Mickey Rourke Added to Cast of Stallone’s ‘Expendables’ January 7, 2009 4:37 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, The Expendables.1 comment so far
Mickey Rourke has joined the cast of Sylvester Stallone’s action-adventure film The Expendables. Rourke joins an already extensive cast list of Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Randy Couture, Dolph Lundgren, Forest Whitaker and Ben Kingsley.
According to Variety, Rourke will play “an unscrupulous arms dealer who becomes the go-to guy for a group of mercenaries planning to topple a South American dictator.”
The Stallone directed/scripted film begins shooting in March in Brazil.
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost Cast in Tintin January 7, 2009 2:19 pm
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Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have been cast in the roles of bumbling detectives Thompson and Thomson in the Steven Spielberg/Peter Jackson project Tintin. Frost and Pegg join Andy Serkis, who has already been cast as Captain Haddock. The lead character of Tintin has yet to be cast.
DreamWorks is targeting a 2010 release for the first film, to be directed by Spielberg. Peter Jackson will direct the second, which does not have a date yet.
Source: Ain’t It Cool News
James Newtown Howard to Score The Last Airbender December 26, 2008 2:09 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, Music, News, The Last Airbender.add a comment
Seven-time Academy Award-nominated composer, James Newton Howard has been signed on to compose the score to M. Night Shymalan’s The Last Airbender.
The Last Airbender hits theaters on July 2, 2010.
Source: /Film
Jessica Alba and Jack Black to Guest Star on NBC’s The Office December 16, 2008 5:53 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, NBC, News, Television, The Office.1 comment so far
NBC has announced that Jack Black and Jessica Alba will both be guest-starring on the hour-long post-Super Bowl episode of The Office on February 1, 2009.
I’ve included both press releases after the jump.
Rob Zombie Confirmed As Director of Halloween Sequel, H2 December 16, 2008 5:23 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, H2, Halloween, Movies, News.add a comment
About two weeks ago ShockTillYouDrop.com reported that Rob Zombie would be returning to direct a sequel to his 2007 film Halloween (click here to read that story). Now Variety has confirmed that Zombie will indeed be returning to direct the sequel, titled H2. Dimension Films hopes to begin production on the film next March.
Halloween debuted August 31, 2007 and grossed $58.3 million domestically. It added $20.2 million from overseas markets for a worldwide cume of $78.5 million.
Not adjusting for inflation, Halloween (2007) is the top grossing installment in the nine-film franchise, just ahead 1998’s Halloween: H20.
Robert Carlye Cast in Stargate Universe December 16, 2008 2:09 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, News, Sci Fi, Stargate Universe, Television.add a comment
Robert Carlyle (24: Redemption) has been cast as Dr. David Rush in SCI FI Channel’s new series Stargate Universe. ‘SGU’ is the third installment in the network’s successful cable franchise and comes from Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis co-creators Brad Wright and Robert Cooper. Both producers will write and executive produce the new series. The show is expected to receive a 20-episode first season order.
“We couldn’t be more excited to set Robert Carlyle for Stargate Universe. He brings a depth, intelligence, and complexity to his roles, which will fit perfectly with the fresh, new reinvention of this franchise, ” said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming for SCI FI & Co-Head Original Content, Universal Cable Productions.
The full press release follows after the jump.
Bryan Fuller Talks Heroes + John Glover Cast as Sylar’s Dad December 11, 2008 7:17 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Heroes, NBC, News.add a comment
Entertainment Weekly got a chance to chat with Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies) who’s returning to the show as a consultant. Fuller talked a bit about the show’s new volume, titled Fugitives, which kicks off on February 2nd:
It really is a fresh start. All of the characters are back in their real lives. You see Peter as a paramedic. Claire is looking for colleges. We get away from the world of formulas and quasi-magic.
