***Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Katherine Heigl, and Amanda Seyfried Sign for Indie Comedy GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM ***Andrew Niccol Once Again Set to Direct THE HOST **Casting Call: Penelope Cruz and Emile Hirsch Are TWICE BORN; Jeff Garlin and Mary Lynn Rajskub Join SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED; Three More to SKINNY DIP

Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Katherine Heigl, and Amanda Seyfried Sign for Indie Comedy GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 12th, 2011 at 12:58 pm

Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Katherine Heigl, and Amanda Seyfried are set to star in the indie comedy Gently Down the Stream for writer-director Justin Zackham (The Bucket List). According to Variety, “De Niro and Keaton play a long-divorced couple who, for the sake of their adopted son’s wedding and his biological mother, pretend they are still married. They quickly learn that acting the part isn’t easy, especially when their past, present and future unravel for all to see.” While all these actors have done good work (and in De Niro and Keaton’s case, unforgettable work) in the past, these days the presence of De Niro and Heigl is like putting a giant “Warning: This Movie Will Likely Be Terrible” sign on the poster. You can dismiss my negativity, but how many terrible films do you need to see them in before you say “I see a disturbing pattern developing.”
But hey, maybe this will break the streak. Now Lucy, get ready for me to kick that football. Production begins this July in Greenwich, Connecticut.
http://collider.com/de-niro-keaton-heigl-seyfried-gently-down-the-stream/90510/






Andrew Niccol Once Again Set to Direct THE HOST
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 12th, 2011 at 2:15 pm


Andrew Niccol (Gattaca) was once attached to write and direct the adaptation of Stephanie Meyer’s novel The Host. However, while Niccol completed the screenplay, he decided to make his next directorial feature the sci-fi flick Next (formerly titled I’M.Mortal, then titled Now, and according to Deadline, now titled “Next“). But with shooting on Next completed, Niccol has now returned to The Host and will direct from his original screenplay. As we previously reported, Saoirse Ronan has signed on to star as Melanie Stryder, a young freedom fighter in a post-apocalyptic Earth who’s implanted with an alien life form known as a “Soul”. The “Soul” (named “Wanderer”) wants the location of the woman’s compatriots, but instead begins to become overwhelmed with Melanie’s memories and emotions and starts to connect with her host’s old life, including a romantic entanglement with Melanie’s boyfriend. I’ll leave it for you to decide if that counts as cheating on the boyfriend’s part.
Niccol’s Next or Now or whatever-the-hell-it’s-called stars Amanda Seyfried, Justin Timberlake, and Cillian Murphy and is set to open on October 28th. The Host is currently picking up financing at Cannes. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.
http://collider.com/andrew-niccol-direct-the-host/90520/








Casting Call: Penelope Cruz and Emile Hirsch Are TWICE BORN; Jeff Garlin and Mary Lynn Rajskub Join SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED; Three More to SKINNY DIP
by Jackson Cresswell Posted: May 12th, 2011 at 2:43 pm

We have three bits of casting news to bring you way this afternoon. First up, writer/director Sergio Castellitto (perhaps best-known to American audiences for his role as Miraz in Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian) added a pair of A-list names to his latest project. According to ScreenDaily, Penelope Cruz and Emile Hirsch have agreed to star in Venuto al Mondo aka Twice Born for our English-speaking readers. The film, a drama based on a novel, tells the story of a single mother (probably played by Cruz) who brings her son to Saravejo, where his father died fighting in the Bosnian war years ago. There’s no word yet on what role Hirsch will play, but expect it to be a major one.
Next, and on a more comedic note, Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Mary Lynn Rajskub, whose probably best-known for her role as Chloe on 24 have joined the growing cast of Safety Not Guaranteed, along with lesser-known actors Lynn Shelton, Karan Soni, and Jenica Bergere. Safety not Guaranteed is based on a true story… well, a true classified ad and tells the story of three reporters investigating an ad seeking a partner for a time traveling mission. According to the press release, one of the investigators(Aubrey Plaza) develops feelings for the “paranoid but compelling loner.” Big Beach, the company behind Little Miss Sunshine is producing along with the Duplass Bros.
For our final piece of casting news, hit the jump to learn about Pam Grier, Michael Madsen, and Brigitte Nelson joining Skinny Dip.
http://collider.com/penelope-cruz-emile-hirsch-twice-born-jeff-garlin-mary-lynn-rajskub-safety-not-guaranteed-skinny-dip/90521/

**HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET Starring Jennifer Lawrence Set for February 3, 2012 **New Image from THE IRON LADY Starring Meryl Streep and Jim Broadbent **Ralph Fiennes in Talks to Play Magwitch in Mike Newell’s GREAT EXPECTATIONS; BOND 23 Talks Still Ongoing **Emile Hirsch Joins Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES

New Image from THE IRON LADY Starring Meryl Streep and Jim Broadbent

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 22nd, 2011

A new image from the Margaret Thatcher biopic The Iron Lady has gone online.  The film stars Meryl Streep (apparently gunning for Oscar nomination #15) as Thatcher and Jim Broadbent as Thatcher’s husband Denis.  The film also stars Alexandra Roach, Harry Lloyd, and Olivia Colman.  Footage from the film, which will show how Thatcher dominated Britain’s political landscape in her role as the country’s prime minister, is set to be screened for potential buyers at Cannes.  The movie currently has distribution in the UK, but presumably a U.S. distributor will pick it up at Cannes.  The real question is whether or not it will hit theaters next year or if it will be held for the 2012 Oscars.  As for folks in the UK, you’ll see the film on January 6, 2012.

Hit the jump to check out the image.

...................... http://collider.com/the-iron-lady-movie-image/87220/

Ralph Fiennes in Talks to Play Magwitch in Mike Newell’s GREAT EXPECTATIONS; BOND 23 Talks Still Ongoing

by Matt Goldberg   Posted: April 22nd, 2011

Ralph Fiennes is in talks to join Jeremy Irvine (War Horse) and Helena Bonham Carter in Mike Newell’s adaptation of Great Expectations.  Daily Mail reports that Fiennes is up for the role of the mysterious Magwitch, but also notes that Fiennes is currently set to play Prospero in Trevor Nunn’s version of The Tempest at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.  Because Newell plans to shoot in London starting in August, if Fiennes takes the role, he would have to shoot his scenes during the day and then do his stage performances in the evening.

As we reported back in February, Fiennes is also in talks to join Sam Mendes’ untitled James Bond flick and those negotiations are still ongoing.  He’ll next be seen in theaters this July playing some guy named “Voldemort” in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of Great Expectations.

........... http://collider.com/ralph-fiennes-great-expectations-james-bond-23/87229/

HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET Starring Jennifer Lawrence Set for February 3, 2012

by Matt Goldberg   Posted: April 22nd, 2011

Relativity Media has set Mark Tonderai’s thriller House at the End of the Street for February 3, 2012.  The film stars Jennifer Lawrence as a teenager who moves into a new home with her mother (Elisabeth Shue), but then discovers that their home is next door to the site of a double murder. She makes friends with the massacre’s sole survivor (Max Thieriot). If it turns out he was the person responsible for the double murder, I’ll be very disappointed.

The only other film currently set for release on February 3, 2012 is Fox’s superhero drama Chronicle starring Dane DeHaan.  Presumably, the film will try to build off all the publicity Lawrence will be receiving in the lead-up to her starring role in The Hunger Games, which opens less than two months later. [Update: We've added the press release from Relativity after the jump.]

....................... http://collider.com/house-at-the-end-of-the-street-release-date/87243/

Emile Hirsch Joins Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 22nd, 2011

Oliver Stone’s Savages continues to round up an impressive cast even though Stone hasn’t made a good film in over a decade.  According to Variety, the latest talented actor to board the flick is Emile Hirsh.  There are currently no details on which role he’ll play, but he’ll be starring alongside Benecio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, and Uma Thurman.  The film is based on Don Winslow’s novel which centers a pair of marijuana growers (Kitsch and Johnson) who are forced to work in a Mexican cartel after their friend is kidnapped.  Stone is revising the script Winslow co-wrote with Shane Salerno.

Hirsch recently wrapped filming on William Friedkin’s dark comedy Killer Joe and he’s currently at work on The Motel Life alongside Stephen Dorff and Dakota Fanning.  Hit the jump to read the synopsis for Savages.

