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Acclaimed filmmaker Akiva Goldsman opens up about the fabled Schumacher Cut of Batman Forever.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Goldsman was asked about director Joel Schumacher's cut of the 1995 film, which has been sought after by fans for decades. Regarding the key differences between the theatrical and Schumacher cuts of Batman Forever, Goldsman referenced the infamous human-sized bat that Bruce battles in a deleted scene. Goldsman also recalled the Schumacher Cut including Val Kilmer's Bruce Wayne "having these recurring visions of a red book, which turns out to be his father's diary. There's an entry that says, 'Martha and I want to stay home tonight. Bruce wants to see a movie, so we’re going to take him out.' So he holds himself responsible [for their deaths]."

When asked about the recent attempt to screen the Schumacher Cut that was shut down by Warner Bros. Discovery, Goldsman said, "After Joel...

The fabled Schumacher cut of Batman Foreverhas hit a major snag as Warner Bros. has decided to scrap a planned screening of the hotly anticipated film.

A screening of the Schumacher cut was supposed to take place at Cinefile Video in Santa Monica, California. But according to The Av Club, the event was canceled following a legal request from Warner Bros. "Our planned screening of Batman Forever has been canceled," the store said in an email to its members. "This follows a legal request from Warner Bros. regarding the rights to the version of the film we intended to show. While this was a free, members-only event meant to celebrate a unique piece of film history, we respect the rights of studios and creators, and have chosen to withdraw the event accordingly."

The news came as a major blow for Batman fans as the Schumacher cut has long been considered a Holy Grail of sorts.

Like love and marriage, comic book movies and cameos are an institute you cannot disparage. Marvel might be the trailblazer in this regard, finding unique and innovative ways to shoehorn everyone and their uncle into a movie or TV show, but DC isn't immune from turning its audience into a real-life Pointing Rick Dalton meme. Yet, for every great appearance, there's also a flubber -- a moment that flops harder than "Joker: Folie à Deux" did at the box office.

Take a look at 2023's "The Flash" as an example. With all its multiversal potential, minds raced to the infinite possibilities, imagining the chances of seeing Christian Bale's Batman return for a triumphant third act cameo or even seeing Ryan Reynolds' Green Lantern fly in for a visit. Instead, it turned into a CGI horrorfest where the tributes to past heroes angered -- rather than captivated -- viewers. It...

The Penguin star Cristin Milioti has heaped praise on one of the most critically maligned movies in the long-running Batman franchise. Speaking recently with film critic Rad Simonpillai, Milioti, who joins the world of DC as gangster and serial killer Sofia Falcone, goes to bat for one of the more...controversial installments in the series, 1995s Batman Forever, revealing that she was once obsessed with the campy Joel Schumacher sequel.

"Batman Forever hit when I was maybe 10. The [Tim Burton movies] were deeply seminal but I was obsessed with Batman Forever. I think I found it thrilling and exciting, and it was cartoony. It's larger-than-life and neon. Everyone's going for broke. Jim Carrey's Riddler is going for it. I know it's not one of the more celebrated ones and I totally get it but, for like a 10-year-old, I was so into it."

Directed by Joel Schumacher and starring...

Release the Schumacher Cut!

Okay, that nerdy battle cry maybe hasn’t caught on like the demands for David Ayer’s darker cut of Suicide Squad or another, longer cut of whatever Zack Snyder is making. But the Schumacher Cut of Batman Forever is a thing, a longer and darker version of the 1995 sequel based on director Joel Schumacher‘s original intentions, and according to Akiva Goldsman, who co-wrote the script with Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler, the Schumacher Cut almost saw the light of day.

Speaking with Collider at Sdcc 2024, Goldsman revealed that the Schumacher Cut does exist and he has seen it. “There is a preview… that is most of the material that is available put back together,” Goldsman explained.

Even though much of the deleted material has made its way onto the internet in one way or another over the years, Goldsman has long hoped to...

A couple of long shadows cast themselves over Jim Carrey's performance as the Riddler in "Batman Forever." For one, there's the legacy of Jack Nicholson, who so memorably played the Joker in the first major "Batman" movie from 1989. Casting Carrey — an actor with the same maniacal energy as Nicholson — was a gambit to produce a villain of the same ilk.

Then, there was Frank Gorshin's TV Riddler from the 1966 "Batman" series. Gorshin is often ranked as the most memorable of that series' special guest villains, elevating the Riddler to an A-list Batman rogue. "Batman Forever" director Joel Schumacher embraced the legacy of Adam West, unlike previous "Batman" director Tim Burton, who pushed the hero and his infamous rogues' gallery into a more gothic realm.

