Exclusive: Mudbound and Straight Outta Compton star Jason Mitchell is to play inspirational former wrestling champ Anthony Robles in biopic Unstoppable.
Robles was born with one leg and overcame a series of challenges to become an NCAA champ in 2010-11. The feature will mark the directorial debut of Oscar-winning editor Billy Goldenberg, known for his work on Argo, Zero Dark Thirty and more recently Detroit, which also starred Mitchell.
The Town and Captive State producer David Crockett and former Morgan Creek exec Andy Fraser (The Good Shepherd) are producing the film with Robles’ longtime manager Gary Lewis. The team is gearing up to shoot in first quarter of 2019.
The producers previously optioned Robles’ autobiography Unstoppable: From Underdog To Undefeated: How I Became A Champion. Published in 2012 by Penguin imprint Gotham Books, the book chronicles how Robles was born with one leg to a single parent family from the wrong side...
Robles was born with one leg and overcame a series of challenges to become an NCAA champ in 2010-11. The feature will mark the directorial debut of Oscar-winning editor Billy Goldenberg, known for his work on Argo, Zero Dark Thirty and more recently Detroit, which also starred Mitchell.
The Town and Captive State producer David Crockett and former Morgan Creek exec Andy Fraser (The Good Shepherd) are producing the film with Robles’ longtime manager Gary Lewis. The team is gearing up to shoot in first quarter of 2019.
The producers previously optioned Robles’ autobiography Unstoppable: From Underdog To Undefeated: How I Became A Champion. Published in 2012 by Penguin imprint Gotham Books, the book chronicles how Robles was born with one leg to a single parent family from the wrong side...
- 9/13/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Check out the second poster for Warner Premiere's Thunderstruck movie, starring Kevin Durant, Taylor Gray and Brandon T. Jackson John Whitesell directs from the script by Eric Champnella, and Jeff Farley and the film opens August 24th. In Thunderstruck, when Brian, a hopelessly uncoordinated young fan magically switches talents with his hero (Kevin Durant, playing himself), he becomes the star of his high school team...while Kevin Durant suddenly can’t make a shot to save his life. But with the playoffs approaching, Brian learns that being a true winner involves working hard at your own game, and he tries to make things right in time to prevent a catastrophic end to his hero’s season. Mike Karz produces.
- 7/12/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Check out the second poster for Warner Premiere's Thunderstruck movie, starring Kevin Durant, Taylor Gray and Brandon T. Jackson John Whitesell directs from the script by Eric Champnella, and Jeff Farley and the film opens August 24th. In Thunderstruck, when Brian, a hopelessly uncoordinated young fan magically switches talents with his hero (Kevin Durant, playing himself), he becomes the star of his high school team...while Kevin Durant suddenly can’t make a shot to save his life. But with the playoffs approaching, Brian learns that being a true winner involves working hard at your own game, and he tries to make things right in time to prevent a catastrophic end to his hero’s season. Mike Karz produces.
- 7/12/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Little-known Marvel Comics character The Human Fly is heading to the big screen.
Based on a real-life stuntman, the character featured in a title published by Marvel between 1977 and 1979. There had earlier been a mutated (and far more insect-like) villain of the same name in the Spider-Man comics.
The 70s version was an unnamed car crash victim whose skeleton was replaced by steel and who then became a masked hero performing daredevil stunts for charity. His activities brought him into confrontations with criminals who were targeting charity events.
Deadline says the screen rights have been picked up by Paramount-based Eisenberg-Fisher Productions, with the official website revealing that Steven Goldmann will direct the film from a script by Tony Babinski, with Alan Brewer and James Reach producing.
Another obscure comic is also on its way into your local multiplex. New York Magazine's Vulture blog reported that Men In Black director Barry Sonnenfeld...
Based on a real-life stuntman, the character featured in a title published by Marvel between 1977 and 1979. There had earlier been a mutated (and far more insect-like) villain of the same name in the Spider-Man comics.
The 70s version was an unnamed car crash victim whose skeleton was replaced by steel and who then became a masked hero performing daredevil stunts for charity. His activities brought him into confrontations with criminals who were targeting charity events.
Deadline says the screen rights have been picked up by Paramount-based Eisenberg-Fisher Productions, with the official website revealing that Steven Goldmann will direct the film from a script by Tony Babinski, with Alan Brewer and James Reach producing.
Another obscure comic is also on its way into your local multiplex. New York Magazine's Vulture blog reported that Men In Black director Barry Sonnenfeld...
