RUMOR: Warner Bros. Keen On Christopher Nolan Directing Virtual Reality Flick READY PLAYER ONE?

TrackingBoard is reporting that Warner Bros. is offering the directing job for science fiction film Ready Player One to Christopher Nolan (Inception, Interstellar, Memento, The Dark Knight). The film is an adapatuon of the novel by Ernest Cline from screenwriter Zak Penn. Nolan usually isn't known for taking studio scraps, but after taking on the ex-Spielberg project Interstellar anything is possible. It should also be noted that Nolan really hasn't talked about future projects, other than his Howard Hughes movie.

"Follows a teenage boy who enters into an elaborate treasure hunt to win the fortune that was left behind in the will of the creator of his favorite virtual reality game, Oasis. He finds himself up against powerful corporations and competitors who will stop at nothing to get the inheritance."

The science fiction aspect and virtual reality aspect might be enough to sway Nolan. Even more so if he's able to rework the script himself or with the help of brother Jonah Nolan. I'm actually curious to know if he's been approached by Alcon to direct the Blade Runner sequel. Ridley Scott has been vocal in interviews about not being committal to the sequel (also backtracking to stop damage control), likely having to chose between it and Prometheus 2. You might remember that Alcon has a working relationship with Nolan, as production company helped him make the thriller Insomnia which starred Al Pacino and Robin Williams. It could also give Nolan a sizeable scale and mythology to play with, not to mention it's theme of replicant slavery.

SOURCE: TRACKINGBOARD

Ridley Scott Wont Direct BLADE RUNNER 2 And Confirms 2015 Production Start

I've been hearing for months that Ridley Scott would have to chose between directing Blade Runner and Prometheus sequels. It seemed that Ridley had chosen Blade Runner as he stated recently it was next for him once The Martian wrapped production. Apparently, that isn't the case as Scott confirmed to Variety that he will be acting as the film's producer not director. Along with a 2015 production start for the sequel that will indeed see Harrsion Ford return.

While Ridley begins production on The Martian, it begs the question will Fox finally make an announcement concerning Prometheus 2. We know that that the script has been finalized, with the cast ready to go. I'm sure a lot of pre-production work, mainly the design side and set construction still has to be worked out. Ridley has promised fans a new alien threat, so that might take a bit of time to develop. However, TheWrap had stated that Fox was eyeing a March 2016 date for the sequel. I assume this date could get bumped back to allow Ridley to complete The Martian. A delay also makes sense considering Fassbender will be busy as well shooting Bryan Singer's X-Men Apocalypse. At least this gives us hope that Ridley will indeed return for the Prometheus sequel.

I'm extremely curious who will tackle the film. I feel like Christopher Nolan (worked with Alcon before on Insomnia) could do the franchise justice, but it's unlikely since it will shoot soon and he wouldn't have time to make the rewrites to the script.

SOURCE: VARIETY

WONDER WOMAN Director Shortlist Thankfully Includes All Ladies

It was recently revealed by Warner Brothers that they are releasing a Wonder Woman film on June 23rd  2017. The studio went even further by teasing that they were indeed looking at hiring a female director. Something we've been championing for almost an entire year, once we learned the studio was actually pursuing a Wonder Woman movie. While this is progressive, let's hope to to see women directing more projects across the board.

Forbes reveals a shortlist that WB is strongly looking at for the feature that would see Gal Gadot in the lead role. The names are Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break, Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, Strange Days), Julie Taymor (Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, Titus, The Tempest), Mimi Leder (Deep Impact, The Peacekeeper, The Leftovers, Shameless, Almost Human, Human Target), Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Nativity Story, Twilight, Red Riding Hood, Tank Girl, Tombstone, Three Kings) and Karyn Kusama (Jennifer's Body, Girlfight, XX, The Invaitation, Æon Flux). Bigelow might be the studio's frontrunner for the gig, but it;s very unlikely she would take an offer.

It's least likely Kathryn will consider this project. I've been following Kathryn Bigelow's career since I first watched Point Break in the 90s. I was very much obsessed with the film along with the James Cameron scripted Strange Days, which started my life-long crush on Angela Basset. Knowing her recent turn to based-on-a-true-story subject matter and that she's turned down two major comic book franchises, I find it extremely hard to believe she would consider making Wonder Woman.

