Watch: highly anticipated first trailer for Walter Salles adaptation of the Kerouac classic “On The Road”

March 9, 2012 | Posted by Rebecca Lewis in Videos Leave a comment

One of my most anticipated films this year is Walter Salles adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s generation-defining novel “On The Road”.

An adaptation thirty years in development, the film finally moved into pre-production in 2010, with Salles behind the camera and Garrett Hedlund and Sam Riley in front as Dean Moriarty and Sal Paradise.

This evening, the official Facebook page released the first trailer and I have to admit that despite my many, many, reservations Salles may have just about pulled this one off.

It’s slick and highly stylised (and I’m wondering where the promised black and white is), but Riley looks convincing as Sal, Jack Kerouac’s semi-autobiographical character who goes on a journey of booze, drugs and self-discovery, and Hedlund as Moriarty (based on real life Beat icon Neal Cassady) looks to have nailed all of Cassady’s mannerisms.

With a great supporting cast including Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen and Amy Adams, we’re looking forward to the reviews coming out of this year’s Cannes Film Festival where the film is expected to premiere.

Watch the trailer below, and let us know your thoughts on this long-awaited adaptation.

First Look: Sam Claflin as the Prince on “Snow White and the Huntsman” set

November 28, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Images 2 Comments

We’ve had plenty of looks at Snow White, the Huntsman, and the Evil Queen, but up until now, the fourth pivotal character in Universal’s “Snow White and the Huntsman”, the handsome and charming Prince who wakes Kristen Stewart from her slumber with a kiss, had been conspicuously missing. Well, hide no further, Sam Claflin. Pop Sugar has the first images of the British actor in costume and on the snowy forest set of the Rupert Sanders fairy tale epic and he looks every bit as gritty and ready for battle as his co-stars in our past glimpses of the production.

Unfortunately, they’ve apparently named him Prince William. Yes. Like that Prince William. That hokey misstep aside, Claflin looks great, albeit perhaps a bit shrimpy next to Chris Hemsworth’s rugged Huntsman, but hey, who doesn’t? After that disastrous first trailer for Relativity’s rival Snow White picture “Mirror Mirror”, our expectations now fully rest on the visually stunning (and much tamer) “Snow White and the Huntsman”, and can only hope that it lives up to expectations when it’s released on June 1, 2012. So far so good.

Check out the first pictures of Claflin below and Pop Sugar for more from the set.

Up and Comers Podcast #5: “Twilight” takeover! “Breaking Dawn” reviewed; what is the next big franchise?

November 22, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge and Rebecca Lewis in Podcast Leave a comment

Thank you for joining us again if you listened to our earlier 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).

This week we are joined by some special guests who are experts on book to movie adaptations. Special thanks to Kimmy West from PageToPremiere.com, which follows books as they make their way on to the big screen. Apt!

There are some technical, audio issues with this week’s podcast, so many apologies on that front, edited it the best I could!

• 00:00 – 17:30 – We digest some recent news, including a redux on the Battle of the Snow Whites, in light of the “Mirror Mirror” trailer; Kit Harington finally landing “Arthur and Lancelot” and more.

• 17:30 – 43:30 – We review “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” in depth, quickly touch upon “The Descendants” and gush over “Shame.”

• 43:30 – END – Linda and Kimmy are joined by Stephanie (PoetryToProse.com) and Lindsey (AStormOfWords.net) to discuss book to movie adaptations, including “Harry Potter”, “Twilight”, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, “The Hunger Games” and more. Discussion mainly hinges on big franchises and what makes them successful, and what’s the Next Big Thing.

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Ezra Miller out, Alden Ehrenreich and more still testing for Tetsuo in “Akira” opposite Garrett Hedlund

November 21, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 2 Comments

“We Need to Take About Kevin” star Ezra Miller has taken himself out of the running to play Tetsuo in “Akira”, as he told Moviefone. But Warner Bros’ risky, big budget remake isn’t hurting for talent. Alden Ehrenreich, last reported to be testing a couple of weeks ago, is still in the running, and he’s got even more stiff competition. THR reports that over Sunday and Monday, Ehrenreich, DJ Cotrona, Paul Dano, Toby Kebbell, Richard Madden, Logan Marshall-Green, Rami Malek and Michael Pitt will all be reading for the role of the telekinetic younger brother to Kaneda, played by Garrett Hedlund.

