**International Trailer for WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER? **Johnny Simmons Cast in 21 JUMP STREET and THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER **Joel Kinnaman Joins Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds in SAFE HOUSE **Olivia Munn, Alison Pill, Marisa Tomei Joining Aaron Sorkin’s HBO Series MORE AS THIS STORY DEVELOPS

Johnny Simmons Cast in 21 JUMP STREET and THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: April 25th, 2011

Johnny Simmons (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) has scheduled the rest of his 2011 slate — the babyfaced 24-year-old will, like he has for most of his career, continue to play teenagers.  Up first is the 21 Jump Street movie, where Simmons acts opposite Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Scott Pilgrim co-star Brie Larson.  Next, Simmons will shoot the The Perks of Being a Wallflower adaptation with Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Nina Dobrev and Scott Pilgrim co-star Mae Whitman.  Later in the year, Variety confirms Simmons is on board the naughty comedy The Hand Job with Andy Samberg, Donald Glover, Connie Britton, Alia Shawkat, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Scott Porter, Dominic Dierkes, DC Pierson.  Oh, and Scott Pilgrim co-stars Mae Whitman and Aubrey Plaza, not to mention “The Voice” of Scott Pilgrim, Bill Hader.  (Can we take a brief second to re-marvel at the amazing Scott Pilgrim supporting cast?  Ripples for decades!  Okay, back to the piece.)

Hit the jump for more on each project.

.............. http://collider.com/johnny-simmons-21-jump-street-perks-being-wallflower/87584/

THE KILLING Star Joel Kinnaman Joins Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds in SAFE HOUSE

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: April 25th, 2011

The new AMC series The Killing is host to fine some acting — too fine to be confined to television.  Tonight, it was reported Mireille Enos is in talks to join Brad Pitt in World War Z; now Heat Vision adds that her Killing co-star Joel Kinnaman will star opposite Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Tim McGraw, Brendan Gleeson, Ruben Blades and the recently announced Vera Farmiga in Safe House.  The story follows “the only surviving agent of an attack on a CIA safe house (Reynolds) as he tries to transport a lethal prisoner (Washington) to a second destination before being taken out by violent forces that want them both dead.”  Kinnaman will play a man who operates the safe house in what Heat Vision calls “a key role.”

The Swedish actor first gained international attention last year in Snabba Cash.  Safe House just so happens to be the Hollywood debut of director Daniel Espinosa.  Kinnaman will first be seen in The Darkest Hour, an alien invasion thriller due December 23.  Safe House follows on February 10, 2012.  Filming is currently underway in South Africa.

.......... http://collider.com/joel-kinnaman-safe-house/87606/

Olivia Munn, Alison Pill, Marisa Tomei Joining Aaron Sorkin’s HBO Series MORE AS THIS STORY DEVELOPS

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: April 25th, 2011

We already know that Jeff Daniels is slated to lead a new HBO pilot from writer Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) with Greg Mottola attached to direct. Now the female side of the cast is filling out as Deadline reports Olivia Munn (Date Night), Alison Pill (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) and potentially Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler) are in various stages of joining the project tentatively titled More As This Story Develops. The new series would follow cable news anchor Will McCallister (Jeff Daniels), who has his own show, as well as the show’s female executive producer and staff.

Tomei is currently inching closer to taking the lead female role of executive producer, MacKenzie, for whom producing the news is what she does best and everything else is just noise. Apparently her involvement isn’t official yet, but it sounds like she’ll end up taking the role. Meanwhile, Munn and Pill are already in negotiations for their roles with the former playing a sexy financial analyst on the same cable network as McCallister and the latter taking the role of Maggie, an associate producer on the assignment desk. Sounds like quite a promising series, with a spectacular cast being rounded up. Stay tuned as this project develops.

........ http://collider.com/olivia-munn-marisa-tomei-more-as-this-story-develops/87612/

International Trailer for WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER?

