With PACIFIC RIM receiving plenty of positive buzz across the webby webs, it is only natural that speculation begins regarding Guillermo’s next project.

The latest rumor involves GDT directing a “Justice League Dark” called HEAVEN SENT, featuring DC Comics’ horror and magic characters – something that would be right up Guillermo’s alley.

The super team would consist of Deadman, The Spectre, Swamp Thing, Constantine Hellblazer, Phantom Stranger, Zatanna, Zatara, and Sargon.  Initially, reports indicated Guillermo denied interest, but he set the record straight on our forums, saying that he would “love” to direct this film if the opportunity was there.

Still, do not discount Guillermo directing a more personal, smaller film right after PACIFIC RIM…..

Rise of the Guardians

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS had a disappointing reception at the box office on one of the biggest Thanksgiving weekends ever for the film industry.  It earned $32 million over the holiday weekend.  With a pricetag of around $145 million, this could be one of the worst performing films in Dreamworks history.

Still, Guillermo is keeping a positive outlook, and hopes that it could pick up steam over the holiday season by solid word of mouth, and stands by the quality of the film:

Box office was disappointing but exit polls and Cinemascore proved that audiences gave us a straight “A” and through the testing process we were the highest tested film in DWA history. Obviously we need to change our ad strategy but Holiday movies tend to hold through the season.

I love our movie!

inSane Returns?

Guillermo’s horror video game project, dropped by struggling THQ back in August, is apparently rising again at another developer.  GDT told IGN:

We were going to go to a lot of developers after THQ, but it seems like we’re going to be developing it after the first meeting we had. I can’t disclose where it was, but we went to a great developer on the first meeting and it seems that they’re picking it up because they love the package.

No Jaeger Sneak Peak…yet

Also, speculation was rampant that Guillermo’s production studio, Mirada, leaked a sneak peak of a Jaeger in a promotional video.  Sorry, fans – that was not a Jaeger, but check out this comment that GDT posted on our forums:

Days away from the first steps on PR!!

G

Guillermo promised the first PAC RIM footage is coming in mid-December.  Fingers crossed that we get to see a teaser in theaters soon.

Total Film has an exclusive interview with Guillermo Del Toro on his future projects.  Nothing earth-shattering, but GDT does mention some interesting points that I had not heard before.  Here are the high points that I found interesting:

• HAUNTED MANSION:  Will definitely not be a comedy. It will be “exciting”, “thrilling” and “spooky”.  GDT and Matthew Robbins have finished the screenplay and will turn it in to Disney.  GDT got to walk on foot through the Mansion and take notes.
• FRANKENSTEIN: No screenplay yet, describes it as a “daunting” project that is a “peak” to his career, like MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS. He has some very daring storytelling ideas for this one, and feels he needs to get better as a director before he can tackle it.
• DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE: Wants to write and produce this one – not direct.  Is interested in exploring the themes of addiction for this one – specifically likes the concept of feeling liberated as Mr. Hyde during Victorian Times (so definitely a period piece).
• PACIFIC RIM: “the biggest project I have ever made in scope and ambition…” 
• THE WITCHES: He is trying to “preserve the pathos and the darkness” of the original work, which is making it difficult to make in Hollywood.  The screenplay is VERY faithful to the original Dahl book.
• SATURN AND THE END OF DAYS: Screenplay still isn’t done yet – a very challenging story about a boy watching the apocolypse from his bedroom window.  It will definitely be a small, European production.
• TROLLHUNTERS: I expect this to be an animated film, probably at Dreamworks.  GDT is co-writing the screenplay with Tom Wheeler, who wrote PUSS IN BOOTS.  He is co-directing with Spanish animator Rodrigo Baas.  Will be an adventure movie for kids.  Will feature “real kids”, not movie kids – which I take to mean that he is dumping the typical kid-movie cliches.

I was going through my notes and realized that I have a lot of items to cover this morning!  This is great – after two long slow years of waiting for THE HOBBIT to happen, it seems like there is an interesting news story coming out every day.  GDT’s career is definitely in full swing, which is good for the loyal visitors to this website. 

