Here’s What’s Going On 07/25/2013: Public Outcry for DREDD 2?

Karl Urban is counting on you, civilian!… Gale Anne Hurd preps a retro alien tale… Batman and the Flash compare notes on psychos in JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE FLASHPOINT PARADOX…
From the luxurious Cinefantastique Online studios in NYC, Dan Persons brings you up-to-date on what’s happening in the world of fantastic film & TV.

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Director Booted from 'Dredd' Re-boot?

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According to The LA Times , director Pete Travis (VANTAGE POINT) has been barred from the editing room of  DNA Pictures DREDD, the re-boot of 2000 A.D.’s  Judge Dredd comic book character. 
Unnamed sources apparently have told them that Travis and the producers of the film have had creative differences, beginning with the footage shot during principal photography and reaching the breaking point in the post-production phase.
It seems that writer/producer Alex Garland (28 DAYS LATER) has taken control of the editing, hoping to re-shape it back into what he and  the producers had envisioned.
Reshoots may be necessary, and one might speculate that Garland, who has never directed previously, might step into that role— as there are rumblings that he may seek an unusual “co-director” credit. 
This a  matter that would have to be taken up with the UK Director’s Guild, and  I would guess that simply re-editing another director’s work wouldn’t likely be seen as qualifying as being the co-director.
Such credits tend to make the industry  uncomfortable, even when directors share responsibity during principal photography. 
However, none of this has been officially confirmed (hence our initial hesitance to report this item), but neither has it been refuted by the production. 
The Times article itself mentioned that they were also given conflicting information, stating that Pete Travis IS still attached to the  project, though only consulting via the internet, rather than being physically present in the editing room.
Still, hardly comforting news.
UPDATE: Via the LA TIMES again, Pete Travis and Alex Garland have reportedly issued this statement:

“During all stages of the filmmaking, ‘Dredd’ has been a collaboration between a number of dedicated creative parties.  From the outset we decided on an unorthodox collaboration to make the film.  This situation has been misinterpreted.  
To set the record straight, Pete was not fired and remains a central part of the collaboration, and Alex is not seeking a co-director credit.  We are all extremely proud of the film we have made, and respectfully suggest that it is judged on viewing when its released next year.”

Alan Silvestri to Score 'Capt. America'

captainamerica_Emp_artAccording to Film Music Reporter.com, Alan Silvestri (JUDGE DREDD, THE A-TEAM [2010]) will write the film score for CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENEGER.
This was apparently an unexpected choice, as it is the first time the compser has worked with director Joe Johnston (THE ROCKETEER).
Alan Menken (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS) is reportedly also on board, presumably to write songs for Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) stint with the USO. Perhaps he might also write some period “source” music.

Lena Headey Villain of 'DREDD'

 

Lena Headey as SARAH CONNOR
Lena Headey as SARAH CONNOR

 IndieWire  says it’s confirmed that Lena Headey (TERMINATOR TV series) has been cast as the female villain in the Judge Dredd movie DREDD.

 
The character is Madeline Madrigal, aka drug dealing gang leader ‘Ma-Ma’, who according to script leaks plans to kill all the street judges. The version of the script that circulated is said to have described the villainess as 50-60 years old, scarred and extremely overweight, not exactly type-casting for the attractive Headey.
 
The Lionsgate / DNA Films production is under production in South Africa, starring Karl Urban (STAR TREK) as Judge Dredd, and Olivia Thirlby as Judge Anderson.
 
Pete Travis (ENDGAME) directs, from a screenplay by Alex Garland (28 DAYS LATER).

1st Look at Karl Urban as 'DREDD'

Moviephone featured this picture of Karl Urban (STAR TREK) as Judge Dredd in the new movie adaptation of the comic, DREDD.
(Slightly tweaked for contrast, here.)

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The picture was apparently taken in a pre-production rehearsal by “Jock”, a comic book artist working a conceptual artist for the Pete Travis (VANTAGE POINT)-directed film.
The character was first played by Sylvester Stallone in the 1995 JUDGE DREDD, which looked good from a visual standpoint, but disappointed in many other aspects.

Lionsgate Picks up 'DREDD'

Dredd_Anderson_thrillVariety reports that Lionsgate has made a deal to distrubute three action films from IM Global in the U.S. One of these films is DREDD, the new live-action version of the Judge Dredd sci-fi police comic book. 
In addition to DREDD, to be directed by Pete Travis and starring Karl Urban (STAR TREK), the deal includes SAFE, currently in production under Boaz Yakin, and starring Jason Statham (CRANK 2). The other film is PROTECTION, to be directed by Simon West.

JUDGE DREDD Adds Co-Star

Dredd_Anderson_thrillAccording to Variety,  Olivia Thirlby (BORED TO DEATH) has been signed for  the DNA Films re-boot of JUDGE DREDD.
The actress has been cast as Judge Cassandra Anderson, in this film a rookie Judge being trained by Judge Dredd (STAR TREK’s Karl Urban). Like her namesake Cassandra, Judge Anderson has psychic abilities.  
In the British 2000 A.D. comic book series, Anderson was part of the Psi Division, earning an certain trust and degree of friendship with Dredd during the Judge Death storyline.
In 1980, she was given her own series, Anderson: Psi-Division, which was  initiated by by Dredd creator/writer John Wagner and artist Brian Bolland.  The character did not appear in the 1998 JUDGE DREDD film.
JUDGE DREDD will be directed by Pete Travis (VANTAGE POINT) with a script by Alex Garland (28 DAYS LATER).

Judge Dredd in 3-D

2000_JDThe news out of Cannes is that JUDGE DREDD is returning to the Silver Screen. This new take will be a “high-octane” $45 million production, filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa and directed by Pete Travis (VANTAGE POINT), according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The script by Alex Garland (28 DAYS LATER) appears to have the approval of co-creator John Wagner. Wager and artist Carlos Ezquerra developed the furturistic lawman with editor Pat Mills for the UK comic book 2000 A.D. in 1977.
The character previously appeared in the visually appealing but lack-luster JUDGE DREDD (1995), embodied by Sylvester Stallone.