Mike Colter And Lance Gross Testing For Marvel's LUKE CAGE

Deadline also adds that the role of Luke Cage will be apart of 6-7 episodes of Jessica Jones, and Marvel is already testing for the role. The site confirms Mike Colter and Lance Gross (Crisis) have tested for Cage. Jones is next in the Netflix-Marvel series, with Cage being the last one. It's expected Luke would also play a huge role in the Iron Fist series as well, as the two work together as Heroes For Hire.

Colter seems like the standout to me having roles on popular shows as The Good Wife and The Following. He's also the lead in the Ridley Scott produced live-action video games series Halo: Nightfall. I feel like he has the best shot, out of the two actors. It should be noted that creatives for both Iron Fist and Luke Cage haven't been announced.



SOURCE: DEADLINE

Rupert Sanders Will Direct Live-Action GHOST IN THE SHELL Movie

It's been years since we've heard anything new concerning the live-action Ghost In The Shell movie from Dreamworks and Steven Spielberg, but Deadline has a production update. They say that, Rupert Sanders (Snow White And The Huntsman) has made a deal to direct and the project has a new script from William Wheeler.

Previously, a draft from screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis (Avatar, Shutter Island, Terminator: Genesis) had been written but likely won't be used. Sanders has a few other productions in the works, but this could be priority, if Edge of Tomorrow (another manga adaptation) becomes a big box office hit. At one point Rupert Sanders (like Neill Blomkamp) was being eyed to direct a Halo film. This was after directing the live-action ODST trailer. Having Rupert return to science fiction is a very good thing.



Sanders is the type of director they need for this project, a stellar visionary but new enough that will try new things. While I didn't love Huntsman, I did enjoy a lot of the visuals and mostly everyone in it (besides the wooden performance of Kristen Stewart). Let's just hope Rupert can be a little more professional with his lead actress, this time around. The key aspect now will be finding the right actors.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Peter Jackson Also In The Running For STAR WARS EPISODE VIII?

During a recent Hobbit video FirstShowing spotted a possible script or outline for Star Wars: Episode VIII in Peter Jackson's desk with his name scrolled across it. It could have been a bit of joke since the video was released yesterday on April Fools. Disney/LucasFilm might be actually looking at Peter to tackle the second film. Previously, Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, Gravity) had been rumored for talks to make Episode VIII. There is a bit of speculation LucasFilm could be aiming to have different directors handle the new trilogies. Similar to how the original three films worked as Lucas (Abrams now) directed the first one and godfathered the other two productions. Considering that Paramount is talking about Star Trek 3 possibly coming out in 2016, it's unlikely that Abrams will be able to make both Trek 3 and Ep. VIII.

Jackson is currently doing post-production on The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug with some added Battle of The Five Armies scenes to be shot for There And Back Again this Summer. It's possible that LucasFilm could be aiming for a 2017-2018 release date for Episode VIII which could allow Jackson to clear his other projects including the upcoming sequel to Tintin which begins production sometime this year. Peter has personal and work relationships with Steven Spielberg which might have led to at least talk of him considering the project. Jackson hasn't exactly made a straight up science fiction film yet but was at one point producing the Halo movie. Not to mention producing Neill Blompkamp's stunning sci-fi sociological thriller District 9. Jackson did briefly talk about the new Star Wars films with MTV back in December. You never know making a Star Wars film could be on Peter's bucket-list or just a clever April Fools joke. Considering Jackson has always worked with both Weta Workshop and Weta Digital for his films. While ILM has provided the special effects for basically all of the LucasFilm projects. I don't think Jackson would direct but could help write/produce the film.

"Obviously if he (Lucas) had interest in doing himself, then that's what we would all like to see," he said. "But it's better to have more 'Star Wars' films than no 'Star Wars' films."

"The one thing that Tolkien said is that the wonderful thing with mythology — and George Lucas has created a mythology of his own — is that it keeps getting handed from one person to the next, and each person embellishes it and expands it," Jackson added. "It actually keeps mythology alive, because it should be a living, breathing organic thing where it expands over time. It doesn't just stay stagnant. So I think what George is doing with 'Star Wars' is terrific."

Rupert Sanders To Direct THE JULIET And Possibly VAN HELSING

Director Rupert Sanders (Snow White And The Huntsman) is already set to return for The Huntsman spin-off for Universal which will star Chris Hemsworth. However, Deadline reports that Rupert is also going to tackle science fiction with Sony's The Juliet. Sanders had been linked to direct a Halo film before talks broke down, he had previously directed live-action commercials for the video game. Also, there is word from TwitchFilm that Sanders is also talking with Universal for their new take on vampire hunter Van Helsing which has Tom Cruise attached to star.

SPECULATION: Rupert Sanders Hinting He's Making The 'DUNE' Reboot?

During the London red carpet premire of Snow White And The Huntsman director Rupert Sanders was  asked by HeyUGuys about what was he next project. He was coy about a Huntsman sequel but revealed an untitled science fiction project that was being influenced by The Battle of Algiers. I just realized what Rupert could have been referring to with his ambiguous statement. It could end up being the long in-development reboot of Dune.



When Ridley Scott was attached to direct Dune he intended to split the book into two movies. He worked on three drafts of the script, using The Battle of Algiers as a point of reference, before moving on to direct Blade Runner instead. This little tidbit of information is from Ridley Scott: The Making of his Movies by Paul M. Sammon. The original Dune was a massive flop but would eventually become a cult favorite similar to Ridley's Blade Runner. It's possible this could have been a slight hint to sci-fi fans from Rupert.



