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UNIVERSAL - IF YOU LET RATNER DIRECT THE WOLF MAN YOU'LL DESERVE THE TURD YOU'LL END UP RELEASING ON SCREEN!!!

UNIVERSAL-IGNORE THAT FAT REDHAIRED MAN. by TomBodet	Jan 30th, 2008 06:02:03 PM
Let Ratner Direct Wolfman, THEN make sure he directs Black Lagoon, TOO! We wanna see if that there LapBand is gonna really, Really work on our man Harold afterwards.
DAVID SLADE! by Series7	Jan 30th, 2008 06:04:06 PM
He isn't doing anything. And 30 days of night is way better then Photo Shop guy.
Meh by Zeke2517	Jan 30th, 2008 06:05:06 PM
One Hour Photo was pretty good and Benicio Del Toro rocks the shit in them early pics but damn it if Ratner wouldn't fuck this right up. And 3 weeks to start... Damn...
Or by Series7	Jan 30th, 2008 06:05:20 PM
Mitchell Lichtenstein he is hip right now. Haven't seen teeth but it looks like he can handle mood movies.
Hey Tom Bodet... by Goochbag	Jan 30th, 2008 06:06:13 PM
I've got a light you can leave on, it says, "Hello. My name on the aintitcool talkbacks is Tom Bodet. I like when guys rape me." It's a neon light.
"His basement is a disco and the Wolfman has no disco in his sou by chiahead	Jan 30th, 2008 06:06:52 PM
"His basement is a disco and the Wolfman has no disco in his soul..." damn that's poetic. In a Ratneresque sort of way anyway...
How is Bret Ratner by Series7	Jan 30th, 2008 06:07:18 PM
So easily obtainable? Maybe James Wan could prove that he isn't a one trick pony.
MiraJeff! by TheRealMoriarty	Jan 30th, 2008 06:07:37 PM
This is all your fault! Blame MiraJeff! He did this!
ok by Series7	Jan 30th, 2008 06:09:00 PM
Don't care anymore finally getting to watch King of Kong. Billy Mitchell looks like a wolfman.
Wolf Man? by jimmy_009	Jan 30th, 2008 06:09:11 PM
Why the hell would they make Wolf Man? Talk about boring.
Billy Mitchell. by Goochbag	Jan 30th, 2008 06:09:39 PM
He doesn't look like a wolfman. He looks like a manman.
Damn it by ChickenDelicious	Jan 30th, 2008 06:12:41 PM
Ratner did not make money for Fox. X-MEN made money for Fox, despite Ratner. Don't do it, Universal!
I wonder by Series7	Jan 30th, 2008 06:13:32 PM
how many arcade sluts Billy Mitchell got back in the day?
Harry, why the undying love and support for Romanek? by Your Moms Box	Jan 30th, 2008 06:15:53 PM
I mean really, I liked Weezer's "El Scorcho" video as much as the next guy, but whats he done thats so great that you think Ratner would do so much worse? X-Men 3's problems were there long before Ratner took the helm. That script was atroicious. A horrible story.
Next time I take a dump... by jimmy rabbitte	Jan 30th, 2008 06:16:28 PM
...I'm gonna say, "I'm going to take a Ratner."
Wolf Man? by skywalkerfamily	Jan 30th, 2008 06:17:50 PM
Welcome to 1953
ONE HOUR PHOTO by HEADGEEK	Jan 30th, 2008 06:19:56 PM
It is a masterful, tiny film. I loved the performance he got out of Robin Williams and the rest of the cast. The shot selection and lighting was exquisite. X3 - was ruined by Tom Rothman's horrible screenwriting hiring decisions and his insane schedule. Ratner made it all that much worse. His handle on action was clumsy and his use of visual fx was near retarded. He has the skill of a convict picking up trash alongside the highway.
Harry trying to stir geek indignation directly. by greenstyle92	Jan 30th, 2008 06:20:03 PM
But lets be frank: The only people really interested in the legacy of universal monster franchises are major film buffs/historians. You can surround yourself with staff on your site that share your sensibilities, Harry, but what makes you think the rest of us care?
Yeah Romanek by Series7	Jan 30th, 2008 06:22:05 PM
Is no David Fincher. I guess Harry is as big of a fan of Closer as Gus Van Sant is. Only is almost a better video then Closer and Perfect Drug, they are all pretty close. At least Chris Cunningham worked on an Alien movie.
Ratner is Hollywood's bitch by zooch	Jan 30th, 2008 06:22:22 PM
"Creative Issues" getting you down? Call 1-800-HIRE-A-HACK and we'll send Brett Ratner right away. 100% Guaranteed to finish your film in time, under budget, and ready for mass consumption or your money back!
Harry ! by m_prevette	Jan 30th, 2008 06:22:55 PM
You're an idiot - SHUT UP.
If they're under such a time crunch... by CountryBoy	Jan 30th, 2008 06:26:46 PM
... how many options do they have? Are there a lot of brilliant directors sitting by their phones (so to speak), wishing for a project?
Ratner on directing The Wolf Man by drbenway59	Jan 30th, 2008 06:27:00 PM
"Wolf Man? Yeah. I'd be great for that. That's perfect for me. I watched all these wolf man movies growing up. All these old Universal monster movies. Wolf Man, Frankenstein, Wolf Man... Stuff like that. I watch that stuff all the time. I watch at least one monster movie every day. At least one scene from the wolf man every day. I'm watching it right now."
I don't know about this by MC-909	Jan 30th, 2008 06:27:45 PM
Hate to say it, but Ratner might actually be a good choice. He had shot X-Men 3 in a rushed schedule and it turned out not as bad as it could have. Rush Hour 3 was a pile of unfunny shit though.
Mark Pellington... by kuldan	Jan 30th, 2008 06:27:54 PM
Has an eye for character dread. Might he be a decent choice? Hell of a lot better than Brett Ratner, whose name single-handedly makes me not care about a movie. "Rush Hour 3" was so empty and hollow, it was like a B-sides to "Rush Hour 2." They took the unused (and sometimes used jokes) from the last feature that made the cutting room floor and used them in part 3. I guess Universal figured Romanek made enough head work to get the project rolling with someone who will find every way to waste their production money.
Damn you, MiraWhiff! by DocPazuzu	Jan 30th, 2008 06:29:26 PM
Dr. Boll didn't hit you hard enough.
Brett Ratner... by kuldan	Jan 30th, 2008 06:29:28 PM
Also successfully used CGI work with Jackie Chan instead of having him do some actual stunts in "Rush Hour 2," making him the first director to totally waste Chan's talents and trademarks. What a lazy bastard (Ratner, not Chan. Chan got paid to listen to his director).
grenstyle92 by BadMrWonka	Jan 30th, 2008 06:29:31 PM
what the fuck, this is a MOVIE GEEK'S WEBSITE, a lot of us care about stuff like this. I'm sure entertainment weekly has a website, if you're not comfortable here. maybe you wanna go fuck off there?
Hellboy sucked by Lucasblows	Jan 30th, 2008 06:29:32 PM
Period.
Stop talking to corporations as if they're people... by V'Shael	Jan 30th, 2008 06:31:08 PM
It's retarded.
MiraJeff YOU SON OF A BITCH! by Kloipy	Jan 30th, 2008 06:31:57 PM
How the fuck could you do this to us!?!?!
BadMrWonka by Series7	Jan 30th, 2008 06:33:24 PM
I'd much rather talk about this then shoving my head up my ass and talk about how cool Juno is. Which has been a lot recently on this site. Come on Wolfman is geek news, maybe you should go hang out with the Shwarts Bomb and masturbate to Atonement.
Anybody but Ratner. by Kid Idioteque	Jan 30th, 2008 06:33:37 PM
If you're going to let that moron take over, you might as well let me direct - give it to an unkown. Contact me. I am offering my services.
oops BadMrWonka by Series7	Jan 30th, 2008 06:34:24 PM
I read your post wrong. My bad. I am trying to watch King of Kong and this thread unfold at the same time.
Stop talking to corporations as if they give a fuck what you say by randie1313	Jan 30th, 2008 06:36:18 PM
You pretentious asshat. Why not try breaking some actual news around here just for fun.
oh stop shouting. by frankenfickle	Jan 30th, 2008 06:37:37 PM
who cares about the wolfman. sheesh.
why so down on the Rat? "Family Man" was good by lettersoftransit	Jan 30th, 2008 06:37:57 PM
Actually, very good. I'd've let the kids watch it Christmas time if not for the naked ladies
Aw Shit by FatherMcGruderKicksAssForTheLord	Jan 30th, 2008 06:39:15 PM
When I saw this in the other TB, I just assumed it was harmless. Here it is again, somehow more valid. This is friggin' stupid, as Ratner should OBVIOUSLY be confined to DTV & HBO softcore. That guy must suck a MEAN dick.
noOOOOO!!!!! by Stengah	Jan 30th, 2008 06:40:43 PM
This is horrible news, the Rat is gonna to turn wolfman into turdman.
MiraJeff can suck a fuck by Bob of the Shire	Jan 30th, 2008 06:42:22 PM
Ratner needs to find a new profession, I suggest he test land mines with his face. That'd be a good fit, methinks.
A little thing called "acting" ruined X 3 too. by skywalkerfamily	Jan 30th, 2008 06:42:35 PM
Despite the big names they were acting like they were in high school play.
