Friday, October 16

• Doug Jones Unsure of the Future of the Silver Surfer Movie

  You may not recognize actor Doug Jones' name or even his face, but you've most likely seen his work as the "fish man" Abe Sapien in Hellboy or as the far-out surfer from beyond the stars in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

  Jones, who trained as a mime and a contortionist, got his start doing commercials, including the famous "Mac Tonight" McDonald's ads that ran from 1987 to 1991, and is now the go-to guy for any "bendy" characters. Jones portrayed the creepy Faun in Pan's Labyrinth, will appear as the Ice Cream Man in the upcoming Legion, and is rumored to have a role in The Hobbit.

  But, what about the Silver Surfer movie that was supposed to spin off of the Fantastic Four? The latest news has Michael Green, co-executive producer of Heroes and the co-writer of Green Lantern working on a script aimed to reboot the franchise. In an interview with It's Just Movies, Jones said:

  There are still a couple of years left on their option for two more pictures with me, as a three-picture deal is quite standard when starting a franchise-potential character. But with all the "re-boot" talk of the Fantastic Four, I have no idea where that leaves the Silver Surfer-end of things. I would love to re-visit this character. I do love Norrin Radd.

  
  
  

  Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - Traile

  The team squares off against the powerful Silver Surfer.

  Posted 10/16/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Michael Green | Doug Jones | Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer | Legion

Tuesday, September 1

• Fantastic Four Reboot Moving Forward

  Disney may have purchased Marvel Comics, but Fox still owns the rights to the Fantastic Four movies and is moving ahead with a reboot. Variety reports that Fox has hired Michael Green (Green Lantern) to write the script, while screenwriter-producer Akiva Goldsman (I Am Legend, Jonah Hex) will produce.

  Whether the cast from the two previous Fantastic Four movies will return is unknown. However, earlier this year Chris Evans, who played The Human Torch, declared the franchise "done": "I think if there was talk [about a sequel] I think that I would've heard about it by now." Evans may feel "done" with the Fantastic Four, but Fox may not be done with him.

  What Evans may not realize is that if Fox doesn't continue to develop properties like Fantastic Four or Daredevil, the rights to those characters will revert to Marvel Entertainment and, now, Disney as well. And once Disney owns the rights, there's no way Fox would be able to get them back.

  
  

  Posted 09/01/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Akiva Goldsman | Michael Green | Chris Evans | Fantastic Four | Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Thursday, February 19

• Green Lantern Enters New Stage of Development

  Green Lantern has gone through many stages of development: announced, then "next", then "on-hold" and "not on-hold", and now, "moving ahead". Co-screenwriter Michael Green told SciFiWire that "'Green Lantern' seems to be moving ahead."

  Green has previously said that Warner Bros usually "inch" their way to making movies, but says that director Martin Campbell is now officially Green Lantern's director, not just in talks. Said Green:

  They have a director attached to it now and seem to be moving forward, they being Warner Brothers. And I hope they do, because, as a fan of [the character and title], I just want to see the movie. I love the material. I was fortunate enough to get to adapt something that I've loved for a long time.

  
  

  Posted 02/19/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Michael Green | Martin Campbell | Green Lantern

Friday, February 6

• Green Lantern Gets New Director, Script Update

  Green Lantern has already been announced as "not on hold" by screenwriter Marc Guggenheim, but recent developments show the movie is getting close to being made. While co-screenwriter Greg Berlanti has previously been slated to direct, Variety reports that Martin Campbell, director of Casino Royale, is in talks to direct the movie instead.

  Michael Green, the third co-screenwriter of Green Lantern, explains: "Warner Bros. doesn't do greenlights the way a lot of places do. They sort of always inch towards it, so there's never a day where they're like, 'Boom! Magic bomb! We're greenlit!' But we've had very good conversations with them. From what I'm told, they really like the last script we gave them and are hoping to find a way to make it, which would be thrilling," Green told IGN.

  As for the script details, Green did reveal that the movie will concern original Green Lantern Hal Jordan. "I can't give too many spoilers, but the idea is to introduce a new character to an audience that is probably not familiar with him. So we start at the beginning with Hal Jordan."

  Will Green Lantern tie in to the on-again off-again Justice League movie? Said Green: "The only mandate such as it is was, 'Any references you want to make to expand the DC world, we would enjoy,' which is one of the better notes you can get. It's like, 'Oh, more candy? Please!' They opened up the DC toy box on that, so it was fun. It's definitely tied to the familiar DC universe."

  Which means that DC is still trying to set up a Justice League to rival the 2011 Avengers movie.

  
  

  Posted 02/06/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Greg Berlanti | Michael Green | Martin Campbell | Marc Guggenheim | Green Lantern | Justice League: Mortal | The Avengers | Casino Royale