Then, there was the shadow of the actor who was almost cast as the Riddler before Carrey stepped up: Robin Williams.

A History Of...

The influence of Michael Keaton’s starring role in director Tim Burton’s 1989 big screen bonanza, Batman, remains powerful. It was not only a prime example of an unconventional casting choice that proved pontificators wrong, but was a bellwether moment for movies that—for better or worse—planted the seeds from which the modern, industry-dominating comic book genre sprouted. However, he famously called it quits after 1992 sequel Batman Returns over the direction of incoming threequel helmer Joel Schumacher. Now, as a Batman role reprisal glistens on the horizon for this year’s The Flash, Keaton describes the extent of the disagreements with Schumacher that nixed his return.

In an anecdote that is well-known at this point, Keaton put away his cape and cowl—permanently, as he thought—due to creative differences with Schumacher over the threequel that would eventually become 1995’s Batman Forever. Contextually, the nature of said differences was no mystery,...

With the box office less than hoped for, Warner Bros. decided it was time to entice parents and the children who stayed away from the darker Batman Returns. Despite the comic book source material of the late 1980s being grim and gritty, Warner saw the dollar signs after the success of Batman the Animated Series and wanted those younger viewers.

Batman Forever and Batman & Robin are out this week in newly restored 4k Uhd editions, part of Warner Home Entertainment’s 30th anniversary salute to Burton’s Batman. That and Batman Returns were reviewed yesterday.

Forever is transitional, keeping a lot of the menace from the previous films and replicating the two villains are better than one formula.

Desiring to go younger, the execs turned from Tim Burton to another visual stylist, Joel Schumacher. He was ordered to lighten things up and finally bring in Robin. Burton, star Michael Keaton,...

Batman is coming home - in glorious 4K Uhd! Here are the details!

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC has announced that four Batman titles will be released on 4K Uhd to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the DC Super Hero created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger.

The films include 1989’s Batman and 1992’s Batman Returns, directed by Tim Burton, and 1995’s Batman Forever and 1997’s Batman & Robin, directed by Joel Schumacher. The four films, which earned more than $1.2 billion in global box office, have been remastered in 4K Uhd for the first time.

The films will be available as 4K Uhd singles on June 4 and will also be available as a four-film collection on September 17. The 4K Uhd singles and the four-film collection available in September will also include remastered Blu-ray discs of the films.

Ultra HD* showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr) and a wider color spectrum,...

Burbank, CA, April 2, 2019 – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC announced today that four Batman titles will be released on 4K Uhd to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the DC Super Hero created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. The films include 1989’s Batman and 1992’s Batman Returns, directed by Tim Burton, and 1995’s Batman Forever and 1997’s Batman & Robin, directed by Joel Schumacher. The four films, which earned more than $1.2 billion in global box office, have been remastered in 4K Uhd for the first time.

The films will be available as 4K Uhd singles on June 4 and will also be available as a four-film collection on September 17. The 4K Uhd singles and the four-film collection available in September will also include remastered Blu-ray discs of the films.

Ultra HD* showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors...

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC announced today that four Batman titles will be released on 4K Uhd to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the DC Super Hero created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. The films include 1989’s Batman and 1992’s Batman Returns, directed by Tim Burton, and 1995’s Batman Forever and 1997’s Batman & Robin, directed by Joel Schumacher. The four films, which earned more than $1.2 billion in global box office, have been remastered in 4K Uhd for the first time.

The films will be available as 4K Uhd singles on June 4 and will also be available as a four-film collection on September 17. The 4K Uhd singles and the four-film collection available in September will also include remastered Blu-ray discs of the films.

Ultra HD* showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home...

Exclusive: Hyde Park Entertainment has picked up Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler’s spec script Jack & Dick, which charts the fascinating true story of the little-known friendship between political rivals John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, from their early years as Senators to the race for the Presidency, leading up to the historic 1960's televised debate. A director will soon be announced for the project which is in the spirit of the Oscar-nominated…...

Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever sits at a weird place on the scale of Batman movie quality. Sporting the early signs of the neon cartoon madness that would turn Schumacher’s later Batman And Robin into a frequently cited cinematic whipping boy, the film is somewhat validated by a strong performance from Val Kilmer, following in Michael Keaton’s footsteps as an obviously damaged Bruce Wayne. Of course, those footsteps were only free to be followed in because Keaton turned the film down, choosing to end his tenure as The Dark Knight with Tim Burton’s Batman Returns.

Now, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter—centered on The Founder, the latest step in his ongoing career renaissance—Keaton has elaborated on why he passed on Forever: “It sucked.”

