Peter Berg Will Not Direct “Dune”
Director Peter Berg (”Friday Night Lights,” “The Kingdom,” “Hancock”) has left Paramount’s “Dune” remake.
According to reports the remake still is in the works, with Josh Zetumer (who is also writing the next “Bourne” movie) writing the script, and Paramount is searching for a new director.
Paramount is reportedly now eying Neill Blomkamp – “District 9” filmmaker and Neil Marshall, writer and director of “The Descent,” to replace him.
No reason has been cited for the Berg’s exit, but some sources suggest that he departed to work on a number of “dream projects” at Universal.
It was also reported that Twilight star Robert Pattinson was in talks in May to play in the update (though there was nothing official) but it is unclear if Pattinson still might join the project now that Berg has moved on.
“Dune” remake is in the works since 2007 and is still being developed – there is a script but there’s no director now.
The original “Dune” was directed by David Lynch, based on the 1956 Frank Herbert novel.
Peter Berg’s Battleship Set for July 2011
Universal has set Peter Berg (Hancock) to direct “Battleship,” a live-action adaptation of Hasbro’s board game.
According to Variety, Berg joins “Battleship” as part of his two-picture deal he made with Universal Pictures; the other film is the Afghan war drama “Lone Survivor.”
For Berg, the picture realizes a passion for ship-bound war stories that he picked up from his naval historian father.
“I’ve been consumed with doing one of these since I tried to convince Tom Rothman at Fox to make a film about John Paul Jones, the founder of the American Navy,” Berg said. “As a kid, I was dragged from Navy museum to museum, and spent so much time on ships, listening to my father talk about the great battles of WWII, I did my high school thesis on the Battle of Midway. When this came up, it didn’t take me long to find a take for a film that is filled with raucous action-packed naval battles.”
Will Smith and Charlize Theron Confirmed for Hancock 2
Director Peter Berg has confirmed to MTV that Will Smith and Charlize Theron for “Hancock 2.” “Everybody’s going to come back for a sequel,” Berg said.
Adam Fierro (Dexter) and Glen Mazzara (The Shield) were hired to pen the sequel earlier this summer, but it was not confirmed whether any of the original cast would be involved.
The movie that opened last summer about a drunk superhero and a publicist trying to help restore his image turned out to be a pseudo Greek Mythology when it was revealed that Smith was actually a god that can become immortal and highly vulnerable in the presence of his goddess companion, played by Theron. Peter Berg previously talked to Sci-Fi Wire, basically saying that since the story indicates he’s not alone of his kind, they could bring in another god out there for the sequel.
Hancock 2 Writers Hired!
Columbia Pictures has hired screenwriters Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara to pen Hancock 2 just a week after director Peter Berg hinted of some ideas for Will Smith superhero movie that grossed $624.4 million worldwide last year.
According to THR, the original producing team is expected to return. Story details are being kept under wraps, though the writers will work with Smith and Berg to build on the world hinted at in the first movie.
Fierro and Mazzara worked together on cable hit “The Shield”. Fierro also worked on “24″ and “Dexter” while Mazzara penned episodes of “Life” and “Crash”.
Peter Berg In Talks to Direct “Battleship”
THR is reporting that Peter Berg may be signing on to direct a big screen adaptation of the classic Hasbro board game Battleship.
Berg (Hancock, The Kingdom, Friday Night Lights, The Rundown) is in discussions with Universal Studios about bringing the popular game to the screen.
Jon and Erich Hoeber have also signed on to pen the script. Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir are producing for Hasbro, while Dylan Clark and Anikah McLaren producing for Universal Studios.
The game, which began in pencil and paper form in the early 20th century and is now available on platforms from cell phones to computers, consists of two players arranging a variety of ships on a grid. The game proceeds in alternating salvos as players try to “sink” the opposition’s ships by guessing where they sit on the grid.
While plot details are being kept under wraps, the studio is looking to make an epic naval action adventure.
Peter Berg to direct a new “Hercules” movie
“Hancock” director Peter Berg will produce and will develop to direct “Hercules: The Thracian Wars” for Universal, a co-production of Spyglass Entertainment, Berg’s Film 44 and Radical Pictures. Spyglass and Universal will co-finance the film.
Ryan Condal will write the screenplay, based on a five-issue comicbook series by Steve Moore that debuted in May through Radical Publishing.
Berg, along with Jonathan Glickman, Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Sarah Aubrey and Barry Levine will serve as producers.
Levine said the creative partners came together because Glickman, Berg and Aubrey wanted to develop a film that stayed true to the comicbook:
“What resonated for them was that this was character driven, about a character who’s more man than god, with conflicts and redemption,” Barry Levine said.
Peter Berg is also set to direct and produce a new version of the Frank Herbert sci-fi novel “Dune” for Paramount Pictures.
He has previously directed “The Kingdom” and “Hancock”
Phillip Noyce to direct Tom Cruise’s ‘Edwin A. Salt’
Phillip Noyce is in talks to direct Tom Cruise in spy thriller ”Edwin A. Salt,” reports Variety.
”Edwin A. Salt” casts Cruise as a CIA officer who’s accused by a defector of being a Russian sleeper spy. He must avoid capture long enough to clear his name.
Cruise has long been attached to the Kurt Wimmer script, which has seen two directors, Terry George and Peter Berg, depart the project in recent months.
Producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Sunil Perkash will oversee the film for Columbia Pictures.
“Hancock” German Premiere in Berlin
Superhero movie ”Hancock” had its German premiere yesterday in Berlin.
Thanks to Sony Pictures, you can see the photos of Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman and the director Peter Berg from the event.
”Hancock” will hit some US theaters on July 1, a day before the previously announced release date of July 2.
New ”Hancock” Behind-The-Scenes Featurette
New ”Hancock” behind – the – scenes featurette includes interviews with director Peter Berg, Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman and new footage.
”Hancock” will hit the theaters on July 2nd 2008.
‘Hancock’ – New TV spot
Columbia Pictures has released new TV spot for ‘Hancock‘ as compilation of new footage from the film with huge remark at the end of clip: THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED!
Directed by Peter Berg ‘Hancock’ starring Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman, ‘Hancock’ is scheduled to hit theaters on July 2nd.
