In 2009 director Ruben Fleisher made his feature film debut with the monster-sized hit Zombieland, which combined classic comedic beats with the zombie genre. The movie starred Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Woody Harrelson (Friends with Benefits), Emma Stone (Easy A), Abigail Breslin (Rango), and an unforgettable cameo from comedy legend Bill Murray (Ghostbusters). In just a few weeks fans will have a chance to witness Fleisher’s follow-up film 30 Minutes or Less, which once again stars Eisenberg, along with Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation), and Danny McBride (Your Highness).

Zombieland fans have been eagerly anticipating a sequel to the film practically since it was released and while there has been a lot of talk about the project, there has been no real movement on it. The four lead actors, as well as the director are all signed on for a sequel but the film’s writers Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, have yet to begin work on the script. Many thought that Zombieland 2 would be Fleisher’s next film after completing 30 Minutes, but with much of his original cast tied up on other projects, the director has instead opted to helm Gangster Squad with Ryan Gosling (Blue Valentine), Sean Penn (Milk), and Josh Brolin (Jonah Hex) next.

So the question still remains: When will Zombieland 2 begin production? Today I had the pleasure of speaking with director Ruben Fleisher on the phone while he was in New York promoting 30 Minutes or Less, which opens in theaters August 12th. While we were chatting about his new film, I took the opportunity to ask Fleisher what exactly is the current status of Zombieland 2 and unfortunately for fans of his first film, he did not seem optimistic that the sequel would be happening anytime soon.

“With Zombieland 2 it seems like as much as everyone would like to see that happen, it’s not happening anytime soon,” answered Fleisher. “At least not for me because I’m spoken for, for at least the next year. And I know Emma has Spider-Man commitments and whatnot so I think we all want to (do it) in theory but as each day passes it seems less and less possible.” I followed up by asking him if the delay also had to do with the script not being completed yet. “I think if we had a script that we all loved and we were ready to go make it, it would have been made,” Fleisher explained.

“I’m actually in pre production now on Gangster Squad and we start shooting in September,” he continued. I finished my conversation withFleisher by asking him to briefly describe his vision as a director forGangster Squad. “For me it is a huge opportunity because it’s not a comedy,” he said. “It’s a period piece. I guess it’s an action movie but it’s a classic gangster movie up there with The Untouchables, L.A. Confidential, and Chinatown. Its really just one of those iconic movies and I think for me its hugely exciting to get to work with those actors. To get to make a movie that is … if you think of like The Godfather, Goodfellas, Scarface, and all those other movies I mentioned that are gangster films, so for me to get to make one is a pretty unique and awesome opportunity.”

30 Minutes or Less opens in theaters everywhere on August 12th.

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When MTV News caught up with Reuben Fleischer last week, he was hanging out in a dusty junkyard outside downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was hardly a glamorous day on the set of a studio picture, but that was where Fleischer had chosen to make “30 Minutes or Less,” his follow-up to the $75.6 million-grossing “Zombieland.”

But, as he oversaw some wacky pyrotechnic displays at the junkyard, he was thinking about the direction for “Zombieland 2″ and shared some of his thoughts with us.

First off, Fleischer confirmed he’ll shoot the sequel with 3-D cameras, rather than use a controversial post-production process. “When it comes to 3-D, I feel pretty strongly that you should shoot it in camera,” he said. “I feel like it just looks so much better. If you’re going to make a 3-D movie, go ahead and make a 3-D movie. I would definitely, if we do ‘Zombieland 2,’ make it in 3-D and want to shoot it in 3-D.”

While no stars yet have deals in place, Fleischer said “all the cast is excited to return,” including Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin and Jesse Eisenberg, who also stars in “30 Minutes.” Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are currently at work on the script, and Fleischer said they’re exploring multiple scenarios, from a plot that picks up shortly after the conclusion of the first film to one that begins further into the future. Regardless, though, “Zombieland 2″ will likely explore pre-zombie days as well.

“One of the fun things about ‘Zombieland’ is it jumps all over the place in terms of the storyline,” Fleischer said. “It’ll go to before zombies to after zombies and all around those worlds. What’s fun about the sequel is we have freedom and flexibility to show different periods. We might have scenes before the zombies, or we might have some months after, or potentially stuff further down the road. Through the voice-over and the way the movie is structured, we can really explore all different sides of it.”

“Zombieland 2″ was announced as a 3-D film back in December, when the heady glow of “Avatar” began to consume all of Hollywood. In the months since, many 3-D films have failed to connect with audiences and a sort of 3-D fatigue has set in among many moviegoers. Yet, Fleischer is not worried about backlash, nor does he agree with what James Cameron said recently about how “Piranha 3-D,” a new horror movie, “cheapen[s] the medium.”

“I love 3-D” Fleischer said. “I have a hard time saying when it’s not done well, because I have almost a childlike experience watching 3-D. It’s just so cool to me when stuff comes out of the screen. That may sound naïve, but I really do like the way it looks.”