This isn't something that is repeated while talking about Kathryn Bigelow doing films like this, but she turned down the James Cameron produced X-Men movie and Sony's Spider-Man reboot that went to Marc Webb. Giving the impression even when she was still apart of the studio system, she still wasn't interest in comic book characters. Let's not forget that she has two films in active-development which include The American and Triple Frontier, both adrenaline-fueled true life movies. I'm not too sure she's even interested in the fantasy realm.

The only way I see this happening is if the studio funds her next three projects, giving her a studio contract allowing her to make her gritty films at WB. Considering she's had some problems getting the budgets for her recent projects.

Mimi Leder is the only name (besides Bigelow) with interesting action roots, filming 90s action flicks Deep Impact and The Peacekeeper. She also directing episodes of Almost Human and Human Target. Her other television work includes popular shows such as Shameless and The Leftovers.

Karyn Kusama could be very interesting, as everyone loved her movie Girlfight which introduced us to Michelle Rodriguez. An actress who would eventually become known for her tough-as-nails characters. She's also directed genre material with the Charlie Theron starring Æon Flux and the underrated Diablo Cody scripted Jennifer's Body. Karyn will also be apart of the very awesome sounding all-female directed horror anthology XX. Contuning the horror streak with The Invitation. I think if Kusama is paired with the right screenwriter *cough JANE GOLDMAN *cough it could be a great choice.

A couple of other names that Forbes mentions is Michelle McLaren (Walking Dead, Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, X-Files) and Tricia Brock (Walking Dead, Person of Interest). You might remember I wrote an article back in January focusing on Michelle and why she would be perfect for the Wonder Woman director's chair. I'm still behind Michelle, but most of these names aren't terrible candidates.

It's interesting that the studio is already looking at directors this could mean that they are possibly moving quickly on getting the film into production. I would assume it's fantasy elements would mean they'd need a lot of post-production. If we use Batman v Superman as an example it's being shot in 2014, but releasing in 2016. Which might mean Wonder Woman could begin production as early as late summer or fall of 2015. Giving the post-production team plenty of time to get the film where it needs to be for release. Warner Bros. productions have a tendecy to take longer for post-production.


I'm curious if they'll end-up using the recent script written by Michael Goldenberg (Green Lantern, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix, Peter Pan, Artemis Fowl) or will look to Chris Terrio (Argo, Justice League, Batman v Superman) for rewrites. I feel like the studio would want Zack Snyder and Chris Terrio to add their touches to the script, to make sure it fits into the world they are creating for Justice League. There is also the possibility that producer Christopher Nolan could get involved with the casting of the film. Like he has with Man of Steel and getting Ben Affleck for the role of Batman.


SOURCE: FORBES

First Real Look At Christopher Nolan's Wormhole Adventure Film INTERSTELLAR With New Trailer!

The first real trailer for Christopher Nolan's original sci-fi epic Interstellar has made it's way online. It's more than I was expecting, showing a lot of the problems facing Earth. Before the eventual mission to find something to save the planet's popular, teasing the wormhole aspect ever so slightly. I have to admit I was getting a few 2001 moments from the shuttle scenes. It will be release in November, and I'm shocked the studio didn't try to find a place for it in their summer lineup.

Gemma Arterton To Star In THE KEYS TO THE STREET Scripted By Christopher Nolan

Variety reports that Gemma Arterton (Runner Runner, RockNRolla), Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) and Max Irons are set to star in the London-set crime thriller The Keys To The Street. Based on the novel by Ruth Rendell, the script was adapted by Christopher Nolan and Michael Stokes.

 Set in London’s exclusive Regent’s Park area, where a woman accepts a house-sitting assignment in order to escape her violent and disturbed ex-boyfriend Alastair (Roth). As a series of murders occur in the neighborhood, she starts an affair with another man, played by Max Irons.

