Ken Watanabe, Morgan Freeman And Bill Nighy Wanted For DOCTOR STRANGE's Mentor The Ancient One

LatinoReview has word that Marvel is moving forward with the rest of casting for Doctor Strange. It was confirmed recently that Benedict Cumberbatch is our titular hero. Another major role in the film is Sorcerer Supreme and Strange's mentor The Ancient One. The three actors in the mix according to LR are Ken Watanabe (Godzilla, Inception, Batman Begins, Last Samurai), Morgan Freeman (Dark Knight Trilogy, Wanted, Lucy) and Bill Nighy (Underworld, Shaun of The Dead, Pirates Of The Caribbean).

The Ancient One teaches both Stephen Strange and villain Baron Mordo the ways of mystical arts. A leading role that allows for some diverse casting which makes both Watanabe and Freeman a preference. While Freeman's voice could be amazing for the role, I'd prefer to see Watanabe. It's not shocking that Ken is in the mix, as the training scenes in Batman Begins sort of parallels the origin of Doctor Strange.

Daniel Bruhl's (Inglorious Basterds, Rush) role in Captain America: Civil War is said to crossover to Strange as well. This has us believing he could be playing Karl Mordo, or combination with Captain America villain Baron Zemo.

SOURCE: LATINOREVIEW

Max Borenstein Returns To Write GODZILLA Sequel For Legendary Pictures

Deadline reports that Legendary Pictures has made a deal for screenwriter Max Borenstein (Seventh Son) to pen the Godzilla sequel. Borenstein was one of many writers on the original film, and recently wrote the studio's King Kong origin film Skull Island. Max will have plenty of time to put the script together, since director Gareth Edwards will go-off to make an untitled Star Wars film first. The release date for the sequel will be June 8th, 2018.

We've heard teases that better known kaiju could be showing-up in the next film. This was confirmed at Comic-Con, where Legendary Pictures showed concept footage that teased Rodan, Mothra and Ghidorah.

A set of female twins were teased in film and in promo footage/trailer. Monarch's name might have direct connections to him as well.  Perhaps, the fellow good-guy kaiju might have inspired the organization. Wouldn't hurt to see Godzilla team-up for some good 'old city rumbles.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Liam Neeson To Lead Martin Scorsese's Japan-Set Drama SILENCE

Lawsuits and production delays are finally over for Martin Scorsese, as the shooting for his next film Silence is moving closer to reality. The long delayed production was expected to happen years ago, but was thrown into a legal battle. All of that has cleared up, as Deadline reports that Liam Neeson will take the lead role in the film. Neeson previously took a role in Martin's Gangs of New York, which was also a priest. Daniel Day-Lewis was originally cast in this role but would eventually exit over delays. You might remember that Neeson was original set for the lead role in Lincoln, but was later recast with Daniel after it's own delays.  It's a great career choice on the part of Neeson, who has been taking on more action focused roles. Seeing him take on a more serious role like this, might lead to him becoming a major Oscar contender again.


The film centres around a group of 17th century Jesuits who to try bring Christianity to isolated Japan. These events eventually become violent as The Shogun (ruling class in Japan) outlaw Christianity, as they see it a threat to their divine rule of the country. Other cast members include Andrew Garfield (Social Network, Red Riding, Never Let Me Go) and go-to Japanese actor Ken Watanabe (Inception, Last Samurai, Unforgiven). Oddly, enough there is zero mention of Adam Driver (Girls), who apparently landed a supporting role in the film recently. I'm dying to see this finally get made, I expect we'll be hearing more high-level western and Japanese talent added to the cast.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Karen Gillan Cast As Lead Female Villain And Glenn Close To Head-Up Nova Corps In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, Lee Pace's Role To Go From Villain To Hero?

A whole whack of casting/character information concerning Marvel's Guardians of The Galaxy has recently rolled out. THR reports Doctor Who's Karen Gillan has joined the film as a major unnamed female villain along with Glenn Close heading up the long rumored Nova Corps. I wouldn't be shocked if Karen's character might be tied in with the Inhumans (Medusa or Crystal?) slowly setting up that film as well.