- 6/28/2012
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Watch the trailer for Warner Premiere's "Thunderstruck" starring Kevin Durant, Taylor Gray, Jim Belushi, Brandon T. Jackson and Larramie Doc Shaw. The film opens in select theaters this Summer and is directed by John Whitesell of "Deck the Halls," "Big Momma's House 2," "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son," from the script by Eric Champnella ("Eddie," "Mr. 3000"). When Brian, a hopelessly uncoordinated young fan magically switches talents with his hero (Kevin Durant, playing himself), he becomes the star of his high school team...while Kevin Durant suddenly can’t make a shot to save his life. But with the playoffs approaching, Brian learns that being a true winner involves working hard at your own game, and he tries to make things right in time to prevent a catastrophic end to his hero’s season.
- 6/8/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Watch the trailer for Warner Premiere's "Thunderstruck" starring Kevin Durant, Taylor Gray, Jim Belushi, Brandon T. Jackson and Larramie Doc Shaw. The film opens in select theaters this Summer and is directed by John Whitesell of "Deck the Halls," "Big Momma's House 2," "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son," from the script by Eric Champnella ("Eddie," "Mr. 3000"). When Brian, a hopelessly uncoordinated young fan magically switches talents with his hero (Kevin Durant, playing himself), he becomes the star of his high school team...while Kevin Durant suddenly can’t make a shot to save his life. But with the playoffs approaching, Brian learns that being a true winner involves working hard at your own game, and he tries to make things right in time to prevent a catastrophic end to his hero’s season.
- 6/8/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Between shooting Twilight and New Moon, Summit Entertainment pondered replacing Taylor Lautner in the role of Jacob. To prove he was worthy of the reprisal, Lautner gained 30 pounds of bulk and transformed into a muscle-bound hero capable of shirtless scenes and carrying the sequel in Robert Pattinson’s absence.
Summit is clearly convinced of his conviction and impressed by his star-making turn because they’re crafting an action hero movie that will elevate him from the realm of High School Musicals and in the same genre as Damon’s Bourne trilogy and Neeson’s Taken.
According to Variety’s BFDealMemo, the studio has used a little of the Twilight money to acquire Cancun, a script by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson about a spring break trip to the Mexican tourist location. While on vacation, Lautner’s love interest is taken hostage by a drug cartel and he must save them.
Summit is clearly convinced of his conviction and impressed by his star-making turn because they’re crafting an action hero movie that will elevate him from the realm of High School Musicals and in the same genre as Damon’s Bourne trilogy and Neeson’s Taken.
According to Variety’s BFDealMemo, the studio has used a little of the Twilight money to acquire Cancun, a script by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson about a spring break trip to the Mexican tourist location. While on vacation, Lautner’s love interest is taken hostage by a drug cartel and he must save them.
- 12/21/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Taylor Lautner, who plays werewolf Jacob in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," is heading to "Cancun," as the actor is set to star in an action flick based on a spec by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson.
Summit Entertainment is backing the project, according to the Hollywood Reporter, and the story follows a college kid who has to rescue a chick and her friends from drug dealers during a vacation in Cancun.
It seems the movie will be completely centered around and structured for Lautner specifically, which is a good way for Summit to make a whole lot of money (I bet every single Jacob fan will go anc check it out.)...
Summit Entertainment is backing the project, according to the Hollywood Reporter, and the story follows a college kid who has to rescue a chick and her friends from drug dealers during a vacation in Cancun.
It seems the movie will be completely centered around and structured for Lautner specifically, which is a good way for Summit to make a whole lot of money (I bet every single Jacob fan will go anc check it out.)...
- 12/20/2009
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
If you saw Taylor Lautner’s surprisingly fantastic martial arts skills during his opening monologue on SNL a couple of weeks ago, then you know the Twilight star has the potential to be an action sensation. Keyword: potential. Well, Twilight producer Summit Entertainment will be re-tolling Eric Champnella (Mr. 3000) and actor Grant Thompson’s spec script for Cancun into a Lautner vehicle.
Cancun centers on a out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
It sounds like a B-movie.
The action scenes in the film will be designed around Lautner’s ability to kick ass. This will mark the first project to be produced under Lautner’s production company, which he shares with his father Dan Lautner.
Check out Taylor Lautner’s high-flying moves...
Cancun centers on a out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
It sounds like a B-movie.
The action scenes in the film will be designed around Lautner’s ability to kick ass. This will mark the first project to be produced under Lautner’s production company, which he shares with his father Dan Lautner.
Check out Taylor Lautner’s high-flying moves...
