Info 101: movie news & updates 26: predators, hobbit, amityville horror, new releases-Dec. 1 & 4

November 28, 6:59 PMMinneapolis Movies ExaminerDarrell Moen

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"The Amityville Horror": an ugly rumor is haunting this film: see story below.

1979: Amer. Int'l ('79-'81), Orion ('82-'97), MGM ('98-present); non-free use rationale: full poster, low res, non-replaceable, to illustrate film with no intent to compete with or hinder copyright owner's ability to market film.

Hollyweird gets weirder.

1) Predators.  Director Nimrod Antal (Kontroll) is busy on the project while his latest film is in the can and ready to open next weekend.  "Armored" starring Laurence Fishburne (Matrix; CSI:LV), Matt Dillon (Wild Things; Flamingo Kid) and Jean Reno (Godzilla) is a hard-hitting action/thriller but "Predators" is his main focus now.  "I think that the fans who may have been underwhelmed by the last two AVP films, I think they're in for a very pleasant surprise."  Antal is trying to stay true to the core theme of the original but there are obvious changes.  For one, the mercenary is Adrian Brody, a night-day difference from the larger-than-life Arnold Schwartzenegger.  Antal also wants most of the action in-camera rather than CG.  "I think we both (meaning producer Robert Rodriguez) recognize that the original film was as good as it was because it was practical, because it was a guy in a suit, because it was the jungle so we stay true to that.."

Antal remained coy when asked if Arnold might make an appearance.  "Time will tell.  We'll see but we are trying to stay with the original as far as the monster, the atmosphere and the tone of the film.  We are trying to do something new and contemporary and feels fresh."  Arnold is rumored to be making a cameo as an aged version of his character.  The film also stars, among others, Danny Trejo (Con Air; Anaconda), Topher Grace (Spiderman 3; That '70's Show) and Derek Mears (Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th remake) as Black Super Predator.  "Predators" is being filmed as an R-rated film and shooting is approx. a month from completion.  It is still intended to relaunch the franchise as a direct sequel to the first, ignoring Predators 2 and the two Alien Vs. Predator spin-offs and is expected in theatres next summer.

Hobbit. Peter Jackson spoke to UK press at the London Royal gala premiere for "The Lovely Bones".  He confirmed that the script for part one of "The Hobbit", co-written with Guillermo Del Toro and two others, has been delivered to the studio.  Not only that, they're halfway through Part 2.  "It was an interesting experience,' said Jackson.  "Eight or nine years have passed since we wrote "The Lord of the Rings" screenplays and I was worried it'd be weird or hard or uncomfortable to go back there.  But as soon as we started writing the scripts, it was fun, actually, and easy."  Jackson was in London fresh from scouting locations in New Zealand.  He stressed there would be continuity between his films and Del Toro's although Del Toro will add his own take on the scripts.  Jackson also reminded that the Hobbit films will be shot in 3D.  It remains to be seen how MGM's financial troubles will affect this production when that all comes to a head at the end of this Jan.

3) Beastly.  A modern take on "Beauty and the Beast", opens in theatres July 30, 2010.  It stars Vanessa Hudgens, Mary Kate Olsen, Alex Pettyfer, Neal Patrick Harris and Peter Krause.

4) Season of the Witch.  Nicolas Cage stars as a 14th Century Crusader who returns to his homeland with a friend (Ron Perlman).  When sorcery is blamed for the plague, the two must escort an accused witch (Claire Foy) to a remote abbey where monks will perform a ceremony to end the plague.  Their journey is rife with problems.  Opens in theatres March 19, 2010.

5) Feature story: The Amityville Horrror.  There is an ugly rumor that Dimension Films is planning to remake the classic 1979 film yet again, not even 5 years after Andrew Douglas' 2005 remake which earned over $100 million.  That remake was actually pretty good, largely due to the presence of Ryan Reynolds.  It is, however, much too soon to rehash this one.  MGM still retains some rights and were planning to develop "The Amityville Tapes" but their financial woes have altered those plans.  Remake fever has clearly saturated the industry so thoroughly that studios are not even waiting for remakes to be off the DVD shelves.  MGM is in deep doody but this sort of business is not helpful on any level.  Yet, like winter and tax day, this will probably happen.  Horror fans must brace for it.  This could be even worse than the abominable remake of "The Stepfather".

Coming on DVD, Dec. 1: "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" ( single ed./2 disc special ed.); "Saturday Night Live, Season 5"; "Silent Night, Deadly Night" (3 disc special edition); "Terminator: Salvation" (full-screen & widescreen editions).  Special note 1: "Public Enemies" (single & 2 disc editions)-Dec. 8.  Special note 2: "Jennifer's Body"-Dec. 29.

In Theatres, Dec. 4.  "Armored"; "Brothers"; "Everybody's Fine" (Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsdale and Sam Rockwell); "Transylmania".