Gillian Jacobs Is SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD; Rob Corddry, Rob Huebel, and Thomas Lennon Join RAPTUREPALOOZA
by Jason Barr Posted: May 17th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
We have a couple of casting bits to bring your way tonight. First up, Community’s Gillian Jacobs has joined Steve Carell and Keira Knightley in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Written/directed by Lorene Scafaria (who wrote the film adaptation of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist), Friend tells the story of a man (Carell) and woman (Knightley) who embark on a trip to locate the former’s high school sweetheart before an oncoming asteroid ends life on Earth as we know it. THR reports that Jacobs’ role will be that of a “waitress high on Ecstasy that the duo meet on their journey” (which sounds eerily similar to the one Lindsay Sloane was in talks for as of last week). The story also confirms earlier reports that William Peterson, Adam Brody, and Rob Corddry will appear in the film. Production on the film began this week in Los Angeles.
Speaking of Rob Corddry, Variety confirms that he, Rob Huebel (Childrens’ Hospital), and Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!) will star in the post-apocalyptic comedy Rapturepalooza. The trio join a cast that already includes Anna Kendrick (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), John Francis Daley (Bones), and The Office’s Craig Robinson. The promising, albeit low-budget (coming in at less than $2 million), centers on two teens (Kendrick and Daley) who battle their way through the end of the world in order to defeat the Antichrist (Robinson). Paul Middleditch will direct Rapturepalooza for Lionsgate from a script by Chris Matheson.
http://collider.com/gillian-jacobs-seeking-a-friend-for-the-end-of-the-world-rob-corddry-rapturepalooza/91441/
Joel Edgerton Lands THE GREAT GATSBY
by Jason Barr Posted: May 17th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom) will play the role of Tom Buchanan in director Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 classic, The Great Gatsby. A few days ago, we reported that Edgerton was considered a top contender for the role alongside Luke Evans (Clash of the Titans). Tonight, Deadline confirms that Edgerton has claimed the significant role (once occupied by Ben Affleck) and will join a cast that already includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, and Isla Fisher. In discussing Edgerton’s casting, Luhrmann credited the actor’s physicality and “five-star acting chops” as deciding factors.
In addition to Gatsby, Edgerton can next be seen alongside Tom Hardy in the action/drama Warrior due out later this year on September 9th. The Aussie actor also stars in the remake of John Carpenter’s The Thing alongside Mary Elizabeth Winstead which is due out October 14th. Production on Gatsby is set to begin this August in Sydney with an unspecified 2012 3D release date in mind.
http://collider.com/joel-edgerton-the-great-gatsby/91435/
Armie Hammer Is THE LONE RANGER
by Jason Barr Posted: May 17th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Armie Hammer (The Social Network) will star in Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s adaptation of The Lone Ranger. Variety reports that the actor is in final negotiations to take on the iconic role of “The Lone Ranger” which began as a radio show in the 1930s before being adapted into the massively popular television series in 1949. Hammer will play opposite Johnny Depp who has been attached to the project as the Ranger’s trusty sidekick, Tonto, since 2008. Gore Verbinski (Rango) will direct The Lone Ranger from a script by Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road).
Production on the film is expected to begin after Depp wraps Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows adaptation which is due out May 11th, 2012. As for Hammer, his stock continues to rise as he has recently locked down the role of the prince alongside Julia Roberts in The Brothers Grimm: Snow White as well as a supporting role in Clint Eastwood’s Herbert Hoover biopic, Hoover.
http://collider.com/armie-hammer-the-lone-ranger-2/91431/
Keanu Reeves Will NOT Star in AKIRA; Film Still in Development
by Jason Barr Posted: May 17th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Talks between Warner Bros. and Keanu Reeves regarding his role in the studio’s adaptation of the manga-turned-anime, Akira, have come to an end with Reeves passing on the project. JoBlo broke the news of the deceased negotiations earlier today which quickly spawned questions concerning the film’s future at the studio. While I’ll stop short of projecting the film’s long-term outlook, for now we have confirmed the accuracy of the original report with the studio who reassures us that Reeves passing on the role has not killed the project which is set to be directed by Albert Hughes (The Hughes Brothers) from a rewritten script by Steve Kloves (the Harry Potter series).