- 12/19/2009
- by Reel Loop News Staff
- ReelLoop.com
We have more Ta Follows the Stars for you today with new projects the Twilight cast have been working on. There is a new clip from The Yelllow Handkerchief starring Kristen Stewart news on Taylor Lautner partnering up with Summit on a new project another interview with Anna Kendrick for Up In The Air and Ashley Greene all dressed up to attend the premiere of Sherlock Holmes.Kristen Stewart in The Yellow HandkerchiefVariety reports Taylor Lautner will partner up with Summit on a new action movieSummit Entertainment and producers Temple Hill are crafting an action vehicle for their Twilight star Taylor Lautner that shapes up as the first film after his breakthrough in New Moon.Summit has acquired an untitled script by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson that is best described as a teenaged Taken meets Die Hard.Dan Lautner will produce with Temple Hill partners Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen.
- 12/18/2009
- twilightersanonymous.com
Abs of steel won't just win the hearts of teens everywhere, they can also kick off an action film career. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Summit Entertainment has just grabbed a spec script called Cancun, in hopes of turning it into a vehicle for Twilight star Taylor Lautner. Lautner, who appears as a werewolf Jacob in the series, would play a college kid who has to save a girl and her friends when they are taken hostage by a drug cartel in Cancun. The film would call for Lautner to use his newly acquired martial arts skills, perhaps creating a new action star in the process. Cancun was written by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. Source: The Hollywood Reporter...
- 12/18/2009
- LRMonline.com
The decision-makers at Summit Entertainment know a good thing when they see one. By good thing, I mean Taylor Lautner. By Taylor Lautner, I mean shirtless Taylor Lautner fighting bad guys and stuff.
That's the method to Summit's madness as the movie studio is developing a new action film for "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" star Lautner titled "Cancun" based on a spec script from Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. Lautner is developing the film alongside his father Dan Lautner.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Cancun" focuses on "an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them."
There is currently no word on whether or not the young actor will turn into a werewolf in the film, but my mind is telling me no...
That's the method to Summit's madness as the movie studio is developing a new action film for "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" star Lautner titled "Cancun" based on a spec script from Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. Lautner is developing the film alongside his father Dan Lautner.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Cancun" focuses on "an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them."
There is currently no word on whether or not the young actor will turn into a werewolf in the film, but my mind is telling me no...
- 12/18/2009
- by Josh Wigler
- MTV Movies Blog
By the Hollywood Reporter
Summit is staying in the Taylor Lautner game.
As the days tick down to the town closing for the holidays, the company has picked up "Cancun," an action spec by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson.
The project is acting as starring vehicle for Lautner and is the first project from the newly established production shingle he shares with his dad, Dan Lautner.
Read more from the Hollywood Reporter.
Summit is staying in the Taylor Lautner game.
As the days tick down to the town closing for the holidays, the company has picked up "Cancun," an action spec by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson.
The project is acting as starring vehicle for Lautner and is the first project from the newly established production shingle he shares with his dad, Dan Lautner.
Read more from the Hollywood Reporter.
- 12/18/2009
- by Dylan Stableford
- The Wrap
Now that The Twilight Saga: New Moon has ranked in big box office its three leads will be getting A-list treatment in the next projects that they undertake. For Taylor Lautner, who plays the werewolf Jacob in the franchise, it means the chance to topline his own film projects.
Lautner is now attached to star as the lead in an untitled action script written by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson that Variety describes as Taken meets Die Hard. In the movie the actor would use his real-life karate skills when his character, a young man who wanted to be a soldier before being sidelined by an injury, goes on vacation in Cancun and then has to rescue his kidnapped friends from a drug gang. Taylor's father Dan Lautner is one of the film's producers and Temple Hill Entertainment, the Twilight production company, is also developing it.
The makers want this...
Lautner is now attached to star as the lead in an untitled action script written by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson that Variety describes as Taken meets Die Hard. In the movie the actor would use his real-life karate skills when his character, a young man who wanted to be a soldier before being sidelined by an injury, goes on vacation in Cancun and then has to rescue his kidnapped friends from a drug gang. Taylor's father Dan Lautner is one of the film's producers and Temple Hill Entertainment, the Twilight production company, is also developing it.
The makers want this...
- 12/18/2009
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
Have you ever jammed a bottle of maple syrup up your ass, had it explode, and -- as a result -- your butt cheeks stuck together for weeks, causing a system back-up that made your eyes float?
