The Latest in Latino Entertainment News

‘The Goonies’ to have sequel?

A very, very, very good source – if I revealed his name, you’d know straight away this was a solid bit of news – informed me a few days ago that “the sequel Corey Feldman has been telling media will never happen”, one “Goonies 2”, is indeed… happening. 

Now I don’t know when it’s going to happen, because it has been on the drawing boards for a good decade now (“Star Trek” and “Transformers” scribe Robert Orci told me today that he was involved in a draft in about 1998), but it does seem to be inching forward.

So what have I been told? well, Warner Bros are finally going to give it the respect it deserves – this will be a large-scale theatrical release. It will not be a direct-to-video release.

(A source at Warner Bros has since confirmed this – saying they are developing it as a major movie, but won’t share anything other than that. Nothing we didn’t already know though)

We’ve been told that there are writers on the project – and they’re being paid rather nicely for their services too.

I’ve no idea what the script is about, nor do I know how far into the script the writers are, but we’re told that it’ll apparently involve some of the original cast – I doubt Josh Brolin will return though; and even if he was keen, would Warner want to pay him the hefty fee he now gets? Doubtful – and some new cast members. I can’t imagine ‘all’ of the original “Goonies” coming back, can you? I’d think Corey Feldman, Sean Astin and, er, Short-Round would be the most likeliest recruits for a reprise… if only because they haven’t disappeared off-the-map (Martha Plimpton where art thou? Keri Green… does she still act?). You never know, ‘Chunk’ might even get a call too.

But there you have it, after years and years of rumours – and even some attempts to get the film up by original director Richard Donner – “The Goonies 2” will soon be a reality.

Johnny Depp confirmed for Burton’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’

After it was announced that Tim Burton would direct “Alice in Wonderland 3-D,” a take on the classic Lewis Carroll fairy tale, fans assumed that Johnny Depp would somehow have to be involved. Burton and Depp have previously collaborated on six previous films, including “Sweeney Todd,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Edward Scissorhands” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Now, Entertainment Weekly is reporting that fans’ suspicions are absolutely true. But whether he will play the rumored Mad Hatter is still unknown.

A source revealed that the film will be live-action until Alice (Mia Wasikowska) jumps down the rabbit hole and meets the loopy tea party host. Even if Depp does take on the Mad Hatter, there is still the question of whether he will have to do any acting or simply lend his voice for the computer-generated part of the film.

At this point, the new movie is set to begin filming early next year for a 2010 release. Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King) penned the script.

Lethal Weapon 5?

Hollywood tracking board TrackingB.com reports that Shane Black, who wrote the first Lethal Weapon movie, has written a spec script for Lethal Weapon 5 without telling anyone. The site adds that he contacted franchise producer Joel Silver and said that he wanted to continue the story.

This time, homicidal Riggs (Mel Gibson) is about to retire, but pulls Murtaugh (Danny Glover) out of retirement to solve one final case, before they both officially head off into the sunset.

TrackingB.com says that Gibson and Glover are down to return, but no deals have been signed.

The first film was released in 1987, the second in 1989, the third in 1992 and the fourth in 1998.

Tarantino to cast Britney Spears

Britney Spears has accepted a role as a psychotic lesbian stripper in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming remake of the 1965 cult classic Faster Pussycat! Kill Kill!

The Pulp Fiction director has cast 26-year-old Britney as “Varla,” an adult entertainer who leads a trio of exotic dancers is murdering a young couple trapped alone in the desert.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Brit’s character murders the boyfriend with her bare hands before taking the girlfriend hostage, with whom she will engage in a number of sex scenes.

“Quentin is convinced Britney will be brilliant.”

“Britney is delighted, she thinks it could turn her career and her life around. A successful film could help her get out of her current nightmare,” an excited insider confirms to The Daily Telegraph.

“It is perfect Tarantino material. He wanted to get Britney first. She’s playing the most important character.”

Quentin is still on the hunt for a pair of Hollywood starlets to take on the roles of the remaining two strippers.

Jason Statham to play Daredevil?

Death Race and Crank star Jason Statham wants to be in a big screen reboot of the popular Marvel character Daredevil. But Statham doesn’t want to play the baddie Bullseye, he wants to take over as the blind man behind the red mask – Daredevil, who was played by Ben Affleck in Mark Steven Johnson’s 2003 film.

Frank Miller, who is credited for adding new depths to the comic book series in the 1970’s, has also given his approval: “I think he should be Daredevil too,” Miller told the LA Times.

The Green Lantern in development

Production Weekly’s current issue has updated Warner Bros’ adaptation of DC Comic’s The Green Lantern as being in active development.

As the story goes, each sector of space is protected by a Green Lantern, possessing a power ring that uses a powerful green energy to do anything within the limits of the user’s imagination and will power. When the Green Lantern assigned to this sector of space finds himself dying on planet Earth, he tells the ring to find a suitable successor. The chosen replacement, hot-shot test pilot Hal Jordan, finds himself with a new job he never expected.

No director is mentioned in the above update, although Greg Berlanti (Everwood, Eli Stone) was attached to the project last year.

Justin Timberlake will host the Oscars?

Say those six words when you get to the gates of hell and you’ll immediately be ushered to the VIP section.

I think it’s pretty effin’ disgusting that the producers are even considering allowing this douche bag host the Oscars. How long are the Oscars? Like 15 hours? Imagine sitting through 15 hours of Justin Timberlake. There isn’t enough booze and drugs on the planet to get you through that.

A source told The National Enquirer (via CM) that the producers were impressed with Justin after watching him host the ESPY Awards. They thought he was “naturally funny.” And me thinks the producers are “naturally high.”

They also think Justin could bring in a younger audience. The source went on to say, “Justin is more than a singer, he’s a song-and-dance man – and turned in a performance (at the ESPY Awards) any comedian would envy. Our first question was, ‘Can we get him?’ Justin does it all, and knows how to work a star-studded audience.” Song-and-dance man? Since when is this douche Gene Kelly?

This may be the perfect time to end the Oscars awards show. It’s been a good run, but it’s time to call it a day the minute you start to consider Justin Timberfake as a host. Instead, they can hand out the awards in the parking lot of Bob’s Big Boy after Sunday buffet brunch.