Adam McKay Directing Stock Market Drama BIG SHOT Starring Brad Pitt, Christian Bale And Ryan Gosling

The Wrap reports that comedic writer-director Adam McKay (Anchorman, Step Brothers) will direct his first dramatic film with Big Shot. A-list actors such as Brad Pitt, Christian Bale and Ryan Gosling are attached for lead roles in the film. The project will be handled by Paramount and Pitt's production company Plan B.

It's based on the non-fiction novel The Big Shot: Inside The Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis. It focuses on the default credit swap schemes that helped almost destroyed the American economy during the housing crisis.

Lewis' other book Moneyball was adapted for the screen which had director Bennett Miller and also starred Brad Pitt. Earning Pitt and Jonah Hill Oscar nominations. It would get another four nominations including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Not the usual material or pedigree Adam Mckay is known for. This is a huge step-up for McKay who was recently tasked to rewrite the Ant-Man script for Marvel Studios.

Big Shot could establish McKay as a major player the awards level arena when it releases. It's expected the dramatic stock market film could end-up awards bait and we should keep an eye on this project.

I'll be curious to see if Adam's partner and friend Will Farrell will get a role since we rarely see him tackle dramatic projects.


SOURCE: THEWRAP

Jordan Vogt-Roberts In-Talks To Direct Sony's METAL GEAR SOLID Film

Deadline has some news concerning development of Sony's gestating live-action adaptation of Metal Gear Solid. They report that the studio is in early talks with director Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Kings of Summer) with Spider-Man's Avi Arad tapped to produce. Sony is working closely with Metal Gear's creator Hideo Kojima on the project. Since Kojima has written a majority of the stories for the franchise, it wouldn't be hard to imagine him getting involved with the script.

Christian Bale has long been considered a favorite for the lead role and expressed a slight interest to MTV a while back, even playing the game from time-to-time. Hideo at the original press conference mentioned a desire to see Hugh Jackman play the role of Snake. I feel that either would be great for Snake, but I might enjoy Jackman in the role slightly more. The only problem, Hugh's current lineup of X-Men productions could remove him from ever considering the movie. However, he's been able to squeeze-in projects like Chappie, Prisoners and Pan. Bale on the other hand, might not be so gung-ho about re-upping on a new franchise.

Studios are quickly making grabs for recognizable video game properties, and we should expect a wave of films coming very soon. High-profile adaptations such as Warcraft, Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell, Uncharted and Mass Effect are already gathering steam.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Christian Bale Wanted For Steve Jobs Role In Untitled David Fincher/Aaron Sorkin Film?

TheWrap is reporting that Oscar winner Christian Bale is David Fincher's choice to play Steve Jobs in Sony's untitled bio-pic written by Aaron Sorkin. The duo responsible for The Social Network, is aiming to recapture that stellar vision for the life of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Hopefully erasing all memory of that terrible movie that had Ashton Kutcher in the lead. It's a promising piece of casting news, but it's still very early.



SOURCE: THEWRAP

METAL GEAR SOLID Could Be Released In 2016-2017, Here's Hoping They Cast Christian Bale

With high-profiled video game adaptations geared towards an older audience already in the works, such as Assassin's Creed (starring Michael Fassbender) and Spinter Cell (starring Tom Hardy). It's not hard to see why a Metal Gear Solid film is in demand at Sony Pictures. Producer Avi Arad recently announced a partnership with Konami and Sony to put together a live-action film based on the popular video game franchise. He gives a bit of an update to VideoGameFilms which seems that the project is about three or more years away from being made. A decent assessment considering it's still without a script and director.

"The Metal Gear Solid movie is about three or more years away according to Arad who implied that negotiations between the film studio and Konami could take a bit of time. However, Arad said that he’s in close contact with ‘Metal Gear’ creator Hideo Kojima. Like Uncharted, the Metal Gear Solid movie is also currently set up at Sony."

There's been an online campaign to get actor Christian Bale in the role of Solid Snake. The Oscar winning actor has left the Batman franchise and likely has also severed ties to future Terminator films as well. Leaving him open to consider other projects such as Metal Gear Solid, which is a mix of espionage and science fiction. When asked by MTV he denied any talk of being involved with the film but mentioned an affection for the game. At the time of the interview Sony hadn't even announced the film was happening. Now that movie is actually happening it will be interesting to hear his response.

