Ryan Gosling, Emma Watson, Michael B. Jordan Among Young Stars Heading to Cannes Film Festival

April 18, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in General News Leave a comment

A bevy of rising stars are headed to the Cannes Film Festival next month as Festival director Thierry Fremaux announced the main lineup of the 66th Annual event this morning. Carey Mulligan, already heading to the Croisette for opening night film “The Great Gatsby”, will also premiere the Coen Brothers’ 1960s folk music drama “Insie Llewyn Davis”, also starring Oscar Isaac, Justin Timberlake and Garrett Hedlund.

The duo of Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling, who previously premiered the beautiful and violent “Drive” at the festival in 2011, have reteamed again and will show “Only God Forgives” in competition. “Saturday Night Live” alum Will Forte has a big potential breakthrough moment as he shows off his serious acting in Alexander Payne’s father-son roadtrip drama “Nebraska”, while James Gray’s “The Immigrant”, previously “Lowlife”, brings Jeremy Renner and Marion Cotillard to the Croisette. Cotillard will also appear in Guillaume Canet’s English-language remake “Blood Ties”, which is playing out of competition and which also stars Zoe Saldana and Mila Kunis.

We already knew Sofia Coppola’s “The Bling Ring” will open the Un Certain Regard section of the fest, and will welcome young stars Emma Watson, Taissa Farmiga, Israel Broussard and Katie Chang, and now joining them in the sidebar will be Sundance’s big winner “Fruitvale”, Ryan Coogler’s feature directorial debut starring Michael B. Jordan.

The full lineup can be found below.

Jack Huston Joins Jennifer Lawrence in David O. Russell’s Abscam Drama

March 26, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

jack-huston David O. Russell’s newest film has already been shooting for a couple of weeks now, but one last cast member is jumping on board, with Deadline reporting “Boardwalk Empire” star Jack Huston has joined Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence in the 1970s set political thriller.

The untitled film, originally called “American Bullshit”, will follow the real life political drama Abscam, which was set up by the FBI in the 1970s and 80s. An FBI employee posed as a fictional Middle Eastern sheik named Kraim Abdul Rahman, who was videotaped taking meetings with government officials in which they agreed to take money for helping him gain asylum in the US, among other illegal activities. The investigation culminated in the conviction of a United States Senator and five members of the House of Representatives. Various cast members have been spotted around the Boston area dressed in their best 70s garbs – including Lawrence with this amazing updo – shooting the film which already has an Oscar-friendly December 13th release date.

Huston, who plays scarred and mask Richard Harrow on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”, recently premiered Beat Generation origin tale “Kill Your Darlings”, in which he plays Jack Kerouac, at Sundance. He most recently completed work on edgy art world dramedy “Posthumous” opposite Brit Marling.

Jeremy Renner to “Kill the Messenger” in true life CIA conspiracy thriller

January 31, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

After a string of big budget studio blockbusters, Jeremy Renner is set to return to the darker and more serious films that made him a two-time Oscar nominee. Deadline reports Renner will star in “Kill the Messener”, a true life thriller that will be directed by Michael Cuesta this summer.

Renner will play Gary Webb in the film written by Peter Landesman. Webb was a San Jose Mercury News reporter during the Iran-Contra scandal in the 1980s, who published an expose detailing the link between the CIA and Contra rebels in Nicaragua in importing and selling cocaine on the streets of California. Rather than make his career, the expose elicited harsh criticisms which rendered Webb unable to find another job, sending him into a downward spiral that culminated in his suicide in 2004. The film seeks to validate Webb’s side of the story by proposing his findings were correct and he was the victim of a smear campaign in order to hide the CIA’s more morally ambiguous actions taken in the name of the greater good.

After critical success and Oscar nominations following supporting performances in “The Hurt Locker” and “The Town”, Renner moved into the mainstream in rapid succession by starring in “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol”, “The Avengers”, “The Bourne Legacy” and the currently playing “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.” It’s become rather clear, however, he’s much better in more prestigious, intimate films that really showcase his acting. There are no more blockbusters on his plate for the foreseeable future (minus an “Avengers” sequel or two). Instead, he has dramas like James Gray’s “Lowlife” and David O. Russell’s untitled Abscam film (previously titled “American Bullshit”) coming down the pike.

