Matt Damon Joining George Clooney's 'The Monuments Men'

I dunno how that SOB does it, but he does it.

George Clooney has now enlisted good buddy Matt Damon to star alongside himself and a bunch of other stars including Daniel Craig, Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin (the guy from The Artist), John Goodman, and Bill Murray in The Monuments Men.

Clooney also co-wrote and will direct the period drama film based on the non-fiction novel, The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, about a group of art experts selected by the U.S. government to chase down stolen art of Europe at the end of World War II.

No word on when the film will begin rolling before the cameras but expect it to start sometime next year after Clooney convinces himself not only does he need a new hot girlfriend but that he's a great actor too.

Source: Deadline

David Ellison Now Attached to Produce New 'Terminator' Film

Well, this wasn't the news I was expecting but it's better than nothing.

About a month ago word came out that news on the new Terminator film - to be produced by Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures - was coming and now it looks like that news has arrived.  Ellison's brother, David (owner of Skydance Productions behind such films as Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Jack Reacher, Star Trek Into Darkness) will be co-producing the project which apparently just had its rights officially signed over to Megan after lengthy negotiations with its now previous owner, Pacificorp (explains why no movement has been made on film in over a year).

This comes as interesting news for both Ellison's involved as Megan has taken a more independent, dramatic route, producing such films as Lawless, The Master, Killing Them Softly, and Zero Dark Thirty while her brother has gone the more popcorn-fluff, action road with such films mentioned above.

I take it both of them working together could be a good thing as sister Ellison's flare for the dramatic can be balanced out with brother Ellison's flare for the special effects (tell me any Terminator film since T2 that successfully balanced both?).

With the rights all signed and sealed now, expect solid movement to start on the project as a screenwriter will likely need to be brought on first followed be a director (or potentially the same person).

Nothing is known plot-wise about the new Terminator film though it has been confirmed that it WILL be R-rated and strong indications that the story will involve the original cast more inline with the first two films.

Maybe James Cameron can be brought on as a producer.

Source: Deadline

New 'Die Hard' Featurette Promises Lots of Action but R-Rating Still Questionable

20th Century Fox has released a new featurette for their February 14th release of A Good Day to Die Hard, the 5th entry in the Die Hard franchise.

In this clip, we're given a good look at John McClane's son, Jack (Jai Courtney), who is revealed to be a deep cover CIA agent.

One thing to take away from the short, 5 seconds of dialogue between McClane Senior and Junior is that Bruce Willis looks to be acting like John McClane again, though that could be wishful thinking for such a short sample size.

Here's hoping the film lands an R-rating at least:

Since the first "Die Hard" in 1988, John McClane has found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, with the skills and attitude to always be the last man standing, making him enemy #1 for terrorists the world over. Now, McClane faces his greatest challenge ever, this time on an international stage, when his estranged son Jack is caught up in the daring prison escape of a rogue Russian leader, and father and son McClane must work together to keep each other alive and keep the world safe for democracy.

Source: ComingSoon.net

Hugh Jackman Joining 'X-Men: Days of Future Past'

I'll come out and state it: before the end of the year you will see pretty much every member of the original X-Men cast - from James Marsden to Famke Janssen to Rebecca Romijn - joining this film.  This is the X-Men 3 Bryan Singer never got the chance to make and is the closest he is going to get while sequel-izing X-Men: First Class.

Anyway, unless you're head's been under a rock for the past couple days, you've probably heard by now that both Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen will be joining X-Men: Days of Future Past along with returning cast members James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Nicholas Hoult.

Now comes word that Wolverine himself - Hugh Jackman - will be taking part in the X-Men fan's dream film as well.

Jackman, who stars in next year's stand-alone Wolverine film, The Wolverine, did a hilarious cameo in First Class and led many to believe he would be coming back for more in DoFP.  With original director Bryan Singer on-board, it was almost a certainty.

Days of Future Past is a classic storyline that unfolded in two issues of Marvel Comics' Uncanny X-Men in 1981, from writer Chris Claremont and artists John Byrne and Terry Austin. The story was partially set in an alternate future where surviving mutants have been penned in concentration camps, giant robots called Sentinels patrol America, and most of the X-Men have been hunted and killed. In the present day, the X-Men were forced to stop a key event from unfolding in order to keep that future from occurring.

I'll go out on a limb, but I think this film is going to kick ass.

X-Men: Days of Future Past hits theaters July 18th, 2014.

Source: Heat Vision

First Trailer for New Dwayne Johnson Actioner 'Snitch'

What's interesting about Dwayne Johnson - or The Rock as most still think of him as - is he's kind hit his peak as a movie star.

I mean, he's been acting full-time for what, a decade now?  It's pretty much been cemented in stone that he will never be as big as Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone in their prime.  He'll never have the box office draw power of a Tom Cruise or Will Smith.  He's really just been regulated to the same class as Jason Statham and Vin Diesel:  Solid actors, great action stars, but nothing more than average to above-average box office (unless it's a franchise, ala Expendables, Fast & Furious).

