2013 is a long time away, but most of us are still pumped for the year of movies already expected to drop during the year. The film adaptation of Ender’s Game is one of the more highly anticipated of the new released. Recently, Bobby Cohen, one of the producers along side Roberto Orci, spoke with MTV News about how excited he is to work on the film.
He also opening admitted that he is pretty thrilled with the casting of the novel adaptation.
I have the great pleasure to work with Alex Kurtzman and Bob Orci, who wrote ‘Mission: Impossible’ and ‘Star Trek,'” he said. “Our other movie is ‘Ender’s Game,’ based on the incredible book that people have been trying to make forever. A lot of directors have tried to do it. We have an amazing script. Gavin Hood is directing, we’ve got Harrison Ford, Sir Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, Hailee Steinfeld from ‘True Grit,’ Asa Butterfield from ‘Hugo.'”
Cohen works with director Gavin Hood and Orci on the set of the film. He mentioned the unique set they get to work on.
There is a NASA stage where they literally used to build the rockets for the space shuttle that is now actually a sound stage,” he said. “They will be spending 65 some odd days about 45 minutes from here on a big giant set. So that’s going well.”
Producer, Alex Kurtzman has similarly excited feelings toward the project. He went on to add:
We’re just happy to support the vision of the book,” he added. “It’s such a treasured novel and it’s very rare that you get an opportunity to work on something like that so we were very psyched.”
You can watch video of the interview below:
The project is currently filming, and is scheduled to be released November 1, 2013. It is being directed by Gavin Hood with an all star cast.
Written by Orson Scott Card, the story is set in a future utopian version of Earth. It follows a young boy who is a strategist of the genius level who becomes drafted by the International Fleet to battle and destroy to Formics. Formics are a dangerous alien race that threaten mankind. And if Ender fails, then Earth will be gone forever.
The cast, which includes several award winners, is as follows:
Sony Pictures and Overbrook Entertainment have joined several other production companies and have optioned a novel for the big screen before it has even been released. Sony and Overbrook have entered the early stages of a plan to turn an upcoming novel series into a film starring Jaden Smith (Pursuit of Happyness).
Boy Nobody, currently being penned by award-winning novelist Allen Zadoff, is the first installment of a planned young adult thriller trilogy. According to Variety, the story is about a teenage assassin who has been trained not to feel, but begins to regain his emotions.
The main character “could function in every situation without fear, sympathy or anger… could assassinate strangers and then walk away emotionally unscathed,” Zadoff said.
The author is best known for his adult memoir Hungry: Lessons Learned on the Journey from Fat to Thin, released in 2007. At age 28 and weighing 350 pounds, Zadoff realized how urgently he needed to lose weight. In Hungry, he chronicled his progress approaching the matter by addressing not only food issues, but also physical and emotional causes of what he called his “disease.”
The book received positive reviews, being called “gentle, funny, uncommonly appealing” in a Los Angeles Times review.
Zadoff also has experience writing for young adults. 2009’s Food, Girls and Other Things I Can’t Have received positive reviews and won the 2010 Sid Fleischman Humor Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and was a finalist for the Georgia Peach Book Awards.
The young star of the upcoming film adaptation, Smith, is the actor son of superstar actor Will Smith. His big breakthrough came from acting with his father in the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness. He has since starred in other hits such as The Day The Earth Stood Still and The Karate Kid. He will also appear in the upcoming sci-fi film After Earth which is currently filming.
The novel version of Boy Nobody will be released in Spring 2013. To follow the progress of Boy Nobody and Zadoff’s other projects, visit the author’s official website.
HBO recently premiered a new scene from the upcoming season 5 of their hit series, “True Blood.” The new scene features Sam (Sam Trammell) and Luna (Janina Gavankar).
