'The Dark Tower' Has a Release Date!

After several years of development, many studios (and actors) attached, it looks as though Stephen King's epic novel series is finally getting close to hitting the big screen.

Sony Pictures has officially set a January 13th, 2017 release date for The Dark Tower. While that may seem far away, remember that we are already halfway through 2015. That's only a year and a half from now.

We know the project has a director (Nikolaj Arcel), multiple screenwriters (Arcel and Anders Thomas Jensen) and producers (Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Stephen King himself), but now it's time to find a lead actor.

A lot of big name actors have flirted with project over the years including Russell Crowe, Javier Bardem, even Christian Bale, but as of right now there's no word on if any of those names are still being considered. They need to find the right guy and frankly, I have no clue who would fit. A Dark Tower expert might know.

The one thing I'd like to point out is the seemingly short time period between now and that release date. The project must be further along than we think in terms of filming locations, budget and casting as they would have to start shooting by the end of this year, early next year to have the film ready by January 2017.

I only hope they have everything in order and aren't about to make this a rush job, certainly not after the long road the page to screen adaptation the project has taken.

We will definitely keep you posted on any more news about this as you can expect more big announcements in the next coming months.

Source: Sony Pictures

Promo Video for 'The Martian' - Ares 3: The Right Stuff

Having recently finished reading Andy Weir's The Martian, I am beyond psyched to see the film.

The combination of science, suspense, reality, authenticity and most of all, humor, makes the book one of the best I have ever read. I am just praying and hoping the film is able to capture that same spirit as the book.

Seriously, Mark Watney is like my friggin hero now.

Anyway, if you haven't seen the trailer, you should check it out (as I have about 100x). Today though, we have another promo video for the film where the 'crew' is being interviewed by a psychologist before their mission after each spending 10 days in isolation. It's safe to say, all the actors here (especially Matt Damon) have seemingly translated their characters from page to screen. Even reading the book, I couldn't help but picture all of these actors in their respective roles.

The Martian opens nationwide October 2nd.

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return. Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, THE MARTIAN features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.

Source: 20th Century Fox

'Zoolander 2' Trailer Debuts...Or is it '2oolander'?

I guess it's pretty sad when you remember seeing Zoolander in theaters when you were still in middle school.

When the film first debuted back in 2001, it was certainly considered 'funny' but I don't think many thought it would go on to become such a cult classic. Like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, its both marveled for its complete stupidity yet adored for its absolutely hilarious humor.

Like Ron Burgundy as well, Derek Zoolander is finally getting a sequel which can also be considered a bit 'too late'. Anchorman: The Legend Continues took nine years to get made while Zoolander 2 is even longer at fifteen (Dumb and Dumber To holds the ultimate title with the big 2-0).

Anyway, Paramount has released what is really just a teaser for the film with no actual footage shown other than Derek Zoolander asking a very important question to the audience. The dummy (no pun intended) narration by Stephen Hawking is a nice touch though.

Little is known about the plot of the actual film but original co-stars Owen Wilson, Christine Taylor and Will Ferrel are back with Stiller along with new additions Kristen Wiig, Olivia Munn and Penelope Cruz.

View the trailer below and sound off with your comments. Is it really, really ridiculously good looking? Sorry, just had to.

Source: Paramount Pictures

Trailer for 'Before We Go' Starring Chris Evans and Alice Eve

The Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight Trilogy are three of my favorite movies of all-time (yeah that's right, I'm a hopeless romantic, sue me). The simplicity of watching two people on camera for two hours interact with each other while being real and authentic in their conversations about everything to do with life is just...beautiful.

Anyway, I bring that up because today we have the trailer for Chris Evans' directorial debut Before We Go (formerly titled 1:30 Train) about two strangers who find themselves stranded in New York City one night, only to grow closer to each other as the hours go on, putting them on new paths in the direction of their lives.