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 26th, 2011

An international trailer for the comedy What’s Your Number?.  Anna Faris stars as a woman  who realizes upon sleeping with her 20th guy that she may have missed Mr. Right along the way.  Chris Evans, Zachary Quinto, Matthew Bomer, Chris Pratt, Andy Samberg, Joel McHale, and Thomas Lennon had all been previously announced as being in the cast, but this new trailer shows that Martin Freeman (BBC’s Sherlock) and Anthony Mackie (The Adjustment Bureau) are also in the mix.  As for the trailer itself, it looks it could be a solid comic showcase for the talented Faris as long as the script doesn’t fall into too many rom-com cliches.

Mark Mylod (Entourage) directed the script by Jennifer Crittenden (The New Adventures of Old Christine) and Gabrielle Allan (Scrubs).  Hit the jump to check out the international trailer.  What’s Your Number? opens September 30.  Watch the trailer after the jump.

.............. http://collider.com/whats-your-number-trailer/87008/

**New Images from SUPER 8 and THE HANGOVER PART II **Vera Farmiga Joins Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds in SAFE HOUSE **Johnny Depp Confirmed to Cameo in 21 JUMP STREET **Paul Greengrass Pushes MEMPHIS Back, Will Next Direct THE DEEP BLUE GOOD-BY?

Vera Farmiga Joins Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds in SAFE HOUSE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 25th, 2011

Filming on Daniel Espinosa’s thriller Safe House is well underway (we showed you some set photos from the film back in early March), but the production has just landed another great actor.  Deadline reports that Vera Farmiga has joined the film, which follows a young agent (Ryan Reynolds) assigned to escort a deadly operative (Denzel Washington) to safety after their safe house is attacked.  According to Deadline, “Farmiga will play a CIA operative supervising Reynolds’ character.”  The film also stars Nora Arnezeder, Ruben Blades, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Cunningham, Tim McGraw, Robert Patrick, and Sam Shepard.

Farmiga recently co-starred in Source Code.   She recently signed on to co-star with Michael C. Hall in Love, Scotch and Death. Her directorial debut, Higher Ground, played at Sundance and will hit theaters this summer. Safe House is due out February 10, 2012.

.............. http://collider.com/vera-farmiga-safe-house/87466/

New Images from SUPER 8 and THE HANGOVER PART II

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 25th, 2011

New images from J.J. Abrams’ Super 8 and Todd Phillips The Hangover Part II have been released.  Don’t expect to see anything shocking or new in the images (and be thankful for that because who wants to be spoiled?) but they provide another look at two of the summer’s biggest movies.

Hit the jump to check out the images.  Super 8 opens June 10th while The Hangover Part II gets released on May 26th.

.................... more; http://collider.com/super-8-movie-images-hangover-2-movie-images/87480/

Johnny Depp Confirmed to Cameo in 21 JUMP STREET

by Adam Chitwood   Posted: April 25th, 2011

It looks like Johnny Depp will be returning to his roots, albeit briefly. After months of wondering whether or not the actor would be appearing in the 21 Jump Street movie, based on the TV show that launched his career, Coming Soon reports that the actor is now confirmed to cameo in the flick. Last we heard, producers were working very hard to find time to fit the one-day shoot into Depp’s schedule, and now it looks like everything worked out.

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs), the film tells the story of two young cops (Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum) who infiltrate a high school undercover. Alongside Hill and Tatum, Ice Cube, Brie Larson and Dave Franco star, with Rob Riggle in talks to play a villain. 21 Jump Street hits theaters on March 16^th 2012.

................ http://collider.com/johnny-depp-21-jump-street/87492/

Paul Greengrass Pushes MEMPHIS Back, Will Next Direct THE DEEP BLUE GOOD-BY?

by Adam Chitwood   Posted: April 25th, 2011

After Universal crushingly declined to move ahead with Paul Greengrass’ Martin Luther King Jr. flick Memphis, it looks like the director will be shelving the project for at least a year, and is now looking at other projects. The Bourne director had been working feverishly on Memphis alongside producer Scott Rudin (The Social Network), in hopes of releasing the film next February in time for MLK weekend. Universal pulled the plug for “scheduling reasons,” though many have said that the MLK estate put pressure on the studio to halt the project.

