Yearly Archives: 2012

Shailene Woodley Up for MJ Role in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’

Ready for more Shailene? I am. And it looks like Spider-Man may also be ready for his dose. Young actress, Shailene Woodley is making news this week because she’s up for one big comic book movie role. You didn’t think Mary Jane Watson could go without entering Peter Parker’s life forever, did you? Well, she’ll be introduced to the young hero in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Woodley has been offered the role.

Watch your back Gwen Stacy, MJ is returning to the big screen! Of course Mary Jane is well-known as the Lois Lane to the world’s most beloved wall-crawler. Then again, these days Superman is dating Wonder Woman. So, in the Spider-Man reboot, Spidey, acted by Andrew Garfield, found his love interest in Gwen Stacy, a blond also often featured in the comics. She’s acted by wonder kid, Emma Stone.

Believe it or not, audiences best know Emma Stone as a red-head, but she’s a natural blond. She dyed her tresses red to turn more heads in Hollywood and it worked. So, when she was first cast in The Amazing Spider-Man, folks assumed she was playing Mary Jane Watson, another famous redhead. Then, Stone went dramatically blond. No one would have guessed it was a return to the familiar for the young star.

I think Shailene will look super in red. I also think this was an amazing casting decision. If a young lady is going to give Emma Stone a run for her money on the big screen, I think Shailene has the chops to do it! I can already hear her calling Peter Parker “Tiger”. Insert growling sounds here.

I know Woodley best from her seemingly out-of-no-where awesome performance in The Descendants. Directed by Alexander Payne, The Descendants should have been just another family drama, but thanks largely to the script, the locale of Hawaii, and to headliners, George Clooney, and Shailene Woodley, it got Oscar attention, winding up with a nom for Best Film and win for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Woodley is very feisty in the film and quite natural. It was only a matter of time before she got another big deal. Welcome to the world of super heroes, Shailene!

What other surprises are in store for us in The Amazing Spider-Man 2? Pow! Zap! It was announced that the roles Harry Osborn and Electro are also up for grabs!

Of course in the Spider flicks which starred Mr. Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst played Mary Jane Watson and Harry Osborn was acted by James Franco.

Electro sounds like an electrifying choice for villain. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. Spoiler alert. If you did see the first Amazing Spider-Man, which came out this past summer, you saw a mysterious figure, acted by Michael Massee, in the end credits. We can assume that was Electro, yes?

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, real life sweethearts now, are returning for the sequel. there’s a May 2, 2014 release date and Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinkner and James Vanderbilt are all writing the script.

Michelle Williams Circles ‘Suite Francaise’

Suite Française, the novel by Irène Némirovsky (translated to English by Sandra Smith), is being adapted for the big screen. Will Michelle Williams star in it? That’s a possibility!

If the star of My Week with Marilyn signs on to the project, she play Lucille Angellier, an old-fashioned gal with gumption, living in Nazi-occupied France. What does she do? She goes and falls in love with a German officer. Woops! It won’t be easy choosing between love and country, either.

Lucille is married, too, but not in love with her husband, who leaves to join the fight, leaving her under the poor care of her overbearing mother-in-law. Lucille losses herself in the piano when things get tough. Of course, when the young German officer enters her life, staying in their home, revealing he’s a former composer, well, then the attraction becomes undeniable.

British director, Saul Dibb is making the proper preparations. Suite Française will be his next film. Four years ago he was sitting in the director chair for another period drama, The Duchess, for Paramount Vantage. That one starred Keira Knightley of course. Dibb also wrote it.

Williams is now a three-time Oscar nominee, and I’ll say that she earned every nomination. If she accepts the offer to star Suite Française, she’ll be agreeing to rejoin her My Week With Marilyn collaborators David Parfitt and Mark Cooper. Those two are producing Suite Française. Work should begin next spring in London.

Blue Valentine aside, (okay, and Brokeback Mountain aside, too) Williams does some of her best work in period films. She was simply haunting in Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island. did you notice her accent, too? And her work getting into the character of Marilyn Monroe has been unforgettable. My Week With Marilyn resulted in her first Golden Globe win. Soon we’ll see Williams as Glinda the Good Witch in Sam Raimi’s big show Oz: The Great and Powerful, coming from Disney on March 8.

Williams is the only young actress I’ve ever felt can compare in aptitude for acting to the immortal Ms. Meryl Streep. I haven’t had the chance yet to see her in Meek’s Cutoff, but the Western, which has circumstances not unlike the old Oregon Trail video game, sounds very intense. Her romantic comedy, Take this Waltz, was released in September. In it Williams shared the screen with Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman.