............ http://collider.com/emile-hirsch-savages-oliver-stone/87253/

**Watch 4 Minutes of GREEN LANTERN Footage **Summit Pushes THE DARKEST HOUR from August to December 23 Release **Posters: Henry Cavill's 3D "Immortals" Film **James McAvoy And Saoirse Ronan May Also Join Joe Wright's Anna Karenina

Watch 4 Minutes of GREEN LANTERN Footage
by Brendan Bettinger Posted: April 2nd, 2011
Warner Bros. has released four minutes of the Green Lantern footage they recently debuted at CinemaCon and WonderCon. The clip provides a long look at the on-screen Oa, and I really like what I see. It’s a geometrically crazy world that human Ryan Reynolds has to believably interact with, and it looks like the visual effects department nailed it.


Directed by Martin Campbell, Green Lantern stars Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Jay O. Sanders, Temuera Morrison, Taika Waititi, Jon Tenney, Angela Bassett, and Tim Robbins. The DC Comics superhero adaptation is scheduled for release on June 17. Watch the footage after the jump.
....more; http://collider.com/green-lantern-movie-footage/83762/




Four Minutes of "Green Lantern" Footage Arrives Online
Posted: April 2nd, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


Four-minutes of footage from the upcoming "Green Lantern" movie that was shown at WonderCon this week has now been released online. Check it out below or click here to watch in hi-def.


Plot: A test pilot (Ryan Reynolds) is granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe.


The new movie is directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) and is scheduled to hit 2D and 3D theaters on June 17th.






Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21206&count=0








Summit Pushes THE DARKEST HOUR from August to December 23 Release
by Brendan Bettinger Posted: April 2nd, 2011
Summit previously scheduled the 3D The Darkest Hour for August 5, a fairly typical summer release date for a sci-fi thriller. Per Box Office Mojo, the studio has pushed the film to December 23, a less natural holiday season bow. On the new date, The Darkest Hour must vie for 3D theaters against The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn; the date also holds The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and We Bought a Zoo.


Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Rachel Taylor, Max Minghella, and Joel Kinnaman star as young tourists who find themselves stranded in Moscow, fighting to survive in the wake of a devastating alien attack. Chris Gorak (Right at Your Door) is directing from a script by Jon Spaihts. Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) is among the producers.
......... more; http://collider.com/the-darkest-hour-release-date/83774/




Posters: Henry Cavill's 3D "Immortals" Film
Posted: April 2nd, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff


Relativity Media has unveiled the first posters for their upcoming "Immortals" 3D film, which is directed by Tarsem Singh (The Cell), and starring Henry Cavill (Superman), Stephen Dorff, Isabel Lucas, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, Kellan Lutz, with John Hurt and Mickey Rourke. Check out the posters below.


Plot: The brutal and bloodthirsty King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) and his murderous Heraklion army are rampaging across Greece in search of the long lost Bow of Epirus. With the invincible Bow, the king will be able to overthrow the Gods of Olympus and become the undisputed master of his world. With ruthless efficiency, Hyperion and his legions destroy everything in their wake, and it seems nothing will stop the evil king's mission.


As village after village is obliterated, a stonemason named Theseus (Henry Cavill) vows to avenge the death of his mother in one of Hyperion's raids. When Theseus meets the Sybelline Oracle, Phaedra (Freida Pinto), her disturbing visions of the young man's future convince her that he is the key to stopping the destruction. With her help, Theseus assembles a small band of followers and embraces his destiny in a final desperate battle for the future of humanity.




Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21205&count=0  








James McAvoy And Saoirse Ronan May Also Join Joe Wright's Anna Karenina
published: 2011-04-02 16:17:19 Author: Katey Rich
Joe Wright is already reuniting with one of his Atonement stars for his planned Anna Karenina film, which will star Keira Knightley, and now he may be bringing the other two on board as well. According to an article by Anne Thompson at IndieWire about British production company Working Title, Anna Karenina has been greenlit by Universal, and Wright is eyeing both James McAvoy and Saoirse Ronan for roles in the sprawling film. Jude Law and Aaron Johnson are already on board.