Keaton was apparently unenthused by the script he was shown (penned by Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler, and the inescapable ...

Tony Sokol Jan 4, 2017

Michael Keaton was all set to play Batman/Bruce Wayne for a third time in Batman Forever. And he's been chatting about why he dropped out...

Michael Keaton, who burst onto the movie scene with manic characters like Beeteljuice and Johnny Dangerously, remains perhaps most famed for his stint as the Dark Knight. He played Batman/Bruce Wayne in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman, and its 1992 sequel, Batman Returns. The DC Comics movies were blockbuster hits, and the reimagined series was well on its way to being a winning franchise. But Keaton turned down the chance to be in the third movie of the series, Batman Forever. And he's been chatting about why. It wasn't anything to do with the suit, rather that "it sucked," Keaton told The Hollywood Reporter.

See related Revisiting Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves at 25 Kevin Reynolds: The Den Of Geek interview

“The script never was good.

Chicago – With regards to its production, Paul W.S. Anderson’s “Pompeii” is a period film based on current trends, honoring both the apocalypse fascination spurred by the Mayans’ recent miscalculation, and the ascent of Harrington’s star power via the popular TV series “Game of Thrones.” With neither guaranteeing a strong future for themselves through Pompeii, there is at least some bankability in Harrington’s abs.

Rating: 1.5/5.0

The hard-cut results of a “300”-like regimen, Harrington’s stomach muscles have more charisma in a few film frames than his face, or the manner in which Harrington stubbornly manipulates his often-agape mouth. Instead of harnessing his first cinematic lead role, Harrington looks confused, a spiritual continuation of his choice to become this film’s empty vessel for which the audience must fill in with the idea of a more significant hero.

But as it harbors a defeating romance for formula, “Pompeii” has...

To mark Batman's 75th anniversary, we've revisited each of the nine theatrically-released movies to come up with our definitive ranking from worst to best.

We've taken into account not only the films themselves, but also how they fit into the wider context of the character's cinematic legacy. Read our verdict on each below, and we hope the choice for number one gets you talking...

The men behind Batman's mask: Keaton, Bale, Affleck, more

Batman 75th anniversary: An A-z of The Dark Knight

9. Batman & Robin (1997)

Occasionally a film's astronomical budget and hype can overwhelm it on initial release, prompting the critics to sharpen knives and audiences to switch off. Sometimes it takes time for a film to breathe and marinate, it can fare better when revisited after the dust settles. Unfortunately this isn't the case for Batman & Robin - 17 years down the line it's still a steaming pile on repeat viewing.

Director: Paul Ws Anderson; Screenwriters: Janet Scott Batchler, Lee Batchler, Michael Robert Johnson; Starring: Kit Harington, Carrie-Anne Moss, Emily Browning, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jared Harris, Kiefer Sutherland; Running time: 104 mins; Certificate: 12A

With Pompeii, director Paul Ws Anderson has essentially served up cheese on toast. Kiefer Sutherland oozes like fondue in his role as Roman general Corvus, who threatens to spoil the burgeoning romance between Milo, a sweaty young slave (Games of Thrones's Kit Harington), and the dewy-eyed daughter of Pompeii's ruling clan Cassia (Emily Browning). Is that the rumble of sexual hunger we can hear?

Er, no. It's a massive great mountain about to blow. And with this being a kind of sword 'n' sandals pantomime, you may be tempted to call out: 'It's behind you...'

But before the real action starts, Anderson (Resident Evil) exploits every opportunity to get Harington half-naked and rolling around the local sandpit...

Action, romance and the most famous volcanic event in recorded history collide in the epic adventure Pompeii, available May 20 on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Kit Harington (TV's Game of Thrones), Emily Browning (Sucker Punch), and Kiefer Sutherland (TV's 24) star in this heroic tale of a young slave-turned-gladiator in a race against time to save his true love during the cataclysmic eruption of Italy's deadly volcano, Mount Vesuvius.

The Pompeii Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD each feature hours of bonus features, including commentary with filmmakers, and two making-of featurettes: "The Assembly - Cast and Characters" and "The Volcanic Eruption - Special Effects." The Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray exclusively feature deleted and alternate scenes, plus four additional making-of featurettes focusing on the stunts, production design and costume design in the film, along with a behind-the-scenes look at ancient history's greatest disaster.

Pompeii is directed by Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil: Retribution,...

