By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Liam Hemsworth is in final negotiations to star in Ricardo de Montreuil’s upcoming “The Raven.” The film is based on de Montreuil’s short film of the same name. For more information on the project, click here.
Allison Janney in talks for ‘Tammy’
By Amanda Ack Allison Janney is in negotiations to join the cast of Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone’s upcoming “Tammy.” Janney would play McCarthy’s mother. For more information on the project, click here.
Richard Linklater in talks to helm ‘A Walk in the Woods’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Richard Linklater is in negotiations to direct “A Walk in the Woods,” a film adaptation of Bill Bryson’s travel memoir of the same name. Robert Redford is set to produce and star in the picture. For more information on the project, click here.
Leonardo DiCaprio to produce HBO’s ‘Gorbachev’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Leonardo DiCaprio is set to produce HBO Films’ upcoming “Gorbachev.” Mikhail Gorbachev himself has served as a consultant on the project. For more information, click here.
Kellan Lutz to star in ‘Hercules 3D’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Kellan Lutz has signed on to play the lead role in Renny Harlin’s upcoming “Tarzan 3D.” The film will begin shooting in Bulgaria next month. For more information on the project, click here.
Queen Elizabeth receives honorary BAFTA
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic The British Academy of Film and Television Arts honored Queen Elizabeth with an honorary award at a ceremony on Friday. The organization honored Queen Elizabeth for her support of filmmaking in the UK. For more information, click here.
Omar Sy joins ‘Candy Store’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic French actor Omar Sy has joined the cast of Stephen Gaghan’s upcoming action-thriller “Candy Store.” Sy will play the film’s villain. For more information on the project, click here.
‘Gatsby’ soundtrack revealed
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic The soundtrack list for Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming “The Great Gatsby” has been released. The movie will feature songs by Jay-Z and Lana Del Rey. For the full tracklist, click here.
Legendary film critic passes away
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Film critic Roger Ebert died on April 5. He was 70 years old. For more information on Ebert’s life and career, click here.
Jessica Chastain signs on to ‘Crimson Peak’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Jessica Chastain is the latest addition to the cast of Guillermo Del Toro’s upcoming “Crimson Peak.” Other actors in the film will include Emma Stone, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Charlie Hunnam. For more information on the project, click here.
Bradley Cooper joins ‘Jane Got a Gun’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Bradley Cooper has signed on to play the villain in Gavin O’Connor’s upcoming Western “Jane Got a Gun.” Other actors already cast in the film include Natalie Portman and Joel Edgerton. For more information on the project, click here.
New ‘Arrested Development’ available in May
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic New episodes of “Arrested Development” will be available on Netflix on May 26. There will be 15 episodes. For more information, click here.
Sally Hawkins joins ‘Godzilla’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Sally Hawkins has landed the final lead role in Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros.’ upcoming “Godzilla.” The film is slated for a May 2014 release. For more information on the project, click here.
VFX studio Rhythm and Hues finds buyer
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Rhythm and Hues, the bankrupt visual effects company behind “Life of Pi,” has been acquired by Prana Studios. Prana is a VFX and animation studio based in Los Angeles and Mumbai. For more information on the deal, click here.
Judy Greer joins ‘Planet of the Apes’ film
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Judy Greer has signed on to star in “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” Greer will play a chimpanzee named Cordelia. For more information on the film, click here.
James Spader joins Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep in ‘The Homesman’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic James Spader is teaming up with his “Lincoln” co-star Tommy Lee Jones for “The Homesman,” which Jones co-wrote and is directing. Other actors already cast in the film include Meryl Streep and John Lithgow. For more information on the project, click here.
Jon Stewart’s ‘Rosewater’ to be sold at Cannes
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Sierra/Affinity is taking “Rosewater,” Jon Stewart’s directorial debut, to the Cannes Film Festival for sale to international buyers. The film is an adaptation of Maziar Bahari’s book “Then They Came for Me: A Family’s Story of Love, Captivity and Survival.” For more information on the film, click here.
Wes Anderson’s new film gets potential release date
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Wes Anderson’s upcoming “The Grand Budapest Hotel” has been acquired for distribution by Fox Searchlight Films. The studio is reportedly considering releasing the film in late 2013. For more information and a summary of the film, click here.
Melissa McCarthy named CinemaCon’s Female Star of the Year
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Melissa McCarthy has been selected as CinemaCon’s Female Star of the Year. The award will be presented at the organization’s ceremony in April. For more information on the award and on McCarthy’s career, click here.
Martin Scorsese developing ‘Gangs of New York’ TV series
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Martin Scorsese is teaming up with Miramax and GK Films to turn his 2002 film “Gangs of New York” into a TV series. For more information on the project, click here.
Critic finds If I Were You falters under plot’s weight
There’s nothing quite as painful as a film that tries to be all things to all audiences. Such is the case with If I Were You. Written and directed by Joan Carr-Wiggin with a truly infuriating lack of focus, it’s a muddled mess that aims to make us laugh and cry but only warrants a halfhearted shrug.
Clint Eastwood in talks to direct ‘Jersey Boys’ adaptation
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Clint Eastwood is reportedly in negotiations to direct a film adaptation of the musical “Jersey Boys.” The film will be produced by Warner Bros. and GK Films. For more information on the project, click here.
Newly restored Scorcese film to close Tribeca Film Festival
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic The Tribeca Film Festival has selected Martin Scorsese’s 1983 film “The King of Comedy” to close its 2013 edition. The film will be shown in a newly restored digital incarnation. For more information, click here.
McQueen’s ‘Twelve Years a Slave’ gets release date
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Fox Searchlight has slated director Steve McQueen’s “Twelve Years a Slave” for a December 27 release. The film’s stars include Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, and Chiwitel Ejiofor. For more information, click here.
China to get its own version of ‘Iron Man 3’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Disney plans to produce two versions of Marvel Entertainment’s upcoming “Iron Man 3,” with one designed specifically for Chinese audiences. The film will include “significant Chinese elements,” Marvel said in a statement. For more information, click here.
Hathaway, Moretz, and Rockwell to star in ‘Laggies’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Anne Hathaway, Chloe Moretz, and Sam Rockwell are in final negotiations to star in Lynn Shelton’s upcoming “Laggies.” Mark Webber is also in talks to join the cast. For more information on the project, click here.
