***Idris Elba Confirmed for Guillermo del Toro’s PACIFIC RIM ***Watchmen Writer Hired To Pen The Crow Reboot, Bradley Cooper Confirmed To Star ***Warren Beatty Wants An All-Star Cast For His Howard Hughes Biopic ***Fox Sets Max Landis To Write Yet Another Frankenstein Movie ***Jessica Biel: Darker Hair for 'Total Recall' ***Brad Pitt: 'World War Z' Set with Pax!

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 Eisenberg
While 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 Rich
Back 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 Rich
There 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/

***Leonardo DiCaprio Is Closer to Quentin Tarantino’s DJANGO UNCHAINED Than Will Smith; Idris Elba, Chris Tucker, Jamie Foxx Rumored for Django ***Reese Witherspoon to Produce and Possibly Star in DreamWorks’ WHO INVITED HER? ***Chris O’Dowd, Lena Dunham, Charlyne Yi and Wyatt Russell Join Judd Apatow’s KNOCKED UP Spin-Off

Leonardo DiCaprio Is Closer to Quentin Tarantino’s DJANGO UNCHAINED Than Will Smith; Idris Elba, Chris Tucker, Jamie Foxx Rumored for Django

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: June 7th, 2011

No actor is officially confirmed for Django Unchained, the latest from Quentin Tarantino, but the cast is starting to take shape. According to Deadline, Christoph Waltz and Samuel L. Jackson are expected to sign on.  Leonardo DiCaprio is about to enter negotiations to play the villain, . That doesn’t give us the titular character, though.  Will Smith was the first major contender for the role of Django, “a slave who is liberated and taught the tricks of the trade by a German dentist-turned-bounty hunter (Waltz).”  Negotiations are stuck in first gear, and we’re probably kidding ourselves to expect the super image-conscious Smith to sign on for such a gleefully controversial role.
Deadline hears Smith likely won’t sign on; possible replacements include Idris Elba, Chris Tucker, and Jamie Foxx.  That’s an eclectic list, somewhere between intriguing and Name Three Black Actors Who Aren’t Will Smith That Headlined Box Office Hits in the Past Decade.  More after the jump: http://collider.com/leonardo-dicaprio-chris-tucker-django-unchained/95282/

Reese Witherspoon to Produce and Possibly Star in DreamWorks’ WHO INVITED HER?

by Jason Barr    Posted: June 7th, 2011

DreamWorks has emerged victorious from a bidding war for novelist Sascha Rothchild’s comedy pitch Who Invited Her? with Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon set to produce and potentially star. Variety reports that the project centers on a woman who invites herself to a male bachelor party weekend and will purportedly follow the shenanigans that inevitably ensue. If Witherspoon does indeed end up in Who Invited Her?, it will not be the first starring/producing double-duty pulled by the actress as she is also filling both shoes on the upcoming action/comedy This Means War also starring Chris Pine and Tom Hardy. In addition to her work on Who Invited Her?, Rothchild is also writing and executive producing an adaptation of her book How to Get Divorced by 30 over at Universal. http://collider.com/reese-witherspoon-who-invited-her/95248/

Chris O’Dowd, Lena Dunham, Charlyne Yi and Wyatt Russell Join Judd Apatow’s KNOCKED UP Spin-Off

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 7th, 2011

Judd Apatow is filling out the cast for his next directorial effort, with Bridesmaids star Chris O’Dowd, Lena Dunham (director of Tiny Furniture), Charlyne Yi (Knocked Up) and Wyatt Russell currently in negotiations to join the untitled ensemble comedy. Written by Apatow, the film is a spinoff of sorts from his 2007 comedy Knocked Up, focusing on Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann’s characters. Variety reports that O’Dowd and Dunham will play employees of Rudd’s indie record company, Russell will portray a hockey player, and Yi will reprise her role as Jodi from Knocked Up.
The cast for the untitled comedy currently includes Rudd, Mann, Megan Fox and Albert Brooks. O’Dowd is just coming off the massive success of the Apatow-produced Bridesmaids. His turn as Wiig’s love interest in the film has him fielding a flood of offers, and deservedly so. No other plot details on Apatow’s flick are known at the moment, but it’s set to be released in December 2012.
http://collider.com/chris-o-dowd-lena-dunham-charlyne-yi-judd-apatow/95244/

***Robert Zemeckis’ Next Project Confirmed to Be FLIGHT; Set to Shoot This Fall With Denzel Washington Attached to Star ***Legendary Pictures Wants Idris Elba for Guillermo del Toro’s PACIFIC RIM ***First Clip for 30 MINUTES OR LESS ***Patricia Arquette Cast In David Arquette-Directed Glutton

