Armie Hammer joining revenge thriller “By Virtue Fall” opposite Eric Bana

December 7, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

Dashing, princely, nice guy Armie Hammer will take a turn for the dark side next year, according to Deadline. The “Social Network” star has signed on to play the lead role in “By Virtue Fall”, the revenge thriller directorial debut of Sheldon Turner, who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated “Up in the Air” with Jason Reitman. Hammer will star opposite Eric Bana, who had previously been cast as the film’s villain.

Hammer, in a storyline that’s starting to sound familiar, stars as an ATF agent who is framed on a corruption charge and sent to a maximum security federal prison. There, in order to survive, he “becomes a badass” and emerges a new man, determined to get revenge on the person who was responsible for his false imprisonment, his former partner (Bana).

The role will be quite a departure for Hammer, who broke out in a big way when be played privileged, arrogant twins in David Fincher’s modern masterpiece “The Social Network.” This year he starred as longtime confidant, right hand man and possible lover to Leonardo DiCaprio’s “J. Edgar”, Clyde Tolson, and will really show off that Princely presence in next year’s horrific looking Snow White retelling, “Mirror Mirror.” Hammer will shoot “By Virtue Fall” in summer/fall 2012, after he completes work on the title role in Gore Verbinksi’s “The Lone Ranger”, in which he stars opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto.

Up and Comers Podcast #3: “J. Edgar” and “Take Shelter”; Which actors will be landing the next big projects?

November 8, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge and Rebecca Lewis in Podcast 2 Comments

Thank you for joining us again if you listened to our first two podcasts or if you are new to the program, welcome! Once a week, Linda and Rebecca will take to the internet airwaves to discuss a variety of subjects, including all the latest news, movies we’ve seen recently, the Oscar season and more topics that interest us (or you! Please send us your suggestions for topics to talk about).

• 00:00 – 16:00 – We discuss some of the big news that broke over the past week or so, including Eddie Redmayne joining Les Mis; Ryan Gosling and Rooney Mara in Malick’s “Lawless”; THR’s Next Gen List and more.

• 16:00 – 24:00 – Linda discusses and reviews “J. Edgar” and “Take Shelter”, including some gushing over Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, and assessing each of the movie’s awards chances. No spoilers.

• 24:00 – END – We go in depth into discussions about some of the big projects that many young actors will be reading for, including “Winter’s Tale”; “Akira”; “Arthur and Lancelot”; and “Die Hard 5″.

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THR names Next Gen 2011: Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Irvine and more

November 2, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Features, Lists 2 Comments

Just like last year, in our estimation THR has picked some great names for their Next Gen Class of 2011. From indie darlings to future superheros and fairy tale princesses, THR has cast their vote for the fastest rising stars of the moment.

Indie stars represented are up from last year, and in a year that saw the stunning arrivals of Sundance breakouts Elizabeth Olsen, Felicity Jones, Adepero Oduye and Shailene Woodley, it’s well deserved. They each did one tiny little indie movie and find themselves, at year’s end, on the tip of the industry’s tongue, often in conjecture with the word “Oscar.” The movies are small, intimate and really showcase the impressive talent contained within these new performers. On the other, more “traditional” end of the spectrum, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Henry Cavill and Jeremy Irvine are tasked with carrying million/billion dollar franchises on their young, untested shoulders, and the real test of their A-List movie star potential remain on the horizon.

Watch: “J. Edgar” Trailer with Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer

September 28, 2011 | Posted by Seana Cole in Videos 1 Comment

The trailer for “J. Edgar” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts and Josh Lucas has been released. Directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Dustin Lance Black, the film follows J. Edgar Hoover (DiCaprio), a previous FBI Director.

Here’s the official synopsis:

“During his lifetime, J. Edgar Hoover would rise to be the most powerful man in America. As head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for nearly 50 years, he would stop at nothing to protect his country. Through eight presidents and three wars, Hoover waged battle against threats both real and perceived, often bending the rules to keep his countrymen safe. His methods were at once ruthless and heroic, with the admiration of the world his most coveted, if ever elusive, prize.

Hoover was a man who placed great value on secrets–particularly those of others–and was not afraid to use that information to exert authority over the leading figures in the nation. Understanding that knowledge is power and fear poses opportunity, he used both to gain unprecedented influence and to build a reputation that was both formidable and untouchable.

He was as guarded in his private life as he was in his public one, allowing only a small and protective inner circle into his confidence. His closest colleague, Clyde Tolson, was also his constant companion. His secretary, Helen Gandy, who was perhaps most privy to Hoover’s designs, remained loyal to the end… and beyond. Only Hoover’s mother, who served as his inspiration and his conscience, would leave him, her passing truly crushing to the son who forever sought her love and approval.As seen through the eyes of Hoover himself, “J. Edgar” explores the personal and public life and relationships of a man who could distort the truth as easily as he upheld it during a life devoted to his own idea of justice, often swayed by the darker side of power.”

The film is set to release in theaters on November 9, 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0pidIk0rl4

2011 Fall Movie Preview: Our 20 Most Anticipated

September 5, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge and Rebecca Lewis in Features 15 Comments

2011 has already been a banner year for movies, with even the typically brainless summer blockbuster season bringing it in terms of quality, satisfying films for even the most die-hard film buffs. Just try to argue that the likes of “Bridesmaids”, “The Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, “Captain America” and “The Help” are not a huge notch above their counterparts from previous years. The best part? Studios have not even begun releasing their “best” movies yet. The prestige pictures, the Oscar contenders, the A-List of movies aren’t released until the latter half of the year, so it’s with great excitement that we present our 20 Most Anticipated Fall Films of 2011.

