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Len Wiseman's 'Total Recall' Ditches Mars But Keeps The Spirit

Posted 7/26/11 5:34 pm EST by in News


There is still a lot of time to wait until we'll see Len Wiseman's re-imagining of "Total Recall," but I have to admit that based on a recent Comic-Con chat with Wiseman himself, I am much more enthused about his take on the Schwarzenegger-starring Paul Verhoeven-directed cult classic than I was when I heard about the Jessica Biel casting. Here's why:

"One of the reasons I chose to do this film is I think there really is a different look into that kind of character, and the personal struggle that that guy is going through," Wiseman explained of deciding to tackle a reboot of the much-loved original.

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Colin Farrell Says New 'Total Recall' Will Be 'Quite Different' From Schwarzenegger Version

Posted 1/10/11 1:34 pm EST by in Interviews, News, Video


When news broke in mid November that Colin Farrell was in negotiations to play the lead in a new version of the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi epic "Total Recall," the casting call came as a bit of a surprise. After all, everything about the two actors -- from their line readings to their film choices to the size of their biceps -- is wildly different.

When MTV News sat down with Farrell at the press day for his new WWII drama "The Way Back," we were determined to get some clarification on whether he's officially all-in for the "Total Recall" reboot, as well as intel on just how different it will be from the Schwarzenegger-starring, Paul Verhoeven-directed version.

When asked if he's definitely doing "Recall," Farrell responded: "I hope so. I think so. Yeah, I think so. Maybe in May." That's not exactly a hard "yes," so will assume that he's still tying up a few loose ends on his deal, but is likely to start shooting with director Len Wiseman ("Underworld") in May. Read More...

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'Hawaii Five-0' Recap: Episode 1.01, 'Pilot'

Posted 9/20/10 11:15 pm EST by in Commentary, Reviews, TV


Hawaii Five-0Episode Title: "Pilot"

Written By: Peter M. Lenkov

Story: When Navy SEAL Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin) returns to Hawaii to investigate the murder of his father (William Sadler), he's hired by Governor Pat Jameson (Jean Smart) to head up a task force charged with busting high profile criminals — criminals like Victor Hesse (James Marsters), the man who killed McGarrett's dad.

McGarrett fills out the rest of his team with New Jersey transplant Danny "Danno" Williams (Scott Caan), disgraced ex-cop Chin Ho Kelly (Daniel Dae Kim) and rookie detective Kona "Kono" Kalakaua (Grace Park). Read More...

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Len Wiseman In Final Negotiations To Direct 'Total Recall'

Posted 7/29/10 2:49 pm EST by in News


Here's some news that's hot off the press release. Len Wiseman, who you may remember as the director of "Live Free or Die Hard" and the first two "Underworld" movies, is in final negotiations to direct a remake/adaptation of "Total Recall." The 1990 classic starring Arnold Schwarzenegger remains one of the more entertaining cult sci-fi hits of the '90s. The older movie and this upcoming one are both based on the Philip K. Dick short story, "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale."

Columbia Pictures president Matt Tolmach said that Wiseman will "bring a contemporary feel to the film" while sticking to the core of Dick's story. "Salt" scribe Kurt Wimmer is still handling the script, as was announced last summer. For Wiseman's part, he said that he looks forward to "diving even deeper into the type of world [the short story] evokes and the questions it asks. I love that the most crucial mystery our character is trying to solve is the one of his own soul." Read More...

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'Twilight' Producer Offers Updates On 'Gears Of War' And 'Dead Space' Adaptations

Posted 11/19/09 11:00 am EST by in News


It's common knowledge that video games have had a rough go of things in Hollywood. It's still a young entertainment medium -- comparing them chronologically to film, games have really only reached their "talkie" phase -- but a story is a story, and games really just haven't been adapted very well. That hasn't stopped filmmakers from trying to crack the code though.

There was some promise in "Halo," which Peter Jackson was going to produce and "District 9" helmer Neill Blomkamp was going to direct. Until it fizzled out, that is. The next great hope on the horizon is "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time," which hits theaters next May. Both of these games have rich, well-developed stories. "Twilight" producer Wyck Godfrey, who has his hands on adaptations of "Gears of War" and "Dead Space," argues that the big problem with game adaptations thus far is related mostly to the source narratives. Read More...

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Len Wiseman Directing New Post-Apocalyptic Thriller, But What About 'Gears Of War'?

Posted 11/10/09 11:00 am EST by in Commentary, News


The prospect of Armageddon is one of the scarier notions facing humanity today — but apparently it's not as scary for movie studios based on an upcoming film from director Len Wiseman.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the "Live Free or Die Hard" helmer is attached to produce and direct an untitled pitch — though the article's headline identifies the film's title as "Nocturne" — for 20th Century Fox. The film's plot centers on a handful of survivors following a wide-scale apocalyptic event and how each of them arrived at their current dilemma. Writers have yet to be hired. Read More...

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'Gears Of War' Movie To Be Directed By Len Wiseman -- Is That A Good Thing?

Posted 6/17/08 1:01 pm EST by in News


I'll leave it to my esteemed colleagues at MTV's Multiplayer blog to weigh in the potential for "Gears of War" as a movie property. But I certainly can weigh in on Len "I'm more than Kate Beckinsale's husband" Wiseman. If you'd asked me a year ago where Mr. Wiseman ranked in the pantheon of genre filmmakers I'd have put him about on par with Steven Sommers (you know, the guy that made a movie starring Hugh Jackman as a monster hunter interminable). Before last summer Wiseman was the guy who couldn't make me interested in a vampire/werewolf movie starring the aforementioned Beckinsale in skin-tight leather.

BUT then came "Live Free or Die Hard," an actual honest to goodness breath of fresh wacked-out action air. Sure it was silly. Sure it wasn't exactly memorable. But it was entertaining as hell. Len Wiseman, maybe you've got something after all. And now it's on to "Gears of War" for Len. The little I know of the game makes it sound like a cool and attractive template for a kick-ass action flick.

But you guys probably know that stuff better than me. What do you think? Is Len Wiseman the right guy for "Gears of War" or do we have another "Doom" on our hands? What NEEDS to be included in the flick to honor the game? Sound off.

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