devilshalo

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr..._id=1000800209

British-born Paul W.S. Anderson, the director behind the successful "Resident Evil" franchise, has signed on with producer Neal Moritz to helm "Man With the Football" for Columbia Pictures. The film, which revolves around a group of terrorists who steal the U.S. president's "football" -- the briefcase containing computer and telecommunications equipment that can launch a nuclear strike -- has been floating around the studio system for years. "I'm very excited to be working with Paul," Moritz said. "I'm a big fan of what's he's been doing lately. We've been working on this project for quite a few years, and I believe it's as timely today as ever. I'm glad we're going to finally bring it to fruition."
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Now a little history about this project. When I was at Warner Bros. in 1996, it was being passed around for consideration. It was an ok story and I can see why it's resurfaced with the popularity of shows like 24. Written by John Pogue (Three Kings) with revisions by Andrew Marlowe (Air Force One). I think at the time they were considering Stuart Baird who was coming off of Executive Decision. Morgan Creek had the property at the time, dunno how Phoenix Pictures (Neal Moritz) acquired it.

How P W S Anderson will do as director no one knows, but hey, he's no Uwe Boll.

FinkPish

I would have liked for them to use a director who was more talented with politcal thrillers instead of run of the mill crap. Stuart Baird would have been a better choice, or Phillip Noyce or even John McTiernan, because they all have some more maturity to their movies. PWSA just doesn't have the chops yet.

Jackskeleton

Well without the fan appeal of Gamer fans for Resident Evil or Predator and alien fans in AVP, it will be good to see P.W.S.A. try to earn his box office dollar. My hopes is that he fails.

we are all doomed.

jaeufraser

Well it will be interesting to see if he can have a box office success with a film not based on a franchise with a previously installed audience. Based on Event Horizon and Soldier, hopefully not.

On the bright side, this assignment is something I don't mind Anderson doing. I'd much rather him helm a film I have no interest in than a franchise film I am interested in. "From the producer of Torque and xXx" Yeah, Anderson will fit right in there.

Trigger

i hope it makes half a billion dollars.

Shannon Nutt

This is a rather silly premise for a film...I'm pretty sure the codes can be changed at a moment's notice if they came up missing. I remember a book came out a few years back about Clinton losing the codes. Hard to believe they still need a system like this anyway - I'd be surprised if we still used the briefcase thingy...probably just something the White House lets the public think they still do.

PT Anderson, huh? Why do I have the suspicion that this thing isn't going to have any A-list actors assigned to it?

PopcornTreeCt

Whoa. Please don't confuse P.T. with Paul W. S. Proceed.

darqleo

to Paul W.S. for taking on a project that won't be "raping" any "childhoods"

QuiGonJosh

Looks interesting. I'll likely see it. I've enjoyed most of his flicks...other than Soldier.

scott shelton

Does anybody else think that jaeu has us all on ignore?

Troy Stiffler

Paul Thomas Anderson
Wes Anderson
Paul W.S. Anderson

What is this guy trying to pull?

His movies are alright. There's just something that doesn't make them excellent. They're just quick, flat, and usually enjoyable. I enjoyed Resident Evil and AvP. Really liked Even Horizon. Like Mortal Kombat when I was a kid, but now it's almost unwatchable.

AvP, though very flawed, showed that he is getting better and better. Given the premise and script, I don't think it could have been much better. I couldn't think of any moments when I said "they should have done so and so here". It was a well rounded movie, and pretty fun. If he could find those sensational moments that Michael Bay gets, he'd be much further along.

Shannon Nutt

Typo on my part...I meant PWS when I typed PT. I'm actually a big fan of PT - so I want to make sure that's clear.

DonnachaOne

Doesn't sound too bad, on the whole.

If Anderson doesn't attempt to rewrite the script, then we might have a winner.

devilshalo

Pogue is going to re-write his own material. I could give a spoiler filled review of his first attempt.

DonnachaOne

Devil, if you could, then I wish you would.

Spoilerize it here, or if you prefer, e-mail me. [email protected]

Bugg

You forgot Paul Thomas, director of such cinematic works as

-WMB: Weapons of Masturbation
-If the Balls Fit, Suck 'Em!
-Prettiest Tits I Ever Came Across

& the immortal classic
-Guess Who Came at Dinner?

OldBoy

Sounds like "The American President" vs. "The Last Boy Scout"...eh, it should be alright, he's good with those versus movies.

Dr. DVD

Where can me renty?

DonnachaOne

Not to mention, from "Paul William Scott Anderson":

PAUL SCOTT, who worked on the special effects for Donnie Darko
WILLIAM ANDERSON, better know as ADAM WEST
For WILLIAM SCOTT, there is of course SEANN WILLIAM SCOTT...
... and SCOTT ANDERSON worked on the visual effects of Gladiator.

None of them have worked with Paul Thomas Anderson or Paul WS Anderson.
There's also another Scott Anderson, who worked for the art department on The Woodsman... linking it all to Kevin Bacon in one step.