Season 5 will include several new cast members such as Christopher Meloni, most know for working on “Law & Order: SVU.” Details on who his character will be has yet to be released. Also joining this season is Scott Foley as Patrick, one of Terry’s war buddies. Louis Herthum will join as JD, Alcide’s father and Kelly Overton will appear as Rikki, a werewolf curious about Marcus. It has also been revealed that Carolyn Hennesy will play Rosalyn Harris, a texas vampire thrown into the mix.
Alan Ball has cast the reoccurring role of Alexander Drew for the upcoming season 5, a Chancellor of the vaunted Vampire Authority.
“True Blood” is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels by Charlaine Harris. The novels follows the world as the existence of vampires are revealed and the two groups of humanity struggle to co-exist around the world. The novels focus primarily on the town of Bon Temps, a small town in Louisiana and the life of telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse.
I am pretty excited for the new season, it has been to long since I had “True Blood” in my life, I almost considered reading the series over winter break. You can watch the new scene below:
Season 5 of “True Blood” premieres on Sunday, June 10th.
The box office has been kind to optioned projects in recent weeks. After the immense success of The Hunger Games, based on the first novel of Suzanne Collins’ post-apocalyptic trilogy. The film spent the last four weeks at number one but was replaced during their fifth week last weekend by a fellow book-to-film project.
The film, Think Like a Man has taken the top spot on the chart, earning $33 million in its opening weekend edging out The Hunger Games.Think Like a Man, is a comedy directed by Tim Story who previously worked on The Fantastic Four. It was adapted for the big screen from a novel written by comedian and television show host, Steve Harvey. The adaptation was done by Keith Merryman and David Newman.
The official plot synopsis follows:
Four friends conspire to turn the tables on their women when they discover the ladies have been using Steve Harvey’s relationship advice against them,”
So far, the film has received mixed reviews, including a 49% rating from Rotten Tomatoes and an 86% from audience reviewers. While it seems that audience have enjoyed the film, critics have not.
Drastically overlong, burdened by too many stories about too many couples who are too one-dimensional to be relatable,” Eric Snider, a film.com critic said.
This sentiment was mirrored by numerous other critics, though audience reviewers seemed to think differently.
“Don’t listen to the negative reviews,” Nichole W., a Rotten Tomatoes audience reviewer said. “I haven’t been to a movie this funny in a very long time! The audience had a good time. Yeah, some of the scenarios were a little unrealistic, but what movie isn’t? The point is that it was entertaining. The men were very easy on the eyes, I must say! I would say it’s a must-see!”
The other film that premiered this weekend, The Lucky One, rose to spot number two, earning $22.8 million during its opening weekend. It is an adaptation of the 2008 novel of the same name, by Nicholas Sparks, the mind behind such love stories as The Notebook and Dear John. The film stars Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, and Blythe Danner.
The Hunger Games is now number three, earning $13.5 million in its fifth weekend. IMDB states that the film has earned $357 million in the US and over $500 million worldwide.
The new “Game of the Year” edition for Batman: Arkham City has been announced by Rocksteady Studios. The game will be hitting the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on May 29th. But be prepared for the new “Harley Quinn’s Revenge” DLC, and the previously released DLC packs and a movie download of Batman: Year One (USA and Canada only).
For those fans who already own the original boxed edition of Batman: Arkham City can also download the new gameplay featuring Harley Quinn beginning on May 29th in both the PlayStation®Network and in the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360.
This new gameplay mode puts players back in Arkham City in order to face their final challenge and play as both Batman and Robin. Players can utilize each of the character’s unique combat and other skills in order to uncover the sinister and vengeful plan of Harley Quinn. Fans will not only get n new storyline to play but they can also explore new environments and battle Harley’s new gang of thugs.
There is also DLC included on the disc which includes the “Catwoman Pack,” “Nightwing Bundle Pack,” “Robin Bundle Pack,” “Challenge Map Pack” and “Arkham City Skins Pack.”
Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition is exactly what fans of the character and franchise were waiting for, all in all the game packages new gameplay content, seven maps, three playable characters, and 12 skins beyond the original retail release.