Aaron Paul Coud Join The Growing Cast Of Ridley Scott's Bible Epic EXODUS Starring Christian Bale And Joel Edgerton

TheWrap reports that Breaking Bad actor has in talks for a high-profile role in Ridley Scott's Exodus which focuses on the tale of Moses. The rest of new the additions include Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver and John Turturro. Paul would play Joshua, the Hebrew slave who led Jews to the promised land and kept a close watch on his friend Moses. Bale will play Moses while Joel Edgerton in the role of Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II.

David O'Russell's AMERICAN HUSTLE Coming In December And Set Photos Reveal Stunning Costume Design

Finally David O'Russell's (The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook) next film has been given an official title which is now American Hustle (formerly American Bullshit) according to ScreenRant. The film is likely going to get an Oscar push around it's festival run and it's eventual release on December 13th of this year. It's based on the true events of the ABSCAM scandal.  An FBI sting operation in the late 70s and ’80s  set up by a con artist (Christian Bale) and his partner (Amy Adams). Resulting in several well known members of Congress being exposed for corruption. The cast is beyond stellar with Bale, Adams, Jeremy Renner, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Pena,  Jack Huston, Louis C.K. and Dawn Olivieri.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UPDATES: Christopher Nolan To Godfather/Produce, Zack Snyder Could Produce/Direct And Studio Wants Christian Bale Back As Batman

LatinoReview is reporting on a few updates concerning Warner Bros' Justice League. They say that the studio still sees the project as a high priority and want the big guns for it. Adding that Christopher Nolan is wanted to produce and shepherd/godfather Justice League like he did with Man of Steel. Along with future DC films similar to how Joss Whedon (Marvel) and J.J. Abrams (Star Wars) will be overseeing their respected cinematic universes. MOS is already gather a large amount of buzz about entertaining and action packed it is. Zack Snyder will have a similar role as Nolan as a produce and could end up directing. Henry Cavill looks like a lock to reprise the role of Superman in the film expected to be released in 2015.

The biggest news included was that WB wants Christian Bale back as Batman for the film. While Nolan won't be directing anymore Batman films has been linked for an involvement with Justice League since the early days of it's development. Bale might have hung up his cape for good, but left the door open to come back if Christopher Nolan had another script for him. It makes sense since Bale is apart of the success of the billion dollar box office of the last two Batman films. He's also an Oscar winning actor which could help cinephiles back up the acting side of the project. The site also mentions the link between Snyder and Bale when they were going to make The Last Photograph together. No word on a new screenwriter but it's very likely that David S. Goyer could be brought in. Nothing is set in stone while LR is somewhat reliable WB is known to change their minds and Snyder/Bale could turn  it down.

Jennifer Lawrence Joins David O'Russell's Next Film

Deadline reports that Jennifer Lawrence (Winter Bone) will reunite with Silver Linings Playbook director David O'Russell and co-star Bradley Cooper for David's untitled project. The cast for the 70's era Abscam film (originally titled American Bullshit) is amazing so far with Christian Bale, Cooper, Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner set to star. Louis C.K. is also in talks for a role as well. This will be the third film Lawrence and Cooper have worked on together in the last couple of years.

Louis C.K. Could Join David O. Russell's Next Film Formerly Known As AMERICAN BULLSHIT

THR reports that comedian Louis C.K. is in talks to take an unnamed role in in David O. Russell's (The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook) next movie. The project formerly known as American Bullshit already stars Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner. Based on a true story the period drama focuses on a con-man (Bale) and his wife (Adams) while being pursued by the F.B.I (Cooper).

Christian Bale Could Also Join TRANSCENDENCE

The LATimes is reporting that director Wally Pfister is now looking at Christian Bale to fill a role in his science fiction thriller Transcendence. Previously, it had been announced that Johnny Depp, Noomi Rapace, James McAvoy, Tobey Maguire and Christoph Waltz were looking to take part in the film.

METAL GEAR SOLID Film Officially Announced

Columbia/Sony Pictures and producer Avi Arad (Spider-Man 1-3, Blade 1-3, X-Men 1-3) have announced (via SlashFilm) along with Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima that a film based on the iconic video game franchise is on the way. Metal Gear Solid follows Solid Snake, a retired soldier who infiltrates a nuclear weapons disposal facility to neutralize the terrorist threat from FOXHOUND, a renegade special forces unit. Avi's other current video game film projects include Mass Effect at Legendary Picutures/Warner Bros and Uncharted. Let's just hope this doesn't end up the next Resident Evil.

Hideo gave his wishlist of actors that included Matt Damon, Hugh Jackman and Ben Affleck. Not mention dropping the name of Christopher Nolan as his dream director. Nolan is unlikely as he's a loyal director for Warner Bros. and wouldn't jump ship to Sony. Affleck is in the same boat as he's making his mark as a director with WB as well. However, Nolan hasn't officially signed on to his next film . If he did make MSG he could develop Solid Snake into his own version of Bond set in a high-tech globetrotting action genre.

