***Johnny Depp Close to Signing on for Fifth PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN ***Adam Sandler to Lead Voice Cast for Animated Family Film HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA ***Official Synopsis Revealed for LAY THE FAVORITE ***Clark Gregg and Rachel Bilson Join Amazing Cast of THE TO DO LIST ***Danny Boyle Eyeing Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson for TRANCE? ***New Posters for FINAL DESTINATION 5, TYRANNOSAUR, DREAM HOUSE, and THE ICEMAN

Johnny Depp Close to Signing on for Fifth PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: July 5th, 2011

For a while there, it looked as if we might be spared another rushed entry in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, as star/lynchpin Johnny Depp was reportedly not entirely certain he wanted to return. Well apparently the actor realized that he doesn’t own enough houses in France and/or armbands, because now The Wrap reports that Depp is close to a deal to return once again in a fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film. (The Wrap now reports that Depp’s total profits from the entire franchise so far is $350 million. Holy hell).
This really isn’t all that surprising. The latest sequel, On Stranger Tides, just crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box-office. Obviously Disney and everyone involved behind the scenes that stands to make even more money was itching to go back to the well. Hit the jump for more.  http://collider.com/johnny-depp-pirates-of-the-caribbean-5/100506/

Adam Sandler to Lead Voice Cast for Animated Family Film HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 5th, 2011

Sony Pictures Animation has lined up the voice cast for their 3D family comedy Hotel Transylvania.  Adam Sandler, King of the Family-Films-I-Never-Want-to-See, will play the lead voice of Dracula, the head of the lavish “five-stake” resort for monsters, Hotel Transylvania.  Dracula tries to prevent his teenage daughter Mavis from adventuring into the outside world, but runs into a complication when an ordinary guy (voiced by Andy Samberg) stumbles into the hotel and falls for Mavis.  The voice cast also includes Kevin James as Frankstein, Fran Descher as his bride Eunice, David Spade as Quasimodo, Steve Buscemi and Molly Shannon as a pair of married werewolves, and Cee Lo Green as a Murray the Mummy.  Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack) will direct.
Hit the jump for the press release which includes a longer synopsis and the box office clout of Sandler as if that were some indication his movies were actually good.  Hotel Transylvania is due out September 21, 2012.
http://collider.com/hotel-transylvania-adam-sandler-voice-cast/100460/

Official Synopsis Revealed for LAY THE FAVORITE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 5th, 2011

We’ve received a press release announcing that Stephen Frears’ adaptation of the Beth Raymer’s memoir Lay the Favorite wrapped principal photography today.  The release includes the first official synopsis of the film and there are (unsurprisingly) some variations from the book.  While the book covers Raymer’s rise through the ranks of sports gambling, the movie apparently adds romantic entanglements and drama that, going by the synopsis, seem awfully forced.  But with Frears at the helm and a cast that features Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis, Joshua Jackson, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, I’m still interested in seeing this flick.
Hit the jump for the full synopsis. http://collider.com/lay-the-favorite-movie-synopsis/100456/

Clark Gregg and Rachel Bilson Join Amazing Cast of THE TO DO LIST

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 5th, 2011

The raunchy comedy The To Do List (formerly titled The Hand Job) already has an outstanding cast and now has added two more great names to the list.  The Playlist reports that Clark Gregg and Rachel Bilson have signed on to the flick which stars Aubrey Plaza as a sexually inexperienced teenager with a type-A personality who decides to engage in numerous sex acts before she goes to college.  Allow me to blow your mind with a rundown of who else is in this film: Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Alia Shawkat, Mae Whitman, Johnny Simmons, Donald Glover, Connie Britton, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Scott Porter, D.C. Pierson and Dominic Dierkes.  The Playlist speculates that Gregg will play the conservative father of Plaza’s character and Bilson will play her older sister.
Written and directed by Maggie Carey, filming is likely to get underway soon before the majority of the cast has to return to their various TV shows.
http://collider.com/to-do-list-clark-gregg-rachel-bilson/100444/

Danny Boyle Eyeing Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson for TRANCE?

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 5th, 2011

Danny Boyle has settled on the heist thriller Trance as his next film, but it’s going to have an odd schedule.  He plans to shoot it in 2012, break to direct the Summer Olympics, and then edit it with an eye towards a March 2013 release.  Michael Fassbender was rumored for the lead role he shady leader of a heist team gang partners with an art gallery assistant who masterminds the crime but then gets amnesia and forgets the location of the stolen portrait.  Fassbender ultimately passed on the role, but James McAvoy started circling another role in the flick.
Twitch now reports that Boyle is courting Oscar-winner Colin Firth to replace Fassbender (not a step down by any means) and he’s also looking at Scarlett Johansson for a supporting role.  Presumably, the role for Johansson would be the hypnotist the gang hires to get into the assistant’s memory.  Twitch also reports that Zoe Saldana and Mélanie Thierry (Babylon A.D.) are also on his short-list for the part.  Hit the jump for a refresher on Firth and Johansson’s other projects. http://collider.com/trance-colin-firth-scarlett-johansson/100429/

