I Am Legend

Report: ‘The Dark Knight’ Trailer Expected to Surface Online Early Next Week

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:15:58 -0500

I’ve been hearing similiar rumblings and Superhero Hype! has now gone on record about it. Moments ago, the credible site reported that “The Dark Knight” trailer will surface online early next week at its official Web site. The Superhero Hype! report is after the graphic.

As you may know, the new trailer for “The Dark Knight” debuts in standard theaters with “I Am Legend” on Friday and the prologue will be shown with IMAX showings of the Will Smith film.

But when will the trailer officially be online? Early next week at the official Web site, we have been told.

‘The Dark Knight’ Delivers Sensory Orgasm in IMAX Prologue Before ‘I Am Legend’

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:23:29 -0500

I went to screen “I Am Legend” on Wednesday to experience “The Dark Knight”.

That statement doesn’t speak grimly about my feelings for Will Smith. I was looking forward to learning his legend and I’m glad I did. The night at Chicago’s Navy Pier IMAX, though, went to its first six minutes with the Joker as the star.

A production still from “The Dark Knight” prologue.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Before I skipped the capacity crowd awaiting entrance into the theater, I stopped to listen to people’s pre-conceived motivations for spending a chilly Wednesday evening at the movies.

People weren’t there because it was free. More important, many people weren’t talking about “I Am Legend”. The buzz king went to Nolan & Co. A few people even went so far as to say they’d consume “The Dark Knight” prologue and skip out immediately thereafter.

I spoke to the publicist running the screening moments before heading in. He was in a panic.

He just got off the phone from New York because “the prologue wasn’t going to show,” he said. At the mere quiet mention of the notion, the few critics who heard it threw their hands in the air in disgust.

I’m paraphrasing, but the publicist immediately retorted: “Don’t worry. It’ll be there now. I made sure of it.” Their nerves were calmed and I now felt vindicated after having to miss last week’s sneak peak of the prologue following yet another “The Dark Knight” viral game.

We were first treated to a trailer for “The Spiderwick Chronicles”.

The next trailer – for a film documenting a rock star – was relatively unimpressive and forgettable. Then a sweeping shot of downtown Gotham ushered in “The Dark Knight” prologue and the theater erupted in applause.

You immediately felt the difference between a typical trailer preceding the big event as this prologue is a short film in its own right. Its design is to introduce the Joker as the crazed fiend he is. He’s indeed feared, he’s indeed demented and he indeed delivers on the frenetic hype.

The story leading up to his unmasking deliberately makes his revelation deliciously climatic. You love to hate Heath and feel no remorse loving him all the while.

For this Chicagoan who has been covering the ins and outs of the film as it has taken over our Windy City, the prologue feels much like home. I’d be watching and instantly recall reporting on that courthouse and stepping foot on those very floors when I was beckoned there for jury duty.

A cameo by William Fichtner (“Go,” “Armageddon,” “Contact”) as a Gotham National Bank manager proves even in just a glimpse the power of this cast from roles as big as Heath Ledger as the Joker and Christian Bale as Batman all the way down to this small bank manager who dominates a memorable scene.

William Fichtner in “The Perfect Storm”.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Director Chris Nolan will be remembered as an innovator who made the premeditated choice to work with director of photography Wally Pfister and IMAX technicians to mark the first time in Hollywood history the larger and heavier IMAX cameras were used to film select sequences.

Rather than succumbing to the quality degradation inherent in converting traditional 35-millimeter film to the largesse of IMAX, Nolan filmed directly using the 60-millimeter, sensually orgasmic format. The wait was worth the remuneration and serves as yet another telltale sign that “The Dark Knight” will be the film of 2008.

Warner Bros. Formally Announces ‘The Dark Knight’ Prologue Before ‘I Am Legend’ in IMAX

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:44:58 -0500

We already knew about this, of course, but Warner Bros. on Wednesday released its official announcement that “The Dark Knight” prologue will be featured in its entirety before “I Am Legend” in IMAX.

Both are Warner Bros. films. “I Am Legend” opens in theaters everywhere on Dec. 14. The first showing in Chicago will be at the Navy Pier IMAX screen (700 E. Grand Ave.) at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 14. “The Dark Knight” is slated to open everywhere on July 18, 2008.

