The Predators have a leader

Robert Rodriguez is producing the new Predators sequel/reboot. News was he had seven directors in mind including Neil Marshall (Doomsday, Dog Soldiers, Descent), but most recently we had the news that Nimród Antal was the favourite for the job.

Turns out that the favourite is the winner. Rodriguez spoke to AICN and confirmed that Antal will be directing Predators. This is what Rodriguez had to say about him.

First of all, on a personal level I found him to be an outstanding presence, a great communicator full of ideas, and upon meeting him you can immediately understand how he is able to wrangle cast and crew and get the best out of everyone. I always loved Kontroll, where he proved himself to be a very resourceful and original filmmaker. When I saw Armored, I could tell he's also great with action and has a keen eye for casting. He reminded me of Quentin with how he was able to work with a group of very strong, singular actor talents and make it look effortless. I know he'll be able to get the most out of what we want to be an outstanding cast. We really want to go with a character driven action movie, because that's what we all remember about the original Predator, and we want to take it even further with this.

He also gave us an idea as to what we can expect to see in the film.

I can't go too much into the story right now, because we're still writing. But it still involves a very intense group of people stranded on a Predator planet discovering unspeakable horrors (that are not always from outside their group). So like the original movie, the title does have a double meaning.

Aliens was a different take on the Alien idea, and an original movie in it's own right, and that's what we want to do with this.

As to how this movie will be viewed, one of the guys at Fox told me "No one is ever going to talk about AVP again after this film, I will stake my life on it."

And he's a really nice guy, so I don't want to see him dead. Now that lives are at stake, it's no longer a job it's a mission.

Failure is not an option.

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Is Nimród going to direct Predators? - No not the Mutant hunting robot from the X-Men comics.

There have been lots of rumours floating around regarding Robert Rodriguez's Predators reboot / sequel. First Arnie was going to cameo in it, then he wasn't. Derek Mears (Jason in the Friday the 13th reboot) was also rumoured to be in it, but he hadn't heard anything.

The most recent news was that Rodriguez, who is producing the film, had seven directors in mind. Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, Descent, Doomsday and Centurion) was one of the seven. Michael Bassett (Solomon Kane) was possibly one of the others.

LatinoReview has exclusively learned that director Nimród Antal is one of the other directors and is also the one most likely to get the job.

If you are not too sure as to who Antal is, well he's the director behind Vacancy and Armored.

I've not seen Vacancy so I don't know how good a choice he will be. Although Armored looks like it could be good in an old school heist gone wrong way.

LatinoReview are usually spot on with their news, as they say "keep in mind when I said the same thing about Jackie Earle Haley being Freddy, the producer denied my story until it ultimately ended up true."

Still early days and I'm sure we will hear confirmation or denial from Rodriguez over the next day or two.

Is Michael Bassett in the running to direct Predators?

Last week I mentioned the fact that Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, Descent) was one of several directors in the running to direct the Robert Rodriguez produced Predators.

Now it looks as if we may have one of the other directors in the running. Michael Bassett (Solomon Kane) talks about his recent trip to LA to discuss one thing. Reading between the lines I am pretty sure he is talking about Predators.

I had a specific reason for going so it was all pretty focused on that one thing. There are several directors being met and considered so I can’t/won’t be specific about what this is. I’m also pretty sure I’m not at the top of anyone’s list for this gig, though god knows I pitched my little heart out for it. I met with the producer (even though arranging the meeting was like trying to juggle mercury) at the very swanky Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills and spent a pleasurable few hours chatting about his work and achievements as well as this project. He’s a director as well and it was really interesting listening to some of his war-stories. He’s not much older than I am but has been far more productive in his time and I was pretty blown away by that sheer heads-down determination and work ethic he’s got. Makes me feel like a lazy underachiever in comparison. Though he’d seen Solomon Kane and really liked it, the film of mine that he dug most was WILDERNESS. He responded to the strong performances of the young cast and sheer ferocity of the kills which I think plays to elements of this project.

Then I met with the executives at the studio that’s financing. Once again, a great meeting with a huge amount of positive energy and enthusiasm from me and them. I came away thinking that – whoever gets the gig – they’re going to have a really passionate team behind them.

Anyway, back home now and awaiting feedback from this trip. It’s a long shot but the game’s not over just yet. I think I know who’s most likely to get the job out of the other names I’ve heard and if I’m right, then we’ll all get a great movie and if it’s me, we’ll then, we’ll get an even better one

Maybe he is talking about Neil Marshall in that last paragraph or mayber somebody else.