New Posters for FINAL DESTINATION 5, TYRANNOSAUR, DREAM HOUSE, and THE ICEMAN

by Phil Brown    Posted: July 5th, 2011

With the holiday weekend behind us it’s time to give up the multinational obsession with fireworks and blowing things up so that we all finally can get back to obsessing over pop culture minutia. Fortunately that transition was made a little easier today with the release of four posters for upcoming movies that will soon be plastered all over multiplex lobbies. Today the internet has been graced with pics of the Sundance award-winner Tyrannosaur, as well as the upcoming thrillers Dream House, The Iceman, and Final Destination 5 (yes, shockingly The Final Destination didn’t end up being the final chapter in the franchise after it became a hit. Who could have seen that coming?). Hit the jump to get your required daily dose of teaser poster jollies. http://collider.com/dream-house-iceman-fina-destination-5-posters/100421/

***Michael Pena Joins Sean Penn and Josh Brolin in GANGSTER SQUAD ***First Look at Sacha Baron Cohen in THE DICTATOR ***New Set Photos for Wes Anderson’s MOONRISE KINGDOM; Harvey Keitel Confirmed to Join Cast ***Kodi Smit-McPhee in Talks to Play Benvolio in ROMEO AND JULIET Opposite Hailee Steinfeld; Corbin Bernsen Joins LAY THE FAVORITE

Kodi Smit-McPhee in Talks to Play Benvolio in ROMEO AND JULIET Opposite Hailee Steinfeld; Corbin Bernsen Joins LAY THE FAVORITE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 7th, 2011

And the casting stories keep on coming. 14-year-old Kodi Smit-McPhee (Let Me In) is in early negotiations to join Carlo Carlei’s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Variety reports that he’s being eyed for the role of Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin. Hailee Steinfeld is attached to star as Juliet, with Ed Westwick poised to play Tybalt and Holly Hunter set to take on the role of The Nurse. Italian director Carlei (Flight of the Innocent) will helm from a script by Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park). The key roles of Romeo and Mercutio have yet to be cast, but production is set to begin this summer in Italy.
Additionally, Corbin Bernsen has joined the cast of the indie gambling comedy Lay the Favorite . Based on the memoir of Beth Raymer, the flick stars Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis, Vince Vaughn and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The story centers on Raymer’s rise from a Las Vegas cocktail waitress to one of the world’s best gamblers. Variety reports that Bernsen will play Hall’s father in the flick. Stephen Frears (High Fidelity) is directing from a sript by D.V. De Vincentis. I’m a big fan of Frears, and the cast he’s turning out is pretty impressive. Hit the jump to read a synopsis of the novel.  http://collider.com/kodi-smit-mcphee-romeo-and-juliet-corbin-bernsen-lay-the-favorite/95225/

Michael Pena Joins Sean Penn and Josh Brolin in GANGSTER SQUAD

by Jason Barr   Posted: June 7th, 2011

With their comedy 30 Minutes or Less set to hit theaters on August 12th, Michael Pena and director Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) will now join forces once again in the crime/drama Gangster Squad. According to Heat Vision, Pena has been cast alongside Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, and Ryan Gosling, as an eager-to-please LAPD officer. For those unfamiliar with the project, Gangster Squad is based on an LA Times article by Paul Lieberman that focuses on corruption within LAPD ranks in the 1940s. The film will pit good cop John O’Mara (Brolin) against gangster Mickey Cohen (Penn) as the former attempts to keep East Coast mafia influences out of Los Angeles. Gangster Squad currently looks to be a 2013 release. In the meantime, Pena can also be seen alongside Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, and Casey Affleck in the action/comedy Tower Heist due out later this year on November 4th. http://collider.com/michael-pena-gangster-squad/95207/

First Look at Sacha Baron Cohen in THE DICTATOR

by Matt Goldberg   Posted: June 7th, 2011

The first set photo has leaked from Sacha Baron Cohen’s next film The Dictator.  It’s Cohen’s first film where he’s not playing a character from Da Ali G Show, but it looks like it has the best premise since Borat:

The film tells the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed. It is inspired by the best selling novel, Zabibah and The King, by Saddam Hussein

Whether Cohen will be engaging in his candid camera antics or if this is a straight feature remains to be seen, but Larry Charles (Borat, Bruno) will once again be behind the camera.  The film is also set to star Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, and Jason Mantzoukas (The League).  Hit the jump to check out the photo of an All-American foreign dictator.  The Dictator is slated to open on May 11, 2012.
http://collider.com/dictator-set-photo-sacha-baron-cohen/95180/

New Set Photos for Wes Anderson’s MOONRISE KINGDOM; Harvey Keitel Confirmed to Join Cast

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 7th, 2011

Wes Anderson may have gotten has filmography back on track with the charming Fantastic Mr. Fox but he’ll be headed back to live-action for his next feature, Moonrise Kingdom.  The film already has an impressive cast that includes Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and now, according to The Film Stage, Harvey Keitel.  The story “follows a young boy and girl (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) falling in love. When they are moved to run away together, various factions of the town mobilize to search for them and the town is turned upside down – which might not be such a bad thing.”
Some set photos from the film have leaked online and one of them shows Norton as a scout leader and another has Murray out of costume but being awesome (which is innate to Bill Murray).  Due to the cast and the story, Focus Features may give Moonrise Kingdom a summer 2012 rather than Anderson’s typical awards season bow.
http://collider.com/moonrise-kingdom-set-photos-harvey-keitel/95080/

***Vince Vaughn: 'Lay the Favorite' with Rebecca Hall! ***Heather Graham attends the premiere ***Bradley Cooper and Lukas Haas take in a game during the French Open ***Marion Cotillard Films a Dior Campaign

Sat, 04 June 2011

Vince Vaughn: 'Lay the Favorite' with Rebecca Hall!

