This week we found out that Machete Kills, the sequel to 2010's exasperatingly over the top Machete, is tentatively set to begin production in April under the direction of Robert Rodriguez, who is partnering with producer Alexander Rodnyansky on the sure to be ridiculous enterprise. 

Danny Trejo is in talks to reprise the title role, and today there's further proof that Machete Kills is close to becoming an actual movie, thanks to some sales artwork that's made its way online.

Opening in U.S. theaters on May 6th, is the new exploitation film Hobo with a Shotgun directed by Jason Eisner. The movie is based on a fake trailer that Eisner made for an international contest to promote the release of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's double feature Grindhouse. The film stars veteran actor Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner, Ladyhawke, Sin City, Batman Begins), as well as Gregory Smith (The Patriot), Molly Dunsworth (Deeply),  Brian Downey (Lexx), and Robb Wells (Boondock Saints 2). We recently had a chance to sit down and speak with director Jason Eisner about his new film; its over-the-top violence, entering the Grindhouse trailer contest, working with his childhood hero Rutger Hauer, and a possible sequel.

SYNOPSIS:

A train pulls into the station ... it’s the end of the line. A Hobo (Rutger Hauer) jumps from a freight car, hoping for a fresh start in a new city. Instead, he finds himself trapped in an urban hell. This is a world where criminals rule the streets and Drake (Brian Downey), the city’s crime boss, reigns supreme alongside his sadistic murderous sons, Slick & Ivan (Gregory Smith and Nick Bateman) . Amidst the chaos, the Hobo comes across a pawn shop window displaying a second hand lawn mower. He dreams of making the city a beautiful place and starting a new life for himself. But as the brutality continues to rage around him, he notices a shotgun hanging above the lawn mower. Quickly, he realizes the only way to make a difference in this town is with that gun in his hand and two shells in its chamber.

To watch our exclusive interview with Jason Eisner about Hobo with a Shotgun, please click on the video player above.

Hobo with a Shotgun opens in U.S. theaters on May 6th.

Based on this thoroughly red band trailer for Hobo with a Shotgun, the film could feasibly consist entirely of grizzled one-liners and huge blood-splatter effects. Seriously, there's enough splatter that you'll feel like you should be wearing a raincoat.  Rutger Hauer, who you should recognize from Blade Runner, Sin City, The Hitcher, Batman Begins, and Split Second brings the titular hobo to life in this loving homage to the Grindhouse spirit and the ridiculous, low budget B-movies for which you may remember adjusting the 'tracking' on your 'VCR' to play 'recorded videocassettes'.  Check out the trailer, courtesy of IGN, via Badass Digest.

Danny Trejo has always been one of the coolest guys making movies. Whether he is trying to make nice with Michael Myers in Rob Zombie’s Halloween or just simply kicking ass in Predators, he always steals the show. And that’s not even counting Machete.

From the faux-trailer in Grindhouse to a movie all his own, everybody knows Machete. And now, with the Blu-ray and DVD finally available [as of Tuesday, January 4], he will become an even bigger legend. The only person who could’ve brought this character to life is Mr. Trejo.

Hobo With a Shotgun is heading to theatres!

Magnet Releasing recently picked up the U.S. distribution rights to the genre flick. They plan for a 2011 release.

In Shotgun, genre favorite Rutger Hauer (The Hitcher, Blade Runner) stars as a homeless vigilante ready to raise some hell. The film will have its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January as part of its Midnight section.

Are you ready for Machete?

Lovers of old-school grindhouse cinema can surely appreciate the over-the-top antics that fill the trailer, and undoubtedly will be a major part of this sick looking flick (“sick” as in muther f*cking awesome btw).

So this week, iamROGUE takes a look at the top 10 reasons why we’re excited to see Machete.

With A-list stars and a B-movie look, Machete looks like a must-see.

Robert Rodriguez's film, which started as a humble fake trailer in Rodriguez's and Tarantino's Grindhouse, has now been expanded to the big screen. Like Grindhouse, it looks sickeningly violent and horrifyingly satisfying. I can hardly wait until its September 3 release. Synopsis and trailer are below.