Oh god please no... say it isn't so!!! by Kirbymanly	Jan 30th, 2008 06:42:43 PM
PLEASE, universal...PLEASE do not hire Ratner!!!
Penny Marshall should direct Wolf Man by Heckles	Jan 30th, 2008 06:43:29 PM
She could also star as the title character. No makeup needed.
Ratner is as talented a filmmaker as Michelangelo was a painter. by High DeF JeFF	Jan 30th, 2008 06:44:29 PM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yIM Ar7pw-40
Youtube Link Above. by High DeF JeFF	Jan 30th, 2008 06:45:31 PM
No spaces between yIM and Ar7
Any style and substance this movie could have has been by skimn	Jan 30th, 2008 06:46:59 PM
obliterated. I rented Rush Hour 3 on a whim, and can't believe people paid good money to see that in an actual motion picture theater. Rat "Bastard" Ner, thanks for pissing on another promising movie...wasn't Red Dragon a Universal flick..?
Tykwer by half vader	Jan 30th, 2008 06:48:25 PM
Cmon cmon please please please.
Can we get the same kind of rant for Transformers 2? by Han Cholo	Jan 30th, 2008 06:50:16 PM
Please Harry, you have the power to help get a superior sequel made. No shit.
Get off the Ratner hate... by badboymason	Jan 30th, 2008 06:55:02 PM
Not every director can be Alfred Hitchcock. Was X3 a masterpiece? No. Is Ratner as good as Singer? No, but he managed to make X3 a decent superhero movie that finally paid off on the promise of larger scale mutant battles that Singer chickened out of on X1 and X2. It didn't try to be deep, but I'd rather have a shallow success than the wank that passed for 'characterisation' in Spider-Man 3. I would think that Ratner's experience on X3 would qualify him completely - whatever you think of the film, he basically had no choice but to shoot the script/cast he was handed. Any major problem you have with the film can't be laid at his feet. From what I understand, any other director would be in the same situation on this film, so it's not like some visionary is going to come in and rework it - the script/cast is going to get shot as is, so Ratner will do as good a job as anyone. Anyways, it's the FUCKING WOLF MAN, not Hamlet.
A QUESTION OF LOGIC by Doctor Cosmic	Jan 30th, 2008 06:55:04 PM
If a fat nerd bitches and moans in the nerd wilderness... ...does anyone give a shit? Doc
Dear Universal, by cinemaniac1979	Jan 30th, 2008 06:57:08 PM
Please don't let Ratner direct anything ever again. Sincerely, Everyone
UNIVERSAL HAS CHOSEN BRETT RATNER AND HERE'S WHY: by Pound Sand	Jan 30th, 2008 07:04:49 PM
it just feels right: The Wolfman's got the nards, and Brett's under contract.
so sad... by red ezra	Jan 30th, 2008 07:05:56 PM
movies could be cool but artists dont get to make decisions that let them be most of the time
Hellboy DIDN'T Suck by 5 by 5	Jan 30th, 2008 07:06:26 PM
Period.
is Rick Baker dusting off the Thriller-era wolf costume? by Pound Sand	Jan 30th, 2008 07:06:49 PM
Because that'd be the shit. Breaking dancing werewolves equals huge box office and Universal knows it.
Universal has no respect for its Horror Legacy by Piltdown Joey	Jan 30th, 2008 07:06:57 PM
That studio was built on the success of its iconic monsters. That is history, not opinion. Look at how they are treated. Somers' craptastic VAN HELSING. At Universal Studios theme parks, the largest images of the monsters are those where 15 foot statues of Drac, Frank, and the Wolfman are holding pizzas, drinks, and heaven knows what else on top of what they call THE MONSTER CAFE. Orlando's horror nights this past year didn't even feature one appearance by these iconic characters. Disney doesn't dis the mouse (shit, they even go and retrieve the rights they lost to Oswald the Rabbit decades after they were sold). Why does Universal dis the monsters?
WHAT ABOUT WOLFMAN'S NARDS? by Pound Sand	Jan 30th, 2008 07:07:38 PM

X3 was an excellent movie. Lay off the Ratner hatred by theycallmemrglass	Jan 30th, 2008 07:09:20 PM
Be thankful they even found a director in such short time. Be thankful they did not hire a crap director. Be thankful they did not hire an MTV hyperactive music video director. Be thankful that a Wolfman is even being made after such debacle as WOLF with Jack Nicolson and Van Helsing. X3 was a movie that entertained in large quantity for movie-goers not Comic book readers.
ISN'T THERE AN INTERWEB PETITION I CAN E-SIGN? by Pound Sand	Jan 30th, 2008 07:10:44 PM
X-3 was so bad, I only saw it eight times.
Family Man dispells Harry's notion about Ratner... by KillaKane	Jan 30th, 2008 07:14:45 PM
not being an actor's director, cloying sentiment aside, it was a thoroughly well played film, and IMHO one Cage's better performances of late. I don't hate Ratner with the vehemence Harry evidently does, but I don't think he's right for Wolfman, he's just not cut out for such genre work.
theycallmemrglass... by HueyFreeman	Jan 30th, 2008 07:15:16 PM
You DO know the Ratner directed two music videos, one for Mariah Carey (We Belong Together) and another for Jessica Simpson (These Boots Are Made for Walkin') before X-Men 3, yeah?
X3 was an excellent movie. The Rush Hours were good by chrth	Jan 30th, 2008 07:15:42 PM
Ratner is probably a good choice for a movie I know little and care less about.
X3 was excellent? by -guyinthebackrow	Jan 30th, 2008 07:17:53 PM
I'm sorry, were you dropped on your head as an infant?
Ratner is the cinematic equivalent of Teflon by successor	Jan 30th, 2008 07:19:12 PM
Every time I see one of his movies on TV, I can't watch it for more than a few seconds before I lose interest and slip over to another channel.
The funny thing... by AnimalStructure	Jan 30th, 2008 07:23:35 PM
As bad as Ratner is, he's no worse than most directors this site masturbates to on a daily basis. He is a good director for hire, when you assemble the right people around him. He is not a creative force, but if all the pieces are in place, I can't imagine the film being any worse than under Romanek's terrible 1990's eye. One Hour Photo is a really funny movie cause of how hard it tries. Robin Williams gives one of the funniest performances of his life in a truly absurd, boring, annoying film. At least X3 was good and entertaining. Ratner is shit, but you're all assuming the film would have been great with Romanek. I think if the movie ends up sucking it would have sucked no matter what. It's the fucking Wolf Man for Christ's sake! Get a motherfucking grip! Ratner won't destroy this film or make it better. Period. He's a serviceable hack at best, and no worse than Bryan Singer.
AnimalStructure is dead on... by slapface22	Jan 30th, 2008 07:29:02 PM
.. well in the whole Ratner is no worse than Singer, honestly why not get Mel Gibson direct??? He definitely could do a period piece, and wolf man is pretty crazy just like him... which only leaves the question does Benicio mind being called "sugar tits"???
My official shit list by EvilGeek1	Jan 30th, 2008 07:29:22 PM
1. Michael Bay 2. Mark Steven Johnson 3. Brett Ratner 4. Karyn Kusama 5. Bono I've got cold hard cash, if anybody feels like murdering the above slowly.
So apparently Universal doesn't care about one of its most profo by Robstar	Jan 30th, 2008 07:29:44 PM
Wow. Isnt there something else they could give this guy to helm? Like maybe a direct to video jessica simpson movie? There are so many people who would be a great fit for directing this, but right now someone is thinking "Hey, we were going to pay homage to a classic by taking the time to get creative talent onboard and make something of quality.......but we had creative differences and went with Brett Ratner." Universal, enjoy your 40 million dollar opening weekend, followed by a decade of so-so reviews.
You know who should direct this? by The Dum Guy	Jan 30th, 2008 07:30:12 PM
David Fincher... Well, I guess Ratner could do okay if he has an alright script. I just want to know if this is going to be R-rated, although I'm pretty sure it won't.
I AGREE by THE KNIGHT	Jan 30th, 2008 07:30:19 PM
Lets hope Universal hires a competent director with SOUL!
slapface22 by MC-909	Jan 30th, 2008 07:34:48 PM
I don't know if you were serious or not but I think a Mel Gibson directed Wolfman movie would be pretty cool.
No! We need someone who's been around the block! by EvilGeek1	Jan 30th, 2008 07:37:59 PM
Someone with the experience of Coppola. The story-telling capability of Spielberg. The visual eye of De Palma. I can't think of anything else but you get the picture. Somebody good!
Called it.... by LHombreSiniestro	Jan 30th, 2008 07:39:59 PM
...as did everyone else. Ratner is like that guy you know at parties who gives your female friends herpes. You tell your friends as much, but they scoff and say "But he can dance, and he's a nice guy. You're lying, I don't see anything." Just wait a few weeks, and see what develops.
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA!!! by Leafy McPlantsalot	Jan 30th, 2008 07:42:44 PM
in ass fucking backwards land! ohhhhhhh bbbuuuurrrrrnnnnnn!!!!!
Universal's check by simndermot	Jan 30th, 2008 07:45:11 PM
Universal must have been late with Harry's check either that or Harry found his boys under the couch. If the latter is true, props to you Harry for calling it like it is.
Jackie Mason should direct this. by henrydalton	Jan 30th, 2008 07:50:25 PM
Well, why not?
HAHAHAHAH! DO IT! DO IT! I DARE YOU! by Tourist	Jan 30th, 2008 07:52:40 PM
Oh god, this is too fucking funny to be true. This needs to be done. It's like all our nightmares came true at once. They can flush this turd now.
