***Giovanni Ribisi Joins Sean Penn in GANGSTER SQUAD ***Alexandra Daddario Signs Up for THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 3D ***Mikael Hafstrom to Direct Thriller WAKE ***First Set Photos from VAMPS Starring Sigourney Weaver

Giovanni Ribisi Joins Sean Penn in GANGSTER SQUAD

by Jason Barr    Posted: July 6th, 2011

Giovanni Ribisi has landed a co-starring role in director Ruben Fleischer’s (Zombieland) 1940s crime pic The Gangster Squad. Ribisi joins a cast that already includes Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie, Michael Pena, and possibly Bryan Cranston. Adapted by Will Beall (Castle) from a series of LA Times articles by Paul Lieberman, The Gangster Squad centers on Mickey Cohen (Penn) and the elite squad of cops that chased him through Los Angeles.

According to Deadline, Ribisi will play the role of Conway Keeler, a member of the elite squad who is a connoisseur of electronics and wiring. Warner Bros. is currently eyeing a 2013 release for The Gangster Squad. In addition to this latest role, Ribisi will also appear alongside Mila Kunis and Mark Wahlberg in the Seth MacFarlane comedy Ted and opposite Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Richard Jenkins, and Aaron Eckhart in The Rum Diary due out later this year on October 28th. http://collider.com/giovanni-ribisi-gangster-squad/100781/

Alexandra Daddario Signs Up for THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 3D

by Jason Barr   Posted: July 6th, 2011

Alexandra Daddario (Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief) is in final talks to snag the female lead in director John Luessenhop’s (Takers) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D. Per Variety, Lionsgate’s pic will take place following the events of director/co-writer Tobe Hooper’s 1974 original with production set to begin later this month in Louisiana. Adam Marcus and Debra Sullivan co-wrote Chainsaw 3D with Luessonhop and Kirsten Elms later performing rewrite duties. The film is currently scheduled to hit theaters on October 5th, 2012. In addition to Percy Jackson, Daddario recently appeared alongside Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis in the Farrelly Bros. comedy Hall Pass and in the USA series White Collar. http://collider.com/alexandra-daddario-the-texas-chainsaw-massacre-3d/100768/

Mikael Hafstrom to Direct Thriller WAKE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: July 6th, 2011

The Rite director Mikael Hafstrom has lined up his next project. It looks like he’ll soon be helming the thriller Wake for Hammer Films. The screenplay, by Christopher Borelli (Whisper) and Matt Sand (Ninja Assassin) focuses on a sociopath who is incapable of feeling fear. Hammer Films is producing and financing the project. The studio recently produced Let Me In, and was also behind the ghost thriller The Woman in Black starring Daniel Radcliffe. Hafstrom also directed 1408 starring John Cusack and the Clive Owen-Jennifer Aniston thriller Derailed. http://collider.com/mikael-hafstrom-wake/100751/

First Set Photos from VAMPS Starring Sigourney Weaver

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: July 6th, 2011

The first set photos from director Amy Heckerling’s (Clueless) vampire-themed romantic comedy (apparently this is a genre now) Vamps have hit the web. The film stars Alicia Silverstone, Sigourney Weaver, Krysten Ritter (Breaking Bad), Malcolm McDowell, Marilu Henner and Justin Kirk (Weeds). The story centers on ““two young beautiful female vampires (Silverstone & Ritter) living the good nightlife in New York until love enters the picture and each has to make a choice that will jeopardize her immortality.”

If you’re wavering on whether or not this sounds remotely interesting to you, I’ll end with this: McDowell plays a geriatric Vlad the Impaler. Hit the jump to check out the set photos featuring Sigourney Weaver vamping it up. http://collider.com/vamps-set-photos-sigourney-weaver/100687/

**First Image from RED LIGHTS Starring Sigourney Weaver and Robert De Niro **Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth Are Frontrunners for the Two Male Leads in THE HUNGER GAMES **8 Movie Clips and 17 High Resolution Images from WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Starring Robert Pattinson **Lily Collins Nabs Lead Role in Tarsem’s THE BROTHERS GRIMM: SNOW WHITE

First Image from RED LIGHTS Starring Sigourney Weaver and Robert De Niro

by Matt Goldberg   Posted: April 1st, 2011

The first image from the upcoming thriller Red Lights has gone online.  Directed by Rodrigo Cortes (Buried), Red Lights stars Sigourney Weaver as a psychologist whose studies in the paranormal lead her to investigate a renowned psychic (Robert De Niro).  I don’t want to pull a judgment on this film since I liked Buried and the cast also includes Cillian Murphy and rising star Elizabeth Olsen.  However, looking at this photo of De Niro in sunglasses, I can almost hear him phoning it in.

