Heatvision is reporting that Lionsgate is producing a Brian Henson directed Muppet movie, but it’s not exactly what you’re thinking…

Here’s their synopsis of the film, “Happytime Murders”:

“Happytime” takes place in a world where humans and puppets co-exist, with the puppets viewed as second-class citizens. When the puppet cast of an ’80s children’s TV show called “The Happytime Gang” begins to get murdered one by one, a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet — with a drinking problem, no less — takes on the case with his former human partner. Think “Avenue Q” meets “L.A. Confidential.”

This sounds very much like a Who Framed Roger Rabbit? sort of story set in the 80s and I really couldn’t be more excited about this. This sounds like a very adult, dark version of the genre and it could be very, very good.

Some have speculated that this is going to be another Muppet movie, but I would say that’s impossible for two reasons:

1) This sounds far too dark

2) Disney owns all of the proper Muppets now, not Lionsgate.

In any case, it’s great to see that Muppets are getting their due in film now.  Between this, Jason Segal’s new Muppet Movie hitting theatres next year and the l0ng rumoured Dark Crystal sequel, we’ll be rolling in Muppets.  Now if we could get the Muppets in a murder mystery of their own, we’d be all set.  (Wouldn’t that be great to imagine?  Something like a cross between Clue: The Movie and The Muppet’s Take Manhattan?  That’s a movie I’d pay to see.)

Do you love Deadpool?  Did you both love and hate what happened to the Wade Wilson character in Wolverine?  Well, it sounds like Deadpool feels the same way.  From cinema blend, who got a sneak peek at the script:

There’s a problem in turning Deadpool into a movie, it’s a problem caused by X-Men Origins: Wolverine where the character was first introduced, abused, ruined, and then killed. This script eliminates that problem brilliantly by, well, mocking it. The script never comes right out and mentions Wolverine, it’s all accomplished through one specific subtle reference, which says everything that needs to be said. It’s as though the character of Deadpool exists in a world where Wolverine is a movie that he’s seen, and hates. Deadpool literally throws everything Wolverine did to screw up this character in the trash can, and then spends the rest of the movie endlessly poking fun at the celebrity of Hugh Jackman.

Well, now that sounds promising.

The great thing about Deadpool, or one of my favorite Marvel Comics of the last decade, X-Statix, was how subversive they were. If this script taps into that, then we may be in for one hell of a movie, people.

The entire script review is worthy of reading, but here’s a couple more tidbits:

there’s a huge role in this movie for Colossus, one of the most famous X-Men who has never really gotten a proper treatment on screen in any of the X-Men movies. Colossus had a cameo of sorts in X-Men 3, but here he gets a personality and plenty of fight scenes, at times serving as the straight man to Deadpool’s morally ambiguous hijinks. It’s a genius pairing; an indestructible superhero odd couple who work so well on the page that you’ll hope that the sequel will find a way to put them together permanently.

Citizen-bot’s nerd note:  First, we got to see some of Colossus in X-men 2 as well, and, in my opinion, it was the better showing of him as, well, we got to see some character moments with him.

Second, the obvious choice here would be to go to Cable, as imho Cable and Deadpool is still the best Deadpool book ever done.  However, I like the move to Colossus– he was always one of my favorite X-men ever, and is a step up from…. well, almost any other pairing for Deadpool you could think of short of Hit Monkey or other members of the Deadpool Corps.  But there’s always time for a sequel, right?

With X-Men Origins: Wolverine out of the equation, the script approached everything as if you’ve never seen Deadpool before. That means including an origin story, but origin stories are boring and Deadpool doesn’t have time to be boring. So rather than dragging us through an endless opening sequence in which Deadpool is introduced, the entire movie takes place at the peak of Deadpool’s career and his origin is told in flashbacks, interspersed throughout the movie between breaks in the action. The script’s not really linear, not exactly, and that works perfectly for a movie with the comedic sensibilities of Family Guy and the kind of brutal violence that only works when it’s not thrown at you all at once. The result is a fairly well defined rhythm of insane, violence punctuated by weirdly hilarious flashbacks, which may not seem like they’re moving the story forward but eventually do. Stopping to watch the last time Deadpool ate carbs may not seem like an important part of this tale, but in the end it all comes together.

Wow.  Just wow.

If you want more, please go read.  There’s lots to be had.

But what think you?  Deadpool? Or no-pool?  Is this a comic that deserves a movie? Will it ever get made?

How would you like to own one (or more!) Disney documentaries early? Disney Movie Collections is currently taking orders for Waking Sleeping Beauty, The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story, and Walt & El Grupo. In addition, if you order all three DVDs before November 29, you will also receive three free lithographs.   

