***New Prometheus Set Photos Scream H.R. Giger ***Wendell Pierce And Clifton Collins Jr. Join Jason Statham In Parker ***Adam Sandler Will Play Dracula For the Creator Of Samurai Jack ***Zombieland 2 Isn't Dead But Jesse Eisenberg Isn't Sure It's Still Relevant ***Man of Steel Set Construction Photos from Plano, Illinois ***Animal Farm Coming from Andy Serkis and Director Rupert Wyatt? ***Prometheus Cave Set Photos

New Prometheus Set Photos Scream H.R. Giger

published: 2011-07-05 16:45:56 Author: Eric Eisenberg
Before Ridley Scott's Alien Prequel morphed into Prometheus it was reported that H.R. Giger, the famous surrealist painter who designed the look of the xenomorphs in Scott's 1979 classic, would be lending his design skills to the new production. Then the nature of the project changed, but over the last few months there has been much debate as to whether or not the new film is still a prequel or not and given the look of these new set photos, I'd say that the two universes are still very much connected.

Posted over on Alien Prequel News (via Rope of Silicon) the two new photos would scream the word "GIGER" if they had mouths. As you probably could expect, there's a lot of variations on the color black, it looks like there are limbs growing out of the walls, and everything seems to be going with a "human spine" flavor. My favorite thing about these photos, though, is the scale. In the picture below you can see a chair under the archway, and unless that's an incredibly small chair, that archway is probably about 20 feet tall at the middle.

Check out the image below and head over to Alien Prequel News for the other.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/New-Prometheus-Set-Photos-Scream-H-R-Giger-25538.html

Wendell Pierce And Clifton Collins Jr. Join Jason Statham In Parker

published: 2011-07-05 16:16:08 Author: Sean O'Connell
Character actors Clifton Collins Jr. (Star Trek, Capote) and the intrepid Wendell Pierce (HBO’s Treme and The Wire) have signed on for roles in Taylor Hackford’s adaptation of Parker, Variety reports.

Hackford hasn’t pushed himself too hard since collecting a Best Director Oscar nomination for the 2004 musical biopic Ray with Jamie Foxx. Outside of the little-seen Love Ranch, with his beautiful bride Helen Mirren, the Oscar winner has been content to wait for the right project. Now it sounds like he’s ready to climb back behind the camera, and he’s acquiring a fine cast for a crime-thriller with a Robin Hood hook.

Parker, which is in pre-production, stars Jason Statham as a career thief whose code of honor won’t allow him to steal from people who need the money more than he does. The character was conceived by novelist Donald E. Westlake, who wrote 24 Parker stories under the pseudonym Richard Stark. Over the years, actors ranging from Mel Gibson to Lee Marvin have played Parker (or a variation of the character) in films like Payback and Point Blank. Aside from Collins Jr. and Pierce, Statham also will be joined by pop superstar and American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez.

While Parker sounds like a straight up genre film, particularly with Statham in the lead, the inclusion of outstanding character actors in supporting roles and the placement of Hackford behind the lens means the film has the potential to rise above standard action fare. Could it climb into the Oscar race like similar efforts The Departed or Gone Baby Gone? We’ll know more when the film reaches theaters in 2012. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Wendell-Pierce-And-Clifton-Collins-Jr-Join-Jason-Statham-In-Parker-25537.html

Adam Sandler Will Play Dracula For the Creator Of Samurai Jack

published: 2011-07-05 13:17:15 Author: Josh Tyler
Adam Sandler is preparing to get in on the vampire craze, sort of. He’s been hired to play Count Dracula in a new 3D family comedy. Not looking forward to seeing the Sand-man with fangs? Don’t worry, it’s a cartoon.

The film is the latest from Sony Pictures Animation, the people behind Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. It’s called Hotel Transylvania and since it’s directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, this could be really, really good. Tartakovsky is the mind behind such brilliant pieces of animation as the underrated series Samurai Jack. Putting him to work with the people who did Cloudy seems like a perfect fit. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs stands tall as one of the best animated movies released in recent years, I’d put it up there on a deservedly lofty plateau with Toy Story 3 and How to Train Your Dragon.

Here's Sony's official description of Hotel Transylvania:

Welcome to the Hotel Transylvania, Dracula's (Sandler) lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free from meddling from the human world. But here's a little known fact about Dracula: he is not only the Prince of Darkness; he is also a dad. Over-protective of his teenage daughter, Mavis, Dracula fabricates tales of elaborate dangers to dissuade her adventurous spirit. As a haven for Mavis, he opens the Hotel Transylvania, where his daughter and some of the world's most famous monsters – Frankenstein and his bride, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves, and more – can kick back in safety and peace. For Drac, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem – but his world could come crashing down when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis.

