First Image of Chris Evans in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” As Sequel Begins Production

April 8, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Images 1 Comment

wintersoldier001 One of our most anticipated sequels kicks off production today and to mark the occasion (and perhaps to lower the price tag for the first unofficial paparazzi photos from the set), the first official image of Chris Evans reprising his role as Steve Rogers in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” has been released via EW.

Nothing too exciting to see in the first photo, just reinforcing Rogers’ relationship with S.H.I.E.L.D. but the film’s official tagline was also released, which proves a bit more interesting: “Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and teams up with Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, to battle a powerful yet shadowy enemy in present-day Washington, D.C.” That would make Scarlett Johansson front and center in this sequel, while that shadowy enemy, as comic fans are well aware, is taking the form of Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, Steve’s wartime buddy who’s been resurrected as the titular villain Winter Soldier.

Emily VanCamp is also on board and her long-rumored role as Agent 13, aka Sharon Carter, is finally officially confirmed, while Hayley Atwell, as the first Carter Steve loved, will make an appearance via flashback. Samuel L. Jackson is expected to have a large supporting role as Nick Fury, and Robert Redford recently signed on to play the head of S.H.I.E.L.D.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”, under the direction of Joe and Anthony Russo, will be released on April 4, 2014. The first photo of Evans can be seen below.

Frank Grillo to play villain Crossbones in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”

October 29, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

We still don’t know for sure who will be playing Sharon Carter in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”, but the latest Marvel flick does have another villain now locked down. After a week of rumor and speculation, Variety confirms “End of Watch” actor Frank Grillo has closed his deal to play Brock Rumlow, who would ultimately adopt the villainous moniker Crossbones, opposite Chris Evans returning as supersoldier/Avenger Steve Rogers.

Grillo teased fans last week when he tweeted about meeting with Marvel and hoping a deal could be worked out, along with the hashtags #CaptainAmerica and #bones. Well, work out it did, and Grillo becomes the latest to join the cast that already includes Sebastian Stan returning as Bucky Barnes, who becomes the titular Winter Soldier, Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow, Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, as well as fellow newbie Anthony Mackie, who takes on the role of the Falcon. And of course, whoever lands the role of Sharon Carter, be it Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jessica Brown Findlay or any of the other dozen names mentioned in relation to that particular casting. Anthony and Joseph Russo will direct “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” next March, with a release already set for April 4, 2014.

Grillo has been acting steadily on TV and in movies for years, but is undeniably having a bit of a moment on the big screen right now, thanks to a string of impressive supporting turns, first opposite Joel Edgerton in “Warrior”, then Liam Neeson in “The Grey” and most recently opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena in “End of Watch.” He’ll surely impress further when he reteams with Edgerton in Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty” and with Mackie in “Gangster Squad.”

Mary Elizabeth Winstead is the secret front-runner for “Captain America 2″ according to latest Marvel rumor

October 12, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 3 Comments

The search for the female lead of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is becoming one of those long-winded musical chair sessions. First it was Imogen Poots vs. Felicity Jones vs. Anna Kendrick, then it was Poots up against a few other names, including Alison Brie, Emilia Clarke, Teresa Palmer and Jessica Brown-Findlay. Now, the latest rumor suggests it may not be any of the above. Latino Review reports that Marvel actually “has the most traction” with a name that has not been on either list: Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

The young lady chosen will likely be playing Sharon Carter, or S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 13 in the film opposite Chris Evans returning as Steve Rogers. Depending on the mythology, which varies even in the comics, Sharon is the niece or granddaughter or some other relative of Peggy Carter, Rogers’ love interest in “Captain America: The First Avenger” as played by Hayley Atwell. Latino Review further details that actresses auditioning for the role should be in their 20s and read their lines with “an accent.”

Anna Kendrick, Felicity Jones, Imogen Poots front-runners for “Captain America 2″ female lead?

August 19, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 9 Comments

Now that “Iron Man 3″ filming is underway and “Thor: The Dark World” is well on its way to production, attention turns to casting on “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”, the sequel to Joe Johnston’s hit Marvel “Avengers” prequel that saw Chris Evans as the quintessential American soldier and superhero leader.

With Evans back on board and Sebastian Stan most likely reprising his role as Bucky Barnes, who eventually becomes the titular Winter Soldier, as well as Anthony Mackie joining the team as Falcon, the search now turns to the female lead. The identity of the role is not revealed but has been speculated to be that of Sharon Carter, SHIELD agent and love interest to Evans’ Rogers, and descendant of his first love Peggy (played by Hayley Atwell in the first film). Page Six reports three young actresses who are considered front-runners for the role are Anna Kendrick, Felicity Jones and Imogen Poots. Anthony and Joseph Russo will direct “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”, with a release already set for April 4, 2014.