“Obviously, animation works terrific in 3-D,” he continued. “I thought ‘Avatar’ was a complete revolution. But I even love ‘My Bloody Valentine 3-D’ — the schlockier movies that are in 3-D. I think it’s cool to see stuff fly at your face. The idea of zombies splattering into the lens is exciting for me. I understand Mr. Cameron’s point as far as not overdoing it and not making it gimmicky. I still go for that stuff. That’s the part I’m excited about.”

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I have updated the gallery with the captures of Emma Stone from the special features that are on the “Zombieland” DVD! There are captures from the deleted scenes and two different making-of featurettes. Check them out by clicking on the thumbnails below!

I have just finished adding 898 HQ captures of Emma in her latest movie, “Zombieland”, into the photo gallery! I will be adding captures from the DVD special features next – but I wanted to get these up asap…

“Zombieland” is now for sale everywhere – so make sure you go and buy a copy (or two)!

“Zombieland” will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 2, 2010!

Special Features are to Include:
* Commentary with Actors Woody Harrelson & Jesse Eisenberg, Director Ruben Fleischer, Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick
* “In Search of Zombieland” featurette
* “Zombieland is Your Land” featurette
* Deleted scenes
* Visual Effects Progression Scenes
* Woke Up Dead Episode “Up and At ‘Em”
* Trailers

The Blu-ray version will include all of the special features above, but also a “Beyond the Graveyard” Behind the Scenes Picture-in-Picture Track, and a digital copy of the film.

In a recent chat with Moviehole, director Ruben Fleischer confirmed that Sony is indeed very interested in a sequel to Zombieland. The entire original cast consisting of Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin are also ready and willing, but the question is when?

“Whenever we crack it”, says Fleischer referring to the storyline for the next Zombieland outing, although Woody Harrelson has hinted he’d love either a Paris or Broadway backdrop. Fleischer also reveals that he’d like it to be in 3D because “the genre really lends itself to [3-D]“, especially with the advances in the technology over the course of the last few years.

You can read our interview with writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick right here where they talk about preliminary ideas to continue their story.

Meanwhile the first Zombieland will hit DVD shelves on February 2nd.

From Shock Till You Drop

You can vote for “Zombieland” to become an official nominee of the 2010 “People’s Choice Award” for Favorite Comedy Movie!

The top five nominees in each category will be revealed at the People’s Choice Awards annual press conference on November 10, 2009. Only those announced on November 10th have the chance to win a People’s Choice Award on January 6th, 2010.

You can vote at: peopleschoice.com/pca/nominations/vote.jsp?pollId=300002

This past weekend, millions of moviegoers were transported to the magical, horrific, bloodthirsty realm of “Zombieland.” But with fun-loving stars like Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone on screen, you know there’s got to be more to the story.

We recently caught up with a few of the last remaining humans on Earth to get some secrets on what was going on between the takes we saw this weekend. And they were eager to spill the brains — er, beans — on Quentin Tarantino’s influence, deleted kills that might make it onto the DVD and which zombie-hunter is most like President Obama.

People Die, Politics Lives Forever: Much of the humor in “Zombieland” is powered by the friendship between Woody’s Tallahassee and Jesse’s Columbus, a dynamic that they claim reminds them of our president and a certain high-profile heckler. “My character is like Obama,” Eiesenberg explained. “And he’s like the Joe Wilson of Zombieland.” Harrelson, however, disagreed. “I’m not sure I like that analogy,” he shot back. “Why can’t I be Obama?” Commenting on his character’s reluctance to directly confront his heckler, however, Eisenberg said that both Tallahassee and Wilson need to learn their lesson. “Obama knows to just sit it out,” he reasoned. “And my character knows: sit it out! [Tallahassee and Wilson] will be rebuked!” Conceded Harrelson: “I haven’t heard that word ‘rebuke’ in decades. I don’t get rebuked enough.”

More Kills to Come: Leaving “Zombieland,” you may have been marveling over the banjo scene or the rollercoaster kills — but according to the stars, they filmed plenty more that might be restored for the DVD. “[My favorite was] the butter knife to the jugular,” Woody offered. “Oh, I’m sorry. That’s not in there. They cut that. What else? The leaf blower! Oh no, they didn’t use that either, did they?”

The Bride of Zombieland: When it came time to kick ass, Emma Stone turned to a worthy mentor: Uma Thurman. “I’ve gotta be honest with you: I watched ‘Kill Bill,’ ” she said of her preparation before the film’s action scenes. “That was a big one.” Laughing, she added, “Ruben, the director, made this list that he e-mailed to me early on that was like, ‘You should watch “Terminator” and watch “Alien.” ‘ And I watched zero of them.”

What’s Better Than Splat?: There’s something viscerally satisfying about squashing a bug; according to Stone, the same feeling applies to murder after a zombie apocalypse. “My favorite kill is the part where we’re up on this ride,” she said of the film’s big finale, set on one of those rapidly dropping carnival rides. “Zombies are [climbing it], and I butt one in the head with the back of my shotgun. He falls 80 feet and splats on the ground!” Grinning, she added, “Shooting is one thing, but to really hit someone and they fall and splat? That’s a pretty satisfying crunch.”

From MTV