Geoffrey Rush To Play Ra In GODS OF EGYPT Which Stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau And Gerard Butler

THR reports that Aussie actor has joined the cast of Alex Proyas' Gods of Egypt. The Egyptian god epic already has Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Gerard Butler set as the film's hero (Horus, son of slain god Osiris) and villain (Set, god of the desert). Rush will play Ra, Egyptian god of the sun who is the father of both Set and Osiris. Ra is also the next target of Set after killing Horus' father Osiris.

DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY Composer Hans Zimmer To Create Score For AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2

CinemaBlend has confirmation from Amazing Spider-Man 2 director Marc Webb that composer Hans Zimmer will be scoring the film. Sony is obviously going above and beyond securing talent for the sequel. Zimmer is best known for composing scores for films such as Pirates of The Caribbean, along with upcoming films Interstellar and perhaps Batman Vs Superman. Having Zimmer on board is yet another step in the right direction for the Marvel films. Spidey could finally have his own reworked film theme, along with giving each new character their own identity through sound (ala Joker, Bane and Selina Kyle). It's inspired choice on the part of Sony which is similar to Marvel's recent hiring of Tyler Bates (Watchmen) to score Guardians of The Galaxy. The Marvel scores have never really had an impact on me, so here's to that changing in 2014. The DC movies have oddly had the best scores with Watchmen, 300 and The Dark Knight Trilogy being the highlights. It's about time Marvel upped their game in this arena.

RUMOR: Orlando Bloom Possible Front-Runner To Play New BATMAN?

TheDailyExpress (via ThinkMcFlyThink) reports that sources close to Warner Bros. are revealing that Lord of The Rings and Pirates of The Caribbean actor Orlando Bloom is the front-runner to play Batman. Bloom seems to have a strong relationship with the studio after reprising the role of Legolas in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug later this year. Considering his previous success with billion dollar franchises he could be a strong candidate to take over the Bat Cave. They also state that Ryan Gosling, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (hinted to in Rises he would become the new Batman) and Armie Hammer are still in the mix. Nothing is for sure, as there was talk of Christian Bale being offered $50 million to reprise the role.

It's starting to sound like Bruce Wayne will be played by an older actor with the torch being passed to a younger hero (John Blake?). Yet, I assume Wayne will have to come out of retirement to help his protege. Superman Vs. Batman is likely a way for Warner Bros. to give Snyder his Man of Steel sequel while setting up a new Batman for Justice League (and future Batman films). There had been rumblings of a Batman Beyond-type storyline for a purposed Batman follow-up to The Dark Knight Rises. Having John Blake and Terry McGinnis take over the mantle would allow future directors to keep Batman within the Gotham that Nolan created.

New On Stranger Tides Images

TRAILER: Pirates of The Caribbean On Stranger Tides

Pirates 5 & Pirates 6 To Shoot In 2012?

 HitFix is reporting that Disney is quietly planning on filming Pirates 5 and Pirates 6 sometime in the future. The films would be shot back to back similar to what happened with Deadman's Chest and World's End.  Of course this would only get greenlit if On Stranger Tides is a massive box office success which is assumed it will be. The current cast and director Rob Marshall are expected to return for the two films that would bookend a new trilogy. Depp will be busy with Dark Shadows and Lone Ranger next year so 2012 seems the best time for these films to start production.

I have to admit I enjoy Depp's Jack Sparrow no matter how ridiculous the sequels become. My expectations re high for the franchise since we're not saddled with Bloom and Knightley. Bringing in new blood and Rob Marshall could help give us something fresh and exciting.

 Depp is quickly becoming Disney's go-to-guy and I'm hopeful this could lead to him playing Doctor Strange. Disney has yet to announce their first Marvel film but Doctor Strange has been in Marvel Studios' expected new lineup for months now. There had been rumors of Johnny playing Strange with Guillermo del Toro possibly directing.

Guillermo del Toro while busy with At The Mountains of Madness is currently working with Disney for a new Haunted Mansion film. He's long been interested in Strange and Marvel seems interested to bring the character to the screen. If anyone could find way to bring the mystical superhero properly to life del Toro is the man. ndy