Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Fassbender in…a rock music comedy?

Both Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Fassbender are two of the finest actors out there today. Gyllenhaal, through films like “The Dark Knight” and “Crazy Heart” and Fassbender through films like “Prometheus” and “Haywire” have built up their reputations on more serious fare. It may be surprising that the pair will star in “Frank”, about a rock band filled with crazy performers. Domhall Gleeson (Bill Weasley from the “Harry Potter” films) will also star. Could be fun to see these actors let loose a little bit.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Box office battle: 9/28/12

September closes as two Sony pictures vie for the top spot along with a teacher’s drama.

This week will come down to three very different films. “Hotel Transylvania” will likely take the top spot. The only recent offering for families this month has been “Finding Nemo 3D”, so this is the first new family film in a while. This film has an all-star voice cast with singers Selena Gomez and Cee Lo Green, comedians Andy Samberg, Kevin James, David Spade, Fran Drescher, Molly Shannon and Adam Sandler. But, with Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” coming out next week, one has to wonder if families will simply wait for that one.

Opening weekend: $24-26 million

Total box office gross: $80-85 million

The film’s main competition will come from the sci fi film “Looper” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. The film has been getting solid reviews and has two pretty big actors. So, it would seem like a slam dunk right? Except, JGL’s last film, “Premium Rush” tanked and Willis’ last sci fi film was…”Surrogates”. This will draw the young male crowd, but I doubt it will be able to expand its audience much past that. It too may have trouble holding up next week as “Taken 2” will hit theaters.

Opening weekend: $17-19 million

Total box office gross: $50-55 million

The final new film getting a wide release is “Won’t Back Down” starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis. The film will resonate with some, especially with the Chicago teacher’s strike recently ending. But, this film will struggle to find an audience. The lack of advance showings to try and build up buzz is worrisome. And, “Freedom Writers”, a similar film tanked way back in 2007.

Opening weekend: $7-9 million

Total box office gross: $20-25 million

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Independence Day and Stargate sequels coming?

Roland Emmerich’s already wreaked havoc on the earth in “Day After Tomorrow” and “2012”. He’s next targeting the White House in “White House Down” starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx and Maggie Gyllenhaal. But, two of Emmerich’s best known films may be getting sequels: “Independence Day” and “Stargate”.

Here’s what he told the Hollywood Reporter about an “ID” sequel: “[C]reatively, for the very first time since we did the original, I feel we have a worthy concept, a worthy path to go,” he says. “…Whether or not we can make this happen, if we can get all the pieces to come together, that’s gonna be challenging.”

Will Smith has shown a willingness to return to hit franchises like “Men in Black”.

And about Stargate: “Stargate has always had this empty hole,” he adds. “When we made the first one, we always intended on doing part two and three, and we were prevented for years. And our hope is that we can get another chance at Stargate and tell the entire story we wanted to tell.”

I was never a huge Stargate fan, but, unless I’m way off base, “Stargate 2” would have to be a prequel wouldn’t it? The TV shows picked up after the movie if I’m not mistaken.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.