Swamp Thing actor dies as Warner Bros plans new 3D remake

Dick Durock as Swamp Thing

By David Bentley – CoventryTelegraph.net

THE ACTOR who played the DC Comics character Swamp Thing in two films and a television series has died at the age of 72.

Dick Durock, a 6ft 5ins former Marine, passed away at his home in Oak Park, California, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, according to his official website.

Dick Durock

Durock wore a latex bodysuit and make-up to play the monster in 1982′s Swamp Thing directed by Wes Craven; its 1989 sequel The Return of Swamp Thing; and a subsequent Swamp Thing series that ran for 71 episodes from 1990 to 1993.

The actor appeared in dozens of other movies and TV series including the shows Star Trek, Knight Rider, The A-Team, Battlestar Galactica and The Incredible Hulk.

Fans had been hoping Durock would have a cameo role in the new 3D remake of Swamp Thing or at least be able to see his classic creation come to life on the big screen again.

The story tells of a scientist who is caught in a lab explosion and, doused with chemicals, falls into a swamp. He is resurrected as a humanoid mass of vegetation who – in a strong ecological theme – fights to protect the environment from various threats.

Warner Bros is considering a remake of Swamp Thing. Producer Joel Silver last month told Collider: “I’m developing a picture now that I’d like to do…I’ll hopefully do Swamp Thing, which is a movie we’ve had for a long time. We think that would be great to do in 3D.”

More recently, it was reported that producer Akiva Goldsman was linked to the project and wanted a reboot based upon the highly regarded Swamp Thing comic book stories by Watchmen writer Alan Moore.

Last year, director Guillermo del Toro expressed enthusiasm for taking on the project, telling The LA Times: “Oh, I would love to make a Swamp Thing movie. Really, Swamp Thing is one of the last Holy Grail projects that is still out there. Those stories were fantastic, with the hallucinogenic feel of that world. I don’t think anyone is tackling that one anytime soon. It is one of those Holy Grails that dates back to that same boom as Watchmen and The Killing Joke. For me it would be an honour to do it.”

But his schedule is piled high and he added: “Right now, I don’t think it’s happening. If I had enough time to tackle it. But I will be 50 when I get out of The Hobbit.”

2009 ALMA Awards Honorees in Movies

Sofia Vergara

from AceShowBiz.com

Javier Bardem and Joaquin Phoenix are vying for Best Actor of the Year title, while Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes and Penelope Cruz will battle it out for the actress kudo.

The honorees for ALMA Awards 2009′s special achievement in motion picture category have been unraveled by the National Council of

Eva Mendes

La Raza. On Tuesday, August 25 at a news conference at Beso Restaurant, NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguia and Executive Producer Eva Longoria revealed that there will be 11 actors and 8 actresses competing for Best Actor and Best Actress.

Among those vying for Best Actor of the Year title are “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” leading man Javier Bardem, “Two Lovers” star Joaquin Phoenix and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” actor Ramon Rodriguez. Meanwhile, the actresses receiving nominations include Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, Michelle Rodriguez, Penelope Cruz and Rosario Dawson.

Beside the performers in motion pictures, a number of film crew also get a shot at winning Behind the Scenes honor. “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” director Kenny Ortega, “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” helmer Guillermo del Toro, “Twilight” make-up artist Jeanne Van Phue and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” cinematographer Claudio Miranda are among them.

The larger number of nominees for each category is part of the significant format change for this year’s ALMA Awards. “If you like the ALMA Awards, you will love this year’s show because we’re bringing you more of what you love most, unique musical pairings and the best Latino entertainment,” Murguia shared on the changes.

The 2009 ALMA Awards will be taped on September 17 at the Royce Hall Auditorium at UCLA and aired on ABC Television Network the next day, September 18 from 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. ET/PT. Eva Longoria will co-host with George Lopez. To give special honors to Salma Hayek and Oscar De La Hoya, and special tribute to the late Ricardo Montalban, ALMA also honors the best in television, music and sports television.

Zoe Saldana

2009 ALMA Awards’ Special Achievement Honorees for Year in Film:
Best Actor of the Year:

Alfred Molina, “The Pink Panther 2″

Cheech Marin, “Race to Witch Mountain”

Freddy Rodriguez, “Nothing Like the Holidays”

Oscar Nunez, “The Proposal”

Clifton Collins Jr., “Star Trek” and “Crank: High Voltage”

Efren Ramirez, “Crank: High Voltage”

Javier Bardem, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Joaquin Phoenix, “Two Lovers”

John Leguizamo, “Nothing Like the Holidays”

Luis Guzman, “The Taking of Pelham 123″

Ramon Rodriguez, “Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen”

 

Best Actress of the Year:

Elisabeth Pena, “Nothing Like the Holidays”

Sofia Vergara, “Madea Goes to Jail”

Cameron Diaz, “My Sister’s Keeper”

Eva Mendes, “The Women” and “The Spirit”

Michelle Rodriguez, “Fast and Furious”

Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Rosario Dawson, “Seven Pounds”

Zoe Saldana, “Star Trek”

Who’s Playing Bilbo Baggins? Ian McKellen Knows

Ian McKellen as Gandalf

From AceShowbiz.com

“The Hobbit” has reportedly found the actor to play its titular role. Actor Ian McKellen was the one who broke the news while making an appearance at a special marathon screening for the extended editions of all three “Lord of the Rings” films at London’s BFI IMAX cinema on Saturday, August 22.

The actor who plays wise wizard Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy revealed that he knows who will take on the starring role. However, he was keeping tight lips on whether or not “Atonement” actor James McAvoy is the one who will carry out the Bilbo Baggins character.

During his introduction for the screening, the 70-year-old McKellen also confirmed that he will be coming back as Gandalf in director Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel. The SAG Awards-winner also revealed, as reported by Olli, “he is currently re-Reading the hobbit and is expecting to be back in NZ in March” and “he should be seeing the script within the next week”.

Los Angeles Times’ Hero Complex has reported that “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe, “Doctor Who” lead actor David Tennant and James McAvoy were all rumored to be the potential candidates for Bilbo Baggins. However, both Radcliffe and Tennant have slammed the speculation. Radcliffe stated that he has no interest in the project, while Tennant claimed it to be plain Internet rumor.

“The Hobbit” is taken from J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel of the same title and is planned to be made into two-part movies. The movies will re-create the scenes of the novel, with additional events that make an impact to “The Lords of the Rings”, such as the expulsion of Sauron from Mirkwood by The White Council.

Shooting is expected to start in March 2010 and go on for about 370 days. Hugo Weaving and Andy Serkis are said to reprise their “The Lord of the Rings” roles as Lord Elrond and Gollum respectively. The first of the adventure fantasy movie is scheduled for December 2011 U.S. release, while the second one is expected to hit theaters across the U.S. a year later.

Read an EXCLUSIVE interview with LOTR Creature Creator, Gino Acevedo HERE