Broadway Vet Christian Borle Joins Michael Mann’s Cyber Thriller Opposite Chris Hemsworth

May 20, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

christian-borle The cancellation of NBC musical series “Smash” may have been a blessing in disguise for Broadway vet Christian Borle, as he has been freed up to take a role in Michael Mann’s untitled cyber thriller opposite Chris Hemsworth, reports Deadline. Viola Davis, Holt McCallany and Chinese stars Wei Tang and Leehom Wang are also on board the international cast.

There are no plot details available, but the film is said to be in the vein of Mann’s previous thrillers “Heat” and “Thief” but set in the world of cyber theft and cyber attacks, and Tang and Wang will play a brother-sister duo, with Tang also acting as love interest to Hemsworth’s character. Mann wrote the script with Morgan Foehl and along with the international cast, locations for the shoot will include Los Angeles, Hong Kong and others. Filming begins in June.

Borle is one of Broadway’s most recognizable stars, having starred in musicals such as “Spamelot” and “Legally Blonde”, and won a Tony last year for his role in Peter Pan prequel play “Peter and the Starcatcher.” He, like many fellow stage actors, had began in recent years to attempt a transition to screen acting, landing a series regular role as the writing partner of Debra Messing on NBC’s “Smash.” It was cancelled recently and will see its series finale this Sunday night.

Watch: First Trailer for “Ender’s Game” Starring Asa Butterfield and Hailee Steinfeld

May 7, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Videos 1 Comment

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Children are sent into battle in a futuristic world in this potential franchise launcher from Summit/Lionsgate, but “Ender’s Game” is very different from “The Hunger Games” in the first trailer for Gavin Hood’s adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s iconic sci-fi novel. Children’s innate innocence and bravery are emphasized in our first look at the film, which features Harrison Ford narrating why “a new kind of soldier” is needed to combat aliens who are always one step ahead of humans.

Set in a futuristic world where the human race has been all but wiped out by a race of bug-like aliens called Formics, the government recruits the best and brightest children to attend Battle School, where they are trained in the art of war through a series of games, including one in an anti-gravity Battle Room. Asa Butterfield plays Ender Wiggins, whose brilliance causes him to be promoted to Command School to act as a leader of children’s armies to “simulated” wars against the alien Formics, to largely successful outcomes. Hailee Steinfeld has an expanded supporting role as Petra, the only girl at the Command School, and Abigail Breslin plays Ender’s protective older sister.

The footage looks sleek and exciting, though frankly, also a bit generic and confusing, but sci-fi nerds should be excited about this one, which comes out on November 1st and hopes to be the start of a franchise. Watch the first trailer below and judge its potential for yourself.

Watch: Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert in first trailer for paranormal teen romance adaptation “Beautiful Creatures”

September 19, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Videos 3 Comments

It’s “Twilight” with Southern accents and a little gender reversal in the first teaser trailer for “Beautiful Creatures”, the Richard LaGravenese directed adaptation of the hit teen paranormal romance series. Alice Englert plays the pale and mysterious loner who appears to have dangerous magical powers this time around, while Alden Ehrenreich is the popular guy who can’t help but be drawn to her. Together they are Ethan and Lena, the star-crossed couple at the center of the four part book series hoping to strike a cord with movie audiences the way they have with readers.

A little telekinesis, some kissing in the rain, and a new teen franchise is born? At least that’s what Warner Bros is hoping for. It looks like Emmy Rossum gets the fun role here, as a dark witch who tempts good girl Lena into joining her, while veteran actors Jeremy Irons, Emma Thompson and Viola Davis engage in some supernatural shenanigans as well, and the Southern Gothic setting is well and truly represented here in intriguing fashion.

“Beautiful Creatures” will be released on February 15, 2013, just a long enough mourning period after “Breaking Dawn Part II” for teenage girls to be ready to embrace a new Edward and Bella. See the first trailer below and decide for yourself whether Ehrenreich and Englert are up to the task.

Kyle Gallner rounds out cast of paranormal teen romance adaptation “Beautiful Creatures”

May 1, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

Emmy Rossum has herself a little brother in Kyle Gallner. Variety reports the “Nightmare on Elm Street” star is set to join the cast of Warner Bros adaptation of paranormal teen romance “Beautiful Creatures”, based on the best-selling series of books by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Newcomers Alden Ehrenreich (who replaced Jack O’Connell) and Alice Englert play the star-crossed lovers and are rounded out by a cast that also includes “Project X” star Thomas Mann, Viola Davis, Jeremy Irons and Emma Thompson.

