Iron Man 2: Emily Blunt In, Samuel L. Jackson Out?
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Controversy, Upcoming Releases,
Ever since news leaked about Mickey Rourke’s possible Iron Man 2 appearance, the casting scoop has been coming fast and furious.
Despite Samuel L. Jackson’s brief appearance as Nick Fury at the end of Iron Man, the Spirit actor recently told the LA Times that he might not be participating in the next feature - or the already announced Avengers franchise - after all.
“There was a huge kind of negotiation that broke down. I don’t know. Maybe I won’t be Nick Fury. Maybe somebody else will be Nick Fury or maybe Nick Fury won’t be in it. There seems to be an economic crisis in the Marvel Comics world so [they’re saying to me], ‘We’re not making that deal.’”
If true, Jackson would be the second person to lose out because of financial matters. Last October, contract negotiations were cited as the main reason behind Terrence Howard’s replacement.
Click to continue reading Iron Man 2: Emily Blunt In, Samuel L. Jackson Out?
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| LA Times
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Mickey Rourke Attached to Expendables, In Talks for Iron Man 2
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,
Even though the Golden Globes are still days away, Mickey Rourke is already in high demand. In just 24 hours, The Wrestler star has had his named mentioned for two different projects.
Late yesterday, it was announced that the 52-year-old would be joining Sylvester Stallone’s next directorial project. In The Expendables, Rourke will play an arms dealer who assists a group of mercenaries aiming to take down a South American dictator. Mickey will join Sly, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Randy Couture, Dolph Lungdren in the project. Stallone, who worked with Rourke in Get Carter, also wrote the film.
Now less than 24 hours later, Variety is reporting that Rourke is being considered for Iron Man 2. If talks go well, he would star as villain Crimson Dynamo, a Russian arms dealer who fights with a nuclear-powered suit of armor.
Rourke, a likely Oscar contender for Wrestler, is currently nominated for a Golden Globe. The latter ceremony can be seen this Sunday, January 11th on NBC.
Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Another Festive Weekend for Four Christmases
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Music, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists,
Faced with little competition, last week’s #1 lived to see another win. Four Christmases took in $16.8 million over the last three days - a 46% drop from its first outing - to bring its cumulative total to $69.8 million. The comedy was only one of two films to pass the $10 million mark this weekend.
The only new entries in the Top Ten were Cadillac Records and Punisher: War Zone. Despite a relatively small opening (it only hit 687 theaters), Cadillac averaged $5,015 per theater for a 9th place finish. Meanwhile, Punisher took in a disappointing $4.3 million, less than 1/3 of what the first film did in 2004.
Despite premiering at #22, Frost/Nixon was actually this weekend’s top performer. Ron Howard’s film earned a whopping $60,236 per screen average from only 3 theaters.
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Read More | Variety
In Theaters This Weekend: December 5, 2008
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Lionsgate, Sony, Universal, Action, Drama, Foreign, Independent, Music, Period, Political, Comedy, Lists, New Releases,
Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:
- Cadillac Records (R): starring Adrien Brody, Beyoncé Knowles, Jeffrey Wright (directed by Darnell Martin)
- Punisher: War Zone (R): starring Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Wayne Knight (directed by Lexi Alexander)
- The Black Balloon* (PG-13): starring Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Gemma Ward (directed by Elissa Down)
- Ciao* (R): starring Charles W. Blaum, Adam Neal Smith, John S. Boles (directed by Yen Tan)
- Frost/Nixon* (R): starring Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Rebecca Hall (directed by Ron Howard)
Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: December 5, 2008
Don Cheadle Takes Over Terrence Howard’s Iron Man Role
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Scripts, Upcoming Releases,
UPDATE: You can read Howard’s reaction to this casting change here.
When Iron Man 2 eventually begins production, one cast member will be missing from roll call: Terrence Howard.
As Jim Rhodes, Tony Stark’s best friend, Howard was looking at picking up more screen time in the franchise’s next installment. Unfortunately, several factors - including a financial disagreement - reportedly forced Marvel to look elsewhere. Now audiences will see Don Cheadle (Ocean’s Eleven) as the man who may one day become War Machine.
Even though Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow are both expected to join Cheadle, director Jon Favreau is the only other confirmed return at this point. Meanwhile, very little is known about the script though it’s rumored the sequel will “go beyond high-tech villains.”
Iron Man 2 will blast into theaters on April 30, 2010.
