I love Doug Jones - he is such a happy, friendly soul - but he's also pretty darn smart too. I caught this interview with him on Fear.net and he says all the right (and accurate) things. See for yourself!
Now...a lot of you might be wondering if Doug will still show up in THE HOBBIT. Well, not sure. If I was a betting man, I would say No - but the good news might be that GDT might tie up Doug in some soon to be named project(s). We just don't know.
I do know this - Doug is a smart cookie - and he's not holding anything back when he says he doesn't know what he will be doing next for Guillermo. I just hope we'll see him in something soon. He is a great talent, and the success couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
GDT at SDCC: Friday Recap
Where was I when Guillermo was making his future known to the world at the 2010 San Diego Comic Con?
I was sitting in an air conditioned car slurping a MooLatte at Dairy Queen with my kids.
What can I say? I'm a family guy. But I was following tweets of GDT's panel for DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK while slurping my delicious coffee treet. We learned a lot of interesting stuff today.
Yesterday we learned that GDT will be writing and producing a HAUNTED MANSION movie for Disney. Today we got even more interesting news. Fortunately for us, CinemaBlend was there to blog the whole thing live. Here is what we learned form CB's report:
1. The DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK teaser trailer was scaring the bejeezus out of Hall H. Sounds like GDT and director Troy Nixey has some classic scares for audiences. Guillermo has said the teaser should hit the internet soon.
2. Del Toro has plans to make a premium cable horror series.
3. He has an idea for a vampires vs Mexican wrestlers movie. Also thinking about a Mexican folklore animation project.
4. Development has begun on his Pinochio stop motion film. Read more about that here.
5. He says he will announce a horror project that he will be involved with that will start in May. This tidbit grabs my attention: I would imagine that his next directing project will start in May...sounds like his next film will be of the horror variety. ATMOM? FRANKENSTEIN? That seems to be the buzz on the internet right now...stay tuned!
I was sitting in an air conditioned car slurping a MooLatte at Dairy Queen with my kids.
What can I say? I'm a family guy. But I was following tweets of GDT's panel for DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK while slurping my delicious coffee treet. We learned a lot of interesting stuff today.
Yesterday we learned that GDT will be writing and producing a HAUNTED MANSION movie for Disney. Today we got even more interesting news. Fortunately for us, CinemaBlend was there to blog the whole thing live. Here is what we learned form CB's report:
1. The DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK teaser trailer was scaring the bejeezus out of Hall H. Sounds like GDT and director Troy Nixey has some classic scares for audiences. Guillermo has said the teaser should hit the internet soon.
2. Del Toro has plans to make a premium cable horror series.
3. He has an idea for a vampires vs Mexican wrestlers movie. Also thinking about a Mexican folklore animation project.
4. Development has begun on his Pinochio stop motion film. Read more about that here.
5. He says he will announce a horror project that he will be involved with that will start in May. This tidbit grabs my attention: I would imagine that his next directing project will start in May...sounds like his next film will be of the horror variety. ATMOM? FRANKENSTEIN? That seems to be the buzz on the internet right now...stay tuned!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Gentle Gian's PAN'S LABYRINTH Busts
It has been several years in the making, but Gentle Giant is close to releasing their PAN'S LABYRINTH busts. You can check them out this year at SDCC - but if you can't wait (or won't be there) here are some pictures and details:
Faun Mini Bust
Price: $70.00
Limited Edition of 500
Designed in 1:6 scale
https://www.gentlegiantltd.com/catalog/product/detail/615
Pale Man Mini Bust
Price: $70.00
Limited Edition of 500
Designed in 1:6 scale
https://www.gentlegiantltd.com/catalog/product/detail/614
Guillermo Del Toro and Doug Jones will be signing at the Gentle Giant boot at SDCC 2010. Check schedule for times!
Faun Mini Bust
Price: $70.00
Limited Edition of 500
Designed in 1:6 scale
https://www.gentlegiantltd.com/catalog/product/detail/615
Pale Man Mini Bust
Price: $70.00
Limited Edition of 500
Designed in 1:6 scale
https://www.gentlegiantltd.com/catalog/product/detail/614
Guillermo Del Toro and Doug Jones will be signing at the Gentle Giant boot at SDCC 2010. Check schedule for times!
Friday, July 2, 2010
What Next?
Remember when we were asking that same question after HELLBOY 2? All kinds of speculation on what project would be next. The assumption would be some long-gestating project that GDT had in a file drawer somewhere.
Then THE HOBBIT came out of left field.
Well, we are in that situation yet again - what next?