In the Richard LaGravenese adapted and directed film, Ehrenreich’s Ethan is a popular high school student in a small southern town plagued by dreams of a mysterious girl – who then magically shows up in his town. Englert’s Lena, an outsider who’s also harboring a dangerous and… bewitching secret, is that girl. Rossum plays bad witch Ridley, while Gallner will be her little brother Larkin, who doesn’t show up until the second book, raising the possibility his role could be a small one that will be expanded if the film is successful enough to garner sequels in the vein of “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games.” Filming is set to begin soon in and around New Orleans.

Gallner, who played the male lead opposite Rooney Mara in 2010′s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” remake, will next be seen in last year’s Sundance premiere “Little Birds” which will finally see a release next month, and this year’s Sundance premiere “Smashed.” He was also in Kevin Smith’s “Red State” and will star in the director’s next, “Hit Somebody”, as well.

Alden Ehrenreich replaces Jack O’Connell as Ethan in paranormal teen romance “Beautiful Creatures”

April 11, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 2 Comments

Jack O’Connell is out and Alden Ehrenreich is in for the adaptation of paranormal teen romance “Beautiful Creatures”, according to Variety. O’Connell had been set for the male lead role of Ethan Wate, but has had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts, allowing rising star Ehrenreich to step in and play the part opposite Australian actress Alice Englert as Lena Duchaness. The cast also includes Emmy Rossum as fan favorite bad girl Ripley, Thomas Mann as Ethan’s best friend Link as well as Viola Davis and Emma Thompson.

In the Richard LaGravenese adapted and directed film, based on the best-selling series of books by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Ehrenreich’s Ethan is a popular high school student in a small southern town plagued by dreams of a mysterious girl – who then magically shows up in his town. That girl, of course, is Englert’s Lena, an outsider who’s also harboring a dangerous and, ahem, bewitching secret. The human-supernatural creature romance here is played out here throughout a series of four books, setting O’Connell and Englert up for potential franchise stardom in the vein of “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games.” Filming is set to begin later this month in and around New Orleans.

Ehrenreich, a favorite of Francis Ford Coppola, made his feature film debut in “Tetro” and also starred opposite Elle Fanning in “Twixt.” He recently wrapped up shooting “Stoker” opposite Mia Wasikowska and Matthew Goode and was shortlisted for the role of Tetsuo in Warner Bros’ now-on-hold “Akira” adaptation.

“Project X” star Thomas Mann to play Link in supernatural teen romance “Beautiful Creatures”

March 5, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 2 Comments

Warner Bros must have been impressed with their “Project X” star Thomas Mann (the surprising $21 million opening weekend box office probably helped), as they’re now in negotiations with him for their answer to “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games”, supernatural teen romance “Beautiful Creatures.” Variety reports Mann is in talks to join the cast that’s headlined by two relatively unknown young actors, Jack O’Connell and Alice Englert, and also includes Emmy Rossum, Viola Davis and Emma Thompson.

In the Richard LaGravenese adapted and directed film based on the first novel by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, O’Connell plays Ethan Wate, a popular high school student plagued by dreams of a mysterious girl – who then magically shows up in his town. That girl, of course, is Lena Duchaness, to be played by Englert, an outsider who’s also harboring a dangerous and, ahem, bewitching secret. Rossum plays bad witch Ridley while Mann will take on the role of Link, Ethan’s musically inclined and loyal best friend. The human-supernatural creature romance here is played out here throughout a series of four books, so the young stars have a lot riding on the franchise potential of this first movie.

Mann made his feature film debut only two years ago in Emma Roberts-Zach Galifianakis comedy “It’s Kind of a Funny Story”, but has been a fast rising star since. He’ll appear alongside Claire Danes and James Marsden in indie “As Cool As I Am” before taking the male lead opposite Victoria Justice in Josh Schwartz’s directorial debut “Fun Size”, and also has a supporting role in Jeremy Renner-Gemma Arterton revisionist fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.”

Emmy Rossum joins paranormal teen romance “Beautiful Creatures” as bad girl Ridley

March 2, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

Once a rising star on film who fizzled and found a second life on cable as the star of Showtime’s “Shameless”, Emmy Rossum seems poised to make a comeback on the big screen. Variety reports she has landed a pivotal role in Warner Bros’ answer to “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games”, supernatural teen romance “Beautiful Creatures”, based on the best-selling series of books by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Newcomers Jack O’Connell and Alice Englert will headline as the star crossed lovers and be supported by a strong ensemble cast that already includes Viola Davis and Emma Thompson.

