The Daily Dark Knight: Nestor Carbonell On His Role In “The Dark Knight Rises.”

Posted on September 30, 2011 by jlmicek

Speaking with Wetpaint, actor Nestor Carbonell, who plays Gotham Mayor Anthony Garcia, had this to say about the latest installment of the Batman saga:

“I finished my part in it and I had a great time. I just went back to that set and it felt like we never left. It was really cool. We had much of the same crew and a lot of the cast. It was great to be back in London. I spent about a week there and then we worked in Pittsburgh as well, which was a blast.”

“It was just great to reconnect with Chris Nolan and to be part of what appears to be an even more epic story if that’s possible. I mean it looks and feels even bigger than the last one.”

(h/t ComicBookMovie)

Also, if Carbonell looks familiar, it may be because you recognize him as this:

I just loved that show …

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Iron Man 3 To Start Shooting In North Carolina Next June.

Posted on September 30, 2011 by jlmicek

Via NerdRepository, the latest on the new adventures of Old Shellhead:

“Just one month after Marvel’s The Avengers hits theaters, director Shane Black will roll camera on Iron Man 3, according to Latino Review and Detroit Free Press. Michigan had been considered for a possible shooting location, but it seems that North Carolina won the bid after offering $20 million in tax incentives, a figure that Michigan was unable to match. This is the second Marvel film that Michigan lost the opportunity to host, after losing out to Ohio in a bid to host The Avengers.”

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“Avengers” On The Cover Of Entertainment Weekly.

Posted on September 29, 2011 by jlmicek

For some, this may be suitable for framing:

h/t to Vulture.

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New Avengers Photos Hit The Web.

Posted on September 29, 2011 by jlmicek

So here’s some new Avengers set photos, courtesy of IO9, which reports that there’ll be a rivarly between Captain America and Iron Man.

Also, you figure Scarlett Johansson is picturing whoever leaked those photos of her as she shoots those guns?

Here’s the pix:

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Jessica Chastain’s Big Moment Has Arrived.

Posted on September 29, 2011 by jlmicek

If you don’t know who Jessica Chastain is, you will soon.

The titian-tressed actress is seemingly everywhere these days. She has a veritable bumper-crop of movies out: From the current “The Debt” and “The Help,” to the soon-to-be-released (ready now?) “Texas Killing Fields“; “Take Shelter“; “Coriolanus“; “The Wettest County in the World,” and “Wilde Salome.”

The Guardian sits down to chat with Chastain, who was an unknown just a year ago. As ever, here’s the nut graf:

“Chastain’s extended moment is just a coincidence of timing, she explains, almost apologetically. “Last year, we were joking that there was a Chastain curse. I’d done 11 films in four years and for some reason they’d all been paused. I’d tell my friends and family, ‘I swear to you, I’m in this movie with Brad Pitt!’ Or I’d meet with a film-maker and I’d go, ‘I really want to do your movie – but if you put me in it, it may not come out for years.'”

Now Chastain is cursed instead with a never-ending promotional tour of duty. “Sundance, Berlin, two films in Cannes, two films in Deauville, two films in Venice, two films in Toronto,” she says, looking back over the year. “I’m promoting five movies this month. My publicist said she’s never seen that before. I looked at my whole schedule and I got freaked out, so now I just look at three days. What am I doing the next three days? That’s enough.” There are, however, no visible signs of weariness. “I’m such a fan of movies,” she says. “I love actors. I love directors. I love talking about them. I become like a geeky schoolgirl. I even love doing press.” Either she’s totally genuine or she’s a very good actor. Or both.

Read the full story here.

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The Daily Dark Knight: Cillian Murphy Back As “Scarecrow?”

Posted on September 29, 2011 by jlmicek

Since I seem to be writing about the new Bat-Flick every day now, it seemed appropriate to give my update a title. So welcome to The Daily Dark Knight. At least once a day, I’ll try to whet your very apparent appetite for news about the final installment of Christopher Nolan’s Bat-Trilogy.

Take this one with a ton of salt, but several eyewitnesses claim to have spotted actor Cillian Murphy on the set, sparking fresh rumors that he’s reprising his role as Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow. The nerds will remember that he originated the role in “Batman Begins” and his fate was left kind of open-ended.

