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Jackson dropped from "Hobbit" film

In a letter to fan site TheOneRing.net, director Peter Jackson revealed that he had been told he will not be hired to direct a movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien novel "The Hobbit," despite the global success of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

In Jackson's letter, which was posted on the Web site earlier this week, the director said last week a top executive with Los Angeles-based New Line Cinema called him to say the studio was moving ahead on "The Hobbit" movie without Jackson. A spokesman for New Line declined to comment citing company policy, and a Los Angeles representative for New Zealand-based Jackson was not immediately available.

New Line and Jackson's production company, Wingnut Films, are in a dispute over income from 2001's "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," which is the first film in the trilogy. In his letter, Jackson said he and his producing partners have refused to discuss a "Hobbit" film until the lawsuit is settled, and he added that New Line informed him the studio had limited time to make the film so it must move on. Since posting the letter, TheOneRing.net has received some 100,000 visitors. Many of those visitors are calling for a letter writing campaign or even a boycott of the studio in order to get Jackson hired as the director for the project.

You can read the letter here.

Nic Cage in The Sadhu

Hot on the heels of comic-book adaptation "Ghost Rider", rumours have Nicolas Cage taking on the role of James Jensen, a British soldier who travels to India. When his family is killed, James embarks on a dark path of violence in an effort to gain revenge. Soon he discovers it's not the answer and is drawn to the gentle nature and sublime wisdom of Dada. James adopts the ways of the Sadhu, a coded way of life that not only teaches an obscure form of martial arts but also illuminates the true nature of reality and at last teaches James the one eternal truth: the path we choose is who we are.

The Sadhu is a series from Virgin Comics that was created by Gotham Chopra, son of bestselling author Deepak Chopra. The screenplay will be written by Deepak Chopra, who co-founded Virgin Comics along with Virgin CEO Richard Branson and filmmaker Shekhar Kapur. The three-way joint venture is also aimed at producing films.

Besides acting in the film, Cage is also co-writing a comic book with his 15-year-old son Weston. Enigma, "a Voodoo-laced thriller" set in New Orleans, will be published by Virgin as a five-part comic book released monthly beginning March 2007. The stories will be collected and republished as a graphic novel for worldwide audiences during fourth quarter 2007.

Virgin is working hard to create a synergy between the comic book industry and the film industry. They have brought in Alex Ross, the acclaimed comic book illustrator, to paint covers and signed a deal with John Woo to create a "Directors Cut" line, which aims to launch comic titles in collaboration with iconic film-makers. Woo's Seven Brothers is the debut comic of the Directors Cut line and there are plans for several more partnerships in the coming months.

For the curious among you, Wikipedia offers an overview of what a Sadhu is and information on their lifestyle.

More Cowbell!

Today's hot rumour is that Oscar winning actor Christopher Walken is set to portray rocker Ozzy Osbourne in a new film based on Motley Crue’s autobiography ‘The Dirt’. The book, which was released in 2001, is titled ‘The Dirt: Confessions Of The World’s Most Notorious Rock Band’, and gives a detailed account of the band's wild behaviour. The book catalogues the drug and alcohol abuse, in-fighting, and sex parties of Vince Neil and band mates Tommy Lee, Mick Mars and Nikki Sixx.The book reveals that the former ‘Black Sabbath’ frontman used to take LSD everyday for a year, and snorted a line of live ants, while he was touring with the band.

It was Crue frontman Vince Neil who broke the news. “How funny is that going to be,” Neil allegedly told ABC News Radio at the opening of Vince Neil Ink, the singer’s new Las Vegas tattoo parlor. Neil also claims that other rock-related actors (Val Kilmer, who starred previously as Jim Morrison of The Doors, reportedly will portray David Lee Roth) will appear in the film as rockstars. “We’re doing big, giant cameos with those people,” Neil told ABC.

Spider-Man 3 Official Teaser Trailer

Here's a great new trailer for next summer's Spider-Man 3 movie. The effects look great and I am interested to see the Venom saga played out on the big screen. Enjoy!

If you want to view the trailer in HiDef, check out the Apple trailers site.

