Found-footage films are not a new concept; especially in horror movies where the idea goes all the way back to ‘1999’s The Blair Witch Project and has been utilized in such recent hits as Cloverfield, the Paranormal Activity franchise and The Devil Inside. However, two films in particular this year, Chronicle, and Project X, have pushed the envelope by incorporating the found-footage concept into entirely new film genres. With Warner Bros.’ Project X, the technique was used to illustrate a high school party movie, and with 20^th Century Fox’s Chronicle, which is available on Blu-Ray and DVD beginning May 15^th, the concept was fused with the super hero genre to great success as the film was an international box office hit.

First time director Josh Trank, along with screenwriter and childhood friend Max Landis, created a found-footage story about three friends who find something mysterious that gifts them with unthinkable super powers. The film follows Seattle high-school seniors Andrew (Dane DeHaan), his cousin Matt (Alex Russell), and Steve (Michael B. Jordan), as they form a close bond after receiving telekinetic abilities from an unknown object. The boys use their newfound abilities for mischief and personal gain until Andrew begins to utilize them for more nefarious purposes. Since the initial success of the film, Trank has been mentioned as a possible director for several upcoming comic book based films including a Fantastic Four reboot, a Venom Spin-off, and an adaptation of Image Comic’s The Red Star.

In honor of the Blu-ray and DVD release of the film, I recently had a chance to chat with director Josh Trank about Chronicle, as well as his rumored involvement in those upcoming comic book adapted film properties. Trank discussed his recent movie, developing the story with screenwriter Max Landis, marrying the super hero and found-footage genres, his actual cinematic inspirations for the film, what the studio wanted him to change, the technical aspects of directing a found-footage movie, and which comic book-based film he will direct next.

The most fun moments in the found footage superhero origin story Chronicle feature the young leads gleefully experimenting with their newfound telekinetic powers.  The trio of high school students played by Dane DeHaan, Michael B. Jordan, and Alex Russell, telekinetically hurl baseballs at each other, build Legos, and, eventually, move automobiles and learn to fly, all while enthusiastically guffawing at the camera and high-fiving.

Most movies involving superpowered characters are ridiculously costly affairs, but last month's Chronicle, a sort of found footage superheroic origin story, was far more cost effective.  The film was a pleasant surprise for critics and audiences, proving quite commercially successful over the last month.  For the film's younger director, Josh Trank, and writer, Max Landis, this has meant a huge jump in their respective profiles.  Now they're both lining up new projects, and Landis has signed on to write a Chronicle sequel for 20th Century Fox.

Just five years after the Marvel Comics character Venom made his theatrical debut to much derision in Spider-Man 3, Sony is rebooting the Spidey series with this summer's The Amazing Spider-Man.  With the studio seeming pretty confident about the new cinematic Spidey, it's also making moves towards a solo Venom movie.  According to a scoop at 24 Frames, Chronicle director Josh Trank is currently in negotiations to direct a theatrical Venom, news that raises some questions.

The found footage style has been limited almost exclusively to the horror genre, with the faux-real, shaky cam aesthetic lending itself to cheap jump scares and characters panting incessantly.  The new found footage feature Chronicle, though, eschews the horror trappings of The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity, and even Cloverfield.  Instead, Chronicle, grafts the now-ubiquitous superhero origin story onto the found footage gimmick.  A new, final trailer for the film, which arrives in theaters tomorrow, suggests that the combination could provide a jolt of life to the young found footage form.

Opening in theaters on February 3rd is the new science fiction movie Chronicle from first time feature film director Josh Trank, which was based on a script by Max Landis (the upcoming Good Time Gang). The movie utilizes two different yet popular film genres, found footage and superheroes, then combines them into one action-packed film full of spectacular special effects. The movie features an ensemble cast of up and coming young actors including Dane DeHaan (HBO's True Blood), Alex Russell (Wasted on the Young), Michael B. Jordan (HBO's The Wire), Ashley Hinshaw (the upcoming Cherry), as well as veteran actor Michael Kelly (The Adjustment Bureau). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had an chance to speak with actors Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, and Michael B. Jordan, as well as director Josh Trank about their work on Chronicle. The actors and director discussed the new film, combining the superhero and found footage genres, the anatomy of a villain, how the main characters come together and what tears them apart, and Trank's unique vision for the film. 

Synopsis: Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their darker sides begin to take over.