Vince Vaughn gets to work on his new film, Lay the Favorite, on Wednesday (June 1) in New Orleans, La.

The 41-year-old actor was spotted walking around the movie’s set with co-star Rebecca Hall.

The dramedy, which also stars Bruce Willis, centers around a “a thirtysomething woman who becomes involved with a group of geeky fiftyish men who have found a way to work the sportsbook system in Las Vegas to their advantage.”

Vince is reportedly renting out his Chicago condo near the north side of town.

For $8,000, the tenant will get a place already equipped with four flat screen TVs and even a custom designed home theatre! http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/06/04/vince-vaughn-lay-the-favorite/

Premiere Of Relativity Media's "Judy Moody And The NOT Bummer Summer" - Arrivals

 

Premiere Of Relativity Media's "Judy Moody And The NOT Bummer Summer" - Arrivals

In This Photo: Heather Graham

Actress Heather Graham attends the premiere of Relativity Media's "Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer" at ArcLight Hollywood on June 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

( June 3, 2011 - Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images North America)

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/fskPqrqnFjz/Premiere+Relativity+Media+Judy+Moody+NOT+Bummer

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/h20My0ivTvQ/Premiere+Relativity+Media+Judy+Moody+NOT+Bummer

Bradley Cooper and Lukas Haas take in a game during the French Open at the Stade Roland Garros

 Bradley Cooper and Lukas Haas take in a game during the French Open at the Stade Roland Garros. Coopers new film "The Hangover: Part II" has broken box office records in the last couple of weeks.

( June 4, 2011 - Photo by PacificCoastNews.com)  Bradley Cooper and Lukas Haas take in a game during the French Open at the Stade Roland Garros. Coopers new film "The Hangover: Part II" has broken box office records in the last couple of weeks.

( June 4, 2011 - Photo by PacificCoastNews.com)

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/zO3tU1a0eau/Bradley+Cooper+Lukas+Haas+take+game+during

Marion Cotillard Films a Dior Campaign

Marion Cotillard is surrounded by a large team as she continues to shoot a campaign for Dior .

( June 3, 2011 - Photo by Bauer Griffin)

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/rs_A0gukZiP/Marion+Cotillard+Films+Dior+Campaign

Marion Cotillard Films a Dior Campaign 2

Marion Cotillard poses for a Dior photo shoot.

( June 3, 2011 - Photo by Bauer Griffin)

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/bFL4GbYu-_5/Marion+Cotillard+Films+Dior+Campaign+2

**Cameron Diaz to Star in WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING **New Image of Henry Cavill in IMMORTALS **Vince Vaughn Joins Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis, and Catherine Zeta-Jones in LAY THE FAVORITE

Cameron Diaz to Star in WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 5th, 2011

Since we’re apparently making movies out of baby books now, Cameron Diaz is close to being set to star in What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee) is directing from a script by Heather Hach (2003’s Freaky Friday) and Shauna Cross (Whip It!). Deadline reports that while nothing’s official yet, Diaz is expected to sign on to the film shortly. The approach to the flick is to tell a Love Actually-esque story, which is officially the only way to make self-help-based-romantic-comedies (yeah, that’s a thing now). The story will follow five expectant couples through the ups and downs of pregnancy.

..........  http://collider.com/cameron-diaz-what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting/89199/

New Image of Henry Cavill in IMMORTALS

by Jason Barr    Posted: May 5th, 2011

With the film’s new trailer set to debut in front of Thor this weekend, Relativity has sent over a new image of a spear-wielding Henry Cavill in Tarsem Singh’s Immortals. Briefly, Immortals tells the story of a stonemason named Theseus (Cavill) who vows to stop the ruthless King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) from obtaining the long lost Bow of Epirus. In addition to Cavill and Rourke, Immortals also stars Isabel Lucas, John Hurt, Freida Pinto, Kellan Lutz, Luke Evans, and Stephen Dorff. The film hits theaters later this year on November 11th.

Hit the jump to check out the image for yourself. In case you missed it, click here to check out the film’s trailer in HD.

........ http://collider.com/immortals-image-henry-cavill/89261/

Vince Vaughn Joins Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis, and Catherine Zeta-Jones in LAY THE FAVORITE

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: May 5th, 2011

Vince Vaughn will join Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis, and Catherine Zeta-Jones in the gambling drama Lay the Favorite.  The film is based on the memoir of Beth Raymer, played by Hall in the biopic.  Once a Las Vegas cocktail waitress, Raymer became an elite professional gambler: “After falling in love, Raymer soon begins to re-evaluate her life and the profession she has chosen.” Deadline reports Vaughn will play Rosie, a Long Island bookie who employed Raymer.  Willis is Dink Heimowitz, Raymer’s mentor who teaches her the finer points of betting on sports.  Zeta-Jones will play Dink’s wife.

Stephen Frears will direct from a script by D.V. De Vincentis.  I’m always interested in the latest from Frears, and I like the collection of eclectic gathering around Lay the Favorite.  Read a synopsis of Raymer’s memoir after the jump.