LCD filmmaking rules the day by ebonic_plague	Jan 30th, 2008 07:57:24 PM
LCD = lowest common denominator, just in case some studio hack is reading. The thing we talkbackers don't seem to get is that Universal doesn't want to make movies, they want to make money, and the movie business is just a slightly less corrupt way to make money selling people unimaginative, soul-corroding product than, say, trafficking in narcotics. Ratner could film a turd laying on a sidewalk for 90 minutes, and as long as it makes more money than it cost to film, it's a win for the studios and a pat on the back and a mark in the win column for Ratboy. The general moviegoing public couldn't distinguish a good movie from an internet pop-up ad, and as long as there aren't subtitles and it features someone who has been in People magazine within the past week, it will get 3 stars from the average automatons who pay just enough attention to movies to drown out the noise of their howling spawn or who just want to see big 'splosions and tits. Things like atmosphere and innovation have been reduced to vestigial marketing words, like "hearty" or "home-made," intended to convey a genuine sense of artistic integrity that cannot survive a barrage of test-market stupidity to make it into the finished product. That's all we're getting here, not movies-- product. And Ratner is the most efficient at producing adequate money-making product. Maybe that's okay for Mirajeff, maybe some people are genuinely appreciative of a movie studio's business acumen, but don't pretend that you champion quality in moviemaking when you make excuses for this processed cheese hack masquerading as an artist.
OH GOD by Gungan Slayer	Jan 30th, 2008 07:57:51 PM
SHIT. SHIT SHIT SHIT. Harry, your letter to Roth and the other retards at FOX never stopped them from making AvP2 suck ass. Shit. SHIT. Brett Ranter? wtf?
It doesn't matter at this point who they hire... by Tourist	Jan 30th, 2008 07:59:07 PM
...Really. If the production is already this far underway, and they aren't willing to allow another director to develop his take on it, you could hire God or Brett Ratner and get the same product. They just need someone to finish the end game. That said, they could have got Joe Dante on the cheap to mimic the look and feel of the old wolfman films. Which I guess they don't want.
I didn't care for X3 either, but... by LoneGun	Jan 30th, 2008 08:00:28 PM
...I agree with many Talkbackers that the hate for Brett Ratner is just a little over-the-top. I'm not a fan by any means but I thought he did a decent job with RED DRAGON. As for Mark Romanek, I didn't think his ONE HOUR PHOTO was all that great. It was okay. I do think Harry's suggestion of David Cronenberg (in another post) is a good one. Cronenberg is a master of films about people changing into something different.
Well put ebonic_plague! by EvilGeek1	Jan 30th, 2008 08:02:36 PM

I've seen all of Ratners films... by Tourist	Jan 30th, 2008 08:03:28 PM
...Fot the people jumping to his defence, you are fucking pond scum. Some fucking loser, some retarded asshat up there was defending Family Man as an indication of Rats abilities. You should be shot, and your family too, for breeding such a simple minded, non thinking douche moron. Do you have any taste or imagination at all? Do you ever watch or read anything that isn't presented by Network TV? What kind of fucking personal standards do you fucking losers set for yourselves?
Aw shit! never thought of Cronenberg! by EvilGeek1	Jan 30th, 2008 08:05:25 PM
He'd be fucking great!
Nothing Wrong With Ratner by Funketeer	Jan 30th, 2008 08:06:33 PM
X3 didn't suck. It was probably better than the first one. It suffered from a sub par script, some serious wasted opportunities, Singer poaching one of it's stars for Superman Returns (THAT movie sucked), and a rushed production schedule. Ratner could probably have done a much better job had he been given more time. You also can't blame Ratner for not having Jackie Chan do his own stunts. Chan hasn't done that in any of his US films. The studios and the insurance costs prohibit it.
JAMES MANGOLD OR GREGORY HOBLIT! by Unlabled	Jan 30th, 2008 08:07:02 PM
PREFERABLY MANGOLD!
I'm pretty sure... by greenstyle92	Jan 30th, 2008 08:09:44 PM
No one had an opinion on Ratner one way or another until he did Red Dragon. I haven't seen it, but apparently people were disappointed by it. Since then, he's some kind of hack apparently and there's a major crusade against his career. Meh.
Harry, one problem by Deathpool	Jan 30th, 2008 08:10:59 PM
I don't think they care. Deep down, all they care about is that it makes money, and Ratner will do that for them. Search your heart, you know it to be true.
MORI by The Real MiraJeff	Jan 30th, 2008 08:17:19 PM
Jeez, I hope you're not right. I'd be flattered if you were, but surely you're joking. I wasn't advocating Ratner stepping in to direct, I was merely saying that I didn't think it would be the end of the world if he did. I loved One Hour Photo and I can't believe Romanek hasn't made another film since that one. I remember watching it in my dorm room Freshman year with a temp Requiem for a Dream score in place and it was even better than the theatrical release. Romanek has made countless classic music videos. I know Cash's Hurt gets mentioned a lot but I love his work on NIN's Perfect Drug. It's obvious that because Romanek hasn't made another film since OHP that he's been working his ass off on this project and like Harry, I can't imagine what made him abandon his baby just 3 weeks before shooting. That said, if they delay this project, stars could walk and all the hard work Baker and Romanek did would be for naught. Now Universal just needs to make the best out of a bad situation. And maybe Ratner isn't an Actor's director and his films rarely penetrate the surface of their characters, but if the blueprint is there, and Hopkins and Del Toro demand greatness, I think Ratner has the tools capable of seeing him rise to the challenge. I thought he did a good job with Red Dragon. It was never going to be Manhunter. But Hopkins did a good job for him and so did Norton and Fiennes and Watson. X3 took a lot of shit but I felt it was pretty much on par with the original. Obviously there was no way he was ever going to top X2, one of if not the greatest superhero movie ever made. I've made a bunch of suggestions on the site, some inspired, others retarded, and while I doubt anyone in any position of authority gives a shit what I think, if this is the one time they do choose to listen, it wouldn't be so bad. My point is this. Brett Ratner is not the Devil. I've met him a couple times (once at LAX baggage claim) and he's actually a pretty good guy. Him and Woody are still the only celebs who've taken the time to get on the phone with my mom to say hello (after the After the Sunset junket). He's an NYU guy so there's some allegiance there. He comes from a rich family but he's a self-made man and the story of how he came to be a filmmakers is pretty fascinating. He's got balls and he knows all the shit he catches on the web but he's a fuckin workhorse and he doesn't let that shit affect him. Despite the playboy image, I think he's one of us, a real movie nerd, and I for one hold out hope that he'll do justice to this iconic character. Whoever ends up in the director's chair, it's pretty cool that we'll be seeing Wolf Man in two years' time. Don't focus on the negative, accentuate the positive. I'm just glad Wold Man is being played by Benicio and not Robin Williams.
Ratner cocked up Red Dragon by EvilGeek1	Jan 30th, 2008 08:18:20 PM
Mann got it right! Aside from being a good thriller, it has the bent appeal of having all the cheesy 80's moments speckled like flakes of gold throughout the movie. Plus I would cite Manhunter as being one of the rare examples of changing something from the book for the film. I'm talking, of course, of the shotgun climax played out to the tune of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", which I think is pure fucking gold. Also I realise I'm rambling, but I don't care as I've waited quite some time to say this and for it to have at least some relevance.
It's because it's crunch time @ Universal. by Rakafraker	Jan 30th, 2008 08:19:29 PM
They've hired Mr. Ratner because he can get it done on time and within budget, and with 3 weeks until shooting, and $85M invested, it has to be completed or there will many a head rolling (and many $$$ wasted). Everyone agrees that Ratner isn't the best director on Earth, but at least it isn't Boll, PWSAnderson, or Somers. It's also agreed that this project is bigger than Universal realizes. What a waste IMHO, if they can't hire someone who fits this project better.
Abominable Snowmen versus Terracotta Soldiers by Yeti	Jan 30th, 2008 08:24:49 PM
Ok that I gotta see!
TOO SOON!! by Pageiv	Jan 30th, 2008 08:25:34 PM
I'm glad AICN is here so I know I shouldn't like X3 or Spiderman 3. BTW: I dont really like Ratner, but One Hour Photo ruled.
What about Drew Goddard? by Yeti	Jan 30th, 2008 08:25:46 PM
I thought the direction in Cloverfield was very good. Thoughts?
two more by The Real MiraJeff	Jan 30th, 2008 08:25:50 PM
P.S. I think Slade or Pellington would be cool too. I didn't see 30 Days of Night but Hard Candy was great and the visual look of the film was fantastic. I think that was the first movie to include a digital color correctionist in the opening credits. I'm also a big fan of Mothman and Arlington Road, although I heard Pellington's latest at Sundance sucked. Last night when I posted that thing about Ratner, I had no idea he was even available to direct this. I thought he was still working on the Hugh Hefner movie or the one about a window washer at the Trump Towers. It'll be very interesting to see who Universal settles on...
Cronenberg? That's pretty inspired! by Rakafraker	Jan 30th, 2008 08:30:05 PM
Especially if it turned out to be as authentic as Naked Lunch felt. Good suggestion!
Yeti by EvilGeek1	Jan 30th, 2008 08:30:39 PM
Shaky cam Wolfman? I like it! You get Cthulhu on the phone and I'll type it up! We're gonna make so much money!!!
