Christian Bale Could Also Join TRANSCENDENCE
The LATimes is reporting that director Wally Pfister is now looking at Christian Bale to fill a role in his science fiction thriller Transcendence. Previously, it had been announced that Johnny Depp, Noomi Rapace, James McAvoy, Tobey Maguire and Christoph Waltz were looking to take part in the film.
Noomi Rapace, James McAvoy, Tobey Maguire And Christoph Waltz Also Linked For TRANSCENDENCE
A few more names besides Johnny Depp have been linked for Wally Pfister’s Transcendence via THR. They include Noomi Rapace (Dragon Tattoo, Prometheus), James McAvoy (Trance), Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man) and Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds). Included is the first bit of story on the project which is in the vein of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Inception.
The story centers on a man who creates a computer that develops a malevolent awareness. Depp will play a husband who gets sucked into the computer, contigent on changes Pfister is making to the script, sources say.
Johnny Depp Joining Wally Pfister’s TRANSCENDENCE
Deadline reports that Johnny Depp is in talks for the lead in Wally Pfister’s Transcendence. The film is the directorial debut of Christopher Nolan’s Oscar winning director of photography. It doesn’t have a synopsis but it’s easy to assume it won’t be a dry drama or a comedy. Wally is best known for shooting films such as Inception, Dark Knight Rises and Memento. Nolan and his wife Emma will be producing with Alcon Entertainment backing the production.
Writer Hired For Edgar Wright’s ‘NIGHT STALKER’ Starring Johnny Depp
HeatVision reports Disney has hired D.V. DeVincentis (High Fidelity, Grosse Pointe Blank, Lay The Favorite) to adapt The Night Stalker for director Edgar Wright (Ant-Man, World’s End, Shaun of The Dead). The horror comedy has Johnny Depp in the lead as a tabloid reporter who seemingly is always confronted with horrific creatures with his editor never believing him. After the low return numbers for Dark Shadows (another horror comedy based on a old television series) it will interesting to see how much energy and money Disney will be willing to pump into the project.
Jack White To Score ‘THE LONE RANGER’
Variety reports that former White Stripes frontman Jack White has been hired by Disney to score The Lone Ranger. The film directed by Gore Verbinski (Pirates 1-3, Rango) stars Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer and Ruth Wilson. It will be interesting to hear what direction the film’s score will end up considering the Spanish guitars that were used in the western themed Rango. I would assume that we’ll end up getting some traditional Navajo music mixed in there.
Eight Actresses In The Running To Star Alongside Johnny Depp In The Thin Man
Deadline reports a bevy of actresses are currently in the running for the female lead in The Thin Man. They include Emma Stone (Amazing Spider-Man, Gangster Squad), Eva Green (Dark Shadows, Casino Royale), Amy Adams (Man of Steel, The Fighter), Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids), Emily Blunt (Five-Year Engagement), Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers, Burke And Hare), Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, Bourne Legacy) and Carey Mulligan (Drive, An Education). The comedic detective story starring Johnny Depp focuses on a husband and wife who are socialites-turned-detectives. Rob Marshall (Pirates 4) will handle directing duties let’s just hope it’s an improvement on his previous films.
William Fichtner Will Play Lone Ranger Villain
Deadline reports that character actor William Fichtner has replaced Dwight Yoakum (Crank 1-2) as the villain in Gore Verbinski’s (Pirates 1-3) The Lone Ranger. Fichtner is best known for memorable roles in films like Armageddon, The Dark Knight, Heat, Black Hawk Down and Drive Angry. He also has a part in Neill Blomkamp’s upcoming science fiction epic Elysium. I’m glad to see William featured in another high profile project. The rest of the cast includes Armie Hammer (Social Network), Johnny Depp, Ruth Wilson (Luther), James Badge Dale (The Pacific, The Departed), Tom Wilkinson, Helena Bonham Carter and Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan).
Edgar Wright Will Direct Johnny Depp In Night Stalker
It looks like Edgar Wright’s relationship with Marvel Studios has paid off. Deadline reports that Disney has tapped Edgar (Hott Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim) to direct Johnny Depp in a feature adaptation of The Night Stalker. It’s based on the 70’s horror comedy television film which spawned a TV series. It featured a reporter who covered crime for a tabloid and his cases always led to supernatural perpetrators that included zombies, vampires, werewolves and aliens. Of course, neither his editor nor anyone else would believe him or allow him to run what seemed like outrageous stories. It will be produced by Depp as another one of his passion projects similar to how he put together Dark Shadows.
Depp has a rather strong relationship with Disney as he is currently filming The Lone Ranger and has Pirates 5 in development at the studio. It’s expected that Edgar will end up writing the film but he is busy with Ant-Man and recently with World’s End with Simon Pegg. Night Stalker is the first post-Scott Pilgrim directing announcement for Wright. Even through he’s been long attached to Ant-Man for Marvel Studios a production start or official announcement was never stated. Currently it’s unknown when this project could go into production since their isn’t a script in place.
