By Ymir’s Icy Beard! KENNETH BRANAGH To Direct ‘THOR’ Movie?

KENNETH BRANAGH

Source: Variety

Kenneth Branagh is negotiating to direct Thor for Marvel Studios, reports Variety. The comic book adaptation is scheduled for a June 4, 2010 release.

Thor, written by Mark Protosevich, follows disabled medical student Donald Blake, who has an alter ego as the hammer-wielding Norse god Thor.

Read more HERE.

It’s been a bit since I’ve seen BRANAGH in movies like HAMLET, OTHELLO, and CONSPIRACY (the latter being my one of my favorite WW2 movies) but I think MARVEL is definitely on the right track with a THOR movie. There’s no doubt BRANAGH’s master of Shakespeare will come in handy when interpreting the Norse God of Thunder but I wonder about the whole Donald Blake alter-ego being reimagined and if it can work. I’m guessing most producers involved would assume that the human element is needed to make a better connection with audiences. Then again, an all out Force of Nature and what drives it could be an interesting approach as well.

My choice of storyline would be busting into Walt Simonson’s ‘Ragnarok’ storyline from the mid 80’s but I could see that going REALLY bad REALLY fast if done wrong. Simply too much to cram into what I assume will be an all out action first-story second a la the new HULK movie (which actually worked) or maybe the NBC HEROES series (which I think doesn’t work as well).

Since the whole point here is an introduction and then the big AVENGER’s team up movie, each hero (IRON MAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA etc.) getting some breathing room in their own separate installment should amount to some good pacing for character development.

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‘VALKYRIE’ Movie Trailer Posted

TOM CRUISE Stars In 'VALYKRIE'

Source: Yahoo Movies, Coming Soon.net, www.Valkyrie.UnitedArtists.com, IMDB.com

Tom Cruise heads an international cast as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, the aristocratic German officer who led the heroic attempt to bring down the Nazi regime and end the war by planting a bomb in Hitler’s bunker.

Watch the trailer HERE.

Check out the Official website HERE.

Release Date: December 26, 2008
Director: Bryan Singer
Screenwriter: Nathan Alexander, Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Patrick Wilson, Stephen Fry, Tom Wilkinson, Carice van Houten, Eddie Izzard, Halina Reijn, Kevin McNally, Christian Berkel, Terence Stamp, David Schofield

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BEST BUY Nabs Exclusive Retail Rights For GUNS N’ ROSES ‘CHINESE DEMOCRACY’

The Only GUNS N' ROSES Lineup That Ever Mattered

Source: Billboard.com

Best Buy is set to be the exclusive retailer for Guns N’ Roses decade-plus-in-the-making new album “Chinese Democracy” before year’s end, sources close to the situation tell Billboard. Some details of the deal are still being worked out, including the release date.

Read more HERE.

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Driver For BRET MICHAEL’s Tour Involved In Fatal Crash

BRET MICHAELS of POISON

Source: StLToday.com

19-year-old Yasmin S. Jackson, a sophomore at Southern Illinois University was driving northbound on Interstate 57 in West Frankfort when a box truck crossed the interstate median and hit her SUV and a pickup truck head-on, according to the Illinois State Police. She was killed instantly.

The box truck driver was identified as Dennis D. Hernandez, 38, of Lamont, Calif. Police said Hernandez fell asleep at the wheel before crossing the interstate median. Hernandez was hauling sound equipment for the musician Bret Michaels, former lead singer of the glam-rock band Poison.

Michaels is filming a reality television show “Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels” on VH1.

Read the entire article HERE.

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New Extended Trailer For ‘THE SPIRIT’

'THE SPIRIT' Movie Poster

Source: AOL Moviefone

New two and a half minute trailer for FRANK MILLER’s ‘THE SPIRIT’. Watch it HERE.

Movie is out December 25th.

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George A. Romero Talks New Zombie Flick In New Interview

GEORGE A. ROMERO

Source: SchlockAroundTheClock.com

Check it out HERE.

I have yet to see DIARY OF THE DEAD but it is on my shortlist of things to catch up on.

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SAW 5 Update (09.28.08)

SAW V Movie Poster

Source: SAW5.com

The trailer was pretty sparse on details but never fear. The Official SAW 5 website has added about a dozen new pictures, for those of you looking for a bit more plot details. Looks like another group situation a la SAW 2.

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WILL SMITH Returning For I AM LEGEND Prequel

WILL SMITH Will Return In A Prequel To I AM LEGEND

Source: Variety, ShockTillYouDrop.com

Warner Bros. is moving on a prequel to the 2007 Will Smith blockbuster I Am Legend, which grossed $584 million internationally.

Both WILL SMITH and I AM LEGEND director FRANCIS LAWRENCE are returning. Read more HERE.

