*Julia Roberts Confirmed as the Evil Queen in Tarsem Singh’s THE BROTHERS GRIMM: SNOW WHITE **Brendan Gleeson, Robert Patrick, Liam Cunningham, and Sam Shepard Join SAFE HOUSE

Julia Roberts Confirmed as the Evil Queen in Tarsem Singh’s THE BROTHERS GRIMM: SNOW WHITE

by Ramses Flores    Posted: February 8th, 2011

Julia Roberts has been confirmed as the Evil Queen in Tarsem Singh’s (The Fall) upcoming 3D Snow White film, The Brothers Grimm: Snow White.  Relativity Media was first courting Roberts for the role before moving into talks with the actress.  Now, Deadline is reporting that Roberts is confirmed to star in the film.  I’m personally excited about this casting news not because of the casting itself, but because it is a huge step forward towards bringing what is sure to be an extremely visual take on the fairy tale by Tarsem to the big screen.   This also marks the film’s first official casting announcement for the project even though such actresses as Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, and Anne Hathaway have been rumored as possible candidates for the film.

In other Snow White film news, Universal Pictures competing film, Snow White and the Huntsman, continues to be farther ahead when it comes to casting.  The studio is currently in talks with Kristen Stewart to play Snow White with Charlize Theron starring as the Evil Queen and Viggo Mortensen set to star as the Hunstman.  Commercial director Rupert Sanders is set to helm the picture.  Meanwhile, Disney recently announced that screenwriter Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3) will be taking a crack at their long-gestating Snow White project, Snow and the Seven, which will transport the fairy tale to 19^th century China.

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http://collider.com/julia-roberts-brothers-grimm-snow-white/75201/

Brendan Gleeson, Robert Patrick, Liam Cunningham, and Sam Shepard Join SAFE HOUSE

by CJ Simonson    Posted: February 8th, 2011

Any movie with Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds and singer/actor Rubén Blades already has a top notch cast — which makes this news all the sweeter. The Wrap is reporting that four more actors will join CIA thriller Safe House: Brendan Gleeson (the Harry Potter movies), Robert Patrick (The Unit), Liam Cunningham (Clash of the Titans) and Sam Shepard (Fair Game).

Directed by Daniel Espinosa (Easy Money) and penned by new screenwriter David Guggenheim, the movie is about a CIA Agent (Reynolds) whose top secret safe house is attacked by assassins, leaving him to safely transport a criminal (Washington) to Washington.  Scott Stuber is producing through his Universal-based Stuber Pictures and Trevor Macy is executive producing through Intrepid Pictures. Safe House will be released February 10, 2012.

............... http://collider.com/safe-house-brendan-gleeson-robert-patrick/75211/

***Is Christian Bale the Frontrunner to Play Roland Deschain in Ron Howard’s THE DARK TOWER? ***John Travolta in Talks to Play GOTTI ***Rubén Blades Takes on SAFE HOUSE Starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds

Is Christian Bale the Frontrunner to Play Roland Deschain in Ron Howard’s THE DARK TOWER?

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 26th, 2011

Almost a month ago, we reported that Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen were the leading candidates to take on the starring role of Roland Deschain in Ron Howard’s The Dark Tower adaptation.  Today, we’re updating the list of candidates to include recent Golden Globe-winner (and current Oscar-nominee) Christian Bale.  Reports are filing in that Bale has not only entered the casting equation but that he is currently director Ron Howard’s choice for the lead role.

For more on the role of Deschain as well as updates regarding possible candidates for female character Susannah Dean, hit the jump.

News of Bale’s potential involvement in The Dark Tower originates with the New York Post whose report is quick to point out that the role of Deschain is one of the most coveted roles currently floating around Hollywood.  The role’s popularity in mind, and with the first of three films in the Stephen King franchise not due out until May 17th, 2013, it may be safe to say that rumors regarding The Dark Tower’s leading man may change potential hands a few more times before any concrete announcements are made.

........ more here;

http://collider.com/christian-bale-the-dark-tower/72779/

John Travolta in Talks to Play GOTTI

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 26th, 2011

John Travolta could soon be making a turn as one of America’s most recognizable criminals.  The actor is said to be in serious talks with producer Marc Fiore to make a turn as mob boss John Gotti, Sr. in Fiore Films’ Gotti.  When asked about the potential casting, Fiore told EW’s Inside Movies:

“We would love to have him. He’s a terrific actor. John Gotti, Sr. — he’s an icon. And so is Travolta … The Gottis have an image already. People know who they are. You can’t just be a good actor, you have to be a great actor who can become John Gotti.”

Nick Cassavetes (Alpha Dog) is also in talks with Fiore to direct Leo Rossi’s screenplay with the film aiming for a summer 2011 shoot.  Although Gotti has yet to officially name any cast members and/or a director, Fiore has his sights set high with the project telling the same EW report that, “it’s going to be the new Godfather.”  For his sake, I hope those who miss the moon really do land among the stars.

http://collider.com/john-travolta-gotti/72788/

Rubén Blades Takes on SAFE HOUSE Starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 26th, 2011

In what will be his first Hollywood film since 2003’s Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Rubén Blades has signed on to star in the Universal Pictures thriller Safe House.  TheWrap reports that Blades will join a cast that already features Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Nora Arnezeder, and Indian Outlaw-turned-actor Tim McGraw (“Indian Outlaw” quip brought to you courtesy of my curiously large amount of worthless country music knowledge).

Due out February 10, 2012, Safe House follow a CIA agent (Reynolds) who must transport a dangerous criminal (Washington) to safety.  Daniel Espinosa (Snabba Cash) will direct David Guggenheim’s 2010 Black List script.

http://collider.com/ruben-blades-safe-house/72812/