Todd Field by Nate Champion	Jan 30th, 2008 08:33:13 PM
I'd love to see him take the depth of Little Children to a movie like this.
X-3 is better than the first 2 by Musicballs	Jan 30th, 2008 08:34:53 PM
Well, maybe not better than the first one, but definitely better than that second piece of brooding SHIT.
doesnt matter who directs it by stephen brown	Jan 30th, 2008 08:35:39 PM
if universal promote someone taking a shit for 2 hours successfully enough millions of jokers will watch it
The Mummy 3??? by The_Deathticle	Jan 30th, 2008 08:35:45 PM
Abominable snowmen fighting terra cotta soldiers. Really, Harry? That makes you giddy? I will concede that the concept may have scored some points on the geekometer if it were a trippy Ray Harryhausen sequence about forty years ago. However, the notion of Sommers and his off-the-shelf CGI software cooking up aforementioned battle leaves me not so much "giddy" as "nauseated." Have you so quickly forgotten that awful looking Army of Mummified Anubi from Mummy Returns? Sommers makes crap. The CGI in his movies ranks among the worst I've seen in "big budget" movies. I still refuse to believe ILM was responsible for that crap and insist that it's all a hoax. Terrible.
HIRE RATNER FTW!!! by Mike_D	Jan 30th, 2008 08:37:13 PM
DO IT!
WOLF MAN Should Be Shot In A Faux Documentary Style by LaserPants	Jan 30th, 2008 08:38:17 PM
to really shake it up, the entire film could be shot by the Wolf Man his own self! He would be walking around his east village apartment filming everything he does because hes that obsessed and has to tape everything. He even tapes some random girl he picked up at some bar and fucked. He's all like in love with her now even though only assholes fall in love after fucking once. Anyways, flash forward to night time and Wolf man and all his trust fund hipster douchebag friends are hanging out (Wolf Man hasn't stopped taping; he tapes EVERYTHING all the time), the full moon comes out and Wolf Man turns into, you guessed it, WOLF MAN! Then some guy screams about a Lion. Then Wolf Man starts killing people... and he films it all too! The rest of the movie is Wolf Man and his friends killing people. They do all sorts of insane stupid stuff, get hit by cars, fall out of helicopters, get eaten by even bigger monsters, and yet continue to film, and only die when they launch a big bomb -- but not before Wolf Man can know he found true love in some one night stand he just had. The End.
I hated all three X-men's by EvilGeek1	Jan 30th, 2008 08:40:46 PM
They lacked the imagination and scope of the comics and cartoon series. They went for this realistic modern day approach which to me was complete bullshit. ONE FUCKING SENTINEL IN ALL THREE MOVIES AND IT WAS A FUCKING HOLOGRAM!!! And what's the point in doing Wolverine? he stole all the fucking thunder in the three movies. Fucking prequels. Oh wow he has claws. Whoopee!
Nick Meyer , yes Nick Meyer by picardsucks	Jan 30th, 2008 08:42:29 PM
Besides directing the best Trek and infusing it with a genuine Master and Commander like period flavor on a tv budget and Time after Time which might be the best Ripper adaptation ever. Meyer also writes some amazing Sherlock Holmes works which I assume is the period in which The Wolfman takes place. One of the books had Holmes facing off against The Phantom of the Opera and it was gripping!! Nick Meyer, mark my words, could do this and bring a reverance for the haunting Victorian age that is needed. Plus he could be had on the cheap compared with the hacky direct to video directors that are prob being considered. Nicholas Fucking Meyer !!! Can't believe the guy doesn't get more work
LaserPants by EvilGeek1	Jan 30th, 2008 08:43:18 PM
I'm suing you for copyright infringement.
FUCK BRETT RATNER by FuckMichaelBay	Jan 30th, 2008 08:43:56 PM
If FuckMichaelBay was taken FuckBrettRatner was next!!!!!! HACK-O-RAMA! "I'm the Juggernaut, bitch!" Any director that lets that turd slip by deserves to be stoned to death. Fuck Brett Ratner and fuck his lame I-couldn't-get-laid-in-life-so -let-me-build-a-disco-in-my-ho use-to-compensate-for-my-tiny- penis motif!!!!
LaserPants FOR THE FUCKING WIN! by Pennsy	Jan 30th, 2008 08:45:09 PM
Brilliant, sir.
Let Harry Direct it! by FILMFUNK	Jan 30th, 2008 08:48:16 PM
Or better still just let Benicio, Baker and Hopkins all muck in and get it done coz Who needs a fucking director anyway!
Your Lawsuit Should Be Shot Faux Documentary Style by LaserPants	Jan 30th, 2008 08:48:36 PM
You would be hanging around your place of residence filming everything you do, even typing on AICN, and then you would wait for a reply, and then you would film yourself reading this which I'm typing right now...
Thanks, Pennsy by LaserPants	Jan 30th, 2008 08:50:33 PM
I try...
Ratner+Tucker=Scorsese+De Niro by Nezzer6364	Jan 30th, 2008 08:53:19 PM
At least according to Bret. http://tinyurl.com/34j2mp
HA! by EvilGeek1	Jan 30th, 2008 08:53:42 PM
I actually looked behind me when I read that! Good one! But we could always kick it up a notch. Film myself filming myself! Wanna get in on the viral marketing?
Ratner is a greater enemy of cinema than Uwe Boll by CokeMachineGlow	Jan 30th, 2008 08:54:52 PM
Boll may by the worst director, but at least he directs crap projects that have little chance of being interesting anyhow. Ratner takes projects and franchises that could be great and flushes them down the toilet to make the studio a quick buck.
You know I just worry by Series7	Jan 30th, 2008 08:55:01 PM
that Rick Baker is going to let that Norbit oscar go to his head.
What's Tim Story got going on? by classyfredblassy	Jan 30th, 2008 08:56:02 PM
Really that is the only name to do this that would be worse. I hear Count Floyd crying as he is reading this. Poor fucker.
Tm Burton should direct the Wolf Man by Bubba Gillman	Jan 30th, 2008 08:57:08 PM

The Viral Marketing of EvilGeek1 Has Begun! by LaserPants	Jan 30th, 2008 08:58:31 PM
Stay tuned for viral sites and clues! Reserve your tickets now! (lol) Film yourself filming yourself filming yourself filming yourself filming yourself... Dude, this is gonna get waaaay post-modern and meta! (lol)
UNIVERSAL, I AM THE ALPHA AND OMEGA by Flying Spaghetti Monster	Jan 30th, 2008 08:59:12 PM
HEED HARRY'S WARNING OR FACE MY WRATH....you know not what you do
X3 is shit by ebonic_plague	Jan 30th, 2008 09:01:30 PM
Please stop pretending it's anything but a total cinematic turd. I know taste in movies is subjective and blah blah blah, but honestly, X3 was a bad fucking movie, and if you disagree with this statement, you are wrong.
Rick Baker Prep Work on this by mattb68	Jan 30th, 2008 09:02:56 PM
doe it involve any of the character's indulging in carnivorious lunar activities ?
Thank you LaserPants and thank you human cloning... by EvilGeek1	Jan 30th, 2008 09:06:50 PM
Without their efforts none of these films would be possible. What we should do now is leave it for six months and don't show the EvilGeek1. People will speculate over what it is or where it's from. They'll wonder over the line "It's Irish! It's huge!" and everyone will soon be doing the Bono dance!
THIRD QUARTER MOON IS UPON US by Flying Spaghetti Monster	Jan 30th, 2008 09:08:29 PM
I SHALL SMITE THEE WITH MY NOODLY APPENDAGE
Seriously... by vanchimera	Jan 30th, 2008 09:08:40 PM
It's the fucking wolfman, does anyone really give a shit anymore?
Brett Ratner is FINE. Harry just shut the fuck up by Proman1984	Jan 30th, 2008 09:13:25 PM
He sure beats Eli Roth, that's for sure.
Only Ratner by Queefer Bukkake	Jan 30th, 2008 09:16:42 PM
could take Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes, Edward Norton, Emily Watson, Harvey Keitel, a script by Ted Tally based on a Thomas Harris novel, and make a crappy movie. Bret Ratner doesn't deserve to be a turd up my ass. He's on of the five major Hollywood hacks, and he should fucking die.
DONKEY!!! by ludmir88	Jan 30th, 2008 09:20:37 PM
sorry i had to say something. And X-Men 3 sucks btw.
TIM STORY is making GREAT DEBATERS 2 by FuckMichaelBay	Jan 30th, 2008 09:23:25 PM
he is busy, thank jebus.
Anyone defending Brett Ratner is a philistine by IndustryKiller!	Jan 30th, 2008 09:26:28 PM
It's just that simple and inarguable. If you can't see that that mans body of work is ungodly you are a tasteless philistine. Moreover, it's probably indicative of a bigger flaw in your character. What other obvious things do you have trouble recognizing....you moron.
Harry, why don't you direct it if you can do better by Vamp-AICNchat	Jan 30th, 2008 09:27:15 PM
A? A? A?
this sucks balls! by virtual_ninja	Jan 30th, 2008 09:31:00 PM
At least Brett Ratner didnt get the gig to direct the escape from new york remake. He would have fucked up a clasic.
industrykiller by MC-909	Jan 30th, 2008 09:34:41 PM
I wouldnt defend Ratner but from the studios POV hes the most obvious (and probably most available) choice.
where is TOTAL FUCKING DESTRUCTION... by travis-dane	Jan 30th, 2008 09:42:30 PM
when you need him?
