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

TO BE CONSIDERED: Five Actresses For WANTED 2

Now that it's again confirmed that Angelina Jolie won't be returning for Wanted 2 there will be a search to fill the new female lead. We learned yesterday from writer Derek Haas that Wesley will be training a new protege in the sequel. That role will likely move the franchise forward as James McAvoy isn't likely to continue for possible future installments. James is in high-demand thanks in part to his involvement with the new X-Men franchise and other projects. This protege will have a similar transformation from sheep to wolf that Wesley had. I've come up with a couple names I'd like to see pushed forward for casting consideration.

EMILY BLUNT (Looper, All You Need Is Kill, Sunshine Cleaning, Wolfman and The Adjustment Bureau) 

MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD (Scott Pilgrim, Death Proof, Smashed, Die Hard 4 and The Thing)

OLIVIA THIRLBY (Juno, Dredd, The Wackness And The Darkest Hour)

ROONEY MARA (Nightmare On Elm Street, Social Network, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Side Effects)

JUNO TEMPLE (Atonement, Dark Knight Rises, Cracks, Greenberg, Killer Joe, Horns and Maleficent)

Wesley Will Have A Female Protege In WANTED 2

Screenwriter Derek Haas reveals to Hollywood a new plot point for Wanted 2. The film had to go through major rewrites because Angelina Jolie refused to return for the second installment. Jolie's character had been expected to play a large role but has since written out. The script's second draft will soon be handed into the studio. Haas says that Wesley will be back and he'll have a new fish-out-of-water female protege. A person from a similar situation as Wesley was at the beginning of the first film. No word on casting but  Mark Millar has given the impression that production on the film could be finally moving forward.

"The only thing I can tell you is that Wesley [James McAvoy] is now, four years later, recruiting a young woman who is in his situation in the first movie. She's got a sh**ty life. He's sort of in the Fox role. This new girl is brought into the world." 

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter International Trailer

New Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter Images

New Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Poster

Universal Hires Writers For Wanted 2

TheWrap confirms Universal is finally moving forward with a Wanted 2. The studio has set Michael Brandt and Derek Haas to return as writers on the script. Originally Universal was intent on making director Timur Bekmambetov bring back Angelina Jolie's character back from the dead. It seemed a writing nightmare and Jolie would eventually walk from the potiential sequel. Now with James McAvoy (Wesley) taking a turn as leading man in this summer's blockbuster X-Men First Class and movement on First Class 2 already in the works. It looks like James won't need Jolie after all to get the movie made.

Rufus Sewell Joins Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

TheWrap reports that Rufus Sewell (Dark City) has joined Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. He will play Adam the leader of the vampires Abe has to fight.

Alan Tudyk & Robin McLeavy Join Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Alan Tudyk and Robin McLeavy have joined Timur Bekmambetov's (Wanted) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Robin had previously been linked to the role of Mary Todd which is being portrayed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Benjamin Walker, Anthony Mackie, Dominic Cooper, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Jimmi Simpson had previously been cast in the film.

Trent Reznor Scoring & Acting In Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

It looks like Oscar-winning composer/musician Trent Reznor isn't slowing down his composing duties. He recently re-teamed with David Fincher to score The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and now has another project looking for his eerie sound. BadassDigest reports that Reznor has been hired to score Timur Bekmambetov's (Wanted) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. He'll also play the vampire that kills Abe's mother setting the story into motion.

Jimmi Simpson Joins Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Variety reports that Jimmi Simpson has joined Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter in an unnamed role. Simpson might be best known for his work on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and villainous role in Date Night. I expect Jimmi could be playing one of the evil vampires Abe has to slay. Ben Walker, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Dominic Cooper have been previously cast in the film directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted).

Mary Elizabeth Winstead Joins Vampire Hunter

HeatVision reports that Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim, The Thing) has been cast as Mary Todd in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. It was previously reported that Robin McLeavy was in the role but it's not the case. MEW joins Ben Walker (Abe), Dominic Cooper (Henry) and Anthony Mackie (Will). Winstead had been linked to Avengers but it's likely she could focus on Lincoln instead.

Robin McLeavy Joins Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

LatinoReview says that Australian actress Robin McLeavy has been cast in the role of Mary Todd in Timur Bekmambetov's (Wanted) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Ben Walker is playing a young Abe, Dominic Cooper his vampire trainer Henry Sturges and Anthony Mackie in the role of Will. Previously HeatVision reported on Robin's involvement along with Mary Elizabeth Winstead also being in talks for the role.

Dominic Cooper & Anthony Mackie Join Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Variety reports that Dominic Cooper (Captain America) is set to take the role of ageless vampire Henry Strugess in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Henry saves the life of a young Abe Lincoln teaching him how to kill the evil slave owning vampires. Deadline also has an update that Anthony Mackie (Million Dollar Baby, Hurt Locker) is in talks to play Abe's best friend Will. Theater actor Ben Walker is set to play a young Lincoln and it will be directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) set for release on June 22nd 2012.

Joaquin Phoenix To Join Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?

Joaquin Phoenix "retired" from acting to focus on his rap career giving material for Casey Affleck's mockumentary I'm Still Here. Deadline reports that Phoenix could return to acting with a supporting role in Timur Bekmambetov's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Previously Joaquin Phoenix had been rumored to be in the running to be the new Bruce Banner in  The Avengers before Mark Ruffalo was cast. He would play Henry Sturges a vampire who trains Abe to kill evil vampires. Benjamin Walker is portraying a young Abe.

Ben Walker Cast As Lead In Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

HeatVision reports theater actor Ben Walker has been cast as a young Abe in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Walker had been previously in the running for the role of Hank McCoy (Beast) in Matthew Vaughn's X-Men First Class.

Based on the novel by Seth Grahme-Smith (Pride & Prejudice & Zombies) fictionalizes the President as a vampire hunter. President Lincoln's mother is killed by a supernatural creature, which fuels his passion to crush vampires and their slave-owning helpers. It will be directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) and is being produced by Tim Burton with a release date set for June 22nd 2012. 

Adrien Brody In The Running For Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?

Deadline reports that Adrien Brody (Pianist, King Kong) along with a few others are testing for the lead in 20th Century Fox's adaptation of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Based on the novel by Seth Grahme-Smith (Pride & Prejudice & Zombies) fictionalizes the President as a vampire hunter. President Lincoln's mother is killed by a supernatural creature, which fuels his passion to crush vampires and their slave-owning helpers. It will be directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) and is being produced by Tim Burton with a release date set for June 22nd 2012. Previously names like Tom Hardy (Inception, Dark Knight Rises) and Eric Bana (Hanna, Star Trek) had been linked to be in talks for key roles.

Eric Bana In Talks For Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

TheWrap reports that Eric Bana (Star Trek, Munich) is considering the lead role in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The film produced by Tim Burton and directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) is based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith (Pride & Prejudice & Zombies). It features the President fighting and killing creatures of the night. Tom Hardy had once shown interest but I doubt it was for the role of Lincoln.

Tom Hardy Offered Role In Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

BloodyDisgusting reports an offer has gone out to Tom Hardy for the role of Henry Sturgess in Timur Bekmambetov's (Wanted) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The film is based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith (Pride, Prejudice & Zombies) focusing on the President who is actually a vampire hunter. Tim Burton will produce the film which is setup at 20th Century Fox and will be released on June 22nd 2012. The only issue with Hardy taking on the role is that he's been in talks for many other films such as Total Recall, Snow White & The Huntsman and possibly other big roles. Not to mention locked in films like The Dark Knight Rises and Max Mad: Fury Road.