Category Archives: Movie Adaptations

Benedict Cumberbatch Voicing Shere Khan Because Of Course

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The Jungle Book: Origins has cast the lead villain role and it comes as no surprise that it has gone to Benedict Cumberbatch. The man whose voice is literally just a villain on its own. He will be lending his voice to the tiger Shere Khan in the Andy Serkis directed project.

The big screen adaptation of the iconic Rudyard Kipling novel tells the story of Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves. He’s kidnapped by monkeys and rescued by his animal friends, including Baloo the Bear, Bagheera the panther and Kaa the python. 

It should be noted that this project from Serkis should not be confused with the similar film from Disney being directed by Jon Favreau. This one releases on October 9. 2015. In the project from Disney, Shere Khan is voiced by Idris Elba.

The Jungle Book: Origins will release in theaters on October 21, 2016. The script was written by Callie Kloves with her father, Steve Kloves producing.

Jack Huston Joins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

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Jack Huston, most known as the endearing and adorable man Richard Harrow in “Boardwalk Empire” has officially joined the cast of the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The film is based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s novel reimagining of the iconic Jane Austen novel. 

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies follows the plot of the Austen classic in a timeless tale of a woman’s quest for love and independence amid the outbreak of a deadly virus that turns the undead into vicious killers.

Huston will play George Wickham in the film alongside Lily James as Elizabeth Bennett, Bella Heathcote as another Bennett sister and Sam Riley as Mr. Darcy as the rebel with a cause (whose casting I vehemently disagree with by the way.)

The adaptation is being directed by Burr Steers who is most known for his work on the film Igby Goes Down.  It was scripted by Steers and David O. Russell. It will be produced by Natalie Portman, Marc Butan, Sean McKittrick, Brian Oliver, Annette Savitch, Allison Shearmur and Tyler Thompson

Marvel’s “Ant-Man” Adds Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer and John Slattery

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Marvel’s Ant-Man has added some of the best actors to the cast! Judy Greer, Bobby Cannavale, and John Slattery have joined the cast of the upcoming installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The superhero film features Paul Rudd in the titular role as the man who can shrink while increasing in strength. Michael Douglas will star opposite Rudd as Dr. Hank Pym with Evangeline Lilly as Pym’s daughter. Corey Stoll was recently announced as the villain of the film Yellowjacket.

Peyton Reed is directing Marvel’s Ant-Man. Principal photography has officially commenced. It will hit theaters on July 17, 2015. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe it will be followed by  Avengers: Age of Ultron on May 1, 2015, Captain America 3 on May 6, 2016, and Guardians of the Galaxy 2 on July 28, 2017, as well as several untitled releases.

25th Anniversary Blu-ray for Tim Burton’s Batman Revealed

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Warner Bros. has announced plans to release a 25th Anniversary Edition of Tim Burton’s iconic film adaptation of Batman. The Blu-ray edition will release on November 11.

Despite being a 25th Anniversary Edition, the release will have basically the same special features as previous releases. The only difference being an addition titled “Batman: The Birth of the Modern Blockbuster.” The feature allows you to discover how the film’s marketing, extensive merchandising and franchise foresight set the template for the next 25 years of tentpole pictures.

The full press release is below:

To help mark Warner Bros. Entertainment (WBE) and DC Entertainment’s milestone 75th anniversary of DC Comics’ popular Batman character, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) will release Batman 25th Anniversary Two-Disc Edition, a new Blu-ray™ edition debuting November 11 (at $24.98 SRP) in the studio’s distinctive new sleek Diamond Luxe collector-style packaging. With its state-of-the-art sophisticated and durable design, the new packaging is perfect for those wishing to add this edition to their home libraries. Also included is Batman: The Birth of the Modern Blockbuster — a look at the phenomenal marketing, extensive merchandising and franchise foresight that set the template for the next 25 years of tentpole pictures.

WBHE and DCE’s year-long celebration, befitting the world’s most popular Super Hero, will boast new products from WBE and DC Entertainment in numerous areas – comics, TV, Interactive Entertainment, Consumer Products and more. There is a new commemorative 75th anniversary Batman logo and an exclusive “Cape/Cowl/Create” art exhibit, featuring 20 contemporary artists’ interpretations of The Dark Knight’s iconic cowl headpiece and cape from the new Batman: Arkham Knight video game. Various other events are taking place throughout the year.