Yes. Episodes 14, 15 and 16 are amazing. The whole “Fugitives” arc starts out very strongly, and then it gets a little dense in the middle in terms of the mythology. So I came in right at the point where everybody was realizing, “Oh, we’re getting too dense here and we need to put faces on stories because there is no face to a formula; there is no face to saving the world.” So it’s turning this big ship back into a character stream, and everyone on the writing staff shares that desire. We need to get back into a character place, because that’s where this story started: Very clean, superhero metaphors to everyday life. That’s the path that we’re taking. But it is a big ship so it’s going to take a little while to turn it.
You can read the rest of the interview at Entertainment Weekly.
Entertainment Weekly is also reporting that NBC has just cast John Glover (Smallville) to play Sylar’s father on the series.
“When Sylar meets his father, he’s going to see a path ahead of him that he doesn’t want to take,” says a source. “He has a lot more in common with his father than he realized.”
Joby Harold In Negotiations to Write Atlantis Rising December 11, 2008 7:09 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Atlantis Rising, Casting, Movies, News.add a comment
Writer/Director Joby Harold is in negotiations to write the adaptation of the comic book Atlantis Rising for DreamWorks. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are producing for DreamWorks alongside Platinum Studios Chairman and CEO Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, who created the original Atlantis Rising five-part series.
“As a writer, Joby has an amazingly strong understanding of how to take genre seriously, which is prerequisite No. 1 for us when it comes to these kinds of movies,” said Kurtzman.
“In all the classic versions of this kind of movie, the threat is always from the stars,” Orci said. “The idea that it’s somehow our cousins who went off in a different path of evolution who have been here, literally, underneath our oceans. … That’s fascinating, the idea of secrets right under your nose.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Majel Barrett-Roddenberry to Voice Enterprise’s Computer in Star Trek December 11, 2008 6:14 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, Star Trek.1 comment so far
Majel Barrett-Roddenberry will be reprising her role as the voice of the Starship Enterprise computer in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming film Star Trek. Roddenberry has voiced the role in four of the six Star Trek television series and three films.
Star Trek hits theaters on May 8, 2009.
Source: Variety
Shyamalan’s Cast for The Last Airbender December 11, 2008 2:05 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, The Last Airbender.5 comments
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that M. Night Shyamalan has found his cast for The Last Airbender, his live-action adaptation of the popular Nickelodeon series:
After an open casting call in Texas, Shyamalan discovered karate star Noah Ringer and offered him the part of Airbender’s 12-year old hero, Aang, an Avatar with superpowers who must stop the Fire Nation from destroying the world. Twilight’s Jackson Rathbone has been asked to play Aang’s pal Sokka, while Nicola Peltz (Deck the Halls) will star as his sister Katara. Genial singer Jesse McCartney, meanwhile, is negotiating to play against type in the role of the Fire Nation’s evil prince Zuko.
The Last Airbender hits theaters on July 2, 2010.
Possible Grey’s Anatomy Cast Departure December 9, 2008 8:35 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in ABC, Casting, Grey's Anatomy, News.add a comment
Since some folks treat casting news as a spoiler, I’ll reveal the news about who may be leaving Grey’s Anatomy after the jump. So click more to find out.
Catherine Hardwicke Not Directing New Moon, Summit Searching for New Director December 8, 2008 1:22 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, New Moon, News, Twilight.13 comments
Summit Entertainment has announced that Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke is leaving the franchise and will not be directing the sequel, New Moon (scheduled for release sometime between the end of 2009 and early 2010).
While the joint press release, read it in full after the jump, reveals that the decision was made due to timing issues with Hardwicke, Nikki Finke of DeadlineHollywoodDaily reports that Hardwicke was “difficult” and “irrational” during the making of the film, with one of her contacts saying:
“Summit didn’t like her. They’re saying the DP [director of photography] Elliot Davis is the one responsible for the film’s sumptuous visual look, that the editor Nancy Richardson had to save the film in post-production, and Summit thought Hardwicke’s [CAA] agent Beth Swofford was alternately ineffectual and hysterical.”
Well, that may have been all true, but I don’t see why they make the announcement now in the middle of the European press tour, a tour in which Hardwicke is–and will continue–participating in.
