'STARGATE' Remake Will Be Written By INDEPENDENCE DAY 2 Screenwriters

Hollywood Reporter is revealing that the Stargate remake is finally getting writers as Nicolas Wright and James A. Woods are in final talks to pen the script. The pair of writers recently wrote the sequel to Independence Day for 20th Century Fox.

The original film from 1994 starring Kurt Russell and James Spader, is actually one of the more coherent movies directed by Roland Emmerich. Also, one of the better science fiction films of that decade I'm excited to see what they end-up doing with the franchise.

Fans of the show might be holding-out hope those actors will be reprising their roles which is extremely unlikely considering the film is indeed a relaunch. Plus, when it comes to movies costing studios $100M+ they tend to hire film actors who can help sell the film internationally on larger scale than television.



SOURCE: THR

French Actress Léa Seydoux Confirmed For BOND 24

TheDailyMail is confirming previous reports that French actress Léa Seydoux (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Blue Is The Warmest Colour, Inglourious Basterds) has indeed landed a leading role in the untitled Bond 24. It's production is about to begin, and offices have already been opened in Italy. Director Sam Mendes has an excellent eye for talented actors, so we should expect more interesting actors added to the lineup soon. No word in this report if Seydoux will be playing friend or foe in the 24th installment.

Originally, Skyfall was going to have a female main antagonist (Rachel Weisz was rumored for the role) set around the backdrop of the heroin trafficking in Afghanistan. That was seemingly removed with rewrites, and another threat/villain was used instead. I'm curious if they'll retread back to this synopsis, considering the current Middle East conflicts would make it quite topical. Léa played an assassin/thief for hire in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, so she could easily play another villain.

However, we've been hearing rumors for a while now that producers are asking for iconic Bond villain Blofeld to finally make an appearance. MGM recently got back the rights to use the character. Ernst Stavro Blofeld is the leader of the criminal organization known as S.P.E.C.T.R.E. and hasn't shown-up since 1983's Never Say Never Again. I'm sure we'll see Mendes use him before the end of his planned trilogy.

There is also talk via Variety that Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave, Children of Men) was being eyed for the nemesis role.

SOURCE: DAILYMAIL

Toby Kebbell In Talks For BEN-HUR Villain Messala

Variety reports that Toby Kebbell is in talks to play villain Messala in Timur Bekmambetov's remake of Ben-Hur. Jack Huston is in the title role with Morgan Freeman in a supporting role as well. Production is about to begin in Europe next year. And it's casting at the moment is beyond impressive. Interesting enough the script was penned by Oscar winner John Ridley (12 Years A Slave, Three Kings, Red Tails) and Keith Clarke (The Way Back).  The epic's release date is set for February 26th, 2016.

Toby played ape villain Koba played in the massive summer hit Dawn of The Planet of The Apes. Koba was actually one of my favorite blockbuster villains of the year, and it's mainly due to his motion capture performance. Director Matt Reeves has actually teased his return in the third film, which could mean Kebbell might be apart of that franchise for a while. This must have led to his casting as Dr. Doom in Josh Trank's Fantastic Four reboot, and we're highly anticipating seeing some footage of Toby as the iconic Marvel baddie. He also recently wrapped production on Duncan Jones's Warcraft for Legendary.

SOURCE: VARIETY

Jack Huston Will Play BEN-HUR In Timur Bekmambetov's Remake

Deadline reports that Boardwalk Empire and American Hustle actor Jack Huston has taken the titular role in the Ben-Hur remake. Previously, it was reported that Morgan Freeman had joined the project in a supporting part. It will be directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted, Night Watch, Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter), let's just hope the Russian director can reign-in his exploitation roots and make a coherent film. The film is expected to begin production next year in Europe.


We know that Jack Huston has been itching for a franchise role. Becoming in the mix for the Star-Lord role in Guardians of The Galaxy, and rumored to be in the running for Doctor Strange. It's now very unlikely that Huston is still in the running (or ever was) to play Steven Strange. Only time will tell if this picture will end-up more like Gladiator, a watered-down version of Spartacus or at the end of the spectrum similar to Paul W. Anderson's Pompeii.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Chiwetel Ejiofor Wanted For Villain Role In BOND 24?

British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave, Children of Men) is being linked to a bunch of major productions lately, being one of the many actors linked to Star Wars: Episode VII. The doesn't seem to be only huge franchises he's being eyed for, as TheWrap reports Bond producers are interested in him for the untitled Bond 24. Apparently, the role isn't a supporting one, as Chiwetel could play a Bond villain in the 24th installment. This wouldn't be new for the actor, as he's played villains in sci-fi films Children of Men and Joss Whedon's Serenity.