Yeah. Me neither. But watching Taylor Lautner try to act is something akin to that feeling, I would think. Dude is seriously one of the most horrendous actors on the planet -- he seems so completely self-aware and anxious, like a popular 17-year-old high school girl who is approached by local news cameras while she's in her sweatpants. Yeah. She wants to be on camera, but Omg can they see my zit? The fella is not even cut out for public service announcements on local access channels in Canada. But of course, he's getting his own film.
I mean: He's knows martial arts, and he is Team Jacob, so Summit Entertainment is setting...
Yeah. Me neither. But watching Taylor Lautner try to act is something akin to that feeling, I would think. Dude is seriously one of the most horrendous actors on the planet -- he seems so completely self-aware and anxious, like a popular 17-year-old high school girl who is approached by local news cameras while she's in her sweatpants. Yeah. She wants to be on camera, but Omg can they see my zit? The fella is not even cut out for public service announcements on local access channels in Canada. But of course, he's getting his own film.
I mean: He's knows martial arts, and he is Team Jacob, so Summit Entertainment is setting...
- 12/18/2009
- by Dustin Rowles
Taylor Lautner is one step closer to taking over the world. When The Twilight Saga started to gear up, it was obvious that Lautner was right where he wanted to be. While his co-stars shrunk from fame and griped about the neverending Big Brother eyes of Twi-hards, Lautner slid into his role, eager to chat up his film wherever he could and, subsequently, do whatever he needed to do to stay in the series. (Like go from wee, tiny li'l thing to Mr. Six-Pack Werewolf abs.) And now he's looking to save more ladies in Cancun.
The Hollywood Reporter posts that Lautner will star in a new action flick Summit has picked up from Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. A gig meant to show off his mad martial arts skills, the film focuses on "an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on break. While there,...
The Hollywood Reporter posts that Lautner will star in a new action flick Summit has picked up from Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. A gig meant to show off his mad martial arts skills, the film focuses on "an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on break. While there,...
- 12/18/2009
- by Monika Bartyzel
- Cinematical
Summit Entertainment has picked up the action script Cancun by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson. Taylor Lautner ("The Twilight Saga") is attached to star in the project. The Hollywood Reporter says Taylor's dad, Dan Lautner, is in discussion to produce the movie with Temple Hill's Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen. The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them. The trade adds that the project is designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills.
- 12/18/2009
- Comingsoon.net
On the snowy winter days, it's only natural to get a little wistful about summer holidays - and it seems that Taylor Lautner is doing the same as he has just signed on to star in action flick Cancun for Summit, which will see him head off to Mexico for some holiday hostage drama.
The film, penned by Mr 3000's Eric Champnella along with Grant Thompson and will be produced by Lautner under his new film company which he has set up with his dad.
The script follows a young college couple taking a break with friends in the popular holiday resort who become embroiled in the workings of a drug cartel - leaving Lautner's character to save the gang of girls, using his martial art skills to do so.
Lautner is hot stuff at the moment, riding the renewed interest in him following the extra (torso) exposure in New Moon.
The film, penned by Mr 3000's Eric Champnella along with Grant Thompson and will be produced by Lautner under his new film company which he has set up with his dad.
The script follows a young college couple taking a break with friends in the popular holiday resort who become embroiled in the workings of a drug cartel - leaving Lautner's character to save the gang of girls, using his martial art skills to do so.
Lautner is hot stuff at the moment, riding the renewed interest in him following the extra (torso) exposure in New Moon.
- 12/18/2009
- Screenrush
Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson's action spec script "Cancun" is being retooled by Summit Entertainment into a starring vehicle for "Twilight" hunk Taylor Lautner says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
The action will be designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills and is the first project of a new production company Lautner shares with his father. Dan Lautner, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen will produce.
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
The action will be designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills and is the first project of a new production company Lautner shares with his father. Dan Lautner, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen will produce.
- 12/18/2009
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson's action spec script "Cancun" is being retooled by Summit Entertainment into a starring vehicle for "Twilight" hunk Taylor Lautner says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
The action will be designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills and is the first project of a new production company Lautner shares with his father. Dan Lautner, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen will produce.
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them.
The action will be designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills and is the first project of a new production company Lautner shares with his father. Dan Lautner, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen will produce.
- 12/18/2009
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Gaining success after playing Jacob Black in Summit Entertainment's "Twilight" and its sequel "The Twilight Saga's New Moon", Taylor Lautner is on board to star in the studio's new action movie project. According to Variety, Summit has picked up an untitled script written by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson that is described as a teenage version of "Taken" meets "Die Hard".
