Explicit News Breifs

Robocop-out

AintItCoolNews pointed out a press release from MGM that lists a new RoboCop movie alongside upcoming franchise films already in development like Quantum of Solace, The Thomas Crown Affair 2 (with RoboCop director Paul Verhoeven on board) and everyone’s favorite future films, The Pink Panther 2 and 3.

Unfortunately, it seems like a sure bet that MGM would revamp and remake the first film, rather than pick up where 1993’s RoboCop 3 left off. It's strange how, in the '80s anyway, this was a tent pole franchise and character that has basically dropped off the pop culture radar, with only a sweded trailer of the original 1987 classic bloodbath in Be Kind Rewind coming to mind.

I'd be fine with a shitty sequel - I mean, "Robocop 2" was nothing to write home about and the third one was just straight-up ridiculous, but a reboot to the franchise? Great - lets make it a modern day movie with none of the shocking violence, sick humor and sharp satire of the original. That sounds wonderful. While we're at it, maybe we can put some bling and spinning rims on Robocop as he chases generic hoodlums all around Detroit.

Robocop had an amazing supporting cast, with Ronny Cox as Dick Jones, the asshole CEO of OCP - not to mention Kurtwood Smith (Red from "The '70s Show) as the insidious Clarence Boddicker - isn't that the best villain name ever?

The thing is, the original couldn't get any darker or more relevant - it still holds up and is an amazing piece of societal satire. Why would someone want to ruin that and tarnish the name of "Robocop" for good?

In 2012, apparently, the shit hits the fan.

While your casual moviegoer may not recognize the name Roland Emmerich, they would certainly remember the mindless spectacles he has brought to the screen in past years. Emmerich is one of the minds behind films such as “Independence Day,” the atrocious 1998 remake of “Godzilla” and of course “The Day After Tomorrow,” a global warming flick where Jake Gyllenhaal and Dennis Quad outrun frost and survive a new ice age.

Lately you’ve probably heard his name thrown around with “10,000 B.C.,” an epically-bad romp through the Pleistocene. The plot, if it can even be called that, is set in the days of early man. The heroes in this sprawling saga (which sucked) are a group of unnamed tribal people who all just so happen to have supermodel bodies and a love for the English language.

Anyway, I’m getting off topic before I can even get on topic. Emmerich’s next film is entitled, “2012,” which is a disaster film that takes place in the year for which it is titled. Not much is known about the film but rumor has the story revolving around the Mayan calendar and the end of the world.

Strange, I seem to recall another film about the same thing. Wasn’t Michael Bay doing a little flick by the name of “2012: War of Souls” with Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci, the writing team from “Transformers?”

Seems like another “Armageddon” vs. “Deep Impact” kind of situation coming up - either way we lose. Maybe we’ll get lucky and the world will end before 2012.

Superman: Man of Still Happening?

Empire Online recently spoke with director Bryan Singer, who says that he has started working on “Superman: Man of Steel.”

"I'm just getting back with writers after the strike. We're just in the development phase. I'm starting to develop a sequel...with the intention of directing it," he told the mag.

About the negative reaction to the first film's focus on the drama instead of the action, Singer added, "The first one was a romantic film and a nostalgic film... And now that the characters are established, there's really an opportunity to up the threat levels."

Well, I’m glad he’s not apologizing for the story-driven film he delivered with “Superman Returns” and it’s also promising that he’s sticking with it. Word on the street is he’s calling in Kurtzman and Orci (man, they’re getting all kinds of play in this post!) for the script.

That’s cool, although I wish Mike Dougherty were still attached to the project. Speaking of Mike – what the hell ever happened to “Trick ‘r’ Treat?”

Aliens Vs. Predator 3…

According to ShockTilYouDrop.com, Fox has given the go-ahead on a third “Alien Vs. Predator” film, even though the last one did considerably worse than the first film. Now, most of you know my thoughts and feelings on “Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem,” as it was the topic of my first column here at MovieHole, but if you missed it be sure to check the archives.

Anyway, is this necessary? I mean honestly – I would much rather see a Predator 3 or a James Cameron-driven Alien 5 than this pre-destined garbage. Supposedly this one will take place in space, which is exactly where in the hell the first one should have taken place! Instead of fuckin’ Antarctica and small-town Colorado, maybe the filmmakers should focus on keeping the film where it fucking belongs – IN SPACE. Jesus, this isn’t rocket science people!

Hulk Smash?

Also, anyone see the new “Incredible Hulk” trailer? It looks pretty good, actually – although I feel as if I’ve seen the ending of the movie already. The only thing I’m not so sure of is the special effects, they feel a little too Xbox 360 for me, but then again anything’s got to be better than that last “Hulk” flick with Nick Nolte and those horrible mutated poodles…

See the trailer here.

LOST and FOUND

For anyone not wishing to be spoiled about the current going-ons of LOST: Season 4, then please skip over this part all together. So after this week's episode, 4.07: "Ji Yeon," we now know who makes up the Oceanic Six. Turns out that Sun and Aaron officially join Jack, Kate, Hurley and Sayid as the only celebrity-status survivors of Oceanic 815.

So what's the deal? We know that the creators of LOST threw us a change-up with the presence of not only a flash-forward (Sun) but also a surprise flashback with Jin. So what does this mean? Is Jin really dead? His tombstone lets us know his death was on September 22, 2004 - the date of the crash. If this is the case, could he still be on the island? Or did he sacrifice himself to get Sun on the helicopter?

Also, what about that Kevin Johnson? It's great to see actor Harold Perrineau back as Michael Dawson, who, last time we saw him, was leaving the island on a boat with his son Walt. Now we find him under a false name in the company of the freighter people. Where is Walt, and what did Ben Linus say that convinced Michael to spy on the boat for him?

I have a feeling our friends on the island won't be too pleased to know Mike is back after all the betraying he did at the end of season 2. I mean, you can't shoot two people in cold blood and then turn 4 of your friends over to the Others and expect a warm hug when you come back.

I personally think Michael has a touch of Lando Calrissian in him. Perhaps it was intention to get his son off the island, then come back and help rescue his 'friends.' I think we'll see him suffer a lot now that he's returned to the show - which can only add to the breakneck pacing and drama we've experienced this season.

Next week's episode, 4.08: "Meet Kevin Johnson" is a Michael-centric episode that should catch us up with what in the hell he's been doing since we lost saw him at the end of season 2. Here's a snippet from a recent article Perrineau did with the Associated Press:

The Michael-centric episode — or should we call him Kevin now? — will feature flashbacks detailing what happened after Perrineau's character shockingly gunned down fellow passengers Ana-Lucia and Libby in order to release seemingly evil Ben and retrieve his son Walt from captivity.

"I hope people see Michael's return and think, 'Oh, this is gonna be good,'" Perrineau told the AP over lunch Wednesday. "I hope they think this ride is good. We busted our butts doing this one. It felt like we were making a movie because there's so much stuff that happens in this episode."

You know what's screwed up? Walt - that's what. The kid was 12, playing a 10-year-old in the first two seasons of LOST, now only about half a month has gone by on the island and Malcolm David Kelley, the actor who portrays Walt, is 16 years old playing a 10-year-old. I have a feeling this will be tricky. Obviously there have been allusions to a 'taller Walt' by Locke - but was that in fact him, or Jacob - or the smoke monster even?

I'm sure the writers will find a way around this crazy and unavoidable realization by working in their typical mind-blowing science fiction. Being as time seemingly moves slower on the island, perhaps Walt's age has sped up since leaving the island, if in fact he ever really did.

LOST takes a short hiatus after next week's episode and will return on April 24th...