Movie News and Views August 22, 2008

- Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes, and Samuel L. Jackson were working on a film called, "Soul Men," about two backup singers who haven't spoken to each other in 20 years, going on the road and doing a tribute to the deceased lead singer. While this is set for a Nov. 14 release, since Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac passed away no further word has been said on the current condition of the project.

- Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper have officially quit "At the Movies." Ebert doesn't want to do it anymore, and Roper couldn't negotiate a new contract. Their replacements are Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz.

- "Pass the Sugar" is a new documentary from director Gil Cates, Jr. on the 2005 World Series of Poker.

- M. Night Shamma-lamma-ding-dong plans on sitting in the producing chair, letting others film his ideas. Good luck with that one.

- Fresh from "Hancock," director Peter Berg will direct a new "Hercules" movie for Universal.

- Not only is "Friday the 13^th" being remade, but so is "Nightmare on Elm Street." Current talks have pointed at Billy Bob Thornton to play Freddy Kreuger.

- Tim Burton is working on an "Alice in Wonderland" movie.

- MTV is planning on remaking "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

- "Hairspray" sequel slated for 2010.

- The new director for "RoboCop" will be Darren Aronofsky, whose films are "Pi," "Requiem for a Dream," and "The Fountain."

- Leo DiCaprio is looking to make a "Twilight Zone" movie.

- Disney is planning on releasing "Tron 2," and Jeff Bridges is involved.

- Tyrese Gibson in talks to bring "Thundercats" to the screen.

- Plans are in motion to adapt Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" trilogy.

- "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." Pretty much all I needed to know...

- Mike Myers, after the upset of "Love Guru," is now working on "Austin Powers 4."

- "Brooklyn's Finest." If you've not heard anything about this movie, let me bring you up to speed: a toll-booth worker went into the hospital. While recovering from surgery, he wrote a screenplay and entered it into a contest. It came in second place, but was sent to Warner Bros. Warner contacted the toll-booth worker and he got a much better reward than placing 2^nd, he optioned the script! Now the movie, "Brooklyn's Finest," is in production with Richard Gere, Wesley Snipes, Ethan Hawke, and Don Cheadle.

- Alicia Keyes and Jack White are doing the theme to the new Bond film, "Quantum of Solace."

- Kevin Smith's new movie, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," was rated NC-17 but is now Rated R, thanks to an appeal.