In the film, Taylor will play a teenager who tries to rescue his friends when they're abducted while on spring break in Cancun. After an injury sidelines his plans to be an elite soldier, he tries to get on with his life by heading to college. There he meets a girl who convinces him to join her friends on a spring-break trip to Cancun. When his traveling partners are kidnapped and used as bargaining chips to free a drug lord, he puts his training to use to free them.
In the film, Taylor will play a teenager who tries to rescue his friends when they're abducted while on spring break in Cancun. After an injury sidelines his plans to be an elite soldier, he tries to get on with his life by heading to college. There he meets a girl who convinces him to join her friends on a spring-break trip to Cancun. When his traveling partners are kidnapped and used as bargaining chips to free a drug lord, he puts his training to use to free them.
- 12/18/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Oh, look… Taylor Lautner's in demand again. What a shocker. Yes, while Twilight's shirt-eschewing were-hunk was the focus of speculation that Paramount was considering him as Max Steel, he's also being courted by Summit Entertainment, which understandably wants to keep using one of the elements that made New Moon such a big success.The company has nabbed action spec script Cancun, written by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson, with plans to make it into a starring vehicle for Lautner.And the story? A college lad heads to the Mexican holiday hotspot with a girl, who promptly gets herself kidnapped by a drug cartel. So careless, some ladies. Lautner's character is forced to break out some action chops and utilize his fancy martial arts skills (which the actor was only to happy to show off on Saturday Night Live this past weekend) to rescue her. There's no word on exactly when it'll shoot,...
- 12/18/2009
- EmpireOnline
"Twilight Saga" star Taylor Lautner is staying in the Summit Entertainment family -- and his own -- for his next movie project.
Summit has picked up the rights to an action script that it sees as a vehicle for Lautner. He would play a teenager who works to rescue his friends when they're kidnapped while on spring break in Cancun. The script is by Eric Champnella ("Mr. 3000") and Grant Thompson.
The showbiz trade papers report that Lautner's father, Dan Lautner, will serve as a producer on the project. He and Taylor recently formed a production company, Tailor Made Entertainment, to develop movie and TV projects.
Lautner is also attached to a movie based on the Mattel toy/cartoon character Max Steel at Paramount, but the Summit project is likely to film first -- possibly over the summer, before Lautner goes back to work on the final "Twilight" movie (or movies,...
Summit has picked up the rights to an action script that it sees as a vehicle for Lautner. He would play a teenager who works to rescue his friends when they're kidnapped while on spring break in Cancun. The script is by Eric Champnella ("Mr. 3000") and Grant Thompson.
The showbiz trade papers report that Lautner's father, Dan Lautner, will serve as a producer on the project. He and Taylor recently formed a production company, Tailor Made Entertainment, to develop movie and TV projects.
Lautner is also attached to a movie based on the Mattel toy/cartoon character Max Steel at Paramount, but the Summit project is likely to film first -- possibly over the summer, before Lautner goes back to work on the final "Twilight" movie (or movies,...
- 12/18/2009
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Apparently, film studio Summit Entertainment has enjoyed working with The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse star Taylor Lautner. At least that's what it would seem like after the news that Variety has just announced. According to them, Lautner and Summit will be teaming up once again for another project "that is best described as a teen-aged Taken meets Die Hard," a consequence of Lautner's affinity for Taken and his interest in doing similar films. Summit Entertainment producers Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen are teaming up with Lautner's father, Dan Lautner, to produce the untitled script (by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson) under their new compan ... He's got Max Steel and Valentine's Day (with Taylor Swift) coming up ...
- 12/18/2009
- by thetwilightexaminer
- Twilight Examiner
Summit is staying in the Taylor Lautner game.
As the days tick down to the town closing for the holidays, the company has picked up "Cancun," an action spec by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson.
The project is acting as starring vehicle for Lautner and is the first project from the newly established production shingle he shares with his dad, Dan Lautner.
Dan Lautner is in discussion to produce the movie with Temple Hill's Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen, who forged a relationship with the actor whom they worked on Summit's "Twilight Sage: New Moon."
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them. The story is designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills, which he showed off when...
As the days tick down to the town closing for the holidays, the company has picked up "Cancun," an action spec by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson.
The project is acting as starring vehicle for Lautner and is the first project from the newly established production shingle he shares with his dad, Dan Lautner.
Dan Lautner is in discussion to produce the movie with Temple Hill's Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen, who forged a relationship with the actor whom they worked on Summit's "Twilight Sage: New Moon."
The story follows an out-of-place college kid who travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them. The story is designed to take advantage of Lautner's martial arts skills, which he showed off when...