Lots of rumors floating around, so let me tell you what I know.
There are three projects Guillermo is considering doing. What they are, I don't know. But I have some guesses.
First of all, Guillermo, in his words, is not going to do a "rebound" movie. Whatever he does, it will be a project meaningful to him.
Second, he wants to get going in May, so that means the script is ready, or almost ready, to film. That takes out HELLBOY 3, which does not have a script ready.
So what are the potential projects on his plate that we know about? I'll go through them and weigh in on their likelihood:
AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS
Won't happen because GDT still has not lined up the studio support. This is a difficult film to sell to a studio - $70 to $80 million budget, no happy ending, no love story, tent-pole horror. It is just a tough sell. With the lackluster success of SPLICE, it makes it even a harder sell, in my opinion.
FRANKENSTEIN
This could happen. I don't know where the script is at, but I know this is a project that GDT is passionate about and they've already starting testing makeup on Doug Jones (G's monster of choice).
SATURN AND THE END OF DAYS
One of GDT's pet Spanish language projects, like PAN'S LABYRINTH. The script isn't ready yet, so count this out.
DROOD, JEKYLL & HYDE, SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5
I'm not hearing much buzz on these, so I'm not sure there is a script ready here.
LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS
This is Guillermo's fantasy western based on the Count of Monte Cristo. He shelved this script around 2002 because there were multiple Monte Cristo movies. But GDT loves this script and I would consider this a dark horse favorite. GDT mentioned in an interview that his next project will likely be something that they started development on 15 years ago. DARKNESS is right in that timeframe.
MEPHISTO'S BRIDGE
A script GDT wrote based on a book by Christopher Fowler entitled SPANKY, about a man who makes a deal with a demon. This is another dark horse pick, because this is a project that he worked on some time ago.
So, again, here is my top 3 ranked "most likely" picks for "What Next?"
1. An Unknown Project - my gut is that we will hear an announcement at this year's SDCC on something that is a complete surprise. Just like THE HOBBIT.
2. FRANKENSTEIN - this is my second favorite because this is a project G loves and it is a marketable project by studios.
3. LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS - it meets the qualifications for a lot of hints Guillermo has been throwing around. Would love to see this project happen.
Stay tuned folks...
Then THE HOBBIT came out of left field.
Well, we are in that situation yet again - what next?
Lots of rumors floating around, so let me tell you what I know.
There are three projects Guillermo is considering doing. What they are, I don't know. But I have some guesses.
First of all, Guillermo, in his words, is not going to do a "rebound" movie. Whatever he does, it will be a project meaningful to him.
Second, he wants to get going in May, so that means the script is ready, or almost ready, to film. That takes out HELLBOY 3, which does not have a script ready.
So what are the potential projects on his plate that we know about? I'll go through them and weigh in on their likelihood:
AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS
Won't happen because GDT still has not lined up the studio support. This is a difficult film to sell to a studio - $70 to $80 million budget, no happy ending, no love story, tent-pole horror. It is just a tough sell. With the lackluster success of SPLICE, it makes it even a harder sell, in my opinion.
FRANKENSTEIN
This could happen. I don't know where the script is at, but I know this is a project that GDT is passionate about and they've already starting testing makeup on Doug Jones (G's monster of choice).
SATURN AND THE END OF DAYS
One of GDT's pet Spanish language projects, like PAN'S LABYRINTH. The script isn't ready yet, so count this out.
DROOD, JEKYLL & HYDE, SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5
I'm not hearing much buzz on these, so I'm not sure there is a script ready here.
LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS
This is Guillermo's fantasy western based on the Count of Monte Cristo. He shelved this script around 2002 because there were multiple Monte Cristo movies. But GDT loves this script and I would consider this a dark horse favorite. GDT mentioned in an interview that his next project will likely be something that they started development on 15 years ago. DARKNESS is right in that timeframe.
MEPHISTO'S BRIDGE
A script GDT wrote based on a book by Christopher Fowler entitled SPANKY, about a man who makes a deal with a demon. This is another dark horse pick, because this is a project that he worked on some time ago.
So, again, here is my top 3 ranked "most likely" picks for "What Next?"
1. An Unknown Project - my gut is that we will hear an announcement at this year's SDCC on something that is a complete surprise. Just like THE HOBBIT.
2. FRANKENSTEIN - this is my second favorite because this is a project G loves and it is a marketable project by studios.
3. LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS - it meets the qualifications for a lot of hints Guillermo has been throwing around. Would love to see this project happen.
Stay tuned folks...