Robert Zemeckis’ Next Project Confirmed to Be FLIGHT; Set to Shoot This Fall With Denzel Washington Attached to Star

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 4th, 2011

It looks like after a decade wading in motion-capture films, Robert Zemeckis’ next film will be the live-action drama Flight. The Back to the Future director first entered negotiations to helm the flick back in April, but no one was certain which project he would choose as his next. He’s flirted with the time-travel films Replay and Timeless, and there’s always the ever-elusive Who Framed Roger Rabbit? sequel. Now 24 Frames reports that Zemeckis has firmed up Flight as his next project, with Denzel Washington expected to close his deal to star shortly and filming aimed for the fall.
The plot of Flight centers on an alcoholic/drug addicted pilot who saves a flight in distress, becoming an American hero in the process. The newfound fame comes with an investigation by the FAA to see whether drugs played a factor in the distress, while Washington’s character attempts to turn his life around. Hit the jump for more on Flight and Zemeckis’ other non-motion-capture projects in the works. http://collider.com/robert-zemeckis-flight-denzel-washington/94746/

Legendary Pictures Wants Idris Elba for Guillermo del Toro’s PACIFIC RIM

by Jason Barr    Posted: June 4th, 2011

Idris Elba (Thor, The Wire) is an actor I’m glad to see in virtually any role. His presence is the only reason I was able to endure 2009′s thriller Obsessed and he is perhaps the number one reason why 2007′s This Christmas has been adopted into my annual holiday fare (yeah, I really just referenced both of those films in the same sentence). While I may be alone in my devotion to This Christmas, it seems as if I’m not the only one who likes seeing Elba land roles as TheWrap reports that Legendary Pictures wants the actor for Guillermo del Toro’s sci-fi project Pacific Rim. In case your memory escapes you, Pacific Rim stars Charlie Hunnam and is a monster flick set within two worlds. Back in March, we laid out some potential plot elements from the film and we now know that Travis Beacham’s script will see humans take on alien invaders by piloting giant robots (or “mecha”). When you potentially combine del Toro, Elba, and giant robotic constructs, you may as well just go ahead and deduct the box office dollars directly from my bank account.

In addition to possibly taking on Pacific Rim, Elba is also rumored to be in contention to play the namesake in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained. He is currently filming Ridley Scott’s Prometheus alongside Charlize Theron and Michael Fassbender and has a starring role in Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance with Nicolas Cage. Those films are due out June 8th and February 17th, 2012 respectively. http://collider.com/idris-elba-pacific-rim/94725/

First Clip for 30 MINUTES OR LESS

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: June 4th, 2011

Columbia has released the first clip for 30 Minutes or Less.  The excerpt focuses on the teacher played by Aziz Ansari, here in his first starring role in a feature.  It captures Ansari’s talent for portraying likeable arrogance by mining the comedic gold that is being mean to kids.  Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Nick Swardson, and Dilshad Vadsaria also star in director Ruben Fleischer’s follow-up to Zombieland.  30 Minutes or Less opens on August 12.  Watch the clip after the jump. http://collider.com/30-minutes-or-less-movie-clip/94685/

Aziz Ansari Tries To Explain The Louisiana Purchase In New 30 Minute Or Less Clip

published: 2011-06-04 10:34:22 Author: Mack Rawden
When I was a little kid, I never thought about my teachers having personal lives. They were just random adults there to teach me math, and whenever one of them was in a bad mood, I always assumed it was directly related to one of my fellow classmate’s poor behavior. Now I have friends who are teachers, and I know they’re just as likely to have screwed-up personal lives as the rest of us. That’s definitely the case here with Aziz Ansari in the new clip from 30 Minutes Or Less.

Annoyed at his students texting during his class, Ansari tries to teach them about the Louisiana Purchase but is interrupted by his buddy Jesse Eisenberg who has a crazy story about what he did last night. It involves masked man, bombs and underhanded schemes. Find out the details in the clip below…
There are a lot of things I love about the above clip, but more than anything else, I’m pleased with the casting. By now, we all know Jesse Eisenberg pulls off the nervous guy well, but Aziz Ansari is also perfect as the wise ass, marginally-apathetic teacher. I love how he handles the text messages, and I love his angry shock at his friend bringing a bomb around children.