- 12/17/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mining for new projects, Warner Bros. Pictures is hoping to strike gold with the robotic superhero team Metal Men, setting up the project with producer Lauren Shuler Donner. Eric Champnella has been brought on board to write.
Based on a DC Comics hero created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru in 1962, Metal revolves around a brilliant scientist, William Magnus, and his creations: six highly advanced robots who have powers associated with their respective metals -- gold, iron, lead, tin, mercury and platinum. Instead of having to be programd, the Metal Men can think for themselves, which is both their genius and their biggest flaw.
The heroes made their first appearance in Showcase, where they were created as filler but proved to be unexpectedly popular and received their own title. The heroes served as a dysfunctional family, and the stories balanced sentimentality, humor and action.
Jack Leslie of the Donners' Co. also is producing.
Geoff Johns, who was an assistant to Richard Donner before becoming one of the comic world's renowned writers, helped develop the take and will executive produce.
Based on a DC Comics hero created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru in 1962, Metal revolves around a brilliant scientist, William Magnus, and his creations: six highly advanced robots who have powers associated with their respective metals -- gold, iron, lead, tin, mercury and platinum. Instead of having to be programd, the Metal Men can think for themselves, which is both their genius and their biggest flaw.
The heroes made their first appearance in Showcase, where they were created as filler but proved to be unexpectedly popular and received their own title. The heroes served as a dysfunctional family, and the stories balanced sentimentality, humor and action.
Jack Leslie of the Donners' Co. also is producing.
Geoff Johns, who was an assistant to Richard Donner before becoming one of the comic world's renowned writers, helped develop the take and will executive produce.
In his first at-bat as leading man, charismatic funnyman Bernie Mac delivers a winning turn as a retired 47-year-old baseball great making an unlikely comeback. Paired with a fiery Angela Bassett under the breezy, dynamic direction of Charles Stone III, Mac broadens his scope in Mr. 3000, showing off his athleticism and flexing some dramatic muscle. This tale of a lovable jerk who learns the meaning of sacrifice should capitalize on its star's sitcom popularity to hit one out of the park for Disney.
The instant he achieved his 3,000th career base hit, Milwaukee Brewers' Stan Ross (Mac) left his team in the midst of a pennant race in order to bask in retirement glory. Nine years later, he's living the entrepreneurial life in Milwaukee, where his Mr. 3000 shopping center and its flagship sports bar are a shrine unto himself. After the team retires his number, all that's left to seal the "certified immortality" he so craves is a slot in the Hall of Fame.
In anticipation of his nomination, the hall scrutinizes the record books and discovers that three of Stan's hits were counted twice. Hello, Mr. 2,997. Desperate to restore his crown and secure his spot in Cooperstown, Stan approaches the equally desperate Brewers. Although Stan has never been a team player, general manager Schembri (Chris Noth) welcomes his attendance-boosting presence on the fifth-place squad.
A lot is new since Stan was last on the roster: The team has switched to the National League, for starters. Pilates is part of the conditioning program, and the star of the team is T-Rex Pennebaker (Brian White, one-time player for the New England Patriots). The young hotshot is as mouthy and full of himself as Stan once was. That their adversarial relationship will shift to a mentoring connection is no surprise, but the script by Eric Champnella, Keith Mitchell and Howard Michael Gould makes its points with a light hand.
There are shades of Barry Bonds in Stan's refusal to play ball with the press. But Stan's driving force is sheer ego. Having shown he's not above ripping a record-making ball from the hands of a fan or baiting "stank-ass reporters," he's now a prime target for ridicule -- and a hot story. One of the journalists covering that story is his former flame Mo (Bassett), an ESPN reporter. Bassett brings a compelling mix of steeliness and passion to the character, who regards the one-time womanizer with guardedness, fighting her feelings for him.
There's a pleasing fortysomething credibility to the way their renewed romance plays out. And in a parallel to Stan's sudden old-timer status, Mo knows the network is sidelining her from onscreen work in favor of the next young thing.
Even with a couple of pauses for obvious Big Theme dialogue, the film never takes itself too seriously. Most of its observations unfold subtly in the midst of the laughs -- like the strange rituals of male communication between Stan and longtime pal Boca (Michael Rispoli), whose nickname reflects a preference for velour leisure suits more fitting to southern Florida than Wisconsin. Along the same lines, Paul Sorvino makes the most of an almost wordless role as the team's manager.
