Michael K. Williams Campaigning To Play Marvel's BLACK PANTHER

We know that for years now Marvel Studios has been trying to get a Black Panther movie into theatres. It was the runner-up to land this August's release date, but lost to James Gunn's Guardians of The Galaxy. The current status of the project hasn't been made known to the public. However, Kevin Feige made it clear this summer at Comic-Con, that both Black Panther and Captain Marvel movies are in active development. Stating the strong fan demand for the films hasn't gone unnoticed.

There had been talk that Chadwick Boseman was the front-runner for the role of T'Challa. Nothing has been made official, and we would normally get a press release if a deal was done. Another actor has placed his name into the race, and that would be Michael K. Williams. Best known for his iconic role as Omar from HBO's The Wire, and his prohibition gangster Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire. Not to mention a huge list of supporting roles in films like Gone Baby Gone, The Road, Brooklyn's Finest, and . He was doing an interview with CinemaBlend about his upcoming release Kill The Messenger (co-starring with Jeremy Renner), which led to talk about Black Panther. Here is what Michael said to the site.

"No not yet. And I'm saying 'yet' with a lot of emphasis. But hopefully I'm looking forward to being apart of the franchise"

"Black Panther. Yeah, definitely.

"It would depend on the script. I would definitely bring that quintessential New York City edge. You know, just a little bit of that grit."

The only problem if any, would be that Williams has already appeared in a Marvel film. He had a short cameo in The Incredible Hulk, during the NYC fight scenes (I believe in Harlem). There was speculation at the time that Michael was playing Luke Cage in the scene, it was never really confirmed. Seeing how he's talking about another Marvel character and the Netflix series is on it's way, it's unlikely he was playing anyone but a bystander.

SOURCE: CINEMABLEND

RUMOR ALERT! Jack Huston In The Mix For Marvel's DOCTOR STRANGE?

Boardwalk Empire's breakout actor Jack Huston (American Hustle) is now rumored to be in consideration for the lead role in Doctor Strange, according to ThisIsInfamous. We keep hearing news like this on a regular basis, new names are claimed to be front-runners, until new ones are added. I have a feeling he's on a list, like many of the others previously mentioned in trade reports. Actors such as Johnny Depp, Jon Hamm (apparently denies involvement), Jared Leto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy and Joaquin Phoenix have all been linked to the next Marvel franchise.

The studio has a tendency to hedge-their-bets, by looking at multiple actors for their new lead roles (similar thing happened with auditions for Steve Rogers and Peter Quill). Jack was actually a candidate for the Star-Lord role in Guardians, before Chris Pratt was ultimately hired. I don't doubt that Marvel would want to keep that short-list in consideration for other roles down-the-line.

He has a young-Johnny Depp (originally wanted for the role, years back) look to him, and is a bit younger than most of the other names previously linked. might be willing to take-on a lengthly Marvel contract. Jack could also be another diamond-in-the-rough story for Marvel. Considering the actor isn't entirely well known for his film work and could become a breakout star. Similar to Thor's Chris Hemsworth or Guardians of The Galaxy's Chris Pratt. We were a bit shocked when Paul Rudd was named as playing Scott Lang in Ant-Man, so anything could happen with Strange's casting. Let's just remember that Marvel meets with a bunch of actors, and this could be just another name among many.

Scott Derrickson (Sinister) is directing with a script from Jon Spaihts (Prometheus), production is expected to begin in the spring with a release date of July 8th, 2016.

SOURCE: THISISINFAMOUS

STARDUST And BOARDWALK EMPIRE Actor Charlie Cox Is Officially Our New DAREDEVIL

Marvel has announced that British actor Charlie Cox (Boardwalk Empire, Stardust) has landed the role of Matt Murdock in their Daredevil series on Netflix. The 13-episode run is set to shoot this summer in New York City, with Steven DeKnight (Spartacus) showrunning the series. Drew Goddard was poised for the job originally, but had to exit to focus on Sony's Sinister Six. It's possible we could also see a new Elektra added to the cast as well, along with cameos from the other Defenders.

There's no word on villains, but it was revealed that Marvel has access to Wilson Fisk aka The Kingpin. A rather formidable gangster that controls a majority of the crime in Hell's Kitchen. Other iconic villains include Bullseye, The Owl, The Hand, Typhoid Mary and Elektra. The latter two have played both love-interest and foe.

