One of cinema’s classic works, Carol Reed’s Joseph Cotten/Orson Welles-starring The Third Man is rumored to be remade with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire in the lead roles.

CHUD broke the rumor news about the potential remake with a script being written by Eastern Promises scribe, Stephen Knight. At the moment the story fits perfectly into the rumor mold, but it appears things are far enough along where if everything holds together an official announcement could come shortly. One of the major questions this rumor brings is who would play which role. I’m of the thought Maguire would play the Cotten role of Holly Martins, searching for his friend, Harry Lime. Although the Cotten role is more of the lead, I think DiCaprio would be better suited for Orson Welles’ Harry Lime, as it’s the showier part, with a bigger entrance.

To remake any movie, let alone a classic, will have it’s detriments. I don’t believe the film merits a remake at all, but I can say DiCaprio has to be one of the most intriguing actors out there right now and I’m pretty willing to follow him wherever he goes. It might sound preposterous, but I’d love to see what a remake of this classic film would look like in its current rumor state. If things don’t go along these lines, I’d be less inclined to support it. What about you?

Also, be sure to check out the beautiful Criterion Blu-ray of The Third Man, here.

Leonardo DiCaprio looks set to star in 20th Century Fox’s The Deep Blue Goodbye. The film will be an adaptation of the first book of John D. MacDonald’s best selling 21-book mystery novel series. This is a project that was once headed in the direction of Robert Downey Jr., before he became entangled in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming Sherlock Holmes.  From Variety:

DiCaprio is in line to play Travis McGee, a self-described beach bum who lives aboard 52-foot houseboat the Busted Flush and alleviates his cash-flow problems by hiring on as a “salvage consultant.” He recovers property for clients, taking a hefty percentage and getting into a lot of danger and romance in sun-drenched Florida.

The Deep Blue Goodbye originally came out in 1964. The same character has previously been played by Rod Taylor (who was also Winston Churchill in Inglourious Basterds as well as starring in The Birds and The Time Machine) and perhaps the more well-known, Sam Elliot (The Big Lebowski, Hulk).

Producing the project are Appian Way’s DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran, and Peter Chernin. The script has been written by Dana Stevens (For The Love of the Game) but no director is yet attached the project.

I have not read any of these books (or previously heard of them), but if anyone has please inform us as to what we can expect.  Particularly “The Deep Blue Goodbye.”  Same goes for anyone who has seen previous iterations with Elliot or Taylor.  Film noir/mystery is an interesting genre, plus with it being in a classic throwback sort of vein from what it sounds, I can see DiCaprio doing a nice Gregory Peck impersonation or the like here.  Dare he bring Marty in on the project?  That, admittedly, I hope does not happen.  Your thoughts are most welcome, agree or not.

UPDATE: This film has been pushed back to February 19th, 2010.

Like Sergio Leone with westerns or Alfred Hitchcock with thrillers, Martin Scorsese has become synonymous with the crime genre. Such movies like Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino and The Departed have easily become the most movies of the genre.  However, it’s unfair to simply label Scorsese with crime movies when he has a proven track record of doing other things like dramas (The Aviator), documentaries (The Last Waltz) and historical epics (Gangs of New York). Easily his best non-crime movie would be Raging Bull, sometimes considered his best overall. I’m glad to see Scorsese change it up yet again, with a thriller called Shutter Island, his first thriller since the remake of Cape Fear in 1991. It actually even borders the horror genre, which would be a first for Scorsese. Shutter Island stars Leonardo DiCaprio making it the fourth time they’ve worked together (like DeNiro before), the others being, Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Departed. Shutter Island was adapted from a book of the same name, written by Dennis Lehane in 2003.  Lehane’s other work includes the adapted Gone Baby Gone and Mystic River as well as having been a writer for HBOs great “The Wire.”

Ashes, ashes, we all fall DOWN.

