After their Friday presentation in Hall H at SDCC 2009, I attended a presser hosted by Warner Bros. On hand were cast members and filmmakers for the following films:
THE BOOK OF ELI, JONAH HEX, NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, and
SHERLOCK HOLMES. The panels for each film were rather short -- about 15 minutes each -- and not a whole lot of information was provided. Regardless, here’s my initial take on each of these film.
THE BOOK OF ELI
Frankly, I’m not getting a positive vibe on this one. THE BOOK OF ELI centers on a lone hero (Denzel Washington) guarding an ancient book which supposedly contains the knowledge to save mankind. Joining Washington in the cast are Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis. The film is being directed by the Hughes brothers (Albert and Allen) -- their first film since FROM HELL back in 2001. Really, the panel didn’t offer up much of anything all that interesting -- except for Gary Oldman’s BATMAN 3 slip. Anyway, here’s the trailer that was just released:
Well, what do you all think? Are you getting a negative vibe too or is it just me?
THE BOOK OF ELI is scheduled for a January 2010 release.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
When I first heard that a remake of A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET was in the works, two things crossed my mind. One, Jackie Earle Haley as Freddie Kruger was spot-on casting. And secondly, what’s the point of remaking this film? However, after seeing the footage provided at Comic Con and visiting with the cast and crew, I think that this might work after all.
Jackie Earle Haley at WB press conference (July 24, 2009)
Star Jackie Earle Haley told us that the new film is darker, more serious, and even scarier than the original. Director Samuel Bayer says that anyone simply looking for a straight-up remake is going to be disappointed. Bayer said that Chris Nolan and THE DARK KNIGHT were big inspirations and wants to do for Freddie Kruger what Nolan did for Batman: Make it seem real.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET hits theaters on April 30, 2010.
JONAH HEX
Now this is one I am definitely fired up for!
JONAH HEX tells the story of a scarred, ex-Confederate soldier turned bounty hunter in post-Civil War American West. On hand to promote the film at Comic Con were stars Josh Brolin (Jonah Hex) and Megan Fox (Leila), as well as director Jimmy Hayward. While Brolin admitted that he didn’t read the comics prior to getting the part, director Hayward is a HUGE Jonah Hex fan and has a tremendous amount of respect for the source material -- and that’s GOOD! Hayward also confirmed that there are indeed supernatural elements in the film.
JONAH HEX Panelists (July 24, 2009)
Again, not much info provided, but all the JH panel members appeared to be genuinely proud and excited about the film. They also tipped their hat to the fans and said they were happy and proud that Jonah Hex and comic book fans are getting behind the movie.
Oh yeah, that Megan Fox is even hotter in person.
SHERLOCK HOLMES
Like JONAH HEX, this is another film that I’m tremendously looking forward to seeing.
Representing SH at Comic Con were stars Robert Downey, Jr. and Rachel McAdams, as well as producers Joel Silver, Susan Downey, and Lionel Wigram. Director Guy Richie and actor Jude Law (Dr. Watson) has previous engagements and could not attend.
Robert Downey, Jr and Rachel McAdams (July 24, 2009)
For some reason, this film has taken some flack -- primarily from Holmes nerds (RELAX Holmes fans, I kid…sorta). It’s getting the typical fanboy beat down on message boards for all sorts of petty stuff. Hogwash I say! From listening to Silver, RDJ, and the others, they took a good long look at the source material and are trying to be as accurate and loyal as possible. Producer Lional Wigram said that all involved wanted to make Holmes as real has possible. RDJ said that making this film was a “life-changing experience” due to all the prep and research he did to prep for the part of Sherlock Holmes. Silver hadded that SH “…is not THE WILD WILD WEST” alluding to the gadgets in the film. Any gadget in the movie is something that either did or could have existed in the 1880s.
So relax you Sherlockians, I think you’re going to end up digging SHERLOCK HOLMES. Just for fun, here's the trailer:
SHERLOCK HOLMES opens December 25, 2009.