During "The Noteworthy"'s three weeks on hiatus, a triptych of essential pieces by David Bordwell have appeared on his blog. One is a piece on the bridging of theory and practice in the cultural writings of Noël Carroll and others. The other two focus on the emergence of a new type of film criticism in the mid-20th century, signaled in particular by the great James Agee, Manny Farber, and Parker Tyler. Firstly, in what is already a sequel-article of sorts, Bordwell contextualizes the critical scene of the 1940s. Secondly, he hones in closer on Agee and his work:

"It’s terribly easy to be sentimental about Agee, and almost as easy to be hard on him. (Brutality, as Stroheim and Griffith knew, has its sentimental side.) But I think that reading him can do something rare in film criticism: He calls you to your best instincts. His dithering can be frustrating,...

Chicago – For a film in which everyone knows the ending walking in, “Pompeii” creates a decent good-versus-evil precursor to the volcanic big bang, and enough sword and sandals style fight sequences to provide some action. It all comes down to an active volcano, in modern digital design and 3D.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Although the screenplay is stiff and old fashion, there is something reliable about Kiefer Sutherland playing a Roman senator villain in 79 A.D., and it always seems like he’s having fun while he snarls. The story unwinds as a revenge scenario, as Sutherland’s character slaughtered an entire town as a military officer, and Milo the Celt – who later became a slave – saw it all as a child, including his parent’s demise. The pre-volcanic activities includes a comely Pompeii maiden, and it becomes a Roman holiday for all, at least before the big bang. The special effects are smashing,...

Take the plot of Gladiator, set it at the foot of an active volcano, strip away any attempt at character building and you have Pompeii as director Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil, Death Race) delivers upon expectations. There are no surprises here, nor should we expect any from the man that brought us The Three Musketeers. Not only is Pompeii bad, it's so bad I can't help but wonder how serious anyone in front of and behind the camera must have taken it. After raiding every sword and sandal prop closet in Hollywood, Anderson assembled his cast on a green screen and pummeled them with foam rubber rocks, leaving not a trace of artistic integrity amid the rubble. How screenwriters Michael Robert Johnson and Janet Scott and Lee Batchler can consider this an original script is beyond me. "Set Gladiator aboard the Titanic" must have been the call from above...

In a scene reminiscent of Ridley Scott’s classic epic, the first clip from Paul W.S. Anderson’s Pompeii has been released, giving us a look at leading man Kit Harington fighting for his life as a gladiator in the arena.

Sony launched the latest promo for the upcoming blockbuster at the Super Bowl, and with its release inching ever closer, this first clip has landed over on Yahoo Movies.

Set in 79 A.D., Pompeii tells the epic story of Milo (Kit Harington), a slave turned invincible gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia (Emily Browning), the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of blazing lava, Milo must fight his way out of the arena in order to save his beloved as the once magnificent Pompeii crumbles around him.

Led by Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) and Emily Browning (Sucker Punch), Pompeii sees renowned Paul W.S. Anderson return behind the camera for his latest mammoth-sized blockbuster.

With the film heading into cinemas in the Us later this month, Sony are understandably using tonight’s Super Bowl to promote the film’s arrival, and aptly so. The game is one of the biggest sporting events of the year, with this new teaser providing a look at the Gladiator games alongside the moment disaster strikes.

Set in 79 A.D., Pompeii tells the epic story of Milo (Kit Harington), a slave turned invincible gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia (Emily Browning), the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of blazing lava, Milo must fight his way...

Pompeii is directed by Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil) off a screenplay by Janet Scott Batchler, Lee Batchler and Michael Robert Johnson. The film is scheduled for theatrical release this Spring. Set in 79 A.D., Pompeii tells the epic story of Milo, a slave turned invincible gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of blazing lava, Milo must fight his way out of the arena in order to save his beloved as the once magnificent Pompeii crumbles around him. /div> Starring Kit Harington, Carrie-Anne Moss, Emily Browning, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Paz Vega, Jessica Lucas with Jared Harris and Kiefer...

There will be plenty of Hollywood studios competiting during the commercial breaks in tomorrow’s big game: Paramount’s Transformers: Age of Extinction, DreamWorks’ Need For Speed and Marvel’s Captain America: Winter Soldier are just a few of the action titles expected to be promoted. It isn’t clear if the Pompeii movie trailer will actually air during the Super Bowl or as part of the pre-game or post-game show. Whatever the case, the Pompeii Super Bowl spot has been released online, a day in advance, and if you like gladiatorial combat, this trailer is for you.

Paul W.S. Anderson has carved out a niche in the business of being hard-working and staying within budget. His first major breakthrough was directing the first Mortal Kombat movie, which managed to make it’s money back, and later become a cult classic. He has since been involved with several other video-game inspired movies,...