The full release follows after the jump.
Len Wiseman to Direct Atlantis Rising December 5, 2008 8:01 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Atlantis Rising, Casting, Movies, News.add a comment
Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard director Len Wiseman has been tapped by DreamWorks to helm a big screen adaptation of the apocalyptic sci-fi comicbook Atlantis Rising.
Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci brought the project to DreamWorks back when the company was within the Paramount fold by and will produce, according to Variety.
Atlantis Rising is a five-part miniseries created by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg. The story kicks off when seismic disturbances at sea force world militaries to investigate the deepest part of the ocean, where an underground civilization emerges to engage in war with planet Earth.
Dark Shadow Will Be Tim Burton’s Next Project December 4, 2008 6:39 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Dark Shadows, Movies, News, Television.add a comment
Producer Richard D. Zanuck told Collider.com that director Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are making Dark Shadowsnext summer and that the film will be Burton’s next project after Alice in Wonderland.
Dark Shadows is based on the 1960’s supernatural TV show created by Dan Curtis that ran from 1966-1971.
Chef Irvine Returning to Dinner: Impossible November 21, 2008 4:06 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Dinner: Impossible, Food Network, News, Television.4 comments
Chef Robert Irvine, who was let go from the Food Network series Dinner: Impossible over news that he exaggerated details in his resume, has been re-hired by the network to return to the hit show, replacing his replacement Iron Chef Michael Symon. Production on six new episodes starring Irvine will begin this month and will air in March 2009.
“Our audience has continued to demonstrate its interest in and support for Robert,” Welch said. “He has taken responsibility and made a conscious effort to clear the air, rebuild the relationship with Food Network and apologize for the earlier inaccuracies.”
“I am very excited to continue taping more episodes of ‘Dinner: Impossible’,” Irvine said in a written statement. “I am thrilled to further my relationship with the network and embark on more challenging episodes of this popular series.”
Source: AP (via Yahoo!)
Sho and Seth Make a Porno November 21, 2008 2:08 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, News, Showtime, Television.add a comment
Zack and Miri Make a Porno co-star Seth Rogen and production partner Evan Goldberg are co-developing a new series for Showtime about three guys that run a, you guessed it, pornography shop. The as-yet untitled comedy series is being prepped for a 2009 premiere.
Mathew Bass, who worked as an assitant to both Rogen and Goldberg on Pineapple Express and Superbad will write the script and co-produce.
Source: Variety
‘Narnia’ Screenwriters In Talks to Pen ‘Captain America’ November 21, 2008 2:01 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, The First Avenger: Captain America.add a comment
Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, writers of both The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and its sequel, ‘Prince Caspian’, are in talks to write Marvel Studios’ The First Avenger: Captain America. Just last week Marvel had announced that Joe Johnston came aboard the project as director, so things are starting to move along.
The First Avenger: Captain America is scheduled to hit theaters May 6, 2011.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Gough and Millar Board Robotech November 21, 2008 1:55 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, Robotech.add a comment
Writers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (Smallville, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor) have been brought on board to write a script for Warner Bros.’ adaptation of the anime classic Robotech.
A sprawling sci-fi epic, “Robotech” takes place at a time when Earth has developed giant robots from the technology on an alien spacecraft that crashed on a South Pacific isle. Mankind is forced to use the technology to fend off an alien invasion, with the fate of the human race ending up in the hands of two young pilots.
A previous draft was written by ‘Raiders of the Lost Art’ writer Lawrence Kasdan. The film is still on track for a 2010 release.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Joe Johnston to Direct The First Avenger: Captain America November 11, 2008 2:36 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, The First Avenger: Captain America.add a comment
Marvel Studios has signed Joe Johnston to direct The First Avenger: Captain America. The film is set to hit theaters on May 6, 2011, just two months before the release of Marvel’s The Avengers (July 15, 2011). Casting for the film, including the lead role, is still underway, as well as screenwriters.
