Ansel Elgort Is Augustus Waters in "The Fault in Our Stars" Opposite Shailene Woodley

From siblings to star-crossed lovers! EW reports rising star Ansel Elgort has been offered the male lead in "The Fault in Our Stars" opposite Shailene Woodley - who plays his sister in the currently-filming dystopian adaptation "Divergent." The two Read more

Dylan O'Brien Lands "The Maze Runner" Lead; Ki Hong Lee Also Joins

UPDATE: Director Wes Ball tweets that Ki Hong Lee has also joined the cast as Minho, a fellow Glader and ally to Thomas throughout the series. Lee is probably best known as a regular on short-lived ABC Family Read more

Shailene Woodley Confirmed for "The Fault in Our Stars"

I mean, duh, we called it. It has now been officially confirmed with glowing quotes from director, producer and author in tow that the increasingly in demand Shailene Woodley will play the lead role of Hazel Grace Lancaster Read more

Up and Comers Presents: 20 Faces to Watch in 2013

After a somewhat unpredictable year in which the stars we expected to break out largely didn't but fresh faces came out of nowhere to surprise us all, we are ready to look ahead to the new talent waiting to Read more

Up and Comers Presents: The Breakout Stars of 2012

Another year, another new crop of fresh talent. Just like last year, the hardest part is narrowing down which of the dozens of the year's rising stars shone the brightest. This year we heralded the arrival of the unlikeliest Read more
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we need to talk about kevin

Ezra Miller joins Mia Wasikowska in new adaptation of the classic novel “Madame Bovary”

May 11, 2012 | Posted by Rebecca Lewis in Casting 2 Comments

Ezra Miller was the standout in last year’s critically acclaimed “We Need To Talk About Kevin”  and one of our longshot favorites for Best Supporting Actor nods but he’s been keeping quiet in 2012.

Now Variety reports that Miller is joining fellow up and comer Mia Wasikowska in Sophie Barthes‘ new adaptation of Gustave Flaubert’s classic novel “Madame Bovary.”

As we previously reported, Wasikowska will play the titular character of Emma Bovary, a doctor’s wife who lives beyond her means and takes on many adulterous affairs in order to combat the ennui of her life. Miller is set to play her love interest, with Paul Giamatti set as her hapless husband. This is set to be the sixth adaptation of Flaubert’s novel, and the script from Rose Barreneche is said to be faithful but updated with youthful and modern sensibilities.

Miller was in the running for the controversial “Akira” remake, but reportedly took himself of the running back in November. He can next be seen alongside Logan Lerman and Emma Watson in another literary adaptation, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, due out in September.

Asa Butterfield, Elle Fanning, Thomas Horn, Ezra Miller and more nominated for Critics Choice Awards

December 13, 2011 | Posted by Rebecca Lewis in Awards 5 Comments

From one Critics Society’s nominations to another, and today the Broadcast Film Critics Association’s Critics Choice Awards. Once again The Artist and Hugo lead the pack with eleven nominations each – and a surprise but hugely welcome nomination for Melissa McCarty in the Best Supporting Actress category for her performance in Bridesmaids.

There has been a slow buzz around McCarthy’s performance and we have previously commented on her Oscar chances. This new nomination follows on from awards from the Boston Society of Film Critics and the New York Film Critics.

Elizabeth Olsen gains another Best Actress nomination for the outstanding Martha Marcy May Marlene, and TV star Patton Oswalt garners a further nomination for his supporting role alongside Charlize Theron in Young Adult.

Most notably, the Broadcast Film Critics have a category focusing specifically on the best young actor or actress of the year. This year they’ve chosen some of our favorite performances of the year – and a surprise choice of Saoirse Ronan in the little talked about Hanna. Also nominated are Asa Butterfield (Hugo), Elle Fanning (Super 8), Thomas Horn (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close), Ezra Miller (We Need to Talk About Kevin) and Shailene Woodley (The Descendants)

Click below for the full list of nominees. The awards ceremony will be televised on VH1 on January 12th 2012.

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Ezra Miller and Alden Ehrenreich up for Tetsuo in “Akira” opposite Garrett Hedlund

November 4, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 3 Comments

Now that Garrett Hedlund is basically squared away to lead Warner Bros’ remake of “Akira” and offers for other roles have gone out to such heavyhitters as Gary Oldman, Helena Bonham Carter and Keira Knightley, the search turns to the second male lead. THR reports two young actors have emerged as potential front-runners for the role of Tetsuo: “We Need to Talk About Kevin” star and Oscar hopeful Ezra Miller, and a regular of Francis Ford Coppola’s films, Alden Ehrenreich. Both actors will read for the role next Tuesday.