SOURCE: MARVEL

Jack Huston Confirms Testing For GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

MTV caught up with British actor Jack Huston who is best known for playing disfigured hitman Richard Harrow in HBO's Boardwalk Empire. He had been linked along with a few others testing for the lead role of Peter Quill (Star-Lord) in Marvel's Guardians of The Galaxy. The role would launch Huston's film career if cast in the part as it's rumored the film would lead to a supporting role in Avengers 2. Jack confirmed that he indeed tested and seems to really want the job.

“There was a screen test. Like I said, brittle bones. Maybe they'll call me Glass Man. 'Here he comes. Oh, he fell over,'” Jack Huston joked. But jokes aside, he said, “I would love to do it. I tell you, these bones are strong. If you need a guardian to look after this galaxy, look no further.”

Marvel had been recently looking to HBO's Game of Thrones for inspiration. Hiring director/showrunner Alan Taylor to helm Thor: The Dark World. They've also been trying to land actors from the show with Emilia Clarke and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau being linked for roles in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Lee Pace (Hobbit, The Fall) is currently the only other actor to reveal that they had tested for the part.

Tarantino Reaffirms Plans To Make 30's Era Gangster Flick

 Quentin Tarantino's eighth film Django Unchained will be finally released on Christmas Day but it's currently unknown what's next for the writer/director. He's currently mulling over a couple of projects including an adaptation of Len Deighton's spy novels and is writing Kill Bill 3 (maybe Kill Bill 4 as well). However, one that Quentin has mentioned more recently is a Pretty Boy Floyd-like 30's gangster film. It had been mentioned that he would make another film before production starts on Kill Bill 3. BleedingCool has word that Quentin brought up the project again while speaking at BAFTA.

"I could conceive maybe someday doing a 30′s gangster picture, or something like that. I could think of doing another western, actually."

Tarantino has been hinting about a Christoph Waltz trilogy assuming that Basterds and Django being the first two installments. Could this gangster film be the end for his Waltz trilogy? We know that Deadwood greatly inspired Django Unchained as Quentin hired a bunch of actors from the show and even used their old sets. I have a good feeling that Boardwalk Empire starring Reservoir Dogs' Steve Buscemi is giving Tarantino a bunch of ideas for this gangster film. He's also waxed poetic on Sergio Leone's Once Upon A Time In America which is considered the gem of the genre.



Quentin has stated he would be only making ten films before walking into the sunset and retire from directing. It's unknown how serious he is about that statement but you never know with him. He may decide to scrap plans for Kill Bill 3 and make passion projects instead.

Kyle Chandler Joins Leo DiCaprio And Jonah Hill In 'WOLF OF WALL STREET'

Deadline reports that Kyle Chandler (Argo, Zero Dark Thirty) has joined Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill.

Jonah Hill Joins Martin Scorsese's 'WOLF OF WALL STREET' Starring Leonardo DiCaprio

Deadline reports another addition to Martin Scorsese's Wolf of Wall Street which stars Leonardo DiCaprio. Jonah Hill has nabbed a supporting role in the film which isn't surprising after his Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for Moneyball. Hill will play Jordan Belfort's (DiCaprio) best friend and business partner in the film. The two actors would have originally been first seen together in Tarantino's Django Unchained but Hill had to turn down an offered role.

It's Official Martin Scorsese's Next Film Is 'WOLF OF WALL STREET' Starring Leonardo DiCaprio

There had been some confusion of what project Martin Scorsese would be making next. He had his passion project Silence that had issues finding funding along with a return to the gangster genre with adaptation of I Heard You Paint Houses titled The Irishman. Yet, it's been announced that The Wolf of Wall Street is the next film for Marty. The film based on the memoir and true life story of wall street hot shot Jordan Belfort. It's been adapted by Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire writer/creator Terence Winter with Leonardo DiCaprio set for the role of Belfort.

Belfort, who founded one of the first and largest chop shop brokerage firms in 1987, was banned from the securities business for life by 1994, and later went to jail for fraud and money-laundering, delivers a memoir that reads like fiction. It covers his decade of success with straightforward accounts of how he worked with managers of obscure companies to acquire large amounts of stock with minimal public disclosure, then pumped up the price and sold it, so he and the insiders made large profits while public investors usually lost. Profits were laundered through purchase of legitimate businesses and cash deposits in Swiss banks. There is only brief mention of Belfort’s life before Wall Street or events since 1997. The book’s main topic is the vast amount of sex, drugs and risky physical behavior Belfort managed to survive. As might be expected in the autobiography of a veteran con man with movie rights already sold, it’s hard to know how much to believe.

