Watch: Red Band Trailer for “This is The End” Turns Emma Watson Into a Looter

April 2, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Videos Leave a comment

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All of Young Hollywood parties it up at James Franco’s house just as the end of the world hits in this summer’s apocalyptic comedy “This is the End”, and a new red band trailer shows off some of the side-splitting doom and gloom that will see the gruesome deaths of Michael Cera, Rihanna and Aziz Ansari. As the world collapses around them, survivors Franco, Craig Robinson, Seth Rogen (who also co-directed the film with Evan Goldberg), Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride and Jonah Hill struggle to stay alive, which is made all the more difficult when Emma Watson shows up and demands their scant resources with the help of an axe.

This looks funny enough, and is probably worth a ticket just to see so many of Rogen’s celebrity friends show up and play themselves before meeting impending doom but we are hoping Watson sticks around for more than the “Hermione just stole all our shit” cameo. “This is the End” will be released on June 14th and the new red band trailer can be viewed below.

First Look: Jonah Hill And A Very Pregnant Felicity Jones On The Set Of “True Story”

March 20, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Images Leave a comment

truestorysm Filming is now underway on appropriately titled true life crime drama “True Story” in New York and Zimbio have the first images of stars Jonah Hill and Felicity Jones, sporting one giant fake pregnant belly, on set filming a scene.

Rupert Goold is directing the adaptation of former New York Times writer Michael Finkel’s nonfiction book of the same name. Hill will play Finkel, whose memoir revolved around his entanglements with accused murderer Christian Longo (to be played by James Franco). In 2002 Longo was arrested in Mexico for murdering his entire family, but he was living under an assumed name: Michael Finkel. On the very next day, the real Finkel was fired from his writing job after being accused of twisting facts in an earlier story on the African slave trade. After Longo’s arrest, the only reporter he will speak to is Finkel himself. The two begin a months-long face-off via correspondence, phone calls and face to face meetings as Longo insists he can prove his innocence and Finkel seeks to uncover the truth. Jones will play Finkel’s ” long suffering girlfriend, who tries to stand by her guy even after his screw ups cost them everything.”

The two were filmed getting into or out of a taxi with bags in tow, so a logical guess for the scene may be the aftermath of Finkel’s initial firing, after which he took a sabbatical to a country cabin. Of course, there was no pregnant girlfriend in the real story, so big changes are probably afoot in this film adaptation. Filming just began and there is no release date yet. See the first photos of Hill and Jones below and hit up Zimbio for a lot more pics.

Felicity Jones to tell a “True Story” with Jonah Hill and James Franco

February 5, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 2 Comments

British rising actress Felicity Jones has landed the female lead role in crime thriller “True Story”, according to Deadline. Jonah Hill and James Franco had been set for the two lead roles a year ago, andru now the project may finally be moving along.

Rupert Goold directs the adaptation of former New York Times writer Michael Finkel’s nonfiction book of the same name. Hill will play Finkel, whose memoir revolved around his entanglements with accused murderer Christian Longo (Franco). In 2002 Longo was arrested in Mexico for murdering his entire family, but he was living under an assumed name: Michael Finkel. On the very next day, the real Finkel was fired from his writing job after being accused of twisting facts in an earlier story on the African slave trade. After Longo’s arrest, the only reporter he will speak to is Finkel himself. The two begin a months-long face-off via correspondence, phone calls and face to face meetings as Longo insists he can prove his innocence and Finkel seeks to uncover the truth. Jones will play Finkel’s ” long suffering girlfriend, who tries to stand by her guy even after his screw ups cost them everything.” For what it’s worth, the book contains no such character, but this is a Hollywood makeover, after all.

After breaking out in 2011′s Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner “Like Crazy”, Jones laid low for a couple of years but now seems to be back with a vengeance. Her second collaboration with “Like Crazy” director Drake Doremus – “Breathe In” – just premiered at Sundance 2013, and she recently landed an unspecified role in Marc Webb’s “The Amazing Spider-Man 2″, prompting speculation it could be recurring supporting player Betty Brant or Marvel superhero Felicia Hardy, aka the Black Cat.

Mackenzie Davis, Nicholas Braun and Chris Zylka in talks for an unlikely alliance between vampire, zombie and human

January 20, 2013 | Posted by Rebecca Lewis in Casting Leave a comment

Mackenzie Davis, star of Sundance’s “Breathe In” and the upcoming romantic comedy “Are We Officially Dating?” is in talks to star in genre comedy “The Kitchen Sink“, along with Nicholas Braun, Chris Zylka and Josh Fadem, according to Variety.

