Updates from Robert Rodriguez's Parking Lot
Some things were said, and we were there... What?! What?!?
Last week I spent a day at Robert Rodriguez's Troublemaker Studios loitering around the parking lot, interviewing some actors on that lot, and raiding the catering van for cookies. You can probably guess it was a set visit for Predators, but I'm bound and gagged like The Gimp from spilling anything about that for the time being. However, I can blather all I want about tidbits from everything not involving "Predators versus No-Longer-Larry Fishburne" (yep, Fishburne is in the film as a character named Noland… I can say that. I know. What an incredibly — not very interesting — piece of "news").
First, both Rodriguez and Troublemaker Studios co-owner Elizabeth Avellán confirmed Spy Kids 4 is a go. However, they're jettisoning the original actors and rebooting the franchise because those kids are total geezers by now. So, expect the 12-year-old fanboys of the world to start foaming and ranting and accusing Rodriguez of raping their present childhoods. Spy Kids: The Rebooting is expected to go in front of cameras next spring and will be shot in 3-D, because Spy-Kids 3-D: Game Over just wasn't third-dimensional enough for you all.
Sin City 2 is also happening… someday. What day? What year? What century? No one knows. Both Rodriguez and Frank Miller want to do it. Rodriguez was adamant that it will actually happen within his lifetime. It's just a matter of getting their shit together and actually filming the fucker, as Ed Wood would say. I also asked if there was any truth to recent rumors Sin City 2 would be an entirely new story. Rodriguez denied such reports. According to Rodriguez, the latest version of the script was written in 2007 and while it does have original bits to better connect the stories between the films, the majority is based off previously published material. And since all of us journalists were hungry, tired and not very good at our "jobs," no one bothered to follow up on my question to confirm what "Sin City" tales are planned for the sequel. Sorry about that…
Danny Trejo unexpectedly dropped by the parking lot (I don't think this is embargoed, so I'm gonna say it: Nicest man imaginable) and as our thank you to him we jammed a dozen voice recorders in his face. Both Trejo and Rodriguez mentioned Machete has been an idea kicked around since filming Desperado, and they'd love to franchise it with sequel titles along the lines of Machete Kills and Machete Kills Again. Yet, here's the thing. This "news" isn't new as much as it was most likely forgotten. Wikipedia already reports the Desperado/Machete trivia and Trejo discussed the idea of a trilogy last year. And really, the manner in which both Trejo and Rodriguez spoke of a Machete franchise was very much in the Yeah I'd love to do it if given the chance tone. If someone asked Trejo if he'd like to be in the final Twilight movie you'd have probably gotten a similar vibe from him.
I will say this, every time Trejo, Rodriguez or anyone associated with Troublemaker Studios mentioned Machete, they — without fail — displayed giddy smiles. Perhaps they have something quality on their hands, then again Rodriguez always seems incredibly excited about whatever he's working on… even when he's working on the likes of Taylor Lautner and Lava Girl.
No news on Rodriguez's Nerveracker. However, Avellán confirmed that Barbarella was dead as dead can be. I think everyone knew that. The only reason I bring it up is that I noticed a mock-up of a set for the film (with a miniature Rose McGowan figurine, no less) in the production-design area. It may have been a space-ship interior. Who's to say. Lots of ovals and pod chairs. Very true to the original's aesthetics. So there's your glimpse into a movie that never happened.
In a variety of rather unrevealing newsy tidbits: No one has approached Topher Grace for the Venom spin-off. Does this shock anyone? After all, Spider-Man 3 climaxed with Grace swallowing a goblin-bomb that didn't even leave a pile of Topher dust for the coroner. Oh and Alice Braga doesn't seem to know which ending of I Am Legend she prefers. Again, not exciting, but it's Sunday night and Christmas is around the corner so I'm spreading what wealth I have.
That's all for now, the good stuff is around the corner when my actual report from the set of Predators is released from its cage. Stay tuned.
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Robert Rodriguez is one of my favorite directors. I’m not saying he is one of the best directors but he is a huge inspiration and I have a great time watching his films. I’m glad to see he is back to work (kind of… when he is going to back to directing films by himself instead of producing and co-directing).
What was the atmosphere like between Robert and Elizabeth? I’m glad they are still working together, but it’s has to be somewhat awkward since the divorce/Rose McGowan situation.
Also any news on a release date for Machete?
I always look forward to his projects whether it’s Shorts/Spy Kids or Machete/Sin City 2.
I suddenly feel like I've been reading one of a dozen different, inferior to RoS movie related websites, with all of the non news crammed into this void in the internet.
Although, I can in fact not wait for Machete.
@Ross Chancey: Read between the lines. I'm goofing on nonnews.
I feel like he takes on too many projects and then never goes through with any of them.
I hope to see Rose McGowan in "Sin City 2"!!!
I am a massive fan of Robert Rodriguez films, Sin City, Desparado, Dusk til dawn, Planet terror and Once Upon time in mexico. There all great films to watch and enjoy. The only thing which is disapointing with Robert Rodriguez is that he takes forever to make a film. He has all these ideas but nothing never happens. Sin City 2 should of been out by now, What's going on with Red Sonja, He made the posters where's the film. Machete is due to be relased April 2010. There's no up to date movie trailer for the film. Just the old grindhouse fake trailer which was made in 2006. It would not suprise me if machete flopped and did not get made. Robert Rodriguez is a slow movie director and producer. No wonder why Rose Mcgowan dumped him, Robert Rodriguez anit no Michael Bay. Robert Rodriguez needs to bring out the films that the fans want to see and forget making those silly films like shark boy.
Check this out guys, That slow movie maker Robert Rodriguez has just removed the date relased for machete. Only a few weeks ago it said on the imdb websie that Machete was due to be relased April 2010. Now its just says 2010. Let me tell you the truth about this guy, the movie flopped before it was even finished. Just like Red Sonja. Predators is not even his film. Robert Rodriguez did not write it or direct it. Thats why its coming out this July. If it was Robert Rodriguez that was directing the film it will still be in pre production. Why do you think Rose Mcgowan dumped the sorry loser, The guy is broke, thats why he does small budget films. Rose is now filming for Conan with her new man. She's long forgot about the small budget man.
Hey guys its me again. O.k I was wrong about machete, its out on dvd and blue ray and i love it. Jessica alba is hot and so is michelle rodriguez. Robert Rodriguez finally made machete and now his finishing up with spy kids 4. He promised Sin city 2 would be made straight after. That promise was made in October 2010. Nothing has happen since then. Spy Kids 4 has been completed, still no update on sincity2. Its April 2011, still no update. Sin city was a massive success. It made $150 Million dollars. Robert Rodriguez wants to lie to his fans and tell them sincity2 is around the corner. Its been 6 years since the first one, Stop lying. A film that was so successful is being destroyed by Mr Rodriguez delaying the sequel . You cant keep watching the same sincity film over and over again you dummy, Its gets boring. A MESSAGE FOR YOU ROBERT RODRIGUEZ. Stop lying about sincity2, your fans deserve more. If you are going to make sincity2 then make it. If you dont want to make a sequel then tell the truth about it. Act like a man and stop behaving like a little boy who tells false stories about making a film.