30 Minutes Or Less opens on August 12th. It also stars Danny McBride and Nick Swardson as the two idiots who strapped Eisenberg into the bomb suit. If the rest of the movie is as good as this clip, we should all be in for a great summer comedy. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Aziz-Ansari-Tries-To-Explain-The-Louisiana-Purchase-In-New-30-Minute-Or-Less-Clip-25059.html

Patricia Arquette Cast In David Arquette-Directed Glutton

published: 2011-06-03 16:14:34 Author: Eric Eisenberg
Much like the Baldwins, the Carradines, the Coppolas, the Cusacks and the Wayans, the Arquette family is well established in the acting world. From David to Patricia to Alexis to Richmond to Rosanna, they've all had at least some success in the movie industry and while their stars aren't as bright as they once were, they still get work on a regular basis and occasionally get to work together. Case in point, Variety is reporting that David Arquette has cast his sister Patricia in his newest directorial effort.

Titled Glutton, the film is a psychological thriller about a 1,200-pound man, played by Abraham Benrubi. Patricia will be playing the man's sister and caretaker while Kacey Barnfield, who is also a new addition to the cast, will play the man's friend and blind neighbor. The project won't be David's first time directing his sister, as he also helmed three episodes of her series Medium. The film will be Patricia's first since 2008's A Single Woman. Production is scheduled to begin next month in the Great White North.

I'll admit to having a weird curiosity about this project. I am curious to see how one makes a movie that is meant to toy with the mind while the main character is a human oddity that can't get out of bed. The article says that the film is "in the vein of Misery," and while I get the connection, at least James Caan could crawl around the floor and try to escape. How they will manage that same level of drama with a character that can't move would be interesting to see. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Patricia-Arquette-Cast-In-David-Arquette-Directed-Glutton-25049.html

***Craig Mazin to Write THE HANGOVER PART III ***Rumor: Leonardo DiCaprio and Idris Elba Circling Quentin Tarantino’s DJANGO UNCHAINED? ***Jamie Campbell Bower Play Jace Wayland in THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS ***New Set Photo from ROCK OF AGES Proves Alec Baldwin Is Still in the Film

Craig Mazin to Write THE HANGOVER PART III
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 31st, 2011
The Hangover Part II co-writer Craig Mazin has been hired to write the script for The Hangover Part III. Warner Bros. is wasting no time in moving forward on a sequel to the box-office record-breaker and I’m honestly a little surprised that they hadn’t already started moving on a new film when the Hangover 2 was tracking through the roof. Mazin, whose previous credits include Scary Movie 3 and 4, co-wrote The Hangover Part II with director Todd Phillips and screenwriter Scot Armstrong (Semi-Pro), although “wrote” may not be the best way to describe it. I’m not sure if copy-pasting the script from the first film and making minor changes counts as “writing”.


When Steve spoke with Phillips during the press junket for Hangover Part II, Phillips said that Part III would be the finale to the series but would be a new template and a new idea. Hit the jump for his full quote. [The Tracking Board via The Wrap].
http://collider.com/hangover-3-screenwriter-craig-mazin/93823/




Rumor: Leonardo DiCaprio and Idris Elba Circling Quentin Tarantino’s DJANGO UNCHAINED?
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 31st, 2011
Tarantino fans are hungry for any information regarding his next film, Django Unchained. However, while deals are still being done, we’re all left to wonder how the film will be cast. We already know that Christoph Waltz will play a bounty hunter who mentors an escaped slave named Django and then teams up with him to free Django’s wife from an evil plantation owner. Rumors are now springing forth from the Twitter about casting for Django and the plantation owner, Calvin Candie. Yesterday, tweets from Idris Elba hinted (in the vaguest of terms) that he might be playing Django even though Will Smith was tipped as Tarantino’s top choice for the role. Today, Creative Screenwriting magazine Senior Editor Jeff Goldsmith tweeted


“Casting Rumor: Leonardo DiCaprio WILL play villian [sic] Calvin Candie in [Quentin] Tarantino‘s “Django Unchained”! QT wanted him for [Inglourious Basterds] & now has him!”