In addition to releasing Batman 25th Anniversary Two-Disc Edition, WBHE will also feature the highly anticipated release of the 1960s Batman: The Complete Television Series for the first time ever. Other new home entertainment releases include animated films Son of Batman and Batman: Assault on Arkham.

In announcing the Batman 75th anniversary initiative in March, WB Chairman and Chief Executive Kevin Tsujihara noted, “Batman is an incredibly important property with multi-generational appeal across all of the Studio’s businesses, and we’re proud to celebrate this milestone anniversary. From billion-dollar blockbuster films to TV, home entertainment, video games and consumer products, The Dark Knight continues to resonate with audiences worldwide and rightfully deserves his place as a global pop culture icon for the ages.”

About the Movie

In 1989, director Tim Burton breathed new life into one of the most complex and intriguing characters in popular culture. Burton cast off the 1960s camp depiction of the Dark Knight and launched for Warner Bros. one of the most popular comic book film series ever. Batman was the top-grossing movie that year and subsequently became a global phenomenon.

Tim Burton’s vision and Michael Keaton’s performance as the Caped Crusader combine perfectly to capture Gotham City’s sinister atmosphere and Batman’s brooding nature. Jack Nicholson stars in a memorable performance as the maniacal Joker and Kim Basinger is Vicki Vale, the beautiful and resourceful photojournalist desired by both men. Featuring songs by Prince and a score by Danny Elfman, Batman won the 1990 Oscar® for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Anton Furst and Peter Young).

Special Features

Batman: The Birth of the Modern Blockbuster (NEW) Discover how the film’s phenomenal marketing, extensive merchandising and franchise foresight set the template for the next 25 years of tentpole pictures

 

“Guardians of the Galaxy” Soundtrack Hits No. 1 on Billboard 200

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Guardians of the Galaxy is not just one of the best movies of the year it also has one of the best soundtracks of the year (and that is not just a personal opinion.) The official soundtrack to the film has hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

The soundtrack is named “Awesome Mix Vol. 1.” It was given its name because the tape itself is almost a character within  Guardians of the Galaxy. The songs were put together by the main character’s mother on a cassette tape which he continually listens to on his Walkman from his childhood. All the songs except one are heard within the film.

The mixtape style compilation is made up of all previously released songs from between the 1960’s and 1970’s. Most songs were even on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time of their initial release.

“Awesome Mix Vol. 1” has so far sold nearly 110,000 copies since the week ending August 10. When it first debuted it hit the Billboard 100 at No. 3.

The track listing for “Awesome Mix Vol. 1” include:

Note: All songs—with the exception of “Spirit in the Sky”, which is played in the trailer—are featured in the film.

  • “Hooked on a Feeling” – Blue Swede
  • “Go All the Way” – Raspberries
  • “Spirit in the Sky” – Norman Greenbaum
  • “Moonage Daydream” – David Bowie
  • “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” – Elvin Bishop
  • “I’m Not in Love” – 10cc
  • “I Want You Back” – The Jackson 5
  • “Come and Get Your Love” – Redbone
  • “Cherry Bomb” – The Runaways
  • “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” – Rupert Holmes
  • “O-o-h Child” – Five Stairsteps
  • “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

FROZEN Sing-Along Edition Arrives 11/18

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All the fans of Frozen in your life can now sing-along with all the catchy songs with their very own copy of Disney’s Sing-Along full length DVD edition of the popular animated film! The lyrics will be easy to follow with a bouncing “Frozen” snowflake with each song.

Join Anna as she sets off on an epic journey – teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and a snowman named Olaf – to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. It’s pure enchantment – and full of fun for the whole family!

Frozen features the all-star voice cast of Kristen Bell as Anna; Idina Menzel as Elsa; Jonathan Groff as mountain man Kristoff; Josh Gad as the lovable snowman Olaf; Santino Fontana as Hans; Alan Tudyk as the Duke of Weselton; Ciarán Hinds as Pabbie & Chris Williams as Oaken.

