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.

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.

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.

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.

Future Film Friday: Tolkien

Following the success of last year's Hitchcock, Fox Searchlight have announced that they are working on a JRR Tolkien biopic which will capture his time during both university and as a soldier during WW1, as well as his well-publicized friendship with CS Lewis.

Whilst it may be surprising that no such film has already been produced, it is worth noting that the Tolkien estate are notoriously protective over usage of Tolkien's outputs, so I'll wait with bated breath to see if this comes to fruition.

I have my own personal family reasons to hope that this film gets the greenlight; my great-grandad was in his year at school and my great-aunt was matron of the hospital where he was treated for trench-foot so I'm looking forward to pointing out "nurse #4" and pretending she is an ancestor.  All jokes aside, Tolkien is probably the most innovative and imaginative authors of all time, so it will be fascinating to see the man behind Middle-earth.

Talking of Middle-earth, Google has made sure none of us forget the imminent release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2511261/Google-Middle-earth-Interactive-3D-map-J-R-R-Tolkiens-imagined-kingdom-launches-run-Hobbit-film-release.html

Some of The Hobbit's well-known locations are  now open for virtual tours, thanks to the new interactive map from Google.

Incorporating, audio passages, character biographies and Elvish muzak, users can explore Trollshaws, Dol Guldur and beautiful Rivendell.

Lloydy's round-up: Batkid, Pudsey and an odd sequel

I have to begin this post with the most heartwarming story I've ever heard.

For one day only, San Francisco transformed into Gotham City, especially for Miles Scott (Batkid), a five year old leukemia sufferer, and the city's residents were all in on the secret (courtesy of Make-A-Wish Foundation).

The day began with an ABC news report calling for Batkid's help and his day progressed with saving a damsel-in-distress and apprehending the Riddler.  To reward him for all of his help, Batkid was rewarded with the key to the city.  

This is an absolutely wonderful story, and something that I'm sure was brilliant fun to be part of. Bravo San Francisco.

Very Important Pudsey

The second charity-meets-entertainment story of the week revolves around our favourite charity mascot, Pudsey (bear not dog).  

Stars from stage, screen and music came together to design a very unique range of Pudsey's to raise money for this year's Children in Need.  Those participating included Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Terry Wogan, Dame Helen Mirren and Joanna Lumley's (see below).

And now something bizarre...

A sequel to It's a Wonderful Life is in the works. Yup.

It's a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story (hmm...) will follow Bailey's unpleasant grandson, with angel Zuzu showing him how much better the world would have been without him.

I don't even know what to say.

Lloydy's round-up: Thor, Classics and Odd Promotions

Last night I saw Thor: The Dark World.  Despite the mixed reviews that it has received, I really enjoyed it, especially the many humourous interludes, courtesy of Loki, Darcy and  Erik. The science chat mostly went over my head but I got the gist of what was going on.  It did feel a little Lord of The Rings-esque at times but on the whole, a well-told story.

Other things happening in the movie world this week...

Star Wars casting

The first auditions for Disney Star Wars: Episode VII were held in Bristol this weekend, but I'll leave it up to these two to tell you more...



Blasts from the past

Ghostbusters 3 could well be on the cards, with reports suggesting that both Jonah Hill and Emma Stone have been offered roles. We shall have to wait and see if any more news surfaces...

Similarly, Jurassic World (due for a 2015 release) has a rumoured casting list of Jason Schwartzman, Bryce Dallas Howard (The Twilight Saga, The Help), Nick Robinson (The Kings of Summer) and Ty Simpkins (Insidious).

Jungle Book updates

Back in July, I spoke about Disney's planned live-action remake of The Jungle Book, and it looks like the wheels are well and truly in motion, with Jon Favreau in negotiations to direct.  I'd be really interested to see what the genius behind Elf could do with another family classic.

Odd Hunger Games tie-ins

One news story that I saw circulating all over the internet this week, was the proposed Hunger Games theme park. Now, I understand why this would appeal. Both The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter were roaring successes, and as a franchise with a similar fan base, I can appreciate why this would be a concept. However, the main difference is that Hogwarts, and all associated with it, is a world that as you read (or watch) you desperately want to be part of. You certainly do not want to be involved in any of the various civilizations within Panem, or the arenas for that matter.  I can imagine the rides themselves would be suitably exhilarating but I'd love to be a fly on the wall during the development process.

http://www.youtube.com/v/MHk8ykeA0d8?autohide=1&version=3&autohide=1&feature=share&attribution_tag=Sq_Od0B68MYpp3aS2UMbsg&showinfo=1&autoplay=1

The second Hunger Games related news that has caused quite a frenzy amongst fans is the Subway US promotion alongside Catching Fire. Admittedly, it is an odd choice, a film revolving around starving citizens, sponsored by sandwiches. I think Subway have really missed a trick here.  The Catching Fire sandwiches on offer are the 'Sriracha Chicken Melt', the 'Sriracha Steak Melt', Buffalo Chicken and the Turkey Jalapeno Melt.  However, hardcore fans will know that a particular meal is referenced quite prominently throughout the novels (although admittedly they don't linger on it in the movies), which consists of lamb stew and plums.  To me, this sounds like a potentially delicious sandwich! Come on Subway!