Hit the jump to check out the image.

..........more; http://collider.com/red-lights-movie-image/83609/

Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth Are Frontrunners for the Two Male Leads in THE HUNGER GAMES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 1st, 2011

Just last week, a number of actors were listed as having tested for the two male lead roles in Gary Ross’ adaptation of The Hunger Games. Now, it appears that Josh Hutcherson (The Kids are All Right) and Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song) are the frontrunners for the two male lead roles opposite star Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. Deadline reports that Hutcherson is the leading candidate to take on the role of Peeta, a boy from Katniss’ town who reveals his love for her as the Hunger Games (life-or-death games played out in the post-apocalyptic future) begin. Hemsworth is apparently inching close to nabbing the role of Gale, Katniss’ hunting partner once the games begin.

Hutcherson was fairly prolific as a child actor, starring in films like Zathura and Bridge to Terabithia. He recently showed his penchant for more dramatic fare in the Best Picture nominee The Kids Are All Right and will be seen in the upcoming Red Dawn remake. Hemsworth (the brother of Chris, the star of Thor), was most recently seen opposite Miley Cyrus in The Last Song.

more; http://collider.com/josh-hutcherson-liam-hemsworth-hunger-games/83642/

8 Movie Clips and 17 High Resolution Images from WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Starring Robert Pattinson

by Matt Goldberg   Posted: April 1st, 2011

20^th Century Fox has release 8 clips and 17 high resolution images from the upcoming drama, Water for Elephants.  Directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend), the film stars Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz. Here’s the synopsis:

Based on the acclaimed bestseller, Water for Elephants presents an unexpected romance in a uniquely compelling setting. Veterinary school student Jacob (Pattinson) meets and falls in love with Marlena (Witherspoon), a star performer in a circus of a bygone era. They discover beauty amidst the world of the Big Top, and come together through their compassion for a special elephant. Against all odds — including the wrath of Marlena’s charismatic but dangerous husband, August (Waltz) — Jacob and Marlena find lifelong love.

Hit the jump to check out the clips and 17 images.  Water for Elephants opens April 22nd.

.....more; http://collider.com/water-for-elephants-movie-clips-images/83695/

Lily Collins Nabs Lead Role in Tarsem’s THE BROTHERS GRIMM: SNOW WHITE

by Jackson Cresswell   Posted: April 1st, 2011

While Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman hit a bit of a snag last week when Viggo Mortensen walked away from the project, Relativity Studio’s rival 3D film, The Brothers Grimm: Snow White locked in Lily Collins to play the fair-skinned main character.

Collins is probably best known for her turn as Sandra Bullock’s daughter in The Blind Side but according to Hollywood Reporter, Collins “blew away” the suits at Relativity with her audition and is currently in negotiations to star in Snow White after she finishes filming Mortal Instruments.  Though The Brothers Grimm: Snow White appears to have scored their lead actress as Huntsman loses their lead actor, the race between the two fairy tale re-tellings is still  tight.  Hit the jump for more on the two projects.  The Brothers Grimm: Snow White is currently set to open on June 29, 2012.

............ more; http://collider.com/lily-collins-the-brothers-grimm-snow-white/83736/

***Two Matrix 3D Films in the Works? ***First Teaser Trailer for INSIDIOUS Starring Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson ***Elizabeth Olsen Joins Sigourney Weaver in RED LIGHTS

Two Matrix 3D Films in the Works?
A mysterious email (read "rumor") was sent to AICN what apparently said that Keanu Reeves, who spoke at the London School of Performing Arts University, announced that there will be two more Matrix films coming to the big screen and there is a chance they will be in 3D.

It is being rumored that Keanu Reeves met with the Wachowski's for lunch over Christmas and that they had completed work on a two-picture script treatment that would see him return to the world of the Matrix as Neo.

Also, the Wachowski's apparently met with James Cameron to discuss the pros and cons of 3D and are looking to deliver something which has never been seen before.

