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With many scientists theorizing that an asteroid is the most likely culprit behind the extinction of the dinosaurs and many doomsdayers anticipating an asteroid strike will wipe out the planet in just over two months as the Maya Calendar ends another 5,125-year-long cycle, you would think that the icy chunks of irregularly orbiting space debris streaking throughout our solar system would pose the greatest threat to spaceflight. However, while an asteroid smashing into a rocket or space station might make for a dramatic plot device in a movie, the dangers facing astronauts and cosmonauts are, in truth, much more mundane, though no less deadly.
MORE >> Posted 11.08.12 by BrentJS -
The Hunger Games director Gary Ross sent studio Lionsgate into scramble-mode when he announced that he wouldn't return to direct the sequel, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Already armed with a script from Academy Award–winning screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire), Lionsgate is still trying to make an August start date for Catching Fire so they can shoot with franchise star Jennifer Lawrence before her schedule gets filled with the X-Men: First Class sequel.
The LA Times reported last week that the studio had compiled a list of seven or eight names to take the director's chair, which reportedly includes David Cronenberg (A Dangerous Method, Eastern Promises), Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, ), and Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu (Biutiful, Babel). According to The Playlist, that list also includes directors Bennett Miller (Moneyball) and Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend).
more on a catching fire director >> Posted 04.18.12 by Ryan -
After a casting process that took around nine months, director Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men) finally started shooting his upcoming sci-fi movie Gravity at the end of May with actors Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in tow. A plot synopsis released this week showed why Gravity is reportedly 60% CGI, revealing that the movie follows Bullock and Clooney as two astronauts stranded in space after their shuttle is destroyed.
With the movie wrapped and awaiting release next year, Bullock discussed with MTV what it was like to work on the movie, which was shot almost entirely on a sound-stage. Bullock admitted that "the technology on this movie was so isolating," and hinted at the exhausting conditions she endured during the shoot, Bullock added, "And I have the messed-up back to prove it."
bullock hangs from wires, alone >> Posted 12.21.11 by Ryan -
It's not much of an exaggeration to say that Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men) had just about as difficult of a time getting his upcoming sci-fi movie, Gravity, off the ground as the protagonists in the movie will apparently have trying to get back down to the ground — especially when you consider the veritable revolving door of A-list actors who came close to playing the two leading roles in the movie, but eventually dropped out or took a pass.
Cuarón finally began shooting Gravity at the end of May with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney headlining, but we've heard virtually nothing about the movie or its plot since that time, save for a comment made by friend and fellow filmmaker Guillermo del Toro back in August describing Gravity as "incredibly human, but Kubrick-ian in [its] precision." Now, a plot synopsis for the movie has finally been released that not only defines Bullock's and Clooney's roles, but also paints Gravity as a psychological thriller along the lines of Cast Away-meets-Apollo 13 (minus Tom Hanks).
read the synopsis of Gravity >> Posted 12.20.11 by BrentJS -
Poor Eric Draven, will no one make your story? Again?
The reboot of The Crow continues its unlucky streak, which last saw star Bradley Cooper (The Hangover) exit the project due to scheduling conflicts, or after realizing that he had signed up for a reboot of The Crow that was cursed, whichever you believe.
The "reinvention" of The Crow has been in the works since 2008, when Stephen Norrington (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) was set to write and direct the movie. After working on several drafts of the screenplay, including one from musician/screenwriter Nick Cave, Norrington left the project in October 2010 after an unnamed star requested yet another new script.
more bad news for The Crow; good news for The Twilight Zone >> Posted 10.17.11 by Ryan -
Children of Men director Alfonso Cuarón's 3-D space thriller Gravity hasn't had the easiest time getting in front of cameras.
The main issue for Gravity has been casting. Angelina Jolie was originally cast in early 2010 as the female lead role of an astronaut assigned to a remote space station that is destroyed by satellite debris and is desperate to get back to her daughter on Earth. Jolie dropped out just as Robert Downey Jr. was cast as the space station team leader, but was later offered the role again. Jolie, again, said "no". Just as Sandra Bullock was finally cast as Jolie's replacement, Downey left the movie, ultimately being replaced by George Clooney.
With all the casting issues finally settled, shooting began at the end of May, producer David Heyman (Harry Potter) revealed in April. Cuarón's friend and fellow writer-director Guillermo del Toro told MTV that Cuarón is doing "amazing things" with Gravity.
Cuarón is doing "insane" things >> Posted 08.16.11 by Ryan -
THR reports that George Clooney has joined the cast of director Alfonso Cuarón's 3-D space thriller Gravity in the role previously held by Robert Downey Jr..
Cuarón has had a difficult time assembling a cast for the project, including a prolonged search for a lead actress after Angelina Jolie dropped out for a second time. Then, when Sandra Bullock was cast in the lead role, Downey dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, leaving the door open for Clooney.
Gravity follows the crew of a remote space station fighting for survival after an accident destroys the station. Clooney's role is more of a supporting role, but is still considered pivotal. With Clooney cast, the project is now eying a spring production start.
Posted 12.17.10 by Ryan -
Director Alfonso Cuarón hasn't had an easy time casting the lead female role in his upcoming 3-D space thriller, Gravity. Angelina Jolie was offered the role (twice), but declined (twice), and, while both Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively reportedly tested for the role, Cuarón pursued Natalie Portman instead. However, his search may finally be over.
According to Variety, Warner Bros. is in negotiations with Sandra Bullock after scheduling conflicts forced Portman to pass on the project.
Bullock will join Robert Downey Jr. in a story about two astronauts stranded after satellite debris destroys their remote space station. Downey's role as the station's team leader is reportedly a supporting role, with Bullock's character taking the focus of the movie as she attempts to find a way home to her daughter.
Cuarón will direct the movie starting next year, from the script he co-wrote with his son, Jonás. The movie will reportedly be 60% CGI, which makes sense as the movie takes place mostly in space.
Posted 10.07.10 by Ryan -
Director Alfonso Cuarón may be getting close to filling the lead role in his upcoming 3-D space thriller, Gravity. Just last week, Angelina Jolie was offered the lead role again, but turned it down (again), leaving Cuarón to fill the role before production begins at the end of January of next year. Both Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively reportedly tested for the role earlier this month, along with a long list of other contenders, but Natalie Portman may end up with the movie lead should she choose to accept it.
Did Black Swan Help? >> Posted 09.07.10 by Ryan -
Children of Men director Alfonso Cuarón's upcoming 3-D space thriller, Gravity, just cannot find a leading lady. The movie, which takes place almost entirely in space, cast Robert Downey Jr. in March as a team leader on a remote space station just as Angelina Jolie dropped out of the lead role. A search commenced, with Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively both reportedly testing for the role earlier this month. The actresses were but a few that were trying to land the role.
Who else is being considered? >> Posted 09.02.10 by Ryan