The stakes in Transformers: Dark of the Moon are apparently higher than ever. For starters, the moon is involved -- the dark of the moon. Chicago also seems to play a major role, which is nice if you're tired of seeing New York and Los Angeles decimated on the big screen. There's also a Victoria's Secret model on the loose! And, apparently, some very treacherous memos that threaten the human race. Isn't that right, Shia LaBeouf?
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A hyper-energized CG bunny voiced by Russell Brand may flit maniacally around James Marsden almost constantly in this week's live-action/animated Easter adventure Hop, but it's very much Marsden's moment to shine. As Fred, a 30-year-old loser still searching for direction, the Oklahoma-born actor plays straight man to Brand's rambunctious teenage rabbit in a PG-rated film filled with gleaming candy factories and Cute Overload-ready characters. He's come quite a long way, and deliberately so, from his role as a disturbed husband pushed to the brink of violence in the upcoming Straw Dogs remake.
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While promoting Super this week, Rainn Wilson jokingly pitched an interviewer a remake of one of your favorite Kevin Costner films of 1992, and honestly, it sounds pretty great. "In my low-rent version of The Bodyguard," Wilson told Black Book, "Ellen Page is the lead singer of a punk band, let's say Sleater-Kinney, and I'm the doorman at a place like... Spaceland. [...] I realize that some jilted ex-lover of hers is planning to take her out, but I don't have a gun or a walkie-talkie in my earbud. I'd defend her honor, we'd fall in love, and then we'd make love all night, surround by coyotes, up by the Silver Lake Reservoir tower." Now will someone at least fund that web series? OK, thanks. [Black Book Magazine]
Also in this Thursday edition of The Broadsheet: Ridley Scott adds another project to his impressive list... James L. Brooks now besties with a young screenwriter... The Playboy Club could bring nudity to network... and more ahead.
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Lionsgate has released descriptions for the first three films in a new initiative to produce "micro-budget" films which are "driven more by concept and execution than budget." So, expect almost nothing but high-concept horror movies and comedies. But hey, it's a step in the right direction! And those who are up in arms about the all-white Akira casting might be heartened to know that Lionsgate plans to "feature predominantly minority casts in many of the projects." But is this plan really going to work? Let's take a closer look at the first three projects.
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Now that the Weinsteins have succeeded in cutting The King's Speech down to a PG-13 rating, the real battle begins. It's time to prepare a new set of marketing materials to let families everywhere know that they can bring the kids without fears of exposure to the f-word! Now the first poster for this new cut has hit and... it's certainly not subtle. But just in case the Weinsteins decide that this design isn't bringing the families in droves like they hoped, I've drafted up a few alternate versions that may get the job done. Check them out, along with the original, after the jump.
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Bertie isn't the only one with a voice. Deadline reports that Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush will lend his unmistakable pipes to Green Lantern as Tomar-Re, the alien scientist who helps train Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds). Between this bit of voice casting and the Warner Bros. acknowledgement that the first trailer for Martin Campbell's hopeful summer blockbuster wasn't very good, the Green Lantern Comeback Tour is off to a strong start. [Deadline]
Who wants to be saved by one-time bodybuilding champ, action star, and former state governor Arnold Schwarzenegger? (Not the people of California, amirite?) EW breaks the news that Ahnold is jumping back into showbiz with the help of Stan Lee, who will help him launch a TV cartoon and comic book called The Governator. Yes, seriously. But wait, there's more!
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Ever since Justin Bieber proved that he is more popular than Michael Jackson at the box office, film studios have been feverishly plotting ways to get the Never Say Never subject back into the multiplex. (I think.) Among the options explored: kidnapping the star and asking for a thirty-picture deal as ransom, developing 4-D technology just so that they can re-release Never Say Never in another dimension, and casting the musician in a buddy comedy with Ashton Kutcher.
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Apologies for that headline, but come on! What was rumored in January is now apparently fact: John Travolta will play John Gotti in Gotti: Three Generations. Nick Cassavettes will direct, from a script by Leo Rossi. Variety had reported that Travolta was set to play John Gotti Jr., but THR claims he'll play the Dapper Don himself. Here's hoping this project is less confusing than the casting announcement. [Variety, THR]
Since so many folks opted to stay home and wash their hair in lieu of buying a ticket to Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch, here's a chance to see what you missed: The first six minutes of the film (well, the opening sequence plus a sizzle reel) are online! In it, the life-changing "Janie's Got a Gun"-inspired events that bring Babydoll (Emily Browning) to the film's mental institution for wayward girls are revealed in -- what else? -- slow motion! Death, child abuse, face-scratching, sisterly love, tragedy, a sultry cover version of "Sweet Dreams" sung by Browning... it's all here, after the jump.
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Super ancient director Steven Soderbergh recently announced that he'll be retiring after he finishes his next two films: a Liberace biopic and a remake of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (And why shouldn't he go out with a bang before spending his twilight years sitting on the porch swing, cradling his Oscar statuette?) Soderbergh's revelation is cause for contemplation, of course, and so the Guardian UK put the question to its readers: "Should there be a retirement age for artists?"
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How many A-list Hollywood actresses does it take to direct a Lifetime movie? According to a new report by Deadline, two. Jennifer Aniston and Demi Moore are teaming up with the women's network to helm segments of Project Five, "an anthology of five short films exploring the impact of breast cancer on people's lives." Alicia Keys and Monster director Patty Jenkins have also signed on to direct a short for the anthology each. A fifth director is expected to be announced soon. [Deadline]
A decade after Neil Strauss published his
Mötley Crüe biography The Dirt, the book is reportedly being adapted for the big screen. And by that, I mean: there is a script -- written by xXx scribe Rich Wilkes -- and a lot of studio hesitation about funding a film that would definitely be rated a "hard-R." Fortunately for Mötley Crüe fans who want this project rushed out of development hell, the venerable Russell Brand has offered to contribute his star services.
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The reboot of Total Recall keeps getting more intriguing. Getting his ass to Mars to play the villain in the Len Wiseman directed film will be Breaking Bad Emmy winner Bryan Cranston. He joins Colin Farrell in the cast, and will likely be against giving the people air. UPDATE: Per THR, the new Total Recall apparently won't have anything to do with Mars at all. Makes sense. Get your ass to Euromerica? [Variety, THR/Heat Vision]