Sony Pictures picked Robbie Pickering to direct the film early last year, after passing on Jonah Hill who was originally slated to direct.

The script, from Oren Uziel, was one of the top choices on the 2010 Black List, and tells the unlikely alliance between a high school-aged vampire, zombie and human as they try to save their town from invading aliens.

Last seen in James Ponsoldt’s “Smashed”, Davis has been winning raves for her role as Guy Pearce’s daughter in “Breathe In”, Drake Doremus’ family drama which also stars Felicity Jones. She recently wrapped shooting “The F Word” with Daniel Radcliffe – another young star who has received praise at Sundance this year.

Braun, who starred in the critically acclaimed adap of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” in 2012 will next be seen in “Get A Job” (also starring Miles Teller, one of our 2013 Ones to Watch and who was once reportedly one of Sony’s choices for lead in “The Kitchen Sink”.) Zylka, who starred in the cancelled TV show “The Secret Circle”, was last seen on the big screen in last year’s “The Amazing Spiderman“, and it’s the first major role for Fadem, who is a little known actor who has mostly starred in shorts.

Jonah Hill says “Aloha” to Shawn Levy and Ben Stiller for Hawaii-set comedy

July 23, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 6 Comments

Comedy heavyweights Shawn Levy, Nicholas Stoller, Ben Stiller and Jonah Hill are joining forces on a new comedy for Fox, according to THR. Still in the development stage, Still and Hill are attached to star, Stoller in negotiations to write the screenplay and Levy attached to direct. Levy, Stiller and Hill will also act as producers.

Plot details are being kept under wraps, but it’s being described as an island-set comedy, with “Aloha” heavily suggesting that island is probably Hawaii. Reunions abound on the film, as Stoller and Hill have worked on a Hawaiian-set comedy before in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, while Levy directed Stiller in “Night at the Museum” and Hill and Stiller co-star in the upcoming “The Watch.”

Newly minted Oscar nominee Hill has unexpectedly become as serious talent to watch as he begins mixing in more prestige projects with his usual comedic fare. After landing a nom for Best Supporting Actor for playing it serious opposite Brad Pitt in Bennett Miller’s “Moneyball”, Hill quickly signed on to work for heavyweight directors like Martin Scorsese on “The Wolf of Wall Street” and Quentin Tarantino on “Django Unchained.” He’s also attached to courtroom drama “True Story” opposite James Franco, while still maintaining future comedic projects, including the sequel to “21 Jump Street” with Channing Tatum.

New Academy members include Jessica Chastain, Jonah Hill, Berenice Bejo and more

June 29, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Awards, Lists Leave a comment

Another year, another opportunity for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – so often called stodgy, old and conservative – to get some fresh new blood. Every year, around 150-200 new “artists and executives” in the industry are invited to become members. Last year’s new members included recent nominees Jesse Eisenebrg, Rooney Mara and Jennifer Lawrence, as well as Mila Kunis, Anthony Mackie and Mia Wasikowska, and this year’s list is similarly filled with some of our favorite up and comers and recent breakout stars. Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer, both Oscar nominated for “The Help” last year, have invites, as do “The Artist” duo Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo. Comedians and Oscar nominees Jonah Hill and Melissa McCarthy are new Academy members as well, and will help determine the nominees and winners of all future Academy Awards, starting in 2013.

Beverly Hills, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 176 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2012 to the Academy’s roster of members.

“These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “I’m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member.”

Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.

The 2012 invitees are:

Read more

“Pan Am” star Margot Robbie lands female lead in Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street”

June 18, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Australian actress Margot Robbie was a real breakout star of ABC’s ill-fated and short lived series “Pan Am”, and it looks like she may get a shot at an even bigger career boost now that she’s no longer committed to returning to the show for season 2. Deadline reports Robbie is in talks to take the female lead in Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” opposite Leonardo Dicaprio, Jonah Hill, Kyle Chandler and Jean Dujardin. Earlier today it was reported Broadway’s “Once” star Cristin Milioti has also landed a role in the film, though it appears that role is secondary to Robbie’s.

Dicaprio will star as Jordan Belfort in the film based on Belfort’s own memoir, which detailed his rise and fall as a tycoon on Wall Street, coupled with a party-hard lifestyle that included drug and alcohol abuse, cheating on his wife and more illegal activities that ultimately sent him to jail for 22 months. Hill will play his best friend and Dujardin a shady Swiss banker associate. Chandler will be the FBI agent who takes him down. Milioti will play his first wife Denise, while Robbie’s role is Nadine, his second wife and a former model with (as Belfort claims) addiction issues of her own.