Via ComicBookMovie:

“Cillian Murphy is returning in TDKR. You can see him at Union Station in Los Angeles, but at least that’s where I saw him earlier on my way back home from taking spy photos. I couldn’t take a picture of him because there are a ton of security guards, but he’s definitely there.

You can take this as 100% legit fact. Scarecrow is in TDKR. He was wearing a black robe, probably to disguise his suit underneath.”

Then there’s this: Presumably an authentic set note that was posted on the movie’s Facebook page:

“It appears that exile means walking a dangerous frozen river on the outskirts of Gotham. Which would coincide with the LA River scene filmed with Gordon and his men tip toeing awkwardly in the leaked video.

Oh P.S. Judge’s identity: JONATHAN F#CKIN CRANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cillian Murphy is back with a bang!”

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Film Bits: Is Moneyball Worth The Money?

Posted on September 28, 2011 by jlmicek

Happy Wednesday, Everyone.
It’s time for Film Bits, my weekly look at other film writing across the WordPressosphere. If you like what you see, consider bookmarking these folks and visiting often.

Two Cranky Guys ask whether the new Brad Pitt vehicle “Moneyball” is worth the gallons of hype being expended on its behalf.

PopSober pens an open letter to Rihanna (who’s starring in the upcoming Battleship adaptation. Don’t worry. There’s a movie tie-in here).

Reinspired looks back at the Jack Black/Kyle Gass comedy “Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny.”

Windy City Nerd watches the “Star Wars” Blu-rays so you don’t have to. There should be hazard pay involved there.

Inside Movies on why already unnecessarily expensive (and often crashingly stupid) 3D movies are about to get even more expensive. And, sadly, the increased price will not translate into movies that actualy deserve to exist.

Oh sweet jumping Jesus … they remade The Lorax? The first one was perfect. FireWire has the teaser poster for the movie, which opens March 2.

CinemaSights reviews Pierce Brosnan’s second outing as James Bond in 1997’s “Tomorrow Never Dies.”

Posted in Animation, Film Bits, Film News, James Bond, Reboot-Itis, Reviews, Rock Cinema, Thinking About Movies, Trailer Trash | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Extras Casting Call For “Dark Knight Rises” Filming In NYC.

Posted on September 28, 2011 by jlmicek

Via ComicBookMovie:

There’s Big Apple filming Saturday for Christopher Nolan’s Bat-Flick.

Here’s the deets:


‘MAGNUS REX’

Grant Wilfley Casting, Inc. is casting extras for the new Warner Bros. film Magnus Rex. Producers state: “Take part in the urban action adventure coming to the streets of New York City.” Shoots Oct. 29-Nov. 11, 2011 in NYC.

Seeking Extras: male and female, 18+, all ethnicities, no experience necessary, to play law enforcement within a city besieged by crime and corruption, specific roles include Guards, Soldiers, and Police Officers, seeking physically fit athletes, people with military and/or law enforcement training/experience, weapons training, and/or martial arts training.

Open call will be held Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2-4 p.m. at Metropolitan Pavilion, 110 W. 19th St. (btwn. Sixth & Seventh aves.), NYC. Bring photo ID (i.e. driver’s license, state ID, student ID, etc.); talent must be able to provide valid unexpired ID to fill out I-9 at time of hiring. Seeking nonunion talent at this call; SAG members who are not already registered with GWCI should also attend the open call. For more info (including time/location details for SAG registration), visit http://www.gwcnyc.com or call (212) 685-3168. There are no sign-up fees. Professional pay provided. SAG Background Actors Contract.

Contact Information: Follow contact instructions specified within casting notice.

Casting Notice Details:

Categories: Union Film, Union/Nonunion Film, Nonunion Film
Production Personnel: Grant Wilfley Casting
Approximate production dates & locations: Shoots Oct. 29-Nov. 11, 2011 in NYC.
Pay: Professional Pay
Male/female role: Male, Female
Age Range: Young Adult (ages 18-29), Thirties (ages 30-39), Forties (ages 40-49), Older (50-65)

Ethnicity: Caucasian/White, African-American/Black, Latin/Hispanic/South American, Asian, Native American, European, Middle Eastern, Indian/South Asian, Other
Nudity: No

Locations:

State: NY
Country USA

Audition Dates:

Starts  10/1/2011

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Lionsgate Acquires Rights To “Dead Island.”

