In July I wrote a post about Dwayne Johnson’s new action film Faster. A new trailer has been released showing how relentless Johnson’s character is on his path of revenge on the killers of his brother. It’s violent; it’s badass; and Dwayne Johnson is finally back in form in an action film. I’m stoked.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance continues moving forward with negotiations with actors Idris Elba and Johnny Whitworth. Elba will play the role of a monk who must find Ghost Rider. On the other side of the coin will be Whitworth’s character who is a criminal the devil recruits to find the son of Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider).
The plot for the new Ghost Rider film deals with Johnny Blaze staying low in Eastern Europe while grappling with his curse. Things don’t go smoothly as a sect recruits Blaze to battle the devil.
In July I expressed disappointment in the fight scenes and the feel of the first movie. The film lacked any real impact. It was merely going through the motions. The villains didn’t feel like a threat. In fact, none of the antagonists felt imposing.
Like I said in July, if there’s going to be any chance of success, they’ll need to focus more on the horror elements of Ghost Rider. It’s more horror than action. Use its strengths instead of ignoring them. Don’t try to fit Ghost Rider into a certain superhero mold. He’s a horrific antihero. Use that.
I’m still pessimistic over Nicolas Cage reprising his role as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider, but who knows? Directors Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine just might get a performance out of Cage that will be more in tune with Ghost Rider.
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Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are bringing in a new Superman film that will be produced by critically acclaimed Christopher Nolan. And Nolan’s screenwriter for Batman Begins David Goyer is busy penning the script for the Superman movie. What else? Recent negotiations has locked in Zack Snyder in the director’s seat.
The screenplay supposedly has a Richard Donner connection — which might only be in its villain: General Zod — which I hope is the case. I enjoyed Richard Donner’s Superman films, but the influences should be more heavy towards the comic books.
Zack Snyder is a surprising but welcomed choice. He always has loyalty towards source material and wanting to do it justice. His past visual style with Dr. Manhattan in Watchmen had a sense of wonder, which would match well with Superman. And it’s Snyder. We can expect real fight scenes — something that was sorely missing from Superman Returns.
The collaboration between Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder is really exciting. They have different styles, but together there’s a lot of potential. And they both know it.
“In the initial meetings, he’s been super amazingly smart and also amazingly kind, filmmaker-to-filmmaker. I have great respect for him. The process has been amazing so far, and it looks like nothing but pluses.”
-Zack Snyder about Nolan.
Warner Bros. intends to reboot the Superman franchise to lead the DC Comics adaptations much like Marvel’s own movie universe. So far on paper they’re off to a good start.
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From writer and director Rian Johnson comes the film Looper. It stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, and Emily Blunt. Endgame Entertainment is producing.
Gordon-Levitt portrays one of the killers for the mob. Sounds simple, right? Well, the mob are from the future and they send people back in time they want disposed of. It helps keep the authorities off their trail; the murders are entirely too complicated.
Soon enough a man (played by Willis) is sent back to Gordon-Levitt’s character who he recognizes as his future self. He hesitates killing the man, who seizes the opportunity to make his escape.
To save himself, Gordon-Levitt must find his future self and kill him; all while his future self is tracking down a little boy who is apparently the key to his survival. And murder him.
It’s an intriguing premise. It’s unique. And it’ll be interesting to see how the onscreen chemistry between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis turns out. And let’s face it: Who isn’t ecstatic to hear that Gordon-Levitt is starring in a time-travel action movie?
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Sherlock Holmes 2 by Guy Ritchie continues moving forward with Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as the title character, along with Jude Law as Dr. Watson; Noomi Rapace is set as the female lead. Joining them as Sherlock’s older brother Mycroft Holmes is Stephen Fry. And the latest news? Actor Jared Harris from the show Mad Men has recently been cast as Sherlock’s nemesis Moriarty.
Sherlock Holmes 2 is scheduled for a December 16, 2011 release.
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In the TV show and the movies the actors who played Bruce Banner never actually got the chance to also play the Hulk. Mark Ruffalo, who has been cast as Bruce Banner in The Avengers recently stated that he won’t just be playing the role of Bruce Banner, but also the Hulk.
“They’re going to do the Avatar stop-action, stop-motion capture. So I’ll actually play the Hulk. That’ll be fun.”
-Mark Ruffalo
It means that instead of the usual all CG Hulk, Ruffalo will be fitted for motion capturing and play the role of the Hulk on set. It’ll be the first time that it’ll be done like that for the character, and it will be sure to make a world of a difference for the interactions with other actors.
On the part of Bruce Banner, Ruffalo intends to draw from Bill Bixby’s version of Banner. He wants Banner to be sympathetic, while the Hulk rages and destroys all in his path.
I was hesitant about Mark Ruffalo being cast in The Avengers, but his attitude towards the role has been winning me over. So far Marvel has been having brilliant casting. He was great in Shutter Island, and he’ll be sure to bring that drive to the role of the Hulk as well.
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Earlier this month I wrote about some news and rumors on the sequel of Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes; news that Sherlock’s older brother Mycroft Holmes will be making an appearance. And somehow I did not see this coming; yet it makes so much sense. The brilliant actor Stephen Fry has been cast in the role of Mycroft Holmes.
Stephen Fry is intelligent, comedic, and has class. What else is there to say? It’s perfect casting. Absolutely perfect.
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An alternate opening for Iron Man 2 has made rounds. The difference? It begins with sounds of Tony Stark vomiting followed by showing him on his knees in the Iron Man suit clutching a toilet. He’s clearly hungover while Pepper is scolding him and keeping him on task. A moment later his egotism wins over and he makes the drop to the Stark Expo.
This really should have been the opening for the film. It sets the tone. Tony Stark is an arrogant mess. Pepper is all business. It’s their dynamic. And let’s face it: Every Iron Man film should open and close with a hungover Tony Stark. It’s evident that Tony’s superpower is overcoming hangovers.