Jones and Poots are no strangers to shortlists. Jones, who broke out in Drake Doremus’ improv romance drama “Like Crazy”, most recently lost out on the female lead role in Kenneth Branagh’s “Jack Ryan” reboot to Keira Knightley, though she did win out over Poots – who has appeared in “Fright Night” and currently shot footage for Terrence Malick’s “Knight of Cups” – for the lead role in Ralph Fiennes’ Charles Dickens biopic “The Invisible Woman.” Kendrick, though critically lauded, has seemed to have a hard time breaking into leading lady status, often playing quirky, supporting roles in comedies instead. One of those roles – opposite George Clooney in Jason Reitman’s “Up in the Air” – did win her an Oscar nomination, so it’s obviously working for her, but the female lead role in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” would still certainly be a major breakthrough for her.

Anthony Mackie in talks to join “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” as Falcon

July 16, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

More “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” news? Bring. It. On. Especially when it’s casting news as awesome as one of our favorite rising stars, Anthony Mackie, in talks to join the cast as Marvel superhero Falcon. THR reports Mackie is in negotiations for the role of Sam Wilson opposite returning Cap Chris Evans (and most likely Sebastian Stan as well).

The title of the film definitely seems to indicate Stan’s deceased Bucky Barnes will be revived and brought back to battle Evans’ Steve Rogers in modern times, following his fate in the comics. Mackie’s character Wilson is credited as being the first African-American superhero in mainstream comics, who is endowed with the ability to fly and communicate with birds by Cap’s nemesis, Red Skull. Rogers befriends Wilson and successfully turns him against the villain who “created” him, and the two go on to have many crime-fighting adventures together. Of course, this is the Marvel movie universe, so a whole new history could be created for this version of the Falcon. Anthony and Joseph Russo will direct “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”, with a release already set for April 4, 2014.

After breaking out in Kathryn Bigelow’s Best Picture Oscar winner “The Hurt Locker” opposite Jeremy Renner, Mackie has been increasingly in demand, appearing in four movies in 2011 and “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” already out this year, with “Gangster Squad” set for release in September. He recently wrapped up Michael Bay’s dark indie comedy “Pain and Gain” opposite Mark Wahlberg and is currently filming gambling thriller “Runner Runner” with Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck.

“Captain America” sequel title reveal hints at Sebastian Stan’s return

July 15, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

Out of all the major announcements and teases at San Diego’s Comic-Con this year, one that elicited some of the biggest response was the reveal of sequel titles for Marvel’s upcoming “Avengers” related properties. “Thor 2″ has now been dubbed “Thor: The Dark World”, which is vague, but if you’re a comics fan, “Captain America 2″‘s official title should give you a pretty good idea of where it’s going: “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is coming at you on April 4, 2014.

One person who’s bound to be amongst the most excited is Sebastian Stan, who played Chris Evans’ WWII era Steve Rogers’ best friend Bucky Barnes in the first film, and — SPOILER ALERT — who appeared to plunge to an icy death from a speeding train amidst battle. Well, it looks like Marvel is ready for Bucky to follow in the footsteps of his comic book counterpart and return as his newly revived and enhanced identity, Winter Soldier. As it’s been confirmed Cap will remain in modern times in his sequel, it appears Bucky is probably headed for the 21st Century as well. Bucky has a long history of being friend and foe to Marvel’s heroes, which we won’t go into, though it’s hard to tell how he will be tweaked for the movie universe. Anthony and Joseph Russo will direct “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”

Stan has stuck mostly to TV since his “Captain America” adventures, starring in a sizeable arc on ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” (with more likely for season 2) and is a regular on USA’s new drama “Political Animals.” He’s also completed filming on his first starring big screen role opposite Ashley Greene in Warner Bros’ horror “The Apparition.”

Who will have “Sex on the Moon”? Ten guys we could see as daring NASA thief Thad Roberts

March 1, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Features 5 Comments

The team behind the massive critical and commercial success “The Social Network” are at it again. Producers Scott Rudin and Dana Brunetti have teamed up with author Ben Mezrich – whose book “The Accidental Billionaires” was the basis from which the Oscar-winning film was made – for another film. Mezrich’s new book, “Sex on the Moon”, is another true story that’s no less juicy and scandalous and filled to the brim with young, morally ambiguous and party-hard geniuses, and the filmmakers have fittingly set “Easy A” helmer Will Gluck to direct.