Posted on September 28, 2011 by jlmicek

Lionsgate Studios has acquired the film rights to smash video game “Dead Island,” Nerd Repository reports this morning.

Here’s the text of the press release the studio put out yesterday:

Santa Monica, CA, September 27, 2011– LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, today announced that it has optioned film rights from Deep Silver to develop a feature inspired by Dead Island, which became a viral media sensation when its haunting, artful trailer launched in February 2011. The announcement was made by Lionsgate’s co-COO and Motion Picture Group President Joe Drake.


Dead Island is a global brand first introduced through a teaser trailer that told the story of a family on vacation at a tropical resort who is besieged by zombies. Told in a stark, non-linear fashion, the wrenching trailer captured worldwide fan attention and unanimous critical praise upon its debut, receiving over one million hits in its first 24 hours online, and nearly 10 million views by two days after its debut. Wired Magazine, College Humor and G4TV all called it the best video game trailer of all time, with G4TV adding “The Dead Island trailer is the best trailer I have ever seen in my life. The best video game trailer. The best movie trailer. The best anything trailer.” The trailer went on to win the Golden Lion in Cannes at the International Festival of Creativity, the advertising industry’s highest honor, and it was featured by Adweek on their annual list of the World’s Best Commercials.


The video game Dead Island was published by Deep Silver for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC. It was released in the United States on September 6th, 2011 and was the number one selling game both in the U.S. and the U.K. upon its local releases. The game has sold over two million units to date.

The game centers on vacationers whose island paradise becomes a living hell when a zombie outbreak quickly spreads. Cut off from the rest of the world, the survivors have only the available materials and the island’s natural “weapons” to protect themselves from the vicious and growing legions of the undead. In addition to the award-winning trailer and video game, the Dead Island intellectual property will be simultaneously developed by Deep Silver into forthcoming graphic novels, novels and other extensions.

Like the trailer that will serve as its primary creative inspiration, the film Dead Island will be an innovation of the zombie genre because of its focus on human emotion, family ties and non-linear storytelling. Said Drake of the property’s acquisition, “Like the hundreds of journalists and millions of fans who were so passionate and vocal about the Dead Island trailer, we too were awestruck.” He continued, “This is exactly the type of property we’re looking to adapt at Lionsgate – it’s sophisticated, edgy, and a true elevation of a genre that we know and love. It also has built in brand recognition around the world, and franchise potential.”

The film Dead Island is currently in the early development stage with producers attached. Sean Daniel (The Mummy, Tombstone, Dazed and Confused) will spearhead production through his Sean Daniel Company. A veteran producer with global franchises under his belt, Daniel is to be joined in producing by Stefan Sonnenfeld, who has been a pioneer in the post production field, using the process as a platform to create a unique visual brand with directors including J.J. Abrams, Michael Bay and Gore Verbinski. Jason Brown of The Sean Daniel Company and Missy Papageorge for Sonnenfeld’s Sunny Field Productions are executive producing, with Sarah Perlman of Sunny Field Productions serving as co-producer.


Alli Shearmur, Lionsgate’s President of Motion Picture Production and Development is overseeing the project at the studio, with Jim Miller, SVP of Production and Development. Rob McEntegart, Senior EVP of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, negotiated the deal with Deep Silver’s U.S. attorney Ed Labowitz.

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New “Melancholia” Character Banners.

Posted on September 27, 2011 by jlmicek

Courtesy of Empire Magazine …
… here’s some news about the new Lars von Trier flick, which stars Kirsten Dunst, Alexander Skaarsgard and Kiefer Sutherland.

The movie is already getting some advance buzz among the more … ahhh … libidinous quadrants of the Web because of leaked photos showing the amount of exposed Dunst flesh in the film (totally NSFW link here).

Here’s the nut graf:

“Usually, when we get our sticky hands on some interesting character banners, they’re for a big franchise picture featuring wizards or mutants. Well, not this time (unless we’ve seriously misread the film), because this lot are for Lars Von Trier’s Melancholia, which may or may not be about depression, broken families struggling to connect, and/or the end of the world.”

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