Martin Scorsese And Leo DiCaprio Commit To 'The Wolf Of Wall Street'

Deadline reports that Martin Scorsese has announced his next film. It will be one of the many films he's been developing titled The Wolf of Wall Street. Based on the memoir of Jordan Belfort which focuses on his days as a hard partying, drug addicted stockbroker who was indicted in 1998 for security fraud and money laundering and served a 22-month federal prison stretch. Leonardo DiCaprio who had originally been attached is set to star and co-produce the film. Production will begin this August but a release date hasn't been slated yet. This will be the fifth film the pair have worked on together. Terrence Winter wrote the script who is behind the mega successful HBO shows Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire.

Brian Kirk Could Direct Robert Ludlum's Osterman Weekend

Deadline reports that Irish director Brian Kirk is in talks to helm The Osterman Weekend based on the novel by Robert Ludlum. The author is best know for the Bourne series of novels. The film is setup at Lionsgate/Summit and is expected to be a new spy franchise in the making similar to Bourne. Kirk was in talks to direct the Thor sequel and has directed many television shows including Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Luck, The Tudors, Dexter and Luther.

I have to say the one person I see in the lead of this budding franchise is none other than Idris Elba. Kirk has previously worked with Elba on the serial killer BBC series Luther. Idris has been slowly priming himself to be the next Denzel Washington playing every role thrown at him from genre to drama.

CAST EM': The Secret Service

One of the more intriguing comic book films on it's way is Mark Millar's The Secret Service. The premise of the film is what happens when a young wayward hoodie from North London is trained to become a government spy (not unlike James Bond). Mixing elements from Bond, UNCLE and SHIELD along with the sensibilities of Millar and graphic eye of legendary artist Dave Gibbons (Watchmen). The first issue of the comic is released this month but the names of the characters/villain haven't been revealed. Once the issues start rolling out I'll update this page accordingly.

From what I know there seems to be an older spy character that is either the partner or mentor of the young hoodie. That role seems perfect for Richard Armitage since he's already starred in spy projects like Spooks, Strike Back and Captain America: The First Avenger. Richard also has that strong leadership quality that will be seen in the Hobbit films as Thorin Oakenshield. Not to mention he has a Bond ora to him and physical presence most actors are lacking. There has been talk of a realistic edge to the film and with his background in fighting and weapons it's going to be a major asset.

A notorious theme with Millar and Vaughn is that they love to use up and coming actors for lead roles. We've seen this with Daniel Craig/Tom Hardy in Layer Cake, Charlie Cox in Stardust, James McAvoy in Wanted, Aaron Johnson in Kick-Ass and Nicholas Hoult in X-Men First Class. A new actor that I just noticed is Tom Payne and he would be perfect for the hoodie turned spy. Payne has a major role in HBO's Luck as the cocky jockey. I wouldn't count out Charlie Cox who is the same age as Payne and previously worked with Vaughn on Stardust. Charlie has a rather physical role on HBO's Boardwalk Empire as a bodyguard/hitman and a former soldier in the Irish Republican Army. He's another actor I picture for the role.

When it comes to the film's villain I'm sort of in the dark because I don't know anything about the character. I'll just have to throw out names like Sean Bean (Patriot Games, Ronin, Goldeneye)  and Peter Mullan ( Red Riding Trilogy, Children of Men, Welcome To The Punch, War Horse, Tyrannosaur) until we know more about the series.

Warner Bros. Can't Decide On Akira's Second Lead Actor

Deadline reports another reason Warner Bros. has put Akira on hold is that they can't figure out who should play Tetsuo and the actors are free to walk from the project if they want to. The two actors in question are Michael Pitt (Boardwalk Empire, The Dreamers) and Dane DeHaan (In Treatment, True Blood, Chronicle) their testing options have expired so they are currently free to go after other projects.

The character is basically the meatiest role of the picture as Tetsuo goes from nerdy gangland biker to a psychotic villain with overwhelming superpowers. Yet, I'm unsure what bastardized version of Tetsuo we'll end up seeing in the film since Kaneda is now a bartender/bar owner instead of a punk biker. Out of the two I have to go with Pitt as he's been wonderful on the first two seasons of Boardwalk Empire. However, Dane DeHaan's upcoming superpower film Chronicle is gathering a lot of buzz.