Hit the jump for more on these rumors.
http://collider.com/leonardo-dicaprio-idris-elba-django-unchained/93816/






Jamie Campbell Bower Play Jace Wayland in THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 31st, 2011
A couple weeks ago, we reported that Jamie Campbell Bower (The Twilight Saga: New Moon), Ed Speleers (Eragon), and Leebo Freeman were all in the running for the male lead in Scott Charles Stewart’s adaptation of the young adult book series The Mortal Instruments. Deadline is now reporting that Bower has won that race and will play Jace Wayland. Jace is a member of a group known as “Shadowhunters” who are warriors devoted to ridding the world of demons. The book’s protagonist Clary Fray (played by Lily Collins and I swear I’m not making up these character names) witnesses a murder and is eventually drawn into the world of the Shadowhunters. In the synopsis, Jace is described as “a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk.” Is the tagline for this movie going to be “This totally isn’t anything like Twilight, but if you liked Twilight, you should see this movie.”


Hit the jump for a synopsis of the first novel in The Mortal Instruments series, City of Bones.
http://collider.com/mortal-instruments-movie-jace-jamie-campbell-bower/93805/

New Set Photo from ROCK OF AGES Proves Alec Baldwin Is Still in the Film

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 31st, 2011 at 11:56 am

Earlier this month, we reported that Adam Shankman’s musical Rock of Ages had lost Alec Baldwin, and losing Alec Baldwin is sad news for any production.  But cheer up!  It turns out that report was false because Shankman has tweeted a photo from the set showing Baldwin in hippie garb alongside a lollipop-brandishing Russell Brand.  The context of the photo?  Unknown to people like myself who haven’t seen the Broadway musical upon which the movie is based.

Hit the jump to check out the full image.  The film also stars Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Malin Akerman, Bryan Cranston, Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough, and newcomer Diego Boneta.  Rock of Ages opens June 1, 2012. http://collider.com/rock-of-ages-set-photo-alec-baldwin/93777/

**Casting Call: Jimmi Simpson Joins ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER; Kate Mara and Treat Williams Sign on to BLACKBIRD **James Franco’s 2011: WHILE WE’RE YOUNG, OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, and SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH **Idris Elba, Sean Harris, and Kate Dickie Join Ridley Scott’s PROMETHEUS

Idris Elba, Sean Harris, and Kate Dickie Join Ridley Scott’s PROMETHEUS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 25th, 2011

Idris Elba (The Wire), Sean Harris (Red Riding Trilogy), and Kate Dickie (Red Road) have joined Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, and Charlize Theron in Ridley Scott’s upcoming sci-fi flick Prometheus.  The Daily Mail doesn’t have any details on who Elba, Harris, and Dickie will be playing, and reports that no only did the cast have to sign secrecy clauses, but “were only allowed to read the story if they visited Ridley’s production office.”  As we’ve previously reported, Rapace and Theron will play “Elizabeth Shaw” and “Vickers“, respectively, while Fassbender is playing an android.

The intense secrecy surrounding the film has led to speculation that Prometheus is truly an Alien prequel despite Scott’s protestations that only “keen fans will recognize strands of Alien’s DNA.”  While we originally took that figuratively (the film started out as Alien prequel), the part about “Alien DNA” could be literal.  Hit the jump for more.

.......................

http://collider.com/prometheus-idris-elba-sean-harris/77852/

Casting Call: Jimmi Simpson Joins ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER; Kate Mara and Treat Williams Sign on to BLACKBIRD

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 25th, 2011

We have a couple of quick casting stories for you this morning.  First up, Jimmi Simpson (Date Night) has joined the cast of Timur Bekmambetov’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter .  Variety reports that Simpson will be playing Lincoln’s right-hand man.  While I’m sure he’ll do a fine job assisting Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) in his political/vampire-slaying duties, I’ll continue to struggle seeing Simpson as anyone other than the creepy McPoyle brother he plays on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter also stars Anthony Mackie, Dominic Cooper, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.  Shooting is expected to begin next month.  The film is due out in 3D on June 22, 2012.  Hit the jump for news on Kate Mara and Treat Williams joining Blackbird.

..............

http://collider.com/jimmi-simpson-abraham-lincoln-mara-williams-blackbird/77865/

Jimmi Simpson Added To The Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Cast

published: 2011-02-25 13:59:33 Author: Eric Eisenberg
Last week Scoot McNairy was made to look like he was becoming one of the busier actors working today. In one fell swoop it he had managed to rope three roles in three major upcoming films including Andrew Dominik's Cogan's Trade; Ridley Scott's Prometheus; and Timur Bekmambetov's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Now it looks like one of those projects slipped through his fingers. Variety reports that Jimmi Simpson, best known for roles on television shows like It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia and Psych, has joined the cast of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter along side Ben Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie and Mary Elisabeth Winstead. Simpson will play Josh Speed, Abe's best friend and assistant - the role that McNairy was rumored for just a few days ago. Production on the film is scheduled to begin in March and is set to be released in June of next year.