Hedlund is in negotiations for the lead, with Kristen Stewart in talks for the female lead Kei, and now the third crucial role of a troubled young man who develops powers and becomes a dangerous weapon is up for grabs. The interesting thing here, of course, is that these names are all familiar to us, with nearly all these young men showing up on one shortlist or another in recent days. Kebbell and Madden were up for “Arthur and Lancelot”, before losing out to Kit Harington; Dano was up for “The Bourne Legacy” and still may be in “A Good Day to Die Hard”, where he’s up against Cotrona. Marshall-Green, who already has his big break in Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” lined up for next year, was shortlisted for Roland Emmerich’s “Singularity” but that has been put on indefinite hold for now. Malek and Pitt, showing up on a shortlist for the first time, are most known for “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” and HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”, respectively.

So which up and comer will end up on top this time around? If you ask us, not that many of these young men could easily resemble a younger brother to Garrett Hedlund, though certainly there are more crucial factors to consider. THR further details Warner Bros would like to lock down their choice by Thanksgiving, and all the men are still rising stars and very much interested in the high profile role – unlike Miller – so we should have our Tetsuo very soon. And then, presumably, onto the next shortlist for the ones who lose out here.

Kristen Stewart in talks for female lead in “Akira”

November 15, 2011 | Posted by Lindsey Young in Casting 1 Comment

Earlier today U&C reported that Kristen Stewart had been offered the lead role in “Akira,” an adaptation of the popular Japanese manga. Deadline has just confirmed that Stewart is indeed now in talks for the part. If a deal is closed, this role will reunite Stewart with her “On The Road” co-star Hedlund in which Stewart will play Kei, the love interest of protagonist Keneda (Hedlund).

Stewart is, of course, no stranger to adaptations. The first installment of “Breaking Dawn“, the almost-final movie in the Twilight Saga opens in theatres this Friday, while the full length trailer for “Snow White and the Huntsman” premiered just last week. Although the Twilight Saga comes to an end next year, with “Snow White” and the possibility of “Akira” becoming a franchise, Stewart may not be finished with blockbuster titles just yet.

Jaume Collet-Serra will direct the Warner Bros’ film which is based on Katsuhiro Otomo’s epic 6-novel series.

Kristen Stewart offered “Akira” female lead opposite Garrett Hedlund

November 15, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 2 Comments

Warner Bros continues to dream big and reach out to strictly A-list talent to round out the ensemble cast of its risky, bid budget remake of Japanese manga “Akira”, with offers out to the likes of Gary Oldman and Helena Bonham Carter still pending. Thus far the only actor to officially sign on is Garrett Hedlund, who will star as Kaneda in the futuristic actioner, and while previous reports indicated Keira Knightley had been offered an unspecified female role, Twitch now reports it’s “Twilight” series star Kristen Stewart who has the offer for the female lead. Presumably this means Knightley has passed on the role. Let’s hope this doesn’t turn into the next “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.”

Stewart, who just recently worked with Hedlund on the equally controversial, long-gestating adaptation of “On the Road”, has been offered the role of Kei, a young medium and love interest to Hedlund’s Kaneda. Kaneda’s story mainly revolves around an attempt to save his little brother Tetsuo from becoming a government science experiment and weapon after the younger man begins developing telekinetic abilities. Ezra Miller and Alden Ehrenreich are among the actors being eyed for the role of Tetsuo. Jaume Collet-Serra will direct.

The “Twilight” films, the second to last installment of which – “Breaking Dawn” – opens this Friday, made an international superstar out of former indie actress Stewart, who now seems to be more keen on big budget blockbusters, currently filming next summer’s fantasy epic “Snow White and the Huntsman.” Could “Akira” be next?

Up and Comers Podcast #4: “The Hunger Games”, dueling Snow Whites and TV actors turned movie stars

November 15, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge and Rebecca Lewis in Podcast 6 Comments

• 00:00 – 28:40 – We discuss some of the big news that broke over the past week or so, including that awesome “The Hunger Games” trailer; Jeremy Irvine as Pip in “Great Expectations”; “The Host” casting its two male leads and more.

• 28:45 – 33:20 – A couple of Oscar tidbits/updates; could two of our favorite “longshots” – Melissa McCarthy (“Bridesmaids”) and Mia Wasikowska (“Jane Eyre”) – be back in the race?

• 33:20 – 43:40 – We discuss Sundance hit “Another Earth” in depth, INCLUDING (from 35:05 – 38:40) SPECIFIC SPOILERS REGARDING THE ENDING. Please skip this section if you have not seen the film and do not wish to know, in great detail, how it ends.

