Friday 20 December 2013

The Boy Who Lived, and a bit more.

People who know me know how much I champion any kind of spin-off that helps to keep the Harry Potter dream alive, and here is the latest: a play based on the early years of Harry Potter, co-produced (but not written) by J.K. Rowling herself.

When I first heard the news about a Harry Potter prequel play, I sincerely hoped that it would be based on The Marauders, but alas, not to be.  However, I am curious as to how the previously untold story of Harry's childhood will play out, due to us muggles only being aware of it consisting of one place - a broom cupboard.

Ant Man's identity revealed

Following months of speculation, Marvel have confirmed that the wonderful Paul Rudd will be bringing Ant-Man to life in 2015.



As both Marvel's and director Edgar Wright's choice, it will be interesting to see Rudd turn his hand to superhero, having proved he is adept at both comedy and occasional drama.  Marvel have certainly made good choices in the past and I am personally thrilled about the prospect of Rudd joining the Marvel universe.

Wednesday 18 December 2013

The Boys are Back: Weinstein brothers

Following on from the success of The Butler, Philomena and the highly-anticipated August: Osage County, The Weinstein Company are gearing up to rejuvenate some of their most successful projects.

Teaming up with Miramax, the brothers now have access to old, successful titles, with both a Shakespeare in Love 2 and a Rounders 2 in the pipeline.  Furthermore, a Good Will Hunting television series is also in the works.

All may seem like bold choices, particularly the television series, but these franchises already have a built-in audience, making it easier for financing and promoting.


Image source: http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/love/images/741761/title/shakespeare-love-photo


Tuesday 17 December 2013

Joseph Gordon-Levitt to produce The Sandman?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has confirmed his involvement with the upcoming adaptation of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman.

Gordon-Levitt will produce and potentially star in the films although further information regarding the film is very limited. However, fans are speculating that the film will focus on the first 8 (out of 75) issues of the comic.

The Sandman revolves around The Lord of Dreams (Morpheus or Dream) who has recently been released after being held captive for 75 years, and tries to rebuild his kingdom.  It is a very popular series which has built up a very dedicated cult following since 1989 and whilst there have been numerous attempts to bring to the big screen, none have been successful.  However, this one is a collaboration between Warner Bros. and screenwriter David S. Goyer, who has been behind Man of Steel and the Batman trilogy. That, with the added clout of JGL, makes for a formidable combination.


Monday 16 December 2013

Trailer: 22 Jump Street



Filming only wrapped less than 24 hours ago, but the first red-band trailer for 22 Jump Street (the sequel to 2010's 21 Jump Street - which was a reboot in itself) has already spread across the internet and it is just as fun as the first.

I'm a big fan of Channing Tatum in non-chick flick roles and teamed with Jonah Hill means it looks like it's going to be laughs-a-plenty.

Friday 13 December 2013

Future Film Friday: Jupiter Ascending



Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) was born under a night sky, with signs predicting that she was destined for great things. Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning toilets and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine (Channing Tatum), a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along – her genetic signature marks her as next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos. 

This seems like something out of the ordinary for both Kunis and Tatum which is the main reason I am excited to see this upcoming sci-fi blockbuster.

In astrology, when Jupiter conjunct ascendent, it brings extravagance and wealth, and certainly no expense has been spared on production for Jupiter Ascending.  There seems to be a lot going on, from the space-y special effects, to Channing Tatum's interesting new look and it'll be interesting to see how well the plot stands up against the impressive backdrop.

Friday 6 December 2013

Future Film Friday: The Inbetweeners 2



Following the success of 2011's The Inbetweeners Movie, the show's creators, Damon Beesly and Iain Morris, confirmed this week that an sequel is on its way, set in Australia.

They've not given much away about what this newest offering will entail, but have promised kangaroos and koalas and I'm willing to wager that it may be centering around a gap year.

I have high hopes for this, sequels to a movie that was already based on a TV series can be dangerous ground but a lot of the comedy's success rests not only on the brilliant script but from the foursome's ability to bring the character's to life so hilariously, and I'm looking forward to plenty of down-under jokes.