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

EAGLE EYE Director DJ Caruso Latest To Be Linked For G.I. JOE 3

Deadline briefly mentions that where-are-they-now director DJ Caruso is in early discussions with Paramount to direct G.I. Joe 3. Caruso is best known for giving Shia LaBoeuf most of his non-Transformers roles in his films Disturbia and Eagle Eye. I'm sort of shocked he's even being suggested for the gig.

Variety mentions that a meeting with Dwayne Johnson which is essential to his hiring hasn't even gone down. Let's just remember he isn't the first director to be linked for the sequel and likely won't be the last.

This isn't the first time an outlet jumped-the-gun on a director being involved with G.I. Joe 3.

Schmoes Know were hot to report Green Lantern's Martin Campbell as a lock to direct. A couple of days later Campbell ended-up choosing an adaptation of a French comic book instead.

We never heard from other sources if that original story was legit or not.

It's starting to look like Paramount is scraping the bottom of the barrel for their director search and it's a bit shocking. Then again, this is the same people that gave us Transformers: Age of Extinction and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

I would have expected that Paramount would be trying to emulate Captain America: The Winter Soldier as that film is the best example of what a well made G.I. Joe film could look like. Hiring a director that reflects that quality would seemingly be in Paramount's best interest.

My personal opinion would be to calm-down and wait for someone who can do the material justice. One name I'd love to see get involved as it's director is Doug Liman. He proved this summer with Edge of Tomorrow he can play in this sandbox better than most. Let's not forget he kicked-off the Bourne franchise with Bourne Identity.

Liman is currently developing an adaptation of the video game series Splinter Cell with screenwriter Sheldon Turner (X-Men First Class, Up In The Air, Straight Outta Compton). Tom Hardy is attached to star and the film is setup at 20th Century Fox who are also adapting Assassin's Creed.  The film hasn't been given a release date and it's likely because Hardy is off filming Suicide Squad for Warner Bros. and a script for Cell hasn't been completed.






SOURCE: DEADLINE

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

Sean Harris Could Be The Villain Of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5!

The production for Mission: Impossible 5 is already somewhat underway, but it hasn't cast an actor to play it's villain. Deadline reports that British character actor Sean Harris (Red Riding Trilogy, Prometheus, Harry Brown) is in early talks to take that role. Harris is an extremely talented actor, and this project would likely help launch him into bigger Hollywood roles.

The rest of the cast includes newcomers Alec Baldwin and Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson. Returning for the sequel are franchise players Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paul Patton, and finally back on the team is Ving Rhames. It's being directed by Christopher McQuarrie with a script written by Drew Pearce (Iron Man 3, Sherlock Holmes 3) . A release date is set for Christmas Day, 2015.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Roberto Orci In Talks To Direct STAR TREK 3 Without Any Directing Experience, But Why?

Variety reports that Roberto Orci, who has been a franchise writer for the new wave of films, is now in talks to direct Star Trek 3. Orci previously revealed a desire to direct the third installment, but seemed like a long-shot, considering Roberto has almost zero directing experience. Compared to high-profiled candidates such as Attack The Block's Joe Cornish. Sure, Orci has been involved as one of the franchise's many screenwriters, but what made Paramount choose him to takeover for J.J. Abrams?

"After weeks of rumblings that he was the frontrunner, sources have told Variety that Skydance and Paramount have tapped Roberto Orci to direct Paramount and Skydance’s “Star Trek 3.” Orci is currently writing the story with J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay and had been campaigning to replace J.J. Abrams as director for some time. Abrams is busy with directing the next installment of the “Star Wars” franchise and will only be producing this pic."

The big question at the moment is why? Yes, we've recently seen Orci's writing partner land the directing gig on Sony's Venom, but Alex Kurtzman has at least directed films such as People Like Us (let's try to forget how horribly it bombed on it's tiny budget). It's sort of crazy to think a first-time director would get a shot at directing the third installment in a blockbuster franchise like Star Trek. Without any previous material to back-up his directing candidacy.

We've seen first-time directors such as Wally Pfister crash-and-burn already this year with Transcendence, you'd think that would have been a wake-up-call to some studios. Not to say this will entirely turnout to be a disaster, as we've seen people like Drew Goddard shine. He at least hasn't been dubbed a terrible writer, lacking vision which Orci has.