I will admit, however, that keeping this website up to date was a whole lot easier before PAN’S LABYRINTH. 

Ok, so here is what I got for you today fans – Enjoy!

1. The CRONOS Criterion DVD becomes available December 7.  You can preorder it now from the Criterion website.  In addition to Guillermo saying that the film is the “most beautiful” it has ever looked, there are some cool special features to check out:

• On camera interviews with GDT and Ron Perlman
• Behind the scenes footage
• Tour of “Bleak House”, Guillermo’s “man-cave”
• Photo galleries and pre-production art
• Commentaries from the original Lionsgate DVD
• A re-edited version of GDT’s short horror film, GEOMETRIA

2. On December 11th, Spike will air the 2010 Video Game Awards. Remember that announcements on THQ’s Guillermo Del Toro video game trilogy is expected on this date

3.  Some of you have asked what Guillermo’s role was with the recent Dreamworks feature, MEGAMIND.  Fangoria got the answer in a recent interview:

“I came in at the very end when they were shaping up that movie, advised them on reorganizing some of the editing and came up with ideas for a couple of little bits. I was really taken by how great and collaborative the spirit was in reshaping the movie a little. I had a blast. I’ve really longed to be able to do animated films, both as producer and director, because it’s an area where you have control over texture and color and shape in a way you don’t get in any other medium.”

4.  A lot has been said about the online rumors that GDT wants Tom Cruise as the lead in his planned AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS movie.  IndieWire reported a rumor today that GDT actually prefers James McAvoy, although it does not identify a source for the story. 

5. And now the BIG item that you might all be interested to hear- Fangoria also had this interesting quote from Guillermo regarding HELLBOY 3:

Will we be seeing a third in his HELLBOY series anytime in the forseeable future? Del Toro says that’s up to Perlman, who has expressed reluctance to return in the heroic title role. “You know, seven-hour makeup sessions per day get a little rough,” he laughs. “But there’s a website called Den of Geek in the UK that started a petition to get Ron to do a third HELLBOY [you can see it here]. And I must say that we got thousands of signatures, and Ron was very moved. We had lunch the other day, and Ron said to me, ‘You know, if you write it, I may do it.’ We got a very strong ‘maybe’ from the man!”

You heard it people – Ron changed his answer to “maybe”.  Your fandom does matter! Keep making your voices heard and maybe, just maybe, you’ll see a new HELLBOY film in the future.

6.  And now for some humor – many of you may have seen the recent College Humor video making the rounds on the internet: If Other Director’s Made THE SOCIAL NETWORK. Our pal Guillermo was parodied in the video. Very funny clip – check it out below.

Today, Deadline Hollywood is reporting more details on a rumor that we’ve been keeping tabs on: that Guillermo Del Toro is working on a HULK television project with BATTLESTAR GALACTICA executive producer, David Eick.

Here is what Deadline is reporting:

1. The new HULK series will be at ABC, and will be co-produced by Marvel.
2. The negotiations are still be finalized
3. The series will be an origin story, and will follow Bruce Banner in his mid-twenties
4. GDT will oversee the design of the Hulk character, which will be a combination of prosthetics, puppetry and CGI.
5. Del Toro and Eick will share story and “created by” credit for the pilot script.  Eick will write the script, and Del Toro will direct, depending on availability.
6. Release date could be the fall of 2012, following the cinematic release of THE AVENGERS.
7. Also involved is GDT’s manager and producing partner, Gary Ungar, and Marvel’s Jeph Loeb and Joe Quesada.

Deadline reports GDT as saying that “the Hulk has been at the top of his list and he first pursued it as a feature film around the time of the 2002 release of Blade II.”

If this deal is 100% accurate and this deal gets done, it should hold a lot of promise – BUT I can see some suspicious eyebrows being raised.  Let me hear your comments below, and I will respond to them in a future blog post!

Some interesting rumors have hit the internet around Guillermo’s new video game project with THQ and Volition.

The website MMOMFG.com has several insider reports, citing anonymous sources:

1. GDT is making plans for a trilogy of RPG games
2. The trilogy will be something “along the lines of Mass Effect.”
3. The games will center on inter-dimensional travel with the player investigating open dimensional portals.