FIRST LOOK: Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain, Topher Grace And John Lithgow On The Set Of Christopher Nolan's INTERSTELLAR

Matt Damon Joins Christopher Nolan's INTERSTELLAR And Irrfan Khan Turns Down Large Role

ThePlaylist reveals that actor Matt Damon will have an unknown cameo in Christopher Nolan's Interstellar. It's just another stunning addition to the cast which includes Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Casey Affleck, John Lithgow, Topher Grace and Michael Caine.

The site also picked up on Indian actor Irrfan Khan (Slumdog Millionaire, Life of Pi, Amazing Spider-Man ) telling TheTimesOfIndia he was in talks for a major role in the film but had to decline because of other projects. Khan was absolutely magical in Life of Pi, so it's a shame we won't be seeing him in the film. Fingers crossed he'll end up in future Nolan films.

"I was in talks with them for an important role. It had a great compact cast, but I can't divulge much about that. They expected a huge commitment from my end. I had to stay in the U.S. for four months at a stretch. I tried to work out my schedule and suggested if I could shuttle between India and the U.S. as it wouldn't have been possible for me to be there for that long," he told The Times Of India. "I wanted to be here for 'The Lunchbox' and 'D-Day.' They couldn't allow that. I don't have a tendency to regret what I do, but knowing it's a Christopher Nolan film, I can say that this has been one of the most difficult decisions I've made."

Chinese TRANSCENDENCE Promo Poster And Set Photo Featuring Johnny Depp And Rebecca Hall

Casey Affleck Boards Christopher Nolan's INTERSTELLAR

NolanFans reports that Casey Affleck (Ain't Them Body Saints, Out of The Furnace, Jesse James, Gone Baby Gone) revealed to Elle that he has joined the talented cast of Christopher Nolan's sci-fi epic Interstellar. The rest of the cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, Bill Irwin and Michael Caine.

WB Fast-Tracking MAN OF STEEL 2 With Zack Snyder And David Goyer Returning, Goyer Also Confirmed To Be Writing JUSTICE LEAGUE

Deadline reports that Warner Bros. is very eager to start production on the next Man of Steel film. The studio is officially moving forward with the sequel. Director Zack Snyder and screenwriter David S. Goyer are confirmed for the sequel. Goyer seemingly is undertaking the DCU as he was apart of Nolan's Batman trilogy, a possible Man of Steel trilogy and was finally confirmed for writing the Justice League script for WB. After Will Beall's JL draft was scrapped. It's sounding like the studio is investing some serious cash in locking up Goyer and Snyder for their Superman franchise. Snyder has already hinted to that a Man of Steel sequel would happen before Justice League. Giving a little more weight to the recent talk that MOS 2 would be coming out in 2014 with JL in 2015.

Look … completely hypothetically, I feel like you need to get Superman a little further down the road, I think, before you can do a Justice League movie.

David was recently quoted via CosmicBookNews on the Man of Steel red carpet giving the impression he's involved and the film could rival The Avengers.

They’ve got a little kryptonite pellet embedded in my heart and if I say anything it will explode, but I would be a very rich man for all the times I was asked that question. It all depends on how the [Man of Steel] does. I would love to see a Justice League film, absolutely. Put the Avengers on notice.

Sam Mendes Likely Directing A BOND Trilogy?

Showbiz411 is reporting that director Sam Mendes is confirmed to be making the follow up to Skyfall the untitled Bond 24 film. They mention that Sam will likely also make Bond 25, which is expected to be Daniel Craig's last film as 007. There was more rumblings of serious talks with Christopher Nolan taking over as well. Perhaps, we could see a Nolan reboot of 007 in Bond 26 after Mendes is done with the franchise. Sam and screenwriter John Logan are currently working out the story for the next film.

Cillian Murphy Also Joins The Growing Cast Of TRANSCENDENCE

LatinoReview report that Christopher Nolan's good luck charm Welsh actor Cillian Murphy (Batman Begins, Inception, Dark Knight Rises, Dark Knight, Sunshine, 28 Days Later) has taken a role in Wally Pfister's sci-fi thriller Transcendence. The film stars Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Morgan Freeman, Paul Bettany and Kate Mara. Nolan is producing but it's still odd that Chris didn't grab Murphy for Interstellar first.