In the Richard LaGravenese adapted and directed film, O’Connell plays Ethan Wate, a popular high school student plagued by dreams of a mysterious girl – who then magically shows up in his town. That girl, of course, is Lena Duchaness, to be played by Englert, an outsider who’s also harboring a dangerous and, ahem, bewitching secret. The human-supernatural creature romance here is played out here throughout a series of four books, setting O’Connell and Englert up for potential franchise stardom in the vein of “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games.” Rossum will play Ridley, Lena’s cousin described as “the ultimate bad girl, with a supernatural twist. She’s all blonde and pink streaked hair, lollipops and chaos. You love to hate her and hate to love her.” Ridley becomes Lena’s sworn enemy after becoming a dark witch on her 16th birthday.

Rossum was on the verge of stardom after being chosen to play Christine in the big screen adaptation of “The Phantom of the Opera” in 2004, but the film was met with lukewarm response and her film career slowed and then halted after 2009′s “Dare” and “Dragonball: Evolution.” However, she has since been receiving rave reviews for her performance as Fiona on Showtime’s salacious family drama “Shameless” and seems to be leveraging it in a smart fashion. “Beautiful Creatures”‘s franchise potential is huge and luckily, her character sticks around for the sequels.

San Diego Film Critics Society nominate Shailene Woodley, Brit Marling and more

December 13, 2011 | Posted by Rebecca Lewis in Awards Leave a comment

Another day and another set of announcements from film critics – this time around, the San Diego Film Critics Society and their nominees for this year’s “excellence in film”.

We have the usual suspects leading the pack with The Artist and Hugo both picking up a slew of nominations – eight for The Artist including Best Film, Director for Michel Hazanavicius and Actor for Jean Dujardin, and seven for Hugo with Best Film, Director for Martin Scorsese and Adapted Screenplay – but also several surprises, including Brit Marling for Best Actress in one of our favorite films of the year, Another Earth.

One look at the Best Actress category shows us that we could be looking at a rising star winner there. Alongside Marling is another Sundance breakout, Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene), as well as Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn) and Viola Davis (The Help).

We’re also pleased to see Shailene Woodley nominated for her supporting role in The Descendants, furthering her Oscar chances after garnering several other nominations from the Gotham Awards and Indie Spirits, a well as a win from NBR.

Jessica Chastain (The Help), Melanie Laurent (Beginners), Carey Mulligan (Shame) and Bérénice Bejo (The Artist) round out the Supporting Actress category, guaranteeing the winner will definitely be a rising star.

Click below for a full list of nominees, and check back tomorrow for a full list of the winners.

Watch: Oscar hopefuls Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara and more dramatize classic cinematic villains for NY Times

December 7, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Images, Videos Leave a comment

Like they did last year, the New York Times Magazine have gathered together some of “the best performers from the year in film” to act out short sequences for their cameras. This year, the theme is villainy, and each Oscar hopeful – from Ryan Gosling to Rooney Mara to Mia Wasikowska to Jessica Chastain and more – portrays a classic villain from cinema history. It’s pretty spectacular, so go here to watch now!

Don’t get all the references? Yeah, I didn’t either. Thankfully The NY Times were kind enough to list list all the references for us slightly less knowledgeable film buffs. There is also a slideshow of still photographs from the villainous shoot.

The full list of actors include:

Jessica Chastain, The Tree of Life, The Help, Take Shelter
George Clooney, The Descendents, The Ides of March
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Kirsten Dunst, Melancholia
Ryan Gosling, Crazy, Stupid, Love, Drive, The Ides of March
Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Adepero Oduye, Pariah
Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt, The Tree of Life, Moneyball
Michael Shannon, Take Shelter
Mia Wasikowska, Albert Nobbs, Jane Eyre, Restless

Watch: Thomas Horn searches for his father’s legacy in new trailer for “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”

December 6, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Videos Leave a comment

Jeopardy Champ turned actor Thomas Horn is the focus once again in the second trailer for Stephen Daldry’s “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”, the 9/11 family drama that sees Horn as an 11-year-old inventor and adventurer who loses his father (Tom Hanks) in the towers and goes on a hunt for the lock that fits a key he believes his father left for him to find. Along the way he grieves with his mother (Sandra Bullock) and meets a myriad of interesting characters in his quest, the most notable being Max Von Sydow as his estranged grandfather. Viola Davis, John Goodman, Jeffrey Wright and James Gandolfini round out the impressive (and Oscar-ready) cast.

“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” is now officially the very last movie in the Oscar race that has not yet been seen by anyone. Nevertheless, it remains high on the charts of Oscar predictors, its director, cast and subject matter too Oscar-baity to pass up. The trailers look great to us, so Oscar winner or not, we’ll be ready and anticipating its Christmas Day release.

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