Bryan Cranston Talks Lex Luthor & Superman
Bryan Cranston has been linked heavily to the role of Lex Luthor in forthcoming Superman sequel Batman vs. Superman. Now the Breaking Bad star has commented on the speculation teasingly suggesting the studio should “Give me a call”. Speaking further about the Man of Steel’s iconic nemesis the teasing star added:
“I like Lex luthor, I think he’s misunderstood. He’s a loveable, sweet man”.
Of course Cranston seemed like obvious casting given his flair for both comedy and serious villainy. The distinctive bald head he sported in Breaking Bad also seemed like a perfect fit for the famously hairless super-villain Lex Luthor. However Cranston was candid in admitting that his wife in particular wasn’t such a fan of the look.
“She wasn’t so keen on the bald head. The bald head ages a man. It’s just that she didn’t know me that way. The last six years it’s all of a sudden like sleeping with a stranger — who was less exciting than her own husband. So I don’t blame her for being upset.”
It remains to be seen whether or not Mrs Cranston’s bedroom disappointment would be enough to make the Breaking Bad star pass on the opportunity to join the cast of the comic book blockbuster should the recent speculation prove true.
The Butterfly Effect Gets Reboot
Mediocre Ashton Kutcher time travel thriller The Butterfly Effect is set to get a very unlikely remake, courtesy of one of the original’s screenwriters Eric Bress. Barely a decade after the original film hauled in a moderately respectable $100 million in cinemas, it seems Bress and New Line are optimistic they can actually do better this time.
Having followed the usual path of working its way through a series of increasingly ignored straight to DVD sequels, it’s a remarkable and entirely unexpected revival for the franchise.
More generous fans are giving the reboot the benefit of the doubt for now, whilst fiercer critics are already pointing to the news as a worrying low point in the worsening Hollywood trend of regurgitating sequels, prequels and re-imaginings instead of taking chances with original content.
John Williams Back For Star Wars Episode VII
In welcome Star Wars news that should surprise absolutely nobody, legendary composer John Williams has been officially confirmed to be taking responsibility for the soundtrack to Star Wars Episode VII. The official confirmation came at the weekend’s Celebration Europe Star Wars fan convention in Germany.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy shared her excitement whilst announcing the news to fans in Germany
“every time I hear John’s music, it just gives me the chills… it’s so important to the saga… we’re all really excited that he’s a part of this.”
The official confirmation puts an end to any recent rumours that director J.J.Abrams may have been looking to replace Williams, breaking with a tradition which has seen Williams provide the iconic score to all six chapters in the saga to date. But at least for the time being nervous fans can breathe a little easier that failing all else the new film will at least sound like Star Wars.
Vin Diesel For Guardians of the Galaxy
Vin Diesel has fueled rumours that the mystery Marvel film he’s apparently in talks to join may be Guardians of the Galaxy by posting a picture of the character Groot on his official Facebook page. Vin Diesel had recently revealed he had been having meetings with the studio over joining one of their upcoming projects.
Some fans had initially speculated that he may be providing the voice of Thanos, the big bad teasingly introduced at the end of the first Avengers film. While his trademark gravel voice would certainly be a good fit for the god like super-villain, obviously now fans will speculate that it’s actually going to be Groot that gets the benefit of those vocal skills. Groot is a giant tree like alien hero whose comic book dialogue is actually almost exclusively limited to shouting his own name.
In theory Vin Diesel could still be in the running to play Thanos, as Guardians of the Galaxy is supposed to be the Marvel film which introduces that character fully as the most deadly threat the Avengers and Marvel’s universe of heroes must face. Time will tell just how subtle or heavy-handed a tease Vin Diesel is. Although many outlets are already running reports that he is indeed being lined up for Groot.
The eclectic cast of Chris Pratt, Glenn Close and Benicio Del Toro are already confirmed for Guardians of the Galaxy, with James Gunn directing. The film is set for release in just under a year’s time, arriving in cinemas on 1st August 2014.
Disney Announce New Animated Projects & Casts
Disney has announced a whole slate of new animated films at their biennial D23 Expo. They’ve also confirmed an impressive array of vocal talents for the various new projects that includes Tom Hiddleston, Christina Hendricks, Neil Patrick Harris, Bill Hader and Amy Poheler
Finding Dory
The studio confirmed that the Finding Nemo sequel will feature Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy as Dory’s long lost parents. Ellen DeGeneres will reprise her role a famously forgetful fish Dory alongside Albert Brooks surprisingly serious clownfish. Ty Burrel will also join the cast as Bailey, a whale struggling to find the confidence to leave a water park and return to the wild.
The Good Dinosaur
Disney’s tale of a family of Apatosaurus dinosaurs will feature Frances McDormad and John Lithgow as the Mom and Pop of the dino heard. Neil Patrick Harris, Bill Hader and Judy Greer will play their children, with Raising Hope star Lucas Neff playing the lead role of teenager Arlo.
Inside Out
Up director Pete Docter explores the mind of a little girl in an existential animated adventure that introduces audiences to her personified emotions, such as Joy, Fear, Sadness, Disgust and Anger. Amy Poehler, Bill hader, Mindy Kaling, Phyllis Smith ad Lewis Black respectively gives voice to those cartoon emotional constructs.
No doubt it will be an endearing exploration of the complexities of the human condition, but if someone had tried to explain their idea for this film to you on a bus you would probably switch seats immediately.
Planes: Fire and Rescue
Cars spin-off Planes has just started flying into cinemas around the world but Disney is so confident in their ever expanding franchise of talking vehicles that they’ve already confirmed plans for a sequel. Presumably from the title Planes: Fire and Rescue it will see our hero Dusty Crophopper moving on from the world of racing to tackle some fires and rescue some people/other planes.
The Pirate Fairy
“When a misunderstood dust-keeper fairy named Zarina steals Pixie Hollow’s all-important Blue Pixie Dust, and flies away to join forces with the pirates of Skull Rock, Tinker Bell and her fairy friends must embark on the adventure of a lifetime to return it to its rightful place. However, in the midst of their pursuit of Zarina, Tink’s world is turned upside down. She and her friends find that their respective talents have been switched and they have to race against time to retrieve the Blue Pixie Dust and return home to save Pixie Hollow.”
Christina Hendricks is providing the distractedly smouldering voice of Zarina and Tom Hiddleston is voicing a young Captain Hook.
Zootopia
When a fast talking fox is framed for a crime he is pursued by a rabbit cop, until the unlikely duo are inevitably forced to team up when they both get pulled into the middle of a wider conspiracy. Set for release in 2016 under the working title Zootopia, it looks set to finally combine the worlds buddy comedy crime capers and anthropomorphic animals.