While most expected Greengrass and Rudin to look elsewhere for Memphis financing, Deadline reports that the director will put the film on hold for at least a year and is now looking at other projects. Chief among Greengrass’ prospects is an adaptation of John D. MacDonald’s novel The Deep Blue Good-By. Hit the jump for more.

.............. http://collider.com/paul-greengrass-memphis-the-deep-blue-good-by/87496/

**New TV Spot, Clip And Stills From The Lincoln Lawyer **Denzel Washington Doesn't Look Very Scary In First Safe House Set Photos **Trio Joins Amanda Seyfried Thriller Gone **Companies Vie for Voltron Rights

New TV Spot, Clip And Stills From The Lincoln Lawyer
published: 2011-03-08 12:51:11 Author: Eric Eisenberg
Courtroom dramas used to be one of the greatest sub=genres out there, producing great titles like 12 Angry Men, The Firm, The Verdict, and A Few Good Men, but they have been seriously lacking in recent years. Fortunately Matthew McConaughey has strapped on his lawyer suit for the first time since A Time To Kill and is going to try and bring it back.


We've just received a new clip, TV spot and six stills from the upcoming thriller, based on the book by Michael Connelly. In the film, McConaughey plays Mick Haller, a defense attorney who is given what appears to be a simple case: a rich young man (Ryan Phillippe) has been accused of assaulting a prostitute. While figuring out the case, however, Mick slowly learns the real and horrifying truth.


Check out all of new goodies below. For more on The Lincoln Lawyer, due out on March 18, head on over to our Blend Film Database.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/New-TV-Spot-Clip-And-Stills-From-The-Lincoln-Lawyer-23546.html





Denzel Washington Doesn't Look Very Scary In First Safe House Set Photos
published: 2011-03-08 12:08:22 Author: Eric Eisenberg
When he wants to, Denzel Washington can cut a pretty intimidating figure, particularly when playing a villain. With his swanky suits in American Gangster and police swagger in Training Day, the actor had no problem sending a clear message to the audience: "I am the bad guy here." The first set photos from Safe House don't really send that same message.


Posted over at Pop Sugar, Washington is supposedly playing a hardcore baddie known as Tobin Frost, but he looks as though he wouldn't hurt a fly in these pictures. I don't know if it's the gray in his hair, the un-tucked shirt or the baggy pants, but this doesn't look like the character that was announced last July. The site has also posted a couple images of Ryan Reynolds riding a motorcycle, so at least that's kind of cool.


Check out a couple of the photos below and head over to Pop Sugar for the rest.



......
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Denzel-Washington-Doesn-t-Look-Very-Scary-In-First-Safe-House-Set-Photos-23545.html







Trio Joins Amanda Seyfried Thriller Gone
Source: Variety March 9, 2011


Variety reports that Emily Wickersham, Wes Bentley and Jennifer Carpenter will co-star in Gone opposite Amanda Seyfried. Heitor Dhalia will direct the thriller from a script by Allison Burnett.


In the Summit Entertainment release, Jill Parrish (Seyfried) returns home from the night shift to find her sister's bed empty and she is convinced that the serial killer who kidnapped her two years before has come back to finish the job. But the police do not believe her and Jill knows time is running out. With no one to turn to, Jill sets off to find her sister and face her abductor once and for all.


Lakeshore's Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi are producing alongside Sidney Kimmel, Chris Salvaterra and Dan Abrams.


Shooting is scheduled to start in April.






Read more: http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=75066









Companies Vie for Voltron Rights
Source: Vulture March 8, 2011


The rights to the long-anticipated adaptation of the animated series Voltron appear to now be the subject of a bidding war. Vulture has the update, which says that a number of studios are vying for the rights and are interested in developing the robot-series for the big screen.