In a previous post on his excellent blog he talks about dream projects (Half-Life, Outland and more) and mentions the Alien films.

Alien is the reason I became a film maker. I don’t care about Ripley (edit – just to qualify this comment; Fincher finished her story in Alien3 and bringing her back felt like a diservice to her character in Alien4.) I want to know about the Aliens; their world, the ecosystem or intelligence that created them. Imagine if the Alien in its home world was nothing more than a wasp or ant? What kind of planet would that be? I’d rather Ridley Scott or James Cameron did it but if they won’t I’ll happily take a swing. Anything has to be better than the Alien movies we’ve been served up so far. (And this is coming from a guy who went to New York to see the opening of Alien3 in Times Square. I’ve long since forgiven Fincher who is clearly a genius but boy, it stung at the time. In fact you can kinda see what he was trying to do if you look at the extended cut. Still bad but now at least a really noble failure.) I hear now that the Ridley is producing a prequel with his favourite new Wunderkind director protege. Maybe we’ll finally find out what the hell the ’space jockey’ was all about. Wish it was me doing it though…

He definitley has the right mindset and geek credentials to make a new Predator film that we all want to see. Right, I'm off to see if I can get an interview with him.

Do you think Bassett is talking about the Predators film? Out of him and Marshall who do you think would deliver the better film?

Discuss in the forum or leave a comment below.

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Neil Marshall is one of seven directors in the running for Predators

The news yesterday was that Neil Marshall was in talks to direct Predators produced by Robert Rodriguez. Today AICN have found out that Neil Marshall is one of about 7 names that Robert is looking at and meeting with right now.

They contacted Robert about this story and his update was that he's looking at various works by the guys in the running, and he'll be seeing Neil's Centurion very soon, but at this point, Neil and the other candidates are collectively holding their breaths to see who comes out the other end.

Robert doesn't want the list of names out there at this point, but like so many rumors hitting the net at this juncture - it seems a lot of folks that hear something and leap to report before there is really anything solid.

Neil's talks are the same as all the others. He has met with Robert. Robert did like him. Robert is looking forward to seeing Centurion. But he has similar feelings about the other candidates.

Who could the other 6 directors be?

Discuss in the forum or leave a comment below.

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Neil Marshall may direct Predators

It looks as if Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, Descent, Doomsday and the forthcoming Centurion) may possibly be directing Robert Rodriguez's Predators according to Bloody Disgusting.

This could be a good choice for the franchise as he has dealt with people in prosthetics, big battle scenes and scary situations. Hell, if you replaced the Werewolves in Dog Soldiers with Predators then you would have a pretty effective film.

Mind you this puts paid to my whole "Neil Marshall is working backwards through the alphabet making films starting with the letter D" theory or NMIWBTTAMFSWTLD.

Do you think Marshall is a good fit for the Predators film? If not him who would be a better choice?

Discuss in the forum or leave a comment below.

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Gladiators vs Werewolves: Edge of Empire

From AV Pictures (Lesbian Vampire Killers) comes the next great genre mashup - Gladiators vs Werewolves. Sounds almost like a prequel to Dog Soldiers - funny as Neil Marshall is making the Roman themed Centurion.

Twitch had the synopsis.

AD 160. The Romans occupy Britain, and the great Hadrian’s Wall divides the land, built to keep back the northern warrior tribes, and something far more dangerous; a clan of savage wolf-like creatures which roam the lowlands.

Word reaches Governor Flavius that the Emperor has decreed that new, more fearsome beasts should be captured for the games. The ambitious Governor, having heard rumours of the fierce wolf-beasts beyond the great wall, senses an opportunity to win favour with the Emperor and even a place in the senate.

The heroic Centurian, Titus, is tasked with hunting and trapping the wolf-creatures. Titus and his legionaries track the beasts to their mountain lair and discover a warrior clan who transform at will into mighty, armour clad werewolves. In a fierce battle, the beasts slaughter half of the legionaries. Titus and his surviving men escape and ensnare the pursuing werewolves.

The Governor is delighted he has his prized new fighting savages, but Titus realizes that anyone bitten by a werewolf is cursed to become one of their kind. He warns the Governor that the werewolves pose a grave threat if they increase their numbers. Titus’s reward for challenging the Governor is to be stripped of his rank and thrown into the arena where the beasts’ savagery will be tested.

