New Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor Gameplay Trailer

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With E3 in full swing, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Monolith Productions have released a brand new trailer for the upcoming game, “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.” The gameplay video is entitled, “Shadow of Mordor Gameplay – Nemesis System Power Struggles.”

The new trailer features the nemesis system in the game as well as how the stats appear and the personality of each nemesis. Each nemesis appearance and personality is different for every player. No one will have an exact same nemesis as someone else as the game generates unique, dynamically created enemies.

“Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor” delivers a dynamic game environment where the player orchestrates their personal plan of vengeance as they bend Mordor to their will. The game begins on the night of Sauron’s return to Mordor, as his Black Captains brutally execute the Rangers of the Black Gate. Players become Talion, a ranger who loses his family and everything he holds dear, only to be returned from death by a mysterious Spirit of vengeance. Based on the player’s actions with the in-game Nemesis System, every enemy encountered is distinct and can evolve to become a personal archenemy through the course of the game. As Talion’s personal vendetta unfolds, players uncover the mystery of the Spirit that compels him, discover the origin of the Rings of Power and confront the ultimate nemesis.

The game will be available worldwide on October 7, 2014 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. You can watch the E3 gameplay trailer below:

Walking Dead Star Adapting “Aquariums of Pyongyang”

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Steven Yeun, most known for his role as Glen on “The Walking Dead,” is teaming with Radar Pictures to adapt the book “The Aquariums of Pyongyang” for the big screen. The book is an autobiography written by Kang Chol-Hwan.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Yeun will star as Chol-Hwan. He will also executive produce the film alongside Ted Field, Mike Weber and Michael Napoliello in partnership with Sean Lee.

MV5BMTk1MTE0Mjk4N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTY2Mjk5Nw@@._V1_SX214_CR0,0,214,317_AL_“The Aquariums of Pyongyang” is set in North Korea, one of the last bastions of hardline Communism. Its leaders have kept a tight grasp on the one-party regime, quashing any nascent opposition movements and sending all suspected dissidents to its brutal concentration camps for “re-education.” Kang Chol-Hwan is the first survivor of one of these camps to escape and tell his story to the world, documenting the extreme conditions in these gulags and providing a personal insight into life in North Korea. Part horror story, part historical document, part memoir, part political tract, the book is a record of one man’s triumph over unbelievable adversity to expose the truths of North Korea to the modern world.

There is currently no word on when the film will begin production or an expected release date in theaters.

Bill Condon to Direct Live-Action “Beauty and the Beast”

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Bill Condon, most known for his work on “Twilight” and “The Fifth Estate” has officially signed on for a live-action film of “Beauty and the Beast.”

The famous animated “Beauty and the Beast” film opened in theaters in 1991, and went on to earn $425 million worldwide.

The decision to move forward with the project is likely due to the recent success of “Maleficent” which released in theaters last month. It topped the box office on its opening weekend earning over $170 million worldwide. Disney has also had wide success with live-action versions of “Wizard of Oz” and “Alice in Wonderlands.”

There is already a live-action “Jungle Book” project in the works and reportedly a “Cinderella” film as well.

Director, Condon, is no stranger to musicals either. His 2006 hit Dreamgirls, based on the Broadway musical, was a worldwide success.

Let’s just hope the new project will not look like this:

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Jared Leto Eyeing Doctor Strange?

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The rumors are a-swirling as it is being reported that Jared Leto is being eyed for the lead role in the upcoming Doctor Strange film adaptation.

According to Badass Digest, Marvel “likes” Leto for surgeon-turned-sorcerer Stephen Strange. Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange (known as Doctor Strange) is a superhero created by Marvel. Doctor Strange is a former neurosurgeon who serves as the Sorcerer Supreme — the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats.

It was reported last week that Sinister director Scott Derrickson was in talks to direct the film. Marvel has yet to comment, but Derrickson tweeted out a picture of himself with a Dr. Strange comic – stating that it would be his next project.

Leto is an Academy Award winner who is most known for his roles on Dallas Buyers Club, Requiem for a Dream, and Mr. Nobody. He also took home an Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club. 

There is no word yet on whether Leto is truly in talks for the role or if the internet (once again) is getting ahead of itself.

Showtime Renews Penny Dreadful for 10-Episode Second Season

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Showtime officially announced this morning that they have renewed “Penny Dreadful” for a second season. The second season will air sometime in 2015.

You can read the full press release on the announcement below.

SHOWTIME has picked up a second season of its critically acclaimed drama series PENNY DREADFUL, it was announced today by David Nevins, President, Showtime Networks Inc. The network has given an expanded order of ten episodes to the series. Created, written and executive produced by three-time Oscar® nominee John Logan, PENNY DREADFUL has been embraced by the network’s subscribers, drawing 4.8 million weekly viewers across platforms since its launch.  The series, which debuted to rave reviews, has claimed the spot as the network’s No. 1 watched new show ever on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and SHOWTIME ANYTIME® with over 3.6 million viewers on those platforms through the third week of the season. Starring Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton and Eva Green, PENNY DREADFUL will go into production, and will once again shoot on location in Dublin, Ireland for a 2015 launch.

