'Fast & Furious 7' Moved to April 10th, 2015

In light of Paul Walker's untimely death, it had been strongly suspected that Universal would delay its release of Fast & Furious 7 to not only ensure the late actor's last entry in the franchise was done right, but also give the filmmakers behind the project enough time to make the best film possible.

Last night, the studio made that official, with a press release confirming the new release date:

Continuing the global exploits in the franchise built on speed, Vin Diesel and Paul Walker lead the returning cast of FAST & FURIOUS 7, which will be released by Universal Pictures on April 10, 2015.  James Wan directs this chapter of the hugely successful series, and Neal H. Moritz and Vin Diesel return as producers.

Prior to this statement, Vin Diesel had released the photo you see above on his Facebook page of the last scene him and Walker filmed together with this personal message to the fans:

The last scene we filmed together…

There was a unique sense of completion, of pride we shared… in the film we were now completing… the magic captured… and, in just how far we’ve come…

Fast and Furious 7 will be released…

April 10th 2015!

P.s. He’d want you to know first...

Even though this move now makes the movie year of 2015 even more crowded than ever, this was the best move the studio could make.  It also seemingly confirms the filmmakers have found a way to use Paul Walker's incomplete footage to both keep him the co-lead in the film and also give him a proper send-off.

I'm curious to see how it will all end up.

Source:  Vin Diesel Facebook, Universal Studios

2nd Teaser Trailer for Wally Pfister's 'Transcendence'

Yesteray we got our first look at the teaser trailer for Wally Pfister's Transcendence, starring Johnny Depp.

Though the teaser featured no actual footage from the film, it was led by Depp narrating on about 'artificial intelligence'.

Now, we have our 2nd teaser trailer for the film, feautring a narration by Morgan Freeman in a very 'Terminator-esque' sentiment, talking about what if 'artifical intelligence became self-aware'?

Take a look below and see what you think.

Transcendence stars Johnny Depp, Paul Bettany, Rebecca Hall, Kate Mara, Cillian Murphy, Clifton Collins Jr., and Morgan Freeman.  

The film opens in 2D and IMAX on April 17, 2014.

Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is the foremost researcher in the field of Artificial Intelligence, working to create a sentient machine that combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions. His highly controversial experiments have made him famous, but they have also made him the prime target of anti-technology extremists who will do whatever it takes to stop him. However, in their attempt to destroy Will, they inadvertently become the catalyst for him to succeed—to be a participant in his own transcendence. For his wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) and best friend Max Waters (Paul Bettany), both fellow researchers, the question is not if they can…but if they should. Their worst fears are realized as Will’s thirst for knowledge evolves into a seemingly omnipresent quest for power, to what end is unknown. The only thing that is becoming terrifyingly clear is there may be no way to stop him.

Teaser Trailer to Wally Pfister's Transcendence

Here is the Transcendence teaser trailer. The directorial debut of Christopher Nolan-certified Cinematographer of choice Wally Pfister, has our attention on that fact alone.

Don't have a minute to waste? The hook is Johnny Depp goes all HAL 9000. Not "Colorful weirdo" Johnny; the one Tim Burton and Gore Verbinski Okayed and, as a result, insured their great grandkids are going to med school. Not a trace of bug-eyes, gibberish and "Is he or isn't he?" homosexual and/or pedophile undertones in this would-be blockbuster.

He seems to be playing a normal guy. Who happens to get put inside a computer. Not sure he's up for that challenge.

The (Real) Expendables 3 Teaser Trailer

Below is the second teaser for The Expendables 3 this morning. One dropped earlier with foreign subtitles that came across more as a TV spot. They say that was a fake but I can't point fingers and laugh. It looked real to me. I wanted to put both up as a comparison. The fabricated one looked better to tell you the truth but it's kinda vanished.

There's not much to digest here anyway. An announcement teaser serving as a roll call for how many "Macho" thespians Millennium paid in cash to appear for 5 minutes screen time.

First Look At Brandon Routh's "Superman: Flyby" Screen Test

With Man Of Steel becoming a high flying box office success and Henry Cavill at the forefront of The Brothers Warner reimagining of the Superman mythos, I am sure some of have forgotten about Superman Returns and the previous owner of the red cape, Brandon Routh.

Routh's career didn't necessarily soar after Superman Returns, but the actor is set for the rest of his life financially and is doing what he loves, acting. I personally thought he was solid in the role of Superman/Clark Kent and was looking forward to more, but am more than pleased I was able to enjoy two different Superman films in the past 8 years.

The career paths of Cavill and Routh are forever intertwined since both screen tested for the role of Superman during McG's Superman: Flyby pre-production in 2004. When that project unraveled Bryan Singer cast Brandon Routh in Superman Returns and Henry Cavill ended up as Superman years later in Man Of Steel. Can you imagine a world where the roles were reversed? Think about it.

We already gave you a glimpse at Henry Cavill's Superman: Flyby Screen Test and below is a shot from Brandon Routh's screen test. This screen shot gives us a more complete look at the suit. Note what looks like a red belt. The Flyby suit screams action figure and Routh certainly looks the part. The screen test was only months before his test for Superman Returns which you can compare and contrast below.

