Breaking Dawn: More speculation

Oh, Breaking Dawn. Why must you torment me so?

Naturally every day I search the news for word on the next Twilight films, and today I got a hit on a couple regarding “Breaking Dawn.” Yes, the fourth book (and my favorite book) still seems to be plagued with rumors on whether it will be turned into a film or not. The latest articles — although the sources are iffy and more gossipy than more credible sites — all remind us that despite recent reports, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” still hasn’t been greenlit which means there’s always the possibility it won’t get made. The reason it hasn’t been greenlit, according to these same sources? Author Stephenie Meyer. She is apparently still on the fence about making the fourth book into a movie, despite what she might have said in the past. Real or rumor, who knows? But since Summit Entertainment hasn’t made an announcement yet, I’m guessing there is some truth to this. Especially since at least one article breaks down some good points we know to be fact.

For one, Summit Entertainment has only optioned the rights to make the fourth book into a film; at any time, it can decide not to proceed and sell the option to another studio, especially if Meyer stonewalls them for much longer. Summit has consistently denied reports that the movie will be made, that it will be broken into two films, and where it will be filmed and by whom. Some officials have gone on the record to say that they’re working on it, but even then, they never officially say it’s a done deal that it will be made by Summit. I think Summit would be crazy to sell the option on its biggest cash cow, but stranger things have happened in Hollywood.

For another, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner have all three been questioned about filming in recent weeks while promoting their new movies. All three have confirmed they don’t know anything. However, they’ve all said they know it will be made, they just don’t know when. I imagine Summit has locked these three into contracts while they decide how to proceed, but if Summit releases its option on the fourth book, it also releases its contracts on these three stars. And if Summit doesn’t make “Breaking Dawn,” my guess is that at least Pattinson and Stewart would walk simply because they’re indie actors and Summit is, after all, still an indie studio they seem to feel loyalty to. I think their disdain for big studio would keep them from following the project elsewhere. Total speculation on my part, but still…

However, I did find hope in some of the articles I read today, although I wonder how much salt I should put into the rumors about the “hot” sex scenes being written into the final script. “Twilight” is, after all, aimed at teenage girls. I can see them releasing a director’s cut on DVD with extended “sex” scenes, but I doubt seriously if any steamy stuff will make it to the theaters. Seriously, I just want to see Kristen Stewart ask, “Why am I covered I feathers?” and I’ll be good.

More speculation on my part — I think Summit will officially greenlight “Breaking Dawn” as two films in March, around the release of the “New Moon” DVD. I think BD part 1 will be released in theaters November 2011 and BD part 2 will come out in June 2012 (gee, I hope the world doesn’t end before then). Anyone want to place bets?

Jensen Ackles is...Captain America?!?

That thud you probably heard a few minutes ago was me, hitting the ground after I read a few bits of news/rumors that left me both shocked, ecstatic and amazed.

If news reports are to believed, my No. 1 future husband, er, sorry my ex-future-husband-soon-to-be-married-to-another-woman Jensen Ackles — the man I have adored and loved since he first walked onto my television screen as Eric Brady on “Days of Our Lives” and, yes, the same man I obsess over week-after-week on my fave show “Supernatural” — has one project and possibly two that have made my little fangirl heart overflow with pure happiness.

The confirmed news: Jensen will voice the character of The Red Hood in the next direct-to-video animated DC Comics film “Batman: Under the Red Hood.” In the story, Batman is pitted against the Red Hood, a mysterious new vigilante cleaning up Gotham City by killing all the criminals he can find. And while I’m not the biggest Batman fan out there, I think it’s awesome that Jensen keeps being tied to DC Comics projects — first when he was a regular cast member on “Smallville” and now in a Batman project. A few years ago, he was rumored to be up for the role of The Flash in a movie about that DC character, but that proved to be a dud. Hmmm. If Jensen is being fostered within the talent pool at DC Comics, I can’t help but wonder how true this next piece of information is….

The rumor: I know this rumor has been flying around for a long time and could still be only that — a rumor — but it actually feels like a possibility that it could be true this time. Supposedly director Joe Johnston has narrowed down the casting of Marvel Comics’ Captain America to three actors: Jensen Ackles, Chad Michael Murray and Ryan McPartlin. Now, Jensen has been a favorite among fans to play the role for a while now, and when he was asked at a “Supernatural” convention last summer if he’d been offered the role, he said he hadn’t been contacted about it, hadn’t read for it and didn’t know anything about the film — but that he’d love to play Captain America if the script was good. That seemed to kill the rumors for a while, and now this. It could just be another case of fan gossip, but I hope not. If Jensen played Captain America and the script and movie were actually good, I could then die a happy woman. Here’s hoping for the best…

In honor of this batch of “news,” I thought I’d post a short timeline of Jensen Ackles career, rumors about his career and more....

1997 — Jensen joins the cast of “Days of Our Lives,” is nominated for numerous Daytime Emmys, and I become hopelessly infatuated with him…

1999 — Jensen attends a fan event for “Days of Our Lives” in my town and, after meeting him, I become even more infatuated…

2000 — Jensen is famously one of two actors narrowed down to play the lead of Clark Kent in “Smallville.” The show’s producers opt to hire Tom Welling in the role instead.

