripheral controllers will astound the Street Fighter community.”

The Mad Catz range of licensed Street Fighter IV accessories is expected to be available across North America and key European territories from February 2009.