Both Ronan and McAvoy are keeping very busy schedules these days, though now that Ronan won't be playing the Snow White part she was heavily rumored for (it went to Lily Collins) she may have a free spot on her schedule. She and Wright are spending plenty of time together as they make the rounds to promote their new film Hanna, so it makes sense that they'd have time to talk over whichever role he wants her to play in Anna Karenina. As for McAvoy, his future will be determined by how X-Men: First Class performs this summer--he may have many years of playing Professor Xavier ahead of him. Beyond that, though, he can probably make a reunion with Wright work.


Though Hanna, a modern-day action thriller with strong fairy tale elements, is a bit of a departure from the polished period world of Atonement, Anna Karenina gets Wright back to what he established early as his wheelhouse. It's a classic story that's building a phenomenal cast-- there's nothing not to hotly anticipate here.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/James-McAvoy-And-Saoirse-Ronan-May-Also-Join-Joe-Wright-s-Anna-Karenina-24013.html

**Brian Koppelman and David Levien Scripting NATIONAL TREASURE 3; Ready to Helm CITY OF THE SUN **Alan Paul’s Memoir BIG IN CHINA Optioned for Ivan Reitman to Direct **Doug Liman Approaches Andrew Garfield, Chris Pine, Emile Hirsch, Megan Fox, Olivia Wilde, Rachel McAdams, Eva Mendes, Zoe Saldana for Moon Movie

Brian Koppelman and David Levien Scripting NATIONAL TREASURE 3; Ready to Helm CITY OF THE SUN
by Adam Chitwood Posted: March 22nd, 2011
Screenwriters Brian Koppelman and David Levien (Ocean’s Thirteen) recently revealed that they are hard at work on the script for National Treasure 3. The previous two installments of the franchise were written by Cormac and Marianne Wibberly, but the duo decided not to return for a third installment. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer stated last year that National Treasure 3 was in the works but nothing further was heard until now.


Director Jon Turteltaub, who helmed the previous two Treasure films, recently signed on to direct the romantic comedy Unreasonable Doubt, but one would assume that he will be behind the camera when National Treasure 3 rolls. In an interview with Done Deal Pro (via Bleeding Cool), Koppelman and Levien also revelaed that they recently completed their adaptation of Levien’s novel City of the Sun which they plan to direct. Hit the jump for more, including a synopsis of the novel.
....... http://collider.com/brian-koppelman-david-levien-national-treasure-3/81937/

 



Alan Paul’s Memoir BIG IN CHINA Optioned for Ivan Reitman to Direct
by Adam Chitwood Posted: March 22nd, 2011
Journalist Alan Paul’s memoir Big in China, chronicling his adventures in Beijing, has been optioned by Montecito Pictures as a possible directing vehicle for Ivan Reitman (No Strings Attached). While Reitman isn’t completely attached to the film just yet, THR reports that the project is currently out to writers, after which Reitman will probably decide if he wants to direct.


A stay-at-home dad, Paul picked up guitar while in Beijing and started a blues band. The memoir examines the East-West disconnect and captures a nation struggling to modernize. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the book.
...... http://collider.com/big-in-china-ivan-reitman/81948/





 

Doug Liman Approaches Andrew Garfield, Chris Pine, Emile Hirsch, Megan Fox, Olivia Wilde, Rachel McAdams, Eva Mendes, Zoe Saldana for Moon Movie
by Brendan Bettinger Posted: March 22nd, 2011
Doug Liman first set up Luna with Jake Gyllenhaal at DreamWorks in 2007, then with Paramount, then put it on hold for a couple years to direct Jumper and Fair Game. Liman was actively working on a Three Musketeers adaptation before Paul W.S. Anderson beat him to the punch. So he turned his attention to All You Need Is Kill, a spec sci-fi script with plenty of heat behind it. However, All You Need Is Kill has reportedly lost steam, and Liman has returned his focus to Luna (now “Untitled Moon Project”). But Gyllenhaal has since moved on, so Liman is meeting with a bevy of young Hollywood stars to fill the role. Heat Vision indicates the director has already spoken with Rosario Dawson, Megan Fox, Rachel McAdams, Eva Mendes, Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde, Andrew Garfield, Emile Hirsch, and Chris Pine, and plans to meet with more names in the coming week.