Guillermo Del Toro by BrightEyes	Jan 30th, 2008 09:43:48 PM
WOULD BE THE BEST CHOICE.
I still don't understand why we care about this movie? by chrth	Jan 30th, 2008 09:59:27 PM
If it isn't a live-action telling of Zevon's song, it's not worth doing.
WTF is with you people and Ratner?! by digitalcos	Jan 30th, 2008 10:00:04 PM
Seriously, I don't get it. Where is all this hatred coming from? I'm not about to say he's the best director working in Holywood, but is he really all that bad? Really? I honestly think it's just that it's become cool to hate him because everybody else is doing it. If that's not the case, then someone give me a well thought out explaination as to why I should hate him, something beyond "because Harry does."
vanchimera by THE KNIGHT	Jan 30th, 2008 10:00:57 PM
obviously people do... dumbass...
Ratner = Hack by ZombiKiller86	Jan 30th, 2008 10:13:40 PM
and you all know it.
Oh no.... by buffywrestling	Jan 30th, 2008 10:15:06 PM
In one way this is really fucking terrible. But in another, really fucking funny. Mira Jeff, you suck :P
Singer...Ratner...Guh... by The Scarlet Claw	Jan 30th, 2008 10:24:42 PM
There has NEVER been a good X-Men movie...probably never will be. No Bill Syzwhat'sizname period X.Men, no decent flick. No Lockheed the Dragon? No cool Kitty Pryde, (a cute Kitty...not the one in the existing films. Killing off Progfessor X? Kiss my ass... ...and that Superman movie? Wrong cast, yawn/re-run story, Gay Clark and lovesick Supes? Gawd... Make Smallville cast the franchise, I'll go see the next one. Get an X-Men movie out that doesn't suck grapes, and uhhh...maybe remember The Sentinals, etc...all the GOOD things about the comics...we'll see. Jesus, you people are either too younf to be aware of the GREAT marvel era, or you think the "One More Day" Spidey comic is awesome...either way, these films suck. Oh yeah...while I'm at it...I have high hopes for Iron Man and Star Trek...not so much The Dark Knight...another misstep with that franchise, and I'm pulling for a Moon Knight pic... I remain, The Scarlet Claw Chapter 2: MechanoMen Invade!
I'll tell you why we hate Ratner digitalcos by IndustryKiller!	Jan 30th, 2008 10:30:44 PM
Because he is a styleless studio shill who has made one horrible film after the next since he hit the scene. The only thing he has ever done that was ever remotely competent was Red Dragon, which given the pedigree of the actors and the story, should have been amazing rather than a boring, overly straightforward, cop thriller. The Rush Hour movies, from a directing standpoint, are about as banal and trite as it gets, with horrible narrative storytelling. I can see Ratner sitting back, not doing a thing, while Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan improv chemistry that Ratner will make millions for. You might say "Dude it's a buddy comedy which is meant to be fun and make money." Yeah, and Ratner is perfectly happy to treat the material no more regard than a money printing machine, so he merely points the camera and allows the actors to do the work while the rest of the film from a plot and directing standpoint is just sloppy and lazy. Maybe if he decided to back up Chris Tucker's enthusiasm with a little of his own those films would actually be watchable. Then there is X3, Ratner's only attempt at style and an unmitigated failure on every level. I'm not a huge fan of the first two films, but any tension or excitement Singer had built up in the first two films was absolutely destroyed in the third outing. I mean look at the action for Christ sake. Compare the opening shot of X2 with Nightcrawler to the final, unintentionally funny battle at the end of X3. First of all when Magneto begins moving the Golden Gate Bridge it's broad daylight and when he lands it, which seems to be about 5 minutes later, it's pitch black night. That's what kind of director Brett Ratner is. "I want it to be night in this scene so fuck it, I'm going to magically make it nighttime. Logic be damned!" The fight that ensues is about as well directed as your average b-movie with blatantly obvious wire work everywhere and incredibly uncreative use of the characters (those we have left) and their powers. The whole scene is shot like it had the budget of a TV show. The rest of the film is, in trademark Ratner style, completely bland and unremarkable with absolutely no sense of wonder or excitement. Ratner is known as openly being a studio shill, that is why studios love to use him. He will listen to whatever a bunch of silly men in suits who know virtually nothing of quality tell him to do. He is a errand runner, not an artist.
X3 while not X2 was better than X1, and Spidey3 and Punisher by Stormwatcher	Jan 30th, 2008 10:34:18 PM
I know its comparing yourself to the bottom which is never good, but truthfully. X3 wasn't that bad. Not the absolute headshaker that was Spidey3, I still can't believe they F-d that up. Man
fuck the rat by Mr.Slade	Jan 30th, 2008 10:37:53 PM
ratner is becoming the new alan smithe of movies, whenever you see his name in the credits you know something went wrong with the production. When I hear news like this it only makes me laugh. Oh well another casualty of fast food hollywood.
It was that bad Stormwatcher by IndustryKiller!	Jan 30th, 2008 10:40:28 PM
It was exactly what people who are snarky about superhero movies expect a superhero movie to be like. Shallow, with a series of meandering scenes, and really silly looking action with people in weird costumes. I think that Singer ratcheted the action level int eh first two films so low that people didn't give a shit what the content of X3 was as long as it had fighting. That is the only explanation I can think of for anyone liking that horrendous film which bastardizes those characters so badly.
benefit of the doubt by The Real MiraJeff	Jan 30th, 2008 10:41:07 PM
I hate when people do this to make their point but here's mine: "Ratner's credits have included the "Rush Hour" pictures, "Family Man" and "Money Talks," some with their merits, none suggesting he was qualified to be Lecter's next director. To my surprise, he does a sure, stylish job, appreciating the droll humor of Lecter's predicament, creating a depraved new villain in the Tooth Fairy (Ralph Fiennes), and using the quiet, intense skills of Norton to create a character whose old fears feed into his new ones." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times "Ratner's previous credits on "The Family Man" and the "Rush Hour" pictures may not have inspired confidence that he was the right man for this job, but the director has done a serious, responsible job of conveying the drama and menace inherent in this tale." - Todd McCarthy, Variety Point is, we're all a bit quick to judge this guy. If he does get the gig (and I'm hearing he will) let's give him the benefit of the doubt and wait until at least a trailer to trash him. He might not be ideal but trust me, Universal could definitely do worse, and personally I'm surprised Romanek hasn't taken more shit if it was really his decision to walk away. Ratner has mainstream sensibilities and he uses those to make watchable movies. Wolf Man obviously deserves more than 'watchable,' but it definitely didn't deserve to have its gifted director walk away regardless of whether it was creative differences or budget concerns. Romanek has done a lot with a little and there's no reason to think he couldn't have done so again. I really wish we knew more about his falling out with the studio.
buffy wrestler by The Real MiraJeff	Jan 30th, 2008 10:42:55 PM
Since I suck so bad, why don't you start a petition and get Joss Whedon to direct Wolf Man?
There's this guy named George Waggner. by Saknussem	Jan 30th, 2008 10:47:40 PM
How about George Waggner as a director? He has tons of TV credits. He also directed a bunch of films, none of them very memorable, although he did direct John Wayne’s The Fighting Kentuckian. Look him up on IMDB and see what you think? Besides having a healthy TV track record, would he really be suitable to direct The Wolf Man?
Why defend Ratner? by futureman3000	Jan 30th, 2008 10:52:35 PM
Why? He doesn't deserve it, he killed the X-Men franchise, so they are going to the past to make the next one. He killed the Lecter franchise, so they went to the past. And now he'll kill Wolfman forever!
It's still another goddamn remake by CrimsonJihad	Jan 30th, 2008 10:52:48 PM
I don't care if Paul Thomas or Paul W.S. Anderson directs Wolfman, it's still a fucking remake.
UNIVERSAL... by Napolean Solo	Jan 30th, 2008 10:53:15 PM
UNIVERSAL - IF YOU LET RATNER DIRECT THE WOLF MAN YOU'LL DESERVE THE HUGE MONEYSPINNIN-PROFIT BAZOOKIN-TRILLION DOLLAR MAKIN YOU'LL END UP RELEASING ON SCREEN!!! It's your call!
Jeez! by TattooedBillionaire	Jan 30th, 2008 10:54:12 PM
Yesterday, we were all joking about Ratner because we all know he's a horrible choice. Now, he might be directing this? WHAT. THE. FUCK!!!
Harry find out what these guys are doing... and Red Dragon Was D by Unlabled	Jan 30th, 2008 10:55:30 PM
what the fuck Give me Mangold or give me Hoblit
Mirajeff, typically misguided by IndustryKiller!	Jan 30th, 2008 11:07:02 PM
Because he got merely adequate reviews for a film he made years ago that now in retrospect seems like a largely wasted opportunity for a film that could have been great, he is now qualified to direct this?? Ignoring completely the fact that the last time he took over a genre project he made X fucking 3. Reality simply isn't on your side cheif.
Hardly paid off on the promise of large scale mutant battles by BrandLoyalist	Jan 30th, 2008 11:09:11 PM
Large scale kung-fu battles, maybe. (Actually, not even that.) Where was the flight? Where were the energy blasts in all colors and patterns? Not in the budget, clearly. Gawd, Juggernaut... apology for a Sentinel... hilarious wire work... etc etc... I was a little disappointed with both X1 and X2, but X3 was just a bad movie.
