Ray Winstone To Play Villain In Darren Aronofsky's 'NOAH' Starring Russell Crowe

British actor Ray Winstone (Departed, Sexy Beast) has been offered the villain role in Darren Aronofsky's (Black Swan, Requiem For A Dream) Noah. The film was scripted by John Logan (Gladiator, Last Samurai) stars Russell Crowe, Logan Lerman, Douglas Booth and Emma Watson. Other actors that have been circling the project include Jennifer Connelly, Julianne Moore, Saorise Ronan and Liev Schreiber.

SOURCE: Deadline

Trailer For British Cop Thriller 'THE SWEENEY' Starring Ray Winstone And Hayley Atwell

Sequel For The Sweeney Already In The Works

 ScreenDaily (via ThePlaylist) reports that Vertigo Films is already developing a sequel for The Sweeney which is based on the classic British cop television series. It stars Ray Winstone (Departed, Sexy Beast) and Ben Drew (Harry Brown) as the two lead cops in the film along with Hayley Atwell (Captain America) and Damian Lewis (Band of Brothers). Director and co-founder of Vertigo Nick Love (Football Factory, The Business) is in talks to return as well as Winstone and Drew.

Promo Art For Snow White & The Huntsman

Here is a piece of promo art for Rupert Sander's Snow White And The Huntsman. Rupert's version is dark/gritty and has been attributed to the fantasy-style of Lord of The Rings. It's impressive cast includes Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Avengers, Red Dawn), Charlize Theron (Prometheus, Fury Road), Sam Claflin (Pirates 4), Noah Huntley, Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Attack The Block), Ray Winstone, Ian McShane (Deadwood), Bob Hoskins (Hook), Toby Jones (Captain America), Eddie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes, Jack The Giant Killer) and Steven Graham (Snatch, Boardwalk Empire).

Hayley Atwell Joins The Sweeney

Vertigo Films' The Sweeney is getting a boost from a few recent additions to their cast. ThePlaylist (via TheDailyMail) reports that Captain America actress Hayley Atwell will play a female detective in the film. Atwell has also been in the running for Tom Cruise projects One Shot and the science fiction action film Oblivion/Horizons. Other additions include Damian Lewis (Band of Brothers, Homeland), Steven Mackintosh (Luther, The Escapist) and Paul Anderson (Sherlock Holmes 2).

The film is based on the popular gritty British series of the same name. Originally Michael Fassbender and Jason Statham had been linked for the role opposite Ray Winstone. Later Benjamin Drew better known as musician Plan B was put in the part. While director Nick Love has had moderate success his films are mostly messy pieces of visual exercises. His films The Business, The Firm and Football Factory were all let downs. However, Love did show some promise with Outlaw which in my opinion is his best film. The only real guiding light behind this project is that it's script is from screenwriter John Hodge. Hodge is best known for his scripts for Danny Boyle films Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, The Beach, A Life Less Ordinary and the upcoming Trance.

My concern is that The Sweeney could end up a B-film on the level of the recent British crime thriller Blitz. Strong casting with Adian Gillen (The Wire, Game of Thrones), Paddy Considine (Dead Man's Shoes, Red Riding) and newcomer Luke Evans (The Hobbit) wasn't enough to save the Jason Statham pedestrian cop thriller. Hopefully a solid script and cast will be enough to give Love enough incentive to give his best effort.