Marvel Officially Hires Director Alan Taylor For Thor Sequel!

Marvel Studios has finally chosen a new director for Thor 2. Deadline reports Marvel has indeed picked television director Alan Taylor to replace Patty Jenkins (Monster). While I was shocked Jenkins exited the project I think hiring Taylor is a solid move by the studio. Alan has been directing episodes on some of the best shows ever airing on television. Those credits include Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Sopranos, Oz, Mad Men, Rome, West Wing and Deadwood. He's proven to be able to handle large casts which will be needed with the cast of Asgardians more than doubling in the next film. The Thor sequel will be released on November 15th 2013 with production expected to start in fall 2012.

Marvel has left the door open for Patty to perhaps direct another one of their budding franchises in the future. I'm hoping that Marvel ends up using Jenkins for projects like Doctor Strange, Black Panther or even Iron Fist. Since she seems more like the type of director to start a superhero franchise with her own vision, not just to continue another one.

RUMOR: Alan Taylor Front-Runner To Direct Thor 2?

Questionable sources are saying that television director Alan Taylor is now in talks with Marvel Studios to helm Thor 2. Patty Jenkins (Monster) and Brian Kirk (Game of Thrones, Luther) were both involved in different stages before the studio went on another director search. Taylor's name recently came up and seemed like a solid choice considering he's been involved with a bunch of successful series.

His extensive TV directing credits include Oz, The West Wing, Six Feet Under, Deadwood, Lost, Rome, The Sopranos, Mad Men, Nurse Jackie, Bored To Death, Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones. Alan has ran the gamete of almost every genre possible and seems perfect for the multiple layered Marvel cinematic universe. If he doesn't get the Thor 2 gig, Marvel would be smart to nab him for a future project. Pre-production will need to begin soon to meet the projected September production start date.

Casey Affleck Joins Ben Affleck's Whitey Bulger Film

Deadline reports that Casey Affleck will have a supporting role in his brother Ben Affleck's Whitey Bulger movie. Casey previously starred in Ben's first directorial effort Gone Baby Gone giving a solid performance earning him credibility as a dramatic actor. The trio first worked together on Good Will Hunting which earned Matt and Ben an Oscar for their script. He also co-starred with Matt in the successful Ocean's trilogy directed by Steven Soderbergh. They confirm that Damon will play Whitey Bulger in the film.

Casey's role is unknown but he's recently played dark characters so it would be easy to see him in the role of gangster or lawman. This could mean other actors that Ben has previously worked with in front and behind the camera could join the cast. I'm hoping names like Jeremy Renner are also in contentions for roles.

Matt Damon & Ben Affleck Making A Whitey Bulger Bio-Pic

Warner Bros. is really coming out with some seriously interesting projects in the last couple of months. This new one that ThePlaylist (via GQ) mentions sounds like something that could have Oscar contender written all over it. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are re-teaming for a bio-pic of Boston mobster Whitey Bulgar who was the head of the notorious Winter Hill gang. While there are a number of other Bulger films in development Damon hopes their project will scare off the other guys. The big weight behind their version is that Terence Winter the writer of HBO's Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire will be handling the script with Ben Affleck directing. Not to mention a major studio is backing them.

Damon and Affleck would star in the film but it's unknown if it will be a straight up period piece similar to Goodfellas. Bulger was a major influence on Jack Nicholson's character Frank Costello in Martin Scorsese's The Departed. I wouldn't be shocked to see Martin Scorsese attached as a producer down the line along with familiar faces in supporting roles. I'm beyond exicted to see another crime drama directed by Affleck and having it written by Winter is a giant bonus. I'm a massive fan of Ben as a director and I really wish he sticks to this sort of genre for at least a couple more films. He's been offered more commerical films like Man of Steel and Stephen King's The Stand but I'd prefer he'd stick to these type of movies.

If I had to come up with one actor that needs to be included in this film it's Alec Baldwin. Alec played such an amazing gangster in The Cooler and a ruthless salesman in Glenngary Glen Ross. It would be a shame for him to retire before going all out that a film like this could allow him to do. I felt he was short changed in The Departed since he plays such great villains.