Directors Peter Berg (Hancock, Battleship) and Pierre Morel (Taken, From Paris With Love) been attached to a new Dune film before the project went into limbo. It's quite possible that Rupert is at least in talks with Paramount and the Dune rights holder to put together a new package for the reboot. Sanders has a visual presence that dwarves previous attached directors. Along with his fantasy background from making Huntsman he also has a sci-fi background helming live-action commercials for Halo. Sanders had been inline to take over the Halo film from Neill Blomkamp before that project went into limbo too. I think if given a solid script Sanders could help develop one hell of a new Dune franchise. He's still in talks with Universal for the Huntsman sequel which isn't a done deal (Sanders only signed up for one film).

SOURCE: HeyUGuys

Rupert Sanders Reveals He's Working On A Sci-Fi Film Based On 'BATTLE OF ALGIERS'

During a red carpet interview with HeyUGuys director Rupert Sanders revealed a second project he's been working on. We've already know that studio is keen on Snow White And The Huntsman and want a sequel focusing on the Huntsman. It makes sense with star Chris Hemsworth's Avengers becoming one the biggest films of all-time. That the studio would want to pursue more starring vehicles for Hemsworth. Rupert also mentions a sci-fi project he's been working on. You might remember that the direct made a string of live-action commercials for HALO: ODST and HALO: REACH. He was also rumored to be in the mix for the live-action film which is currently in limbo.

Sanders reveals that besides a sequel he's working on an untitled science fiction film loosely based on the 1966 film Battle of Algiers. The film is based on the real events that took place during the Algerian revolution against the French foreign legion. One of the bloodiest uprisings in modern history the film is a brutal look at modern warfare. I can only imagine seeing these dark themes used in the backdrop of science fiction film. Halo commercial alumni, Neil Blomkamp's District 9 and his upcoming Elysium have both used similar commentaries from history. District 9 contrasting South African Apartheid with a stranded alien population.

A film commissioned by the Algerian government that shows the Algerian revolution from both sides. The French foreign legion has left Vietnam in defeat and has something to prove. The Algerians are seeking independence. The two clash. The torture used by the French is contrasted with the Algerian's use of bombs in soda shops. A look at war as a nasty thing that harms and sullies everyone who participates in it.

Five Projects That Could Use Some Joss Whedon Magic

Now that Joss Whedon's Avengers is quickly on it's way to become one of the biggest films of all-time. Whedon will likely be getting dozens of offers from other studios with the hope of creating a new franchise or rebooting old ones. Hopefully this new success solidifies Joss as a feature film director and he keeps making large scaled films. A bunch of budding projects and ones stuck in development limbo could use some Whedon magic.

AKIRA: This horribly handled adaptation by Warner Bros. had recently put on hold when the studio couldn't lock down a budget. One of the bigger issues was that the film would have almost zero similarities to the original manga and anime. Changing the characters (white-washing casting) and setting to be completely Americanized rather than embracing it's Japanese roots. Whedon has proven he's able to faithfully adapt similar material while creating more of cinematic scope and balls out action. An Akira film needs thrilling action set pieces and solid three dimensional characters which Joss could deliver with a brand new script.

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: MOTU is finally back in the works thanks to Universal. Whedon's stunning Cabin In The Woods script proves he could handle something like this. If you seen the film you know what I'm talking about. It could even use the satirical elements that were used in Cabin since it's going to be tough to make a serious He-Man film without going along with the joke.

GHOST IN THE SHELL: Yet another another manga/anime project that's been in development for ages. Dreamworks and producer Steven Spielberg haven't really done much with this besides hiring Laeta Kalogridis (Avatar, Battle Angel) to write a script a few years back. I feel that Whedon could really knock this out of the park with being able to create strong female leads and supporting casts. Plus his background with Firefly means he can create a sci-fi focused futuristic world.

FLASH GORDON: Gordon has to be one of the greatest swashbuckling characters ever created. It's last live-action film made in the 80's is considered one of the best camp science fiction films ever made. The tongue-and-cheek action flick seems like a perfect project for Joss and seems like he could spread his wings creatively in the process. A script and director had been put together for a new film back in 2010 but nothing has come of it.

HALO: One of the biggest missed opportunities has to be this video game adaptation as at one point with both Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium) and Rupert Sanders (Snow White And The Huntsman) had been attached to direct the film. The two budding directors had directed popular live-action Halo commercials before jump into their own franchises. Blomkamp actually had started pre-production on it before the studio and Microsoft shut it down. Sanders had been more rumored but he would eventually remove himself from the running as he's now focusing on a Huntsman spin-off to Snow White And The Huntsman. I'm sure a new Halo film with Joss Whedon directing and handling the script could spark another bidding war to make it.

DreamWorks To Take Shot At Halo Film

Vulture reports DreamWorks/Steven Spielberg will take a shot the Halo film. Previously studios tried to bring the two billion dollar video game franchise to the screen. Many screenwriters were brought on to develop scripts. Peter Jackson was producing with newcomer Neill Blomkamp (District 9) set to direct. Lots of money and time was put into the production until it came apart. The film is now tied up in legal issues but DreamWorks will try to work around this by using the novels instead of the game for influence.  It sounds exciting but this same team that have been sitting on their Ghost In The Shell film for years now.