Movie News

Batwoman Movie Announced, Will Be R-Rated

Posted on by Andrew Palladino

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Warner Bros. has just announced the latest addition to the DC film universe: Batwoamn.

Not to be confused with Batgirl, Batwoman first appeared in Detective Comics #233 (1956). Real name Katherine Kane, she is an heiress who takes inspiration from Batman to start fighting crime in Gotham City. The character received a significant rejuvenation in 2006, when being Jewish and a lesbian were made part of her characterization.

“We’re really proud to be doing this,” said associate producer Filip Starr. “Batwoman is a hero that means so much to readers and bringing her to life will be a highly rewarding project.”

No castings have been made, but Starr insists that Yvonne Strahovski, who voiced the character in the animated film Batman: Bad Blood, “is a strong possibility.”

What’s more, the production will be designed with an R rating in mind, for featuring not only brutal violence, but also erotic sex scenes.

“After Blue is the Warmest Color and Carol, this is the next big step,” Starr said. “It’s time to go mainstream in a big way.”

Zack Snyder is “heavily interested” in directing the film according to Starr, but not confirmed as of yet.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Lupita Nyong’o Joins ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ Cast

Posted on by Martin Soaries

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Nyong’o Joins ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ Cast

Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has officially joined the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII, the anticipated, somewhat controversial J.J. Abrams rendition, and is expected to play a lead role. In addition to Nyong’o, Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth) was added to the film in an unspecified role. Initially announced cast members for the Star Wars sequel were John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow and original trilogy stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher.

Nyong’o won an Oscar this year for her role in 12 Years A Slave. She is attached to another Disney release as a voice role in Jon Favreay’s Jungle Book.

‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ – (First Official Trailer)

Posted on by Martin Soaries

If you’ve seen, followed, and enjoyed Bryan Singers’ X-Men movie cycle since X-Men (2000) as much as I have, this trailer is monumental. Days of Future Past serves as the sequel to the 2011 prequel story First Class (2011), but is really a cumulation of all the story lines and characters from Singer’s first chapter in 2000. 

The story, which had it’s brief preview in the end credits of The Wolverine, involves the older Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) looking to use a seemingly older (is that even possible?) Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) in a plan to re-construct events of the past. Xavier asks Wolverine to connect with and lead his younger self (James McAvoy) to help prevent the war waged in The Last Stand (2006) and beyond. Our older Magneto (Ian McKellen) is also on board, as this war pertains to our X-Men-vintage “Sentinels” and their creator Boliver Trask (Peter Dinklage). Wolverine will be encountering the younger versions of Magneto and Xavier following the events of First Class, where they ultimately divided on separate paths. Got all that?

Major characters from past X-Men films include Storm (Halle Berry), Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), Beast (Nicholas Hoult), Rogue (Anna Paquin), Iceman (Shawn Ashmore), and Azazel (Jason Flemyng), who should be Nightcrawler’s dad. New mutants, shown briefly in the trailer, include Shadowcat (Ellen Page), Warpath (Booboo Stewart), Bishop (Omarsy), and Quiksilver (Evan Peters). 

A film of this magnitude, tying together back stories from over a decade of plots, will be a staple for the X-Men franchise and Marvel. Check out the announcement tweet from director Bryan Singer and the trailer for X-Men: Days of Future Past after the jump, which is set to release May 23, 2014.

                     

Will Smith in talks for ‘Independence Day’ sequel

Posted on by Martin Soaries


German director Roland Emmerich’s latest action flick had Jamie Foxx as President and a White House invasion plot (‘White House Down‘) and now he’s heading a sequel project for his 1996 alien invasion thriller ‘Independence Day’.

According to Digital Spy, Will Smith will shortly begin talks to reprise his role as captain Steven Hiller. Smith was not at first interested, according to reports, but will slowly begin discussions with Emmerich. The film is set to release in either 2015 or 2016. 

I think this could be a potentially healthy concept. I know I want to see how Emmerich evolves the concept two decades later, and I’d much rather have Will Smith curious about something like this as opposed to, say, another ‘Men in Black‘ movie.


James Brown biopic set for 2014

Posted on by Martin Soaries

Director Tate Taylor is heading a biopic on the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, and it will star Chadwick Boseman, who recently played Jackie Robinson in ‘42′. Taylor directed the four-time Academy Award-nominated film ‘The Help‘. The film, titled ‘Get On Up’, will be released October 17, 2014. It is said to, “Give a fearless look inside the music, moves, and moods of Brown, taking audiences on the journey from his impoverished childhood to his evolution into one of the most influential figures of the 20th century”. (via Slash Film). 
 
The Jimi Hendrix biopic is releasing later this year with musician Andre 3000 starring as Hendrix. There have also been talks about a Nina Simone biopic. You get the picture.

 

James Spader is Ultron for ‘The Avengers 2’

Posted on by Martin Soaries

Marvel announced today that James Spader will play the evil robotic villain in ‘The Avengers: Age of Ultron‘, set to release in summer of 2015. The casting comes only as a surprise because of Spader’s credentials, but none would argue his villainous presence. You can catch Spader starring in NBC’s new drama series ‘The Blacklist‘ this fall. 