Previously, it had been rumored that Christian Bale had been wanted for the lead role of Snake.

'TERMINATOR 5' Shooting In 2013 And Picks Up After 'TERMINATOR SALVATION' ?

Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in full force as he's already got three large action films heading to theaters with Expendables 2, The Last Stand and The Tomb. He's now talking up his involvement with Terminator 5 that had director Justin Lin (Fast Five) attached. Arnie confirms to ActionEffects (via MovieHole) that the fifth installment will shoot sometime in 2013 which will lead into a sixth and final film. It's revealed for the first time the next movie will be a continuation of Termination Salvation even though the people involved weren't happy with McG's work. The mentioning of Terminator Salvation could mean that Christian Bale might be returning as John Connor. However, take this "news" with a grain of salt as the original source has deleted the page. There had been rumblings of the fifth film bringing back the time-travelling element back to the franchise. While I didn't love Salvation it had some great set design minus the terrible Terminator designs.

“I can’t say to much they want it held in secret if you know what I mean, but I will say that next year I will start filming it and it’s going to be one of the hardest films I have ever done I can tell you that already for sure”, Schwarzenegger said “… they have six months set aside just for filming, so I will be training and getting into the best physical shape I possibly can before filming starts. It does follow Salvation although some of the producers and franchise owner were not too happy about the job McG did with it but they felt it was good enough to continue on and they want the fifth and sixth installments to be the closing of the franchise.”

Christian Bale Open To Making 'BATMAN 4' ?

Christopher Nolan has stated The Dark Knight Rises will be his last Batman film but will be the last one for Christian Bale? Bale gives the impression to Empire that he's keeping an open mind on coming back if the right elements are in place. Those just happen to be a great script which would likely have to come from the Nolan camp.

"My understanding is that this is the last one. I think it's appropriate, I think it's going out at the right time. But...if Chris came to me with a script and said, 'You know what? There is another story' then I would love the challenge of making a fourth one work."



While Christopher is indeed stepping away from the director's chair he never said he'd stop writing the films with his brother Jonathan. If Nolan hand-picks the new director it could be worth making if the same team minus Chris came back. It's very rare that a third installment in a franchise eclipses the first two films is if does there will be a massive demand from audiences and Warner Bros. for one movie. Bale is right, it would be a rather large uphill battle to make a fourth film just as good or even better.

Six Stunning New 'DARK KNIGHT RISES' Character Posters

Final 'DARK KNIGHT RISES' Trailer

New Images From 'THE DARK KNIGHT RISES'

Christian Bale Joins Out Of The Furnace With Scott Cooper Directing

HeatVision reports that Christian Bale has signed on for the lead in Scott Cooper's (Crazy Heart) revenge fueled thriller Out The Furnace. It focuses on Slim (Bale) a man released from prison after serving time for murder in 1986 Indiana. Silm tries to set his life in the right direction for the sake of his girlfriend but when his brother is murdered he's out for revenge. The film previously titled The Low Dweller was originally a film setup with Leonardo DiCaprio  as the star and Ridley Scott directing. In the years since that announcement it hadn't had any traction. There is now movement and some rather large names are pursing roles. Variety reports that Viggo Morten sen could end up playing the film's villain along with Robert Duvall up for the role of Slim's uncle.

Another meaty role seems to be Slim's brother which has a group of young talented actors in the running. They include Casey Affleck (Gone Baby Gone), Taylor Kitsch (Savages), Channing Tatum (Haywire) and Gerrett Hedlund (Troy). The latter previously worked with Cooper on Crazy Heart and Hedlund's role in Akira is now in question with the project getting the axe. Affleck is in similar situation as WB also killed Paradise Lost which had Casey set to play an angel warrior. Kitsch's profile is about to blow up with John Carter releasing next month but seems to be perfect after a performance in the hard boiled Savages. Channing also seems like he could do the film justice but the other names seem more interesting in my opinion.

Feature Trailer For Dark Knight Rises

Christian Bale Drops Out Of Aronofsky's Noah, Michael Fassbender Wanted

Variety reports that Christian Bale has left Darren Aronofsky's Noah, the big budget bible tale. They say that Darren is now looking at Michael Fassbender who is on fire with his summer blockbuster X-Men First Class and his awards bait Shame coming up. Of course Fassbender is one of Hollywood's most sot after actors but will he decide to commit to the rather large film?

More Dark Knight Rises Images From Empire