Pursuit of Happyness trailer

One of the releases I have been looking forward to is the new Will Smith film The Pursuit of Happyness. Based on a true story, Smith portrays Chris Gardner, a marginally employed salesman who finds himself with nowhere to go after he and his five-year-old son (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith) are evicted from their San Francisco apartment. When Gardner lands an internship at a prestigious brokerage firm, he and his son endure numerous hardships as he struggles to create a better life for the two of them. The Pursuit of Happyness is the story of one father’s inspiring love for his son and his determination and drive to improve their future.

Xbox to offer film downloads

Microsoft announced on Monday a new download service that would let owners of its Xbox 360 video game console watch high-definition movies and TV shows. Microsoft struck deals with Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures to offer on-demand movie rentals through its Xbox Live Video Marketplace. The site currently offers video game demos, movie trailers and music videos. CBS, Turner Broadcasting and MTV Networks will sell downloads of TV shows that appeal to the Xbox's mostly young, mostly male audience, including "CSI: Miami" and "South Park."

The timing is more than coincidental as Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3, which includes a next-generation DVD player, hits stores on November 17. The content selection is also very shrewd. Among the gems are the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim shows and Ultimate Fighting Championship footage, both of which are perfect selections for the Xbox target market.

Microsoft did not announce pricing, althoughthe rumour is that movies would rent for $3.99 for new releases and $2.99 for older titles. TV shows are expected to sell for $1.99. The movie downloads will be available to keep for 14-days but once started will only remain active for 24 hours. Subsequent viewings after the 24-hour period will be charged for but the file won't have to be downloaded again - and there's no dashing to the video store at five to 11 to return it once you're done. TV downloads, on the other hand will be for keeps, but most won't be in high-def. There was no discussion of whether there'll be an option to upgrade the console's relatively small 20GB hard drive to accommodate all these downloads. Pictures from the US launch show a 360 with a 70GB drive so perhaps something is round the corner.

In addition to the download service, Microsoft plans to sell an HD DVD drive that can be added to Xbox 360. That will cost about $200. Sony has said it plans to offer downloadable games through its online PlayStation store, but it did not say whether it would offer on-demand movies or music.

Cruise Returneth

A little more than two months ago Tom Cruise was was dumped by Paramount for erratic behaviour, which the executives of Paramount claim cost the studio up to $150 million US in lost revenues on Mission: Impossible III. Cruise became an even more unpopular figure after his criticism of Brooke Shields’s treatment for postpartum depression and his strange relationship with his fiancée, Katie Holmes.

It appears Cruise may get the last laugh as he and long time business partner Paula Wagner signed an agreement with MGM to run United Artists as well as acquire a small stake in the studio. Under the deal, UA plans to release four films per year. Cruise is not committed to star in any of those and is free to take roles at other studios. Cruise will produce films for the studio, while Ms Wagner will be chief executive. The pair will be handed complete creative control of the company’s production slate. MGM will serve as financial backers and distributors of their films.

United Artists, the studio behind film franchises as Rocky, Pink Panther and James Bond, was set up by a group of acting luminaries, including Charlie Chaplin, to escape the restraints of studio bosses. Cruise has vowed to turn United Artists into a haven for independent film-makers, allowing them creative space to develop their talents. “Paula and I are very respectful of the rich history and tradition of United Artists,” he said. “It’s our desire to create an environment where film-makers can thrive and see their visions realised.”

Atlas Shrugged Movie

Angelina Jolie has signed on to star in the film "Atlas Shrugged", which is based on on the 1957 novel by Ayn Rand. The novel tells the story of railroad executive, Dagny Taggart, who struggles to keep her business alive while society is crumbling around her. "Atlas Shrugged", which runs more than 1,100 pages, explores a number of philosophical themes that Rand would subsequently develop into a philosophy she called Objectivism.

Signed on to direct the film is Randall Wallace ("Man in the Iron Mask", "We Were Soldiers"), who intends to finish the adaptation before he starts production next year on another collaboration with Jolie, a Catherine the Great epic entitled "The Mercenary".

A movie version of "Atlas Shrugged" has been long in the making. Producer Al Ruddy had tried for years, attracting the interest of Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway and others along the way. Jolie is reportedly a longtime fan of Rand's, and was eager to play the role of Dagny, the most powerful female character in any of the Russian-born author's books.