Vision, is a major element a director needs. We've seen from scripts for Amazing Spider-Man 2, The Island, Cowboys & Aliens and The Transformers franchise, that Orci lacks the basics of storytelling, plot structure and character development as a writer. So, how the hell could he finally muster those necessary tools now, when he's placed in the director's chair? I just don't see why he's the prime choice when there are plenty of budding directors already working for Bad Robot, who could have taken-up the director's seat and given something special to the franchise. This decision screams, a rushed production to meet a release date, rather than a solid choice for a director. It's who they could get and one that was willing to take every single note from the studio, without butting-heads over the studio's vision. There's one story that's making the rounds, which could explain how Roberto was able to get Paramount to sign-off on him.

STAR TREK 3 director Bob Orci believes the Boston Marathon Bombing and the Sandy Hook massacre were set up by the government.
— Devin Faraci (@devincf) May 14, 2014

Devin at BadassDigest has been a giant advocate against Mr. Orci. Pointing out his public break-up to longtime writing parter Kurtzman, had to do with his "alcoholism" and crazy conspiracy theories. A few including the government was involved in the Boston Marathon Bombing and Sandy Hook Massacre. Painting Orci as an unstable person that just might overshadow the craziness of Mel Gibson, as Mr. Gibson never rained-down such lunacy in his own film Conspiracy Theory. It's actually shocking that Paramount would place Roberto as the face of their squeaky-clean franchise. At least the press tour will be interesting when his crazy theories are explored in front of cameras. Devin also added the following to his own write-up on the news, which might explain why Orci was hired. It's safe to say BadassDigest won't be supporting the new film, and others just might follow-suit.

"I've already told you what I heard, that Orci cock-blocked every director who came in for meetings on the project, making it look like anyone who helmed would be his dancing monkey. Who wants that when you already have pressure from the fans and the studio? Orci made a power move to guarantee his ass in the director's chair despite a huge lack of experience. How did Paramount allow this to happen?"

SOURCE: VARIETY

JACKASS Johnny Knoxville Will Voice Leo In TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

Following a mixed reaction to the recent trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Paramount has hired Jackass (the films are setup at Paramount) founding member Johnny Knoxville to be the new voice of Leonardo, according to Deadline. While Tony Shalhoub will replace Danny Woodburn (Watchmen, Seinfeild's) as the voice of Splinter. Tony recently working with producer Michael Bay on Pain And Gain, might have had something to do with his casting. I'll be interesting to see if the studio looks to hire another well-known actors to voice the other turtles.

Here's hoping they also land Steve-O for Donatello.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Byung-Hun Lee And Others Roundout The TERMINATOR: GENESIS Cast

THR reports the rest of the Terminator: Genesis cast has been hired. They include Korean actor Byung-Hun Lee (G.I. Joe 1-2, I Saw The Devil, Red 2), J.K. Simmons (Juno, Thank You For Smoking, Oz, Spider-Man 1-3), Sandrine Holt (House of Cards) and Michael Galdis (Mad Men). Most of their roles aren't being revealed, but Simmons will play a cop.

Production is about to begin with Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Jason Clarke (Dawn of The Planet of The Apes, Zero Dark Thirty), Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dayo Okeniyi (Hunger Games) and Jai Courtney (A Good Day To Die Hard, Jack Reacher) in lead roles. It's release date is set for July 1st, 2015.


SOURCE: THR

FIRST LOOK! Megan Fox As April O'Neil In TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

Frosty over at Collider is at Cinema-Con, a giant trade show for theatre owners which promotes upcoming features and technology. He was able to snap this interesting shot from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, while at the event. While the site has been poster a ton of title banner images, this actually the first juicy exclusive they've posted. We get a decent shot of Megan Fox as April O'Neil and Will Arnett reacting to something, which is likely from the upcoming trailer.

The project has to be one of the biggest summer secrets, as it remains to be the only summer blockbuster without a trailer. Paramount is still dealing with all the backlash from making the turtles aliens (has since reversed that plot point) and having Michael Bay producing. General audiences and the public believes that Bay is actually the one directing, which could be another problem they'll have to overcome. Mr. Bay is a punchline for directors who make terrible films, and fans already have voiced their distain of his involvement from day-one.