Author Irène Némirovsky is a Jew who lived in Paris as a successful writer even before her novel debuted. Unfortunately, in 1942 she was arrested and deported to Auschwitz, where she died. According to Goodreads, Suite Française remained hidden for sixty-four years. I also hear that because of her untimely death, the novel was never fully completed. Reviewers note the haunting beauty of Némirovsky voice in her book and say the story was riveting and heart-breaking.

Saul Dibb’s Duchess took home the Oscar for costume design and earned a Golden Globe nom for Ralph Fiennes. Dibbs is also working on a thriller called Codenames Only.

RZA and Grant Morrison to Adapt ‘Happy’

Wu-Tang Clan front man, RZA, is throwing down in Hollywood in a major way. You may have seen the trailer for his riotous up-coming, Tarantino-esque, Kung-Fu flick, The Man with the Iron Fists already, but more trailers are in his future as he signs on to help adapt Happy!

Comic book giant, Mr. Grant Morrison is behind the comic book, called Happy! The story’s main character is Nick Sax, a shady former police officer who has become a hit man. I like him already. Sax is on a hit and it goes south, leaving him pretty badly hurt. These circumstances suddenly open Sax’s eyes to see Happy. Wait until you hear who and what Happy is.

He’s a horse. He’s a small, blue horse, with donkey ears, buck teeth, small feathery wings, and oh yes, a unicorn’s horn. And this hardened criminal is seeing visions of Happy. Happy is a real go getter, a positive, type-A personality, and his motto is to never give up. This is one crazy, exciting, hilarious premise. I can already see Mark Wahlberg cast as Nick Sax. Better yet, how about Donny Wahlberg?

As you would expect from the adult material within an Image comic book, the comic includes graphic sexuality, language and violence. This all makes the little blue sprite all the more hilarious. Did I mention that Happy is always, well, happy? In juxtaposing the cartoon carelessness of Happy and Sax’s gritty, ugly world, the character may just find redemption for all his darker deeds. I guess Happy is the angel on his shoulder.

The comic book first appeared only last month from Image Comics with art by Darick Robertson. THR called it a cross between It’s a Wonderful Life, Sin City and Care Bears. That’s priceless. And now it is soon to be a movie.

RZA is making his directorial debut with The Man with the Iron Fists and really hopes to direct Happy! on the big screen, too. He’ll also produce the project, alongside Reginald Hudlin, the same producer working with Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained. In fact, RZA and Tarantino will be mentioned in the same breathe fairly often, I should think, but more on that in a moment. Grant Morrison will write the script himself, to ensure extra goodness. No studio has signed on yet.

The trailer for The Man with the Iron Fists is a real showstopper. In the tradition of Kill Bill, Kung Fu Hustle, and other cool, darkly comedic, violent films, Iron Fists was written by RZA and Eli Roth. Quentin Tarantino agreed to place his name on the film with a “presented by” credit. It does look a lot like his style. In it, Russell Crowe, Cung Le, Lucy Liu, Byron Mann, RZA, and Jamie Chung play a colorful assortment of warriors and assassins in 19th century China. There’s going to be a killer soundtrack and some wicked martial arts. It comes out November 2nd, and if it does well at the box office, excitement should grow for the Happy! adaptation in turn.

Screen Gems to Adapt ‘Black City’

Black City is a young-adult fantasy series written by Elizabeth Richards. Get this. It isn’t even available for purchase yet, but it is soon to be a major motion picture, thanks to the kind folks over at the Screen Gems studio.

The first book in the series will be released to book sellers on November 13th. It’s coming from a publisher called Putnam Juvenile, which is an imprint of the Penguin Young Readers Group.

Screen Gems raced to buy the film rights to the series because already the franchise has a huge following online. Apparently, those who love young adult fiction are sniffing the air and predicting Black City will be a major hit. All Screen Gems needs now is a screenwriter adept at adapting books to film.

Black City, the first book in the what’s just being called The Black City series, is set in a metropolis where humans and the race of Darklings are separated by a really high wall. There’s a cold war of sorts going on in the aftermath of a terrible war. Tension is at an all time high, and sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and fall in love.

This sounds like your average star-crossed lovers tale, but here’s a cute twist. For some mysterious reason, Natalie literally causes Ash’s heart to beat. I’m guessing Darklings are a little bit like zombies, because Ash’s heart hasn’t beat in a very long time. Of course the young lovers face death if they are found out.

