Bryan Singer Begins Production On 3D Remake Of JACK THE GIANT KILLER

Source: Warner Bros

Principal photography is underway in London on acclaimed filmmaker Bryan Singer's 3D epic action adventure "Jack the Giant Killer," with Nicholas Hoult in the title role of Jack, for New Line Cinema and Legendary Pictures.

"Jack the Giant Killer" tells the story of an ancient war that is reignited when a young farmhand unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack, into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom, its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend—and gets the chance to become a legend himself.

Hoult and Singer recently collaborated on the Singer-produced "X-Men: First Class," for release later this year. "Jack the Giant Killer" also stars Eleanor Tomlinson as Princess Isabelle; Stanley Tucci ("Captain America: The First Avenger," "Julie & Julia") as the deceitful Lord Roderick; Ian McShane ("Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," HBO's "Deadwood") as the besieged King Brahmwell; Bill Nighy ("Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows") as the giants' leader General Fallon; and Ewan McGregor ("Star Wars," "The Ghost Writer") as palace guard Elmont.

Singer will direct from a screenplay by Darren Lemke and Christopher McQuarrie and Dan Studney, story by Darren Lemke & David Dobkin. The film will be produced by Neal Moritz, David Dobkin, Bryan Singer and Patrick McCormick.

The creative filmmaking team includes Singer's longtime collaborators, director of photography Newton Thomas Sigel ("X-Men," "Superman Returns") and editor John Ottman ("X2," "Superman Returns"). The production designer is Gavin Bocquet ("Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith").

"Jack the Giant Killer" is filming on location in and around London, and is scheduled for a summer 2012 release.

A New Line Cinema presentation, in association with Legendary Pictures, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Bryan Singer Signs On To Direct Battlestar Galactica Movie

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Variety

Universal has just signed Bryan Singer to direct the upcoming "Battlestar Galactica" movie. The signing came to the surprise of many in the industry who believed that he had already signed on to helm "X-Men: First Class".

Singer has a long history with "Battlestar Galactica", back in 2001 he was set to relaunch the television series along with producer Tom DeSanto. Many speculate that the events of 9/11 caused ABC to rethink their plans and put the new series back on the shelf. Singer then moved on to other movie projects and Ronald Moore stepped in to re-invent "Galactica" for the Sci Fi Channel.

A long-time fan of the original 1978 series, Singer had longed to continue on the story from where it had left off. Now, he may get his chance.

Though, Universal has stated that the movie version of "Galactica" would again be another 're-imagining' of the television series, reports have surfaced that the project would resemble the 1978 TV version more then the new Ronald Moore series.

During a convention a few years back I got a chance to talk to actor Richard Hatch, who has appeared on both "Galactica" series, about what Singer and DeSanto had in store for their series. Here is an excerpt from that interview:

"...... Finally Bryan Singer (X-men, X2 & Superman Returns) came on board and his version was to continue the story on down the line so that they would only have three or four of the original actors in the show. I felt that was much more in line with what the fans wanted to see and was more in line with what I was doing. I was supportive of that project. The only problem I had with it was that it seemed like they were bringing some of the main characters back in main roles, yet my character was being brought in through the back door. I felt that the story Tom DeSanto was working on was very interesting. My character was to find redemption after being captured by the Cylons, maybe even being turned into a Cylon himself much like what was done in the new series. I thought that would be a very compelling story. In the opening two hour pilot, however I basically didn't have a word. I felt like Herb and Dirk were given the main roles in the show and I felt like I was being brought in through the back door. Maybe to do a real interesting role that for me as an actor I would have loved doing."

Richard also went on to talk about how the series could have continued on from the original series.

"You could have great stories about fathers and sons plus you get to flash back and build upon the mythology and fill in the blanks that never got tied together. To me it was important to build upon the back story, tie together the missing links and some of the story threads that never got explained and bring it all together in a powerful way. To me a continuation made the most sense."

Read More - Interview - Richard Hatch

Of course, Singer and DeSanto's "Battlestar Galactica" series never got produced, but it does give some insight into where the director's head is at.

It is uncertain at this point whether Ronald Moore or Tom DeSanto will be involved with the project, but series creator Glen A. Larson has been signed as executive producer.

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SyFy Teams Up With Bryan Singer To Develop Doomsday Adventure Series

Source: NBC / Universal

Syfy announced today that it will re-team with director/producer Bryan Singer (Superman Returns, X-Men) who executive produced the Channel's 2005 miniseries The Triangle and producer Andrew Deane (Masters of Horror, Masters of Science Fiction, Fear Itself) and Keith Addis to develop an untitled 6-hour limited series to be written by Michael Petroni (Chronicles of Narnia: The Dawn Treader, Masters of Science Fiction: The Awakening, Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys) and Michael Bond (Passengers).

The announcement was made by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Content, Syfy & Co-Head, Original Content, Universal Cable Productions. Syfy is developing the project with Singer's Bad Hat Harry Productions and Addis and Deane of Industry Entertainment.

The project will be a thrilling action-adventure story blending scientific fact and myth with popular conspiracy theories centering on the Mayan Calendar and what it predicts for mankind at its end date. With a feel of DaVinci Code and National Treasure, it tells the story of a down-on-his-luck author/professor who goes on a worldwide adventure to uncover the mysteries surrounding the Mayan Calendar and the potential apocalypse it seems to have predicted centuries ago. With an unlikely team, he races against time to prevent global catastrophe, and in doing so, ultimately rediscovers his faith in humanity and himself.

"We're very excited to be back in business with Bryan once again, and feel this project, with the producing expertise of Keith and Andrew and the writing flair of Michael Petroni and Michael Bond, promises to be a real thrill ride," said Mark Stern. "Given the debate, speculation and mystery surrounding the subject matter, it couldn't be more timely."

"I have always been fascinated by the various myths and conspiracy theories surrounding the Mayan Calendar," said Bryan Singer. "It's the most accurate calendar created by man, so accurate that many believe its origins may lie elsewhere. Regardless of what you believe, what is truly mysterious about this, is that a number of cultures and religions, including Hinduism, all point toward a period of great upheaval which happens to coincide with the final month and year marked by the calendar. Our story will explore whether we are truly alone in the universe, and other related mysteries, all of which are set against the backdrop of an incredibly exciting and fast-paced adventure."

"Michael Petroni is a brilliant writer, and when he and Michael Bond brought us this idea, we new instantly that it had the potential to be incredibly provocative, intelligent, and entertaining event programming," said Andrew Deane.

See Also: SyFy Announces Air Date For Caprica / The Sci Fi Channel Is Morphing Into Sy Fy.....WTF?