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Believe this - Guillermo is leaving THE HOBBIT
Calling it "the hardest decision" he has ever had to make - GDT is leaving THE HOBBIT production after two years in pre-production. He will continue polishing the scripts over the next couple of months, but after that he is moving on.
The reason is clear - MGM's continued financial crisis was pushing the start date farther and farther back, and Guillermo's commitment to other long term projects was making it difficult to stick around. A three year commitment was turning into six.
One can only imagine the frustration of waiting and waiting and waiting for a green light to come, with no end in sight. According to the LA Times, everything was ready to go. Guillermo said in a press conference for SPLICE that "we have designed all the creatures, the sets, the wardrobe, animatics and planned action sequences, and we are very, very prepared for when it is finally triggered. We don't know anything until the MGM situation is resolved."
Apparently, GDT will help with the scripts for the next several months, and it is on to the next project...which Guillermo says is "TBD soon!".
One might expect the backlash from Tolkien fans to be one of betrayal - but I don't get that sense at all. Loyal fans over at TORN are sad, but understanding of the situation Guillermo was in - he had given so much to them by joining in on their message boards and keeping an active dialogue going - that he was embraced. Any anger or resentment has been directed primarily at MGM and show business in general.
This is as an amicable break-up I've seen for such a high profile picture. The fans are in Guillermo's corner, Jackson has praised him and been thankful for his contribution, and GDT had given so much - moving his family to New Zealand for multiple years, working two years on pre-production,etc.
GDT fans have echoed the same sentiment as the Tolkien fans out there - sadness and they feel for Guillermo, but at the same time they have a reason to be optimistic. GDT fans have had mixed feelings about THE HOBBIT - excited to see Guillermo part of such an ambitious project, but quietly lamenting the fact that it would take up so many years of his time.
For a website like DelToroFilms.com, news and rumors and can start cranking again as we wait to see what will happen next. Will it be a Universal project (FRANKENSTEIN, DROOD, SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5)? Will it be DISNEY? Could it be one of Guillermo's small independent projects (SATURN AND THE END OF DAYS)? Be patient, friends.
It is time to get excited again.
The reason is clear - MGM's continued financial crisis was pushing the start date farther and farther back, and Guillermo's commitment to other long term projects was making it difficult to stick around. A three year commitment was turning into six.
One can only imagine the frustration of waiting and waiting and waiting for a green light to come, with no end in sight. According to the LA Times, everything was ready to go. Guillermo said in a press conference for SPLICE that "we have designed all the creatures, the sets, the wardrobe, animatics and planned action sequences, and we are very, very prepared for when it is finally triggered. We don't know anything until the MGM situation is resolved."
Apparently, GDT will help with the scripts for the next several months, and it is on to the next project...which Guillermo says is "TBD soon!".
One might expect the backlash from Tolkien fans to be one of betrayal - but I don't get that sense at all. Loyal fans over at TORN are sad, but understanding of the situation Guillermo was in - he had given so much to them by joining in on their message boards and keeping an active dialogue going - that he was embraced. Any anger or resentment has been directed primarily at MGM and show business in general.
This is as an amicable break-up I've seen for such a high profile picture. The fans are in Guillermo's corner, Jackson has praised him and been thankful for his contribution, and GDT had given so much - moving his family to New Zealand for multiple years, working two years on pre-production,etc.
GDT fans have echoed the same sentiment as the Tolkien fans out there - sadness and they feel for Guillermo, but at the same time they have a reason to be optimistic. GDT fans have had mixed feelings about THE HOBBIT - excited to see Guillermo part of such an ambitious project, but quietly lamenting the fact that it would take up so many years of his time.
For a website like DelToroFilms.com, news and rumors and can start cranking again as we wait to see what will happen next. Will it be a Universal project (FRANKENSTEIN, DROOD, SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5)? Will it be DISNEY? Could it be one of Guillermo's small independent projects (SATURN AND THE END OF DAYS)? Be patient, friends.
It is time to get excited again.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Don't Believe Anything You Hear Until MGM Is Sold
Speculation on the internet emerges from time to time on exactly when THE HOBBIT will start shooting. The last report was from Ian McKellan, who mentioned on his website that they would start shooting around June or July.
Don't believe it, kids - everything hinges on the sale of MGM, which owns part of the rights to THE HOBBIT. No assumptions can be made until then.
In case you didn't know, MGM is in debt. Big time. Like $3.7 billion. Yikes.
Anyway, THE HOBBIT can't get the official greenlight until MGM auctions off its properties. How close are they? Well, according to Variety, Lionsgate just dropped out of the bidding war, leaving only Warner Bros. and Access Industries. It's like watching an NCAA bracket...only slower. That said, think of it as being in the final round.