In Japan, “Akira” was set in a post-apocalypric Neo-Toyko, but this new Americanized adaptation will take place in New-Manhattan, where Hedlund’s Kaneda, the leader of a bike gang, must save his little brother Tetsuo from becoming a science experiment and a dangerous weapon after he develops telekinetic abilities.

Miller is earning raves as the homicidal teenager in Lynn Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin”, currently one of the most buzzed about movies during Oscar season, and will next be see opposite Logan Lerman and Emma Watson in the highly anticipated “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” 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.

“We Need to Talk About Kevin” wins Best Film, Candese Reid of “Junkhearts” Best Newcomer at London Film Fest

October 26, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Awards Leave a comment

Troubled teens were the big winners of the 55th annual BFI London Film Festival, which announced its winners this evening. “We Need to Talk About Kevin”, Lynne Ramsay’s searing vision following the mother of a homicidal teenager, won Best Film. Tilda Swinton, an Oscar hopeful, plays the mother while rising star Ezra Miller gives an unforgettable performance as the teenage killer.

Said Jury chairman John Madden: “This year’s shortlist for best film comprises work that is outstanding in terms of its originality and its stylistic reach. It is an international group, one united by a common sense of unflinching human enquiry and we werestruck by the sheer panache displayed by these great storytellers. In the end, we were simply bowled over by one film, a sublime, uncompromising tale of the torment that can stand in the place of love. We Need to Talk About Kevin is made with the kind of singular vision that links great directors across all the traditions of cinema.”

The Best British Newcomer Award, which saw nominees that also included newcomer Aimee Kelly for her role as a gang member in “Sket”, and co-stars Chris New and Tom Cullen of “Weekend”, went to Candese Reid of “Junkhearts.” The 19 year old makes her screen debut in the indie psychological thriller alongside Eddie Marsen, Tom Sturridge, Romola Garai and “Attack the Block” breakout star John Boyega. She plays Lynette, girlfriend to Sturridge’s drug dealer. When he needs a new base for his operations, she targets Frank (Marsen). The bond that forms between them becomes a catalyst for Lynette to attempt to break away from her destructive and dangerous lifestyle. Best British Newcomer jury chairman Andy Harries said, “Candese is a fresh, brilliant and exciting new talent. Every moment she was onscreen was compelling.”

First time director Pablo Giorgelli took home the Sutherland Award – for the most original and imaginative feature debut – for “Las Acacias” while “Into the Abyss”, from celebrated director Werner Herzog, won the Grierson Award for Best Documentary.

HIFF fetes breakthrough performers Emily Browning, Anton Yelchin, Ezra Miller and Stine Fischer Christensen

September 27, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Awards, Lists Leave a comment

The Hollywood Film Festival have their breakout stars, and now the Hamptons International Film Festival have named their own. Interestingly enough, thus far there are no overlaps, perhaps indicating there is an especially rich pool of emerging talent on film this year. For the annual Hamptons fest, actors Stine Fischer Christensen, Emily Browning, Ezra Miller and Anton Yelchin have been named the Breakthrough Performers of 2011. All four have films screening at the festival.

Yelchin will be represented at HIFF as the star of “Like Crazy”, recently named the Centerpiece Film of the festival. Browning stars in Julia Leigh’s erotic drama “Sleeping Beauty”, while Miller is earning raves for “We Need to Talk About Kevin”, already considered a strong Oscar contender. Perhaps the least famous of the quartet is Danish actress Fischer Christensen, who is the star of German director Christian Schwochow’s “Cracks in the Shell”, one of five films competing in the Narrative category.

Though no specific events for the honorees have been announced, traditionally Breakthrough Performers at HIFF will take part in a roundtable discussion, and will be mentored by a veteran actor on the craft and business of filmmaking. Last year, the mentor was Stanley Tucci. The year before that, Sharon Stone. Fischer Chrstensen, Browning, Yelchin and Miller will also be in good company as honorees in recent years have included Jessica Chastain, Frieda Pinto, Noomi Rapace, Blake Lively, Rooney Mara and Emily Blunt.

The Hamptons International Film Festival runs Oct. 13-17. The complete slate of films can be found here.