Robbie was a series regular for three seasons on famous Australian soap “Neighbours”, which has also exported the likes of rising stars Rhys Wakefield, Caitlin Stasey and Ryan Corr, before landing the lead in ABC’s much hyped but short lived 1960s drama “Pan Am.” She is currently filming a supporting role in Richard Curtis’ time travel romantic comedy “About Time” starring Rachel McAdams.

Broadway star Cristin Milioti joins Leonardo Dicaprio in Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street”

June 18, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

Tony nomination down, is Oscar next? Variety reports Broadway’s “Once” star Cristin Milioti, who recently earned a Tony nomination for her role in the musical based on the indie movie, has joined the cast of Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Leonardo Dicaprio stars in the Wall St. drama and is joined by Jonah Hill, Kyle Chandler and recent Oscar winner Jean Dujardin.

Milioti will play the first wife of Dicaprio’s Jordan Belfort, financial wunderkind by day, party-hard drug user and boiler room runner. Hill is on board to play Belfort’s best friend, who is persuaded into going into shady business with him, Dujardin a Swiss banker involved with laundering money into said business, and Chandler the FBI agent building the case that would ultimately bring about his downfall. Milioti will play Belfort’s first wife, who is devoted to her husband and their children and suffers the humiliation of his many infidelities.

Filming is set to begin this summer in New York, which will allow Milioti to continue her role as The Girl in “Once.” She’s primarily a theatre actress but has also appeared in various guest starring roles on TV, including “The Sopranos”, “The Good Wife” and “30 Rock.”

Jonah Hill joins Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained”

June 15, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Who would have thought that kid from “Superbad” would be working with some of the world’s top directors back to back and have an Oscar nomination to boot? Jonah Hill has already landed a role in Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street”, and now Deadline reports Quentin Tarantino wants in on the Hill business too, casting him in an unspecified role in the currently filming “Django Unchained.” Hill stars alongside Leonardo Dicaprio in both films, with Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington and others rounding out the “Django” gang.

“Django Unchained” – starring Foxx and Waltz as a freed slave and bounty hunger, respectively, who team up to take down Dicaprio’s evil plantation owner Calvin Candie and rescue Django’s wife, played by Washington – isn’t just already filming, there’s a trailer out and everything. Hill had been previously eyed for the role of Scott Harmony, but had to pass due to scheduling conflicts. He’s now worked something out with Tarantino and will play another role instead.

Hill, known for highly comedic roles in “Superbad”, “Get Him to the Greek” and most recently “21 Jump Street”, landed an unexpected Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor when he played it straight in Bennett Miller’s “Moneyball” opposite Brad Pitt. His future slate looks to be a promising mixture of comedy and drama, with ensemble comedy “The Watch” alongside Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn awaiting release this summer, the aforementioned Scorsese flick “Wolf of Wall Stree” and the aptly named courtroom drama “True Story” opposite James Franco still to shoot.

“The Artist” star and Oscar winner Jean Dujardin joins Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street”

June 14, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Making the most of his post Oscar win high, French actor Jean Dujardin has landed a whopper of an American film debut. Variety reports “The Artist” star has sign on for a role in Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street”, joining Leonardo Dicaprio, Jonah Hill and Kyle Chandler.

Dicaprio is set to play former Wall Street wunderkind Jordan Belfort and the film is based on Belfort’s own memoirs: “By day he made thousands of dollars a minute. By night he spent it as fast as he could, on drugs, sex, and international globe-trotting. From the binge that sank a 170-foot motor yacht, crashed a Gulfstream jet, and ran up a $700,000 hotel tab, to the wife and kids who waited for him at home, and the fast-talking, hard-partying young stockbrokers who called him king and did his bidding, here, in his own inimitable words, is the story of the ill-fated genius.” Hill plays Belfort’s best friend who gets talked into becoming his business partner, while Chandler signed on to play an FBI agent building the case to bring Belfort down. Dujardin, who only learned English last year in order to promote “The Artist”, will play a Swiss banker involved with laundering money for Belfort’s company.

Dujardin, already quite known in his native France particularly for his roles in James Bond spoof films “OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies” and “OSS 117: Lost in Rio”, won the Best Actor Oscar a few months ago in an upset over Hollywood icons including Brad Pitt and George Clooney for his completely silent performance in “The Artist.” He is also attached to indie French/American co-production “Mobius.”

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