No, scratch that. I think Darklings are vampiric. My online research suggests they drink blood, have wings, and purple eyes. Watch your back Liz Taylor. You, too, Vampire Hunter D. I kid but, reviewers are already calling the book bloody and sexy, so this film will have a dark slant, I’m sure.

Oh yes, and while they’re at it, the paranormal pair uncovers a conspiracy at work within the city. Dun dun dun. Do you think you’ll be hooked?

Black City will be Elizabeth Richards’ debut novel. She’s an award-winning journalist who largely reviewed video games before becoming a travel writer and editor. She also has has experience as a website editor. Now it looks like she could be the next Stephenie Meyer. We’ll have to wait and see.

More and more we are seeing studios scooping up film rights to a hot book, even before it has been officially published. That speaks volumes about the popularity of fiction these days, especially young adult fiction. Twilight and The Hunger Games have been money-makers thus far. Still, there’s a gamble involved when you haven’t first seen the book make it to the best seller’s list.

The phenomenon isn’t secluded to the YA audience, however. The Care And Feeding Of Exotic Pets by Diana Wagman, as we reported not long ago, debuts November 13th, but a film is already in the works. That one is an adult thriller.

If you’re a fan of YA, especially YA of the paranormal variety, you are surely aware that The Host and City of Bones are two novels with film adaptations already under way.

Sneak Peek Episode 301 The Walking Dead: Seed

A brand new sneak peek at the first episode of season 3 of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” has been put online!

AMC renewed The Walking Dead for a third season on October 25, 2011 after the season two premiere broke cable ratings records. The show has continued to be a huge success for the network.

Several new cast members have been added for the upcoming season including David Morrissey as the much anticipated character, The Governor. Danai Gurira has been cast as Michonne and Michael Rooker has been confirmed to be returning as his character Merle Dixon.

The third season will premiere on October 14th and Robert Kirkman confirmed that season 3 will be split into two halves with the first 8 episodes set to premiere on October 14, 2012, and the other 8 episodes to air in early spring 2013.

You can watch the sneak peek clip for the episode “Seed” below:

‘Arrow’ Dealt DC’s Royal Flush Gang

No hero can shine without being tested by a solid villain. Batman has The Joker (and now Bane). Superman has Lex. Well, Oliver Queen, the wealthy playboy turned vigilante, has got the Royal Flush Gang. Yep, all five of them! …At least, there were five in the comics.

That’s right, Arrow has come to the CW network. In the series, actor Stephen Amell is Arrow, a hip take on classic DC comics hero, Green Arrow. The series premier hit the airwaves on October 10th. Entertainment Weekly thought the show looked promising. The called our hero a “gritty, urban Robin Hood,” and the show, a good deal “darker” than Smallville. Worth giving, “a shot”, har har har.

I’ll tell you what I like about the series. Recurring cast members have been listed as Deadshot and The Huntress. That’s cheer-worthy. But this week’s news revolves around a whole deck of villains.

Series producer Andrew Kreisberg has announced that DC’s Royal Flush Gang has been adapted to appear on Arrow. The pack of villains has found its “King” in actor Currie Graham, known for his role on Criminal Minds. His gang-mate, “Ace” will be portrayed by Kyle Schmid.

You’ll see with the Royal Flush Gang, that the dynamic of the family, and the iconography of the playing cards are going to be there, without the supernatural bent. I think we’ve come up with a really clever way to portray them in a more grounded, realistic world. The Royal Flush Gang are in episode 6, and we’re really proud of that episode. We think it’s one of the most successful attempts at alchemy that we’ve performed. The Huntress is pretty much straight out of the book because she’s such a grounded character, but the Royal Flush Gang were the most outlandish villains from the comics, but they turned out to be our most grounded villains, and the relationship that Oliver has with King, the leader of the gang, we’re really proud of it,” said Kreisberg.

If you’re wondering why the supernatural had to be curbed, its because the comic book version of the group had super human abilities. In the DC universe this is referred to as being metahuman. That’s very similar to the idea of a mutant in the Marvel-verse. “King” could shoot blasts of plasma, “Ace” was a female psychic who could make anyone insane, “Jack” was your basic elastic-man, “Queen” had telekinesis, specifically working with metallic objects, and the final member of the Royal Flush Gang, a guy called “Ten” had the strength of ten men.

Sounds like this could be an episode to watch. I don’t mind the omission of super powers. I think this tends to make everything a little more plausible. Just look at the way Christopher Nolan re-imagined the Bat-mythos in Dark Knight Rises to make a more down to earth Bane and Talia Al Ghul.

