Tuesday, October 29, 2013

‘Evil Dead’ Remake Director Confirms Sam Raimi Directing ‘Army of Darkness 2′

Universe building is all the rage in movies these days, and alongside superheroes and sci-fi, horror is expanding its scope as well. Paranormal Activity has a expansion series, The Marked Ones, headed to theaters in early 2014, and after the Evil Dead franchise was revitalized with a successful 2013 remake, there’s been a rapid expansion of that series’ world – both old and new.

First came news that Sam Raimi might be jumping back into the franchise with an Army of Darkness sequel with star Bruce Campbell returning. Things got wilder when it came to light that not only was Campbell back for that project, but that there would also be a sequel to Fede Alvarez’ Evil Dead reboot. Finally heads nearly exploded when fans learned that the Army of Darkness continuity with Campbell and the rebooted Evil Dead 2013 continuity could eventually culminate in a crossover film.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Kevin Tancharoen Departs Mortal Kombat

Although he was optimistic about the project just last month, choreographer-turned-director Kevin Tancharoen, the man behind the Mortal Kombat reboot webseries, just announced via Twitter that he is no longer involved in bringing the property to the big screen.

"After 3 years of Kombat," Tancharoen writes, "I've decided to move on to other creative opportunities. I wish everyone involved in the movie big success. Thanks!"

Tancharoen's “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” recently released its second season. The cast includes Harry Shum, Jr. ("Glee") as the warlord adviser "Kuai Liang," Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers) as martial arts film actor "Johnny Cage," Brian Tee (The Wolverine) as Shaolin Monk "Liu Kang," and Mark Dacascos (Cradle 2 the Grave) as "Kung Lao" - a close friend of "Liu Kang." Additionally, Ian Anthony Dale (“Hawaii Five-O”) returns as the resurrected ninja “Scorpion,” and Cary Tagawa reprises the role he made famous in the first Mortal Kombat theatrical release as the powerful, arrogant sorcerer "Shang Tsung."

Warcraft May Add Vikings Star Travis Fimmel

With Duncan Jones' Warcraft movie set with an official release date and, as a result, an idea for when the movie will go into production, it was only a matter of time before the casting stories began rolling in. Late last month we learned that the production was eying both Paula Patton and Colin Farrell for two of the movie's biggest parts, and now Variety is reporting that Travis Fimmel, the actor best known for playing Ragnar Lothbrok on the critically-acclaimed History Channel series Vikings, is the top choice to play one another of the the main character in the feature video game adaptation.

While no deal is in place just yet, sources have told the trade that Fimmel is definitely the man that Jones and Legendary Pictures want for the part. Should the star sign on the dotted line he will reportedly play one of four lead roles. Unfortunately, because details about the film are being kept under wraps, exactly what those four roles are remains a mystery. The production is moving forward with a script from Charles Leavitt (The Mighty, K-PAX, Blood Diamond), but at this point there are no details available about either the plot or the ensemble of characters that will be involved.

Monsters vs. Aliens Helmer Rob Letterman Boards Captain Underpants

The project first announced back in 2011, DreamWorks Animation has found a director for their children's book series adaptation Captain Underpants. The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Monsters vs. Aliens helmer Rob Letterman will direct.

The "Captain Underpants" book series, written by Dav Pilkey, tells the story of two mischievous kids, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, who hypnotize their school principal and turn him into their comic book creation, Captain Underpants.

Scholastic first launched the "Captain Underpants" book series in September of 1997 and there are over 50 million Pilkey books in print in the U.S. alone. Eight "Captain Underpants" books have been published in 19 countries and several have debuted at #1 on various best-seller lists, including The New York Times and USA Today.

Jai Courtney Signs On For Russell Crowe & Angelina Jolie Films

Jai Courtney’s 2013 may have gotten off to a bad start thanks to A Good Day to Die Hard, but he’s bouncing back: the Australian actor has roles in the 2014 adaptation of YA novel Divergent as well as local thriller Felony (featuring Joel Edgerton) and just recently he’s been courted by Oscar-level talent for their own upcoming directorial projects. Courtney has signed on for roles in Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken and fellow Aussie Russell Crowe’s The Water Diviner, which will mark Crowe’s first time sitting in the director’s chair.

By happy accident, these movies each revolve around one of the two World Wars, putting Courtney square in the midst of historical drama. Unbroken concerns itself with real-life former Olympian Louis Zamperini and his time spent as a POW during WWII, while The Water Diviner follows a father’s journey to recover the bodies of his three sons, all slain during WWI. Courtney will play supporting parts in both films; Jolie has chosen Jack O’Connell (who will show up in 2014′s 300: Rise of an Empire) as her lead in Unbroken, while Crowe will direct himself in the principal role for The Water Diviner.

Ben Affleck Was 'Reluctant' to Take Batman Role

The actor says Zack Snyder landed him for the "Man of Steel" sequel by convincing him it would be both different from what had come before but also "in keeping with tradition."
Certain Batman fans weren't the only ones unsure about Ben Affleck being cast as the Dark Knight in Zack Snyder's Man of Steel sequel.

Affleck says he wasn't convinced he was the right man to don the tights, telling 411mania.com he was initially "reluctant" to accept.
"I felt I didn't fit the traditional mold, but once Zack showed me the concept, and that it would be both different from the great movies that Chris [Nolan] and Christian [Bale] made but still in keeping with tradition I was excited," Affleck said. "Doing something different and new is always tricky and part of the thrill and the risk is that initially it confounds expectations. "

Affleck also addressed Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara's description of the upcoming version of Batman being “tired, and kind of weary and seasoned." Tsujihara said the film's Batman will have been fighting crime for years when we first meet him.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Announces a Fan Event November 4

Gearing up for the December 13, 2013 release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, New Line and MGM today announced a global fan celebration to be held on Monday, November 4, at 5:00 pm EST and simultaneous times around the world. At each of the satellite-linked cinemas in four host cities--Los Angeles, New York, London and Wellington--Jackson and members of his cast and filmmaking team will gather with fans to show exclusive footage from the new film and answer questions in front of a live audience, as well as offer a few surprises.

CNN Anchor Anderson Cooper, who serves as special host for the entire event, will be based in New York, where he will welcome Richard Armitage, the film’s Thorin Oakenshield, and Orlando Bloom, who returns to the role of Legolas from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Evangeline Lilly, who joins the cast as a new Elf warrior, Tauriel, will be based in Los Angeles. London will host new cast member Lee Pace, the film’s Elf King Thranduil; Luke Evans, who joins the cast as Bard the Bowman; and Andy Serkis, second unit director and, of course, the first trilogy's Gollum. Peter Jackson will then join the celebration from Wellington, New Zealand (where it will be Tuesday, November 5, at 11:00 am).
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