So what is a Del Toro fan to do? I suggest you sit back, relax, and start thinking about another DTF project coming your way - namely, THE FALL - the second book in THE STRAIN trilogy.
So, DTF fans, your assignment is this: Visit the THE STRAIN official website. If you haven't read the first book, buy it now. Join the THE STRAIN Facebook group.
THE FALL will be released September 21, 2010. Go ahead and Preorder it!
...And get ready to satisfy your GDT fix in 6 months.
Don't believe it, kids - everything hinges on the sale of MGM, which owns part of the rights to THE HOBBIT. No assumptions can be made until then.
In case you didn't know, MGM is in debt. Big time. Like $3.7 billion. Yikes.
Anyway, THE HOBBIT can't get the official greenlight until MGM auctions off its properties. How close are they? Well, according to Variety, Lionsgate just dropped out of the bidding war, leaving only Warner Bros. and Access Industries. It's like watching an NCAA bracket...only slower. That said, think of it as being in the final round.
So what is a Del Toro fan to do? I suggest you sit back, relax, and start thinking about another DTF project coming your way - namely, THE FALL - the second book in THE STRAIN trilogy.
So, DTF fans, your assignment is this: Visit the THE STRAIN official website. If you haven't read the first book, buy it now. Join the THE STRAIN Facebook group.
THE FALL will be released September 21, 2010. Go ahead and Preorder it!
...And get ready to satisfy your GDT fix in 6 months.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Here and There
It has been a loooooong time since I posted on my blog. Some small news here and there, but nothing really significant. Thought I might entertain faithful readers on some "stream of consciousness" musings about the world of GDT...
There are some early rumblings among faithful DTF'ers about meeting up in Chicago around August 19-22 for the Wizard Con. This could be considered "Hellebration 2" after the magical "Hellebration 1" in Los Angeles for the HELLBOY 2 premiere. Not sure what will be planned yet, but you hardcore DTF'ers should circle those dates!
Got a few emails from Guillermo the last couple of months - he's always gracious enough to respond when I have some questions. First - some seasoned veterans of the DTF (and old HELLBOY boards) may remember that Guillermo encouraged fans to email him and get in a sort-of "lottery" for working on movie projects with him. Well, that tradition is still alive and well. If you still remember his email, drop him a line, although he says that the "rules" for winning are still "unclear", which tells me it might not actually be a "lottery" - he may be looking for *some* combination of talent/experience/initiative...
He also mentioned that MIRAMAX closing won't affect the release of DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK....yet.
Our "DTF Public Relations Manager", spydaweb, has talked with Javier Soto about the MIMIC Director's Cut DVD. The final cut *may* be complete (or very, very close), and Javier is working on the special features. Great to hear that progress is getting made on that front!
Other than that, not much to report. I need to get my head out of my ass and watch some movies. I'm in DVR hell right now, trying to catch up on all my shows that I got behind on from having a baby...LAST YEAR! The guilty pleasure of the month is NIP/TUCK. I love that show, probably because I enjoy a good dramatic train wreck.
There are some early rumblings among faithful DTF'ers about meeting up in Chicago around August 19-22 for the Wizard Con. This could be considered "Hellebration 2" after the magical "Hellebration 1" in Los Angeles for the HELLBOY 2 premiere. Not sure what will be planned yet, but you hardcore DTF'ers should circle those dates!
Got a few emails from Guillermo the last couple of months - he's always gracious enough to respond when I have some questions. First - some seasoned veterans of the DTF (and old HELLBOY boards) may remember that Guillermo encouraged fans to email him and get in a sort-of "lottery" for working on movie projects with him. Well, that tradition is still alive and well. If you still remember his email, drop him a line, although he says that the "rules" for winning are still "unclear", which tells me it might not actually be a "lottery" - he may be looking for *some* combination of talent/experience/initiative...
He also mentioned that MIRAMAX closing won't affect the release of DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK....yet.
Our "DTF Public Relations Manager", spydaweb, has talked with Javier Soto about the MIMIC Director's Cut DVD. The final cut *may* be complete (or very, very close), and Javier is working on the special features. Great to hear that progress is getting made on that front!
Other than that, not much to report. I need to get my head out of my ass and watch some movies. I'm in DVR hell right now, trying to catch up on all my shows that I got behind on from having a baby...LAST YEAR! The guilty pleasure of the month is NIP/TUCK. I love that show, probably because I enjoy a good dramatic train wreck.
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