Man Dies From Watching "Avatar"

20th Century Fox, the studio behind director James Cameron's "Avatar" may have to provide a disclaimer or get signed releases from audiences, as now, according to a doctor's report, a 42-year-old Taiwanese man with high blood pressure has died of a stroke likely triggered by 'over-excitement', from watching "Avatar" in 3D.

The man started to feel unwell during the screening earlier this month in the northern city of Hsinchu and was unconscious when he arrived at the Nan Men General Hospital. A scan showed his brain was haemorrhaging, according to emergency room doctor Peng Chin-chih.

"It's likely that the over-excitement from watching the movie triggered his symptoms," Chin-chih said.

Kuo died 11 days later and the China Times newspaper said it was the first death linked to watching "Avatar".

Other reports have audience complaints of headaches, dizziness, nausea and blurry eyesight during and after the 3D experience.

Sneak Peek "Avatar" ...

Shut Up. "Kick-Ass": April 16

Director Matthew "Layer Cake" Vaughn's upcoming action feature "Kick-Ass", was lensed September to November 2008, on Charles Street in Hamilton Ontario, and @ Cinespace Film Studios in Toronto, besides London, UK and New York.

The film is based on the 8-issue "Kick-Ass" mini-series created by Mark "Wanted" Millar and John Romita Jr. following a comic book fan who decides to become a costumed crime-fighting vigilante. Along the way, he meets up with other vigilantes including 'Red Mist' and father-daughter team 'Big Daddy' and 'Hit Girl' .

Visually, Vaughn wanted to make a bright and glossy film', "...so what happens in the film is shocking, not the style...", he said.

"I just let the characters do the dark stuff and let the lighting be... I just thought it would be interesting to juxtapose the look and the action... "

Lionsgate will release the film in North America April 16, 2010 with Focus Features Intl. distributing throughout the UK, Australia, Germany, Latin America, Austria, Switzerland and New Zealand.

Vaughn acquired film rights to "Kick-Ass" for his Marv Films, when the "Kick-Ass" comic book was first released February 2008, then financed the film independently after "every studio turned it down". "Kick-Ass" is co-produced by Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B.

Premise of "Kick-Ass" follows 'Dave Lizewski', a New York City high school student, who takes an interest in comic books as inspiration to become a vigilante hero, assembling a suit and mask, worn under his normal clothing.

His first attempt at fighting crime results in Dave being beaten and stabbed, then wandering dazed through the streets before being hit by a car. But determined to retain his secret identity, he hides his costume before paramedics arrive.

Dave tells his father he was 'mugged', before undergoing four operations followed by intense physical rehabilitation. Weeks later, bruised but undaunted, Dave tosses his crutches, dons his costume and takes off again for 'patrol'.

After saving a man in need of assistance, an onlooker films the scene on a cellphone camera and uploads it to YouTube, turning Dave Lizewski into an instant media sensation called 'Kick-Ass'.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Kick-Ass"...

Summit Plans A TV "Push"

Toronto-based Summit Entertainment and E1 Entertainment plan to develop/produce a TV series, based on Summit’s 2009 feature film "Push".

Directed by Paul McGuigan, "Push" stars Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Djimon Hounsou, and Camilla Belle, following a group of people born with super powers who band together to attempt to take down a government agency using a dangerous drug to create an army of super soldiers.

Screenwriter David "Watchmen" Hayter, will script the TV series pilot.

E1 and Dark Hero Studios, co-owned by Hayter and producing partner Benedict Carver, will jointly produce the series based on the screenplay created by David Bourla for Summit Entertainment. Hayter and Carver will be executive producers, along with E1’s Noreen Halpern and John Morayniss.

"The concept behind the Push feature film offers a broad and rich canvas on which to extend the storyline and characters introduced in the feature film," said Summit Co-Chairmen Rob Friedman. "The project is also the perfect vehicle to initiate Summit’s plans of producing programming for the global television marketplace.'

"I’m looking forward to translating the fantastic concept behind 'Push' to the small screen," said Hayter. "I’m also thrilled for Dark Hero to be in business with two independent powerhouses like Summit and E1."

Summit and E1 will jointly arrange for the US television license to the [i]Push[/i] series, with E1 handling TV sales in Canada as well as home entertainment/broadcasting rights in Canada, UK, and The Benelux. Summit will distribute home entertainment in the US. Both Summit and E1 will split foreign sales by each handling separate territories as part of their stated multi-territory content distribution strategy.