11/28/2012

Sure Shots: Joe Carnahan; S.H.I.E.L.D.; Shawn Levy


* Well, my interest in the vampire flick Undying Love has just taken a nosedive. In March we learned that Alexandre Aja(Piranha) was planning to adapt the Tomm Coker comic book, which follows a soldier named John Sargent who falls in love with a Chinese woman. The problem is she's also a vampire, and in order to be with her he must kill her creator, who happens to be one of the most powerful vampires ever. Well, Aja is out and stepping in is Joe Carnahan(The A-Team). He'll be taking a stab at the script as well, and considering his busy schedule this one may be a ways off. [Deadline]

* Another actor I've never heard of has joined Marvel's upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series. Brett Dalton(Killing Lincoln) will take on the role of Agent Grant Ward, who was previously described as "Quite the physical specimen and “cool under fire,” he sometimes botches interpersonal relations. He’s a quiet one with a bit of a temper, but he’s the kind of guy that grows on you."  He joins Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, Ming-Na Wen, and Clark Gregg in the pilot co-written and directed by Joss Whedon. [TV Line]

* Shawn Levy is already one of the busiest guys in Hollywood, but he continues to add new projects at an amazing clip. The latest sees him only as a producer, developing an adaptation of Ted Chiang's award-winning sci-fi short story, Story of Your Life. Written by Eric Heisserer(The Thing) and directed by Nic Mathieu, the story takes place after aliens have landed across the planet, and follows a linguist hired by the government in a race to decipher their intentions. This one's being fast tracked with casting currently underway and a 2013 start date planned.