Timeline For THE WOLVERINE Explained, Plus A New Image

Empire spoke to director James Mangold about where The Wolverine fits into the X-Men universe. While it's been considered a standalone without connections to Origins, it takes place after the events of  X3. Again, it will be interesting to see how the film sets up either Days of Future Past or X-Men 4.
Also, a new image has been revealed online from Empire (via CBM) it features Logan sporting bone-claws trapped in the Japanese P.O.W. camp during WWII. It's awesome that the film will explore his time during the war setting up possible villains he'll be meeting in the present.

"Where this film sits in the universe of the films is after them all. Jean Grey is gone, most of the X-Men are disbanded or gone, so there’s a tremendous sense of isolation for him." 

"That’s something that for me was very important, that I land in a very specific place in his timeline.I wanted to be able to tell the story without the burden of handing it off to a film that already exists and having to conform to it. The ideas of immortality reign very heavily in this story and the burden of immortality weighs heavily on Logan. For me that’s such an interesting part of Logan’s character that is nearly impossible to explore if you have a kind of league or team movie." 

Ryan Gosling Exits LOGAN'S RUN

Variety reports that Ryan Gosling (Drive, Gangster Squad) has exited Nicolas Winding Refn's Logan's Run remake. A reason hasn't been given but it's possible Ryan's directorial debut could be causing problems with the film's production. Nicolas is still attached but it's looking like he'll have to find another leading man for the project.

Cameron Crowe's Next Film A Revised Version Of DEEP TIKI?

Variety reported back in July that Cameron Crowe's next film will actually be a massively rewritten version of Deep Tiki. The Hawaiian set comedy originally had Ben Stiller and Reese Witherspoon in the leads. Since then the project was placed in development hell when the actors backed-out. If this new project starring Emma Stone and possibly Bradley Cooper indeed turns out to be Deep Tiki it likely won't be reconcilable from the original synopsis. It was said to be heavily influenced by the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan romantic comedy Joe Vs. The Volcano and involved Hawaiian gods.

A disgraced military weapons consultant who, after being deployed to a dormant base in Hawaii to supervise the launch of a spy satellite, starts to discover himself and the relationships he left behind against the backdrop of mythical island lore and Cold War-esque diplomacy.

Bradley Cooper In Talks To Join Emma Stone In Cameron Crowe's Next Film

Deadline reports yet another project for Bradley Cooper as the actor is in talks for a role in Cameron Crowe's next movie. The untitled film has Emma Stone already cast as the female lead and is currently without a synopsis. Cooper is likely going to be a major player as Oscar buzz has been surrounding his performance in Silver Linings Playbook alongside Jennifer Lawrence.

Bradley Cooper Offered Lead In SUPERCROOKS

Mark Millar has announced via Millarworld that he and director Nacho Vigalondo (Timecrimes) will be sending out an offer to Bradley Cooper for the role of Johnny Bolt in Supercrooks. The comic book film focuses on a group of supervillains who decide to pull off a heist in Europe.

We've got a great director, a great screenplay and as of Christmas we'll have time to start prepping this sucker. Who we gonna call? Bradley Cooper. I am literally calling up his guys tomorrow and want to secure him as Johnny Bolt. It's about TIME he did a super-movie and having him as a likeable super-villain in a super-heist flick sounds about perfect. He's our ideal choice and we're going to pursue this tomorrow.

Casting Updates On Joss Whedon's S.H.I.E.L.D. Series

Deadline reveals that Ming-Na Wen (Stargate Universe, E.R.) has landed the role of Agent Melinda May in ABC's S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot. The series is created and written by Joss Whedon who is now the creative guru of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was recently announced that Clark Gregg would head up the show reprising the role of Agent Coulson.

Summer Glau (Serenity, Firefly, Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, Dollhouse, Alphas) was asked by IGN if she had talked to Whedon about role in the series.

Well, I have my fingers crossed behind my back. I try not to say anything to Joss about anything he’s doing because he has so many actors, and I know we all want to work for him. So I don't know, but if I could be a part of it in any way, of course, you know I want to.

TO BE CONSIDERED: Five Actresses For WANTED 2

Now that it's again confirmed that Angelina Jolie won't be returning for Wanted 2 there will be a search to fill the new female lead. We learned yesterday from writer Derek Haas that Wesley will be training a new protege in the sequel. That role will likely move the franchise forward as James McAvoy isn't likely to continue for possible future installments. James is in high-demand thanks in part to his involvement with the new X-Men franchise and other projects. This protege will have a similar transformation from sheep to wolf that Wesley had. I've come up with a couple names I'd like to see pushed forward for casting consideration.