I have heard a lot of good things about Waking Sleeping Beauty, and it’s a documentary I definitely plan to see.  It looks at all the drama and creativity that gave Disney another Golden Age and gave viewers the magic and music of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King.  It was during this era that I fell in love with Disney films and briefly entertained the idea of becoming an animator.  It was a time when I believed in fairy tales.    

The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story is one I hadn’t heard of before today, but I have long been familiar with the names Richard and Robert Sherman.  Maybe you know a little song called “It’s a Small World?”  They wrote it.  What about “The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room?”  No?  Then you haven’t visited the Enchanted Tiki Room at Walt Disney World.  I have, and I have that song in my head more than “It’s a Small World.”  Fortunately, it’s catchy and I love it.  They also wrote the songs for Mary Poppins.  Classic.  Timeless.  Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. 

Now that you know who they are, you can learn more about them in this documentary, which includes interviews with Roy E. Disney (Walt’s nephew), Angela Lansbury (Bedknobs & Broomsticks), and Dick Van Dyke (Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). 

The third available documentary entitled Walt & El Grupo peeks into the life of Walt when he served as a cultural ambassador to South America.  He and his artists achieved goodwill during this “WWII road trip,” and resulted in the films Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros (which inspired a ride at the Mexico Pavilion at Disney’s World Showcase). 

(from the press release)

Each DVD Includes:

• An exceptional look at Walt Disney and the studio from yesteryear
• Rare footage and interviews from Walt Disney insiders
• A unique, collectible piece of Disney history
• Extensive Bonus Material, taking you deep into the stories

Fans of Walt Disney and his movies will want to take a look at these DVDs, and the bonus lithographs are an additional incentive to collectors.  Visit Disney Movie Collections before the clock strikes midnight and your coach turns into a pumpkin.

Tron: Legacy is coming and I’m way excited. And if you want to see 20 minutes of the film in IMAX 3D, then starting tomorrow you can get your tickets to this special event. Go to the official website for Tron Night 2010 to see if this event is happening near you, then tomorrow at 1pm EST you can get your free tickets. Attached below is the official press release for this event and other Tron things coming up including the highly anticipated release of the soundtrack by Daft Punk.

WALT DISNEY PICTURES KICKS OFF

“TRON: LEGACY” 10-WEEK GLOBAL COUNTDOWN

20+ MINUTE 3D SNEAK PEEK ELECTRIFIES AUDIENCES

AROUND THE WORLD WITH “TRON NIGHT: AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE”

Walt Disney Pictures’ “TRON: Legacy” Opens in US Theaters

December 17, 2010

BURBANK, Calif. (October 10, 2010) —Walt Disney Studios announced today,

October 10, 2010 (“10-10-10”), the kickoff of the official 10-week countdown to the release

of “TRON: Legacy,” which opens in theaters December 17, 2010. Every week for the next

10 weeks marks a major milestone in the countdown as The Walt Disney Company rolls

out exciting new TRON events, film content, products and announcements in preparation

for the worldwide film launch, including:

TRON Night: An IMAX 3D Experience, a special event on October 28, 2010, that

will give audiences worldwide the first opportunity to step onto the Grid and into

the cutting-edge, 3D world of Walt Disney Pictures’ high-tech adventure “TRON:

Legacy,” during an exciting 20-plus-minute sneak peek of the highly anticipated

film, sponsored by Asus Computer International.

Select IMAX 3D theaters nationwide and 3D & IMAX 3D theaters internationally

will offer a special screening of thrilling, never-before-seen 3D footage. “It’s

exciting to offer fans an early, exclusive 3D preview of ‘TRON: Legacy’ in the

ultimate of formats. We can’t wait for audiences around the world to experience

the visually stunning and cutting-edge world that director Joe Kosinski has

created,” said Sean Bailey, President of Production, Walt Disney Studios Motion

Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment, is equally

enthusiastic. “We are ecstatic that the Disney team and the ‘TRON: Legacy’

filmmakers elected to debut this amazing footage exclusively in our network of

theaters,” said Foster. “This first-look in IMAX 3D is the most immersive way to

bring audiences into the world of ‘TRON: Legacy’ and kick-off the countdown to

the film’s highly-anticipated launch.”

Tickets to the October 28th TRON Night events are free and will be distributed for

US and Canadian screenings on a first-come, first-serve basis starting 10:00 a.m./

PDT on the first “TRON Tuesday,” October 12, 2010. Information for U.S. and

Canadian ticketing can be found on Facebook.com/TRON.

Beginning today, fans have the opportunity to purchase tickets to select IMAX 3D

midnight screenings of “TRON: Legacy.” Tickets may be purchased

at all participating IMAX locations and online at Disney.com/TRON.

