By Lucas Shaw
TheWrap

JD Payne and Patrick McKay will help write the next “Star Trek” film for Bad Robot and paramount, according to two individuals familiar with the project. The writers have yet to pen a movie that got made, but they are favorites of both the studio and Bad Robot, which produces the “Star Trek” films.

Payne and McKay already worked on an adaptation of the graphic novel “Boilerplate” for Bad Robot, one of several projects in development at J.J. Abrams’ company, which has faith in the writers’ abilities.

Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who worked on the first two “Star Trek” movies that Abrams directed, are expected to supervise the writing process.

Abrams will not be directing “Star Trek 3? because of “Star Wars,” while Orci and Kurtzman are developing several projects as both writers and producers, including the future “Amazing Spider-Man” films. Their K/O Paper Products banner produced two movies this year and have several more in development.

Bad Robot, Skydance Productions and paramount also need to work out the deal for director Joe Cornish. They love the idea of working with the “Attack the Block” director, but the deal is far from done.

Payne and McKay are represented by UTA.

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NEW YORK (AP) — With the passing of Nelson Mandela, the sweeping biopic “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” transforms in the midst of its theatrical release from a living tribute to a big-screen eulogy.

The South African revolutionary and former president, who died Thursday at the age of 95, has long been a compelling figure for movies — a hero of uncommon dignity whose dramatic story and titanic accomplishments insured his tale would be told often in film.

But arguably the fullest movie portrait of Mandela’s life — a film made with his permission and his family’s support — was released just six days before his death.

News of Mandela’s death broke as “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” played during its London premiere, where Mandela’s daughters Zindzi and Zenani were in attendance. A spokesman with the film said the daughters requested that the film continue, though they immediately left the theater. Producer Anant Singh, who has spent more than a decade trying to get the film made, called for a moment of silence at the film’s end.

“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” opened in a limited release of four theaters in the U.S. last Friday. When the film opens wide on Christmas, it’s sure to draw larger crowds moved to remember Mandela. The Weinstein Co.’s challenge is to not appear to be capitalizing on Mandela’s passing, but celebrating his life.

A publicist for the Weinstein Co. said the film’s release schedule won’t be changed, but declined to say if the movie’s marketing would be altered.

Harvey Weinstein, the co-chairman of the Weinstein Co., is renowned for his promotional gusto. He’s pushing the film for awards recognition, which hasn’t yet developed in early prizes. But sentiment could flow toward “Mandela: Long Ride to Freedom” following Mandela’s death as voting for the Oscars, Golden Globes and other awards kicks in over the next two months.

“One of the privileges of making movies is having the opportunity to immortalize those who have made a profound impact on humanity,” Weinstein said in a statement. “We count ourselves unspeakably fortunate to have been immersed in Nelson Mandela’s story and legacy. It’s been an honor to have been granted such proximity to a man who will go down as one of history’s greatest freedom fighters and advocates for justice.”

Mandela has been played by Danny Glover in the 1987 TV film “Mandela” (it aired while Mandela was still imprisoned), Sidney Poitier in the 1997 TV film “Mandela and De Klerk,” Dennis Haysbert in 2007’s “Goodbye Bafana,” Morgan Freeman in 2009’s “Invictus” and Terrence Howard in the recently released “Winnie Mandela.”

Idris Elba stars as Mandela in British director Justin Chadwick’s “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” a traditional biopic that emphasizes a young, forceful Mandela. On first seeing Elba, whose frame is considerably larger than Mandela’s, in a scene from the film, Singh has said Mandela remarked, “Is that me?”

With Mandela ailing in recent years, Elba was unable to meet with him. “I only feel honored to be associated with him,” the actor said in a statement.

The film has screened for dignitaries around the world, including for President Barack Obama in the White House. It’s already a hit in South Africa, where it set a box-office debut record, earning $427,000 in its opening week.

By Lucas Shaw
TheWrap

Jerry Bruckheimer has just announced a new, three-year deal to make movies at paramount, following TheWrap’s break of the news earlier this week. The legendary Hollywood producer talked to TheWrap on Friday about the change, saying he looked forward to having newfound “freedom” at paramount that he lacked at Disney, where he made “The Rock,” “Pearl Harbor” and the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.

In an exclusive interview, Bruckheimer discussed his upcoming departure, a “Top Gun” sequel and some other movies he might make.

TheWrap: You met with several studios over the past few months, why did you choose to work with paramount?

Bruckheimer: I have friends there. I worked with (paramount Vice Chairman) Rob Moore when he was at Disney. We got a lot of very good movies made. I worked with Brad as a manager for a number of years. It’s a very comfortable place for me.