You can see the trailer for the edition and some Harley Quinn artwork from the game below:
Courtesy of Nolan Fans, a screenshot from the Warner Bros. Pictures Exhibitor site confirms that the final new trailer for The Dark Knight Rises will be shown in the 3D, 2D, and IMAX theaters may 4th with the release of Marvel’s The Avengers.
This similarly happened when the trailer for The Dark Knight was debuted with the release of Iron Man back in 2008. Then another Nolan film, Inception, premiered their final trailer before Iron Man 2 in 2010.
The Dark Knight Rises begins after the death of Harvey Dent, Batman assumes responsibility for the crimes committed by Dent. He is subsequently hunted down by the police of Gotham City. Then eight years later, Batman returns to Gotham City where he meets the mysterious and alluring Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman, as he tries to stop villainous Bane from destroying the city.
The Dark Knight Rises will be released in theaters on July 20th, 2012.
Marvel’s The Avengers will hit screens in 3D, 2D and IMAX 3D on May 4. Directed by Joss Whedon, the film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson.
Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, Marvel’s The Avengers is the superhero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as SHIELD, finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.”
Those who will be seeing The Avengers of the big screen will be treated to the new trailer. As of now, there isn’t word of whether the trailer will be available online immediately after or not.
It was announced last week that Lionsgate had officially offered director Francis Lawrence the job of directing Catching Fire. As of now, fans are still unsure of the decision as many felt that the departure of Gary Ross was the first step into disappointment for the mega popular trilogy written by Suzanne Collins.
However, Lawrence may just surprise fans. He is qualified for the position and his previous experience may lend itself to the expansive setting of Catching Fire.
Lawrence definitely has more experience when it comes to large-scale action scenes and settings. After his previous work on I Am Legend, he has proven himself to be adept at creating worlds where CG and live action merge harmoniously for the audience. Considering the large-scale world of Arena, Lawrence may be more at home than Gary Ross was during the first installment.
Another reason we may be able to trust Lawrence with the beloved second installment is his previous film experience is just as apocalyptic as The Hunger Games. He definitely knows the genre and has a love for it. He has proven through his past films that he can create a post-apocalyptic world that is not only familiar but also far removed from the society we know. Creating the tone of Catching Fire should be easy for him.
Also, the second book and upcoming movie will have a ton of new elements including characters, settings, and most importantly the Arena. Lawrence won’t be boxed into being influenced by Ross’ directing style. He can strike out with his own style while creating a world fans already love.
On the professional side of things, however, Lawrence is basically guaranteed that he will have a hit film. With the large fan base already in place, the movie is going to take off. Thankfully, Lawrence is willing to compromise with the studio to make the film happen, and to further the creation that Ross began. Catching Fire HAS to begin very soon if it expects to stay on track and based on Lionsgate offering Lawrence the job, they must have faith that he can get the ball moving on the project.
It seems that Catching Fire might just be a fantastic blend of the Lawrence’s directing strengths.
Catching Fire has a release date of November 22, 2013 with the major stars all confirmed for the sequel.
Cartoon Network will premiere a new Batman animated series this year, and it will be unlike any of its predecessors. “Beware the Batman,” produced by Warner Bros. Animation, will be the first in the Dark Knight franchise to use CGI animation.
The series will also set itself apart in another way, according to ComingSoon. It will incorporate villains not previously featured in animated form.
The official description of the new series follows”
Crime-fighting vigilante Batman teams up with swordtress Katana and his gun-toting ex-secret agentbutler Alfred Pennyworth to face the criminal underworld led by the twisted Anarky, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad, King Kraken, and Magpie.
The new show will be executive produced by WBA’s Sam Register and produced by Batman Beyond’s Glen murakami and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated’s Mitch Watson.
IMDB has also reported that Kurtwood Smith from “That 70’s Show” has signed on to voice Commissioner Jim Gordon.