Ben Affleck is our new Batman

Posted on by Martin Soaries

Warner Bros. broke the news and set the filmsphere ablaze when they announced that Ben Affleck will play Batman in the 2015 Man of Steel sequel. The news comes as general shock for most because of Affleck’s stardom and type cast. An ideal casting for the older, retired Bruce Wayne was said to likely be a less recognizable figure (Luke Evans and Richard Armitage were rumored candidates). This would make sense as Henry Cavill (Superman) is the newcomer and intended focal point. Affleck’s stardom now transcends any interest in Cavill, making Bruce Wayne the more anticipated factor of this sequel than the main character.
 
My other issue (and this is an issue for me) is the degradation of Batman. I would not dare challenge Affleck’s talent or credentials as an actor, but come on, this isn’t Daredevil. Not only have you casted a significantly larger name than your main character, but you’ve casted someone who will have to prove his worth as the most daunting super hero. I can see Affleck as Bruce Wayne, but not as Batman. Given the nature of this casting, you may or may not resonate with my befuddlement. Check out some reactions tweets from the casting announcement. How do you feel about our new Batman?
 
Side fact: Ben Affleck’s movies have earned over $1.67 billion at the domestic box office (via Box Office Mojo)
 
#Battfleck is now trending. Good Lord.

Batman/Superman: Bryan Cranston wants to be Lex Luthor

Posted on by Martin Soaries

As the ‘Batman vs. Superman’ epidemic continues to enlist for it’s 2015 launch, the rumor mill for casting figures continues to grow. They reached the ears of Bryan Cranston, whose name recently emerged along with Mark Strong as potential candidates for the role of ominous villain Lex Luthor. Of course, Luthor has yet to be officially announced as our villain for the film, but if you watched ‘Man of Steel‘ closely, the LexCorp logo was shown on several props as hidden insinuations — General Zod was just the appetizer for Superman’s classic antagonist. 
 
Cranston had this to say to Metro, “Give me a call. I like Lex Luthor. I think he’s misunderstood. He’s a loveable, sweet man”. 
 
If you’re up to date on Cranston’s current epidemic, AMC’s ‘Breaking Bad‘, now in it’s series finale, this almost comes as the ideal follow-up to Walter White, currently the baddest bald guy in television. Hopefully Cranston didn’t jump the gun or discourage a future element of surprise, because this villain casting may have just fallen into their laps.
 
UK Press Association: Christian Bale being offered $50 million to reprise his Batman role.

 

Latest rumors for new Batman

Posted on by Martin Soaries

Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, and Joe Manganiello are all rumored to be the next Bruce Wayne. 

Zack Snyder has the ball rolling from his announcement at San Diego Comic-Con last month that our ‘Man of Steel‘ sequel will actually be a Batman/Superman film. With Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale’s Dark Knight moniker officially off the table, a new Bruce Wayne will be casted and created. As reported, Snyder will consult with Frank Miller, the author of the original comic series which featured the Batman-Superman merger. Apparently, this will be an older, wiser Bruce Wayne, much like from Miller’s story. 

Also in the mix: Luke Evans and Richard Armitage.

Many candidates are rumored to be in the conversation, from more decorated actors such as Ryan Gosling to lower profile actors such as Joe Manganiello and Richard Armitage. ENSTARS has included Jon Hamm and Jude Law into the batch of latest contenders as well. Based on some deliberate biases and an innate sensitivity to this matter, here is how I would rank these potential candidates for the next Bruce Wayne:

1. Josh Brolin – He’s just popular enough to be recognized but not too polished to outshine Henry Cavill as Superman. He’s used to being the tough guy. Plus, he’s around the same age as the desired Bruce (45).

2. Luke Evans – Shown above, I like Evans’ potentially piercing presence. I enjoyed his role as Zeus in ‘Immortals‘ and could see the 35-year-old actor shaping into Bruce Wayne form.

3. Jon Hamm – The only high profile guy mentioned that I think would actually work, Hamm is perhaps best known for starring in AMC’s ‘Mad Men‘. Look at Hamm and tell me he doesn’t give off a Bruce Wayne vibe.

4. Richard Armitage – Also in his 40’s, Armitage has the look and the element of most unfamiliar. The film might benefit most from a less recognizable face.

5. Jude Law – I love Law’s work, and I personally wouldn’t put any role past him, but he’s not necessarily the hero type.

6. Joe Manganiello – Alcide Herveaux from ‘True Blood‘? I don’t think so.

7. Ryan Gosling – Seriously? Stop insulting me.

Casting has not officially begun, but we can continue to speculate. For those of us who remain cautious about a new Batman figure, this casting move is highly delicate. The Man of Steel sequel, rumored to be named Batman vs. Superman, is scheduled for a 2015 release. 

Who do you think should be the new Bruce Wayne? 


‘Beverly Hills Cop 4’ in development

Posted on by Martin Soaries

My first true encounter with the comical genius of Eddie Murphy was when I became old enough to appreciate his work on the 80’s comedy film series Beverly Hills Cop. Alex Foley is the cocky, ignorant personality that resonates with Murphy’s innate humor in vintage fashion. Just last week, TV producer Shawn Ryan announced that Paramount Pictures is looking to develop another feature film. Murphy is locked in to reprise his role as Foley, and ‘Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol‘ writers Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec are on board to write the script. 
 
I think a large part of the film’s success came from the context of 1980’s Los Angeles, with it’s retro theme music and classic appeal. I look forward to seeing how the producers, writers, and Murphy himself adjust the series to the modern comedy scene.
 
Share any thoughts or comments about the return of ‘Beverly Hills Cop‘ to the big screen.