Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Today's Film News: Chris Carter Believes in Secrecy


By Katey Rich

XfilsBefore that youngun J.J. Abrams was unraveling mysteries and infuriating viewers on TV shows like "Lost" and "Alias," Chris Carter was doing essentially the same thing with "The X-Files." Now, with another X-Files movie coming out this summer, Carter seems to be taking a page from Abrams' book for his next feature-- hiring unknowns and keeping the plot super-secret. The Hollywood Reporter writes that Fencewalker will star "The Tudors" actress Natalie Dormer and rapper Xzibit, among others. Carter claims that the story will have no supernatural elements, but if he really wants to go J.J. Abrams-style, he'll at least hint that mysterious giant lizard will play a role somewhere.



Stop me if you've heard this one before: Production for David O. Russell's Nailed has shut down. For the fourth time. Variety writes that the labor stoppage, once again due to the crew not being paid, is probably related to the recent closing of production company ThinkFilm's Toronto office. Both events are likely signs that all is not well for parent company Capitol Films, and the labor issues on Nailed may just be the tip of the iceberg.



BeckerThe ongoing career of Walt Becker continues to baffle me. The man made one hit movie-- Wild Hogs, in case you've forgotten that gem-- and now has more projects in development than anyone truly deserves. At least for the upcoming Still You at MGM, he'll serve only as producer for the April Blair script about an ex-boyfriend who threatens to ruin a family vacation. Variety says Becker will produce alongside Aline Brosh McKenna, who wrote 27 Dresses and The Devil Wears Prada.



And finally, it's time for the battle royale between Tom Hanks and Jack Nicholson that you've always wanted to see! Well, kinda. Nicholson, Ben Stiller, Martin Sheen and other actors have signed a petition similar to the one Hanks put his name to over the weekend, except the Nicholson camp is encouraging SAG members not to ratify the labor contract that AFTRA accepted earlier this year. The Reporter has all the messy details, which I'm still hoping I won't need to learn about because a strike will never happen. Wishful thinking!



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