By Amanda Ack Guillermo Del Toro’s next directorial effort will be Crimson Peak. The film’s storyline is being kept under wraps, but Del Toro describes it as “a very set-oriented, classical but at the same time modern take on the ghost story.” For more information on the film, click here.
‘Hobbit’ film makes moviegoers ill
By Amanda Ack Peter Jackson’s upcoming The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey reportedly made some viewers sick at an early screening in New Zealand. Some audience members complained of headaches, nausea, and dizziness, possibly caused by the film’s unusually high frame rate. For more information, click here.
‘Glee’ actor cast in indie drama
By Amanda Ack Jacob Artist, best known for playing “Jake Puckerman” on the current season of Glee, has been cast in Gregg Araki’s upcoming White Bird. The film will also star Shailene Woodley (The Descendants) and Eva Green (Casino Royale). For more information on Artist and on the film, click here.
Samuel L. Jackson to appear in next ‘Captain America’ film
By Amanda Ack Samuel L. Jackson will appear as Nick Fury in Marvel’s upcoming Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Also reprising their roles from The Avengers are Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is set to hit theaters on April 4, 2014. For more information on the film,…
‘Chronicle’ actor to play Harry Osborn in ‘Spiderman’ sequel
By Amanda Ack Dane Dehaan (Chronicle, Lawless) has been cast as Harry Osborn in the upcoming sequel to The Amazing Spiderman. Director Marc Webb broke the news via Twitter this morning. For more information on Dehaan and on the film, click here.
‘Zero Dark Thirty’ named Best Picture by New York Film Critics Circle
By Amanda Ack The New York Film Critics Circle named Zero Dark Thirty as their Best Picture of the Year. The film’s director, Kathryn Bigelow, was named Best Director. For the full list of awards, click here.
Sundance lineup announced
By Amanda Ack The list of films for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival has been announced. Movies premiering at the festival include Richard Linklater’s Before Midnight and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Don Jon’s Addiction. For the full list, click here.
Director drops out of ‘Highlander’ remake
By Amanda Ack Juan Carlos Fresnadillo has exited Summit Entertainment’s Highlander, a remake of the 1986 film of the same name. Fresnadillo is the second director to drop out of the project. For more information on the film and on Fresnadillo’s other projects, click here.
‘Django Unchained’ soundtrack list released
The Weinstein Company and Loma Vista recordings have released the soundtrack list for director Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming Django Unchained. Rick Ross and John Legend both contributed new songs to the film.
Hugh Jackman in talks for ‘X-Men’ sequel
By Amanda Ack Hugh Jackman is in negotiations to reprise his role as “Wolverine” in Brian Singer’s X-Men: Days of Future Past. The film will mark Jackman’s fifth appearance in the franchise. For more information on the film, click here.
Blanchett to play evil stepmother in new Cinderella film
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Cate Blanchett, actress from The Lord of the Rings trilogy, is in negotiations to play the wicked stepmother in Disney’s as-yet-untitled Cinderella film. Mark Romanek (Never Let Me Go) is slated to direct. For more information on the film and on Blanchett’s other current projects, click here.
Clooney, Greengrass, and Terrio teaming up for heist flick
By Amanda Ack George Clooney is attached to star in an as-yet-untitled crime thriller penned by Argo screenwriter Chris Terrio. The Bourne Identity director Paul Greengrass is in talks to direct the film. For more information on the film and on Clooney’s other upcoming projects, click here.
‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ synopsis revealed
By Amanda Ack Paramount has released a plot synopsis for J.J. Abrams’ upcoming Star Trek Into Darkness, the sequel to the smash hit reboot of the television series. The synopsis reads: “When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and…
Indie musician to appear in film about AIDS epidemic
By Amanda Ack Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox is set to make his film debut the upcoming drama Dallas Buyers Club. He joins the previously announced Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, and Jennifer Garner. For more information on the film and on Cox’s career, click here.
Independent Spirit Awards nominations announced
By Amanda Ack Nominations for the 28th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards were announced this morning. Best Feature nominees include Moonrise Kingdom, Beasts of the Southern Wild, and Bernie. The ceremony will be broadcast on IFC on February 23, 2013. For the full list of nominees, click here.
McKellan and Stewart return to ‘X-Men’ franchise
By Amanda Ack Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart will reprise their roles as Magneto and Professor X in Brian Singer’s upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past. Also returning are X:Men: First Class stars Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, and Nicholas Hoult. For more information on the film, click here.
Fox Searchlight plans Susan Boyle biopic
By Amanda Ack Fox Searchlight has acquired life rights to Britain’s Got Talent sensation Susan Boyle, along with the option to adapt I Dreamed a Dream, the musical based on Boyle’s life. The studio plans to make a film chronicling Boyle’s rise to fame. For more information on the film, click here.
WikiLeaks movie in the works
By Amanda Ack Director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2) is set to helm Dreamworks’ upcoming film about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Benedict Cumberbatch (Star of BBC’s Sherlock) will star as Assange. For more information on the film, click here.
David Fincher in talks for New Regency contract
Director David Fincher (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Social Network) is in discussions for a contract with production company New Regency. The deal would mark Fincher’s first studio contract.
Screenwriter hired for live-action ‘Pinocchio’
By Amanda Ack Screenwriter Jane Goldman (The Woman in Black) is in negotiations to pen the script for Warner Bros.’ upcoming Pinocchio film. Goldman’s hiring will hopefully increase the studio’s chance of officially landing director Tim Burton and actor Robert Downey Jr. for the project. For more information on the film, click here.
Benicio del Toro to play infamous cocaine trafficker
By Amanda Ack Benicio del Toro is in final negotiations to star as Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar in Paradise Lost. The film will be directed by Italian actor Andrea di Stefano and is slated to begin production in March 2013. For more information on the film, click here.
Morgan Spurlock to helm One Direction film
By Amanda Ack Documentarian Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold) has just signed on to direct a behind-the-scenes 3D movie based on boy band One Direction. Spurlock is producing the film with Simon Cowell, who discovered the band. For more information on the film and on One Direction, click here.
‘The Hobbit’ soundtrack available for online streaming
By Amanda Ack Composer Howard Shore’s soundtrack for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is now available for online streaming. The soundtrack will be available for purchase on December 10th. To listen to the soundtrack, click here.
Germany boosts film funding
By Amanda Ack The German government’s approved 2013 budget will increase the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) by €10 million ($12.7 million). The DFFF is the organization behind recent international releases like Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters and Cloud Atlas. For more information on the budget increase and on the DFFF, click here.
Stars join ‘LEGO’ cast
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Actors Alison Brie, Will Ferrell, Liam Neeson and Nick Offerman have signed on for roles in Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow’s upcoming LEGO. They join the previously announced Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, and Morgan Freeman. The film will be written and directed by Phil Lloyd and Christopher Miller (21 Jump Street,…
John Cusack developing movie about Rush Limbaugh
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Actor John Cusack is developing a movie about conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh. The film will star Cusack as Limbaugh and will be directed by Betty Thomas, whose previous credits include a Howard Stern biopic and The Brady Bunch Movie. For more information on the film, click here.