Excited spectators cram the amphitheatre. Titus and the land’s best gladiators are pitted against the ferocious werewolves, but the beasts are powerful and smart. For every two fighters they slay, they leave one wounded and alive. Titus’s fears are confirmed; the werewolves are building an army. The final day of the games will be a blood and thunder battle, more savage than any Roman has seen or experienced before.

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Centurion - Michael Fassbender on the run

Neil Marshall's latest film is Centurion, currently shooting in Surrey, and Empire have a new picture from the film, with star Michael Fassbender (300, Hunger) on the run from some savage Picts.

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First look at a battle in Neil Marshall's Centurion

I am looking forward to seeing Doomsday director Neil Marshall's upcoming Roman combat picture Centurion. There was the excellent behind the scenes featurette a few days ago. Now Quiet Earth had this fiery battle photo from the shoot and it does look pretty cool. A hint of Gladiator, some David Gemmell Drenai stuff and just general coolness.

I cannot wait.

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Neil Marshall's Centurion On-Set Featurette

Actor Dominic West and director Neil Marshall explain in the video the backstory behind the historical events and what Centurion is supposed to be about, so if you're curious to know more, just start there. But as a recap, Centurion is an epic action adventure film set in 117 AD about a group of Roman soldiers who must fight for their lives behind enemy lines after their legion is decimated in a devastating guerrilla attack. It also stars Michael Fassbender, Olga Kurylenko, Noel Clarke, and David Morrisey

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Olga Kurylenko in Neil Marshall's Centurion

Centurion is an action adventure film set in 117 AD about a group of Roman soldiers who must fight for their lives behind enemy lines after their legion is decimated in a devastating guerrilla attack. Empire had this photo of Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace, Hitman) as the character Etain, described as "a savage-looking Pict warrior woman."
It also stars Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Noel Clarke, and David Morrisey.

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Centurion - Noel Clarke joins Neil Marshall's sword and sandals brigade

Writer-director-actor Noel Clarke (Dr Who, Kidulthood, Adulthood) has joined the cast of Neil Marshall's (The Descent, Dog Soldiers, Doomsday - he's now moved back up the alphabet one letter!) sword-and-sandals pic Centurion, being repped by Pathe International at the European Film Market.

Clarke, who recently starred in his own directorial debut, Adulthood, joins Michael Fassbender (300, Eden Lake, Hunger), Dominic West (300, The Wire, Punisher: War Zone) and Bond girl Olga Kurylenko in the cast. The movie is due to shoot at the end of Feburary in Scotland and London.

The movie, set during the Roman invasion of Britain in 117 AD, tells the story of Quintus Dias, sole survivor of a Pictish raid on a Roman frontier fort, who marches north with General Virilus' famed Ninth Legion under orders to wipe the Picts from the face of the Earth and destroy their leader, Gorlacon.

"Slumdog Millionaire" producer Christian Colson of Celador Films will produce with French-owned, U.K.-based Pathe Distribution.

Source: THR

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Descent 2 - Photos from the sequel...Here be beasties!

The Descent by Neil Marshall was a scary, spooky and depressing horror film from 2005. Jon Harris (editor on Snatch, Stardust and Kick-Ass) is making his directorial debut with The Descent 2. Ollie Upton’s website had these lovely images from the film.
“Terror mounts and fear runs deeper in the chilling continuation to Neil Marshall’s award-winning and critically acclaimed modern horror classic, The Descent. Distraught, confused and half-wild with fear, Sarah Carter (SHAUNA MACDONALD) emerges alone from the Appalachian cave system where she encountered unspeakable terrors. Unable to plausibly explain to the authorities what happened - or why she’s covered in her friends’ blood - Sarah is forced back to the subterranean depths to help locate her five missing companions. As the rescue party drives deeper into uncharted caverns, nightmarish visions of the recent past begin to haunt Sarah and she starts to realize the full horror and futility of the mission. Subjected to the suspicion and mistrust of the group and confronted once more by the inbred, feral and savagely ruthless Crawlers, Sarah must draw on all her inner reserves of strength and courage in a desperate final struggle for deliverance and redemption.”



The Descent 2 is due out here in the UK in May 2009.

Are you a fan of the first film? Do you feel there is a need for a sequel and does the story sound as if it takes away some of the power from the original?

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