Tom Cruise’s big chance to reclaim his status as a movie star, Knight and Day, has been moved from its July 2nd, 2010, release date to June 25th. This puts it up against the Adam Sandler/Chris Rock/Kevin James/David Spade/Rob Schneider comedy, Grown Ups.

Does it seem like a stupid move? Well, it shouldn’t because it moves it away from the inevitable juggernaut of The Twilight Saga : Eclipse and the potential breakout hit The Last Airbender.

For those who didn’t see the rather odd but interesting trailer, Knight and Day is “An action-comedy centered on a fugitive couple (Cruise and Diaz) on a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure where nothing and no one – even themselves – are what they seem. Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth vs. trust.”

Looking forward to Knight and Day or does the couch jumping still haunt you?

Paramount Pictures has signed the deal with Mr. Cruise to star in the fourth installment of the successful spy series. “The intention is to make this Cruise’s next film and start shooting by summer for a Memorial Day 2011 weekend release.” [Deadline Hollywood]

Television writing team Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec are writing the script.

Cruise will, of course, produce along with J.J. Abrams, who directed the underrated M:I III. Blame it on the whole couch thing.

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In celebration of Empire magazine’s 20th anniversary they have done a photoshoot in which some world famous actors reprise their most iconic roles. Check out a few of my favorites below and the rest over at Empire, can you name all the films? Read the full story

With recent news that MGM is on the chopping block and the current debate on what the company will head/who it will turn to in the near, dire future, the overall change that seems to be going on in Hollywood (and in the world of film entertainment altogether) shines more and more apparent – that is, what it means (and costs) to make movies these days.

Whether it’s Tom Cruise buying United Artists the same year a Tom Cruise-headlined movie did NOT make $100 million domestic or Paranormal Activity grossing over $100 million domestic with a budget of 15 grand and an ad campaign costing not much more, the tides have seemed to turn over. Big studios continue to go big ($200 million tentpoles) but no longer rely on domestic B.O. numbers. Sure, the $65 million take Sony’s 2012 took in in the States was nice, but it was the $160 million from other countries it was always counting on. Moviegoers overseas are less-jaded with the spectacle of cinema, and the people behind the big desks in Los Angeles know this. Read the full story

Back Stage is a round-up of various news items around the net that never hit the front page. Check them out below.

Tom Cruise Potentially Reteaming with John Woo for Flying Tigers [First Showing]

January Jones Teams With Cage for The Hungry Rabbit Jumps [THR]

Wes Anderson: ‘Why Was Slumdog a Hit and Not Darjeeling?’ [Vulture]

How Transformers 2 Should Have Ended [/Film]

Alamo’s Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween and Beetlejuice Posters [/Film]
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Back Stage is a round-up of film news, articles, and interesting links in the past few days.

Spielberg Developing Crichton’s Unpublished Novel [USA Today]

Hitler Really Effing Hates Avatar [YouTube]

Capitalism: A Love Story Poster [Fandango]

Germany Submits Haneke’s White Ribbon for Oscar [In Contention]

Weinstein Company Still Struggling Despite ‘Basterds’ Sucess [Wall Street Journal]

Tom Cruise + Peter Jackson Meet To Discuss Something [Sydney Morning Herald]

Check out the rest of the list below >>

Variety is reporting today that J.J. Abrams next Mission Impossible film is currently recruiting a new writing team. The new crew consist of Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec. If you don’t know the names you definitely know the work. The two are yet another set of writers to make a the transition from Abrams TV division to feature film. They worked on Abram’s produced series ALIAS for 4 seasons. They will be adapting a screenplay for the story Abrams has written. This could be a sign that Abrams is trying to separate (or at least work with others) from the writing team of  Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci who worked with Abrams in his last 2 film that he directed (Mission Impossible 3 and Star Trek) It was also reported that Tom Cruise’s (who is also serving producer) character Ethan Hunt will have an on screen role in the film. No word yet has been released about a director. The film is slated for a 2011 release.

I am happy to see that things are moving along on the new Mission Impossible film. I really hope that Abrams decides to return as director but since Paramount will probably want to move with a Star Trek sequel first that seem unlikely. Only time will tell as to what will happen with the latest adventure for Ethan Hunt but if the third one was any indication then we are in for a ride.

Are you looking forward to a fourth Mission Impossible?

(Co-Written by Dan Mecca & Merrill Barr)

It only seems appropriate to offer a take on what is now the most popular genre in Hollywood – the remake. Not that the remake hasn’t always been popular. Just look at how many times Little Women has been made. A lot.

That being said, remakes have never been as prolific (or as potentially profitable) as they are right now. One can chalk this up as unoriginality or business savvy or both, but the fact remains the age of the remake is upon us and it has only just begin to rear it’s ugly, repetitive head.

With that said, we here at The Film Stage have attempted to break down the remake genre and decipher the gems and germs that have come out of it.

See the lists >>

Identity is defined as the individual characteristics by which a person or thing is recognized. In the films Collateral and Miami Vice Michael Mann explores how identity is always fluctuating and that the “individual characteristics” by which we define ourselves are always changing, but our core selves remain the same. Almost like a computer, the software may be constantly changing but the hardware running it never does. Through the characters, story, and cinematography Mann exemplifies this.

In the mini documentary Miami Vice: Undercover from the Miami Vice DVD Michael Mann states “the best fabricated identity is yourself.” This idea that identity, though always changing, has a central core can be seen both in Collateral and Miami Vice. Mann’s main tool to portray this to the audience is through his characters. In the case of Max and Vincent, Mann shows us that even though they have the capability to take on each other’s personalities; their central selves remain the same. In the scene where Max plays Vincent in order to get Vincent’s hit list back, Max takes on the anti-hero role. While changing his attitude and confidence level, Max is simply using what he learned as a cab driver in a different circumstance. In the beginning of the film we see Max’s gift of observation when he immediately identifies Annie as a lawyer due to her appearance and actions. Later in the restaurant Max immediately knows that the body guard is reaching for his gun and warns him to put it away before he attacks him, Improvising to the set of his surroundings, his identity changes accordingly.

Check out the rest of the article below >>

We reported last week that JJ Abrams (Star Trek, Mission: Impossible 3) was on board to produce Mission: Impossible 4. Now THR reports that the project has been fast-tracked for a 2011 release by Paramount, with both Abrams and Cruise producing. Both are juggling many projects, but I hope to see this sooner rather than later.

I loved Mission: Impossible 3 and believe it is one of the best action thrillers of the the decade. I’m glad both Abrams and Cruise are back. I couldn’t be more excited to see what they produce.

What do you think about the Mission: Impossible series? Do you want to see another entry?