Set in 1954, DiCaprio plays Teddy Daniels, a U.S. marshal investigating the vanishing of a patient from a mental hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island, much like Alcatraz.  Joining him is his partner, U.S. marshal Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo, Zodiac). They are looking for an escaped patient named Rachel Soldano (Emily Mortimer, Match Point), who just disappeared a mere 24 hours after they got there.  Helping with the investigation is Dr. John Cawley, (Ben Kingsley, Sexy Beast) the hospital’s administrator and main physician. While searching for Rachel, they get suspicious of what Dr. Cawley is telling them and soon question his story. Before they can start a truthful investigation, the island is struck by a hurricane, which traps the marshals and a cell riot ensues. They now have to deal with their own sanity amongst the insane and find the real truth behind Shutter Island.

The movie will also co-star Michelle Williams (Synecdoche,  New York), Max Von Sydow (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen), Patricia Clarkson (Pieces of April), Elias Koteas (Shooter) and the Zodiac killer himself, John Carroll Lynch (Zodiac). Martin Scorsese (obviously) directs Shutter Island and works from the adapted screenplay written by Laeta Kalogridis (Pathfinder).

"The better to shoot inmates with, my dear."

This looks sweet and you can count on me seeing it. Scorsese is a legend and is still one the best directors going. I’ll probably enjoy this a little more than normal because it brings the horror element into it. Since his last movie, The Departed, was such a commercial success, I think this should do well having Scorsese’s name on it. Plus, the horror/thriller genre has always been popular with audiences. Lock me down, because I’m ready to visit Shutter Island.

Shutter Island opens October 2^nd.

One of the most well-known dystopian works of literature could be making it to the big screen for the first time. According “The Hollywood Reporter’s Risky Biz Blog,” Aldous Huxley’s 1931 novel, “Brave New World,” is currently in development with Leonardo DiCaprio and Ridley Scott set to produce while looking to respectively star in and direct.

Huxley’s novel takes place in what seems to be a perfect 26th century in which the world has achieved peace by women no longer forced to give birth, but rather the process taking place in laboratories. The notion of “family” has been outlawed. The story focuses on Bernard’s pursuit of Lenina. Bernard is seen as antisocial and Lenina is deemed frigid due to her monogamous nature in a society of free sex.

The novel has been adapted for television a few times, but has never been projected onto the silver screen. Currently tapped to write the script is Farhad Safinia, who co-wrote Apocalypto with Mel Gibson.

I’ve never read the book, although it is regarded as a classic. Reading the full synopsis, it appears there’s a lot of cool stuff going on here. Scott has proven his worth in dystopian futures with 1982’s Blade Runner and hopefully this film could dare to be on par with it. I like DiCaprio a lot, and although I haven’t seen their last collaboration (Body of Lies), I would eagerly look forward to this one.

Anybody who’s read the book care to expand on its cinematic capabilities?

I can already tell you what will be the hottest selling image in Hot Topic stores in malls across the country in a few years’ time. It’s going to be Little Red Riding Hood. Just like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Heath Ledger’s Joker merchandise are undoubtedly the biggest-selling goth products out there, Red Riding Hood will soon follow suit. Why? Because the story is being gothic-ized for the big screen.

“Variety” reports the writer of Orphan, David Leslie Johnson, has been tapped by Leo DiCaprio’s Appian Way production company to adapt the Little Red Riding Hood tale and inject it with a gothic twist. It’s not remotely being considered a possible project for DiCaprio to star, as what would he play? The wolf?

The story of Red Riding Hood is certainly familiar to everyone who’s no longer a fetus, but apparently some earlier oral versions of the story involve a werewolf, rather than a wolf, which we know is getting a cinematic resurgence right about now. The prospect of this re-telling of the Red Riding Hood story reminds me of the concept for the PC game, “American McGee’s Alice,” which had an even more twisted take on that tale than its original version. I do like the idea behind this and I have a feeling if executed properly it could make for an interesting film. What does the goth in you, think?

As always, we bring you some of the lesser news items from the past week to you on Wednesdays. If you wondering how Batman 3 could possibly be considered one of the weeks lesser news items, please read on. More sequels and remakes await you and even a casting change you’ve all been begging for, but maybe not the way you would have liked it. Here are the weekly news tidbits.