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SMASHING PUMPKINS Announce 20th-Anniversary Tour Dates

Source: Blabbermouth.net

SMASHING PUMPKINS 20th-anniversary tour dates:

Nov. 01 – Cleveland, OH – Palace Theatre
Nov. 03 – Toronto, ONT – Massey Hall
Nov. 04 – Toronto, ONT – Massey Hall
Nov. 06 – New York, NY – United Palace Theatre
Nov. 07 – New York, NY – United Palace Theatre
Nov. 08 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata
Nov. 11 – Washington, DC – DAR Constitution Hall
Nov. 12 – Washington, DC – DAR Constitution Hall
Nov. 14 – Boston, MA – Wang Center
Nov. 15 – Boston, MA – Wang Center
Nov. 16 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Nov. 18 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
Nov. 19 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
Nov. 21 – Chicago, IL – Auditorium Theatre
Nov. 22 – Chicago, IL – Auditorium Theatre
Nov. 26 – St. Louis, MO – Fox Theatre
Nov. 30 – San Diego, CA – RIMAC Arena
Dec. 02 – Los Angeles, CA – Gibson Amphitheatre
Dec. 03 – Los Angeles, CA – Gibson Amphitheatre

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DROWNING POOL, SALIVA Fall 2008 Tour Dates

Source: Blabbermouth.net

Oct. 17 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Landing
Oct. 18 – Dayton Beach, FL – Destination Daytona
Oct. 20 – Columbia, SC – Headliners
Oct. 21 – Goose Creek, SC – The Dive
Oct. 22 – Jacksonville, NC – Hooligans
Oct. 24 – Providence, RI – Dunkin’ Donuts Center
Oct. 26 – Lorrain, OH – Black River Landing
Oct. 28 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
Oct. 29 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
Oct. 30 – Springfield, IL – Illinois State Fairgrounds
Nov. 01 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
Nov. 02 – Traverse City, MI – Streeters
Nov. 05 – San Antonio, TX – Scout Bar
Nov. 06 – Pharr, TX – Graham Central Station
Nov. 07 – Beaumont, TX – Scout Bar
Nov. 08 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
Nov. 09 – Corpus Christi, TX – The Pavilion at Concrete Street
Nov. 11 – Lubbock, TX – Wild West
Nov. 22 – Galamis Beach, CA – Galamis Beach

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It’s Official: ALAN MOORE Really IS Chuckling At THE WATCHMEN Movie Difficulties

Source: LA Times blog, ComingSoon.net

As I posted in a previous ThrallWorld blog re: the legal issues surrounding WARNER BROTHERS and FOX over the rights to THE WATCHMEN movie, I took a stab in the dark about ALAN MOORE’s possible take on the situation. ALAN MOORE has a very legitimate point in the medium wars between comic books and movies.

Read a detailed account on ALAN MOORE’s take on all of this HERE.

While I am looking forward to ZACH SNYDER’s take on THE WATCHMEN, I have spotted a red flag or two in the trailer. Number one being how the graphic novel always portrayed the character Nite Owl as a bit frumpy and washed up. The costumes might be a little pro-ish and modernish (the story takes place in the mid to late 1980’s) for the rag tag super hero crew Moore was portraying in his tale.

There’s a lot of layers in the MOORE story that will obviously be lost in the movie adaptation. But it is after all an adaptation so we’ll see where SNYDER ends up with the final cut.

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ILL NINO, OTEP, WALLS OF JERICHO Tour Dates

Source: Blabbermouth.net

ILL NINO, OTEP, WALLS OF JERICHO tour dates:

Oct. 27 – Bourbon St. New Port Richie, Florida
Oct. 28 – Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia
Oct. 30 – Ground Zero Spartanburg, South Carolina
Oct. 31 – Hooligans Jacksonville, North Carolina
Nov. 01 – Jesters Fayetteville, North Carolina
Nov. 02 – Starland Ballroom Sayreville, New Jersey
Nov. 04 – Blender @ Gramercy Theater New York, New York
Nov. 08 – Alrosa Villa Columbus, Ohio
Nov. 09 – Hayloft Liquor Stand Mt. Clemmens, Michigan
Nov. 11 – Peabodys Cleveland, Ohio
Nov. 12 – Pearl Room Mokena, Illinois
Nov. 14 – Pierre’s Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Nov. 15 – Intersection Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nov. 16 – Pop’s Sauget, Illinois
Nov. 18 – Scout Bar Beaumont, Texas
Nov. 20 – Scout Bar San Antonio, Texas
Nov. 21 – Scout Bar Houston, Texas
Nov. 22 – Ridglea Theater Dallas, Texas
Nov. 23 – Tequila Jungle Lubbock, Texas
Nov. 25 – Gators Farmington, New Mexico
Nov. 30 – Key Club Los Angeles, California

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SCARS ON BROADWAY To Perform On JIMMY KIMMEL Show

Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105018

SCARS ON BROADWAY, the collaboration between SYSTEM OF A DOWN guitarist/vocalist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan, will make its network television debut on Tuesday, October 14 with an appearance on ABC-TV’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

For the broadcast, SCARS ON BROADWAY will perform “World Long Gone” from their self-titled debut that was released July 29 (Interscope), and for the show’s closing, “They Say”.