Its not that Ratner is bad or workmanlike... by Tourist	Jan 30th, 2008 11:17:14 PM
...Its that he is fucking abysmal. He truly makes everything he touches WORSE. His "work" is suited to late night TV action shows featuring James Brolin. The guy is like, Hardcastle and McCormick level of craft. He can take tens of millions of dollars and massively famous and talented stars and make it all look like cheap, poorly thrown together TV. I can think of a better choices, like Janitors or crack addicts who could do the same job for cheaper.
Boll, PWSAnderson, or Somers... by Tourist	Jan 30th, 2008 11:19:26 PM
...All have them have more ability than Ratner.
God no. by RedwingsHoolihan	Jan 30th, 2008 11:22:25 PM
That's all I have to say. Please not the Rat
The hatred for ratner... by Tourist	Jan 30th, 2008 11:23:08 PM
...Stems from the fact that he is possibly the worst living director, of television or movies, working at the moment. I honestly can't think of anyone who makes worse movies, certainly with the enormous resources and support he has.
Agree- as an X-men fanboy, Ratner sucks... by wilsonfisk89	Jan 30th, 2008 11:28:52 PM
- this is a good thing -
Now, now MJ... by buffywrestling	Jan 30th, 2008 11:28:57 PM
Let's not start. You'll be up way past your bedtime (Ha! Anne Bancroft in GI Jane. She was a stone cold bitch.)–
Ratner is not a "good choice" for anything... by Sledge Hammer	Jan 30th, 2008 11:40:38 PM
Technically he's not a horrible director in that he knows which direction to point the camera, and that he's very responsible (i.e. studio friendly) when it comes to shooting, always being on time and under budget. But the problem is he has no soul. His film making is strictly by the numbers, no imagination required, no risks taken, no new ideas brought to the table. He will make any script in the most straightforward (i.e. laziest) way possible, he enhances nothing. If it's on the page it goes on the screen, but again, in the most straight forward and cost effective way possible. He has no art or artistry, no vision of his own. He's an accountant with a megaphone. That's the problem with Ratner. It's not that he's a horrible person or a completely incompetent director, it's that he's so bland, so vanilla, that he brings absolutely nothing to any film he's hired to do, other than the responsibility of shooting within whatever confines the studio has laid down. And that's fine by him. He doesn't care. The man has no passion, no desire to stretch himself or learn or improve his craft. He makes product, not film. He's the directorial equivalent of an automaton.
Ratner...sigh by Artifakts	Jan 30th, 2008 11:44:58 PM
Why the fuck does everyone fall back on Ratner? How does this guy keep getting work? Like Kevin Smith said, though, "You make money for a studio and they'll keep hiring you". Fucking bullshit if this happens. Has gone from must see, to must avoid like the plague.
Harry, THE MUMMY was a Universal "icon", too by slone13	Jan 30th, 2008 11:48:02 PM
We all saw what Universal did with THAT icon. Why would the wolf man be any more sacred??? Universal would LOVE it if they could get 3 movies, a spinoff, and a new studio ride out of the wolf man.
Thanks IndustryKiller... by digitalcos	Jan 30th, 2008 11:48:08 PM
I don't know if I entirely agree with all your points, but that's what I was looking for. I have a better understanding of where you're coming from now.
Instead of bitching about it, let's do something... by Kirbymanly	Jan 30th, 2008 11:49:28 PM
Harry, you've got the power. Start an online petition to stop the Rat.
HELLBOY is the best thing universal owns right now by JimmyJoe RedSky	Jan 30th, 2008 11:53:04 PM
and the new one coming out looks to be great - for hb fans anyway - universal seems to be handling that property well enough - maybe they know what theyre doing here - i didnt expect to like x3 at all - i was pleasantly surprised by it - enough to buy the dvd - red is dragon pretty good too - i would prefer to see romaneks wolf man - why exactly was he cut loose - but i think this will still be a good monster movie - im not a ratner fan but im a "wolf man" fan - and a benicio fan - and a hopkins fan - and a rick baker fan - how much damage could ratner do? - hes not going to go into such a high profile gig not caring and then just fuck it up - im sure he reads this site - he wants to do good - i sure as hell would if i were him
Here's the bottom line: RATNER MAKES MONEY! by HappyHamster	Jan 30th, 2008 11:53:54 PM
This is something the businessmen running Universal can understand that fanboys like the guys running AICN are absolutely clueless about. Fact: Using money as the measuring stick (since everything else is subject), Ratner is a incredibly successful director. This is why Universal is NOT making a mistake choosing him.
typo "red dragon is pretty good too" by JimmyJoe RedSky	Jan 30th, 2008 11:54:12 PM

Genre Redefining Wolfman by quantize	Jan 30th, 2008 11:54:53 PM
really who gives a fuck what Harry thinks...steer your traffic to another site then we wouldnt have the kind of abortions like Cloverfield on our screens
You can even show this one to your Mom. by Subovon	Jan 30th, 2008 11:56:46 PM
Larry was far more eloquent on this story for THE WOLFMAN than he was in his "eulogy" for Heath Ledger. Did he even use a single curse word in this? Anyone else notice?
THIS MOVIE WILL COME AND GO AND I WON'T EVEN NOTICE by BringingSexyBack	Jan 31st, 2008 12:03:52 AM
I wish mainstream American audiences would take the same approach. Don't feed the trolls, and especially don't feed the Rat.
Get Phil Alden Robinson by Scrolly	Jan 31st, 2008 12:08:49 AM
Seriously. Always solid direction. Knows how to work with actors. Is smart enough to do action too. Is he busy?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! by beetlegeuse	Jan 31st, 2008 12:14:52 AM
I didn't think it possible to do shitty VanHelsing but if anyone can do it Ratner can
X3 definitely ruined the franchise by oisin5199	Jan 31st, 2008 12:17:04 AM
Let's hope the Wolverine movie can salvage it somewhat. You know what Ratner is perfect for? Prison Break. Didn't he direct the pilot or something? He can pull off relatively decent tv directing that doesn't require too much creativity. But he has no business being in films.
and now that I know Romanek directed Johnny Cash by oisin5199	Jan 31st, 2008 12:18:13 AM
in the 'Hurt' video, I'm sad. That video is fucking brilliant. Makes me weep every time.
X3 wasn't so bad by WeinerPenis	Jan 31st, 2008 12:22:53 AM
but what the fuck? Universal just lost my opening weekend money.
I want to live in a parallel universe... by Zardoz	Jan 31st, 2008 12:24:19 AM
...in which Bryan Singer directed X3 and well, anyone else directed Superman Returns. 'Cause both of those movies ended up sucking pretty hard! (and I hereby retract all of my previous defenses of Superman Returns: it is stupid and boring as all hell!)
Ratner doesn't make a fucking cent. by Tourist	Jan 31st, 2008 12:35:12 AM
You retards. Go watch his Jewel Heist movie. Xmen, the brand made money. Lecter made money, Jackie Chan and some loud mouthed black made money. Ratner just showed up.
You could have hired a lithuanian arborist... by Tourist	Jan 31st, 2008 12:56:36 AM
...To show up on set and call action for X3 and gotten the same result. Ratner is in place because of his parents money and connections. Hes not even remotely a film maker. Christ, did you see his student shorts? Now hes sort of resigned to the fact that he can make a living jumping in other peoples graves. I just don't know why they need to choose HIM. Why not save your pennies and get some DTV helmer like Pyun to steer the ship in. I don't blame universal for not going with an actual film director, since said director is going to want to step back and take time with the production to deliver a good product. But damn, paying Ratners huge fee doesn't make sense either.
I am a pacifist, but... by kafka07	Jan 31st, 2008 01:05:53 AM
KILL RATNER
For crisskaes, Ratner isn't that fucking bad!! by TallBoy66	Jan 31st, 2008 01:06:48 AM
Seriously, you wanna see some crap, get the douche who does the Fantastic Four movies, or Eli Roth, or that motherfucker who made Alone In the Dark. There are A. LOT. worse choices out there than the workmanlike (but marginally inspired in small doses) direction of Brett Ratner.
WOLF MAN - By the guy who made LITTLE MAN! by TallBoy66	Jan 31st, 2008 01:09:26 AM
Seriously, just use your brain for five seconds and you'll see there are 900 worse directorial choices than Ratner. Yeesh. Overreact and preen much?
Universal's Wolfman Directed by Alan Smithee by KurtLockwood	Jan 31st, 2008 01:11:36 AM
Ratner sux donkey dicks in hell. He RUINDED X-MEN. THe RUSH HOUR movies are like old McDonald's fries you find in between your carseat. And it was Ed Norton who saved RED DRAGON. MANHUNTER was still far superior. I agree with the poster who said the "IN A GADDA DAVIDA" climax scene is movie gold. It was gripping, unforgettable, and iconic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A lan_Smithee
greenstlye92 by ranma627	Jan 31st, 2008 01:13:52 AM
I'm not a fan of the old Universal Monster films because I've never actually seen them but I still give a shit about this news. I think anyone who appreciates the art of filmmaking would not want a fuck-up like Ratner making film. I want to see good film and any movie that looks good has my attention even though I'm not some huge movie buff (not yet, anyway).
You KNOW Harry will trash talk this movie from pre-to-post produ by Mike_D	Jan 31st, 2008 01:14:59 AM
no matter what. He did the same thing with X3, didnt give the film a chance.
bacci40 by KurtLockwood	Jan 31st, 2008 01:15:19 AM
BAY woud've made a killer X-MEN movie. In TRANSFORMERS you saw what he did with giant robots, now just make them bad ass fucking Sentinels, and we're really getting somewhere...