In what seems to be a weekly event, those interested in Ghostbusters 3 tidbits should check out [MTV Movies Blog] for a interview with Ivan Reitman (a former boss of mine, in a way). The majority of the conversation revolves around the release of Ghostbusters on Blu-ray today, but there’s some discussion about the impending sequel.

For more fuel to the crappy IMAX Digital fire, producer Frank Marshall (of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Back to the Future and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button fame. So, really, nobody.) attended a screening of Bruno at an IMAX Digital theater in NYC and felt just as robbed as everybody else. [Frank Marshall's Twitter Account] Speaking of Twitter, you can subscribe to ours here. Lastly, if you want, you can read Roger Ebert’s dissing of IMAX Digital here.

In some non-news for you, Christopher Nolan has yet to sign for Batman 3. Gasp. As if he’s out shooting Inception or something. [Beyond Hollywood]

James Bond fans might like to know the character of Blofeld is scheduled to make another appearance in Bond 23 and rumor has it that Michael Sheen (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) may handle the portrayal. [Screen Crave]

With Total Recall and Predator getting remakes, why not throw in a third former-Schwarzenegger film to get the nod? The cast for the remake of Red Dawn grows by two. Josh Peck (The Wackness) and Adrianne Palicki (”Friday Night Lights”) join Thor-to-be Chris Hemsworth. [Atomic Popcorn]

Leonardo DiCaprio is set to produce and star in a film about online casinos based in Costa Rica. For some reason this reminds me of Two for the Money, but I’m sure it’ll be better. [The Scorecard Review] Speaking of DiCaprio, if you haven’t seen the Shutter Island trailer, it’s a must.

Anybody who’s ever hated the idea of Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson in the Spider-man franchise finally got their wish, as Evan Rachel Wood (next seen in Whatever Works) will be portraying Peter Parker’s redheaded object of affection in the new Spider-man…musical on Broadway. Get some. [Latino Review]

Lastly, I just read a piece about Universal’s upcoming The Wolf Man remake with Benicio del Toro last night, so it’s only fitting that Universal is looking at remaking another monster film of theirs, Bride of Frankenstein. [Risky Biz Blog]

I just saw at Target last night that old-school Ninja Turtles were being sold in what looked like their original packages due to the character’s 25th anniversary this year. Nice. However, news came out today via [Film Drunk] that a new live-action Ninja Turtles movies is due for release in 2011. Very nice. I didn’t care for the animated one that came out a couple of years ago and I think live-action is the way to go. Cowabunga!

Our preview writer, Joe, will be very conflicted with this news. Nightmare on Elm Street is getting remade. Sarcastic yea’s all around. Rooney Mara is playing the lead terrified woman and Jackie Earl Haley is playing Freddie Kruger. Jackie Earl was actually announced a bit ago, but the Mara announcement exposed us to it. I hate the idea of this being remade, but I don’t care for the original anyway. However, Haley’s involvement is awesome. [Screen Rant]

Here are some more set photos for you, shockingly not debuting from the new “Empire” issue. The subject is Nic Cage and Jay Baruchel’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. [Film Geek]

[Rama's Screen] has the news that Anna Faris will star in What’s Your Number? for director Mark Mylod. The film is based on the book “20 Times A Lady” by Karen Bosnak. It kind of sounds like a female version of Ghosts of Girlfriend’s Past. Perhaps what’s most important, though, is the script was written by Gabrielle Allan and Jennifer Crittenden. Crittenden has written for “The Simpsons,” “Seinfeld” and “Arrested Development.” Believe it or not, I knew that off the top of my head. This might actually be something.

We told you about Elizabeth Shue in Piranha 3-D the other week, now Richard Dreyfuss, who’s no stranger to fierce things lurking in the water, has joined the project. [Nuke the Fridge]

Remember the list of projects Guillermo del Toro was scheduled to be involved in that we wrote about a while ago? Well, Robert Rodriguez dropped his list today at [Dread Central]. It contains Machete, Nervewrackers, Sin City 2, The Jetsons and Predators. What’s Predators? Why that would be Rodriguez’ reboot of the Predator franchise. People seem to really like this news, but can the original really be improved upon? What do you think?