Glenn wasn't the only high profile actor being linked for a supporting role. HitFix's big story on the film included that John C. Reilly had also been in the mix to play Rhomann Dey. Who is being toted as an Agent Coulson-type character. A bunch of other actors had been mentioned for a part that would be a bridge between SHIELD and Nova Corps. They include Alan Rickman (Die Hard, Harry Potter), Ken Watanabe (Inception, Last Samurai) and Hugh Laurie.

Lee Pace's character might have been revealed as well. While we know he'll be playing the film's baddie there is talk that he'll will switch sides at some point in the film. Which could lead to his own franchise/films. The characters being named include fellow Guardian member Adam Warlock, Richard Rider (Nova) and Kree hero Mar-Vell (Captain Marvel). Michael Rooker's Yondu is also being linked as a villainous space pirate rather than a heroic Guardian member.

Andrew Garfield And Ken Watanabe Join Martin Scorsese's SILENCE

Variety (via LatinoReview) reports that Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield and go-to Japanese actor Ken Watanabe have joined Martin Scorsese's long delayed Silence. The film centres around a group of Jesuit priests who travel to Japan which doesn't end well. Andrew will take the lead while Ken will play the priests' translator.

Sally Hawkins Joins The Cast Of GODZILLA

Deadline reports that British actress Sally Hawkins (Layer Cake, Happy Go-Lucky, Submarine, Never Let Me Go) best known for comedic/dramatic roles has taken a role in Legendary Pictures' Godzilla reboot which is currently shooting in Vancouver, Canada. Sally will play a scientist alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Ken Watanabe, David Strathairn, Brian Cranston and Juliette Binoche.

FIRST LOOK: Aaron Johnson On The Set Of GODZILLA

Richard T. Jones Joins GODZILLA

Variety reports that Richard T. Jones (Event Horizon) has joined the cast of Godzilla which is currently shooting in Vancouver, Canada. The rest of the cast consists of Aaron Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe, David Strathaim and Juliette Binoche.

Cast Confirmed For GODZILLA Including New Addition Ken Watanabe As Production Begins

Warner Bros. has announced production is underway on their Godzilla reboot with Gareth Edwards at the helm. The studio also has confirmed the reboot's cast which includes previously linked actors such as Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass 1-2, Nowhere Boy, Anna Karenina), Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston (Argo, Drive, Breaking Bad), Juliette Bincohe (The English Patient), David Strathairn (Bourne Ultimatum) and new addition Ken Watanabe (Batman Begins, Inception) who has a long history with the studio.

Poster For Japanese Remake Of UNFORGIVEN Starring Ken Wantanabe

Ken Watanabe To Star In Japanese Remake Of UNFORGIVEN

Variety reports that Japanese actor Ken Watanabe (Batman Begins, Inception, Last Samurai) will star in Warner Bros. Japan's remake of Clint Eastwood's Oscar winning western epic Unforgiven titled Yurusarezaru Mono. The film will be re-envisioned with samurai instead of grizzled cowboys. The original dealt with a retired gun fighter/killer hired for one last bloody job. Ken will be in the lead with Lee Sang-il directing. Everyone should keep an eye out for this one as it will likely end up becoming awards bait when it's released.

For as long as Japanese cinema has been around Hollywood has been remaking classic samurai films as western adaptations. It's going to be very interesting to see how this one will turn out as it comes from the same Japanese studio that gave us Outrage.

Ken Watanabe Offered Role In Akira

Twitch reports that Gary Oldman has turned down the role of the Colonel in Akira. Oldman had also been offered the Merlin role in Arthur And Lancelot. The studio has now offered the part to another Christopher Nolan regular Ken Watanabe (Inception, Batman Begins, Last Samurai). Garrett Hedlund and Kristen Stweart have been linked for the leads.

What's interesting about this move by Warner Bros. is that Ken is the first Japanese actor to ever be linked the to the project. Akira has been getting a lot of hate from fans that the casting has been mostly whitewashing. This hopefully could be the first step to casting more Japanese actors in the film.

Shanghai Trailer