The cast continues on growing as True Blood blood sucker Stephen Moyer and 90210 cast member Lily Collins join up on the newest manga adaptation Priest. Originally adapted from a widely popular Tokyopop distributed South Korean comic, even though it is entitled to be called an ‘adaptation’ it is vastly far from it. The adaptation stars actor Paul Bettany as the priest Ivan Issacs who’s joining up with a young sheriff (Cam Gigandet) and a priestess (Maggie Q) in order to save his niece from a swarm of vampires who took her away. The only similarities, as I have previously stated in earlier reports, is the main character’s name and the title, so if anyone who’s a fan of the South Korean manga is looking for a proper adaptation, its not here.

Initial filming starts up today with a release date set for August 13, 2010. Lily Collins seems to be the more than likely candidate to fill the role of the supposed niece. Moyer for the time being, is casted but we have yet to figure out who he will be. Priest is directed by Scott Stewart, the same fellow who’s directed a soon to be released movie called Legion, with the script penned up by newcomer Cory Goodman.

Cam Gigandet, one of the blood thirsty evil vampires in the tween girls smash hit Twilight, puts his fangs back on in the very loose Korean comic adaptation of Priest. Taking the role of a half vampire wasteland sheriff who helps in the quest of tracking down Ivan Issacs’ kidnapped niece. Set already in the role of the tormented and damned Issacs is Paul Bettany (Inkheart).

Paul Bettany & Cam Gigandet continue onward in Priest.

The original story of Priest from the comic circles around Ivan Issacs, the hero, is called upon to solve the puzzle that the Domas Porada presents. Upon solving it Ivan is cast onto a cross after witnessing his only love, Gena, die in his arms. It is then that Belial takes Ivan, who in the madness of losing Gena denounces God. Ivan is reborn as an immortal serving Belial. Because of Gena’s death Ivan devotes himself for vengeance against Temozarela and his men. However, Screen Gems decided to make a difference approach on the source material into their own story. In their version, a priest disobeys church law to track down the vampires who kidnapped his niece. Quite a change, isn’t it?

Priest, directed by Scott Stewart, is expected to come out in theaters on August 13, 2010.

Check out an International Trailer for the upcoming vampire tweener film Twilight. Twilight stars Kristin Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Cam Gigandet, Peter Facinelli, and Nikki Reed.

I will be in attendance for this film in a few days for the screening and will report back on it. From my last post I have been rewired into thinking it may be a fine film. We shall see won’t we!!
Check out the Int’l Trailer below.

The film opens November 21, 2008

No I am not at Comic Con, although next year we will be there in full force to cover what could be a fun summer vacation!

Anyway I have some news to hand out from some goons I work with! Below is the press release from Summit Entertainment from Comic Con.

Los Angeles, CA July 15, 2008 – On Thursday, July 24^th, 2008 Summit Entertainment will showcase cast members, filmmakers and new footage from its upcoming films during Comic-Con 2008 for the first time in the studio’s history. Summit Entertainment will present a sneak peak of exclusive footage from its upcoming releases including PUSH, KNOWING and the action-packed, modern day vampire love story, TWILIGHT. The studio’s panel presentation will take place at 1:15 to 2:45pm in Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center.

The details of the panel will be as follows:

PUSH – Chris Evans (Nick), Dakota Fanning (Cassie), Djimon Hounsou (Carver), Camilla Belle (Kira) and director Paul McGuigan (LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN) will present a first look at exclusive footage and answer questions about the film. In this futuristic sci-fi thriller set in Hong Kong, a group of young American ex-pats with extraordinary psychic abilities must band together and use their different talents on a final mission to escape a clandestine government agency forever.

KNOWING – Director Alex Proyas (I, ROBOT) will appear in person to introduce never-before-seen footage from his new major motion picture starring Nicolas Cage (Ted Myles). In this gripping action thriller of global proportion, a professor stumbles on terrifying predictions about the future–and sets out to prevent them from coming true.

TWILIGHT – Director Catherine Hardwicke (THIRTEEN, LORDS OF DOGTOWN), book series author Stephenie Meyer and the cast including Robert Pattinson (Edward), Kristen Stewart (Bella), Cam Gigandet (James), Rachelle Lafevre (Victoria), Edi Gathegi (Laurent), Taylor Lautner (Jacob) will answer questions about bringing these characters to life on the big screen as well as showing exclusive footage from the film.

Additionally, visitors to the Summit Entertainment booth located within the Grand Hall will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with life size standees of Twilight’s Edward, Bella, James, Laurent or Victoria and instantly e-mail the images to friends. At the booth, attendees will also have the chance to win one of thousands of exclusive and limited Comic-Con promotional prizes including TWILIGHT items and advance DVDs of NEVER BACK DOWN. Back at Comic-Con’s designated autographing room, lucky winners will have the opportunity to participate in a limited autograph session with the panelists from PUSH, KNOWING and TWILIGHT.

When the convention closes for the day, the fun continues with a special sneak peak screening and introduction by Seth Green, Clark Duke and Josh Zuckerman of the hilarious teen comedy, “Sex Drive” at the Gas Lamp theatre. In addition, the film will be screened twice each evening on Friday, July 25th and Saturday, July 26th.

About Summit Entertainment LLC

Summit Entertainment is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures.  Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product.  Summit Entertainment, LLC plans to release 10 to 12 films annually.

I am actually a little excited to see “Twilight”, although I want to read the novel prior to seeing the film.