‘The Dark Tower,’ ’47 Ronin,’ ‘Safe House’ & More Slotted
Universal has begun mapping out their theatrical calendar for 2012 and into 2013 and following yesterday’s news that Judd Apatow’s next film would hit on June 1, 2012 a new flurry of dates have been confirmed.
Leading the pack, Tony Gilroy‘s “The Bourne Legacy” has been set for a late summer, August 3, 2012 release. It will mark the writer’s first time directing a franchise vehicle and the latest entry will not feature Jason Bourne, but will keep the door open for him to return in another film.
Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts will help ring in next summer’s long holiday weekend when “Larry Crowne” hits on July 1, 2011. Written and directed by Hanks, and featuring an extensive supporting cast, the film is about a man who is forced to find a new career and reinvent himself as he enters the second half of his life.
The Keanu Reeves starring samuari epic “47 Ronin” will be unleashed on November 21, 2012. The film is a fact-based thriller about an 18th century samurai clan who avenge the death of their master and has script from Chris Morgan (“Wanted“) and will be directed by celebrated Ridley Scott protege Carl Eric Rinsch.
“Snabba Cash” director Daniel Espinosa‘s Hollywood debut, “Safe House,” based off the hot script by David Guggenheim (and being rewritten by Terry George), will land on February 10, 2012. Starring Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington the film tells the story of a young CIA agent (Reynolds) who must transport a dangerous criminal (Denzel Washington) to safety after they are attacked at a safe house.
Ron Howard‘s expansive adaptation of Stephen King‘s “The Dark Tower” will kick off on May 17, 2013. The film will be written by Akiva Goldsman and will be the first in a trilogy that will also spinoff into a television series.
The currently casting “Snow White And The Huntsman,” which has Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron most recently linked to the lead roles, will arrive on December 21, 2012. The revisionist buddy movie spin on the popular fairy tale, sees the titular huntsman being hired by the evil queen to track down her runaway stepdaughter, the fairest in all the land. When he realizes that the queen intends to kill Snow White, he helps her escape, and the pair go on the run. The film will be directed by commercial and music video director Rupert Sanders and that date is the exact same date as WB/MGM‘s “The Hobbit.” Counter-programming or confidence?
The Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale led “Contraband,” a remake of Icelandic thriller “Reykjavik-Rotterdam” by director Baltasar Kormakur (who is also directing the Hollywood version), will spring into theaters on March 16, 2012. The film follows a security guard and former smuggler who, facing financial troubles, is roped back into his old life. Aaron Guzikowski, who penned the very hot Black List script “Prisoners,” is writing the screenplay.
Finally, the probably terrible board game movie “Ouija,” which is currently looking for a director, will attempt to offer up some thrills on November 9, 2012.