As a guy taking abuse from everyone from Tom Arnold to the Sausage Mascot (director Stone), Mac injects Stan's comic swagger with flashes of woundedness. Stone -- whose credits include Drumline and the "Whassup?!" Budweiser commercials -- has chosen actors who know their way around a diamond, lending immediacy and power to the game sequences. Shane Hurlbut's crisp lensing heightens the energy on the field and captures the shining design contributions. A strong element of the polished tech package is a fine selection of R&B favorites, propelling the story with a sure beat.
MR. 3000
Buena Vista Pictures
A Touchstone Pictures and Dimension Films presentation of a Barber and Birnbaum/Kennedy/Marshall production
Credits:
Director: Charles Stone III
Screenwriters: Eric Champnella, Keith Mitchell, Howard Michael Gould
Producers: Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Maggie Wilde
Executive producers: Jonathan Glickman, Frank Marshall, Steven Greener, Timothy M. Bourne
Director of photography: Shane Hurlbut
Production designer: Maher Ahmad
Music: John Powell
Co-producer: Derek Evans
Costume designer: Salvador Perez
Editor: Bill Pankow
Cast:
Stan Ross: Bernie Mac
Mo: Angela Bassett
Boca: Michael Rispoli
T-Rex Pennebaker: Brian White
Fukuda: Ian Anthony Dale
Fryman: Evan Jones
Minadeo: Amaury Nolasco
Skillett: Dondre Whitfield
Gus Panas: Paul Sorvino
Schembri: Chris Noth
As themselves: Tom Arnold, Ron Darling, Larry King, Tony Kornheiser, John Salley, Stuart Scott, Michael Wilbon, Jay Leno, Chris Rose, Peter Gammons
MPAA rating: PG-13
Running time -- 102 minutes...
The instant he achieved his 3,000th career base hit, Milwaukee Brewers' Stan Ross (Mac) left his team in the midst of a pennant race in order to bask in retirement glory. Nine years later, he's living the entrepreneurial life in Milwaukee, where his Mr. 3000 shopping center and its flagship sports bar are a shrine unto himself. After the team retires his number, all that's left to seal the "certified immortality" he so craves is a slot in the Hall of Fame.
In anticipation of his nomination, the hall scrutinizes the record books and discovers that three of Stan's hits were counted twice. Hello, Mr. 2,997. Desperate to restore his crown and secure his spot in Cooperstown, Stan approaches the equally desperate Brewers. Although Stan has never been a team player, general manager Schembri (Chris Noth) welcomes his attendance-boosting presence on the fifth-place squad.
A lot is new since Stan was last on the roster: The team has switched to the National League, for starters. Pilates is part of the conditioning program, and the star of the team is T-Rex Pennebaker (Brian White, one-time player for the New England Patriots). The young hotshot is as mouthy and full of himself as Stan once was. That their adversarial relationship will shift to a mentoring connection is no surprise, but the script by Eric Champnella, Keith Mitchell and Howard Michael Gould makes its points with a light hand.
There are shades of Barry Bonds in Stan's refusal to play ball with the press. But Stan's driving force is sheer ego. Having shown he's not above ripping a record-making ball from the hands of a fan or baiting "stank-ass reporters," he's now a prime target for ridicule -- and a hot story. One of the journalists covering that story is his former flame Mo (Bassett), an ESPN reporter. Bassett brings a compelling mix of steeliness and passion to the character, who regards the one-time womanizer with guardedness, fighting her feelings for him.
There's a pleasing fortysomething credibility to the way their renewed romance plays out. And in a parallel to Stan's sudden old-timer status, Mo knows the network is sidelining her from onscreen work in favor of the next young thing.
Even with a couple of pauses for obvious Big Theme dialogue, the film never takes itself too seriously. Most of its observations unfold subtly in the midst of the laughs -- like the strange rituals of male communication between Stan and longtime pal Boca (Michael Rispoli), whose nickname reflects a preference for velour leisure suits more fitting to southern Florida than Wisconsin. Along the same lines, Paul Sorvino makes the most of an almost wordless role as the team's manager.
As a guy taking abuse from everyone from Tom Arnold to the Sausage Mascot (director Stone), Mac injects Stan's comic swagger with flashes of woundedness. Stone -- whose credits include Drumline and the "Whassup?!" Budweiser commercials -- has chosen actors who know their way around a diamond, lending immediacy and power to the game sequences. Shane Hurlbut's crisp lensing heightens the energy on the field and captures the shining design contributions. A strong element of the polished tech package is a fine selection of R&B favorites, propelling the story with a sure beat.