Joaquin Phoenix Being Eyed for 'Batman/Superman' Villain

If Warner Bros. can land this one...

Word comes today that three time Academy Award nominee, Joaquin Phoenix (who may just well get his 4th for Spike Jonze's Her) is being eyed to play the main villain - believed to be Lex Luthor - in the still untitled Batman/Superman film.

The studio apparently wants a slam dunk for the role and you really can't get any more brilliant than an actor like Joaquin Phoenix.  Yeah, the dude might be a bit weird but he's one of the best actors working today...period.

There's no word on if Phoenix would even accept the role as he's avoided doing big budget tentpoles in favor of indie flicks that past several years, but if there's one film (and role) to make an exception for, this may very well be it.

Also worth noting about this project in today's news, Argo screenwriter Chris Terrio (which he won an Oscar for), is being brought in to do rewrites/polishes on the script, originally written by David Goyer.

I'm not surprised about this for two reasons, 1) David Goyer needs a more talented screenwriter to flesh out the strong points of his scripts and diminish the weak ones - a la Christopher/Jonathan Nolan with The Dark Knight Trilogy - because the guy's not a complete screenwriter, and 2)  Ben Affleck has A LOT of input on not only this project but the future of Batman on film so it should be expected he'd bring in talented people he's worked with before.

Source:  Variety

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Teaser Trailer

"A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species."

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier.  They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species.
Read more at http://collider.com/dawn-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-trailer/#BdhFGRlMFBv0KeBO.99

Trailer and Poster for '3 Days to Kill' Starring Kevin Costner

Funny thing about Kevin Costner...everyone loves the guy.

Older folk always enjoy his movies, middle-agers who grew up with him are still loyal fans, and the young crowd - for one reason or another - think he's the man.  I guess when you make classics like Field of Dreams and Dances with Wolves, respectability transcends everything.

Today, we have our first look at both the trailer and poster for what seems like a return to starring roles for Costner in 3 Days to Kill, a Taken-esque flick that looks to give the actor that later career stardom that Liam Neeson had enjoyed.

The plot revolves around an international spy (Costner) who wants to get away from his violent profession in order to spend more time with his teenage daughter.  But when his handler forces him back in to do what he does best, things get interesting.

You can watch the trailer below along with viewing the theatrical poster.  I've also posted the film's official synopsis.

3 Days to Kill opens February 21st.

(Oh, by the way, McG directed this thing...damn.)

In this heart pounding action-thriller, Kevin Costner is a dangerous international spy, who is determined to give up his high stakes life to finally build a closer relationship with his estranged wife and daughter, whom he’s previously kept at arm’s length to keep out of danger. But first, he must complete one last mission- even if it means juggling the two toughest assignments yet: hunting down the world’s most ruthless terrorist and looking after his teenage daughter for the first time in ten years, while his wife is out of town.

22 Jump Street Red Band Trailer

Good pal of mine worked several days on 22 Jump Street. I spent most of the time during this new trailer looking for him. No success, but a few more views, and cranking the speed down, may change that.

The trailer itself feels like a case of sequelitis. More of the same, just bigger; even callback jokes from 21 Jump Street. Heard some of the gags are filthy. There was an open casting call for Beaver Shots. So I have something to look forward to.

Emilia Clarke Cast as Sarah Connor in 'Terminator' Reboot

Though it was reported on yesterday, I wanted to give my own thoughts on Emilia Clarke landing the role of Sarah Connor in the new Terminator reboot..

We had heard earlier this week that it was down to Clarke and Brie Larson (Short Term 12, 21 Jump Street) for what's certainly the lead character in the July 1st, 2015 release, but were just waiting on who would be selected (director Alan Taylor seemingly won out as he wanted his Game of Thrones alum, while the studio, Paramount Pictures, wanted Larson).

While many are a bit critical of the casting - some of the project all together - in stating that Larson is the better actress (worthy Oscar buzz for this year's Short Term 12), it's important to remember that the better actress - which mind you, is completely subjective - may not necessarily be the best choice for a role.  The director is the one whose vision is being put up on screen as well as the idea of the kind of performance he wants out of a actor/actress.  If Taylor feels Clarke gives him the best shot at attaining what he wants, they I'm all for it.  If anything, it shows the studio is confident in what Taylor is doing and willing to go with what he feels is best.  (Not to mention, Clarke has an Emmy nomination herself so she ain't exactly no slouch.)

Clarke - who is certainly an absolutely beautiful actress - will have to pull off the role as made famous by Linda Hamilton in The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day.  Remember, Sarah Connor in the original film was an innocent, weak girl who turned herself into a tough, strong woman.  Clarke definitely has that 'innocent' look down, and I'm sure with any kind of training Hamilton went through herself, can achieve that 'badass' interpretation of the character that made her most recognizable.

One last note, it's ironic enough that Jason Clarke - no relation to Emilia - will be playing John Connor, an obviously older man (sans time travel) than his 20-something mother.

Now the hunt is on for the new Kyle Reese as the team behind the flick seemingly wanted both a casted John and Sarah Connor for the auditioning actors to work with to see who fits best.

We shall see.

What do you think of the new Terminator project so far?

Sound off below.