“Picking up PENNY DREADFUL was one of the easiest decisions I’ve made,” said Nevins.  “The series has had worldwide impact, drawing big, passionate audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, and more than any other show on our network has hit the bullseye with viewers who want to watch television in all the new ways that are available.  John Logan has deftly created an epic series that has drawn raves from a wide-range of audiences from quality drama lovers to critics, to hardcore genre fans. We look forward to working once again with our partners at Sky Atlantic and are extremely excited for what’s in store for season two.”

PENNY DREADFUL’s series premiere was sampled early across online, On Demand and authenticated platforms, and the debut episode now ranks as the biggest sneak preview ever and the largest online streaming sampling ever for SHOWTIME, surpassing Ray Donovan and Masters of Sex’s premieres by half a million viewers through the premiere week.

PENNY DREADFUL is not only a hit in the United States, but has also attracted an early global audience, debuting as the second-highest-rated launch for an original commission ever for Sky Atlantic, and also ranked as the second biggest program of the week in pay TV homes for the premiere episode in the U.K. Additionally, the John Logan created world of PENNY DREADFUL has inspired unprecedented interest with a wide range of licensees.  Special edition classic horror books boxed sets, cast action figures, and tarot cards, are among the early items hitting the marketplace.

The fifth episode of the series airing this Sunday at 10 p.m. ET/PT is not to be missed – viewers will learn the shocking truth behind the bond that connects Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton), Vanessa (Eva Green) and Mina (Olivia Llewellyn). Leading up to this Sunday’s episode, SHOWTIME will air two Penny Dreadful marathons on Saturday, June 7th, before and after the 10 p.m. television premiere of The Last Exorcism Part II. Episodes 101 through 104 of Penny Dreadful will air from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and then again from 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Viewers hoping to catch up on what they’ve missed so far can also watch the first four episodes on  SHOWTIME ON DEMAND and SHOWTIME ANYTIME. For a sneak peek at Sunday night’s episode, go to: s.sho.com/1mSeJ9D.

In PENNY DREADFUL, some of literature’s most famous characters – including Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray and iconic figures from the novel Dracula, all brilliantly reimagined in a whole new light – have become embroiled in Victorian London. The series also stars Reeve Carney (Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark), Rory Kinnear (Skyfall), Harry Treadaway (The Lone Ranger), Danny Sapani (The Bill) and Billie Piper (Doctor Who, Secret Diary of a Call Girl). PENNY DREADFUL is executive produced by John Logan’s Desert Wolf Productions, along with Oscar winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall) and Pippa Harris (Revolutionary Road, Call The Midwife), both of Neal Street.  A co-production with Sky Atlantic, episodes debut in the U.K. two weeks after their U.S. debut. For more information and video clips, please visit www.penny-dreadful.com.

Game of Thrones: Season 5 Casting Tons of New Characters

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While it seems like every new season (and every new book for that matter) of “Game of Thrones” sees dozens and dozens of new characters added, next year’s season 5 will get a whole new region , along with its inhabitants, added to the cast.

Warning: there are some various potential spoilers for non-book readers below. 

According to WinterisComing.net (and leaks from their undisclosed source), we know that the following characters from the books are currently looking for casting.

Prince Doran Martell

  • Doran is described as the major new player this year, appearing in multiple episodes. The fiftysomething prince uses a wheelchair, is reclusive and rules wisely. It appears the show is looking to continue the trend it started with Pedro Pascal, and cast Latino actors for the Martell clan.

Prince Trystane Martell

  • Trystane, the handsome fiance of Princess Myrcella, is being aged up to 18.

Areo Hotah

  • Doran’s personal bodyguard will appear throughout the season, assisting the prince with his duties. The show is particularly looking for a black actor to fill the role.

The show is also casting for the “Sand Snakes” – i.e. Oberyn’s bastard daughters.

Obara Sand

  • The eldest and most athletic Sand Snake will be having a major fight scene with a series regular character — not one who crosses her path in the books. This is an interesting change.

Nymeria Sand

  • Nymeria is described as ‘mixed race,’ with her father being the fairer (Oberyn) and her mother being darker skinned. The second oldest of these Sand Snakes, she’s beautiful, emotional and very strong.

Tyene Sand

  • The youngest of the Sand Snakes that we meet uses her wits and seductive powers and is less of a physical fighter than the other Sand Snakes. She is just as deadly as her sisters, however, but her weapon is poison.

The rest of Westeros and Essos are also getting some new faces including,

High Sparrow

  • The books’ pious head of a religious movement will be appearing in several episodes in season 5.

Septa Unella

  • The show is looking for a character actress to play the imposing and unrelenting septa who spends a lot of time with a major series character next year.

Maggy the Frog

  • A fortune teller in “A Feast for Crows” she’ll be in one episode next year.