MR. 3000
Buena Vista Pictures
A Touchstone Pictures and Dimension Films presentation of a Barber and Birnbaum/Kennedy/Marshall production
Credits:
Director: Charles Stone III
Screenwriters: Eric Champnella, Keith Mitchell, Howard Michael Gould
Producers: Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Maggie Wilde
Executive producers: Jonathan Glickman, Frank Marshall, Steven Greener, Timothy M. Bourne
Director of photography: Shane Hurlbut
Production designer: Maher Ahmad
Music: John Powell
Co-producer: Derek Evans
Costume designer: Salvador Perez
Editor: Bill Pankow
Cast:
Stan Ross: Bernie Mac
Mo: Angela Bassett
Boca: Michael Rispoli
T-Rex Pennebaker: Brian White
Fukuda: Ian Anthony Dale
Fryman: Evan Jones
Minadeo: Amaury Nolasco
Skillett: Dondre Whitfield
Gus Panas: Paul Sorvino
Schembri: Chris Noth
As themselves: Tom Arnold, Ron Darling, Larry King, Tony Kornheiser, John Salley, Stuart Scott, Michael Wilbon, Jay Leno, Chris Rose, Peter Gammons
MPAA rating: PG-13
Running time -- 102 minutes...
- 9/29/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New Line Cinema has optioned the best-selling children's book "Walter the Farting Dog" and has tapped Eric Champnella to adapt the picture book into a live-action feature. The book, written by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray and illustrated by Audrey Colman, tells the tale of perpetually gas-passing pooch Walter, who gets adopted from the pound by a family. The family's father eventually has enough and says the canine is pound-bound. But that night, two crooks break into the home, and Walter unleashes a hideous cloud, saving the day. The book made its way to the top of the New York Times best-seller list (children's picture category) and spawned a sequel, "Walter the Farting Dog: Trouble at the Yard Sale." A third book is in the planning stages. Champnella, a former stand-up comic, co-wrote the upcoming Disney film "Mr. 3000", starring Bernie Mac, and was one of the writers of "Eddie", starring Whoopi Goldberg. He is repped by UTA, Paul Nelson at Mosaic Media and attorney David Feldman.
Brian White is stepping up to the plate to play a budding baseball star opposite Bernie Mac and Angela Bassett in the Walt Disney Co. comedy Mr. 3000. White, best known for his recurring role on the FX drama series The Shield, will play a rising star who befriends Mac's character. Being directed by Charles Stone, Mr. 3000 centers on a former Detroit Tigers player (Mac) who comes out of retirement when three of his base hits are disallowed, dropping him below the prized 3,000-hit plateau. Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber and Maggie Wilde are producing the project, which was penned by Eric Champnella and Keith Mitchell. Frank Marshall, Johnathan Glickman and Steven Greener are executive producing. Disney production exec Jason Reed is overseeing for the studio. In addition to his work on The Shield, White starred in the ABC television movie Nancy Drew, which was a backdoor pilot produced by Lawrence Bender and Kevin Brown. He is represented by UTA, Roklin Management and attorney Eric Feig.
Michael Rispoli is set to join Bernie Mac and Angela Bassett in the Walt Disney Co. baseball comedy Mr. 3000. Being directed by Drumline helmer Charles Stone, Mr. 3000 centers on a retired Detroit Tigers player (Mac) who comes out of retirement when three of his base hits are disallowed, dropping him below the prized 3,000-hit plateau. Rispoli will play Mac's former teammate turned business partner in the film. Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber and Maggie Wilde are producing the project, which was penned by Eric Champnella and Keith Mitchell. Frank Marshall, Johnathan Glickman and Steven Greener are executive producing. Disney production exec Jason Reed is overseeing for the studio. A veteran actor with a slew of feature film and television credits, Rispoli has appeared in such films as Death to Smoochy and Rounders as well as on the small screen in The Sopranos and Touched by an Angel. He is repped by the Gersh Agency and LMRK Management.
- 5/16/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Angela Bassett has signed on to star opposite Bernie Mac in the Walt Disney Co. baseball comedy Mr. 3000. Being directed by Drumline helmer Charles Stone, Mr. 3000 centers on a retired Detroit Tigers player (Mac) who comes out of retirement when three of his base hits are disallowed, dropping him below the prized 3,000-hit plateau. Bassett will play a sports reporter who is Mac's love interest in the film. Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber and Maggie Wilde are producing the project, which was penned by Eric Champnella and Keith Mitchell. Frank Marshall, Johnathan Glickman and Steven Greener are executive producing. Disney production exec Jason Reed is overseeing for the studio. Bassett, who has starred in such films as The Score, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale, also appears in the upcoming Sony Pictures Classics drama Masked & Anonymous. Bassett is repped by CAA.
- 4/29/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.