Pompeii is directed by Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil) off a screenplay by Janet Scott Batchler, Lee Batchler and Michael Robert Johnson. The film is scheduled for theatrical release this Spring. Set in 79 A.D., Pompeii tells the epic story of Milo, a slave turned invincible gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of blazing lava, Milo must fight his way out of the arena in order to save his beloved as the once magnificent Pompeii crumbles around him. Starring Kit Harington, Carrie-Anne Moss, Emily Browning, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Paz Vega, Jessica Lucas with Jared Harris and Kiefer Sutherland,...

Catch the latest poster for Paul W.S. Anderson's "Pompeii" adventure which shows Kit Harrington as Milo. Scripted by Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler, Julian Fellowes and Michael Robert Johnson, the film also includes Carrie-Anne Moss, Emily Browning, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jessica Lucas, Jared Harris, Kiefer Sutherland and Rebecca Fry. Pic hits theaters on February 21st, 2014. I'm not a big fan of the director whose only claim to fame are the "Resident Evil" films, which are absolutely appalling. Follow that with the even more horrible The Three Musketeers back in 2011. This guy and Uwe Boll should hang out. The film looks like the usual over-the-top big budget nonsense, but check out the trailer here if you're keen.

Riddle me this, riddle me that, you'll adventure on the wings of bat! Brace for excitement as Val Kilmer (Batman), Tommy Lee Jones (Two-Face), Jim Carrey (the Riddler), Nicole Kidman (Dr. Chase Meridian) and Chris O'Donnell (Robin) star in the third spectacular film in Warner Bros.' Batman series. Joel Schumacher (The Client) directs and Tim Burton co-produces this thrill-ride of a movie that thunders along on Batmobile, Batwing, Batboat, Batsub and bold heroics. Hang on! Actors: Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Chris O'Donnell Director: Joel Schumacher Writers: Akiva Goldsman, Bob Kane, Janet Scott Batchler, Lee Batchler...

Sony's updated the synopsis for Paul W.S. Anderson's Pompeii action adventure, starring Kit Harington, Carrie-Anne Moss, Emily Browning, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Paz Vega, Jessica Lucas, Jared Harris and Kiefer Sutherland. The film scripted by Janet Scott Batchler, Lee Batchler and Michael Robert Johnson, opens February 21st, 2014. Set in 79 A.D., Pompeii tells the epic story of Milo (Kit Harington), a slave turned invincible gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia (Emily Browning), the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of blazing lava, Milo must fight his way out of the arena in order to save his beloved as the once magnificent Pompeii crumbles around him.

It’s the last week of August, and that means the end of the summer movie season is finally here. But as any educated consumer of film can tell you, movies that emphasize spectacle over substance are in no way limited to the summer months. And this week’s Trailer Trashin’ is a great example of this, with our first look at this coming February’s historical action-adventure Pompeii.

Premise: Set in the days leading up to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii, a slave on a ship heading for Naples works to get home to save the woman he loves and his best friend, a gladiator trapped inside the city’s coliseum.

My take: There are certain events from history that just lend themselves to being depicted on the movie screen. One such event is the destruction of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii following the eruption of...

Not much of a look – but at least now we know that Kit Harington is one sexy… Sorry, I wanted to say one brave but enslaved Celtic gladiator in the upcoming Pompeii movie. I’m sure you know that we’re talking about Paul W.S. Anderson‘s action adventure which is already set to hit theaters on February 21st, 2014, and has a pretty cool cast on board. Head inside to take a bit better look at Milo, and let us know what you think! We will once again remind you that Anderson directs the whole thing from a script he co-wrote with Lee Batchler, Janet Scott...

Click to read original and full article: First Look At Kit Harington As Milo In Paul W.S. Anderson’s Pompeii on http://www.filmofilia.com...

Following up on a bit of date shuffling by FilmDistrict, with Walk of Shame set up for September 20 and Insidious Chapter 2 moving up a week to September 13, the studio has announced their recent acquisition of Paul W.S. Anderson's period-based action film Pompeii, which will arrive in theaters early next year. Directed by Anderson and produced by Constantin Film and Impact Pictures, Pompeii stars Kit Harington as an enslaved Celtic gladiator who falls for a noblewoman on the night before a huge volcano is about to erupt and destroy the city of Pompeii. In addition to trying to save said noblewoman during the disaster, the event puts the gladiator face-to-face with the man who slaughtered his family years ago. The film was written by Batman Forever's Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler, along with Michael Robert Johnson (Sherlock Holmes), and Julian Fellowes, who has TV viewers on both sides...

