Will Smith

Superhero Film ‘Hancock’ With No Superhero Ancestry Proves Bold But Deadly Decision

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:35:37 -0700

CHICAGO – With superhero films as hot in 2008 as psychedelics were in the 1960s, the new blockbuster superhero film “Hancock” fits in with the label but without any of the ancestry.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

While 2008 superhero films such as “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “The Dark Knight,” “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” and “Punisher: War Zone” (along with “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” coming in 2009) are all based on previous stories with a previously ravenous fan base, “Hancock” with an alcoholic and listless Will Smith and Charlize Theron – who hides a surprise bombshell – literally comes from nowhereland.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Hancock” in our reviews section.

View our full, high-resolution “Hancock” image gallery.

In fact, “Hancock” is the only 2008 superhero film not derived from a previously established comic book.

The original script for “Hancock,” which was inked by Vincent Ngo in 1996 and called “Tonight, He Comes,” was shuffled through the Hollywood director’s circuit until director Peter Berg (“The Kingdom,” “Friday Night Lights,” “The Rundown”) finally ate it up in Oct. 2006. Filming began in July 2007.

Its truly original origin could have either been its golden savior or its deadly assassin. The decision ultimately proved treacherous as everything it tried to do to be different just made it the same.

Its originality actually might not seem so novel, too, once you consider the 1983 film “The Return of Captain Invincible”. In that film, Alan Arkin plays Captain Invincible and Christopher Lee plays his nemesis (Mr. Midnight). Captain Invincible is asked to return from retirement to the superhero battlefields, but this time around, he’s a raging alcoholic. Sound familiar? Uh huh.

“Hancock,” which features Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman and director Michael Mann in a small acting role, opened everywhere on July 2, 2008.

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “Hancock” review.

Charlize Theron (left) and Will Smith in “Hancock”.
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Will Smith (center) “Hancock”.
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “Hancock” review.

Whoops: Will Smith Spoils ‘I Am Legend’ Ending in Tokyo; Leak Locked Down

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:51:49 -0700

A-list actor Will Smith wasn’t sporting his A-game on Tuesday when he revealed the ending to “I Am Legend” to press in Tokyo.

Will Smith.
Photo credit: WireImage.com
The whoopsie prompted co-producer and co-screenwriter Akiva Goldsman to bellow: “Don’t give away the ending!”

Reuters wrote on Tuesday: “Goldsman then pretended to be surprised, but it was all too late. Press handlers asked all present to keep the ending a secret so as not to spoil it for viewers.”

Will Smith in “I Am Legend”.
Photo credit: IMDb
Film School Rejects questioned whether this is “a huge screwup by an A-list Hollywood star or … a ploy to gain publicity for the film”. “I Am Legend” opens everywhere on Dec. 14.

I-Am-Immune.com Phase Two For ‘I Am Legend’ Begins on Dec. 1; Phase Three on Dec. 8

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:02:38 -0700

Following phase one, phase two for “I Am Legend” viral marketing through I-Am-Immune.com begins on Dec. 1 from 2 to 5 p.m. Phase two must be completed by 12:14 p.m. PST on Dec. 4.

Here are the new street challenge locations:

Chicago
Chick Evans Golf Course
6145 N. Golf Rd.
Morton Grove, IL 60053

Los Angeles
Griffith Park Golf Course
4730 Crystal Springs Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Dallas
North Texas Golf Center
2101 Walnut Hill Lane
Dallas, TX 75229

New York
A. Shaw Office
242 Wythe Ave., Studio 4
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Atlanta
Jim Hearn Golf Center
4445 Buford Highway
Chamblee, GA 30341

Miami
Bay Shore Par 3 Golf Course (empty lot)
2795 Prairie Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33141

Phoenix
Continental Golf Course
7920 E. Osborn Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Detroit
Royal Oak Golf Center
3500 Edgar Road
Royal Oak, MI 48073

Boston
Leeder Board Golf
150 Federal Street, First Floor
Boston, MA 02110

Seattle
Interbay Golf Center
2501 15th Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119

Denver
Denver City Park Golf Course
2500 York Street
Denver, CO 80205

Philadelphia
Paxon Hollow Country Club
850 Paxon Hollow Road
Marple Township, PA 19063

San Diego
Sail Ho Golf Course
19 Sellers Plaza
San Diego, CA 92106

San Francisco
Harding Park Golf Course
99 Harding Rd.
San Francisco, CA 94132

For phase two, you are charged to you or your recruit are charged to journey to one of the locations listed above between 2 and 5 p.m. to retrieve the phase two street challenge item. I-Am-Immune.com crew members will be on location.

The item you receive will have a jumbled word printed on it. Once deciphered, it will be the code you need to finish the challenge.

Enter that code at the bottom of this page to find out what you have been entered to win and to move on to the next street challenge. Here’s the clue: 40°30’N, 45°1’N, 71°51’W, 79°46’W

Phase three, which is the final street challenge, will take place on Dec. 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. within the same 15 cities listed for phase one and two. An updated location list will be announced shortly.

Starring Will Smith, “I Am Legend” opens in theaters on Dec. 14.

‘I Am Legend’ Unveils Viral Site I-Am-Immune.com

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:57:04 -0700

The power of the talking mouth is the best and cheapest form of PR there is. Films are increasingly cashing in on the viral wave using Web sites to spur conversation and create an evocative attachment.

We’ve been deluged with masterful viral work from “The Dark Knight” using Web sites including WhySoSerious.com, RorysDeathKiss.com and IBelieveInHarveyDent.com. Moments ago, the Will Smith film “I Am Legend” went public with one if its own.

I-Am-Immune.com has launched to play a literal viral game.

The site, which is the official “community” for the film, will offer original and behind-the-scenes information about the film, a chance for fans to speak up, online and street challenges (“The Dark Knight” fans know these all too well), “free swag” and “insane prizing”.

I am told the site is also boldly promising the opportunity to “see the biggest movie stars of the year at the largest movie premiere of the century”.

As a member of I-Am-Immune.com, your objective is to stay active and stay immune. Members will be tasked with weekly online challenges along with three offline challenges.

Will Smith in “I Am Legend”.
Image credit: IMDb
A VIP trip for two to New York City will be dished out for the world premiere of “I Am Legend” at Madison Square Garden. The plane ticket and hotel stay are covered.

In terms of street challenges, members of the viral site will visit a section of the site (called “street challenges”) where they will be tasked with going to a specific location on a specific day and time within their city (one of 14 markets) to snag a swag item.

It’ll contain a code that must be entered into the “street challenges” section of the site. Once the code is entered, members will be eligible to win prizes and gain access to the next street challenge.

“I Am Legend” and “The Dark Knight” are both from Warner Bros.