Photos of Christian Bale on the Set of Zhang Yimou’s 13 FLOWERS OF NANJING
by Brendan Bettinger Posted: April 18th, 2011
Principal photography on Zhang Yimou’s first multi-lingual film, 13 Flowers of Nanjing, began in January — tonight we have our first look at star Christian Bale in costume as “John.” (Evocative, no?) The film, based on the Yan Geling novel The 13 Women of Nanjing, centers on a group of refugees who find sanctuary in a church compound during the Sino-Japanese War: “The group, thrown together by the terrible chaos of war, risks their lives for the Church’s school children as they struggle to survive the violence and persecution brought on by the violent invasion of the city.”
Hit the jump to see the images and read more about 13 Flowers.
First, the official synopsis and production details:
13 Flowers of Nanjing is set in 1937 in Nanjing, China during Sino-Japanese War, where a few brave refugees find sanctuary in a Church compound. The group, thrown together by the terrible chaos of war, risks their lives for the Church’s school children as they struggle to survive the violence and persecution brought on by the violent invasion of the city. Through tremendous adversity, heroism presents itself among the least likely individuals as they bravely navigate their treacherous surroundings to try and save themselves and each other. 13 Flowers of Nanjing is a story of heroism and love: for those around you, for one’s family, and the love between an unlikely couple which fate brings together. Christian Bale will play John, an American, trapped thousands of miles from home and seemingly, with nowhere to turn.
Produced by Zhang Weiping and Bill Kong, the film will incorporate both Chinese and English dialog into its narrative. Zhang Yimou will be reuniting with Beijing New Pictures and Edko Films Limited for the project. David Linde will executive produce. The team has also tapped Xiaoding Zhao as director of photography (House of Flying Daggers, Curse of the Golden Flower); renown special effects supervisor Joss Williams (Aliens, The Bourne Ultimatum, Munich); production designer Yohei Taneda (Kill Bill Vol. 1); composer Qigang Chen (Under The Hawthorn Tree); production and costume designer William Chang (In The Mood of Love, 2047) ; and costume designer Graciela Mazon (The Legend of Zorro, From Dusk Till Dawn).
Sylvester Stallone Says He Will NOT Direct "The Expendables 2"
Posted: April 18th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
Back in March, LA Times learned that Sylvester Stallone may not return to direct "The Expendables" sequel, despite making plans to reprise his role in the film. Then earlier this month, Lionsgate denied the report and confirmed that Stallone will be back behind the camera.
And now, Deadline has heard directly from Stallone that he will NOT be directing the sequel. Instead, he is heavily involved in putting together a list of directors to helm the second installment.
At this point, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren and Terry Crews are all set to return, but don't have deals in place. Stallone, meanwhile, is in talks with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis to expand their roles.
Source: Deadline
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Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21367&count=0 Jason Statham to Star in "Parker" Thriller
Posted: April 18th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
Jason Statham is in negotiations to star in "Parker" thriller, to be directed by Taylor Hackford (Ray, The Devil's Advocate) from a script by John McLaughlin (Black Swan).
The film is based on the book series by Donald Westlake and revolves around a thief who, though at times is forced to be a killer, still lives by a code of honor that includes never stealing money from people who need it. His word is his bond, and if he is crossed he will strike back relentlessly.
"I don't want to get stuck in a genre," said Hackford about why he took the project. "What I like the most about this piece of material is that you can take a genre piece like this and turn it into a great movie."
"Parker" will be shopped at the Cannes Film Festival next month.
Source: Variety
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Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21363&count=0 Thomas Jane in Sylvester Stallone's "Headshot"
Posted: April 18th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
It was recently reported that Sylvester Stallone has brought on director Walter Hill (48 Hrs, The Warriors) to direct his upcoming "Headshot" movie.
In it, Stallone's character teams with a young NYPD detective in a high-stakes investigation that leads from the back alleys of New Orleans all the way to Washington, DC. The unlikely duo, brought together by two vicious murders, take on all who stand in their way, and are willing to sacrifice everything to exact revenge.
AITH has now learned that Thomas Jane (The Mist, Punisher) has signed to play the NYPD detective. "He's a hitman, I'm a cop, and we're just opposite in every f*cking way, and we need each other to get this job done," said the actor. "And of course I'm like, 'As soon as this job's over, I'm going to take you to jail, you know, you're a killer.'"
Filming is set to begin next month in Louisiana and New York.
Source: AITH
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Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21365&count=0Jim Carrey's New "Mr. Popper's Penguins" Trailer
Posted: April 18th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
Today we have an international trailer for Jim Carrey's upcoming "Mr Popper's Penguins" comedy, which is directed by Mark Waters (Mean Girls) and is set to hit theaters on June 17th. Check out the trailer below.
Plot: Tom Popper (Carrey) is a New York real estate developer who tears down beloved landmarks and erects skyscrapers in their place. His one-track mind leaves him estranged from his family, including his wife (Carla Gugino), who has divorced him and moved on to a new relationship.
And for years Popper has been out of contact with his "kooky" father, who leaves him with an unusual inheritance: a penguin. The bewildered Popper registers a complaint which is met with the arrival of another five birds.
The penguins manage to crack Mr. Popper's cold exterior, and soon he's cranking up the air conditioning in his stylish apartment, rolling up the rugs and piling on extra layers of clothes to make his new guests more comfortable.
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Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21368&count=0"Cloverfield" Helmer to Direct "The Passage" Vampire Film
Posted: April 18th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
We recently reported that Matt Reeves (Let Me In, Cloverfield) had signed on to direct a remake of John Carpenter's "They Live," based on Ray Nelson's short story "8 O'Clock in the Morning."
And now comes word that he will also direct "The Passage," based on the best-selling Justin Cronin novel and about an experiment that goes awry and creates a swarm of bloodthirsty vampires that brings the world to the brink of extinction.
In "The Passage," a group of terminally ill cancer patients get healthy after being subjected to the bites of bats in South America. Naturally, the government see this as a cure for the disease and starts experimenting. They end up with a legion of nearly indestructible, telepathic vampire masters that begin infecting the populace.
The tone is similar to "28 Days Later" and is very different from "Let Me In," Reeves' last film which was also about vampires.
Source: Deadline
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Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21364&count=0 Is James Franco's "The Stare" the Next "Black Swan"?
Posted: April 18th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
James Franco and Winona Ryder have signed on for "The Stare," a drama to be directed by Jay Anania that sounds very similar to Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan," which Ryder also starred in. The film will begin shooting on May 6th in New York.
"The Stare" revolves around a playwright (Ryder) who finds her mind beginning to warp as she struggles to launch her next production. She's plagued by dreams and visions of being watched, but can't decide if she's at the center of a manipulative plot or simply losing her grip on reality. Franco plays one of the performers in the playwright's production.
Franco has previously worked with Anania last year in "Shadows and Lies," which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Source: Deadline
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Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21366&count=0 John Travolta's "Gotti" Biopic Loses Director
Posted: April 18th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
During a recent press conference for "Gotti: Three Generations," John Travolta, Lindsay Lohan and director Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook, John Q) showed up along with the Gotti family to talk about their upcoming film.
Now comes word that Cassavetes has dropped out due to a scheduling conflict. Producers are now seeking a new director and remain on track to go into production in New York in the fall.
John Gotti Jr. was the flamboyant head of the Gambino crime family who spent the last decade of his life in prison. In his last visit to his father, the son said he was ending his life of crime and getting out of the family business.
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