Fuller May Return to Heroes if Pushing Daisies is Canceled November 11, 2008 2:18 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in ABC, Casting, Heroes, NBC, News, Pushing Daisies, Television.add a comment
Pushing Daisies co-creator Bryan Fuller, who worked on the first half of season one of Heroes, said that if ABC passes on a full season or third season renewal of his struggling series, he would be willing to return to Heroes.
“I am exclusive to Daisies through the delivery of the 13th episode of our 13-episode order, which will be mid-January,” says Fuller. “If Daisies isn’t picked up by then, I will definitely be going back to play with my friends at Heroes.”
Source: EW
Clooney May Make Appearance on Final Season of E.R. November 11, 2008 2:15 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, E.R., NBC, News, Television.add a comment
In an interview with TV Guide, ex-E.R. star Noah Wyle–who’ll make several appearances this season–said that he believes Clooney will “absolutely” appear in the show in an episode, so long as his schedule is open.
Still no word from Clooney himself
via PopEater
Pulitzer Winner David Lindsay-Abaire to Write Spider-Man 4 November 2, 2008 3:02 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, Spider-Man 4.add a comment
Pulitzer prize winning author David Lindsay is in final negotiations with Columbia Pictures to write Spider-Man 4. The writer won the pulitzer for the 2007 drama Rabbit Hole. It’s unclear if Lindsay-Abaire will be writing a new draft for the film, or simply rewriting James Vanderbilt’s previous draft.
THR also notes that both Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire will be back as director and star, respectively, and that Kirsten Dunst is also expected to return.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
JMS To Write Forbidden Planet Remake November 2, 2008 2:55 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Forbidden Planet, Movies, News.2 comments
Babylon 5 creator/writer J. Michael Straczynski has been signed by Warner Bros. to write the long-in-development update to the Sci-Fi classic Forbidden Planet.
JMS recently wrote the script to the Clint Eastwood-directed film Changeling.
The original film was released in 1956 and told the story of an expedition sent from Earth to check on a colony of scientists on a far-off planet. Joel Silver is producing the project.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Howard Suprised by “Iron Man 2” Re-Casting October 26, 2008 9:55 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Movies, News.add a comment
When it was reported that Don Cheadle was signed to replace Terence Howard in Iron Man 2, I doubt I was the only one surprised by the move. The assumption on the net was that Marvel Studios had a falling out with the actor over salary issues. Howard was asked about the re-casting on NPR, and here’s how he explained it:
“Yeah, I found that out, too,” said Howard. “It was the surprise of a lifetime. There was no explanation. Just…up and vanished. I read something in the trades implicating that it was about money or something. But apparently the contracts that we write and sign aren’t worth the paper that they’re printed on, sometimes. Promises aren’t kept, and good faith negotiations aren’t always held up. Even friendships, people you support…”
I honestly can’t fault Howard for seeking a better contract given the success of the first film. Oh well, let’s just hope it all pans out for the best with Cheadle, who is obviously a great actor.
Source: NPR
Stephen Chow to Direct, Star in “The Green Hornet” September 19, 2008 7:09 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, The Green Hornet.add a comment
Seth Rogen made it known some time ago that he wanted Stephen Chow to co-star in The Green Hornet as Kato, and now the casting has been confirmed. Additionally, Chow will also helm the 2010 feature film:
“I’m excited to be taking on The Green Hornet–obviously, I’ve been a huge fan of the show since I was a kid. The idea of stepping into Bruce Lee’s shoes as Kato is both humbling and thrilling, and to get the chance to direct the project as my American movie debut is simply a dream come true.” – Stephen Chow
“The material is a perfect match for his sensibilities–Stephen in the director’s chair is the best thing for the film.” – Producer Neil Moritz (I Am Legend, Click)
“Stephen was always my and Evan’s first choice for director and to play Kato. We just hope that he never finds out we’re not the Wachowski Brothers.” – Seth Rogen
The Green Hornet hits theaters on June 25, 2010.
Source: Superhero Hype
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