Details on the project after the break.
........... http://collider.com/andrew-garfield-chris-pine-megan-fox-moon-movie/81959/

13 march; HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Born Today

William H. Macy (61)

Emile Hirsch (26)

Dana Delany (55)

Danny Masterson (35)

 

Glenne Headly (56)

 

Noel Fisher 27

http://www.imdb.com/search/name?birth_monthday=03-13

***Gary Ross’ THE HUNGER GAMES Releases March 23, 2012 ***Emile Hirsch Likes THE MOTEL LIFE ***Naomi Watts Joins Leonardo DiCaprio in J. EDGAR

Gary Ross’ THE HUNGER GAMES Releases March 23, 2012

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 25th, 2011

Four-time Oscar-nominee Gary Ross’ (Pleasantville) The Hunger Games will hit theaters on March 23rd, 2012.  Lionsgate announced that it plans to roll out the film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel (the first in a trilogy) on a weekend that, at present time, contains no competition for the high-profile project.  The film will most likely begin shooting later this year, either towards the end of spring or beginning of summer.

For those unfamiliar with the source material, Collins’ The Hunger Games is set in a post-apocalyptic America and follows the trials of 16-year-old protagonist Katniss Everdeen.  Per Heat Vision, Katniss “must participate in a fight-to-the-death annual event called the Hunger Games.”  While I haven’t read the book trilogy, Ross’ Pleasantville is one of my all-time favorite films and, as a result, each of his projects from here-on-out gets complimentary box-office dollars on my behalf.  For more on the project, hit the jump for a synopsis of the original novel.

Here’s the synopsis for Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games [via Amazon]:

.....

http://collider.com/the-hunger-games-release-date/72620/

Emile Hirsch Likes THE MOTEL LIFE

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 25th, 2011

In what will be his first leading role since making a turn as The Wachowski Brothers’ Speed Racer, Emile Hirsch has signed on to star in the film adaptation of The Motel Life.  Based on the Willy Vlautin novel of the same name, The Motel Life tells the story of two brothers who skip town (that town being Reno) after being involved in a fatal accident.  Hirsch is the first to join the project which currently lacks both a writer and/or director.  That in mind, with production on the film aiming to begin sometime this year, Variety reports that producers Alan and Gabe Polsky may still yet fill the aforementioned positions themselves.

For more on the project, hit the jump to read a synopsis for Vlautin’s novel.

http://collider.com/emile-hirsch-the-motel-life/72625/

Naomi Watts Joins Leonardo DiCaprio in J. EDGAR

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 25th, 2011

Clint Eastwood has spent the last few months rounding up an impressive cast for his next film, J. Edgar, a biopic based on the life of inaugural FBI director and alleged cross-dresser J. Edgar Hoover.  There’s Leonardo DiCaprio, Judi Dench, Josh Lucas, plus rising stars Armie Hammer (The Social Network) and Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl).  But the latest name to join the cast is the one that’s locked up this writer’s interest.

Variety reports Naomi Watts will play Helen Gandy, the role originally offered to Charlize Theron before she chose to do Snow White and the Huntsman instead.  Gandy was Hoover’s loyal secretary for 54 years from 1918-1972; Hoover once said of Gandy, “If there is anyone in this Bureau whose services are indispensable I consider Miss Gandy to be that person.”  More background on Gandy after the break:

Hoover biographer Curt Gentry describes Ms. Gandy:

Her genteel manner and pleasant voice contrasted sharply with this domineering presence. Yet behind the politeness was a resolute firmness not unlike his, and no small amount of influence. Many a career in the Bureau had been quietly manipulated by her.
Even those who disliked him, praised her, most often commenting on her remarkable ability to get along with all kinds of people. That she had held her position for fifty-four years was the best evidence of this, for it was a Bureau tradition that the closer you were to him, the more demanding he was. [Wikipedia]

Gandy was effectively the last line of defense for Hoover, who is said to have kept extensive secret files to blackmail the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin Luther King, Jr.  Gandy purposefully mislabeled some of the more sensitive material so that only she could navigate the files (e.g. President Nixon’s file was labeled “Obscene Matters.)  Upon Hoover’s death in May 1972, Gandy began destroying previously designated files within the hour.

I count Watts among Hollywood’s most dynamic actresses, and I can’t wait to see her play Gandy, who sounds like a spitfire of a woman.  Watts will next be seen opposite Ewan McGregor in The Impossible, and alongside Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz in Dream House, scheduled for release September 30.

http://collider.com/naomi-watts-j-edgar/72657/