• 43:40 – 48:15 – Linda discusses, briefly and without spoilers, “Haywire”, “Shame”, “The Adventures of Tin Tin” and “The Kid with a Bike”

• 48:15 – END – In depth discussion about actors who star on currently running TV shows and mapping out a pretty solid movie career at the same time. We discuss Blake Lively and her “Gossip Girl” co-stars, the young risings stars of HBO over on “True Blood” and “Game of Thrones” like Alexander Skarsgard, Dane DeHaan, Kit Harington and more.

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Watch: Enchantment and warfare mingle in “Snow White and the Huntsman” trailer

November 10, 2011 | Posted by Lindsey Young in Images, Videos 1 Comment

Following the new poster of “Snow White and the Huntsman,” Universal has released a full length trailer of their adaptation of the classic tale, as well as an additional poster featuring an armored Kristen Stewart in the title role of Snow White. The new poster mirrors the earlier promo shot of Stewart released the past summer, but she’s now accompanied by her seven (soldier) dwarfs. In the almost two minute glimpse into the film, we’re finally treated to real-life action that mixes magical warfare and intrigue. Judging by the trailer, the film looks like it’ll include mostly all of the traditional elements of the tale, give or take. Incorporated into trailer is the classic “Mirror Mirror” line, which coincidentally was recently announced as the official title of Tarsem Singh’s Snow White film that’s also due for release next year.

The Queen as depicted by Charlize Theron dominates the trailer and although the character has always been known as a cruel and jealous dictator, here she’s shown as way more malicious and domineering in her quest to be “the fairest of them all. The film’s two title characters also make appearances, but really nothing beyond quick flashes of wielding weapons and riding horses. Stewart’s Snow White, who has no speaking lines in the trailer, doesn’t appear to do much else besides fleeing or gazing around at the pretty and/or scary sights. Meanwhile, Chris Hemsworth is looking very Thor-like as the huntsman. Sam Claflin as the Prince also makes a brief, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance. Although the poster this past week hinted at a bit more of a fantastical element to the story, the trailer indicates that perhaps the story truly is as dark and brooding as that forest Snow White hangs out in.

Medieval playground or enchanted battlefield, we’re not entirely sure yet. The trailer and the posters all proudly state that the film comes from the producer of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, so perhaps Universal is hoping to target that same audience. We’ll find out next summer when the film hits theatres!

Via ComingSoon.net, view the trailer and the posters below:

New “Snow White and the Huntsman” poster

November 9, 2011 | Posted by Lindsey Young in Images 1 Comment

A new poster for Universal’s “Snow White and the Huntsman” made its debut yesterday and it’s given us a little more of a hint of what we can expect of this rendition of the classic fairy tale. The poster features Kristen Stewart centrally posed as an armed Snow White amidst an Alice-in-Wonderland-esque garden. Joining Stewart are Chris Hemsworth with his signature axe and Charlize Theron as the cold-hearted Queen. Judging from the character promo shots that premiered at SDCC and the somewhat recent set photos, the film appeared to differentiate itself from the other two competing films of the same tale by thrusting its heroine in a medieval warzone. While that still might be the case here, we can’t help but marvel at the unexpected fantastical style showcased in the poster.

“Snow White and the Huntsman” also stars Sam Claflin as Prince Charmant who is absent from the poster. The film is set to hit theatres June 1, 2012.

Click the image below for the full size.

First Look: Prince Armie Hammer (and Evil Queen Julia Roberts) in Tarsem Singh’s “Snow White”

October 5, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Images 4 Comments

The battle to be the fairest of them all rages on. Relativity continues to stay one step ahead of Universal in the tale of the dueling Snow Whites. While filming is still underway on Charlize Theron-Chris Hemsworth starrer “Snow White and the Huntsman”, today new looks at director Tarsem Singh’s still untitled “comedic adventure” take on the wayward Princess and her seven dwarf friends have been unveiled, giving us our first glimpse of Julia Roberts as a “relateable” Evil Queen and Armie Hammer’s dashing Prince Andrew, who attracts both princess and queen.

Back in July, the first image from the film was revealed, featuring Lily Collins in the titular role looking every bit the fantastical fairy tale princess and altogether a totally different creature from armor-clad Kristen Stewart snapped filming battle scenes as the same character on the “Huntsman” set last month. The new reveals of Hammer and especially Roberts fall right in line with Collins’ outrageously colorful look, and we’d expect no less from a true visionary and out-of-the-box director like Tarsem, who is outspoken about the fact that the look of a film matters much more to him than the content.

Roberts fan site About Juia snagged the first scans from the new issue of People Magazine (seen below) and the article suggests even more new images will be revealed soon at People.com/SnowWhite. Also interesting from the article is that simply “Snow” is being considered as a possible title for the project formerly working under the title: “The Brothers Grimm: Snow White.”

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