(With paramount Film Group President) Adam Goodman, we were developing ‘Top Gun’ until Tony (Scott) died. We have a very good relationship.

Are you still going to make another ‘Top Gun’?

We would very much like to continue with it. Tony had a great beat on how to redo it, and we would like to follow that along.

What kinds of movies would paramount like you to make?

They make a multitude of movies – from very low-budget to the kind of movies we’ve made in the past.

I will have the freedom and opportunity to make various kinds of pictures, which I didn’t have at Disney. There is a narrow band of PG or soft PG-13. If you take out ‘Pirates,’ I had a lot of success making ‘The Rock,’ “Armageddon, ‘Pearl Harbor.’ It’s hard to get those made there now. It’s a great place to work, and I had a great run there.

But that lack of flexibility is why the partnership had to end?

Absolutely. We want to spread our wings. We lived in this narrow world, which we loved by the way. I make movies I want to see, and I don’t just want to see the PG movies. I want to see hard PG-13 and R movies. ‘Black Hawk Down’ is a picture I loved making.

The reason we’re not still there – no matter what media reports say – is because of that narrow band and the number of movies they make. They have Marvel, they make two Disney Animation movies, then DreamWorks, which they distribute, and now Star Wars.

There are not a lot of movies getting made there for a producer like me. I just finished a picture at ScreenGems, which turned out terrific. It’s a very hard R-rated movie, a paranormal thriller. It’s a new genre that I never approached, not in this vein. It’s low-budget for me. I loved experiencing something completely different.

Do you know what movie you want to make next?

We had a lot in development at Disney that we built under Dick Cook that Disney won’t make. Some have already come out. ‘Beware the Night,’ which is now ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ is one of them.

We have another project called ‘Shake’ we set up at paramount that is already in development there.

Can you bring your developments projects from Disney to paramount?

If [Disney] passes. There are a number Disney wants to release and we’ll continue with those – ‘National Treasure’ and ‘Pirates,’ of course.

What’s the status of ‘Pirates 5’?

We’re working on the screenplay. We have our directors, and they are working with the writer.

You have a deal at Warner Bros for television, but have you discussed television with paramount?
Warner Bros is an excellent place to work. Not that paramount isn’t, but we have a long-term deal with Warner Bros.

Have you talked with Michael Bay (the director of several Bruckheimer films who has a deal at paramount) about working together again?

We’re friends; we’d love to work together.

And Johnny [Depp]?

Sure, we have a great relationship. He’s off doing a couple of movies and hopefully we’ll get him back for ‘Pirates.’

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DALLAS (AP) — Although rain couldn’t stop Gene Kelly from singing and dancing, an ice storm has postponed the auction of the Hollywood star’s gray wool suit.

Heritage Auctions spokesman Noah Fleisher says accumulated ice cut the power to the auction house, so there’s no way the suit Kelly wore as he joyously danced in a downpour in “Singin’ in the Rain” can be auctioned as scheduled Friday.

Fleisher says the auction has been rescheduled for Thursday.

Heritage expects the suit to sell for more than $20,000.

Memorabilia collector Gerry Sola has owned the suit for more than four decades. He bought it for $10 at a 1970 sale of MGM props and wardrobe items.

Your frekin kidding me ?? They’re going to cast a 2004 Miss Israel in the Role of Wonder Woman !! I read my Comic Books back in the 60’s and WW had already been around for a long time. She was this Amazon Princess’ Diana that originally started out fighting against the NAZI’s.

  And besides that, Wonder Woman is this tall strong buxom (like Lynda Carter) woman….not some anorexic runway model that probably doesn’t weigh 120lbs.

Hey NEWSFLASH PEOPLE: if you’ve got a role that calls for a Powerful character, find a powerful Actress or Actor….

….be like Billy Crystal playing “The Terminator”  

What a waste…let this be a good example, and a horrible warning, to those who think driving fast is cool.  Think for yourself; don’t let peer pressure kill you, it’s not worth it…5 years from now, no one will remember that you refused to drive faster, or get in a car with someone who was out of control.

I lost 3 friends in High School; they had gone on a double date, the boy driving got a new Camaro for his 17th birthday…a gift his parents came to regret.  17 year-olds should not have a car that will go that fast, that quick.  He lost control, hit a tree head on doing about 70 mph.  Killed 3 of them on impact; one of my friends survived.  She was in a body cast for 18 months; that was 30 years ago; she walks with a cane, she was never able to have children; Doctors say she will be in a wheel chair in the not too distant future.  Don’t let this be your story.