Jeff also mentions two major female roles that are being cast as well. One being a Scandinavian woman with a troubled past, who ends up a love-interest for Bond. A few names that come to mind include Swedish actresses MyAnna Buring (Kill List, Downton Abbey), Alicia Vikander (A Royal Affair, The Man From U.N.C.L.E.) and Noomi Rapace (Prometheus, Dragon Tattoo, The Drop, Sherlock Holmes 2). My bet is on Noomi, since her ex-husband Ola Rapace had a role in Skyfall and she would be a different kind of Bond girl.

Director Sam Mendes looked at a lot of unknown actresses, when casting Skyfall. I'd suggest an unknown like Danish actress Mia Jexen for the role as well.

We don't have many details on the project, but at one point Bond 23 was said to focus on the heroin-trade in Afghanistan. That plot was ultimately scrapped for Skyfall. Yet, it's possible they could weave the unused elements in the final two films in Sam Mendes' trilogy. The returning cast includes Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw, with the release date set for November 2015 (October UK).

SOURCE: THEWRAP

Penelope Cruz Set For Role In BOND 24?

News of director Sam Mendes returning for Bond 24 and possibly Bond 25 recently was confirmed. Now a fresh rumor from Yahoo points to that Penelope Cruz might have a role in the follow up to Skyfall. If memory serves me right there was talk of female villain in the early stages of development for Bond 23. Daniel Craig's current partner Rachel Weisz had actually been linked for that possible role. Eventually, Javier Bardem (Penelope's husband) was cast instead and the original plot of an organization running the Afghanistan heroin trade was also scrapped for an M related revenge plot.

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.

Hayley Atwell Should Have A Shot At Playing Lara Croft In TOMB RAIDER

British actress Hayley Atwell (Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Sweeney) retweeted fans asking MGM to consider her for Lara Croft in their reboot of Tomb Raider. I think they should at least test her for the role. Since she's actually British along with having previous badass roles in Captain America (also inspired by Indiana Jones) and Sweeney. Hayley could end up pulling off Croft convincingly unlike Jolie or someone like Olivia Wilde.

MGM Will Help GK FIlms Make The TOMB RAIDER Reboot, Will Olivia Wilde Or Camilla Luddington Play Lara Croft With Mark Fergus Directing?

Deadline reports that MGM has purchased the film rights to GK Films' Tomb Raider reboot. The film has been in development for a couple of years now with a script from Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (Iron Man, Children of Men, Akira). The new film will have more in common with the recent game which reboots the entire franchise in a more grounded world. CinePop had reported on a rumor that Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy) had been linked for the role of Lara Croft and screenwriter Mark Fergus (First Snow) for the director's chair. However, that was back in 2011 things could have chanced since then.

It's possible the studio could look to actress Camilla Luddington (Californication) who did all the voice and motion capture for new the game. The rebooted origin from the game will be the basis for the new films. She could develop into a franchise star such as Chris Hemsworth was for Thor. Since the Lara Croft/Tomb Raider brand might be big enough to sell the film without a massively well known actress in role.

Rufus Sewell Joins HERCULES Starring Dwayne Johnson

Deadline reports that actor Rufus Sewell (Dark City) has joined the slowly growing cast of Hercules. The Brett Ratner directed swords and sandals actioner stars Dwayne Johnson (Pain And Gain, G.I. Joe: Retaliation). Rufus will play Autolycus in the film which is expected to be released on July 25th 2014 . It's going to be more grounded than previous Greek mythology films and could have more in common with 300 than Clash of The Titans.

After renouncing his mythological origins, Hercules lives in exile and fights as a mercenary for hire alongside his loyal but weary comrades. Hercules and his crew will face their most challenging labor yet when one battle forces the man behind the myth to question everything he once believed, and reconsider the truth behind his own legend.

Joe Carnahan Won't Direct DEATH WISH Remake But Bruce Willis Could Star

Deadline reports that director Joe Carnahan has exited the Death Wish remake setup at MGM/Paramount. It's seemingly over casting, as Joe was set on Frank Grillo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Warrior, The Grey) for the lead role while the studio wants Bruce Willis instead. They mention that Carnahan is looking at another project titled Narco Sub but it's likely that his next film could be Nemesis for Fox which is based on the Mark Millar (Kick-Ass) comic book. Joe is currently writing the script for Nemesis with his brother. 

Willis is coming off buzz from last year's Looper along with international success from Expendables 2 and A Good Day To Die Hard. It's understandable that the studio would be looking at a bigger name like Bruce with two other big films such as G.I. Joe: Retaliation and Red 2 still to be released this year. The former being a giant Paramount tentpole release. Grillo on the other hand is about to explode and will get a great deal of exposure from his villain role in Winter Soldier. 

Aksel Hennie Joins Dwayne Johnson In HERCULES

THR reports the first new addition to the cast of Bret Ratner's Hercules which stars Dwayne Johnson. They say that Norwegian actor Aksel Hennie (Headhunters) will play Tydeus a fellow warrior who welds twin axes. He's also a madman who has to be chained up at night. The film based on the comic book Hercules: The Thracian Wars will be more grounded than previous Greek mythology films such as Clash of The Titans or Immortal. Hercules is aiming for an August 2014 release date with production beginning this Summer.

