Chloe Moretz, Elle Fanning And Hailee Steinfeld Eyed For Jean Grey In X-MEN APOCALYPSE

TheWrap is reporting that three well-known actresses are being eyed for the role of Jean Grey in Bryan Singer's X-Men Apocalypse. They are Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass, Let Me In, Hugo, Equalizer, Dark Shadows, 500 Days of Summer), Elle Fanning (Maleficent, We Bought A Zoo, Super 8, Benjamin Button) and Oscar nominated actress Hailee Steinfeld (Ender's Game, Pitch Perfect 2, True Grit). Production will begin in Montreal in the Spring, with a release date of May 27th, 2016.

Fox will need high profiled actors moving forward with the X-Men franchise. Considering Hugh Jackman could be exiting the Wolverine role after two more films. Jeff is betting that Hailee Steinfeld is the frontrunner, but Moretz and Fanning do have more awareness. This makes a bit of sense, as Hailee is in a similar point in her career that Jennifer Lawrence was when she joined First Class. I personally think all these choices are excellent, and hopefully this means Fox will indeed give us the Dark Phoenix Saga in the future. Steinfeld is the one actress out of the three that could actually benefit from the role, it also doesn't hurt he doesn't often make big films.

SOURCE: THEWRAP

THE EQUALIZER Franchise On The Way And Director Antoine Fuqua Comments On Sequels

The R-rated American action film is becoming a dying breed, we've seen franchises like Fast And Furious flourish within the PG-13 rating, tempting studios to water-down the genre. Which has led to The Expendables 3 wimping-out and scaling back the shoot-em-up gore to get a bigger box office. One voice in the genre has taken the attitude Hard-R is the way to go with these adult-action films. That is surprisingly Antoine Fuqua, who is better known for his crime thrillers such as Training Day and blew us away with his balls-to-the-wall action flick Olympus Has Fallen.

His next feature will see him re-teaming with his Oscar winner lead from Training Day, Denzel Washington. The film based on the widely popular series The Equalizer, sees Washington as a total badass only interested in levelling the playing field. The studio doesn't have a bunch of original action franchises lying around to fill release spots. They also have to try to develop whatever existing properties they have to their fullest potential, so it makes sense that they would want this to be very successful and make more installments.

Back in February, TheWrap reported that Sony is indeed moving forward with a sequel. They had rehired screenwriter Richard Wenk (Expendables 2, The Mechanic) to pen the script. Wenk wrote the first installment and has apparently closed a deal to write it's second installment with the working title The Equalizer 2. They add that test-screenings have earned the highest scores for an R-rated film for the studio. This basically should give the impression Sony could have a massive hit on their hands, and will actually be worth franchising.

Director Antoine Fuqua actually took on that question head-on with ScreenRant, and gave a hopeful but coy response to the talk the studio wants more installments.

Ah, you know, I would be lying to you if I said I wouldn’t love for it to become a franchise, I would love for it to become a hit and all that great stuff. Who knows-you just make the best movie you can make, you know it’s like, eat the whole thing, one piece at a time. And then, we’ll see what happens, I would love for it to be.

I'm a massive fan of both the work of Washington and director Antoine Fuqua, so I'm totally on board for this. The only thing is that Fuqua has setup franchises before and left, case-in-point he didn't return to direct London Has Fallen the sequel to Olympus Has Fallen. I believe the deciding factor will be what the studio will offer Fuqua via future projects, and if Denzel is willing to stick around. The trailer is extremely promising, and it's hard to not to want to see that Training Day magic return.

SOURCE: SCREENRANT

Harrison Ford Will Reprise Han Solo Role In STAR WARS EPISODE VII

LatinoReview just dropped a Star Wars casting scoop concerning a returning cast member for Episode VII. They say that the deal is done and Harrison Ford will be back as Han Solo. What that role will look like in the new trilogy is unknown. It's possible it could be a big role or just as simple as a cameo (think old Spock in the Star Trek reboot). It sounds likely that Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher could also be confirmed for the film as well in the coming months.

His inclusion could be Abrams/Lucas bringing the original players back to appease the fans. However, there have been rumblings that a new female Skywalker (Chloe Moretz was pitched by Matthew Vaughn) would be the main protagonist of Episodes VII, VIII and IX. It's very likely that Leia and Han's daughter Jaina Skywalker Solo is this new jedi heroine.

Olga Kurkulina Wanted For KICK-ASS 2?

Jim Carrey has been confirmed as Colonel Stars and the casting news keeps rolling in. As bodybuilder/model Olga Kurkulina is being rumored (via CBM) for the role of Mother Russia. The character is the personal bodyguard of The Motherfucker and member of the Toxic Megacunts. Writer/director Jeff Wadlow had previously tweeted an image from one of the readings which seemingly confirms they've cast the role.

Donald Faison And Andy Nyman Join KICK-ASS 2

HeatVision reports that David Faison (Scrubs, Clueless) has joined Kick-Ass 2 as Doctor Gravity.

Andy Nyman (Severance) has also confirmed via his website that he will indeed play a villain The Tumor in Kick-Ass 2. The character is a member of the villain team The Toxic Mega-Cunts lead by Motherfucker formerly Red Mist.