SOURCE: COLLIDER

Paramount Hires Jai Courtney Over Rising-Star Boyd Holbrook For Kyle Reese In TERMINATOR: GENESIS

Paramount has finally chosen it's Kyle Reese for Alan Taylor's Terminator: Genesis, and it's not the person we wanted or expected. They've decided on Jai Courtney, the Aussie actor best known for tripe like A Good Day To Die Hard and I, Frankenstein. I get the impression Jai's casting in the film came down to the studio being cheap, or finding a "face" at least known to the general audience. I'm sure his previous work on Skydance/Paramount's Jack Reacher didn't hurt his chances.

Boyd Holbrook had been kicking around the project for ages, and seemingly looked like the front-runner for a couple of roles. Holbrook has an impressive acting background which includes an untitled Terrence Malick film (co-starring with Natalie Portman, Cate Blachett, Christian Bale, Rooney Mara, Michael Fassbender and Ryan Gosling), Milk, Out of The Furnace, Behind The Candelabra, The Skeleton Twins, Jane Got A Gun, David Fincher's Gone Girl and Little Accidents. His credits are more than you'd expect for someone trying to land a lead in a Terminator reboot, I'm actually very shocked Paramount went with Courtney. Holbrook is poised to become a big name, and Paramount really missed out on a opportunity here.

The more I hear about the "what-if" aspects of this project, it really upsets me. Producer Megan Ellison's company Annapurna Pictures exited the project (she's taking an executive producer credit instead). Her production company's involvement was a major reason a lot of people were interested in the reboot in the first place. Also, alarm bells should be ringing as Megan is responsible for a great deal of awards caliber films such as Her, The Master, True Grit, American Hustle, Zero Dark Thirty, Foxcatcher and Lawless. If she left, there must have been a quality issue and Megan wanted to distance herself from it. Odd, since she spent $20 million to secure the rights in the first place.

David Ellison's Skydance Productions will instead be handling 2/3 of the production costs instead, with Paramount shelling out the rest. The people responsible for Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Jack Reacher and Star Trek/Star Trek Into Darkness. Last time I checked, the Terminator movies weren't a bunch of generic/forgettable action action films. At least the first two weren't, as the studio and director Alan Taylor are giving lip-service to honoring those movies with this new trilogy.

To add more fuel to the fire. Paramount has been hiring actors with "recognizable faces", rather than impressive bodies of work. Emilia Clark (Game of Thrones) and Jason Clarke (Dawn of The Planet of The Apes) are fine and all, but the studio had the chance to hire Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road, Inception, Dark Knight Rises, Locke,Warrior, The Drop, Child 44) and Brie Larson (Rampart, Don Jon, Short Term 12, The Spectacular Now) as the Connors. Having an actor like Hardy involved would have given the project a lot more attention and curiosity (something he did with Mad Max). Losing Boyd as well, is more than a little disappointing. Even as a fan, I'm not sure I see this going very well if the studio is turning away talent like this.

SOURCE: THR

Kyle Reese Role In TERMINATOR: GENESIS Down To Jai Courtney And Boyd Holbrook

We have our Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) and John Connor (Jason Clarke), along with the return of Arnold Schwarzenegger. There is still another major role to fill in Terminator: Genesis, and that would be John's baby daddy Kyle Reese. Deadline reports that the two actors still in the mix for the role are Aussie Jai Courtney (Jack Reacher, A Good Day To Die Hard) and Boyd Holbrook.

Boyd has been sticking around like glue to the project, he was one of the first names linked and has stuck around throughout the entire casting process. If I had to bet money, I'd say that Holbrook ends up landing the role. It's expected that all the actors will have to commit to a three picture deal, as Genesis is the first in a new trilogy. Courtney could be called up for Die Hard 6 or even Divergent sequels (I have no clue about that franchise or his character).


SOURCE: DEADLINE

HUNTSMAN And NINJA TURTLES Writer Set To Script G.I. JOE 3

THR reports that Evan Daughtery has been hired by the studio to take a crack at writing the screenplay for G.I. Joe 3. Daughtery is best known for writing Snow White And The Huntsman and adding re-writes to recent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot. Jon M. Chu is expected to return as it's director along with most of it's new cast such as Dwayne Johnson, Adrianne Palicki and franchise regular Ray Park. Chu is currently also putting together a Masters of The Universe film which still in the development phase. I'm curious to see if they'll be able to fix the blunder of how they handled the Baroness in Rise of Cobra, and bring her back with a new actress.

