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SALT LAKE CITY — There are so many remakes, TV show adaptions, book-to-film projects and sequels lined up on the Hollywood to-do list, that it's easy to shrug your shoulders and say "they're all useless."
But occasionally, such a project shows up on the register that causes a moment of cautious optimism. "Firefly" fans, for example, were thrilled when they heard Joss Whedon was moving ahead with his "Serenity" film, and "Godfather," "Star Wars," and "Star Trek" fans were relieved to walk out of a theater knowing they had seen a film better than their beloved originals.
This week, upcoming movie news rides the pendulum of such projects with updates on "Arrested Development," "Red Dawn," "Ender's Game" and that other Bill and Ted movie we've all been holding our breath for.
"Arrested Development"
How many times have you heard that this film is being made? No matter what movie Jason Bateman is promoting these days, the man or woman behind the microphone always seems to sneak in the question, "And what's the status on the 'Arrested Development' movie?"
Deadline dragged the movie rumors back into the spotlight this week when it confirmed filming of a fourth season has officially started.
Nellie Andreeva of Deadline reported, "While the new season is envisioned as a bridge between the original series, cancelled by Fox in 2006, and the long-in-the-works 'Arrested Development' movie, Hurwitz has left the door open to doing an additional season if the initial 10 new episodes prove successful. Netflix has indicated that it would make all 10 new episodes available at the same time, sometime in 2013, but has not set an exact premiere date yet.
"Bill and Ted 3"
Fans of the cult-favorite "Galaxy Quest" may be mildly interested to hear that the film's director, Dean Parisot, has recently been attached to a third "Bill and Ted" movie.
According to vulture.com, original writers of the "Bill and Ted" films, Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson, have a script they're hoping Parisot will move forward with shortly after he finishes filming a sequel to the Lionsgate film, "Red."
Claude Brodesser-Akner of Vulture reports, " Unlike so many recent studio remakes, which have simply recycled old material for a new generation, Solomon and Matheson took the unusual step of writing their third 'Bill & Ted' script on spec in an attempt to ensure a take that would address where Mssrs. Ted Theodore Logan and Bill S. Preston, Esq., are in their lives today as opposed to being a reboot or remake."
No one is really sure who asked for another sequel to the original 1989 hit, "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure," but at least the current generation will finally understand why older moviegoers stare blankly at each other and say, "Whoa," whenever Keanu Reeves comes up in conversation.
"Red Dawn"
A trailer has surfaced for the recent remake of the 1984 Patrick Swayze flick, "Red Dawn."
Capitalizing on existing Cold War anxieties, the original film followed high school students forced to fight back after a Soviet-lead invasion destroyed their Colorado town.
Now, in the 2012 remake, Chris Hemsworth of "Thor" fame leads a similar group of underdogs against an unexpected North Korean invasion.
Obviously, the new film is considerably less relevant than the 1984 film and Hemsworth does make for an interesting replacement for the ever-graceful Swayze. But the new trailer does reveal some engaging upgrades, and while it may be a tough sell for both '80s and Swayze fans, there's enough going on in the latest footage to suggest this could be a better movie than any of us were anticipating.
"Ender's Game"
There's still a lot we don't know about the "Ender's Game" film, set to be released November of next year. However, if you were worried about Lionsgate's commitment to the Orson Scott Card series, thewrap.com just released some information you may find interesting.
First, Lionsgate is hoping "Ender's Game" will be the first of many films grounded in the Orson Scott Card created universe. From the article:
"'There’s a lot of books,' Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer said. 'We’re excited about the franchise.'"
And second, "Ender's" will enjoy an IMAX premiere. As the article goes on to point out, that will be one of two Lionsgate films releasing in IMAX for the month of November: "'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' premieres on Nov. 22, 2013 and will include scenes shot with IMAX cameras."
In final news, Hugh Jackman has stated that "The Wolverine" is not a sequel to the dreadful "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" but its own picture. Latino-review has a picture of the next Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stalone movie, "The Tomb" as well as concept art for Disney's next princess. IMDB has an amazing picture of Daniel Day-Lewis as "Lincoln." Total Film is reporting that Stalone is hoping to get Clint Eastwood, Wesley Snipes and Nicholas Cage for his next "Expendables" film. And finally, Frank Marshall told Harry Knowles of aintitcool.com that he believes "Jurassic Park 4" will be out by 2014.
You can contact Travis at TSPoppleton@gmail.com.