DVD features include:

  • Breaking The Ice (ALL-NEW)
  • Sing Along Version of the Film
  • Original Theatrical Version of the Film
  • “Get a Horse!” Mickey Mouse Short

The Frozen Sing-Along DVD releases on November 18, 2014.

New Poster for The Boxtrolls Revealed

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A brand new poster for the upcoming LAIKA film, The Boxtrolls, has been released which you can see above. The film was directed by Anthony Staachi and Graham Annable and is based on the novel “Here Be Monsters” by Alan Snow.

The Boxtrolls is a family event movie from the creators of “Coraline” and “ParaNorman” that introduces audiences to a new breed of family – The Boxtrolls, a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead-Wright) in the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. When the town’s villain, Archibald Snatcher (Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley), comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground, “into the light,” where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnifred (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs’ family.

The Boxtrolls features an all-star cast boasting big names stars including Ben Kingsley, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Elle Fanning, Jared Harris, Toni Collette, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, and Tracy Morgan.

The film will hit theaters on September 26, 2014. You can see the official trailer below:

Chris Pratt Almost Turned Down “Guardians of the Galaxy

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After seeing Guardians of the Galaxy, it feels wrong to think of any other actor in the lead role of Peter Quill, yet Chris Pratt revealed that he almost turned down the role that has made him one of the hottest actors of the year (and hopefully the decade because I’m officially in love with him, sorry boyfriend and Pratt’s wife Anna Farris.)

Pratt revealed in an interview with Esquire for their September issue that he almost backed out of the Marvel picture thanks to a bad experience with an audition for G.I. Joe role a few years ago. He said,

“When Guardians of the Galaxy was pitched to me, I said, ‘I don’t think so.’ I just didn’t picture myself getting the role,” Pratt says. “I didn’t want to go and embarrass myself like I did when I auditioned for G.I. Joe a couple of years previously. I went in there, and halfway through I saw the director’s eyes just glaze over. It made sense — I was a little heavy and out of shape. I was not gonna play someone from G.I. Joe. I did not look like a G.I. Joe action figure come to life.”

But as you know, Pratt got the role and did an intense physical regimen to get in shape for the film. (And looks damn fine in it.)

“I can do 40-inch box jumps now. Action-hero physical stuff,” he says. “Jumping that high feels really good. You see a giant hillside, and you think, I wanna get up that. You see a building, you think, I could climb that. When you get in shape, the world around you becomes things you wanna jump on and climb up.”

Pratt proved himself worthy as well. Guardians of the Galaxy as blown away audiences and the box office this year and as already been picked up for a sequel that will release in 2017. Pratt has signed on for a multi-year contract with Marvel as well which is only good news for me and fans everywhere.

A Wrinkle in Time Being Adapted for Film

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The director and co-writer of Frozen is about to adapt the novel “A Wrinkle in Time” for the big screen. Jennifer Lee won an Oscar for Frozen which is currently the highest grossing animated movie of all time.

“A Wrinkle in Time” was written in 1962 by Madeleine L’Engle and has been an iconic young adult novel. This will be the second time Disney has adapted the novel. It was released as a made for TV movie in 2003 which was vehemently disliked by the novel’s author. I expected it to be bad, and it is,” the author remarked. However, Lee says “A Wrinkle in Time” was one of her favorite novels as a child so hopefully that means she will do it justice.

Currently, there is not director attached. According to Variety, Jim Whitaker and Catherine Hand have signed on to produce. There are no actors being eyed to star at the moment.

There is no anticipated release date at the moment or a date for when production will begin.

Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles Heading to Film

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Anne Rice is most known for her book series, “The Vampire Chronicles” and now Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment have officially optioned the film rights to the series according to a report from TheWrap.

Most notably, the first installment in the book series, “Interview with the Vampire” was famously made into a film in 1994. It starred Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in the lead roles. Then, in 2002, the next installment was adapted, titled “The Queen of the Damned.” It starred Aaliyah and Stuart Townsend.

While the series has been optioned, there has been no announcement about what the exact plans are for the series. A remake of the “Interview with the Vampire” is very likely considering it has been 20 years since the original film was made. An official announcement is expected to made soon as the studio will have to begin planning for production.

Brian Grazer is set to producer with Hollywood BFF’s Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. No actors or directors have been announced for the project either.