NEW YORK (AP) — Universal Pictures has shut down production on “Fast Furious 7” indefinitely following the death of its star, Paul Walker.

The studio announced Wednesday that the film will shut down “for a period of time so we can assess all options available to move forward with the franchise.”

The seventh installment of the street racing series had begun shooting in September. While much of “Fast Furious 7” has been filmed, it’s far from complete.

When Walker died in a fiery car crash Saturday north of Los Angeles, the film was on break for the Thanksgiving holiday. Shooting had been planned to resume Monday in Atlanta, but production was put on hold following Walker’s death.

Universal had been trying to fast-track “Fast Furious 7” for a July 11 release, a date that’s likely to now be postponed. Universal hasn’t yet announced any release date change.

Photos: Paul Walker through the years | Hollywood reacts to death

“Right now, all of us at Universal are dedicated to providing support to Paul’s immediate family and our extended ‘Fast Furious’ family of cast, crew and filmmakers,” the studio said in a statement.

Walker was killed by both the impact and subsequent fire when the high-powered Porsche driven by his friend crashed, according to autopsy results released Wednesday.

At the wheel was Roger Rodas, Walker’s friend, financial adviser and co-owner of a professional racing team. The two died Saturday when Rodas’ 2005 Porsche Carrera GT smashed into a light pole and tree, then exploded in flames.

Sheriff’s investigators were still trying to determine what caused Rodas to careen out of control. They have said speed was a factor in the one-car crash about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Rodas was killed by the impact alone, the doctor who performed the autopsy for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office concluded. Results of toxicology testing for drugs or alcohol will take another six to eight weeks.

The limited-edition Porsche was previously owned by IndyCar driver Graham Rahal, who has said it was difficult to drive. It is not just fast — it can hit 100 mph in less than 7 seconds — but also unforgiving in its handling.

Walker starred in all but one installment of the “Fast Furious” franchise, which has been particularly lucrative for Universal. “Fast Furious 6,” released in May, was the highest grossing film in the series, earning more than $788 million worldwide.

Universal announced Tuesday that it will donate a portion of the proceeds from the upcoming dvd, Blu-ray and digital release of “Fast Furious 6” to Walker’s charity Reach Out Worldwide.

Walker, 40, founded Reach Out Worldwide in 2010 to give first-response aid to victims of natural disasters. Walker was hosting a fundraiser for the nonprofit on Saturday afternoon before the crash.

By Greg Gilman
TheWrap

Turns out that Darth Vader is just as narcissistic as the rest of social media users guilty of the occasional (or daily) selfies.

The iconic villain kicked off the launch of the official “Star Wars” Instagram account with the photo which read, “Another day at the office. #StarWars #DarthVader #selfies #gpom.”

After going live on Tuesday, the Disney-owned brand already has 86,679 followers and counting.

Director and co-writer J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: Episode VII” lands in theaters on Dec. 18, 2015.

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It seems Chris Hemsworth‘s personal life overflowed into his professional one during re-shoots of “Thor: The Dark World.”

The 30-year-old actor’s co-star Natalie Portman, and onscreen love interest, revealed to New York Daily News that it was his wife Elsa Pataky, 37, that he’s actually kissing at the end of the sequel. “It was for re-shoots, and he was working in Hong Kong, and I couldn’t get there because I was working on my own film,” Portman, 32, admitted.

The crew’s solution was to have Hemsworth’s wife fill in as the kissable Jane Foster. “And so they put his wife in my wig and costume, that’s why it was so passionate. It was such a perfect solution, wasn’t it,” the Oscar winner added.

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By Greg Gilman
TheWrap

What’s worse? Being the star of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and admitting you’ve never actually finished J.R.R. Tolkien’s books or calling Jimmy Kimmel “Jay”?

Orlando Bloom did both while appearing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on Monday.

“I read ‘The Hobbit’ when I was a kid, and I got partway through ‘The Lord of the Rings,'” Bloom admitted. “Girls were far more important.”

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Having read Tolkien’s first entry in his popular fantasy saga, however, Bloom said he was worried about the inclusion of his character, Legolas, in Peter Jackson’s second “Hobbit” movie, “The Desolation of Smaug,” since Legolas is not actually in the book.

“I was a little concerned about how that would play out for obvious reasons,” Bloom said. “I think what we achieved with ‘Lord of the Rings’ was so amazing, but Peter really understands this world.”

Watch the video to see Bloom talk about his latest movie, which was premiering directly across from Kimmel’s studio on Monday, and how Kimmel reacts to being referred to by the same name as his late-night rival, Jay Leno.

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