I’m less certain about Sandler as the voice of Count Dracula, than I am about this project in general. Presumably this will be a family-friendly, not so scary version of the Count which seems like something Sandler should be able to do. Adam Sandler is great as a live-action cartoon after all, why not make him an animated one? But the Zohan doesn’t have much of a voice work track record. About the only animated work he’s done is in Eight Crazy Nights where, truth be told, I never thought he was very good.

Adam’s providing a voice for one of the monkeys in Zookeeper this weekend, if you’re unfortunate enough to see that movie pay attention to the sounds coming out the mouth of an ape named “Donald”.

UPDATE! David Spade and Kevin James have also joined the cast along with Cee Lo Green, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, Fran Drescher and Andy Samberg.  http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Adam-Sandler-Will-Play-Dracula-For-the-Creator-Of-Samurai-Jack-25534.html

Zombieland 2 Isn't Dead But Jesse Eisenberg Isn't Sure It's Still Relevant

published: 2011-07-05 12:48:07 Author: Josh Tyler
After the surprise box office success of Zombieland in 2009, everyone involved was quick to promise a sequel. Then everyone involved immediately ran off and did other things, managing to find ways not to work on Zombieland 2 at all. It’s kind of like what happened with Star Trek, except Star Trek is Star Trek and that material will be relevant no matter how long it takes them to make the next one. Zombieland 2 on the other hand, maybe not.

Word is that they are now working on some sort of Zombieland sequel script, but star Jesse Eisenberg is starting to sound increasingly less interested in doing it. The thing is, since Zombieland he’s become kind of a big deal, thanks to The Social Network. More than that, he seems to get that there’s an expiration date on how long people will be interested in seeing a sequel to their little zombie film.

Here’s how Eisenberg explained what’s up with Zombieland 2 in an interview with Little White Lies.

They’re writing the script right now but I haven’t seen it and I suspect that the longer we wait, the less relevant it will be. I mean, all the actors would love to do it and the director would love to do it but I’m not sure what’s happening.

That doesn’t sound very hopeful. Couple that with the news from a few months ago that Woody Harrelson is kind of out on the whole thing, and we might be better off leaving Zombieland 2 in the grave. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Zombieland-2-Isn-t-Dead-But-Jesse-Eisenberg-Isn-t-Sure-It-s-Still-Relevant-25533.html


Man of Steel Set Construction Photos from Plano, Illinois
Jul 6, 2011 by Courtney O.

Take a glimpse at some photos of the Man of Steel set constructions in Plano, Illinois, courtesy of Superman Homepage. Take a look at the sets below!

"It actually changes every day," Mayor Bob Hausler said. "They're doing a fast job of constructing their buildings for their sets." http://www.movieweb.com/news/man-of-steel-set-construction-photos-from-plano-illinois

 

 

Animal Farm Coming from Andy Serkis and Director Rupert Wyatt?

Jul 6, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is gearing up for release on August 5, which features Andy Serkis portraying the ape leader Caesar using motion-capture technology. It seems Andy Serkis may team up with Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt on a new adaptation of the George Orwell classic novel Animal Farm.

Both Andy Serkis and Rupert Wyatt discussed using motion-capture techniques to put a new spin on Animal Farm, which was adapted twice before. The 1954 Animal Farm was an animated version, while the Jim Henson Company produced Animal Farm as a TV movie in 1999. The story centers on a group of animals who rise up against their human owners, only to find their system of "equality" to slant more and more towards a totalitarian system.
This new version is likely still quite a ways off, since there doesn't seem to be a screenwriter attached, and this potential project will also likely hinge on how well Rise of the Planet of the Apes does at the box office next month.

http://www.movieweb.com/news/animal-farm-coming-from-andy-serkis-and-director-rupert-wyatt

20 april; HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Born Today

Shemar Moore (41)

 

Jessica Lange (62)

 

 

George Takei (74)

 

 

Andy Serkis(47)

 

 

Crispin Glover (47)

 

 

Carmen Electra 39

 

 

Miranda Kerr 28

 

http://www.imdb.com/search/name?birth_monthday=04-20

***Release Date for ONE DAY Starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess Moved to July ***Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen Join THE HOBBIT ***Principal Photography Begins on Zhang Yimou’s 13 FLOWERS OF NANJING Starring Christian Bale

Release Date for ONE DAY Starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess Moved to July

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 10th, 2011

Lest you think the summer is just for big budget movies about fighting robots, Focus Features has moved the release date of their romantic comedy One Day up to July 8^th. The film stars Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess and marks the much anticipated follow up of An Education director Lone Scherfig. We brought you the first images from the film back in December. One Day “follows two friends who meet during their graduation in 1998 and reunite only on the anniversary of that day for the next 20 years.” Variety reported the schedule move for the film, which was originally going to be released in the fall.

