Harold Ramis’ Death Necessitates Ghostbusters III Script Changes

Comedy lovers were shocked to learn of Harold Ramis’ death on Monday. The multi-talented comedian, 69, was best known for his collaborations with actor Bill Murray, having written and directed classics such as Groundhog Day and Caddyshack. Now, there’s one Harold Ramis franchise the fate of which many fans are probably wondering about: Ghostbusters. Ghostbusters III is a project that has popped in and out of entertainment news for years, constantly in a state of flux. According to The Hollywood Reporter, inside sources claim that Ivan Reitman, the the long-gestating sequel’s director, will soon meet with Sony to discuss how to move forward in the wake of this loss. Though Ramis was not a writer on Ghostbusters III, despite writing the first two movies, his involvement with the third film reportedly entailed a cameo reprising his role as Dr. Egon Spengler along with Murray’s Dr. Peter Venkman and Dan Aykroyd’s Dr. Raymond Stantz to “pass the torch” to a younger cast of Ghostbusters. Sony insists that Ramis was minimally involved. “He was always great to bounce something off of, and that will certainly be missed,” one source says. The source goes on to state that, despite claims to the contrary, “it won’t affect the script.” The script apparently wasn’t far enough along to begin production in 2014, but an insider contends that “there will be some repercussions.”

GTA 5: Mob Wives Star Suing Rockstar Over Character

The daughter of a retired gangster is suing Rockstar amid claims the developer used her likeness and life story in Grand Theft Auto V. The NY Daily News reports Karen Gravano, who’s previously starred on US reality show Mob Wives, has filed a suit for $40 million, half of which is for punitive damages, the other half for compensation. According to Gravano, a character encountered during the random encounter mission ‘Burial’ called Antonia Bottino bears more than a passing resemblance to her, both in terms of appearance and backstory. In GTA V, you encounter Bottino bound and about to be buried alive. After you help her, she’ll explain her father is the retired Gambetti crime family underboss Sammy Bottino, who was a government witness as part of a plea bargain. Gravano’s father, meanwhile, is the retired Gambino crime family underboss Sammy Gravano, who was a government witness as part of a plea bargain.  According to the lawsuit, Gravano “has the utmost respect for the writers and creators of the Grand Theft Auto 5 video game, her story is unique and is hers to tell.” She also has a book telling her life story out soon, which she argues Rockstar could have attempted to license with “relative ease”. This isn’t the first time Rockstar has encountered legal trouble over Grand Theft Auto V. Previously there were rumours the studio was threatened with legal action by both Lindsay Lohan for using her image without permission, and rapper Daz Dillinger, who asked for the game to be recalled after his music was supposedly included without permission.

Fox Sets Fantastic Four Reboot Cast

20th Century Fox has reportedly chosen their new Fantastic Four. According to both TheWrap and Variety, long-rumored contenders Miles Teller (Divergent), Kate Mara (House of Cards), and Michael B. Jordan (Chronicle) officially have offers to play Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, and Human Torch, respectively, while Tintin and Nymphomaniac actor Jamie Bell is the studio’s pick to play the Thing.

The trade says there’s no offer out to Bell yet, but he’s “expected” to accept the role. Variety says “Bell came into the mix after Fox resumed screen tests.” The hunt is now on for an actor to play the villain, which prior reports claim will be the FF’s arch-nemesis Doctor Doom. Actors are expected to be tested for the villain role within the next few weeks. Variety also says this reboot will be based on the Ultimate Fantastic Four series from Marvel Comics. Josh Trank will direct from a newly revised script by Simon Kinberg. The Fantastic Four opens June 19, 2015.

Gary Oldman in Star Wars: Episode VII Talks

Dark Knight star Gary Oldman has confirmed that he’s been approached about starring in the new Star Wars movie. Speaking to Sky Movies ahead of the release of the RoboCop remake in which he stars, Oldman was asked whether he’d been approached regarding Star Wars: Episode VII. His response? “They’ve called.” While the response is brief and Oldman went on to say nothing official has been agreed, it’s the first time that the veteran actor, known for his role as Commissioner Gordon in Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy and as Sirius Black in Harry Potter, has been linked to the new films. Back when Star Wars: Episode III was in production there were rumours that Oldman would be portraying General Grievous, though this didn’t come to pass. Whilst R2-D2 has been confirmed, we’re still none the wiser about any of the (human) stars due to appear in the upcoming film, though there have been rumours about both Michael Fassbender and Hugo Weaving making appearances.

Paul Bettany Cast as the Vision in Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron

Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron is shaping up to be a Robot Rumble — Paul Bettany has been cast as the Vision in the Avengers sequel! Variety reports that Bettany has joined Age of Ultron as The Vision, marking his second role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (the first being as Tony Stark’s A.I., Jarvis). The British actor can be seen in the upcoming, Christopher Nolan-produced Transcendence.

In the comics, The Vision first appeared in 1968’s The Avengers #57, created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema. He was originally built by Ultron to be one of his henchmen, but turned on his creator, and joined The Avengers. The Vision has been a regular on the team and is known for proving that androids CAN cry. Eagle-eyed fans of Captain America: The First Avenger would have noticed an appearance by Jim Hammond, the android known as the original Human Torch, whose body would be used to construct The Vision, years later. For quite some time, the Scarlet Witch (to be played by Elizabeth Olsen) was married to The Vision. It’ll be interesting to see if Marvel chooses to match 24-year-old Olsen with 42-year-old Bettany in the film. But why argue about what makes a robot-romance conventional? Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron opens May 1, 2015.