Voltron's post-apocalyptic tale takes place in New York City and Mexico, where five survivors of an alien attack band together and end up piloting five lion-shaped robots that combine and form the massive sword-wielding Voltron, defense against would-be invaders.


At one time planned for a feature at Atlas Entertainment, one company now interested in obtaining the rights is said to be Relativity Media (responsible for a great deal of genre fare, including Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Zombieland, among many others). The article also suggest that Relativity could team with Paramount, the studio behind the similarly-themed Transformers franchise.


Regardless of the direction the rights take, Vulture notes that a feature will most likely be fast-tracked to hit by 2013 or 2014 to take advantage of the property's 30th anniversary.




Read more: http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=75049

**First Set Photos from COGAN’S TRADE and SAFE HOUSE **Juliette Lewis Cast In HICK and A SINGLE SHOT **Jeffrey Donovan to Play Robert F. Kennedy in J. EDGAR **Disney Acquires Sci-Fi Adventure THE RUNNER as Directing Vehicle for Marc Forster

Juliette Lewis Cast In HICK and A SINGLE SHOT
by Ben Garman Posted: March 8th, 2011
Actress Juliette Lewis (Conviction) has gained a few more co-starring roles in indie titles Hick and A Single Shot according to Variety. We’ve mentioned Hick before, an adaptation of Andrea Portes’ debut novel of the same name, telling the story of a 13 year old Nebraska girl who gets more than she bargained for when she runs away to Las Vegas. Portes herself wrote the screenplay and Derick Martini (Lymelife) will be directing. The pic will also star Chloe Moretz, Eddie Redmayne and Blake Lively, although IMDb suggests that Kirsten Dunst is no longer attached as we previously reported.


A Single Shot is described as a cat and mouse thriller between a deer-hunter and some hardened criminals out for his blood. Lewis will star alongside Alessandro Nivola and William H. Macy, Juno Temple and Emily Mortimer. Hit the jump for full synopses.
...........
http://collider.com/juliette-lewis-hick-a-single-shot/79474/






Jeffrey Donovan to Play Robert F. Kennedy in J. EDGAR
by Matt Goldberg Posted:March 8th, 2011 at 11:05 am

I’m huge Burn Notice dork and that’s due in large part to the charisma and versatility of its star, Jeffrey Donovan. With Burn Notice being one of cable’s biggest hits, I’m surprised he hasn’t become a bigger presence in theaters, although that may be due to a number of factors (e.g. scheduling, preference, pay, etc.). He last graced the big screen in a supporting role in Clint Eastwood’s Changeling and now it looks like he’ll be re-teaming with Eastwood for the upcoming J. Edgar Hoover biopic, J. Edgar starring Leonardo DiCarpio. Donovan tweeted earlier today:


I fly to LA Sunday. I have been cars as Bobby Kennedy opposite LD in HOOVER. excited. working with Mr Eastwood again. Dreams come true.
........
http://collider.com/jeffrey-donovan-j-edgar-clint-eastwood/79539/






First Set Photos from COGAN’S TRADE and SAFE HOUSE
by Matt Goldberg Posted: March 8th, 2011



The first set photos from Cogan’s Trade and Safe House have gone online. The photos from Cogan’s Trade are pretty grainy, but Brad Pitt certainly looks the part of mob enforcer Jackie Cogan. The plot centers on Cogan’s investigation into the heist of a high-stakes poker game. With Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James) at the helm and a cast that also includes Casey Affleck, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini, Sam Rockwell, Ray Liotta, and Richard Jenkins, I’m beyond excited to see how this film comes together.


Safe House is also an exciting prospect. The thriller stars Ryan Reynolds as a CIA Agent who must safely transport a dangerous criminal (played by Denzel Washington) to a safe house. The flick also stars Nora Arnezeder, Ruben Blades, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Cunningham, Tim McGraw, Robert Patrick, and Sam Shepard. Hit the jump to check set photos from both films. Safe House is due out February 10, 2012 and Cogan’s Trade is also currently set for an early 2012 release.