Mark Romanek by Maegnarval	Jan 31st, 2008 01:16:42 AM
Ok, so he left the Wolf Man movie. So let's talk to the guy to find out why he did so. Did Universal want him to dumb it down? Did he need more cash? This Article mentions it was the budget that's the reason he left: http://tinyurl.com/36xppg One would think he would be all over the net about it like Peter Jackson was with the Hobbit movies & revenue from the LotR movies. If we hear what Mark has to say maybe no one else will bend over for Universal & things will get done right. Heck, maybe Shusuke Kaneko could replace Mark Romanek..... But, heck Brett's Cool, give the guy a chance,geez!
Just GET ROMANEK by reflecto	Jan 31st, 2008 01:17:19 AM
I didn't think OHP was amazing filmmaking but I trust this project and him with it. If they replace him it'll be disaster, period. Meanwhile I feel bad for thinking the pointless F13 remake has to be shit since Odette Yustman is in it, and I met her and she's a doll.
digitalcos by Queefer Bukkake	Jan 31st, 2008 01:20:10 AM
I'm not here to tell you why you should hate Ratner. I don't give a fuck whether you hate him or not. What I'm telling you is that I hate him. As I said farther up, he fucked up Red Dragon something fierce. He took a superb cast, a great screenplay, and turned out an average thriller. That alone is reason enough FOR ME to hate him. You got a problem with that, meet me in the parking lot after school so I can kick your nancy ass.
digitalcos by Queefer Bukkake	Jan 31st, 2008 01:20:11 AM
I'm not here to tell you why you should hate Ratner. I don't give a fuck whether you hate him or not. What I'm telling you is that I hate him. As I said farther up, he fucked up Red Dragon something fierce. He took a superb cast, a great screenplay, and turned out an average thriller. That alone is reason enough FOR ME to hate him. You got a problem with that, meet me in the parking lot after school so I can kick your nancy ass.
I did not hit "Post Talkback" twice. I swear. by Queefer Bukkake	Jan 31st, 2008 01:21:11 AM
Web site must be broken.
You guys suck, Harry got it right by stamper	Jan 31st, 2008 01:21:34 AM
He may be a poor selecter of questions for Stallone, picking them like a convict picking up trash on the border of the highway, but yeah, basically Ratner needs to be find dead in his sleep surrounded by pills sooner than later. Oh, yeah, someone should burn all his camera negatives of all his films, as well as his Police Story commentary. Or just send him to jail for proposing a policeman hustling disguised as a woman. It appears bad directors are all transvestites in secret.
romanek = shit by ironic_name	Jan 31st, 2008 01:21:49 AM
one hour photo sucked.
Tim Story, Eli Roth and Uwe Boll by Tourist	Jan 31st, 2008 01:21:52 AM
Are all better and more accomplished film makers than Ratner.
Also... by Tourist	Jan 31st, 2008 01:25:22 AM
...It doesn't fucking matter really. The film is screwed now. Just like X3, no reputable or able director will touch it with a giant stick, unless they get to go back to the drawing board, which probally wont happen. May as well flush anothre five million down the toilet on Ratner. I know this isn't meant to be a gossip site, but I'm far more interested in why Romanek walked (details, please) than what no talent, non shame having loser they find to fill the directors shoes.
Ratner does remind me... by Tourist	Jan 31st, 2008 01:26:13 AM
...Of those homeless people who eat your trash out of the bin. Why let something good go to waste, hey?
The Scarlet Claw... by KurtLockwood	Jan 31st, 2008 01:27:42 AM
...great post. Awesome points. I hated every second of X3. When I think of the WASTE of The Sentinels, and I'm talking GIANT FUCKING MUTANT KILLING ROBOTS and not the kiss-my-ass human looking ones (a la TERMINATOR) they were thinking about doing or that cheesy as fuck BLUE sentinel head from the dangerroom sequence. The HELLFIRE CLUB would've been awesome to have seen as well. I think you might be wrong about the upcoming DARK KNIGHT movie tho, Ledger's performance as The Joker seems inspired.
Moriarty is to blame! by TopHat	Jan 31st, 2008 01:30:03 AM
He LIKED X-3!! The powers that be listened! Shame on you Moriarty, SHAME.
Stop Moaning About X3 by Queefer Bukkake	Jan 31st, 2008 01:37:10 AM
Sure, it was horrible, but Red Dragon is Ratner's biggest failure, because he had more good to work with and just blew it out his ass.
Harry is right. Romanek haters, shut the fuck up. by The Ghost of Marcus Brody	Jan 31st, 2008 01:40:07 AM
Romanek is visionary. The Wolfman needed a visionary director. Ratner is a recycled talentless hollywood filmaker. The shit he makes adorns the aisles of Best Buy and Circuit City because he makes brainless crap that targets 13 year olds in middle america and we fall for it. The Wolfman minus Romanek is just that, cineplex eye candy to watch after shopping at Hot Topic. Good job Universal. Another would-be-brilliant movie wasted due to lack of trust on anything different, imaginative and non hollywood.
why are they making a $100 million wolfman anyway? by Live.	Jan 31st, 2008 01:49:50 AM
Ratner won't kill this movie. The bloated budget will.
HIRE FRIEDBERG & SELTZER by FatherMcGruderKicksAssForTheLord	Jan 31st, 2008 01:52:12 AM
They could get this thing made in like 10 or 15 ... minutes. Yeah. A few more Britney gags, a quick riff on Jack Nicholson, a dog and Wolfman Jack, a non-sequitor involving a CLOVERFIELD clip that jump cuts to Numa Numa guy or some shit ... They'd nail the tone that Universal's looking for, 100%. And for a title, I'm thinking something timely ala MEET THE SPARTANS - maybe THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT WOLFIE. Am I gold or what?
Bring Mark Back by reni	Jan 31st, 2008 01:55:05 AM
$100m is about right for a detailed period flick. Bring Mark back somehow because this situation sounds desperate. Romanek is a genius. Anyone else is a bad choice. Try and work it out with him.
I think he wants MORE... by Tourist	Jan 31st, 2008 01:57:47 AM
Than 100 million. Fuck knows how anyone can justify these costs.
Ratner will do a great job..... by godhatesyou	Jan 31st, 2008 02:02:28 AM
I can't wait.
I don't hate Ratner at all by random dude	Jan 31st, 2008 02:03:21 AM
Sure, X-3 was shit, but that wasn't his fault. Rush hour 1 and 2 are immensely enjoyable (haven't seen the 3rd one yet). And I loved Red Dragon back at the time. So, give it a shot, I say. Fuckity fuck fanboys.
fucking hell.... by Cronenfly	Jan 31st, 2008 02:05:54 AM
Romanek was perfect for this goddamn film. I don't know what the fuck Universal is thinking. I mean...come on! The least thing they could do is take some time in getting this thing made instead of fucking jumping the gun to earn a few bucks! But i guess thats how its fucking done these days.... I guess trying to create a good in depth picture wasn't on the UNIVERSAL check list. Instead it seems like they want to turn what could have been a great film into a ridiculous shit fest all for the sake of what? Just Take your time universal, don't let Ratner karate chop this film, find a good replacement! FUCK!
Queefer Bukkake by KurtLockwood	Jan 31st, 2008 02:11:22 AM
X3 had the momentum of previous two movies (which I liked) so it's worse cause I feel like I got suckered. It's like bringing in a relief pitcher at the top of the seventh inning with a ten run lead and watching him blow the ballgame. Fuck you Singer for bailing on the X-MEN franchise just cause you wanted fuck the gay Clark and let Kevin Spacey over-act. SUPERMAN RETURNS was worse than SUPERMAN III (at least that had Richard Pryor on skis.)
Fuck you, Harry by krack	Jan 31st, 2008 02:12:42 AM
Sure, you'll make an impassioned plea about the 47th werewolf movie ever made, but you don't say a fucking word as never-been-realized franchises like Transformers and GI Joe are completely butchered to make a quick buck. Hell, while were at it, how about a comment or two about Lucas and Spielberg putting a bullet in Indiana Jones (alien storyline, Close Encounters tie-in, Shia as Indy's son), after watching Lucas systematically destroy Star Wars? Fuck you, Harry. And fuck this remake nobody cares about. Fuck you.
I agree Krack by IndustryKiller!	Jan 31st, 2008 02:18:53 AM
Escept ont he fuck this project note. I think this could have turned out really cool, especially witht he acting pedigree. But on everything else I am right there with you.
Ratner backlash-backlash? by drwilliamweir	Jan 31st, 2008 02:20:38 AM
Never thought I'd see the day! What next? Paul WS Anderson?
Peter Meyhew for Wolfman! by skywalkerfamily	Jan 31st, 2008 02:23:13 AM
What's that Wolfman? There's Stormtroopers next door?
krack-TRANSFORMERS was NOT butchered by KurtLockwood	Jan 31st, 2008 02:31:53 AM
Sure, there were some really hokey parts (the little dog's birdhouse thing? the unexplainable map-imprinted-on-the-glasses=w tf?) but I think BAY gave us a far better TRANSFORMERS and took the subject material more seriously then a hack like ever RATNER would've.