The film also stars Alice Eve, with Evans of course playing the male lead. Judging by the trailer, it looks like a pretty cute but solid movie. It's certainly a breath of fresh air for Evans whose been doing nothing but CGI-filled popcorn blockbusters with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I had read somewhere that he wants to keep making movies like this where the story is simple, without any special effects or things like that. I hope he keeps his word.

The film debuted last year at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and is finally hitting screens this summer. It's currently available via iTunes and VOD, and will have a limited release in theaters September 4th.

You can view the trailer for the film below along with the official poster.

Disney Developing Live-Action 'Aladdin' Prequel, 'Genies'

Well I guess this isn't too surprising given the trend lately, but if you ever wondered how Genie got stuck in that lamp...

Disney is resurrecting another one of it's classic animated films for live-action form, the next being 1992's Aladdin.

Oh, but it's not what you think. Instead of getting a live-action version of an animated classic (this year's Cinderella, next year's The Jungle Book, 2017's Beauty and the Beast, undated Mulan and Pinocchio), we're getting a prequel, entitled Genies, about the realm of, well, Genies.

Not sure why that is. I mean the story of Aladdin pretty much sells itself. Not to mention the late Robin Williams famously voiced the original blue-skinned big guy so they're actually making it more difficult to fill those shoes by making that character the lead.

But don't worry, if this film is a success (which, come on, it will be), they hope it will then lead to a live-action version of Aladdin (ah...it's about more money to make, isn't it?).

The prequel is being described as a 'comedy-advenuture', currently being written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift whose notable credits as screenwriters include Freddy vs. Jason and the recent Friday the 13th remake. Wait, what?

(By the way, think they've thought about trying to do The Lion King live-action? Just saying.)

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Sam Mendes Done with James Bond After 'Spectre'

It's crazy to think that it was three years ago in November when director Sam Mendes completely knocked it out of the James Bond park with Skyfall.

The film was not only one the best in the James Bond series but also just a great film, period. And oh yeah, it made over $1 billion at the box office and nearly landed a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars.

With all that, it's hard to imagine trying to top that kind of success, by Mendes is indeed doing it with this year's next James Bond film, Spectre, once again starring Daniel Craig as 007.

However, coming straight from the horse's mouth himself, Mendes has declared he's done with Bond after this (though for the record, he said that after Skyfall too).

Speaking with BBC News, the director states:

"I said no to the last one and then ended up doing it, and was pilloried by all my friends, but I do think this is probably it. I don't think I could go down that road again. You do have to put everything else on hold. It really is more a lifestyle choice than a job."

While the plot is still a near mystery (we know Bond is trying to track a secret organization), Mendes states the flick is actually bigger than Skyfall in terms of location shooting:

"This is a bigger movie than Skyfall. It's shot in more places - we were in Mexico City and Tangiers and northern Sahara and Rome and the Alps and London. It's been an enormous undertaking."

Finally, to probably not many Bond's fans surprise, he reveals the theme song for the film has actually already been recorded, but won't say who the artist is or the title:

"I can say that the song's been recorded and it's fantastic and I'm very excited about it. You won't have to wait long."

One thing to note is that this will actually be the 24th Bond film with, obviously, the next being the milestone 25. I wonder if that will allure Mendes to come back a third and final time, and maybe even be Craig's swan song to the franchise as well. We'll see.

Spectre also stars film stars Ralph Fiennes as M, Ben Wishaw as Q, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny, Christoph Waltz as Oberhauser, Monica Bellucci as Lucia Sciarra, David Bautista as Mr. Hinx and Léa Seydoux as Madeleine Swann.

The film opens stateside November 6th, but in the U.K. over 10 days earlier on October 26th. Damn Brits (well, he is your character so, that sort of makes sense).

A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

Source: BBC News

First Trailer for 'Joy' Starring Jennifer Lawrence

What if I told you an Oscar nominated filmmaker and an Oscar winning actress were making a movie about the woman who invented the miracle mop?