Log onto www.1iota.com for ticket information.

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METALLICA: New Album Debuts At #1 On Billboard With Half A Million Copies Sold

Source: Billboard.com

In just a three-day sales window, Metallica’s “Death Magnetic” skates close to the half million mark and will lead The Billboard 200 when Nielsen SoundScan releases its charts later this morning (Sept. 17).

The band’s first studio album since 2003 moved 490,000 copies in its abbreviated frame, scheduled off-cycle on a Friday to accommodate a worldwide release date.

Read more HERE.

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TOBEY MAGUIRE: $50 Million For SPIDER MAN 4 And 5

Source: FilmSchoolRejects.com

According to Times Online, the star will receive $50 million to do the two sequels and has requested that he get mornings and early evenings free so that he can spend time with his not-yet 2 year-old daughter Ruby Sweetheart.

Read more HERE.

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JON FAVREAU Talks Future Of IRON MAN Movie Franchise

Source: SuperHeroHype.com

The latest on villians for the sequel, War Machine, “Demon In A Bottle”, etc. Check out a new interview with Jon Favreau HERE.

I think it’s way to soon to talk about having WAR MACHINE in the second sequel. Especially with only a 2-3 movies to develop TONY STARK’s character. I’m very familiar with Rhodey taking over the suit when Starks alcoholism got the best of him. I just think it will undermine the character if you try and jam that in there in the second movie. Give the character a chance to show why he dominates the entire Marvel Universe for at least two movies.

All depends on the writing I suppose.

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THE DARK KNIGHT: Rerelease In January Planned

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, ComingSoon.net

Warner Bros. Pictures plans to rerelease blockbuster The Dark Knight in January, the height of Academy Awards voting season.

A gentle reminder to the Academy for HEATH LEDGER (RIP).

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AARON ECKHART: TWO-FACE Dead? [spoiler alert]

Source: Heather Newgen, ComingSoon.net

A little behind but we thought we’d give the last three people in the world who haven’t seen THE DARK KNIGHT a chance to catch up…

AARON ECKHART has confirmed that the character he portrayed in THE DARK KNIGHT, TWO-FACE, is indeed dead and that he is not signed on for another BATMAN movie.

Read more HERE.

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MUDVAYNE: 2008 Tour Dates, “THE NEW GAME” Track Listing

Source: Blabbermouth

This story has been updated on 11.11.08: MUDVAYNE Debut ‘DO WHAT YOU DO’ Video

“The New Game” track listing:

01. Fish Out Of Water
02. Have It Your Way
03. A New Game
04. Dull Boy
05. Do What You Do
06. The Hate In Me
07. Scarlet Letters
08. Same Ol?
09. Never Enough
10. A Cinderella Story
11. We The People

“The New Game” 2008 tour dates:

Oct. 28 – El Paso, TX – El Paso County Coliseum
Oct. 30 – Corpus Christi, TX – The Pavilion At Concrete
Oct. 31 – Grand Prairie, TX – Nokia Live
Nov. 01 – San Antonio, TX – Sunset Station
Nov. 03 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
Nov. 05 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
Nov. 07 – Oklahoma City, OK – Bricktown Events Center
Nov. 08 – Albuquerque, NM – Albuquerque Convention Center
Nov. 09 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee Theatre
Nov. 11 – Hollywood, CA – Palladium
Nov. 12 – Las Vegas, NV – The Joint
Nov. 14 – San Francisco, CA – The Grand Ballroom
Nov. 15 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theatre
Nov. 17 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Nov. 19 – Spokane, WA – The Knitting Factory
Nov. 21 – Denver, CO – The Fillmore Auditorium
Nov. 22 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theatre
Nov. 24 – Wichita, KS – The Cotillion
Nov. 25 – St Louis, MO – The Pageant
Nov. 26 – East Peoria, IL – East Peoria Event Center
Nov. 28 – Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
Nov. 29 – Maplewood, MN – The Myth
Dec. 01 – Milwaukee, WI – The Eagles Ballroom
Dec. 02 – Chicago, IL – The Congress Theater
Dec. 05 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
Dec. 06 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Orbit Room
Dec. 08 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
Dec. 09 – Columbus, OH – LC Pavilion
Dec. 11 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live!
Dec. 12 – Philadelphia, PA – The Electric Factory
Dec. 13 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
Dec. 16 – New York, NY – Roseland Ballroom
Dec. 17 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva
Dec. 19 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
Dec. 20 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues

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STRAPPING YOUNG LAD: ‘ALMOST AGAIN’ Video Posted Online

Source: Blabbermouth

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