EMILY BLUNT (Looper, All You Need Is Kill, Sunshine Cleaning, Wolfman and The Adjustment Bureau) 

MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD (Scott Pilgrim, Death Proof, Smashed, Die Hard 4 and The Thing)

OLIVIA THIRLBY (Juno, Dredd, The Wackness And The Darkest Hour)

ROONEY MARA (Nightmare On Elm Street, Social Network, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Side Effects)

JUNO TEMPLE (Atonement, Dark Knight Rises, Cracks, Greenberg, Killer Joe, Horns and Maleficent)

MASS EFFECT Movie Gets New Writer

Variety reports new movement on the live-action Mass Effect film. They say that Legendary Entertainment has hired Morgan Davis Foehl to tackle rewrites on the script. Previously, Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend, Thor) had developed a script for the film. Morgan might have dabbled in writing for Adam Sandler comedies but recently was tasked by District 9 producers to write Alien Sleeper Cell. It's good news for fans as it means if the script turns out decent enough it could move into production sooner rather than later.

Noomi Rapace, James McAvoy, Tobey Maguire And Christoph Waltz Also Linked For TRANSCENDENCE

A few more names besides Johnny Depp have been linked for Wally Pfister's Transcendence via THR. They include Noomi Rapace (Dragon Tattoo, Prometheus), James McAvoy (Trance), Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man) and Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds). Included is the first bit of story on the project which is in the vein of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Inception.

The story centers on a man who creates a computer that develops a malevolent awareness. Depp will play a husband who gets sucked into the computer, contigent on changes Pfister is making to the script, sources say.

Shea Whigham Joins THE WOLF OF WALL STREET

Deadline reports that character actor Shea Whigham has joined Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street. Shea is best known for his role in HBO's Boardwalk Empire but has had roles in films such as Sliver Linings Playbook, Savages, Take Shelter, Knight of Cups and Machete. The thriller stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill (Moneyball), Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Kyle Chandler (Zero Dark Thirty), Matthew McConaughey, Jon Bernthal (Walking Dead), Jon Favreau and Margot Robbie (Pan Am).

Johnny Depp Joining Wally Pfister's TRANSCENDENCE

Deadline reports that Johnny Depp is in talks for the lead in Wally Pfister's Transcendence. The film is the directorial debut of Christopher Nolan's Oscar winning director of photography. It doesn't have a synopsis but it's easy to assume it won't be a dry drama or a comedy. Wally is best known for shooting films such as Inception, Dark Knight Rises and Memento. Nolan and his wife Emma will be producing with Alcon Entertainment backing the production.

David Fincher Wants Brad Pitt For 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA

Variety reports that David Fincher is trying to court Brad Pitt for the lead role of Ned Land in Disney's remake of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Pitt and Fincher have a longstanding working relationship working together on Se7en, Fight Club and Benjamin Button. Disney is currently mulling over the budget while Fincher is itching to direct something soon. Brad isn't a lock just yet he's currently doing reshoots for World War Z and could might have to be open for more if need be.

ASSASSIN'S CREED Film Starring Michael Fassbender Lands At New Regency

HeatVision reports that the live-action adaptation of Assassin's Creed which has Michael Fassbender attached to produce and star has landed at New Regency. There is no word on a director or release date but it's starting to coming together nicely.

Could Idris Elba Play 007 In BOND 26?

The Daniel Craig era of Bond will have to end sometime and seems like producers are looking to the future. Craig has already signed up for two more installments Bond 24 and Bond 25. However, according to Skyfall co-star Naomie Harris who talked to TheHuffingtonPost Idris Elba is a strong candidate to replace him. She confirms that Elba (Prometheus, The Wire, Luther) has met with producers about the role. It's likely that Bond 26 is the film that Craig would end up passing on.

"I didn’t realize that there was this talk and then I did a film with Idris [Elba] and he said that he met Barbara Broccoli [James Bond producer] and that it does seem like there is a possibility in the future that there could very well be a black James Bond. And I would have to vote for Idris because I just finished working with him and he’s a great guy."

There had been a strong push for the actor to be considered for iconic role from his fans and film bloggers (like myself). Elba the ever modest, commented on the pros and cons earlier in the year. My belief is that if someone like Christopher Nolan (who wants to reinvent the franchise) gets involved it would be the perfect chance to place him in the part. Idris has proved himself over and over as an excellent action/dramatic actor, a perfect combo for Bond. Names such as Tom Hardy and Michael Fassbender have also been linked for the part.

Trailer For Awkward Comedy THE GUILT TRIP