Since producer Brett Ratner has been let go following a vulgar interview consisting of anti-gay slur, Eddie Murphy has decided to step down as host of this year’s Oscars.

Murphy commented, “First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President, Tom Sherak, stated, “I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well.”

Murphy and Ratner have previously worked together on Tower Heist.

Source: Deadline

“We could not be happier that Eddie Murphy will star as Phooey. There is no overstating his contributions to cinema, and to such enduring stars of family entertainments such as Shrek and Dr. Dolittle. We look forward to watching him re-imagine yet another classic character,” said Alcon Entertainment.

Airing for only one season, Hong Kong Phooey, the “number one super guy” travels about the city in his “Phooeymobile”, fighting crime with the aid of his manual, The Hong Kong Book Of Kung Fu. Good stuff, and with Smurfs rocking the box office, it’s no wonder more of these series are getting the animation/live-action treatment.

Alex Zamm of Dr. Doolittle: Million Dollar Mutts fame directs.

Source: Coming Soon

The Mike Mitchell directed film stars the voice talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews and Walt Dohrn. Shrek The Final Chapter is set to come out in theaters and in 3D on May 21rst.

A bored and domesticated Shrek pacts with deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but when he’s duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away — where Rumpelstiltskin is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona have never met — he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love.

A bored and domesticated Shrek pacts with deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but when he’s duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away — where Rumpelstiltskin is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona have never met — he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love.

Shrek Forever After whisks it’s way into theaters on May 21rst. Now go and look at the pun-filled poster below.:

Shrek Forever After is set to hit theatres on May 21, 2010.

A bored and domesticated Shrek (Myers) pacts with deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but when he’s duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away — where Rumpelstiltskin (Dohm) is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona have never met — he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love.

Shrek Forever After arrives in theaters and IMAX 3D on May 21rst.:

Another some what controversial bit about this comedic Oceans Eleven tale is that the story was originally set to have an all African American cast. Now, with Universal circling around the notion of putting Stiller in the lead role, this raises a few eyebrows since Eddie Murphy was previously considered for the slot. No particular time frame has been set for the release of this picture.

Update: The title is being bounced around at the moment to be Tower Heist and is said to have Brett Ratner helming the picture. Included in this is the fact that Noah Baumbach, who wrote Fantastic Mr. Fox and Greenberg, will be penning the script (The Playlist).

Official first teaser trailer for Shrek Forever After:

“He has lost his roar. It used to send villagers running away in terror. Now they run to him and ask him to sign their pitchforks and torches.”
To regain his ogre mojo, he strikes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin, who is voiced by Walt Dohrn, the film’s head of story. The pact goes awry and Shrek must confront what life would be like in Far Far Away if he had never existed. That translates into Donkey being forced into cart-pulling duty, fat and lazy Puss in Boots trading his sword for a pink bow and the underhanded Rumpelstiltskin ruling the kingdom.

First off, I never wanna see ogre and mojo in the same sentence again. Secondly, here is the first official image from the upcoming film. Starring the voice talents of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy along with Paul McCartney voicing Rumpelstiltskin, this feature will roll out into theaters on May 21rst, 2010.:

Currently penning the script is writers Sam Pitman and Adam Cole-Kelly. The two have previously worked on a script called The Diversification of Noah Miller that got picked up with Tyler Perry possibly starring in it. When it comes to Eddie Murphy though, let’s hope that the actor makes the right choice and reminds us why we used to love his work back in the day.

It has been said though that funny man Marlon Wayans landed the role after submitting a thirteen minute tape of himself in which he ‘became’ Richard Pryor.  Time can only tell if Wayans can do the man justice, and maybe earn an Oscar nomination for this dramatic role, which seems entirely possible after seeing his performance in Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem For A Dream.

No formal release date has been set for the project, but Dreamgirls helmer Bill Condon will direct the film with the tentative title: Richard Pryor: Is it Something I Said .

Source: EW

Hancock

It made some big buckets but I pretty much disliked it. I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t feed the potential it had. Also on Blu Ray.

Fred Claus

Hey, at least it isn’t another Tim Allen Christmas film. I skipped it. Also on Blu Ray.

Meet Dave

Seriously, who likes Eddie Murphy films? I guess the same people who hate cinema. Even crappier on Blu Ray.

Space Chimps

I think it’s getter hard for companies who are not DreamWorks or Pixar/Disney to get noticed, but here’s a reason why they don’t. Also on Blu Ray.

Spy Who Came in from the Cold: Criterion Collection

**PICK OF THE WEEK** From what I have heard, this is a great espionage film. With such a weak week, this is a no-brainer purchase.

New to Blu

Zodiac: Director’s Cut

This should be a great title to see on Blu Ray. I love this film!

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