Director James Mangold might be known more today for his big-budget fare like "Knight and Day" and his next film, "The Wolverine" with Hugh Jackman, but in 1997, he was just a few years out of film school and putting together his second feature film "Cop Land." The modern day western touted an impressive cast of Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Sylvester Stallone, who packed 40 pounds to play the half-deaf Sheriff Freddy Heflin.
A new Blu-ray edition of "Cop Land" arrived in stores just this week, and Mangold spoke with MTV News to look back on his second film more than a decade later.
-- The Sundance Film Festival will add the Next section for next year's gathering. The category will showcase six to eight films which make "innovative and original" use of low-/no-budget features. I wonder if "District 9" would have made the cut. (
Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz just might save James Mangold's romantic comedy from expiring forever. According to 
The "Twilight" franchise has officially replaced Batman for crazy rumors and speculation, causing many a Twilight fan to pull their hair out. Lately, the focus has been behind the camera as everyone seems to be in the running to direct the third installment, "Eclipse." 
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'Wicked' Adaptation Attracts Some High-Profile Directors, So We Measure Their Merits
Posted 7/12/10 3:17 pm EST by Adam Rosenberg in Commentary, News, Poll
Seriously, how can anyone keep track of the ridiculous number of "Wizard of Oz" sequel, prequel and spin-off projects that are currently in development? There's "Oz, The Great and Powerful," starring Robert Downey Jr. and possibly being directed by Sam Raimi, which explores the story of how the Wizard came to preside over Oz. There's also Todd McFarlane's rather unique vision of the universe, "The Twisted Land of Oz," which is set many years after the 1939. And "Oz: The Return to Emerald City," from "History of Violence" writer Josh Olson.
The big papa among them is also the one with the least development (as far as we know): an adaptation of Gregory Maguire's 1995 book "Wicked," which details the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West. The story has already been adapted into a hit Broadway musical, a movie version of which has long been in development. Now it seems there's some momentum building, as Deadline reports that some of the Broadway production's key figures have met with a number of talented filmmakers -- specifically James Mangold, Rob Marshall, Ryan Murphy and J.J. Abrams -- about taking on the gig.
Who would you choose? Why? After the jump I consider the four candidates (so far) and pit them against one another in a battle to the death! Or, you know, just talk a little bit about each one. Whichever works. Read More...
Tags James Mangold, jj abrams, Rob Marshall, Ryan Murphy, Wicked