The release date move pits the film against The Zookeeper starring Kevin James and Katherine Heigl’s new “comedy” One for the Money, in which she’s probably very unlikeable. The film opens only one week after Transformers: The Dark of the Moon hits theaters (on Fourth of July weekend, of course), and one week before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is released.

http://collider.com/one-day-release-date/69305/

Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen Join THE HOBBIT

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 10th, 2011

Hot off the heels of the news that Elijah Wood will be reprising his role as Frodo in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit movies, Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen are now set to reprise their roles of Gollum and Gandalf the Wizard, respectively, from The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  In addition to the casting of Serkis, Deadline reports that Christopher Lee (Saruman) and Ian Holm (old Bilbo Baggins) are also in talks to return to Middle Earth once again.

THR broke the news of McKellen’s return, and reports that the offer for Orlando Bloom to return as Legolas is still out, but it’s not yet known if a deal can be made before the film starts shooting. Production on both 3D films is set to begin in February in New Zealand. Martin Freeman stars as young Bilbo Baggins, with Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving also confirmed to appear. The Hobbit Part I is scheduled to be released in December 2012, with The Hobbit Part II set to follow in December 2013.

http://collider.com/andy-serkis-ian-mckellen-the-hobbit-movie/69296/

Principal Photography Begins on Zhang Yimou’s 13 FLOWERS OF NANJING Starring Christian Bale

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 10th, 2011

Principal photography has begun on Zhang Yimou’s first multi-lingual film, 13 Flowers of Nanjing (formerly Nanjing Heroes).  As we previously reported, likely future Oscar-winner Christian Bale will play an American trapped in a Church compound in Nanjing, China during the Sino-Japanese war.  The film is Yimou’s follow-up to the curious A Woman, a Gun, and a Noodle Shop, and Under the Hawthorn Tree, the latter of which has yet to be released in the U.S.  Bale is also reportedly attached to star The Last Photograph, and, of course, The Dark Knight Rises.

Hit the jump for the full press release, which includes a synopsis for 13 Flowers of Nanjing.

Here’s the press release:

PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BEGINS ON ACCLAIMED FILMMAKER ZHANG YIMOU’S FIRST MULTI-LINGUAL FILM

13 FLOWERS OF NANJING STARRING CHRISTIAN BALE

HONG KONG – January 10, 2010 – Principal photography has begun at Nanjing Studios outside of Nanjing, China on 13 Flowers of Nanjing starring Christian Bale, the next film from master filmmaker Zhang Yimou.

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).

Director Zhang Yimou is one of the most renowned Chinese directors working today.  He has won countless international awards and honors during the span of his career for films like Raise the Red Lantern, To Live, Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and Red Sorghum, the first film he directed in 1987.  In 2008, he directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Currently, versatile and renowned actor Christian Bale is receiving rave reviews for his portrayal of Dicky Eklund in The Fighter, where he stars alongside Mark Wahlberg for director David O’Russell. Bale’s acting credits also include both commercial and critically lauded films such as Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Terminator Salvation, The Machinist, Rescue Dawn, 3:10 to Yuma, American Psycho, Metroland and Velvet Goldmine among many others.

Yimou, Kong and Linde previously worked together on Yimou’s House of Flying Daggers and the Oscar® nominated action film Hero which grossed over $200 million worldwide.  Kong and Linde have a long relationship working together in both distribution and production including Ang Lee’s four-time Oscar winning film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon which grossed over $120 million domestically.

http://collider.com/principal-photography-begins-on-zhang-yimous-13-flowers-of-nanjing-starring-christian-bale/69236/

***Elijah Wood Confirmed for THE HOBBIT ***Elijah Wood to Cameo in THE HOBBIT? Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Orlando Bloom In Talks As Well ***Armie Hammer Offers Details on Clint Eastwood’s J. EDGAR

Elijah Wood Confirmed for THE HOBBIT

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 7th, 2011

Yesterday, we told you about the rumor that Elijah Wood would possibly be appearing in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit films. For once, it looks like the rumors may be true. Wood is apparently now set to reprise his role as Frodo Baggins in both films. We now even know in what capacity he will appear, but since many of you want to remain spoiler-free, we’ll leave that until after the jump.

Wood joins Ian McKellan, Andy Serkis and Orlando Bloom on the growing list of actors from the Lord of the Rings trilogy that are reportedly in talks to appear in Jackson’s Hobbit films. Hit the jump for the details of Frodo’s involvement.

Again, if you want to remain free and clear from plot points regarding The Hobbit, stop reading now.