“TRON Tuesdays”— every Tuesday for the next 10 weeks, exclusive new video

and film content, including behind-the-scenes exclusives, trailers and artwork, will

be released around the world online and through select broadcast outlets. To get

the latest on “TRON Tuesdays” and more, visit Disney.com and Facebook.com/

“10-10-10” also marks the launch of Disney.com’s TRON: Get on the Grid

Sweepstakes, featuring hundreds of prizes including a Grand Prize Trip

for four to experience ElecTRONica, the new street celebration at Disney

California Adventure™ Park. Details and official entry rules are available at

Disney.com/TRONsweeps.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 10-WEEK COUNTDOWN:

Walt Disney Records will release the “TRON: Legacy” official motion picture

Soundtrack, scored by the French electronic music duo Daft Punk, on

December 7th.

In addition to new merchandise arriving to stores this month, Disney Consumer

Products will debut exciting, new “TRON: Legacy” products and promotions,

including a special line for women, a one-of-a-kind immersive retail

destination for products and a unique gadget line for music and gaming fans.

On December 7th, Disney Interactive Studios will launch the next-gen video

game “TRON: Evolution” for all major home video game consoles, Windows PC

and handheld platforms.

Disney Parks is celebrating “TRON: Legacy” with ElecTRONica, a nighttime

street event at Disney California Adventure™ Park, featuring a dynamic visual-

and music-based experience, a re-creation of Flynn’s Arcade and an opportunity

to see a special 3D preview of “TRON: Legacy.” ElecTRONica runs from now

until April 2011 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and nightly through the

Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods.

Information on all TRON activities can be found at Disney.com/TRON.

“TRON: Legacy” is a 3D action-packed adventure set in a digital world unlike

anything captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), a rebellious 27-year-

old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn (Oscar® and

Golden Globe® winner Jeff Bridges), a man once known as the world’s leading video-

game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent from the abandoned

Flynn’s Arcade—that could have only come from his father—he finds himself pulled into

a world where Kevin has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of the fearless warrior

Quorra (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-or-death journey across a visually

stunning universe—created by Kevin Himself—which has become far more advanced with

never-before-imagined vehicles, weapons and landscapes, and a ruthless villain who will

stop at nothing to prevent their escape.

“TRON: Legacy” is directed by Joseph Kosinski, from a screenplay written by Eddy

Kitsis & Adam Horowitz, based on characters created by Steven Lisberger and Bonnie

MacBird. Presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and scored by Grammy Award®–winning

electronic music duo Daft Punk, “TRON: Legacy” hits theaters on December 17, 2010.

It has been officially announced today that Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1) has been cast to play the villain in Marc Webb-directed reboot of the Spider-Man franchise. Ifans joins Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker/Spider-Man) and Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy) in the growing cast.

Of course, Sony and those involved with the film are being tight-lipped on which villain he will actually play.

Share your theories of which villain Ifans may be playing over in the BSR Forums!

As I eagerly anticipate the release of the 10th DC animated original movie I’ve decided to make a list of MY top 5. This list is strictly for posterity, after all, what we catalog at Big Shiny Robot! echoes in eternity.

5. Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

Loosely based on Grant Morrison’s JLA: Earth 2 graphic novel, this movie edges out the Green Lantern and Wonder Woman films with Lex Luthor playing the hero and the JLA working with their Earth-2 counterparts to defeat the Crime Syndicate.

4.Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

The newest in the series, I had to watch this twice before I really enjoyed it. It strays from the original Superman/Batman story enough to keep it interesting without being incoherent. There’s an annoying montage of Supergirl trying on outfits near the beginning of the film that almost kills it entirely, but once Big Barda is introduced the story takes off to the world of Jack Kirby created characters and the excitement on Apokolips makes up for the slow start.

3.Superman: Doomsday

I’ve had an affinity towards The Man of Steel since I was 5 years old so this movie had to make the list. I immediately wanted to give it the number one spot, because it is a fantastic film. Magnificent action scenes and chilling depictions of Doomsday killing animals taken straight from the comic books shocked me on first viewing. Despite a cameo from Kevin Smith and great voice work from Anne Heche it came in 3rd because the next two films are so strong.

2.Justice League: The New Frontier

This movie confused my wife and she asked a few poignant questions like, “What the hell is The Centre?”, and “Why did Batman scare that Kid?”. I’ve read the Darwyn Cooke story so many times I have a hard time seeing any gaps in the story but people unfamiliar with the source material have raised a few good points. Despite minor
(if any) flaws in the storytelling, the animation raised the bar for other movies based on Cooke’s designs alone.

