Weekly Weblinks: Superman and Splinter Cell

It’s Friday morning, time for the Weekly Weblinks. Things kind of got away from me this week, and I’m considering some changes here, but that’s a discussion for another day. Today, we’ve got another batch of blog posts and a slew of news to read up on. There aren’t any new movie reviews in this week’s blog posts — I’m not even sure there are new movies out that people have had a chance to review yet — but there’s some great discussion on some classics. And in the news, the 1980s are being pillaged again for Hollywood’s idea machine. Or lack-of-ideas machine. So read on to see what it’s all about!

Blog Posts:

He’s been talking about Bond all month, and getting others to do so as well. Now Fogs finishes it off with his ranking of all the official films, including the latest, Skyfall.

Bubbawheat is back, and he’s taking a look at the Richard Donner cut of Superman II.

Tyson Carter is starting a new series at Head in a Vice: The Face Off, in which bloggers with differing views on a movie hash it out for all of us to see. First up? Drive. Check it out to see the debate.

Eric’s movie project at the Warning Sign continues with a look at the 1954 classic On the Waterfront.

Speaking of classics, Andy has a review of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window.

News Blurbs:

Rumors upon rumors and random speculation and wishing have been flying about Star Wars: Episode VII since it was first announced to the public. Now there’s a bit of official truth: Michael Arndt has been selected to write the script. Arndt’s previous writing credits include Toy Story 3, Little Miss Sunshine, and the upcoming Hunger Games: Catching Fire and an as-yet-untitled 2015 Pixar movie (which apparently takes place in the mind). The director’s chair is still up for grabs as of this writing, despite numerous names being put forward.

Anne Hathaway has confirmed that she has a role in Robopocalypse, though she is keeping silent on any details.

New Line is talking with James Wan to direct MacGyver, because of course if it’s from the 1980s, it must be made into a movie. Wan’s previous directing experience includes Saw, several other middling-rated horror movies, and the action film Death Sentence.

INXS is officially calling it quits, announcing that their performance supporting Matchbox 20 will be their last performance as a group. To be honest, it’s more surprising that they were still going after the death of Michael Hutchence in 1997.

Brandon Jackson has been cast as Aaron Foley in the Beverly Hills Cop TV series. Like his father Axel, Aaron will be a Detroit cop transplanted to Beverly Hills — though in his case he also has to deal with the reputation of his father looming over him. Eddie Murphy will guest-star in the pilot as Axel and may appear as a recurring character if the series is picked up by CBS.

It probably had to happen eventually. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, the video game series based on a book series by an author who came to national prominence through the Jack Ryan movies, is being adapted to a film of its own. Tom Hardy has been cast as lead character Sam Fisher.

What’s next for Tim Burton? Well, X-Men: First Class scribe Jane Goldman is writing a script for Pinocchio for Warner Brothers, and Burton is expected to direct. Robert Downey Jr. is slated to star in the movie, which is expected to focus on Geppetto’s quest to reunite with his missing puppet/son. Presumably Downey plays Geppetto; I think Roberto Benigni proved conclusively that it’s creepy to watch a grown man play Pinocchio, and Tim Burton doesn’t need help being creepy.