... http://collider.com/vince-vaughn-lay-the-favorite/89285/

**Trailer for THE LEDGE Starring Liv Tyler and Patrick Wilson **Casting Call: Evans and Thomas Join Refn’s ONLY GOD FORGIVES; Hammer to Lead 2:22; Grillo Signs on to LAY THE FAVORITE **Chris Hemsworth May Join SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN **Emily Mortimer Takes Lead Female Role in Aaron Sorkin’s New HBO Drama

Casting Call: Evans and Thomas Join Refn’s ONLY GOD FORGIVES; Hammer to Lead 2:22; Grillo Signs on to LAY THE FAVORITE

by Matt Goldberg   Posted: May 2nd, 2011

We have a few pieces of casting news to report this afternoon.  First up, Luke Evans and Kristin Scott Thomas have joined Nicolas Winding Refn’s independent drama Only God Forgives.  There’s no word yet on which roles the Evans or Thomas will play, but according to Cineuropa [via The Playlist], the plot centers “on a Thai police lieutenant whose rivalry with a gangster sees the two settling their differences in a Thai boxing match.”  International rights to the film will be sold later this month at Cannes.
Refn recently directed the Ryan Gosling thriller Drive—which will premiere at Cannes and open in the U.S. on September 16th—and he plans to shoot Only God Forgives before moving on to direct a remake of Logan’s Run which will also star Gosling.  Presumably, shooting on Only God Forgives would take place this summer and then Refn and Gosling would shoot Logan’s Run in the late fall or early winter in order to accommodate Gosling’s shooting schedule on Gangster Squad.  Hit the jump for casting news regarding Armie Hammer and Frank Grillo.
........... http://collider.com/only-god-forgives-evans-thomas-refn-armie-hammer-222/88525/

Chris Hemsworth May Join SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN

by Matt Goldberg   Posted: May 2nd, 2011

Chris Hemsworth (Thor) is about to become a movie star.  I caught Thor this past weekend and his performance is a major reason why the film works so well.  People are going to leave the theater talking about him and the job offers are about to come flooding in.  Additionally, the film has already been released overseas and is doing well at the international box office.  With all that in mind, Deadline is reporting that Hemsworth has become the frontrunner to play the huntsman in Rupert Sanders’ Snow White and the Huntsman.
The project has had some difficulty casting its lead actor after talks fell apart with Viggo Mortensen.  Universal reportedly was considering Hugh Jackman for the part, but he passed and last week we learned that rising star Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom) was under consideration.  Now we’ll wait to see if Hemsworth decides to join Kristen Stewart (who’s playing Snow White) and Charlize Theron (the Evil Queen).  The film is currently set for December 21, 2012.
............ http://collider.com/chris-hemsworth-snow-white-and-the-huntsman/88535/

Emily Mortimer Takes Lead Female Role in Aaron Sorkin’s New HBO Drama

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: May 2nd, 2011

Last week we learned that Marisa Tomei was close to taking the lead female role in a new series pilot for HBO from writer Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) and director Greg Mottola (Paul). However, it looks like another serious contender for the role has been locked into the pilot as Deadline reports Emily Mortimer (Shutter Island, Cars 2) has snagged the lead female role instead. Tentatively titled More as This Story Develops, the new series follows cable news anchor Will McCallister (Jeff Daniels), who has his own show, as well as the show’s female executive producer and staff. Mortimer is playing the executive producer, MacKenzie, for whom producing the news is what she does best and everything else is just noise. I’m thoroughly looking forward to seeing how this project turns out and can’t wait to see who else joins the cast.

....... http://collider.com/emily-mortimer-aaron-sorkin-hbo/88592/

Trailer for THE LEDGE Starring Liv Tyler and Patrick Wilson

by Jason Barr    Posted: May 2nd, 2011

The theatrical trailer for writer/director Matthew Chapman’s The Ledge has landed online. Starring Liv Tyler, Patrick Wilson, Charlie Hunnam, and Terrence Howard, the thriller screened at Sundance earlier this year and takes place as a man (Hunnam) threatens to jump from the ledge of a building. As the story goes, it becomes clear that the threat stems from a romantic and ideological dispute between Hunnam and Wilson’s characters.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer for yourself. For my part, I think the cut gives away a little too much regarding Hunnam’s purpose on the ledge. Nevertheless, the film looks to have plenty of drama and Wilson seems to be in a similarly crazy role to his turn in 2005’s Hard Candy (which I see as a plus). The Ledge is scheduled to hit theaters stateside on June 29th.

.......... http://collider.com/the-ledge-trailer/88609/

**Casting Call: Joshua Jackson to LAY THE FAVORITE; THE FIRST TIME for Victoria Justice, Craig Roberts, Dylan O’Brien; Michael Peña at END OF WATCH **First Trailer for THE HELP Plus 3 New Images **New Image of Colin Farrell in FRIGHT NIGHT **Elizabeth Banks Negotiating THE HUNGER GAMES

First Trailer for THE HELP Plus 3 New Images

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 18th, 2011

Disney has released the first trailer for The Help, based on the bestselling book by Kathryn Stockett.  Set in Mississippi during the civil rights movement of the early 1960s, The Help tells the story of three women: recent college graduate Skeeter (Emma Stone), wise black maid Aibileen (Viola Davis), and Aibileen’s sassy best friend Minny (Ocatvia Spencer).  The threesome “come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk.”  Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Lowell, Anna Camp, Ahna O Reilly, and Allison Janney also star.  Tate Taylor wrote and directed the adaptation.

The Help opens August 12.  Watch the trailer after the jump.

