October 9, 2010

CAST 'EM!: Marc Webb's Spider-Man

Now that we have Spider-Man's two main leads with Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy I'm curious who will be cast in other roles. I'm going to list who I'd like to see in supporting roles. Of course I could list villains but until we actually know who the villain might be I won't.

Harry Osborn: Anton Yelchin is rumored for the role and it's for good reason. He is excellent addition to any cast he's proven this with both Star Trek and Terminator Salvation (being one of only the best parts of the film). Hopefully they explore the darker side of Harry and his major anger issues early in the films.

Mary Jane Watson: Like Harry she was a hard partier and wild child. Unlike what we saw in Raimi's films where MJ was duller to watch than paint drying. Mary Elizabeth Winstead was my first choice for Mary Jane and would be a great love interest for both Harry and Peter (in sequels). MEW is best known for Scott Pilgrim Vs The World but has also had some decent smaller roles in action films like Die Hard 4 and Tarantino's Death Proof. She'll be testing her leading actress skills again in the Thing prequel in April.

Aunt May: Helen Mirren might not come to most people's minds when thinking of this role but it seems like no brainier when you do think about it. She's been able to pull off almost any role she's given and isn't opposed to doing comic book (Red), action (The Debt) or comedy(Aurthur) films. Helen is able to dress down for roles as well like she did in the Queen.

J. Jonah Jameson: John Slattery is becoming more known from his show Mad Men and is perfect for Jameson. While I believe he should be the brooding force of hatred financing supervillains like The Scorpion to capture Spider-Man. I doubt Sony will go down that road since Raimi gave us the lovable version of J.J. Yet if they did do that Stephen Lang (Public Enemies, Avatar, Conan) would be perfect for it. Slattery on the other hand could be great for both sides of Jameson if they ever decide to change him. While he played a small role in Iron Man 2 it's not uncommon for actors to be cast in more than one Marvel project (Ray Stevenson, Idris Elba, Ryan Reynolds).

Betty Brant: Jameson's secretary/assistant Betty Brant pretty much keeps J.J. in check and is known to flirt with Peter. It would be nice to see her more involved in the franchise. I'd like to think in each film we'll see Peter involved with different girls from the comics. Zooey Deschanel would be great for Betty since she's got just the edge to steal scenes with the small role.

Robbie Robertson: Ernie Hudson needs to return to comic book films. While it's unknown when he'll actually start work on Ghostbusters 3 I think this would be perfect for him. Ernie did amazing work on the HBO series Oz and helped make The Crow one of best comic book films of the 90's.

CAST 'EM!: Zack Snyder's Superman

In the spirit of the new Superman film now directed by one of my favorite visual directors Zack Snyder. I've come up with who I'd like to see cast in the reboot. I believe with the history of Snyder's casting we'll see a decent balance of actors from both television and film cast. I'm just going to focus on the three main roles of the film.


Superman/Clark Kent: Henry Cavill should be on everyone's list to play this role. He previously had been close to playing the new Bond, Batman and even Superman. Henry has had some decent roles in the Tudors, Stardust, Whatever Works and his own upcoming fantasy action blockbuster Immortals. I still like the idea of bringing in Jon Hamm for the role but it's unlikely.



Zod: When it comes to who should play the rumored villain of the film Zod. Tom Hardy comes to mind I'm not sure how old they will be planning to go with the role. Hardy has had string of excellent films in the last couple of years including RockNRolla, scene stealing in Inception and his vicious performance in Bronson. I'm sure Warner Bros. is looking to cast Tom in another one of their big films. Now that production on Mad Max: Fury Road is being pushed back to 2012 he could be available. He's been rumored for the Riddler in Batman 3 so it could be problem if he get's the job.



Lois Lane: While I'm still keen on seeing Natalie Portman in the role Rebecca Hall fits it as well. Rebecca is another up and coming star like both Henry and Tom. Giving decent performances in Woody Allen's Vicky Christina Barcelona and recently in Warner Bros' The Town. Hall co-starred with Andrew Garfield (Spider-Man) in the haunting Red Riding 1974 which should be on everyone's radar and she's previously worked with producer/writer Christopher Nolan on The Prestige.






Feel free to comment on my choices and give your on thoughts in the comments section below.

David O'Russell To Officially Direct Uncharted

Sony has announced today that David O'Russell has been hired to direct their adaptation of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. He'll also be given the task of beefing up Kyle Ward's script. While most video films haven't been too successful I think Russell might be good enough to pull this off. The video game series itself is pretty cinematic and doesn't have the mystical creatures that could be pitfalls (Resident Evil). O'Russell had been rumored for the job back in May but hasn't been confirmed until now. The game follows Drake a modern Harrison Ford (think Solo not Indy) type treasure hunter.





David O'Russell is sort of touch and go while he seems to be able to handle action and drama. Not so much when it comes to full on comedy so hopefully this won't be a straight up comedic adventure film. I do have to admit to enjoying Three Kings (another treasure hunting film) and I'm looking forward to The Fighter which was going to be directed by Darren Aronofsky (now producing). It's expected Sony will be trying to make a trilogy of the series so if this one does well there will be more films. When it comes to casting now that O'Russell is on board I wouldn't be suprised if Mark Wahlberg ends up in the Drake role. The two have worked together on three projects previously. Let's just hope this ends up better than Max Payne did



October 8, 2010

Max Records Joins The Sitter

 TheWrap reports on some casting information for the new comedy The Sitter which comes out July 15th. Max Records (Brothers Bloom) best known for his performance in Spike Jone's Where The Wild Things Are has joined the movie. Along with J.B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and child actor Kevin Hernandez. Other cast members include star Jonah Hill, Ari Graynor (Nick & Norah) and newcomer Landry Bender.