Morgan Freeman Joins Sci-Fi Thriller TRANSCENDENCE Starring Johnny Depp

ComingSoon reports that Morgan Freeman is in final talks to a role in Wally Pfister's Transcendence. The rest of the cast includes Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany and Kate Mara.

Anne Hathaway Re-Teams With Christopher Nolan For Sci-Fi Thriller INTERSTELLAR Starring Matthew McConaughy

Deadline reports that Oscar winning actress Anne Hathaway is in talks to take the female lead in Christopher Nolan' Interstellar. Matthew McConaughy was recently confirmed for the lead role of Cooper and Michael Caine is expected to have a part in the sci-fi film as well. Anne previously worked with Nolan on The Dark Knight Rises which gave audiences the best performance in the entire film. She was originally set to play the female lead in Steven Spielberg's Robopocalypse but the delays will likely allow her to make this project instead. Funny considering that Interstellar was once a Spielberg project.

Matthew McConaughey Accepts Lead Role In Christopher Nolan's INTERSTELLAR

Actor Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyer's Guide, Mud, Wolf of Wall Street, Magic Mike) had been offered the lead role of Cooper in Christopher Nolan's sci-fi film Interstellar last week. The actor confirmed to StarTribune (via ThePlaylist) that he's accepted the part in the film. Giving us the first confirmed actor in the outer space/warmhole/time-travel picture. Michael Caine had also given a heads up he'd have a role in Nolan's next project but an official announcement hasn't been made yet.

Christopher Nolan Wants Matthew McConaughey To Play The Main Character Cooper In INTERSTELLAR?

Deadline reports that Christopher Nolan is very interested in casting Matthew McConaughey as the lead in his wormhole sci-fi adventure film Interstellar. Matthew would play the main role of Cooper. McConaughey started his carare making well received films like Dazed And Confused and A Time To Kill but started chasing paychecks with horrible romantic comedies. His recent string of films such as Mud, Lincoln Lawyer, Killer Joe and Magic Mike have given him a new life in Hollywood. Matthew ended up earning an Independent Spirit Award for the latter. Apparently, there is already Oscar talk for his AIDS drama Dallas Buyer's Guide. The actor went all Christian Bale and lost a crazy amount of weight to play his character. Matthew will also be seen in Martin Scorsese's Wolf of Wall Street alongside Leonardo DiCaprio later this year, which could have also helped get Nolan's attention. The only other actor linked for Interstellar includes Michael Caine. He already teased a role in the film before it was even announced. We won't have to wait long for the film's release as it's coming on November 7th 2014.

Kate Mara Joins Wally Pfister's TRANSCENDENCE Starring Johnny Depp And Rebecca Hall

Another Iron Man actor has joined the cast of Transcendence as Deadline reports Kate Mara (Iron Man 2, House of Cards) has landed a role in the sci-fi epic. The cast is led by Johnny Depp along with Rebecca Hall (Iron Man 3, The Town, The Prestige) and Paul Bettany (Iron Man 1-3, Avengers). The former two along with Mara have had roles in the Iron Man franchise.

Christopher Nolan's INTERSTELLAR Coming November 2014

THR reports that Warner Bros. and Paramount have set the release date for Christopher Nolan's sci-fi thriller Interstellar for November 7th 2014. Chris' brother Jonathan Nolan (Memento, Dark Knight, Dark Knight Rises, The Prestige) has written the film's script. No word on casting so far as Wally Pfister's Transcendence is looking for it's supporting cast at the moment. Nolan will also produce that sci-fi project which has a release date of April 25th 2014.

Rebecca Hall Will Play Johnny Depp's Wife In Sci-Fi Thriller TRANSCENDENCE

HeatVision reports that British actress Rebecca Hall (Vicky Christina Barcelona, Iron Man 3, The Town, The Prestige) has landed the female lead in Wally Pfister's directorial debut Transcendence. Hall will play the wife and fellow scientist of Johnny Depp's character. Overall details are unknown but the film will be in the vein of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Inception. Depp's character will somehow have his conscious uploaded into a super computer and the movie will go from there. Fellow Iron Man alumni Paul Bettany will also have a role in the film.

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.