Below is a look at Johnson's newest action film, Snitch.  In the pic, he plays a father who becomes an informant for the DEA to save his son from a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years.  Obviously, things go south and Johnson is forced to take matters into his own hands to protect those he loves.

Also starring Susan Sarandon, Benjamin Bratt, Jon Bernthal, and Barry Pepper, Snitch opens February 22nd.

Inspired by true events, the film stars Johnson as a father whose teenage son is wrongly accused of a drug distribution crime and is looking at a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years. Desperate and determined to rescue his son at all costs, he makes a deal with the U.S. Attorney to work as an undercover informant and infiltrate a drug cartel on a dangerous mission- risking everything, including his family and his own life.

New 'The Dark Knight Rises' Blu-ray Clip Shows Anne Hathaway's Fight Preparation

There's been a surprising number of behind-the-scenes clips coming out for the upcoming Blu-ray/DVD release of The Dark Knight Rises.  I say surprising because Christopher Nolan is well-known to not be a fan of 'Making Of' type segments as he feels it takes away from the magic of movies.

"Better to not know how it was done, just enjoy the film."

With that comes a new clip of the crew discussing Anne Hathaway's preparation to play Selina Kyle (ala Catwoman) and the type of fight choreography that went into the details of her character:

The Dark Knight Rises hits Blu-ray/DVD December 4th.

New Trailer for 'Jack the Giant Slayer'

Never sure what to think of a film when it's delayed.  Definitely not sure what to think of a film when it's delayed nearly a year even though an initial trailer had already been released as well as a slight title change.

That is the case though with Bryan Singer's Jack the Giant Slayer (formerly Killer) which was to be released last June only to be pushed to March 1st, 2013.  It's a new take on the classic 'Jack and beanstalk' fairy tale.

You be the judge:

"Jack the Giant Slayer tells the story of an ancient war that is reignited when a young farmhand unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack, into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom, its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend—and gets the chance to become a legend himself."

I Guess It's Down to Jon Favreau? Brad Bird NOT Directing 'Star Wars'

Considering pretty much every director listed as in the running to direct the new Star Wars film has now said no - from Speilberg, to Tarantino, to Abrams, to now Brad Bird - I guess that leaves Jon Favreau as the last man standing?

Contrary to much fan support, Academy Award winner Brad Bird will NOT be directing the new Star Wars film, straight from the horses mouth himself.

Bird had this to say on Twitter:

Brad Bird ‏@BradBirdA113

“@rsavenell: You are on people’s lists as top choice for Star Wars, yet haven’t confirmed. Please end this tease!” Not doing Star Wars.

“@ClarkGoble: tell me your next one is the new Star Wars!” Nope. A science fiction film. Not Star Wars.

“@JoesMonster: @wearebuffaloz Is it Star Wars Episode VII? Because I really hope it’s Star Wars Episode VII…” It’s not Episode VII.

“@GeoffBreedwell: You’re not doing EP7? Why not? You’re perfect for it!” Thanks. But the science fiction film I AM doing is gonna be cool.

“@gregaveryowens: Totally just saw @BradBirdA113 slam Star Wars. Brilliant!” I’m not slamming Star Wars. I’m just doing “1952″! Sheesh!

That said, Michael Arndt is a fantastic writer and Kathy Kennedy is a brilliant producer. I will be first in line to see the new STAR WARS.

As much as people can wonder why a director would not want to direct Star Wars, it's more so why would they want to direct it?  It's an extremely daunting task and one left better for someone else to stress over because it can either be a career maker or career suicide.

I guess we'll find out soon enough who gets the job.

Source: Collider

First Two TV Spots for 'Jack Reacher'

This.  Looks.  Kick.  Ass.

Not only am I a huge Tom Cruise fan but I've read the Lee Childs' book this film is based on (One Shot) and every scene looks stripped straight from the pages.

Awesome.

For any person doubting Tom Cruise in this role, hopefully this starts to change your mind:

Announcement For 'Star Wars' Director is Coming

While I'm not a Star Wars fan, I was rather happy when Disney bought Lucasfilm.  Now they can get that franchise back on track.

Much has been made about who will helm the next film in the series and potentially the new trilogy as well.

According to Frank Marshall - husband of new Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy - a decision is coming:

"I do (know) but I can't reveal it, or I won't be alive tomorrow," he said. "I'm really excited about this. I didn't grow up with it, but I was a big fan and have been since the series started. I'll always remember seeing that big mothership go over the screen. I've never forgotten it. I can't wait to see what's next."

My money's on Brad Bird.  That man would be the perfect choice.

We'll find out soon enough.

Source: ComingSoon.net