..............  http://collider.com/the-help-movie-trailer/86182/

New Image of Colin Farrell in FRIGHT NIGHT

by Jason Barr   Posted: April 18th, 2011

DreamWorks has released a new image of Colin Farrell in director Craig Gillespie’s (who is now confirmed to helm Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies) 3D remake of Fright Night. In addition to Farrell, Fright Night also stars Anton Yelchin, David Tennant, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Imogen Poots, Toni Collette, and Dave Franco. Like the 1985 original, the film tells the story of a teen (Yelchin) who discovers that his neighbor (Farrell) is a vampire who, by the looks of this new image, is incredibly at ease with the idea of biting the necks of girls rocking hoop earrings. Fright Night hits theaters this summer on August 19th. Hit the jump to check out the new image.

........ http://collider.com/fright-night-movie-image/86583/

Elizabeth Banks Negotiating THE HUNGER GAMES

by Jason Barr   Posted: April 18th, 2011

Elizabeth Banks is reportedly in talks to join Gary Ross’ adaptation of The Hunger Games. Per Variety, the actress is negotiating a deal that would see her play the role of Effie Trinket, a “flaky bureaucrat who escorts her district’s young death-match contestants to their fate.” If the deal goes through, Banks will join a cast that already includes Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth. Earlier today, Dayo Okeniyi and Amanda Stenberg became official members of Ross’ cast as well.

Based on the novel by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian “Capitol” that forces its districts to offer up teenage boys and girls as participants in a televised fight-to-the-death event known as “The Hunger Games.” Ross’ film is scheduled to hit theaters on March 23rd, 2012. For more, hit the jump to check out the official synopsis. .......... http://collider.com/elizabeth-banks-the-hunger-games/86591/

Casting Call: Joshua Jackson to LAY THE FAVORITE; THE FIRST TIME for Victoria Justice, Craig Roberts, Dylan O’Brien; Michael Peña at END OF WATCH

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: April 18th, 2011

Joshua Jackson (Fringe) is in talks to star opposite Bruce Willis and Rebecca Hall in Lay the Favorite, based on the life of Beth Raymer.  Once a Las Vegas cocktail waitress, Raymer became an elite professional gambler: “After falling in love, Raymer soon begins to re-evaluate her life and the profession she has chosen.”  Hall will portray Raymer — Willis will play her gambling mentor Dink Heimowitz.  Last we checked, Catherine Zeta-Jones was in talks to play Willis’ wife in the film.  Variety doesn’t specify in their report, but my instinct says Jackson is up for the love interest.  Lay the Favorite reunites director Stephen Frears (Tamara Drewe) with his High Fidelity screenwriter D.V. DeVincentis.

Hit the jump for more casting news, wherein Victoria Jackson, James Frecheville, and Craig Roberts join The First Time, and Michael Peña enters negotiations for End of Watch.

........... http://collider.com/joshua-jackson-lay-the-favorite-victoria-justice-the-first-time/86595/

**Catherine Zeta-Jones Joins Rebecca Hall and Bruce Willis in LAY THE FAVORITE **RESIDENT EVIL 5 Set to Be Released in 3D on September 14, 2012 **Rhys Ifans and Chris Pratt Join FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT **Julianne Hough Joins ROCK OF AGES **THE IDES OF MARCH Opens Earlier Than Expected on October 14

RESIDENT EVIL 5 Set to Be Released in 3D on September 14, 2012

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 3rd, 2011

As audiences continue to disagree with my wishes and see Resident Evil movies, it only makes sense that Screen Gems will continue to make new ones.  The fourth installment in the series, Resident Evil: Afterlife grossed almost $300 million worldwide and last September, star Milla Jovovich said they were seeking fan input, which is always a good idea because producers need to know that @RE5NotRacist thinks the series needs “mur bewbs”.

Whether or not the film will in fact have “mur bewbs”, Exhibitor Relations’ Facebook page reports that Resident Evil 5 (tentative title) will be released in “eye-gouging 3D” on September 14, 2012.  The September box office has been kind to the Resident Evil franchise and clearly Screen Gems sees no reason to mess with a “good” thing.  There are currently no other films set for release that weekend.

http://collider.com/resident-evil-5-movie-release-date/78963/

Catherine Zeta-Jones Joins Rebecca Hall and Bruce Willis in LAY THE FAVORITE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 3rd, 2011

Catherine Zeta-Jones has been largely absent from cinemas for the past several years, choosing instead to focus on her family. Her last film to be released domestically was 2008’s Death Defying Acts and she hasn’t attached herself to any projects for years.  But it looks like she might be getting back in the game as Deadline is reporting that Zeta-Jones is in talks to join Rebecca Hall and Bruce Willis in Stephen Frears’ adaptation of Beth Raymer’s memoir Lay the Favorite.

Hall would play a young woman who learns the ins and outs of sports gambling from her “lovable, irascible, and big-bellied” mentor/boss Dink Heimowitz (Willis).  Zeta-Jones would play Heimowitz’ wife.  Filming was originally going to take place in New York and Las Vegas in April, but has now moved to New Orleans for Louisiana’s preferable financial incentives.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of Raymer’s memoir.