Paul W.S. Anderson's next film, a historical/action/disaster movie, based on the real life events in Pompeii has picked up a distributor in FilmDistrict and now has an official release date set. Come inside for all the details and casting info.

Paul W.S. Anderson is an interesting director in that he creates some seriously cheesy and schlocky films (on a similar magnitude of Uwe Boll), but somehow they always manage to make quite a bit of money. I don't know how he does it, but somehow he pulls it all together (often with a fairly reasonable cast too). While I can't say I go into any of his films with particularly high expectations, Pompeii is one I'm keeping an eye on.

For one, the cast he's assembled so far (including Jared Harris, Kiefer Sutherland, and Carrie-Ann Moss) is pretty decent. Secondly, I'm a sucker for disaster type films,...

FilmDistrict announced today that it has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Constantin Film and Impact Pictures' Pompeii, the period-based action film from acclaimed director Paul W.S. Anderson. FilmDistrict will distribute Pompeii through Sony's TriStar Pictures on February 28, 2014. The film stars Kit Harington (Game of Thrones), Emily Browning (Sucker Punch), Jared Harris (The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Mad Men), Kiefer Sutherland (Touch, 24), Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix film franchise), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Lost), and Jessica Lucas (Evil Dead). Jeremy Bolt, Anderson, Robert Kulzer and Don Carmody will produce the film, with Martin Moszkowicz, Peter Schlessel and Jon Brown serving as executive producers. Lee Batchler & Janet Scott Batchler (Batman Forever), Michael Robert Johnson (Sherlock Holmes), and Academy Award winner Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park, Downton Abbey) wrote the screenplay for the film which is currently in production.

FilmDistrict's CEO Peter Schlessel had this to say in a statement.

Resident Evil director Paul W S Anderson's latest movie Pompeii has been acquired by FilmDistrict.

The drama stars Kiefer Sutherland, Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington and Sucker Punch's Emily Browning.

The thriller is due to be released on February 28, 2014 in the Us, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Pompeii chronicles a Celtic gladiator who falls in love with a noblewoman, as the threat of a volcanic eruption looks set to destroy the famous city.

"Pompeii is the kind of big and bold film we all love to go to the movies to experience," said FilmDistrict's Peter Schlessel.

"We believe the film's scope and storyline will resonate well with Us moviegoers, and we are pleased to once again team with Sony on bringing a film to theaters and beyond."

The screenplay for Pompeii, which is currently in production, was written by Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler, Michael Robert Johnson...

Resident Evil director Paul W S Anderson's latest movie Pompeii has been acquired by FilmDistrict.

The drama stars Kiefer Sutherland, Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington and Sucker Punch's Emily Browning.

The thriller is due to be released on February 28, 2014 in the Us, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Pompeii chronicles a Celtic gladiator who falls in love with a noblewoman, as the threat of a volcanic eruption looks set to destroy the famous city.

"Pompeii is the kind of big and bold film we all love to go to the movies to experience," said FilmDistrict's Peter Schlessel.

"We believe the film's scope and storyline will resonate well with Us moviegoers, and we are pleased to once again team with Sony on bringing a film to theaters and beyond."

The screenplay for Pompeii, which is currently in production, was written by Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler, Michael Robert Johnson...

Evil Dead star Jessica Lucas has signed on to star in Pompeii for Summit Entertainment and director Paul W.S. Anderson.

The story, set just days before the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., centers on Milo (Kit Harington), who must race to save his true love Flavia (Emily Browning). Jessica Lucas is playing a slave and confidante to Flavia. Jared Harris, Kiefer Sutherland, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje also star.

Janet Scott Batchler and Lee Batchler wrote the original screenplay, which was revised by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes. Jeremy Bolt, Robert Kulzer, and Martin Moszkowicz are producing alongside director Paul W.S. Anderson. It isn't known when production will begin.

Jessica Lucas currently stars as Skye Yarrow on the hit CW Network series Cult.

Pompeii comes to theaters February 28th, 2014 and stars Kit Harington, Emily Browning, Jared Harris, Kiefer Sutherland, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jessica Lucas, Carrie-Anne Moss. The film is directed by Paul W.S. Anderson.

Jessica Lucas, we all remember this lovely lady from Evil Dead, right? We’ve just learned that Lucas is set to star in Paul W. S. Anderson‘s upcoming Pompeii, which began filming last month! As you already know, this 3D period adventure movie has an awesome cast on board which includes Emily Browning, Kit Harington and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Anderson directs the movie from a script written by Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler and Julian Fellowes, which revolves around a slave who dreams of marriage to his master’s daughter Flavia, unaware that she is promised to a corrupt Roman senator. Or, if you prefer the official synopsis:...