Original Cast Members Locked In For Lone Ranger, Other Actors Also Wanted
Deadline reports that Disney has locked in Armie Hammer (Social Network), Johnny Depp (as Tonto) and Ruth Wilson (Jane Eyre, Prisoner, Luther) for the leads in Gore Verbinski’s (Pirates 1-3) Lone Ranger. It had been unknown even with Disney agreeing to a lowered budget that the cast would still be able to commit to the movie. The studio is interested in casting Tom Wilkinson as the film’s villain. Helena Bonham Carter, James Badge Dale (Departed, The Pacific) and Dwight Yoakum (Crank 1-2) are also wanted for roles.
I’m all for more Disney films from Gore Verbinski but the western genre hasn’t been in the best shape lately. Here’s hoping that Gore can do for the western he did for the pirate genre. That being said I’m curious to see how much damage Mirror Mirror is going to do to Armie’s creditability as a lead actor. As the goofy family film could make audiences cringe when trying to picture him as the masked avenging cowboy.
Bradley Cooper Front-Runner For Soderbergh’s Man From UNCLE
ShowBlitz reports Bradley Cooper (Limitless, Hangover) is now Steven Soderbergh’s choice to play Napoleon Solo in The Man From Uncle. It’s a big change from previous wanted names for the role like George Clooney who dropped out along with hopefuls Matt Damon, Johnny Depp and Michael Fassbender. It was previously mentioned was that Warner Bros. was keen on bringing in Ryan Gosling for the role of Russian Agent Illya Kuryakin. While Soderbergh wanted up and coming Swedish actor Joel Kinnaman (Dragon Tattoo, Snabba Cash 1-3, Safe House, Killing, Darkest Hour) for the part of Illya. I think since they’re hoping to go with Cooper, Gosling seems a better bet as both actors have a rather decent sized following.
Lone Ranger Still Happening, Ruth Wilson Joins
It looks Disney isn’t done with Gore Verbinski’s (Pirates 1-3) The Lone Ranger just yet. It was reported Disney was unhappy with the projected budget of the film which was expected to cost $250 million. Deadline reports that the studio is still trying to work out a deal to get the film made with a lower budget of around $200 million. The western has Armie Hammer (Social Network, J. Edgar) and Johnny Depp in the leads. Another bit of news is that Ruth Wilson (Luther, The Prisoner) had landed the female lead in the film. It’s expected the cast will all return for the production but the December 21st 2012 release date is now in question.
Ellie Kemper Joins 21 Jump Street
Variety reports Ellie Kemper (The Office, Bridesmaids) has joined 21 Jump Street. The film stars Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum Brie Larson, Ice Cube, Rob Riggle, Dave Franco, Johnny Simmons, Dakota Johnson, Jake M. Johnson and DeRay Davis with a cameo from Johnny Depp. It’s expected to be more in the realm of the Apatow comedies rather than a homage to the original series.
Disney Could Look To Burton, Raimi, & Cuarón To Direct Pirates 5
CinemaBlend has word that Disney is eager to start developing Pirates 5 and are looking for a director. Not surprising as the fourth film is already north of $640 million. While they have a script in place from Terry Rossio as reported by HollywoodReporter. The curious thing is that Rob Marshall hasn’t officially signed on to direct, yet is still wanted by the studio (just lip-service?). While successful financially the fourth film got only average reviews from critics. Blend has word that Disney is looking at Tim Burton, Sam Raimi, Shawn Levy, Alfonso Cuarón and Chris Weitz for the fifth installment.
Burton had been looked at for Pirates 4 but never signed on. He’s becoming a studio stable with Alice In Wonderland, Nightmare Before Christmas, Frankenweenie and his Sleeping Beauty project Maleficent. I like the idea of Burton entering the world of Pirates but I’m not sure he would deliver a film any better than the previous ones.
Sam Raimi is directing the studio’s next big fairy tale picture Oz, The Great & Powerful the Oz prequel which focuses on a young wizard. Raimi seems like the safest choice out of the bunch and could give audiences a fun film if given breathing room. My only concern is that he also had been working on pre-production for Warcraft which is likely his next film.
Alfonso Cuarón is the director that should be turning heads. His wonderful film Children of Men proved he’s got the visual and storytelling chops that most directors inspired to have. Giving audiences family friendly entertainment with The Prisoner of Azkaban while keeping his dark style. Alfonso also has the promise of pumping the new blood needed to keep the franchise going. Unlike Raimi and Burton, Cuarón isn’t deep in development on other large projects.
The filler choices seem to be Shawn Levy (Date Night, Real Steel) and Chris Weitz (Golden Compass) neither directors of garnered praise or success for their previous films as of yet. Levy is set to direct a remake of The Fantastic Voyage for producer James Cameron. There have also been talk of other projects with Hugh Jackman including a Real Steel sequel. Weitz seems an odd choice and left field when compared to the other candidates.
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