Sitter, which is currently filming is directed by David Gordon Green who previously made Pineapple Express . His next film the raunchy fantasy comedy Your Highness will be released on April 8th. The Sitter is being compared to mix of Superbad meets Adventures In Babysitting. It focuses on a college student (Hill) on suspension who is coaxed into babysitting the kids next door, though he is fully unprepared for the wild night ahead of him.

October 7, 2010

Noomi Rapace Vs Carey Mulligan For Alien Prequels


 It looks 20th Century Fox and director Ridley Scott are very close to finding their lead actress for the Alien prequels. Deadline reports the studio is pursuing both Noomi Rapace and Carey Mulligan. Rapace had been in talks with the studio but since has lined up a supporting role in Sherlock Holmes 2. It's expected the films could start production later next year. Hopefully the rumors of friction between Ridley and Fox over budget/rating are false. There could be nothing worse than a watered down PG-13 alien film or one where it's budget is restricted. These films have a strong legacy on home video and if done properly will continue to make the studio profits even if they don't blow up the box office.

UPDATE: I'm not sure how I missed this but Abbie Cornish (Sucker Punch) is also in talks according to the Deadline story. Cornish has worked with Ridley Scott previously on the touching rom-com A Good Year. 

Natalie Portman Closer To Playing Lois Lane?

Natalie Portman recently turned down the lead role in Gravity and now has also passed on Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. She left Zombies over scheduling conflicts but will still produce it. This gives more validity that Natalie could very well be up for the female lead in Zack Snyder's Superman: Man of Steel. Portman has been rumored to be up for the key role of Lois Lane. I assume unlike Singer's Superman Returns Warner Bros. will be looking to populate the reboot with well known and prestigious actors. Similar to what they've done with the Batman franchise.

Christopher Plummer & Joley Richardson Join Dragon Tattoo

ThePlaylist uncovered an interview with David Fincher where he reveals new cast members which include Joley Richrdson (Nip/Tuck, The Patriot), Steven Berkoff (Beverly Hills Cop, The Tourist) and Swedish actor David Dencik. Hollywood Reporter stated that Christopher Plummer has also joined the film. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is based on the novel by Stieg Larsson which stars Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara (Social Network), Robin Wright and Stellan Skarsgard.

Anil Kapoor Also Villain In Mission Impossible 4

Deadline reports there is yet another villain in Mission Impossible 4. Anil Kapoor best known to western audiences for his role in Slumdog Millionaire has been cast in the film and will play a villain.

Lea Seydoux Joins Mission Impossible 4

TheHollywoodReporter says that French actress Lea Seydoux (Robin Hood, Inglorious Basterds) has been cast in Mission Impossible 4 directed by Brad Bird (Incredibles). She will join Michael Nyqvist (Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) as the film's villains. It's been rumored the role had originally been offered to Noomi Rapace (Sherlock Holmes 2). The film also stars Tom Cruise along with Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker), Paula Patton,  Vladimir Mashkov, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg.

October 6, 2010

Sandra Bullock In Talks For Gravity

Variety reports Sandra Bullock is now in talks for the lead in Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity. Recently Natalie Portman officially passed on the movie after an offer had gone out to her. While I'm unsure of Bullock in a science fiction film Cuarón is talented enough for me not to care about casting. Robert Downey Jr. is attached to co-star but I assume could leave to focus on other projects.

TRAILER: Red Band Trailer For Faster

DreamWorks To Take Shot At Halo Film

Vulture reports DreamWorks/Steven Spielberg will take a shot the Halo film. Previously studios tried to bring the two billion dollar video game franchise to the screen. Many screenwriters were brought on to develop scripts. Peter Jackson was producing with newcomer Neill Blomkamp (District 9) set to direct. Lots of money and time was put into the production until it came apart. The film is now tied up in legal issues but DreamWorks will try to work around this by using the novels instead of the game for influence.  It sounds exciting but this same team that have been sitting on their Ghost In The Shell film for years now. 



Sam Raimi Officially Directing Oz

Deadline reports that director Sam Raimi's next film will be Disney's Oz: The Great & Powerful. The director had been actively working on the Warcraft film for WB/Legendary Pictures but it looks like he'll helm this film first. The prequel has Robert Downey Jr. attached to star as a younger version of the Wizard. David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole) has come on board to rewrite the film's script. I expect that the film will start production later next year. Since RDJ is looking to star in both Avengers and Gravity before this project.

Johnny Depp Also In Talks For Triple Frontier

Just yesterday Deadline reported on Tom Hanks being in talks to join Kathryn Bigelow's Triple Frontier (Sleeping Dogs). Now the site says Johnny Depp is also in the mix. The film is expected to start production in February and could conflict with Depp/Burton's Dark Shadows. I'm beyond excited for the this film and the casting rumors keep getting better.

Tom Hanks In Talks For Kathryn Bigelow's Triple Frontier

 Deadline reports that Tom Hanks could have a role in the crime thriller Triple Frontier which is being directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Hurt Locker). The film is set in the organized crime haven that exists in the border zone between Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. Hanks might be known for his touching dramatic and comedic roles. Yet he's also played some serious badasses in films like Saving Private Ryan and Road To Perdition. Other actors like Will Smith, Sean Penn, Christian Bale and Javier Bardem have been rumored for the project.