While Simpson has somewhat made a name for himself playing oddball characters (his character on It's Always Sunny, Liam McPoyle, certainly leading the pack), he has previously shown a capacity to play more serious, such as his guest spot on House and his role as a gunman in Date Night. Now the only question is what did Scoot McNairy do to lose the gig? Or did he ever have it?
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Jimmi-Simpson-Added-To-The-Abraham-Lincoln-Vampire-Hunter-Cast-23367.html

James Franco’s 2011: WHILE WE’RE YOUNG, OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, and SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 25th, 2011

James Franco is closing his deal to star in Sam Raimi’s Oz, The Great and Powerful.  That’s not really news since we reported last week that Mila Kunis joining the project had basically put Franco on board.  The real news in Deadline’s story is how the busy actor’s schedule for 2011 is set to play out.  In addition to the press he’ll most likely be doing for his 2011 films Your Highness and Rise of the Apes, he’s got three films set for the year.  First up, he’ll costar with Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, and Cate Blanchett in Noah Baumbach’s While We’re Young.  In the summer he’ll move on to Oz, which is an origin story of the Wizard of Oz and the land’s various witches.  Finally, in the late fall/winter he’ll star alongside Nicole Kidman in David Cromer’s revival of the Tenneesse Williams play Sweet Bird of Youth.

Throughout his shooting scheduled he’ll continue working towards getting his PhD in creative writing at Yale.  I’ll be pretty busy myself, especially in the fall when a bunch of new video games come out.  Sure, Franco may make loads of money, earn tons of awards, and get his doctorate, but will he have solved all of the Riddler’s clues in Batman: Arkham City?  I think not.

.................

http://collider.com/james-franco-while-were-young-oz/77882/

***Nicolas Cage is still in Denizi/Pamukkale/TURKEY and like Turkish cuisine ***Nicolas Cage began to shifts in Pamukkale ***"Ghost Rider 2" finished shooting in Cappadocia

Nicolas Cage en çok menemen ve sucuğu beğendi

"Hayalet Sürücü 2" filminin final sahnesi çekimleri için Denizli’de bulunan Hollywood yıldızı Nicolas Cage’in en çok menemen ve sucuk yemekten keyif aldığı öğrenildi.

11:22 | 31 Ocak 2011

"Hayalet Sürücü 2" filmin baş aktörü Cage’in, film çekimleri dışında zamanın büyük bölümünü konakladığı otelde geçirirken, ünlü aktörün yemek tercihini Türk mutfağından yana kullandığı belirtildi. Nicolas Cage’in en çok menemen ile sucuk yemekten keyif aldığı ifade edildi.

Nicolas Cage ve film ekibinin kaldığı Colossae Otel Genel Müdürü Şeref Karakan, Cage’in film setinde bulunduğu zamanların dışında günün büyük bölümünü otelde geçirdiğini söyledi.

Cage ve ailesinin, yemekte Türk mutfağını tercih ettiğini dile getiren Karakan, konuk yıldızın özellikle geleneksel Türk mutfağı lezzetlerinden menemeni ve sucuğu beğendiğini belirtti.

http://www.milliyet.com.tr/nicolas-cage-en-cok-menemen-ve-sucugu-begendi/yasam/sondakika/31.01.2011/1346381/default.htm


Nicolas Cage sausage and scrambled like the most.
"Ghost Rider 2" to shoot the film in Denizli Hollywood star Nicolas Cage in the final scene of the most fun she was eating sausage and scrambled.
11:22 | 31 January 2011

"Ghost Rider 2" Cage in the film's lead actor, stayed at the hotel spend most of the time out of filming, the famous actor who used to eat since the stated preference of Turkish cuisine. Nicolas Cage was stated that the most pleasure from eating sausage with scrambled.

Nicolas Cage and the film crew stayed Honor Karakan Colossae Hotel General Manager, Cage's movie set at the hotel said he spent most of the time of the day outside.

Cage and his family, expressed the Karakan prefer Turkish cuisine dinner, a guest star, especially liked the sausage and traditional Turkish cuisine menemeni said.

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Nicolas Cage'in Pamukkale mesaisi başladı

Oscar ödüllü aktör Nicolas Cage'nin başrolde oynadığı "Hayalet Sürücü 2" filminin Pamukkale'deki çekimleri, Apollo Tapınağı çevresinde başladı.