Director Alan Taylor In Talks To Helm TERMINATOR Reboot

Variety reports that Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones, Thor: The Dark World) is in talks to direct The Terminator reboot. The film is expected to be a the first installment in a new standalone trilogy within the Terminator universe. Producers recently announced Avatar screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island) would co-write the script with Patrick Lussier. Arnold Schwarzenegger has mentioned having a role in the reboot with rumors Dwayne Johnson is being looked at to play the new Terminator.

Ashley Miller And Zack Stentz In Talks To Write STAR TREK 3 For Paramount

BadassDigest reports that Paramount is currently in early talks with screenwriters Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz to write a draft for Star Trek 3. Apparently, the studio wants production to begin in 2014 and aren't willing to wait for the previous writers who are currently busy with other projects. Miller and Stentz are best known for contributing to Thor and X-Men First Class. Along with writing for J.J. Abrams' Fringe and Fox's Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

Zachary Quinto Says STAR TREK 3 Aiming For 2014 Shoot, Confirmation J.J. Abrams Will Be Replaced As Director?

Actor Zachary Quinto (Spock) finally was able to breakout a bit as secondary lead rather than a supporting character in J.J. Abrams' new Star Trek franchise. So when he gives us production tidbits we should listen very closely. He gave a new quote (via FirstShowing) stating that Paramount was moving quickly on the next film with an early 2014 shoot. There had been rumblings that directors such as Joe Cornish (Ant-Man, Attack The Block) were being looked as possible replacements for J.J. Abrams. As the director is expected to shoot Star Wars: Episode 7 the same time that the third Trek film goes into production.

"Star Trek 3 should be filming, I suppose, next year. It’s going to be made a lot quicker than the last one. That’s the plan, although nothing is confirmed yet."

Paramount Sets June 2015 Release Date For TERMINATOR Reboot Which Will Be First In A New Trilogy

Some new information about the next Terminator film has been revealed by Deadline. As Skydance Productions, Annapurna Pictures and Paramount Pictures will partner on the film which will be released on June 26th 2015. Coming out the same year as Avengers 2, Star Wars Episode VII, Ant-Man, Jurassic Park 4, Fantastic Four and Pirates 5. The film would be the first installment in a rebooted trilogy.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is currently the only person attached to the film besides newly announced writers Laeta Kalorgridis (Avatar, Shutter Island, Ghost In The Shell, Battle Angel Alita) and Patrick Lussier (Scream 1-3, Apollo 18, Red Eye). Laeta has worked with James Cameron which is sign the project might end up getting the blessings and support of Jim. A director hasn't been named but it was revealed that Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson, Only God Forgives, Drive) took a meeting. Script writer Patrick Lussier also dabbles as a director. Helming action/horror flicks My Bloody Valentine, Halloween III and Drive Angry, which could make him a candidate. There were also rumblings that Dwayne Johnson was wanted to play the new Terminator. While it's interesting to see them try to push a giant three part story a similar thing happened with Terminator Salvation and it ended up being underwhelming.

SPECULATION: Could Joe Cornish Direct A Federation/Klingon War In STAR TREK 3?

It's starting to look like J.J. Abrams really won't be coming back to make the third Star Trek. As there is talk via LatinoReview on Twitter that J.J. and Paramount are possibly looking at an up and coming writer/director to direct the third installment. The name they are likely referring to is British comedian turned writer/director Joe Cornish. Joe is best known for his breakout sci-fi comedy Attack The Block and he also co-wrote Marvel's Ant-Man with Edgar Wright.

Details of the third film aren't exactly known but the seeds of a massive war between the Federation and Klingon Empire were planted in this recent installment. I wouldn't be shocked to see The Enterprise given another galaxy saving mission soon but we might not see the crew again until 2016. No word if the writers have started on turning their outline into a full fledged shooting script. If Cornish is indeed the person who takes over the franchise he has the writing chops to put a script together on his own.

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.

FIRST LOOK: Megan Fox Spotted With April O'Neil's Signature Red Hair As Production On NINJA TURTLES Gears Up

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.

Paramount Will Make G.I. JOE 3

Variety has confirmed that Paramount Pictures is moving forward with a third G.I. Joe film after the excellent box office of G.I. Joe: Retaliation. It's expected that Dwayne Johnson and director Jon M. Chu could be returning for the second sequel. No word if screenwriters Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese have been asked to write the next installment. There have been teases from producers that it's possible to see a crossover with Transformers in the future.