2001 — Jensen joins the cast of my all-time favorite show James Cameron’s “Dark Angel” and played my favorite character-to-date, the wisecracking Alec X5 – 494.

2002 — “Dark Angel” is canceled. Jensen joins the cast of “Dawson’s Creek” during that show’s final year.

2004 — Jensen lands the lead in a television pilot on FOX called “Still Life” but the show isn’t picked up. The producers of the WB’s “Smallville” create a role for Jensen and he joins the cast as a regular during season four. When The WB offers Jensen a lead role in a new series, the writers of “Smallville” turn his character into a villain and kill him off of the show.

2005 — Jensen creates the character of demon hunter Dean Winchester on “Supernatural.” He’s rumored to be in the running to play The Flash on screen and Leon in the next “Resident Evil” film. Neither rumor comes true.

2007 — On hiatus from filming “Supernatural,” Jensen veers away from the sci-fi horror genre with a role in the independent film “Ten Inch Hero” (great movie…seriously, watch it). He also portrays the role Tom Cruise made famous in “A Few Good Men” for a stage production.

2008 — Jensen lands the lead in the horror remake “My Bloody Valentine 3-D” which opens at No. 1 at the box office. Rumors begin that he’ll play Captain America in a big-screen adaptation.

2009 — The fifth — and possibly last? — season of “Supernatural” debuts on the CW to its highest ratings ever.

Confirmed? Breaking Dawn, finally!

I was about to turn my ailing computer off when I stumbled on this tidbit quite by accident. Although I'd say this isn't exactly official, it's the most recent news about the filming of "Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn." Breaking Dawn, according to this source, is definitely going to be two films, and filming begins in October. They claim they've received confirmation. It;s about freaking time!

I will be really mad if I wake up to news tomorrow that this is another false rumor. However, my gut tells me it's legit. Fingers crossed.

Meanwhile, check out a breakdown of all of the different versions of the "New Moon" DVD coming out next month, courtesy of the wonderful crew over at Twilight Series Theories. Is it sad that I want every single version on this list??? I'm torn between the Target version and the Wal-Mart one. Decisions, decisions...

Mini review: "Gabriel"

I have a new man-love, but I’m crushed because I just found out he’s married with kids. On my furlough day while I was stuck at home, I watched a movie called “Gabriel” which had a cool premise but, truthfully, I didn’t understand half of what was going on. It was about the arc angels fighting with fallen angels for the influence of mankind’s souls. I think. It was kind of out there, and I still have no idea how it ended — seriously, I can’t figure that ending out. It made no sense to me. But I couldn’t stop watching because of the gorgeous blue-eyed, British-speaking man playing Gabriel. Andy Whitfield. Apparently he’s the lead on the TV show remake of “Spartacus” now — man, I wish we had expanded cable. But unfortunately, Andy Whitfield is married with two kids, even though I doubt that will stop me from going googly-eyed over him in future.

To be completely off-the-wall and as an aside: Speaking of Gabriel, the angel…when I had a psychic reading several years ago (back when I was in college, I think), the psychic told me that Gabriel was my guardian angel and that he’d been there at my birth to see me into this world and that I had a “special” bond to him because of it. He said that Gabriel, the chief messenger angel, was the angel who influenced us to be creative and to write, therefore I was born to be a “messenger” myself. Even though I kinda doubt that, I’ve always liked Gabriel, the angel, because of the thought of it. That’s why I watched this movie actually because, being non-Catholic, I don’t know much about the angels. Now I'm fangirling over Andy Whitfield. And Gabriel, the arc angel, seems pretty awesome too!

Eclipse: Didn’t I tell you?

So yesterday Wal-Mart announced that it will release the only DVD of “New Moon” to feature a seven-minute scene (and I think, the teaser trailer?) from “Eclipse.” Actually, the story on Reuters reads: “"The Twilight Saga: New Moon Ultimate Fan Edition," also set for release March 20, will be the only disc release of the sequel to include a seven-minute special feature about upcoming franchise threequel "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse."

The "Eclipse" feature includes on-set interviews with cast and a clip from the threequel, which is set for theatrical release June 30.”

I had predicted this a few posts back, but some people on forums argued with me that I was wrong. I guess I know where I’ll be going at midnight March 20, although I doubt Wal-Mart will have any cool activities like FYI did last year!

Superman reboot news

Last week, I read that Warner Bros. would be making an announcement about the future of its superhero projects soon. I’ve been waiting with a skeptic’s perspective (but still hoping for the best) for news about the next Superman movie. A lot of people seem to think any future Superman movie is completely dead at this point. I don’t know how to take today’s news, which may or may not be the official word many of us have been waiting for. I have definite mixed feelings about it.

Warner Bros. has supposedly hired director/screenwriter Christopher Nolan to reboot the Superman movie. Nolan resurrected Batman with the last two movies, "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight," which were great. For Batman. But Superman is not Batman. Batman is dark. Superman is not. I hope Nolan gets this.

Plus, I think this news means that Brandon Routh is out as Superman/Clark. I’m really sad about that because I loved him in the role and think he is really underrated. But I’m holding out hope he stays and is given better material next time.

We’ll see…

An update on Eclipse?

So, they are adding more Edward, huh? Thanks for the tweet, Mr. Slade. I'm liking you more by the day...