Jeremy Renner joins Julianne Moore and Al Pacino in dramedy “Imagine”

October 24, 2012 | Posted by Lindsey Young in Casting Leave a comment

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jeremy Renner will star opposite Al Pacino in the dramedy “Imagine.” The film tells the story of an aging 1970s rocker (Pacino) who discovers an undelivered letter written to him in his younger days penned by none-other than John Lennon. After he receives this letter, he makes the attempt to straighten out his life and give up his “hard-living ways”. This road leads him to reconnect with the son (played by Renner) he’s neglected to get to know. The film title, of course, is taken from the iconic ballad written and produced by Lennon.

“Imagine” is scheduled to begin production in Spring of 2013. The film marks the directorial debut of writer Dan Fogelman and will also star Julianne Moore as the owner of a New Jersey hotel where Pacino’s character checks in.

Renner just finished up filming in New York for James Gray‘s “Low Life” and will next be seen opposite Gemma Arterton in “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” which hits theatres on January 25th, 2013.

Jeremy Renner out, Benedict Cumberbatch and Joel Kinnaman in for Bill Condon’s Wikileaks film?

October 2, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 4 Comments

Back in July, we got word that Dreamworks and director Bill Condon were meeting with the ever in demand Jeremy Renner about taking on the role of Julian Assange in a planned Wikileaks film, but could that all be changing now?

Deadline reports the studio is now seriously looking at British actor Benedict Cumberbatch for the role of Assange, and Swedish rising star Joel Kinnaman for the role of Assange’s former right hand man, Daniel Domscheit-Berg. But, they caution, the studio would confirm nothing and it seems Renner really isn’t completely out of the conversation yet, so this is all far from finalized.

Dreamworks is taking its source material from Domscheit-Berg’s “Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World’s Most Dangerous Website” and “WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange’s War on Secrecy” by David Leigh and Luke Harding, British journalists who worked at The Guardian and helped Assanage publish his first findings. Meanwhile, other filmmakers and even Assange himself remain at work on their own retellings of the formation of the whistleblowing organization.

Benedict, the acclaimed star of BBC’s “Sherlock”, recently wrapped up the villain role in JJ Abrams’ sequel “Star Trek Into Darkness” and will play ‘Little’ Charles Aiken opposite Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts in “August: Osage County.” Kinnaman, who caught the industry’s attention in AMC series “The Killing”, is currently filming Jose Padilha’s remake of “Robocop.”

Jeremy Renner may play Julian Assange in WikiLeaks film

July 23, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 4 Comments

It’s one of the hottest, most timely of topics, and now WikiLeaks may have met the face of its Hollywood immortalization. Deadline reports Dreamworks Studios is eyeing Jeremy Renner to star as controversial founder Julian Assange in a big screen retelling of the formation of the whistleblowing organization. Additionally, the studio is also said to be in negotiations with Oscar-winning director Bill Condon to step behind the camera.

The studio purchased the rights to two WikiLeaks related books in preparation for their film, “Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World’s Most Dangerous Website” by Daniel Domscheit-Berg, a former WikiLeaks executive, and “WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange’s War on Secrecy” by David Leigh and Luke Harding, British journalists who worked at The Guardian and helped Assanage publish his first findings.

Naturally, Dreamworks are not the only film company seeking to tell Assange’s story. The man himself has been contracted to write his own memoirs, with screen rights being handled by CAA, though that may be years down the line as he’s still embroiled in legal issues from several different angles. “The Hurt Locker” writer Mark Boal has also optioned “The Boy Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest”, which examines Assange’s dealings with The New York Times, and Universal Pictures will stick to just the facts, picking up a documentary on the subject. But it appears Dreamworks, perhaps with Condon and Renner in tow, will have the head start on the dramatization side.

If a deal comes together, the polarizing Assange will be right up Renner’s alley, who has proven himself capable of the kind of gravitas it takes to not only convincingly play complex characters but also have the charisma to headline high profile studio fare. Already having earned his indie cred with Oscar-nominated roles in “The Hurt Locker” and “The Town”, he’s moving into that blockbuster becoming-a-movie-star phase of his career with roles in “The Avengers” and soon to be released “The Bourne Legacy.” Something like this WikiLeaks film – and the upcoming David O. Russell directed (soon to be retitled) “American Bullshit” opposite Bradley Cooper – seems to hit the sweet spot between both extremes.