The Matrix was released March 31st, 1999 and stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Gloria Foster, Joe Pantoliano, Marcus Chong, Julian Arahanga. The film is directed by Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski.

http://www.movieweb.com/news/two-matrix-3d-films-in-the-works

First Teaser Trailer for INSIDIOUS Starring Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 23rd, 2011

FilmDistrict has released the first teaser trailer for Insidious a few months after we saw the first clip and a positive reception at the Toronto International Film Festival.  Rose Byrne (Damages) and Patrick Wilson (The A-Team) star as parents of a boy who falls into a coma after an accident at their new house: “The tragedy doesn’t stop there when they are beset by vengeful spirits from another realm.”  Insidious is the latest collaboration between Saw director James Wan and screenwriter Leigh Whannell, and the teaser is appropriately very creepy.  Watch it after the break.

Insidious opens on April 1. Via AICN:

http://collider.com/insidious-movie-trailer/72116/

Elizabeth Olsen Joins Sigourney Weaver in RED LIGHTS

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 23rd, 2011

Elizabeth Olsen will capitalize on her status as Sundance darling to land a role opposite Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro, Cillian Murphy in Red Lights.  Directed by Rodrigo Cortés (Buried), the thriller centers on “a psychologist (Weaver) and her assistant (Olsen) whose study of paranormal activity leads them to investigate a world-renowned psychic (De Niro).”  Olsen tells Risky Business, “Cillian Murphy is my love interest, though that’s not a huge part of the story.”

The role is a nice fit since Elizabeth (sister to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) is currently studying psychology at New York University.  Though she claims her education is “always a priority,” it hasn’t distracted from a budding film career: Olsen earned positive notices for the Sundance selections Silent House and Martha Marcy May Marlene.  She’ll have to take another break from school to shoot Red Lights, which is currently in pre-production.

http://collider.com/elizabeth-olsen-red-lights/72156/

***New Trailer for RANGO Starring Johnny Depp ***Sundance 2011: First Images from MY IDIOT BROTHER Starring Paul Rudd and CEDAR RAPIDS Starring John C. Reilly, Ed Helms, and Sigourney Weaver

New Trailer for RANGO Starring Johnny Depp

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 14th, 2010

A new trailer for the animated flick Rango has gone online.  Directed by Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean), the film features the voice of Johnny Depp as the title character, a chameleon who becomes the unlikely hero of a Wild West-type village after he accidentally slays a hawk.  While I previously didn’t have much interest in the film, this trailer made me chuckle and it looks like it could be a fun little movie.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  Rango also stars the voices of Alanna Ubach, Abigail Breslin, Isla Fisher, and Alfred Molina.  The film opens March 18th.

Click over to Yahoo! Movies to see the trailer in HD.

http://www.collider.com/2010/12/14/rango-trailer/

Sundance 2011: First Images from MY IDIOT BROTHER Starring Paul Rudd and CEDAR RAPIDS Starring John C. Reilly, Ed Helms, and Sigourney Weaver

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 14th, 2010

The Sundance Film Festival doesn’t take place until late January, but you don’t have to wait that long to check out images from some of the films that will have their premiere at the prestigious festival. Today, we bring you the first images from two upcoming star-studded comedies: My Idiot Brother and Cedar Rapids. My Idiot Brother stars Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, Rashida Jones, and Adam Scott. The film centers on a ne’er-do-well brother who successively barges into the lives of his three sisters.

Cedar Rapids stars John C. Reilly, Ed Helms, Sigourney Weaver, Anne Heche, Rob Corddry, Thomas Lennon, and Alia Shawkat.  The comedy tells the story of a small-town Wisconsin man who travels to the big city to represent his company at a regional insurance conference. Hit the jump to check out images and a brief synopsis for both films, which will be playing out-of-competition.  The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs from January 20 -30th.

MY IDIOT BROTHER

(Director: Jesse Peretz; Screenwriters: Evgenia Peretz and David Schisgall) – After serving time for selling pot, Ned successively moves in with each of his three sisters as he tries to get back on his feet. His best intentions quickly bring the family to the cusp of chaos and ultimately the brink of clarity. Cast: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer.

CEDAR RAPIDS

(Director: Miguel Arteta; Screenwriter: Phil Johnston) – A wholesome and naive small-town Wisconsin man travels to big city Cedar Rapids, Iowa to represent his company at a regional insurance conference. Cast: Ed Helms, John C Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Alia Shawkat, Sigourney Weaver.

http://www.collider.com/2010/12/14/my-idiot-brother-movie-images-cedar-rapids-movie-images/