A description of the prologue surfaced on Dec. 3. The prologue will be in IMAX 2D. Wednesday’s formal announcement was made by Warner Bros. president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman.

The following information was sent to me in a statement:

The release of the opening six minutes of the movie marks the world premiere of the first footage ever shot with extremely high-resolution IMAX cameras for a major motion-picture release.

In an unprecedented move, director Christopher Nolan employed IMAX cameras for a number of sequences in “The Dark Knight”.

In the statement, Nolan said the following on the news:

I’ve always found the IMAX format to be completely astounding in terms of the crispness and clarity of the image and sound as well as the sheer size and scope.

I knew that if you could shoot scenes of a feature film in that format – not just blow up a 35-millimeter film to fit those screens but actually to shoot with IMAX cameras – you could achieve an incredibly immersive experience.

No one had ever done it before, but with a lot of careful preparation by our director of photography (Wally Pfister) and the help of the IMAX technicians, the results are beyond our expectations.

When you watch the finished product, it’s like being on an amazing roller coaster. It’s literally larger than life.

Will Smith in “I Am Legend”.
Photo credit: IMDb
I also received this information on the topic on Dec. 10:

Beginning at 11 p.m. on Dec. 13 in the Navy Pier IMAX theater lobby, ticket-holding audience members will be invited to join in a variety of “I Am Legend”-themed games.

A series of “last-man standing” competitions will dare contestants to be the last one standing while hopping on one foot, in a hoola-hoop contest and in a battle of the wits [that tests] fans on their knowledge of Will Smith’s acting history.

Prizes will include film paraphernalia, IMAX tickets, concession-stand coupons and a few surprise items.

Though we already know it, the following plot information was included in the Dec. 12 statement:

“The Dark Knight” reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale who reprises the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne. In the new film, Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime.

With the help of lieutenant Jim Gordon and district attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets.

The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as the Joker.

Free Advance-Screening Passes For ‘Walk Hard,’ ‘Sweeney Todd,’ ‘The Orphanage,’ ‘Atonement’

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:53:15 -0500

Free advance-screening movie passes. No catch. Just click the link and RSVP.

This week, we have passes for “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,” “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” “I Am Legend,” “Atonement,” “P.S. I Love You” and “The Orphanage”.

John C. Reilly in “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story”.
Photo credit: IMDb
Snag your “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” pass!
Dec. 12 in Roseville, Calif.
Snag your “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” pass!
Dec. 19 in San Francisco
Snag your “I Am Legend” pass!
Dec. 12 in Birmingham, Mich.
Snag your “P.S. I Love You” pass!
Dec. 13 in Baltimore
Dec. 13 in Norfolk, Va.
Snag your “The Orphanage” pass!
Jan. 10, 2008 in Salt Lake City
Jan. 10, 2008 in Denver
Snag your “Atonement” pass!
Dec. 13 in Salt Lake City
Dec. 13 in Sacramento, Calif.

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

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:51:49 -0500

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.

Free Advance-Screening Passes For ‘The Golden Compass,’ ‘Sweeney Todd,’ ‘The Bucket List’

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:30:21 -0500

Free advance-screening movie passes. No catch.

Just click the link and RSVP. This week, we have passes for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” “The Golden Compass,” “The Bucket List,” “I Am Legend,” “Atonement,” “Revolver,” “Margot at the Wedding” and “The Amateurs”.

Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman in “Sweeny
Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Photo credit: IMDb
Snag your “Sweeny Todd” pass!
Dec. 6 in South Miami
Dec. 6 in Orlando
Dec. 6 in Tampa
Dec. 11 in Ft. Lauderdale
Dec. 11 in West Palm Beach
Dec. 11 in Orlando
Dec. 11 in Tampa
Snag your “The Golden Compass” pass!
Dec. 4 in Los Angeles
Dec. 5 in Los Angeles
Dec. 5 in Orange, Calif.
Snag your “The Bucket List” pass!
Dec. 4 in Chicago
Snag your “I Am Legend” pass!
Dec. 12 in Birmingham, Mich.
Snag your “Revolver” pass!
Dec. 4 in Seattle
Snag your “Margot at the Wedding” pass!
Dec. 4 in San Jose, Calif.
Snag your “Atonement” pass!
Dec. 5 in Chicago
Snag your “The Amateurs” pass!
Dec. 11 in Seattle

Teaser Trailers Coming For ‘The Dark Knight,’ New ‘Indiana Jones,’ New ‘Star Trek’

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:12:59 -0500

ComingSoon.net on Sunday published new details about when we should expect teaser trailers from “The Dark Knight,” “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” and the new “Star Trek” film.