Jeremy Renner replaces Christian Bale, joins Bradley Cooper in David O. Russell’s next

July 17, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Two of the busiest, most sought-after leading men are set to share the screen at last. Variety reports Jeremy Renner is in negotiations to join Bradley Cooper in director David O. Russell’s next untitled drama, formerly working under “American Bullshit.” Christian Bale had previously been slated to star opposite Cooper but fell out.

The film will follow the real life political drama Abscam, which was set up by the FBI in the 1970s and 80s. Cooper will play Mel Weinberg, a con artist who was forced into doing undercover work for the FBI to catch corrupt political officials. Renner will play the FBI agent who busts him and turns him into an ally. The Abscam investigation ultimately culminated in the conviction of a United States Senator and five members of the House of Representatives, all of whom were videotaped making illegal deals with the undercover Weinberg. A February 2013 start date is scheduled.

Renner, who recently appeared in “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” and “The Avengers”, has one more blockbuster actioner to go this year, “The Bourne Legacy”, in which he takes the mantle from Matt Damon as an amnesiac government operative gone rogue. He has also wrapped up filming on fairy tale revision “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” and an untitled drama opposite Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix.

Watch: Scarlett Johansson kicks ass as Black Widow in first clip from “The Avengers”

April 5, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Videos Leave a comment

Oh silly bad guys, you just don’t know who you’re dealing with. Scarlett Johansson may look defeated, being all tied to a chair and outnumbered by you three to one and all, but she’s not worried. She’s an Avenger, and you’re about to have the tables turned on you. The first clip from Joss Whedon’s all-star superhero team-up “The Avengers” has the Black Widow showing that you can in fact accomplish important tasks while talking on your cell phone.

It’s a cool fight scene reminiscent of the one she got to have in her first appearance opposite Robert Downey, Jr. in “Iron Man 2″, and it’s a good sign that hopefully “The Avengers” is going to provide ample screentime and action opportunities for all its heroes, not just the ones who have had their own movies.

“The Avengers” assemble on May 4th. Watch the first clip from the movie below.

Natalie Portman in talks for Ridley Scott’s “The Counselor”; Jeremy Renner vs Javier Bardem for villain role

March 8, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

Michael Fassbender may be meeting his friends and foes for Ridley Scott’s “The Counselor” soon. Twitch Film reports that Natalie Portman is in early talks to take on the role of love interest Laura, while Jeremy Renner remains a top contender for the villain role of Reiner, though Scott is said to be leaning towards Javier Bardem. No official offers nor negotiations have commenced.

Scripted by Cormac McCarthy, “The Counselor” has been described as “‘No Country For Old Men’ on steroids.” Fassbender will play a lawyer who decides to dip his toe into the drug business without getting in too deep. Of course, that doesn’t turn out so well for him. Laura unwittingly gets dragged into the mess, while another pivotal female role, Malkina, has yet to be filled. All the roles should be locked down soon, given how quickly the turnaround has been thus far and with a May start date looming.

Acting steadily since she was 13, Portman received her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for 2004′s “Closer” and followed it up with a win her second time around for Best Actress in Darren Aronofsky’s psychological ballerina thriller “Black Swan.” Always deft at doing both indie and mainstream films, she followed it up with a couple of lower brow comedies, “No Strings Attached” and “Your Highness”, and played love interest to Chris Hemsworth in Marvel’s blockbuster hit “Thor.” It was thought her return to acting would be in a pair of Terrence Malick films – “Lawless” and “Knight of Cups” – filming this summer and fall, but if she signs on, “The Counselor” will get that distinction instead.

Watch: “The Avengers” Assemble in full theatrical trailer

February 29, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Videos 1 Comment

Thank goodness for the new trailer for “The Avengers.” After yesterday’s mess of a poster, we felt for the very first time that one of our most anticipated movies in recent years could be a misstep. Luckily, it just doesn’t get any better than seeing these guys on screen together. The new, longer theatrical trailer of Joss Whedon’s all-star superhero team-up features more exposition, more thrilling first meetings amongst the team members and more ego clashes leading to all out supherhuman fist fights.

I liked all of those character-driven elements more than the action sequences, which seem pretty summer blockbuster standard. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. The thrill of this movie will be in Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Jeremy Renner, Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Captain America (Chris Evans) being on screen together.

“The Avengers” assemble on May 4th. See the new trailer below.

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