First Up: Warrior >>

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Ed Westwick plays cousin Tybalt to Hailee Steinfeld in “Romeo and Juliet”

May 23, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Hailee Steinfeld is still searching for her Romeo, but she has locked down a cantankerous cousin in “Gossip Girl” star Ed Westwick. Variety reports that the British thesp will play the pivotal role of Tybalt in a new adaptation of the classic Shakespearean “Romeo and Juliet” from Italian filmmaker Carlo Carlei.

Holly Hunter recently jumped on the project, which sees 14-year-old Steinfeld as an age-appropriate Juliet Capulet set in traditional Shakespearean era, who falls for Romeo, the son of rival family Montague. Hunter plays Juliet’s nurse and confidant who helps the lovers sneak around, while Westwick’s Tybalt is a hot-tempered supporter of the rivalry between the families, and a pivotal showdown with Romeo sets the course for the tragedies that follow. Steinfeld replaces Lily Collins in the Juliet role, who had been attached to the project since last year but whose schedule is now filling up fast with one high profile role after another.

Westwick has been a regular on “Gossip Girl” since its first season in 2007 and was last seen in British comedy “Chalet Girl” opposite breakout star Felicity Jones. Like his GG co-stars, he is making quite a leap to the big screen now, recently completing production on a strong supporting role in Clint Eastwood’s “J. Edgar” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer.

Shooting on the new “Romeo and Juliet” is set to begin this summer in Italy though no Romeo has been locked down yet.

Armie Hammer in early talks to star in “The Lone Ranger” opposite Johnny Depp

April 27, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

Since Ryan Gosling couldn’t take on the title role in Gore Verbinski’s “The Lone Ranger”, another up and coming actor is “saddling up” to take his place, Deadline reports. Armie Hammer is now in early negotiations to take on the title role opposite Johnny Depp, who’s already confirmed for Lone Ranger sidekick Tonto.

In the new incarnation of the classic duo, first originating as a radio serial before finding legend/classic status on TV, the masked lawman will play second fiddle to his Native American sidekick, so while Hammer will be taking on the title role, he will actually be the second lead to Depp. Verbinski has said he wanted the story to be “Don Quixote told from Sancho Panza’s point of view” and has been clear with Depp from the beginning that “Tonto is the part.”

Hammer has been racking up one high profile role after another since breaking out in the double role of Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss in David Fincher’s award-winning “The Social Network”, first landing the role of Clyde Tolson opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Clint Eastwood’s Hoover biopic “J. Edgar”, which recently wrapped. He then signed on to play the Prince in the first Snow White picture out of the gate, Tarsem Singh’s “The Brothers Grimm: Snow White”, opposite Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen and Lily Collins as Snow. “Snow White” will begin shooting next month for a June 29, 2012 release, which presumably leaves Hammer available to shoot “The Lone Ranger” this fall.

Newcomer Miles Fisher lands supporting role in “J. Edgar”

March 8, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Little known actor Miles Fisher has signed on for a supporting role in Clint Eastwood’s Hoover biopic “J. Edgar”, according to Deadline. Fisher will play Agent Garrison, an FBI agent who interviews his boss Hoover at different stages in the movie, which has been filming since February. Leonardo DiCaprio leads the cast as the former FBI director, with Armie Hammer as his best friend/alleged lover, Naomi Watts as his personal secretary, Josh Lucas as famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, Damon Herriman as Lindbergh baby kidnapper Bruno Hauptmann and Ed Westwick as Agent Smith, a writer who is drafted to pen Hoover’s biography but comes a little too close to Hoover’s secrets. It was also announced earlier today that TV’s “Burn Notice” star Jeffrey Donovan will be playing Hoover rival Robert F. Kennedy.

Fisher garnered some buzz for spoofing Tom Cruise in 2008′s “Superhero Moive” and then Cruise’s “Tropic Thunder” persona Les Grossman in a video spoofing the pitching of a Pinkberry movie, and has had guest starring roles on “Gossip Girl”, “The Cleaner” and “Mad Men”. Most recently he wrapped one of the lead roles in this summer’s next installment of the franchise that, ironically, will not die: “Final Destination 5″.

Josh Lucas joins Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer and Ed Westwick in ‘J.Edgar’

January 18, 2011 | Posted by Rebecca Lewis in Casting Leave a comment

Clint Eastwood’s biopic J.Edgar is shaping up to be a showcase of up and coming talent, as Josh Lucas joins the cast as aviatior Charles Lindbergh, according to Deadline.

Armie Hammer and Ed Westwick are set to star as well, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio as the scandalous FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who had a controversial career and private life rife with rumours of homosexuality and cross-dressing.

Lucas was set for a promising career at one point, working with directors such as Ang Lee and Ron Howard, but seemed to fizzle out after duds like “Stealth” and “Poseidon”. Could 2011 be the start of a comeback? He is one of the contenders for the lead role in the highly anticipated adaptation of “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” and will next be seen alongside Matthew McConaughey in “The Lincoln Lawyer”.

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