TheOneRing.net reports that Frodo will apparently appear in the opening sequence of each of The Hobbit films, setting the flicks up as a frame story. As the audience is being told the tale of Bilbo Baggins’ adventures, Frodo will be hearing the story as well. Personally, I think this is a great way for Jackson to bridge The Hobbit films with his LOTR trilogy. Wood’s appearance should serve as nice bookends, and I can only assume that if he appears at the end of the second film I’ll have a burning desire to rush home and throw on The Fellowship of the Ring as quickly as possible.

Not only does this provide an accessible frame story through which the audience can be told Bilbo’s story, it also paves the way for more actors from LOTR to appear in The Hobbit, should Jackson choose to do so. There’s been no confirmation of fellow hobbits Sean Astin, Dominic Monahan or Billy Boyd making an appearance, but it remains a feasible possibility.

So far, the only actors from the LOTR trilogy that have been confirmed to appear in The Hobbit are Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving. Martin Freeman stars as Bilbo Baggins and Howard Shore is returning to score the films.  The Hobbit Part I is scheduled to be released in December 2012, with The Hobbit Part II set to follow in December 2013. Peter Jackson will shoot the films in 3D using the new RED EPIC cameras. Click here to catch up on all things Hobbit.

http://collider.com/elijah-wood-the-hobbit-2/68683/

Elijah Wood to Cameo in THE HOBBIT? Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Orlando Bloom In Talks As Well

by Jeff Ames    Posted: January 6th, 2011

Will Elijah Wood be in The Hobbit? According to Deadline the answer might be a resounding yes. File this under rumor for now, but supposedly conversations have opened up between the Lord of the Rings star and Warner Bros. regarding a possible Frodo cameo. Not surprisingly, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Orlando Bloom are said to be in talks to join Martin Freeman and the ever expanding cast in the much anticipated return to Middle Earth. Of course, every Hobbit fan knows of Gandalf’s and Gollum’s importance to the prequel story, but the tale occurred long before Frodo was a wee lad so where he’ll figure into the proceedings remains anyone’s guess.

In related news from earlier today, Warner Bros. will oversee worldwide distribution of The Hobbit and cover the entire cost of the prequels, which is said to exceed $500 million. How’s that for a Hobbit’s tale?

The first Hobbit film, directed by Peter Jackson, is scheduled for December 2012; part two will follow in December 2013.  Hit the jump for a synopsis from of J. R. R. Tolkien’s book.

Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit, is a peaceful sort of cozy hole in the Shire, a place where adventures are uncommon and rather unwanted. So when the wizard Gandalf whisks him away on a treasure hunting expedition with a troop of rowdy dwarves, he’s not entirely thrilled. Encountering ruthless trolls, beastly orcs, gigantic spiders, and hungry wolves, Bilbo discovers within himself astonishing strength and courage. And at the ultimate confrontation with the fearsome dragon Smaug, the hobbit will brave the dangers of dark and dragon fire alone and unaided. [Amazon]

http://collider.com/elijah-wood-the-hobbit/68626/

Armie Hammer Offers Details on Clint Eastwood’s J. EDGAR

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 7th, 2011

While the filmmakers and cast of The Social Network are making the obligatory pre-Oscar press rounds right now, it’s prime time to get some info on their upcoming projects. Armie Hammer has done just that, as he recently offered up some details on Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar Hoover biopic J. Edgar. Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly attached to play the title character, with Hammer taking on the role of Hoover’s lover and confidant Clyde Toulson. Apparently the film will span a number of years, with Hammer and DiCaprio donning old-age makeup. Hammer had this to say:

I’m playing Toulson up to his elderly age! Makeup stuff comes within the next couple weeks. We’re definitely doing a lot of wardrobe stuff right now, but the makeup stuff we haven’t done yet.

For more details on the Dustin Lance Black (Milk)-scripted film, including plot points and who Judi Dench is playing, hit the jump.

A couple weeks ago, we told you that Judi Dench had joined the cast in an unspecified role. In speaking with Vulture, Hammer confirmed her addition to the cast and said that she’ll be playing Hoover’s mother. “Really perfect,” Hammer said of her casting.

Apparently, the story mainly follows Hoover and Toulson as young men, but several flash forwards will be scattered throughout the film that show the two as old men in their seventies.  While initially only colleagues, Hoover and Toulson will share an onscreen kiss following an altercation, which then leads to Hoover bringing Toulson in as the FBI director’s right-hand man.

Personally, I’m very much excited to see what Eastwood does with this material. The talent involved is incredible: screenwriter Lance Black won the Oscar for his screenplay for Milk, DiCaprio is one of the greatest actors of his generation, and Hammer showed unbelievable promise in The Social Network. Charlize Theron has also reportedly been offered the role of Hoover’s secretary. Production on J. Edgar is set to begin next month, and with the fast pace at which Eastwood works, it’s feasible that the film could hit theaters by the end of this year.

http://collider.com/armie-hammer-j-edgar/68710/