ScreenCrave.com » Rob Cohen

Matthew Fox to Match Wits with Tyler Perry

Damon Houx — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:41:12 +0000

“Lost” briefly faced the “Twin Peaks” syndrome, when its hot young stars were briefly attached to hot movies, and were courted to the big screen. On his down time from the show, Matthew Fox made Smoking Aces, We Are Marshall, Vantage Point and Speed Racer. But now that everyone is free from the island, Fox can pursue his big screen career in earnest (again). According to Deadline Hollywood, he’s signed on to play the bad guy in Rob Cohen’s adaptation of James Patterson’s I, Alex Cross opposite Tyler Perry. Yes, that Tyler Perry, who will be playing the role previously held by Morgan Freeman.

Also of note, Ed Burns has also signed on to play Perry’s partner. Having not read the book, and having only looked at the summary of the novel, it seems most likely that he doesn’t make it to the end credits. It was reported that Fox’s character is an assassin/serial killer type who – when one of his plots are foiled by Perry’s Cross – makes it personal and gets in to a duel of wits with Cross. Fox is going against type here, which is what a lot of actors try to do after feeling anchored to one character for a while.

This film sets the stage for all three of its lead players to prove themselves. For Tyler Perry it’s his chance at crossover success to a mainstream (read: white) audience, something that’s eluded his very successful career so far. For Fox it’s a chance to show that he can do more than “Lost.” And for writer/director Rob Cohen, it’s a chance back into the mainstream. Cohen’s career has had a number of ups and downs, having made hits like The Fast and the Furious and Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, but also films like Stealth and the third Mummy movie.

I, Alex Cross is one from a series of James Patterson’s Alex Cross books, and Cohen and Perry surely have hope this will becomes a franchise. If all goes well, eventually they may remake either Kiss the Girls or Along Came a Spider.

Do you believe Matthew Fox as a Psycho Killer?

Rob Cohen Set to Direct XXX in 3D

Laura Aguirre — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:55:10 +0000

After it was announced that Rob Cohen wouldn’t be returning for another XXX film, fans of the original film let out a huge sigh. They were sad for all of two seconds because that news didn’t stick. Apparently he WILL direct the third film which will reunite him with star, Vin Diesel. After being through many ups and downs at Columbia Pictures, the project has been moved to Paramount and the studio will take over the franchise, finance the production, and distribute the film for late 2011 or early 2012.

Cohen originally left the project believing Sony would never actually go ahead with it (the studio did however finance the development of the script by Michael Ferris and John Brancato). In 2005, Cohen directed Stealth for the studio, which bombed at the box office earning only $32 million domestically.

“I left the project because I had a very strong instinct it would never get made at Sony, that it wasn’t picking up the critical mass and traction that a movie needs. I got along very well with everybody there, from top to bottom, but in these recession times, you make your picks carefully and it always comes down to judgment calls based on taste and the objectives you’re trying to meet for the studio. For whatever reason, Paramount sees the future of this, and we’re in a very positive place at a new home where there is genuine enthusiasm. For whatever reason, Paramount sees the future of this, and we’re in a very positive place at a new home where there is genuine enthusiasm.

Joe Roth has joined XXX with Neal Moritz, Diesel and Samantha Vincent, all to serve as producers. Roth recently produced Tim Burton‘s Alice in Wonderland, and his next film out, which is likely to be yet another success is the Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz feature Knight and Day.

The third XXX will have Diesel reprising his role as Xander Cage, who’s been left for a dead, but returns to execute a very difficult assignment that only he can pull off. Samuel L. Jackson comes back as Agent Augustus Gibbons, and for the most part, everything will be set in Europe. One huge difference from the first two installments (which should come as no surprise) is that Cohen will use a 3D camera to shoot the third XXX.

XXX seems to have all the right people to make this action packed film a box office hit: Joe Roth, Vin Diesel, Rob Cohen and Paramount. It’s always better to see Diesel as a bad-ass than as a bad baby-sitter. And surely, all of you fans are glad to hear that the series original director is back to continue what he started.