You probably wouldn't believe me but indeed it's actually true.

The first trailer has been released for writer/director David O. Russell's (American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter) drama/comedy (dramedy), Joy, starring Jennifer Lawrence as the title character who - through perseverance over life's obstacles - becomes the founder of a business dynasty.

The trailer definitely seems to sell the 'emotional core' behind the film as we see Lawrence's character, Joy, going through life's struggles and disappointments before she decides to take action and change her life for the better. It also throws the comedy bits in as well as we see while the film will have its dramatic beats, it's not going serious to the point where it's a full-on drama.

Lawrence obviously looks fantastic in the lead role and will probably be a heavy favorite once again for an Oscar nomination and win. Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper also have supporting roles as well.

View the trailer below and judge for yourself.

Sound off with your comments.

JOY is the wild story of a family across four generations centered on the girl who becomes the woman who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love, pave the road in this intense emotional and human comedy about becoming a true boss of family and enterprise facing a world of unforgiving commerce. Allies become adversaries and adversaries become allies, both inside and outside the family, as Joy’s inner life and fierce imagination carry her through the storm she faces. Jennifer Lawrence stars, with Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramirez, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Ladd, and Virginia Madsen. Like David O. Russell’s previous films, Joy defies genre to tell a story of family, loyalty, and love.

Source: 20th Century Fox

'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' - Comic-Con Trailer Reaction

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Comic-Con Trailer

Nikolaj Arcel Officially Set to Direct Stephen King's 'The Dark Tower'

Coming out of Comic Con this weekend, news comes that Sony Pictures and Media Rights Capital have closed their deal with Danish filmmaker Nikolaj Arcel to direct Stephen King's The Dark Tower, the first entry in what they hope will be a series of films.

Arcel will rewrite the original script - by Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner - with another Danish filmmaker, Anders Thomas Jensen.

Both men have Oscar credentials with Arcel having been nominated for the foreign language film, A Royal Affair, and Jensen having won for his short film, Election Night.

Sony is set to handle theatrical distribution with MRC developing a companion TV series as well, much like Stephen King's other, long in-development adaptation, The Stand. That project is further along, with a Showtime series set to debut prior to a cumulative feature film.

Oscar winning producer Brian Grazer and fellow Oscar winning director Ron Howard are still aboard the project as execs, along with King himself. They've been involved in this project for a while, since it was being developed at both Warner Bros. and Universal.

While I have never read any of The Dark Tower series (I know, I should), the first installment - entitled The Gunslinger - centers on the main protagonist, Roland Deschain, and his relationship with a young protege, Jake Chambers.

Both Javier Bardem and Russell Crowe were previously attached to play Deschain and it's unknown if either actor is still interested in the role.

All I say is this: The Dark Tower, much like The Stand, is a massive, massive undertaking. There are numerous books and millions upon millions of fans over the past 30 years. They better know what they're doing and not screw this up, period.

Source: Deadline

'Sherlock' Christmas Special Coming to Theaters; First Clip Released

Even though this is a TV show, it will be hitting theaters later this year so I figured it qualified for the movie section.

Sherlock is one of those shows that has a major cult following and is a favorite among many avid TV watchers. Certainly in the vain of Doctor Who, BBC does a great job in scripting the series and seemingly keeping the storylines fresh and engaging for audience. While I have never watched the show myself, I would imagine any thing that keeps Benedict Cumberbatch on TV while the guy is crushing film roles must be pretty darn good.

Below you'll see a clip that was released yesterday at Comic Con for a Sherlock Christmas special that is scheduled to air obviously during the holiday season. Not only that though, showrunner Steven Moffat revealed that the special will get a theatrical release in select U.S. theaters as well during December. I'm sure many Sherlock fans are eager to buy tickets to these versions of Holmes and Watson on the big screen.

Enjoy the clip and we'll keep you posted on any more news about this project.

Source: BBC One