Lollys Stokeworth

  • In ‘Mockingbird,’ Bronn announced his intention to marry Lollys, whom Tyrion considers ‘dimwitted.’ It looks like the sellsword will still be around next year.

Yezzan

  • A sleazy Meereenese slave owner.

The Waif

  • The strange child from the books that Arya encounters will likely be played by an older actress, one in her later teens, and we understand the show is specifically looking for a woman of East Asian descent for the part.

Tom Hardy to Join Cast of DiCaprio’s Upcoming Western

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Tom Hardy, also known as the sexiest man to ever rock a sweater vest, is currently in negotiations to join the cast of the film, The Revenant. The movie is reportedly a survival western based on the novel by Michael Punke.

Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, the story recounts the horrific tale of frontiersman Hugh Glass (DiCaprio) who was a 36-year-old member of a fur-trapping expedition to the Rocky Mountains in 1823 when he was mauled by a grizzly. The group’s captain left behind two men — John Fitzgerald and the legendary Jim Bridger — to stay with Glass until he died from his injuries… but they didn’t. Fearful that Indians weren’t going to get them, Fitzgerald and Bridger stripped Glass of his weapons and equipment and fled. Glass didn’t die. Instead, the mutilated trapper crawled over 200 miles through the wilderness to find Fitzgerald and Bridger and exact his revenge.

Glass’s tale was also the basis for the 1971 western Man in the Wilderness. That film starred Richard Harris and John Huston.

According to a report from Vulture, Hardy’s role will be a supporting character but which character that is has not been announced.

Leonardo DiCaprio will be in the lead role and has been attached to The Revenant for years but only recently announced it would be his next movie.

Production will start begin September for a 2015 release.

Official Trailer for “The Giver” Released

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A brand new trailer for the upcoming big screen adaptation of The Giver has officially been released. If you have read the novel by Lois Lowry that the film is based on then you know about the use of black and white and color. The new trailer does an interesting job of handling it.

The Giver is directed by Phillip Noyce. It stars Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Brenton Thwaites, Alexander Skarsgård, Katie Holmes, Odeya Rush and Taylor Swift.

The story centers on Jonas (Brenton Thwaites), a young man who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Yet as he begins to spend time with The Giver (Jeff Bridges), who is the sole keeper of all the community’s memories, Jonas quickly begins to discover the dark and deadly truths of his community’s secret past. With this newfound power of knowledge, he realizes that the stakes are higher than imagined – a matter of life and death for himself and those he loves most. At extreme odds, Jonas knows that he must escape their world to protect them all – a challenge that no one has ever succeeded at before.

The Giver hits the big screen August 15.

You can watch the trailer below!

Darren Aronofsky to Bring Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam Trilogy to HBO

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Darren Aronofsky is heading to HBO with the miniseries adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s trilogy “MaddAddam.” Aronofsky could also be planning to direct as well.

“MaddAddam” was initially published in 2003. It is “speculative fiction” trilogy that first began with “Oryx and Crake”. It was followed by “The Year of the Flood” in 2009 and “MaddAddam” in 2013. “Oryx and Cake” is officially described as follows:

The narrator of Atwood’s riveting novel calls himself Snowman. When the story opens, he is sleeping in a tree, wearing an old bedsheet, mourning the loss of his beloved Oryx and his best friend Crake, and slowly starving to death. He searches for supplies in a wasteland where insects proliferate and pigoons and wolvogs ravage the pleeblands, where ordinary people once lived, and the Compounds that sheltered the extraordinary. As he tries to piece together what has taken place, the narrative shifts to decades earlier. How did everything fall apart so quickly? Why is he left with nothing but his haunting memories? Alone except for the green-eyed Children of Crake, who think of him as a kind of monster, he explores the answers to these questions in the double journey he takes – into his own past, and back to Crake’s high-tech bubble-dome, where the Paradice Project unfolded and the world came to grief.

Aronofsky is set to produce through his Protozoa Pictures alongside Brandi-Ann Milbradt and Ari Handel. Atwood herself is attached to serve as consulting producer.

Cast Revealed for the Upcoming Big Screen Adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s The Blunderer

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The still untitled adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel, “The Blunderer” has officially revealed the cast. Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel, Imogen Poots, and Toby Jones will star in the Andy Goddard directed project.

“The Blunderer” was published in 1954 and is set against a backdrop of early 1960s New York, Walter Stackhouse (Wilson) is a successful architect married to the beautiful Clara (Biel) and leading a charmed and perfect life. But his fascination with an unsolved murder leads him into a spiral of chaos as he is forced to play cat-and-mouse with a clever killer (Jones) and an over-ambitious detective. Walter’s obsession, his lies and his lust for another woman (Poots) will collide in a crush of guilt, innocence and, ultimately, fate.

Killer Films’ Christine Vachon and David Hinojosa, along with Ted Hope and Sierra Pictures will produce the psychological thriller. Sierra Pictures will finance. The executive producers are Sierra/Affinity’s Nick Meyer, Marc Schaberg and Kelly McCormick.

The film is slated to begin production later this year. There is no word on when the film will hit theaters.