Yogi Bear Returns to The Big Screen

YAHOO! NEWS: Yogi, Boo-Boo ready for their close-ups
By Steven Zeitchik - Thu Oct 2, 8:46 AM ET

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Warner Bros. is taking a trip to Jellystone Park.

The studio is developing a feature version of "Yogi Bear," the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon. "Surf's Up" co-helmer/co-writer Ash Brannon will direct the film.

To read more, click here.

David Silverman Directing For Disney

"David Silverman, who most recently helmed 'The Simpsons Movie,' has signed on to develop and direct 'The Pet,' a live-action sci-fi family comedy for Disney. Scott Rudin and Craig Perry are producing."

To read the rest of Borys Kit and Gregg Goldstein's THR article, click here. Photo by Ronnie Del Carmen.

Congratulations, David! Have fun!

Scott Pilgrim Movie On The Way

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: Cera ponders 'Life' with Universal
By Borys Kit - March 19, 2008

Michael Cera is in final negotiations to star in "Scott Pilgrim's Little Life" for Universal.

Edgar Wright is directing the adventure romance, which is being produced by Marc Platt and Eric Gitter. Wright and Nina Park also are producing.

"Life" tells the story of a young slacker (Cera) who meets the woman of his dreams but finds that he can only win her heart by battling and defeating her seven evil ex-boyfriends.

The project is based on the Oni Press graphic novel "Scott Pilgrim Volume 1: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life," written by Bryan Lee O'Malley. Michael Bacall and Wright wrote the screenplay.

Cera and Wright had mutual admiration for each other's work, which manifested itself when Wright stepped in to act alongside Cera and Jonah Hill in a viral promo for "Superbad"; Wright acted as a snarky interviewer to an exasperated Cera and Hill.

The studio is eyeing a fall start.

Cera is filming the Judd Apatow-produced "Year One" with Jack Black. He next shoots "Youth in Revolt" for Dimension, with Miguel Arteta directing.

He is repped by Paradigm, Thruline Entertainment and attorney Jamie Feldman.

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Congratulations, Mr. O'Malley! A "Pilgrim" movie could be a lot of fun!

Thanks to I Watch Stuff! for the tip-off.

Remake OTD: The Breakfast Club

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: 'Bumped' is 'Breakfast' at an airport
By Steven Zeitchik - Feb 29, 2008

NEW YORK -- Veteran producer Bridget Johnson will produce "Bumped," a modern-day version of "The Breakfast Club," with McG protege Anna Mastro attached to direct from a script by Lizzy Weiss.

"Bumped" is a comedy-drama revolving around five twentysomethings -- including a corporate go-getter, a musician and a flirt -- who normally wouldn't be friends but who get to know one another when they're bumped from a flight and wind up stranded at Chicago's O'Hare Airport.

The project marks the directorial debut for Mastro, who worked closely with director-producer McG on his "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and was an associate producer on his "Stay Alive."

Mastro also has developed and produced the CW's "Pussycat Dolls" series and, like McG, shot music videos.

The film will be financed independently and later set up at a studio; it likely won't shoot until the SAG strike situation is resolved. Johnson ("As Good as It Gets"), who was an exec at Touchstone as well as at James L. Brooks' Gracie Films, produced the upcoming Miramax release "Smart People."

John Hughes' 1985 film "The Breakfast Club" (with which "Bumped" has no formal association) was a generation-defining comedy that helped build the careers of actors like Emilio Estevez.

Thanks to I Watch Stuff! for the dubious news.

Lawrence Kasdan Doing A Pass On Titans Remake

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: Kasdan's mighty pen on 'Titans'
By Borys Kit April 16, 2007

Screenwriting hero Lawrence Kasdan has been tapped to pen "Clash of the Titans" for Warner Bros. Pictures. Basil Iwanyk is producing via Thunder Road.

A remake of the 1981 cult classic, the story revolves around Zeus' son, Perseus, and his journey to save Princess Andromeda during which he must complete various tasks set out by Zeus, including capturing Pegasus and slaying Medusa. The original marked the final film on which Ray Harryhausen did special effects.

Travis Beacham ("Killing on Carnival Row") wrote a draft.

Lynn Harris is overseeing for the studio.

For Kasdan, "Titans" is his first fantasy-style project since the early 1980s, when he wrote the screenplays for "Return of the Jedi," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark." He has since tended to write, as well as direct and produce, more earthbound fare such as "Mumford" and "Grand Canyon." He next exec produces the upcoming "In the Land of Women," written and directed by son Jon Kasdan, which bows Friday.

Kasdan is repped by CAA.

Captain Marvel Still 'Alive', Developing Movie Anyway

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: Team Captain: August writing NL's 'Shazam!'
By Borys Kit - March 9, 2007

John August has been hired to pen "Shazam!" New Line Cinema's adaptation of a DC Comics series featuring Captain Marvel. Peter Segal is attached to direct and also is producing with Michael Ewing.

The comic book series focuses on Billy Batson, a teenager who becomes the superhero known as Captain Marvel when he utters the magic word "Shazam!" The name is an acronym for six gods and heroes of the ancient world as well as their attributes: the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Aries, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury.

Writers on the long-gestating project include William Goldman and Bryan Goluboff.

Segal approached August because of the scribe's track record of combining big spectacle with characterization in such movies as "Tim Burton's Corpse Bride," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Big Fish." August, who recently started reading the trade paperbacks that compiled the "Shazam!" series, was intrigued.

"It's a unique opportunity to do a comic book movie where the character in it actually read comic books," said August, who has started writing the script. "What's terrific about the character is that he looks like this superstudly superhero but is really a 13-year-old boy. And to approach everything that is great about a superhero movie from a 13-year-old boy's perspective was a unique way in."

August sat down with noted DC Comics writer Geoff Johns for "idiot checking," making sure the filmmakers' approach to the character was consistent with what fans love about him. "I think we're going to be able to be really faithful to the mythology and yet make it completely transparent for people who have no idea who the character is," August said.

Chris Godsick and Michael Uslan ("Constantine") are executive producing.

Gregory Noveck is overseeing for DC Comics. Mark Kaufman and Daryl Freimark are overseeing for New Line.

August, who wrote and directed the Sundance Film Festival favorite "The Nines," is repped by UTA and attorney Ken Richman.

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Thanks to I Watch Stuff! for the tip.

Man! The studios are falling all over each other to get their superhero properites into development. I guess the eye is still on "Spider-Man" box-office and not the "Superman Returns" budget. Ultimately, I suppose it comes down to the fact that the "Spider-Man" films were pretty expensive too, and that "Ghost Rider" is doing well.

A friend of mine reminded me that the success of the TV show "Heroes" might be a big part of the current comic movie craze. That makes total sense to me! I'd forgotten all about that.