Despite the new format, this is not the first time the Caped Crusader has fought crime in animated form. There have been five other shows, beginning with the “New Adventures of Batman” (1977-1981), followed by “Batman: the Animated Series (1992-1995), the “New Batman Adventures” (1997-1999), “Batman Beyond” (1999-2001) and then “Batman” (2004-2008).
The beloved character of Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, has an even longer history in comic form, according to Comic Vine.
The character currently stars in six different comic titles, including Batman, Detective Comics, Batman and Robin, Batman: the Dark Knight, Justice League and Justice League International.
Batman has also been the subject of numerous films, most recently director Christopher Nolan’s trilogy.
Nolan’s highly anticipated final installment, the Dark Knight Rises, is due out July 20.
“Beware the Batman” will begin airing in early 2013.
You can watch the new teaser promo for the series below:
Eliza Dushku has been confirmed that she will provide the voice of She-Hulk in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., according to SuperHeroHype. The show will be an animated series, set to air on Disney XD early next year.
Dushku (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Dollhouse) has had multiple voiceover roles in the past, including both cartoon and videogame work. Dushku’s videogame credits include 2011’s Fight Night Champion, 2009’s Wet and 2003’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds, among others.
She has also voiced comic book characters, including most recently Selina Kyle/Catwoman in Batman: Year One, released by Warner Bros. Aside from She-Hulk, the show will feature Hulk, Red Hulk, Skarr and A-Bomb, Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb said at Comic-Con last summer.
Writer Paul Dini, who works on Disney XD’s animated series Ultimate Spider-Man, will also be working on Hulk, according to a release from Marvel.
Adrian Pasdar, who voices Iron Man on Ultimate Spider-Man, said he will be guest-starring as the character on Hulk as well.
She-Hulk is not a new addition to the Marvel Comics family. She was created in the 1970s in order to avoid CBS copywriting. They created their own She-Hulk character to capitalize on the popularity of the live-action Incredible Hulk series.
To stop this from happening, Marvel asked Stan Lee (Spider-Man) to write the first issue of a She-Hulk comic book series, according to Comic Vine.
According to the Marvel Database, the character he created was this:
“As the cousin of Bruce Banner, Jen Walters received her abilities when she had a transfusion of blood from her gamma-powered cousin. She usually has the ability to change into her She-Hulk form on demand, and usually retains her intellect after the change as well. She’s a strong character who tries to balance her life as a lawyer with her life as an Avenger and adventurer.”
The resulting series, the Sensational She-Hulk, launched in 1989, and it relied on comedy to sell issues.
“She-Hulk was jumping pages, tearing holes in the paper of the page to escape, and often yelling at the writer. The series was stand-alone, as in not part of the dozen or so crossovers with an X-Men or Spider-Man title. Remember when the X-Men were funny? She-Hulk was sort of like that… with more laughs.”
She-Hulk has been a member of several superhero teams as well over the years. She has been a part of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Heroes for Hire, the Defenders, Fantastic Force, and S.H.I.E.L.D. As a highly skilled lawyer, she has served as legal counsel to various superheroes on numerous occasions in addition to being a hero herself.
Few other details have been released about Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.
Rachel: WOOOOOT! Brienne of Tarth! One of my favorite characters. She’s like Sam, lovably earnest. She’s a lot savvier than Sam is though because she’s had a rougher time at life than him. Sure, Sam’s dad threatened to kill him if he didn’t go to the wall but at least his mommy loved him! Brienne is just a lady too big for the role she was born to. She’s basically what Arya wants to be when she grows up but without having her own Brienne of Tarth to look up to or pave the way. She’s dealing with a super misogynistic culture in which she is attempting to adopt a traditionally masculine role and she’s not doing it with witty quips and daddy’s blessing like Asha. However, Brienne IS taking charge of her own life. I think it’s really important that we see Brienne for the first time in an episode in which Cersei and Sansa are struggling with the hardships of being female in a patriarchal society. Brienne is a noble lady like Arya and Cersei and Asha. But rather than be married off in trade for land and loyalty to a husband that would surely not love her due to her lack of beauty she is forcing her way into a world that doesn’t want her there. She wants to be a lady knight. With Renly’s grant of the boon of Kingsguardship, she IS a lady knight! And that place on the king’s guard is for life and just like Jaime Lannister or a man of the Night’s Watch, means she can’t marry. It’s definitely a risky choice for her but Brienne is tough.