Arrow comes from Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg and David Nutter. It’s being hailed as action-packed and unfolds five years of no word from billionaire Oliver Queen. He returns home after his strange sabbatical with a mysterious crusade in mind and crazy new set of skills. Archery anyone? The show also stars Katie Cassidy as Dinah “Laurel” Lance. If that name sounds familiar, comic fans, its because that’s also the name of the Black Canary.

Game of Thrones Season 3 Pictures Released

For fantasy fans, their one true love, the best fantasy series on television, is returning. What can we expect from Game of Thrones, season three? Well, Peter Dinklage’s character, Tyrion Lannister, still bears a scar from his season two exploits. Rumor has it Daenerys may encounter new love. Now that has certainly perked my interest! Brynden Tully; Messandei, acted by the beautiful Nathalie Emmanuel; Orell, acted by Pirates of the Caribbean actor Mackenzie Crook; Jojen and Meera Reed and The Queen of Thorns are all new characters you’ll see on the set. Also, Ciarán Hinds of Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, The Debt, and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance won the role of Mance Rayder, the Wildling “King-Beyond-The-Wall”. I’m really happy about that. Speaking of the set, we’d like to take you there now!

Dubrovnik in Croatia is where Game of Thrones, season three has been filming for over 90 days now. Members of the press were invited out to what passes for King’s Landing thanks to the wizards at HBO. That means we have photos. It’s always lovely to see characters in costume for the series, but what is especially interesting about this batch of images is that the scene being captured doesn’t come directly from any of George R.R. Martin’s books. HBO’s Game of Thrones is usually pretty faithful to the print series of novels. There must be good reason for the addition of something a bit original.

In the scene in question we witness Littlefinger, acted by Aidan Gillen, along with Sophie Turner’s Sansa Stark, Ros, acted by Esme Bianco, and Shae, portrayed by Sibel Kekilli, meeting at King’s Landing.

This particular scene aside, season three of Game of Thrones will follow the third book in the series, A Storm of Swords. It hits HBO on March 31, 2013. I know that seems ages from now, but you don’t get the kind of production quality and action-packed story lines as Game of Thrones is famous for simply overnight. If the wait is killing you, look into playing the RPG from Cyanide and Atius. It’s available for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

But speaking of costumes, aren’t they as lovely as ever? I particularly like the teal and red gown. The sea also looks inviting in Croatia.

When last we encountered the world of Thrones, our dearest Jon was grappling with some killing he was practically forced into executing. He also sees where the wildings are amassing. Meanwhile, White Walkers are on the march and Tyrion has been told some unsettling things about his sister.

Not yet a fan of Game of Thrones? Now’s the time to get on board. Season two saw over 8 million viewers and 12 Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

Kelly Marcel To Write The Screenplay T Universal Pictures And Focus Features’ Film Adaptation Of “Fifty Shades of Grey”

Universal Pictures and Focus Features officially announced today that Kelly Marvel is set to write the screenplay for the upcoming adaptation of popular novel, “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti will produce the film based on E L James’ #1 Bestselling book, alongside James. The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Co-Chairman, Donna Langley and Focus Features’ Chief Executive Officer, James Schamus.

Marcel most recently wrote the 2011 Black List script, Saving Mr. Banks, the story of Walt Disney’s twenty-year pursuit of the film rights to author P.L. Travers’ novel, “Mary Poppins,” and the rocky relationship that formed between the two. That film is still currently in production at Walt Disney Studios starring Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell with John Lee Hancock directing.

Marcel also served as the co-creator and executive producer of the Amblin/FOX-TV series Terra Nova, for which she wrote the series’ pilot episode. She will also produce The Madonnas Of Echo Park for HBO.

“Kelly’s work demonstrates her flawless structural technique and passionate commitment to emotion, humor and depth of character which is particularly visible in the celebrated screenplay for the upcoming Saving Mr. Banks,” said De Luca. “We were all taken with the depth and passion of Kelley’s engagement with the characters and world E L James has created and we knew she was the right person to augment our Fifty Shades family,” added Brunetti.

The “Fifty Shades” trilogy was aquired by Focus Features and Universal Pictures earlier this year with Focus Features marketing the film and distributing the film in partnership with Universal. “Fifty Shades of Grey” has become a global phenomenon and the trilogy has been translated in 45 languages worldwide since its release. In the U.S. alone, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has sold over 32 million copies in e-book and print making it one of the fastest selling book series ever.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele. Subsequent novels in the series, “Fifty Shades Darker” (September 2011) and “Fifty Shades Freed” (January 2012) explore the couple’s deepening relationship.

Marcel was represented in the deal by WME and Casarotto Ramsay & Associates Limited. There is no official word on who is set to star in the principle roles of Christian and Anastasia.