...........
http://collider.com/cogans-trade-safe-house-set-photos-images/79546/






Disney Acquires Sci-Fi Adventure THE RUNNER as Directing Vehicle for Marc Forster
by Matt Goldberg Posted: March 8th, 2011
Even though direct Marc Forster showed little competence in putting together the set pieces in Quantum of Solace, he’s still in the action-movie game. Disney has acquired the sci-fi adventure project The Runner as a directing vehicle for Forster. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic 2027 where a group of survivors discover a way to send a guy back in time in order to stop a devastating attack. However, he has an ulterior motive: saving the love of his life. Sadly, Hallmark doesn’t make a greeting card for when you want to let that special someone know that you saved their life, but doomed the planet in the process.


Hit the jump for more on the project.
............
http://collider.com/the-runner-marc-forster/79574/

**Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds Shoot 'Safe House' **Natalie Portman & Joseph Gordon-Levitt: 'Hesher' Trailer! **Amy Adams: ACE Eddie Awards!

Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds Shoot 'Safe House'

 

Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds Shoot 'Safe House'

Denzel Washington films scenes for "Safe House" on Strand Street while co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Nora Arnezeder shoot another scene nearby.

( February 21, 2011 - Photo by Bauer Griffin)

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/QfPO7NHTjkw/Denzel+Washington+Ryan+Reynolds+Shoot+Safe

 

 

 

 

 

Mon, 21 February 2011

Natalie Portman & Joseph Gordon-Levitt: 'Hesher' Trailer!

Check out the trailer for Natalie Portman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s movie Hesher!

The Sundance-featured flick, which the two filmed back in 2009, also stars The Office’s Rainn Wilson as Paul, a father grief-stricken by the loss of his wife.

Joseph plays the long-haired, tattooed title character who moves in with Paul and his son TJ (Devin Brochu), while Natalie co-stars as a super market cashier, whom TJ might have a crush on.

The drama is expected to hit theaters in April.

WILL YOU WATCH Natalie and Joseph in Hesher?

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/02/21/natalie-portman-joseph-gordon-levitt-hesher-trailer/

Read more: http://justjared.buzznet.com/page/6/#ixzz1EgNHn7XQ

 

 

 

Mon, 21 February 2011

Amy Adams: ACE Eddie Awards!

Amy Adams hits the stage with her The Fighter director David O. Russell at the ACE Eddie Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday (February 19) in Beverly Hills, Calif.
The 36-year-old actress wore a gorgeous Roland Mouret “Hermia” dress in fawn for the event, which celebrates the best in film and television editing throughout the year.
Big winners at last night’s show included The Social Network, Toy Story 3 and Temple Grandin.
FYI: Amy is wearing a pair of Irit Design oxidized sterling silver pave diamond tear drop earrings with a matching oxidized sterling silver rose cut diamond ring.

Read more: http://justjared.buzznet.com/page/3/#ixzz1EgNo5848

*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.

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

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/

***Krysten Ritter, Ari Graynor, and Brian Geraghty Star in AUDREY HEPBURN’S NECK ***Nora Arnezeder Is Ryan Reynolds’ Girlfriend in SAFE HOUSE; Producers Want to Approach Jeff Bridges Next

Krysten Ritter, Ari Graynor, and Brian Geraghty Star in AUDREY HEPBURN’S NECK

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 18th, 2011

Filmmaker Alan Brown (Book of Love) recently completed post-production on Private Romeo a contemporary take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  You can expect the film to hit the festival circuit this spring, but Brown is already hard at work on his next film, Audrey Hepburn’s Neck.  Brown will adapt the script from his 1996 novel about “a young Japanese man (Toshi) who is obsessed with slender American women, and his gay American friend, who has affairs with a series of Japanese men.”

