BackTalk Backlog
January 28, 2000
December 25, 1999
©2000, To Be Continued...
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Brief update on “BTTF4/5”
January has come and gone, but the news is still 4th-coming
It's been quiet lately on the Future front, even though the cast are very active right now in other projects (see Project Updates below). I'm still expecting a more recent update from our Hollywood insider regarding the very latest on the sequels, but they haven't been able to squeeze in a new report into their hectic schedule yet. Regardless, I do have a bit of information they revealed a couple of weeks ago that I was holding out on to see what the official announcement was going to reveal. But since that didn't come as expected, let me update you on the latest news...
First of all, our spy was somewhat puzzled as to why the announcement wasn't made in early January as planned. They say that they know of some internal restructuring going on at Universal at the moment, which may have precluded the announcement from being made on January 4th as originally planned. My source went on to predict that other peripheral details might be getting hammered out right now, such as who exactly will be involved, right down to getting Alan Silvestri back on board, etc. Apparently, the idea was to announce the films before the two new Matrix sequels were announced by a rival studio just to get into the public's consciousness once again, as well as to beat out the next round of Star Wars hoopla (casting, production start date, etc.). So far, they can still make that deadline. And there's no doubt that there's some restructuring going on at Universal — there's been a lot of rumors and speculation this past week that Segrams is seriously
considering selling the company.
Another thing that my source says could have delayed the announcement is because apparently Joe Johnston will not be the director after all. Johnston will evidently be much too busy with Jurassic Park 3 to take the job, so the director's job was being offered to some other names. They say that Robert Zemeckis was indeed approached yet once again, but due to his heavy slate, declined the offer. Other names mentioned on Universal & Amblin's wish list are Rob Bowman (“The X-Files Movie”) and Alex Proyas (“The Crow”). No word yet whether either have been offered the job officially, nor whether anyone else is being considered for the coveted project (is anyone listening?!! Two words: Bob Gale!).
Lastly, my anonymous source states that the announcement of BTTF4/5 is most likely being folded into a string of upcoming projects to be announced by Universal & Amblin, including further details on Jurassic Park 3. Many new details have been coming forward lately regarding this property, which is slated to begin principal photography Winter 2000. Since it's obvious that JP3 is going to start very soon, I guess we'll just have to wait a bit longer to hope that plans for BTTF4/5 will be officially announced in the weeks ahead when Universal/Amblin states the production start of Jurassic and its cast. Stay tuned...
*** Discuss the latest BTTF4/5 news on our Message Board ***
Project updates
BARTLEBY:
Dark Horizons reported Wednesday that Crispin Glover just wrapped filming this independent film, a black comedy also starring David Paymer, Glenne Headley and Joe Piscapo. Glover stars as the title character, based on an adaptation of the Herman Melville novel of the same name.
CHARLIE'S ANGELS:
A very surprising scoop also appeared the same day on the Dark Horizons website — Crispin Glover has just been cast as the "lead heavy" in Sony's Charlie's Angels with Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Bill Murray. If the report pans out to be correct, this will be the first mainstream film for the ecentric actor in 15 years. Glover has only taken artsy and independent film roles, such as Bartleby, in the decade and a half since he made a name for himself in the first BTTF film.
DUETS:
UpcomingMovies.com recently nabbed this photo from Disney of Huey Lewis singing with co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, apparently from the scene where the two team for a rendition of Smokey Robinson's "Crusin'". Rumors at HLN Today strongly indicate that the album of new material that Huey Lewis and the News recorded last year will be released in conjunction with the movie's release date (May 5, 2000) to capitalize on Huey's biggest movie role to date, hopefully catapulting the band back into the spotlight once again after missing for several years on the music charts.
PICNIC:
This CBS made-for-TV movie stars Mary Steenburgen and Josh Brolin, and begins filming February 8 in Austin, Texas — Mary's 47th birthday. No plot information is available at this time.
SPIN CITY:
Say it isn't so! After E! Online broke the news last Thursday, reports are coming in from everywhere that DreamWorks and ABC have extended an offer to Charlie Sheen to replace Michael J. Fox next season as the lead role. The good news: Michael may be up to making several guest appearances next season. The bad news: there may not be a next season to appear on if the powers-that-be follow through with their choice. Charlie Sheen? CHARLIE SHEEN??!!! Since when was this guy funny? While it's great that the show could in theory go on, it's hard to fathom that they're willing to go to such lengths to make it so by appeasing Sheen's obvious massive ego — reportedly he'll only take the job if the show and its entire cast & crew relocates from New York back to Los Angeles. Visitors to ABC's Spin
City Message Board clearly feel the choice of Sheen is a major mistake and certain death of the show. Something tells me that this may signify the destruction of the entire universe as we know it...
— Stephen Clark
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