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Related posts: Adewale Akkinuoye-Agbaje Joins Pompeii Jared Harris Boards Pompeii Paul W.S. Anderson’s Pompeii Enlists Sucker Punch Star Emily Browning Game Of Thrones’ Kit Harington Toplines Pompeii...

Paul Ws Anderson has found one of the last lead cast members to slot into place for his latest stab at historical action-adventure in Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. The actor, known for Lost and G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra has signed to play a gladiator in Pompeii.The film stars Game Of Thrones’ Kit Harington as Milo, a slave living in the doomed city in Ad 79. When he’s shipped off shortly before Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of deadly lava, Milo must fight his way back into the city to rescue the woman he loves (Emily Browning) and his friend (Akinnuoye-Agbaje).And a raging volcano is not his only problem – he must also defeat the tyrant (Kiefer Sutherland) who murdered his family and is now betrothed to Browning.Jared Harris, Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pingue are also among the cast for the film, which Anderson is about to start shooting in Toronto,...

Kiefer Sutherland is in final negotiations to portray the villain in Summit Entertainment's Pompeii for director Paul W.S. Anderson.

The story is set just days before the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) stars as Milo, a former slave-turned-gladiator, who must race back to save his true love Flavia (Emily Browning), and his best friend before it's too late. Kiefer Sutherland is portraying a Roman senator who enslaved Milo's village and forces Flavia's father (Jared Harris), Milo's master, to have his daughter marry the senator.

Paul W.S. Anderson is directing from a screenplay by Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler, with revisions by Downton Abbey creator Downton Abbey. The director is also producing with Jeremy Bolt, Robert Kulzer, and Martin Moszkowicz. Constantin Film will provide financing, with Summit Entertainment distributing in North America. Production started in Toronto last week.

Pompeii comes to...

Production began earlier today on Paul Ws Anderson's "Pompeii" in the actual city of Pompeii.

Constantin Film and Impact Pictures are producing the film which will spend the next two weeks on location at the uncovered ancient Roman city before moving to Toronto on March 28th.

Jared Harris has just joined the cast which is lead by Kit Harington and Emily Browning. The story follows a slave turned invincible gladiator who tries to save his love from a corrupt Roman General as Mount Vesuvius erupts.

Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler, Michael Robert Johnson and Julian Fellowes worked on the screenplay, and Summit Entertainment will distribute the film next year in North America.

Anderson and Jeremy Bolt are producing.

Source: Screen Daily...

Emily Browning is rumoured to be in talks for Paul Ws Anderson's Pompeii.

The Sucker Punch actress is being linked with the lead female role in the movie, and will star alongside Kit Harington should she sign up, WorstPreviews reports.

Pompeii follows the slave of a shipping tycoon who embarks on a mission to save the woman he loves when Vesuvius erupts in 79 Ad.

The Constantin Film project's script was written by Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler, with revisions by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey).

Anderson will produce the project alongside Jeremy Bolt, Robert Kulzer and Martin Moszkowicz.

Pompeii is yet to be assigned a release date.

We’re treating this one as something drifting in the bubbling lava flow of rumour until more official confirmation arrives, but it appears that Sucker Punch’s Emily Browning has joined the cast of Paul Ws Anderson’s Pompeii.Anderson is making the historical film during one of his occasional breaks from squeezing wife Mila Jovovich into leather costumes and shooting zombies for the Resident Evil franchise.Game Of Thrones’ Kit Harington is already aboard to play Milo, a slave in Pompeii circa 79Ad who falls for his master’s daughter. Hhe’s sold to another owner, only to struggle back to the city when the nearby Mount Vesuvius erupts, looking to rescue the woman he loves and his best friend, a gladiator trapped in the arena.With a script from Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellowes, Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler, Pompeii sounds closer to a blend of Gladiator...

Emily Browning ("Sucker Punch") is reportedly set to join Kit Harrington ("Game of Thrones") in director Paul W.S. Anderson's "Pompeii" adventure epic.

Set in late summer 79 Ad, Harington will play a shipping tycoon's slave who wants to marry his master's daughter (Browning). The trouble is he's been sold to a different owner in Naples, while the daughter has already been promised to a corrupt Roman senator.

Soon after Mt. Vesuvius erupts, prompting him to head back to Pompeii to rescue his love and his gladiator friend trapped in the city's coliseum.

Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler and Julian Fellowes penned the script while Anderson, Jeremy Bolt, Robert Kulzer and Martin Moszkowicz will produce.

Source: PeliBlog & Wp...