Sam Mendes Coming Back To Direct BOND 24?

This shouldn't come as a shock but TheDailyMail reports that Skyfall director Sam Mendes is quite possibly returning to make Bond 24. I say it's not surprising because earlier it was reported that Mendes was working with screenwriter John Logan on Bond 24's script. It was the first hint that Sam could be back in the director's chair.

Producers are likely giving the pair a creative atmosphere to make the follow up just as successful as Skyfall, if not bigger. Hence the other writers not being involved in the new film. The film has made $1.1 billion making it the biggest Bond film ever released and the second biggest film (edging out Dark Knight Rises) of 2012 just behind Avengers. Nothing is confirmed but if Sam officially signs on expect him to complete a Bond trilogy to finish off Daniel Craig's run as 007. Production is expected to take place sometime during the year with a November 2014 release date.

Jessica Chastain Wants To Get Her Hands Dirty And Play A Bond Villain

Jessica Chastain has quickly become both a critical and box office success in her short career. Her films Zero Dark Thirty and Mama have opened number one this month and is looking like she could pull-off a Best Actress Oscar this year. She's a workaholic grinding out a stagering amount of projects every year. According to a statement Jessica made to ThePlaylist she wants to "get her hands dirty" and play a Bond villain.

I'm sure Bond producers, Sony and MGM are foaming from the mouth with this comment. They tried very hard to cast Javier Bardem as the baddie in Skyfall mainly because of his impressive awards background and it paid-off handsomely in the end. Skyfall became the first Bond film to reach a billion, mainly due to the amount of time spent getting the cast pitch-perfect. Casting awards caliber actors for future installments will likely become important factor for the franchise moving forward into Bond 24.

Bond 24 of course is without a title but director Sam Mendes and screenwriter John Logan are already putting together ideas for the next installment. The film is set for November 2014 release date and Mendes hasn't confirmed or denied his return. It's possible Sam could come back to make a Bond trilogy, since he's been so fond of what Nolan did with Batman. Those films being a major influence on Skyfall's look and tone. A rumor surfaced last year that Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek Into Darkness, The Hobbit Trilogy, Sherlock) was being looked at as the next villain. Perhaps, an interesting way to go would be to have both Cumberbatch and Chastain as the baddies. It wouldn't hurt to have these two actors in one film either.

Beautiful Japanese Poster For THE HOBBIT

New Images Of Goblins From THE HOBBIT

SPECULATION: Danny Boyle Being Considered To Direct BOND 24?

Sam Mendes seems to have done an excellent job with Skyfall but it's rare for directors to return for sequels. Considering Mendes is the first Oscar winning director we should expect producers to look at similar directors for future installments. Danny Boyle had been a rumored candidate for Skyfall and directed a Bond short-film for the Olympics. Boyle like Mendes has had a string of commercially successful and Oscar nominated films that includes Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, 28 Days Later and Trainspotting. My bet would be on Boyle at least talking with producers to direct the 24th film. That said, when responding to the rumor Boyle seemed flattered but isn't looking to direct a Bond film.

‘I enjoy the Bond movies, always have and always will, but I have no plans to direct one. I don’t know who came up with the story, but please tell them I’m very flattered to be thought of!’

BOND 24 Coming 2014 With John Logan Writing

Bond 24 is rolling forward with the DailyMail reporting that Skyfall screenwriter John Logan (Gladiator, Last Samurai, Noah) has been hired to write the next installment. However, franchise writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade are absent this time around. They also state the film is being aimed for a November 2014 release date. Nothing is really known about this next film but there have been rumblings Benedict Cumberbatch (Hobbit, Sherlock, War Horse, Star Trek Into Darkness) could be looked at for the villain.

SPECULATION: Could Christopher Nolan Reinvent 007 With BOND 26?

There's nothing more that Christopher Nolan fans want than to see him tackle Bond.
He's professed his love for the franchise over the years and has even met with producers in the past about helming one. Skyfall producer Gregg Wilson commented (via ThePlaylist) on the possibility of Christopher taking a shot at directing. Of course he seems optimistic and also a bit coy at the same time. Director Sam Mendes has stated he took direct influence from The Dark Knight for Skyfall. It's safe to say that the Bond camp is very fond of Nolan and will try to work something out for the future.

More recently Nolan stated if he was to do it would make a Bond film he'd start fresh. Meaning, a new actor in the role so he can make his stamp on the franchise. Names such as Idris Elba, Michael Fassbender and Tom Hardy have been mentioned as potential new Bonds. All seem like actors that Nolan would be eager to work with. However, Daniel Craig over the summer re-signed with producers for Bond 24 and Bond 25. This would give Nolan time/breathing-room between the next two films to put together his vision for Bond 26. Not to mention directing a film or two of his own in the meantime.

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.