1.Batman: Under the Red Hood

At number one on the list you’d think I have a long diatribe on why this movie stands out from the rest, with insightful comparisons to the previous films. Unfortunately I don’t. I’m still baffled at how well this entire project was executed. From the script to artwork everything seems to be in just the right place at the right time. I you haven’t seen this one yet don’t bother renting it, you’ll want to watch it over and over.

What we have to look forward to (besides my top ten list next year):

All Star Superman: Announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2010, this could easily take over the #1 spot or dissapoint us by being incoherent depending on what is removed from the story.

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights: Slated for release June 7, 2011 this HAS to be better than 2009’s Green Lantern: First Flight.

Batman: Year One: Based on the classic Frank Miller/David Mazzucchelli story, I’m anxious to see the production artwork for this. Planned release date of September 27, 2011.

Disagree with me below. I don’t mind that you’re wrong!

It’s time once again for another installment of The Big Movie Mouth Off, starring Jeff Vice from X96’s Radio From Hell and Jimmy Martin from SLUG Magazine (and both are regular panelists on The Geek Show Podcast)

You can friend the show on Facebook here.

These are available exclusively on Comcast: Utah On Demand, and then after their exclusive run there, they will be appearing on Big Shiny Robot! and across the Internet. (iTunes/podcast versions coming soon by popular demand.)

Without further delay, let’s get to the reviews:

First, M. Night Shyamalan’s production of “Devil”

Next we have the Emma Stone vehicle “Easy A”:

The mockumentary from Jaoquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck, “I Am Here” is next:

Then we have a review of Ben Affleck’s “The Town”:

Last on the list is Oliver Stone’s sequel to his own classic “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”:

Check back for more soon!

I’m Gonna Explode (Voy a explotar)
DVD Guest Review by Manda Bull

Roman is troubled, undisciplined and bored; always causing his congressman father grief. Maru is lonely, waiting for someone to sweep her off her feet. The timing was perfect. Their plan seemed foolproof, too. With a Volkswagen, a gun and a plan; they were set to change their lives for the better. It all started with a pact…

This is a classic tale of teenage rebellion and angst wrapped up in a tragic love story a la Bonnie & Clyde or Romeo & Juliet. As heavy as that may seem, there is quite a bit of dark humor throughout the movie. A particular scene at the beginning was very reminiscent of Harold and Maude.

Most interesting was the dialogue between our duo of mexi-alts. Their honesty is genuine and precious, creating an unbreakable bond of friendship and love. To quote Maru, “Something to fight for, something to live for… A twin. A Perfect Accomplice.”

The DVD features the theatrical trailer and also, a vivid making-of video. This features on-set footage, audition tapes and a pretty hilarious scene of a drunken crew member trying to get his hotel room open after a long night of partying.

Overall, I enjoyed this film. It was beautiful, but… subtitle-haters beware! (I didn’t mind a bit.) The soundtrack features Bright Eyes, a perfect score to emphasize the story. Roman and Maru’s wardrobe makes them seem effortlessly cool-looking, even while on the run. Loved the addition of a Smith’s poster to their makeshift home. No one sings about angst like Morissey can. If foreign cinema or tragic romance stories are your guilty pleasure, add this to your list.

It seems there are some shake ups and questions happening in the Fox camp regarding some of their Marvel properties. And the media hype for Thor has begun.

First, Robert Schwentke (Red) has removed himself from the running to direct Wolverine 2. David Slade (30 Days of Night, Twilight: Eclipse) was the only other major candidate in the running so it should be a lock. But wait, there’s more. Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler, Requiem for a Dream), fresh off the rumors for a Preacher movie, now has his name in the hat. Hugh Jackman supposedly gets the final word on the director and he reportedly enjoyed working with Aronofsky on The Fountain, so take that for what it’s worth.

Fox’s other recent news is that Robert Rodriguez’s attachment to the Deadpool spin-off is not as secure as was previously reported. Apparently his scheduling conflicts from Spy Kids 4 may be a deal breaker. Am I the only one thinking both Rodriguez and Ryan Reynolds probably aren’t going to be part of this movie, if it even happens?

In less controversial Marvel movie news, the media machine has started in earnest for May 2011’s Thor. The November 2010 issue of Empire magazine has a Thor cover and what seems to be a pretty extensive first look at this highly anticipated movie. I’m not a regular reader of this British magazine but, since the issue also has stories on Mark Ruffalo (and his recent casting as Hulk/Banner), Let Me In, and Drew Struzan (amazing poster artist), I might have to find a copy.

Gwen Stacy?

The Hollywood reporter announced that Emma Stone is joining the cast of the Spider-Man movie re-launch from Columbia Pictures. Earlier this week she made big nerd news as Roboshinobi’s 3rd most attractive female. Did anybody expect her to be cast as a blonde? I like her enough not to care what color her hair is. She can act. Sound off below!