Again, these are rumors from anonymous sources, so hang tight until the official word at the Video Game Awards (still can’t find a date for this – anybody know?)

The inter-dimensional travel part is definitely in line with GDT’s description of the game as being “Lovecraftian.”  (We got our first look at a Lovecraftian inter-dimensional monster in HELLBOY – see picture to the left.)

I admit I am not a HUGE gamer - not any where near what I would like to be.  I would like to hear from some people who have played MASS EFFECT. Please share your take on the game below in the comments.  What do you like about it? What makes it unique?

We know Guillermo has been visiting the Dreamworks offices on a daily basis since he got back to L.A., but not much has been said about what he is working. “Consulting”, I believe they called it. Well, news is hitting the internet today that he is working as executive producer on a creepy little project that got its start as an award winning short film – ALMA.

The film was made by Pixar animator Rodrigo Blaas, and it follows the story of a little girl that notices a doll in a shop that looks exactly like herself – but the doll has sinister origins.

The Hollywood Reporter is also reporting that Blaas is “coming on board” to co-direct Del Toro’s rumored animated project, THE TROLL HUNTERS.

Want to watch the ALMA short?  Check it out below and leave your comments below!

Guillermo emailed DelToroFilms this morning to address the most recent internet rumor: that he is involved in the Bryan Fuller MUNSTERS remake project, as was reported by Entertainment Weekly. In a humorous aside, he also denies any involvement with the DR. STRANGE movie project, which has been a project that he has been rumored to be directing for several years now.

Here is his statement in its entirety:

“As it often happens, the MUNSTERS news just add up to the illusion of the overflow of projects that I am NOT involved in. I am not involved in this ABC reboot even if I admire Byan Fuller enormously. And, no- I am not involved in DR. STRANGE either…

Salutations

GDT”

Scratch it off the list, everyone.

  

In this new interview from Collider.com, Guillermo talks about his work on DREAMWORKS and his mystery television project – and for a special treat, he talks about his interpretation of the SOPRANOS ending. Enjoy!

Guillermo del Toro Developing Projects at DreamWorks Animation and TV Shows; Plus What Did He Think About THE SOPRANOS Ending from ColliderVideos on Vimeo.

  

According to MTV, GDT thinks Ron Perlman is spoiled.

“He’s spoiled! He likes to be the big cheese without the makeup session,” said Guillermo jokingly.

Of course, you can now catch Ron on F/X’s SONS OF ANARCHY, where he plays a lead role without the required six hours in a makeup chair.

So Guilermo is cleverly shifting the pressue to do HBIII Ron’s way – but as we know, Ron ain’t no Spring Chicken. If they are going to do it, they better do it soon. Enjoy the clip:

Where was I when Guillermo was making his future known to the world at the 2010 San Diego Comic Con?

I was sitting in an air conditioned car slurping a MooLatte at Dairy Queen with my kids.

What can I say? I’m a family guy. But I was following tweets of GDT’s panel for DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK while slurping my delicious coffee treet. We learned a lot of interesting stuff today.

Yesterday we learned that GDT will be writing and producing a HAUNTED MANSION movie for Disney. Today we got even more interesting news. Fortunately for us, CinemaBlend was there to blog the whole thing live. Here is what we learned form CB’s report:

1. The DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK teaser trailer was scaring the bejeezus out of Hall H. Sounds like GDT and director Troy Nixey has some classic scares for audiences. Guillermo has said the teaser should hit the internet soon.

2. Del Toro has plans to make a premium cable horror series.

3. He has an idea for a vampires vs Mexican wrestlers movie. Also thinking about a Mexican folklore animation project.

4. Development has begun on his Pinochio stop motion film. Read more about that here.

5. He says he will announce a horror project that he will be involved with that will start in May. This tidbit grabs my attention: I would imagine that his next directing project will start in May…sounds like his next film will be of the horror variety. ATMOM? FRANKENSTEIN? That seems to be the buzz on the internet right now…stay tuned!