Following the massive box office success of the live action version of ‘Alice In Wonderland,’ film insiders tell me several versions of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ are being rushed into development. While a handful are in the works, the one that has got Hollywood the most excited has Angelina Jolie attached to it to play the Wicked Witch of the West.
“Angelina as the Wicked Witch would be perfect casting,” an Academy Award-winning casting director tells me. “She is not only the biggest movie star in the world, but Angie is also a brilliant actress who isn’t afraid to play someone evil.”
Fingers crossed. And I have the perfect suggestion for Glinda the good witch … Jennifer Aniston! Oh, what a world! – Popeater
Fox will be releasing its “Planet of the Apes” prequel on June 24, 2011. That’s only 13 months away, which means its time too finish up casting! Although Tobey Maguire was rumored to be the studios first pick for the project, it turns out that its his “Spider-man” co-star, James Franco who will get that honor! Franco will be playing the lead in “Rise of the Apes,” which is being described as an Apes origin story set in modern day San Francisco. Basically some experiments with genetic engineering went well, terribly wrong, leading to the creation of super-intelligent apes who are now fighting the humans in a battle for supremacy.
Franco will play a scientist who becomes a crucial figure in this war between man and ape.
I’m cautiously optimistic about this film. It features a talented director (Rupert Wyatt of “The Escapist”) and Franco is good-looking, a great actor and he has »
The fourth installment of the “Shrek” movie franchise debuted at the top of the box office this weekend, dethroning “Iron Man 2,” which held the title for two weeks. “Shrek Forever After” brought in 71-point-three million dollars in its opening weekend, while the second “Iron Man” earned 26-point-six million to land in second place. Falling to third was “Robin Hood,” followed by “Letters to Juliet” and “Just Wright” fell from fourth last week to fifth. The debut of the Saturday Night Live movie “MacGruber,” spoofing the 1980s TV show “MacGyver,” came in sixth with four-point-one million dollars.
Cool Pics – Check out the World Wide Premiere of “Iron Man 2″ held at The El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on April 26th,
Valentine’s Day opened huge over the weekend, easily taken the top spot with roughly 52 million dollars. A sequel to the star studded film entitled “New Years Eve” is already slated for release, which will carryover characters from the first film. Two other moves also had huge opening weekends, Percy and The Lightning Thief did about $31 million worth of box office receipts for a second place finish. The Wolfman did about 1 million less for third place at $30 million. Avatar and Dear John finished in fourth and fifth place with about 22 million and 15 million, respectively.
Fans of the Man of Steel will be happy to hear a sequel to Superman Returns has finally gotten the greenlight and a director. Christopher Nolan, who is wrapping up production on the Leonardo DiCaprio thriller Inception will helm the new Superman movie or Superman 3.0, a rebooted Superman film that has finally gotten off the ground three and a half years after the Brandon Routh starring Superman hit theaters.
A new Hollywood trend has big named stars helming films based off of bestselling books.
While books turning into films aren’t anything new, a new crop of characters are getting set to hit the big screen – with big names attached.
Katherine Heigl will take on Stephanie Plum, a character made popular in a series of best selling books, reports Variety. Heigl would star as Plum, a lingerie buyer turned bounty hunter. Other stars attached to bestselling books, include Angelina Jolie who’s preparing to enter the role of Kay Scarpetta along with Matt Damon, who will continue his role as Jason Bourne in the Robert Ludlum spy thrillers.
Looking to watch the Oscar nominated films before the awards broadcast? A total of ten films were nominated this year for Best Picture, the first time in Oscar history thanks to a special new rule instituted by the Academy this year, making more films now accessible to the public. While the Oscars don’t air until March 7, 2009, a number of this years Oscar Nominated and Best Picture contenders are already on DVD.
District 9
Peter Jackson’s science fiction special effects thrill about an alien earth invasion
Oscar Nominations- Film Editing, Best Picture, Visual Effects, Writing (Adapted Screenplay) [Wait!Theres Tons More…]
Oscar Nominee Matt Damon for Invictus headed to the set today to shoot scenes for his upcoming film ‘Hereafter’ co-starring Morgan Freeman and directed by Clint Eastwood. The film shoot that’s taken them across the globe from Paris to Hawaii, and San Francisco.
The film follows Damon and Freeman who are touched by death in different ways.
A quick note on some recent Hollywood Castings….
Fast and the Furious gets ready for a fifth sequel…Paul Walker and VinDiesl are both on board…
Jake Gyllenhaal is joining the movie adaptation of musical Damn Yankees…
Brad Pitt, Ryan Reynolds in talks to star in Gunsmoke, a remake of the classic television series that aired on CBS…