Brienne refuses to be a victim.
Rachel: What did you think of the Southerners we met this episode?
Elena: I loved getting another example of a way in which a woman can forge her own path and take some control of her future back from her family. I hadn’t realized the Kingsguard enabled her to piss on marriage, but that is awesome for her. Because, yeah, marriage is not for Brienne of Tarth. Not any marriage a man on Westeros would recognize, since she would never be willing to stay at home, sew, or wear a dress.
I was less impressed with Loras’s reaction. A, learn how to lose with grace you arrogant little shit. B, why on earth would you not want someone who can best you in the lists protecting your true love Renly? Brienne is basically having to out-knight the knights in order to be accepted as one of them, which means she is fucking awesome at what she does. And the best part is she’s not a man, so she can’t threaten Loras in a sexual way! I guess Loras feels like he’s got Renly’s peen on lockdown so he is worried about other things.
Speaking of Renly and his unstiffened peen…what was that with Loras’s sister? She is yet another example of a woman who wants power and is willing to get it through the men in her life. And she, unlike the other ladies we’ve met who are gaining power through marriage, is doing it of her own accord. I come to this conclusion based on the way she presents herself—she has sexualized herself, as if determined to be obvious that she fucked her way to the crown.
Now if only she looked more like Loras so she could fuck her way to an heir….
Elena: While we’re on about women as property, what’s going on with Tyrion’s agenda, and is Cersei cracking up?
Rachel: Unfortunately for Cersei, and as she has lamented before, being a woman in Westeros pretty much sucks. Even the Queen Regent of the western continent can’t even get what she wants when her brother takes it upon himself to marry her kid off to…well someone…in order to broker more power to their side. Power they should have already because well who else is ruling this joint? Except that’s not how it works. LIFE ISN’T FAIR, IS IT, CERSEI? Sometimes I feel bad for her. It’s funny that lots of fans are empathizing with Cersei’s frustration at her inability to keep Myrcella when they condemn Sansa for being mean to Shae. WHY DO YOU THINK CERSEI IS SO DAMN MEAN TO SANSA, YOU GUYS? Because sometimes you have to lash out at someone who can’t hurt you. (Even though Shae should be mocked openly and often for thinking her best lady of the night dress would be suitable for lady-maiding. Come ON, Tyrion…get her a real dress to work in, for the Seven’s sake!)
Elena: Or was that Shae’s rebellion? She seemed kind of pissed to be there, and she and Tyrion did have that argument about how she was not a weakness. Oh, honey, you don’t know his family, do you? Perhaps he sent her to Sansa just so she can learn about Cersei? Anyway.
Rachel: This episode was just FULL of women all living the same problems and dealing with them in different ways. Let’s go back to Margaery Tyrell. She got married off to her brother’s lover because if she births the next successor she could secure some more power for her family. Even if her husband is gay and she has to share him with her brother, Margaery is totally willing to do that. She’s most probably willing to do that because being a Queen is better than not being a Queen … but maybe Cersei would beg to differ. But then I would bet Shae would agree with Margaery. Or would she?
Tyrion by the by…is up to tricksy tricks ferreting out some of the more obvious roadblocks in court. He pissed off Littlefinger, sure, but he is a resource with too much potential value as an ally to totally throw away, so look for Tyrion to make it up to Littlefinger in the future. Pycell getting his whiskers hacked off by Bronn was epic. More whisker hacking! Maybe we can just hack off whiskers instead of heads from now on?