What do you think of the latest developments of XXX?

via Deadline

Rob Cohen Will Remake The Monster Squad

Laura Aguirre — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:12:30 +0000

Was there a memo sent out today regarding cult eighties movies that someone forgot to pass my way? First, we hear about Jennifer Lopez starring in a remake of Overboard and now this?! We’re traveling into the genre of comedy/horror with a revamp (pun intended) of The Monster Squad.

Rob Cohen, who served as a producer on the original film wants to direct the remake with Paramount backing him as the major distributor. Just in case you haven’t seen the original, The Monster Squad deals with a group of youngsters who worship the classic movie monsters of the 30′s and 40′s.

But fantasy crosses reality when they discover that Dracula’s in their town with Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Gill Man and The Mummy! The kids have to refocus their attention from being fanboys to defenders of the world so they can prevent the monsters from getting a hold of an amulet that will give the creatures unlimited power.

Cohen will also co-produce the movie alongside Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, and Andrew Form (all from Platinum Dunes — the trio’s next film is a remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street set to hit theaters April 30th) for Paramount. There are no writers on board yet, but the crew is looking. Wouldn’t it be awesome if Hollywood screenwriters refused to work on remakes? That’ll be the day, but it probably won’t happen anytime soon. They have to eat and pay bills like everybody else.

Did you see the original Monster Squad movie? Were you a fan? What do you think of them doing a remake?

via Deadline

Rob Cohen Drops XXX Sequel for Medieval Film

Krystal Clark — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:35:35 +0000

I know this may sadden millions of XXX fans around the world, but I’ve got bad news to report. Rob Cohen, the man who directed the 2002 hit starring Vin Diesel will not be returning for the third film. In an attempt to forget the abomination that was XXX: State of the Union Sony plans on producing a second sequel to the original entitled, XXX: The Return of Xander Cage. Yep, Diesel’s ready to return, but Cohen has opted to back out in favor of Medieval, a period piece for New Regency.

According to Variety, Cohen signed on to direct the film, which originally had McG attached. The spec script for Medieval, which was written by Alex Litvak and Michael Finch was bought by New Regency in an $800,000 against $1.6 million deal. Even though McG won’t be directing due to his busy schedule, he’ll remain on board as a producer for the film.

Medieval is described as “The Magnificent Seven in the Middle Ages,” but over at /Film they give a little more insight into the film’s story.

“a monk, a knight, a samurai, a zulu, an Arab, a gypsy and a viking” in a jail cell together awaiting execution the next morning. A sleazy lawyer arrives and offers them a solution — If the seven of them can infiltrate the King’s castle and steal the crown, they will be set free.

I never thought I’d say this, but it sounds kind of interesting. The Magnificent Seven is one of my favorite movies (I have the theme song on my mp3 player), and I love old school capers. I’m a bit nervous about Cohen taking this on, since his most recent projects have been less than reputable, i.e. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and Stealth. But he also did the original The Fast and the Furious, so he has had his share of hits and misses.

Cohen actually spoke about his decision to abandon the third XXX, and how he feels about moving on.

“It was a tough decision about ‘XXX,’ ” Cohen said. “I talked to Vin over the weekend and said I hoped they would wait, but that if they find another director who’s right for the sequel, I certainly wouldn’t be angry. But I could not let something like this go.”

This reminds me, why is Vin Diesel revisiting every franchise film he starred in during the earlier part of this decade? Is this the only way he can survive as an actor now? Are they seriously going to give the film the subtitle, “The Return of Xander Cage?” I guess if Fast & Furious can do it, anyone can.

What do you think about Rob Cohen directing Medieval? Should they continue the XXX series without him?

ROUND-UP: Happy Feet 2, XXX Returns, Goonie Star Back…

Mali Elfman — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:38:02 +0000

Happy Feet 2 underway in Sydney Australia [LatinoReview]
Jim Carrey to narrate the new IMAX 3-D Film Under the Sea [Yahoo News]
XXX: The Return of Xander Cage in underway with Vin Diesel and Director Rob Cohen [LatinoReview]
Kerri Green (aka Andy from the Goonies) reignites her career with her new film Complacent [Cinemablend]

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