1.) Word is ABC television and Marvel’s TV division are in discussions of potentially bringing the Avengers universe to the small screen. While the connection to the theatrical franchise would apparently be light, it is said it would carry over the “themes and feel” of the franchise and feature lesser-known Marvel characters. If you ask me this makes great sense and unlike the now-cancelled “Heroes”, this would already have plenty of stories to pull from. [Deadline]
2.) Producer Arthur Sarkissian says he has both Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker lined up to reprise their roles as Lee and Carter for Rush Hour 4. “I’m trying to do it closer to how I did Rush Hour 1,” said Sarkissian. “More down to earth. More gritty. Introduce two new characters and make it real the way the first one was. I personally was not happy with the third one. I thought 1 and 2 were very good. I think 3 got out of hand a little bit. It’s not a matter of just bringing them back to do another segment of that or a sequel to it by putting them in another city and having them bicker. I don’t want that. I want something new.” As for whether Brett Ratner would return to direct it Sarkissian adds, “He’s more than welcome to do it, but he’s got to do it in the right way.” In all honesty, it doesn’t sound like that much of a done deal. [Crave]
3.) When it comes to unnecessary ideas, Warner Bros. is reportedly exploring the possibility of a prequel to The Shining, Stanley Kubrick‘s much adored adaptation of Stephen King‘s novel of which King himself is actually currently working on a sequel. A Warner spokesman tells the Times it’s “in a very early stage and not even formally in development”. The pic would focus on the events that took place at the Overlook Hotel before the Torrance family arrived as caretakers, which is to say it will tell us the story we already know.
The “Shining” sequel I mention will be called “Doctor Sleep” and will bring back Danny Torrance as a middle-aged man. He moves to New Hampshire, hoping to shed the demons from his past when he meets a woman, Abra Stone, who also has his gift, which reignites Dan’s own demons kickstarting a battle between good and evil. [Los Angeles Times / Stephen King]
4.) Michael Eklund (Watchmen) is set to join The Hive for director Brad Anderson (The Machinist). The film revolves around an emergency operator (Halle Berry) who in order to save a girl’s life must confront a killer (Eklund) from her past. Abigail Breslin plays the girl that must be saved. [Variety]
5.) Legendary Entertainment debuted the following logo for The Hangover Part III on their Facebook page yesterday. The film will bring back the lead trio of Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms as “Wolf Pack” members Phil, Alan and Stu as they are rumored to be heading to Tijuana. Mike Epps is slated to make a return as Black Doug and Ken Jeong will also return as Leslie Chow.
There were also early rumors that it would center on Alan (Galifianakis) after he escapes from a mental institution with help from the wolf pack — Phil (Cooper), Stu (Helms) and Doug (Justin Bartha).
The pic is being directed once again by Todd Phillips for a May 24, 2013 release. [Legendary]