...........

http://collider.com/catherine-zeta-jones-lay-the-favorite/78967/

Rhys Ifans and Chris Pratt Join FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT

by Jason Barr    Posted: March 3rd, 2011

Rhys Ifans and Chris Pratt have joined director/co-writer Nicholas Stoller’s (Get Him to the Greek) Five Year Engagement. Pratt’s inclusion is confirmed while Ifans is still “in talks,” however, both are expected to partake in a cast that already includes co-writer Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, and Alison Brie. While you may have already gathered as much based upon its title alone, Five Year Engagement follows a young couple’s (Segel and Blunt) extended engagement and the bumps and bruises that they undergo along the way.

Although details regarding Ifans and Pratt’s roles are not divulged in the report, Variety does confirm that the project is scheduled to begin production “towards the end of next month.” Both Ifans and Pratt have been busy as of late, with the former currently shooting the role of Dr. Curt Connors in The Amazing Spider-Man and the latter appearing in this weekend’s Take Me Home Tonight as well as recently wrapping on Moneyball alongside Brad Pitt and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

......

http://collider.com/rhys-ifans-chris-pratt-five-year-engagement/78982/

Julianne Hough Joins ROCK OF AGES

by Jason Barr    Posted: March 3rd, 2011

Julianne Hough is reportedly in final negotiations to join Tom Cruise in the film adaptation of Rock of Ages. Per Variety, Hough has earned the role of Sherrie Christian in director Adam Shankman’s (Hairspray) adaptation of the Chris D’Arienzo musical. D’Arienzo penned the script which focuses on a couple that falls in love against the musical backdrop of Bon Jovi, Journey, Styx, etc. and attempts to “stay together while living the rock life.” Shankman and Justin Theroux (Iron Man 2) are currently performing rewrites on the script.

While Variety stops just short of confirming Hough’s involvement, TheWrap claims that Shankman had no such reservation with them in claiming that Hough would play the female lead in the film. As of now, the only other cast member (outside of Cruise) confirmed for Rock of Ages is recording artist Mary J. Blige in the role of Justice Charlier. The project is schedule to begin shooting on May 19th in Florida. Hough and Shankman have a working relationship that predates Rock of Ages as the director helmed Hough’s music video for her 2010 song “Is That So Wrong?”

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http://collider.com/julianne-hough-rock-of-ages/78991/

THE IDES OF MARCH Opens Earlier Than Expected on October 14

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: March 3rd, 2011

When Sony Pictures acquired the George Clooney-directed political thriller The Ides of March, it was suggested the studio planned for a platform release: limited opening in December, then expand in January 2012.  THR reports that Sony has instead scheduled the likely awards contender to open on October 14. I am very much looking forward to The Ides of March, so even though that particular October weekend is packed with wide releases — The Big Year, The Three Musketeers, The Thing, Footloose – my choice is made.

Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, and Evan Rachel Wood star in The Ides of March.  Clooney and producing partner Grant Heslov (Good Night, and Good Luck) adapted the script from the Beau Willimon play Farragut North about “a young press secretary who falls prey to dirty backroom politics as he works to get his candidate elected in a tight race.”

http://collider.com/the-ides-of-march-release-date/79016/

***Zeta-Jones And Timberlake May Join Lay The Favorite, Take The Dog ***Gerard Butler Will Live Like Jay For A Surfing Movie ***Zac Efron Replaces Shia LaBeouf In The Necessary Death Of Charlie Countryman ***Tommy Lee Jones Doesn't Know What Men In Black 3 Is About

Zeta-Jones And Timberlake May Join Lay The Favorite, Take The Dog

Author: Eric Eisenberg published: 2011-02-11
Once one of the hottest actresses around, Catherine Zeta-Jones has all but completely disappeared in the last few years. Ten years ago she was averaging about two films per year, but now has only made three films in the last six. An Oscar winner from her work in 2002's Chicago, she's never lacked in the talent department and is still as beautiful as ever. Lucky for us, she may be making a come back.

Continuing their story about Bruce Willis entering negotiations to star in Stephen Frears' Lay The Favorite, Take The Dog, Vulture is now reporting that Catherine Zeta-Jones and Justin Timberlake are now very close to attaching themselves to the project as well. The film is based on the memoir by Beth Raymer, who becomes linked with a group of middle aged math geeks who try and take down the sportsbook system in Las Vegas. Rebecca Hall is already attached to play Raymer; Bruce Willis will play Dink, an out-of-luck professional gambler; and, should they be cast, Zeta-Jones would play Willis' wife and Timberlake would play a Long Island bookie named Rosie, who runs off-shore sports booking. Zeta-Jones previously starred in Frears' High Fidelity, which was also written by D.V. DeVincentis. Shooting is scheduled to begin in April.

Should it all work out, that would be one hell of a cast. Just last week Stephen Frears did a Q&A in Oxford, via Bleeding Cool, during which he said the project was in jeopardy because the studio wanted to have "more famous people in." Ask and you shall receive, I suppose.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Zeta-Jones-And-Timberlake-May-Join-Lay-The-Favorite-Take-The-Dog-23132.html

Gerard Butler Will Live Like Jay For A Surfing Movie

Author: Josh Tyler
published: 2011-02-11
Gerard Butler is starring in a surfing movie, which might be a good idea if anyone ever showed up to see surfing movies. Maybe Curtis Hanson can change that with Mavericks.

The film is based on the real life story of Jay Moriarty, a Santa Cruz surfing phenom who made his reputation surfing a treacherous place called Mavericks in California. He became internationally famous at age 16 when his spectacular wipeout at Mavericks was photographed. The movie will focus on his quest to conquer those waves, before he was eventually killed at age 22 in an unrelated diving accident.