Although the constant back-and-forth regarding Akira casting may appear to be a bleak sign for the project (a shortlist of names including Robert Pattinson and Chris Pine previously appeared here, with names like James Franco and Zac Efron being rumored here and here), it’s worthy to note that many high-profile/big-budget projects such as this have a difficult time getting off of the ground initially. As such, we should most likely expect Warner Bros. to begin courting another upper-echelon name to attach to the project in the near future. For more on Akira, including a statement from the studio, hit the jump.
http://collider.com/keanu-reeves-akira-2/91421/
Showing posts with label Rapturepalooza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rapturepalooza. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
***Keanu Reeves Will NOT Star in AKIRA; Film Still in Development ***Armie Hammer Is THE LONE RANGER ***Gillian Jacobs Is SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD; Rob Corddry, Rob Huebel, and Thomas Lennon Join RAPTUREPALOOZA ***Joel Edgerton Lands THE GREAT GATSBY
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
**Cameron Crowe Tweets First Images from WE BOUGHT A ZOO **Anna Kendrick and John Francis Daley in Talks to Join RAPTUREPALOOZA **Scott Mann Hired to Direct SEVEN SAMURAI Remake for The Weinstein Company **Hugh Jackman May Reteam with Shawn Levy for FANTASTIC VOYAGE Remake
Anna Kendrick and John Francis Daley in Talks to Join RAPTUREPALOOZA
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 3rd, 2011
Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air) and John Francis Daley (Bones) are in talks to join Craig Robinson in the apocalypse comedy Rapturepalooza. The story centers on a couple (presumably Kendrick and Daley) trying to run a sandwich shop after the Rapture has sucked up all the God-fearing folk. Matters are made worse when the Anti-Christ (Robinson) chooses Kendrick’s character to be his new bride. THR reports that Paul Middleditch will direct from Chris Matheson’s script, which is described as “Zombieland meets The Big Lebowski“. Rapturepalooza is the first film under Lionsgate’s new “microbudget” initiative to create films that cost $2 million or less.Kendrick recently co-starred in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and will next be seen alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen in the cancer dramedy 50/50. As for Daley, in addition to co-starring on Bones, he’s got a successful screenwriting career going. He co-wrote the script for the upcoming comedies Horrible Bosses and Burt Wonderstone, and last February he was hired to co-write a remake of National Lampoon’s Vacation with writing partner Jonathan Goldstein.
........ http://collider.com/anna-kendrick-john-francis-daley-rapturepalooza/88726/
Scott Mann Hired to Direct SEVEN SAMURAI Remake for The Weinstein Company
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 3rd, 2011
Remaking Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai is an exercise in futility* but so is railing against remakes. They’re going to happen, and they’re probably not going to be as good as the original, but you’ll always have that original. The Weinstein Company is remaking Seven Samurai but that doesn’t mean Harvey Weinstein is coming to my house and confiscating my Criterion Collection Blu-ray. Variety reports that the studio has hired Scott Mann to helm the remake (written by Young Guns screenwriter John Fusco). The new Seven Samurai will have a $60 million budget, reset the action from feudal Japan to modern-day Thailand, and replace the samurai with paramilitary contractors. It’s a smart update because as we all know, the age of the paramilitary contractor is coming to an end and those mercenaries who work for companies like Blackwater are truly noble and tragic figures.
Mann’s been receiving some attention for his recent film The Tournament, but The Playlist says the flick is “pretty turgid overall.” For those who’ve never seen Seven Samurai, I’ve included a synopsis for the film after the jump, but I want you to promise me you’ll see the movie ASAP. Deal?
Hugh Jackman May Reteam with Shawn Levy for FANTASTIC VOYAGE Remake
by Adam Chitwood Posted: May 3rd, 2011
It looks like Hugh Jackman may be reteaming with his Real Steel director Shawn Levy quite soon. Apparently Jackman is Levy’s first choice to star in his James Cameron-produced 3D remake of Fantastic Voyage. If you missed the 1966 version, the story centers on a group of scientists who shrink themselves in order to enter a colleague’s body and save him from a blood clot. Deadline reports that Jackman and Levy got along “famously” when filming Real Steel, and Jackman now has an opening in his schedule with The Wolverine now scrambling to find a director post-Darren Aronofsky’s departure.
A new draft of the script, by Shane Salerno (Shaft) and Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island) is expected soon, with the tone of the film now including a “dramatic love story,” so it sounds like movement on the project is picking up quickly. Jackman isn’t locked into the role yet, and no offer has been made, but it does look like Levy has settled on a favorite. Real Steel is set to hit theaters on October 11th.
Cameron Crowe Tweets First Images from WE BOUGHT A ZOO
by Adam Chitwood Posted: May 3rd, 2011
Here’s something I never thought I’d say: Cameron Crowe is on twitter. The writer/director now has a twitter account, and today released the first images from his new film We Bought a Zoo. Based on the memoir by Benjamin Mee, the film tells the story of a man who decides to buy and run a zoo with his family following the death of his wife. The cast includes Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous), Elle Fanning (Somewhere), J.B. Smoove (Date Night) and John Michael Higgins (Yes Man).
The images give us our first look at Johansson and Fugit, as well as a nice snapshot of Damon’s character and his family (complete with his wife, played by Stephanie Szostak). We got our first peek at Damon in character back in January via some rather uninteresting set photos. Crowe is simultaneously releasing his Elton John/Leon Russell documentary, tweaking his Pearl Jam documentary Pearl Jam 20, and starting post-production on Zoo. Hit the jump to check out the images. We Bought a Zoo hits theaters December 23rd.
