It’s not just Shia Labeouf’s hand that’s hurting; it’s the whole production of DreamWorks’ summer 2009 tentpole Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen. Labeouf’s mano-damage occurred in the car accident that led to his arrest Sunday on suspicion of driving under the influence. With the sequel’s star now recuperating from hand surgery and not due to return for at least a couple of weeks, director Michael Bay is being forced to frantically rejig the schedule in LaBeouf’s absence, switching scenes he was meant to be shooting with his star now to ones that feature co-star Josh Duhamel. Although Labeouf's injury has definitely lobbed a wrench into their finely-tuned production engine, DreamWorks insists that so far there’s been no stop in shooting… More at Variety
Spider-Man Nemesis Gets Own Movie
Following the character’s brief but toothy appearance in Spider-Man 3, Sony has thrust a potential Spidey spin-off based around fanged, parasitic nemesis Venom into its development oven. In the same way Fox is resuscitating its moribund X-Men franchise with X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the studio doesn't want its Spidey cash-cow to atrophy, even though the saggy third instalment didn't supply much forward momentum. But with The Joker powering The Dark Knight to record-busting grosses, Sony is of the opinion that a bad-guy-centred franchise can work wonders. Topher Grace played Venom (actually a sticky parasite that gives its host terrifying powers) in Spider-Man 3 but isn’t a sure thing for the eventual standalone vehicle. Sony's not convinced by his pulling power and is accepting feelers from hungry agents. More at The Hollywood Reporter
Myers Writing Austin Powers 4
Still smarting from The Love Guru’s bellyflop, it appears that Mike Myers is seeking solace in the franchise that’s given him the most box-office love. According to Deadline Hollywood Daily, the fourth spy-spoof instalment will be an homage to his late father with a pater-filius plotline focusing on Dr. Evil and Scott…
Stern Revisits Rock ‘N’ Roll High School
Gangly shockjock Howard Stern is branching out into producing by launching remakes of two of his favourite movies. Alongside biz partner Larry Levinson, he’s just hired Alex Winter (Keanu Reeves’ co-star in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure) to script a remake of the 1979 rebel-flick Rock ‘N’ Roll High School, which pitted punk band The Ramones and a group of high-school mutineers against an authoritarian, rock-music-loathing principal. Guess who wins. Stern’s also planning to reboot adolescent raunchfest Porky’s, a paean to horny teens everywhere.
Baseless Gossip Corner: Jolie Eyes Catwoman
Onetime TV Catwoman Julie Newmar claims that Angelina Jolie has made approaches to Warner Bros. about playing the feline villainess in the next Batman sequel. Sounds like rubbish, probably is rubbish – but when you think about it, it would be brilliant casting, especially if they decide to push the slinky anti-heroine in the crazed, terrifying direction they settled on for The Joker for The Dark Knight. If, that is, Catwoman even features in the third film… It really is way too early to be talking about this, isn't it... More at the New York Daily News