Category: Visual Effects

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the seven films being considered for Achievement in Visual Effects for the 77th Academy Awards.

The films in consideration are listed below in alphabetical order:

* THE AVIATOR* THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW* HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN

CROUCHING TIGERs Chow Yun-Fat is in negotiations to play the villain in the upcoming PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN sequels, reports APPLE DAILY. The actors wife, Jasmin Chan Wui-nin, said the actor will play the famous 19th century Chinese pirate Cheung Po Tsai for the second and third installments of the franchise. Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley are expected to return in their roles.

Clive Barkers horror series, HELLRAISER, has pinned a hour-long TV deal, reports VARIETY. Panacea Ent., Park Avenue Ent. and Blueprint Ent. will produce the project. New Worlds Larry Kuppin will exec produce with Eric Gardner. Dimension films still holds the feature rights, but Kuppin has repped the series since 1991.

The plot will follow a tabloid journalist who stumbles onto a diabolical plot between Pinhead and a zillionaire software exec.

Director Chris Weitz has stepped down as director on HIS DARK MATERIALS: THE GOLDEN COMPASS, citing the expansive technical challenges. New Line will launch a search for a new director immediately. The ABOUT A BOY helmer made it clear that the move was not due to creative differences, thus heading off rumors that the move was over the recent announcement that the film would secularize the Philip Pullman novel in an effort to make the film not seem anti-religious. Weitz penned the screenplay, which will be used by the new director.

Walt Disney has given is Mandeville Films production shingle the go-ahead on a remake of the SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON as well as a feature based on the classic Disneyland theme park ride JUNGLE CRUISE, reports VARIETY. Despite Disney saying it wouldnt produce any more features based on theme park rides after the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN sequels, producer/ Mandville head David Hoberman announced in May 2004 that the studio has looking at JUNGLE CRUISE as a possible feature.

Based Ursula K. Le Guin's sci-fi novel, Hallmark presents LEGEND OF EARTHSEA, a two-night miniseries airing on the Sci Fi Channel at 9:00 pm ET/PT. The fantasy adventure is directed by Robert Lieberman (TVs THE DEAD ZONE).

Visual effects credits include:* Visual effects supervisors: Lee Wilson, Anthem Visual Effects; Eric Grenaudier, Sam Nicholson, Stargate Visual Effects* Visual effects producers: Lisa Sepp-Wilson, Anthem Visual Effects; Shauna Bryan McLeod, Stargate Visual Effects