ComingSoon.net has learned new details about the upcoming teaser trailers for three of [2008’s] highly anticipated movies.

Keep in mind … the online debuts for these trailers will probably be earlier in the week of release for the movie it is attached to and … the trailer may not be shown with every print of the film.

First up, the first trailer for Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is now planned for a debut in [Feb. 2008].

Harrison Ford (left) and Shia LaBeouf in “Indiana Jones
and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”.
Photo credit: IMDb
While we don’t know for sure with which movie it will show, Paramount’s biggest film that month is “The Spiderwick Chronicles”. Keep your eye on that one.

Of course, it’s possible Paramount will decide to debut footage earlier during the Super Bowl, but we’re not sure.

In just two weeks on Dec. 14, Warner Bros. will release the teaser trailer for … “The Dark Knight” in standard theaters with “I Am Legend”.

Christian Bale as Batman in “The Dark Knight”.
Photo credit: IMDb
As was previously announced, the studio will be showing the seven-minute opening scene of “The Dark Knight” before the screenings of “I Am Legend” in IMAX.

“Star Trek” fans won’t have to wait long for the first teaser for the J.J. Abrams-directed film.

Paramount is planning a debut with the Abrams-produced monster movie “Cloverfield,” [which is opening] on Jan. 18, 2008.

I am screening “I Am Legend” in IMAX two days earler – on Dec. 12 – so stay tuned for information on “The Dark Knight” teaser trailer.

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 23:02:38 -0500

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’ to Hit Streets Today With First I-Am-Immune.com Viral Challenge

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:09:54 -0500

As we’ve been reporting, “I Am Legend” will hit the streets this afternoon for its first I-Am-Immune.com viral challenge.

I’ve already doled out hundreds of immunity bracelets, which are used to gain access into the site and its challenges. While I’m now completely out of bracelets, you can still e-mail me for the site’s current access code.

Phase one begins today from 2 to 5 p.m. in a city near you or near someone you know. The challenges will reward various prizes along with a chance to win a trip for two to the New York City premiere.

Click this link for specific street-challenge locations.

You will have until 12:14 p.m. PST on Friday, Nov. 30 to complete phase one. I am told “the code is the key”. The fewer people with the code, the better chances you have to win.

Phase two will take place on Dec. 1 from 2 to 5 p.m. within the same 15 cities listed for phase one. Stay tuned for an updated list of locations and clues for phase two in the coming days.

Free Advance-Screening Passes For ‘The Golden Compass,’ ‘Sweeney Todd,’ ‘I Am Legend’

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:15:09 -0500

Free advance-screening movie passes. No catch.

Just click the link and RSVP. This week, we have passes for “The Golden Compass,” “Sweeney Todd,” “P.S. I Love You,” “I Am Legend,” “Atonement” and “The Bucket List”.

Nicole Kidman in “The Golden Compass”.
Photo credit: IMDb
Snag your “The Golden Compass” pass!
Nov. 27 in New York
Nov. 29 in Los Angeles
Dec. 3 in Denver
Dec. 3 in Salt Lake City
Dec. 3 in Novi, Mich.
Dec. 4 in Los Angeles
Dec. 5 in Los Angeles
Dec. 5 in Orange, Calif.
Snag your “Sweeny Todd” pass!
Dec. 6 in South Miami
Dec. 6 in Orlando
Dec. 6 in Tampa
Snag your “P.S. I Love You” pass!
Nov. 28 in Washington, D.C.
Nov. 28 in Baltimore
Nov. 29 in Novi, Mich.

Snag your “I Am Legend” pass!
Dec. 12 in Birmingham, Mich.
Snag your “The Bucket List” pass!
Dec. 4 in Chicago
Snag your “Atonement” pass!
Nov. 28 in Denver