Butler is being hired to play Moriarity’s mentor, a surfer named Rick “Frosty” Henson. Surfing movies aren’t particularly relevant anymore, but Moriarty was an inspiration to a lot of other thrill-seekers who still utter the phrase “live like Jay”. Besides, women seem to like seeing Gerard Butler shirtless, and it’s being directed by Curtis Hanson, the man behind L.A. Confidential and 8 Mile.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gerard-Butler-Will-Live-Like-Jay-For-A-Surfing-Movie-23129.html

Zac Efron Replaces Shia LaBeouf In The Necessary Death Of Charlie Countryman

Author: Eric Eisenberg
published: 2011-02-11
It's strange, but it would appear that Zac Efron may actually be one of the few child actors to make a smooth transition into a legitimate acting career. While so many former Disney stars have their 15-minutes of fame before burning out, Efron has successfully lowered his teen heartthrob profile in recent years and taken on more serious projects like Die In A Gunfight and the remake of the Swedish film Snabba Cash. Now he's added another project to his upcoming slate in the same vein.

The Playlist reports that Efron is now attached to The Necessary Death Of Charlie Countryman, replacing Shia LaBeouf - another former Disney star - who was signed on to the project last year. Efron will play a young man who travels to Europe after the death of his mother. While abroad, he meets a girl and falls in love, but she happens to be involved with a crime boss. Feeling the need to protect her, he decides to fight, both to win her heart and protect her. The project was written by Matt Drake, who also penned the upcoming secret Todd Phillips film Project X, but doesn't currently have a director attached.

Someone out there can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but does this sound a little bit like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World with one major boss battle instead of seven? It's entirely possible that they will go a different approach with it - for example, an R rating and no references to video games - but it does seem eerily similar. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how it works out.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Zac-Efron-Replaces-Shia-LaBeouf-In-The-Necessary-Death-Of-Charlie-Countryman-23127.html

Tommy Lee Jones Doesn't Know What Men In Black 3 Is About

Author: Katey Rich
published: 2011-02-11
For a famous curmudgeon who doesn't seem to like anyone or anything, Tommy Lee Jones is still working a lot, and particularly on two big tentpole projects that everyone wants details on: this summer's Captain America, and the forthcoming Men In Black 3. But if you thought Jones's participation in the two films meant he would have details worth spilling, oh boy were you ever wrong. In a hilariously frank interview with New York Magazine, Jones talked a lot about his HBO movie The Sunset Limited, but then revealed that he knows virtually nothing about the two big projects he's part of.

They started by asking about Men in Black 3, which Jones will still be shooting for another week with director Barry Sonnenfeld and co-star Will Smith; to his credit, he calls the shot "a hell of a lot of fun." But then they ask about plot details, and well, Jones is basically a stone wall:

Can you give me a sense of the plot of this one?
No. I don’t really know what the plotline is. There are vast pieces of the script yet unwritten.

Even though there’s only one week of shooting left?
One week for me.

Does that mean that you die early on?
Well, that’s a strange concept. I don’t want to say too much about the movie because I don’t know a lot and I would like for audiences to anticipate buying a ticket.

Apparently given some license to talk smack about a blockbuster project, the interviewer then went in for the kill when asking about Captain America. And Jones played right along!

Finally, what are you doing in Captain America? I mean, literally: What are you doing in Captain America!?
Yeah, I ask myself that same question every day! The character I play is the one you’ve seen in a thousand movies: the gruff, skeptical officer overseeing a team of talented, slightly sarcastic, specially talented soldiers.

And I’m guessing you’re confounded by the Captain …
Not confounded, exactly. Skeptical. At first. And then convinced.

In short, don't bother asking Tommy Lee Jones about his career choices, because if he's in a movie he didn't direct or that cost more than $100 million, he's probably as annoyed with it as you are. I know that probably qualifies as being a poor sport, but I admit, I kind of love him for this.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Tommy-Lee-Jones-Doesn-t-Know-What-Men-In-Black-3-Is-About-23123.html

***Tom Cruise Joins ROCK OF AGES ***Nicholas Hoult Nabs Lead Role in Bryan Singer’s JACK THE GIANT KILLER ***Bruce Willis in Talks to Join Rebecca Hall in LAY THE FAVORITE, TAKE THE DOG; DIE HARD 5 Goes Back to the Drawing Board

Tom Cruise Joins ROCK OF AGES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 11th, 2011

After circling the project for several months, Tom Cruise is closing a deal to star in the musical Rock of Ages.  The film is an adaptation of the popular stage musical about 1980s rockers.  According to THR, Cruise will play “Stacee Jaxx, the arrogant and charming star at the top of his career. Jaxx sings Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead of Alive” in the theater production.  Adam Shankman (Hairspray) will direct from a script by Chris D’Arienzo.  Mary J. Blige, Gwyneth Paltrow, Russell Brand, and Alec Baldwin are also considering roles in the film.

Production on the film is scheduled to start in May.  Cruise is also being courted for for the lead in Guillermo del Toro’s At the Mountains of Madness.  The role will most likely require less singing than Rock of Ages.

