Hicks Picks 11

Written by: Michael Hickerson (SoSF Journalist)

Emma Watson explains delay for signing up for last two “Potter” installments

Emma Watson, who plays Hermonine Granger, recently caused a few waves among “Harry Potter” fans when it was revealed she hadn’t yet signed on for the final two installments of the popular movie franchise. Watson eventually did sign on the dotted line for the role, ensuring the trio of Harry, Ron and Hermonine will be played the the same three actors in all seven movies.

Currently promoting the latest theatrical installment of the “Potter” franchise, Watson took a few moments to explain why she was hesistant to sign on the dotted line. Watson told the press that it was her desire to balance pursuing her scholastic career with making the films and not an attempt to hold out for more money.

“I find it quite frustrating and upsetting, all the insinuations that were made about why I was holding off,” Watson said in a press conference in London. “But I just had to figure out a way to make it work for me, and that took a fair time.”

Watson was the last of the film’s three main stars—including Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry, and Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley—to sign on for the final two films in the series, which are based on the books by J.K. Rowling. The delay spawned rumors that she wanted to branch out into other roles or leave the “Harry Potter” series altogether. But she insisted that wasn’t the case.

“I didn’t sign the contracts sort of immediately because I needed some time to just figure out, actually, the logistics of … making two ‘Harry Potter’ films and combining that with my school timetable,” Watson said. “I really want to go to university. I really wanted to continue what I was doing, and I didn’t want to give either one up. And so I was really in this kind of difficult position. And it just took a bit of time just to block out how I was going to make that work. And Warner Brothers has been extremely supportive in helping me figure out ways to do that.”

For the upcoming fifth film, Order of the Phoenix, Watson worked out a shooting schedule that gave her Monday mornings off to go to school, meet with her teachers and pick up her schoolwork. Since Watson is older than 16, the production was not required to give her time off for education, but they made an exception in her case.

During the press conference, Radcliffe came to Watson’s defense. “It’s important for us when you commit to a Potter film,” Radcliffe said. “Especially if you’re thinking about, say, the sixth and the seventh—that’s two years. It’s never something that should be rushed into lightly. And what was made of it was obviously generated by the media.”

“Dark Knight” tidbits

Filming on the highly-anticipated “Batman Begins” sequel, “The Dark Knight” has begun, but fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the Dark Knight in action or the re-imagined Joker will have to wait a while.

It was rumored that clips from the upcoming Christopher Nolan film might be shown at the upcoming ComicCon. However, that will not be the case this year, as confirmed by Dark Horizons. However, there is hope that footage from the film could be shown at WorldCon in Chicago a few weeks later.

But there is some good news for Batman fans. Star Christian Bale has said the script leaves the door open for more “Batman” movies.

“The script leaves room for a very interesting follow-up, too,” he said. I think we could take it somewhere else.”

Wait for next “Superman” could be longer than expected

Here’s something fans of the “Superman” franchise should be used to — a wait for the next installment.

It appears that filming on “Superman: The Man of Steel” could be delayed. The project was supposed to be the next one for director Bryan Singer after he finished his current film, “Valkryie.”

But it appears that Singer could take time to film “The Mayor of Castro Street” first, according to “Castro”’s producers Neil Maron and Craig Zadan.

“The next Superman that’s a ways off,” said Maron.

“Don’t worry about it. Trust me. We may even start preproduction on Harvey Milk while he’s on post production on the Tom Cruise movie (”Valkryrie”),” added Zadan.

“Man of Steel” has been tentatively scheduled for a summer 2009 release. In order to get the movie to screens in 2009, Singer would have to begin filming the sequel next summer.

Concievably, Singer could work on the three projects together and film “Castro” and “Man of Steel” close together. But we’d rather have his undivided attention on his projects and while a delay wouldn’t be fun, hopefully it’s make for a better “Man of Steel.”

“Halloween” reshooting: Could be going for more gore

Rob Zombie’s re-make of the classic John Carpenter thriller “Halloween” is going back in front of the cameras. Zombie is re-shooting parts of the film with the intention of making them gorier and more violent.

According to Bloody Disguisting, the film spent a week creating six new death sequences and an entirely new ending for the film.

With the recent box-office failure of over-the-top gore fests, you have to wonder if this is a good idea or not. Of course, you have to wonder if remaking a giant of the horror genre such as “Halloween” is really a good idea….

More on Myles on “Moonlight”

As we reported on Slice earlier, Sophia Myles is joining the cast of the new CBS vampire-themed show “Moonlight” as the female lead. Sophia is best known stateside for her guest-role as “The Girl in the Fireplace” in the second season of “Doctor Who.”

In “Moonlight” she will play love interest, Beth Turner, a beautiful, ambitious Internet investigative reporter who is always on the hunt for the big story. Myles replaces Shannon Lucio, who played the part—then a TV reporter—in the pilot presentation.

“Moonlight” stars Alex O’Laughlin as private investigator who is a vampire. He struggles with being immortal, vampire adversaires and his love for a mortal.

Former “Angel” showrunner David Greenwalt has signed as executive producer with the new series.