Idris Elba Confirmed for Guillermo del Toro’s PACIFIC RIM
by Adam Chitwood Posted: June 22nd, 2011
I’m glad to see that Idris Elba (The Wire) is finally getting his due. A fantastic actor, he recently starred in Thor, is currently filming Ridley Scott’s Prometheus, and now it looks like he’ll be starring in Guillermo del Toro’s next film Pacific Rim. Earlier this month, we told you that Legendary Pictures wanted Elba for the flick. Now, Deadline reports that the actor has closed his deal, taking on a role that was originally envisioned for Tom Cruise. The film takes place in two different worlds, with monsters featuring prominently. We laid out some plot details back in March, but the story basically centers on humans piloting giant robots to battle aliens invading through a wormhole-like structure.Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) is set to star, with Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) in talks to take on a role as well. Elba was previously mentioned as a contender for the starring role in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, but Jamie Foxx is now rumored to be the frontrunner for that role after Will Smith passed. Elba joining Pacific Rim all but confirms that he’s out of the running for Tarantino’s latest. http://collider.com/idris-elba-pacific-rim-2/98025/
Watchmen Writer Hired To Pen The Crow Reboot, Bradley Cooper Confirmed To Star
published: 2011-06-23 01:12:07 Author: Eric EisenbergWhile I'm fully aware that there are more than a couple people who disagree, the Zack Snyder-directed adaptation of Watchmen isn't a bad movie. For years the Alan Moore comic was perceived as unfilmable and the truth is that writer Alex Tse not only did a good job structuring the incredibly complex plot, but did it in a way that always respected the source material. Now Tse has been hired to script another comic book property that fans aren't necessarily happy to see being done.
Relativity Media has announced via press release that Tse has been hired to write the script for the upcoming "reinvention" of The Crow. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, who previously helmed 28 Weeks Later, has been officially announced as the director, and Bradley Cooper has been announced as Eric Draven, the film's central protagonist who returns from the dead to seek vengeance against those that murdered his wife. The film is a "gritty reboot" (yes, the press release uses those words) of the 1994 Alex Proyas film starring Brandon Lee.
As interesting as it could be to see what Tse does with the storyline, I still don't understand why anybody thinks this is a good idea. The Proyas film is a true cult classic with a huge fanbase that isn't going to be happy to hear that a studio thinks their favorite film isn't good enough for modern audiences. Do yourself a favor and instead of wasting your time thinking about this, just head over to Netflix and check it out on instant watch. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Watchmen-Writer-Hired-To-Pen-The-Crow-Reboot-Bradley-Cooper-Confirmed-To-Star-25364.html
Warren Beatty Wants An All-Star Cast For His Howard Hughes Biopic
published: 2011-06-22 23:14:44 Author: Katey RichBack in February a rumor surfaced that once Christopher Nolan was done once and for all with the Batman franchise, he would move on to a biopic about Howard Hughes, this one focusing on his later years as opposed to the glitzy Hollywood era depicted in Martin Scorsese's The Aviator. But before Nolan is even done with the Bat cowl, a Hollywood legend might beat him to the punch. Deadline reports that Warren Beatty is finally moving ahead on his long-gestating dream project, and yes, it's a biopic of Howard Hughes that he plans to star in and direct.
They've also got a list of the actors Beatty has been meeting with, and weirdly enough, it includes Alec Baldwin, who played a major character in The Aviator. It also includes a laundry list of interesting up and coming actors-- Andrew Garfield, Shia LaBeouf, Evan Rachel Wood and Rooney Mara-- plus Jack Nicholson and, of course, his wife Annette Bening. Deadline says it's not really a biopic, even though Beatty will play Hughes and the movie will focus on the mogul's later years. It's too early to say how it might affect Nolan's film, since both films are in early development and who knows what else Nolan has in mind, so you don't have to choose Team Warren vs. Team Christopher just yet. When the time comes, though, just remember who has the backup supply of Batarangs to prove his point. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Warren-Beatty-Wants-An-All-Star-Cast-For-His-Howard-Hughes-Biopic-25360.html
Fox Sets Max Landis To Write Yet Another Frankenstein Movie
published: 2011-06-22 22:52:47 Author: Katey RichThere are nearly half a dozen takes on the classic Frankenstein story in the works in Hollywood right now, but apparently there's still room for one more. Variety reports that Fox has hired Max Landis, the writer of the in-development screenplay Chronicle and, yes, the son of John, to work on the screenplay for a new Frankenstein film. There's no word on what kind of take he'd have on the story, but with Proof playwright David Auburn working on one that incorporates Mary Shelley herself into the story, Matt Reeves directing one about Dr. Frankenstein attempting to save his brother's life, and Sony planning a modern day version of the story, he's going to have to think pretty hard to come up with something original.
When you've got so many similar projects in development at the same time, it becomes a kind of an arms race where only one winner is possible-- it's very rare that we wind up with situations like the one between Universal and Relativity Media, as each works on their own Snow White story. Who knows how Landis's project will fit into the derby, though he'll have to move fast if he wants to beat out some of these other ones, which have been in development for years. There's no one on board to direct this one right now, though apparently Paul Greengrass and David Yates are on the wishlist. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Fox-Sets-Max-Landis-To-Write-Yet-Another-Frankenstein-Movie-25359.html
Wed, 22 June 2011
Jessica Biel: Darker Hair for 'Total Recall'
Jessica Biel smiles for fans outside the set of Total Recall on Monday (June 20) in Toronto, Canada.
The 29-year-old actress signed autographs for onlookers after a busy day shooting scenes.
Earlier this month, Jessica arrived in Canada to begin filming the movie, which also stars Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, and Ethan Hawke.
Jess had to dye her hair a darker shade of brown for the flick!
“Her color is supposed to look very rich for the film. It’s definitely darker, but there are a lot of highlights all over,” Jess‘ hair consultant Tracey Cunningham said. “I also added a reddish gloss for extra warmth.” http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/06/22/jessica-biel-darker-brown-for-total-recall/
Wed, 22 June 2011
Brad Pitt: 'World War Z' Set with Pax!
Brad Pitt and son Pax leave the set of Brad’s new film, World War Z, on Wednesday (June 22) in Valletta, Malta.
The 47-year-old actor brought partner Angelina Jolie and daughters Zahara and Shiloh to the set of the post apocalyptic film yesterday.
Earlier in the week, Angie and Brad went out for a romantic dinner together at the Xara Pace Relais and Chateaux.
The entire Jolie-Pitt clan arrived in town earlier in the month and is staying in Malta as Brad gets to work on World War Z. http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/06/22/brad-pitt-world-war-z-set-with-pax/
Steve Carell really needs this movie to be good. Not just because it’s his first film without the built in support of The Office behind him, but because, well… when was the last time he made something people loved? Steve Carell hasn’t really done anything people truly care about since Little Miss Sunshine in 2006. Since then he’s wandered into a string of forgettable, high-concept, low-delivery comedies. Some of them made money, though not a ton, many of them didn’t. All of them were forgotten the minute they left theaters. Is anyone sitting around rewatching Evan Almighty? Who’s rushing out to buy Dinner for Schmucks on Blu-Ray? No one. 