So far, Brown has rounded up an affable cast in Krysten Ritter (Breaking Bad), Ari Graynor (Fringe), Brian Geraghty (The Hurt Locker).  I can’t vouch for its accuracy, but IMDB suggests Geraghty will play Paul, the gay American friend.  Ritter is linked to the role of Lucy (a composer), and Graynor is listed as Jane, Toshi’s English teacher/affair partner who turns out to be insane.  Sounds like an interesting project, and I’m curious to see who will play Toshi.  Hit the jump for the official announcement.

‘AUDREY HEPBURN’S NECK’ TO REACH THE SCREEN.

Alan Brown Wraps “Romeo” and Prepares Adaptation of His Novel

New York (January 18, 2011) – Principal photography will begin in April 2011 on AUDREY HEPBURN’S NECK, an adaptation of the acclaimed 1996 novel by Alan Brown. Brown, who also wrote the screenplay, will direct for producer David Barrot on location in Tokyo. Krysten Ritter, Ari Graynor and Brian Geraghty will star in this romantic comedy-of-manners about a young Japanese man who is obsessed with slender American women, and his gay American friend, who has affairs with a series of Japanese men.

This will be Brown’s fourth feature as director, having just completed post-production on PRIVATE ROMEO, a contemporary rendering of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo And Juliet” that is expected to premiere on the festival circuit this spring. Filmed last summer in the New York area, Brown’s version of the classic is set entirely at a high school military academy, with the ” forbidden love” element of the original updated so that the star-crossed young lovers are both male and soldiers-in-training. Brown, (who shares screenwriting credit with Mr. Shakespeare) has cast the film with some of the most promising new faces on the Broadway scene, and his two leads Seth Numrich (“Romeo”) and Matt Doyle (“Juliet”) will both be starring in the eagerly anticipated NY production of “War Horse” which opens on April 14^th.  Agathe David-Weill produced the film, which also features Hale Appleman.

Hailed by Publishers Weekly as “captivating…delightfully buoyant and full of surprises,” “Audrey Hepburn’s Neck” was Brown’s first novel.  A Fulbright Scholar who lived in Japan for seven years, he went on to write and direct the 2004 Sundance Competition entry, “The Book of Love,” starring Frances O’ Connor, Simon Baker, and Bryce Dallas Howard, and the 2007 drama, “Superheroes,” starring Dash Mihok, which was distributed by IFC.  He made his filmmaking debut with the award-winning short, “O Beautiful,” which is part of the acclaimed “Boys Life” anthology series.

Following “Audrey Hepburn’s Neck,” Brown will re-team with his “Private Romeo” producer David-Weill, on “The Park,” based on Brown’s original screenplay.

http://collider.com/krysten-ritter-ari-graynor-audrey-hepburns-neck/71190/

Nora Arnezeder Is Ryan Reynolds’ Girlfriend in SAFE HOUSE; Producers Want to Approach Jeff Bridges Next

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 18th, 2011

French actress Nora Arnezeder (Paris 36) is in talks to play Ryan Reynolds’ love interest in Safe House, which also stars Denzel Washington and Tim McGraw.  Reynolds plays a CIA agent who must transport a dangerous criminal (Washington) to safety.  David Guggenheim’s script landed on the 2010 Black List (a collection of Hollywood’s finest unproduced screenplays), but Terry George (Reservation Road) is currently working on a rewrite.  Daniel Espinoza (Snabba Cash) will direct.

This is where the news gets a little more dubious.  Latino Review hears that the producers want to approach Jeff Bridges to play Deputy Vice Director Harland Whitford.  It’s worded carefully enough to be rendered virtually meaningless.  I mean, I want to approach Jeff Bridges to play Executive Comptroller Basil Kasinski in my movie, but it’s a long shot.  Still, the producers of Safe House have more sway than I do, and Bridges would obviously be a fantastic addition to an already great cast.

Arnezeder is apparently becoming quite famous in her native France after an award-winning turn in Paris 36, which showed off her lovely singing voice.  Hit the jump to watch Arnezeder record a cover of “Singin’ in the Rain” in studio.

http://collider.com/nora-arnezeder-jeff-bridges-safe-house/71197/