Leaked Comic Con Trailer for the 'Evil Dead' Remake

Well, now I can say I know what Diablo Cody was referring to when she called the screenplay for the Evil Dead remake unbelievably violent. Featuring all sorts of grimly realized self-mutilation and bodily decomposition, this is a decidedly humorless horror affair according to writer-director Fede Alvarez (Panic Attack!). So where did Cody fit in? "I was nervous to take the job because I thought ‘Ugh, I’m gonna get shit for this.’ People are not gonna like this, because all people know of me is Juno and they think I’m gonna pollute Evil Dead with wacky dialogue and cute stuff and folk music," said Cody last year in an interview with Collider. "I understand what this is. I’m interested in storytelling here and making it scary and good and true to the original." But as it turns out, Cody had fairly little to do with many of the film's more horrific brushes. Bruce Campbell clarified her involvement earlier today during an interview for Hollywood.com, indicating that "she did a pass so that we could put it in this century, and have people talk like twentysomethings rather than middle ages old men." Screenwriting credits primarily fall to Fede Alvarez, but also (in addition to Cody) include Sam Raimi and Panic Attack! co-writer Rodo Sayagues Mendez.

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First Trailer for 'Carrie'

"She wasn’t a monster. She was just a girl." A blood-soaked Chloë Grace Moretz stars as the title character in Carrie, a new adaptation of the Stephen King story (or, if you'd like, a remake of Brian De Palma's 1976 horror classic) about a shy, sheltered girl who unleashes a telekinetic rage after she is horrendously bullied at the prom. Pulling the story into the twenty-first century and adding further depth and emphasis on the mother-daughter relationship (described as profound, and the heart-and-soul of the remake at the New York Comic-Con), director Kimberly Peirce's fresh take on Carrie should place it far above the typically abysmal heap of horror remakes churned out every year. An admirer of De Palma's film, Pierce looked to King's novel for distinction and inspiration. And, as indicated by the teaser, the level of destruction here harkens closer to his descriptions, extending beyond the school and into the suburban community.

Opening March 15th, 2013, Carrie also stars Julianne Moore, Judy Greer, Portia Doubleday, Gabrielle Wilde, and Ansel Elgort. Synopsis and trailer after the jump. (via Yahoo! Movies).

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'Elysium' Pushed to August 2013, 'RoboCop' Heads to 2014

If you were looking forward to seeing Neill Blomkamp's Elysium or José Padilha‘s RoboCop sooner rather than later, Sony's latest bit of release date shuffling may offer some bad news. Originally scheduled to hit theaters August 9, 2013, RoboCop has now been pushed back to February 7, 2014, a move that puts it in direct competition with DreamWorks' Need for Speed adaptation (which just landed its lead a few hours ago). Does RoboCop just need more time in the oven? Possibly. But if not, the February release is a bit baffling, if also cause for slight concern. Granted, it may also be something of a new trend if A Good Day to Die Hard can do well with its upcoming February 14, 2013 bow.

Moving into RoboCop's former August 9th position is Elysium (from a March 1, 2013 date), starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. The new date recalls Neill Blomkamp's mid-August debut for District 9 back in 2009, which went on to make over $115 million domestically. I suspect we'll still see some sort of teaser for the sci-fi actioner with Skyfall in November, though not having the full release next spring remains a bummer.

'Breaking Bad' Star Aaron Paul Lands Lead in 'Need for Speed'

In what I'm sure will come to be at least somewhat derivative of the Fast and Furious franchise, Breaking Bad co-star Aaron Paul has been chosen for a leading role in DreamWorks' Need for Speed. It's a nice bump for the Emmy-winning TV actor, who hasn't yet seen the sort of career boost cultivated by fellow Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston. Act of Valor helmer Scott Waugh will direct the video game adaptation from a script by George and John Gatins (the latter brother wrote Flight and Real Steel), although little is known regarding the story or what the film will offer from the property other than its name (but I'll assume for now: driving, racing, and possible police pursuits).

Entertainment Weekly suggests Paul's casting may signal a bit more depth than might otherwise be expected from such a franchise, and that he may draw other top talent to the ensemble. I remain skeptical, but we'll find out soon enough as further cast and story updates trickle in over the next few months. Production on Need for Speed is set to begin next year for a February 7, 2014 release. Aaron Paul can currently be seen starring alongside Mary Elizabeth Winstead in Smashed, a romantic drama centering on a married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of alcohol and have their relationship put to the test when the wife decides to get sober.

Marvel Sets Edgar Wright's 'Ant-Man' for a November 2015 Release

Disney has announced a November 6, 2015 release date for Ant-Man, based on the comic book scientist-turned-superhero who invents a substance that allows him to dramatically alter his size. The film will be the first in Phase Three of Marvel's superhero movie slate, following the Phase Two-concluding The Avengers 2 in May 2015. Scripted by Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) and Joe Cornish (Attack the Block), Ant-Man will begin production under Wright's direction after he completes work on The World's End, starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Rosamund Pike.

Unfortunately, that's basically all we'll know of Ant-Man until (or, rather, unless) the test reel shown at this summer's San Diego Comic Con becomes available online (although you can watch a nifty storyboard recreation after the jump). And for those keeping score, today's announcement puts things on track for six Marvel films over the next three years: Iron Man 3 (May 3, 2013), Thor: The Dark World (November 8, 2013), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (April 4, 2014), Guardians of the Galaxy (August 1, 2014), The Avengers 2 (May 1, 2015), and Ant-Man (November 6, 2015).

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Christoph Waltz to Play Mikhail Gorbachev In 'Reykjavik'

Oddly unable to find strong roles outside of Quentin Tarantino films, Christoph Waltz may have just received one of his juiciest yet as the former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Mike Newell's Reykjavik. With Michael Douglas on board as ex-president Ronald Reagan, the film, from a script by Kevin Hood (Becoming Jane), tells the story of the famous meeting in Iceland's capital city (hence the title Reykjavik) between the two leaders that signaled the end of the Cold War. "I feel very fortunate to have two such masters to portray the men who brought about the end of the third great war of the 20th century," Newell said.

Formerly scheduled for Ridley Scott, the choice of Mike Newell as director provides a bit of unease to the project -- his track record more than a little all-over-the-place as of late (Great Expectations, Prince of Persia, Love in the Time of Cholera, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire). But with actors like Waltz and Douglas, I'm sure things can't go too wrong. Reykjavik will begin shooting next March under Headline Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Participant Media and Mark Sennet Productions. [via Variety]