Chris Pratt’s Jurassic World Role Part-Ian Malcom, Part-Alan Grant

Chris Pratt has been discussing his role in the upcoming Jurassic World with MTV Movies (via Screen Rant). The actor, who can be heard playing Emmet in The LEGO Movie, was asked if his character, an ex-military type, had anything in common with series protagonists Dr Alan Grant (Sam Neill) or Dr Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum). “He’s got a little of both,” said Pratt. “He’s got a little bit of the Goldblum cynicism but also the Sam Neill excitement at the wonder of the biology of it all, so it’s a combination.” He went on to explain why anyone would think cloning dinosaurs, after the catastrophic events of the first three movies, was still a good idea. “What I liked about it was it answers the question of ‘Why would you do that?’ Like, how do you suspend disbelief to be like, ‘Oh yes, let’s make this mistake again. We haven’t learned our lesson about dinosaurs, we should definitely live with them and see how that works out!’ after like three tries at it.  They answer the question really well through the script.  Colin did a great job of writing it and justifying it and in his own way having fun with that, so anybody who goes in with that question will be really amused – the way I was – about how they answer that.” And it’s clear that Pratt also has great confidence in Jurassic World’s director, Colin Trevorrow. “He’s got a great vision for the movie… It’s awesome that Steven Spielberg is taking a chance on this guy because he’s got a really clear vision. Jurassic World is scheduled for release on June 12, 2015.

Will Smith Won’t Return for Independence Day Sequel

Sorry guys — it looks like Will Smith isn’t interested in making Independence Day 2 (sometimes known as ID Forever). Deadline reports that Smith has informed Fox that he won’t be back for the planned follow-up to the 1996 mega-hit. Director Roland Emmerich and co-writer/producer Dean Devlin are expected to make the film nonetheless, and have already had two versions of the film’s story in the works — one with Smith’s character and one without. Amazing Spider-Man and Zodiac scripter James Vanderbilt has been working on scripts for both takes, so I guess this is good news for him as his workload has now been cut in half. The studio has ID4 2 planned for the July 4th weekend of 2016, the film’s twentieth anniversary.

Ben McKenzie Cast as Jim Gordon in FOX’S Gotham Series

FOX has found its young James Gordon. Variety reports that Southland actor Ben McKenzie has won the lead role in FOX’s Gotham series, which will focus on a pre-GCPD Commissioner Gordon and Gotham City in the years before Bruce Wayne became Batman.

McKenzie, 35, actually voiced the Dark Knight himself in the animated feature film version of Batman: Year One. He’s best known for his roles as Officer Ben Sherman on Southland and as Ryan Atwood on The O.C. Danny Cannon (Judge Dredd) will direct the Gotham pilot from a script by Bruno Heller. FOX has given the show a straight-to-series order. Young Bruce Wayne will be a recurring character on Gotham, which the rumor mill claims will see the likes of a pre-supervillain Penguin and Riddler make appearances on the Nolan-esque gritty origin show.

Batman Vs. Superman Will Be Influenced By The Dark Knight Returns

Details about Batman in the Man of Steel sequel are reaching J.J. Abrams-level secrecy. Kevin Smith has given hints as to what the batsuit will look like in Batman Vs. Superman, but beyond that, Batfleck has been shrouded in mystery. Now, director Zack Snyder confirms the film’s Batman will be influenced by The Dark Knight Returns. A passage from the classic Frank Miller graphic novel was used to announce the film at last summer’s San Diego Comic-Con. In an interview with the French outlet Popcorn Magazine, Snyder was asked if the film will be a direct adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns. Snyder urged that it was not, however, he told them, “…the comic book will influence the history of Batman Vs. Superman, on which the writer David S. Goyer and myself will work.” Snyder goes on to tell Popcorn that Ben Affleck will play an “older” and “more advised man” than Henry Cavill’s Superman, in the film. However, he notes that Affleck’s Batman will retain the charm of Bruce Wayne. Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is known for painting the darkest version of Batman, up until that time. In that story, a 50-something-year-old Batman has become a grizzled and militaristic vigilante, contrasted with Superman, who has become a “golden boy” and government pawn. It’s likely the film will explore the difference in Batman and Superman’s sense of justice and trust in the government/corporate world, where we Lexpect Jesse Eisneberg’s Luthor will then come into play. Batman vs. Superman hits theatres May 6, 2016.

Terminator: Genesis’ Kyle Reese Down To Jai Courtney & Boyd Holbrook

Emilia Clarke and Jason Clarke are locked in to play Sarah Connor and John Connor in the upcoming Terminator: Genesis, and we’re hearing rumours that Paramount Pictures and Skydance are deciding between Jai Courtney and Boyd Holbrook to play Kyle Reese, Michael Biehn’s role in James Cameron’s ’84 original. According to Deadline, either Courtney (A Good Day to Die Hard) or  Holbrook (Gone Girl) will join Clarke n’ Clarke and of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger in the fifth installment of the Terminator series, helmed by Thor: The Dark World’s Alan Taylor. This new era of Terminator will reportedly span across multiple movies and a TV series that will eventually conclude the ongoing battle between Skynet and the resistance. Who’s a better fit for Reese, Courtney or Holbrook? I lean towards Holbrook, if only from an aesthetic perspective. Terminator: Genesis is scheduled to hit theaters on July 1, 2015.