From 'Witch Mountain' to 'Monster Attack Network'

[ALIASd]

Posted: Sun., Mar. 15, 2009, 8:00pm PT

New gig for 'Mountain' man

Fickman to direct 'Monster' movie for Disney


Flickman

By Michael Fleming
Variety

Looking to match its "Race to Witch Mountain" director Andy Fickman with another family adventure film, Walt Disney Studios has attached him to helm "Monster Attack Network."

Scott Elder and Josh Harmon have been hired to adapt the AIT/Planet Lar graphic novel, which the studio bought last summer.

The 2007 graphic novel focuses on a team of first-responders who guard the citizens of Lapuatu, a Pacific island that would be a paradise except for frequent attacks by giant monsters that rise from the sea. Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman wrote the graphic novel, illustrated by Nima Sorat.

Jason Netter is producing through his Kickstart banner. Disney views the film as a visual effects-heavy tentpole. built around an elite government agency's resolve to protect America's coasts from huge, rampaging monsters.

With "Witch Mountain" and "The Game Plan," Fickman has now delivered two family-flavored hits for Disney, both with Dwayne Johnson in the starring role.

The studio is also high on Elder and Harmon, whose script "Snow and the Seven" was bought in a spec sale by Disney. Script reimagines the Snow White story by making her a British girl raised in 19th century Hong Kong who battles an evil force after she's trained to fight by seven Shaolin monks. Scott Rudin and Andrew Gunn are producing.

New gig for 'Mountain' man - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety

[Caster]

RTWM made $25,000,000 on its opening weekend despite the mixed reviews from the "professional movie critics". My 3 children and I threw our 30 bucks into the pot and although the plot did not keep me on the edge of my seat, it was a good, wholesome, race to the finish fun time that we've come to expect from Disney. Its obvious that since Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is in the film, many still expect blood and guts action from the once WWE star.

Director Fickman was panned for his direction of Johnson in The Game Plan by the majority of "critics". The movie was hailed by a few as "vomit-inducing", "maudlin and manipulative" but in the end, the movie took in over $90,000,000!!! Numbers do not lie.

The bottom line is this; Fickman and Johnson work well together (and apart) and the studio heads like the numbers that these 2 bring in. The critics and naysayers need to realize who these movies are designed around. Who the target audience really is. They are for KIDS! and those of us grownups that still want to be kids. Not for "highly educated" 30-50 somethings that need to be stimulated with visual and mind-numbing twists and turns from start to finish.

Keep up the good work Rock and Fickman!

[ALIASd]

Welcome to Mice Chat!

[Caster]

Thank you Grand Councilwoman!!

[ALIASd]

Originally Posted by Caster

Director Fickman was panned for his direction of Johnson in The Game Plan by the majority of "critics". The movie was hailed by a few as "vomit-inducing", "maudlin and manipulative" but in the end, the movie took in over $90,000,000!!! Numbers do not lie.

Plus another $57+ million overseas. And it's been a huge hit at Home Entertainment and cable with upcoming broadcast debut down the road.

Popcorn pictures have long been reliable moneymakers for the studios from the silents to Tom Mix to buddy action-comedies to comic book/graphic novels come to life on screen. You won't typically find them being honored on Oscar night but they keep the business in business.

And it's Grand Councilwoman btw!

[Caster]

Originally Posted by ALIASd

And it's Grand Councilwoman btw!

Oh No!..(editing now )

[JasperIN]

OK, I have seen this before and wondered what it meant "Disney views the film as a visual effects-heavy tentpole." I understand what they mean by "visual effects-heavy." But what do they mean by this being a "tentpole" movie?

Thanks

[ALIASd]

The most basic way to explain this industry/media term is with an example:

'Iron Man' is considered a tentpole film for Paramount Pictures & Marvel Studios. A film that became a giant worldwide hit at the boxoffice and merchandising vehicle. It is viewed as the centerpiece to prop up future 'IM' sequels, spin-off films and more merch down the road. Typically released between May and August when almost half of a film industry's overall annual money is made, also referred to as a franchise ('Harry Potter', 'Batman') film.

Thanks for asking.