Carrie Remake Narrowing Down Actresses

Vulture reports that the Carrie remake is looking to cast the title role and her abusive/religious mother. The young ladies in the running for Carrie include Chloë Moretz (Kick-Ass, Let Me In, Hugo), Haley Bennett, Bella Heathcote (Dark Shadows, Cogan's Trade), Lily Collins (Mirror Mirror), Emily Browning (Sucker Punch) and Dakota Fanning. The role of Carrie's mother seems to be down to Julianne Moore (Boogie Nights, Children of Men) and Jodie Foster.

Dark Shadows Trailer Is Amusing And Visually Stunning

Cool Hand Drawn Dark Shadows Magazine Cover

Jane Goldman And Matthew Vaughn Won't Be Making Kick-Ass 2

Jane Goldman spoke to MTV about the possibility of returning for Kick-Ass 2. Goldman states that she more than likely won't be involved as a writer but as a producer. Matthew Vaughn could end up as a producer too and is currently talking with someone who could end up writing/directing the sequel.

“I think the only thing that is fairly sure is that right now, Matthew doesn’t have any plans to direct it. He and I are not currently talking about writing it either. It may well be that Matthew oversees ['Kick-Ass 2'] in a producer role, and I may also be involved in that capacity. I know that there is somebody that Matthew has been talking to who would be interested in writing and directing that. That would be cool.”

Empire's Set Images From Tim Burton's Dark Shadows

FIRST LOOK: Cast Of Tim Burton's Dark Shadows

Chloe Moretz Joins Tim Burton's Dark Shadows

Yet another impressive addition to Tim Burton's Dark Shadows which stars Johnny Depp. Deadline reports Chloe Moretz (Hugo Cabret) has joined the film based on the horror soap opera. Chloe is becoming known for taking roles beyond her years as she was previously seen in Kick-Ass and Let Me In. She will play the daughter of Michelle Pfeiffer's character. As the cast grows the more I have to Burton another chance. Even if I feel his last couple of films have been phoned in.

10 Actresses In The Running For Katniss Everdeen Role In Hunger Games

It looks like Hunger Games is quickly becoming one of the biggest female-driven action roles currently in Hollywood. Ten actresses are in the running for the role of Katniss. The group includes Oscar-nominated actresses Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone, X-Men First Class), Haliee Steinfeld (True Grit), Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine, Zombieland) and Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, Lovely Bones, Hanna). Along with Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass, Let Me In), Emily Browning (Sucker Punch), Lyndsy Fonseca (Kick-Ass, Hot Tub Time Machine), Kaya Scodelario (Clash of The Titans, Moon, Skins), Emma Roberts (Scream 4) and Shailene Woodley (American Teenager).

It's expected the actress selected would be obligated to sign at least a four picture deal as there are four books in the series. Saoirse Ronan and Chloe Moretz are my favorites of the group but Lionsgate could be looking for a lesser known name.

Jane Goldman Currently Writing Kick-Ass 2?

TheDailyMail points out that screenwriter Jane Goldman (Stardust, Kick-Ass) is currently working on the script to Kick-Ass 2: Balls To The Wall. I'm not sure how reliable the Mail is but Goldman is finished writing duties on both X-Men First Class and The Woman In Black. It's also the first source outside of Mark Millar stating there is development on the sequel.

Chloe Moretz Is Emily The Strange

Back in 2008 it was announced that Universal Pictures was adapting the Dark Horse comic Emily The Strange. Mike Richardson the producer of Hellboy and Hellboy II is producing with Darkhorse Entertainment. While I'm not familiar with the comic's history I do know of the cultural influence the brand did in the 90's. Deadline reports Chloe Moretz has been cast as Emily. Hopefully this means Universal has directors in mind and might have some sort of script in place. Chloe Moretz is slowly becoming more of a cultural icon than her peers. Choosing more risky adult oriented roles in films like 500 Days of Summer, Kick-Ass and Let Me In. Instead of playing it safe like fellow actresses her age do (ex. Dakota Fanning). Moretz is also in talks to take the lead role in Hunger Games.

Kick-Ass 2 Starts Production Next Year?

Creator Mark Millar believes Kick-Ass 2 will start production in nine months. There are teases of a superhero group lead by Hit Girl and Kick-Ass which fights Motherfucker's (Red Mist) group of super villains. The comics haven't been released but this is enough to fuel anyone's demand for the sequel. Matthew Vaughn will be finished with X-Men First Class in June, so that could lead to second film starting production sometime late next year. I wouldn't be surprised if the script is currently being worked on by Vaughn and Jane Goldman.

Chloe Moretz To Join Hunger Games?

USA Today reports that Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass, Let Me In) is in talks to star in Hunger Games.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where a powerful government called the Capitol has risen up after several devastating disasters. In the book, the Hunger Games are an annual televised event where the Capitol chooses one boy and one girl from each district to a fight. The purpose of the Hunger Games is to show how no one, including children, is above the Capitol's power. The last person standing wins the game.


Deadline says that David Slade (Hard Candy), Sam Mendez (American Beauty, Road To Perdition) and Gary Ross (Pleasantville) are in the running to direct the film for Lionsgate.