Sylvester Stallone is close to starring in a remake of the vengeance-filled “Death Wish”. The original 1974 movie starred Charles Bronson as a revenge-driven family man out to stop the criminal element in New York City. The movie was a popular one for Brosnon and begat four sequels making it his most remembered role in his movie career. It also may have inadvertently inspired real-life vigilante Bernard Goetz to shoot his subway attackers in 1984 in a case that made international headlines.

Stallone would play the same part that was originated by Brosnan as well as direct the new “Death Wish”. The picture would be a joint partnership between MGM and Paramount Pictures. His next movie will be a new “Rambo” adventure which blasts into theaters in January 2008.

The Writers Guild of America is set to start striking today against Hollywood. The 12,000 member union is fighting for better pay from movie companies over DVD sales, online content and digital sales of movies which are a growing source of revenue for the companies. Writers voted last week to begin strike action on Monday but also held out hope that a settlement could have been reached over the weekend. Unfortunately talks broke down Sunday night and a strike seems now certain as writers turn off their computers and start picketing outside of movie studios.

Film producers had prepared in advance by stockpiling screenplays in case the strike goes on for a long time but television programming could be seriously harmed if it goes on for several weeks. American TV shows will feel the loss of writers as new episodes for the fall season can’t be produced and several shows where long-term storytelling is key such as “Lost”, “24” and “Heroes” could stand to lose their audiences as networks are forced to air repeats.

Even if the writers and producers can reach a compromise sooner rather than later they may find themselves in the same situation come July 2008. That’s when the contacts with the Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild of America are set to come up and both of their members may also go on strike. If that happens all production will roll to a halt and no new movies or television shows would be produced until both groups reach a settlement. Be prepared to watch a lot of reruns and catch up on your DVD watching!

Daniel Craig has signed a contract that will see him play the part of secret agent James Bond for many years to come. The reported deal between the blonde-haired actor and the Bond producers is supposed to be worth up to $60 million dollars and good for another four 007 movies to come. Craig is preparing to renew his license to kill a second time in the untitled 22^nd Bond film which begins filming shortly. The movie will be released a year from now.

If Daniel Craig does play Bond four more times that will be one more than the actor he inherited the role from, Pierce Brosnan. Sean Connery has played Bond 6 times but it’s Roger Moore who holds the record for the most outings as Bond, 7 times in a 12 year span.