The Hollywood Reporter
Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau Talk Iron Man 2
Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Political, Thrillers, Celeb News, Corporate Shakeups, Distribution, Filmmaking, Rumors, Scripts, Upcoming Releases,
UPDATE: Thanks to one of those smarter people who actually brought a camera, The Game Jerk has posted a video of the Q&A that you can check out after the jump.
Although I have continuously kicked myself repeatedly for not bringing a camera last night, I was still at least able to mentally hold on to the great moments witnessed last night at a special screening of Iron Man. While the director was already scheduled to appear for a live commentary at Santa Monica’s Aero Theater, fans of Marvel’s first self-financed film were in for an even better treat when Tony Stark himself, Robert Downey Jr., showed up at the last moment.
Because of the fact that he had not recorded a commentary for the upcoming DVD, director Jon Favreau was quite exuberant over the fact that he was able to do so in person (also because he was not obligated to be politically correct).
Click to continue reading Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau Talk Iron Man 2
Casting Corner: James McAvoy, Ben Affleck, Nicolas Cage
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Miramax, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,
Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:
It seems as if there isn’t a woman James McAvoy can’t romance. In the past few years, he’s been paired with Gillian Anderson, Keira Knightley, Anne Hathway and, of course, Angelina Jolie. Now the rising actor will be taking on his biggest chemistry challenge yet.
In Gnomeo and Juliet, McAvoy and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) will voice characters in a CGI-animated version of the Shakespeare drama. But those looking for any Montagues or Capulets will be pleasantly surprised. In this version, the lovers will actually come from rivaling families of garden gnomes.
This film, co-produced by Elton John, will also feature music from the Lion King musician. The feature should be completed by 2010.
Click to continue reading Casting Corner: James McAvoy, Ben Affleck, Nicolas Cage
Hollywood Reporter
Spider-Man’s Venom Set for Spinoff
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Rumors,
Hero, schmero. Thanks to the popularity of Heath Ledger‘s Joker, Hollywood may soon be looking to exploit the audience’s love for much darker characters.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sony is tossing around the idea of giving Venom his own film. Most probably remember the character as the villain played by Topher Grace in last year’s Spider-Man 3.
As for when we could see the spinoff in theaters is unknown. Right now, the studio is still trying to produce a suitable script. The execs also have to agree on a lead actor. Although Tobey Maguire was given a chance to play the webbed one, those behind the scenes are apparently nervous about Grace’s box office appeal. Fortunately, since Venom is technically a gooey substance and not necessarily a person, they could actually attach any person they want to the project. (Pun intended.)
Whether or not Venom gets off the ground, Sony still intends on producing Spider-Man 4. That installment is expected to debut in 2011.
Hollywood Reporter
Justin Theroux to Pen Iron Man 2
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Filmmaking, Scripts, Upcoming Releases,
Marvel Studios is just about to place its highly-anticipated sequel in the hands of a relative newcomer. At least a newcomer to writing, that is.
Although he’s probably better known for his dark roles (Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle) and fare (Mulholland Drive, Six Feet Under), the past year has been one of creative change for Justin Theroux. In 2007, the actor directed his first movie, Dedication, starring Billy Crudup and Mandy Moore. And for next month’s Tropic Thunder, Justin’s name will be listed in the writing, producing and acting categories.
Now he’s being asked to write Iron Man 2.
Strong early screenings of the Ben Stiller comedy reportedly brought Theroux to the negotiating table with Marvel. Meanwhile, the studio is still working on sealing deals with Robert Downey Jr. (also in Tropic) and director Jon Favreau.
If all goes as planned, Iron Man 2 should hit theaters on April 30, 2010.
Variety
Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Army Raises Hell
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Picturehouse, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Picturehouse, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Apparently moviegoers were simply not interested in meeting anyone named Dave.
This past weekend, Eddie Murphy’s latest effort debuted in a disappointing 7th place. Fox’s Meet Dave pulled in only $5.2 million, the third worst opening total for the comedian. (Holy Man pulled in $5.1 million in 1998; The Adventures of Pluto Nash scraped up $2.2 million in 2002.)
Dave‘s poor performance gave two other entries plenty of room at the top of the charts. Hellboy II: The Golden Army earned approximately $11 million more than the original 2004 film. The sequel’s $34.5 million haul also narrowly edged out last week’s winner, Hancock, and gave director Guillermo del Toro a first place berth. Meanwhile, the Journey to the Center of the Earth‘s $21 million was good enough for third place.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Army Raises Hell
Variety
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