17 replies to this topic

[zencat]

Okay, I have a 2004 movie to look forward to. VAN HELASING. Written and directed by Steven Sommers and starring Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing who, not only fights Dracula in this film, but also the Wolfman and the Frankenstein Monster. Hey, I LOVED Sommers The Mummy, so I have high hopes for this one. Bring on the classic monsters!

http://www.vanhelsingmovie.com

Check out this teaser of the new Frankenstein Monster.

[JackChase007]

Ah, glad to see another Sommers fan out there.

Once I heard that Sommers (one of my favorite directors) would be doing another horror/adventure film, I immediately knew that we were in for a treat. And then I heard that one of my favorite actors, Hugh Jackman, would be playing the lead character, I got even more excited. I'm glad to hear that Alan Silvestri (who composed the score for "The Mummy Returns") will be returning for "Van Helsing" (although I would much rather get another score from Jerry Goldsmith, but oh well). Also, I look forward to seeing Kevin J. O'Conner (who played Beni in The Mummy) as Igor.

Although, the concept art for Van Helsing's character so far bothers me - he looks a lot like "The Shadow"...

[zencat]

I love Sommers because he makes MOVIES. Big, fun MOVIES. And he really gives it his all. He reminds me of Spielberg back in the day. He just seems to be making the movies I want to see. I remember people laughed at me when I said the movie I was most looking forward to in the summer of '99 was The Mummy. No one is laughing now. I

[JackChase007]

What I've been led to understand is that "Van Helsing" is the first in a potential franchise - so should it do well, I'm sure that "The Creature" will appear in a sequel - hence why the film is entitled "Van Helsing", as opposed to one of the creatures. Although, I think it would've been a better idea to keep the monsters to just one, or at most two, per film. But I trust Sommers - as you said, he makes "big, fun MOVIES", and I fully agree with you. He doesn't make movies to win awards, he doesn't make them to make money (if he wanted that, he could've given into Universal Studios pressure and done "The Mummy 3") - he does them to entertain the movie-going public. He has a passion for these characters, and looks to make fun movies that people will enjoy. Unfortunately, I know a number of people who do not appreciate and understand this...

[Bryce (003)]

So Wolverine is going to battle the Wolfman! Coooool!!!!!!!

I had heard Jackman was circling this project before Christmas. Glad it's happening.

Thank goodness for Sommers and his appreciation of good old movie entertainment!

My god Zencat! Is Hollywood becoming fun again?

Me thinks so;)

[JackChase007]

Well, if you've seen "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns", then I think you'll have your answer. I really want to go out and get Sommers' first action/adventure film, "Deep Rising" - my uncle (who is also a big Sommers-Mummy fan) likes that movie, so I can't see it being too bad. Sommers really does have a good idea about what movies are all about.

[zencat]

I'm not a fan of Deep Rising. I'd avoid it. Not Sommers at his best, IMO.

[JackChase007]

Hmmm...a shame to hear that. But nonetheless, it's a movie that I haven't seen, and being a collector of DVDs, what the hell?

[Rich Douglas]

Well this is wonderful news! Reviving the old monster films with that wonderful Sommers flare, should be very cool. Lets hope he brings back Jerry Goldsmith to score.

Rich

[Blue Eyes]

Well, I approach this film with enthusiasm. It's done by Sommers, cool. It's leading lady is Kate Beckinsale BRILLIANT.

[JackChase007]

Rich:
So far, they're saying that Alan Silvestri (from "The Mummy Returns") will be scoring "Van Helsing".

[zencat]

I just got THE SCORPION KING on DVD. I know Sommers only wrote and produced it, but it looks like it might be fun.

[JackChase007]

It was okay - I also have it, although it's lacking qualities (which in particular, I have no clue) that made "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns" so fun and enjoyable. The Rock is a bit underrated (although he can't begin to match the quality of Brendan Fraser in the above-mentioned films).

[zencat]

So I watched The Scorpion King last night and, yeah, I thought it was pretty good. It was fun and well written. And I really think The Rock has incredible charisma. I think, given the right roles, he could be a big movie star. The script was better than the directorial treatment the movie received, IMO. It was a shame they didn't aspire to create an authentic world ala Conan or LOTR. They went for a Xena/Hercules type of style. Good for TV, but for movies... Still, I liked it.

But the thing that really surprised me was the blatant full-on rip off of the Solitaire character from LALD. Psychic

[JackChase007]

Zen - I just checked out "Deep Rising", and I must say that I really enjoyed it. It was a fun, Sommers thrill-ride. It was such a Sommers trademark movie - Finnegan (Treat Williams) was so reminiscent of Rick O'Connell, and Anthonly Heald's character was just like Beni in "The Mummy". Kevin J. O'Connor was a riot, and my friends and I were cheering so much for him to stay alive.

[SeanValen00V]

Big Huge Jackmen fan, got X Men 2 coming up, and Van Helsing, looking forward to it, there is strong chance of a Wolverine spin off film as well, exploring his origins, he's got a comic book series on the character itself for ages, be great.

On top of all that, Hugh Jackmen would make a cool James Bond in the future, be a cool one now, but no new Bond needed right now.

[JackChase007]

A Wolverine spin-off film would be so easy to make - Jackman is such an amazing actor, and the character has such a huge following that it's just waiting for a film. Maybe after X-Men 3, they'll make at least one Wolvie pick, which I would love to see. They could bring back Sabertooth and work him into Logan's past a bit more.

But yeah - I'm really looking forward to seeing "Van Helsing", and I think that the casting of Kevin J. O'Connor as Igor. Brilliant. He's just such a funny guy.

[JackChase007]

Oh yeah - who else thinks that Brendan Fraser better have a very brief cameo in Van Helsing? I think it would be really appropriate and clever.