The studio made a gutsy move, trying to turn 'Midnight' into a blockbuster. It's a move that completely backfired, resulting in a loss of $16 million. Audiences just don't seem to want to go out to the theaters to see one of my movies. My four releases have now combined for a net loss of $18.7 million. On the other hand, the reviews were all very good, but I still find myself looking for my first box office success, a task that now falls into the hands of my next film, 'The Question.'

As my first order of business I must make a correction to the latest post on CMP. I am tackling the Justice Society of America, not the Justice League of America (which is the same as the regular Justice League). I'm talking about the Golden Age Justice Society: Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Carter Hall, etc. Just felt that I had to clear that up.

Now to more present news...

For the first time, the studio is really pushing one of my movies. It's really an odd choice too. 'Midnight' is getting a nice studio push as the top release this week, even ahead of a Ben Stiller comedy. It's encouraging, but the studio doesn't have a great track record with horror movies, and my only experience in the genre has been a complete failure. I'm really hoping that Colin Farrell can really bring the film to another level and push it over the top quality-wise and financially.

Next up is 'The Question' with Lucy Liu and John Malkovich joining the cast in supporting roles, as Lady Shiva and Mayor Wesley Fermin respectably. They join Ryan Gosling, Christina Hendricks, and Ray Winstone. As I've stated before, 'The Question' is my first real shot at a box office hit. I've got a young star, a talent-packed supporting cast, a producer with a pedigree, and a director on the rise. In my mind, it's got all the makings of a hit.

A View From the Bridge's Release, Next up: Midnight

Another movie, another box office failure. At least this time around, I got some good reviews. That's not saying much though. I played it safe with a classic. I guess I have to take solace in the fact that 'A View From the Bridge' was received positively by the critics and didn't LOSE any money. One of these days, a movie of mine has to make some money, right? Right now it's looking like the first real chance I'll have is when 'The Question' comes out in a few weeks. Until then I have 'Midnight,' a horror film, and based on 'Prince of Darkness,' I'm not holding up any hope for it. Far as I'm concerned it has already failed, so anything good that comes from it will be a win. But you never know, the combination of Colin Farrell and Bill Murray might interest just enough people to make it a success. I can tell you right now, that no matter how successful 'Midnight' is, I will not make it into a franchise like the original became.

A View From the Bridge in Theaters, Midnight, Question

Another week and another release. This time it is my adaptation of Arthur Miller's 'A View From the Bridge,' which is very much a prestige project. It probably won't do gangbusters at the box office, but I can see the critics enjoying this one. All I really want is a net gain over $1 million. That's all. Out of all my releases so far, 'Bridge' had by far the breeziest production. No casting changes, or drastic rewrites. It's been smooth sailing.

The pieces continue to come together for 'Midnight' which should see a release real soon what with the cast all announced now. Filling out the cast are Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Macht, and Bill Murray in a rare serious role. Huston will be playing a fortune teller, Macht will be playing Colin Farrell's friend, and Murray will be playing a small-town doctor. This was a hard movie to cast, and if 'Prince of Darkness' is any inclination, this project may not turn out too well, critically and financially. But I would love to be wrong about that.

Also in casting news, Christina Hendricks and Ray Winstone have joined 'The Question.' Ryan Gosling will playing the titular hero under the direction of David Slade. Zack Snyder is producing. I'm very glad to be giving Hendricks her first role in CMP, as she is a remarkable talent and beauty. 'The Question' should be my best shot at a box office hit, at least until 'Green Arrow' and other action projects make it production.

Speaking of Green Arrow, it's has come out in the news that Christopher Nolan, fresh off the release of the third 'Justice League' movie will serve as producer on my upcoming Green Arrow movie.

Short on Time is Released

Well, this weekend was as improvement on the release of 'Prince of Darkness.' 'Short on Time' has managed mixed reviews, an improvement on the critical beating 'Prince of Darkness' took. 'Short on Time' also avoided losing the studio any money, it just didn't make any. Looks like Johnny Depp's presence didn't make much of a difference at the box office. Hell, with Timothy Olyphant the movie might've made money if only because he'd command a much lower salary. Oh, well. A profit of $900,000 is better than nothing. Hopefully my next release, 'A View From the Bridge,' manages better reviews and better box office.

Short on Time's Release, The Question, Midnight, 'Bridge'

'Short on Time' is finally ready for release. Hopefully, this project makes a little money. Otherwise, what's the point in the studio insisting upon Johnny Depp? It's a breezy race against time movie that plays mostly in real time, which is something Depp has done before in the underwhelming 'Nick of Time.' Hopefully the addition of poison helps out matters. The production was a messy one, but if it goes out and makes a little money, it'll all be worth it.

The cast for 'A View From the Bridge' is all lined up with Steve Buscemi and Bobby Cannavale joining the film. Buscemi is playing a small role, John Turturro's lawyer who he goes to for guidance. Cannavale's role was by far the hardest to cast in the movie. I needed someone who could play an Italian immigrant who was big, but also a good actor who could handle the ample drama the project requires. I thankfully remembered Cannavale from a great little movie called 'The Station Agent.' This one might see its release as early as next week now that all of the pieces have been announced. I'm hoping that it acts as something of a comeback for Francis Ford Coppola, even though he's only producing. He's been away from the studios for far too long.

'Midnight' has added a bevy of beauties for Colin Farrell to terrorize: Ginnifer Goodwin, Imogen Poots, and Deborah Ann Woll. I'm not convinced the movie is going to work very well to be honest. The failures of 'Prince of Darkness' have really made me cautious towards more horror remakes. Hopefully this one changes that.

Apparently the studio had already given a contract to Jeremy Piven to play DC Comics' The Question in my upcoming movie. He just wasn't the right guy for the role, so I made it clear that Ryan Gosling should get the part, as I needed someone who I felt could still have a commanding presence, even behind a featureless mask, I just wasn't convinced that Piven could do that. It seems that Piven wasn't all that happy with the situation and raised enough of a fuss that he'll get paid anyways, at least he doesn't command much of a salary. The Question joins Green Arrow on my slate of upcoming superhero projects, with The Question getting the first chance at release. I chose David Slade to direct. I've always liked his style (I didn't see the Twilight movie he directed, nor will I) and felt he could do something interesting with the character. Zack Snyder has dropped out of directing 'The Hunger Games' in order to produce the film, which is totally fine by me since Slade hasn't really directed anything this big before.

Too Many Projects to Name in the Headline

A lot of news to cover this week. First, the cast of 'Short on Time' is finally completed with the addition of Idris Elba and Emily Deschanel. Now all that's left to wait for the release, which should be coming up soon.

Second, Eva Amurri will play the niece of John Turturro and Marisa Tomei who falls in love with an Italian immigrant played by Sebastian Stan. There are just two more roles left to announced.

Third, a new project is entering production: a remake of the 1963 Brazilian horror film ‘À Meia-Noite Levarei Sua Alma’ (At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul), which has been shortened to the more acessible title of 'Midnight.' The flick will star the always great Colin Farrell. It will closely follow the original story, but will be completely Americanized, set in Louisiana during the 1930s with an added voodoo element. The original movie was turned into a trilogy of films, but I have no intention of making a sequel even if the movie is a success. I also believe it'll be the last horror movie you'll see from me for a while.

Martin Scorsese will be directing a big-budget adaptation I wrote of the Greek tragedy 'Oedipus Rex.' It's a risky, highly ambitious project, but if it works, it should turn out well.

And finally, more news on 'The Goonies 2,' which Matt Kubrick will officially direct. It looks like it will come out next season.