Nicolas Cage, filmin final sahnelerinden birinin çekileceği Apollo Tapınağı'na kendine tahsis edilen özel araçla geldi. Cage, set alanında incelemelerde bulunduktan sonra çekimlere geçildi.

Tapınak çevresindeki set çekimlerinde ünlü oyuncuya, İdris Elba ve Violante Placido eşlik etti.

Yaklaşık 10 gün boyunca sürecek çekimlerde, bazı sahnelerin antik tiyatro ve antik havuzda çekileceği öğrenildi.

Bu arada, jandarma ve özel güvenlik ekiplerince set alanına yaklaştırılmayan basın mensupları, yaklaşık 200 metre mesafeden görüntü almaya çalıştı.

Geniş güvenlik önlemlerinin alındığı film çekimlerini, yerli ve yabancı turistler uzaktan izledi.
http://www.cnnturk.com/2011/kultur.sanat/sinema/01/27/nicolas.cagein.pamukkale.mesaisi.basladi/604853.0/

Nicolas Cage began to shifts in Pamukkale

Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage's starring "Ghost Rider 2" movie shooting in Pamukkale, began around the Temple of Apollo.

Nicolas Cage, the film's final scenes will be shot one of the private car allocated to him was the Temple of Apollo. Cage, after making observations in the field of set-ups started.

The temple scenes set around the famous player, was accompanied by Idris Elba, and Violante Placido.

Will last about 10 days during the shooting, had to film some scenes in the ancient theater and the ancient pond.

Meanwhile, military police and private security teams set the field yaklaştırılmayan members of the press, tried to take the image from a distance of approximately 200 meters.

Comprehensive security measures taken movie footage, local and foreign tourists, followed by distance.

http://www.cnnturk.com/2011/kultur.sanat/sinema/01/27/nicolas.cagein.pamukkale.mesaisi.basladi/604853.1/

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"Hayalet Sürücü 2" Kapadokya çekimleri tamamlandı

Oscar ödüllü aktör Nicolas Cage'in başrolünü oynadığı ve final sahnelerinin Türkiye'de gerçekleştirildiği "Hayalet Sürücü 2" filminin Kapadokya çekimleri sona erdi.

Aktör Nicolas Cage, çekimlerin tamamlanmasının ardından, hayranlarıyla ve Avanos Kaymakamı Aylin Kırcı Duman ile hatıra fotoğrafı çektirdi.

Cage Kapadokya'yı çok beğendi

Nicolas Cage, Kapadokya'yı çok beğendiğini söyledi. Cage, Zelve Açık Hava Müzesi'ndeki çekimlerin ardından vadiden yürüyerek, kendisini bekleyen aracına doğru geldi. Cage'nin terli ve yorgun, üzerinin oldukça tozlu olduğu görüldü.

"Kapadokya'yı nasıl buldunuz" sorusuna Cage, "Kapadokya'yı çok beğendim, çok hoş ve çok güzel" karşılığını verdi. Cage, daha sonra set alanında bekleyen araca binerek, Nevşehir'in merkeze bağlı Uçhisar beldesinde eşi ve çocuğuyla beraber kaldığı Argos in Cappadocia Oteli'ne geçti.

Bu arada, çekimler nedeniyle Zelve Açık Hava Müzesi'nin bazı bölümleri ziyarete kapatıldı.
http://www.cnnturk.com/2011/kultur.sanat/sinema/01/23/hayalet.surucu.2.kapadokya.cekimleri.tamamlandi/604246.0/index.html

"Ghost Rider 2" finished shooting in CappadociaStarring Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage and the final scenes was carried out in Turkey, "Ghost Rider 2" finished shooting the film in Cappadocia.

Actor Nicolas Cage, after the completion of filming, his fans and posed for a souvenir photo with Avanos Governor Aylin Kırcı smoke.

Much like Cage, Cappadocia

Nicolas Cage, Cappadocia liked, he said. Cage Zelve Open Air Museum of shots and then walk through the valley, waiting for him was the right tool. Cage's sweaty and tired, sorrowful was quite dusty.

"How dodo you like Cappadocia " Cage to the question , "Cappadocia liked it very much , verynice and very beautiful " haspaid off . Cage, then set the field by getting on the waiting vehicle, attached to the center of Nevsehir Uchisar, Cappadocia, Argos Hotel, the town that has passed along his wife and children.

Meanwhile, the shooting was closed due to visit some parts of Zelve Open Air Museum.

 video here; http://video.cnnturk.com/2011/yasam/1/23/hayalet-surucu-2-kapadokya-cekimleri-bitiyor