Lily Collins Poised to Star Opposite Anton Yelchin in ODD THOMAS
by Brendan Bettinger Posted: March 24th, 2011
Lily Collins (The Blind Side) is the frontrunner to play Stormy Llewellyn in a feature adaptation of the Dean Koontz novel Odd Thomas. Variety reports that Collins has emerged from a shortlist for the role that also included Emma Roberts, Kat Dennings, Portia Doubleday, and Addison Timlin. Anton Yelchin (Star Trek) stars as Thomas, “a short-order cook with clairvoyant abilities who encounters a mysterious man with a link to dark, threatening forces.” The story is set in a California desert town; Odd Thomas will shoot in Santa Fe, New Mexico in May under the direction of Stephen Sommers (G.I. Joe).
Read the book synopsis after the jump.
Zack Snyder Says "300" Sequel Script is Finished
Posted: March 25th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com StaffWe've been hearing that Zack Snyder (Watchmen, 300) would direct a sequel to "300" if Frank Miller ever penned a sequel to the original graphic novel. Miller did exactly that, and Snyder kept his word by getting to work on the script.
But then Snyder was hired to direct the upcoming "Superman" reboot and has found himself incredibly busy. MTV just caught up with him and asked for an updated on the "300" sequel, called "Xerxes."
"['300' co-writer Kurt Johnstadt] and I have finished the script," he confirmed. "We have a script and it would be cool to make it." When asked if he'll direct it, Snyder replied: "We'll see. If I have time."
Source: MTV
Tom Hooper Will Direct The Les Miserables Movie Musical
published: 2011-03-24 20:06:57 Author: Katey RichTom Hooper dutifully spent nearly six months promoting The King's Speech, turning the film from a festival darling into a Best Picture winner, and nabbing his own Best Director trophy in the process. Since February's Oscar ceremony Hooper has been keeping quiet and weighing his next move-- he wasn't attached to any new film before The King's Speech was released, but according to Deadline he may have finally figured out what he wants to do next.
As rumored back in February, around the same time he turned down the job of directing Iron Man 3, Hooper is making a deal at Universal to direct Les Miserables, an adaptation of the gigantic Broadway musical based on Victor Hugo's novel. There's no promise that it will definitely be his next film, but with production aiming to start before the year is over and a huge amount of pre-production required for a film this large, it kind of seems like the only choice.
The 1998 movie Les Miserables was only a take on the original Hugo story, which would make Hooper's film the first movie adaptation of the musical that's been running seemingly continuously worldwide since it opened in 1985. The epic story revolves around the French Revolution, focusing on the convict Jean Valjean-- arrested for stealing a loaf of bread-- and the dogged inspector, Javert, who wants him brought back to jail after breaking parole. Full of rousing speeches, plaintive ballads-- "On My Own," "Castle on a Cloud"-- and a showstopper attack on the Bastille, it's classic 1980s Broadway cheese, and yet, a story so large it kind of demands to be seen on the big screen.
Hooper has only two films behind him, the earlier one being The Damned United, and has no serious professional background in musical theater. But hey, the guy has an Oscar speaking to his talents, and nobody ever wants to invest in giant musicals anymore. If this is the next gamble Universal wants to take on an artist, I'll be happily singing along in the audience when it hits theaters. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Tom-Hooper-Will-Direct-The-Les-Miserables-Movie-Musical-23857.htmlPaul Giamatti Signs On And Amy Adams Being Courted For A Role In Rock Of Ages
published: 2011-03-24 15:00:32 Author: Eric EisenbergAfter the news came out yesterday that Warner Bros. would be releasing the Broadway musical adaptation of Rock of Ages onJune 1, 2012, director Adam Shankman sent out a Tweet saying, "I just heard the news: #rockofagesmovie is being released June 1, 2012. I guess I better start making it soon... Rehearsals start in 2 weeks." That could explain why two new bits of casting news just came up.
Deadline reports (in separate stories) is reporting that Paul Giamatti will be joining the cast and Amy Adams is being courted for a part in Rock of Ages. Giamatti will play the manager of Arsenal, the band led by Stacee Jax, who is being played by Tom Cruise; while Adams is being considered for the part that was offered to Anne Hathaway last month (who will be unavailable due to the fact that she will be playing with Batman in The Dark Knight Rises). Should the actress choose to accept the part, she will play a journalist who ends up sleeping with Jax.
While I'm not exactly what you'd call a "musical kind of guy," I must say that I am impressed by the names being put together so far. In addition to the above, Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, and Julianne Hough have all been locked in and it's hard for me to be too upset about a soundtrack that includes Twisted Sister, Journey and Pat Benatar. You have to wonder who will pop up next.http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Paul-Giamatti-Signs-On-And-Amy-Adams-Being-Courted-For-A-Role-In-Rock-Of-Ages-23852.html