Want to see the new Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer? It’s debuting April 29th on 20 screens all over the country in front of a one-day screening of Transformers in IMAX. [Transformers Live] has more details.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has joined the cast of the new Christopher Nolan film, Inception. He’ll be surrounded by Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy and Marion Cotillard. Not that we needed any more reason to see it, but we got it. [Sci Fi Cool]

I promise this is the last remake news I’m posting today. James Marden is poised to play the lead in a remake of 70’s fight-for-survival flick, Straw Dogs. I can tell this is going to be a watered-down version just with this announcement. [In Case You Didn't Know]

Lastly, do you want to see the first seven minutes of The Brothers Bloom? Hulu has posted it up. We’ve seen the whole film and reviewed it back in October. Click the film’s title to see the review. Here’s the first seven minutes:

A lot of news to get to today, so let’s just dive in.

Chris Evans, aka Johnny Blaze, joins Stringer Bell (Idris Elba) and The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) in a DC/Vertigo comic adaptation for The Losers. It’s about a special ops team betrayed by their superiors having to do what they do best and enact stealthy revenge. I like the cast. I’m getting flashbacks of playing “Rainbow 6″ on the PC back in the day. Could be cool. [Mania]

If you like yourself some Twilight, you can see the new photo of the famed Wolf Pack for the upcoming Twilight sequel, New Moon. [Twilight-Movie.org]

Angelina Jolie is on the verge of acquiring the rights to a series of Patricia Cornwell novels involving a character named Dr. Kay Scarpetta who’s a medical examiner that solves crimes. I accidentally wrote “crap” when I was writing “crimes.” Maybe subconsciously that’s what I think this “franchise” will be. [Ace Showbiz]

In more Twilight-related news, director David Slade is confirmed to be helming the third film in the franchise, Eclipse. Slade’s directorial debut in Hard Candy was great. I thought he’d do something better than this, but Alfonso Cuaron directy a Harry Potter film. It could be a great move for the franchise. [Twilight Lexicon]

“Empire” is at it again, releasing new set pics. This time it’s for the new Scorsese/DiCaprio collaboration, Shutter Island. It’s another one of our anticipated films of the year. Be sure to check it out. [Beyond Hollywood]

Another new set pic is revealed via [Film School Rejects] for the upcoming Matthew Vaughn adaptation of the graphic novel, “Kick-Ass.” This is one I’m pretty hyped about. Vaughn’s Layer Cake is pretty dope, and I like the concept for this one.

[Dread Central] has some news on Vanessa Hudgens gearing up to star in an update of Beauty and the Beast alongside Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell in Beastly. The animated Disney film is the ultimate telling of the tale and Belle is the hottest Disney princess ever created. Agree or disagree?

Want to see the first pic of Mel Gibson’s return to acting? [Coming Soon] has the first set pic for Edge of Darkness.

Here’s your big rumor for the day: Remember how Steven Spielberg is going to direct the first Tintin film and Peter Jackson is going to direct the second in a trilogy? The third film was supposedly going to be co-directed, but now the name Edgar Wright is being bandied about. He says he doesn’t know anything about it, but Shia LeBeouf said the same thing about his role in the last Indiana Jones film until he was, of course, in it. [Rama's Screen]

Are you hyped for the new Pixar film, Up, like I am? We shared the first screengrab of the short that will show before it, Partly Cloudy, last week. Now, thanks to [Cartoon Brew] we have a bit of a description of the short and a couple other images. One more month, baby!

Finally, Director Henry Selick (Coraline) foresees film advancing past 3-D and into “holograms.” One of my friends and I have always discussed this possibility, but for now the industry will almost certainly stay focused on 3-D. After all, Hollywood still hasn’t embraced Maxivision. [Thompson on Hollywood]