Wouldn’t that be nice?
Elena: Bronn! We also need more Bronn. That, too, would be nice.
Rachel:Were you sad for Theon and his father issues? His fake brother issues? His sister issues? What about his whiney baby issues?
Elena: My notes on the first look at Theon this episode: “Theon is not impressed with the Pike house.” Which is a joke because the Pikes are another frat, and Theon’s a Theta Chi. Yes? No? It was funny in my head.
Um, so Theon decides to be a Greyjoy. No good can come of this. “Everybody knows you never go full Greyjoy!”
I was conflicted about whether to judge him for his choice. Family is a huge part of the ethos in this world—“What do we always say is the most important thing? FAMILY!”—but on the other hand…he’s betraying Robb! And the Starks who even if they are all incompetent players are the team I’m rooting for until I meet someone better or they’re all dead. So, no bueno. Bad Theon.
He was put in an untenable situation, and I find it interesting that I don’t have much interest or sympathy in him as a character. He acted the over privileged lordling once too often in my company for me to care that he feels inadequate with his family. Guess what? If Robb Stark is able to lead a fucking army and argue down his bannermen at this age, Theon is old enough to not judge his own worth on the valuation of any other man…even his absentee dad. (Yes, I know, that’s not how daddy issues work, but the point is we have other characters who don’t have his hang-up that made him so manipulable, so I no longer find his daddy issues a valid excuse for what he does.)
But the drowned god bit was fucking cool, and I hope we get to hear a little more about that!
Elena: Theon chose blood over water, which is funny because of reasons ^^.
Rachel: The part of Theon’s brain that makes decisions must be a terrible hell. One, because he’s kind of a swaggering idiot a lot of the time. And two, because there’s some serious cognitive dissonance happening in the guy’s life. He was raised by these seemingly honorable people… except that they murdered his brothers and took him as a hostage. Being reminded of that by your estranged father – well you can’t really blame him for siding with his family and plotting to screw Robb over. I mean you can, but it’s easily understood how he was utterly sandbagged into “going full Greyjoy”. His only choices were betrayal and… oh betrayal! Theon might be one of the more tragic characters in Game of Thrones. The Fool who learns too late? We shall see.
Everyone loves bad ass pirates who steal all the stuff and laugh at everyone who underestimated them!
Elena: Yoren died. I haz a sad.
Rachel: Yes, while Yoren suffered from an acute case of Boromir-it is I was never all that upset about his death. Mostly because in the books it is strongly and repeatedly emphasized how bad Yoren smelled and how he had fleas. He grossed me out you guys.
They also seem to be heavily contracting a few things into one thing (which I agree with for the sake of brevity and how it isn’t really necessary since the end result is the same) except that I’m worried about the Mountain’s men and the Lannister men getting all mixed together. Were these the Lannister soldiers? Were they the outlaws? Will that distinction matter in terms of the show? I’m hoping for a bit more explanation in the next episode because where Arya and Gendry end up is extremely related to the group of men that just captured them at the end of the episode and I’m not sure shoving all the motivations into one pot will make it easier to understand.
And I just want to emphasize that the three guys in the cage – IMPORTANT GUYS. Also, horrible criminals. Probably. I could be lying. I lie all the time.
Elena: I am going to be so pleased if we have just met the Hannibal Lector of Westeros. Because that? Would be awesome. And hilarious. What happens when he meets the white walkers? Do they all just sit down and have a civilized meal of roasted Craster son?
Is Jon Snow there? Is he hiding behind a tree still trying to figure out what happens?
Hey, Jon Snow, don’t feel too bad for not figuring out the subtext everyone else picked up on the second they saw one man surrounded by 50 women…you still know where to put it.
Want more? Then check out the latest episode of Team More Wine Sir as we pour more wine and talk more about “What is Dead May Never Die”!
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