.... more; http://collider.com/tom-cruise-joins-rock-of-ages/75693/

Nicholas Hoult Nabs Lead Role in Bryan Singer’s JACK THE GIANT KILLER

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 11th, 2011

Nicholas Hoult is set to star in Bryan Singer’s Jack the Giant Killer.  The story is a darker spin on the fairy tale of “Jack and the Beanstalk”.  In this re-telling, Jack is on a mission to rescue a princess from the kingdom of the giants. Earlier this week, we reported that casting was ramping up and that Stanley Tucci would play the film’s villain Roderick while Bill Nighy would play one of the two heads of two-headed leader of the giants (the other is played by John Kassir).  Deadline reports that Hoult got on Singer’s radar after being cast as Beast in X-Men: First Class, which Singer is producing.

Hit the jump for more on Hoult.

..... more; http://collider.com/jack-the-giant-killer-nicholas-hoult/75708/

Bruce Willis in Talks to Join Rebecca Hall in LAY THE FAVORITE, TAKE THE DOG; DIE HARD 5 Goes Back to the Drawing Board

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 11th, 2011

A couple weeks ago, we reported that rising star Rebecca Hall (The Town) would lead Stephen Frears’ adaptation of Beth Raymor’s Lay the Favorite: A Memoir of Gambling.  Hall will play Raymor, who chronicled her years working in the world of Vegas sports gambling.  Today, Vulture reports that Bruce Willis has signed on to play Raymor’s mentor/boss Dink Heimowitz in the flick, which is now titled Lay the Favorite, Take the Dog.  In the synopsis of the book, “Dinky” is described as “lovable, irascible, and big-bellied.”  I’m not sure Willis is willing to pack on the pounds, but he’s got “irascible” down to a science.

Vulture also mentions that Die Hard 5 isn’t as far along in development as we thought.  Hit the jump for more on the project as well as the book synopsis for Lay the Favorite.

..... more; http://collider.com/bruce-willis-lay-the-favorite-die-hard-5/75723/

***Anthony Hopkins in Talks to Play Alfred Hitchcock ***New Images from RED RIDING HOOD ***Rebecca Hall Will LAY THE FAVORITE for Director Stephen Frears

Anthony Hopkins in Talks to Play Alfred Hitchcock

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 21st, 2011

Sir Anthony Hopkins may soon make a turn as the Master of Suspense, Sir Alfred Hitchcock.  The Oscar-winner is currently in negotiations with Ivan Reitman’s Montecito Pictures to star in the film adaptation of Stephen Rebello’s book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho.  Momentum on the film is certainly gaining as, only two days ago, we reported that Anvil! The Story of Anvil director Sacha Gervasi was in talks to direct the pic and rewrite John McLaughlin’s (Black Swan) script.

This is not Hopkins’ first time courting the role, as Heat Vision points out, that the actor was attached to a previous iteration of the project with Ryan Murphy directing and Helen Mirren starring opposite Hopkins.  To learn more about the potential project, hit the jump for an overview of Rebello’s book/the film’s source material.

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http://collider.com/anthony-hopkins-alfred-hitchcock/71931/

New Images from RED RIDING HOOD

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 21st, 2011

A couple of days ago we brought you the new trailer for Red Riding Hood, and today we’ve got some new images from director Catherine Hardwicke’s (Twilight) loose adaptation of the classic fairy tale. The film stars Amanda Seyfried as the titular girl in red (with a hood, no less), with Gary Oldman, Virginia Madsen, Julie Christie, Lukas Haas, Max Irons (Dorian Gray) and Shiloh Fernandez (United States of Tara) rounding out the cast. The film is set to hit theaters on March 11^th. Hit the jump to check out the images. Rebecca Hall Will LAY THE FAVORITE for Director Stephen FrearsAdam Chitwood

Continue Reading

http://collider.com/red-riding-hood-movie-images/71946/

 

 

 

by     Posted: January 21st, 201

The Town star Rebecca Hall has been tapped to take on the lead role in director Stephen Frears’ (The Queen) adaptation of Beth Raymor’s memoir Lay the Favorite: A Memoir of Gambling.  The book chronicles Raymor’s time spent mingling in the world of Vegas sports gambling. Frears directs from a script by D.V. De Vincentis, with whom he collaborated on High Fidelity and Grosse Pointe Blank. The Wrap reports that Focus Features will produce. Hall most recently starred in the indie film Everything Must Go with Will Ferrell. Hit the jump to read a synopsis of Raymor’s memoir.

Here’s the synopsis for Lay the Favorite: A Memoir of Gambling:

It’s hard not to like the breezy, ingenuous voice of this plucky protagonist who proves she’s game for any kind of new experience. Hailing from Ohio, Raymer eventually made her way to Las Vegas when she was 24 and found a lucrative position assisting a Queens-born, Stuyvesant High School-educated gambling operator, Dink Heimowitz. The lovable, irascible, big-bellied Dinky had shucked life as a bookmaker back in New York, having run into trouble, for professional sports gambling; he put Raymer and the other motley staff on the phones setting up bets for all kinds of sports matchups (baseball, football, horse racing, hockey) in order to find a line that gave him an edge. Dinky referred Raymer to a high-flying bookie on Long Island, Bernard Rose, who had his own offshore network. As girl Friday Raymer fetched doughnuts, placed calls, and acted as a runner, making wads of dough, but mostly Raymer cherished working among the assortment of gambling types, the low-end hustlers and misfits she chronicles with evident tenderness. (Amazon)

http://collider.com/rebecca-hall-lay-the-favorite/71968/