Daily digest of some of the sci-fi and fantasy news that’s caught our eye including: Benedict Cumberbatch in Bond 24; Predators and Terminator sequels; coke-head Carrie Fisher (love her); and a new Mummy film.
Benedict Cumberbatch, the next Bond villain?
Bond producers are looking to lock down Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch as the villain in Bond 24.
Predators and Terminator sequels unlikely
First up: Predators. The 2010 Robert Rodriguez sequel starring Adrien Brody was a pretty darn good flick, and a return to form for a franchise that had gotten off the rails as of late.
According to Robert Rodriguez, director of the 2010 movie Predators, a recent shake-up at 20th Century Fox has likely derailed any chances for a seque anytime soon – “We were thinking about it. I don’t know, I’ll have to talk to them. They just had a regime change over there – we’ll see what happens.”
And Arnold Schwarzenegger recently told Empire, “I think (producer) Megan Ellison owns the rights to ‘Terminator 16,’ or whatever it is. They have been trying to put a script together but I’ve not seen it, so I’ve no idea. There’s nothing on the drawing board at this point. Nothing on the plan.”
So it looks like neither franchise will be making it back onto the big screen for some foreseeable time.
J.J. Abrams and Alfonso Cuaron to team up for new pilot
J.J. Abrams is set to produce a possible new show for NBC. Alfonso Cuaron, director of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, will co-write and direct the pilot. The as yet untitled pilot is about a girl with special powers that will grow over seven years, and the man who is broken out of prison to protect her until then.
Carrie Fisher on cocaine while filming Star Wars
Carrie Fisher has been quite open about her drug past while working on the Star Wars trilogy. Circulating the web this week, is this fun fact – you can actually see evidence of it in The Return of the Jedi. Check out her first finger on co-star Harrison Ford’s shoulder.
In other interviews Carrie Fishers has given over the years, she recalls partaking in drug taking with members of the Star Wars cast on the Hoth set.
Len Wiseman to direct ‘The Mummy‘ remake for 2014
Producers Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jon Spaihts, with Universal are bringing The Mummy back to the big screen after the successful franchise starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz .
The trio have chosen Len Wiseman to direct the remake, and this time The Mummy will have a modern setting.
When I first heard Universal was relaunching this, that is the image that popped into my head, the period tale, the old monster, but when Bob and Alex pitched it, there was a great new take and approach, and a very different mummy as well. It’s a darker twist on the material, a scarier version.
Matt Smith to appear at MCM London
Matt Smith will be appearing at MCM Expo London Comic Con at ExCel on Friday 26 October. The Eleventh Doctor will be at the MCM theatre, chatting about all things Doctor Who and launching the new Doctor Who Series 7, Part 1 DVD (released 29th October). It will also be streamed online for any fans that can’t make it.
Weekend tickets cost £29 and include entry into Friday’s preview show which is when Matt Smith will be attending. For tickets and more info see www.londonexpo.com/faq/tickets/
