R.I.P. James Gandolfini 
Photos: James Gandolfini, 1961-2013 
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EXCLUSIVE: Brad Peyton is making a deal to direct the Journey to the Center of the Earth sequel, as Brendan Fraser is withdrawing as the film’s star.
New Line and Walden Media will move the picture right into pre-production, but they are preparing to redraw the film to make Josh Hutcherson the lead character. Fraser played Prof. Trevor Anderson in the original, and Hutcherson played his nephew, Sean.
Sources caution that Fraser could still possibly make another trip to the earth’s core, but it is looking unlikely. Fraser felt strongly about making the movie with Eric Brevig, who directed him in the original. Trouble is, Warner Bros wants the picture for fall, 2011 release and Brevig is up to his eyeballs on another film for the studio, Yogi Bear. Warners brass is high on Peyton because of Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, the Peyton-directed film which Warner Bros opens July 30. Peyton shot that film in 2D and it was converted to 3D. The Journey sequel is being shot in 3D, like the original.
It looks like a game of chicken between Fraser and New Line/Walden Media execs and there are risks on each side. Fraser is prepared to give up a fat sequel salary, after recently starring in the flop Furry Vengeance. New Line/Walden faces the prospect of making a pricey 3D film and opening it without a proven star in Hutcherson. The original grossed $242 million worldwide. Fraser went through a similar situation on the third installment of The Mummy, but ultimately returned as the studio met his demands and the film did over $400 million, without Rachel Weisz. That global crowd still likes to see its stars reprise in sequels. New Line execs are in New York for tonight’s Sex and the City 2 premiere, and didn’t return calls. Verve is making the deal for Peyton, who, I’m told, also just met on the James Franco-starrer Ricky Stanicky, the Jeff Bushell-scripted comedy acquired last week by Summit Entertainment.
Sequels For ‘Clash Of The Titans’ and ‘Journey To The Center Of The Earth’
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Dumb move to go ahead without Fraser. This is his forte. Dumb move to make the kid the center of attention. Ace Ventura Jr., anyone?
Interesting theory, but personally I heard from a little birdie (maybe or maybe not named Pauly Shore) that the real reason Brendan Fraser is dropping out is because Disney finally realized what a franchise they have on their hands with Encino Man. So people best be getting ready for some Cave Man fever in 2011! This is gonna be huge.
Yeah I agree. Time for an Encino Man reboot/sequel. Encino Men anyone?
The audience won’t notice if an uncle is on the trip this time. Saw 30 minutes of “Furry Vengeance” this weekend and was pretty appalled at how bad it was and on top of it how much weight Fraser has gained. Heading toward Kevin James territory is not the smartest career move (unless he has some sort of medical issue).
NYGuy–funny how you referenced Kevin James. My 8 year old went to Furry Vengeance (luckily I avoided it) and I asked him after if he recognized any of the stars in it. He said the main guy was the same guy as Mall Cop.
Isn’t Fraser really old and really bad? I am surprised they want to make this movie at all. I guess without Brandan at least this won’t be a `get fired for another Furry Vengence’ type of scenario (or really any of his other movies past few years).
Also, what about the actress Anita Briem who was the Mountian Guide Girl character? I hope she’s the lead. She was the only one who did anything awesome in the first one. Wasn’t the whole institute her families?
Anyway, I have friends who work in Television, and I think people are just afriad to have Brandan in any other movies cause they don’t want to be fired. I know that sounds funny, but seriously. I personally am a HUGE Harrison fan and I didn’t see his last movie because Frazer was on the poster.
Almost had to laugh when I read that line, “New Line/Walden faces the prospect of making a pricey 3D film and opening it without a proven star…”
I’m sorry, but exactly when did Brendan Fraser prove himself to be a star??
(And no, the “Mummy” franchise doesn’t count because the concept was the star, not Brendan).
@jim_allen Huh… I didn’t watch Extraordinary Measures because Harrison Ford was on the poster. Very tired of Harrison, when you think about it… does he ever play anything but the same kind of egotistical blowhard character over and over again?
I’m not sure why Brendan is so fond of hokey projects except that he clearly likes to be goofy. It works sometimes but not always.
For proof of his acting chops… check out Twilight of the Golds.
Doesn’t really matter as this has “direct-to-DVD” written all over it.
Seriously, what is up with all the Brendan Fraser haters?? Even bigger stars like Harrison Ford have flops, what’s the big deal? That’s no reason to hate on Fraser. Jealous much?
Why are they even making a “Journey” sequel? The first one wasn’t that great. And I was amazed at how short it was for a film of that nature (action/effects). And I agree with the person who said the gal guide should be the lead. Brendan is looking less and less like the type of person who would be adventuring through lost/underground worlds.
Brendan Fraser has far more money than his talent warrants.
He is a bad actor.
Ok- As for the sequal- Kudos.. My KIDS actually really liked to first Journey to the center of the earth movie. It actually provoked my nine year old to read the Jules Vern book- The WHOLE thing at that! Any movie that can convince a nine year old who had never before picked up a book on her own and read it from start to finish is Golden in my world.
As far as the playerhaters go- Whats the deal? To each his own! There isn’t any reason to verbally abuse another actor just because you don’t like him. You think he is a bad actor. Enough said. Furthermore- all actors have floppy movies every now and then. It happens- can’t be good all the time. Not everyone likes DiCaprio or Hugh Jackman either- but again- to each his own.
Well, I loved the first, but I probably won’t see the second without Brendan. Funny how a lot of people hate him just because they saw a few flops (say furry vengance or monkeybone or inkheart) and are blinded from really seeing what a range of talent he has.
For all the Brendan Fraser haters, see a little film called Gods and Monsters, in which he holds his own with Sir Ian McKellen; or The Quiet American, in which he does just as well in the company of Sir Michael Caine; or maybe you could check out Crash, where he rose well above the material and gave a better performance than a number of bigger names and allegedly more talented actors.
The man can act with the best of ‘em. Why he likes to pick silly projects like Furry Vengance, I have no idea. Maybe they looked better on paper…