Comic-Con: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
The panel for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was entertaining, with a lot of the reason being the director himself, Edgar Wright. He called each cast member out on stage while forcing them to describe their feelings in one word — and had an obsession to ask the audience in attendance if they love chocolate.
Courtesy of Hickey
After all the cast members at hand were situated, Wright informed the attendees that there’s two very special guests that he wanted to introduce — he then announced Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. They walked on stage with arms victoriously raised while the crowd erupted with uproarious cheers. Just before shaking hands with the director, Wright then informed the audience, “And they will not be in the movie . . . nor are they special guests.” Pegg and Frost acted disappointed and sad, pathetically walking backstage while the lights dimmed — with “Aww!” from the crowd in unison.
Courtesy of Hickey
Edgar Wright then finally introduced the star of the film, Michael Cera — who came out in a crude Captain America costume; it was a way to tease cast member Chris Evans who couldn’t make it to the panel due to filming Captain America, and the fans ate it up.
Asked of when he first heard of Scott Pilgrim, Edgar Wright answered that he first caught wind of the comic in 2004 when it came out and instantly fell in love with it. He got in talks with the creator Bryan Lee O’Malley (who participated in the panel) and began work to bring a film adaptation of the comic into fruition.
Wright then went into detail about the fight scenes being approached as video game levels; and that the actors were trained by the likes of accomplished stuntmen — one namely being Brad Allen.
Michael Cera talked about a kiss scene and how he was worried about it — since it was a kiss with another guy — so Edgar Wright did the sensible thing and took him aside and casually kissed him on the lips and said, “See? That isn’t so bad!” Wright then cut in, jokingly adding, “I bet Stallone didn’t kiss any of his cast members!”
At the end of the panel Edgar Wright informed us that the film is shot in 2D and that tickets will be at regular price; the audience cheered; then he excitedly said, “So see it twice!” which garnered louder cheers. The panel came to a close when Wright announced that those in attendance who have a 1-Up button will get to see a screening with him and the cast.
The Three Musketeers is being remade by Paul W.S. Anderson with a cast that includes Orlando Bloom and Christoph Waltz. Also in the film will be Luke Evans in the role of Aramis. Evans is a veteran theater actor who just this year made the transition to film — and he’s already scoring lead roles in both independent and big studio movies. It speaks volumes about his craft.
Comcast is poised to acquire NBC from General Electric. Despite denials from General Electric, sources say that NBC’s CEO Jeff Zucker has been telling friends that a deal has been finalized to give him an exit package. It’s estimated at around $30 million to $40 million. Despite the 28 percent fall in profit, NBC is paying Jeff Zucker for being an effective failure. And keep in mind this is the same man who essentially made the call to bump Conan off the Tonight Show to pander to Leno. Maybe the true American dream is to fail upwards? It seems to be the trend nowadays with suits.