Two years ago, director Paul Ws Anderson (Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat) announced that he is working on "Pompeii," an adventure movie recounting the eruption of Mt Vesuvius. And now comes word that Emily Browning (Sucker Punch) has signed on to star alongside Kit Harrington ("Game of Thrones"). Set in late summer 79 Ad, "Pompeii" revolves around the slave (Harrington) of a shipping tycoon who dreams of the day he can buy his freedom and marry his master's daughter (Browning). What the slave doesn't know is that she's already been promised to a corrupt Roman senator, while he's been sold to another owner. Just when things can't get any worse, Mt. Vesuvius erupts with the power of 40 nuclear bombs. But the slave is trapped on a ship headed for Naples, separated from his love and best friend, a gladiator who is trapped in the city's coliseum. As fire and ash destroy the only world he's ever known,...

Five years ago, director Roman Polanski was set to helm a movie called Pompeii about the devastating and infamous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Italy in 79 Ad. Things went south, Ridley Scott became attached at one point, then decided it would be better as a TV mini-series, and now Resident Evil director Paul W.S. Anderson is developing an entirely separate project about the same event. This version will be a period adventure movie anchored by a strong love story, and Variety reports that Anderson has found a lead in Kit Harington, who plays the brooding Jon Snow on HBO's much-loved fantasy series "Game of Thrones." The story, written by Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler and revised by "Downton Abbey" creator Julian Fellowes, centers on a slave named Milo (Harington) who is in love with his master's daughter. But she's already been promised to a corrupt Roman senator, and he's...

From the lands of Westeros to 79 A.D. Italy? We don't think that transition will be too difficult for "Game Of Thrones" star Kit Harington. The actor is slowly but surely beginning to make inroads on the big screen, starring in "Silent Hill: Revelation 3D" (you gotta start somewhere), and he has a role in the upcoming "The Seventh Son" where he'll co-star alongside Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore. He was attached to "Arthur & Lancelot" before it fell apart, but he's dusted himself off with what is going to be his biggest effort yet. The actor is in negotiations to star in Paul W.S. Anderson's "Pompeii." Penned by "Batman Forever" scribes Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler, the story follows the slave Milo (Harington) who is in love with his master's daughter, but is sold to another owner. But when Vesuvius erupts, he makes his way back to the city to rescue his love,...

Kit Harington, also known as Jon Snow in HBO’s hit fantasy drama Game of Thrones, is in talks to star in Resident Evil director Paul W.S. Anderson‘s Pompeii.

Period disaster movie Pompeii will be reportedly based on the world’s most famous volcanic eruption that buried the ancient city in 79 A.D. during the Roman Empire.

The film centers on Milo (Harington), the slave of a shipping tycoon who plans to buy his freedom and marry his master’s daughter. However, she’s already been promised to a corrupt Roman senator, while he’s been sold to another owner in Naples. Just when things can’t get any worse, Mount Vesuvius erupts, prompting Milo to flee back to Pompeii to rescue his love and his best friend, a gladiator trapped in the city’s coliseum.

Titanic-style adventure movie anchored with a love story has been written by...

Kit Harington ("Silent Hill: Revelation 3D," "Game of Thrones") has scored the lead role in Paul W.S. Anderson's period disaster epic "Pompeii" at Constantin Film and Lionsgate/Summit.

Harington will play a shipping tycoon's slave who wants to marry his master's daughter. The trouble is he's been sold to a different owner in Naples, while the daughter has already been promised to a corrupt Roman senator.

Soon after Mt. Vesuvius erupts, prompting him to head back to Pompeii to rescue his love and his gladiator friend trapped in the city's coliseum.

Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler and Julian Fellowes penned the script while Anderson, Jeremy Bolt, Robert Kulzer and Martin Moszkowicz will produce.

Source: Variety...

Game of Thrones star Kit Harington is in talks for the lead role in Summit Entertainment's Pompeii. We first reported on this project last May, when Paul W.S. Anderson came aboard to direct.

The story is set in 79 A.D. and centers on Milo (Kit Harington), a slave whose plans to marry the daughter of his shipping tycoon master are dashed when he is sold to another owner in Naples. When Mount Vesuvius erupts, he flees back to Pompeii to rescue his lover and his best friend, a gladiator trapped in the coliseum.

Janet Scott Batchler and Lee Batchler wrote the original screenplay, with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes providing the most recent script revision. Paul W.S. Anderson will also produce with Jeremy Bolt, along with Constantin Film's Robert Kulzer and Martin Moszkowicz. No production schedule was given.

Kit Harington most recently starred in Silent Hill: Revelation 3D,...