For more information please see the official Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page.

McFarlane Designs ‘Walking Dead’ Series 3 Action Figures

The master of action figures, Mr. Todd McFarlane has conquered the likenesses of comic book and anime characters, but he’s also the king of the horror action figure. To prove he’s worthy of that crown, the toy designer has been hard at work on a series of figures inspired by the hit AMC network offering, The Walking Dead.

In fact, collectors have plenty to look forward to when it comes to making their purchases of miniature tributes to the ultimate zombie series. McFarlane has not yet released his line of Walking Dead, Series 2 figures for purchase, but we can assume they’ll be available soon. Do you know why? It’s evident by today’s headline. There’s already a Walking Dead, Series 3 line of action figures. You can take a look at the awesomeness right now.

Talk about attention to detail! When I first saw the Michonne figure, I thought it was a photograph. I was ready to compare the photo of the character to the McFarlane toy. If you look closely; however, you can see where her arms and legs are moveable at the creases. The jeans, as well as Michonne’s hair, reveal incredible realism. Check out the dirt on her shoes, too. The Katana wielding former lawyer will be acted by Danai Gurira in The Walking Dead‘s upcoming third season.

These actions figures will be released in March of 2013. Though season three returns to the airwaves on October 14th, fans will only be able to devour the first 8 episodes at that time. It’ll be around the time these toys are on the market that the second wave of 8 episodes will hit.

Another character in McFarlane’s batch is the Merle Dixon figure, but you didn’t think the master of horror would stick to human subjects, did you? Not for the weak of stomach are “the Autopsy Zombie” figure, and both of Michonne’s “pet” zombies. She’s so hardcore. If you are a fan of the original Image comic book series from which the show was inspired, you’ll even find variations Michonne and her “pets” in black and white. We hear the MSRP on each figure will be $14.99. You can pre-order yours today by visiting bigbadtoystore.com. They come in singles as well as in sets.

If keeping zombies in your home isn’t quite your style, but you still just can’t get enough of the zombiepocalypse and all the Walkers it brings, don’t forge to check out the web series the show and comics have inspired. It’s called Cold Storage.

Summit Launches ‘Area 52’ Adaptation

The Image comic book titled Area 52 is soon to become a feature film. Summit Entertainment bought the film rights last year, after a handful of studios and production companies juggled the material, but with ultimately unfruitful results. The story is paranormal in nature, as you would expect from the title. Johnny Rosenthal has been hooked to write the screenplay for the live action motion picture.

Rosenthal is also the writer behind Bad Santa 2, the film to be directed by Hot Tub Time Machine director Steve Pink. In case you are curious, Billy Bob Thornton is returning with that title.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian are producing the Area 52 adaptation. Di Bonaventura has seen success with thrillers like Angelina Jolie’s spy flick, Salt, and another comic book adaptation, RED. In fact, he’s hard at work with Bruce Willis currently for the sequel, RED 2, which is also a Summit Entertainment title.

Area 52 is about a rag-tag contingent of quirky soldiers stationed at a dreary military base on the continent of Antarctica known of course as Area 52. Tasked with keeping the storage facility secure, things get a little intense for the troops when an alien hatches from one of the top-secret artifacts hidden with the other tech and extraterrestrial memorabilia. Then, much like a good Alien picture, the being starts hunting down the soldiers.

The original Area 52 comic was penned by Brian Haberlin. He also wrote for the popular Witchblade comic series and contributed to Shi, Aria, and Spawn. Yep, he’s a bit of a rock star. He did colors as well as writing.

J.C. Spink, Chris Bender and Jake Weiner will serve as executive producers on the project and production president Erik Feig of Lionsgate and Summit’s vice president of production, Meredith Milton, are keeping their eagle eyes on the progress.

Science Fiction fans no doubt also have their eye on Summit property, Ender’s Game, the disgustingly highly anticipated adaptation of the beloved Orson Scott Card novel. That one is coming November of 2013.

I’m always ready to cheer on a good sci-fi project. We’ll have to wait and see more on the style and tone of this one. Depending on the production value and originality, this could be just another cookie cutter horror film. Cowboys & Aliens was a sci-fi comic book adaptation that had fan boys and girls quite a bit excited until it’s release, which seemed to ring out as a bit underwhelming in the end.

This material also reminds me of Vin Diesel’s upcoming Riddick film. Due out sometime next year with Karl Urban and Katee Sackhoff, there should be plenty of aliens in that one, too.

Optionated

Books being Optioned to Movies, Television Shows, Video Games