Our lead character, Thad Roberts, is a 25-year-old upstart working in NASA’s highly selective co-op program, with very real ambitions to go to space one day (as “the first man on Mars” to be exact). But Roberts is no nerdy rocket scientist. In order to prepare for space, he is in tip top physical shape, and has earned a pilot’s license. With effortless charm and cool, Thad becomes a leader amongst his fellow students and stages elaborate adventures to take them on. When he meets and falls in love with beautiful fellow co-op student Rebecca, his next adventure becomes even more daring – and a lot more illegal, as the two conspire to lead a small team on a mission to steal and sell priceless moon rocks from NASA’s seemingly impenetrable facilities.

Ambitious, competitive, charming, rebellious, beyond intelligent, and madly in love. No small task, but here are ten young actors we think would thrive in this role.

Watch: Amanda Seyfried goes a little crazy in first trailer for kidnap thriller “Gone”

November 17, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Videos Leave a comment

Amanda Seyfried has a little trouble convincing people her sister’s been kidnapped by a serial killer in the first trailer for thriller “Gone”, unveiled today by Yahoo! Movies. Truthfully, a couple of minutes spent with Seyfried’s increasingly hysterical Jill and we have our doubts about her too. She claims the killer kidnapped her and put her in a deep hole in the woods years ago, where she encountered the remains of his other victims, and now he’s come after her again, only to find her sister in her stead. The police, led by Wes Bentley, remember the extensive search in the wake of her reappearance, which turned up nothing, so couldn’t all this be in her head? Only Sebastian Stan seems hesitant to dismiss her claims, but Jill takes matters into her own hands, stealing a gun to go after her sister and confront her kidnapper on her own, turning herself into a fugitive in the meantime.

All of this exposition was gleamed from the two and a half minute trailer below. Let’s be thankful they didn’t just come out and tell us who the killer was (though if you’re good at voice recognition…) Find out the truth when “Gone” is released on February 24, 2012.

Sebastian Stan joins Amanda Seyfried thriller “Gone”

May 2, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

One of our faces to watch in 2011 continues to line up a busy year ahead, as Variety reports Sebastian Stan has landed a role in thriller “Gone” starring Amanda Seyfried. Australian thesp Socratis Otto has also joined the cast.

Shooting begins in April under the direction of Heitor Dhalia from a script by Allison Burnett. Seyfried plays a kidnap victim who escapes and is convinced the serial killer who abducted her has abducted her newly missing sister. When the police refuse to believe her claims, she must take matters into her own hands to face down her kidnapper and save her sister. Jennifer Carpenter is also on board as a police officer and Emily Wickersham and Wes Bently are in the ensemble cast as well, in unnamed roles, though we would venture to guess Wickersham will be playing the younger sister and Bently the serial killer.

After gaining recognition on television shows like “Gossip Girl” and “Kings”, Stan made his foray into serious feature film acting with supporting roles in “Rachel Getting Married” and “Black Swan” and will next be seen in the pivotal role of Bucky Barnes in “Captain America: The First Avenger” opposite Chris Evans. He has completed filming on his first starring studio film, horror “The Apparition” opposite “Twilight” star Ashley Greene, and will next film a new version of “A View from the Bridge” opposite Mia Wasikowska.

Mia Wasikowska and Sebastian Stan take in “A View from the Bridge”

January 18, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 3 Comments

Mia Wasikowska (one of our 2010 Breakout Stars) and Sebastian Stan (One to Watch for 2011) are teaming up, joining Vera Farmiga, Anthony LaPaglia and Sam Neil in “A View from the Bridge”, based on the classic play by Arthur Miller. Variety reports that the film will shoot in June in Melbourne and New York.

LaPaglia starred in a 1998 Broadway production of the play, earning a Tony win for Best Actor and secured the rights to make the film, along with Miller’s personal approval. He will reprise his role as Eddie Carbone, with Farmiga playing his wife Beatrice and Wasikowska their orphaned niece Catherine. Though Variety does not specify, Neil and Stan would presumably play Beatrice’s cousins from Italy, who are illegal immigrants. Eddie is consumed with jealousy when Catherine develops a romance with Rodolfo, the younger cousin, and taking action against the young couple leads to tragic results.

“A View From the Bridge” was last seen on the big screen in 1962, with the French title “Vu Du Pont” and starring Maureen Stapleton, Carol Lawrence and Raf Vallone. The new version will be directed by Robert Connolly, while in 2005 Barry Levinson was attached. LaPaglia was on board even back then, along with Scarlett Johansson as Catherine and Frances McDormand as Beatrice.

Wasikowska is currently filming “Albert Nobbs” opposite Glenn Close and Aaron Johnson, and will next be seen in a new adaptation of “Jane Eyre”. Stan has a big year with “Captain America: The First Avenger” coming in the summer and his first starring studio picture, “The Apparition” in the fall.

Page 1 of 212 »

sebastian stan