Archive for September, 2013

David Oyelowo in Jurassic World?

Posted: September 28, 2013 in Movie

Earlier this week, we heard that David Oyelowo (The Butler, Rise of the Planet of the Apes) was rumored for a role in Star Wars: Episode VII. A few days later, we found out that he was in the process of being cast in Disney XD’s animated Star Wars Rebels TV series, along with Freddie Prinze Jr., Steve Blum, and others. Most recently, Jedi News reported that Oyelowo’s character in Rebels could potentially set up his character in Episode VII (if there actually is one). What’s more interesting, though, is that the site mentions he’s also “due to be in Jurassic World.” Could this mean that the actor is scheduled to appear in two major franchises in 2015?

David Oyelowo in Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Couch this one as a rumor for now, including the bit about the Episode VII casting. However, Oyelowo’s involvement in Jurassic World is indeed possible, especially after we learned yesterday that JW’s creative team is in serious casting mode; Bryce Dallas Howard is in early negotiations to join the dino sequel as well.

Director Michael Bay tweeted the following photo from the set of the now-filming Transformers: Age Of Extinction. Yes, things go boom in it. The fourth installment in the blockbuster film franchise, Transformers: Age of Extinction follows a new group of human characters played by Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Li Bingbing, Titus Welliver, Jack Reynor, Sophia Myles, and T.J. Miller. Transformers: Age of Extinction opens June 27, 2014.

Director Michael Bay on the set of Transformers: Age of Extinction.

Harry and Lloyd are back in action! Earlier today, Dumb and Dumber To stars Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels tweeted on-set photos of themselves, giving fans a sneak peek at their classic characters in costume — and might I add they’re looking as moronic as ever (in a good way, natch). Check out the image below:

View image on WhoSay  website

Another day, another Star Wars: Episode VII casting rumor. This time, the buzz centers around a new casting call in the UK from Disney, Bad Robot and Lucasfilm: “Male, 7 ft to 7.3 ft tall with a slim/thin build and upright posture. Not too worked out or too ‘thick set’ especially in the shoulders. Broad facial features would be a bonus.” Though it’s not confirmed, Den of Geek says the posting comes from a “solid source” close to the project. But what could this be for? Well, fans will note that 7’3″ is almost the exact height of the original Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew. The performer also bares many of the traits mentioned in the casting call. Of course, some might think Mayhew would reprise the role of Chewie himself — after all, he got back in the suit for Episode III. But even that was almost 10 years ago, and Mayhew has more recently suffered from health problems hindering his ability to walk.

So, it stands to reason that director J.J. Abrams might be looking for a new Wookiee to replace Mayhew — because what’s Han Solo without his first mate? That said, it’s important to keep in mind that this is still just speculation (as always). The casting call could also be for another Wookiee or a different creature altogether. (Here’s hoping it’s not an uber-tall Gungan.)

Legendary Pictures and Atlas Entertainment have reportedly made offers to Colin Farrell and Paula Patton (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, 2 Guns) to star in their Duncan Jones-directed adaptation of the Blizzard video game Warcraft. Deadline claims they’re “not sure that Farrell is going to make a deal–sources said it’s 50/50 – and Jones is testing other actors for the major roles.” Patton is said to be in negotiations for an unspecified leading role.

Paula Patton in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

Paula Patton in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.

Although Warcraft is currently without a studio, it’s expected to land at Universal Pictures, which recently sealed a deal with Legendary to become their new home after Legendary parted ways with Warner Bros. Warcraft begins filming in January.

Kelsey Grammer in Talks for Expendables 3

Posted: September 19, 2013 in Movie

Rocky, The Terminator, Blade, Han Solo and… Frasier? That’s right, Kelsey Grammer is now in talks to join the cast of The Expendables 3. According to Deadline, the actor is nearing a deal to play the role of Bonaparte, an ex-mercenary who helps the Expendables in their mission.

kelsey grammer

Including Grammer, the Expendables 3 roster now includes Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terry Crews, Antonio Banderas, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren and Wesley Snipes. The Expendables 3 hits theaters on August 15, 2014.

GTA 5 Makes $800 Million in One Day

Posted: September 18, 2013 in Gaming

Take-Two has announced that Grand Theft Auto V generated approximately $800 million in sales worldwide during its first 24 hours on sale. According to Take-Two, this marks “the highest first day retail sales of any title in the history of the company and the Grand Theft Auto series.” Take-Two notes that the figure includes sales across both platforms in all territories, but added that GTA 5 has not yet launched in Japan or Brazil. “All of us at Take-Two are thrilled with the initial response to Grand Theft Auto V,” said Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick. “Once again, the team at Rockstar Games have outdone themselves, setting the entertainment industry’s new standard for creativity, innovation and excellence. Beginning at midnight on Monday, consumers around the world gathered in anticipation to be among the first to experience the evolution of this remarkable series. In North America alone, more than 8,300 stores opened their doors at midnight to welcome fans whose loyalty and enthusiasm were rewarded with what The New York Times called ‘the most immersive spectacle in interactive entertainment’. We are incredibly proud of Rockstar Games’ creative achievement and could not be more pleased with the success of this launch.” Grand Theft Auto V hit Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on Tuesday, and its upcoming multiplayer component, Grand Theft Auto Online, will launch in October.

Stoke the fires at the rumour mill, because a new report has come in saying Arnold Schwarzenegger will be playing the human antagonist in the first of the three planned Avatar sequels. According to sources close to Latino Review, Arnie will play “a bad guy human general” who will cause trouble for Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), Princess Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and the rest of the Na’vi in the first Avatar sequel, set to release in 2016. Director James Cameron had previously told MTV News that the sequel will continue the story directly on from the first movie, hinting that “those nasty humans didn’t go away forever.”

terminator2

If the rumour proves to be true, it’ll be the fourth collaboration between Schwarzenegger and Cameron, following Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and True Lies. That’s a pretty magical run. The three Avatar sequels are set to film simultaneously and then release one year after another starting in December of 2016.

The big screen version of the EA video game Dante’s Inferno has found its director in the man behind the Evil Dead reboot: Fede Alvarez. Deadline reports that Alvarez will direct the Universal project, which will be produced by Eric Newman and Marc Abraham and EA Entertainment vice president Patrick O’Brien. O’Brien is also a producer on the Need for Speed movie, also based on an EA game. Inspired by the classic work of Dante Alighieri, the game’s story sees Dante descend into the depths of Hell and encounter many gruesome forms of evil while pursuing the soul of his lost love, Beatrice. The script is being penned by Jay Basu. An earlier draft was written by Bruce McKenna.

Lucas Black, the sole remaining star from the original trilogy of Fast and Furious movies yet to grace the world with a return appearance in the revived powerhouse franchise, is preparing to right that wrong. Deadline reports that Black will reprise his role from the third film, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, in Fast & Furious 7. Fans of the series, of course, know why it makes sense for Black’s character Sean Boswell to return now. And indeed, it sounds like he’s signed a deal that will allow for his character to become a regular in the series. “He will be part of at least the next three installments,” the site reports.

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James Wan, who just had a very nice weekend with the debut of his hit Insidious: Chapter 2, will direct Fast 7. Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, Jason Statham, and Djimon Honsou will also star in the film. Among many, many others.