I agree too Krack by DigitalDong	Jan 31st, 2008 02:32:14 AM
Well except for the SW, I like the prequels. But FUCK YOU HARRY, I mean really. You'd think there's only 5 good directors out there from the way this site goes. I mean this almost sound slike " I could do a better job than Ratner" Well then, why don't ya. Oh and I don't believe anyone is going to see this movie no matter who directs it. Just liek Snakes on a Plane. lol
Someone get McG on the phone! by Trik_Ster	Jan 31st, 2008 02:33:12 AM
there now, see how it could be worse?
bacci40 by KurtLockwood	Jan 31st, 2008 02:48:24 AM
"...so bay makes big souless action pics" wtf else would you want TRANSFORMERS to be? NO COUNTRY FOR OLD BLOOD?
Good call, LHombreSiniestro - Brett "Sloppy Seconds" Ratner it i by Primus	Jan 31st, 2008 02:49:06 AM
Do you have contacts in the biz, or what?
X3 was the best of the series...I'll get my coat. by HarryBlackPotter	Jan 31st, 2008 02:52:54 AM
Ratner is a hack. Him, Stephen Sommers, Paul W.S. Anderson are all hacks, loathed by critics and movie fans with equal venom, yet still they get work. Incredible. You think about the young exciting directors who came out of the 1970's - Scorsesse, De-Palma, Lucas, Coppola, Spielberg, and now you think of today's 'hot' young directors. My god. What went wrong in the last 30 years? Oh,missed off McG. He's shit too.
How about Morgan Spurlock as director? by HarryBlackPotter	Jan 31st, 2008 02:57:15 AM
No. Not for The Wolfman, but for a documentary on the illusive MEXICAN WOLFBOY!
Why did X-3 "suck"? Was X-2 that great? NO! by NoDiggity	Jan 31st, 2008 03:02:28 AM
I can't remember a single striking scene from X-2. I remember a whole pile from X-3. Professor X vs. Phoenix, Spooky anti-grav aftermath to the Cyclops/Phoenix confrontation, Wolvie vs. Phoenix at the end. Even the dopey gay allegory involving the guy with Angel's Wings was visually striking. Not all of it worked (the Golden Gate Bridge, for instance, was a gigantic waste of Magneto's efforts and made no strategic sense) but it was still memborable. What do you remember from X-2? I can't remember a damn thing from it. It was a total disappointment as a comic book movie. The only vague memory I have is of a murky underground fight Wolvie has with some female baddie, and he kills her in a nasty way (yay for all the misogynistic teen nerds out there). Harry needs to rethink this.
Honestly Who Cares? by EjkoUSC	Jan 31st, 2008 03:03:21 AM
1) How many stupid wolfman movies have we seen? Its no more sacred at this point than... Actually its LESS sacred than a lot of things. Including my nuts. 2) You could do worse than Brett Ratner. I give you Paul WS Anderson or McG. That's worse. Hell even Stephen Sommers, Rob Cohen and Len Wiseman are worse than Ratner. 3) X3 wasn't as bad as people say. And apparently Ratner came in so late in the game that whatever you felt was "ruined" about that movie happened at the structural level. 4) Nothing wrong with Red Dragon. 5) The "sensitive" Singer botched up Superman Returns so bad that I now cant help but wonder what Ratner's Superman would have entailed. No guarantees as I was in line decrying Ratner on Superman as much as the next person. But again, at least it wouldn't have been Superman Returns. ALTHOUGH JJ Abrahms script was so bad that we should thank our relatively lucky stars that Singer's vision prevailed (warts and all) cause Abrahms was total dog shit. Cant wait to see him reinvent and marginalize Star Trek. 6) Harry should be careful because one day he will be polishing Ratner's nuts provided he churns out a great film (which isn't all too unlikely really) 7) What was it Harry said in his Episode I review? "MEESSA LOOOOVE JAR JAR BINKS!!!!" Nobody cares about the Wolfman.
Wolf Man by hamslime	Jan 31st, 2008 03:05:29 AM
I may have missed it if someone else mentioned this. In my opinion it's not so much that Wolf Man will be screwed up, it's that yet another Andrew Kevin Walker script will be screwed up. Sleepy Hollow was okay, but I would like to see someone do to his script that Fincher did with Se7en. With Romanek as the director that was a completely real possibility. With Ratner, not so much. If you want a fun movie give him a script from Orci and Kurtzman, A.K.W. deserves better. Does Wolf Man need to be the next Shakespeare? No, but I'm sure it was coming close, now all we have to look foward to is another 8MM, or Hideaway. Thanks Universal, way to turn a diamond into coal.
Im off to take a Ratner!! by boyblue	Jan 31st, 2008 03:07:00 AM
Get Matthew Vaughn on the phone, he needs revenge!!
Bleeding anuses and Brett Ratner by adeepercut2k	Jan 31st, 2008 03:07:25 AM
For those of you questioning the hatred of the Ratner, allow me to explain the reasoning behind this bile we spew. Most of us would deal with bleeding from our anuses for 3 years in order to have the chance to direct X3. It's painfully obvious that the Ratner shows no desire to direct. He directs likes he's working for mall security. While Sir Ian McKellen was busting his acting balls to move that chess piece, the Ratner was around the corner smokin' a j, and flirting with some teenage strange. Fuck Ratner. He has no pulse, let alone a soul.
Brett, put the megaphone down and move away... by Boba Fat	Jan 31st, 2008 03:08:39 AM
from the production. Slowly...slowly, no sudden moves and nobody will get hurt.
Harry needs to chill on Ratner. by Kizeesh	Jan 31st, 2008 03:10:48 AM
It's not even funny how much this is turned into a shit-throwing fest every time Ratner gets given a green-light for everything. Deal with it, Ratner made a good film out of Red Dragon, it's no Manhunter and it wasn't trying to be, he made it his own work and did well. Xmen 3 wasn't fantastic but laying that at Ratner's door is just lazy finger-pointing. THe worst aspect of X3 was the poor studio-broken script, the character work in it was good, hamstrung only by the fact they needed another 30 mins of film-time to flesh it all out properly. And pulling the Wolfman is a classic license schtick is retarded coming from the man who adored Van Helsing, if there was ever a film which pissed on the freshly dead corspe of the Classic monster movies it was that abortion of film. I'll be very interested to see how tis goes down.
Andrew Kevin Walker by hamslime	Jan 31st, 2008 03:11:41 AM
He really needs to get in touch with Terry Gilliam. They both seem to get fucked on a regular basis. Maybe combined, their curses will nullify each other out.
Ratner by Cronenfly	Jan 31st, 2008 03:18:48 AM
Red Dragon wasnt that great. I did not like it nor did i lke manhunter. Rush Hour 1-3 i also did not enjoy x-3 Keep in mind that Ratman let "Im the Juggernaut Bitch" appear in an actual x-men film. I mean when i heard that on the big screen i laughed my ass off. Not because it was funny, because i didnt think the movie could get any worse. But it did.
krack... by TheRealMoriarty	Jan 31st, 2008 03:18:49 AM
... what fucking lunatic told you that INDY 4 has a CLOSE ENCOUNTERS tie-in? Because that is some really, really, really stupid bullshit to get upset about, since it's not remotely true.
I work at Universal and. . . by Rev. Slappy	Jan 31st, 2008 03:19:38 AM
when the suits found out Harry was mad they FREAKED OUT! One of them killed himself. Actually, that's not true. What really happened is somebody asked, "Who?"
its simple now. if ratman directs by Cronenfly	Jan 31st, 2008 03:25:03 AM
Wolfman it will be terrible. If not terrible, it will be another mediocre film not worth my time. Just like any other thing the man has done
Moriarty - by krack	Jan 31st, 2008 03:25:07 AM
http://tinyurl.com/33974r
I just got off the phone... by buffywrestling	Jan 31st, 2008 03:26:17 AM
with Joss Whedon and he says he isn't TOUCHING anything that Ratner has looked at. (This includes the X-men, because although Joss did do the comics, he knew Ratner had never read ANY of them). Besides, after the strike is over next weekend, he has to start working on his new TV show with Eliza Dusku. See you in Coaxial!!˙
Harry can you revoke Mirajeff's Black Box privileges? by Lost Jarv	Jan 31st, 2008 03:27:54 AM
He's a useless, pointless individual. How on earth he can defend Red Dragon by cutting and pasting a couple of quotes when it is fucking obvious that Ratner performed reverse Alchemy on it is fucking beyond me. And as for that stupid shit he posted in the other TB......
wow by Cronenfly	Jan 31st, 2008 03:31:51 AM
indy merging with close encounters. actually that dosent really surprise me if indeed it does happen. I probably wont even see the new indy film anyway. well i might....
wow by Cronenfly	Jan 31st, 2008 03:31:53 AM
indy merging with close encounters. actually that dosent really surprise me if indeed it does happen. I probably wont even see the new indy film anyway. well i might....
and Red Dragon was NOT OK by Lost Jarv	Jan 31st, 2008 03:32:47 AM
where the fuck did this revisionist stupidity come from?
Ratner.... by pk68	Jan 31st, 2008 03:33:02 AM
Did not fuck up X-3!!! The writers did!!! Movie should have been two parts, the Phoenix was reduced to a back story. Ratner did what he could with what he was given, he came in so late. X-3 sucked for the most part but not because of him. Wolv

Talkbacks

UNIVERSAL - IF YOU LET RATNER DIRECT THE WOLF MAN YOU'LL DESERVE THE TURD YOU'LL END UP RELEASING ON SCREEN!!!